NFL Draft Rumors: Last-Minute Gossip and Speculation from Around the League

It's almost Thursday. What are you more excited for? The NFL draft itself, or the end of NFL draft rumors and speculation? 

The lead-up to the NFL draft is fun, and it would be impossible to overstate the magnitude or importance of the actual event itself, but at times, the endless rumors can get a little overwhelming. 

Still, as we get closer to Thursday's first round, a lot of compelling—and potentially draft-changing—gossip begins to pop up around the league. Let's take a look at the most recent rumors. 

Buffalo Bills Trading Up? 

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

There has been plenty of talk about the Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams trading out of the No. 1 and 2 positions atop the draft, via Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, and the Buffalo Bills are reportedly one of the teams working hard to take their spot. 

Florio has the most recent gossip surrounding Doug Whaley's team:

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The Bills, we’re told, have been burning up the phone lines in an effort to work out a deal that would vault them from No. 9 to No. 1 or No. 2. The targets are believed to be defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and tackle Greg Robinson.

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Greg Robinson would pair with Cordy Glenn to give the Bills two bookend tackles to protect franchise quarterback E.J. Manuel for a very long time, so that makes plenty of sense. 

However, can we just imagine that potential defensive line for a second? 

Assuming new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz installs his 4-3 defense, the Bills would have Mario Williams and Jadeveon Clowney on the outside, with Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus on the inside. 

For all the flak Clowney has received, he is still one of the most naturally gifted pass-rushers we have seen in a long time, and if he was on the same front as those three guys—who combined for 31.0 sacks last year—he would see a lot of single-teams. 

Sorry, Ryan Tannehill. 

Either way, it's hard not to be intrigued by Buffalo's future. Second-year head coach Doug Marrone has young talent all over the field, and a top-10 pick suggests the 14-season playoff drought may soon be coming to an end. A top-two pick could even further expedite the process.  

Odell Beckham Jr. Second WR Off the Board? 

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

For a long time, it has been widely assumed that Clemson's Sammy Watkins and Texas A&M's Mike Evans would be the first two wide receivers selected. 

In fact, with Fox Sports' Jay Glazer's recent curveball that the Cleveland Browns wouldn't be selecting Johnny Manziel, speculation has grown that Evans would sneak into the top five. 

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman were among the many discussing the possibility: 

But, um, maybe not so fast. Wednesday morning, ESPN's Ed Werder dropped his own football version of the "Woj Bomb": 

When it comes to Evans vs. Odell Beckham Jr., it really just depends on team preference. 

Evans gives you a big, strong, physical receiver with prototypical No. 1 size who can be a major target downfield or in the red zone.

Beckham, meanwhile, is more of a Percy Harvin type, possessing world-class speed, explosiveness and elusiveness in the open field. Whether it be as a receiver or returner, if he gets the ball in his hands, good—and enthralling—things will happen.  

Perhaps this talk is just evidence that Evans may not go as high as recent speculation suggests, but it's starting to sound more likely that Beckham finds his way into the top 10. 

Cleveland Browns Covet Teddy Bridgewater at No. 26? 

With gossip that the Browns won't target Manziel at No. 4, the assumption is that Ray Farmer will instead go after a signal-caller with the team's second pick on Thursday night. 

Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot suggests that signal-caller might be Teddy Bridgewater, whose stock has been steadily plummeting over the last couple of weeks: 

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Browns general manager Ray Farmer is enamored with former Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and will strongly consider him at No. 26, league sources have told cleveland.com.

The sources said Farmer has had a fascination with Bridgewater since last fall, and would like to land him at No. 26. In fact, the Browns have looked into trading up from No. 26 to land Bridgewater if they need to.

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Bridgewater, once regarded as a potential No. 1 pick, is suddenly a strong candidate to do his best Geno Smith impression and fall out of the first round, but it sounds like the Browns might change that. 

It would certainly be a polarizing pick (as are most selections of quarterbacks), but considering the team's need—and what that explosive offense could look like with a competent QB—combined with Bridgewater's intelligence, comfort in the pocket and potential, it would be difficult to argue the value if this comes to fruition.