Keep up with the latest NFL Draft rumors
The NFL Draft is this week, and the rumors are aplenty. We’re keeping track of them right here.
There’s never a lack of rumors when it comes to the NFL Draft, especially as it grows nearer. Despite mock draft after mock draft, it’s incredibly difficult to predict how the real thing will go, especially when it comes to trades and how those will affect the rest of the draft.
There also needs to be some pause when it comes to certain rumors. It’s not beyond teams to selectively plant a trade rumor to drive the price of picks either up or down.
We’re going to give you the hottest draft rumors while also determining whether or not you should put a lot of stock into them.
Day 1 rumors
The rumors are swirling about Baker Mayfield going No. 1
The Browns have kept their QB choice close to the vest, but the arrow is starting to point Mayfield’s way:
Browns continue to keep the decision on their No. 1 pick a secret, but there is a mounting belief from HCs and GMs around the league that Cleveland will take Baker Mayfield.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2018
Mel Kiper, who had the Browns taking Josh Allen in all his previous mock drafts, moved Mayfield to No. 1 in his final mock, as did NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah.
The Saints might trade up
One less obvious team that might be after a quarterback — and could move up to get one — is the New Orleans Saints.
The #Saints have made plenty of calls about making a big leap up from pick No. 27, I’m told. Could be due diligence in case a certain player (perhaps a QB) falls. But they will be well-prepared to move tonight if it comes down to it.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2018
Drew Brees is still a Pro Bowl quarterback, but he’s 39 and only under contract for two more years. So don’t be surprised if it happens.
It’ll either be Jets or Browns for Baker Mayfield
While most mock drafts have Cleveland’s choices narrowed to Sam Darnold or Josh Allen, there seems to be a real possibility that Baker Mayfield is in the mix. But if it’s not the Browns for Mayfield, NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein says most teams expect the Jets to scoop up the 2017 Heisman winner two picks later.
The Browns could trade the No. 4 pick for a 2019 1st
There reportedly hasn’t been much talk about a trade for the No. 1 pick and that makes sense, because Cleveland can grab a quarterback there. But the No. 4 selection could be a different story with so much quarterback demand at the top of the draft.
From Up to the Minute Live: The #Browns are having conversations about trading the No. 4 pick tomorrow... and it could get them a first-rounder for 2019. pic.twitter.com/U31DVQHrSi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2018
Bradley Chubb has been the favored pick for the Browns at No. 4, but scooping up another first-round pick in 2019 to move down a bit could be a tough offer to ignore.
There’s a “50 percent” chance four QBs go in the first five picks
Late Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped this nugget:
One GM estimated today that there is a “50 percent chance” that four QBs will go in first five picks Thursday night. Would be a big help to top 10 teams not in QB market.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2018
The assumption is that those four quarterbacks would be (in no order) none other than Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen.
The Browns are choosing between Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen
Does anybody really know?
Dan Patrick on @dpshow citing a source who told him #Browns are choosing between Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen for No. 1 pick echoing what @DustinFox37 has said. Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold off the board.
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) April 23, 2018
Because...
The Browns won’t take Josh Allen
Our first draft week rumor comes from the MMQB’s Peter King, who said, “We’re all prisoners of the people we know in this league. And someone I trust, who is very often right and is very well-connected, told me Sunday it’s not Allen [for the Browns].”
The Browns will draft Sam Darnold
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said on a media call Friday, April 20 that he believes the Browns will take Darnold No. 1 overall.
The Browns are still considering Baker Mayfield
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday morning that the Browns still had Mayfield in the mix:
Just to add a bit more murkiness to top of draft: one NFL executive said this morning that Baker Mayfield is “definitely” in Cleveland’s conversation to become the No. 1 overall pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2018
Schefter added, “The source said the Browns may have already decided whom they would select at No. 1. But before that final decision, whenever it was made, Mayfield was in that conversation.”
The Browns could draft Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley
“I would be surprised if he traded down,” the friend told the MMQB’s Peter King. “This would be his chance to take his two offensive cornerstones for the next eight or 10 years.”
The Giants will pick Saquon Barkley ... if they stay at No. 2
Mayock also said that he believes that Barkley is the pick for the Giants at No. 2. He would give them their best chance to have their first 1,000-yard running back since Ahmad Bradshaw in 2012. But that all depends if they don’t trade the pick, per Mayock.
Josh Rosen is the likeliest QB to slide in the draft
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah reported that after talking with personnel executives, they believe Rosen is the quarterback most likely to slide. It’s because of “durability concerns” added with people questioning his “intangibles as a leader.”
The Raiders want Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith
ESPN’s Todd McShay believes that the Raiders are sold on the linebacker. “Roquan Smith is the guy,” McShay said on a conference call Wednesday morning. “I don’t know that they would be willing to give away additional picks later to go up and get him. But he’s the guy they want.”
The Bills, Dolphins and Cardinals are aiming for a top 5 pick
According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the Broncos have fielded calls from Buffalo, Miami and Arizona regarding the No. 5 pick. That makes sense considering all three teams could be in the market for a quarterback. Don’t be surprised if one or more of those teams makes an aggressive move up the draft order to secure a passer.