Lammey: Buzz around the NFL with the scouting combine a week away

Author’s note: Covering the NFL since 2003, I’ve been able to generate contacts with every team in the league. This is the time of year when those relationships come in handy.

NFL teams have entered the offseason mode, and information is swirling around the atmosphere of the league. If you know who to ask, you can learn some interesting things about the direction of these franchises as they prepare for the 2017 season.

Here’s some of the latest buzz I’m hearing from around the NFL with the scouting combine one week away.

Andrew Whitworth in talks with the Bengals

The free agent market doesn’t have a ton of offensive line talent this offseason. Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth is scheduled to be a free agent, but he told Sirius XM that he’s already been talking with the Bengals in order to stay with the team.

He’s 35 years old, but Whitworth can still get it done. According to Pro Football Focus, Whitworth was the No. 3 left tackle last season and he finished second in pass blocking.

Buzz: Several executives consider Whitworth the best left tackle set to hit the open market. One such NFC executive described Whitworth to me as having “old man game,” but that wouldn’t stop them from going after him if he became available.

Bengals insiders would be shocked if he doesn’t stay with the team. The Broncos are likely to be interested if Whitworth becomes available, but the veteran may sign a new long-term contract with the Bengals before free agency even opens.

If the Broncos were pegging Whitworth as a target, they better have other options at the ready.

Joe Mixon may not be drafted

Longtime NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline doesn’t believe Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon will be selected in April’s draft.

Mixon was suspended for the entire 2014 season after striking a woman at a restaurant and breaking several bones in her face. A video of the incident surfaced late last year, and Mixon was not invited to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine based on his record and the league’s new policy on domestic violence.

Buzz: The teams I talk to are lukewarm-to-cold on Mixon. Everyone can acknowledge the talent that he has as a running back, and scouts believe he has first-round potential if not for the off-field incident.

There are a few teams I know that have taken Mixon off their board. However, there are more teams who say they would be willing to draft him at the right time. That time may be at some point on the final day of the draft.

Julius Peppers headed back to Carolina?

Impending free agent linebacker Julius Peppers appears to be done with the Green Bay Packers, according to beat writer Rob Demovsky. Peppers has not made any comments about retiring or returning, but based on his current play he should return for his 16th NFL season.

Buzz: Early buzz has Peppers potentially returning to the Carolina Panthers. He was selected by the Panthers with the second-overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and enjoyed eight successful seasons in Carolina.

There’s no reason to think Peppers still can’t play effectively at the pro level after a 7.5 sack year in 2016. He’s not a full-time player anymore, but he has posted at least 7.0 sacks every year but one in his 15-year pro career.

If added by the Panthers, Peppers would be a part-time pass rusher for them.

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