Tag: James Hudson

Chris Hubbard out, Jack Conklin questionable for Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets

The Cleveland Browns will be out one tackle in Chris Hubbard and are still waiting on Jack Conklin’s status vs. the New York Jets.

The Cleveland Browns will be out at least one offensive tackle when the New York Jets come to town on Sunday. Veteran tackle Chris Hubbard will miss the game against the Jets, while starting right tackle Jack Conklin’s status remains up in the air this week.

Should the Browns choose to rest Conklin again this week, James Hudson will once again get the start as he comes off of a staggeringly impressive game against the Carolina Panthers. Conklin has been out since he suffered a dislocated elbow, then a season-knee injury in November a year ago.

Will Conklin make his debut? I guess we will find out in two days.

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Film Room: Cleveland Browns get massive leap from James Hudson

The Cleveland Browns found success in the form of right tackle James Hudson against the Carolina Panthers. Can he win the starting job sooner rather than later?

The Cleveland Browns are about to enter into their Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets on the heels of a Week 1 victory over the Carolina Panthers and former quarterback Baker Mayfield. Before we completely turn the page over, right tackle James Hudson deserves some praise for his performance.

With Jack Conklin still recovering from a year with a multiplicity of injuries that nearly caused him to retire, the second-year right tackle out of Cincinnati has been thrust right back into action off of a lackluster rookie season. However, it seems as though Hudson took his job personally this summer as he looked like a transformed player this past Sunday.

While he may not start with Conklin potentially gearing up to go this week against the Jets, let’s take a look at Hudson’s strong season opener.

Why the Browns’ offensive line was Baker Mayfield’s biggest problem against the Steelers

The Browns had a horrible outing against the Steelers. Blame an abysmal offensive line performance before you point fingers at Baker Mayfield.

When a quarterback has a disastrous game, the fault formula for that disaster is generally part quarterback, part receivers, and part offensive line. Football is the ultimate team sport, and no horrible outing is usually one person’s fault.

In the case of Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, it was everybody’s problem. In a 26-14 loss, Mayfield completed 16 passes on 38 attempts for 185 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, nine sacks, and a passer rating of 53.1. We’ve discussed at length all the issues with Cleveland’s offense this season, and generally speaking, we’ve let the offensive line off the hook. But we can’t do so in this case.

Yes, Mayfield had some errant throws. Yes, his receivers dropped passes. But the primary instigators of this particular offensive malady were the five guys up front. Steelers edge-monster T.J. Watt racked up four sacks, mostly against overwhelmed right tackle James Hudson, but Hudson wasn’t the only problem, and Mayfield brought that up after the game.

“I’m not going to get into too many details about that as a full season evaluation,” the quarterback said when asked about the round-robin at the right tackle position due to injury. “We’ve, obviously, been pretty banged up. I believe in James — I pray to God you guys don’t spin this into something where I’m criticizing James Hudson. That’s not what I’m doing. We’re talking about an All-Pro that he’s going up against and he hasn’t had very many starts. So I’m proud of James. He kept swinging, he kept fighting.

“Now, when it comes to, what we’ve had to deal with all season, there’s been a lot of ups and downs. You know, do I believe I can play better? Absolutely. Do I believe there’s better that we as an offense could have been put in that are better? Absolutely. There’s so many critiques throughout the year, if there wasn’t, we wouldn’t be sitting here at 7-9. So, it is what it is.”

Was Hudson a problem? Absolutely. Was he the only problem along the front five in this game? Absolutely not. Everybody on that line, including and especially guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, who in most weeks could be called the NFL’s best guard duo, had games they’d like to forget.

We’re going to spend all kinds of time this offseason discussing Mayfield’s future, and whether he’s the best quarterback option for the Browns, but this whomping wasn’t nearly as much Mayfield’s fault as some might prefer to believe.

Browns Rookie James Hudson could start at left tackle in Week 2

Third left tackle by Week 2 and it is a rookie who looked unprepared in the preseason? The concern may be rising in Cleveland:

The Cleveland Browns are still hopeful that starting tackle Jedrick Wills will not miss much time with his left ankle injury but could have major issues in Week 2. Wills went down early in the Browns Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was replaced by veteran swing tackle Chris Hubbard.

Wills played fine as a rookie and was looking to build on that season in year two but, on Jarvis Landry’s touchdown run on fourth and 1, stepped on a Chiefs player and rolled his ankle.

Hubbard, who returned from a knee injury that occurred late last season, was okay filling in for Wills but had his struggles. Unfortunately for Cleveland, Hubbard is dealing with a triceps injury that could keep him out against the Houston Texans.

Next up? Rookie James Hudson III:

 

Hudson was a fourth-round pick of the Browns in the 2021 NFL draft. Seen as a player with moldable traits out of the University of Cincinnati, Hudson struggled mightily in the preseason with a 42.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus which was brought down by the terrible 31.6 pass-blocking grade.

For the Cleveland offense to function at their highest, the Browns will need at least serviceable play at the left tackle spot until Wills can return. If Hudson is forced into duty, expect tight ends and running backs to provide help on pass blocking downs. The Texans will also try to test the rookie with stunts and twists to create as much havoc as possible.

Injuries happen but the Cleveland offense could be down to their third-string left tackle in Week 2 with Blake Hance, likely, backing him up.

Grading the Browns Day 3 haul in the 2021 NFL draft

The Browns landed several players on Day 3 including OT James Hudson

The third day of the NFL draft is all about finding potential. Browns GM Andrew Berry and his scouting staff landed several players with high long-term potential in the final four rounds of this weekend’s 2021 NFL draft.

The Day 3 haul

James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati – 4th round

Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State – 4th round

Tony Fields, LB, West Virginia – 5th round

Richard LeCounte, S, Georgia – 5th round

Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA – 7th round

As an entire class, it’s a day focused on players who likely will only play on special teams as rookies. Hudson is a developmental tackle who needs seasoning; he began college as a defensive tackle at Michigan before switching to offense for the Bearcats. Even though he’s the first of the Saturday picks, he’s the least likely to play outside of special teams in 2021.

Togiai fills the need for depth on the interior defensive line, where the depth chart has been rocked with upheaval. He has the upside to play in the rotation and eventually start.

The final three picks are all about special teams. That is not at all meant as disrespect to the trio, because the Browns sorely need help filling several holes left by player departures from the special teams core group. Fields seems a natural fit to take over the Tae Davis role, while LeCounte can plug the hole left behind by Tavierre Thomas. Felton could win the return gig right away.

Overall, it’s a group that might not have a lot of impact outside of special teams in 2021. The Browns didn’t need more than that. Hudson, LeCounte and Togiai could become more important players on the offense and defense in time, too. They could have gone for more immediate impact at wide receiver or cornerback but that wasn’t the focus. A developmental QB might have been nice but certainly wasn’t something the Browns needed, either.

Grade: B

James Hudson: What the Browns are getting in their 4th round pick

The Cleveland Browns have selected former Cincinnati offensive tackle, James Hudson. What are they getting?

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With the 110th selection in the 2021 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns have selected James Hudson, offensive tackle from Cincinnati. Please do not get on twitter, but turn on any game and then you will see why the Browns selected Hudson.

Getting Hudson this late in the draft is a steal and there is a huge drop off in offensive tackle talent after the Bearcat. Hudson is a former highly touted recruit who enrolled at Michigan, but decided to transfer Cincinnati for greener pastures.

I his one season starting for the Bearcats, Hudson was phenomenal and was a key reason for their success this season. His tape checks every physical box you could ask for with the ideal size, length and quick feet to play tackle, but his pro day told a different story and that is why he sits in the fourth round.

Hudson is a developmental prospect that may need a few years to smooth his rough edges, but if he can maximize his potential, Hudson can be a starter at left tackle.

Browns select Cincinnati OT James Hudson at No. 110 overall

Browns select Cincinnati OT James Hudson at No. 110 overall

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With the No. 110 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Cincinnati offensive tackle James Hudson. It was the team’s first selection on Day 3 of the draft.

Hudson is an athletic left tackle who will come to Cleveland as a bit of a developmental project. He initially played defensive line for the Bearcats before switching to offense and the lack of experience at the position shows at times. But for just one full year of playing offensive tackle, Hudson showed a lot of potential and traits to succeed.

This pick was acquired via a prior trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Where does Washington go in new Kiper/McShay ESPN mock draft?

With the 2021 NFL draft just eight days away, ESPN’s draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay get together for a combined three-round

With the 2021 NFL draft just eight days away, ESPN’s draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay get together for a combined three-round mock draft.

In this mock draft, Kiper and McShay alternate picks, with Kiper beginning at pick No. 1 and are selecting based on what they would do — not necessarily what they think the teams will do.

The Washington Football Team has four picks in the first three rounds, including two selections in the third round. We will give you Kiper and McShay’s pick with their analysis and offer our thoughts on each selection.

At No. 19 overall, Kiper selects Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis.

Washington has a great front four, but it could upgrade at middle linebacker. Davis has elite tape from the 2020 season, and he has some coverage ability, too.

Davis has continued to move up the boards. He was excellent on tape in 2020 and tested extremely well. He would add much-needed speed and playmaking ability to linebacking group in dire need of it.

At No. 51 overall, Kiper goes with Stanford quarterback Davis Mills.

Kiper is sticking with this pick. He made the same choice in his solo mock draft last week.

Here’s the sixth quarterback in the class. Mills is all over the place on teams’ boards, but he makes sense in Washington, which isn’t picking high enough to take one of the top five signal-callers. Mills played in only 14 games at Stanford, so there is some risk taking him any higher.

I absolutely see why NFL teams are torn on Mills. He has the size, arm strength and overall physical tools of a top-10 pick. Then, there are the red flags of health and inexperience. If you truly believe in a quarterback, you often take them in the first round. Mills should not go in the first round, but getting him in the second round is smart if Washington believes in his skill set.

With their first third-round pick at No. 74 overall, McShay goes with Cincinnati offensive tackle James Hudson.

Yet another Day 2 lineman who can play inside or outside, Hudson needs some development time. He’s a defensive-line convert who only has one full season as a starter under his belt.

I love this pick in the third round. Hudson is raw, but the skills are there. This is where you trust your coaches, and Washington has an excellent offensive line coach in John Matsko. Hudson has the size and skills to play tackle or guard.

At pick No. 82, McShay goes with South Carolina wide receiver Shi Smith.

The Washington offense needs more weapons, and Smith is a strong route runner with good speed and hands. He really impressed at the Senior Bowl and then ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day.

I like Smith. He didn’t have good quarterback play in college, or he otherwise may have been selected higher. I just don’t love the pick with some of the other players left on the board, like Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth. WFT should absolutely select another wide receiver at some point in the 2021 NFL draft, preferably someone who can work in the slot. Smith can.

In this mock draft, Washington added some players in positions of need. Davis should start immediately, while Mills and Hudson are developmental players. With Smith, Washington hopes it strikes third-round gold again after getting wide receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Antonio Gibson in the last two drafts.

16 OTs the Colts could draft to replace Anthony Castonzo

Which OTs are best for the Colts?

The Indianapolis Colts offensive line has been considered one of the best in the NFL over the last few years after selecting Quenton Nelson in the 2018 NFL draft.

The unit took on a major loss when their long-time left tackle, Anthony Castonzo, announced his retirement on January 12. His void is still a glaring issue when you take a gander at the current roster. While general manager Chris Ballard added veterans Sam Tevi and Julién Davenport in free agency, both players should be viewed as depth pieces that will compete for a spot on the roster. 

Indianapolis currently only has six picks and only two (Nos. 21, 54) of those fall on the first two days of the draft. Ballard has made at least eight selections in his four draft classes so it will be interesting to see if he stays put or trades back to add some ammunition for him to work with. It will be dependent on how the board falls and if one of his guys will fall to the No. 21 pick.

While left tackle is a pressing need, that doesn’t mean it will be the first position off the board for the Colts. Offensive tackle is one of the deeper groups in this class so Ballard can wait if he needs to, but he should leave Day 1 or 2 with the next left tackle that will be counted on to fill Castonzo’s shoes. 

There have been 18 offensive tackles selected in the first round of the last five NFL drafts:

2016: 4
2017: 2
2018: 2
2019: 4
2020: 6

Based on recent history, we can expect at least three tackles to hear their names called on the first night. Teams that could select a tackle before Indianapolis include the  Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Football Team, and Chicago Bears. As it is every year, we truly don’t know how the board will fall on April 29.

Let’s take a look at some potential Day 1 and 2 options for the Colts.:

2021 NFL draft: An offensive tackle for Chargers in each round

Here is a look at some of the offensive tackles the Chargers could consider in each round of the 2021 NFL draft.

The offensive tackle spot sits near the top in regards to positional groups that need to be addressed in the upcoming draft for the Chargers.

Luckily, this year’s crop has starting caliber talent from the first day of the draft all the way until Day 3.

With that being said, here’s a tackle from each round that could fit in Los Angeles:

Round 1 | Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

Darrisaw, the 6-foot-5 and 315 pounder, was a three-year starter with 34 starts in college, all of which came at left tackle. Allowing only six total pressures on 267 snaps in pass protection, he has good length, demonstrates good timing and quickness with his punches, and has plus grip strength.

In the run game is where Darrisaw is at his best, flashing good quickness moving forward. He shows solid ability to reach and has the athletic traits and movement skills when getting to the second level to pave the way for ball carriers.

Overall, Darrisaw projects as a strong NFL starter at left tackle with All-Pro upside.

Honorable Mention: Samuel Cosmi, Texas

Round 2 | Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State

Radunz only played in one game this past season, but he made 32 consecutive starts at left tackle to close out his collegiate career and the Bison went 32-0 in those games. He earned 79.1 and 87.2 pass-blocking grades in his 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively, per PFF.

While he needs to get better at finishing blocks, Radunz has the athleticism, range, foot quickness and run-blocking temperament needed to succeed in the NFL. While he develops more mass and add bulk to his frame, his skillset suggests a high ceiling.

Round 3 | James Hudson, Cincinnati

After not allowing a single sack and only giving up six total pressures on 358 pass-block snaps this past season, Hudson had still gone under the radar. However, he raised some eyebrows last month in Mobile, AL at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The former defensive lineman shows off lower body athleticism, a wide base, aggressive hands and competitive temperament to stay square to rushers in pass protection. In the run department, he shows the athletic ability when pulling and quickness to reach block.

Given the position transition, Hudson’s technique is still a work in progress and he could afford to add more mass and strength, but he has potential to be a high upside starter at tackle.

Honorable Mention: D’Ante Smith, East Carolina

Round 4 | Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa

After starting 32 of 33 games, Brown decided to sit out of his final season due to the delay until the spring because of COVID-19. He used that time to train with former NFL offensive tackle Joe Staley to help improve his game in preparation for the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Towering at 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds, Brown has the combination of size, length and athleticism to thrive in the NFL. The former tight end is a mirroring magician in pass protection with smooth feet, plus core strength aggressive hands and flexibility.

While Brown is a premiere pass protector, he needs to develop more power and improve the finer details to the position that will lead to more success in the run department. With some refinement, he could be a quality starter at the next level.

Honorable Mention: Brady Christensen, BYU

Round 5 | Adrian Ealy, Oklahoma

Starting all 11 games in 2020, Ealy earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors. Ealy allowed only three sacks on 421 pass blocks, per Pro Football Focus. In 2019, he also secured Second-Team All-Big 12 marks, starting all 12 games. He appeared in 28 games in three seasons, starting 23 of them.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and 324 pounds, Ealy has the size that NFL teams are looking for. He has great footwork and decent movement skills for his size and he is an aggressive player moving forward in the running game. Ealy needs to refine his pass blocking technique, but he has the necessary traits to be counted on.

Honorable Mention: Walker Little, Stanford

Round 6 | Dan Moore, Texas A&M

For the past three seasons, Moore served as Aggies’ starting left tackle, starting in 36-straight games. Moore was named a second-team All-SEC selection this season by the league’s coaches in 2020. He was a key piece of an offensive line that only allowed six sacks all season.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Moore has a guard frame with great length for the position. He is a decent athlete, showing foot quickness, lateral mobility and lower body power to generate movement. Moore’s hand usage needs work, but his skillset offers a solid developmental option.

Honorable Mention: Cole Van Linen, Wisconsin

Round 7 | Josh Ball, Marshall

Ball was a former four-star recruit and member of Florida State, but he was dismissed after some off-field issues. After joining the Thundering Herd, he didn’t start until the 2020 season, where he asserted himself as a promising hog molly.

Checking in at 6-foot-7 and 309 pounds, Ball isn’t that hard to miss on the football with his giant-sized body. He is a powerful tackle, showing strong hands at the point of attack. Ball shows decent athleticism and adequate length to make it difficult for pass rushers to get around him.

Ball projects as a swing option on both sides at the next level, as he doesn’t possess a significant strength nor an unfixable weaknesses. If his baggage checks out, he would be an intriguing developmental piece.

Honorable Mention: Carson Green, Texas A&M