Tag: 2018 NFL Draft

Lions Frank Ragnow snubbed on the NFL Top 100

Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow is a glaring snub from this year’s NFL Top 100 list

Whenever I see power rankings, position rankings and things of that nature, I always take it with a grain of salt. Not everyone is going to agree with those lists or rankings and more often than not, everyone tends to be a little different with how they rank a team or a player.

That said, the NFL and the players that vote on the NFL Top-100 players got it wrong by not having Frank Ragnow on their list this year. As of now, the top 10 is still set to be revealed, but the way it sits, there are only two interior offensive linemen in the top 100.

I’d be curious what the criteria is to make the NFL Top-100. Is it data and analytical rankings from sites such as Pro Football Focus (PFF)? Or is it based off the number of games played? Could these rankings be strictly based off the film?

Whatever the case may be, Ragnow is better than just about everyone at his position. Especially now that Eagles’ longtime center Jason Kelce retired. But when you look at the PFF grades for centers in the NFL, Ragnow led the way in 2023 with an 88.1 overall grade.

If you go to the film, you can see multiple reps on every single drive where Ragnow just dominates the opposition. Whether it’s physically driving defenders into the dirt or just having proper positioning to climb the second level and seal off linebackers and safeties.

Look at the play above where Ragnow gets up to the second level and clamps onto a linebacker with ease. He stays square, keeps his hands tight and inside and then he shows off his grip strength by being able to steer and drive the defender. The defenders in the NFL would be lying if they said there’s no game plan or preparation needed for Ragnow.

Meanwhile, he’s tough as nails. During the Lions playoff game against the Buccaneers in 2023, Ragnow suffered a sprained knee and ankle in that game. While he missed a few plays to get checked out by trainers, he came back in and finished the game. In fact, he made one of the key blocks from his knees on Vita Vea during a 4th and 1 run play from the Bucs half-yard line. This block helped keep running back Craig Reynolds clean long enough to enter the end zone for a touchdown.

You can call me biased or a fanboy, but the fact remains that Frank Ragnow should be rated as one of the top 100 players in the NFL. Certainly, the list means nothing to Ragnow but he should still be given a tip of the hat by his peers and by the league for his toughness and dominance at his position. If he can stay healthy, I’d expect that same dominance from the Lions 7-year veteran.

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Lions sign offensive lineman Ike Boettger

Lions sign offensive lineman Ike Boettger a day before veterans report to Detroit training camp

With training camp on the horizon for teams across the NFL, the Detroit Lions continue to find ways to bolster their offensive line. As we saw in free agency and the draft, they added players such as Giovanni Manu, Christian Mahogany and Kevin Zeitler to their offensive line.

Today, it was announced that the Lions have also signed offensive lineman Ike Boettger to a contract.

It’s unclear if Boettger is signing a one-year contract or a longer term deal. However, this deal becomes official hours after the Lions announced that Giovanni Manu was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list. While there’s no reason announced by the Lions, Manu had been a full participant in all mini-camp and OTA’s earlier this off-season.

For Boettger, he joins the Lions for his 7th season in the NFL. Previously, he had stints between the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts. He’s only played in 36 games in his career with 17 total career starts. Those 17 starts happened in Buffalo between the 2020 and 2021 season. He was undrafted out of Iowa in 2018 and had signed with the Bills.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Boettger had 636 offensive snaps played in 2021 and he allowed one sack while earning a 59.8 overall grade. In 2020, he didn’t allow a sack while playing 623 offensive snaps. This was good enough to earn a 65.3 overall grade.

Last season he only played 8 snaps on special teams for the Colts. He didn’t take a snap on offense. It’ll be interesting if Boettger can make the 53-man roster for the Lions. Either way, he’s a veteran player as the Lions prepare to start training camp on Tuesday.

Rich Gannon believes in Sam Darnold to be the guy for Vikings

Players in the NFL Draft sometimes land in situations that can coach them up rather than throw them to the wolves, Darnold finally has that.

Players coming into the NFL sometimes need to land in a situation that can coach them up rather than throw them to the wolves, Sam Darnold finally has that. After six years in the league, Darnold seems to have finally found a situation where he can actually show growth as a player.

For one former Viking quarterback, Rich Gannon, he thinks the situation is perfect for him to become the guy for the team.

Gannon joined the Purple Insider Podcast to discuss Darnold being on the team and his outlook. He gave not only a positive review but a glowing one.

“My overall assessment of Sam Darnold is that he’s an extremely talented player. He’s very athletic, he’s got good feet, he’s got a big-time arm, he can make all the throws, he’s a young guy. He’s 26 years old. It’s stupid that he’s been in the league six years and he’s 26 years old.”

He isn’t wrong on this front. Sam Darnold was drafted third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft over the likes of Lamar Jackson when the New York Jets needed a new franchise leader. At 20 years old, the New York Jets and the media proved too much. He was thrown to the wolves, his confidence shattered after seeing ghosts, and he was forced to move around the NFL.

Gannon himself didn’t break out until he was 38 years old when he found his home with the Oakland Raiders. He would lead them to a Super Bowl and win an MVP along the way. Those facts make his final point worth remembering as we head into training camp.

“If I get that opportunity and we start the season and we get off to a good start then I ain’t coming out, that’s my mindset. They don’t have to play J.J. If we’re 7-2, this will be my opportunity. If you’re Sam, that’s all you want. An opportunity to show people that I’m a different player. . .”

Browns RB Nick Chubb the highest-graded player from the 2018 NFL draft class

There is nobody better from the Chubb’s draft class.

With the 35th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns selected running back Nick Chubb out of the University of Georgia.

And boy has that worked out well for them over the last six seasons since he joined the team.

In fact, with a career grade of 94.8 according to PFF, there is nobody who has graded out higher from the draft class six years ago.

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The Browns desperately need Chubb back as their rushing attack hit a wall last season as Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford carried the majority of the load. They have added running backs Nyheim Hines (more of a return specialist and pass catcher) and D’Onta Foreman to the roster to help carry the load in the meantime.

However, there is no doubt that the Browns will feel the effect of missing Chubb until the star running back can get back on the field for the brown and orange.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh comments on development of Dolphins DE Zach Sieler

John Harbaugh has high praise for Miami Dolphins DE Zach Sieler

While speaking to the media on the Friday ahead of the Baltimore Ravens game against the Miami Dolphins with the AFC’s No. 1 seed on the line, Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh was asked about the development of 2018 Baltimore draft pick and current Dolphins defensive end Zach Sieler.

“I’m going to tell you straight up – [Zach Sieler’s] exactly the player that I thought he was going to be,” Harbaugh said. He was a [dang] good player when he was here. [He’s] physical, tough, and he’s playing that way but better because he’s been further along in his career. He’s strong. He’s twitchy. He gets off blocks [and] presses the pocket. He’s a very good football player, and he’s everything you want in a football player. He’s tough, and he shows up every day.”

Sieler was drafted by the Ravens in the seventh round with the No. 238 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft — former Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome’s final pick before stepping down and handing the reigns over to Eric DeCosta in 2019.

Sieler was waived by the Ravens in December of the 2019 season and was claimed off waivers the following day by Miami. Sieler signed a three-year contract extension in 2020 with the Dolphins and another three-year extension in 2023.

During his time with Miami, Sieler has accumulated 239 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 13 passes defended, and one defensive touchdown.

Former Sooner wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week

Former Oklahoma star and Heisman winner wins Offensive Player of the Week award in the NFL.

Former Oklahoma Sooners legend and now Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback Baker Mayfield had a historic day against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Mayfield and the NFC South-leading Buccaneers went into Lambeau Field and came out with a 34-20 win.

He finished 22 of 28 (78.6%) for 381 yards and four touchdowns. Mayfield recorded a perfect passer rating of 158.3, which was the first time a visiting quarterback had ever accomplished the feat. He was only the second quarterback to do it at Lambeau Field joining former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.

That kind of day earned Mayfield NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Mayfield’s NFL career hasn’t gone according to plan. After being drafted No. 1 overall in the [autotag]2018 NFL Draft[/autotag], he has played for four teams. But he may have found his home in Tampa Bay.

He’s completing 63.5% of his passes which is the second-best in his career. His 94.7 passer rating is also the second-best passer rating of his career. He’s on track to throw for the most touchdowns and yards of his career as well.

Now, he’s on a one-year deal right now and they still have work to do to make the playoffs but if he keeps this up, the Buccaneers may have found their franchise quarterback.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Oklahoma Sooners legend named guest picker for ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’

A Sooner legend is returning to the Cotton Bowl to be the celebrity picker for ESPN’s College Gameday.

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns will meet for the 119th time on Saturday in Dallas at the [autotag]Cotton Bowl[/autotag]. Both teams enter unbeaten for the first time since 2011.

The eyes of the nation will be on this game as it will have several national implications. ESPN’s “College GameDay” announced earlier this week they would also be in attendance.

If you haven’t followed the show, the show always ends with the analysts picking several games across college football before Lee Corso puts on the headgear of the team he thinks will win the game they’re onsite for.

One of the pickers is usually a celebrity representing the home team. So, that had people wondering who would be the picker for OU-Texas. Would it be someone for Texas or would it be someone for Oklahoma?

We have that answer. [autotag]ESPN’s “College GameDay[/autotag]” announced on social media the guest picker will be none other than the man who grew up in Austin, Texas, but as a diehard Sooner fan, [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag].

Mayfield played for Oklahoma from 2015-2017. During that time, he was 2-1 against the Longhorns. He was also a Heisman finalist in 2016 and won the award in 2017. He has several Oklahoma and Big 12 records to his name as well.

After being drafted No. 1 overall in the [autotag]2018 NFL draft[/autotag], it’s been a rocky road for Mayfield in the NFL. He has had some great highs, such as setting the rookie touchdown passing record and also leading the Cleveland Browns to its first playoff win since 1994 in 2020.

Now Mayfield is playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is off to a great start. The team was picked to be one of the worst in the NFL, but it is 3-1 and in first place in the NFC South.

Mayfield is completing 69.6% of his passes for 882 yards, seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Bucs are on a bye this week, which gave Mayfield a perfect opportunity to make the trip to see his Sooners.

I don’t think there’s any question who he will be picking to win the game on Saturday.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Giants select QB Lamar Jackson in 2018 NFL re-draft

In a 2018 NFL re-draft, the New York Giants pass on RB Saquon Barkley and instead select QB Lamar Jackson.

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The New York Giants held the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft and — depending on who you ask — fumbled it when they used it to take Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.

Many Giants fans will dispute that, but when presented with a possible ‘re-draft’ scenario, would have done something different with the pick.

In Bleacher Report’s latest 2018 re-draft, analyst Gary Davenport sees the Giants selecting Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson at No. 2 overall.

This one is actually tough. Saquon Barkley has been a great player at times for the Giants over five seasons. Quarterback Daniel Jones, whom the Giants drafted sixth overall the following year, teamed with Barkley to lead the G-Men to the postseason in 2022.

Still, you just don’t pass on drafting an MVP quarterback like Lamar Jackson.

Since that magical season in 2019 when he rushed for a quarterback single-season record 1,206 yards and led the league with 36 touchdown passes, Jackson has been unable to duplicate those gaudy numbers. He has also missed substantial time in each of the past two seasons. But he’s the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back years and one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league.

That Jackson’s No. 1 receiver in New York in 2018 would have been Odell Beckham Jr. is proof that time is a flat circle.

This is a tough call because both players have been beset by injuries in their careers and many would say neither is worth the second pick.

Part of Jackson’s lure is that he wasn’t taken that high (No. 32 overall by Baltimore) which added to his initial value. Taking him second overall back then would have been controversial and panned by the fans.

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Colts select OT Orlando Brown Jr. in 2018 re-draft

In Bleacher Report’s re-draft of the 2018 class, the Colts opted for an offensive tackle.

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The 2018 NFL draft helped put the Indianapolis Colts back on the map for a few seasons as a contending team in the AFC, but how different might it look if the class underwent a re-draft?

Bleacher Report conducted the exercise of re-drafting the first round of the 2018 draft. The Colts held the No. 3 overall pick and then traded it to the New York Jets for the No. 6 overall pick and several other selections.

Though the Colts took three-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson in 2018, he was taken one spot ahead of them in this re-draft. Instead, they pivot to finding their left tackle of the future.

The Pick Then: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

The Pick Now: Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Oklahoma

The Indianapolis Colts don’t have an opportunity to select Quenton Nelson in this re-draft. But they still have an opportunity here to bolster the offensive line at what most would argue is a more valuable position.

Brown hasn’t quite had the career Nelson has, but he’s not exactly cat food, either. In five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and now the Cincinnati Bengals, Brown has been named to the Pro Bowl four times. PFF’s Gordon McGuinness recently slotted him as the NFL’s 14th-best offensive tackle.

“Brown has developed into a high-floor NFL player, with his PFF grade sitting between 73.0 and 78.0 in each of the past four seasons,” McGuinness wrote. “Five seasons into his NFL career, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll ever be a top-10 tackle. But at the very worst, he is a more-than-capable starting player on the left side.”

That may not sound like the most glowing of recommendations. But in today’s NFL, a “more-than-capable” left tackle is absolutely worth a top-10 pick.

Brown would be an interesting choice for the Colts. It certainly would have answered the question as to who the successor to Anthony Castonzo would be considering the latter eventually would retire following the 2020 season. But it also is fair to question whether Brown would have sat for three seasons behind Castonzo.

Another current Colts player selected in the 2018 draft was taken in this re-draft. Linebacker Shaquille Leonard was originally the No. 36 overall pick in this draft, but he went No. 12 overall to the Buffalo Bills.

Other players the Colts could have considered in this re-draft would be safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Denzel Ward, offensive tackle Jordan Mailata and safety Derwin James, to name a few.

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