Forum Replies Created
-
Free agency breakdown: What do the new (+ familiar) faces bring to the #LARams in 2019? pic.twitter.com/uFIyQXH7eR
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 27, 2019
AgamemnonSean McVay said the Rams "Feel pretty settled" with Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown at running back.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) March 26, 2019
AgamemnonSean McVay said that the Rams "Absolutely" want to sign CB Marcus Peters to an extension, noting his improved play in the second half of the season. Peters is entering fifth season of rookie deal.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) March 26, 2019
I am not a big fan of Peters. Let him play out this year and then maybe we can scarf a comp pick for him?
Agamemnonhttps://www.bluechipscouting.com/articles/better-than-advertised-khalen-saunders
BLUE CHIP SCOUTING
Better than Advertised: Khalen Saunders
Measurables:
Height: 6’1
Weight: 320
School: Western Illinois
Class: Redshirt Senior
The strength of this year’s defensive line class has been doubted in the recent weeks, and maybe rightly so. At one point this class was viewed as one of the best ever, but due to a combination of players returning to school and others failing to perform to preseason expectations, it has fallen a little flat. However, I still believe this is one of the stronger classes in recent memory. One of the biggest reasons is Western Illinois’ Khalen Saunders. Saunders dominated FCS play this season and deservedly received an invitation to both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
Pros:
Functional Play Strength – All you have to do is watch 60 seconds of Saunders’ tape and it is evident that he is the strongest player on the field. He repeatedly tosses offensive lineman around and was a terror against runs up the middle.
Name: Khalen Saunders
Status: GROWN MAN pic.twitter.com/F6XwpOTAr7— Carter Donnick (@CDonScouting) January 24, 2019
Versatility – At Western Illinois, Saunders lined up all over the field. Whether he was a shaded 0-tech, traditional 3-tech, or even occasionally stood up as an edge rusher, Saunders did it all. He was commonly asked to play a two-gap on early downs, but was effective when asked to get up field and after the quarterback.
Lmao @ Western Illinois using Khalen Saunders (#99) as a stand up rusher on 3rd & 15 OH WAIT WHAT?! pic.twitter.com/xGHreV3qJh
— Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) February 16, 2019
Pass Rush Moves/Hand Fighting – Already has a number of pass rush moves at his disposal including a push-pull, club-rip, and even a spin now and again. Saunders has active and effective hands that are crucial for any defensive lineman.
Eyes – Saunders does an excellent job of locating the ball and getting after it. Some defensive linemen focus too much on getting past their blocker that they don’t follow the ball. Saunders doesn’t and does an excellent job consistently locating the ball and flying towards it.
Athleticism – For being 320 pounds, Saunders moves incredibly well for his body size, displaying his elite athletic ability. He lists “tumbling” as one of his hobbies and it shows in his ability to move so well, best highlighted by his capability to do backflips. Saunders is extremely quick and it shows in the way he is able to chase down ball carriers. I expect him to perform well at the upcoming NFL Combine.
“LiNeMeN ARnT AtHLeTeS”
Tell that to 320-pound, Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders… @khalenNOTkaylen pic.twitter.com/TOzZwetmgQ
— The Big Guy (@WeAreBigGuys) January 16, 2019
Cons:
Competition – I always say scout the player, not the helmet. Saunders may have dominated in college, but it was at a lower level than most of the other prospects who will get drafted. There is not enough justification to lower his draft stock by much (if at all) but it’s something to watch for as his jump to the NFL could be more difficult than others.
Get Off – Saunder was asked to play a lot of two-gap in school, so I don’t know how much of this was due to that, but he does seem a tad slow off the snap. He makes up for it with great speed and strength, but if an NFL guard has half a second on you, he won’t hesitate to bury you.
Pad Level – Occasionally plays too high, and while it didn’t affect him much at school due to him tossing around FCS guards, leverage is everything in the trenches in the NFL. He has shown flashes of playing extremely low and will need to make those flashes consistent in order to play effectively at the next level.
Base/Anchor – This issue is also partly due to playing too high up, but Saunders can occasionally find himself getting washed by a double team. If he feels he’s getting pushed back, he should grab jerseys and fall to create a pileup in the middle of the line of scrimmage.
Verdict: Saunders is a rare blend of athleticism and size. I honestly believe that had he gone to an SEC school, we would be talking about him as a potential first-round pick. I expect him to test as well as any defensive tackle at the combine. He can play in both a one-gap and two-gap scheme. Saunders is just as effective getting downfield rushing the passer as he is doing the dirty work in the trenches and clogging up the running lanes. I would like to see him work on staying low more consistently to establish better leverage and focus on getting upfield a bit quicker, but there’s nothing that tells me he won’t be a successful defensive tackle at the next level. Who knows, maybe he’ll even get a snap or two at edge rusher.
Pro Comp: Kawaan Short, Carolina Panthers
Short and Saunders have a very similar body type. Both are big enough to play nose tackle but athletic enough to play anywhere on the defensive front. They both have exceptional play strength and use their quick hands to shed blockers.
Best Team Fit: Denver Broncos
Saunders would fit well with a Broncos team that needs an influx of youth in the defensive interior. He could replace Domata Peko as the early down nose tackle, and then work next to Derek Wolfe from the sub package on passing downs.
Positional Ranking: DL4
Grade: Second Round
Matt Valdovinos
February 22, 2019I would rather the #Rams draft one of: Daniel Wise, Renell Wren, Khalen Saunders or Trysten Hill with their second pick instead of using a first on Dexter Lawrence. 🤷♂️
— Jake Oliver Ellenbogen (@JKBogenDTR) March 25, 2019
AgamemnonI feel ok with Simmons and Tillery, but not Polite. Maybe their red flags just allow a talented player to drop? I would rather take a chance on them or trade down, than draft the other candidates. It isn’t a big thing with me. I will almost certainly be fine with whatever the Rams do.
.
It isn’t like when I wanted the Rams to draft Brockers, or Mannion, or Mathews, or Cordarrelle, or Wentz, or Suh. Agamemnonhttp://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000503855/article/ranking-each-positions-importance-from-quarterback-to-returner
Ranking each position’s importance, from quarterback to returnerBy Bucky Brooks
NFL.com Analyst
Published: July 27, 2015 at 12:11 p.m.
Updated: July 27, 2015 at 10:34 p.m.Football is the ultimate team game, but all positions are not created equal.
Given the pass-happy nature of today’s NFL, quarterbacks are clearly the most important players in the game, due to their responsibilities and direct impact on the outcome. What about the other players on the field? How do team builders rank and prioritize the rest of the positions on the roster?
Given some time to reflect on conversations I’ve had with scouts and coaches over the years, I thought I’d rank the positions in order of importance/value. Here is my hierarchy, with three notable examples at each spot for quick reference:
1) Quarterback
There’s no disputing the importance of the position in 2015. The quarterback is not only the team’s biggest decision maker, but his ability to make timely plays and efficiently manage the game routinely determines which team lands in the winner’s circle at the end of the season.
» Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
» Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
» Tom Brady, New England Patriots2) Designated pass rusher 1 (RDE/ROLB)
Given the importance of the quarterback position on the outcome of games, every team must have a defensive playmaker along the front line with the potential to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the passing game. Sacks and quarterback pressures are coveted at a premium, making blind-side pass rushers hot commodities on the open market. Since most signal callers are right-handed, the game’s top pass rushers typically align at RDE or ROLB to attack from the back side. J.J. Watt, listed as a notable example just below, is a bit unique, as he moves all over the D-line, but how could I construct a file about positional importance without mentioning the most dominant defensive player in the game today?
» J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
» Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams
» Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants3) Left tackle
Keeping the all-important quarterback protected is obviously a top priority. Thus, the second-most crucial offensive position is left tackle, due to the presence of dangerous pass rushers on the QB’s blind side. Premier LTs are capable of snuffing out dynamic rushers without assistance, and decision makers are always on the hunt for nimble pass protectors with great skill.
» Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
» Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles
» Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys4) Left cornerback
The NFL’s growing emphasis on the passing game makes it imperative to have a talented cover corner in the lineup to discourage throws to the prominent side of the field (for a right-handed QB). While some teams elect to have their top corner “travel” — to match up with the opponent’s top receiver — traditionalists play the percentages and position their top cover man on the side quarterbacks target the most.
» Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
» Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
» Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns5) Wide receiver 1
The rule changes limiting downfield contact with receivers have made WR1s the top playmakers on most offenses. Teams are taking advantage of contemporary officiating by prominently featuring big-bodied and/or speedy receivers in the game plan, to help quarterbacks post ridiculous numbers while moving the offense down the field.
» Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
» Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
» Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers6) Defensive tackle
Despite the emphasis on the passing game, defensive coaches still build strategies around the initial premise of stopping the run. Interior defenders who can destroy running plays between the tackles while also delivering consistent sack production are worth their weight in gold in today’s NFL.
» Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins
» Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
» Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams7) Running back
Many of the top teams in the NFL still rely on a powerful ground game fueled by a dominant runner. The presence of a standout RB alleviates the pressure on the quarterback and gives the offense the balance needed to win against elite defenses.
» Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
» Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
» Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers8) Designated pass rusher 2 (LDE/LOLB)
Ideally, elite defenses have the capacity to attack the passer from both edges. While the DPR1 typically commands the bulk of attention, a dynamic edge rusher on the strong side can exploit an inferior pass protector at right tackle and speed up the quarterback’s internal clock.
» Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs
» Von Miller, Denver Broncos
» Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins9) Middle linebacker
The “Mike” linebacker remains the primary communication position on defense. He takes the call from the sideline and is primarily responsible for making the adjustments along the front line. In addition, the Mike patrols the box from sideline to sideline and racks up a ton of tackles as the fast-flow player on the second level.
» Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
» Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
» Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh Steelers10) Tight end
The rules restricting excessive contact and big hits on defenseless receivers have led more teams to feature an athletic, big-bodied tight end in the passing game. These basketball-like athletes are outstanding red-zone weapons, but they primarily do their damage between the hashes on various “post-up” plays. With offensive coordinators intent on making life easier for the quarterback, the presence of a big target in the middle increases the efficiency of the passing game.
» Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
» Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks
» Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers11) Free safety
Most defensive coordinators still subscribe to the theory that elite defenses are strong down the middle. Thus, teams are constantly searching for an impact “MOF” (middle of the field) playmaker to discourage throws between the numbers. Ball skills, instincts and solid tackling ability are required for this critical role in the back end.
» Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
» Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers
» Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings12) Weak-side linebacker
The 4-3 defense is no longer the predominant scheme of choice in the NFL, but “Will” linebackers remain designated playmakers for teams employing the system. These active LBs are encouraged to shoot through open gaps to hit runners in the backfield, and they’re incorporated into the pass rush on creative blitzes. Thus, the best players at the position are explosive, athletic and instinctive.
» DeAndre Levy, Detroit Lions
» Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
» Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings13) Right tackle
The notion of right tackles playing primarily as run blockers has changed with more teams relying on the passing game. Pass protectors on the right side must be able to move defenders off the ball while also displaying the agility and lateral quickness to shadow electric edge rushers. Although most teams will, at times, use a running back or tight end to help in protection, the position now requires better athletes and pass blockers.
» Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
» Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots
» Ricky Wagner, Baltimore Ravens14) Right cornerback
Offensive coordinators routinely throw away from the opponent’s top cover corner, leading to more throws to the defensive right. Consequently, defensive coaches are placing better athletes and technicians at right cornerback, to suffocate the passing game.
» Antonio Cromartie, New York Jets
» Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts
» Orlando Scandrick, Dallas Cowboys15) Right guard
The utilization of “slide” protection requires teams to place a solid pass blocker at right guard. This scheme routinely pushes the center to the left to help the left guard, leaving the right guard to face a talented defensive tackle in a one-on-one matchup. In the run game, right guards must be able to move defensive tackles and cut off linebackers on the second level.
» Kyle Long, Chicago Bears
» Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
» Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys16) Wide receiver 2
Despite the increased importance of the WR1 and tight end in most NFL passing games, offensive coordinators still covet a legitimate threat on the back side capable of forcing the defense to defend the entire field. Although most WR2s aren’t capable of carrying a passing game over the entire season, the best ones have the capacity to anchor the offense on a short-term basis. Thus, they offer tremendous value for teams built around the play of the quarterback.
» Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
» Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
» Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos17) Center
Some would argue that the center deserves a higher spot on this list, due to his important role as communicator and leader. The center controls most of the adjustments at the line, alleviating some of the pressure on the quarterback to act as the traffic cop. Although offensive coaches place a greater emphasis on instincts and football aptitude, the players at the position with superior athleticism and agility allow creative play designers to utilize crafty schemes at the point of attack.
» Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers
» Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
» Nick Mangold, New York Jets18) Strong safety
Strong safeties are pegged as run stoppers, but defensive coordinators also expect them to act as enforcers in the middle of the field on passing plays. Big hitters not only discourage receivers from venturing between the hashes, but their presence in the middle forces quarterback to look elsewhere for high-percentage completions. Given their overall impact, strong safeties might be a tad underrated in the team-building process.
» Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
» Donte Whitner, Cleveland Browns
» T.J. Ward, Denver Broncos19) Strong-side linebacker
The reduced role of the running game has turned “Sam” linebackers into two-down players — unless they exhibit special qualities on passing downs (blitz/pass-rush ability or cover skills). The premier players at the position are versatile defenders with superb agility and athleticism.
» Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers
» Jamie Collins, New England Patriots
» Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders20) Left guard
Every position along the offensive line has a significant impact on the production of the offense, but many coaches will stash their most vulnerable front-line blocker at left guard. The position requires a blocker to possess the strength and power to move defenders off the ball on running plays, but coaches can mask a player’s deficiencies at the point of attack by instructing the center to double-team or chip before climbing to the second level. The same tactics can be employed in pass protection, depending on the athleticism and agility of the left guard.
» Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers
» Ben Grubbs, Kansas City Chiefs
» Andy Levitre, Tennessee Titans21) Nose tackle
Nose tackles are viewed as run stuffers, but the elite players at the position also possess the skills to collapse the pocket up the middle. Depending on the scheme (3-4 or 4-3) and skills of the player, a nose tackle typically isn’t factored into the pass rush. Thus, an NT capable of delivering significant sack production brings more value to a defense.
» Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills
» Dontari Poe, Kansas City Chiefs
» Damon Harrison, New York Jets22) Wide receiver 3
The aerial evolution of the NFL has led most teams to feature a WR3 (or TE2) instead of a fullback in the starting lineup. Although most WR3s will align in the slot, some teams will move one of their top receivers inside to exploit a favorable matchup against a nickel corner. As a result, the job description for a WR3 is team-specific, but many squads count on the sub-pass catcher to come in and make plays when the defense makes a concerted effort to snuff out the WR1.
» Stevie Johnson, San Diego Chargers
» Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
» Cole Beasley, Dallas Cowboys23) Kicker
Kickers are routinely treated as afterthoughts by casual observers, but coaches certainly appreciate a scorer capable of putting points on the board from long distance. Kickers adept at knocking the ball through the uprights from 50-plus yards expand the scoring zone for the offense, providing the coordinator with more play-calling options.
» Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
» Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
» Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons24) Punter
The field-position battle doesn’t show up prominently in the box score, but coaches understand the crucial role punters play in flipping the field. Securing a punter capable of combining hang time and distance is important, but some coaches prefer guys able to consistently knock the ball down inside the 20-yard line on “coffin corner” kicks.
» Thomas Morstead, New Orleans Saints
» Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
» Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs25) Return specialist
The recent rule change on kickoffs has led to more touchbacks and dramatically reduced the role of the kick returner, but special teams coaches still covet a playmaker at the position. Returners capable of pushing the ball out past the 30-yard line not only increase the odds of scoring on offense, but they set the table for winning the field-position battle. Punt returners have more opportunities to impact the game in today’s NFL; special teams mavens look for guys with the potential to average 10-plus yards on each touch.
» Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons
» Jacoby Jones, San Diego Chargers
» Adam Jones, Cincinnati BengalsFollow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
Well, damn. I guess we forgot long snapper. 😉
.
Nickel corner needs to be in there, too.
.
I just wanted to see an example of position priority to give some sort of idea about how the Draft or Cap Space might be prioritized.
.
This article is from 2015. Agamemnonhttps://bleacherreport.com/articles/2817756-ranking-every-position-in-the-2019-nfl-draft#slide0
Ranking Every Position in the 2019 NFL Draft
Chris Roling
January 29, 2019Defense comes first when talking about the 2019 NFL draft.
How could it not? With prospects like Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams headlining the class, it is hard to get around the defensive conversation. This is a deep class for pressure-applying prospects that runs away with best-in-class status. But the evolution of linebackers who can hold up in coverage well and defensive backs who can play multiple positions isn’t far behind.
Which isn’t to say the class lacks offensive firepower, either. The quarterback class is both top-heavy and starting to shape up nicely in the long-term developmental department thanks to the steady performances of guys like Daniel Jones at draft events like the Senior Bowl. While quarterbacks will get all the attention, the real strength on that side of the ball are the weapons and linemen flanking the position.
Based on top-end talent, apparent depth and overall outlook, this is how every position—minus special teams—ranks in the 2019 class from weakest to strongest.
10. Running Back
The running back resurgence of late might not make its presence felt this year.At least that’s the outlook for now. Over the past few years, it’s been easy to tell when a running back class would be superb. Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley were going to make it hard for NFL front offices to decide if they should use a top-50 pick on a supposed devalued position—in fact, they all went in the top 10.
This year, not so much. But to little surprise, an SEC powerhouse leads the way at the position. Josh Jacobs rumbled for 640 yards and 11 scores last year on a 5.3-yard-per-carry average and made headway in the passing game, so he’s top dog.
After Jacobs, the top-50 falloff is strong. Devin Singletary out of FAU might be the second-best option even if he does check in at 5’9″ and 200 pounds after a 1,920-yard effort in 2017 and 1,348 more yards in 2018. His size won’t always have him bruising between the tackles, but he’s the perfect passing-down rotational piece.
Depth of the class, at least, should be strong as usual. Sledgehammers like Damien Harris out of Alabama and Benny Snell from Kentucky should find homes as rotational pieces, and more versatile pieces like David Montgomery from Iowa State will find roles too, if not eventually break out as centerpieces.
While it isn’t a stacked class this year, teams in need of filling roles in backfields should have good value throughout the draft.
9. Cornerback
The premium on cornerbacks in today’s NFL hasn’t lessened at all, which is what makes the 2019 offering look so shrug-worthy.
LSU’s Greedy Williams looks like a first-round lock mostly because he’s a big (6’3″) boundary corner who can press an opponent’s top wideout. Georgia’s Deandre Baker is right there as well, and as Denzel Ward showed a year ago, the fact that he checks in at under 6’0″ isn’t much of a talking point. Ditto for Washington’s Byron Murphy.
There are other corners who could emerge and have a chance to make a name for themselves in the top 100 such as Penn State’s Amani Oruwariye and Clemson’s Trayvon Mullen. Others could as well, but overall, it doesn’t feel as impactful as last year’s class that boasted Ward, Josh Jackson and Jaire Alexander, among others.
Granted, this outlook could evolve as the path to the draft continues. Rock Ya-Sin is already flying up draft boards after a strong Senior Bowl. But with so many talented defenders at other positions, cornerback isn’t one to get excited about this year by comparison.
8. Safety
The college game continues to adapt, which benefits NFL teams trying to keep pace with and eventually fully counter the offensive trend sweeping the league.
The safety crop this year is a good example of this.
Alabama’s Deionte Thompson is a first-round contender who looks like he could play in either safety spot interchangeably while following in the footsteps of other Crimson Tide defenders such as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jackson.
Johnathan Abram is another top-50 contender and good example of the versatility needed to thrive in defensive backfields these days. He played both safety spots, corner and some linebacker at Mississippi State.
Taken as a whole, safety has some impressive depth this year as well, especially with smaller-school prospects like Nasir Adderley out of Delaware zooming up boards after looking good at the Senior Bowl alongside bigger-school prospects.
While teams will presumably get a shot at priority free agents like Earl Thomas this offseason, the draft isn’t a bad way to go based on the upside and value likely available in most rounds.
7. Offensive Line
The 2019 offensive line class looks better than usual.
Offensive line is in a torrid state in the NFL right now as the adjustment period to high-end, scheme-versatile edge-rushers continues. Teams aren’t dealing starter-quality tackles or letting them slip to the open market.
So, good news: The top of draft at tackle looks superb. Maybe not the way the interior offensive line looked last year, but solid nonetheless. Jonah Williams leads the way and could go as high as the top five. The 6’5″, 301-pound prospect from Alabama is best in class.
Not that Ole Miss’ Greg Little and Oklahoma’s Cody Ford are too far behind. And Florida’s Jawaan Taylor has the versatility to play either side, which teams will covet.
On the interior, NC State center Garrett Bradbury sticks out, especially after winning some individual honors at the Senior Bowl. And guard at least has quality depth, especially with Wisconsin (O-Line U, after all) sending Beau Benzschawel and Michael Deiter to the pros. None seem to stand out like Will Hernandez did a year ago, but its depth should lead to some value picks.
Given the growing importance of the interior offensive line these days (check No. 1 on this list for reasons why) and the usual premium on edge blockers, it’s going to cost teams pricey assets to get prospects who can create stability—but the options are there.
6. Tight End
It’s quietly a good time to need help at tight end.
Iowa’s Noah Fant is the clubhouse leader everyone seems to know right now, which is fair given his resume: a 6’5″, 241-pound frame with 18 touchdowns over his past two seasons. His game is so polished it isn’t hard to see why someone like Cover 1’s Jordan Reid compares him to O.J. Howard, the 19th pick in 2017.
But Irv Smith Jr. from Alabama isn’t far behind, not after showing a well-rounded game with the Crimson Tide. T.J. Hockenson also made a name for himself at Iowa and the tape is making it known, which would explain why he’s gone as high as eighth in mock drafts already, such as one from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah.
And top-heavy with big-play upside doesn’t mean the options fourth and further down the board are bad, either. Like wideout, the position has depth and versatility, with run-blocking a key factor some of the lesser-known names (Stanford’s Kaden Smith) do well and a trait teams value.
5. Quarterback
The fact that one of the top prospects at quarterback this year could still hang up his football cleats and go pick up a bat with MLB says it all.
Quarterback is simply a mixed bag. Hindsight could say something wildly different, but for now, Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins and Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray seem like the consensus top two. The former put up 50 touchdowns and has the blend of traits pro teams want to groom, and the latter is a bit smaller (5’10” and 195 lbs vs. 6’3″ and 220 lbs) but put up 54 total touchdowns and secured a Heisman Trophy while flashing the mobility and playmaking potential of a Baker Mayfield that is becoming more of a necessity across the league.
Beyond those two, Daniel Jones and Drew Lock look like potential franchise passers if they land in the right spot and with the proper coaches. Will Grier, a wild card of upside if the negative traits are handled well, could also break out.
As always, it is important to keep in mind the position itself will trump grades. Those in charge of grades aren’t the ones making final decisions in draft rooms, and another run on quarterbacks like a year ago (four in the top 10, five in the first round) could unfold again with the above names.
Quietly, the class has some solid-looking prospects in the depth department, such as Brett Rypien. But that doesn’t grab headlines, and no team is drafting a quarterback as a backup in the first three or so rounds, so depth doesn’t earn the position as a whole this year a ton of bonus points.
4. Linebacker
The balance of elite pass-rushing and more traditional inside linebacker prospects at the very top of the class personifies the group as a whole this year.
When it comes to pass-rushing, few in the class are better than Kentucky’s Josh Allen, who looks like a candidate to come off the board in the top five, depending on how the inevitable run at quarterbacks changes the order.
And from a more traditional standpoint, LSU’s Devin White looks like the sideline-to-sideline enforcer most defensive coordinators around the NFL would love to have. Michigan’s Devin Bush seems like a candidate to keep seeing his name rise in this area as well.
But those teams without a premium top pick shouldn’t worry too much in either regard. The top 50 also has superb-looking options in both areas. Jachai Polite out of Florida, for example, hurries an offense’s clock with regularity. Buffalo’s Khalil Hodge is an inside thumper who looks like he could get on the field right away.
This year might not produce an instant-impact player in the form of Roquan Smith a year ago, but solid depth throughout makes it a solid class and one that looks like it will shake out well over the long term.
3. Wide Receiver
This could end up being the best wideout draft class since 2014.
There, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandin Cooks were obvious talents ready to take the NFL by storm, and later picks like Jarvis Landry and Davante Adams, to name a few, rounded out the incredible offering.
This year, the heavyweights are D.K. Metcalf from Ole Miss, a 6’4″, 230-pound target who can make big plays all over the field. Ditto for Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry, a 6’4″, 213-pound target who put up 2,000-plus yards and 17 touchdowns over his last two seasons and has best-in-class potential. While smaller, Deebo Samuel (6’0″, 210 lbs) out of South Carolina is one of the scarier quick-release guys to enter the league as of late, at least from a defense’s perspective.
Samuel is one of those guys who will only keep climbing, as Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller pointed out: “Deebo Samuel dominated Senior Bowl week. He’s fast, powerful, agile and caught the ball well all over the field. He might not creep into Round 1 but is one of my favorite players in the class.”
And it doesn’t stop there. Marquise Brown out of Oklahoma looks like a DeSean Jackson-esque weapon, and Georgia’s Riley Ridley will have some teams eyeballing him as early as the first round thanks to his reliability, from sure hands to route running.
Keep in mind, those are just the big names, with plenty of quality prospect fits with certain offenses and other factors sure to help others emerge as seasons pass. It’s a solid class throughout and one teams can’t ignore, even with guys like the aforementioned Jackson perhaps heading to free agency.
At times, wideout classes lately have disappointed thanks to a mixture of injury, bad fits and the fact that wideout is one of the harder positions to transition to the pro game, as opposed to something more simplistic like running back. But as of now, the 2019 class looks more robust and ready than some of its recent predecessors and ranks quite well among all positions this year.
2. Defensive End
Needing pressure in 2019 is a given in the NFL—and this class has plenty to offer.
It starts up front with Bosa, a contender for the top overall selection. The name doesn’t have as much to do with his projection, but it doesn’t hurt to point out he’s got the upside of his brother, Joey. He’s the usual No. 1 on most big boards, like Jeremiah’s at NFL.com.
Bosa is just the beginning too. Clelin Ferrell from Clemson is 6’4″ and 265 pounds and is up there as a top-20 candidate. As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler pointed out, he even got the best of Jonah Williams in the title game.
Potential to join the big names in the first round remains too, something made apparent by the performance of Montez Sweat from Mississippi State at the Senior Bowl. Depth outside of the well-known thus far makes the edge-defenders who line up with a hand in the dirt one of the better positions, though it gets muddied from a traditional sense thanks to the growing possibility prospects can do that or rush while standing up.
Part of that blending makes it hard to shove players into one category anymore, which is fitting at a time when defenses continue to run varying fronts and the term “base defense” dies off.
But other edge disruptors, such as Florida State’s Brian Burns, are going to come off the board quickly in the middle rounds. The depth is impressive, though the way teams gobble up pressure creators means it still won’t feel like it’s that deep.
1. Defensive Tackle
Remember when guys like Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins were considered rare?
Maybe there isn’t a Donald or Atkins in this class outright, but the college game is starting to spit out interior pass-rushers at a consistent clip as the game evolves and the athletes become more and more impressive almost regardless of size.
It starts at the very top of the draft class with Quinnen Williams and Ed Oliver. The former out of Alabama is a 6’4″, 289-pound disruptor in top-five contention, barring something dramatic. The latter out of Houston isn’t as well-known yet necessarily, but he’s flirting with top-10 status thanks to many of the same tools and pocket-collapsing capabilities.
In a normal class for interior disruptors, Rashan Gary (Michigan) might serve as the headliner, which speaks to the rareness of the bunch here.
And since we are sticking to traditional classifications, it isn’t a bad class for well-rounded interior run-stoppers who can apply some pressure, either. The talented big beef includes Jeffery Simmons (Mississippi State), Christian Wilkins (Clemson) and Dexter Lawrence (Clemson) as top-50 candidates. Farther down the board, guys like Dre’Mont Jones (Ohio State) and Jerry Tillery (Notre Dame) could have an impact right out of the gates as well.
This year the interior defensive line is one of the surefire heavyweights of the class, which hasn’t changed from the initial outlook and likely won’t for a long time down the road.
AgamemnonThere is a lot of Marcus Peters stuff in Rams tweets. I wonder if they are going to do something like extend him? That would be one way to create a bit of Cap Space this year and they will need that. They have already overspent this years budget. imo
Agamemnon
1. ARI- Kyler Murray QB Oklahoma
2. SF- Quinnen Williams DT Alabama
3. NYJ- Nick Bosa EDGE Ohio State
4. OAK- Josh Allen EDGE Kentucky
5. TB- Devin White LB LSU
6. NYG- Daniel Jones QB Duke
7. JAX- T.J. Hockenson TE Iowa
8. DET- Rashan Gary DL Michigan
9. BUF- Jawaan Taylor OT Florida
10.DEN- Christian Wilkins DL Clemson
11.CIN- Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State
12. GB- D.K. Metcalf WR Ole Miss
13.MIA- Drew Lock QB Missouri
14.ATL- JOnah Williams OL Alabama
15.WAS- Clelin Ferrell EDGE Clemson
16.CAR- Brian Burns LB Florida State
17.NYG- Ed Oliver DT Houston
18.MIN- Andre Dillard OT Washington State
19.TEN- Rock Ya-Sin CB Temple
20.PIT- Devin Bush LB Michigan
21.BAL- Kelvin Harmon WR NC State
22.SEA- Deandre Baker CB Georgia
23.HOU- Cody Ford Jr. OL Oklahoma
24.OAK- Joshua Jacobs RB Alabama
25.PHI- Jonathan Abram S Mississippi State
26.IND- N’Keal Harry WR Arizona State
27.OAK- Montez Sweat DE Mississippi State
28.LAC- Greg Little OT Ole Miss
29. KC- Byron Murphy CB Washington
30. GB- Noah Fant TE Iowa
31.LAR- Jeffery Simmons DL Mississippi State
32. NE- Nasir Adderley S Delaware AgamemnonAnother DL the #Rams met with formally: Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery. Told me he could definitely see himself fitting in in L.A with the #Rams.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 2, 2019
Agamemnonhttp://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001023863/article/roundup-rams-match-lions-offer-for-malcolm-brown
Roundup: Rams match Lions’ offer for Malcolm BrownBy Andie Hagemann
Around The NFL Writer
Published: March 22, 2019 at 09:44 a.m.
Updated: March 22, 2019 at 11:20 a.m.Malcolm Brown will remain in Los Angeles.
The Rams are matching the Detroit Lions’ offer sheet for the restricted free agent running back, the team announced Friday.
The Lions made a move for Brown earlier this week and L.A. had until Monday to match the offer.
The running back’s deal with the Rams is for two years with a $3.3 million base salary, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. He’ll receive $2.1 million in practical guarantees ($1 million base guaranteed and $1.1 million roster bonus, which will be issued April 15), Rapoport adds.
Brown’s 2018 campaign ended on injured reserve after suffering a clavicle injury in Week 13 against the Lions. Prior to his injury, he played 15 percent of the Rams’ offensive snaps and added 264 yards from scrimmage, along with one receiving touchdown.
Having Brown back in the mix bodes well for the Rams’ backfield in 2019.
AgamemnonThe #Rams matched the #Lions contract offer to backup RB Malcolm Brown, who they value as a runner/blocker and special teams ace. It doesn’t close the door on C.J. Anderson coming back, entirely, but we’ll see. Good draft for running backs and upside in John Kelly/Justin Davis
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 22, 2019
Malcolm Brown Grades in 2018 on 125 snaps (compared to all HBs):
– Offense: 83.3 (9th)
– Pass Block: 90.0 (1st)
– Run: 76.5 (27th)
– Run Block: 72.9 (5th)
– Fumble: 82.2 (T-32nd)
– Receiving: 78.3 (T-13th) https://t.co/9s7UE1v8jO— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) March 22, 2019
AgamemnonI bet, Matthews cap hit is only around $4-5 million for this year, maybe less. The max value of $16.75 million, a lot of that could be incentives. He could be on a minimum salary, with much of his hit moved to next year. imo
From @NFLTotalAccess: A look at the #Rams signing of Clay Matthews and the #Raiders signing of Vontaze Burfict. pic.twitter.com/ECQiLRDRoP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2019
.
The Tweet says, the contract base is $10M or ~$5M/yr. Matthews will probably play across from Fowler. AgamemnonI agree edge is not a screaming need. But if you get a chance at a higher tier guy, you always take him. But nobody really defines who is in what tier the same way. Unless you have a chance to get a guy that matches all of your criteria, a trade down is better because you will still be getting guys in the same tier.
.
I like DL, OL, CB, edge, in that order, as priority positions that I want to address. TEs, Safety, LBer, etc., I will catch as catch can. AgamemnonI bet, Matthews cap hit is only around $4-5 million for this year, maybe less. The max value of $16.75 million, a lot of that could be incentives. He could be on a minimum salary, with much of his hit moved to next year. imo
.@AdamSchefter: Clay Matthews' deal with the Rams is "very team-friendly."
"I know the numbers were reported to be high, but it's a very modest deal for Clay Matthews because he wanted to be in LA so badly."
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) March 20, 2019
AgamemnonThe Rams were going to pay Malcolm Brown ~$2.03M in 2019. The Lions' 2-year/$3.25M offer sheet seems too good not to match.
Depending on the structure, matching could actually save the Rams money https://t.co/s743yK61Dw
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) March 20, 2019
Lions' $3.25M offer sheet for Malcolm Brown should make Rams' decision easy
Lions’ $3.25M offer sheet for Malcolm Brown should make Rams’ decision easy
By: Cameron DaSilva | 52 minutes ago
Most restricted free agents go through the process of being tendered and never sign an offer sheet from another team. Every so often, though, an outside team makes a play for a restricted free agent, just as the Detroit Lions have with Malcolm Brown.
The Rams running back, who was tendered at the original-round level this offseason, took a visit with the Lions and signed an offer sheet with them. The deal is reportedly worth $3.25 million for two years with just $1 million guaranteed.
That’s a very modest contract, even for a backup running back. And when considering what the Rams were going to pay Brown in 2019, matching the Lions’ offer sheet seems like a no-brainer.
By giving him an original-round tender, the Rams were going to pay Brown $2.025 million next season. Unless they signed him to an extension, he would become an unrestricted free agent in 2020, allowing anywhere with no strings attached.
It’s entirely possible the Rams could actually save money on Brown in 2019 by matching Detroit’s offer sheet. With only $1 million guaranteed and an annual salary of about $1.6 million, the Rams seem to have caught a major break by Detroit coming in so low with its offer.
If they were willing to pay Brown $2.025 million for one season, surely they’d be happy to pay him at most $3.25 million for two years, right? Especially if his cap hit is lower in 2019, which it likely is.
At worst, the Rams could match the offer and if things don’t work out, they can easily cut ties with him after next season without much dead money, if any at all. So if matching the offer benefits the Rams, why wouldn’t Los Angeles do just that?
Well, if the coaching staff wasn’t sold on Brown as Todd Gurley’s backup, it now has an easy out. The Rams can decline to match it and move on from Brown, freeing up the $2.025 million in cap space he would’ve taken up. They’re somewhat strapped for cash after signing Clay Matthews to a two-year deal worth up to $16.75 million, so any added money could help them out.
If they feel C.J. Anderson is the better option at RB2, that $2 million might go a long way toward signing him instead of keeping Brown. Or perhaps the coaches are comfortable with John Kelly as the primary backup and want to simply recoup the money from Brown by letting him leave.
All of those scenarios are very possible, but matching the Lions’ offer seems to obvious not to happen. For an extra $1.2 million, the Rams can get an added year of control over their backup running back. And if Sean McVay truly does feel Brown is as valuable as he indicated last year, it’d be shocking to see Los Angeles let him walk.
“Yeah, that would be a big loss,” McVay said of Brown in December after the running back injured his shoulder. “It would be a huge loss because of what Malcolm means to our football team – not only for our offense, but for our special teams.”
Expect the Rams to match the Lions’ offer sheet and keep Brown, given the low price it’ll take to make it happen.
AgamemnonThanks to the Jaguars, the Rams got an absolute bargain with Blake Bortles. They'll pay him just $1 million in 2019, which is less than Sean Mannion made last year. https://t.co/IOI4EL6Xkt
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) March 20, 2019
AgamemnonI bet, Matthews cap hit is only around $4-5 million for this year, maybe less. The max value of $16.75 million, a lot of that could be incentives. He could be on a minimum salary, with much of his hit moved to next year. imo
AgamemnonThe Lions signed RB Malcolm Brown to a two-year, $3.25 million offer sheet, with a $100K signing bonus and $1 million guaranteed.
The Rams have until Monday to match the offer to the restricted free agent.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 20, 2019
Well that is cheap enough. If the Rams want to keep Brown, np. imo
.
Which is better?
$2 million for 1 year or $3.25 million for 2 years? AgamemnonBlake Bortles' one-year deal with the Rams is for $1M, per source. With Jacksonville owing Bortles $6.5M guaranteed this year, LA could sign Bortles at a modest price. The Jags will eventually be credited $1M in cap space due to offset language.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 20, 2019
That figures. I am not sure if this is low enough to figure as a vet minimum salary. But still plenty low and if you add a player, you can drop a player. So, in effect he only costs us about half a million in Salary Cap. imo
AgamemnonTuesday, Mar 19, 2019 10:30 AM
Free Agency Report Card Roundup: Grading the addition of Weddle, re-signing Fowler
Clarence Dennis
The Rams addressed two of their defense’s top priorities just before the start of free agency in signing safety Eric Weddle and re-signing outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr.
A week into free agency, theRams.com took a look around the media landscape to see how each move was graded.
Rams re-sign OLB Dante Fowler Jr.
SB NATION
Short-term grade: A
Long-term grade: A
“Fowler played the best football of his career after coming to LA from Jacksonville midway through the season. That was especially true in the playoffs, when he was instrumental to getting the Rams to the Super Bowl with his disruptive play. The Rams get a chance to see if Fowler can be that kind of force on a consistent basis, keeping him in LA on a one-year ‘prove it’ deal.”
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell
Grade: C-
“I’m not sure this contract really does the Rams a ton of favors, though. One-year deals with significant money for younger players who haven’t yet broken out aren’t my favorite. If he fails, you’ve spent money on a player who didn’t live up to your expectations. If the player finally has his standout season, though, you’re stuck either using the franchise tag or letting him walk.”
PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS
Grade: ‘Above average’
“The former top-five pick did not pan out in Jacksonville, however, he made some big improvements in his fourth season in the NFL as he ended up with a grade of 67.3 for the season, which was a career high for him. Fowler still failed to stay consistent but he showed early in the season against New England and in the NFC Championship Game that when he is at his best, he can take over a game, which justifies the Rams bringing him back for another season.”
THE ATHLETIC
Grade: B+
“The Rams were wise to secure Dante Fowler Jr. before he hit the open market. The move, coupled with the signing of safety Eric Weddle last week, secures two positions of major need for the Rams and allows them to narrow their focus in free agency and the draft. Fowler could have commanded more years and more money on the open market, but a one-year deal makes sense for him as he can use a full season in Los Angeles to establish a much bigger market for himself heading into 2020.”
MSN’s TOUCHDOWN WIRE
Grade: B
“Traded from Jacksonville to give the Rams a boost as edge-rusher for the stretch run, Fowler now re-signs with his newer team. He put up four sacks and 30 total pressures (per PFF) during his time in Wade Phillips’ defense, and while the team will need to augment his efforts in free agency and the draft, Fowler’s a good re-addition-and given the value of the contract, the Rams clearly see potential here.”
Rams sign S Eric Weddle
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell
Grade: B
“It’s no surprise they ended up with Weddle, and he won’t be the last solid over-30 player to join their roster this offseason. Off the field, Weddle makes plenty of sense for the Rams. General manager Les Snead established a habit of using his own draft picks to trade for talented players while recouping some of the missing selections by letting his own veterans leave in free agency for compensatory picks.”
PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS
Grade: ‘Elite’
“Eric Weddle is getting on in years, but he remains a consistently productive player whose overall PFF grade in 2018 was 80.7, a top-10 figure at the position. Weddle is versatile and can line up at any spot you need a safety to play, allowing a defense to do a lot schematically, and the Rams aren’t committed long term to him in case his decline speeds up.”
THE ATHLETIC
Grade: A
“The Rams were anticipating a safety void with the possibility of Lamarcus Joyner leaving as a free agent. In signing Weddle they address that need in a big way with an affordable replacement and a potential upgrade. And in doing so it allows the Rams to approach free agency and the draft with one less area of need to focus on.” —Vinny Bonsignore
MSN’s TOUCHDOWN WIRE
Grade: A
“Still one of the better versatile safeties in the league at age 34, Weddle can’t patrol the full field like he used to, but he can read receivers and runners as well as anyone in the league. This is a low-money deal for a team in need of smart, consistent safety play to put its defense over the top, and if Weddle is playing in the Super Bowl next February as a result, don’t be too surprised.”
SB NATION
Short-term grade: A
Long-term grade: B
“The win-win for the Rams is that Weddle is both cheaper and, frankly, better than impending free agent Lamarcus Joyner. At least, he has been. The danger is that Weddle is now 34 and about to begin his 13th season in the NFL. Weddle hasn’t shown signs of slowing, though, so the Rams are taking a worthwhile risk.”
AgamemnonMike Garafolo@MikeGarafolo
Two-year deal for LB Clay Matthews with the #Rams worth a max of $16.75 million, source says. He had more lucrative offers on the table but he just welcomed his third child and really wanted to play close to home. Plus, a shot at another ring doesn’t hurt.They talked about the Rams going all in last year, but it didn’t feel that way to me. Now it does feel like that are going all in.
Agamemnon
