DT Sharrif Floyd (6), QB Tyler Bray (68), LB Kiko Alonso (104)
The Browns strengthen their defense with the selections of Floyd and Alonso. I think Floyd could pair with Phil Taylor and really make them difficult to run against inside. I also see Floyd as giving them some interior pass rush that they haven't really had in a long time.
Bray is talented, and I think he's an excellent fit for Norv Turner's downfield throwing offense. He just needs to grow up, and learn to be a professional. The word out of Knoxville is that he was an entitled glory-boy diva there.
Continue reading "2013 IAOFM Rational Actor Mock Draft - AFC Analysis"
OT Eric Fisher (5), DE Tank Carradine (36), CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (65), OG David Quessenberry (128), RB Christine Michael (132)
For the Lions, this is a needs-based class that manages not to really reach anywhere. Fisher and Quessenberry can start on their OL right away, and help protect Matthew Stafford, who they've allowed to get hit way too much.
Carradine isn't the pass rusher that Cliff Avril was, but he can play LDE for the Lions in base situations, at least.
Wreh-Wilson is a good player to add to their CB mix, which has a bunch of nickelback types at this point.
Michael has talent, but the reputation of being an unfocused clown. He should fit right in with the Lions.
Continue reading "2013 IAOFM Rational Actor Mock Draft - NFC Analysis"
It took a while, but the LOLJets finally dealt star cornerback Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Every party got what they wanted - that is, unless Revis was looking for a hefty guarantee as part of a new contract. Shockingly, the 27-year old will get absolutely nothing guaranteed, but his deal is worth $96M over six years.
Granted, the Bucs gave up Thursday's #13 pick, plus a 2014 fourth-rounder which becomes a third-rounder if Revis is on their roster on the third day of the 2014 league year, so there's zero chance they cut him this season.
Tony Carter has become the fourth Bronco to sign his free-agent tender this offseason, following Lance Ball, Chris Clark, and Mitch Unrein.
As with Unrein's case, Carter's signing is pure formality, as the corner had no opportunity to negotiate or sign with other teams due to his exclusive rights status.
The FSU alum will turn 27 next month, and enters his fifth season in the NFL after not having been invited to the national scouting combine.
In a pure formality, Mitch Unrein signed his $555K exclusive rights free agent tender today. The move was inevitable once Denver tendered him, because as a player with less than three accrued seasons, Unrein was not free to negotiate with any other teams.
A trio of news items on the Broncos:
First, reserve tackle Chris Clark has followed running back Lance Ball in signing his restricted tender, leaving Britton Colquitt as the only RFA-tendered player yet to sign. Ball signed his tender on Monday, and Clark will likewise be paid $1.323M if he makes the final roster, but receives no guarantees. If he fails to make the team, Denver will suffer no cap penalties.
Happy Wednesday, friends. I’m about to enter a period of personal radio silence, as I hit crunch time in studying for the most extensive and difficult section of the CPA exam, Financial Accounting and Reporting.
Since I’ll mostly be offline for the next week, I wanted to leave y’all a little sump’m sump’m to hold you over. Once I’m past this part of the test, I’ll be back with some stuff about defensive backs in the draft class, and then kickers and punters. Then, a few days before the 2013 Draft, I’ll be coming with my fourth annual Rational Actor Mock Draft.
Today, I want to expand upon the article I wrote on Monday, particularly after Greg Cosell’s well-timed piece that was linked in yesterday’s Lard. I really liked Cosell’s comparison of the emerging need for what I call a matchup safety to how the need emerged (and was gradually filled) for quality slot cornerbacks a decade ago.
Continue reading "Fat Camp: Expanding on the matchup safety idea"
Reserve running back Lance Ball became the first Bronco to sign his right of first refusal only restricted tender on Monday.
Ball saw the field for just 151 snaps in 2012, but as a restricted free agent, he'll make nearly double the $715K minimum for a player of his experience this season. However, none of his $1.323M salary is guaranteed, so if he fails to make the final 53-man roster out of training camp, Ball won't count a penny toward the Broncos' 2013 salary cap.
Aside from Ball, Denver has running backs Willis McGahee, Knowshon Moreno, Ronnie Hillman, Mario Fannin, and Jeremiah Johnson on the roster. Jacob Hester is listed as a fullback but functioned more as a running back, since the Broncos abandoned the idea of using two-back sets rather early on.
Updated 8:29am ET 4/9/13
Former Broncos safety and punt fair-catcher Jim Leonhard is headed to New Orleans, where he'll reunite with the Ryan family.
Leonhard had played under Rex Ryan with the Ravens and LOLJets, and he'll now play under Sexy Rexy's twin brother Rob, who is coordinating the Saints defense.
Continue reading "Leonhard to New Orleans; third Denver defender to leave via free agency"
According to Mike Klis, the Broncos are meeting today with Miami of Ohio QB Zac Dysert in preparation for the upcoming draft.
Dysert (pronounced DAHY-surt) was a four-year starter for the Redhawks, completing 63.8% of his throws for 6.7 adjusted yards per attempt and a 132.4 QB rating.
