Tag: reports

Official draft order for 2020 first round, latest Saints rumors

The trade-happy New Orleans Saints have been connected to several wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft’s first round.

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We’re just hours away from the New Orleans Saints going on the clock in the 2020 NFL Draft, and intrigue is already swirling as decision makers around the league put final touches on their big boards, check in with each other to keep trade talks ongoing, and shout for their kids to get off of the Internet so they can work. It’s going to be a more exciting Thursday than most, to say the least.

Here is the current order of picks in Thursday night’s first round, barring any trades after the Cincinnati Bengals go on the clock:

  1. Cincinnati Bengals
  2. Washington Redskins
  3. Detroit Lions
  4. New York Giants
  5. Miami Dolphins
  6. Los Angeles Chargers
  7. Carolina Panthers
  8. Arizona Cardinals
  9. Jacksonville Jaguars
  10. Cleveland Browns
  11. New York Jets
  12. Las Vegas Raiders
  13. San Francisco 49ers (via Indianapolis Colts)
  14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  15. Denver Broncos
  16. Atlanta Falcons
  17. Dallas Cowboys
  18. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers)
  19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears)
  20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams)
  21. Philadelphia Eagles
  22. Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo Bills)
  23. New England Patriots
  24. New Orleans Saints
  25. Minnesota Vikings
  26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans)
  27. Seattle Seahawks
  28. Baltimore Ravens
  29. Tennessee Titans
  30. Green Bay Packers
  31. San Francisco 49ers
  32. Kansas City Chiefs

And now, for what you’re really here for: the latest hot draft rumors and reports. Remember, it’s lying season in the NFL, so take all of this with a hefty dose of salt.

  • The most chatter at the top of the draft surrounds a possible Lions-Dolphins trade, which would see Detroit drop down to the fifth overall pick while Miami leaps up to third. Despite having devoted the last 18 months or so of their operations to “Tanking for Tua,” the Dolphins appear to have backpedaled against that notion and may be targeting a left tackle to replace Laremy Tunsil rather than the Alabama quarterback prospect.
  • But the action might start sooner. Most observers in the media have agreed — so far — that Washington will stand pat at No. 2 and happily select Chase Young, the phenomenal pass rusher out of Ohio State. But at least one team has reportedly put an offer on the table to trade up to that spot.
  • It’s also possible that longtime D.C. left tackle Trent Williams finally gets his wish, and gets traded to another organization. The Skins have taken the wheel in his trade negotiations with other teams to hammer out a deal with another team, and his departure could further shake up the first round of this year’s draft.
  • Speaking of Williams: ESPN reported that he was nearly moved in a player-for-player swap with Tampa Bay last year, exchanging the embattled blocker for former first-round pick O.J. Howard. But those talks collapsed. Howard has played only a bit part with the Buccaneers, and the revival of Rob Gronkowski could make him easier to ship out during the draft.
  • However, we can’t sleep on the possibility of Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff making a bold move to try and right his ship. The Falcons might be looking to secure a blue chip defensive prospect by trading up into the top ten, which would be crucial given how badly they’ve played on that side of the ball (not to mention their losses in free agency).
  • But what could the Saints do to improve? Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline reported this week that the team is high on TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor, who could fill the void Ted Ginn left behind as a threat to stretch the field. But is Reagor really worth a first-round pick? He only had one year of significant college production before regressing hard in 2019. Pauline added that linebackers and maybe even a quarterback might be considered early by the Saints, if the value is right.
  • Conversely, Alabama wideout Henry Ruggs III was suggested by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football as someone who would fit well in a possible first-round trade, as would some top prospects at cornerback and along the defensive line. The Saints trade up often, and it’s easy to see a scenario where Ruggs slips past other teams and lands in a spot where New Orleans is comfortable moving.

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Reports: Marshon Lattimore not expected to play vs. Panthers

The New Orleans Saints will be without starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore in their Week 12 game with the Carolina Panthers, per reports.

The New Orleans Saints injury report listed star cornerback Marshon Lattimore as questionable to play in Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers, but NFL Network reports now suggest Lattimore will be sidelined another week while managing a hamstring injury.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday morning that Lattimore was not expected to play against the Panthers, but he could return on the following Thursday for the Thanksgiving headliner with the Atlanta Falcons. Tiffany Blackmon, also reporting from NFL Network, was assigned to cover the Saints-Panthers game from the sidelines and later added that Lattimore will not suit up.

While the Saints probably wanted to get a look how Lattimore’s hamstring responds during pregame warmups, it makes sense to let him rest until Thursday’s kickoff. Starting nickel corner P.J. Williams held his own while filling in for Lattimore a week ago against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he should have another opportunity to put up good game film against Carolina’s lackluster receiving corps.

With Williams on one side, Eli Apple on the other, and rookie C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the slot, the Saints are enjoying rare depth in the secondary. They’ll have tough decisions to make in the spring when Williams, Apple, and starting strong safety Vonn Bell each test unrestricted free agency.

We’ll know for sure whether Lattimore is playing today when the Saints release their inactive report later Sunday morning. So keep an eye out for official confirmation from the team.

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