NFL's Future

I’m not one of those that can process a great deal of advance-year scouting until after the current draft season is wrapped up. I find it intellectually and professionally dishonest to spare attention from the existing draft and focus ahead. Sure I have players I have some feelings and initial impressions about, but if you asked me to do a thorough and proper scouting evaluation for 2013 players right now, you’re asking the wrong guy.

But I’m starting to watch some film on some players and teams right now, after the 2012 draft is completely out of my system. Here are some preliminary thoughts on a few:

Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech–this is one impressive physical specimen. I’ve watched the Clemson, Virginia, and Wake Forest games so far and Thomas has been the best athlete on the field regardless of position in every game. He has a very easy, natural throwing motion with a very high release point even for a taller QB. Thomas gets good velocity with minimal effort thanks to what look like huge hands and very strong wrists. I liken it to basketball players that can shoot with the same form from the free throw line and from 25 feet thanks to wrist strength and balanced, powerful knees and feet; Thomas has that ability as a thrower. There is a very innate feel for touch and pace on the ball, from short crosses to deep outside passes. He throws on the move very naturally and accurately, in fact probably with better pinpoint accuracy than in the pocket. He is definitely better at processing the defense while on the move.

And that is my primary criticism of Thomas at this point–he seems too uncomfortable when playing to the structure of the offense. To go basketball again, if Peyton Manning is John Stockton running a precise offense with perfectly engineered spacing and timing, Logan Thomas is Allen Iverson freelancing and creating on his own terms. Sometimes he gets lucky and creates true magic, other times it looks chaotic and results in too many positive plays left on the field. There were a couple of plays in the Wake game where Thomas opted to try and extend a play rather than take an easy short completion. On one he got absolutely smacked for a big loss, and another he twice ignored open receivers in the flat to try and force a ball over the deep middle into coverage while moving out. One of the reasons Cam Newton thrived as a rookie was that he inherently understood how and when to take what the defense gave him after struggling with that early. Michael Vick achieved his best results in the same manner. RG3 elevated himself from mid-round intriguing athlete to #2 overall pick because he improved his ability to stick to the script without sacrificing his dynamic creativity. Thomas desperately needs to get yoked in and not try to hit the big play on every play. If he can show progress there in 2012, I have little doubt he is going to be the #1 pick in the 2013 NFL draft. Read the rest of this entry » «Early 2013 Impressions»

The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward.  Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft.  If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see.  For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud.  We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the grunts on the offensive and defensive line over the next two weeks.  Today we look at the defensive tackle class.

1. Johnathan Hankins, Ohio St.*

Height: 6-4  Weight: 318

Big Hank is a scary force in the middle.  He gets very little national attention but has consistently been among the top DT’s in the Big Ten since his freshman season.  He’s big and athletic which is a needed commodity in the middle of the defense.  I would look for another solid season during his junior season and rise up draft boards, possibly into the top ten.  Hankins has trimmed down this offseason from as high as 335 pounds to 318.

2. Star Lotuleilei, Utah

Height: 6-4  Weight: 325

Lotuleilei won the Morris Trophy as the top Pac 12 defensive lineman in 2011.  He returned to the Utes for his senior season and looks primed to garner some top 15 attention this season.

3. Kawann Short, Purdue

Height: 6-3  Weight: 310

Short is a disruptor in the middle of the defense.  He tallied 17 TFL and 6.5 sacks during his junior campaign and will be a contender for the LOTT Trophy this season.  Short’s ability to play multiple positions should make him a very valuable commodity come next April. Read the rest of this entry » «2013 NFL Draft Position by Position Rankings – Defensive Tackles»

This website is called NFL’s Future, and right about now that future isn’t looking so rosy. A confluence of recent events has led me to become increasingly pessimistic about where the game America cherishes is headed.

Last week was one of the worst public relations nightmares the NFL has ever faced. On the same day where Commissioner Roger Goodell hammered four Saints for actively participating in bounty payments for injuring fellow players, one of the most recognizable and respected players, Junior Seau, committed suicide. In the background loomed a lawsuit by over 100 former players over injuries suffered during their careers and the post-career medical benefits and treatment afforded them by the NFL.

To tackle each issue individually, first understand the general state of the game. Many long-time fans and old-school players have expressed repeated and vocal disgust about the changes to the way the game is now being played. Highlight-reel hits of yesteryear now bring hefty fines and suspensions. Quarterbacks are heavily protected to the point where John Madden opines that within 5 years they will be literally untouchable. Kickoffs have moved up and now returns, arguably the most exciting play in all of professional sports, are down significantly. Stadium ticket prices are prohibitively expensive to the vast majority of fans, if they can first pony up thousands for PSLs, plus hundreds for parking, souvenirs, and concessions that cost up to eight times what they would at the nearest convenience store. Antiquated, archaic, and overtly punitive television blackout rules anger millions of potential fans from Jacksonville to Oakland. Several prominent players (Drew Brees, Matt Forte, Osi Umenyiora) are waging the annual bellyaching over just how many millions they demand in a general culture where more and more people have to make do with less and less. That comes on the heels of a lockout that the general populous almost universally framed as millionaires versus billionaires, again in the worst overall economy since the Great Depression.

Against that rather disheartening backdrop, four Saints defenders were suspended for their roles in Bountygate. Most notably, star middle linebacker and leader of the defense Jonathan Vilma was whacked for the entire 2012 season. Goodell rather calculatingly delayed the suspension announcement to the post-draft calendar to get increased visibility, presumably to send the stern message of zero tolerance. Vilma joined his head coach Sean Payton in being sentenced to a year without participation, while Anthony Hargrove, Scott Fujita, and Will Smith all got at least three games. Saints fans everywhere are aghast and disgusted, not at the evidential accusations against their beloved franchise but rather because they feel undeservedly targeted; the punishments do not fit the crimes in their eyes, nor the eyes of millions of other fans. Many point to the relative slap on the wrist given to Bill Belichick and the Patriots for Spygate a few years back, which many more fans (but not this one) believe was a more blatant and direct violation of the integrity of the game than the debatable impact of Bountygate. If message boards, talk radio callers, and bar patrons are any guide, the vast majority of fans believe Goodell is an overarching dictator drunk on power, hellbent on turning the NFL into his own personal North Korea. Read the rest of this entry » «The NFL’s Precarious Future»

The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward.  Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft.  If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see.  For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud.  We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the grunts on the offensive and defensive line this week.  Today we look at an offensive guard class.

1. Barrett Jones, OG/OT/OC, Alabama

Height: 6-5  Weight: 315

Jones is one of the more versatile offensive linemen to come out.  He played left tackle last season but will make the move inside to center in 2012.  The 2011 Outland Trophy winner’s versatility to play any line position should make him a valuable commodity come next April.

2. Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina

Height: 6-3  Weight: 310

The UNC guards were hands down the best guard tandem in 2011.  Cooper and Travis Bond made running in the interior very easy for RS Freshman RB Giovani Bernard.  Cooper graded out at 86% for the season and hopes to add to the momentum in his senior season. Read the rest of this entry » «2013 NFL Draft Position by Position Rankings – Offensive Guards»

The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward.  Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft.  If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see.  For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud.  We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the grunts on the offensive and defensive line this week.  Today we look at an offensive tackle class that will be made or broken on the backs of the underclassmen.

1. Chris Faulk, LSU*

Height: 6-6  Weight: 325

Faulk was impressive in his sophomore season as he consistently graded out as top OL on a talented line.  Faulk’s blend of size, strength, and athleticism should push him to the top of draft boards with another solid season in 2012.

2. Taylor Lewan, Michigan*

Height: 6-8  Weight: 302

Lewan is a finesse tackle in the mold of Matt Kalil.  He possesses excellent feet and the length to keep quicker defenders off his body.  His strength needs some improvement but from a shear talent standpoint there aren’t many better than Lewan.  While this rating is based solely on projection, I feel safe in saying that Lewan is a top 10 talent if he declares for the 2013 NFL Draft.

3. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M*

Height: 6-5  Weight: 305

The bloodlines are intact in the Matthews family and Jake is likely to continue the NFL success in the family tree.  He’s the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews which speaks for itself.  Jake has the overall skill set to compete for first tackle off the board if he decides to bolt early for the NFL. Read the rest of this entry » «2013 NFL Draft Position by Position Rankings – Offensive Tackle»

A bad break for the Baltimore Ravens could turn into a featured role for 2nd round pick Courtney Upshaw.  News broke this morning that star OLB Terrell Suggs of the Ravens tore his Achilles and is likely to miss the entire 2012 season.  Definitely not the news that John Harbaugh wanted but at least there’s a silver lining.

The Ravens traded out of last week’s first round and into the second round.  Not many anticipated the Ravens picking up the value of Alabama pass rusher Courtney Upshaw with the 35th pick in the draft.  Upshaw’s slide turned out to be a major blessing in disguise for Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens.  The Ravens needed a player opposite Suggs coming into the draft but certainly wasn’t the biggest need.  Third year player Paul Kruger was the anticipated starter after Jarrett Johnson’s departure to San Diego.  Kruger will still be in line for that starter spot but he could be playing opposite Upshaw and not Suggs.

Courtney Upshaw was viewed as a tweener coming into the draft.  His Combine workout raised issue with his ability to drop in coverage as a 3-4 OLB but he lacks the size to be a three down base end.  With Suggs on the mend for 2012 (or it appears) Upshaw will have to compete with Sergio Kindle for Suggs rush end spot.

I keep getn these “it’s time to man up” tweets…I mean it’s the NFL…with T. Sizzle healthy I wud have to man up its big boy ball…

— Courtney Upshaw (@334Upshaw41) May 3, 2012

Terrell Suggs production isn’t likely to be replicated by Upshaw or anyone else for that matter.  Upshaw’s selection does soften the big blow dealt to the Ravens this morning.  Upshaw said it himself, its big boy ball.

We have completed Spring games for NCAA teams and it’s already time to start focusing on the top prospects that will be eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft.  The review of the top prospects began on Monday for me and it won’t end until the beginning of April when I complete final grades for the 2013 crop.

It’s far too early to begin speculation on a 2013 NFL Mock Draft but it’s always fun to look at who we could be looking at in the next draft.  Without further ado, here’s our first edition (of many) of the 2013 NFL Mock Draft:

1. Oakland Raiders – Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech*

The Raiders wasted picks in the Carson Palmer deal and will move on in 2013.  Matt Barkley is widely considered the top QB prospect but Thomas has a rare skill set which may allow him to overtake the SC QB.

2012 1^st round pick: None

2. Miami Dolphins – Robert Woods, WR, USC*

Let’s face it, the Dolphins just aren’t real talented.  Matt Moore or David Garrard will start the season but Ryan Tannehill should end it.  That’s not exactly the recipe for success.  The Dolphins selected their franchise QB in the 2012 NFL Draft but it didn’t equate to many wins.  Now they will begin to surround him with talent at the skill positions.

2012 1^st round pick: Ryan Tannehill

3. Arizona Cardinals – Matt Barkley, QB, USC

The Cardinals will struggle with Kolb/Skelton running for their life behind the worst line in football.  The Cards had better secure a LT in free agency or pray for Barkley.

2012 1^st round pick: Michael Floyd

4. Minnesota Vikings – Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington St.*

If the Vikings land this high it may be tough for them to not pull the plug on Christian Ponder.  With the top two QB’s off the board they may elect to find Ponder a weapon on the outside.

2012 1^st round pick: Matt Kalil

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

Mingo can cause headaches for the best of them.  He’s a speed rusher that is becoming trendy in today’s pass happy NFL.  The Jags didn’t lock up a difference making pass rusher in 2012 so they opt for the top one in 2013.

2012 1^st round pick: Justin Blackmon

6. Cleveland Browns – Keenan Allen, WR, Cal*

The Browns failed to address the WR spot in free agency or the draft, so they look to address with the 6^th pick in 2013.  Allen is a big receiver that has been highly productive despite poor QB play.  If the Browns don’t think they are secure with Weeden at the helm they may opt for Tyler Wilson.

2012 1^st round pick: Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden Read the rest of this entry » «2013 NFL Mock Draft – First Edition»

The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward.  Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft.  If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see.  For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud.  We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the offensive skill positions.  We ranked the top quarterbacks and running backs yesterday and move on to the wide receivers and tight ends today.

Tight Ends

1. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Height: 6-6  Weight: 251

Eifert likely would have challenged Coby Fleener for the top TE spot in the 2012 NFL Draft.  He chose to return to ND and could solidify himself as a first round TE.  Eifert has good but not great speed.  His hands are elite caliber and he can block and uses his big body to shield defenders.

2. Zach Ertz, Stanford*

Height: 6-6  Weight: 249

Ertz was the second head of Stanford’s three-headed monster at TE.  He was the best blocker of the bunch but wasn’t as dominate a receiving threat.  Ertz should be counted on more this season to stretch the defense and could see more action from a production standpoint.   Read the rest of this entry » «2013 NFL Draft Position by Position Rankings – Tight Ends»

The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward.  Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft.  If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see.  For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud.  We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the offensive skill positions.  We ranked the top quarterbacks and running backs yesterday and move on to the wide receivers and tight ends today.

Wide Receivers

1. Robert Woods, USC*

Height: 6-1  Weight: 190

Matt Barkley has a bevy of wideouts to choose from.  His favorite target is junior Robert Woods and for good reason.  Woods has the physical tools to be in the elite category in grading out the position.  His size may be the only detractor but Woods should push for a top five selection in next April’s draft.

2. Marquess Wilson, Washington St.*

Height: 6-4  Weight: 183

Wilson is a long, linear athlete with the skills to push Robert Woods for the top receiver honors in the 2013 class.  Wilson will be aided by the addition of Mike Leach as HC of WSU and maybe the best QB that you’ve never heard of in Jeff Tuel.  Wilson shredded his own defense in the spring game for a buck, fifty and a TD after Leach publicly ripped him for his efforts (or lack thereof) in practice.

3. Keenan Allen, California*

Height: 6-3  Weight: 206

Marvin Jones was considered to be a sleeper WR in the 2012 NFL Draft.  The reason he was a sleeper was because of him being overshadowed by Keenan Allen.  The QB play at Cal was spotty to say the least but Allen was still able to haul in 98 catches for over 1300 yards and 6 TD’s.   Read the rest of this entry » «2013 NFL Draft Position by Position Rankings – Wide Receivers»

The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward.  Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft.  If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see.  For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud.  We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the offensive skill positions.  Today we’ll hit on the QB’s and RB’s and tomorrow we’ll look at WR’s and TE’s.

Running Backs

1. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina*

Height: 6-0  Weight: 218

Lattimore ended his sophomore season on a sour note with a knee injury but should be full go in 2012.  He’s as skilled as any running back in the country and surefire first round pick if he enters the 2013 NFL Draft.

2. Knile Davis, Arkansas

Height: 6-0  Weight: 226

Davis tore up his knee before the 2011 season which was expected to be his final as a collegiate.  Instead he will be back for a new look Arkansas team.  Davis has the size, strength, and speed to warrant a first round selection next April.

3. Giovani Bernard, North Carolina**

Height: 5-10  Weight: 205

Bernard burst onto the national scene in 2011 as a redshirt freshman.  This season he will be draft eligible and has the goods to to enter as a (RS) Sophomore. Read the rest of this entry » «2013 NFL Draft Position by Position Rankings – Running Backs»