NFL Thread 2018/19

[Tal]

The combine has started. We currently find ourselves enjoying watching the least athletic guys doing athletic things.

Some of the offensive linemen have been putting up strong numbers. There looks to be a very strong class here, based on the early results. You have two types of linemen, here: tackles and guards. Some of the prospects will be able to play in either position, but players tend to specialise.

5 people protect the quarterback in the offensive line: Left Tackle, Left Guard, Center, Right Guard, Right Tackle. Your guards will generally be heavier and lower on the ground to push holes for running backs and to block any inside pass rush. Tackles marshal the outside and the pass rush, also protecting the edge to make space for the running backs who want to go round the outside. Left tackle protects the right handed QBs' blindside, so this is a critical position for teams. There aren't 32 good left tackles in the NFL.

I've just watched a tackle called Brian O'Neill run 40 yards in 4.80 seconds, with the first ten yards in 1.70. Generally, these guys are doing well to get close to 5 seconds. That first ten yard split is really important for these guys, as they will be facing rushers with huge first steps like Von Miller and being able to stop them - and being able to get up the field to pass block at the second level - is a huge boost for your chance of getting drafted (and getting paid).

Kolton Miller - who is talked about as a potential early rounder - managed a stupendous 1.67 in his ten yard split, and his 4.98 forty time is handy. Being 6' 8" 5/8 means he's a fair unit to shift out the way. It's some wingspan. He's an outstanding athlete. How about this broad jump?



Again: he's an offensive lineman!

Connor Williams 1.76 and 5.05 also impressive. His drills look sharp. 34 inch vertical jump is insane. 26 inches was last year's average. He's a top 10 talent in the draft and will start immediately at tackle.

Quenton Nelson had a superb day yesterday with a monster 35 reps on a 225lb bench press.



He then injured his hamstring in the warm up today and won't run a 40 time. He says he will compete in everything else, though. His drill afterwards was very impressive: balanced, powerful and composed.

Meanwhile, Orlando Brown Jr - who is a highly unathletic looking fellow - ran 5.86 then 5.77 and that first one is slated to be the slowest time ever going to be drafted. He's not there to be athletic, but Mike Mayock calling his performance "historically bad" doesn't help. He is 6'8" and has cut down from 370lb to 345lb. There are some guys here who look big but are built like they are phyiscally fit. Brown is the opposite; he looks like he's never seen a gym. But he can really play. It's going to be interesting to see what happens next, because he was always going to look bad at the Combine but chose to come anyway. He did an interview with Colleen Wolfe afterwards, where he was honest and explained he'd been 450lb in 8th grade and has worked hard to get the weight down. He's a very good football player, as you'll see below (number 78). No sacks allowed last year:



Will Hernandez outbenched Nelson with 37 reps:



Having shorter arms clearly helps with this test (and you want length in these positions), but these are still eyebrow raising numbers. He has helped his cause for sure.

[Ironside]

do the browns take Barkley as the 1st pick?

[Tal]

do the browns take Barkley as the 1st pick?

I would but it's virtually certain they take Sam Darnold.

[Ironside]

surely there is enough depth at QB that if they want they can pick one up at 4

if they dont pick up a veteran before hand

[Tal]

surely there is enough depth at QB that if they want they can pick one up at 4

if they dont pick up a veteran before hand

They have the chance to get their guy. I expect them also to bring a veteran in.

None of the current QB class look like slam dunk immediate starters. Cleveland and Giants will likely go QB at 1 and 2, both of them sitting their drafted QBs for the time being.

Barkley more likely to go at 2 than 1. If he is still there at 4 (Darnold, Rosen, Chubb), he will go to Cleveland.

[Marky147]

LOL!

I can just about do 1 rep at 225

Amazing how some of these lumps can move so quickly, be so strong, and still so athletic.

[Cavey007]

do the browns take Barkley as the 1st pick?

Personally I think they have.

If I were them I'd pay Cousins, Bradford, Foles, whatever is needed.

Take Barkley at 1, then either trade the 4 to say, the Bills for their 2 1sts, or take Chubb, or Fitzpatrick. Chubb opposite Garrett would be a heck of a pass rush, on paper.

Or they could still take 2nd or 3rd QB there.

[Tal]

do the browns take Barkley as the 1st pick?

Personally I think they have.

If I were them I'd pay Cousins, Bradford, Foles, whatever is needed.

Take Barkley at 1, then either trade the 4 to say, the Bills for their 2 1sts, or take Chubb, or Fitzpatrick. Chubb opposite Garrett would be a heck of a pass rush, on paper.

Or they could still take 2nd or 3rd QB there.

I get your point but why overpay for Cousins or spend on a mediocre gap-fill when you have 2 picks in the top 4 of a QB rich draft?

Take Darnold and then one of Barkley, Chubb and Fitzpatrick (in that order). Could make a case for Nelson too. Let's be honest: they can't miss at 1 and 4.

There will be a running back at 33 if they want: Sony Michel, Guice, Ronald Jones might be there. Then a lineman or a DBack at 35. The run on QBs and teams reaching for WRs (in what is a modest class) will push talent down to the Browns on Friday for sure.

[Cavey007]

do the browns take Barkley as the 1st pick?

Personally I think they have.

If I were them I'd pay Cousins, Bradford, Foles, whatever is needed.

Take Barkley at 1, then either trade the 4 to say, the Bills for their 2 1sts, or take Chubb, or Fitzpatrick. Chubb opposite Garrett would be a heck of a pass rush, on paper.

Or they could still take 2nd or 3rd QB there.

I get your point but why overpay for Cousins or spend on a mediocre gap-fill when you have 2 picks in the top 4 of a QB rich draft?

Take Darnold and then one of Barkley, Chubb and Fitzpatrick (in that order). Could make a case for Nelson too. Let's be honest: they can't miss at 1 and 4.

There will be a running back at 33 if they want: Sony Michel, Guice, Ronald Jones might be there. Then a lineman or a DBack at 35. The run on QBs and teams reaching for WRs (in what is a modest class) will push talent down to the Browns on Friday for sure.

Can't argue with you there either tbh. I'm hoping Nelson drops to 12 but seems unlikely after his performance

[Tal]

Probably better in the Strong thread, but here's 3rd round prospect, Kentavius Street carrying 50 stone on his shoulders:



6'2" and 280lb defensive end. That's some strength from that.

[Tal]

do the browns take Barkley as the 1st pick?

Personally I think they have.

If I were them I'd pay Cousins, Bradford, Foles, whatever is needed.

Take Barkley at 1, then either trade the 4 to say, the Bills for their 2 1sts, or take Chubb, or Fitzpatrick. Chubb opposite Garrett would be a heck of a pass rush, on paper.

Or they could still take 2nd or 3rd QB there.

I get your point but why overpay for Cousins or spend on a mediocre gap-fill when you have 2 picks in the top 4 of a QB rich draft?

Take Darnold and then one of Barkley, Chubb and Fitzpatrick (in that order). Could make a case for Nelson too. Let's be honest: they can't miss at 1 and 4.

There will be a running back at 33 if they want: Sony Michel, Guice, Ronald Jones might be there. Then a lineman or a DBack at 35. The run on QBs and teams reaching for WRs (in what is a modest class) will push talent down to the Browns on Friday for sure.

Can't argue with you there either tbh. I'm hoping Nelson drops to 12 but seems unlikely after his performance

Having said that...



...if they can find a QB not called Darnold or Rosen that they like, the Browns could take Barkley at 1.

[TightEnd]

here we go

[TightEnd]

 Bovada now has Saquon Barkley as the favorite to be picked No. 1 in the draft

[TightEnd]

Click to see full-size image.

[Tal]

Bovada now has Saquon Barkley as the favorite to be picked No. 1 in the draft

Paddy:

Barkley 5/2
Darnold 5/2
Allen 5/2
Rosen 7/1
Mayfield 7/1
Chubb 25/1

We can say no to Chubb, Rosen and Mayfield: seems implausible to me the Browns go down those lines for various reasons (Not position of greatest need; risky off the field; possible Manziel). And if you believe they are trading out of #1, you'll believe anything.

Allen is definitely viable and has been working well with coaches to improve areas of perceived weakness. We've not seen him against NFL defensive systems yet, but he's definitely improved his stock. A couple of weeks ago, he was being drafted in the twenties. Not anymore. Does he go first? Darnold has a lot of pressure on his pro day now, but I expect him to be a better fit for Cleveland. They need a game manager whose sole focus is football.

Betting both Darnold and Barkley is the same as a 4/5 bet. Value?