NFL's Future

In my mind its never too  early to start predicting the future. As long as we keep in mind that guys like Matt Barkley, Tyler Wilson, Sam Montgomery (to name a few) littered the top 10 of our rankings at this time last year.

It’s worth noting that we are in the infancy stages of the evaluation process with only a handful of these prospects receiving much more than a glance. We opted to flesh out the redshirt sophomores, although there are some intriguing and talented prospects in that group that could be looking to make an Aldon Smith like impact on the 2014 NFL Draft.

After the break check out our first top 100 release for the 2014 NFL Draft. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: Top 100 Preseason Rankings»

Jim O’Connor – USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets

TEAM NEEDS: QB, OLB, CB, OL, TE, RB

John Idzik had his work cut out for him when he took over the Jets from Mike Tannenbaum. The Jets had dug themselves in a hole with overpriced contracts and some so-so drafts. Since the Jets struck gold in 2006 (D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold) and in 2007 (Darrelle Revis), they have whiffed in round one (jury still out on Wilkerson and Coples).

Idzik’s splash in the offseason came when he traded Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers, acquiring an extra first round pick in the draft. Losing Revis hurts but Idzik and the Jets didn’t have much of an option as they attempt to dig out of cap hell.

For what they had to work with the Jets didn’t do a bad job in free agency. The cap strapped Jets had to let a significant haul of players walk in free agency but replaced them with low cost options. They were able to find a new pair of starting guards in Willie Colon and Stephen Peterman, made a trade for Chris Ivory, and made three underrated signings on the defensive side of the ball in Antonio Garay, Antwan Barnes, and Dawan Landry.

All things considered it was a successful offseason heading into the draft as they were able to fill a couple of holes with solid veterans, on the cheap.

After the break, check out a pick by pick analysis of the Jets 2013 NFL Draft selections. Read the rest of this entry » «New York Jets 2013 NFL Draft Recap»

Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Teddy Bridgewater – Louisville

Height: 6030

Weight: 218

Age when drafted: 21

Hometown: Miami, FL

Position: QB

Collegiate Number: 5

Combine notables: N/A

Games Viewed: 2012 – North Carolina, South Florida, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Florida 2011 – West Virginia

BACKGROUND:

Teddy Bridgewater played his high school football at famed Miami Northwestern High School, which has churned out NFL players for over a decade. Bridgewater took the QB reigns as a sophomore from Jacory Harris. He was the 6^th rated dual-threat QB in the 2011 recruiting class and had offers from most major schools.

After initially committing to the Miami Hurricanes, Bridgewater switched to Charlie Strong and Louisville shortly after Randy Shannon was let go from Miami.

Bridgewater would take over as starter for Louisville in the fourth game of his true freshman season. He would not look back in a season in which he was named Big East Freshman of the Year after throwing for over 2,000 yards and 14 TD’s. As expected, Bridgewater struggled some with decision-making in his freshman season which led to 12 picks.

Bridgewater was officially on the national map following a freshman season that had many buzzing about his future potential. As an encore, Bridgewater would improve on his numbers and overall game as a sophomore.

Bridgewater was a spread quarterback at Miami Northwestern that primarily played out of the shotgun. He would transition to a more pro-style offense at Louisville where he played under center most of the time. It was clear in Bridgewater’s sophomore campaign that he was much more comfortable in the offense and under center running play action and throwing on the move and from traditional drops.

Bridgewater would lead the Cardinals to a Sugar Bowl win over Florida in this sophomore campaign. A season that would see him throw for 3,718 yards, 27 touchdowns, and throw just 8 interceptions. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: Teddy Bridgewater preseason scouting report»

Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

A (not so) quick note: I left a couple notable names out of this mock draft. I’ve have been the biggest proponent of Michigan QB Devin Gardner but he didn’t find his way into the mock draft. I decided to take the wait and see approach with Gardner and Kevin Hogan, who I think could be first round picks if they declare for the draft. With Gardner I think it’s likely with another solid season in Ann Arbor. Hogan, will be a redshirt sophomore and history says he’ll stay at least another season.

Another notable name not on in our first 2014 NFL Mock Draft is that of Johnny Football. I opted to leave Manziel off the list because there’s still a lot to be desired about him as an NFL quarterback. I’m a Manziel fan but he needs to show more as a passer this season before I start singing his praises as an NFL quarterback. At this point, I have a hard time not thinking Manziel is the latest college novelty quarterback. Harsh…maybe…but it’s my job to evaluate NFL prospects and I don’t see it in Manziel, in his current form. Bring on the hatemail, A&M fans and the City of Kerrville.

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1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

It’s going to be a rough one in Jacksonville for Gus Bradley in year one. Justin Blackmon is out the first four games of the season and this team needed a break or six to stay out of the NFL cellar. The Jaguars will be moving on from Blaine Gabbert if they don’t make marked improvement. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Mock Draft: Mock 1.0»

Matt Kotozian – USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals

TEAM NEEDS: OT, OG, OLB, S, TE, RB

Steve Keim took as over GM this year and has done a bang up job of filling some holes on the roster. He didn’t go out and sign any splash free agents but made moves that make sense for this team.

The Cardinals defense was solid in 2012 and Keim added Matt Shaughnessy, Lorenzo Edwards, Jasper Brinkley, Antoine Cason, Yeremiah Bell, Jerraud Power, Frostee Rucker and traded for Javier Arenas.

The offense was another story in 2012. It started with poor quarterback play. The Cardinals signed Drew Stanton, tendered Brian Hoyer, and traded for Carson Palmer. There is no long-term solution in place for the Cardinals but Palmer’s presence should bridge the gap until they can find a young signal caller. In addition to the quarterback position, Keim picked up Rashard Mendenhall off the scrap heap in the hopes that he can be the productive back he once was.

Much of the 2013 NFL Draft would be spent on addressing offensive needs, although they would add three quality defenders that could play significant time in 2013.

After the break, check out a pick by pick analysis of the Cardinals 2013 NFL Draft selections. Read the rest of this entry » «Arizona Cardinals 2013 NFL Draft Recap»

Debby Wong – USA TODAY Sports

Ok I get it. I’m not dumb. The writing is on the wall. The New York Jets’ fans have finally gotten their wish. Mark Sanchez is on his way out the door. Highly touted quarterback, Geno Smith, from West Virginia University – was drafted to take the reigns in the not so distant future. So Mark Sanchez, he of the infamous ‘Butt-Fumble’ and erratic decision making. He of the ‘Broadway” lifestyle, and cover boy looks – will now fade away into oblivion (maybe even “Bolivian” as Mike Tyson once so elegantly put it). Good riddance you say? Maybe you should curb your enthusiasm…..I believe it’s too soon.

There once was a QB who was selected with a high pick, who had designs on changing the misfortune of a historic franchise. After his initial two starting seasons, seasons in which he posted 17 TD’s and 16 Int’s (76.9 rating), then 11 Td’s and 15 Int’s (67.5 rating) – the club decide to use it’s #1 overall pick on another young QB. Because of a contractual dispute, the new QB  didn’t get into camp on time. This allowed the QB #1 to start the season off as the starter, while the QB#2 worked his way into shape. It turned out that the franchise jumped the gun a little too fast in naming a successor for QB#1, because that QB ended up keeping the job for the next two seasons while putting up Pro Bowl numbers (27 TD’s and 7 Int’s for an 104.8 rating, and 24 TD’s and 15 int’s – for an 89.2 rating respectively). Subsequently, a shoulder injury at the end of his 4th starting season, coupled with the monetary commitment of a high salary back-up, sealed the fate of QB #1. Too bad, because this QB has set numerous NFL records, been the MVP of the Super Bowl, and will be a first ballot hall-of-famer whenever he decides to hang up his cleats….. That man is Drew Brees! The all-world QB of the New Orleans Saints, and former San Diego Charger.

Jason Parkhurst – USA TODAY Sports

Retroactively looking back, it’s easy to see why Brees took a big step-up in production when the Chargers drafted Eli Manning. It was due to the fact that the Chargers upgraded the talent around him. In 2004 in Brees’ breakout season, Antonio Gates emerged as the best pass catching tight end in the NFL. His emergence opened up the game for receivers Keenen McCardell and Eric Parker. It also allowed running back LaDainian Tomlinson to rush for a league leading 17 Td’s along with 1,335 yards. Overall the Chargers went from being 4-12 in 2003 to being 12-4 in 2004. The New York Jets could be letting their Drew Brees walk out the door in the not so distant future.

In 2009, the New York Jets traded up to the 5th slot in the draft to select Mark Sanchez, a redshirt junior of the University of Southern California. The Jets were stock-piled with both offensive and defensive talent. First year head coach Rex Ryan knew all he needed was a decent QB and his Jets could possibly be in Super Bowl contention; Ryan was a defensive savant. His scheme was full of pizzazz and he had the athletes on defense to pull it off. His offensive motto was “Ground and Pound”. He wanted to run the ball to control the clock while his defense blitzed and stifled opposing QB’s. All he needed was a QB who could make the big play when necessary and not turn the ball over. Read the rest of this entry » «Gone too soon: The Mark Sanchez story»

Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports

David Fales – San Jose State

Height: 6030

Weight: 221

Age when drafted: 23

Hometown: Salinas, CA

Position: QB

Collegiate Number: 10

Combine notables: N/A

Games Viewed: 2012 – Stanford, Utah State, BYU, Bowling Green

BACKGROUND:

David Fales played his high school football at Palma High School in Salinas, California. Fales was a two-time all-league selection but drew very little attention from colleges. The University of Nevada came calling for Fales and he accepted a scholarship to play there after the 2008 season.

Fales would see no game action in 2009 at Nevada sitting behind Colin Kaepernick. Fales would transfer from Nevada after he realized he was going to be asked to be much more of a running quarterback. Fales would leave Nevada following the 2009 season for Monterey Peninsula College. In two seasons at Monterey Fales threw for over 4,500 yards and 37 TD’s. After a summer at the University of Wyoming, Fales went back to Monterey for the fall of 2011.

San Jose State found themselves in a predicament following Tate Forcier leaving the program in 2011. In December 2011, Fales signed a letter of intent to play at San Jose State for the 2012 season.

Fales won the starting job in 2012 and went on to have a phenomenal junior season which included a Military Bowl game win over Bowling Green. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: David Fales preseason scouting report»

David Richard – USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns

TEAM NEEDS: CB, FS, LB, QB, G, K/P

Mike Lombardi isn’t a popular guy in Cleveland after an unsuccessful first stint with the Browns, despite the fact that he wasn’t pulling any strings during his first Browns tenure. Either way, the importance of the inaugural draft of the Jimmy Haslam era can’t be understated.

The Browns front office wasn’t as active as many thought they would be in free agency. After big splash signings of Paul Kruger and Desmond Bryant, the Browns signed a handful of depth players (Kellen Davis, Quentin Groves, Jason Campbell, Chris Owens, Gary Barnidge, and trading for Dion Lewis). The Browns headed into free agency with a boatload of cap space and come out of it with the same. That said, the Browns filled some holes and made it clear all offseason that they weren’t going to fill all the holes on this team in one offseason.

I give the Browns organization an A for this offseason. I wasn’t wild about some of the draft picks but trading for Davone Bess made up for some of the errors in the draft.

After the break, check out a pick by pick analysis of the Browns 2013 NFL Draft selections. Read the rest of this entry » «Cleveland Browns 2013 NFL Draft Recap»

Brad Penner – USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions

TEAM NEEDS: OT, DE, CB, WR, OG

The Detroit Lions were behind the eight ball heading into the offseason. Strapped with hefty contracts, the Lions had little wiggle room to fill holes on the roster.

Martin Mayhew and company restructured some deals and unexpected retirement of Jeff Backus freed up enough money for the Lions to add four starters in free agency and retain Chris Houston. The Lions added starters Reggie Bush, Jason Jones, Glover Quin, and David Akers while adding depth to the DL in C.J. Mosley. The biggest signing was re-signing starting CB Chris Houston.

Going into the draft, the Lions had glaring needs at the defensive end and left tackle positions. With the top three left tackles being so highly coveted, it became more apparent that they would be long gone before the Lions selected with the fifth overall pick. .

After the break, check out a pick by pick analysis of the Eagles 2013 NFL Draft selections. Read the rest of this entry » «Detroit Lions 2013 NFL Draft Recap»

Rick Osentoski – USA TODAY Sports

We’ve barely closed the books on the 2013 NFL Draft and everyone’s attention has already turned to 2014. By now, we are all familiar with the names of Jadeveon Clowney and Teddy Bridgewater. They are the two headliners of the 2014 NFL Draft class, despite both being underclassmen.

This is a talented class with some nice top end talent. Everything that the 2013 class lacked at the top, this one has in spades. As we know by now draft classes are made or broken by the under the radar talent that slowly but surely rises to the top during the college football season. In 2011, Robert Griffin III electrified college football and secured his status as the second elite prospect in a loaded draft class.

At this point, the search for those capable of a meteoric rise up the draft board is officially on. During the summer of 2011, when many were talking about Robert Griffin as a WR prospect, we went out on a limb and called him a first half of the first day quarterback. Our prediction turned out to be on the light end of his final draft spot but it is the never ending pursuit of those types of players that makes NFL’s Future go.

Today we take a look at seven prospects that are flying under the radar but could emerge as prospects to challenge the top of the 2014 NFL Draft. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: Seven names you need to remember heading into the summer»