The Logic Behind the E.J. Manuel Pick and Why It Makes So Much Sense

Posted on May 7, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

When teams draft a Quarterback, even in the first round, they know they’re not getting a finished product.  Even once-in-a-generation prospects like Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, and John Elway faced a steep learning curve.  The bottom line is that coaches believe in their abilities to mold raw talent into competitive players and that is exactly why Doug Marrone and the Bills took E.J. Manuel at #16 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.  No QB in this class has more physical talent.   The size, speed, and arm strength combined with the Bills’ evaluation of his motivation, commitment, and desire to learn gave them the confidence to invest in what Manuel will be more than the player he is right now. Continue reading →

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Fisher a Perfect Fit in KC

Posted on April 25, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

The Chiefs made the right call with the first #1 overall pick in franchise history selecting Eric Fisher, the behemoth offensive tackle out of Central Michigan.  In the end it was his athleticism and attitude that gave him the edge over Luke Joeckel.  My feel is that the Chiefs decided to take the guy with the most room to grow.  With a larger frame and slightly more athleticism Fisher won out.  He also has a higher floor than Joeckel offering the positional versatility to play right tackle and even slide inside to guard if somehow things don’t work out on the blind side.

At the moment Branden Albert is still in the fold, and isn’t interested in moving away from his home at Left Tackle.  If the Chiefs can’t get a trade worked out before the second round rolls around tomorrow it could be an awkward return when Branden Albert shows up for training camp.

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Trade Rumors: Who Would Atlanta Move Up to Get?

Posted on April 18, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

It came out within the past few days that Atlanta is looking to move up in the first round of next week’s draft.  The early speculation is that they are looking to swing a deal that will put them in the top 5 and in position to take the draft’s best corner, Dee Milliner out of Alabama.  Considering the mass exudus of talent at CB this offseason with the departure of Brent Grimes and the release of Dunta Robinson, this could very well be the case.  The only problem with moving up 25 or more spots in the draft is that it will cost a fortune, likely even more than the Julio Jones trade, which was absolutely worth the price tag looking back.  Unless Milliner falls out of the top 10 I really don’t see him being the target.

So who will it be? Continue reading →

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Giant Corners: the Future of NFL Defenses

Posted on April 17, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

Year after year the NFL rule changes make it tougher on defenses to defend the pass while making it easier to spread the field for offenses forcing defenses to adapt to a less physical game downfield.  No longer is it crazy for a small receiver to run a route across the middle and the enforcer type of safety is at risk for multiple game suspensions if he makes a big hit downfield.  So what’s next? Continue reading →

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2013 NFL Mock Draft v7.0

Posted on April 15, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT
PickTeamPOSPlayerHTWTSchool
1Kansas CityOTEric Fisher6'7"305Central Michigan
2JacksonvilleDE/OLBDion Jordan6'6"245Oregon
3OaklandDTStar Lotulelei6-3325Utah
4PhiladelphiaQBE.J. Manuel6'4"245Florida St.
5DetroitOTLuke Joeckel6'6"305Texas A&M
6ClevelandCBDee Milliner6'1"200Alabama
7ArizonaOTLane Johnson6'6"305Oklahoma
8BuffaloWRTavon Austin5'9"175West Virginia
9New York JetsQBGeno Smith6'3"210West Virginia
10TennesseeOGJonathan Cooper6-3310North Carolina
11San DiegoOGChance Warmack6-3320Alabama
12MiamiCBXavier Rhodes6'2"215Florida St.
13Tampa BayDEEzekiel "Ziggy" Ansah6'6"270BYU
14CarolinaDTSharrif Floyd6-3300Florida
15New OrleansDE/OLBBarkevious Mingo6'4"240LSU
16St. LouisILBAlec Ogletree6'3"242Georgia
17PittsburghWRCordarelle Patterson6'3"205Tennessee
18DallasDTSheldon Richardson6'4"295Missouri
19New York GiantsDEBjoern Werner6'4"260Florida State
20ChicagoLBArthur Brown6-1230Kansas State
21CincinnatiFSEric Reid6'2"208LSU
22St. LouisWRJustin Hunter6'4"205Tennessee
23MinnesotaCBDesmond Trufant6'0"185Washington
24IndianapolisHBEddie Lacy5-10220Alabama
25MinnesotaDTJohnathon Hankins6-3335Ohio State
26Green BayOLBJarvis Jones6-2245Georgia
27HoustonWRDeAndre Hopkins6'1"200Clemson
28DenverDEDemontre Moore6'4"250Texas A&M
29New EnglandDEAlex Okafor6'4"265Texas
30AtlantaDTSylvester Williams6-3320North Carolina
31San FranciscoDEMargus Hunt6'7"290SMU
32BaltimoreILBManti Te'o6'2"255Notre Dame
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2013 NFL Mock Draft v6.0

Posted on April 11, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

Download the 2013 NFL Draft Prospects Spreadsheet

Mock Drafts: 2014 NFL Mock Draft

PickTeamPOSPlayerHTWTSchool
1Kansas CityOTEric Fisher6'7"305Central Michigan
2JacksonvilleDE/OLBDion Jordan6'6"245Oregon
3OaklandDTSharrif Floyd6'3"300Florida
4PhiladelphiaOTLuke Joeckel6'6"305Texas A&M
5DetroitDEEzekiel "Ziggy" Ansah6'6"270BYU
6ClevelandCBDee Milliner6'1"200Alabama
7ArizonaOTLane Johnson6'6"305Oklahoma
8BuffaloQBGeno Smith6'3"210West Virginia
9New York JetsDTStar Lotulelei6'3"325Utah
10TennesseeSSKenny Vaccaro6'1"215Texas
11San DiegoOGChance Warmack6'3"320Alabama
12MiamiCBXavier Rhodes6'2"215Florida St.
13Tampa BayDTSheldon Richardson6'4"295Missouri
14CarolinaWRTavon Austin5'9"175West Virginia
15New OrleansDE/OLBBarkevious Mingo6'4"240LSU
16St. LouisWRCordarelle Patterson6'3"205Tennessee
17PittsburghOLBJarvis Jones6'2"245Georgia
18DallasOTD.J. Fluker6'6"330Alabama
19New York GiantsDEBjoern Werner6'4"260Florida State
20ChicagoILBKevin Minter6'2"244LSU
21CincinnatiCBDesmond Trufant6'0"185Washington
22St. LouisILBAlec Ogletree6'3"232Georgia
23MinnesotaILBManti Te'o6'2"255Notre Dame
24IndianapolisDEDatone Jones6'4"275UCLA
25MinnesotaDECornellius "Tank" Carradine6'5"265Florida State
26Green BayWRQuinton Patton6'2"195Louisiana Tech
27HoustonWRJustin Hunter6'4"205Tennessee
28DenverDTSylvester Williams6'3"320North Carolina
29New EnglandOTJustin Pugh6'4"295Syracuse
30AtlantaDEAlex Okafor6'4"265Texas
31San FranciscoDTJohn Jenkins6'3"360Georgia
32BaltimoreWRDeAndre Hopkins6'1"200Clemson
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The Chiefs’ Revolving Door at #1

Posted on March 27, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

The past month has changed everything at the top of the draft.  After the Alex Smith trade and the all-out assault on the free agent market the Chiefs are solid at just about every position – which is remarkable considering the 2-14 meltdown last season.

It seems that each time a new player is believed to be the favorite for the #1 overall pick come April the Chiefs swiftly make moves to eliminate another option.  In my last mock draft I was totally convinced Geno Smith was the man for the job in KC – then came the Alex Smith trade. Continue reading →

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Draft Strategy 101: Crafting the Perfect Approach

Posted on February 2, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

I’m a major nerd when it comes to the NFL draft and judging by the ever-increasing popularity of the draft I know I’m not alone. Every single year I sit down with a notebook, my laptop, and a draft manual or two and sketch out the draft board for my favorite team and assess the “value” of key players to come up with a realistic draft-day scenario. While this is always tons of fun and I continue to do it, it’s never right because it is virtually impossible to predict human behavior. Continue reading →

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Measuring the “Intangibles”

Posted on January 30, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

The word intangibles is widely overused in the football world.  When scouts throw around the term they are using it to explain something they can’t quite put a finger on.  There are endless explanations to the “it” factor and those “intangible” qualities that set a player apart. Continue reading →

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Why Geno Smith is the Only Option for the Chiefs at #1

Posted on January 28, 2013 by NFLBLUEPRINT

The Chiefs don’t have prayer if they don’t improve under center and adding a vertical element to the offense would change everything.

Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn have both struggled mightily throwing the deep ball forcing KC to make a living on the ground and through short passes on the edges and over the middle.

The addition of Smith would immediately open things up for the entire offense. His ability to throw the sideline fade route is second to none in this draft class. If the Chiefs manage to keep Dwayne Bowe and can find another downfield threat to stretch the field through FA or the Draft, the KC offense will be dangerous. Continue reading →

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