Tag: The Draft Wire

Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison lands in the AFC North in latest 2023 NFL mock draft

Oklahoma left tackle Anton Harrison heads to Pittsburgh to don black and yellow in this latest mock draft from the Draft Wire.

As the football world prepares for the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, it brings us one step closer to the 2023 NFL draft. There are Oklahoma Sooners on six of the eight remaining NFL teams.

Oklahoma will add to their list of Sooners turned pros in April, but where and when will they go? Luke Easterling of The Draft Wire has dropped another mock draft and has a familiar face for the Sooners going in the top 50.

Oklahoma’s highly regarded left tackle [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] has been a staple in the first or second round since the summer. Barring an unforeseen medical issue or absurdly poor testing, Harrison is perfectly positioned to see himself drafted in the top 50 at worst.

In this particular mock draft, Harrison is the first pick in the second round at No. 32 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. They used the second-round pick they got in return from the Chicago Bears in exchange for former Notre Dame receiver Chase Claypool.

Harrison allowed one sack and eight hurries in 447 pass-blocking snaps this season. His athleticism affords him the ability to match a variety of pass rushers. His lone offseason with head strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt helped him get stronger and become a better run blocker.

The Steelers recently retained their offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Canada looks to continue the development of Kenny Pickett. The Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Pickett showed promise this season. The next step is to support him with better talent. What better way to help him grow than by protecting his blind side with one of the best collegiate pass protectors in the draft?

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Mock draft watch: Lions land athletic QB and playmaking DBs in 2-rounder

The Detroit Lions land an athletic QB and playmaking DBs in the latest 2-round mock draft from Draft Wire

College football season is back! With the kickoff of the college season comes a bevy of mock drafts to give an idea of which players to watch entering the CFB slate.

Over at Draft Wire, editor Luke Easterling released his latest two-round mock draft projections. The haul for the Lions presents some interesting names to keep an eye on throughout the fall.

Picking No. 9 overall — based on current Super Bowl odds — the Lions land Florida QB Anthony Richardson.

Here’s what Easterling wrote about Richardson, who gets a stern test against Utah in the Gators’ opener on September 3rd,

The Lions punted on the 2022 quarterback class, likely hoping to land a better prospect at the top of next year’s draft. Richardson flashed sky-high potential at times last season, and if he stays healthy, a breakout campaign this year could launch him into this range.

Richardson isn’t the Lions’ only first-rounder. With the pick acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in the Jared Goff/Matthew Stafford trade, Detroit snatches up Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph. He’s a playmaker who transferred from Northwestern and is poised to make himself a lot more renown in 2022,

This pick should be spent on the best available defensive back, and in this scenario, the value comes on the back end. A transfer from Northwestern, Joseph is a versatile playmaker with impressive instincts and ball skills, allowing him to make an immediate impact against both the run and pass.

In the second round, No. 40 overall, comes Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes. He’s proven he can make the sizzle plays; Forbes has three career pick-sixes. He’s also solid against the run–ask LSU. Forbes has to add a little more bulk and consistency to his game but his ceiling is instant NFL impact starter.

Draft Wire’s newest 2023 NFL mock draft includes two Aggies selected early

Two Texas A&M Aggies are featured in the latest mock from Draft Wire.

The Draft Wire, known as the central hub for everything NFL draft for the USA TODAY Sports Network, released their latest 1st and 2nd round mock draft for the 2023 NFL draft, which will be taking over our lives as sports writers faster than a Dallas Cowboys fan can say “this is our year!”

As the 2022 college football season gets closer and closer as we’re officially in the midst of July, The Texas A&M football squad is preparing for summer and fall camp, position battles (most notably at quarterback), with an eye on focusing on the various game challenges they will face, and looking to prove the doubters wrong while fielding one of the most talented rosters in program history on a weekly basis.

Speaking of talent, the mock draft includes two Aggies going in the second round, with junior corner/safety, Antonio Johnson being selected 38th overall by the Detroit Lions, and junior cornerback, Jaylon Jones being selected 53rd overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

Both selections coming no later than the 2nd round isn’t a surprise, due to the fact that Texas A&M has one of the deepest defensive back groups in the country this coming season, yet Antonio Johnson, who is presently thought of as one of the best defensive draft prospects in the entire class by a number of media outlets being left out of the first round will bring on some warranted skepticism.

Overall, both Antonio Johnson and Jaylon Jones are big-time athletes with great arm length, and speed, and excel in both man and zone coverage, with the potential to become “plug and play” draft picks with any team that has the opportunity to select them.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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Listen: The Detroit Lions Podcast with guest Luke Easterling of Draft Wire

Luke Easterling of Draft Wire joins to break down the 2022 Lions draft class and preview the QB class of 2023

The latest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast featuring Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon is now available to watch or download. This episode sees the guys joined by Draft Wire editor and old friend Luke Easterling.

Easterling breaks down the Lions draft strategy and impact on the roster of the 2022 Detroit draft class. There is a discussion about Malik Willis that leads into a broader conversation about the NFL’s emerging view on drafting quarterbacks in general.

A lengthy breakdown of the college football chaos is a great change of pace, followed by Easterling’s philosophy on mock drafts. The latest mock draft at Draft Wire gets analyzed, and Easterling also offers his early thoughts on the QB class of 2023. Spoiler alert: C.J. Stroud no matter what!

Around Easterling’s great appearance, the topics include potential breakout player for the Lions in 2022, the QB chaos in Cleveland and some Groundhog Day vibes from Jared Goff.

Interesting 2023 mock draft projects a major QB wild card to the Lions

The latest 2023 mock draft from Draft Wire projects a major QB wild card and the son of an NFL standout to the Lions

The latest 2023 NFL mock draft from our friends at Draft Wire is now out, and it’s not the typical paint-by-numbers offseason mock.

Remember: Summer mock drafts are more about players to know and watch during the upcoming college football season than they are meant to be accurate projections. That’s why this mock from Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling is so intriguing. The projection for the Lions’ top pick is a quarterback not many have even heard of.

With the No. 5 overall pick–based on current Super Bowl odds–the Lions snag Washington State QB Cam Ward. No, not the NHL goalie. This Cam Ward is a transfer from FCS-level Incarnate Word, where he posted some video game-type offensive numbers in two seasons. I haven’t seen Ward play yet, but here’s what Easterling offers on the 6-2, 223-pound passing phenom,

The Lions punted on the 2022 quarterback class, likely hoping to land a better prospect at the top of next year’s draft. 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-five pick.

The other first-round pick is a very familiar name. Picking at No. 28 overall with the Rams’ selection via trade, the projection is Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Yes, he’s the son of longtime NFL pass rushing demon Joey Porter and he plays cornerback with the same mentality his father did in his heyday with the Steelers. Porter Jr. is a player I expect to rise well above No. 28 overall, but that’s part of the fun of the summer season mock drafts like this one.

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Where Oklahoma Sooners land in the latest 3-round mock draft from The Draft Wire

Two Oklahoma Sooners were featured in the latest three-round mock draft from Luke Easterling of The Draft Wire.

The NFL draft is now less than two weeks away, which means NFL teams are finalizing their draft boards and concluding visits with draft prospects. The latest mock draft from The Draft Wire goes three rounds and features two Oklahoma Sooners.

What’s noticeable about this three-round mock draft, is that [autotag]Brian Asamoah[/autotag] is missing. At one point in time, draft analysts viewed him as a legit second-round selection. And now he’s slid to the third in many mocks.

But that’s the nature of the NFL draft. It can be wildly unpredictable. So let’s look at which Sooners were taken in the three-round mock draft from Luke Easterling of The Draft Wire.

45. Nik Bonitto, Baltimore Ravens

A really solid landing spot for pass rusher [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag]. The Baltimore Ravens know how to use versatile edge players like Bonitto. Defensive coordinator Don Martindale does a nice job scheming pressure to force quarterbacks into bad decisions and Bonitto’s ability to rush the passer as well as drop into coverage would create nightmares for opposing signal-callers.

51. Perrion Winfrey, Philadelphia Eagles

Like the Ravens, the Philadelphia Eagles have done a nice job over the years of getting pressure with their front four, especially their interior defensive line, led by Fletcher Cox. Cox is nearing the end of his career with the Eagles and so it’s time to find someone who can be the next great interior defensive lineman for Philadelphia. [autotag]Perrion Winfrey[/autotag]’s ability to penetrate and get after the quarterback will make him a highly coveted prospect in this year’s draft selection process.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today

Mock draft watch: A Wolverine double-dip for Detroit in Draft Wire’s latest

The Lions add two instant defensive starters from the Wolverines in this projection

The concept of drafting college teammates to the same NFL team is not always a popular one, but one current mock draft explores that idea for the Detroit Lions and bolsters the defense in the process.

The latest first-round projection from our friends at Draft Wire sees the Lions double up on Michigan Wolverine defensive prospects. It adds two instant starters at the two positions of highest need: EDGE and safety.

First up is Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2 overall. With the recent trend toward Georgia’s Travon Walker going in the top spot to Jacksonville, Hutchinson to his hometown Lions is also growing in popularity.

At No. 32, safety Dax Hill joins Hutchinson in staying close to Ann Arbor. Hill’s ability to play as a coverage safety or a slot corner makes him in high demand in the range at the end of the first round. Both players were at the Lions’ local day workout on Monday.

Pair of Sooners headed south in The Draft Wire’s latest 2022 NFL mock draft

A pair of Sooners taken in the first two rounds of the latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft from The Draft Wire.

The first phase of NFL free agency took the entire sports world by storm this year. New deals, trades, legendary quarterbacks returning after only a month of retirement are just a few things we saw in the last few weeks. However, the business was handled for the most part as many teams have all but finished their major free-agent spending sprees. Over 4 billion dollars was committed to new contracts during the first phase of NFL free agency.

The common adage for professional football is to use the free agency period to address needs on your roster ahead of the NFL draft.

This year’s free-agent spending spree will have a huge impact on the 2022 NFL draft. Here’s how our friends at The Draft Wire see the first three rounds of the draft going down in their latest mock draft.

58. Atlanta Falcons (from TEN) | Oklahoma DL Perrion Winfrey

In trading franchise wide receiver Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans, the Falcons received a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which Luke Easterling believes the Falcons could use on Oklahoma defensive tackle [autotag]Perrion Winfrey[/autotag]. Winfrey had been previously mocked to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the post scouting combine mock at pick 52, but Winfrey sees a bump after free agency and is headed to Atlanta.

According to PFF, no defensive line turned in a more abysmal pass-rushing grade than Atlanta’s defensive line. Winfrey adds youth, athleticism, and some swagger to a rebuilding Falcons defense that certainly needs it.

74. Atlanta Falcons | Oklahoma EDGE Nik Bonitto

If it works once, try it again. That’s what the Falcons would hope is the case as the Draft Wire has them doubling up on Oklahoma defenders and sending lightning bolt edge rusher extraordinaire to Atlanta to tag team with Winfrey. [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag]’s biggest knock is his size, but his productivity and athleticism are too impressive to ignore.

Sometimes you can’t overthink things. Very few college players have been as productive rushing the passer as Nik Bonitto was during his time in college.

Drafting Bonitto alongside Winfrey gives the Falcons’ pass rush a significant facelift.

Winfrey and Bonitto are two spark plug players who thrive off their motor and athleticism and would be very formidable, lining up on the same line together again as they did while they were in Norman together. A draft like this for Atlanta would likely make them a better defense, if nothing else, because of the talent they have rushing the passer.

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Mock draft watch: Draft Wire’s 3 rounds of restocking the Lions

Breaking down the latest 3-round mock draft for the Detroit Lions from our friends at Draft Wire

The latest mock draft from our friends at Draft Wire and editor Luke Easterling touches on a lot of the primary needs for the Detroit Lions. In the three-round mock for 2022, Detroit gets potential impact talents on both sides of the ball.

The No. 1 overall pick stands pat with Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux. While many recent mock drafts have switched to Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson as the top selection, Easterling sticks with Thibodeaux,

There’s no quarterback worth taking here, so the Lions take the best overall prospect in this year’s class. Despite dealing with injuries this season, Thibodeaux has still been a dominant force.

The quarterback comes with the second first-round pick, the one acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Rams. In this projection, it’s North Carolina’s Sam Howell. The dual-threat passer has steadied his draft stock after a lousy first game. Howell gets the nod over some promising wide receivers, including Alabama’s Jameson Williams and USC’s Drake London.

It might be hard for the Lions to pass up any of the talented receivers still on the board here, but if there’s a quarterback they like, this is the pick to land him. Howell has bounced back impressively from a shaky season opener, and getting that extra fifth-year option on a quarterback is too valuable.

The receiver arrives in the form of Penn State standout Jahan Dotson with the first pick of the second round. With the first pick of the third round, No. 65 overall, Georgia safety Lewis Cine gets the nod.

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Lions mock draft watch: A 1st-round CB shakes things up

Lions mock draft watch: A 1st-round CB shakes things up in the latest 3-round 2022 NFL mock draft from Draft Wire

The latest 3-round set of projections for the 2022 NFL draft from Draft Wire offers up a fresh idea on how the Detroit Lions can advance the second year of the rebuild under GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

Instead of addressing the obvious needs at pass rush or wide receiver with the first pick, or even landing the possible QB of the future, this projection lands the Lions a premium cornerback. With the No. 2 overall pick, a slot based on current Super Bowl odds, the Lions select LSU CB Derek Stingley.

Detroit does get a quarterback with the second pick, the first-round pick acquired in the trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Liberty QB Malik Willis gets the nod, though that is quite a bit later than Willis is coming off the board in many contemporary projections.

In the second round, speedy Alabama WR John Metchie would make quite a splash in Detroit. Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling follows that up with Miami safety Bubba Bolden in the third round, adding an influx of talent at arguably the Lions’ biggest positions of need for Day 2 of the draft.

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