The 10 most realistic 1st-round options for Washington in the 2021 NFL draft

Washington is going to have a lot of options at No. 19, but these 10 players seem to be the most likely to be on Ron Rivera’s draft board.

When it comes to the 2021 NFL draft, Washington’s first-round pick will be pretty important for the future of the franchise. The team has done well in recent years with guys like Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, Montez Sweat, and Kamren Curl, but a need to hit big on your first-round pick is always crucial. We saw it pay dividends with the selection of Chase Young at No. 2 overall last year, and we can hope that Ron Rivera and his team get it done once again this year.

Washington currently holds the No. 19 pick overall and assuming there are no trades, here are the 10 most reasonable guys to consider when they are on the clock. This is based on who the top 10 players were on the board when Washington went on the clock in 25 simulated one-round mock drafts. Unfortunately, none of the top-tier quarterbacks fell that far.

Chargers have had virtual meeting with West Virginia DT Darius Stills

The Los Angeles Chargers are doing their homework on a first-team All-American.

The Chargers could be looking to add more talent on the defensive line this offseason.

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, Los Angeles had a FaceTime meeting with former West Virginia defensive tackle Darius Stills.

As a junior, Stills earned All-Big 12 first team honors while starting 11 games. He followed that up by becoming WVU’s first consensus All-American in fourteen seasons in 2020.

Stills finished his career the Mountaineers with 85 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks.

Stills, the 6-foot-1 and 285 pounder is a polished pass rusher with the first-step explosion and hands to get in the backfield, but needs to improve his leverage to hold his own in the run game.

Stills currently projects as a third or fourth-round selection.

Which former Longhorn landed in the best situation in the NFL?

Three Longhorns were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, but which one landed in the best situation?

Between safety Brandon Jones and wide receivers Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson, it’s tough to pick which of the three walked into the best situation with their new team. Continue reading “Which former Longhorn landed in the best situation in the NFL?”

Notre Dame Football Lands Two on 2021 CBS Big Board

CBS released their top 100 big board for the 2021 NFL Draft and on it you find two Notre Dame offensive linemen but nobody else from ND.

The NFL Draft came and went almost two weeks ago now and for those make their livings off the draft, evaluations for the 2021 version have already begun.  We’ll have a bit on that in the coming days no doubt I wanted to share with you the big board that CBS has put together.

Two Notre Dame players make the top 100 and it’s not a surprise to see either as offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg checks in at 38 and right guard Tommy Kraemer is rated 55.

Both are near elite in pass protection but not near the road-graders that we’ve seen in the run game compared to a few NFL stars that have played for Notre Dame in recent years.

For anyone who watched last year you saw an offensive line that struggled against the better opponents in run blocking, specifically Georgia and Michigan.

I’m again surprised that outside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah isn’t on this list.  If you’re doing a mock of the first round or two, fine, I get it.  To not be included in the top 100 overall, though?

I know a players draft forecast isn’t solely based on production but in one year he was responsible for 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.  Sure, the pass rush game won’t offer as much help to him this year but it will also provide what should be a better chance to shine, too.

Can Eichenberg and Kraemer grow where their ability in the run game nears their ability in the pass game?  And can I buy draft stock in JOK right now?  I really want to invest in it because this is yet another draft production that is undervaluing a star level talent.

NFL comparisons for Miami Dolphins guard Solomon Kindley

NFL pros that former Georgia football and now Miami Dolphins guard Solomon Kindley compares to.

The Miami dolphins selected Georgia guard Solomon Kindley with the No. 111 pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Kindley is the third offensive lineman from Georgia taken in this years draft behind Andrew Thomas to the Giants and Isaiah Wilson to the Tennessee Titans.

Kindley (6-foot-3, 327 pounds) brings incredible power and anchoring ability to the Dolphins. Something that Miami fans should be excited about as he will be tasked with protecting Dolphins’ first round pick and Alabama great Tua Tagovailoa in years to come.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote:

“Nasty guard who lives in scrap mode, looking for fights inside a relatively small phone booth where he’s most comfortable.”

Here are a couple of NFL guards that Kindley’s game most resembles:

Shaq Mason (6-1, 310) New England Patriots

Mason is known for using his leverage and strength at the point-of-attack and at 6-foot-1 it is nearly impossible to win the leverage game against him as a defender. Now, Kindley possesses the power, width and strength to move guys like Mason does, but his technique will have to be molded to be a quality NFL starter.

Larry Warford (6-3, 313) New Orleans Saints

Warford is another pro that is one of the nastiest run-blockers in the NFL. Like Kindley and Mason, Warford traps defenders in the run game and once he establishes leverage, defenders are trapped and at his mercy. Warford backs up his power in the run game with steady feet in pass-protection, another thing that Kindley will have to improve on in Miami.

Miami Dolphins fans, get to know your new OG Solomon Kindley

Saturday, the Miami Dolphins selected Georgia guard Solomon Kindley with the 110th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Miami Dolphins selected Georgia guard Solomon Kindley with the 111th overall pick (4th round) in the 2020 NFL draft.

If you’re a Dolphins fan, you may be wondering who Kindley is and what skills he will bring to Miami?

As a freshman at Georgia, Kindley was named to Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team and played in over 28 games over three years for the Bulldogs.

Kindley was part of one of the best Georgia offensive lines in recent memory and helped lead the Bulldogs to three straight seasons of 11 wins or more.

His fellow teammates Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson were also drafted this year and along with Kindley.

Kindley brings toughness and power at the guard position. At 6-foot-4 340 pounds, the Jacksonville, Florida native is a force inside and is a linebacker’s nightmare when he moves to the second level.

NFL draft analyst Lance Zeilein wrote :

“Nasty guard who lives in scrap mode, looking for fights inside a relatively small phone booth where he’s most comfortable. Kindley has the frame of a powerful guard, but doesn’t bend well enough to generate leverage and push at the point of attack. He’s a mauler with enough finesse to get to some reach and cut-off blocks, but faces scheme limitations.”

If there is one thing Kindley proved at Georgia is that he is a player that will exceed expectations. On a star studded line at Georgia, Solomon was named the most improved Georgia player in 2018 and won the “Up Front” award, given at team’s post-season awards gala in 2019.

NFL comparisons for Titans OT Isaiah Wilson out of Georgia

We list NFL comparisons for former Georgia football and now Tennessee Titans OT Isaiah Wilson.

The Tennessee Titans selected Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson with the 29th pick in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Wilson was an All-American as a freshman right tackle at Georgia and was bothered by injuries in his sophomore season. At 6-foot-7 340 pounds, Wilson is one of the largest tackles in this years draft.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote:

“Big, broad right tackle prospect with outstanding physical traits and above-average potential.”

To get an idea on how Wilson will preform at the NFL level, let’s look at two pros that Wilson’s game most resembles.

1. Demar Dotson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dotson (6’9″, 315 lbs) is one of the largest tackles in the NFL, but what resembles Wilson the most is his length. Both Wilson and Dotson are able to use their length to keep the pocket clean for their quarterbacks by forcing rushers out wide. 

2. Lane Johnson – Philadelphia Eagles

During Wilson’s career at Georgia, he excelled in run-blocking because of his footwork at his size. One of the best run-blocking tackles in the NFL, Johnson uses his footwork to turn the edge defenders which seals the gap and he also does a great job advancing to the second-level.

The Titans’ offensive line was already one of the best units in the NFL and after drafting Wilson, that trend should continue for years to come.

How to watch, listen, or stream day two of the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything you need to know in order to tune in to day two of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft has officially concluded, providing fans with no shortage of surprises, cheerful celebrations and everything in-between.

Although high-profile names grab the attention of many throughout the draft each year, it’s the second and third round selections that primarily assist in building a team’s roster.

Safety Brandon Jones and wide receivers Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson are Texas’ top draft prospects who have a legitimate chance to be selected on Friday night.

Everything you need to know to tune in for tonight’s virtual event:

DATE: Friday, April 24
TIME: 6 p.m. CST
LOCATION: Virtual
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes
LIVE STREAM: fuboTV
RADIO COVERAGE: SiriusXM, Westwood One, ESPN Radio. Digital audio coverage is also available via the TuneIn app.

Giants say why they chose Georgia OT Andrew Thomas at #4

New York Giants explain why they took Georgia football OT Andrew Thomas with the #4 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

On Thursday’s first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with No. 4 pick.

Thomas was the first offensive lineman taken in the draft that is full of talented guys up front like Jedrick Wills who went at No. 10 to the Browns, Mekhi Becton who went No. 11 to the Jets and Tristan Wirfs who went at No. 13 to the Buccaneers.

Following the Giants selection, GM Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge spoke to reporters about exactly why Andrew Thomas was the right pick for them.

Gettleman said:

 “He’s big, he’s long, he’s strong, he can bend. He can anchor in pass (protection). He’s very athletic in the open field, we are just really excited to have him, and continue to build this team properly.”

“Andrew certainly has a hell of a pedigree, a three-year starter in the Southeast Conference. He’s played against some real quality defensive ends during his college career. He has played big-time ball in front of a lot of people.”

Judge said:

 “I’ll tell you what, his skill-set favors his opportunity to come in and contribute. He’s long, he’s a good athlete, he has good short area redirect.”

“One thing that sticks out about him is when you watch the top pass rushers, with the exception of maybe a couple in this draft, they have to go against him. You watch his college tape and he is going against all the guys that you are going to see get drafted in the next couple of days. He does a heck of job on them, you see him compete, you see him play big in big games and that’s important.”

USA TODAY’s NFL 2nd round mock draft: Where do Georgia players land?

The second round of the 2020 NFL Draft begins tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN. See where Georgia players may land.

Thursday night, the Georgia Bulldogs had two first round draft picks, OT Andrew Thomas at No. 4 to the New York Giants and OT Isaiah Wilson at No. 29 to the Tennessee Titans.

The second and third rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft will be held tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN and we can expect several more Bulldogs to hear their name called.

Here is where USA TODAY thinks Georgia players will land in the second round:

33. Cincinnati Bengals – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia:

Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Davis of USA TODAY wrote:

Incumbent Joe Mixon is entering his walk year, rumblings of a holdout already surfacing. Swift – arguably the best player on the board – might be a more dynamic option anyway, possibly teaming with Mixon in the near term … possibly forming a special backfield with new QB Joe Burrow over the long run.

61. Tennessee Titans – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia:

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Davis of USA TODAY wrote:

His intangibles are off the charts even if his quantifiable attributes are not. Fromm might be a career backup … but could also blossom into a quality starter given the right opportunity. Nashville could be it.