Tag: Justin Jefferson

2020 NFL draft: Top prospects to watch in National Championship Game

2020 NFL draft: Top prospects to watch in National Championship Game

On Monday night, the eyes of the college and NFL world will be on the Louisiana Superdome as LSU and Clemson battle for the College Football National Championship.

There will be plenty NFL scouts in attendance and with the Eagles have several needs, Monday night will be a prime opportunity to scout some of college football best athletes.

Here are a few of the top prospects that can help the Eagles to watch courtesy of the Draft Wire:

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1. Justin Jefferson — WR — LSU

The Eagles can use an explosive playmaker on the outside and Justin Jefferson is a huge reason that Joe Burrow will be the No. 1 pick. Jefferson can run every route, he creates big plays and his explosiveness would put the Eagles offense on another level.

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2020 NFL draft: Top prospects to watch in National Championship Game

Monday night’s national title showdown between LSU and Clemson is loaded with top prospects for the 2020 NFL draft

This coming Monday all eyes will be on the National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana. While both teams are playing for college football immortality, for select players it goes beyond their final game in a college uniform.

There will be plenty NFL scouts in attendance as they get one final opportunity to put their notes together in a game before the offseason bowl games, combines and pro day workouts.

LSU TIGERS

QB Joe Burrow

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

At this point it seems like a foregone conclusion that Burrow will be the number one overall selection at this point. His Heisman season put him on the map and with the Cincinnati Bengals likely done with the Andy Dalton era all but over, look for Burrow to take off one tigers jersey and trade it for one in orange and black.

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Eagles 3-round mock draft after Wild Card playoff loss to Seahawks

Here is a 2020 NFL Draft 3-Round Mock Draft for the Philadelphia Eagles following their Wild Card playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

It was a disappointing loss for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, as they fell to the Seattle Seahawks 17-9 in the NFC Wild Card playoffs. Quarterback Carson Wentz was knocked out of the game in the 1st quarter on a cheap shot to the head from Seahawks pass rusher, Jadeveon Clowney. The loss of Wentz was the final nail in the Eagles coffin, or for a better way to describe it, the final player that needed the blue medical tent before it was too much for the Eagles to overcome in 2019.

Philly had so many injuries this season that many have lost count. No team in the NFL needed the offseason more than the Eagles, so now they can heal up and be ready for 2020. They also will have the chance to add some help to their team in the 2020 NFL Draft. After the loss to the Seahawks, the Eagles officially locked themselves into the 21st pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

It will be interesting to see what Roseman and the Eagles do in the draft, but here is a 3-round mock draft following their exit from the playoffs.

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Round 1, Pick 21: C.J. Henderson, Cornerback, Florida

Cornerback is the biggest need for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft. That is why former Florida Gators cornerback C.J. Henderson needs to be a target for the Eagles. Henderson is the next shutdown cornerback in the NFL. He has elite coverage skills and he is already better than every single cornerback the Eagles have.

Henderson would give defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and the Eagles defense a difference-maker at cornerback, which is something they haven’t had in forever. The former Gator would be the Eagles No. 1 cornerback the day he walked into the building and give them a piece to build on for the defense.

The big knock on Henderson is that he doesn’t help much in the run game, but the Eagles do not need a cornerback who can help in the run game. They need a cornerback who does not get burnt deep three times a game and can also make a play on the football. Henderson did not have any interceptions this year, but he had 6 in his career at Florida, as well as 20 passes defended, with a career-high 11 in 2019.

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2020 NFL Draft: Bills bolster both sides of the ball in 3-round mock

In the three-round mock draft, Easterling has the Bills drafting a cornerback in round one.

In Draft Wire’s most recent mock draft, published just before the New Year, Luke Eastering sees a scenario where the Bills further bolster their defense. Interestingly enough, Easterling has Buffalo in selecting a best-player-available scenario, strengthening the defense and searching for value on day two of the draft.

In the three-round mock draft, Easterling has the Bills drafting a cornerback in Round 1. Ultimately, the first selection would give the Bills a firm solution opposite Tre’Davious White.

Here’s how Draft Wire breaks down Diggs’ selection by the Bills:

Rd. 1 Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama

This defense already boasts one of the NFL’s top corners in Tre’Davious White, but the Bills could use an upgrade on the other side of the field. Diggs has the size, athleticism and ball skills to make an immediate impact for one of the league’s best units.

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Trevon Diggs. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Diggs was named an All-American by various publications and analysts, ranging from a first-team selection to a third-team choice. He intercepted three passes this year and allowed a passer rating of only 44.5 when targeted this year. Diggs elected not to play in the Citrus Bowl this year.

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Watch all of Joe Burrow’s touchdown passes in first-half blowout of Oklahoma

This one is over. Go enjoy your night.

The Oklahoma Sooners were on the wrong side of history in the College Football Playoff semifinal against LSU on Saturday.

Joe Burrow became the first player in the history of the College Football Playoff to throw for seven touchdowns in a game — and he accomplished the feat in the first half.

That’s not all. He’s already tossed for 403 yards and finished the half with fewer incompletions (6) than touchdown passes (7). This is just unfair.

His touchdown passes haven’t been easy, either. They’ve rarely come on short fields. Burrow is throwing the ball deep down the field and connecting with his targets over and through Oklahoma’s defensive backfield. He’s been straight up dominant.

Here’s a look at every single one of his touchdown passes so far.

First, he hit Justin Jefferson on a 19-yard strike. 7-0.

Then he hit Terrence Marshall on the move. 14-7.

For touchdown number three, he hit Jefferson down the field after he burned his man. 21-7.

For touchdown number four, he hit Jefferson deep and got a great effort from his receiver on the catch. 28-7.

Rinse, wash, repeat for touchdown number five. Jefferson got his fourth touchdown catch of the game on this play. 35-7.

After that, for touchdown number six, Thaddeus Moss got loose on the defense in a busted covered. He was as wide open as can be. 42-14.

For the final touchdown, he hit Marshall again in the back of the endzone. 49-14.

If there was ever a time when we needed a mercy rule in college football, it’s right now. Oklahoma is done. What an incredible half from Burrow and LSU.

[opinary poll=”will-lsu-win-the-national-championship_f-g4Ff” customer=”forthewin”]

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LSU WR Justin Jefferson catches 4 1st-half touchdowns in Peach Bowl

LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is lighting up the Oklahoma defense in the Peach Bowl

The LSU Tigers are running away with the Peach Bowl at halftime, and they have plenty of players to thank for their massive halftime lead.

Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow is lighting up the Sooners defense, and his favorite target has been Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson has hauled in four of Burrow’s five touchdown passes in the first half, as the Tigers have built a 49-14 lead heading into the locker room. Through two quarters, Jefferson’s stat sheet looks like a video game: Nine receptions, 186 yards, and the four scores.

One of the top receiver prospects in the country, Jefferson is putting on an absolute show for NFL scouts and decision-makers on one of college football’s biggest stages. This performance will bode well for his draft stock moving forward.

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Joe Burrow throws for 403 yards, 7 touchdowns in 1st half of Peach Bowl

Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow is destroying the Oklahoma defense in the first half of the Peach Bowl

The Heisman Trophy winner is living up to the hype in the College Football Playoff.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is torching the Oklahoma defense in the first half of Saturday’s Peach Bowl semifinal, tossing seven touchdown passes, four of them to Justin Jefferson.

Burrow now has a whopping 55 touchdown passes this season, all while setting an FBS record for completion percentage and only throwing six interceptions. His incredible run is continuing against what was touted as a much-improved Sooners defense.

Burrow has 403 passing yards through two quarters, completing 21 of 27 passes with no interceptions.

There’s technically still time for Oklahoma to make a comeback, but unless Burrow switches teams for the second half, it looks like the Bayou Bengals will be waltzing into the national title game.

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2020 NFL mock draft: 3-round draft sees CB early for Bills

Paulson Adebo to the Buffalo Bills in Draft Wire’s latest 2020 NFL mock draft.

The Bills arguably have the best secondary in the NFL. Could the club add the cherry on top with their first-round pick at the 2020 NFL draft? Draft Wire seems to think so.

In their latest three-round mock draft after Week 15, the Bills do exactly that, adding cornerback Paulson Adebo from Stanford.

Here’s explanation as to why:

25. Buffalo Bills

Paulson Adebo | CB | Stanford

It feels unfair to keep loading this defense up with studs, but that’s exactly what happens here. The Bills already have one of the league’s best corners in Tre’Davious White, but giving them another talented cover man like Adebo would make their secondary even more scary.

Making the case for a cornerback for the Bills in the first round is tough looking through the spectrum of their offense and other needs, even on defense. But at the second cornerback spot, the Bills have had a rotation with Levi Wallace and Kevin Johnson this season. The Bills have shown in the past that they’d prefer having someone in that role that the team can trust to play almost every snap in games.

Rounding out Buffalo’s next two picks are more of those needs we’ve referred to via the receiver and pass rusher positions:

58. Buffalo Bills | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

89. Buffalo Bills | Julian Okwara | EDGE | Notre Dame

Jefferson is a popular pick for the Bills via Draft Wire, as he was their selection in the most recent mock draft prior to this one. In Jefferson, the Bills would land a potential project for their No. 1 wideout spot in the future. After getting rid of Zay Jones, the Bills have a need for youth there as John Brown and Cole Beasley are playing well, but are vets. The 6-foot-2 Jefferson would give the Bills a bigger body the offense and Josh Allen needs on the outside, too.

Via Okwara, the Bills would help replace and put fresh blood into their pass rushing situation. The Bills could be without Shaq Lawson and Trent Murphy next year due to their contract situations. While the Bills have gotten to opposing quarterbacks in the second half of the season, plenty have come from the inside of their defensive line via Jordan Phillips and Ed Oliver. The edge defender position could see some improvement.

2020 NFL mock draft: 3-round draft lands Bills two LSU Tigers

Buffalo Bills 2020 mock NFL draft sees team select two LSU Tigers.

LSU is known as “DB U.” Just ask former LSU cornerback Tre’Davious White. The school has a rich history of producing top-notch defensive backs for the NFL.

Draft Wire recently released an early 2020 NFL mock draft and in it, the Bills address two of their biggest needs via the LSU program. But neither is a defensive back, as the Bills take a pass rusher and wide receiver from the school with two of their first three picks.

Here’s how Draft Wire’s three-round projection pans out for the Bills:

25. Buffalo Bills
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
A defensive coach like Sean McDermott loves getting raw talent he can mold into a star, and that’s exactly what Chaisson brings to the table. A long, athletic pass rusher with a wide range of moves already, Chaisson could quickly develop into an impact player.

58. Buffalo Bills | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

89. Buffalo Bills | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU

With Chaisson, the Bills would find themselves a potential replacement for Trent Murphy or Shaq Lawson. As of late, the Bills have found an ability to get to opposing quarterbacks, but over the course of the last two seasons overall, Buffalo has struggled in that department. Pass rusher should be a high-need to add for the Bills. Lawson is currently slated to be a free agent while Murphy could be a cut candidate.

In Jefferson, the Bills would land a potential project for their No. 1 wideout spot in the future. After getting rid of Zay Jones, the Bills have a need for youth there as John Brown and Cole Beasley are playing well, but are vets. The 6-foot-2 Jefferson would give the Bills a bigger body the offense and Josh Allen needs on the outside, too.

Gladney isn’t a player the Bills would immediately need, but it’s hard to argue with. Levi Wallace and Kevin Johnson have split time across from White this season but the six-foot DB in Gladney could be groomed into a full-time starter. Sean McDermott has undoubtedly had success selecting defensive backs during his time as Buffalo’s coach, too. So if McDermott likes him, it might not be a bad thing.

How Georgia football’s defense can limit LSU QB Joe Burrow

UGA’s defense allows 10.4 PPG. It’s the best defense LSU has seen all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best the Dawgs will face in 2019.

Georgia’s defense is giving up 10.4 points per game and is by all metrics the best defense LSU has played all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best that the Dawgs have faced in 2019 and is led by Joe Burrow, who will likely have his name inscribed onto the Heisman Trophy in a few short weeks.

Burrow has completed an insane 314 of his 401 passing attempts (78.3%), has thrown an even more insane 44 touchdowns, and has amassed 4366 passing yards, enough to make him the SEC record holder for passing yards in a single season.

Those numbers are staggering and present a daunting task for the Silver Britches. But if any unit can possibly limit Joe Burrow, it’s the Bulldogs’ smothering defense.

The Tigers’ quarterback is poised and methodical with an ability to scramble outside the pocket the extend plays. He keeps his eyes downfield and has the speed to roll out and tuck the ball for quick gains to the sideline.

For the Junkyard Dawgs to diminish Burrow’s prowess, they need to keep him in the pocket. Rushing three men while dropping eight, including a spy linebacker eyeing the quarterback, keeps Georgia’s defense in a man free alignment that can negate big plays and contain Louisiana State’s explosive offense.

In 2019, several SEC West teams have used this formation in attempt to confuse Burrow to no avail, but Georgia’s speedy and physical defense possesses better athletes than any defensive group the Tigers have seen thus far, save for Alabama (which is debatable).

All of this is much easier said than done against a team with the Southeastern Conference’s best performing signal caller and an embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position, which includes Biletnikoff Award finalists Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. If Georgia’s secondary can maintain man coverage downfield while the front seven can keeping a spy on Burrow, they can hand LSU their first loss of the year.