April 23, 2021

Ranking WRs NFL Draft 2021

We are one week away from the NFL draft so it’s time to finalize some of the rankings! Outside of Terry McLaurin, the WFT wide receivers were dreadful last year and the position was a glaring need heading into the off season. The skins were able to address it in Free Agency, adding McLaurin’s old college roommate Curtis Samuel to a three year, $34.5M deal. He had a heck of a season last year with Carolina finishing with 1051 total yards (851 receiving, 200 rushing) 77 receptions and 5 TDs. Curtis did most of his damage at slot so he’s not the prototypical #2 WR to Terry’s #1 spot, but he fills a need and should be an impact player for the WFT immediately. It’s fair to say the skins are not finished addressing the position as they still need depth and could use a 3^rd or a 4^th option. Luckily this draft is filled with pro-ready wide receivers and may even have more talent than last years class. Here is my top 10 WRs in this year’s draft:

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a five yard touchdown ahead of Sevyn Banks #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Devonta Smith, Alabama: Top 10: 6’1” 166lbs: Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner is top of my list and was absolutely unstoppable at times. There are some concerns about his lack of weight and small frame but if he can continue the get open at the rate at which he did for the Crimson Tide last year, he will be a star for years to come.
Jamar Chase, LSU: Top 10: 6’0” 208lbs: Jamar Chase was the Biletnikoff winner from 2019 and was a big part of the Tigers national championship team. Any other year, he would be WR1 (that’s just how good Devonta Smith was). He was the best receiver on a team that also had Justin Jefferson for crying out loud. Chase took a year off for COVID reasons but he proved at his pro day that he has kept in shape during his time off. I have no doubt Chase will be a stud in the NFL on the right team.
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama: 1st Round: 5’10” 182lbs: Jaylen Waddle was actually Alabama’s WR1 early in the 2020 season before his early season injury forced him out. Some scouts believe he may actually be better than his teammate Devonta Smith. He also proved how tough he is by playing in the national championship game all while clearly still injured. Smith is a smooth route-runner and has home run speed. At the very least, he will be a scary kick returner. Any other year, he would go top 10 but I still doubt he falls past 15.
Rashad Bateman, Minnesota: 1st Round: 6’0 190lbs: Bateman is an exciting player. His highlights are filled with tough contested 50/50 balls and one-handed catches but he also boasts 4.39 speed and clearly has no problem separating after the catch. Any other year, he would be considered a top 10 pick and I’d be surprised if he falls out of the 1^st round.
Kadarius Toney, Florida: 1-2nd round: 5’11” 189lbs: Toney is an electrifying player. He was a big part of the Gators offense where he finished the 2020 season with 14.1 yards per catch and 11 TDs. Toney is a slot receiver who is always one cut away from a house call every time he gets the football. Toney ran a 4.39 40 and his speed certainly shows up on the film as well as his toughness to go after outside linebackers while run blocking and the strength/balance to break tackles in the secondary. If his name isn’t called day 1, it will be called early on day 2.
Terrance Marshall, LSU: 2nd Round: 6’3” 205lbs: Marshall had a chance to shine this year for LSU with Chase sitting out and finished the season with 731 yards and ten TDs on 48 receptions. Marshall is taller than the rest of group and boasts 4.38 40 speed. He is being slept on a little bit in this draft but he has all the traits to be just as good, if not better, than the rest of this class. He may sneak into the end of the 1^st round but is most likely a 2^nd round selection.
Jaelon Darden, North Texas: 2nd Round: 5’8” 174lbs: Darden had a great 2020 season, finishing 2^nd in the NCAA in TDs with 19 (behind the Heisman Trophy winner) and 1,190 yards in 9 starts (132.2 yards per game). Basically, he was a man among boys in the C-USA. Darden agility is mesmerizing on film, constantly making defenders whiff completely, fall over, and run into one another. I don’t see how this wouldn’t transfer to the NFL. Darden is being overlooked mainly because of the conference he was in and his frail frame/ small hands. However, if can be utilized in the NFL like he was in North Texas, he should be an impact player immediately. Moreover, he strikes me as the kind of person who will keep that chip on his shoulder of knowing how scouts are discounting him for his size harder than some of the other prospects in this draft. If it were up to me, I’d select him in the 2^nd round but some say he could go as late as the 4^th.
Elijah Moore, Ole Miss: 2-3^rd Round: 5’9” 178lbs: Moore is another play-making slot receiver to add this to this deep class of playmakers. Moore catches everything, setting a Ole Miss school record of 86 receptions in a season that last held by AJ Brown. Moore has great balance and is a precise route runner. Further he has fantastic body control, balance and agility as well. One scout even compared him to Antonio Brown and honestly, I can see it. Look for his name to be called either late round 2 or early round 3.
Rondale Moore, Purdue: 3^rd Round: 5’7” 180lbs: Moore’s pro day was incredible: he ran a 4.29 40 and showed off a 42.5” vertical. There are also clips of him squatting 600lbs as a freshman. Yet, Moore’s 4.29 speed didn’t always show up on film and seemed to go down easy on contact. Still, Moore is a threat to take it all the way every time he has the ball in his hands and has a knack of getting open. Moore will slip in this draft due to his height but I can see him being a fine slot receiver in the NFL for the right team.
Dwayne Eskridge, Western Michigan: 3-4th Round: 5’9” 190lbs: Eskridge rounds out my top 10 and he’s yet another exciting speed demon to add to this loaded class. Eskridge averaged 21.4 yards per catch in 2020 and ran a 4.38 40 at his pro day. Obviously, this speed overmatched his competition in the MAC conference, where he scored touchdowns of 72, 76 and 85 yards. Scouts have issues with the limited route tree he ran in the Western Michigan offense (basically sent him deep every play) and there are concerns about him being over powered by stronger, pressing DBs. Yet, speed kills and if this guy finds a seam, he’s gone. Look for Eskridge’s name to be called late in round 3.

Summary: Honestly, there might be 20 WRs in this draft that could start for the WFT tomorrow. Few names that failed to make the top 10 but I really like are Nico Collins (3-4^th round, Michigan), Sage Surratt (4^th round Wake Forest), Shi Smith (4^th Round, USC), Amari Rodgers (5^th round, Clemson), Dax Milne (5-7^th round BYU). Frankly, this class is stacked. I’ll add there is no reason for the WFT to draft a WR at #19 (unless Smith or Chase falls). There will certainly be a few studs available later in the draft that could fill our 3^rd and 4^th spots.

March 26, 2021

Post Free Agency Mock Draft (1.0)

The Washington Football Team made quite the splash this year in free agency, solidifying positions of need by picking up QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Curtis Samuel, CB William Jackson III, slot receiver Adam Humphries and doing so without breaking the bank! The Niners made a big move today, trading their next 2 years of 1st round picks to move up to 3^rd overall, likely to pick their QB of the future. The Eagles then traded their 6th overall pick for the 12th pick (Niners original pick) as well as the dolphins 2022 1st round pick as well. After the dust settled, the Dolphin’s came out as the big winners in all this. They now own the 6th overall pick in this years draft, the next two years of Niners 1sts, and an extra 2nd and 3rd over the next few years to boot. I’m sure the pick trading is just getting started but now that free agency has cooled down, here is my full 1st round mock draft:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson.

Zach Wilson is becoming the media’s darling favorite but this is a no brainer. Urban Meyer begins Jacksonville’s rebuild by getting his franchise QB.

2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB BYU:

New head coach Robert Salah takes his QB of the future with BYU’s Zach Wilson. He’ll be thrust into action early to try and turn around the lowly Jets.

3. San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones, QB Alabama:

The Niners didn’t trade up to get a project at QB and the trade happened just one day after Alabama’s pro day. Interesting. Yes, the Niners fans may hate this but Lynch and Shanahan know the Panthers are in on Jones at 8 and potentially the Eagles at 6. Reports are they offered the same package to the Falcons but Atlanta refused. All in all, Shanahan gets his QB of the future who is far and away the most accurate passer in this draft. If Jimmy G isn’t traded before the draft, Jones will likely start out the season on the bench behind Garoppolo but it won’t take long before Jones is starting.

4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE Florida:

The Falcons refused the kings ransom from the Niners and clearly have their eye on someone. That someone is Kyle Pitts. Granted, the Falcons will be hard pressed to not take a QB here since Matt Ryan’s play has started to slip. However, Pitts is a surefire superstar with hall of fame potential. Pairing him with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley will create nightmares for opposing coordinators.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon:

The Bengals fans will most likely be upset they passed on Devonta Smith, Jamar Chase, and Waddle. However, Sewell is the correct choice. Sewell was widely considered to be the best prospect in the whole class and will be a force at LT from the jump. Burrow will be happy with him protecting his blindside for years.

6. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU:

The Fins take the first WR off the board by selecting Ja’Marr Chase. He was a force for that LSU Tigers team that won the national championship a year ago. He goes before any other WR even though he took last year off due to COVID concerns. The Dolphins reign of terror is just getting started.

7. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons, LB Penn State

The Lions select possibly the scariest player in the whole class in Parsons. There were rumors that he was a problem in that Penn State locker room but after he ran a 4.39 40 at his combine, the Lions will have no problem stopping his slide here at 7.

8. Carolina Panthers: Justin Fields, QB OSU:

Matt Rhule and company finally get a QB of the future and didn’t need to trade up to select him. Fields was widely considered the #2 overall QB in this class until that Northwestern game happened. He will benefit from sitting a year and learning behind Bridgewater.

9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain, CB Alabama:

The Broncos take one of the best players in the draft by selecting Patrick Surtain and begin rebuilding that defense that won them a Super Bowl five years ago.

South Carolina defensive back Jaycee Horn (1) celebrates a stop during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

10. Dallas Cowboys: Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina:

The Cowboys will be upset that Surtain went one pick before them, but they will stick to their board and select Horn here at 10. Horn should start immediately and fill the big hole that Byron Jones left the Cowboys when they let him walk in 2020.

11. New York Giants: Devonta Smith, WR Alabama

The Giants revamped offense adds another weapon as they select the former Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith. That offense suddenly look terrifying with the addition of Kenny Golladay and the return of Saquon Barkley. If Smith can get open at even half the rate he did in college, the sky is the limit.

12 Philadelphia Eagles: Rashawn Slater, OT Northewestern:

The Eagles moved down in this draft, knowing well that they will miss out on the opportunity to draft one of the big three receivers in Pitts, Chase and Smith. However, they’ve ignored their offensive line for too long. They will start to remedy it here with Slater. He has been overshadowed by Sewell in this class, but make no mistake about it, he is a great prospect. Slater was one of the only players to slow down Chase Young and he did so as a true freshman. He will start for Philly from day one and I’ll be excited to see if he can stop Chase twice a year.

13: LA Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech:

The Chargers may go for Jaylon Waddle here but Darrisaw is the safe and correct pick. Darrisaw is widely considered the #3 best offensive lineman in this class and has all the size, strength and athleticism you look for in a starting LT. He should start protecting Herbert’s blind side from day one.

14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT-OG USC:

The Vikings have some serious firepower in Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson but they need to upgrade that o-line to give Kirk some more time to find them. Vera-Tucker projects as a guard by most, but has played at every position on the o-line for USC. His versatility will come in handy for the Vikes who will hope to put it all together up front.

15. New England Patriots: Jaylon Waddle, WR Alabama:

The Patriots went crazy this off-season, spending the most money in free agency by a longshot. They will look to add some more firepower here with Waddle. Add Waddle to Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, and Nelson Agholor signings and now Cam has something to work with.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech:

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals had a hell of an offense last year but their defense let them down at times. With the addition of JJ Watt, the Cards now have two premier pass rushers. Now they add Caleb Farley, who was a lock-down CB at VT, to fill the hole created by the departure of Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals are looking like contenders.

17. LV Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame:

The Raiders select the 2020 Butkus Award winner and immediately firm up their weak side linebacker need. JOK has an impressive length and speed but he will need to bulk up if he is to become an every-down linebacker.

18. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris, RB Alabama:

The fins use their second 1^st round pick to take Tua’s old teammate, Najee Harris. It’s debatable who is the best RB in the class, but Harris was so impressive last year for the Tide, especially in the playoffs. Harris will become the Dolphins every down back and look for him to be odds on favorite to win Rookie of the Year.

19. Washington Football Team: Nick Bolton, MLB Missouri:

The Washington Football Team will be hoping that JOK falls to the #19 but with the Raiders taking him two picks earlier, they’ll stay at linebacker and select Nick Bolton. Bolton may be considered a reach here, as he is considered by most to be an early 2nd round talent. However, Bolton has the kind of physicality and tenacity to take this defense to the next level. He will quickly become the emotional leader and hopefully become the same kind of middle linebacker that Rivera has drafted and mentored over the years (Luke Kuechly, Levonte-David).

20. Chicago Bears: Trey Lance, QB NDSU:

The Bears desperately need a QB after failing to trade for Desean Watson/ Russell Wilson and having to settle for Andy Dalton. They will happily roll the dice with Trey Lance here at #20.

21. Indianapolis Colts: Samuel Cosmi, OT Texas:

The Colts have a great interior offensive line but need some work at the tackle position. Cosmi was a standout at Texas and started at both right and left tackle over 3 years for the Longhorns. He should have no problem starting at either position week 1.

22. Tennessee Titans: Trevon Moehrig, S TCU

The Titans take the first safety selected in this year’s draft and he’s a good one. Look for Moehrig to beat out Byard in preseason and become an instant ball-hawk for that tough Titans defense.

23. New York Jets: Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan:

After selecting his QB, Salah and the Jets select the first edge rusher in this year’s draft and fill a big need. I could see them considering a WR here as well but the best EDGE rusher on the board this late in the 1^st round is too much value to pass up.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Teven Jenkins, OT Oklahoma State:

The Steelers offense took a big step back on offense last year. Much of that was because they could not seem to run the football. They’ll be happy if the 6’6” 320lb Jenkins falls into their laps at #24.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame:

The Jaguars will want to protect their new franchise QB and Liam Eichenberg will do just that. He is an NFL-ready left tackle and will be Lawrence’s best friend protecting his blind side.

26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB Tulsa

The Browns defense has some play makers on the outside in Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, and Myles Garrett. Now they need to firm up the middle. Collins finished 2^nd in the Butkus Award and was basically the entire Tulsa defense. He’ll be just fine in Cleveland.

27. Baltimore Ravens: Jaelan Philips, EDGE Miami:

The Ravens have the most aggressive defense in the league and it paid off last year. However, they still need an edge rusher who can get after the QB without having to dial up a blitz. The Ravens will hope the former 5-star recruit will build upon his 2020 season and become the pass rusher they need.

28. New Orleans Saints: Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota:

The Saints can go in a few directions here. They could use a safety to replace the aging Malcomb Jenkins. They could use a cornerback to lockdown the opposite side of Lattimore. They could even reach on QB here in case Jameis and Hill don’t work out. However, Bateman has all the speed and size to be a superstar at the next level and should take some pressure off Michael Thomas.

29. Green Bay Packers: Kadarius Toney, WR Florida:

The Packers really botched it last year, trading up to select QB Jordan Love instead of selecting a desperately needed receiver even after Rodgers pointed out that the Pack have never drafted a skill position player in the 1^st round since he was selected. Toney is an exciting prospect and will quickly become Rodgers favorite target.

30. Buffalo Bills: Travis Etienne, RB Clemson:

The Bills have their franchise QB in Josh Allen. Now they need to keep giving him weapons. Their rush offense was one of the worst in the league and Singletary/ Moss weren’t getting it done. Etienne is twice the player those two are.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Mayfield, OT Michigan:

The Chiefs offensive line was fully exposed in the Super Bowl and they had to release their only Pro Bowler on the line because of the lowered salary cap. They will take the best tackle available here and Mayfield was a stud for Michigan last year. Mahomes will be pleased.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian Barmore, DT Alabama:

Barmore is the first defensive tackle selected in the draft and he joins that scary defensive line that wreaked havoc on the Mahomes. Barmore will be a nice interior rotational player for the Bucs who look to give Brady his 8^th ring.

March 17, 2021March 17, 2021

Grading New General Manager Martin Mayhew’s Previous Drafts

The Washington Football Team will have a general manager this season for the first time since Scott McCloughan was forced out in 2016. Martin Mayhew comes to the DC with a wealth of experience. Mayhew played DB for the Redskins from ’89-92 and was a part of the team who won Super Bowl XXVI. He began his front office career with the Redskins as well in 1999 as a personnel intern. After a few years, he was hired as the senior director of football administration for the Detroit Lions in 2001 before being promoted to assistant GM in 2004. He was promoted to General Manager in 2008 and held the position until 2015 where he was fired early in halfway into the season when the Lions started 1-7. He resurrected his career in San Francisco, moving from a senior personnel executive in ’17-18 to VP of player personnel for the last two years. Again, Mayhew clearly has the experience to handle our GM position. One of the most important duties of a General manager is scouting and drafting young talent through the draft. After doing a little digging, here is a short breakdown of Mayhew’s draft classes (1^st three rounds) during his tenure as General Manager for the Detroit Lions.

2009: Martin Mayhew was promoted to General Manager during the 2008 season and he had his work cut out for him. The Lions would finish the ’08 season 0-16 and were, obviously, granted the 1^st overall pick. He used the 1^st overall pick to select Matt Stafford, QB Georgia, who was a home run. He solidified the Lions QB position for over a decade and Stafford proved to be the best player in 2009 draft class. Outside of the 1^st overall pick, this draft class was mediocre, however. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew, OK State, was taken with their second 1^st round pick (#20 overall). He started for the Lions for years, but injuries derailed him from every being great. Louis Delmas, Safety Western Michigan, was taken with their 2^nd round pick. Delmas had a decent career where he was named to the NFL All-Rookie team was named as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2011. He was released after the 2013 season after having a strange taunting incident with the UW-Marching Band at a Wisconsin game. Deandre Levy, LB Wisconsin, was the 1^st of the Lions 3^rd round picks. He started for the Lions ’10-14 and battled injuries for his whole tenure. He was signed to a 4-year extension in 2015 only to be injured his first game in 2015 and never play again. Derrick Williams, WR Penn State, was the team’s second 3^rd round pick and after barley seeing the field his rookie season, he was released before the start of the 2011 season.

Summary: All in all, solidifying the QB position is all you can reasonably ask your General Manager to do. Not selecting an offensive lineman to protect Stafford with that second 1^st round pick (or any of those other picks) may have haunted him, though.

GRADE: A-

2010: The Lions were granted the 2^nd overall pick in 2010 after going improving to 2-14. They used their 2^nd overall pick to draft the meanest, nastiest defensive tackle to ever come out of Big 12 by the name of Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska). Suh was somewhat of a no brainer. Suh made multiple Pro Bowls and is still playing today (won a Super Bowl this year with the Tampa Bay Bucs). Jahvid Best, RB California, was Lions second 1^st round pick and Mayhew traded up to select him. Best was a track star in college, running a 10.62 100m dash, and made headlines when he scored 6 TDs in a single game. Best came into the league with a ton of promise but could never stay healthy. He was cut after two seasons. Amari Spievey, CB Iowa, was the Lions 3^rd round pick. He was quickly moved to Safety upon arriving at Lions camp but was out of the league by 2012.

Summary: Like the 2010 class, I’m sure Mayhew may be kicking himself for not drafting an offensive lineman to help protect Stafford instead of selecting Best. Suh proved to be a fine pick, however. You could argue that Mayhew drafted the best player in the draft for the 2^nd year in row.

GRADE: B

2011: The Lions progressed to 6-10 in 2010 and were granted the 13^th in the 2011 draft. There, Mayhew selected Nick Fairley, DT Auburn, 13^th overall. At the time, it made perfect sense. They were hoping to pair Suh with another stud defensive tackle and dominate the line of scrimmage. Sadly, Fairley never panned out. He was stout at times but inconsistent at best and struggled with injuries. Fairley would peak in 2012 as he was selected as a 2^nd team All-Pro, but the injury bug would get the best of him. Fairley ended up on the IR in ’13 and ’14. He would bounce around the league after 2015 but could never start all 16 games before he retired in 2018. Titus Young, WR Boise State, was the Lions 2^nd round pick and who slid to the second round due to ‘behavior issues’. Young’s behavior issues would rear their ugly head in 2012 where he was sent home for sucker punching a teammate in practice. He would later tweet about not wanting to play anymore if he did not get the ball. Young was cut the following February after just two years. Mikel Leshoure, RB Illinois, was the Lions second 2^nd round pick for whom they traded their 3^rd and 4^th round picks away to secure. Sadly, Mikel tore his Achilles his rookie year before ever taking a live game snap. He stayed on the team through the 2013 season but did not make the 53-man roster cuts in 2014.

Summary: This draft was a real head scratcher. In hindsight, maybe Mayhew should’ve looked harder at taking one of the many great edge rushers that were available instead of Fairley such as Ryan Kerrigan, Cameron Jordan, Muhammad Wilkerson and Cameron Heyward. Add that to the fact he caught a falling sword in Titus Young and traded up for the bust Mikel Leshoure, this draft surely set the Lions back.

GRADE: F

2012: The Lions made the playoffs in 2011 despite their ugly rookie class, going 10-6. The Lions secured the 23^rd pick in the 2012 draft and used their 1^st round pick on tackle Riley Reiff from Iowa. Reiff would never make a pro bowl, but he proved to be a valuable bookend left tackle for Detriot. Reiff played with the Lions until the 2017 season where he entered free agency and chose to sign a big $58.5 million five-year deal with the rival Vikings. Mayhew followed this up by selecting another 2^nd round WR who wouldn’t pan out in Ryan Broyles from Oklahoma. Broyles only lasted two years and was cut upon request in the 2015 preseason. Bill Bentley, CB LA-Lafayette, would be the Lions 3^rd round pick. Bentley would hardly make a name for himself and was cut in 2015 due to injury concerns.

Summary: Three years after Stafford was draft, Mayhew finally selected a tackle to protect him. However, missing on yet another 2^nd round skill position player is beginning to look like a trend.

GRADE: C+

2013: The Lions would come back to down to Earth in a big way in 2012, going 4-12 and losing eight straight to end the season. They were granted the 5^th overall pick. Mayhew was ready this year and selected future Pro Bowler Ziggy Ansah, DE BYU. Ansah led all NFL rookies in sacks (8) his first year and would go on to be a force for Lions. He would make a Pro Bowl in 2015 where he amassed 14.5 sacks would be ranked 43^rd in the NFL’s top 100 players in 2015’s off season. Mayhew would select another future Pro Bowler in Darius Slay, CB Miss St, with the 2^nd round pick. Slay would prove to be a valuable pick, starting for the Lions from week 1 of this rookie season all the way through 2019. Slay became a staple of the Lions defense, finally being named a Pro Bowler in 2017 (where he was also ranked 49^th in the NFL top 100 players). Larry Warford, G Kentucky, was the Lion’s 3^rd round pick and what a career he had. Warford started for the from week 1 and was named as the Rookie of the Year by Pro Football Focus as he did not give up a sack the entire season. Warford would play out his rookie contract but sadly signed with New Orleans Saints in 2017 where he would be named to three straight Pro Bowls.

Summary: You can’t do much better then drafting three Pro Bowlers with your first three picks! It’s a shame Warford didn’t win any Pro Bowls while he was with the Lions, though.

GRADE: A+

2014: The Lions would improve to 7-9 in 2013, just missing the playoffs by losing their final two games of the year. They were granted the 10^th overall pick in 2010 where Mayhew selected Eric Ebron, TE UNC. Ebron’s career started slow, being listed as 3^rd on the depth chart his rookie year. Yet, he was still able to finish the year with 248 yards and a TD. He would slowly get more opportunities over the years, finally starting in year three and proving to be a solid receiving TE for the Lions. However, he would be released by the Lions in 2018 clearly wanting to get out from under the 5^th year option the executed the year before. Ebron would eventually sign with the Colts in 2018 which is where he would breakout to the tune of 750 yards and 13 TDs. Kyle Van Noy, LB BYU, would be the Lions 2^nd round pick. Van Noy would prove to be a late bloomer. He injured himself in his rookie training camp and would not make his debut until week 10. Van Noy would become an off and on starter for the Lions for the next few years before being traded to the Patriots for a 7^th round pick. From there, he would win a Super Bowl with the Patriots and became a difference maker for them. Travis Swanson, C Arkansas, would be the Lions 3^rd round pick. Swanson battled injuries his entire career, bouncing from the Lions to the Jets in 2018 and finally retired in 2019.

Summary: The class of late bloomers must be tough for Mayhew to look back upon. In hindsight, taking a Ebron instead of a bolstering that offensive line with one of the many Pro Bowlers selected a few picks later (Taylor Lewan, Zach Martin, Joel Bitonio) was a mistake. However, had Ebron had the 13 TD production for the Lions, things certainly could’ve been different. Van Noy and Swanson both were busts during their time in Detroit. It’s a shame they couldn’t keep Van Noy around long enough to see him blossom.

GRADE: D

2015: The Lions would finish 11-5 in 2014, heading to the playoffs for first time since 2011. They would lose in the Wild Card game however, making it their 8^th straight playoff loss (tying Kansas City for the longest postseason losing streak in NFL history). The Lions were granted the 23^rd pick in the 2015 NFL draft. They would trade that pick with the Broncos for guard Manny Ramirez, an extra 5^th round pick in 2016, and the 28^th overall pick. At #28, they selected Laken Tomlinson, G Duke. Tomlinson clearly didn’t work out. He would be traded to the 49ers a year later and be out of the league by 2018. Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska, was Mayhew’s 2^nd round selection. Abdullah would flash from time to time but never became the bell cow they wanted him to be. He was waived in 2018 after losing his role to rookie Kerron Johnson playing mostly special teams. Alex Carter, CB Stanford, was the Mayhew’s 3^rd round pick in which they traded up to acquire. Carter became a practice squad journeyman who would never debut in an NFL game.

Summary: This would be Mayhew’s final draft class in Detroit and, unfortunately, it was a big dud. To be fair, the 2014 rookie class was one of the worst rookie classes in years. Yet, it still makes you wonder just how good this Lions team would have been if they had taken Frank Clark instead of Abdullah or Stephon Diggs instead of Carter.

GRADE: F

In conclusion, Mayhew certainly made the most out of his 1^st round selections, especially the early ones. Stafford, Suh, Ansah, Reiff, Ebron and even Fairley (for a year) were great selections. It is also apparent that he is not afraid to trade up in the middle rounds to select the player he believes in. Let’s hope that if he does, those 2nd and 3rd round selections (especially at the skill positions) are much more successful here in DC then they were in Detroit.

FINAL GRADE: C

March 7, 2021March 7, 2021

Ranking 2021 NFL Draft: Quarterbacks

It is finally draft season and this class of QBs is the most highly anticipated bunch in decade. With the abundance of open starting QB positions in the NFL this year, we will most likely see four QBs taken in the top 10 and possibly five or six in the first round! Without further ado, my 2021 rankings of QBs.

https://nypost.com/2020/10/27/trevor-lawrence-leaves-door-open-to-shunning-jets/

Trevor Lawrence (1st Overall): This ranking (and the 2021 draft really) start after Lawrence. The Clemson junior stands 6’6″ tall and weighs 220lbs. Trevor started as a true freshman where he won three straight ACC titles easily and took the Tigers to three straight College Football Playoffs. His freshman year is arguably his best year where he won the National Championship against Alabama in a thriller. His sophomore year, he took the Tigers to the title game again but lost to the buzz saw that was the 2019 LSU Tigers and their entire team of NFL draftees. His junior year ended at the hands of Justin Fields-led Ohio State Buckeyes who mauled the Tigers up front on both sides of the ball and made Lawrence look pretty pedestrian for his own standards (68.8% completion percentage, 400 yards, 2 TDs, 1 Int, 1 fumble). This led some talking heads to wonder if Lawrence is truly the QB1 of this class. Don’t fall for it. The Clemson junior is the only complete player in this draft. Lawrence truly has it all; he has great arm strength, accuracy, touch, toughness, pocket presence, and a good bit of athleticism to boot. Had he been able to be drafted last year, the Bengals would have had a tough decision to make and possibly have taken him over Joe Burrow! The only knock on Lawrence’s resume is he never won the Heisman Trophy. He will go first overall to Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars where he will quickly ascend to a top 10 QB in the NFL.
Mac Jones (Top 10): The 6’3″, 213lb Alabama senior doesn’t have the athleticism as his peers do in this class but he makes up for it with pinpoint accuracy, great pocket presence, and a sharp mind. Jones had a wealth of talent around him on last year’s national champion Crimson Tide, including a Heisman winning WR (Devonte Smith), a running back that finished 3^rd in the Heisman, and an offensive line filled with NFL talent that provided him a cozy pocket more often than not. This led many to shrug him off and consider him nothing more than a game manager. However, when you put on the film, I’d argue Bama couldn’t have done it without him. Jones has the quickest release in the class and threw with impeccable timing and anticipation. He had such command of that offense that even when Waddle went down midseason, that record-breaking offense never skipped a beat. Throwing for 4,500 yards with a completion percentage of 77.4%, 41 TDs, 4 Ints in 13 games, Mac Jones is a pro-style QB who will be ready to start week 1 of next year. With both Smith and Waddle coming out and publicly stating they prefer Mac to Tua, I can see Jones going in the top 10 in this years draft. His lack of athleticism will not excite the fans of whoever drafts him but his accuracy will.
Justin Fields (Top 10): Justin Fields, standing 6’3″ tall and weighing 238lbs, was the consensus 2nd overall pick all season in this year’s draft until the Northwestern defense roughed him up. The Ohio State junior threw for 2,100 yards, 22 TDs and 6 Ints with a 70.2% completion percentage in the 8 games the Buckeyes played in this COVID-shortened year. Fields holds all the Buckeye’s passing records from his sophomore season and there is no doubt he would have broken his own records this year had they played more games. Fields benefitted from a great offense around him but he certainly made them better with his A+ arm strength and athleticism. Being a former baseball player, he can truly flick the ball 60+ yards down field while scrambling for his life. If there were a combine this year, I have no doubt that Fields would have had the fastest 40 time out of this QB class but alas we will have to speculate. What Fields lacks is that true pinpoint accuracy and, like most college QBs, struggles with pressure up the middle and in his face. The Ohio State offensive line was able to keep him clean all year up until he played the tough Northwestern defense who made him look like a middling prospect at best. His 6 TD performance against Clemson in the semifinals this year helped bring his stock back. Yet, in this year’s National Championship game against Bama, he once again looked like a project, throwing for 194 yards, 1 TD, a 51% completion percentage but rushing 6 times for 67 yards. Much like the rest of this class, he will need some time to develop in the right system to unleash his full potential but he will more than likely be forced to play before he’s ready given his draft pedigree. I can see Fields going anywhere from #2 overall to #19 overall but I’d be surprised if he fell out of the top 5.
Zach Wilson (Top 10): The BYU QB shot up the draft rankings this year where he made incredible plays all season long for the Cougars. Zach stands 6’3″ tall, weighs 210lbs and it wasn’t long before some analysts started comparing him to Patrick Mahomes. The junior certainly boasts a strong arm, probably the strongest in the class. He also might be the most elusive QB outside of Lance and has a knack for rushing for a TD when the chips are down. However, Wilson worries me. Put on the film of his only loss of the season against #18 Coastal Carolina, and you would be hard pressed to say if he was even the best QB on the field that day. The Chanticleers defense seemed to have his number all day, holding him to 240 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int, and a 63.3% completion percentage. What made it worse was how he looked like he was almost showing off most of the game, making odd underhanded throws and throwing the ball too hard at underneath receivers and at their feet, especially on 3^rd down. Out of all the QBs in this draft class, Wilson is the biggest boom or bust. That BYU offensive line mauled the weak defenses they played all year and allowed Wilson all the time in the world to scramble and improvise (where he made some his most spectacular plays, mind you). There is certainly a lot to like in his game. He finished the year with 3,692 yards, 33 TDs, 3 Ints, and a 73.5% completion percentage as well as 10 rushing TDs and 254 rushing yards as well! There are even a few analysts that consider him a better prospect than Lawrence and he certainly semes like the darling of this year’s class. That only worries me further. With the right offensive coordinator and offensive line, he could very well become a star. He will, most likely, go top 5 where he will be thrust into action early. His improving will be on full display against NFL defenses are much tougher than the Troy/Western Kentucky’s that he dominated in college. Wilson has a lot of growing to do before he becomes the Mahomes 2.0 that some talking heads have anointed him as.
Kyle Trask (2nd round): Kyle Trask had a fantastic year and was well on his way to winning the Heisman before losing a tough fought SEC Championship to the buzz saw Alabama Crimson Tide. The 6’5″ 240lb senior finished the season with 4283 yards, 43 TDs, 8 Ints and a 68.9% completion percentage. Trask was widely considered to be a first-round pick until he was benched in the bowl game against Oklahoma after throwing 3 picks in the 1st half and looking downright dreadful. Like Mac Jones, Trask had serious weapons to throw to all year in Pitts and Toney so it was that much more damning to his draft stock when they both sat out for the Cotton Bowl, causing him to struggle mightily. Trask was very good at times this past season but didn’t do anything spectacular. For every perfectly thrown touch pass up the sideline, there’s a ball thrown at Pitts’ feet 10 yards over the middle. He has all the size you look for in an NFL QB and a good arm to boot but he will need a few years to develop as a pro-style pocket passer if he is going to be anything more than a backup in the NFL.
Trey Lance (2nd round): Where Zach Wilson scares me, Trey Lance terrifies me. The North Dakota State junior stands 6’4″ and weighs 226lbs. He had an incredible sophomore year where he led the Bison to a FCS championship scoring 44 TDs (28 passing, 14 rushing) while not throwing a single interception. The dual threat QB did almost as much damage with his legs as his arm, rushing for 1,100 yards to go along with his 2,786 passing yards and a 67% completion percentage. He reminds me of Colin Kapernick the way he runs. He has impressive straight-line speed and the toughness to put his head down and fight for extra yards. He also boosts a cannon of an arm and could, very well, have the best arm strength in the whole class. Like Zach Wilson, he has a knack for making spectacular, off-script plays which led some analysts to consider him to be the next Russell Wilson. Due to the pandemic, his 2020 season was sadly canceled outside of one weird ‘showcase’ game against Central Arkansas. In this game, Lance’s lack of accuracy was on full display. He went 15/30 for 149 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception and made some awful passes, sailing passes over wide open receivers and taking bad sacks. NDSU was able to win the ball game and Lance was able to show off his rushing ability going for 143 yards and 2 TDs. However, inaccurate QBs don’t last long in the NFL. Hopefully his one game this year was just an exception and not the norm. I can still see Lance going in the 1st round just on his potential alone but he will certainly need some time to develop. Many have linked Lance to WFT at #19 which would be a mistake.
Kellen Mond (2-3rd round): The Texas A&M 6’3″ 217lb senior finished this season with 2,283 passing yards, 19 TDs, 3 Ints, a 63.3% completion percentage and won Senior Bowl MVP. Mond started all four years for the Aggies and his play got better year after year as well. There is a lot to like about Mond but just as many concerns. For starters, he is listed as a dual-threat QB but his running ability didn’t show up on film. He doesn’t have a lot of vertical speed and his agility was no better than Kyle Trask’s in my opinion but he ran the read option well enough to keep the defense honest. He has an unorthodox passing stance and very questionable footwork. At A&M, he only took snaps from shotgun so he will need to learn how to work from under center in a pro-style offense and the footwork that goes along with it as well. However, he makes up for his deficiencies with a quick release, strong arm and had a knack for making the spectacular throws on the run, especially under pressure. He helped his draft stock tremendously at the senior bowl where he looked reasonably comfortable from under center and made some accurate passes under duress. I wish he would step into his throws a little more often. Some of his best throws are when he makes a quick decision and fires the ball into a tight spot 20 yards downfield. All in all, I like Mond. Under the right coach, he could become a starter in the NFL but if his footwork doesn’t improve, he will never be more than a backup.
Jamie Newman (3-4th round): Jamie Newman is listed as a 6’4”, 240lb senior Georgia QB but he never played a snap for the Bulldogs due to the pandemic. He was a two-year starter for Wake Forest where he was impressive on a beleaguered team. Newman has a good arm and throws a great deep ball. His accuracy was impressive at times but he missed on enough throws that might concern a coach. On the positive, he didn’t run the ball all to often, but when he did he made defense pay, rushing 12 times for 180 yards and 6 TDs. The 2019 Wake Forest had a poor offensive line and when you put on the film, it’s worse than you can imagine so he’s most likely used to throwing under pressure by now. What also stood out on film was how comfortable Newman was going through his reads and finding the open receiver even though there are multiple times where his receiver falls in the route just as Newman is throwing, leading to an easy interception. I’ll add that WR Sage Surratt was a heck of a player and bailed Newman out his fair share as well but everyone else, not so much. Newman finished the 2019 season with 2,868 yards, 26 TDs, 11 Ints and a 60.9% completion percentage. Newman’s rust of taking a year off was on full display in the Senior Bowl where he fumbled his first snap and only completed a few passes past the line of scrimmage while being sacked what felt like every other play. There were rumors that Newman was the best QB at the Senior Bowl practices but it didn’t show up in the game. Newman will need a season or two to get used to the speed of the game again but I could absolutely see him becoming a starter and a late round gem like a Dak Prescott or Russell Wilson. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him taken early day 2.
Davis Mills (4-5th Round): Davis Mills is listed at 6’4”, 225lbs. The Stanford senior was a 5-star recruit and top of his recruiting class. He finished the 2020 shortened year with 1,960 yards, 11 TDs, 5 Ints and a 65.6% completion percentage in 5 games. There were some impressive throws on film but also some head scratchers. Watching his film reminds me of watching Nate Sudfelds film; he is a wow/ what player through and through. He certainly has all the tools to succeed but has far too small of a sample size. Stanford ran a pro-style offense with mostly vertical routes so he should fit right into a NFL offense. He throws with nice touch and has an A+ arm, which can bail him out of trouble. However, he left a lot of plays on the field this year, missing badly at times and making questionable decisions. He certainly would have benefitted from another year but he’ll enter the 2021 draft as the premier late round ‘project’ QB. I’ll say he’s definitely worth a day 3, 5^th round flyer but I wouldn’t be surprised if he went early in 4^th due to the lack of viable QBs in the league right now.
Sam Ehlinger (5^th-7^th Round): Sam Ehlinger is listed 6’3”, 225lbs and started all four years for the Texas Longhorns. He finished the 2020 season with a 26 TDs, 5 Ints and a 60% completion percentage (6 points lower then his junior season). Ehlinger has a good bit of athleticism where he rushed for 377 yards and 8 TDs as well. He doesn’t have the best arm, below average at best, but he showed good accuracy at times and throws well on the run. He doesn’t shy away from pressure and showed the toughness you would like from your QB. However, like the other late round QBs, he missed on a lot of easy throws. Sam proved he can play at the Senior Bowl and should become a valuable backup in the NFL.

April 28, 2020April 28, 2020

Grading the Redskins 2020 Draft

That concludes the 2020 NFL draft and one thing is apparent about the post-Bruce regime: the Redskins are done getting football players that cannot stay on the field. Outside of their last pick, all of their draft picks have little to no injury history at college. Further, the later round picks are all captains and 3 year+ starters. Bill Parcells once said “you are what your record says you are” and the 3-13 Redskins took that to heart as they drafted the best player available over need more often then not. Yet, the Redskins roster is so lackluster and full of holes that even the best player available was usually a need. Here are my grades on all 8 selections.

RD 1 #2: Chase Young, DE, OSU:

The Redskins did what most thought they would and took the consensus best player in the draft by selecting DE Chase Young, OSU, with the #2 overall pick. There were plenty of rumors that the Redskins were listening to trade offer to move back in the draft. However that all fizzled out quick on draft night.

Chase Young has an unbelievable amount of hype surrounding him. For starters, he is already Vegas’s odds on favorite to win Rookie of the Year and has an over/under sack total set at 8.5 (for reference, phenom DE Nick Bosa recorded 9 sacks last year for the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers). Further, a report came out this week that Chase believes he is still growing citing the fact his growth plates are still open and his dad is 6’9″ (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29105321/washington-draftee-chase-young-6-foot-5-thinks-grow-more).

Regardless if that is true or not, Young joins a defensive line consisting of five other 1st round selections that is poised to turn this 27th ranked defense around.

Grade: A

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP6dEE1hv-A

RD 3 #66: Antonio Gibson, RB/ WR, Memphis:

We had to wait a while before the Redskins had another pick after Chase Young was selected. Many were hoping the Redskins would move back into the 2nd round to select one of these highly touted receivers either by trading Trent Williams or packaging him and some picks. However, they stood pat (mainly because Trent refused a trade to Minnesota) and selected a RB/ WR hybrid with Antonio Gibson out of Memphis. I’ll be honest, I did not know this player existed until the Redskins drafted him which made me initially consider this one a reach. However, it was soon clear that Kyle Smith, VP of Player Personnel (should be our GM soon), and coach Rivera loved this kid.

Gibson led all FBS with 11.7 yard per touch with an astonishing 14 TDs on 77 touches. Frankly his highlights were just as impressive as his stats. He lined up all over the field for the Memphis Tigers last year and was a threat to take it to the house every time he got the ball. When he ran the ball, he played with great balance and bounced off would-be tacklers like a pinball. At receiver, his athleticism was obvious time and time again when his lackluster route running left him wide open. On special teams, if he wasn’t paving the way for the other returner to take it the distance, he was using his vision to find the crease and return it to the 40 or beyond.

Gibson shined at the NFL combine by running a 4.39 40 ranking 4th in the WR class (tied for 1st for RBs). When asked what he would prefer to be listed as on the depth chart, Gibson responded with “weapon”.

Gibson comes in as clear favorite to take over the 3rd down RB position that Chris Thompson held for years. Ron Rivera even went as far to compare the kid to Christian McCaffrey who he coached just a year ago. However, I worry that he was a one year wonder in college and played in a conference where competition pales in comparison to what he will see at the NFL level. Further, the pick felt more like a reach for need then the “best player available”. They could have taken Joshua Jones, OT Houston, who had a 1st round grade by some scouts here and possibly still picked up Gibson with their early pick in the 4th. However, the Raiders surprised everyone by taking another RB/WR a few picks later so maybe Smith and Rivera were on to something.

All in all, solid pick with McCaffrey-like upside who will at worst be a specials teams ace.

Grade: B-

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU8dfjXf9QE

RD 4 #108: Saahdiq Charles, LT, LSU:

It was surprising to see LSU LT Saahdiq Charles fall all the way to the 4th round when basically every other player on that dominant 2019 LSU offense was taken before him. However, right when the pick was announced the analysts told you why. Charles was suspended all three years at LSU for “conduct detrimental to the team”. In summary, he failed drug tests year after year.

However, even with these suspensions he came back and proved to be the best option the Tigers had at LT. I’d like think that LSU head coach Ed Orgeron probably wanted to kick him off the team multiple times but couldn’t because of how talented Charles was.

As for the tape, Charles played all the positions on the LSU offensive line and has plenty of athleticism. For some reason, scouts consider him undersized at 6’4″ 321 lbs with 33″ arm length. However, he didn’t look undersized on film. He was very productive against SEC defenses and was a big part of LSU’s top ranked offense and their championship run.

I read somewhere analysts were calling him this years La’eo Collins (Cowboys starting RT) who had 1st round talent but went undrafted after he was asked to talk to police about the shooting death of a pregnant woman he previously had a relationship with (never considered a suspect). Granted, being suspended for some drug tests pale in comparison to the severity of what Collins was being wrongly accused of but I agree with the comparison.

I can see Charles becoming the much needed replacement for Trent Williams or finding his place as a swing tackle that can replace Mosses when he eventually gets hurt again or be the first man off the bench if he cannot beat out Donald Penn or Geron Christian. Charles could be the steal of the draft just because he failed a couple of drug tests as a teenager.

Grade: A

Charles VS. Alabama 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBykSvGojR0

RD 4 #142: Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty:

Antonio Gandy-Golden, or AGG as he was called at Liberty, is a bird of a different feather. He was a gymnast before he was ever a football player and can still do standing backflip and twirling hand springs. He has bowled a perfect game. He can solve a rubix cube in under a minute. But most importantly, he can catch the football. Here are AGG’s stats at Liberty:

His 244 receptions, 3,814 yards and 33 TDs are all Liberty records. However, AGG’s stock took a hit when he ran a 4.60 40 at the combine, which was 5th worst. However, being 6’4″ and weighing 223lbs, he can make up for that so-called lack of speed with his strength (22 reps at combine bench) to make tough contested catches and power to run after catch. Opposing coordinators knew Liberty was going to throw 50/50 balls to him and would constantly double team him but it never made much of a difference. AGG made spectacular catch after spectacular catch in big games and had a knack of finding the end zone.

As much as I want to love this pick, I worry about AGG being a one trick pony and only being a red-zone threat in the NFL (much like his NFL.com comparison Devante Parker). His highlight tape is impressive but if his route-running doesn’t improve he will not get any separation and QBs will never look his way. I also wonder if he will have the speed and willingness to contribute on special teams. Further, he will need to work on his run and stalk blocking if he’s going to be an every down WR. However, the upside of being a Courtland Sutton or Alshon Jeffery as a compensatory pick at the end of the 4th round is too much to pass up here. It will be interesting to see him compete with Kelvin Harmon to be the Redskins go-to possession receiver.

Grade: B+

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFYfwLr0JoM&t=201s

RD 5 #156: Keith Ismael, C, SDSU:

Trent Williams was traded almost immediately when the day three of the draft began Saturday to the Niners for a 3rd round pick in 2021 and this 5th round pick which turned into C/LG Keith Ismael, SDSU. Ismael was a 3 year starter for the Aztecs finishing his senior year with All-Mountain West honors. Pro Football Focus seemed to like the pick:

Ismael was reliable as it comes for the Aztecs and played guard as well as center when asked. However, he was the first redskins draft pick that had a little bit of an injury history (he received shoulder surgery this off-season). However, there is a big hole at LG following the departure of Ereck Flowers and Chase Roullier, who played well at times down the stretch, has not proven to be a long term starter at center. Hopefully Ismael can pick up where Flowers left off and be good starter for us.

Grade: B+

Full game VS. Wyoming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpLdLf6WY8E

RD 5 #162: Khaleke Hudson, OLB Michigan:

Khaleke Hudson is listed as OLB on the draft card but he played a variation of the monster-man safety for the Wolverines, which they call “Viper”, which is a combination of safety and linebacker. Hudson, like Ismael, was steady as it comes for the Wolverines as well. He played all four years at Michigan, tying the NCAA record in tackles for loss in a single game his Sophomore year with 8 against Minnesota. As a senior captain, he earned 2nd team All-Big 10 honors by leading Michigan with 102 tackles (3.5 TLFs, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, and a blocked kick).

Hudson is a tad undersized to be a true NFL LB. At the combine he measured 5’11” and 224lbs but flashed his speed running a 4.56 40. It’s safe to say that Hudson is the kind of player that leads by example and has the kind of heart you want in a football player. Being his size and leading the Wolverines in tackles as well as being a tapped as a senior captain is nothing to overlook. His knack of blocking punts will be utilized in the NFL and he could certainly be a special teams demon if nothing else. However, his size at the point of attack will be exposed if he’s going to be an every down OLB.

All in all, this pick feels like a reach. Many figured Hudson would be an undrafted free agent and with the Redskins not having another pick until 216, I’m not sure why they didn’t want to address a glaring need like corner or tight end here. However, if Hudson plays with his hair on fire like he did at Michigan and becomes our second coming of Lorenzo Alexander, I’ll happily eat my words. Yet, I will say I was screaming at the TV for them to draft Thaddeus Moss who we were luckily still able to sign after the draft.

Grade: D

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tACMOXsu0ak

RD 7 #216: Kamren Curl, S, Arkansas:

Kamren Curl was the Redskins 7th round pick and was our first defensive back selected in this years draft. He was a three year starter at Arkansas where he started as a cornerback but was moved to safety sophomore year. The safety class this year was noticeably weak (if you consider Simmons not to be a safety) so the Redskins stuck to their board and let Curl fall right to them in the 7th round. Curl has good size for safety 6’1″ 206 lbs, and ran 4.6 40 at the combine.

Curl definitely will make his impact in coverage being a center-field free safety that plays well in zone. He isn’t the best tackler but has that Josh Norman-like punch to make runner fumble when he does go into contact. Curl made some plays throughout the year (especially against LSU) but it was hard to fully evaluate him since the Razorbacks defense was downright putrid. Also, his stock must’ve taken a big hit when Curl was suspended the final game of 2019 because he was caught flirting with the opposing team cheerleaders.

Regardless, he shouldn’t have a hard time making the team since the Redskins have no real starter at safety. He could be a nice developmental project for Rivera and Del Rio. Just keep him away from the cheerleaders.

Grade: B-

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2JmQrJr0X4

RD 7 #229: James Smith-Williams, DE, NC State:

The Redskins finish up their 2020 draft by taking the captain of the NC State Wolfpack DE James Smith-Williams of NC State. Smith-Williams was given the #1 jersey by the coaches at NCST for his work-ethic, character, leadership and accomplishments. JSW had two season ending injuries in college including one last year. His best year was 2018 where he was an All-ACC snub after leading the pack with 9.5 TFLs and 6 sacks. However, in 7 games in 2019 he only registered one sack and 20 tackles before his season ended with a foot injury.

He was a participant at the combine and for all intents and purposes appears to be fully healthy now. JSW measured 6’4″ 265lbs and ran a blistering 4.60 40 (#1 in the whole class of EDGE/ DL), almost the exact same measurements as Chase Young with a 40 time that’s faster then Myles Garrett.

This pick may be more about the kind of person Smith-Williams is and less about his college production. NC State’s coaches rave about his work ethic, leadership and tenacity. When he first came to school, JSW only weighed 196 and transformed himself into the 265 beast he is now. Further, JSW has had an internship at IBM each of the last two summers so he’s no dumby. Even at his age he should be the adult in the locker room and will certainly push himself and everyone around him to get better. However, if he injuries continue to plague him, he will find working for IBM full-time and out of the league quick.

Grade: C+

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNwTh0CJWVQ

2020 Draft Class Overall Grade: B+

Like I mentioned in the intro, the Redskins needed a lot of help and hopefully found it in this draft. Outside of a few reaches, the Redskins were able to find some solid players that should contribute now. Also, with the addition of undrafted FA Thaddeus Moss, TE LSU, the Redskins were able to ignore the lackluster tight end class and focus on other needs.

The overall grade of this class will rest solely on the shoulders on the #2 overall pick Chase Young’s career. If he becomes the next Julius Peppers like many scouts believe he will, this will be the greatest draft class since the Redskins took Sean Taylor and Chris Cooley in the ’04 draft. If he doesn’t, well, there’s always next year.

April 24, 2020

Winner/ Losers Round 1 2020 NFL Draft

Welcome (back) to Washington, DC Chase Young! Also, let me start by saying what a fun night. Hats off the NFL! They did a great job last night giving us sports-lovers something to watch and get excited about in the midst of this pandemic. Granted, there wasn’t as much drama in the first 10 picks but the back end of the 1st round made up for that. That being said, here are some winners/ losers of the 1st round.

WINNERS:

Dolphins: Time will tell if Alabama QB Tua can stay on the field. Regardless, the fins won this draft the minute he was selected at #5. They were able to get the player they coveted without giving up a single pick. Matter of fact, they were later able to goat the Packers to trade up for Jordan Love and acquired even more picks. They may have reached on the tackle they took at #18 but this adding offensive lineman is always a good idea with a young qb. Well done Dolphins.

Cardinals: The Cardinals stopped his slide and picked up my favorite player in the draft Clemson LB/S Isaiah Simmons with the #8 pick in the draft. He joins a young secondary in Arizona but will start immediately. The Cardinals may be the champions of the off-season right now considering they were able to pickup Deandre Hopkins for a song earlier this offseason as well.

Cowboys: It pains me to write this but Oklahoma’s WR Ceedee Lamb fell right into the Cowboy’s laps at #17 and Jerry deserves credit for not passing on him. He joins a new high powered Cowboys offense that suddenly has the best WR duo in the NFC East and possibly in the whole conference outside of Tampa Bay.

Ravens: LSU’s stud LB Patrick Queen may be the great steal of this draft and the Ravens didn’t need to trade up to get him. He goes from winning a National Championship in college to joining a Super Bowl contender in Baltimore and is already being compared to Ray Lewis. Definitely one of the best landing spots for this young player.

LOSERS:

Las Vegas Raiders: Jon Gruden does it again! He doesn’t care one bit about your mock drafts and will continue to take the players he likes. Henry Ruggs is the fastest receiver in the draft and he will forever be linked to the other WRs taken after him (Jeudy, Lamb, Jefferson). Hopefully he can stay healthy.

The real head-scratcher was the selection of OSU’s CB Damon Arnette, the #2 cornerback on the 2019 Buckeyes defense mind you, who many had a 3rd round grade on over higher rated players such LSU’s WR Justin Jefferson (pick #22), Arizona States WR Brandon Aiyuk (pick #25), Alabama’s Trevon Diggs (available day 2), TCU’s Jeff Gladney (pick #31), and LSU’s LB Patrick Queen (pick #28). Maybe the reason all these corners are still available day 2 is because everyone had similar grades on them like the Raiders did. However, they could’ve addressed their WR position here and most likely still picked Arnette day 2.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles, as expected, took at WR at #21 but not the one many predicted. TCU’s WR Jalen Reagor is a burner and made tons of plays last year for the Horned Frogs but is not the complete WR like a Justin Jefferson (who was taken one pick later). Reagor will be used mostly in the slot and as kick returner in Philly but Jefferson had the traits and talent to be a true #1 WR. Maybe I’ve been burned one too many times by TCU receivers drafted in the late first round (*cough* Josh Doctson *cough*) but there were a handful of receivers I had better grades on here. This was a reach.

Cleveland Browns: The Browns seem to be perennial losers in the draft and that continued in 2020. They selected Alabama’s OT Jedrick Wills over Iowa’s OT Tristan Wirfs at #10 hoping that he will be Baker Mayfield’s protection. He very well may turn into that but he had his lunch taken from him against tougher competition (LSU, Auburn). Wirfs would’ve been the safer pick here.

PS: There we some rumors that they would even trade that pick to the Redskins for Trent Williams but that turned out to be all smoke. He would’ve (and possibly still be) the better player for the Browns moving forward.

The 2nd round starts tonight at 7pm. Here are the best remaining prospects:

EDGE Yetur Gross-Metos, PSU
DT AJ Espensa, Iowa
RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
RB Deandre Swift, Georgia
WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado
OLB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
RB, JK Dobbins, Ohio State
WR KJ Hamler, Penn State

April 17, 2020April 17, 2020

The 2020 NFL Mock Draft

Only a week away until the 2020 NFL! This draft will be the most important draft in new head coach Ron Rivera’s tenure here. Let me preface my mock draft of the year by saying this is what I think will happen, not what I would do if I were each teams GM. So with that, let’s begin:

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB LSU

Joe Burrow is one of the most clear-cut #1 overall picks I’ve seen since I started writing this blog. Coming off of a legendary season where he: passed for 4,715 yards/ 48 TDs, won the Heisman Trophy receiving over 90% of the votes, and led the LSU Tigers #1 offense in FBS to an undefeated season plus their first national championship in 12 years. Burrow is the obvious choice for the rebuilding Bengals and should become their new franchise QB for years to come.

2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, DE, OSU

Chase Young has been linked to the Redskins the moment we lost to the Giants in week 16. Could we trade back here? Sure. Will we? Probably not especially after hearing that Tua is failing physicals and having questionable white board work in his team meetings. Also, let’s also consider the reports that the Dolphins are more interested in Justin Herbert (https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/04/16/dolphins-have-done-plenty-of-work-on-justin-herbert/) than Tua. Obviously this could all be a smoke screen to bring down the skins asking price, but I believe new head coach Ron Rivera has been excited about Chase Young since he took the job. Granted, there is a lot to be excited about. Chase Young who led the NCAA in sacks last year, breaking Ohio States sack record, while being suspended for two games for an odd “profitting from jersey sales” scandal. Chase will join a young, talented defense under a new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio who are all chomping at the bit to change their narrative.

PS: Matt Miller had a nice tweet about Chase this morning. Hopefully he will live up the hype!

3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okaduh, CB OSU

The Lions will likely look to trade back here but again, with the lack of excitement around Tua in the days leading up to the draft, who knows if they’ll offer a 2nd to move up two spots. Lions will stay put and take the best CB in the draft who shined against Tee Higgins at the end of the season.

4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson

The Giants probably should go for a bookend left tackle here to protect Daniel Jones. However, Gettlemen has made solid (and somewhat unorthodox) first round selections each of the last 3 years and will continue that trend here. Simmons joins the Joe Judge’s new look Giants and will be a star in the big apple in no time.

5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama

The Dolphins are able to stay pat and get the player they “tanked” for all year. Tua is great prospect who has pinpoint accuracy and a Russell Wilson-like escapability. However, the injury concerns are certainly there after he dislocated his hip last year, had surgery on his wrist and missed game for his ankle. We will see if he is able to stay healthy and become the franchise QB that the Dolphins have needed for decades.

6. LA Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB Oregon

Early on, I thought the Chargers were going to the be the ones to push the Dolphins to trade up for Tua. However, they seem smitten with the big Oregon QB Justin Herbert who dominated the Senior Bowl. Herbert is not quite the prospect that Tua is, but he has all the size (6’6″ 236), athleticism (4.68 40, 123″ broad), and arm strength (big time arm/ stiff arms) to be successful at the next level. He will need time to develop considering the gimmicky offense he played for in Oregon. However, if he can stay healthy, he could be a starter for a long time.

7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT Auburn

Derrick Brown was a beast last year for the Auburn Tigers earning 1st-Team AP All-American honors on 12.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. He was instrumental in their Iron Bowl victory over Alabama, ending the Tides chances for a 4th consecutive NCAA playoff berth. The Panthers desperately need help up front and there is not a better player to help sure that up then Brown.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia

This will probably come as the first ‘shocker’ of the NFL draft but Andrew Thomas is the best tackle prospect out there and the Cardinals need a bookend LT to protect Kyler Murray. Andrew Thomas will start immediately and should have a nice long career for the Cardinals.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Kinlaw, DT South Carolina

Javon Kinlaw was the 1st-Team All-American for the Gamecocks and was dominant at times. The Jaguars will be hard pressed to take a QB here but will be very happy with Kinlaw’s production in year one.

10. Cleveland Browns: Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa

Wirfs was a state champion wrestler in high school and as a true junior at Iowa was a 2nd-Team AP All American. The Browns should be ecstatic to get potentially the best tackle in the class to protect Baker Mayfield’s blind side.

11. NY Jets: Mehki Becton, OT Lousiville

I could see a WR going here as well but the Jets need to protect Sam Darnold and Becton is their man. Becton is an interesting prospect. At 6’7″ 364 lbs, he is the biggest prospect in the class and has great athleticism to boot. However, he is widely considered a boom or bust prospect because of his inconsistent play at Louisville. It will be interesting to see if the Jets coaching staff can get the most out of him.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: Ceedee Lamb, WR Oklahoma

The Raiders finally get their replacement to Amari Cooper and what a replacement he is. Lamb was nothing short of phenomenal for the Sooners last year and should be an instant star in Vegas.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama

Jeudy was a stud for Alabama and is the best route runner in the class. Kittle, Deebo, Goodwin and now Jeudy? The Niners suddenly have a lot weapons for Kyle Shanahan/ Jimmy G.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama

The Bucs will look to upgrade their OT and protect their new prized possession Tom Brady by picking Jedrick Wills. Wills was solid for the Tide last year but sometimes struggled against elite competition. He comes in as a bit of a boom or bust for me but the Bucs should know quickly if he can get it done for them.

15. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama

The run on Bama players continue! Ruggs shined at the NFL combine blowing away the WR class by running a 4.27 40. However, Ruggs had his fair share for soft-tissue injuries at Alabama which earns him the boom or bust label. He will have a lot of pressure to succeed early alongside of Courtland Sutton in Denver. Can he stay healthy for a full NFL season?

16. Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE LSU

The Falcons benefit from Chaisson’s slide down the board here and pick up an instant starter and much needed edge rusher from the National Champion Tigers. He has all the burst and explosion but will need to add some weight and size to reach his full potential.

17. Dallas Cowboys: CJ Henderson, CB Florida

The Cowboys pick up the consensus 2nd best DB in the draft at #16. The junior Henderson was a three year starter for the Gators, finishing the 2019 season as the 1st-Team All-SEC CB with 11 pass break ups in 9 games.

18. Miami Dolphins: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE Penn ST

They will have some pressure to take a tackle here but the Dolphins instead take the best player on the board here and stop the consensus 2nd best defensive end in this class’s slide. YGM plenty of raw talent and athleticism to start and make an impact immediately for the fins but he will need to fine tune his technique. If he can, he very well be the second coming of Jason Pierre-Paul.

19. Las Vegas Raiders: Cesar Ruiz, Center Michigan

Jon Gruden loves his grinders and Ruiz is one of the most tenacious lineman in this draft. He should start immediately and be a big reason Josh Jacobs takes the next step this season.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Love, QB Utah State

The Jaguars breath a sign of relief that he is still available and take QB Jordan Love with their 2nd pick of the day. His meteoric rise up mock drafts are mainly because some scouts are seeing traits in him that remind them of Patrick Mahomes. Regardless, he will need a year or two to get used to the speed of the NFL and work on his decision making but he certainly has the arm strength to be productive. I don’t see him becoming half of what Pat Mahomes is but time will tell.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR LSU

The Eagles stick to their board and get fantastic value with WR Justin Jefferson. Jefferson led all of college football last year in receptions and yards and 2nd in TDs (to fellow teammate Ja’Marr Chase). Eagles fans are probably getting sick of drafting a 1st round WR year after year but Jeffersons talent is hard to pass up here.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Tee Higgins, WR Clemson

The Vikings get their replacement for Diggs with the ultra-productive Clemson receiver here. Higgins should take over as the WR2 pretty quick and an immediate red zone threat for Kirk.

23. New England Patriots: Zach Baun, LB Wisconsin

The Patriots will have to address the hole at the QB position in another round or in free agency because Zach Braun talent is too much to pass up here. Braun is a prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker and should fit into the Patriots scheme perfectly.

24. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen, LB LSU

The Saints grab the best player on the board and their biggest need here at 24. Queen was only a year starter for the NCAA champions so he has a lot of room to grow but I wouldn’t be surprised if he become a Saints captain in two years.

25. Minnesota Vikings: Trevon Diggs, CB Alabama

The Vikings scoop up another of the Diggs family here but this one is on the defensive side! Trevon Diggs may be considered a reach here by some after he was abused by LSU which led most to label him as a boom or bust. However, he will benefit from Mike Zimmer’s coaching and could be more productive then any other CB in the class.

26. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Taylor, RB Wisconsin

With their 3rd 1st round pick, the Dolphins take the first running back of the draft. Taylor hold the FBS record in yards in his first 3 seasons and won back to back Doak Walker Awards (Best RB in NCAA). He’ll compete with Jordan Howard for lead back and eventually be their bellcow.

27. Seattle Seahawks: Xavier Mckinney, S Alabama

The Seahawks fill their need at safety and take the best one in the draft (if you don’t count Isaiah Simmons). There is no better coach than Pete Carroll to groom Mckinney into a stud.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma

Kenneth Murray plays with his hair on fire which can get him out of position at times. However, many think he is a better prospect than both the LSU linebackers. Either way, he will be a nice addition to the Ravens and their Super Bowl aspirations.

29. Tennesse Titans: AJ Epenesa, DT Iowa

The Titans get great value here by stopping Epenesa’s slide. The true junior was a 2nd-Team AP All-American and forced 14.5 Tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 13 games. If he can stay healthy, he should be the nose tackle that the Titans need.

30. Green Bay Packers: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Colorado

Things will get interesting here towards the end of the 1st round. I can see the Packers listening to trade offers here to move back but if they stay put, look for them to take Colorado’s Shenault. His combine was dreadful (4.58 40) but his tape is excellent. At best, he will take over at WR2 and a slot machine. At the very worst, he should take over as Green Bays kick returner.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Lloyd Cushenberry, Center LSU

Similar to Packers, I’m sure the Niner will entertain trade offers here. However, if they stay put look for the Niners to beef up their interior line with Cushenberry or Simpson.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Deandre Swift, RB Georgia

The Chiefs wrap up the draft by taking the quite possibly the perfect back for Andy Reids scheme with Deandre Swift. He should slide in as the 3rd down back immediately and has all the potential to become another Lesean Mccoy.

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That wraps up this years full 1st round mock draft! Here are some of the top prospects that remain on the board for day 2:

JK Dobbins, RB OSU

Brandon Aiyuk, WR Arizona St

KJ Hamler, WR Penn ST

Michael Pittman, WR USC

Jalen Johnson, CB Utah

Joshua Jones, OT Houston

Chase Claypool, WR Notre Dame

Jalien Reagor, WR TCU

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB LSU

April 15, 2020April 15, 2020

2020 NFL Draft Preview: Chase Young VS. Isaiah Simmons

We are just about a week away from the 2020 NFL Draft and the hot stove is starting to heat up! Trade talks swirling (see Bill Barnwells Skins-Jaguars trade where we swap picks for DE Yannick Ngakoue ), rumors gaining more interest (Redskins Interested in QB Jordan Love?), and mock drafts galore! Everyone has almost certain that if the Redskins do not trade back at #2, they will take Chase Young, DE OSU. However, a few weeks ago Clinton Portis made waves claiming that if he was the Redskins GM, he would take Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson, at #2. Many scoffed at the idea (myself included) but does he have a point? Here’s a small breakdown of what each player could bring to the Redskins.

Chase Young, DE OSU: Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 264 lbs, the true junior Chase Young dominated Big 10 football last year at Ohio State, registering 56 QB pressures, 16.5 sacks, 7 QB hits, and 31 hurries all on 320 total pass rushes. Even missing the opening two games of the season, Young finished with the most sacks in the NCAA and broke the school sacks record.

One thing jumps out to you immediately when breaking down Young’s film – he is fast, freakishly fast. His acceleration off the snap is flat out scary and his balance and hip bend look almost identical Myles Garrett from a few years ago. Combine that with his stellar hands, rip techinques, and footwork, Young looks almost unblockable at times. Young almost always goes for the strip sack and does a great job of keeping his head up as to not draw a penalty.

Many scouts compare him to Julius Peppers and believe he’s the best player in this years draft. After watching a little bit of film you can see why. Even against teams known for their big offensive lineman such as like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa, Young was a mismatch almost every time a tackle was one on one with him. Therefore, Young constantly had protections slide his way and was almost always chipped by a TE or RB. There are countless times that protection was shifted his way even though the Buckeyes were showing obvious pressure from the other side, only to lead to an easy sack by Youngs teammates.

As for weaknesses, Young prefers the speed rush even when the opposing offense is geared to stop it. He needs to add the bull rush and some more polished power moves to the repertoire, which he has shown he can do. However, the biggest knock of Young is his lack of stats in College Football Playoff game where he only registered two tackles and no sacks giving people the notion that he doesn’t show up in big games. However, he had multiple QB hits that game and hurried Trevor Lawrence 7 times. I give Clemson a lot of credit scheming up a great game plan to not let Young take over that game. Had it not been for some heroics plays by QB Trevor Lawrence and especially RB Travis Etienne, Young would have made his presence felt.

Here are Chase Young’s highlights and video breaking him down:

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHV7WksfnMo

Breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUCZgt_XG2c&t=632s

Chase Young chose to sit out the NFL combine and now with pro days being canceled due to the coronavirus, his 40 time, bench, vertical, cone, and shuttle remain a mystery. However, another defender chose to work out at the NFL combine and dazzled. Enter Isaiah Simmons.

Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson: Simmons stands 6’4″, weighs 230 lbs and led the Tigers with 107 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, and 8 sacks. However, Simmons exploded onto the national scene running a 4.39 40 yard dash at this years combine, one of the fastest times by any of the invitees. He added a 39″ vertical (top 4 in his class) and 132″ broad jump (2nd in his class) as well which cemented him as one of the best prospects in this years draft

Simmons tape is fascinating as well. Clemson listed him as a linebacker but he lined up all over the place – cornerback, safety, defensive end – and he played all these positions well. Simmons can rush the passer, shuck off a fullback in the hole to tackle the RB, cover the slot receiver/ TE, and play deep a ball-hawking free safety. Essentially, Simmons is the Swiss army knife of defenders.

What surprises me the most about Simmons is his how this tall, lengthy looking player can break down and knock the ball carriers clean off their feet. He truly isn’t afraid to put his face in there and make the hit. Further, his long arms and quick feet make him almost play faster than his 4.39 40 leads on. On the film, he routinely makes plays on the edge and hardly ever gets beaten around his corner.

As for weaknesses, Simmons could use some more strength. He sometimes gets pushed around when taking on a pulling guard or tackle. He also doesn’t have many pass rushing moves outside of his pure speed. He is stellar in zone coverage but can sometimes get beaten in man to man, especially against shiftier WRs. Other that that, the biggest concern on Simmons is the mystery position he played at Clemson. Listed as a linebacker, Simmons was more of a strong safety than a linebacker. Trying to plug Simmons into a 4-3 linebacker role in a traditional system would be a waste of his coverage skills.

I strongly feel that Simmons needs to be a full-time safety the minute he is drafted. Simmons reminds me of none other than Sean Taylor. Granted, he will never be the fierce hitter that Sean Taylor was, but Simmons’s highlights are so similar to Taylor’s at Miami it’s eerie. Like Sean Taylor, Simmons could patrol the field from strong safety, join the rush when needed, cover his deep third, man up against bigger tight ends, spy/ keep a mobile QB in check, and punish receivers over the middle. These kind of players are crucial to the modern NFL defense and in the right system, Simmons will shine.

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0MrzsGU7FQ

Breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-7_vc8AJE4

The Case for Simmons at #2 Overall: Look, both of these players are going to be studs. Chase Young is about as good as any defensive end prospect I’ve seen and I just compared Simmons highlight film to that of Sean Taylor. However, I feel as though the Redskins need Isaiah Simmons more than the need Chase Young. Yes, you never want to draft on “need” but right now, secondary is our most glaring weakness. Simmons would start from day one right next to Collins at FS where Chase Young will join a solid rotation of Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Ryan Anderson, and possibly Jon Allen or Nate Orchard because of the move to the 4-3.

Simmons will immediately fill the hole at nickle and dime linebacker so we don’t have to watch Cole Holcomb, Jon Bostic, and/ or Josh Harvey-Clemons get burned in the flat. Also, Collins is constantly being called a “box safety”, so let’s see if he can prove that he’s not. Let Simmons take over as the strong safety and let Collins patrol the deep third. If that doesn’t work, flip them around and let Collins be the box safety everyone likes to accuse him of being and see if Simmons can hold his own as the last line of defense. We will know quickly if Simmons isn’t cut out for safety but believe me he is.

Offensive lines, QBs and offensive coordinators in the NFL are geared to stopping speed rushers like Chase Young. QB’s get rid of the ball faster (2.77 seconds snap to throw time). Tackles are far more athletic than those in college and are used to seeing pass rushers such as JJ Watt, Clowney, Von Miller, and Aaron Donald. NFL coaches will exploit even the tiniest of tendencies all game long if they can meaning Chase will have to win with more than just speed and prove that he is more than just capable of stopping the power run game that Dallas is going to bring right at him.

Chase Young will not live up to the hype and how can he? NFL analysts from all over are saying he’s the best prospect they’ve ever seen – better than Jadaveon Clowney, Myles Garrett, Nick/ Joey Bosa – and should be a perennial All-Pro. The Redskins haven’t had an All-Pro in 25 years (sadly, the last player was going to be was who I am comparing Isaiah Simmons to)!

I don’t want this to be taken out of context and make it seem as though I dislike Chase Young. I think he will be a fine player and any team that picks him will certainly have a potential to an All-Pro. However, the Redskins desperately need a play maker on defense who will take away our opponents play makers. We need someone who’s going to be on the field at all times, who can bat that ball away from Zach Ertz on 3rd and 10, who can corral Dak Prescott when he eludes the pass rush and tries to break it to the corner, who can intercept Daniel Jones’s “dime” back-shoulder throw, and who will punish Amari Cooper for catching that slant over the middle.

If it were my choice, I would select Isaiah Simmons with the #2 overall pick.

April 2, 2020

Analysis: Last Decade of 1st Round Trade Backs

The draft is right around the corner and the biggest question the Redskins have is will they take Chase Young at #2 overall or trade back. Redskins fans are somewhat divided on this, both sides as stubbornly confident that they are 100% correct. However, I find myself torn. On one hand, the Redskins could absolutely benefit from selecting edge rusher Chase Young who is widely considered the best player in the draft (some even consider a better prospect than Myles Garrett or Nick Bosa). On the other hand, the Redskins have an entire roster of holes they need to fill starting primarily with an under-achieving defense that finished 27th in the league and is finally overhauling the unsuccessful 3-4 and going to a 4-3 under new coordinator Jack Del Rio. Let’s not forget the offense finished dead last in the league (32nd) in points at a measly 16.6 points per game so clearly we could use some help there up front (replacing Trent Williams at LT, Ereck Flowers LG), at tight end (replacing Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis), and adding some play maker who could help take heat off Terry McLaurin. Basically, what this boils down to is are they Redskins better off with a star (maybe even perennial All-Pro/ Hall of Fame caliber) or are they better off with multiple starters?

In building my argument for one of the other, I kept thinking about all the other blockbuster trades where teams mortgaged their future into trading up for a young QB and thinking the team who received the multiple picks made off like bandits. This is not always the case. Especially with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that limits the amount of money a rookie can make in his first 4 years, QBs on rookie deals (especially 1st rounders since they can be locked into a 5th year option) are the greatest asset a team can have. Take the Super Bowl winning Chiefs for example; Pat Mahomes is the MVP of the Super Bowl and is making roughly the same as SS Daniel Sorenson. Lamar Jackson was the MVP of the regular season and he is making as much as his backup Robert Griffin III! Taking a QB in the 1st round isn’t nearly the financial gamble it once was. Heck, the Cardinals just proved that you can take use a top 10 pick on a QB two years in a row and still add talent (DeAndre Hopkins).

This means is that the Redskins #2 overall pick is more valuable then ever before in league history. Further, two teams are sitting a few picks behind us that desperately need a QB (Dolphins at #5, Chargers at #6, Jaguars at #9). I compiled a short list of the some of the notable “Rookie QB trade-ups” in the last five years. Here are the recaps.

2016: Titans-Rams (Jared Goff Trade)

Titans received: 2016 1st (#15), 2nd (#43), 2nd (#45), 3rd (#76). 2017 1st (#5), 3rd (#100)

Rams received: 2016 1st (#1), 4th (#113), 6th (#177)

Summary: In their inaugural year in LA, Jeff Fisher’s Rams made the bold move to trade up from 15 to 1 for Cal’s phenom Jared Goff. Sadly, Fisher was fired the following year after Goff sputtered out of the gate. However, in his 2nd year under new coach that we all know well, Sean McVay, Goff turned his career around being selected to the Pro Bowl and leading the Rams to an NFC West division title before losing to the Falcons in the Wild Card. He followed up his 2018 breakout season by leading the Rams to the Super Bowl but losing to the Patriots 13-3 in what was the lowest scoring Super Bowl since 1971. In 2019, Goff struggled at times, throwing a career high in interceptions (16) and missing the playoffs.

The Titan’s did a decent job with the flurry of picks they received. Here is a list of some of the notables:

Jack Conklin, Austin Johnson, Derrick Henry, Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith.

Jack Conklin has been a solid starter for the Titans offensive line that is one of the best units in the NFL. Derrick Henry was downright unstoppable this year behind them, finally breaking out and rushing for over 1500 yards and 16 TDs. Austin Johnson has been a valuable rotational piece in shutting down the run for the tough Titans defense and Jonnu Smith has made plays. Corey Davis is the question mark in the bunch. He has all the potential but just cant seem to put it all together unfortunately. He still is a nice #2 WR in the run-heavy Titans offense.

Conclusion: I’m going to give the edge to the Rams on this trade since they were able to make it to a Super Bowl under Goff. However, the Titans definitely used their picks widely making this a rare win-win trade. The Titans thought they had something with Marcus Mariota at the time and chose to build around him. They were able to scratch out a wild card win under Mariota but he never developed. This year after a rough start, the Titans benched Mariota and the team rallied around backup Ryan Tannehill. They made it all the way to the AFC Championship but lost to the buzz saw that was the Kansas City Chiefs. Goff signed a large 4-year extension before the 2019 season that the Rams may soon regret if Goff continues to struggle like this last year.

2016: Eagles-Browns (Carson Wentz)

Browns received: 2016 1st (#8), 3rd (#77), 4th (#100). 2017 1st. 2018 2nd.

Eagles received: 2016 1st (#2) and a 2017 4th.

Summary: At the time, I predicted Carson Wentz would be the biggest bust in the draft. I was mistaken. Wentz has grown into a gritty QB who, when healthy, is certainly a top 10 QB. However, he is often injured and parts of the fan base still wish Nick Foles was their starter.

Nevertheless, what the Browns did with their ‘haul’ of picks is disgraceful. Those 5 picks turned into 11 players once it was all said and done. Here is the list:

Corey Coleman, Shon Coleman, Cody Kessler, Derrick Kindred, Spencer Drango, Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton, Jabrill Peppers, Deshone Kizer, Denzel Ward, and Chad Thomas

Woof. Denzel Ward seems to be the only decent pick of the bunch but he was only acquired as part of a trade that gave Houston DeSean Watson!

Conclusion: Even if Denzel Ward becomes a Hall of Fame inductee, the Eagles won this trade. If there was ever a case to never trade back, this would be exhibit A.

2017: Bill-Chiefs (Pat Mahomes)

Bills Received: 2017 1st (#27), 3rd (#91), 2018 1st.

Chiefs Received: 2017 1st (#10)

Summary: At the time, everyone believed Chiefs were mortgaging their future for Clemson superstar DeSean Watson and were stunned when Pat Mahomes was the selection. Obviously the rest is history. Mahomes won MVP in 2018 (his first year starting) and became only the 2nd QB to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 TDs. This last year, he battled through injuries and won Super Bowl LIV MVP. His future couldn’t be more promising.

The Bills were able to turn their haul into some solid pieces that has turned morphed the beleaguered franchise into a contender. Here is the list of the key players received:

CB Tre’Davious White (#27 2017)

WR Zay Jones

ILB Tremaine Edmunds (#16 2018 – Bills had to trade their 2018 3rd to move up from #22)

Edmunds is now captain of the tough Bills defense that helped secure a wild card berth in 2019. Both White and Edmunds are Pro Bowlers at their positions and Zay Jones has been a useful starter with some breakout games.

Conclusion: Chiefs took a big gamble trading up for the QB not named Watson but it paid off for them in spades. However, how different would the Bills look if they stayed firm and took Pat Mahomes themselves? I feel both teams benefited from this trade but the Chiefs clearly won.

2017: Browns-Texans (Desean Watson Trade)

Browns received: 2017 1st (#25), 2018 1st

Texans received: 2017 1st (#12)

Summary: The Houston Texans jumped up to #12 to get in front of the Arizona Cardinals to stop Watson’s slide. I remember watching this draft and wondering if Watson was going to fall into the Redskins laps. Desean Watson took the league by storm in his first year but tore his ACL in a non-contact drill in practice which stunted his growth a bit. He followed his 2018 ‘breakout’ season with a Pro-Bowl campaign and a playoff berth. Last year, Watson led the Texans to a division title but lost to the Super Bowl wining Chiefs in the divisional round even after being up 24-0 at one point.

Not to pile on the Browns to much more here but it’s starting to feel like if you are the team acquiring picks from the Browns on draft day, you’re making the right decision. Here are the players the Browns selected with their picks:

Jabrill Pepers and Denzel Ward.

Denzel Ward is a Pro Bowler and is on his way to being one of the top CBs in the league. Jabrill Peppers currently plays for the Giants.

Conclusion: The Browns were able to get a Pro Bowler out of this. Yet the Texans made off like bandits in this one. Watson is already a top 5 QB in the league and could’ve had a real chance at a Super Bowl if he didn’t run into the Chiefs buzz saw. It will be interesting to see how he deals with the loss of his All-Pro WR Deandre Hopkins this year but it’s clear that the Texans won this trade by a long shot.

Extra Credit: Redskins-Rams (RGIII Trade)

Rams received: 2012 1st (#6), 2nd (#39). 2013 1st. 2014 1st.

Redskins received: 2012 1st (#2)

Summary: Still feels like yesterday. I remember my phone lighting up the moment the trade was announced – the Heisman Trophy winner is coming to DC. RG3-mania started abruptly when he went into New Orleans week 1 and beat a heavily favored Saints team in OT to the tune of 320 yds, 2 TDs and rushing for 44 yards. From there, he went on to lead the skins back from a 3-6 record to our first NFC East division title and first playoff berth since 2007. However, his fall from grace was almost faster then his meteoric rise. He tore his ACL in the playoff loss to the Seahawks. From there, he rushed back in 2013 as a part of his “All In for Week One” campaign but struggled to regain his form from his rookie season and never looked healthy. The Redskins went as Griffin went, going 3-13, losing the last 6 games of the season (3 of which Griffin was benched for Cousins to “reduce further injury” as Coach Shanahan famously said).

In 2014, new head coach Jay Gruden came in to ‘fix’ RG3 but injuries derailed that season as well. Griffin dislocated his ankle in week 2. He was cleared to comeback week 9 and the Redskins proceeded to lose their next three games. He was eventually benched for Colt McCoy, but then reactivated once McCoy injured his neck. The Redskins went 4-12 that year, paving the way to Griffins eventual demise. In preseason 2015, Griffin suffered a concussion in week 2 after trying to dive on a fumble. From there, Kirk Cousins showed flashes and Gruden named him the starter for 2015 where the Redskins rallied around him and were able to win the NFC East with a 9-7 record. Griffin was released before the 2016 season where he was picked up by the Browns then the Ravens.

The Rams certainly received the highest quality of picks out of this trade then any of the other before-mentioned trades. However, once it was all said and done, here is who they ended up selecting:

Greg Robinson, Alec Ogletree, Stedman Bailey, Zac Stacy, Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead and Rokevious Watkins

No one outside of Ogletree, Robinson and Jenkins started more than 1 game and even those three are widely considered busts for where they were selected. This would eventually lead to Jeff Fisher’s firing and the Rams organization leaving St. Louis for LA.

Conclusion: The opposite of the Jared Goff trade, this one appeared to be a lose-lose. However, I still hold firm that the Rookie of the Year RG3 year was worth far more than all of those Rams selections combined. Also, had the Redskins not traded up to select Griffin at #2, they may have reached on Tannehill at #6 (or maybe even Russell Wilson in the 2nd/ 3rd round before Seattle had a chance to get him). Yet, it makes you wonder how different things could have been had RG3 had not injured his knee that first year or rushed himself back.

Grand Finale:

Over the last decade, it appears the team that has traded up for their QB has been rewarded. If the Redskins believe they have their man in Haskins and trade back for a “kings ransom” of picks, they better be damn sure because history is not on their side.

EDIT: I omitted the Mitch Trubinsky trade since it was one spot up and the Niners turned those 3rd and 4th round picks into a handful of role players. I feel like the Bears got fleeced in that one but you could make the argument that even they won that trade

April 20, 2019

With the 15th Pick, The Redskins Select…

TJ Hockenson, Tight End, Iowa. Yes this may seem like a luxury pick for a team with so many holes but as I said in my last piece, the Redskins need star power. Hockenson is a star. He is widely considered to be one the top 5 players in the draft, maybe even the best. However, he falls to 15 because of the position he plays. Tight ends are similar to running backs in the sense that you can find starters and even stars in the later rounds so teams tend to pass on taking them early. I hope the redskins are not one of those teams.

Hockeson is the real deal. He has great hands, is great in the red zone, and great in run pro. Honestly his only weakness is possibly his speed (ran a 4.7 40 in the combine). He led Iowa with 49 catches for 760 yards and 6 touchdowns last year. What stood out to me on the film was his ability to make the big catches under duress. Iowa did not have the best players last year and opposing teams were determined to shut down Hockenson. He was constantly double covered yet he still made play after play. He only has two drops in his entire career. Two! He is a great route runner and is able to create separation in and out of breaks. NFL.com compares him to Travis Kelce but I see Zach Ertz. Both are excellent pass catchers but I see Hockenson as a better route runner than Kelce.

With this pick, the redskins would check off a lot of boxes on offense. The would add the receiver they so desperately need. It would also make the offense more unpredictable. Chris Cooley pointed out that the Redskins would run the ball 99% of the time when they went to a two tight end set with Jeremy Sprinkle in the game. Adding Hockenson would give you the blocking tight end you need on 3rd and short situations and give you that clutch catch on 3rd and long. Also, pairing him with Reed would be a nightmare for defenses.

If Hockenson falls past Green Bay at #12, this would be a slam dunk for the Redskins at #15.

The tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYSLHLMSOkE