Tag: Dane Brugler

Dane Brugler Mock 1.0: Cowboys draft offensive lineman in early exercise

From @ToddBrock24f7: In this early mock, the Cowboys get a versatile lineman who solidifies the protection for Dak Prescott’s blind side for the next decade.

From Aaron Rodgers to Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins to Deshaun Watson, Anthony Richardson to Daniel Jones, 2023 may be remembered by many as the year of the injured quarterback, with numerous teams around the league losing their starting passer and, in many cases, their season’s hopes right along with him.

2024, then, could shape up to be a big year for the big man, with clubs looking to protect those under-center investments with young offensive line help via early-round draft choices. All indications are that the Class of ’24 will be exceptionally deep in O-line talent, making it a great year for a team like the Cowboys to address an area of need.

Through 11 games this season, Dallas has allowed just 23 sacks, placing their line in the NFL’s top 10 for keeping their quarterback upright. But there are questions looming on the horizon for next season: center Tyler Biadasz is set to become a free agent, left tackle Tyron Smith and his lengthy injury history will be 33, and even Zack Martin has suddenly looked somewhat mortal in his 10th season.

And that’s the lens through which The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler was looking when he approached the Cowboys’ initial pick in his first 2024 mock draft.

While Brugler has top playmakers like Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jayden Daniels, Brock Bowers, and Drake Maye going early to some of the weakest teams, he likes the Cowboys to stay in the trenches and add foundational youth to play alongside two-year veteran Tyler Smith, who won’t even turn 23 until April.

With the 26th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Brugler has the Cowboys selecting Graham Barton, the multi-positional lineman from Duke.

“A college left tackle, Barton is going to move inside in the NFL and projects well at either guard or center,” Brugler notes.  “This pick assumes Tyler Smith would replace Tyron Smith at left tackle, thus creating a need at left guard.”

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The 6-foot-5-inch, 314-pound Barton certainly seems capable of filling that need. The Tennessee native was a three-star recruit when he committed to the Blue Devils and took the field in his freshman year due to injuries to the squad’s first- and second-string centers. By the end of the 2020 season, Barton was named a second team Freshman All-American by The Athletic.

His sophomore year saw him named the starter at left tackle. As a junior, he was an All-ACC first-teamer. He repeated that feat as a senior and was rated the fifth-best tackle by PFF for the 2023 season.

By bringing Barton to Dallas and coaching him up to play left guard (like they did with Tyler Smith), the Cowboys would theoretically have Dak Prescott’s blind side covered- with two first-round picks under the age of 23- for the better part of a decade.

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Vikings land defensive help in Dane Brugler’s first mock draft

Dane Brugler’s first mock draft of the year is out and it goes in a direction that Vikings fans won’t be expecting

The NFL’s regular season still has a handful of weeks left, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead towards the NFL draft. That’s exactly what The Athletic columnist Dane Brugler has done, dropping his first mock draft of the year.

In a departure from most mocks, Brugler has the Minnesota Vikings picking up some help on the defensive side of the ball, rather than sending them a quarterback like most prognosticators have at this point. With the 20th pick, Brugler has the Vikings grabbing Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton.

This pick may be a bit surprising to some who follow the college game and the NFL draft closely, as Newton isn’t necessarily seen as a consensus first-round selection — as Brugler points out in his analysis of the pick. Newton is considered by many to be undersized for the position, listed at just 6’2 and 295 pounds.

That makes the pick more confusing, as an undersized defensive tackle doesn’t necessarily fit what Brian Flores and the Vikings defense want to do in their 3-4 scheme. With that said, Flores has shown a propensity for finding spots for players who have talent, and using that talent to its fullest capability.

Newton would be an interesting fit for the Vikings defense, but if anyone could make it work, it would be Flores.

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Dane Brugler’s 2024 mock draft has the Saints adding a first-round wide receiver

Dane Brugler’s 2024 mock draft has the Saints adding a first-round wide receiver in Florida State standout Keon Coleman:

There aren’t many NFL draft analysts more plugged in to how teams are thinking than Dane Brugler. The Athletic’s lead draft expert is well-connected with scouts and decision-makers around the league, so when he’s talking about upcoming college prospects (and the New Orleans Saints), it’s time to listen.

And Brugler released his first 2024 mock draft on Wednesday, which has dynamic LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels landing in the NFC South — but now with New Orleans. Daniels went off the board at No. 7 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A few picks later at No. 12, Brugler had the Saints getting more explosive on offense by picking Florida State standout Keon Coleman. Here’s why he went with the wide receiver:

The Saints love to draft flashy new toys, and Coleman comes batteries included and fully assembled. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he is a large target, but there is nothing lumbering about the way he moves. He is at his best winning at the catch point and can create explosive plays — New Orleans currently ranks 24th in the NFL in plays of 20-plus yards.

Coleman could be a good pick for the Saints. Despite Dennis Allen’s claims to the contrary, big plays have been hard to find for New Orleans. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are responsible for 19 of the team’s 35 plays of 20 or more yards this season. There could be room for another receiver anyway given the uncertain future with Michael Thomas after this season, but another big-bodied playmaker who can win downfield would be nice to have either way. Maybe A.T. Perry can develop into a reliable target, but it’s worth considering a premium prospect like Coleman.

Still, receiver isn’t the Saints’ biggest team need. They’re down bad for pass rush help (their 18 sacks are tied for second-fewest) and there are players in the 2024 draft class who could help them. Some pass rushers who were picked after Coleman in Brugler’s mock that we like include UCLA sacks leader Laiatu Latu (No. 14 to the Los Angeles Rams) and Coleman’s Florida State teammate Jared Verse (No. 17 to the Arizona Cardinals). Cameron Jordan can’t do it on his own forever.

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Jets beef up tight end room in Dane Brugler’s first mock

The Jets get a key piece of Georgia’s potential three-peat national championship offense in Dane Brugler’s first mock draft of the season.

You know draft season really gets into full swing once Dane Brugler drops his first mock draft of the season. He did so this week and gave the Jets an offensive weapon for whoever is at quarterback in 2024. But it may come as a bit of a surprise.

When the draft season really gets going, most Jets fans will likely feel wide receiver is among the biggest needs. However, in Brugler’s first mock for The Athletic, the Jets go tight end, instead.

Of course, we’re not just talking about any tight end. We’re talking about Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, an extremely gifted tight end.

Bowers burst onto the scene as a freshman, making an immediate impact for the Bulldogs and being a key piece for Georgia’s two national championships and being in position for a potential three-peat.

Here’s what Brugler had to say about the pick:

Assuming the Jets are all in with Aaron Rodgers for the 2024 season, the team’s first-round pick likely will be an offensive player who can contribute from Day 1. Whether you line him up at tight end, wide receiver or a hybrid position, Bowers can be a difference-maker and quickly emerge as one of the Jets’ go-to weapons.

This season, Bowers has 51 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He has 26 total touchdown catches in his career, including 13 as a freshman. For comparison, Kyle Pitts — the highest drafted tight end ever at No. 4 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 — had 18 touchdowns while at Florida.

Bowers can be a chess piece for the Jets now and in the future. But this pick would certainly be with an eye on making a run in 2024 with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback. Regardless, the Jets need weapons and Bowers would be quite the weapon.

Dane Brugler list Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson as an ‘underrated’ 2024 NFL Draft prospect

The Athletics’ Dane Brugler has listed Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson as an “underrated” prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, one of the leading NFL Draft analysts with an evaluation acumen that rivals most NFL scouts, is already hard at work preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. While scanning over some of the more underrated potential prospects set to enter the cycle early next year, Texas A&M defensive tackle Mckinnley Jackson is definitely on his radar moving forward.

After releasing his first 2024 NFL Draft Big Board, featuring his Top 50 player rankings for the upcoming 2023 college football season (subscription required), Jackson, entering his final campaign in Aggieland, came in at No. 36, one spot above LSU DT Masson Smith.

Jackson returns for his senior season after appearing in eight games for the Maroon and White last season, having been named defensive MVP for the Aggies in 2022. He recorded 37 total tackles, including seven for loss, along with two sacks and one fumble recovery. In 389 defensive snaps in 2022, he logged 219 as a run defender and 169 in pass rush situations.

Standing at an imposing 6-2 320 pounds, Jackson’s strength and first-step explosiveness immediately jump off the page. As Brugler notes, his backfield vision needs improvement, and there is no better way to reach his full potential than during the 2023 season.

Jackson is the presumptive leader of an Aggie defensive tackle rotation littered with blue-chip talent, including Walter Nolen, Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart, Fadil Diggs, and LT Overton.

So far this offseason, Jackson has been named to the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy watch lists.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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Tyler Guyton among Dane Brugler’s top-50 prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft

Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton is the lone Sooner in Dane Brugler’s initial 2024 top 50 draft board.

Oklahoma is just a week away from kicking off its 2023 season. They’ll take on Arkansas State at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The  Sooners look to distance themselves from a squad that started 3-0 but struggled inside Big 12 play.

Along the offensive line, the Sooners lost three starters from last year. Chris Murray graduated, and the tackles Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris were drafted in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.

Enter Tyler Guyton, a former transfer from TCU who played in 10 games and made five starts last year. His best performance came against Jared Verse and Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl.

Verse would have been a top-ten pick in the 2023 NFL draft, but opted to stay in school one more year. It’s likely he’ll be a top-ten pick in the 2024 draft.

It was a nice back and for the battle between the two, with both Guyton and Verse winning snaps.

That performance and his noteworthy physical traits have caught the eye of the NFL and draft aficionados. Dane Brugler, one of the best scouting and draft experts in the business, released his initial top 50 draft board for the 2024 NFL Draft (subscription required). Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton was the lone Sooner to crack the top 50.

If he were to be drafted there, Guyton slotted in at No. 31. He’s currently Dane Brugler’s No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2024 class. With a premium placed on offensive tackles in the draft, there’s a good chance Guyton could be a first round pick.

Now, there are a couple of ways to look at that. As it stands, Guyton is comfortably a top-100 pick. Anton Harrison was similarly in the same range to start last season and stayed in the top 50 range until the draft before being selected 27th by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Guyton has more to prove than Harrison, as this year would be his first full season as a starter. Harrison started the 2021 season and played a lot in his true freshman season in 2020.

This is a prove-it year for Guyton. Pro Football Focus said he played 400 snaps and allowed two sacks and no hits on 191 pass-blocking plays in 2022. Those numbers work, but how will they play when teams consistently gameplan for you? That will be one of Guyton’s challenges.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenabugh had a glowing review for his starting right tackle. “He’s got all the ability in the world,” Bedenbaugh said. “He’s one of the most talented guys I’ve ever seen, and we’ve had some pretty talented guys come through here.”

Guyton’s size and athletic traits will make him one of the more intriguing prospects in draft circles next spring. The stage is set for Guyton to become one of the best players on Oklahoma’s roster. He can also position himself as a first-round draft choice next April.

If he can take his game to the next level and secure Dillon Gabriel’s blindside, he has a great chance of becoming Oklahoma’s next first round offensive tackle.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Dane Brugler has the Saints passing on Adetomiwa Adebawore for another DT

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has the Saints passing on Adetomiwa Adebawore for another defensive tackle in his final first-round NFL mock draft:

Here’s a curious call in the final round of 2023 mock drafts. With the real thing just hours away, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler shared his take on what the New Orleans Saints (and every other team) may do in the first round of selections on Thursday night.

And he has them curving a fan-favorite prospect with former Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore being passed up in favor of another defensive tackle at No. 29. We’ll let Brugler make the case  in his own words for the Saints picking Michigan Wolverines prospect Mazi Smith:

The Saints want to get better on the defensive line with this pick, and an edge defender like Myles Murphy makes sense. But Smith would give New Orleans the hulking nose tackle it desperately needs to improve its run defense.

Now, New Orleans doesn’t “desperately need” a hulking nose tackle after they signed Khalen Saunders to fill that role in free agency, but adding Smith wouldn’t hurt. He’s a good player and the best run defender in this draft class. But he doesn’t fit the niche the Saints are looking to fill at defensive tackle. They need an agile lineman with experience rushing the passer from the three-technique spot, and while Smith can push the pocket a little that’s hardly his main draw as a draft prospect.

Ironically, it’s exactly the projection for Adebawore to the next level, though he wasn’t asked to line up inside often at Northwestern. His college coaches played him out on the edge at defensive end but NFL coaches have almost exclusively been working him out at defensive tackle, projecting him to thrive in a move to the interior. But Brugler is as clued-in and well-sourced as it gets in this industry. Maybe the Saints are higher on Smith and his fit in their defense than we’re expecting.

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Checking out Jets’ picks in Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft

Thoughts on Dane’s mock?

The Beast unleashed “The Beast” as Dane Brugler of The Athletic not only released his draft guide but also came out with a full seven-round mock with the 2023 NFL Draft just days away.

Here, we’ll take a look at his picks for the Jets which include building through the trenches early and double-dipping on the offensive line.

Breaking down Chiefs’ picks in Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft

Our @goldmctNFL takes a look at Dane Brugler’s picks for the #Chiefs in his recent 7-round mock draft.

The 2023 NFL draft is almost here.

With the first round drawing closer, we’re getting some final mock seven-round mock drafts for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The latest full seven rounds come from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who is their top NFL draft authority and the author of “The Beast” draft guide.

Below you’ll find a quick breakdown and reaction to each pick:

Cowboys go no RB or WR in Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft

Dane Brugler made all 259 picks by himself and addressed most- but not quite all- of the Cowboys’ roster needs with their 7 selections. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Dane Brugler, The Athletic‘s draft expert, took on the entire NFL draft by himself and made all 259 picks in his completely comprehensive mock. And while he didn’t include any of the blockbuster trades that will inevitably shake things up between now and the naming of Mr. Irrelevant, the seven-round exercise offers a great way to zero in on each team’s needs and which prospects might be there to meet them as each club goes on the clock.

Brugler has the Cowboys addressing most- but not quite all- of their big holes and known problem areas with their seven selections. A few of the names will be ones that have come up before in previous mocks and projections- and are even known to be on the team’s radar screen through pre-draft interviews and visits- but there are always few surprises when the cards (even hypothetical ones) get turned in.

Here’s how Brugler conducted the Cowboys’ draft, along with scouting reports from Jon Machota, the outlet’s staff reporter who covers the Cowboys, on how each pick might fit into the team’s plans.