League announces more draft limitations … Just a couple of days after NFL teams were informed that there would in effect be no scouting combine this winter, the league has added a number of other restrictions that are going to complicate the pre-draft testing process. In particular, teams will not be allowed to conduct any timing or physical… Read More »
Lions agree to explore Stafford trade; draft implications … In a story just breaking this evening, league sources are reporting that Detroit has agreed to explore trade opportunities for long-time starting QB Matt Stafford. According to the report, Stafford approached the team after the season end suggested that a trade might be in the interest of both parties.… Read More »
Some surprises in NFL.COM analyst 1st mock … We don’t usually link to mock drafts from other draft analysts, but we do pay attention when people like Daniel Jeremiah, the NFL Network’s top draft analyst, post a projection. It’s doubtful that Jeremiah is any smarter or more insightful than the next guy, but as the NFL Network’s prime… Read More »
NFL releases official of underclassmen in 2021 draft … As promised the NFL released the final list of underclassmen who have been granted eligibility to the 2021 draft earlier today. The NFL’s final list includes 131 players – the same number as on our unofficial listing – and includes 98 juniors and redshirt sophomores who have been out… Read More »
NFC East full of surprises; 49ers in line for 3rd minority comp pick … It was a day of surprises in the beleagured NFC East today as both Washington and Philadelphia made somewhat unexpected major hires. Washington, for example, has reportedly agreed on terms to hire San Francisco personnel exec Martin Mayhew as the No-names new G.M. Its… Read More »
Jags confirm Baalke is as GM … Jacksonville has formally announced that interim G.M. Trent Baalke is now their full-time general manager. Baalke had been in the interim role since late November when former G.M. Dave Caldwell was fired. Baalke had originally joined the Jaguars earkier in 2020 when he was hired as director of player personnel. Baalke… Read More »
Big Board tweaked … For those that haven’t noticed it yet, but the GBN Big Board has been updated to reflect some trends that we’re picking up from around the league. Perhaps the most noticeable move is that Northwestern G/T Rashawn Slater now appears to be in the top ten on a growing number of boards around the… Read More »
Window closing on underclassmen looking to back out of draft … The deadline for underclassmen who filed paperwork with the NFL in order to be eligible to enter the 2021 draft, but wish to withdraw their applications have until the end of business on Thursday to do so as as long as they haven’t signed with an agent… Read More »
Watson drama, with draft implications continues to unfold in Houston … There is a growing sense around the NFL that the relationship between Houston and star QB DeShaun Watson may be beyond repair. While Watson claims he has yet to request a trade, he is known to be very upset with the Texans over the process they used… Read More »
Deadline passes with two Bucks in, one out … Updated: The deadline for underclassmen to apply for early entry to the 2021 draft passed earlier today with, as far we can tell, only one new name added to the list. That was Ohio State junior DT Tommy Togiai. In fact, the only other real news this afternoon was… Read More »
Combine format ‘altered’; essentially cancelled … The NFL circulated a memo earlier today which outlined what they described as changes to the annual combine, but which in effect cancel it and replace it with other related activities. Certainly, we won’t have 330 future prospects showing up in Indianapolis for four days of medical and physical testing. In particular,… Read More »
Buckeyes’ Fields confirms draft entry … There weren’t many folks in football anywhere who had any real doubts, but Ohio State junior QB Justin Fields confirmed this morning that he will in fact be entering the 2021 draft where he projects to be one of the first 4-5 picks off the board. Underclassmen technically have until 4 PM… Read More »
Falcons sign coach, G.M.; Saints get comp picks … Atlanta completed its front office restructuring over the weekend by hiring Arthur Smith as head coach and Terry Fontenot as the team’s new general manager. Smith had been Tennessee’s offensive co-ordinator the past couple of seasons, while Fontenot was a longtime front-office exec with the Falcons’ division rival New… Read More »
Decision day for college underclassmen … The deadline for underclassmen to file paperwork with the NFL in order to be eligible to enter the 2021 draft comes up at 4 PM ET later this afternoon. However, most of the top names have already declared their intentions for this year’s draft. Indeed, about the only top prospect yet to… Read More »
Browns, Ravens, Saints to pick 26th thru 28th … As a result of today’s playoff games, three more picks have been settled in the 2021 opening round selection order. Cleveland will have the 26th pick overall, while Baltimore will have the 27th selection and New Orleans #28. Here is the full, updated opening round selection order. Note that… Read More »
Buckeyes lose C; retain LT … The NFL is still waiting for an official confirmation from Ohio State junior QB Justin Fields on whether he in fact will be entering the 2021 draft, although one has to search high and low to find anyone who genuinely expects him to say no to the NFL. In fact, Fields is… Read More »
Giants Reports: Sunday morning draft 101 interview … Okay, so it’s not a real interview, but there are in fact ‘just’ 101 days until the 2021 draft as we speak and while there is still a lot of sorting out to do between now and April 28th, this year’s draft class is really starting to come into focus.… Read More »
Jags to pick 25th … As a result of today’s NFC conference semi-final in which Green Bay eliminated the LA Rams from the post-season, Jacksonville will have the 25th pick in the opening round of the 2021 draft. The Jaguars acquired the pick from the Rams in that trade for CB Jalen Ramsey last year.
Two more enter draft … A couple more juniors announced over the past 24 hours that they were entering the 2021 draft including Indiana RB Stevie Smith and Auburn SS Jamien Sherwood. The 220-pound Sherwood is considered to be a late second-day prospect, while the 230-pound Smith, who ran for almost 600 yards and 10 scores for the… Read More »
Bucks’ CB Wade enters draft … After dithering somewhat this week about whether to stay or go, Ohio State CB Shaun Wade confirmed this morning that he will indeed be foregoing his remaining college eligibility and entering the upcoming NFL draft. Wade originally opted out of the season and declared for the draft back in September when the… Read More »
Rams, Niners get comp picks for exec signings … Lost in the spate of G.M. and coaching signings over the past couple of days is the fact that the LA Rams and San Francisco became the first teams to acquire compensatory 3rd round picks in both 2021 and 2022 as a result of the NFL’s new minority hiring… Read More »
Jets land 49ers Saleh … Another major coaching domino has fallen this evening as the NY Jets announced that they have a deal in principle with Robert Saleh to be their next head coach. This comes just hours after Jacksonville confirmed that former Ohio State coaching legend Urban Meyer was taking the coaching reins of the Jaguars. Saleh… Read More »
Clemson WR Ross to return … Clemson WR Justyn Ross announced via twitter this evening that he will be returning to school for the 2021 season. Prior to this season the 6-4 Ross was projected as a potential top 10 prospect for the upcoming draft, but ultimately did not play at all after having off-season surgery to correct… Read More »
Jags get their guy; confirm hiring coach Meyer … After a day spent crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s, Jacksonville has confirmed that they have hired former Ohio State and Florida coach Urban Meyer to replace Doug Marrone as the Jaguars’ head coach. Meyer takes over a team that won just one game this past season, but… Read More »
And then there were 5 … Junior MLB Dylan Moses became the 5th Alabama underclassmen to announce today that he would be entering the 2021 draft joining QB Mac Jones, CB Patrick Surtain, WR Jaylen Waddle, and DT Christian Barmore who declared earlier this afternoon. Moses had once been considered to be almost a lock to be selected… Read More »
