Smokescreens: Separating truth from fiction on the rumor mill
It's smokescreen season in the NFL.
We're four weeks away from the draft, the time of year when rumors and leaks surface the most.
Let's delve into some of the juicy reports on the rumor mill and separate fact from fiction.
Rumor No. 1 - Giants want 2 first-rounders for Beckham
The Giants dominated headlines this week by first stating no one on the team is untouchable, including superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr., then declaring he's "not on the block." Finally, reports surfaced that the team received several offers for Beckham and asked for two first-round picks in return.
Contract negotiations with Beckham were always going to be contentious. He wants to set new ground and become the highest-paid player in the league, while New York just hired a general manager who alienated several star players during contract talks at his previous stop.
What we do know is that Beckham wants in the area of $20 million per season, and if the two sides fail to agree on an extension, the Giants can always keep him in New York using the franchise tag.
Beckham is the Giants' biggest star in the biggest media market in North America. Even the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft and two other first-round picks, likely outside the top 10, couldn't replace his megawattage.
Negotiations figure to get messier before they get better, but the Giants aren't trading him. By leaking that they're open to dealing the 25-year-old while he's in his prime, they're attempting to drive his price down and express to the player's camp that they can envision a future without him.
Though his antics have worn on the organization, his production and value remain unquestioned.
Verdict: Smokescreen
Rumor 2 - Baker Mayfield in the mix for No. 1 pick
A number of quarterbacks have been projected as the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, but most have predicted Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Josh Allen going to the Cleveland Browns.
On Tuesday, head coach Hue Jackson spoke at the league meetings in Orlando and said Baker Mayfield is also in the mix for the top pick.
"I think he's outstanding," Jackson said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "I have a different appreciation for Baker. Spending that time with him, what a leader, tremendous person."
Any other year, the defending Heisman Trophy winner should very well be in consideration for the No. 1 pick, but not in this draft. It's not often a team owner sits down with a quarterback's parents at a pro day, as Jimmy Haslam did to watch Darnold throw at USC. He remains the favorite to have his name called first.
But the Browns have two first-round picks and general manager John Dorsey has let it be known he's open to dealing either the No. 1 or No. 4 selection. Leaving open the possibility Cleveland could take any of four passers first overall appears to be a tactic to entice other QB-needy teams to trade up to land their passer of choice.
It's more likely that Mayfield will be taken with the fourth pick than it is he'd be the Browns' first overall selection.
Verdict: Smokescreen
Rumor 3 - Cowboys will cut Dez Bryant after the draft
Dez Bryant's contract situation has become untenable.
Three seasons removed from his last 1,000-yard season, he's due $12.5 million in 2018 and will count for $16.5 million against the salary cap.
For a team right up against it in terms of cap space, Dallas is in a precarious position.
Related - The Dez Dilemma: Should the Cowboys move on from Bryant?
Reports have surfaced in recent days that the Cowboys will let Bryant go after the draft. Team brass has only said it has yet to have the necessary conversation with Bryant, but it's coming.
Even with the recent additions of receivers Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson, there's a role for Bryant in Dallas as long as the Cowboys are chasing the ever-elusive Lombardi Trophy. And the reality is the cap situation improves dramatically in the coming seasons.
But they own the 19th pick in this year's draft and are hoping the run on quarterbacks pushes top talent at other positions to them. One player falling down boards is receiver Calvin Ridley.
If the Cowboys land the top receiver in the draft, Bryant won't be long for Arlington.
Verdict: Reality
Rumor 4 - Rams willing to trade 1st-round pick for Beckham
Rams head coach Sean McVay was careful to avoid tampering, but he let it be known Tuesday at the league meetings that he's in the business of acquiring talent.
"If there's one thing you can appreciate about what we've done this offseason, there's no trade we wouldn't explore or look into if we feel like it can upgrade us as a team," McVay said, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, after trading for Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, players who had worn out their welcomes on their last teams.
Even after winning the offseason by also signing Ndamukong Suh, the Rams have weak spots, particularly at receiver.
L.A. owns the 23rd pick in this year's draft. It alone won't be enough to land a player like Beckham, but there's no reason to doubt the Rams have contacted the Giants in hopes of bringing Odell to California.
Verdict: Reality
Rumor 5 - Patriots interested in Johnny Manziel
The Patriots spoke to Manziel before and after he threw at Texas A&M's pro day Tuesday, sparking speculation New England is interested in making him Tom Brady's backup.
Let's slow things down, however. Yes, the Pats are in need of a QB behind Brady and a successor to his throne, but Manziel has been out of the NFL for two seasons and is more than two years removed from a domestic violence incident.
Professionally, Manziel will begin his reboot in a developmental league next week and sounds resigned to the fact he'll then have to take his talents to the CFL before he gets a sniff at another shot at the NFL.
When the Patriots met with Manziel, chances are the meeting was much like the one Sean Payton had with the player at last year's Super Bowl: merely a fact-finding endeavor and an opportunity to lend mentorship to a man with a troubled past.
Verdict: Smokescreen
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)