april 30-may 2
in chicago this year
i wonder if the eagles new gm is at this medal of honor bowl
Better wr prospect coming out of college Amari Cooper or Sammy Watkins?
sammy watkins....much more explosive
Had a lunch time work argument with a co worker and I chose Watkins. He loves Cooper.
I don't dislike cooper....but I don't see him as a big play guy in the nfl....I think hes much closer to a possession type wr
whereas watkins is the kind of guy that can house it everytime he catches the ball
Pencil in Cooper to OAK
Kiper's first mock:
1 Buccaneers = Winston
2 Titans = Mariota
3 Jaguars = Leonard Williams
4 Raiders = Amari Cooper
5 Racists = Randy Gregory
6 Jets = Shane Ray
7 Bears = Landon Collins
8 Falcons = Dante Fowler, Jr.
9 Giants = Brandon Scherff
10 Rams = T.J. Clemmings
11 Vikings = DeVante Parker
12 Browns = Danny Shelton
13 Saints = Vic Beasley
14 Dolphins = Shaq Thompson
15 49ers = Kevin White
16 Texans = Trae Waynes
17 Chargers = Arik Armstead
18 Chiefs = Dorial Green-Beckham
19 Browns (BUF) = Ereck Flowers
20 EAGLES = Marcus Peters
21 Bengals = Bud Dupree
22 Steelers = Kevin Johnson
23 Lions = Malcom Brown
24 Cardinals = Melvin Gordon
25 Panthers = Andrus Peat
26 Ravens = Devin Funchess
27 Cowboys = Jordan Phillips
28 Broncos = Benardrick McKinney
29 Colts = Jaelen Strong
30 Packers = Eddie Goldman
31 Patriots = Sammie Coates
32 Seahawks = Devin Smith
lol...yeah probably
mm says he sprained his shoulder and prob will not throw at the combine....not sure why he would lie about it but I call bullshtein on the injury
Missed that lick he took at the end of the championship game did ya?
his team clearly told him not to go to indy....its not a good idea...and im totally fine with that...he should do a private workout...but don't fake an injury
Yeah I don't think he's faking tho - that shot he took was legit.
I hate players skipping the combine workouts. They should be required for every eligible player
I don't agree with that....the combine is a slave auction...more power should be given to the athlete not less
Well..i think that is a strong comparison there...but if they are going to hold it then all should attend. I think most of the drills are stupid anyways...especially the 40.
just cause the nfl holds it doesn't mean the players should attend...the nfl and herr fuhrer goodell already are out of control...im not against the combine in theory but no way should it be held against a player who doesn't wanna go...as an organization I hate the nfl with a passion
I am with you on despising the NFL...they're ridiculous.
I think if a top prospect misses the combine but puts ups good pro day teams are fairly forgiving.
Oh, can't wait for the combine! Rich Eisen running the 100 in his suit, Mayock critiquing a players pocket to eye socket sprinting form, vertical jump slow mo breakdowns, standing broad jump, I can't contain the excitement. Give me the senior bowl week, that is all.
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/02/2015_combine_alabamas_landon_collins_only_first-ro.html
http://www.phillyvoice.com/last-5-years--mel-kiper-predicted-8-picks-right/
Fun read.
Look at the his Eagles picks.
If only...
Kempski is such a loser...all he does is troll and or mock people one million times more talented than he is
Nobody can do mocks people do them because their employer makes them do it for page clicks...you follow people like kiper for their player analysis not who they think Green Bay will take with the 27th pick
@AdamSchefter: Jameis Winston has undergone testing to determine why he has weakness in his throwing shoulder discovered during combine, per @mortreport.
NFL Hall of Famer Draft Frequency
http://imgur.com/a/tf7DL
That's pre-1998 so they didn't have to preemptively include McNabb.
farg me! I did it, I folded like a drunken sailor in a back room shtein house card game, I watched the combine. Got caught up in all the local media hype over MM.
One take away is Danny Shelton DT from Washington. Holy shtein! That guy is going to be an animal. now I see why he's a type 5 pick. Specimen.
McShay's new mock:
1 Buccaneers = Winston
2 Titans = L.Williams
3 Jaguars = Fowler, Jr.
4 Raiders = White
5 Redskins = Gregory
6 Jets = Mariota
7 Bears = Shelton
8 Falcons = Ray
9 Giants = Scherff
10 Rams = Cooper
11 Vikings = Waynes
12 Browns = Parker
13 Saints = Beasley
14 Dolphins = Kevin Johnson
15 49ers = Armstead
16 Texans = Peat
17 Chargers = Brown
18 Chiefs = Green-Beckham
19 Browns (BUF) = Flowers
20 EAGLES = Landon Collins
21 Bengals = Dupree
22 Steelers = Jalen Collins
23 Lions = Erving
24 Cardinals = Harold
25 Panthers = Clemmings
26 Ravens = Peters
27 Cowboys = Gordon
28 Broncos = Goldman
29 Colts = La'el Collins
30 Packers = Phillips
31 Seahawks = Gurley
32 Patriots = Carl Davis
If they really will do a deal with WASH and WASH wants edge rushers this is a good draft to get one later in the 1st - so the greatest GM ever Scotty Mac could still get a good player
What is shocking about that?
I am saying if the speculation is correct about trading up with them for Mariota.
The Shanaclan ain't running WASH any longer - The Pickfather GOAT Scotty M may not do the deal
THE SPECULATION IS NOT CORRECT
I am speculating on the speculation, buzzkiller.
you are feeding the beast
think the eagles can get urlacher?
I'd prefer if they got Ashley Lelie and a big back.
:-D Holy shtein J! Was seeing Lelie at the local Costco every so often few years back. No not working, he was shopping.
Haha it would have been great if he was working there.
I'm super excited that this draft has a Kevin Johnson. Everyone has been wanting the Eagles to GET KEVIN JOHNSON for, like, years. McNabb would be so stoked, amirite?
Best in the biz
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/04/09/nfl-draft-picking-late-first-steelers-kevin-colbert-ravens-eric-decosta/
QuoteIn fairness, the Steelers more or less stumbled onto their franchise quarterback. After a rare losing season in 2003 they held the 11th pick. Owner Dan Rooney, in his words, "steered the conversation" away from Arkansas offensive tackle Shawn Andrews and towards Miami (Ohio) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. None of which changes the fact that Colbert sees a trade-worthy prospect every three or four years. The Ravens, on the other hand, project more than one trade-up contingency in every first round, says DeCosta.
Nauseating...
The most amazing part of Howie the GM is 5 years of handling the drafts he took 2 QBs (Foles/Barkley). The most important position on the field and he addressed it with 3rd and 4th round picks. It's not like they had Brady and it wasn't a priority.
They weren't drafting the rapist back then because of Donny but a great team seizes opportunities when they present themselves. And more importantly they don't draft mental pygmies like Shawn Andrews.
1. Andrews was good when he played. That's probably more than we would have been able to say about whoever the Eagles would have drafted instead of him.
2. I'm okay with bashing Howie but what QBs went between the Eagles 1st round picks and Foles and Barkley, which the team missed out on by not making QB "a priority"?
Foles: Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Russell Wilson
Barkley: EJ Manuel, Geno Smith, Mike Glennon
Wilson, the only one of those guys anyone would possibly want to spend a high draft pick on, went in the same round as Foles, indicating to me that the Seahawks found the QB position as important as the Eagles did and got lucky.
With very rare exceptions, you are drafting a good QB with the first 10 picks, or you are getting damn lucky. And lately there have probably been more terrible QBs taken in the top 10 than good QBs taken in the rest of the draft.
Quote from: QB Eagles on April 09, 2015, 02:45:00 PM
1. Andrews was good when he played. That's probably more than we would have been able to say about whoever the Eagles would have drafted instead of him.
2. I'm okay with bashing Howie but what QBs went between the Eagles 1st round picks and Foles and Barkley, which the team missed out on by not making QB "a priority"?
Foles: Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Russell Wilson
Barkley: EJ Manuel, Geno Smith, Mike Glennon
Wilson, the only one of those guys anyone would possibly want to spend a high draft pick on, went in the same round as Foles, indicating to me that the Seahawks found the QB position as important as the Eagles did and got lucky.
With very rare exceptions, you are drafting a good QB with the first 10 picks, or you are getting damn lucky. And lately there have probably been more terrible QBs taken in the top 10 than good QBs taken in the rest of the draft.
There were plenty of opportunities to move up for a QB. Ryan Tannehill comes to mind. Instead of drafting Cox they could have addressed the most important need which is a QB. In 2011 instead of selecting the firewomen they could have taken Kaepernick.
It's just baffling to me that he was in charge for 5 years, never had a franchise QB, and never made an attempt to get one.
I guess the question becomes how much are you willing to give up to move up in the first round for guy who is about 2/3 likely to be Christian Ponder or worse and 1/3 likely to be Ryan Tannehill or better. Especially when you see other people waiting until Round 3 and getting the occasional quality QB. Howie clearly doesn't have that much ballsack, although Chip probably would.
It's hard to remember but Vick and Foles also had a couple phantom seasons where they were in the All Pro conversation, which took a lot of heat off of finding a QB. It's not like they had Blaine Gabbert throwing for 5 years.
A good GM identifies a QB flash in the pan and knows which ones are worth moving up for. He had 5 years to address the most important issue on the field. The Wilson draft blunder is irritating. If you identify a guy out of the first round you like that much you do what it takes to get him not sit there dumbfounded when another team beats you to the punch.
Fletcher Cox > Ryan Tannehill
not defending howie but he was in charge of one draft not 5
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 09, 2015, 03:52:07 PM
Fletcher Cox > Ryan Tannehill
You're on crack. Tannehill is a top 10 qb who's only going to get better. Fletcher is awesome but a franchise qb is 10x more valuable than a d lineman
Quote from: ice grillin you on April 09, 2015, 06:15:54 PM
not defending howie but he was in charge of one draft not 5
He ran every draft from 2009-2014.
no he didnt....he didnt even have the title gm in 2009 much less ran the draft....andy had complete control of player acquisition...saying howie ran drafts is like saying tom heckert ran drafts under andy which we all know isnt the case
one can actually argue that he didnt run any drafts...because chips finger prints are all over the two drafts where howie was gm and chip had no title but coach...but if you hoose not to believe that then at most howie ran two drafts...2013 and 14
I'm too lazy to find it but either Reid or Banner said Howie ran the 2009 draft.
i know lurie tried to portray howie having much more to do with drafts than he really did when he hired him....but it was obviously all revisionist history to try and validate the hire...especially because 2009 was a good one
but its not even a debate....andy assumed power when he ran modrack out and had it until the day he left...howie got the title because heckert left but andy was running the ship....shtein heckert left in the first place because he wanted to be the decision maker and thats something hed never get in philly with andy there...if there was ever a time when howie actually took that kind of power from andy it would have been earth shaking news in the offseason much like the chip takeover this offseason
http://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-eagles/2011/5/16/2172883/reviewing-the-first-2-drafts-of-eagles-gm-howie-roseman
By the way... I have to send that article to Tommy to have him autograph it.
That's how horrendous it is.
Like he was drunk on strawberry-flavored AIDS when he wrote it.
lol...theres a differene btwn an idiotic website thinking the gm title means you are running the draft but its called a title for a reason
show me the article or the huge storyline of howie roseman taking away player personnel power from andy reid....i dont even know why im asking....cause again if it happend we all would remember when and where we were at the time as it would have been monsterous news that an accountant was moved ahead of the guy who had been ultra successful for over a decade...in fat andy probably would have quit had that ever happened
it was big enough news that howie got the title to begin with...if andy had actually been fired from his position as player personell director it would have been earth shaking
Quote from: ice grillin you on April 09, 2015, 07:06:05 PM
i know lurie tried to portray howie having much more to do with drafts than he really did when he hired him....but it was obviously all revisionist history to try and validate the hire...especially because 2009 was a good one
It's just kind of a professional courtesy to bolster the GM, like pretending that the president of the US knows everything the 2 million people in the executive branch are working on, because he seems weak and uninformed otherwise. It's kind of ridiculous to imagine some guy who was counting beans the previous year making football decisions over Andy Reid's objections. Lately Lurie has been explicitly saying that only 2013 and 2014 were Howie.
By the way, am I the only one who doesn't have much use for any Tommy Lawlor columns? They read as if Spads spent more time watching film and less time learning how to write properly.
I know Tommy personally. He's a really great guy, but yes, he's homerrific in his written work. He's a salty motherfarger as a fan, though.
wow tommy made the big time. i didn't know that. i didn't read it because it sounds like it's awful and i always liked that dude.
and yeah i say big time loosely but still, good for him.
yeah lawlor is pretty terrible....ive actually watched a couple eagle games with him at an eagle bar in baltimore in the early 2000's...really nice guy and loves the birds but the spads comparison is spot on...hes an unbelievable homer who cant write very well
and i have no problem assigning credit or blame to howie on some level for every draft where he had the gm title...but its just ridiculous to think he was running any draft while andy was here
I'm fairly sure Spads is a good guy, too. But Lawlor is basically like if any of us here starting writing columns on PE.com.
People read him to read positive things about Eagle draft picks and to get reassurance about weird moves the Eagles make, but I can't say I've ever gleaned much insight from stuff with his byline. It reads like it's written by a fan... which it is.
also like 10 years ago i went to philly and spent a night with thorny, groovemongrel, prophet, Stevie left college and his buddy who i forget his name but lives in dc, phil (i forget his emb name but he comes over to say hi still at games, section 707?). i just wrote all of that bc i thought tommy was there but he wasn't. still a fun night. i slept in my car.
and thats the worst thing i will ever admit to in my life.
Quote from: QB Eagles on April 09, 2015, 07:33:13 PM
I'm fairly sure Spads is a good guy, too. But Lawlor is basically like if any of us here starting writing columns on PE.com.
well that's exactly what he is. except he (hopefully) gets some cash from it.
So a column entitled, "Fandemonium" isn't what you expected?
Color me shocked.
PS: This is Tommy's site: http://igglesblitz.com/author/admin/
Quote from: Rome on April 09, 2015, 07:40:47 PM
So a column entitled, "Fandemonium" isn't what you expected?
lol
Quote from: phattymatty on April 09, 2015, 07:35:04 PM
also like 10 years ago i went to philly and spent a night with thorny, groovemongrel, prophet, Stevie left college and his buddy who i forget his name but lives in dc, phil (i forget his emb name but he comes over to say hi still at games, section 707?). i just wrote all of that bc i thought tommy was there but he wasn't. still a fun night. i slept in my car.
and thats the worst thing i will ever admit to in my life.
Jeez there's some blasts from the past there. Wonder if they're still around the emb...
Tommy is cool and Spads is cool as hell too. He hooked me up big once in Dallas....maybe sometime I'll tell the story.
Quote from: phattymatty on April 09, 2015, 07:35:04 PM
and thats the worst thing i will ever admit to in my life.
Is it? Is it?
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 09, 2015, 08:23:43 PM
Tommy is cool and Spads is cool as hell too. He hooked me up big once in Dallas....maybe sometime I'll tell the story.
Unless it includes hookers and blow its probably a story that doesn't need telling
as long as it includes spads it shouldnt be told
No hookers, sadly. Or blow.
you mean no cocaine.....the night def ended with you blowing spads like a hooker
Haha not really. But I picked up some chick from the bar and later realized she had a Cowboys star tramp stamp tat. Made for good target practice.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 09, 2015, 08:23:43 PM
Quote from: phattymatty on April 09, 2015, 07:35:04 PM
also like 10 years ago i went to philly and spent a night with thorny, groovemongrel, prophet, Stevie left college and his buddy who i forget his name but lives in dc, phil (i forget his emb name but he comes over to say hi still at games, section 707?). i just wrote all of that bc i thought tommy was there but he wasn't. still a fun night. i slept in my car.
and thats the worst thing i will ever admit to in my life.
Jeez there's some blasts from the past there. Wonder if they're still around the emb...
Tommy is cool and Spads is cool as hell too. He hooked me up big once in Dallas....maybe sometime I'll tell the story.
Only names I remmeber there are Stevie and prophet. groovemongrel sounds somewhat familiar.
I know Stevie is still on there. He pops into the political section every now and then and laments poor people getting assistance. Not a hardcore righty though.
StalkingEagle (Ryan) was Steve's buddy. He shows up once in a while on EMB. groove only shows up to talk about Grateful Dead or guitars or something
Back on topic, here's Kiper's latest mock:
TB-Winston
TEN-Mariota
JAX-L.Williams
OAK-Cooper
WSH-Fowler Jr.
NYJ-Scherff
CHI-K.White
ATL-V.Beasley
NYG-Ray
STL-Perriman
MIN-Waynes
CLE-Parker
NO-Gregory
MIA-Shelton
SF-Armstead
HOU-Dupree
SD-M.Brown
KC-Strong
CLE(BUF)-Gurley
PHI-Landon Collins
CIN-Funchess
PIT-K.Johnson
DET-La'el Collins
AZ-Gordon
CAR-Humphries
BAL-Peters
DAL-B.Jones
DEN-Erving
IND-Peat
GB-Jalen Collins
NO(SEA)-Agholor
NE-Goldman
draft hat
one of the most buttery hats ive ever seen....so plain on top and the skyline underbrim with script is unreal
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCuo1uAUIAAVorK.jpg)
They do that for all teams or just Tampa?
im assuming for all teams....they do that for all newly released gear that ive ever seen....they come out on the 20th and only tampas has been released thus far...probably cause they have the number one overall johnson
i can't hate the underbrim more
The that brim looks like a tattoo someone would get from a buddy after half a bottle of tequila.
I love the plain look...I have a green one and a black one -- also hate the under brim.
your taste in sports gear is worse than my sense of humor
Everyone hates it except you. But sure, Jay's taste is the problem.
who is everyone
Everyone on the thread but you?
I have no idea what is "cool" when you're repping for billionaires who don't give a farg about you.
I just wear whatever clothes I own that are close enough to the team color. farg these people tricking you fools into working your lives away minute by minute so you can buy the stuff their other, not-as-well-off slaves, made elsewhere.
im part of like the 6% so I can relate to them better than most which is why its so easy for me to rock their buttery caps
Those letters are as crooked as the penis you're stroking over them.
Dio is feisty lately.
Quote from: ice grillin you on April 16, 2015, 08:40:34 PM
im part of like the 6% so I can relate to them better than most which is why its so easy for me to rock their buttery caps
house stillupfront still a stillupfront yo
Quote from: General_Failure on April 16, 2015, 08:52:18 PM
Those letters are as crooked as the penis you're stroking over them.
thats cause brim's bend...they are perfect
Bent brims are back? What about the McRib?
How does the modern man know how much to curve his brim? What does it all mean?
When I see people wear flat brims it makes me wanna walk up to them and snatch the lid off their head...put a nice bend it it...and tell them how stupid flat brims are
QuoteSao Paulo, Brazil (CNN)Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen sashayed down the catwalk at Sao Paulo Fashion Week on Wednesday night in an emotional farewell to the runway.
Bundchen announced over the weekend that she would be retiring from the catwalk
With Gisele retiring there's an open spot now. Maybe one of you fashion experts can take it. I understand it pays pretty well.
So Shane Ray gonna drop?
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP71/ArrestDetailsAction?TW01REPORTNUMBER=I243822F
I simply cannot understand why these clowns can't resist the temptation to farg up their entire lives by smoking/possessing dope. A pro football team was going to give you all the money you'd ever need before ever even playing a down for them, yet you can't forgo the weed for just a few more days?
Incredible.
Two words
Bag man.
Have someone tote that shtein around for you if you're too much of a farging clown to not be able to lay off the weed.
Police are attempting to question La'el Collins after a 29-yr old pregnant ex of his was shot and killed. He isn't a suspect, but teams wanna know if he's the father
Lo'l?
Haha good one
Reading my first mock of the year...Peter King's. He usually stinks at this but I do like his pick of Amari to JAX at 3.
so i'm a bad football fan because i'm currently in chicago and had no clue that the draft was here this year until i walked by the draft experience today. badass coincidence.
on a funny but super racist note, one of the white girls with me saw a bunch of large black men and was like, shtein riots are here too?
Quote from: phattymatty on April 30, 2015, 12:40:30 AM
on a funny but super racist note, one of the white girls with me saw a bunch of large black men and was like, shtein riots are here too?
She say that as a joke or is she just a ditz? Either way that's awesome.
My buddy flew to Chicago with no ticket to the draft just to be there.
i'm not sure but leaning towards just being very stupid.
chicago really did the draft right, i went down to NFL Draft Town, this huge event they set up in Grant park. I would guess ten or twenty thousand people. beer everywhere. all kinds of stores and food. each nfl team had their own tent. giant amphitheater filled with games and shtein. all the networks were broadcasting from there, jay glazier, nfl network guys.
pretty cool event.
i actually like how they took the draft away from nyc
it should def. be a thing that goes from city to city every year
Quote from: Rome on April 28, 2015, 05:39:23 PM
Lo'l?
http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_/id/12801680/lael-collins-lsu-tigers-says-re-enter-2016-draft-not-selected-friday
Quote from: phattymatty on May 01, 2015, 10:00:04 AM
i'm not sure but leaning towards just being very stupid.
chicago really did the draft right, i went down to NFL Draft Town, this huge event they set up in Grant park. I would guess ten or twenty thousand people. beer everywhere. all kinds of stores and food. each nfl team had their own tent. giant amphitheater filled with games and shtein. all the networks were broadcasting from there, jay glazier, nfl network guys.
pretty cool event.
i guess thats why no one was actually in the draft....there were so many empty seats it was ridiculous and the atmosphere sucked compared to nyc
i didn't get to see any of it on tv. but outside was ridiculous.
funny and sad part (for us philly fans) was that i was at o'hare trying to get back and couldn't find it on a tv anywhere. then i realized the blackhawks and bulls both had playoff games going on. eventually found a few other football fans and we got it on one.
flight was delayed and i was streaming on my phone for a bit, was probably a few thousand feet in the air when my service stopped at pick 20.
Quote from: ice grillin you on May 01, 2015, 07:26:26 PMi guess thats why no one was actually in the draft....there were so many empty seats it was ridiculous and the atmosphere sucked compared to nyc
thats because the draft is boring
being around the draft seems fun though
That building that keep showing that says draft town is my Chicago office. I have a desk there. Somehow.
QuoteBest Value Pick Round 1: Rams: RB Todd Gurley and Patriots: DT Malcom Brown
I allow myself one tie in the rewards each year, and this year, I couldn't pick between Gurley and Brown. Gurley was my second-rated player in the 2015 NFL Draft, and if it weren't for his ACL injury, he would have been a top-five pick. The Rams got a player at the 10th pick who is a once-in-a-decade talent and the best running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson.
The big "if" with Gurley is health, but if he can stay healthy, I think he has the potential to be a legendary running back. Peterson fell to the seventh pick of because of a knee injury, and I see history repeating itself with Gurley. The Rams are the rare team to snag a true value pick with rare size and speed talent in the top 10 of an NFL Draft.
The Patriots also got a tremendous value in Brown. He could easily have gone in the top 20 and fell all the way to No. 32. Brown has pass-rush ability and also is a big, strong defender in the ground game. He is versatile to play any interior defensive line spot in a 4-3 defense while also being able to play the nose or end in a 3-4. New England likes to vary its fronts, and Brown could make a quick impact as one of the replacements for Vince Wilfork.
Brown is a better player than some who were drafted ahead of him. At the end of the first round, he could end up being a huge steal for New England.
Best Value Pick Day 2: Houston Texans: WR Jaelen Strong
This pick came down to Strong, Minnesota's Eric Kendricks and Dallas' Randy Gregory. I ruled out Gregory because the off-the-field issues could derail his career, and franchises were very uncomfortable with that. A lot of teams had Kendricks graded in the second round even though I felt he was a top-25 talent for the 2015 NFL Draft draft. Strong, on the other hand, received some first-round grades, and the Texans were able to land him in the third round.
Sources tell me that the Rams and Steelers were two of the teams that had a first-round grade on Strong. Leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft, Strong was consistently projected to go late in the first round, and nobody would have been critical if a team took Strong late in Round 1. The 6-foot-2, 217-pounder has excellent hands with the ability to make big catches downfield over defensive backs. Strong showed speed at the Combine, and the past two seasons, he has improved with his game via a noteworthy work ethic. Strong also was effective against good cornerback prospects, including getting the better of Kansas City's first-rounder Marcus Peters.
Strong has the potential to be a No. 1 in the NFL, but at very least, should be a very good No. 2 receiver. The Texans landing Strong in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft was a tremendous steal and the best value pick on the second day this year.
Best Value Pick Day 3: Miami Dolphins: RB Jay Ajayi
This one almost came down to Jacksonville's selection of Michael Bennett in the sixth round, but Bennett was graded in the fourth round by many teams. Therefore, him going on the third day wasn't as big of a value to teams as a second-day prospect. Throughout the lead up to the 2015 NFL Draft, Ajayi was in the discussion as the third-rated running back, so it was a real shock when he fell to the fifth round.
One of the main reasons for Ajayi to fall were concerns about how his knees will hold up in the NFL. Some teams also questioned whether Ajayi could be an every-down back, and they felt he could be better as part of a running back-by-committee approach. While there were doubts, it doesn't sound like there were any concrete reasons for Ajayi to slip in the 2015 NFL Draft.
At Boise State, Ajayi showed a well-rounded skill set with power, speed, balance and versatility. He had the speed to rip off yards in chunks and also was strong enough to run through tackles. The 6-foot, 221-pounder Ajayi is a tough runner who can also contribute as a receiver. I think he's going to be a quality running back for the Dolphins, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he is a good starter in the NFL.
Best Trade: Baltimore Ravens: TE Maxx Williams
All the Ravens gave to move up in the second round and land the draft's best tight end prospect was a fifth-rounder. Baltimore had a huge hole at the position, and coming away with the 2015 NFL Draft's best tight end in the second round is a huge steal for Ozzie Newsome and company. The trade also kept Williams from landing with the Steelers as the Ravens jumped to one spot in front of Pittsburgh. Williams is a great fit in Marc Trestman's offense, plus the Ravens needed to upgrade their receiving weapons this offseason. This was a great trade for Baltimore.
Biggest Reach Round 1: New Orleans Saints: ILB Stephone Anthony
It looks clear that the Saints did not get the better of their trade with the Seahawks. Trading Jimmy Graham for Stephone Anthony and Max Unger looks bad for New Orleans. A big reason why the trade looks bad right now is the Saints' reaching on Anthony in the first round. In speaking with multiple teams, they had Anthony graded as a third-round pick. Teams also had Anthony as the fourth inside linebacker prospect, behind Bernardrick McKinney, Eric Kendricks and Denzel Perryman.
Anthony (6-2, 243) was impressive at the Senior Bowl and showed more skills in the passing game than he displayed at college. While at Clemson, Anthony never had a big season of production, and scouts say that his instincts aren't anything special. In the lead up to the 2015 NFL Draft, Anthony's stock rose because he was a workout warrior with size, strength and a fast 40 time. However, Anthony never played up to that skill set.
The Saints needed help at linebacker, but they took Anthony over those three previously listed linebackers who were far more productive in college, plus all three of them showed more instincts than Anthony. With Anthony grading out as a third-rounder, this was a huge reach pick for New Orleans.
Biggest Reach Day 2: New England Patriots: S Jordan Richards
This was an easy choice. Richards had no business being drafted on Day 2. Despite a terrible safety class, he was projected to go deep on the third day of the 2015 NFL Draft, and WalterFootball.com knows multiple teams that had him graded well into Day 3.
Sources said that the Patriots only had 15-20 players in their draft pool for all seven rounds. By the time of New England's second-round pick, all of them were gone and Bill Belichick started to "wing it." That explains why the Patriots picks on Day 2 were huge reaches and surprises.
In 2014, Richards was bad for Stanford. He was not a good pass-defender and really didn't make an impact in the ground game. Richards was beaten a number of times by receivers downfield. He had no business going on the second day of the 2015 NFL Draft, and this pick could easily go bust for New England.
Best Undrafted Free Agent Signing: New York Giants: RB Akeem Hunt
This was a hard choice, but I think the Giants landed a potential play-maker at running back with Hunt. He is extremely fast and is put together well to run the ball between the tackles. Hunt also has the ability to function as a receiver with superb route-running and soft hands. The Giants have some thumper running backs and were in need of a speed element. It wouldn't surprise me if Hunt is able to take some carries away from Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams.
Teams had Hunt graded out in the middle of Day 3, but every year, some quality players just slip out of the draft. It also didn't help Hunt that Purdue's program has declined severely and isn't getting the attention it used to from NFL evaluators. Hunt could end up being a nice change-of-pace back and receiver out of the backfield for New York.
Honorable mentions: Texans outside linebacker Lynden Trail, Buccaneers running back Dominique Brown, Tennessee Titans guard Josue Matias, Steelers center B.J. Finney, Texans safety Kurtis Drummond, Falcons cornerback Kevin White, Vikings cornerback Justin Coleman and Vikings safety Anthony Harris.
Best Draft Class: Jacksonville Jaguars
Teams picking high have an advantage, but the Jaguars did an excellent job. I like what the Texans and Ravens did more on the second day of the 2015 NFL Draft, but considering all three days, I think Jacksonville came away with the best draft class in the NFL. In the previous two years, I was hard on general manager David Caldwell as I didn't like what he did in the draft in 2013 or 2014, but his third year looks like an excellent job with potentially quality starters from all three days.
In the first round, the Jaguars landed the edge rusher they've been needing in Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. He is a great scheme fit with the size and speed to be a impact pass-rusher.
Jacksonville went on to land an difference-maker at running back in T.J. Yeldon on Day 2. The Jaguars badly needed a starting running back, and the explosive Yeldon could have a huge impact in helping quarterback Blake Bortles to progress in Year 2. Later on the second day, Jacksonville upgraded its offensive line with A.J. Cann. He could quickly replace Zane Beadles or Brandon Linder.
On the third day of the draft, the Jaguars filled their safety need with a good value in the fourth round via Louisville safety James Sample. He is a well-rounded defender who should be the long-term partner with Jonathan Cyprien.
Jacksonville later grabbed three other players with the skill set to contribute. Wide receiver Rashad Greene was projected by many to go on the second day and was a tremendous college receiver. He should be a good slot receiver for the Jaguars. Defensive tackle Michael Bennett was an absolute steal in the sixth round, and at the very least, he could be a good situational pass-rusher. Ben Koyack, who was taken in the seventh round, could be a good blocking Y tight end. There isn't much difference between Koyack and some of the tight ends who went in the third round.
Jacksonville's draft class could produce four starters and three or four more role players. The Jaguars having a strong draft isn't just my opinion. I asked around to sources at other teams and all of them mentioned Jacksonville as having a good draft. A few more of these and the Jaguars could finally start making some strides.
Honorable mentions: Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, and Tennessee Titans.
Worst Draft Class: Carolina Panthers
I didn't really like what the Rams and Patriots did after the first round, but at least both teams' first-rounders were great values and potentially elite players. I think that Carolina reached on its first two selections, unnecessarily gave away its third-round pick and then didn't do enough on Day 3. This could be a lost draft class for the Panthers.
In the first round, Carolina took Shaq Thompson, and he could be a solid linebacker, but I don't think he will be a great one. Thompson never had a big season as a linebacker in college. I asked several teams where they had Thompson, and all of them had a second-day grade on him.
The next pick was one of the worst in the entire 2015 Draft as Carolina traded up for Devin Funchess. The team gave away its third-round pick for a wide receiver who struggles to get separation. It seems doubtful that the Panthers had to move up for Funchess at all considering that no receivers were selected between were the Panthers were slotted and when they took Funchess. In fact, other more highly rated receivers like Jaelen Strong and Tyler Lockett fell to the third round.
Funchess doesn't win 50-50 balls and drops too many passes. He is a tweener tight end and wide receiver. Funchess isn't big, strong or physical enough to play tight end. I think he could easily be a bust because I don't think he will separate from NFL cornerbacks and can't just live on out-jumping every defender.
Right tackle Daryl Williams was a nice fourth-round pick. But another linebacker in David Mayo didn't make a lot of sense in the fifth round. Sixth-round running back Cameron Artis-Payne is a backup at best.
This draft didn't do enough to address Carolina's weak offensive line that allowed way too many hits on Cam Newton last year. The secondary need was neglected, too, as was the defensive line.
This looks like a very questionable draft class for Carolina filled with a lot of reaches and overdrafting players ahead of where they should have gone. I think general manager Dave Gettleman did a really good job in his first two drafts in 2013 and 2014, but I think this could be a lost draft class for the Panthers.
I'm sure the Partiots rumor is totally accurate.
Fowler Jr tore his ACL at rookie minicamp today and is done for the season already
Quote from: BigEd76 on May 08, 2015, 05:33:02 PM
Fowler Jr tore his ACL at rookie minicamp today and is done for the season already
That's just farged up. Sucks for everyone Jaguars all around. And here I thought the Eagles were the only snake-bitten team.