Mid-Season Draft Analysis
With the first half of the 2010 season in the rear-view mirror it is becoming more evident that this is one of the most competitive years ever in the National Football League. Every team has at least two losses and some of the teams at the bottom, such as Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit, have been very competitive. It is a craps-shoot at best when trying to predict how the final standings will have the teams ranked and it is even more so when trying to predict the outcome of next year's draft.
None the less, I have arranged the teams in the draft order of how I believe things could play out between now and February. There is a lot of football left so things will definitely change. When the season finally ends and a the Lombardi Trophy is passed on to the Super Bowl winner, I will take a look back at this list and adjust it accordingly.
For the most part, this is an attempt to look at the type of talent that will be available when teams make their selections in April. It looks to be another loaded draft, especially if there is another record year of underclassman entries.
1. Buffalo Bills: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford - The "worst" team in the league has been a tough opponent, losing some close games to some good teams, including the Baltimore Ravens. Luck appears to be the best quarterback prospect and might garner similar attention from NFL teams that Matt Stafford and Sam Bradford did the previous two years.
2. Carolina Panthers: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa - The Panthers are young and have a lot of holes to fill. One of the top three quarterbacks could be an option here as well but I believe the team will give Jimmy Clausen a solid chance to prove himself first. Clayborn should help fans forget about the loss of Julius Peppers last off-season.
3. Dallas Cowboys: OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State - The 'Boys need to add some young talent up front to protect Tony Romo and open up running lanes for the backs. Sherrod has helped the Bulldogs win a bunch of games in 2010 and they are now bowl eligible. He has the stuff to move up on NFL draft boards. He has handled some of the SEC's best pass-rushers and helped pave the way for a stout running attack.
4. San Francisco 49ers: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska - NFL passing games are more explosive than ever right now so good cornerbacks are hard to pass up. At 6'1" and 205 lbs Amukamara is a prime candidate to match up against bigger receivers.
5. Denver Broncos: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU - Was in the Heisman hunt as a corner early in the season and has three INT's on the season even though teams have been trying to avoid him.
6. Arizona Cardinals: QB Ryan Mallet, Arakansas - No other team is weaker at QB than the Cardinals. Mallet may not be a perfect prospect but his skills are hard to pass up. Jake Locker begins to worry about his own draft status as he gets passed up here.
7. Detroit Lions : OT Anthony Costonzo, Boston College - The next phase of the Mo-town plan will be focused on improving the offensive line. Costonzo could be an elite left tackle prospect but might need to add some size and strength to his game in order to make waves in the running game. Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi and TCU's Marcus Cannon could also be options as well.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Marcel Dareus, Alabama - The Bengals could take a chance on another QB here, such as Locker. Another defender to help stop the run and rush the passer would be nice too.
9. San Diego Chargers: WR AJ Green, Georgia - So long Vincent Jackson. Hello AJ Green. In the end it could be a great move for this long overrated team.
10. St Louis Rams: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson - This team has some young pieces to build around, such as MLB James Laurinitis and QB Sam Bradford. Bowers could be another key addition.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Julio Jones, Alabama - Jones could work out very well opposite Sims-Walker and provide the offense with another dangerous weapon.
12. Seattle Seahawks - Allen Bailey, Miami - The Seahawks are on the right path but they need to continue developing their pass-rush. Jake Locker could also be an option here as QB is another position in need of an upgrade.
13. Oakland Raiders: QB Jake Locker, Washington - Will Al Davis pull the trigger on the athletically gifted but slightly overrated Husky passer? Why not?
14. Cleveland Browns: DE Cam Heyward, Ohio State - The Browns have looked relatively good so far in 2010. They should take a note from elite AFC teams and add more talent to the D-line.
15. Washington Redskins: C Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State - Starter Casey Rabach is 33 years old and Wisnieski is the type of technician that Mike Shanahan loves in the trenches.
16. Miami Dolphins: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA - Another pass-rusher is always an option for teams looking to take the next step and compete in the playoffs. The Dolphins need some game-changers on the outside to run the 3-4 defense effectively.
17. Houston Texans: OL Marcus Cannon, TCU - A huge body that could play either guard or tackle. The team needs to continue to focusing on protecting QB Matt Schaub and opening up holes for RB Arian Foster.
18. Minnesota Vikings: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue - Jaren Allen's production has slipped and age may be catching up to the entire D-line so I expect the team to start addressing the position ASAP.
19. Green Bay Packers: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama - The Packers passed on Jahvid Best in the draft and Marshawn Lynch in a mid-season trade. The team will select a RB somewhere in this draft.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: LB Bruce Carter, UNC - The Eagles could use more play-makers and solid tacklers on defense. Carter is both of those things and much more.
21. Indianapolis Colts: DT Stephen Paea - Jerry Hughes didn't emerge as a rookie and starters Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are now entering their 30's, so end could be addressed again. However, Paea came on strong in 2010 and might not even last this long in the draft. If you can name any of the Colt's current DT's then you must be from Indy.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Greg Jones, Michigan State - Versatile player could have been a first round pick last year. He has all the makings of a pro-bowl linebacker in the Buccaneer's defense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: OT DeMarcus Love, Arkansas - Some things seem to be coming together in KC but they could use more help up front. Love is a solid prospect and would be a welcome addition to the team.
24. Tennessee Titans: DT Marvin Austin, UNC - Austin will be depending on a strong combine performance to boost his stock after being suspended in 2010. He has the ability to be a top-10 pick so the Titans would be silly to pass up on him here.
25. Chicago Bears: DE Cameron Jordan, California - Nice combination of size and athleticism could be a terror opposite Julius Peppers. O-line and wide receiver are the biggest needs though. Colorado OT Nate Solder or Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi might be nice fits at OT.
26. New England Patriots: CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia - At 6'2" and 200 lbs Dowling could bring a physical presence to the position that the team has not seen since Ty Law was abusing receivers for them.
27. New Orleans Saints: DT Drake Nevis, LSU - The Saints are currently 17th against the rush and 16th in the league in sacks (19). Nevis seems to be able to do it all and has helped LSU to a top five defense nationally.
28. Baltimore Ravens: OLB Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma - Another play-maker on the outside edge? It never hurts to be well-stocked on defense. Besides, Beal might be a steal late in the first even though some "experts" have given him a second round grade.
29. New York Jets: DT Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss - Another big body (6'2" 340 lbs.) to plug the middle of the defense on running downs.
30. Atlanta Falcons: CB Curtis Brown, Texas - The Falcons may be the best team in the NFC now and in order to keep that momentum rolling they need to continue improving on defense.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M - The Steelers can never get enough pass-rushers on their depth chart. O-line and D-line may also get a long look here too but the organization is good at simply selecting the best available player.
32. New York Giants: OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin - If Carimi falls this far down it's simply a testament to the talent that is available, especially at the O-line position.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Emerging Youngsters: The NFL's Top Rookie Classes
We are nearly half way through the 2010 NFL season and many young players are making statements to be Rookie of the Year. Quarterback Sam Bradford is proving to have been worth the number one overall pick in the draft and wide receiver Dez Bryant has shown some toughness for the Cowboys. However, the Rams and Cowboys overall draft classes are not particularly strong but a few other teams have flown under the radar and found success with a number of first-year players.
To sift through the dross and bring you the best, I have compiled a short list of teams that I believe have possessed the top rookie classes so far in 2010. At the very least, these are the top five teams that have gotten the most help from the newest additions to their respective rosters.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Top Rookie Performers: WR Mike Williams*, RB LaGarrette Blount, S Cody Grimm, DT Gerald McCoy - McCoy was the headliner after being the third overall pick, but Williams (32 rec, 470 yds, 4 TD's), a fourth round pick out of Syracuse, has been the most consistent weapon for second year quarterback Josh Freeman. Blount, an undrafted free agent who was originally picked up by San Francisco, has come on the last few weeks as the team's top rusher (5.2 yds/carry). Grimm (37 tackles, 2 INT's, 1 FF, 1 TD) has provided some stability in the secondary after Tanard Jackson was slapped with a season-long suspension. This is one of the best young rosters in the entire league and I expect them to keep improving and be competitive for the next decade.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: S Eric Berry*, TE Tony Moeaki*, WR/RB/KR Dexter McCluster, CB Javier Arenas, OG Jon Asamoah - The Chiefs have jumped out to a 5-2 record and a lot of credit needs to go to some of the rookies. Berry was largely considered one of the best overall prospects in the draft and he has not disappointed the team with his play (41 tackles, 2 INT's). Moeaki, a third round pick (93rd overall), is second on the team in receptions (24) and McCluster has provided the spark to pull off some upsets early in the season (see week one). Arenas is the team's top backup at corner and Asamoah has seen significant action on the O-line.
3. New England Patriots - Top Rookie Performers: TE/HB Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes, CB Devin McCourty, TE Rob Gronkowski - Hernandez leads in receptions (29), Spikes is third in tackles (39), McCourty is tied for the team lead in INT's (2), and Gronkowski has three TD's. This young roster should continue to improve and may be good enough to compete for a Super Bowl berth.
4. Seattle Seahawks - Top Rookie Performers: S Earl Thomas*, CB Walter Thurmond, OT Russell Okung, WR/PR Golden Tate - Thomas leads the defense in INT's(4) and is second in tackles (35). He could eventually move to cornerback and should be a pro bowl player some day. Thurmond has collected 18 tackles in nickel and dime packages and special team duties after suffering a horrible knee injury last year in college. The rest of the rookies have contributed enough to make this a very strong class and help Seattle get to a 4-3 record. However, this team is lucky to be in the worst division in football and probably will not win many more games. To say the least, they still have a lot of work to do to be good.
5. Detroit Lions - Top Rookie Performers: DT Ndamokung Suh*, RB Jahvid Best*, DB Amari Spievey - Despite possessing another losing record, the Lions have been a lot more competitive this year and are beginning to show signs of being a good football team once again. It has been a rough decade for Motown fans but the efforts of many of the young players, such as Suh (6.5 sacks, 27 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD) and Best (513 total yards, 5 TD's). Although this team is still a year away from being a true playoff contender, I believe they can win seven of their final nine games and win the division with an 8-8 record. A surprisingly mediocre division coupled with a favorable schedule will help out this young team the rest of the way.
*Denotes Rookie of the Year Candidate
To sift through the dross and bring you the best, I have compiled a short list of teams that I believe have possessed the top rookie classes so far in 2010. At the very least, these are the top five teams that have gotten the most help from the newest additions to their respective rosters.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Top Rookie Performers: WR Mike Williams*, RB LaGarrette Blount, S Cody Grimm, DT Gerald McCoy - McCoy was the headliner after being the third overall pick, but Williams (32 rec, 470 yds, 4 TD's), a fourth round pick out of Syracuse, has been the most consistent weapon for second year quarterback Josh Freeman. Blount, an undrafted free agent who was originally picked up by San Francisco, has come on the last few weeks as the team's top rusher (5.2 yds/carry). Grimm (37 tackles, 2 INT's, 1 FF, 1 TD) has provided some stability in the secondary after Tanard Jackson was slapped with a season-long suspension. This is one of the best young rosters in the entire league and I expect them to keep improving and be competitive for the next decade.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: S Eric Berry*, TE Tony Moeaki*, WR/RB/KR Dexter McCluster, CB Javier Arenas, OG Jon Asamoah - The Chiefs have jumped out to a 5-2 record and a lot of credit needs to go to some of the rookies. Berry was largely considered one of the best overall prospects in the draft and he has not disappointed the team with his play (41 tackles, 2 INT's). Moeaki, a third round pick (93rd overall), is second on the team in receptions (24) and McCluster has provided the spark to pull off some upsets early in the season (see week one). Arenas is the team's top backup at corner and Asamoah has seen significant action on the O-line.
3. New England Patriots - Top Rookie Performers: TE/HB Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes, CB Devin McCourty, TE Rob Gronkowski - Hernandez leads in receptions (29), Spikes is third in tackles (39), McCourty is tied for the team lead in INT's (2), and Gronkowski has three TD's. This young roster should continue to improve and may be good enough to compete for a Super Bowl berth.
4. Seattle Seahawks - Top Rookie Performers: S Earl Thomas*, CB Walter Thurmond, OT Russell Okung, WR/PR Golden Tate - Thomas leads the defense in INT's(4) and is second in tackles (35). He could eventually move to cornerback and should be a pro bowl player some day. Thurmond has collected 18 tackles in nickel and dime packages and special team duties after suffering a horrible knee injury last year in college. The rest of the rookies have contributed enough to make this a very strong class and help Seattle get to a 4-3 record. However, this team is lucky to be in the worst division in football and probably will not win many more games. To say the least, they still have a lot of work to do to be good.
5. Detroit Lions - Top Rookie Performers: DT Ndamokung Suh*, RB Jahvid Best*, DB Amari Spievey - Despite possessing another losing record, the Lions have been a lot more competitive this year and are beginning to show signs of being a good football team once again. It has been a rough decade for Motown fans but the efforts of many of the young players, such as Suh (6.5 sacks, 27 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD) and Best (513 total yards, 5 TD's). Although this team is still a year away from being a true playoff contender, I believe they can win seven of their final nine games and win the division with an 8-8 record. A surprisingly mediocre division coupled with a favorable schedule will help out this young team the rest of the way.
*Denotes Rookie of the Year Candidate
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Fantasy Frills: Top Picks, Fast Risers, Late Round Steals, and Rookies to Watch
The 2010 football season is full of high expectations. The National Football League as a whole has a lot to top after three straight spectacular Super Bowls and as much, if not more, hype than ever leading into the regular season. Individual teams are all looking to make the playoffs and improve on last year's performances. The players themselves are also getting busy making bold predictions about the outcome of their respective upcoming seasons. For most fantasy players, such as myself, this talk has little to no value whatsoever. We know how much each player is worth, at least in terms of fantasy points, and we know pretty much where to take them in our drafts.
With that mind, let's take a look at the players that will be gracing the tops of fantasy draft boards by position. I have also included a list of players on the rise as well as some guys that might be considered valuable late-round or free agent sleepers. I will not post any mock drafts or even begin to speculate on who I believe will be the biggest fantasy busts this year, as I do not need to show my entire hand to my opponents in the "No Pants League". Sorry guys.
Top Fantasy Players by Position:
Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers - Has become an All-Pro quarterback practically capable of making everybody in Wisconsin forget about the legend that preceded him. He was a savior on many fantasy teams last year.
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints - Great leader with all the intangibles could be the first QB off the board in any league.
3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts - He may not be a fantasy stud but he shows up every week and never lets his owners down.
4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots - Was not the same after coming back from missing the '08 season due to knee surgery. He is worth a high pick though as he could put up another 4000 yards and 30+ touchdowns in 2010.
5. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys - Romo has all the tools to put up monster numbers as long as his O-line protects him. Do not be surprised if he gets sacked 50 times this year.
Running Backs
1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans - Can he top 2500? Possible but not likely. Will he repeat his 2000 yard performance from last year? I do not doubt it. He is the number one fantasy player available.
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings - The second best fantasy player available might just end the season with the most points.
3. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons - Had a subpar campaign in his second season in Atlanta. I expect him to rebound with at least 1300 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.
4. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens - He will get his chances to carry the load and could top 1500 yards. Will fumbling be a problem for him?
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars - Can do it all out of the backfield and the Jaguars will be asking a lot of him. He is their key to success on offense.
Wide Receivers
1. Andrew Johnson, Houston Texans - Possibly a top ten pick. The biggest problem with him is that he faces a lot of double team coverage.
2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions - Nobody faces more double and triple team coverage than this guy. With Jahvid Best and Nate Burleson on board "Megatron" might catch 16 touchdowns in a season. Matt Stafford will be looking to him in the end zone every time they get near it.
3. Randy Moss, New England Patriots - Still had a good year last year despite the fact that his best days are behind him.
4. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals - Knee injury in preseason and inconsistency at quarterback could be a problem for him in 2010.
5. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles - On his way to becoming a super star and could be a fantasy stud receiver.
Tight End
1. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts - Tight ends are not particularly hot commodities but Clark is a steady producer with one of the game's best passers ever throwing to him.
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers - 1,000 yards receiving and at least eight touchdowns are normal numbers for him over the last several seasons.
3. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers - Broke out last year with 13 TD's but can he repeat it? He is currently sidelined with a minor knee injury.
4. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles - The forgotten man in the Eagles' passing attack will surprise many fantasy owners.
5. Jason Whitten, Dallas Cowboys - Might be the best all-around tight end in the league. Will Romo be able to get the ball to him consistently?
I will leave the kickers and defense/special teams out of this discussion. Most people do not spend a high, or even mid-round, pick on either one for that matter. Personally, I prefer to wait until after the draft to grab them off the free agent list.
Fast Risers: The Top Five Players Moving Up Draft Boards
1. RB Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals - Benson had 1200 yards last year and could get more field to run with T.O. and Jermaine Gresham now on board, especially in the red zone.
2. QB Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles - The heir to McNabb's throne might just surprise everybody and become a top 25 fantasy player. He has looked good thus far and has the weapons around him to put up big numbers.
3. QB Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions - I expect Stafford to take a step in the right direction in his second season at the helm of the Lions offense. He also has one of the best players in the entire league to throw to in Calvin Johnson. 25 touchdowns is not out of reach for him.
4. RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans - The new starter for a team that expects to compete for a playoff spot. Foster has looked good in the preseason and has the size (6'1" 220 lbs) to carry the load.
5. WR Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers - Led the league in yards per catch (19.4) last season and will get a lot of opportunities to put his speed on display once again.
Potential Late Round and Free Agent Steals
1. QB Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Erratic rookie season and a fractured thumb will turn a lot of people off but he is poised and ready to prove he belongs in the NFL.
2. Cincinnati Bengals Defense - This unit looks as deep and talented as any on paper. They were fourth in the league in total D last year and are hungry for more.
3. WR Chris Chambers, Kansas City Chiefs - Might be quarterback Matt Cassel's favorite target and could take over as the team's number one receiver.
4. RB Leon Washington, Seattle Seahawks - Will get every chance to prove he has fully recovered from a gruesome leg injury. He has the speed and skills to score a lot of long TD's out of the backfield.
5. RB Bernard Scott, Cincinnati Bengals - The top backup behind Cedric Benson could get a lot of opportunities.
Top Five Rookies to Watch Down the Road
1. TE Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals - He will be the starter in Cincy and could find himself open a lot with Batman and Robin grabbing all the attention from coverages.
2. RB Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs - Has the ability to be a "game-changer".
3. WR Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Has been practicing with the starting unit since day one of training camp and has not disappointed thus far in the preseason.
4. WR Jordan Shipley, Cincinnati Bengals - Could find himself as the team's slot receiver with his ability to run crisp routes, get open underneath, and secure the ball. So far he has looked good in preseason.
5. QB Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers - May not start in week one but could be whipping balls to Steve Smith on Sundays by mid-season. He could quickly become a valuable backup.
With that mind, let's take a look at the players that will be gracing the tops of fantasy draft boards by position. I have also included a list of players on the rise as well as some guys that might be considered valuable late-round or free agent sleepers. I will not post any mock drafts or even begin to speculate on who I believe will be the biggest fantasy busts this year, as I do not need to show my entire hand to my opponents in the "No Pants League". Sorry guys.
Top Fantasy Players by Position:
Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers - Has become an All-Pro quarterback practically capable of making everybody in Wisconsin forget about the legend that preceded him. He was a savior on many fantasy teams last year.
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints - Great leader with all the intangibles could be the first QB off the board in any league.
3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts - He may not be a fantasy stud but he shows up every week and never lets his owners down.
4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots - Was not the same after coming back from missing the '08 season due to knee surgery. He is worth a high pick though as he could put up another 4000 yards and 30+ touchdowns in 2010.
5. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys - Romo has all the tools to put up monster numbers as long as his O-line protects him. Do not be surprised if he gets sacked 50 times this year.
Running Backs
1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans - Can he top 2500? Possible but not likely. Will he repeat his 2000 yard performance from last year? I do not doubt it. He is the number one fantasy player available.
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings - The second best fantasy player available might just end the season with the most points.
3. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons - Had a subpar campaign in his second season in Atlanta. I expect him to rebound with at least 1300 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.
4. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens - He will get his chances to carry the load and could top 1500 yards. Will fumbling be a problem for him?
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars - Can do it all out of the backfield and the Jaguars will be asking a lot of him. He is their key to success on offense.
Wide Receivers
1. Andrew Johnson, Houston Texans - Possibly a top ten pick. The biggest problem with him is that he faces a lot of double team coverage.
2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions - Nobody faces more double and triple team coverage than this guy. With Jahvid Best and Nate Burleson on board "Megatron" might catch 16 touchdowns in a season. Matt Stafford will be looking to him in the end zone every time they get near it.
3. Randy Moss, New England Patriots - Still had a good year last year despite the fact that his best days are behind him.
4. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals - Knee injury in preseason and inconsistency at quarterback could be a problem for him in 2010.
5. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles - On his way to becoming a super star and could be a fantasy stud receiver.
Tight End
1. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts - Tight ends are not particularly hot commodities but Clark is a steady producer with one of the game's best passers ever throwing to him.
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers - 1,000 yards receiving and at least eight touchdowns are normal numbers for him over the last several seasons.
3. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers - Broke out last year with 13 TD's but can he repeat it? He is currently sidelined with a minor knee injury.
4. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles - The forgotten man in the Eagles' passing attack will surprise many fantasy owners.
5. Jason Whitten, Dallas Cowboys - Might be the best all-around tight end in the league. Will Romo be able to get the ball to him consistently?
I will leave the kickers and defense/special teams out of this discussion. Most people do not spend a high, or even mid-round, pick on either one for that matter. Personally, I prefer to wait until after the draft to grab them off the free agent list.
Fast Risers: The Top Five Players Moving Up Draft Boards
1. RB Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals - Benson had 1200 yards last year and could get more field to run with T.O. and Jermaine Gresham now on board, especially in the red zone.
2. QB Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles - The heir to McNabb's throne might just surprise everybody and become a top 25 fantasy player. He has looked good thus far and has the weapons around him to put up big numbers.
3. QB Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions - I expect Stafford to take a step in the right direction in his second season at the helm of the Lions offense. He also has one of the best players in the entire league to throw to in Calvin Johnson. 25 touchdowns is not out of reach for him.
4. RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans - The new starter for a team that expects to compete for a playoff spot. Foster has looked good in the preseason and has the size (6'1" 220 lbs) to carry the load.
5. WR Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers - Led the league in yards per catch (19.4) last season and will get a lot of opportunities to put his speed on display once again.
Potential Late Round and Free Agent Steals
1. QB Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Erratic rookie season and a fractured thumb will turn a lot of people off but he is poised and ready to prove he belongs in the NFL.
2. Cincinnati Bengals Defense - This unit looks as deep and talented as any on paper. They were fourth in the league in total D last year and are hungry for more.
3. WR Chris Chambers, Kansas City Chiefs - Might be quarterback Matt Cassel's favorite target and could take over as the team's number one receiver.
4. RB Leon Washington, Seattle Seahawks - Will get every chance to prove he has fully recovered from a gruesome leg injury. He has the speed and skills to score a lot of long TD's out of the backfield.
5. RB Bernard Scott, Cincinnati Bengals - The top backup behind Cedric Benson could get a lot of opportunities.
Top Five Rookies to Watch Down the Road
1. TE Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals - He will be the starter in Cincy and could find himself open a lot with Batman and Robin grabbing all the attention from coverages.
2. RB Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs - Has the ability to be a "game-changer".
3. WR Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Has been practicing with the starting unit since day one of training camp and has not disappointed thus far in the preseason.
4. WR Jordan Shipley, Cincinnati Bengals - Could find himself as the team's slot receiver with his ability to run crisp routes, get open underneath, and secure the ball. So far he has looked good in preseason.
5. QB Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers - May not start in week one but could be whipping balls to Steve Smith on Sundays by mid-season. He could quickly become a valuable backup.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Top NFL Rookies to Watch in 2010
We are less than two weeks away from NFL training camp reporting dates and there are a lot of questions around the league that will need to be answered. In the meantime we as fans are left to prognosticate and speculate as to how various issues concerning our favorite teams will pan out.
Ever since the inception of free agency in the NFL teams have put more emphasis on rookie players. Instead of taking the best players available in the draft many teams have leaned more towards picking a player that fills a need. This is true for a number of reasons. One being that teams now are more likely to lose key players and find themselves with a sudden need a spot that was aptly filled just a couple months earlier, and another is simply that rookies sometimes offer a cheaper option to fill a need instead of dishing out high wages for expensive veteran free agents.
This year’s draft was undoubtedly full of talent. Some of those guys will find success but a majority of them will falter through the rigors of the pro game and struggle to make a name for themselves on the playing field any time soon. It is my estimate that only about one out of four first round picks will even come close to realizing their potential in their first year as a pro. It often takes a few years for these young men to get a grasp of the speed and complexity of the game and in the end maybe one out of three first round picks even come close to becoming the players that the team that drafted him envisions.
Every class is filled with studs, duds (or busts), and sleepers. Following is a list of my top ten rookies that I believe will vie for the league’s annual rookie of the year awards.
Offense:
1. RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers – This guy seems to be the most obvious pick for offensive rookie of the year honors. He is stepping into an already potent offense complete with a pro-bowl caliber quarterback, receiver, tight end, guard, and tackle. Mathews showed a nose for the end zone in college, scoring 19 times in ’09 and also possesses natural pass-catching ability. At 5’11” 218 lbs. he has the size to pound it out inside and possesses enough speed to outrun a lot of defenders. If he does not find success early and often it will not be long before people start calling him a bust.
2. QB Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers – Nobody felt more slighted after the draft than this guy. For some reason every single team in the league except the Panthers passed up on him. A lot of teams snubbed him twice while the Broncos and Buccaneers said no thanks to him three times. Clausen will have his chance to seek revenge on the Bucs twice a year in the NFC south and I would not be surprised to see him nail down a starting job very soon. Once he gets the nod he will have three studs to play ball with in DeAngelo Williams, Jonthan Stewart and Steve Smith.
3. WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys – We all know about his problems and his talent was very evident in his first two seasons at Oklahoma State, but few guys are walking into a better situation than Bryant. He has a lot of work cut out for him but the pieces are already in place to help him find success early. He gets to catch balls thrown by stud QB Tony Romo and all-pro tight end Jason Witten will draw a lot of the attention in the passing game. Bryant is also lucky to have receivers Miles Austin and Roy Williams already on the roster so he will not be faced with a ton of pressure to be a starter right away. Mot of the pressure will be on Williams who has struggled mightily after owner Jerry Jones traded a first round pick to Detroit for him.
4. RB Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions – If Best stays healthy and displays the type of skills he showed in college he could single-handedly change the entire dynamic of the Lions offense. He has blazing speed and he is a tougher runner than most people realize. He reminds me of Warrick Dunn with more speed. If the Lions win at least seven games and Best conjures up any memories of Barry Sanders in the minds of Detroit area fans he could be a lock for top rookie honors.
5. OT Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers – You do not see too many offensive tackles taking home any ROY awards but Bulaga could get some consideration, especially if he helps the Packers cut down on the number of times Aaron Rodgers gets hit. He’s my dark horse pick to win and with the way the O-line in Green Bay has been suffering injuries over the last couple years it is very likely that Bulaga will get his shot to prove himself sooner rather than later. He may be a little rough around the edges as far as technique goes but he can pass protect as good as any other rookie lineman and that is exactly what the team needs.
Defense:
1. MLB Rolando McClain, Oakland Raiders – This guy has the ability, and will be given every opportunity, to lead the team in tackles as a rookie. They need him to solidify the middle of the defense by stopping the run, which has been a big weakness in the Raider’s defense for a while. A 150 tackle season is possible for this rookie as long as he keeps working as hard as he did at Alabama.
2. DE Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles need another player to penetrate the backfield and nobody in college football did that better than Graham over the last two years. He may not be super fast but he is very quick and strong. He also knows how to use leverage, often getting underneath an opposing blocker’s pads and ripping through them to get pressure on the quarterback. Do not be surprised if he gets 10 sacks as a rookie.
3. DT Ndamokung Suh, Detroit Lions – The Lions got a gift from the Rams when they passed on Suh in favor of quarterback Sam Bradford with the first overall pick. Suh has all the tools to be a dominant lineman and all eyes will be on him. The Lions had the worst D-line in the league the last few years but Suh, along with newly acquired veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams, should change the way offensive coordinators game plan for the Lions’ defense.
4. S Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks – The ‘Hawks needed a playmaker in their secondary and they got one in Thomas. He was outrageously good as a safety at Texas the last two years and would have been moved to play corner if he had stayed in school. He is fast, can handle man or zone coverages, and possesses good ball skills. He will probably play free safety now but may find himself at corner one day. Do not be surprised to see him nab five interceptions as rookie while being amongst the team leaders in tackles.
5. CB Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns – A tough player on the perimeter who excelled in run support at Florida. He did it all on in college though and the Browns need him to lock down a starting spot ASAP. He stumbled a bit at the combine but one cannot overlook his production on the field. One thing that makes him intriguing is the fact that he played his best during big games. He will get his chance to cover some good receiver in the AFC North Division, including Anquan Boldin, Chad Ochocinco, and Hines Ward.
Top players to not make this list:
1. QB Sam Bradford, St Louis Rams – It is tough for quarterbacks to make strong impressions as rookies and Bradford is not necessarily stepping into a good situation in St Louis. He may play well enough but the guys who will be attempting to catch his passes are suspect. There are also some questions on the O-line that need to be answered and until some guys prove themselves I will fear for the rookie quarterback’s safety.
2. S Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs – This guy was actually the hardest player to leave off the list, which is more of a testament to the overall quality of talent in this year’s rookie class than it is a knock on his abilities. The one thing that turns me off on him is the simple fact that KC’s run defense is extremely suspect, which may limit Berry’s opportunities to make plays.
3. OLB/DE Sergio Kindle, Baltimore Ravens – Despite being a team leader at Texas and possessing some nice quickness, Kindle’s lack of elite strength may limit him a bit as a rookie. Give him a year though and he could be among the league leaders in sacks. On the other hand, he could turn out a fine rookie season on a team that knows how to play defense.
4. DE Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants – Freakish athlete who could someday be a perennial pro-bowl player. He will be given an opportunity to rush the passer as a rookie but may be limited by his lack of technique and experience playing against top competition. One sure bet is that he will do more hand-springs than any other rookie this year.
5. RB C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills – Playing in Buffalo alone does not help Spiller’s chances of receiving any rookie awards and he is a little injury prone. Besides, he has Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch to contend with in the backfield as well.
We are less than two weeks away from NFL training camp reporting dates and there are a lot of questions around the league that will need to be answered. In the meantime we as fans are left to prognosticate and speculate as to how various issues concerning our favorite teams will pan out.
Ever since the inception of free agency in the NFL teams have put more emphasis on rookie players. Instead of taking the best players available in the draft many teams have leaned more towards picking a player that fills a need. This is true for a number of reasons. One being that teams now are more likely to lose key players and find themselves with a sudden need a spot that was aptly filled just a couple months earlier, and another is simply that rookies sometimes offer a cheaper option to fill a need instead of dishing out high wages for expensive veteran free agents.
This year’s draft was undoubtedly full of talent. Some of those guys will find success but a majority of them will falter through the rigors of the pro game and struggle to make a name for themselves on the playing field any time soon. It is my estimate that only about one out of four first round picks will even come close to realizing their potential in their first year as a pro. It often takes a few years for these young men to get a grasp of the speed and complexity of the game and in the end maybe one out of three first round picks even come close to becoming the players that the team that drafted him envisions.
Every class is filled with studs, duds (or busts), and sleepers. Following is a list of my top ten rookies that I believe will vie for the league’s annual rookie of the year awards.
Offense:
1. RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers – This guy seems to be the most obvious pick for offensive rookie of the year honors. He is stepping into an already potent offense complete with a pro-bowl caliber quarterback, receiver, tight end, guard, and tackle. Mathews showed a nose for the end zone in college, scoring 19 times in ’09 and also possesses natural pass-catching ability. At 5’11” 218 lbs. he has the size to pound it out inside and possesses enough speed to outrun a lot of defenders. If he does not find success early and often it will not be long before people start calling him a bust.
2. QB Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers – Nobody felt more slighted after the draft than this guy. For some reason every single team in the league except the Panthers passed up on him. A lot of teams snubbed him twice while the Broncos and Buccaneers said no thanks to him three times. Clausen will have his chance to seek revenge on the Bucs twice a year in the NFC south and I would not be surprised to see him nail down a starting job very soon. Once he gets the nod he will have three studs to play ball with in DeAngelo Williams, Jonthan Stewart and Steve Smith.
3. WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys – We all know about his problems and his talent was very evident in his first two seasons at Oklahoma State, but few guys are walking into a better situation than Bryant. He has a lot of work cut out for him but the pieces are already in place to help him find success early. He gets to catch balls thrown by stud QB Tony Romo and all-pro tight end Jason Witten will draw a lot of the attention in the passing game. Bryant is also lucky to have receivers Miles Austin and Roy Williams already on the roster so he will not be faced with a ton of pressure to be a starter right away. Mot of the pressure will be on Williams who has struggled mightily after owner Jerry Jones traded a first round pick to Detroit for him.
4. RB Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions – If Best stays healthy and displays the type of skills he showed in college he could single-handedly change the entire dynamic of the Lions offense. He has blazing speed and he is a tougher runner than most people realize. He reminds me of Warrick Dunn with more speed. If the Lions win at least seven games and Best conjures up any memories of Barry Sanders in the minds of Detroit area fans he could be a lock for top rookie honors.
5. OT Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers – You do not see too many offensive tackles taking home any ROY awards but Bulaga could get some consideration, especially if he helps the Packers cut down on the number of times Aaron Rodgers gets hit. He’s my dark horse pick to win and with the way the O-line in Green Bay has been suffering injuries over the last couple years it is very likely that Bulaga will get his shot to prove himself sooner rather than later. He may be a little rough around the edges as far as technique goes but he can pass protect as good as any other rookie lineman and that is exactly what the team needs.
Defense:
1. MLB Rolando McClain, Oakland Raiders – This guy has the ability, and will be given every opportunity, to lead the team in tackles as a rookie. They need him to solidify the middle of the defense by stopping the run, which has been a big weakness in the Raider’s defense for a while. A 150 tackle season is possible for this rookie as long as he keeps working as hard as he did at Alabama.
2. DE Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles need another player to penetrate the backfield and nobody in college football did that better than Graham over the last two years. He may not be super fast but he is very quick and strong. He also knows how to use leverage, often getting underneath an opposing blocker’s pads and ripping through them to get pressure on the quarterback. Do not be surprised if he gets 10 sacks as a rookie.
3. DT Ndamokung Suh, Detroit Lions – The Lions got a gift from the Rams when they passed on Suh in favor of quarterback Sam Bradford with the first overall pick. Suh has all the tools to be a dominant lineman and all eyes will be on him. The Lions had the worst D-line in the league the last few years but Suh, along with newly acquired veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams, should change the way offensive coordinators game plan for the Lions’ defense.
4. S Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks – The ‘Hawks needed a playmaker in their secondary and they got one in Thomas. He was outrageously good as a safety at Texas the last two years and would have been moved to play corner if he had stayed in school. He is fast, can handle man or zone coverages, and possesses good ball skills. He will probably play free safety now but may find himself at corner one day. Do not be surprised to see him nab five interceptions as rookie while being amongst the team leaders in tackles.
5. CB Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns – A tough player on the perimeter who excelled in run support at Florida. He did it all on in college though and the Browns need him to lock down a starting spot ASAP. He stumbled a bit at the combine but one cannot overlook his production on the field. One thing that makes him intriguing is the fact that he played his best during big games. He will get his chance to cover some good receiver in the AFC North Division, including Anquan Boldin, Chad Ochocinco, and Hines Ward.
Top players to not make this list:
1. QB Sam Bradford, St Louis Rams – It is tough for quarterbacks to make strong impressions as rookies and Bradford is not necessarily stepping into a good situation in St Louis. He may play well enough but the guys who will be attempting to catch his passes are suspect. There are also some questions on the O-line that need to be answered and until some guys prove themselves I will fear for the rookie quarterback’s safety.
2. S Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs – This guy was actually the hardest player to leave off the list, which is more of a testament to the overall quality of talent in this year’s rookie class than it is a knock on his abilities. The one thing that turns me off on him is the simple fact that KC’s run defense is extremely suspect, which may limit Berry’s opportunities to make plays.
3. OLB/DE Sergio Kindle, Baltimore Ravens – Despite being a team leader at Texas and possessing some nice quickness, Kindle’s lack of elite strength may limit him a bit as a rookie. Give him a year though and he could be among the league leaders in sacks. On the other hand, he could turn out a fine rookie season on a team that knows how to play defense.
4. DE Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants – Freakish athlete who could someday be a perennial pro-bowl player. He will be given an opportunity to rush the passer as a rookie but may be limited by his lack of technique and experience playing against top competition. One sure bet is that he will do more hand-springs than any other rookie this year.
5. RB C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills – Playing in Buffalo alone does not help Spiller’s chances of receiving any rookie awards and he is a little injury prone. Besides, he has Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch to contend with in the backfield as well.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Ups and Downs: Surprise NFL Teams to Watch in 2010
Surprise Winners in 2010:
Seattle Seahawks – No team had a better offseason than the ‘Hawks. The addition of Leon Washington, if fully recovered from a broken leg, instantly upgrades the running game. Earl Thomas, who can play corner and safety, and Walter Thurmond are great rookie additions to the secondary. If the offensive and defensive lines are at least serviceable this team could steal the division championship and compete in the playoffs. A lot will be riding on the shoulders of QB Matt Hasselback and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh on offense and LB’s Lofa Tatupu and Aaron Curry on defense.
Philadelphia Eagles – With Donovan McNabb traded to Washington the Eagles may just fly under a lot of radars. RB LeSean McCoy, QB Kevin Kolb, and WR’s DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are all young players looking to step up and prove themselves this year. The return of MLB Stewart Bradley will help a run defense that got torn apart by Dallas in the playoffs and the addition of DE Brandon Graham is one of the underrated stories of the draft. Do not be surprised if the rookie from Michigan collects 10 sacks this year. FS Nate Allen and CB Trevard Lindley are also both solid rookie additions to a secondary in need of depth.
Oakland Raiders – New surroundings should be good for QB Jason Campbell and a new QB should be good for the Raiders as a whole. Campbell does not have to be great; he just has to be better than JaMarcus Russell. That should not be too hard of a feat. The defense should be solid with a good front line led by DE Richard Seymour, who just signed his franchise tender, and former Jaguar DT John Henderson. Rookie Lamarr Houston could contribute immediately up front, rookie LB Rolando McClain will be expected to be the man in the middle, and CB Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the best in the business. However, RB Darren McFadden finally needs to step up to all-star status and the OL needs to at least be average, which is something that I believe can be accomplished.
Surprise Losers in 2010:
New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees should not slow his roll any time soon but the defense will continue to be a bit of a liability. The Saints will not be able to outscore opponents forever and their luck will run out soon. To make the playoffs this year they will have to beat out the Atlanta Falcons for the division championship as the Falcons look primed for a big year and the Buccaneers, who beat the Saints last year in New Orleans, are a team on the rise. There are just too many other NFC teams that will also be in the hunt for the playoffs to make the repeat a sure-thing.
San Diego Chargers – The “paper champions” of the last decade, the Chargers have gained a reputation as underachievers that continually take advantage of a weak division. If they make the playoffs again this year it will be a result of Denver’s, Kansas City’s, and Oakland’s futility just as much as anything. To bet on them winning a playoff game and making a run at a conference championship simply goes against tradition, as well as the odds, at this point.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Big Ben’s four to six game suspension and the loss of WR Santonio Holmes hurts more than anybody in the organization is willing to admit. WR Limas Sweed now has a torn achilles tendon, depleting the receiving corps of some valuable depth. The defense will again be good but not great as age is creeping up on the DL. Baltimore and Cincinnati both should be playoff-caliber teams as well, making things that much harder for the Steelers to regain their 2008 form in the AFC North. After another great draft this should be a Super Bowl contending franchise again in 2011 and beyond.
Surprise Winners in 2010:
Seattle Seahawks – No team had a better offseason than the ‘Hawks. The addition of Leon Washington, if fully recovered from a broken leg, instantly upgrades the running game. Earl Thomas, who can play corner and safety, and Walter Thurmond are great rookie additions to the secondary. If the offensive and defensive lines are at least serviceable this team could steal the division championship and compete in the playoffs. A lot will be riding on the shoulders of QB Matt Hasselback and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh on offense and LB’s Lofa Tatupu and Aaron Curry on defense.
Philadelphia Eagles – With Donovan McNabb traded to Washington the Eagles may just fly under a lot of radars. RB LeSean McCoy, QB Kevin Kolb, and WR’s DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are all young players looking to step up and prove themselves this year. The return of MLB Stewart Bradley will help a run defense that got torn apart by Dallas in the playoffs and the addition of DE Brandon Graham is one of the underrated stories of the draft. Do not be surprised if the rookie from Michigan collects 10 sacks this year. FS Nate Allen and CB Trevard Lindley are also both solid rookie additions to a secondary in need of depth.
Oakland Raiders – New surroundings should be good for QB Jason Campbell and a new QB should be good for the Raiders as a whole. Campbell does not have to be great; he just has to be better than JaMarcus Russell. That should not be too hard of a feat. The defense should be solid with a good front line led by DE Richard Seymour, who just signed his franchise tender, and former Jaguar DT John Henderson. Rookie Lamarr Houston could contribute immediately up front, rookie LB Rolando McClain will be expected to be the man in the middle, and CB Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the best in the business. However, RB Darren McFadden finally needs to step up to all-star status and the OL needs to at least be average, which is something that I believe can be accomplished.
Surprise Losers in 2010:
New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees should not slow his roll any time soon but the defense will continue to be a bit of a liability. The Saints will not be able to outscore opponents forever and their luck will run out soon. To make the playoffs this year they will have to beat out the Atlanta Falcons for the division championship as the Falcons look primed for a big year and the Buccaneers, who beat the Saints last year in New Orleans, are a team on the rise. There are just too many other NFC teams that will also be in the hunt for the playoffs to make the repeat a sure-thing.
San Diego Chargers – The “paper champions” of the last decade, the Chargers have gained a reputation as underachievers that continually take advantage of a weak division. If they make the playoffs again this year it will be a result of Denver’s, Kansas City’s, and Oakland’s futility just as much as anything. To bet on them winning a playoff game and making a run at a conference championship simply goes against tradition, as well as the odds, at this point.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Big Ben’s four to six game suspension and the loss of WR Santonio Holmes hurts more than anybody in the organization is willing to admit. WR Limas Sweed now has a torn achilles tendon, depleting the receiving corps of some valuable depth. The defense will again be good but not great as age is creeping up on the DL. Baltimore and Cincinnati both should be playoff-caliber teams as well, making things that much harder for the Steelers to regain their 2008 form in the AFC North. After another great draft this should be a Super Bowl contending franchise again in 2011 and beyond.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Players to Watch in 2010
Players to Watch in 2010
With this year’s installment of the NFL Draft in the books it is time to start looking toward the 2010 college football season for 2011’s top prospects. Following is a list of some of the top players in college football that may just be tops on NFL draft boards come next April.
It appears that wide receiver, defensive end, and defensive tackle will be three positions loaded with quality prospects. The quarterback position also should be much better as Washington’s Jake Locker, who could have been tops in 2010, may not be the best passer available in 2011.
It is all debatable though and of course there are some players who have slipped through the cracks and did not make this list. On the other hand, there may be a few players on this list that come as a surprise to some folks. Either way it should be as fun as usual.
(* Denotes player as a first round-caliber talent)
Quarterbacks:
1. Jake Locker, 6’3” 222 lbs. Washington*
2. Andrew Luck, 6’4” 230 lbs. Stanford (Jr)*
3. Ryan Mallett, 6’7” 248 lbs. Arkansas (Jr)*
4. Colin Kaepernick, 6’6” 215 lbs. Nevada,
5. Andy Dalton, 6’3” 215 lbs. TCU
6. Case Keenum, 6’2” 212 lbs. Houston
7. Adam Weber, 6’3” 217 lbs. Minnesota
8. Taylor Potts, Texas Tech, 6’5” 215 lbs.
9. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M, 6’5” 229 lbs.
Running Backs:
1. Mark Ingram, 5’10” 215 lbs.Alabama(Jr)*
2. John Clay, 6’2” 247 lbs. Wisconsin (Jr)*
3. Noel Devine, 5’8” 180 lbs. West Virginia*
4. Ryan Williams, 5’10” 211 lbs. Virginia Tech (Jr)*
5. Darren Evans, 6’0” 213 lbs. Virginia Tech
6. Evan Royster, 6’1” 209 lbs. Penn State
7. Graig Cooper, 6’0” 202 lbs. Miami
8. Jeremy Avery, 5’9” 171 lbs. Boise State
9. Donald Buckram, 5’10” 190 lbs. UTEP
10. DeMarco Murray, 6’0” 205 lbs. Oklahoma
11. Emanuel Moody, 6’0” 210 lbs. Florida
12. Kendall Hunter, 5’8” 190 lbs. Oklahoma State
13. Bryce Beall, 5’11” 205 lbs. Houston (Jr)
Wide Receivers:
1. Julio Jones, 6’4” 211 lbs. Alabama (Jr)*
2. Michael Floyd, 6’3” 215 lbs. Notre Dame (Jr)*
3. AJ Green, 6’4” 200 lbs. Georgia (Jr)*
4. Jonathan Baldwin, 6’5” 220 lbs. Pitt (Jr)*
5. Greg Little, 6’3” 220 lbs. UNC*
6. Terrence Tolliver, 6’4” 195 lbs. LSU
7. Chris Owusu, 6’2” 199 lbs. Stanford (Jr)
8. Deonte Thompson, 6’0” 195 lbs. Florida (Jr)
9. Mark Dell, 6’2” 196 lbs. Michigan State
10. Ryan Broyles, 5’11” 175 lbs. Oklahoma (Jr)
11. Bert Reed, 5’11” 170 lbs. Florida State
12. LJ Castile, 6’3” 210 lbs. Houston
13. Jeff Maehl, 6’1” 175 lbs. Oregon
14. Damaris Johnson, 5’8” 180 lbs. Tulsa
15. James Rodgers (KR/RB), 5’7” 185 lbs. Oregon State
16. James Cleveland, 6’1” 205 lbs. Houston
17. Scotty McKnight, 5’11” 185 lbs. Colorado
18. Titus Young, 5’11” 167 lbs. Boise State
Tight Ends:
1. DJ Williams, 6’2” 250 lbs. Arkansas*
2. Luke Stocker, 6’6” 240 lbs. Tennessee*
3. Charlie Gantt, 6’4” 245 lbs. Michigan State
4. George Bryan, 6’5” 270 lbs. NC State
5. Wesley Saunders, 6’5” 280 lbs. South Carolina
Offensive Linemen:
1. T Gabe Carimi, 6’8” 313 lbs. Wisconsin*
2. C Kristofer O’Dowd, 6’5” 300 lbs. USC*
3. T Marcus Cannon, 6’5” 350 lbs. TCU*
4. C/G Mike Pouncey, 6’5” 320 lbs. Florida*
5. T Anthony Castonzo, 6’7” 287 lbs. Boston College*
6. G Justin Boren, 6’3” 315 lbs. Ohio State*
7. T Josh Oglesby, 6’7” 329 lbs. Wisconsin (Jr)*
8. T Trinton Sturdivant, 6’5” 293 lbs. Georgia
9. T Joseph Barksdale, 6’5” 315 lbs. LSU
10. G Rodney Hudson, 6’2” 285 lbs. Florida State
11. G Stephen Schilling, 6’5” 304lbs. Michigan
12. T Lee Ziemba, 6’8” 304 lbs. Auburn
13. C Stefen Wisniewski, 6’3” 302 lbs. Penn State
14. T Carl Johnson, 6’5” 342 lbs. Florida
15. T Clint Boling, 6’5” 290 lbs. Georgia
16. G/C Chris Davis, 6’4” 296lbs. Georgia
Defensive Ends:
1. Adrian Clayborn, 6’3” 282 lbs. Iowa*
2. Cameron Heyward, 6’6” 287 lbs. Ohio State*
3. Robert Quinn, 6’5” 260 lbs. UNC (Jr)*
4. Jeremy Beal, 6’3” 255 lbs. Oklahoma*
5. Greg Romeus, 6’5” 265 lbs. Pitt*
6. Christian Anthony, 6’4” 246 lbs. Grambling*
7. Matt Conrath, 6’7” 270 lbs. Virginia (Jr)
8. Da’Quan Bowers, 6’4” 275 lbs. Clemson (Jr)
9. Jason Peters, 6’4” 272 lbs. Georgia Tech (Jr)
10. Eddie Jones, 6’3” 260 lbs. Texas
11. Alex Albright, 6’5” 245 lbs. Boston College
12. Ben Martin, 6’3” 239 lbs. Tennessee
13. Ryan Winterswyk, 6’4” 260 lbs. Boise State
Defensive Tackles:
1. Marcell Dareus, 6’3” 306 lbs. Alabama*
2. Marvin Austin, 6’3” 305 lbs. UNC*
3. Allen Bailey, 6’4” 290 lbs. Miami*
4. Phil Taylor, 6’4” 355 lbs. Baylor*
5. Lawrence Marsh, 6’4” 304 lbs. Florida
6. Jarvis Jenkins, 6’4” 305 lbs. Clemson
7. Tydreke Powell, 6’3” 300 lbs. UNC (Jr)
8. Ian Williams, 6’2” 310 lbs. Notre Dame
9. Akiem Hicks, 6’6” 300 lbs. LSU
10. Dexter Larimore, 6’2” 300 lbs. Ohio State
11. Colby Whitlock, 6’2” 281 lbs. Texas Tech
12. Ollie Ogbu, 6’1” 292 lbs. Penn State
13. Terrell McClain, 6’3” 306 lbs. South Florida
14. Josh Brent, 6’2” 315 lbs. Illinois
Outside Linebackers:
1. Bruce Carter, 6’3” 230 lbs. UNC*
2. Von Miller, 6’3” 240 lbs. Texas A & M*
3. Akeem Ayers, 6’4” 255 lbs. UCLA (Jr)*
4. Nate Irving, 6’1” 235 lbs. NC State
5. Travis Lewis, 6’2” 232 lbs. Oklahoma (Jr)
6. Ross Homan, 6’0” 229 lbs. Ohio State
7. Manny Abreu, 6’3” 245 lbs. Rutgers (Jr)
8. Eric Gordon, 6’0” 223 lbs. Michigan State
9. Adrian Moten, 6’2” 230 lbs. Maryland
10. Tyler Nielsen, 6’4” 232 lbs. Iowa (Jr)
11. Jonas Mouton, 6’2” 220 lbs. Michigan
Inside Linebackers:
1. Quan Sturdivant, 6’2” 235 lbs. UNC*
2. Greg Jones, 6’1” 225 lbs. Michigan State*
3. Chris Galippo, 6’2” 255 lbs. USC (Jr)*
4. Martez Wilson, 6’4” 240 lbs. Illinois
5. Alex Wujciak, 6’3” 255 lbs. Maryland
6. Casey Matthews, 6’2” 235 lbs. Oregon
7. Kendall Smith, 6’1” 224 lbs. Florida State
8. Cobrani Mixon, 6’1” 233 lbs. Kent State
9. Winston Bowens, 6’0” 250 lbs. Memphis
10. Chris Donald, 6’1” 224 lbs. Tennessee (Jr)
11. Lorenzo Edwards, 6’1” 236 lbs. Florida
Cornerbacks:
1. Ras-I Dowling, 6’2” 200 lbs. Virginia*
2. Patrick Peterson, 6’1” 205 lbs. LSU (Jr)*
3. Prince Amukamara, 6’1” 205 lbs. Nebraska*
4. Chimdi Chekwa, 6’0” 188 lbs. Ohio State
5. Janoris Jenkins, 5’11” 188 lbs. Florida (Jr)
6. Darrin Walls, 6’0” 190 lbs. Notre Dame
7. Kendric Burney, 5’9” 185 lbs. UNC
8. Jerell Norton, 6’0” 200 lbs. Arkansas
9. Jai Eugene, 5’11” 191 lbs. LSU
10. Quinton Richardson, 6’0” 200 lbs. Washington
11. Omar Bolden, 5’10” 195 lbs. Arizona State
Strong Safety:
1. DeAndre McDaniel, 6’1” 200 lbs. Clemson*
2. Michael McNeil, 6’2” 205 lbs. Auburn
3. Ahmad Black, 5’9” 185 lbs. Florida
4. Davonte Shannon, 6’0” 193 lbs. Buffalo
5. Andrew Dailey, 6’2” 221 lbs. Penn State
6. Joe Lefeged, 6’1” 200 lbs. Rutgers
7. Johnny Brown, 5’11” 200 lbs. Ole Miss
8. Chima Nwachukwu, 5’11” 201 lbs. Washington State
9. Nate Oliver, 6’0” 215 lbs. Ohio State (Jr)
10. Malcolm Williams, 5’11” 205 lbs. TCU
Free Safety:
1. Rahim Moore, 6’1” 190 lbs. UCLA (Jr)*
2. Deunta Williams, 6’2” 205 lbs. UNC*
3. Harrison Smith, 6’2” 212 lbs. Notre Dame (Jr)
4. Antwine Perez, 6’1” 210 lbs. Maryland
5. Zac Etheridge, 6’0” 204 lbs. Auburn
6. Brett Greenwood, 6’0” 200 lbs. Iowa
7. Chris Culliver, 6’0” 190 lbs. South Carolina
8. Braxton Amy, 6’0” 210 lbs. UTEP
9. Chris Harris, 6’0” 185 lbs. Kansas
10. Brian Lainhart, 6’1” 207 lbs Kent State
Punters:
1. Ryan Donahue, 6’3’ 180 lbs. Iowa
Kickers:
1. Thomas Weber, 5’8” 171 lbs. Arizona State
2. Kai Forbath, 6’0” 198 lbs. UCLA
With this year’s installment of the NFL Draft in the books it is time to start looking toward the 2010 college football season for 2011’s top prospects. Following is a list of some of the top players in college football that may just be tops on NFL draft boards come next April.
It appears that wide receiver, defensive end, and defensive tackle will be three positions loaded with quality prospects. The quarterback position also should be much better as Washington’s Jake Locker, who could have been tops in 2010, may not be the best passer available in 2011.
It is all debatable though and of course there are some players who have slipped through the cracks and did not make this list. On the other hand, there may be a few players on this list that come as a surprise to some folks. Either way it should be as fun as usual.
(* Denotes player as a first round-caliber talent)
Quarterbacks:
1. Jake Locker, 6’3” 222 lbs. Washington*
2. Andrew Luck, 6’4” 230 lbs. Stanford (Jr)*
3. Ryan Mallett, 6’7” 248 lbs. Arkansas (Jr)*
4. Colin Kaepernick, 6’6” 215 lbs. Nevada,
5. Andy Dalton, 6’3” 215 lbs. TCU
6. Case Keenum, 6’2” 212 lbs. Houston
7. Adam Weber, 6’3” 217 lbs. Minnesota
8. Taylor Potts, Texas Tech, 6’5” 215 lbs.
9. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M, 6’5” 229 lbs.
Running Backs:
1. Mark Ingram, 5’10” 215 lbs.Alabama(Jr)*
2. John Clay, 6’2” 247 lbs. Wisconsin (Jr)*
3. Noel Devine, 5’8” 180 lbs. West Virginia*
4. Ryan Williams, 5’10” 211 lbs. Virginia Tech (Jr)*
5. Darren Evans, 6’0” 213 lbs. Virginia Tech
6. Evan Royster, 6’1” 209 lbs. Penn State
7. Graig Cooper, 6’0” 202 lbs. Miami
8. Jeremy Avery, 5’9” 171 lbs. Boise State
9. Donald Buckram, 5’10” 190 lbs. UTEP
10. DeMarco Murray, 6’0” 205 lbs. Oklahoma
11. Emanuel Moody, 6’0” 210 lbs. Florida
12. Kendall Hunter, 5’8” 190 lbs. Oklahoma State
13. Bryce Beall, 5’11” 205 lbs. Houston (Jr)
Wide Receivers:
1. Julio Jones, 6’4” 211 lbs. Alabama (Jr)*
2. Michael Floyd, 6’3” 215 lbs. Notre Dame (Jr)*
3. AJ Green, 6’4” 200 lbs. Georgia (Jr)*
4. Jonathan Baldwin, 6’5” 220 lbs. Pitt (Jr)*
5. Greg Little, 6’3” 220 lbs. UNC*
6. Terrence Tolliver, 6’4” 195 lbs. LSU
7. Chris Owusu, 6’2” 199 lbs. Stanford (Jr)
8. Deonte Thompson, 6’0” 195 lbs. Florida (Jr)
9. Mark Dell, 6’2” 196 lbs. Michigan State
10. Ryan Broyles, 5’11” 175 lbs. Oklahoma (Jr)
11. Bert Reed, 5’11” 170 lbs. Florida State
12. LJ Castile, 6’3” 210 lbs. Houston
13. Jeff Maehl, 6’1” 175 lbs. Oregon
14. Damaris Johnson, 5’8” 180 lbs. Tulsa
15. James Rodgers (KR/RB), 5’7” 185 lbs. Oregon State
16. James Cleveland, 6’1” 205 lbs. Houston
17. Scotty McKnight, 5’11” 185 lbs. Colorado
18. Titus Young, 5’11” 167 lbs. Boise State
Tight Ends:
1. DJ Williams, 6’2” 250 lbs. Arkansas*
2. Luke Stocker, 6’6” 240 lbs. Tennessee*
3. Charlie Gantt, 6’4” 245 lbs. Michigan State
4. George Bryan, 6’5” 270 lbs. NC State
5. Wesley Saunders, 6’5” 280 lbs. South Carolina
Offensive Linemen:
1. T Gabe Carimi, 6’8” 313 lbs. Wisconsin*
2. C Kristofer O’Dowd, 6’5” 300 lbs. USC*
3. T Marcus Cannon, 6’5” 350 lbs. TCU*
4. C/G Mike Pouncey, 6’5” 320 lbs. Florida*
5. T Anthony Castonzo, 6’7” 287 lbs. Boston College*
6. G Justin Boren, 6’3” 315 lbs. Ohio State*
7. T Josh Oglesby, 6’7” 329 lbs. Wisconsin (Jr)*
8. T Trinton Sturdivant, 6’5” 293 lbs. Georgia
9. T Joseph Barksdale, 6’5” 315 lbs. LSU
10. G Rodney Hudson, 6’2” 285 lbs. Florida State
11. G Stephen Schilling, 6’5” 304lbs. Michigan
12. T Lee Ziemba, 6’8” 304 lbs. Auburn
13. C Stefen Wisniewski, 6’3” 302 lbs. Penn State
14. T Carl Johnson, 6’5” 342 lbs. Florida
15. T Clint Boling, 6’5” 290 lbs. Georgia
16. G/C Chris Davis, 6’4” 296lbs. Georgia
Defensive Ends:
1. Adrian Clayborn, 6’3” 282 lbs. Iowa*
2. Cameron Heyward, 6’6” 287 lbs. Ohio State*
3. Robert Quinn, 6’5” 260 lbs. UNC (Jr)*
4. Jeremy Beal, 6’3” 255 lbs. Oklahoma*
5. Greg Romeus, 6’5” 265 lbs. Pitt*
6. Christian Anthony, 6’4” 246 lbs. Grambling*
7. Matt Conrath, 6’7” 270 lbs. Virginia (Jr)
8. Da’Quan Bowers, 6’4” 275 lbs. Clemson (Jr)
9. Jason Peters, 6’4” 272 lbs. Georgia Tech (Jr)
10. Eddie Jones, 6’3” 260 lbs. Texas
11. Alex Albright, 6’5” 245 lbs. Boston College
12. Ben Martin, 6’3” 239 lbs. Tennessee
13. Ryan Winterswyk, 6’4” 260 lbs. Boise State
Defensive Tackles:
1. Marcell Dareus, 6’3” 306 lbs. Alabama*
2. Marvin Austin, 6’3” 305 lbs. UNC*
3. Allen Bailey, 6’4” 290 lbs. Miami*
4. Phil Taylor, 6’4” 355 lbs. Baylor*
5. Lawrence Marsh, 6’4” 304 lbs. Florida
6. Jarvis Jenkins, 6’4” 305 lbs. Clemson
7. Tydreke Powell, 6’3” 300 lbs. UNC (Jr)
8. Ian Williams, 6’2” 310 lbs. Notre Dame
9. Akiem Hicks, 6’6” 300 lbs. LSU
10. Dexter Larimore, 6’2” 300 lbs. Ohio State
11. Colby Whitlock, 6’2” 281 lbs. Texas Tech
12. Ollie Ogbu, 6’1” 292 lbs. Penn State
13. Terrell McClain, 6’3” 306 lbs. South Florida
14. Josh Brent, 6’2” 315 lbs. Illinois
Outside Linebackers:
1. Bruce Carter, 6’3” 230 lbs. UNC*
2. Von Miller, 6’3” 240 lbs. Texas A & M*
3. Akeem Ayers, 6’4” 255 lbs. UCLA (Jr)*
4. Nate Irving, 6’1” 235 lbs. NC State
5. Travis Lewis, 6’2” 232 lbs. Oklahoma (Jr)
6. Ross Homan, 6’0” 229 lbs. Ohio State
7. Manny Abreu, 6’3” 245 lbs. Rutgers (Jr)
8. Eric Gordon, 6’0” 223 lbs. Michigan State
9. Adrian Moten, 6’2” 230 lbs. Maryland
10. Tyler Nielsen, 6’4” 232 lbs. Iowa (Jr)
11. Jonas Mouton, 6’2” 220 lbs. Michigan
Inside Linebackers:
1. Quan Sturdivant, 6’2” 235 lbs. UNC*
2. Greg Jones, 6’1” 225 lbs. Michigan State*
3. Chris Galippo, 6’2” 255 lbs. USC (Jr)*
4. Martez Wilson, 6’4” 240 lbs. Illinois
5. Alex Wujciak, 6’3” 255 lbs. Maryland
6. Casey Matthews, 6’2” 235 lbs. Oregon
7. Kendall Smith, 6’1” 224 lbs. Florida State
8. Cobrani Mixon, 6’1” 233 lbs. Kent State
9. Winston Bowens, 6’0” 250 lbs. Memphis
10. Chris Donald, 6’1” 224 lbs. Tennessee (Jr)
11. Lorenzo Edwards, 6’1” 236 lbs. Florida
Cornerbacks:
1. Ras-I Dowling, 6’2” 200 lbs. Virginia*
2. Patrick Peterson, 6’1” 205 lbs. LSU (Jr)*
3. Prince Amukamara, 6’1” 205 lbs. Nebraska*
4. Chimdi Chekwa, 6’0” 188 lbs. Ohio State
5. Janoris Jenkins, 5’11” 188 lbs. Florida (Jr)
6. Darrin Walls, 6’0” 190 lbs. Notre Dame
7. Kendric Burney, 5’9” 185 lbs. UNC
8. Jerell Norton, 6’0” 200 lbs. Arkansas
9. Jai Eugene, 5’11” 191 lbs. LSU
10. Quinton Richardson, 6’0” 200 lbs. Washington
11. Omar Bolden, 5’10” 195 lbs. Arizona State
Strong Safety:
1. DeAndre McDaniel, 6’1” 200 lbs. Clemson*
2. Michael McNeil, 6’2” 205 lbs. Auburn
3. Ahmad Black, 5’9” 185 lbs. Florida
4. Davonte Shannon, 6’0” 193 lbs. Buffalo
5. Andrew Dailey, 6’2” 221 lbs. Penn State
6. Joe Lefeged, 6’1” 200 lbs. Rutgers
7. Johnny Brown, 5’11” 200 lbs. Ole Miss
8. Chima Nwachukwu, 5’11” 201 lbs. Washington State
9. Nate Oliver, 6’0” 215 lbs. Ohio State (Jr)
10. Malcolm Williams, 5’11” 205 lbs. TCU
Free Safety:
1. Rahim Moore, 6’1” 190 lbs. UCLA (Jr)*
2. Deunta Williams, 6’2” 205 lbs. UNC*
3. Harrison Smith, 6’2” 212 lbs. Notre Dame (Jr)
4. Antwine Perez, 6’1” 210 lbs. Maryland
5. Zac Etheridge, 6’0” 204 lbs. Auburn
6. Brett Greenwood, 6’0” 200 lbs. Iowa
7. Chris Culliver, 6’0” 190 lbs. South Carolina
8. Braxton Amy, 6’0” 210 lbs. UTEP
9. Chris Harris, 6’0” 185 lbs. Kansas
10. Brian Lainhart, 6’1” 207 lbs Kent State
Punters:
1. Ryan Donahue, 6’3’ 180 lbs. Iowa
Kickers:
1. Thomas Weber, 5’8” 171 lbs. Arizona State
2. Kai Forbath, 6’0” 198 lbs. UCLA
The NFL Draft: A New American Tradition
The NFL Draft: A New American Tradition
(Originally Posted at NFLDraftDog.com prior to the 2010 NFL Draft)
It is getting close. The time of year for many football fans that is equivalent to the likes of Christmas and the Fourth of July. It is a time to awaken the barbeque from a long winter’s nap, dust off that old jersey, and ice down the kegerater. Celebrations will be in order as well as the occasional grumbling from those who did not get what they wanted. Yes, it is about time for the annual National Football League’s entry draft.
It is the football world’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? – Reality TV at its finest. The young stars of the college gridiron will meet their professional destinies face to face and the rest of the world, including myself, will tune in to watch them.
The yearly event that takes place this April, 22nd through the 24th in New York’s Radio City Music Hall has blossomed into one of the most interesting and most followed aspects of football. It not only provides an organized format for NFL teams to take turns selecting the top college talent but it also offers another chance for fans to brag or whine about their team. Discovering who will be gracing plasma screens across the nation for possibly the next decade can be equivocal to getting a new car. You want to show it off to your friends while at the same time crossing your fingers and hoping it performs at the highest level, at least until you are finished making the payments on it. Occasionally you score the dream car which more than fulfills your expectations and other times, unfortunately, you get a lemon.
The whole story of the NFL Draft starts in 1936 with the Philadelphia Eagles as the first team ever on the clock. They then selected Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago and he went on to be flop. In fact, he never even played a down of professional football. Since then, the NFL draft has gradually blossomed into a multi-media phenomenon that has uniquely become just as much of a spectacle as the Super Bowl itself. In fact, viewer ratings of the draft have gone up 62% in the last six years and the league is banking on increasing that number, at least for the first round. This year, for the first time ever, it will be broadcast live on a Thursday night. This will be the first time it has been in a prime time slot and with a livelier format it could probably draw the same type of following as Survivor and American Idol.
Growing up on ‘80’s television I was subjected to a lot of game shows such as Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right. Sure, it was fun to play along and try to solve the puzzles or guess the correct answers before the contestant could figure it out, but there was more to it than that. It was fun to see how much money somebody could walk away with and the more money somebody was playing for the more interesting it became. The NFL Draft has no shortage of young, instant wealth which has also become part of the draw. Where else will you see a guy anxiously waiting to be called to a podium where he will realize his dreams of becoming a famous, multi-million dollar earning pro athlete?
For a lot of interested parties, die-hard fans and sports writers the NFL draft also presents an opportunity to flex their prognosticating muscles. Mock drafts are a dime a dozen these days and if you have never seen one you can go to the NFL Draft Dog (nfldraftdog.com) and view several differing opinions on how it will turn out.
In a relatively young country still forming its cultures and traditions, American football is one thing that has started as and remained an American institution. We as fans hold all its rituals and folklore, no matter how trivial they may seem to the unacquainted, in high regard. From the singing of the national anthem to the Gatorade showers it is all something we cherish with the solemnity of a religious radical. Not to make light of those with devout beliefs but sports in general have an innate ability to draw the best and worst out of those that love it the most.
The draft is no exception to this absolute love. To some fans it may actually be the high point of their sports year. It has become a rite of passage for the players entering a new phase of their life while ceremoniously signaling the end to hard times for a struggling franchise – at least for one more off-season. This year the Rams are the first team on the clock. Whether they take quarterback Sam Bradford or defensive tackle Ndamokung Suh, a high percentage of the hopes and dreams belonging to St. Louis fans will be pinned on the young player they select. After that it will only be a matter of time before we can figure out if they were worth the hype and 50 million dollars that the organization will dish out to them.
While it could be anybody’s guess as to who will go where, there are a few certainties when it comes to the draft. For one thing, you can bet there will be a gaggle of raucous Jets fans filling the hall with cheers and jeers, depending on who their team picks. You can also bet on the Raiders making a selection that leaves the room silent, as it did when it took kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round in 2000 with quarterback Chad Pennington and running back Shaun Alexander still on the board. Honestly, the draft would not be nearly as fun to watch without Raiders owner Al Davis in his Evil Kneivel jump-suit making a decision that causes draft guru Mel Kiper to choke on his diet soda.
The draft has also seemingly become the highlight of the NFL Commissioner’s yearly duties as well. Nobody would even know what he looked like if he did not make the traditional walk to the podium every year, acting like a Michael Buffer-ish ring announcer at a heavyweight fight. Former commish Paul Tagliabue could hardly wipe the smile off his face while announcing that the first team “is on the clock”. When he vacated his position and Roger Goodell came on, it was like Leno taking over for Carson.
So if you are new to the ins and outs of the NFL Draft, this year is a good one to get yourself up to date. It is the 75th anniversary of the event so the league will be pulling out all the stops. It just so happens that this year’s crop of prospects is one of the deepest and most talented overall classes that we have seen in a while. One reason being is that more college underclassmen, being juniors and sophomores, have entered the draft more than any other previous year. With the state of the economy today that is not such a bad idea for a young man, considering that there are a lot of people out there with college degrees washing dishes and waiting tables. I suspect that next year we will see more of the same.
(Originally Posted at NFLDraftDog.com prior to the 2010 NFL Draft)
It is getting close. The time of year for many football fans that is equivalent to the likes of Christmas and the Fourth of July. It is a time to awaken the barbeque from a long winter’s nap, dust off that old jersey, and ice down the kegerater. Celebrations will be in order as well as the occasional grumbling from those who did not get what they wanted. Yes, it is about time for the annual National Football League’s entry draft.
It is the football world’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? – Reality TV at its finest. The young stars of the college gridiron will meet their professional destinies face to face and the rest of the world, including myself, will tune in to watch them.
The yearly event that takes place this April, 22nd through the 24th in New York’s Radio City Music Hall has blossomed into one of the most interesting and most followed aspects of football. It not only provides an organized format for NFL teams to take turns selecting the top college talent but it also offers another chance for fans to brag or whine about their team. Discovering who will be gracing plasma screens across the nation for possibly the next decade can be equivocal to getting a new car. You want to show it off to your friends while at the same time crossing your fingers and hoping it performs at the highest level, at least until you are finished making the payments on it. Occasionally you score the dream car which more than fulfills your expectations and other times, unfortunately, you get a lemon.
The whole story of the NFL Draft starts in 1936 with the Philadelphia Eagles as the first team ever on the clock. They then selected Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago and he went on to be flop. In fact, he never even played a down of professional football. Since then, the NFL draft has gradually blossomed into a multi-media phenomenon that has uniquely become just as much of a spectacle as the Super Bowl itself. In fact, viewer ratings of the draft have gone up 62% in the last six years and the league is banking on increasing that number, at least for the first round. This year, for the first time ever, it will be broadcast live on a Thursday night. This will be the first time it has been in a prime time slot and with a livelier format it could probably draw the same type of following as Survivor and American Idol.
Growing up on ‘80’s television I was subjected to a lot of game shows such as Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right. Sure, it was fun to play along and try to solve the puzzles or guess the correct answers before the contestant could figure it out, but there was more to it than that. It was fun to see how much money somebody could walk away with and the more money somebody was playing for the more interesting it became. The NFL Draft has no shortage of young, instant wealth which has also become part of the draw. Where else will you see a guy anxiously waiting to be called to a podium where he will realize his dreams of becoming a famous, multi-million dollar earning pro athlete?
For a lot of interested parties, die-hard fans and sports writers the NFL draft also presents an opportunity to flex their prognosticating muscles. Mock drafts are a dime a dozen these days and if you have never seen one you can go to the NFL Draft Dog (nfldraftdog.com) and view several differing opinions on how it will turn out.
In a relatively young country still forming its cultures and traditions, American football is one thing that has started as and remained an American institution. We as fans hold all its rituals and folklore, no matter how trivial they may seem to the unacquainted, in high regard. From the singing of the national anthem to the Gatorade showers it is all something we cherish with the solemnity of a religious radical. Not to make light of those with devout beliefs but sports in general have an innate ability to draw the best and worst out of those that love it the most.
The draft is no exception to this absolute love. To some fans it may actually be the high point of their sports year. It has become a rite of passage for the players entering a new phase of their life while ceremoniously signaling the end to hard times for a struggling franchise – at least for one more off-season. This year the Rams are the first team on the clock. Whether they take quarterback Sam Bradford or defensive tackle Ndamokung Suh, a high percentage of the hopes and dreams belonging to St. Louis fans will be pinned on the young player they select. After that it will only be a matter of time before we can figure out if they were worth the hype and 50 million dollars that the organization will dish out to them.
While it could be anybody’s guess as to who will go where, there are a few certainties when it comes to the draft. For one thing, you can bet there will be a gaggle of raucous Jets fans filling the hall with cheers and jeers, depending on who their team picks. You can also bet on the Raiders making a selection that leaves the room silent, as it did when it took kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round in 2000 with quarterback Chad Pennington and running back Shaun Alexander still on the board. Honestly, the draft would not be nearly as fun to watch without Raiders owner Al Davis in his Evil Kneivel jump-suit making a decision that causes draft guru Mel Kiper to choke on his diet soda.
The draft has also seemingly become the highlight of the NFL Commissioner’s yearly duties as well. Nobody would even know what he looked like if he did not make the traditional walk to the podium every year, acting like a Michael Buffer-ish ring announcer at a heavyweight fight. Former commish Paul Tagliabue could hardly wipe the smile off his face while announcing that the first team “is on the clock”. When he vacated his position and Roger Goodell came on, it was like Leno taking over for Carson.
So if you are new to the ins and outs of the NFL Draft, this year is a good one to get yourself up to date. It is the 75th anniversary of the event so the league will be pulling out all the stops. It just so happens that this year’s crop of prospects is one of the deepest and most talented overall classes that we have seen in a while. One reason being is that more college underclassmen, being juniors and sophomores, have entered the draft more than any other previous year. With the state of the economy today that is not such a bad idea for a young man, considering that there are a lot of people out there with college degrees washing dishes and waiting tables. I suspect that next year we will see more of the same.
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