Jackson divulges Pats visit

Much ado about Lamar Jackson. The Louisville quarterback told reporters in Dallas he had a private workout with the Patriots. This was in addition to the pre-draft visit he had with the team in Foxboro.

Sports Illustrated’s Jenny Vrentas provided further context, reporting that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was the person who ran Jackson through that private workout in South Florida before the former Heisman Trophy winner made his visit.

So it would appear the Patriots have more than a casual interest in the quarterback and are doing their due diligence. However, the fact their interest has become so public right before the draft should send up a cautionary flag.

The Pats rarely, if ever, telegraph their moves.

They certainly have enough picks (Nos. 23, 31, 43 and 63 in the first two rounds) to make a move up the board to land Jackson, but they also have other needs to fill this weekend.

It won’t be a surprise if they select a quarterback with one of their eight picks. They will likely try to land Tom Brady’s successor in this draft. Maybe Jackson turns out to be one of their picks, or maybe it’s all an elaborate bluff.

Dez rejects Ravens

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant remains unemployed almost two weeks after being released and it will likely stay that way until after the draft, at least.

But it’s by choice, not because of a lack of interest.

A league source confirmed a report that Bryant was offered a multi-year deal 0to join the Baltimore Ravens last week, but turned it down in favor of getting a one-year deal so he can prove himself and hit the market again next year.

The Ravens moved on from Bryant and signed restricted free agent Willie Snead from the New Orleans Saints to bolster their receiver corps.

Bryant was cut by the Cowboys because his declining numbers over the past three years were incongruent to a $16.5 million cap figure in 2018.