NFL Draft rumors: Bijan Robinson to the Eagles, Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the Jets, and more draft-day rumors

It is draft day, but there is still time for the rumor mill

We have reached Draft Day.

I hope you remembered to put milk and cookies out for Kevin Costner.

However, we still have some time to pass before everything gets underway, which means a final spin around the league to look at the latest NFL Draft rumors.

We kick things off with a pair of rumors regarding the Philadelphia Eagles, and rumors that might be in contradiction.

Philadelphia eying Texas running back Bijan Robinson at No. 10?

The first rumor involves the Eagles and Texas running back Bijan Robinson. Robinson has been linked with Philadelphia throughout the draft process, both with their pick at No. 10, and later with their selection at No. 30.

According to this report from James Palmer of the NFL Network, the team is “eying” the Texas RB with the tenth-overall selection:

However, there is one slight problem as noted by Palmer: Other teams picking in that range of the draft — perhaps the Atlanta Falcons? — are taking a long look at the running back.

The Eagles have been a common landing spot for Robinson, but perhaps Howie Roseman does not get the chance?

Philadelphia looking to trade up from No. 10 for a pass rusher?

Now we get to the other rumor regarding the Eagles as the draft approaches. According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, Philadelphia is also considering coming up from tenth overall.

To add a pass rusher.

In addition to Robinson, Nolan Smith has been a popular selection for the Eagles with that tenth-overall selection in recent mock drafts, as well as Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. For his part the Georgia DT believes that if he is available when Philadelphia is on the clock, he will be the pick:

So there you have it. The Eagles are either drafting Robinson, trading up for a pass rusher, or sitting pat and taking Carter.

Glad we could clear that up.

Houston Texans to trade out of No. 12?

Do you get the feeling that the Houston Texans are going to do something to truly shock us all tonight?

Because I sure have that feeling.

Early on Wednesday John McClain, one of the most plugged-in reporters in the Houston area, declared that there is no indecision at all inside the Texans organization, and as such he has slotted Will Levis into the second spot in the draft to Houston:

As for what they might do with the 12th-overall selection? According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that might be where the trade happens, and not with the second-overall pick:

New York Jets to trade up for Jaxon Smith-Njigba?

When the New York Jets pulled off their trade for Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, they added a four-time MVP and immediately upgraded at the quarterback position.

One problem, however.

Now the Packers are sitting ahead of them in the first round, and both teams could be eying Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Could that lead to the Jets trading up in the first round to add the Buckeyes WR? ESPN’s Matt Miller noted on Wednesday that New York has been doing a lot of work on Smith-Njigba, and the Jets could swing a trade up in the first round to get ahead of the Packers and add the Ohio State WR:

Tennessee will do “whatever it takes” for a QB

According to a report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Tennessee Titans have their eyes on a quarterback, and will do “whatever it takes” to acquire that player:

As noted in the above clip

“I sat with Titans general manager Ran Carthon in his office to discuss the mood of their building,” Russini said. “We tried to get more information regarding what they’re going to do with their pick. They’re calm and prepared. Head coach Mike Vrabel and Carthon sat together for two hours and set their draft board. They’re ready to go for Thursday. What are they going to do? Carthon tells me they’re open to everything. They’re willing to stay, move down, or move up. I spoke with sources around the league. The Arizona Cardinals have taken calls from the Titans. My sense is that the Tennessee Titans have their eyes on a quarterback and they’ll do everything they can to go get him.”

Six cornerbacks in the first round?

A week ago, I posted my eight favorite prop bets for the 2023 NFL Draft. Among those listed wa the over on the number of defensive backs taken in the first round. At the time, the Over/Under was listed at 4.5, with Over the favorite at -400.

Which I still said was the play.

The conversation has shifted since then, as the most recent Over/Under for defensive backs listed by our friends over at DraftKings has the number at 5.5, with Over still the favorite, now at -195.

Still, it looks like the Over remains the play.

Why? Because beyond Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, Joey Porter Jr., and Deonte Banks — who appear to be locks, or at least very strong possibilities for the first round — according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network two other cornerbacks could sneak into the first round: Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes, and D.J. Turner from Michigan.

Add in safety Brian Branch from Alabama, and you’re then looking at seven defensive backs in the first round.

Detroit to trade down for Jahmyr Gibbs?

As we noted earlier this week, there is late buzz ahead of the draft that Jahmyr Gibbs, and not Bijan Robinson, is the top running back in the draft. At least according to some teams and evaluators.

In the latest reporting regarding Gibbs, the Detroit Lions are linked with the Alabama running back, as part of a trade-down scenario in the first round. In his final mock draft before the real thing, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network had the Lions drafting Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer with the 18th selection, but also had this to say: “Tight end is a need, and Michael Mayer is more the type of player Dan Campbell prefers at the position. I think the Lions will look to trade down, and I’m told they like Jahmyr Gibbs at the bottom of Round 1.”

Let’s talk Peter Schrager

We close out this final NFL Draft rumors post with some thoughts from Peter Schrager.

The Good Morning Football host and NFL insider is someone you definitely should pay attention to, not just during the draft season but all year long. His final mock draft, plus some of his final thoughts which he shared on social media, are worth highlighting.

First, his thoughts on social media:

That note on the tight ends is fascinating. Earlier this week one of our bold predictions was a record number of tight ends in the first three rounds, and seeing Sam LaPorta and/or Luke Musgrave sneak into the first round would be a bellwether moment for that prediction.

General managers sometimes feel more comfortable executing trades with people they know well. Perhaps we see the Tennessee Titans move up to the third spot?

Devon Witherspoon certainly does feel like a Dan Campbell selection.

Then finally, Schrager dropped his final mock draft, which has a number of notable selections, including the Titans indeed trading up with Arizona (for C.J. Stroud), Seattle trading up from 20 for Anthony Richardson, and the speedy Jalin Hyatt to the Kansas City Chiefs to close out the first night of the draft.

Happy Draft Day, Peter.