Tag: Zay Flowers

Vikings sent wide receiver in Todd McShay’s first mock draft

The Vikings are in need of a wide receiver

The NFL draft is closer than it seems as we are a shade over four months away from the most unique spectacle in sports.

We have started our SKOL Search series for the year and have been breaking down college prospects and will do so throughout the winter, including going to the Senior Bowl down in Mobile.

With that in mind, mock drafts are coming fast and furious this season and ESPN’s Todd McShay has released his first mock draft and he gave the Vikings the talented wide receiver from Boston College Zay Flowers.

“If one of those six corners slides, I could see them landing here. Or maybe the Vikings reach down the board for linebacker Drew Sanders (Arkansas) or center John Michael Schmitz (Minnesota). But with Adam Thielen turning 33 this offseason, they should be looking for another complement to Justin Jefferson at receiver. Flowers has terrific instincts and elusiveness, forcing missed tackles and scoring 12 touchdowns this season. He’s only 5-foot-10, but he could do damage out of the slot in this offense immediately as a rookie.”

The Vikings’ number one need this offseason is at the wide receiver position to fortify their receiver room and Flowers is an intriguing option.

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Six points with David Dorey (2023 Rookie Edition)

Taking an early look at the top rookies for 2023, where they rank and the schedule for 2022-2023 NCAA Bowl Games with mentions of which future fantasy players to watch.

We’re turning the corner into fantasy playoffs and most teams in every league are on the outside looking in. There will still be developments and happenings left to see that will play into next year, but everyone should start to think about the annual turning of the NFL soil known as the draft.

Below are the current consensus best players getting ready to hear their names called from the big stage. This is a good time to turn your attention to the college ranks, because Bowl Season is here and you can watch those players in their biggest game perform. Consider it research with beer and nachos,

The players ranking below will no doubt change by April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, but here’s where they currently rank by consensus from several sources.

Quarterbacks

1. Bryce Young (5-11, 194 pounds, 4.8/40) Alabama
2. C.J. Stroud (6-3, 215 pounds, 4.7/40) Ohio State
3. Will Levis (6-3, 232 pounds, 4.7/40) Kentucky
4. Tanner McKee (6-6, 230 pounds, 4.8/40) Stanford
5. Anthony Richardson (6-4, 236 pounds, 4.5/40) Florida

Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are expected to be Top-10 picks and maybe Top-5.  Will Levis is a first-round pick but likely later in the round. All three should end up with teams looking to start a rookie quarterback at least at some point during the season, if not Week 1.  McKee and Richardson are expected to be taken in the first two rounds and potentially the first round. Their performances in bowl games and the NFL Combine will impact their draft slot.

Running Backs

1. Bijan Robinson (6-0, 214 pounds, 4.48/40) Texas
2. Jahmyr Gibbs (5-11, 200 pounds, 4.5/40) Alabama
3. Zach Charbonnet (6-1, 220 pounds, 4.5/40) UCLA
4. Kenny McIntosh (6-1, 220 pounds, 4.5/40) Georgia
5. Zach Evans (5-11, 195 pounds, 4.49/40) Ole Miss
6. Blake Corum (5-8, 210 pounds, 4.5/40) Michigan
7. Devon Achene (5-9, 185 pounds, 4.55/40) Texas A&M
8. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (5-11, 209 pounds, 4.55/40) Kentucky
9. Chase Brown (5-11, 209, 4.55/40) Illinois
10. Kendre Miller (6-0, 220 pounds, 4.5/40) TCU

Bijan Robinson is the running back that will go in the first half of the NFL draft and probably end up a second or third-round fantasy pick depending on where he ends up. He is “the guy” by every analyst out there. Jahmyr Gibbs could go in the first or second round, depending on how badly a team wants a new starting running back.

Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, and Zach Evans currently project as a second or third round pick. But remember, last year there was no first round running back and yet plenty of great picks in the first three rounds – Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Rachaad White and Brian Robinson. Dameon Pierce was the 4.02 pick.

Those backs from No. 6 to No. 10 can impact their draft slot with bowl game performances, the NFL Combine and Player Days at their schools.

Wide Receivers

1. Quentin Johnston, (6-4, 201 pounds, 4.5/40) TCU
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6-0, 197 pounds, 4.45/40) Ohio State
3. Kayshon Boutte (announced return to LSU)
4. Jordan Addison (6-2, 175 pounds, 4.5/40) USC
5. Cedric Tillman (6-3, 215 pounds, 4.5/40) Tennessee
6. Zay Flowers (5-10, 180 pounds, 4.45/40) Boston College
7. Andrei Iosivas (6-3, 200 pounds, 4.5/40) Princeton
8. Xavier Hutchinson (6-3, 210 pounds, 4.6/40-time) Iowa State
9. A.T. Perry (6-5, 206 pounds, 4.55/40) Wake Forest
10. Jalin Hyatt (6-0, 180 pounds, 4.45/40) Tennessee

There is less consensus about where wideouts fall than any other fantasy position. This class is not considered as deep as 2022, but the top receivers are expected to be contributors as rookies.

Quentin Johnston, Jaxon Smith-Njigba,  and Jordan Addison are strongly considered as the Top-3 and a level above the rest of the class. Each may end up as a first-round pick. The 40-times shown are estimates and the NFL Combine will hopefully clear up how fast they really are regardless of what their University P.R. machine says.

All of the other receivers listed above are currently expected to be second or third-round picks, but again – beyond the Top-3 there is little consensus and each could experience dramatic swings in outlook by the time the NFL draft takes place in April.

Tight Ends

1. Michael Mayer (6-4, 251 pounds, 4.7/40) Notre Dame
2. Luke Musgrave (6-6, 250 pounds, 4.7/40) Oregon State
3. Darnell Washington (6-7, 265 pounds) 4.75/40) Georgia
4. Sam LaPorta (6-3, 250 pounds, 4.69/40) Iowa
5. Dalton Kincaid (6-3, 241 pounds, 4.7/40) Utah

The position does little as rookies and Michael Mayer is the only tight end that may be taken in the late first or early second round. He’s the next Cole Kmet coming out of Notre Dame. None of the rest is expected to go prior to the third round.

2022-2023 College Bowl Schedule with 2023 fantasy rookies to watch

Friday, Dec. 16
Bahamas Bowl: UAB vs. Miami (OH), 11:30 a.m., ESPN
Cure Bowl: Troy vs. UTSA, 3 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 17
Fenway Bowl: Louisville vs. Cincinnati 11 a.m., ESPN
New Mexico Bowl: BYU vs. SMU, 2:15 p.m., ESPN
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl: Wash. State vs. Fresno State, 3:30 p.m., ABC
LendingTree Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Rice, 5:45 p.m., ESPN
Las Vegas Bowl: Florida vs. Oregon State, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Oregon State: TE Luke Musgrave
Florida: QB Anthony Richardson
Frisco Bowl: North Texas vs. Boise State, 9:15 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Dec. 19
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Marshall vs. UConn, 2:30 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 20
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: San Jose State vs. Eastern Michigan, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Boca Raton Bowl: Toledo vs. Liberty, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Dec. 21
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama, 9 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Dec. 22
Armed Forces Bowl: Baylor vs. Air Force, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Dec. 23
Independence Bowl: Houston vs. Louisiana, 3 p.m., ESPN
Gasparilla Bowl: Missouri vs. Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
Wake Forest: WR A.T. Perry

Saturday, Dec. 24
Hawaii Bowl: San Diego State vs. Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Dec. 26
Quick Lane Bowl: Bowling Green vs. New Mexico State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 27
Camellia Bowl: Buffalo vs. Georgia Southern, 12 p.m., ESPN
First Responder Bowl: Utah State vs. Memphis, 3:15 p.m., ESPN
Birmingham Bowl: East Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina, 6:45 p.m., ESPN
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State, 10:15 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Dec. 28
Military Bowl: Duke vs. UCF, 2 p.m., ESPN
Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. Kansas, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss, 9 p.m., ESPN
Ole Miss: RB Zach Evans

Thursday, Dec. 29
Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse vs. Minnesota, 2 p.m., ESPN
Cheez-It Bowl: Florida State vs. Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Alamo Bowl: Texas vs. Washington, 9 p.m., ESPN
Texas: Bijan Robinson

Friday, Dec. 30
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Maryland vs. NC State, 12 p.m., ESPN
Sun Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. UCLA, 2 p.m., CBS
UCLA: RB Zach Charbonnet
Gator Bowl: South Carolina vs. Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Notre Dame: Michael Mayer
Arizona Bowl: Ohio vs. Wyoming, 4:30 p.m., Barstool
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Tennessee 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Tennessee: WR Jalin Hyatt, WR Cedric Tillman 

Saturday, Dec. 31
Music City Bowl: Iowa vs. Kentucky, 12 p.m., ABC
Iowa: TE Sam LaPorta
Kentucky: QB Will Levis, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Kansas State, 12 p.m., ESPN
Alabama: QB Bryce Young, RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Fiesta Bowl CFP: Michigan vs. TCU, 4 p.m., ESPN
Michigan: RB Blake Corum 
TCU: WR Quentin Johnson, RB Kendre Miller
Peach Bowl CFP semifinal: Georgia vs. Ohio State, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Georgia: RB Kenny McIntosh, TE Darnell Washington
Ohio State: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, QB C.J. Stroud

Monday, Jan. 2
ReliaQuest Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Illinois, 12 p.m., ESPN2
Illinois: RB Chase Brown
Cotton Bowl: USC vs. Tulane, 1 p.m., ESPN
USC: WR Jordan Addison
Citrus Bowl: LSU vs. Purdue, 1 p.m., ABC
LSU: WR Kayshon Boutee
Rose Bowl: Utah vs. Penn State, 5 p.m., ESPN
Utah: TE Dalton Kincaid

Boston College WR Zay Flowers declares for 2023 NFL draft

One of the top pass-catchers in college football is making the leap to the next level

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cloq15xpw3U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

One of the top pass-catchers in college football is making the leap to the next level.

Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers is declaring for the 2023 NFL draft, making his announcement via social media Thursday.

The 5-10, 172-pound playmaker had his best season yet in 2022, racking up 1,077 yards on 72 receptions, with 12 touchdown catches for the Eagles.

Current projections have Flowers coming off the board sometime on Day 2, but the predraft process will give him plenty of opportunities to improve his stock heading into next year’s draft.

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Notre Dame-Boston College: Numbers tell story in blowout win

The numbers behind Notre Dame’s drubbing of Boston College. “It’s a beaut, Clark!”

Notre Dame isn’t likely to finish the year ranked in the top-10 because of losses to Marshall and Stanford but they’ll enter next week’s regular-season finale at USC looking every bit the part of a top-10 squad.  44-0 only partially does justice to how one-sided this affair was Saturday afternoon.

Boston College was at one time a place that prided itself on developing outstanding offensive lines and manhandling the line of scrimmage.  We won’t get too deep into that in this post, but Boston College looks like an average MAC team that should be playing on Tuesday nights.  As a lifetime Notre Dame fan I’ve got to say – I really hate to see it.

Sarcasm font:  the author of this post does not actually hate to see it at all

There were plenty of numbers that helped tell the story in Saturday’s dominating Notre Dame win.  Here are a little more than a handful of those.

Five keys for Notre Dame to defeat Boston College

What are your keys?

It was a tale of two halves for each of these two teams last week, the Irish narrowly hanging on to grab a road victory against Navy while BC scored the upset against NC State. Even with a less than stellar record, the Eagles have obvious talent to hang with the Irish. These five keys will help Notre Dame stave off the upset hungry visitors.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Know your foe, Boston College: Which Eagles could give Notre Dame problems

The Irish will have their hands full with these five

The Irish have another home game against an undermanned team but this year nothing is a given. Each win this year has been earned and that will be the same this Saturday. The Eagles are fresh off an upset victory over NC State, so they’ll be flying high when the face the Irish. [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] will have to have his team ready as this team is better than their 3-7 record and these are five Eagles that have the potential to give Notre Dame problems.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Tale of the Tape: Leading Receivers – Michael Mayer vs. Zay Flowers

Worried about this matchup at all?

Notre Dame’s home game against Boston College is a big one for [autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag]. Barring an unexpected change of heart, all signs point to this being his final time suiting up at Notre Dame Stadium before he jumps to the NFL. The Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist has been a real bright spot for the Irish in a season that has had its ups and downs. Hopefully, he can provide the South Bend faithful with one more solid game.

The Eagles’ Zay Flowers, an NFL draft prospect himself, will prove to be a challenge for the Irish’s secondary. Flowers has the most receiving yards in the ACC and the second-most receiving touchdowns. Then again, it could depend on who’s starting at quarterback for the Eagles because we still don’t know as of this writing. Regardless of who it is, the Irish can’t be too sure of their ability to stop him, or Flowers will burn them.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

WATCH: Boston College WR Zay Flowers makes diving TD catch

Watch Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers show off his playmaking ability in the end zone

It’s the first full week of college football, and some of the top players in the country are already padding their highlight reels with fantastic plays.

Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers made his contribution early during Saturday’s game against Rutgers, diving for an impressive touchdown catch halfway through the first quarter.

Flowers is sure to keep turning heads among NFL decision-makers if he continues to make acrobatic catches in the end zone.

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WATCH: Boston College WR Zay Flowers highlights vs. Colgate

Watch Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers put up big numbers against Colgate last season

If your favorite team will be in the market for a big-play wide receiver in the 2023 NFL draft, Boston College’s Zay Flowers should already be on their short list.

A dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, Flowers is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, something he proved on many occasions for the Golden Eagles last season.

Watch the video above to see Flowers put up some big numbers against Colgate in 2021.

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2023 NFL draft film room: Boston College WR Zay Flowers

See for yourself what makes Boston College’s Zay Flowers one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2023 NFL draft

It’s never too early to look ahead to the next group of top prospects, so if you’re looking to get a head start on the 2023 NFL draft class, we’ve got you covered.

What makes Boston College’s Zay Flowers one of next year’s top wide receiver prospects?

Watch the tape and see for yourself: