NFL Calendar 2020
NFL Important Dates

Updated 1/2/2020

January 2020
Jan. 4-5 – Wild Card Playoffs.
Jan. 5 – Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that have byes in Wild Card weekend may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the Wild Card games.
Jan. 11-12       NFL Divisional Playoffs.
Jan. 12 – Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games.

Jan. 3-8 – College Gridiron Showcase Game, Fort Worth, Tx.
Jan. 12 – Tropical All-Star Game, Daytona Beach, Fl.

Jan. 18 – East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Jan. 18 – NFLPA All-Star Game, Los Angeles. Ca.

Jan. 19 AFC and NFC Championship Games

Jan. 20 Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2020 College Draft will be sent to clubs on January 24.

Jan. 25 – Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.

Jan. 26 – Hula Bowl All-Star Game, Honolulu, Hawaii

Jan. 26 – NFL Pro Bowl.
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.

February
Feb. 2   Super Bowl LIV, Hard Rock Stadium, South Florida.
Feb. 24-March 2 – NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Feb. 25 First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March
March 10 – Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 16-18  – During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 16 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2019 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations.
No prospective Unrestricted Free Agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
March 18 – The 2020 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2020 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
Trading period for 2020 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2019 contracts.

April

March 29-April 1          Annual League Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida.
April 6  – Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2019 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 17  – Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 20 – Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22  – Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.

April 23-25   –     NFL Draft 2020, Las Vegas, Nevada.

NFL Supplemental Draft 2019 – July 10, 2019

Arizona selected former Washington St safety Jalen Thompson in today’s NFL Supplemental Draft. The Cardinals used a 5th round pick to take Thompson who was a late entrant in the supplemental draft after the NCAA stripped him of his eligibility for testing positive for a banned substance.

No other player was selected in today’s supplemental draft. The Jaguars quickly signed West Virginia receiver Marcus Simms. Other players, Syracuse OLB Shy Cullen, Northland WR/TE Devonaire Clarington and St. Francis of Illinois CB Bryant Perry are all free agents and able to sign with any team.

Prospects for NFL Supplemental Draft 2019

These players are eligible for the NFL Supplemental Draft after not declaring for entry in the NFL Draft 2019.

Draft Insiders’ Scouting Reports

 Safety Jalen Thompson #34     5-10      190       Washington St – Sp. 4.50         Rating 70
Athletic safety had an unheralded career in the Pac 12, starting since midway in his sophomore season. Earned some Pac 12 honorable mention after his junior season. Adequate size and good speed with reliable tackling ability and developing coverage skills to challenge for an NFL roster spot. In run support, he reads the play nicely and uses his arms well to keep blockers off to finish. As a tackler, he has progressed on his initial reads to react and get into proper positioning to finish. Lacks powerful frame to deliver big hits, though is becoming a solid wrap-up tackler and consistent at the line with improving angles to the ball. Athletic talent to be a pro defender, but still has key areas to improve like pass coverage to compete for a roster spot. Good 4.48 speed and the range to make plays at the sidelines. In pass coverage, he can retain well in transition in man situations with flexible hips when he makes reads the route properly. At times, he gives too much separation and lacks the elite recovery speed to make up for mistakes. In man coverage, he can run with fast receivers, but needs refinement in positioning, hand usage and leverage. Bites on multiple moves and still raw in route and overall play recognition. Needs better technique and footwork to plant and drive on the ball. Needs reps in reading the QB and routes better to be ready to compete for time in dime package. At his pro day, he ran in the 4.50 range with a 33.5” VL, 10’4” BJ and 4.16 shuttle. Good positional drills for a solid overall effort. Makeup to compete for a role as special teams’ defender where his speed and tackling should earn time. Good tools to develop especially in coverage and play the high safety role. Must develop better ball skills to start, though has the burst to matchup with fast receivers. Good 3rd day addition with skills to produce on special teams. Fine versatile prospect with talent to continue to improve in deficient areas. Make it grade, though a marginal top 150 prospect in main draft.

Wideout Marcus Simms #8      6-0        190       West Virginia      – Sp. 4.45        Rating 65
Athletic senior showed fine playmaking ability as a receiver in a receiving corps that included Gary Jennings and David Sills. Simms has a lean frame with good movement skills to get into his routes easily and run with the ball after the reception. Good combination of running skills and speed with a high average per catch. Possesses deceptive speed and gets on top of corners quickly. He is adept at not allowing corners playing press to get a jam on him. He does a fine job of gathering and exploding out of his breaks without a loss of speed, to create consistent separation. Tough to compete well for 50-50 balls. He shows the ability to adjust in midair to off line passes with success. He shows good alertness and football intelligence and will work back toward the quarterback when the play breaks down. While he is already above average in speed, when he is tracking the ball in flight, he shows an extra gear to run under it. Tough matchup for most college corners with his triangle numbers and physicality. At his pro day, he checked in under 6’ and 188 lbs. and ran a 4.45 time with 12 reps. Added a 36” VL, a 10’3” BJ, a 6.91three cone and 4.19 shuttle. Good overall speed/size height/weight. Solid role player with nice level of development to start as both a slot and outside receiver. Capable of playing in three and four wideout sets in time. Boom or bust prospect with the talent to surprise and carve a niche in a pro passing game. Some prior off the field issues. Risky 3rd day addition with interesting upside and definite talent to make it and become a solid contributor with development.

First Round Mock Draft for the NFL Draft 2019

Final Edition – 
  Frank Coyle – Head Scout/ DraftInsiders.com

#  Team       Player /             Position /      School
* Underclassmen

First Round
1 Arizona – * Kyler Murray              QB          Oklahoma
2 San Francisco – * Nick Bosa        DE          Ohio St
3 NY Jets – * Quinnen Williams      DT          Alabama
4 Oakland – Josh Allen                    LB        Kentucky
5 Tampa Bay – * Devin White         LB          LSU
6 NY Giants – * Jonah Williams     OT         Alabama
7 Jacksonville – Andre Dillard      OT      Washington St
8 Detroit – * Ed Oliver                    DT         Houston
9 Buffalo – * TJ Hockenson           TE          Iowa
10 Denver – * Devin Bush                                LB                     Michigan
11 Cincinnati – * Jawaan Taylor                     OT                     Florida
12 Green Bay – Marquise Brown                    WR                    Oklahoma
13 Miami – * Dwayne Haskins                        QB                     Ohio State
14 Atlanta – * Greedy Williams                       CB                     LSU
15 Washington  – Drew Lock                           QB                     Missouri
16 Carolina – * DK Metcalf                               WR                    Mississippi
17 NY Giants (Cleve) – Montez Sweat            LB                     Mississippi St
18 Minnesota – Garrett Bradbury                     C                     North Carolina State
19 Tennessee – * Brian Burns                           LB                     Florida St
20 Pittsburgh – Deandre Baker                       CB                     Georgia
21 Seattle – Christian Wilkins                           DT                     Clemson
22 Baltimore – Cody Ford                                 OG                     Oklahoma
23 Houston – * Byron Murphy                         CB                     Washington
24 Oakland (Chicago) –  * Rashan Gary          DE                     Michigan
25 Philadelphia – Clelin Ferrell                        DE                     Clemson
26 Indianapolis  – * Dexter Lawrence             DT                     Clemson
27 Oakland (Dallas) – * Noah Fant                   TE                     Iowa
28 LA Chargers – * Daniel Jones                        QB                    Duke
29 Seattle (Kansas City) – Johnathan Abrams     S                      Mississippi St
30 Green Bay (New Orleans) – Dalton Risner     OL                    Kansas State
31 LA Rams – Jerry Tillery                                     DT                     Notre Dame
32 New England – * Irv Smith                              TE                     Alabama

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 2019 – Draft Insiders’ – Scouting Report
  Linebacker Chase Winovich – Michigan

   Frank Coyle/ Head scout

Here is Draft Insiders’ Yearbook scouting report on one of the fastest rising defensive prospects in this class, defensive end/ linebacker Chase Winovich of Michigan.  He is a prospect we have scouted since early in his career when he flashed impact in a few roles for the tough Wolverine defense. He is a three down defender who has the flexibility to play both with his hand in the dirt and up off the edge. He became a core defender on the highly ranked Michigan defense which will probably see four defensive prospects selected in the top 100 with three hearing their names in the top 40-50 selections. Winovich performed very well vs top Big Ten talent which supplies many offensive linemen annually to the NFL. He had an outstanding postseason concluding with a very impressive showing at his Pro Day and the NFL Combine.  He performed despite coming off ankle surgery during the early postseason prior to the NFL Combine and undergoing wrist surgery following his March 15th Pro Day. He performed outstanding at both events and was impressive at interviews.  He is ranked our #4 Outside Linebacker and a top 40-50 prospect.

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Draft Insiders’ – 2019 Yearbook Scouting Report

Outside Linebacker
 Chase Winovich #15               6-3        255       Michigan – Sp. 4.60
    Player Comparison: Rob Ninkovich                      Rating 86
High motor versatile senior defender had a fine career, earning Big Ten honors over his final two seasons. Earned first team honors in 2018 with his big play ability off the edge. Strong frame with good weight room strength that translates well to the field. Good height and arm length with a solid base to be a three-down defender at both the weak side end position in 4-3 set or up in the 3-4 scheme. Good burst off the edge and transfers to power with fine technique to win vs bigger athletes. Sound instincts with the versatility and toughness to play either outside spot in basic fronts. Skill set to be effective in run support and a quality pass rusher. After an impressive sophomore effort, he established himself as a developing prospect with good instincts, functional strength and speed. Displays strong quick hands to keep blockers off his body and separate to gain penetration. Shows strength and leverage to hold the point with the speed and flexibility to chase in pursuit and break down well in space. As an edge rusher, he has deceptive quickness and speed to rush the passer with the functional strength to win late on the down. Holds the point with sound leverage and hand usage, though struggles when facing combo blocks. Fluid flexible athlete who can stack vs big blockers when technically sound. Shows the quickness to move laterally and make plays with hand technique to disengage from blockers. Combines good functional strength with speed on the snap to also counter back inside. Shows a burst to the ball once he frees himself from blockers with the agility and flexibility to redirect and chase from the backside. Utilizes his hand punch to strike an opponent and separate to pursue the ball. As a pass rusher, he relies too much on his initial power move and needs more development on his swim maneuver to win. Average acceleration at the top of his arc. Good short area burst along the line in pursuit. Shows ability to counter and redirect to the inside when his initial move is contained. As a senior, he started 13 games and totaled 69 tackles with 17 TFL, 1 PBU and 5 sacks, earning 2nd team Big Ten. As a junior, he made 79 tackles with 18.5 TFL and 8 sacks starting 13 games, earning first team Big Ten. At the NFL Combine, he came in at just under 6’3” and 256 lbs. and did 18 reps with a wrist that required surgery soon after the event. He ran a 4.59 time with a 30.5” VL and 9’8” BJ with a 4.11 shuttle and a 6.94 three cone to complete a very good overall effort. Athlete with versatility to start at a few positions and both sets. Two postseason surgeries, an ankle injury early in postseason and a March wrist surgery after performing well at his Pro day. Probable early starter if he settles into the right scheme and learns the finer points of technique. Top 50 prospect with upside to start. Similar to Rob Ninkovich in many ways, including intangibles, power and schematic versatility. Savvy instinctive defender and capable of 40 snaps weekly. Good 2nd day value and gritty NFL starter.
                                                                          Draft Projection: 2nd Round

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 2019 – Pro Prospect Rankings – Cornerbacks & Safeties

   Frank Coyle/ Head scout

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  NFL Team Report 2019 (40 pages) is available now.  Update Report prior NFL Draft

    Top Cornerback Rankings
1 * Greedy Williams     LSU
2 * Byron Murphy         Washington
3 Deandre Baker         Georgia
4 Rock Ya-Sin             Temple
5 Lonnie Johnson        Kentucky
6 * Joejuan Williams    Vanderbilt
7 * Julian Love             Notre Dame
8 David Long               Michigan
9 * Justin Layne           Michigan State
10 * Kendall Sheffield    Ohio State
11 Amani Oruwariye       Penn State
12 * Trayvon Mullen       Clemson
13 Kris Boyd                 Texas
14 Iman Marshall           Southern California
15 * Sean Bunting         Central Michigan
16 Corey Ballentine       Washburn
17 * Jamel Dean            Auburn
18 Michael Jackson       Miami
19 Ken Webster             Mississippi
20 * Blessaun Austin     Rutgers
21 * Saivion Smith         Alabama
22 Blace Brown             Troy
23 Isaiah Johnson         Houston
24 Jimmy Moreland       James Madison
25 Jordan Brown           South Dakota State
26 Mark Fields              Clemson

Top Safety Prospects 
1 Nasir Adderley                      Delaware
2 Johnathan Abram                 Mississippi State
3 Darnell Savage                     Maryland
4 Juan Thornhill                       Virginia
5 * Amani Hooker                   Iowa
6 * Deionte Thompson             Alabama
7 * Taylor Rapp                       Washington
8 * Chauncey Gardner-Johnson  Florida
9 Saquan Hampton                  Rutgers
10 Donovan Wilson                   Texas A&M
11 Will Harris                             Boston College
12 Mike Edwards                       Kentucky
13 Zedrick Woods                     Mississippi
14 Andrew Wingard                   Wyoming
15 Marquise Blair                      Utah
16 Jaquan Johnson                   Miami
17 Marvell Tell                           Southern California
18 Sheldrick Redwine                Miami
19 Lukas Denis                         Boston College
20 Darius West                         Kentucky
21 Evan Worthington                 Colorado

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 Free Agency 2019 – Top 50 Unrestricted Free Agents  

  Frank Coyle – Head scout

Exclusive Franchise Players – None

Franchise Non-exclusive Players
DeMarcus Lawrence            DE           Cowboys
Dee Ford                               DE/LB      Chiefs
Jadeveon Clowney               DE/LB      Texans
Frank Clark                           DE           Seahawks
Grady Jarrett                         DT           Falcons
Robbie Gould                        PK           49ers

Transitional Players – None

2019 Salary Cap Per Team – $188.2M

Top 50 Unrestricted Free Agents

Player                        Position   Age     Old Team  
1 Le’Veon Bell                       RB           27            PIT
2 Trey Flowers                      DE           26            NE
3 Earl Thomas                       FS           30            SEA
4 Nick Foles                          QB           30            PHI
5 Tyrann Mathieu                  FS           27            HOU
6 Tyrell Williams                    WR          27            LAC
7 Landon Collins                    FS           25            NYG
8 Anthony Barr                      OLB         27            MIN
9 C.J. Mosley                        ILB           27            BAL
10 Trenton Brown                   LT            26            NE
11 Sheldon Richardson          DT           28            MIN
12 Preston Smith                    OLB         26            WAS
13 Ja’Wuan James                  RT           27            MIA
14 Za’Darius Smith                 OLB         26            BAL
15 Adrian Amos                       FS           26            CHI

  Draft Insiders’  – March 2019 Free Agency Newsletter available Now – Order Today – Top 125 Free Agents – Free Agents by Position –
Special Package $69.95 includes Draft Yearbook – 300 Scouting Reports –  $250 value

16 Ronald Darby                      CB           25            PHI
17 Malik Jackson                    DT           29            JAC
18 Mitch Morse                        C             27            KC
19 Teddy Bridgewater            QB           27            NO
20 Ndamukong Suh                 DT           32            LAR
21 Ezekiel Ansah                     DE           30            DET
22 Mark Ingram                       RB           29            NO
23 Golden Tate                        WR          31            PHI
24 Darqueze Dennard             CB           27            CIN
25 Justin Houston                   LB           30            KC
26 Daryl Williams                    RT           27            CAR
27 Jordan Hicks                      ILB           27            PHI
28 LaMarcus Joyner                FS           28            LAR
29 Matt Paradis                       C             29            DEN
30 Alex Okafor                         DE           28            NO
31 K.J. Wright                         OLB         30            SEA
32 Kareem Jackson                S             31            HOU
33 Ryan Kalil                           C             34            CAR
34 Henry Anderson                DE           28            NYJ
35 Cedric Ogbuehi                  LT            27            CIN
36 Chris Conley                       WR          26            KC
37 Muhammad Wilkerson      DT           30            GB
38 Rodger Saffold                    G             31            LAR
39 Malcom Brown                   DT           25            NE
40 Devin Funchess                  WR          25            CAR
41 Allen Bailey                         DT           30            KC
42 Donte Moncrief                  WR          26            JAC
43 Adam Humphries              WR          26            TB
44 Bryce Callahan                   CB           27            CHI
45 Tevin Coleman                   RB           26            ATL
46 Deone Bucannon                ILB           27            ARI
47 Jamison Crowder              WR          26            WAS
48 Justin Coleman                  CB           26            SEA
49 Danny Shelton                   DT           26            NE
50 Benson Mayowa                 DE           28            ARI

NFL Free Agency 2019 – Franchised Players – Designated Salary by Position

NFL announced that the 2019 salary cap has been set at $188,200,000 per club, up from the 2018 ceiling of $177,200,000. The NFL announced the numbers for teams to designate franchise or transition players closed. This year, six players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players. No transition tags were used this year by any club.

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The new salary cap number represents an $11 million increase over the 2018 number which was $12 million over the 2017 salary cap. Since 2012, the cap has increased by nearly $70 million per team. The salary cap figure has ballooned in recent years as the effects of new bulging television deals are being figured into the amount. The total has jumped over $45 million each of the past four seasons. Though this is the 6th straight year the salary cap has increased by at least $10 million.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, teams are required to spend an average of 89 percent of the salary cap from 2013 to 2019. League-wide, teams must spend an average of 95 percent of the salary cap over the four-year period.

This new money boosts many clubs into a higher bracket that could produce a buying frenzy in the opening weeks starting March 13th. The salary cap per team below is a fluctuating total according to ongoing roster moves – re-signing, releases and restructuring of current players. The new totals should guarantee a heavily active Free Agent market thru the spring.

NFL 2017 Salary Cap – Franchise/ Transitional Tags 

The NFL salary cap figures list Franchise non-exclusive and transition tags. Non-exclusive players must be tendered a one-year deal no less than the listed amount for their position, which is determined by the average of the top five salaries at their position. With the non-exclusive tag, the current team has the right to match any offer or get two 1st round choices in return. An exclusive Franchise tag ties him to his current team at a higher but undetermined price for one season. Both sides can continue to negotiate on a longer deal even after a franchise tag has been applied.

NFL teams had until March 5th to designate either franchise or transitional tags. The transition tag is created by averaging the top 10 salaries at one position.

Free Agency Labels

Exclusive Franchise Players – None

Franchise Non-exclusive Players (6)

DeMarcus Lawrence             DE            Cowboys
Dee Ford                                 DE/LB      Chiefs
Jadeveon Clowney                DE/LB      Texans
Frank Clark                            DE             Seahawks
Grady Jarrett                         DT             Falcons
Robbie Gould                        PK              49ers

Official Franchise Tags – Salary cap 2019 – $188.2M
Franchise Tag Salary Numbers for each position

  2019 Franchise Tag Values

Offense
     Position                  Tender Amount
Quarterback                  $24,865,000
Running Back               $11,214,000
Wide Receiver               $16,787,000
Tight End                      $10,387,000
Offensive Lineman      $14,067,000
 
Defense
Defensive End              $17,128,000
Defensive Tackle           $15,209,000
Linebacker                    $15,443,000
Cornerback                   $16,022,000
Safety                              $11,150,000
Kicker/Punter                $4,971,000

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.

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

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.”

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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