Tag: NFL Draft

Broncos move up one spot in 2020 NFL draft order after loss

The Broncos are getting closer to a top-five selection in the 2020 NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos blew a 20-point halftime lead against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and lost 27-23. It was a heartbreaking loss for fans in Denver but there is a silver lining. After the defeat, the Broncos moved up one spot in the 2020 NFL draft order.

Here’s the current order for the top 10 picks, courtesy of NFL.com:

  1. Cincinnati Bengals (0-10)
  2. Washington Redskins (1-9)
  3. New York Giants (2-8)
  4. Miami Dolphins (2-8)
  5. New York Jets (3-7)
  6. Denver Broncos (3-7)
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7)
  8. Atlanta Falcons (3-7)
  9. Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1)
  10. Detroit Lions (3-6-1)

After trading wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to the San Francisco 49ers, Denver will have seven picks within the first four rounds of the 2020 draft, including three third-round selections. With so much draft capital to work with, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Broncos GM John Elway make a few draft-day trades.

This year, Denver’s top draft selections were tight end Noah Fant, offensive lineman Dalton Risner and quarterback Drew Lock.

Next year’s draft will take place from April 23-25 in Las Vegas.

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2020 NFL mock draft: Updated 3-round projections after Week 11

See how Tua Tagovailoa’s season-ending injury impacts Luke Easterling’s latest three-round projections for the 2020 NFL draft

We’re halfway through November, which means while the NFL playoff picture is starting to come into clearer focus, so is the top of the board for next year’s NFL draft.

While the league’s worst teams are jockeying for position at the top of the first round, the nation’s top college prospects are trying to take advantage of key opportunities in big games down the stretch.

Here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out, using the latest updated order after Week 11 games:

1. Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

For the longest time now, it’s seemed Tua Tagovailoa was written into this spot with permanent marker. But Burrow’s performance so far this season has launched him into the No. 1 overall conversation, while a hip injury has ended Tagovailoa’s season. Burrow looks like the real deal in every way.

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

Another franchise in disarray, Washington needs to add as much talent as possible, regardless of position. They already have their quarterback of the future in Dwayne Haskins, so they need impact players elsewhere on both sides of the ball. Young is a monster of a pass rusher with all size, athleticism and technique to be a dominant player at the next level.

3. New York Giants | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

Offensive tackle is a bigger need and a more premium position, but GM Dave Gettleman has proven he’s willing to go for the dynamic playmaker over the pick that seems to make more sense. Jeudy is an explosive pass-catcher and the most polished route-runner in college football.

4. Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

After his season-ending hip injury, Tagovailoa is obviously the biggest wild-card in this year’s class. He’s since had successful surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery. That being the case, I’m leaving him in this spot for now. If his recovery has any setbacks that cause him to miss key workouts leading up to the draft, his stock could still take a hit.

5. New York Jets | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

If Sam Darnold is ever going to develop into the franchise quarterback the Jets drafted him to be, he’ll need a franchise left tackle to keep him upright. Thomas is the best of a deep class, and would be an immediate upgrade for New York.

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2020 NFL draft order: Look at where Eagles stand with 1st-round pick after Week 11

The Philadelphia Eagles would currently hold the No. 15 pick in the NFL Draft.

The Philadelphia Eagles currently sit at 5-5 on the NFL season, with hopes of a playoff run during the next six weeks.

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If the Eagles are unable to make the playoffs, they’ll settle somewhere into the middle of the first round, hoping to use that pick on a possible wide receiver or young cornerback. With Week 12 of the NFL regular season upon, Draft Wire broke the selection order for the NFL Draft and as it stands right now, the Eagles would be picking at No. 15 in the first round.

As it currently stands, the Eagles would have options at No. 15. If they decide to address the defensive line, they could target South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw, a strong and forceful defensive tackle.

If not a defensive tackle, the Birds could have their choice of either Oklahoma wideout CeeDee Lamb, Florida cornerback, CJ Henderson, Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Tua Tagovailoa has successful hip surgery, prognosis ‘excellent’

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had successful surgery to repair a scary hip injury that will end his 2019 season

A terrible situation for one of the nation’s top prospects continues to bring positive developments.

After suffering a scary, season-ending hip injury in Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa appears to be in a best-case scenario.

The Crimson Tide’s star player underwent successful hip surgery in Houston on Monday morning, and an official statement from the school says that Tagovailoa’s prognosis is “excellent,” and that a full recovery is expected (via Fox 6’s Kelvin Reynolds):

Widely regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Tagovailoa will miss the rest of the 2019 season. Though he still has eligibility remaining and could return to Alabama for the 2020 season, most expect him to declare for the 2020 draft.

Tagovailoa was tackled awkwardly by multiple MSU defenders in the second quarter Saturday, with many questioning why Tagovailoa was still in the game, considering the Tide were up 35-7 at the time. He was just weeks removed from surgery to repair an ankle injury.

Tagovailoa’s draft stock and long-term prognosis appear to be in good shape following this news, and here’s hoping he indeed makes a complete recovery and can return to full strength both on and off the field.

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Raiders win twice on Sunday with Bears loss

Raiders win twice on Sunday with Bears loss

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Week 11 couldn’t have gone any better for the Oakland Raiders. They were able to secure their sixth win of the season and left that game relatively healthy. Other AFC wild-card contenders, such as the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jacksonville Jaguars all suffered losses, improving Oakland’s playoff odds.

On top of that, the Chicago Bears lost their sixth game of the season, benching quarterback Mitchell Trubisky late in the fourth quarter – which the team says was because of an apparent hip injury. It’s evident that Chicago is not going to make the playoffs this season, and it is in danger of losing double-digit games with the Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs, and Vikings still on the schedule.

With Week 11 almost in the books, the Bears’ first-round pick that is owned by Oakland currently sits at No. 14. That could quickly move inside of the top 10 as there are three other teams with an identical record as Chicago.

The Khalil Mack trade was once thought of as one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history. But if Chicago’s first-round pick this season ends up inside the top 15, it might not look so bad after all.

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OL issues painfully apparent for Dolphins in Week 11 loss to Bills

The Dolphins’ offensive line was crippling in the second matchup this season against the Bills. Should Miami’s draft plans covet OL more?

The Miami Dolphins found themselves in real trouble yesterday after coming out sluggish on offense against the Buffalo Bills. While the halftime score of 23-14 seemed somewhat competitive, keep in mind seven of those points came thanks to a 101-yard kickoff return by Jakeem Grant just before the half. To provide context on Miami’s offensive struggles, the Bills defensive line accounted for six sacks on the afternoon while holding the Dolphins run game to a paltry 23 yards on 13 attempts.

Combine these figures with the apparent “eye test” of Miami’s offensive effort against the Bills and it becomes clear once again that the offensive line is a problem in Miami. A big one.

There are so many holes in the Dolphins’ tanking conspiracy that keep it from holding water — Miami has still won two of their last three games and continues to play aggressive. But with that success comes a higher draft order position — and Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering a severe injury this past weekend, perhaps Miami should consider a 2020 NFL Draft strategy that focuses on the trenches.

For those of us who have been saying that the Dolphins should be “Bailing for Burrow”, that in itself looks more difficult by the week. While the LSU Tigers starting man under center is still healthy and heavy favorite to win the Heisman, with Tagovailoa’s injury it is safe to assume that Joe Burrow will be QB1 for many teams — including the 0-10 Cincinnati Bengals.

Yes, Miami can still trade all the picks they’ve stockpiled to draft at whatever spot they want and still have an excess of picks left over — but is it smarter to draft the offensive lineman they want first and get the quarterback later?

Since Laremy Tunsil was shipped to the Houston Texans in the preseason, woes in the protection scheme have been rampant.  If Miami doesn’t address these shortcomings, they find themselves putting their future franchise field general in a situation similar to the one Tagovailoa currently finds himself.

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2020 NFL mock draft: How Tua Tagovailoa’s injury impacts 1st round

See how the season-ending injury to Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa could impact the first round of the 2020 NFL draft

Both college football and the NFL will feel the seismic impact of the season-ending injury suffered Saturday by Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

The Crimson Tide’s top prospect is out for the rest of the 2019 college football season, but it remains to be seen whether or not his injury will be career-threatening.

A candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Tagovailoa’s draft stock is now in flux, as his long-term durability could be in question. If he ends up leaving school after this injury-shortened season, medical checks at the NFL Scouting Combine will be key to determining his eventual draft slot.

Here’s an updated look at how the first round of next year’s draft could look if Tagovailoa’s stock takes a hit:

1. Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

3. New York Giants | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

4. Miami Dolphins | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

5. New York Jets | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

6. Atlanta Falcons | Grant Delpit | S | LSU

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa

8. Denver Broncos | Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

9. Arizona Cardinals | A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

10. Detroit Lions | Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

11. Cleveland Browns | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson

12. Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

13. Jacksonville Jaguars | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

14. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama

15. Miami Dolphins (from PIT) | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

16. Tennessee Titans | Tyler Biadasz | OL | Wisconsin

17. Philadelphia Eagles | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU

18. Indianapolis Colts | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson

19. Carolina Panthers | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | CJ Henderson | CB | Florida

21. Dallas Cowboys | Neville Gallimore | DL | Oklahoma

22. Oakland Raiders | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma

23. Kansas City Chiefs | D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia

24. Minnesota Vikings | Alex Leatherwood | OT | Alabama

25. Buffalo Bills | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado

26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) | Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

27. New Orleans Saints | Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama

28. Seattle Seahawks | Paulson Adebo | CB | Stanford

29. Baltimore Ravens | Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin

30. Green Bay Packers | Dylan Moses | LB | Alabama

31. New England Patriots | Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington

32. San Francisco 49ers | Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson

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Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa out for season with hip injury

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will miss the rest of the 2019 season with a hip injury

The Alabama Crimson Tide have lost their quarterback for the rest of the 2019 season.

Tua Tagovailoa will indeed miss the remainder of the year after suffering a scary hip injury in Saturday’s win over Mississippi State, per The Athletic’s Aaron Suttles:

Alabama has now confirmed the report with an official statement (via ESPN’s Marty Smith):

Tagovailoa was recently recovered from ankle surgery when he sustained the injury. Many questioned why he was still in the game late in the second quarter with the Crimson Tide up 35-7 over the Bulldogs.

There are still fears that this injury could have an impact on Tagovailoa’s career and his ability to play in the NFL.

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What we know about Tua Tagovailoa’s injury

Find out the latest details on the scary injury suffered by Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

One of college football’s best players, and one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL draft class, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may have played his final down for the Crimson Tide.

Despite being ahead 35-7 late in the first half against Mississippi State on Saturday, Tagovailoa was still in the game for Alabama, and suffered a scary injury as two defenders landed on him after he tried to scramble out of the pocket and make a throw.

Bama’s star quarterback had to be carted off the field, and was reportedly screaming in pain:

Tide head coach Nick Saban said at halftime that Tagovailoa was supposed to come out after that series:

Tagovailoa was air-lifted to the hospital, per Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News:

Saban had little information to provide regarding Tagovailoa’s situation at his postgame press conference:

According to Aaron Suttles of The Athletic, Tagovailoa is indeed out for the season:

While many expected the injury to be an aggravation of the ankle injury Tagovailoa had surgery to repair last month, this injury ended up being a new injury to his hip.

The severity of this injury obviously has seismic implications for all involved, from Alabama’s hopes of making another playoff run, from Tagovailoa’s draft stock. Obviously, his long-term health is the most important thing right now, and hopefully he’s able to make a full recovery.

Currently jockeying with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow for the title of next year’s top quarterback prospect, Tagovailoa could face serious concerns about his injury history and durability when NFL teams are evaluating him this offseason.

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2020 NFL draft: Tyler Johnson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson | WR | Minnesota

Height | 6-2

Weight | 205

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a polished and intelligent route runner, you won’t find too many in this class who fit that bill better than Johnson.

He does as good a job of stemming his routes as nearly anyone in the nation. He excels at using leverage to his advantage when creating separation, he can sell his route well, and he has the hand techniques to break free from tight man coverage. Johnson’s shiftiness further helps him out, as he can change direction seamlessly and sink his hips into his cuts very well. He runs his routes with great pad level and can make sudden movements, showing off his impressive body control.

Johnson is also valuable after the catch. A decisive and intelligent ball-carrier, he combines the sharpness in his cuts with his ability to see the field and finds a way to extend the play with the ball in his hands. Though his skill set projects best as a ‘Z’ receiver in the pros, he could play in essentially any alignment and perform well.

Weaknesses

Despite being 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, Johnson isn’t a very physical receiver. His role in the NFL won’t come as a jump-ball receiver who can outmuscle defensive backs to make circus grabs. He doesn’t box out defenders on 50-50 balls very well, and his ability to make catches is hindered by tight, physical coverage. Though he has shown some promise in breaking press-man coverage, he is going to need to get more aggressive when stronger cornerbacks try to lock him up at the line of scrimmage.

Johnson is a good athlete, but he isn’t much better than just good in that regard. His straight-line speed is passable but not great, and he doesn’t seem to have the raw athleticism to burn cornerbacks on vertical routes. He’ll be able to beat defenders with his shiftiness and football IQ, but he would be even more dangerous if he just got a little bit faster.

Bottom Line

A smooth operator with route-running savvy and skills after the catch, Johnson is a polished and fluid receiver with potential to excel at the next level. He may not reach true No. 1 receiver status on a team, but he’s a shifty target who should make a sizable impact on a team’s offense.

Projection: Round 2