Tag: Thomas Graham

5 takeaways from the Bears’ divisional loss to Vikings

The Bears laid an egg in their final prime-time game of the season against the Vikings. Here are our takeaways from the loss.

For the second time in eight days, a national audience was treated to a special brand of football that has become all too familiar to fans of the Chicago Bears. Playing in their final prime-time game of the season, the Bears laid an egg against the Minnesota Vikings, losing 17-9 and falling to 4-10 on the season.

Though they were aided by a strong performance from the defense, the Bears couldn’t put together a complete game, missing too many opportunities on offense to make an impact. If not for a garbage touchdown as time expired, the Bears would have been shutout from the endzone for the seventh time since the beginning of the 2019 season.

With the Bears losing, they not only clinched their first season with double-digit losses since 2017, but were also officially eliminated from playoff contention. And speaking of no postseason aspirations, that seems like a great place to start for my takeaways from this game.

New mock draft simulation has Cardinals trading up for Kyle Pitts

What would a full draft look like if Arizona did in fact trade up for Kyle Pitts?

A few days ago, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager had a mock draft that had the Arizona Cardinals trading up for Florida TE Kyle Pitts. Jess Root outlined the potential cost of this move, and he and Seth Cox talked about it on the podcast.

But what if this actually occurred on draft day? What would their draft haul overall potentially look like?

Today, using PFF’s mock draft simulator, we find out.

Oregon pro day offers Browns some good secondary options

Thomas Graham and Jevon Holland are of definite interest for the Browns

The Oregon Ducks pro day is Friday and the Cleveland Browns are confirmed to have a spot in the crowd of scouts and coaches making the trip to Eugene. The featured performer is offensive tackle Penei Sewell, but he’ll be long gone before the Browns pick at No. 26.

Cleveland’s focus will be on the defensive backfield, where the Ducks have a pair of prospects who would look good in the orange, brown and white–one of the few color combinations Oregon doesn’t wear. Safety Jevon Holland and versatile CB Thomas Graham are both the better focus for the Browns at the Ducks workout.

Holland is a playmaking safety with length, range, ball skills and a “my ball” mentality. He opted out of the 2020 season. He’s lighter than ideal, so one of the things to watch is his weight and how well he moves. Lighter safeties need to have better explosive metrics (vertical, broad jump, 3-cone).

Graham can line up at outside corner, slot corner or even free safety. While 40-yard dash times are overhyped, his is important; Graham’s biggest question is speed, both in the short area (10-yard split) and the long speed to turn and run with faster receivers. He’s got everything else, from instincts to quickness to playing strength.

 

Rams had pre-draft meeting with Oregon CB Thomas Graham Jr.

The Rams could be looking for cornerback help this offseason and Thomas Graham Jr. is a good target in the draft.

Cornerback is viewed as a position of need for just about every team, given how often defenses use nickel and dime packages where there are at least three corners on the field. It’s certainly up there on the Rams’ priority list this offseason, seeing as both Darious Williams and Troy Hill are pending free agents.

To prepare for potential losses, and seeking depth at the position, the Rams have begun looking at cornerback prospects in the draft. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Rams recently held a pre-draft meeting with Oregon cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. over videoconference.

Graham didn’t play in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, opting out after the Pac 12 initially canceled the season. But in each of the previous three seasons, he played at least 13 games and was a ball hawk.

In 2017, he picked off three passes and made 62 tackles, breaking up four total passes. The following year, he once again picked off three passes (including one pick-six) and had a whopping 18 pass breakups. In 2019, he pulled in two interceptions, broke up 10 passes and made a career-high 64 tackles.

Graham improved his stock at the Senior Bowl, standing out in practice in Mobile. He’s great in man coverage, mirroring the routes of opposing wide receivers.

Graham probably won’t be a first-round pick and is more likely to land sometime on Day 2 or 3. If the Rams can’t come to terms on a deal with Hill or somehow can’t keep Williams as a restricted free agent, Graham could be a mid-round target for them.

6 potential Chargers prospects who stood out from Day 1 of Senior Bowl

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez updates you on the prospects he believes will receive attention from Los Angeles.

Day 1 of practices at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl have officially come to an end.

On this gloomy and rainy day in Mobile, AL, there were a handful of NFL draft prospects who shined on the first day.

Here are six players that stood out who could be on the Chargers’ radar:

OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State

The Chargers could be in need of a blindside blocker, especially if the team lets Sam Tevi walk. Radunz, the 6-foot-5 and 304 pound tackle, came into this week known primarily for his run-blocking prowess. He showed that he was not only capable of clearing the way in the run game, but defending the edge in pass protection. Radunz currently projects as a second or third-round selection. If Los Angeles elects to pass up on a tackle in the first-round, Radunz could be available on Day 2.

OT D’Ante Smith, East Carolina

If the Chargers want a toolsy tackle with starter upside, Smith could be that guy. Coming in with with the longest arms at 35 2/8”, Smith did not let many bodies around him. He was very explosive off the snap, showing outstanding feet and a square base in pass protection. When he landed his hands on defenders, the rep was over.

OG Aaron Banks, Notre Dame

Forrest Lamp’s future remains to be seen, which means that the team could be looking to fill the left guard position. In my eyes, Banks was seen as a second-round pick, but he helped his case today at practice. A wall in pass protection and a mover in the run game, Banks was getting the job done up front with sheer power. He should start his professional career at guard, but he has previous experience at left tackle.

EDGE Quincy Roche, Miami

Regardless if Melvin Ingram is back next season or not, the Chargers need more juice in the pass-rush department. Day 2 in the draft is a sweet spot to address the need and someone like Roche would be the perfect player to play the outside linebacker role. Reminiscent of Buccaneers’ Shaq Barrett, Roche was consistently in the backfield, showing speed, flexibility and quick hands. He had a great rep against potential first-round tackle Alex Leatherwood.

EDGE Jordan Smith, UAB

If the Chargers miss out on Roche, Smith would be an excellent consolation prize. The 6-foot-5 and 255 pounder was fantastic off the edge, showing power in his hands, utilization of his long arms, explosion off the line of scrimmage and great agility when turning the corner. Like Roche, Smith had a standout rep against Leatherwood. Arguably one of the biggest risers in this year’s class, Smith has the chance to go before the end of the second day in the draft.

CB Thomas Graham, Oregon

Even if Michael Davis is re-signed, the Chargers need more talent in the cornerback room, especially since this will be the last year under contract for Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr. Prior to coming to Mobile, Graham led the nation in passes defensed. Graham was strong carrying receivers vertically and in man coverage. He displayed quick feet & hips and physicality at the line of scrimmage. He currently projects as a Day 3 selection, but he could be a steal when all is said and done.