NFL's Future

RISING

Blackmon was lights out against K State

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.

As Alshon Jeffery continues to struggle to find ways to get open, Justin Blackmon continues to add to already impressive 2011 campaign.  Blackmon added 13 receptions, 205 yards and 2 TD’s against Kansas St. on Saturday to help lift the Cowboys to the number two overall ranking in the country.  Blackmon has 87 receptions, 1039 yards, and 12 TD’s on the season.  More importantly, he has solidified his number one WR ranking and a top-10 selection.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne showed in the “Game of the Century” why he is considered to be the best cornerback in the 2012 NFL Draft class.  The junior corner came up with a big interception and an even bigger pass breakup in the endzone.  Claiborne’s interception showed why people think so highly of him, as he showed off his instincts, anticipation and break on the ball.  Claiborne may be a better pure corner than former teammate, Patrick Peterson who went #5 in the 2011 NFL Draft.  If Claiborne isn’t a top-10 pick come April, someone will be getting a steal. 

Danny Trevathan, LB, Kentucky

Trevathan is a tackling machine.  Against Ole Miss, he notched 17 tackles, 1.5 TFL and an INT.  He has 111 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FF’s, and 4 INT’s on the season.  The senior linebacker struggles getting off blocks but his anticipation of plays and the way he attacks the line of scrimmage are as good as anyone in the country.  Trevathan could be working his way into the second or third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Draft Stock Up, Stock Down Week 10 Edition»

Brad and Micheal's Five-Star Locks of the Week

The NFL’s Future writers take their stab at picking the NFL week 9 games against the spread.

Brad’s Picks

Atlanta (-7) at Indianapolis

This point spread has me thinking Vegas knows something the rest of us don’t.  Either way, I’m going with logic in this one.

Prediction: Falcons 30, Colts 13

Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-8)

New Orleans is coming off an embarrassing loss and look to rebound at home.  Eight points is a lot to give the Bucs but something tells me Drew Brees and Co. are going to have a field day with the division rival

Prediction:  Saints 35, Bucs 21

Cleveland at Houston (-11)

It looks like the Browns will be without Peyton Hillis (again).  They can’t do anything on offense as Colt McCoy looks lost when faced with pressure.  The defense may keep this one close but I’m riding with the 11 points and taking Houston.

Prediction: Texans 27, Browns 10

New York Jets at Buffalo (-1.5)

I have a good feeling about the Jets this week.  This is scary but I think this is a letdown week for the Bills as the Jets go big in Buffalo.

Prediction: Jets 31, Bills 17

Miami at Kansas City (-4)

Call me crazy but I think the Dolphins take a step backwards in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.  Not only do they cover but they notch win No. 1 of 2011 on the hot Chiefs.

Prediction: Dolphins 17, Chiefs 13 Read the rest of this entry » «Week 9 Picks Against the Spread»

Broyles is done for the season with a torn ACL

Ryan Broyles went down in Oklahoma’s win over Texas A&M in fitting fashion.  Broyles fought for extra yards, made a hard plant on his left leg, his leg buckled and his season and career at OU was finished.

The senior wide receiver tore his ACL which will require season-ending surgery.  Broyles finished the season with 83 receptions, 1,157 yards and 10 TD’s.  Broyles will now finish his career with 347 receptions, 4,586 yards, and 45 TD’s.  The 347 receptions is an NCAA record.

Broyles was considered to be a second-round prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft but the injury could force him into the 3rd-4th round range.  Broyles doesn’t have prototypical size or breakaway speed which will hurt him come April.  The injury most likely means that teams won’t get a chance to see Broyles work out in any capacity before April’s 2012 NFL Draft.

The success of an NFL General Manager will not always rely on their ability to hit on first-round picks.  They often are measured on their ability to find talent on every level of the college game.  Each year we realize the importance of finding the hidden gems in the small schools.

Finding the hidden gems is the difficult part of the evaluation process.  One has to assess prospects against questionable competition and answer as to why they didn’t play in the SEC or Big XII.  California-Polytechnic State University is by all means the definition of a small school.  Cal-Poly is not a hotbed for NFL talent with two current alumni on NFL rosters in Chris Gocong and Ramses Barden.   In 2012, Asa Jackson will be looking to be the next Cal-Poly alumni to etch his name into the NFL Draft.

Asa Jackson wasn’t a top recruit coming out of Christian Brothers HS in Sacramento, California.  While Jackson made recruiting trips to Notre Dame it wasn’t for football.  He instead was being recruited to run track in South Bend.  Jackson could have easily accepted a track scholarship and quit the team to walk-on at Notre Dame.  Instead he opted to go where he was wanted.

“I was prepared to go to Notre Dame because they were going to let me walk-on to the football team but I didn’t feel right taking a track scholarship to only quit the team to walk-on with the football team.”  Jackson said.  “Coach Weiss didn’t allow his players to play two sports and it didn’t feel right knowing I was going to have to quit track.”

“Sometimes it’s nice just to feel wanted.  Cal-Poly really wanted me to come there.” Read the rest of this entry » «Interview with Cal-Poly CB Asa Jackson»

Could Richardson cement his Heisman campaign on Saturday night?

On Saturday night, the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country will battle it out in the Game of the Year.  This matchup pits two top defenses and solid run games.  The game may be decided on which quarterback plays most efficiently.

There’s almost too many prospects to list in this matchup.  LSU is a young team and have very few starters eligible to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft.  We will highlight the best corner in the country in Morris Claiborne.  With his teammate Tyrann Mathieu garnering much of the spotlight he is sometimes overlooked.  He won’t be overlooked by NFL scouts.  Trent Richardson is running wild in 2011 and a big game against the staunch LSU defense could push him further up draft boards and may solidify the Heisman trophy for the junior runner. 

Guys to keep an eye on:

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama #3 (Junior)

Trent Richardson is the most complete back since Adrian Peterson.  He is a surefire first-round pick that may challenge the theory that RB’s shouldn’t be selected high.  With a solid showing against the LSU defense, Richardson could lock down the Heisman trophy.  Richardson will have to help out in pass protection in this contest and keep A.J. McCarron clean.

D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama #76 (RsSoph)

Fluker is a powerful run blocker that has worked his way into a solid pass protector in 2011.  Fluker is a long shot to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft but if he shows well in this game he could make some major waves for the rare RsSophomore declaration.  Fluker will need to hold the edge with the speedy LSU defensive ends.  Protecting A.J. McCarron may be the biggest point of emphasis for the Alabama offense.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama #21 (Junior)

Kirkpatrick has been less than spectacular this season.  His size and speed still intrigue and his ceiling will keep him a first-round pick but he needs a solid finish to 2011 to jump his competition on the other team, Morris Claiborne.  Kirkpatrick struggles with quicker receivers as he struggles to turn his hips and run with them.  Kirkpatrick will draw a matchup with Rueben Randle who has a good combination of size and speed.  This may be the top matchup to watch in this heated contest. Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Draft Prospects Preview: Alabama vs. LSU»

Alshon needs a big game versus Arkansas

South Carolina is battling for SEC East supremacy.  Arkansas can stand in their way as the 7-1 Razorbacks have shown an insane ability to score points.  South Carolina’s defense has played as good as any in the country given their offenses inability to sustain drives. 

This game features several intriguing matchups with the best of them coming between Stephon Gilmore and the talented Arkansas WR corps.  This game is also of major importance to Alshon Jeffery as he seems to be taking a step in the wrong direction.  Jeffery needs to post big numbers despite being the only option on offense.  If South Carolina wants to stay in this game they will have to score more than they have in the previous two weeks.

Guys to keep an eye on:

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina #1

Jeffery’s 2011 season has been underwhelming to say the least.  He has been hampered by the lack of quality quarterback play and running game after Marcus Lattimore was lost for the season.  Still, someone of Jeffery’s talent and physical stature should make a bigger impact on the game than he has.  This week against Arkansas Jeffery needs a big game.  Arkansas is not known for their dominant defense and their DB’s have been unable to stop the passing game.  Jeffery needs a big game as he has yet to break the 100-yard mark this season.

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina # 5

Gilmore is a physical corner that excels in press man coverage.  If he gets his hands on the receiver, he can shut down his side of the field.  He doesn’t possess blazing speed but makes up for it with solid technique.  He is rising up draft boards with a solid 2011 season.  He has 3 INT’s and 31 tackles in eight games.  Gilmore will be challenged by a bevy of receivers at Arkansas.  A matchup to watch will be versus Jarius Wright.  Wright has the speed to give Gilmore fits and is slippery off the line of scrimmage.

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina #6

Most people forget that Ingram was an impact player in 2010 when he 9 sacks.  Several emailers have expressed concerns with him being a one-year wonder.  But he is far from that.  Ingram’s impact in 2011 has him soaring up draft boards.  He came into the season as a 4^th-5^th round prospect but may now find day of the 2012 NFL Draft.  Ingram will have to pressure Tyler Wilson and make him move around the pocket.

Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina, #98

Devin Taylor had a slow start to the 2011 season but he has picked up his performance recently.  He has had a sack in each of the last two games and has three on the season.  Taylor’s freakish size and athleticism make him intriguing to NFL scouts.  Taylor will have join Ingram in pressuring Tyler Wilson.

Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas #8 (Junior)

The junior quarterback is only a one-year starter as he sat behind Ryan Mallett but he is emerging as a supreme arm talent.  Wilson has prototypical size at 6’3” and 225 pounds and displays a little Brett Favre in his game.  Wilson is a gun-slinger that isn’t afraid to fit it into tight spots.  He can make throws from any position on the field and has the arm strength to throw off balance.  Wilson probably would be wise to stay in school for his senior season because he could be a top-10 pick with another year under Bobby Petrino.  This week will give him a chance to show off his talents against a good defense and an NFL first-round corner in Stephon Gilmore.

Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas #4

Wright has emerged from this deep receiving corps as the one with the most NFL potential.  He lines up all over the field and takes advantage of matchups.  At 5’10 and 185 pounds, he’s probably headed to the slot in the NFL and could give NFL teams the same matchup nightmares.  Wright has 44 receptions for 709 yards and 7 TD’s through eight games.  Wright may get a look early on day two of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Jerry Franklin, LB, Arkansas, #34

Franklin has solid instincts and good size for an NFL linebacker which should allow him to find his way into 3rd-4th round range.  Franklin seems to have taken a step backwards from a great 2010 season and will have to show over the remainder of season an ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage if he wants to maintain his status as a 3^rd-4^th rounder. 

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas #3

Joe Adams can flat out fly.  His 2011 season hasn’t been as productive from a TD perspective as previous seasons but he is showing a little more refinement to his game.  In the past, he seemed to rely on his blazing speed to get behind the defense.  This season he has worked on running crisper routes and been more consistent catching the football.  Adams will see his biggest test of the season with a very good South Carolina secondary.

Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas #85

Greg Childs health has put a major damper on a promising collegiate career.  Once considered a top prospect at the WR position he has yet to find the same success in 2011.  He has 9 receptions for 109 yards and no TD’s on the season.  Childs mix of size, speed, and previous production will still intrigue a team to draft Childs early on day three.

Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas #91

Bequette missed three games of the 2011 season but his motor never stops.  He is probably an early day three guy that offers some upside as a pass rusher.  He doesn’t possess great speed off the edge but makes up for it with his motor and size.

It’s always tempting to play devil’s advocate.  Apparently, Phil Simms is interested in challenging the status quo.

Everyone you talk to cites Peyton Manning or John Elway when speaking of Andrew Luck as a prospect.  The prospect of Andrew Luck as an NFL prospect has swept NFL Draft Nation coining “Suck for Luck” campaigns in cities with football bottom feeders.  One would be hard pressed to find a reputable talent evaluator that doesn’t believe Andrew Luck is the next coming.

Phil Simms second career has been a tad more controversial and contrarian than his first as an NFL quarterback.  Simms seems to be making a living at this point on shock value.  His latest comments came Tuesday on Sirius Radio, when Simms said the following about the anointed one, Andrew Luck:

“I think the hype is a little too much,” Simms said.  “I feel bad for him in that respect. I mean, [how's] he going to do to match what they say he can do? There’s a lot to him. I think his best quality, by far, is that he’s big and strong and he’s going to be able to move and run in the NFL. There’s no question. I mean, this guy is strong. The throwing? He manages a game. I see all that.

“But the one thing I don’t see, I just don’t see big-time NFL throws. I don’t care what anybody says. I’ve watched a lot of him. He never takes it and rips it in there. And you can say what you want but, man, you’ve got to be able to crease that ball every once in a while. We see it every week in these games. Hey, he can develop it but even in the USC game, you know, he’s very careful with it, guides it a lot. That’s what I see.

“There’s not a lot of rotation on the ball and there’s not a tremendous amount of power. Not that you need to have that power arm. I’m not saying you’ve got to have that exclusively but, man, it sure helps when you can do that because there’s four or five plays a game it is about arm strength. And sometimes quarterbacks who don’t have it, they pass those plays up. Why? Well, they go, ‘I don’t know if I can make that throw,’ so they throw it short. That’s why I’m a little more reserved in my judgment than everybody else.”

Phil Simms’ knowledge of the NFL and especially quarterbacks is to be respected.  Simms is a Super Bowl MVP and two-time Pro Bowler.  His credentials as a player are unprecedented.  His credentials as an analyst are starting to be questioned.  He traded barbs with Steve Young, nearly came to blows with Desmond Howard, and is now calling Andrew Luck a “game manager.”  With every NFL retiree looking to score a gig on TV, one has to wonder whether Simms contrarian viewpoints are his vein attempts to stay relevant.

I can understand and even dismiss a dad wanting to fight an analyst for calling his son the worst QB in the SEC.  I get saying Peyton Manning won’t allow the Colts to draft Luck (I wouldn’t want to compete with Peyton for a job at CBS either).  What can’t be tossed aside is a half-hearted attempt to play devil’s advocate with the Chosen One, Andrew Luck.

It’s a given, Andrew Luck doesn’t possess John Elway’s arm.  What he does possess is Peyton Manning’s.  He also just happens to possess an equal football mind to Manning’s.  And by the way, he moves like Aaron Rodgers.  I didn’t win a Super Bowl and I don’t make millions on TV.

The blind squirrel isn’t finding the nut on this one, Phil.

With college teams well into their conference schedules and the NFL season officially at the halfway point, the top 2012 NFL Draft prospects and every NFL teams’ greatest needs are beginning to come into focus. In other words, it’s time for draftniks to get serious.

On that end, Mr. Brad Clark (who is probably absorbing college game tape as you’re reading this) has got you covered with his daily prospect updates here at NFL’s Future. With Brad doing the heavy lifting, I thought I’d take the opportunity to revisit the 2011 NFL Draft with my midseason NFL All-Rookie team. As most of you could have guessed back in April, it hasn’t been a banner season for rookie running backs, safeties or tight ends, but a promising crop of young QBs and potential record-breaking seasons from a few pass-rushers make for exciting early returns on the 2011 NFL Draft class overall.    

Cam is making a joke of NFL defenses

Quarterback

Cam Newton Carolina   Newton is making fantasy football owners who took a flyer on him in the late rounds look like geniuses (*pats self on the back*) with 2,393 passing yards (more than some dudes named Rodgers and Brady) and seven rushing touchdowns (more than McFadden, Foster, Gore and MJD, to name a few). Beyond the unprecedented rookie numbers, Newton has kept a bad Carolina team competitive in every contest, while exhibiting great leadership and legit accountability after losses…you know, just like we all predicted he would.

Andy Dalton gets honorable mention here for the simple fact that he has the Bengals in the playoff hunt, but  no rookie has been more valuable to his team (statistically or otherwise) than Newton.       

Fullback

Bruce Miller San Francisco   The NFL fullback is dead. Long live the NFL fullback. Miller has made a seamless transition from college defensive end to NFL fullback while stirring memories of Tom Rathman in ‘Frisco. Serving as Jim Harbaugh’s “Owen Marecic”, Miller’s snot-bubble blocking has been instrumental to the success of the 49ers’ grinding ground attack. This seventh-round steal could garner serious Pro Bowl consideration this season.

Runningback

DeMarco Murray Dallas   Can I pick Cam Newton here, too?

Murray gets the nod over oft-injured and inconsistent competition like Mark ingram and Daniel Thomas solely on the merits of his franchise-record 253 yard outburst against the Rams. Yeah, that’s how bad this year’s crop of rookie runners is. (So bad, in fact, that I gave Indianapolis’ Delone Carter some consideration here…simply because he’s one of the few Colts who has played like he still gives a crap.)

For all of you old-schoolers who love a downhill running game, just wait until next season, when Trent Richardson will bring home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award for the Browns, Seahawks, Broncos, or whatever team is smart enough to grab him in the top ten of the 2012 NFL Draft. Read the rest of this entry » «Your Midseason All-Rookie Team»

Could arguably the top guard in the NFL hit free agency?

It’s never too early to start talking about NFL free agency.  If your team is like mine and you have already packed in the season seven games in, here is your hope.  Our seven part series highlighting the top free agents by position should give you some hope.  Here’s a look at the offensive linemen:

The Offensive Linemen

Carl Nicks, OG, New Orleans Saints

Carl Nicks is one of the premier guards in the league.  It’s very possible that the Saints won’t be able to pony up the money necessary to keep him given the money they gave G Jahri Evans last offseason.  The Saints would have two of the highest paid guards in league on the same team.  If Nicks hits the open market plenty of teams will be lining up to pay him a king’s ransom.

Demetrius Bell, OT, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo has scoured the NFL to find a LT since trading Jason Peters to the Eagles.  Demetrius Bell has emerged into a very good, young LT.  The problem for the Bills will be dishing out big contracts to Ryan Fitzpatrick (done), Stevie Johnson, and Bell.  It will be tough for the Bills to get all three under contract but they have to find a way to ink the 27-year old LT.

Ben Grubbs, OG, Baltimore Ravens

Grubbs may get a contract sooner rather than later from the Ravens.  After inking Marshal Yanda last offseason, Ozzie Newsome will look to keep the core of this unit intact.  I don’t see a chance Grubbs leaves Baltimore.

Chris Myers, OC, Houston Texans

Myers has found a perfect fit in Houston and has been a standout.  In all likelihood, he will stay in Houston but could find more money elsewhere.  The Texans can’t afford to disrupt the continuity of this offensive line for the protection of Matt Schaub and Arian Foster.  About a 10% chance Myers isn’t back in Houston.

Scott Wells, OC, Green Bay Packers

Much like Myers in Houston, Wells has found the perfect system to fit his style of play.  In reality, Wells isn’t nearly as valuable to any other team than the Packers and stays in Green Bay.  

Levi Brown, OT, Arizona Cardinals

Levi Brown needs to move to the right side.  He is not a starting caliber LT in the league.  Arizona’s OL is among the worse in the NFL but Brown is playing out of position.  He could be a good RT in Arizona or elsewhere.  The Cards probably re-sign him because he’s the best option with the hopes of getting a LT in the draft.  Brown shouldn’t command much money given his limited ability to play the right side.

Jeff Saturday, OC, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have to re-sign Jeff Saturday.  Saturday and the Colts are synanomous at this point and he needs to protect Peyton Manning for one last run.  Saturday probably won’t command many years or much money on the open market so it makes sense that he stays in Indy.

Nick Hardwick, OC, San Diego Chargers

Hardwick has lost a step but still brings enough to be considered a solid center option.  Hardwick could be lost in the shuffle in San Diego as they attempt to re-sign bigger priorities.  Hardwick will be a nice, rather inexpensive option for a team in need of a veteran center.  Chicago could come calling very early on in free agency. 

Best of the Rest

Nate Livings, OG, Cincinnati Bengals

Jeremy Zuttah, OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd McClure, OC, Atlanta Falcons

Khalif Barnes, OT, Oakland Raiders

Roberto Garza, OG, Chicago Bears

Barry Richardson, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

John Sullivan, OC, Minnesota Vikings

Jacob Bell, OG, St. Louis Rams

Trai Essex, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jake Scott, OG, Tennessee Titans

Adam Snyder, OT, San Francisco 49ers

Dan Koppen, OC, New England Patriots

The Colts remain the leaders in the "Suck for Luck" Power(less) Rankings

As we pass the midpoint of the season, the “Suck for Luck” rankings will be dwindling by the week.  For this week’s rankings we have five teams that are considered legitimate contenders to win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are just a bad football team.  The struggle is to find one thing that they do well.  They rank at the bottom of the league in every major statistical category.  The schedule features two games with Jacksonville and one with Carolina.  I doubt they win any of those games and are looking at the very real possibility of drafting Andrew Luck.

Previous Week:  1

Miami Dolphins

Bad teams find ways to lose.  Miami is a bad team and they are finding ways to lose.  Coming off a defeat to the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins blew a lead against the New York Giants.  Their schedule doesn’t do them any favors but my gut is telling me they sneak out a win and lose out on their chances at drafting Andrew Luck.  Believe it or not, Miami has been competitive in every game aside from the Jets.  With the reality of a lame duck coach the players are going to struggle to block out all the distractions.  My prediction is 1-15 for the Dolphins.  In most years, that would be good enough to secure the number one pick but the Colts are 0-16 bound.

Previous Week:  2

Denver Broncos

How do the 2-5 Broncos jump the 1 win teams in Arizona and St. Louis?  The schedule isn’t going to get any easier for Denver.  Denver could realistically end the season with two wins.  Tim Tebow is not ready to start in the NFL nor does it appear the coaching staff is interested in him as a long-term answer.  At best this is a three win team that could be drafting in the three spot.

Previous Week:  7 Read the rest of this entry » «The “Suck for Luck” Power(less) Rankings Week 8»