Month: April 2021

Trey Sermon only second RB drafted by 49ers since 2017

The 49ers hadn’t used a draft pick on a running back since 2017. That changed in 2021 when they traded up for Trey Sermon.

The 49ers used the No. 88 pick in this year’s draft to pick running back Trey Sermon out of Ohio State. That comes as a surprise not because he wasn’t worth that choice, but because it was San Francisco making the pick.

When general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan arrived in 2017, Shanahan took control during his first draft with the club to move up in Round 4 to take Utah running back Joe Williams 121st overall.

Williams never played a snap for the team and was let go during his second year.

The 49ers’ running backs after that were either cheap free agent signees or undrafted free agents. They didn’t use a single pick on the position over the next three drafts.

That changed Friday night when San Francisco once again picked an RB using the 121st pick. This time though that 121st selection was one of two picks they used to jump to No. 88 in the third round where they took Sermon.

He enters a running backs room headlined by Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., and will have a real opportunity to carve out a significant role in the 49ers’ backfield.

The bar he initially needs to clear is low. His first snap will make him a greater success than Williams was in the NFL, and that would be a nice change for the 49ers after their first foray into the running back draft class in four years.

Instant reaction to the Browns selecting Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz

Schwartz set the youth world record in the 100

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Anthony Schwartz joins the Cleveland Browns as the team’s third-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft. As a result, the Browns offense just got a lot faster.

It’s not that they were slow at wide receiver. But Schwartz just might be the fastest player in the entire NFL. The 6-foot, 189-pound wideout has record-setting, world-class speed. Prior to entering Auburn, Schwartz ran a youth world record 100-meter dash in 10.15 seconds. He won state titles in Florida in the 100 and 200 in high school.

The speed shows instantly on game film, and it’s a dynamic that adds another dimension to the offense. Schwartz isn’t a polished route runner and doesn’t have a lot of toughness, but the speed on the outside impacts the defense and plays to Baker Mayfield’s impressive arm strength.

Schwartz is a pick made with an eye to the future. In 2021 he likely competes with last year’s rookie, Donovan Peoples-Jones, to be the No. 4 wideout in Cleveland. He’s just 20 years old and did show developmental growth each year in the technical aspects of playing wide receiver. It’s a solid value for the 91st pick with high upside down the line.

Texans trade up to draft former Michigan WR Nico Collins 89th overall in Round 3

The Houston Texans traded up to take Michigan receiver Nico Collins No. 89 overall in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL draft.

After beginning the night with only one selection in the third round (No. 67), the Houston Texans made a move to add additional talent before Day 2 came to an end.

Houston traded a fourth-round draft pick (109th overall), fifth-round selection (158th overall) and a 2022 fourth-round draft pick to the Carolina Panthers, in exchange for the 89th overall selection.

With their second pick in the third round, the Texans selected Nico Collins, a wide receiver from Michigan.

The addition of Collins will give the Texans much-needed size to their receiving core. Collins stands at 6–4, which makes the Alabama native Houston’s tallest receiver. Prior to the selection, only Chris Conley and Isaiah Coulter stand over six-foot.

Collins spent four seasons at Michigan but opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. In 27 games played for the Wolverines, Collins recorded 1,388 yards and 13 touchdowns on 78 catches. Earlier in the night, the Texans used their first selection to draft quarterback Davis Mills from Stanford.

Hornets vs. Pistons: Lineups, injury reports and broadcast info for Saturday

The Hornets (30-32) finally have some positive injury news as they kick off the final 10 games of the regular season by hosting Detroit (19-44) on Saturday.

The Hornets (30-32) finally have some positive injury news as they kick off the final 10 games of the regular season by hosting Detroit (19-44) on Saturday, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

LaMelo Ball and Malik Monk look set to potentially return on Saturday and almost certainly in one of the two games this weekend. It’ll be the first action for Ball since March 20 and for Monk since April 1.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:

  • Date: Saturday, May 1
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Detroit

Probable starting lineups

Charlotte Hornets

  • Guard – Devonte’ Graham
  • Guard – Terry Rozier
  • Forward – Cody Martin
  • Forward – Miles Bridges
  • Center – P.J. Washington

Detroit Pistons

  • Guard – Killian Hayes
  • Guard – Josh Jackson
  • Center – Isaiah Stewart
  • Forward – Sekou Doumbouya
  • Forward – Saddiq Bey

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LFA 106 results: Joshua Silveira, son of ATT coach Conan, quickly taps Rafael Viana

Joshua Silveira continue to impress in his young career on Friday when he made fast work of Rafael Viana in the LFA 106 headliner.

[autotag]Joshua Silveira[/autotag] continue to impress in his young career on Friday when he made fast work of [autotag]Rafael Viana[/autotag] in the LFA 106 headliner.

Silveira (5-0), who is the son of MMA veteran and famed American Top Team coach Conan Silveira, needed just 41 seconds to dismantle Viana (6-2) in their light heavyweight matchup, winning the fight by rear-naked choke.

“I’m a wrestler at heart, he gave me the neck and I choked him,” Silveira said in his post-fight interview hosted by former UFC title challenger Joseph Benavidez. “I’m ready to go three rounds, but I’ll take that every day.”

LFA 106 took place at Grand Casino Hotel & Resort in Shawnee, Okla. The entire event streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

It was one-way traffic for Silveira from beginning to end. He pressured Viana on the feet, got the fight to the ground and managed to take Viana’s back. From there, the result was inevitable. He got the arm under the neck and strangled his opponent until he was forced to tap out.

Silveira, 28, who naturally fights in the middleweight division, said he would be ready next to fight for the vacant LFA belts at 185 pounds or 205 pounds.

Complete LFA 106 results included:

  • Joshua Silveira def. Rafael Viana via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:41
  • Terrance McKinney def. Luiz Gavinho via TKO (kick, punches) – Round 1, 0:17
  • Kyle Estrada def. Tyler Wilson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Cheyden Leialoha def. Edwin Chavez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Shane Grant def. Trevor Wallace via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:36
  • Mando Gutierrez def. Will Elliott via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:55

RG3 takes a shot at Kirk Cousins after Vikings pick QB Kellen Mond

Robert Griffin III didn’t pull punches after the Vikings took at QB in Round 3.

Robert Griffin III came out firing after the Minnesota Vikings drafted former Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. RG3 has some strong — and brutal — opinions on how Kirk Cousins would feel about the selection.

“I can tell you right now No. 8 in Minnesota (Cousins) is probably not real happy right now,” Griffin said on Bleacher Report Gridiron, “because Kellen Mond represents exactly what he doesn’t do well, right? Kellen Mond is the big, physical quarterback who can run and throw it all over the field, and I don’t think that’s something No. 8 can do. … But I think that’s what the coaching staff and the administration — I should say the organization — is looking for.”

Mond is a developmental prospect, hence his spot as the second pick in the third round of the draft. But he’s big (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and physically gifted. He has so much upside, if a team is patient.

But RG3 couldn’t help but wonder if Mond will see action in his rookie season.

“Cousins has been collecting checks there in Minnesota for a long time, taking them to 8-8 and 9-7 seasons,” RG3 said. “If he has a bad start like he did last year, I could see fans and maybe the organization leaning toward Mond if he comes in and presses.”

RG3 lost his job to Cousins in Washington after they both came out in the same draft class. Perhaps, just maybe, there’s some lingering tension between the players.

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49ers updated NFL draft picks after Round 3 trade with Rams

The San Francisco 49ers now have eight picks after trading up in Round 3 with the Rams.

The 49ers made their second trade of the NFL draft during the third round when they sent a pair of fourth-round choices to the Rams in exchange for the 88th overall choice.

Here’s an updated look at their picks with Day 3 of the draft looming:

Round 1, Pick 3 [QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State]
Round 2, Pick 48 [OL Aaron Bank, Notre Dame]
Round 3, Pick 88 [RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State]
Round 3, Pick 102 (Compensatory)
Round 5, Pick 155
Round 5, Pick 172 (via New Orleans)
Round 5, Pick 180 (Compensatory)
Round 6, Pick 193

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 49ers maybe move up again early on Day 3 using their trio of fifth-round choices.

They went into the draft with nine selections, but their free agency class diminished some of their need to replenish the roster with draft choices. After the Rams trade they have eight picks and they may not need that many.

Browns select Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz in the third round

With the No. 91 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns selected speedy Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz.

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With the No. 91 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns selected speedy Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz.

With Myles Garrett announcing the pick after frothing up the crowd into a chorus of “Here we go Brownies”, Schwartz joins the Browns as the team’s third-round pick. Schwartz offers world-class speed; he was a budding Olympic sprinter who won track titles in high school. The 6-foot, 189-pounder hauled in 54 receptions for 636 yards and three TDs in 2020 for the Tigers.

Cleveland earlier traded away the No. 89 pick as part of the package to move up and select LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Vikings select Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones II in the 2021 NFL draft

Could Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones II be the missing piece to the Vikings defensive line in 2021?

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The Vikings get Danielle Hunter back for 2021, but the pass rush could still use some more help.

In 2020, PFF ranked Minnesota’s pass rush dead last in the NFL. Hunter will be a big boost to the unit, but it’s not a given he will produce on the level he once did in 2019 and 2018, especially without a good edge rusher paired opposite him.

Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones could be the missing piece to the defensive line. Minnesota picked Jones in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday. Jones is a well-balanced defensive lineman who has the potential to be a starter as soon as 2021.

D.J. Wonnum and Stephen Weatherly — the two best defensive end options on the Vikings’ roster outside of Hunter before the draft — are both competent reserves, but it was a risky bet to assume either would plug in as a starter in 2021.

Jones adds competition and could be a starting-caliber defensive end as soon as this season.

Vikings select Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones II in the 2021 NFL draft

Could Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones II be the missing piece to the Vikings defensive line in 2021?

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The Vikings get Danielle Hunter back for 2021, but the pass rush could still use some more help.

In 2020, PFF ranked Minnesota’s pass rush dead last in the NFL. Hunter will be a big boost to the unit, but it’s not a given he will produce on the level he once did in 2019 and 2018, especially without a good edge rusher paired opposite him.

Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones could be the missing piece to the defensive line. Minnesota picked Jones in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday. Jones is a well-balanced defensive lineman who has the potential to be a starter as soon as 2021.

D.J. Wonnum and Stephen Weatherly — the two best defensive end options on the Vikings’ roster outside of Hunter before the draft — are both competent reserves, but it was a risky bet to assume either would plug in as a starter in 2021.

Jones adds competition and could be a starting-caliber defensive end as soon as this season.