16 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

 

Personally I think it all started when he was a boy and had to stand in the corner for drawing on the wall. Never spoke to his parents again after that.

@HazletonEagle Have you looked at any of the RB prospects yet this year? Any guys you really like outside of Harris and Etienne? 

7 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

He’s going to have to be a WR to put up those numbers. Jimmy Graham did something comparable only twice. Gronk only did it 3 maybe 4 years. Gonzalez only had those numbers 3 to 4 years. Kelce is the outlier who you can say did it for 4 to 5 years while staying relatively healthy although he is in a loaded offense. You are asking for a lot if you want Pitts to put up those numbers. He might be an exciting prospect but he’s still just a prospect. 

How many WRs put up those numbers more than twice? Top 20 WRs career:

Rice, 10 seasons 1200+ yards, 9 seasons 10+ TDs

Fitzgerald, 5/5

Owens, 4/8

Moss, 8/9

Bruce, 4/2

Gonzalez, 2/3

T Brown 4/2

S Smth 3/1

Harrison 6/8

Wayne 5/3

A Johnson 5/0

Lofton 4/0

Carter 4/6

Boldin 3/1

Ellard 4/1

Holt 6/3

Reed 1/1

Largent 3/3

Witten 0/0

J Jones 5/1

 

How many generational talent TEs ever truly pan out?  I can recall the buzz over OJ Howard and David Njoku (among others) and neither have truly blossomed in the pro game have they?  It's all well and good beating up on college DBs, it's another doing it in the pro-game where you need to work harder.  I'm not saying that Pitts won't be that talent, but as the 6th overall pick, it's a major risk on a team that has so many other issues to contend with. 

As for podcasts, BWF could cut 50% of the time they talk and the content would be easier to listen it.  As it is, it's become peurile. I don't know anyone can listen to it regularly - you are a better person than I am if you do! Inside the Birds has it's issues, but it so much more easier to listen to.

 

9 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

How many generational talent TEs ever truly pan out?  I can recall the buzz over OJ Howard and David Njoku (among others) and neither have truly blossomed in the pro game have they?  It's all well and good beating up on college DBs, it's another doing it in the pro-game where you need to work harder.  I'm not saying that Pitts won't be that talent, but as the 6th overall pick, it's a major risk on a team that has so many other issues to contend with. 

As for podcasts, BWF could cut 50% of the time they talk and the content would be easier to listen it.  As it is, it's become peurile. I don't know anyone can listen to it regularly - you are a better person than I am if you do! Inside the Birds has it's issues, but it so much more easier to listen to.

 

The ONLY way you draft a Pitts is if you feel he is a WR in your system. If he has that ability to play the outside and move him around would be the only way I would take him. If he can he can be one of the most versatile players in this draft. Anyone who knows me knows i dont care about top speed guys. Id rather have a great hands and route runner. BUT I will say he has to have at least big WR speed. He drops a 4.7 then hes not even considered. 

48 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

@HazletonEagle Have you looked at any of the RB prospects yet this year? Any guys you really like outside of Harris and Etienne? 

Trey sermon looks ideal for us.

7 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

The ONLY way you draft a Pitts is if you feel he is a WR in your system. If he has that ability to play the outside and move him around would be the only way I would take him. If he can he can be one of the most versatile players in this draft. Anyone who knows me knows i dont care about top speed guys. Id rather have a great hands and route runner. BUT I will say he has to have at least big WR speed. He drops a 4.7 then hes not even considered. 

And that is it.  But for this team, do we need another WR and will Pitts be a longer term solution to our issues?    If we were 2 years on in a rebuild, I'd say, ok, the risk is an interesting one to take.  Now, as a TE or WR, I'm not the biggest fan of drafting him at 6.

There are lots of Eagles podcasts, but no "must-listen" one. 

• 6

  Round: 1

  
  Ja'Marr Chase

  WR | LSU
• 37

  Round: 2

  
  Teven Jenkins

  OT | Oklahoma State
• 70

  Round: 3

  
  Jackson Carman

  OT | Clemson
• 85

  Round: 3

  
  Baron Browning

  LB | Ohio State
• 134

  Round: 5

  
  Chuba Hubbard

  RB | Oklahoma State
• 140

  Round: 5

  
  Shi Smith

  WR | South Carolina
• 165

  Round: 6

  
  Trevon Grimes

  WR | Florida
• 198

  Round: 7

  
  D.J. Daniel

  CB | Georgia

24 minutes ago, 4for4EaglesNest said:

Outside of that, it takes more than a great receiver

I prefer a collection of weapons then just 1 elite receiver. The defense has more to worry about and plan for if the offense has 2-3 good to great options as opposed to just 1 elite receiver and the rest is a bunch of meh. 

Like Deandre Hopkins, dude is the best receiver in the game and hasn't really won squat because it's been him and a bunch of meh. 

 

1 hour ago, TorontoEagle said:

@HazletonEagle Have you looked at any of the RB prospects yet this year? Any guys you really like outside of Harris and Etienne? 

Haven't looked a lot. Demetric Felton has been one of my guys since last year as well. 

Now TDN is losing him as a WR...

 

Sermon and even Teague seem nice but haven't watched closely. 

I was never a fan of Hubbard.

To those who get the salary cap much better than I do, how the hell will the Eagles get under the cap if the money saved from Alshon and Malik doesn’t kick in until June 1?

2 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

Haven't looked a lot. Demetric Felton has been one of my guys since last year as well. 

Now TDN is losing him as a WR...

 

Sermon and even Teague seem nice but haven't watched closely. 

I was never a fan of Hubbard.

Gainwell is my guy for us. but i think we would have to grab him in the third - he wont last until our fifths. and its hard for me to justify using a third on an RB where there are so many more important positions where we need talent.

I like Felton as a gadget rb. I like the Ohio State guys as power backs

2 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

To those who get the salary cap much better than I do, how the hell will the Eagles get under the cap if the money saved from Alshon and Malik doesn’t kick in until June 1?

i thought the June 1 designation just meant you can spread the cap hit out over this year and next year

3 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

Haven't looked a lot. Demetric Felton has been one of my guys since last year as well. 

Now TDN is losing him as a WR...

 

By the way, I posted a blurb from Daniel Jeremiah that touted Trey Lance’s accuracy, but then I listened to his podcast yesterday and he talked about too many bad misses. 

3 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Gainwell is my guy for us. but i think we would have to grab him in the third - he wont last until our fifths. and its hard for me to justify using a third on an RB where there are so many more important positions where we need talent.

I like Felton as a gadget rb. I like the Ohio State guys as power backs

i thought the June 1 designation just meant you can spread the cap hit out over this year and next year

Yes, but my understanding is that the cap savings don’t actually kick in until June 1. 

The goal is to score points, not have a 1,000 yard receiver.

Indy scored 451 points in 2020 with an 2nd rd rookie RB (Taylor), 4th rd RB (Hines) 2nd rd rookie WR (Pittman), veteran 3rd rd WR (Hilton), UDFA WR (Pascal), UDFA TE (Doyle), UDFA project TE (Alie-Cox).

Indy scored 433 points in 2018 with a 4th rd RB (Mack), Hines, 5th rd SFA (Grant), Hilton, UFA (Rogers), 1st rd TE (Ebron), Doyle

They did have 3 1st rd picks and 1 2nd rd pick on the OL.

Eagles scored 457 points in 2017 with Blount/Clement/Ajayi, Jeffrey, Agholor, T Smith, Ertz, Burton.

They did have two all pros (Kelce, Lane) and a pro bowl (Brooks) on the OL.

Generally, 400+ points put you in the top 10, though last year 400 points was the median, I think b/c defenses were behind due to the strange season. This will probably regress back to the mean this season. In five seasons, Doug cracked the 400+ level once, in 2017, with Reich as OC - Reich has done so two of three seasons in Indy.

Sirianni worked with Reich for three years, so it's reasonable to suggest he'll bring much of Reich's offensive philosophy "back home."

So a strong emphasis on OL, coordinating the passing attack and the blocking scheme, which means what Stoutland wants, Stoutland gets. If Stoutland is confident in Mailata and Dillard, and the medical reports on Lane are positive, I think that lowers the odds on Sewell and Slater, because you can get solid guards later in the draft.

The QBs on those three offenses, Wentz/Foles, Luck (last season) and Rivers (end of the road). Solid but not exactly elite.

 

7 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

To those who get the salary cap much better than I do, how the hell will the Eagles get under the cap if the money saved from Alshon and Malik doesn’t kick in until June 1?

I'm not an expert.  I think the answer is pushing money down the road.  It's done mostly by converting base salary into bonuses that can be spread down the road.  The easiest one for me to digest is the rookie extension.  So for Barnett he has a $10,000,000 number next season.  If the Eagles extend him 4 years and give a signing bonus of $16,000,000 but make his base like $1,000,000 next season then his cap number would be cut in half by pro-rating the bonus yielding a $5,000,000 cap savings. 

3 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

To those who get the salary cap much better than I do, how the hell will the Eagles get under the cap if the money saved from Alshon and Malik doesn’t kick in until June 1?

Target: 43M
- Barnett Extension: 8M
- Hargrave Restructure: 8M
- Brooks Restructure: 4M
- Graham Extension: 4M
- Kelce (retirement/restructure): 3M
- Goodwin Cut: 4M
- JJAW Cut: 500K
- Low-tier players (Toth, Countess, McGill): 1M
Total: 32M

Some moves could be more aggressive, such as Brooks/Hargrave/Graham, but that's scary for 2022+.

No, I don't feel good about many of the moves above.

9 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

Yes, but my understanding is that the cap savings don’t actually kick in until June 1. 

must be why they restructured Alshon's deal prior to releasing - that would have impacted now

16 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

Yes, but my understanding is that the cap savings don’t actually kick in until June 1. 

From what I understand, the majority of the gtd. money remaining for both players were converted to roster bonuses, so when they are released the team doesn't get dinged for that roster bonus because it will be paid after June 1.

 

sold out to rebuild the OL and dropped out of the first entirely. loaded for 2022

Quote

37.

Wyatt Davis

OG Ohio State

 

• 47.
  Terrace Marshall Jr.

  WR LSU
  
• 70.
  Jabril Cox

  LB LSU
   
• 72.
  Josh Myers

  OC Ohio State
  
• 77.
  Jevon Holland

  S Oregon
  
• 84.
  Kenneth Gainwell

  RB Memphis
   
• 157.
  Kary Vincent Jr.

  CB LSU
   
• 191.
  Trevon Grimes

  WR Florida
   
• 220.
  Khyiris Tonga

  DT BYU
   
• 232.
  Josh Ball

  OT Marshall
   
• 2022 DET 1st
• 2022 LAR 1st
• 2022 DET 2nd

 

33 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

To those who get the salary cap much better than I do, how the hell will the Eagles get under the cap if the money saved from Alshon and Malik doesn’t kick in until June 1?

Well there are a lot of unknowns right now. The final cap number is still being discussed. If there will be any special rules added just for this year like a release/trade exclusion that doesnt count the dead cap as part of the final cap number like it usually does. Maybe not having teams get under the cap till week 1. So many different options the NFL can do to help.

There are a lot of teams in bad situations this year so Im sure the NFL is aware of this and making some adjustments to make it work. Im sure they are not expecting teams to cut half a team to get under the cap for 1 year. 

New Kiper mock top 15.  Notable he sees 5 QBs in top 10.  I would like this result -- Eagles not taking a QB, building the team and rolling with Hurts for a year -- but this is not what I expect to happen.

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  Mel Kiper Jr.Football analyst

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My second mock for the 2021 NFL draft includes a first. This is the first time in my history of doing mock drafts that I'm going to project trades in my projection of picks 1-32.

I've always stayed away because it's impossible to know how teams will maneuver -- and what offers they could get -- but this quarterback class is too good. I wanted to find fits for the top five in the class. So after I waived the no-trades clause for Todd McShay's latest mock draft, I figured it was time to make a few deals myself. You'll find explanations for all three of my deals below.

Normally at this time we'd be headed to the NFL combine to watch prospects compete. Now we'll settle for the testing numbers at pro days. It's a unique year, but all 32 teams have to make due and so do I.

Let's get into my predictions for the top 32 picks in the draft, which begins April 29. As I've said before, the New York Jets have several options with the No. 2 pick, and I expect stiff competition from teams trying to move up to that spot. I have a trade that I think works for both teams. Check out our SportsCenter Special: Mel Kiper's NFL Mock Draft 2.0 at 5 p.m. ET today on ESPN2 and the ESPN app. Here we go:

More draft coverage: Rankings
Jump to a trade: No. 3 | No. 7 | No. 9

 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Don't overthink this. Lawrence is the best quarterback in this class, a player with superstar potential around whom new coach Urban Meyer can build. The Jaguars can add help for Lawrence in what is expected to be one of the most talented free-agent classes ever -- they are projected to have nearly $80 million in cap space. Lawrence could use some targets to throw to, and the defense has holes to fill as well. Jacksonville also has the No. 25 overall pick from the Jalen Ramsey trade along with the Vikings' second-rounder from the Yannick Ngakoue trade. Lawrence had surgery on his left shoulder last week, and he should be ready for training camp.

---

Trade: Atlanta moves up to get the No. 2 QB

OK, here we go. The Falcons make a deal to get their quarterback. My comp for the deal is the Bears' trading up for Mitchell Trubisky in 2017. To move up one spot and get the No. 2 pick, Chicago gave up pick Nos. 3, 67, 111 and a third-rounder the following year.

So for Atlanta to move up two spots, it's going to have to send the Jets the No. 4 pick, likely its second-round picks this year and more picks. That's a lot to give up, sure, but there is going to be competition. The Jets should take the best deal on the table, and this one means they only drop two spots and pick up prime assets after that.

---

EDITOR'S PICKS

• 

  Kiper's Big Board rankings for the 2021 NFL draft: Who's rising since end of season

• 

  McShay's new NFL mock draft: Playmakers galore, early QB picks ... and two trades

• 

  Barnwell: Why NFL teams should get greedy about 2021 draft picks -- and who already has an edge

2. Atlanta Falcons (via mock trade with NYJ)

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

This is the Falcons' chance to reboot. Matt Ryan has started 205 games for the franchise since he was drafted third overall in 2008, but he turns 36 in May. Trading up to get Wilson would help sort the future under new coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot. Remember, if you're Smith and Fontenot, you don't expect to be drafting this high, so you never know when you're going to have a chance on a quarterback like Wilson. They have to get their guy now. Ryan would likely remain the starter in 2021 while Wilson adjusts to the pro game. He could take over in 2022. Ohio State's Justin Fields could be in play, too, but I see Wilson as the ideal option for the Falcons.

---

3. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Let's reunite the Heisman Trophy winner with his former quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa completed 83 passes for 1,519 yards and 18 touchdowns to Smith from 2017-19. Miami needs to upgrade its wide receiver corps. This is a perfect fit with Smith playing alongside DeVante Parker. I have Smith just ahead of LSU's Ja'Marr Chase in my rankings, but it's tight.

---

4. New York Jets (via mock trade with ATL)

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

So the Jets move down, add priority picks and end up with one of the best players in this class. I still believe they're better off giving Sam Darnold another year and improving the talent around their quarterback. The 23-year-old is too talented to give up on. Darnold has never had a pass-catcher like Pitts, either. The 6-foot-6 Pitts can line out wide and in the slot, and I'd target him like a No. 1 wide receiver. As I mentioned on the First Draft podcast, he is going to end up as my highest-graded tight end ever. He's also extremely young -- he was born in 2000 and will be 20 when he plays in Week 1. By the way, since the common draft era began in 1967, there has never been a tight end go this high. Pitts could be the first.

---

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

No team in the top 10 has a clearer need than the Bengals' hole at tackle. They have to keep quarterback Joe Burrow on his feet. Sewell, who opted out of the 2020 season, is my No. 2 prospect overall. The 2019 Outland Trophy winner has everything teams want in a franchise left tackle. Even though he didn't play last season, his tape from the previous two years is enough to make him the top tackle in this class. Cincinnati could get a 10-year starter.

---

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

After trading away Carson Wentz, 2020 second-round pick Jalen Hurts tops the Eagles' quarterback depth chart. And my feeling is that he has earned a chance to start in Week 1 next season and try to be Philly's long-term answer, even though he completed just 52% of his passes last season. The Eagles have major salary-cap issues, and this is not going to be a one-year rebuild for new coach Nick Sirianni. I wouldn't be surprised if they're picking in the top 10 next year as well. Drafting Chase here will allow a better evaluation of Hurts in 2021; he's a true No. 1 wideout with a high ceiling. After opting out of the 2020 season, Chase will get a chance to work out for teams at LSU's pro day on March 31, and there's a chance he could wow scouts and coaches there and end up as the No. 1 receiver in this class.

Trade: San Francisco shakes up the draft

Another trade, and this one could cost the 49ers a lot of capital. It's tough to project the exact details, but moving up five spots in a talented quarterback class means there will be competition. We can look to the Mitchell Trubisky trade as one comp, but another could be the Steelers' move for Devin Bush in 2019, where they jumped 10 spots with the Broncos and had to give up the Nos. 20 and 52 picks, plus a third-round pick the following year.

Yes, it's 10 spots, but the Lions should expect a similar return. That would mean they'd get pick No. 12, the 49ers' second-rounder this year and a future pick, though San Francisco doesn't have a third-round selection because of its trade for Trent Williams last year. I wouldn't be shocked, though, if the 49ers had to give up their 2022 first-round pick to get it done.

The 49ers would get their quarterback. Detroit is rebuilding and needs premium picks to add talent across its roster, and it already has the Rams' first-rounders in 2022 and 2023 and their third-rounder this year. This is a win-win deal for both sides.

---

7. San Francisco 49ers (via mock trade with DET)

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

This is a pick that raises the 49ers' ceiling. When they went to the Super Bowl in 2019, they were led by a stellar running game and defense that could both rush the passer and create turnovers. It didn't appear that coach Kyle Shanahan fully trusted Jimmy Garoppolo to win playoff games with his arm. I'd love to see Fields play for Shanahan, who could get the best out of him. If this deal happens, San Francisco could designate Garoppolo as a post-June 1 release and save $25 million on its cap this year. That would help offset the lost draft picks in the trade because the team would have some money to spend in free agency -- and bring back left tackle Trent Williams. The 49ers were really hurt by injuries last season, but they should be back in the NFC West race in 2021.

---

8. Carolina Panthers

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

We know the Panthers offered this pick to the Lions for Matthew Stafford, and it appears Matt Rhule & Co. are maneuvering to make a play for Deshaun Watson -- if the Texans decide to honor his request and trade him. The team clearly isn't satisfied with Teddy Bridgewater and wants to upgrade. So let's assume Carolina can't pry away Watson and instead looks to the draft. I have Jones just ahead of North Dakota State's Trey Lance in my rankings, but a lot will depend on their interviews with teams leading up to the draft. Jones, who showed tremendous downfield accuracy last season, is more ready to play in 2021, though, and the Panthers have the talent on offense to help him succeed.

---

Trade: The Pats snag their franchise QB

One more trade, again for a quarterback. And that makes five QBs in the top nine picks. To move up six spots, we can keep the comp of the Devin Bush trade. The Patriots would have to send the Broncos at least the No. 15 pick, a second-round pick and a 2022 pick. And I wouldn't be shocked if it took the Pats' 2022 first-rounder to get the deal over the finish line. New England also is expected to add premium compensatory picks for this class, so it could have more ammo to use.

Bill Belichick is known more for trading down in drafts, but the Patriots traded up a couple of times on Day 2 last year to get guys they wanted in Josh Uche and Devin Asiasi. Don't rule out a big move if Belichick & Co. want to get their quarterback of the future.

 

ESPN Illustration

9. New England Patriots (via mock trade with DEN)

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Belichick and the Patriots have been quiet this offseason, but that should change soon. They have money to spend in free agency, and they need to find a quarterback. It doesn't appear likely that Cam Newton will return. The veteran QB trade market has dwindled. I could see a Jimmy Garoppolo return to New England, but I'm not sold that he'd be the long-term answer. Lance could be. He started only 17 career games in college -- all against FCS competition -- but he's only 20, and he has all the tools to be a great dual-threat quarterback. Remember that the Patriots have a few players returning after opting out of last season, too, so they could contend in the AFC East again.

---

10. Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

I was down to offensive line or cornerback for Dallas, and with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis likely to leave in free agency, I see corner as the bigger need. The Cowboys were terrible on defense last season, and new coordinator Dan Quinn has a ways to go to turn it around. Surtain on one side with former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs on the other is a great way to start. The Dak Prescott decision looms large on the Cowboys' offseason, but I expect him to get franchise tagged or sign a long-term deal.

---

11. New York Giants

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Can the Giants get Daniel Jones a No. 1 receiver? He has had Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and tight end Evan Engram as his top targets the past two seasons, and they've struggled with inconsistency and staying on the field. Now is the time to get a full evaluation of Jones. If they don't wade into the free-agent waters, Waddle is the best option at No. 11. He is the top deep threat in this class and is electric with the ball in his hands.

---

12. Detroit Lions (via mock trade with SF)

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

With the Lions moving down in my mock trade with the 49ers, that takes them out of the quarterback race but gives them extra draft capital. Jared Goff was always going to be on their roster in 2021 because of his salary, but he might not be the long-term solution. And I don't expect Detroit to improve next season, which means it could have another valuable pick (plus it has the Rams' first-round picks in 2022 and 2023). The Lions allowed 6.3 yards per play under former coach Matt Patricia last season, which ranked last in the league. They need help on defense. Parsons is a versatile linebacker with some pass-rush upside.

---

13. Los Angeles Chargers

Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

Like the Bengals at No. 5, I don't see the Chargers going away from offensive line with their top pick. L.A.'s four-game winning streak to end the season cost the franchise valuable draft positioning (and coach Anthony Lynn was still let go), but it can get a starting lineman here. I like Slater, who opted out of the 2020 season, as a tackle -- he didn't give up any sacks playing there in 2019 -- but he could play guard, too.

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2021 NFL draft coverage

• Mock drafts: Kiper » | McShay »
• Rankings: Kiper » | McShay »
• Meet the loaded, elite QB class »
• 30 big questions for Kiper & McShay »
Full ranking » | Pick order » | More »

14. Minnesota Vikings

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC

I'll stick with Vera-Tucker here because of his versatility. He played guard before moving to left tackle for USC last season. He impressed there and rocketed up draft boards. I think he'll probably stick at tackle in the NFL. We know coach Mike Zimmer will always push for the Vikings to draft a defender, and this could also be a spot for a pass-rusher or defensive back.

---

15. Denver Broncos (via mock trade with NE)

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Like I told my pal Jeff Legwold last week, cornerback is the position I'd target for Denver. And I'd even feel comfortable taking Farley at No. 9 if the Broncos don't trade back, so this is good value. He showed in 2019 that he can be an elite, lockdown corner, though I would like to have seen one more year of film (he opted out of the 2020 season). He's still raw. The Broncos could part ways with both safety Justin Simmons (free agency) and edge rusher Von Miller (cap casualty) this offseason, so they need to boost their talent on defense under Vic Fangio.

59 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

And that is it.  But for this team, do we need another WR and will Pitts be a longer term solution to our issues?    If we were 2 years on in a rebuild, I'd say, ok, the risk is an interesting one to take.  Now, as a TE or WR, I'm not the biggest fan of drafting him at 6.

Eagles have JJAW, Reagor, Fulgham, Ward, Hightower, Watkins — lots of guys, not many players