NFL Calendar 2018-2019

Preseason Week Three (Aug. 23-26)
Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018

Preseason Week Four (Aug. 30-31)
Thursday, Aug. 30

September 1: Final Cutdown – NFL Teams must reduce rosters to 53 players by 4 pm
September 3: Teams may establish a practice squad of 10 players

September 6: Opening NFL game – Falcons at Eagles

Sept 9-10 – Opening weekend of NFL schedule

Oct. 16-17 – Fall Owners Meeting, New York

October 30: NFL Trade deadline at 4 PM ET.

Dec. 12 – Winter Owners Meeting, Irving, Tx.

December 30: NFL Regular Season ends

January 5-6: Wild Card Playoff round

January 12-13: Divisional Playoff round

January 20: AFC and NFL Championship Games

January 27: Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida

February 3: Super Bowl – Atlanta, Georgia

February 28-March 6: Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, In

March 13: 2019 – NFL league year, includes start of free agency and trading period begins at 4 pm ET

April 25-27 – NFL Draft 2019

College Top 25 Preseason Poll

Coaches Poll
Rank/ Team / Record/ Points

1 Alabama (61) 0-0 1621
2 Clemson (3) 0-0 1547
3 Ohio St (1) 0-0 1458
4 Georgia 0-0 1452
5 Oklahoma 0-0 1288
6 Washington 0-0 1245
7 Wisconsin 0-0 1243
8 Miami 0-0 1091
9 Penn St 0-0 1050
10 Auburn 0-0 1004

Draft Insiders will post our Top 25 Rankings in late August

11 Notre Dame 0-0 892
12 Michigan St 0-0 870
13 Stanford 0-0 768
14 Michigan 0-0 752
15 USC 0-0 691
16 TCU 0-0 530
17 Virginia Tech 0-0 524
18 Mississippi St 0-0 407
19 Florida St 0-0 328
20 West Virginia 0-0 310
21 Texas 0-0 265
22 Boise St 0-0 261
23 UCF 0-0 259
24 LSU 0-0 254
25 Oklahoma St 0-0 168

Others receiving votes: South Carolina 138, Florida 135, Oregon 105, Utah 81, Texas A&M 67, Northwestern 67, Kansas State 35, Florida Atlantic 27, Memphis 23, Boston College 23, NC State 22, Arkansas State 19, Troy 19, Appalachian State 16, San Diego State 15, Kentucky 8, Iowa State 8, Iowa 8, Washington State 7, South Florida 6, Duke 5, Fresno State 4, Louisville 3, Arizona 2, Houston 2, Army 1, Northern Illinois 1

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 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 CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and 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, in addition to several fantasy football sites.

NFL Preseason Schedule for 2018

The NFL Preseason Schedule for 2018 kicked off with the NFL/Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on Thursday, Aug. 1.

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Chicago Bears in that game 17-16.

NFL Network will telecast every 2018 Preseason game either live or replay.

NFL Preseason 2018

Week 1 (August 9-13)

Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018

Matchup           Time (ET)

Bengals 30, Bears 27    7:00 pm

Browns 20, Giants 10    7:00

Buccaneers 26, Dolphins 24       7:00 pm

Panthers 28, Bills 23      7:00 pm

Saints 24, Jaguars 20    7:00 pm

Steelers 31, Eagles 14   7:00 pm

Ravens 33, Rams 7       7:30 pm

Patriots 26, Redskins 17 7:30 pm

Packers 31, Titans 17    8:00 pm

Texans 17, Chiefs 10     8:30 pm

Colts 19, Seahawks 17  10:00 pm

49ers 24, Cowboys 21   10:00 pm

Friday, Aug. 10, 2018

Jets 17, Falcons 0         7:30 pm

Raiders 16, Lions 10      10:30 pm

Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018

Vikings at Broncos        9:05 pm

Chargers at Cardinals    10:00 pm

Preseason Week Two (Aug 16-20)

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018

Matchup           Time (ET)

Eagles at Patriots          7:30 pm

Jets at Redskins            8:00 pm

Steelers at Packers       8:00 pm

Friday, Aug. 17, 2018

Chiefs at Falcons          7:00 pm

Giants at Lions  7:00 pm

Bills at Browns  7:30 pm

Dolphins at Panthers      7:30 pm

Cardinals at Saints        8:00 pm

Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018

Jaguars at Vikings         1:00 pm

Raiders at Rams            4:00 pm

Bengals at Cowboys     7:00 pm

49ers at Texans 8:00 pm

Buccaneers at Titans     8:00 pm

Bears at Broncos          9:05 pm

Seahawks at Chargers   10:00 pm

Monday, Aug. 20, 2018

Ravens at Colts 8:00 pm

Preseason Week Three (Aug. 23-26)

Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018

Matchup           Time (ET)

Eagles at Browns          8:00 pm

Friday, Aug. 24, 2018

Broncos at Redskins      7:30 pm

Giants at Jets    7:30 pm

Patriots at Panthers       7:30 pm

Lions at Buccaneers      8:00 pm

Seahawks at Vikings     8:00 pm

Packers at Raiders        10:30 pm

Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018

Chiefs at Bears  1:00 pm

Texans at Rams            4:00 pm

Titans at Steelers          4:00 pm

49ers at Colts   4:30 pm

Falcons at Jaguars        7:00 pm

Ravens at Dolphins       7:00 pm

Saints at Chargers         8:00 pm

Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018

Bengals at Bills 4:00 pm

Cardinals at Cowboys   8:00 pm

Preseason Week Four (Aug. 30-31)

Thursday, Aug. 30

Browns at Lions 7:00 pm

Colts at Bengals            7:00 pm

Dolphins at Falcons       7:00 pm

Jets at Eagles   7:00 pm

Patriots at Giants           7:00 pm

Jaguars at Buccaneers  7:30 pm

Panthers at Steelers      7:30 pm

Redskins at Ravens       7:30 pm

Bills at Bears     8:00 pm

Cowboys at Texans       8:00 pm

Rams at Saints  8:00 pm

Vikings at Titans            8:00 pm

Packers at Chiefs          8:30 pm

Broncos at Cardinals      10:00 pm

Chargers at 49ers          10:00 pm

Raiders at Seahawks     10:00 pm

End NFL Preseason Schedule 2018

NFL 2018 Regular Season Starts Sept. 6th

NFL Supplemental 2018 Draft
Frank Coyle/Head Scout – DraftInsiders.com

The NFL held the annual NFL Supplemental 2018 Draft Wednesday with two players selected, the most since 2010.

The NY Giants selected cornerback Sam Beal of Western Michigan in the 3rd round while the Washington Redskins added cornerback Adonis Alexander of Virginia Tech in the 6th round.

Draft Insiders’ NFL Supplemental Draft 2018 Report available July 10, 2018 –
Free for Subscribers

Three other players were eligible for the supplemental draft, but were not selected. Safety Brandon Bryant of Mississippi St, RB Martayveus Carter of Grand Valley St and LB Bright Ugwoegbu of Oregon St went undrafted and are now free agents who are eligible to sign with any NFL team.

The two drafted cornerbacks address pressing issues on both the Giants and Redskins. Both prospects are big agile defenders from the D1 level. The Giants have little depth behind starters Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins and both players had issues last season including short suspensions.

Beal is a big agile cover man with quickness and ball instincts. Displays nifty footwork and above-average twitch to plant and drive out of his backpedal. Inconsistent at reading the QB to anticipate when to jump routes. Displays good recovery speed when he reads routes properly. Capable of playing in multiple sets once he settles into the Giants scheme. He matches up well with big receivers and wins many jump ball situations. He will press for time in the nickel and dime packages this season and carries a starting corner grade with a high level of development to be a quality early starter.

Alexander is a huge corner who started as a true freshman and finished with 14 career starts, though only two in 2017. Great length with adequate hip flexibility and closing speed. Better zone defender than man coverage. Possible conversion to safety in time. Looks to settle into the package coverage units and better on the outside vs possession receivers. He will have to impress on special teams coverage units and he has the makeup to compete for a gunner role in training camp.

NFL Supplemental Draft 2018 – July 11, 2018

Pro Prospects Supplemental Preview – Free Issue for Full Subscribers
The NFL will hold 2018 summer NFL Supplemental Draft today Wednesday, July 11th at 1 pm est.

Currently five players have declared for the draft class including cornerbacks, Adonis Alexander of Virginia Tech and Sam Beal of Western Michigan, LB Bright Ugwoebuh of Oregon St., safety Brandon Bryant of Mississippi St and RB Marty Carter of Grand Valley St. Alexander held a pro day on June 20th, while Beal worked out on June 28^th and Bryant the following day, June 29^th. NFL supplemental drafts often pass without any players being chosen, but Beal, Alexander and Bryant figure to be attractive options for NFL clubs with needs in the secondary.

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Supplemental Draft 2018 Report
available July 10, 2018 – Free for Subscribers

Sam Beal is our highest rated prospect in this class and a player who could be selected with a second day selection either a 2^nd or 3^rd round draft choice. He had a good pro day workout. If a player is selected in the supplemental draft, the team must forfeit a draft pick of the same round the player was picked in the NFL Draft 2019. Since 2012, only two players have been picked in the supplemental draft. The Browns took receiver Josh Gordon in 2012 in the 2^nd round while the Rams took Isaiah Battle in 2015 in the fifth round. Only 43 players in total have been taken in the supplemental draft since its inception in 1977.

Prospects for NFL Supplemental Draft 2018

The NFL will conduct the Supplemental Draft 2018 on Wednesday, July 11th for players who rescind their remaining college eligibility. This draft has been a short process annually that considers special situations for players that are at least three years removed from high school. All 32 teams will participate in the weighted process that is divided into three tiers with seven prospects entered for this year’s selection draft. Teams with six wins or less from last season will make up the first group, followed by a second group of non-playoff teams and finally a third group of the twelve playoff teams. Each team submits the name of the players via email that they want to draft with the round they would like to select them. The club with the highest selection will be awarded the player. In the case of two teams drafting the same player in a round, the club with the worse record last season will win the prospect. Players not selected in this draft class will then become free agents eligible to sign with any team.

Any team that uses a selection in the Supplemental Draft will forfeit their choice in the corresponding round of the NFL Draft 2019. The new draft prospects will be considered part of the rookie salary pool along with the players from the NFL Draft 2018 and they must fit under the current contract structure and overall salary cap. There was no player chosen again last July. The Rams used their 5th round pick on OT Isaiah Battle in the 2015 NFL

Supplemental Draft, the last player chosen in this process. No players were drafted the previous past two summers. In 2013, the Browns used their 2nd round pick on wideout Josh Gordon, the only selection chosen in the process. He was a Pro Bowl receiver who set new NFL records a few years ago. But he has also been suspended annually for failing drug and alcohol tests and is currently coming off a suspended period.  Browns did not bring back for 2017 season, but has reinstated him this spring and he has been in mini-camp this spring and will attend training camp this August.

Most prospects in a Supplemental class provide little initial impact because of the late signing that caused them to miss all of the OTAs and mini-camp practices. The NFL office has considered terminating this draft process after only minimal interest by clubs. Bids are weighted according to how a team performed the previous season. There are three groups of bid weights, with record determining ranking within each. The first group consists of teams that had six or fewer wins the previous season. The second group is made up of non-playoff teams that had more than six wins. The third group is made up of the 12 playoff teams from the previous year.

Prospects for NFL Supplemental Draft 2018

These players are eligible for the NFL Supplemental Draft after not declaring for entry in the NFL Draft 2018. The NFL has confirmed that these five players will be available in today’s summer NFL Supplemental Draft 2018.

Workout dates for 5 NFL Supplemental Draft prospects:
CB Adonis Alexander: 6/20 at Virginia Tech
CB Sam Beal: 6/28 at WMU
S Brandon Bryant: 6/29 at MSU
RB Marty Carter: 6/30 Grand Valley St
LB Bright Ugwoebuh: 6/30 at Oregon St.

Cornerback Sam Beal #1         Western Michigan  6-1             180       – Sp. 4.50          Rating 70
Big agile savvy corner started his final two seasons, earning MAC honors in 2017. Slender athlete with the prototypical skills which translates well to the corner position. Quick feet with fine short area suddenness and good long speed. Fine natural coverage ability with the athleticism to ultimately compete for a corner role in the NFL. Slight frame and lack of ideal physicality are legitimate concerns. Aided by quick feet, athletic instincts and the ball-skills to mirror receivers and grade out highly on a game to game basis. Limited experience vs NFL caliber receivers, though shows natural playmaking skills and made fast progress with experience anticipating routes and making plays on the ball. Can mirror tightly in man coverage underneath. Shows fine patience and confidence and keeps balanced and under control in coverage. He was rarely beaten deep with good speed and leaping skills to win in matchups. Displays nifty footwork and above-average twitch to plant and drive out of his backpedal. Inconsistent at reading the QB to anticipate when to jump routes. Displays good recovery speed when he reads routes properly. He can bite on play-action and fooled by double moves. Instincts are improving, though faced a simple level of play. Inconsistent tackling whether at the line or in the open field. Lacks top makeup speed and can be slow to turn and find the ball. Needs improvement on tracking and adjusting to deep passes. Overall, he is a very alert, confident and instinctive corner who is usually sound at jumping routes. Good press coverage ability to gain an early advantage. As a junior in 2017, he started 11 games and made 26 tackles with 3 TFL, 10 PBU and 2 picks for 2nd team MAC honors. As a sophomore, he started 13 games with 55 tackles with 8 PBU, and no picks. At his pro day at WMU, he came in at 6’1” and 178 lbs. with 32+” arms. He had a 4.47 time. He did a 37” VJ and a 10’6” BJ. Added a 4.09 in the shuttle with a 7.11 three-cone. Definite upside potential with work on his basics. Currently, he lacks the functional strength to test NFL caliber receivers. Shows a good closing burst that he uses well and should win a roster spot as a #4 or #5 in camp. Top 75 prospect after his strong final two seasons. Quality prospect probably fits in the 2nd day. Displayed quality starting talent. With a late start in rookie season he will most likely initially be only a backup corner with the skill set to continue to improve. With experience he will press for nickel corner role and eventually start once he settles into a system. Needs to be more physical to make it at the next level and earn playing time.  Fine addition especially if he falls into middle rounds.

NFL 2018 Draft Review – Giants Get Top NFC Grade

NFL Draft 2018 Review – all 32 Teams Evaluated for the NFL Draft & Free Agency with Training Camp Forecasts – Available Now – Free for Full Subscribers

The Giants received our top grade among NFC clubs for the NFL Draft Review. Giant new GM Dave Gettleman did a great job in his first season rebuilding the faltering flagship franchise after a personnel drought in the NFL Draft.  Though he had only six selections after trades, he held his position with his early selections the 2nd overall pick in each round. Gettleman resisted all offers for the #2 overall pick and selected the prospect he earmarked right from the start – runner Saquon Barkley. He has immediate impact ability in this offense, featuring Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepherd and Evan Ingram. They could be a dominant quartet working with Eli Manning behind a rebuilt line. Giants hope to use this NFL Draft and free agent classes back to playoff contention.

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout

New York Giants – 3-13- Head Coach Pat Shurmur – 1st Year

  2018 Rookie Draft Class
1  2       Saquon Barkley            RB        Penn St
2 34      Will Hernandez            G          UTEP
3 66      Lorenzo Carter            LB        Georgia
3 69      B.J. Hill                          DT        N.C. St
4 108    Kyle Lauletta               QB       Richmond
5 139    R.J. McIntosh               DT        Miami (Fl)

The Giants addressed pressing issues on both sides of the ball with their top four selections. They add six picks after trades and held four of the top 69 choices. They retained the #2 overall pick despite a few offers to move up in the top ten selections.

They were enthralled with tailback Saquon Barkley right from the beginning and chose the blue-chip back with their first pick. Barkley is highly developed and capable of being a three down starter day one. He will give the Giants an impact weapon to join wideouts Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard and TE Evan Engram to form a super potent quartet. Barkley is capable of 1200 yards rushing and 75+ receptions. He has that type of talent and level of development to produce at those levels. He opens up this offense tremendously and forces free safeties to give him attention that can open up coverage vs Beckham and Engram. Maybe the best Giant #1 pick since Eli Manning. He gives them an impact weapon with rare sub 4.35 speed to run the seam and break plays after the catch. His openfield running skills were not fully tapped as a collegian and he is capable of providing another fast option for Eli Manning.

On the 2nd round, they chose guard Will Hernandez, a powerful tough blocker with good footwork. He graded out high at every stage, Senior Bowl, NFL Combine and workouts to backup his fine on field performance. He is projected to start at left guard to replace departed vet Justin Pugh. Hernandez couples in new vet LT Nate Solder to form a potentially powerful leftside. With two 3rd round picks, they added LB Lorenzo Carter and DL B.J. Hill. LB Carter is an awesome athlete who came on strong in 2017 to elevate his grade. He actually tested out better than Tremaine Edmunds in virtually every event at the NFL Combine and was selected with the 16^th overall choice. He projects to an attack backer role and figures to push for time in a rotation of edge players. He is an excellent kick blocker and can be an impact defender on special teams. DL Hill is a big body lineman with power and quickness. He projects to both the five-technique spot as well as a three-technique position in the package defenses. Both 3^rd round picks were fine value and additions for their front seven. Each carries an early NFL starting grade.

In the 4th round, they added QB Kyle Lauletta, a smooth throwing prospect who was very production at the small college level. New GM Dave Gettleman felt he was too good to pass on here with Eli entering his 15^th season at 37 years old. Lauletta did well at the Senior Bowl and will compete for the #2 role with Davis Webb, a 3rd round selection last April. This was a good value addition with many rating him among the top 75 prospects. He could be the long-term answer for Eli’s eventual replacement. In the 5th round, they chose DL R.J. McIntosh, a big tough lineman who played inside more than outside as a collegian. He has the body type of a five-technique lineman who will be looked at there in the base defense. He can start in the position with development. He also plays the three-technique role and showed the ability to penetrate as an interior rusher. He was excellent value here, and though needs some time, he is capable of paying huge dividends after his settles into this defense. He was interesting upside and is a playmaker, especially attacking the LOS and moving laterally. He needs to settle into a position and could find a niche in the package defenses as a situational rusher. He could be a steal this late with the skill set to press for time and possibly an eventual starter.   Grade: A

Rookie & Veteran Free Agency:  The Giants were selective in FA and addressed few key areas on both sides of the ball. They addressed their screaming five-year LT position immediately with the signing of vet Nat Solder. He gives them a bookend blocker for the blindside. They also signed LB Kareem Martin, guard Patrick Omaneh, runner Jon Stewart and wideout Cody Latimer. Martin is an underrated signing and could be a fixture in this 3-4 scheme. He can stuff the run and rush the passer. Omaneh will probably win a starting guard job. Latimer is a young veteran wideout with upside as a receiver and has excelled on special teams. Stewart is a great mentor for Barkley and a good short yardage back. They also added DE Josh Mauro, CB William Gay, and DB Michael Thomas. They traded for LB Alec Ogletree for two third day draft picks, an excellent move. Ogletree will start inside and is a playmaker who is just entering his prime. They traded defender JPP for an early #3 pick. He was not a good fit for this defensive scheme. They lost OL Justin Pugh, Wes Richburg and DJ Fluker, CB Ross Cockrell and LB Devon Kinnard. They linemen were quality blockers they had to replace. They released corner DRC and wideout Brandon Marshall, two high priced fading veterans. Many other veteran FAs were unsigned entering camp. They signed a quality rookie FA class with a few having good chances to make the roster or PS. They signed Robert Martin, RB, Rutgers, Jawill Davis, WR, Bethune-Cookman, Nick Gates, OL, Nebraska, Tyler Howell, OT, Missouri, Evan Brown, C, SMU, Tyrell Chavis, DT, Penn St, Aaron Davis, CB, Georgia, Tae Davis, OLB, Tennessee-Chat, Grant Haley, CB, Penn St., Mike Jones, DB, Temple and Sean Chandler, S, Temple. OL Gates is a major sleeper with untapped talented and could surprise here. CB Haley is a quick tough smallish cover man who will press for time in the nickel package and can make this roster and also a good PS candidate. Safety Chandler is a sleeper with pro talent to warrant a long look and can make the roster or the PS.

Training Camp Objectives:  The Giants collapsed with a team wide breakdown. The roster has deteriorated with continuous weak draft classes the past five that leaves the club with little depth anywhere. Their offense line has been rebuilt with Solder and guards, rookie Hernandez and vet Omameh. Young tight end Evan Engram proved to be a good weapon and will join Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard. Rookie back Barkley can be a difference maker here and create massive problems in coverage. Defenses will struggle matchup up with Beckham and Barkley, with one likely in single coverage. Vet QB Eli Manning still has it and will benefit from improved protection and the presence of Barkley. Former LT Ereck Flowers moves to right tackle and must prove ready to start.

The Giants defense changes their scheme after a total collapse in 2017. DE/LB Olivier Vernon moves to backer while DT Harrison lines up at nose tackle. The secondary was in disarray with three suspensions for their corners. Veteran corner Janoris Jenkins is primed for a fine effort while former #1 pick Eli Apple is committed for a breakout performance. Young safety Darian Thompson benefitted from starting for a full season. Vet Landon Collins returns from a broken forearm ready to play up to his Pro Bowl talent.

The Giants will have to adjust quickly to a new defensive scheme to compete for a playoff spot. This club can press the Eagles for the division with an awesome collection of weapons for Eli to call on. NFC East title may be out of reach, but the playoffs is certainly not and real possibility here. They first half difficult schedule will dictate their direction with six NFC games among their first eight contests.

NFL Supplemental Draft 2018 Set for July 11th

The NFL has confirmed that the 2018 summer supplemental draft will be held on Wednesday, July 11th. Currently three players have declared for the draft class including cornerbacks Adonis Alexander of Virginia Tech and Sam Beal of Western Michigan and safety Brandon Bryant of Mississippi State. Alexander will hold a pro day on June 20th, while Beal will work out on June 28^th and Bryant will work out the following day, June 29^th.

Draft Insiders’  2018 NFL Supplemental Draft Report will be available July 10, 2018 – Free for Subscribers

Bryant is probably the best player and athlete of the three prospects. He’s been timed in the 4.30 range in the 40-yard dash and can deadlift 600 pounds. He gets a chance to prove that in late June at his pro day. At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, he made 32 tackles last year for the Bulldogs, including a season-high 11 at Auburn. He was withheld from MSU’s spring practices for academic reasons and announced he was leaving the school in April. In three years at Mississippi State, he played 37 games, totaling 157 total tackles, five interceptions and one TD.

If a player is selected in the supplemental draft, the team must forfeit a draft pick of the same round the player was picked in the NFL Draft 2019. Since 2012, only two players have been picked in the supplemental draft. The Browns took receiver Josh Gordon in 2012 in the 2^nd round while the Rams took Isaiah Battle in 2015 in the fifth round. Only 43 players in total have been taken in the supplemental draft since its inception in 1977.

Bryant, alongside Virginia Tech’s Adonis Alexander and Western Michigan’s Sam Beal, is one of three major prospects entered in the supplemental draft who will hold pro days at their respective schools.

Beal (6-1, 185) broke up a team-high 10 passes for WMU in 2017 along with two interceptions. One of those interceptions came against New York Jets first-round pick Sam Darnold in a season-opening loss to USC. Beal was a second-team All-MAC selection.

Former Virginia Tech CB Adonis Alexander also intends to enter the supplemental draft.

NFL supplemental drafts often pass without any players being chosen, but Alexander, Bryant and Beal figure to be attractive options for NFL clubs with needs in the secondary.

Workout dates for top 3 supplemental draft prospects:
CB Adonis Alexander: 6/20 at Va Tech
CB Sam Beal: 6/28 at WMU
S Brandon Bryant: 6/29 at MSU

NFL Awards Nashville Host for the NFL Draft 2019

Music City Lands NFL Draft Bid for Spring 2019

NFL team owners approved the Tennessee Titans’ bid to host the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville this week. The selection was ratified Wednesday at the Spring League Meeting in Atlanta. The 84th NFL Draft, which takes place April 25-27, 2019, will span across multiple landmarks in Nashville’s historic downtown district. Nashville becomes the fourth city recently to host the NFL Draft after years in New York City.

“I’m so excited for the city of Nashville and so proud that we’ve been selected as the host city for the 2019 NFL Draft,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said during a news conference. “As we all know, Nashville has a well-deserved reputation as a city that loves the big stage and loves a big party … we’re looking forward to April of next year.”

The NFL has made the NFL Draft a road show the past four years, holding it in Dallas last month, Philadelphia in 2017 and Chicago in 2015 and 2016. The three day event has set new records for attendance and media exposure during that period.

Several other cities were under consideration for hosting the 2019 NFL Draft, including Las Vegas and Denver.

“Following an exciting and successful event in Dallas, we’re thrilled to take the NFL Draft to Nashville. The city has a passionate fan base and offers iconic locations that will enable us to expand the Draft in unique ways,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We look forward to working with the Tennessee Titans, the City of Nashville, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp to deliver a memorable celebration of football to our fans and incoming players.”

If the Titans’ new uniform unveiling earlier this year can be used as a barometer of Nashville’s football fanaticism, next year’s draft should draw plenty of fan interest from the Tennessee faithful and other NFL fans. The Music City plans to schedule numerous events prior and during the NFL Draft. Country Music never had it so good.

Reese’s Senior Bowl and Director Phil Savage Part Ways

The Senior Bowl made a surprising announcement related to their leadership last week. The premier college All-Start week announced they are mutually parting ways with director Phil Savage. In 1951, Mobile was blessed with the vision and leadership of Mr. Finley McRae, CEO of Merchants National Bank, who brought The Senior Bowl to Mobile, Ala. Mr. Finley employed Mr. Rea Schuessler as the first General Manager, tasked with developing the premier college football post-season bowl honoring and showcasing the talents of the best college senior football players in the nation. Since that time, there have been many dedicated stewards of the Senior Bowl, both volunteers and full-time professional employees. I worked with Steve Hale for many years helping annually to develop the roster of the top All-Star week in the country. None of the leaders have been more capable than director Phil Savage. Since Phil joined the Senior Bowl staff in 2012 as the Executive Director, the event continued to grow in popularity, and expanded a year-around schedule of engaging activities that have been enjoyed by and benefit many in our local community.

The national exposure and reputation of the Reese’s Senior Bowl has greatly benefited from Phil’s energy, creativity and leadership. After six years together, it is with regret that they announced last week that Phil and the organization will be mutually parting ways as of May 15, 2018. Phil deserves a great deal of credit for being a loyal caretaker of Mobile’s signature football event, and he will be missed by the Reese’s Senior Bowl staff and Mobilians everywhere. We wish Phil the best and success in all of his future opportunities and pursuits. As Mobile Arts and Sports Association Chairman Angus Cooper put it, “We appreciate Phil’s efforts here, his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game, and I am confident that he will continue to have a successful career in football.” A search committee will be formed by the Mobile Arts and Sports Association to identify potential candidates for this all-important position. Wishing Phil all the best in his endeavors.

NFL Draft 2018 Review

We want to thank all our supporters for their patronage this year, our 27th season covering the NFL and college football for the NFL Draft. It was an exciting NFL Draft 2018 and Draft Insiders’ covered it from spring practice thru the three-day extravaganza in Dallas and the current spring mini-camps. It was the most covered NFL Draft in history in many feature topics and surprising developments that will be in the Review in June. It was Draft Insiders’ most successful year ever and our new web site will continue to add further features and exciting platforms for the 2018 season to benefit fans. Our NFL Draft 2018 Yearbook once again was a prime source in all 32 NFL front offices and scouting insight for fans that is unparalleled in the industry. Our fans benefited from the long history of experience of scout Frank Coyle and the scouts on Draft Insiders’ staff with our nationwide connections of coaches, personnel directors, scouts and agents. We feel we give a rare insight into the entire scouting process from a prospect’s early history through their college career and the important postseason preparation and events.

Our scouting consultation service with agents and teams continues to expand with our long history of working with many highly rated pro prospects through their exciting pursuit of an NFL career. We intend for our fan base to continue to benefit from those relationships and provide unique scouting evaluation for NFL prospects.

We are currently working on our NFL Draft Review 2018 including rookie and veteran training camp reports. The Draft Review will be 40-page document and available in June. We will also provide a report for the NFL Supplemental Draft in July, though it has become a non-event in recent years with only 1 prospect selected in four of the last five draft classes.

We intend to visit many college and NFL Camps in August to begin our 28th season. We thank our loyal fans and customers for another year of support during our ongoing year-round coverage of the NFL Draft.

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 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 CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and 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, in addition to several fantasy football sites.