NFL's Future

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

The annual spring trip report is due out – two weeks after the anticipated date. This year the number of trips decreased slightly with stops at Tennessee, Penn State, Virginia, and Michigan State. As always gleaning practice habits of players is an always helpful tool when evaluating prospects. This year, I was left with several ‘aha’ moments after the four visits.

I’ll run down each school and the who/what stood out from my time there.

TENNESSEE

Many of you will remember my infatuation with another Tennessee one and done receiver – Cordarrelle Patterson. I may have another one starting with Von Pearson. Pearson is a JUCO transfer that was the standout of both practices that I took in. Pearson is rail thin but wasn’t afraid to mix it up as a blocker or going across the middle of the defense.

Pearson was all of his listed 6-foot-3 height but could stand to add 10-15 pounds to his slight frame. He didn’t look as explosive as Patterson but didn’t put a ball on the ground during either practice. He worked primarily out of the slot but did see action at both outside spots. Pearson is a name for draft watchers to latch onto as he could be the next one and done WR at UT.

To be expected, the defense was far ahead of the offense as the defensive front four was giving the OL fits throughout my stay. That said, I didn’t see a ton of talent on the defense. A.J. Johnson is probably the biggest name in terms of the draft but he didn’t standout at all during either session. He was outshined by sophomore Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who should lock down the SAM LB spot. Maybin is an undersized LB that flew around the practice field – cleaning up most every play. He’s not draft-eligible but is a name to watch in the future. He will have to add some weight but reminded me a lot of Ryan Shazier, who was taken No. 15 this year. Read the rest of this entry » «Annual spring trips reveal some thoughts on the 2015 NFL Draft»

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Let me start this off by putting out a disclaimer – the order of this mock was determined by the post-draft Super Bowl odds and in no way reflects my personal feelings on how teams will finish the 2014 season. Now that that’s out of the way, we present the first 2015 NFL Mock Draft for our avid draft nuts. Enjoy, not a single pick will be right come next April/May…whenever they decide to have the draft.

1. Oakland Raiders – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Derek Carr was taken in the second but new regimes = new quarterbacks. If the Raiders finish with the first pick it will assuredly spell doom for Reggie McKenzie and this coaching staff. Mariota gives the Raiders a cornerstone piece at the quarterback position.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Vic Beasley, Edge Rusher, Clemson

The Jags got their building block quarterback in Blake Bortles, now they look for a face of the defense. Vic Beasley dominated opponents for much of the 2013 season. If he continues his early 2013 pace, he’ll slide into the top five and appears a perfect fit for Gus Bradley’s LEO role.

3. Tennessee Titans – Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

I jinxed Devin Gardner last year after hyping him hard post-Spring practice. Gardner didn’t pan out, so I hope I’m not doing the same with Cook. Watching him during two spring practices, he appears to be the real deal. Jake Locker’s days in Tennessee will be numbered if they finish this low. Read the rest of this entry » «Preseason 2015 NFL Mock Draft»

The 2014 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. With virtually, no one really comfortable with the shape of the top of this draft it is sure to be a complete mess and we’ll be there to cover it in it’s entirety. Just stay glued to this page and hit refresh all day long.

Welcome to Duval, #BortlesKombat! Coverage of JAX picking [email protected] : http://t.co/wZlgwG5nzz #JAXDraft14 pic.twitter.com/XMfNofkKd0

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) May 9, 2014

With the third pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the Jacksonville Jaguars select Blake Bortles – WOW 

With the second overall pick in the 2014 #NFLDraft, the #RamsDraft Greg Robinson (@GRob_92)! pic.twitter.com/Mz1q4SJVb9 — St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) May 9, 2014

With the second pick the St. Louis Rams select OT Greg Robinson 

With the No.1 pick in the 2014 #NFLDraft the #Texans select… JADEVEON CLOWNEY. pic.twitter.com/zBEh4vF5x7 — Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 9, 2014

Falcons not trading to No. 1 per Chris Mortensen

Adam Schefter reports the Vikings could be a team to watch for Johnny Manziel

Ian Rapoport is reporting the Texans haven’t stuck a fork in the possibility of a trade. Stay tuned when they go on the clock

There was always word that the #Steelers liked Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller at No. 15. Here is another name to watch: #UNC TE Eric Ebron. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 8, 2014

NFL Network’s Jeff Darlington is reporting the Jaguars have a keen interest in Mike Evans

ESPN’s Bob Holtzman reporting Jimmy Garoppolo is a name to watch for the Vikings. That would likely come via a trade back into the first – which is quickly becoming my greatest regret of today’s mock draft

Ian Rapoport reporting the Falcons could be looking to move up to No. 4 for Khalil Mack

There is no deal between the Patriots and the Texans for Ryan Mallett. But the interest from Houston and Bill O’Brien is real. #Staytuned — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 8, 2014

Alex Flanagan reporting the Seahawks are looking to deal out of the 1st round

Chris Mortensen reporting Odell Beckham is the name teams are talking the most about

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reporting USC WR Marqise Lee won’t make it past the Green Bay Packers at No. 21

The Latest Johnny Buzz:

Johnny Football is still a possibility for #Vikings at No. 8. Owners are flying in for a late, pre-draft meeting where the call will be made — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 8, 2014

Houston is now locked in on its player and is not expecting a trade, per sources. Texans happy to sit at 1 and take player it wants. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2014

Pro Football Talk is reporting the Raiders prefer Mike Evans over Sammy Watkins Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft Live Blog»

It’s that bittersweet moment when the rubber meets the road. I know I said last week that I was hoping to hit the fifty mark in the Huddle Report contest but that may be a little lofty give the difficulty of predicting this years draft class. I’ll be lucky to hit on any of these…I say it every year but this year it’s a real fear. Tomorrow morning I’ll be adding two additional rounds to this mock. I’ll say this I went for the gusto on this one, so if the picks look a little strange it’s because I’m going all out in this finale.

1. Houston Texans – Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Texans flirted (allegedly) with passing on Clowney. At the end of the day Rick Smith can’t pass on a guy that could be a once in a decade pass rusher.

2. St. Louis Rams – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

The Rams may be looking for the right deal but I just don’t see it coming along. I scratch my head a little bit over this one as I see Robinson as an elite prospect – no slighting Matthews – who’s probably 1B.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The wheels come off for me at No. 3. I’ve flip flopped between Mack and Watkins here about a hundred times and I really think this one could go either way tonight. Read the rest of this entry » «Final 2014 NFL Mock Draft»

Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

It’s important to make this distinction – this is not my rankings. This is my submission for the Huddle Report’s top 100 players drafted contest. This in no way reflects my personal rankings but is my best stab at what players will hear their name called in the top 100 selections. Without further ado, here’s my submission to this contest.

Quarterbacks

1. Johnny Manziel Texas A&M
2. Blake Bortles UCF
3. Teddy Bridgewater Louisville
4. Derek Carr Fresno St.
5. Tom Savage Pittsburgh
6. AJ McCarron Alabama
7. Jimmy Garoppolo Eastern Illinois
8. Aaron Murray Georgia Read the rest of this entry » «NFL’s Future Final Huddle Report Top 100 Players Drafted Board»

USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL Draft is as deep a draft as I can remember and the deepest that I’ve covered. With that in mind, teams are likely to get starting caliber prospects well into the third round and we could have more late round standouts than ever before.

For some perspective on just how this draft class stacks up to last years – one of my top 3 players last year would have cracked the top eight in this class. Only six of the players would have been in this class’s top 25. For the later portions, our 150^th player last year carried a late 6^th round grade. This year our 150^th ranked player carried a high 5^th round grade. While I didn’t rate players beyond 150 this year, I believe I very well could have had over 300 draftable grades on players – which would far surpass my previous record.

Needless to say teams are going to be doing some serious evaluation of late round prospects and could unearth some gems well into the latter stages of this draft. We’ll take a look at one player from each position that offers great value late in the draft. Read the rest of this entry » «Late Round Gems»

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone knows that I get stuck on certain prospects throughout the draft process and can’t get off of them, even in light of poor Combine’s, workouts, or off-the-field baggage.

I have to admit this idea came at the behest of a NFLF reader who asked that I did an article on a player at each position that I would want to start my franchise with. In lieu of a ‘what I would do if I were GM’ mock draft, I will supplement it with the 1^st annual All-Brad team. In addition to just throwing players out there, I’ll give you some insight into what I look for in prospects which suggest they will become NFL stars. Read the rest of this entry » «The All-Brad Team»

USA TODAY Sports

With five days until the 2014 NFL Draft kicks off at Radio City Music Hall, the smoke may be becoming fire. This afternoon ESPN’s Louis Riddick tweeted “hearing rumblings of a potential draft day trade that could blow the top off of the draft involving the QB position.” A couple of minutes later Riddick tweeted “all talk at this point, but caught me off guard, to say the least.” I hate speculating on league “rumblings” at this point in the process but it’s interesting to look at all the possibilities that have the potential to blow the roof off.

Hearing rumblings of a potential draft day trade that could blow the top off of the draft involving the QB position.

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) May 3, 2014

With all this said, let’s take a look at the possible trades with the potential to shape the 2014 NFL Draft and beyond. Read the rest of this entry » «Looking at potential QB trades that would blow the top off the 2014 NFL Draft»

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

This anxiety of the extra two weeks of prep time is finally behind us and the one week countdown clock has officially started. This draft is as unpredictable as any during my time of covering the draft and possibly watching the draft. From the possibility of the No. 1 overall pick being traded to the historic depth we are bound to be glued to every second of the 2014 NFL Draft, not that we wouldn’t be anyway.

This mock is the last of my best guesses as we begin the transition over to the Huddle Report submission. Next Thursday, as the clock strikes midnight, my final mock draft will be submitted for this year’s contest. After a fifth place finish last year and three consecutive years scoring in the 40’s the goal will be to hit the 50 mark – which usually is good enough to secure a win. So follow along next week by checking out The Huddle Report scoring system and see if I can break 50 points.

1. Houston Texans – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Will Atlanta pull the trigger on moving up the draft for this ‘once-in-a-decade’ player? That’s the question that will lurk over the next week’s worth of draft talk. My bet is at the end they stay put or maybe make a less costly move up for Khalil Mack. In the end, Jadeveon Clowney is bound to be the draft’s top pick.

2. St. Louis Rams – Khalil Mack, Edge Rusher, Buffalo

I remain steadfast in Khalil Mack being the second player off the board next Thursday. Whether it be a team like Atlanta or Detroit moving up for Mack or Les Snead decides to opt to strengthen their already strong defense, my money is on Mack being taken in this spot. Gregg Williams will play a whole bunch of press coverage and bring blitzes from all over the defense. Adding Mack to bring heat off the edge and possibly to play more multiple fronts makes a ton of sense in my book.

Whoever wants Mack had better move into this spot because I see no chance he makes it past the Jags at No. 3.

MORE: Khalil Mack will be the second player off the board Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Mock Draft: Breathe a sigh of relief, there’s only a week left»

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Like it or not we’ve about exhausted the additional time before next week’s draft. I, for one, hate waiting two more weeks for the draft but I’ve found ways to grin and bare it.

The two additional weeks allowed me to become bolder on my predictions as the overthinking process has set in and we’ve begun to explore avenues that weren’t even a thought this time last week (when the draft would normally take place).

Every year we make some bold predictions a week out from the draft. This year will be no different other than the fact that we have no idea how the top of this draft will play out. For three consecutive years, I’ve hit on the top four picks (twice on the top five) of the draft in The Huddle Report mock draft contest. That run could come to a close as I have no idea where this thing is going to go at the top. This uncertainty makes things very interesting and we’ll all be glued to ESPN or NFL Network next Thursday at 8:00 PM EST to see if Jadeveon Clowney is the top pick and whether Houston is still selecting in that spot.

Enough with the excitement building and onto the predictions. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: Five Bold Predictions and One Not-So Bold Prediction»