Sunday, April 26, 2020

2020 Denver Broncos Draft Class

The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books. The most unique draft in my lifetime featured a virtual/remote draft with the teams drafting from their respective homes and Roger Goodell announcing the picks from his basement. The Broncos added explosiveness and speed to upgrade their offense. That was the theme going into the draft and that is exactly what they did. Here are their 2020 draft picks....

Round 1 #15-Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama: To have Jeudy fall to Denver at #15 without having to trade up is just a huge move for the Broncos. When Henry Ruggs, went to the Raiders at #12, you felt like this could happen. To get the best WR in the draft at this spot is very exciting. Pairing up Jeudy with Courtland Sutton is going to be a fun combination to watch.

Round 2 #46- KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State: A surprise move by John Elway to go with a WR in back-to-back picks, but Hamler is a guy that a lot of people were high on and someone who was expected to go in the first round. A speed, burner-type receiver who will stretch the field is something the Broncos needed as well. Plus, he can return kicks, which is very helpful. If this works, then having Hamler and Jeudy in the same draft class could have a huge impact.

Round 3 #77- Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa: Honestly, I don't know much about Ojemudia, but I like the fact that he is a tall corner and can tackle. He comes from a solid program in Iowa, and I look for him to hopefully grab that fourth CB spot this season.

Round 3 #83- Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU: Really solid pick for the Broncos to get the second best center in draft in the 3rd round. Cushenberry is a solid character guy on and off the field and it would be perfect if he came in and started at center this season.

Round 3 #95-McTelvin Agim, DE/DT, Arkansas: I don't think you can ever have enough defensive linemen and added depth at that position. The best case scenario is Agim comes in, gets into the rotation and adds that needed depth at some point this season.

Round 4 #118-Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri: The Broncos already have Noah Fant at tight end, but Jeff Heuerman won't be there long term. Andrew Beck fits the H-Back type of mold, so to get an athletic, fast TE like Okwuegbunam could pay dividends down the line. I expect him to be active and possibly contributing in his rookie season.

Round 5 #178-Justin Strnad, LB, Wake Forest: Best case scenario for Strnad is a he makes the gameday actives and contributes on special teams this season.

Round 6 #181-Netane Muti, G, Fresno State: If Muti can make the gameday active roster, then that is a good situation for him and the Broncos interior offensive line depth.

Round 7 #252-Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida: If Cleveland sticks around on the practice squad, then this was a good fit for him.

Round 7 #254-Derrek Tuska, OLB, North Dakota State: Another probable candidate for the practice squad in a crowded defensive line group.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

2020 NFL Mock Draft

The Covid-19 pandemic has put life and sports on hold around the globe. The NFL was able to conduct free agency during this unprecedented time. Now, they will have one of the biggest events of the calendar reduced to a virtual event. Think about this: In January, the NFL announced that the players who were drafted were going to get a ferry boat ride to the podium after their selection to greet Commissioner Goodell. Now, Commissioner Goodell will announce the picks from his basement. Talk about a turn of events. At least we will still get a draft this year, and it will definitely serve as a welcome distraction of the horrors that are going on in our lives everyday. Here is my 2020 Mock Draft for the most unique and strangest draft of my lifetime....

Round 1

1) Cincinnati Bengals select Joe Burrow, QB LSU
-The Bengals need a face of the franchise and they get it here with Burrow.

2) Washington Redskins select Chase Young, DE/OLB Ohio State
-The Redskins get the best player in the draft at #2 and a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.

*TRADE* Detroit Lions trade down with the LA Chargers. Detroit gets LA's second round pick (#37 overall) and LA's 3rd round pick (#71 overall) and LA's second round pick in 2021

3) The LA Chargers select Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
-The Lions trade down a few picks, and the Chargers go all-in on getting Tua.

4) New York Giants select Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson
-The Giants go with a player who could be a impact player in multiple ways on defense.

5) Miami Dolphins select Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
-After going back and forth about what to do here at QB, the Dolphins settle on the Oregon QB and hope he can be the guy to help turn this franchise around

6) Detroit Lions select Jeff Okudah, CB Ohio State
-The Lions use the trade to get more assets and still get a high-level guy like Okudah.

7) Carolina Panthers select Derrick Brown, DT Auburn
-The Panthers get an elite defensive player to rebuild their defensive line.

8) Arizona Cardinals select Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa 
-The Cards need a tackle to protect Kyler Murray and get the best OT in the draft. 

9) Jacksonville Jaguars select Jordan Love, QB Utah State
-The Jags have multiple 1st round picks, and they decide to try and hit the home run with the pick of Love.

*TRADE* Cleveland Browns trade down with the Denver Broncos. Cleveland swaps 1st round picks with the Broncos, and they also get Denver's 2nd round pick (#46 overall) and Denver's 3rd round pick (#77 overall) 

10) Denver Broncos select Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama
-The Broncos need explosiveness on offense, and they go up to get Jeudy to accomplish that.

11) New York Jets select Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia
-The Jets pass on WR in the 1st round and go with an OT to help protect Sam Darnold.

12) Las Vegas Raiders select CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma
-The Raiders need an offensive weapon, and Jon Gruden gets one in Lamb.

13) San Francisco 49ers select Javon Kinlaw, DT South Carolina
-The 49ers jump all over Kinlaw and replace the recently traded DeForest Buckner


14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama
-The Bucs add another OT to help protect Tom Brady.

15)Cleveland Browns select Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville
-The Browns continue the run on tackles and they address their hole in the offensive line. They also accumulated some assets from Denver in the trade. 

16) Atlanta Falcons select CJ Henderson, CB Florida
-Falcons need defensive help and some draft experts think Henderson is a top-level CB in this draft.

17) Dallas Cowboys select K'Lavon Chaisson, DE/OLB LSU
-The Cowboys add a top pass rusher in Chaisson.

*TRADE* Miami Dolphins trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Miami swaps 1st round picks with Philly, and acquires their 2nd round pick (#53 overall) and their 4th round pick (#127 overall)

18) Philadelphia Eagles select Henry Ruggs, WR Alabama
-Philly really needs a wide receiver and they do what they have to do here to get one.

19) Las Vegas Raiders select AJ Terrell, CB Clemson
-The Raiders bolster their defense with the addition of Terrell.

20) Jacksonville Jaguars select Patrick Queen, LB LSU
-The Jags bolster their defense with the second of their first round picks.

21)Miami Dolphins select Yetur Gross-Matos, DE/OLB Penn State
-Armed with 3 first round picks, the Dolphins use their second one to go with a pass rusher in Gross-Matos.

22) Minnesota Vikings select Justin Jefferson, WR LSU
-The Vikings need a WR to replace Stephon Diggs and they get Jefferson here.

23) New England Patriots select Xavier McKinney, S Alabama
-The Pats will draft a developmental QB in Round 2 and go with the stud safety from Alabama

24) New Orleans Saints select Austin Jackson, OT USC
-The Saints address their offensive line in an attempt to protect Drew Brees in what could be his final season. 

25) Minnesota Vikings select Kristian Fulton, CB LSU
-The Vikings go CB after they address WR with their prior 1st round pick.

26) Miami Dolphins select D'Andre Swift, RB Georgia
-With Just Herbert on board, the Fish add the best RB in the draft to give them a nice 1-2 combo.

27) Seattle Seahawks select AJ Epenesa, DE/OLB Iowa
-The Seahawks look to replace the depart Jadeveon Clowney by adding the pass rusher in Epenesa.

28) Baltimore Ravens select Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma
-Not a lot of holes in the Ravens roster, so they get a really solid player in Murray late in the first round.

*TRADE* Tennessee Titans trade with the New York Jets. The Titans get the Jets 2nd round pick (#48 overall) and 4th round pick (#120 overall) 

29) New York Jets select Denzel Mims, WR Baylor
-The Jets get aggressive and trade back into the 1st round to get a receiver they desperately need.

30) Green Bay Packers select Joshua Jones, OT Houston
-Why not add more protection for Aaron Rodgers? Jones becomes the sixth OT taken in Round 1.

*TRADE* San Francisco 49ers trade with the New England Patriots. San Francisco gets New England's 3rd round pick (#87 overall) and 4th round pick (#125 overall) 

31) New England Patriots select Jacob Eason, QB Washington
-The Pats get back into the first round to get a possible QB of the future in Eason. 

32) Kansas City Chiefs select Zack Baun, LB Wisconsin 
-The Chiefs Super Bowl winning team is coming back mostly in tact, so they add to their defense to finish off Round 1. 

Monday, April 13, 2020

NFL Draft Cheat Sheet-Offensive Rankings

Quarterback:
1) Joe Burrow-LSU
2) Tua Tagovailoa-Alabama
3) Justin Herbert-Oregon
4) Jacob Eason-Washington
5) Jordan Love-Utah State

Running Back:
1) D'Andre Swift-Georgia
2) Jonathan Taylor-Wisconsin
3) J.K. Dobbins-Ohio State
4) Clyde Edwards-Helaire-LSU
5) Cam Akers-FSU
6) Antonio Gibson-Memphis
7) Zack Moss-Utah
8) Anthony McFarland-Maryland
9) Darrynton Evans-Appalachian State
10) Joshua Kelley-UCLA

Wide Receiver:
1) Jerry Jeudy-Alabama
2) CeeDee Lamb-Oklahoma
3) Henry Ruggs-Alabama
4) Justin Jefferson-LSU
5) Denzel Mims-Baylor
6) Brandon Aiyuk-Arizona State
7) KJ Hamler-Penn State
8) Tee Higgins-Clemson
9) Laviska Shenault-Colorado
10) Jalen Reagor-TCU
11) Chase Claypool-Notre Dame
12) Michael Pittman Jr-USC
13) Bryan Edwards-South Carolina
14) Gabriel Davis-Central Florida
15) Lynn Bowden Jr.-Kentucky

Tight End:
1) Cole Kmet-Notre Dame
2) Adam Trautman-Dayton
3) Albert Okwuegbunam-Missouri
4) Hunter Bryant-Washington
5) Harrison Bryant-Florida Atlantic
6) Brycen Hopkins-Purdue
7) Colby Parkinson-Stanford
8) Devin Asiasi-UCLA
9) Thaddeus Moss-LSU
10) Dalton Keene-Va Tech

Offensive Tackle:
1) Tristan Wirfs-Iowa
2) Mekhi Becton-Louisville
3) Jedrick Wills-Alabama
4) Andrew Thomas-Georgia
5) Josh Jones-Houston
6) Austin Jackson-USC
7) Ezra Cleveland-Boise State
8) Isaiah Wilson-Georgia
9) Prince Tega Wanogho-Auburn
10) Matt Peart-UCONN

Offensive Guard:
1) Cesar Ruiz-Michigan
2) John Simpson-Clemson
3) Robert Hunt-Louisiana
4) Ben Bredeson-Michigan 
5) Logan Stenberg-Kentucky
6) Shane Lemieux-Oregon
7) Damien Lewis-LSU
8) Hakeem Adeniji-Kansas
9) Danny Pinter-Ball State
10) Solomon Kindley-Georgia

Center:
1) Lloyd Cushenberry-LSU
2) Matt Hennessy-Temple
3) Tyler Biadasz-Wisconsin
4) Nick Harris-Washington
5) Keith Ismael-San Diego State
6) Darryl Williams-Miss State
7) Jake Hanson-Oregon
8) Trystan Colon-Castillo-Missouri
9) Calvin Throckmorton-Oregon
10) Cohl Cabral-Arizona State


NFL Draft Cheat Sheet-Defensive Rankings

Defensive End:
1) Chase Young-Ohio State
2) Yetur Gross-Matos-Penn State
3) A.J. Epenesa-Iowa
4) Jon Greenard-Florida
5) Bradlee Anae-Utah
6) Khalid Kareem-Notre Dame
7) Jabari Zuniga-Florida
8) Jason Strowbridge-North Carolina
9) Alex Highsmith-Charlotte
10) Alton Robinson-Syracuse

Defensive Tackle:
1) Derrick Brown-Auburn
2) Javon Kinlaw-South Carolina
3) Ross Blacklock-TCU
4) Marlon Davidson-Auburn
5) Neville Gallimore-Oklahoma
6) Jordan Elliot-Missouri
7) Justin Madubuike-Texas A&M
8) James Lynch-Baylor
9) Raekwon Davis-Alabama
10) Leki Fotu-Utah

Outside Linebacker:
1) Isaiah Simmons-Clemson
2) Patrick Queen-LSU
3) K'Lavon Chaisson-LSU
4) Zack Baun-Wisconsin
5) Terrell Lewis-Alabama
6) Curtis Weaver-Boise State
7) Anfernee Jennings-Alabama
8) Julian Okwara-Notre Dame
9) Darrell Taylor-Tennessee
10) Akeem Davis-Gaither-Appalachian State

Inside Linebacker:
1) Kenneth Murray-Oklahoma
2) Malik Harrison-Ohio State
3) Jordyn Brooks-Texas Tech
4) Logan Wilson-Wyoming
5) David Woodward-Utah State
6) Jacob Phillips-LSU
7) Francis Bernard-Utah
8) Evan Weaver-Cal
9) Markus Bailey-Purdue
10) Shaun Bradley-Temple

Cornerback:
1) Jeff Okudah-Ohio State
2) CJ Henderson-Florida
3) A.J. Terrell-Clemson
4) Trevon Diggs-Alabama
5) Kristian Fulton-LSU
6) Jaylon Johnson-Utah
7) Damon Arnetter-Ohio State
8) Jeff Gladney-TCU
9) Noah Igbinoghene-Auburn
10) Cameron Dantzler-Miss State
11) Troy Pride Jr.-Notre Dame
12) Bryce Hall-Virginia
13) Amik Robertson-Louisiana Tech
14) A.J. Green-Oklahoma State
15) Harrison Hand-Temple

Safety
1) Grant Delpit-LSU
2) Xavier McKinney-Alabama
3) Antoine Winfield Jr.-Minnesota
4) Jeremy Chinn-Southern Illinois
5) Ashtyn Davis-Cal
6) Kyle Dugger-Lenoir-Rhyne
7) Terrell Burgess-Utah
8) Brandon Jones-Texas
9) J.R. Reed-Georgia
10) Brian Cole-Miss State