CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock for one more day with the top pick.
The countdown is on for the draft in Cleveland. Here are the latest NFL Draft 2021 rumors and reports from around the league, as of Wednesday morning:
Jimmy Garoppolo trade talk heating up
With San Francisco expected to take a quarterback at No. 3, Jimmy Garoppolo’s time appears up with the 49ers. NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora reported Tuesday the ‘Niners are trying to trade him before or during the draft.
“Very strong expectation among other GMs and throughout the industry that the 49ers will make major effort to move Jimmy Garoppolo before or during the draft,” LaCanfora tweeted. “Timing isn’t great with 5 QBs about to go in 1st round, but Jimmy G’s future there now seen as bleak.”
When asked Monday whether Garoppolo will be on the roster by the end of the draft, coach Kyle Shanahan gave an odd response.
“I can’t guarantee you anybody in the world will be alive on Sunday,” he said. “So I can’t guarantee who will be on our roster on Sunday.”
This is a big pick for Shanahan.
As Alex Shultz of SFGate.com noted, the pick likely dictates his job status within a few years.
Their inability to sign Andy Dalton or Joe Flacco this offseason with a plan to trade Garoppolo — likely to New England — writes Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network, is a big reason why Mac Jones is favored to be the 49ers’ pick. They need a more NFL-ready quarterback.
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones not high on Pitts
If Atlanta does not take Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4, don’t expect the Dallas Cowboys to jump at the opportunity to select him.
That comes from The Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken, who reported in a tweet that “Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it is ‘not legitimate’ to say he is infatuated with TE Kyle Pitts. Considers that description a ‘distortion’ of his thinking. ‘We’re not going to spend inordinate value’ to trade up for Pitts.”
The Cowboys appear split at No. 10 on cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II of Alabama and Jaycee Horn of South Carolina, according to Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network.
9
Smoke signals on Caleb Farley
Notice Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley isn’t mentioned with Dallas?
With two back surgeries since he last played in 2019, Farley is a cornerback who could be an option for the Browns.
That’s an if, depending on who you ask.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported some general managers believe Farley could drop to the second round. Agent Drew Rosenhaus, of course, told Pelissero that won’t happen.
“I’ve had multiple teams tell me that in the middle of the draft, they are going to draft him,” Pelissero tweeted Rosenhaus told him. “I don’t expect him to make it to pick No. 20.”
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, left, and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gilmore could be Patriots’ bargaining chip
If New England makes a splash via trade, cornerback Stephon Gilmore could be the Patriots’ ticket to making it happen.
“The New England Patriots could perhaps deal Stephon Gilmore on draft night as part of a package to move up if they are in the business of getting a quarterback,” ESPN’s Dianna Russini said on ESPN’s “Get Up!” She noted Gilmore is making $7 million this year in the final season of a five-year contract.
History says Bengals lean wide receiver
With free-agent wide receiver A.J. Green now in Arizona, the Cincinnati Bengals could reunite quarterback Joe Burrow with LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase by spending the fifth pick on him.
Cincinnati has a track record of using a high pick on a wide receiver to replace one it lost that offseason, according to Bengals blogger Joe Goodberry.
That company includes Peter Warrick in 2000 to replace Carl Pickens and Green in 2011 to replace Chad Johnson.
Sewell’s floor could be Miami at No. 6
The lowest Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell could fall is No. 6 to the Miami Dolphins.
Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reported Tuesday in a tweet, “The Dolphins are indeed moving Robert Hunt to right guard, and Penei Sewell is a possibility at pick 6.”
Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk in talks with Southern University
Marshall Faulk, head coach?
It could happen at the college level with Southern University.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that there have been conversations between Faulk and the school. “Nothing is done,” Rapoport wrote, “but the Louisiana native could follow in the footsteps of Deion Sanders as a SWAC HC.”
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