One way to pass the time between now and the start of the 2016 college football season is by coming to this blog and learning all about what has occurred week by week during the off-season. All Spring camps have ended by now, and we are in what could be considered as a dead period until camps begin in August, but I will do my best to find every nugget I can and report those to you every Friday night between now September. Every now and then, I may miss a Friday night, but by the end of the weekend, you will find this report here. I do also have a life people...
Big 12 Expansion Talk
The Big 12 is back on the brink of Armageddon once again, as expansion talks continue despite the opposition of arguably the two strongest members of the league, Texas and Oklahoma. There is not even a consensus at Oklahoma within their own ranks as to how anyone feels about expanding to 12 or more teams in the near future, and that divide could be instrumental in whether the conference holds together, or loses one of their most important members.
The conference is considering (depending on who you believe or listen to) BYU, Boise State, Colorado State, UCF, Memphis, Houston, and SMU for membership. Memphis has anted up bigger than anyone at this point, as Memphis based Fed Ex has promised a massive sponsorship package should the Tigers be admitted.
The huge hangup is that the Big 12 feels overall that a Big 12 network is needed to make expansion work. The problem is that Texas is showing no signs of giving up their own Longhorn Network to make it work, and that is a huge problem for all involved. If Texas keeps the LHN, there is no Big 12 Network, likely no expansion, and a likely implosion following where OU could start shopping themselves around, which would be the pulling of the swing that unravels the sweater.
These talks are still ongoing, but the results could go anywhere between up, down, or straight to the bowels of Hell.
Hot Water at Ole Miss
The NFL Drafts biggest misfit, Leremy Tunsil, is just the gift that keeps on giving at Ole Miss. The Rebels program is in severely hot water this week after draft day comments by Tunsil that he was paid at Ole Miss. Text messages between Tunsil and an assistant over obtaining cash to pay his Tunsil's mother's electric bill have been admitted as being real by Ole Miss. Hugh Freeze will now likely have to also give testimony in a lawsuit by Tunsil's ex-step father over an assault case in which Freeze may have to admit that agents were present during said assault, meaning that Tunsil had illegal contact with agents, and Freeze had knowledge of this. Freeze is trying to get the questions limited for the sake of testimony, and then have that testimony sealed as to keep it from NCAA investigators or anyone else for that matter. That's a bad sign.
The NCAA has already opened an investigation into Ole Miss football, and this could be a huge and nasty mess for the Rebel program.
Chauncey Waters Kicked Out at Georgia
Chauncey Waters has been booted off the Georgia football team for his 3rd marijuana arrest since last November. Waters, a former 5 star recruit, had already faced a 3 game suspension in 2016 for the December arrest. He was also arrested in November, and was recently arrested and charged with 4 felonies in regard to his pot usage. Apparently, he was going to clean up his act, but then he got high...and there is no Georgia Snoopdog program to pick him up.
More SEC Jurisprudence
Alabama has also had their 5 star issues, as Charles Baldwin, a member of their 2016 class who was expected to have immediate impact, got booted out of the program for violation of team rules. That's a cover all for dumb ass activities. He enrolled early, but apparently couldn't even get through a semester without messing up. Way to go!
Goodwill In Short Supply In Lincoln
Apparently, things have deteriorated so badly around the Nebraska football program, that Mike Riley felt the need to embark on a "Good Will Tour" around the state this week. He went to every corner of the state to restoke support for his Huskers, who finished at 6-7 in 2015. I guess I wouldn't be all that fired up if my favorite school hired a guy who was about to be fired by his former employer either, only to finish 4 games behind 9 wins that Husker fan criticized Bo Pelini for winning. Missing him yet?
More Awful Penn State News
Allegedly, a victim of sex abuse reported his abuse to Joe Paterno as early as 1975, and other cases date back to 1971. This asserts that Joe Paterno's halfhearted (and entirely unbelievable, in my opinion) assertion that he never had a clue about anything going on right under his considerable nose, was a ton of absolute crap. It was reported this week that as many as 6 other Penn State assistants over the years had actually encountered the abuse taking place, and said nothing. It was also alleged that the University worked to pay off victims as early as the 1970's to make it all go away. Prosecutors do not seem to keen to take on this case any longer, but in any event, restoring any of Paterno's erased wins seems a little presumptuous now.
John Steigelmeier to Get 1st Multi-Year Contract at South Dakota State
After 20 seasons as the coach of the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State, John Steigelmeier is about to get his first multi-year deal. The South Dakota legislature changed a law prohibiting state employees from being given multi-year contracts, and so SDSU can finally lock down their guy for the considerable future. Now watch him leave...
Kevin Steele's Contract Details Released...and They Are Horrifying
Kevin Steele is the DC at Auburn, and his contract details were released this week. Steele will make...wait for it...$3.6 million in 2016 as the DC of the Tigers. He's not a head coach. He is a defensive coordinator. An assistant. How can the NCAA continue the argument against players making money during their college careers, when you have assistant coaches in the SEC making more money than Group of Five head coaches, or even most Power Five head coaches? It's insulting when you think about it. This is the road that major college football is taking, and it leads straight of the nearest cliff.
That's all for this week...see you next week on "This Week In College Football: Volume 2"
Friday, May 13, 2016
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft, 6th Round: The Ugly
| Nate Sudfield, QB, Redskins | No shot to make roster, has never been healthy |
| Cory James, OLB, Raiders | Too small to be a LB in NFL, may struggle to make team |
| Wes Schweitzer, OG, Falcons | Major reach here on a guy who could've been UFA |
| Blake Countess, CB, Eagles | Has no identified roster spot, lacks size, average cover skills |
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft, 6th Round: The Bad
| Devante Bond, OLB, Buccaneers | Huge motor, but limited athletically. Could've been undrafted. |
| Jerrell Adams, TE, Giants | Not a ton of productivity in college. Athletic, but limited. |
| Jake Rudock, QB, Lions | Was never a star in college, but showed growth in final season. |
| Anthony Zettel, DT, Lions | Very much undersized DT who cannot likely swing out to DE. |
| Dadi Nicholas, DE, Chiefs | Productive in college, but way undersized for next level. |
| Jordan Lucas, S, Dolphins | Lacks overall speed and skill for CB, but doesn't make enough plays for S |
| Kamu Grugier-Hall, LB, Patriots | Super small LB, has other athletic traits. See him maxing out on ST play. |
| Maurice Canady, CB, Ravens | Should nickname him "Toast". Loves giving up big plays. |
| Kelvin Taylor, RB, 49ers | Never produced at high level for Gators, which translates poorly here. |
| Kavon Frazier, CB, Cowboys | Likely never sees a down as a CB in NFL, as skills just aren’t there. |
| Joey Hunt, C, Seahawks | Undersized Center, will never be able to max out size for lack of height. |
| Rico Gathers, TE, Cowboys | Hard to gauge this pick, as he was not a traditional TE at Baylor |
| Kevon Seymour, CB, Bills | Injury plagued and never overly productive. Not a good combo. |
| Ted Karras, OG, Patriots | Limited athletically, likely to not have enough physical skills to move on. |
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft: 6th Round: The Good
| Andy Janovich, FB, Broncos | Bruising, power drive fullback fits well with Broncos zone block scheme. |
| Tamerick Hemingway, TE, Rams | Could have gone much earlier, but small school status hurt him. |
| DJ White, CB, Chiefs | Solid player will get chance to make it on special teams. |
| Drew Kaser, P, Chargers | Best punter in 2016 class should make roster as starting punter. |
| Moritz Boehringer, WR, Vikings | German prospect is a gamer who has crushed it to get this far. |
| Tyrone Holmes, LB, Jaguars | Edge rush specialist needs some coaching, could be very good. |
| Keenan Reylnolds, RB, Ravens | Option QB at Navy, athlete in every way, solid character guy. |
| DeAndre Houston-Carson, FS, Bears | Will start out on special teams, but could start in a year. Steal here. |
| Jakeem Grant, WR, Dolphins | Kick return and slot specialist who could make career on returns. |
| David Morgan II, TE, Vikings | One of my favorite TE prospects, will be a favorite of Bridgewater's. |
| Anthony Brown, CB, Cowboys | Super speedy corner is a mess in man coverage, has big potential in zone. |
| Josh Forrest, ILB, Rams | Could be dime package blitz LB, solid ST contributor. |
| Kolby Listenbee, WR, Bills | Underrated receiver at TCU, but needs some work in ST early on. |
| Sebastian Tretola, OG, Titans | Road grading guard could start for power run team. Good fit. |
| Dan Vitale, FB, Buccaneers | Solid lead blocker, doesn't need a spotlight. |
| Derek Watt, FB, Chargers | Solid bloodlines, has his brothers drive. Love this pick. |
| Cody Core, WR, Bengals | Solid athleticism, limited numbers, but could be a dark horse player. |
| Kyle Murphy, OT, Packers | Solid RT prospect, fits best in zone blocking scheme. |
| Brandon Allen, QB, Jaguars | Not sure about need here, came on strong in 2015 after slow start. |
| Harlan Miller, CB, Cardinals | Big time playmaker, could start one day after some development. |
| Mike Thomas, WR, Rams | Really broke through in 2015, solid in receiving and KR game. I'm a fan. |
| Jeff Driskel, QB, 49ers | Escaped Florida offense wasteland, bloomed at La. Tech. Darkhorse. |
| Jimmy Landes, LS, Lions | Good spot for LS here, and he's a good one. |
| Aaron Burbridge, WR, 49ers | Will never be a star, but he has value as a possession receiver in NFL. |
| Elandon Roberts, LB, Patriots | Probably the best guy the Pats got all day, can flat out tackle. |
| Darius Jackson, RB, Cowboys | Productive back from abysmal program. Could surprise. |
| Will Parks, S, Broncos | Has a high ceiling, and if used right, could really come along to add depth. |
| Travis Feeney, LB, Steelers | Will start with ST play, has talent to move into game play at LB eventually. |
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft, 5th Round: The Ugly
Finally, these are the 5th round picks that I really felt had no value in the round:
| Caleb Benenoch, OT, Buccaneers | Sloppy player and penalty prone at UCLA. Low football IQ |
| Trevor Davis, WR, Packers | Under productive in pass happy offense at Cal |
| Halipoulivaati Vaitai, OT, TCU | Lacks physicallity and technique to move up to NFL |
| Tyreek Hill, WR, West Alabama | Started at OK. State as S, more track star than football player |
Analyzing the NFL 2016 Draft, 5th Round: The Bad
Here are picks that I just could not get behind in the 5th round of the 2016 NFL Draft's 5th round:
| De'Andre Washington, RB, Raiders | Another strange Raider pick on undersized back from passing offense |
| John Theus, OT, 49ers | Lacks top end strength, will need a year in the weight room |
| Quentin Jefferson, DT, Seahawks | Lacks power in drive, can get pushed around |
| Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles | Never averaged 20 carries per game, lacks load carrying ability |
| Brandon Shell, OT, Jets | Could have waited until 6th round to get him, solid run blocker |
| KJ Dillon, S, Texans | Lacks fundamentals and plays out of control |
| Kevin Hogan, QB, Chiefs | Does not have the fundamental skill to ever start in NFL |
| Marqui Christian, SS, Cardinals | Christian is a bad cover safety, and may be limited to ST play |
| Cole Toner, OT, Cardinals | Limited athletically, limited strength, limited technique |
| Fahn Cooper, OT, 49ers | Limited in pass blocking, and is primarlily a run blocker. |
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft, 5th Round: The Good
The 5th round finally had more good selections for value than bad or ugly picks. The draft was a bit all over the place up until this point, but when you get to the 5th round, the real work begins, and most teams did solid work this far down.
The Good
The Good
| Tajae Sharpe, WR, Titans | Amazingly productive receiver at U Mass in pass happy offense |
| Zack Sanchez, CB, Panthers | Solid cover guy who could start as early as 2016 in depleted secondary |
| Ronald Blair, DE, 49ers | Undervalued rush end who gets into the backfield |
| Connor McGovern, OT, Broncos | Rated as a 3rd rounder, may have to move inside to OG |
| Matt Judon, DE, Ravens | D2 star had early injury, but was dominant after. Big picture project guy |
| Paul Perkins, RB, Giants | Very good character and work ethic, best RB in PAC-12, severely under used there |
| Jordan Howard, RB, Bears | Transferred from UAB to IU, never missed a beat. Better than 5th round by far |
| Joe Dahl, OG, Lions | Lions got a late round steal in mauling guard |
| Matthew Ioannidis, DT, Redskins | He is a pile moving tackle, and will be a surprise to some |
| Jordan Peyton, WR, Browns | Not great, but not horrible…solid possession receiver |
| Joe Haeg, OT, Colts | Was valued as a 4th rounder, may eventually start at LT |
| LeShaun Sims, CB, Titans | Could be a starter in a year or two, will be package guy until then |
| Kentrell Brothers, DE, Vikings | May kick out to LB, but his ability to get into backfield is unquestioned |
| Christian Westerman, OG, Bengals | Can play OG or C, and was valued as 2nd rounder |
| DJ Reader, NT, Texans | Could be investment for future, but will develop for a year as backup |
| Spencer Drango, OG, Browns | Has some technique issues, needs some work, but all is fixable. Could start year 2 |
| Antwione Williams, LB, Lions | A Tackle machine in college, could start on ST, but could get into LB roatation |
| Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas | Has rushed for over 1000 yards each season. Not a perfect back, but who is |
| Rashard Higgins, WR, Browns | Really dropped in draft, but is highly productive, and could play early |
| Trey Caldwell, CB, Browns | Solid cover man, but don't expect picks from him, as he had just 1 last season |
| Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron | Not only disruptive on defense, can also play TE. Gifted athletically,
undervalued |
Tate Martell Saga at Texas A&M Lays at Feet of Noel Mazzone
By now, most of you have heard about the meltdown of Texas A&M WR Coach Aaron Moorehead after the decommitment of 5 Star QB recruit Tate Martell (Class of 2017, Bihop Gorman HS, Las Vegas). The meltdown on Twitter also cost the commitments of WRs Manny Netherly and Tyjon Lindsey within moments. Watching it real time was like watching a slow nuclear reactor go on full meltdown, and I was fortunate to watch it in real time the evening this all happened.
As it turns out, the lost recruits this week were the fault of Moorhead, and the losses may not be over yet, but the loss of Martell has been ongoing since January, according to a report from SB Nation
http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_recruiting/2016/5/6/11607682/mazzone-is-why-tate-martell-decommited-from-texas-a-m
and the reason for the departure was a lack of hospitality and bad treatment from none other than one of my favorite foibles, former UCLA and current Texas A&M OC Noel Mazzone.
According to the report, on a recent visit to College Station, Mazzone gave the Martell's (Tate and his Father) nothing but the cold shoulder during the entire visit. At one point, Mazzone was five feet from Martell's Father, and would not even acknowledge him. This is obviously a different vibe than what the Martell's received at other visits to other schools, and probably differs a great deal from even the treatment that was received from former Aggie and current California OC Jake Spavital, as it was Spavital who had been recruiting Martell heavily for the the Aggies.
This was also not the first time that Mazzone had iced out the Martell's on a visit to College Station. According to the report, the Martell's had visited A&M in January, not two weeks after Mazzone was hired, and Mazzone was less than warm and fuzzy on that trip as well, causing concern. Mr. Martell figured, at the time, that Mazzone had only been on campus for 10 days, and he likely just needed to get his bearings straight, hence the lack of hospitality on campus. As it turns out, that was not really the case at all.
Rumors are swirling that Mazzone doesn't like Martell's height (he is under six feet), and he prefers bigger QBs, but even if that were true, handling a prospective recruit and his Father in a manner such as this is unheard of, and could lead to another round of exodus for the class of 2017. If this happens, it could very well lead to Mazzone, Moorhead, and Sumlin all ending up unemployed sooner rather than later, as Sumlin is on one of the hottest seats in the nation. That heat just raised by several magnitudes.
More on this story as it becomes available...
As it turns out, the lost recruits this week were the fault of Moorhead, and the losses may not be over yet, but the loss of Martell has been ongoing since January, according to a report from SB Nation
http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_recruiting/2016/5/6/11607682/mazzone-is-why-tate-martell-decommited-from-texas-a-m
and the reason for the departure was a lack of hospitality and bad treatment from none other than one of my favorite foibles, former UCLA and current Texas A&M OC Noel Mazzone.
According to the report, on a recent visit to College Station, Mazzone gave the Martell's (Tate and his Father) nothing but the cold shoulder during the entire visit. At one point, Mazzone was five feet from Martell's Father, and would not even acknowledge him. This is obviously a different vibe than what the Martell's received at other visits to other schools, and probably differs a great deal from even the treatment that was received from former Aggie and current California OC Jake Spavital, as it was Spavital who had been recruiting Martell heavily for the the Aggies.
This was also not the first time that Mazzone had iced out the Martell's on a visit to College Station. According to the report, the Martell's had visited A&M in January, not two weeks after Mazzone was hired, and Mazzone was less than warm and fuzzy on that trip as well, causing concern. Mr. Martell figured, at the time, that Mazzone had only been on campus for 10 days, and he likely just needed to get his bearings straight, hence the lack of hospitality on campus. As it turns out, that was not really the case at all.
Rumors are swirling that Mazzone doesn't like Martell's height (he is under six feet), and he prefers bigger QBs, but even if that were true, handling a prospective recruit and his Father in a manner such as this is unheard of, and could lead to another round of exodus for the class of 2017. If this happens, it could very well lead to Mazzone, Moorhead, and Sumlin all ending up unemployed sooner rather than later, as Sumlin is on one of the hottest seats in the nation. That heat just raised by several magnitudes.
More on this story as it becomes available...
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Analyzing the NFL Draft: 4th Round
As the draft devolved into the three ring circus in the 3rd round, some teams started making up for it in the 4th. This was the round where the most work had been put in, and some serious value was found here.
The Good
4(99) Brown: Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin
Not the most talented or athletic LB in the draft, but Schobert is a workhorse who will bring some toughness to the Browns defense. He may likely get his shots early on special teams, but he could very well work his way into the rotation.
4(102) Chargers: Josh Perry, OLB, Ohio State
If the Chargers were going for help against the run, Perry is their guy. His only issue is that he is fairly weak against the pass, so he could be a 2 down LB at best. Still, he is loaded on toughness, can hit like a missile, and will stuff the run.
4(103) Jaguars: Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
Day is not an every down guy, but if you are looking for pressure up the middle on 3rd down, the undersized Day can get at the QB. He is a situational player, but he fits well here. The Jags got a nice dime package rusher here.
4(103) Ravens: Tavon Young, CB, Temple
He may come out of camp as the number three CB for the Ravens, and he should play extensively in dime packages. He lacks size, but he is a player on the ball, and he will fight for floaters. He should be a nice fit.
4(106) Chiefs: Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota
It was a hit and miss round for KC. Murray will not start right away, but look for him in coverage against slot receivers early on as he adjusts to the league. He is a strong cover guy inside, and is solid against the run, but he's not ready for the big boys on the outside, and may never be. Still a solid package player in passing downs.
4(107) Ravens: Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati
Moore gives Joe Flacco a vertical passing threat that he desperately needs. Bad thing is he doesn't do much else right now. He will be a project, but speed is always good. Again, a victim of running in a spread offense, he is all playground, not playbook.
4(110) Rams: Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
Higbee had some issues with the law after being drafted. He also missed a huge chunk of the season, and postseason, with a knee injury. If healthy and legally clear, he could be the most dynamic TE in this draft and will be an instant threat in the Rams passing attack. If the knee is problematic, and he can't get a hold of emotions, we have a mess. I love the potential, as his issues are fixable.
4(108) Buccaneers: Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central
Smith has excellent speed, and plays the football very well. Tampa had a need at CB, and may have some holes there after the 2017 free agent class settles out. This is an insurance pick for losses next year.
4(109) Giants: BJ Goodson, LB, Clemson
Goodson is a solid 2 down LB who is tough against the run and loves to hit people. His drawback is that he is not a cover guy at all. His best work is in the trenches, but the Giants needed a guy like that.
4(111) Lions: Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah
SUU is building a nice program in Cedar City, and Killebrew is just one more player that could have some decent success out of there. He is a tackling machine, and may even see time at LB in passing downs. His real value early on will be on special teams, where he could have the kind of career that Matt Slater has had in New England.
4(113) Bears: Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia
Kwiatkowski is a hard nosed, hard hitting LB that will fit in very well with the Chicago persona. He could very well turn into a fan favorite on special teams. He has limitations outside of special teams, and may be a a bit over bulked by too much work in the weight room, but he adds value at LB, and the Bears need it.
The Rest
De'Vondre Campbell, OLB, Vikings...Gamer with instincts
Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Colts...Will plug middle, solid run stuffer
Juston Burris, CB, Jets...Solid coverage guy, will make the plays
Tyler Ervin, RB, Texans...Super productive, was under radar on bad team
David Onyemata, DT, Saints...Canadien prospect with size and talent
Willie Beavers, OT, Vikings...Will start in year 2, develop in 2016
Andrew Billings, NT, Bengals...Young, but very talented run stuffer
Antonio Morrison, LB, Colts...Football player who doesn't test well. Just plays the game.
Deiondre' Hall, CB, Bears...Small school guy who can cover outside.
Evan Boehm, C, Cardinals...Underrated lineman who may surprise some
Alex Lewis, OT, Ravens...Mauler on the outside who needs some time, could start one day
Blake Martinez, LB, Packers...Intelligent and tough, just like Green Bay like them
Willie Henry, DT, Ravens...May be one of the biggest gems out there in middle rounds
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens...Super utility guy with skills all over field
Devontae Booker, RB, Broncos...fits perfectly into Bronco RB rotation role, not flashy, just good
Dean Lowry, DE, Packers...Underrated and undervalued...could play right away
Seth DeValve, TE, Browns...WR at Princeton, size in slot, TE spot and ball skills are superb
The Bad
4(101) Cowboys: Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma
All reports have me doubting that Tapper will even make the team out of training camp. He has an incomplete motor, and is one of the most up and down players to come out of Oklahoma in a while. He does not have the overall talent, or productivity, to grade as a solid pick here.
4(105) Chiefs: Parker Ehringer, OT, Cincinnati
He is not quick or athletic enough to play tackle. He lacks functional strength and fundamentals to be a guard. What's not to like?
4(112) Patriots: Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
The Patriots made several strange picks in this draft, and Mitchell is another. He has a serious injury history, is an average, at best athlete, and will be 24 as a rookie. He has a ton of physical baggage, even though he is fundamentally sound as a player. His mind is good, but the body is shot.
4(114) Browns: Ricardo Luis, WR, Auburn
Played in option heavy offense, likely 2 years away from real productivity. There were others that were more productive and ready.
The Rest
Jerald Hawkins, OT, Steelers...All over the place, and not ready to play
Deon Bush, FS, Bears...Super slow for a DB, and is all over the place
Derrick Kindred, S, TCU...Does not seem to cover well, and may not be good enough anywhere
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys...DUI before draft shows lack of commitment, also a system QB
The Truly Ugly
4(100) Raiders: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
I would not have analyzed this pick so harshly had it gone to any other team. Cook dies not fit with the Raiders on any level. Matt McGloin would likely beat him out in training camp, and don't stop to think that a veteran could be signed outside of that to compete. Cook also has some personality issues to deal with, and may never be the leader he needs to be without serious self analyzing happening. He's not as nasty as Ryan Leaf was, but he has the same self aggrandizing nature that Leaf had. Physically, he is what you look for in a QB. In every other way, not so much.
The Rest
Pharoh Cooper, WR, Rams...Injured when he was needed most, didn't rush to get back
Rashard Robinson, CB, 49ers...Severe character concerns overshadow on field ability
Cardale Jones, QB, Bills...Character concerns, poor skill sets, dumb as a rock
The Good
4(99) Brown: Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin
Not the most talented or athletic LB in the draft, but Schobert is a workhorse who will bring some toughness to the Browns defense. He may likely get his shots early on special teams, but he could very well work his way into the rotation.
4(102) Chargers: Josh Perry, OLB, Ohio State
If the Chargers were going for help against the run, Perry is their guy. His only issue is that he is fairly weak against the pass, so he could be a 2 down LB at best. Still, he is loaded on toughness, can hit like a missile, and will stuff the run.
4(103) Jaguars: Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
Day is not an every down guy, but if you are looking for pressure up the middle on 3rd down, the undersized Day can get at the QB. He is a situational player, but he fits well here. The Jags got a nice dime package rusher here.
4(103) Ravens: Tavon Young, CB, Temple
He may come out of camp as the number three CB for the Ravens, and he should play extensively in dime packages. He lacks size, but he is a player on the ball, and he will fight for floaters. He should be a nice fit.
4(106) Chiefs: Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota
It was a hit and miss round for KC. Murray will not start right away, but look for him in coverage against slot receivers early on as he adjusts to the league. He is a strong cover guy inside, and is solid against the run, but he's not ready for the big boys on the outside, and may never be. Still a solid package player in passing downs.
4(107) Ravens: Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati
Moore gives Joe Flacco a vertical passing threat that he desperately needs. Bad thing is he doesn't do much else right now. He will be a project, but speed is always good. Again, a victim of running in a spread offense, he is all playground, not playbook.
4(110) Rams: Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
Higbee had some issues with the law after being drafted. He also missed a huge chunk of the season, and postseason, with a knee injury. If healthy and legally clear, he could be the most dynamic TE in this draft and will be an instant threat in the Rams passing attack. If the knee is problematic, and he can't get a hold of emotions, we have a mess. I love the potential, as his issues are fixable.
4(108) Buccaneers: Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central
Smith has excellent speed, and plays the football very well. Tampa had a need at CB, and may have some holes there after the 2017 free agent class settles out. This is an insurance pick for losses next year.
4(109) Giants: BJ Goodson, LB, Clemson
Goodson is a solid 2 down LB who is tough against the run and loves to hit people. His drawback is that he is not a cover guy at all. His best work is in the trenches, but the Giants needed a guy like that.
4(111) Lions: Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah
SUU is building a nice program in Cedar City, and Killebrew is just one more player that could have some decent success out of there. He is a tackling machine, and may even see time at LB in passing downs. His real value early on will be on special teams, where he could have the kind of career that Matt Slater has had in New England.
4(113) Bears: Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia
Kwiatkowski is a hard nosed, hard hitting LB that will fit in very well with the Chicago persona. He could very well turn into a fan favorite on special teams. He has limitations outside of special teams, and may be a a bit over bulked by too much work in the weight room, but he adds value at LB, and the Bears need it.
The Rest
De'Vondre Campbell, OLB, Vikings...Gamer with instincts
Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Colts...Will plug middle, solid run stuffer
Juston Burris, CB, Jets...Solid coverage guy, will make the plays
Tyler Ervin, RB, Texans...Super productive, was under radar on bad team
David Onyemata, DT, Saints...Canadien prospect with size and talent
Willie Beavers, OT, Vikings...Will start in year 2, develop in 2016
Andrew Billings, NT, Bengals...Young, but very talented run stuffer
Antonio Morrison, LB, Colts...Football player who doesn't test well. Just plays the game.
Deiondre' Hall, CB, Bears...Small school guy who can cover outside.
Evan Boehm, C, Cardinals...Underrated lineman who may surprise some
Alex Lewis, OT, Ravens...Mauler on the outside who needs some time, could start one day
Blake Martinez, LB, Packers...Intelligent and tough, just like Green Bay like them
Willie Henry, DT, Ravens...May be one of the biggest gems out there in middle rounds
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens...Super utility guy with skills all over field
Devontae Booker, RB, Broncos...fits perfectly into Bronco RB rotation role, not flashy, just good
Dean Lowry, DE, Packers...Underrated and undervalued...could play right away
Seth DeValve, TE, Browns...WR at Princeton, size in slot, TE spot and ball skills are superb
The Bad
4(101) Cowboys: Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma
All reports have me doubting that Tapper will even make the team out of training camp. He has an incomplete motor, and is one of the most up and down players to come out of Oklahoma in a while. He does not have the overall talent, or productivity, to grade as a solid pick here.
4(105) Chiefs: Parker Ehringer, OT, Cincinnati
He is not quick or athletic enough to play tackle. He lacks functional strength and fundamentals to be a guard. What's not to like?
4(112) Patriots: Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
The Patriots made several strange picks in this draft, and Mitchell is another. He has a serious injury history, is an average, at best athlete, and will be 24 as a rookie. He has a ton of physical baggage, even though he is fundamentally sound as a player. His mind is good, but the body is shot.
4(114) Browns: Ricardo Luis, WR, Auburn
Played in option heavy offense, likely 2 years away from real productivity. There were others that were more productive and ready.
The Rest
Jerald Hawkins, OT, Steelers...All over the place, and not ready to play
Deon Bush, FS, Bears...Super slow for a DB, and is all over the place
Derrick Kindred, S, TCU...Does not seem to cover well, and may not be good enough anywhere
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys...DUI before draft shows lack of commitment, also a system QB
The Truly Ugly
4(100) Raiders: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
I would not have analyzed this pick so harshly had it gone to any other team. Cook dies not fit with the Raiders on any level. Matt McGloin would likely beat him out in training camp, and don't stop to think that a veteran could be signed outside of that to compete. Cook also has some personality issues to deal with, and may never be the leader he needs to be without serious self analyzing happening. He's not as nasty as Ryan Leaf was, but he has the same self aggrandizing nature that Leaf had. Physically, he is what you look for in a QB. In every other way, not so much.
The Rest
Pharoh Cooper, WR, Rams...Injured when he was needed most, didn't rush to get back
Rashard Robinson, CB, 49ers...Severe character concerns overshadow on field ability
Cardale Jones, QB, Bills...Character concerns, poor skill sets, dumb as a rock
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft: 3rd Round
I continue with my breakdown of the NFL Draft by looking at the 3rd round tonight. There were, of course, more questions about certain picks, and there were certain gems, so let's break it down by the good, the bad, and the horrifically ugly.
The Good
3(65) Browns Take Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
Some scouts really didn't care for this pick despite the fact that Nassib checks every box across the board. He is a high motor, super productive DE who gets in the backfield with regularity. He can push and collapse the pocket, has solid technique, and has high character. Is he the most athletic guy in the world? Maybe not, but he sure is good. He was graded at just 147th overall, which is far too low in my book.
3(66) Chargers Take Max Tuerk, C, USC
Tuerk had a pretty severe knee injury last season (ACL tear), but had that not happened, he likely would have gone in round one late. Tuerk, if healthy, could be the best Center in this draft. He will need to bulk up some, and may take a year on the bench to work up to where he needs to be, but he could be a steal down the road.
3(67) Cowboys Take Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
The Cowboys needed interior line help, and they got it in the form of Collins. The only knock on him is that he is light on experience. Collins could be a force in the middle for the Cowboys once he is coached up a bit. I see very little downside here.
3(69) Jaguars Take Yannik Ngakoue, DE, Maryland
1st round pick Jack Conklin (who I really like) stated that Ngakoue was one of the two toughest assignments he had while at Michigan State. That is high praise from a solid source. He will likely play standing up at OLB, as he is too small for an NFL end. It matters not, as Ngakoue has speed, skills, and the smarts to succeed here.
3(70) Ravens Take Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
The Ravens got a steal here with Kaufusi. He has a huge motor, and is a force when it comes to making plays behind the line. He is quick of the point of contact, and doesn't need external drive to keep motivated. High character, and very productive. He will play immediately and give solid depth to the Ravens defensive front.
3(71) Giants Take Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State
Thompson had a terrible postseason, but was extremely ill at the combine. He graded out poorly on some boards, but that's because most were not familiar with him. Thompson had a much better pro day, and the Giants took a shot. That could pay off huge, as he does have a shot to compete for a starting job this season.
3(78) Patriots Take Joe Thuney, OG, NC State
Calling Thuney a Guard simply understates what he does. Thuney can handle any position on the line, and that is the kind of player that Belichick likes for his line. Thuney grades out by some as a OT, but look for him to settle inside for New England. I expect to see him get plenty of reps this season.
3(81) Falcons Take Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
This was a high value pick for Atlanta, as Hooper graded out as the 61st best player in this class. He is a strong pass catching TE, and should become a reliable option for Matt Ryan in the passing game almost immediately. He has flaws, and is not the best blocking TE I've ever seen, but his playmaking ability overshadows that.
3(83) Jets Take Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
Some people actually liked Jenkins more than former teammate and 1st rounder Leonard Floyd. Jenkins will be a 3 down player for the Jets, and will be counted on to push and collapse the edge as a bull pass rusher, something he should excel at in New York. The Jets got a good one here.
3(84) Redskins Take Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
I don't want to be a hypocrite here, but I like this pick in this spot much more than Myles Jack in round 2. Fuller had a knee injury and a microfracture issue as did Jack. Fuller was a first round talent, as was Jack. I like that the Skins waited on Fuller, whereas the Jags jumped on Jack a tad early considering the injury issues. Fuller was one of the best CBs in the nation at Virginia Tech, and who knows what the injury will bring, but if he can recover, this is a great pick. If he falls apart, it could be bad. I like the pick here, but it is not without risk, there's just less of it here than Jack in round 2.
3(89) Steelers Take Javon Hargrave, DE, South Carolina State
Hargrave has huge value here, as he ranked 30th overall. The Steelers had to have been giddy that he was available here. The Steelers also finally had a chance to make a selection that did not befuddle the masses this year. Hargrave was likely ignored because of playing at an FCS school, and he also played at a MEAC school. That's all crap. This guy can flat out play. He had a 6 sack game against Bethune-Cookman, one of the better FCS programs over the last few years. Hargrave is a beast that will fit right in the middle of the Steeler D line, and could be a fixture.
3(90) Seahawks Take CJ Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
This is another high value selection, as Prosise ranked 58th overall. He is a former WR who switched to RB and averaged 6.6 yards per carry. He showed equal parts power and finesse at Notre Dame and could show some flash with a little more time to develop as a RB. The skills are apparent, he just needs seasoning.
3(93) Browns Take Cody Kessler, QB, USC
I am likely alone in that I really love this pick. Kessler was under a ton of pressure at USC, as the school was under crushing sanctions during his time. He played like a pro, kept his head above water, and in my opinion was the best QB in the PAC 12 in 2014, and I am not a USC fan saying this. Kessler is loaded with talent, has a solid arm, and is a true leader, something the Browns have not had in as long as I can remember. He may shock some people.
3(94) Seahawks Take Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
Vannett is a solid blocking TE, who has enough athleticism to also be a solid red zone target in the passing game. He adds value on special teams, and keeps his head down and grinds. Vannett is the second solid pick in round 3 for Seattle, as the Hawks made huge strides here.
3(95) Lions Take Graham Glasgow, C/OG, Michigan
Glasgow was a Center at Michigan, but looks to kick out to OG with the Lions, and he has a very solid shot at winning a starting job right away. He is scrappy and has the mean streak that you would want in an interior lineman, so he fits the bill all around. He did have an off-filed issue at Michigan regarding some alcohol shenanigans, but hey, that's college. It also was not a severe issue.
The Bad
3(64) Titans Take Kevin Byard, SS, Middle Tennessee
The Titans took a "local" prospect here who plays in the secondary but is knocked for his average, at best, cover skills. The other issue is that if the Titans had wanted him, they could have traded down, as he ranked 25 spots lower than where he was taken.
3(68) 49ers Take Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
When the Niners need as much help as they do almost everywhere, this pick made little sense. He is coming off a major ACL injury, may not be ready to play, and if he is, he is average across the board at best. There were better options available here, and it feels as if the Niners just whiffed here.
3(72) Bears Take Jonathon Bullard, DT, Florida
Bullard was ranked 21st overall in class, but that, in my opinion, was too high by a mile or so. He is a DT who is too light and lanky for the pro game, but he doesn't hold up or grade out well at DE, so he has to stay in the middle, where he can get doubled and taken out of plays routinely. Again, the Bears likely had better options available, but got sold on faulty scouting reports that over hyped this guy.
3(75) Raiders Take Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Nobody is knocking the fact that Calhoun can play. His issue is that he is a lazy player, who never put the effort in at MSU to get it all together. His motor is severely lacking, and he resembles a guy who wants to get paid, but doesn't want to put the effort or work in. As much as I like his potential, I could not have drafted him.
3(79) Eagles Take Isaac Seumalo, OG, Oregon State
Seumalo was taken within range of where he was rated, but he may very well have been overrated in the first place, and the mess that is becoming the Eagles front office bought in. Seumalo was a reckless player at Oregon State, and is not nearly ready to be a starter in this league. If the head isn't right, you take a hike.
3(85) Texans Take Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
Miller, at this point, just seems like a silly science experiment. He had multiple shoulder injuries that derailed him as a QB, and rather than leave Ohio State to prove himself as a QB somewhere else after he had lost his job to JT Barrett/Cardale Jones, he stayed and gave up on the position. After that, he became more of an oddity rather than a serious talent. I have grown to question the validity of the Houston personnel department over the years, and this did not help. He's athletic all right, but I can find guys like him anywhere.
3(88) Packers Take Kyle Fackrell, LB, Utah State
The Packers did not have a stellar go of the 2016 draft, and this is another example as to why. Fackrell was overrated in class at 41 to begin with. He turns 25 as a rookie, and his fundamentals are not there. Here's a clue for personnel people...if a guy is 25 and is lacking fundamentals, he's not going to crack it.
3(91) Patriots Take Jacoby Brissett, QB, NC State
I know my arguments are weak, as the Patriots continue to succeed, but there is not, nor has there ever been, a team that drafts so poorly as New England, yet wins so regularly. Brissett provides nothing for the Pats right now, nor does he provide anything in the near future. Jimmy Garoppolo is the future at QB for the time being, and may be playing in September with the suspension to Brady. Brissett isn't going to provide a lick of good now, or later to the Patriots. This was just a wasted go.
The Truly Ugly
3(73) Dolphins Take Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
Drake was rated as the 150th best player in this draft class. One has to ask at this point as to what in the hell is wrong with the Miami front office, and how much blow is being snorted there to continue to make these bad decisions? This draft was an abject disaster for Miami, as they continuously picked bad character players along with under productive and injury plagued players like this pick. Drake is a physical mess, never grabbed a starting job at Alabama, and just does not look like a pro on any level. Typical Dolphins.
3(74) Chiefs Take Kei'Varae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
One scouting report praised Russell for playing last season on a fractured leg. I find that to be just stupid. Who does that? Why risk your injury getting worse? That also delays the healing process significantly and leaves you vulnerable to future injuries. The same scout stated that Russell was a potential starter but lacked fundamental skills in coverage. What? This scout went on to report that no team did more work on this guy than the Chiefs. That's likely because nobody else wanted to take the chance. CBs in the 3rd round are a dime a dozen. This was the best they could do?
3(76) Browns Take Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
Seriously, all the props in the world for Coleman, who beat Leukemia. That is inspiring and he is a fighter for that alone. My problem was that the Browns severely overreached for him, and he will be a 25 year old rookie. Another issue is that he largely plays out of control, Hulk style, and has little in the way of actual technique. He is, in short, a fundamental nightmare. The Browns were either all hit or all miss in this draft up to this point, and there was no gray area.
3(77) Panthers Take Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
Worley was a low character guy at West Virginia, and had multiple off-filed problems. As a CB, he was easily burned. He is better at run support than pass coverage, which means he is not good. If you are a Corner who can not cover in the NFL, you should not be in the NFL. It's really that simple. Add the character issues, and you have a true molitov level bomb waiting to go off.
3(80) Bills Take Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
Washington was under productive, has a bad motor, is poorly conditioned, and plays lighter than his weight would indicate. All of those things equal why the Bills are terrible and have been for 20 years. It's picks like this that make them so. By the way, those were some of the better qualities that Washington had according to some.
3(82) Colts Take Le'Revan Clark, DT, Texas Tech
I've read several confusing reports on this guy. The tape is even more befuddling. He has the size, the apparent athleticism, and the raw skill to be a good player, but he is all over the place. His technique is just terrible, and he really had no business being drafted this high, if at all. The issue, as far as I can see, is the football IQ is really very low here. He won't make it.
3(86) Dolphins Take Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
The Dolphins were at it again. Carroo is off-field poison. He went way out of his way to prove that he just did not care about his career. He was arrested for domestic assault (charges dropped...yeah, right), and then was suspended for missing curfew. He was also involved in an incident at the stadium between his mother and girlfriend. On top of all that (as if you needed more), Carroo has limited skills, suspect speed, and bad technique. All of that combined means this guy shouldn't be playing in a beer league. Again, typical Dolphins.
3(87) Bengals Take Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State
Vigil did not even earn a grade from the scouting services, making him into what should have been an undrafted free agent. Vigil was one of the college players that have super productivity, but they just do not transcend to the pro game. It's easy to buy into raw stats, but Vigil looks like a special teams guy at best, and those guys are too many to number around the game, and certainly do not warrant a 3rd round pick.
3(92) Cardinals Take Brandon Williams, CB, Texas A&M
The Cardinals have become too good in recent years to blow picks like this. Williams has only played CB for one season on the college level, and it wasn't exactly a blow the doors off the barn kind of year. Williams was a former RB, who was once committed to Oklahoma (there's that lack of commitment thing again) only to end up playing defense at A&M. One year of experience does not make an NFL star. This was a huge gamble and reach here.
3(96) Patriots Take Vincent Valentine, DT, Nebraska
Valentine is an injury plagued, low motor guy. I talk about how the Patriots draft poorly, and this is a fine example. He was not committed to the Husker program on any level, played under his skill level, and simply is more in love with the idea of playing in the NFL than he is interested in actually doing the work. Terrible reach here.
3(97) Seahawks Take Rees Odhiambo, OG, Boise State
I am not a buyer into the concept of Pete Carroll's being one of the smartest guys in the room. This is a risk pick, pure and simple, and the Hawks engaged in risky behavior throughout this draft. This guy was injured more than he wasn't at Boise State. The best comparison in this draft was Germain Ifedi, and he was a massive mistake pick as well. Odhiambo can play wherever they want him to on the line, but he can't stay on the field, and that isn't likely to change in the NFL.
NEXT: Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft: 4th Round
The Good
3(65) Browns Take Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
Some scouts really didn't care for this pick despite the fact that Nassib checks every box across the board. He is a high motor, super productive DE who gets in the backfield with regularity. He can push and collapse the pocket, has solid technique, and has high character. Is he the most athletic guy in the world? Maybe not, but he sure is good. He was graded at just 147th overall, which is far too low in my book.
3(66) Chargers Take Max Tuerk, C, USC
Tuerk had a pretty severe knee injury last season (ACL tear), but had that not happened, he likely would have gone in round one late. Tuerk, if healthy, could be the best Center in this draft. He will need to bulk up some, and may take a year on the bench to work up to where he needs to be, but he could be a steal down the road.
3(67) Cowboys Take Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
The Cowboys needed interior line help, and they got it in the form of Collins. The only knock on him is that he is light on experience. Collins could be a force in the middle for the Cowboys once he is coached up a bit. I see very little downside here.
3(69) Jaguars Take Yannik Ngakoue, DE, Maryland
1st round pick Jack Conklin (who I really like) stated that Ngakoue was one of the two toughest assignments he had while at Michigan State. That is high praise from a solid source. He will likely play standing up at OLB, as he is too small for an NFL end. It matters not, as Ngakoue has speed, skills, and the smarts to succeed here.
3(70) Ravens Take Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
The Ravens got a steal here with Kaufusi. He has a huge motor, and is a force when it comes to making plays behind the line. He is quick of the point of contact, and doesn't need external drive to keep motivated. High character, and very productive. He will play immediately and give solid depth to the Ravens defensive front.
3(71) Giants Take Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State
Thompson had a terrible postseason, but was extremely ill at the combine. He graded out poorly on some boards, but that's because most were not familiar with him. Thompson had a much better pro day, and the Giants took a shot. That could pay off huge, as he does have a shot to compete for a starting job this season.
3(78) Patriots Take Joe Thuney, OG, NC State
Calling Thuney a Guard simply understates what he does. Thuney can handle any position on the line, and that is the kind of player that Belichick likes for his line. Thuney grades out by some as a OT, but look for him to settle inside for New England. I expect to see him get plenty of reps this season.
3(81) Falcons Take Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
This was a high value pick for Atlanta, as Hooper graded out as the 61st best player in this class. He is a strong pass catching TE, and should become a reliable option for Matt Ryan in the passing game almost immediately. He has flaws, and is not the best blocking TE I've ever seen, but his playmaking ability overshadows that.
3(83) Jets Take Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
Some people actually liked Jenkins more than former teammate and 1st rounder Leonard Floyd. Jenkins will be a 3 down player for the Jets, and will be counted on to push and collapse the edge as a bull pass rusher, something he should excel at in New York. The Jets got a good one here.
3(84) Redskins Take Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
I don't want to be a hypocrite here, but I like this pick in this spot much more than Myles Jack in round 2. Fuller had a knee injury and a microfracture issue as did Jack. Fuller was a first round talent, as was Jack. I like that the Skins waited on Fuller, whereas the Jags jumped on Jack a tad early considering the injury issues. Fuller was one of the best CBs in the nation at Virginia Tech, and who knows what the injury will bring, but if he can recover, this is a great pick. If he falls apart, it could be bad. I like the pick here, but it is not without risk, there's just less of it here than Jack in round 2.
3(89) Steelers Take Javon Hargrave, DE, South Carolina State
Hargrave has huge value here, as he ranked 30th overall. The Steelers had to have been giddy that he was available here. The Steelers also finally had a chance to make a selection that did not befuddle the masses this year. Hargrave was likely ignored because of playing at an FCS school, and he also played at a MEAC school. That's all crap. This guy can flat out play. He had a 6 sack game against Bethune-Cookman, one of the better FCS programs over the last few years. Hargrave is a beast that will fit right in the middle of the Steeler D line, and could be a fixture.
3(90) Seahawks Take CJ Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
This is another high value selection, as Prosise ranked 58th overall. He is a former WR who switched to RB and averaged 6.6 yards per carry. He showed equal parts power and finesse at Notre Dame and could show some flash with a little more time to develop as a RB. The skills are apparent, he just needs seasoning.
3(93) Browns Take Cody Kessler, QB, USC
I am likely alone in that I really love this pick. Kessler was under a ton of pressure at USC, as the school was under crushing sanctions during his time. He played like a pro, kept his head above water, and in my opinion was the best QB in the PAC 12 in 2014, and I am not a USC fan saying this. Kessler is loaded with talent, has a solid arm, and is a true leader, something the Browns have not had in as long as I can remember. He may shock some people.
3(94) Seahawks Take Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
Vannett is a solid blocking TE, who has enough athleticism to also be a solid red zone target in the passing game. He adds value on special teams, and keeps his head down and grinds. Vannett is the second solid pick in round 3 for Seattle, as the Hawks made huge strides here.
3(95) Lions Take Graham Glasgow, C/OG, Michigan
Glasgow was a Center at Michigan, but looks to kick out to OG with the Lions, and he has a very solid shot at winning a starting job right away. He is scrappy and has the mean streak that you would want in an interior lineman, so he fits the bill all around. He did have an off-filed issue at Michigan regarding some alcohol shenanigans, but hey, that's college. It also was not a severe issue.
The Bad
3(64) Titans Take Kevin Byard, SS, Middle Tennessee
The Titans took a "local" prospect here who plays in the secondary but is knocked for his average, at best, cover skills. The other issue is that if the Titans had wanted him, they could have traded down, as he ranked 25 spots lower than where he was taken.
3(68) 49ers Take Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
When the Niners need as much help as they do almost everywhere, this pick made little sense. He is coming off a major ACL injury, may not be ready to play, and if he is, he is average across the board at best. There were better options available here, and it feels as if the Niners just whiffed here.
3(72) Bears Take Jonathon Bullard, DT, Florida
Bullard was ranked 21st overall in class, but that, in my opinion, was too high by a mile or so. He is a DT who is too light and lanky for the pro game, but he doesn't hold up or grade out well at DE, so he has to stay in the middle, where he can get doubled and taken out of plays routinely. Again, the Bears likely had better options available, but got sold on faulty scouting reports that over hyped this guy.
3(75) Raiders Take Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Nobody is knocking the fact that Calhoun can play. His issue is that he is a lazy player, who never put the effort in at MSU to get it all together. His motor is severely lacking, and he resembles a guy who wants to get paid, but doesn't want to put the effort or work in. As much as I like his potential, I could not have drafted him.
3(79) Eagles Take Isaac Seumalo, OG, Oregon State
Seumalo was taken within range of where he was rated, but he may very well have been overrated in the first place, and the mess that is becoming the Eagles front office bought in. Seumalo was a reckless player at Oregon State, and is not nearly ready to be a starter in this league. If the head isn't right, you take a hike.
3(85) Texans Take Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
Miller, at this point, just seems like a silly science experiment. He had multiple shoulder injuries that derailed him as a QB, and rather than leave Ohio State to prove himself as a QB somewhere else after he had lost his job to JT Barrett/Cardale Jones, he stayed and gave up on the position. After that, he became more of an oddity rather than a serious talent. I have grown to question the validity of the Houston personnel department over the years, and this did not help. He's athletic all right, but I can find guys like him anywhere.
3(88) Packers Take Kyle Fackrell, LB, Utah State
The Packers did not have a stellar go of the 2016 draft, and this is another example as to why. Fackrell was overrated in class at 41 to begin with. He turns 25 as a rookie, and his fundamentals are not there. Here's a clue for personnel people...if a guy is 25 and is lacking fundamentals, he's not going to crack it.
3(91) Patriots Take Jacoby Brissett, QB, NC State
I know my arguments are weak, as the Patriots continue to succeed, but there is not, nor has there ever been, a team that drafts so poorly as New England, yet wins so regularly. Brissett provides nothing for the Pats right now, nor does he provide anything in the near future. Jimmy Garoppolo is the future at QB for the time being, and may be playing in September with the suspension to Brady. Brissett isn't going to provide a lick of good now, or later to the Patriots. This was just a wasted go.
The Truly Ugly
3(73) Dolphins Take Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
Drake was rated as the 150th best player in this draft class. One has to ask at this point as to what in the hell is wrong with the Miami front office, and how much blow is being snorted there to continue to make these bad decisions? This draft was an abject disaster for Miami, as they continuously picked bad character players along with under productive and injury plagued players like this pick. Drake is a physical mess, never grabbed a starting job at Alabama, and just does not look like a pro on any level. Typical Dolphins.
3(74) Chiefs Take Kei'Varae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
One scouting report praised Russell for playing last season on a fractured leg. I find that to be just stupid. Who does that? Why risk your injury getting worse? That also delays the healing process significantly and leaves you vulnerable to future injuries. The same scout stated that Russell was a potential starter but lacked fundamental skills in coverage. What? This scout went on to report that no team did more work on this guy than the Chiefs. That's likely because nobody else wanted to take the chance. CBs in the 3rd round are a dime a dozen. This was the best they could do?
3(76) Browns Take Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
Seriously, all the props in the world for Coleman, who beat Leukemia. That is inspiring and he is a fighter for that alone. My problem was that the Browns severely overreached for him, and he will be a 25 year old rookie. Another issue is that he largely plays out of control, Hulk style, and has little in the way of actual technique. He is, in short, a fundamental nightmare. The Browns were either all hit or all miss in this draft up to this point, and there was no gray area.
3(77) Panthers Take Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
Worley was a low character guy at West Virginia, and had multiple off-filed problems. As a CB, he was easily burned. He is better at run support than pass coverage, which means he is not good. If you are a Corner who can not cover in the NFL, you should not be in the NFL. It's really that simple. Add the character issues, and you have a true molitov level bomb waiting to go off.
3(80) Bills Take Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
Washington was under productive, has a bad motor, is poorly conditioned, and plays lighter than his weight would indicate. All of those things equal why the Bills are terrible and have been for 20 years. It's picks like this that make them so. By the way, those were some of the better qualities that Washington had according to some.
3(82) Colts Take Le'Revan Clark, DT, Texas Tech
I've read several confusing reports on this guy. The tape is even more befuddling. He has the size, the apparent athleticism, and the raw skill to be a good player, but he is all over the place. His technique is just terrible, and he really had no business being drafted this high, if at all. The issue, as far as I can see, is the football IQ is really very low here. He won't make it.
3(86) Dolphins Take Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
The Dolphins were at it again. Carroo is off-field poison. He went way out of his way to prove that he just did not care about his career. He was arrested for domestic assault (charges dropped...yeah, right), and then was suspended for missing curfew. He was also involved in an incident at the stadium between his mother and girlfriend. On top of all that (as if you needed more), Carroo has limited skills, suspect speed, and bad technique. All of that combined means this guy shouldn't be playing in a beer league. Again, typical Dolphins.
3(87) Bengals Take Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State
Vigil did not even earn a grade from the scouting services, making him into what should have been an undrafted free agent. Vigil was one of the college players that have super productivity, but they just do not transcend to the pro game. It's easy to buy into raw stats, but Vigil looks like a special teams guy at best, and those guys are too many to number around the game, and certainly do not warrant a 3rd round pick.
3(92) Cardinals Take Brandon Williams, CB, Texas A&M
The Cardinals have become too good in recent years to blow picks like this. Williams has only played CB for one season on the college level, and it wasn't exactly a blow the doors off the barn kind of year. Williams was a former RB, who was once committed to Oklahoma (there's that lack of commitment thing again) only to end up playing defense at A&M. One year of experience does not make an NFL star. This was a huge gamble and reach here.
3(96) Patriots Take Vincent Valentine, DT, Nebraska
Valentine is an injury plagued, low motor guy. I talk about how the Patriots draft poorly, and this is a fine example. He was not committed to the Husker program on any level, played under his skill level, and simply is more in love with the idea of playing in the NFL than he is interested in actually doing the work. Terrible reach here.
3(97) Seahawks Take Rees Odhiambo, OG, Boise State
I am not a buyer into the concept of Pete Carroll's being one of the smartest guys in the room. This is a risk pick, pure and simple, and the Hawks engaged in risky behavior throughout this draft. This guy was injured more than he wasn't at Boise State. The best comparison in this draft was Germain Ifedi, and he was a massive mistake pick as well. Odhiambo can play wherever they want him to on the line, but he can't stay on the field, and that isn't likely to change in the NFL.
NEXT: Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft: 4th Round
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Monday, May 2, 2016
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft: Round 2
The first round was full of mixed levels of befuddlement and smarts, but was heavier on the oddities than things that actually made any sense whatsoever. Round 2 continued with the circus like atmosphere that was the 2016 NFL Draft...
The Good
TE Hunter Henry to the Chargers (Pick 35): Henry was a top flight TE at Arkansas and gives the Chargers a weapon they lost when Ladarrius Green bailed in free agency. Henry will be an eventual replacement to Antonio Gates.
DT Chris Jones to Chiefs: Jones, out of Mississippi State, is still raw, but he should develop nicely.He has the potential to be a top tier run stopper for the Chiefs, something they need right now.
DE Noah Spence to Tampa Bay: Spence was kicked out of not only Ohio State, but the Big 10 as he failed enough drug tests to make Miles Davis blush (jazz reference, kids). He went completely out of his way to show those days were behind him at Eastern Kentucky, but he must walk the straight and narrow, which has been tough on some. High reward pick if he stays clean.
WR Sterling Shepherd to Giants: Shepherd is a receiver who can immediately compliment Odell Beckham in the passing game, and he remedies a mistake made in the first round. He has added value has he was the 25th ranked prospect, and fell to them at 40.
Reggie Ragland to Buffalo: The Bills showed some restraint here by waiting for Ragland to fall to them, and he did so. He is a solid run stopper, and joins Shaq Lawson in what should be a fun, young defensive front. Just don't ask him to cover the pass.
A'Shawn Robinson to Detroit: Detroit has needed some inside enforcement since Suh left for Miami. Robinson brings that by the truck load, and fits very nicely from a point of value. Robinson should start from day one.
Michael Thomas to Saints: Thomas was ranked as the 14th best prospect in the draft, yet fell to 43rd. I don't agree that he was 14th in this class. He was a WR that did not go for 1000 yards at Ohio State last season, and only caught 4.3 passes per game. That being said, he does have talent, and if he matures in his basics, he could be a nice grab here.
Jarran Reed to Seattle: This was the pick that Pete Carroll should have made in round one. Reed was a nice value here, as he graded out as a first rounder. He started out his collge career as a space cadet, transferring all over the place, before he settled in and settled down with Nick Saban. Reed should be a run stopper and contributor in the middle right away.
Falcons get Deion Jones...Jones is a light weight LB, but he graded out much higher than where he landed with the Falcons. He can cover backs and WRs in the passing game, and that could give him an edge on playing time early.
Su'a Cravens to Washington: The Skins continued to play it smart and got a high motorr guy in Cravens, who will move from LB to Safety. He has the ability and the football smarts to make the move, and will be solid against the run. His pass cover skills will take time, but he is a good project to have.
Tyler Boyd to Bengals: Boyd is a gamer and a team leader. He even played some at RB when he was needed there last season. Boyd is a football player. He is not a burner, nor is he a splashy guy, but he can play the game, is selfless, and is exactly what the Bengals need.
Cody Whitehair to Bears: He fell several slots and landed right where he will be appreciated the most, in Chicago. The Kansas State prospect has no real home at any one position on the line, but he will bring his lunch pail and be a teamer and will line up where the Bears need him to go. He is a perfect fit for Chicago.
Sean Davis to Pittsburgh: This was a bit of a makeup pick from the 1st round, but Davis should be better than Artie Burns. He may end up at Safety rather than CB, but he will provide depth and impact right away.
Vonn Bell to Saints: Bell is not ready to be the guy at Safety yet, but he does not have to be. This was a long term investment and the Saints got excellent value with Bell at pick 61. Look for him to add depth, develop, and start in 2017.
The Bad
The Browns need help everywhere, obviously, but they really reached at 32 when they grabbed Emannual Ogbah, a DT out of Oklahoma State, who ranked 109th in class. He is a natural pass rusher, but they could have had him much later.
I have concerns about Kevin Dodd going to Tennessee at 33. He was great when he had Shaq Lawson at the other DE position opposite him, but he doesn't have that threat here.
I am never a fan of drafting an injured player who will miss an entire season, but the Cowboys and Jaguars are. Jaylon Smith went to the Cowboys, and will not see a down of action after needing reconstructive surgery on a knee. Myles Jack will likely need microfracture surgery, and may never again be what he was at UCLA as a freshman. The Jags will also get Jack's meddlesome mother as a bonus. Good luck with that. If you want to know more about microfracture issues, see Greg Oden. Yeah, that guy,
The Dolphins were clueless again in round 2, taking CB Xavien Howard of Baylor. Howard was the 94th best prospect, meaning they likely could have had him in the 3rd round.
Kamalei Correa was the 80th best prospect, but went at 42 because 245 pound DEs are all the rage these days.
Tennessee failed twice in the span of 3 picks in the draft, first by drafting Austin Johnson out of Penn State at pick 43 (he was ranked 71st) and then by drafting Derrick Henry, a huge bust risk, after already having signed DeMarco Murray. They obviously don't care if Murray is pissed, which really worked well in Philly.
Jihad Ward was already obnoxiously overrated, but the Raiders bought in, because they are the Raiders. He had all of 3.5 TLFs as a DE at Illinois last season. Get ready for these Raiders, Vegas. (Seriously, don't...they're not really coming to Vegas.)
Nick Martin was ranked 78th overall, but the Texans went for him almost a full round early at 50. They were told other teams were sniffing on him. It's called getting punked.
Christian Hackenberg is awful. Truly, he was one of the worst QBs at a major school in the nation over the last few seasons. The Jets took him in the 2nd round. That's why the Jets are awful.
TJ Green had an awful game against Alabama in the national title game. Scouts love him or hate him. I am not a fan. The Colts took him almost an entire round early based on his ranking. That's just not smart.
The Downright Ugly
Hackenburg again. Because one put down is not near enough for this Hack.
Roberto Aguayo is a truly great PK. 2nd round great? No kicker is.
The Patriots sat out until the 60th pick, and then draft CB Cyrus Jones out of Alabama. Nick Saban tricked old buddy Bill Belichick into taking one of his guys again. He was only rated 58 places below where the Pats took him.
The Panthers took small school James Bradberry of Samford with their pick, which was a guy who ranked 45 spots below where they took him. The Panthers may have take this developmental thing a bit far here.
The Broncos took DT Adam Gotsis out of Georgia Tech. He is limited on experience and grew up playing Australian rules football. He has a motor, but that may not nearly be enough, considering he wasn't even graded out by the services.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Analyzing the 2016 NFL Draft: Round 1
The reality of the 2016 NFL Draft is that this was not going to go down as one of the all-time classically great drafts. That was a basic fact before the first pick was announced and Zeke Elliott made that unfortunate decision to wear a dressy belly shirt on the "red carpet" as he walked into the facility to be chosen 4th (more on that to come). The only thing that could save this draft was selective choosing by NFL personnel people, who often don't make the best decisions on most days (this means you, Dolphins). While some teams did take the selective picking process seriously, several did not, making a bad situation so much worse (Bills). Here is my breakdown on a first round that went from making sense, to making none at all at times...
1. Rams take Jared Goff
We all knew that this was either going to be Goff or Carson Wentz from the start. The only question would be which quarterback went number one, and which went two. The take on Goff from people in LA was largely "who's he?". My LA sources are telling me that nobody is expecting the world to change overnight for the Rams with this pick. Goff is largely a system guy who has not played under center during his career at Cal. He comes from a pass happy offense (understatement) where he tossed the football 40.7 times per game. I believe that he will eventually start, but I see Case Keenum starting for at least eight weeks before that happens. If the Rams play are playing him earlier, and if he passes 40.7 times per game, or even close to that number, the Rams will be in huge trouble in 2016.
2. Carson Wentz to Eagles
The headline in the Philly papers on Friday read "Kid, you'd better be good." Great way to build confidence in your new "franchise" QB. Remember, before reading too deeply into this, Philadelphia sports fans booed Santa Claus. They're a little unhinged. They booed the Donovan McNabb pick. They even, on occasion, booed Mike Schmidt. Bottom line is this...Wentz is not likely to be a franchise QB for anyone. He's good, but not great. He played in an offense that really has no translation in the pro game. He also has an injury history, and you already have a guy like that in Sam Bradford, for now anyway. Again, if Wentz is playing meaningful football in 2016, that is bad for the Eagles.
3. Chargers skip Jalen Ramsey to take Joey Bosa
This pick was a head scratcher for me. I understand that the Chargers were terrible in pressuring QBs in 2015, but Bosa seems to be a bad fit here. He will be asked to play OLB in a 3-4, when he has spent his entire career playing DE. Does he have the athleticism to make the transition? I am certain he does, but the Chargers spent so much time smoke screening everyone on this pick, it almost feels as if the outsmarted themselves here. Bosa has also had some off filed drama, and his head isn't always where it should be. There are some red flags, and it's a boom or bust pick.
4. Cowboys take Zeke Elliott and his very odd choice of apparel
So check out this picture...http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2016/04/29/ezekiel-elliott-2016-nfl-draft-crop-top-suit/...and tell me if this guy is serious about what it is that he is going to be doing. I'll be called out as old school for this, but what in the hell is that? It is the most distasteful and disrespectful, self indulgent behavior for a guy who is going to be expected to be a franchise player on a very bad football team. This is not a leader. This is an attention whore. Elliott has all the talent in the world at RB (a position that has been highly devalued in the NFL), but his head is scrambled. This isn't the only question I have about him either. In a loss to Michigan State last fall, where he carried just 12 times for 33 yards, he put the coaching staff on full blast and acted as if they had no idea what they were doing handling him that way. He apologized later, but this kid could come off his rocker if things don't go his way.
5. Ramsey finally falls off the board to Jags
Jalen Ramsey fell right into the laps of the Jaguars after two teams that really needed his help passed up on him. Ramsey will start at CB, switch out to Nickle when needed, and is an impact kick return man. These are all things that the Jaguars needed, and the best player for the franchise fell from the sky. It could not have worked out any better for Jacksonville, and this terrible franchise looked competent. That would not last.
6. Ravens take Stanley from Notre Dame
Stanley is a super smart player who can start at RT right away and bide his time until he moves to the left side, which should not be a long wait. Stanley is a good character pick who could be a franchise lineman for years in Baltimore. The Ravens normally are a rare team that drafts wisely, so this was no surprise here. Very strong pick.
7. Chip Kelly sticks to roots, drafts Buckner
So, Chip Kelly went the Oregon route and took DeForest Buckner, a player that I believe to be the best end in this draft, even over Bosa in my opinion. Buckner will be a force from day one, and will be a tough assignment all season long. He is a natural pass rusher and will create havoc, as long as the 49ers can ensure that there are pieces to work with around him to keep him from becoming isolated. This was a smart pick by Kelly, and this is exactly who they wanted from the start.
8. Titans trade up for Conklin
They took a ton of criticism for making this pick after trading back up to the 8 spot, but I think it was pure genius. Leremy Tunsil was projected as the best tackle available, but his off field antics cost him anywhere between a projected $10-12 million. Conklin is a beast at tackle, and was a perfect selection to protect Marcus Mariota and block for newly acquired DeMarco Murray. If only the Titans personnel folks continued making sense...
9. Bears go out on a limb for Floyd
The Bears need help almost everywhere. They are just not good. We all know this. The pick of George OLB Leonard Floyd is the kind of pick that makes you want to burn down your team's practice facility. They obviously don't get it in Chicago. Floyd is a passing down LB that really doesn't cover. He is overly tall, and is overly lanky for his height. I don't know where he fits in for the Bears, making this one of those dumb personnel department mistakes. Does he have upside? Sure. There's just more down than up, and this was not the place to do this.
10. The Big Apple gets a not so ripe Apple
The Giants taking Eli Apple here makes about as much sense as the Kardashian popularity when you cannot find anyone who seems to watch their show. Apple was the 79th rated player in the Rotoworld rankings, yet went 10th. He gambles on balls too often, gets burned more than he should, and is all around not ready to be a stand in starting CB in this league, especially when the Giants could have used some retooling on offense to help out an aging Eli Manning. This is senseless. I guess Tom Coughlan really has left the building.
11. Bucs fill serious need with Hargreaves III
The Bucs were a team devoid of any real talent at CB last season. Hargreaves changes all that. He was ranked the 11th best player in the draft coming in, and that is where he fell, to a team that needs him desperately. Hargreaves is even from Tampa, so there is that. This pick made sense from every angle, and he will be an impact starter from the start. This was a smart pick.
12. Saints add impact on defense in Rankins
Sheldon Rankins was one of the best defensive linemen in college football last season. This was a stupendous pick for the Saints, who have had defensive deficiencies for some time now. Rankins is a guy who stops the run, and crushes QBs on passing downs. One more bonus is that his character level is through the roof. This is a leader and a stalwart, someone who the Saints can lean on for years.
13. Dolphins begin string of bad decisions with Tunsil
I really wonder if the owner of the Cleveland Indians from the Major League film owns the Dolphins and is trying to move the franchise to Cleveland rather than the other way around as in the film. Tunsil gets busted in a Twitter video smoking pot while wearing a gas mask, and the day of the draft rats out the Ole Miss coaching staff for having paid him. He did slide and lose some cash, but of course the immortally incompetent Dolphins are the team that moves on him. Of course they did, because that's so Miami.
14. Raiders pull a Raider move, get damaged goods
Myles Jack was too much a risk here, but Karl Joseph, a safety out of West Virginia, was fine? Joseph blew his knee three games into last season, and is not healed as of yet, but the Raiders made a move on a guy ranked as the 57th best prospect in the draft with a wrecked knee in the middle of the first round? Is Al Davis not really dead?
15. Corey Coleman heads to Browns
Not a WR was drafted until this pick, which is bizarre in most drafts, but this was not, as I said before, a classically great draft. The WR position was no exception here, and so Coleman is the first one taken at 15. Coleman is a speedster who runs great in straight lines and can get down field uncontested, but that was also in the Baylor playground offense of Art Briles, which he will not be mimicking with Cleveland. He also has a case of the dropsies, so that's a concern as well. I am not a fan of system guys, and Coleman screams system guy.
16. Lions have no plan B, stay at Tackle with Decker
Again, the league is loaded with dumb personnel guys, and Detroit is not immune. The Lions reached way down the board, and instead of trading down to get Decker (34th ranked prospect) they took him right at 16. Decker is a quality player, but he is being drafted as a Tackle (position of need). The problem is that he projects inside to OG, not tackle. That is a problem.
17. Falcons surprise by picking Safety Keanu Neal
Here was another major befuddling moment by a team still trying to find an identity. Keanu Neal is a terrible pass cover Safety, and is more of a cannon ball type tackler. That's great against the run, but he is going to have to cover as well, and it is not a strong suit. Add to the fact that he was the 63rd ranked prospect, and was selected at 17, and you have a major mess on your hands.
18. Colts get line help for Luck in Center Kelly
Ryan Kelly, a Center out of Alabama, is a perfect fit for the interior of the Colts line. He is smart, will work well with Andrew Luck, and has very high character. The draw back is that he had some knee issues, and that could be a problem. The upside is that he was the 16th best player on the prospect list, and so the Colts got value, and if he stays on the field, this could be a very smart pick.
19. Bills get a gift, Shaq Lawson falls to them
I've heard it said that Shaq Lawson is not a special player. That's a load of crap. Lawson was as good as any defensive lineman in college football, and is a nightmare for offensive line coaches to work around. Lawson is a natural attacker at the point of contact, can stop the run, and is a wrecker of QBs. Lawson was a gift at 19, and the Bills were smart enough here to make the play. This is a huge get for them.
20. Jets diversify on defense with Darron Lee
Nobody saw this pick coming, but Lee is a versatile LB that can play inside or out. He is not the biggest guy on campus, but he has first rate speed, and will likely cover TEs and slots in the 3-4 look. Lee was a solid grab here, and will be an impact guy early. This pick makes a ton of sense.
21. Texans add weapon to offense in Fuller
Will Fuller was my favorite WR in this draft. For one, he's not a systemized fluke. He can really play the game in diverse offenses and sets, and really fits what you want in the NFL. He has decent size and speed, and will fight for the ball. Fuller was a beast at Notre Dame, and is incredibly underrated. Say what you will about the other receivers in this class, but Fuller was the best bet.
22. Redskins add weapon for Cousins, get Doctson
Josh Doctson was one of the more prolific receivers in college football, but played in a bit of a system offense at TCU. Still, he may be able to overcome all of that and be the weapon that Kirk Cousins needs him to be in the Redskins offense. I like him as a bit of a slot guy, but not an outside guy. He really is a boom or bust receiver.
23. Vikings continue run on receivers, get Treadwell
Laquan Treadwell is never going to be mistaken for a speedster. What he is, however, is a physical possession receiver who will give Teddy Bridgewater a weapon that will fight for the football in critical passing downs and in the red zone. Think Ed McCaffery, or a Sydney Rice with talent.
24. Bengals add depth and ability in secondary in Jackson
William Jackson III led the nation in pass breakups last season, and played huge in an important win against Florida State. Jackson will add yet another piece to an improving Bengals secondary. Expect him to play solid minute early, and watch as the Bengals come to rely on his play making ability more and more as the season progresses. Solid pick here.
25. Steelers make rare mistake in 1st round bust pick
Artie Burns, a corner out of Miami, was the 95 ranked prospect in this draft. That's a full 70 spots lower than where the Steelers drafted him. Surely there were better options available. This was a rare bungled pick by a normally smart organization. It's almost as if Al Davis really is still alive, and he picks for the Steelers now, too.
26. Paxton Lynch to Broncos
It almost seems as if John Elway started to have a meltdown when he lost a 6'-7" QB, and just had to have another. Lynch is probably more accomplished coming out of school than Brock Osweiler was, but here's the thing...and I am showing my age here, but they both remind me somewhat of Dan McGwire. Lynch is a big armed, big guy, but does he translate to this level? I have my doubts.
27. Packers do what they do, draft defensive help in round 1
The Packers love taking front seven types early, and they got a gem in UCLA DT Kenny Clark. When injuries started picking UCLA's defense apart in 2015, Clark stepped up and became a leader up front, and is a high energy, high character leader. He should give the Packers immediate impact, and will likely start from day one.
28. 49ers go for O line help
I am not arguing that the Niners needed some help on the line, but they traded up to reach for the 44th best prospect here in Stanford Guard Joshua Garnett. He is a very intelligent player, and is highly motivated and won't be a problem off the field, but the Niners could have made this pick later, and did not have to trade up to do this. Not an awful choice, but not the best either.
29. Robert Nkemdiche to Cardinals, and headaches as well
Nobody will doubt the potential of Nkemdiche. What I will doubt is that there is anything resembling a brain between his ears. This is a guy who cares so little about his career that he got hammered or stoned, or both, and fell four floors from his hotel room in recent months. He is so off and on, so all over the place, that I could never conceive of drafting this guy. Someone had to do it, so he goes to Phoenix. Good luck with that.
30. Panthers show why they are a Super Bowl team, drafts Butler
The Panthers are fairly loaded, and very well could go back to the Super Bowl in 2016/17. Butler is drafted as insurance that either starter bails after this season, and also adds depth to the front. I like this pick, because Butler can bring some impact now, but there is no rush to push him. Carolina is one of the few teams that has that luxury, and so this makes sense.
31. Seahawks make a strange reach in final 1st round pick
Germain Ifedi of Texas A&M was the 112th rated prospect coming into this draft. He largely tanked at OT in college. He has not been a guard before. His football IQ is limited, and his skill set reads as 4th rounder at best. Yet, the Seahawks pick him at 31. Everyone wants to credit Pete Carroll as being the smartest guy in the room, but this is not smart on any level. As a matter of fact, it is down right dumb.
1. Rams take Jared Goff
We all knew that this was either going to be Goff or Carson Wentz from the start. The only question would be which quarterback went number one, and which went two. The take on Goff from people in LA was largely "who's he?". My LA sources are telling me that nobody is expecting the world to change overnight for the Rams with this pick. Goff is largely a system guy who has not played under center during his career at Cal. He comes from a pass happy offense (understatement) where he tossed the football 40.7 times per game. I believe that he will eventually start, but I see Case Keenum starting for at least eight weeks before that happens. If the Rams play are playing him earlier, and if he passes 40.7 times per game, or even close to that number, the Rams will be in huge trouble in 2016.
2. Carson Wentz to Eagles
The headline in the Philly papers on Friday read "Kid, you'd better be good." Great way to build confidence in your new "franchise" QB. Remember, before reading too deeply into this, Philadelphia sports fans booed Santa Claus. They're a little unhinged. They booed the Donovan McNabb pick. They even, on occasion, booed Mike Schmidt. Bottom line is this...Wentz is not likely to be a franchise QB for anyone. He's good, but not great. He played in an offense that really has no translation in the pro game. He also has an injury history, and you already have a guy like that in Sam Bradford, for now anyway. Again, if Wentz is playing meaningful football in 2016, that is bad for the Eagles.
3. Chargers skip Jalen Ramsey to take Joey Bosa
This pick was a head scratcher for me. I understand that the Chargers were terrible in pressuring QBs in 2015, but Bosa seems to be a bad fit here. He will be asked to play OLB in a 3-4, when he has spent his entire career playing DE. Does he have the athleticism to make the transition? I am certain he does, but the Chargers spent so much time smoke screening everyone on this pick, it almost feels as if the outsmarted themselves here. Bosa has also had some off filed drama, and his head isn't always where it should be. There are some red flags, and it's a boom or bust pick.
4. Cowboys take Zeke Elliott and his very odd choice of apparel
So check out this picture...http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2016/04/29/ezekiel-elliott-2016-nfl-draft-crop-top-suit/...and tell me if this guy is serious about what it is that he is going to be doing. I'll be called out as old school for this, but what in the hell is that? It is the most distasteful and disrespectful, self indulgent behavior for a guy who is going to be expected to be a franchise player on a very bad football team. This is not a leader. This is an attention whore. Elliott has all the talent in the world at RB (a position that has been highly devalued in the NFL), but his head is scrambled. This isn't the only question I have about him either. In a loss to Michigan State last fall, where he carried just 12 times for 33 yards, he put the coaching staff on full blast and acted as if they had no idea what they were doing handling him that way. He apologized later, but this kid could come off his rocker if things don't go his way.
5. Ramsey finally falls off the board to Jags
Jalen Ramsey fell right into the laps of the Jaguars after two teams that really needed his help passed up on him. Ramsey will start at CB, switch out to Nickle when needed, and is an impact kick return man. These are all things that the Jaguars needed, and the best player for the franchise fell from the sky. It could not have worked out any better for Jacksonville, and this terrible franchise looked competent. That would not last.
6. Ravens take Stanley from Notre Dame
Stanley is a super smart player who can start at RT right away and bide his time until he moves to the left side, which should not be a long wait. Stanley is a good character pick who could be a franchise lineman for years in Baltimore. The Ravens normally are a rare team that drafts wisely, so this was no surprise here. Very strong pick.
7. Chip Kelly sticks to roots, drafts Buckner
So, Chip Kelly went the Oregon route and took DeForest Buckner, a player that I believe to be the best end in this draft, even over Bosa in my opinion. Buckner will be a force from day one, and will be a tough assignment all season long. He is a natural pass rusher and will create havoc, as long as the 49ers can ensure that there are pieces to work with around him to keep him from becoming isolated. This was a smart pick by Kelly, and this is exactly who they wanted from the start.
8. Titans trade up for Conklin
They took a ton of criticism for making this pick after trading back up to the 8 spot, but I think it was pure genius. Leremy Tunsil was projected as the best tackle available, but his off field antics cost him anywhere between a projected $10-12 million. Conklin is a beast at tackle, and was a perfect selection to protect Marcus Mariota and block for newly acquired DeMarco Murray. If only the Titans personnel folks continued making sense...
9. Bears go out on a limb for Floyd
The Bears need help almost everywhere. They are just not good. We all know this. The pick of George OLB Leonard Floyd is the kind of pick that makes you want to burn down your team's practice facility. They obviously don't get it in Chicago. Floyd is a passing down LB that really doesn't cover. He is overly tall, and is overly lanky for his height. I don't know where he fits in for the Bears, making this one of those dumb personnel department mistakes. Does he have upside? Sure. There's just more down than up, and this was not the place to do this.
10. The Big Apple gets a not so ripe Apple
The Giants taking Eli Apple here makes about as much sense as the Kardashian popularity when you cannot find anyone who seems to watch their show. Apple was the 79th rated player in the Rotoworld rankings, yet went 10th. He gambles on balls too often, gets burned more than he should, and is all around not ready to be a stand in starting CB in this league, especially when the Giants could have used some retooling on offense to help out an aging Eli Manning. This is senseless. I guess Tom Coughlan really has left the building.
11. Bucs fill serious need with Hargreaves III
The Bucs were a team devoid of any real talent at CB last season. Hargreaves changes all that. He was ranked the 11th best player in the draft coming in, and that is where he fell, to a team that needs him desperately. Hargreaves is even from Tampa, so there is that. This pick made sense from every angle, and he will be an impact starter from the start. This was a smart pick.
12. Saints add impact on defense in Rankins
Sheldon Rankins was one of the best defensive linemen in college football last season. This was a stupendous pick for the Saints, who have had defensive deficiencies for some time now. Rankins is a guy who stops the run, and crushes QBs on passing downs. One more bonus is that his character level is through the roof. This is a leader and a stalwart, someone who the Saints can lean on for years.
13. Dolphins begin string of bad decisions with Tunsil
I really wonder if the owner of the Cleveland Indians from the Major League film owns the Dolphins and is trying to move the franchise to Cleveland rather than the other way around as in the film. Tunsil gets busted in a Twitter video smoking pot while wearing a gas mask, and the day of the draft rats out the Ole Miss coaching staff for having paid him. He did slide and lose some cash, but of course the immortally incompetent Dolphins are the team that moves on him. Of course they did, because that's so Miami.
14. Raiders pull a Raider move, get damaged goods
Myles Jack was too much a risk here, but Karl Joseph, a safety out of West Virginia, was fine? Joseph blew his knee three games into last season, and is not healed as of yet, but the Raiders made a move on a guy ranked as the 57th best prospect in the draft with a wrecked knee in the middle of the first round? Is Al Davis not really dead?
15. Corey Coleman heads to Browns
Not a WR was drafted until this pick, which is bizarre in most drafts, but this was not, as I said before, a classically great draft. The WR position was no exception here, and so Coleman is the first one taken at 15. Coleman is a speedster who runs great in straight lines and can get down field uncontested, but that was also in the Baylor playground offense of Art Briles, which he will not be mimicking with Cleveland. He also has a case of the dropsies, so that's a concern as well. I am not a fan of system guys, and Coleman screams system guy.
16. Lions have no plan B, stay at Tackle with Decker
Again, the league is loaded with dumb personnel guys, and Detroit is not immune. The Lions reached way down the board, and instead of trading down to get Decker (34th ranked prospect) they took him right at 16. Decker is a quality player, but he is being drafted as a Tackle (position of need). The problem is that he projects inside to OG, not tackle. That is a problem.
17. Falcons surprise by picking Safety Keanu Neal
Here was another major befuddling moment by a team still trying to find an identity. Keanu Neal is a terrible pass cover Safety, and is more of a cannon ball type tackler. That's great against the run, but he is going to have to cover as well, and it is not a strong suit. Add to the fact that he was the 63rd ranked prospect, and was selected at 17, and you have a major mess on your hands.
18. Colts get line help for Luck in Center Kelly
Ryan Kelly, a Center out of Alabama, is a perfect fit for the interior of the Colts line. He is smart, will work well with Andrew Luck, and has very high character. The draw back is that he had some knee issues, and that could be a problem. The upside is that he was the 16th best player on the prospect list, and so the Colts got value, and if he stays on the field, this could be a very smart pick.
19. Bills get a gift, Shaq Lawson falls to them
I've heard it said that Shaq Lawson is not a special player. That's a load of crap. Lawson was as good as any defensive lineman in college football, and is a nightmare for offensive line coaches to work around. Lawson is a natural attacker at the point of contact, can stop the run, and is a wrecker of QBs. Lawson was a gift at 19, and the Bills were smart enough here to make the play. This is a huge get for them.
20. Jets diversify on defense with Darron Lee
Nobody saw this pick coming, but Lee is a versatile LB that can play inside or out. He is not the biggest guy on campus, but he has first rate speed, and will likely cover TEs and slots in the 3-4 look. Lee was a solid grab here, and will be an impact guy early. This pick makes a ton of sense.
21. Texans add weapon to offense in Fuller
Will Fuller was my favorite WR in this draft. For one, he's not a systemized fluke. He can really play the game in diverse offenses and sets, and really fits what you want in the NFL. He has decent size and speed, and will fight for the ball. Fuller was a beast at Notre Dame, and is incredibly underrated. Say what you will about the other receivers in this class, but Fuller was the best bet.
22. Redskins add weapon for Cousins, get Doctson
Josh Doctson was one of the more prolific receivers in college football, but played in a bit of a system offense at TCU. Still, he may be able to overcome all of that and be the weapon that Kirk Cousins needs him to be in the Redskins offense. I like him as a bit of a slot guy, but not an outside guy. He really is a boom or bust receiver.
23. Vikings continue run on receivers, get Treadwell
Laquan Treadwell is never going to be mistaken for a speedster. What he is, however, is a physical possession receiver who will give Teddy Bridgewater a weapon that will fight for the football in critical passing downs and in the red zone. Think Ed McCaffery, or a Sydney Rice with talent.
24. Bengals add depth and ability in secondary in Jackson
William Jackson III led the nation in pass breakups last season, and played huge in an important win against Florida State. Jackson will add yet another piece to an improving Bengals secondary. Expect him to play solid minute early, and watch as the Bengals come to rely on his play making ability more and more as the season progresses. Solid pick here.
25. Steelers make rare mistake in 1st round bust pick
Artie Burns, a corner out of Miami, was the 95 ranked prospect in this draft. That's a full 70 spots lower than where the Steelers drafted him. Surely there were better options available. This was a rare bungled pick by a normally smart organization. It's almost as if Al Davis really is still alive, and he picks for the Steelers now, too.
26. Paxton Lynch to Broncos
It almost seems as if John Elway started to have a meltdown when he lost a 6'-7" QB, and just had to have another. Lynch is probably more accomplished coming out of school than Brock Osweiler was, but here's the thing...and I am showing my age here, but they both remind me somewhat of Dan McGwire. Lynch is a big armed, big guy, but does he translate to this level? I have my doubts.
27. Packers do what they do, draft defensive help in round 1
The Packers love taking front seven types early, and they got a gem in UCLA DT Kenny Clark. When injuries started picking UCLA's defense apart in 2015, Clark stepped up and became a leader up front, and is a high energy, high character leader. He should give the Packers immediate impact, and will likely start from day one.
28. 49ers go for O line help
I am not arguing that the Niners needed some help on the line, but they traded up to reach for the 44th best prospect here in Stanford Guard Joshua Garnett. He is a very intelligent player, and is highly motivated and won't be a problem off the field, but the Niners could have made this pick later, and did not have to trade up to do this. Not an awful choice, but not the best either.
29. Robert Nkemdiche to Cardinals, and headaches as well
Nobody will doubt the potential of Nkemdiche. What I will doubt is that there is anything resembling a brain between his ears. This is a guy who cares so little about his career that he got hammered or stoned, or both, and fell four floors from his hotel room in recent months. He is so off and on, so all over the place, that I could never conceive of drafting this guy. Someone had to do it, so he goes to Phoenix. Good luck with that.
30. Panthers show why they are a Super Bowl team, drafts Butler
The Panthers are fairly loaded, and very well could go back to the Super Bowl in 2016/17. Butler is drafted as insurance that either starter bails after this season, and also adds depth to the front. I like this pick, because Butler can bring some impact now, but there is no rush to push him. Carolina is one of the few teams that has that luxury, and so this makes sense.
31. Seahawks make a strange reach in final 1st round pick
Germain Ifedi of Texas A&M was the 112th rated prospect coming into this draft. He largely tanked at OT in college. He has not been a guard before. His football IQ is limited, and his skill set reads as 4th rounder at best. Yet, the Seahawks pick him at 31. Everyone wants to credit Pete Carroll as being the smartest guy in the room, but this is not smart on any level. As a matter of fact, it is down right dumb.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Florida International Panthers 2016 Football Schedule
Here is my take on the FIU 2016 schedule...
9/1 Indiana
9/9 Maryland
9/17 at U Mass
9/24 UCF
10/1 Florida Atlantic
10/8 at UTEP
10/15 at Charlotte
10/22 Louisiana Tech
10/29 Middle Tennessee
11/5 at Western Kentucky
11/19 Marshall
11/26 at Old Dominion
Notes: Kudos to FIU for getting two Big 10 teams to come to them in September. The bad news is that the Panthers will be dogs in each game. I do see potential wins over U Mass and UCF to close out September 2-2...FIU will have a mixed bag in October. I see the Panthers picking up wins over UTEP and Charlotte, and they should handle FAU at home. The end of the month is not so certain with a likely loss against Louisiana Tech, and a toss up game with MTSU, which I am leaning towards a loss on...FIU plays just three games in November, and it could be a tough go against WKU and Marshall. The Old Dominion game should be a road win to close it out.
Overall Projected Record: 6-6
9/1 Indiana
9/9 Maryland
9/17 at U Mass
9/24 UCF
10/1 Florida Atlantic
10/8 at UTEP
10/15 at Charlotte
10/22 Louisiana Tech
10/29 Middle Tennessee
11/5 at Western Kentucky
11/19 Marshall
11/26 at Old Dominion
Notes: Kudos to FIU for getting two Big 10 teams to come to them in September. The bad news is that the Panthers will be dogs in each game. I do see potential wins over U Mass and UCF to close out September 2-2...FIU will have a mixed bag in October. I see the Panthers picking up wins over UTEP and Charlotte, and they should handle FAU at home. The end of the month is not so certain with a likely loss against Louisiana Tech, and a toss up game with MTSU, which I am leaning towards a loss on...FIU plays just three games in November, and it could be a tough go against WKU and Marshall. The Old Dominion game should be a road win to close it out.
Overall Projected Record: 6-6
Charlotte 49ers 2016 Football Schedule
We begin our Conference USA 2016 schedule breakdowns with Charlotte...
9/1 at Louisville
9/10 Elon
9/17 Eastern Michigan
9/24 at Temple
10/1 Old Dominion
10/8 at FAU
10/15 FIU
10/22 at Marshall
11/5 at Southern Miss
11/12 Rice
11/19 Middle Tennessee
11/26 at UTSA
Notes: The 49ers are in just year 2 of FBS football, and they are not in range to be all too competitive yet, especially since the program itself is still in infancy stages...Charlotte may get a break in September, but has to beat both Elon and Eastern Michigan to get out of September at 2-2...I don't see any outright chances at wins in either October or November, thus covering CUSA play. If there was one team that Charlotte could get a crack at, it would likely be FAU, but that test in on the road, so not likely.
Overall Projected Record: 2-10
9/1 at Louisville
9/10 Elon
9/17 Eastern Michigan
9/24 at Temple
10/1 Old Dominion
10/8 at FAU
10/15 FIU
10/22 at Marshall
11/5 at Southern Miss
11/12 Rice
11/19 Middle Tennessee
11/26 at UTSA
Notes: The 49ers are in just year 2 of FBS football, and they are not in range to be all too competitive yet, especially since the program itself is still in infancy stages...Charlotte may get a break in September, but has to beat both Elon and Eastern Michigan to get out of September at 2-2...I don't see any outright chances at wins in either October or November, thus covering CUSA play. If there was one team that Charlotte could get a crack at, it would likely be FAU, but that test in on the road, so not likely.
Overall Projected Record: 2-10
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Wisconsin Badgers 2016 Football Schedule
Wisconsin will wrap up our breakdown of Big 10 schedules for 2016...
9/3 LSU at Green Bay
9/10 Akron
9/17 Georgia State
9/24 at Michigan State
10/1 at Michigan
10/15 Ohio State
10/22 at Iowa
10/29 Nebraska
11/5 at Northwestern
11/12 Illinois
11/19 at Purdue
11/26 Minnesota
Notes: The LSU game is in Green Bay, but the Badgers should be slight dogs. The other two non con games should be easy wins for the Badgers...The October schedule is purely brutal. Wisconsin ends September with Michigan State in East Lansing, and then October opens with Michigan and Ohio State, and ends with Iowa and Nebraska. It's going to be tough getting out of the middle month of the schedule...November is a much easier month for Wisconsin, with some chances to catch up on wins after a grinding October. Wisconsin could grab 3 wins in the final month against Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota, but the Northwestern game could be tough on the road.
Overall Projected Record: 7-5
9/3 LSU at Green Bay
9/10 Akron
9/17 Georgia State
9/24 at Michigan State
10/1 at Michigan
10/15 Ohio State
10/22 at Iowa
10/29 Nebraska
11/5 at Northwestern
11/12 Illinois
11/19 at Purdue
11/26 Minnesota
Notes: The LSU game is in Green Bay, but the Badgers should be slight dogs. The other two non con games should be easy wins for the Badgers...The October schedule is purely brutal. Wisconsin ends September with Michigan State in East Lansing, and then October opens with Michigan and Ohio State, and ends with Iowa and Nebraska. It's going to be tough getting out of the middle month of the schedule...November is a much easier month for Wisconsin, with some chances to catch up on wins after a grinding October. Wisconsin could grab 3 wins in the final month against Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota, but the Northwestern game could be tough on the road.
Overall Projected Record: 7-5
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the Rutgers football schedule for 2016...
9/3 at Washington
9/10 Howard
9/17 New Mexico
9/24 Iowa
10/1 at Ohio State
10/8 Michigan
10/15 Illinois
10/22 at Minnesota
11/5 Indiana
11/12 at Michigan State
11/19 Penn State
11/26 at Maryland
Notes: Rutgers will be a dog at Washington, but should easily beat Howard at home. The New Mexico game is a coin flip for me, but I would give the edge to the Knights. Iowa will be a loss...In October, Rutgers will be huge dogs against Michigan and Ohio State, will be marginal dogs against Minnesota on the road, and could have a shot against Illinois, but I go edge to the Gophers...Rutgers has no real outright win shots in November, and could really crash heading into the end of the season.
Overall Projected Record: 2-10
9/3 at Washington
9/10 Howard
9/17 New Mexico
9/24 Iowa
10/1 at Ohio State
10/8 Michigan
10/15 Illinois
10/22 at Minnesota
11/5 Indiana
11/12 at Michigan State
11/19 Penn State
11/26 at Maryland
Notes: Rutgers will be a dog at Washington, but should easily beat Howard at home. The New Mexico game is a coin flip for me, but I would give the edge to the Knights. Iowa will be a loss...In October, Rutgers will be huge dogs against Michigan and Ohio State, will be marginal dogs against Minnesota on the road, and could have a shot against Illinois, but I go edge to the Gophers...Rutgers has no real outright win shots in November, and could really crash heading into the end of the season.
Overall Projected Record: 2-10
Purdue Boilermakers 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the 2016 Purdue football schedule...
9/3 Eastern Kentucky
9/10 Cincinnati
9/24 Nevada
10/1 at Maryland
10/8 at Illinois
10/15 Iowa
10/22 at Nebraska
10/29 Penn State
11/5 at Minnesota
11/12 Northwestern
11/19 Wisconsin
11/26 at Indiana
Notes: Purdue could get off to a winning start with victories over Eastern Kentucky and Nevada, but those could be the only wins they can grab...October presents no opportunities for outright wins. The Boilers will have to play as a dog every week...November won't get a lot easier for Purdue, as they could be outright double digit dogs every single week.
Overall Projected Record: 2-10
9/3 Eastern Kentucky
9/10 Cincinnati
9/24 Nevada
10/1 at Maryland
10/8 at Illinois
10/15 Iowa
10/22 at Nebraska
10/29 Penn State
11/5 at Minnesota
11/12 Northwestern
11/19 Wisconsin
11/26 at Indiana
Notes: Purdue could get off to a winning start with victories over Eastern Kentucky and Nevada, but those could be the only wins they can grab...October presents no opportunities for outright wins. The Boilers will have to play as a dog every week...November won't get a lot easier for Purdue, as they could be outright double digit dogs every single week.
Overall Projected Record: 2-10
Penn State Nittany Lions 2016 Football Schedule
We continue our Big 10 schedule breakdown series with Penn State...
9/3 Kent State
9/10 at Pittsburgh
9/17 Temple
9/24 at Michigan
10/1 Minnesota
10/8 Maryland
10/22 Ohio State
10/29 at Purdue
11/5 Iowa
11/12 at Indiana
11/19 at Rutgers
11/26 Michigan State
Notes: The biggest deal this season is the return of Pitt to the schedule, which is one of the better rivalries in college football...Temple beat Penn State in Philadelphia last season. The Lions should be in position to flip it this season...October opens with two more shots at wins before Ohio State comes to town on 10/22. The Lions should close out the middle month with a win at Purdue...Penn State should be road favorites against both Indiana and Rutgers, but should also be home dogs against Iowa and Michigan State.
Overall Projected Record: 8-4
9/3 Kent State
9/10 at Pittsburgh
9/17 Temple
9/24 at Michigan
10/1 Minnesota
10/8 Maryland
10/22 Ohio State
10/29 at Purdue
11/5 Iowa
11/12 at Indiana
11/19 at Rutgers
11/26 Michigan State
Notes: The biggest deal this season is the return of Pitt to the schedule, which is one of the better rivalries in college football...Temple beat Penn State in Philadelphia last season. The Lions should be in position to flip it this season...October opens with two more shots at wins before Ohio State comes to town on 10/22. The Lions should close out the middle month with a win at Purdue...Penn State should be road favorites against both Indiana and Rutgers, but should also be home dogs against Iowa and Michigan State.
Overall Projected Record: 8-4
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Ohio State Buckeyes 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at your Ohio State Buckeyes 2016 football schedule...
9/3 Bowling Green
9/10 Tulsa
9/17 at Oklahoma
10/1 Rutgers
10/8 Indiana
10/15 at Wisconsin
10/22 at Penn State
10/29 Northwestern
11/5 Nebraska
11/12 at Maryland
11/19 at Michigan State
11/26 Michigan
Notes: September starts out looking like a 2-0 jump for the Buckeyes, but that Oklahoma game in Norman looms large...The Buckeyes should cruise through October, which will be an incredibly easy month for them. They should be at least a touchdown favorite in every game that month...November is a major grind to close out. The Buckeyes get Nebraska and Michigan at home, but must travel to Michigan State. The only lock that month is a trip to Maryland.
Overall Projected Record: 9-3
9/3 Bowling Green
9/10 Tulsa
9/17 at Oklahoma
10/1 Rutgers
10/8 Indiana
10/15 at Wisconsin
10/22 at Penn State
10/29 Northwestern
11/5 Nebraska
11/12 at Maryland
11/19 at Michigan State
11/26 Michigan
Notes: September starts out looking like a 2-0 jump for the Buckeyes, but that Oklahoma game in Norman looms large...The Buckeyes should cruise through October, which will be an incredibly easy month for them. They should be at least a touchdown favorite in every game that month...November is a major grind to close out. The Buckeyes get Nebraska and Michigan at home, but must travel to Michigan State. The only lock that month is a trip to Maryland.
Overall Projected Record: 9-3
Northwestern Wildcats 2016 Football Schedule
We now move on to the Northwestern Wildcats 2016 schedule,,,
9/3 Western Michigan
9/10 Illinois State
9/17 Duke
9/24 Nebraska
10/1 at Iowa
10/15 at Michigan State
10/22 Indiana
10/29 at Ohio State
11/5 Wisconsin
11/12 at Purdue
11/19 at Minnesota
11/26 Illinois
Notes: Northwestern does not go on the road in the month of September, and they could sweep to go 4-0...October is a brutal month with road trips to Iowa, Michigan State, and Ohio State. They may not win one of those games, but Indiana will save the Cats from a winless month...If the Cats can rebound from the October gauntlet, November sets up nicely for a strong finish. I see them going either 3-1 or 4-0 in the final month. Wisconsin is the most challenging game there...
Overall Projected Record: 9-3
9/3 Western Michigan
9/10 Illinois State
9/17 Duke
9/24 Nebraska
10/1 at Iowa
10/15 at Michigan State
10/22 Indiana
10/29 at Ohio State
11/5 Wisconsin
11/12 at Purdue
11/19 at Minnesota
11/26 Illinois
Notes: Northwestern does not go on the road in the month of September, and they could sweep to go 4-0...October is a brutal month with road trips to Iowa, Michigan State, and Ohio State. They may not win one of those games, but Indiana will save the Cats from a winless month...If the Cats can rebound from the October gauntlet, November sets up nicely for a strong finish. I see them going either 3-1 or 4-0 in the final month. Wisconsin is the most challenging game there...
Overall Projected Record: 9-3
Nebraska Cornhuskers 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the Nebraska 2016 schedule...
9/3 Fresno State
9/10 Wyoming
9/17 Oregon
9/24 at Northwestern
10/1 Illinois
10/15 at Indiana
10/22 Purdue
10/29 at Wisconsin
11/5 at Ohio State
11/12 Minnesota
11/19 Maryland
11/25 at Iowa
Notes: The Huskers will be huge favorites in their first two games, but September could end on a challenging note with games against Oregon and Northwestern. At best, Nebraska ends 3-1, at worst, 2-2...October should see some easy wins early, and there is no reason to believe that the Huskers could not close out the month with a win at Wisconsin, but that is no lock...Nebraska looks like a split in November, with their two toughest games (Ohio State, Iowa) coming on the road. Minnesota and Maryland should be wins...
Overall Projected Record: 8-4
9/3 Fresno State
9/10 Wyoming
9/17 Oregon
9/24 at Northwestern
10/1 Illinois
10/15 at Indiana
10/22 Purdue
10/29 at Wisconsin
11/5 at Ohio State
11/12 Minnesota
11/19 Maryland
11/25 at Iowa
Notes: The Huskers will be huge favorites in their first two games, but September could end on a challenging note with games against Oregon and Northwestern. At best, Nebraska ends 3-1, at worst, 2-2...October should see some easy wins early, and there is no reason to believe that the Huskers could not close out the month with a win at Wisconsin, but that is no lock...Nebraska looks like a split in November, with their two toughest games (Ohio State, Iowa) coming on the road. Minnesota and Maryland should be wins...
Overall Projected Record: 8-4
Minnesota Golden Gophers 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the Minnesota 2016 football schedule...
9/1 Oregon State
9/10 Indiana State
9/24 Colorado State
10/1 at Penn State
10/8 Iowa
10/15 at Maryland
10/22 Rutgers
10/29 at Illinois
11/5 Purdue
11/12 at Nebraska
11/19 Northwestern
11/26 at Wisconsin
Notes: Minnesota should breeze through non con play, which will set them up later on to go bowling this season...October starts out rough with dates against Penn State and Iowa, but a strong run could come after against Maryland, Rutgers, Illinois, and Purdue. That run should hold for a bowl bid, as November gets rough after Purdue...
Overall Projected Record: 7-5
9/1 Oregon State
9/10 Indiana State
9/24 Colorado State
10/1 at Penn State
10/8 Iowa
10/15 at Maryland
10/22 Rutgers
10/29 at Illinois
11/5 Purdue
11/12 at Nebraska
11/19 Northwestern
11/26 at Wisconsin
Notes: Minnesota should breeze through non con play, which will set them up later on to go bowling this season...October starts out rough with dates against Penn State and Iowa, but a strong run could come after against Maryland, Rutgers, Illinois, and Purdue. That run should hold for a bowl bid, as November gets rough after Purdue...
Overall Projected Record: 7-5
Michigan State Spartans 2016 Football Schedule
I continue my Big 10 schedule breakdown with Sparty...
9/2 Furman
9/17 at Notre Dame
9/24 Wisconsin
10/1 at Indiana
10/8 BYU
10/15 Northwestern
10/22 at Maryland
10/29 Michigan
11/5 at Illinois
11/12 Rutgers
11/19 Ohio State
11/26 at Penn State
Notes: The Spartans have one of the earliest bye weeks in the nation, as they are idle on September 10th, the second full week of college football...Sparty will have a 15 day break between the opener with Furman and a road trip to Notre Dame...MSU will not play their final non con game until a home date with BYU on October 8th, a late date in Big 10 play...The schedule is all over the place, with landmines around every corner. Do not be surprised to see Sparty take a slight step back this season...
Overall Projected Record: 9-3
9/2 Furman
9/17 at Notre Dame
9/24 Wisconsin
10/1 at Indiana
10/8 BYU
10/15 Northwestern
10/22 at Maryland
10/29 Michigan
11/5 at Illinois
11/12 Rutgers
11/19 Ohio State
11/26 at Penn State
Notes: The Spartans have one of the earliest bye weeks in the nation, as they are idle on September 10th, the second full week of college football...Sparty will have a 15 day break between the opener with Furman and a road trip to Notre Dame...MSU will not play their final non con game until a home date with BYU on October 8th, a late date in Big 10 play...The schedule is all over the place, with landmines around every corner. Do not be surprised to see Sparty take a slight step back this season...
Overall Projected Record: 9-3
Michigan Wolverines 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the 2016 Michigan football schedule...
9/3 Hawaii
9/10 UCF
9/17 Colorado
9/24 Penn State
10/1 Wisconsin
10/8 at Rutgers
10/22 Illinois
10/29 at Michigan State
11/5 Maryland
11/12 at Iowa
11/19 Indiana
11/26 at Ohio State
Notes: The Wolverines will play their first 5 games of the season at home, and will only play away from Ann Arbor twice by the end of October. Their first road game will be at Rutgers on October 8th...Michigan will be favored in every game until October 29th, when they travel to take on Michigan State, and they may even be favored there...The Wolverines could be double digit favorites in every game in September...The 3 toughest games on the schedule (at Michigan State, at Iowa, and at Ohio State) all come on or after October 29th, and they are all on the road. They should not really be overly challenged until the Michigan State trip.
Overall Projected Record: 10-2
9/3 Hawaii
9/10 UCF
9/17 Colorado
9/24 Penn State
10/1 Wisconsin
10/8 at Rutgers
10/22 Illinois
10/29 at Michigan State
11/5 Maryland
11/12 at Iowa
11/19 Indiana
11/26 at Ohio State
Notes: The Wolverines will play their first 5 games of the season at home, and will only play away from Ann Arbor twice by the end of October. Their first road game will be at Rutgers on October 8th...Michigan will be favored in every game until October 29th, when they travel to take on Michigan State, and they may even be favored there...The Wolverines could be double digit favorites in every game in September...The 3 toughest games on the schedule (at Michigan State, at Iowa, and at Ohio State) all come on or after October 29th, and they are all on the road. They should not really be overly challenged until the Michigan State trip.
Overall Projected Record: 10-2
Maryland Terrapins 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the Maryland 2016 football schedule...
9/3 Howard
9/10 at Florida International
9/17 at UCF
10/1 Purdue
10/8 at Penn State
10/15 Minnesota
10/22 Michigan State
10/29 at Indiana
11/5 at Michigan
11/12 Ohio State
11/19 at Nebraska
11/26 Rutgers
Notes: Maryland is entering a new era with DJ Durkin, and has a real shot to open strong with 3 very winnable games in September...October is going to be challenging, as Maryland should be a dog in 4 of 5 games. Chances at upsets are thin as well...Maryland should likely finish 1-3 in November, and the Terps are likely to be home for the Holidays once again.
Overall Projected Record: 5-7
9/3 Howard
9/10 at Florida International
9/17 at UCF
10/1 Purdue
10/8 at Penn State
10/15 Minnesota
10/22 Michigan State
10/29 at Indiana
11/5 at Michigan
11/12 Ohio State
11/19 at Nebraska
11/26 Rutgers
Notes: Maryland is entering a new era with DJ Durkin, and has a real shot to open strong with 3 very winnable games in September...October is going to be challenging, as Maryland should be a dog in 4 of 5 games. Chances at upsets are thin as well...Maryland should likely finish 1-3 in November, and the Terps are likely to be home for the Holidays once again.
Overall Projected Record: 5-7
Iowa Hawkeyes 2016 Football Schedule
I now continue in the Big 10 schedule breakdowns with Iowa...
9/3 Miami (Ohio)
9/10 Iowa State
9/17 North Dakota State
9/24 at Rutgers
10/1 Northwestern
10/8 at Minnesota
10/15 at Purdue
10/22 Wisconsin
11/5 at Penn State
11/12 Michigan
11/19 at Illinois
11/25 Nebraska
Notes: The Hawkeyes were a breakthrough program last season, until the Rose Bowl that is...Iowa should be rather strong as their schedule sets up in 2016, as they should go 4-0 in September. The most challenging game in the month will come against FCS member North Dakota State...Iowa also sets up to be favored in every game in the month of October, and can be 8-0 heading into the final month...Iowa has their two toughest games in conference play in November, with games against Michigan and Nebraska, but both come at home.
Overall Projected Record: 11-1
9/3 Miami (Ohio)
9/10 Iowa State
9/17 North Dakota State
9/24 at Rutgers
10/1 Northwestern
10/8 at Minnesota
10/15 at Purdue
10/22 Wisconsin
11/5 at Penn State
11/12 Michigan
11/19 at Illinois
11/25 Nebraska
Notes: The Hawkeyes were a breakthrough program last season, until the Rose Bowl that is...Iowa should be rather strong as their schedule sets up in 2016, as they should go 4-0 in September. The most challenging game in the month will come against FCS member North Dakota State...Iowa also sets up to be favored in every game in the month of October, and can be 8-0 heading into the final month...Iowa has their two toughest games in conference play in November, with games against Michigan and Nebraska, but both come at home.
Overall Projected Record: 11-1
Indiana Hoosiers 2016 Football Schedule
Continuing on with the Big 10 schedule breakdowns, here's a look at Indiana...
9/1 at Florida International
9/10 Ball State
9/24 Wake Forest
10/1 Michigan State
10/8 at Ohio State
10/15 Nebraska
10/22 at Northwestern
10/29 Maryland
11/5 at Rutgers
11/12 Penn State
11/19 at Michigan
11/26 Purdue
Notes: September should be a breeze for the Hoosiers, as they should sweep their non con schedule in September...The wheels may come off in October, as the Hoosiers start the month with Michigan State and Ohio State, followed by dates with Nebraska and Northwestern. Maryland is the only game I see the Hoosiers taking straight up...If all goes as I see, IU would need 3 wins in November, but I only see 2 chance, with Rutgers and Purdue. If Indiana falls short of a bowl, Kevin Wilson will be gone.
Overall Projected Record: 6-6
9/1 at Florida International
9/10 Ball State
9/24 Wake Forest
10/1 Michigan State
10/8 at Ohio State
10/15 Nebraska
10/22 at Northwestern
10/29 Maryland
11/5 at Rutgers
11/12 Penn State
11/19 at Michigan
11/26 Purdue
Notes: September should be a breeze for the Hoosiers, as they should sweep their non con schedule in September...The wheels may come off in October, as the Hoosiers start the month with Michigan State and Ohio State, followed by dates with Nebraska and Northwestern. Maryland is the only game I see the Hoosiers taking straight up...If all goes as I see, IU would need 3 wins in November, but I only see 2 chance, with Rutgers and Purdue. If Indiana falls short of a bowl, Kevin Wilson will be gone.
Overall Projected Record: 6-6
Illinois Fighting Illini 2016 Football Schedule
I begin breaking down the Big 10 2016 football schedules with Illinois...
9/3 Murray State
9/10 North Carolina
9/17 Western Michigan
10/1 at Nebraska
10/8 Purdue
10/15 at Rutgers
10/22 at Michigan
10/29 Minnesota
11/5 Michigan State
11/12 at Wisconsin
11/19 Iowa
11/26 at Northwestern
Notes: The non con schedule is fairly challenging in September, and save for Murray State, Illinois will likely be a dog in 2 of 3 games, including to Western Michigan...October has two solid opportunities for wins, and those could come against Rutgers and Purdue, but the Illini should be dogs in their other 3 games in the middle month of the season...November could be fairly brutal for Illinois, as I really see no lock down shots for wins.
Overall Projected Record: 3-9
9/3 Murray State
9/10 North Carolina
9/17 Western Michigan
10/1 at Nebraska
10/8 Purdue
10/15 at Rutgers
10/22 at Michigan
10/29 Minnesota
11/5 Michigan State
11/12 at Wisconsin
11/19 Iowa
11/26 at Northwestern
Notes: The non con schedule is fairly challenging in September, and save for Murray State, Illinois will likely be a dog in 2 of 3 games, including to Western Michigan...October has two solid opportunities for wins, and those could come against Rutgers and Purdue, but the Illini should be dogs in their other 3 games in the middle month of the season...November could be fairly brutal for Illinois, as I really see no lock down shots for wins.
Overall Projected Record: 3-9
West Virginia Mountaineers 2016 Football Schedule
I close out my Big 12 2016 schedule breakdowns with West Virginia...
9/3 Missouri
9/10 Youngstown State
9/24 BYU at Landover, MD
10/1 Kansas State
10/15 at Texas Tech
10/22 TCU
10/29 at Oklahoma State
11/5 Kansas
11/12 at Texas
11/19 Oklahoma
11/26 at Iowa State
12/3 Baylor
Notes: WVU will have two bye weeks before we even get to the middle of October, which will make it difficult to establish an early flow...Every non con game could present unique challenges to WVU, including a date with FCS member Youngstown State. WVU gets Missouri at home, and then BYU in a neutral site game (why?) around the YSU game...October could result in a 2-2 split, which would be necessary after what could be a tough opening month...If WVU can start 2-1, and split October at 2-2, WVU absolutely needs wins over Kansas and Iowa State in November to go bowling. The Mountaineers will likely not be favored in November in games against Texas. Oklahoma, and Baylor.
Overall Projected Record: 5-7...I foresee a new football coach in Morgantown in 2017.
9/3 Missouri
9/10 Youngstown State
9/24 BYU at Landover, MD
10/1 Kansas State
10/15 at Texas Tech
10/22 TCU
10/29 at Oklahoma State
11/5 Kansas
11/12 at Texas
11/19 Oklahoma
11/26 at Iowa State
12/3 Baylor
Notes: WVU will have two bye weeks before we even get to the middle of October, which will make it difficult to establish an early flow...Every non con game could present unique challenges to WVU, including a date with FCS member Youngstown State. WVU gets Missouri at home, and then BYU in a neutral site game (why?) around the YSU game...October could result in a 2-2 split, which would be necessary after what could be a tough opening month...If WVU can start 2-1, and split October at 2-2, WVU absolutely needs wins over Kansas and Iowa State in November to go bowling. The Mountaineers will likely not be favored in November in games against Texas. Oklahoma, and Baylor.
Overall Projected Record: 5-7...I foresee a new football coach in Morgantown in 2017.
Texas Tech Red Raiders 2016 Football Schedule
Here's a breakdown of the Texas Tech 2016 football schedule...
9/3 Stephen F. Austin
9/10 at Arizona State
9/17 Louisiana Tech
9/29 Kansas
10/8 at Kansas State
10/15 West Virginia
10/22 Oklahoma
10/29 at TCU
11/5 Texas
11/12 at Oklahoma State
11/19 at Iowa State
11/25 Baylor
Notes: The Red Raiders will get 3 of 4 at home to start the season, including 2 of 3 non con games. All 3 non con games are winnable, including a road trip to Arizona State...The most challenging game on the early slate could be Louisiana Tech, a team that can play with Tech's tempo punch for punch...October could start an annual mid season slide for the Red Raiders, as it sets up to be a 2-2 month, at best...November could compound a slide, as Tech gets Texas, Oklahoma State, and Baylor. The only outright winnable game in November will be a road date with Iowa State, and that may not be a lock.
Overall Projected Record: 5-7
9/3 Stephen F. Austin
9/10 at Arizona State
9/17 Louisiana Tech
9/29 Kansas
10/8 at Kansas State
10/15 West Virginia
10/22 Oklahoma
10/29 at TCU
11/5 Texas
11/12 at Oklahoma State
11/19 at Iowa State
11/25 Baylor
Notes: The Red Raiders will get 3 of 4 at home to start the season, including 2 of 3 non con games. All 3 non con games are winnable, including a road trip to Arizona State...The most challenging game on the early slate could be Louisiana Tech, a team that can play with Tech's tempo punch for punch...October could start an annual mid season slide for the Red Raiders, as it sets up to be a 2-2 month, at best...November could compound a slide, as Tech gets Texas, Oklahoma State, and Baylor. The only outright winnable game in November will be a road date with Iowa State, and that may not be a lock.
Overall Projected Record: 5-7
Texas Longhorns 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the Longhorns 2016 schedule...
9/4 Notre Dame
9/10 UTEP
9/17 at California
10/1 at Oklahoma State
10/8 Oklahoma at Dallas
10/15 Iowa State
10/22 at Kansas State
10/29 Baylor
11/5 at Texas Tech
11/12 West Virginia
11/19 at Kansas
11/25 TCU
Notes: Texas may be a decent underdog to Notre Dame, but the rest of the non con schedule is completely winnable with games against UTEP at home and Cal on the road...This is not a good year for season ticket holders in Austin. From 9/10 through 10/29, the Horns will play at home just twice. They play three consecutive games away from Austin from 9/17 through a 10/8 neutral site game with OU in Dallas...If Texas can hold it together early, they could be favored in 3 of their final 4 games. Texas should be a favorite against Texas Tech, West Virginia, and Kansas, but will likely be a dog against TCU at home in the season finale...If Texas can start 2-2, and finish 3-1, they would need just a win over Iowa State in October to get back to a bowl once again.
Overall Projected Record: 7-5
9/4 Notre Dame
9/10 UTEP
9/17 at California
10/1 at Oklahoma State
10/8 Oklahoma at Dallas
10/15 Iowa State
10/22 at Kansas State
10/29 Baylor
11/5 at Texas Tech
11/12 West Virginia
11/19 at Kansas
11/25 TCU
Notes: Texas may be a decent underdog to Notre Dame, but the rest of the non con schedule is completely winnable with games against UTEP at home and Cal on the road...This is not a good year for season ticket holders in Austin. From 9/10 through 10/29, the Horns will play at home just twice. They play three consecutive games away from Austin from 9/17 through a 10/8 neutral site game with OU in Dallas...If Texas can hold it together early, they could be favored in 3 of their final 4 games. Texas should be a favorite against Texas Tech, West Virginia, and Kansas, but will likely be a dog against TCU at home in the season finale...If Texas can start 2-2, and finish 3-1, they would need just a win over Iowa State in October to get back to a bowl once again.
Overall Projected Record: 7-5
Thursday, April 21, 2016
TCU Horned Frogs 2016 Football Schedule
Here's a look at the TCU 2016 football schedule...
9/3 South Dakota State
9/10 Arkansas
9/17 Iowa State
9/23 at SMU
10/1 Oklahoma
10/8 at Kansas
10/22 at West Virginia
10/29 Texas Tech
11/5 at Baylor
11/19 Oklahoma State
11/25 at Texas
12/3 Kansas State
Notes: The non con schedule is not great, even with South Dakota State being a strong FCS program. That game will not help with SOS numbers. Arkansas should be a challenge, but TCU should be more than favored...Other than a home game against OU, the Frogs should sweep through October with hardly a bump in the road. The OU game will tell TCU's place in the Big 12 race heading into the November games....November starts out tough, with games against Baylor and Oklahoma State, but ends soft with winnable games with Texas and Kansas State...
Overall Projected Record: 10-2
9/3 South Dakota State
9/10 Arkansas
9/17 Iowa State
9/23 at SMU
10/1 Oklahoma
10/8 at Kansas
10/22 at West Virginia
10/29 Texas Tech
11/5 at Baylor
11/19 Oklahoma State
11/25 at Texas
12/3 Kansas State
Notes: The non con schedule is not great, even with South Dakota State being a strong FCS program. That game will not help with SOS numbers. Arkansas should be a challenge, but TCU should be more than favored...Other than a home game against OU, the Frogs should sweep through October with hardly a bump in the road. The OU game will tell TCU's place in the Big 12 race heading into the November games....November starts out tough, with games against Baylor and Oklahoma State, but ends soft with winnable games with Texas and Kansas State...
Overall Projected Record: 10-2
Oklahoma State Cowboys 2016 Football Schedule
Here is a look at the 2016 Oklahoma State Cowboys football schedule...
9/3 SE Louisiana
9/10 Central Michigan
9/17 Pittsburgh
9/24 at Baylor
10/1 Texas
10/8 Iowa State
10/22 at Kansas
10/29 West Virginia
11/5 at Kansas State
11/12 Texas Tech
11/19 at TCU
12/3 at Oklahoma
Notes: The Cowboys open with 5 of 6 at home in 2016...Non con schedule is not remotely challenging for OSU, with exception of Pitt, but the Cowboys should be favored there by at least a touchdown...Cowboys could be heading into November with a solid chance of winning Big 12, especially if they can beat Baylor at home...last 2 games are brutal, with TCU and Oklahoma both coming on the road.
Overall Projected Record: 10-2...I can't see OSU beating TCU, Baylor, and OU all on the road this season...
9/3 SE Louisiana
9/10 Central Michigan
9/17 Pittsburgh
9/24 at Baylor
10/1 Texas
10/8 Iowa State
10/22 at Kansas
10/29 West Virginia
11/5 at Kansas State
11/12 Texas Tech
11/19 at TCU
12/3 at Oklahoma
Notes: The Cowboys open with 5 of 6 at home in 2016...Non con schedule is not remotely challenging for OSU, with exception of Pitt, but the Cowboys should be favored there by at least a touchdown...Cowboys could be heading into November with a solid chance of winning Big 12, especially if they can beat Baylor at home...last 2 games are brutal, with TCU and Oklahoma both coming on the road.
Overall Projected Record: 10-2...I can't see OSU beating TCU, Baylor, and OU all on the road this season...
Oklahoma Sooners 2016 Football Schedule
We're halfway done breaking down the 2016 Big 12 football schedules, as I analyze Oklahoma...
9/3 at Houston
9/10 UL-Monroe
9/17 Ohio State
10/1 at TCU
10/8 Texas at Dallas
10/15 Kansas State
10/22 at Texas Tech
10/29 Kansas
11/3 at Iowa State
11/12 Baylor
11/19 at West Virginia
12/3 Oklahoma State
Notes: OU has the talent to compete for a playoff birth, but the schedule is daunting. OU will only play back to back home games once, and will not play a game in Norman from 9/17 to 10/15...The Sooners are definitely challenged early with a road game at a very strong Houston Cougar team, and a home game 2 weeks later with Ohio State. A road trip follows 2 weeks after the Buckeyes with TCU.,,October should be a relatively friendly month after a brutal September, as a road trip at TCU is the most challenging game in the month. OU always has a tough time with Texas, but OU should be favored there...2 of the final 4 games provide intense challenges, but OU gets both Baylor and Oklahoma State at home.
Overall Projected Record: 10-2
9/3 at Houston
9/10 UL-Monroe
9/17 Ohio State
10/1 at TCU
10/8 Texas at Dallas
10/15 Kansas State
10/22 at Texas Tech
10/29 Kansas
11/3 at Iowa State
11/12 Baylor
11/19 at West Virginia
12/3 Oklahoma State
Notes: OU has the talent to compete for a playoff birth, but the schedule is daunting. OU will only play back to back home games once, and will not play a game in Norman from 9/17 to 10/15...The Sooners are definitely challenged early with a road game at a very strong Houston Cougar team, and a home game 2 weeks later with Ohio State. A road trip follows 2 weeks after the Buckeyes with TCU.,,October should be a relatively friendly month after a brutal September, as a road trip at TCU is the most challenging game in the month. OU always has a tough time with Texas, but OU should be favored there...2 of the final 4 games provide intense challenges, but OU gets both Baylor and Oklahoma State at home.
Overall Projected Record: 10-2
Kansas State Wildcats 2016 Football Schedule
We continue our Big 12 schedule breakdowns with Kansas State...
9/2 at Stanford
9/17 Florida Atlantic
9/24 Missouri State
10/1 at West Virginia
10/8 Texas Tech
10/15 at Oklahoma
10/22 Texas
10/29 at Iowa State
11/5 Oklahoma State
11/19 at Baylor
11/26 Kansas
12/3 at TCU
Notes: The opener against Stanford on the road is interesting and aggressive, but the final two non con games against FAU and Missouri State are not...Wildcats should be in 4 of 5 games in October, giving them a chance to become bowl eligible in early November, but the November slate has only the Kansas game as being winnable for them...Kansas State could finish as high as 5th in Big 12, but as low as 8th.
Overall Projected Record: 6-6
9/2 at Stanford
9/17 Florida Atlantic
9/24 Missouri State
10/1 at West Virginia
10/8 Texas Tech
10/15 at Oklahoma
10/22 Texas
10/29 at Iowa State
11/5 Oklahoma State
11/19 at Baylor
11/26 Kansas
12/3 at TCU
Notes: The opener against Stanford on the road is interesting and aggressive, but the final two non con games against FAU and Missouri State are not...Wildcats should be in 4 of 5 games in October, giving them a chance to become bowl eligible in early November, but the November slate has only the Kansas game as being winnable for them...Kansas State could finish as high as 5th in Big 12, but as low as 8th.
Overall Projected Record: 6-6
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