Tag: Juwan Johnson

Saints use their final roster spot on slot receiver Austin Carr

The New Orleans Saints re-signed veteran slot receiver Austin Carr to a one-year contract, checking all 90 spots on their offseason roster.

The New Orleans Saints had just one spot left on their 90-man offseason roster, leading to some fun speculation among fans. Would the team use that vacancy to target one of the many veterans out there in free agency, going for broke on another pass rusher like Everson Griffen or Jadeveon Clowney?

No, it turns out. ESPN’s Field Yates reported Thursday that the Saints re-signed veteran slot receiver Austin Carr, which the team confirmed to be a one-year deal. Carr will be the thirteenth receiver to compete for five or six roster spots in training camp later this summer.

While he’s played often in his first three years with the team (averaging 22 snaps per game), Carr has rarely gotten open and drawn just 19 targets, including the postseason. He’s parlayed those opportunities into 11 catches to gain 111 receiving yards, scoring two touchdowns and converting six first downs.

We’ll see if Carr is able to make the roster again in 2020. He faces steep competition, but carries an edge as someone experienced in the Saints’ system. That could give him a leg up over undrafted rookie free agents like Oregon’s Juwan Johnson or Tennessee’s Marquez Callaway.

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2020 NFL Draft: Giants could target these Day 3 prospects

With the 2020 NFL Draft just around the corner, here’s a look at several Day 3 prospects the New York Giants could target.

There’s not much to do these days except analyze the upcoming NFL Draft and what we’ve done here is line up some possible Day 3 candidates for the New York Giants.

In both of the scenarios below, the Giants did not land Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons. In the first scenario, we passed on him at No. 4. In the second, he was gone before the Giants were on the clock.

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Using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator, here’s how the 2020 NFL Draft played out for the Giants.

Day 1

  • Round 1, Pick 4: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Analysis: Wirfs is a versatile, athletic lineman the Giants sorely need. They have a lot invested in Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley and they need some talent up front to help stabilize the trenches.

Day 2

  • Round 2, Pick 36: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
  • Round 3, Pick 99: Nick Harris, C, Washington

Analysis: Queen would be a steal here and more than make up for passing on Simmons in the first round. Queen next to Blake Martinez in a 3-4 would be a nice tandem. Harris is a down-and dirty interior lineman cut from the Richie Seubert cloth. Giant fans will love him.

Day 3

  • Round 4, Pick 110: Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
  • Round 5, Pick 150: Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
  • Round 6, Pick 183: Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland
  • Round 7, Pick 218: Calvin Throckmorton, OT, Oregon
  • Round 7, Pick 238: Carter Coughlin, LB, Minnesota
  • Round 7, Pick 247: Levonta Taylor, CB, Florida State
  • Round 7, Pick 255: Mitchell Wilcox, TE, South Florida

Analysis: Blackmon is a pretty good fourth round find. I feel he’d start for the Giants right away. Hodgins was a sleeper, but his name has been rising. Not sure he’ll be around at No. 150. Brooks is a physical safety the Giants will find many uses for. Throckmorton would have to excel in camp to make the roster, but he’s got some ability. The final three players are all boom or bust types, but are all good athletes with solid football acumen.

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4 Oregon Ducks the Seahawks could target in the NFL Draft

The Oregon Ducks just hosted their Pro Day, and there are four players the Seattle Seahawks could target from Oregon in the 2020 NFL draft.

While many colleges are cancelling their upcoming Pro Day events in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Oregon Ducks went ahead and held theirs without a hitch.

While standout quarterback Justin Herbert was the main story, this team has tons of other draftable players, many who could appeal to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks have been known to mine talent from Eugene in the past – including nickel corner Ugo Amadi and former Legion of Boom backup corner Walter Thurmond – and while there are not any defensive backs for Pete Carroll and company to scout from the Ducks, here are four players, including three offensive linemen, the Seahawks could pursue in the NFL draft from the University of Oregon.

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East-West Shrine Game 2020: 7 players for the Eagles to watch

Former Ohio State receiver Binjimen Victor among the players to watch in East-West Shrine Game

The NFL season is down to the final four teams, but for the other 28 franchises, the process of draft preparation has begun and that means scouting the collegiate all-star games.

The 2020 East-West Shrine Game is here and although it’s not the Reese Senior Bowl, a ton of mid-round and late-round prospects have taken advantage of the opportunity to put in work in front of the NFL scouts, coaches and executives.

Notable names to achieve greatness after the East-West Shrine Game include Jimmy Garoppolo, who has the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

Eagles stars Brandon Brooks and Avonte Maddox are also East-West Shrine alums, so the Birds have experience in plucking talent from this game.

Former Purdue signal-caller David Blough turned a 10-of-15, 149 yards and two touchdowns performance in last year’s game into five appearances for the Detroit Lions this season.

With Philadelphia currently having 10 draft picks and several in the later rounds, here are 7 players the Eagles and fans should keep an eye on.

***

1. Binjimen Victor, WR, Ohio State

Victor is an intriguing prospect and his Buckeye DNA gives him the benefit of the doubt when breaking down his tape and abilities on the outside.

Although not a star at Ohio State, Victor is a crisp route runner who is fluid coming out of the break with very sure hands. As a Senior for the Big 10 Champions, Victor had 35 catches for 573 yards and six touchdowns.

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