NFL Draft 2018 – Radio Show with Frank Coyle and host Andy Gresh

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NFL Team Report 2018 (36 pages) – mid April – Every NFL Team broken down to Roster, Team Needs & Free Agency additions. In-depth Evaluation of All Team Needs and Draft Projection

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Complete 7 Round Mock Draft – Final Top 300 Value Board – Top Small College Prospects

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Jets Move Up to #3 Overall Selection Shakes Up NFL Draft 2018
Giants in ‘Catbird Seat’ with the #2 Draft Choice

Frank Coyle – Head Scout/Publisher

The Jets’ GM Mike Maccagnan pulled off a St. Patrick’s Day blockbuster trade that will have major repercussions in the early selections of the NFL Draft 2018. The Jets’ major deal will affect several teams’ draft strategy, including the Browns, cross town rival the Giants, Broncos, Bills and possibly the Colts again.

The Jets sent the 6th overall pick to the Colts 1st round pick, for the 3^rd overall selection. The Jets surrendered three #2 picks – two this year #37 and #49 plus their 2^nd round pick in the NFL Draft 2019. It was an excellent move by Maccagnan that puts the Jets in a position to get at least one of the top three QBs at worst in this talented class. Virtually every draft move into the top five choices for a franchise caliber QB always includes a #1 pick the following year. Maccagnan wisely retained the Jets #1 selection next year. He benefitted from having another early pick #37 plus the #49 pick obtained in the trade that sent DL Sheldon Richardson. That deal helped leverage the move to #3 overall this year. Richardson left Seattle after one season and recently signed a one-year deal with the Vikings.

The Browns hold the key to the top four with both the #1 and #4 overall selections. They are reserved to select a QB with one of the choices and waiting to the 4^th overall pick would be risky considering the QB need at both the top of the draft, in addition to several other clubs looking for their future starter. They were burnt just two years ago when they traded out of the #2 overall pick with either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz guaranteed on the board. The Eagles landed Wentz and he is their franchise guy going forward with great early reviews despite the late 2017 injury. The Browns are once again back to the drawing board at QB. With that disastrous decision still vivid in their memory, they are very committed to add the QB now and most likely with their top selection. They did overspend and use a #3 pick this year on stop-gap vet QB Tyrod Taylor. The Giants are actually in the ‘Catbird Seat’ at the #2 overall pick. New GM Dave Gettleman is a savvy personnel man with a history with the Giants and instrumental in their recent two Super Bowl teams. He loves value and knows the impact of their last #2 overall pick, Lawrence Taylor had on the franchise for over a decade when they won their first two Super Bowl titles. Their current presence at #2 puts a lot of pressure on the Browns to select a QB with the top pick. The Browns also love running back Saquon Barkley and have considered him at #1 overall, but the Carson Wentz debacle set the franchise back at least three years if not a decade. With the Bills, Broncos and Cardinals still actively trying to move into the top five, the Browns can not afford to lose the #1 QB prospect.

The Giants have many needs and will entertain all offers. The Browns and Bills have multiple top 100 selections, including both teams holding two #1’s along with Cleveland holding three and Buffalo two #2 choices. That’s ammo for moves into the top five with next year’s #1 the final leverage to close any deal. Giants love Barkley and will not hesitate to use the #2 overall pick to select the blue-chip back. With a trade with Cleveland at #4, the Giants probably lose Barkley and would have to like their 3^rd ranked QB or another blue-chip prospect to make the deal. The Browns have Barkley high on their list and landing him and a top QB could be franchise changing moves. Their high multiple selections have produced a 0-16 club and the top overall selection again.

The Jets have struggled landing a franchise type QB since the days of Joe Namath. Consequently, they have been a perineal non-playoff club with a constant changeover of the coaching and front office staffs. The St. Patricks’ day draft deal puts them in a position to land the rookie QB they want to lead the franchise and allow him to sit initially. The Jets added young QB Teddy Bridgewater (25) in free agency plus resigned starter Josh McCown. Both signed one-year deals at fair value contracts. Jets hope Bridgewater wins the starting job in training camp after coming off a serious knee injury in August 2016. Maccagnan hopes to address their long-term plans with the 3^rd overall pick, but the addition of Bridgewater gives the Jets a chance to capture lightning in a bottle if he proves healthy and returns to his 2015 playing form.

With five weeks until the NFL Draft 2018, the trading market has never been hotter. The Jets blockbuster trade forces the Bills to make a move and at the #12 and #22 picks, they will need to move into the top 10 to realize their QB. They may have to make two moves like the Eagles did to move to land Wentz. Bills will speak to the Colts who are interested in moving back for the right selections. The Colts hold the #6 pick from the Jets and will listen to the Bills who hold two selections in each of the top three rounds. The Broncos have been quiet since signing vet QB Case Keenum who is coming off a career performance with the Vikings. Denver does hold the #5 overall selection which keeps any bidder in the QB mix for the 3^rd or 4^th overall passer probably available.

The NFL Draft buzz continues to heat up with clubs trying to position themselves to land a blue-chip leader and QB. Stay tuned the upcoming decisions will have a broad base impact on the shape of the NFL divisional races for years to come.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.

NFL Salary Cap 2018 New Team Totals

New Salary Cap Per Team Reaches $177.2 Million Total

The NFL’s salary cap is set at $177.2 million per team in 2018, up from $167 million last year that is based on the league’s revenue. Though this is the 5th straight year the salary cap has increased by at least $10 million, the 6.11% increase is the smallest increase for the cap from year to year since 2013.

The NFL new league year starts March 14 with Free Agency and the Trading period the key areas of headlines.
There are three teams over the salary cap and must clear salary space by March 14th. The three teams that are over the cap are the Philadelphia Eagles ($11,210,390), Miami Dolphins ($8,874,165) and Kansas City Chiefs ($3,285,981).

The Cleveland Browns have the most room under the cap, with $108 million to spend in the Free agency market. The Browns hold both the #1 and #4 overall selections in addition to multiple other top 75 selections.

Last year, the salary cap increased by $12 million per teams when they went from $155.27 million in 2016 to $167 million. The jump from 2017 to 2018 marks the fifth straight year the cap has increased by at least $10 million over the previous year.

Free agency begins March 14

NFL Team – available Salary Cap Space 2018
Numbers from OverTheCap.com

Team salary cap total will undergo numerous changes with many players released over the next two weeks. New ‘Street’ free agents have annually become some of the most demanded players on the open market. Redskins’ QB Kirk Cousins will most likely be available next week and be the hottest free agent QB since Peyton Manning hit the open market in the 2012 postseason. Manning led the Broncos to a Super Bowl title, earning his second ring after an illustrious career with the Colts.

NFL Team Salary Cap Space 2018

Cleveland Browns: $108,692,537
New York Jets: $89,259,293
Indianapolis Colts: $72,700,202
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $69,775,263
San Francisco 49ers: $66,290,382
Chicago Bears: $62,546,933
Houston Texans: $62,383,067
Washington Redskins: $47,727,317
Minnesota Vikings: $47,630,443
Tennessee Titans: $45,974,068
Los Angeles Rams: $38,840,349
Cincinnati Bengals: $33,805,793
New Orleans Saints: $30,263,354
Jacksonville Jaguars: $29,048,410
Detroit Lions: $26,660,005
Carolina Panthers: $26,535,393
Buffalo Bills: $24,267,381
New York Giants: $23,036,234
Denver Broncos: $23,021,711
Los Angeles Chargers: $22,341,346
Arizona Cardinals: $20,236,238
Oakland Raiders: $17,355,013
Green Bay Packers: $15,674,151
Atlanta Falcons: $13,864,422
New England Patriots: $13,127,289
Seattle Seahawks: $12,609,911
Baltimore Ravens: $8,896,861
Pittsburgh Steelers: $5,119,024
Dallas Cowboys: $12,247
Kansas City Chiefs: $3,289,981
Miami Dolphins: $8,630,165
Philadelphia Eagles: $11,214,390

WR Daurice Fountain Named Shrine Game Offensive MVP

University of Northern Iowa wide receiver Daurice Fountain was named the 93rd annual East-West Shrine Game Offensive MVP after his impressive performance against some of the nation’s best competition on Saturday.

The honor marks the first time that a player from UNI has earned the MVP distinction for the game. Fountain joins the likes of Jimmy Garoppolo (2014), Steve Smith (2001), Jeff Garcia (1994) and Brett Favre (1991) who have won the Shrine Game’s coveted Offensive MVP award.

WR Daurice Fountain – Northern Iowa“It was truly a blessing,” Fountain said about his MVP honor. “You could’ve never told me at the beginning of the week that I was going to have this kind of production. I’m thankful for the opportunity and happy that I met so many great people this week. This whole experience was just surreal.”

Daurice Fountain was Frank Coyle’s #1 Sleeper at the East-West Game – posted on this site Thursday

The former Panther wideout caught three passes for 61 yards, while also racking up 40 yards on punt returns for the afternoon. Fountain ripped off two huge plays on Saturday, the first being a 38-yard catch and run that set up the East squad with a field goal, while the second big play came on a 30-yard punt return in the third quarter to set up his team with another scoring opportunity.

The West won Saturday’s game by a narrow margin of 14-10. The West’s Natrell Jamerson of Wisconsin won Defensive MVP honors after retuning a fumble 68 yards for Saturday’s first touchdown of the game.
Fountain finished his Panther career as just the sixth player to rank in the Top 10 for catches (150), yards (2,077) and touchdowns (23) at UNI. In 2017, Fountain hauled in 66 catches, racking up 943 yards and 12 touchdowns.

For Complete East-West Shrine All-start Game info including Game stats and in depth Game and Practice evaluation – Go to http://www.shrinegame.com/

Frank Coyle and staff of DraftInsiders.com will proceed to the Senior Bowl for the Monday weigh-in and practices. Scouting info including updates and in depth Game and Practice evaluation will be in the early February Newsletter. January Newsletter (19 pgs) available now.

NFL Draft 2018 – The Browns are ‘On the Clock’!
Cleveland Holds Two #1 Choices in the Top Four Overall Selections

Once again, the Cleveland Browns are On the Clock with the first overall selection for the NFL Draft 2018. On Sunday they tied the Detroit Lions (2008) as the only teams to go 0-16 during the regular season with a loss to the Steelers. It marks the second consecutive year the Browns earned the top overall draft choice. The last team to accomplish this was the… Cleveland Browns in 1999 and 2000 during their early expansion years. Not much as changed in almost 20 years. The Browns are just the 5th team to earn this back to back year accomplishment. They have been one of the worst teams in recent memory in all major sports with ongoing poor results despite or because of a constant turnover in their front office and coaching staffs. Their draft decisions have been atrocious with several trades out of the top early selections, especially passing on a chance of either QBs, Carson Wentz or Jared Goff just two years ago. Head coach Hue Jackson completed his second season this weekend after going 1-15 last season. His 1-31 two-year record stands by itself as one of the worst in NFL history. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has stated Jackson will return for 2018 season. “I don’t think Hue has lost his magic.”

Photo – RB Saquon Barkley – Penn St

The Browns are in position to make major strides this April. In addition to the top overall pick, they also hold the Houston Texans #1 choice, the 4th overall selection. Rarely does a club hold two #1 picks let alone two in the top four overall choices. The Browns also hold three #2 picks, one #3 and two #4 selections, a boatload of top 100 draft choices to address several major need areas. New GM John Dorsey came aboard midseason 2017 and has had a few months to evaluate the current roster, in addition to their salary cap. He is in position to bolster a decent roster that has some young players in place, though needs players in key positions and leadership roles on both sides of the ball. The Browns upcoming decisions in both veteran Free Agency and the NFL Draft 2018 will dictate the movement of many players this offseason especially among the premier selections. The top 5-10 draft selections have been highly coveted with premier players especially QBs available and this year is as strong as any in recent memory. Clubs at the top will entertain a few huge offers to move up with the top three QBs, Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen, all considered franchise caliber NFL starters.

Playoffs – Conference & Super Bowl games determine final 12 positions
x – division winner y – playoff berth

# Team / W-L / Opp W-L %
1 Cleveland – 0-16 .520
2 NY Giants – 3-13 .531
3 Indianapolis – 4-12 .480
4 Cleveland (Houston) – 4-12 .516
5 Denver – 5-11 .492
6 NY Jets – 5-11 .520
7 Tampa Bay – 5-11 .555
8 Chicago – 5-11 .559
9 San Francisco – 6-10 .512
10 Oakland – 6-10 .512
11 Miami – 6-10 .543
12 Cincinnati – 7-9 .465
13 Washington – 7-9 .539
14 Green Bay – 7-9 .539
15 Arizona – 8-8 .488
16 Baltimore – 9-7 .441
17 LA Chargers – 9-7 .457
18 Seattle – 9-7 .492
19 Dallas – 9-7 .496
20 Detroit – 9-7 .496
21 y Tennessee – 9-7 .434
22 y Buffalo – 9-7 .492
23 x Jacksonville – 10-6 .434
24 Buffalo (x Kansas City) – 10-6 .492
25 y Atlanta – 10-6 .543
26 x LA Rams – 11-5 .504
27 x New Orleans – 11-5 .535
28 y Carolina – 11-5 .539
29 x Pittsburgh – 13-3 .453
30 x Philadelphia – 13-3 .461
31 x New England – 13-3 .484
32 x Minnesota – 13-3 .492

Team tie-breaking procedure for the NFL Draft
If two or more clubs are tied in the selection order, the strength-of-schedule tie breaker is applied, subject to the following exceptions for playoff clubs: The Super Bowl winner is last and the Super Bowl loser next-to-last. Any non-Super Bowl playoff club involved in a tie shall be assigned priority within its segment below that of non-playoff clubs and in the order that the playoff clubs exited from the playoffs. Within a tied segment a playoff club that loses in the Wild-Card game will have priority over a playoff club that loses in the Divisional playoff game that in turn will have priority over a club that loses in the Conference Championship game. If two tied clubs exited the playoffs in the same round, the tie is broken by strength of schedule. If any ties cannot be broken by strength of schedule, the divisional or conference tie breakers, when applicable, are applied. Any ties that still exist are broken by a coin flip.