It's officially draft season here at the Ultimate Football Blog and here is all the information you need to keep you up-to-date on all the latest happenings in the NFL.......
The Ultimate Football Blog:
NFL Draft Guide
13th Edition
Free Agency Winners & Losers:
It's free agent week in the NFL and once again it was absolutely bonkers. Once the league started at 1 P.M. on Tuesday, NFL teams were acting like drug addicts and the free agents were the highs they were searching for. Unfortunately, there are some teams that are smarter than others when it comes to spending their money. It happens every year. One team will seemingly panic and add a bunch of free agents to help excite the fan base, only to blow the whole thing up in two years when it all fails. I've mentioned numerous times that the worst way to build an NFL team is to ignore the draft and focus mainly on free agents, Free agents are good pieces for an NFL team, but they are good SIDE pieces to add. Ideally, you would want to draft well and add only a few select players through free agency who can provide a veteran presence. That's the "key" to building a long-term successful NFL team.
"Winning" free agency usually doesn't result in "winning" many football games, but these are the winners & losers of the 2015 NFL free agency period thus far:
Winners:
Ndamukong Suh (Miami Dolphins): Of course Suh is a winner here. He's now the highest paid defensive player in the NFL and he gets to move from Detroit to Miami. Winner winner, chicken dinner.
Seattle Seahawks: If you watched the Super Bowl, you saw the weapons that Russell Wilson had to work with in Seattle's offense. Trading for a player like Jimmy Graham instantly gives Seattle a guy who can stretch the field for the Seachickens and will become a viable threat in the red zone (something they obviously needed...). Seattle's defense wasn't the problem. Graham makes the team better right now.
Sam Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles): Bradford gets a first class ticket out of St. Louis (where his career had started to plummet) and winds up in the hands of one of the best QB gurus in the NFL in Chip Kelly. Kelly has a long history of making average QB's look good and if Bradford can stay healthy...the Eagles might have scored big here.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins get a lot of crap from NFL fans when it comes to free agency, but this year...they did it right. They've added some solid pieces and have made the team better without making too much of a splash. Are we finally seeing a new era in Washington???
New York Giants: The Giants are another team that has quietly gotten better this week. Something tells me the addition of RB Shane Vereen will end up being one of the steals of free agency.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts made a bunch of moves in free agency that should hopefully pan out for them next season. Indianapolis is one of the best teams in the AFC because they have a guy named "Andrew Luck" on their roster. By handing Luck some veteran pieces like Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, the Colts are showing that they are in "win now" mode. Are they a better team today than they were in the AFC Championship game? Absolutely. However, these free agency moves weren't meant for long-term success so if the Colts take a step back next season, it will be all for naught.
Green Bay Packers: In my opinion, you win free agency by signing cheap guys who will be effective on your roster next season or you retain your own free agents. The Packers scored big in free agency by holding onto two homegrown talents in WR Randall Cobb and OT Bryan Bulaga. Those two players were widely regarded as two of the best free agents on the open market and Green Bay was able to keep them both.
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings): Thanks to the whole LeSean McCoy/DeMarco Murray mess, Adrian Peterson has all of a sudden become a big name in the NFL once again. "Where will Peterson play his NFL ball next season?" is quietly becoming the biggest headline in NFL free agency.
Losers:
Miami Dolphins: Do I love Ndamukong Suh? Yes, I do. Do I love him at that price tag the Dolphins got him at? No. He doesn't make the Dolphins a Super Bowl contender and if you want to get technical...the Dolphins could've signed 5-6 decent players and made themselves even better with the money they are paying Suh. I do love that Miami got rid of Mike Wallace and his horrible contract, but I'm still not sold on the Dolphins being better than they were a week ago.
San Francisco 49ers: One year ago, the 49ers had seemingly the best roster in the NFL. A year later, I don't know if this team is capable of winning even six games next season. The 49ers lost a bunch of good pieces and haven't really added much. If you think Torrey Smith is a big upgrade over Michael Crabtree, you're in for a disappointment. My, how the mighty have fallen.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys were one of the surprise teams from last season. A great offensive line coupled with a great running game and a good defense catapulted the Cowboys to the top of the NFL. Dallas really needed to come out swinging in free agency to keep the momentum going, but they haven't. They've been unable to come to a long-term agreement with WR Dez Bryant. They lost RB DeMarco Murray to a division rival and replaced him with one of the worst starting RB's in the league last year. I still think the Cowboys will pick up another RB, but until they do....they are not any better than they were last season.
Philadelphia Eagles: I've liked the Eagles moves in free agency thus far, except one. I'm not a fan of the contract they gave to Byron Maxwell. I understand why the Eagles would target Maxwell. He's looked good in spurts in Seattle and he comes from a talented team. However, he's only started 17 games since entering the league and he earned his starting job with Seattle not because of play, but because of injuries to other players. I just haven't seen enough from the guy that's convinced me he has what it takes to be a #1 CB that can shut down the elite guys. In my opinion, this will be one of those contracts the Eagles cut in two years to help shave salary cap room.
New Orleans Saints: What the hell are the Saints doing? Does anyone know? Is there a player currently in college football that they have their eyes on so they are dismantling their roster in an effort to tank? I don't know. All I know is that the Saints are letting some good players go and are replacing them with....nothing. Not the ideal way to build an NFL team if you ask me.
Cleveland Browns: They are the Browns and they are no better today than they were at the end of last season. Not the best start to an off-season for a team that had a lot of holes.
"Winning" free agency usually doesn't result in "winning" many football games, but these are the winners & losers of the 2015 NFL free agency period thus far:
Winners:
Ndamukong Suh (Miami Dolphins): Of course Suh is a winner here. He's now the highest paid defensive player in the NFL and he gets to move from Detroit to Miami. Winner winner, chicken dinner.
Seattle Seahawks: If you watched the Super Bowl, you saw the weapons that Russell Wilson had to work with in Seattle's offense. Trading for a player like Jimmy Graham instantly gives Seattle a guy who can stretch the field for the Seachickens and will become a viable threat in the red zone (something they obviously needed...). Seattle's defense wasn't the problem. Graham makes the team better right now.
Sam Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles): Bradford gets a first class ticket out of St. Louis (where his career had started to plummet) and winds up in the hands of one of the best QB gurus in the NFL in Chip Kelly. Kelly has a long history of making average QB's look good and if Bradford can stay healthy...the Eagles might have scored big here.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins get a lot of crap from NFL fans when it comes to free agency, but this year...they did it right. They've added some solid pieces and have made the team better without making too much of a splash. Are we finally seeing a new era in Washington???
New York Giants: The Giants are another team that has quietly gotten better this week. Something tells me the addition of RB Shane Vereen will end up being one of the steals of free agency.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts made a bunch of moves in free agency that should hopefully pan out for them next season. Indianapolis is one of the best teams in the AFC because they have a guy named "Andrew Luck" on their roster. By handing Luck some veteran pieces like Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, the Colts are showing that they are in "win now" mode. Are they a better team today than they were in the AFC Championship game? Absolutely. However, these free agency moves weren't meant for long-term success so if the Colts take a step back next season, it will be all for naught.
Green Bay Packers: In my opinion, you win free agency by signing cheap guys who will be effective on your roster next season or you retain your own free agents. The Packers scored big in free agency by holding onto two homegrown talents in WR Randall Cobb and OT Bryan Bulaga. Those two players were widely regarded as two of the best free agents on the open market and Green Bay was able to keep them both.
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings): Thanks to the whole LeSean McCoy/DeMarco Murray mess, Adrian Peterson has all of a sudden become a big name in the NFL once again. "Where will Peterson play his NFL ball next season?" is quietly becoming the biggest headline in NFL free agency.
Losers:
Miami Dolphins: Do I love Ndamukong Suh? Yes, I do. Do I love him at that price tag the Dolphins got him at? No. He doesn't make the Dolphins a Super Bowl contender and if you want to get technical...the Dolphins could've signed 5-6 decent players and made themselves even better with the money they are paying Suh. I do love that Miami got rid of Mike Wallace and his horrible contract, but I'm still not sold on the Dolphins being better than they were a week ago.
San Francisco 49ers: One year ago, the 49ers had seemingly the best roster in the NFL. A year later, I don't know if this team is capable of winning even six games next season. The 49ers lost a bunch of good pieces and haven't really added much. If you think Torrey Smith is a big upgrade over Michael Crabtree, you're in for a disappointment. My, how the mighty have fallen.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys were one of the surprise teams from last season. A great offensive line coupled with a great running game and a good defense catapulted the Cowboys to the top of the NFL. Dallas really needed to come out swinging in free agency to keep the momentum going, but they haven't. They've been unable to come to a long-term agreement with WR Dez Bryant. They lost RB DeMarco Murray to a division rival and replaced him with one of the worst starting RB's in the league last year. I still think the Cowboys will pick up another RB, but until they do....they are not any better than they were last season.
Philadelphia Eagles: I've liked the Eagles moves in free agency thus far, except one. I'm not a fan of the contract they gave to Byron Maxwell. I understand why the Eagles would target Maxwell. He's looked good in spurts in Seattle and he comes from a talented team. However, he's only started 17 games since entering the league and he earned his starting job with Seattle not because of play, but because of injuries to other players. I just haven't seen enough from the guy that's convinced me he has what it takes to be a #1 CB that can shut down the elite guys. In my opinion, this will be one of those contracts the Eagles cut in two years to help shave salary cap room.
New Orleans Saints: What the hell are the Saints doing? Does anyone know? Is there a player currently in college football that they have their eyes on so they are dismantling their roster in an effort to tank? I don't know. All I know is that the Saints are letting some good players go and are replacing them with....nothing. Not the ideal way to build an NFL team if you ask me.
Cleveland Browns: They are the Browns and they are no better today than they were at the end of last season. Not the best start to an off-season for a team that had a lot of holes.
It's Mock Draft Time!
Here is MY official mock draft.....
Updated as of February 27, 2015
We will have a NEW mock draft updated next week to reflect changes that team's made in free agency. Do NOT comment that this mock draft is out-dated. We are more than aware of that.
Updated as of February 27, 2015
We will have a NEW mock draft updated next week to reflect changes that team's made in free agency. Do NOT comment that this mock draft is out-dated. We are more than aware of that.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston - QB (Florida State)
2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota - QB (Oregon)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams - DE (USC)
4. Oakland Raiders: Kevin White - WR (West Virginia)
5. Washington Redskins: Dante Fowler - EDGE (Florida)
6. New York Jets: Amari Cooper - WR (Alabama)
7. Chicago Bears: Randy Gregory - EDGE (Nebraska)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Trae Waynes - CB (Michigan State)
9. New York Giants: Vic Beasley - EDGE (Clemson)
10. St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker - WR (Louisville)
11. Minnesota Vikings: Shane Ray - EDGE (Missouri)
12. Cleveland Browns: Arik Armstead - DE (Oregon)
13. New Orleans Saints: Marcus Peters - CB (Washington)
14. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Scherff - OT (Iowa)
15. San Francisco 49ers - Dorial Green-Beckham - WR (Oklahoma)
16. Houston Texans: Shaq Thompson - LB (Washington)
17. San Diego Chargers: T.J. Clemmings - OT (Pittsburgh)
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Landon Collins - S (Alabama)
19. Cleveland Browns: Andrus Peat - OT (Stanford)
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Collins - CB (LSU)
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Danny Shelton - DT (Washington)
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bud Dupree - EDGE (Kentucky)
23. Detroit Lions: Malcolm Brown - DT (Texas)
24. Arizona Cardinals: Eli Harold - EDGE (Virginia)
25. Carolina Panthers: La'El Collins - OT (LSU)
26. Baltimore Ravens: P.J. Williams - CB (Florida State)
27. Dallas Cowboys: Owa Odighizuwa - EDGE (UCLA)
28. Denver Broncos: Maxx Williams - TE (Minnesota)
29. Indianapolis Colts: Cameron Erving - OL (Florida State)
30. Green Bay Packers: Jaelen Strong - WR (Arizona State)
31. Seattle Seahawks: Ronald Darby - CB (Florida State)
32. New England Patriots: Jordan Phillips - DT (Oklahoma)
Way-Too-Early 2016 Mock Draft
Everyone loves mock drafts. My mom isn't even an NFL fan and she loves NFL mock draft's (OK, that may have been a lie). So, with some space to fill in the column this week, I decided to present to you....a way-too-early 2016 mock draft courtesy of our friends over at WalterFootball.com! This thing should be taken with a grain of salt. It's way too early to know which NFL team is going to be sitting at the top of the 2016 NFL draft (although the Tennessee Titans is a pretty safe bet if you ask me) and which prospects are going to be up there as well....but this list will give you a pretty good idea on how people are feeling already:
1. Tennessee Titans: Joey Bosa (DE) Ohio State
2. New York Jets: Cardale Jones (QB) Ohio State
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Laremy Tunsil (OT) Ole Miss
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Robert Nkemdiche (DE) Ole Miss
5. Washington Redskins: Vernon Hargreaves (CB) Florida
6. Chicago Bears: Christian Hackenburg (QB) Penn State
7. Minnesota Vikings: Ronnie Stanley (OT) Notre Dame
8. Oakland Raiders: Ezekiel Elliott (RB) Ohio State
9. St. Louis Rams: Laquon Treadwell (WR) Ole Miss
10. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Fuller (CB) Virginia Tech
11. Dallas Cowboys: Nate Andrews (S) Florida State
12. Cleveland Browns: Connor Cook (QB) Michigan State
13. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Jack (RB/LB) UCLA
14. Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Boyd (WR) Pittsburgh
15. San Diego Chargers: Chris Jones (DL) Mississippi State
16. New York Giants: A'Shawn Robinson (DT) Alabama
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Ramsey (CB) Florida State
18. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Sutton (CB) Tennessee
19. Buffalo Bills: Leonard Floyd (Edge Rusher) Georgia
20. Baltimore Ravens: Duke Williams (WR) Auburn
21. Houston Texans: Jaylon Smith (LB) Notre Dame
22. Carolina Panthers: Travin Duval (WR) LSU
23. Miami Dolphins: Will Redmond (CB) Mississippi State
24. Seattle Seahawks: Shawn Oakman (DE) Baylor
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Su'a Cravens (CB) USC
26. Indianapolis Colts: Shilique Calhoun (Edge Rusher) Michigan State
27. Denver Broncos: Spencer Drango (OT) Baylor
28. Green Bay Packers: DeForest Buckner (DL) Oregon
29. Detroit Lions: Jack Allen (OL) Michigan State
30. New England Patriots: Alex Collins (RB) Arkansas
31. Arizona Cardinals: KeiVarae Russell (CB) Notre Dame
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: O.J. Howard (TE) Alabama)
2. New York Jets: Cardale Jones (QB) Ohio State
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Laremy Tunsil (OT) Ole Miss
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Robert Nkemdiche (DE) Ole Miss
5. Washington Redskins: Vernon Hargreaves (CB) Florida
6. Chicago Bears: Christian Hackenburg (QB) Penn State
7. Minnesota Vikings: Ronnie Stanley (OT) Notre Dame
8. Oakland Raiders: Ezekiel Elliott (RB) Ohio State
9. St. Louis Rams: Laquon Treadwell (WR) Ole Miss
10. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Fuller (CB) Virginia Tech
11. Dallas Cowboys: Nate Andrews (S) Florida State
12. Cleveland Browns: Connor Cook (QB) Michigan State
13. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Jack (RB/LB) UCLA
14. Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Boyd (WR) Pittsburgh
15. San Diego Chargers: Chris Jones (DL) Mississippi State
16. New York Giants: A'Shawn Robinson (DT) Alabama
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Ramsey (CB) Florida State
18. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Sutton (CB) Tennessee
19. Buffalo Bills: Leonard Floyd (Edge Rusher) Georgia
20. Baltimore Ravens: Duke Williams (WR) Auburn
21. Houston Texans: Jaylon Smith (LB) Notre Dame
22. Carolina Panthers: Travin Duval (WR) LSU
23. Miami Dolphins: Will Redmond (CB) Mississippi State
24. Seattle Seahawks: Shawn Oakman (DE) Baylor
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Su'a Cravens (CB) USC
26. Indianapolis Colts: Shilique Calhoun (Edge Rusher) Michigan State
27. Denver Broncos: Spencer Drango (OT) Baylor
28. Green Bay Packers: DeForest Buckner (DL) Oregon
29. Detroit Lions: Jack Allen (OL) Michigan State
30. New England Patriots: Alex Collins (RB) Arkansas
31. Arizona Cardinals: KeiVarae Russell (CB) Notre Dame
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: O.J. Howard (TE) Alabama)
-Not a lot of news this week that isn't related to free agency. However, here are all the latest rumors regarding free agency:
*Former Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe is currently in Cleveland visiting the Browns. The Browns are widely considered to be the favorites to land Bowe with the Baltimore Ravens also in the mix.
*San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree has yet to sign with a team, but it looks like the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers are considered the favorites to land him, with the Chargers in the slight lead.
*Vince Wilfork reportedly has four teams currently interested in his services. Most experts consider Wilfork a lock to either sign with the Texans or return to the Patriots on a cheaper contract.
*The Patriots and the Chargers are both interested in bringing in former 49ers WR Stevie Johnson.
*Former Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy is one of the best free agents available, but teams are cautious to sign him due to his troubled past. Most people thought that Hardy ending up with the Oakland Raiders was a forgone conclusion, but according to the Raiders, they aren't interested.
*Former Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe is currently in Cleveland visiting the Browns. The Browns are widely considered to be the favorites to land Bowe with the Baltimore Ravens also in the mix.
*San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree has yet to sign with a team, but it looks like the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers are considered the favorites to land him, with the Chargers in the slight lead.
*Vince Wilfork reportedly has four teams currently interested in his services. Most experts consider Wilfork a lock to either sign with the Texans or return to the Patriots on a cheaper contract.
*The Patriots and the Chargers are both interested in bringing in former 49ers WR Stevie Johnson.
*Former Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy is one of the best free agents available, but teams are cautious to sign him due to his troubled past. Most people thought that Hardy ending up with the Oakland Raiders was a forgone conclusion, but according to the Raiders, they aren't interested.
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