Let's assume that we can trade into the late first round pick 30 in exchange for picks 37 and 112.

Let's make a list of who would need to be there for that trade to be a yes for the Rams.

I'm coming up under those circumstances for any of the following:

OJ Howard
David Njoku
Mike Williams
Corey Davis
John Ross
Forrest Lamp
Christian McCaffrey

I'm on the fence with Engram - i couldn't be too upset if they came up for him under these circumstances but I'm so used to seeing him mocked to us at 37 ...

Of course, if Myles Garrett is there I'm coming up for him too - but I'm thinking if we do this it's for an offensive playmaker or to lock down the center spot

Jake Ellenbogen's 2017 Seven Round NFL Mock Draft

https://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2017/04/26/Jake-Ellenbogens-2017-Seven-Round-NFL-Mock-Draft

Finally it is less than a week away from the NFL draft. I have watched as much film as possible and have analyzed as many players as I could to this point. Now, I bring you my pre-NFL Draft seven round all-NFL mock draft.

FIRST ROUND


1.Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

Regardless where I have Garrett on my board, he will be the number one overall pick. While Garrett does have his occasional plays that he takes off or doesn’t necessarily play with the motor he is capable of, Garrett is the right pick here over taking a quarterback. Garrett would bring a cornerstone franchise defensive end to the new defense that new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is trying to assemble. Cleveland will have plenty of opportunities in this draft to select a quarterback for much better value, taking Trubisky in my personal opinion is just a smokescreen and it’s guaranteed Garrett goes to Cleveland first overall.


2.San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

This is the hardest pick to predict because realistically speaking the 49ers could be looking at eight-to-10 different options at this selection. I personally think the best players in this draft are both from LSU – Leonard Fournette and Jamal Adams. I do however believe that the 49ers will grab Thomas, he’s too good to pass up on. Still it’s important to keep an eye on Fournette going here seeing as the 49ers are reportedly fine with moving on from Carlos Hyde. I feel as though they may just choose to select a running back later on because of how deep the position is in this draft.


3.Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama


The Bears need tons of help on their defense and while many have Marshon Lattimore mocked here it doesn’t really make sense in the grand scheme of things. This is a very depth filled CB draft and the Bears have actual needs that couple cripple their campaign if not addressed. The pick to me is either Jamal Adams or Jonathan Allen. I think Allen Is going to be the pick, the Bears absolutely need to bolster that defensive line that doesn’t scare anyone. Allen adds a violent freak of a player that would help add some tenacity to a d-line that needs it.


4.Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

My number one player comes off the board at fourth to the Jaguars. Besides the fact that Fournette should be considered for almost every team in the league if available. The Jaguars have a legitimate need for him. Blake Bortles seems to be the guy for now and I believe that’s how it should be, but the fact is that he needs a good season this year or the Jaguars will surely move on with a QB next year out of the 2018 stacked QB class. Jacksonville drafted T.J. Yeldon to be the guy and it’s not working the way they thought it would. Fournette is a game-changing talent. He’s a player that is quite honestly generational. Fournette would add so much to an offense that has shown the potential in the past and this pick would help out Bortles in a huge way.


5.Tennessee Titans via Los Angeles Rams: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

I was conflicted here due to the free agent addition of Jonathan Cyprien likely ruling out Adams and Hooker at safety. The Titans have the most consistent and reliable red zone quarterback statistically speaking in Marcus Mariota. He’s had over 30 touchdowns to zero interceptions in the red zone, but that was without a big bodied wide receiver. I think Tennessee wants to make things easier for Mariota and by doing that they get Williams who is just a freak of nature in the way he can box out any corner or safety, high point the ball and hang on to make the tough catch. Williams seems like the pick here, while it may even be a little reach, Mariota has never had a WR like Williams. This pick could accelerate the production of Mariota even more.


6.New York Jets: Jamal Adams, FS, LSU

The Jets once again get a steal in the draft, we saw this with Leonard Williams in 2015 and now we see it here with Jamal Adams. Bringing Adams to New York is huge as the Jets grab a perennial All-Pro type of talent that can grow with their young hard hitting safety Calvin Pryor. Adams is a culture changer at the position, a true leader that the Jets will need to get their defense back to where it used to be. Todd Bowles is a very crafty defensive mind and will likely be jumping up and down in excitement to land a player like Adams outside the top five.


7.San Diego Chargers: Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State

Malik Hooker has had some injury concerns, but this is an obvious pick for the Chargers. The Chargers have found a bargain with Jahleel Addae, but after that they haven’t been able to replace what Eric Weddle brought to the table. In steps Hooker who can come in and be a ball hawking presence in the secondary. Hooker is another elite safety prospect so if he is your consolation prize on missing out on Adams, you are very lucky. The Chargers would be making a giant mistake passing on such a talent at a position that is a need.


8.Carolina Panthers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

Before the drug test fail of Rueben Foster I felt as though he was a perfect fit to take over for Thomas Davis who is getting up there in age. However, that was before and now we are hearing that he is likely to be available in round two. The Panthers go best available here, they drafted two young studs in Daryl Worley and James Bradberry last year, but Lattimore would likely be a starter over both of them. He’s not my number one cornerback, but he’s still real good and projects well to be a starting cornerback at the next level. He has the size and speed to be an obvious game changer to truly replace what Josh Norman brought to the table.


9.Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

The Bengals need to bolster their pass rush. Carlos Dunlap is an exceptional pass rusher, but the Michael Johnson reunion hasn’t been huge for the Bengals thus far. Insert Derek Barnett who is the one of the top pass rushers in this draft and will make an impact day one. If I was picking for the Bengals here I would be deciding between Barnett and Reddick. I am going Barnett because that is ultimately what I feel the Bengals will do.


10.Buffalo Bills: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

This is a hard pick to predict because there are tons of rumors out there referring the Bills to a quarterback, but the quarterback pick just doesn’t make any sense. While I think Doug Whaley is one of most questionable GM’s in the league, I don’t think even he could go quarterback after giving Tyrod Taylor that much money. O.J. Howard might not be filling a need, but he is an absolute stud and if Eric Ebron went number eight overall years ago then Howard is definitely worthy of a top ten selection.


11.New Orleans Saints: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

The Saints are another team that was targeting Rueben Foster, but I am going to stick to the narrative that he is “falling” out of the first round. I could be completely wrong, but I feel as though the Saints have plenty to be excited about in landing a great cornerback prospect in Quincy Wilson. The Saints secondary is putrid and they need a guy to step in and at least have enough presence to make teams think about throwing on their secondary. Wilson can be a potential candidate to win defensive rookie of the year. The Saints would be making a great move with a pick left at the end of the first round and taking the same player I had them slated to take in my four-round mock draft before the free agency period.


12.Cleveland Browns: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

He’s not my favorite quarterback, but it seems like he is the Browns favorite. Trubisky is being considered for the first overall pick at the moment and I can’t understand why. Trubisky will be available at the next pick Cleveland has at No.12 overall. This makes more sense if they want him. Trubisky is only a 13 game starter and has some flaws, but Hue Jackson is an offensive guru that seems to like him. Trubisky would likely have to be the starter if picked here, but if the Browns need Cody Kessler to start until he is ready the Browns could get away with that.


13.Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

The Cardinals will pass on Foster like other teams here because Reddick is available for the taking. Haason Reddick is a guy that went from a day two/day three player early on to dominating the pre-draft process and shooting his way into the first round. Reddick is an extremely gifted athlete and a special talent that can play inside or outside linebacker. The Cardinals have one inside linebacker that is a stud in Deone Bucannon and they can add another one in Reddick. Karlos Dansby is up there in age and Reddick come in and replace him right away.


14.Philadelphia Eagles via Minnesota Vikings: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

In my humble opinion the Eagles lack a true number one cornerback. However, all the buzz is pointing in the direction of the Eagles taking an offensive player to help out Carson Wentz. Insert Christian McCaffrey. I think this is way too high for him, but I think this is the likely route the Eagles will go. McCaffrey brings a multi-purpose mentality at running back for the Eagles and will only grow and get better over time with his fellow young QB.


15.Indianapolis Colts: Rueben Foster, ILB, Alabama

Just kidding about that Foster narrative…I can’t tell you how long it took me to make this pick final, but I am now sold that it is going to be Rueben Foster. Chris Ballard is going to be an outstanding general manager and he kicks off his tenure and GM debut with the Colts by selecting an elite linebacker prospect in Foster. Now, everyone is dropping Foster into the second round due to the failed drug test, but this is the same GM that wanted the Bears to give up on the man he scouted and fell in love with Cedric Benson back in Chicago. Who was that for? Adrian Peterson. That obviously didn’t end up happening and you can bet Ballard was cursing out his colleagues over it. Ballard is a man that tells it how it is and believe me when I say he will fight for this pick and ultimately will land Foster in Indy where they already are dying for an inside linebacker.


16.Baltimore Ravens: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

I noticed that a player that was once considered a top five pick has fallen off a bit and is even reaching the second round in mock drafts. Cam Robinson is a real good offensive tackle prospect and the Ravens just created a huge need at tackle by letting Ricky Wagner go via free agency. Robinson and Ronnie Stanley on both tackle spots should ease the pain a little bit. Robinson still has his flaws, but kicking over to right tackle could help him and take serious pressure off his plate for his rookie year. The Ravens can’t afford to let Flacco get hurt again.


17.Washington Redskins: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State

I think Washington is in the driver’s seat to trade down and recoup some picks here, but I can’t project a trade, it’s just too difficult. I am going to give the Redskins a steal in the form of Malik McDowell aka the Spartan’s one man army. McDowell’s stock isn’t where it should be, but scouts have concerns about the little things in McDowell’s game and dodge the fact he is a top ten talent. McDowell unfortunately was put in a bad spot having to be the only productive Spartan last year in the post-Connor Cook era that didn’t treat Michigan State all that well. McDowell can step in and immediately talk off as the leader and anchor of the new Redskins defensive line. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula will be lobbying for him for sure and I think he gets his wish, McDowell is just too good to pass up when he also fills a need of yours.


18.Tennessee Titans: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

This pick may shock some people, but the Titans do need some cornerback help after they opted to let eight year veteran Jason McCourty go. That tells me they wanted to get younger at the position and are likely targeting it early on. I had the Titans picking Williams to give Mariota that elite red zone threat early on and now the Titans will pick the guy that lined up across him in the National title game. Marlon Humphrey is a great physical corner that brings a tenacity and a swagger about him that could make him a possible rookie of the year candidate. Humphrey played in a pro ready system at Alabama and the level of competition was obviously there in the toughest conference. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will welcome Humphrey with open arms.


19.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Many are saying Dalvin Cook is going to slide into the second, but he is a premier talent at the position and the Buccaneers aren’t sold that Doug Martin who went to rehab, is going to be the guy moving forward. So, you have a team that gave their franchise quarterback a nice toy in DeSean Jackson and now this off-season he gets his old college buddy back from Florida State. Winston and Cook would have clear chemistry and this seems like the best fit outside of Philly for Cook. The Bucs could look at Jabrill Peppers here, but teams are treading lightly after his reported failed drug test.


20.Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah

The Broncos are an absolute mess at offensive tackle. They signed Ronald Leary to sure up the interior, but if the season started today Donald Stephenson or Ty Sambrailo would be starting and protecting Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch’s blindside. Yikes! Broncos grab who many believe is the best tackle in the entire draft Garett Bolles. He brings athleticism and a nastiness that the Broncos so desperately need at arguably the second most important position.


21.Detroit Lions: T.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

The brother of J.J. Watt is building up his own hype this off-season and it’s so big he may find himself now as a guaranteed first rounder. Watt is being consistently mocked to Green Bay, but I believe that the Lions want an edge rusher badly across from Ziggy Ansah, but they don’t want one with character concerns. Insert T.J. Watt who is a high quality player and character you won’t need to worry about. Watt has the athleticism to be a force off the edge. While the Lions do need plenty of linebacker help as well as some secondary, this pick starts making the secondary’s job that much easier. The Lions haven’t been able to rush the passer since Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley’s departure, but this will put them on the right track as long as they don’t let Ansah walk in free agency too…


22.Miami Dolphins: Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky

I left offensive line as Lamp’s position because he can play anywhere on the line. The Dolphins don’t need him at tackle or center, but grabbing this type of player to take over at guard makes a lot of sense. Many want to believe that Jabrill Peppers belongs at this spot, but I just don’t see that. Lamp is a swiss army knife on the line because he can step in and play anywhere. If Mike Pouncey has any more injuries or better yet the Dolphins just choose to get rid of him down the line, Lamp would fit right in there. May not seem like a huge need, but this is a value pick for Miami.


23.New York Giants: Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech

There it is! Are you not entertained? Patrick Mahomes was drafted in the MLB draft and turned down a baseball career because his passion for football outweighed baseball. Mahomes really broke out this season and I ended up ranking him as my top overall quarterback in this draft. He has a gunslinger mentality like Brett Favre and I believe this is a great fit for his talent. The Giants picked up Geno Smith in free agency and while I liked the move, Smith likely isn’t the future after Eli Manning. Mahomes however is. Mahomes will have players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard to play with when he gets his chance to start, the Giants will by then have hopefully bolstered that offensive line and drafted a bell cow ahead of Paul Perkins. The Giants have been one of the more quiet teams in the league this off-season, they won’t be quiet when they make this selection.


24.Oakland Raiders: Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida

I am convinced Jarrad Davis is going to be an Oakland Raider. He just looks the part, but what is impressive about this pick is that the Raiders would be adding to a linebacker group that’s already pretty good as is. Davis’ vocal leadership and demeanor has been compared to the likes of Ray Lewis and even though he is coming off an injury the Raiders took a chance on an injured player last year in the first round in Karl Joseph and it paid off. Expect Davis to be the pick here and if not then look out for Jabrill Peppers.


25.Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Now, I won’t even go into my thoughts on Watson as a prospect, but this is exactly what the Texans are going to do after Mahomes and Trubisky go off the board. The Texans need a QB and they are going to feel as though they can’t wait on a guy to develop like Brad Kaaya in the mid rounds, so they will roll the dice on a guy who isn’t day one ready Deshaun Watson. Despite what the media reports on how the Texans believe in Tom Savage, as far as I am concerned that is a load. This is not to knock savage, but this is to explain the obvious in that the Texans will draft a quarterback in the first round.


26.Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

Raise your hand if you know who the starting tackles for the Seahawks are. Now, put them down. You are a liar. The Seahawks have Luke Joeckel on a one-year eight million dollar (was supposed to be) prove it deal. On the other side the Seahawks employ Oday Aboushi who is average at best for the Seahawks at right tackle. The Seahawks are going to be mocked the guys that “fit” their Legion of Boom mold like Kevin King or even Obi Melifonwu. I think though that they should go offensive line and I think they ultimately will. Ramczyk is likely the best player available on their board so this is an easy one for the Seahawks. Russell Wilson cannot be sacked and hit as much as he is right now otherwise his career will be very short. Ramczyk comes in and sures up the blind side for Wilson.


27.Kansas City Chiefs: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

The Chiefs will be eyeing a cornerback to replace Phillip Gaines alongside Marcus Peters. I like Tre’Davious White here, but I feel as though the Chiefs will look at this draft and think back to when Kizer was slated to go top five. Kizer is likely a better rospect than all of the ones chose ahead of him. Kizer does have some accuracy issues and thecause of concern for him was his “disappointing” college season. Yes, it was disappointing, but I feel as though people need to look at the fact that his three keys on offense Ronnie Stanley (his left tackle), C.J. Prosise (his running back) and Will Fuller (his go-to receiver) all went into the draft last year. Kizer was on an island on his own and I feel as though sitting behind Alex Smith would really get him prepared to play at a high level when his time comes.


28.Dallas Cowboys: Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado

I love Awuzie and have been adamant of him since early November, but he has risen up draft boards and people are going to be surprised by this but it sounds like he’s almost a lock to be a first round pick. The Cowboys will need to pick a cornerback in my opinion after letting both Brandon Carr and improving former first round pick Morris Claiborne depart in free agency. Awuzie is a versatile weapon on defense that can cover well, hit hard, rush the quarterback and make plays with the ball in his hands. Dallas would be getting a real good player if they invested their pick in Awuzie.


29.Green Bay Packers: Kevin King, CB, Washington

The traction is gaining for Kevin King and by Thursday night he may end up way higher than this selection, but in this mock he falls here and the Packers jump all over him. The Packers were in need of a cornerback last season in the playoffs. We all watched as Ladarius Gunter did his best to cover Julio Jones. You can only imagine how that went if you didn’t see it. To make a long story short…get a cornerback that can start right away at a high level in Green Bay immediately. King is a fascinating prospect because of his freaky speed and size combination. King at 6-foot-3 would be a different player for the Packers and would fill a huge need on a team that only has a small amount keeping them away from the Super Bowl.


30.Pittsburgh Steelers: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

I believe that the Steelers are deciding between Peppers, Budda Baker, Charles Harris and Carl Lawson. In the end the Steelers will likely go with Peppers. Even though he failed a drug test, there is still speculation out there that it was due to Peppers drinking too much water to afford dehydration and cramping. Regardless, Peppers is worthy of this pick and will fit right in with what the Steelers do on defense. They obviously filled their need with Sean Davis at safety last year and still have a good safety in Mike Mitchell, but Peppers can play in a rotation and his ability to play multiple positions on defense allows the Steelers to get creative in finding him ways to get on the field and wreak havoc. The Steelers may have other pressing needs, but they weren’t far off last year from the Super Bowl and drafting players like Peppers only help the team as a whole.


31.Atlanta Falcons: Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

I think the retiring of Chris Chester opens the door for Dan Feeney to sneak his way into the first round. There are mocks that have the Falcons going edge rusher, but the fact is Feeney is one of the only day one starters left at a positional need and I think the Falcons will see that and address it. Feeney also has the flexibility to play center as well adding more to his value. Feeney has a mean streak that will be a huge upgrade anyway over Chester who was on the decline.


32.New Orleans Saints: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

This is likely to get traded away, but if it doesn’t expect the Saints to improve their defense some more after selecting one of the best CB’s in this draft and then selecting arguably the most crafty pass rusher in the draft. I personally have a higher grade on Harris than Garrett. Harris has an enormous repertoire of pass rushing maneuvers that make me wonder if he can be like Dwight Freeney in the NFL. Harris is one of the most relentless pass rushers I have seen and his tape is a joy to watch. The Saints would be having two defensive ends of Harris and Cam Jordan going after the QB…Winston, Newton and Ryan won’t like when this pick comes in.


SECOND ROUND


33.Cleveland Browns: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

The Corey Davis fall is apparently real, even though it’s flat-out idiotic. Hue Jackson won’t complain though as he will be bringing in arguably the best wide receiver in this class to be a weapon for Mitch Trubisky. Davis is a supreme talent that compares well to A.J. Green. He is going to bring the dynamic qualities that Josh Gordon once brought to Cleveland.


34.San Francisco 49ers: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

I believe that while the 49ers have so many needs and they did give Vance McDonald an extension that Engram is likely going to be the pick here for the niners. The 49ers lack size at the receiver position and I think they will use Engram both at TE and WR. Engram is an explosive 4.42 speed driven player that can split through defenders at will.


35.Jacksonville Jaguars: David Njoku, TE, Miami

A little bit of a tight end run here after Engram goes to San fran. The Jaguars traded away Julius Thomas and it’s assumed they are looking to upgrade that position via the draft. Njoku, to many is a surefire first rounder, I however do not agree. I think Njoku will fall into the Jaguars lap at 35. Blake Bortles receives another weapon on top of Leonard Fournette after the Jags used the whole free agency to target defense pretty much.


36.Chicago Bears: Budda Baker, S, Washington

The Bears are in desperate need of a safety. It leads me to confusion as to why so many are mocking a receiver here to Chicago. The Bears get a guy that can lay the wood and who can bring a versatility to a defense that would welcome just that. Budda Baker would be a plug-in-play energizer bunny for this Bears secondary and an overall good pick at 36.


37.Los Angeles Rams: Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

The Rams are almost guaranteed to select a receiver. This is new Rams Head coach Sean McVay’s first NFL draft he is taking part in and so I would expect him to push buttons and make sure he brings in the new era with an offensive play-maker in Nittany Lion Chris Godwin. Godwin absolutely shredded USC in the Rose Bowl and took that momentum into the combine. Godwin showed off his natural hands and route running ability, but one thing he showed off we didn’t see coming was his speed. With Godwin running a 4.42 it likely shoots him up out of the third round and into the second. The Rams grab a starter next to Robert Woods for Jared Goff to throw to.


38.Los Angeles Chargers: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

With the first round pick of Malik Hooker, the Chargers start to mold their secondary and now they take Tre’ White from LSU. White is an outstanding leader as heavily endorsed by all his teammates. He is one of the most consistent corners in college football and the Chargers will love to add him to the secondary with Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett. The Chargers now are looking at one of the sneaky good secondary’s in all of football.


39.New York Jets: Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA

The Jets got one, if not the best player in this draft at number six and now they add another defensive player in order to try to finally give Todd Bowles the defense he has wanted since he got to New York. Takkarist McKinley is an edge rusher that can step in and play day one for the Jets. Many even have him as a first round grade, so if that’s the case then the Jets are looking like thieves early in this draft.


40.Carolina Panthers: Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

After taking the best available player and bolstering the cornerbacks on their roster, the Panthers look at the RB spot to upgrade. Jonathan Stewart, while fan favorite, is 30 years old and is constantly hampered by nagging injuries. The Panthers can now bring in Alvin Kamara to alleviate the pressure on older Stewart and get the Kamara era rolling in Carolina. Kamara is another all-purpose back that should run the read option with Cam Newton to perfection.


41.Cincinnati Bengals: Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

The Bengals decide to go and get another weapon for Andy Dalton and to pair Zay Jones who is the all-time leader in receptions in FBS history, with the likes of All-Pro WR A.J. Green. The Bengals could go multiple routes but Jones makes sense as a way to keep the offense going. Anytime Green is out the offense seems stagnant and seeing as no one is scared of Brandon LaFell, Jones will give defensive backs and coaches something to think about.


42.New Orleans Saints: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

This one may not be a need with how good Vonn Bell and Kenny Vaccaro are, but Melifonwu is likely the best available on many boards and I think the Saints know that their defense has held them back to where they need to be in order to give Drew Brees another crack at the Super Bowl. Melifonwu makes the Saints third pick spent on defense and makes a ton of sense in doing so. He is a big bodied physical freak, he’s raw, but the measurables and talent will be enticing enough to select him in the second round.


43.Philadelphia Eagles: Adoree’ Jackson, CB, Michigan

Another flashy player coming to Philly. Jackson is going to be a starting CB right away due to the fact that the Eagles lack any legit starting NFL caliber corner. Jackson will be able to bring so much more to the table and will give the Eagles an option to platoon him and McCaffrey as kick returners. The Eagles will be sitting pretty with too electric play-makers on their roster and only after the second round.


44.Buffalo Bills: Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan

The Bills are transitioning to a 4-3 under new HC Sean McDermott and in doing that they will need to add another defensive tackle. Kyle Williams is likely out of the picture after this year, so it’s time for the Bills to add Chris Wormley who can be part of a rotation now and the future starting defensive tackle later.


45.Arizona Cardinals: Davis Webb, QB, California

I don’t like Davis Webb here at all, but with mostly all of the top quarterbacks gone and the Cardinals reportedly being very interested in his services this is the pick. Webb is nowhere near ready to start in the NFL and will need to sit behind a veteran quarterback. This pick works for him in that regard sitting behind Carson Palmer probably for one last season until Webb is the future of the franchise or so they hope.


46.Indianapolis Colts: Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn

You can never have too many pass rushers in the NFL and as nice as it was to sign a player like Jabaal Sheard, the Colts can definitely add more pass rushing to the table. Carl Lawson from Auburn is a great edge rushing prospect that someday could get you 15+ sacks a season. Now add Lawson with Foster in the draft and Chris Ballard is killing it early on in his first draft as a GM.


47.Baltimore Ravens: Taco Charlton, OLB, Michigan

Ozzie Newsome is notorious for those big and powerful guys in the draft. The Ravens need a pass rusher and while they bypassed it earlier they end up landing Taco Charlton here. Charlton is a player that has a long way to go in my opinion, but you can build off his tools. The Ravens are getting a solid player at 47.


48.Minnesota Vikings: Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma

Adrian Peterson just signed in New Orleans after being released from his one-team home. The Vikings were hoping to see more out of Jerrick McKinnon, but it appears they haven’t which is why the Vikings have done extensive work on Mixon. I’m not saying it’s the right move, but expect Mixon to be the pick here with the amount of time the Vikings have put into him.


49.Washington Redskins: Jordan Willis, OLB, Kansas State

The Redskins just received word from the league that Trent Murphy is going to miss some time serving a suspension for PED use. Jordan Willis is likely the best player on the draft at this point and the Redskins could use a talented pass rusher like him.


50.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Williams, S, Utah

Bradley McDougald ended up leaving in free agency and signing with the Seattle Seahawks, so the Bucs are going to need a safety. Luckily, this is the perfect time to need a safety in such a deep draft class. Marcus Williams from Utah has the range, tackling ability, ball-hawking ability and speed to play free safety next to free agent signing J.J. Wilcox.


51.Denver Broncos: John Ross, WR, Washington

There have been talks of the 40-yard dash fastest time keeper John Ross falling in the draft. I believe wholeheartedly in them and Denver isn’t going to mind when he’s available in the second round. With the likes of Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and John Ross the Broncos will be looking to give weapons and no excuses to their young QB’s.


52.Cleveland Browns via Tennessee Titans: Josh Jones, S, NC State

Talk about a Gregg Williams type of safety. Josh Jones is exciting with his size and speed, but mainly the full power of his hitting ability. Williams likes to punch teams in the mouth on defense and blitz often with the safeties. Jones is going to fit in perfectly in Williams aggressive style defense. The Browns also are in dire need of two safeties so this is a great pick nonetheless.


53.Detroit Lions: Raekwon McMillan, ILB, Ohio State

DeAndre Levy was released from the team and now it looks as though the Lions will need an interior linebacker presence and McMillan fits the mold well.


54.Miami Dolphins: Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M

This may seem a little early, but I love the fit of Evans in Miami. T.J. McDonald is not a sure thing and will be suspended half of the season, so Evans and Jones can really beef up that secondary.


55.New York Giants: Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt

Cunningham will come into New York with an obvious clear-cut role and that is to play middle linebacker for the G-men. The Giants have been using players like Kelvin Sheppard at the inside linebacker spot and Cunningham will be a massive upgrade on the defense. Great tackler and an excellent leader.


56.Oakland Raiders: Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State

The Raiders once again improve that defense by adding Rivers who is a very talented small-school edge rusher that will join another talented, or better yet, elite small-school edge rusher Khalil Mack. The Raiders are feasting early in the draft with Rivers and Davis in the first and second rounds.


57.Houston Texans: Dion Dawkins, OT/G, Temple

The Texans are looking at a lot less needs than most teams now that they have their hopeful franchise QB in Deshaun Watson. Houston will look instead at getting younger in the trenches. Dawkins provides a solid starter option at tackle, but projects much better to guard.


58.Seattle Seahawks: Tim Williams, DE, Alabama

Tim Williams just looks the part of a Seattle Seahawks edge rusher and he will fit in real well there as an upgrade over Cassius Marsh. Seattle is likely getting a first round talent later in the second round due to the off-the-field issues that have been in Williams’ past.


59.Kansas City Chiefs: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

What was once an obvious first round talent had the unfortunate event of injuring himself at his pro day. A torn Achilles was the ruling and despite that bump in the road doctors and especially Sidney himself believe that he will be ready for September. Andy Reid likely will want to rest him until he is 100% but definitely expect this to be the pick reuniting Jones with Marcus Peters.


60.Dallas Cowboys: Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio

This seems like a good route to go. The Cowboys need help in the secondary big time, but they also have a need of a pass rusher. Tarell Basham is a sleeper prospect to be one of the top edge rushers selected. He’s a model of consistency and at this point with the Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory sagas, it’s about time things were copasetic in Dallas.


61.Green Bay Packers: Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn

Depth is needed at the defensive tackle position and Adams could be a big help. The Packers could look at an edge rusher as well, but I expect them to grab a solid defensive tackle early on.


62.Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston

The Steelers are said to target a tight end early on, but I think if Tyus Bowser is there at 62 he’s as good as gone. The Steelers need an edge rusher now as James Harrison’s tank (thought it may not look like it) is running out. Bowser can make the Steelers younger at that position and give them a freakish talent as well.


63.Atlanta Falcons: Ryan Anderson, DE, Alabama

Brooks Reed isn’t terrible, but the Falcons fans won’t complain if Ryan Anderson is the one replacing him and rushing the passer.


64.Carolina Panthers via New England Patriots: Marcus Maye, S, Florida

The Panthers are set to start 36-year old Mike Adams or inconsistent Tre Boston. Marcus Maye might be the better option.


THIRD ROUND


65.Cleveland Browns: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida

A Florida alumni duo is born in Cleveland. Tabor and Joe Haden make the secondary on top of Josh Jones a little more serious than before the draft. Tabor fell hard in this draft due to his 4.7 forty yard dash that was in my honest opinion overblown. He doesn’t play like that on tape and thus leads to the Browns getting a first round talent in the third round.


66.San Francisco 49ers: Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State

The 49ers acquired Jeremy Zuttah, but I would still take Elflein. This offensive lineman is another high character, highly respected leader that is the definition of a blue collar player. The 49ers will take Elflein all day at this spot in the draft.


67.Chicago Bears: Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

Moreau suffered a torn pectoral and likely will need some time to recover, but he does make a lot sense for a team that signed Amukamara to a one-year deal and hasn’t received the production out of Kyle Fuller that they expected.


68.Jacksonville Jaguars: DeMarcus Walker, Florida State

The Jaguars signed Calais Campbell to go inside with Malik Jackson. They now have Dante Fowler Jr. waiting on an edge buddy and they get that with DeMarcus Walker.


69.Los Angeles Rams: Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

The Rams signed John Sullivan to be kind of the emergency starter coming into the season at center. While fans may think it’s fine to go with him for a full year…it’s not. Pocic is a first rounder most years, but in a deep draft like this he falls to the third round and right into the Rams lap. Pocic can compete and ultimately beat out Sullivan for the starting job day one.


70.New York Jets: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado

So far so good for the Jets in this draft. It’s about to get even better for them with the selection of Ahkello Witherspoon. The big 6-foot-3 cornerback can come in and give the Jets size they simply do not have at the position.


71.San Diego Chargers: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

The Chargers refuse to rule out the WR position according to multiple reports. JuJu is considered a good value pick here and has the upside to be a number one receiver. With the injury history of Keenan Allen it’s important to get insurance, although JuJu might be more than that.


72.New England Patriots via Carolina Panthers: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

Amid the sexual assault allegations directed at Gareon Conley he’s expected to fly down the boards. Conley is a top five cornerback in this draft, but teams just have to do much too much research in literally no time at all before the draft. I expect Conley to go a team that doesn’t pick until the third round, has a limited amount of holes on the roster and tons of depth at the position Conley plays. Hmm. Patriots are my pick and man would this be nuts if Conley joined Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, Cyrus Jones, Eric Rowe and Justin Coleman in Foxboro.


73.Cincinnati Bengals: Dorian Johnson, G, Pittsburgh

The Bengals lost their All-Pro and young guard Kevin Zeitler to the division rival Browns. Sooner or later they may have to replace him. For the time being Christian Westerman is expected to do the work, but getting a player like Johnson here could be a better option.


74.Baltimore Ravens via Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington

The Ravens in case you haven’t noticed are depleted at WR. They may regret letting Kamar Aiken go or rather driving him away, but if they get Kupp in the third round that may make up for it.


75.Buffalo Bills: Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh

No one really knows what the future holds for the Bills. They looked like they wanted to can Tyrod Taylor this past off-season, but they held onto him paying him his huge contract. They have been one of the most active teams in search for a QB, so Peterman seems like an option here.


76.New Orleans Saints: Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami

Drew Brees gets an understudy. Brad Kaaya is one of the quarterbacks that really intrigues me, while I’m sure the Saints would like Mahomes, they are trying to win now and will not spent a high pick on a QB as that doesn’t help them currently. Kaaya is a good pick in the third round and is set up to succeed in a good system and watching Brees.


77.Arizona Cardinals: Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

Surprisingly, Arizona doesn’t have many needs so they can afford to go with a best available type of selection. The thought with Tankersley is the future, with Harlan Miller, Williams and Bethel. Tankersley would have a hard time earning playing time, but he’s talented enough I think he could do it and end up being a starter across from Patrick Peterson by next year.


78.Baltimore Ravens: Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina

The Ravens got Brandon Williams back, but there is plenty else they need to do to get that defensive line looking better.


79.Minnesota Vikings: Isaac Asiata, G, Utah

I assure you this wasn’t on purpose. Both of the Asiata’s end up on the Vikings. Now the Vikings grab an interior blocker for their new RB Joe Mixon.


80.Indianapolis Colts: Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan

Indy gets some more protection for Andrew Luck. Taylor Moton impressed during the pre-draft process and he has the versatility to play both tackle and guard positions.


81.Washington Redskins: Desmond King, CB/S, Iowa

The Redskins decide to go with the versatile King that can fill one of the CB roles or kick in over at safety. King is a great player and consistent which is something the Redskins have been looking for.


82.Denver Broncos: Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

While many might like Virgil Green, he just isn’t that deep field stretching seam threat we thought he could be. Adam Shaheen definitely looks like one though and would add another dynamic to an offense that is looking for answers after last season.


83.Tennessee Titans: Elijah Lee, ILB, Kansas State

Tennessee was missing a second round pick from the Browns trade so they decide to go inside linebacker here and get a player that may look like a reach for many, but has really risen up the boards at the end of the draft process. Lee will fit in nicely right next to Woodyard.


84.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan

Last year’s pick of VH3 to pair with Brent Grimes ended up being necessary after the Bucs found out that Alterraun Verner never was going to live up to the contract they gave him. The Bucs need another CB and Lewis would be a great option.


85.Detroit Lions: Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama

The Lions have been very lenient and patient with Eric Ebron, but he really is never going to hit his full potential and so the Lions can quietly bring in a new era at TE by drafting Everett here. Who knows? Maybe this pick will help Ebron get his things in order.


86.Minnesota Vikings via Miami Dolphins: Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte

There is a reason to be concerned over the issues going on with Sharrif Floyd. Ogunjobi is rising up the boards and this would be nice insurance for Floyd assuming he never is able to return.


87.New York Giants: Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy

Giants fans have a lot to be optimistic about, but they still need to be cautious and look at the situation at tackle. Ereck Flowers may never develop and D.J. Fluker could continue to get hurt. Antonio Garcia is a high end tackle option at this point in the draft and the Giants could use him earlier than some of these other raw tackles.


88.Oakland Raiders: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee

The Raiders have a luxury of not having many holes to fill at all so they can go out and grab a player like Sutton. This pick more than likely seals up the cornerbacks for the year.


89.Houston Texans: Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

A tight end that was once considered a top two player at his position but fell due to a torn ACL. Jake Butt would fit in nicely for Houston.


90.Seattle Seahawks: Rasual Douglas, CB, West Virginia

Add more cornerback depth to the Legion of Boom, you know that is what the Seahawks are going to do. Richard Sherman isn’t going anywhere before the season though.


91.Kansas City Chiefs: Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M

With Tamba Hali getting up there in age and then the likelihood of Dee Ford leaving in free agency, Daeshon Hall makes a lot of sense. The Chiefs can’t afford to not be prepared otherwise you can forget about the reload type of team we have been accustomed to and realize sooner or later they could be rebuild.


92.Dallas Cowboys: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama

The Cowboys need to gain more depth in the trenches. Their defensive line is starting to look good with the addition of Basham, now Tomlinson can slide right in the defensive line at DT.


93.Green Bay Packers: Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pittsburgh

The Packers lost T.J. Lang and J.C. Tretter in the off-season, Bisnowaty can add depth to the offensive line as a whole.


94.Pittsburgh Steelers: Corn Elder, CB, Miami

Insert an immediate nickel guy that can contribute right away. The Steelers don’t necessarily need him, but they have gone with best available in the past and it’s worked out.


95.Atlanta Falcons: Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama

The Falcons add a future starter in Eddie Jackson to go along with Keau Neal who they picked last season.


96.New England Patriots: Alex Anzalone, ILB, Florida

Trading Jamie Collins left a hole or so we thought in this defense. Well, even if it did the Patriots can patch that up with outstanding athletic linebacker Anzalone.


97.Miami Dolphins: Duke Riley, OLB, LSU


Miami is going to love putting Duke Riley next to Koa Misi and Kiko Alonso. Riley shot his stock up at the combine and he fits in well with the Dolphins.


98.Carolina Panthers: Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa

Panthers need some interior help and Jaleel Johnson brings that to the table. High motor and above average athleticism.


99.Philadelphia Eagles via Baltimore Ravens: Shaquill Griffin, CB, UCF

The Eagles double dip on cornerbacks in this draft, but it’s a pressing need and they grab another real good prospect and underrated at that in Griffin.


100.Tennessee Titans via Los Angeles Rams: Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech

Titans really don’t have a need now and with just about everything taken care of they can afford to grab another weapon for Marcus Mariota.


101.Denver Broncos: Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State

Taylor is able to slide right in that role left behind by Sylvester Williams.


102.Seattle Seahawks: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois

Seattle starts to build up a rotation in getting Williams and Smoot in the draft. Could be big trouble for the NFC West.


103.New Orleans Saints: Curtis Samuel, RB/WR, Ohio State

The Saints traded away their big playmaker Brandin Cooks, so they get another one in Curtis Samuel who many wouldn’t expect to be on the board this late.


104.Kansas City Chiefs: Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky

He is a spitting image of Sterling Shepard and will be able to be an impact player immediately for Kansas City.


105.Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M

The Steelers are liking the WR’s in this class for some reason even with Martavis Bryant being reinstated and the talent on the roster at the position. Reynolds is a tall and big play receiver that would be great value for a third round compensatory pick.


106.Seattle Seahawks: David Sharpe, OT, Florida

The Seahawks start to build up an offensive line for once with this draft. This time they grab a player with great upside in Sharpe.


107.New York Jets: Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

The Jets are going to need a starting running back sooner or later since Forte isn’t going last much longer and Bilal Powell is more of a scat/gadget running back.


FOURTH ROUND


108.Cleveland Browns: Julie’n Davenport, OT, Bucknell

Extremely raw project type of prospect that will be an understudy to Joe Thomas who is one of the greatest to ever play the position. Seems like a nice fit.


109.San Francisco 49ers: Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

The niners need some receiving help alongside Pierre Garcon and they get it here with a solid and bigger receiver in Amara Darboh.


110.Jacksonville Jaguars: Danny Isidora, G, Miami

Jaguars adding more depth to the interior of the offensive line. Need to keep Blake Bortles upright.


111.Chicago Bears: Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU

The Bears lost Alshon Jeffery in free agency, Kevin White’s future is a question mark so it’s time to bring in another big bodied receiver that could end up being great. Wasn’t used much at all in LSU due to the fact LSU is run heavy since they had Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice.


112.Los Angeles Rams: George Kittle, TE, Iowa

The Rams already have Tyler Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway in the fray, but Kittle instantly joins a roster where he is now the best blocker at his position and the most athletic. Kittle would be an outstanding fit for Sean McVay’s offense.


113.Los Angeles Chargers: Trey Hendrickson, DE, FAU

Trey Hendrickson had a great East-West Shrine Game and that is really what put him on the map. Nothing with Ingram is guaranteed so he would be a nice rotational end and possibly a replacement if Ingram left next year.


114.Washington Redskins via New York Jets: Anthony Walker, ILB, Northwestern

While Zach Brown was signed and he did have a great season last year, Walker would be the future inside linebacker.


115.Carolina Panthers: Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

The Panthers smartly let Ted Ginn walk and now they can replace him as easily as they signed him. Dede Westbrook has some off-the-field issues that made him slip, but he is a surefire deep threat with his speed to beat defenders over the top.


116.Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA

The Bengals add more interior depth by grabbing a player that was once considered a first round talent.


117.Chicago Bears via Buffalo Bills: Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson

Leggett wasn’t amazing during the pre-draft process which is why he falls out of the top three rounds.

Leggett could bring a solid weapon to Chicago to help out Glennon.


118.Philadelphia Eagles: Jermaine Eluemunor, OT, Texas A&M

Very underrated and slightly raw prospect with a high ceiling. Good pick for the Eagles who have an older offensive line.


119.Arizona Cardinals: Erik Magnuson, G, Michigan

The Cardinals get a player in Magnuson that could beat out Cole Toner for the job at guard.


120.Minnesota Vikings: Tyler Orlosky, C, West Virginia

Sullivan is gone and Berger is 35. The Vikings are going to need a center real soon, luckily Orlosky is pretty good for a fourth round pick.


121.Indianapolis Colts: Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

This back showed out at the Senior Bowl, but besides the point he happens to be a very well balanced back that should takeover for Frank Gore when he decides to hang up his cleats.


122.Baltimore Ravens: Devonte Fields, OLB, Louisville

Another pass rusher, can’t have too many of them. Fields has some past off-the-field issues so the Ravens get a good deal with him here.

123.Washington Redskins: Kyle Fuller, C, Baylor

The Redskins need some depth behind Spencer Long at center. Fuller could possibly kick over to guard if the coaches wanted to get him on the field.


124.Tennessee Titans: Jeremy Cutrer, CB, Middle Tennessee

Titans adding more depth to the cornerback position with the local college player.


125.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama

Tampa Bay adds another weapon for Jameis Winston in the form of ArDarius Stewart. Making a three headed monster at receiver.


126.Denver Broncos: Kendall Beckwith, ILB, LSU

Beckwith fell in the draft due injuries. Beckwith isn’t a great athlete either, but he’s instinctive and could be a nice addition for the Broncos.


127.Detroit Lions: K.D. Cannon, WR, Baylor

With Anquan Boldin gone the Lions need a slot receiver. Insert K.D. Cannon who has the ability to play outside or inside and can torch defenders over the top, opening up the field.


128.Minnesota Vikings via Miami Dolphins: Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State

More cornerback depth to compete with the likes of Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander and Terrence Newman.


129.Oakland Raiders: Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International

Unfortunately Smith had his season cut short after his girlfriend poured scalding hot water on him. Smith is ready to return to football though now and could be a nice option in Oakland if Jared Cook and or Clive Walford don’t pan out.


130.Houston Texans: Chad Hansen, WR, California

Houston adds another weapon who can stretch the field for Deshaun Watson.


131.New England Patriots via Seattle Seahawks: Forfeited pick


132.Kansas City Chiefs: Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova

A raw, but very talented prospect could get a shot to start early in his career.


133.Dallas Cowboys: Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech

The Cowboys haven’t addressed the safety position which was poached in free agency. They do here and get a nice safety in Woods.


134.Green Bay Packers: D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

Green Bay hasn’t really had RB luck besides Lacy, but he’s gone now. D’Onta Foreman will be a player that makes Packer fans feel like Lacy never left.


135.Pittsburgh Steelers: Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson

It’s unlikely that DeAngelo Williams is coming back and someone is going to need to backup Bell. Wayne Gallman is a big power back that will be able to give Bell a breather.


136.Atlanta Falcons: Carlos Thompson, DT, Clemson

The Falcons are looking to add some interior depth. Carlos Thompson is the best available interior defensive lineman.


137.Indianapolis Colts: Howard Wilson, CB, Houston

Indy gets some cornerback depth with an older secondary that needs it.


138.Cincinnati Bengals: Zach Banner, G, USC

The Bengals continue to get bigger and meaner in the trenches by adding a mammoth of a man in Zach Banner.


139.Philadelphia Eagles: Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan

The Eagles traded for Timmy Jernigan, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t add another defensive tackle.


140.New York Giants: Samje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

The Giants finally get their running back who can take the primary load and use Paul Perkins as a scat back or a Thunder and Lightning combination in NY.


141.Los Angeles Rams: Blair Brown, ILB, Ohio

Blair Brown is starting to get name recognition, but I’m sure he’s been well known around the scouting community. Brown is a relentless inside linebacker that can run sideline to sideline and make any tackle he attempts. On top of this Brown ran a nice forty yard time and is a mauling run stopper.


142.Houston Texans: Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar

Houston can say all they want they won’t miss A.J. Bouye, but they would be wrong in saying that. Kevin Johnson has yet to prove he can stay healthy a full season. It’s time to bring in an underrated corner as insurance.


143.San Francisco 49ers: Nico Siragusa, G, San Diego State

The 49ers keep adding depth to the back end of their offensive line and Siragusa is more than just depth as well.


144.Indianapolis Colts via New England Patriots: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas

Colts received this pick by trading away Dwayne Allen to the Patriots. Now, they replace Dwayne Allen with a player that is very similar to him.


ROUND FIVE


145.Cleveland Browns: Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo

146.San Francisco 49ers: Elijah Qualls, NT, Washington

147.Chicago Bears: Deatrich Wise Jr, DE, Arkansas

148.Jacksonville Jaguars: Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

149.Los Angeles Rams: Javancy Jones, OLB, Jackson State

150.New York Jets: Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee

151.Los Angeles Chargers: Connor McDermott, OT, UCLA

152.Carolina Panthers: Will Holden, OT, Vanderbilt

153.Cincinnati Bengals: Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia

154.Washington Redskins: Patrick Towles, QB, Boston College

155.Philadelphia Eagles: Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin

156.Buffalo Bills: Dan Skipper, OT, Arkansas

157.Arizona Cardinals: Rayshawn Jenkins, S, Miami

158.Indianapolis Colts: Lorenzo Jerome, S, St. Francis (PA)

159.Baltimore Ravens: Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU

160.Minnesota Vikings: Connor Harris, ILB, Lindenwood

161.San Francisco 49ers: Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois

162.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jordan Morgan, G, Kutztown

163.Buffalo Bills: Ryan Switzer, WR, North Carolina

164.Tennessee Titans: John Johnson, S, Boston College

165.Detroit Lions: Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota

166.Miami Dolphins: Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee

167.New York Giants: David Jones, FS, Richmond

168.Oakland Raiders: Keion Adams, OLB, Western Michigan

169.Houston Texans: Sam Tevi, OT, Utah

170.Kansas City Chiefs: Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin

171.Buffalo Bills: Delano Hill, S, Michigan

172.Green Bay Packers: Tanzel Smart, DT, Tulane

173.Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech

174.Atlanta Falcons: Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU

175.Cleveland Browns: Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State

176.Cincinnati Bengals: Paul Magloire Jr, LB, Arizona

177.Denver Broncos: James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh

178.Miami Dolphins: Ben Boulware, ILB, Clemson

179.Arizona Cardinals: Josh Augusta, NT, Missouri

180.Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiah Ledbetter, DE, Arkansas

181.Cleveland Browns: Avery Moss, DE, Youngstown State

182.Green Bay Packers: Tedric Thompson, S, Colorado

183.New England Patriots: Nate Gerry, S, Nebraska

184.Miami Dolphins: Sean Harlow, G, Oregon State

SIXTH ROUND

185.Cleveland Browns: Dylan Cole, OLB, Missouri State

186.Baltimore Ravens: Fred Ross, WR, Mississippi State

187.Jacksonville Jaguars: D.J. Jones, NT, Ole Miss

188.Cleveland Browns: Eric Saubert, TE, Drake

189.Los Angeles Rams: Derek Sloter, QB, Northern Colorado

190.Los Angeles Chargers: Alek Torgersen, QB, Penn

191.New York Jets: Mason Schrek, TE, Buffalo

192.Carolina Panthers: Geoff Gray, G, Manitoba

193.Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Carraway, OLB, TCU

194.Philadelphia Eagles: Chad Williams, WR, Grambling

195.Buffalo Bills: Cole Hitkutini, TE, Louisville

196.New Orleans Saints: Hunter Dimick, OLB, Utah

197.Arizona Cardinals: Jadar Johnson, S, Clemson

198.San Francisco 49ers: Joe Williams, RB, Utah

199.Minnesota Vikings: Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming

200.New England Patriots: Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State

201.Washington Redskins: Steven Taylor, OLB, Houston

202.San Francisco 49ers: Matt Milano, LB, Boston College

203.Denver Broncos: Samson Ebukam, OLB, Eastern Washington

204.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa

205.Detroit Lions: Ejuan Price, OLB, Pittsburgh

206.Los Angeles Rams: Fish Smithson, S, Kansas

207.New York Giants: Michael Clark, WR, Marshall

208.Oakland Raiders: Aaron Jones, RB, UTEP

209.Washington Redskins: Chris Carson, RB, Oklahoma State

210.Seattle Seahawks: Orion Stewart, S, Baylor

211.Dallas Cowboys: Hardy Nickerson, LB, Illinois

212.Green Bay Packers: Phillip Walker, QB, Temple

213.Pittsburgh Steelers: Glen Antoine, NT, Idaho

214.Tennessee Titans: T.J. Logan, RB, North Carolina

215.Detroit Lions: Jon Toth, C, Kentucky

216.Kansas City Chiefs: Harvey Langi, LB, BYU

217.Cincinnati Bengals: Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina

218.Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Bell, OLB, Penn State

SEVENTH ROUND

219.San Francisco 49ers via Cleveland Browns: Joshua Holsey, CB, Auburn

220.Washington Redskins via San Francisco 49ers: Lewis Neal, DE, LSU

221.Chicago Bears: Brady Gustafson, QB, Montana

222.Jacksonville Jaguars: Leon McQuay III, S, USC

223.Miami Dolphins via Los Angeles Rams: Ezra Robinson, CB, Tennessee State

224.New York Jets: Speedy Noil, WR, Texas A&M

225.Los Angeles Chargers: Xavier Coleman, CB, Portland State

226.Seattle Seahawks: Taquan Mizzell, RB, Virginia

227.Cincinnati Bengals: Phazahn Odom, TE, Fordham

228.Dallas Cowboys via Buffalo Bills: Derrick Griffin, WR, Texas Christian

229.New Orleans Saints: Dymonte Thomas, S, Michigan

230.Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Wilson, LB, Cincinnati

231.Arizona Cardinals: Michael Zunica, FB, Kansas

232.Minnesota Vikings: Jylan Ware, OT, Alabama State

233.Carolina Panthers via Indianapolis Colts: Krishawn Hogan, WR, Marian

234.Los Angeles Rams via Baltimore Ravens: DaQuan Holmes, CB, American International

235.Washington Redskins: Marquel Lee, LB, Wake Forest

236.Tennessee Titans: Tarik Cohen, RB, NC A&T

237.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamari Staples, WR, Louisville

238.Denver Broncos: Casey DeAndrade, S, New Hampshire

239.New England Patriots via Detroit Lions: Dalton Crossan, RB, New Hampshire

240.Miami Dolphins: Mitch Leinder, QB, Minnesota

241.New York Giants: Ricky Seals-Jones, WR, Texas A&M

242.Oakland Raiders: Storm Norton, OT, Toledo

243.Houston Texans: Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson

244.Oakland Raiders: Travin Dural, WR, LSU

245.Kansas City Chiefs: Tion Green, RB, Cincinnati

246.Dallas Cowboys: David Washington, QB, Old Dominion

247.Green Bay Packers: Kristian Wilson, CB, Bowie State

248.Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Harvey-Clemons, LB/S, Louisville

249.Atlanta Falcons: William Likely, CB, Maryland

250.Detroit Lions: Darrell Daniels, TE, Washington

251.Cincinnati Bengals: Avery Gennesy, OT, Texas A&M

252.Denver Broncos: Quincy Adeboyejo, WR, Ole Miss

253.Denver Broncos: Taylor McNamara, TE, USC


Thoughts guys? Lets us know!

My favorite guys from version 1 and 2 plus some others who have impressed me along the way.

2. Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
Login to view embedded media I really like Engram and Everett, and I would be fine drafting either, but I give the slight edge to Everett. Both guys are elite athletes, but Everett is more physical as a blocker, more physical in contested situations, and more physical after the catch. Everett is an all around beast after the catch leading the TE position in broken tackles each of the last two seasons another area where Jordan Reed excels. When he played against higher level competition Everett excelled racking up 8 catches for 95 yards and the game winning TD against Mississippi State and 5 catches 103 yards and a touchdown against ranked at the time San Diego State. Is he a finished product? No, but neither was Jordan Reed who had a similar raw moldable skill set that McVay turned into a superstar. Early in his college career Reed was a wild cat QB because of his ability with the ball in his hands. Everett who has similar ability with the ball in his hands also played wild cat QB the past 2 years in addition to his TE duties. Could probably trade down a little and still get Everett, something I think is likely, but I am not projecting trades in this mock, so I'll just get my guy here.

3. Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky
Login to view embedded media This has been a popular pick from mainstream draft nicks, but I love Taylors game and he fits perfectly into McVay's goal of adding players who can create "explosives." Production is obviously eye popping finishing in the top 3 in all of college football in receiving yardage and receiving TDs in 2015 and 2016. Additionally, he is a big play threat leading college football with 26 40+ yard plays over the last 2 years. He can play inside and outside, but still fits the rams need for an outside WR with 1386 of his 1730 receiving yards coming as an outside WR. Athletically he improved his 33.5 vert to 38 inches at his pro day filling out an extremely well rounded athletic profile. His most impressive athletic trait is his short area quickness where he was .01 seconds slower than the fastest time at the combine regardless of position and .15 slower than the recent combine record. He used that quickness to consistently get off of press against Alabama when he has frequently lined up opposite projected first rounder Marlon Humphrey. Speaking of Bama he played really well against them and LSU over the past two years arguably the best secondaries in college football. The Rams have scouted Western Kentucky heavily the pass two years and Taylor has the added bonus of performing extremely well against Sneed's beloved SEC

4. Howard Wilson, CB, Houston
Login to view embedded media Popular pick on the board recently and I considered him and Shaq Griffin in version 2.0. McVay said one reason why Wade likes Kayvon Webster so much was his short area quickness. Wilson has elite short area quickness finishing tied for 5th among all combine participants in the three cone drill and 2nd among all participants in the short shuttle. He shows that quickness on tape breaking on the ball and sticking with his receivers. He needs to get stronger and is a little wirey right now, but thats why you have a strength and conditioning coach.Doesn't hurt that he played at Wade's alma matter.

4. Samson Ebukam, EDGE, Eastern Washington
Login to view embedded media Early? Maybe, but players with his athleticism and ability to rush the passer always go earlier than you think, so this a decent spot at the bottom of the 4th. Ebukam's teammate on the offensive side of the ball has gotten alot of love on this forum and Ebukam has gotten alot of love in NFL circles. Athletically he is extremely explosive running a 4.5 40, a 39 inch vert, and a 10'10 broad jump at his pro day. He is not just a great athlete he was productive with 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks his senior year. His speed, athleticism, non stop motor, and a developing hand use make him a dangerous pass rusher. However, he also has alot experience dropping in coverage and looks smooth and aware in coverage.

5. Keion Adams, EDGE, Western Michigan
Login to view embedded media McVay said the Rams are looking for guys who can rush the passer and cover. Adams can definitely fits the former. He has a great first step, can bend, and is developing solid interior counter moves. His speed around the edge will be an asset right away as he develops his body in an NFL weight room so he can be more stout setting the edge.

6. Treyvon Hester, DL, Toledo
Login to view embedded media At his private workout put up numbers that would have put him among the best DL at the combine. He profiles at a penetrating NT who could also play some end. Fits well into Wade's scheme that requires alot of stunting, twisting, and slanting.

6. David Jones, S, Richmond
Login to view embedded media Jones is ball hawk and could be a good special teamer as he develops behind Mo and Joyner. Most likely will compete with Randolph, Marqui Christian, and others for the 4th safety spot.

7. Jylan Ware, OT, Alabama State
Login to view embedded media At 6'7 317 he has the requisite size Kroemer looks for in his lineman. He played in a run heavy scheme, but he is very athletic with great feet. He is obviously a developmental prospect, but at this stage of the draft he is someone worth developing.

QB: Goff, Mannion, Murray
RB: Gurley, Dunbar, Brown, Green
XWR: Woods, Thomas
ZWR: Taylor, Spruce
YWR: Tavon, Cooper
TE: Everett, Higbee, Harkey, Hemmingway
LT: Whitworth, Ware
LG: Saffold, Brown
C: Sulivan, Wichman
RG: Havenstein, Donnal
RT: Robinson,

LE: Easely, Westbrooks
NT: Brockers, Hester
RE: Donald, Walker
SOLB: Barwin, Ebukam
Mike: Ogltree, Forrest
Mo: Barron, Hager
WOLB: Quinn, Adams
LCB: Tru, Wilson
RCB: Webster, Robey-Coleman, Gaines
FS: Joyner, Davis
SS: Mo, Jones

My name is Angry Ram. I use that name in jest to reflect my feeling on NFL game days and the NFL media.

But now, I'm literally angry from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed each evening.

My job situation has gone from excitement to frustration to frustration to constant anger. Basically, I get treated like shit by my direct report and department's director.

When I'm told to do projects, it is always without direction (ironic from the director) on how to complete them and who I should talk to. My only direction is "read the instructions". Well, that won't tell me how to obtain data that applies specifically to the company. Then when I do, and somehow scratch and claw my way to completion, I get berated on how it's all wrong. Even simple things. One of the people at the satellite site requested my director to add some information to some PowerPoint slides, which she (director) simply forwarded them on to me. OK find, I kind of know what is required and even contacted the original requester on what time period she wanted this data from. I jumped through hoops obtaining the info. Sent it for review, got berated as usual and they wanted me to compare this to the number of products that were being produced. Fine, but I don't have production reports, those guys are a different department and are busy doing their own thing. So I take heat from other, genuinely good people to obtain this info, which take some time to get to me. And all the meanwhile, I get harassed by "our" director on me not having it done. Well no shit, you wanted something more that's going to take time. I finally get what I needed, spend another hour compiling this and send it over. Nope. She wanted me to take what was produced and divide it by ton per unit manufactured. This is AFTER I get home. Think about this, something originally was dumped upon with no direction, and I have to do it THREE FUCKIN TIMES over something so trivial that is probably not even going to take 20 minutes when it's all said and done.

Some of you might say, "well ask for instructions on what you are wanting in the first place". Can't, because I I'll get talked down upon and humiliated (often times when others are around). Speaking of others, she'll treat them like absolute royalty. And me? Like complete garbage.

This has been going on since January. But bottom line, I almost snapped last week, and if one more item like this occurs, I will snap. If you have questions or want to hear more examples, please do so.

I've already started looking elsewhere. I don't deserve to be treated like this. Any advice from our great ROD members I will greatly take in stride.

Please help

- Harsh

P.S.: Keep in mind, I have undergone counseling three times, spoken with my company's HR department, and talked to people both internally and personal friends for their advice. Sadly, despite their amazing input, nothing has been working.

Mike Mayock unveils his top 100 prospect rankings for the 2017 NFL Draft.
By Mike Mayock
NFL Media draft analyst
Published: April 25, 2017 at 07:30 p.m. Updated: April 25, 2017 at 07:48 p.m.



1. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
3. Jamal Adams, S, LSU
4. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
5. Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
6. Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
7. Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
8. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
9. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
10. Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

11. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
12. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
13. Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
14. John Ross, WR, Washington
15. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
16. Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
17. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
18. Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
19. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
20. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

21. Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
22. Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
23. David Njoku, TE, Miami
24. Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
25. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
26. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
27. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
28. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
29. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
30. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
31. Budda Baker, S, Washington
32. Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech
33. Garett Bolles, T, Utah
34. Kevin King, CB, Washington
35. T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
36. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU


37. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
38. Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
39. Tim Williams, LB, Alabama
40. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
41. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
42. Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
43. Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State
44. DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State
45. Marcus Williams, S, Utah
46. Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
47. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama

48. Marcus Maye, S, Florida
49. Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
50. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
51. Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
52. Ryan Anderson, LB, Alabama
53. Chris Wormley, DE, Michigan
54. Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State
55. Dion Dawkins, G, Temple
56. Dan Feeney, G, Indiana
57. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
58. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

59. Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
60. Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida
61. Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
62. Ethan Pocic, C, LSU
63. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova
64. Davis Webb, QB, Cal
65. Taylor Moton, T, Western Michigan
66. Malik McDowell, DE, Michigan State
67. Trey Hendrickson, DE, FAU
68. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
69. Adam Sheehan, TE, Ashland

70. Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
71. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
72. Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
73. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
74. Desmond King, CB, Iowa
75. Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
76. Dorian Johnson, G, Pittsburgh
77. George Kittle, TE, Iowa
78. Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
79. Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee

80. Tyus Bowser, LB, Houston
81. John Johnson, S, Boston College
82. Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State
83. Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
84. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
85. Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
86. Antonio Garcia, T, Troy
87. Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky
88. Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
89. Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State

90. Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
91. Josh Jones, S, N.C. State
92. ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama
93. Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte
94. Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M
95. Jermaine Eluemunor, T, Texas A&M
96. Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
97. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
98. Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU
99. Blair Brown, LB, Ohio
100. Lorenzo Jerome, S, Saint Francis
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ocks-2017-nfl-draft-top-100-prospect-rankings

According to his list unless you like Curtis Samuel (WR/RB) from Ohio State, Mayock doesn't think a WR is very worthy of selecting at #37

Obviously we have no clue how the Rams draft board will be stacked when they adjust it after the first round ends but lots of people have been skeptical that the Rams would select a WR with their 2nd round pick unless they traded back.

As of today, it seems like a WR won't be drafted any earlier than the 3rd round. Nobody can be sure without seeing the Rams draft board but I highly doubt they will wait until the 4th round.

Maybe they will wait if the WR's keep falling like a ball dropped from the top of an extremely high water dam.

This mock is the way I personally believe the Rams should go, for continued success. I tried to make it as realistic as possible, placing players in their respective ranges.

To start off the draft, we made a trade sending pick 37 in the second round to the bengals for pick 41 and pick 138 in the fourth round. They just really want someone that fell.

Round 2 Pick 41: LB TJ Watt Wisconsin


Yes, I'm back on the Watt Wagon. Quite frankly, Barwin is here on a one year deal and Quinn has injury woes. And, he's a Watt. Bloodlines mean something.

Round 3 Pick 69: CB Teez Tabor Florida

Personally I'm ok with Jourdan Lewis here, but either way, we get a solid corner. Tabor will fall because he ran slow, but he's a case of being a better football player, then a practice guy. Nickell Robey-Coleman was a good get, but one year rental. Tru, who knows. Gaines, who knows. We need insurance.

Round 4 Pick 112: TE George Kittle Iowa

This guy is picking up steam, and it's no news that we need another TE. He's from Iowa, so you know he can block, and he has great hands. Good value here.

Round 4 Pick 138: DT Eddie Vanderdoes UCLA

This is pretty easy to explain, we need a big Ugly behind Brockers to provide some depth. Eddie gets the job done.

Round 4 Pick 141 WR Dede Westbrook Oklahoma

He's going to fall because of his past bs with his baby mama. But he's a top tier WR talent. He's basically a Desean Jackson clone. And our offense needs that. Don't worry, we'll get insurance if he doesn't pan out. But he's been a good boy the last few years.

Round 5 Pick 149 C Chase Roullier Wyoming

Now we get a big Ugly on the other side of the ball to develop behind our rent a center John Sullivan.

Round 6 Pick 189 WR KD Cannon Baylor

Personally not sure if KD falls this far, but we sure hope so. The Rams have met with him. He's insurance if Dede doesn't work out. Pretty damn good insurance.

Round 6 Pick 206 CB Channing Stribling Michigan

I really like Channing, and do believe he falls pretty far due to the depth of this corner class. Some more insurance for our corner group. Has some flaws that need to be worked on, but has potential.

Round 7 Pick 224 S David Jones Richmond

With our last pick we take a raw ball hawking free safety in David Jones. Can ride the bench for a while and develop. If Mo plays well, we don't have to worry. If he struggles, give this kid a shot.

Please, share your thoughts. Thanks.

I saw yesterday's practice interview with Rodger Saffold when Gurley and Webster jumped in on the interview. Saffold said Gurley really had a chance to open it up at practice, speed-wise. Todd said he got up to 23.5 mph! That's moving! Sounds like he's got his full speed back, or close to it.

http://m.therams.com/videos/videos/...nterview/3ed3eaaa-f10d-4266-9930-23398407801c

To put that in perspective, he hit 21.7 mph on this 71 yard gallop against the 49ers his rookie year.

Login to view embedded media
Hopefully he's getting a bit bigger and stronger as well. We need him at his full potential this year.

I'm actually liking the white face masks

http://m.therams.com/photos/photo-g...Minicamp/9f8c238e-3092-4954-9c77-e55877748e66

Late, great draftnik Joel Buchsbaum remains one of a kind

By John McClain Updated 11:37 am, Tuesday, April 25, 2017

[www.chron.com]

I wonder what the late, great Joel Buchsbaum would think about how the NFL draft has become such a spectacle?

In my book – and the books of so many others – Buchsbaum was the greatest draftnik to turn on a film projector and later a computer to compile information on college prospects.

If he hadn't died of natural causes in 2002 in his Brooklyn apartment – way too young at 48 – the longtime NFL editor of Pro Football Weekly would have adjusted to the times.

Can you imagine how much information Joel would have because of social media?

Like other Houston football fans, I was blessed to listen to Joel every Wednesday night on KTRH for more than 20 years. To this day – my 32nd year of doing weekly radio in Houston, 17 at KTRH and 15 at Sports Radio 610 – I've never been asked about an individual more than fans asked about Buchsbaum. J.J. Watt is getting close, though.

I also was privileged to be invited into his inner sanctum – his two-bedroom Brooklyn apartment on Flatbush Avenue. I wrote about my first-hand experience with Joel before the 1998 draft.

You can read the story below. If you haven't read it, I hope you enjoy it. If you have read it, I hope you enjoy it again.
R.I.P. Joel Buchsbaum, one of a kind and still the very best at what he did.


-------------
Editor's note: This story was originally published in the April 16, 1998, edition of the Houston Chronicle.
THE FOOTBALL ENCYCLOPEDIA / Meet Joel Buchsbaum, ultimate NFL draftnik
By John McClain

NEW YORK - Joel Stephen Buchsbaum resides in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, but he is a cult figure in Houston.
After 20 years of doing a radio show and sports commentaries on KTRH, even many non-football fans in Houston recognize his nasal Brooklyn accent, which is as different from a Texas twang as Flatbush is from Montrose.

His name is pronounced "Bucks-baum" at home and "Bush-baum" everywhere else. The pronunciation was changed in 1978 when he got his first radio job at KMOX in St. Louis, where Busch is such a prominent name. He didn't correct the talk-show host; Buchsbaum was so happy to be on the radio, he didn't want to do anything that might mess it up.

Now 43, Buchsbaum is in his 21st season of writing about college football and the NFL for Pro Football Weekly. But it is his weekly appearance on KTRH (740 AM) that has captured the imagination of sports fans in this part of Texas.

"When you talk about that (his popularity in Houston), I don't know how to feel," Buchsbaum says with genuine modesty. "I've never seen myself as anything special. I just can't comprehend it, because I'm just another guy in New York. It's almost like you're not speaking about me.

"Maybe it's because I'm not in Houston. Part of it may be my accent. Part may be that I'm a unique person for radio because I've had no formal training, and I've developed my own style."

Buchsbaum's apartment near Flatbush Avenue is a museum of scouting information - a storehouse for game tapes, reference books, media guides, newspapers, magazines and memorabilia from football and baseball teams, including his beloved Baltimore Orioles.

"I'm reluctant to throw anything away," Buchsbaum says as he looks around an apartment with more bookshelves than a library.
An Orioles cap and pennant hang on the inside of his front door. The sign above the kitchen door says "Hot Corner" in honor of his dog Brooks, a 10-month-old mixed breed named after Buchsbaum's idol, former Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson.

"He didn't have great measurable talent, but he was a gutty, consummate team player who was great in the clutch," Buchsbaum says.

He can still get misty-eyed when he talks about Buck the Wonder Dog, who had to be put to sleep last year at 15.

Other than sports in general and football and baseball in particular, the only thing Buchsbaum reads about is politics.

The only television shows he watches are ''Law and Order,'' ''NYPD Blue'' and reruns of ''Quincy.'' Of all the scouting services, he mentions Mel Kiper and OURLAD as the competition he respects the most.

The light in Apt. 4L may be on at all hours of the night as Buchsbaum analyzes videotapes of college and NFL players. He works 12 to 14 hours a day in his apartment. In the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, he will spend 16 to 18 hours a day working. A computer and two television sets with VCRs are on his desk. Another television and VCR are in his bedroom so he can watch tapes before he falls asleep.

"I have a crazy schedule, especially at this time of year," he says.

Buchsbaum's telephone rings constantly. Most of his calls are from NFL scouts and personnel people, radio stations, sportswriters, friends and a few agents, all wanting to get his most up-to-date scouting information.

In Houston, there is almost a mystique about Buchsbaum. Fans are curious about him because they know so little about him.

Some think he is tall and thin with short hair. Others think he is short and pudgy with curly hair. Because he is shy, humble and private, Buchsbaum doesn't like to talk about himself. When a caller asks him something personal, it's obvious from his response that he's uncomfortable revealing much about himself.

Buchsbaum is 5-8 3/4 (leave it to a draft guru to include the fraction) and 130 pounds. He wears thick glasses. His hair is neither short nor long, just straight. Because of stress, he is allergic to different kinds of foods, so he doesn't eat much. He eats at home, unless he goes to an identical apartment building next door to eat with his parents, Stanley, 86, and Frances, 83.

Fans want to know about his encyclopedic knowledge of college and pro players. They insist that all that knowledge must be stored in a computer, because no one could disseminate so much information so fast when a caller asks about a player, no matter how obscure.

But when Buchsbaum does a radio show, he leaves his computer and sits in a recliner so he can relax when taking calls.
"I still get nervous before shows," he says. "I'm a worrier by nature. I don't feel totally comfortable until I give a couple of good answers and the show starts to flow."

Buchsbaum still does several radio shows semiregularly in such cities as St. Louis, Baltimore and Buffalo, N.Y., but the only station on which he can be heard weekly is KTRH, from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays.

"Radio's too time-consuming," he says. "I'm so busy, I just don't have enough time to devote to talk shows every week. I love doing KTRH, though. I love the callers in Houston because they're different than other cities. It's not a homer city, and the callers are very knowledgeable about football. Many of the calls I get are very stimulating."

Buchsbaum doesn't like to elaborate. He may give one-word or one-sentence answers if he thinks no more is required. His father, who was a New York City attorney who specialized in tax law, has been his role model.

"One of the many things he taught me is that, in court, they don't want to know how much you know," he says. "They just want to know the facts that are directly pertinent to the case.

"My father's the most honest person I've ever known. He's my financial adviser and my best friend. He's someone I can rely on. My father worked very hard for the city, but he was always there when I needed him. I remember one time in Little League, I got in a slump. He took me to the park and threw pitches for hours, and I broke out of my slump.

"I'm very happy right now, but something that troubles me is that I don't know how I'll react when I lose my parents.
They're such a big part of my life. My father means so much to me. When you don't have brothers and sisters, and you don't work in a social environment, you don't have a lot of friends.

I'm not an outgoing person who makes friends quickly.

Basically, I don't make friends until I know them a long time.

I'm not a naturally trusting person."

When Buchsbaum was growing up, his father took him to sporting events all over the five boroughs of New York. He has been to every stadium and arena in the New York area.

"I saw the first Mets game at the Polo Grounds and their first game at Shea (Stadium)," he says. "I went to see the Jets when they were the Titans. I was a fan of the old AFL because we couldn't get tickets to Giants games."

His father was devoted to the Brooklyn Dodgers, and when they moved to Los Angeles in 1958, he couldn't bring himself to cheer for the Yankees. That's why father and son shifted their allegiance to the Orioles, one of the few American League teams that were competitive with the Yankees in those days.

"For as long as I can remember, I was a big sports fan,"

Buchsbaum says. "I read everything I could get my hands on.

That's how I got into this business."

Buchsbaum went to State University of New York (Albany) to major in political science and become an attorney, just like his father. But his hobby was writing scouting reports on football players. It began when he was a teen-ager reading the scouting reports of Carl and Pete Marasco in Pro Football Weekly.
"It started out as a hobby and became a job," he says.

In 1974, Buchsbaum had transferred to Brooklyn College. He was 20 years old, and he sent his resume - complete with scouting reports - to 120 newspapers and magazines to see if they would be interested in having him write about the NFL draft. Roger Stanton, the publisher of the Football News, hired him. The 1975 draft was the first one Buchsbaum evaluated for publication.

"I took a writing class after the Football News hired me," he says. "The teacher told me no one would read me because I wasn't colorful. I guess she wanted me to write like Shakespeare."

In 1978, Pro Football Weekly had an opening for someone to write about college and pro football. Arthur Arkush, the late publisher, called Buchsbaum and offered him a job. It has been a match made in scouting heaven.

That same year, Buchsbaum got his start in radio. KMOX had Buchsbaum and Joe Stein, draft expert for The Sporting News, on a pre-draft show in St. Louis with some other experts.

"They were saying that Charles Alexander and Theotis Brown were the best running backs, but I said O.J. Anderson was better than both of them," Buchsbaum says. "The Cardinals drafted Anderson, and he became a very good player.

"I have a terrible radio voice, but they (KMOX) were fascinated because this squeaky-voice guy from Brooklyn got the pick, and the so-called experts didn't."
A radio star was born.

Former KTRH sports director Jerry Trupiano, now a broadcaster with the Boston Red Sox, is a St. Louis native who used to work for KMOX. He heard Buchsbaum on KMOX and put him on KTRH in 1979. That same year, Buchsbaum produced his first scout's notebook for Pro Football Weekly. It was 56 pages. This year's edition is 184 pages.

Over the years, Buchsbaum has turned down offers from numerous NFL teams to join their scouting departments.

"I owe Pro Football Weekly, and loyalty's important to me," he says. "They've been a vital part of my life for so long. I like to think I'm vital to them.
"Although I couldn't do my job without NFL people helping me, I don't know if I could do it (scouting players for an NFL team). I like scouting off tapes. There's more uncertainty with teams, because owners can be so whimsical. I've never come close to taking an offer.

"I love my job, but it's all-encompassing. If I had to serve jury duty, I'd be dead. I don't think a judge could conceive how important this is to me. My whole life depends on every day getting the material I need. I can't let things pass me by, because I'm a one-man business. I was in the hospital, and I had my parents and friends bringing me the mail every day. I don't know what I'd do if I had to have surgery."

To relieve stress, Buchsbaum goes to the Paerdegat Athletic Club in Brooklyn six nights a week to work out with some friends.

"It's the only time of the day I have social contact," he says. "It's a relaxed atmosphere, and I'm around a good group of people."

He says one friend, Marty Fox, knows more about football than he does.

"Marty's the one who should be on radio," Buchsbaum says. "He knows more about sports than anyone I know."
Buchsbaum has never married and doubts he ever will.

"I can't get married, because I wouldn't be a good husband and father," he says. "My job takes too much time. It wouldn't be fair to them. I may change my mind after my parents are gone, but right now, it's just me and Brooks.

"To tell you the truth, there are times when I think about what else I could do. It's a scary thought, because I realize I'm not trained for anything else. When it comes my time to go, I hope I'm 90, and I've just finished another draft. Yeah, that's the way I want to go."

Great read. Article by former O lineman Geoff Schwartz. Mentions GRob and gives some insight into why he's struggled in the NFL.


http://www.sbnation.com/2017/4/25/15358566/nfl-draft-offensive-prospects-evaluation-Geoff-schwartz

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/b...-top-eight-teams-about-trading-up-from-no-12/

The Browns, who own the first pick in Thursday's NFL Draft, are reportedly waffling between taking defensive end Myles Garrett and quarterback Mitch Trubisky. So, why not draft both?

According to NFL Network's Michael Silver, the Browns have contacted three teams in the top eight about trading up from the No. 12 pick, which they also own. Presumably, the Browns would do so to take a quarterback after using the first overall pick on Garrett.

From NFL.com:

"The Browns have been doing their due diligence and investigating the possibility," Silver said on Tuesday's edition of Up to the Minute Live. "I've learned that at least three teams in the top eight have been contacted by the Browns and discussions have taken place about the prospect of moving up. Now this is something that would likely happen in real time when these teams were on the clock because obviously if the target is Mitchell Trubisky and he goes earlier than expected, then those discussions would be moot.

"The Browns could still take Trubisky at No. 1. They could still trade down and try to take him a little lower than one. The more likely scenario right now would be trying to use that 12th pick and get up a little higher to get the quarterback of the future."

The top eight looks like this:

1. Browns
2. 49ers
3. Bears
4. Jaguars
5. Titans
6. Jets
7. Chargers
8. Panthers

We can eliminate the first team, because the Browns aren't trading with themselves. Other than that, it's tough to eliminate anyone else. But because it's fun, let's take a few guesses at which teams the Browns have contacted.

To be clear, this is pure speculation. I don't know anything more than you do. For the record, NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman provided his own guesses. His three teams were the Titans, Jets and Panthers.

My first guess: The Panthers, because Silver's report said the top eight teams and the Panthers pick eighth overall.

My second guess: The 49ers, because they're a team that is completely devoid of talent and could use the extra draft picks. Furthermore, reports have linked the 49ers to Trubisky. Those reports could be the 49ers' way of either pressuring the Browns to take Trubisky No. 1 overall, which would result in Garrett falling to the 49ers, or it could be the 49ers' way of incentivizing the Browns (or any team, really) to trade up to No. 2 to get Trubisky.

My third guess: The Jets, because WalterFootball.com reported that the Browns and Jets have discussed a trade. If the Browns really do want Trubisky, this trade would work only if Trubisky is still there after the first five teams pick.

The Browns own 11 picks in all, so they have plenty of draft ammunition to attach to any potential trades.

What are the odds that Forrest Lamp is on the roster after Friday night and Greg Robinson is off the roster then too?

If Lamp falls, Rams grab Lamp. Tackles are terrible in this draft. So a team that missed out on tackle decides to send a 5th and change for Robinson? Would you take it?

Havenstein moves back to RT.

Heck, the Rams might get a better deal to move Havenstein and keep Robinson.

http://nflspinzone.com/2017/04/26/nfl-draft-2017-los-angeles-rams-7-round-mock-draft-final/

2.5 (37) Zay Jones WR ECU (6'2 201)

FBS record holder with 399 receptions. A lot of bubble screens and dump offs, but you can't help the scheme you play in. I think he has talent to run the entire route tree and stretch the field as his 4.45 forty time shows. I've seen a few mocks with Corey Davis falling to the Rams, and if he or Forrest Lamp fall to 37 I'd cry if they passed on them.

3.5 (69) Shaquill Griffin CB UCF (6' 194)

Aggressive outside corner that is good in bump and run coverage and solid in run support. Ran fast and shows off athleticism but could be more consistent in leverage.

4.5 (112) Bucky Hodges TE VT (6'6 257)

Hodges is a freak athlete that is raw at the position, but there is too much talent and upside not to utilize him early on. He can line up inside, outside, or be moved around the formation. There is just too much potential for him.

4.34 (141) TJ Logan RB UNC (5'9 196)

A bit of a surprise pick for the Rams, but I think the Rams will be looking for more big plays. Lance Dunbar is a better receiving option for the moment, but is known to be a little beaten up at times. Adding depth and bringing him in for kick return responsibilities will give the Rams another explosive weapon. Also considered plugging in a bigger back like Brian Hill here, but I believe the Rams will still have Gurley handle the short yardage and goal line situations.

5.5 (149) Ifeadi Odenigbo PRS NW (6'3 258)

Raw athlete has pass rush potential. Adding depth in a scheme change and could possibly fight for starting time next year. Raw prospect with physical talent. Not very good against the run, and needs to improve leverage when being reached. Special Teamer/Situational guy in year one.

6.5 (189) Dylan Cole ILB Missouri St (6'1 240)

Big strong linebacker who can play the run. Really instinctive and straight line athlete with explosive potential. His pro day he did 32 reps and jumped a 39in vert, and an unofficial 4.52 forty. Not the best in coverage but the Rams will need depth inside. Could be a solid backup and core special teamer.

6.22 (206) Brad Seaton OT NOVA (6'7 310)

Solid athleticism and a project swing tackle who could develop in a year or two. Needs to get stronger but has size to play in NFL.

7.5 (234) JJ Dielman C UTAH (6'5 309)

Former RT moved inside because of his shorter arms. Has good positional athleticism, but still needs to add strength if he wants to make a team. Could be a practice squad guy with backup interior potential. Will work in our zone run scheme.

2 receiving threats, a outside corner, depth at RB/KR, Situational/ST defenders, and some developmental OL in a weak class. Obviously we cant predict any major slides, but I'm really looking forward to this weekend and some of the areas the Rams feel like they need to cover.

Does anyone find this efftttup?...
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...itants/ar-BBAmjUs?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=mailsignout

How does the msm getaway with this. Writing stories about wild bores killing 3 ISIS militants??? If those are confirmed kills, the bores are ahead 3-0... Too funny...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ation-wars-how-teams-get-the-real-draft-intel

Information wars: How teams get the REAL draft intel

• 
• By Conor Orr
• Around The NFL Writer
• Published: April 25, 2017 at 01:35 p.m.
• Updated: April 25, 2017 at 06:07 p.m.

The secretary's name and place of employment remain a secret for Greg Gabriel even to this day, seven years after he departed his last NFL job as the director of college scouting for the Chicago Bears.

During the draft's most intense moments, his valuable source was nestled inside the office of a college head coach. This was someone Gabriel got to know over his early years in the 1980s as a Buffalo-based Midwest scout for the Bills, National Football Scouting and, later, the New York Giants, where Gabriel was responsible for everything from Syracuse, New York, all the way to Nebraska, from Kentucky to the U.S./Canada border.

She would not give him groundbreaking information pertaining to on-field performance. An NFL scout can determine system fit, game speed, practical strength and intensity with startling accuracy. But she could point him in the right direction when it came to a few central questions that plague many in the business at this time of year:

Is he really a good kid? What is he like when no one important is around? Is there something he's hiding from us?

"She was unnnnn-believable at supplying that kind of information," Gabriel told me. "She was right on all the time. I would ask her, 'What about this guy?' And she'd say 'Don't touch him!'

"You find out over time if the information is valuable."

On Thursday, NFL teams will begin a process that'll result in the selection of 253 collegiate players -- the culmination of years of research, interviews, tape study and evaluation. But a closer look at selection habits over the last decade reveals a bias at the core of Gabriel's story: Some clubs develop a sweet spot or infallible source at certain universities and are able to trust the information far more than the banalities spewed by most college head coaches looking to ratchet up their draft stats. Most of those coaches are not particularly worried about saddling an NFL franchise with the next headcase, problem child or paper tiger.

The result? A higher number of players from a particular college program matriculating to your favorite pro team. With facts and alternative facts polluting the scouting landscape, NFL clubs often use the trust factor to break ties on the draft board and populate their roster. Investigating the roots of their decision-making process -- and the decision makers themselves -- can often lead to a better understanding of who they will draft.

"The draft is buyer beware," one AFC general manager told me. "We've had schools that we simply won't draft players from. At all. Just because we can't get good information. The most important thing is information, so if you can feel really good about getting accurate information from a school, you feel good about drafting that player."

* * * * *
Why is all of this necessary? Many in and around the scouting industry today describe a sort of information bottlenecking at some of the biggest NCAA football powerhouses.

What was once seen as an advantage -- Gabriel said coaches in the '80s and '90s used to love having scouts at practice because it meant players would practice harder -- has now devolved into a blend of sensitivity, control and fear issues. At some universities, doors are only open for scouts on a handful of specific days. Pro liaisons employed by the schools will hand NFL team officials a sheet of boilerplate "frequently asked questions" about certain players and might not allow any further prodding.

Schools do not want to give out damaging information -- medical or otherwise -- that could harm the draft stock of their players. They do not want damaging information to leak out that could harm the reputation of the university. They do not want scouts influencing their players. It is a relentless tug-of-war with fair arguments to be made on both sides.

"That's a pain in the ass to deal with when some schools are like that," NFL Network analyst and former pro scout Bucky Brooks told me. "Kansas State was always tough to get information from because Bill Snyder was very protective of his guys. In the Southeast, it's tough to get into a lot of those SEC schools because they have restrictions where they will only be open for a week to scouts."

Brooks added: "If you're trying to enhance your program, you want guys to go to the pros. You should be able to do anything and everything to help your guys pull it off. It actually helps if you're able to tell your recruits, Look at how many guys we send to the pros; look at how many guys we send to the combine. I think it hurts when you don't work with the scouts.

"Some coaches are notoriously paranoid. Some coaches think their guys will get distracted with scouts around in their ears. It depends on how paranoid or insecure the head coach is."

Gabriel has it boiled down to one central factor.

"Recruiting," he said. "In today's world, they gotta try and protect their players. If word gets out that they're saying negative things about their players -- and trust me, a lot of them do -- they have to be discreet about it. And that goes back to relationships. You have to have the right relationships."

The standoff creates the need not only for Woodward and Bernstein-type deep throats within programs, but an almost-comical pursuit of the truth about a certain player. In the recent Ivan Reitman film "Draft Day," this culminated in the last-second discovery that none of the hot prospect's teammates attended his birthday party. He had no friends.

Reitman, apparently, was not far off.

"From a personal standpoint, I've spent weeks in cities and towns," Brooks said. "I've dressed up [in disguise] and hung out at local taverns trying to catch the player being out and about to see how he acts. I've gone to local restaurants and asked bartenders and servers if they've seen a guy in there, how was he, how he interacted with the wait staff, What do you know about him? And I don't think that's uncommon. If you're going to invest in a player, you need to know his background, and it's worth spending a few days in his hometown to get a real assessment of what he is."

Gabriel -- who once worked for a head coach who wanted to know what his players were doing in their downtime and volunteered to enlist his own daughters, who attended some of the same bars and restaurants, in a small espionage network -- talks about it with a stunning casualness.

"Any way you can find out about anything, you gotta do it," he said.

For some scouts, the boilerplate information is enough. Like any industry that touts reporting or research tenacity, there are some who accept the surface-level intel and head out for a beer. And just like in many of these industries, those people do not last long.

"I was looking through some old scouting manuals the other day," former NFL scout and current head of The Scouting Academy Dan Hatman told me. "If you were to break down what the area scout is responsible for most -- for the retention of their jobs or possibility of promotion -- one of the things that seemed paramount was having the background and character on a kid in your area cold. Whether the team is drafting them or not."

* * * * *

The most widely recognized coach-college connection in recent years has been between Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Rutgers University. Belichick's son, Stephen, played lacrosse for the Scarlet Knights and was a long snapper on the football team in 2011.

In the Belichick era, there have been 11 Rutgers players on the roster -- four of them were drafted. Belichick's confidence in selecting players from Piscataway, New Jersey, is so well known that one prominent agent told me that, after signing a Rutgers player prior to a past draft, he simply said to his new client: "My work here is done. ... You're going to get drafted by the Patriots, win a couple of Super Bowls and figure it out after that."

The agent, having not had any prior contact with New England about his client before making the claim, ended up being 100 percent correct.

Belichick's most-utilized talent hotbed, though, has been Florida. He has selected five Gators in the draft since 2007, due in large part to his close ties with former Florida head coach Urban Meyer -- another well-known connection throughout the league.

Since 2007, the Bills have drafted the most players from any one school -- seven from Florida State -- while the Steelers come in second with six from Ohio State. Over this decade span, the Cardinals took five players out of LSU, the Bengals took five players from Georgia, the 49ers selected five players from South Carolina and the Redskins picked five players out of Nebraska. The Tom Coughlin Giants picked three players from Syracuse (Coughlin's alma mater) and had a rotating cast of Boston College Eagles (Coughlin's first major head-coaching job). In the least surprising discovery from NFL Media Research, the Eagles selected players out of Oregon most frequently (five).

The Bills did not respond to a request for comment from NFL.com for this story, though it might be safe to draw a connection between their head of personnel, Jim Monos, and his eight seasons as a Southeast area scout for the Saints, when he would have gotten to know the Seminoles' program quite well. The Steelers, citing a roller-coaster week for their entire staff, could not make general manager Kevin Colbert available, either, though it would not be a stretch to connect their staff's deep Pittsburgh-area roots with those of Meyer, who was born in Ohio and rolled in similar areas for years, eventually returning to become Ohio State's coach in 2012.

While some of these connections are obvious, there are preferences that end up becoming significant, too. The Cardinals' personnel staff, for example, seems to share an affinity with defensive backs coached by now-Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis. Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson and Brandon Williams all were molded by the highly regarded coach known as "The Chief."

"You always feel good about [picking] those guys because you're getting a quality, well-coached, fundamental player. You know the guy you're getting them from," Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told me at the NFL Scouting Combine in March. "You still have to look at talent, though. John's lucky. He's coached a lot of talented guys."

Because of the nomadic nature of modern head coaches, assistants and personnel people, the source network is different than it might have been even 20 years ago, when it wasn't as common to fire someone after just a few seasons. So while certain teams might draw heavily from one school, it could be one direct link that connects them to several places over the years.

"I wouldn't say it's schools as much as people," Chargers general manager Tom Telesco told me. "The longer relationships you have with certain coaches, the better information you may get. It's really important for us. The colleges have their jobs to do, but we have our job to do and we're very respectful of that. Information we get from colleges, that stays in house to help us make decisions and not for public knowledge. We try and hold that trust together. But the longer you're in this, the more coaches you meet and know for a long time. That does help the process because those are big decisions we make on players."

The most mind-boggling aspect, given the clandestine reputation the NFL community has gained over the years, is how spread out and different various source networks are.

"We all have contacts at various universities, whether it's (Titans coach) Mike (Mularkey) and guys he's coached with or people in my scouting department," Titans general manager Jon Robinson said to me. "If someone is really helping me out with a particular piece of information about a player, you take everything and you take all the information. You exhaust all the resources possible. You can't rely solely on that person, though; you have to get a lot of opinions before you make a decision."

* * * * *

One of the reasons mock drafts and the entire draft analyst industry garners chuckles from those still inside the business is because of how fruitless the pursuit really is.

Only a few people in each organization are privy to the complete book on a player -- and all 32 teams might have different chapters and footnotes on the same person. The Patriots' director of player personnel, Nick Caserio, said the team only has draftable grades on 50-75 players in this year's class. The Browns' personnel head, Andrew Berry, said Cleveland has 175 draftable players. The Cardinals have roughly 120.

"How do you parse through it?" Hatman said. "Who do you trust?"

But beyond that, industry folks laugh because they have an understanding of just how vast the landscape is. At this very moment, one team's scouts could be congratulating themselves on another year with thousands of evaluations, man hours, travel miles and expensed Jimmy John's sandwiches between pro days. But somewhere along the line, one of their competitors heard back from the secretary, the academic advisor (another favorite scouting source), the head athletic trainer, the bartender or the valet. One person they might have missed.

What do they know that you don't?

Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead joins Steve Mason & John Ireland to discuss how the team is going to approach the upcoming NFL Draft and the plan to continue the development of QB Jared Goff.

Listen to Snead Interview

http://www.sportingnews.com/other-s...owitz-john-skipper/1qyp55nrppaub1omvedncxtmfg

'Bloodbath' in Bristol: ESPN could cut 70 people
Michael McCarthy


(Getty Images)

The layoffs at ESPN might turn out worse than predicted, sources tell Sporting News.

The Worldwide Leader in Sports could cut around 70 TV/radio anchors, reporters, analysts and online writers over coming days and weeks, sources said.

That would be worse than the 40 to 50 on-air talents predicted by ESPN book author James Andrew Miller during a podcast with Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated.

The higher numbers may reflect the inclusion of online writers like respected Titans beat reporter Paul Kuharsky who tweeted Monday his contract is not being renewed.

"This could be a bloodbath," warned one source.

ESPN's corporate campus was "eerily silent" Tuesday, said another source, as staffers anxiously waited to see who'll survive what management is euphemistically describing as a "right-sizing."

"It's like the dead calm before a horrible storm," said the source.

ESPN management would argue that salaries for on-air talent have gotten out of control.

Some ESPN stars are earning from $1.5 million to $3 million, according to Miller. They're not going to make that kind of scratch at other networks. To save their jobs, some of these talents are renegotiating their deals for lesser pay, said sources.

It's no coincidence the layoffs are taking place before ESPN parent Disney's release of its 2nd quarter financial results on May 9.

With ESPN losing 12 million subscribers over the past five years, the brass in Bristol have to show Disney management and Wall Street its willing to bite the bullet on costs.

"They’re not growing. So the only way to show fiscal responsibility is to lay people off," said a TV insider. "This is all Wall Street-driven. This is all about Disney ordering a Code Red."

ESPN declined to comment.

PREVIOUS:

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Some ESPN anchors fearing the loss of their jobs are proactively asking management if they can cut their salaries, sources tell Sporting News.

The move to renegotiate existing contracts makes some sense. ESPN is poised to lay off or buy out dozens of your favorite ‘"SportsCenter” anchors, reporters, commentators and online writers over the coming days and weeks.

Rather than waiting for the Turk to come knocking on Cutdown Day, some on-air personnel, and/or their agents, are asking if they can keep their job in exchange for reduced pay.

Their pitch: They love ESPN. They don’t want to leave. They’re willing to take one for the team, even if it means less cash and exposure at the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

It's worth a shot, but it remains to be seen how successful this negotiating move will be. ESPN has lost 12 million subscribers over the past five years, reducing its footprint to 88 million homes from a high of 100 million. The days of half-measures are over. The layoffs are beginning.

On Monday, Paul Kuharsky, the respected ESPN staff writer covering the NFL's Titans, confirmed he'd been given his walking papers. He could be the first among 30 or so staff writers whose contracts won't be renewed, said sources:

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/PaulKuharskyNFL/status/856554063151890432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportingnews.com%2Fother-sports%2Fnews%2Fespn-layoffs-espn2-mike-greenberg-mike-golic-sportscenter-am-katie-nolan-charissa-thompson-fs1-jamie-horowitz-john-skipper%2F1qyp55nrppaub1omvedncxtmfg

With parent Disney and Wall Street looking on, ESPN management is playing hardball.

The network is looking to slash tens of millions of dollars in salary costs. Unlike October 2015 — when ESPN pink-slipped 300 behind-the-scene producers, directors and staffers — this downsizing will target the 1,000-plus TV/radio anchors, reporters, commentators and online reporters who constitute the public face of ESPN.

The cuts could kick in before Disney's fiscal second quarter earnings call on May 9 and ESPN's glitzy upfront presentation to Madison Avenue ad buyers on May 16.

That's where the company is expected to announce the new Mike Greenberg solo show on ESPN that will end the 17-year TV partnership between Greenberg and "Mike & Mike in the Morning" partner Mike Golic on ESPN2.

“ESPN is calling this a ‘right-sizing,'” said one source. “They’re trying to focus on their core on-air talent and get the maximum amount out of them, just like everybody else does."

The looming layoffs have set off a "panic of biblical proportions" among on-air talent. Many of the anchors/analysts in danger of losing their jobs are under contract, some for multiple years, said sources.

ESPN is making some of these employees an offer: They can accept 50 percent of the money remaining on their deals and walk away free as birds, or they can hold out for every penny owed, in which case they’ll probably benched and rendered largely invisible on ESPN TV/radio/digital media platforms moving forward.

That's a tough call for on-air talent used to guaranteed TV/Radio exposure and annual raises, said sources. Their decisions may depend on their age and experience, said one source.

"The 30-somethings may look at being off TV/radio as a fate worse than death," said another source. "The 50-somethings, on the other hand, might enjoy a couple of years' vacation courtesy of ESPN."

Even while ESPN is in cost-cutting mode, it's still on the hunt for new talent, especially at the expense of rival Fox Sports 1, led by ex-ESPN phenom Jamie Horowitz.

No less than ESPN president John Skipper himself has tried to recruit FS1 rising star Katie Nolan, host of "Garbage Time," sources told Sporting News. ESPN also tried to hire back ex-ESPNer Charissa Thompson for Chris Berman's anchor post on "Sunday NFL Countdown" before handing the job to Samantha Ponder.

It's easy to forget that ESPN's famous anchors are in our home and on our TV screens almost every day. The suspense around who will stay and who will go has generated enormous national interest among sports media reporters and readers.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated was first to report that ESPN would launch "significant" cuts on the "talent side." ESPN book author James Andrew Miller then told Deitsch on an SI podcast he expected 40 to 50 on-air personalities to lose their jobs.

Last week, Daniel Roberts of Yahoo Finance reported the axe would mostly fall between May 1 and May 9. His story has drawn nearly 3,000 comments, testifying to fan passions about ESPN and its talent.

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Some of the ESPN veterans facing the layoffs are remarkably sanguine. Anchor John Buccigross, whose contract expires July 1, told Sporting News in an exclusive interview that he's ready for whatever decision management hands down.

"I'm not stressed," said Buccigross, 51, who joined ESPN in 1996. "Whatever happens, happens."

A personal note: Having lived through many layoffs in the newspaper/magazine business, I hope many of these people can save their jobs. What's surprising, and saddening, is that this is happening at ESPN.

I didn't want to give his name in the title because the guy who told me this story today didn't tell me his name right away either.

I'll try and set the stage a little. I'm a school director for a post secondary school so I have adult students come see me in my office every day. I had one in my office today (a 32 yr old Army Veteran) who got the biggest shit eating grin on his face when he noticed my Ram memorabilia. He looks at me and says "Oh I've got a story for you". We'll just call my student Nick for the story.

He tells me that he played HS football here at Lake Howell (Winter Park, FL area). He was a pretty big time HS player and also played Div 1 in college. So at a HS practice one summer, a new player who was trying out to be the kicker comes up and asks Nick if there was any way he could have his jersey number. This kicker TRY-OUT wanted Nick to give up his jersey number LOL. So Nick tells him "OK,,, you can have my number if you beat me in a 50 yard race". After practice they line up and have the race. Nick was really surprised at the wanna-be kicker's speed, but Nick still won the race and didn't give up his jersey number. The kicker shook hands with Nick and never brought up the jersey number again.... he did end up winning the kicker job though.

Nick goes on to tell me that many of the football players would host parties at their parent's houses. Winter Park, Florida is a very nice area and there are some very large homes there. I guess the kicker hosted one at his house one night. Some of the players, including Nick, ended up spending the night.

So the next morning Nick is sitting in the kitchen. He says that's when he saw this really big older dude walk in. Nick tells me the guy was huge, and he had this mean look on his face. Apparently this old dude didn't say anything to Nick for a few minutes... he was just getting stuff out of the kitchen drawers and cabinets with his massive back facing Nick. I keep stressing the old dude's size because Nick was stressing it big time when he told me this story.

Anyway, the old guy finally speaks to Nick. He asks him "what's your name and jersey number son?". Nick tells him his name and #. That's when the old dude finally turns around... and he has a giant smile on his face. He looks at Nick and tells him that he really appreciated him giving his son a fair chance of winning his jersey number. Nick tells the man that he would have given up the number if he would have lost the race. The old dude thanked him again.

So then the old dude asks Nick if he'd ever had venison. Nick tells him no. Old dude tells Nick he's gonna love it, and then asks him how he wants his eggs cooked. Old dude then proceeds to cook breakfast for everyone. While he's cooking, Nick takes notice of some LA Ram stuff in the other room. He then recognizes that some of the pictures of this LA Ram he was seeing in the other room were pictures of the old dude cooking breakfast. Nick couldn't believe it... he couldn't believe that this new kicker didn't bother to just mention that his father is a HOF football player. Nobody on the whole team knew from what Nick told me.

Nick then realizes why the kicker wanted his #85. So Nick goes on to tell me just how down to earth and nice Jack and his wife were to him. He said they are some of the most humble people he's ever met. He went on and on about how you don't meet people like them very often.

I had to share the story with you guys. I think it's so cool.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/s...ictions-all-32-teams-round-1-trades-picks#NFC W

The Rams will select several defensive backs.

The focus had been on the offense, because they selected a quarterback,Jared Goff, first overall last year and because they've finished last in the NFL in yards during each of the past two seasons. Yes, the Rams need to supply Goff with more weapons. But they drafted four receiving threats last year --Pharoh Cooper, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway and Mike Thomas -- and they want to see how each develops. Now they have to find players in the secondary to develop. Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines,Lamarcus Joyner, Maurice Alexander andCody Davis -- their five defensive backs in sub packages -- can all become unrestricted free agents next offseason. The Rams might take a receiver or tight end if a good one is available at 37th overall, but by the end of it, they'll have several defensive backs too. -- Alden Gonzalez

Les Snead, now without Jeff Fisher, will rise or fall on his own merits

By RICH HAMMOND

Certainly it’s not a scenario Les Snead wanted to find himself in, but it’s tough to imagine how the aftermath of a miserable 2016 season could have worked out better for him.

The Rams, last December, fired Coach Jeff Fisher but chose to bring back Snead for a sixth season. It was a bold move, given that the Rams haven’t sniffed the playoffs since Snead’s hiring in 2012.

Snead didn’t just keep his job. By all accounts, he boosted his profile. Depending on who is asked, Snead and Fisher either had equal say on personnel matters, or Fisher had the final say. Now, after the Rams’ hiring of Sean McVay, the youngest coach in NFL history, Snead gets a more prominent seat at the table.

Both men still report to Kevin Demoff, the Executive Vice President of Football Operations. But as the Rams prepare for this week’s draft, it’s difficult to imagine that they would lean on McVay, 31, rather than Snead, who has been evaluating NFL players since McVay was a teenager.

To his credit, Snead has remained quiet about the last few seasons, even last year, when Fisher publicly took a couple thinly veiled shots at him over Rams personnel decisions. It was Fisher who told a reporter in 2012 that he took the Rams’ job – before Snead’s hiring – because it included final say in personnel.

Never mind all that now. Snead remains – he quietly received a contract extension at the start of last season — and now it’s his time to shine. Or not.

Snead faces some huge decisions in the coming weeks and months, beyond the eight picks the Rams hold in this week’s draft.

The Rams must decide what to do with top cornerback Trumaine Johnson: sign him to a hefty extension, trade him or let him play out the final year of his contract. They must make progress on an extension with star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who otherwise will become a free agent after the 2018 season. They must, in general, make good roster decisions in an attempt to improve after last year’s 4-12 debacle.

Can Snead pull it off, and rehabilitate his image, as well as that of the Rams?

Set aside Fisher’s culpability, because Snead deserves at least some blame for the past five seasons. Yes, the Rams have acquired some quality players through the draft – including Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley, Alec Ogletree and Jared Goff – but they’ve also displayed a startling inability to draft and develop receivers and offensive linemen, or sign them as productive free agents.

Snead’s drafts have included a tendency to be fairly strong in the first couple rounds, but rarely have the Rams found a mid- to late-round hidden gem.

Their track record in free agency also has been spotty. Last year, for instance, the Rams let cornerback Janoris Jenkins walk via free agency, then attempted to fill his spot (in part) with Coty Sensabaugh, who signed a three-year contract in March then was cut in October.

For the Rams to show improvement, Snead’s hits must begin to outnumber his misses. Here’s a look at how things have gone for the Rams since his hiring in 2012:

BEST DRAFT PICK

Aaron Donald, DT, first round, No. 13 overall, 2014

Donald fell to No. 13, apparently because, even though his NCAA resume was stellar, other teams saw his shorter, stockier frame as a bit of a detriment. Instead, Donald quickly proved himself to be a monster, a defensive tackle who, if he played on a more successful team, probably would be considered the best defensive player in the league.

As it stands, Donald isn’t far off. He was the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year in 2014 and has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of his three seasons. Donald has 28 sacks in 48 NFL games.

WORST DRAFT PICK

Greg Robinson, OT, first round, No. 2 overall, 2014

Snead’s poorest came approximately an hour before his finest. The Rams, gifted this pick as part of the Robert Griffin III trade, didn’t use it wisely.

The Rams spent three years telling everyone about the progress Robinson was making about left tackle, about his athleticism and willingness to learn. Finally, this offseason, the Rams gave up and now plan to move Robinson to either right tackle or guard, and they’re not expected to pick up his fifth-year contract option for the 2018 season, which would make him a free agent next spring.

BEST MOVE

Signed defensive end William Hayes, 2012

Fisher has to get some credit for this, because he coached Hayes for four seasons in Tennessee, but Snead signed off on one-year, $900,000 deal Hayes signed as a free agent.

Hayes didn’t start a game in 2012 but recorded a career-high seven sacks, which earned him a three-year extension with the Rams the following spring. Hayes eventually became a productive starter before, this March, the Rams traded him to Miami in a money-saving move.

WORST MOVE

Signed cornerback Cortland Finnegan, 2012

The first big move of the Fisher/Snead era was the signing of Finnegan to a five-year, $50 million contract. Two years later, the Rams released Finnegan, after he started only 21 of 32 games, dealt with injuries and had a terrible rating on passes thrown his way.

Again, Fisher has to take much of the blame for this one, because he previously coached Finnegan in Tennessee, but unless the full truth is ever revealed, Snead will have to share in the blame.

[www.ocregister.com]

http://www.cleveland19.com/story/35...of-sexual-assault-at-downtown-cleveland-hotel

Top NFL Draft prospect accused of sexual assault at downtown Cleveland hotel
Posted by Dan DeRoos, Reporter

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -

There have been numerous conversations at Cleveland 19 News about the report you are about to read. There's a lot at stake. It involves a young woman who said she was sexually assaulted, a young man who is about to start his NFL career, and a team who may be taking a huge risk drafting a player who's under investigation right here in Cleveland.

Police radio traffic coming from downtown Cleveland's Westin Hotel after 3 a.m. Sunday, April 9 sheds light on the moment officers arrived on scene: "Officers on scene, no call back -- 23-year-old female conscious and breathing, victim of a sexual assault."

The accused is a college football player who is expected to be taken in the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft.

We are not naming the player because we're waiting for the police report. And we want to be very clear he has not been officially charged with a crime at this point.

By phone, investigative producer Cassie Nist spoke to the player's attorney, Kevin Spellacy, who said he is representing the player in this matter, but said the accusations are "ludicrous and ridiculous."

"In my opinion this young lady is an opportunist and it's actually despicable," said Spellacy.

The player's attorney says it all started at the Barley House on West 6th Street, when a group left there to go to the Westin for a hotel room party. He said his client was never alone with the alleged victim, and he has three witnesses who said he did nothing wrong.

When police arrived at the Westin, the player had already left. The attorney said he is willing to bring his client in to be interviewed by police, but not right away. He has made arrangements for the interview to be held right after the NFL Draft.

There is a lot at stake. It's just days before the draft and one of the top picks has his name on paperwork somewhere on a Cleveland detective's desk. We'd like to see that paperwork. Normally we can. But for some reason we -- the media -- are being held up.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...faces-sexual-assault-allegation-in-cleveland/

Posted by Mike Florio on April 25, 2017

Spellacy said he’s willing to make the player available for an interview with police immediately after the draft.

Why not do it before the draft? Because if the player is interviewed — and if the news get out as to who the player is — a potential La’El Collins situation could emerge. Two years ago, Collins was questioned in connection with a murder. Because he wasn’t cleared from involvement before the draft, he tumbled completely out of the draft, even though he was never accused, arrested, or charged with any crime.

If the unnamed player in this case isn’t cleared before Thursday night, he could tumble even if he’s not guilty.

This makes it incumbent on every agent of every player who isn’t the subject of the investigation to say clearly and loudly and in no uncertain terms that their guy isn’t the guy who is facing this investigation.

As to agent who represents a player who was in or around Cleveland on April 9, the date of the alleged incident, there should be a shouting of the player’s non-involvement even more loudly, along with a demand that WOIO disclose the accused player’s name ASAP.

With a small, defined universe of players who may be the player facing the accusation, failure to identify the player indirectly defames the other players who it could be, but who it isn’t.

As to the 32 teams, someone unwittingly will be picking a player who brings negative publicity and, potentially, a prosecution and a guilty verdict to town. Thus, they each should be seeking clear assurances from each player they are considering that the player they are considering isn’t the guy who is accused of sexual assault.

Although WOIO has taken steps to keep the player’s name out of it, the mere existence of the story necessarily will pull the player’s name into it. With more than 48 hours to go until the draft begins, it’s inescapable.

Even if the name isn’t leaked to the media (and chances are it will be), the teams definitely will know who it is, When that player slides, so will everyone else.

Always a good time judging the picks, from other teams, and our beloved Rams. I'll be in the chat Friday for sure. Not sure about Thursday yet, as I have an upcoming physical for a new job that may impair it for Thursday (if physical is on Friday, I have to crash).

That said, come in and join the party. It's always a great time. We're all civilized, and expect the same.

Look forward to seeing many old friends and new people.

Linkage for a full view of the Chat room here...

http://www.ramsondemand.com/chat/

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Ha Ha. I'm not going to new Jersey, hate that place , always get fined or arrested , at least I get pulled over .

Anyway I think I need a new Rams jersey , I thinking A.D. or johnny hekker are pretty good bets . What say you fellas and or ladies ? Home? Away?