Tag: Cam Akers

Falcons combine news: Player meetings, quotes and roster updates

GM Thomas Dimitroff spoke about this year’s defensive end class and sounded to be pretty high on Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa.

The past couple of weeks were relatively quiet in terms of Falcons news, but there’s been no shortage of interesting tidbits to come out since the beginning of the NFL Scouting Combine.

Tuesday kicked off with some big news when the team announced it would be letting tight end Austin Hooper, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and guard Wes Schweitzer test the free agent market:

This doesn’t guarantee that all three players will sign elsewhere, but it certainly seems unlikely that Campbell and Hooper will take less money to stay in Atlanta.

Regarding defensive end Takk McKinley, the Falcons are not committing to picking up his fifth-year option. There was a bit of confusion regarding the team’s stance, but was cleared up by The Athletic’s Jason Butt:

In terms of edge prospects at the combine, the team clearly needs to find at least one with Vic Beasley out of the picture and McKinley’s future beyond 2020 uncertain.

GM Thomas Dimitroff spoke about this year’s defensive end class and sounded to be pretty high on Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa:

Several combine participants have confirmed that they’ve talked to the Falcons. Although these reported meetings tend to get blown out of proportion, it’s still interesting to hear which players the team is looking into.

Some of the names to leak so far are running backs Cam Akers and J.K. Dobbins, while Georgia RB D’Andre Swift reportedly hasn’t spoken to Atlanta:

Make sure to check back for more Falcons news and updates from the combine. Plus, don’t forget to read our 7 second-round targets for Atlanta in the 2020 draft.

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Florida State RB Cam Akers to meet formally with Texans at NFL Scouting Combine

The Houston Texans have set up a formal meeting with Florida State RB Cam Akers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Houston Texans liked what they saw from Florida State running back Cam Akers and they wanted more.

According to the former Seminole, after his informal meeting with the Texans on Tuesday night at the NFL Scouting Combine, the club has set up a formal meeting with him on Thursday.

Informal meetings are one thing — there is no limit on how many informal meetings a team can have with the 337 attendees. However, clubs are limited to 45 formal meetings at the combine, meaning that Akers showed the Texans something they wanted to explore more in a formal setting.

Informal meetings consist of a position coach. Formal meetings have more team personnel, sort of a group interview setting.

Akers rushed for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns on 231 carries in an otherwise forgettable 7-6 campaign for Florida State. Akers missed two games due to injury.

The Texans have decisions to make at running back with their top two backs in Lamar Miller and Carlos Hyde both out of contract and set to hit free agency on March 18.

Cardinals land OT, WR, RB in full mock draft simulation

Check out how things could play out getting a lineman in Round 1 and a receiver in Round 2.

We are officially two months away from the 2020 NFL Draft. Mock drafts come from all over the internet. Today we begin with what will probably be weekly simulations of the full draft for the Arizona Cardinals.

In this first simulation, the scenario I use is how things play out if the Cardinals go with a tackle in the first round. Likewise, it also presumes that the Cardinals are not able to re-sign running back Kenyan Drake.

With those in place, this is how things went in this full mock draft simulation.

Round 1: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Again, the scenario I was going with was taking a tackle in Round 1. In this case, all linemen except for Louisville’s Mekhi Becton are available. The choice was between Wirfs and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. Wirfs is the pick. He could be the team’s Week 1 starter at right tackle. Now we will see if there are any impact receivers in Round 2.

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Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: Running backs

The Lions Wire staff has identified which running backs Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis but the running backs won’t take the field until Friday, February 28th. After watching the offensive linemen in groups one and two, the ball carriers should add in a nice upgrade of speed to round out Day 2.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterback’s preview.

Running back traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s running abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing on are:

  • Balance through the player’s hips: Do they stay under their frame?
  • Change of direction: Do they throttle down, or accelerate?
  • Quickness getting out of the backfield
  • Catching ability: Do they have soft hands, or do they struggle?

J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State

Suggested by: Scott Warheit

Arguably the top rusher in this class, Dobbins is a one-cut downhill runner that is exactly the type of complement back the Lions want to pair with Kerryon Johnson. Currently, that complement role is being filled by Bo Scarbrough, but with his and Johnson’s long injury history, the Lions may want to prepare for potential absences.

Dobbins has terrific vision, routinely picks the correct gap, runs through contact, maintains balance in traffic, has natural hands, legit long speed, and is capable of staying on the field for all three downs. He’s not as creative as some backs in this class, but he would thrive in the Lions offense.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff and Bryce Rossler

The Lions tried to trade for Devonta Freeman at last year’s trade deadline and if they were looking for a stylistically similar player, Edwards-Helaire would fit the bill.

Edwards-Helaire is a big-time playmaker who saved his best performances for the biggest games. His compact frame, coupled with fantastic vision and contact balance makes tackling him extremely difficult for defenders. Additionally, his ability to run with power and contribute in the passing game, makes him a solid fit in the Lions scheme.

Zack Moss, Utah

Suggested by: Ty Finch

One of the more balanced backs in this class, Moss is a one-cut runner whose game begins with power but is by no means limited to just that. He possesses several traits like vision, contact balance, patience, sharp cutting ability, and desire to finish with authority, which makes him a very desirable option. If his medicals check out — there is a history of shoulder and knee injuries — he could be in consideration for the top spot in this class.

Cam Akers, Florida State

Suggested by: Sonja Greenfield

An elusive rusher who produced above expectations, due to his instincts and desire to finish runs. His explosive nature makes him a problem when he gets in space, and his ability to contribute in the passing game — both as a receiver and blocker — will get him on the field early. Ball security will draw some criticism but it’s correctable.

Eno Benjamin, Arizona State

Suggested by: Max Gerber and Zack Moran

Elusive and competitive, Benjamin is consistently aggressive, almost to his own detriment at times. He’s a bit undersized for a power scheme, but his style of play suits that scheme best. He’ll begin his career in a committee, but as he improves his patience, his role will grow.

AJ Dillon, Boston College

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt

A decisive, downhill runner who uses his size (checking in as a reported 248-pounds) to punish defenders, Dillon is exactly the type of back the Lions hope Scarbrough can consistently be. His size limits his ability to shift laterally or pull of multiple moves, but he quickly identifies his gap, hits it with power and when he gets in the open field he’s incredibly difficult to contain. Wear and tear will likely cause teams to lower his draft value, but for a team looking to add some “Thunder” to an already existing “Lightning” back, he could be an important piece to their offensive puzzle.

Lamical Perine, Florida

Suggested by: Matt Urben

While Dillon has put a lot of miles on his tires, Perine is the opposite after spending three years in a committee at Florida. He figures to stay in a committee in the NFL, as he can contribute in a variety of ways, but isn’t exceptional in any of them. He may appeal to the Lions as he is a one-cut runner who leans on his power and can also contribute on third-downs as a pass catcher and blocker. Perine’s high character and willingness to contribute on special teams will endear him to this staff.

Levante Bellamy, Western Michigan

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon

Pure speed. Bellamy, who the Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reported ran a laser-timed 4.28 40-yard dash, reaches top velocity on his second step. If defenders miss him in the hole, more often than not, he’s gone. His size will likely limit his role in the NFL, but speed kills, and a creative offensive coordinator will figure out a way to use Bellamy’s skills to their advantage.

Sewo Olonilua, TCU

Suggested by: Derek Okrie

If the Lions are comfortable with the trio of Kerryon Johnson, Bo Scarbrough, and Ty Johnson, but are looking for a short-yardage option to round out the group, Olonilua could fit the bill as a situational fourth running back. At nearly 240-pounds, Olonilua is a better athlete than anticipated and finds most of his success on the edge, but he will need to learn to run between the tackles with more efficiency.

2020 NFL draft: Jets take OL with first pick in Matt Miller’s latest mock

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has released his post-regular season mock draft, check out to see who Miller has the Jets picking throughout.

With the regular season coming to a close on Sunday, mock draft season has already begun. With the order for non-playoff teams set, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller released his post-regular season mock draft on Monday.

The Jets are locked into the 11th pick with the top-20 of the draft order officially set in stone.

In the first round, Miller has the Jets addressing their glaring hole on the offensive line. From there, they fill out their roster with playmakers that would have a chance to contribute right away.

Let’s take a look and see who Miller has the Jets taking in his three-round, post-regular season mock draft.

First Round: Jedrick Willis Jr. | OT | Alabama

(Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports)

Fixing the offensive line must be a priority this offseason.

With Joe Douglas’ first draft pick as the team’s general manager, Matt Miller has Douglas seeking immediate help in the trenches by taking Jedrick Willis Jr., an offensive tackle out of Alabama.

Here’s Miller’s explanation for the pick:

The New York Jets should be smiling all the way to the podium when the card is sent in with my top-ranked offensive tackle coming off the board to protect Sam Darnold.

Darnold, when protected well this year, showed all the tools to be a very good starting NFL quarterback. The trouble was that he was rarely well-protected as the Jets’ offensive line was ravaged by injury.

Drafting Wills, who was tasked with protecting Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side as the Alabama right tackle, gives the Jets a Week 1 answer at left tackle. His movement skills are the best of any tackle in the 2020 class, and his technique is pro-ready.

Receiver is a huge need, as is edge-rusher, but protecting Darnold has to be the top priority for general manager Joe Douglas in his first draft.

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Florida State RB Cam Akers declares for 2020 NFL draft

Florida State running back Cam Akers is leaving school early to enter the 2020 NFL draft

Florida State running back Cam Akers has declared for the 2020 NFL draft.

The prolific rusher announced his decision through Twitter.

Akers had a career year this season as he rushed for over 1,100 yards and totaled 18 touchdowns on the ground and through the air.

“I can not begin to express how valuable my three years here have been, especially the relationships I’ve made with teammates, coaches, support staff and other students,” Akers said in his declaration statement. “I will carry FSU with me wherever I go.”

His decision comes as no surprise. Having had a career year in 2018, Akers is looking to strike while the iron is hot.

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Florida State-Florida odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Florida State at Florida college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Florida State Seminoles (6-5) will take on the Florida Gators (9-2) this weekend in an ACC-SEC clash at The Swamp in Gainesville. Kickoff from Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

We analyze the Florida State-Florida odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Florida State at Florida: Three things you need to know

1. Florida State’s leading rusher, Cam Akers, is expected to return on Saturday after missing last week’s game against Alabama State with an unspecified injury. He has 1,042 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

2. Florida has won back-to-back games in dominant fashion after losing two of its previous three games. The Gators beat Missouri 23-6 two weeks ago after blowing out Vanderbilt 56-0 the week before.

3. Florida has won six games at home this season while Florida State’s win at Boston College ended a six-game road losing streak dating back to last season.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Florida State at Florida: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Florida 30, Florida State 17

Moneyline (ML)

Florida is the heavy favorite in this matchup with the game on home turf. As a result, the -1000 moneyline on the Gators is steep and not worth betting — even though Florida should come away victorious.

The Gators are just 3-7 against the Seminoles in their last 10 meetings and 1-5 in the last six.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Florida to win would return a profit of $1.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The Gators enter as 17.5-point favorites, which isn’t surprising given how much better they’ve been this season. Florida State has limped through a disappointing campaign, but the Seminoles have scored 87 points in their last two games, so if they can score enough, it’ll be tough for Florida to cover the spread.

Not to mention, Florida State is 6-3 ATS in its last nine games against the Gators. Bet the SEMINOLES (+17.5, -106) to cover the spread.

Over/Under (O/U)

The O/U is 53.5 in this matchup and both teams come in hot offensively. The Gators defense has been dominant this season, and in the last 19 games between these two teams, the total has gone under 14 times.

Bet the UNDER 53.5 (-106) on Saturday because it’ll be tough for Florida State to get much going offensively.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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