Incoming San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon hasn't taken much time to relax this offseason after signing a reported four-year, $30-million contract in free agency.McKinnon has been preparing for the grueling workouts that begin April 16 - which head coach Kyle Shanahan says are intended to "humble" his players - under the tutelage of former teammate Adrian Peterson."Running hella hills," McKinnon said of the workouts, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. "We do a lot of hill work, track stuff, box in the offseason, work on our hands for pass (protection) and stuff like that. Basically honing in on little details."McKinnon has worked out with Peterson in Houston every offseason since 2015. He entered the league as a third-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2014 draft.Unsure of what's waiting for him at the 49ers facility in Santa Clara, Calif., McKinnon is excited for his first true opportunity to serve as a No. 1 back."I don't know what they have in store for us, but I'm pretty sure it will be some hard work and some good team bonding," he said. "Yeah, I'll be looking forward to it."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider doesn't want the team's parting of ways with All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman and Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett, among others, to be mistaken for a rebuild."It's a constant reset every single year, it doesn’t stop," Schneider said Friday, according to Stacy Frost of 710 ESPN Seattle. "When I say 'reset', people are like, 'well, it's a rebuild.' We're not rebuilding; it’s just a reset."Schneider said the offseason departures are not unlike previous roster turnovers that allowed Sherman and others to emerge as the household names that made up the 'Legion of Boom' defense that competed in back-to-back Super Bowls, winning SB XLVIII."I'm telling you, man, there's a lot of good young football players that people don't know about. Tedric Thompson was one of our best special teams players this last year. He didn’t get to play much at strong safety. Kam (Chancellor) was one of our best special teams players the first year he played. He didn’t get to play strong safety because Lawyer (Milloy) was here. Trust the process, man," Schneider said.Chancellor and defensive end Cliff Avril remain uncertain for the upcoming season due to career-threatening injury concerns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While some may assume Cam Jordan is hoping the New Orleans Saints give him some pass-rush help through the draft, the All-Pro defensive end wouldn't mind developing on the other side of the ball.Jordan joined NFL Network's "Up to the Minute" on Friday to discuss a variety of topics surrounding the Saints offseason including what they should do with the 27th overall pick. Jordan mentioned Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki and LSU pass-rusher Arden Key as potential targets before alluding to a certain Heisman-winning quarterback."If you're looking for an heir apparent, maybe give him the Aaron Rodgers treatment. Let him learn from the best for a couple years and then send him on. But I'm not putting here nor there, I'm just simply saying," Jordan said, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook before clearly mouthing "Lamar Jackson."Jordan referred to the idea of letting Jackson sit behind 39-year-old Drew Brees, who has two years remaining on his contract, as a plus for the ultra-athletic pass-thrower. Brees has been in New Orleans since 2006 and has yet to see a potential successor as the Saints have drafted just two quarterbacks during his tenure, neither in the first two rounds.Head coach Sean Payton told ESPN's Mike Triplett earlier in the week that he has also been impressed with Jackson and clarified that the team isn't looking for "a Drew Brees clone" to replace their starter."I like (Jackson). He's athletic. He's got a magic smile to him. He's a leader," Payton said. "With Lamar, you feel it in the room and you can tell he can lead. ... He's a special guy. You just have to be around him, interview him, and you can see why he was successful."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A horse named after New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will be racing in the Kentucky Derby after winning the Burradon Stakes in England on Friday.Horse owner Kerri Radcliffe of Phoenix Thoroughbreds says the horse was named after the tight end because of her love for the team, as well as the thoroughbred's height."I love the New England Patriots and as Rob Gronkowski is (6-foot-5) and about the same wide I thought it would be an appropriate name for the horse as he's built much the same," Radcliffe told David Milnes of the Racing Post in February.

Hue Jackson is either awkward with his words, has a provocative sense of humor, or is just really into the idea of playing Myles Garrett alongside top pass-rushing prospect Bradley Chubb.The Cleveland Browns head coach had an odd way of phrasing his thoughts when he was asked if he's considered using one of his team's first-round picks to pair Chubb with Garrett."I do at nighttime when I'm by myself,'' Jackson said Tuesday at the NFL Annual Meeting, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "You kind of play that scenario game with all these different guys. I wish I could have them all. There will be good scenarios as we come down to the end here.''Jackson also said last week that the team is close to deciding on which quarterback to draft with either the first or fourth overall selection.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien, who won two Super Bowls with the team, is the latest ex-NFL star to suffer serious effects to his mental health stemming from football.The 55-year-old recently admitted he once attempted suicide. Though he did not specify a date, Rypien says he took pills and alcohol to try to kill himself on his daughter's birthday but was saved by his wife, who forced the former quarterback to vomit the medication."Let me share my story so others can share theirs," Rypien told John Blanchette of The Spokesman-Review. "Let's get rid of this silence that happens when you're caught up in this cycle and you don't know how to find the help I've been afforded."Related: NFL says 281 concussions reported in 2017, highest-ever total for league"My story is impactful because people see me in a different light. I want them to see me in an accurate light. I've been down the darkest path. I've made some horrible, horrible mistakes. But I've given myself a chance to progress forward."Rypien says he was inspired to speak up about his mental health in part due to Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski's suicide in January. Rypien also attended Washington State and is the cousin of former NHL player Rick Rypien, who died of an apparent suicide in 2011."I suffer from a complex stew of mental health conditions," Rypien told KHQ-TV, according to ESPN's John Keim. "Dark places, depression, anxiety, addictions, poor choices, poor decisions, brought about from dozens of concussions and thousands of subconcussive injuries from playing this sport."Rypien, who played 12 seasons with five different teams, has had legal problems in his retirement, including a 2012 prostitution sting as well as a domestic incident in November. He says he's now getting help through medication and support from counselors, doctors, and his family.Once a Super Bowl MVP, Rypien says he wouldn't want his grandchildren to play football.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Josh McDaniels set to take the Indianapolis Colts' head coaching position, it was all but guaranteed that the Super Bowl would be the offensive coordinator's last game with the New England Patriots.Shortly after the club's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, however, McDaniels changed his mind and opted to remain on the Patriots' staff. It's a decision head coach Bill Belichick was certainly pleased with, as evidenced by the lavish praise he heaped upon McDaniels on Friday."I'm thrilled he's still with us and is going to continue in the role," Belichick told Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. "I think he's the top offensive coordinator in the league. He's done a great job for me for a long time in a lot of different roles so very glad, based on the meeting we had (after Super Bowl), there were a number of things that happened, but after the meeting that we had were able to work that out and keep him with us."Under McDaniels' watch, the Patriots have finished in the top three in points per game over the last three seasons. Despite the fact he's now 40 years old, Tom Brady shows no signs of slowing down and is clearly comfortable with his veteran coordinator.The common thought around the league is that McDaniels is being groomed as Belichick's eventual replacement when the 65-year-old decides to retire. That doesn't appear to be happening in the near future, so for now, McDaniels will have to settle for being called the best offensive coordinator in the league by arguably the best coach of all time.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens have added two new receivers this offseason, but are still looking for reinforcements.The Ravens worked out receivers Michael Floyd and Willie Snead, according to ESPN's Field Yates. The latter is a restricted free agent.Floyd, the 13th overall pick in 2012, played with the Minnesota Vikings last season and recorded 10 catches for 78 yards over 11 games. Snead is coming off a down year as he struggled to find a role with the New Orleans Saints after starting the season on suspension. If Snead is offered a contract, the Saints will have the chance to match the offer and sign him for a fourth year in New Orleans.The Ravens have already signed receivers Michael Crabtree and John Brown this offseason, releasing Jeremy Maclin.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders have released fan-favorite punter Marquette King and veteran tight end Clive Walford, the team announced Friday.Moving on from King frees up just under $3 million in cap space for 2018, according to Spotrac. King has already received interest from the Minnesota Vikings, a source told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.King had become popular for his social media habits and on-field celebrations over the past three seasons, and was also one of the best punters in the league, statistically. The 29-year-old had the third-best net average (42.7 yards) among punters with at least 20 attempts last season and was voted as a second-team All-Pro in 2016. He joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2012.Oakland signed rookie punter Colby Wadman on March 16. He's now the only punter on the roster.Walford was a third-round pick in 2015, but disappointed during his first three seasons, recording just nine catches for 80 yards over 13 games in 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kendall Wright will be in the NFC North again next season, but it won't be with the Chicago Bears, as the veteran receiver has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.The Vikings announced the move on Friday, with terms of the deal undisclosed. The former Baylor star led the Bears with 59 catches for 614 yards last season, finding the end zone once.Wright will give new Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins another weapon alongside star receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets have signed free-agent running back Thomas Rawls, the team announced Friday.Rawls, 24, played the first three years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, having his best season as a rookie in 2015 when he ran for 830 yards with four touchdowns. Rawls' production drastically fell off the last two years as he rushed for just 157 yards in 2017 while being inactive on multiple occasions.

It appears Johnny Manziel is in fact garnering interest among NFL teams.A source told Yahoo Sports' Jordan Schultz that multiple clubs remain "intrigued" with the idea of signing the former Cleveland Browns quarterback.Manziel has been out of the league since the 2016 offseason due to various off-field issues, but is determined to reshape his image and continue his career.He showcased his skills twice this month, throwing at both San Diego's and Texas A&M's pro days. The New England Patriots reportedly met with the signal-caller after the Aggies' pro day Wednesday.The 22nd overall pick in the 2014 draft, Manziel has reformed his image in the eyes of many teams of late, according to Schultz. Whether or not he receives an offer in the near future, however, remains to be seen.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

At a time when each new quarterback contract seems to one-up the last, and reports consistently include a variation of the phrase 'becomes the highest-paid QB in NFL history,' the Cincinnati Bengals are in no hurry to have Andy Dalton join that club."We are certainly aware quarterback deals have evolved since then. We know that at the right time we will have to evolve as well. We don’t think this is the time right now. What we are going to focus on right now is building the best team for 2018 we possibly can," said Bengals vice president Troy Blackburn, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.Dalton signed a six-year, $96-million extension with the Bengals in advance of the 2014 season, a lofty contract at the time for a 26-year-old who had gone 30-18 in the regular season but 0-3 in the playoffs through his first three campaigns. But the contract now pales in comparison to Dalton's peers; he ranks as the 21st highest-paid quarterback in terms of annual average, according to Spotrac."We didn’t sign the Andy Dalton deal because we thought it was a good deal. At the time, it was an expensive deal. It was a heavy lift," said Blackburn. "We did it because Andy was a winning starting quarterback in the National Football League, he had demonstrated that."Dalton made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season and has done so twice more since signing his extension in the summer of 2014, but he has made just one more playoff appearance and remains without a postseason victory.The 30-year-old has three years remaining on his current deal and will count for $16.3 million against the salary cap in 2018. He can be cut after this season with no dead money counting against the cap.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Dane Belbeck, Jack Browne, and Alex Chippin.1. Philadelphia EaglesBelbeckBrowneChippin112It should take a lot to dislodge the defending Super Bowl champions, and the Eagles are arguably even better now after trading for Michael Bennett. If Carson Wentz is ready to go for Week 1, the sky's the limit for Philly. - Browne2. Minnesota VikingsBelbeckBrowneChippin241The reigning NFC North champions are set to return the bulk of their roster but should be more explosive on offense with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and a healthy Dalvin Cook at running back. Minny also signed defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson in free agency, adding him to the league's top defense from 2017. - Chippin3. New England PatriotsBelbeckBrowneChippin324The Patriots haven't made a lot of noise in free agency, but low-key additions like pass-rusher Adrian Clayborn, defensive tackle Danny Shelton, and cornerback Jason McCourty are exactly the kind of moves that always end up working perfectly for New England. - Browne4. Los Angeles RamsBelbeckBrowneChippin533What do you get when you put Ndamukong Suh alongside Aaron Donald, with Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters behind them waiting to make panicking quarterbacks pay? An NFC rightfully petrified. - Browne5. New Orleans SaintsBelbeckBrowneChippin755The Saints have been relatively quiet this offseason but did re-sign Drew Brees to keep their quarterback situation among the league's best. They also added Patrick Robinson, one of the top available defensive backs, to an already scary secondary. - Belbeck6. Pittsburgh SteelersBelbeckBrowneChippin676Even with the uncertainty surrounding Le'Veon Bell, the Steelers are still a favorite to progress from the AFC. Ben Roethlisberger has a veritable arsenal to work with on offense, while the defense should take another step forward this year after noticeable progress in 2017. - Chippin7. Jacksonville JaguarsBelbeckBrowneChippin4613The Jaguars landed talented guard Andrew Norwell to keep the league's top running game humming. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns may be gone, but the team re-signed Marquise Lee and added Austin Sefarian-Jenkins and Donte Moncrief as weapons for Blake Bortles. - Belbeck8. Green Bay PackersBelbeckBrowneChippin987So long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Packers will be contenders. They added tight end Jimmy Graham, who should be a major red-zone help and offset the loss of receiver Jordy Nelson. If the defense can be anything better than terrible - the signing of Muhammed Wilkerson should help - Green Bay could be Super Bowl-bound. - Chippin9. Atlanta FalconsBelbeckBrowneChippin898Losing Adrian Clayborn to the Patriots will certainly hurt the Falcons' pass-rush, an area they didn't exactly address with free agency. Adding center Brandon Fusco helps the offensive line depth, but Atlanta will need to add some defensive weapons in the draft. - Belbeck10. Carolina PanthersBelbeckBrowneChippin10118Torrey Smith should help the Panthers' receiving depth after arriving in a trade with Philadelphia, while Ross Cockrell will be a key player in the secondary. Norwell leaving for Jacksonville is a big hit to Cam Newton's protection, but the talented pivot is no stranger to avoiding a pass-rush. - Belbeck11. Kansas City ChiefsBelbeckBrowneChippin111211The Chiefs were smart to bring in more downfield weapons for the big-armed Patrick Mahomes, but paying $16 million per season for Sammy Watkins was questionable at best. - Browne12. Houston TexansBelbeckBrowneChippin161014Houston had a clear aim during the offseason: shore up its secondary after a dreadful 2017. The additions of Tyrann Mathieu and Aaron Colvin should do just that, while a healthy Deshaun Watson will handle the offensive side of the ball. - Belbeck13. Los Angeles ChargersBelbeckBrowneChippin131512The Chargers were arguably a playoff-caliber team in 2017, with only a few bad breaks early in the year ultimately seeing them fall short. L.A. hasn't improved its roster that much during free agency but should remain in the AFC West hunt with a solid draft. - Browne14. San Francisco 49ersBelbeckBrowneChippin191310The 49ers were set to enter the 2018 season as the hottest team thanks to a Jimmy Garoppolo-inspired five-win streak to end 2017. But, after adding Richard Sherman and Jerick McKinnon, San Fran's hype is set to enter the stratosphere. - Browne15. Tennessee TitansBelbeckBrowneChippin121417The Mike Vrabel-era in Tennessee began with the addition of a pair of Patriots in Malcolm Butler and Dion Lewis. Both should have an immediate impact, with Lewis taking over from DeMarco Murray alongside Derrick Henry in the backfield. - Belbeck16. Detroit LionsBelbeckBrowneChippin151715The Lions didn't get much worse, that's the good news. The bad news is they didn't get much better, either. Matthew Stafford will keep them afloat, but following a mundane offseason, the Lions seem destined for another average season after back-to-back nine-win campaigns. - Chippin17. Washington RedskinsBelbeckBrowneChippin142016Is Alex Smith an upgrade over Kirk Cousins? The Redskins better hope so, as it's hard to argue the team is that much better following the major part of free agency. - Browne18. Baltimore RavensBelbeckBrowneChippin181618A healthier roster should improve the outlook, but it's hard to ignore Joe Flacco's declining performance the last couple of years. Baltimore desperately needs better receivers ... and a better running game ... and a better offensive line. Even then, the Ravens may just require a better quarterback to re-emerge as an AFC force. - Chippin19. Dallas CowboysBelbeckBrowneChippin171819Considering the cap-strapped Cowboys weren't in any position to upgrade their roster dramatically, Allen Hurns and Cameron Fleming are solid additions. Still, Dallas needs a great draft haul and an end to the Dez Bryant saga if it's to get back on top of the NFC East. - Browne20. Oakland RaidersBelbeckBrowneChippin202222Much has been made of Jon Gruden's bevy of older free-agent signings, and while much criticism is unfair, the Raiders haven't done much to suggest they can make it back to the playoffs in 2018, either. - Browne21. Denver BroncosBelbeckBrowneChippin232124Case Keenum is certainly an upgrade on the Broncos' QB talent last season; however, he's still an average passer at best and might not be enough if Denver's aging roster doesn't get an influx of youth soon. - Browne22. Buffalo BillsBelbeckBrowneChippin272520The Bills' free agency was highlighted by overpaying defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and settling on the uninspiring, albeit cheap, AJ McCarron as their potential stop-gap starter. Barring a dramatic draft-day trade-up for Josh Rosen or Baker Mayfield, it's hard not to envision Buffalo's playoff streak ending at one. - Browne23. Seattle SeahawksBelbeckBrowneChippin261929It's been foolish to doubt Seattle in recent seasons, but these aren't the same Seahawks. No more Richard Sherman, no more Michael Bennett, and Russell Wilson is still playing behind the league's worst line. Suddenly, the Seahawks are the third-best team in their division. - Browne24. New York GiantsBelbeckBrowneChippin222923It's insane the Giants would even consider trading Odell Beckham Jr., especially after deciding to try to squeeze one last run out of Eli Manning. New York could be a top bounce-back candidate in 2018, but their offense isn't scaring anyone without the one-handed-catch-loving superstar. - Browne25. Tampa Bay BuccaneersBelbeckBrowneChippin212431The Buccaneers turned an area of weakness into a strength this offseason with the additions of Vinny Curry and Jason Pierre-Paul, who will certainly put pressure on the talented quarterbacks in the NFC South, while also freeing up Gerald McCoy. - Belbeck26. Indianapolis ColtsBelbeckBrowneChippin242727The Colts added Eric Ebron to the passing attack, who could team with Jack Doyle to form one of the better tight end duos in the league. Thanks to the trade with the Jets, the team also holds four draft picks in the opening two rounds. Andrew Luck could be ready for opening day, a move that would be the biggest of all. - Belbeck27. Cincinnati BengalsBelbeckBrowneChippin292626There's only so much A.J. Green can do to make Andy Dalton look like a capable quarterback. The Bengals are a shell of their former selves offensively, so Marvin Lewis' team needs its defense to rebound from an average 2017 to avoid disaster in 2018. - Chippin28. Arizona CardinalsBelbeckBrowneChippin252830The Cardinals are one of the hardest teams to read after losing Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer to retirement and releasing Tyrann Mathieu. While Arizona certainly has talent - David Johnson will remind the NFL world of his talent after a year on the sidelines - relying on the brittle knees of Sam Bradford seems like a disaster waiting to happen. - Browne29. Cleveland BrownsBelbeckBrowneChippin303221The Browns have made plenty of moves this offseason to inspire optimism for 2018, but it's hard to talk up a team that went 0-16 a year ago, and 1-15 the year before that. - Chippin30. Chicago BearsBelbeckBrowneChippin312332The Bears need quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to make significant strides in his second season if they are to vastly improve upon their 5-11 record from 2017. Chicago made plenty of noise in free agency but still doesn't have enough difference-makers on offense to change the trajectory of the franchise. - Chippin31. Miami DolphinsBelbeckBrowneChippin283028The Dolphins have had a confusing offseason. Are they blowing it up or trying to contend in what is a make-or-break year for Adam Gase? As usual, Miami seems to be going nowhere fast. - Browne32. New York JetsBelbeckBrowneChippin323125New York definitely overspent to trade up with the Colts, and barring another move, will have given up significant resources to not even land its desired quarterback. Death, taxes, and the Jets making rash decisions. - BrowneCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's more fuel for the Los Angeles Rams-Odell Beckham rumor mill.When asked about the New York Giants wideout, Rams All-Pro running back Todd Gurley said he'd be excited if his team adds Beckham to its already dynamic offense."If we had him, man, it would be awesome," Gurley said, via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. "I’d be happy, (quarterback Jared) Goff will be happy, coach (Sean) McVay will be happy, (Rams owner Stan) Kroenke, the whole team would be. There’s always enough snaps."The Rams reportedly offered a first-round pick for the receiver this week, while Gary Myers of the New York Daily News reported Tuesday that Beckham told a couple of Rams players he was hoping to play in Los Angeles.Gurley, of course, denied he was one of these players."Hmm, I don’t want to say all that," he said. "That’s my boy."The Rams currently have Goff on a cheap rookie contract, and cap flexibility since they haven't yet extended many star players, so Beckham rumors could continue into draft season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baker Mayfield spent the last three years proving every doubter wrong while at Oklahoma, cementing himself as a first-round pick in this year's draft.However, despite winning the Heisman trophy in his final year in college, the brash quarterback still has those who don't believe in his abilities.For those media members who he deems to have "crossed a line" with their criticisms, Mayfield is keeping a list of names as motivation, he told Russell Wilson during filming for ESPN's QB2QB, according to Robert Klemko of the MMQB."It really doesn't bother me that much because I know the people that say some of these things have never actually taken a snap behind center, never had a 300-pound lineman about to hit them while they have to read the defense downfield," Mayfield said. "If I was worried too much about it, I'd be worried about the wrong things."But I do use some of it as motivation. I can listen to all the people patting me on the back, or I can listen to the people saying I need to get better. I know I need to get better, or else there would be nobody saying that."Mayfield is expected to be the third or fourth quarterback off the board on April 26, though he should still land in top 15 picks in what's a stacked quarterback draft class.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baker Mayfield spent the last three years proving every doubter wrong while at Oklahoma, cementing himself as a first-round pick in this year's draft.However, despite winning the Heisman trophy in his final year in college, the brash quarterback still has those who don't believe in his abilities.For those media members who he deems to have "crossed a line" with their criticisms, Mayfield is keeping a list of names as motivation, he told Russell Wilson during filming for ESPN's QB2QB, according to Robert Klemko of the MMQB."It really doesn't bother me that much because I know the people that say some of these things have never actually taken a snap behind center, never had a 300-pound lineman about to hit them while they have to read the defense downfield," Mayfield said. "If I was worried too much about it, I'd be worried about the wrong things."But I do use some of it as motivation. I can listen to all the people patting me on the back, or I can listen to the people saying I need to get better. I know I need to get better, or else there would be nobody saying that."Mayfield is expected to be the third or fourth quarterback off the board on April 26, though he should still land in top 15 picks in what's a stacked quarterback draft class.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Giants are often held as the standard-bearers for how an NFL franchise should be run, praised for their consistent ability to plan long-term with patience and for their franchise-wide stability - at least until recently.However, if New York ultimately decides to trade its best player in Odell Beckham Jr., just as he's entering the prime of his career, they no longer deserve to be mentioned among the league's elite.It would be, without hyperbole, one of the worst moves in the history of the NFL. But first, let's explore exactly why the Giants are even entertaining the idea of trading an elite talent.Beckham has produced a Hall of Fame-like start to his career. He had 4,122 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns during his first three seasons and was on pace for a 1,200-yard-plus campaign in 2017 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.But off the field and on the sidelines, he's been far from the perfect face of the franchise - especially for the old school Giants.Sideline outbursts, dog-peeing celebrations, suspensions for cheap hits, and, most recently, a video showing Beckham doing a number of possibly questionable things all contributed to the Giants' apparent unease about his character.Co-owner John Mara was asked about the video Sunday and wasn't able to hide his frustrations with his star player, saying, "I guess my response to that is I'm tired of answering questions about Odell's behavior. He knows what's expected of him and now it's up to him."That, in turn, seemingly led to Monday's report that Beckham won't step foot on a football field in 2018 without the new contract he's consistently made clear he feels he's earned (no prizes for guessing from where this story leaked).Beckham is seeking either to be the NFL's highest-paid player, a near-impossible goal considering Kirk Cousins just pushed the ceiling to $30 million per season, or to earn around a reported $20 million annually, a much more realistic target considering his youth, production, and the fact receiver salaries have boomed in recent years.While the Giants have said over and over that their intention is to sign Beckham to an extension, it appears they have reservations about not only paying a wide receiver low-end quarterback money, but also to a player who they seemingly don't trust to be a franchise-level man.Now that we've established the Giants' apparent reasoning for reportedly listening to offers for Beckham - including one from the Los Angeles Rams which included their first-round pick - let's pick it apart.Firstly, there is literally no argument for trading Beckham from an on-field standpoint, so we'll be brief.The Giants' offense - and quarterback Eli Manning especially - are simply better when Beckham is on the field. Manning has a passer rating close to that of Joe Montana's career average when playing with Beckham, but transforms into essentially Chad Henne without him.

Jadeveon Clowney will apparently soon become a very rich man.The Houston Texans and the star pass-rusher have "made a lot of progress on a mega-extension," according to Albert Breer of the MMQB.com.A former No. 1 overall pick, Clowney produced a career year in 2017 with 9.5 sacks and 59 total tackles while playing without J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus for the majority of the season.Breer added Clowney's deal will likely set the floor for Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, who are both expected to exceed Von Miller's league-leading $19-million-per-season contract.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Six years after her controversial halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI, M.I.A. is speaking out about her legal battle with the NFL.The league demanded $16.6 million in damages from the rapper, whose real name is Maya Arulpragasam, after she flashed her middle finger to the camera while on stage with Madonna and Nicki Minaj. The two sides eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.In an interview with Daniel Dylan Wray of Huck Magazine to promote her upcoming documentary, M.I.A. said that while in the midst of the lawsuit, her then-manager, Jay-Z, urged her to agree to a settlement that would see most of her earnings go to the NFL."If you're talking about racism and sexism, that moment in my life showed the cracks in everyone I knew," she explained. "I was at Roc Nation at the time and Jay-Z was managing me. The lawsuit was so ridiculous, it proposed that they would keep one hundred percent of my earnings for the rest of my life if I ever earned more than $2 million. Jay-Z was like, 'You should sign that sh--,' and I was like, 'No.'"While M.I.A. said she's over the whole incident, she does have some lingering frustrations."A middle finger, it's like get a f---ing grip," she said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's smokescreen season in the NFL.We're four weeks away from the draft, the time of year when rumors and leaks surface the most.Let's delve into some of the juicy reports on the rumor mill and separate fact from fiction.Rumor No. 1 - Giants want 2 first-rounders for BeckhamThe Giants dominated headlines this week by first stating no one on the team is untouchable, including superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr., then declaring he's "not on the block." Finally, reports surfaced that the team received several offers for Beckham and asked for two first-round picks in return.Contract negotiations with Beckham were always going to be contentious. He wants to set new ground and become the highest-paid player in the league, while New York just hired a general manager who alienated several star players during contract talks at his previous stop.What we do know is that Beckham wants in the area of $20 million per season, and if the two sides fail to agree on an extension, the Giants can always keep him in New York using the franchise tag.Beckham is the Giants' biggest star in the biggest media market in North America. Even the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft and two other first-round picks, likely outside the top 10, couldn't replace his megawattage.Negotiations figure to get messier before they get better, but the Giants aren't trading him. By leaking that they're open to dealing the 25-year-old while he's in his prime, they're attempting to drive his price down and express to the player's camp that they can envision a future without him.Though his antics have worn on the organization, his production and value remain unquestioned.Verdict: SmokescreenRumor 2 - Baker Mayfield in the mix for No. 1 pickA number of quarterbacks have been projected as the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, but most have predicted Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Josh Allen going to the Cleveland Browns.On Tuesday, head coach Hue Jackson spoke at the league meetings in Orlando and said Baker Mayfield is also in the mix for the top pick."I think he's outstanding," Jackson said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "I have a different appreciation for Baker. Spending that time with him, what a leader, tremendous person."Any other year, the defending Heisman Trophy winner should very well be in consideration for the No. 1 pick, but not in this draft. It's not often a team owner sits down with a quarterback's parents at a pro day, as Jimmy Haslam did to watch Darnold throw at USC. He remains the favorite to have his name called first.But the Browns have two first-round picks and general manager John Dorsey has let it be known he's open to dealing either the No. 1 or No. 4 selection. Leaving open the possibility Cleveland could take any of four passers first overall appears to be a tactic to entice other QB-needy teams to trade up to land their passer of choice.It's more likely that Mayfield will be taken with the fourth pick than it is he'd be the Browns' first overall selection.Verdict: SmokescreenRumor 3 - Cowboys will cut Dez Bryant after the draftDez Bryant's contract situation has become untenable.Three seasons removed from his last 1,000-yard season, he's due $12.5 million in 2018 and will count for $16.5 million against the salary cap.For a team right up against it in terms of cap space, Dallas is in a precarious position.Related - The Dez Dilemma: Should the Cowboys move on from Bryant?Reports have surfaced in recent days that the Cowboys will let Bryant go after the draft. Team brass has only said it has yet to have the necessary conversation with Bryant, but it's coming.Even with the recent additions of receivers Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson, there's a role for Bryant in Dallas as long as the Cowboys are chasing the ever-elusive Lombardi Trophy. And the reality is the cap situation improves dramatically in the coming seasons.But they own the 19th pick in this year's draft and are hoping the run on quarterbacks pushes top talent at other positions to them. One player falling down boards is receiver Calvin Ridley.If the Cowboys land the top receiver in the draft, Bryant won't be long for Arlington.Verdict: RealityRumor 4 - Rams willing to trade 1st-round pick for BeckhamRams head coach Sean McVay was careful to avoid tampering, but he let it be known Tuesday at the league meetings that he's in the business of acquiring talent."If there's one thing you can appreciate about what we've done this offseason, there's no trade we wouldn't explore or look into if we feel like it can upgrade us as a team," McVay said, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, after trading for Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, players who had worn out their welcomes on their last teams.Even after winning the offseason by also signing Ndamukong Suh, the Rams have weak spots, particularly at receiver.L.A. owns the 23rd pick in this year's draft. It alone won't be enough to land a player like Beckham, but there's no reason to doubt the Rams have contacted the Giants in hopes of bringing Odell to California.Verdict: RealityRumor 5 - Patriots interested in Johnny ManzielThe Patriots spoke to Manziel before and after he threw at Texas A&M's pro day Tuesday, sparking speculation New England is interested in making him Tom Brady's backup.Let's slow things down, however. Yes, the Pats are in need of a QB behind Brady and a successor to his throne, but Manziel has been out of the NFL for two seasons and is more than two years removed from a domestic violence incident.Professionally, Manziel will begin his reboot in a developmental league next week and sounds resigned to the fact he'll then have to take his talents to the CFL before he gets a sniff at another shot at the NFL.When the Patriots met with Manziel, chances are the meeting was much like the one Sean Payton had with the player at last year's Super Bowl: merely a fact-finding endeavor and an opportunity to lend mentorship to a man with a troubled past.Verdict: Smokescreen(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tony Romo is being lauded for his first season as a football broadcaster.After his first year working side-by-side with Jim Nantz for the NFL on CBS, Romo has been nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Sports Personality - Sports Event Analyst."Romo is joined in that category by Jon Gruden, formerly of ESPN's "Monday Night Football" coverage, ESPN college analyst Kirk Herbstreit, FOX baseball analyst John Smoltz, and CBS college analyst Gary Danielson.Football fans responded favorably to Romo's enthusiastic approach and penchant for predicting the upcoming play.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Richard Sherman and San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York are on good terms now, but that wasn't the case three weeks ago when the cornerback was still a member of the Seattle Seahawks.As York explained Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings, there were some social media formalities that needed to be sorted out after Sherman joined the 49ers."We had to unblock each other on Twitter," York said, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.York declined to reveal what led to the decision to block one another."There's just a level of competition and that competitive spirit," he said. "I'm happy to be fighting alongside him. But there was definitely a rivalry."At the end of the day, football is a business, but you have to figure out can you work with people who have different perspectives and different histories. And with Richard, he's going to come in and be the consummate pro."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams have been having difficulty setting up interviews with quarterback prospect Lamar Jackson, according to Mike Mayock of NFL Network.

Quarterback prospect Lamar Jackson didn't run the 40-yard dash at Louisville's pro day on Thursday."Game speed is going to tell it all," Jackson said, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "You’ve (got) to catch me first."He did attempt roughly 60 throws in front of an audience that included representatives of all 32 teams, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.Jackson declined to participate in the 40 at the combine earlier this month amid talk of teams considering him a wide receiver, though he denied those reports.Related - Report: Multiple teams ask Lamar Jackson to work out as WRJackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 and was a finalist in 2017.He completed 59.1 percent of 430 pass attempts for 3,660 yards and 27 touchdowns with 10 interceptions this past season. He added another 1,601 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He rushed for a total of 50 touchdowns and threw for 69 in his three college seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent quarterback Trevone Boykin was arrested at his home in Mansfield, Texas, on Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault, according to The Associated Press.Boykin's girlfriend, Shabrika Bailey, said in a recent interview with WFAA-TV in Dallas that he severely beat her, breaking her jaw. Mansfield police were able to review footage of the March 21 incident captured by his home security video system.Boykin, 24, was released from the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad Tuesday after the interview.He has denied assaulting Bailey, and his agent told the TV station that her statements are false.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots strayed from their usual preparation at the quarterback position in 2017 by trading both Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo.With only veteran Brian Hoyer signed behind Tom Brady for the 2018 season, owner Robert Kraft expects the team to address the position in April's draft."I'm going to put my fan hat on, and obviously at some point we have to," Kraft told ESPN's Mike Reiss at this week's owners meetings in Orlando."Not just that, but think what happened in the '08 season when in the first quarter against Kansas City, Tom (Brady) goes out. How many people would have said that Matt Cassel would have led us to an 11-5 season? I put my faith and confidence in Bill (Belichick). He knows his responsibilities. Anything can happen, even if Tom comes in (and is in) tip-top shape."Cassell was taken in the seventh round of the 2005 draft. He attempted just 39 passes over his first three seasons but in 2008 he was required to play in all 16 games in Brady's stead. Brissett and Garoppolo were selected with a third- and second-round pick, respectively, in recent years.Brady, 40, has shown no signs slowing down, but Kraft stressed how the nature of the NFL requires teams to be prepared for a worst-case scenario."Part of why the networks pay us the funding they do, and the reason this is the best entertainment product in America, is you don't know - one play can change a whole season. One play with one person. To do a good job managing an NFL franchise, we've always said understanding quality depth management, that's our business," Kraft said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is impressed by what quarterback Dak Prescott has accomplished thus far in his career, but he says the soon-to-be 25-year-old still has room for improvement."He's done a lot of good things, but he knows, we know, everybody knows he's got to get better," Garrett said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, according to Todd Archer of ESPN."One of the exciting things about him is he has such a determination to get better every day. ... I think he has to work on the physical part. The fundamentals have to continue to be refined. And that's everybody. That's footwork, delivery, getting away from center, his mechanics in the gun, getting the ball out quicker, being more accurate. All the things that every quarterback in this league is working on, he has to continue to refine those," Garrett said.Prescott suffered some regression in his sophomore season in 2017, experiencing significant declines in his completion percentage, yards per attempt average, and total number of passing yards. He threw for 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions after throwing 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions while leading the Cowboys to the playoffs in his rookie season.Both Prescott's and the team's decline came amid the six-game suspension served by running back Ezekiel Elliott from Weeks 10 through 15."Obviously a couple years ago in his rookie year, we won 13 games and he was a big part of that. I thought we did a good job of attacking defenses a lot of different ways," Garrett said. "Certainly we were predominately a running team, but he was very effective throwing the football."Wide receivers Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson have been added via free agency in an effort to help Prescott and the passing game this season, and make the Cowboys' offense more balanced.Garrett will get his chance to start preparing Prescott and his new receiving options when offseason workout programs open on April 16."Now, does he have to get better at everything? Absolutely. And we're working very hard with him on that. We're excited to get back with him in the middle of April and get back to work," said Garrett.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A video showing Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves smoking an unknown substance surfaced on an fake Instagram account with a similar handle to his.The Bucs said Wednesday they're aware of the video but didn't offer any comment on it, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. The NFL said the same thing.It's unclear when the video was actually taken, but it shows Hargreaves blowing smoke into the camera.Hargreaves was Tampa's first-round pick in 2016. He's struggled to live up to expectations through his first two seasons in the NFL.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals signed 22-year-old defensive lineman Moubarak Djeri from the German Football League, they announced Wednesday.The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder comes across the pond after racking up 40 tackles, 12 sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Cologne Crocodiles in 2017."It was a big dream, and right now it's life," an excited Djeri told Kyle Odegard from the team's official websiteafter signing his contract. "I'm so excited to be here."Terms of the contract weren't disclosed, but presumably Djeri will battle for a roster spot in training camp."I know the NFL is much faster than the league I played in before," he said. "But I’m going to keep working."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory, who didn't play last season while serving a drug-related suspension, is preparing to petition the NFL for reinstatement, multiple sources told David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.Gregory has reportedly either failed or skipped at least seven drug tests over his two-year career. He also tested positive for marijuana multiple times in college. The former second-round pick has appeared in just two games for Dallas, registering nine tackles and one sack.It's unclear whether the Cowboys would welcome Gregory back. Executive vice president Stephen Jones said in February the franchise couldn't count on Gregory being part of its future plans.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite getting burned by Josh McDaniels, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard was actually against the proposed rule change that would've allowed coaches to be hired from teams that are still active in the postseason.The proposal was tabled by the NFL Competition Committee indefinitely Tuesday. It was inspired by McDaniels, whom the Colts had to wait to hire as head coach until after the Super Bowl, only for them to learn the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator had a change of heart and wasn't coming to Indy after all. By then, their coaching candidates pool had shrunk significantly."When you're a playoff team, you're trying to eliminate all the distractions that you can, Ballard told Stephen Holder of the Indy Star. "And we're going to be a playoff team and we're going to have these issues."It becomes a slippery slope. We have rules in place for a reason. I think they're good rules. It gives you a chance to interview and then, after the season, whatever happens, happens. In our case, he changed his mind and we moved on."Ballard added that the McDaniels fiasco isn't a usual occurrence around the league, and noted the rule could result in a team getting locked to a coach whose heart remained elsewhere."What if you hire a guy and he’s halfway in?" Ballard said. "Even though it was painful, and everybody reacted, I kind of didn't see what the big deal was. You move to the next scenario. That's just what we do. People are so scared of the unknown. I say just keep moving forward. What if a guy signs a contract and then, two weeks later, has second thoughts? What are you going to do? What are the legal ramifications?"And that playoff team who has worked their (butt) off, they're trying to win, man. The rules are in place to protect them. It's already a distraction, but now you're creating a whole other issue."Indianapolis wound up hiring former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich as head coach after McDaniels elected to stay put in New England.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Reuben Foster's future with the San Francisco 49ers will depend on his ability to stay out of trouble off the field, CEO Jed York said Wednesday."We'd love Reuben to be on this team," York told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. "And we'd love him to participate for us, but if he's not doing things off the field that allow us to be able to rely on him - or he's doing something that we're not comfortable with off the field and it's proven that's what's going on - I think the guys have said then you're just going to have to move on."Foster, a former first-round draft pick, has been involved in multiple incidents away from the gridiron over the past year. He was arrested in January for possession of marijuana, and in February for domestic violence. The district attorney's office hasn't decided whether to pursue charges against Foster for the latter incident."We have to wait until that (decision) happens, but that will obviously be something that we get together and discuss whatever comes down when those issues come up and figure out where we move from there," said York.The 23-year-old second-year linebacker posted 72 tackles in 10 games as a rookie, but York made it clear he won't make many more in a San Francisco uniform if he doesn't clean up his act."From my conversations with (general manager) John (Lynch) and (head coach) Kyle, I know Reuben is very cognizant of where his position is right now, and his time with the 49ers could potentially be over if he continues to do things outside of the team that aren't what we want him to be a part of," he said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There will be male cheerleaders on the sidelines of NFL games for the first time ever this upcoming season.The Los Angeles Rams announced Wednesday that two men - Quinton Peron and Napolean Jinnies - have joined their previously all-female cheerleading squad. While the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts both employ male stuntmen, Peron and Jinnies will make history as the first male dancers for an NFL team.The men, both California natives, were among the 76 finalists who auditioned for the Rams' cheerleading squad. They joined "Good Morning America" on Wednesday along with cheerleader captain Emily Leibert to talk about the audition process.

What some consider the most exciting play in football - the kick return - could have an expiration date.Members of the NFL's competition committee say kickoffs need to become less dangerous or the play will be removed from the game altogether."We've reduced the number of returns, but we haven't really done anything to make the play safer," Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy, who's on the competition committee, said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifer.The league plans to talk to head coaches and special-teams coordinators about kickoffs "in the next few weeks," Murphy said, and the message will be clear."If you don't make changes to make it safer, we're going to do away with it," Murphy said. "It's that serious. It's by far the most dangerous play in the game."The league has taken steps to limit the number of returns in a single game, and Tuesday, the NFL made permanent a rule that places the ball at the 25-yard line after a touchback. The touchback spot was moved up 5 yards from the 20-yard line in order to entice teams to opt for a touchback rather than a return.Murphy said concussion rates are five times higher on kickoffs than on any other play in the game. The league's chief medical officer said there were 291 concussions reported in the 2017 season, the most on record.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the NFL's brand-new rule against initiating contact with the helmet Wednesday in his public address to close the annual league meetings.On Tuesday, the league approved a new rule that will penalize a player on either side of the ball for initiating contact by using their helmet - a regulation that was drafted and passed in one day and has drawn criticism from players.Goodell wants them to reserve judgment until the league visits all 32 teams to meet with players, coaches, and medical staff to better explain the rule."We think this is going to help us take the helmet out of the game and get it back to where it's a protective device as opposed to something that can be used as a weapon," Goodell said.A number of players were injured during the 2017 season as a result of helmet-to-helmet hits and plays in which the helmet was the primary point of contact.With so much focus on player safety and limiting the number of concussions in the sport, adding such a rule was the next logical move.Goodell said he has received lots of support from coaches, who back the use of instant replay on potential ejections for violating the rule."Everyone really felt like this was a necessary step," New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.Goodell added that coaches will have to instruct players to work on changing their instincts."We believe that this rule is actually going to be very easy for us to officiate and bring clarity," he said, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The sale of the Carolina Panthers is moving along with "unprecedented interest" and it's believed that owners will vote on the sale during league meetings in May, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Owner Jerry Richardson announced in December that he would sell the Panthers after a report revealed he'd paid settlements to several ex-employees who said he'd sexually harassed them and used racist language.A number of buyers have been reported to have shown interest, and the bidding for the team is reported to have exceeded $2.5 billion.The Buffalo Bills sold for $1.4 billion in 2014.The investigation into Richardson's workplace conduct is ongoing and the findings will be released at its conclusion, Goodell said, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants have set a price tag for those interested in acquiring the services of Odell Beckham Jr.The team has asked for at least two first-round picks in return for the star wideout, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, despite the team recently claiming Beckham wasn't being actively shopped.Beckham, 25, is set to hit the free-agent market in 2019 and is reportedly aiming to hold out until he becomes the NFL's highest-paid player. Team co-owner John Mara said Tuesday he wants to retain the three-time Pro Bowler but stopped short of saying the team would refuse to entertain any trade offers.The Giants star compiled 302 yards on 25 catches in just four games of action last season, but surpassed 1,300 yards and hit double digits in touchdowns in each of his previous three campaigns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins have agreed to trade troubled Su'a Cravens to the Denver Broncos in a five-pick deal that will see the two teams swap draft selections in the fourth and fifth rounds, with the Broncos also sending another fifth-round pick to Washington to complete the deal, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source.The Broncos will receive the 113th and 149th overall picks while the Redskins will get the 109th, 142nd, and 163rd overall selections in return, Schefter reports.Cravens tweeted his response to the deal on Tuesday.

The NFL passed another rule change that came in under the radar Tuesday.The league will no longer require a team to line up for an extra point or two-point attempt after scoring a game-winning touchdown, according to Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com. The rule was approved by the NFL's competition committee.The impetus for such a rule change came after the Minnesota Vikings scored a last-gasp victory over the New Orleans Saints as the clock ticked down in their 2017 divisional playoff game.Trailing by one with 10 seconds left in the game, Vikings quarterback Case Keenum found Stefon Diggs for a game-winning 61-yard touchdown catch and run.Though the Vikings took a 29-24 lead with no time left on the clock, league rules required them to kick a meaningless extra point. However, during the pandemonium after the play, Vikings players and staff littered the field and the Saints headed for the locker rooms.The game was delayed for several minutes before the Vikings eventually took a knee rather than kick the point after.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spent much of last season fighting the inevitable suspension of running back Ezekiel Elliott and delaying contract negotiations for commissioner Roger Goodell.Though his fight against the Goodell extension resulted in the forfeiture of $2 million in legal fees to his fellow NFL owners, Jones has no regrets."When you get pretty supportive then you run or get a chance to pay the fiddler," Jones said Tuesday at the owners meetings in Orlando, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. "I have understood that. The commissioner has that power."Jones appealed the $2-million penalty last month, but it was denied by Goodell.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL revised its rulebook Tuesday, and two changes in particular will make an immediate impact on the game of football as we know it.First, the league approved a new simplified catch rule in which the central components are now control of the football and two feet or another body part down in bounds followed by a football move.The revised rule will make wideouts around the league happy, and while it should result in more completions, it will also likely lead to more fumbles.If a player makes a reception in the field of play and the ball pops out when he goes to the ground without being touched, the play will no longer be ruled an incompletion. It will be called a fumble.

The New York Giants say they're not looking to trade Odell Beckham Jr., but that won't bridge the gap between them and the 25-year-old receiver in contract negotiations.Should the G-Men change their stance on Beckham, we'd like them to consider the following three trade scenarios, which would all promptly break the internet.1. Giants trade OBJ to Steelers for RB Le'Veon Bell, WR Martavis Bryant, and 2018 1st-round pickBeckham and Bell don't seem to be making much progress on new contracts with the Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively, so the two clubs could swap superstars in a trade that would send shockwaves through the NFL. The Giants would get a legitimate franchise running back for the first time since Tiki Barber, while the Steelers would pair Beckham with Antonio Brown to create the greatest 1-2 receiving punch in history, and then draft a running back to replace Bell. Since receivers are valued above running backs, the Steelers would also send a talented wideout in Bryant to New York, along with the 28th overall pick in the upcoming draft.2. Giants trade OBJ to Browns for WR Corey Coleman, 4th overall pick, and 1st- and 2nd-rounders in 2019In this scenario, the Cleveland Browns would keep the first overall pick, allowing them to draft whichever quarterback they want to throw to Beckham and his best friend, Jarvis Landry, for the next half-decade or so. Zach Mettenberger may have stopped the Beckham-Landry combo from achieving glory at LSU, but he wouldn't be able to do that in Cleveland, which would suddenly become one of the most entertaining teams in the NFL. Heading to the Big Apple here is Coleman, a former first-round pick and developing receiver, plus several high draft picks the Giants could use to quickly retool their roster.3. Giants trade OBJ and QB Eli Manning to Jaguars for 1st- and 2nd-rounders this year, QB Blake Bortles, and LB Myles JackBy doing this, the Giants would go into full rebuild mode, sending Beckham and two-time Super Bowl MVP Manning to the Jaguars, who nearly reached the Super Bowl last season despite their poor passing game. The trade would reunite Beckham and Manning with former Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who's now the Jaguars' vice president of football operations. Big Blue would net an up-and-coming linebacker on a cheap contract in Jack, along with a stopgap quarterback in Bortles and draft picks to help accelerate the rebuild.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots met with free-agent quarterback Johnny Manziel before and after his Tuesday workout at Texas A&M's pro day, a source told the Boston Herald's Karen Guregian.Manziel's appearance marked the second college showcase at which he's worked out, as he previously threw during San Diego's pro day.The Pats apparently weren't the only team to show interest in the artist known as "Johnny Football," as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Manziel met with other franchises as well.Manziel said after the workout he intends to play in the Canadian Football League if he doesn't land any NFL opportunities. He's also set to play in the Texas-based Spring League and is expected to be in Austin on Wednesday.The former Heisman Trophy winner's off-field issues have been well documented, but he's said he has made a serious effort to clean up his act over the last several months.Manziel, now 25, has been out of the NFL for the last two seasons. He was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns out of Texas A&M in 2014.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peyton Manning has rejected FOX's offer to be the lead analyst for Thursday Night Football, sources told The New York Post's Andrew Marchand.The two-time Super Bowl winner also reportedly turned down a similar role with ESPN and its Monday Night Football coverage. Both companies were reportedly willing to offer Manning around $10 million per year.It remains unclear what Manning's next football-related career step will be after opting against broadcasting - at least for now.It's long been speculated that the retired quarterback wants to ultimately land a John Elway-like executive role with a team.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Amid more reports Tuesday stating that the New York Giants are listening to trade offers for Odell Beckham Jr., franchise co-owner John Mara again stated the superstar receiver isn't being shopped."He's not on the block," Mara told reporters at the NFL owners' meetings in Orlando, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. "Is that going to stop clubs from possibly calling us? No. But he's not on the block. We're not shopping him around."Beckham's contract - and status with the Giants - has been a point of heavy conversation in recent days. The 25-year-old is reportedly planning to hold out until he gets a new deal, but his determination to become the NFL's highest-paid player has complicated negotiations with New York."I want him to be a Giant," Mara said. "But I can't sit here and tell you that it is 100 percent guarantee that that's going to happen."Related: Giants GM, coach not eager to talk about BeckhamMara added the Giants would have to be "overwhelmed" to entertain an offer for Beckham, who's scheduled to hit free agency in 2019 but would almost certainly draw the franchise tag if an extension isn't worked out before then.Mara said Sunday the Giants weren't shopping Beckham, but stopped short of calling him untouchable.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before shelling out $14 million to Ndamukong Suh, the Los Angeles Rams consulted fellow star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who's eagerly awaiting a big-money extension."Before we did all this, we sat down with Aaron and let him know," Rams general manager Les Snead told Alex Marvez of Sporting News. "He's well aware we're going to work to get something done this spring. But we (said), 'Oh, by the way, we've got the chance to acquire Ndamukong. He would actually get paid before you do. Are you good?'"Aaron is the type of guy who (believes), 'If he helps us and he gets (us) better, let's do it. My time will come here soon.'"Donald, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, skipped training camp and the entire preseason last year because of a contract dispute. He's heading into the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him less than half of what Suh is scheduled to earn in 2018.Donald and Suh have each been first-team All-Pros three times, and they're the first pair of defensive tackle teammates in NFL history with that distinction entering a season.Suh is only signed for one year, so his contract shouldn't hinder the Rams' ability to lock up the 26-year-old Donald long term.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Rams have truly taken to their new star-studded home of Los Angeles, using the 2018 offseason to bring in three big-name defensive players who all have the potential to be true game-changers.Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib - who have a combined 12 Pro Bowl appearances - join a defense that already boasts reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.So, with nearly all of the pieces from the Rams' No. 1-scoring offense also returning, are the NFC West team now the favorites to take home the Lombardi trophy in 2018?Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nick Foles is still a Philadelphia Eagle, and head coach Doug Pederson doesn't expect that to change before the beginning of the 2018 season.Pederson told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio on Tuesday that it's "safe to say" Foles will open the campaign with the Eagles, despite obvious trade interest in the the reigning Super Bowl MVP.Whether Foles actually starts another game in Philadelphia remains to be seen, as Carson Wentz is said to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL.Foles threw for 971 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in three playoff contests at the end of the 2017 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Competition Committee indefinitely tabled voting for a proposed rule change that would allow coaches on active teams to be hired by other clubs, committee chairman Rich McKay announced Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.A month ago, reports emerged that the league was likely to change its hiring rules after New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels backed out of his agreement to become the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.Despite agreeing on a deal, the Colts had to wait until after the Super Bowl to officially hire McDaniels, leaving them with significantly fewer candidates to choose from after he revealed his change of heart.The "Josh McDaniels rule" - as it's been labeled by some - was thought to have enough steam to get passed, either at the ongoing annual league meetings or at the spring league meetings in May.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.