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Report: Browns will give 'very strong consideration' to trading up in draft to pick a top QB
Lions expecting more from TE Eric Ebron in his second season
Johnny Manziel enters rehab
Falcons HC Dan Quinn wants WR Julio Jones on his team for long haul
49ers figure to use more read-option in 2015
D'Qwell Jackson Arrested After Throwing Down With a Pizza Guy
Report: TE Jordan Cameron is not interested in re-signing with Browns
Cowboys RB Joseph Randle arrested on drug charge
Fantasy Golf PGA Advice for Farmers Insurance at Draftkings DFS

Report: Browns will give 'very strong consideration' to trading up in draft to pick a top QB

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 06:01 PM PST

Last year, the Browns traded up in the first round of the NFL Draft, from 26th to 22nd, to select a quarterback. How'd that work out? So well that the Browns are thinking about doing it again this spring. Sources inside the organization have told Bleacher Report's Jason Cole that there will be quot;very strong consideration" given toward moving up to the top of the board to pick a quarterback. "They were already thinking about [moving up] because they like Marcus Mariota so much and Jameis Winston to a lesser degree," Cole said Tuesday. "But they really believe that they need to have that franchise quarterback, and there were already doubts about Johnny Manziel and his ability to become that guy. Cole also said the Browns especially like Mariota, "who they think would be a proper face for the franchise, and a guy who's far more dependable than the guys that they've had there so far." FANTASY ANALYSIS: It could work since the Browns have two two-20 selection -- No. 12 and No. 19 -- in the first round of the draft. Would that be enough to entice the Buccaneers, who reportedly share a fondness for Mariota? And is the Oregon QB even deserving of the No. 1 spot? You may say no, but as Cole points out, considering what's going on with Manziel, the suspension of Josh Gordon, and the overall dysfunction from the top down inside the organization, the Browns could use someone with Mariota's talent and character to right the ship. Winston is more NFL-ready than Mariota, but the last thing the Browns need to invest in right now is another possible problem child.

Lions expecting more from TE Eric Ebron in his second season

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 05:29 PM PST

Not all rookie pass-catchers were successful in 2014. It just seems that way. Lions first-year tight end Eric Ebron fought through many valleys this season despite being the 10th pick in May's draft. He caught 25 passes for 248 yards and just a single score in 13 games. So it should come as no surprise to hear that the Lions are expecting a bigger contribution from the North Carolina product next fall. quot;Certainly I would expect better production next year," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew told the team's official website. "[Ebron is] certainly capable, he certainly has the ability. I think he's going to be better the second year in our offense. ... I do expect more from him." For his part, Ebron said he will spend the offseason preparing to "ultimately dominate" and is "dying" for OTAs to get underway already. FANTASY ANALYSIS: A bad rookie campaign shouldn't lead you to question Ebron's physical skill. He's got the makeup of a stud tight end at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds and 4.60-40 speed. And he's just 21 years old. His downfall came in his attempts to handle the mental side of the game -- the blocking assignments, where to line up in the formation, the routes, the verbiage, etc. It all kind of swallowed him up and led to a lack of focus and dropped passes at times. He was also on the field for only 50.6 percent of the snaps in the games for which he was active, often playing behind veteran tight end Brandon Pettigrew. With another full offseason to learn the finer points of his position, Ebron should easily improve upon all of his 2014 numbers. True TE1 status may not arrive for a couple more years, but Ebron will have more consistent plug-and-play appeal in 2015. His dynasty arrow is pointing skyward.

Johnny Manziel enters rehab

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 03:39 PM PST

Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel enters rehab after worrisome rookie season filled with on-field off-field concerns.

Falcons HC Dan Quinn wants WR Julio Jones on his team for long haul

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 02:45 PM PST

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is headed into the final year on his rookie contract. So, it's at least realistic to think of 2015 as possibly being Jones' last in Atlanta. Moreover, the Falcons might choose to trade him before he hits free agency. But that's not a realistic scenario if you ask new head coach Dan Quinn, who said Tuesday that he quot;absolutely" wants Jones on his team for years to come. "I can't wait (to meet him)," the Seahawks' former defensive coordinator said of Jones. "Just a chance to go through the process with him. … We love great players. We're trying to celebrate all the good guys. We're trying to collect more great players, not the other way around." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Quinn reportedly has full control over the makeup of his 53-man roster. Even though Quinn is a defensive mind, it doesn't take a genius to realize that Julio Jones is one heck of a football player and a game-changing receiver. He turned 26 years old yesterday and should create a great partnership with quarterback Matt Ryan for the next handful of seasons. Whenever he is on the field, Jones is an elite NFL wideout and fantasy asset. In what was considered somewhat of a disappointing year because he scored only six touchdowns, Jones collected 104 catches and nearly 1,600 yards in 2014.

49ers figure to use more read-option in 2015

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 01:54 PM PST

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, quot;A significant change" to the 49ers' offense for next season "figures to be a return to the read-option." Barrows adds that he doesn't know how much the read-option will be used, but head coach Jim Tomsula and CEO Jed York have recently mentioned a desire to get more out of quarterback Colin Kaepernick's legs. Kaepernick ran for a career-high 639 yards this season, compiling 115 more yards on the ground than in 2013 when his running ability was hampered by a foot injury. However, Kaepernick rushed for more than 500 yards in just 10 starts -- playoffs included -- as he led San Francisco to the Super Bowl in 2012. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The 49ers obviously want to get back to that destination and appear set to showcase Kaepernick's athleticism to get there. However, Barrows brings up some interesting points for those who want to ask if this is actually a good idea. Among them, increasing the number of Kaepernick's designed runs will leave him open to more hits and raise his injury risk. Barrows mentions how the Redskins left Robert Griffin III exposed as a rookie with the read-option, and he hasn't been the same since due to myriad injuries. Also, I thought the big emphasis with Kaepernick this offseason was about molding him into a better passer. That's why he's going to work with Kurt Warner, right? If that's the case, will this intention to have Kaep run more often stunt whatever development he makes in the pocket this spring and summer? It seems like the 49ers have their signals crossed with Kaepernick; they just want him to do everything. Maybe he can't. Despite an insanely strong arm, maybe he will never be a great throwing quarterback. His career completion percentage is only an inch greater than 60, and he's regressed in the past two years. What we do know is that Kaep is long and fast. When you see him bolt for a 90-yard touchdown against the Chargers, you wonder why the 49ers don't squeeze as much of that talent out of Kaepernick on a more consistent basis. Perhaps the injury worries weighed too heavily, but to succeed in this league, coaches must maximize what their players do best. It appears the 49ers' new regime will do that with Kaepernick, and that should mean positive things for his fantasy value -- for as long as he stays healthy.

D'Qwell Jackson Arrested After Throwing Down With a Pizza Guy

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 11:52 AM PST

Indianapolis Colts LB D'Qwell Jackson was arrested in Washington DC for a dispute over a parking space.

Report: TE Jordan Cameron is not interested in re-signing with Browns

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 11:46 AM PST

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora has been told by sources that Browns tight end Jordan Cameron 'is not interested in returning to Cleveland.' Cameron is slated to become a free agent next month. After a breakout 2013 season in which he caught 80 passes and gained more than 900 yards, Cameron's numbers in those two categories fell to 24 and 424, respectively. He also missed six games because of a shoulder injury and a concussion. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The feeling appears to be mutual. Tony Grossi, one of the Browns' top beat writers, has been saying for a while that Cameron won't be back in the Dawg Pound. On Tuesday, he put Cameron's odds of a return at one percent. I wrote last night that the Browns could really use a player with Cameron's size and talent to replace the indefinitely suspended Josh Gordon. But the Browns will apparently let him walk with the hopes of attracting other players to fill the huge voids in their receiving corps. However, it's tough to imagine any quality players with options choosing to sign with the Browns given the high level of dysfunction that reins inside the organization, on the field and off.

Cowboys RB Joseph Randle arrested on drug charge

Posted: 04 Feb 2015 11:30 AM PST

Joseph Randle may be the successor to DeMarco Murray in the Cowboys' backfield. But he's not doing himself any favor with his off-field actions. Randle was arrested early Wednesday morning after police responded to a call regarding domestic violence with a weapon at a Wichita, Kan. hotel. Upon arrival, police were told by a woman in the room that she and Randle had been arguing. Officers found marijuana in the room and arrested Randle on a misdemeanor drug charge. No domestic violence arrest was made, and although he was not booked and had no mug shot taken, Randle was given a notice to appear in court. A spokesman for the Wichita Police Department said the investigation is ongoing. You might remember that Randle was arrested back in October for attempting to use the five-finger discount on some underwear and cologne at a department store. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Not a good look for someone who might be the lead back of America's Team next season. Randle averaged an incredible 6.7 yards per carry on just 51 totes this year behind Dallas' outstanding offensive line. If Murray walks as a free agent, Randle could be a popular sleeper (is that an oxymoron?) in fantasy as long as he staves off competition from Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar. Of course, that would all be nullified if the Cowboys are able to land Jerry Jones favorite Adrian Peterson. But I'm getting way ahead of myself now.