NFL Rumors: What Insiders Are Reporting Heading into Draft Day

The 2015 NFL draft is finally (almost!!) here. Months of predraft prep have given experts and teams a general idea of how things will go Thursday night, but the specifics remain entirely up in the air.

Jameis Winston will almost certainly be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' top overall selection. It's been trending that way ever since the college football season ended, and only a major event would alter that trajectory at this point.

Beyond Winston, though, is a vastly uncertain landscape. The Tennessee Titans hold the second pick—and with it the chance to select Oregon's Marcus Mariota, trade the pick for a haul of selections or throw us all a curveball. Tennessee management has done an excellent job of keeping everyone at an arm's distance; it appears all three possibilities have an equal chance at happening.

When there is so much uncertainty regarding the night's second selection, there's only bound to be more as we look at the entire landscape. With that in mind, here is a quick look at the latest rumblings as we approach draft day.

Cowboys Not Contenders for Adrian Peterson

The Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson remain at a standstill. Peterson's been reinstated by the NFL, but has yet to give any real indication he's willing to make things work in Minnesota. The problem here, however, is that Peterson may have no choice in the matter if things aren't resolved in a few days.

As it stands, no team seems willing to pay the price necessary to land the former Pro Bowler.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported the Vikings seem steadfast in their desire for a first-round selection, a price no team seems willing to pay. The Arizona Cardinals, oft-mentioned as a Peterson destination, are not planning to offer a first-rounder before Thursday night. Minnesota is not expected to back off its demands and accept something lesser—even a high second-round choice.

And then there is the Dallas Cowboys. Viewed by some as the favorite to land Peterson all offseason, it appears the Cowboys haven't even entered their name in the race. Robinson's report indicates Dallas is yet to even contact Minnesota about a potential trade.

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

I've never run an NFL organization before, but teams that want to trade for a player generally have to contact his incumbent team, yes? It would seem, then, that Dallas plans on eschewing the high-cost party altogether.

This would be the smart move. Peterson, while a Hall of Fame talent, is a 30-year-old running back. He has a $12.75 million base salary for 2015. He'll cost more via draft-pick compensation. He's coming off what amounts to a full-season absence.  

Here is a list of 30-year-old running backs I'd trade a draft pick for:

Here is a list of 30-year-old running backs I'd pay $12.75 million:

No, that's not a misprint. Those spaces are blank for a reason.

Peterson checks a lot of boxes at this point in his career, but few are good. The Vikings' steadfast refusal to part with him at this point feels more like stubbornness than smart organizational planning. If you're telling me I can move on from Peterson's contract and get a second-round choice in the process, I'm making that move 100 times out of 100.

The Cowboys and other teams are smart to be holding out if Minnesota really wants more.

Dolphins 'Covet' Todd Gurley

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

More strange running back news in 3, 2, 1...

Todd Gurley is a special talent. Few who watched him at Georgia would deny that. He was seemingly the new-age prototype, blessed with a combination of speed, size and catching ability that would make him the rare three-down back. Most had him pegged as a near-lock to break the two-year drought of running backs being selected in the first round.

Then he suffered a torn ACL. While not the career-ender it once was, we've seen numerous players come back from significant knee injuries and not reach their former potential. When Gurley announced he'd be leaving school despite not being able to work out prior to the draft, some were legitimately asking whether he'd even stick in the second round.

Now? It appears Gurley's ACL tear has done nothing to alter his draft stock. Based on factors that remain entirely unclear, Gurley has been racing back up prospect rankings as we prepare for Thursday night. He's gone from borderline second-rounder to possible late-first-rounder to potential top-15 pick without so much as a carry.

ESPN's Todd McShay had Gurley going sixth overall in his latest mock draft, just when you thought Trent Richardson had eliminated the potential of a top-10 running back for good.

Even if Gurley doesn't go that high, it appears he's not getting past No. 14. Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reported the Dolphins "covet" Gurley and would leap at selecting him with their first-round pick. 

“He’s a talent. He’s definitely a player that his ability stands out and shines,” Eric Stokes, the Dolphins' assistant general manager, told Beasley. “He’s an exciting guy to watch. We’ve enjoyed working through that process with him and seeing him. From there, we’ll see where things shake out.”

This is all good for Gurley, even if it's a little bit strange. The Dolphins did just fine with Lamar Miller as their lead back a year ago and averaged 4.7 yards per carry as a team. Adding a first-round running back would be more of a luxury than need, but we've seen Miami fall in love with a coveted talent in the recent past. (Hai, Dion Jordan.)

More Rumor Roundup

Titans Considering Taking Mariota at No. 2

Peter King of MMQB.com reported the Titans are not married to trading the second selection. They would prefer a Godfather offer come in the form of future draft selections and perhaps a veteran quarterback. But if it doesn't—King says he doesn't believe the Chargers will part with Philip Rivers—the Titans are more than willing to select Mariota and let things fall where they may.

This reeks of smokescreen on the surface until you realize Tennessee's current projected starter is still Zach Mettenberger. If I'm Ken Whisenhunt, I'd be thinking long and hard about banking my future on Mariota over Mettenberger as well.

Amari Cooper Not Making the Trip to Chicago

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

King's Monday column also indicates Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, perhaps the draft's top wideout, will not attend the draft proceedings. Cooper makes three potential top-five selections, including Winston and Mariota, who have opted to stay at home.

The reasons for all these players declining invites remains unclear. Chicago might not be New York City in terms of size or scope, but it's still a beautiful city. It's plenty nice enough to be accommodating to the NFL's best and brightest young prospects. Maybe this is an anomalous circumstance special to this class, but having three top-10 picks sitting at home may make the NFL reconsider turning the draft into a traveling show.

Jets Like Stanford Tackle Andrus Peat

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported Peat is a favorite of Jets management. Taking him at No. 6 would be a wild reach, so it's more likely the Jets would trade down or move back into the first round to select the Stanford product.

While not a top need, the Jets have an aging offensive line that will eventually need addressing. If their desired players don't wind up falling to No. 6, it would be logical to move back and gain depth elsewhere on the roster.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.