11 names you need to know for the NFL Draft
Apr 24, 2017 16:44:59 GMT -6
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Post by jj30 on Apr 24, 2017 16:44:59 GMT -6
By Daniel Tran | Last updated 4/24/17
www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/11_names_you_need_to_know_for_the_nfl_draft/s1_13132_23791108?fs_edition=20170424
We’ve reached the NFL mid-offseason blues. It’s been about three months since real football has been played, and the season is still about four months away. NFL fans are rocking back and forth in the fetal position, watching highlights of Derek Carr, Tom Brady and Antonio Brown to get a quick fix and keep their football addiction at bay.
While the NFL offseason is long grind for fans, it also means getting excited for the future. The NFL Draft is on the horizon, and that means your favorite NFL team’s fortunes could change with a phone call.
As the teams are gearing up, here are some names to keep track of when the 2017 NFL Draft begins.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson QB
After his draft stock was in question for much of the season, Watson’s big-time performance in the National Championship Game along with good performances at the NFL Combine and his pro day have apparently secured him a spot in the first round.
Where he’ll be taken is another issue. Some prognosticators have him high in the first, while others have him out entirely. Usually hot names get picked up quickly, but there’s always a sexy quarterback prospect that falls in the draft somehow. Watson might be that quarterback.
John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers GM
Former Denver Bronco great John Lynch walked into a quite a situation when he joined the San Francisco 49ers: 10 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, including the No. 2 overall pick. Not a lot of general managers have that kind of flexibility in their first year.
Lynch can basically have his pick of the litter near the top of the draft, or he can trade that No. 2 pick to get even more players further down. When draft day comes, expect the 49ers' phone to be ringing off the hook with calls from other teams.
Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina QB
It’s a two-horse race for the first quarterback selected in this year’s draft, and Mitchell Trubisky has been the front-runner for much of it. You have quarterback-hungry teams like the Browns, 49ers and Jets early, so one of them is bound to take a flier on the North Carolina product.
However, Deshaun Watson is coming into the draft with a lot of momentum, so Trubisky might be the second quarterback taken. As we’ve seen with Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn and Johnny Manziel, top quarterback prospects tend to fall if teams aren’t feeling the pressure to draft at the position.
Sashi Brown, Cleveland Browns GM
Remember when the Browns had a competent quarterback? Yeah, neither do the fans. It’s another year, another attempt to get a franchise signal caller for Cleveland, but the team doesn’t want to be desperate about it. The Browns hold the No. 1 pick but can still get the quarterback they want further down in the draft.
This year’s projected No. 1 pick, Myles Garrett, is a player some experts project to be an All-Pro. If the Browns can get more picks or a proven star by trading that pick, they might actually be able to step out of the AFC North basement for once.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan DB
Peppers was one of the most entertaining college football players to watch last year. To say he is versatile would be a gross understatement, as he finished the year playing 11 positions at least once. That kind of flexibility is enticing to a lot of teams but can also scare away teams because he’s not particularly an expert at any one position.
He may be taken high in the first round, but he can also slide down quite a bit before he is picked up. It will be interesting to see how valuable NFL teams find his Swiss Army Knife-like skill set.
Ryan Pace, Chicago Bears GM
Chicago holds the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft and could be shopping it around. The Bears don’t need a quarterback after getting Mike Glennon and know there are plenty of teams willing to trade into the top five to get their guy. The bears need to address plenty of positions after going 3-13 last year, so securing more picks could be the team’s priority this year to inject more youth into the organization.
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma RB
It’s crazy how one second of bad judgment could have a lifetime effects. In 2014, Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon punched a woman in an altercation. He received a one-year deferred suspension before being allowed to return to the team. Last season, he lit up college football with 1,812 yards from scrimmage with 15 touchdowns.
Mixon has top-round talent, but the NFL doesn’t like bad publicity. That being said, teams also have a history of ignoring past transgressions if a player can help them on the field. Mixon might be the most unpredictable pick in this year's draft.
Mike Maccagnan, Jets GM
Like a lot of teams in the top 10, the New York Jets need a lot of help. They could get a quarterback with the sixth overall pick, but it could still be a reach with so many other talented players at other positions. They could pick up a pass rusher or running back at that position and be set for the foreseeable future instead of taking a risk at quarterback.
Whether they trade down or stand pat, the Jets will have a lot of eyes on them to see how they approach this draft.
Jamal Adams, LSU S
With most of the attention fixated on can’t-miss defensive ends and where quarterbacks are going, a lot of good players get left out of the light — like hard-hitting safeties with 4.3 40 speed. Jamal Adams is projected to be a strong safety, but his incredible time at LSU’s pro day and natural leadership abilities could push him into the top three with the Bears needing a whole lot of help on defense.
Strong safeties, however, are rarely taken that high, so there is a possibility he can fall. It just doesn't seem likely given that some experts have said Adams could become the best player in this draft. With his ability to direct a defense, it wouldn’t be surprising.
www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/11_names_you_need_to_know_for_the_nfl_draft/s1_13132_23791108?fs_edition=20170424
We’ve reached the NFL mid-offseason blues. It’s been about three months since real football has been played, and the season is still about four months away. NFL fans are rocking back and forth in the fetal position, watching highlights of Derek Carr, Tom Brady and Antonio Brown to get a quick fix and keep their football addiction at bay.
While the NFL offseason is long grind for fans, it also means getting excited for the future. The NFL Draft is on the horizon, and that means your favorite NFL team’s fortunes could change with a phone call.
As the teams are gearing up, here are some names to keep track of when the 2017 NFL Draft begins.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson QB
After his draft stock was in question for much of the season, Watson’s big-time performance in the National Championship Game along with good performances at the NFL Combine and his pro day have apparently secured him a spot in the first round.
Where he’ll be taken is another issue. Some prognosticators have him high in the first, while others have him out entirely. Usually hot names get picked up quickly, but there’s always a sexy quarterback prospect that falls in the draft somehow. Watson might be that quarterback.
John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers GM
Former Denver Bronco great John Lynch walked into a quite a situation when he joined the San Francisco 49ers: 10 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, including the No. 2 overall pick. Not a lot of general managers have that kind of flexibility in their first year.
Lynch can basically have his pick of the litter near the top of the draft, or he can trade that No. 2 pick to get even more players further down. When draft day comes, expect the 49ers' phone to be ringing off the hook with calls from other teams.
Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina QB
It’s a two-horse race for the first quarterback selected in this year’s draft, and Mitchell Trubisky has been the front-runner for much of it. You have quarterback-hungry teams like the Browns, 49ers and Jets early, so one of them is bound to take a flier on the North Carolina product.
However, Deshaun Watson is coming into the draft with a lot of momentum, so Trubisky might be the second quarterback taken. As we’ve seen with Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn and Johnny Manziel, top quarterback prospects tend to fall if teams aren’t feeling the pressure to draft at the position.
Sashi Brown, Cleveland Browns GM
Remember when the Browns had a competent quarterback? Yeah, neither do the fans. It’s another year, another attempt to get a franchise signal caller for Cleveland, but the team doesn’t want to be desperate about it. The Browns hold the No. 1 pick but can still get the quarterback they want further down in the draft.
This year’s projected No. 1 pick, Myles Garrett, is a player some experts project to be an All-Pro. If the Browns can get more picks or a proven star by trading that pick, they might actually be able to step out of the AFC North basement for once.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan DB
Peppers was one of the most entertaining college football players to watch last year. To say he is versatile would be a gross understatement, as he finished the year playing 11 positions at least once. That kind of flexibility is enticing to a lot of teams but can also scare away teams because he’s not particularly an expert at any one position.
He may be taken high in the first round, but he can also slide down quite a bit before he is picked up. It will be interesting to see how valuable NFL teams find his Swiss Army Knife-like skill set.
Ryan Pace, Chicago Bears GM
Chicago holds the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft and could be shopping it around. The Bears don’t need a quarterback after getting Mike Glennon and know there are plenty of teams willing to trade into the top five to get their guy. The bears need to address plenty of positions after going 3-13 last year, so securing more picks could be the team’s priority this year to inject more youth into the organization.
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma RB
It’s crazy how one second of bad judgment could have a lifetime effects. In 2014, Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon punched a woman in an altercation. He received a one-year deferred suspension before being allowed to return to the team. Last season, he lit up college football with 1,812 yards from scrimmage with 15 touchdowns.
Mixon has top-round talent, but the NFL doesn’t like bad publicity. That being said, teams also have a history of ignoring past transgressions if a player can help them on the field. Mixon might be the most unpredictable pick in this year's draft.
Mike Maccagnan, Jets GM
Like a lot of teams in the top 10, the New York Jets need a lot of help. They could get a quarterback with the sixth overall pick, but it could still be a reach with so many other talented players at other positions. They could pick up a pass rusher or running back at that position and be set for the foreseeable future instead of taking a risk at quarterback.
Whether they trade down or stand pat, the Jets will have a lot of eyes on them to see how they approach this draft.
Jamal Adams, LSU S
With most of the attention fixated on can’t-miss defensive ends and where quarterbacks are going, a lot of good players get left out of the light — like hard-hitting safeties with 4.3 40 speed. Jamal Adams is projected to be a strong safety, but his incredible time at LSU’s pro day and natural leadership abilities could push him into the top three with the Bears needing a whole lot of help on defense.
Strong safeties, however, are rarely taken that high, so there is a possibility he can fall. It just doesn't seem likely given that some experts have said Adams could become the best player in this draft. With his ability to direct a defense, it wouldn’t be surprising.
