NFL Draft 2019

NFL Draft and Free Agency Interview with scout Frank Coyle of DraftInsiders.com for GreenRewind.com

  Analyzing the NY Jets strategy for NFL Free Agency and NFL Draft 2019
by Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com

#1 Knowing the Jets have $99+ million in cap space and their weaknesses, where and on who would you spend the money on?

Jets have many needs going forward. GM Mike Maccagnan did a good job cutting cap problems in recent years to put them in the current situation. Their top priorities are edge pass rushers, a true feature back and #1 receiver, offensive tackle, defensive linemen and cornerbacks. They need to add a few top starters prior to the NFL Draft 2019. Most FA additions will probably come on the offensive side of the ball with selected defensive additions. With tags starting being used this week, edge defenders like DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, Preston Smith, Dante Fowler, Dee Ford, Trey Flowers and Shane Ray could come off the FA board soon. All these edge rushers are just entering their prime. Lawrence, Clowney, Smith, Flowers, Fowler and Ford will be expensive, but they bring the hot commodity the Jets need – edge pass pressure. Smith may not get the publicity of the others, but is an emerging impact edge defender that can make a difference. Flowers would be a coup to wrestle away from the Patriots. Always around the ball and makes plays. Jets will have to compete for the top FA prospects here or use a high draft selection. With no #2 pick currently, they may have their choice of any edge prospect other than Bosa. Josh Allen of Kentucky is a stud and the most complete edge defender in this draft class. The Jets will entertain moving back in top ten for a #2 selection. I love DE/LB Montez Sweat from Mississippi State. He strikes and brings explosiveness and power and has impact talent. He figures off the board by the middle of the first round. With $99 million in free agency available and the #3 overall selection, the Jets could address this area with two edge rushers and elevate this unit significantly with premier defenders like DL Leonard Williams and safety Jamal Adams inline already.

I also like free agent OTs, JaWuan James, Cedric Ogbuehi, Jake Fisher or Donovan Smith. Tackle pickings are generally thin after a few prospects with several teams have already resigned before the FA period even starts. There could be a few released veterans, but that is usually limited at best. That might put the burden on the NFL Draft 2019 where LT Jonah Williams, Greg Little and Andre Dillard are expected to be off the board probably by middle of first round. Quality offensive linemen get gobbled up quickly with 6 prospects in each of the first two rounds last April, including 10 of the first 39 selections. In the top 100 selections in the NFL Draft 2018, twenty draft choices were used on offensive linemen.

Jet corners Morris Claiborne (29) and Buster Skrine (30) are up as free agents. At $7 million for Claiborne and $6+ for Skrine, both would be costly to resign especially with veteran Tremaine Johnson (29) signed for a $12 million cap charge with an $8 million cash layout. Jets might want to resign one of the veterans with Skrine more versatile. Johnson signed a $72 million dollar contract thru 2023 with $34 million guaranteed. Veteran corners Jimmie Ward, Darqueze Dennard, Ronald Darby and Bradley Roby are second contract defenders will NFL starting skills to couple with Johnson and form a top tandem. Ward is a high-quality starter and though an expensive fit, capable of being a key missing piece almost immediately. Jets might also look to couple their starters with a developed rookie addition with starting talent.

#2 The talk here in NY is that the Jets may pursue Le’Veon Bell in free agency. Is this a good move?

Bell would be a good addition but only on certain terms and conditions. Does he sign for anything near his $14 million former contract that he refused to sign through the fall of 2018. The Steelers will not tag him with Franchise or Transitional labels. He is a complete back who is only 27 years old and coming off sitting out the entire 2018 season. He should be primed for a big 2019 performance and an excellent compliment to young Sam Darnold. His presence takes pressure off Darnold and could convert the Green offense a 60-40 run to pass. Bell makes Darnold and the Jets defense 20% better just by his annual average production. I think he probably costs at least a 3 year deal for in the $50 million area.

#3 Is this year a strong NFL Draft?

This NFL Draft class is very strong on defense especially the line and top edge defenders. GM Maccagnan faces a key question at the 3^rd overall pick. Select premier defenders, LB Josh Allen, DL Quinnen Williams or Rashan Gary or corner Greedy Williams. Moving back in the first round may allow them to address two positions with the addition of a #2 draft choice. Maccagnan wisely retained the #1 pick this year by refusing to part with it in the move up last April in the first round. Jets moved from the 6^th overall pick to the 3^rd overall selection for three #2 selections, a month before the NFL Draft 2018. The trade closed the Bills, Dolphins and Cardinals out of the top three selections. Maccagnan put them in position for the 2^nd QB and they were pleasantly surprised to land Sam Darnold with the selection. Darnold can be the franchise QB missing for the Green for decades.

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#4 The Jets have tons of holes to fill especially at: offensive line, edge pass rusher, wide receiver and cornerback. How do these positions rank as far as strength in this year’s draft?

There is high quality and depth along defensive line while cornerback and offensive tackles will be positions where top talent will fall quickly. OT begins to slide after the top 4-5 prospects especially on the leftside. FA is also weak at LT. Edge rushers is always a critical but dicey position and a top priority for the Jets. The top edge rushers may be tagged in FA. Prospects, Josh Allen, Montez Sweat, Jachai Polite and Brian Burns will probably fall in that order after Nick Bosa goes before the Jets 1^st round selection. I love both Allen and Sweat and think they are great fits for the Jets and rookie starters.

Wide receiver is a deep group with a few top prospects considered true #1 receivers. I like N’Keal Harry best with AJ Brown and DK Metcalf next, though none belong before the mid first round or later. Cornerback is a quality group with Greedy Williams and Deandre Baker the top two prospects who are expected to come off the board in the top selections. Corner will be a high priority for Jets especially if two FAs leave in the offseason. Greedy Williams would be an excellent fit and probably comes off the board in the top 5 picks. The corner class is deep and should see many future starters come from the middle round.

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#5 Things may change but right now, give Jets fans 3 players in each round that the Jets should consider knowing where they pick?

1st round (#3 overall) – LB Josh Allen, DT Quinnen Williams, DL Rashan Gary, CB Greedy Williams

2nd round (no pick)

3rd round (two picks, own & New Orleans)
OLB DeAndre Walker, CB Rock Ya-Sin, WR Riley Ridley, LB Germaine Pratt, CB Kendall Sheffield, RT Kaleb McGary,  OL Elgton Jenkins and RB Benny Snell.

4th round
LB Ben Banogu, OT Max Scharping, WR Emanuel Hall or DT Dontavius Russell,

5th round
DT Daylon Mack, CB Alijah Holder, DE Jonathan Ledbetter or CB David Long

6th round (no pick)

7th round
CB Sean Bunting, WR Preston Williams, OT Derwin Gray or RB Wes Hills

#6 Everyone is looking for the next Brady situation getting a steal in the late rounds. What players are teams overlooking who are slated as late round picks or un-drafted free agents?

RB Rodney Anderson of Oklahoma and OLB Porter Gustin of Southern California were rated higher but have fallen off injury concerns. If they check out medically, late steals with definite upside potential. Linemen, OT Derwin Gray of Maryland and OG Lanard Bonner of Arkansas St are falling through the cracks and both carry starting NFL grades in time. Gray is very intriguing for the outside. Wideouts DaMarkus Lodge of Mississippi and Emmanuel Butler of Northern Arizona have talent to compete for the possession receiver role. Both have size and starting talent, though need to settle into a system. Definite late steals with real upside.

#7 I am hoping that the Jets trade back with one of the teams looking for a quarterback. What do you see the chances of that happening and how do you rate this year’s QB class?

Trading back in top half of first round keeps Jets in range of top defensive players and probably earns a #2 pick. It would be a wise move. This years’ QB class is not equal to last year. Two high prospects Dwayne Haskins and Kyler Murray are only one year starters. Teams like the Jaguars, Bengals, Giants, Redskins and Dolphins are interested in moving up. Broncos appear out after the trade for Joe Flacco. Redskins hold the 15^th overall pick in first round and want to land a top QB. Jets would certainly have to get a #2 pick plus future high picks to move to middle of the round.

Raiders could be a Wild card here with three #1 picks including #4 overall plus two late #1 picks. Moving back to the Jaguars would be ironic moving from the 3^rd overall to the 6^th overall choice after doing the opposite last year to move up with the Colts to land Darnold. Maybe Jaguars Tom Coughlin is willing to part with three #2 picks like the Jets did last year. Great dream for Jet fans.

#8 Are there any division 2 or 3 players the Jets should look at?

CB Corey Ballantine of Washburn (Ks) and RB Wes Hills of Slippery Rock (Pa) are two D2 prospects I like. Both showed well at the All-star weeks and helped their cause. They both need to follow up with strong NFL Combine workouts.

#9 Do you see any players especially QBs that might have a chance at another position in the NFL?

Murray is definite wild card – QB, running back and wideout like Tyreek Hill. Limited other QBs, but maybe Eric Dungey of Syracuse could apply his athleticism to a deluxe role weapon.

#10 When do you think Kyler Murray will be picked? Round and what # pick?

Murray is a wild card. The game has changed and several teams will value him high, probable top ten pick. His size leaves a lot of questions for taking 60+ snaps a game at QB. I would have real difficulty taking him in the first round without a super plan in an offense. He came in today at over 5’10” and 207 lbs. Game is changing and he probably goes early like top 10 selections maybe higher.

Optional:Add any thoughts on the NY Jet situation and how they should proceed?

With the 3^rd overall pick, a few hot prospects will emerge and give the Jets a few options moving back in the first round. Jacksonville with 6^th overall pick is a natural landing spot, just a question of the price Maccagnan can extract from the Jaguars. That would be the best situation for Jets. At 6^th pick, they still get a blue-chip defender and probably their pick of any offensive linemen or skilled position players. Teams build on top 100 draft choices and adding a few this year could be vital to any turnaround, especially if their FA strategy lands 3 to 4 prime additions.

#11 Additional for you Frank:
What are your thoughts on the coaches that Adam Gase hired?

I really like the signing of HC Adam Gase. It wouldn’t be the first coach who failed in his first assignment. He is an excellent fit for young QB Sam Darnold and I would expect his career to take off with strong coaching from Gase. New offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains reunites with Gase after time in both Chicago and Miami. Loggains is a fine addition to staff. It is important in a few key areas, experience together and success in many respects. It’s important also that Gase does not have to coach the coaches on offense. That helps Darnold immensely.
New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will bring his aggressive approach to the game and will give this unit a definite boost. He has made impact at several stops and can give the Jets defense new life. He does need some edge rushers and good cover man to implement his system.  He brings a tough mentality that was slipping recently despite some highly regarded prospects.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He has published draftinsiders.com for 28 years including a 250-page NFL Draft Yearbook with over 250 in-depth scouting reports. Long-time scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game and member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25+ years. 

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NFL Combine 2019 – QBs Dwayne Haskins, Drew Lock & Kyler Murray & DE Nick Bosa Commit to Workout

QBs Dwayne Haskins and Drew Lock have announced they will throw at the NFL Combine. They are expected to be two of the top prospects with Haskins currently ranked the #1 QB. Many athletes split events between the NFL Combine and their school Pro Days which makes the Pro Day circuit vital to the final part of the scouting process.

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DE/LB Nick Bosa of Ohio St. is the projected #1 overall selection. He sat out his final season from a September 2018 leg injury. He is healthy now and is expected to participate in all the events on Sunday – March 3rd. He is capable of an impressive workout which could solidify the first overall selection with a return to his top athleticism. He is expected to test out well this weekend.

         Kyler Murray Commits to NFL Combine Workout
Former Oklahoma QB Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray was included on the official list of invitees for the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Murray has already declared for the draft and will workout at the NFL Combine. He will most likely have to pick between the NFL and MLB where he was first-round pick of the Oakland Athletics. Murray wants to become a first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and needs to convince NFL brass about his intensions to play football over baseball. The A’s have already made a big push to convince Murray to pick baseball over football and they hoped he still will attend spring training. The reporting date for spring training actually began last week before the NFL Combine. Murray will have to go through the intense training program to earn a #1 draft selection in April. It begins this week.

Two sport athletes have had minimal success historically with virtually none playing QB in the NFL. That has never proven successful for any prospect with QB ambitions and any delay on committing to one sport beyond this winter could actually hurt his career potential in either sport.

The NFL released the list of 338 players who will attend the NFL Scouting Combine which gets underway in Indianapolis on February 26^th. The list includes extensive players from the Power Five Conferences with 261 of the 338 invitations going to prospects from those schools.

Mississippi State DT Jeffery Simmons and Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams were not invited to participate in the athletic events after personal conduct rules infractions. Simmons is considered an early first round prospect while Williams is graded as solid early middle round player. The NFL rescinded an invitation to Jaylon Ferguson of Louisiana Tech after his involvement in prior criminal charges due to violent assault. His pro day will be heavily attended with him considered a legitimate 2nd day selection.

A few prospects have begun to announce if they can workout or if they have a limited workout and restricted to just the medical and IQ testing plus the critical interview process. Safety Deionte Thompson had wrist surgery recently and will not workout at combine or his pro day. Runner Bryce Love had ACL surgery in December 2018 and will not workout while OT Jawaan Taylor will rehab a leg injury and hopes to make the Florida Pro Day scheduled for March 27th. He is a rising prospect with an excellent skill set for the NFL game.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He has published draftinsiders.com for 28 years including a 250 page Yearbook with 300 in-depth scouting reports. Long-time scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game and member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25+ years.

2019 NFL Draft – Pro Day Schedule

On the eve of the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, the Pro Day schedule was announced and begins the day after the week long combine in Indianapolis. The process for the 2019 NFL Draft continues up to the event on April 25^th thru the 27^th. Coaches, personal men and scouts turn their attention to the NFL Combine starting Tuesday Feb 26^th thru March 4th with the pro day workouts starting the following week. The Pro Days are not as comprehensive as the NFL Combine, though they address the important events and update the vital medical information and rehab process. NFL teams provide key decision-makers to most of these events as the critical final part of the scouting process.

This year’s pro days are listed below by date. Some schools will book a 2nd Pro Day usually in April if they have injured players.

2019 Pro Day Schedule

All times shown in est.
March 5
Miami (Ohio), 10:30 a.m.
Purdue, 8 a.m.

March 6
Cincinnati, 9:30 a.m.
Colorado State, 9:45 a.m.
Kansas State, 10 a.m.
Northern Illinois, 10:30 a.m.

March 7
Alabama-Birmingham, 9 a.m.
Nebraska, 2 p.m.
Samford, 2 p.m.

March 8
Maine, 8 a.m.
New Mexico, 1 p.m.

March 11
Arkansas, 9 a.m.
Austin Peay, 3 p.m.
Illinois, 10 a.m.
Middle Tennessee, 10 a.m.
Tennessee State, 2 p.m.
Troy, 10 a.m.

March 12
Central Arkansas, 10 a.m.
Central Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m.
Concordia (Que.), 10 a.m.
Georgia Tech, 9 a.m.
Kennesaw State, 2:30 p.m.
New Mexico State, 12 p.m.
Northwestern, 11:30 a.m.
Oklahoma State, 10 a.m.
Vanderbilt, 11 a.m.

March 13
Buffalo, 8:30 a.m.
Georgia Southern, 1:30 p.m.
Marshall, 9 a.m.
Mercer, 8 a.m.
Nevada, 12 p.m.
Oklahoma, 10 a.m.
Wisconsin, 11 a.m.

March 14
Central Michigan, 10 a.m.
Columbia, 11:30 a.m.
Fordham, 10 a.m.
Tennessee, 8 a.m.
Tulsa, 10 a.m.

March 15
Chattanooga, 8:30 a.m.
Georgia State, 1:30 p.m.
Michigan, 8 a.m.
Oregon State, 2 p.m.
Princeton, 1 p.m.
Texas State, 2 p.m.
West Georgia, 8:30 a.m.

March 18
Fresno State, 1:45 p.m.
Louisiana-Monroe, 2 p.m.
Michigan State, 11:30 a.m.
Pennsylvania, 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburg State, 10 a.m.
Syracuse, 12:15 p.m.

March 19
Alabama, 12 p.m.
Albany (N.Y.), 8:30 a.m.
Bowling Green, 8:30 a.m.
California-Davis, 4 p.m.
North Carolina A&T, 10 a.m.
Penn State, 10 a.m.
Sacramento State, 12 p.m.
Toledo, 12:30 p.m.

March 20
Baylor, 9:30 a.m.
Boston College, 1 p.m.
Duquesne, 7 a.m.
Georgia, 9 a.m.
Louisiana-Lafayette, 3 p.m.
Missouri Western, 9 a.m.
Northwestern State (La.), 9:15 a.m.
Notre Dame, 10 a.m.
Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.
USC, 10:30 a.m.
Wake Forest, 9 a.m.
Western Kentucky, 10 a.m.

March 21
Azusa Pacific, 11:30 a.m.
California, 1 p.m.
Gannon, 4 p.m.
Grand Valley State, 8 a.m.
Louisville, 9 a.m.
Massachusetts, 10 a.m.
McNeese State, 9:30 a.m.
Missouri, 9 a.m.
Murray State, 10 a.m.
Sam Houston State, 10:15 a.m.
South Carolina, 8 a.m.
Tulane, 1 p.m.
West Virginia, 8 a.m.
Western Michigan, 1 p.m.

March 22
Akron, 8 a.m.
Central Connecticut State, 10 a.m.
Citadel, 8:30 a.m.
Delaware, 8 a.m.
Eastern Michigan, 8 a.m.
Kent State, 1 p.m.
Kentucky, 9:15 p.m.
LSU, 9 a.m.
North Carolina-Charlotte, 8:30 a.m.
San Diego State, 1:30 p.m.
Southern, 3 p.m.
Youngstown State, 8:30 a.m.

March 25
UNLV, 1:15 p.m.
North Carolina, 1 p.m.
Old Dominion, 1 p.m.
Prairie View, 3 p.m.
Rice, 9:15 p.m.
South Alabama, 9 a.m.
Southern Mississippi, 3 p.m.
Texas Tech, 11 a.m.
Villanova, 8 a.m.
West Florida, 2 p.m.
Western Illinois, 11:30 a.m.

March 26
Campbell, 6 p.m.
Central Florida, 11:30 a.m.
Duke, 12 p.m.
Florida Atlantic, 2 p.m.
Florida International, 8 a.m.
Iowa State, 8:30 a.m.
James Madison, 2 p.m.
Monmouth (N.J.), 1:30 p.m.
Morgan State, 12 p.m.
Northern Iowa, 4:30 p.m.
Richmond, 8 a.m.
Southeast Missouri, 11 a.m.
Texas A&M, 9:15 a.m.
Texas-San Antonio, 4:30 p.m.

March 27
Arizona State, 11 a.m.
Connecticut, 8 a.m.
Delta State, 3:30 p.m.
Florida, 8:30 a.m.
Incarnate Word, 8 a.m.
Jacksonville, 3 p.m.
Kansas, 8 a.m.
Lamar, 9 a.m.
Maryland, 8 a.m.
Memphis, 8:30 a.m.
Minnesota, 10 a.m.
Mississippi State, 9 a.m.
North Carolina State, 11 a.m.
Stony Brook, 8 a.m.
Texas, 3 p.m.
Utah State, 10 a.m.

March 28
Arkansas State, 8:15 a.m.
Bryant, 2 p.m.
Dartmouth, 9 a.m.
Florida State, 1 p.m.
Houston, 9:30 a.m.
North Dakota State, 10:15 a.m.
North Texas, 3 p.m.
Ohio, 11:30 a.m.
Southern Methodist, 10 a.m.
Tennessee-Martin, 10 a.m.
Towson, 9 a.m.
Utah, 10 a.m.
Virginia, 8:30 a.m.

March 29
Bethune-Cookman, 10 a.m.
BYU, 10:30 a.m.
Mississippi, 9 a.m.
South Dakota State, 9:30 a.m.
South Florida, 9 a.m.
TCU, 9:30 a.m.
Virginia Tech, 10:30 a.m.

April 1
Indiana State, 9 a.m.
Washington, 2 p.m.

April 2
Boise State, 12:30 p.m.
Indiana, 11:45 a.m.

April 3
Ball State, 9 a.m.
Washington State, 1 p.m.

April 4
Eastern Washington, 1 p.m.
Stanford, 12 p.m.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He has published draftinsiders.com for 28 years including a 250 page Yearbook with over 250 in-depth scouting reports. Long-time scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game and member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25+ years.

NFL Draft 2019 – Compensatory Picks

Super Bowl Contenders, the NE Patriots and LA Rams Each Get Two #3 picks

The NFL announced the 32 compensatory picks for the NFL Draft 2019. The league computes the compensatory equation according to unrestricted free agents signed vs those lost at equal dollars. If they match, that cancels out any compensation. Example: Giants signed LT Nate Solder, but lost center Wes Richburg. Those transactions cancelled out each other from the Giants perspective. The Patriots received a #3 pick because they did not sign a FA at equal dollars to their loss of Nate Solder.

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This year the two Super Bowl contenders, the Patriots and Rams each get two #3 picks. New England, Washington and Arizona each have four overall selections. The Rams, Vikings and Bengals have three while the Falcons and Eagles have two compensatory picks.

NFL Draft 2019 Compensatory Picks

Team             Round  Compensated Free Agent          APY
Wash                3          Kirk Cousins                             $28,000,000
NE                    3          Nate Solder                              $15,400,000
LA Rams           3          Tremaine Johnson                    $14,500,000
LA Rams           3          Sammy Watkins                        $15,830,000
Carolina            3          Andrew Norwell                         $13,300,000
NE                    3          Malcolm Butler                          $12,170,000
Balt                  3          Ryan Jensen                             $10,500,000

Indy                  4          Donte Moncrief                         $9,600,000
Dallas               4          Anthony Hitchens                      $8,838,000
Atlanta              4          Dontari Poe                              $8,533,333
Phil                   4          Trey Burton                               $7,925,000

NY Giants         5          Justin Pugh                               $8,580,000
Atlanta              5          Taylor Gabriel                           $6,500,000
Wash                5          Spencer Long                           $6,732,812

NE                    6          Dion Lewis                                $4,950,000
Wash                6          Ryan Grant                               $5,000,000
Arizona             6          Kareem Martin                           $4,900,000
Phil                   6          Beau Allen                                $5,000,000
Minn                 6          Teddy Bridgewater                    $5,500,000
Cin                   6          AJ McCarron                             $4,950,000
Cin                   6          Andre Smith                              $4,000,000
SF                    6          Aaron Lynch                              $3,950,000
Cin                   6          Chris Smith                               $3,900,000
KC                    6          Bennie Logan                            $4,000,000

Minn                 7          Tramaine Brock                         $3,000,000
Arizona             7          Drew Stanton                            $3,056,250
Arizona             7          Jaron Brown                              $2,750,000
Minn                 7          Shamar Stephen                       $2,100,000
LA Rams           7          Cody Davis                               $2,500,000
NE                    7          Cameron Fleming                      $2,500,000
Wash                7          Niles Paul                                 $2,218,750
Arizona             7          Blaine Gabbert                          $2,000,000

NFL Draft 2019 – Offensive Line Position Rankings

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NFL Draft 2019 – Offensive Line Positions Lack Blue Chip Prospects

   Rankings prior to the NFL Combine 2019

Offensive Tackles
1 * Jonah Williams                    6-5        305       Alabama
2 Greg Little                                6-6        325       Mississippi
3 Andre Dillard                          6-5        310       Washington State
4 * Jawaan Taylor                      6-5        320       Florida
5 * David Edwards                     6-7        315       Wisconsin
6 Dalton Risner                          6-5        310       Kansas State
7 Chuma Edoga                         6-4        300       Southern Cal
8 Yodny Cajuste                        6-4        315       West Virginia
9 Mitch Hyatt                             6-5        310       Clemson
10 Kaleb McGary                       6-6        325       Washington
11 * Bobby Evans                       6-5        305       Oklahoma
12 * Prince Tega Wanogho      6-7        310       Auburn
13 Isaiah Prince                         6-6        310       Ohio State
14 Max Scharping                     6-6        315       Northern Illinois
15 Tytus Howard                       6-5        320       Alabama State

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 Guards
1 * Cody Ford                            6-3        340       Oklahoma
2 * Connor McGovern             6-4        320       Penn State
3 Dru Samia                              6-4        305       Oklahoma
4 Chris Lindstrom                    6-4        310       Boston College
5 Michael Deiter                       6-5        330       Wisconsin
6 * Michael Jordan                  6-5        310       Ohio State
7 * Nate Herbig                         6-3        335       Stanford
8 Beau Benzschawel                6-5        325       Wisconsin
9 Damian Prince                      6-2        315       Maryland
10 Ben Powers                          6-3        310       Oklahoma
11 Alex Bars                               6-6        315       Notre Dame
12 Terronne Prescod               6-5        330       NC State
13 Oli Udoh                               6-6        355       Elon
14 * Ryan Bates                        6-4        300       Penn State
15 Hjalte Froholdt                    6-4        310       Arkansas

Centers
1 Elgton Jenkins                        6-3        315       Mississippi State
2 Garrett Bradbury                   6-3        305       North Carolina State
3 * Erik McCoy                          6-4        315       Texas A&M
4 Ross Pierschbacher               6-3        305       Alabama
5 Jesse Burkett                          6-4        310       Stanford
6 Lamont Gaillard                    6-2        310       Georgia
7 Sam Mustipher                      6-2        305       Notre Dame
8 Alec Eberle                             6-3        295       Florida State
9 Tyler Gauthier                       6-5        305       Miami
10 Nick Linder                          6-3        310       Indiana

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He has published draftinsiders.com for 28 years including a 250-page NFL Draft Yearbook with over 250 in-depth scouting reports. Long-time scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game and member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25+ years.

NFL Draft 2019 – Underclassmen Head Skilled Positions
Pro Prospect Rankings – Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

   Frank Coyle – head scout

Draft Insiders’- new February Pro Prospect Rankings Report – available now
       Over 500 Pro Prospects Ranked entering the NFL Combine 2019
 Free for Full subscribers – NFL Combine Report 2019 later this week –
Order Today

Wide Receivers
N’Keal Harry, Kelvin Harmon, Marquise Brown & AJ Brown Top Young Group of Receivers

1 * N’Keal Harry                         6-3        215       Arizona State
2 * Kelvin Harmon                    6-2        220       North Carolina State
3 * Marquise Brown                 5-11      165       Oklahoma
4 * AJ Brown                              6-1        225       Mississippi
5 * DK Metcalf                           6-4        230       Mississippi
6 Deebo Samuel                        5-11      215       South Carolina
7 JJ Arcega-Whiteside              6-3        225       Stanford
8 Parris Campbell                      6-0        210       Ohio State
9 * Riley Ridley                          6-2        200       Georgia
10 Andy Isabella                        5-10      195       UMass
11 Anthony Johnson                  6-1        210       Buffalo
12 David Sills                              6-3        205       West Virginia
13 * Lil’Jordan Humphrey       6-3        225       Texas
14 * Hakeem Butler                   6-5        225       Iowa State
15 Emanuel Hall                        6-2        200       Missouri
16 Terry Godwin                        5-11      175       Georgia
17 Keelan Doss                           6-3        210       UC-Davis
18 * Mecole Hardman              5-11      185       Georgia
19 * Greg Dortch                       5-8        170       Wake Forest
20 Stanley Morgan                   6-0        195       Nebraska

Underclassmen Dominant Emerging Tight End Class
Tight Ends

1 * Irv Smith                              6-4        245       Alabama
2 * TJ Hockenson                      6-4        250       Iowa
3 * Noah Fant                            6-5        245       Iowa
4 * Alize Mack                           6-4        250       Notre Dame
5 * Kaden Smith                        6-5        255       Stanford
6 * Zach Gentry                         6-6       245       Michigan
7 * Jace Sternberger                  6-5        250       Texas A&M
8 Dawson Knox                         6-4        260       Mississippi
9 * Caleb Wilson                       6-3        235       UCLA
10 Josh Oliver                           6-4        254       San Jose State
11 CJ Conrad                            6-4        245       Kentucky
12 Drew Sample                        6-4        260       Washington
13 * Dax Raymond                    6-5        250       Utah State
14 * Isaac Nauta                        6-4        240       Georgia
15 * Matt Bushman                    6-4        245       BYU

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 Draft 2019 – Blue Chip Defensive Linemen Head Class

Defensive Prospects
  Underclassmen Head Dominate Group of Defensive Linemen

 New February Pro Prospect Rankings –
Free to Full Subscribers – available now

Defenders Bosa, Ferrell & Gary Show Top 10 Talent

 Ends
1 * Nick Bosa                 6-3        265       Ohio St
2 * Clelin Ferrell           6-4        260       Clemson
3 * Rashan Gary            6-4        280       Michigan
4 Zach Allen                6-4        285       Boston College
5 Austin Bryant              6-4        265       Clemson
6 Charles Omenihu                    6-6        275       Texas
7 * Joe Jackson                         6-5        260       Miami
8 Chase Winovich                     6-3        255       Michigan
9 Jaylon Ferguson                     6-4        255       Louisiana Tech
10 * Jordan Brailford                 6-3        245       Oklahoma State
11 L.C. Collier                           6-2        280       Texas Christian
12 Isaiah Buggs                         6-3        295       Alabama
13 Corbin Kaufusi                      6-8        285       BYU
14 * Anthony Nelson                  6-7        275       Iowa
15 * Shareef Miller                     6-5       260       Penn State

www.draftinsiders.com

Williams and Oliver Head Deep Strong Tackle Class

Tackles
1 * Quinnen Williams                 6-3        295       Alabama
2 * Ed Oliver                              6-3        285       Houston
3 Christian Wilkins                     6-4        315       Clemson
4 Jerry Tillery                            6-6        305       Notre Dame
5 * Dexter Lawrence                   6-3        340       Clemson
6 * Jeffery Simmons                  6-4        300       Mississippi State
7 * Dre’Mont Jones                    6-3        290       Ohio State
8 * Gerald Willis                         6-3        290       Miami
9 Demarcus Christmas              6-4        310       Florida State
10 Daylon Mack                         6-1        330       Texas A&M
11 Kingsley Keke                      6-3        285       Texas A&M
12 Khalen Saunders                  6-1        320       Western Illinois
13 Dontavius Russell                 6-2        320       Auburn
14 Terry Beckner                       6-3        305       Missouri
15 Marquise Copeland               6-2        290       Cincinnati

QB Kyler Murray Announces Commitment to NFL and Combine Training

Kyler Murray dispelled all concerns related to his dual-sport aspirations with a bold announcement on Twitter.

 Monday via Twitter, Kyler Murray committed to pursuing a career as an NFL quarterback.

“Moving forward, I am fully and firmly committing my life and time to becoming an NFL Quarterback.”

Draft Insiders’ will have an NFL Combine Report and List – 
   Free for Full subscribers next week – Order Today

Murray was selected ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, but was allowed to play his final season of football at Oklahoma. With the Sooners in his only season as a starter, he won the Heisman Trophy in 2018 following Baker Mayfield with back to back Oklahoma winners for the prestigious award. This success demanded him to reevaluate his future as a two sport athlete or which sports profession to select.

Kyler Murray would be the first athlete to be selected in the 1st round of the both the MLB and the NFL Drafts. Many consider him a first round selection. Draft Insiders‘ ranks him currently as a Top 50 Prospect entering the NFL Combine 2019.

Murray decided to walk away from his $4.33 million contract with the Athletics, which called for him to report to big-league camp at the end of February. He’ll have to return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million he received in a signing bonus from the Athletics in 2018. He will forfeit the remaining $3.16 million of his contract if he fails to continue his career and report to spring training camp later this month.

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 Combine 2019 Announces Invitation List

QB Kyler Murray Faces Important NFL Combine Decision

   Frank Coyle – Head Scout

Former Oklahoma QB Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray was included on the official list of invitees for the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Murray has already declared for the NFL Draft 2019 and he will most likely have to pick between the NFL and MLB where he was first-round pick of the Oakland Athletics. Murray wants to become a first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, but needs to accept the invitation and attend the combine. The A’s have already made a big push to convince Murray to pick baseball over football and they still expect him to attend spring training. The reporting date for spring training actually begins before the NFL Combine on Feb. 15. Murray is at the crossroads and will either miss critical time in spring training for the A’s or bypass the NFL Combine workout in early March which would create a major conflict of dates for any two sport participation. He is expected to announce a decision related to the NFL Combine soon, though he still insists he wants to play both sports. That has never proven successful for any prospect especially with QB ambitions and his delay beyond this winter could actually hurt his career potential in either sport.

The NFL released a list of 338 players who will attend the NFL Scouting Combine which gets underway in Indianapolis on February 26^th. The list includes extensive players from the Power Five Conferences with 261 of the 338 invitations going to prospects from those schools.  

 Draft Insiders’ will have an NFL Combine Report and List –
   Free for Full subscribers next week – Order Today

 Mississippi State DT Jeffrey Simmons and Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams were not invited to the event after personal conduct rules infractions. Simmons is considered an early first round prospect while Williams is graded as solid early middle round player.

 2019 NFL Scouting Combine On-Field Workout Schedule – March 1st – March 4th

   Friday, March 1 – Running Backs, Offensive Linemen, Placekicker and Special Teamers
   Saturday, March 2 – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends
   Sunday, March 3 – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
   Monday, March 4 – Defensive Backs
 
NFL Combine 2019 Invitations from Power Five Conferences
 SEC – 90
 Big Ten – 53
 ACC – 46
 Pac 12 – 39
 Big 12 – 33
 
NFL Combine 2019 Invitations by School
11 – Alabama
11 – Clemson
10 – Ohio State
 9 – Georgia
 9 – Mississippi
 9 – Washington
 8 – Notre Dame
 8 – Florida
 8 – Kentucky
 8 – Mississippi State
 8 – Oklahoma
 8 – Texas A&M
 8 – Wisconsin
 7 – Boston College
 7 – Penn State
 7 – Stanford
 6 – Auburn
 6 – LSU
 6 – Miami
 6 – Michigan
 6 – Missouri
 6 – North Carolina State
 6 – Utah
 6 – West Virginia 
 
2019 NFL Combine Invitations – Leading Schools
Alabama (11)
DL Isaiah Buggs
RB Damien Harris
RB Josh Jacobs
LB Christian Miller
OL Ross Pierschbacher
TE Irv Smith
CB Saivion Smith
S Deionte Thompson
OT Jonah Williams
DT Quinnen Williams
LB Mack Wilson
 
Clemson (11)
DE Austin Bryant
DE Clelin Ferrell
CB Mark Fields
DT Albert Huggins
OT Mitch Hyatt
LB Kendall Joseph
LB Tre Lamar
DT Dexter Lawrence
CB Trayvon Mullen
WR Hunter Renfrow
DT Christian Wilkins
 
Ohio State (10)
DE Nick Bosa
WR Parris Campbell
WR Johnnie Dixon
QB Dwayne Haskins
DT Dre’mont Jones
OL Michael Jordan
WR Terry McLaurin
OT Isaiah Prince
CB Kendall Sheffield
RB Mike Weber
 

NFL Draft 2019 – First Round Mock Draft – February, 2019

 * Underclassmen –   Selection order after Super Bowl XLIII
Pre NFL Combine 2019 –  x – Division winner/y – Wild card team  

 All underclassmen had until Jan. 15^th to declare for the NFL Draft 2019. Players had three days to rescind their decision and return to school and still retain their college eligibility. No underclassmen rescind their decision.

1st Round

1 Arizona       3-13     – Josh Allen        LB     6-4, 250           Kentucky
2 San Fran   4-12     – * Nick Bosa     DE     6-3, 265           Ohio State
3 NY Jets      4-12   – * Quinnen Williams   DT    6-3, 295    Alabama
4 Oakland     4-12     – * Jonah Williams   OT     6-5, 300    Alabama
5 Tampa Bay  5-11     – * Ed Oliver            DT     6-2, 290     Houston

Draft Insiders’ 2019 Feb. Newsletter is available Now – Order Today
In-Depth Evaluation of Senior Bowl & East-West Shrine Weeks
Two Round Mock Draft & New Top 100 Pro Prospect Rankings

6 NY Giants   5-11     – * Dwayne Haskins      QB                   6-2, 215                     Ohio State
7 Jacksonville 5-11   – * Rashan Gary             DE                   6-4, 280                    Michigan
8 Detroit         6-10     – * Greedy Williams      CB                   6-1, 180                      LSU
9 Buffalo        6-10     – Montez Sweat               LB                6-4, 245                     Mississippi St
10 Denver       6-10     – * Greg Little                 OT                   6-5, 320                    Mississippi
11 Cincinnati 6-10      – Clelin Ferrell               DE                   6-4, 260                   Clemson
12 Green Bay 6-9-1    – * N’Keal Harry            WR                  6-2, 215                     Arizona State
13 Miami         7-9       – * Devin White               LB                6-0, 245                       LSU
14 Atlanta       7-9       – * Deionte Thompson   FS                6-0, 215                        Alabama
15 Washington 7-9    – Deandre Baker             CB                   5-11, 180                    Georgia
16 Carolina    7-9       – * Jeffery Simmons        DT                   6-3, 305                    Mississippi St
17 Cleveland  7-8-1    – * Jachai Polite               LB                   6-2, 242                     Florida
18 Minnesota 8-7-1    – Andre Dillard               OT                   6-5, 310                      Washington State
19 Tennessee 9-7       – Marquise Brown           WR                  5-11, 165                     Oklahoma
20 Pittsburgh 9-6-1     – * Brian Burns              LB                   6-4, 255                     Florida State
21 y Seattle    10-6     – * Mark Wilson                LB                   6-1, 240                     Alabama
22 x Baltimore  10-6    – * Kelvin Harmon       WR                  6-2, 220                    North Carolina St
23 x Houston 11-5     – * Byron Murphy              CB                   5-11, 175                    Washington
24 Oakland (x Chicago)12-4 – * DK Metcalf     WR                  6-4, 220                 Mississippi
25 y Philadelphia 9-7 – * Jawaan Taylor                 OT          6-5, 320                             Florida
26 y Indianapolis 10-6  – Jerry Tillery                     DT            6-4, 310                               Notre Dame
27 Oakland (x Dallas) 10-6 – Amani Oruwariye    CB        6-1, 205                     Penn State
28 y LA Chargers 12-4         – Dalton Risner             OL    6-5, 300                        Kansas State
29 x Kansas City 12-4          – Zach Allen                    DE        6-4, 285                           Boston College
30 Green Bay (x N.Orleans)13-3 * David Edwards    OT           6-7, 320              Wisconsin
31 x LA Rams            13-3 – Christian Wilkins                DT                   6-2, 300            Clemson
32 x New England 11-5         – * Dexter Lawrence        DT                   6-3, 340            Clemson                                 

      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