NFL's Future

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It’s official – the Houston Texans are officially on the clock. It will be the third time since the Texans joined the league in 2002 that they have owned the first overall pick. The previous two times, the Texans selected a quarterback and defensive end (respectively). That trend isn’t likely to change as Teddy Bridgewater, another quarterback, or South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney will be targeted atop the 2014 NFL Draft.

The other story line that is likely to draw some interest is the St. Louis Rams owning Washington No. 2 overall pick – the final pick in the Robert Griffin III trade. St. Louis will have two top fifteen picks to continue to add to the talented and young Ram roster for Jeff Fisher. The Rams may be in an ideal spot to deal this pick as teams look to jump on whoever the Texans pass on with the first pick.

The top three will be rounded out by the Jacksonville Jaguars – who badly need a quarterback. The Jags should be in a position to grab a top two quarterback in this draft. Who that will be will be a large part of speculation leading up to May’s draft.

We will be updated the draft order as teams are bounced from the playoffs. With the top twenty locked in, it’s about time the 2014 NFL Draft starts to get real. After the break, check out the top twenty 2014 NFL Draft order. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft Order: Top 20 Decided»

Kim Klement – USA TODAY Sports

We have officially reached that bittersweet point of the college football season – the time the season winds down and we begin to learn the names of underclassmen declaring for the NFL Draft.

74 underclassmen declared for the 2013 NFL Draft, a record number. With back-to-back record setting numbers, one can anticipate a whole slew of surprises to come before the deadline. The deadline for early entrants for the 2014 NFL Draft falls on January 15, 2014. 

Not unlike most years, the quality and depth of the 2014 NFL Draft will largely depend on the early entrants. The decisions of a talented junior crop awaits but we could see a record number of third-year sophomores test the NFL waters. The decisions of sophomore prospects Johnny Manziel and Greg Robinson could shape of the top of the draft. 

While we don’t have any idea on the fate of those three, after the break check out who’s hinting towards exiting the collegiate ranks. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker»

Howard Smith – USA TODAY Sports

‘Tis the season and NFL’s Future is giving the gift of a completely inaccurate 2014 NFL mock draft. You can thank us later for this one. 

By a little before midnight on Sunday we’ll know the top twenty picks for May’s draft. It is then officially draft season for us – it’s been draft season for me (a lowly Browns fan) since Kiko Alonso blew out Brian Hoyer’s ACL. 

The top of the 2014 NFL Draft will surely be shaped by some major, impending underclassmen announcements. The January 15 deadline is looming large for guys like Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles. The need atop the draft at the quarterback position is glaring. At least six of the top eight teams could use a franchise signal caller – good news for Bortles and Fresno State QB Derek Carr who will likely vault into the top ten with the grave need of teams.

The other storyline carrying us into the January 15 deadline will be the decisions of the redshirt sophomores. I spent Monday night watching Auburn tackle Greg Robinson and came away convinced that he’s a franchise LT. Robinson isn’t the only talented third year sophomore were watching closely. Johnny Football is all but a lock in my book, so I’ve moved on to a trio of receivers in Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Kelvin Benjamin. 

Enough of the speculation, it’s time to move onto our mock draft that is sure to change in four days time. After the break check it out and share your feedback in our comments section if were way off on your team’s needs or the player makes no sense in the spot. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Mock Draft – The Gift that keeps on Giving»

Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports

The big winners of this week remain the St. Louis Rams. The Rams are soaking up the last of the Robert Griffin III trade and it’s beginning to look like we’ll have to consider the Rams winners. I’m not on the bus of calling the ‘Skins losers in this deal – as I’ve believed RGIII can be the face of that franchise for a very long time. With that in mind, it’s looking pretty good if you’re a Rams fan.

Chad Henne to Cecil Shorts put Houston back in control of the No. 1 overall pick and did the Browns in again. I said when Hoyer was injured that they would be selecting in the top five when it’s all said and done – I’m feeling good about that prediction. 

One that I’m not feeling so great about is my preseason prediction that the Panthers would be selecting in the top five. I couldn’t have been anymore wrong on that one, wiping out my Browns prediction.

This is all banter, you’ve all been waiting for content from NFL’s Future and I’m busy stroking my ego. Here’s what you’ve been waiting for. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Mock Draft: Washington keeps losing, St. Louis keeps smiling»

If he were eligible, would Jameis Winston be the top QB selected in May’s draft?

This upcoming quarterback class looks to be the “year of the quarterback” with a record number projected to go in the first two rounds. From a statistical standpoint, it’s easy to see why scouts and coaches are in love with this group.  Let’s look at the 2013 collegiate passing numbers of some of the big name quarterbacks as of October 21. Read the rest of this entry » «Statistical Analysis of the 2014 Quarterback Class»

Feeling hungry? Me too. It’s been six years since I ate Jack in the Box and this video got me craving a trip to San Diego for what use to be my late night staple eats.

The San Diego-based burger joint has thrown together a massive deal with an unreal amount of food for a whopping $6. Jack in the Box’s late night eats consists of an entree (your choice of a stacked Grilled Cheese Burger, Exploding Cheesy Chicken Sandwich, Loaded Chicken Nuggets, or Brunch Burger), along with 2 tacos, half regular fries, half curly fries, and a 20 oz. soda.  Read the rest of this entry » «Sponsored Video: Jack in the Box Munchie Meal»

If you haven’t seen Vic in this game yet.

You need to.

And if you haven’t heard of Vic Beasley.

You really need to acquaint yourself.

Vic Beasley is an exceptional athlete who has showed several elite pass rushing traits so far this season. Beasley is a converted TE who is now playing defensive end in Clemson’s 4-3 defense. Vic often lines up with his hand in the dirt but can just as often be found rushing from a standing position and he appears  lethal from both positions.

In this game vs. NC State, Vic Beasley racked up 3 sacks and 5 total tackles, 3 of which were tackles for a loss. Vic showed tremendous talent in the areas of initial quickness; closing speed; hand usage; spin move; converting speed to power and the ability to pressure the QB. Although this game was vs. NC State and the linemen weren’t NFL caliber, you can’t teach speed and quickness, and that’s what I saw in this game. Granted, there is still much that will unfold in the film room this college football season, but if Beasley continues to play with this type of consistency, I believe I am seeing a clear cut top 10 talent. The NFL has become a passing league and pressuring /sacking the QB is paramount to success on defense.

Based on facts presented in the article quoted below, Beasley has shown the ability to add size while maintaining speed, power of which are evident when watching his film. This year he is listed at 6’2” / 235lbs, and has the frame to add some more size at the next level if needed.

“The converted tight end leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with five sacks, fifth-best in the nation, continuing the passing-rushing tear he’s been on since last year. He was Clemson’s breakout defensive star last year, leading the team with eight sacks in a part-time role. Earning a full-time spot this season, Beasley has been a big part of Clemson’s improved defense.” – AP via Fox News

When I’m looking at a DE / OLB and projecting him for the NFL, there are several qualities I want to see in an elite pass rusher – first and foremost, the ability to create pressure on and sack the QB; initial quickness off the snap / explosion of the line; the ability to translate speed to power; burst following a change of direction; hand usage to create space; and then the ability to defeat and shed blockers.

I have posted several Vine video clips below that I believe showcase Beasley’s usage of each of these aforementioned traits. I apologize for the quality of some of the clips but I believe the evidence in these clips is clear. I will be posting more player notes and in-depth profiles as the season moves along, but Vic Beasley is a guy that immediately jumped off the film to me and screams elite pass rusher. Aside from many scouts watching Tajh Boyd on the offensive side of the ball, if Vic Beasley can continue to show this type of athleticism and talent, the Clemson defense may be just as exciting to watch the rest of this season. Read the rest of this entry » «Vic Beasley vs. NC State»

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s rare that we see big names being dealt before the NFL trade deadline. Unlike the NBA or MLB, it’s usually quiet on the in-season NFL trade front.

With Trent Richardson being dealt it got our minds thinking about some potential other deals that could come down before the October 29 trade deadline. The rarity of a mega-NFL deal probably keeps anything from happening but it’s always fun to think about NFL rosters being reshaped midseason.

After the break, take a look at our five trade possibilities and reasoning for Josh Freeman not being one of the five. Read the rest of this entry » «Five NFL trades that could happen (but won’t) before the deadline and why Josh Freeman won’t be one of them»

Robert Mayer – USA TODAY Sports

No. 15 Miami (FL) at South Florida Saturday 12:00 PM on ESPNU

This appears to be a lopsided contest as the 3-0 Canes head to 0-3 South Florida. It’s the first time since 2004 that the Hurricanes start the season 3-0. Miami will have to avoid looking ahead to their ACC schedule and have to find some offensive rhythm. Stephen Morris was forced out of the Savannah State scrimmage with an injured ankle but is expected to play. It will be important for Morris to start clicking at a high level for his draft stock and the team’s bid for an ACC title.

What we’ll be watching:

Seantrel Henderson vs. Aaron Lynch

When the Canes are on offense my eyes will be locked on Aaron Lynch. The former Golden Domer has been relatively quiet in the 2013 campaign and this will be the game every NFL talent evaluator turns on for evaluation of Lynch. There’s little doubt that Lynch has the physical tools to be an effective NFL pass rusher but he’s yet to notch a sack in three contest and has just .5 tackles for loss. Much was expected from Lynch this season and this would be a prime breakout week for the highly touted defensive end.

Lynch will matchup with Seantrel Henderson and Ereck Flowers. Henderson is a supremely talented tackle that has never lived up to the enormous billing. He is likely to be one of the more widely debated prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft – as some have anointed him a first rounder. From everything that I’ve seen on tape I think it’s a stretch to call him a third rounder. This week will be one of those signature games for Henderson as he takes on the speed/power blend of Lynch. If Henderson can dominate his opportunities against Lynch it would go a long way in justifying those that are high on him. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft Watch: Week 5»

Cary Edmondson – USA Today Sports

Week four of the college football season didn’t bring the monster matchups that previous weeks presented but left us with some outstanding performances from understated draft risers. The week before most conferences begin to delve deep into conference play is always an interesting week. We begin to get a nice chunk of film study done on a lot of these players and things begin to get ‘real’ at this point. After the break check out the week four NFL Draft stock report. Read the rest of this entry » «Week Four NFL Draft Stock Report»