2020 NFL Draft rumors as of April 16

2020 NFL Draft rumors as of April 16

It's that time of the year when rumors begin to float around about drafts prospects (Tua Tagovailoa) and trade possibilities. Many of the rumors are floated around by agents, who would like to see their client moved. Some turn out to be true and others may be true at the time, but fizzle out before the draft.

The biggest name that could be dealt around draft time is Odell Beckham Jr. The Cleveland Browns star receiver is one of the most talented receivers in the game, but can also be a major headache. The Minnesota Vikings are desperate to add a big-time receiver after trading Stefon Diggs to Buffalo weeks ago. Several conflicting reports have the Browns accepting a second and fifth in 2021 from the Vikings (Marc Malusis), while Cleveland beat writer Mary Kay Cabot Tweeted to say that report is false.

Not sure why the Browns would trade Beckham for anything outside a first-round pick and why they get nothing this season for their star receiver. But where there is smoke, there's fire. Cleveland could end up trading Beckham away, but for the right price. Minnesota has extra picks in the Diggs' deal, but they may not want to deal with Beckham, which is why teams would avoid giving up a first-rounder.

Another player who could be dealt is Tampa Bay tight end O.J. Howard. The former Alabama standout has not lived up to expectations in three seasons, but could break out with Tom Brady's arrival. According to former NFL executive Mike Lombardi on his "GM Shuffle" podcast, he feels that after getting a phone call "from somebody in the league" that Howard will not be on the Bucs roster and that the team will look to trade him.

Of course, there are dozens of reports of teams trying to move up to get "their guy" in the draft. One of those is the Philadelphia Eagles, so desperate for wide receiver help after struggling at that position last season (too many drops). The Eagles have the No. 21 pick in the first round and the top three receivers (Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and CeeDee Lamb) will probably be gone. Joe Tordy, host on 97.5 The Fantastic and from Penn Athletics, hears that the Eagles are in love with Lamb and could move up to trade him. But if one of the top four receivers (adding Justin Jefferson from LSU?) are not there at 21, they would trade out of the pick.

There will be many more rumors before we get to April 23 and we'll be tracking them at W&W.

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Ben Hayes

Ben has been a sports writer for over 35 years, dabbling in college and pro basketball, college and pro football, baseball, college lacrosse, minor league baseball and even college gymnastics. He's also been involved in the gaming industry for nearly 30 years and has been looking to beat the books since he was 13! Ben has had great success in handicapping college football, the NFL, college basketball, the NBA and MLB for 27+ years. His Twitter handle is @BenHayesWAW