"NFL Draft 2015 - Everything Draft Related (Trades, Picks, Team/Pick Breakdown, etc)"

[Superman55]

Titans QB Marcus Mariota has no problems in huddle at rookie symposium

BEREA, Ohio — Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota had no trouble operating the huddle, deftly directing wide receivers, running backs and blockers through a series of plays.

So what if his teammates were all elementary school children, running through drills at a Play 60 event at the NFL's annual rookie symposium.

As the No. 2 pick in this year's draft and presumed Week 1 starter for the Titans, Mariota is the most high-profile player at the AFC portion of the symposium, which includes several days' worth of seminars about the on- and off-field transition to the league.

"You're going to have to make the best decisions, because you represent not only yourself, but your team, your family, where you come from. This rookie symposium gives us the information that we need to make better decisions," Mariota said.


USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell gives his first impressions of Marcus Mariota at Titans mini camp.

Players hear messages about using caution on social media — but it's advice that doesn't really apply to Mariota. The 21-year-old doesn't have a Twitter or Instagram account.

"I like to keep my personal life private. I think social media provides an opportunity for people to get an insight into what you're doing, and for me, I like to keep stuff private," Mariota said.

That might work when he returns home to Honolulu to rest up before training camp. But on the field, nothing will ever be private for Mariota as the Heisman Trophy winner tries to transition from Oregon's no-huddle, spread system to Tennessee head coach Ken Whisenhunt's more traditional NFL offense. That includes learning how to manage a huddle, take snaps from under center and operate from the pocket with far more regularity.

"Whatever they implement, whatever they bring in, I'm going to do my best to prepare for and learn," Mariota said.

 

[Superman55]

Jameis Winston - QB - Buccaneers
Bucs OC Dirk Koetter expects there to be "growing pains" with Jameis Winston.
"In a perfect world as a coach, you really want to feel like you have control over knowing exactly what this guy is going to do. We don't have that with Jameis right now," Koetter said. "Jameis does some things above and beyond what you would ask him. And then he does a couple of things where you go, why did you just do that?" Winston’s aggressive tendencies led to a high turnover-rate during his sophomore season at Florida State. The Bucs want him to get better at making reads and looking off defenders. Winston’s supporting cast sets him up for early success as a rookie.

 

[Superman55]

Devin Funchess takes aim at Rookie of the Year

Posted by Josh Alper on June 25, 2015, 8:10 AM EDT
Devin Funchess
AP
If the growth that coach Ron Rivera saw in Panthers quarterback Cam Newton this offseason continues into the regular season, his receivers are likely to compile some strong numbers.

That would work well for wide receiver Devin Funchess, who hasn’t let sliding into the second round get in the way of setting his sights on receiving some hardware at the end of the year.

“The goal I’ve set for myself is to be Rookie of the Year,” Funchess said, via NFL Media.

While there’s nothing particularly notable about a player setting a big goal for themselves, it does provide an opportunity to survey the players who will be vying for the award this season. Funchess, Kevin White, Todd Gurley, Amari Cooper and the other top skill position rookies may find it difficult to wind up as the voter’s choice this year because of the presence of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

It’s a quarterback-driven league and the top two picks are almost certainly going to be starters from the first week of the season for teams that stand a good chance at improving on their win total from last season. That’s going to make them tough to beat out, although a big first year for Funchess would be a big boost to any team goals in Carolina this year.

 

[Superman55]

Marcus Mariota confirms no pre-draft contact with Browns; Will they regret it?


BEREA, Ohio -- When Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota arrived at the Browns facility Tuesday for a Play 60 event at the rookie symposium, it was the first time he had ever stepped on Cleveland Browns soil.

The Browns opted not to bring Mariota in for one of their allotted 30 pre-draft visits, and never flew out to Oregon to work him out privately despite having the ammunition to trade up for him, including two first-round picks.

Granted, their quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell spent several months preparing Mariota for the pre-draft process and even ran his Pro Day at Oregon, but it wasn't lost on the No. 2 overall pick that they showed no discernible interest in trading up from No. 12 for him.

"There was a lot of scenarios,'' Mariota said in between conducting drills for kids inside the Browns field house. "I never had any contact with the Browns. Um, so, yeah.''

Nothing more than them checking in at the NFL Combine and the considerable time spent with O'Connell?

"Nothing other than that,'' he said.

Question is, will the Browns regret not making a pitch for the for the former Heisman Trophy winner? Afterall, he's earning rave reviews in Tennessee and being groomed as the starter. Meanwhile, Johnny Manziel is not even expected to press Josh McCown for the starting job in training camp despite the fact he's got a year under his belt.

"(Mariota's) probably further along at this point than we thought he'd be, maybe,'' Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said at minicamp last week. "I think there is good reason to be really excited about him.''

Mariota's teammates have been equally impressed.

"I've seen him pick up on a whole lot so far — he grasped it so fast," Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright told the Tennessean last week. "Sometimes it's hard to tell he's a rookie out there because he's looked real good and crisp. He picked up the offense — everything they threw at him — and he just went out there and ran with it no problem."


Cleveland Browns Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving at NFL Rookie Symposium
The NFL is holding it’s four-day Rookie Symposium this week with first AFC players and then those from the NFC. Watch Cleveland Browns first-round draft picks Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving as they participate in a Play 60 football clinic in Berea and talk about what they have learned about being a responsible professional. Dave Andersen, Northeast Ohio Media Group
Seventh-year cornerback Jason McCourty has seen the potential from the defensive side.

"Not only has he been accurate, but he's also smart with his decisions," McCourty told the Tennessean. "When guys have been covered, he hasn't really forced the ball in there. His ability to run is going to help with that, too, because he doesn't really feel like he has to throw the ball if no one is open."

Mariota, a dual-threat quarterback like Manziel, refused to speculate on whether he'll have a promising rookie year like Minnesota's Teddy Bridgewater and Oakland's Derek Carr.

"For me, I don't really try to compare myself to other players,'' he said. "It's important that I have confidence in everything that I do. When it comes down to it I'll be excited. Whatever happens during training camp happens, but I'm going to do my best to prepare myself for the season.''

Mariota isn't even concerned about the critics who wonder if his skills will transfer to the NFL.

"Honestly other people's opinions don't bother me,'' he said. "I can't control that. All I can really do is focus on getting better and getting ready for the season.''

At the NFL annual meeting in March, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, a quarterback expert, stressed that Mariota and Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston - who will be in Berea for the NFC Play 60 event on Friday -- will need to play to their strengths to have success early on. But Mariota isn't worrying about that either.

"I'm doing my best to learn the offense,'' he said. "Whatever they implement, whatever they bring in, I'm doing my best to prepare for it and learn.''

Mariota knows Manziel from the Manning Passing Academy and from being fellow Heisman Trophy winners.

"My interactions with him have been great,'' Mariota said. "He's a good guy. I think he's doing what it takes to prepare himself for hopefully a good season.''

There will be at least one major difference between Mariota and Manziel in their rookies seasons: Mariota understands how hard he'll have to work between now and the start of training camp. Manziel, on the other hand, blew his opportunity to come in and try to beat out Brian Hoyer for the starting job last year.

"(I) just (need to) eliminate distractions,'' he said. "These next six weeks are important. You've got to be able to continue to prepare, continue to build the mental preparation and when training camp comes around be physically ready to go.''

What's more, he won't be seen living it up on twitter and Instagram.

"Obviously you've got to be smart with what you're doing on social media,'' Mariota said. "I don't participate in social media. I think social media provides an opportunity for people to get insight into what you're doing. But for me, I like to keep stuff private.''

Mariota headed into the NFL grateful for all that O'Connell taught him before the NFL combine in February.

"He did a great job for me,'' said Mariota. "He provided the information I needed to hopefully make my transition a little easier, and he helped me with my three-, five-, seven-step drops. He did a great job.''

Only time will tell if the Browns made a mistake on not pairing the two.

 

[Superman55]

Sammie Coates plans to show Steelers he's all-around receiver in training camp
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Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Senior NFL Writer
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CLEVELAND -- Caught up with wide receiver Sammie Coates at the NFL Rookie Symposium, where he said he has done everything possible in offseason workouts to show he belongs in the NFL.


Despite the Steelers' depth at receiver, Sammie Coates is ready to contribute as a rookie. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
Coates also recognizes the Steelers' deep stable of receivers, and he knows he has to perform every day. Coates will likely start the season behind Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton on the depth chart.

"You’ve got to showcase you can do everything they can do," Coates said.

Sounds like Coates doesn't plan to defer to anyone, though that doesn't mean he'll press to make plays.

"You have to go there and be relaxed," Coates said. "You can’t think about all the plays. You have to make the plays that present themselves to you."

Coates is labeled as a deep threat who might need time to master the nuances of an NFL system. The Steelers' offense has Coates excited because it can display his range, he says. He won't be limited to deep balls.

The way Coates explains Todd Haley's system, receivers must be solid at every position. In offseason workouts, Coates never knew where he was lining up until the play was called.

"I’m just trying to do everything I can to showcase I'm an all around guy who can play anywhere," Coates said.

As for the receiving group in Pittsburgh, the Steelers will have "one of the nicest" in the league, Coates said.

"It's going to be fun to watch us play this year," he said.

 

[Golden Rott]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/bruce_arthur/status/614247193982046208[/TWEET]

Kid came out of South Alabama -- was thought to be a potential late round pick, but went undrafted and signed in CFL. In for Montreal due to injury to 1st 2 QBs.

Game is on ESPN2

 

[sg3]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/bruce_arthur/status/614247193982046208[/TWEET]

Kid came out of South Alabama -- was thought to be a potential late round pick, but went undrafted and signed in CFL. In for Montreal due to injury to 1st 2 QBs.

Game is on ESPN2

Looks like the perfect landing spot for Geno after he gets waived by the Jets in August

 

[Superman55]

Looks like the perfect landing spot for Geno after he gets waived by the Jets in August

I have a deal for you. If that happens, I will never post on this board ever again. if it doesn't happen, how about you never post on this board ever again...deal? Want to bet? I will give the mods every IP address needed to ensure I never return...work, work cell, personal cell, and personal cpu...

Want to bet? all chips are on the table.

 

[Superman55]

Melvin Gordon - RB - Chargers
Chargers first-round RB Melvin Gordon was "as good as advertised" during offseason workouts.
Per ESPN Chargers reporter Eric Williams, Gordon was a "quick study" and "better than expected" in the passing game. He was spotted getting to work at 5 a.m. and on weekends. Chargers RBs coach Ollie Wilson was also pleased with what he saw, especially in pass protection. "He’s been able to handle that kind of stuff, and really go through," Wilson said. Gordon will be the clear leader of a backfield that will incorporate Danny Woodhead on passing downs.


Vic Beasley - DL - Falcons
Rookie Falcons RE Vic Beasley believes he can be an every-down player.
Most projections have Beasley operating as a situational pass rusher as a rookie. "I think I'm an every-down player," Beasley said. "I think that's just motivation for me to go out there and prove that I can be an every-down player." A freak athlete, Beasley certainly has the upside to develop into an every-down asset, but that's unlikely to be the "Leo" rusher's role as a first-year player.


Todd Gurley - RB - Rams
Todd Gurley (ACL surgery) is hopeful of participating in Rams training camp, at least on a limited basis.
"That is definitely a goal that I'm shooting for," Gurley said at the NFL Rookie Symposium. "Just to be able to get out there and do at least some individual stuff. It's looking pretty realistic. This month I'll be in St. Louis rehabbing, so hopefully I can aim for (camp)." Gurley's status for Week 1 is still uncertain. He remains likely to open camp on the active/PUP list.



Jameis Winston - QB - Buccaneers
Bucs OC Dirk Koetter expects there to be "growing pains" with Jameis Winston.
"In a perfect world as a coach, you really want to feel like you have control over knowing exactly what this guy is going to do. We don't have that with Jameis right now," Koetter said. "Jameis does some things above and beyond what you would ask him. And then he does a couple of things where you go, why did you just do that?" Winston’s aggressive tendencies led to a high turnover rate during his sophomore season at Florida State. The Bucs want him to get better at making reads and looking off defenders. Winston remains an intriguing fantasy QB2.

 

[sg3]

I have a deal for you. If that happens, I will never post on this board ever again. if it doesn't happen, how about you never post on this board ever again...deal? Want to bet? I will give the mods every IP address needed to ensure I never return...work, work cell, personal cell, and personal cpu...

Want to bet? all chips are on the table.

Sorry, no longer taking your bait. Go fight with the other 14 posters you are in battle with or at least those you haven't chased out of here already

 

[Superman55]

Sorry, no longer taking your bait. Go fight with the other 14 posters you are in battle with or at least those you haven't chased out of here already

Not surprising...not man enough to stand behind your posts...shocking.

 

[sg3]

As I said, I'll let the mods handle the shit stirring, namecalling, attacks and insults you add to this otherwise terrific forum.

Have a good life

 

[Superman55]

Randy Gregory - DL - Cowboys
Cowboys second-round DE Randy Gregory has been studying tape of former Cardinals and Bucs DE Simeon Rice.
Rice is 17th on the all-time NFL sack leaders list with 122 and was probably one of the more underrated pass rushers of his era. Cowboys DC Rod Marinelli coached Rice in Tampa Bay and hopes to turn Gregory into his next stud edge presence. Gregory has also been watching film of Jason Taylor. "They’re real athletic," Gregory said. "I’m gonna take the things that coach Marinelli preaches and get off the ball. I’m trying to get off the ball as much as I can."

 

[Football51]

let's cut out the nonsense .......... we don't want another thread derailed.

 

[Golden Rott]

Could be an option for us at Tackle in the upcoming supplemental draft:

http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Eagles haven't drafted an offensive linemen in two years. The Giants spent the 9th pick in this past draft on a tackle, but could they use another? And the Jets always seem to be looking for help up front.

Enter Isaiah Battle, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound tackle from Clemson, who has declared for the NFL's Supplemental Draft which will be held July 9.

Battle is the big name and could see a team give up a 2016 draft pick to acquire him. The last player taken in a supplemental draft was wide receiver Josh Gordon by the Cleveland Browns in 2012.

The question is will Battle be taken by the Eagles, Jets or Giants. The Eagles have Jason Peters, who is 33, and Lane Johnson at tackle, but very little depth. Same goes for the Jets, who have D'Brickshaw Ferguson, 31, at left tackle. The Giants drafted Ereck Flowers in the first round, and have Will Beatty out with a torn pectoral muscle.

"I'll be surprised if he's not taken,'' said a personnel executive for a NFC team, who added he hears Atlanta is the most interested. "He's worth a shot, for sure. It's just a matter of how much is he worth to you.''

The way the supplemental draft works is each team submits a pick to the league office, or passes. The team that puts in the highest pick gets the player. If, for instance two teams — say the Jets and Eagles — both put in a fourth-round pick the Jets would get the player because they had a higher selection in the past draft.

Battle played 27 games at Clemson and started 16. He's played both left and right tackle, but is viewed as a left tackle.

"He's got good range, moves well for a big man,'' an AFC scout said. "He just needs to get stronger, both in the upper body and lower body. You watch his games last year and he was a lot better at the end of the season than he was at the beginning. There's some upside there.

"Now, if you're looking for a guy to come in and start right away, I don't know that. But if you're OK with him for a year, maybe two, you might have something really good.''

 

[Superman55]

Bears rookie Kevin White can’t get his hands on a dinner tab

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 1, 2015, 7:16 AM EDT
Kevin White
AP
Being a first-round pick in the NFL draft means you’re rich.

And Bears wide receiver Kevin White is finding out that can save him some money.

The eighth overall pick said during an NFL Network interview that there were benefits he didn’t expect with his new status and $16.5 million contract.

“The most surprising thing that’s happen to me this far is going out to eat for free,” White said. “I didn’t expect this restaurant to give it to me for free. I gave them my card, and they said ‘it’s on us.’ So that was a good feeling.”

We’re also guessing the service he got at Chez Quis was better than Abe Froman received, though you have to wonder whether Jay Cutler’s still picking up tabs there.

 

[Superman55]

Vikings rookie defensive end Hunter molding 'raw' talent
By Master Tesfatsion JUNE 30, 2015 — 2:06PM
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When people speak about Danielle Hunter, including us here on this blog, the first word to describe the defensive end is typically “raw”.

He was a two-year starter at LSU, starting 23 of the 38 games he played in. When you watched how Hunter played, it’s clear there’s still plenty he has to learn and it’s not necessarily his fault. Hunter was just doing what the LSU coaching staff told him to do. Plus, he was very young in college.

While it’s extremely difficult to gauge how players in the trenches look during OTAs and minicamp without pads, you can observe technique. Hands and feet are two vital elements along the defensive line, and Hunter appears to be on the right track in those areas so far.

“He has outstanding skills and it’s just how fast he can progress from there,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said. “I’ve seen him progress throughout these 13 days we’ve had, and he still a very young guy. He was a junior coming out, but I like a lot of things he does and he’s a great kid.”

It helps when your arms measured at 34 ¼ inches at the NFL Combine. Hunter, listed at 6-5 and 252 pounds, is hard to miss when lined up on the defensive line. It’s a unit that had interior depth with the emergence of defensive tackles Sharrif Floyd, Shamar Stephen and Tom Johnson over the course of last season. Now, the Vikings hope to bring depth at defensive end as well with the addition of Hunter.

“We always like size, especially up font, in the front seven,” defensive coordinator George Edwards said. “You don’t have to be down in the box as much with the safety, so from that aspect of it, we do like the size we have up front the length is a big thing especially with the quarterback having to throw over them versus the pass.”

We’ll find out more on how the Vikings plan to use Hunter during training camp, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll have a “redshirt” season like Scott Crichton did last year. Hunter was able to work with the team during OTAs, whereas Crichton couldn’t participate until Oregon State wrapped up its quarters.

If Hunter’s already making progress with his technique before training camp, and he retains it over the next month, it’ll help this “raw” prospect during his first NFL training camp.

 

[Superman55]

Derek Carr says Amari Cooper looks so good, it’s ridiculous

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 1, 2015, 5:40 AM EDT
cd0ymzcznguwzdbhnduynddiytjhm2yyzthlmtjjotqwyyznptexnty1otk3mzu1mduznme4mdq5ymizmdfimde5yjc3
AP
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr says rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper is even better than advertised.

Carr said on 95.7 The Game that Cooper, whom the Raiders drafted out of Alabama with the fourth overall pick, has looked even better than expected through two months of offseason work.

“He is ridiculous in and out of his breaks,” said Carr. “His style of play is perfect for this league. He’s good at getting on toes and creating separation. He’s good at when the ball is in his hands making those fast-twitch movements to make a guy go one way so he can take it to the house. It’s just little things that honestly people don’t even notice.”

Although Carr and Cooper have only been teammates since late April, they’ve already spent a lot of time working together. Carr said he and Cooper are developing a rapport through extra work beyond the team’s minicamp and Organized Team Activities.

“His work ethic is second to none,” Carr said. “I was throwing with him as soon as mini-camp was over so we can get more reps in, and our plan was to throw a couple more times, but he texted me that night. He said, ‘hey, let’s throw at least three more times. I need to get this one route right.’ Just him telling me that kind of stuff, it blew my mind.”

In Carr and Cooper, the Raiders may have a couple of big pieces in place, for years to come.

 

[raideraholic]

Tight end Clive Walford is the only other player as impressive as Cooper on the offensive side of the ball during OTAs. Teammates, coaches and writers have been awestruck by his skill set and size. Twitter was buzzing with good things to say about the Raider's third-round pick:

As much as I love Amari Cooper. Clive Walford is potentially the key to the Raiders offensive revival.

— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) May 15, 2015


Follow
Vic Tafur ✔@VicTafur
Ponder said rookie tight end Clive Walford “has really stood out. Big guy, catches ball well and is faster than I thought he would be.”
4:43 PM - 26 May 2015

Follow
Jason Leskiw @LeskiwSFBay
One takeaway after the second OTA session open to the media: Clive Walford may have a very big rookie season.
7:20 PM - 26 May 2015

 

[NickSINYC]

Bears rookie Kevin White can’t get his hands on a dinner tab

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 1, 2015, 7:16 AM EDT
Kevin White
AP
Being a first-round pick in the NFL draft means you’re rich.

And Bears wide receiver Kevin White is finding out that can save him some money.

The eighth overall pick said during an NFL Network interview that there were benefits he didn’t expect with his new status and $16.5 million contract.

“The most surprising thing that’s happen to me this far is going out to eat for free,” White said. “I didn’t expect this restaurant to give it to me for free. I gave them my card, and they said ‘it’s on us.’ So that was a good feeling.”

We’re also guessing the service he got at Chez Quis was better than Abe Froman received, though you have to wonder whether Jay Cutler’s still picking up tabs there.

I hope upon getting a free meal from the restaurant he realized he should leave an extra special tip for the staff and not think that was comped also.