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4/11/2014 by James Fedewa

My weekly updated full NFL Mock Draft has had some minor tweaks to mock the prospect projections, based on additions, new arrivals and the latest releases of the updated rookie pool. Please use your reply button, have a voice and opinion and tell me what you think (on Twitter @jamfed) Read the rest of this entry →

4/8/13 by James Fedewa

If you earned the first pick in the NFL Draft, your team is the worst team in the league. This year the Houston Texans are that team. Oddly enough, at the beginning of the season, the Texans were considered a Super Bowl favorite. The Texans won week one (vs. the Chargers), and won again week two (vs. the Titans). A 2-0 start, followed by 14 straight losses. A Super Bowl contender, built like house of cards.

Was it the shotty quarterback play, was it lack of team confidence or leadership, was it injuries, was in poor coaching? Interpret and define as you will, it does not matter now. Moving forward, which new franchise rookie draft pick can help turn this Texans franchise around?

I nearly every NFL Draft, there is a consensus #1 overall pick (sometimes two). This year, pass rusher Jadavian Clowney the projected #1 overall pick. A once in two decades type of pass rusher with amazing abilities, scores, grades and college statistics, Clowney has the evidence and resume’ for Houston to draft him. Houston should have an easy selection, right?

Examining Houston’s current defensive pass rushers, they already look well equipped, led by defensive end J.J. Watt, OLB Brooks Reed and former 1^st round selection OLB Whitney Mercilus. Selecting Clowney can add immense value and talent to an already very good young defensive front.

There are two other #1B and #1C overall potential prospects in this draft, at different positions, with quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel. Bortles does not have the big resume’ but he looks the part. Built big and mobile, like a prototypical NFL quarterback, Bortles play and value has been sky rocketing for the last six months.

The other, Johnny Manziel. The 21 year old has been a superstar for the last two years. He won the Heisman Trophy as a 19 year old true freshman. His college statistics are impeccable and his charisma is electric. Manziel’s not the biggest quarterback and he does not have all of the elite physical tools and traits to make him prime top graded prospect, but finding a perfect 10 for anything, is nearly impossible…

In 2001, quarterback Michael Vick was easily that consensus #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Vick was incredible in college and the San Diego Chargers had that #1 overall pick (who traded the pick to Atlanta, who selected Vick).

Looking Vick’s and Manziel’s college statisics comparatively, what makes who the #1 overall draft pick?

Michael Vick PASSING:

Johnny Manziel PASSING:

Michael Vick RUSHING:

Johnny Manziel RUSHING:

Manziel clearly has the better stats than Vick in their two college seasons, almost mind-numbing from college quarterbacks. Manziel won a Heisman Trophy and was the most electrifying quarterback in college football in 2012 and 2013. Maturity issues might be the missing element of Manziel stock, but the difference between a college freshmen superstar (that we all met two years ago), versus the seasoned 21 year old, Manziel now seems to be 100% different.

If Vick was a consensus #1 overall draft pick, why isn’t Manziel?

4/2/14 – By James Fedewa (@jamfed)

The annual guessing game continues in this latest NFL Mock Draft. The WHO lingers, followed by the WHERE… We can make assumptions and educated guesses (which is GOLD if you’re a drafnik). It is not exactly a “guessing game” either, if you can successfully point out the combination of each teams positional needs, with their subjective “best player available” evaluation (baring trades). Include hours of player analyses and film study of these potential NFL Superstars, it is not a prediction, but a subjective-biased estimate. It will be safe to say there will be multiple trades, as there is every year, but guessing a draft day trade is more unpredictable than guessing which star in the sky is going to fall first.

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3/20/2014 – by James Fedewa

The San Diego Chargers have many positional needs with this year’s draft. The Chargers can go in several directions by drafting a cornerback, defensive tackle, offensive lineman, wide receiver or pass rusher with their first round pick (the 25^th overall). Until the Chargers see which players are available with their pick, we can only guess who it might be, who it should be and who it will be. Beyond the players that will be available at the 25^th pick, another way to look at the draft is “who is behind us, and who do they want.” So what is the Chargers first round pick really worth? And is it worth a trade?

The Cleveland Browns have two first round draft picks, the 4^th and the 26^th overall picks (the 26^th immediately after the Chargers first pick). Cleveland finished the regular season with 4 – 12 record, have several holes on their roster, and most needs are very specific. Cleveland’s first and primary need is at the quarterback position and with the Browns 4^th overall pick, they may have the opportunity to draft one of the three top tier quarterbacks (like Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater or Johnny Manziel). Then again, all three top tier quarterbacks might be gone by the time the Browns choose at #4. Or the Browns may decide to go a different direction with their 4^th overall pick and wait to draft a quarterback with their other first round pick. Either way, if Cleveland does not land their future quarterback with the 4^th overall draft pick, and they aim for the “other” 1A quarterback (like Derek Carr) then the value of San Diego’s 25^th pick increases.

Why? Well, the teams that did not draft a quarterback with picks 1 through 24, who still might need a quarterback, may be willing to TRADE ahead of Cleveland to insure they get a Derek Carr quarterback (or any other projected first round quarterback that may have slid).

So what other teams are looking for a quarterback? Approximately eight teams, but if Cleveland still needs to draft a quarterback at #26, then what other team would want to trade with San Diego’s #25 pick (the pick ahead of Cleveland)? Houston, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Oakland, Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Arizona all need a quarterback (and possibly two other teams in the top 24 picks). That’s ten teams in the top twenty-four selections that could draft a first round quarterback.

Of course, fans can think up a hundred different pre-draft scenarios, even with some of these quarterbacks sliding into the second round (like Geno Smith of 2013) or three quarterbacks being selected 1-2-3 right out of the gate)… but only assuming Cleveland did not draft a quarterback with their #4 overall pick, then San Diego can use their pick (with a quarterback hungry team) as the bait.

Or the bluff: calling Cleveland stating the Chargers have a trade offer with Jacksonville (or any of the other teams that still need a QB) on the table, would Cleveland trade up to secure a QB?

Could Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco turn San Diego’s first round draft pick into an additional 2^nd rounder plus a 3^rd? Or even a 2^nd rounder plus next year’s 1^st? Most NFL General Managers use the K.I.S.S method (Keep It Simple Stupid), but this years draft is immensely deep with very high quality 2^nd and 3^rd round prospects. This might be a good year for the Chargers to gamble with their 1^st round pick, only based on the precise depth of this draft (and Telesco’s scouting department).

“Take what the draft gives you”… is the best way to approach a draft, but what would you do if Minnesota, Tampa, Cleveland or Arizona calls for your 25^th pick (and want they want Derek Carr or even Johnny Manziel)?

The San Diego Chargers have signed:

• Donald Brown, RB, Colts
• David Johnson, FB/TE, Steelers
• Kavell Conner, ILB, Colts
• Kellen Clemons, QB, Rams
• Brandon Ghee, CB, Bengals

The Oakland Raiders have signed:

• LaMarr Woodley OLB/DE Steelers
• Justin Tuck, DE, Giants
• Antonio Smith, DL, Texans
• Tarell Brown, CB, 49ers
• James Jones, WR, Packers
• Donald Penn, OT, Buccaneers
• Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
• Maurice Jones-Drew, RB,  Jaguars
• Carlos Rogers, CB, 49ers

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed:

• Jeff Linkenbach, OG, Colts
• Joe Mays, ILB, Texans
• Austin Howard, RT, Jets
• Vance Walker, DL, Raiders

The Denver Broncos have signed:

• DeMarcus Ware, DE/OLB, Cowboys
• Aqib Talib, CB, Patriots
• T.J. Ward, SS, Browns
• Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Steeler
• Will Montgomery. C, Redskins

by James Fedewa 3/9/14

Pre-Free Agency begins on Tuesday (3/11/14) but this weekend is open and “talks” can start with all pending free agents and any NFL Team. It is an open collusion period.  Rumors are swirling of potential acquisitions, and the The Baltimore Sun is posting that several of the top tier left tackles have already reached agreements with new teams.

1. The Miami Dolphins are expected to sign Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert for an average of $9.5 million per year.
   
2. The Oakland Raiders are in negotiations with St. Louis Rams Tackle/Guard Rodger Saffold for about $8 million per year, but Tampa Bay is in the bidding too.
   
3. The Arizona Cardinals are expected to sign Oakland Raiders left tackle Jared Veldheer for around $7 to $7.5 million per year.
   
4. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to sign Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Anthony Collins for about $6.5 to $7 million per year (if Collins does not resign with Cincinnati)
   

Looks San Diego will rely on left tackle King Dunlap (or a rookie draft pick) for 2014.

3/6/2014 – by James Fedewa

The gray area… The dip, purgatory, gap-ville. Hurry up and wait… It’s the term between the Super Bowl and the NFL Draft (the area where football fans dread). Its three long months of boiling, and a good time to predict.

So what does a football fan do to ride the boil, other than avoid the NBA and read about spring training? These fans look to the NFL Draft. And if you like the draft, like thousands of other Americans, you are a DRAFTNIK. So assuming who would make NFL teams better, by watching hundreds of clips of on-line player video footage, is within this gray area.

Here my latest NFL Mock Draft of 2014. I’m not going to write stories about every selection (yet), but I will say that Jadeveon Clowney is clearly the number player in this draft and Houston should not reach with their number one overall selection. Houston does need a quarterback, and Teddy Bridgewater could be that choice, but he is just not a prototypical QB, so therefor he is not an A.) #1 selection. Blake Bortals has the tools and the body, but he was virtually unknown three months ago. Bortles stock is currently at its peak, but he is very raw and success may be a reach (and that equals gamble). Johnny Manziel is a huge wild card (and crazy talented), but Manziel’s rock-star attitude, reckless play and small size could lead him to a crash and burn. All three top tier quarterbacks have too much of a gamble to be a #1 overall pick.

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3/4/14 – by James Fedewa

The San Diego Chargers kept one of their own and resigned/extended 26 year old inside linebacker Donald Butler to a new 7 year contract. The details of the contract are very detailed, with $12 million guaranteed and in $48 million over seven years. In reality, the contact looks like two contacts; 3 year/$20 million, followed by 4 years (with a lot of incentive bonuses).

Looks like General Manager Tom Telesco had to get creative to get the Chargers Defensive Captain Butler signed. Butler wanted $6 million per, with $12 million guaranteed, and it looks like Butler got what he was asking for. Paying young players and keeping your own players sets great examples for motivation in a locker room. The franchise tag on Butler (linebackers) would have cost the Chargers $11.5 million for one season.

The Charges inside linebacker combination of Butler and Manti Te’o looks to grow and flourish, for at least the next three years.

(one BIG man) OT Morgan Moses, LT, Virginia Tech

2/27/14 – by James Fedewa

The Post Season is here and just after the 2014 NFL Combine, the NFL Draft looms. So what will the San Diego Chargers do with this new draft?  Last year, rookie General Manager Tom Telesco struck gold with his first draft in San Diego. The Chargers first three draft picks of 2013 were all solid contributors and starters. Grading last year’s draft is still premature, but the Chargers made it to the playoffs and had a playoff win (with additional help with a new coaching staff, new free agent additions, good fortune, new offensive philosophy and definitely play calling).

Predicting who the Chargers will draft is always a guesstimate. It is not an art, and it’s definitely not a science. It is mirage wrapped in mystery, mixed with the unknown: it’s Mirag-unknow-stery!

But we can guess (and guessing makes mock-drafts fun), so let’s try to predict the General Manager: Mr. Telesco

Telesco’s mentor was Bill Polian, a leader and master at building an NFL franchise through the NFL Draft. Polian has been extremely effective at constructing an NFL team, and keeping that team successful for extended times. Polian has his draft philosophy on how to grade player and if we can look at Polian’s previous drafts, we then can estimate Telesco’s drafting style of players and positional importance. Polian was a little predictable, just ask most Colts fan (similar to AJ Smith, ask Chargers fans).  Polian has a thick history of drafting offensive lineman and defensive backs in the first round; two positions the Chargers are currently in desperate need of.

Rounds 1 to 7

1.)    Morgan Moses, LT, Virginia – Finally, San Diego drafts a first round left tackle, who the Chargers have missed since Marcus McNeil. Moses is massively huge man with above average dexterity. He has a very similar body type to DJ Fluker, but he is quicker and San Diego will have two giant anchors on the offensive line to protect Phillip Rivers and road grade in the run game for the next decade. One man improves the run game and the pass game. (Other possibilities:  NT, Louis Nix III could possibly slide in the first round, and if he is available, Telesco might have a tough decision to make. CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State would be a great addition, but with his amazing performance at the combine, he might have elevated himself to a top 15 pick and the number one cornerback)

2.)    Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech – San Diego desperately needs more depth and talent at cornerback, and might be their biggest area of need. Fuller has the height, speed and strength to be a star CB in the NFL, but it will all be decided on how Fuller can respond to NFL coaching, maintaining  assignments and his health. Fuller is a bit of a wildcard as he likes to freelance to find a big play, which can get him out of proper position. Fuller has first round talent, but a midseason injury could have him slide to the second round. This year’s CB rookie draft class is loaded, so finding a quality CB in the second round is a good possibility (Other possibilities:  OLB, Trent Murphy, Stanford is another possibility as pass rushers are always needed on every team / OG Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA is a great interior lineman selection, if OT is not selected in the 1^st round)

3.)    Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina – Here comes the burner wide receiver and return specialist. Ellington ran a 4.35 forty.  Not tall (at 5’ 9”) but not small (197 lbs.). He adds team speed the Chargers desperately need. A good hands catcher, Ellington looks to be a very good offensive and special teams prospect. His performance at the combine may have pushed him from the 5^th round to the 3^rd round overnight with his sub 4 forty. (Other possibilities: Terrence Brooks, S, Florida State may lack size to play SS, but he may be a perfect complement to play alongside Eric Weddle. Brooks can hit, has good range and speed, with some coverage ability; a good well rounded safety. Brooks is not not just a FS or just a SS, he can do both / DE, Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina – D-Line Depth is desperately needed in San Diego and Quarles was lost in the Clowney shadow, yet led the Gamecocks with sacks)

4.)    Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee – NT is an open wound in the Chargers 3=4 front. If this position is not tended with Louis Nix III in the first round, it must be addressed somewhere in this draft (Other Possibilities: WR, Josh Huff, Oregon can be a deep threat and a possible replacement to Eddie Royal, and can also be a return specialist / WR, Mike Davis, Texas – with the rash of injuries at WR and the possible retirement of Malcolm Floyd, WR depth is mandatory)

5.)    Brent Urban, DE, Virginia – good strength and hustle with prototype height and weight for 3-4 DE. Solid project player and good depth (Other possibilities: NT, Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech as a backup nose tackle depth, a big body with potential)

6.)    Devon Kennard, ILB, USC – if Donald Butler leaves in free agency, Kennard could be a late round gem. Good inside linebackers can be found in later rounds and Kennard could be that solid player and leader that could help the Chargers quickly.

7.)    Tyler Gaffney, RB, Stanford – Gaffney has been projected as a 7^th round selection, or even undrafted rookie free agent, but at the combine, his stock increase with his 4.47 forty.  He should slide to the Chargers and might be would be a decent backup to Ryan Matthews, with little investment.

2/20/14  by James Fedewa

New Logo / New Helmet for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In the New Age of designer football teams, logos and  brands can generate millions of dollars in revenue for an NFL franchise. New merchandise and apparel equals more Sales and Dollars).   Tampa Bay is this years newest model of an updated brand and look. The Buccaneers unveiled this new-look helmet with over-sized logo and chrome face mask.

NFL traditionalist and the “old-school” NFL brands prefer specifics styles of uniform, based on a conservative standard and throw-back brands, but as people evolve, so do tastes and fads. So with time (and age), preferences and styles grow. Good for Tampa Bay for adopting new looks in a positive brand and good looking logos.

Last year the Miami Dolphins evolved their logo and helmet, but were very conservative in their approach. This Tampa Bay new look took a big jump in a great way.