Tag: bucky brooks

Cowboys find WR size, speed in homegrown package in Bucky Brooks’ latest mock draft

TCU’s Quentin Johnston would be the Cowboys’ tallest WR and one of the fastest players on the team; he could be a star of the combine. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones admitted on Monday that the team needs to make a priority out of inserting “a playmaker” into the Dallas offense as a way to boost the passing game that rarely got out of first gear in 2022.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks has just the guy.

The analyst unveiled his latest mock draft as the scouting combine gets underway in Indianapolis, and he thinks the Cowboys don’t need to look too far from home to find a first-round pick that could, as Jones put it this week, “add a little juice.”

Brooks likes TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston to Dallas with the 26th overall pick. He specifically cites the junior’s speed and big-play potential, noting that those attributes could help him shine against one-on-one coverage on the outside.

And Brooks believes the 6-foot-4-inch Temple, Tex. native will emerge from this week as one of the breakout stars of the combine.

“Everyone is going to see the height,” Brooks said on NFL Network. “Everyone is going to see the athleticism. This is a guy, in high school, who was a big-time jumper. So when you see the explosive numbers- he’s going to broad jump over 11 feet, vertical is going to be well over 40 [inches], he’s fast as all get-out.”

Brooks listed Johnston among the 10 prospects he is most excited to see at the combine.

Both Brooks and former NFL running back LaDanian Tomlinson feel Johnston may need to show off his hands and improve his route-running, but both are intrigued by the big 21-year-old’s potential at the pro level.

“He didn’t really get a chance to show the entire route tree at TCU,” Tomlinson- himself a former Horned Frog- agreed. “He’s going to have to show how fluid he is in and out of his breaks. And then catching the football: can’t be catching the ball with his body; he has to show exceptional hands catching the football.”

At 6-foot-4, Johnston would be the tallest receiver on the Cowboys roster. And with 4.4 speed (some project he could even post a 4.3 40-yard dash on the turf at the combine), his wheels would put him in the same tier as Trevon Diggs and KaVontae Turpin.

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Vikings add CB Cam Smith in Bucky Brooks’ mock draft

The South Carolina cornerback would be a talented addition to the Vikings defense

Cornerback is a major theme when it comes to 2023 NFL mock drafts for the Minnesota Vikings and it continued with the first mock draft given to us by NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks. He sent the Vikings South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith.

Smith was a lot of fun to watch and his scouting report just dropped on the site earlier on Monday. He earned a first-round grade and is a versatile player on the back end. Here is what Brooks said about the Gamecock defender.

“After parting ways with defensive coordinator Ed Donatell last week, the Vikings need to make some upgrades on that side of the ball, particularly in the secondary. “

The Vikings do need to upgrade the secondary and Smith’s versatility could give them some flexibility as they build out their secondary. With Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans coming back, Smith could play in the slot on day one.

Analyst, former NFL player weighs in on Lawrence, has message for those ‘nitpicking’ his game

A former NFL player and current analyst weighed in on what he’s seen from former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence entering the 2022 campaign. Bucky Brooks – a Jaguars analyst who has worked for NFL Network for 14 years and has appeared on FOX …

A former NFL player and current analyst weighed in on what he’s seen from former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence entering the 2022 campaign.

Bucky Brooks – a Jaguars analyst who has worked for NFL Network for 14 years and has appeared on FOX Sports, FOX Sports Radio and FOX Sports Digital – likes what Lawrence has shown in training camp and preseason games going into his second season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and first under new Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson.

“For Trevor Lawrence, what we’re going to find is a guy who’s more decisive, more confident and more accurate than we saw last year. This offense, I think, fits his game because Doug Pederson is willing to mold the offense to the strengths of his game,” said Brooks, who was drafted by the Bills in 1994 and played five seasons in the NFL, including two seasons with the Jaguars (1996-97).

“I think early, we should be encouraged by the way he’s performed in these preseason games. We’ve seen them utilize his athleticism, his moving ability — one as a quarterback, executing the zone read. We’ve seen him on these movement and bootleg passes. I believe there’s a synergy and connection between him and his veteran receivers. I just can’t wait to see it in regular season action.”

In two games played in the preseason, Lawrence has completed 20 of 33 passes for 228 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions while also rushing three times for 24 yards.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence struggled as a rookie last season, when he completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 3,641 yards and 12 touchdowns with 17 interceptions in 17 games. But he finished the season on a high note with his performance against the Indianapolis Colts in the final week of the regular season, when he went 23-of-32 passing for 223 yards and threw for two touchdowns while leading his team to a 26-11 victory.

Brooks, who is also a former NFL scout and executive, has an optimistic outlook on Lawrence based on what he’s seen from him heading into his second year in the league.

Brooks also had a message for those who have been “nitpicking” Lawrence’s game.

“So what I would tell everyone who has really been nitpicking his game – be patient. It’s the preseason,” Brooks said. “We’ve seen some good things, we’ve seen some things that you want to see better. But man, the ‘wow’ plays certainly outweigh the negative plays. I think there’s a reason to be very, very optimistic about how the offense will perform and how Trevor Lawrence will eventually play in his sophomore season.”

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Ex-NFL player, current analyst: Etienne gave ‘a little tease’ in encouraging preseason debut

A former NFL player and current analyst was very encouraged by what he saw from former Clemson star and current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne in his return to game action. Playing in his first game since suffering a Lisfranc …

A former NFL player and current analyst was very encouraged by what he saw from former Clemson star and current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne in his return to game action.

Playing in his first game since suffering a Lisfranc injury in the Jaguars’ second preseason game last August that cost him all of his rookie season in 2021, Etienne showed glimpses of his trademark speed, quickness and explosiveness in Jacksonville’s preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville last Friday night.

Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player (WR/DB/KR) and scout who serves as the color commentator for Jaguars preseason games, liked what he saw from Etienne while watching him rush for 23 yards on nine carries (including this impressive 12-yard run) and catch a 10-yard pass on a third-down play to move the chains.

“Very encouraging because we wanted to see this,” Brooks said during the Jags-Browns broadcast. “He was supposed to be the explosive playmaker that added a dimension to the offense. So, it’s taken us a year to see it, but you can see the stop-start quickness, you see the soft hands with him catching the ball out the backfield.”

Brooks, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft and played for five different teams (Buffalo, Jacksonville, Green Bay, Kansas City and Oakland) in five NFL seasons, says Etienne’s performance in his 2022 preseason debut provided a tease of what’s to come from the player the Jaguars selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

“He gave us a little tease,” Brooks said, “and as he gets more comfortable in this offense, I think you’re going to see more and more explosive plays coming from Travis Etienne.”

The Jaguars return to the field at 7 p.m. Saturday for their next preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Jacksonville.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ranked as one of ‘scariest’ QBs by NFL.com analyst

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was ranked as one of the “scariest” quarterbacks in the league by an NFL.com analyst

The Baltimore Ravens have found a gem in quarterback Lamar Jackson. The team moved up in the 2018 NFL draft to select the former Louisville star, and the rest is history. The quarterback has accomplished many feats in the NFL through four seasons, which includes bringing in the second-ever unanimous MVP award, the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season, and multiple team records. The Ravens were lucky to have Jackson fall in the draft, and it shows every time he takes a snap.

Last season, Jackson suffered a bone bruise that forced him to miss the final six games of the regular season. The quarterback’s importance to the team showed heavily as Baltimore would not win any of those contests. Despite Jackson missing a quarter of the season in 2021 and him not attending voluntary organized team activities, one analyst sees the quarterback being one of scariest at his position entering the 2022 NFL season in a good way.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com detailed his five scariest quarterbacks entering 2022 NFL season, and he placed Jackson at No. 4 on the list. When explaining why, Brooks credited Jackson’s dual-threat ability that will continue to give opposing defensive coordinators fits.

“The so-called slump from the former NFL MVP in 2021 has led some observers to have amnesia when recalling Jackson’s impact as a playmaker on the perimeter. After tallying a pair of 1,000-yard seasons as a rusher, defensive coordinators are well aware of his ability to take over the game on the ground. No. 8 is an explosive runner with superb ball-handling skills as an option quarterback executing a variety of power-read and counter-read plays. He has shown the ability to take it the distance as a runner from anywhere on the field and that forces opponents to pay extra attention to him in the box. With the fifth-year pro displaying enough proficiency as a passer down the middle of the field to punish opponents for overplaying the run, defensive coordinators have to pick and choose when to ratchet up the pressure against a quarterback who possesses the athleticism and arm talent to counter aggressive tactics.”

Jackson has often been critiqued on his passing ability, but he has shown improvements and looked decent last season prior to the injury. He is able to both run and throw at a high level, which makes him one of the most unique talents in the NFL. After missing a good portion of last season, Jackson will be ready to show that he has not missed a beat and continue to play great football in what is at this moment in time a contract year.

Bucky Brooks names Denzel Ward in his top 5 cornerbacks

Top 5 list for the newly extended Ward. Top AFC cornerback in a conference full of great quarterbacks could be huge for the Browns:

While the AFC North may still be a run-oriented conference, the passing attacks of Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson are still forces to be reckoned with. The AFC as a whole is on another level with an elite list of quarterbacks for the 2022 season.

While defense doesn’t win championships to the same degree anymore, the Cleveland Browns have prioritized some important positions on that side of the ball. After drafting Greg Newsome II and Martin (M.J.) Emerson with their first picks in back-to-back drafts (first and third round, respectively), the Browns signed Denzel Ward to a big extension this offseason.

While Myles Garrett is the key to the defense, it is obvious that Cleveland’s front office values the secondary greatly.

According to Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network, the Browns locked up the second best cornerback in all of the NFL when they extended Ward:

Ramsey has been considered the top corner in the NFL for a couple of years while Ward rarely gets mentioned in the conversation. Brooks placing Ward about J.C. Jackson, who signed a big deal this offseason in free agency, and Jaire Alexander, whose extension just barely eclipsed Ward’s, puts three AFC corners together on the list.

With Newsome blossoming as a rookie, Greedy Williams back for one more year and Emerson providing depth, Ward has a great stable of corners with him. Staying healthy and continuing to develop will be key for the former Ohio State Buckeye great to continue to ascend. Off the field, Ward continues to be an important part of the community.

NFL Network analyst explains why Lawrence will emerge in Year 2

An NFL Network analyst expects Trevor Lawrence to show people this season why he was the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft. NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks spoke about the former Clemson star and current Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, giving …

An NFL Network analyst expects Trevor Lawrence to show people this season why he was the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft.

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks spoke about the former Clemson star and current Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, giving three reasons why he believes Lawrence will emerge in his second NFL campaign.

“My podcast partner, (NFL Network analyst) Daniel Jeremiah, likes to talk about the three Ps – it’s about protection, play-caller, playmakers,” said Brooks, a second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 1994 NFL Draft who played for five different teams (Buffalo, Jacksonville, Green Bay, Kansas City and Oakland) in five NFL seasons.

“You improve in those areas, your young quarterbacks will improve.”

Brooks, who is also a former NFL scout, expounded upon that point, citing the Jaguars’ hire of former NFL quarterback Doug Pederson as their new head coach and their free-agent additions of weapons such as wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, and tight end Evan Engram, as key reasons why he thinks Lawrence is poised to take a big step forward in Year 2.

“So, I’m looking at the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Brooks said. “Doug Pederson comes over with a reputation for helping quarterbacks – any quarterback – improve. And then you look at the moves that they have made… upgraded the wide receivers with veteran wide receivers – Christian Kirk, Zay Jones. You have Evan Engram coming over, guys that can play, Marvin Jones. Because you need veterans, because consistency and stability… They’re going to be at the spot where they’re expected to be at, and he can deliver the ball with trust.”

Lawrence flashed his potential at times during his first NFL season in 2021, including in Jacksonville’s regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts when he went 23-of-32 passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions while leading the Jaguars to a 26-11 win.

Although Lawrence experienced his share of struggles as a rookie – he finished the season with a 59.6-percent completion percentage for 3,641 yards and 12 touchdowns with 17 interceptions – Brooks sees Lawrence as the NFL’s most intriguing second-year signal-caller due to the potential leap he could make in 2022.

“Overall, the talent, Year 1 to Year 2 is when you see the biggest jump,” Brooks said. “I think we’re going to see and appreciate why he was the No. 1 overall pick, this season.”

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Commanders select defensive star in NFL.com’s expert live mock draft

Will Kyle Hamilton make it out of the top 10?

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Throughout the offseason, we’ve been under the assumption the Washington Commanders would go with an offensive player with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

However, recent reports have some believing Washington would have difficulty passing up Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton if he were to slip outside of the top 10. Once Washington traded for quarterback Carson Wentz, many penciled in a wide receiver for the Commanders.

Not so fast.

In a new NFL.com expert live mock draft in which Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks, Colleen Wolfe and Rhett Lewis take turns making picks for making selections, Brooks makes the pick for Washington at No. 11.

His pick? Hamilton.

Wolfe asked Brooks if he was going to go wide receiver for Wentz, and Brooks cracked:

“Wide receiver, oh no, I’m not sure if he (Wentz) would hit him anyway,” he answered. Ouch.

“I am going to go and get someone on defense because we got to make sure we gotta play great defense. Let’s go Kyle Hamilton. He was outside the top 10, I am at No. 11, so I am going to take him. Remember, this is a guy who always wanted to be Sean Taylor coming up. He doesn’t necessarily give them exactly what Sean Taylor did, but he certainly will be the best safety we’ve seen play there in years. Jack Del Rio, Ron Rivera have a lot of fun finding ways to keep Kyle Hamilton in the mix.”

We’ve certainly heard plenty of young safeties say they want to be the next Taylor. No one is the next Taylor. However, Hamilton is arguably the best safety prospect coming out in years and could be a dynamic defensive weapon if Washington coaches employ him properly.

Bucky Brooks’ mock draft 2.0 has a CB for the Commanders

Bucky Brooks’ pick for the Commanders in his latest mock draft will surprise you — but it would be a terrific pick.

Only 24 hours earlier, Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft went perfectly for Washington. Bucky Brooks has produced his 2022 Mock Draft 2.0 and it has a significantly different result for the Commanders.

Ron Rivera has been nothing short of absolutely clear, Washington is looking for an upgrade at quarterback. Kiper’s 2.0 mock draft Tuesday saw everything fall perfectly for the Commanders at No.11, enabling them to select the first quarterback off of the board, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett.

Brooks sees it differently; quite differently. Brooks feels the Carolina Panthers at No. 6 will take the first quarterback off of the board, and he agrees that is Pickett.

Brooks does not have Washington reaching for a quarterback with Pickett off of the board. He sees the Commanders taking whom they feel is the best player on the board. Therefore, at No. 11 the Commanders take the second cornerback off of the board Derek Stingley (LSU), according to Brooks.

Thus, Brooks and Kiper agree that quarterback Malik Willis (Liberty U) will go at No. 20 to the Steelers. Kiper believes Willis will be the second quarterback off of the board. However, Brooks has Ole Miss QB Matt Corral going earlier at No. 18 to New Orleans.

Other significant differences were the No. 1 overall choice for Brooks, with Jacksonville selecting Evan Neal, OT Alabama while Kiper selected OT Ikem Ekwonu (NC State).

Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton has thus far been a very early consensus pick by analysts, including Kiper who has the Jets at No. 4 selecting Hamilton. Surprisingly, Brooks has Hamilton sliding all the way down to No. 15 and taken by NFC East rival Philadelphia.

When seeing Brooks have Carolina take Pickett at No. 6, and Washington picking at No. 11, my thought was, “Wow, if Kyle Hamilton remains available, I think Rivera might want a big safety with the range and versatility of Hamilton to pair with Kamren Curl.”

Bucky Brooks has Washington selecting a quarterback in his first mock draft

Bucky Brooks has Washington selecting a quarterback in his first mock draft.

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Mock drafts in January mean nothing. Mock drafts in February mean nothing. However, they’re still fun, as draft analysts assess a team’s biggest need and slot some of the draft’s top prospects to the team based on their needs.

Now, free agency comes before the draft, so many teams’ needs are filled in March, an entire month ahead of the NFL draft. But, for the most part, there are some needs you can’t fill in free agency.

If you need a quarterback in January, you’re going to need one in April unless you pull off a trade like the Rams last January, landing Matthew Stafford.

Washington needs a quarterback. And the answer isn’t in free agency. Washington either needs to swing big in a trade for a veteran or prepare to select one of the draft’s top passers in April.

Former NFL player, draft analyst and co-host of the “Move the Sticks” podcast with Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks released his first mock draft Tuesday.

Yes, he picked a quarterback for Washington.

At No. 11 overall, Brooks pegged Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral to Washington.

It’s time for Ron Rivera to get his franchise quarterback. The Ole Miss standout is a prolific playmaker with some dual-threat capabilities.

Corral checks off some of the important boxes for Washington coach Ron Rivera. Corral is mobile and has a live, accurate arm. There are concerns if his body will hold up at the next level, but Corral is a player who continued to improve in college, playing against the best competition in the country.

Brooks only had two quarterbacks go in the first round. Kenny Pickett went No. 9 to the Broncos.