As the NFL draft draws closer, many teams' plans remain a mystery. But several recent events could help clear up the picture.
Here are five notable items and what they could mean from the draft:
1. Kaepernick trade on hold
Maybe the Denver Broncos' quarterback resolution isn't forthcoming after all. Colin Kaepernick's fully guaranteed $11.9 million base salary appears to be a significant point of contention for the Broncos in striking a deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak continued the slow play by saying the team is focused on its in-house options Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian. But Denver is now under pressure to find an answer with just three weeks left until the draft. If the team hasn't agreed to a deal for Kaepernick by then, it will be under immense pressure to finalize one or roll the dice on a rookie. And there's no guarantee that a Day 1 starter will be available at the No. 31 overall pick,
2. Bills eye QBs
Tyrod Taylor's attempts to secure a long-term contract extension has reached a nasty impasse. Bills general manager Doug Whaley said Thursday "time will tell" if Taylor is the long-term answer at quarterback. Taylor's agent fired back by criticizing the team's defense. Meanwhile, the Bills appear to be taking stock of their options by meeting with or monitoring several top quarterbacks in the draft. Buffalo might just be doing its due diligence, but the team has now positioned itself as one to watch in the draft's quarterback market.
3. Lynch impresses at pro day
Memphis' Paxton Lynch was one of the last of the draft's top quarterbacks to hold his pro day, and he didn't disappoint last Wednesday. Lynch placed a special emphasis on his footwork, which has been one of the chief criticisms he has faced after operating out of the shotgun. But there's likely nothing Lynch could do in that particular setting to vault him ahead of North Dakota State's Carson Wentz or Cal's Jared Goff. Still, with a strong arm and impressive athleticism at 6-7, 244 pounds, Lynch presents an enticing package. And with the NFL's demand for quarterbacks far outpacing its supply, he's well-positioned to be taken in the mid-to-late first round.
4. Does Ferguson retirement solve Jets QB problem?
Another week has passed with Geno Smith and Bryce Petty the only quarterbacks on the Jets' roster. Given the team's obvious lack of faith in Smith and fact that Petty has never taken an NFL snap, it's worth wondering if the showdown with unsigned Ryan Fitzpatrick might force GM Mike Maccagnan to actively pursue a passer in the draft. We should know soon because the unexpected retirement of OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson frees up enough cap space for the Jets to improve their offer to Fitzpatrick. But will they? Or will they move on? With the Jets picking 20th in Round 1 and Lynch almost certainly not ready to be a Week 1 starter, Maccagnan would likely have to pay handsomely to get into position for Wentz or Goff. And given Lynch’s strong showing at his Memphis pro day Wednesday, there’s definitely no guarantee he’ll fall to New York.
5. Browns not tipping hand on QBs
The new regime in Cleveland doesn't appear to be clearing a path for Robert Griffin III to be the starting quarterback. Then again, coach Hue Jackson hasn't revealed much at all about the Browns' plans at the position. At Griffin's introductory news conference last Wednesday, Jackson said the offense wouldn't be catered to Griffin. He wouldn't commit to drafting a quarterback with the No. 2 pick, but it's difficult to envision the Browns bypassing the position with their first two picks (Cleveland also owns the first pick of the second round and could trade up). The real question for Griffin will be how he fares in training camp after a year on the sidelines.
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