The New England Patriots are unlikely to put the franchise tag on impending free-agent WR Wes Welker for the second straight year, because they’d have to pay him $11.4 million in 2013. It appears he’ll either sign a multi-year deal or hit the road packing in free agency.
Patriots | Franchise tag unlikely for Wes Welker
Cleveland Browns DE Jabaal Sheard said he hopes the team keeps using the 4-3 defensive alignment but is willing to play a new position if the team switches to a 3-4 defensive alignment. ‘I would be [disappointed in a switch], because I like the 4-3 we’re in, and it’s a defense where I’ve been comfortable,’ said Sheard. ‘But I’m up for a challenge at any time. I want to show how athletic I am, and show that I can play multiple positions.’
Browns | Jabaal Sheard hopes to stay in 4-3 defense
Miami Dolphins DT Randy Starks has been added to the AFC Roster for the 2013 Pro Bowl in place of New England Patriots DT Vince Wilfork.
Dolphins | Randy Starks going to Pro Bowl
North Carolina State QB Mike Glennon could become the top quarterback prospect on the 2013 class if he is able to excel in the Senior Bowl as well as in the interviews with teams.
Our View: Our Footballguys.com staff members at the Senior Bowl report that Glennon had a poor showing in the first day of practice. Glennon has the physical tools to impress but several of his passes were low or outside their intended targets.
NCAA | Mike Glennon could become No. 1 QB prospect
The Pittsburgh Steelers will search for a featured back, most likely through the draft, next season because they feel RBs Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman and Baron Batch are complementary backs at best. Batch should have an increased role next season after the team released RB Chris Rainey. Impending free-agent RB Rashard Mendenhall is not expected to be retained.
Steelers | Looking for featured back
Utah State CB Will Davis has seen his draft stock increase during the season and could make himself a first-round prospect if he performs well against some of the top wide receivers during the Senior Bowl.
Our View: Davis is an impressive CB who is gaining positive buzz in Mobile. We like his recovery speed, click and close ability, plus his nose for the ball.
NCAA | Will Davis moving up draft boards
Updating a previous report, the New York Jets’ top offseason priority will be to bring in another quarterback that will compete with QB Mark Sanchez for the starting role. Sanchez’s 55.1 career completion percentage is way too low for a QB in a west coast offense, though, so is isn’t expected to be the answer. Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Flynn, Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick and San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith seem like unrealistic options because of the Jets’ salary cap issues. It’s unlikely that New York will use their first-round selection (ninth overall) to select a quarterback in this year’s draft.
Jets | Looking to bring in QB
Buffalo Bills FS Jairus Byrd has been added to the AFC roster for the 2013 Pro Bowl in place of Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed.
Bills | Jairus Byrd going to Pro Bowl
The 2013 rookie quarterback class is wide open. But that doesn’t mean signal-callers won’t be taken early, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.
Mike Mayock: Three or four QBs will go in first round
The 2013 rookie quarterback class is wide open. But that doesn’t mean signal callers won’t get taken early, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.
Mike Mayock: Three or four QBs to go in first round