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Draft Week Rumor Mill: Tuesday

Updated April 28, 2015
By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.

With the 2015 NFL Draft only days away, there are rampant rumors running around the league. In reaching out to sources, here are some recent rumors worth mentioning.

A player who has really risen in the back portion of the lead up to the draft is Alabama's T.J. Yeldon. There are many teams that are rating him third behind Georgia's Todd Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon. Numerous teams have told us that they view Yeldon as one of three backs who is truly explosive and also presents true three-down ability. Some teams are hoping that Yeldon gets to them in the second round, but they think there is a chance that Yeldon goes late in the first. The Dallas Cowboys are one potential landing spot, but there are other teams picking late in the first that could consider a running back. Teams also think that a team could trade back into the first round from the top of the second for Yeldon. That would add another year to his rookie contract and that could be very valuable given the way running backs age in the NFL.

Sources told us that two teams that could be looking to land Yeldon early in the second round are the Jaguars and the Jets. The Jaguars need a feature running back, and Yeldon is liked in Jacksonville. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan is said to really like Yeldon and feels he could be an Arian Foster-type runner. Maccagnan came from the Texans and knows that an elite runner can help compensate for weakness at quarterback. Our sources said that it would be surprising if Yeldon got past the Jaguars or Jets at the top of the second round.

Yeldon isn't the only back who is generating buzz about teams trading up for him. Todd Gurley is the star running back of the draft, and in speaking with teams selecting in the middle of the first round, they said they could see a team picking late in the teens or in the early 20s moving up for Gurley. The Chargers are an obvious team to keep an eye on in this regard.

A running back prospect who has the potential to slide is Indiana's Tevin Coleman. Sources say that teams like Coleman as a player but they have some medical concerns about a condition that could impact his stamina. Some teams also aren't sure that he will be able to play in high altitude conditions like Denver. Similar conditions have affected other players like veteran safety Ryan Clark. Coleman is a talented back, but there is a possibility that he slides in day two.

Most projections have the Broncos going with an offensive linemen in the first round. It makes sense, as Denver lost Orlando Franklin in free agency and the line had some weak moments in 2014. They also need a rock-solid offensive line, as the Broncos are entirely dependent on Peyton Manning playing well next season. While offensive line has to be in play, sources say that generally Gary Kubiak preferred to get linemen later. He had the view that good offensive linemen could be found and developed from picks after the first round. In his time with the Texans, Houston only took one offensive lineman in the first round during his 8-year tenure. That player was Duane Brown in 2008.

Sources say that it shouldn't be a foregone conclusion that the Broncos go with an offensive lineman. They say that a defensive lineman or linebacker is also in the discussion for Denver.

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