2021 NFL Draft Round 1

After too damn many months of mock drafts and ever-changing hot takes the 2021 NFL Draft finally arrived. 

2021 NFL Draft Round 1

1.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2.   New York Jets-Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

3.   San Francisco 49ers-Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

4.   Atlanta Falcons-Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

5.   Cincinnati Bengals-Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

6.   Miami Dolphins-Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

7.   Detroit Lions-Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

8.   Carolina Panthers-Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina 

9.   Denver Broncos-Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

10. Philadelphia Eagles-DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

11. Chicago Bears-Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

12. Dallas Cowboys-Michael Parsons, LB, Penn State

13. Los Angeles Chargers-Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

14. New York Jets-Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

15. New England Patriots-Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

16. Arizona Cardinals-Zaven Collins, LB,Tulsa

17. Las Vegas Raiders-Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

18. Miami Dolphins-Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

19. Washington Football Team-Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

20. New York Giants-Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

21. Indianapolis Colts-Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

22. Tennessee Titans-Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

23. Minnesota Vikings-Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

24. Pittsburgh Steelers-Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

25. Jacksonville Jaguars-Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

26. Cleveland Browns-Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

27. Baltimore Ravens-Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota 

28. New Orleans Saints-Payton Turner, Edge, Houston

29. Green Bay Packers-Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

30. Buffalo Bills-Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

31. Baltimore Ravens-Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Joe Tyron, Edge, Washington

Draft Day Trades:

1. Dallas surprisingly sent the 10th to division foe Philadelphia. The Eagles selected Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith. The Cowboys selected Penn State linebacker from their new draft location.

2. The New York Giants sent the 11th pick to Chicago. The Bears got their quarterback. Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Strong move by the Bears. The Giants landed a playmaker in Florida receiver Kadarius Toney at #20. 

The Bears leap of nine picks to land their quarterback was probably the best and boldest move of the first round. 

3. Minnesota traded the 14th pick to the Jets. USC offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker was selected by the Jets. The Vikings selected their left tackle at #23. Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw. 

Only three trades during the first round? There were as many first round trades in the month leading up to the draft. 

A few first round notes:

-6 Alabama players in the first round. No surprise there. 

-7 offensive players were selected before the first defensive player (Cornerback Jaycee Horn at #8)

-An edge rusher wasn’t announced until the Miami Dolphins selected Miami’s Jaelan Phillips at #18. The first round then closed with four of the final five picks being edge rushers. 

-Speaking of defense, only four of the first 16 players selected were defensive players. Things balanced out a bit over the back half of the first round. 10 of the final 16 players selected were defensive players

Some Vikings notes:

In the trade with the Jets, the Vikings dropped nine spots and still added a player in Christian Darrisaw that they probably considered at #14. In dropping back those nine spots they added two third-round picks. That’s a win. 

Here’s the trade:

Vikings get:

#23 pick

3rd (#66)

3rd (#86)

Jets get:

#14 pick

4th (#143)

It was disappointing that the trade didn’t bring a second-round pick in return. Two thirds, and the earlier third being the round’s second pick, should give Rick Spielman enough draft cash to get into the second round. 

The Vikings have 10 picks remaining:

3(66)

3(78)

3(86)

3(90)

4(119)

4(125)

4(134)

5(157)

5(168)

6(199)

The Vikings must find a way to get into the second round. 

In his post-draft presser, Mike Zimmer wasn’t handing the left tackle job to his new left tackle. Christian Darrisaw will have to compete for the job that he was selected in the first round to fill. 

When the 20s hit and Darrisaw and Kwity Paye were still on the board I was feeling pretty good about the Vikings landing a player that I liked a lot. The unfortunate thing was that the Indianapolis Colts at #21 entered the draft with a couple of the same need as the Vikings. Left tackle and edge. I was sad when the Colts selected Paye but happy that Darrisaw was still available. For some reason I wasn’t too worried about the Tennessee Titans thrashing my happiness. 

The 2021 NFL Draft continues tonight with the second and third rounds. 

Final Flea Flicker Mock Draft

We’re just hours away from the real 2021 NFL Draft. So here’s a final mock draft.

1.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2.   New York Jets-Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

3.   San Francisco 49ers-Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

4.   Atlanta Falcons-Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

5.   Cincinnati Bengals-Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

6.   Miami Dolphins-Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

7.   Detroit Lions-Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

8.   Carolina Panthers-Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

9.   Denver Broncos-Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

10. Dallas Cowboys-Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

11. New York Giants-Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

12. Philadelphia Eagles-DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Chargers-Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

14. Minnesota Vikings-Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC

15. New England Patriots-Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

16. Arizona Cardinals-Zaven Collins, LB, Missouri

17. Las Vegas Raiders-Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

18. Miami Dolphins-Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

19. Washington Football Team-Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

20. Chicago Bears-Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

21. Indianapolis Colts-Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

22. Tennessee Titans-Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

23. New York Jets-Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma

24. Pittsburgh Steelers-Travis Etiene, RB, Clemson

25. Jacksonville Jaguars-Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

26. Cleveland Browns-Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

27. Baltimore Ravens-Rashod Batemen, WR, Minnesota 

28. New Orleans Saints-Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

29. Green Bay Packers-Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

30. Buffalo Bills-Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia

31. Baltimore Ravens-Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

Until the real one...

NFL Draft Attendees

The 2021 NFL Draft will have a location this year. It’ll be in Cleveland. 13 of the players expected to be drafted will be there. 

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami 

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

There’ll be a strong Alabama presence in Cleveland. The quarterbacks and pass catchers won’t have long waits in the green room. Gregory Rousseau might. A dream wait for Rashawn Slater would be about 14 picks. 

The first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft won’t be in Cleveland. The Jacksonville Jaguars have the first pick. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence may already have a house in the Jacksonville area. He won’t be in Cleveland on Thursday. He’ll be a virtual participant in the drafting fun. So will 44 other top draft prospects.

The virtual draft attendees:

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson 

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Travis Etienne, RB, LSU

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech 

Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

Carlos Basham, Edge, Wake Forest

Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota 

Quinn Meinerz, IOL, Wisconsin-Whitewater

Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi 

Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse 

Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern 

Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia 

Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky 

Joseph Ossai, Edge, Texas 

Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State

Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Ronnie Perkins, Edge, Oklahoma

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami 

Jevon Holland, S, Oregon

Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee 

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma

Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina 

Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami

Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame

Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

Jay Tufele, DT, USC

Hunter Long, TE, Boston College

Alijah Vera-Tuckker, OL, USC

Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU

259 football players will be selected over the draft’s three days. The above 58 players will be getting most of the attention. 

Minnesota Vikings 7-Round Mock Draft

I really enjoy and depend on the draft takes of The Athletic’s lead NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler. His draft guide, The Beast, is a beast of a draft guide. It’s great. Last week, Brugler put together a full seven-round mock draft. Here’s the mock draft haul that he has for the Minnesota Vikings.

1(14) Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

3(78) Aaron Banks, OG, Notre Dame

3(90) Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana

4(119) Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

4(125) Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue

4(134) Seth Williams, WR, Auburn

4(143) Tommy Boyle, OT, Miami (Ohio)

5(157) Shemar Jean-Charles, CB, Appalachian State

5(168) Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas

6(199) Javian Hawkins, RB, Louisville

While I prefer offensive line in the first round, Kwity Paye is one of my favorite non-offensive line picks at #14. Brugler’s mock brings two offensive linemen to the Vikings, Aaron Banks and Tommy Boyle. There are guards that I like more than Aaron Banks and a few were still available when Brugler has the Vikings selecting Banks. Kendrick Green and Ben Cleveland in particular. I’d also prefer offensive tackles James Hudson and Spencer Brown over Banks. With the way that Brugler has the draft falling, my preferred third round would probably be Green and Hudson. Or, Green and Brown just to keep it colorful. I’d hate to lose safety Jamar Johnson but I’d prefer the two offensive linemen in the third round. USC safety Talanoa Hufanga is available throughout the fourth round. 

Other than Kyle Trask, and I could probably warm to Trask pretty quickly, I’m a fan of everything that Brugler has the Vikings doing on Day 3. I really like the receivers Seth Williams and Jaelon Darden. I’d immediately pencil Darden in as the team’s kick returner. Derrick Barnes would be the replacement if Anthony Barr leaves in free agency next year. Tommy Boyle would be a nice developmental offensive tackle. A safety (Hufanga) might be a better option if two offensive linemen are selected in the third round. Shemar Jean-Charles would be an excellent addition to the cornerback room. An NFL team can never have enough corners. That’s what I’ve heard. 

If I can tweak his third round, I like what Dane Brugler’s mocked for the Vikings. 

Two more days until the real thing. 

Draft Crushes

There isn’t a draft evaluation process without the development of draft crushes. The 2021 NFL Draft starts this Thursday and this Minnesota Vikings fan has developed some draft crushes. The Vikings first pick is the 14th pick. The players that I find the most dreamy and occupy most of my draft thoughts are the players that might be selected there. The Vikings continue to have a need to improve the offensive line. I’ve fallen for a few offensive linemen. 

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech 

Expectations have Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater not making it past the first ten picks but you never know. Randy Moss had no business being available at #21 of the 1998 NFL Draft. Adrian Peterson shouldn’t have been available at #7 of the 2007 NFL Draft. Still, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Christian Darrisaw are the realistic options and both would be welcome additions to the Vikings offensive line. 

Offensive line is the likely choice of the Vikings but it’s not the only choice. An explosive edge rusher to pair with Danielle Hunter is a need. I have a crush on a couple of those.

Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

The Vikings have several needs but I see offensive line and edge rusher as their first round needs. I really haven’t spent much time considering other options. I’ve seen and heard Vikings fans get squirrelly over the possibility of one, or more, of the top pass-catchers dropping to #14. When When NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah mocked DeVonta Smith to the Vikings, fans were smitten with the possibility of adding another offensive weapon. I’m sure that those fans are the same fans that bitch the loudest when the offensive line continues to be lacking. That being said, approaching each pick with only a couple positions in mind is a mistake. Offensive linemen and edge rushers might be my first round crushes but I know that cornerback, linebacker, receivers, even quarterback are realistic options. 

The Vikings are scheduled to make 10 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

1 (14)

3 (78)

3 (90) (from Ravens)

4 (119)

4 (125) (from Bears)

4 (134) (from Bills)

4 (143) (comp pick)

5 (157)

5 (168) (from Steelers)

6 (199) 

Hopefully, Rick Spielman can swindle a team out of a second-round pick. Sitting out an entire early round would suck. 

Some Day 2 Draft Curshes:

Brady Christensen, OT, BYU

Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa

James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati 

Kendrick Green, IOL, Illinois

Ben Cleveland, IOL, Georgia

D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan

Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest

Payton Turner, Edge, Houston

Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

Some Day 3 Draft Crushes:

Cameron Sample, Edge, Tulane

Elerson Smith, Edge, Northern Iowa

Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

Tre Brown, CB, Oklahoma

Benjamin St.-Juste, CB, Minnesota

Camryn Bynum, CB, Cal

James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati

The above are some of my current draft crushes.

Just for giggles I think that it’d be fun if the Vikings had a draft haul of players with various derivations of the name Elijah.

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

Olaijah Griffen, CB, USC

Elijah Sullivan, LB, Kansas State

That would be fun. 

I need the draft to get here. 

Flea Flicker Mock Draft 6.0

The Baltimore Ravens traded offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs and changed the bottom of the first round. That change triggered the need for a new mock draft. As if one needed a reason to do another mock draft. 

1.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2.   New York Jets-Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

3.   San Francisco 49ers-Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

4.   Atlanta Falcons-Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

5.   Cincinnati Bengals-Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

6.   Miami Dolphins-Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

7.   Detroit Lions-Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

8.   Carolina Panthers-Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

9.   Denver Broncos-Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

10. Dallas Cowboys-Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

11. New York Giants-Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

12. Philadelphia Eagles-DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Chargers-Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

14. Minnesota Vikings-Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC

15. New England Patriots-Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

16. Arizona Cardinals-Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

17. Las Vegas Raiders-Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

18. Miami Dolphins-Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

19. Washington Football Team-Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

20. Chicago Bears-Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

21. Indianapolis Colts-Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

22. Tennessee Titans-Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

23. New York Jets-Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma

24. Pittsburgh Steelers-Travis Etiene, RB, Clemson

25. Jacksonville Jaguars-Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

26. Cleveland Browns-Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

27. Baltimore Ravens-Rashod Batemen, WR, Minnesota 

28. New Orleans Saints-Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

29. Green Bay Packers-Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

30. Buffalo Bills-Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia

31. Baltimore Ravens-Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

Until the next one...

Gil Brandt’s Top 100

Gil Brandt released his second Hot 100: Top Prospects in 2021 NFL Draft Class. I annually enjoy Brandt’s takes on the draft. He’s been evaluating college football players longer than most of us have been alive. He’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for doing it. 

Brandt’s Hot 100

1.   Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2.   Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

3.   Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

4.   Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

5.   Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

6.   Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

7.   DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

8.   Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

9.   Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC

10. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

11. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

12. Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

13. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

14. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

15. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

16. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

17. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech 

18. Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

19. Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

20. Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

21. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

22. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

23. Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama

24. Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia

25. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

26. Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

27. Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

28. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

29. Joe Tyron, Edge, Washington

30. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

31. Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington 

32. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

33. Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky

34. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

35. Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama

36. Travis Etienne, RB, LSU

37. Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky 

38. Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest

39. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

40. Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina

41. Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State

42. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

43. Josh Myers, IOL, Ohio State

44. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

45. Richie Grant, S, UCF

46. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

47. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

48. Creed Humphrey, IOL, Alabama

49. Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan 

50. Nick Collins, LB, Missouri 

51. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

52. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse

53. Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF

54. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

55. Joseph Ossai, Edge, Texas

56. Ronnie Perkins, Edge, Oklahoma

57. Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

58. Walker Little, OT, Stanford 

59. Brady Christensen, OT, BYU

60. James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati 

61. Deonte Brown, IOL, Alabama

62. Dan Moore Jr., OT, Texas A&M

63. Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

64. 64. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

65. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon

66. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

67. Payton Turner, Edge, Houston

68. Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina

69. Jackson Carman, IOL, Clemson

70. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

71. Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina

72. Quinn Meinerz, IOL, Wisconsin-Whitewater

73. Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee

74. Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa

75. Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville

76. Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

77. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

78. Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa

79. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

80. Marvin Wilson, IDL, Florida State

81. Milton Williams, DE, Louisiana Tech

82. Jay Tufele, IDL, USC

83. Tyran Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State

84. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

85. Tommy Togiai, IDL, Ohio State

86. Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State

87. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami

88. Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame

89. D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan

90. Ben Cleveland, IOL, Georgia

91. Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State

92. Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida

93. Aaron Banks, IOL, Notre Dame

94. Patrick Jones II, Edge, Pittsburgh 

95. Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas 

96. Garrett Wallow, LB, TCU

97. Rashad Weaver, Edge, Pittsburgh 

98. Tyler Shelvin, IDL, LSU

99. Tony Fields II, LB, West Virginia

100. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

***

A couple things:

It’s a bit of a surprise to see Brandt rank Alijah Vera-Tucker at #9 and ahead of #10 Rashawn Slater. Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater have long been my dream picks for the Minnesota Vikings. Vera-Tucker has been my realistic hope for the Vikings at #14. By Brandt’s rankings, Slater is the offensive lineman more likely to get close to 14. 

Brandt clearly isn’t a fan of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Seeing the versatile Notre Dame linebacker way down at #51 is the surprise of Brandt’s Top 100. I’ve viewed Owusu-Koramoah as, at worst, a late half of the first round pick and I truly expect some team to grab him in the teens. Brandt has him ranked such that he’s selected a full round later. 

Brandt is a fan of the Alabama offensive line. Four of them are among his Top 61. 

If the Vikings selected the players that Brandt has ranked at the spots in which they pick, they end up with the following three-round draft haul:

1(14). Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

3(78). Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa 

3(90). Ben Cleveland, IOL, Georgia

Improving the offensive line is the Vikings greatest need. If it’s not addressed in the first round, adding Spencer Brown and Ben Cleveland in the third round makes up for it. Both probably could/would be first year starters. 

Five more days. 

Top Remaining Free Agents

Just to take a brief break from the tense final pre-draft days here’s a look at some of the Top Remaining Free Agents. Only five free agents remain unsigned from the original rankings. 

1.(9)    Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

2.(21)  K.J. Wright, LB, Seattle Seahawks 

3.(34)  Melvin Ingram, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers

4.(37)  Richard Sherman, CB, San Francisco 49ers 

5.(46) Eric Fisher, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

6.   Sheldon Richardson, DT, Cleveland Browns

7.   Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals 

8.   Kwon Alexander, LB, New Orleans Saints 

9.   Justin Houston, Edge, Indianapolis Colts 

10. Ryan Kerrigan, Edge, Washington Football Team 

11. Austin Reiter, C, Kansas City Chiefs 

12. Malik Hooker, S, Indianapolis Colts 

13. Russell Okung, OT, Carolina Panthers

14. Trai Turner, OG, Los Angeles Chargers 

15. Steven Nelson, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers

16. Malcolm Butler, CB, Tennessee Titans

17. Alejandro Villanueva, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers 

18. Olivier Vernon, Edge, Cleveland Browns 

19. Duke Johnson, RB, Houston Texans

20. Austin Reiter, C, Kansas City Chiefs

21. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Kansas City Chiefs 

22. Everson Griffen, Edge, Detroit Lions

23. Casey Hayward, CB, Los Angeles Chargers

24. Kareem Jackson, S, Denver Broncos 

25. Kawann Short, DT, Carolina Panthers

26. Jurrell Casey, DT, Denver Broncos

27. James White, RB, New England Patriots 

28. Lawrence Guy, DT, New England Patriots 

29. Rick Wagner, OT, Green Bay Packers

30. Adam Humphries, WR, Tennessee Titans

31. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

32. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Atlanta Falcons

33. Le’Veon Bell, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

34. Tre Boston, S, Carolina Panthers

35. Trent Murphy, Edge, Buffalo Bills

36. Nickell Robert-Coleman, CB, Philadelphia Eagles 

37. Golden Tate, WR, New York Giants 

38. Trey Burton, TE, Indianapolis Colts 

39. Nick Easton, G, New Orleans Saints

40. Jerrick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco 49ers 

41. Tyler Eifert, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars 

42. Gareon Conley, CB, Houston Texans

43. Kenny Stills, WR, Buffalo Bills

44. Todd Gurley, RB, Atlanta Falcons

45. Bobby Massie, OT, Chicago Bears

46. P.J. Hall, DT, Houston Texans

47. Brett Jones, C, Minnesota Vikings

48. Will Parks, S, Denver Broncos

49. Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars 

50. Jermaine Eluemunor, OT, New England Patriots

Throwback Thursday: Last Year’s Final Flea Flicker Mock Draft

The 2021 NFL Draft is a week from today. That makes this Thursday a fine day to look back at my Final Flea Flicker Mock Draft from last year. 

2020 Final Flea Flicker Mock Draft

1.   Cincinnati Bengals-Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2.   Washington Redskins-Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
3.   Detroit Lions-Isaiah Simmons, S, Clemson
4.   New York Giants-Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
5.   Miami Dolphins-Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6.   Los Angeles Chargers-Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
7.   Carolina Panthers-Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
8.   Arizona Cardinals-Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
9.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
10. Cleveland Browns-Tristan Wirfs, OG, Iowa
11. New York Jets-Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
12. Las Vegas Raiders-C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
13. San Francisco 49ers-CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
15. Denver Broncos-Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
16. Atlanta Falcons-A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
17. Dallas Cowboys-K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
18. Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)-Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)-Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)-Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
21. Philadelphia Eagles-Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
22. Minnesota Vikings-Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
23. New England Patriots-Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
24. New Orleans Saints-Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
25. Minnesota Vikings-Josh Jones, OT, Houston
26. Miami Dolphins (from Texans)-Austin Jackson, OT, USC
27. Seattle Seahawks-Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
28. Baltimore Ravens-Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
29. Tennessee Titans-Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
30. Green Bay Packers-Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
31. San Francisco 49ers-Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
32. Kansas City Chiefs-D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

Here’s how the draft really went. 

2020 NFL Draft

1.   Cincinnati Bengals-Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

2.   Washington Redskins-Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
3.   Detroit Lions-Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4.   New York Giants-Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
5.   Miami Dolphins-Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6.   Los Angeles Chargers-Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
7.   Carolina Panthers-Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
8.   Arizona Cardinals-Isaiah Simmons, S, Clemson
9.   Jacksonville Jaguars-C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
10. Cleveland Browns-Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
11. New York Jets-Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
12. Las Vegas Raiders-Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Tristan Wirfs, OG, Iowa
14. San Francisco 49ers-Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
15. Denver Broncos-Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
16. Atlanta Falcons-A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
17. Dallas Cowboys-CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
18. Miami Dolphins-Austin Jackson, OT, USC
19. Las Vegas Raiders-Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
20. Jacksonville Jaguars-K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
21. Philadelphia Eagles-Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
22. Minnesota Vikings-Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
23. Los Angeles Chargers-Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
24. New Orleans Saints-Ceasar Ruiz, C, Michigan
25. San Francisco 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
26. Green Bay Packers-Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
27. Seattle Seahawks-Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
28. Baltimore Ravens-Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
29. Tennessee Titans-Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
30. Miami Dolphins-Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
31. Minnesota Vikings-Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
32. Kansas City Chiefs-Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

I started well but placing Joe Burrow and Chase Young was easy. I did well with the quarterbacks but that was easy too. 

Correct Picks

1.   Cincinnati Bengals-Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2.   Washington Redskins-Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
5.   Miami Dolphins-Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6.   Los Angeles Chargers-Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
7.   Carolina Panthers-Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

16. Atlanta Falcons-A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

Right Player/Right Team/Wrong Spot

22. Minnesota Vikings-Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
26. Miami Dolphins (from Texans)-Austin Jackson, OT, USC

I’ve done worse. A lot worse. 

Minnesota Vikings 7-Round Mock From The Athletic’s Big Board

The Athletic released their Consensus Big Board for the 2021 NFL Draft. This very big board is a list of the Top 300 prospects and is pulled from more than 50 big boards across the draft-evaluating landscape. That’s more players than will be drafted. One of the things that caught my attention is the players that are ranked in the spots in which the Minnesota Vikings are currently scheduled to pick. It results in the following mock draft for the Vikings.

1(14) Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

3(78) Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

3(90) Brady Christensen, OT, BYU

4(119) Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota

4(125) Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

4(134) Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota St.

4(143) Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh 

5(157) Keith Taylor, CB, Washington

5(168) Daelin Hayes, Edge, Notre Dame

6(199) Chris Evans, RB, Michigan

If I were to repeat the tiresome, old joke, this is a draft that Mike Zimmer would love. Three cornerbacks. Other than the abundance of cornerbacks I like this draft. I like it but there is a disappointing lack of offensive linemen. Brady Christensen is a nice addition but the Vikings are in great need of more reinforcements on the offensive line. They need a guard, maybe guards. They could use a safety too. 

A guard that I like a lot is Grambling State’s David Moore. The Athletic’s Big Board has him at #183. I’d rather “reach” for Moore at 157 than take a third corner. 

A safety cure could be found in Divine Deablo. The Virginia Tech safety is ranked #123 by The Athletic’s Big Board. A safety at 119 would benefit the Vikings more than the first of a three-cornerback haul. 

Those two tweaks give the Vikings the following mock. 

1(14) Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

3(78) Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

3(90) Brady Christensen, OT, BYU

4(119) Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech

4(125) Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

4(134) Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota St.

4(143) Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh 

5(157) David Moore, OG, Grambling State

5(168) Daelin Hayes, Edge, Notre Dame

6(199) Chris Evans, RB, Michigan

It still feels light on the offensive line. That tends to happen when a team’s greatest need isn’t addressed until their third pick. This mock is growing on me. If the Vikings don’t go offensive line with their first pick, edge is the most likely alternative. Kwity Paye and Miami’s Jaelan Phillips are at the top of that list. Amari Rodgers, Ambry Thomas, Cade Johnson, Jaylen Twyman, and David Moore are often mock draft targets of mine. 

Eight more days...

AFL All-Time Team

With Saturday’s sad passing of former Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs tight end Fred Arbanas, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the American Football League. It was a fun league with great players and great teams. So, in honor of Fred Arbanas’ wonderful football career, here’s a look at the AFL’s All-Time Team.

American Football League All-Time Team

First Team

Offense

Tight End

Fred Arbanas, Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs

Wide Receivers

Lance Alworth, San Diego Chargers

Don Maynard, New York Titans/Jets

Tackles

Ron Mix, Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers

Jim Tyrer, Kansas City Chiefs

Guards

Ed Budde, Kansas City Chiefs

Billy Shaw, Buffalo Bills

Center

Jim Otto, Oakland Raiders 

Quarterback 

Joe Namath, New York Jets

Halfbacks

Clem Daniels, Dallas Texans/Oakland Raiders 

Paul Lowe, San Diego Chargers/Kansas City Chiefs

Kicker

George Blanda, Houston Oilers/Oakland Raiders 

Defense

Defensive Ends

Jerry Mays, Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs

Gerry Philbin, New York Jets

Defensive Tackles

Houston Antwine, Boston Patriots

Tom Sestak, Buffalo Bills

Linebackers

Bobby Bell, Kansas City Chiefs

Nick Buoniconti, Boston Patriots/Miami Dolphins

George Webster, Houston Oilers

Cornerbacks

Willie Brown, Denver Broncos/Oakland Raiders 

Dave Grayson, Kansas City Chiefs/Oakland Raiders 

Safeties

Johnny Robinson, Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs

George Saimes, Buffalo Bills 

Punter

Jerrell Wilson, Kansas City Chiefs 

Coach

Weeb Ewbank

Second Team

Offense

Wide Receivers

Charley Hennigan, Houston Oilers

Art Powell, New York Titans/Oakland Raiders/Buffalo Bills

Tight End

Dave Kocourek, San Diego Chargers/Miami Dolphins/Oakland Raiders 

Tackles

Winston Hill, New York Jets

Stew Barber/Buffalo Bills

Guards

Bob Talamini, Houston Oilers/New York Jets 

Walt Sweeney, San Diego Chargers 

Center

Jon Morris, Boston Patriots 

Quarterback 

Len Dawson, Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs 

Fullbacks

Cookie Gilchrist, Buffalo Bills/Denver Broncos/Miami Dolphins

Abner Haynes, Kansas City Chiefs/Denver Broncos/Miami Dolphins/New York Jets

Kicker

Jim Turner, New York Jets

Defense

Defensive Ends

Ron McDole, Houston Oilers/Buffalo Bills 

Rich Jackson, Oakland Raiders/Denver Broncos 

Defensive Tackles

Buck Buchanan, Kansas City Chiefs 

Tom Keating, Buffalo Bills/Oakland Raiders 

Linebackers

Mike Stratton, Buffalo Bills

Larry Grantham, New York Titans/Jets

Dan Conners, Oakland Raiders 

Cornerbacks

George Byrd, Buffalo Bills

Miller Farr, Denver Broncos/San Diego Chargers/Houston Oilers

Safeties

Ken Graham, San Diego Chargers

Austin Gonsoulin, Denver Broncos

Punter

Bob Scarpitto, San Diego Chargers/Denver Broncos/Boston Patriots 

Coach

Sid Gillman, Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers

***

Hall of Famers

Joe Namath

Len Dawson

Lance Alworth

Don Maynard

Ron Mix

Winston Hill

Billy Shaw

Jim Otto

George Blanda

Buck Bucahnan

Bobby Bell

Nick Buoniconti

Willie Brown

Johnny Robinson

Weeb Ewbank

Sid Gillman

A curiosity of this AFL All-Time Team is that second-team defensive tackle Buck Buchanan is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame while first-team defensive tackles Houston Antwine and Tom Sestak aren’t. The mistake isn’t that Buchanan is in Canton. It’s that Antwine and Sestak aren’t. The same curiosity is found with the offensive tackles. Second-team tackle Winston Hill is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and first-team tackle Jim Tyrer isn’t. Perhaps his post-career tragedy is keeping Tyrer out but his football career was that of an Hall of Famer. 

The AFL is under-represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Antwine, Sestak, and Tyrer should be inducted. So should Ed Budde, Walt Sweeney, Charley Hennigan, Larry Grantham, and a host of Bills defensive players. At the very least, they should have their Hall of Fame cases discussed. It too often feels like the selectors have shut the Canton doors on the players that played their football careers before 1970. The AFL should be celebrated and not forgotten. 

RIP Fred Arbanas. 

Split Inductions?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced last week that there will be a special celebration of the careers and contributions of nine men. COVID has hacked up a lot of things. A global pandemic will do that. The induction of the giant Centennial Hall of Fame Class of 2020 was postponed until this year. As a result, an incredible 28 new members will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over a single weekend in August. Eight of the nine men that will be part of the special celebration are members of the Centennial Class. The ninth is a member of the 2021 Class. This celebration will be a 90-minute television special that will air after the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Draft on May 1 on NFL Network. The draft is taking place in Cleveland. The Hall of Fame celebration is, of course, in Canton. The celebration will carry the name of “Hall of Fame Forever: Enshrinement Special.” Very nice. 

Those to be honored posthumously are Centennial Class of 2020 members:

Bobby Dillon

Winston Hill

Alex Karras

Steve Sabol

Duke Slater

Mac Speedie

Ed Sprinkle

George Young

And Class of 2021 member:

Bill Nunn

From the Pro Football Hall of Fame website:

The show will feature an exclusive video montage of each enshrinee and the unveiling of his Bronzed Bust in Canton. After the show, the families of each enshrinee will place the Bronzed Bust on display in the Hall of Fame Gallery inside the Museum. Many special guests and dignitaries, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, will be in attendance to honor these heroes of the game.

For what it’s worth, I’ve had evolving thoughts on the decision to recognize and honor nine of the 28 new Hall of Famers in this manner. Initially, I wasn’t a fan. Perhaps it’s my idealistic view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame but I’ve always felt that the members of each Class gain a special connection with their fellow members. A camaraderie. If the member is inducted posthumously, that connection is with the family of the inductee. Cris Carter will always have a special connection to Jonathan Ogden, Warren Sapp, Larry Allen, Curley Culp, Bill Parcells, and Dave Robinson. Randy Moss will always have a special connection Ray Lewis, Brian Dawkins, Brian Urlacher, Terrell Owens, Robert Brazile, Jerry Kramer, and Bobby Beathard. Tony Gonzalez will always have a special connection with Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Johnny Robinson, Pat Bowlen, and Gill Brandt. I mention these three Hall of Fame Classes because those are the three inductions that I’ve attended. One thing that all three have in common is that all of the inductees were alive. Of course, Terrell Owens, being the baby that he is, threw a tantrum and had his own induction ceremony. Good thing as he’s the only member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame that I wouldn’t mind not ever seeing in Canton. Anyway, initially I felt that a special celebration for the new members that have passed was breaking up their respective Classes. It didn’t feel right. It felt like an attempt to streamline this summer’s single weekend induction of 28 new members. That didn’t feel right either. Then I started thinking about it from another angle. Despite all of the best intentions, the inductees that aren’t present for their inductions are often overlooked a bit. The families are included and embraced but it’s different. This special celebration puts the inductees that have passed on the front of the stage rather than the back. Being able to place the Bronze bust on display should be a special experience for the families. I think that I’m becoming a fan of this special celebration. A person can change. 

It’s still frustrating that some of these men didn’t live to experience their induction. Duke Slater would’ve had to be a member of one of the first two Classes but there’s an argument to be made that he should’ve been. He certainly should’ve been inducted before the 1960s closed. It’s ridiculous that he and his family have had to wait so long. Alex Karras should’ve been in the Hall of Fame long ago. While he was alive. Maybe Mac Speedie too. Steve Sabol’s life was taken way too soon but at least he lived to see his father inducted. 

So, this isn’t really split inductions. The nine men will still be inducted with their respective Classes this August. This added event is just what the Hall of Fame is saying it is. A Special Celebration. It’s a celebration of nine men no longer with us. Some of them should’ve been celebrated long ago. 

Flea Flicker Mock Draft 5.0

The 2021 NFL Draft is 11 days away. That’s 11 more days of mock drafts. Here’s one of them.

1.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2.   New York Jets-Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

3.   San Francisco 49ers-Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

4.   Atlanta Falcons-Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

5.   Cincinnati Bengals-Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

6.   Miami Dolphins-Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

7.   Detroit Lions-Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

8.   Carolina Panthers-Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

9.   Denver Broncos-Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

10. Dallas Cowboys-Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

11. New York Giants-Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

12. Philadelphia Eagles-DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Chargers-Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

14. Minnesota Vikings-Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC

15. New England Patriots-Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

16. Arizona Cardinals-Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

17. Las Vegas Raiders-Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

18. Miami Dolphins-Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

19. Washington Football Team-Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

20. Chicago Bears-Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

21. Indianapolis Colts-Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

22. Tennessee Titans-Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

23. New York Jets-Travis Etiene, RB, Clemson

24. Pittsburgh Steelers-Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

25. Jacksonville Jaguars-Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

26. Cleveland Browns-Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

27. Baltimore Ravens-Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia

28. New Orleans Saints-Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

29. Green Bay Packers-Rashod Batemen, WR, Minnesota 

30. Buffalo Bills-Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

31. Kansas City Chiefs-Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

Until the next one...

Flea Flicker 2021 NFL Draft Position Rankings 3.0

The 2021 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. I shouldn’t be making adjustments to the rankings at this late date but I continue to do so. 

Quarterbacks

1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

2. Zach Wilson, BYU

3. Justin Fields, Ohio State

4. Trey Lance, North Dakota State

5. Mac Jones, Alabama

Running Backs

1. Najee Harris, Alabama

2. Travis Etienne, Clemson

3. Javonte Williams, North Carolina

4. Trey Sermon, Ohio State

5. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis

Receivers

1. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

2. DeVonta Smith, Alabama

3. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

5. Kadarius Toney, Florida

Tight Ends

1. Kyle Pitts, Florida

2. Pat Freiremuth, Penn State

3. Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame

4. Brevin Jordan, Miami

5. Hunter Long, Boston College

Tackles

1. Penei Sewell, Oregon

2. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

3. Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC

4. Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

5. Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State

Interior Offensive Linemen

1. Landon Dickerson, Alabama

2. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State

3. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma

4. Josh Myers, Ohio State

5. Trey Smith, Tennessee

Edge

1. Kwity Paye, Michigan

2. Jaelan Phillips, Miami

3. Gregory Rousseau, Miami 

4. Azeez Ojulari, Georgia

5. Jayson Oweh, Penn State

Interior Defensive Linemen

1. Christian Barmore, Alabama

2. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

3. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa

4. Osa Odihizuwa, UCLA

5. Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech

Linebackers

1. Micah Parsons, Penn State

2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame

3. Jamin Davis, Kentucky

4. Nick Bolton, Missouri

5. Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Cornerbacks 

1. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

2. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

4. Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

5. Elijah Molden, Washington

Safeties

1. Trevon Moehrig, TCU

2. Jevon Holland, Oregon

3. Richie Grant, UCF

4. Jamar Johnson, Indiana

5. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State

 

Minnesota Vikings 2021 Coaches

The Minnesota Vikings 2021 Coaching Staff is finally complete. They filled their final two coaching vacancies. Some might’ve thought they were done. It’s April and the vacancies were assistant special teams coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach. Robert Steeples was hired as assistant special teams coach. I was beginning to think that the Ryan Ficken might be forced to tackle the entirety of special teams by himself in his first year as the coordinator. I’m sure that this coaching news is a greater relief for him than it is for me. Steeples is an interesting hire in that he once played for the Vikings. After his college football days at Missouri and Memphis, he was signed to the team’s practice squad in September of 2013. He was added to the active roster later that season and appeared in two games. A cornerback, all of Steeples’ NFL action was on special teams. After being released by the Vikings at the end of training camp in 2014, he had practice squad stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. Coaching came next for Steeples at the St. Louis high school for which he had played. In 2016, he took over a De Smet Jesuit High School program that had gone 2-18 in the two years prior to his arrival. By his fourth season, the Spartans were state champions. De Smet’s defensive transformation under Steeples was astonishing. The Spartans gave up 51.2 points per game the year before he arrived. During their undefeated, state title season, they gave up just 8.6 points per game. Steeples received national coach of the year honors from the All-American Bowl. Colleges took notice of the young coach. He was a candidate for the Notre Dame cornerback job a year ago. Mike Zimmer and the Vikings apparently took notice as well. Steeples will be coaching the team for which he once played. Marquis Johnson was hired as assistant strength and conditioning coach. This will be his second NFL job. He was an assistant strength and conditioning coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-18. More recently, Johnson was the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Jackson State in 2020. Did Deion Sanders recommend Johnson to Zimmer? 

The Vikings final coaching move of the 2021 coaching cycle was promoting co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Andre Patterson to assistant head coach. He’ll have quite the business card as assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/defensive line is now next to his name. Plus, he leads the team’s social justice committee. Patterson is the slash of coaches. 

Minnesota Vikings 2021 Coaches

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Offensive Coaches:

Offensive Coordinator: Klint Kubiak

Quarterbacks Coach: Andrew Janocko

Running Backs Coach: Kennedy Polamalu

Receivers Coach: Keenan McCardell

Tight Ends Coach: Brian Pariani

Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator: Rick Dennison

Assistant Offensive Line Coach: Phil Rauscher

Offensive Quality Control: Christian Jones

Offensive Quality Control: AC Patterson

Defensive Coaches:

Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach: Andre Patterson

Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach: Adam Zimmer

Assistant Defensive Line Coach: Imarjaye Albury

Defensive Backs Coach: Karl Scott

Assistant Defensive Backs Coach: Roy Anderson

Defensive Quality Control: Sam Siefkes

Senior Defensive Assistant: Paul Guenther

Special Teams Coaches:

Special Teams Coordinator: Ryan Ficken

Assistant Special Teams Coach: Robert Steeples

Strength and Conditioning Coaches:

Strength and Conditioning Coordinator: Josh Hingst

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: Derik Keyes

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: Marquis Johnson

***

New Vikings coaches in 2021:

Receivers Coach: Keenan McCardell

Senior Defensive Assistant: Paul Guenther

Defensive Backs Coach: Karl Scott

Defensive Quality Control: Sam Siefkes

Assistant Special Teams Coach: Robert Steeples

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Josh Hingst

Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Marquis Johnson

Keenan McCardell is the “splashy” addition. It’s the “young” coaching additions that intrigue me the most. I was really disappointed when 2020 defensive backs coach Daronte Jones left after a single season for the LSU defensive coordinator job. That’s what happens when you hire talented football coaches. Karl Scott is a terrific replacement. After working for Nick Saban for a few seasons, he’ll be well prepared to work for Zimmer. Saban and Zimmer are defensive-minded head coaches with a particularly hands-on approach to coaching defensive backs. Both favor pattern-matching zone defenses. Scott feels like the perfect coach to step from Alabama to Minnesota. My biggest concern is that he might have a similar career path as Daronte Jones. A college team might soon come calling to hire him as their defensive coordinator. Scott received some interest this offseason from Mike Locksley to be his DC at Maryland. If Scott’s stay in Minnesota is a short one, the Vikings may have just hired his potential replacement in Robert Steeples. I’ve been curious about Sam Siefkes since the Vikings hired him. I can’t recall a college defensive coordinator being hired as an NFL quality control coach. Even if that college coordinator job is at smaller colleges like Wofford and University of Wisconsin-Platteville. It’s rare for a quality control coach to have Siefke’s experience. I’m really curious to see the defensive thoughts and ideas that he might be bringing to the Vikings. I’m also curious to see the defensive thoughts and ideas that new senior defensive assistant Paul Guenther might be bringing to the Vikings. 

Old coaches in new places:

Offensive Coordinator: Klint Kubiak

-was quarterbacks coach

Quarterbacks Coach: Andrew Janocko

-was receivers coach

Special Teams Coordinator: Ryan Ficken

-was special teams assistant coach

I was a fan of the Vikings hiring from within to fill their available coordinator positions. I’m looking forward to Klint Kubiak’s version of the offense that his father helped spread around the league. It’s easy to say now but I wish that Ryan Ficken was promoted to the special teams coordinator job two years ago.

Throwback Thursday: Original Teams

This Flicker was originally posted 5/16/19. 

The NFL's celebration of it's 100th season is going to bring a lot of football history fun. Part of that celebration will be honoring the small towns where professional football started.

From NFL Football Operations:

ORIGINAL TOWNS

Nearly 100 years after the NFL was born in Canton, Ohio, the league will honor the 13 Original Towns, which were home to the 14 teams of the league’s inaugural season.

City	Team
Akron, Ohio	Akron Pros
Buffalo, New York	Buffalo All-Americans
Canon, Ohio	Canton Bulldogs
Chicago, Illinois	Racine Cardinals, Chicago Tigers
Cleveland, Ohio	Cleveland Tigers
Columbus, Ohio	Columbus Panhandles
Dayton, Ohio	Dayton Triangles
Decatur, Illinois	Decatur Staleys
Detroit, Michigan	Detroit Heralds
Hammond, Indiana	Hammond Pros
Muncie, Indiana	Muncie Flyers
Rochester, New York	Rohester Jeffersons
Rock Island, Illinois	Rock Island Independents

A quick glance at those 14 original teams reveals no teams that play today. There's actually two. The Decatur Staleys are the Chicago Bears. The Racine Cardinals are today's Arizona Cardinals. 

Hockey has an Original 6. The NFL has an Original 2. The 1920s was a daily struggle for football teams that wanted to make it in the NFL. Professional football wasn't well received. Each year of that first decade was a revolving door of teams coming and going. 

1920: 14 teams

1921: 21-Green Bay Packers joined the fun

1922: 18

1923: 20

1924: 18

1925: 20-New York Giants joined the fun

1926: 22

1927: 12

1928: 10

1929: 12

The NFL was mostly populated with teams from small Midwestern towns in that first decade. While that was fun for those plucky towns there was a concerted effort by the NFL in the latter half of the decade to establish a presence in the bigger cities. It wasn't a good deal for the small towns but it was deemed necessary for the overall survival of the league. At the start of the next decade, few small towns remained. 

1930 NFL 

Green Bay Packers

New York Giants

Chicago Bears

Brooklyn Dodgers

Providence Steam Roller
Staten Island Stapletons

Portsmouth Spartans

Chicago Cardinals

Frankford Yellow Jackets

Minneapolis Red Jackets

Newark Tornadoes. 

In 1930, only five teams were competing in the NFL that are still competing today. The Portsmouth Spartans joined the fun that year and moved to Detroit in 1935 where the team became the Lions. The Spartans/Lions joined the Bears, Cardinals, Packers, and Giants as the First 5(?). 

The Boston Braves joined the fun in 1932. Their name would unfortunately be changed to the Redskins the next season. Credit racist owner George Preston Marshall for that. The team moved to Washington D.C. in 1937.

Through the league's first 13 seasons (1920-32), 36 teams had tried and failed to make a go of it in the NFL. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates (Steelers) and Philadelphia Eagles joined the fun in 1933. 

1933 was probably the first season in which the NFL finally started to resemble a league that might be a precursor to today's NFL. One reason for that was that the teen-aged league was split into East and West. Another reason was that most of the teams survive today. Even if some of those teams have changed names and cities. There was finally some degree of stability. Eight of the 10 teams that competed in 1933 compete today. 

East

New York Giants

Brooklyn Dodgers

Boston Redskins

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Pirates

West

Chicago Bears

Portsmouth Spartans

Green Bay Packers

Cincinnati Reds

Chicago Cardinals

The Cleveland Rams joined the fun in 1937.

The NFL finally experienced some consistency and increasing public acceptance in the 1930s. The league finally seemed to have a future. Just when it seemed like things were getting better, new challenges were coming. 

The World War II years were tough. Many players joined the fight. The public was preoccupied. Some teams had to join forces to get by but the league survived. The latter half of the 1940s brought a rival league. Unlike previous rivals, the All-America Football Conference was a legitimate rival. So much so, that the NFL was forced to absorb three of the AAFC's teams to end the rivalry. The Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers were two of those teams. The Baltimore Colts were the third. The franchise history of the Colts is wacky. It's too wacky to detail here. The AAFC Colts team that was absorbed by the NFL isn't the Colts team that plays in Indianapolis today. The Colts team that survives today is actually the team that came out of the 1951 New York Yanks team that became the 1952 Dallas Texans. I'll leave it at that. 

1953 was the first year in which all of the teams that competed still compete in the league today. 

East 

Cleveland Browns

Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Redskins

Pittsburgh Steelers

New York Giants

Chicago Cardinals

West

Detroit Lions

San Francisco 49ers

Los Angeles Rams

Chicago Bears

Baltimore Colts

Green Bay Packers

The only changes since 1953 has been the addition of expansion teams and one big merger. And, unfortunately, the relocation of a few franchises. 

I've always found the early years of the NFL fascinating. The rag-tag nature of the league, the small town teams, the incredible characters that simply pushed, scraped, scratched, pulled, fought, and refused to let a dream die. It may have been the big cities (and Green Bay) that survived but the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Pottsville Maroons, Columbus Panhandles, Providence Steam Roller, Duluth Eskimos, Frankford Yellow Jackets, etc. helped make the NFL what it is today. Those teams don't survive today but they should be better remembered. It shouldn't take a 100 year celebration to honor those teams that competed, the players that played, the coaches that coached, and contributors that contributed to finally know about them. But it's still fun that the league is doing it. 

 

Draft Network’s Minnesota Vikings 7-Round Mock Draft

Over recent weeks, The Draft Network has been posting 7-Round Mock Drafts for each of the 32 NFL teams. They finally did a mock for the only team that really matters. The Minnesota Vikings. 

1(14) Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC

3(78) Payton Turner, Edge, Houston

3(91) Ar’Darius Washington, S, TCU

4(120) Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina

4(126) David Moore, IOL, Grambling State

4(135) Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

4(144) Dayo Obeyingbo, Edge, Vanderbilt

5(158) Tony Fields II, LB, West Virginia

5(169) Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU

6(200) Brenden James, OT, Nebraska

First of all, every pick after the 78th pick is off by one. The Vikings actually have the following picks. The NFL says so. 

1(14)

3(78)

3(90)

4(119)

4(125)

4(134) 

4(143)

5(157)

5(168)

6(199)

I believe that a team (probably the Patriots) has to forfeit a third-round pick and it isn’t reflected in this mock. 

Anyway, I like this mock draft. I love the Alijah Vera-Tucker pick. Unless one of Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater miraculously fall to the 14th pick, Vera-Tucker is my top offensive lineman for the Vikings. If he’s the pick, I think that the best left tackle-guard combination between him and Ezra Cleveland is what we’ll see on the field this season. With nothing more than a hunch guiding me, I’d have Vera-Tucker penciled in at left tackle and Cleveland penciled in at guard. It’s just a hunch. The more natural combination is Cleveland at left tackle and Vera-Tucker at left guard. Those are the positions that each spent most (Vera-Tucker) or all (Cleveland) of the college careers playing. 

As for the rest of the mock, I really like the edge rushers Payton Turner and Dayo Obeyingbo. If there’s any pause it’s picking a second edge player before addressing the interior of the defensive line. Although I do like the choice of Khyiris Tonga when defensive tackle was finally addressed. 

Shi Smith is among a group of possibly Day 3 receivers that I like. A group that includes Tutu Atwell, Jaelon Darden, Frank Darby, Whop Philyor, Sage Surratt, and Cade Johnson. 

If David Moore and Ambry Thomas actually do find their draft way to Minnesota, I think that each could develop into starters early in their careers. The Vikings presently have three certain starters on the offensive line. Brian O’Neill (RT), Garrett Bradbury (C), and Ezra Cleveland (G or T). Vera-Tucker would be the fourth. There would be an opening at guard. Moore has the talent and potential to fill it as a rookie. Jeff Gladney’s recent off-field issues has thrown his status with the team into a questionable one. That’s thrown questions into the cornerback group. Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler are the likely outside corner starters this year. Peterson’s age and one-year deal potentially creates an opening in 2022. Fair or not, I think that Thomas is a player that was hurt by opting out of his final college football season. He might’ve been a first- or second-round pick if he’d played. I could easily see Thomas developing into a quality starter early in his NFL career. 

Ar’Darius Washington is one of my favorite safeties in the draft. I have yet to look at the mid-round linebackers so I only know Tony Fields II by name. 

For comparison, this is the mock that I recently crafted from The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine. 

1(14) Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC

3(78) Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest

3(90) James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati

4(119) Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh

4(125) Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC

4(134) Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

4(143) Elerson Smith, Edge, Northern Iowa

5(157) Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

5(168) Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas

6(199) Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State

I’d take Carlos Basham Jr. over Payton Turner but I think that it’s far more likely that Turner is available at #78 in the real draft. If I had to choose between the offensive line/safety combo of David Moore/Ar’Darius Washington or James Hudson/Talanoa Hufanga, I’d go with the former. 

I really need the real draft to get here. 

2021 NFL Trades

The 2021 NFL offseason has been official for less than a month. In that time, trades have changed the quarterbacking landscape of the league and shaken up the top of the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s been fun. Here are the trades that have created that fun.

Los Angeles Rams-Detroit Lions

Rams acquire:

QB Matthew Stafford

Lions acquire:

QB Jared Goff

2021 3rd 

2022 1st

2023 1st

Indianapolis Colts-Philadelphia Eagles

Colts acquire:

QB Carson Wentz

Eagles acquire:

2021 3rd

2022 2nd (conditional)

Miami Dolphins-Tennessee Titans

Dolphins acquire:

OT Isaiah Wilson

2022 7th

Titans acquire:

2021 7th

-Wilson lasted about a week with the Dolphins

New England Patriots-Las Vegas Raiders

Patriots acquire:

OT Trent Brown

2022 7th

Raiders acquire:

2022 5th

Miami Dolphins-Houston Texans

Dolphins acquire:

LB Bernardrick McKinney

2021 7th

Texans acquire:

LB Shaq Lawson

2021 6th

Houston Texans-New England Patriots 

Texans acquire:

OT Marcus Cannon

2021 5th

2021 6th

Patriots acquire:

2021 4th

2021 6th

Detroit Lions-Los Angeles Rams

Lions acquire:

DT Michael Brockers

Rams acquire:

2023 7th

Jacksonville Jaguars-New Orleans Saints 

Jaguars acquire:

DT Malcom Brown

Saints acquire:

2021 7th

Atlanta Falcons-Buffalo Bills

Falcons acquire:

TE Lee Smith

Bills acquire:

2022 7th (conditional)

Arizona Cardinals-Las Vegas Raiders 

Cardinals acquire:

C Rodney Hudson

2021 7th

Raiders acquire:

2021 3rd

Baltimore Ravens-Las Vegas Raiders 

Ravens acquire:

TE Josh Oliver

Raiders acquire:

2022 7th (conditional)

Seattle Seahawks-Las Vegas Raiders 

Seahawks acquire:

G Gabe Jackson

Raiders acquire:

2021 5th

Houston Texans-New England Patriots 

Texans acquire:

TE Ryan Izzo 

Patriots acquire:

2022 7th

Houston Texans-Cincinnati Bengals

Texans acquire:

QB Ryan Finley

2021 7th

Bengals acquire:

2021 6th

Minnesota Vikings-Arizona Cardinals

Vikings acquire:

G Mason Cole

Cardinals acquire

2021 6th

San Francisco 49ers-Miami Dolphins

49ers acquire:

2021 1st

Dolphins acquire:

2021 1st

2022 1st

2022 3rd

2023 1st

Miami Dolphins-Philadelphia Eagles 

Dolphins acquire:

2021 1st

2021 5th

Eagles acquire:

2021 1st

2021 4th

2022 1st

Carolina Panthers-New York Jets

Panthers acquire:

QB Sam Darnold

Jets acquire:

2021 6th

2022 2nd

2022 4th

***

18 trades

4 starting quarterbacks moved:

Matthew Stafford

Jared Goff

Carson Wentz

Sam Darnold

9 first round picks changed hands. 

-4 in the 2021 NFL Draft

-5 in the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts

Favorite Free Agent Additions: AFC

Yesterday I picked my favorite free agent additions of the NFC teams. Today I pick my favorite free agent additions of that other conference. The AFC. 

Baltimore Ravens

Kevin Zeitler, OG

When the New York Giants let Kevin Zeitler go before the start of free agency I hoped that the Minnesota Vikings would find a way to sign him. Instead, the Ravens signed him and their offensive line immediately got better.

Pittsburgh Steelers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

The Steelers haven’t done much in free agency. They’ve lost more players than they’ve gained. It isn’t too difficult to land on the re-signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster as my favorite Steelers signing. 

Cleveland Browns

Anthony Walker Jr., LB

The Browns made a few signings that I really liked. Safety John Johnson, cornerback Troy Hill, defensive tackle Malik Jackson to name three. I think that I like the signing of Anthony Walker Jr. the best. He was a strong and underrated player on a very good Indianapolis Colts defense. He was perhaps in the shadow of Darius Leonard. He’s outside that shadow now. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Larry Ogunjobi, DT

The Bengals usually aren’t very active in free agency. They were surprisingly active this year. They made some strong signings. Edge Trey Hendrickson, cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Chidobie Awuzie, and tackle Riley Reiff. Larry Ogunjobi is another player that I hoped might find his way to Minnesota. 

Buffalo Bills

Emmanuel Sanders, WR

The Bills are now officially loaded with receivers. 

New England Patriots

Jonnu Smith, TE

Over the two days of the legal tampering it felt like every announced agreement was a player agreeing to a deal with the Patriots. They signed so damn many players. I liked a lot of them. I liked the signing of Jonnu Smith best. He’s the sort of tight end the Patriots have been looking to add since Rob Gronkowski started getting injured frequently. 

Miami Dolphins

Justin Coleman, CB

If Will Fuller caught the ball better, he’d be the pick. Instead, my favorite Dolphins signing was the signing of underrated cornerback Justin Coleman. 

New York Jets

Carl Lawson, Edge

The Jets were very active in free agency. I saw Carl Lawson as the best edge rusher available. The Jets did well to win the bidding for him. If Lawson continues to progress as he has, his best days are ahead of him. 

Indianapolis Colts

T.Y. Hilton, WR

The Colts are very careful in free agency. They have a load of cap space but are very frugal in using it. The Colts added some offensive linemen. Sam Tevi and Julién Davenport felt like depth signings. Just when I thought the he was about to depart Indianapolis, the Colts re-signed T.Y. Hilton. It would’ve been tough/wrong to see Hilton in another uniform. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Marvin Jones, WR

Gotta go with the Cal player. Marvin Jones was one of my favorite Cal players of the past decade. He’s been an excellent receiver in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence will love throwing to him. 

Tennessee Titans

Denico Autry, Edge

Bud Dupree was the Titans “headline” signing. I liked the signing of underrated Denico Autry better.

Houston Texans

None

I’m not a fan of a single thing that the Texans have done this offseason. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Thuney, OG

The Chiefs lost the Super Bowl because they couldn’t slow the Buccaneers pass rush with street free agents. In response, they signed one of the best guards in the league in Joe Thuney. Adding defensive tackle Jarran Reed late in free agency is a close second. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Yannick Ngakoue, Edge

I’m not sure what the Raiders are doing. They dismantled one of the league’s better offensive lines. Clearly they decided that the money invested there could be better spent elsewhere. Then they signed a backup running back to close to starter money. I do like the signing of Yannick Ngakoue. It took him only five games to be the Vikings season-leader in sacks. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Corey Linsley, C

For the second consecutive year the Chargers looked to Green Bay for a high-priced boost to their offensive line. Bryan Bulaga last year. Corey Linsley this year. Both will help protect their franchise, Justin Herbert. That’s all that matters for the next 15 years. 

Denver Broncos

Kyle Fuller, CB

The Broncos sure pounced when the Bears made Kyle Fuller available a couple weeks into free agency. He’ll fit nicely in a Vic Fangio defense that he knows well. 

Favorite Free Agent Additions: NFC

The bulk of NFL free agency is done. There are a few players still available. Jadevon Clowney, Mitchell Schwartz, K.J. Wright, Melvin Ingram, Richard Sherman, and Casey Hayward to name a few. Teams have turned their attention from free agency to the 2021 NFL Draft. That makes it a fine time to look back on the free agent signings that teams have made. Here are some of my favorites from the NFC teams.

Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Tomlinson, DT

The Vikings had to improve their defense. They focused on that side of the ball in free agency. Dalvin Tomlinson was the biggest of six new defensive players. There were too many occasions last season when teams ran at will against the Vikings defense. That won’t happen with Tomlinson and Michael Pierce in the middle of the defensive line. It’ll be fun to see Patrick Peterson in a Vikings uniform. I like the return of defensive end Stephen Weatherly and Mackensie Alexander. Xavier Woods will pair nicely with Harrison Smith at safety. Of the new additions, I expect Tomlinson to have the biggest impact. I expect him to have more of pass rush presence than he ever had with the New York Giants. The only thing that I didn’t like about the signing was that the contract was for only two years. 

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones, RB

The Packers have only signed a few of their own players. They had to keep the versatile Aaron Jones in the backfield. 

Chicago Bears

Allen Robinson, WR

I didn’t much care for any of the new players that the Bears signed so I guess keeping Allen Robinson via the franchise tag was my favorite. His production takes a hit by the quarterbacks that’ll be throwing to him. 

Detroit Lions

Romeo Okwara, Edge

The Lions were one of the most active teams in free agency. I was a bigger fan of the players that they lost than the players that they signed. My favorite signing was one I hoped that they wouldn’t make. Romeo Okwara was one of the players that I hoped would find his way to Minnesota. 

New York Giants

Kenny Golladay, WR

The Giants added about a dozen new players. Kenny Golladay was the best receiver available and the Giants got him. It’s nice that he’s out of the NFC North. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Anthony Harris, S

I hoped that the Vikings might re-sign Anthony Harris. Instead they chose a younger, cheaper option with Xavier Woods. 

Washington Football Team

Curtis Samuel, WR

Washington had a few signings that I really liked. William Jackson, Adam Humphries, and Ryan Fitzpatrick to name three. I liked the signing of Curtis Samuel the most. He was another player that I hoped might find his free agent way to Minnesota.

Dallas Cowboys

Falcons Safeties

The Cowboys rebuilt the back of their defense with safeties from Atlanta. Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee. Neither is solely a safety. Neal might play some linebacker. Kazee plays some slot corner. Both make the Cowboys defense more versatile. 

Carolina Panthers

Haason Reddick, LB

Haason Reddick found his pass-rushing groove last season when the Cardinals needed it the most. He was one of my favorites in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was probably a disappointment until he started collecting sacks last season. I’m curious to see what Panthers coach Matt Ruhle has planned for Reddick. Finding his defensive niche might’ve been his biggest problem in Arizona. 

New Orleans Saints

Tanoh Kpassagnon, Edge

The Saints were in such a salary cap hole that they spent most of the final days pre-free agency shedding contracts. They did manage to scrape together enough change to add Tanoh Kpassagnon. 

Atlanta Falcons

Mike Davis, RB

The Falcons haven’t done much in free agency. They did add a capable running back in Mike Davis. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Godwin, WR

The Buccaneers spent all their energy and money keeping together the team that won the Super Bowl. Chris Godwin was a player that I thought might find more on the market than the Buccaneers could afford. Instead, the franchise tag was used to keep him in Tampa Bay. 

San Francisco 49ers

Alex Mack, C

Gotta pick the Cal player. Even at 36, Alex Mack is one of the best centers in the league. 

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford, QB

Other than losing a bunch of players the Rams didn’t do much in free agency. They did make one of the biggest moves of the offseason in trading a bunch of picks and Jared Goff to the Lions for Matthew Stafford. He’s an elite quarterbacking talent. The only thing that’s kept him from being considered an elite quarterback is playing on dismal Lions teams. 

Arizona Cardinals

J.J. Watt, DL

J.J. Watt was this year’s gift from the Houston Texans. 

Seattle Seahawks

Kerry Hyder, DL

The best additions for the Seahawks were a couple players from San Francisco. Kerry Hyder and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. I’m going with Hyder because of his positional versatility. He might be the versatile sort of defensive lineman that the Seahawks haven’t head since Michael Bennett.