Tag: anthony schwartz

Anthony Schwartz tied for 20th-best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year

Browns third-round WR Anthony Schwartz tied for 20th-best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year

As a third-round draft pick joining a loaded receiving corps in Cleveland, Anthony Schwartz doesn’t necessarily project to get much playing time as a rookie. But Schwartz has surprisingly strong odds to capture the NFL’s top rookie honor regardless.

BetMGM has released odds for the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. As expected, the top picks are heavily favored, including Trevor Lawrence (+225), Justin Fields (+350), Zach Wilson (+550), Mac Jones (+900) and Trey Lance (+1000).

After another cluster of players that includes receivers Rashod Bateman and Terrace Marshall Jr. at +5000, Schwartz is in the next grouping. Also at +6600 with Schwartz are fellow receivers Tutu Atwell, Elijah Moore, Tylan Wallace, Nico Collins and D’Wayne Eskridge.

Notably missing from the odds are any of the offensive linemen selected over the weekend. No other Browns made the list, so anyone banking on seventh-rounder Demetric Felton can just bet the field.

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Anthony Schwartz declares he’ll wear No. 10 for the Browns

Schwartz wore both 1 and 5 at Auburn but will go with 10 in Cleveland

Browns third-round draft pick Anthony Schwartz has already chosen what jersey he will wear as Cleveland’s newest wide receiver. Schwartz revealed he wants to wear No. 10 for the Browns.

It’s a change for Schwartz from his college days at Auburn, where he wore two different numbers. Schwartz rocked the No. 5 jersey in his first two seasons at Auburn before switching to the No. 1 jersey in his final season in 2020. His high school number at American Heritage HS in Florida was No. 10.

Anthony Stainbrook from The OBR sagely captured Schwartz’s Instagram story that cements the jersey choice. Then again, Schwartz’s own Instagram handle — @anthony_schwartz10 — offered up a pretty telling clue on its own, too.

The No. 10 jersey is open for the Browns, so it’s an easy choice for everyone.

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.

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.

Mock draft watch: Breaking down the Browns haul in The Athletic’s 7-rounder

Mock draft watch: Breaking down the Browns haul in The Athletic’s 7-rounder

One of the most respected and veteran NFL draft analysts, Dane Brugler of The Athletic, released his 7-round mock for all the picks in the 2021 NFL draft. Brugler’s projections for the Cleveland Browns and their cadre of picks offer some interesting players.

The first-round choice at No. 26 is Northwestern CB Greg Newsome, who has been a familiar fixture in Browns mock drafts. Newsome has some durability concerns but he’s an excellent cover corner who could start right away on the outside.

The next two picks go on defense as well, with Houston EDGE Payton Turner and North Carolina State DT Alim McNeil. Both are impressive talents who would represent solid value where the Browns take them in the second and third rounds, respectively. Turner makes a lot of sense as a pass rushing threat who can develop more on his own pace now that the Browns have added free agent veteran Jadeveon Clowney.

The remaining picks are all players who would compete to make the final roster. That’s more a reflection on the strength of the Browns current depth chart than anything negative about the players listed. Of note, Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz in the fourth round would be a direct competitor for last year’s rookie, Donovan Peoples-Jones, as the field-stretching outside vertical wideout.

McGrone and Forrest are prospects who could benefit from a year of practice and development before being thrust onto the field. Borom would join a crowd of reserve interior offensive linemen, while Hobbs is a smart seventh-round value as a speedy cornerback who is oddly proficient at tackling.

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2021 NFL draft: WR prospects in each round for Colts

A look at WR prospects for the Colts.

As the 2021 NFL draft approaches, the Indianapolis Colts will be taking a look at the wide receiver position in order to add some talent to a room that has been lacking elite production for a few years now.

There are promising players in the room. Michael Pittman Jr. could take that step as the WR1 to Carson Wentz in 2021. The Colts also re-signed T.Y. Hilton to a one-year deal, giving the room some stability. Then there is the ever-reliable Zach Pascal, who led the Colts in explosive receiving plays in 2020, while Parris Campbell is hoping third time is the charm when it comes to injuries.

Even with that group of four players locked in, the Colts still need more weapons for Wentz. The 2021 draft class might be lacking size, but they have playmakers all over the board in what is another deep class.

It’s unlikely Chris Ballard will use a Day 1 pick on a wide receiver and depending on how the board falls, he may not even use a Day 2 pick either.

But let’s take a look at potential wide receiver prospects in each round for the Colts in the 2021 draft:

Coach Harsin impressed by sophomore wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin had high praise for sophomore wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson after the Tigers’ first scrimmage Thursday.

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin had high praise for sophomore wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson after the Tigers’ first scrimmage Thursday.

“He’s been one of the more consistent players, day in and day out, as far as his execution and preparation. Being able to come off the ball and be an explosive player play after play, the great ones who play that position at wide receiver, that’s what they do. He’s played faster, and he’s done it more consistently. He’s made some plays in practice.”

As a senior out of Hewitt Trussville High School, Johnson recorded 87 receptions for 1,683 yards and 15 touchdowns. His first two seasons at Auburn have been less than ideal as he has not yet recorded any stats. As a redshirt freshman he suffered from a sports-related hernia and last season only saw game action against Georgia.

The Tigers wide receiver corps last season was filled with veteran leadership, but now that former starters Seth Williams, Eli Stove, and Anthony Schwartz have departed for the NFL, this spring is Johnson’s time to prove himself capable as a starter.

Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo shared his thoughts on what makes Johnson a standout player:

“The bottom line is that you get out there, you notice guys on tape – are they coming off the ball, creating space making plays? He has made plays for two days. His ability to get off the ball with speed and urgency has put pressure on the defense. I think we got to get all these receivers exploding off that football and creating stress on the defense, whether we’re running a 6-yard route or a 9 route, which is a go ball or takeoff. He’s looked the same every time. When we’re run blocking, you got to explode off the ball, and he’s been doing that.”

Ja’Varrius Johnson brings consistency and talent to a youthful wide receiver corps. 158 days separate fans from the start of the season and while it is still unclear who Auburn’s starters will be at wide receiver, it is clear that Johnson’s breakout spring performance sets a standard for all receivers moving forward.

Best in class: Fastest 40-yard dash times by position among 2021 NFL draft prospects

Check out the fastest 40-yard dash times broken down by position among the 2021 NFL draft class.

The NFL combine in Indianapolis was nixed in 2021, which didn’t provide the opportunity to compare 40-yard dash times among most of the college prospects.

No overlays of prospects racing against each other. No Rich Eisen running in a suit on the artificial turf at Lucas Oil Stadium. Maybe next year.

However, many of the prospects have been running the 40-yard dash at their pro days. Here is a breakdown of the fastest 40 times broken down by position as compiled by The Sporting News. See who the fastest players are at their respective positions as the long march toward the 2021 NFL draft continues.

Ravens met with Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz ahead of 2021 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens are taking a look at at least one wide receiver in the 2021 NFL draft, meeting with Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz

The 2021 NFL draft is just about a month away, which means teams should be starting to make the final tweaks to their draft boards. The Baltimore Ravens appear to be doing exactly that, meeting with Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Schwartz is an interesting prospect for Baltimore after he ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash at Auburn’s Pro Day. Pairing him with Marquise Brown, who is lightning fast as well, could turn the Ravens’ offense into a track meet every week.

While Schwartz didn’t have the greatest production at Auburn, catching 117 passes for 1,433 yards and six touchdowns over three years, he’s being pegged as a potential sleeper. As ESPN’s Todd McShay pointed out, Auburn’s quarterback troubles didn’t help showcase what Schwartz could truly do, potentially limiting his production. Still, Jacob Infante of Draft Wire believes he’s a Day 2 prospect who should be taken around the third or fourth rounds.

The Ravens have been hunting for a wide receiver throughout free agency, failing to land any as of yet. Though Baltimore has a big need at the position, the team has utilized their “best player available” strategy to sustained success over the franchise’s history and won’t reach for a player just because it’s a need. If the Ravens don’t get one in the first two rounds and Schwartz is there in the third, Baltimore could get one of the steals of the 2021 NFL draft.

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Report: Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz recently met with Vikings

Do you want the Minnesota Vikings to take Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz in the 2021 NFL draft?

The Vikings return some key wide receivers from 2020.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is coming off a stellar rookie season. Fellow wideout Adam Thielen, who was a great red zone target in 2020, is also still under contract. The team even re-signed Chad Beebe.

But Minnesota could use a stronger wide receiver three, especially if the Vikings want to upgrade their offense and utilize the passing game more often. A great way to find a definitive wide receiver three is through the NFL draft.

Could Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz be the answer? According to Draft Network’s Justin Melo, Schwartz has met with the Vikings. Although, to be fair, the Auburn wideout has met with plenty of other NFL teams, per Melo.

However, Schwartz could still be a good option for Minnesota. Schwartz ran a 4.26 in the 40-yard dash at Auburn’s pro day, so he could add some more speed to the slot position. He’s also 6-feet, which doesn’t make him a big-bodied wide receiver, but doesn’t make him small, either.

Schwartz could go anywhere in the draft, but mock drafts have him typically going in rounds 3-5. If Minnesota finds itself still looking for a capable wide receiver at that stage and Schwartz is still available, I think he’d be good choice.