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NFL draft rumors: Latest news on players, workouts and team interest

The latest rumors ahead of the 2016 NFL draft.
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The 2016 NFL draft will begin on Thursday, but college players are still completing last-minute workouts for interested teams. Speculation is higher than ever over where players will fall in the draft.

The first round of the draft will be completed on Thursday, with the second and third rounds taking place on Friday. The draft concludes on Saturday with the fourth through seventh rounds.

View the full 2016 NFL draft order here.

• BASKIN: An oral history of the star-studded 2011 NFL draft, five years later

Find a round-up of the latest rumors ahead of the draft below:

April 27

• A draft scout criticized Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple because he “can’t cook,” reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob McGinn.

• The New York Jets could target a wide receiver such as Josh Doctson or Will Fuller in the first round of the draft, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

• Eastern Kentucky linebacker Noah Spence, who was banned by the Big Ten in 2014 for failing multiple drug tests at Ohio State, sent his most recent 20 negative tests to all 32 NFL teams in an effort to show he is no longer using drugs, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Spence is projected to be selected in the first round of the draft.

• Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith is expected to be selected by the end of the third round of the draft and potentially as early as the end of the first round, league sourcestold Schefter.

• Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano had dinner with Illinois defensive lineman Jihad Ward on Tuesday night, reports the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Colts have the No. 18 pick of the draft.

• Though Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil has been considered the top tackle prospect in the draft (SI’s Chris Burke projects he will be the draft’s No. 6 pick), several NFL general managers have told the NFL Network’s Michael Silver they favor Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley.

• Tunsil is being sued by his stepfather for “intentional infliction of emotional distress,” reports Daniel Paulling of the Clarion-Ledger.

• The Browns are open to trading their No. 8 pick after already trading down from No. 2, reports CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. The Browns are reportedly targeting Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell or Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin.

• The Browns have also been having discussions with teams behind them in the draft who would want to come up for Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, reports Rapoport.

• The Dallas Cowboys are also reportedly interested in drafting Elliot, according to NFL.com.

BURKE: NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the first three rounds

April 26

• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t expect his team to trade its No. 4 draft pick, he said at a press conference on Monday. He also said that drafting a backup and eventual successor for Tony Romo isn’t a high priority for this draft.

• The New Orleans Saints declined to trade up from No. 12 to the No. 1 pick as the cost ultimately outweighed their interest in doing so, but they are still interested in Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch and could move up slightly to secure him, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.

• USC linebacker Su’a Cravens is being considered a potential first-round pick after visiting the Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Browns and Lions, reports Aaron Wilson for the National Football Post. The Patriots, Bills, Colts and Chargers have also expressed interest in Cravens, Wilson reports.

• Clemson safety T.J. Green has also moved into potential first-round consideration, Rapoport reports.

• Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton has drawn interest from the Jets, Rams, Falcons, Broncos, Texans and Raiders, Wilson reports.

• The Arizona Cardinals are willing to trade wide receiver Michael Floyd to move up in the draft, an anonymous Cardinals scout told Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.

• Former West Virginia safety Karl Joseph is expected to be selected in the draft’s first round, reports Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.