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2014 NFL Mock Draft 3.0 is here – following week three of the college football season. With some things settling in for what appears to be the long-term, we begin to hone the team needs based off two weeks of the NFL schedule. 

Finally, you can trash my draft order as there was no science involved – just my best guess after watching two weeks of play. I think the one thing we can all say is that the Jags are the odds-on favorite for the No. 1 pick – Teddy Bridgewater. After the Jags, you’re guess is as good as mine, so go ahead and litter the comment section with my team this…or my team that.

Without further ado, we bring you mock draft 3.0. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Mock Draft – Marcus Mariota climbing, while Clowney falls a spot»

Robert Mayer – USA Today Sports

We are in week two of the preseason, yet I feel like I’m in midseason form. The 2014 NFL Draft is already creating a ton of buzz with headliners like Jadeveon Clowney and Teddy Bridgewater having fans looking into the future – before we’ve kicked off the regular season. With the amount of buzz, the emails have flooded in requesting an updated 2014 NFL Mock Draft. 

Ask and you shall receive. It’s about two weeks after it was promised but the wait was worth it. We used the Vegas Super Bowl odds to determine draft order, so this does not reflect my feelings on order of finish. 

At this point, mock drafts are just about gauging players we think could rise up draft boards throughout the 2013 season. These are not intended to be accurate but rather start feeling out team needs and begin to gauge players value. Evaluating these guys is a fluid process that really doesn’t start to take any sort of shape until midway through this season – and often times beyond that point. 

The next mock draft will take place after week one of the NFL season is in the books and we will continue to add a new mock each week of the season, leading up to draft season. After the break, check out the latest 2014 NFL Mock Draft.  Read the rest of this entry » «Preseason 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Bridgewater to the Raiders, Clowney in the two-hole»

Rick Osentoski – USA Today Sports

One of the best perks of coaching high school football is the full access to college programs in the springtime. This year’s travels took us around to some major programs – from Michigan to Miami.

Aside from picking up great coaching tips I take in the practice habits of players, get to see them interact in practice with teammates, and become an active listener in an attempt to pick up as much player information from coaches as possible.

My spring travels proved worthwhile from a coaching standpoint and as an NFL draft evaluator. Here are my notes from this spring’s travels. Read the rest of this entry » «Spring travels reveal some premium 2014 NFL Draft nuggets»

The sophomore DL is one to keep your eye on for the future

NFL scouts always love to watch players against the “best competition.” Early season matchups that put different conferences together are always great opportunities to see players in uncomfortable environments.

Unlike games within the conference, players don’t have the same familiarity with opponents, and get to test themselves against top players around the nation. It’s always good when a wide receiver matches up against the SEC or an OLB goes against an offensive lineman from the BIG-10.  These games will often come up in NFL draft meetings when discussing or arguing over a player’s value – Did he separate from Alabama’s Dee Millner? Could he beat Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson around the corner?

These are questions scouts must be aware of when fighting for players they like with their GM and other decision makers. Below are five early Pac-12 matchups that are already circled in NFL buildings, and will inevitably be discussed as the draft process takes shape. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: Key Early Season Pac-12 Matchups»

USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Draft was chock full of quality tight ends. Six tight ends were taken in the top 85 picks and sixteen tight ends taken overall. With the tight end position evolving into a position that NFL coordinators have exposed as a matchup problem for defenses, the position will continue to become more attractive well into the future.

The depth of the 2013 class probably won’t be matched in 2014 but there is no lack of top end talent that could be available in the 2014 NFL Draft. The top end talent will be dependent on decisions of two underclassmen. Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Colt Lyerla are the names to watch as they both have first round skills and Jenkins could challenge in the top 10 of the draft.

Of the senior class, the name to watch this season is Iowa’s C.J. Fiedorowicz. He has all the tools to be a great one and should be more heavily leaned on this season.

After the break check out our 2014 NFL Draft tight end rankings. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: Tight End Rankings»

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.

As always, like our facebook page and follow me on Twitter. If you like our facebook page you will be entered into our random giveaways as we frequently dish out prizes to our followers. For instance, our last giveaway netted a NFL Game Rewind subscription for one of our followers.

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»

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»

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»

Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

We have been releasing our way too early 2014 NFL Draft rankings and they have been a hotbed of arguments, speculation, and insults. The interest in the rankings has readers clamoring for a mock draft. I’m a sucker for looking into the future when the present has presented itself. Keep in mind we are not basing this off our thoughts on where 2013 prospects land in the draft but it’s impossible to take a guess. This mock is based solely on current value of 2014 prospects and current rosters of teams.

NFL’s Future is giving away a $500 Visa gift card, if we can reach 500 likes of our Facebook page before the draft. Like our Facebook page to enter your name in the hat for the gift card. Click here to like our page.

1. Oakland Raiders – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

It goes without saying that Matt Flynn or Terrelle Pryor won’t stop the Raiders from drafting a quarterback first overall. It’s tough to pass on a talent like Jadeveon Clowney but the Raiders have to find a way to stop the bleeding at the position that has plagued them since Rich Gannon left town.

2. New York Jets – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

The Jets find a versatile defender that is the top overall player in the draft. As great as Teddy Bridgewater is, Clowney is a rare specimen that won’t make it out of the top two picks. The only reason not to take Clowney first overall is a major QB need which Oakland has. You don’t worry about fit in the defense with Jadeveon Clowney, you just take him and walk away smiling.

MORE: Yahoo – Jadeveon Clowney ran unreal 40 during workouts, confirms he may be Superman

3. San Diego Chargers – Cyrus Kouandijo, OT, Alabama

The Cardinals are likely to strike out on a left tackle sitting at No. 11. It looking like the top three 2013 tackles could be off the board in the first seven picks leaving a giant hole for the Chargers. Phillip Rivers could be in trouble if the Chargers finish with  the 3rd overall pick but for our purposes we’ll assume they will choose to build around him. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Mock Draft: Ask and you shall receive»