If you were trying to keep track of all the pre-draft visits Jadeveon Clowney had made this spring, you might as well put a bow on it.
According to Sports Illustrated, Clowney won’t be doing any more individual workouts for NFL teams. The reason being: Clemson offensive tackle Brandon Thomas blew out of his knee training for the draft two weeks ago, and Clowney — a projected top-three pick — cannot afford to have the same fate.
Clowney has already told at least three teams he won’t be participating in anymore pre-draft workouts before, per the report, and instead will let his Pro Day workout be a reference. Clowney is still planning to undergo the interview process with prospective clubs, but not doing workouts may impact his draft stock.
“I’d want the guy who’s going to be coaching him to put him through some of our drills,” one general manager told SI, “and see how he responds.”
Pick the best prospect available then land a quarterback in Round 2 — or wait, drafting the quarterback in the first round. Those are some of the strategies teams in need of a quarterback are considering for May.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders are all considering passing on quarterbacks in the first round and waiting to their second or third picks to grab their guy under center. The reason: the teams are too high on any of the quarterbacks in this class.
Per Peter King:
They’re not in love with any of the quarterbacks, and there are too many other good players who are surer things than a quarterback you have sincere doubts about. For that reason, there could be more quarterbacks taken in round two than round one.
In April, King reported the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Rams, Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets were the teams most likely to make a draft-day trade. He’s sticking with the Browns and adding the San Francisco 49ers to the list.
According to King, the best value in the draft is between picks 20-50. The Niners, with a history of moving up to nab their guys, could capitalize on the 30th, 56th, 61st and 77th overall picks, but could use that ammo to move up in the second round as well. The Browns are in a similar spot with the 26th, 35th, 71st and 83rd selections.
