Tag: Brandon Aiyuk

Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk could add dynamic element to Chargers’ offense

The Los Angeles Chargers should have this dynamic playmaker on their radar.

Speed kills.

That’s something that the Los Angeles Chargers have been lacking at the wide receiver position. The talent is there with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams highlighting the group, but they could be touted as one of the best corps in the league if they were to add a dynamic play-maker at the position.

Insert former Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk was a phenomenal wideout in his two years at Sierra College – a community college in Northern California. He totaled 2,499 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns in his two-year career. He had a few offers, including Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas and Arizona State.

But ASU was one of few schools that actually wanted him to play receiver and a return specialist, not a cornerback, so he elected to play for the Sun Devils. After two years of junior college, Aiyuk was immediately inserted into the wide receiver rotation upon arriving.

In 2018, he caught 33 passes that season for 474 yards and three touchdowns. Little did we know that Aiyuk was about to be in store for a monster senior season after the offense was more tailored to former teammate and current Patriots wideout N’Keal Harry.

Serving as freshman phenom quarterback Jayden Daniel’s go-to guy, Aiyuk was targeted 99 times in 2019, hauling in 65 of them for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. Dangerous with the ball in his hands, he was near unstoppable after the catch with 18.3 yards per reception.

In a league where getting open and stretching the field has become a must to have offensive success, there’s no denying that Aiyuk has a skillset that matches what is being needed in today’s NFL.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, Aiyuk has been blessed with an uncommon blend of burst, agility and track-like long speed.

Aiyuk changes speeds and direction incredibly well. He makes dynamic cuts that showcase tremendous acceleration, putting his foot in the ground without losing any speed and exploding upfield.

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Aiyuk, who’s expected to run in the low 4.4’s, is capable of blowing right by defensive backs on vertical routes if they play in off-man coverage or they simply don’t get their hands on him.

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He’s also explosive as a return specialist. He averaged 34 yards per kick return and 16 yards per punt return. That special teams ability could allow Aiyuk to make an immediate impact for the Chargers, knowing they have struggled to find a consistent return man.

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The area where Aiyuk will have to improve in is being more consistent with using his hands to defeat press coverage. He needs to get better in contested catch situations as he doesn’t have the “go get it” mentality as much to extend throwing windows.

However, Aiyuk’s play-making athleticism is what would be the selling point for the Bolts.

The former Arizona State product is currently being viewed as a top-50 prospect, which means that the second-round is where they would likely have to draft him.

It seems a bit rich to address the wide receiver position that early even though it is a positional group that needs to be solidified. But general manager Tom Telesco could see this as an opportunity to give whoever is behind center another dynamic option.

The thought of Allen in the slot, Williams as the X, Aiyuk as the Z and tight end Hunter Henry would force defensive coordinators to really draw up an efficient game-plan to stop this prolific group on a weekly basis.

Carson Wentz needs his own Tyreek Hill: 5 players that could fill such a role for the Eagles

With Carson Wentz needing playmakers on the Eagles offense, Doug Pederson and Howie Roseman must find him an explosive player like Tyreek Hill.

The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the best head coaches in the NFL but they are without question in the Super Bowl because of Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill quickly becoming the most explosive QB/WR duo in the NFL.

The NFL is now a passing league and most of the more successful signal-callers in the league have a guy on the roster that can outrun a defense.

Whether it be Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins, Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett or any other dynamic duo, the need for speed is the one common denominator.

How explosive has Hill been for the Chiefs?

As a rookie, Hill scored nine touchdowns on 85 total touches, while playing only 41 percent of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps. Over the past two seasons, Hill and Mahomes have connected on 18 pass plays of 30 yards or more, most for any quarterback-receiver duo in the NFL.

Mahomes’ 56 completions of 30 or more yards are most in the league among quarterbacks, and Hill’s 22 receptions of 30+ yards are the most among receivers.

With the Eagles having a serious need for speed, here are five players that can do for Wentz what Tyreek Hill has done for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

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1. Henry Ruggs III — WR — Alabama

Ruggs III is the one constant name being linked to the Eagles this draft season, and he’d fit right into a league that’s already dominated by speed.

During a win over the South Carolina Gamecocks this season, Ruggs III was clocked at 24.3 miles per hour on a touchdown run and he ran 10.58 seconds in the 100-meters while in high school.

Ruggs III averaged 18.6 yards per catch this season and 17.5 yards per catch during his three-year career at Bama with 25 total touchdowns.

Ruggs is more than just a vertical threat and his ability to make things happen with the ball in his hands, gives him the best shot to be utilized like Hill in the Eagles offense.

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7 Senior Bowl players who would look good with the Cardinals

It is still early in the draft evaluation period, but these players already look like a fit for the Cardinals.

The NFL draft is still months away but because of the Senior Bowl, many draft prospects are fresh on the mind of NFL fans everywhere. Several players who participated in the Senior Bowl look like they would fit nicely with the Arizona Cardinals.

There is still much evaluation to do, but just what we know from how they played last season and what they did the week of the Senior Bowl, here are some players would would look great in Cardinal red.

South Carolina Javon Kinlaw

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Kinlaw was the talk of the Senior Bowl during the week. He created some buzz with his practice and some with what he said. He didn’t end up playing in the game but is expected to be a top-16 pick. He could land on the Cardinals’ radar and they desperately need more talent on the defensive line.

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2020 Senior Bowl: 7 players Giants should keep an eye on

The 2020 Senior Bowl will be played on Saturday, and here are seven players the New York Giants should keep an eye on.

If we learned anything from the 2019 Senior Bowl, it’s that New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman certainly puts stock into it.

Big Blue’s first-round pick, Daniel Jones, was the Most Valuable Player in the game last season and his performance might have put Gettleman over the top to take the Duke product at No. 6.

The Giants have several needs to address in what is a rebuilding project at this point. Jones could use help along the offensive line for both now and in the future, and a weapon at wide receiver wouldn’t hurt, also.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants were a mess in the secondary, and creating pressure with a consistent pass-rush was once again an issue for Big Blue.

If the Giants are going to successfully rebuild this team, Gettleman has got to make the most of his seven picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and there’s a good chance some of those picks will be made based on what he sees in this year’s Senior Bowl.

Here are some players to watch on Saturday.

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

Getting pressure was once again an issue for the Giants in 2019, as their 36 sacks ranked No. 22 in the NFL. On the bright side, Big Blue improved upon its 30 sacks from the 2018 campaign.

Adding to the Giants’ overall sack woes, the team’s sack leader, Markus Golden, is a free agent this offseason and there’s no guarantee he returns.

With New York in the market for an EDGE once again, Terrell Lewis out of Alabama is a Senior to watch. In 10 games last season, the 6-foot-5, 252-pound linebacker totaled 31 tackles (11.5 for loss) and six sacks.

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8 prospects for Broncos fans to keep tabs on in Senior Bowl

Fans of the Denver Broncos should be watching these eight players during the 2020 Senior Bowl.

The 2020 Senior Bowl takes place this Saturday and while college All-Star games are far from the most interesting things, for a football junkie, it gives some insight into which players might be great at the professional level.

For fans of the Denver Broncos, a team with multiple needs in order to improve the team, this game will be chock-full of players to keep an eye on.

Who knows, one or more of these guys could be wearing blue and orange in the near future.

1. Leki Fotu, defensive tackle, Utah (North team)

(Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports)

Fotu stands 6-5 and comes in at over 320 pounds, making him an imposing force in the middle of any defensive line. He is stout against the run but is likely only a two-down defender.

If the Broncos were to lose a player like Shelby Harris to free agency, a guy like Fotu would be an option in the draft to help add depth to a defensive line that is going to need some work this offseason.

2. Malik Harrison, linebacker, Ohio State (North team)

(Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports)

The Broncos could shoot to upgrade the inside linebacker position this offseason and Harrison would do that.

The linebacker from Ohio State should be a starter at the next level as he is a thumper when making tackles and a hammer against the run. With some coaching, he can acquire better skills to defend the pass to be a true three-down player.

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2020 Senior Bowl: Bills meet with WR Brandon Aiyuk

Tracker of the players the Buffalo Bills have met with at the 2020 Senior Bowl.

The 2020 Senior Bowl is getting underway this week in Mobile, Alabama. Practices started on Tuesday but one name was a late scratch of sorts, receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Despite not taking the field due to injury, Aiyuk still traveled to the practices to meet with potential teams. According to a league source, the Bills were among those teams to meet with Aiyuk.

The potential first-round pick told the Denver Post his injury was “minor” and something he had been dealing with during the season.

“If the Senior Bowl was next week, I would have been fine,” Aiyuk said.

Earlier this week, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said via the Buffalo News that Aiyuk’s injury wouldn’t knock his stock in their eyes.

“There’s nothing you can do about an injury, but it won’t knock him or anything like that,” Beane said. “His fall tape says what he can do physically.”

At Arizona State, Aiyuk had 1,192 receiving yards, which ranked second in the Pac 12, on 65 catches. The deep ball threat averaged 18.3 yards per reception and added eight scores.

While not overly tall in stature at 6-foot-1, Aiyuk measured an 81-inch wingspan.

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13 potential Bills prospects to watch at the 2020 Senior Bowl

Buffalo Bills prospects to watch at the 2020 Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is upon us, which means the beginning of the draft season. Plenty of first and second day draft picks end up taking part in the festivities.

Josh Allen, anyone?

In 2019, 10 first-round picks took part in the game and since his tenure as Buffalo’s head coach, Sean McDermott has taken a liking to seniors due to their extra year of maturity and experience. There’s a good chance the Bills dip back into the Senior Bowl pool in 2020 with nine total draft picks currently slated to them at the upcoming draft.

With that, here are 13 Senior Bowl prospects to monitor for the Bills at the event as practices begin on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s game:

Clemson Tigers offensive lineman John Simpson (74). Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

OL John Simpson, Clemson

The Bills might have an opening for starting spot on their offensive line via Quinton Spain. He’s a free agent and where he struggled according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics were as a run blocker. Clemson’s John Simpson is described as a powerful blocker who could improve a bit as a pass blocker at the next level.

Simpson is currently projected as a mid-round pick that could use a big week at the Senior Bowl. Playing at a powerhouse school and using football to pull himself out of a tough upbringing. That could attract the Bills to him. Simpson can play both guard position, but only lined up at left guard in 2019.

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Should the Cardinals draft a WR on Day 1 or Day 2?

It’s a question that divides many Cardinals fans – when in the draft do the Cardinals address their need at wide receiver?

It’s a conundrum that will divide many Cardinals fans for the next four months: should the Cardinals address their need at wide receiver early in the draft or wait until Day 2 again?

It would seem to be one of the most obvious needs on the team, especially if Larry Fitzgerald does hang up his cleats rather than return (or even if he does return). Kyler Murray needs another weapon to help this Kliff Kingsbury lead offense to take the next step.

It’s truly remarkable the step they’ve already taken, from clearly the worst offense in the league to being, for the most part, in the middle of the pack in many categories. What’s truly amazing is that outside of Kyler Murray, there were no large additions to the Cardinals offense.

This leads to the topic at hand – do the Cardinals address the wide receiver position, which is already being lauded as being very deep, on Day 1 or Day 2?

The obvious choice would be Day 1. In a class that is deep, there are a few that stand out above the rest; namely, receivers like Jerry Jeudy at Alabama and Murray’s ex-college teammate CeeDee Lamb at Oklahoma.

However, stats seem to indicate that receivers drafted in the second round tend to perform better. Take this year’s draft for example:

Round 1:

Marquise Brown: 46 receptions for 584 yards

N’Keal Harry: 12 receptions for 105 yards

Round 2:

Deebo Samuel: 57 receptions for 802 yards

A.J. Brown: 60 receptions for 1081 yards

DK Metcalf: 58 receptions for 900 yards

The 2018 draft is similar. D.J. Moore and Calvin Ridley have been fine players, but gems in the second round included the Cardinals own Christian Kirk, Courtland Sutton, James Washington and D.J. Chark.

Do the Cardinals need a wide receiver than can separate consistently? Yes. Do they need to give Murray a go to receiver? Absolutely.

Now, in no way will the above statistics influence the Cardinals decision in Round 1. But given Murray’s success without much around him, there is a case to be made to add a premiere player elsewhere and wait until Day 2 to add a weapon.

In a draft like the upcoming one, however, it might be awfully tempting to wait until day two to take someone like the hometown stud Brandon Aiyuk from Arizona State, or the clutch Devonta Smith from Alabama or maybe the solid if not spectacular Justin Jefferson from LSU, some of whom may fall to the top of round two.

There’s a few months to go, but it’s a fun conversation to have.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 254

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Ep. 253:

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Perfect offseason gift for Chargers at each position of need

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez has the perfect offseason gift for the Los Angeles Chargers at each position of need.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

In the spirit of the holiday season and the offseason coming up, we decided to gift the Los Angeles with the most ideal acquisition at each position of need, using the 2020 NFL draft and free agency as our outlets.

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Quarterback — Tua Tagavailoa

Some fans are going to view this as a gift, while others will consider it coal because of the durability concerns with Tua. With teams in front of them like the Dolphins that will be in the market for the quarterback, it’s not guaranteed that he will be there when they are picking. But if he is, it should almost be a no-brainer.

Tagavailoa is a perfect fit for the Bolts as they start a new journey in SoFi Stadium. With the desire to bring fans to the stadium, Tua would do just that since he has been one of the most polarizing players in college football. Since he probably won’t be able to play much in his rookie campaign, he would be able to sit in Year 1, whether that be behind Philip Rivers or Tyrod Taylor and then take the reins in his second season.

Offensive tackle — Jack Conklin

The Chargers will be looking to add a long-term option at the right tackle position to replace Sam Tevi. Tom Telesco has a track record of finding gems along offensive line via free agency, and this would be an absolute home run.

Conklin, who is in the prime of his career, has allowed just 9.5 sacks in his four-year stint since being selected in the first-round of the 2016 NFL draft. In 2019, he’s allowed two sacks, but is currently on a streak of 11-straight games without one allowed.

Cornerback — James Bradberry

The Chargers could shore up their secondary by adding a stud opposite of CB Casey Hayward. Hayward was acquired via free agency and Telesco could make another splash by looking in the pool to find one of the league’s most underrated corners.

At the age of 26, Bradberry is entering his prime. He has defended nine passes along with a career-high three interceptions this season. His best season came in 2018 when he defended 15 passes, posted two interceptions, forced a fumble and recorded a sack.

Wide receiver — Brandon Aiyuk

Let’s say the Chargers are able to cross off the offensive tackle and cornerback position with those two acquisitions, they would then be able to find a talented wideout in the draft as early as Round 2. Insert the yards after the catch king.

Aiyuk, the 6-foot and 203 pounder is a speedster who is able to create when the ball is in his hands. He possesses the breakaway skills and balance to zip right past defenders that are in pursuit, which is exactly the type of player Los Angeles would love to add to an already talented wide receiver corps.

Defensive tackle — Leki Fotu

Nose tackle Brandon Mebane is close to calling it quits, which means that they will have to find his successor. Fotu would be a solid addition in the mid-rounds to add to an interior defensive line that’s still a work in progress.

Fotu, the 6-foot-5 and 325 pound defensive tackle has the speed, power, length, body control and mismatch ability to cause fits for NFL interior offensive linemen, where he would aid in the run defense department.

Interior offensive line — Calvin Throckmorton

The Chargers love to find athletic offensive linemen that have the ability to play both inside and outside. Throckmorton, the 6-foot-5 and 318 pounder, would be the perfect mid-round addition to an offensive line that will be under construction.

Throckmorton, who has played every single position except left guard for the Ducks, is a powerful player who has solid pass protection technique, an anchor and the toughness to be a consistent starter in the league by Year 2.

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2020 NFL draft: Bills land intriguing WR in ESPN’s first mock

ESPN writer Todd McShay mocked WR Brandon Aiyuk in his first 2020 NFL mock draft.

There’s a foreign and refreshing feeling complementing the brisk mid-December air in Western New York – there are two weeks remaining on the NFL calendar, and fans of the Buffalo Bills have meaningful football to look forward to past the new year.

There’s postseason football ahead for the ever-passionate members of Bills Mafia. The 2020 NFL Draft is likely the last thing on their minds.

ESPN writer Todd McShay feels as though the Bills will add to their receiving corps on the first night of the NFL Draft, as he released his first mock draft before the upcoming draft.

Arizona State wideout Brandon Aiyuk heads to the Bills in McShay’s first mock draft.

Here’s how the analyst explains the pick:

23. Buffalo Bills

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

Yes, John Brown and Cole Beasley have been a big part of the Bills’ offense in quarterback Josh Allen’s second season, but that doesn’t mean the team doesn’t need more help on that side of the ball. Aiyuk improves Buffalo’s receiving corps with his versatility and speed. But don’t be surprised if the Bills consider an edge rusher or cornerback here.

Aiyuk would add youth to a Buffalo receiving corps that’s largely anchored by veterans. John Brown and Cole Beasley, who together account for 58 percent of quarterback Josh Allen’s 2,876 passing yards, will be 30 and 31 years of age, respectively, when the 2020 NFL season commences. Though neither player has shown signs of slowing down, adding youth to an aging position group is never a bad idea.

Aiyuk also fits the mold of what the Bills look for in a wide receiver. Buffalo seems to value speed and agility over size in its receivers, and though the 6-foot-1 Aiyuk would immediately become the third-tallest wideout on the roster, physicality isn’t really part of his game.

The Sun Devil instead creates space with his speed and shiftiness off the line of scrimmage. As McShay noted, he’s quite versatile, as well, as Arizona State lined him up in both the slot and on the boundary throughout his collegiate career.

He’s coming off a career year in Tempe, as he reeled in 65 passes for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season. Arizona State also utilized his agility on kick and punt returns, as he returned 54 total kicks for 1,078 yards and one score throughout his collegiate career.

Simply put, Aiyuk is a weapon – an ever-present deep threat who can also pick up cheap yardage on screen passes thanks to his agility. Though it’s too early to identify which positions groups Buffalo will look to address early in the 2020 draft, Aiyuk certainly wouldn’t be a bad selection.

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