Tag: Chazz Surratt

Mel Kiper a big fan of the Vikings drafting LB Chazz Surratt

Kiper thinks he’ll play early and often.

The Vikings drafted linebacker Chazz Surratt with the 78th overall pick on Friday night.

While most Vikings’ fans are talking about the team possibly drafting the next franchise quarterback in Kellen Mond, ESPN’s Mel Kiper is a big fan of the Surratt pick.

Here’s a bit of what Kiper wrote about the pick:

The Vikings had four picks in the third round, and while quarterback Kellen Mond (No. 66) will get the publicity, the one I liked most is former quarterback Chazz Surratt, who is a really productive converted linebacker. He should play early.

The Vikings had four third-round picks after not having a second-round pick. The fun won’t stop as the team has three fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks and one sixth-round pick.

The Vikings have done a nice job of addressing needs, hitting on the offensive and defensive line, along with linebacker and quarterback. It seems like next could be safety, wide receiver and tight end.

Vikings select North Carolina LB Chazz Surratt in the 2021 NFL draft

The Minnesota Vikings have added depth at linebacker, selecting North Carolina LB Chazz Surratt in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

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Minnesota struggled with health at linebacker in 2020.

Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr both went down with injuries. That led to players like Eric Wilson, Todd Davis and Troy Dye having to step up.

So the Vikings made sure to add linebacker depth through the 2021 NFL draft. Minnesota took North Carolina LB Chazz Surratt in the third round on Friday.

Surratt is a good athlete who moves well, but he may need a few seasons to develop and move up the depth chart. Surratt will compete with the likes of Nick Vigil and Troy Dye for reps at linebacker.

Minnesota is pretty locked into Kendricks and Barr at linebacker, but beyond that, reps are relatively up for grabs. Let’s see if Surratt earns some in 2021.

Falcons draft Chazz Surratt, Jamar Johnson in 3-round CBS Sports mock

Atlanta scouted quarterbacks Justin Fields and Trey Lance at length, while showing interest in Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. Since we don’t know Fontenot’s intentions, the forecast calls for another week of mock drafts.

With very little depth on the roster and veteran quarterback Matt Ryan still under contract, the best move for the Atlanta Falcons in next week’s draft may be to trade back and acquire as many picks as possible. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess as to what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot will do, though.

Atlanta scouted quarterbacks Justin Fields and Trey Lance at length, while showing interest in Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. Since we don’t know Fontenot’s true intentions, the forecast calls for another week of mock drafts.

In a new three-round mock from CBS Sports, Chris Trapasso has the Falcons staying at pick No. 4 and drafting Pitts, “While they field calls, the Falcons ultimately turn them down and pair Pitts with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.”

If you follow our site, you’re probably well aware of Pitts’ strengths and weaknesses by now. The freakishly athletic playmaker out of Florida has drawn comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson. Here’s an example of Pitts’ rare talent that has NFL scouts drooling.

In the second round of the mock, the Falcons select Chazz Surratt, a linebacker out of North Carolina. Surratt has good instincts despite being relatively new to the position. Here’s an excerpt from Draft Network’s scouting profile of the UNC linebacker.

“Surratt is an exciting package of size, mobility, and physicality, but there are times studying his tape when you are reminded that he is still new to the position,” writes Joe Marino. “Surratt will need to continue developing at the position and if he does, he has the makings of a starting pursuit-style linebacker that can make plays on every down.”

Last but not least, Atlanta drafts Indiana safety Jamar Johnson, a lesser-known prospect that seems to be rising up draft boards over the past two weeks. Johnson is one of those players who you just have to watch on film to fully appreciate the kind of range and ball skills he has.

The Falcons have nine picks in the 2021 NFL draft, and while everyone is focused on their top-five selection, there is a lot of talent to be had in the middle rounds. Atlanta must hit on a handful of these picks if the team is going to make a serious run at the playoffs this season.

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Browns full mock draft v5.0: The trade up scenario

In the last edition of the Browns Wire full 2021 mock draft, we explored the concept of trading back from the No. 26 spot and acquiring more picks. This time, we go in the other direction.

In the last edition of the Browns Wire full 2021 mock draft, we explored the concept of trading back from the No. 26 spot and acquiring more picks. This time, we go in the other direction.

Trading up requires two things: a specific target to go after and a team willing to move back for a reasonable price. With that in mind, I picked out two potential targets that should appeal to the Browns but don’t figure to be available when they pick at 26. I’m not willing to mortgage much in the future to move way up, nor do I expect GM Andrew Berry to do that either.

The two targets I zeroed in on were Michigan EDGE Kwity Paye and South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn. Using three different mock draft simulators (The Draft Network, Pro Football Focus and Fanspeak), I ran several mocks to get a good feel for where those players generally project.

Now to the move up…

Detroit mock draft watch: Dane Brugler tackles the Lions 7-round mock

Dane Brugler from The Athletic gives his take on who the Detroit Lions could take in his 7-round mock draft

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With the much-anticipated release of his draft guide known as The Beast recently, Dane Brugler from The Athletic tackles a complete 7-round mock draft from Trevor Lawerence all the way to Mr. Irrelvant.

Taking on a complete 7-round mock is no easy feat, and Brugler tries slot players according to their team needs, scheme, and culture fit to the best of his abilities. Without further ado, below is his haul for the Lions.

1st round (7)- Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

2nd round (41)- Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU

3rd round (72)- Divine Deablo, DS, Virginia Tech

3rd round (101)- Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina

4th round (112)- Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

5th round (153)- Daelin Hayes, Edge, Notre Dame

Even with Justin Fields and both Alabama receivers on the board, Brugler elected to build within the trenches and gave Detroit a young can’t miss prospect in Sewell. With the possibility of four quarterbacks selected to start the draft, Sewell has gained some popularity as a viable option for Detroit. At only 19 years old, Sewell will shore up the right side of the line opposite of Taylor Decker, possibly creating one of the top offensive lines in the league.

With Detroit seeing their receiver corps decimated over the off-season and filling the room with mostly one-year deal options, Detroit desperately needs fresh blood. Brugler gives them some help in the form of Terrence Marshall Jr. If any fan was missing Kenny Golladay, Marshall will essentially alleviate those feelings being an almost copy clone as the big-bodied receiver who thrives in contested catches.

Detroit’s cupboard at safety is looking bare, with only four players rounding out the depth chart. Fortunately, Brugler slots Divine Deablo as potential reinforcement in the secondary. Deablo was recently tagged as a potential option by own Jeff Risdon, highlighting his run-defending, blitz ability, and special teams ability. He is one of those linebacker/safety tweeners that you can play best on best against your opponent.

With the Lions linebacking corps going through a remodel of sorts, the new regime will be looking to inject some athleticism in the mix, and Brugler helps that out with the selection of Chaz Surratt. Also tagged as a fantasy option by Jeff Risdon, the former quarterback brings strong intelligence that gives him a leg up reading the opponent’s offense. With his athleticism, he will fit in perfectly as the Lions weakside linebacker.

With the recent signings for Quinton Dunbar and Corn Elder, the Lions have filled in some gaps in the cornerback corps that needed some addressing. Even though the Lions are not on the prowl for cornerbacks, they couldn’t go wrong with taking an upside corner who could start later down the road, and that is what Brugler does with the selection of Ambry Thomas. Even though his technique is questionable, he has the tools and mentality to compete for snaps in the future.

In the later parts of the drafts, you are taking a gamble on a player’s upside and see if you can get the most out of their potential. With Brugler’s selection of Daelin Hayes, that will be exactly what the Lions will be hoping for. Hayes could be drafted much earlier with his versatile nature as a hand in the dirt or stand-up rusher if it wasn’t for his history of shoulder issues. If the coaching staff can build up his strength and pass rush repertoire, he could find a spot as a rotational SAM linebacker.

Lions 7-round mock draft 4.0: The fantasy episode

Most mock drafts are predictive in nature. Not this one…

Most mock drafts are predictive in nature. Not this one. For v4.0 of the Lions Wire’s full Detroit mock draft, I turned the dial to Fantasy Island.

It’s time to dare to dream!

Being that this is a dream, everything written here is intended to be narrated by BBC news presenter Alan Kasujja, whose deep tones and accented diction help guide me to sleep most nights.

Don’t expect any of this to actually happen. That’s not the point. This is my ideal fantasy for how the 2021 NFL draft would play out for the Lions.

Lions 2021 draft: A linebacker for every round

Detroit Lions 2021 draft: A linebacker for every round

First we tackled cornerbacks, and now it’s time to move forward in the Detroit defense with an off-ball linebacker prospect for each round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Lions 2021 draft: A cornerback for every round

The goal here is to demonstrate the levels of talent that should be available in each round, not advocating for any one path. Keep in mind the off-ball LB spot is one that GM Brad Holmes, senior assistant John Dorsey and head coach Dan Campbell have all not valued above the middle rounds in any of their prior stops, however. And with Jamie Collins and Alex Anzalone in place, the starting duo could be set already. Unlike Matt Patricia’s failed scheme which often fielded four LBs, very few NFL teams ever play more than two LBs at any time even against two-TE sets anymore.

The players listed here are generally projected as fits in the top 10 picks of the round listed, where the Lions would select prior to any trades. Even though Detroit doesn’t currently have sixth or seventh-round picks, we still included a linebacker for each round.

Draft projections are not always accurate, but these here are the general range where the players are most often ranked/mocked as of April 1.

Senior Bowl: 10 linebackers for the Eagles to watch

Here are 10 linebackers at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl for the Eagles to watch

The Philadelphia Eagles will have a new coaching staff in 2021 and that could allow for a newfound desire to place value on the linebacker position.

The NFL is a new game and gone are the years of running backs getting 40 carries per game, or defenses serving with three down-hill, thumping style linebackers on the roster.

Alex Singleton and T.J. Edwards have been solid but the Eagles need an athletic, playmaking linebacker who can flourish in pass coverage.

Some of college football’s top linebackers have converged onto Mobile for the Senior Bowl and we’ve provided 10 that the Eagles should keep an eye on.

Notre Dame at North Carolina: First-Quarter Analysis

North Carolina’s offense poses a legitimate threat to the fate of Notre Dame’s season.

North Carolina’s offense poses a legitimate threat to the fate of Notre Dame’s season. As we learned early in the first quarter, you need to make the Tar Heels drive further than midfield if you’re going to win. But even doing that might not be enough. At least the Irish find themselves in a 14-all tie.

Notre Dame got the ball first and went three and out. After Ian Book was sacked by Chazz Surratt on third down, Jay Bramblett was forced to punt in the Irish’s end zone and only could get the ball to the 50-yard line. Led by Sam Howell, the Tar Heels advanced in Irish territory with relative ease. The drive ended when Emery Simmons caught a 50-50 ball for the game’s first touchdown.

Fortunately, the Irish have a strong ground game, and they decided to unleash it on their second drive. Most of the time, Kyren Williams’ number was called, and there also were some nice runs from Book and Chris Tyree. Still, it only made sense for Williams to tie the game on a 2-yard run.

None of that mattered to the Tar Heels because they went right back to work. Even when a holding call in shallow Irish territory appeared to set them back, Howell immediately overcame that with a 51-yard pass to Dyami Brown that got the ball to the 1-yard line. Howell then took the ball in for a 1-yard touchdown run.

Book had something to say about that, though. He found Javon McKinley for a 43-yard reception and then ran the ball himself for 33 yards. He handed the ball off to Williams, then passed to him. The result was a 4-yard touchdown reception that put the score where it is.

 

Mock draft watch: Browns build pass defense in Draft Wire’s latest 3-rounder

Two good pass defenders and two WRs make up the projected haul

Our good friends at Draft Wire have released their latest projections for the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. Who will the Browns land when they step to the podium in Public Square in downtown Cleveland next spring?

In the first round, the Browns tab Oregon safety Jevon Holland with the No. 16 overall pick. Holland is a nifty coverage safety who also doubles as the Ducks’ primary return man. He’s at his best marking TEs and RBs in the passing game, an area of concern for the Browns right now.

Chazz Surratt, a do-it-all type of linebacker from North Carolina, comes to Cleveland in the second round. He started his UNC career as a quarterback (he was their initial replacement for Mitchell Trubisky) before finding his rightful home at linebacker.

Another Tar Heel, wideout Dazz Newsome, is the projection in the third round. Newsome brings an explosive element to the slot receiver position. It’s Michigan WR Nico Collins as the Browns’ second pick in the third round, acquired from the Saints.