The Draft is so close we can almost taste it. It tastes like Gatorade and loud suits. Round 1 was posted last night, so we start tonight with Round 2! There will be some explanation, but not as much as in Round 1. Also, please remember that I do not project trades.
1 (33). Cleveland Browns- Connor Williams, OT/G, Texas
Joe Thomas missed the first games of his future Hall of Fame NFL career, and decided that was a good enough run. They need to add offensive line talent, and Williams (when healthy) has the talent of a Top 10 pick.
2 (34). New York Giants- Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
Speaking of needed OL help... The Giants were awful. Wynn comes in to replace Justin Pugh, and can be paired with Nate Solder to protect Eli and Darnold going forward.
3 (35). Cleveland Browns- Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
Does LSU produce more awesome defensive backs that anyone else? Possibly. Jackson adds another strong defender to a talented young defense, and Cleveland continues to run the Draft.
4 (36). Indianapolis Colts- Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Another Bayou Bengal off the board. The Colts rushing game is not terribly good, and Frank Gore is now in Miami. A bruising but explosive back like Guice will help Andrew Luck ease back into playing, and means he won't have to throw the ball 60 times a game.
5 (37). Indianapolis Colts- Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia
Another Indy pick, and now they land a rush player that may be the the next Freeney or Mathis if he can add some muscle and maintain his speed.
6 (38). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
Doug Martin is out in Oakland now, so the Bucs need a true starting RB to play alongside Jameis Winston.
7 (39). Chicago Bears- Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
The tape says that Brown is a 1st round prospect. The workouts say he will be lucky to go by Round 4. I think the Bears roll the dice that the player on tape is the real guy, and he can protect Mitchell Trubisky for years.
8 (40). Denver Broncos- Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
They already have Demariyus Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but both are getting up there in age, and will be free agents after the 2019 season. The Broncos could let Kirk learn for a year or two from them, and then take over as the #1 guy.
9 (41). Oakland Raiders- Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
The Raiders defense slipped big time last year. Adding a talented corner along with Tremaine Edmunds will instantly improve that side of the ball.
10 (42). Miami Dolphins- Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Yes, I said that Ryan Tannehill shouldn't be rushed out of town. But the Dolphins seem to have soured on him. This way, they get Vea in Round 1, and still get a prolific passer in Rudolph to groom for the future.
11 (43). New England Patriots- Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC
The Patriots didn't sack Nick Foles once in the Super Bowl. Belichick and co. want to change that for the next big game.
12 (44). Washington Redskins- Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
With Su'a Cravens in Denver, the Skins have a big hole at safety. Harrison can be that strong thumper from the secondary that will help with run defense and to intimidate WRs going over the middle.
13 (45). Green Bay Packers- DJ Chark, WR, LSU
The Packers cut Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb isn't what he used to be, and Davante Adams needs help. DJ Chark wowed the combine, is a burner down field, but also has excellent height at 6'3.
14 (46). Cincinnati Bengals- Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
You have to be able to stop the run in a division with the LeVeon Bell and possibly Saquon Barkley. Phillips gives the Bengals talent and depth on that DL.
15 (47). Arizona Cardinals- Billy Price, OC, Ohio State
Doctors informed teams that Price is expected to be ready for training camp after recovering from a torn pectoral suffered at the Combine. This is great news for the young man, who may actually sneak into Round 1. The Cardinals have a need, and he fits well here.
16 (48). Los Angeles Chargers- Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
Phillip Rivers may not have that many more years left. The Chargers would be smart to invest in the OL to keep him upright.
17 (49). Indianapolis Colts- BJ Hill, DT, NC State
More defense for the Colts, who need to address a ton of needs.
18 (50). Dallas Cowboys- Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Hurst was cleared by doctors after a possible heart issue. Now, he will reunite with Taco Charlton to sure up the D line in Big D.
19 (51). Detroit Lions- Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
The Lions last 100-yard rusher was Reggie Bush on November 28th, 2013. I know folks say running backs are devalued now, but this is ridiculous. Michel is a big play waiting to happen, and should FINALLY end that drought.
20 (52). Baltimore Ravens- Geron Christian, OT, Louisville
The Ravens have a hole at right tackle. Christian can play Day 1, or kick inside to guard if needed.
21 (53). Buffalo Bills- Jessie Bates III, S, Wake Forest
The Bill's defense carries them. Adding a playmaking safety only makes it better.
22 (54). Kansas City Chiefs- Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
Marcus Peters got traded away, so the Chiefs need another corner. Davis is the best on the board.
23 (55). Carolina Panthers- Cortland Sutton, WR, SMU
Cam Newton is a great QB, but he has a tendency to throw the ball a bit high. No issue for Sutton, who is big, physical, and can jump out of the building.
24 (56). Buffalo Bills- James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
The Bills will need weapons for their new QB. Washington made a bunch of huge plays in OK State's spread offense, even if his route running is still a bit raw.
25 (57). Tennessee Titans- Austin Corbett, OG/C, Nevada
The Titans are set at tackle, but could use more talent on the interior of their line.
26 (58). Atlanta Falcons- Rasheem Green, DE, USC
More pass rush for Dan Quinn, who can never have enough edge rushers.
27 (59). San Francisco 49ers- Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
Jimmy G needs more weapons on offense. Miller is a great deep threat, who could develop into Garoppolo's favorite target.
28 (60). Pittsburgh Steelers- Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech
Tremaine's brother goes to help the Steelers' secondary, which was exposed in the playoffs by none other than Blake Bortles.
29 (61). Jacksonville Jaguars- Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA
The Jags lost Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson to free agency. They need to add another weapon, in the off chance Doug Marrone lets his team throw the ball.
30 (62). Minnesota Vikings- Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
Kirk Cousins loves to throw to tight ends. They add another pass catcher to pair with Kyle Rudolph in 2 TE sets.
31 (63). New England Patriots- Darius Leonard, OLB, South Carolina State
More rushers, more defense. Tom Brady will make the offense run, so they need to add weapons on D.
32 (64). Cleveland Browns- Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
The Browns receivers aren't awful, but they could always use another solid option for their new QB.
2 down, 5 to go! Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
JFLANland 2018 NFL Mock Draft- Round 1
It is here! Draft week is upon us. The set is all done in Jerry World. The analysts have all finished their mocks. The agents have made their pitches, the players their visits, and the teams their Big Boards. Now, it is my turn. After an intense few days, which followed months of research, I present to you my 2018 Mock Draft. As always, I do not project trades, and this is a combination of what I think teams will do and what I think they should do. Thank you in advance for reading, and please let me know any critiques or comments you may have. Here we go! With the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select...
1. Cleveland Browns- Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Browns finally get their QB of the future on the big man from the small school. While Darnold or Rosen may be the safer picks, I think that the Browns love what Allen can be. He has been compared to Carson Wentz and Big Ben. That's pretty good company. New Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley had Ben in Pittsburgh, so could do wonders with that kind of potential. He can sit behind Tyrod Taylor for a year, learn the game and the offense, and then start in 2019.
2. New York Giants- Sam Darnold, QB, USC
If Darnold had gone #1, this wouldn't be a QB. However, with possibly the safest and most talented QB in the draft there, I think the Giants pull the trigger on him. He will be able to sit behind Eli Manning, a similar-style QB, and step in right away when Eli retires or leaves NY. Darnold is better than Davis Webb, and the Giants simply can't pass up on this prospect.
3. New York Jets- Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Jets traded up to get a QB, and they pick the biggest name and the biggest personality. They may have to give him a babysitter whenever he isn't on the field, but his love of the game, competitive fire, accuracy, and winning pedigree cannot be questioned. He will light the fire in the Jets that they haven't had for a while. With that talented defense, even slightly above average QB play could make them a contender.
4. Cleveland Browns- Saquon Barkely, RB, Penn State
The Browns win the draft! Barkely might be the best player in the entire draft, and the Browns are able to secure both him and their QB in the first 4 picks. He is too good to pass up on here, and the Browns fans would immediately love him. He would be the face of the franchise over the QB, because he will come in right away with the potential to be a top 10 running back in the league as a rookie. Gil Brandt called him the next Mashall Faulk. You have to take him here.
5. Denver Broncos- Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
Well, the Broncos are a little disappointed that none of their top 3 QBs fell to them. They will take a good hard look at Josh Rosen, but in the end, John Elway will remember he won a Super Bowl with a sub-par Peyton Manning being carried by an epic defense. Taking the best defensive player available to pair with Von Miller will give AFC West QBs nightmares. Plus, Case Keenum was a Pro Bowl QB last year, and is an instant upgrade to the Broncos previous QBs.
6. Indianapolis Colts- Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Assuming Andrew Luck still has arms, can still throw a football, and will actually take the field this year (all big assumptions), the Colts would do well to protect their $150 million franchise QB. Quenton Nelson is the best offensive lineman in the draft. Much like a Zack Martin or Brandon Scherff, he is good enough on the inside that he will make the rest of the line better. The Colts will actually be able to protect their QB, run the ball, and compete in games now.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Brent Grimes isn't exactly a young man, so corner is a big need area for the Bucs. Denzel Ward is the latest excellent corner prospect from Ohio State, and would be able to come in and play immediately if needed. Pairing him with Vernon Hargreaves would give the Bucs one of the best young corner combos in the league.
8. Chicago Bears- Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
This is the Bears. The Monsters of the Midway. They play defense. They have linebackers like Butkus, Urlacher, and Singletary. This pick would be the Bears getting back to their true identity. Smith is that thumper in the middle of the defense that can do it all, or move outside to pass rush with his exceptional speed. He will come in and immediately be the best player on the defense.
9. San Francisco 49ers- Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama
Is he a corner? Is he a safety? Well, all the 49ers need to know is that he is a fantastic football player who will immediately help their secondary. I think he will primarily play safety, but is so talented and versatile that he will never need to be subbed out. Even better, Richard Sherman will be able to teach him everything he knows.
10. Oakland Raiders- Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
The Raiders need to give Khalil Mack a little help on defense, and Edmunds is the kind of physical freak that Al Davis would have loved. He is still just 19, and is still learning how good he can be. NFL.com says his player comp is Brian Urlacher. Who wouldn't want to draft that? Plug him in on the defense for the next decade and be happy with the results.
11. Miami Dolphins- Vita Vea, DT, Washington
I don't buy the "Dolphins taking a QB" talk. They got to the playoffs with a healthy Ryan Tannehill. Instead, I think they have to address that Suh-sized hole in the middle of their defensive line. Vea is a super-athletic nose tackle who will be able to help with both the pass rush and stopping the run.
12. Buffalo Bills- Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
So, I don't project trades. That said, I think that the Bills will get Rosen, but somewhere in the Top 10. They have the capital to move up and get their man. AJ McCarron isn't their long term solution, based on what they paid him. Rosen's commitment to football has been questioned (not sure why), but his ability and talent never has been. He may be the most pro-ready QB in the draft, and could compete for the starting job right away.
13. Washington Redskins- Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
The player comp is Ndamukong Suh. Payne took over the National Championship game, essentially shutting down Georgia's offense by himself. He would be paired with former teammate Jonathan Allen in Washington, and help the worst rush defense in the league, finally solving one of the longest lingering issues for the Skins.
14. Green Bay Packers- Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Packers need help in the secondary, and Jaire Alexander is super-talented. He put on a show at the combine, running a 4.38 40 and excelling in all the drills. He could be an upgrade over both Tramon Williams or Kevin King. A shut down corner is needed in a division that now has both Matt Stafford and Kirk Cousins.
15. Arizona Cardinals- Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
From one team of Cardinals to another. Arizona needs to finally address their QB of the future question, and the Heisman-winning QB is the best QB available. He is a dynamic playmaker with his feet, and throws a great deep ball. He can potentially be a new Mike Vick, and the team could build their offense towards what he does best. The idea of running a read option with Jackson and David Johnson would give defensive coordinators fits.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Ravens just signed Willie Snead, but he isn't the answer. DJ Moore may be the better WR in the long run, but I think the Ravens and their fans have fallen in love with Ridley. He can come in and immediately be the #1 option for Joe Flacco. He has explosive speed, is a crisp route runner, and has great hands. It is a no-brainer pick for a team that needs all the help it can get on offense.
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Chargers will be over the moon to get this guy at 17. With comps to Eric Berry, he would be able to come in and fill that void at safety that has existed for the Chargers since Eric Weddle left. He would be the best player in the secondary the first day he shows up for practice.
18. Seattle Seahawks- Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
A tall corner with a ton of ability? That sounds like Seahawks football to me. The Legion of Boom lost Richard Sherman, and Jackson could come in and start opposite Shaq Griffin. The Hawks could also trade back, since they don't pick again until Round 4, but I think that Jackson would be the best fit for their franchise.
19. Dallas Cowboys- DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
Did you hear the Cowboys cut Dez Bryant? That hasn't been major news or anything. They now have a group of also-rans at receiver, and need to replace their best playmaker. Cue DJ Moore, who has the size, speed, and ability to come in and be that #1 guy for Dak Prescott and company. At worst, he is a great WR2.
20. Detroit Lions- Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-San Antonio
Raw and from a small school, Davenport nevertheless wowed scouts with his play and ability. The Lions could pair him with Ziggy Ansah and wreck havoc on the NFC. Davenport would play DE for the Lions, but has the agility and ability to drop into space as a 3-4 OLB if they switch their base.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Vontaze Burfict will miss the first month of the season, and isn't exactly a spring chicken. Bringing a thumper like Evans into the mix will allow that defense to keep their intensity and swagger. He can run sideline to sideline, and does well in both run-stopping and the pass rush.
22. Buffalo Bills- Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
It sounds like Richie Incognito doesn't want to come back to Buffalo, so O-line help becomes an immediate need. Hernandez is a great pass-blocker, but an elite run blocker. He would be able to give Shady McCoy massive holes to run through, and will help keep Josh Rosen upright as he takes the reigns in Buffalo.
23. New England Patriots- Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Patriots manage to get the best tackle in the draft all the way at 23. They lost Nate Solder to the Giants, so they need to be able to find his replacement. McGlinchey can play left or right tackle, and can help keep the ageless wonder Tom Brady upright for yet another playoff run.
24. Carolina Panthers- Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
The first player from the real National Champions is off the board. Mike Hughes fits an immediate need. The Panthers secondary hasn't looked the same since Josh Norman took his talents to DC. Hughes is a playmaker, as was evident by how well he played in the Peach Bowl vs Auburn. He can also return kicks if Christian McCaffery doesn't want to.
25. Tennessee Titans- Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
The Titans are set on offense, with their QB, RB, OL all solid, and spending last year's first round pick on a wide out. Adding a strong pass rush would help bring their team to the next level, not just making the playoffs, but competing realistically for an AFC Championship. Harold Landry can get after the QB with a huge burst. If he hones his technique a little, he can be a monster edge rusher.
26. Atlanta Falcons- Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
The Falcons lost Dontari Poe to free agency, so they need help in the middle of that defensive line. Bryan, much like Poe, is an amazing athlete for a big guy. He has the ability to not just stop the run, but pursue a player downfield if need be. He would be a Day 1 starter for the Falcons as they look to return to the Super Bowl.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Drew Brees has running backs, wide outs, a decent defense, and a good OL. The thing he has been missing in recent years was a standout tight end. Coby Fleener was a disappointment, and Ben Watson is older. Goedert is a superb pass-catching tight end, who would instantly become Brees' favorite red zone target.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Steelers love linebackers. They lost Ryan Shazier to a scary injury, and may never get him back. Vander Esch can be that kind of dynamic defensive stopper that the Steelers love. He can play both inside and out, can cover, and can rush the passer. He would be a great fit in black and yellow.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
What a difference a year makes. The Jaguars are picking very late in the first round thanks to their incredible defense, a stellar running game, and Blake Bortles not messing up too much. As a run-first team, they need to keep that OL as strong as possible. Miller is an excellent run-blocking tackle, who will help Leonard Fournette guide the Jags back to the playoffs.
30. Minnesota Vikings- James Daniels, OG/C, Iowa
You don't sign a QB to a massive contract if you can't protect him. While Kirk Cousins has some mobility, he would rather be able to work out of a clean pocket. Daniels, playing at guard, would be an immediate upgrade. He also has the versatility to play center if needed.
31. New England Patriots- Justin Reid, S, Stanford
The Patriots secondary was exposed in the Super Bowl by Nick Foles. They need to add more play makers and smart defenders. Justin, younger brother of All-Pro safety Eric Reid, is better in coverage than his older brother, and can help shore up that secondary for the future.
32. Philadelphia Eagles- Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Super Bowl champions don't have that many holes on their roster. However, they did lose Trey Burton to Chicago, and Zach Ertz seems to miss time every year. Hurst isn't the best blocker, but he is an excellent weapon in the passing game. Line him up in the slot vs a safety or a linebacker, and he could school them all day with his size and leaping ability.
So there you go! Round 1 in the books! Look for Rounds 2-7 to come tomorrow night, and as always, enjoy the Draft!
1. Cleveland Browns- Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Browns finally get their QB of the future on the big man from the small school. While Darnold or Rosen may be the safer picks, I think that the Browns love what Allen can be. He has been compared to Carson Wentz and Big Ben. That's pretty good company. New Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley had Ben in Pittsburgh, so could do wonders with that kind of potential. He can sit behind Tyrod Taylor for a year, learn the game and the offense, and then start in 2019.
2. New York Giants- Sam Darnold, QB, USC
If Darnold had gone #1, this wouldn't be a QB. However, with possibly the safest and most talented QB in the draft there, I think the Giants pull the trigger on him. He will be able to sit behind Eli Manning, a similar-style QB, and step in right away when Eli retires or leaves NY. Darnold is better than Davis Webb, and the Giants simply can't pass up on this prospect.
3. New York Jets- Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Jets traded up to get a QB, and they pick the biggest name and the biggest personality. They may have to give him a babysitter whenever he isn't on the field, but his love of the game, competitive fire, accuracy, and winning pedigree cannot be questioned. He will light the fire in the Jets that they haven't had for a while. With that talented defense, even slightly above average QB play could make them a contender.
4. Cleveland Browns- Saquon Barkely, RB, Penn State
The Browns win the draft! Barkely might be the best player in the entire draft, and the Browns are able to secure both him and their QB in the first 4 picks. He is too good to pass up on here, and the Browns fans would immediately love him. He would be the face of the franchise over the QB, because he will come in right away with the potential to be a top 10 running back in the league as a rookie. Gil Brandt called him the next Mashall Faulk. You have to take him here.
5. Denver Broncos- Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
Well, the Broncos are a little disappointed that none of their top 3 QBs fell to them. They will take a good hard look at Josh Rosen, but in the end, John Elway will remember he won a Super Bowl with a sub-par Peyton Manning being carried by an epic defense. Taking the best defensive player available to pair with Von Miller will give AFC West QBs nightmares. Plus, Case Keenum was a Pro Bowl QB last year, and is an instant upgrade to the Broncos previous QBs.
6. Indianapolis Colts- Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Assuming Andrew Luck still has arms, can still throw a football, and will actually take the field this year (all big assumptions), the Colts would do well to protect their $150 million franchise QB. Quenton Nelson is the best offensive lineman in the draft. Much like a Zack Martin or Brandon Scherff, he is good enough on the inside that he will make the rest of the line better. The Colts will actually be able to protect their QB, run the ball, and compete in games now.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Brent Grimes isn't exactly a young man, so corner is a big need area for the Bucs. Denzel Ward is the latest excellent corner prospect from Ohio State, and would be able to come in and play immediately if needed. Pairing him with Vernon Hargreaves would give the Bucs one of the best young corner combos in the league.
8. Chicago Bears- Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
This is the Bears. The Monsters of the Midway. They play defense. They have linebackers like Butkus, Urlacher, and Singletary. This pick would be the Bears getting back to their true identity. Smith is that thumper in the middle of the defense that can do it all, or move outside to pass rush with his exceptional speed. He will come in and immediately be the best player on the defense.
9. San Francisco 49ers- Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama
Is he a corner? Is he a safety? Well, all the 49ers need to know is that he is a fantastic football player who will immediately help their secondary. I think he will primarily play safety, but is so talented and versatile that he will never need to be subbed out. Even better, Richard Sherman will be able to teach him everything he knows.
10. Oakland Raiders- Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
The Raiders need to give Khalil Mack a little help on defense, and Edmunds is the kind of physical freak that Al Davis would have loved. He is still just 19, and is still learning how good he can be. NFL.com says his player comp is Brian Urlacher. Who wouldn't want to draft that? Plug him in on the defense for the next decade and be happy with the results.
11. Miami Dolphins- Vita Vea, DT, Washington
I don't buy the "Dolphins taking a QB" talk. They got to the playoffs with a healthy Ryan Tannehill. Instead, I think they have to address that Suh-sized hole in the middle of their defensive line. Vea is a super-athletic nose tackle who will be able to help with both the pass rush and stopping the run.
12. Buffalo Bills- Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
So, I don't project trades. That said, I think that the Bills will get Rosen, but somewhere in the Top 10. They have the capital to move up and get their man. AJ McCarron isn't their long term solution, based on what they paid him. Rosen's commitment to football has been questioned (not sure why), but his ability and talent never has been. He may be the most pro-ready QB in the draft, and could compete for the starting job right away.
13. Washington Redskins- Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
The player comp is Ndamukong Suh. Payne took over the National Championship game, essentially shutting down Georgia's offense by himself. He would be paired with former teammate Jonathan Allen in Washington, and help the worst rush defense in the league, finally solving one of the longest lingering issues for the Skins.
14. Green Bay Packers- Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Packers need help in the secondary, and Jaire Alexander is super-talented. He put on a show at the combine, running a 4.38 40 and excelling in all the drills. He could be an upgrade over both Tramon Williams or Kevin King. A shut down corner is needed in a division that now has both Matt Stafford and Kirk Cousins.
15. Arizona Cardinals- Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
From one team of Cardinals to another. Arizona needs to finally address their QB of the future question, and the Heisman-winning QB is the best QB available. He is a dynamic playmaker with his feet, and throws a great deep ball. He can potentially be a new Mike Vick, and the team could build their offense towards what he does best. The idea of running a read option with Jackson and David Johnson would give defensive coordinators fits.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Ravens just signed Willie Snead, but he isn't the answer. DJ Moore may be the better WR in the long run, but I think the Ravens and their fans have fallen in love with Ridley. He can come in and immediately be the #1 option for Joe Flacco. He has explosive speed, is a crisp route runner, and has great hands. It is a no-brainer pick for a team that needs all the help it can get on offense.
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Chargers will be over the moon to get this guy at 17. With comps to Eric Berry, he would be able to come in and fill that void at safety that has existed for the Chargers since Eric Weddle left. He would be the best player in the secondary the first day he shows up for practice.
18. Seattle Seahawks- Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
A tall corner with a ton of ability? That sounds like Seahawks football to me. The Legion of Boom lost Richard Sherman, and Jackson could come in and start opposite Shaq Griffin. The Hawks could also trade back, since they don't pick again until Round 4, but I think that Jackson would be the best fit for their franchise.
19. Dallas Cowboys- DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
Did you hear the Cowboys cut Dez Bryant? That hasn't been major news or anything. They now have a group of also-rans at receiver, and need to replace their best playmaker. Cue DJ Moore, who has the size, speed, and ability to come in and be that #1 guy for Dak Prescott and company. At worst, he is a great WR2.
20. Detroit Lions- Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-San Antonio
Raw and from a small school, Davenport nevertheless wowed scouts with his play and ability. The Lions could pair him with Ziggy Ansah and wreck havoc on the NFC. Davenport would play DE for the Lions, but has the agility and ability to drop into space as a 3-4 OLB if they switch their base.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Vontaze Burfict will miss the first month of the season, and isn't exactly a spring chicken. Bringing a thumper like Evans into the mix will allow that defense to keep their intensity and swagger. He can run sideline to sideline, and does well in both run-stopping and the pass rush.
22. Buffalo Bills- Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
It sounds like Richie Incognito doesn't want to come back to Buffalo, so O-line help becomes an immediate need. Hernandez is a great pass-blocker, but an elite run blocker. He would be able to give Shady McCoy massive holes to run through, and will help keep Josh Rosen upright as he takes the reigns in Buffalo.
23. New England Patriots- Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Patriots manage to get the best tackle in the draft all the way at 23. They lost Nate Solder to the Giants, so they need to be able to find his replacement. McGlinchey can play left or right tackle, and can help keep the ageless wonder Tom Brady upright for yet another playoff run.
24. Carolina Panthers- Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
The first player from the real National Champions is off the board. Mike Hughes fits an immediate need. The Panthers secondary hasn't looked the same since Josh Norman took his talents to DC. Hughes is a playmaker, as was evident by how well he played in the Peach Bowl vs Auburn. He can also return kicks if Christian McCaffery doesn't want to.
25. Tennessee Titans- Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
The Titans are set on offense, with their QB, RB, OL all solid, and spending last year's first round pick on a wide out. Adding a strong pass rush would help bring their team to the next level, not just making the playoffs, but competing realistically for an AFC Championship. Harold Landry can get after the QB with a huge burst. If he hones his technique a little, he can be a monster edge rusher.
26. Atlanta Falcons- Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
The Falcons lost Dontari Poe to free agency, so they need help in the middle of that defensive line. Bryan, much like Poe, is an amazing athlete for a big guy. He has the ability to not just stop the run, but pursue a player downfield if need be. He would be a Day 1 starter for the Falcons as they look to return to the Super Bowl.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Drew Brees has running backs, wide outs, a decent defense, and a good OL. The thing he has been missing in recent years was a standout tight end. Coby Fleener was a disappointment, and Ben Watson is older. Goedert is a superb pass-catching tight end, who would instantly become Brees' favorite red zone target.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Steelers love linebackers. They lost Ryan Shazier to a scary injury, and may never get him back. Vander Esch can be that kind of dynamic defensive stopper that the Steelers love. He can play both inside and out, can cover, and can rush the passer. He would be a great fit in black and yellow.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
What a difference a year makes. The Jaguars are picking very late in the first round thanks to their incredible defense, a stellar running game, and Blake Bortles not messing up too much. As a run-first team, they need to keep that OL as strong as possible. Miller is an excellent run-blocking tackle, who will help Leonard Fournette guide the Jags back to the playoffs.
30. Minnesota Vikings- James Daniels, OG/C, Iowa
You don't sign a QB to a massive contract if you can't protect him. While Kirk Cousins has some mobility, he would rather be able to work out of a clean pocket. Daniels, playing at guard, would be an immediate upgrade. He also has the versatility to play center if needed.
31. New England Patriots- Justin Reid, S, Stanford
The Patriots secondary was exposed in the Super Bowl by Nick Foles. They need to add more play makers and smart defenders. Justin, younger brother of All-Pro safety Eric Reid, is better in coverage than his older brother, and can help shore up that secondary for the future.
32. Philadelphia Eagles- Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Super Bowl champions don't have that many holes on their roster. However, they did lose Trey Burton to Chicago, and Zach Ertz seems to miss time every year. Hurst isn't the best blocker, but he is an excellent weapon in the passing game. Line him up in the slot vs a safety or a linebacker, and he could school them all day with his size and leaping ability.
So there you go! Round 1 in the books! Look for Rounds 2-7 to come tomorrow night, and as always, enjoy the Draft!
Thursday, March 29, 2018
JFLANland 2018 MLB Season Preview
Here we are, the night before the first pitch of the 2018 season. For the next seven months, there will always be something on TV, always a sports argument to be had, always a wish for Angel Hernandez and CB Buckner to retire gracefully instead of trying to ruin games with their awful calls. Yes, baseball is back. It also means that I have something to write about now that Syracuse has been eliminated from the tournament, and since I can't start my NFL mock draft until teams stop trading all their damn picks. And for that, for my evenings spent at Nats Park, and for getting to stay up til 1 AM to watch live games on MLB Network, I am grateful. So, in honor of the new season, here are a few predictions for the season. We will start with my division standings:
AL East
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees have a new "Murderer's Row" in Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez, with capable players like Brett Gardener, Didi Gregorious, and Neil Walker around them, plus a few solid young prospects that can fill in when needed. They will be able to outscore teams easily. Furthermore, they have a rather good rotation- Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, the veteran CC Sabathia, and young pitcher Jordan Montgomery. I think they will just squeak past the Red Sox to take the AL East, though the Sox will grab one of the Wild Cards
AL Central
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers
It is a boring pick, sure, but the Indians are so talented, it is hard to imagine them having much of a drop off from last year's stellar campaign. The Twins will keep it close though, having added quality pitching in Lance Lynn and Jake Odorizzi to what was already a playoff team. I think the big surprise this year could be the Chicago White Sox. They are chocked full of young talent, led by eventual ace Lucas Giolito, Yoan Moncada, and Avisail Garcia. While they won't be a Wild Card team, getting close to .500 will be a big accomplishment.
AL West
1. Houston Astros
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California...
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Texas Rangers
5. Oakland Athletics
Again, not a shocking pick. The defending World Series champions are so talented and deep, it would be shocking if they didn't win the division. They get a full season of Justin Verlander, and they added Gerrit Cole from the Pirates. The Angels, from wherever they claim to be from these days, tried to keep pace by adding Justin Upton, Zack Cozart, and "the Japanese Babe Ruth", Shohei Ohtani. I think Ohtani, at the beginning of the season, will be more of a distraction than a benefit, and the Angels fall short of the Wild Card again.
NL East
1. Washington Nationals
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. New York Mets
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Miami Marlins
Yes, I picked my team to win. Everyone else is too, so deal with it. I would put the Mets 2nd, but they have to prove to everyone they can stay healthy for a year. I think that the Phillies, on the back of Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta, will take a big step forward, making everyone here in DC sweat until at least mid-September, if not all the way to the end of the season. The Braves are still a year or two away, and the Marlins... well, you've always got the Dolphins... Heat... The U was pretty solid this year, right?
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Milwaukee Brewers
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
Hey Chicago, whaddaya say. The Cubs will win the division, barring something very surprising. The Brewers will make the playoffs though, having added so much talent in their lineup, led by Christian Yelich. The Cardinals will be right there til the end of the season, and may be the team to spoil my predictions. The Reds have young prospects to go along with the Grumpy Canadian Joey Votto, but even a (spoiler) MVP season from him won't keep them competitive in a very good division. The Pirates are in full rebuild mode, whether they want to admit it or not.
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Colorado Rockies
4. San Francisco Giants
5. San Diego Padres
Talk about a talented division. This is essentially a crap-shoot of the top 4, even the Giants. Adding Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutcheon were big for the Giants. Unfortunately, Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija are already hurt, and that will mean they need to get on a big roll once they are fully healthy. The Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Rockies will compete all season like they did last year, but I think the Dodgers will just pull ahead in the last week and win the division, with the runner up Diamondbacks snagging the second Wild Card.
Now is where many writers have given their World Series picks. I am too much of a fan of the Nationals to say another team will make it, but I hope to God they at least advance to the NLCS. Whoever wins the NL, though, will be facing the Houston Astros in the World Series. Now, how about some awards?
AL MVP
There are a ton of worthy candidates in the AL. You've got the 3 Yankees sluggers, Mookie Betts, JD Martinez, Jose Altuve, Mike Trout, Jose Ramirez, etc. However, I am going to pick Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor to win the AL MVP. He finished 5th in the MVP voting last season, and will have that "best player on the best team" vibe going. I think he pushes his average closer to .300, and wins a tight, nowhere near unanimous race to take home the hardware.
NL MVP
Joey Votto. The voters have shown they are willing to award greatness, even if it isn't on the best team, or even a good team. Votto lost by 2 points to Stanton last year, and I would argue he should have won it over the former Marlin. He will beat out Nolan Arenado, the Cubs duo of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, the Nats duo of Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon, and Paul Goldschmidt.
AL Cy Young
It is really hard to bet against Corey Kluber, right? Even with Chris Sale, the Astros trio, Severino, and others right there with him, I think Corey Kluber can pull it off again and win another Cy Young.
NL Cy Young
I am not a bold enough fan that I would pick either Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg, though I think they will both be in the conversation if they can stay healthy, as will DeGrom, Syndergaard, and others. But it is impossible not to bet on Clayton Kershaw, assuming his back holds out. He finished second last year even though he missed a month of the season. That is an amazing pitcher.
So there you have it. As I am typing this, we are just under 12 hours from the start of the season. Let's make it a good one, full of competition, hard play, peanuts, cracker jack, beer, hot dogs, home runs, limited mound visits, clutch hits, amazing catches, and a ton of happiness. It is America's pastime after all. Enjoy it. Play ball!
AL East
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees have a new "Murderer's Row" in Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez, with capable players like Brett Gardener, Didi Gregorious, and Neil Walker around them, plus a few solid young prospects that can fill in when needed. They will be able to outscore teams easily. Furthermore, they have a rather good rotation- Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, the veteran CC Sabathia, and young pitcher Jordan Montgomery. I think they will just squeak past the Red Sox to take the AL East, though the Sox will grab one of the Wild Cards
AL Central
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers
It is a boring pick, sure, but the Indians are so talented, it is hard to imagine them having much of a drop off from last year's stellar campaign. The Twins will keep it close though, having added quality pitching in Lance Lynn and Jake Odorizzi to what was already a playoff team. I think the big surprise this year could be the Chicago White Sox. They are chocked full of young talent, led by eventual ace Lucas Giolito, Yoan Moncada, and Avisail Garcia. While they won't be a Wild Card team, getting close to .500 will be a big accomplishment.
AL West
1. Houston Astros
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California...
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Texas Rangers
5. Oakland Athletics
Again, not a shocking pick. The defending World Series champions are so talented and deep, it would be shocking if they didn't win the division. They get a full season of Justin Verlander, and they added Gerrit Cole from the Pirates. The Angels, from wherever they claim to be from these days, tried to keep pace by adding Justin Upton, Zack Cozart, and "the Japanese Babe Ruth", Shohei Ohtani. I think Ohtani, at the beginning of the season, will be more of a distraction than a benefit, and the Angels fall short of the Wild Card again.
NL East
1. Washington Nationals
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. New York Mets
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Miami Marlins
Yes, I picked my team to win. Everyone else is too, so deal with it. I would put the Mets 2nd, but they have to prove to everyone they can stay healthy for a year. I think that the Phillies, on the back of Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta, will take a big step forward, making everyone here in DC sweat until at least mid-September, if not all the way to the end of the season. The Braves are still a year or two away, and the Marlins... well, you've always got the Dolphins... Heat... The U was pretty solid this year, right?
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Milwaukee Brewers
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
Hey Chicago, whaddaya say. The Cubs will win the division, barring something very surprising. The Brewers will make the playoffs though, having added so much talent in their lineup, led by Christian Yelich. The Cardinals will be right there til the end of the season, and may be the team to spoil my predictions. The Reds have young prospects to go along with the Grumpy Canadian Joey Votto, but even a (spoiler) MVP season from him won't keep them competitive in a very good division. The Pirates are in full rebuild mode, whether they want to admit it or not.
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Colorado Rockies
4. San Francisco Giants
5. San Diego Padres
Talk about a talented division. This is essentially a crap-shoot of the top 4, even the Giants. Adding Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutcheon were big for the Giants. Unfortunately, Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija are already hurt, and that will mean they need to get on a big roll once they are fully healthy. The Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Rockies will compete all season like they did last year, but I think the Dodgers will just pull ahead in the last week and win the division, with the runner up Diamondbacks snagging the second Wild Card.
Now is where many writers have given their World Series picks. I am too much of a fan of the Nationals to say another team will make it, but I hope to God they at least advance to the NLCS. Whoever wins the NL, though, will be facing the Houston Astros in the World Series. Now, how about some awards?
AL MVP
There are a ton of worthy candidates in the AL. You've got the 3 Yankees sluggers, Mookie Betts, JD Martinez, Jose Altuve, Mike Trout, Jose Ramirez, etc. However, I am going to pick Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor to win the AL MVP. He finished 5th in the MVP voting last season, and will have that "best player on the best team" vibe going. I think he pushes his average closer to .300, and wins a tight, nowhere near unanimous race to take home the hardware.
NL MVP
Joey Votto. The voters have shown they are willing to award greatness, even if it isn't on the best team, or even a good team. Votto lost by 2 points to Stanton last year, and I would argue he should have won it over the former Marlin. He will beat out Nolan Arenado, the Cubs duo of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, the Nats duo of Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon, and Paul Goldschmidt.
AL Cy Young
It is really hard to bet against Corey Kluber, right? Even with Chris Sale, the Astros trio, Severino, and others right there with him, I think Corey Kluber can pull it off again and win another Cy Young.
NL Cy Young
I am not a bold enough fan that I would pick either Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg, though I think they will both be in the conversation if they can stay healthy, as will DeGrom, Syndergaard, and others. But it is impossible not to bet on Clayton Kershaw, assuming his back holds out. He finished second last year even though he missed a month of the season. That is an amazing pitcher.
So there you have it. As I am typing this, we are just under 12 hours from the start of the season. Let's make it a good one, full of competition, hard play, peanuts, cracker jack, beer, hot dogs, home runs, limited mound visits, clutch hits, amazing catches, and a ton of happiness. It is America's pastime after all. Enjoy it. Play ball!
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
March Madness 2018 Weekend 1- Terriers, Nuns, and the Return of the Orange
Well, that was some kind of weekend huh? While we were all out enjoying our pints around St. Paddy's, there were some major upsets happening. March Madness doesn't even begin to define it.
- Arizona, with arguably the best player in the country, lost to Buffalo.
- Loyala-Chicago, led by a 98-year old nun, has stampeded into the Sweet 16.
- My beloved Syracuse Orange, the last team into the tournament, has already won 3 games in 5 days on its way to breaking America's hearts and brackets.
- The UMBC Terriers became the first 16-seed in the history of men's basketball to beat a #1, as it absolutely dominated UVA by 20, much to the delight of literally everyone... except UVA fans, of course.
- Xavier, Cincinnati, UNC, Miami, Aurbun- All gone. Nevada, Florida State, Kansas State- Still dancing.
So, what to look forward to next weekend?
Midwest
In what can only be called the only true blue-blood bracket remaining, Syracuse gets to play potential spoiler again as it faces arguably the most talented team in the country, ACC foes Duke. How torn the nation must be, having to decide between the team that didn't deserve to be there but wins, and the team everyone historically hates that, of course, still has Grayson Allen. The winner of the matchup gets to take on the winner of #1 seed Kansas and the upset-minded Clemson Tigers, who completely dominated #4 Auburn in the Round of 32. I'd guess that a Duke/Kansas matchup may be the result folks get on Sunday, but who knows with the way this tournament has gone so far. In the end, Duke's talent may be just too much for anyone else to handle.
East
The East bracket is the only one in which only teams that were Top 5 seeds remain, led by #1 seed Villanova. They have been dominant so far, as has their weekend opponent, the West Virginia Mountaineers. The winner will take on upstart Texas Tech, who will look to take advantage of an injury to Purdue's second leading scorer, Isaac Haas. One of these 1-seeds must make it through, and Villanova may be experienced enough to pull it off.
South
Either Nevada or Loyola will be in the Elite 8, as the two upstart Cinderellas meet in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. The winner may have a a decent chance to get to the Final Four as well, as neither Kansas State nor Kentucky is without flaws. I'd put my money on John Calipari, though, to bring his team through to San Antonio.
West
Florida State vs Gonzaga. Michigan vs Texas A&M. What has happened to the West regional? Michigan survived by a miracle over Houston, and A&M dominated the defending champs IN CHARLOTTE! Maybe they peaked early, and Michigan is just lucky enough to advance. They'd have to take on the winner of the Noles and Gonzaga, who should be able to punch their ticket back to the Final Four if they play at their best.
So, I supposed those are my picks for the Final Four. Villanova vs Duke, and Gonzaga vs Kentucky. Of course, I had UVA, Arizona, and Michigan State in my original Final Four, so buyer beware.
Enjoy the games!
- Arizona, with arguably the best player in the country, lost to Buffalo.
- Loyala-Chicago, led by a 98-year old nun, has stampeded into the Sweet 16.
- My beloved Syracuse Orange, the last team into the tournament, has already won 3 games in 5 days on its way to breaking America's hearts and brackets.
- The UMBC Terriers became the first 16-seed in the history of men's basketball to beat a #1, as it absolutely dominated UVA by 20, much to the delight of literally everyone... except UVA fans, of course.
- Xavier, Cincinnati, UNC, Miami, Aurbun- All gone. Nevada, Florida State, Kansas State- Still dancing.
So, what to look forward to next weekend?
Midwest
In what can only be called the only true blue-blood bracket remaining, Syracuse gets to play potential spoiler again as it faces arguably the most talented team in the country, ACC foes Duke. How torn the nation must be, having to decide between the team that didn't deserve to be there but wins, and the team everyone historically hates that, of course, still has Grayson Allen. The winner of the matchup gets to take on the winner of #1 seed Kansas and the upset-minded Clemson Tigers, who completely dominated #4 Auburn in the Round of 32. I'd guess that a Duke/Kansas matchup may be the result folks get on Sunday, but who knows with the way this tournament has gone so far. In the end, Duke's talent may be just too much for anyone else to handle.
East
The East bracket is the only one in which only teams that were Top 5 seeds remain, led by #1 seed Villanova. They have been dominant so far, as has their weekend opponent, the West Virginia Mountaineers. The winner will take on upstart Texas Tech, who will look to take advantage of an injury to Purdue's second leading scorer, Isaac Haas. One of these 1-seeds must make it through, and Villanova may be experienced enough to pull it off.
South
Either Nevada or Loyola will be in the Elite 8, as the two upstart Cinderellas meet in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. The winner may have a a decent chance to get to the Final Four as well, as neither Kansas State nor Kentucky is without flaws. I'd put my money on John Calipari, though, to bring his team through to San Antonio.
West
Florida State vs Gonzaga. Michigan vs Texas A&M. What has happened to the West regional? Michigan survived by a miracle over Houston, and A&M dominated the defending champs IN CHARLOTTE! Maybe they peaked early, and Michigan is just lucky enough to advance. They'd have to take on the winner of the Noles and Gonzaga, who should be able to punch their ticket back to the Final Four if they play at their best.
So, I supposed those are my picks for the Final Four. Villanova vs Duke, and Gonzaga vs Kentucky. Of course, I had UVA, Arizona, and Michigan State in my original Final Four, so buyer beware.
Enjoy the games!
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Where Will Kirk Cousins End Up? Part 3- Minnesota Vikings
The Super Bowl has come and gone, the Redskins traded for Alex Smith, and Kirk Cousins is a free agent. In Part 3 of this continuing story, we look at possibly the new leader for Cousins' services, the Minnesota Vikings.
The first evidence that the Vikings want Cousins, aside from the reports saying so, is that they currently have no quarterbacks signed for next year. They aren't going to put the franchise tag on Case Keenum, even though he led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game. They will be letting Teddy Bridgewater test free agency, because they are still uncertain of how he is recovering from his catastrophic knee injury. One could imagine them bringing him back for a cheaper deal than Keenum, but probably as a backup. Finally, the oft-injured Sam Bradford is an unrestricted free agent as well. Needless to say, they are in desperate need of having at least one signal-caller on the roster. Cousins could be viewed as an upgrade at the position, so he could be worth the expense for a team that was so close to the Super Bowl.
So, why should Kirk Cousins pick the Vikings? A bunch of reasons. As I said, they were one win away from the Super Bowl. They have a super-talented defense, which was #1 in total defense last season. They have a solid running game in Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, and Dalvin Cook, who is coming off of his ACL injury. Their offensive line played great most of the season, allowing Keenum all the time he needed to put up Pro Bowl numbers. Kyle Rudolph is a Top 10 tight end amd fantastic Red Zone weapon. Finally, they may have the best wide receiver corp in the NFL. Stefon Diggs is an exceptional playmaker. Adam Thieland has turned into one of the best possession receivers in recent memory. If Laquon Treadwell develops like the front office hopes he does, Cousins would have a plethora of weapons to work with. Plus, he would get to play all of his home games indoors (and a road game inside in Detroit) every year, which are ideal conditions for a QB.
Another reason why it makes sense to bring in Kirk Cousins is that he is a "mid-western" guy. Born in Illinois, raised in Holland, MI, and a graduate of Michigan State, Cousins would be closer to home in Minnesota than he would be with almost any other team. I am sure that would help sell the massive contract Cousins would get to the Vikings fans.
The only hold up to making this happen, other than Cousins' own decision, may be potential salary cap implications. While the Vikings can afford him (they have over $50 million in cap space), they will have to sign Anthony Barr and Stefon Diggs to contracts following next season. Having a QB eating up so much cap space won't help matters. However, if Cousins puts them over the top and they win a Super Bowl, I don't think the fans will complain much.
The Minnesota Vikings would be a great landing spot for Kirk Cousins. They make sense from almost every aspect. They are a team that could be just one piece away. I would not be surprised at all if this is the final landing spot of the hottest free agent on the market.
The first evidence that the Vikings want Cousins, aside from the reports saying so, is that they currently have no quarterbacks signed for next year. They aren't going to put the franchise tag on Case Keenum, even though he led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game. They will be letting Teddy Bridgewater test free agency, because they are still uncertain of how he is recovering from his catastrophic knee injury. One could imagine them bringing him back for a cheaper deal than Keenum, but probably as a backup. Finally, the oft-injured Sam Bradford is an unrestricted free agent as well. Needless to say, they are in desperate need of having at least one signal-caller on the roster. Cousins could be viewed as an upgrade at the position, so he could be worth the expense for a team that was so close to the Super Bowl.
So, why should Kirk Cousins pick the Vikings? A bunch of reasons. As I said, they were one win away from the Super Bowl. They have a super-talented defense, which was #1 in total defense last season. They have a solid running game in Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, and Dalvin Cook, who is coming off of his ACL injury. Their offensive line played great most of the season, allowing Keenum all the time he needed to put up Pro Bowl numbers. Kyle Rudolph is a Top 10 tight end amd fantastic Red Zone weapon. Finally, they may have the best wide receiver corp in the NFL. Stefon Diggs is an exceptional playmaker. Adam Thieland has turned into one of the best possession receivers in recent memory. If Laquon Treadwell develops like the front office hopes he does, Cousins would have a plethora of weapons to work with. Plus, he would get to play all of his home games indoors (and a road game inside in Detroit) every year, which are ideal conditions for a QB.
Another reason why it makes sense to bring in Kirk Cousins is that he is a "mid-western" guy. Born in Illinois, raised in Holland, MI, and a graduate of Michigan State, Cousins would be closer to home in Minnesota than he would be with almost any other team. I am sure that would help sell the massive contract Cousins would get to the Vikings fans.
The only hold up to making this happen, other than Cousins' own decision, may be potential salary cap implications. While the Vikings can afford him (they have over $50 million in cap space), they will have to sign Anthony Barr and Stefon Diggs to contracts following next season. Having a QB eating up so much cap space won't help matters. However, if Cousins puts them over the top and they win a Super Bowl, I don't think the fans will complain much.
The Minnesota Vikings would be a great landing spot for Kirk Cousins. They make sense from almost every aspect. They are a team that could be just one piece away. I would not be surprised at all if this is the final landing spot of the hottest free agent on the market.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Landing Spots for Arrieta, Cobb, and Lynn
Darvish is a Cub. Hosmer is a Padre. JD Martinez finally signed with the Red Sox. Even Tim Lincecum has returned to the majors after signing with the Rangers. But, even with Spring Training in full swing, there are three big free agent pitchers left unsigned. Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb, and Lance Lynn have yet to find teams, and I think I can help them along. Here are my suggested landing spots for each of those three, and I have even gone to the trouble to not include my Nats, who could very easily sign any of them.
Jake Arrieta- The Philadelphia Phillies
This particular rumor has been gaining a lot of steam recently, and it makes a ton of sense. The Phillies are a young team on the rise, and they could use the leadership of the former Cy Young winner to vault to contention in the NL East a year or two early. Arrieta would be able to slot right in atop the Phillies rotation along with Aaron Nola as well, giving some of the younger arms like Nick Pavetta more time to develop. If Arrieta wants to join a World Series contender for this year, he may have to take less money. The Phillies, who have a ton of cash to spend, have a solid young base though, and could be major players in the incredible 2018-19 free agent class.
Lance Lynn- The Baltimore Orioles
This is a perfect matchup, much like with the Phillies, because the Orioles don't have many quality pitchers or experienced veterans in their rotation. Lynn would instantly provide them with a top flight starter. The real question is what the O's intentions are. Are they on the verge of being a team that dismantles everything and starts from scratch? Once they lose Manny Machado, they will be without a young star to build around. I think, for the sake of the fans, the Orioles will offer Lynn a 1 or 2 year contract that will give them an instant upgrade in the rotation, and try one final time to upset the evil empires in Boston and New York.
Alex Cobb- Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have made significant upgrades to their lineup, adding Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. However, they missed out on both Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, and their rotation could still use some help. Adding Alex Cobb would help the Brew Crew keep up with the Cubs and Cardinals in that division. Plus, the return of Jimmy Nelson from shoulder surgery would be like trading for another starter to join a solid rotation if Cobb was already there.
Jake Arrieta- The Philadelphia Phillies
This particular rumor has been gaining a lot of steam recently, and it makes a ton of sense. The Phillies are a young team on the rise, and they could use the leadership of the former Cy Young winner to vault to contention in the NL East a year or two early. Arrieta would be able to slot right in atop the Phillies rotation along with Aaron Nola as well, giving some of the younger arms like Nick Pavetta more time to develop. If Arrieta wants to join a World Series contender for this year, he may have to take less money. The Phillies, who have a ton of cash to spend, have a solid young base though, and could be major players in the incredible 2018-19 free agent class.
Lance Lynn- The Baltimore Orioles
This is a perfect matchup, much like with the Phillies, because the Orioles don't have many quality pitchers or experienced veterans in their rotation. Lynn would instantly provide them with a top flight starter. The real question is what the O's intentions are. Are they on the verge of being a team that dismantles everything and starts from scratch? Once they lose Manny Machado, they will be without a young star to build around. I think, for the sake of the fans, the Orioles will offer Lynn a 1 or 2 year contract that will give them an instant upgrade in the rotation, and try one final time to upset the evil empires in Boston and New York.
Alex Cobb- Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have made significant upgrades to their lineup, adding Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. However, they missed out on both Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, and their rotation could still use some help. Adding Alex Cobb would help the Brew Crew keep up with the Cubs and Cardinals in that division. Plus, the return of Jimmy Nelson from shoulder surgery would be like trading for another starter to join a solid rotation if Cobb was already there.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Yu Darvish to the Cubs: What Does It Mean?
Well, the rich got richer today, as the Chicago Cubs landed the top free agent pitcher on the market, Yu Darvish. They signed him to a 6-year, $126 million contract, which could be worth more up to $150 million with escalators, and an opt-out after 2016. So, the Cubs rotation of Darvish, Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks, and Tyler Chatwood is easily one of the most formidable in all of baseball. The Cubs are likely the early favorite for the NL crown. But, what does this signing mean for the rest of MLB?
- The contract likely sets the market for Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn, and Alex Cobb. Darvish was considered the top pitcher on the market, and only got $21 million a year for 6 years. That will likely be the most a player will get for years, so any higher annual salary will have to be for fewer years. A team like my Nationals could swoop in and grab Arrieta (who is represented by Scott Boras, the same agent as most of the Nats' stars), for a 3 year deal for around $65 million, minimizing the long term commitment and risk for the franchise while still giving Arrieta a nice pay day. It is more likely that, while Arrieta will get a deal like that, Lynn and Cobb may be stuck getting deals slightly under $100 million.
- The Brewers, Twins, and Dodgers were all linked to Darvish at some point. Now that he is off the market, look for those teams to get into the sweepstakes for the remaining FA's in a big way.
- This could be a loss for a team like the Orioles, who have expressed some interest in Lynn on a short term "show me" deal, but with those other teams missing out on Darvish, those scorned franchises may be more willing to offer Lynn and Cobb multi-year deals.
- An interesting note for fellow Nats fans- with this deal, the Cubs now have $144 million in salaries lined up for next season already, and that is before arbitration salaries for the likes of Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Hendricks, Javier Baez, and Addison Russell. Curiously, that may make it much harder for them to sign Bryce Harper. The Nationals, meanwhile, only have $88 million in salaries lined up for 2019 before arbitration for Anthony Rendon, Michael A. Taylor, and Tanner Roark. They will have the money to sign Bryce to a massive deal, and still have some left over to add pieces to their rotation. This, of course, assumes he would want to stay.
So, Yu has a home, the Cubs are even better, and the Hot Stove might finally heat up, all with Spring Training less than a week away. Baseball, here we come!
- The contract likely sets the market for Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn, and Alex Cobb. Darvish was considered the top pitcher on the market, and only got $21 million a year for 6 years. That will likely be the most a player will get for years, so any higher annual salary will have to be for fewer years. A team like my Nationals could swoop in and grab Arrieta (who is represented by Scott Boras, the same agent as most of the Nats' stars), for a 3 year deal for around $65 million, minimizing the long term commitment and risk for the franchise while still giving Arrieta a nice pay day. It is more likely that, while Arrieta will get a deal like that, Lynn and Cobb may be stuck getting deals slightly under $100 million.
- The Brewers, Twins, and Dodgers were all linked to Darvish at some point. Now that he is off the market, look for those teams to get into the sweepstakes for the remaining FA's in a big way.
- This could be a loss for a team like the Orioles, who have expressed some interest in Lynn on a short term "show me" deal, but with those other teams missing out on Darvish, those scorned franchises may be more willing to offer Lynn and Cobb multi-year deals.
- An interesting note for fellow Nats fans- with this deal, the Cubs now have $144 million in salaries lined up for next season already, and that is before arbitration salaries for the likes of Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Hendricks, Javier Baez, and Addison Russell. Curiously, that may make it much harder for them to sign Bryce Harper. The Nationals, meanwhile, only have $88 million in salaries lined up for 2019 before arbitration for Anthony Rendon, Michael A. Taylor, and Tanner Roark. They will have the money to sign Bryce to a massive deal, and still have some left over to add pieces to their rotation. This, of course, assumes he would want to stay.
So, Yu has a home, the Cubs are even better, and the Hot Stove might finally heat up, all with Spring Training less than a week away. Baseball, here we come!
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