Tag: Draftwire

Where Jack Coan lands in DraftWire’s 2021 NFL Draft quarterback rankings

Despite two of the Power Five conferences canceling their fall football seasons and the issues surrounding eligibility being unsolved at…

Despite two of the Power Five conferences canceling their fall football seasons and the issues surrounding eligibility being unsolved at the moment, Luke Easterling of DraftWire published his “Early QB rankings for the 2021 NFL Draft” on Friday and coming in at No. 23 is Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan.

Other Big Ten quarterbacks in the rankings are Ohio State’s Justin Fields at No. 2, Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan at No. 5, Penn State’s Sean Clifford at No. 22 and Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez at No. 24.

TheDraftNetwork’s ranking of Coan is in the same ballpark as DraftWire’s as they have him as the No. 272 overall prospect and No. 18 quarterback for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Coan is entering his senior season with the Badgers so, as referred to above, since the Big Ten canceled their fall season whether he will be able to play in the spring or next fall is yet to be decided.

One thing that is known at this point, though, is that the New York native helped his draft stock immensely last season but still needs another productive year to see himself drafted before the sixth or seventh round.

Hopefully we haven’t seen the end of Jack Coan in a Wisconsin Badger uniform.

 

 

 

Two Longhorns in DraftWire’s latest mock draft

In DraftWire’s latest mock draft, the five-year first-round drought is finally going to end for UT. Plus, another defensive back selected.

Texas has not produced a first-round pick since 2015, when Malcolm Brown went No. 32 overall to the New England Patriots. Since then, Connor Williams is the program’s highest draft selection where he was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round.

In DraftWire’s latest mock draft, the five-year first-round drought is finally going to end for the Longhorns.

Samuel Cosmi is the best NFL prospect Texas has produced in years and it may pay off for the left tackle. DraftWire projects Cosmi to sneak into the top 20, with the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting him at No. 20 overall.

Three other offensive tackles were taken ahead of Cosmi, with all but one inside the top 15. Penei Sewell (No. 4), Walker Little (No. 15), and Alex Leatherwood (No. 18) are currently ahead of the Longhorn of Luke Easterling’s draft board.

Texas’ staff has done an excellent job developing the tackle, as the 247Sports composite only had him as a three-star prospect. In the 2017 recruiting class, he was No. 104 in the country for tackles.

According to PFF, in 1,162 career pass-blocking snaps, Cosmi has only allowed four career sacks. He and Derek Kerrsetter developed as the best tackle duo in the Big 12 last season.

Cosmi was not the only Texas player taken in the three-round mock draft. Safety Caden Sterns was taken No. 55 overall in the second round to the Philadelphia Eagles.

When Sterns is selected, it will be the fourth year in a row where the Longhorns have had a defensive back taken in the draft. DeShon Elliot, Kris Boyd, and Brandon Jones have represented Texas’ secondary in the NFL recently.

Going into his junior season, Sterns has the potential to see his draft stock rise with a solid 2020. After his fantastic freshman season, it seemed as Sterns would live up to his five-star potential and become a first-round draft pick.

If he can stay fully healthy, the safety should be flying around the field and once again be making plays like this.

Texas has had trouble turning their successful recruiting classes and developing them into NFL talent.

Tom Herman’s best-ever recruiting class came in 2018, totaling 19 blue-chip recruits, including two five-stars. It was the No. 3 overall class and ranked about schools like Alabama, Clemson, and Oklahoma.

Now, these former recruits are draft eligible for the first time and will be looking to turn professional. This will be a key year for Herman, showing he can take a top-five recruiting class and turn multiple players into Day One or early Day Two draft selections.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Report: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley to opt out of 2020 season

One of the top cornerback prospects in the country is opting out of the 2020 college football season.Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley will not play for the Hokies this season, opting instead to get a head start on his preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft.Listed at 6-2, 207 pounds, Farley is widely regarded as a potential first-round pick in next year’s draft

One of the top cornerback prospects in the country is opting out of the 2020 college football season.Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley will not play for the Hokies this season, opting instead to get a head start on his preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft.Listed at 6-2, 207 pounds, Farley is widely regarded as a potential first-round pick in next year’s draft

Report: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley to opt out of 2020 season

One of the top cornerback prospects in the country is opting out of the 2020 college football season.Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley will not play for the Hokies this season, opting instead to get a head start on his preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft.Listed at 6-2, 207 pounds, Farley is widely regarded as a potential first-round pick in next year’s draft

One of the top cornerback prospects in the country is opting out of the 2020 college football season.Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley will not play for the Hokies this season, opting instead to get a head start on his preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft.Listed at 6-2, 207 pounds, Farley is widely regarded as a potential first-round pick in next year’s draft

Jets trade Jamal Adams to Seahawks for multiple 1st-round picks

The Seahawks have traded for one of the best safeties in the league in Jets’ Jamal Adams.Adams starred at LSU before becoming a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro over his first three seasons

The Seahawks have traded for one of the best safeties in the league in Jets’ Jamal Adams.Adams starred at LSU before becoming a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro over his first three seasons

Jets trade Jamal Adams to Seahawks for multiple 1st-round picks

The Seahawks have traded for one of the best safeties in the league in Jets’ Jamal Adams.Adams starred at LSU before becoming a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro over his first three seasons

The Seahawks have traded for one of the best safeties in the league in Jets’ Jamal Adams.Adams starred at LSU before becoming a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro over his first three seasons

Mock Draft Monday: Two Longhorns in the first two rounds

Two different mock drafts recently released have Samuel Cosmi in the top 15 and another Longhorn selected in round two.

Over the last several years the Longhorns haven’t had many draft selections to celebrate. It is well known that the last first round pick that Texas has produced goes back to 2014 with Malcolm Brown to the Patriots. That could very well change in the 2021 NFL Draft. The big name to watch is offensive tackle Sam Cosmi. He could be the highest offensive lineman drafted since Mike Williams was selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2002.

Recently CBS Sports came out with another NFL Mock Draft in which Samuel Cosmi was selected in the first round. Not only a first round selection but a top ten pick. According to R.J. White, the Dolphins land Cosmi at number nine overall.

The Dolphins picked up a potential left tackle in Austin Jackson in the 2020 draft, but there’s no harm in adding more talent at the position and having the luxury of figuring out where everyone will play later on. Protecting Tagovailoa is paramount.

With a new quarterback that has had his fair share of injuries, protecting him should be top priority. Cosmi has played on both the left and right sides of the line so he provides flexibility. As White stated, get your best group and put them on the field. That will give Tagovailoa the best chance to succeed.

Our colleague at Draft Wire, Luke Easterling put out his own two-round mock draft in which two Longhorns were selected. He saw Cosmi’s projection much the same as CBS with him going to Miami with the 13th selection overall.

His second pick for the Longhorns predicted safety Caden Sterns to the Detroit Lions. The Lions take Sterns with the 38th pick overall. He would be the eventual replacement of another former Longhorn, Quandre Diggs who was traded to Seattle during the 2019 season. The Lions are in need of playmakers on the back end after trading Diggs and Darius Slay.

Kenny Willekes named one of the biggest steals of the 2020 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings selecting Kenny Willekes in the 7th Round has been named one of the biggest steals of the draft by DraftWire.

[jwplayer jEyuKxXM]

I think most Michigan State fans walked away from the 2020 NFL Draft feeling like the MSU Football players available were overlooked. The Spartans only had two out of fourteen eligible players drafted this year, and the two players that did get selected were taken much later than projected. Kenny Willekes specifically was in the 4th/5th round range on many draft boards, but fell to the 7th round where he was finally taken by the Minnesota Vikings. Due to their ability to get a player like Willekes in the final round, the selection of the MSU defensive end has been named one of the biggest steals of the draft by DraftWire.

Here is what our sister site DraftWire had to say about the pick:

“Willekes comes in ranked 154th overall on the Draft Wire board, with a fourth-round grade, but Mike Zimmer was able to find him in the seventh round. Everson Griffin remains unsigned, and the team could use depth. Willekes racked up 26 career sacks for the Spartans while earning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2018. He was awarded the Burlsworth Trophy given to an outstanding player who started as a walk-on.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Mock draft watch: Defensive help comes to the rescue for the Lions

Draftwire’s Luke Easterling comes up with a 3 round mock and focuses heavily on defense for the Detroit Lions

With the NFL draft inching closer and with the latest news of a “virtual” draft on the horizon, experts are trying to make their final predictions as to what teams might do come draft day. The latest mock draft comes from our brother site Draftwire, where editor Luke Easterling projects a 3-round mock for each team. 

Easterling selected Okudah for the Lions in his last mock draft and decided the fit is too good to change it up. Okudah has been a popular selection for the Lions even before the Darius Slay trade. He is barred none the best cornerback prospect in this draft class and isn’t even close. He will significantly help a Lions secondary who desperately needs someone opposite Desmond Trufant. Okudah’s skill set matches precisely what the Lions are looking for in the cornerbacks and would be a welcomed addition and bring fresh blood into the cornerback room.

Without any trades in this mock, TCU’s defensive lineman Ross Blacklock was tagged as the Lions’ second-round selection. Blacklock is a versatile lineman who can play at the 1 and 3 techs and offers more as a pass rusher than a run stuffer. For a 300 pound behemoth, his athleticism is top-notch, allowing him to bully guards and wreak havoc in the backfield, but may over pursuit from time to time. With the Lions’ potential switch to even man fronts, Blacklock could slide right in a defensive lineup who desperately needs lineman.

Another defensive lineman, the Lions could look to grab who was still available, is Justin Madubuike, who would fit perfectly if the Lions go towards a defensive scheme change.

With their first third selection, fan-favorite, and Senior Bowl standout, Josh Uche was the choice. Uche opened a lot of eyes at the Senior Bowl, especially with Lions, as they got a first-hand look at the versatile defender. He has a rare blend of a sharp bend and twitch, plus with his freakishly long arms, he was able to win on 28.2% of his generated pressures — good for second-best in the FBS.

He is a more athletic version of Devon Kennard but would play more in the WILL position than the JACK because of his strong coverage ability. With how the Lions love players who bring multiple attributes, Uche will be a substantial force for a team that is in a desperate need for an EDGE presence.

The pick the Lions acquired in the Slay trade was used on wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, their first and only offensive player in this mock. Peoples-Jones production was lacking at his time in Michigan, but the questionable quarterback play did not help him at all. He processes all the athletic traits you are looking for in a receiver, and versatile enough to play at any receiver spot, but probably best as a big slot. Given the Lions need at receiver, this was the best option available this late in the draft.

Easterling does a great job of not only finding players in areas of need, but scheme fits as well for the Lions, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The only area I would’ve addressed earlier is the receiver position. Brandon Aiyuk and K.J. Hamler were available in the second, and Bryan Edwards was there for the Lions’ at the top of the third. I would have no qualms if the Lions tagged one of these receivers in lieu of the other selections.

 

Chase Young skipping on-field drills at combine

Ohio State DE Chase Young is skipping on-field drills at the NFL combine this week He will do interviews and medical testing but will wait to go through drills his pro day Young is projecrted to be one of the first few players selected in this year’s draft, going as high as No. 2 to Washington

Ohio State DE Chase Young is skipping on-field drills at the NFL combine this week He will do interviews and medical testing but will wait to go through drills his pro day Young is projecrted to be one of the first few players selected in this year’s draft, going as high as No. 2 to Washington