NFL Calendar 2021 – February thru Opening Day
Key NFL Free Agency Dates and Designations

FEBRUARY 8th – As of Monday, teams are allowed to start releasing players without having to worry about any repercussion on last year’s (2020) Salary Cap, which still technically applies until March 17. So, teams are now able to start making moves with the aim of improving their Salary Cap for 2021. All players released between February 8th and the start of the new league year on March 17th are subject to waivers. If they clear waivers, they immediately become free agents and are free to sign a contract at any time (even if before March 17th).

With the new league year set to commence on March 17th, expect most teams to start making veteran moves at some point in early March.

LATE FEBRUARY – Over the last few years, the NFL has announced the Compensatory Draft picks on the Friday before the Scouting Combine.  With the Combine being virtual this year, it remains to be seen when the League will announce Comp picks.
FEBRUARY 23rd – MARCH 9th – As of February 23rd, teams can start designating a soon-to-be free agent player with the Franchise or Transition Tag. If a team wants to use either Tag, they must do so by 4:00 pm on March 9th.

MARCH 15th – The “legal tampering” window opens. As of March 15th, other teams can start discussing contract offers and terms with potential free agents, though a contract cannot be agreed upon until March 17th.

MARCH 17th – At 4:00 pm on Wednesday, March 17th, the 2021 NFL League year begins:

Teams must have submitted tender offers to all of their Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) and Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) who they want to retain. Teams must exercise all 2021 contract options tied to the first day of the league year.

Free Agency for veteran players and the Trading period begins.
All teams must be under the Salary Cap and the Rule of 51 Cap computation begins.

Recent reports have suggested that the league Salary Cap is projected to be in the $180-181M range.  Using the midpoint of that range – $180.5M – as the Cap. Once RFAs and ERFAs are tendered and other adjustments are applied. This number will obviously change as teams make other moves – signing, re-signings, restructures and/or contract extensions.

APRIL 23rd – The deadline for teams to sign RFAs to an offer sheet.  If another team signs a RFA to an offer sheet, the player’s present team has five days to match that offer or potentially (depending on the tender given to the play) receive draft pick compensation if they decline to match.  With the NFL Draft starting on April 29th, the deadline to sign a player to an offer sheet and allow for the required five-day match period is April 23rd.

ARPIL 29th-May 1st – The NFL Draft 2021 – Cleveland, Ohio

MAY 4th – May 4th is the CBA-mandated date by which 5th Year Options must be exercised for 4th year players who were drafted in the 1st round.

MAY 5th – The “May 5th Tender” date.  This date, which was moved forward from June 1st a couple of years ago, is essentially the last date that the signing or losing of a free agent will count toward the Compensatory Draft pick calculation. The May 5th Tender – which rarely happens – is a way a team can potentially obtain exclusive negotiating rights with a player later in the summer.  It also provides extended Comp pick eligibility if the player is tendered a contract of at least 110% of his prior year’s compensation by May 5th.  Otherwise, if the player is not given the May 5th Tender, he no longer counts toward the Comp pick formula and the team cannot gain any special negotiating advantage later in the off season. As a practical matter, very few free agents who remain unsigned by May 5th are worth such a tender.
JUNE 1st – In past years this is the last day that teams can release a player and have all of the dead money from that release count against the present year’s Salary Cap. If released after June 1st, only the present year’s bonus prorations counts against the Cap in that year and all future bonus prorations would count against the following year’s Cap.

JULY 15th – This is the deadline for signing a player who has received the Franchise or Transition tag to a long-term deal. If no long-term deal can be reached by this date, the player must play that year under the one-year contract provided under the Franchise/Transaction Tender and cannot sign a long-term deal until after the season is over.

LATE JULY – NFL Training 2021 camps start opening.

SEPTEMBER 4th – Final cutdown date, all teams must cutdown to 53 players.

SEPTEMBER 9th – At 12:00 a.m., the Rule of 51 ends and all teams must be fully under the 2021 Salary Cap. This includes all of the players on the 53-man roster, the Practice Squad and all players on any of the reserve lists (IR, PUP, etc.).

SEPTEMBER 9th, 12th-13th – Week 1 of 2021 NFL regular season.

NFL Draft 2021 First Round Mock Draft    –

        The Jaguars are ‘On the Clock’!

Jets, Dolphins, Falcons and Bengals Complete Top 5 Selections
          Jaguars, Jets and Dolphins Hold Two #1 Draft Choices

The Jacksonville Jaguars are ‘On the Clock’ with the first overall selection for the NFL Draft 2021. They earned the top overall draft choice off the horrible 1-15 record. New rookie NFL head coach Urban Meyer inherited a roster that has been dissipated of talented veterans especially on defense over recent years. Their recent overall draft decisions have been weak with poor personnel decisions at the executive level. Meyer has the luxury of possessing the #1 overall selection in a year when a generational prospect, Trevor Lawrence is available. The Jaguars are one of three teams that hold two #1 picks with the others the Jets and Dolphins.

NY Jets earned the 2nd overall selection off a poor 2-14 record with both wins coming in the season. The Dolphins hold the Texans #1 pick which landed them the 3rd overall selection. The Texans will rotate with the Falcons in the 3rd and 4th positions in each round while the Bengals and Eagles will do the same with the 5th and 6th overall selections.

A teams’ opponent’s W-L record will determine all tie situations. Teams that are still tied will flip though none necessary this year. Playoff teams will shuffle according to their postseason results to determine the final top 32 selections. NFL teams look to both the veteran Free Agency period and the NFL Draft 2021 to improve their rosters. The salary cap will go down for the first time in years with a $170 million cap range per team expected. It will dictate the movement of many veteran players this offseason and have an impact among the premier draft selections.

NFL Draft 2021 – First Round Mock Draft – January, 2021

* Underclassmen – Selection order prior to Super Bowl game
        All underclassmen had until Jan. 18th to declare for the NFL Draft 2021. Players have three days to rescind their decision and return to school and still retain their college eligibility.

       Pre-Senior Bowl Game

1st Round
# Team      W/L        Player              Pos Ht/Wt School

1 Jacksonville 1-15 * Trevor Lawrence – QB 6-6, 225 Clemson
2 NY Jets 2-14 * Justin Fields – QB 6-3, 225 Ohio St
3 Miami (Houston) 4-12 * Ja’Marr Chase – WR 6-0, 210 LSU
4 Atlanta 4-12 * Zach Wilson – QB 6-3, 210 Brigham Young
5 Cincinnati 4-11-1 * Penei Sewell – OT 6-6, 330 Oregon
6 Philadelphia 4-11-1 * Patrick Surtain – CB 6-2, 205 Alabama
7 Detroit 5-11 * Gregory Rousseau – DE 6-7, 265 Miami
8 Carolina 5-11 DeVonta Smith – WR 6-1, 175 Alabama
9 Denver 5-11 * Christian Barmore – DT 6-5, 315 Alabama
10 Dallas 6-10 * Caleb Farley – CB 6-2, 205 Virginia Tech
11 NY Giants 6-10 * Jaelan Phillips – DE 6-5, 265 Miami
12 San Francisco 6-10 Rashawn Slater – OG 6-4, 315 Northwestern
13 LA Chargers 7-9 * Jalen Mayfield – OT 6-5, 325 Michigan
14 Minnesota 7-9 * Daviyon Nixon – DT 6-3, 305 Iowa
15 New England 7-9 * Kyle Pitts – TE 6-6, 245 Florida
16 Arizona 8-8 * Micah Parsons – LB 6-3, 245 Penn State
17 Las Vegas 8-8 * Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB 6-2, 215 Notre Dame
18 Miami 10-6 * Christian Darrisaw – OT 6-5, 315 Virginia Tech
19 Washington 7-9 * Mac Jones – QB 6-3, 215 Alabama
20 Chicago 8-8 * Jaylen Waddle – WR 5-10, 185 Alabama
21 Indianapolis 11-5 * Samuel Cosmi – OT 6-7, 310 Texas
22 Tennessee 11-5 Alex Leatherwood – OL 6-6, 315 Alabama
23 NY Jets (Seattle) 12-4 * Wyatt Davis – OG 6-4, 315 Ohio St
24 Pittsburgh 12-4 Travis Etienne – RB 5-10, 205 Clemson
25 Jacksonville (Rams) 10-6 Kwity Paye – DE 6-4, 270 Michigan
26 Cleveland 11-5 * Azeez Ojulari – LB 6-3, 240 Georgia
27 Baltimore 11-5 * Jaycee Horn – CB 6-1, 205 South Carolina
28 New Orleans 12-4 * Trey Lance – QB 6-4, 225 North Dakota St
29 Buffalo 13-3 * Pat Freiermuth – TE 6-5, 255 Penn St
30 Green Bay 13-3 Kadarius Toney WR – 5-11, 190 Florida
31 Tampa Bay 11-5 * Eric Stokes – CB 6-1, 185 Georgia
32 Kansas City 14-2 * Zaven Collins – LB 6-4, 260 Tulsa

Senior Bowl 2021 Begins in New Mobile Setting

The Reese’s Senior Bowl 2021 has begun after a concerted effort by the staff, directed by Jim Nagy over the past year.  The premier All-star classic has been sold to capacity for its first game to be played in Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, on January 30, 2021. The Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins coaching staffs were assigned for the 72nd annual Reese’s Senior Bowl. Both young staffs should benefit from the week long exposure to the prospects to view them in a pro setting of meetings, interviews, practices and game action.

As is true for all large sporting events played during the current Covid-19 pandemic, seating capacity for 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl has been significantly reduced to comply with local and state government public heath orders. Practices will be closed to the public this year and we are unable to host events such as Senior Bowl Summit, Meet the Players, Game Day Tailgating, or the new Friday Night Players Parade and Free Concert

Roster weigh-in is set for Tuesday morning with the first practices that afternoon. Practices will continue through the shortened week.

Draft Insiders’ staff will be in attendance for the weigh-in, practices and scheduled game. Our February Newsletter will have an extensive Senior Bowl report.

DATE: Saturday, January 30, 2021

TIME: 1:30pm CT

WHERE: Mobile, Alabama

STADIUM: University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium

TELEVISION: NFL Network

Top 100 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft 2020

     April, 2020 – Final Edition
NFL Draft Final Rankings                * Declared Underclassmen

Frank Coyle –   www.draftinsiders.com

      Pro Prospect            Position  / School                                
1 Joe Burrow                            QB       LSU
2 * Chase Young                      DE       Ohio State
3 Derrick Brown                       DT        Auburn
4 * Jeffrey Okudah                  CB        Ohio State
5 * Isaiah Simmons                 LB        Clemson
6 * Tristan Wirfs                      OT        Iowa
7 * Jerry Jeudy                         WR       Alabama
8 Justin Herbert                       QB       Oregon
9 * Tua Tagovailoa                   QB       Alabama
10 * Jedrick Wills                      OT        Alabama
11 Javon Kinlaw                        DT        South Carolina
12 * Henry Ruggs                      WR       Alabama
13 * Mekhi Becton                     OT        Louisville
14 * C.J. Henderson                  CB        Florida
15 * CeeDee Lamb                    WR       Oklahoma
16 * Andrew Thomas                 OT        Georgia
17 * Justin Jefferson                  WR       LSU
18 * Xavier McKinney                S          Alabama
19 * Kenneth Murray                  LB        Oklahoma
20 * Austin Jackson                   OT        USC
21 * K’Lavon Chaisson               LB        LSU
22 * A.J. Epenesa                      DE       Iowa
23 * D’Andre Swift                     RB        Georgia
24 * Ezra Cleveland                   OT        Boise State
25 Marlon Davidson                  DE       Auburn
26 * Patrick Queen                    LB        LSU
27 * J.K. Dobbins                      RB        Ohio State
28 * Jaylon Johnson                  CB        Utah
29 * Yetur Gross-Matos             DE       Penn State
30 * A.J. Terrell                          CB        Clemson
31 * Jordan Love                       QB       Utah State
32 Zack Baun                            LB        Wisconsin
33 * Tee Higgins                       WR       Clemson
34 Josh Jones                          OT        Houston
35 Julian Okwara                       LB        Notre Dame
36 * Grant Delpit                       S          LSU
37 * Cole Kmet                          TE        Notre Dame
38 Kristian Fulton                      CB        LSU
39 Denzel Mims                        WR       Baylor
40 Trevon Diggs                       CB        Alabama
41 * Cesar Ruiz                         C          Michigan
42 * Laviska Shenault                WR       Colorado
43 Chase Claypool                    WR       Notre Dame
44 Jeff Gladney                        CB        Texas Christian
45 * Clyde Edwards-Helaire        RB        LSU
46 Ashtyn Davis                        S          California
47 * Ross Blacklock                  DT        Texas Christian
48 * Antoine Winfield                 S          Minnesota
49 * Justin Madubuike               DT        Texas A&M
50 * Jonathan Taylor                  RB        Wisconsin
51 Brandon Aiyuk                      WR       Arizona St
52 * Terrell Lewis                       LB        Alabama
53 * Jalen Reagor                      WR       Texas Christian
54 Damon Arnette                     CB        Ohio State
55 * Curtis Weaver                     DE       Boise State
56 Kyle Dugger                         S          Lenoir-Rhyne
57 Michael Pittman                    WR       USC
58 * Isaiah Wilson                      OT        Georgia
59 Harrison Bryant                    TE        Florida Atlantic
60 Raekwon Davis                    DT        Alabama
61 * Matt Hennessy                   C          Temple
62 * K.J. Hamler                        WR       Penn State
63 Neville Gallimore                   DT        Oklahoma
64 * Albert Okwuegbunam          TE        Missouri
65 * Jacob Eason                      QB       Washington
66 Leki Fotu                              DT        Utah
67 Bryce Hall                             CB        Virginia
68 Josh Uche                            LB        Michigan
69 * Cam Akers                         RB        Florida State
70 Adam Trautman                    TE        Dayton
71 Troy Dye                              LB        Oregon
72 Zack Moss                           RB        Utah
73 * Noah Igbinoghene             CB        Auburn
74 Malik Harrison                       LB        Ohio State
75 * Lloyd Cushenberry              C          LSU
76 * Jake Fromm                       QB       Georgia
77 Bradlee Anae                        DE       Utah
78 * Tyler Biadasz                     C          Wisconsin
79 Lucas Niang                         OT        Texas Christian
80 * Jordan Elliott                      DT        Missouri
81 * Gabriel Davis                     WR       Central Florida
82 * James Lynch                      DE       Baylor
83 Matthew Peart                      OT        Connecticut
84 Van Jefferson                      WR       Florida
85 * Cameron Dantzler              CB        Mississippi State
86 Jeremy Chinn                       S          Southern Illinois
87 * Prince Tega Wanogho        OT        Auburn
88 Terrell Burgess                     S          Utah
89 Darrell Taylor                        LB        Tennessee
90 Logan Wilson                       LB        Wyoming
91 John Simpson                      OG       Clemson
92 Jabari Zuniga                       DE       Florida
93 Robert Hunt                          OG       Louisiana-Lafayette
94 * Netane Muti                       OG       Fresno State
95 * Hunter Bryant                     TE        Washington
96 Shane Lemieux                     OG       Oregon
97 Jordyn Brooks                      LB        Texas Tech
98 Troy Pride                            CB        Notre Dame
99 Ben Bredeson                      OG       Michigan
100 J.R. Reed                           S          Georgia

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.

NFL Draft 2020 – Jeudy, Lamb and Ruggs Top Bumper Crop Wide Receiver Class

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

Wide Receivers – Grade: A

  NFL Teams in need:
1. Jets             5. Redskins
2. Eagles        6. Raiders  
3. Vikings      7. Texans
4. Bengals     8. Panthers

Positional Overview: This year’s group of receivers is a high-quality class which may rival the great class of 1996 as impact pro playmakers. This is a both a top heavy and very deep class with many blue and red chip prospects. It does surpass recent groups over the past decade with the talent and depth at the position to be the bumper crop class in recent memory. This position will provide many NFL starters and playmakers with as many as seven first round draft choices. The addition of numerous underclassmen enhances this class significantly with many of the top 15 players being selected in the top 100 overall picks. This class should produce solid starters into the 3rd day of the NFL Draft. Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb are blue chip prospects who probably come off the board in the top ten thru the middle of the 1st round. They should begin a run of at least 12 prospects chosen in the top 100 overall choices. Henry Ruggs and Justin Jefferson could hear his name called from the middle of the 1st round. Laviska Shenault and Tee Higgins had some late injury and workout concerns which may affect their final grades, though definitely first round talents. Brandon Aiyuk, Chase Claypool and Denzel Mims are rising players who could land at the end of the first round. Jalen Reagor, Michael Pittman and K.J. Hamler are developed playmakers with early grades. Possession receivers, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Van Jefferson and Collin Johnson are potential NFL starters with average type speed, though developed skills. Possibly 25 receivers could go in the top 200 overall picks. The underclassmen will once again play a huge factor here. There are a few fast-rising prospects like Ruggs, Claypool and Mims who are moving up quickly off impressive postseasons. Highly regarded playmakers like Gabriel Davis and K.J. Hamler will probably go early, though could slide in this incredible class. There will probably be at least 35-40 chosen over the event with many rookie free agents carrying make it grades in camp.

Frank Coyle – Publisher Draft Insiders’ Digest for 29 years –
              NFL Draft Yearbook 2020 & NFL Team Report (40 pgs ) – Available now –
                                www.draftinsiders.com – Publication and Web Site

Wide Receiver Rankings

  NFL Premier Player
        Julio Jones

Blue Chip – Jerry Jeudy
Blue Chip – CeeDee Lamb
Blue Chip – Henry Ruggs
Rising – Justin Jefferson
Falling – Collin Johnson
Underrated – Gabriel Davis
Overrated – Donovan Peoples-Jones
Sleeper – Van Jefferson
Boom/Bust – K.J. Hamler
Long term Gem – Antonio Gandy-Golden

Positional Traits
Best Athlete – Henry Ruggs
Best Hands – Tee Higgins
Fastest – Henry Ruggs
Quickest – Jalen Reagor
Run After Catch – Henry Ruggs
Route Runner – Jerry Jeudy
Deep Threat – Henry Ruggs
Catch In Traffic – Chase Claypool
Blocker – Laviska Shenault
Adjustments /Routes – Justin Jefferson
Hidden Gem – Joe Reed
 
      Wide Receiver Rankings

1 * Jerry Jeudy – Alabama
2 * CeeDee Lamb – Oklahoma
3 * Henry Ruggs – Alabama
4 * Justin Jefferson – LSU
5 * Laviska Shenault – Colorado
6 * Tee Higgins – Clemson
7 Brandon Aiyuk – Arizona State
8 Chase Claypool – Notre Dame
9 * Jalen Reagor – TCU
10 * K.J. Hamler – Penn State
11 Denzel Mims – Baylor
12 Michael Pittman – Southern California
13 * Gabriel Davis – Central Florida
14 * Donovan Peoples-Jones – Michigan
15 Van Jefferson – Florida
16 Antonio Gandy-Golden – Liberty
17 James Proche – Southern Methodist
18 Devin Duvernay – Texas
19 Collin Johnson – Texas
20 John Hightower – Boise State

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./

NFL Draft 2020 – D’Andre Swift & J.K. Dobbins Top Solid Running Back Class

Running Backs – Grade: B
    Positional Overview:
This year’s running back position is an above average group after an ordinary class last April. Underclassmen will once again dominate from among the top prospects with most having early NFL starting grades. This class could supply up to as many as 2-3 #1 picks with Swift, Dobbins and Taylor good candidates. There should be possibly 5-6 prospects in the top 100 picks. Dobbins is a tough runner in the mold of short power feature backs. Swift is an emerging back with a nice combination of quickness and power. Cam Akers is a quick power back with well-rounded skills to be ready for NFL starting duty. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is an honest back with NFL starting talent to surprise. Zack Moss, Eno Benjamin, Lamical Perine, AJ Dillon and Anthony McFarland all figure in the middle rounds. Moss and Dillon give their clubs physical runners who can move the chains. Benjamin is a burner who can change a game. McFarland is a playmaker who figures to fill a few roles as a 1A type. Antonio Gibson can provide impact as receiver after time as a wideout. Mike Warren is an emerging highly-underrated talent to be a three-down workhorse and one of the surprises of this class. This class should produce as many as 7-10 quality feature backs with a few at the top of the class capable of becoming early pro starters. Another hidden gem is Pete Guerriero who we scouted extensively and he has the skills to be a quality role weapon with the athleticism to be a good pro. He is our highest rated small college prospect. This class could provide 15-20 selected in the seven rounds. This position will also provide many return specialists and 3rd down backs.

Frank Coyle – Publisher Draft Insiders’ Digest for 29 years – NFL Draft Yearbook 2020 & NFL Team Report (40 pgs ) – Available now – www.draftinsiders.com –   Publication and Web Site

NFL Teams in need:
1. Chiefs           5. Chargers
2. Steelers       6. Rams
3. Bengals       7. Falcons
4. 49ers           8. Raiders

NFL Premier Player
     Derrick Henry
Blue Chip – D’Andre Swift
Blue Chip – J.K. Dobbins
Red Chip – Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Rising – Cam Akers
Falling – Jonathan Taylor
Underrated – AJ Dillon
Overrated – Eno Benjamin
Sleeper – Anthony McFarland
Hidden Gem – Zack Moss
Boom/Bust – Cam Akers
Longterm Surprise – Lamical Perine

Positional Traits
Best Athlete – D’Andre Swift
Inside Runner – AJ Dillon
Outside Run – D’Andre Swift
Goal line Runner – AJ Dillon
Best All-purpose – D’Andre Swift
Best Hands – D’Andre Swift
Best After Catch – Antonio Gibson
Best Blocker – Cam Akers
Most Durable – Jonathan Taylor
Best Instincts – J.K. Dobbins
Best Intangibles – Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Top Running Backs Prospects
1 * D’Andre Swift – Georgia
2 * J.K. Dobbins – Ohio State
3 * Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin
4 * Clyde Edwards-Helaire – LSU
5 * Cam Akers – Florida State
6 Zack Moss – Utah
7 * Eno Benjamin – Arizona State
8 Lamical Perine – Florida
9 * AJ Dillon – Boston College
10 * Anthony McFarland – Maryland
11 Joshua Kelley – UCLA
12 Antonio Gibson – Memphis
13 Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Vanderbilt
14 Darrynton Evans – Appalachian State
15 * Michael Warren – Cincinnati
16 Deshawn McClease – Virginia Tech
17 * Salvon Ahmed – Washington
18 Scottie Phillips – Mississippi
19 * Pete Guerriero – Monmouth University
20 * DeeJay Dallas – Miami

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.

NFL Draft 2020 – Jeff Okudah Tops Strong Cornerback Class

NFL Draft 2020 – Cornerbacks – Grade: B+

Positional Overview:
This year’s cornerback class is a high-quality group which is both deep and top heavy. There are a few blue chips expected to go in the 1st round, with many through the top 50-100 overall selections. Four juniors head our top six rankings, though the senior group is a very solid with nice development. Jeffrey Okudah of Ohio State and CJ Henderson of Florida head the top of the class. Those two prospects will probably be selected in the top 5-15 overall picks. Okudah has the skill set and versatility to start early and probable top 5 selection. He is another in a long line of Buckeye corners to enter the NFL recently with a few highly successful early in their careers. Henderson is a well-developed cover man with an early starting grade. He will probably be selected in the top 10-15 choices. Trevon Diggs and Kristian Fulton are well developed after being tested in the SEC and are NFL ready for any scheme. Juniors, A.J. Terrell and Jaylon Johnson are coming off strong final performances and should go in the top or early 2nd round. Jeff Gladney and Damon Arnette are highly regarded corners who have risen as fast as any defensive players in this class. Gladney is a probable mid-2nd day pick. This is a deep group that will supply many NFL starters well into the 3rd day of the process. There could be at least 10 prospects selected in the top 100 choices. There will probably be 15 prospects selected in the top 150 picks. There should be a run on corners from the mid-1st round through the early 3rd day. This class has very good depth and will provide a number of middle round steals like Darnay Holmes, Harrison Hand and Troy Pride. This position has annually provided the most overall selections and could rank high once again. This group could supply as many as 35 total prospects and another 40 high priority FA. Two unheralded defenders, Amik Robertson and Kindle Vildor are highly regarded and coming off strong final performances and each carries a potential starting grade. This deep crop of corners will supply a huge group of big corners with some versatility to also slide to safety in the nickel and dime sub packages.

Frank Coyle has published Draft Insiders’ Digest for 29 years –NFL Draft Yearbook 2020 – Available now – www.draftinsiders.com Publication and Web Site

NFL Teams in need:
1. Vikings            5. Falcons
2. Ravens            6. Dolphins
3. Lions               7. Chiefs
4. Jets                 8. Steelers

       NFL Premier Player
Patrick Peterson/Stephon Gilmore

Blue Chip – Jeffrey Okudah
Blue Chip – CJ Henderson
Red Chip – Trevon Diggs
Rising – A.J. Terrell
Falling – Bryce Hall
Underrated – Darnay Holmes
Overrated – Michael Ojemudia
Sleeper – Kindle Vildor
Boom/Bust – Cameron Dantzler
Biggest Upside -Trevon Diggs
Hidden Gem – Harrison Hand
Long Term Gem – Troy Pride
Over drafted – Damon Arnette

Positional Traits
Best Athlete – Jeffrey Okudah
Best Man Cover – CJ Henderson
Best Zone Cover – Jeffrey Okudah
Best Run support – Trevon Diggs
Best Tackler – Jaylon Johnson
Best Nickel – Amik Robertson
Hands – Darnay Holmes
Best Intangibles – Troy Pride
Ball Instincts – Jeff Gladney

    Top Cornerbacks  
1 * Jeffrey Okudah – Ohio State
2 * CJ Henderson – Florida
3 Trevon Diggs – Alabama
4 * Jaylon Johnson – Utah
5 Kristian Fulton – LSU
6 * A.J. Terrell – Clemson
7 Jeff Gladney – TCU
8 Bryce Hall – Virginia
9 Damon Arnette – Ohio State
10 * Darnay Holmes – UCLA
11 Harrison Hand – Temple
12 Cameron Dantzler – Mississippi State
13 Troy Pride – Notre Dame
14 * Amik Robertson – Louisiana Tech
15 Kindle Vildor – Georgia Southern
16 Michael Ojemudia – Iowa
17 Reggie Robinson – Tulsa
18 * Noah Igbinoghene – Auburn
19 * Josiah Scott – Michigan State
20 Lavert Hill – Michigan

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.

NFL Draft 2020 – Offensive Tackles

This year’s offensive tackle class is one of the strongest groups in the past decade for the NFL Draft 2020. Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton head the group that ranks just behind the deep talented class of wide receivers in blue chip prospects and overall depth.

Offensive Tackles: Grade: A

 NFL Teams in need:
1 Patriots             4. Cardinals
2 Jets                   5. Giants
3 Seahawks         6. Jaguars

Frank Coyle has published Draft Insiders’ Digest for 29 years –NFL Draft Yearbook 2020 – available now
                             www.draftinsiders.com   Publication and Web Site  

     Positional Overview:
            This year’s tackle class is a very strong overall group with the top four prospects expected to be chosen within the mid first round selections. Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, Jedrick Wills and Andrew Thomas carry developed tackle skills and should all be off the board in the top 12-15 selections. There could possibly be seven tackles chosen in the first round with as many as 12 prospects selected in the top 100 choices. Many of these prospects have the physical skills and versatility to also play guard. Austin Jackson, Josh Jones and Ezra Cleveland all could be a 1st round picks. Jackson, jones and Cleveland are very fast-rising prospects with very good athleticism to play the outside and probably move to left tackle within a short time. Isaiah Wilson, Lucas Nuang and Matthew Peart are premier right tackles and carries 2nd day grades and pro starting talent within a short time. Peart is one of the most underrated prospects in this deep class. Other probable early round prospects, Prince Tega Wanogho and Saahdig Charles have tackle skills, though probably line up at right tackle or guard early in their careers. Charles is a tough versatile lineman may project inside, though a solid NFL starter. Trey Adams is a very underrated tackle who struggled through injuries over his career that probably pushes him to the 3^rd day of the draft where he would be excellent value. Ben Bartch and Alex Taylor have NFL skill sets and our highest rated small college prospects. As many as 20-25 tackles could be chosen over the 7 rounds and probably at least 12-15 prospects in the top 150 picks. This class has good depth with the strength from the early 1st round thru the top 125 prospects. This class may furnish many starting left tackles in time with most 2nd tier prospects strictly right side. This class may provide 15-20 potential starters.

    NFL Premier Players

LT Joe Staley/ RT Lane Johnson 
Blue Chip – Tristan Wirfs
Blue Chip – Mekhi Becton
Rising – Ezra Cleveland
Falling – Trey Adams
Underrated – Matthew Peart
Overrated – Terence Steele
Small College – Ben Bartch
Sleeper – Ben Bartch
Boom/Bust – Lucas Niang

    Positional Traits

Best Athlete – Mekhi Becton
Best Run – Tristan Wirfs
Best Pass – Mekhi Becton
Best Pulling – Tristan Wirfs
Toughest – Jedrick Wills
Adjusts Best – Andrew Thomas
Strongest – Jedrick Wills
Most Developed – Tristan Wirfs
Long term Gem – Matthew Peart

      Top Offensive Tackles 

1 * Tristan Wirfs – Iowa
2 * Mekhi Becton – Louisville
3 * Jedrick Wills – Alabama
4 * Andrew Thomas – Georgia
5 * Austin Jackson – USC
6 * Josh Jones – Houston
7 * Ezra Cleveland – Boise State
8 * Isaiah Wilson – Georgia
9 Lucas Niang – TCU
10 Matthew Peart – UConn
11 Prince Tega Wanogho – Auburn
12 Saahdiq Charles – LSU
13 Trey Adams – Washington
14 Charlie Heck – North Carolina
15 Ben Bartch – St John (Mn)

Frank Coyle has published Draft Insiders’ Digest for 29 years

                       www.draftinsiders.com   Publication and Web Site  

Top 50 Prospects for the NFL Draft 2020

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout /Publisher
    * Declared Underclassmen   – Post-NFL Combine Rankings

     Pro Prospect       /             Pos   /  Ht / Wt       /  School     
1 Joe Burrow                               QB        6-4, 220            LSU
2 * Chase Young                        DE         6-5, 265            Ohio State
3 * Isaiah Simmons                  OLB      6-4, 225            Clemson
4 Derrick Brown                        DT        6-5, 320            Auburn
5 * Jeffrey Okudah                   CB         6-1, 200            Ohio State
6 * Tristan Wirfs                       OT        6-5, 320            Iowa
7 * Mekhi Becton                      OT        6-6, 355            Louisville
8 * Jerry Jeudy                         WR        6-1, 195            Alabama
9 Justin Herbert                       QB        6-6, 235            Oregon
10 * Tua Tagovailoa                  QB       6-1, 215            Alabama
11 * Jedrick Wills                       OT        6-5, 315            Alabama
12 Javon Kinlaw                        DT        6-6, 310            South Carolina
13 * C.J. Henderson                  CB        6-1, 190            Florida
14 * Andrew Thomas                OT        6-5, 320            Georgia
15 * CeeDee Lamb                    WR       6-2, 190            Oklahoma
16 * K’Lavon Chaisson             OLB      6-4, 235            LSU
17 * Henry Ruggs                      WR       6-0, 190            Alabama
18 * A.J. Epenesa                      DE       6-6, 280            Iowa
19 * Xavier McKinney               S          6-1, 200            Alabama
20 * Yetur Gross-Matos           DE       6-5, 265            Penn State
21 * Kenneth Murray                ILB       6-2, 245            Oklahoma
22 * D’Andre Swift                    RB        5-9, 215            Georgia
23 * Justin Jefferson                WR       6-2, 190            LSU
24 * Austin Jackson                  OT        6-6, 310            USC
25 * J.K. Dobbins                      RB        5-10, 220          Ohio State
26 * Jordan Love                       QB       6-4, 220            Utah State
27 * Patrick Queen                    LB        6-1, 230            LSU
28 Marlon Davidson                DE       6-3, 275            Auburn
29 * Tee Higgins                       WR       6-4, 205            Clemson
30 * Cole Kmet                          TE        6-6, 250            Notre Dame
31 * Grant Delpit                       S          6-3, 210            LSU
32 Kristian Fulton                    CB        6-0, 190            LSU
33 Brandon Aiyuk                     WR       6-1, 195            Arizona St
34 * Jonathan Taylor                RB        5-11, 220          Wisconsin
35 * Laviska Shenault              WR       6-2, 225            Colorado
36 * Ezra Cleveland                  OT        6-6, 310            Boise State
37 Julian Okwara                      OLB      6-5, 240            Notre Dame
38 Trevon Diggs                       CB        6-2, 210            Alabama
39 Zack Baun                            OLB      6-3, 235            Wisconsin
40 Josh Jones                             OT        6-7, 310            Houston
41 * Clyde Edwards-Helaire      RB        5-8, 210            LSU
42 * A.J. Terrell                          CB        6-2, 190            Clemson
43 Raekwon Davis                     DT        6-7, 310            Alabama
44 * Jaylon Johnson                  CB        6-0, 190            Utah
45 * Cesar Ruiz                           C          6-3, 320            Michigan
46 Chase Claypool                     WR       6-4, 225            Notre Dame
47 * Ross Blacklock                    DT        6-4, 305            Texas Christian
48 * Terrell Lewis                       OLB      6-5, 250            Alabama
48 * Justin Madubuike               DT        6-3, 305            Texas A&M
49 * Jalen Reagor                       WR       5-11, 195          Texas Christian
50 * Antoine Winfield                 S          5-10, 200          Minnesota

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

NFL Draft 2020 Remains Scheduled for April 23-25 in Las Vegas – All Public Events Cancelled –

The NFL announced this week that the NFL Draft 2020 will proceed as scheduled April 23-25 and will be televised. The annual selection process will no longer include public events in Las Vegas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell explained in a news release that the decision to cancel events in Las Vegas was made with guidance from medical experts such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and in coordination with public authorities in Nevada and Las Vegas.

The league also said that it is currently exploring “innovative options for how the process will be conducted and will provide that information as it becomes available.”

“This decision reflects our foremost priority — the health and safety of all fans and citizens,” Goodell in a statement. “While this outcome is disappointing both to the NFL and to the Las Vegas community, we look forward to partnering with the Raiders, the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for a future NFL Draft as well as evaluating opportunities for other major NFL events in Las Vegas in the future, including the Super Bowl.”

Raiders owner Mark Davis released the following statement on Monday’s news:
“After careful consideration, the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL, the NFLPA and the LVCVA have decided to cancel the 2020 Las Vegas NFL Draft celebration,” Davis said. “Health and safety has always been our top priority, so despite it being a major disappointment, this was the right decision. I would like to thank Governor [Steve] Sisolak and the LVCVA for all of the passion they put into creating an event that would have been second to none. Although Las Vegas lost this chance to shine, there will be many more opportunities to show the world just what Las Vegas is made of. Whether it be the Draft, the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl, the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World is ready!”

The NFL announced last week that teams were prohibited from conducting pre-draft visits to team facilities due to the worldwide COVID-19 crisis.

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.