NFL Player News

The Raiders selected Jacobs in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 24th overall.

Oakland had been circled as a team that could scoop Jacobs with one of its three first-round picks, especially after Marshawn Lynch's retirement. Jacobs did end up there and immediately steps into a fortuitous position. The first running back off the board, Jacobs comes to the NFL with plenty of tread left on his tires. He had just 252 career carries during his time at Alabama, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Jacobs had a true breakout in 2018, scoring 11 touchdowns for the SEC champs while flashing a complete skill set. Jacobs is not a flawless prospect, however. Most years, he would not be the top running back taken. His athletic testing was inconclusive; a groin injury prevented him from working out at the combine and he ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at his pro day. Heading into Year 1, Jacobs has a clear path to a starting role, needing only to overtake Isaiah Crowell.

Jacobs only visited a select group of teams in the pre-draft process and didn't hold a private workout for any of them, Chase Goodbread of NFL Network reports.

Perhaps he simply wanted to limit the number of opportunities in which he might get unnecessarily injured, but it's nonetheless interesting that Jacobs wouldn't schedule more visits with teams that hold picks near the end of the first round of Thursday's draft. It could be the case that the three teams with whom Jacobs visited -- the Colts, Eagles and Ravens -- simply represent the running back's preferred landing spots. In any case, the Alabama product could very well slip to the second round anyway given both his non-electric workout numbers as well as his lack of history as a lead runner.

The Cowboys exercised Elliott's fifth-year option Tuesday, keeping him under contract through 2020, Rob Phillips of the team's official site reports.

The decision to pick up the $9.1 million option was an easy one for the Cowboys, as the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the NFL's few three-down bellcows since entering the league in 2016. The option may end up serving merely as a placeholder while Elliott and the Cowboys turn their attention to working out a long-term extension that will keep the Ohio State product in Dallas for the duration of his prime.

Foreman, who appears to have "lost a significant amount of weight," reported to the offseason program at 230 pounds, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Texans are reportedly pleased with Foreman's progress, though news of his evolution isn't a huge surprise overall given how Foreman had already drawn praise this offseason for slimming down. After playing at a listed weight of 235 pounds last season coming off a torn Achilles, Foreman is clearly taking total advantage of his first full offseason program in the pros, uninhibited by any rehab work. Entering the draft, he seems to be the odds-on favorite to open the 2019 campaign in the No. 2 role behind Lamar Miller.

Team executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday that the Cowboys expect to pick up the fifth-year option on Elliott's contract before the May 3 deadline, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Since he was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, Elliott is the only player in the league with more than 1,000 touches (1,003, to be exact), through which he's produced 5,247 yards from scrimmage and 34 touchdowns in 40 games. Those numbers make the Cowboys' upcoming decision a no-brainer, especially with DeMarcus Lawrence's long-term extension out of the way. Aside from Lawrence and Elliott, the team also may seek to lock Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper into long-term deals.

General manager Jason Licht said Jones has impressed the new coaching staff more than any other player so far this spring, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The 2018 second-round pick barely played as a rookie and struggled with his rare opportunities, but coach Bruce Arians made it clear Jones would have a chance to prove himself in a new system. While he could face more competition after the 2019 NFL Draft, the 21-year-old currently finds himself in an underwhelming backfield alongside Peyton Barber, Shaun Wilson, Andre Ellington and Dare Ogunbowale. The Buccaneers do seem to be fond of Barber, who managed just 3.7 yards per carry and 4.6 per catch as a 16-game starter in 2018, finishing with 963 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 616 snaps (254 touches).

Clement (knee) isn't sure when he will be cleared for practice, but he doesn't have any concern about his Week 1 availability, Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic Philadelphia reports. "I'm back at it," Clement said Monday. "It wasn't an ACL. None of that. I'm hitting the ground running. You can expect Corey to be out there Game 1."

Clement still hasn't provided specifics on the season-ending knee injury he suffered Week 14, but he at least seemed to clarify that it wasn't a major ligament tear. He also mentioned wanting to play at around 210 pounds, believing a lighter frame (he's listed at 220) can help him become a more versatile player. It makes sense for Clement to focus on his quickness and pass-catching skills after the Eagles traded for Jordan Howard to serve as their bruiser on early downs. With Darren Sproles still pondering retirement and Wendell Smallwood far from a lock to earn a significant role, Clement has a path to regular playing time in passing situations. It sounds like the 24-year-old will be absent or limited throughout the offseason program, but he should get back on the field to compete for a role at some point during training camp.

Elliott is present Monday for the beginning of the Cowboys' voluntary offseason program, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Elliott hopes to sign a contract extension this offseason but won't apply pressure in the form of a holdout. He's technically entering the final season of his rookie contract, but it's a given that Dallas exercises the fifth-year option to keep him locked in through 2020. With defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (shoulder) signed for five years, the Cowboys now need to work out long-term agreements for Elliott, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper.

Edwards has signed his tender with the Ravens, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Edwards caught on with the Ravens as an undrafted rookie in 2018 and can be kept under team control at a low price through 2020. He served as Baltimore's lead runner during the second half of last season, but he'll now slide back to a complementary role with Mark Ingram hopping in as the starter. Edwards and Kenneth Dixon will compete for backup work in a run-heavy offense.

Rodgers has yet to sign a contract this offseason, Geoffrey Arnold of The Oregonian reports.

Rodgers isn't expected to stay in Tampa Bay with a new coaching staff taking over, but he might consider following Dirk Koetter back to Atlanta. Whatever the case, it's likely the 29-year-old ends up battling for a roster spot if/when he signs with a new team. Rodgers remained competent as a pass catcher in 16 games for the Bucs last season, bringing in 38 of 45 targets (84.4 percent) for 304 yards without any touchdowns. He owns career marks of just 3.8 yards per carry and 7.4 yards per reception, but his 82.1 percent catch rate (216 of 263 targets) is excellent even for a running back.