2014 NFL Draft thread (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

Detroit Lions ramp up talk about Sammy Watkins

 

[Faust]

The can't-miss-QB in this year's draft? Bill O'Brien doesn't see one

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Mock Draft 6.0: Blake Bortles goes No. 1 overall, plus a few trade pitches

 

[Village Idiot]

Detroit Lions ramp up talk about Sammy Watkins

Someone commented that the Lions should trade Suh for the Ram 2nd pick, he called that win win for everyone.

Someone else suggested a trade to get the Raiders pick at 5.

That's probably not going to be high enough to get Watkins.

 

[Faust]

O'Brien: Manziel's style could work, team still looking at Clowney

 

[Faust]

Houston Texans fans call for club to draft Johnny Manziel

 

[Faust]

Lions head to Texas A&M for Mike Evans, not Johnny Manziel

 

[GregR]

Houston Texans fans call for club to draft Johnny Manziel

Feels like the amount of draft Johnny Manziel rhetoric around Houston is about 10% of what it was for Vince Young.

 

[massraider]

Houston Texans fans call for club to draft Johnny Manziel

Feels like the amount of draft Johnny Manziel rhetoric around Houston is about 10% of what it was for Vince Young.

No doubt. Shocking, really.

 

[coolnerd]

Houston Texans fans call for club to draft Johnny Manziel

Feels like the amount of draft Johnny Manziel rhetoric around Houston is about 10% of what it was for Vince Young.

No doubt. Shocking, really.

Houston Texans fans call for club to draft Johnny Manziel

Feels like the amount of draft Johnny Manziel rhetoric around Houston is about 10% of what it was for Vince Young.

No doubt. Shocking, really.

Not so much.

1) Hopefully people learned form the Vince Young silliness

2) Manziel is not from Houston proper like Young was.

3) A & M while above expectation with Johnny football did not win the National title over a team that was consider one the all time greats

4) college vince was way more likeable than college Johnny F.

I have left off an element on purpose

 

[Faust]

Davis: Only two quarterbacks taken in first round of draft

 

[Faust]

Bills reportedly 'interested' in trading for No. 1 pickBy Marc Sessler

Around the League Writer

Will Andre Johnson get his wish?

The Texans wide receiver told reporters last month that Houston would be wise to trade the first overall pick in May's draft, a scenario the team reportedly is considering after owner Bob McNair called it a "possibility" in January.

Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report was told at this week's NFL Annual Meeting that the Texans are "trying hard" to move down to "acquire extra selections." According to Pompei, the Buffalo Bills have emerged as one potential trade partner.

"It is unclear who the Bills would want in a trade-up scenario," wrote Pompei. "Some believe they would move up for a quarterback. They also could make good use of an offensive tackle such as Greg Robinson. And it would be something to see them pair Mario Williams with either Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack."

It's an indication that the Texans might not be sold on Blake Bortles or any of the prospective quarterbacks at the No. 1 spot, especially if they could grab a young arm with Buffalo's No. 9 or Houston's second-round selection at No. 33.

It's anyone's guess who the Bills would be chasing with the top pick. General manager Doug Whaley on Monday said "we're all in with" second-year signal-caller EJ Manuel, but coach Doug Marrone told reporters last month at the combine that Buffalo could go in any direction at the position.

If the Bills wind up at No. 1, we'd argue that "any direction" at quarterback is the name of the game in Upstate New York.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" offers a full recap of the NFL Annual Meeting in Orlando, then proposes player moves that won't happen (but probably should).

 

[Soulfly3]

Not the year for the Bills to move up to #1. At all.

If they want to move up to get a specific player or two, they can pay a BOATLOAD less to move up to 4-5-6-7 and get that guy...

Houston is probably dangling a carrot that NOONE really wants.

 

[massraider]

Not the year for the Bills to move up to #1. At all.

If they want to move up to get a specific player or two, they can pay a BOATLOAD less to move up to 4-5-6-7 and get that guy...

Houston is probably dangling a carrot that NOONE really wants.

Clowney

 

[jurb26]

Not the year for the Bills to move up to #1. At all.

If they want to move up to get a specific player or two, they can pay a BOATLOAD less to move up to 4-5-6-7 and get that guy...

Houston is probably dangling a carrot that NOONE really wants.

Clowney

Or Robinson are both good reasons to want to move up.

 

[Soulfly3]

Clowney not worth moving up from 9 to 1, if you're in the Bills position.

Robinson, as we know Im monsterly high on, matthews too.

But the Bills have a lot to repair. They have no business selling the farm for these guys when they can stand firm and get Lewan, or move up a couple spots to get a Mack etc.

As huge as I am on Robinsona and matthews, getting Lewan at 9 is a sexy consolation, if that's what they're after.

 

[massraider]

Clowney not worth moving up from 9 to 1, if you're in the Bills position.

Massive, massive assumption there.

 

[Soulfly3]

Clowney not worth moving up from 9 to 1, if you're in the Bills position.

Massive, massive assumption there.

I dont think he's worth what the Bills will have to give up in relation to how many spots the Bills need to repair w this super deep draft.

As my "hometown" team I always have love for the bills.. Id hate to see them do this

 

[massraider]

Clowney not worth moving up from 9 to 1, if you're in the Bills position.

Massive, massive assumption there.

I dont think he's worth what the Bills will have to give up in relation to how many spots the Bills need to repair w this super deep draft.

As my "hometown" team I always have love for the bills.. Id hate to see them do this

I think most observers would say moving up from 9 to 1 isn't worth it, except for maybe an Andrew Luck. But that's the nature of draft season, EVERYONE wants to move down, everyone wants a dozen rookie picks.

In this draft, Clowney is the only guy I think might be considered to be worth it.

I am not arguing he's worth it, just that he would be the guy that could be considered worth it.

I also could see Houston taking less than 'trade value chart' value, just in the name of getting a guy they like a lot, and getting extra picks.

 

[Soulfly3]

I think this draft is going to see very few teams moving up.

Not that the draft is chalk full of it, but less than usual, for sure

 

[Faust]

Top draft fits for Eagles if DeSean Jackson is sent packing

 

[Faust]

NFP Mock Draft 2.0

 

[Faust]

Tape vs. Workouts

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

According to the Houston Chronicle's John McClain, there is "no way" the Texans trade down with the Bills to the No. 9 pick.
Friday's report that the Texans "might have a trade partner" in Buffalo reeked of a smokescreen intended to drum up interest draft's top selection. We don't doubt Houston is exploring trade-down ideas, but dropping eight spots is tougher to envision. Ultimately, we anticipate the Texans selecting South Carolina DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick.

Related: Bills, Texans

Source: John McClain on Twitter

 

[TheFanatic]

Rotoworld:

According to the Houston Chronicle's John McClain, there is "no way" the Texans trade down with the Bills to the No. 9 pick.
Friday's report that the Texans "might have a trade partner" in Buffalo reeked of a smokescreen intended to drum up interest draft's top selection. We don't doubt Houston is exploring trade-down ideas, but dropping eight spots is tougher to envision. Ultimately, we anticipate the Texans selecting South Carolina DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick.

Related: Bills, Texans

Source: John McClain on Twitter

So Rotoworld quotes John McClain saying that he is certain that the Texans will not move out of the 1 to the 9. But then they put their 2 cents in saying they are sure that the Texans are taking Clowney when the guy they just quoted has been shouting from the rooftops of the world that the Texans are going QB with the #1. Uh, OK.

 

[Faust]

Bortles, McCarron among QBs Texans should target in NFL draft

 

[Faust]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

 

[matuski]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

6. St. Louis Rams -- Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews: The Rams get a guy who is so NFL ready he plugs in at RT for now and moves to LT when Jake Long is done. Sam Bradford has all the protection he needs now. Watch who they get at pick No. 13.

Then he skips the 13th pick

 

[Donnybrook]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

Terrible mock if you are a Vikings fan. They reach for a safety as Bridgewater falling outside the 1st round.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

Terrible mock if you are a Vikings fan. They reach for a safety as Bridgewater falling outside the 1st round.

Dislike this mock. If the Jags take another tackle, I'll throw a fit.

 

[Donnybrook]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

Terrible mock if you are a Vikings fan. They reach for a safety as Bridgewater falling outside the 1st round.

Dislike this mock. If the Jags take another tackle, I'll throw a fit.

Safety usually don't get taken until the teens unless they are almost flawless prospects like Eric Berry or Sean Taylor.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

6. St. Louis Rams -- Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews: The Rams get a guy who is so NFL ready he plugs in at RT for now and moves to LT when Jake Long is done. Sam Bradford has all the protection he needs now. Watch who they get at pick No. 13.

Then he skips the 13th pick

No, it just got formatted funny. It's Mike Evans.

If the Rams could come out of the 1st with extra picks, and both Matthews and Evans it'd be a huge win.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas, the St. Louis Rams have shown "strong interest" in Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews.
"Besides the upcoming private workout, the Rams held a formal, or "suite" interview with him last month at the NFL scouting combine. Both the private workout and suite visit are indicators of strong interest by a team in a player," Thomas wrote. Rams coach Jeff Fisher is very familiar with the Matthews bloodline, as Fisher coached Jake's father, Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. If Matthews is the Rams target, they could potentially trade out of the No.2 spot and still draft him.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes Auburn T Greg Robinson has a long way to go to become a finished product.
"I think he has a ton of potential as a road grading, run blocking offensive tackle," Cosell began. "I think he is a work in progress in pass protection... there would be questions, not concerns, on how he would pass protect on an island against edge speed." Our own Josh Norris has shared these same questions, since Robinson frequently was asked to block inside or double team in pass protection sets.

Source: Midday 180

 

[Faust]

Report: Texans trying hard to trade first-overall draft pick

 

[Biabreakable]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

6. St. Louis Rams -- Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews: The Rams get a guy who is so NFL ready he plugs in at RT for now and moves to LT when Jake Long is done. Sam Bradford has all the protection he needs now. Watch who they get at pick No. 13.

Then he skips the 13th pick

This is quite the cliffhanger.

I am wondering what the Rams did with that pick? Traded it for a player? Future draft picks? Did they just forget to turn their card in like the Vikings? Will someone tell them now that the 1st round is over?

http://www.bangcartoon.com/2004/draft04.htm

 

[msommer]

So, do the Eagles go WR in the 1st now?

 

[saintfool]

So, do the Eagles go WR in the 1st now?

Have to think so, right? Cook is the obvious front runner.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

So, do the Eagles go WR in the 1st now?

Have to think so, right? Cook is the obvious front runner.

Totally disagree. WR is deep, so they can burn a second rounder there. I still strongly believe they go CB or S at 22 (unless, of course, Evans drops).

 

[saintfool]

So, do the Eagles go WR in the 1st now?

Have to think so, right? Cook is the obvious front runner.

Totally disagree. WR is deep, so they can burn a second rounder there. I still strongly believe they go CB or S at 22 (unless, of course, Evans drops).

i can understand that but i think they are set at S. they added jenkins and have depth at SS. i know their CBs aren't world beaters but they are good enough for what kelly wants. they need a playmaker on offense, especially in the absence of Jackson. maclin and cooper are not those types. cook gives them flexibility on offense in that harvin-cobb mold. he's just that good, i think.

 

[TheFanatic]

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals

6. St. Louis Rams -- Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews: The Rams get a guy who is so NFL ready he plugs in at RT for now and moves to LT when Jake Long is done. Sam Bradford has all the protection he needs now. Watch who they get at pick No. 13.

Then he skips the 13th pick

No, it just got formatted funny. It's Mike Evans.

If the Rams could come out of the 1st with extra picks, and both Matthews and Evans it'd be a huge win.

That would be a monster win for the Rams. The extra picks go to help out the secondary.

I'm wondering if the Rams don't go Watkins at 2 and trade up from the 13 to get Matthews.

 

[Biabreakable]

I hate to say it but I think the speculation of the Bills trading up from pick 9 to pick one was floated out there opportunistically because there is no one that could confirm or deny this at this time with Wilson recently passing away. That is just smoke that either originated with the journalist I think. Maybe from the Texans front office.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Is the draft streaming live legally?

 

[cstu]

No, it just got formatted funny. It's Mike Evans.

If the Rams could come out of the 1st with extra picks, and both Matthews and Evans it'd be a huge win.

That would be a monster win for the Rams. The extra picks go to help out the secondary.

I'm wondering if the Rams don't go Watkins at 2 and trade up from the 13 to get Matthews.

Yep, I don't think there's a better outcome for the Rams. LT, a real #1 WR plus 10 more picks =

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Yahoo Shut Down Corner mentions a CFL OLT who tested out on a level as the top OLT tackles of the Combine.

I guess he's elligible for the NFL because they say many NFL teams are interested in him and that he 'could' wind up being a high pick the NFL draft.

He's got the size and his measureables are fantastic so they may be correct.

Never heard of Duvernay-Tardif till now but don't be surprised if he goes fairly high in the draft.

LINK:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft--canadian-college-offensive-tackle-could-be-picked-on-second-day-203607891.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

NFL draft: Intriguing Canadian college offensive tackle could be drafted early

Montreal Alouettes GM Jim Popp has been scouting Canadian football players for a long time. He's not sure he's seen a college product from up north as polished and talented as Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

"We’ve seen players over the past five years or so go from this level [in Canada] to the NFL," Popp told Shutdown Corner, "but none have been at this level coming out of school."

That's why Duvernay-Tardif, who played left tackle at prestigious McGill University, has been pegged not only as the top available talent in the Canadian Football League draft, but also has a great chance to be selected relatively high in the NFL draft this May.

So who is this mystery man? Duvernay-Tardif — who goes by "Larry" — came to McGill as a 253-pound defensive lineman as a freshman before being switched over to the offensive side. Since then, he has settled in at left tackle and become a dominant force. First, CFL teams started paying notice, but now the NFL is all over him, too.

Nine NFL teams watched Duvernay-Tardif at a private workout on Thursday and saw a 6-foot-5, 298-pound player turn in 40-yard dash times of 4.94 to 5.08 seconds, post 34 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, turn in a 4.59-second shuttle time and broad jump 9 feet, 6 inches. The teams attending — Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals — had to come away impressed.

Those workout numbers would have placed him among the top performers at the NFL scouting combine had Duvernay-Tardif been invited. Only Tennessee's Antonio Richardson (36 reps) did more on the bench among tackles. Only a handful of tackles, including projected first-rounders Greg Robinson of Auburn and Taylor Lewan of Michigan, ran faster 40s. The shuttle time would have been top five. Only Lewan had a better broad jump.

Duvernay-Tardif's physical skills clearly jump off the page, despite playing at comparatively low-level Canadian Interuniversity Sport competition.

"One of my scouts said that he is the best prospect he has seen in 10 years from a CIS school, or a guy that has been [eligible for the CFL draft]," Popp said.

"This is a guy who can go to an even higher level. He’s extremely bright."

Duvernay-Tardif is bright indeed, currently studying for medical school at perhaps the best academic school in Canada. He was allowed to skip two days of practice per week during the football season to keep up his studies but has told CFL and NFL scouts he's 100 percent invested in football now.

To say that Duvernay-Tardif is raw is understating. He clearly has a long way to go to be a finished product, and his smaller-than-expected frame — he played last season at 315 pounds — might be a tad concerning. But Popp believes Duvernay-Tardif has an NFL body and potential to dominate.

“He has the frame where he can get up to 330, no problem," Popp said. "He doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him.”

Duvernay-Tardif was invited to the East-West Shrine Game in Tampa, Fla., going up against some draftable prospects and held his own, despite being switched over to play right tackle for much of the drills.

"He looked very comfortable there," Popp said. "He looked like he could play both. He’s definitely a tackle at the next level. He has great feet."

So where does he fit in with this draft class? Popp says the level of competition certainly hurts Duvernay-Tardif from a reputation and development standpoint, but not as much as you might think.

"He’s going to be drafted," Popp said. "If he was playing at an SEC school, or the Big Ten, you’re talking a very high draft pick. At McGill University, a CIS school in Canada, it’s going to change that. He’s still developing; he has a lot of room for growth. I am sure his draft status will drop. But whoever gets him will be getting a good football player.

"Nine [NFL] teams showing up to watch one guy work out in another country tells you that this guy has got something. I think talent-wise — and not because he has stood up to a high level of competition yet — and with his measureables, I think he probably is a fourth-round guy. But if he was at a bigger school, he’d be at least a second-round guy."

Popp says the CIS level of play is hard to project in American football standards, but he has had a lot of time to think about the commensurate level of talent.

"Everyone always asks me, what level would you compare CIS to? Some say it’s like Division I-AA, others say D-II … but I am starting my 23rd year doing this, and I think it’s more like [American junior college], in that you’ve got guys who easily could play in a major D-I school and guys on the same team who maybe could play Division-III football," Popp said.

"It’s very competitive, and it has improved drastically over the years. Bigger staffs, more money, better talent. [Laurent] is a good example of that."

And how sure is Popp that Duvernay-Tardif deserves such high praise? After all, there have been some solid Canadian talents in recent years — the Lions' Vaughn Martin and the Saints' Akeim Hicks — who all have fared well starting in the NFL trenches, although none have reached a Pro Bowl level.

"This kid shows more dominance at his position than those two players did at their position," Popp said.

That's a pretty good endorsement for perhaps the most intriguing prospect in this year's draft. At least among ones not named Manziel.

- - - - - -

 

[Faust]

Warner: Jadeveon Clowney over Johnny Manziel as Texans' pick

 

[Faust]

Jeremiah: Sammy Watkins could be target for aggressive 49ers

 

[Faust]

Cleveland Browns' Mike Pettine praises Sammy Watkins and wouldn't be 'all that upset' to draft Jadeveon Clowney at No. 4

 

[Faust]

Will Jadeveon Clowney be there at No. 3 for Jaguars?

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Johnny Manziel shoots to No. 1 after impressive pro day

 

[Bracie Smathers]

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/70559576/auburns-greg-robinson-could-be-drafts-second-pick-and-a-dominant-lt

April 1, 2014

Prospect Profile: Greg Robinson By Russ LandeWhen I worked for the Rams I was told that if the quarterback is the most important player on the field, then a pass rusher who can knock him out of the game has to be second. Following that reasoning, a quality offensive lineman who can block pass rushers can't be underestimated. NFL teams have repeatedly drafted "franchise" left tackles in the top 10 over the past 20 years and this year will be no different with two, perhaps three, going in the top 10. Although there is no consensus top left tackle in the draft, Texas A&M's Jake Matthews and Auburn's Greg Robinson sit atop most draft boards. Robinson brings a rare combination of size and athleticism, which is why I think there is a strong likelihood the Rams will select him with the second pick.


Many offensive linemen enter the NFL as good pass protectors and marginal run blockers. That is not the case with Robinson, making him an exciting prospect with the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler. Robinson's aggressive run-blocking style reminds me of Orlando Pace. Robinson attacks the defender, has the strength to drive his man out of the play and flashes the ability to "flatback" the defender when he uses good technique. Many linemen can drive defensive linemen down the line on "down" blocks, but Robinson is among the rare few who can take a head-up defensive end and drive him five-plus yards down the field. Equally impressive is how quickly he can navigate through the line of scrimmage to get to the second level. Once there, he can dominate linebackers and eliminate them from the play.

The issue I have with Robinson's run blocking is he loses focus on staying over his feet and bending his knees because he is so intent on delivering a hard blow and dominating the defender. He bends at the waist and over-extends too often, which causes him to fall off blocks he should easily finish. When he stays over his feet and "gets a good fit" with his hands, he is as dominant a run blocker as I can remember evaluating.

Robinson is nearly as proficient in pass protection. Robinson has the foot quickness and snap reaction to get out of his stance and slide to the edge to handle most rushers. However, he can struggle to handle the most explosive speed rushers. Too many big offensive tackles try to get by on size, but Robinson has the ability to bend his knees and sink his hips to pass block with a strong, wide base. He has a heavy punch to stop pass rushers in their tracks and possesses the playing strength to stop bull rushers even when he doesn't punch and grabs outside the pass rusher's shoulders rather than on his "chest plate." His rare competitiveness and strength enables Robinson to eliminate his man from the play. One area Robinson needs to work on -- aside from getting out quicker to handle the premier edge rushers -- is keeping his feet moving after his initial slide outside. He has a tendency to stop his feet for a beat once he gets to point of contact and tries to bend and reach to make effective pass blocks rather than sliding his feet. This can lead to him being beaten by change of direction pass rush moves; most often with moves back to the inside.

Robinson can be a frontline starting left tackle in the NFL, but the debate over whether he or Matthews should be the first one selected is up in the air. The comparison between them is similar to that from a few years ago between current Redskins' left tackle Trent Williams and Seahawks' left tackle Russell Okung. Okung is similar to Matthews; both good athletes who entered the league as polished players, expected to step in and be solid starters early on. Robinson and Williams were both viewed as rare physical specimens who can dominate when their technique is on, but are beaten in pass protection more than players with their talent should be.

If I were making the selection, I would be thrilled to get either player, though I believe Robinson has the chance to be a true superstar who eliminates the opponent's best pass rusher with remarkable ease.