2014 NFL draft and offseason thread: your mock draft, team wish list, and more

[JEDI]

Michael Sam the openly gay player got drafted at #249 by the Rams.

at what # do they stop the drafts?

 

[lupi]

Fischer used one of the end of the seventh round compensatory picks for him. Given that he is a prominent figure among some of the league management committees, wouldn't doubt that this was a bit of a look good move along with the hometown hero story.

 

[lupi]

I now think cleveland HAS TO DO HARD KNOCKS!!!!!!

Except with a new head coach they are exempt from the mandatory participation.

 

[dbk]

Skins did ok I guess...Moses was a sweet pick

Doubt Sam really deserved to be picked so late.. I'll be rooting for him..

 

[JEDI]

Michael Sam the openly gay player got drafted at #249 by the Rams.

at what # do they stop the drafts?

ahh.. #256 is the last

also, when did they change the drafting rule for #1 pick?
it used to be the bottom 5 teams in the previous season get the #1 pick at random (to ensure that they don't just lose games on purpose). I remember one year The Redskins had the worst record but didn't get awarded the #1 pick.

now it's to strictly based by loss record?

 

[CPA]

ahh.. #256 is the last

also, when did they change the drafting rule for #1 pick?
it used to be the bottom 5 teams in the previous season get the #1 pick at random (to ensure that they don't just lose games on purpose). I remember one year The Redskins had the worst record but didn't get awarded the #1 pick.

now it's to strictly based by loss record?

I've never known it to be anything other than worst record in the NFL. It could be that their pick was a result of a previous trade.

 

[CPA]

Skins did ok I guess...Moses was a sweet pick

Doubt Sam really deserved to be picked so late.. I'll be rooting for him..

Why? The other defensive player of the year in the SEC, Jarrett Jackson, went undrafted. No one is complaining about him not getting picked up.

 

[Jimzz]

ahh.. #256 is the last

also, when did they change the drafting rule for #1 pick?
it used to be the bottom 5 teams in the previous season get the #1 pick at random (to ensure that they don't just lose games on purpose). I remember one year The Redskins had the worst record but didn't get awarded the #1 pick.

now it's to strictly based by loss record?

You may be thinking of the NBA. They have a lottery system as teams were caught before doing just what you said.

 

[JEDI]

Why? The other defensive player of the year in the SEC, Jarrett Jackson, went undrafted. No one is complaining about him not getting picked up.

wow 😱

maybe the sec should re-do their criteria for def player of the year to align more with what the nfl seeks in defensive players?

 

[CPA]

wow 😱

maybe the sec should re-do their criteria for def player of the year to align more with what the nfl seeks in defensive players?

lol, I was thinking the same thing last night.

 

[dbk]

Why? The other defensive player of the year in the SEC, Jarrett Jackson, went undrafted. No one is complaining about him not getting picked up.

Well look at the last 5 or 6 SEC defensive POY winners..they were all drafted way higher - almost sure of it

 

[manimal]

Except with a new head coach they are exempt from the mandatory participation.

would have made for great theater! Boo!

wow 😱

maybe the sec should re-do their criteria for def player of the year to align more with what the nfl seeks in defensive players?

Collegiate success doesnt always translate to the NFL. Its a different game altogether really. Hes a tweener. Hes missing things you cant teach. His measurables are nothing special and he didnt do very well at combine. Feel bad for him but look at Jordan Lynch. Guy was a STUD and went undrafted as well. Bears signing him though which does make me happy.

How do bears fans feel about the draft?

I liked most picks outside of Ferguson because I just dont know alot about him. Really like the Safety they picked up and Carey should really improve the teams short yardage play. I bet Forte is actually pissed about this signing. Bears need to desprately improve between the tackles and this kid could really impact Forte's Fantasy stock severely.


I really liked the Italian Stallion being drafted to back up Tom Brady. Kid couldnt have a bigger smile on TV yesterday.


Anyone else think Johnny Football is secretly pissed hes in the land of Cleve?




Other thoughts on draft. WTF is wrong with Josh Gordon? Is he really this stupid? Strange Browns didnt take Sammy Watkins with the fourth pick since they KNEW about this two weeks ago and didnt do ANYTHING to fix their problem at Wide Reciever this year. I really like all their picks but with starting caliber wide recievers available in the mid rounds they should have either traded a pick for next year for a fourth or third and grabbed someone. STUPID. I guyss they want Hoyer to fail hard this year and sit Johnny for the first half of he season and get him some scrub time the last five six games. Mark my words this will play out.


NFC north is gonna get much better this year outside of the Lions surprise surprise. They grabbed good players but Stafford really isnt the answer and the Packers and Bears are ascending and the Vikings got better at every position it seems and got a starting QB finally it seems.


Again ill say Niners are the class of the league with their draft. Truly impressed with how they and the Seachickens go about their business.

I dont know what the NFL is smoking these days. I saw at least six to 10 starting running backs get drafted this year. Is it collusion with all the GMs that nobody take a number 1 back?


Favorite pick of the day for me was the taking of DeAnthony Thomas to the Chiefs. Andy Reid is gonna get that kid focused and he will have a ton of all purpose yards.


Second fave pick for me was Devin Street to the Cowboys. Guy was a STEAL and half. Saw a few of his games this year and guy was seriously good and getting better. He looks like a Cowboy reciever to me and will become a fave of the ROMO very quickly.


last fave was Taj Boyd going to the Jets. Guy in three years is gonna be the starter just watch. He will sit back and learn from two other athletic runners and be able to execute the same playbook as they do AND when Vick throws a billion interceptions this year he may end up as the backup next year and wait.

 

[gorcorps]

ahh.. #256 is the last

also, when did they change the drafting rule for #1 pick?
it used to be the bottom 5 teams in the previous season get the #1 pick at random (to ensure that they don't just lose games on purpose). I remember one year The Redskins had the worst record but didn't get awarded the #1 pick.

now it's to strictly based by loss record?

It's always been this way as far as I can remember. People trade picks all the time so that's what you're probably remembering. Or they may have been tied for worst record. Teams with the same record then get ranked based on how hard their schedule was, then any tie breakers and such. Those then cycle position every round in the draft. So the worst team with the easiest schedule would pick first in round 1, then the team with the second hardest schedule would pick first in round 2, etc. That happened this year because there were 5 teams that ended 4-12. The 3-7 spots cycled every round.

 

[Ban Bot]

Doubt Sam really deserved to be picked so late.. I'll be rooting for him..

I am tired of the, "Sam should have been drafted much higher" garbage. I am sure we are going to hear this for a couple years, especially if the press doesn't feel he is getting a fair shake.

What are people basing the belief that he should have been drafted higher on?

I have seen nothing to defend this position other than a) he was a DPOY in the SEC and b) a draft guru gave him a 3-5 round "grade."

Anyone who knows college/NFL football knows neither of these mean anything in projecting how a player will do in the NFL and whether they would be, or even should be, drafted (see: multiple players projected to be 1st rounders did not get drafted over the last couple years). The fact he had 4 UDFA offers and WAS drafted indicated teams were willing to take him on so if he had perceived value he would have been drafted sooner. If he was a 3rd round talent one of those 5 teams would have taken him long before the very end of the 7th round as that is a 4 round slide. If you are the other 4 teams you don't let a 3rd round graded player literally slide out of the draft if you value him at the third round. You grab him in the 6th or 7th. Oh wait, other 3rd round grades slip into the 7th too? Well, that is why good players go undrafted. But if you really wanted him you shop your 2015 6th for a 2014 7th. If teams value him he would have gone higher.

I know most in the press and even more fans are not familiar with the draft. They think great college player = high draft pick. Tell that to all those great college QBs who are passed over every season--look at those SEC guys with great college careers and solid size not taken in the first 3 rounds. Or all the elite running backs dropping into the second and later rounds. The NFL drafts based on projection, value, and need.

Michael Sam did have a good senior season. 48 tackles (31 solo), 19 for a loss, and 11.5 sacks. 2 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles. This performance was good enough for a 2013 1st Team All-American, Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist. That is a great season.

So why were people down on Sam? Because Michael Sam's combine is not very good. He is 6'2" (not very tall and not a lot of space to add bulk) but to his benefit has long arms (33" 3/8). He is small for a "big" DE at 261lbs but lacks the explosion for a "smaller" pass rushing end or 3-4 OLB. He is slow (4.91 40,) lacks explosion (25.5" verticle, 114" broad jump), and lacks quickness (7.8 3 cone drill, 4.7 shuttle). He also lacks strength (17 rep bench).

He does not project well into the NFL.

That doesn't mean he won't be good. There are a LOT of great players who either played poorly in college or did not project well. Look at Seattle's roster. But also note that players like Sherman, Smith, Maxwell, Wilson, etc. usually had something going for them (e.g. Sherman's height, intelligence, solid speed for a tall player, very good jumping ability, and his college performance is lacking as he played WR his first couple years so he was still developing. Malcom Smith is very fast, Wilson has everything a QB needs except height, etc.)

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/michael-sam-1.html
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/michael-sam?id=2543734


Still don't believe me that Michael Sam was not a shoe in mid round draft pick? I have one name for you in this draft:

Jackson Jeffcoat

Jeffcoat was NOT drafted. Seattle just picked him up as a UDFA. If you look at the stats, awards, and Combine metrics it is clear to me that Jeffcoat has a much, much higher upside than Sam. Especially if Jeffcoat can find a team willing to tutor him at a pass rushing DE position or pass rushing OLB in a 3-4. He not only has better metrics, other than weight, than Michael Sam but his metrics put him in the upper tier of athletes in the NFL.

Jeffcoat has good length (6'3" with 33"7/8 arms) and is a SPARQ freak. At the combine he posted a 4.63 40, 36" vertical, 123" broad jump, 6.97 3 cone drill, 4.18 shuttle, and 25 reps. Jeffcoat played DE his senior season but also played OLB the previous year so he has some versatility. Just compare the side-by-side metrics:

Jeffcoat vs. Sam

40: 4.63 vs. 4.91
Vert: 36" vs. 25.5"
Broad Jump: 123" vs. 114"
3 Cone: 6.97 vs. 7.80
Shuttle: 4.18 vs. 4.70
Bench: 25 vs. 17
Height: 6'3" vs. 6'2"
Weight: 247 vs. 261

Jeffcoat blows Sam away. The major flag on Jeffcoat is he is on light side at 247lbs. So he either needs to bulk up (14lbs would put him up with Sam--and there is little doubt at 261 Jeffcoat is still much quicker and explosive) or a team is going to have to work him into a pass rushing DE or OLB.

So the only argument for Sam going mucher higher in the draft while Jeffcoat being fairly undrafted would be Sam was a better college talent. But this doesn't appear to be true when looking at their stats or game tape. Jeffcoat played DE at Texas and had a productive senior year with 82 tackles (40 solo, 42 assists, only FBS d-lineman to lead his team in tackles), 19 for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 13 sacks. This performance was good enough for a 2013 1st Team All-American, Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Ted Hendricks Award winner (i.e. award for nations best defensive end in terms of on and off field contribution). Jackson Jeffcoat also has NFL blood as his dad, Jim Jeffcoat, won 2 Super Bowls with Dallas.

Outside of 14 pounds Jeffcoat is able to match or exceed Michael Same in metrics, statistics, and awards. They are both 1st team All-Americans with Co-DPoY honors. Jeffcoat had about 2x as many tackles and a slight edge in sacks. Based on the above if I presented both players on two score sheet, neither with a name, and said 1 player, based on the stats and combine alone, was drafted in the 7th round and 1 player was undrafted you would have selected the score sheet with Jeffcoat's data. There is no way you say Sam was selected and Jeffcoat was not.

And again, Jeffcoat was NOT drafted. The Rams valued Same as a draft pick. No one valued Jeffcoat. Them the breaks as they say.

All that said, I would love to hear how Michael Sam should have been a 3rd round pick. I am looking at all the great talent that slid past the 3rd round (especially receivers) and I have a hard time seeing how an undersized and slow DE should have gone sooner. I am actually surprised he went before Jeffcoat as at least Jeffcoat has some metrics that could translate to a situation player (i.e. nickel pass rusher).

But I have read nothing to justify why Michael Sam is a 3rd-5th round talent other than those who want to use prime exposure (the NFL) to stir the pot and use the media attention to further their agenda. Which is VERY unfair to players like Jackson Jeffcoat. It also isn't fair to Sam if his prime desire is to play and succeed in the NFL. Look at the Tim Tebow circus. It KILLED his career. I hope Sam, now that he is on the team and the NFL reprimanding slurs (see: Jones in Miami getting fined this weekend) he asks the media to give him space and be an NFL player. It will be VERY hard for him to make the Ram's team as they are stacked on the D-line and 7th rounders get cut all the time. He needs his focus and time on making the team.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jackson-jeffcoat?id=2543660
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1737095/jackson-jeffcoat
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jackson-jeffcoat-1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Hendricks_Award

 

[lupi]

Dolphins go very Kim Jong Un on you if you express displeasure at watching some guys kiss. Suspended from the team until completion of reeducation training.

 

[benzylic]

Dolphins go very Kim Jong Un on you if you express displeasure at watching some guys kiss. Suspended from the team until completion of reeducation training.

After what the Dolphins dealt with for half of last season I cant say I really blame them

 

[smackababy]

After what the Dolphins dealt with for half of last season I cant say I really blame them

I have to agree with this. And how cares if Michael Sam kissed a guy when he got drafted. If he had kissed a girl instead, nobody would be saying a damn thing. He wouldn't have even been news.


I think this is a big step for the NFL, but I still think the Rams could have picked someone better. As Ban Bot pointed out, there were other DEs available that look like better prospects.

 

[Pocatello]

I have to agree with this. And how cares if Michael Sam kissed a guy when he got drafted. If he had kissed a girl instead, nobody would be saying a damn thing. He wouldn't have even been news.


I think this is a big step for the NFL, but I still think the Rams could have picked someone better. As Ban Bot pointed out, there were other DEs available that look like better prospects.

Many fans think they can pick better than the team GM or coaches. Of course they are going to bring out the stats sheet!

 

[Ban Bot]

Many fans think they can pick better than the team GM or coaches. Of course they are going to bring out the stats sheet!

I bought out the stat sheet to support the low draft status Sam had. It is a twisted argument to say, "Sam would have been drafted higher if he did not come out" but to smack down an objective comparison to other undrafted players as purely fans bringing out the stat sheet.

So if stats aren't relevant, what basis/metric are fans and media using to support the argument that Sam should have been drafted higher?

Regarding GMs: they miss. A lot. They miss multiple times every draft. They reach on busts and all 32 teams whiff for 7 rounds on guys who become very good players. It is the nature of the business.

But that wasn't the point. The point was a challenge to the following position: People are arguing that Michael Sam should have been drafted higher and if he had not come out he would have been drafted higher.

Unfortunately, the data doesn't support that position at all. His accolades and stats are no better than some undrafted players (and yet better than some high draft picks). So that is a neither here or there. And his combine results were objectively poor: he is undersized for a DE and compared to the field he is weaker, slower, lacks quickness and explosion than most players at his position. He has not a single metric that stands out--and that sticks out. Your "high" grade players tend to be "Top 5" in multiple areas that can be assessed (either metrics or skills) and your mid round players tend to "pop" in an area where they stand out. Typically later round picks are a mix of flaws & pop or average across the board. Sam was picked at the very end of the draft because he is below average across the board in metrics but was able to get into the draft by being a good "football player" and being productive on the field. He was boarderline undraftable, as shown by being one of the last picks. In a draft with a deeper field of D-lineman he probably is not selected.

Michael Sam may end up being a great NFL player.

But that fails to justify the argument that Sam would have been drafted higher.

So all those arguing Sam should have been drafted higher:

Make your case.

 

[techs]

Some interesting speculation that Sam was only going to be drafted by a team like St. Louis, that was in a state that didn't protect gays in the workplace. The NFL teams were worried that if Sam were cut in a state that protected gays from being fired for being gay, that Sam might sue.

It makes sense. It's pretty subjective, except for star players, who a team keeps and who they let go. If Sam were some type of crusader for gay rights he could contest getting cut under a states equal rights laws. In Missouri you can be fired just for being gay.

 

[HOSED]

I hear Sam will be changing position to offensive center, where there is a lot more action!

 

[smackababy]

I highly doubt Sam will be cut for simply being gay. Most likely, if he even makes the team and then gets fired, it will be for poor performance. Nothing really stands out that he is an exceptional player. Don't get me wrong, he is far above the average Joe, but being a decent college player doesn't always translate into the NFL, but then again, neither does being a star college player (cue pretty much any running QB).

I think it is a big step for the NFL and am glad the Rams took the chance for this (and I'm sure the publicity isn't hurting them), but in the end, Sam is going to be judged as a football player.

 

[Ban Bot]

He isn't going to have an easy time on that Ram's team as their front 7 is stout. In fact all 4 teams in the NFC West have either very good or great front 7s.

 

[lupi]

Jordan Lynch to rest his golden arm, signs with the Bears as a RB.


Should make the HB option pass one hell of a play.

 

[smackababy]

Yeah. As much as I want him to do great, as he is pretty courageous for coming out knowing it will hurt his career (the NFL isn't exactly secretly homophobic), he just might not have what it takes.

Jordan Lynch to rest his golden arm, signs with the Bears as a RB.


Should make the HB option pass one hell of a play.

I don't see this as a bad move, really. At 6' 216, he is an RB. And it isn't like he wasn't running in college.