Tag: Juice Scruggs

Bucs 2023 draft targets: Guards/Centers

Here are a few prospects on the interior of the o-line the Bucs could do well to target:

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have spent the past few years stockpiling interior offensive linemen, they have yet to settle on a direction to take the group. Their logjam at the position may keep the Bucs from prioritizing guards and centers in this year’s draft, but it should not keep them from drafting any at all.

In the nine drafts that Jason Licht has been the Bucs’ general manager, he has drafted an offensive lineman in seven of them, taking six players between the tackles. It is likely not an accident that over time Licht has used higher and higher picks on interior linemen, indicating his growing appreciation for the return on talent at the position.

Since 2021, he has used picks in rounds two and three to take Luke Goedeke and Robert Hainsey in an effort to inject youth and plan ahead for losses at the position. The retirement of Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa’s departure in free agency last year dramatically diminished the Bucs’ quality of play along the interior of the offensive line.

Hainsey was a serviceable center when starter Ryan Jensen missed the entire regular season with a knee injury, but Goedeke looked completely overwhelmed at left guard. The position was only stabilized when Nick Leverett took over for Goedeke following an injury.

Heading into the 2023 season, the Bucs are primed for a battle at both guard spots after trading veteran Shaq Mason to the Texans. Hainsey, Goedeke, Leverett and veteran Aaron Stinnie are all in the running, but none of them have proven that they can be stalwarts on the line.

The Bucs also have to plan for the future. Ryan Jensen is 31 years-old and is signed only through 2024. His chief backup Robert Hainsey is also due to be a free agent in 2024. Leverett and Stinnie are playing on one-year deals. The Bucs interior offensive line is on a two-year timeframe at best.

That is why another pick spent on the interior line is well within the realm of possibility. The Bucs have too many other needs to spend more than a Day 3 pick on guard or center, but with five picks over rounds five and six, there is opportunity to take a shot on the interior offensive line.

Here are the interior offensive linemen the Bucs could target in the 2023 NFL Draft:

Browns trade up to get a dynamic defender in 2023 NFL Mock Draft

Could the Browns move up for another linebacker if he falls in the draft?

Mock draft season begins to wrap up with the 2023 NFL Draft less than three weeks away. The Cleveland Browns have re-signed two of their own middle linebackers but lack a long-term answer at the position. Two years ago the team traded up for talented linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah when he fell in the draft and they could do it again this year.

Andrew Berry has shown that he is willing to move up for a high-rated player on his board as well as trade back to gain future assets. If the talented linebacker Trenton Simpson falls in the draft the team could move up for him after meeting with him for a pre-draft visit.

Top offensive players for the Browns in the 2023 NFL Draft

Who on the offensive side of the ball should be on the Browns’ radar?

The offense of the Cleveland Browns has improved so far this offseason especially after adding wide receiver Elijah Moore in a trade with the Jets. The team continued to add speed by signing veteran Marquise Goodwin and adding athletic backup tight end Jordan Akins from the Texans. And now we are inching closer to the 2023 NFL Draft.

There is still room for improvement and an offense can never have enough young playmakers and depth pieces in the NFL. The Browns have questions behind Nick Chubb with Kareem Hunt set to leave town as well as some questions about the future of the offensive line at the guard position.

Let’s take a look at some players the Browns should target in this month’s draft.

 

30 Browns prospects in 30 days: Juice Scruggs, Center, Penn State

The versatile lineman could provided much needed depth.

The 2023 NFL Draft is just three weeks away and the Cleveland Browns need depth along their offensive line. Targeting a player like Penn State center Juice Scruggs makes a ton of sense due to his versatility. He played the entire season at center in 2022 however a majority of snaps in 2021 were at right guard showing that he can provide depth at both positions.

The team has an interest in Scruggs as they met with the lineman during the scouting combine. In the past two seasons, Scruggs has only allowed three sacks combined and just one playing center in 2022.

Scruggs is a strong player that has great hand placement that knows how to play with good leverage. He moves well in the open field when pulling and climbing to the next level. He still needs some work in the run game but he has all the tools for Bill Callahan to mold him into a solid player at multiple positions.

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Chargers trade back, stack deck on both sides in 4-round mock draft

In our latest 4-round mock draft, the Chargers trade back, get an additional second-round pick and bolster both sides of the ball.

The Chargers are currently slated to pick No. 21 overall in the 2023 NFL draft, which is just over three weeks away, at least for now.

In a recent media availability, general manager Tom Telesco hinted at the possibility of a trade back.

“Certainly, when you’re in that late first, there’s probably a little bit more of a thought,” said Telesco. “Essentially, at that point, you’re taking a player that at least you have graded as a second-round player.

That’s all really subjective. But if you can trade back a little bit and pick up a pick and still get maybe even the same player or close to the same player, then it’s a pretty good deal to do.”

If they were to trade back, this would mark the first time that Telesco has done it in his tenure as Los Angeles’ GM.

So what if Telesco pulls the trigger? I did a mock draft that saw the Chargers trade the 21st pick for the Bengals’ 28th and 60th selections.

Let’s dive into the haul.

Could Giants be seeking to ‘Juice’ up their offensive line?

The New York Giants have met with Penn State center Juice Scruggs, whose name is reportedly beginning to buzz in NFL circles.

The New York Giants are in the market for a center (or two) this offseason and have yet to add one via free agency. They will likely select one in the 2023 NFL draft.

Some of the names bandied about are Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann, John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota, Ohio State’s Luke Wypler, Olu Oluwatimi of Michigan, and Arkansas’ Ricky Stromberg.

One player who has not been mentioned as much is Penn State’s steady center, Juice Scruggs. He is reportedly on the Giants’ radar as well as other teams.

We outlined the Giants’ meeting with Scruggs at Penn State’s pro day this week and should they get beaten out on some of the others in the draft, they could turn to Scruggs but it’s very possible he’s their target right now.

Scruggs is widely viewed as a mid-to-late-round pick but his stock appears to be rising.

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Sean Clifford discusses not being invited to NFL combine

Did Sean Clifford have a chip on his shoulder after not being invited to the NFL combine?

After his pro day workout on Friday, the now former Nittany Lion quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] spoke to the media.

It did not take long for him to be asked about and then address his thoughts on not being invited to the NFL scouting combine earlier in the month. Clifford dove right in by saying “I mean, I feel like I was snubbed for sure, the body of work that I’ve had with these teams here when I didn’t see my name as a Combine guy, I felt disrespected for sure. But, hey, it’s just more fuel to the fire…”

Both college football and NFL draft pundits have long discounted Clifford. While he doesn’t have the physical gifts or the film to flash to NFL teams, what he brings to the team as a whole with his leadership and work ethic is what he is trying to sell as well as his teammates. His center, [autotag]Juice Scruggs[/autotag] mentioned that is what he tells teams when they ask them about his former quarterback.

“They want to know what type of player he is, how is he off the field…that’s a guy that you should not pass up on. Whoever gets him is getting a steal because that guy works day in and day out, and he doesn’t complain. He comes in, works, and makes sure everybody else is good, too. He’s just a leader at heart. I tell that to every team that asks.”

Scruggs should find himself drafted and potentially starting right away. At the very least he will be in the league as a serviceable player for a long time. Clifford with his work and leadership would be a great addition to any quarterback room. Teams look for that, especially with other young quarterbacks around and teams should be able to recognize that.

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Giants attend Penn State University pro day

The New York Giants attended the Penn State pro day on Friday and talked with center Juice Scruggs.

The New York Giants have cast a wide net this offseason and that has continued with their presence at multiple college pro days around the country.

General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have been on the road, going from city to city as their scouting efforts increase. But they certainly haven’t been alone as other Giants personnel are also making stops at multiple universities.

On Friday, the Giants stopped in at the Penn State pro day with eyes on a few specific prospects.

In addition to safety Ji’Ayir Brown, the Giants also caught up with center Juice Scruggs.

The Giants have a need at both positions but perhaps no need is more glaring than center. The team lost both Nick Gates (Washington Commanders) and Jon Feliciano (San Francisco 49ers) and are now without a true anchor in the middle of their offensive line.

Scruggs is widely viewed as a late-round pick and may not represent the Day 1 starter needed by the Giants, but he’s an interesting prospect nonetheless. NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein describes him as “dependable” and “consistent,” which is likely music to the ears of Daboll.

A two-year starter with center/guard versatility, Scruggs is dependable and consistent in carrying out his assignment to the best of his ability. He plays like a block of granite that is difficult to push back or knock off-balance, but he’s more of a neutralizer than road grader. He plays with solid technique and possesses the play strength to hold his own in the middle. The lack of foot quickness shows up with athletic defenders leaking around his edges and that issue could be exacerbated if teams play him at guard. Scruggs has the potential to go from backup to eventual starter if the situation is right.

There are no pro days scheduled on Saturday or Sunday, so the Giants will finally get a couple of days off.

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5 players who can improve their stock at Penn State’s Pro Day

Here are 5 players that can improve their stock by good performances at Penn State’s Pro Day.

Penn State is hosting their Pro Day on March 24th, inviting scouts from NFL teams to watch former Nittany Lions go through drills.

13 players are getting the opportunity to showcase their skills and meet with personnel to improve their draft stock. There are the names like [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] who have solidified themselves as picks, but there are also fringe players hoping to hear their names called in the late rounds.

The list of participants on the offensive side of the ball include, quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Juice Scruggs[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag], wide receivers [autotag]Mitchell Tinsley[/autotag] and [autotag]Parker Washington[/autotag].

The defensive players participating are, defensive tackle [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Nick Tarburton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Jonathan Sutherland[/autotag], cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and safety Ji’Ayir Brown.

Three specialists will also showcase their skills. Long snapper [autotag]Chris Stoll[/autotag], punter [autotag]Barney Amor[/autotag] and kicker [autotag]Jake Pinegar[/autotag] will be going through drills and meeting NFL teams.

Here are five players that can improve their draft stock by performing well at the Pro Day.

Browns had formal meeting with Penn State C Juice Scruggs at the NFL Scouting Combine

This was before re-signing Ethan Pocic, but worth monitoring

While this was before the team re-signed starting center Ethan Pocic, the Cleveland Browns did meet with a 2023 NFL Draft hopeful at the center position at the NFL Scouting Combine. Sitting down with Penn State leader and center Juice Scruggs, the Browns could be looking to improve the depth at the center position with the main event just a little over a month away.

With Dawson Deaton being a late seventh rounder, his roster spot is not set in stone. Nick Harris, while he possesses potential, is entering his contract year after blowing his knee out in 2022. Scruggs is a solid center who will not blow anyone away, but a player who is sturdy and could spot start if needed.

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