Declared Underclassmen – NFL Draft 2019

The declaration date for underclassmen for the NFL Draft 2019 came at 4 pm Jan. 15th – Players have an additional three days to decide to either declare or change their minds with the Jan. 18th date final. No player rescinded their decision last year. The NFL office will announce the official Underclassmen list on Friday, Jan. 18^th.

The usual high number of quality running backs, tight ends and wide receivers declared for this class and will have a strong impact on the early rounds. The defensive line will have a big impact from the underclassmen group with several potential first round prospects. The line and edge rushers will provide a high number of top selections with several blue-chip prospects at important positions. With the rookie salary cap reduced for the upcoming seasons, this class surpassed every group of third year players entering the pro ranks. Currently, they are over 130 underclassmen expected to enter the NFL Draft 2019.

In 2018, there were a record 106 players granted special early eligibility with the previous record for early entrants at 98 in the 2014 NFL Draft. Each of the players granted special eligibility has met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and each has submitted a written application in which he renounced his remaining college football eligibility.

 Draft Insiders’ 2019 January Newslettter will be available this week – Order Today –        Underclassmen rated, 2 Round Mock Draft and new Top 100 Pro Prospects

NFL Draft 2019 – Underclassmen Pro Prospects  – updated Jan. 18th

 Declared for the NFL Draft – Justin Herbert Returns to Oregon

Offensive Players –

Quarterbacks
  Position / Player                  School         Class
QB Dwayne Haskins                  Ohio State       RSo
QB Tyree Jackson                       Buffalo             Jr
QB Daniel Jones                          Duke                Jr
QB Jarrett Stidham                    Auburn              Jr
QB Kyler Murray                        Oklahoma         Jr

Running Backs
RB Benny Snell                           Kentucky             Jr
RB David Montgomery             Iowa State           Jr
RB Justice Hill                            Oklahoma St       Jr
RB Devin Singletary                  Florida Atlantic  Jr
RB Trayveon Williams               Texas A&M        Jr
RB Mike Weber                           Ohio State          Jr
RB Darrell Henderson               Memphis            Jr
RB Travis Homer                        Miami                 Jr
RB Tony Pollard                         Memphis             Jr
RB Josh Jacobs                          Alabama              Jr
RB Elijah Holyfield                   Georgia                Jr
RB Rodney Anderson               Oklahoma           Jr
RB LJ Scott                                 Michigan St        Jr
RB Jordan Scarlett                    Florida                Jr
RB Miles Sanders                      Penn St                Jr
RB Alex Barnes                          Kansas St            Jr
RB Alex Mattison                      Boise State          Jr
RB James Williams                   Washington St.   Jr
RB Damarea Crockett               Missouri              Jr
RB Darwin Thompson              Utah State           Jr
RB Kerrith Whyte                      Florida Atlantic  Jr
RB Bolu Olorunfunmi               UCLA                   Jr

Wide Receivers
WR AJ Brown                            Mississippi       Jr
WR Kelvin Harmon                  North Carolina St  Jr
WR N’Keal Harry                      Arizona St         Jr
WR Marquise Brown                Oklahoma         Jr
WR DK Metcalf                          Mississippi       RSo
WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside         Stanford            Jr
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey       Texas                Jr
WR Riley Ridley                         Georgia            Jr
WR Hakeem Butler                    Iowa State         Jr
WR Darius Slayton                    Auburn              Jr
WR Miles Boykin                       Notre Dame      Jr
WR Preston Williams                Colorado St      Jr
WR Mecole Hardman                Georgia            Jr
WR Dillon Mitchell                    Oregon             Jr
WR James Gardner                   Miami (Oh)        Jr
WR Greg Dortch                         Wake Forest     RSo
WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams   North Carolina   Jr
WR Antoine Wesley                    Texas Tech       Jr
WR Tyron Johnson                     Oklahoma St.    Jr
WR Diontae Johnson                  Toledo               Jr
WR Jalen Guyton                        North Texas      Jr
WR Jovon Durante                     Florida Atlantic  Jr
WR John Ursua                           Hawaii              Jr
WR Jakobi Meyers                      North Carolina State      Jr
WR Penny Hart                           Georgia State    Jr
WR Dredrick Snelson                Central Florida  Jr
WR Jazz Ferguson                      Northwestern St Jr

Tight Ends
TE Noah Fant                             Iowa                  Jr
TE Irv Smith                              Alabama           Jr
TE TJ Hockenson                     Iowa               RSo
TE Caleb Wilson                       UCLA                Jr
TE Alize Mack                           Notre Dame     Jr
TE Kaden Smith                        Stanford           Jr
TE Jace Sternberger                 Texas A&M     Jr
TE Isaac Nauta                          Georgia            Jr
TE Zach Gentry                         Michigan          Jr
TE Dax Raymond                      Utah St             Jr
TE Kahale Warring                   San Diego St   Jr
TE Keenen Brown                     Texas St            Jr
TE Dawson Knox                      Mississippi       Jr

Offensive Linemen
OT Jonah Williams                    Alabama           Jr
OT Greg Little                           Mississippi       Jr
OT David Edwards                    Wisconsin         Jr
OT Jawaan Taylor                     Florida              Jr
OT Bobby Evans                        Oklahoma         Jr
OT Ryan Bates                         Penn St            Jr
OT Tyler Roemer                       San Diego St    RSo
OT Andre James                       UCLA               Jr
OT William Sweet                      North Carolina   Jr
OG Cody Ford                            Oklahoma         Jr
OG Michael Jordan                   Ohio St             Jr
OG Nate Herbig                        Stanford           Jr
OG Venzell Boulware                 Miami               Jr
OG Erik McCoy                         Texas A&M       Jr
OG Connor McGovern               Penn St            Jr
 
Defensive Players
Linemen
DE Nick Bosa                             Ohio St                           Jr
DE Joe Jackson                         Miami                             Jr
DE Jordan Brailford                 Oklahoma St                 Jr
DE Anthony Nelson                  Iowa                               Jr
DE Byron Cowart                       Maryland                      Jr
DE Shareef Miller                      Penn St.                         Jr
DE Darryl Johnson                   North Carolina A&T    Jr
DE Maxx Crosby                        Eastern Michigan        Jr
DE Christian Rector                 Southern California    Jr

DT Ed Oliver                             Houston                     Jr
DT Rashan Gary                       Michigan                   Jr
DT Jeffery Simmons                 Mississippi State    Jr
DT Dre’Mont Jones                  Ohio St                      Jr
DT Dexter Lawrence                 Clemson                   Jr
DT Gerald Willis                       Miami                       Jr
DT Youhanna Ghaifan             Wyoming                 Jr
DT Ed Alexander                      LSU                           Jr
DT PJ Johnson                         Arizona                     Jr
DT Trysten Hill                          Central Florida     Jr
DT Kevin Givens                       Penn State              Jr
DT Amani Bledsoe                    Oklahoma              Jr
 
Linebackers
OLB Brian Burns                       Florida St          Jr
OLB Jachai Polite                     Florida              Jr
OLB Devin Bush                        Michigan           Jr
OLB Vosean Joseph                  Florida                Jr
OLB Sutton Smith                     Northern Illinois Jr
OLB Tyrel Dodson                    Texas A&M       Jr
OLB Quart’e Sapp                     Tennessee        Jr
ILB Devin White                         LSU                  Jr
ILB Mark Wilson                        Alabama            Jr
ILB Tre Lamar                            Clemson             Jr
ILB Joe Giles-Harris                   Duke                Jr
ILB Jeff Allison                         Fresno State     Jr
ILB Josiah Tauaefa                    Texas-San Antonio  Jr
ILB David Long                         West Virginia     Jr

Cornerbacks
CB Greedy Williams                  LSU                        RSo
CB Byron Murphy                      Washington         RSo
CB Trayvon Mullen                    Clemson                Jr
CB Julian Love                            Notre Dame         Jr
CB Justin Layne                        Michigan St            Jr
CB Kendall Sheffield                   Ohio State            Jr
CB Joejuan Williams                  Vanderbilt            Jr
CB Savion Smith                       Alabama                  Jr
CB David Long                          Michigan                 Jr
CB Jamel Dean                           Auburn                   Jr
CB Hamp Cheevers                   Boston College       Jr
CB Blessuan Austin                   Rutgers                   Jr
CB Sean Bunting                       Central Michigan   Jr
CB Ryan Pulley                          Arkansas                  Jr
CB Clifton Duck                         Appalachian St       Jr
CB Xavier Crawford                   Central Michigan   Jr

Safeties
S Deionte Thompson                   Alabama            Jr
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson   Florida               Jr
S Amani Hooker                           Iowa                    Jr
S Malik Gant                                Marshall             Jr
S Mike Bell                                   Fresno State       Jr

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

East-West Shrine and NFLPA – Major All-Star Weeks Begin

  Both the East-West Shrine and NFLPA All-star weeks begin with practices. Both events have rosters of many NFL prospects including small college players looking to highlight their talent on the main stage.   

Draft Insiders’ will have scouting staffs at both All-star events this week. We will have in-depth evaluation of all the All-star events in upcoming newsletters.

  Draft Insiders’ 2019 January Newslettter will be available this week – Order Today –  Underclassmen rated, 2 Round Mock Draft and new Top 100 Pro Prospects

All-Star Games

     Jan. 19 – NFLPA Collegiate Game – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Ca.– FS1 – 2 pm PT
      Go to http://collegiate.nflpa.com/2019-game-roster/ for updated info including Rosters

     Jan. 19- East-West Shrine – St. Petersburg, Florida – 3 pm est – NFL Network
 For Complete East-West Shrine All-star Game info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to http://www.shrinegame.com/
 
*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***
                       Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
For Complete Senior Bowl info including Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

 Key Postseason Dates
January 15 – Deadline for college players that are underclassmen to apply for special eligibility. A list of players who are accepted into the NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

Jan 19 – East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Jan 19 – NFLPA All-Star Game, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Ca.
 
January 20 – AFC and NFC Championship Games.
 
January 26 – Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.

January 27 – NFL Pro Bowl, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.
January 27 – An assistant coach, whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.

                 Feb 3 – **** Super Bowl LIIl **** Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.

Declared Underclassmen for the NFL Draft 2019

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

The upcoming NFL Draft is attracting another strong group of underclassmen. Last year a record number of underclassmen decided to turn pro with well over a 100 prospects entering the NFL ranks. This year will probably surpass those numbers with only a few days before the Jan. 15^th deadline. Expect many new additions here over the next few days with the end of the bowl season. This draft class will be a very heavy defensive talent group from both the underclassmen and senior classes.

Draft Insiders’ January Newslettter will be available next week – All Underclassmen, 2 Round MD, and new Top 100 Pro Prospects

In addition, to the large number of underclassmen entering the pro ranks, many players are opting out of their bowl game to prepare for the demanding NFL Draft postseason, both the All-star weeks and NFL Combine and pro day events. These players have increased in recent years and this is a disturbing recent development with key players ending their college careers with their team’s most important postseason game on the agenda.

Declared Underclassmen for the NFL Draft 2019
Jan. 12th          Deadline to declare Jan. 15th

Offensive Players
     Position / Player / School / Class

QB Dwayne Haskins                  Ohio State       RSo
QB Daniel Jones                       Duke                Jr
QB Jarrett Stidham                    Auburn              Jr
QB Tyree Jackson                    Buffalo             Jr
RB Benny Snell                         Kentucky          Jr
RB David Montgomery               Iowa State       Jr
RB Justice Hill                           Oklahoma St     Jr
RB Devin Singletary                  Florida Atlantic  Jr
RB Trayveon Williams                Texas A&M       Jr
RB Mike Weber                         Ohio State        Jr
RB Darrell Henderson                Memphis           Jr
RB Travis Homer                       Miami               Jr
RB Josh Jacobs                        Alabama           Jr
RB Elijah Holyfield                    Georgia             Jr
RB Rodney Anderson                Oklahoma         Jr
RB LJ Scott                              Michigan St       Jr
RB Jordan Scarlett                    Florida             Jr
RB Miles Sanders                       Penn St             Jr
RB Alex Barnes                         Kansas St         Jr
RB Alex Mattison                      Boise State       Jr
RB James Williams                    Washington St.  Jr
RB Damarea Crockett               Missouri            Jr
RB Darwin Thompson                Utah State        Jr
RB Kerrith Whyte                       Florida Atlantic  Jr
RB Bolu Olorunfunmi                 UCLA                Jr
WR AJ Brown                            Mississippi       Jr
WR Kelvin Harmon                    North Carolina St  Jr
WR N’Keal Harry                       Arizona St         Jr
WR Marquise Brown                  Oklahoma         Jr
WR DK Metcalf                         Mississippi       RSo
WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside           Stanford            Jr
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey            Texas                Jr
WR Riley Ridley                        Georgia            Jr
WR Hakeem Butler                     Iowa State         Jr
WR Darius Slayton                    Auburn              Jr
WR Miles Boykin                       Notre Dame      Jr
WR Preston Williams                 Colorado St      Jr
WR Mecole Hardman                 Georgia            Jr
WR Dillon Mitchell                     Oregon             Jr
WR James Gardner                   Miami (Oh)        Jr
WR Greg Dortch                       Wake Forest     RSo
WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams      North Carolina   Jr
WR Antoine Wesley                   Texas Tech       Jr
WR Diontae Johnson                  Toledo               Jr
WR Jalen Guyton                      North Texas      Jr
WR Jovon Durante                    Florida Atlantic  Jr
WR John Ursua                         Hawaii              Jr
WR Jakobi Meyers                    North Carolina State      Jr
WR Dredrick Snelson                Central Florida  Jr
WR Jazz Ferguson                    Northwestern St  Jr
TE Noah Fant                            Iowa                 Jr
TE Irv Smith                              Alabama           Jr
TE Caleb Wilson                       UCLA                Jr
TE Alize Mack                           Notre Dame      Jr
TE Kaden Smith                        Stanford           Jr
TE Jace Sternberger                  Texas A&M       Jr
TE Isaac Nauta                          Georgia            Jr
TE Zach Gentry                         Michigan           Jr
TE Dax Raymond                      Utah St             Jr
TE Kahale Warring                    San Diego St    Jr
TE Keenen Brown                     Texas St           Jr
TE Dawson Knox                      Mississippi        Jr
OT Jonah Williams                    Alabama           Jr
OT Greg Little                           Mississippi       Jr
OT David Edwards                    Wisconsin         Jr
OT Jawaan Taylor                     Florida              Jr
OT Bobby Evans                        Oklahoma         Jr
OT Ryan Bates                         Penn St            Jr
OT Tyler Roemer                       San Diego St    RSo
OT Andre James                       UCLA               Jr
OT William Sweet                      North Carolina   Jr
OG Cody Ford                            Oklahoma         Jr
OG Michael Jordan                   Ohio St             Jr
OG Nate Herbig                        Stanford           Jr
OG Venzell Boulware                 Miami               Jr
OG Erik McCoy                         Texas A&M       Jr
OG Connor McGovern               Penn St            Jr

Defensive Players
DE Nick Bosa                           Ohio St                Jr
DE Joe Jackson                         Miami                   Jr
DE Jordan Brailford                   Oklahoma St        Jr
DE Anthony Nelson                   Iowa                    Jr
DE Byron Cowart                       Maryland              Jr
DE Shareef Miller                      Penn St.              Jr
DE Maxx Crosby                       Eastern Michigan  Jr
DE Christian Rector               Southern California    Jr
DT Ed Oliver                             Houston                Jr
DT Rashan Gary                       Michigan               Jr
DT Jeffery Simmons                  Mississippi State  Jr
DT Dre’Mont Jones                   Ohio St                Jr
DT Dexter Lawrence                  Clemson              Jr
DT Gerald Willis                         Miami                  Jr
DT Ed Alexander                       LSU                    Jr
DT PJ Johnson                         Arizona             Jr
DT Trysten Hill                          Central Florida  Jr
DT Kevin Givens                       Penn State        Jr
DT Amani Bledsoe                    Oklahoma           Jr
OLB Brian Burns                       Florida St          Jr
OLB Jachai Polite                     Florida              Jr
OLB Devin Bush                        Michigan           Jr
OLB Vosean Joseph                  Florida             Jr
OLB Sutton Smith                     Northern Illinois Jr
OLB Tyrel Dodson                    Texas A&M       Jr
OLB Quart’e Sapp                     Tennessee        Jr
ILB Tre Lamar                            Clemson          Jr
ILB Joe Giles-Harris                   Duke                Jr
ILB Jeff Allison                         Fresno State     Jr
ILB Josiah Tauaefa                    Texas-San Antonio  Jr
ILB David Long                         West Virginia     Jr
CB Greedy Williams                  LSU                  RSo
CB Byron Murphy                      Washington       RSo
CB Trayvon Mullen                    Clemson             Jr
CB Justin Layne                        Michigan St         Jr
CB Joejuan Williams                  Vanderbilt           Jr
CB David Long                          Michigan             Jr
CB Jamel Dean                         Auburn                Jr
CB Hamp Cheevers                   Boston College    Jr
CB Blessuan Austin                   Rutgers               Jr
CB Sean Bunting                       Central Michigan  Jr
CB Ryan Pulley                         Arkansas            Jr
CB Clifton Duck                         Appalachian St   Jr
CB Xavier Crawford                   Central Michigan Jr
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson    Florida                Jr
S Amani Hooker                        Iowa                   Jr
S Malik Gant                             Marshall            Jr
S Mike Bell                                Fresno State     Jr

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

NFL Draft 2019 – Pro Prospect Rankings – 

Frank Coyle – Head scout
January Newsletter available mid month –
December Rankings and Newsletter available now

Special Package for NFL Draft available – Call (732) 842-4749

Pro Prospect Rankings
updated Jan 11th

Offense
Offensive Skilled Positions

Underclassmen, Dwayne Haskins and Daniel Jones strengthen average QB class
    Quarterbacks

1 * Dwayne Haskins 6-3 215 Ohio St
2 Drew Lock 6-4 225 Missouri
3 * Daniel Jones 6-5 220 Duke
4 Will Grier 6-1 223 West Virginia
5 Ryan Finley 6-3 215 North Carolina State
6 * Tyree Jackson 6-7 245 Buffalo
7 * Kyler Murray 5-10 190   Oklahoma
8 * Jarrett Stidham 6-3 215 Auburn
9 Clayton Thorson 6-4 225 Northwestern
10 Brett Rypien 6-2 205 Boise State
11 Nick Fitzgerald 6-4 230 Mississippi State
12 Gardner Minshew II 6-1 220 Washington State
13 Jordan Taamu 6-2 210 Mississippi
14 Eric Dungey 6-3 220 Syracuse
15 Drew Anderson 6-3 230 Murray State
16 Easton Stick 6-2 220 North Dakota State
17 David Blough 6-1 205 Purdue

Harris and Love Head Average Senior Group of Running Backs
   Running Backs
1 Damien Harris 5-10 220 Alabama
2 * David Montgomery 5-10 225 Iowa State
3 Bryce Love 5-9 200 Stanford
4 Myles Gaskin 5-9 195 Washington
5 * Justice Hill 5-10 190 Oklahoma State
6 * Benny Snell 5-10 225 Kentucky
7 * Trayveon Williams 5-8 200 Texas A&M
8 * Darrell Henderson 5-9 200 Memphis
9 * Devin Singletary 5-9 225 Florida Atlantic
10 Dexter Williams 5-11 215 Notre Dame
11 * Mike Weber 5-9 215 Ohio State
12 * Rodney Anderson 6-0 220 Oklahoma
13 Karan Higdon 5-9 202 Michigan
14 Josh Jacobs 5-10 215 Alabama
15 Nick Brossette 6-0 220 LSU
16 Qadree Ollison 6-1 225 Pittsburgh

Draft Insiders’ Rookie Spotlight – LB Darius Leonard – Colts

By Frank Coyle

       Draft Insiders’ will post Rookie spotlight players regularly and their Scouting Report from our NFL Draft 2018 Yearbook. Scouting Reports are written from the fall into March annually.

Rookie Darius Leonard has been one of the top impact first year players in the NFL this season. He has been a major difference maker for the Colts playoff run. He has been an every down defender and one of the most productive defenders in the league. His well rounded talent translated quickly to the NFL and he has been an interchangeable defender for all the Colts package defenses

 Here is his Scouting Report from Draft Insiders’ Yearbook 2018 written March 2018

 Darius Leonard #10     South Carolina St         6-2       235       – Sp. 4.65       
    Player Comparison: Thomas Davis                                   Rating 80

Athletic, active, senior finished his small college career with incredible consistency as an every down defender. Earned MEAC honors annually, completing his career with an impressive Senior Bowl week. Long rangy defender with fine field speed to make plays at the opposite sideline and drop in coverage. Lean frame and probably has maxed out at the 235 lb. level. His athleticism, quickness, toughness and consistent effort vs a high level of competition stand out on film. Good movement skills with good instincts and fluid hips. Top instincts and quick reactions to use his fine speed and athleticism to make plays. Fiery on-field character with explosive closing speed and able to cover a lot of ground quickly in pursuit. Flashes burst to close on the ball especially in close quarters. Powerful tackler and really brings his pads on contact and consistently able to finish. Good initial quickness off the snap to read plays and defeat blocking angles. Able to contort his body to dip around a block and drop ball-carriers. Holds point fairly well with adequate functional strength. Above average change-of-direction allows him to redirect in space and stay with receivers. Developing cover man with improving ball skills to compete for the Will position in the NFL. That is his best position. Very experienced and effective on all special teams’ coverage units where his sure tackling ranks him as one of the premier special teams’ defenders in this class. High level of self-motivation and excellent competitive drive. Outstanding quickness makes it tough for blockers to get a good fit and compensates for marginal size. Moves laterally well and keeps blockers off his body to flow to the ball. Well-developed backfield vision and usually on time recognizing route concepts. In 2017, he had 114 tackles with 12 TFL and 8.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, 1 FF, 1 PBU and 2 interceptions. Earned 1st team MEAC honors. In 2016, started 11 games and posted 124 tackles with 14.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 4 FF, 3 PBU and 2 interceptions. Earned 1st team MEAC honors. Good early part time defender and special teams’ performer from his true freshman season. Over his career, recorded 394 tackles with 22 sacks, 53 TFLs, 8 FF, 3 FR, 6 interceptions and 7 PBUs. At the NFL Combine, he came in at 6’2”, 234 lbs. with 34 3/8” arms. He ran a 4.70 time with a 1.67 ten-yard split and did 17 reps.  He was average in the positional drills. Lack of ideal size causes concern about durability. Best fit as Will backer. Many of the same skills as Thomas Davis with keen instincts, big play talent and good work habits. Rising top 100 prospect with upside and the AA to become a pro playmaker in either a 4-3  or 3-4 set. Fine run and chase defender and rising talent with early starting ability. Needs work in coverage for nickel role, but displays the skills to start there. Outstanding special teams’ ability earns him a roster spot. Top three small college prospect to be a fixture in a 4-3 set. Probable Will starter with some coverage work. 

                                                                        Draft Projection: 3rd Round  

Senior Bowl 2019 Finalizes Roster

 Mobile, Ala. – The Reese’s Senior Bowl has finalized its 2019 roster with the addition of eight players.

This is another strong nationwide group of pro prospects assembled by first year Senior Bowl director, Jim Nagy.

 For Complete Senior Bowl 2019 Roster go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/accepted-invites.php

 Added to the roster this week were Alabama offensive lineman Ross Piersbacher, Ole Miss offensive lineman Javon Patterson, Texas A&M center Erik McCoy, linebacker Alaka Otaro and defensive lineman Kingsley Keke, Miami (FL) safety Sheldrick Redwine, Ohio State wide receiver Terry McLaurin and UC-Davis wide receiver Keelan Doss.

 McCoy is a fourth-year junior graduate who has declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. He is one of five junior graduates on this year’s roster, joining Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, NC State wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, Utah State tight end Dax Raymond and West Virginia linebacker David Long.

 “After a very thorough process that actually began last summer, we are excited to finalize the rosters for our 70th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl game,” said Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy. “Our main objective is to provide the 32 NFL member clubs with the best rosters possible and this collection of players truly represents the best that college football, at all levels, had to offer this year.”

 The official game week North/South rosters will be released on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

 The 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl is January 26th at 1:30pm at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at www.seniorbowl.com, at 151 Dauphin St. in downtown Mobile or at Piggly Wiggly locations.

 Reese’s Senior Bowl week begins on Monday, Jan. 21 and practices will be on Tuesday (Jan. 22), Wednesday (Jan. 23) and Thursday (Jan. 24) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. They are free and open to the public.

 All three practices and the game will be televised live by NFL Network

              ** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network **                                                   Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
                                            Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

Raiders and 49ers Coaching Staffs Direct Senior Bowl Teams

The Senior Bowl announced this week that the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers have been selected by the NFL as the two coaching staffs for the 2019 All-star classic in Mobile, Ala. They are the two highest teams drafting with coaching staffs intact for the upcoming 2019 season.

 This marks the 70th year the NFL will send two of its full coaching staffs to the game’s premier all-star and pre-draft event. Reese’s Senior Bowl week starts on Monday, January 21st and concludes with the 70th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl on January 26th at 1:30 pm CT at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***
                             Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
                       For Complete Senior Bowl info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

 “The Reese’s Senior Bowl is excited to have the two Bay Area teams coaching in our 70th annual game,” said Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy.  “The Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers are both iconic franchises. With eight Super Bowl victories between them, the Raiders and Niners are historic brands of the league and the Senior Bowl is honored to have them at our game this year.”

 The 49ers will coach the South team and have coached the Reese’s Senior Bowl five times, last coaching in the game in 2008, ending a stretch of three consecutive coaching appearances (Mike Nolan 2006-08). They also coached in 1975 (Dick Nolan) and 1981 (Bill Walsh).

 The Raiders, who will lead the North team, have also coached in the Reese’s Senior Bowl five times previously – 1992 (Art Shell), 1999 (Jon Gruden), 2005 (Norv Turner), 2008 (Lane Kiffin) and 2013 (Dennis Allen).

 Both the Raiders and 49ers finished with 4-12 records in 2018. The 49ers hold the second overall pick and the Raiders will select fourth in April’s 2019 NFL Draft.

 Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden will be coaching in the Reese’s Senior Bowl for the fourth time. He coached the North team as the Raiders head coach in 1999, falling to Bucs’ coach Tony Dungy and the South, 31-21. He then coached in the game twice as the head coach of the Bucs, in 2005 and 2007, going 1-1 in those games.

  “We’re fired up to have Jon Gruden back in Mobile,” Nagy said. “He brings such rare energy and passion to the game of football.  This is a unique opportunity for our fans to see and hear coach Gruden at field level during our practice week.”

 Gruden, 55, returned to coaching this season after spending nearly a decade in the broadcast booth. Gruden compiled a 95-81 (.540) regular season mark in his 12 seasons as a head coach with the Raiders (1999-2001, 2018) and Bucs (2002-2008) and a 5-4 postseason mark, which includes a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

 When he was initially hired by Al Davis with the Raiders in 1998, he was the youngest coach in the league at age 34 and posted a 38-26 record, leading the silver and black to back-to-back AFC West titles in 2000 and 2001, including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2000.

 “The Oakland Raiders are excited to coach in the premier all-star game in the land,” Gruden said. “The opportunity to interact with the Senior Bowl rosters and help these great young men achieve their dreams has the entire Raider staff galvanized. We could not be more pumped to get to Mobile.”

 Shanahan, 39, who will coach the South, will be making his head coaching debut in the Senior Bowl, but coached twice in the game previously as an assistant. Ironically, his first coaching experience in the Reese’s Senior Bowl was in 2005 as the Offensive Quality Control Coordinator for Gruden with the Bucs. In 2012, he returned to Mobile as the Offensive Coordinator of the Washington Redskins, under his father Mike Shanahan.

 “Our players are lucky to have the opportunity to be around coach Shanahan and his staff for a week,” Nagy said. “He is one of the brightest offensive minds in the game today and the Reese’s Senior Bowl is excited that our fans will get an up-close look at how he prepares players.  In addition, we are excited to have a great football man like General Manager John Lynch around our game all week, as well.”

 “The Senior Bowl is a tremendous opportunity for NFL teams to get a firsthand look at some of the top college prospects, and the City of Mobile has always been a gracious host,” Lynch said. “The opportunity to coach these young men is an invaluable asset to our evaluation process and one that we are excited to have. We look forward to getting to know these guys personally while working with them on the practice field, in meetings and even in the dining facilities.”

 Shanahan has 15 seasons of coaching experience in the NFL, the past two as the 49ers’ head coach, where he has compiled a 10-22 record. Prior to his first head coaching position, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons (2015-2016), Cleveland Browns (2014), Washington Redskins (2010-2013) and Houston Texans (2008-2009).

 Following the 2016 season, in which the Falcons appeared in Super Bowl LI, Shanahan was named the Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year.

NFL Draft 2019 – First Round Mock Draft –

Frank Coyle – Head scout
* Underclassmen expected to declare for the NFL Draft 2019
       Exact draft order to be determined at close of postseason
        x – Division winner      y – made playoffs

December Newsletter – Two Round Mock Draft –
Top 100 Prospects for NFL Draft 2019

1st Round
1 Arizona         3-13      – * Nick Bosa                    DE            6-3, 265         Ohio State
2 San Fran       4-12      – * Quinnen Williams    DT            6-3, 295         Alabama
3 NY Jets          4-12      –  Josh Allen                     LB            6-4, 250            Kentucky
4 Oakland         4-12      – * Ed Oliver                    DT           6-2, 290             Houston
5 Tampa Bay    5-11      – * Greedy Williams      CB           6-1, 180                         LSU
6 NY Giants      5-11      – * Dwayne Haskins       QB          6-2, 215                         Ohio State
7 Jacksonville  5-11      – Clelin Ferrell                DE                    6-4, 260                         Clemson
8 Detroit           6-10      – * Rashan Gary              DE                    6-4, 280                         Michigan
9 Buffalo          6-10      – * Jonah Williams          OT                    6-5, 300                         Alabama
10 Denver         6-10      – Drew Lock                     QB                    6-3, 225                          Missouri
11 Cincinnati    6-10      – * Devin White              LB                     6-0, 245                         LSU
12 Green Bay   6-9-1     – Montez Sweat              LB                     6-4, 245            Mississippi State
13 Miami          7-9        – * Raekwon Davis          DT                     6-7, 315                          Alabama
14 Atlanta         7-9        – * Derrick Brown           DT                     6-3, 325                         Auburn
15 Washington 7-9        – Deandre Baker           CB                    5-11, 180                        Georgia
16 Carolina      7-9        – * Greg Little                 OT                    6-5, 320                         Mississippi
17 Cleveland    7-8-1     – * AJ Brown                  WR                   6-1, 225                         Mississippi
18 Minnesota   8-7-1     – Zach Allen                   DE                    6-4, 285             Boston College
19 Tennessee   9-7        – * Jeffery Simmons       DT                    6-3, 305             Mississippi State
20 Pittsburgh   9-6-1     – * Brian Burns              LB                     6-3, 265                         Florida State
21 Philadelphia 9-7      – * Byron Murphy          CB                    5-11, 175                       Washington
22 Indianapolis 10-6     – Jerry Tillery                DT                     6-4, 310                         Notre Dame
23 Seattle         10-6      – * Deionte Thompson   FS                     6-0, 215                         Alabama
24 Oakland (Dallas) 10-6 – * N’Keal Harry     WR                   6-2, 215                         Arizona State
25 Baltimore    10-6      – * Jachai Polite             LB                     6-2, 242                         Florida
26 Houston      11-5      – Lukas Denis                   FS                     5-11, 190            Boston College
27 New England 11-5   – * Daniel Jones              QB                    6-5, 220                         Duke
28 Oakland (Chicago)  12-4 – * David Edwards  OT                    6-7, 320                         Wisconsin
29 LA Chargers 12-4    – * Dexter Lawrence      DT                     6-3, 340                         Clemson
30 LA Rams     13-3      – Austin Bryant                DE                    6-4, 265                         Clemson
31 Kansas City 12-4     – Kelvin Harmon            WR                   6-2, 220            North Carolina State
32 Green Bay (New Orleans) 13-3 – * Taylor Rapp  SS               6-0, 215                        Washington

January All-Star Games 2019 Postseason Schedule

Jan. 5-9 – College Gridiron Showcase, Fort Worth, Texas

Jan. 13 – Tropical Bowl – FBS All-star Game – Daytona Beach, Florida
                      http://www.tropicalbowl.com/

Jan. 19 NFLPA Collegiate Game –
      Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, Ca.– FS1

     Jan. 19 – East-West Shrine – St. Petersburg, Florida – 3 pm est – NFL Network
     For Complete East-West Shrine All-star Game info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to http://www.shrinegame.com/
 
*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***

                       Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
For Complete Senior Bowl info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

Cardinals Hold 1^st Overall Pick Selection Entering Final  NFL Weekend

Frank Coyle/ Publisher – Head Scout

 With just one game remaining in the 2018 season, the first round order for the NFL Draft 2019 is shaping the selection process. Currently, 16 clubs still have mathematical chances to earn playoff spots. All NFC division winners have been decided, though one wild card playoff club remains to join Seattle. The AFC playoff picture is more complicated with only the Patriots claiming a division title. The three other AFC divisions are still open with eight teams vying for the five remaining playoff positions.  

 Arizona has the #1 off their 3-12 record. The 49ers remain at the 2^nd overall selection off opponent’s won/loss records, though tied with the Jets and Oakland at 4-11. The Lions, Bucs, Bills, Giants and Jaguars hold the #5 thru #9 overall choices on the merit of their poor 5-10 records. There is a logjam with four clubs at 6-9 that will impact the top half of the first round over the final Sunday of the 2018 season.

 This weekend features a few key matchups, Atlanta at Tampa and Detroit at Green Bay that can shuffle the top 10 selections for all of those clubs. Arizona, San Fran, Jets and Raiders all have road divisional games that will determine the final draft order at the very top of the selection process.

 Opponents’ W-L record will be posted next week after all 16 opponents for each team and the final draft order.  Teams that are tied are currently ranked in the order of their opponents won/loss record.

Current First Round Draft Order

# / Team / W-L /
1 Arizona          3-12
2 San Francisco  4-11
3 NY Jets          4-11
4 Oakland         4-11
5 Detroit           5-10
6 Tampa Bay    5-10
7 Buffalo          5-10
8 NY Giants      5-10
9 Jacksonville   5-10
10 Atlanta         6-9
11 Carolina       6-9
12 Denver         6-9
13 Cincinnati     6-9
14 Green Bay    6-8-1
15 Miami           7-8
16 Washington  7-8
17 Cleveland     7-7-1
18 Philadelphia 8-7
19 Pittsburgh    8-6-1
20 Tennessee    9-6
21 Minnesota    8-6-1
22 Indianapolis  9-6
23 Seattle         9-6
24 Oakland (Dallas)       9-6
25 Baltimore     9-6
26 Houston       10-5
27 New England            10-5
28 Oakland (Chicago)    11-4
29 L.A. Chargers           11-4
30 L.A. Rams    12-3
31 Kansas City  11-4
32 Green Bay (New Orleans)      13-2

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.