Toledo WR Alonzo Russell worked out privately for the New England Patriots Thursday, April 7, according to a source. Russell has also worked out for the Dallas Cowboys and has met with the Green Bay Packers.
Footballguys View: The Patriots will probably add a receiver or two in the draft but it’s unlikely they will put up numbers worth a fantasy roster spot. If it’s not Julian Edelman or Rob Gronkowski, we’re not sold.
North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz has drawn serious interest from the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Eagles want to try to trade up to draft him, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. ‘I know [Eagles head coach] Doug Pederson loves him,’ Zierlein said. ‘I know that from people behind the scenes, in the know. That’s who he wants and that’s who he likes. It’s just going to be tough [to trade up for Wentz].’
Footballguys View: At this point last year they “wanted Mariota” so we’ll take that in the spirit of complete and utter disbelief, although Zierlein is definitely plugged in. That’s not to say that the Eagles wouldn’t love Wentz to fall to them but as Zierlein points out, it’s tough to move up and be certain you’ll get him. Certainly this could be an indication which supports the idea that Sam Bradford doesn’t have the franchise’s complete faith.
Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater and Vikings wide receivers, including WR Charles Johnson, recently finished workouts in Orlando, Fla. Johnson said it felt good to make connections, be around his teammates again and learn some new things.
Footballguys View: We like hearing this and think it bodes well for Bridgewater and his receivers, but feel the passing offense is likely to be hamstrung again by offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s insistence to run Adrian Peterson into the ground. Until we see different, we are tempering our expectations because of it.
Minnesota Vikings WR Charles Johnson (ribs) said he broke a rib against the San Diego Chargers in September of last season. He added that it took until early November to feel like he could play while managing the injury. Johnson said the rib injury is good now.
Footballguys View: Johnson could be a huge factor in the offense when healthy again, though the insistence on running nearly all game limits what he – and the rest of the receivers as well as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – can do.
Ohio State WRs Braxton Miller and Michael Thomas worked out for the Tennessee Titans last week, worked out for Cincinnati Bengals’ evaluators Monday, April 4 and worked out for the Baltimore Ravens Wednesday, April 6.
Footballguys View: Miller could be a choice in the early second round, as could Thomas. Both are good sized athletes and would be nice red zone targets for Marcus Mariota.
Free-agent DL Markus Kuhn (Giants) signed an undisclosed deal with the New England Patriots Thursday, April 7.
Free-agent WRs Josh Boyce (Patriots) and Brian Tyms (Patriots) both signed undisclosed deals with the Indianapolis Colts Thursday, April 7. OG Ben Heenan was waived in a corresponding move.
Alabama RB Derrick Henry is not viewed as a first-round selection in the eyes of one anonymous NFC running backs coach. ‘I can’t see him in the first round because he’s just a banger type and those guys don’t go in the first [round].’
Houston Texans free-agent SS Quintin Demps re-signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal Thursday, April 7, according to a source.
New England Patriots restricted free-agent S Brandon King signed his exclusive-rights tender Thursday, April 7.