Morris

Claiborne

Per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth “up to” $1.5 million. Claiborne is suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Now 29, Claiborne remained an every-week starter for the Jets last season, though he earned sub-replacement level marks from Pro Football Focus. As was the case last year, the Chiefs have one of the league’s thinnest cornerback groups.

Claiborne initially appealed his ban as a last-ditch effort but will ultimately have a hard time signing with a team now that he’s only eligible for 12 games this upcoming year. He recently worked out with Minnesota, and had previously visited the Giants. Claiborne turned 29 in February.

Per Rapsheet, Claiborne is appealing in hopes of a reduced ban. This would seem to be the reason Claiborne remains unsigned, though the veteran did work out for the Vikings last week. Claiborne is coming off a down year in 2018 that saw him earn PFF’s No. 98 coverage grade out of 123 qualifiers at cornerback.

Fellow free agent CB Orlando Scandrick visited earlier in the week. The Vikings may be updating their emergency list. Claiborne is 29 and has been a reliable snaps-eater in recent years with the Jets. He visited the Giants earlier in the offseason.

It’s the first team we’ve seen linked to Claiborne. The Giants also hosted ex-Chargers DT Corey Liuget for a free-agent visit. Both have potential to be impact additions wherever they sign.

There is not much information available about the nature of the injury, but the cast suggests it is more than a day-to-day issue. He should be considered questionable for camp. Claiborne was able to stay mostly healthy last season on his way to 15 quality starts, but injuries have always been a concern for the former first-rounder.

The Rams desperately need a talent infusion in the secondary. If the team’s brass decides Claiborne is their man, it’s a decided advantage for the Browns over the Redskins in RGIII trade talks. The Bucs, drafting at No. 5, now employ Claiborne’s DBs coach from LSU on Greg Schiano’s staff.

It’s likely a smokescreen as Minnesota looks to drum up interest in the pick. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings would almost certainly draft LSU CB Morris Claiborne if they stayed at No. 3 and made the surprising choice to pass on Kalil. We are very confident the Vikings will be drafting Kalil.

Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is not in the mix. The Vikes have all three players listed as equals on their draft board, with no favorite yet to emerge. Spielman hopes to have a decision by Wednesday after spending the weekend pouring over film with his staff. Although the team has fielded trade calls, Spielman plans to hold off until Thursday night to see what develops on that front.

Grossi believes OT Matt Kalil (if passed over by Minnesota) and WR Justin Blackmon are only options if the Browns end up trading down. “I know who that No. 4 is going to be, if we stay there,” GM Tom Heckert said. “We’re all on the same page.” Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill doesn’t appear to be in the mix. “If you’re not gonna take a quarterback, I think you have to take Trent Richardson,” NFL Network’s Mayock said Thursday.