As we could guess, this is likely to be a strange draft. Everything will be done online so we end up missing my two favorite events from draft night, the Jets booing who ever they pick and the players awkward huge with Goodell.
Pete King actually wrote some interesting tidbits in his Monday column. I think the map of where the Giants decision makers will be was interesting and illustrative of how strange this will be since instead of being in a room together they will be spread across the country. This would have been almost impossible 20 years ago but now it will likely be the best watch NFL draft in history. And the fascinating part for me, is that the people who have been playing fantasy football online for years probably have an advantage since the format isn't drastically different than what they are used to.
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1. Jeff Okudah, Ohio State, 6-1, 205Finding flaws here feels like nitpicking. Future All-Pro will shut down receivers on the perimeter and drop his shoulder to stop the run. 2. CJ Henderson, Florida, 6-1, 204Scheme-versatile cover corner who will match up with physical receivers and keep stride with speedsters going vertical. 3. Trevon Diggs, Alabama, 6-1, 205Former wide receiver (like older brother Stefon) and kick returner has ball skills and instincts to generate takeaways. 4. Jaylon Johnson, Utah, 6-0, 193Physical, long and athletic enough to play perimeter or slot press coverage, and gets good reads when off the ball. 5. A.J. Terrell, Clemson, 6-1, 195Picked on by LSU in College Football Playoff title game, but he will be a coach’s favorite because of work ethic and versatility. 6. Jeff Gladney, TCU, 5-10, 191Closing burst to erase separation and plays with a chippiness that could get under the skin of hotheaded receivers and bullying blockers. 7. Kristian Fulton, LSU, 6-0, 197More inconsistent than expected from an LSU cornerback — loses more 50/50 balls than he wins — but willing to take an island and fight. 8. Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn, 5-10, 198Stockier than the prototype but uses body to advantage in tackling. Surprising first-step quickness. 9. Damon Arnette, Ohio State, 6-0, 195Made a big leap forward in 2019. By his own admission, he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with coaches, raising red flags. 10. Bryce Hall, Virginia, 6-1, 202Incredible 24 passes defended (of 44 career) in 2018. Why? Recognizes routes very quickly in zone coverage. Late riserTerrell: Extra emphasis on game film — not just final impressions — in this limited pre-draft process is providing a boost. Good blitzer, and maybe early fit in nickel. Falling fastCameron Dantzler, Mississippi State, 6-2, 188: Challenges every throw, so he makes and gives up big plays. But had second-slowest 40-yard dash time at his position. Small-school wonderAmik Robertson, Louisiana Tech, 5-8, 187: Just as you would expect from an undersized overlooked recruit — plays with swagger, toughness and no fear in nickel. Safety 1. Xavier McKinney, Alabama, 6-0, 201:Box safety or nickel linebacker against the run? Yes. Center fielder who can cover the deep seam? Yes. Back-seven versatility here. 2. Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota, 5-9, 203:Fundamentally sound ballhawk who keeps the ball in front of him but has injury history because he plays bigger than his body. 3. Grant Delpit, LSU, 6-2, 213:Likes to deliver a big hit — maybe a little too much that it leads to sloppy tackling. LSU used him in a variety of roles at both safety spots. 4. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne, 6-1, 217:Filled the box score, including as a punt returner, and won Division II Defensive Player of the Year honors despite playing just seven games due to injury. 5. Ashtyn Davis, California, 6-1, 202:Former track star and football walk-on still is learning to read quarterbacks. Cornerback might be better fit once developed. 6. Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois, 6-3, 221:Played all over the field, as you might expect at FCS level. Hybrid linebacker-safety who could solve tight end mismatches. 7. Julian Blackmon, Utah, 6-0, 187:Converted cornerback who could play nickel. Still learning cutoff angles one injury-shortened year into a new position. 8. Brandon Jones, Texas, 5-11, 198:Team-first leader plays like a strong safety but has recovery speed to track the deep pass. 9. Terrell Burgess, Utah, 5-11, 202:Converted cornerback, just like the other half of Utah’s duo. Considered a student of the game experienced in four primary special teams. 10. J.R. Reed, Georgia, 6-1, 202:Lacking some athleticism but showcases football IQ and other intangibles as he tries to become the third NFL player in his family. Late RiserWinfield: Put on an all-around athletic display at NFL Scouting Combine, reminding teams he has good genes. His father was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback. Falling FastDelpit: Considered a top-10 overall prospect before a poor finish to his season that could knock him out of the first round. Comparisons to All-Pro Jamal Adams do him no favors. Small-school WonderDugger: Lenoir-Rhyne’s last draft pick was in 2000 but Dugger was the best player on the field every game and backed it up as a combine standout. Lots of talent here but overall I think there is a lack of size at the linebacker position. I think we are seeing the turn from where we have linebackers on tight ends to linebackers focused on backs coming out and leaving the end to a safety or nickel back.
1. Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, 6-4, 238Game-changing Swiss Army knife who took 100 snaps or more at five different positions last season. Can cover, rush and tackle. 2. Patrick Queen, LSU, 6-0, 229Undersized and just scratching the surface of potential but plays with great energy and should be on the field for all three downs. 3. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma, 6-2, 241Sideline-to-sideline ball hound who explodes into tackles and can disguise coverages/blitzes because he is adept at both. 4. Zack Baun, Wisconsin, 6-2, 238First consensus first-team All-American linebacker in school history. Athletic in coverage and consistently gets the better of blocking tight ends. 5. Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State, 6-1, 224Undersized but versatile, highlighted by combination of five sacks and eight passes defended. 6. Malik Harrison, Ohio State, 6-3, 247Shuffled through linebacker positions and rarely missed a 1-on-1 tackle because he hits the center and wraps his arms. 7. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech, 6-0, 240Rare four-time all-conference player who led his team in tackles as a true freshman and continued playing downhill. 8. Jacob Phillips, LSU, 6-3, 229Filled big shoes of Devin White, last year’s fifth-overall pick, with 113 tackles. Product of a good system or just coming into his own? 9. Troy Dye, Oregon, 6-3, 231Knock on Dye is his ability to keep weight on his frame and look like the inside linebacker he is suited to be on first and second down. 10. Markus Bailey, Purdue, 6-0, 235Two season-ending knee injuries (2015, 2019) will scare off some teams, but he anticipates well enough to pick up slack for teammates. Late riserBaun: On the rise since the Senior Bowl and could jump over Queen and Murray in the back half of the first round. Never stops hustling but so much more than a grinder. Falling fastDye. Like so many others who didn’t participate in NFL Scouting Combine, lack of pro day and medical checks is a dagger. Played through a partially torn meniscus last season. Small-school wonderLogan Wilson, Wyoming, 6-2, 241: Three straight 100-plus tackle seasons and 421 career tackles. Good read-and-react diagnostician. FILED UNDER ISAIAH SIMMONS , 1. Derrick Brown, Auburn, 6-5, 326Rare combination of size, strength and athleticism. More than just a run-stopper. Bearing down in the face of fearful QBs.
2. Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina, 6-5, 324Played up to competition and down to competition — a sign of youth. Overcame living on the streets in his childhood. 3. Ross Blacklock, TCU, 6-3, 290Quick healer from Achilles injury that cost him full 2018 season. High motor for splitting double teams and chasing down QBs. 4. Raekwon Davis, Alabama, 6-6, 311Tackles and sacks regressed after a breakout 2017 season (69 tackles, 8.5 sacks). No problem fitting a three- or four-man front. 5. Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M, 6-3, 293Ready to immediately disrupt backs with tackles for loss but is too reliant on one move against the pass. 6. Marlon Davidson, Auburn, 6-3, 303Four-year starters in the SEC don’t grow on trees. Bull-rusher who can slide inside on third-down sub package. 7. Jordan Elliott, Missouri, 6-4, 302Already experienced lining up in different positions and schemes. Quick twitch in flashes but sometimes disappears. 8. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma, 6-2, 304Canada native still learning the game, but the effort and willingness are there. Needs better body control. 9. Jason Strowbridge, North Carolina, 6-4, 275NFL-caliber traits but could be caught with no true position. Put him on special teams: Four blocked kicks. 10. James Lynch, Baylor, 6-4, 289Thicker than his weight indicates but could have trouble shedding blocks without taking the long path. Late RiserJavon Kinlaw, South Carolina: If things break right, he could sneak into the top 10 after dominating the Senior Bowl. For the analytics crowd, his disruption is better measured by pressures and hurries than sacks. Falling FastNeville Gallimore, Oklahoma: Projection and development required because his college stat line doesn’t match up with his ability on paper. Too many flashes. Small-school wonderTrevis Gipson, Tulsa: Late-bloomer whose parents and brother were college athletes. Put on nearly 60 pounds his 6-foot-3 frame in college to get up to 261, but might have to move to linebacker if he can’t add more. Possibly the hardest position to figure out outside of QB. Star offensive linemen tend to take time to figure out their roles and not be thrown in immediately. The trend of really large offensive linemen continues this year.
1. Mekhi Becton, Louisville, 6-7, 364Athletic giant with experience on left and right sides and a wingspan longer than seven feet. Huge upside, but weight must be monitored. 2. Tristan Wirfs, Iowa, 6-5, 320Only true freshman tackle to start at offensive line-proud Iowa in coach Kirk Ferentz’s 21 seasons. Some scouts like him better at guard than at right tackle. 3. Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama, 6-4, 312Plays with a chip on his shoulder and finished blocks to the dirt as right tackle. Better blocker on pass than run right now, which is uncommon. 4. Andrew Thomas, Georgia, 6-5, 315Immediate starter on either side of the line, especially in a run-oriented offense. Can think his way through a challenge or bad game. 5. Josh Jones, Houston, 6-5, 319Senior Bowl left tackle standout who was inconsistent in games, but showed steady year-to-year development. High ceiling. 6. Austin Jackson, USC, 6-5, 322Raw 20-year-old left tackle with hit-or-miss potential for a team that can afford to sit him as a rookie. Quickness to cut off speed rushers. 7. Cesar Ruiz, Michigan, 6-3, 307All the desired traits in a center: consistency, awareness and vocal leadership. Versatile enough to play guard, too. Grew up fast in Camden, N.J. 8. Ezra Cleveland, Boise State, 6-6, 311Needs to add strength and catch up after missing lots of practice time last season due to turf toe. Scouts like his quick hands. 9. Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU, 6-3, 312Long arms (34 ¹/₈ inches) help make up for questions about his range. No question about the center’s sheer strength. 10. Isaiah Wilson, Georgia, 6-6, 350Brooklyn native with 25 career games of experience left two years of eligibility on the table. Elite size, but technical work needed. Late riserCleveland: He could pass Jackson as the sixth offensive tackle and land on the first/second-round border after top-of–the-line times in the shuttle and three-cone drill at the combine. Dropping fastPrince Tega Wanogho, Auburn, 6-5, 308: Could not participate in Senior Bowl or NFL Scouting Combine drills because of knee injury. Left native Nigerian village at age 16 with eyes on NBA, so he’s still learning football. Small school wonderBen Bartch, St. John’s (Minn.), 6-6, 309: Former tight end at Division III program who gained 75 pounds with a creative “diet.” Natural ability and willingness to learn, but now needs grooming. Like every draft, there is likely to be more bust than boom in the NFL draft. Everyone ties their team future to the draft but if you check back, you tend to see that the saviors are few and far between.
Any player can be a bust, some just have strong warning flags. So lets take a look at some prospects who could be lighting it upon Sundays or end up being out of the league in a few years. Since we just finished the offense, we'll focus on them and do the defense when we finish that in a few days. Basically Every QB. Everyone of the top QBs this year has a huge red flag attached to them. Joe Burrow was a one year wonder, Tua's injury history, Herbert makes poor decisions under pressure, Love has Mahomes like talent but he hasn't shown it consistently on the field. Eason and Fromm didn't exactly light it up when they should have. Each comes with their own risks Jonathon Taylor, RB, Wisconsin. Based purely off of his past and future usage. Very few RBs last long in the NFL, especially those who get the ball on almost every play. He also needs to fix his fumbling issues. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado. His pure talent has put him behind his peers since he didn't learn the route running and releasing needed to get separation in the NFL. I'm not as down on Alabama's Ruggs as others. Unlike other burners, he can actually catch. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone grab him some time in the 1st round for someone who wants a Tyrek Hill clone. I'm not as sure about KJ Hamler from Penn State who doesn't have Rugg's catch span or ability to get off of the line of scrimmage. Expect to see DBs in the NFL bully him at every opportunity until he proves he can beat it. Austin Jackson, OT, USC. Jackson performs well most of the time but he can be overpowered which isn't exactly what you want from your potential left tackle. Also struggles against defenders who are good with their hands. Who else would you add in on the offensive side of the ball? One of the weaker groups this year. The earliest you are likely to see a tight end go is the end of the 1st at the earliest, more than likely in the 2nd. Kmet and Trautman will be the first two, but then there is a talent drop off.
1. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame (JR, 6'6", 262 pounds) Expected to return to school in 2020, the dual-sport athlete (with baseball) for Notre Dame had a change of heart. Now, Kmet has a shot to be the first tight end off the board. A safety valve for Ian Book as a junior, Kmet became more involved in the passing attack and finished with 43 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. Kmet has experience both in-line and detached with the frame to continue to add more mass. Despite weighing in as the heaviest tight end at the combine, Kmet had the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash (4.70), best vertical jump (37") and second-best broad jump (10'3") at the position. 2. Adam Trautman, Dayton (rSR, 6'5", 255 pounds) Trautman dominated the lesser competition he faced at Dayton. The former high school quarterback turned 70 catches into 916 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior and racked up 2,295 yards and 31 touchdowns over his career. A big target at (6'5", 255 pounds), Trautman’s route-running and ball skills are both pluses. After a strong week at the Senior Bowl, Trautman showed off his agility at the combine with a position-best three-cone time of 6.78 seconds, which would have been the second-best time among wide receivers. 3. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue (rSR, 6'4", 245 pounds) The son of former Titans offensive tackle Brad Hopkins, Brycen didn’t begin playing football until high school. Due to his speed and route running, Hopkins has been more productive as a receiver than effective as a blocker. More of a straight-line player, but Hopkins averaged 15.0 yards per reception over his collegiate career. That said, he has inconsistent hands and has struggled with drops. 4. Hunter Bryant, Washington (JR, 6'2", 248 pounds) Best utilized flexed out and as a move tight end, Bryant was highly productive as a receiver and finished 2019 with 52 catches for 825 yards (15.9 Y/R) and three touchdowns with at least 5/82 in each of his final four games. Creating matchup problems in the passing game, Bryant has excellent ball skills and run-after-catch ability, although he ran a slower-than-expected 4.74, 40 at a bulked-up 248 pounds in Indianapolis. Knee injuries limited him to just 14 games as a freshman and sophomore. 5. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic (SR, 6'5", 243 pounds) The 2019 John Mackey Award recipient as the nation’s top tight end, Bryant had 65 catches for 1,004 yards (15.44 Y/R) and seven touchdowns in his final season. Bryant's combination of athleticism, route-running and ball skills should allow him to become a high-volume target in the passing game at the next level. Due to his development as a blocker during his time at FAU, however, he’s one of the more versatile and well-rounded prospects at the position. Here are the next 10 tight ends in my rankings: 6. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri (rJR, 6'6", 258 pounds) 7. Thaddeus Moss, LSU (rJR, 6'2", 250 pounds) 8. Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati (rSR, 6'2", 242 pounds) 9. Colby Parkinson, Stanford (JR, 6'7", 252 pounds) 10. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt (rSR, 6'4", 257 pounds) 11. Stephen Sullivan, LSU (SR, 6'5", 248 pounds) 12. Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State (SR, 6'2", 240 pounds) 13. Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech (JR, 6'4", 253 pounds) 14. Devin Asiasi, UCLA (rJR, 6'3", 257 pounds) 15. Cheyenne O’Grady, Arkansas (rSR, 6'4", 253 pounds) This is supposed to be a historically good wide receiver group this year, for what that is worth. There seems to be more quality human beings in this group than the previous diva behavior that we've seen from WR's for years. I think multiple teams end up doing well on WRs and that we look back at this group positively years from now.
CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma) Lamb was a dominant receiver in 2019. According to Sports Info Solutions, Lamb ranked number one last season in yards per target (14.3), yard per route run (3.9), and yards after the catch per reception (11.2). Lamb also scored the fourth-most fantasy points of all wide receivers. He also flashed skills in the return game as a punt returner; he led the Big 12 in punt returns in 2019 (24) and in 2018 he led the conference in yards (218) and yards per return (12.8). With his diverse skill set and his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands, he will be a WR No.1 in the NFL. There's a chance that Lamb also still has not even hit his ceiling as his major weakness is route running which often can improve in the NFL. Henry Ruggs III (Alabama)There's fast and then there is Henry Ruggs 4.27, 40-yard dash fast; which ranks in the 100th percentile per Playerprofiler.com. The guy can absolutely fly and defenses in college needed to consistently shift coverage over to his side because of his deep threat presence. Per Sports Info Solutions, Ruggs ranked second in yards/target (13.6), and third in yards after the catch per reception (10.5). He also showed sure-hands with just one drop last season on 41 catchable targets. Ultimately the verdict on Ruggs may that he is a much better real-life receiver for an NFL offense because of his back-breaking speed that creates space for other receivers; he himself might not necessarily become an elite fantasy asset. Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)Arguably the best route runner of the class, the consensus on Jeudy is he is either the No.1 or No.2 wide receiver overall in this class. Fantasy owners need to pay attention to where Jeudy lands because his ability to separate in his routes should translate over to the NFL level rather quickly. Via Sports Info Solutions, Jeudy ranked second in yards per route run (3.2) and ranked fifth in yards after the catch per reception (7.9). Jeudy spent the majority of his time in the slot at Alabama playing over 58% of snaps in his past two seasons. His yards per route run from the slot (3.39) ranked fifth overall in the NCAA of all receivers with at least 200 snaps in the slot per PFF. He could easily start contributing to an NFL offense very quickly. Jalen Reagor (TCU)Though his 40-time at the NFL combine did not turn heads, Reagor appeared to weigh in much heavier than his playing weight was in 2019. Still, he impressed in the jump drills ranking in the 97th percentile in the vertical jump and 98th percentile in the broad jump. His overall explosiveness as a player will be exciting to see in the NFL. 2018 was Reagor's best statistical season; he finished with 1,040 receiving yards (33rd), 131 targets (10th), and 71 receptions (33rd). But what makes Reagor even more exciting at the next level is his punt return ability. In 2019, he ranked fourth overall in the NCAA in total punt return yards and second in punt return yards per return (20.8). The most astonishing fact about Reagor, however, was his quarterback’s play in 2019: It was absolutely horrible. According to PFF data compiled by NFL.com’s Graham Barfield, Reagor had the lowest instance of accurate passes thrown to him among the entire receiver class for the 2020 NFL Draft. He saw an accurate pass just 31% of the time. That is likely to improve in the NFL. Lastly for wide receivers entering the draft two factors to always take notice are college target market share and breakout age. Via Playerprofiler.com these are two categories that Reagor checks the box on: 95 percentile breakout age and 74th percentile college dominator rating. Justin Jefferson (LSU)Jefferson led all receivers in NCAA with at least 200 snaps in the slot per PFF in yards (1,518), receptions (109), and touchdowns (18). Jefferson played almost exclusively in the slot in 2019 for LSU. However, the year prior he did also play on the outside so, at the NFL level, Jefferson will not be restricted to the slot; but teams would be wise to utilize his skillset there. According to Sports Info Solutions Expected Points Model, Jefferson’s total points gained from being involved in the play in 2019 was a total of 53 points. That ranked highest in the 2020 draft class. They also charted him fourth in the class in yards per target. He should be drafted in the first round. Denzel Mims (Baylor)When it comes to risers in the NFL draft, no player has risen up more than Mims from Baylor. He dominated the NFL combine with workout metrics via Playerprofiler.com that showed his 4.38 (96th percentile) 40-yard dash, 96th percentile overall speed score, 90th percentile burst score and 96th percentile catch radius. He broke out his sophomore year in 2017 with 1,087 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The upside is definitely there with Mims, but he does have his headaches when it comes to drops. Per PFF, Mims has 18 drops (12.9%) on catchable balls in the last two years. However, his ability to come down with contested catches and athletic profile will have a team enamored to draft him at the end of the first or top of the second round. Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State)After N'Keal Harry left for the NFL, Brandon Aiyuk got the opportunity to become the number one receiver at Arizona State. In 2019, Aiyuk according to Sports Info Solutions ranked fourth in yards per target (11.5), second in yard per route run (3.2), second in yards after the catch per reception (10.9), and ranked sixth in their Expected Points Model. He also thrived as a punt returner ranking third in the NCAA in yards per punt return (16.1), and fifth in yards per kickoff return (31.9). Aiyuk is a great run after the catch receiver, but his lone year of production coming his senior season is slightly concerning to project him at the next level. It's worth noting that Aiyuk spent his first two seasons at JUCO at California's Sierra College before attending Arizona State where he then played second-fiddle to Harry for a season. For the NFL he will project as an outside receiver that will rely on explosiveness not contested-catch ability. According to PFF, his 384 deep receiving yards were the 38th most in college football even though he ranked 81st in deep targets (19). K.J. Hamler (Penn State) Somewhat of a forgotten prospect after not being able to test at the NFL combine, Hamler is sure to be overlooked. Hamler is a small receiver weighing just under 178 pounds. At Penn State, he lined up exclusively in the slot. Hamler does have the speed as alluded to his reported 40-time to be a deep threat up the seams. 28% of passes thrown his way were more than 20 yards downfield. His yards per route run from the slot (2.45) ranked 11th in NCAA last season and receiving touchdowns ranked ninth (8). Bryan Edwards (South Carolina)He played all four of his collegiate seasons at South Carolina. After his teammate Deebo Samuel headed to the NFL in 2019, Edwards stepped up as the number one threat in the South Carolina passing offense. In his senior season with just 10 games played, Edwards had a season-high 71 receptions (28th in the class) for 816 yards on 107 targets; with 540 (14th in the class) of those yards (66%) coming after the catch. He also forced 27 broken tackles over the past two seasons. Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, unfortunately for Edwards, he was unable to test at the combine due to a broken foot. NFL scouts will have to most likely rely on his college film and production for their evaluation of him. Edwards ranked 15th in the 2020 draft class in yards per route run (2.58) with a minimum of 100 targets via PFF. His yards after the catch per reception (7.6) also ranked seventh-highest of any player that saw at least 100 targets. Laviska Shenault (Colorado)Shenault was a versatile wide receiver at Colorado, where he lined up all over the field from outside, slot, backfield, and at wildcat quarterback. The unfortunate stigma surrounding Shenault though as he enters the 2020 NFL Draft is that he has dealt with multiple injuries in his football career. This injury bug carried over to the NFL scouting combine where Shenault reportedly tested with an abdominal injury which resulted in a lackluster 40-yard dash time of 4.58. But when Shenault has been healthy he has been of the most dangerous receivers on the field. According to PFF, he broke 26 of his 44 tackles on screens/jet sweeps, which was nine more than any other receiver, and averaged 10.8 yards after the catch per reception. Tee Higgins (Clemson)Higgins played the prototypical X receiver role on the outside in college. In 2019, Higgins yards per reception (19.8) and yards per route run (3.67) ranked fifth amongst all receivers with at least 80 targets. He profiles as a receiver used down the field with an average depth of target of 14.6 in 2019. However, this is more due to the routes he was asked to run at Clemson and not because of his speed. He is great at tracking the ball downfield which can be seen by his 65.2 reception percentage on balls thrown 20 or more yards which ranked second-best last season. In the NFL, Higgins is more likely to win against smaller defensive backs because of his size and not because of his to separate from defenders. The other concern for Higgins; he failed to produce against better teams that he faced in college playoff. On 17 targets in the two playoff games, he had seven receptions for just 85 yards. Lynn Bowden Jr. (Kentucky)The ultimate swiss-army knife player, Bowden led the SEC in rushing yards at the wide receiver position along with leading the NCAA in rushing yards per attempt (7.9). Due to injuries at quarterback in 2019, Bowden started the final eight games at quarterback. His biggest strength is definitely is run after the catch. In 2018 has a full-time wide receiver he ranked 15th in yards after the catch per reception (7.7). He will most likely be a slot receiver in the NFL because that is where he spent the majority of time in college, but he could be used in a multitude of ways if he is paired with a creative offensive NFL coach. Via Mike Florio:
Kirk Cousins: Games without fans “would kind of be refreshing” As 49ers tight end George Kittle said last week, there’s a silver lining to the prospect of playing games without fans, specifically when the time comes to play in places like Seattle or New Orleans. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins took it a step farther on Tuesday when discussing the possibility that all or part of the 2020 season will entail games without folks in the stands cheering or booing the performances of the players. “Honestly, we practice every day in an empty grass area and pump in fake crowd noise for away games,” Cousins said on a conference call, via ESPN.com. “But more often than not, you’re used to it. OTA practices don’t have a lot of pomp and circumstance to them. So honestly to go out and just play the game would kind of be refreshing, a breath of fresh air, to just let us know that we don’t have to have all the smoke and the fire, we can just play football. So as long as we’re playing the game, I won’t have a lot of complaints, and hopefully if it’s still not returned to normal, we can find a way to make it work.” Plenty of players thrive on the energy that comes from playing before a crowd. Others would prefer silence, and those players will have a benefit in 2020, if games happen without all the ambient noise. The Vikings go to both Seattle and New Orleans this year, so the absence of raucousness would help Cousins run the offense without a silent count or other devices that erase the advantage that the offense otherwise has thanks to the split-second before the defense reacts to the start of the play. Of course, Minnesota’s defense would sacrifice that same edge in its eight home games, where the noise at U.S. Bank Stadium can make it impossible for the opposing offense to operate. My view: I have no respect for athletes who want to run from their fans. Most leagues struggle to put fans in seats yet guys like Cousins don't want to fans to be in the stadium with them? Why doesn't he just go join a weekend flag league where no one will watch him. If it wasn't already clear enough, no team is going to win the Super Bowl with Cousins at QB. I would argue that this is the easiest position to plug into a starting lineup and have them be an immediate impact With only the third down role being a mentally challenging for players to pick up, a stud rookie running back can be put into the starting lineup and help carry a team. Running back is also one of the easiest positions to grab a talented player in a later round. There has been a huge change in the last decade with specialized running backs from grabbing running backs early to very full going early and most of the best going in the late 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
Day 1 starters 1) 2) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU: The 5-foot-7, 207-pound back's game is versatile. As a runner, he has great contact balance, good vision and is elusive with the ball in his hands. In fact, 36 percent of his carries went for first downs or touchdowns in 2019. In the passing game, Edwards-Helaire has soft hands and can pick up the blitz. His well-rounded skill set will allow him to be a Day 1 starter in any system. 3) J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State: Coming off a 2,000-yard rushing season in which he averaged a robust 6.7 yards per carry, Dobbins has the goods -- ability to break tackles and a second gear to take it the distance -- to make it in the league. He's proven he can carry the load out of the backfield as a runner and pass catcher. 4) Cam Akers, Florida State: Akers totaled 18 touchdowns in his final season at FSU thanks to his consistent, powerful running style. At 5-10 and 217 pounds, he's a smooth runner who sets up his blocks well, catches the ball naturally and will provide an NFL team with a solid three-down threat. He's an absolute dog who gets the job done time and time again. 5) Zack Moss, Utah: Moss is very quick for a guy who weighs 223 pounds, and his Marshawn Lynch-like style makes him a tough tackle. He was quite productive at Utah, averaging at least 5.5 yards per carry in each of the past three seasons by consistently falling forward at the point of contact and making positive gains. He'll be able to not only contribute but dominate in any system at the next level. The one concern is his injury history. 6) Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin: Taylor reminds me of Christian McCaffrey when he came out of college in the sense that the 5-10, 226-pound Badger has so many miles on his tires after recording 926 carries for 6,174 yards in three years at Wisconsin. This was my concern with McCaffrey, but the Carolina Panthers have used him in a way where he doesn't take as many hits. Unfortunately, Taylor's size and downhill running style will make him more susceptible to hits at the next level. He was durable in college, so hopefully that continues because he's talented enough to be a starter immediately. System players 7) Joshua Kelley, UCLA: He's been productive everywhere he's played and that counts for something. Reminiscent of Justin Jackson when he was at Northwestern, Kelley is an all-around football player who makes positive gains every time he touches the ball. He has good contact balance, breaks tackles and could contribute for a team that embraces downhill runners. 8) Mike Warren II, Cincinnati: A standout in high school, Warren ended up at Cincinnati after not being widely recruited. The joke's on everyone else, because all he's done is produce. Warren is a physical back, and I could see him working his way into a starting role on Sundays. 9) Eno Benjamin, Arizona State: Benjamin is a tackle-breaker who is violent at the point of contact. His beastly TD runs against Cal showed his toughness, as he repeatedly ran through defenders. Thing is, though, he plays that way every time he touches the ball, with a mindset to punish his opponents. 10) Levante Bellamy, Western Michigan: I like this kid a lot. He did more with less at Western Michigan and had productive games vs. big-time opponents. The 5-9, 192-pounder has great dip when he runs, as well as good acceleration and vision -- and he knows how to set up blocking receivers. The one concern is that he's already 23 years old. 11) A.J. Dillon, Boston College: The 6-foot, 247-pounder is the kind of big bruiser running back coaches love. His strength is running downhill through the A-gap with square shoulders, and he has some speed for a guy of his size. 12) Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State: Speed, speed and more speed. Evans ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, further proving that he's a home-run hitter when he gets into the open field. The concern here is I didn't see Evans break enough tackles at Appalachian State, which is problematic because he won't see a lot of huge holes in the NFL. If he can improve this part of his game, watch out. 13) DeeJay Dallas, Miami: A utility man, Dallas was a running back, receiver and returner for the Hurricanes. He has a lot of shake to make people miss when the ball is in his hands. I see him as a third-down back who will give linebackers fits in coverage. Dallas has a lot of similarities to Austin Ekeler when he entered the NFL. 14) Rico Dowdle, South Carolina: Dowdle is one shifty dude -- it's like trying to catch a jackrabbit for defenders. He's explosive and can make as many as three people miss in a phone booth. One area of improvement I'd like to see is his catching ability. 15) Lamical Perine, Florida: Perine has the prototypical build for a pro back at 5-11, 216 pounds. One NFL running backs coach told me he has good hands, contact balance and would be a solid third-down option. 16) Anthony McFarland, Maryland: He uses his thick lower body to accelerate into contact and reach top speed as he hits the second level. The 5-8, 208-pound speedster will be a playmaker with the ball in his hands at the next level. 17) 18) Javon Leake, Maryland: The former Terrapin is a one-cut speedster with big-play ability. His vision and efficiency in the open field derive from his experience as a returner. 19) JaMycal Hasty, Baylor: The 5-8, 205-pound back is a physical runner for his size and runs behind his pads well. He's a solid third-down option as a natural catcher and has ability to make people miss in the open field. 20) Raymond Calais, Louisiana-Lafayette: Similar to Darrynton Evans out of Appalachian State, Calais is a track star on the gridiron. He's a one-cut runner who can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. 21) Scottie Phillips, Mississippi: Phillips was inconsistent at Ole Miss, but showed a lot of promise when he was on. When he flashed, the 5-8, 209-pounder showed great burst, was explosive and was a sure-fire threat out of the backfield. Guys who need time to develop 22) J.J. Taylor, Arizona: He's quick and tough, but size (5-5, 185 pounds) and speed (4.61 in the 40) are big issues. You can't be that size and run a 4.6. I see him in a Dion Lewis/James White type of role. 23) Patrick Taylor Jr., Memphis: At 6-1, 217 pounds, Taylor is a big and fast running back with a versatile skill set. He's a very capable receiver in the screen game and was even used as a quarterback in Wildcat formations during his time at Memphis. To be fully utilized at the next level, Taylor needs a system that is going to be creative. 24) Benny Lemay, Charlotte: Lemay has really good vision and quickness, making a lot of people miss in short areas. He was productive in big games, but lacks speed (4.75 40) 25) James Robinson, Illinois State: Robinson does a great job of being patient, which allows his teammates to set up blocks. And although he runs really well in a power scheme, he -- like a lot of others in this section -- lacks speed (4.64). 26) Brian Herrien, Georgia: Herrien was the thunder to Swift's lightning at Georgia, as a back who looks for contact. Herrien runs to punish his opponents and will likely be used in short-yardage/goal-line situations and to close out games. 27) Darius "Jet" Anderson, TCU: Quickness is one of Anderson's best attributes, as he's extremely slippery and tough to tackle. He has open-field moves and his return ability allows him to be a weapon in space for an offense and on special teams. 28) Sewo Olonilua, TCU: He's a big running back (6-3, 232 pounds) with versatility. Similar to Patrick Taylor, Olonilua could thrive under an offensive coordinator who uses him creatively. 29) Salvon Ahmed, Washington: Ahmed has quick feet and was a contributor for a talented Washington offense. He lacks long speed, good field vision and doesn't break many tackles in the open field. 30) Tony Jones, Notre Dame: Jones is a big, downhill, one-cut runner who breaks a good amount of tackles, but he's at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to raw talent. |
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January 2022
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