2014 NFL Draft thread (2 Viewers)

[MAC_32]

From a Dynasty perspective, what does this year's depth look like? Anyone with insight? I have three second round dynasty picks. Just wondering what they are worth?

plan to draft pass catchers unless a RB or qb slips. Very deep draft.

 

[Yenrub]

Sammy Watkins is being really overrated. Top-5? He better run a 4.2 or something at the combine.

He is the absolute cannot miss prospect of this draft. I think he is a top 10 wr in two years if not sooner. The dude has no flaws.

Interesting to see that I am not the only one not buying into the Sammy Watkins hype

I’ll admit I haven’t seen a ton of his games but I live in ACC country so I have seen a few and while his damn nifty after the catch I really don’t recall him running any real routes. Seems like most of his work at Clemson (at least the games I have watched) came from bull#### bubble screens or throws where the DB was playing off and Watkins basically just stood up and the QB threw him the ball no route running involved

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Johnny Manziel - QB - Player
According to SI's Peter King, the Browns "seem prepared to move heaven and earth" to select a "new quarterback savior" in May's draft.
In other words, they're not handing the keys to Brian Hoyer, while Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, Derek Carr, and Teddy Bridgewater are all in play for the Browns. Cleveland has two first-rounders after ex-GM Mike Lombardi accepted the No. 26 overall pick for Trent Richardson, in what so far appears to be a swindling by the now-fired Lombardi. If the Browns want to move up for a quarterback, they have more than enough ammunition.

Source: SI.com

Johnny Manziel - QB - Aggies
As of two weeks ago, one NFL GM is uncertain if Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel will be available when the Browns pick at No. 4 overall.
The Browns have been linked to quarterback prospects for over a year, however, they could end up with the third or fourth passer on the board. That does not mean the Browns are necessarily "settling," since their rankings could be different. We would not rule the Browns out of trading up to land "their guy."

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

 

[Donnybrook]

Rotoworld:

Johnny Manziel - QB - Player
According to SI's Peter King, the Browns "seem prepared to move heaven and earth" to select a "new quarterback savior" in May's draft.
In other words, they're not handing the keys to Brian Hoyer, while Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, Derek Carr, and Teddy Bridgewater are all in play for the Browns. Cleveland has two first-rounders after ex-GM Mike Lombardi accepted the No. 26 overall pick for Trent Richardson, in what so far appears to be a swindling by the now-fired Lombardi. If the Browns want to move up for a quarterback, they have more than enough ammunition.

Source: SI.com

Johnny Manziel - QB - Aggies
As of two weeks ago, one NFL GM is uncertain if Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel will be available when the Browns pick at No. 4 overall.
The Browns have been linked to quarterback prospects for over a year, however, they could end up with the third or fourth passer on the board. That does not mean the Browns are necessarily "settling," since their rankings could be different. We would not rule the Browns out of trading up to land "their guy."

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

It is intereting how they can make no news look like news. In other words, they have no clue what the Browns are going to do in the draft.

 

[pantherclub]

Sammy Watkins is being really overrated. Top-5? He better run a 4.2 or something at the combine.

He is the absolute cannot miss prospect of this draft. I think he is a top 10 wr in two years if not sooner. The dude has no flaws.

Interesting to see that I am not the only one not buying into the Sammy Watkins hype

I’ll admit I haven’t seen a ton of his games but I live in ACC country so I have seen a few and while his damn nifty after the catch I really don’t recall him running any real routes. Seems like most of his work at Clemson (at least the games I have watched) came from bull#### bubble screens or throws where the DB was playing off and Watkins basically just stood up and the QB threw him the ball no route running involved

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9DN2YXMS50

This video shows an array of his catches. In it he runs posts, curls, some underneath stuff and of course your bubble screens. It doesnt have his bowl game this year and I recall he went nuts in that game as well. I am sure its on youtube somewhere if you care this was the first video that popped up. The catch at 1:21 is pretty impressive as well.

Like I said before IMO he is one of the top wr prospects I have seen in the last 5-10 years.

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Farmer's vision for Browns? QB still No.1 priority

 

[Faust]

Charles Davis' Mock draft 2.0

 

[pantherclub]

Charles Davis' Mock draft 2.0

I can say with 99.9% certainty that the Panthers will not draft a RB in the first round. Thats just a lazy and uninformed mock.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

@MoveTheSticks: Mock Draft 2.0-- http://t.co/hWCWqgDNBv

 

[RUSF18]

@MoveTheSticks: Mock Draft 2.0-- http://t.co/hWCWqgDNBv

If Clowney actually goes #1, the rest of what he's proposing makes a lot of sense, even deep into the first round. Obviously that is a major domino.

edit: Only one I definitely disagree with is the Browns taking Carlos Hyde at #26, but given the new administration, who knows.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

@MoveTheSticks: Mock Draft 2.0-- http://t.co/hWCWqgDNBv

The Browns settled on Rob Chudzinski and fired him after one 4-12 season, moving on to their third coach in three seasons. The Browns had become a punch line, to the point that a reporter asked team owner Jimmy Haslam if the Browns were run by the Three Stooges.

wow!a beat reporters asking that kind of question takes brass balls.

 

[snogger]

It's amazing how one game can drop you.. Before the Bowl game, Carr was normally a top 10 pick.. Now most Mocks don't have him going before the 2nd round

 

[Premier]

Charles Davis' Mock draft 2.0

Anthony Barr over Mack? Come on. GTFO.

 

[matuski]

Charles Davis' Mock draft 2.0

Like the Rams coming out with a top OT and Evans.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Greg Cosell went over the top prospects of this draft.

This is what he said on Sammy Watkins. He also was asked about Mike Evans but he switched over to talking about Kelven Benjamin who liked a little bit more than Mike Evans.

Also he asked about the quarterbacks and he didn't think any of them were franchise quarterbacks worthy of top picks but noted if you need a QB that teams will have to sort through them so he broke this class of QBs down.

Here is the link and I did a quick and dirty transcript of the part where he spoke of Watkins since he has been discussed in this thread.

http://cdn.stationcaster.com/stations/wgfx/media/mp3/Greg_Cosell_with_Midday_180-1392235316.mp3

　

Sammy Watkins

Greg Cosell: "I don’t think their’s any question about it. Sammy Watkins in the number-one wide receiver in this draft.

You can make the argument that he’s the best wide receiver to come out since the A.J. Green/Julio Jones 2011 draft.

I mean he’s got, size, speed, shiftiness, explosion. Ah, ah, I think hands-down Sammy Watkins is the best wide reciever in this draft."

MIKE EVANS 6’5, 225 lbs

Cosell: I actually like Kelven Benjamin from Florida State more than I like Mike Evans.

He’s basically as big, ya know. And I thought he had a little more natural athleticism and quickness than Evans.

So I thought Benjamin brought the same basic attributes to the table as Evans but I thought he was a lil-more of an athletic kid.

You remember certain things. (He recalled a play where Benjamin blew-by Purifoy on a post) showed great-bust when the ball was in the air. That is what you really look for with wide receivers on vertical routes. Its not so much forty times. You want to see a burst when the ball is in the air.

(mentioned a history of 4.6 WRs noting Jerry Rice but emphasized the point about burst with ball in the air taking precedence ) When the ball was in the air, they looked a lot faster."

He then went over the quarterbacks.

Go to the link for the rest of the pod cast.

 

[saintfool]

Greg Cosell went over the top prospects of this draft.

This is what he said on Sammy Watkins. He also was asked about Mike Evans but he switched over to talking about Kelven Benjamin who liked a little bit more than Mike Evans.

Also he asked about the quarterbacks and he didn't think any of them were franchise quarterbacks worthy of top picks but noted if you need a QB that teams will have to sort through them so he broke this class of QBs down.

Here is the link and I did a quick and dirty transcript of the part where he spoke of Watkins since he has been discussed in this thread.

http://cdn.stationcaster.com/stations/wgfx/media/mp3/Greg_Cosell_with_Midday_180-1392235316.mp3

　

Sammy Watkins

Greg Cosell: "I don’t think their’s any question about it. Sammy Watkins in the number-one wide receiver in this draft.

You can make the argument that he’s the best wide receiver to come out since the A.J. Green/Julio Jones 2011 draft.

I mean he’s got, size, speed, shiftiness, explosion. Ah, ah, I think hands-down Sammy Watkins is the best wide reciever in this draft."

MIKE EVANS 6’5, 225 lbs

Cosell: I actually like Kelven Benjamin from Florida State more than I like Mike Evans.

He’s basically as big, ya know. And I thought he had a little more natural athleticism and quickness than Evans.

So I thought Benjamin brought the same basic attributes to the table as Evans but I thought he was a lil-more of an athletic kid.

You remember certain things. (He recalled a play where Benjamin blew-by Purifoy on a post) showed great-bust when the ball was in the air. That is what you really look for with wide receivers on vertical routes. Its not so much forty times. You want to see a burst when the ball is in the air.

(mentioned a history of 4.6 WRs noting Jerry Rice but emphasized the point about burst with ball in the air taking precedence ) When the ball was in the air, they looked a lot faster."

He then went over the quarterbacks.

Go to the link for the rest of the pod cast.

I think everyone loves the physical traits that Benjamin has. The make-up is there to be a terrific WR but he's a project. That drops him in my book.

 

[ShaHBucks]

Just listened to "riding shotgun" with Cecil Lammey. He thinks Brett Smith is better than David Fales.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Latest 'On The Couch' is up.

More good draft talk.

---------------------------

LINK:

http://subscribers.footballguys.com/podcast/getep.mp3?epid=2257

Feb 11 2014
2014 Volume#12a - On The Couch 2.11.2014 (#2081)
In This Episode: Sigmund Bloom, Lance Zierlein (The Sideline View), Bryan Perez (First Round Grade) discuss the NFL Draft. Topics Include - What will Houston do with the first round pick, are character concerns about Johnny Manziel are overblown, Why Greg Robinson will be a top five pick, plus more!

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

UCF head coach George O'Leary believes there are no franchise QBs available in the 2014 draft.

This includes Blake Bortles, the quarterback that played under O'Leary. We think the head coach is just very stingy with the term "franchise quarterback," adding the only one in recent years has been Andrew Luck. Everyone would be better off if they removed Luck, the prospect, from their memories. He is rare. CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman cites sources who say O'Leary did not offer Bortles a scholarship until he missed on four other recruits.


Source: CBS Houston

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert called the 2014 draft class the deepest he has seen in 30 years.

The Steelers have a pick in each round, totaling seven, but they might look to add more. As will everyone else. Colbert added there is "also a bigger chance of failure because there are a lot of the underclassmen who aren't ready for this yet," meaning the NFL. The Steelers have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball.


Source: Bob Labriola on Twitter

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Blake Bortles the No. 1 pick? It's a matter of trust

 

[Faust]

NFL Draft: Pre-combine mock draft has Texans taking Johnny Manziel first overall

 

[Bob Magaw]

Clowney, Ebron and Murray (Aaron) in Combine prep.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/built-for-training/0ap2000000325480/Clowney-stars-in-Pressure-Points-Episode-One

 

[ShaHBucks]

Sammy Watkins is being really overrated. Top-5? He better run a 4.2 or something at the combine.

He is the absolute cannot miss prospect of this draft. I think he is a top 10 wr in two years if not sooner. The dude has no flaws.

Interesting to see that I am not the only one not buying into the Sammy Watkins hypeI’ll admit I haven’t seen a ton of his games but I live in ACC country so I have seen a few and while his damn nifty after the catch I really don’t recall him running any real routes. Seems like most of his work at Clemson (at least the games I have watched) came from bull#### bubble screens or throws where the DB was playing off and Watkins basically just stood up and the QB threw him the ball no route running involved

Yea, people need to slow down on Watkins. I'm seeing Julio and Green thrown around too loosely. This is what happends when you show up in a big bowl game typically. The only guy I recall with Julio's size-speed-strength-athletisism-production was Calvin Johnson. End of discussion. AJ Green comps are just as silly. Watkins yeilds 2-3 inches and 10 pounds maybe. In the NFL Watkins red-zone upside won't mimic AJ Green's due to his size. He looks closer to 6" than 6'1". The best you can hope for is Torrey Smith with bigger hands. I love Torrey Smith, but I still wouldn't burn a top-5 pick on him either.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Yea, people need to slow down on Watkins. I'm seeing Julio and Green thrown around too loosely. This is what happends when you show up in a big bowl game typically. The only guy I recall with Julio's size-speed-strength-athletisism-production was Calvin Johnson. End of discussion. AJ Green comps are just as silly. Watkins yeilds 2-3 inches and 10 pounds maybe. In the NFL Watkins red-zone upside won't mimic AJ Green's due to his size. He looks closer to 6" than 6'1". The best you can hope for is Torrey Smith with bigger hands. I love Torrey Smith, but I still wouldn't burn a top-5 pick on him either.

Greg Cosell is the one who said Sammy Watkins ranked with A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Cosell is widely respected and people pay attention to what he says. You may not agree but his evaluation holds merit to many people.

Greg Cosell: "I don’t think their’s any question about it. Sammy Watkins in the number-one wide receiver in this draft.

You can make the argument that he’s the best wide receiver to come out since the A.J. Green/Julio Jones 2011 draft.

I mean he’s got, size, speed, shiftiness, explosion. Ah, ah, I think hands-down Sammy Watkins is the best wide reciever in this draft."

Also I'd put Josh Gordon in with, Calvin Johnsonm A.J. Green, and Julio Jones.

 

[Bob Magaw]

I don't think too many are saying he is as good as Green or Jones, just the best prospect since then. See the Cosell quote below.

"You can make the argument that he's the best wide receiver to come out since the A.J. Green/Julio Jones 2011 draft."

Possibly they are the best since Johnson, since if Watkins receives a top 5 grade (regardless of who thinks he shouldn't), and is drafted between top 5-10, that would be better than Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant, AS PROSPECTS. Similarly, Gordon went later, in the second round, and while very gifted, that partly reflected the risk he presented at the time, and still does.

Green is listed at 207 lbs. That would make him 3" taller and 2 lbs. heavier.

Watkins does some things better than Torrey Smith, which might be one reason teams didn't spend a top 5 pick on him, and he was never really in the discussion for that high a pick, unlike Watkins.

From the [Dynasty] 2014 Draft Prospects thread (page 52).

Xue (comparing Watkins and Lee)

"Watkins has better body control and catches away from his body better."

Xue (comparing with Lee again, also with Torrey Smith)

"It is known who has the better catch radius: Watkins. He catches the ball away from his body more often and has better body control. You don't need measurable to tell you this. Torrey Smith has a 41" vertical yet isn't exactly one of the best at jumpballs."

Xue (on alleged route running and COD shortcomings of Watkins relative to Lee)

"Simply watching them run routes. Certain receivers can run certain routes much better than others. Unless a guy is asked to run a lot of square routes or comebacks, I don't worry much about having great or crazy change of direction. Someone like Odell Beckham is the best at sharp-breaking routes and comebacks, but that doesn't mean he'll put up a crazy shuttle or 3-cone time.

Here is a route by Watkins with a double move: http://1.bp.blogspot...1600/Sammy5.gif

A bit choppy, but his speed and athleticism out of his breaks will more than make up for any lack of ability to change direction that you think he has."

Time Kibitzer (also comparing Watkins and Lee)
"I don't think we need to see combine results to know Sammy Watkins has a better catch radius than Marqise Lee, imo it's pretty obvious just watching their highlights. Sammy Watkins high points the ball on every single pass he receives, allowing him to much more readily catch inaccurate passes and win jump balls, whereas Lee tries to body catch whenever possible. Even if Lee has an insane vertical and a go-go gadget-like arm length, it's not gonna make up for Watkins innate receiving skills in regard to catch radius imo.

Secondly, personally I don't know how you can watch Watkins and not see excellent acceleration, let alone not see good acceleration. Watch the sequence from 3:12-3:29

, and check out the burst he shows on his rush at 6:11 of that video. Imo Watkins has the best acceleration of any of the top WR prospects in this draft. And while he may not have Mike Wallace/DeSean type speed (though he might imo), if he's running in the 4.40 range at his size I'd say that'd be pretty special; that'd be fast enough to beat 90-95% of NFL CB's in a sprint anyway. Plus Watkins has way better WR skills and strength than either Wallace or DeSean; I'd take Watkins over DeSean or Wallace in a dynasty league in a heartbeat.And while Watkins may not have great agility, there are worse things than being a North-South YAC runner with his kind of speed."

 

[The Fantasy Chef]

I don't think too many are saying he is as good as Green or Jones, just the best prospect since then. See the Cosell quote below.

"You can make the argument that he's the best wide receiver to come out since the A.J. Green/Julio Jones 2011 draft."

Possibly they are the best since Johnson, since if Watkins receives a top 5 grade (regardless of who thinks he shouldn't), and is drafted between top 5-10, that would be better than Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant, AS PROSPECTS. Similarly, Gordon went later, in the second round, and while very gifted, that partly reflected the risk he presented at the time, and still does.

Green is listed at 207 lbs. That would make him 3" taller and 2 lbs. heavier.

Watkins does some things better than Torrey Smith, which might be one reason teams didn't spend a top 5 pick on him, and he was never really in the discussion for that high a pick, unlike Watkins.

From the [Dynasty] 2014 Draft Prospects thread (page 52).

Xue (comparing Watkins and Lee)

"Watkins has better body control and catches away from his body better."

Xue (comparing with Lee again, also with Torrey Smith)

"It is known who has the better catch radius: Watkins. He catches the ball away from his body more often and has better body control. You don't need measurable to tell you this. Torrey Smith has a 41" vertical yet isn't exactly one of the best at jumpballs."

Xue (on alleged route running and COD shortcomings of Watkins relative to Lee)

"Simply watching them run routes. Certain receivers can run certain routes much better than others. Unless a guy is asked to run a lot of square routes or comebacks, I don't worry much about having great or crazy change of direction. Someone like Odell Beckham is the best at sharp-breaking routes and comebacks, but that doesn't mean he'll put up a crazy shuttle or 3-cone time.

Here is a route by Watkins with a double move: http://1.bp.blogspot...1600/Sammy5.gif

A bit choppy, but his speed and athleticism out of his breaks will more than make up for any lack of ability to change direction that you think he has."

Time Kibitzer (also comparing Watkins and Lee)

"I don't think we need to see combine results to know Sammy Watkins has a better catch radius than Marqise Lee, imo it's pretty obvious just watching their highlights. Sammy Watkins high points the ball on every single pass he receives, allowing him to much more readily catch inaccurate passes and win jump balls, whereas Lee tries to body catch whenever possible. Even if Lee has an insane vertical and a go-go gadget-like arm length, it's not gonna make up for Watkins innate receiving skills in regard to catch radius imo.

Secondly, personally I don't know how you can watch Watkins and not see excellent acceleration, let alone not see good acceleration. Watch the sequence from 3:12-3:29

Well said BOB!!

 

[ShaHBucks]

*yawn

 

[Bob Magaw]

I think making the distinction between best SINCE, and as good as, is important and worth pointing out.

BIG difference.

 

[ShaHBucks]

So he's BETTER than Alshon Jeffery

 

[Bob Magaw]

yawn.

 

[ShaHBucks]

It is getting late

 

[Sabertooth]

It's amazing how one game can drop you.. Before the Bowl game, Carr was normally a top 10 pick.. Now most Mocks don't have him going before the 2nd round

I agree it is crazy. Or how much an injury or nagging injury can hurt stock. I mean players that are good as juniors and get hurt as seniors are still good players. Never understood the volatility.

 

[MAC_32]

It's amazing how one game can drop you.. Before the Bowl game, Carr was normally a top 10 pick.. Now most Mocks don't have him going before the 2nd round

I agree it is crazy. Or how much an injury or nagging injury can hurt stock. I mean players that are good as juniors and get hurt as seniors are still good players. Never understood the volatility.

carr wasn't a top ten pick before the bowl game. He was a potential first rounder in some eyes, an unknown in most.

 

[snogger]

It's amazing how one game can drop you.. Before the Bowl game, Carr was normally a top 10 pick.. Now most Mocks don't have him going before the 2nd round

I agree it is crazy. Or how much an injury or nagging injury can hurt stock. I mean players that are good as juniors and get hurt as seniors are still good players. Never understood the volatility.

carr wasn't a top ten pick before the bowl game. He was a potential first rounder in some eyes, an unknown in most.

Almost every Mock draft I saw before his Bowl appearance had him going no later then to the Vikings at #8..

Even after the Bowl appearance he was still going to the Vikings until the last month or so..

Now to the first round and hello to the 2nd round.

 

[Pickle Rody]

Yea, people need to slow down on Watkins. I'm seeing Julio and Green thrown around too loosely. This is what happends when you show up in a big bowl game typically. The only guy I recall with Julio's size-speed-strength-athletisism-production was Calvin Johnson. End of discussion. AJ Green comps are just as silly. Watkins yeilds 2-3 inches and 10 pounds maybe. In the NFL Watkins red-zone upside won't mimic AJ Green's due to his size. He looks closer to 6' than 6'1". The best you can hope for is Torrey Smith with bigger hands. I love Torrey Smith, but I still wouldn't burn a top-5 pick on him either.

(You typed 6", but I believe you meant 6', and I edited it in your quoted post)

Really? You can make this 1" determination (and statement) from viewing youtube video's?

 

[ShaHBucks]

Yea, people need to slow down on Watkins. I'm seeing Julio and Green thrown around too loosely. This is what happends when you show up in a big bowl game typically. The only guy I recall with Julio's size-speed-strength-athletisism-production was Calvin Johnson. End of discussion. AJ Green comps are just as silly. Watkins yeilds 2-3 inches and 10 pounds maybe. In the NFL Watkins red-zone upside won't mimic AJ Green's due to his size. He looks closer to 6' than 6'1". The best you can hope for is Torrey Smith with bigger hands. I love Torrey Smith, but I still wouldn't burn a top-5 pick on him either.

(You typed 6", but I believe you meant 6', and I edited it in your quoted post)Really? You can make this 1" determination (and statement) from viewing youtube video's?

Nah, this is why I usually wait until after the combine to comment on any position outside of QB. I said he could yeild 10 pounds (AJ weighed 211 at the combine) and 2-3 inches depending on a official measurement. That's not really a statement, just a guess.

 

[MAC_32]

It's amazing how one game can drop you.. Before the Bowl game, Carr was normally a top 10 pick.. Now most Mocks don't have him going before the 2nd round

I agree it is crazy. Or how much an injury or nagging injury can hurt stock. I mean players that are good as juniors and get hurt as seniors are still good players. Never understood the volatility.

carr wasn't a top ten pick before the bowl game. He was a potential first rounder in some eyes, an unknown in most.

Almost every Mock draft I saw before his Bowl appearance had him going no later then to the Vikings at #8..

Even after the Bowl appearance he was still going to the Vikings until the last month or so..

Now to the first round and hello to the 2nd round.

I never read anything mentioning Carr as even a potential round one pick until December.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

One NFL scout told the Bengals' website that this year's top draft-eligible quarterbacks have "enough pros and cons" that they deserve to be selected around the 35th overall pick "if there wasn't such a need at the top of the draft."
In other words, the scout seemingly believes Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, and Derek Carr are all not elite franchise quarterback-type talents. We've seen it suggested previously that this year's QB class compares to 2011's, when Jake Locker (No. 8), Blaine Gabbert (10), and Christian Ponder (12) were all severely overdrafted. The Texans, Jaguars, Browns, and Raiders all need quarterbacks this year, and all draft in the top five.

Source: bengals.com

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

The Jets are "very intrigued" by North Carolina TE Eric Ebron, according to ESPN New York.
The Jets have the No. 18 pick, and it's no certainty that Ebron will drop to them. "I don't think he's tough enough to run down the seam and catch the ball in the middle," an AFC personnel executive said in the article. "Is he a great athlete? Yes. Does he have good hands? Yes. Can he catch the ball in traffic? I don't think so." Ebron has drawn flattering comparisons to Vernon Davis, though not likely from the anonymous gentleman.

Source: ESPN New York

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

The Charlotte Observer opined that Clemson's Tajh Boyd could be a mid- to late-round target of the Panthers.
"Panthers scouts envisioned Russell Wilson in a mini-Cam role two years ago, but didn't want to invest a mid-round pick on him," wrote the Observer's Joe Person, who then extrapolated a possible interest in Boyd. While those players may have similar physical attributes, Wilson would find Boyd's mechanics and consistency more unwatchable than "Vampire Academy." Some team will take the chance on the draft's third day, but not before.

Source: Charlotte Observer

 

[ShaHBucks]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/draft-finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=2000&year_max=2013&type=&round_min=1&round_max=1&slot_min=1&slot_max=15&league_id=NFL&team_id=&pos=WR&college_id=all&conference=any&show=p

I just looked at WRs drafted with top-15 picks since 2000. The NFL really isn't efficient at picking elite WR in that range. We're talking about a 20ish % hit rate. No wonder you don't see good-great teams like NE reaching for guys like DHB while still remaining competitive over the long haul.

And what's really the benifit of landing Andre Johnson, Larry Fitz or Calvin Johnson on a bad team without a good-elite QB? I know it's definitly not all their fault but that's a ton of losing seasons and 1 superbowl appearence between the three for as great as they have been.

 

[Grahamburn]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/draft-finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=2000&year_max=2013&type=&round_min=1&round_max=1&slot_min=1&slot_max=15&league_id=NFL&team_id=&pos=WR&college_id=all&conference=any&show=p

I just looked at WRs drafted with top-15 picks since 2000. The NFL really isn't efficient at picking elite WR in that range. We're talking about a 20ish % hit rate. No wonder you don't see good-great teams like NE reaching for guys like DHB while still remaining competitive over the long haul.

And what's really the benifit of landing Andre Johnson, Larry Fitz or Calvin Johnson on a bad team without a good-elite QB? I know it's definitly not all their fault but that's a ton of losing seasons and 1 superbowl appearence between the three for as great as they have been.

I think you'd get similar results with every position in the league.

 

[FUBAR]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/draft-finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=2000&year_max=2013&type=&round_min=1&round_max=1&slot_min=1&slot_max=15&league_id=NFL&team_id=&pos=WR&college_id=all&conference=any&show=p

I just looked at WRs drafted with top-15 picks since 2000. The NFL really isn't efficient at picking elite WR in that range. We're talking about a 20ish % hit rate. No wonder you don't see good-great teams like NE reaching for guys like DHB while still remaining competitive over the long haul.

And what's really the benifit of landing Andre Johnson, Larry Fitz or Calvin Johnson on a bad team without a good-elite QB? I know it's definitly not all their fault but that's a ton of losing seasons and 1 superbowl appearence between the three for as great as they have been.

I think you'd get similar results with every position in the league.

TEs not from Miami have a fantastic hit rate.

 

[Faust]

Norris' Mock Draft: Feb. 17

 

[Biabreakable]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/draft-finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=2000&year_max=2013&type=&round_min=1&round_max=1&slot_min=1&slot_max=15&league_id=NFL&team_id=&pos=WR&college_id=all&conference=any&show=p

I just looked at WRs drafted with top-15 picks since 2000. The NFL really isn't efficient at picking elite WR in that range. We're talking about a 20ish % hit rate. No wonder you don't see good-great teams like NE reaching for guys like DHB while still remaining competitive over the long haul.

And what's really the benifit of landing Andre Johnson, Larry Fitz or Calvin Johnson on a bad team without a good-elite QB? I know it's definitly not all their fault but that's a ton of losing seasons and 1 superbowl appearence between the three for as great as they have been.

I think you'd get similar results with every position in the league.

Generally 1st round WR bust rate is higher than most other positions drafted in the 1st round.

From a series of studies it was found that the average success rate of a first round draft pick is roughly 55 percent.

1) Past 10 Drafts 2) Top Half of Draft 3) Past 5 Drafts Hit 13 5 9 Okay 10 6 4 Bust 13 6 3 TBD 1 0 1 Total 37 17 17 Success Rate 36.11% 29.41% 56.25% OK Rate 27.78% 35.29% 25.00% Bust Rate 36.11% 35.29% 18.75% http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1155243-2012-nfl-draft-how-often-do-wide-receviers-bust-in-the-1st-round

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Cecil interviewed a couple of draft afficianados, Rob Rand and Russ Lande.

They are posted on the podcast page.

Here are the links: Good stuff.

Feb 16 2014
2014 Volume#14a - Interview with Rob Rang, NFL Draft expert from CBS Sports and NFLDraftScout.com. (#2083)
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey interviews Rob Rang, NFL draft expert from CBS Sports and NFLDraftScout.com. Topics Include - why Johnny Manziel (Texas AandM) is the most perplexing quarterback to come out in years, a discussion about sleeper quarterbacks in the this draft class, the current draft stock of Missouri linebaker Michael Sam, plus more!

Feb 16 2014
2014 Volume#15a - Interview with Russ Lande, NFL Draft expert from SportsOnEarth.com and Big 10 Network. (#2084)
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey interviews Russ Lande, NFL draft expert from SportsOnEarth.com and Big 10 Network. Topics Include - the importance of the scouting combine and what teams look for, the most important assets for quarterbacks entering the pros, thoughts on some of the top pass-rushers in the draft class, plus more!

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock called the 2014 class the deepest and best in the last decade.

Mayock added that he has had that confirmed by scouts and general managers around the NFL. One decision maker apparently told Mayock having a top 20 pick in this draft is equivalent to a top 10 pick in 2013. We don't believe in a draft being "bad," especially for how often that term is thrown out by fans. Talent is there, teams just have to find it.


Source: Joe Person on Twitter

 

[Faust]

Sammy Watkins posts drawing of himself in Bucs uniform

 

[RUSF18]

It's amazing how one game can drop you.. Before the Bowl game, Carr was normally a top 10 pick.. Now most Mocks don't have him going before the 2nd round

I agree it is crazy. Or how much an injury or nagging injury can hurt stock. I mean players that are good as juniors and get hurt as seniors are still good players. Never understood the volatility.

carr wasn't a top ten pick before the bowl game. He was a potential first rounder in some eyes, an unknown in most.

Almost every Mock draft I saw before his Bowl appearance had him going no later then to the Vikings at #8..

Even after the Bowl appearance he was still going to the Vikings until the last month or so..

Now to the first round and hello to the 2nd round.

I never read anything mentioning Carr as even a potential round one pick until December.

Here's several from November that had him going to the Browns with their own pick.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2014-cleveland-browns-nfl-mock-drafts-november-22-162000920--nfl.html

Here's one from WalterFootball from early November that had him at #17: http://walterfootball.com/draft2014archive_1105_1.php