American Football Talk II

Anyone done any draft predictions lately? I'm struggling because there aren't that many top level talents beyond the top 10-15. It's difficult to know who to pick when you've got like 4 O-linemen who are all graded fairly similar. Same for cornerbacks. The other major question is where Mariota goes, as I think that dictates the rest of the draft really. I have him going to the Titans, currently.

I firmly believe someone will trade up for Mariota. There's a lot going around about the Chargers trading away Rivers for the no.2 pick but I can't see that one happening. Browns would be a contender.

Also you guys should check out my next level politics analysis. I'm posting it here because you're the only ones that will actually understand any of the jokes. http://goodreviewslol.com/2015/04/03/leader-debate-power-rankings/

Disagree about Cleveland, recently they have been bad at drafting QBs, not necessarily developing them. If they had made intelligent choices like getting Tannehill or Bridgewater I honestly don't believe they would be in this mess. I see nothing wrong with getting rid of Manziel. If someone with less hype/worth a lower pick had done what he's done with his college tape it would just be a no brainer, maybe use him as a camp body then likely get rid of him at first cuts or even just release him now. Yes they'd be giving up on a first round pick but that pick is already a sunk cost. If Mariota is finally a legit starter instead of a first round reach, then of course they should try and get him because when should they do it if not now?

Interesting OL class since from what I'm reading the best OTs are all maulers/potential guards like Scherff. Carolina is picking at 25 and will be fine with missing out on those guys because they really need a left tackle who can start on week 1. I read about DJ Humphries being good but what little I've seen I'm not sure if he has the upper body strength, so he's almost similar to Jonathan Martin in the respect that his hands get knocked away too easily and his punch is more of a catch. I think Carolina would be pretty thrilled if TJ Clemmings fell to them but I'm not sure if that's remotely likely. Maybe they would move up and get someone since 25th overall is not a great place to get an instant starter. Scherff will upgrade any top 5 team since you don't get to pick in the top 5 unless you could be improved by someone like Scherff. Jags make sense. Honestly I wouldn't be shocked if two tackles went between the Jags, Jets and Washington. The top available tackles are actually ideal for the Jets to draft if they don't like/can't get Mariota, because they have a pretty competent but aging current OL so they would be happy kicking the guy inside for a year and then moving them outside.

The bottom of the first round is gonna be a ****show. I think pretty much every team will be looking to trade down, it's just so difficult after about 20-25 players to see them as first rounders.

Jameis Winston
Marcus Mariota

Amari Cooper
DeVante Parker
Kevin White

Melvin Gordon
Todd Gurley

Andrus Peat
La'el Collins
Brandon Scherff
TJ Clemmings


Leonard Williams
Danny Shelton
Malcolm Brown

Vic Beasley
Shane Ray
Dante Fowler Jr.
Bud Dupree
Randy Gregory (possibly)

Trae Waynes
Ronald Darby
Jalen Collins
Kevin Johnson (possibly)

Would be my 20 or so (grouped by position).

Randy Gregory is dropping like a stone.

Rewatching the 2013 Seahawks season (can't bring myself to for the 2014 season, knowing how it ends).

Some things I have noted:

Russell Wilson is a great quarterback. He doesn't have the stats, physical stature etc. but he gives us every chance to put a W up on the board, every time he plays. Never lets a mistake get to him, always competes, and pulls throught right when you need him.

Doug Baldwin is clutch AF. Say what you want about him as a complete receiver, but the amount of clutch plays from him is ridiculous.

Percy Harvin was a huge mistake, and we should have kept Golden Tate and trade Harvin away.

I think Scherff gets drafted as a tackle, maybe first one off. Disagree with the boards saying Humphries is better than Clemmings.

I think Scherff gets drafted as a tackle, maybe first one off. Disagree with the boards saying Humphries is better than Clemmings.

First Round Big Board
Quarterbacks:
1. Marcus Mariota.
2. Jameis Winston.

Winston is hands down the best QB, but with a second woman linked with him and the rape allegations, he slides, even considering Mariota's lack of experience playing under center.

Wide Recievers:
1. Amari Cooper
2. Kevin White
3. Devante Parker
4. Jalean Strong
5. Nelson Agholor
6. Phillip Dorsett.

It's a great WR class, and almost every team needs a WR, and it's possible all of these will be taken in the first round. I don't quite understand how Devante Parker has seperated so much from Jaelen Strong. Strong is a ferocious blocker, and has the size, speed and hands to be a difference maker, and as such, is a first round talent. Agholor is a very nice route runner, and has great hands and speed, but I see him and Dorsett as fast risers. Dorsett is an excellent route runner.

Running Backs:
1. Todd Gurley
2. Melvin Gordon
3. Jay Ajayi

I'd happily take all three running backs in the first round. Jay Ajayi has comparisons with Lynch for a reason, and he's well built, and can catch the ball well.

Offensive Tackles:
1. Andrus Peat
2. Ereck Flowers
3. La'el Collins
4. DJ Humphries
5. Cedric Ogbuehi
6. Jake Fisher
7. TJ Clemmings

Offensive Guards:
1. Brandon Scherff
2. La'el Collins.

Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle
1. Leonard Williams
2. Danny Shelton
3. Malcom Smith
4. Eddie Goldman
4. Jordan Phillips

Eddie Goldman and Jordan Phillips represent the prototypical nose tackle, and have excellent athleticism for the position, especially considering their size.

3-4 Outside Linebackers:
1. Vic Beasley
2. Shane Ray
3. Dante Fowler Jr.
4. Bud Dupree
5. Eli Harold
=6. Randy Gregory
=6. Danielle Hunter

Vic Beasley is a great player. Shane Ray has an explosive first step, which is very important for a pass rusher, and is a plus athlete for the position. After those two, a lot of the players are raw. Dante Fowler Jr. and Bud Dupree have both been used in the 'joker' role, but have the size and the athleticism to do well enough as a 3-4 OLB or a 4-3 end. Eli Harold should be a first round pick, especially with a lot of teams in play for an OLB at that stage, and has proven to be a compentent pass rusher in college. Randy Gregory, once a top-5 pick will be lucky to stay in the first round, but a team in need of pass rusher will take a chance in the first. Danielle Hunter, has great length, good size, and elite athleticism, but, although he shows a nose to get to the football, he needs a lot of work on his first step. Still, he can go anywhere from the late first to the middle of the second.

3-4 Defensive Ends
1. Leonard Williams
2. Mario Edwards Jr.
3. Marcus Hardison

Mario Edwards Jr. should still be a first rounder. He played heavier in college and has slimmed down, but after Leonard Williams, a team which needs a 3-4 end, would do well to consider him. He's probably a little undersized now, but he has the ability to fill out his frame, and has had a great career for FSU. I like Marcus Hardison a lot as a player, and he is very much in the same mould as Leonard Williams. He'll probably be taken in the second round, but he has the talent and elite athleticism to be taken earlier. Looking at some of his tape, he only made play-after-play for Arizona State.

4-3 Defensive Ends
1. Dante Fowler Jr.
2. Bud Dupree
3. Mario Edwards Jr.

Cornerbacks:
1. Trae Waynes
=2. Jalen Collins
=2. Marcus Peters
4. Kevin Johnson
5. Ronald Darby
6. Eric Rowe

Marcus Peters had a good enough combine, and is a top-ten pick on talent alone. However, he does have off field issues and needs to be kept emotionally in check. Most of them do seem to be arising from a poor relationship with Chris Petersen however. Jalen Collins has limited experience at cornerback, but he's a plus athlete. Kevin Johnson was one of the better corners in the ACC, and had enough size and length that teams look for in the position, so I think he has done enough to solidify his first round status. Ronald Darby had a great combine. He's not as good on the field as PJ Williams, but he's a physical corner, and was a perfect complement to PJ Williams. Eric Rowe is the top FS prospect, in my opinion, but he should also be in play for teams looking at a cornerback, as he has great size for the position.

PJ Williams drops out of this conversation due to his DUI arrest. Teams will put him under the microscope, and they won't like what they find off field. That's a shame, because he's a big, physical corner (even too physical) with excellent instincts, the desired size and length for the position. Now, like Gregory, he'll slide.

Safeties:
1. Landon Collins
2. Eric Rowe
3. Shaq Thompson

I see Shaq Thompson more as a SS, than a 4-3 OLB, and he does have excellent athleticism. A team could take him to be a 4-3 OLB, but he's undersized to be a linebacker.

Absolutely disagree. The guy's 300+ pounds and not that great at pass protection!

He doesn't get past the Rams at 10, for me - and that's if the Giants don't nab him at 9. He'll be a guard for both of those teams.