Tag: Zay Flowers

Saints get pass-rush help, juice up their offense in 3-round mock draft

The Saints reinforced their defensive line and juiced up their offense in a new 3-round mock draft, adding fan-favorite Tulane RB Tyjae Spears:

It doesn’t appear the New Orleans Saints are going to wait until the 2023 NFL draft to address their quarterback situation — whether they’re going to sign a veteran in free agency or trade for a new starter, it’s not something they’ll be putting off until April. So where could they go in this year’s draft if that item is crossed off their to-do list early on?

Here’s a take from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, who put together a three-round mock draft which has the Saints reinforcing their defensive line and juicing up their offense. He also has them adding Tyjae Spears, which would keep the fan-favorite Tulane Green Wave running back in New Orleans. Let’s break down each of his picks:

PFF: Chargers ‘should avoid making this mistake’ in first round

Pro Football Focus highlights what the Chargers should not do in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL draft.

From now until the 2023 NFL draft, wide receivers will be pegged to the Chargers in the first round in mock drafts. However, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema said it would be a mistake for them to force taking one.

Here is what Sikkema had to say about why the Bolts should avoid it in Round 1:

The Chargers really need speed. They’d love to get a deep vertical threat to stretch defenses, force safeties back in coverage and open things up around the field to make the most of Justin Herbert’s arm.

The issue is that this class isn’t heavy at the top with those kinds of players. There are some, but it’s just not the richest year to grab receiver talent, whether in the draft or in free agency. Each of these teams has needs beyond receiver, and so the wise thing to do is address the position without forcing a pick early on just because.

Wide receiver sits near the top of the Chargers’ positional needs. There is a possibility that Keenan Allen is a cap casualty. So if he is let go, they would have a void to fill. But even if Allen stays, Los Angeles needs to add speed to the receiver room.

This year’s draft class presents a few speedsters projected to go early: Boston College’s Zay Flowers, Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, and North Carolina’s Josh Downs. However, it’s unlikely that they will be available when the Chargers are on the clock in the second round.

Los Angeles has other pressing needs, those being tight end and edge defender, which could take priority. Suppose they were to go in that direction. It’s not a failed draft.

In that case, L.A. could address the wide receiver position beyond the first round with someone like Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims, Michigan State’s Jayden Reed, Princeton’s Andrei Iosivas and Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott, among others.

The bottom line is that if the Chargers take the best player available approach and it’s not a wide receiver or they see tight end or edge defender to be more of a premium, Los Angeles won’t be in bad shape going into the second day and they could still hit on a solid wideout.

2023 NFL draft: Giants add undersized WR in Cynthia Frelund mock

In the first mock draft from NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund, the New York Giants land a talented but undersized wide receiver at No. 25.

The New York Giants head into the offseason with a need so glaring it’s obvious to everyone. They must find additional wide receivers for quarterback Daniel Jones, specifically a big target who can dominate on the outside.

Cynthia Frelund of NFL Network recognized that when she compiled her first mock draft of the year. However, with a couple of the top receivers already off the board, she settled for Zay Flowers of Boston College.

Flowers lined up out wide on almost two-thirds of his snaps at BC, and while that may not be how he’s used at the next level, he has the speed and route traits that Giants coach Brian Daboll could use on third down, specifically.

Flowers is a speedy, dynamic athlete and arguably one of the top three receivers available in the draft. But at 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, he’s not exactly what the Giants are on the hunt for. They already have Wan’Dale Robinson (5-foot-8, 185 pounds) and are likely to re-sign Sterling Shepard (5-foot-10, 196 pounds).

Adding another undersized receiver who is primarily slated to play on the inside isn’t the answer for the Giants on offense. And as talented as Flowers may be, he also had an issue with drops (9) in 2022.

Although head coach Brian Daboll would undoubtedly find a role for Flowers, it would still leave the Giants in need of a true No. 1.

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2023 NFL draft: Giants select Zay Flowers in first Bucky Brooks mock

In the first mock draft from NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks, the New York Giants select Boston College WR Zay Flowers.

It’s NFL mock draft season for the fan bases of the 30 teams not playing in Super Bowl LVII next week.

The New York Giants are one of those teams. They currently have the 25th overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft this coming April and almost everyone to a man expects them to take an offensive weapon.

You can add NFL.com draft analyst Bucky Brooks to that list. He is mocking Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers to Big Blue at No. 25.

The Giants could open their checkbook and re-sign Daniel Jones after the quarterback played his best football in 2022,” writes Brooks. “Giving Danny Dimes a bona fide No. 1 wideout could help him take his game to another level in 2023.

Flowers is not particularly imposing physically at 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds but he was prolific at the collegiate level. He had 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022 while being named First-Team All-ACC and was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, handed out to the most outstanding college receiver.

The Giants’ wide receiver room is fairly empty at the moment. With Sterling Shepard still rehabbing from a knee injury and headed for free agency along with Darius Slayton, Richie James Jr., and Marcus Johnson, the Giants have just Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Collin Johnson, and Kenny Golladay under contract for 2023.

Flowers would be a welcome addition to the group but he alone won’t turn the worm for the Giants’ passing game. They’ll need more.

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Los Angeles Chargers three-round 2023 NFL mock draft Thursday 2.0

This is the second installment of three-round mock draft Thursday, where we lay out different scenarios on how it could play out for the Chargers.

The 2023 NFL draft is still three months away, but we will supply you with in-depth coverage between now and then to inform you who the Chargers could be targeting with they’re on the clock.

With that being said, this will be the first installment of the three-round mock draft Thursday, where I will lay out different scenarios every week on how the first three rounds could play out for Los Angeles.

Version 1.0

Chargers OC Kellen Moore emphasizes speed at wide receiver

Chargers OC Kellen Moore acknowledged the importance of speed at the wide receiver position.

One of the focal points for the Chargers this offseason will be adding a speed element to the wide receiver room.

New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore spoke to the media for the first time on Wednesday and was asked about the importance of speed to what he wants to do on offense.

“Speed is always dangerous,” Moore said. “You’ve certainly seen this throughout this league, and when you have speed, it’s certainly an advantage.”

Los Angeles could not create explosive plays in the passing game this past season. Injuries were a factor, as was Joe Lombardi’s scheme, which was predicated on quick and underneath throws, and Justin Herbert’s ability to go through reads quickly.

However, ultimately they did not have enough speed at receiver even when Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were on the field.

With the tantalizing arm talent that Herbert has, there’s no excuse to not be pushing the ball downfield.

Herbert was among the lowest in average depth of target. While Moore was the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, Dak Prescott had the seventh-highest average depth of target in the NFL (8.3 air yards per attempt).

That is why it’s imperative the Chargers address this, which can be accomplished in the draft, with someone like Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, Boston College’s Zay Flowers, North Carolina’s Josh Downs, Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims, among others.

“Speed you can’t coach. Speed’s very special. Certainly, you’ll want some of it. Every guy doesn’t need it. There are plenty of ways to play football. But when you do have it, it’s a nice little advantage to utilize.”

Mock Draft Monday 1.0: Who analysts are sending to Chargers

A look at who various experts are projecting the Chargers to take in the first round of this year’s draft.

With the offseason in full swing for the Chargers, it’s time to start thinking about the 2023 NFL Draft.

To help kickstart your draft crush research, we’ve compiled the latest mock drafts from around the internet to familiarize you with some potential Chargers.

9 Shrine Bowl participants that could become future Patriots

Patriots fans should keep an eye on these players in the 2023 Shrine Bowl.

The East West Shrine Bowl is upon us, and there is some history with the game and the New England Patriots.

In 2022, the Patriots selected Jack Jones, Pierre Strong Jr., and Tyquan Thornton in the NFL draft, while signing D’Eriq King, Brad Hawkins, and LaBryan Ray as undrafted free agents. All six players appeared in the Shrine Bowl that year.

Like most teams, the Patriots usually scout for future players on the practice squad, camp invites, or for future roster maneuvers. So if the Patriots select a player for the game, there’s a good chance they could meet again down the line.

New England will be coaching the West, while the Atlanta Falcons oversee the East. So they’ll get a better sense of how these prospects prepare, practice, and carry themselves. But they’ll also have plenty of chances in-game to see these players up close and personal from both sides.

A true advantage for both the Patriots and Atlanta Falcons is the fact that both NFL teams will get to start having conversations with the prospects, while watching them prepare first-hand.

For the sake of this piece, we wanted to focus on the players the Patriots will see all week, as this is the first time the game is featuring NFL coaching staffs. So the Patriots’ scouting may slightly change.

Here are the players fans should be keeping an eye on.

Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Boston College WR Zay Flowers

Putting Boston College WR Zay Flowers under a microscope to highlight his strengths, weaknesses and fit with the Chargers.

Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2023 NFL draft.

With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Here is a report on a potential target, Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers.

Height: 5-10

Weight: 172 pounds

Class: Senior

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Career: Earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2022. Set Boston College single-season record for receiving touchdowns with 12 scores. Played in 47 games for the Eagles, recording 200 catches, 3,056 receiving yards, and 29 touchdowns.

Strengths: Frequently schemed the ball because of his run-after-catch ability. Led the ACC with 503 yards after catch. Speed release has some sudden kick to it. Accelerates to high gear quickly and makes defenders strain. Overachieves in the quick passing game with short-area separation. Punishes ankle tacklers with twitchy open-field movement. Knows where to take the ball before the defense converges. Has brought down some tough contested catches against bigger opponents. Extra dangerous on routes stemming from pre-snap motion. 

Weaknesses: Size profiles as a slot-only option. Possesses the ability to stretch the field but big plays through the air was not the main feature of his game. Needs significant extension to reel in off-target throws. Frequently catches throws with his body.

Final Word: Zay Flowers will not be a favorite for every team, but he can be lightning in a bottle with the ball in his hands. His size might restrict him to the slot full-time, but Flowers can excel there with his athleticism and judgment of the field. The more space Flowers has to work with, the better the results.

Fit Likelihood: High

Grade: 2nd

Film Highlights

2023 NFL draft: 10 potential Chargers targets to watch at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Chargers have used the East-West Shrine Bowl to find some of their players in recent years.

The annual East-West Shrine practices begin on Saturday ahead of the all-star game on Thursday, February 2nd, at 5:30 PM PT on NFL Network.

This showcase will feature several prospects the Chargers should have on their radar in the 2023 NFL draft.

In 2022, Tom Telesco selected two players that played in the game – Ja’Sir Taylor and Zander Horvath. Additional alumni include Trey Pipkins, Easton Stick, Cortez Broughton, and Justin Jackson.

With that, here are ten players the Bolts could be targeting: