Draft analyst at Walter Football. Led all NFL media for mock draft accuracy in 2024, 2022, 2019, 2017. Second place 2021. Runs Bodi's Kitty Cause fighting FIP.
Per league sources, the Raiders and Jaguars are close to a trade for DE Yannick Ngakoue.
- The Raiders are offering pick 19 and the Jaguars want pick 12.
- Some sources think Jacksonville won't get a better offer than pick 19.
New NFL Draft Hot Press
- The Jets were going to take Jahmyr Gibbs at 15
- Keeanu Benton and Gervon Dexter have been risers for round 2
- Baylor DT Siaki Ika was flunked medically by some teams
- Atlanta was waiting to trade up for Jack Campbell
- more
The Falcons are an instant winner. They land the best player in the draft on many team's boards in Texas RB Bijan Robinson. Robinson will help Desmond Ridder tremendously and open things up for Kyle Pitts and Drake London. A+ pick by Atlanta
This week I will have lots of recaps along with starting up the Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? series where I find out from team sources why prospects slid or did not get selected.
More breakdowns to come. I think the best draft classes were:
1. Lions
2. Falcons
3. Colts
Team sources have told me the Bears have been digging in hard on Georgia DT Jalen Carter. Chicago staff have been making lots of calls to Georgia about Carter. The quarterback trades/picks and character issues could easily cause Carter to slide to late in the top 10.
#Colts
general manager Chris Ballard made a brilliant trade. Stays in the top 6 of the first round to get an elite building block. Adds two second-rounders with 4 picks in the top 49. This could be the draft that forms the foundation of Indianapolis being a playoff team again.
Giovanni Manu could be a sleeper steal for the Lions. He has a tremendous skill set with a ton of upside. Some team sources said that Manu could be the next Jordan Mailata. The Lions are a great landing spot as Manu can develop behind Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.
The new Browns regime continues to impress around the league. I spoke with a rival AFC scout at the Grid Iron Game and Browns VP Alonzo Highsmith still works it like he’s a college scout getting after it. Cleveland is using their top scouts more than other teams in the NFL.
Some buzz I'm hearing about the second round:
- Jaguars could go Maason Smith
- Falcons could go Kamari Lassiter
- Lions could move up for WR or OL
- Giants could go Tyler Nubin
- Patriots going WR
For the Lions to move up 20 spots in the 1st round & not give up a first-rounder is a clear rip off deal. And getting 46 back. Another shocking factor is the Vikings allowing the Lions to get Jameson Williams and now having to cover him for years to come. What is MIN thinking?
John Dorsey got a major win for the
#Browns
in hiring
@alonzohighsmith
from Green Bay. Highsmith is an one of the best talent evaluators in the NFL. One of the elite scouts in the league, and extremely well respected in the scouting community. Huge get for Cleveland.
The Raiders could have 3 top 20 picks & will have 4 in the top 40. Their draft class could look something like this:
1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
1b. Devin White, LB, LSU
1c. Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
2. Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
That would be a tremendous class for Oakland
Per team sources:
- Eagles are calling about trading up from 10 in the 6-8 range for Jalen Carter
- Eagles like Van Ness
- Texans love Bijan
- Sam LaPorta hurt by medical
- Multiple teams medically flunked Darnell Washington & dropped him off their board
I think the Amari Cooper trade is a great move for Oakland. Cooper is an inconsistent player, an introverted guy, and not a vigorous competitor. The 2019 NFL Draft is so loaded with elite defensive talent. The Raiders could build an elite defense. Desperate move by the Cowboys.
Sources who were at the Northwestern pro day say WR Donny Navarro was phenomenal in the work out with great routes & hands. North Dakota RB Tyler Hoosman also was impressive and some felt he looked better through the bags than Evan Hull. 2 late-round sleepers that could be steals
#Titans
sources fear Kevin Dodd was a wasted pick, feel Marcus Mariota’s interceptions were scheme related, and say the team is likely to move on from DeMarco Murray.
Senior Bowl Hot Press
- The Dolphins have shopped DeVante Parker
- Some scouts feel Kayvon Thibodeaux is overrated and worry he doesn't love football
- Some teams picking in top 10 would not play Evan Neal at LT
- Jets are high on USC WR Drake London
Inside info from multiple sources with the Texans:
- Bill O'Brien did not want to draft Deshaun Watson
- There was talk of trading Jadeveon Clowney
- And more here:
Lol, potential starting quarterbacks for the
#XFL
next season:
Tim Tebow
Colin Kaepernick
Robert Griffin III
Johnny Manziel
Josh Freeman
Vince Young
Christian Ponder
Matt Barkley
Mark Sanchez
Brock Osweiler
I'd definitely watch the games with that group.
Chicago Bears land No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Some sources at other teams think it is 50/50 chance that the Bears trade Justin Fields for draft picks and draft a more natural passing quarterback like Alabama's Bryce Young.
Current Bears regime didn't draft Fields.
Per team sources
- Teams have called the Lions about trading for D'Andre Swift
- Coaches moved Peter Skoronski lower on some draft boards
- Giants more likely to go WR over TE
- Early in process, Bucs liked Michael Mayer & Anthony Richardson
The Detroit Lions turned their trade package for Matthew Stafford into:
QB: Jared Goff
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs
WR: Jameson Williams
TE: Sam LaPorta
CB: Ifeatu Melifonwu
That is a phenomenal job by Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell.
Latest Draft Rumors
- Buffalo
#Bills
are looking to move up. Brian Thomas & Xavier Worthy in play for Buffalo.
- Latest on
#Commanders
and QBs.
-
#Raiders
like OT options at 13.
- Why teams could be more aggressive to trade up this year and more
The Lions made a home run hire with Brad Holmes. In the scouting community he's regarded as one of the elite talent evaluators in the NFL and great to work with. Top scouts from other teams will want to work for Detroit because of Holmes, great job by Lions ownership.
Per sources, NFL teams are hearing that Louisville's Lamar Jackson and USC's Sam Darnold are inclined to go back to school. And they are weighing that business decision.
Ndamukong Suh is so bad in the locker room the Dolphins are willing to take a $22.2 million salary cap penalty for him to play somewhere else. Buyer beware.
Per team sources,
#OhioState
leads the way with the most early-round prospects on NFL team's preseason watch lists. 9 players given early-round potential in their advance grades for the 2019 NFL Draft
Nick Saban and Bill Belichick have been the greatest coaches ever in college and NFL respectively. Neither Saban or Belichick won a championship with Bill O'Brien on their coaching staff. Coincidence?.......I think not.
The Texans traded away Clowney at a huge discount because O'Brien and Gaine blew the leverage to get a good deal by not shopping him last spring or the year before. Clowney should have gotten Houston as much or more than Frank Clark and Dee Ford deals. Terrible management by Hou
I’ve heard the Jets & Dolphins as teams that would probably make a run at Deshaun Watson, both have extra 1st and day-2 picks and a young QB to trade back if Houston didn’t want Fields or Wilson. The package could be three 1st-round picks, or 2 firsts, Tua/Sam, and a 2.
The decision by the Big 10 and Pac 12 presidents was cowardly and not based in the science of covid 19. They claim their objective is to protect players, but they actually put their student athletes in greater danger. A bunch of scared old men in CYA mode.
Early Senior Bowl practice observations:
- Bo Nix mechanics and feet are on point, very accurate with catchable balls
- Ricky Pearsall is constantly separating from coverage
- Michael Hall Jr is a first round talent with serious interior rush ability
- Cam Hart is underrated
@josh3rosen
I'm the writer of the report. I stand by it because I know that it's the truth. You can prove me wrong by going back, or we can make a bet. My paycheck vs your week 1 check in the NFL or your $0 check from UCLA in week 1 of college next year. Your call
Many team sources say that Georgia WR George Pickens has major character concerns. They believe his issues could cause a slide and some teams were close to dropping him off their board
Brad Holmes has traded for a QB and drafted 6 first-round picks with three on offense, three on defense, and picks at every premium position (OT- Sewell, DE- Hutchinson, WR- Williams, CB- Arnold). Excellent team building by Holmes and Dan Campbell.
There is no rational reason for the Chargers and Raiders not to kneel out the clock tonight for a 0-0 tie. They both get in the playoffs with essentially a bye week to rest their players.
Some league sources are telling me Doug Pederson is going to be the next head coach of the Jaguars. These deals can fall through, but that’s what some team people are saying right now.
@jimmykimmel
At least Rodgers is good at his job. Your show sucks & you’re not funny.
Aren’t you the racist who did blackface to mock Karl Malone?
Aren’t you the homophobic who tried to insult President Trump and Sean Hannity by calling them gay?
I can’t believe
@Disney
hasn’t fired you.
So college football players are more likely to die driving to practice than from covid-19 yet a group of old white guy commissioners, ADs, & university presidents get to make the decision for them on if they play. Absolutely absurd and criminal to take the choice away from them.
Per sources:
- Redskins unlikely to trade down, would want a huge package of picks.
- Washington loves Chase Young.
- Dolphins sources talk trade stance and draft plans.
- Miami comfortable with Justin Herbert as fall back option.
Huge win for the Raiders tonight if they lose out and maintain the No. 1. Oakland could trade down this year and have three first-round picks in back-to-back drafts with more picks for day two. It hurts right now, but in the long run Jon Gruden could be a genius
Just a reminder that NFL teams don't give a damn about my board, PFF's board, Kiper's board, McShay's board, Jeremiah's board, or any media "scouting" opinion on players...... and I would add rightfully so.
Per sources former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Alex McGough has signed a futures contract with the QB needy Jacksonville Jaguars. The Tampa product and Florida International QB McGough comes back to his home state for the opportunity to compete in Jacksonville.
I cover hundreds of football games a year, pro and college, and there is not a worse broadcast team than Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. With them calling it, I always have the game on mute. FOX should be embarrassed with how bad they are.
As far as trade partners for Justin Fields, keep in mind this Falcons front office passed on Fields in 2021 while current Raiders GM Champ Kelly was with the Bears as a top assistant to Ryan Pace when Chicago traded up for Fields.
Per Texans sources, Deshaun Watson and Larmey Tunsil won't be giving hometown discounts on contract extensions as they seek market value. Watson is aware Bill O'Brien didn't want to draft him
Senior Bowl Hot Press
- Lions not in love with Hutchinson, Thibodeaux
- Malik Willis rising above true value
- Teams high on Trent McDuffie, Damone Clark
- Falcons, Bills, Bucs, Packers showing lots of interest in Dameon Pierce
- Panthers dysfunction
T.J. Hockenson had terrible execution on that rub route that caused the 99-yard pick six for the Panthers. Horrible effort from a highly paid player. That's an example of why the Vikings are 0-3.
Nick Saban (7) and Bill Belichick (6) have combined to win 13 championships, but neither won a championship with Bill O'Brien on their coaching staff. O'Brien is toxic and produces dysfunction that leads to missed opportunities.
Urban Meyer is right there is no chance of spring football. You can't ask players to play 2 college seasons in 1 year. Or 1 college season, draft prep, and a NFL season in 1 year. Kevin Warren & the Big 10 presidents blew it. High school recruits should avoid the Big 10 & Pac 12.
Texas is outplaying Alabama because Gary Patterson is out coaching Bill O'Brien. Crimson Tide have more talent and an elite QB, but O'Brien is holding them back.
The Bears did well in the trade with the Panthers. While it will cost Chicago both Will Anderson & Tyree Wilson, they still have a shot at Jalen Carter. Even if he is gone, they can land a good OT with Peter Skoronski or Paris Johnson and they have a true No.1 WR now for Fields.
The
#Texans
fans bemoaning trading Duane Brown probably didn't watch him in Seattle. He was bad for the Seahawks. In the most important game of the year, Robert Quinn dominated Brown for multiple sacks & holding flags. Houston got a 3 and a 2 for a declining overpaid 32 year old.
Clark Phillips was another steal for the Falcons. He gives them a ballhawking slot corner that has fabulous instincts. He could turn into a starting slot that makes some big plays for Atlanta.
A top scout on the
#Raiders
haul for Khalil Mack, "That is how you build a team. For the money they would pay Mack they can sign 3, maybe 4 good free agents. Then two first-round talents coming in. Turning one good starter into 5-6 starters is a smart move for Oakland."
My apologies on not having a draft video go up today. I tested positive for covid-19 and don't have much of a voice. Thanks for watching and reading and I will be back at it very soon. Well wishes and God bless you all!!
Notre Dame's ability to play football this fall further exposes the stupidity of the Big 10 & Kevin Warren. I feel bad for the Big 10 players, coaches, parents, fans, & businesses. High school recruits should avoid the Big 10 as the decision makers care only for themselves.
Great trade by Lions general manager Brad Holmes. Getting 2 first-round picks for a 33-year old QB approaching free agency is a phenomenal return for Detroit. Holmes took the long view and the Lions will become a more talented team as a result.
Zach Harrison could be a steal for the Falcons. A number of scouts told me that Harrison's skill set was similar to Carlos Dunlap. Harrison was inconsistent, but has big upside for Atlanta.
I led all NFL media in mock draft accuracy in 2022, 2019, and 2017. I also have the most picks correct over the last six years. This year has been very challenging to predict, but here is my final 2023 NFL Mock Draft. All 7 Rounds.
Montez Sweat and now Chase Young, Washington gave proof why you don’t draft the same position group 3/4 years in a row. Too many resources at one spot and can’t afford to keep them together for second contracts.
The
@NFL
making reporters prove they've received the vaccine to work the press box or interview players is an absolute disgrace. The
#NFL
has no business knowing media medical info.
Perhaps the league should focus on not having slave labor used to make their apparel.
The trade returns for L’Jarius Sneed, and also Brian Burns, seems low but their salary demands on an extension limit the number of teams that can acquire them and that makes the pick package cheaper than one would expect.
The Raiders finally get Ngakoue. Last April sources told me they the day before the draft they offered pick 19 for him. The Jaguars said no and instead settled for a 2nd round pick months later. Ends up being a win for the Raiders to get him for free. Horrible decision by Jags.