What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

2014 NFL Draft thread (4 Viewers)

Rotoworld:

Draft Insider Tony Pauline confirms that Texas A&M WR Mike Evans has an official visit scheduled with the New York Jets.
The Jets are desperate for a play making receiver with Mike Evans skill set. Evans dominates at the catch point and uses his size to box out smaller defenders. The Jets need to stay committed to surrounding Geno Smith with weapons if they want him to succeed in New York. The 6-foot-5, 225 pounder could be the true No.1 wide out that the Jets offense has been missing. New York is sitting at the No.18 spot, and would most likely have to move up in the top-15 to get a chance to draft Evans.

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Click to expand...
 
Faust said:
Rotoworld:

Draft Insider Tony Pauline confirms that Texas A&M WR Mike Evans has an official visit scheduled with the New York Jets.
The Jets are desperate for a play making receiver with Mike Evans skill set. Evans dominates at the catch point and uses his size to box out smaller defenders. The Jets need to stay committed to surrounding Geno Smith with weapons if they want him to succeed in New York. The 6-foot-5, 225 pounder could be the true No.1 wide out that the Jets offense has been missing. New York is sitting at the No.18 spot, and would most likely have to move up in the top-15 to get a chance to draft Evans.

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
The buzz on Mike Evans is building. On draft day, there will be people debating Watkins vs Evans. Top 15? Forget about it. I think he's easily in the top 10. I'd be worried about drafting him there. He's got a special deep ball skill set, but the short and intermediate game is not well developed. Too many homeruns and not enough singles and doubles to justify climbing into Watkins area code. But on draft day don't be surprised to see the debates roll.

 
Donnybrook said:
Faust said:
Casserly: Cleveland Browns likely to pass on QB with No. 4 pick
Click to expand...
If the Browns problem is that they are missing on QBs. It kinda funny that the suggested solution is to draft another position with their first pick. It not like the odds are any better in the second and third round. It seems thay are damned if they do damned if they don't.
Click to expand...
thing is, we may NOT have an issue at QB. too early to tell. Hoyer may end up being what he showed last season - a good QB.

Many of us tend to think the different in quality from Bridgewater -> Carr/Garropolo isn't that wide at current time, and I definitely dont think 2-3yrs down the road it'll be any further away.

I go BPA available at 4, at a position of need (o-line or WR). Work it from there.

 
Soulfly3 said:
Donnybrook said:
Faust said:
Casserly: Cleveland Browns likely to pass on QB with No. 4 pick
Click to expand...
If the Browns problem is that they are missing on QBs. It kinda funny that the suggested solution is to draft another position with their first pick. It not like the odds are any better in the second and third round. It seems thay are damned if they do damned if they don't.
Click to expand...
thing is, we may NOT have an issue at QB. too early to tell. Hoyer may end up being what he showed last season - a good QB.

Many of us tend to think the different in quality from Bridgewater -> Carr/Garropolo isn't that wide at current time, and I definitely dont think 2-3yrs down the road it'll be any further away.

I go BPA available at 4, at a position of need (o-line or WR). Work it from there.
Click to expand...
If the way the media portrays it is true, I think teams way overthink QBs when it comes to drafting. You (your scouting and personnel team, not what media types say) either believe in a guy or you don't. Take him if you do, pass if you don't. If the Cleveland staff has graded any of these guys as potential franchise QBs, they should take them.

 
Soulfly3 said:
Donnybrook said:
Faust said:
Casserly: Cleveland Browns likely to pass on QB with No. 4 pick
Click to expand...
If the Browns problem is that they are missing on QBs. It kinda funny that the suggested solution is to draft another position with their first pick. It not like the odds are any better in the second and third round. It seems thay are damned if they do damned if they don't.
Click to expand...
thing is, we may NOT have an issue at QB. too early to tell. Hoyer may end up being what he showed last season - a good QB.

Many of us tend to think the different in quality from Bridgewater -> Carr/Garropolo isn't that wide at current time, and I definitely dont think 2-3yrs down the road it'll be any further away.

I go BPA available at 4, at a position of need (o-line or WR). Work it from there.
Click to expand...
I was objecting to the way the story was written. It lists the first round QB busts to imply that Cleveland should avoid taking a QB in the first round. It doesn't tell the whole story because Cleveland hasn't found much success when it drafted QBs in the 3rd round QB like Charlie Fry, Luke McCown and Colt McCoy. Past drafts shouldn't have any influence on this years evaluations.

 
Donnybrook said:
Soulfly3 said:
Donnybrook said:
Faust said:
Casserly: Cleveland Browns likely to pass on QB with No. 4 pick
Click to expand...
If the Browns problem is that they are missing on QBs. It kinda funny that the suggested solution is to draft another position with their first pick. It not like the odds are any better in the second and third round. It seems thay are damned if they do damned if they don't.
Click to expand...
thing is, we may NOT have an issue at QB. too early to tell. Hoyer may end up being what he showed last season - a good QB.

Many of us tend to think the different in quality from Bridgewater -> Carr/Garropolo isn't that wide at current time, and I definitely dont think 2-3yrs down the road it'll be any further away.

I go BPA available at 4, at a position of need (o-line or WR). Work it from there.
Click to expand...
I was objecting to the way the story was written. It lists the first round QB busts to imply that Cleveland should avoid taking a QB in the first round. It doesn't tell the whole story because Cleveland hasn't found much success when it drafted QBs in the 3rd round QB like Charlie Fry, Luke McCown and Colt McCoy. Past drafts shouldn't have any influence on this years evaluations.
Click to expand...
No, no... I agree wholeheartedly.

But I hope it does scare them off, just for this season.

 
Just mentioning for how it affects the draft, the Texans signed Ryan Fitzpatrick yesterday. Obviously not a long term solution, but just having a veteran with starting experience on the roster not named Schaub/Yates/Keenum gives more credence to the possibility Houston could take Clowney and go QB in the 2nd. Not a huge shift, but without any option at all, it's hard to believe Houston would pass on a QB at #1 overall. Now it's less sure thing they go QB, so teams wanting to trade up for Clowney might have to start looking more seriously at moving up to #1 instead of moving up to #2.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
msommer said:
Bob Magaw said:
Greg Robinson article by a former NFL DE.

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/3/19/5480416/2014-nfl-draft-greg-robinson-scouting-report-breakdown
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting. Came away impressed with Mason too, although I would like to see him pass block....
Click to expand...
Thanks. Agree, won't surprise me if Mason ends up being the best RB in the class, I like Hyde a lot, too. No doubt Robinson contributed to Mason's success, but he helped the LT look good, too.Auburn didn't run a pro-scheme, unusually run-heavy, so it makes his pass pro more of an unknown than usual. The little film there, he seems to be a grabber which would be a flag magnet, but that is probably because, like nearly all young OL, he needs to work on his feet, positioning and technique. It could be a case of selective memory on my part, but it seems there are more "scouts" (like Daniel Jeremiah, who was a scout before his NFL channel gig) stating that his off-the-charts athleticism should make his ability to transition to NFL LT a relatively straightforward projection. As mentioned in the article, one of his biggest problems is being over-aggressive. He just needs to learn that by playing more under control, he can be even more effective and dominant. But that is just getting coached up on technique and reps. But his enthusiastic physicality, mean streak and killer instinct can't be taught.

Some STL fans are spooked and see similarities between a possible 1.2 pick of Robinson and Jason Smith, also taken at 1.2 just about a half decade ago, and already out of the league (for a few years - catastrophic bust). But Smith was 310 lbs. so 20 lbs. lighter and close to .25 second slower. They aren't in the same class athletically, so I find it a spurious comp.

I don't recall a previous LT prospect seemingly effortlessly moving like that for a big man as Robinson does. Ever. Lewan is brought up sometimes to say he wasn't even the fastest in this class, but again, he is 310 lbs., so not really a valid comparison. He is prompting comparisons in terms of his raw physical ability and athleticism with OL like Hall of Famer Larry Allen and probable future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace (the latter just yesterday by Casserly on PTTD). He reminds me of Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, who had the incredibly rare feet and agility for a LT to move like a player 100 lbs. lighter. He was a great athlete, and was a pitcher on the '78 national championship team. Munoz was I think 50 lbs. lighter than GR at a listed 280 lbs. (but that was a different era).

Robinson reportedly could do a back flip as a 315 lb. freshman. That is insane, and for all I know may be unprecedented for a LT prospect of comparable stature and expected pedigree. One of the most impressive and freakish things to me is his conditioning, endurance and stamina for his size, I don't recall seeing him huffing and puffing on long drives or at the end of games.

Article errata: The author (I liked the article a lot, BTW, and found it insightful) said Larry Allen started at guard and became a great LT? Jonathan Ogden followed this NFL career path to being a Hall of Fame LT, so perhaps he was thinking of him (though confusing the issue, Robinson has been compared to Allen for his light feet and agility for a mammoth human giving an almost unfair advantage run blocking - especially by enabling them to hit downfield blocking assignments on the second and even third level at times).

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Raiderfan32904 said:
matuski said:
pantherclub said:
Faust said:
Sammy Watkins among five 2014 NFL Draft slam dunks
Click to expand...
There is zero chance Watkins is a bust.
Click to expand...
What about the decent chance he has McGloin/Pryor/Schaub throwing to him?
Click to expand...
LIke pantherclub said, Watkins is a zero chance bust. Especially with Schaub targeting him like he used to target Andre.
Click to expand...
This guy?

Raiders acquired QB Matt Schaub from the Texans in exchange for a 2014 sixth-round draft pick.
Same story, different year. The Raiders have now traded for Carson Palmer, Matt Flynn, and Schaub over the last four years, none remotely a long-term solution or even a viable short-term fix. Schaub, 33 in June, was benched for Case Keenum in Houston last year and has a 16:20 TD-to-INT ratio since Thanksgiving of 2012. The fact that any team -- let alone a Raiders squad that should be holding onto draft picks with a vice grip -- gave up compensation for this player is utterly incomprehensible. Schaub has a $10 million base salary plus $1 million in per-game roster bonuses due in 2014. He's a lock to open the season as Oakland's starting quarterback, regardless of what happens at the No. 5 overall pick. This trade was a job well done by Texans GM Rick Smith. Mar 21 - 4:48 PM
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rotoworld:

The Vikings, drafting at No. 8 overall, prefer Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater amongst the QB prospects, reports ESPN's Todd McShay.
Minnesota also likes Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, McShay has heard, but they have Bridgewater "a little higher in their pecking order." Once thought to have zero chance of selecting Bridgewater, Manziel or UFC's Blakes Bortles barring an expensive trade up, experts now think the Norseman might have an elite QB prospect fall into their laps as other teams pop surer things at other positions above them. "I absolutely think that any one of [bridgewater, Manziel or Bortles] could be there at No. 8, I legitimately do," McShay said. "I would lean more towards only one going off the board in the top-7 picks than I would towards two or more coming off the board by the time Minnesota comes up at No. 8."

Source: ESPN's First Draft Podcast
Click to expand...
ESPN's Todd McShay called the 2014 WR class the "deepest position in what we're calling one of the deepest drafts ever."
McShay made the point to stress his opinion that teams have zero incentive to reach for a wide out in Round 1 because of the sheer number of quality WRs that are assured of being available in the middle rounds. One is advised to keep this thought in mind when projecting the draft slots of Clemson's Sammy Watkins, Texas A&M's Mike Evans, and the rest of the projected first-round WRs.

Source: ESPN's First Draft
Click to expand...
A contingent of Raiders' decision-makers asked Fresno State QB Derek Carr if No. 5 would be too early to draft him, and the signal-caller hinted that he's been hearing he won't drop into Round 2.
"No sir," Carr said. "From what I've heard from the Senior Bowl, the combine, meeting with teams in-between then, talking to teams, I think we're going to surprise some people come May 8." The Raiders' general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach were in attendance at Carr's pro day. The signal-caller completed 43 consecutive throws and did nothing to toss a wet blanket on his surging stock.

Source: NFL.com
Click to expand...
Vikings GM Rick Spielman and OC Norv Turner attended Fresno State QB Derek Carr's pro day and scheduled an upcoming private workout with San Jose State's David Fales.
It was once thought that Carr would slip into the top half of the second round, but the Vikings would probably have to pull the trigger on him at No. 8 to be comfortable. Carr's ridiculous arm strength will act as a push-up bra and heels for QB-needy decision-makers on Draft Day, and the result may be a well-intentioned overdraft. Carr suffered from flu-like symptoms at his pro day but performed well anyway. Fales is a mid-round target only if The Purple doesn't tab a QB in the first few stanzas.

Source: ESPN 1500
Click to expand...
In speaking to decision-makers of NFL teams recently, ESPN's Mel Kiper says that the prevailing notion is, "Thank God we have a quarterback."
"These guys are very difficult to evaluate," Kiper said of the trio of universally-accepted elite QB prospects (Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and UCF's Blake Bortles). Kiper ranks Bridgewater No. 10 overall, with Bortles (11) and Manziel (12) right behind him. Kiper cautioned to not put too much stock in Bridgewater's poor pro day, as he recalls Peyton Manning's personal exhibition as one of the most panic-inducing pro days in his memory.

Source: First Draft podcast
Click to expand...


ESPN's Todd McShay believes that zero QBs could go in the first 3-4 overall picks.
"There's just too many good players," he said. With a gaggle of perceived can't-miss non-QB prospects available -- such as Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Sammy Watkins, Greg Robinson -- the teams drafting in the Top-5 may just elect to go with a surer thing as opposed to rolling the dice. This year's class will test the risk tolerance of top-10-picking GMs in a profound way. Because we can't even hope quantify that threshold, expert's mock drafts have been vacillating wildly. May's draft has the makings of a wild, drama-filled affair.

Source: ESPN's First Draft
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ravens win big in compensatory-pick lottery

By Chris Wesseling

Around the League Writer

Published: March 25, 2014 at 10:23 a.m.

No one plays the compensatory-picks market like Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.

As it turns out, there was a method to Newsome's madness when he watched four different teams sign away the likes of Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, Ed Reed and Cary Williams last offseason.

No team was awarded more compensatory picks in the 2014 NFL Draft than the Ravens. Because of those free agents lost, Newsome will receive a third-round pick (99th overall), two in the fourth (134th and 138th overall), and one in the fifth (175th overall).

Since the NFL began awarding compensatory picks in 1994, the Ravens have received more (41) than any other NFL franchise.

The picks are determined by a mysterious formula that factors in salary, playing time, postseason honors and whether a team has lost more free agents than they have signed.

Assistant general manager Eric DeCosta said at the Senior Bowl in January that the Ravens guard their compensatory-pick secrets "like Coke's formula," according to The Baltimore Sun.

While other organization overpaid for the Ravens' Super Bowl winners, Newsome signed players who were either released (Elvis Dumervil, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and Michael Huff) or still on the market after June 1 (Daryl Smith).

The same formula is at work this year, with Steve Smith plucked off the Panthers' discard pile.

The Ravens figure to see that approach pay off again next year after losing Arthur Jones, Michael Oher, Corey Graham and James Ihedigbo over the past two weeks.

As the Seahawks proved en route to winning Super Bowl XLVIII, collecting, developing and underpaying mid-to-late round draft picks offers a major competitive advantage.

It's no coincidence that Newsome and Seattle general manager John Schneider are two of the best in business.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" broke down all the latest news at the NFL Annual Meeting.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rotoworld:

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Falcons are open to trading up from No. 6 overall in May's draft.
Most teams speak openly about their willingness to trade back in the draft, but the Falcons are first to be rumored to be wanting to move up. GM Thomas Dimitroff indicated as much at the Combine. The Falcons still have holes on both the offensive and defensive lines. If they move up, the Rams at No. 2 overall make a ton of sense as a partner. Atlanta would seem to target either Auburn OT Greg Robinson or South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney.

Related: Falcons

Source: ESPN.com
Click to expand...
 
Andy Dufresne said:
TheFanatic said:
Faust said:
Davis: Jaguars won't let Jadeveon Clowney slide past No. 3 pick
Click to expand...
I keep hearing this. Best thing that could happen for the Rams if the Texans don't take him. Teams have to play ball with St. Louis to get him...
Click to expand...
Won't matter because I think teams would roll the dice that St. Louis won't take Clowney.
Click to expand...
Is that not the answer though because you know Jags would love to have Clowney come to them. So you deal with the Rams at the 2, to jump the Jags. Are the Rams just as happy with Matthews as Robinson and dont mind dropping to the 6. If I am Houston, I still trump them all and get the deal done.

 
Crippler said:
Andy Dufresne said:
TheFanatic said:
Faust said:
Davis: Jaguars won't let Jadeveon Clowney slide past No. 3 pick
Click to expand...
I keep hearing this. Best thing that could happen for the Rams if the Texans don't take him. Teams have to play ball with St. Louis to get him...
Click to expand...
Won't matter because I think teams would roll the dice that St. Louis won't take Clowney.
Click to expand...
Is that not the answer though because you know Jags would love to have Clowney come to them. So you deal with the Rams at the 2, to jump the Jags. Are the Rams just as happy with Matthews as Robinson and dont mind dropping to the 6. If I am Houston, I still trump them all and get the deal done.
Click to expand...
Well that's true, I guess.

I really can't believe a team will give up a 2nd in this draft to move up though. It's so valuable.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Faust said:
Rotoworld:

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Falcons are open to trading up from No. 6 overall in May's draft.
Most teams speak openly about their willingness to trade back in the draft, but the Falcons are first to be rumored to be wanting to move up. GM Thomas Dimitroff indicated as much at the Combine. The Falcons still have holes on both the offensive and defensive lines. If they move up, the Rams at No. 2 overall make a ton of sense as a partner. Atlanta would seem to target either Auburn OT Greg Robinson or South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney.

Related: Falcons

Source: ESPN.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I think a trade scenario with St. Louis and Atlanta makes a lot of sense, but not in the way most are looking at it.

I think the Falcons draft board looks like this (in no particular order)

1. Clowney

2. Mack

3. Matthews

4. Robinson

And if any of those guys are on the board at #6 they take him. And there is no need to tradeup with a 95% chance one of their guys will be there.

But if those 4 are off the table it would likely mean Watkins is there at 6 (assuming one of the Texans, Jags, Browns or Raiders would take the top QB).

Example

1) QB

2) Robinson

3) Clowney

4) Matthews

5) Mack

The trade would then be to St. Louis and their pick at 13. Rams Trade #13 and #44 for the Falcons #6 and take Watkins there. Trade value is almost perfect.

Rams walk away with Robinson and Watkins with their first 2 picks...that would be a huge Home Run for them. Falcons would get an extra pick for and look for BPA at OL, DL, DE, Safety.

If the first 5 picks go: (example)

1) Clowney

2) Robinson

3) Mack

4) Matthews

5) Watkins

Then the Falcons could look to trade out of 6 with a QB needy team.

It makes zero sense for the Falcons to move up when they either get one of their top picks or in THE cat bird seat to make a trade if none of their players are there.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Crippler said:
Andy Dufresne said:
TheFanatic said:
Faust said:
Davis: Jaguars won't let Jadeveon Clowney slide past No. 3 pick
Click to expand...
I keep hearing this. Best thing that could happen for the Rams if the Texans don't take him. Teams have to play ball with St. Louis to get him...
Click to expand...
Won't matter because I think teams would roll the dice that St. Louis won't take Clowney.
Click to expand...
Is that not the answer though because you know Jags would love to have Clowney come to them. So you deal with the Rams at the 2, to jump the Jags. Are the Rams just as happy with Matthews as Robinson and dont mind dropping to the 6. If I am Houston, I still trump them all and get the deal done.
Click to expand...
I believe Houston is begging someone to pay a fortune for the 1.01 to get their QB, but if no one does they will be happy to take Clowney.

 
cstu said:
Crippler said:
Andy Dufresne said:
TheFanatic said:
Faust said:
Davis: Jaguars won't let Jadeveon Clowney slide past No. 3 pick
Click to expand...
I keep hearing this. Best thing that could happen for the Rams if the Texans don't take him. Teams have to play ball with St. Louis to get him...
Click to expand...
Won't matter because I think teams would roll the dice that St. Louis won't take Clowney.
Click to expand...
Is that not the answer though because you know Jags would love to have Clowney come to them. So you deal with the Rams at the 2, to jump the Jags. Are the Rams just as happy with Matthews as Robinson and dont mind dropping to the 6. If I am Houston, I still trump them all and get the deal done.
Click to expand...
I believe Houston is begging someone to pay a fortune for the 1.01 to get their QB, but if no one does they will be happy to take Clowney.
Click to expand...
I think the Texans take a QB no matter what at 1.1 unless they trade out of it.

 
Faust said:
Rotoworld:

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Falcons are open to trading up from No. 6 overall in May's draft.
Most teams speak openly about their willingness to trade back in the draft, but the Falcons are first to be rumored to be wanting to move up. GM Thomas Dimitroff indicated as much at the Combine. The Falcons still have holes on both the offensive and defensive lines. If they move up, the Rams at No. 2 overall make a ton of sense as a partner. Atlanta would seem to target either Auburn OT Greg Robinson or South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney.

Related: Falcons

Source: ESPN.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I'm wondering if it's wise to give up picks in such a deep draft. Even for Clowney.

 
gchip said:
Faust said:
Rotoworld:

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Falcons are open to trading up from No. 6 overall in May's draft.
Most teams speak openly about their willingness to trade back in the draft, but the Falcons are first to be rumored to be wanting to move up. GM Thomas Dimitroff indicated as much at the Combine. The Falcons still have holes on both the offensive and defensive lines. If they move up, the Rams at No. 2 overall make a ton of sense as a partner. Atlanta would seem to target either Auburn OT Greg Robinson or South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney.

Related: Falcons

Source: ESPN.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I'm wondering if it's wise to give up picks in such a deep draft. Even for Clowney.
Click to expand...
The other side of that is that a 2nd rounder this year is worth a lot more and may be all teams need to throw in to move up quite a bit...without having to give up one or two future first rounders...

 
Deranged Hermit said:
Faust said:
2014 NFL Draft: Potential first-round QBs seeing stock plummet

Mock draft 4.0: No quarterbacks selected
Click to expand...
That mock is absurd. Zero chance at least one qb isn't taken in the first. More likely at least two will.
Click to expand...
He says outright it isn't likely to happen. That isn't the point.

It can still be interesting to see how the draft might play out if QBs weren't so uber important that they end up being valued at a rate far different than other positions.

It's kind of like doing a fantasy football mock draft without running backs. A real draft won't go that way... but the mock could give insight to the value of other positions, and show you just how much a real draft is driven by RB value being so out of scale with other positions.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

QuizGuy66
*** Just In Time! The annual worst thread in the Shark Pool - the 2025 QuizGuy66 Season Prediction Thread *** (feel free to drop your own)
Replies
8
Views
846
IHEARTFF
I
Scoresman
2024 SoS Analysis - Why this metric is not very useful
Replies
1
Views
570
TheWinz
TheWinz
BobbyLayne
***Official 1st Pick PPR (Redraft) thread***
Replies
16
Views
926
SoBeDad
S

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 4 (members: 0, guests: 4)
Back
Top