Teams throughout the NFL have just two days remaining to prepare for the 2013 NFL Draft -- and as football fans have come to expect, the days leading up to the draft are full of news and rumors.
NFL news and rumors: Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher could be top 2 picks, Marcus Lattimore and more
The latest NFL news and rumors leading up to Thursday’s draft.
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Here’s a look at the latest news throughout the NFL, as teams and fans alike get ready for the first round of the draft on Thursday.
Two franchise-altering quarterbacks were selected with the top two picks of the 2012 NFL Draft, as Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III galvanized their respective fanbases. Quarterbacks will not fly off the board 1-2 at the 2013 NFL Draft, and it's expected that two offensive linemen will be the first two players selected.
The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to take Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel with the No. 1 overall pick. Kansas City has been linked to Joeckel throughout the entire draft process, making the pick rather unsurprising.
Jacksonville holds the No. 2 overall pick, and the Jaguars reportedly are eyeing Eric Fisher with the selection. The Jaguars had been linked to a number of prospects leading up to the draft, including West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith and Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan.
New Jaguars general manager David Caldwell may opt for the safe pick in Fisher rather than gambling on a high risk game-changer. Fisher appears to have a high ceiling on the offensive line -- but Jacksonville has more pressing needs, including the defensive line, where the top prospects in the draft will be available at No. 2 overall.
Former South Carolina Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore believes he will be able to play in Week 1, despite suffering a torn ACL, LCL and dislocated kneecap late last October.
San Francisco makes the most sense, as the 49ers have an abundance of draft picks, and an aging Frank Gore was the team's leading rusher last season. Of all the teams in the league, perhaps no franchise is better suited than San Francisco to roll the dice on the rehabbing running back.
Prior to Lattimore’s latest injury, he was pegged as a first-round talent. If he recovers fully, Lattimore could end up providing excellent value to a team willing to take a chance on him.
When the NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night, the chances are high that there will be multiple draft day trades, as teams will attempt to move up and move down in the draft depending on what players fly off the board.
The New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders are two teams interested in trading down in the NFL Draft. Oakland possesses the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, but has needs all throughout the roster. If the Raiders are able to receive multiple picks in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick, then it's likely a draft-day trade will be consummated. Oakland doesn't have a second-round pick, and would likely aim to acquire a first and second in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick.
New Orleans is short on picks this year as well, because of penalties levied by the NFL stemming from New Orleans’ bounty scandal. With the No. 15 overall pick, the Saints could receive a handful of picks in return -- both this year, and in future years.
Tennessee Titans general manager Ruston Webster denied trade rumors involving Titans wide receiver Nate Washington, telling reporters that he is not shopping the 6'1 receiver.
Washington had a down year in 2012 and reportedly fell out of favor with Tennessee's coaching staff after a rough season. Washington caught just 46 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns. Kenny Britt and Kendall Wright are expected to land ahead of Washington on Tennessee's depth chart next fall.
With a $4.2 million base salary in 2013, Washington isn’t likely to attract many suitors -- especially since Washington will turn 30 this summer.
If Washington is willing to restructure his contract, the Titans could potentially swing a draft-day trade. Washington likely wouldn’t fetch more than a late-round pick, so it seems more likely that the Titans will hang onto the 6’1 deep threat.
2012 wasn't kind to Florida football, as the Buccaneers, Dolphins and Jaguars all struggled. The last week, however, has been exciting if you're a Florida football fan: the Buccaneers acquired All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis from the Jets, the Jaguars have the No. 2 pick, and the Dolphins are poised to continue their spending spree through the draft -- and maybe through a Branden Albert trade.
The Dolphins and Jaguars are getting a branding reboot, too. The Jaguars unveiled their new uniforms today, ushering in a new era of Jacksonville football. Perhaps the most striking feature of Jacksonville’s new uniforms are the dual-colored, faded helmets. The Jaguars will wear three jerseys in 2013: a teal, white and black jersey.
Miami hasn’t officially unveiled its new uniforms yet, but a sneak peak at Miami’s new uniforms -- and Minnesota’s -- was captured on Tuesday. The Dolphins’ new uniforms features less orange, and, of course, a new logo on their helmets.
Minnesota’s uniform changes are subtle -- and casual fans may not even take notice. The Vikings did away with the stripes down the side of the jersey, as well as the yellow outline around the numbers.
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