Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The second 2023 NFL mock draft roundup includes a few new names
Mock draft season is upon us and that means our mock draft roundup is back!
What we do every week is track the mainstream outlets mock drafts and aggregate how many times a player gets selected. Last season, we tallied up 173 mock drafts and only 10 of them were on offense. This season could end up being much of the same.
We will track them and try to determine trends and patterns, along with giving my own analysis on how they could fit with the Minnesota Vikings
The Aggies defender is the fifth different cornerback mocked to the Vikings
Cornerback continues to be a need for the Minnesota Vikings and mock drafts are out in full force sending the Vikings different players at the position.
In the latest mock draft from USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, he has the Vikings taking the fifth cornerback we have seen so far in Texas A&M’s Jaylon Jones.
Here is what Middlehurst-Schwartz had to say about the selection.
“Having ranked 31st in pass defense (265.6 yards allowed per game) and with cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan set to become free agents, the Vikings’ secondary looks ripe for change. The 6-2, 205-pound Jones sizes up as a smart fit for Minnesota’s zone-heavy scheme. “
Jones has a really nice size profile to fit in the Vikings’ quarters and cover-two heavy scheme. With a good week of athletic testing at the combine, this could be a nice spot for him.
Bears CB Kyler Gordon explained how he and fellow rookies Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell shut down Bills stars Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.
This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.
The Bears started three rookie cornerbacks in Saturday’s game against the Bills, featuring top draft pick Kyler Gordon and undrafted free agents Jaylon Jones and Josh Blackwell.
It was a potential recipe for disaster going against one of the league’s best passing offenses featuring Bills quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs.
“We get hype about that,” Gordon said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Before the game we’re all looking at each other, like it’s all rookies. We get to go out here and we get this opportunity to go and show the whole world how we go and how our secondary is. It’s so exciting, so we’re all hyped to do that and we have fun.”
No one saw what came next: The Bears held Allen to 172 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and they held Diggs to just two catches for 26 yards.
“You’ve gotta show up and give him respect, but at the same time they tie their shoes just like us and they had to show us today,” Jones said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “I feel like we did pretty good.”
People expected Gordon to be in this position as a second-round draft pick. But for guys like Jones and Blackwell, who went undrafted, watching them step up with guys injured and perform as they have against some of the top talent in the NFL has been impressive.
“To fast forward four months and I’m starting against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, it’s a blessing for sure,” Blackwell said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “I’m humbled to even have this opportunity but I think it’s something that I really worked for and to get that opportunity you’ve just got to make the most of it.
“When you play Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, it’s always fun to have that challenge. Then you play a game like this and it’s like, ‘You know what, I actually do kinda belong. I can play with anybody. That’s arguably one of the best offenses in the league and you learn that you’re more than capable to be in this league.”
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]
From Luke Getsy’s development as an OC to Alex Leatherwood’s solid debut, here are our takeaways from Bears vs. Packers.
The Chicago Bears dropped yet another game to the Green Bay Packers and were eliminated from playoff contention for the second season in a row. The Bears fell 28-19 after allowing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers back into the game late, unable to secure a win after leading most of the game.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields looked impressive in his return from injury, but two late interceptions halted any hope of a victory. Rodgers and the Packers did enough late to seal the game and for the first time in 100 years, lead the NFL in all-time wins.
Like most of their games this season, the Bears were in it all the way until the end but questionable decision making by the coaching staff and a defense held together by duct tape couldn’t secure the win. Here are our takeaways from Sunday’s loss.
Select Players speak after 17-9 win over Miami
Texas A&M (2-1) is coming off their best victory of the year so far, defeating the then 13th-ranked Miami Hurricanes among a sold-out Kyle Field, with the third largest crowd in history at 107,245 attending the primetime contest.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher entered the week surrounded by media criticism after coming off of one of their more shocking losses in program history against Appalachian State a week prior, knowing that a win against a top 20 ranked opponent under the lights of Kyle Field could finally get the team back on track.
In what was a fierce defensive battle for most of the contest, Newly minted starting quarterback Max Johnson engineered three scoring drives, while the Aggies scored the only two touchdowns of the game. Running back Devon Achane and wide receiver Ainias Smith led the team offensively, accounting for 204 yards out of 264 for the night.
Overall, Texas A&M’s defense was the story of the night, as pre-game player suspensions paired with multiple ejections for targeting during the game (Demani Richardson, Brian George) gave the defense all they could handle, as D.J Durkin rotated in as many players as he could, with a bulk of the snaps given to true freshmen.
After the thrilling win, Jimbo Fisher as well as a group of select players answered questions about the game, looking forward to their always exciting SEC opening game against the Arkansas Razorbacks next Saturday night. Here are the best quotes from Layden Robinson, Max Johnson, and Jaylon Jones:
Texas A&M’s Thursday Press Conference: Jaylon Jones and Fadil Diggs take the mic
Texas A&M held its weekly press conference on Thursday afternoon. After nearly a month into fall camp, head coach Jimbo Fisher and select players including cornerback Jaylon Jones and defensive end Fadil Diggs took questions as the Aggie’s season opener on September 3rd is nearly two short weeks away.
This year’s camp has been thoroughly enjoyable, to say the least, with a hefty amount of media attention given to the ongoing quarterback competition, the early flashes from members of the historically talented 2022 recruiting class, and new offensive line coach Steve Addazio’s various tweaks made to the O-line starting rotation every week so far. Giving an update on how camp has progressed this week, junior cornerback Jaylon Jones and sophomore defensive end Fadil Diggs answered a plethora of questions before Jimbo reached the stage.
Jaylon began by reflecting on the 2021 season, specifically the closing stages before Covid-related issues nixed their chances of participating in the bowl game:
“I feel like going into the bowl week, we really wanted to play that game and finish the season right, but due to COVID, we couldn’t. Other than that, it has felt like a regular offseason.”
Jones then highlighted the importance of having senior defensive backs Myles Jones and Brian George in the defensive backfield, while also noting how impressed he is with the wide receivers so far in practice:
“Having those vet guys back and having those guys back brings depth to our cornerback room.”
“The wide receivers are going their thing and doing great. Evan Stewart is a guy. The receiver corps, they give us good matchups, so I appreciate those guys.”
Jones continued when asked if there were any major differences between former defensive coordinator Mike Elko’s defense and current coordinator D.J. Durkins:
“It’s a little different with the defensive schemes, but not much.”
On the defensive mindset, and the competition level in practice:
“Physical, fast, get to the ball, alignment, assignment, technique.”
“The competition is always at a high level with this team. Going out there every day, we make each other better.”
As the last player to answer questions for the day, Fadil Diggs reflected on what it was like to play alongside DeMarvin Leal, Micheal Clemons, and Tyree Johnson during the 2021 season:
“What I learned was to make practice harder than the games, and I’d like to pass that on to the younger guys. … I’m trying to give the leadership to those guys that they gave to me.”
Diggs on what he can bring to the Aggies pass rush this season:
“I just try to play my own game. I know those guys did a lot, but I’m just trying to be Fadil Diggs. I learned a lot from those guys, but I’m just doing what I do best.”
Asked about what brought him all the way to College Station, Texas from New Jersey, Diggs answered,
“It was a family decision. I have great relationships with the coaches. It was just different for my family. We did a lot of research, and I found out about the Aggie Network, which is very strong.”
When asked about the progress made from the much-anticipated freshman defensive line group, Diggs gleefully responded,
“They work hard every day, and I’ve noticed the more we’ve gotten into camp that their confidence has shot up. That’s great for them, and those young guys are going to be special.”
Finally, Diggs briefly discussed the mindset in the locker room, as the team is only mere weeks away from the season opener against Sam Houston State:
“We’re taking it a day at a time. We’re worried about today’s practice. The talk in the locker room is not about Sam Houston. We talk about today’s practice and how we can get better as a team.”
[listicle id=4266]
[listicle id=4237]
The Bears kick off the preseason against the Chiefs on Saturday, and there are a number of players vying for roster spots.
The Chicago Bears kick off the preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, and there are a number of players vying for roster spots and starting jobs.
While the starters will play around 15 to 20 snaps, it’s the players on the roster bubble who will see plenty of opportunities on Saturday. There are a number of players who have made waves during training camp, but they’ll need to have it translate to the preseason, where they’ll see their first live action of the summer.
Ahead of Chicago’s preseason opener, we’re taking a look at some roster bubble players to keep an eye on against Kansas City:
Darnell Mooney is showing he’s already in midseason form at Soldier Field with this highlight grab.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney has already made quite a few impressive catches at Soldier Field throughout his career and he’s not letting up, even in practice. The Bears held practice at their home stadium for their annual Family Fest on Tuesday morning and Mooney treated the fans in attendance to a treat, while also showing off his strong chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields.
During team drills, quarterback Fields dropped back and delivered a deep ball towards Mooney, who climbed the ladder over defensive back Jaylon Jones to make a one-handed grab on the sidelines. The play was caught on video by multiple fans in the stands, who erupted in applause.
— HopLegion (@HopLegion1) August 9, 2022
WHAT A CATCH BY @Darnell_M1! 🔥
Letting Bojack know about it too. 🗣#BearDown | #Mossed pic.twitter.com/r30bXbjdg8
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) August 9, 2022
JF1 to Money Moon! #BearDown pic.twitter.com/bUOM7mBGoX
— Da Bear Essentials Podcast ™ (@DaBearsPod) August 9, 2022
Had the play taken place in a real game, the catch would have gone for about 25 yards across the 50-yard line.
Mooney is set to be the team’s top wide receiver this season after a season in which he caught 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. He will be counted on as a big part of the passing game when the regular season starts. But if this play is any indication, Mooney is already showing that he’s in midseason form and it’s just the first of hopefully many highlights to come at Soldier Field this year.
In the latest 2023 NFL mock from Draft Wire, the New York Giants select Washington State QB Cameron Ward.
The 2022 NFL season hasn’t begun yet but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to look forward to the 2023 NFL draft.
Draft Wire recently came out with a two-round mock for the 2023 NFL draft, and here’s who they predict the New York Giants will target.
They have the Giants selecting ninth overall, meaning that 2022 will be another losing season.
Round 1, Pick 9: New York Giants | Washington State QB Cameron Ward
The Giants declined the fifth-year option on Daniel Jones’ contract, so barring massive improvement from the former top-10 pick this season, the Giants will be looking for his replacement here. Ward looked like he was playing NCAA Football 14 on rookie mode at Incarnate Word, and if he can do anything similar in the Pac-12, he could easily end up warranting a top-10 pick.
Selecting a quarterback in 2023 means a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo never happened.
Most pundits are pretty certain that Jones will fail to prove he is a franchise quarterback this season. The selection of Ward in Round One would be a prudent move should that happen. On the other side of the coin, if Jones plays up to pedigree and reaches the next level, the Giants should fare better in 2022 and will not be selecting so high in the drat next year.
Round 2, Pick 41: New York Giants | Texas A&M CB Jaylon Jones
As for the second round pick, taking a cornerback is customary in almost every draft for NFL teams, so grabbing one of the top players a that position would be in order especially for a team that has needs such as the Giants.
[pickup_prop id=”25050″]
[lawrence-related id=694940,694949,694945]
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
In Draft Wire’s latest two-round mock, the Colts added a QB and a CB.
The Indianapolis Colts haven’t truly begun their scouting for the 2023 NFL draft, but it is expected to be a big one for the organization.
Our friends over at Draft Wire recently released a two-round mock draft, and the Colts wound up with a new quarterback and cornerback with their two selections.
Though the Colts have potential for three selections in the first two rounds, it’s difficult to project the conditional third-round pick turning into a second until we know more about Carson Wentz’s situation with the Washington Commanders.
Without further ado, here’s a look at the two players the Colts selected in Draft Wire’s latest mock:
