Month: April 2021

New regime, same mess: Texans blunder in selection of Stanford QB Davis Mills

The Houston Texans can’t seem to get out of their own way with the pick of Stanford QB Davis Mills in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL draft.

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Following the often-criticized Laremy Tunsil trade, the Houston Texans waited until No. 67 overall in Round 3 to make their first selection in the 2021 NFL draft. Unfortunately for Houston Texans fans, the name at the podium was certainly an unexpected one.

Despite having the worst roster in the league, the Texans opted to select Stanford quarterback Davis Mills with the 67th overall selection.

This seemingly all but confirms that franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson will not wear the Battle Red again for Houston. However, even with that in mind, the pick remains very confusing.

Mills threw only seven touchdown passes in 2020, albeit in just five games of action. However, in 2019, when he played eight games, he tossed 11. The quarterback is considered a developmental prospect at best and, at worst, some thought he was closer to a day three selection.

Tyrod Taylor, even in the worst-case scenario, was considered a bridge investment to carry the Texans through any Watson trade carnage. What kind of signal is it to the team when your premium draft investment is spent at the same position?

If Watson is being traded, Houston projects to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. They would have phenomenal odds for finishing last in the league behind a talent deficient roster and sub-par quarterback play from Taylor. Why try to fix the quarterback situation in a round that historically creates only high-quality backups?

This team had multiple holes they could have attempted to correct on Friday night. Seemingly every position except for a crowded running back room could use assistance heading into a messy 2022 campaign. Instead, the team doubled down on who they’ve been for the last six months: a mind-boggling mess.

By the time Mills is likely prepared to lead an NFL franchise, the Houston Texans may very well be selecting first overall in 2022.

The front office continues to make decisions that puzzle all but the most optimistic of fans. General manager Nick Caserio may be very well spoken around the league. However, his first draft pick for Houston is not one that will inspire confidence.

Twitter reacts to Titans’ pick of ILB Monty Rice in Round 3

Twitter was surprised by the Titans picking Monty Rice.

The Tennessee Titans have added an inside linebacker to their roster after picking Georgia product Monty Rice at No. 92 overall in the 2021 NFL draft.

The Titans decided to trade out of the No. 85 overall pick, sending it to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for No. 92 overall and No. 132 overall (fourth round). Of course, the former pick was spent on Rice.

Rice is a bit undersized at 6-foot and 230 pounds, but he plays with great speed and is a solid tackler. The Georgia product has also flashed in coverage and should be a thumper against the run.

Taking Rice creates an interesting scenario in Tennessee, as the Titans now have a logjam at the position with Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans, David Long, and now Rice.

We already assumed Tennessee would decline Evans’ fifth-year option, but now one has to wonder if a trade of the former first-round pick could be in the cards in the days and weeks ahead.

Putting that aside for now, here’s how Twitter reacted to the pick. There’s no question many were surprised by this one.

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Instant analysis of Patriots drafting Ronnie Perkins in the 3rd round

Ronnie Perkins comes with significant risks.

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The New England Patriots took their biggest risk of the 2021 NFL draft when they took Oklahoma defensive end Ronnie Perkins at 96th overall in the third round.

Perkins put up an impressive level up production at Oklahoma, with 61 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. In 2020, he played just six games, but logged 23 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries and 5.5 sacks. But he missed five games in 2020 and one game in 2019 (a college football playoff game) due to a failed suspension.

He’s also on the smaller size for an edge player at 6-foot-3, 253 pounds. For a point of comparison, Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise is 6-foot-5, 275 pounds. Perkins compares physically better to outside linebackers Kyle Van Nay (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) and Josh Uche (6-foot-1, 245 pounds).

Here’s what Chad Reuter wrote about Perkins at NFL.com:

“Productive but undersized defensive end who might need to prove he can play standing for a 3-4 scheme. Perkins is tight-hipped and a very average athlete with production coming thanks to his hard-charging motor as well as Oklahoma’s slant-heavy defensive front. He’s tough but the lack of bend has a distinct impact on his anchor and contact balance at the point of attack. Despite some physical deficiencies, he plays with forward focus and the attitude to go find the football.”

The question with Perkins will be whether his tenacity will help him overcome his measurable shortcomings as he likely transitions from an in-the-trenches player to an off-ball outside linebacker. Surely, Belichick will focus on helping Perkins accomplish just that.

As for any character concerns that might stem from Perkins’ suspension, a product of a failed drug test, it’s likely he’ll have no shortage of mentors. The Patriots edge group is stacked with excellent leaders, including Wise, Van Noy and Chase Winovich.

With Perkins, the Patriots seem interested in the production. They’ll have to sort out the other questions about size and position once he’s in the building.

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The best scheme fits from day two of the 2021 NFL draft

Elijah Moore, Javonte Williams, Amari Rodgers and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah top the list of the best scheme fits from night two of the draft.

The second night of the NFL draft is now in the books, and as teams look ahead to the third and final day, we can truly start to see how 32 NFL rosters are coming together.

As was pointed out in the buildup to the second round mock draft, the second and third rounds can be pivotal from a roster construction standpoint. Last year alone we saw players like Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., Jonathan Taylor and Antoine Winfield Jr. come off the board early and make big contributions for their new teams. Two other players selected at the top of the second round (Xavier McKinney by the New York Giants and Grant Delpit by the Cleveland Browns) might have also been huge contributors as rookies were it not for injuries. Even into the third round you saw players like Antonio Gibson and Julian Blackmon come off the board, both of whom would play big roles in the 2020 season.

With that in mind, who are some of the best scheme fits from night two of the 2021 NFL draft?

Andy Reid: Orlando Brown Jr. told Chiefs to pick Creed Humphrey

Patrick Mahomes picked Clyde Edwards-Helaire last year, now Orlando Brown Jr. picked Creed Humphrey for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs revealed that Patrick Mahomes hand-picked RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the 2021 NFL draft. This year, it’s the Chiefs’ newest trade acquisition who had some input on a draft pick. Andy Reid revealed to reporters that new  LT Orlando Brown Jr. recommended the Chiefs take a closer look at Creed Humphrey ahead of the draft.

“Orlando (Brown Jr.) told us to go get Creed (Humphrey) when he was here,” Reid told reporters on Friday. “He says, ‘There’s a good one at Oklahoma that you need to take a peak at.’ We already had our eye on him. But that was neat for Orlando to put it out to us that way.”

Little did Brown Jr. know that the Chiefs had already done their research, we’re interested in taking Humphrey and ultimately would select him in the draft.

The two both played for the Oklahoma Sooners during their collegiate career. While they never played together on the field, their time at the University of Oklahoma did overlap. When Brown Jr. was a redshirt Junior, Humphrey was taking a redshirt year.

Humphrey revealed to reporters that Brown Jr. influenced him with the way he carried himself as a veteran leader in their early days together at Oklahoma.

“Just the mentality that he has every day that he carries,” Humphrey said. “He’s a guy that’s going to go in there, do the work that’s necessary to get at the next level that he wants to be at. When I got to OU that’s something that I admired right away from when I met him. Seeing him go in, work as hard as he can every single day, work hard in the weight room, during training, during position drills and when we were doing stuff on our own. Just seeing him do that and the mentality that he has. He’s such a mean player on the field too, that’s something I’ve always admired about him and something I’ve always tried to copy my game after.”

Now, reunited in Kansas City, there seems to be a lot of excitement about the reunion between former teammates as they both start a new chapter.

“I’m so excited,” Humphrey told reporters. “You know, I’m really close with Orlando, he’s helped me a lot, he’s mentored me a lot during my time at OU. You know, just being able to be on a team with him, I’m really excited about it and to be able to join such a great organization. I’m so excited, I can’t wait.”

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49ers pick Michigan CB Ambry Thomas with final 3rd-round pick

Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas was the San Francisco 49ers’ fourth pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

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The San Francisco 49ers with their second pick in Round 3 addressed their need in the secondary with Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas.

Thomas, 6-0, 185 pounds, might’ve gone sooner had he played in 2020, but he opted to sit out the campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He played well as a junior in 2019 with three of his four interceptions coming that year. He also broke up three passes.

It looked like the 49ers might look to address their secondary early on Day 2, but they waited until the 102nd overall pick – their final selection of the day.

Thomas projects long-term as a nickel corner, although the club may give him a look outside during his rookie campaign. Nickel corner K’Waun Williams re-signed this offseason on a one-year deal, so finding a replacement for him beyond 2021 should be a sizable priority for the 49ers. Thomas may fit that bill.

Twitter explodes with reactions to Houston picking Nico Collins in NFL draft

Twitter feels like the Houston Texans got a steal in former Michigan football WR Nico Collins. Here are some of the best reactions.

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Nico Collins is the third Michigan football player off the board in the 2021 NFL draft, but the reaction to his selection by the Houston Texans, who traded up to select him, has been much bigger than even for Kwity Paye, the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round pick.

After having sat out the 2020 season, Collins didn’t get the attention as did his counterparts at wide receiver. Now that he’s NFL-bound, not only are his former teammates celebrating, those in Houston are as well.

Twitter exploded with reactions to Collins’ selection by the Texans, with high praise going around for the franchise as well as Collins’ talent and ability. Here are some of the best reactions on social media.

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2021 NFL draft: Titans select CB Elijah Molden at No. 100 overall

The Titans have made their final selection of Day 2.

With their second of two third-round picks, the Tennessee Titans have selected Washington cornerback Elijah Molden at No. 100 overall in the 2021 NFL draft.

The Titans had their secondary, which was putrid in 2020, totally depleted after releasing both Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson, but have now re-stocked with a pair of young corners in this year’s draft.

While first-round pick Caleb Farley projects as a starter on the outside, Molden, who stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs 192 pounds, is a slot corner.

The Washington product doesn’t have great speed, but he is a willing tackler and plays with great instincts that makes up for his lack of speed.

We do like Molden as a player, but we have to ask: where’s the wide receiver?!

Tennessee desperately needed to add one going into Day 2, but instead have opted not to take one. Perhaps they will address the position on Day 3? We shall see.

After making this pick, the Titans are done with Day 2 but have six more selections on Day 3, with two picks in the fourth and sixth rounds, and then one apiece in the fifth and seventh rounds.

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Warriors’ Draymond Green reacts to Jayson Tatum’s 60 point performance vs. Spurs

After Celtics wing Jayson Tatum dropped 60 points in a thrilling battle with the Spurs, Draymond Green chimed in with a reaction on Twitter.

With the Golden State Warriors’ scheduled off day on Friday, the Boston Celtics tilt with the San Antonio Spurs took center stage inside the NBA slate with a thrilling battle.

After falling behind by 29 points in the first half, the Celtics stormed back in the second half to force the game into overtime. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics’ furious rally with 21 points in the fourth quarter for 50 points in regulation.

Tatum tacked on another 10 points in overtime to seal Boston’s fierce comeback victory over the Spurs, 143-140. The former Duke standout finished the contest with a career-best 60 points on 20-of-37 shooting from the floor with eight boards, five assists and a block in 45 minutes. Tatum’s 60-point effort tied Larry Bird for a Boston franchise best in scoring.

Following Tatum’s epic scoring display, a member from the Golden State Warriors checked in on social media. Draymond Green chimed in on Twitter with a reaction to Tatum’s performance.

Via @Money23Green on Twitter:

Green is familiar with Tatum’s top-end scoring ability after the two-time All-Star torched the Warriors for 44 points on 16-of-25 shooting from the field with five 3s on nine attempts from beyond the arc during a contest in mid-April.

In two games against the Warriors in the 2020-21 season, Tatum is averaging 35.5 points on 56.8% shooting from the field and 47.4% shooting from long distance.

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