College to NFL Conference Bracket

Everyone loves to see their favorite players in college compete in the NFL. People also love a great rivalry when it comes to the college divisions. Everyone always says that the SEC is the best. So here is what I proposed. How do these SEC players fair after college? How do they progress in the NFL?

I have created an All-Conference team for players who are currently in the NFL. This will be a bracket-like challenge. Each conference (though some have been grouped together) will be matched up against another. I will analyze the match-up and give my opinion as to who would be the winner. No coaches, just sheer player ability.

We will begin with what I believe to be the 1 vs 8 seed: ACC vs MW/Ind.

ACC:

QB	Matt Ryan	Boston College		DE	Robert Quinn	UNC
RB	LeSean McCoy	Pittsburg		DE	Mario Williams	NC State
RB	Devonte Freeman	Florida State		DT	Aaron Donald	Pittsburg
WR	DeAndre Hopkins	Clemson		NT	Eddie Goldman	Florida State
WR	Demaryius Thomas	Georgia Tech		OLB	Lawrence Timmons	Florida State
WR	Larry Fitzgerald	Pittsburg		OLB	Derrick Morgan	Georgia Tech
TE	Jimmy Graham	Miami (FL)		MLB	Luke Kuechly	Boston College
OT	Ereck Flowers	Miami (FL)		CB	Darrelle Revis	Pittsburg
OT	Eugene Monroe	Virginia		CB	Ronald Darby	Florida State
G	Laken Thompson	Duke		CB	Xavior Rhodes	Florida State
G	JR Sweezy	NC State		FS	Marcus Gilchrist	Clemson
C	Bryan Stork	Florida State		SS	Kam Chancellor	Virginia Tech

MW/Ind.:

QB Derek Carr Fresno State DE Ezekiel Ansah BYU RB Doug Martin Boise State DE DeMarcus Lawrence Boise State RB Jay Ajayi Boise State DT Tyrone Crawford Boise State WR Devonte Adams Fresno State NT Louis Nix III Notre Dame WR Golden Tate Notre Dame OLB Manti Te'o Notre Dame WR Doug Baldwin Notre Dame OLB Keith Smith San Jose State TE Tyler Eifert Notre Dame MLB Bobby Wagner Utah State OT Donald Penn Utah State CB Cody Riggs Notre Dame OT Byron Bell New Mexico CB Orlando Scandrick Boise State G Zach Martin Notre Dame CB Tashaun Gipson Wyoming G Ryan Clady Boise State FS Harrison Smith Notre Dame C Chris Watt Notre Dame SS George Iloka Boise State

Offense: The ACC has a Pro-Bowl player at every position. McCoy and Freeman dominate the run game with incredible speed and agility. The receivers are some of the best at their position and would make defenses quiver in their cleats. The offensive line includes three Super Bowl players (Monroe, Sweezy, Stork) and two promising second-year players. This team greatly benefited from the great deal of Florida-based talent and former Seminoles that won the 2013 National Championship.

As for the Mountain West and Independents, their offense is not as star-studded. Carr is a reliable upstart with a bright future and Martin is coming off of his best season since 2012. Eifert and Tate would be reliable pass-catchers, but that is it on offense. The offensive line is not very strong, with the exception of Martin. A team, in my eyes, is only as good as their offensive line. With the history of injuries for Martin and Ajayi, this offense looks like it could have some problems.

Advantage: ACC

Defense: The ACC has one big thing going for them on defense and it is their front seven. The line alone has eight Pro-Bowls, three DPOY awards, and a National Championship. No one could run on this defense. Even if someone were to break through the line, they would be met with a slue of great linebackers. The secondary is the only weak point of this team as a whole and they have Darrelle Revis. It is safe to say this is the best overall defense the league would have to offer.

The MW/Ind. team has some slight holes on it. Beginning with the linebackers, Keith Smith is decent, but not really a true starter. Te'o has been quiet in his three-year career for the Chargers; not exactly what people thought was going to happen. As for the line, Ansah and Lawrence and young, strong defensive ends, but the team lacks talent at the tackle position. Same goes for the secondary. The players are decent, but not All-Stars.

Advantage: ACC

Most Intriguing Match-up: Kuechly vs Eifert 
Two of the best players at their positions squaring off. Both are big bodied guys and would look like a clash of the titans when they met. While Kuechly is a decent pass protector, he is more of a zone player. He is also better against the run. Eifert is coming off of his best season and has proven his worth as a top five tight end. I've got to give it to him.

Advantage: MW/Ind.

X-Factors: Aaron Donald vs Doug Martin
The run of the middle. Who would win the battle? These are the two guys I believe to be most crucial to their team's success. Martin has speed and great footwork; he knows when and where he needs to go to get the most yards. Donald on the other hand is one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL. The center of the field is basically not open any time he is here. Add Goldman next to him and he becomes even more dangerous. The only way Martin wins this battle is if he runs to the outside. Considering this is a head-to-head match-up...

Advantage: ACC

Weakest Group: ACC Safeties vs MW/Ind Offensive Line
Chancellor is great, but Gilchrist is not that much of a playmaker. The O-line for the MW/Ind. team is "Eh" at best. I know that there are some teams in the NFL that would actually want this line (i.e. Browns or Seahawks). Safety is an important position, but like I said earlier: your offense is only as good as your offensive line.

Advantage: ACC

Well the ACC wins this bout 4-1. They will move on to the next round and face the lowest seed from the first round. One of these will be posted per day until we have our winner.

The remaining first round match-ups:

BIG 10 vs CUSA/AAC
BIG 12 vs PAC-12
SEC vs Others

Final Mock Draft

Well guys, it's one of my favorite days of the year. Outside of opening day for College football, NFL football, my birthday, and whenever school gets out, the NFL Draft begins tonight.

Hundreds of young men have been suiting up for years, trying to prove their worth to coaches, recruiters, and organizations. This all culminates over this weekend as we will hear over 250 names called up to the big leagues to achieve their dream of playing in the National Football League.

Tonight, we will see 31 of these dreams come true. After the past two weeks filled with trades and changes in the top 10 picks, we come to the first overall pick. Will more trades happen? Who knows!? Maybe the Seahawks trade out and don't take a first round pick for the fourth-straight year? Will Colin Kaepernick or Sam Bradford still be with their teams next fall?  Either way, this is my final prediction going into tonight.

1. Los Angeles Rams (Traded with Titans)
QB Jared Goff, University of California

Bring the Novato kid down about six hours from where he grew up and get him to play for your newly branded franchise. It is not only the smart pick talent wise, it is also the smart pick financially.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (Traded with Browns)
QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State University

Wentz played 76% of his game in the shotgun formation. This is perfect for the passing attack the Eagles are known for today. At 6-5, 235 lbs, he looks like the prototype of an elite quarterback.

3. San Diego Chargers
OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

The Chargers had a four rushing touchdowns last year, none from Melvin Gordon. They need talent up front. Stanely is the best guy for the job at this time. With the current legal situation with Laremy Tunsil, the Chargers may want to take a pass for now. Either way, this is the area of need for the Chargers. San Diego could not have asked for anything more.

4. Dallas Cowboys
DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State University

Dallas needs help on the defensive line badly. With the recent suspensions of Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas will be weak at the DE position for the first four games of the season (barring any appeal made by either player). Bosa will fit more into the scheme that Buckner would and the Cowboys could move Lawrence back to his original position at defensive tackle. This would make for a young D-line that would grow together under the leadership of Sean Lee and DC Ron Marinelli.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars
CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State University

The Jags have had a need at all secondary positions for a few years, ever since Rashid Mathis left for Detroit. After the signings of CB Prince Amukamara and S Teshaun Gibson, it would be time to bring in a hybrid player in the secondary. Ramsey can play anywhere in the secondary and is even capable of coming off the edge in a blitz package. Reuniting him with former Seminoles Terrance Smith and Rashad Greene would also be a bonus.

6. Baltimore Ravens
Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss

After the loss of Kelechi Osemele on the offensive line in Free Agency, the Ravens could take a chance here on Tunsil. The former Rebel is currently being sued by his step-father on assault charges. These reports came out two days before the draft, making the motive for this questionable. If the Chargers do not take the chance, I expect the Ravens to jump on this opportunity.

7. San Francisco 49ers
DE DeForest Buckner, University of Oregon

After all of the players who left San Fran, no one pick was going to put them back into the playoff race. With new Head Coach Chip Kelly, the offense could be ready for a revamp with players they already have at their disposal. Therefore, time to draft another Oregon player. He and the Niners' first round pick from last year, Arik Armstead, can get back to terrorizing offensive lines together.

8. Cleveland Browns (Trade from Eagles via Dolphins)
OLB Myles Jack, University of California Los Angeles

Browns need help everywhere and one pick won't change this team into a contender. Jack could be a building block though. With the loss of Karlos Dansby this off season, Jack would fill one of the bigger needs. UCLA is known for producing great linebacker's as of late (Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks); why not continue the trend?

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Vernon Hargraves II, University of Florida

The Bucs defense was very inconsistent last year, especially in the passing game. While they did sign Brent Grimes in Free Agency, adding a young CB with him and Verner would help solidify their secondary. Grimes is the best, pure corner in this draft and played very well for Florida over his tenure in Gainesville.

10. New York Giants
OLB Leonard Floyd, University of Georgia

The Giants made some great pick-ups on the defensive line with signings of Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison. Now it is time to address the depleted linebacker core. With Beason's retirement and the sting of injuries at the position over the years, Floyd will be the answer in the middle. Floyd was the best defender for the Bulldogs over the past few years and he can be a solid, young player to help get the team back on track.

11. Chicago Bears
RB Ezekiel Elliot, Ohio State University

Elliot said earlier this week that the Bears loved him. If he does fall this far, he will end up here. Other teams would have their chance, but they have more pressing needs than running back. Having Jeremy Langford and Elliot in the backfield would create a great one-two punch for the Bears courtesy of the BIG 10.

12. New Orleans Saints
DT Sheldon Rankin, University of Louisville

The Saints had the worst defense this past season. Last year, they ranked in the bottom fourth of almost every defensive category. ESPN had a graphic that place two stats side-by-side for quarterbacks. One of these was Tom Brady. The other was the average of every quarterback that faced the Saints defense. They were basically equal. Rankin would be a solid pick to clog the middle of the field. The Saints ranked last in yards allowed per carry with 4.9. In a division that contains Doug Martin, Cam Newton, and Devonta Freeman, this teams needs to be able to attack the run.

13. Miami Dolphins (Trade with Philadelphia)
CB William Jackson III, University of Houston

Miami lost Grimes and McCain and gained Maxwell. They need someone better. Jackson has an impressive amount of athleticism. He's not very tall (6-0), but had the fastest time of all of the defensive backs on the 40-yard dash (4.37). He can adjust to coverage quickly and has very fluid motion off the the snap. He would be a smart pick for the fins.

14. Oakland Raiders
DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson University

Justin Tuck retired and Mario Edwards' future is unclear due to a neck injury he sustained in week 15 against the Packers. With all of the other great pick-ups by Oakland this off season like Reggie Nelson and Bruce Irvin, the Raiders should readdress their defensive line, just to be safe. Lawson was the quickest of the lineman at the combine, running a 4.7 flat. His speed can help this team not only get a winning record next season, but could very well get them to the playoffs.

15. Tennessee Titans (Trade with Rams)
OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State University

The Titans were smart to move back in the draft. The plan was to improve the offensive line. This has not changed. The Titans can get one of the top guys to improve their protection of Mariota. Conklin would be a good fit to line up next to Taylor Lewan at Guard.

16. Detroit Lions
C Ryan Kelly, University of Alabama

The Lions need help to get their rushing game going. Without Calvin Johnson in the passing game, Stafford cannot just throw the ball up and hope that Johnson is in the area where it will land. Stafford needs time in the pocket and that starts with the center. Kelly was the leader of the Tide's line and is a main reason why Derrick Henry had the year he did. When a center is drafted in the first round, it is usually due to his high level of talent. The last center to be drafted in the first round and start at the position? Wisconsin's Travis Fredrick to the Cowboys, the two-time Pro-Bowler in three seasons.

17. Atlanta Falcons
DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson University

The Falcons ranked last this past season in sacks, managing a measly 19. They simply need pass rushers. Robert Nkimdiche could be an option here, but something tells me the Falcons will want to keep their distance due to recent off-field issues. Dodd was ranked fifth in sacks this year for the Tigers with his buddy Shaq Lawson at third. Adding another Clemson product to the defense could greatly increase the effectiveness of this defense.

18. Indianapolis Colts
OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State University

The Colts were horrible on pass protection this year. They got almost every quarterback that took a snap injured, including Andrew Luck. Indy needs to draft offensive linemen. Decker is simply the best available. While this class is deep at the position, the Colts should use this draft to get a new line to protect their future.

19. Buffalo Bills
ILB Darron Lee, Ohio State University

The Bills lost a few of their bigger players on defense. Williams, McKelvin, Tarpley. They need to get a really good player here. Getting the top inside linebacker could be the answer. Lee has jumped from a second round talent to a mid-first rounder. Playing in the BIG 10, he is accustom to harsh weather and physical play, exactly what Rex Ryan likes in a defense.

20, New York Jets
QB Paxton Lynch, University of Memphis

The Jets have yet to agree to a deal with any quarterback in Free Agency. There is a slight possibility they could trade for Sam Bradford, but Lynch could be around at this point. At 6-7, Lynch towers over opposing quarterbacks and can see clear over the offensive line. While not the most mobile, he has shown impressive accuracy and arm strength. Pairing him with Decker and Marshall could be just what Todd Bowles needs to get another good season in order for the Jets.

21. Washington Redskins
DT Robert Nkimdiche, Ole Miss

After the retirement of Jason Hatcher and the loss of Terrance Knighton, the skins are incredibly week at defensive tackle. With a major risk being taken on Kirk Cousins this season, they may add one more, drafting Nkimdiche. Before his drug bust, Nkimdiche was touted as one of the top defensive linemen in the draft, likely to go top five. The skins are despite for talent upfront, so this can be a high-risk, high-reward scenario.

22. Houston Texans
WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss

The Texans are solid on defense, but outside of Hopkins, their offense could stall. Giving Osweiler another weapon will only increase his chances of being the guy for Houston. This is also a case of best player available. Treadwell is still the best receiver on the board. Even if he does not have the speed, he has the playmaking ability, much like Hopkins.

23. Minnesota Vikings
WR Josh Doctson, Texas Christian University

The Vikings are very much like the Texans this year: solid defense, but need more offensive weapons. Stefon Diggs will likely become the top target for Bridgewater and Doctson can line-up on the other side. At 6-2 and running a 4.4, the Vikings would not want to pass on this guy to help their young quarterback.

24. Cincinnati Bengals
WR Corey Coleman, Baylor University

The Bengals lost Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu in free agency. While they did get Brandon LaFell, they still need another guy to complement AJ Green. Coleman has the speed and footwork needed to balance out Green's taller game. Green, Coleman, LaFell, and Eifort could be one of the scariest cores of receivers this fall.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Eli Apple, Ohio State University

The Steelers have been known for drafting linebackers in the first round. They have taken one in each of the last three drafts. It is time to build up a depleted secondary. Apple has shown great ball skills and is incredibly disruptive with receivers in man coverage. While he is not a quick fix to the problems in the Pittsburgh secondary, it's a start.

26. Seattle Seahawks
OT Jason Spriggs, University of Indiana

The Seahawks just lost their left tackle and right guard to free agency. They need a line in order to help Wilson in the passing game and Rawls to stay healthy. Wilson cannot be running out of the pocket every play. Taking any O-lineman would be good here. Spriggs is the best player available for Seattle.

27. Green Bay Packers
DT Jarren Reed, University of Alabama

BJ Raji is taking a break from football (he never said he officially retired). Reed would fill the only area of need for the Pack. He's big, he clogs up the middle of the field, and he can have a day with some of the poorer offensive linemen that he will face in Detroit and Chicago.

28. Kansas City Chiefs
CB Mackenzie Alexander, Clemson University

After losing Sean Smith in Free Agency, the Chiefs need someone opposite of Marcus Peters. Alexander has gone from being the third best corner to not being seen in some first round mock drafts. There has been no negative press on him. He was a great corner at Clemson and he will continue to be in KC.

29. Arizona Cardinals
LB Reggie Ragland, University of Alabama

Why do the Cards need more defense? Because they lost Sean Weatherspoon and Rashad Johnson. Ragland was one of the key pieces of the Tide's run to the Championship this year. He looked like Luke Kuechly flocking to the ball. He would be a great addition to the team, especially in a division where there is a great dependency on the run game.

30. Carolina Panthers
CB Artie Burns, University of Miami

With the loss of Josh Norman at the last minute, draft plans may have changed for Carolina. They will need someone to fill Norman's role. Grabbing Burns at the end of the first round could be a steal for them. While their are needs on the offensive line, this is a deep class for linemen and the top five are gone. No need to waste a pick at this point.

31. Denver Broncos
DT A'Shawn Robinson, University of Alabama

The Broncos were lucky they only lost two defenders. With Trevathan and Jackson gone, they have holes to fill. Trevathan's spot will likely be filled with last year's first round pick, Shane Ray. Jackson will have his hole filled by Robinson. While not very fast, running just over a 5.1 in the 40, he has impressive strength. He is going to be the guy that could break through a double team on the line no problem.

Response to Lance Zierlein's "10 Believable Things" about the Draft

A week ago, Lance Zierlein posted a piece called "10 believable things amid all the NFL draft misinformation." Some of these facts seem very likely. Others I see as very unlikely or only under extreme circumstances. Either way, I will list what Zierlein said would happen and post my response accordingly:

1. Paxton Lynch will fly up the draft board

This is very likely now that the two best quarterbacks, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, will being going one and two respectively. In recent mock drafts, Lynch has been seen going many different places in the first round. He could end up in Cleveland and eight; he could also fall to the Super Bowl Champs at 31. Either way, Lynch greatly benefited from the Rams and Eagles trading up. This fact is good.

2. Cleveland's first-round pick will be for sale... again

I agree with this prediction as well. Cleveland, as we all know, is a mess. No one first-round pick is going to elevate the team to playoff contention. With two picks in next year's draft alone, the Browns could look to add a third by trading out of the top 10. Who would they trade with? Rumor has it, the Dolphins, Giants, and Bears are all interested. The reasoning behind it would be for one of these teams to grab Ohio State Running Back, Ezekiel Elliot. If he is there at eight, Cleveland's phone could be ringing with offers from these teams. On the other hand, many mocks have Elliot landing in Dallas at four. The Cowboy's pick will greatly influence how other teams will look at that eight pick.

3. Miami ends up with Ezekiel Elliot

I see this as highly unlikely. I know I said that they are in the running for the pick, but I think if anyone get's him, it will be the Giants. the Giants are the most ready for a Super Bowl run out of the three teams looking at that eighth overall pick. Adding a reliable running back would elevate the teams offense. Miami would have to give up a great deal of picks and players for this and I believe the Giants will offer more than the fins would be willing to give up.

4. Mackensie Alexander sides out of the first round

I do not see this happening. Alexander is one of the top six corners in this draft and there is a great need on most of these teams for corners. With Ramsey and Hargraves guaranteed to be picked in the top 10, this leaves Alexander, Jackson, Burns, and Apple. Teams like the Steelers, Kansas City, Miami, and now the Panthers are all looking for replacements for their losses this season. I see Alexander getting his named called late tomorrow night.

5. Connor Cook could go in the first round

Yeah... no. Cook will likely be a mid-second rounder. While he has been a proven starter for the Spartans over his career, he was never dazzling people with his plays. He was a decent play-caller. While there are teams with quarterback needs outside of the top two picks, I highly doubt they would waste the pick on Cook. CBS Sports has him ranked as the 44th best player in the draft. On a side note, the last time four quarterbacks were taken in the first round was 2012. That was Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannihill, and Brandon Weeden. Look where the fourth QB ended up.

6. Shaq Lawson goes before Kevin Dodd

I do not know why this is something that would be hard to believe. Lawson is ranked as my third best defensive linemen in this draft. He had the fastest 40-yard dash of all linemen (4.7). He also had the third most sacks last season by any defensive player (12.5).  While Dodd was close on both of these, I see Lawson as one of the safest picks in the draft. I would not expect to see him fall any lower than 12th tomorrow night.

7. We might see just two wide receivers go in the first round

This would not surprise me, but I find it unlikely. From picks 22-24, there is clear need at receiver. Houston needs someone to play opposite of Hopkins; Minnesota needs to give Bridgewater more weapons; Cincinnati needs to replace Mohammad Sanu and Marvin Jones. The top four receivers in this class could all be first round talents. Outside of these three, the only other team that could possibly take a receiver would be Kansas City.

8. There isn't a faster-rising offensive lineman than Ryan Kelly

This is very true. I started to predict the rise of Kelly earlier in March before Kiper put his latest mock (at the time) out. Center has become a very coveted position over the past few years. Since 2011, three centers have been taken in the first round. Two of them are Pro-Bowlers and have cemented the offensive line for their teams (Mike Pouncey [MIA], Travis Fredrick [DAL]). Kelly could go anywhere between 16-29. There is always a need on the offensive line.

Unless you're Dallas...

9. Emmanuel Ogbah drops

I have seen this in many mock drafts. He was seen as one of the top five guys at the beginning of the year and he has fallen off the map since then. He ranked second in sacks last year (13.5) and has been dominant for the Cowboys defense in the Big 12. He is a good pass-rusher and there is a chance a team like Carolina or Denver snag him at the tail end of the first round. If not, Cleveland and Dallas could look to get some big talent early in the second round.

10. Traits will push CBs Brandon Williams and Sean Davis way up

Davis (Maryland) and Williams (TA&M) seen going up draft boards? Maybe Davis, not Williams. Davis is like Jalen Ramsey; they have history at corner and safety. He is seen as a second rounder and I agree. Williams on the other hand played one season at corner and the rest at running back. He is great physically for the position, but lacks the knowledge of playing it. Zierlein has him going in the third round. I have him being a late sixth to free agency pick up.

Tomorrow I will release my final mock draft.

Bradford Wants a Trade

Just about an hour ago, Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford released a statement requesting a trade from the Eagles Organization. He also stated that he would no longer participate in off-season activities with the team.

Bradford was the first overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma and will now be looking to join his third team since being drafted by the Rams. With a career of injuries glaring as he enters his seventh season, the market for Bradford may be slim.

This close to the draft, teams that are planning on drafting a quarterback may have their minds made up and would not take a chance on the former Heisman Trophy Winner.  Along with the added 2-year, $36 million contract the Eagles signed him to on March 1st, the prospects for the trade are slim at best. That's not to say that teams may not be interested in trading for him.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos already traded for Mark Sanchez from the Eagles earlier this off-season. While it is a short-term solution, the Broncos are most likely not sold on Sanchez being their guy for the post-Manning Era in the Mile High City. Bradford could be a viable option for the team in need of a signal caller.

In order for this to happen, the Broncos would need to trade players, not picks. Denver has just under $7.6 million in cap space. Bradford would put them over the cap by a good deal. Players would need to rework their contracts or get traded. At this point, it would just be too much hassle for John Elway. They would rather grab someone in the draft.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are always in need of another quarterback. They just signed Robert Griffin III a few weeks ago. Why not add another Heisman Winner to their depth chart? The Browns clearly wanted more picks and got them from the trade with the Eagles. Could we see another trade with Philadelphia come draft day?

It would not surprise me. The Browns have almost $40 million in cap space, more than enough for Bradford to join the roster. With the loss of Johnny Manziel, the addition of RGIII, and a multitude of picks, why not give the guy a chance? Do they really think McCown is going to be their guy for the upcoming seasons? It would make for a good quarterback competition between Griffin and Bradford for the starting job. Hopefully the Browns would be able to surround one of them with talent from the draft.

Chicago Bears

This could be interesting. Cutler needs a back-up and Chicago has plenty of cap to do it. It is no secret that the Second City does not like Cutler as their quarterback, and the Bears Organization has not listened. In the past five years, Chicago has drafted two quarterbacks: David Fales (San Jose State, 2014, 6th round) and Nathan Enderle (Idaho, 2011, 5th round). Fales is still with the team and Enderle is a current free agent. Neither has seen the field.

The Bears could be ready to move on from Cutler soon if he does not prove himself soon. With Matt Forte out, this could be the year Cutler says goodbye to Chicago. Bradford could work well in this system with two large wideouts in Kevin White and Alshon Jeffrey and a young back in Jeremy Langford. Will this happen? It's a stretch.

Eagles Pick Second! Official Top 10 Picks!

The Eagles just pulled the trigger for draft day. They have traded with the Browns up to the second pick in the NFL Draft. The Eagles have traded their 2016 first (#8), third (#77), and fourth (#100) round picks, 2017 first round pick, and 2018 second round pick to the Browns for their second overall pick this year and fourth round pick next year. This can only mean one thing: Quarterback.

The Eagles are not content with Sam Bradford being "The Guy" for them in the upcoming seasons. There is too much history of Bradford getting injured for Philadelphia's management to be sure of his future success (if there is any). Clearly, it is time to clear the rest of the house after the three-year Chip Kelly Project went up in smoke. So here is the question again: who are they going to get? Wentz or Goff?

Either way you slice it, there is going to be no definite answer until around 8:20 on April 28th. I still stand by my last post in saying that Goff will go to Los Angeles with the first pick of the draft. This basically means that Wentz will have a wing on his helmet come this fall. The 6-5, 235 lbs quarterback has changed from being on no one's radar in the first round, to being a top two pick in a matter of months.

With this change now official, this is my latest mock for the first 10 picks:

1. Los Angeles Rams -        QB Jared Goff
2. Philadelphia Eagles -       QB Carson Wentz
3. San Diego Chargers -      OT Laremy Tunsil
4. Dallas Cowboys -            CB Jalen Ramsey
5. Jacksonville Jaguars -      LB Myles Jack
6. Baltimore Ravens -          DE Joey Bosa
7. San Francisco 49ers -      DE DeForest Buckner
8. Cleveland Browns -         OT Ronnie Stanley
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Vernon Hargraves
10. New York Giants -         RB Ezekiel Elliot

Clearly, both quarterbacks will be gone after the third overall pick. This officially leaves the Chargers with the best pick for them, an offensive tackle. Tunsil will be the smartest pick for the Chargers due to their poor rushing attack and high sack total last season.

The Cowboys now will not take a quarterback in the first round. They have said they would take one though. My guess is it will be Christian Hackenberg or Cardale Jones in the third round. Here, they address their poor secondary by getting the most versatile defensive back on the board: Jalen Ramsey.

Jacksonville and Baltimore have multiple areas of need on the defensive side of the ball. Jack will go to Jax because he is a more complete player and has had no negative publicity come out towards him. Bosa fits Baltimore's scheme better and could be a nice addition to help out Terrell Suggs and Timmy Jernigan in the front seven.

San Francisco is also a team with multiple areas of need. With their current 3-4 Defensive Scheme, Buckner is the best pick. He's 6-7 and 287 lbs of monster that could be the start of the rebirth of this once great defense.

The Browns will have many people to pick from in this draft now. With the departure of Center Alex Mack, I see them readdressing the offensive line. Not with a center though. They will ultimately move Cameron Erving (19th Overall in 2015 Draft) to Center due to his background at this position at Florida State. Stanely will likely move from Tackle to Guard though.

The Bucs' defense was inconsistent last year. One game they would have 35 points hung on them and the next week they would sack the quarterback seven times. With the two best linemen off the board, they would look to either improve on the offensive line or grab a good corner. Considering the signing of JR Sweezy to replace Login Mankins and using two of their first three picks last year on the offensive line, I see Hargraves taking a short trip down I-75 from Gainesville to Tampa.

The Giants made a great deal of pick-ups on the defense in free agency to address the problems they had at the line and at linebacker. With both corners off of the board, we may see the same situation the Rams were in last season unfold at the same pick. Gurley was the best player available at 10 last year and Elliot could be that for New York. With a great deal of inconsistency at running back between Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, and Shane Vereen, the Giants will want someone to carry the load so their passing offense will not be as predictable in season's past.

I will post my full and final mock draft next Thursday before the draft begins. To those who are taking finals and finishing projects and papers at this time: Knuckle Down and Good Luck!

Blockbuster Trade and Who it Affects

The last week has been very interesting for the NFL. One trade has already gone down before draft day is here. Yes, the Rams, and Titans all brokered trades in the dealing with the first round's draft order. Rams now have the first pick and the Titans now hold the 15th pick

Let us take a look at how this affects the Rams and Titans, along with how it affects other teams in the draft.

Los Angeles Rams
Moved from 15th to 1st
Lost 2016 1st, 2nd round picks (2 2nds), and 2017 1st and 3rd round pick

The Rams just moved to LA. They were just selected to be on Hard Knocks. Now this. The Rams are trying to make a splash in a big way right now. With a solid defense for the last few years and a new Pro-Bowl running back in Todd Gurley II, they have only one piece missing.

The Rams did not come out on top this season in quarterback play. Nick Foles was disappointing. What are the chances that Case Keenum is a franchise quarterback? My guess is slim to none. Answer: move up in the draft.

Now the next question: Wentz or Goff? If I am Jeff Fisher, I am taking Goff. Both quarterbacks are impressive when it comes to arm strength and leadership. But I would take Goff for two reasons. For one, Goff has played a higher caliber of players than Wentz. Goff has had to contest went Leonard Williams, DeForest Buckner, and Myles Jack over his career. Who has Wentz played against?

The second reason is that Goff is a California boy. Who better to fill the seats of the Memorial Coliseum than someone from the state who played their for high school and college? Goff is not only the right player for talent reasons, but for financial reasons as well.

Tennessee Titans
Moved from 1st to 15th
Received 1st round pick next year, two 2nd round picks this year, and 3rd round pick next year

This was a smart move for the Titans. They have many holes to fill on their team in the secondary, offensive line and at linebacker. One pick was not going to do it for them this year.

They maximized their shot to build a team around their quarterback, Marcus Mariota. With the multitude of picks this year and next year, the Titans are on their way to contending in the AFC South against the Colts, Texans, and Jaguars.

The question now is where would they go with this pick? With so many needs, they can still grab a top five prospect at any position of need. It looks most likely that they would address either the secondary or offensive line with this pick.

The two players I can see would be Jack Conklin of Michigan State for the offensive line and William Jackson III from Houston. Both have been seen as top players among their positions and could make a big difference for Tennessee. The Titans ranked 25th in rushing offense last year and had their future quarterback get injured in the process. They need protection up front. Conklin would fit in with the new acquisition of Ben Jones (C) and two year vet, Taylor Lewan. He fits in due to his hip movement. He is better suited to play guard than be a tackle.

Jackson would be a great pick too. Tennessee's 30th ranked passing defense among touchdowns allowed (34). Only Philadelphia (36) and New Orleans (45) were worse. Jackson is worthy of a first round pick after Ramsey and Hargraves are off the board. At 6-0, he is the right size. Even better is his 4.37 40-yard dash. It was the fastest of the corners at the Combine back in February.

No matter who the Rams ultimately choose, they will be adding to a team on the rise and needs a few key pieces to be a true title contender.

Moving on from the teams involved with the trade itself, we ask: "who does this affect?" It affects six teams in particular and all but one of them hold a pick in the top ten.

Cleveland Browns
The Browns will not have the luxury of choosing between quarterbacks, they will be left with one to choose. If Goff is gone, do the Browns take Wentz? Or vice versa? What about a trade? If a trade happens, there three other teams that would be willing to trade into the top two for a chance at a franchise quarterback.

Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, & Buffalo Bills
The Bills were rumored to have been working on a three-team trade with the Broncos and Browns which would gift the Bills the 2nd overall pick, the Broncos Tyrod Taylor, and the Browns with two 1st-rounders for the fourth time in five years.

Besides this, all of these teams have expressed interest in drafting one of the top two quarterbacks in this class. There are a few problems with this though. Philadelphia would have to trade a great deal of picks considering the lack of talent they posses currently. The 49ers are in limbo with Colin Kaepernick  right now and no one knows if they are going to deal him or not. Since one of the passers will be gone, it may very well depend on which one is left.

If Wentz is the quarterback left on the board, I project there to be a great deal of interest in trading. It is not that Goff is a bad quarterback, but Wentz, to the eye, looks more NFL ready. These three teams could get into a feeding frenzy depending on who the Rams take on April 28th.

Here is the other question about the Browns though: what if they don't want a quarterback? This brings them into the conversation with these last three teams.

San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, & Jacksonville Jaguars
None of these teams need quarterbacks, but do have glaring needs at other positions. In many mock drafts before the trade, we would see some combination of Tunsil, Goff, Wentz, Ramsey, Bosa, Jack, and Buckner go in the top five. So lets take a look at the two possibilities if a quarterback is and is not taken at #2.

Both Quarterbacks Off the Board:
The Chargers now have a shot at getting Laremy Tunsil, the draft's top offensive lineman. This is a desperate need for the Chargers considering they had a total of four rushing touchdowns last year. None of them were from their 2015 first-round pick, Melvin Gordon. The line also allowed 40 sacks this past year (12th in league). Tunsil is, supposedly, the obvious choice. Their other need would be replacing Eric Weddle with Jalen Ramsey. While this would be a decent pick, Tunsil is the smart choice for San Diego's future.

If the Chargers do take Tunsil, the Cowboys will certainly take Ramsey to fill in the holes in the secondary. The Cowboys had a total of eight interceptions last year. This was tied for second to last in the League. Ramsey can play anywhere in the secondary. Putting him with a healthy Orlando Scandrick, a second-year Byron Jones, and a underutilized Morris Claiborne would make the Dallas secondary very scary.

As for Jacksonville, they have their pick of the lot of defensive players. Their best bet would be to get Myles Jack on the opposite side of Telvin Smith. With Posluszny playing in the middle, this core could become one of the best allowing Marks, Jackson, and a healthy Fowler to work upfront.

Only One Quarterback Taken
The Browns shock the world and grab someone that is not a quarterback. They would most likely take Jack or Ramsey. This opens up more trading opportunities for the Chargers. Maybe those same teams that wanted a quarterback at two will now pitch their offers at three? If the Chargers decide not to trade and take a defensive player or Tunsil, the Cowboys have a chance at getting their back up for Tony Romo.

Now will the Cowboys pull the trigger and get their next guy? As an avid Cowboy fan, I doubt it, but still see it as a possibility. Let's say the Cowboys pass on the quarterback and grab Bosa, Jack, or Ramsey.

There is no possible way the second quarterback will make it past the top five. The Jags would be very luck to have a quarterback fall this far. Not because they need one, but for the offers that teams will have in place for them. The Jags could be able to swing a pair of early picks in next year's draft.

All in all, the Rams really threw a monkey wrench into this year's draft with their trade. Nothing is certain anymore. Except for the fact that the Rams will have a new quarterback on their roster come opening day in September.

FSU Spring Game: 10 Things You Need to Know

Well Seminoles, after a long two-month hiatus, football is back! Well... Sort of. This weekend, the Seminoles are heading down to Orlando for their annual spring game. Due to all of the construction going on at Doak, the game was moved to the Citrus Bowl.

Past Spring games have been a quality indicator as to who will be starting come the first game of the season. For example, Jameis' first pass in the spring game? He beat Lemarcus Joyner on a seam route for a touchdown to a receiver that has yet to see playing time. Last year, Sean Maguire's first pass was intercepted for a pick-6 by Derwin James Jr. A telling story of how both of their seasons were going to go last year.

Let's begin:

10. Location! Location! Location!

This game is in Orlando, but this should be counted as a blessing in disguise. Next year, the Seminoles open against Ole Miss in this stadium. I guess one could say, while this is a neutral site, This can also be considered a home game. Seriously, how may Ole Miss fans do any of us know from the Central Florida area?

9. Step-Up Receivers 

Last season, the Seminoles were looking for a go-to receiver. The top receiver for each week moved around depending on (A) who was a quarterback and (B) what type of defense was being played. Man-to-man? Throw it deep to Whitfield, no one can catch him. Zone? Wilson and Rudolph were great route runners. But again, no TRUE number one.

According to sources who attended Spring Practice, Travis Rudolph has been taking huge strides to become that guy for Florida State. Can he be the guy? We should get a good idea on Saturday.

8. Dalvin is Not Playing

Reports this week showed that Dalvin Cook had surgery on his shoulder and will be out for the Spring Game. Coach Fisher said that he will be back on the field by "June [or] July."

This is not a reason to worry though. This gives Jaquez Patrick more time with the ball to develop as a runner and pass catcher. Cook will hit the ground running (literally) when preseason workouts begin.

7. Matthew Thomas Will See the Field

Matthew Thomas was a five-star recruit out of high school at Linebacker. Outside of the quarterback storyline, the FSU linebacker core is another big area to fill. This is due to the starters, Terrance Smith and Reggie Northrup, leaving for the NFL Draft on April 28-30.

Thomas has been dealing with injury and suspensions. This is why the fans rarely saw him. But with the depleted core, Thomas has a chance to make an impact and cement himself as a valuable player at the position. This brings me to the next major point...

6. Linebacker Spots are Open for Business

Like I said above, linebackers is the biggest need for the Seminoles next season. Florida State is returning only three of their front seven next season, so they need guys to step up. Now, many of the linebackers got playing time this year due to injuries at the position. Ro'Derrick Hoskins, Jacob Pugh, and Lorenzo Phillips are all guys who have a shot at starting roles who played last season.

Keep you eyes on the position though for two names: Josh Brown and Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane. Brown is an early enrollee who people have said could take the starting job from day one. SKL is another guy who will get a chance. Ranked as the 12th ILB out of high school, scouts said he is a hard hitter and physical (something our front seven needs to be). Again, keep an eye on this position.

5. Sean Maguire Will Not Play

Just to reiterate, Maguire is still recovering from ankle surgery and will not participate in the Spring Game. This could very well mean Maguire loses his starting spot to someone like DeAndre Francois.

4. Recruits for the 2017-19 Class Will Be There

RB Khalan Laborn, OL Adam Boselli, & DE Dante Johnson are just a few of the recruits for next year's class that will be in attendance for the Spring Game. Each of these players are not committed to any program at this point in time, but are high on Florida State.

S Cyrus Fagan and RB Jamel Cook (Dalvin's brother) will also be in attendance along with others who have already committed to the Seminoles. Others include DE Mike Morris (2019), RB Charles Strong (2018), and LB Bradley Jennings Jr. (2018).

3. Red Zone Threat Emerging?

The "big" news at receiver is about our Red Zone threat. Fisher is looking to Sophomore Auden Tate to be the guy inside the 20. Tate is 6-5. You know who else was that tall? Kelvin Benjamin...

People have been talking about Tate being our guy for the Red Zone while George Campbell and Ermon Lane could fight for the WR3 spot for our big man on the outside.

2. Defensive Line Getting Bolstered

We will not be seeing anymore of Newberry or NLS clogging up the middle of the O-Line. It is time for some new blood to step up. Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas as of now sound like locks for the line come opening day, but who else will make the jump?

We have two freshman that could make an impact quickly. Most people will be cheering for the hometown boy, Cedric Woods. Fresh out of Godby High School, Woods would fill the Nose Tackle position. At 6-3, 309 lbs, no center is gonna be able to push this guy around. We will hopefully get to see Woods get in a great deal of snaps on Saturday.

1. Quarterback Controversy

Saving the best for last. Maguire is out, as I said earlier. This opens the door up for the other Quarterbacks on the roster: DeAndre Francois, JJ Consentino, and Malik Henry. Francois was given the first-team reps at the beginning of spring practice. This shows that he is the front runner to start if he can outplay Maguire.

Honestly, I do not believe Consentino is going to be a true competitor. Henry on the other hand could give Francois a fight. Both are duel-threats and both were highly touted during the recruiting process. If one of them gets the start, they will literally be thrown into the fire come day one against a SEC Powerhouse team.