Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Though it’s different now after having lost 2 games, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh addresses NFL rumors and his contract.
Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh says ‘actions speak louder than words’ in terms of his willingness to continue coaching in comparison to jumping to the NFL, as recent rumors have suggested.
The New Orleans Saints cut Larry Warford, their Pro Bowl right guard. The Texans and Bears have already shown interest in the free agent.
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The New Orleans Saints were unable to find a trade partner before releasing right guard Larry Warford, but he’s already receiving interest as a free agent. Warford was called up to the Pro Bowl as an alternate in each of his three seasons with the Saints, but a step back in performance before a contract year in 2020 prompted the team to draft Michigan interior lineman Cesar Ruiz in the first round of this year’s NFL draft.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported Friday evening that the Houston Texans were a team looking to get in on Warford’s sweepstakes, potentially reuniting him with former teammate Senio Kelemete (who started 14 games at left guard in 2018 before his 2019 campaign ended with a Week 1 wrist injury). The Texans have struggled to field a consistent five-man lineup in front of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, so Warford’s streak of 101 starts (plus six playoff appearances) would be appealing.
Another team to watch on Warford might be the Chicago Bears. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported that the Bears would consider a run at Warford, whose only hurdle at starting in the Windy City would be Seattle Seahawks draft bust Germain Ifedi (signed by the Bears as a free agent earlier this year). Longtime Saints personnel director Ryan Pace is now the Bears general manager, so he may have a good idea of what Warford offers.
What’s frustrating about this immediate interest from teams around the league is that the Saints apparently couldn’t cut a deal with any of these teams before releasing Warford. That’s probably due to his salary — any team trading for the 29-year-old would be on the hook for his $7.65 million base salary, but now that he’s a free agent they can negotiate a contract much more favorable against the salary cap. It’ll be interesting to see where he lands up.
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Reports are already airing on the 2020 schedule of New Orleans Saints games, including a Christmas Day kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings
Our instant tracker for reports and rumors on the 2020 New Orleans Saints schedule is live, so check this space often for updates. But remember that nothing is official until it comes from the team or the NFL itself, with announcements expected to air at 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday night.
Here’s what we know so far:
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The New Orleans Saints will host Tom Brady and the new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their home opener for the 2020 NFL season, per a report.
The NFL is set to release its schedule of games for the 2020 season at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday night, but reports are already filtering in concerning when the New Orleans Saints will be playing this year. Nothing is official until the team itself reveals its slate of games, so don’t finalize your travel plans just yet.
Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football got the scoop on the first few weeks of the 2020 Saints schedule, which begins with an afternoon home opener against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13. Underhill adds that the Saints and Buccaneers will get a rematch on Sunday Night Football on Nov. 8.
Additionally, Underhill reports that the Saints are scheduled for two Monday Night Football games: in Week 2 at the Las Vegas Raiders, and again in Week 5 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The Green Bay Packers will visit New Orleans in Week 3, while the San Francisco 49ers will grace the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Week 10.
Stay tuned for updates as more reports come to light throughout the day. But if things follow this early track, this year’s Saints schedule is looking to be as exciting as advertised.
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The New Orleans Saints could move up into the early picks of the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by trading with teams like the Dolphins.
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Some buzz on Round 2:
— Among the players the #Bengals like at No. 33 are Ross Blocklock & Denzel Mims.
— #Colts (34) & #Dolphins (39) open to moving out.
— #Saints (CB? LB?), #Jets (CB?), #Jaguars (OT?), #Falcons among the teams who have made calls to move up.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2020
The second round of the 2020 NFL Draft is going to be filled with intrigue, if the latest reports are any indication. The New Orleans Saints were among several teams actively working to trade up and secure a pick early on Friday night, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport rattling them off in a list that included the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Atlanta Falcons. Each of those teams could end up arranging a deal to climb up in the second round, but the Saints would be making the biggest jump. Right now, they don’t even own a second-round pick.
Rapoport also speculated that the Saints could be targeting a cornerback or linebacker with this move. While he didn’t specify which position the Saints might want to address so badly, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer also reported that the Saints are busily working the phones to try and find a trade partner before the second round kicks off.
But which teams might be interested in trading down? The Dolphins were one possibility suggested by Rapoport, as were the Indianapolis Colts (at No. 34). Miami owns multiple picks in the second round at Nos. 39 and 56, ironically because the Saints traded with them last year, targeting Erik McCoy. The Dolphins have a history of cutting deals with New Orleans, going back to the Kenny Stills-Dannell Ellerbe trade way back in 2015. Maybe they can work something out again.
Other options to watch would be the Baltimore Ravens (picking at Nos. 55 and 60) and the Chicago Bears (with selections at Nos. 43 and 50). But if the Saints are really wanting to get ahead of their competition, they might need to put a ton of chips on the table and aim even higher. Don’t sleep on another trade with the New England Patriots, who the Saints have often traded with in the past (remember the Brandin Cooks deal?). The Patriots traded down and out of the first round, acquiring the Los Angeles Chargers pick at No. 37.
Whichever direction the Saints end up going, they won’t have lacked for options.
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The New Orleans Saints are exploring options with possible trade partners slotted to pick high in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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The New Orleans Saints aren’t finished upending fans’ expectations. Having selected Michigan interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, they’re now working to make a bold move up the board.
Per a report from the MMQB’s Albert Breer, the Saints are targeting a draft slot “near the top of the second round.” That would put them in position to select one of the top prospects at linebacker, wide receiver, or cornerback, but we really can’t rule anything out (except maybe punter, kicker, and long-snapper).
The difficulty arises from New Orleans lacking a second-round pick in this year’s draft, having traded it already to move up for Erik McCoy in 2019. Their next pick isn’t until No. 88 overall, so the Saints might have to dive into their war chest of 2021 draft picks. They could also trade a veteran player.
And that would follow a precedent. The Saints have often traded next-year selections to make moves in the present, maneuvering the draft board to acquire prospects they value highly. Don’t be shocked if they go back to one of their common trade partners like the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, or Philadelphia Eagles, though it’s worth noting that the Baltimore Ravens are a team with four picks in rounds two and three.
The Saints surprised a lot of people last night, and they may not be done. I'm told they've been calling around to teams early in tonight's order to explore getting a pick near the top of the second round.
They don't have a 2 right now. So it may require a '21 pick.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 24, 2020
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The New Orleans Saints are one of several teams actively exploring trade possibilities in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton isn’t one to sit idly by while his competition gets better. Payton has traded up in every draft he’s been a part of in New Orleans except for his first, all the way back in 2006. He trusts his scouts to turn in comprehensive reports on college prospects so that his coaches can best project how those players might fit their scheme, and then he gets to work wheeling and dealing draft picks to move with confidence.
The 2020 NFL Draft should go no differently. If anything, the Saints might be more aggressive than usual in the first round. Multiple reports from around the league’s orbit place the Saints among a crowd of teams interested in jumping up and out of the first round’s final selections, targeting higher-graded prospects available earlier on.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted the Saints “have made some noise” about trading up the board on Thursday night, and that New Orleans is typically among the more-frequent movers in the draft. That was echoed by Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who listed the Saints in a group of teams coveting quick-footed options in this year’s dynamic wide receiver class.
Among the teams who have made some noise about potentially moving up in tonight’s Draft: The #Falcons, the #Jets (presumably for a tackle), the #Saints, the #Packers. New Orleans and Atlanta are always among the most aggressive.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2020
11. A slew of teams have done work to shape up the first round WR order. A handful later in the first have been pressing for where the "speed" guys will go. A crowded market of shoppers: #Jets, #Raiders, #49ers, #Broncos, #Eagles, #Vikings, #Saints, #Ravens, #Packers and #Chiefs.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 23, 2020
However, both Rapoport and Robinson were late to this party: ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported earlier Thursday that the Saints had contacted every team slotted ahead of them in the first round, working on contingencies should a highly-valued prospect slip down the board.
But Russini also said that the Saints could be content to remain at No. 24, trusting their evaluations of prospects at cornerback and all across the offensive line — as well as running back, specifically noting Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor as someone ranked high on their board.
It’s too soon to know whether any of these rumors end up bearing fruit, but it is clear that the Saints are investigating all of their options. They aren’t about to be caught flat-footed in maybe the most important moment of their offseason.
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Who’s getting picked, who’s moving up, and who’s moving down? It all adds to the intrigue as the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is here.
It’s finally here. All the speculation, all the what-ifs, all the hypotheticals, all the combine grades and mock draft madness and virtual interviews… it all becomes real Thursday night when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off in home offices and man caves and living rooms all over the country. From the teams doing deals on their sofas to the commissioner announcing the selections from his house to the prospects camped out around their kitchen tables, this year’s first round promises to be like nothing else the league or its fans have ever seen.
What remains exactly like drafts past, though, is the scramble for inside information in the hours leading up to the picks. From veteran reporters to network analysts to armchair GM wannabes on Twitter, everyone has a hot “I’m hearing” take or a fresh “sources say” scoop to share. Some of them will bear out to be true; many won’t.
Here’s where we’ll plug in all of the latest rumors and rumblings to keep you as up-to-date as possible. Jump to the bottom of the article for the full first-round draft order.
The Miami Dolphins have three first-round selections, and a ton of needs, so how they will spend those picks is a source of major guesswork.
What I hear on Dolphins QB situation, FWIW:
They think Burrow is Joe Montana. Have offered a ton. Bengals virtually certain to keep pick
They like Tua a lot but medical is a concern.
They aren't big on Herbert
They are super intrigued by Love's upside.5 is high but have 18 & 26— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 23, 2020
Is Miami’s worry over Tua Tagovailoa’s health genuine and compounded by the fact that they were unable to meet with him in person before coronavirus travel restrictions set in? Or is some of this leaked concern a ploy to scare other teams off the Alabama passer? The Dolphins would presumably love to take an elite offensive lineman with the fifth pick and still land Tagovailoa.
Medical concerns have also surrounded Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, to the point that Jeudy’s doctor wrote a note to all 32 teams explaining the wideout’s previous knee surgery.
Every team has their own medical views, and I’ve talked to many of them. While it’s possible some have issues with Jerry Jeudy’s knee, I have not spoken with a team yet that believes it will hinder his NFL career. https://t.co/nG6COK5kJe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020
Despite persistent whispers that Jeudy has some mysterious knee ailment that is worse than has been revealed, teams say that they have no doubts about Jeudy’s ability. But when it’s time to actually call a name, will those lingering stories be enough to sway a GM to look elsewhere?
One of the more curious rumors floating around is the Giants’ apparent interest in Oregon quarterback Justin Hebert. The Giants just anointed Daniel Jones their signal-caller of the future after taking him sixth overall last year and benching Eli Manning in favor of him.
But Big Blue, with the No. 4 pick this year, has reportedly spent an incredible amount of time this offseason on Herbert.
Adding to this: I am absolutely certain Herbert is the No. 1 QB on #Giants board. I'm also completely certain they aren't drafting him. This is a staple #Patriots culture move. Getting some additional "just in case" evaluation for down the road. Herbert could flame out elsewhere. https://t.co/7tirCz4OM3
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 20, 2020
What New York chooses to do with the fourth pick Thursday night will be fascinating to watch.
Many teams will eagerly give up a selection that high for more draft capital in later rounds, knowing that a desperate team might overpay to get the player they covet. Expect lots of wheeling and dealing with so many teams seemingly unsure about prospects they were unable to spend time with in person.
Team I will be paying closest attention to on Day 1: Detroit
Lions are in a spot they'd like to get out of, have no real need of drafting a QB, teams with a need there want to get to that spot.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 22, 2020
Even the Cowboys- with the 17th pick- have been targeted as a team that could trade back. There is sure to be a player Dallas loves who’s available once they’re on the clock, but the lure of instead getting multiple prospects that they simply like a whole lot may be just too much for Jerry and Stephen Jones to pass up.
That may be a plausible scenario, but ESPN’s Todd Archer considers it doubtful. He also nixes the talk of the team taking Michigan center Cesar Ruiz with the 17th pick.
Here's a scenario I'm positive won't happen tonight: the Cowboys taking Cesar Ruiz either at No. 17 or a trade back. They believe in Joe Looney, Connor McGovern, Connor Williams as the Travis Frederick replacements. /1
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 23, 2020
Of course, for teams to move down, there have to be teams who want to trade up. Atlanta seems to fall into that camp this year.
From @NFLTotalAccess Draft Preview: The #Falcons have talked to several teams in the Top 10 about moving up, and everyone assumes that's for a corner. But Atlanta has also FaceTimed with multiple top tackles who will be long gone by 16. 🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/j1Qp0u8day
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020
But it’s not just 2020 picks that can be used as collateral in a trade. It’s entirely possible that some clubs are burning up the phone lines prior to the draft trying to unload a current player from their roster.
The clock is running out on a deal for #Jaguars franchised pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue and there hasn’t been much traction to date. These deals are complicated and difficult — both in settling on compensation and doing an extension with his agent. At this point, unlikely.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2020
That doesn’t bode well for Cowboys fans still clamoring for a deal that brings New York Jets safety Jamal Adams to Dallas, even though Jerry Jones has already tried to squash that rumor.
Jerry Jones seemed to downplay any interest the Cowboys would have in trading for a superstar player, like Jets safety Jamal Adams, calling such a move, “highly unlikely.” "At this time of the year, draft pick values are heightened because all the teams… https://t.co/SPfujl3m5w
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 21, 2020
At least that’s what Jones said publicly. Part of a smokescreen? No one knows. And that’s what makes the draft such an endless source of intrigue for fans. It’s all possible. No conspiracy theory is too nuts, no potential deal is off the table, nothing is set in stone.
Until Thursday night rolls around, and then things suddenly are set in stone.
Here’s what we know for sure headed into the first round: the order of the 32 picks taking place Thursday night. In addition to Miami’s three Thursday-night picks, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Minnesota, and San Francisco each have two as well. Buffalo, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and the Los Angeles Rams will wait until later rounds to make selections.
The first round breaks down as follows.
2020 Draft Round 1 Order |
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| Pick No. | Team | Selection | School | Trade Notes |
| 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 (from IND) | |||
| 14 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |||
| 15 | Denver Broncos | |||
| 16 | Atlanta Falcons | |||
| 17 | Dallas Cowboys | |||
| 18 | Miami Dolphins (from PIT) | |||
| 19 | Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI) | |||
| 20 | Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | |||
| 21 | Philadelphia Eagles | |||
| 22 | Minnesota Vikings (from (BUF) | |||
| 23 | New England Patriots | |||
| 24 | New Orleans Saints | |||
| 25 | Minnesota Vikings | |||
| 26 | Miami Dolphins (from HOU) | |||
| 27 | Seattle Seahawks | |||
| 28 | Baltimore Ravens | |||
| 29 | Tennessee Titans | |||
| 30 | Green Bay Packers | |||
| 31 | San Francisco 49ers | |||
| 32 | Kansas City Chiefs | |||
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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:
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.
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Trade rumors involving the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins continue to swirl leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.
While our Jeff Risdon recently noted that rumors surrounding teams trading up for Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are basically dead — the trade rumors at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft have persisted.
The latest reports involving a potential trade between the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins don’t involve Tagovailoa, but instead an unnamed offensive tackle — suggesting the Dolphins want to get ahead of the New York Giants and their No. 4 overall pick.
Yesterday, NBC Sports’ Julie Donaldson was first to suggest this possibility, noting that she had heard this from “multiple sources”:
I am hearing from multiple sources Miami is looking to move up to #3. Specultion suggest it could be for OT, maybe Andrew Thomas out of Georgia. Then Jeff Okudah from Ohio State goes to Detroit at 5, and Tua Tagovailoa to Chargers. #NFLDraft
— Julie Donaldson (@JDonaldsonNBCS) April 21, 2020
Today, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted a similar report and the Athletic’s Chris Burke noted that Lions general manager Bob Quinn has anticipated this since the NFL Combine:
Bob Quinn hinted at something like this back at the combine. "If I do get calls, it might not be for a quarterback." https://t.co/0h0kpS2meK
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) April 22, 2020
It’s generally not a smart investment to put too much stock in rumors less than 48 hours away from the draft, but as Burke noted, this type of trade has had legs since the Combine back in February.
So maybe this rumor has a bit more substance… but probably not.
But maybe.
