Full coverage of the 2014 NFL Draft, which will take place May 8-10 at Radio City Music Hall.

Sports

Football

spDRAFTRANKSG

This is the final primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins at 8 p.m. Thursday. 
PICK NO. 59: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 
2013 record: 11-5 
Key offseason acquisitions: DE Arthur Jones, WR Hakeem Nicks, MLB D'Qwell Jackson. 
Key offseason departures: FS Antoine Bethea, RB Donald Brown, Darrius Heyward-Bey, C Samson Satele, G Mike McGlynn, MLB Pat Angerer. 
Biggest holes: Interior offensive line, free safety, edge rusher 
In a way, the Colts already spent their first-round pick on running back Trent Richardson, who came from Cleveland in exchange for what would become the 26th overall pick. 
Richardson averaged 2.9 yards per carry with the Colts, though there weren't too many holes with the likes of Samson Satele and Mike McGlynn up front. Donald Thomas (who is coming off a torn quad and a torn bicep) and Hugh Thornton currently are starting at guard, while 2013 fourth-rounder Khaled Holmes is penciled in at center. Even with one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in Andrew Luck, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is adopting a power run offense in Indy, but they need to make some improvements along the interior line in order for that to come to fruition. 
Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson would be a good choice, provided he's available at the end of the second round. Jackson (6-3, 331 pounds) has a great blend of power and light feet. He shows good knee-bend, drives through opponents as a run blocker and stays balanced in the passing game. There are a few questions about Jackson's consistency, but if he can put it all together he could be a long-term solution inside. 
The Colts drafted a center last year but do it again this year as well. Colorado's Weston Richburg is the top center in this year's class and could be an immediate starter. Richburg started at center, guard and tackle at various points for the Rams. He's durable (he started all 50 games of his Rams career), smart, makes good pre-snap calls and moves well for a 6-3, 298-pounder. He helps his fellow linemen out and stays active if he's not blocking anyone off the snap. He won't maul any nose tackles in the run game, but his athleticism and intelligence would be an asset on the Colts' line. 
If the Colts aren't enamored with their current starting center from USC, they could draft another potential starting center from USC: Marcus Martin. Martin uses his size (6-3, 320 pounds) and strength to power through defensive linemen off the snap. He's also versatile, having started for two years at guard before replacing Holmes at center. He's not as polished as Richburg and will often go for the knockout shot instead of a sustaining block, but he has a great deal of upside and can play anywhere on the interior line as a rookie. 
The Colts also could use some more help in the secondary. They re-signed Vontae Davis to a four-year, $39 million deal, but lost free safety Antoine Bethea to San Francisco. They still have LaRon Landry at strong safety, though he's better when asked to play in the box. A rangy, ball-hawking complement to Landry could be an option at 59. 
Florida State's Terrence Brooks would fit well if he's on the board at this pick. The playmaking safety is athletic (4.42 40, 38-inch vertical) and has good hands and ball skills. He's also a big hitter, though at times that can get him into trouble as he occasionally fails to wrap up ballcarriers. He has the tools to become a valuable presence out in centerfield for years to come. 
Minnesota's Brock Vereen also is an option here. The brother of Patriots running back Shane Vereen played both cornerback and safety with the Golden Gophers. His athleticism showed at the Combine, when he posted a 4.47-second 40, put up 25 reps on the bench press and clocked a 6.90-second three-cone drill and a 4.07-second 20-yard shuttle). Vereen relies on his intelligence and instincts when in coverage and can diagnose routes quickly. However, he only had four career interceptions at Minnesota and isn't considered a ball hawk. 
Possible options in the third round and later include Arkansas center Travis Swanson, LSU guard Trai Turner, Florida guard Jon Halapio, Stanford guard David Yankey, USC safety Dion Bailey, North Carolina safety Tre Boston, Boston College linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis and Arizona State linebacker Carl Bradford.

SPCOLTSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Indianapolis Colts

gabe jackson cropped

This is the penultimate primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins at 8 p.m. Thursday. 
PICK NO. 34: WASHINGTON REDSKINS 
2013 record: 3-13 
Key offseason acquisitions: WR DeSean Jackson, DT Jason Hatcher, CB Tracy Porter, G Shaun Lauvao, WR Andre Roberts, FS Ryan Clark. 
Key offseason departures: TE Fred Davis, CB Josh Wilson. 
Biggest holes: Offensive line, safety, defensive line, cornerback, linebacker. 
Washington is still paying for the trade up for Robert Griffin III in 2012, which is why the Redskins don't have the second overall pick in this year's draft. That means they'll miss out on a potential franchise player such as Greg Robinson or Sammy Watkins in the first round, but they still can add a quality player at the top of round two. 
The Redskins can start by beefing up their offensive line. Under Mike Shanahan, they ran a zone-blocking scheme that called for smaller, quicker linemen. New head coach Jay Gruden used bigger linemen in Cincinnati, so look for him to add a girthy run blocker - most likely a right tackle - at No. 34. 
Alabama's Cyrus Kouandjio fits the description pretty well and should be available. Kouandjio checks in at 6-7, 322 pounds and is projected as a power right tackle due to his ability to open holes in the running game, though he's also able to protect a quarterback's blind side. He's still raw technique-wise but has high upside. However, his stock has tumbled since the end of the college football season. He had a very bad showing in the Sugar Bowl, giving up three sacks to Oklahoma sophomore edge rusher Eric Striker. He then struggled mightily at the Combine, and then immediately after the Combine it was reported that teams had major questions about his surgically repaired left knee. 
They also could eye Tennessee's Ja'Wuan James. James wasn't the most talked-about player on the Volunteers' line - that distinction went to Antonio "Tiny" Richardson - but that's because James was much more consistent. James is 6-6, 311 pounds and started all 49 career games for Tennessee, including 37 straight at right tackle. He's a balanced blocker who can help in both the running game and in pass protection. He's more fundamentally sound than Kouandjio and would be a good plug-and-play option. 
Virginia's Morgan Moses could slip this far as well. Like Kouandjio and James, he has good size at 6-6, 314 pounds. He's a wall in pass protection thanks to his great base and anchor. However, he still needs some work as a run blocker and is better suited for the left side in the pros, where the Redskins start Trent Williams. 
The Redskins signed free safety Ryan Clark to a one-year deal, but he is 34 years old and nothing more than a one-year stop-gap. So it wouldn't be surprising if they took someone to pair with Brandon Meriweather, who played well in the box last year before becoming more of a single-high safety toward the end of the season. 
There likely won't be too many rangy centerfielder types available at this point, but it's possible that Northern Illinois' Jimmie Ward could be the guy if he slips past everyone in the first round. Ward is a versatile defender who can play nickel cornerback, in the box or in centerfield. He has very good ball skills and is aggressive in whatever role he's asked to play. 
The Redskins also need to continue bolstering their defensive line after signing ex-Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher. They currently have Hatcher slotted at right end and ex-Giant Barry Cofield at nose tackle, but could use a left end to complete their 3-4 look. Minnesota's Ra'Shede Hageman played mostly defensive tackle in college, but he's versatile enough to swing out to five-technique. He has great size at 6-6 and 310 pounds and had good measurables at the Combine: 32 reps on the bench press and 34 1/4-inch arm length. He's explosive and can use his pure athleticism to get into the backfield. However, he isn't quite NFL-ready, and too often he'll run cold on film and become a non-factor just moments after making a "wow" play. 
Possible options in the third round and beyond include Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir, Nebraska CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Wisconsin ILB Chris Borland, Stanford ILB Shayne Skov, Michigan OT Michael Schofield, McGill OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Virginia DT Brent Urban and Oregon DE Taylor Hart.

SPREDSKINSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Washington Redskins

kouandjio cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 32: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 
2013 record: 13-3 
Key offseason acquisitions: CB Phillip Adams, WR Taylor Price. 
Key offseason departures: CB Brandon Browner, CB Walter Thurmond, DE/DT Red Bryant, DE Chris Clemons, OT Breno Giacomini, OT Paul McQuistan, WR Golden Tate, WR Sidney Rice. 
Biggest holes: Wide receiver, guard, defensive end, tight end. 
How deep are the Seahawks? They lost several players in free agency, yet they're still considered a favorite to return to the Super Bowl. 
Seattle didn't make a big splash in free agency aside from re-signing Michael Bennett. They opted to bring in mostly role players and depth guys, so adding through the draft will be key. 
The thing is, the Seahawks don't have any major holes to fill. They have depth at just about every position, though they could use an outside presence to pair with the explosive and Percy Harvin as well as some pieces along both lines. 
Fresno State wideout Davante Adams would be an intriguing pick at the end of the first round. Despite his average height at 6-1, Adams has the physical tools of a solid possession receiver -- hands, leaping ability and catch radius. He also has decent speed, clocking a 4.56 40 at the Combine. He has great hand-eye coordination and combines that with his 39 1/2-inch vertical to easily high-point the ball. Adams wasn't asked to run a full route tree with the Bulldogs, but he can step in right away and contribute in the red zone and as a chain-mover for the Seahawks. 
This could be the ceiling for Florida State wideout Kelvin Benjamin. Benjamin is 6-5, 240 pounds, making him an imposing outside threat. Like Adams, he has a wide catch radius and very good jumping ability to snare overthrown balls or catch a fade pass in the red zone. However, Benjamin's still very raw and is plagued by a case of the dropsies. Some of his drops are fixable with coaching - for instance, he'll often start looking upfield before securing the ball -- but other times he'll just flat-out drop the pass. 
The Seahawks' defensive line is in good shape overall, but they may want to find a replacement for versatile lineman Red Bryant, who signed with ex-Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley in Jacksonville. Minnesota's Ra'Shede Hageman would be a good pick if he's still available. Hageman has great measurements -- 6-6, 310 pounds, 34 1/4-inch arm length, 32 reps on the bench press, 35 1/2-inch vertical. He has good power and can play inside or at the five-technique. 
Hageman's biggest knock, though, is his lack of consistency -- he'll make an explosive play, then disappear for a few snaps. He's also raw technique-wise, since he's a converted tight end who switched to defense upon enrolling at Minnesota. 
Seattle also could shore up their offensive line. Starting right tackle Breno Giacomini is now a Jet, and the starting guard duo of James Carpenter and J.R. Sweezy is just average. Nevada's Joel Bitonio would be a versatile option. Bitonio played tackle during his time with the Wolfpack, but he showed some potential at guard during Senior Bowl workouts. The 6-4, 302-pounder plays tough, has the burst to take out defenders at the snap and the athleticism to block on screens if needed. 
If the Seahawks wanted to focus solely on the interior line, UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo would be an option as well. Like Bitonio, Su'a-Filo is very athletic for a 6-4, 307-pound player. He thrives when asked to block on the move, whether it's getting into the second level or pulling on an outside run or counter. He'd be a good plug-and-play option. 
Despite all of these first-round options, keep an eye on whoever Seattle takes in the middle rounds. The Seahawks have had a knack for finding mid-round and late-round gems. Among the more notable names: Richard Sherman (fifth round, 2011), Kam Chancellor (fifth round, 2010), Russell Wilson (third round, 2012), Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith (seventh round, 2011) and Bobby Wagner (second round, 2012). Possible Day 2 and Day 3 picks this year include Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis, Pitt WR Devin Street, Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman, USC DT George Uko, South Carolina DT Kelcy Quarles, Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson and Boise State guard Charles Leno.

SPSEAHAWKSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Seattle Seahawks

davante adams cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 31: DENVER BRONCOS 
2013 record: 13-3 
Key offseason acquisitions: CB Aqib Talib, DE/OLB DeMarcus Ware, SS T.J. Ward, WR Emmanuel Sanders. 
Key offseason departures: WR Eric Decker, CB Champ Bailey, G Zane Beadles, KR Trindon Holliday, RB Knowshon Moreno, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, MLB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Shaun Phillips. 
Biggest holes: Guard, cornerback, linebacker. 
The Broncos are going all in. 
After a 43-8 shellacking at the hands of the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII, Denver reloaded. They scooped up a lot of the bigger names in free agency, including Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and T.J. Ward. That splurge allows them to consider the "best player available" approach in the first round. 
They have some needs still, including a cornerback opposite Talib. Champ Bailey and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are both gone, and Chris Harris is coming off a torn ACL. By this point, though, most (if not all) of the top cornerback prospects will be off the board, so it'll be slim pickings for the Broncos. 
Of the top cornerbacks, TCU's Jason Verrett is the most likely to fall to the Broncos. Verrett is small at 5-9, 189 pounds, but he's an athletic, aggressive ball-hawk with good technique and instincts. He could start off in the slot and eventually move to the outside. 
There's also a chance that Ohio State's Bradley Roby falls here. Roby has excellent speed (4.39-second 40 at the Combine) and athleticism, but he was inconsistent at times during his junior season with the Buckeyes (the most notable moment coming against Wisconsin, when he was torched by projected mid-round pick Jared Abbrederis for 10 catches, 207 yards and a touchdown). If he can show that his focus issues are a thing of the past, he would be a solid pick here. 
The Broncos also could use a guard to replace Zane Beadles, who left for Jacksonville. UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo could be the pick if they want to address that need in the first round. Su'a-Filo is an athletic lineman who is good when asked to block on the move, whether it's in the second level or pulling on a counter run. 
They also could take Nevada lineman Joel Bitonio. Bitonio played tackle in college, but his 6-4, 302-pound frame suggests that he's better suited inside in the pros. He tested toward the top of the class in the 40 (4.97 seconds), vertical jump (32 inches), broad jump (114 inches), three-cone drill (7.37 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.44 seconds). He's a smart, tough, lineman who shouldn't have a problem finding a home at the next level. 
The Broncos also may address the middle linebacker position now that Wesley Woodyard is a Titan. There aren't too many pure middle linebackers available here, but Ohio State's Ryan Shazier could be an intriguing possibility if he slides this far. He was a run-and-chase Will linebacker in college but has the overall athleticism to play in the middle. Shazier reportedly clocked a 4.36 40 at his Pro Day. He's a strong tackler and is also very good in coverage, making him an every down player. 
Possible mid-round and late-round options include Florida cornerbacks Marcus Roberson and Jaylen Watkins, Florida State CB/S Lamarcus Joyner, Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson, LSU guard Trai Turner, Wisconsin MLB Chris Borland and UConn MLB Yawin Smallwood.

SPBRONCOSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Denver Broncos

verrett cropped

With the 2014 NFL Draft just days away, Newsday.com draft analyst Nick Klopsis takes a look at how the first round may play out in the final installment of his mock draft. 
1. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team32.html">Texans</a>:&nbsp; JADEVEON CLOWNEY DE, South Carolina 
The Texans need a quarterback but aren’t sold on taking any of the top guys here. Instead, they take Clowney, who would pair with J.J. Watt to give opposing quarterbacks nightmares. Don’t count Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack out as an option either. [Previous picks: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (1.0, 2.0); Blake Bortles, QB, UCF (3.0)] 
2. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team22.html">Rams (via Redskins)</a>: GREG ROBINSON, OT, Auburn 
It’s still likely that the Rams will auction this pick off to the highest bidder. If they choose to stay at 2, they net a mauling run blocker who could become one of the league’s top tackles in a few years. [Previous picks: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&amp;M (1.0, 2.0); Robinson (3.0)] 
3. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team30.html">Jaguars</a>:&nbsp;KHALIL MACK, OLB, Buffalo 
Jacksonville could go quarterback here, but head coach Gus Bradley would have a very tough time passing on Mack, a very well-rounded linebacker who would instantly become the “Leo” in the Jaguars’ defense. [Previous picks: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
4. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team31.html">Browns</a>: JOHNNY MANZIEL, QB, Texas A&amp;M 
The Browns use the first of their two first-round picks on Manziel, the undersized yet dynamic signal caller who would add a jolt of excitement to a moribund franchise. [Previous picks: Manziel (1.0, 2.0); Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (3.0)] 
5. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team26.html">Raiders</a>:&nbsp; SAMMY WATKINS, WR, Clemson 
The Raiders luck out and have Watkins fall into their laps at No. 5. Whoever is under center for the Raiders – whether it’s Matt Schaub or someone they draft later on – gets a playmaker who excels at creating space with his great speed and acceleration. [Previous picks: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF (1.0, 2.0); Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&amp;M (3.0)] 
6. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team2.html">Falcons</a>:&nbsp; JAKE MATTHEWS, OT, Texas A&amp;M 
The Falcons continue to rebuild their offensive line with Matthews, a polished technician and the son of Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews. He’s the safest pick in the draft and can play either tackle position. [Previous picks: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo (1.0, 3.0); Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn (2.0)] 
7. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team15.html">Buccaneers</a>:&nbsp; MIKE EVANS, WR, Texas A&amp;M 
The Bucs went on a free-agent spending spree but can use a No. 2 option across from Vincent Jackson. The 6-5 Evans would give new QB Josh McCown two big, physical receivers and essentially recreate his situation last year in Chicago, where he had a career revival. [Previous picks: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA (1.0); Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo (2.0); Sammy Warkins, WR, Clemson (3.0)] 
8. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team6.html">Vikings</a>:&nbsp; BLAKE BORTLES, QB, UCF 
The Vikings need a long-term answer at quarterback. Bortles is a little raw, but he has prototypical size for an NFL quarterback and Ben Roethlisberger-esque athleticism. He can start right away, or he can sit and develop behind Matt Cassel. [Previous picks: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
9. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team12.html">Bills</a>:&nbsp; TAYLOR LEWAN, OT, Michigan 
The Bills have their quarterback in E.J. Manuel. Now they need to protect him. Lewan plays with a nasty streak and is very athletic. He can come in and immediately play right tackle, then shift over to the left side as Cordy Glenn’s eventual replacement. [Previous picks: Eric Ebron (1.0); Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA (2.0); Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&amp;M (3.0)] 
10. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team1.html">Lions</a>:&nbsp; ODELL BECKHAM JR., WR, LSU 
A surprise pick? Maybe. But the Lions could use more playmakers on offense to help take some heat off Calvin Johnson. Beckham is a smooth athlete with a great catch radius to help him make tough catches. [Previous picks: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson (1.0, 2.0); Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama (3.0)] 
11. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team10.html">Titans</a>: ANTHONY BARR, OLB, UCLA 
The Titans are moving to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Ray Horton. Barr is raw, but he has the physical tools that teams look for and would be a formidable threat on the edge. [Previous picks: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn (1.0); C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama (2.0); Barr (3.0)] 
12. <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants">Giants</a>: ERIC EBRON, TE, North Carolina 
After a rare splurge in free agency, the Giants are in a position to take the best player available. In this case, it just so happens that the best player available also fills a big need. Ebron gives Eli Manning a mismatch all over the field and a huge target in the red zone. [Previous picks: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama (1.0); Ebron (2.0, 3.0)] 
13. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team22.html">Rams</a>: HA HA CLINTON-DIX, FS, Alabama 
After going offense with the second overall pick, the Rams focus on building their secondary here. Clinton-Dix has great range and ball skills in centerfield and would be an instant starter in St. Louis. [Previous picks: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&amp;M (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
14. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team16.html">Bears</a>: AARON DONALD, DT, Pittsburgh 
There has been a lot of chatter about Donald going in the top 10, which is a strong possibility – he has incredible talent and proved in workouts that his stellar senior season was no fluke. The Bears luck out here and land a three-technique who compares favorably to Geno Atkins of the Bengals. [Previous picks: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State (1.0); Donald (2.0, 3.0)] 
15. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team14.html">Steelers</a>: DARQUEZE DENNARD, CB, Michigan State 
The Steelers’ secondary is aging. Dennard isn’t the most athletic cornerback in this year’s draft, but his aggressive, physical style of play would be a good fit in Pittsburgh. &nbsp;[Previous picks: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame (1.0); Dennard (2.0, 3.0)] 
16. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team28.html">Cowboys</a>: CALVIN PRYOR, FS, Louisville 
The Cowboys gave up the third-most yards in NFL history last year and could use help in centerfield. Pryor is known for being a hard hitter, but he does have experience as a single-high safety, which is what the Cowboys would need from him. [Previous picks: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama (1.0, 2.0); Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri (3.0)] 
17. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team24.html">Ravens</a>: ZACK MARTIN, OT/OG, Notre Dame 
The Ravens averaged a league-worst 3.1 yards per carry and surrendered 48 sacks in 2013. Martin is undersized at 6-4, 308 pounds, but he can play right tackle or slide inside to guard. [Previous picks: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
18. <a href="http://www.newsday.com/football/jets">Jets</a>: JUSTIN GILBERT, CB, Oklahoma State 
Why no wideout here? Opportunity cost. This wide receiver class is incredibly deep, and the Jets could find excellent value there in rounds 2-4. So they can spend their first-rounder to address other needs, such as finding Antonio Cromartie’s replacement. Yes, the Jets drafted Dee Milliner ninth overall last year, but adding the talented and athletic Gilbert gives them a very good 1-2 punch in the secondary for years to come. [Previous picks: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech (1.0, 2.0); Gilbert (3.0)] 
19. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team9.html">Dolphins</a>: C.J. MOSLEY, MLB, Alabama 
With all of the top-tier linemen off the board, the Dolphins bolster the heart of their&nbsp; defense with Mosley, an instinctive inside linebacker who can do a little bit of everything. [Previous picks: Zack Martin, OT/OG, Notre Dame (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
20. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team23.html">Cardinals</a>: TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, QB, Louisville 
The Cardinals have more pressing needs, most notably adding another safety and bolstering the pass rush. But the chance to draft arguably the most NFL-ready passer in this draft as Carson Palmer’s eventual replacement may be too good to pass up. [Previous picks: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama (1.0); Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State (2.0); Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech (3.0)] 
21. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team17.html">Packers</a>: JIMMIE WARD, FS/SS, Northern Illinois 
The Packers allowed 12.6 yards allowed per completion in 2013, second-worst in the NFL. Ward is very rangy and makes plays with a great mix of athleticism, ball skills and smarts. He also can play nickel corner or in the box if needed. [Previous picks: Ward (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
22. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team7.html">Eagles</a>: KYLE FULLER, CB, Virginia Tech 
The Eagles bolster their secondary with Fuller, a well-rounded corner who can play zone, man-to-man, help in run support and even blitz. [Previous picks: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State (1.0); Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (2.0, 3.0)] 
23. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team3.html">Chiefs</a>:&nbsp; BRANDIN COOKS, WR, Oregon State 
The Chiefs don’t have an established No. 2 wideout across from Dwayne Bowe. Cooks is explosive and does a lot of damage in space, similar to what Percy Harvin or Tavon Austin bring. [Previous picks: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
24. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team20.html">Bengals</a>: DEE FORD, DE, Auburn 
Ford has an explosive first step and was impressive in both the BCS title game and the Senior Bowl. His pass-rushing skills would help ease the loss of Michael Johnson, who left for Tampa Bay in free agency. [Previous picks: Ford (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
25. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team11.html">Chargers</a>: LOUIS NIX III, DT, Notre Dame 
The Chargers could use a good nose tackle to anchor their defensive line, and the 6-2, 331-pound Nix fits the bill. As an added bonus, drafting Nix reunites him with Manti Te’o, recreating the core of Notre Dame’s strong 2012 defense. [Previous picks: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State (1.0); Nix (2.0, 3.0)] 
26. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team31.html">Browns (via Colts)</a>: MARQISE LEE, WR, USC 
After drafting their franchise QB in Manziel, the Browns' next step should be to give him a new toy to play with. The speedy Lee would make for a good No. 2 across from Josh Gordon.&nbsp;[Previous picks: Lee (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
27. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team4.html">Saints</a>: RYAN SHAZIER, OLB, Ohio State 
Rob Ryan could always use more playmakers on defense. Shazier is an every down player with sideline-to-sideline speed, good instincts and solid coverage skills. He’s also a sure tackler. [Previous picks: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri (1.0, 2.0); C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama (3.0)] 
28. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team29.html">Panthers</a>: DAVANTE ADAMS, WR, Fresno State 
The Panthers released Steve Smith and lost Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn and Domenik Hixon to free agency. They’ll need someone to catch Cam Newton’s passes, and Adams gives Newton a red-zone target with a good catch radius and the ability to win at the catch point. [Previous picks: Adams (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
29. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team18.html">Patriots</a>: JACE AMARO, TE, Texas Tech 
The Patriots’ offense last year wasn’t as dynamic as it was when they had two mismatches at tight end. Rob Gronkowski should be healthy in 2014, but adding the 6-5, 274-pound Amaro gives New England another “joker” tight end who can play in-line, in the slot or as a flanker. [Previous picks: Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame (1.0, 2.0, 3.0)] 
30.&nbsp; <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team5.html">49ers</a>: BRADLEY ROBY, CB, Ohio State 
After losing Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers in free agency, the 49ers need to bolster their secondary. The 49ers have 11 picks and are a prime candidate to trade up for a top-tier cornerback, but staying at 31 would net them Roby, who has great speed and is scheme-versatile. [Previous picks: Aaron Donald, DT, Florida State (1.0); Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt (2.0); Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State (3.0)] 
31. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team21.html">Broncos</a>: JASON VERRETT, CB, TCU 
The Broncos went all-out in free agency, signing DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib and Emmanuel Sanders. They don’t really have too many glaring holes, but they could use another corner opposite Talib. Verrett makes up for his lack of size (5-9, 189 pounds) with excellent ball skills and aggressiveness. [Previous picks: Verrett (1.0); Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville (2.0); Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (3.0)] 
32. <a href="http://newsday.sportsdirectinc.com/football/nfl-teams.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team19.html">Seahawks</a>: XAVIER SU’A FILO, OG, UCLA 
For all of the talent and depth the Seahawks have, their guard play was average in 2013. &nbsp;Su’a-Filo is a balanced guard who plays well when asked to block on the move or get to the second level. [Previous picks: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt (1.0, 3.0); Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State&nbsp;(2.0)] 
DROPPED OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State; Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri; Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame; Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota; Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt.

spMOCK

NFL mock draft 2014

clowney cropped

Teddy Bridgewater's pre-draft experience has not been an easy one, and he admits there are times when the scrutiny gets the best of him. 
Once considered the top quarterback in the draft and a likely choice to be the No. 1 overall pick of the Texans, Bridgewater's stock has fallen amid a seemingly daily dose of criticism from many draft experts and NFL executives. 
"I hear the things that are said about me, and I read about them,'' the former Louisville star said. "I'm human, so of course I can say that I block it out. But there's that .1 of 1 percent when I read it that it bothers me. But it doesn't get me down. It adds fuel to the fire. My mind-set is that I'm going to prove these guys wrong, play with that chip on my shoulder.'' 
Bridgewater's situation isn't much different from other top players whose prospects take a downward turn before the draft. But when Bridgewater made a decision in January to hire former Jets defensive back Abe Elam as an adviser, he found an ally to help him prepare not only for the draft, but for the entire NFL experience. And their unique bond might one day help other players make the challenging transition to the pros. 
Elam may have found a niche that addresses issues that often fall through the cracks. Once a player is finished with his college career, he faces a major set of life decisions -- choosing an agent, finding a place to train for the scouting combine, selecting a financial planner. 
"It's helped out a lot, being that [Elam] is someone who has played in the NFL and had a long career,'' Bridgewater said. "He's been helpful in just advising me, giving me an overview of what to look for in an agent, in a financial adviser. I think other guys would really benefit with having a guy like Abe. Just advising me with everything he went through to share that knowledge is very helpful.'' 
It is an unlikely journey for the 32-year-old Elam. Had it not been for his own experience of being mentored by Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells and former Giants running back Tucker Frederickson, Elam might have been just another talented young athlete who never got a chance to live his dream. 
Instead, he became an example of perseverance who is looking to give back to young players by offering the two things he knows best: trust and experience. 
"I've made the mistakes in my life so I can show other guys that they don't have to,'' said Elam, who played with the Cowboys, Jets, Browns and Chiefs in a career that lasted from 2006-12. "My whole thing with working with these guys is to empower them, to take control of their own situation, to be the CEO of their own business. You see a lot of situations where guys go broke when they rely on others and are oblivious to what's going on.'' 
Elam endured a rough upbringing in Riviera Beach, Fla., losing two brothers and a younger sister, all of whom were murdered. 
"There were some hard times growing up,'' Elam said. "But being able to make it out has been my testimonial and my story, that regardless of how things are around you, you can still prosper and be successful." 
Elam was a football and basketball star at Cardinal Newman, a Catholic high school where he had earned a scholarship. A football scholarship to Notre Dame was next, and it looked as if Elam was on his way. 
But as a sophomore in 2002, a 20-year-old female student accused Elam and three Notre Dame teammates of rape. School officials eventually expelled all four players. 
Elam, who wasn't charged with rape and maintains his innocence but declined to discuss details of the incident, was convicted of sexual battery and placed on probation for two years. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of criminal deviate conduct and conspiracy to commit rape. Elam's former teammates, who were charged with rape, were not convicted. Elam still must continue to register as a sex offender in Florida as part of his original plea deal. He said he is attempting to work with the courts to remove that stipulation. 
Elam appeared to be at a dead end after leaving Notre Dame, until he met up with Frederickson, the Giants' No. 1 overall pick in 1965 and a prominent real estate developer in South Florida. 
"I didn't know him, but I knew of him,'' Fredrickson said. "He was probably the best athlete to come out of here, maybe ever. I'd heard the story that he got in trouble at Notre Dame, and got some bad advice and the system got him big-time. 
"I just basically called him up and said, 'Hey, you want to have lunch?' My son had a scholarship at Kent State, and I called the coach, Dean Pees, who's now with the Ravens,'' Frederickson said. "I told Dean, 'Look, it's going to be a little controversial and you're going to be taking a chance, but he's an athlete. I'm telling you. Dean went out on a limb for him.'' 
But when it came time for the draft, Elam was not selected. 
"I called around the league a little bit, and everyone said, 'Felon, felon, felon. Nobody wants a felon,' '' Frederickson said. "He was cutting grass at a golf club for $8 an hour, working out, not giving up, and then we all worked the phones.'' 
A call from Frederickson to Parcells, then the Cowboys' coach, turned into Elam's opportunity. He made the team in 2006, starting a career that lasted seven seasons. 
"I know his family life was very difficult, and he came from a tough, hard background, but he's a very bright, good-hearted, well-meaning human being,'' Parcells said. 
It was Parcells who urged Elam to find a role in helping other players. That included Elam's younger brother, Matt, a safety and a first-round pick for Baltimore last season. Parcells saw how Elam interacted with players at Matt's high school -- William T. Dwyer in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida -- and suggested it was a good idea to pursue. The school isn't far from where Parcells lives in Jupiter, Florida, and the former coach regularly visits with the team. 
"So now he's helping some of these [college] players, and he's like a guidance counselor of the very best nature for these kids," Parcells said. "He's doing things that, in my opinion, are with very, very good, honorable intentions.'' 
Elam, who is not a licensed sports agent, envisions his program -- which he calls the Elam Model -- can help other players through a challenging time in their careers. He also works with former Auburn running back Tre Mason, and mentored his brother Matt Elam during his transition into the NFL. With Abe's help, Matt negotiated his own rookie contract last year, saving more than $200,000 in agent fees. 
Bridgewater is paying heed to the lessons Elam has imparted; the former safety has helped Bridgewater choose an agent (Kennard McGuire), set up a financial planning program and get through the sometimes turbulent pre-draft process. Despite the criticism of recent weeks, which stemmed mostly from a poor performance at his Louisville Pro Day, Bridgewater looks to the future with promise and a clear vision of what he wants to accomplish. 
"I'm all about preparing to do the one thing I love, and that's play football,'' Bridgewater said. "So, if I'm the last pick or the first pick, if I have to play in a parking lot or someone else's backyard -- as long as I can suit up and continue to play, that's all that matters.''

Columnists

Bob Glauber

SPGLAUB07.WEB

Ex-Jet Abe Elam helping to mentor Teddy Bridgewater

abe elam cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 30: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 
2013 record: 12-4 
Key offseason acquisitions: SS Antoine Bethea, CB Chris Cook, OT Jonathan Martin. 
Key offseason departures: CB Tarell Brown, CB Carlos Rogers, SS Donte Whitner, WR Mario Manningham. 
Biggest holes: Cornerback, defensive line, wide receiver. 
San Francisco has 11 picks in this draft and its only true hole is cornerback, now that Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers are gone. By the time they're on the clock, all the top guys will be off the board. The 49ers aren't afraid to move up to get their guy - they did just that last year with safety Eric Reid. Also, the Niners have two second-round picks, so it's not out of the question for one of those to be packaged with the 30th overall pick in a trade up for a top cornerback. 
Let's assume they trade up to grab a cornerback. Who they take would likely depend on what they prefer in a cornerback. The most athletic option would be Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert, the best press-coverage option would be Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard and the best all-around option would be Virginia Tech' Kyle Fuller. 
Gilbert clocked a 4.37 40-yard dash at the Combine, tops among cornerbacks, and checks in at 6-foot, 202 pounds. His technique is a bit messy, but he flips his hips well in coverage, has solid hands and can return kicks and punts. 
Dennard excels when he can get physical with his receivers at the line of scrimmage. He needs to learn how to avoid pass interference flags at the next level, and he's not the most athletic cornerback in the draft, but he would be a good fit in a tough NFC West. 
Fuller has become one of the hotter prospects at cornerback. He's on the lanky side (6-foot, 190 pounds), but he can do pretty much whatever is asked of him, whether it's man coverage, zone, run support or blitzing. He isn't as flashy as Gilbert or as physical as Dennard, but would be a good, well-rounded plug-and-play option. 
Of course, the Niners could just stay at 30 and take the best player available. Minnesota defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman would be an intriguing option. Hageman has the physical tools that scouts look for in a defensive lineman: 6-6, 310 pounds, 32 reps on the bench press and 34 1/4-inch arm length. He has some impressive moments on film, where he can explode into the backfield and make a play. However, he'll often follow those moments up by disappearing and becoming a non-factor. He's also raw, but with a line as deep as the 49ers have, he'd be afforded the chance to sit and learn. 
The Niners also could use another wide receiver. Michael Crabtree is entering a contract season, and Anquan Boldin will be 34 in October. They drafted Louisiana Tech wideout Quinton Patton in the fourth round last year, but he had all of three catches for 34 yards in the regular season. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to have another weapon when you're going up against the Seahawks' Legion of Boom and an underrated Cardinals secondary twice each. 
Indiana's Cody Latimer has risen up draft boards in the past month and could be an option. He's a West Coast-style receiver who runs good routes and uses his size to create separation. He can high-point the ball well and has good hands. He's not too fast, however, and lacks the explosive quality of other top receivers in the draft. 
Fresno State's Davante Adams is a sleeper pick at 30. The 6-1, 212-pound Adams has drawn a lot of comparisons to Crabtree thanks to his mix of hands, speed, leaping ability and catch radius. He has average height for a wideout, but he's still a red-zone threat because he can high-point the ball extremely well. He's a little on the raw side compared to other receivers in this class, and there are questions about his route tree. 
Some Day 2/Day 3 possibilities include Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir, Clemson CB Bashaud Breeland, Utah CB Keith McGill, Clemson WR Martavis Bryant, Penn State WR Allen Robinson and Pitt WR Devin Street.

SPNINERSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: San Francisco 49ers

gilbert cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 29: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 
2013 record: 12-4 
Key offseason acquisitions: CB Darrelle Revis, CB Brandon Browner, WR Brandon LaFell. 
Key offseason departures: CB Aqib Talib, MLB Brandon Spikes, RB LeGarrette Blount. 
Biggest holes: Tight end, defensive line, interior offensive line. 
On paper, 2013 looked about the same as it usually does for the Patriots. They won the AFC East and made it all the way to the AFC title game. Ho hum. 
But Tom Brady didn't look quite same without his usual two tight end threats, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. His 25 touchdown passes were the fewest in a full season since 2006, when he had 24. His 4.0 touchdown percentage also was a career-low. With Hernandez in prison and Gronkowski unable to stay healthy, the Patriots need to get Brady another big target. 
Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro likely would be the pick if the Patriots went that route. Amaro, like Gronkowski and Hernandez, is a "joker" tight end who can line up anywhere on the field - in-line, as a flanker or in the slot. His 6-5, 265-pound frame makes him too big to cover with a cornerback or a safety in the slot, yet he's too quick for linebackers to cover in-line. He did struggle a little with catching the ball at the Combine, but he did catch 106 passes during his junior season. 
There aren't many other tight ends worth a first-round pick here, so it's possible that the Patriots could wait until the middle rounds to address the need, as they did with Gronk and Hernandez in 2010. Their next biggest need is more about planning for the future: nose tackle. Vince Wilfork will be 33 in November and is coming off a torn Achilles. He re-negotiated a three-year, $23-million deal in the offseason, but the final two years are options, so it's more like a one-year deal. 
Notre Dame's Louis Nix is a prototypical nose tackle and would be a great replacement for Wilfork when his time is up. Nix is 6-2 and 331 pounds but moves very well for a guy of his size. He's a space-eater who uses his strength to drive blockers back. Of course, he may not slide this far in the first place. There are a few teams ahead of the Patriots who need a nose tackle as well. 
Minnesota's Ra'Shede Hageman also may be an option. He has excellent size at 6-6 and 310 pounds, has 34 1/4-inch arms and put up 32 reps on the bench press. He has the versatility that the Patriots seem to look for in defensive linemen - he can play inside or as a five-technique defensive end. Hageman is raw and disappears at times on film, but he would be afforded a chance to develop in Bill Belichick's defense. 
The Patriots also could look for help along the offensive line, particularly inside. Longtime guard Logan Mankins is 32, and Dan Connolly will be 32 in September. Marcus Cannon is currently a reserve option, but the Patriots could use another young guard to groom behind those two. 
Nevada's Joel Bitonio would be a good pick here. Bitonio was a good tackle in college, but shone as a guard during Senior Bowl workouts and is best suited there in the pros. Still, his ability to play either inside or outside in a pinch is a positive. Bitonio is athletic, tough and intelligent. He could sit and learn the nuances of playing guard until he's ready to supplant Mankins or Connolly, whenever that may be. 
UCLA guard Xavier Su'a-Filo also may be an option here. He's the most NFL-ready guard in the draft and uses his athleticism to get to the second level or pull on running plays. He's also strong enough to open up holes in the run game. If the Patriots are looking for more of an immediate replacement on the line, they'd be better off with Su'a-Filo. 
Possible second- or third-day picks include Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, LSU defensive tackle Ego Ferguson, Delaware defensive tackle Zach Kerr, Tennessee DT Daniel McCullers, Ohio State OT Jack Mewhort and Furman guard Dakota Dozier.

SPPATRIOTSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: New England Patriots

amaro funny face cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 28: CAROLINA PANTHERS 
2013 record: 11-5 
Key offseason acquisitions: WR Jerricho Cotchery, CB Antoine Cason, SS Roman Harper, WR Jason Avant, WR Tiquan Underwood. 
Key offseason departures: WR Steve Smith, WR Brandon LaFell, WR/KR Ted Ginn, WR Domenik Hixon, CB Captain Munnerlyn, LT Jordan Gross, FS Mike Mitchell. 
Biggest holes: Wide receiver, tackle, cornerback. 
The Steve Smith Era has come to a messy end in Carolina. There's an old cliché that "you can never replace a player like that guy", but in the Panthers' case, they just don't have anyone to replace him, period. 
That's because the Panthers' top four wide receivers from 2013 - Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn and Domenik Hixon - all left or were cut in the offseason. The quartet accounted for 156 catches, 1,983 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2013. That's 53.4 percent of Cam Newton's completions, 58.6 percent of his passing yards and 62.5 percent of his passing touchdowns. The Panthers signed ex-Steelers wideout Jerricho Cotchery, former Eagle Jason Avant, and former Buccaneers receiver Tiquan Underwood. That trio combined for 108 catches, 1,491 yards and 16 touchdowns, but they still could use one more target to round out the group. 
Indiana's Cody Latimer has been a hot name lately. Latimer is a polished route runner with good hands and awareness. He can also high-point the ball well and uses his 6-2, 215-pound frame to create separation. He lacks explosiveness and top-end speed, though, which limits him to more of a West Coast style of offense. 
A name that hasn't been mentioned nearly enough among the top wide receivers in this class: Fresno State's Davante Adams, who the Panthers have reportedly brought in for several visits. The 6-1, 212-pound Adams has excellent hands (233 catches in two seasons), good speed (4.56 40 at the Combine), a 39 1/2-inch vertical and an exceptional catch radius. He's not as tall as Mike Evans or Kelvin Benjamin, but he's just as good of a red-zone threat. Adams' jumping ability and concentration allow him to high-point the ball with great ease. There are questions about his route tree since Fresno State's offense relied mostly on shorter, quick-hitting routes and screens. He's a borderline first-rounder right now, but he could end up as one of the top receivers in this class in three years. 
The Panthers also need to replace left tackle Jordan Gross, who retired midway through the offseason, as well as upgrade across the rest of the offensive line. The top linemen will be off the board by the time Carolina is on the clock, but the Panthers would have their pick of the top second-tier guys: Nevada's Joel Bitonio and Virginia's Morgan Moses. 
Bitonio was a solid tackle in college, but at 6-4 and 302 pounds, he projects best in the NFL as a guard. He tested toward the top of the OL class in the 40-yard dash (4.97 seconds), vertical jump (32 inches), broad jump (114 inches), three-cone drill (7.37 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.44 seconds) at the Combine. He's a tough kid who has a good mix of awareness and athleticism, no matter where the Panthers would put him. 
Moses has great size for either tackle position at 6-6 and 318 pounds. He's an excellent pass blocker, thanks to his 35 3/8-inch long arms, his solid base and his hand use. However, Moses does need some refining as a run blocker, which could be troubling given that the Panthers often rely on the run. 
The Panthers also need a replacement for cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who signed with the Vikings. However, all of the top-tier cornerbacks likely will be gone by this pick, since several secondary needy teams pick directly ahead of the Panthers. 
Possible Day 2/Day 3 picks include Colorado wide receiver Paul Richardson, LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry, Alabama wide receiver Kevin Norwood, Miami tackle Seantrel Henderson, Ohio State tackle Jack Mewhort, Florida cornerback Jaylen Watkins, Liberty cornerback Walt Aikens and Missouri senior E.J. Gaines.

SPPANTHERSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Carolina Panthers

latimer cropped

This is the latest in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday. 
PICK NO. 27: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 
2013 record: 11-5 
Key offseason acquisitions: FS Jairus Byrd, CB Champ Bailey. 
Key offseason departures: WR Lance Moore, FS Malcolm Jenkins, SS Roman Harper, C Brian De La Puente, CB Jabari Greer. 
Biggest holes: Edge rusher, cornerback, center. 
When people think of the Saints, they think of Drew Brees and Sean Payton's high-flying offense. But their defense quietly became one of the NFL's strongest in 2013. 
New Orleans had the league's second-best pass defense in 2013 (194.1 yards per game) and their 49 sacks were fourth in the NFL. The unit is in pretty good shape, too. There aren't too many glaring holes that need to be filled. Still, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan always could use some new toys, so look for the Saints to add even more playmakers on defense as they keep building for the future. 
Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier would be a nice addition if he falls to here. Shazier reportedly ran an unofficial 4.36 40-yard dash at the Combine, and his 42-inch vertical at the Combine was the highest of any player in attendance at any position. He uses that athleticism to go from sideline to sideline and close in on the ballcarrier no matter where he may be. He's a solid tackler (317 total tackles in three seasons, including 45 1/2 for loss) and has good coverage ability. Ryan would have quite a bit of fun creating gameplans around Shazier's every-down talent. 
Demarcus Lawrence has risen up draft boards and also could be a fit here. The 6-3, 251-pound Boise State product has good speed and acceleration off the edge and uses his disruptive hands to get off blockers. However, he's a "tweener" who's not big enough to play defensive end yet lacks the coverage skills to be a full-time linebacker. He could make his name as a pass-rushing specialist in Ryan's 3-4 defense until he either bulks up or learns coverage skills. He also faced three one-game suspensions in college, so his character may need some further investigation. 
It's a possibility that Auburn's Dee Ford will be available here. If he manages to get by the Bengals one pick earlier, the Saints would have to consider him. Ford has an incredibly explosive first step and uses his speed to bend the edge. He's not terribly strong, however, and he's similar to Lawrence in that he's more of a hybrid end/outside linebacker. But, like Lawrence, he can come in and contribute immediately as a pass-rushing specialist. 
The Saints also could start planning for the future at cornerback. Keenan Lewis had a good debut with the Saints in 2013, nabbing four interceptions and forcing a fumble. New Orleans signed future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey to play across from Lewis, but the soon-to-be 36-year-old is just a stop-gap option at this point. The Saints could take a cornerback in the first round and let him learn under Bailey. 
At this stage of the draft, there are likely only going to be two options available: Ohio State's Bradley Roby and TCU's Jason Verrett, provided they're still on the board at this stage. Both Roby and Verrett are very athletic, tough cornerbacks with good ball skills. Roby isn't quite as instinctive as Verrett and will lose focus at times, while Verrett is undersized at 5-9 and 189 pounds. Either one can play in the slot as a rookie and move to the outside once Bailey hangs it up. 
Possible Day 2/Day 3 options include Georgia Tech DE/OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Louisville DE Marcus Smith, Florida State OLB Telvin Smith, Florida State CB/S Lamarcus Joyner, Utah CB Keith McGill, Colorado State C Weston Richburg, USC C Marcus Martin and Arkansas C Travis Swanson.

SPSAINTSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: New Orleans Saints

Shazier cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 25: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 
2013 record: 9-7 
Key offseason acquisitions: RB Donald Brown, QB Kellen Clemens, CB Brandon Ghee. 
Key offseason departures: CB Derek Cox, DT Cam Thomas, WR Danario Alexander. 
Biggest holes: Nose tackle, cornerback, wide receiver. 
San Diego's offense returned to life thanks to new head coach Mike McCoy and Philip Rivers' resurgence under center. The Chargers' 7.5 net yards per pass attempt trailed only Denver's 7.8 for tops in the NFL, and they averaged 270.5 passing yards and two passing touchdowns per game. However, they still need to tighten up a defense that averaged a second-worst 6.1 yards per play, especially in a division where they face Peyton Manning and Jamaal Charles twice each. 
Their key move in free agency was locking up Donald Butler to a seven-year, $52-million deal, but they need a space-eater ahead of him and Manti Te'o. Notre Dame's Louis Nix would be perfect for the Chargers. He's a big body at 6-2 and 331 pounds yet moves well for his size. He can knock his blocker back and has a good swim move. An added bonus: drafting Nix would reunite him with Te'o and recreate the heart of Notre Dame's 2012 defense, which carried them to the BCS title game. He did have season-ending meniscus surgery, though. 
There aren't too many pure nose tackles beyond Nix that are worth drafting this high, but they could go for another former Notre Dame defensive lineman in Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt has great size at 6-5 and 304 pounds, and that translates to great length (34 3/4-inch arm length) and surprising quickness. He's versatile enough to play his natural position of defensive end or move inside. However, Tuitt had weight issues entering his junior season, and he disappeared on tape at times. 
The Chargers also need help in the secondary. The unit allowed 7.1 net yards per attempt, tied with the Falcons and the Redskins for worst in the NFL, and their 258.7 passing yards allowed per game were fourth-worst in the league. 
Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby would inject a dose of athleticism into the Chargers' secondary. Roby ran a 4.39-second 40 at the Combine, has fluid hips and has the physical tools to be a success. However, he did have a few ugly games last season, most notably when he was burned by projected mid-round pick Jared Abbrederis for 207 yards and a score on 10 catches. He also has a history of off-field issues. 
TCU's Jason Verrett also would work well here, if he's still available. At 5-9, Verrett doesn't have ideal size, but he more than makes up for it with his aggressive, ball-hawking style of play. He has good technique, knows where the ball is and can get physical with his receiver. It also doesn't hurt that Verrett's 4.38-second 40 makes him just as fast as Roby. 
Even with their issues on defense, the Chargers could draft a wide receiver to pair with Keenan Allen. There aren't many big, imposing receivers worth a late-first round pick, but the Chargers could have a few dynamic options available, most notably USC wideout Marqise Lee. Lee, a former long-jumper and sprinter on the Trojans' track team, had a down season in 2013 due to nagging injuries, but his overall body of work is still impressive. He has the speed, athleticism and big-play potential that would complement Keenan Allen's route-running ability. 
Possible mid- and late-round picks include Delaware DT Zach Kerr, Tennessee DT Daniel McCullers, UConn DT Shamar Stephen, Nebraska CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Utah CB Keith McGill, Utah State CB Nevin Lawson, Pitt WR Devin Street, Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis and Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman.

SPCHARGERSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: San Diego Chargers

louis nix cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 24: CINCINNATI BENGALS 
2013 record: 11-5 
Key offseason acquisitions: OT Marshall Newhouse, QB Jason Campbell, SS Danieal Manning. 
Key offseason departures: DE Michael Johnson, OT Anthony Collins, OLB James Harrison, WR Andrew Hawkins, C Kyle Cook, OLB Michael Boley, SS Chris Crocker. 
Biggest holes: Defensive end, cornerback, offensive tackle. 
The Bengals have become the definition of a "regular-season team." 
Cincinnati has a winning record in four of the last five seasons, and all four ended in playoff appearances. But each season, it's been just that: a one-game appearance. And it's not a recent thing, either. The Bengals have not made it past the wild card round in any of Marvin Lewis' 11 seasons as head coach, despite the fact that Lewis has guided the team to a 90-85-1 regular-season record and five playoff berths in that timespan. 
With an aging defense, it'll be tough for the Bengals to even make the playoffs, much less put one in the win column in January. They can start by replacing defensive end Michael Johnson, who signed a five-year, $43.75-million contract with Tampa Bay. The Bengals do have 2013 second-round pick Margus Hunt waiting in the wings, but last season was just his fifth in organized football, and at times he struggled to learn the finer points of the game. 
Auburn's Dee Ford would be a solid pickup at 24. He finished his college career with a bang, racking up two sacks in the BCS national title game and then adding two more in the Senior Bowl en route to game MVP honors. Ford is a speedy edge rusher with an incredible first step and great snap anticipation. He's not the strongest player, but he bends the corner well with his speed. He's a little undersized at 6-2 and 252 pounds, meaning he could end up being a "tweener" at the next level. Still, his pure athleticism and pass-rushing ability make him an attractive option. 
Boise State's Demarcus Lawrence also would fit the bill. Lawrence is solid off the edge and has a good set of pass-rushing moves. He uses his 33 3/4-inch arms well and disruptive hands to help him shed blockers. Lawrence did have three one-game suspensions, however, and like Ford, he's a "tweener" type (6-3, 251 pounds). But he has the pass-rushing skills and versatility to be successful. 
The Bengals also could stand to get younger in the secondary. Leon Hall will be returning from a torn ACL, so it's tough to tell how he will fare. Terrence Newman will be 35 on Sept. 4, and Adam Jones will be 31 just 26 days later. Dre Kirkpatrick, a 2012 first-rounder, has been so-so. He has three interceptions in 19 games (three starts), with two of them coming in Week 17 last season. 
A good pick here would be TCU's Jason Verrett. Verrett is an aggressive ball-hawk (nine interceptions in three seasons) who uses his solid technique to make up for his lack of size (5-9, 189). He's very athletic (4.38 40, 39-inch vertical, 6.69-second three cone drill, 4.00-second 20-yard shuttle) and gets physical with his receiver at the line of scrimmage. If the Bengals can look past his size, he could contribute immediately as a nickel cornerback or on the outside. 
Local product Bradley Roby also may be worth considering here. The Ohio State product has great speed (4.39 in the 40 at the Combine), fluid hips and all-around good technique. Roby was inconsistent during his senior season - most notably, he was torched by Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis (a likely third- or fourth-rounder) for 10 catches, 207 yards and a touchdown. He also pleaded guilty to having physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in late April and was suspended for the season opener following a disorderly conduct charge that was eventually dropped. 
Could the Bengals take one of the top quarterbacks if they slide this far? It's possible. Andy Dalton has yet to take the leap from good to great, and he's entering a contract year. Of the first-tier QBs, Fresno State's Derek Carr and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater are the ones most likely to be available at No. 24. Bridgewater may be the most pro-ready quarterback in this class, but concerns about his 214-pound frame and an underwhelming Pro Day have him sliding down boards. Carr has an excellent arm and underrated mobility, but he sometimes has issues handling pressure and played in a pass-happy spread offense in college. 
Possible second-day or third-day picks include Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir, Clemson CB Bashaud Breeland, Missouri CB E.J. Gaines, Virginia OT Morgan Moses, Nevada OT/OG Joel Bitonio, LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger and Georgia QB Aaron Murray.

SPBENGALSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Cincinnati Bengals

dee ford cropped

1. Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina. Top-rated prospect might not be a perfect fit in Houston's 3-4 defense, but if they can't swing a trade, it's tough not to take the best pass rusher in the draft. 
2. Rams: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn. The Rams need an eventual replacement for Jake Long, and Robinson is the most well-rounded offensive lineman in the draft. 
3. Jaguars: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo. Plenty of needs for the Jaguars, including quarterback, so Johnny Manziel will be tempting. But if the Jags decide to go for a quarterback later, they get a terrific linebacker in Mack. 
4. Browns: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson. The Browns need a quarterback, but Watkins is the most dynamic receiver in a draft that's incredibly deep at the position. 
5. Raiders: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&amp;M. The Raiders are enamored with Johnny Football's playmaking ability. 
6. Falcons: Jake Matthews, T, Texas A&amp;M. The Falcons are interested in trading up for Clowney, but if they stay put, Matthews addresses a major need on the offensive line. 
7. Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&amp;M. The Bucs might look for a QB, but Evans will be tough to resist. Great speed and an excellent pass-catcher. 
8. Vikings: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida. After striking out with Christian Ponder, the Vikings will use another top 10 pick on Bortles, whose drop-back style fits in well with new head coach Mike Zimmer. 
9. Bills: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama. The Bills lost free safety Jairus Byrd as a free agent, so Clinton-Dix fills an immediate need. 
10. Lions: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State. The Lions have a major need at corner, and Dennard is the best of this year's group. 
Giants &amp; Jets 
12. Giants: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina. The Giants might go offensive line here -- Zack Martin and Taylor Lewan are in the mix -- but it's tough to pass up on Ebron, who has tight end size and wide receiver speed. 
18. Jets: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville. The Jets have needs at receiver and corner, but have you seen the increased emphasis on safeties in today's NFL? Pryor is an immediate upgrade.

SPMOCK04

Bob Glauber's mini-mock draft

South Carolina Pro Day Football cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 23: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 
2013 record: 11-5 
Key offseason acquisitions: DT Vance Walker, ILB Joe Mays. 
Key offseason departures: G Geoff Schwartz, G Jon Asamoah, OT Branden Albert, WR Dexter McCluster, DE Tyson Jackson, FS Quintin Demps, DT Jerrell Powe, CB Dunta Robinson, FS Kendrick Lewis. 
Biggest holes: Wide receiver, offensive line, free safety 
Nobody was hurt by free agency more than Kansas City. 
The Chiefs entered the offseason with glaring needs at wide receiver and safety, lots of pending free agents and only $4.5 million in cap space. Once free agency hit, they didn't act upon their needs and lost most of their free agents. 
It could have been due to that lack of cap space, or it could have been a product of GM John Dorsey's Packers roots. As we mentioned in the Packers' primer, Packers GM Ted Thompson historically has built through the draft, eschewing big-name free agent signings in favor of stockpiling compensatory picks, and Dorsey may be following suit with the Chiefs. 
Wide receiver would be the easiest need to fill in the first round. There are more wideouts worth a late first-round pick than offensive linemen or free safeties. The Chiefs could use an explosive, field-stretching complement to 6-2, 221-pound Dwayne Bowe. 
Oregon State's Brandin Cooks would be the ideal pick here. Cooks won the Biletnikoff Award in 2013 as college football's top wide receiver with 128 catches for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns. He's an explosive wideout who thrives in space, a skill set very similar to what Tavon Austin brings to the Rams, or what Percy Harvin brings to the Seahawks. He's also a threat in the return game. He thrives in the slot but has experience out wide as well. 
They also could eye USC's Marqise Lee here. Lee won the Biletnikoff Award in 2012 but fell off a bit in 2013 due to nagging injuries. Still, the former track and field athlete has good speed and hands, runs clean routes and makes plays after the catch. If he can stay healthy, Lee could immediately contribute as a No. 2 and eventually become the Chiefs' top option. 
A name that has risen up draft boards in the past month: Indiana's Cody Latimer. Latimer doesn't have too many flaws in his game -- he's a solid receiver with good hands, runs crisp routes and has a nice catch radius. He's not a speed demon like some of the other top receivers in this class, but he could thrive in the Chiefs' West Coast offense. 
The Chiefs also lost the left side of their offensive line as well as a key versatile backup, so it's not out of the question for them to take a guard here. However, there aren't too many linemen worth taking at 23. One possibility is UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo, a balanced guard who uses his quickness and athleticism to get to the second level or to pull on run plays. He's also a solid pass blocker. He would be able to help open up some nice holes in front of running back Jamaal Charles and keep Alex Smith on his feet. 
The Chiefs also need a safety to patrol the backfield and allow Eric Berry to play up in the box more often. If he's still available at this point, Nothern Illinois' Jimmie Ward would be a good pick. Ward is versatile - he can play centerfield, come up to the line of scrimmage to cover a slot receiver or cover a tight end in the box. He has great instincts, closes on the ball quickly and makes the interception with good hands and timing. He's a little small at 5-11 and 193 pounds, but he has all of the tools to succeed at the next level. 
Although the Chiefs don't have a second-round pick, some possible mid-round and late-round options include LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry, Missouri WR L'Damian Washington, South Carolina WR Bruce Ellington, Oregon WR Josh Huff, Mississippi Stanford guard David Yankey, Florida guard Jon Halapio, North Carolina FS Tre Boston and USC FS Dion Bailey.

SPCHIEFSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Kansas City Chiefs

brandin cooks cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 22: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 
2013 record: 10-6 
Key offseason acquisitions: FS Malcolm Jenkins, RB Darren Sproles, CB Nolan Carroll, QB Mark Sanchez. 
Key offseason departures: QB Michael Vick, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jason Avant, FS Patrick Chung, FS Kurt Coleman. 
Biggest holes: Cornerback, safety, wide receiver, linebacker. 
Chip Kelly's high-octane offense lived up to its billing in 2013, but the defense didn't quite hold up its end of the bargain. 
The Eagles' secondary allowed 289.8 passing yards per game in 2013, worst in the NFL. Meanwhile, the front seven's 5.2 percent sack rate tied the Cowboys for the worst in the league. Granted, part of it was a product of the Eagles' offense. The Eagles' defense was on the field for a league-high 1,150 plays, and well, less time spent on offense means more time spent on defense. But they still could use some help in the secondary to prevent opposing teams from throwing on them in the first place. 
They can start with Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller. Fuller is a very smart, balanced corner who plays with toughness despite his lanky stature (six-foot, 190 pounds). He can do pretty much whatever is asked of him - zone coverage, man coverage, run support, even blitz. He played four different positions throughout his Hokies career - linebacker, safety, outside cornerback and nickel cornerback. Hernia surgery prematurely ended his senior season, but he has since checked out as healthy. 
TCU's Jason Verrett also is an option here. Verrett is undersized at 5-9 and 189 pounds, but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in technique and aggressiveness. He's an excellent ball-hawking cover corner who would be a sure-fire top-10 pick if he was two inches taller and 10 pounds heavier. However, the Eagles tend to like bigger defensive backs. Of the 10 defensive backs on their roster, four are sub-six foot, and none of those four are starters (though the 5-10, 185-pound Brandon Boykin has played a lot of nickel cornerback.) 
If the Eagles want to address the back end of the secondary with their first-round pick, they could opt for Northern Illinois' Jimmie Ward (provided he doesn't go one pick earlier to the Packers). Ward is a rangy, versatile centerfielder with good tracking ability, hands and playmaking ability in both coverage and run support. He can line up over a slot receiver, against a tight end or deep over the middle of the field. However, like Verrett, the 5-11 Ward's size works against him in this instance. 
The Eagles also could use an outside linebacker to pair with Connor Barwin and groom as Trent Cole's eventual replacement. Kyle Van Noy is likely an early second-round pick, but he may be worth trading back for. The BYU product is a jack-of-all-trades player with great instincts. He won't blow you away with his athleticism, but he's very dependable and gets the job done. 
The Eagles need another receiver to replace home-run threat DeSean Jackson, but they're more likely to take one later on in the draft given this year's deep class. If they choose to address the position in the first round, they'd likely have their pick of Oregon State's Brandin Cooks, USC's Marqise Lee or Indiana's Cody Latimer. If the Eagles are looking for an explosive, Tavon Austin-esque playmaker, Cooks would be their guy. If they want an established, athletic wideout who can do a bit of everything, the pick likely would be Lee. If they want a sure-handed, West Coast-style receiver who runs crisp routes, Latimer would be the pick. 
Potential mid- and late-round selections include Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir, Florida CB Jaylen Watkins, Virginia Tech CB/S Antone Exum, Florida State OLB Telvin Smith, UCLA OLB Jordan Zumwalt, Oregon WR Josh Huff and Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews.

SPEAGLESDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Philadelphia Eagles

fuller cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 21: GREEN BAY PACKERS 
2013 record: 8-7-1 
Key offseason acquisitions: DE Julius Peppers, DT Letroy Guion, QB Matt Flynn. 
Key offseason departures: C Evan Dietrich-Smith, WR James Jones, FS M.D. Jennings, TE Jermichael Finley, DT Ryan Pickett. 
Biggest holes: Safety, middle linebacker, tight end 
The "key offseason acquisitions" part of this primer is relatively empty, but that doesn't mean Green Bay wasn't active in free agency. 
True to Packers form, they spent the offseason re-signing some of their homegrown talent, including cornerback Sam Shields (four years, $39 million), defensive tackle B.J. Raji (one year, $4 million), tight end and Long Island native Andrew Quarless (two years, $3 million), defensive end/linebacker Mike Neal (two years, $8 mllion) and backup running back James Starks (two years, $3.165 million). 
It's clear that the Packers' "build through the draft" approach has worked. They've had just two losing seasons since Ted Thompson took over as general manager in 2005 and have made the playoffs six out of nine years (including their Super Bowl XLV win). So next week will be especially important for the Packers as they continue that trend. 
The top two safeties (Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville's Calvin Pryor) likely will be off the board at this point, but Northern Illinois' Jimmie Ward could be an option, He doesn't garner as much first-round buzz as Clinton-Dix or Pryor, but he has a skillset that warrants first-round consideration. He's a bit small at 5-11 and 193 pounds, but has great range and instincts, tracks the ball very well and is aggressive in both run support and coverage. He can also line up in the slot or on a tight end if needed. 
Speaking of tight ends, Quarless (a Uniondale graduate) did an admirable job replacing the injured Jermichael Finley in 2013, catching 32 balls for 312 yards and two touchdowns. However, it remains to be seen if he's the man in Green Bay. If the Packers aren't sold on Quarless as a No. 1 tight end, they could end up taking Texas Tech's Jace Amaro here. Amaro is a 6-5, 274-pounder with 4.74 speed, making him too fast for linebackers to cover and too big for defensive backs to cover. He has experience lining up in-line, in the slot and as a flanker. He'd be a dangerous weapon in an already-dangerous offense. 
If Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley manages to slip this far, the Packers might decide to take him as an eventual replacement for A.J. Hawk. Mosley is an instinctive linebacker who can do everything pretty well. He does have some injury concerns - specifically his hip - but he's a smart, sure-tackling presence in the front seven. 
A name to watch here: Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman. Hageman is probably the second-most athletically gifted defensive lineman in the league aside from Jadeveon Clowney - he has great size (6-6 and 310 pounds) and burst (1.57 10-yard split at the Combine) and put up 32 reps on the bench press at the Combine with his 34 1/4-inch arms. He's versatile enough to stay at defensive tackle or move out to five-technique (lined up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle) in the Packers' 3-4. 
However, Hageman isquite raw, mostly due to the fact that he switched from tight end to defensive tackle upon enrolling at Minnesota. He also runs hot and cold on tape - he'll make a very impressive play, then promptly disappear. He's a boom-or-bust prospect, but the Packers are in a position to take such a risk. 
Possible Day 2/Day 3 picks include Florida State FS Terrence Brooks, Virginia Tech CB/S Antone Exum, Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas, Georgia State TE A.C. Leonard, Wisconsin ILB Chris Borland and Michigan State ILB Max Bullough.

SPPACKERSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Green Bay Packers

jimmie ward cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 20: ARIZONA CARDINALS 
2013 record: 10-6 
Key offseason acquisitions: OT Jared Veldheer, CB Antonio Cromartie, WR/KR Ted Ginn, TE John Carlson. 
Key offseason departures: MLB Karlos Dansby, MLB Jasper Brinkley, WR Andre Roberts, OT Eric Winston, G Daryn Colledge, SS Yeremiah Bell. 
Biggest holes: Safety, linebacker, quarterback, right tackle. 
Arizona was very close to making the playoffs in 2013. With just a few more pieces, they may find themselves there next season. 
The Cardinals didn't just fill most of their needs in free agency, they managed to upgrade on most of them. Jared Veldheer pairs with Jonathan Cooper to make for a strong left side of the offensive line, while ex-Jet Antonio Cromartie joins Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu to make the Cardinals' secondary tougher to throw on. 
However, they still have a few things to address in order to get over the hump -- another safety, a young pass-rusher, and to start thinking about the future at quarterback. 
The Cardinals could fill their first need with an ex-Cardinal - Louisville's Calvin Pryor. Pryor played free safety in college, but his skill set translates better as a strong safety, which is what Arizona needs. He's an enforcer who will lay out anyone who tries to cross over the middle of the field. He'll need to make sure his aggressiveness doesn't get too out of hand in today's NFL, but he would be a great complement to the rangy Mathieu. 
The Cardinals also could use a young edge rusher. Ex-Falcon John Abraham, who played for the Jets from 2000-2005, had a strong Cardinals debut in 2013 with 11 1/2 sacks, but he turns 36 two days before the draft. Auburn's Dee Ford could be a good pick if they want a first-round pass-rusher. Ford has an explosive first step and anticipates the snap well, as he showed when he had two sacks in the BCS title game and another two in the Senior Bowl. He's a bit of a "tweener" at 6-2 and 252 pounds, and he'll face a learning curve if asked to play outside linebacker in the NFL. But who better to learn from than Abraham, who successfully made the conversion from defensive end to linebacker? 
Ohio State's Ryan Shazier also could be an attractive first-round option. Shazier has excellent speed - he ran an unofficial 4.36-second 40 at his Pro Day - but before you peg him solely as an edge rusher, he also is strong in coverage and is a good run-and-chase linebacker. He's also a good tackler, recording 317 total tackles in three seasons and leading the Big Ten in tackles as a junior (144). He's a disruptive linebacker who can slip through gaps and make stops in the backfield. 
If any of the top quarterbacks fall here, the Cardinals may need to consider drafting one as 35-year-old Carson Palmer's eventual replacement. Palmer is signed through 2015, though the final year of his contract is voidable if he is not on the roster five days after Super Bowl XLIX. 
While it would be nice for the Cards to have Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles fall into their laps at 20, the quarterback that's most likely to be available at this pick would be Fresno State's Derek Carr. He'd also be the best fit of the QBs that could potentially go in the first round - his powerful arm is a good fit for head coach Bruce Arians' vertical offense. He's very accurate on short and intermediate routes and is surprisingly fast (his 4.69 40 at the Combine was just .01 seconds slower than Manziel). Carr did have some issues against stronger pass rushes, however, and he primarily played out of the shotgun and pistol formations in a pass-happy spread offense, but sitting behind Palmer for a season would allow him the opportunity to learn the pro game before taking the reins. 
Possible second-day and third-day picks include Washington State safety Deonne Bucannon, Wisconsin safety Dezmen Southward, UConn middle linebacker Yawin Smallwood, Georgia Tech DE/OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Florida State OLB Telvin Smith, Pitt QB Tom Savage, LSU QB Zach Mettenberger and Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas.

SPCARDINALSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Arizona Cardinals

calvin pryor cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 19: MIAMI DOLPHINS 
2013 record: 8-8 
Key offseason acquisitions: OT Branden Albert, G Shelley Smith, FS Louis Delmas, CB Cortland Finnegan, RB Knowshon Moreno, DT Earl Mitchell. 
Key offseason departures: CB Nolan Carroll, G John Jerry, G Richie Incognito, OT Jonathan Martin, DT Paul Soliai, OT Tyson Clabo, TE Dustin Keller, OT Bryant McKinnie, CB Dmitri Patterson. 
Biggest holes: Offensive line, linebacker, cornerback. 
The Dolphins' offensive line was a disaster last season, and in more ways than one. 
On the field, they gave up a league-high 58 sacks. Off it, they were the focus of a bullying scandal that rocked the NFL and prompted a formal investigation by the league. They took steps toward fixing both issues in the offseason, trading tackle Jonathan Martin to San Francisco and letting guards Richie Incognito and John Jerry walk in free agency. They also signed ex-Chief Branden Albert and former Ram Shelley Smith, but they still could use some more help on the right side of the line, specifically at right tackle 
However, the Dolphins are in somewhat of a no-man's-land when it comes to picking at 19. All three of the top tackles - Auburn's Greg Robinson, Texas A&amp;M's Jake Matthews and Michigan's Taylor Lewan - almost certainly will be off the board by this point. 
The only offensive lineman that would be worth taking at 19 would be Notre Dame's Zack Martin, and even he's not a lock to be available when the Dolphins pick. Martin is a versatile lineman who can play pretty much any position on the offensive line. 
If none of the above four linemen are available, the Dolphins could decide to go after a second-tier lineman such as Virginia's Morgan Moses, UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo or Nevada's Joel Bitonio at the tail end of the first round. Moses is a top pass-blocker at right tackle, Su'a-Filo is an athletic guard and Bitonio is an undersized yet versatile lineman. None of those three would be worth taking this high in the draft, so the Dolphins could either trade down into the late first round to take one or simply wait until the second round and hope someone falls to them. 
Of course, the Dolphins don't have to take a lineman with their first-round pick. They do have other pressing needs, such as at linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler, last season's free-agent signees, combined for just 1 1/2 sacks and eight tackles for loss, while Koa Misi had two sacks and six tackles for loss. 
C.J. Mosley would be a good pick here. The Alabama inside linebacker had a great four-year career with the Crimson Tide, racking up 319 total tackles (23 1/2 for loss), 6 1/2 sacks, and five interceptions. He has great instincts and can rush the passer, drop back into coverage and stop the run equally well. There are a few injury concerns - notably his hip - but he has great football IQ and is an every-down presence in the front seven. 
The Dolphins could also go with Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier here. Shazier was a weak-side linebacker in college but is versatile enough to play inside. He has blazing speed (an unofficial 4.36 in the 40 at his Pro Day) and is an every-down, sideline-to-sideline, run-and-chase defender. He's a solid tackler (317 total tackles in three seasons, including 144 in 2013) and looks as comfortable dropping back in coverage as he is when in pursuit or rushing the passer. His lack of ideal size (6-1, 237 pounds) may be cause for concern, but his talent and upside are tough to pass up. Shazier's father, Vernon, is the Dolphins' chaplain. 
Possible second-day or third-day picks include Tennessee tackle Ja'Wuan James, Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, Mississippi guard Gabe Jackson, Wisconsin ILB Chris Borland, Stanford ILB Shayne Skov, Lindenwood cornerback Pierre Desir and Florida cornerback Marcus Roberson.

SPDOLPHINSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Miami Dolphins

Martin cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 18: JETS 
2013 record: 8-8 
Key offseason acquisitions: WR Eric Decker, QB Michael Vick, RB Chris Johnson, RT Breno Giacomini, CB Dmitri Patterson, WR/KR Jacoby Ford. 
Key offseason departures: WR Santonio Holmes, CB Antonio Cromartie, RT Austin Howard, FS Ed Reed, QB Mark Sanchez, TE Kellen Winslow. 
Biggest holes: Wide receiver, cornerback, tight end, guard. 
GM John Idzik and the Jets were very economical when it came to free agency. They could adopt another economics concept when it comes to the upcoming draft. 
Yes, wide receiver is far and away the biggest need entering the draft. But this class is so deep, the Jets can afford to draft the best player available at 18 and still grab a quality wide receiver in the middle to late rounds. And with 12 picks in this year's draft, the Jets could wait until they find a receiver that truly entices them. 
It has to do with opportunity cost, a basic economics term. By using that first-round pick on, say, a wideout, what are you giving up as the next-best alternative? To put it simply, the Jets can draft a B+ wide receiver in the first round and follow up with a C+ cornerback in round 2, or they can take a B+ cornerback in round one and a B receiver in the second round (or even round three, given the talent in this crop of WRs). 
Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert is a prime example of one of those B+ cornerbacks. Gilbert is athletic -- his 4.37 40-yard dash was best among corners at the Combine -- and he has good size at 6-foot, 202 pounds. He has fluid hips, good hands and can double as a kickoff returner. Gilbert's technique still needs refining, but his athleticism may be too much for Rex Ryan to pass up. 
Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller also would be an option. Fuller isn't as flashy as some of his other counterparts, but he has risen up draft boards as of late because of his overall solid showing on film and the fact that he showed no ill effects from season-ending hernia surgery last November. He's a little lanky at 6-foot, 190 pounds, but he's quick on his feet and is as well-rounded as they come. 
There's also TCU's Jason Verrett, although he's projected as more of a late first-round pick. Verrett is undersized at 5-9 and 189 pounds, but he's an aggressive ball hawk who plays like he's Gilbert's size. He has great technique, his backpedal is fluid, he anticipates the ball well and is surprisingly physical at the line. There are a few injury concerns stemming from his lack of ideal size, and he isn't a sure tackler, but he'd be a nice complement to last year's first-rounder Dee Milliner. 
It may very well end up that the Jets take a wide receiver first overall. If that's the case, the best pick (barring some sort of highly unexpected fall for Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans) would be LSU's Odell Beckham Jr. He's an agile athlete with good hands and a surprisingly large catch radius that helps him grab tougher throws with ease. He's a threat both as a receiver and in the return game and would make the Jets' offense much more dynamic. 
USC's Marqise Lee also is a possibility. Lee fell off a bit in his senior season after a stellar junior campaign, mostly due to nagging knee and shoulder injuries, but he has an impressive body of work overall. He's a former two-sport star (sprints, long jump) at USC. He has good speed (4.52 40), jumping ability (127-inch broad jump, 38-inch vertical) and hands (248 career receptions at USC). If he can prove that his injuries are a thing of the past, he could develop into a solid No. 1 for the Jets in time and would be a playmaking complement to possession receiver Eric Decker. 
There's also Oregon State's Brandin Cooks. The 2013 Biletnikoff winner is an explosive, sure-handed weapon who thrives in space. He best projects as a slot receiver (which is currently Jeremy Kerley's role with the Jets), but can line up outside if needed and is also a good return man. He's essentially a taller version of Rams wideout Tavon Austin, who the Jets reportedly liked in last year's draft. 
The Jets could also draft a pass-catcher at 18 without specifically taking a wide receiver. Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro has been rumored as a potential option and would give Geno Smith a mismatch all over the field. At 6-5 and 265 pounds, Amaro is bigger than North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron (6-4, 250) but a tick slower (4.74 40 vs. Ebron's 4.60). He's a prototypical "joker" tight end who lined up at various spots for the Red Raiders, including as a traditional in-line tight end, in the slot and as a flanker. His mix of size, speed and hands make him a perfect fit for today's NFL and a potentially dangerous weapon. 
Possible Day 2 and Day 3 options for the Jets include Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, Clemson WR Martavis Bryant, Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief, Wake Forest WR Michael Campanaro, Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis, Lindenwood cornerback Pierre Desir, Clemson CB Bashaud Breeland, Rice CB Phillip Gaines, Utah CB Keith McGill, Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas, Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson and Furman guard Dakota Dozier.

New York Jets

SPJETSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Jets

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 17: BALTIMORE RAVENS 
2013 record: 8-8 
Key offseason acquisitions: WR Steve Smith, SS Darian Stewart, C/G Jeremy Zuttah. 
Key offseason departures: DE Arthur Jones, MLB Jameel McClain, CB Corey Graham, OT Michael Oher, SS James Ihedigbo, TE Ed Dickson. 
Biggest holes: Offensive tackle, safety, defensive line. 
The Ravens' offense struggled in 2013, and the key to fixing it could lie up front. 
Joe Flacco didn't quite live up to his six-year, $120 million extension one year removed from being named Super Bowl MVP. His 4.5 adjusted net yards per pass attempt was third-worst in the NFL among qualifying QBs, and he had a career-high 3.6 percent interception rate. Why? Flacco was sacked a career-high 48 times last season. The running game wasn't much better for the Ravens, averaging a league-worst 3.1 yards per attempt. Both issues can be resolved by addressing the offensive line, where there is now a big hole at right tackle after Michael Oher's departure. 
He may be off board at this point, but Taylor Lewan would be the ideal fit if he slipped this far. The Michigan senior played left tackle in college but is versatile enough to slide over to the right side. Lewan plays with a nasty streak and has the athleticism (4.79 40 time and 117-inch broad jump, were both Combine-bests) and technique to thrive at the next level. He does have off-field concerns that need to be looked into, however. 
Notre Dame lineman Zack Martin would be a more realistic pick at 17. His calling card is his versatility - he can play any position along the line, meaning the Ravens could either stick him directly at right tackle or put him inside at left guard if they want to slide Kelechi Osmele back out on the edge. Martin's solid fundamentals, awareness and dependability make up for his lack of ideal size (6-4, 308) and short arms (32 7/8-inch arm length). 
The Ravens also need a safety to pair with 2013 first-rounder Matt Elam. Elam played free safety in 2014, but he's really more of an in-the-box strong safety. He'll get to play that role in 2014 with James Ihedigbo gone, so it's not out of the question for the Ravens to make it two first-round safeties in two seasons, with this one being a rangy ball-hawk. 
Unfortunately, the top free safety in this draft - Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix - likely will be gone at this stage, leaving Louisville safety Calvin Pryor as an option at 17. However, Pryor doesn't quite fit the mold of what the Ravens are looking for at the position. Although he does have experience as a single-high safety, he's more of a hard-hitter who will punish anyone that crosses over the middle. His toughness would fit well well in the Ravens' defense, but he's not quite the centerfielder the Ravens need. 
If the Ravens were inclined to trade back into the later stages of the first round, they could get a safety who would fit the bill more than Pryor: Northern Illinois' Jimmie Ward. Ward was listed as a strong safety on the Northern Illinois roster, but his range and speed are a better fit at free safety. He also can cover a slot receiver if needed. He's a little on the smaller side at 5-11 and 193 pounds, but he can diagnose a play very well, takes good angles to the ball, is quick enough to close in on the receiver and has good hands to make the interception. 
Possible second-day and third-day options for the Ravens include Tennessee tackles Ja'Wuan James and Antonio Richardson, Miami tackle Seantrel Henderson, Wyoming safety Marqueston Huff, Vanderbilt safety Kenny Ladler and North Carolina safety Tre Boston.

SPRAVENSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Baltimore Ravens

lewan cropped

This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. The draft begins Thursday, May 8. 
PICK NO. 16: DALLAS COWBOYS 
2013 record: 8-8 
Key offseason acquisitions: DT Henry Melton, DE Jeremy Mincey. DT Terrell McClain. 
Key offseason departures: DT Jason Hatcher, DE/OLB DeMarcus Ware, C Phil Costa, WR Miles Austin, G Brian Waters. 
Biggest holes: Defensive line, linebacker, safety 
The Cowboys flirted with the wrong side of history in 2013. 
Their defense allowed 6,645 yards last season -- the third worst in NFL history, trailing only the 2012 Saints (7,042) and 1981 Baltimore Colts (6,793). They gave up a league-worst 415.3 yards per game - 286.8 yards through the air (second-worst) and 128.5 on the ground (fifth-worst) - and allowed a league-worst 388 first downs. 
It's not entirely fair to pin it all on bad play. Some of it was due to injuries (Sean Lee, Jay Ratliff, Anthony Spencer) and some of it was due to the team's transition to a 4-3 defense. But the Cowboys still need major talent upgrades on that side of the ball, especially after cutting DeMarcus Ware to clear cap space. 
Missouri's Kony Ealy would be a good fit here. The 6-4, 273-pound defensive end is versatile. He played mostly on the right side of the line but also can play as a stand-up linebacker or slide inside on passing downs. His 6.83-second three-cone drill was the top time among all defensive linemen at the Combine, and he bends the corner with ease when rushing the passer. However, Ealy is very raw - he plays upright off the snap at times and still is developing his pass-rush arsenal aside from his spin move. He's a little bit of a project, but there's a lot of upside. 
Auburn edge rusher Dee Ford would also work here. Ford looked great in the BCS title game with two sacks and had another two at the Senior Bowl. He anticipates the snap very well and has an incredible first step. He has great speed (unofficial 4.53 in the 40 at Auburn's Pro Day) and uses it to get around the corner and beat his blocker. At 6-2 and 252 pounds, Ford might be more of an outside linebacker at the NFL level, and there are questions about his ability to hold up in run defense. But, he could step in and fill Ware's role as a hybrid edge rusher from Week 1. 
The same goes for Boise State's Demarcus Lawrence, who has picked up some steam as the draft draws closer. Lawrence is athletic, disruptive and uses his hands very well when rushing the passer. He does have some character issues that need to be investigated - three separate one-game suspensions - but he's otherwise a solid edge rusher. This still might be a little high for Lawrence, however. He's more likely to go later in the first round or early in the second round. 
The Cowboys could also opt for an interior lineman even after signing Henry Melton and Terrell McClain. If that's the case, Florida State's Timmy Jernigan would be the name to watch. He's an athletic, stout run-stuffer who plays light on his feet and disrupts blockers with good hand use. He isn't a space eater at 6-2, 299 pounds, but that wasn't much of an issue for him in 2013 when he had 63 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. 
It's unlikely that Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would still be available at 16, but he'd be the ideal pick if Dallas wanted a safety in the first round. The Alabama product brings good range, hands, timing and closing speed to the back end of the Cowboys' defense. He'd be a good playmaker out in centerfield, something the Cowboys haven't had for quite some time. 
Calvin Pryor would also be an option here. The Louisville safety is known as more of a hard hitter, but Pryor also is a decent cover guy. He plays with an attitude and would help the Cowboys establish an imposing identity on defense. 
Potential Day 2/Day 3 picks include Georgia Tech DE/OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Louisville DE Marcus Smith, Tennessee DT Daniel McCullers, Penn State DT DaQuan Jones, Florida State safety Terrence Brooks and USC safety Dion Bailey.

SPCOWBOYSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Dallas Cowboys

ealy cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 15: PITTSBURGH STEELERS 
2013 record: 8-8 
Key offseason acquisitions: FS Mike Mitchell, WR Lance Moore, DE Cam Thomas. 
Key offseason departures: LB LaMarr Woodley, WR Emmanuel Sanders, DE Ziggy Hood, FS Ryan Clark, WR Jerricho Cotchery, LB Larry Foote, DE Brett Kiesel. 
Biggest holes: Cornerback, nose tackle, wide receiver, safety. 
The Steelers are finally starting to get younger on defense, but will the trend continue come May 8? 
The Steelers let go of a few key veterans in free agency, most notably 34-year-old safety Ryan Clark, 33-year-old linebacker Larry Foote and 35-year-old Brett Kiesel. They still could stand to get younger, particularly in the secondary with 34-year-old safety Troy Polamalu and soon-to-be 34-year-old cornerback Ike Taylor. 
Personnel-wise, it appears Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard would be the best fit if he's still on the board. He's not the most athletic corner in the draft, but he plays press coverage very well and gets physical with his receiver at the line of scrimmage. That last part could become a concern with more receiver-friendly rules in the NFL, but Dennard does know when to lay off. He'd fit right into the Steelers' physical defense. 
There's also Justin Gilbert, who in a way is the opposite of Dennard. The Oklahoma State product has good size at 6-foot and 202 pounds, is very athletic (4.37 in the 40 at the Combine) and has fluid hips. He also had six career kickoff returns for touchdowns. However, his technique is a little inconsistent, and he can get too aggressive at times. 
Kyle Fuller, who has risen up draft boards in recent weeks, also could be an option. The Virginia Tech cornerback is very balanced in man-to-man, zone coverage and run support. He's a little on the lankier side at 6-foot and 190 pounds, and hernia surgery in November ended his senior season prematurely, but Fuller otherwise is a very solid all-around player. 
They could also beef up their front seven, particularly the defensive line. The Steelers signed former Chargers nose tackle Cam Thomas but plan to use him at five-technique end (lined up heads-up with the offensive tackle), so they could still use a big guy to anchor the middle of the line. 
Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix is a big space-eater who would thrive as a nose tackle in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme. He can shed blocks and move well for a 331-pound person and has the strength to drive blockers back. 
The Steelers also could look to replace Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos) and Jerricho Cotchery (Panthers) on offense. LSU wideout Odell Beckham Jr. could be the choice if so. He's very similar to current Steelers wideout Antonio Brown in that both are explosive and shifty with the ball in their hands and are also threats in the return game. Beckham Jr.'s catch radius is surprisingly good for a 5-11, 198-pound receiver, meaning he can snare tougher passes with ease. He's a true home-run threat. 
Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin is more of a late first-round/early second-round pick, but he would be an intriguing pick for the Steelers. Benjamin is 6-5 and 240 pounds, and would give Steelers the big target that they've missed since Plaxico Burress. However, he often comes down with a case of the dropsies and still needs to refine his route running in order to become a true threat. 
Other possible mid- to late-round picks include Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir, Virginia Tech CB/S Antone Exum, Tennessee DT Daniel McCullers, Delaware DT Zach Kerr, Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman and Pitt WR Devin Street.

SPSTEELERSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Pittsburgh Steelers

darqueze dennard cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 14: CHICAGO BEARS 
2013 record: 8-8 
Key offseason acquisitions: DT Lamarr Houston, DE Jared Allen, FS M.D. Jennings, FS Ryan Mundy, DE Willie Young, WR Domenik Hixon. 
Key offseason departures: DE Julius Peppers, DT Henry Melton, QB Josh McCown, KR Devin Hester, SS Major Wright, CB Zack Bowman, RB Michael Bush. 
Biggest holes: Defensive line, safety, cornerback. 
There's no defending the Bears' atrocious defense last season. 
Chicago ranked last in run defense in 2013 with 2,583 yards allowed - 410 yards more than the second-worst run defense -- and a 161.4 per-game average. The Bears also had 31 sacks, tied with the Jaguars for the league low. The secondary gave up 6.9 net yards per pass attempt, sixth-most in the NFL. 
The Bears took some big steps in free agency to help address those issues. They replaced injured defensive tackle Henry Melton with versatile lineman Lamarr Houston from Oakland and poached Jared Allen from Minnesota to replace Julius Peppers, who bolted for Green Bay. They also signed ex-Packers safety M.D. Jennings, whose most notable role to date is being the player on the intercepting end of the "Fail Mary" against the Seahawks. 
Still, the Bears could use more help everywhere on defense, particularly up front. To that end, the best option at 14 most likely is Aaron Donald. The Pitt DT has become one of the hot names of the draft, and for good reason. He has had a stellar eight months, standing out during the season (11 sacks, 28 1/2 tackles for loss), Senior Bowl drills and at the Combine (4.68 40, 7.11 three-cone drill, 35 reps on the bench press). 
Donald thrives as a three-technique DT (lined up over the outside edge of the guard), where he can use his quick first step and burst to get into the backfield for the stop. He's a little undersized at 6-1 and 285 pounds, but his production and his performance in pre-draft drills have helped put that concern to bed. He's an ideal fit for the Bears' 4-3 defense if he manages to make it this far. 
If the Bears are looking for more of a run-stuffing DT, Timmy Jernigan is their guy. The Florida State product stood out during the BCS national title game, racking up nine tackles while battling the flu. He's a stout defender in the middle who moves well, plays with good balance and uses his hands well to shed blocks. Like Donald, he's a bit on the shorter side at 6-2 and 299 pounds, but his college production has overshadowed any major worries about his size. 
Even after signing Jennings and ex-Giant Ryan Mundy, the Bears could address the safety spot with their first-round pick. Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton Dix, if available, would be a good fit. He's a rangy prospect with good instincts, hands and tracking ability. He has average athleticism but makes up for it with his aggressiveness both in the box on run plays and deep in coverage. 
If Chicago wants a physical safety, they could go with Louisville's Calvin Pryor here instead, though 14 may be a bit early. Pryor is one of the harder-hitting safeties in this class and is known for punishing anyone who tries to run on his side of the field, but he does also have good ball skills and speed in coverage. He lacks discipline at times and will draw quite a few personal fouls in today's NFL, but there's no doubting his intimidating presence over the middle. 
In addition to safety, the Bears also could add youth at cornerback. Tim Jennings will be 31 in December, while Charles Tillman turned 33 in February. If the Bears did want to go cornerback at 14, the pick would likely depend on what skillset they value in the secondary. Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert would add great athleticism (4.37 in the 40, 35 1/2-inch vertical) and can double as a kick returner, but he is inconsistent with his technique at times. On the other hand, Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard makes up for his average athleticism with his alertness and physical play, making him a potential shutdown defender in an NFC North full of big wideouts, 
Possible Day 2 and Day 3 options include Princeton DT Caraun Reid, Arizona State DT Will Sutton, Vanderbilt safety Kenny Ladler, Wyoming safety Marqueston Huff, Nebraska cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Florida cornerback Jaylen Watkins.

SPBEARSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Chicago Bears

aaron donald cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 12: GIANTS 
2013 record: 7-9 
Key offseason acquisitions: G Geoff Schwartz, RB Rashad Jennings, C J.D. Walton, MLB Jameel McClain, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Walter Thurmond, G John Jerry, KR Trindon Holliday, WR Mario Manningham, QB Josh Freeman, TE Kellen Davis. 
Key offseason departures: DE Justin Tuck, DT Linval Joseph, WR Hakeem Nicks, G Kevin Boothe, TE Brandon Myers, OLB Keith Rivers, FS Ryan Mundy. 
Biggest holes: Tight end, wide receiver, defensive tackle, guard. 
The Giants responded to a rare sub-.500 season with an equally rare free-agency shopping spree. 
After signing 23 free agents (13 new players) in the offseason, the Giants cut down on most of their glaring needs entering the draft. That puts them in the same situation they're usually in come draft day: they can continue addressing needs (as they did with Justin Pugh last season) or go best player available (Jason Pierre-Paul in 2010, Prince Amukamara in 2011). The two may even intersect. 
One other interesting tidbit to note as the draft gets closer: The Giants typically don't bring their eventual first-round pick in to the team facility for a visit. Only one of the last five Giants first-rounders visited with the team before the draft (Pierre-Paul). 
Eric Ebron is one player that mock drafts often have going to the Giants, and for good reason. The Giants were unable to recreate their usual magic at tight end in 2013 with Brandon Myers. They signed ex-Seahawk Kellen Davis, but he only has 50 catches, 561 yards and 12 touchdowns in six seasons. Ebron would bring 6-4 size and 4.60 40 speed to a pass-catching corps that sorely needs a big red-zone threat. 
If Mike Evans is still on the board, he would also fulfill that last part. At 6-5 and 231 pounds, Evans is an imposing physical threat on the outside in the mold of Buccaneers wideout Vincent Jackson or Bears receiver Brandon Marshall. Evans has solid hands, great body control and a good catch radius. He would be the big red-zone target the Giants haven't had since Plaxico Burress. 
The Giants could also use some depth along the defensive line. Their current front four (when healthy) consists of Pierre-Paul, Cullen Jenkins, Johnathan Hankins and Damontre Moore. After that, it's anyone's guess, meaning the Giants are one JPP flare-up away from having one of their strengths turn into a weakness. 
That's where Pitt DT Aaron Donald comes in. Donald tore it up his senior year with 28 1/2 tackles for loss and 11 sacks en route to winning five different awards. That momentum carried into the pre-draft process. Donald shined in Senior Bowl drills and impressed at the Combine with his burst (1.64-second 10-yard split), acceleration (7.11 second three-cone drill) and strength (35 reps on the bench press). 
Donald projects best as a three-technique (lined up on the outside shoulder of the guard), where he can best utilize his quick first step and motor to get into the backfield. He's undersized at 6-1 and 285 pounds, but his production in college coupled with his excellent Combine results and his Senior Bowl workout domination has pretty much made scouts forget about that. 
If the Giants select an offensive lineman (unlikely given their offseason signings), it's a bit more nuanced than just taking whoever is available. Drafting a pure tackle such as Taylor Lewan would likely push 2013 first-rounder Pugh inside, essentially making him a rookie again for at least a season while he learns the position. 
However, there is a Pugh 2.0 in this draft: Zack Martin. Martin played tackle at Notre Dame, but projects best as a guard due to his smallish size (6-4, 308 pounds) and short arms (32 7/8 inch arm length). If you harken back to 2013, those numbers are nearly identical to Pugh's from the Combine -- Pugh measured in at 6-4 and 307 pounds and had a 32-inch arm length. Both have solid technique and were dependable in college. 
The Giants could put Martin inside at guard if Chris Snee's hip and elbow continue to be an issue, or he can replace Will Beatty, who struggled in 2013 and is coming off a broken leg in the season finale. Besides that, the Giants have historically liked versatile offensive linemen, and having both Pugh and Martin makes their line one of the most versatile. 
Potential mid- and late-round picks include Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas, Georgia TE Arthur Lynch, Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman, Clemson WR Martavis Bryant, Florida DT Dominique Easley, Princeton DT Caraun Reid, North Dakota State OT Billy Turner and Furman OT/OG Dakota Dozier.

New York Giants

SPGIANTSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Giants

ebron cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 11: TENNESSEE TITANS 
2013 record: 7-9 
Key offseason acquisitions: WR Dexter McCluster, OT Michael Oher, OLB Shaun Phillips, MLB Wesley Woodyard, DT Al Woods, QB Charlie Whitehurst, head coach Ken Whisenhunt. 
Key offseason departures: CB Alterraun Verner, RB Chris Johnson, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, OT David Stewart, WR Kenny Britt. 
Biggest holes: Linebacker, running back, tackle. 
The Titans aren't quite in a "rebuilding" stage, but they have work to do if they want to return to prominence in the AFC South. 
The Titans brought in a new head coach in Ken Whisenhunt, and with that comes personnel and scheme changes. A good draft will help alleviate some growing pains. 
The biggest change will be on defense. The Titans will adopt a more aggressive 3-4 defense under new coordinator Ray Horton. They currently have Akeem Ayers, Shaun Phillips, Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley as pass-rushing outside linebackers. But Ayers (one sack) and Wimbley (three sacks) are coming off down seasons, and Morgan (129 tackles, 16 1/2 sacks in four seasons) hasn't quite been what many expected as the 16th overall pick in 2010. 
UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr could be the pick if the Titans want an impact on the edge. Barr, a converted running back, has phenomenal speed (4.66 40) and size (6-5, 255 pounds) for an edge rusher. He usually relies on his physical traits alone to get into the backfield and deliver big hits. 
Barr's the furthest thing from a finished product, though. His technique, move-set and hand use need work before he can become one of the league's top linebackers. Luckily, he wouldn't have to be rushed into a starting role in Tennessee thanks to all of the OLB candidates currently on the roster. Barr could work closer with linebackers coach Lou Spanos - who, coincidentally, was UCLA's defensive coordinator for Barr's two seasons on defense. 
If a QB falls to the Titans at 11, would they consider taking him? It depends on how attached they are to Jake Locker, who has battled injuries and inconsistency since being drafted eighth overall in 2011. With the top tier of quarterbacks reportedly sliding down draft boards, it's possible that the Titans could take UCF's Blake Bortles, Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater or Texas A&amp;M's Johnny Manziel as Locker's replacement. Keep in mind, though, that this would only be a possibility if one slides to 11 - it's unlikely the Titans actively try to trade up for a passer, since they still have other needs that have to be addressed. 
Of course, there are other ways to improve QB play without drafting a new signal-caller. Adding weapons is one of them. That's where North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron could come into play. Ebron is 6-4 and runs a 4.60 40, making him incredibly tough to cover anywhere on the field. He'll occasionally drop passes, but he has the physical tools to be an immediate impact. 
Improving the offensive line would be another way to help Locker. The Titans signed ex-Ravens lineman Michael Oher to play right tackle, but could use insurance in the event Oher struggles or they decide to get rid of Michael Roos next offseason. 
Michigan's Taylor Lewan would be the pick if that's the case. Lewan has made his name at left tackle, but he has the size and athleticism for the right side of the line as well. He plays with a mean streak and is very tough, yet uses his superb athleticism to handle speed rushers in the passing game and stronger defenders in the running game. However, Lewan comes with some off-field issues. 
With Chris Johnson gone, Shonn Greene (3,718 rushing yards in five seasons) becomes the top running back. After him? Fellow ex-Jet Leon Washington, who has 2,214 career rushing yards in eight seasons. 
There are no running backs worth taking in the first round, let alone at 11th overall, so the Titans would have to look to the middle rounds to replace CJ2K. One possibility in the second round would be Ohio State's Carlos Hyde. Hyde is a bruiser who hits gaps hard and keeps his feet moving upon contact. They could also look at Tre Mason, the Auburn running back whose compact size (5-9, 207 pounds), vision and elusiveness draw comparisons to Ravens running back Ray Rice. There's Washington running back Bishop Sankey, a very balanced runner who has some tread on his tires, and there's West Virginia tailback Charles Sims, whose receiving skills out of the backfield are second to none in this class. 
Other possible Day 2 and Day 3 picks include Tennessee OTs JaWuan James and Antonio Richardson, Miami OT Seantrel Henderson, Georgia Tech OLB Jeremiah Attaochu and Boise State DE/OLB Demarcus Lawrence.

SPTITANSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Tennessee Titans

anthony barr cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 10: DETROIT LIONS 
2013 record: 7-9 
Key offseason acquisitions: WR Golden Tate, SS James Ihedigbo, DE Darryl Tapp, head coach Jim Caldwell. 
Key offseason departures: FS Louis Delmas, WR Nate Burleson. 
Biggest holes: Cornerback, wide receiver, safety, offensive tackle. 
The Lions addressed some big areas of need in the offseason, but was it enough to put them in the NFC North picture? 
The Lions added another receiving option for Matthew Stafford in former Seahawk Golden Tate and replaced FS Louis Delmas with James Ihedigbo, who is coming off a career year in Baltimore and reunites with former Ravens secondary coach Teryl Austin. But despite the upgrades, both the wide receiver corps and the secondary could still use further tweaks. 
The Lions could go either way with the 10th overall pick, but more cornerbacks than wide receivers will likely be available at that point. The Lions currently have Chris Houston, who struggled at the end of 2013, and last year's second-round pick Darius Slay as their starters. 
Local product Darqueze Dennard would be a good fit. The Michigan State cornerback isn't as athletic as some other cornerbacks in this class, though that's not what his game is predicated on. Instead, Dennard - whose cousin Alfonzo is a cornerback for the New England Patriots -- likes to be physical with his man. He has the ability to jam his receiver at the line while avoiding holding calls downfield with quick, fluid hips. Pairing Dennard with Slay would make for a physical cornerback duo down the line, which is important in a tough division with numerous tall receivers. 
Justin Gilbert also could be an option. Gilbert's calling card is his pure athleticism - the Oklahoma State product clocked a 4.37 40 at the Combine, tops among cornerbacks, and also put up 20 reps on the bench press. He can also double as a kickoff returner with his speed and vision. Gilbert's technique is a little inconsistent at times, but a team that's in love with his physical traits may draft him and try to teach consistency. 
TCU's Jason Verrett and Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller can be had in the mid-to-late first round if the Lions are inclined to trade down. Verrett is undersized at 5-9, but he makes up for it with his great athleticism, strong technique and aggressive ball-hawking tendencies. If he were two inches taller, he would be a top-10 pick. Fuller is a balanced corner who is comfortable dropping back into a zone, getting physical with his receiver in man coverage, or helping out in run support. He isn't terribly strong - he managed just 12 reps on the bench press at the Combine - but he makes up for it with his awareness and quick reaction. 
Although they signed Tate to a five-year, $31 million deal, the Lions could also use another receiver to complete their base three-wide set. They have reportedly been interested in trading up for dynamic Clemson wideout Sammy Watkins, though that would likely require a move into the top five. Watkins uses his speed and acceleration to create space and get yards after the catch. He'd be a good downfield complement to Calvin Johnson on the outside with Tate in the slot. 
Mike Evans also may be off the board at this point as well, but he would be an interesting option if available. The 6-5 receiver out of Texas A&amp;M is very physical and uses his great size to box out defenders. He also has great body control and is able to go up to pluck the ball out of the air with ease. Imagine Evans and "Megatron" lining up out wide with the Lions in the red zone. Good luck, cornerbacks. 
Odell Beckham Jr. might be a small reach at 10, but he still might be a good option. Like Watkins, Beckham is a speedy, agile athlete who is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He has a great catch radius and can snare the ball from virtually anywhere in his vicinity. He can also return kicks and punts. 
Possible Day 2 and Day 3 options include Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir, Clemson CB Bashaud Breeland, Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief, Colorado WR Paul Richardson, Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis, USC FS Dion Bailey and North Carolina FS Tre Boston.

SPLIONSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Detroit Lions

dennard cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 9: BUFFALO BILLS 
2013 record: 6-10 
Key offseason acquisitions: MLB Brandon Spikes, OLB Keith Rivers, CB Corey Graham, WR Mike Williams. 
Key offseason departures: FS Jairus Byrd, DE Alex Carrington, FS Jim Leonhard. 
Biggest holes: Tackle, linebacker, safety. 
The Bills are slowly getting back on track. 
Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel was OK when he saw the field in 2013 (1,972 yards, 11 touchdowns, nine INTs in 10 starts). The problem was keeping him there. He had three separate knee injuries in 2013, two of which required surgery. The Bills need Manuel to take the leap to the next level in 2014, but they also need to protect him and continue to build his supporting cast. 
To help solve that first part, Texas A&amp;M's Jake Matthews would be an ideal pick. Matthews - the son of Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews - isn't the strongest lineman in the draft, but he's a very balanced technician who uses his footwork, tenacity and length to keep defenders at bay. He played left tackle as a senior but also has experience on the right side. 
If Matthews is off the board by the ninth overall pick, Michigan's Taylor Lewan could be an option. The 6-7, 309-pound Lewan plays with a mean streak, yet is surprisingly athletic for a big guy. He keeps his feet moving on kick-slides in pass protection and is strong enough to dominate his defender in the run game. Off-field legal issues are a concern with Lewan, though -- he was charged in March with three misdemeanors in connection with an alleged assault of two Ohio State fans last December in Ann Arbor. Lewan has denied that he assaulted anyone and said he was trying to break up a fight. 
The Bills have some quality wide receivers in Stevie Johnson, Robert Woods and Mike Williams. But, they could still use a big target for Manuel. That's where Eric Ebron would come in handy. The UNC tight end is the definition of a matchup nightmare - he checks in at 6-4 and 250 pounds, runs a 4.60 40-yard dash and has a very wide catch radius. He'll have concentration-related drops at times, but he runs clean routes and is tough to bring down after the catch. 
The Bills could also upgrade on the defensive side of the ball. In particular, they could target a replacement for Jairus Byrd, who bolted for New Orleans. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would be the best first-round fit. The Alabama free safety is rangy, instinctive and takes good angles to the ballcarrier. His hands are strong enough to make the interception, and he's a good tackler. 
The Bills could also use another playmaking linebacker next to Kiko Alonso and free-agent signee Brandon Spikes. UCLA's Anthony Barr could be the choice if so. Barr is an edge player who uses his great speed (4.66-second 40) and acceleration (6.82-second three-cone drill) to blow past blockers and get into the backfield. Once he's there, he combines that speed with his 6-5, 255-pound frame to deliver huge hits. He's still raw, however, and needs time to develop into a complete player. The Bills could rotate him in on passing situations and let him get after the quarterback. 
Possible mid- and late-round options for the Bills include Alabama OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Tennessee OT JaWuan James, Vanderbilt safety Kenny Ladler, Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas and Colorado State TE Crockett Gillmore.

SPBILLSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Buffalo Bills

jake matthews cropped

There is no better example of just how unpredictable this year's NFL draft has become than the status of the No. 1 overall pick: No one -- maybe not even the Texans, who own it -- knows just what will happen at this point. 
Unlike almost every other draft, in which there are plenty of clues about who's doing what at the top of the draft, it is anybody's guess about what names -- and what teams -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will call out on May 8 at Radio City Music Hall. 
"This is a very interesting draft at the very top, and I don't think we're going to know exactly what happens until the first card goes in by whichever team goes into that No. 1 spot," said Phil Savage, director of the Senior Bowl and one of the most knowledgeable people about college players. "There is a lot of uncertainty, especially with the order in which the teams are going to make their picks. We know the names. We just don't know the order of where those names will come off."
Translation: We suspect that if billionaire Warren Buffett were offering a $1-million prize for anyone who nails a mock draft, he'd keep the money. Just as he did with his offer in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. 
Another example of just how unpredictable this could turn out to be: Bills general manager Doug Whaley, who has the ninth overall pick, was asked Friday about this year's class of quarterbacks. 
"I hope four of them go before we pick," he said with a chuckle (the Bills drafted quarterback E.J. Manuel in the first round last year). "If four go, we'll be ready. If none go, we'll be ready."
Yes, four quarterbacks could go in the first eight picks. And yes, none could go in the first eight picks. 
It starts with the Texans. And it looks as if the Texans might not want to start with the first pick. 
"I think the Texans are looking to get out," said former Browns general manager and longtime Ravens executive Savage, who now has broadcasting gigs with ESPN and Sirius XM Satellite radio. "I don't think they're asking for an arm and a leg, either."
Speculation has swirled in recent days that the Texans indeed are looking to move out of the top spot, although we're told no final decision has been made. They face a conundrum with the first pick, for a couple of reasons.
One, they need a quarterback but are not fully convinced that any of the top prospects -- Johnny Manziel of Texas A &amp; M, Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville, Blake Bortles of Central Florida and Derek Carr of Fresno State -- are worth the No. 1 overall pick. 
But Houston also is enamored of the top pass rushers in the draft: South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack. And there's increased chatter that Atlanta is looking to move up from No. 5 to No. 1 to take Clowney, who visited with the Falcons during the week. 
It's a quandary with which Savage is somewhat familiar. When he was the Browns' general manager in 2007, he had the third overall pick and a major need at quarterback. That draft didn't feature quite the class of quarterbacks that's available in this one and Savage decided not to make a reach pick, opting for tackle Joe Thomas, who has since turned into a perennial All-Pro. 
"We took Joe Thomas at the top of that draft because we thought he was a can't-miss [prospect]," Savage said. "We then circled back at the bottom of the first round and took Brady Quinn." 
Savage pulled off a trade with Dallas to get Quinn with the 22nd overall pick, and though Quinn never panned out, the dynamics of Savage's predraft thinking are worth mentioning. 
That kind of approach could come into play with some or all of the quarterback-needy teams at the top. Of the first eight picks, six teams -- Houston (1), Jacksonville (3), Cleveland (4), Oakland (5), Tampa (7) and Minnesota (8) -- can make a case to go for a quarterback. 
Or not, if some or all of them are unconvinced that any of the passers merit a top-10 pick. 
"I've known that this would be a class with a lot of quarterbacks, but I've always recognized that you were going to poke some holes in them," Savage said. "In this quarterback class, you can find weaknesses in every one of them. They all have some strengths as well. That's the real art of putting together a winning team, having a vision for a player, not only from a scouting standpoint but from a coaching standpoint as well. It's easier said than done." 
Clowney's situation makes the dynamic all the more interesting. There have been questions about his work ethic but there is no debating his talent, which is off the charts. But Clowney's best position is as a 4-3 defensive end; the Texans run a 3-4, which makes Mack, a versatile outside linebacker, a potentially more valuable target. The tricky part is how low the Texans can trade and still come away with Mack; he might not be there at No. 5 if they swap picks with Atlanta. 
Confusing circumstances? You bet. And don't be surprised if things continue to evolve in the days ahead as speculation continues to ramp up and force changes to all those mock drafts -- emphasis on the word "mock" -- that most likely will fall apart once Goodell starts calling off the names.

SPGLAUB27

This year's NFL draft is a guessing game

manziel cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 8: MINNESOTA VIKINGS 
2013 record: 5-10-1 
Key offseason acquisitions: DT Linval Joseph, CB Captain Munnerlyn, CB Derek Cox, DE Corey Wootton, head coach Mike Zimmer. 
Key offseason departures: DE Jared Allen, CB Chris Cook, RB Toby Gerhart, LB Erin Henderson, DT Kevin Williams. 
Biggest holes: Quarterback, linebacker, guard 
Three years, 6,436 yards, 38 touchdowns and 34 interceptions later, the Christian Ponder experiment is over in Minnesota. 
The Vikings appear ready to move on from their 12th overall pick in 2009, re-signing veteran Matt Cassel to take over the immediate starting duties. Cassel played in nine games in 2013 (starting six) and threw for 1,807 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. 
Still, the Vikings are going to have to start over in finding their quarterback of the future. Of the teams in the top 10, it appears at first glance that this would be the floor for any of the big-name QBs. However, that group appears to be in flux - they could all be gone by the time the Vikings pick, or they could all be on the board. 
If the Vikings want an immediate starter (or as close to one as there is in this class), Teddy Bridgewater would be the pick. The Louisville product has a very accurate arm with good power and underrated mobility. Bridgewater makes good pre-snap reads and good decisions. However, there have been some concerns about his size (6-2, 214 pounds) and whether or not he's a "franchise QB." 
Blake Bortles would be the choice if the Vikings were looking for a high-upside guy. Bortles has the physical qualities scouts look for in a pro signal-caller - 6-5, 232 pounds, good athleticism both in and out of the pocket, adequate arm strength. He's far from a finished product - his throwing mechanics and footwork are inconsistent and could use some refining - but he has what coaches can't teach. The Vikings could start him immediately amid a supporting cast of Adrian Peterson, Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson, or they could let him learn behind Cassel for a while. 
Of course, there's also Johnny Manziel. He's a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who excels when the intended play breaks down and improvisation is necessary. He improved his mechanics in his sophomore season and became more comfortable in the pocket, though at times he'll still run when it's not necessary. He has a powerful arm that would do well in Norv Turner's vertical offense. His lack of ideal size (5-11 3/4, 207 pounds), tendency to take off in a clean pocket and documented off-field lifestyle have been cause for some concern, but there's no doubting his ability to step in and reinvigorate a franchise and its fanbase. 
This pick would also appear to be the ceiling for Fresno State QB Derek Carr. The brother of former No. 1 overall pick David Carr has a very powerful arm yet shows great accuracy on most of his passes. He's also surprisingly fast - his 4.69-second 40 was fifth-best among QBs at the Combine. However, Carr sometimes struggles when going up against a tough pass rush and came out of a spread offense that called for a lot of bubble screens against below-average Mountain West defenses. 
All four of those quarterbacks have reportedly slid down draft boards in recent weeks, meaning the Vikings could follow suit and look elsewhere with the hopes of nabbing one later in the draft. If they wanted to do this, UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr could be the pick. The converted running back makes his presence felt out on the edge, where he gets after opposing quarterbacks with excellent speed (4.66 40), acceleration (6.82-second three-cone drill) and overall explosion. He only played two seasons at linebacker, so he's still incredibly raw. But he would be an interesting project for new head coach Mike Zimmer, a former defensive coordinator in Cincinnati who likes to use aggressive schemes. 
It could be a little early at No. 8, but Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley could hear his name come off the board here. Mosley is a very instinctive player who can drop back into coverage, stop the run or rush the passer. He's a solid tackler who amassed 319 tackles in his four-year Crimson Tide career. His balanced style draws a lot of comparisons to Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee. 
Some second- and third-day options for the Vikings include LSU QB Zach Mettenberger, Pitt QB Tom Savage and UCLA guard Xavier Su'a-Filo.

SPVIKINGSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Minnesota Vikings

derek carr cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 7: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 
2013 record: 4-12 
Key offseason acquisitions: DE Michael Johnson, CB Alterraun Verner, OT Anthony Collins, QB Josh McCown, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, CB Mike Jenkins, head coach Lovie Smith, GM Jason Licht. 
Key offseason departures: CB Darrelle Revis, OT Donald Penn, C/G Jeremy Zuttah, WR Mike Williams. 
Biggest holes: Wide receiver, guard, defensive line depth 
If declaring free agency "winners" and "losers" is your thing, you can put one in the "W" column for the Bucs - and it may help make them winners on draft day. 
The Bucs upgraded at defensive end, left tackle, quarterback and center. They signed a big-name cornerback in Verner at four years and $25.5 million, then freed up $16 million in cap space for 2014 by cutting Revis, whose man-to-man style wouldn't fit in Lovie Smith's Cover 2 defense. 
This all means the Buccaneers can focus on finding the best players available in the draft. Of course, it would be nice if some of those players aligned with needs, which could be the case if the board shakes out a certain way. 
The most logical pick would be Texas A&amp;M wide receiver Mike Evans. The physical Evans is 6-5 and 231 pounds, and uses that size to his advantage when boxing out defenders, high-pointing the ball in the air and winning 50-50 balls. 
Also, keep in mind how new Bucs QB Josh McCown thrived in Chicago last season with 6-4 Brandon Marshall and 6-5 Alshon Jeffery as his receivers. Interestingly enough, Evans' game profiles very similarly to Vincent Jackson - the Bucs' 6-5, 241-pound No. 1 receiver. Having two imposing, 6-5 receivers would essentially replicate McCown's situation with the Bears, where he went for 1,829 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception in eight games. 
If the Buccaneers wanted to go with a more explosive option across from Jackson, they could go with Clemson's Sammy Watkins, though it would almost certainly require a trade up. Watkins is a dynamic playmaker who thrives on speed, acceleration and the ability to take a short pass and make it a long gain. 
Could the Buccaneers draft a quarterback if one were to fall to them? As unlikely as it may seem at first glance, it's entirely possible, especially with the top tier of quarterbacks sliding down draft boards in recent weeks. McCown is signed to a two-year deal, and while Mike Glennon played decently in 2013 (2,608 yards, 19 TDs, nine INTs in 13 games), the jury is still out as to whether or not he's a franchise QB. And given the fact that this wide receiver class is incredibly deep, the Buccaneers could decide to wait on taking a wideout and draft one of the top three quarterbacks instead, whether it's Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater or Johnny Manziel. 
Potential second- and third-day options for the Bucs include Florida State wideout Kelvin Benjamin, Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman, Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer, Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson, Stanford guard David Yankey and Minnesota defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman.

SPBUCSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

mike evans cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 6: ATLANTA FALCONS 
2013 record: 4-12 
Key offseason acquisitions: KR Devin Hester, G Jon Asamoah, DT Paul Soliai, DE Tyson Jackson. 
Key offseason departures: FS Thomas DeCoud, TE Tony Gonzalez, CB Asante Samuel, LB Stephen Nicholas, LB Omar Gaither. 
Biggest holes: Linebacker, offensive tackle, defensive end, safety, tight end. 
The Falcons may need to get acquainted with the war room phone come May 8. 
They have glaring needs on the offensive line and in the front seven, but by the time they're on the clock the premier players at both areas of need -- Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews at tackle, Jadeveon Clowney at DE and Khalil Mack at OLB -- may be off the board. So it's possible the Falcons will need to trade up to fill either need. However, there's a decent chance that they can sit tight and hope for one of those four to fall to them. 
The Falcons' pass rush had 32 sacks in 2013, tied for third-worst in the NFL. They also gave up 2,173 rushing yards, second-worst in the league. They could use someone who can both stop the run and rush the passer. Buffalo's Khalil Mack would be the ideal fit. He's a balanced linebacker who can do whatever the play requires. He can also force turnovers - his 16 career forced fumbles are an NCAA record. 
The Falcons could use an improvement on the defensive line as well. Ex-Giant Osi Umenyiora is 32, and newcomers Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai are run-stoppers. 
Clowney would be the guy if the Falcons wanted to go this route, but they will likely need to trade up with the Rams at No. 2 to get him. Clowney, a pass-rusher with 4.53 40 speed, had a down season stats-wise in 2013, registering just three sacks and 40 tackles (11 1/2 for loss). But the stats don't tell the whole story about how disruptive he can be. His game film shows the ability to impact a play even while facing double- or triple-teams. While Clowney doesn't have a say in where he winds up, he did tell ESPN.com in February, "I wish [the Falcons] could trade up for me." 
There's also the offensive line. The Falcons rushed for a league-worst 1,247 yards in 2013. They also gave up 44 sacks, tied for 10th-worst in the NFL. 
Matthews is the more balanced of the two offensive tackle prospects worth considering at No. 6. The son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews is not the strongest lineman on the board, but he makes up for it with his great technique and sound footwork in both the run game and the passing attack. He can play left tackle or right tackle equally well. More importantly, he's more likely to still be on the board when the Falcons make their pick. 
As is the case with Clowney, the Falcons would probably need to trade up to take Robinson, but he immediately would help improve the running game. The Auburn tackle is a strong, punishing run blocker who can get to the second level with ease to take out linebackers and defensive backs. He still needs to work on his pass protection, but the Falcons could slot him in anywhere on the line and reap the rewards in the running game right away. 
Possible Day 2/3 picks include Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas, Oregon State DE Scott Crichton, Boise State DE/OLB Demarcus Lawrence, Virginia OT Morgan Moses and Florida State safety Terrence Brooks.

SPFALCONSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Atlanta Falcons

khalil mack cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 5: OAKLAND RAIDERS 
2013 record: 4-12 
Key offseason acquisitions: DE Justin Tuck, WR James Jones, OT Austin Howard, QB Matt Schaub, OT Donald Penn, DE Antonio Smith, DE LaMarr Woodley, CB Tarell Brown, CB Carlos Rogers, RB Maurice Jones-Drew. 
Key offseason departures: OT Jared Veldheer, RB Rashad Jennings, DE Lamarr Houston, CB Mike Jenkins, CB Tracy Porter. 
Biggest holes: Quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver. 
For all the improvements the Raiders made this offseason, they still have quite a few things that still need fixing, particularly at the offensive skill positions. 
They traded their sixth-round pick for ex-Texans QB Matt Schaub, who had a career-high 3.9 percent interception rate and a career-low 2.8 percent touchdown rate in 2013. Schaub, 32, may not be a viable long-term option, so the Raiders would be wise to think about taking their QB of the future in this draft. 
The best fit at this point would be UCF's Blake Bortles. Bortles has the physical traits that teams look for in a quarterback - he's 6-5 and 232 pounds, yet moves surprisingly well and can run if needed. He still needs to improve his footwork and throwing mechanics, but he could develop into a solid starter in the Ben Roethlisberger mold. 
Texas A&amp;M's Johnny Manziel could also be an option. He certainly has the swagger for the silver and black, as demonstrated by his many off-field escapades. On the field, though, "Johnny Football" is an exciting playmaker who excels at improvising when the play breaks down. The biggest questions: Can his 5-11 3/4 frame hold up in the NFL, and can he prove he's mature enough to handle the spotlight? 
There's also Teddy Bridgewater. The Louisville product is the most pro-ready of the top QBs -- strong arm, good accuracy, good decision-making, ability to read the defense pre-snap and toughness to take a hit in the pocket. However, his draft stock has plummeted throughout the offseason due to concerns about his size (6-2, 214 pounds) and an "average" pro day. 
Auburn's Greg Robinson, if he's still available, would help rebuild the Raiders' offensive line. He's very athletic with good burst and strength (32 reps on the bench press at the Combine). He can get to the second level with ease in run-blocking, though he needs refinement as a pass blocker. He could start at either left guard or left tackle immediately. 
It's unlikely that Sammy Watkins slips this far, but if he does, it looks like he wouldn't get past the Raiders. He'd be an explosive No. 1 option with great speed, acceleration and hands. Drafting Watkins would also make newcomer James Jones into a reliable No. 2 option, which is what he was at times with the Packers. 
The Raiders could also look at Texas A&amp;M's Mike Evans, though a top-five pick may be a bit high for him. Evans is a strong-handed, imposing physical presence who would be incredibly tough to cover in the red zone. He has a great catch radius (thanks to his 35 1/8-inch arm length) and exhibits great body control when going up to high-point the ball or make a tough catch. 
Of course, a trade down may not be out of the question - especially if the three quarterbacks fall, or if they want Evans but don't want to reach for him. 
Potential Day 2/Day 3 options include Pitt QB Tom Savage, Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews, LSU WR Jarvis Landry, Indiana WR Cody Latimer, UCLA guard Xavier Sua-Filo, Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson and North Dakota State tackle Billy Turner.

SPRAIDERSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Oakland Raiders

bortles cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICKS NO. 4 AND 26: CLEVELAND BROWNS 
2013 record: 4-12 
Key offseason acquisitions: RB Ben Tate, SS Donte Whitner, WR Andrew Hawkins, MLB Karlos Dansby, OT Paul McQuistan, CB Isaiah Trufant, head coach Mike Pettine; GM Ray Farmer. 
Key offseason departures: SS T.J. Ward, MLB D'Qwell Jackson, QB Jason Campbell, QB Brandon Weeden, RB Willis McGahee. 
Biggest holes: Quarterback, guard, wide receiver, cornerback, inside linebacker. 
Trent Richardson only played in three games last season for the Browns, but he may end up helping them out for years to come. 
When the Browns traded Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for their first-round pick, it initially seemed like the Browns were on the losing end of the deal - after all, Richardson was one of their main offensive weapons. But Richardson went on to average 2.9 yards per carry with Indy, and the Browns can now add another important piece to their offense, whether that's a quarterback, a wide receiver or an offensive lineman. 
It looks likely that the Browns will get their franchise quarterback with one of their first-round picks - but will it be at No. 4, or will they wait until 26? 
The most intriguing option would be Texas A&amp;M's Johnny Manziel, a dynamic player who would help breathe new life into a moribund franchise. The safest pick would be Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, a quarterback who can do everything well but has taken a tumble in the pre-draft process. The high-upside pick would be UCF's Blake Bortles, who has the physical tools to be an NFL QB but still needs more seasoning. 
That choice depends on what the Browns value most in their quarterback - and whether or not they think incumbent Brian Hoyer is a viable short-term option. 
If they're not sold on any of those QBs, they could add another wideout across from Josh Gordon at No. 4 and wait to get a QB at 26. In that instance, Sammy Watkins (if he's still available) or even Texas A&amp;M's Mike Evans would make sense. The pick would depend on what the Browns want in a WR2. Watkins provides explosiveness and the ability to make people miss in space (although the Browns signed someone with similar qualities in Andrew Hawkins). The 6-5 Evans would be a bit of a reach at No. 4, but his size, sure-handedness and body control would make him a dangerous target, especially in the red zone. 
If the Browns do want to wait until they pick again at No. 26 to take a QB, who would be the pick? Obviously, the Browns would love for any of the Bridgewater-Manziel-Bortles trio to fall that far (an increasingly likely scenario, according to recent reports). Another possible option late in the first round is Fresno State's Derek Carr. 
Carr - the brother of former No. 1 overall pick David Carr - has possibly the best pure arm in the draft. He's also an underrated runner - he clocked a 4.69-yard 40-yard dash at the Combine. However, he tends to struggle when facing a rush, lacks ideal accuracy downfield and played in a pass-happy spread offense. 
If the Browns do take a quarterback with the fourth overall pick, they still would need to give him a new toy at some point, and they could do so starting with the 26th pick. Marqise Lee of USC would be an option in that case. Lee fell off a bit in 2013 after posting an NCAA-best 118 catches in his sophomore season, mostly due to a nagging knee injury. When he's healthy, though, he's an athletic, dynamic threat that can take the top off of a defense. 
Potential mid-round and late-round options include Georgia QB Aaron Murray, Penn State WR Allen Robinson, Clemson WR Martavis Bryant, UCLA guard Xavier Su'a-Filo, Wisconsin MLB Chris Borland, Nebraska CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir.

SPBROWNSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Cleveland Browns

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the latest primer in our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 3: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 
2013 record: 4-12 
Key offseason acquisitions: DE Ziggy Hood, DE/DT Red Bryant, DE Chris Clemons, G Zane Beadles, RB Toby Gerhart, LB Dekoda Watson. 
Key offseason departures: RB Maurice Jones-Drew, C Brad Meester, G Uche Nwaneri, QB Blaine Gabbert. 
Biggest holes: Quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line. 
Believe it or not, the Jaguars spent the offseason laying the foundation to become a legitimate contender down the road. 
They beefed up the defensive line -- which tied the league low with 31 sacks in 2013 -- with two of head coach Gus Bradley's former Seahawks (Red Bryant, Chris Clemons) and another versatile presence (Ziggy Hood). They replaced the aging Maurice Jones-Drew in favor of a younger back in Toby Gerhart. They got rid of former first-round bust Blaine Gabbert and re-signed veteran stopgap Chad Henne. 
Despite the upgrades, the Jaguars still need a bit of work before they can be taken seriously in the AFC South. They're back at square one with regards to finding a franchise QB. They could use a receiver to replace Justin Blackmon - who is suspended indefinitely for a third violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy - and they need to keep building their interior offensive line. 
Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would likely be the pick if the Jags want an immediate starter (or the closest thing to one). He has a very good arm, is very intelligent pre-snap and shows great poise in the pocket. However, the pre-draft process has been less than kind to Bridgewater - he had what scouts called an "average" pro day, and there have been multiple reports questioning whether or not he's a "franchise quarterback." 
If the Jaguars are OK with letting Henne start out of the gate, Blake Bortles would be the most likely option. The UCF junior evokes comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger thanks to his prototypical size (6-5, 232 pounds) and overall athleticism. However, while he does have some power to his throws, he doesn't quite have Roethlisberger's arm yet, and his mechanics need refining at the next level. 
Jacksonville could also be intrigued by the notion of taking Johnny Manziel here. "Johnny Football" is undersized at 5-11 3/4, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with his dynamic playmaking ability. The Texas A&amp;M product does his best work when things breaks down and he has to improvise, but he vastly improved as a passer in 2013, honing his mechanics and developing his pocket presence (though he still gets happy feet in the pocket). Of course, Manziel will need to answer questions about his maturity and his well-documented off-field escapades. An interesting note, for what it's worth - drafting Manziel would reunite him with Luke Joeckel, his left tackle with the Aggies in 2012. 
If none of the QBs are appealing in the first round, the Jags could look to bolster their wide receiving corps with Sammy Watkins. The Clemson standout is an explosive threat with soft hands and great acceleration. He'd partner with Cecil Shorts III to make a dynamic pass-catching duo. However, the Jaguars could afford to address another position here and still get a quality wide receiver. 
It's unlikely that Jadeveon Clowney would fall to No. 3 overall, since there are several teams waiting to trade up to the second pick and pounce if the Texans decide to pass on him. But if the South Carolina junior does manage to make it this far, the Jaguars would have to consider taking him despite already signing Bryant, Clemons and Hood in free agency. Clowney is the best defensive prospect since Ndamukong Suh and has rare 4.5 40 speed for a 6-6, 266-pound guy. He'd simply be too tempting to pass up at this stage. 
If the Jaguars want to keep rebuilding the defensive side of the ball and Clowney isn't available, Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack would be a nice option. Mack does everything pretty well - he can use his speed (4.65 40) and array of moves to rush the passer, he can use his instinct for the ball to stop the run and he can drop back into coverage. His 16 career forced fumbles are an NCAA record , so he has the ability to create turnovers. He's versatile enough to play anywhere in the Jaguars' linebacker corps. 
Potential Day 2/Day 3 picks include Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Georgia QB Aaron Murray, Alabama QB A.J. McCarron, Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews, Penn State WR Allen Robinson, Baylor guard Cyril Richardson and Colorado State center Weston Richburg.

SPJAGUARSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Jacksonville Jaguars

Bridgewater (cropped) 

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the first of our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICKS NO. 2 AND 13: ST. LOUIS RAMS 
2013 record: 7-9 
Key offseason acquisitions: QB Shaun Hill, DE Alex Carrington 
Key offseason departures: CB Cortland Finnegan, G Shelley Smith, G Harvey Dahl 
Biggest holes in roster: Guard, wide receiver, cornerback 
The Rams have two high picks, but will they actually use both of them? 
Rumors have been swirling since the end of the season that the Rams are looking to trade down from No. 2 overall, which was the pick the Redskins sent as part of the Robert Griffin III trade in 2012. With all the talent at the top of this draft, it's a strong possibility. All it takes is one team that's in love with one of the top prospects. 
For the purpose of this primer, let's assume the Rams stand pat at No. 2. They would have the chance to nab an impact player on offense. 
A popular pick in mock drafts is Auburn tackle Greg Robinson. Robinson was a key part of the Tigers' run to the BCS title game thanks to his freakish athleticism. The 6-5, 332-pound junior clocked a 4.92 40-yard dash at the Combine (to go with an unofficial 1.68-second 10-yard split, which is usually a better test of a lineman's explosiveness in short areas) and put up 32 reps on the bench press with an impressive 35-inch arm length. He's the definition of a mauler. For proof, watch him during the national championship game when he pancaked a defender 10 yards downfield on Auburn's first TD. He played on the left side in college, but could project to right tackle (traditionally a spot for run-blockers such as Robinson) or even inside at guard. 
Robinson's main issue is his lack of refinement in pass protection. He needs to improve his footwork. But he's an NFL-ready run blocker, and if he can get better in the passing game, he could be an extremely valuable piece for a team in the ultra-competitive NFC West. 
If the Rams are looking for a more well-rounded offensive lineman, Texas A&amp;M's Jake Matthews would be the more ideal pick. Matthews isn't as strong as Robinson (24 reps in the bench press) and has a shorter reach (33-3/8 inches), but he's sounder technique-wise and is considered one of the safest picks in the entire draft. Like Robinson, Matthews is versatile. He played left tackle during his senior season with the Aggies, but played on the right side before that. Plus, he has a history with Rams coach Jeff Fisher, who coached Matthews' father and Hall of Famer Bruce when they were both with the Oilers/Titans franchise. 
The Rams drafted a wideout in the first round last season in Tavon Austin, but they may want to keep adding weapons for Sam Bradford. If that's the case, Clemson's Sammy Watkins could be the likely pick. Watkins is a big-play receiver who uses his very good speed (4.43-second 40) to turn a small gain into a big one. He has soft hands and could also double as a returner. He would add to an already explosive receiver corps. 
Regardless of whether the Rams trade out of No. 2 or take someone, they'll be on the clock not long afterwards when pick 13 comes up. What they do with that pick will likely depend on their earlier choice. 
If they go offensive line at No. 2, they could double back on receiver at 13 and take Texas A&amp;M's Mike Evans, provided he is still on the board. The 6-5 Evans would represent a stark contrast in style from Watkins. Evans is a big, physical presence on the outside, while Watkins relies more on speed and acceleration. Evans has excellent body control to make tough catches and uses his length and 37-inch vertical to high-point the ball very well. He'd be a great complement to the speedier, shiftier Austin. 
Let's say the Rams take Watkins at No. 2. If they still want an offensive lineman, they could go after Taylor Lewan at 13. The four-year starter at Michigan plays with a nasty streak yet is surprisingly athletic, having tested well in the 40 (4.87 seconds) and three-cone shuttle (7.39) at the Combine. He has ideal size for the position at 6-7 and 309 pounds, and can play right tackle in addition to left. However, there are several character concerns with Lewan - he was charged on March 20 with three misdemeanors stemming from an alleged assault of two Ohio State fans on Dec. 1, 2013. Lewan has denied involvement in the altercation. 
An option that could work no matter what happens at No. 2: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Alabama free safety is rangy and has good instincts and great coverage skills. He can roam centerfield, line up against a slot receiver or play in the box against the run equally well, making him a good fit on the Rams' athletic defense. 
Possible Day 2/Day 3 picks include Virginia OT Morgan Moses, Nevada OT/OG Joel Bitonio, Louisville S Calvin Pryor, Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward, Florida State WR Kelvin Benjamin and Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman.

SPRAMSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: St. Louis Rams

greg robinson cropped

The 2014 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, May 8, and every team will look to infuse youth and talent into their rosters. This is the first of our NFL Draft two-a-days that looks at each team and which potential first-round picks would be a good fit. 
PICK NO. 1: HOUSTON TEXANS 
2013 record: 2-14 
Key offseason acquisitions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, S Kendrick Lewis, DT Jerrell Powe, head coach Bill O'Brien. 
Key offseason departures: QB Matt Schaub, RB Ben Tate, TE Owen Daniels, DT Earl Mitchell, DE Antonio Smith. 
Biggest holes in roster: Quarterback, nose tackle, linebacker, offensive tackle 
Sometimes, it's not bad to be the worst. 
Take the Texans. After two consecutive seasons that ended in playoff appearances, Houston had a surprising down season in 2013, losing its final 14 games of the season. This was with pretty much the same cast of characters as 2011 and 2012. 
The culprit? Turnovers. The Texans had 31 of them on offense (sixth-worst in the NFL) and forced a league-worst 11 on defense. Quarterback Matt Schaub threw 14 interceptions, leading to his Week 7 benching and offseason trade to Oakland. On defense, Johnathan Joseph led the team with three picks, while J.J. Watt had two fumble recoveries. But most of the core pieces are already on the roster, so the Texans could address either side of the ball to kick things off on May 8 in Manhattan. 
At the moment, it appears that the most appealing option at the top of the board is South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney is by far the best defensive prospect in the draft (and possibly the best overall prospect) with an elite mix of size (6-6, 266 pounds) and speed (4.53-second 40-yard dash). Don't let his 40 tackles and three sacks in 2013 fool you. He consistently blew plays up in the backfield and made an impact in ways that aren't reflected in the box score. There have been questions about his conditioning and work ethic, but pairing Clowney on the same line as Watt would be a nightmare for QBs. 
Early in the offseason, most mock drafts (<a href="http://www.newsday.com/www.newsday.com/sports/football/nfl-mock-draft-2014-1.7119076">including Newsday's</a>) projected a quarterback as the top pick. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on April 17 that the Texans are "unlikely" to take a signal-caller No. 1 overall, but if the Texans have a change of heart - or if they decide to trade back into the late first round at some point - they have a bevy of options to choose from. 
Of the first-tier QBs, Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater is the most NFL-ready, based on film. He has good arm strength, makes good decisions about where to go with the ball and has the accuracy to put it where he wants. He has the ability to recognize the defense pre-snap and adjust accordingly and is incredibly tough. (For proof of that last part, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCEWISyExwk">watch the hit Bridgewater took from Florida's Jon Bostic in the early moments of the Cardinals' 2013 Sugar Bowl win</a>.) 
Despite this, Bridgewater has seen his stock slide in the past month due to what many have called an average pro day. There also are concerns about whether or not he's "peaked" early, as well as his 6-2, 214-pound frame. There even have been reports that he could slide out of the first round altogether. Still, he would be an immediate plug-and-play option for the Texans. 
Then there's Blake Bortles. The UCF junior looks the part of an NFL QB at 6-5 and 232 pounds. His overall athleticism is reminiscent of Ben Roethlisberger, and he has immense potential. Plus, new head coach Bill O'Brien has a history of success with taller quarterbacks. However, he's still a bit raw as a passer. If the Texans are OK with letting Fitzpatrick take the reins for a season, Bortles would be afforded the chance to learn and develop while on the bench. 
Lastly, there's Texas A&amp;M's Johnny Manziel. "Johnny Football" is the most dynamic of the top quarterbacks, but also the most polarizing. He has the uncanny ability to make something out of nothing -- be it with his legs or his arm -- when a play breaks down. He improved as a passer in 2013, making better reads and showing improved decision-making from his Heisman-winning freshman campaign. 
However, Manziel has more than his share of red flags that need to be addressed. His lack of ideal size (5-11 3/4) coupled with his penchant for taking a lot of risks have left scouts wondering whether or not he'll physically be able to hold up at the next level. He also had some off-field concerns in college, which have led some to question his maturity. 
Possible Day 2/Day 3 options include LSU QB Zach Mettenberger, Pitt QB Tom Savage, Alabama QB A.J. McCarron and Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas.

SPTEXANSDRAFT

2014 NFL Draft primer: Houston Texans

A record 30 NFL hopefuls will be in the house for this year's draft. 
The league announced the list of attendees on Tuesday night. The draft will be May 8-10 at Radio City Music Hall. Round 1 is on Thursday, rounds 2 and 3 are on Friday and rounds 4-7 are on Saturday. 
In the past, the NFL invited only prospects that were considered to be top picks. In recent years, they have opened it up to include prospects who are projected to go late in the first round or somewhere in the second or third rounds. 
Below is the full list of invitees: 
Odell Beckham, Jr, WR, LSU 
Blake Bortles, QB, UCF 
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville 
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama 
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina 
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State 
Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri 
Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina 
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&amp;M 
Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech 
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois 
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State 
Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota 
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida 
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama 
Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana 
Marqise Lee, WR, USC 
Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan 
Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo 
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&amp;M 
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&amp;M 
Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt 
Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia 
C.J. Mosley, MLB, Alabama 
Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville 
Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn 
Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State 
Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio Staie 
Jason Verrett, CB, TCU 
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

NFL announces draft attendees

The 2014 NFL Combine wrapped up Tuesday as defensive backs took the field for workouts. Let's see who wowed during workouts and who left more questions to be answered. 
RISER: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU 
Verrett posted a 4.38 40-yard dash, which was second-best among all defensive backs and just .01 second behind Justin Gilbert's top time of 4.37. Verrett also ran a 6.69 three-cone drill (fourth-best among all DBs) and had a 39-inch vertical leap (tied for third-best among all DBs). Verrett is undersized at 5-9 and 189 pounds, but he plays feisty on tape and looked smooth during positional drills. Combine that with his numbers from Tuesday, and it's a strong bet that he'll go in the first round come May. 
RISER: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State 
Dennard erased any doubts about his speed, clocking a 4.51 40 on Tuesday. While it's not as fast as fellow top CB prospects Gilbert or Verrett, it's a good time for Dennard, who plays a more physical, press-coverage style than either of those two. 
FALLERS: Marcus Roberson and Louchiez Purifoy, CBs, Florida 
Roberson and Purifoy ran identical 4.61 40s, tied for sixth-slowest among cornerbacks. They also posted two of the lowest bench-press scores on Monday. Purifoy put up six reps -- worst among all DBs --&nbsp; and Roberson put up eight, which was tied for the second-worst. Roberson is considered the better prospect of the two because he's relatively more consistent, but neither one really helped their cause at the Combine and will need to rebound at the Gators' Pro Day. 
RISER: Jaylen Watkins, CB, Florida 
Not every Florida CB struggled in Indianapolis. Watkins -- the half-brother of Clemson wide receiver and peojected top-10 pick Sammy Watkins -- clocked a 4.41 in the 40 on Sunday, fifth-best among cornerbacks. (Also, it's faster than Sammy Watkins' 4.43, so Jaylen at least has some bragging rights.) Watkins also put up 22 reps on the bench press on Monday, tied for the most among cornerbacks. That athleticism will help him earn some mid-round consideration.

NFL Combine Day 6: Risers and fallers

Defensive linemen and linebackers worked out on the Lucas Oil Stadium field Monday on the fifth day of the NFL Combine. So who did well, and who struggled? Here are the day's risers and fallers: 
RISER: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh 
Donald posted impressive measurables on Monday. His 4.68 40 was fifth-fastest among defensive linemen, and his 7.11 three-cone drill was fourth-fastest. He also did 35 reps on the bench press on Sunday, second-highest among defensive linemen. He doesn't have great size (6-1, 285 pounds), but his Combine numbers added with his excellent production in 2013 should help him secure a spot in the first round of the draft. 
FALLER: Michael Sam, DE, Missouri 
Sam was remarkably average on Monday. He ran a 4.91 40 and a 7.80 three-cone, and posted a 25 1/2-inch vertical jump. (He also posted 17 reps on the bench press on Sunday, tied for second-worst among defensive linemen.) Sam also looked a little stiff at times in positional drills, reinforcing the belief that he is strictly suited as a rotational pass rusher. He's slated to go somewhere on the third day of the draft, probably somewhere around the fifth round. 
RISER: Telvin Smith, LB, Florida State 
Smith showed great speed on Monday, clocking a 4.52 in the 40. That time was second-fastest among linebackers, .01 second off Kevin Pierre-Louis' time. He may end up becoming a safety at the next level because of his lack of size (6-1, 218 pounds), but he has the ability and quickness to remain on the weak side. 
FALLER: Trent Murphy, DE/LB, Stanford 
Murphy worked out with the linebackers on Monday and was unimpressive all around. He clocked a 4.86 40 (to go with his 19 bench press reps on Sunday) and had a few mistakes in positional drills. He's a second-rounder at this stage. 
RISER: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo 
Mack solidified his status as the draft's top linebacker. He ran a 4.65 40 (.01 second faster than Anthony Barr), had a vertical jump of 40 inches and a broad jump of 128 inches, and looked fluid in drills. He shouldn't fall outside of the top 10 in May's draft.

NFL Combine 2014: Day 5 risers and fallers

michael sam cropped

Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater might be the first name called in this year's NFL draft, something he has dreamed about since the first day he picked up a football at age 5. 
But there was a time he was ready to give up the sport he loved. Once he learned his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer, Bridgewater wanted to quit. 
"I was at the age of 14, and I was ready to give up sports just to take care of her because I felt that was my purpose in life,'' Bridgewater, 21, said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "God had called on me to stop doing what I'm doing to take care of her.'' 
Rose Murphy told her son something else. 
"She told me, 'God has blessed you with your talents. Use them to the best of your ability,' '' said Bridgewater, who grew up in Miami with three older siblings. 
The conversation was the turning point in his life, and he carries it with him always. 
"That's why each day I step on that field, nothing bothers me, because I know what she went through,'' he said. "Nothing compares to that.'' 
Murphy, who raised her children as a single parent, survived her ordeal and will see her son continue his journey to the NFL. Many scouts consider Bridgewater the draft's top quarterback. And for the Texans, who will be looking to replace Matt Schaub, he might be the one. Houston also is looking closely at Johnny Manziel of Texas A&amp;M and Central Florida star Blake Bortles. 
Should Houston go with Bridgewater? 
"Yes, no doubt,'' he said. "I feel that I'm the best quarterback in this draft. I'm not just going to sit up here and say it . . . I'm going to go out there and prove that I'm the best guy.'' 
His numbers couldn't be much better. In his last two seasons at Louisville, he threw for a combined 58 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. Last season, he completed a career-high 71 percent of his passes, with 31 touchdowns and only four picks. 
But there are concerns. His weight was an issue at Louisville, where he once got up to nearly 225, then dropped 20 pounds and seemed almost too skinny, especially for the NFL. And his hands measure 9 1/4 inches, which worries some scouts about the potential for fumbles. By contrast, Manziel's hands measure 97/8 inches. 
The 6-3 Bridgewater can't do anything about the size of his hands, but he can control his weight. He added bulk before the combine and weighed in at 214. He hopes to get back up to 225, but not by eating the junk food he indulged in at Louisville. 
"I've been working hard with my eating habits and weight-room lifting,'' he said. "I just feel that to play this position, you have to have durability.'' 
It helps that he was in a pro- style offense at Louisville. "It just prepared me for some of the things that an NFL quarterback has to do nowadays,'' he said. 
Bridgewater opted not to throw or run at the combine and instead will do so at his Louisville pro day. 
Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, is getting most of the attention at quarterback, but Bridgewater said he doesn't care about the publicity duel. 
"I actually don't pay any attention to what's going on right now,'' Bridgewater said. "All I do is control what I can control.'' 
Now he waits. Houston at No. 1? Jacksonville at No. 3? Cleveland at No. 4? No one knows yet, but with so many teams at the top of the draft looking for a quarterback, it won't take long for Bridgewater's name to be called and his dream of playing in the NFL to draw one step closer. 
He can thank his mother for helping to make it come true.

SPGLAUB24

QB Teddy Bridgewater could be top overall pick

Russell Athletic Bowl Football cropped

Indianapolis - South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier didn't do Jadeveon Clowney any favors when the coach questioned the star defensive end's work ethic in a recent interview.&nbsp; 
Clowney didn't do himself any favors in dispelling that notion with his performance today in the bench press at the Scouting Combine.&nbsp; 
Clowney, a potential No. 1 overall pick, benched 225 just 21 times. Even Miami punter Pat O'Donnell had 23 reps. And quarterback Brady Quinn had 24 when he came into the league in 2007.&nbsp; 
There were 36 defensive linemen who equaled or surpassed Clowney in the bench press. When Mario Williams was the Texans' No. 1 overall pick in 2006, he had 35 reps.&nbsp;

Clowney flops at bench press

Jadeveon Clowney flops at bench press

Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers took the field on Sunday for the second day of workouts (and fourth day overall) at the NFL Combine. Let's see which players had impressive outings and which ones raised more questions than they answered. 
RISER: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State 
Cooks has always been known as a quick slot receiver, but on Sunday we found out exactly how quick. Cooks led all receivers with a 4.33 40-yard dash, a 3.81 20-yard shuttle and a 10.72 60-yard shuttle. He also looked good in drills, showing the sure-handedness that was evident on tape. 
FALLER: De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon 
Thomas wowed fans at Oregon with his speed, and as a result was expected to be one of a few running backs that had a legitimate shot of running a sub-4.3 40. However, Thomas didn't live up to those expectations on Sunday, clocking a pedestrian 4.50 40 time. Combine that with his measurables (5-9, 174 pounds, 8 1/8" hands) and it's tough to see where Thomas fits in at the next level. 
RISER: AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama 
McCarron shone in the absence of marquee quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Derek Carr, all of which did not throw on Sunday. The Crimson Tide senior looked crisp on most of his passing drills, delivering accurate passes all over the field. 
FALLER: Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona 
Carey's 4.70 40 time was slower than expected, and he struggled a bit in receiving drills.. Granted, Carey didn't have a reputation of being a speed demon like De'Anthony Thomas or a sure-handed weapon out of the backfield like Charles Sims, but he'll need to show some improvement at Arizona's Pro Day to alleviate any concerns about his speed or his hands. 
RISER: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&amp;M 
The 6-5, Evans wasn't much of a burner in college, but he showed surprising speed on Sunday with a 4.53 40. In addition, he looked extremely smooth ithe gauntlet and other receiving drills. He cemented his status as a top-15 pick, and could even wind up as a top-10 pick. 
FALLER: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU 
Landry ran a 4.77 40, slowest of any wideout at the Combine. He then left the workout with a calf injury. Speed isn't necessarily a main characteristic of Landry, who thrives on tough catches over the middle, but it's still tough to ignore a time like that. In addition, his calf injury may be something to monitor as the draft nears.

NFL Combine 2014: Day 4 risers and fallers

Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins bolstered his case to be the top wideout selected in this year's draft, running his two 40-yard dash attempts in 4.34 and 4.37 seconds&nbsp; 
He's coming off a terrific year with 101 catches for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns.&nbsp; 
The Jets and Giants are in the market for an elite receiver, but it looks like they'd have to trade up to get a talent like Watkins. The Giants have the 12th overall pick, while the Jets have the 18th selection.&nbsp;

Watkins doesn't disappoint at Combine

Sammy Watkins doesn't disappoint at NFL Combine

watkins cropped

Kent State running back Dri Archer put in the fastest 40 time so far at the Combine, reeling off a blazing 4.26 seconds in his first attempt. It was close to breaking Titans running back Chris Johnson’s 4.24 clocking, the fastest in Combine history (2008). 
Archer was easily the fastest running back in the 40. The next best time was 4.41 by Georgia Southern’s Jerick McKinnon, who also had the most bench presses (32) among all running backs. 
Henry Josey of Missouri wasa next in the 40 with a 4.43 clocking. Lache Seastrunk of Baylor, who was expected to be one of the fastest running backs at the Combine, ran a relatively slow 4.51.&nbsp;

Dri Archer runs a 4.26 in the 40

archer cropped

INDIANAPOLIS - We all know Johnny Manziel has got some quicks. Apparently, he's got some really, really good quicks.&nbsp; 
The Texas A &amp; M quarterback ran an official 4.68 in the 40-yard dash today. That's just .13 slower than Russell Wilson ran two years ago.&nbsp; 
Manziel's time was second-fastest among QBs. Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas ran a 4.61. 
<div id="eplayerHolder" style="width:475px; height:468px; margin:0 auto;"> 
 <div id="perf1qee5k656p7ti1erm066jpnpy1-yu9wy9nec5wb1131f66g1myj8">
 <a href="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" target="_blank"><img alt="Get Adobe Flash player" src="http://images.performgroup.com/namedImage/12637/install_flash.gif"></a>
 </div> 
 <script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.eplayer.performgroup.com/flash/js/swfobject.js"></script>
 <script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.eplayer.performgroup.com/flash/js/performgroup.js"></script>
 <script type="text/javascript">addCustomPlayer('1qee5k656p7ti1erm066jpnpy1', 'C6D065C213A84966E0440021281A8A86', 'yu9wy9nec5wb1131f66g1myj8', 475, 468, 'perf1qee5k656p7ti1erm066jpnpy1-yu9wy9nec5wb1131f66g1myj8', 'eplayer14', {age:1378330278000});</script>
</div>

Johnny Manziel is fast

The first day of on-field workouts at the 2014 NFL Combine (and the third day of the event) is in the books. Tight ends, offensive linemen and special teams got their moment in the spotlight Saturday, so let's see which players helped their cause and which ones didn't do so hot: 
RISER: A.C. Leonard, TE, Tennessee State 
Leonard had the fastest 40-yard dash time of any tight end, clocking a 4.50 and showing the overall athleticism that initially earned him a scholarship to Florida. He still needs to show that his off-field issues are a thing of the past, but he at least put his name on the radar as someone worth considering in the mid-to-late rounds. 
FALLER: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama 
Things started off poorly and only got worse for Kouandjio. He ran a 5.59 40-yard dash -- slowest among lineman who participated in the drill -- and looked stiff at times during positional drills. However, the biggest blow came after Kouandjio finished all his workouts. <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/437330567495823360">NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that several teams had failed him on his physical because of an "arthritic knee from failed surgery."</a> The report casts new doubt on whether Kouandjio is still worth a first-round pick. 
RISER: Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada 
Bitonio showed remarkable athleticism (4.97 40-yard dash, 4.44 20-yard shuttle, 7.37 three-cone drill, 114-inch broad jump) for a 6-4, 302-pounder. He solidified his status as a Day 2 pick (second or third round). 
FALLER: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington 
Seferian-Jenkins had hoped to vault into the draft's upper tier of tight ends, but reportedly was told before Saturday's workout that the NFL had not cleared him to participate due to a pre-existing foot condition. It remains to be seen whether it will affect his ability to compete at Washington's Pro Day on April 2. 
RISERS: The top three offensive linemen (Jake Matthews, Texas A&amp;M; Greg Robinson, Auburn; Taylor Lewan, Michigan) 
The trio of tackles showed on Saturday why they're considered the best linemen of the bunch. Matthews looked very smooth in positional drills, while Robinson and Lewan wowed with their exceptional athleticism. After Saturday, it's not unreasonable to see all three as potential top-10 picks. 
FALLER: Richard Rodgers, TE, Cal 
Rodgers on Saturday didn't have the athleticism that he showed on tape. His 4.87 40-yard dash was fourth-slowest among tight ends that ran on Saturday, and he only put up 16 reps on the bench press. Detractors will point to these numbers as proof that he's not NFL-ready, while supporters will point to his game film, where he showed the kind of athleticism that would make him a good fit for today's tight end role.

NFL Combine 2014: Day 3 risers and fallers

INDIANAPOLIS -- For several minutes, Shamar Stephen's voice was barely audible as he sat at a small table inside Lucas Oil Stadium. But a smile soon emerged as the Westbury product began talking about the NFL defensive tackle he hopes to emulate in on-field production. 
"I'd like to model myself after [the Lions' Ndamukong] Suh," said Stephen, a 6-5, 308-pound UConn product who played football and basketball for Long Island Lutheran. "Just 'cause he's so violent, so good and he's just so disruptive." 
The selection of Suh might seem like an odd choice for the laid-back and seemingly reserved Stephen. But it makes perfect sense, he said, adding: "It turns on when you get on the field." 
During the next few days, he'll have to convince NFL teams that he can bring that same level of intensity to the football field. 
Stephen arrived late to the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday after being delayed flying from Pensacola, Fla., to Charlotte and, later, Indianapolis because of inclement weather. 
Though he's projected to be a midround draft pick in May, he said he's not sure where he'll fall -- or to whom, exactly -- because he hadn't met with any of the NFL teams before addressing the media. 
Stephen, who turns 23 Tuesday, will compete Monday in drills with the rest of the defensive linemen and linebackers at Lucas Oil. But unlike South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who predicted Saturday that he'll clock a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, Stephen has far more realistic goals for himself: "sub-5.0, hopefully," he said. 
A Connecticut captain and team MVP in 2013, Stephen finished third on the Huskies in tackles (60, including a team-high 10 for a loss) and had three sacks. He was named to the American Athletic all-conference second team and participated in the 2014 Senior Bowl. 
Though he may be raw in some areas, he's blessed with size and athleticism. 
"I had some jitters coming in, but I feel good right now," he said. "I feel confident, I feel comfortable now." 
Stephen, who was on the same LuHi basketball team as current Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (Dix Hills), said he hopes to put LuHi football on the map. But in order to do so, he knows he has to stay focused on the task at hand. 
"It feels good, definitely, coming from Long Island," he said. "But the job here is to focus on what's in town -- and that's the Combine -- and do as well here as possible." 
Stephen said playing in the NFL has been a lifelong dream. He's determined to achieve that goal for himself and his parents. His mother is a math teacher at Hempstead High School and his father is a retired quality engineer. 
"It's going to be a great feeling," he said of potentially hearing his name called during the draft. "Especially all the hard work you've done your whole life panning out. So it'll definitely be a good feeling. And hopefully that'll happen for me."

SPSHAM23

LIer Shamar Stephen hopes to make sizable impression at NFL Combine

shamar stephen

2014 NFL Draft: Full coverage

Newsday

More football news

football article rail

The Kansas City Chiefs faced a tough loss against the Denver Broncos, 28-24, in Week 8.

A subtle flag, a wiped-out TD and a new AFC West leader in Denver

Offensively and defensively, the Chicago Bears are quite good on third down.

Chicago Bears having success on third down during their 6-2 start

A former San Francisco 49ers head coach who lasted one season on the job after replacing Jim Harbaugh is trying to make American football work in Europe.

Former 49ers coach Jim Tomsula trying to boost American football in Europe

For the first time in nearly two years, the Seattle Seahawks lost a game by double digits.

Seahawks have a 'sense of urgency' after loss to the Bears

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup by almost a year because of the conflict in the Middle East and recent deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Asian Cup soccer tournament in Saudi Arabia postponed because of conflict in the Middle East

More New York Sports

Sports Article Bottom Module

Eight straight NBA champions have failed to repeat. Will the Knicks end that trend?

Knicks learning why it's so hard to repeat as NBA champions

The Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Room was unveiled at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in Lake Success. It's a dedicated space named for Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer's mother, who died in February 2024 following a two-year fight with breast cancer.

Child support room named for mom of Isles' Schaefer opens

Get NFL news, scores, stats, power rankings and standings for all of your favorite National Football League teams, all on Newsday.

More football news

Stay logged in.