After about 7 months of waiting, the college football season is back. It's been a long wait for it, but it looks like it's all going to be worth it. The off-season was exciting (thanks to stories like John Harbaugh's antics in the South and QB battles at schools like Notre Dame and Alabama), but it has nothing on the drama and intrigue of the real season.
Of course, along with the college football season comes the Heisman Trophy, the single-most prestigious trophy awarded to an individual athlete. It may be too early to already pick a Heisman favorite, but what's the fun in waiting. Our weekly Heisman watch will kick off with our Top 10 contenders and some honorable mentions. Let's get started.
There are plenty of honorable mentions to give out, but we'll highlight a few: QB Brad Kaaya of Miami (Fl), Josh Rosen of UCLA, and whoever the starting QB of Notre Dame is. With that being said, let's get to our list.
10. Greg Ward Jr., Houston- This may seem like an odd pick, but Ward really has the skills to pull off this upset. He passed for over 2,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. However, he'll need to lead his team to a victory over Oklahoma in Week 1 in order to win the Heisman.
9. Royce Freeman, Oregon- The Oregon running back had a great season last year, but was overshadowed by other backs (like Christian McCaffrey and Ezekiel Elliot). Now, he's poised to have a real breakout year.
8. Chad Kelly, Ole Miss- This might seem like another odd pick, but Kelly and Ole Miss had a great season last year, topped off by Kelly throwing for more than 4,000 yards. He's currently the best quarterback in the SEC and if he keeps winning, he'll stay in the Heisman conversation.
7. Seth Russell, Baylor- Russell had limited playing time last year, but he shone whenever he did. Quarterbacks have always done well in Baylor's system (like Robert Griffin III), so everything is set up for Russell to succeed.
6. Nick Chubb, Georgia- Chubb was looking fantastic last season before suffering a terrible season-ending injury. Now that he's completely healthy, look for him to run rampant all over opposing defenses.
5. Dalvin Cook, Florida St- Cook might have been a little under-the-radar last season, but he still had a great year. In total, he rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns. If FSU does well this year, Cook will have a lot to do with it.
4. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma- Mayfield was one of last season's biggest breakout stars and Oklahoma ended up making the College Football Playoffs. If Oklahoma does well again this season, Mayfield will definitely be a Heisman finalist.
3. Deshaun Watson, Clemson- Watson is easily one of the biggest preseason favorites. Not only did he play in the national title game last year, but he was a Heisman finalist. There's a very good chance he can do the same thing again this year.
2. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford- Last year, McCaffrey broke Barry Sanders's single-season all-purpose yards record, and it was good enough to have him finish second in the Heisman voting. If he has a season anything like that again, he'll be a lock for New York.
1. Leonard Fournette, LSU- By the midway point of last season, Fournette was easily the Heisman leader. Unfortunately, he had a string of bad games that essentially derailed his candidacy. This year however, could be the season that Fournette goes the distance.
Thanks for reading everyone.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016
6 NFL Teams who had Great Offseasons and 4 who Didn'tt
The NFL offseason is one of the most exciting off-seasons in all of sports. With free-agency, trades, the combine, draft, and more, it's a very expecting time to be a football fan. Now that the draft is over, the off-season is over. There's nothing really left to do but wait for training camp this summer. Since the off-season is now over, we can look back and look at it as a whole. Although we can't fully and realistically grade it until after a few years when we see how everything turns out, we're going to do our best now. We're going to identify six teams that had a great off-season and four who didn't. Let's get started.
Great
6. Tennessee Titans- The biggest part of their success came from trading their #1 overall draft pick to Los Angeles for a bunch of other picks. Their biggest pick came at #8 (the Rams' original spot): T Jack Conklin. This was a great pick, as he was the best offensive-linemen still on the board (Ronnie Stanley was already drafted and Laremy Tunsil's character issues sent him sliding) and the Titans need to protect Marcus Mariota (who was injured last season), the man they see as their franchise QB. They also got defensive end Kevin Dodd from Clemson, who's got all the physical attributes to be a playmaker in the NFL, and Heisman winner Derrick Henry, who will give a much-needed spark to their run game.
They also resigned TE Delanie Walker, who was a big target for Mariota last season and one of the league's best. On top of that, they also signed WR Rishard Matthews (giving Mariota a new target), traded for RB DeMarco Murray (who should do better than he did last season with the Eagles), and got QB Matt Cassel (who will be a good backup in case Mariota goes down again).
All in all, a very productive offseason for the Titans. They won't be contending for the playoffs next season, but this is definitely a move in the right direction.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- The Bucs flew under-the-radar a bit, but they still made a splash. Their defense was the real issue last season, so they focused on it in the draft. With a crop headlined by Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence, this is a solid draft class. Spence is a Round 1 talent but dropped because of character issues. Hargreaves meanwhile, has top ten talent. The 'Bucs also got kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round. While this move was subject to a lot of internet ridicule, Aguayo is an elite kicker in a league that now features longer extra points.
Their biggest free-agent move was resigning elite RB Doug Martin. They also further addressed their defense by adding CB Brent Grimes, who's an elite corner despite having some baggage (his wife), and DE Robert Ayers, who had a great season last year in New York. TB also picked up Seattle guard J.R. Sweezy.
The 'Bucs play in a tough division (Carolina, New Orleans, and Atlanta), so don't expect them to chase the division crown next year. Nonetheless, they did get a lot better this offseason. They should be making the playoffs within a few years.
4. Houston Texans- Yet another AFC South team to come out of the offseason stronger, the Texans added a bunch of offensive firepower in their quest to retain the division crown next season. After all, it was their defense (thanks to guys like J.J. Watt, Jonathan Joseph, Brian Cushing, and Vince Wilfork) that led them to the playoffs. The Texans had very little stability at the QB position last year, but they remedied that by landing one of the biggest free-agent targets: QB Brock Osweiler. They also got Lamar Miller, who was very productive for the Dolphins over the last few seasons. He should make up for losing Arian Foster (who was injured for most of last season anyways).
At the draft, Houston loaded up even more on offense. They used their first-round pick to trade up and get Notre Dame's Will Fuller. The Texans already have an elite WR1 in DeAndre Hopkins, but Fuller is a speedster who is great with the deep-ball. He and Osweiler should work well together. The Texans also drafted Fuller's teammate Nick Martin (one of the top ten o-linemen in the draft) and the incredibly athletic Braxton Miller.
By making significant improvements to their offense, the Texans have to be the favorites to win the AFC South next year.
3. Baltimore Ravens- Like Tampa, Baltimore quietly had a very good offseason. They used the sixth pick in the draft to get Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley, something that will hopefully help them forget about Kelechi Osmele. They also drafted the talented back Kenneth Dixon and Navy's Keenan Reynolds, someone who should make big plays and will be an upstanding guy in the locker room.
Along with Osmele, the Ravens also said goodbye to safety Will Hill. However, signing Eric Weddle away from SD is an upgrade. They also kept elite kicker Justin Tucker and receiver Kamar Aiken, who brokeout last season. They also added Mike Wallace from Minnesota and TE Ben Watson, who brokeout last season with the Saints.
As good as that all is, possibly the best news for Ravens fans is that Joe Flacco is coming back. Their franchise QB and former Super Bowl MVP missed a lot of playing time last year and having Jimmy Clausen just wasn't the same. With Flacco back, expect the Ravens to push for the playoffs.
2. Oakland Raiders- The Raiders had a fantastic offseason, starting with free agency. They signed Kelechi Osmele away from Baltimore. This is a huge coup, as Osmele is one of the league's best guards and is only 27. They also signed Seattle's Bruce Irwin, which should help the defense. Though the Raiders lost the legendary Charles Woodson to retirement, they signed safety Reggie Nelson and Sean Smith from the Chiefs, so the secondary looks strong. They also resigned Marquette King (one of the league's best punters) and OT Donald Penn, a very reliable player.
The Raiders further stocked up on their secondary options by drafting West Virginia safety Karl Joseph in the first round. They also drafted Shilique Calhoun from MSU (which will help ease the sting of Justin Tuck's retirement) and Calhoun's teammate Connor Cook. The Raiders already have a franchise QB in Derek Carr, but Cook should prove to be a reliable backup.
Thanks to a great offseason, the Raiders are actually playoff contenders next season.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Indianapolis better be worried, as every single team in their division had a strong offseason. However, Jacksonville unarguably had the best offseason of any team in the league. It all started when they signed DE Malik Jackson (one of the biggest free-agency prizes) away from the defending Super Bowl champs. The Jags also resigned talented TE Mercedes Lewis. They then bolstered their secondary by acquiring S Tashaun Gipson (one of the few bright spots in Cleveland last season) and the talented Prince Amukamara. To top it off, they nabbed RB Chris Ivory, who had a great season last year in New York.
As good as they were in free agency, they were even better in the draft. In fact, any draft expert will tell you Jacksonville had the best draft of anyone. It started off with them taking Jalen Ramsey with the fifth pick overall. Then, in the second round, they took Myles Jack of UCLA. With that, they managed to score arguably the two best defensive talents in the entire draft. They also drafted Sheldon Day of Notre Dame, another man who can contribute to the defense.
All in all, a fantastic offseason for Jacksonville. The possible cherry on top: their first-round pick in 2015 (Donte Fowler Jr.) is ready to go after missing all of last season due to injury. We could see Jacksonville making the playoffs this year.
Not so Great
4. New England Patriots- The Pats were handicapped by not having a first-round draft pick, but they didn't make it up anywhere else. If you had to sum up their draft in one word, it would be "disappointing". Their biggest pick was QB Jacoby Brissett at 91, a pick that makes absolutely no sense. Yes, Brady has been suspended for four games, but that's what Jimmy Garoppolo is there for. Brissett could have been picked up later, the 91 pick would have been better used getting a weapon for Brady. A lack of receivers was an issue last season, and while Malcolm Mitchell is talented (they got him with pick #112), he's not enough.
New England also failed to make a splash in free agency. The only notable FA they signed were Chris Long (who's past his prime) and Terrance Knighton (who actually may help). On top of that: nothing. They even lost WR Brandon LaFell to Cincy, contributing to their WR problems.
New England's obviously gunning for the Super Bowl, and they are contenders. However, there are teams talented than them, and they should have used this offseason to get better. Instead, they sat on their hands.
3. San Francisco 49ers- The 'Niners hired Chip Kelly (fresh off a contentious stint in Philly) as their new HC. While that move may ultimately work out, it's hard to see it as a huge positive right now. Their biggest offseason story revolved around QB Colin Kaepernick. It looks like Kap is their QB of the future, but things are not exactly off to a hot start. In free agency, San Fran was pretty much a dud. The only real star they got was Zane Beadles, a guard from Jacksonville.
The team also had trouble making an impact in the draft. The only real star they got was Oregon's DeForest Buckner, a defensive star. They traded up for a late first-round pick and essentially wasted it on G Joshua Garnett of Stanford. There were much better targets (including offensive-linemen) available, so this made absolutely no sense.
The 49ers will not be anywhere near the playoffs this season, especially since they play in a division with Arizona and Seattle. This offseason should have been a good step on the path to rebuilding, but it looks like their engine has stalled.
2. Seattle Seahawks- It all started going downhill when Marshawn Lynch, one of the league's true elite running backs, decided to retire. While Thomas Rawls proved himself a capable back last season, he's fairly unproven and has still not fully taken over Lynch's role. They did draft Notre Dame's C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins from Arkansas, so that should help a little bit. Unlike San Fran and NE, they actually had a decent draft. Their first-round pick (Germain Ifedi of Texas A&M) should start while Jarran Reed of Alabama will make an impact on the defense.
However, Seattle struggled in free agency. None of their new signings are worth talking about, and they lost two members of the o-line: J.R. Sweezy and Russell Okung. They also lost defender Brandon Mebane to San Diego.
The 'Hawks should have spent their offseason trying to make up the ground between them and Carolina (and Arizona), but they ultimately failed to make a huge impact.
1. Denver Broncos- Ask any football expert, and odds are they'll say Denver had one of the worst offseasons in the entire league. Their issues revolved around the QB position. Thanks to Peyton Manning retiring and Brock Osweiler signing with Houston, the Broncos had Mark Sanchez as their starter. No offense to Sanchez, but come on. They also lost key defenders Danny Trevathan and Malik Jackson & guard Evan Mathis. They did get Russell Okung from Seattle, but made no other impactful free-agent signings.
The Broncos did draft Memphis QB Paxton Lynch in the first round, and he should be the starter. However, Lynch is unproven and it remains to be seen whether or not he will succeed in the NFL. The only other standout pick was Ute back Devontae Booker, who was a Heisman contender last season. He should be a good backup for C.J. Anderson.
The Broncos really have their work cut out for them defending their title, and this offseason really highlighted that.
Thanks for reading everyone.
Great
6. Tennessee Titans- The biggest part of their success came from trading their #1 overall draft pick to Los Angeles for a bunch of other picks. Their biggest pick came at #8 (the Rams' original spot): T Jack Conklin. This was a great pick, as he was the best offensive-linemen still on the board (Ronnie Stanley was already drafted and Laremy Tunsil's character issues sent him sliding) and the Titans need to protect Marcus Mariota (who was injured last season), the man they see as their franchise QB. They also got defensive end Kevin Dodd from Clemson, who's got all the physical attributes to be a playmaker in the NFL, and Heisman winner Derrick Henry, who will give a much-needed spark to their run game.
They also resigned TE Delanie Walker, who was a big target for Mariota last season and one of the league's best. On top of that, they also signed WR Rishard Matthews (giving Mariota a new target), traded for RB DeMarco Murray (who should do better than he did last season with the Eagles), and got QB Matt Cassel (who will be a good backup in case Mariota goes down again).
All in all, a very productive offseason for the Titans. They won't be contending for the playoffs next season, but this is definitely a move in the right direction.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- The Bucs flew under-the-radar a bit, but they still made a splash. Their defense was the real issue last season, so they focused on it in the draft. With a crop headlined by Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence, this is a solid draft class. Spence is a Round 1 talent but dropped because of character issues. Hargreaves meanwhile, has top ten talent. The 'Bucs also got kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round. While this move was subject to a lot of internet ridicule, Aguayo is an elite kicker in a league that now features longer extra points.
Their biggest free-agent move was resigning elite RB Doug Martin. They also further addressed their defense by adding CB Brent Grimes, who's an elite corner despite having some baggage (his wife), and DE Robert Ayers, who had a great season last year in New York. TB also picked up Seattle guard J.R. Sweezy.
The 'Bucs play in a tough division (Carolina, New Orleans, and Atlanta), so don't expect them to chase the division crown next year. Nonetheless, they did get a lot better this offseason. They should be making the playoffs within a few years.
4. Houston Texans- Yet another AFC South team to come out of the offseason stronger, the Texans added a bunch of offensive firepower in their quest to retain the division crown next season. After all, it was their defense (thanks to guys like J.J. Watt, Jonathan Joseph, Brian Cushing, and Vince Wilfork) that led them to the playoffs. The Texans had very little stability at the QB position last year, but they remedied that by landing one of the biggest free-agent targets: QB Brock Osweiler. They also got Lamar Miller, who was very productive for the Dolphins over the last few seasons. He should make up for losing Arian Foster (who was injured for most of last season anyways).
At the draft, Houston loaded up even more on offense. They used their first-round pick to trade up and get Notre Dame's Will Fuller. The Texans already have an elite WR1 in DeAndre Hopkins, but Fuller is a speedster who is great with the deep-ball. He and Osweiler should work well together. The Texans also drafted Fuller's teammate Nick Martin (one of the top ten o-linemen in the draft) and the incredibly athletic Braxton Miller.
By making significant improvements to their offense, the Texans have to be the favorites to win the AFC South next year.
3. Baltimore Ravens- Like Tampa, Baltimore quietly had a very good offseason. They used the sixth pick in the draft to get Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley, something that will hopefully help them forget about Kelechi Osmele. They also drafted the talented back Kenneth Dixon and Navy's Keenan Reynolds, someone who should make big plays and will be an upstanding guy in the locker room.
Along with Osmele, the Ravens also said goodbye to safety Will Hill. However, signing Eric Weddle away from SD is an upgrade. They also kept elite kicker Justin Tucker and receiver Kamar Aiken, who brokeout last season. They also added Mike Wallace from Minnesota and TE Ben Watson, who brokeout last season with the Saints.
As good as that all is, possibly the best news for Ravens fans is that Joe Flacco is coming back. Their franchise QB and former Super Bowl MVP missed a lot of playing time last year and having Jimmy Clausen just wasn't the same. With Flacco back, expect the Ravens to push for the playoffs.
2. Oakland Raiders- The Raiders had a fantastic offseason, starting with free agency. They signed Kelechi Osmele away from Baltimore. This is a huge coup, as Osmele is one of the league's best guards and is only 27. They also signed Seattle's Bruce Irwin, which should help the defense. Though the Raiders lost the legendary Charles Woodson to retirement, they signed safety Reggie Nelson and Sean Smith from the Chiefs, so the secondary looks strong. They also resigned Marquette King (one of the league's best punters) and OT Donald Penn, a very reliable player.
The Raiders further stocked up on their secondary options by drafting West Virginia safety Karl Joseph in the first round. They also drafted Shilique Calhoun from MSU (which will help ease the sting of Justin Tuck's retirement) and Calhoun's teammate Connor Cook. The Raiders already have a franchise QB in Derek Carr, but Cook should prove to be a reliable backup.
Thanks to a great offseason, the Raiders are actually playoff contenders next season.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Indianapolis better be worried, as every single team in their division had a strong offseason. However, Jacksonville unarguably had the best offseason of any team in the league. It all started when they signed DE Malik Jackson (one of the biggest free-agency prizes) away from the defending Super Bowl champs. The Jags also resigned talented TE Mercedes Lewis. They then bolstered their secondary by acquiring S Tashaun Gipson (one of the few bright spots in Cleveland last season) and the talented Prince Amukamara. To top it off, they nabbed RB Chris Ivory, who had a great season last year in New York.
As good as they were in free agency, they were even better in the draft. In fact, any draft expert will tell you Jacksonville had the best draft of anyone. It started off with them taking Jalen Ramsey with the fifth pick overall. Then, in the second round, they took Myles Jack of UCLA. With that, they managed to score arguably the two best defensive talents in the entire draft. They also drafted Sheldon Day of Notre Dame, another man who can contribute to the defense.
All in all, a fantastic offseason for Jacksonville. The possible cherry on top: their first-round pick in 2015 (Donte Fowler Jr.) is ready to go after missing all of last season due to injury. We could see Jacksonville making the playoffs this year.
Not so Great
4. New England Patriots- The Pats were handicapped by not having a first-round draft pick, but they didn't make it up anywhere else. If you had to sum up their draft in one word, it would be "disappointing". Their biggest pick was QB Jacoby Brissett at 91, a pick that makes absolutely no sense. Yes, Brady has been suspended for four games, but that's what Jimmy Garoppolo is there for. Brissett could have been picked up later, the 91 pick would have been better used getting a weapon for Brady. A lack of receivers was an issue last season, and while Malcolm Mitchell is talented (they got him with pick #112), he's not enough.
New England also failed to make a splash in free agency. The only notable FA they signed were Chris Long (who's past his prime) and Terrance Knighton (who actually may help). On top of that: nothing. They even lost WR Brandon LaFell to Cincy, contributing to their WR problems.
New England's obviously gunning for the Super Bowl, and they are contenders. However, there are teams talented than them, and they should have used this offseason to get better. Instead, they sat on their hands.
3. San Francisco 49ers- The 'Niners hired Chip Kelly (fresh off a contentious stint in Philly) as their new HC. While that move may ultimately work out, it's hard to see it as a huge positive right now. Their biggest offseason story revolved around QB Colin Kaepernick. It looks like Kap is their QB of the future, but things are not exactly off to a hot start. In free agency, San Fran was pretty much a dud. The only real star they got was Zane Beadles, a guard from Jacksonville.
The team also had trouble making an impact in the draft. The only real star they got was Oregon's DeForest Buckner, a defensive star. They traded up for a late first-round pick and essentially wasted it on G Joshua Garnett of Stanford. There were much better targets (including offensive-linemen) available, so this made absolutely no sense.
The 49ers will not be anywhere near the playoffs this season, especially since they play in a division with Arizona and Seattle. This offseason should have been a good step on the path to rebuilding, but it looks like their engine has stalled.
2. Seattle Seahawks- It all started going downhill when Marshawn Lynch, one of the league's true elite running backs, decided to retire. While Thomas Rawls proved himself a capable back last season, he's fairly unproven and has still not fully taken over Lynch's role. They did draft Notre Dame's C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins from Arkansas, so that should help a little bit. Unlike San Fran and NE, they actually had a decent draft. Their first-round pick (Germain Ifedi of Texas A&M) should start while Jarran Reed of Alabama will make an impact on the defense.
However, Seattle struggled in free agency. None of their new signings are worth talking about, and they lost two members of the o-line: J.R. Sweezy and Russell Okung. They also lost defender Brandon Mebane to San Diego.
The 'Hawks should have spent their offseason trying to make up the ground between them and Carolina (and Arizona), but they ultimately failed to make a huge impact.
1. Denver Broncos- Ask any football expert, and odds are they'll say Denver had one of the worst offseasons in the entire league. Their issues revolved around the QB position. Thanks to Peyton Manning retiring and Brock Osweiler signing with Houston, the Broncos had Mark Sanchez as their starter. No offense to Sanchez, but come on. They also lost key defenders Danny Trevathan and Malik Jackson & guard Evan Mathis. They did get Russell Okung from Seattle, but made no other impactful free-agent signings.
The Broncos did draft Memphis QB Paxton Lynch in the first round, and he should be the starter. However, Lynch is unproven and it remains to be seen whether or not he will succeed in the NFL. The only other standout pick was Ute back Devontae Booker, who was a Heisman contender last season. He should be a good backup for C.J. Anderson.
The Broncos really have their work cut out for them defending their title, and this offseason really highlighted that.
Thanks for reading everyone.
Monday, May 2, 2016
45 Great Picks from the Last 2 Days of the 2016 NFL Draft
We already did a pick-by-pick analysis of the first round, but there's much more going on in the next six rounds. After all, much more players are taken in those rounds and they have plenty of star potential. Current NFL stars who were drafted in Days 2 and 3 include Tom Brady, Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Travis Kelce, DeSean Jackson, Golden Tate, Josh Norman, Tyrann Matthieu, and Kawann Short. Out of all the players drafted in Rounds 2-7 this year, there are definitely some future Hall of Famers and Super Bowl winners. In this article we'll look at 30 picks that we here at The Sports Examiner loved. Let's get started.
45. New Orleans Saints: Michael Thomas, WR (Ohio State): Rd. 2, Pick 16 (Overall: 47)- Thomas was a big play-maker for the Buckeyes and will be a good target for Drew Brees.
44. New York Jets: Christian Hackenberg, QB (Penn St.): Rd. 2, Pick 20, Overall (51): The Jets have yet to resign Ryan Fitzpatrick, so drafting a QB seems like a smart move. Hackenberg is a great player who should be a successful slinger for NYJ.
43. Cleveland Browns: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE (Clemson): Rd. 2, Pick 1 (Overall: 32)- Getting Ogbah significantly helps the Browns' pass-rushing efforts, something that is important in a division with Big Ben, Andy Dalton, and Joe Flacco.
42. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Billings, NT (Baylor): Rd. 4, Pick 24 (Overall: 122)- The Bengals are a pretty stacked team, so they went for one of the best guys still on the board. Billings should learn a lot working with Geno Atkins.
41. Houston Texans (from Atlanta): Nick Martin, OG (Notre Dame): Rd. 2, Pick 19 (Overall: 50)- Though his older brother Zack is a better talent, Martin will help protect Brock Osweiler and create room for Lamar Miller.
40. Washington Redskins: Su'a Cravens, OLB (USC): Rd. 2, Pick 22 (Overall: 53)- As I said in the previous post, the main issue the Redskins had to address was their defense. Getting a playmaker like Cravens helps to address that.
39. New York Giants: Sterling Shephard, WR (Oklahoma): Rd. 2, Pick 9 (Overall: 40)- I would rather the Giants picked up a defensive player, but having another playmaker on your offense (along with Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz) certainly doesn't hurt.
38. Buffalo Bills (compensatory selection): Cardale Jones, QB (Ohio State): Rd. 4, Pick 41 (Overall: 139)- The Bills seem to have found their franchise QB in Tyrod Taylor, but having a man who knows how to win as your backup doesn't hurt. Jones has what it takes to be a franchise QB in this league, maybe even in Buffalo.
37. San Diego Chargers: Hunter Henry, TE (Arkansas): Rd. 2, Pick 4 (Overall: 35)- Henry was the best TE of this class and gives Phillip Rivers another target. A double-TE lineup with Antonio Gates could reap huge dividends for SD.
36. Kansas City Chiefs (from Tampa Bay): KeiVarae Russell, CB (Notre Dame): Rd. 3, Pick 11 (Overall: 74)- Russell is a sneaky-good corner who was a big reason Notre Dame did so well last season. The Chiefs should be in the playoff hunt this year, so Russell should get some invaluable playing-time and experience.
35. Detroit Lions: A'Shawn Robinson, DT (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 15 (Overall: 46)- The Lions' defensive line has not been the same since losing Ndamkong Suh, so this was a very smart pick.
34. Baltimore Ravens: Keenan Reynolds, RB (Navy): Rd. 6, Pick 7 (Overall: 182)- I love this pick. Reynolds had one of the best collegiate careers of all-time and this pick allows him to stay in-state.
33. New Orleans Saints (from New England via Arizona): Vonn Bell, FS (Ohio State): Rd. 2, Pick 30 (Overall: 61)- Like I said in the previous post, NO had a weak defense last year, so picking Bell was a good move. The former Buckeye could start at the beginning of the season.
32. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Boyd, WR (Pittsburgh): Rd. 2, Pick 24 (Overall: 55)- I like this move. The Bengals lost Marvin Jones to the Lions, so there is room for Boyd here. Working with A.J. Green (unarguably one of the best receivers in the league) also helps Boyd. The former Panther could become an important cog in a team looking to win the Super Bowl.
31. Chicago Bears (from Seattle): Cody Whitehair, OG (Kansas St.): Rd. 2 Pick 25 (Overall: 56)- Whitehair was one of the best o-linemen in the draft and it feels a need for the Bears, so this is a good pick.
30. Denver Broncos (compensatory selection); Devontae Booker, RB (Utah): Rd. 4, Pick 38 (Overall: 136)- The Broncos have C.J. Anderson, but Booker is a great back who runs hard, so the Broncos' offense will not suffer whenever Anderson is taking a break on the sidelines.
29. Los Angeles Rams (from Chicago via Buffalo): Pharoh Cooper, WR (South Carolina): Rd. 4, Pick 19 (Overall: 117)- If Jared Goff is to succeed in L.A., he's going to need weapons. He already has Tavon Austin and Todd Gurley, but adding another one only helps him.
28. Cleveland Browns (from Oakland): Ricardo Louis, WR (Auburn): Rd. 4, Pick 16 (Overall: 114)- Louis is most famous for his miracle catch against Georgia in 2013 and he's another deep-ball threat (along with Corey Coleman) for RG3.
27. Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection): Dak Prescott, QB (Mississippi St.): Rd. 4, Pick 37 (Overall: 135)- After Tony Romo went down last season, the 'Boys struggled with Matt Cassel. If that should happen again this season, Dallas might have a better shot with Prescott.
26. Green Bay Packers (from Indianapolis): Jason Spriggs, T (Indiana): Rd. 2, Pick 17 (Overall: 48)- Eddie Lacy didn't have the fantastic season last year as many expected him to have, so adding a top-notch offensive linemen (and one many expected to go in the first round) should help.
25. Cleveland Browns (from Miami via New England): Scooby Wright III, ILB (Arizona); Rd. 7, Pick 29 (Overall 250)- If you look up the word "steal" in the dictionary, you'll find this pick. Wright is an incredibly talented and athletic linebacker who could make a real impact in Ohio.
24. Washington Redskins: Keith Marshall, RB (Georgia); Rd. 7, Pick 21 (Overall 240)- Most of the Georgia rushing game in the last few years has centered around Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb (and rightfully so), but Marshall is also a capable back that might be able to help the 'Skins forget about Alfred Morris.
23. New York Giants: Paul Perkins, RB (UCLA): Rd. 5, Pick 10 (Overall: 149)- The Giants have a great passing game (thanks to guys like Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.), but their rushing game is not as great. Having a guy like Perkins who is a bruiser and runs hard can change that.
22. Oakland Raiders: Shilique Calhoun, DE (Michigan State): Rd. 3, Pick 12 (Overall: 75)- Calhoun made a name for himself in the Big 10 as a ferocious pass-rusher and he should make an impact in Nor Cal.
21. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Drango, OG (Baylor): Rd. 5, Pick 31 (Overall: 168)- The Browns need plenty of help rebuilding, so adding a top-tier talent certainly helps.
20. Detroit Lions: Jake Rudock, QB (Michigan): Rd. 5, Pick 16 (Overall: 191)- The Lions need a backup QB for Matthew Stafford, so might as well get a good, in-state QB.
19. Chicago Bears: Jordan Howard, RB (Indiana): Rd. 5, Pick 111 (Overall: 150)- The Bears lost their elite RB Matt Forte, so there is a big opportunity for Howard to shine.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Mackensie Alexander, CB (Clemson): Rd. 2, Pick: 23 (Overall: 54)- Alexander has first-round potential, so getting him in the second round is a steal.
17. San Diego Chargers: Max Tuerk, C (USC): Rd. 3, Pick 3 (Overall: 66)- The Chargers' run-game was disappointing last season (especially Melvin Gordon) so getting the second-best center in the draft is a smart move.
16. Cleveland Browns (compensatory selection): Rashard Higgins, WR (Colorado State): Rd. 5, Pick 35 (Overall: 172)- Higgins was once considered one of the best receivers in the nation and he should be one of the front-runners for Cleveland's breakout star next year.
15. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Prosise, RB (Notre Dame): Rd. 3, Pick 27 (Overall: 90)- It looks like Thomas Rawls will be the starting rusher for Seattle next year, but Prosise (who was a Heisman contender last year) will be more than a competent backup.
14. Cleveland Browns (from Carolina): Cody Kessler, QB (USC): Rd. 3, Pick 91 (Overall: 93)- Kessler played well at USC. He probably won't get the chance to start in Cleveland, but he should be more than a serviceable back-up.
13. Seattle Seahawks (compensatory selection): Alex Collins, RB (Arkansas): Rd. 5, Pick 134 (Overall: 171)- See #13 (except for the Heisman contender part).
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sheldon Day, DT (Notre Dame); Rd. 4, Pick 5 (Overall: 103)- Day was a big part of ND's disruptive defensive-line last year. Jacksonville has a lot of young defensive talent, including Day, Jalen Ramsey, and Donte Fowler Jr.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (from Seattle): Kevin Hogan, QB (Stanford): Rd. 5, Pick 125 (Overall: 162)- Hogan is the most successful Stanford QB ever (and that includes guys like John Elway and Andrew Luck). He has all the tools to be a franchise QB and will learn a lot from Alex Smith and Andy Reid. I think he fits perfectly into KC's offensive scheme.
10. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Malcolm Mitchell, WR (Georgia): Rd. 4, Pick 14 (Overall: 112)- It's no secret that the Pats have had receiver issues in recent years, so adding the underrated Mitchell is smart.
9. Buffalo Bills (from Chicago): Reggie Ragland, ILB (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 10 (Overall: 41)- Buffalo's defense was surprisingly disappointing last season, so getting Ragland may be that spark they need.
8. Miami Dolphins: Kenyan Drake, RB (Alabama): Rd. 3, Pick 10 (Overall: 73)- The Dolphins lost Lamar Miller, and Drake can be the man to fill that hole. He's a great back with lots of potential.
7. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry, RB (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 14 (Overall: 45)- The Heisman winner from last season should run like crazy in Tennessee, especially now that Jack Conklin is there. The o-line still needs work, but Henry should be productive next year.
6. Houston Texans: Braxton Miller, WR (Ohio State): Rd. 3, Pick 22 (Overall: 85)- Miller is a phenomenal athlete who's only been playing WR for a season. Expect Bill O'Brien to tap into Miller's potential.
5. Tennessee Titans, Kevin Dodd, DE (Clemson): Rd. 2, Pick 2 (Overall: 33)- Dodd is an impressive physical specimen who can really transform Tennesse's lackluster defense.
4. Seattle Seahawks (from Chicago via Buffalo): Jarran Reed, DT (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 18 (Overall: 49)- Reed is a guy who many believe should have gone in the first round, so this is a steal for Pete Carroll and the 'Hawks.
3. Oakland Raiders (from Cleveland via Philadelphia via Tennessee): Connor Cook, QB (Michigan State)- The Raiders have their franchise QB in Derek Carr, but having Cook gives them a competent back-up. The fact that Cook fell all the way to Day 3 is a shock.
2. Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith, OLB (Notre Dame): Rd. 2, Pick 3 (Overall: 34)- One of the best picks in the entire draft. Not only did it create an intensely emotional moment, but it was a super smart pick. If he wasn't injured, Smith would probably be a top five pick. Though he will not be playing next season, he should be good to go for 2017, a time where Dallas wants to be a Super Bowl contender. This was a smart future pick
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, OLB (UCLA): Rd. 2, Pick 5 (Overall: 36)- Arguably the best pick in the entire draft. Jack is one of the best athletes in the entire draft and would probably be a top five pick if it weren't for his knee issues. He can play next year and will be a vital part of a young but talented team (that includes guys like Jalen Ramsey, Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Donte Fowler Jr, and Allen Hurns) looking for a playoff spot.
How did your team do in the draft? Comment and let me know.
45. New Orleans Saints: Michael Thomas, WR (Ohio State): Rd. 2, Pick 16 (Overall: 47)- Thomas was a big play-maker for the Buckeyes and will be a good target for Drew Brees.
44. New York Jets: Christian Hackenberg, QB (Penn St.): Rd. 2, Pick 20, Overall (51): The Jets have yet to resign Ryan Fitzpatrick, so drafting a QB seems like a smart move. Hackenberg is a great player who should be a successful slinger for NYJ.
43. Cleveland Browns: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE (Clemson): Rd. 2, Pick 1 (Overall: 32)- Getting Ogbah significantly helps the Browns' pass-rushing efforts, something that is important in a division with Big Ben, Andy Dalton, and Joe Flacco.
42. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Billings, NT (Baylor): Rd. 4, Pick 24 (Overall: 122)- The Bengals are a pretty stacked team, so they went for one of the best guys still on the board. Billings should learn a lot working with Geno Atkins.
41. Houston Texans (from Atlanta): Nick Martin, OG (Notre Dame): Rd. 2, Pick 19 (Overall: 50)- Though his older brother Zack is a better talent, Martin will help protect Brock Osweiler and create room for Lamar Miller.
40. Washington Redskins: Su'a Cravens, OLB (USC): Rd. 2, Pick 22 (Overall: 53)- As I said in the previous post, the main issue the Redskins had to address was their defense. Getting a playmaker like Cravens helps to address that.
39. New York Giants: Sterling Shephard, WR (Oklahoma): Rd. 2, Pick 9 (Overall: 40)- I would rather the Giants picked up a defensive player, but having another playmaker on your offense (along with Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz) certainly doesn't hurt.
38. Buffalo Bills (compensatory selection): Cardale Jones, QB (Ohio State): Rd. 4, Pick 41 (Overall: 139)- The Bills seem to have found their franchise QB in Tyrod Taylor, but having a man who knows how to win as your backup doesn't hurt. Jones has what it takes to be a franchise QB in this league, maybe even in Buffalo.
37. San Diego Chargers: Hunter Henry, TE (Arkansas): Rd. 2, Pick 4 (Overall: 35)- Henry was the best TE of this class and gives Phillip Rivers another target. A double-TE lineup with Antonio Gates could reap huge dividends for SD.
36. Kansas City Chiefs (from Tampa Bay): KeiVarae Russell, CB (Notre Dame): Rd. 3, Pick 11 (Overall: 74)- Russell is a sneaky-good corner who was a big reason Notre Dame did so well last season. The Chiefs should be in the playoff hunt this year, so Russell should get some invaluable playing-time and experience.
35. Detroit Lions: A'Shawn Robinson, DT (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 15 (Overall: 46)- The Lions' defensive line has not been the same since losing Ndamkong Suh, so this was a very smart pick.
34. Baltimore Ravens: Keenan Reynolds, RB (Navy): Rd. 6, Pick 7 (Overall: 182)- I love this pick. Reynolds had one of the best collegiate careers of all-time and this pick allows him to stay in-state.
33. New Orleans Saints (from New England via Arizona): Vonn Bell, FS (Ohio State): Rd. 2, Pick 30 (Overall: 61)- Like I said in the previous post, NO had a weak defense last year, so picking Bell was a good move. The former Buckeye could start at the beginning of the season.
32. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Boyd, WR (Pittsburgh): Rd. 2, Pick 24 (Overall: 55)- I like this move. The Bengals lost Marvin Jones to the Lions, so there is room for Boyd here. Working with A.J. Green (unarguably one of the best receivers in the league) also helps Boyd. The former Panther could become an important cog in a team looking to win the Super Bowl.
31. Chicago Bears (from Seattle): Cody Whitehair, OG (Kansas St.): Rd. 2 Pick 25 (Overall: 56)- Whitehair was one of the best o-linemen in the draft and it feels a need for the Bears, so this is a good pick.
30. Denver Broncos (compensatory selection); Devontae Booker, RB (Utah): Rd. 4, Pick 38 (Overall: 136)- The Broncos have C.J. Anderson, but Booker is a great back who runs hard, so the Broncos' offense will not suffer whenever Anderson is taking a break on the sidelines.
29. Los Angeles Rams (from Chicago via Buffalo): Pharoh Cooper, WR (South Carolina): Rd. 4, Pick 19 (Overall: 117)- If Jared Goff is to succeed in L.A., he's going to need weapons. He already has Tavon Austin and Todd Gurley, but adding another one only helps him.
28. Cleveland Browns (from Oakland): Ricardo Louis, WR (Auburn): Rd. 4, Pick 16 (Overall: 114)- Louis is most famous for his miracle catch against Georgia in 2013 and he's another deep-ball threat (along with Corey Coleman) for RG3.
27. Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection): Dak Prescott, QB (Mississippi St.): Rd. 4, Pick 37 (Overall: 135)- After Tony Romo went down last season, the 'Boys struggled with Matt Cassel. If that should happen again this season, Dallas might have a better shot with Prescott.
26. Green Bay Packers (from Indianapolis): Jason Spriggs, T (Indiana): Rd. 2, Pick 17 (Overall: 48)- Eddie Lacy didn't have the fantastic season last year as many expected him to have, so adding a top-notch offensive linemen (and one many expected to go in the first round) should help.
25. Cleveland Browns (from Miami via New England): Scooby Wright III, ILB (Arizona); Rd. 7, Pick 29 (Overall 250)- If you look up the word "steal" in the dictionary, you'll find this pick. Wright is an incredibly talented and athletic linebacker who could make a real impact in Ohio.
24. Washington Redskins: Keith Marshall, RB (Georgia); Rd. 7, Pick 21 (Overall 240)- Most of the Georgia rushing game in the last few years has centered around Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb (and rightfully so), but Marshall is also a capable back that might be able to help the 'Skins forget about Alfred Morris.
23. New York Giants: Paul Perkins, RB (UCLA): Rd. 5, Pick 10 (Overall: 149)- The Giants have a great passing game (thanks to guys like Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.), but their rushing game is not as great. Having a guy like Perkins who is a bruiser and runs hard can change that.
22. Oakland Raiders: Shilique Calhoun, DE (Michigan State): Rd. 3, Pick 12 (Overall: 75)- Calhoun made a name for himself in the Big 10 as a ferocious pass-rusher and he should make an impact in Nor Cal.
21. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Drango, OG (Baylor): Rd. 5, Pick 31 (Overall: 168)- The Browns need plenty of help rebuilding, so adding a top-tier talent certainly helps.
20. Detroit Lions: Jake Rudock, QB (Michigan): Rd. 5, Pick 16 (Overall: 191)- The Lions need a backup QB for Matthew Stafford, so might as well get a good, in-state QB.
19. Chicago Bears: Jordan Howard, RB (Indiana): Rd. 5, Pick 111 (Overall: 150)- The Bears lost their elite RB Matt Forte, so there is a big opportunity for Howard to shine.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Mackensie Alexander, CB (Clemson): Rd. 2, Pick: 23 (Overall: 54)- Alexander has first-round potential, so getting him in the second round is a steal.
17. San Diego Chargers: Max Tuerk, C (USC): Rd. 3, Pick 3 (Overall: 66)- The Chargers' run-game was disappointing last season (especially Melvin Gordon) so getting the second-best center in the draft is a smart move.
16. Cleveland Browns (compensatory selection): Rashard Higgins, WR (Colorado State): Rd. 5, Pick 35 (Overall: 172)- Higgins was once considered one of the best receivers in the nation and he should be one of the front-runners for Cleveland's breakout star next year.
15. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Prosise, RB (Notre Dame): Rd. 3, Pick 27 (Overall: 90)- It looks like Thomas Rawls will be the starting rusher for Seattle next year, but Prosise (who was a Heisman contender last year) will be more than a competent backup.
14. Cleveland Browns (from Carolina): Cody Kessler, QB (USC): Rd. 3, Pick 91 (Overall: 93)- Kessler played well at USC. He probably won't get the chance to start in Cleveland, but he should be more than a serviceable back-up.
13. Seattle Seahawks (compensatory selection): Alex Collins, RB (Arkansas): Rd. 5, Pick 134 (Overall: 171)- See #13 (except for the Heisman contender part).
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sheldon Day, DT (Notre Dame); Rd. 4, Pick 5 (Overall: 103)- Day was a big part of ND's disruptive defensive-line last year. Jacksonville has a lot of young defensive talent, including Day, Jalen Ramsey, and Donte Fowler Jr.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (from Seattle): Kevin Hogan, QB (Stanford): Rd. 5, Pick 125 (Overall: 162)- Hogan is the most successful Stanford QB ever (and that includes guys like John Elway and Andrew Luck). He has all the tools to be a franchise QB and will learn a lot from Alex Smith and Andy Reid. I think he fits perfectly into KC's offensive scheme.
10. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Malcolm Mitchell, WR (Georgia): Rd. 4, Pick 14 (Overall: 112)- It's no secret that the Pats have had receiver issues in recent years, so adding the underrated Mitchell is smart.
9. Buffalo Bills (from Chicago): Reggie Ragland, ILB (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 10 (Overall: 41)- Buffalo's defense was surprisingly disappointing last season, so getting Ragland may be that spark they need.
8. Miami Dolphins: Kenyan Drake, RB (Alabama): Rd. 3, Pick 10 (Overall: 73)- The Dolphins lost Lamar Miller, and Drake can be the man to fill that hole. He's a great back with lots of potential.
7. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry, RB (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 14 (Overall: 45)- The Heisman winner from last season should run like crazy in Tennessee, especially now that Jack Conklin is there. The o-line still needs work, but Henry should be productive next year.
6. Houston Texans: Braxton Miller, WR (Ohio State): Rd. 3, Pick 22 (Overall: 85)- Miller is a phenomenal athlete who's only been playing WR for a season. Expect Bill O'Brien to tap into Miller's potential.
5. Tennessee Titans, Kevin Dodd, DE (Clemson): Rd. 2, Pick 2 (Overall: 33)- Dodd is an impressive physical specimen who can really transform Tennesse's lackluster defense.
4. Seattle Seahawks (from Chicago via Buffalo): Jarran Reed, DT (Alabama): Rd. 2, Pick 18 (Overall: 49)- Reed is a guy who many believe should have gone in the first round, so this is a steal for Pete Carroll and the 'Hawks.
3. Oakland Raiders (from Cleveland via Philadelphia via Tennessee): Connor Cook, QB (Michigan State)- The Raiders have their franchise QB in Derek Carr, but having Cook gives them a competent back-up. The fact that Cook fell all the way to Day 3 is a shock.
2. Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith, OLB (Notre Dame): Rd. 2, Pick 3 (Overall: 34)- One of the best picks in the entire draft. Not only did it create an intensely emotional moment, but it was a super smart pick. If he wasn't injured, Smith would probably be a top five pick. Though he will not be playing next season, he should be good to go for 2017, a time where Dallas wants to be a Super Bowl contender. This was a smart future pick
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, OLB (UCLA): Rd. 2, Pick 5 (Overall: 36)- Arguably the best pick in the entire draft. Jack is one of the best athletes in the entire draft and would probably be a top five pick if it weren't for his knee issues. He can play next year and will be a vital part of a young but talented team (that includes guys like Jalen Ramsey, Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Donte Fowler Jr, and Allen Hurns) looking for a playoff spot.
How did your team do in the draft? Comment and let me know.
Friday, April 29, 2016
A Quick Take on Each Pick in the 2016 NFL Draft 1st Round
I apologize for the long title, but I wanted to make it as specific as possible. Anyways, the draft is the biggest highlight of the NFL off-season. It is here that great careers are born and the fate of teams are forever changed. Think back to when the Indianapolis Colts drafted Peyton Manning #1 overall or when the Detroit Lions drafted Calvin Johnson with the second pick, ending their wide receiver curse.
This year's draft is filled with a ton of talented players, including Ohio State's Joey Bosa, Alabama's Derrick Henry, Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley, Memphis's Paxton Lynch, and Florida State's Jalen Ramsey. There were also plenty of surprises in the actual draft, which made things even more fun. In this article we'll take a quick look at each draft pick. Let's get started.
1. Los Angeles Rams (from Tennessee): Jared Goff, QB (Cal)- The Rams traded up to get Goff and it looks like this will certainly work out. The Rams are in need for a QB and Goff was the best out of this year's draft class. Having guys like Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin will certainly help him adjust to the NFL.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cleveland): Carson Wentz, QB (North Dakota State)- Goff may be the best QB in the draft, but Wentz is not far behind. He may not start right away, but watching Sam Bradford play should get him acclimated.
3. San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE/OLB (Ohio State)- At the beginning of the college football season, I thought Bosa was the best player in the game. His stock had fallen a little since then, but not by much. Everyone expected the Chargers to take Tunsil here (more on that later), but Bosa should help improve the lackluster SD D.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliot, RB (Ohio State)- This is one of my favorite picks from the entire draft. Elliot is an elite back that can really help out the 'Boys. The only time in the last six years Dallas made the playoffs was two years ago when a certain DeMarco Murray was running rampant. This could be the key to get Dallas back in playoff conversation.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey, DB (Florida State)- This pick makes a lot of sense: Ramsey is one of the best defensive players in the draft while Jacksonville has one of the weakest defenses in the league. Expect Ramsey to be a star over the coming seasons.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, OT (Notre Dame)- GM Ozzie Newsome said they had Stanley higher on their board than they did Tunsil, which is debatable. but the pick makes sense. Stanley is one of the best talents in this draft and will help protect Joe Flacco.
7. San Francisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner, DE (Oregon)- The 'Niners need a QB, but this was way too early to get Lynch or anyone else. Meanwhile, Buckner is a defensive force that will give Russell Wilson and Carson Palmer fits.
8. Tennessee Titans (from Miami via Eagles and Browns): Jack Conklin, T (Michigan State)- The Titans traded away their #1 overall pick but traded up to get Conklin. I think this was a little early to get Conklin, but it makes a lot of sense for the Titans. Tennessee is hoping that Marcus Mariota (who was injured last season) is their franchise QB and they need to protect him. Having Conklin also helps Murray and the ground game (which was pretty weak last year).
9. Chicago Bears (from Tampa Bay): Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB (Georgia)- Trading up to get Floyd was a smart move, as he probably would have been off the board two picks later. Floyd is an impact defense player that can certainly help the Bears.
10. New York Giants: Eli Apple, CB (Ohio State)- The fourth Buckeye to be taken in the draft is a very talented player that will definitely help a weak Giants D. This was a bit of a surprise pick as well, but as we've seen, that's what you can expect from the draft.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Chicago): Vernon Hargreaves III, CB (Florida)- Thanks to guys like Jameis Winston, Doug Martin, and Mike Evans, the offense in Tampa is much stronger than the defense. Hargreaves III will also benefit from having veteran CB Brent Grimes playing alongside him.
12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT (Louisville)- The defense was the real problem in NO last year and adding Rankins should help alleviate that. Rankins was arguably the best pass-rusher left on the board, so this was a very smart pick.
13. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia): Laremy Tunsil, T (Ole Miss)- Just about a month ago, everyone was sure Tunsil was going #1. Since then however, he's been plagued with off-the-field issues, including getting money from an Ole Miss coach and having a video surface of him smoking weed through a gas mask. Nonetheless, Tunsil has endless potential and this can be considered one of the biggest steals of the round.
14. Oakland Raiders: Karl Joseph, S (West Virginia)- The Raiders lost Charles Woodson, one of the all-time greats, to retirement this season. While Joseph is nowhere close to the level of Woodson, he's got a ton of potential.
15. Cleveland Browns (from Los Angeles via Tennessee): Corey Coleman, WR (Baylor)- I was a little surprised by this pick, as Laquon Treadwell was the best receiver of this class. Still, Coleman is very talented and should hook up often with fellow Baylor alumni RG3. Coleman will also help the Browns forget about Travis Benjamin and Josh Gordon.
16. Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio State)- Some expected the Lions to take a receiver to help fill the void left by a retiring Calvin Johnson, but the signing of Marvin Jones helped with that. Getting Decker will help protect Matthew Stafford and create room for sophomore Ameer Abdullah, so this was a pretty smart pick.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Keanu Neal, S (Florida)- Somewhat of a surprise pick, but it makes sense. Head coach Dan Quinn is a defensive strategist, after all. Besides, Atlanta has plenty of weapons on offense, including Matt Ryan, Tevin Coleman, and Julio Jones, so a defensive player makes sense.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Kelly, C (Alabama)- The biggest concern for Indy is protecting Andrew Luck, who spent a lot of last season on the sidelines. Getting an offensive linemen also helps the Colts' run game, which was pretty weak last season. Kelly won the Rimmington Award for Best Center last year, so you know he's an elite player.
19. Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, DE (Clemson)- Many expected Lawson's teammate Kevin Dodd to go ahead of Lawson, but the Bills snapped up the former Clemson star. Lawson is a fantastic pass-rusher that can completely disrupt an offense. Lawson also helps the Bills forget about Mario Williams.
20. New York Jets: Darron Lee, LB (Ohio State): Many expected the Jets to take a quarterback, as the Ryan Fitzpatrick situation is not getting any better. Lee however, is a talented player that will help the Jets D. Besides, HC Todd Bowles is a defensive-minded coach.
21. Houston Texans (from Washington): Will Fuller, WR (Notre Dame): I absolutely love this pick. The Texans have an elite defense (thanks to guys like JJ Watt and Jonathan Joseph), so an offensive player makes sense. Fuller was the fastest WR in the class and is an incredible deep-ball threat. The Texans already have an elite-WR#1 in DeAndre Hopkins so having Fuller mixes things up and gives Brock Osweiler another target.
22. Washington Redskins (from Houston): Josh Doctson, WR (TCU): After Houston traded up to pick up Fuller, Washington got a receiver of their own. Doctson is a stellar player that will give Kirk Cousins another target besides DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Jordan Reed. I would have preferred Washington help out their suspect defense, but signing Josh Norman before the draft certainly helps.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell, WR (Ole Miss): I love this pick. As I said before, Treadwell was the best WR of this class. The Vikings had trouble with the passing game last season, so adding Treadwell gives Teddy Bridgewater a receiver to pair with Stefon Diggs.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: William Jackson III, CB (Houston): I don't love this pick, as the Bengals already have Dre Kirkpatrick, Leon Hall, and Adam Jones. Still, having Jackson only helps in a division with Big Ben and Joe Flacco.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Artie Burns, CB (Miami, Fl.)- The pass defense was the weakest thing about the Steelers last year, so this was a smart pick. At 6 feet and 193 pounds, Burns has the potential to defend guys like A.J. Green.
26. Denver Broncos (from Seattle): Paxton Lynch, QB (Memphis): Wow. It looks like John Elway has passed over Colin Kaepernick, Mark Sanchez, and Blake Bortles in favor of the former college standout. Lynch is a great player that should help the Broncos try and defend their championship. It's likely he will play a more reserved role, as Peyton Manning did last season.
27. Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark, DL (UCLA): The Packers needed a player to fill the void left by B.J. Raji's retirement. The Packers are looking for another deep run in the playoffs this year and adding Clark will help.
28. San Francisco 49ers: Joshua Garnett, G (Stanford)- After getting Buckner earlier in the day, San Fran picks up Garnett, who played an important part in Christian McCaffrey's incredible season last year. Adding Garnett will help RB Carlos Hyde and whoever the QB is (probably Colin Kaepernick).
29. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Nkemdiche, DL (Ole Miss)- Although there are plenty of red flags concerning his off-the-field activity, Nkemdiche is vastly talented that will help a team looking for a Super Bowl. Nkemdiche will also benefit from playing alongside Calais Campbell.
30. Carolina Panthers, Vernon Butler, DT (Virginia Tech)- There wasn't a glaring issue for the defending NFC Champions to address, so they took a guy who was likely at the top of their draft board. Butler is a monster (6'4" and 323 pounds) that will fit in nicely with a defense that includes guys like Kawaan Short and Luke Kuechly.
31. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Germain Ifedi, OL (Texas A&M)- To close out the first round, the Seahawks picked up one of the best offensive linemen left on the board. The 'Hawks needed one to help Thomas Rawls and fill the void left by Russell Okung,
Thanks for reading everyone. Check back Sunday to see an article about the other six rounds of the draft.
This year's draft is filled with a ton of talented players, including Ohio State's Joey Bosa, Alabama's Derrick Henry, Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley, Memphis's Paxton Lynch, and Florida State's Jalen Ramsey. There were also plenty of surprises in the actual draft, which made things even more fun. In this article we'll take a quick look at each draft pick. Let's get started.
1. Los Angeles Rams (from Tennessee): Jared Goff, QB (Cal)- The Rams traded up to get Goff and it looks like this will certainly work out. The Rams are in need for a QB and Goff was the best out of this year's draft class. Having guys like Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin will certainly help him adjust to the NFL.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cleveland): Carson Wentz, QB (North Dakota State)- Goff may be the best QB in the draft, but Wentz is not far behind. He may not start right away, but watching Sam Bradford play should get him acclimated.
3. San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE/OLB (Ohio State)- At the beginning of the college football season, I thought Bosa was the best player in the game. His stock had fallen a little since then, but not by much. Everyone expected the Chargers to take Tunsil here (more on that later), but Bosa should help improve the lackluster SD D.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliot, RB (Ohio State)- This is one of my favorite picks from the entire draft. Elliot is an elite back that can really help out the 'Boys. The only time in the last six years Dallas made the playoffs was two years ago when a certain DeMarco Murray was running rampant. This could be the key to get Dallas back in playoff conversation.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey, DB (Florida State)- This pick makes a lot of sense: Ramsey is one of the best defensive players in the draft while Jacksonville has one of the weakest defenses in the league. Expect Ramsey to be a star over the coming seasons.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, OT (Notre Dame)- GM Ozzie Newsome said they had Stanley higher on their board than they did Tunsil, which is debatable. but the pick makes sense. Stanley is one of the best talents in this draft and will help protect Joe Flacco.
7. San Francisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner, DE (Oregon)- The 'Niners need a QB, but this was way too early to get Lynch or anyone else. Meanwhile, Buckner is a defensive force that will give Russell Wilson and Carson Palmer fits.
8. Tennessee Titans (from Miami via Eagles and Browns): Jack Conklin, T (Michigan State)- The Titans traded away their #1 overall pick but traded up to get Conklin. I think this was a little early to get Conklin, but it makes a lot of sense for the Titans. Tennessee is hoping that Marcus Mariota (who was injured last season) is their franchise QB and they need to protect him. Having Conklin also helps Murray and the ground game (which was pretty weak last year).
9. Chicago Bears (from Tampa Bay): Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB (Georgia)- Trading up to get Floyd was a smart move, as he probably would have been off the board two picks later. Floyd is an impact defense player that can certainly help the Bears.
10. New York Giants: Eli Apple, CB (Ohio State)- The fourth Buckeye to be taken in the draft is a very talented player that will definitely help a weak Giants D. This was a bit of a surprise pick as well, but as we've seen, that's what you can expect from the draft.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Chicago): Vernon Hargreaves III, CB (Florida)- Thanks to guys like Jameis Winston, Doug Martin, and Mike Evans, the offense in Tampa is much stronger than the defense. Hargreaves III will also benefit from having veteran CB Brent Grimes playing alongside him.
12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT (Louisville)- The defense was the real problem in NO last year and adding Rankins should help alleviate that. Rankins was arguably the best pass-rusher left on the board, so this was a very smart pick.
13. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia): Laremy Tunsil, T (Ole Miss)- Just about a month ago, everyone was sure Tunsil was going #1. Since then however, he's been plagued with off-the-field issues, including getting money from an Ole Miss coach and having a video surface of him smoking weed through a gas mask. Nonetheless, Tunsil has endless potential and this can be considered one of the biggest steals of the round.
14. Oakland Raiders: Karl Joseph, S (West Virginia)- The Raiders lost Charles Woodson, one of the all-time greats, to retirement this season. While Joseph is nowhere close to the level of Woodson, he's got a ton of potential.
15. Cleveland Browns (from Los Angeles via Tennessee): Corey Coleman, WR (Baylor)- I was a little surprised by this pick, as Laquon Treadwell was the best receiver of this class. Still, Coleman is very talented and should hook up often with fellow Baylor alumni RG3. Coleman will also help the Browns forget about Travis Benjamin and Josh Gordon.
16. Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio State)- Some expected the Lions to take a receiver to help fill the void left by a retiring Calvin Johnson, but the signing of Marvin Jones helped with that. Getting Decker will help protect Matthew Stafford and create room for sophomore Ameer Abdullah, so this was a pretty smart pick.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Keanu Neal, S (Florida)- Somewhat of a surprise pick, but it makes sense. Head coach Dan Quinn is a defensive strategist, after all. Besides, Atlanta has plenty of weapons on offense, including Matt Ryan, Tevin Coleman, and Julio Jones, so a defensive player makes sense.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Kelly, C (Alabama)- The biggest concern for Indy is protecting Andrew Luck, who spent a lot of last season on the sidelines. Getting an offensive linemen also helps the Colts' run game, which was pretty weak last season. Kelly won the Rimmington Award for Best Center last year, so you know he's an elite player.
19. Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, DE (Clemson)- Many expected Lawson's teammate Kevin Dodd to go ahead of Lawson, but the Bills snapped up the former Clemson star. Lawson is a fantastic pass-rusher that can completely disrupt an offense. Lawson also helps the Bills forget about Mario Williams.
20. New York Jets: Darron Lee, LB (Ohio State): Many expected the Jets to take a quarterback, as the Ryan Fitzpatrick situation is not getting any better. Lee however, is a talented player that will help the Jets D. Besides, HC Todd Bowles is a defensive-minded coach.
21. Houston Texans (from Washington): Will Fuller, WR (Notre Dame): I absolutely love this pick. The Texans have an elite defense (thanks to guys like JJ Watt and Jonathan Joseph), so an offensive player makes sense. Fuller was the fastest WR in the class and is an incredible deep-ball threat. The Texans already have an elite-WR#1 in DeAndre Hopkins so having Fuller mixes things up and gives Brock Osweiler another target.
22. Washington Redskins (from Houston): Josh Doctson, WR (TCU): After Houston traded up to pick up Fuller, Washington got a receiver of their own. Doctson is a stellar player that will give Kirk Cousins another target besides DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Jordan Reed. I would have preferred Washington help out their suspect defense, but signing Josh Norman before the draft certainly helps.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell, WR (Ole Miss): I love this pick. As I said before, Treadwell was the best WR of this class. The Vikings had trouble with the passing game last season, so adding Treadwell gives Teddy Bridgewater a receiver to pair with Stefon Diggs.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: William Jackson III, CB (Houston): I don't love this pick, as the Bengals already have Dre Kirkpatrick, Leon Hall, and Adam Jones. Still, having Jackson only helps in a division with Big Ben and Joe Flacco.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Artie Burns, CB (Miami, Fl.)- The pass defense was the weakest thing about the Steelers last year, so this was a smart pick. At 6 feet and 193 pounds, Burns has the potential to defend guys like A.J. Green.
26. Denver Broncos (from Seattle): Paxton Lynch, QB (Memphis): Wow. It looks like John Elway has passed over Colin Kaepernick, Mark Sanchez, and Blake Bortles in favor of the former college standout. Lynch is a great player that should help the Broncos try and defend their championship. It's likely he will play a more reserved role, as Peyton Manning did last season.
27. Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark, DL (UCLA): The Packers needed a player to fill the void left by B.J. Raji's retirement. The Packers are looking for another deep run in the playoffs this year and adding Clark will help.
28. San Francisco 49ers: Joshua Garnett, G (Stanford)- After getting Buckner earlier in the day, San Fran picks up Garnett, who played an important part in Christian McCaffrey's incredible season last year. Adding Garnett will help RB Carlos Hyde and whoever the QB is (probably Colin Kaepernick).
29. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Nkemdiche, DL (Ole Miss)- Although there are plenty of red flags concerning his off-the-field activity, Nkemdiche is vastly talented that will help a team looking for a Super Bowl. Nkemdiche will also benefit from playing alongside Calais Campbell.
30. Carolina Panthers, Vernon Butler, DT (Virginia Tech)- There wasn't a glaring issue for the defending NFC Champions to address, so they took a guy who was likely at the top of their draft board. Butler is a monster (6'4" and 323 pounds) that will fit in nicely with a defense that includes guys like Kawaan Short and Luke Kuechly.
31. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Germain Ifedi, OL (Texas A&M)- To close out the first round, the Seahawks picked up one of the best offensive linemen left on the board. The 'Hawks needed one to help Thomas Rawls and fill the void left by Russell Okung,
Thanks for reading everyone. Check back Sunday to see an article about the other six rounds of the draft.
Friday, April 15, 2016
NBA 2016 Postseason Predictions
The 2015-2016 NBA regular season is over, and it was definitely one for the record books. The Golden State Warriors set the new record for most wins in a season, the San Antonio Spurs tied the record for most home wins in a season, and Kobe Bryant ended his legendary career by scoring 60 points, the most by any player this season.
But that's all in the past now. It's now time for the playoffs and for a team to be crowned as the 2016 NBA champs. In this article we'll break down each match-up and give our picks. Let's get this show on the road.
Eastern Conference First Round:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8 Detroit Pistons
It might sound weird, but you could make the argument that the Pistons had a better season than the Cavs. After all, Cleveland was expected to be the first seed, anything less than that would have been a disappointment. They were also plagued by constant stories about their lack of chemistry and reports that point guard Kyrie Irving wanted out. The Pistons on the other hand, entered this season with low expectations. They ended up making the playoffs, Andre Drummond led the league in rebounding and was named an All-Star, and acquired Tobias Harris from the Magic.
The Pistons match-up well on paper, especially thanks to Drummond. The Cavs have no answer for Drummond, especially since their own big man Timofey Mosgov has been playing poorly all season-long. However, LeBron James is a proven postseason commodity and will lead Cleveland to victory. Pick: Cleveland in 5
4. Atlanta Hawks vs. 5 Boston Celtics
This is one of the most intriguing series of the first round. Both of these teams had good seasons, and Boston's young team certainly exceeded expectations. Atlanta on the other hand, is full of veterans like Paul Millsap and Al Horford.
This series might come down to experience. While Boston is led by Isaiah Thomas (a man with little playoff experience), Atlanta went to the conference finals last season. That could be the deciding factor here. Pick: Atlanta in 6
2. Toronto Raptors vs . 7. Indiana Pacers
The Raptos had a great season punctuated by Kyle Lowry being named a starting All-Star. Indiana also had a great season. No one really expected them to make the playoffs, especially now that Derrick Rose was back.
Unfortunately, it looks like this is where Indiana's journey comes to an end. Toronto is just too stacked and strong to have an early exit. The Pacers will undoubtedly play hard, but it just won't cut it. Pick: Toronto in 5
3. Miami Heat vs. 6. Charlotte Hornets
This is another great first-round match-up. Both of these teams had great seasons. No one expected Miami to win their division and get the third seed while Charlotte quietly an efficient and productive season.
This will be a star-studded affair, as Miami has Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson, and Hassan Whiteside while the Hornets have Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, and Jeremy Lin. The Hornets are a sneaky-good defensive unit and will no doubt benefit from Chris Bosh's absence. However, like with Atlanta, the experience factor weighs in here. Wade is a three-time NBA Champion while coach Erik Spoelstra has two rings. Pick: Miami in 7
Western Conference First Round:
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8 Houston Rockets
The Warriors had the greatest regular season in NBA history. Guys like Draymond Green, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson all had great seasons. The Rockets... well, they made the playoffs. That's all we can really say about them.
The result here is a foregone conclusion. The Rockets are simply over-matched here. They have no answer for Curry, unarguably the hottest player in the entire NBA. I would bet good money on a sweep here. Pick: Warriors in 4
4. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers lost four of their starters from last season, but they're still flying high. Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and company are playing well and are looking for a solid run. The Clippers on the other hand, entered the season as one of the top five title contenders (along with Golden State, San Antonio, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City), but people aren't so sure now. Blake Griffin will be returning after being suspended for getting in an altercation with the team's equipment manager, and that will undoubtedly help LA.
Despite Portland's unexpected success, the Clippers are still the favorites here. Chris Paul is one of the best players in the NBA and has a talented supporting cast with the likes of DJ, JJ Redick, Paul Pierce, Jamal Crawford, and Austin Rivers. Pick: Clippers in 6
2. San Antonio Spurs to 7. Memphis Grizzlies
The Spurs lost only once in San Antonio this year, tying the best record for a home team in NBA history. They have one of the most loaded rosters in the entire league thanks to guys like Kwahi Leonard, Danny Green, and Tim Duncan. The Grizzlies also have plenty of talent with guys like Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Matt Barnes.
Like with the Warriors, I would put good money on a sweep. The Spurs are just too focused and too hot to suffer an early exit. On top of that, the Spurs have the first two games of the series at home, something the Grizzlies won't be able to come back for that. Pick: Spurs in 4
3. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 6. Dallas Mavericks
The Thunder, along with San Antonio, Golden State, and Cleveland, are the only real title contenders here. With that being said, this is the playoffs and anything could happen. Dallas is the perfect team for an upset. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest power forwards the game has ever seen, Rick Carlisle is a great coach, and Deron Williams has a ton of experience.
When you have two of the best players in the world (Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook), you automatically become one of the teams to beat. These men have made it to the Finals before and are hungry for more. Pick: Thunder in 5
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 4. Atlanta Hawks
These two teams met in the Eastern Conference finals last year with Cleveland coming out on top. Unfortunately for Atlanta fans, it looks like Cleveland will take this series as well. Coach Tyronn Lue will almost certainly coach the Cavs to victory. Pick: Cleveland in 5
2. Toronto Raptors vs. 3. Miami Heat
There is definitely upset potential here. Wade has been known to always step up his game in big-game in big-game situations (see his Finals MVP performance against Dallas). The Raptors on the other hand, are known to flame out in the playoffs. However, I see that changing here. DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll and the Raptors are too loaded to lay down. The Heat however, will not go down without a fight. Pick: Toronto in 6
Western Conference Second Round:
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 4. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers will certainly do their best to derail the Warriors's repeat hopes, but it's very unlikely. The Warriors are the best team in the NBA and it will take something truly monumental to stop them. Pick: Warriors in 6
2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are more than just Durant and Westbrook (thanks to guys like Steven Adams and Dion Waiters), but are still not as deep as the Spurs. The Thunder will keep it close, but the Spurs are taking the W here. Pick: Spurs in 7
Eastern Conference Finals:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 2. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were only a few games behind Cleveland in the regular season, so this could be interesting. However, you have to give the edge to Cleveland simply because of LeBron James, a five-time Eastern Conference champion. Pick: Cleveland in 6
Western Conference Finals:
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 2. San Antonio Spurs
This is by far the biggest series of the entire playoffs. These are the two biggest title contenders, but only one can make it to the Finals. The Warriors have home-court advantage and that could be the decider here. Pick: Warriors in 7
Finals;
1. Cleveland Cavaliers at 1. Golden State Warriors
I've said it before, I'll say it again: the Warriors are the best team in the world. Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, their wait for LeBron to bring them a title will have to wait just a little bit longer. Pick: Golden State in 7, MVP: Steph Curry
Thanks for reading everyone. Comment and let me know if you agree with my picks.
But that's all in the past now. It's now time for the playoffs and for a team to be crowned as the 2016 NBA champs. In this article we'll break down each match-up and give our picks. Let's get this show on the road.
Eastern Conference First Round:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8 Detroit Pistons
It might sound weird, but you could make the argument that the Pistons had a better season than the Cavs. After all, Cleveland was expected to be the first seed, anything less than that would have been a disappointment. They were also plagued by constant stories about their lack of chemistry and reports that point guard Kyrie Irving wanted out. The Pistons on the other hand, entered this season with low expectations. They ended up making the playoffs, Andre Drummond led the league in rebounding and was named an All-Star, and acquired Tobias Harris from the Magic.
The Pistons match-up well on paper, especially thanks to Drummond. The Cavs have no answer for Drummond, especially since their own big man Timofey Mosgov has been playing poorly all season-long. However, LeBron James is a proven postseason commodity and will lead Cleveland to victory. Pick: Cleveland in 5
4. Atlanta Hawks vs. 5 Boston Celtics
This is one of the most intriguing series of the first round. Both of these teams had good seasons, and Boston's young team certainly exceeded expectations. Atlanta on the other hand, is full of veterans like Paul Millsap and Al Horford.
This series might come down to experience. While Boston is led by Isaiah Thomas (a man with little playoff experience), Atlanta went to the conference finals last season. That could be the deciding factor here. Pick: Atlanta in 6
2. Toronto Raptors vs . 7. Indiana Pacers
The Raptos had a great season punctuated by Kyle Lowry being named a starting All-Star. Indiana also had a great season. No one really expected them to make the playoffs, especially now that Derrick Rose was back.
Unfortunately, it looks like this is where Indiana's journey comes to an end. Toronto is just too stacked and strong to have an early exit. The Pacers will undoubtedly play hard, but it just won't cut it. Pick: Toronto in 5
3. Miami Heat vs. 6. Charlotte Hornets
This is another great first-round match-up. Both of these teams had great seasons. No one expected Miami to win their division and get the third seed while Charlotte quietly an efficient and productive season.
This will be a star-studded affair, as Miami has Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson, and Hassan Whiteside while the Hornets have Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, and Jeremy Lin. The Hornets are a sneaky-good defensive unit and will no doubt benefit from Chris Bosh's absence. However, like with Atlanta, the experience factor weighs in here. Wade is a three-time NBA Champion while coach Erik Spoelstra has two rings. Pick: Miami in 7
Western Conference First Round:
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8 Houston Rockets
The Warriors had the greatest regular season in NBA history. Guys like Draymond Green, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson all had great seasons. The Rockets... well, they made the playoffs. That's all we can really say about them.
The result here is a foregone conclusion. The Rockets are simply over-matched here. They have no answer for Curry, unarguably the hottest player in the entire NBA. I would bet good money on a sweep here. Pick: Warriors in 4
4. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers lost four of their starters from last season, but they're still flying high. Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and company are playing well and are looking for a solid run. The Clippers on the other hand, entered the season as one of the top five title contenders (along with Golden State, San Antonio, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City), but people aren't so sure now. Blake Griffin will be returning after being suspended for getting in an altercation with the team's equipment manager, and that will undoubtedly help LA.
Despite Portland's unexpected success, the Clippers are still the favorites here. Chris Paul is one of the best players in the NBA and has a talented supporting cast with the likes of DJ, JJ Redick, Paul Pierce, Jamal Crawford, and Austin Rivers. Pick: Clippers in 6
2. San Antonio Spurs to 7. Memphis Grizzlies
The Spurs lost only once in San Antonio this year, tying the best record for a home team in NBA history. They have one of the most loaded rosters in the entire league thanks to guys like Kwahi Leonard, Danny Green, and Tim Duncan. The Grizzlies also have plenty of talent with guys like Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Matt Barnes.
Like with the Warriors, I would put good money on a sweep. The Spurs are just too focused and too hot to suffer an early exit. On top of that, the Spurs have the first two games of the series at home, something the Grizzlies won't be able to come back for that. Pick: Spurs in 4
3. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 6. Dallas Mavericks
The Thunder, along with San Antonio, Golden State, and Cleveland, are the only real title contenders here. With that being said, this is the playoffs and anything could happen. Dallas is the perfect team for an upset. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest power forwards the game has ever seen, Rick Carlisle is a great coach, and Deron Williams has a ton of experience.
When you have two of the best players in the world (Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook), you automatically become one of the teams to beat. These men have made it to the Finals before and are hungry for more. Pick: Thunder in 5
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 4. Atlanta Hawks
These two teams met in the Eastern Conference finals last year with Cleveland coming out on top. Unfortunately for Atlanta fans, it looks like Cleveland will take this series as well. Coach Tyronn Lue will almost certainly coach the Cavs to victory. Pick: Cleveland in 5
2. Toronto Raptors vs. 3. Miami Heat
There is definitely upset potential here. Wade has been known to always step up his game in big-game in big-game situations (see his Finals MVP performance against Dallas). The Raptors on the other hand, are known to flame out in the playoffs. However, I see that changing here. DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll and the Raptors are too loaded to lay down. The Heat however, will not go down without a fight. Pick: Toronto in 6
Western Conference Second Round:
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 4. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers will certainly do their best to derail the Warriors's repeat hopes, but it's very unlikely. The Warriors are the best team in the NBA and it will take something truly monumental to stop them. Pick: Warriors in 6
2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are more than just Durant and Westbrook (thanks to guys like Steven Adams and Dion Waiters), but are still not as deep as the Spurs. The Thunder will keep it close, but the Spurs are taking the W here. Pick: Spurs in 7
Eastern Conference Finals:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 2. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were only a few games behind Cleveland in the regular season, so this could be interesting. However, you have to give the edge to Cleveland simply because of LeBron James, a five-time Eastern Conference champion. Pick: Cleveland in 6
Western Conference Finals:
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 2. San Antonio Spurs
This is by far the biggest series of the entire playoffs. These are the two biggest title contenders, but only one can make it to the Finals. The Warriors have home-court advantage and that could be the decider here. Pick: Warriors in 7
Finals;
1. Cleveland Cavaliers at 1. Golden State Warriors
I've said it before, I'll say it again: the Warriors are the best team in the world. Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, their wait for LeBron to bring them a title will have to wait just a little bit longer. Pick: Golden State in 7, MVP: Steph Curry
Thanks for reading everyone. Comment and let me know if you agree with my picks.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
2015 Sports Examiner Awards
It's time for the first-ever Sports Examiner Awards. This will soon become an annual tradition that will hopefully become even a little prestigious. But until then, we'll make do with a few people on the internet reading it.
It's been a very exciting and newsworthy year for sports. The Kansas City Royals finally won the World Series, Ohio State won the first ever College Football Playoffs, Deflategate took over mainstream news, Duke men's basketball won its fifth national title, and Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota went 1 and 2 in this year's NFL Draft. In our inaugural awards, we'll be handing out 12 awards. Let's get started.
Franchise of the Year:
Golden State Warriors
This is a pretty easy pick when you think about it. The only real rule for this award is that this team had to have won a title in the past year. Based on that rule alone, we have a small amount of nominees, including the New England Patriots, Chicago Blackhawks, and Kansas City Royals. Out of all of those, there was no bigger story than the Warriors. Yes, the Blackhawks are on the verge of creating a dynasty, but this award is only for 2015. The Royals (the runner-up here) winning was a huge story, but they did make the World Series last year, so their victory wasn't as big. The Patriots had their Super Bowl win marred by Deflategate. That leaves us with the Warriors, who rolled over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals to win the NBA Championship. Add on to the fact that they only lost two games thus far in the 2015-2016 season and you have a clear winner.
NFL Player of the Year:
Tom Brady
Ignore Deflategate for a second. Think instead of Brady leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl and being named MVP, being named to another Pro Bowl this season, and leading an injury-depleted roster to another AFC East title and first-round bye. They are the current favorites to win the AFC title and compete in the 2016 Super Bowl. Sure, Cam Newton (our runner-up) will be most likely named MVP of the '16 regular season, but Brady led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
NBA Player of the Year:
Steph Curry
We had runner-ups for the first two awards, but why even bother picking one here? Curry had a much better year than any other NBA player. He ended the 2015 season as a member of the championship-winning Golden State Warriors while also being named regular season MVP and member of the All-NBA First Team (along with James Harden, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Marc Gasol). This season, he has led the Warriors to the best record in the NBA while also leading the league in points per game and being fifth in free throw percentage (behind Jamal Crawford, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Lance Thomas).
Tennis Player of the Year:
Serena Williams
Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year had an absolutely incredible 2015. She won three majors: the Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and French Open. She also made it to the semi-finals of the US Open before being upset by Roberta Vinci. Her dominance in the sport was one never seen before. In fact, at one point this year, she had twice as many points as the #2 player in the world. These accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider that she was battling medical issues (such as bone bruises and a cold) all year long.
Sports Legend of the Year:
Kobe Bryant
In November, Bryant announced that the 2015-2016 NBA season would be his last. Thus, one of the greatest careers in the history of American sports comes to an end. The future first-ballot Hall of Famer has won five titles, twice been scoring champion, won 2 Finals MVPs, won 1 regular season MVP, made 15 All-Star games, been named MVP of the All-Star game four times, been a Slam Dunk Champion, has put up at least 60 points in 5 games, made 15 All-NBA teams, and has won two Olympic Gold Medals. There will never be another player quite like Kobe Bean Bryant, and the sport will certainly miss him.
Female Soccer Player of the Year:
Carli Lloyd
Even if Llyod hadn't won the Ballon d'Or, she would still be a shoe-in for this award. After all, she led the U.S. National Women's team to their first World Cup since 1999. Add on the fact that she won the Golden Ball and Silver Boot, was named to both the All-Star and Dream Teams, and became the first female player in history to score a hat-trick in the finals of a World Cup, and you have the clear winner for this award.
Male Soccer Player of the Year:
Lionel Messi
Messi won his fifth Ballon d'Or (given annually to the best player in the world) to cap off an absolutely incredible year. He helped lead Barcelona to its 23rd Spanish championship, scored 52 goals in 61 games with the club, led Barca to victory in the European Champions League and Spanish Cup, and also led Argentina to the 2015 Copa America final. How can anyone argue with results like that?
Golfer of the Year:
Jordan Spieth
Considering the year he had, it's hard to believe Spieth is only 22 years old. Take a look at his performance in Augusta, where he tied the scoring record set in 1997 by some guy named Tiger Woods. He also won the John Deere Classic (something he also won the prior year), came in second at the PGA Championship in Whistling Straits, won the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup in September, and led his teammates to victory in the Presidents Cup in South Korea. On top of that, he made a whopping $22 million (a golf record), a lot of which is going to a charity named after his family.
Play of the Year:
Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl Interception
There is no bigger single night for sports than the Super Bowl. This year's event (the 49th in history) was watched by 114.4 million people, making it the most watched event in the history of American television. So, any big play made on that stage is set to be noticed by people all around the world and will elevate that player into the stratosphere. That's exactly what happened to Butler. The cornerback intercepted a pass from Seattle's Russell Wilson late in the fourth quarter to end Seattle's comeback bid and seal the deal for New England.
NCAA Football Player of the Year:
Christian McCaffrey
This was actually closer than you might think, as the Cardinal gets the nod here over Ezekiel Elliot of Ohio State and Derrick Henry of Alabama. Elliot led the Buckeyes to the first ever CFP title in January while being named the Offensive MVP. He also finished 8th in this year's Heisman voting. Henry meanwhile, won the Heisman and led Alabama a spot in the CFP. So how does McCaffrey (the Heisman runner-up) get the nod here? Simple, he broke Barry Sanders's NCAA record for all-purpose yards in a single season.
Upset of the Year:
Holly Holm defeats Ronda Rousey
It cannot be argued that Rousey is one of the biggest female athletes on the planet. The first and only female bantamweight champion in UFC history had successfully defended her title six times against talents like Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano. Holm on the other hand, had only been in two UFC fights before her meeting with Rousey. In a complete shocker, Holm defeated Rousey the champ in the second round by knockout to win the title and end Rousey's unbelievable run.
Sports Star of the Year:
American Pharaoh
That's right, our biggest award of the year is going to a horse. Not Serena Williams, not Steph Curry, not Jordan Spieth, but a horse. Of course, American Pharaoh is no ordinary equine. The most famous horse in the world won the Triple Crown, a feat that had not been accomplished in 37 years. On top of winning those three races (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and Belmont Stakes), he also won in the Haskell in August and the Breeders' Cup Classic (the main event of racing's world championships and the last big race of the year). In doing so, he became the first horse in history to win both the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic. His career earnings are more than $8.6 million dollars, good for seventh-highest in history. American Pharaoh earns Sports Star of the Year for making his mark in the record books.
It's been a very exciting and newsworthy year for sports. The Kansas City Royals finally won the World Series, Ohio State won the first ever College Football Playoffs, Deflategate took over mainstream news, Duke men's basketball won its fifth national title, and Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota went 1 and 2 in this year's NFL Draft. In our inaugural awards, we'll be handing out 12 awards. Let's get started.
Franchise of the Year:
Golden State Warriors
This is a pretty easy pick when you think about it. The only real rule for this award is that this team had to have won a title in the past year. Based on that rule alone, we have a small amount of nominees, including the New England Patriots, Chicago Blackhawks, and Kansas City Royals. Out of all of those, there was no bigger story than the Warriors. Yes, the Blackhawks are on the verge of creating a dynasty, but this award is only for 2015. The Royals (the runner-up here) winning was a huge story, but they did make the World Series last year, so their victory wasn't as big. The Patriots had their Super Bowl win marred by Deflategate. That leaves us with the Warriors, who rolled over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals to win the NBA Championship. Add on to the fact that they only lost two games thus far in the 2015-2016 season and you have a clear winner.
NFL Player of the Year:
Tom Brady
Ignore Deflategate for a second. Think instead of Brady leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl and being named MVP, being named to another Pro Bowl this season, and leading an injury-depleted roster to another AFC East title and first-round bye. They are the current favorites to win the AFC title and compete in the 2016 Super Bowl. Sure, Cam Newton (our runner-up) will be most likely named MVP of the '16 regular season, but Brady led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
NBA Player of the Year:
Steph Curry
We had runner-ups for the first two awards, but why even bother picking one here? Curry had a much better year than any other NBA player. He ended the 2015 season as a member of the championship-winning Golden State Warriors while also being named regular season MVP and member of the All-NBA First Team (along with James Harden, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Marc Gasol). This season, he has led the Warriors to the best record in the NBA while also leading the league in points per game and being fifth in free throw percentage (behind Jamal Crawford, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Lance Thomas).
Tennis Player of the Year:
Serena Williams
Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year had an absolutely incredible 2015. She won three majors: the Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and French Open. She also made it to the semi-finals of the US Open before being upset by Roberta Vinci. Her dominance in the sport was one never seen before. In fact, at one point this year, she had twice as many points as the #2 player in the world. These accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider that she was battling medical issues (such as bone bruises and a cold) all year long.
Sports Legend of the Year:
Kobe Bryant
In November, Bryant announced that the 2015-2016 NBA season would be his last. Thus, one of the greatest careers in the history of American sports comes to an end. The future first-ballot Hall of Famer has won five titles, twice been scoring champion, won 2 Finals MVPs, won 1 regular season MVP, made 15 All-Star games, been named MVP of the All-Star game four times, been a Slam Dunk Champion, has put up at least 60 points in 5 games, made 15 All-NBA teams, and has won two Olympic Gold Medals. There will never be another player quite like Kobe Bean Bryant, and the sport will certainly miss him.
Female Soccer Player of the Year:
Carli Lloyd
Even if Llyod hadn't won the Ballon d'Or, she would still be a shoe-in for this award. After all, she led the U.S. National Women's team to their first World Cup since 1999. Add on the fact that she won the Golden Ball and Silver Boot, was named to both the All-Star and Dream Teams, and became the first female player in history to score a hat-trick in the finals of a World Cup, and you have the clear winner for this award.
Male Soccer Player of the Year:
Lionel Messi
Messi won his fifth Ballon d'Or (given annually to the best player in the world) to cap off an absolutely incredible year. He helped lead Barcelona to its 23rd Spanish championship, scored 52 goals in 61 games with the club, led Barca to victory in the European Champions League and Spanish Cup, and also led Argentina to the 2015 Copa America final. How can anyone argue with results like that?
Golfer of the Year:
Jordan Spieth
Considering the year he had, it's hard to believe Spieth is only 22 years old. Take a look at his performance in Augusta, where he tied the scoring record set in 1997 by some guy named Tiger Woods. He also won the John Deere Classic (something he also won the prior year), came in second at the PGA Championship in Whistling Straits, won the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup in September, and led his teammates to victory in the Presidents Cup in South Korea. On top of that, he made a whopping $22 million (a golf record), a lot of which is going to a charity named after his family.
Play of the Year:
Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl Interception
There is no bigger single night for sports than the Super Bowl. This year's event (the 49th in history) was watched by 114.4 million people, making it the most watched event in the history of American television. So, any big play made on that stage is set to be noticed by people all around the world and will elevate that player into the stratosphere. That's exactly what happened to Butler. The cornerback intercepted a pass from Seattle's Russell Wilson late in the fourth quarter to end Seattle's comeback bid and seal the deal for New England.
NCAA Football Player of the Year:
Christian McCaffrey
This was actually closer than you might think, as the Cardinal gets the nod here over Ezekiel Elliot of Ohio State and Derrick Henry of Alabama. Elliot led the Buckeyes to the first ever CFP title in January while being named the Offensive MVP. He also finished 8th in this year's Heisman voting. Henry meanwhile, won the Heisman and led Alabama a spot in the CFP. So how does McCaffrey (the Heisman runner-up) get the nod here? Simple, he broke Barry Sanders's NCAA record for all-purpose yards in a single season.
Upset of the Year:
Holly Holm defeats Ronda Rousey
It cannot be argued that Rousey is one of the biggest female athletes on the planet. The first and only female bantamweight champion in UFC history had successfully defended her title six times against talents like Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano. Holm on the other hand, had only been in two UFC fights before her meeting with Rousey. In a complete shocker, Holm defeated Rousey the champ in the second round by knockout to win the title and end Rousey's unbelievable run.
Sports Star of the Year:
American Pharaoh
That's right, our biggest award of the year is going to a horse. Not Serena Williams, not Steph Curry, not Jordan Spieth, but a horse. Of course, American Pharaoh is no ordinary equine. The most famous horse in the world won the Triple Crown, a feat that had not been accomplished in 37 years. On top of winning those three races (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and Belmont Stakes), he also won in the Haskell in August and the Breeders' Cup Classic (the main event of racing's world championships and the last big race of the year). In doing so, he became the first horse in history to win both the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic. His career earnings are more than $8.6 million dollars, good for seventh-highest in history. American Pharaoh earns Sports Star of the Year for making his mark in the record books.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
NFL 2016 Playoff Predictions
The 2015-2016 NFL regular season is over and it sure was an exciting one. But it's now time for the playoffs, which will undoubtedly even be more exciting. In this article, we'll break down each game and pick a winner. Let's get started.
NFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #3 Minnesota Vikings- The Seahawks are red-hot after their big win over Arizona in Week 17. The Vikings are also hot after beating Green Bay in Week 17 to clinch the NFC North. Unfortunately, the Vikings just don't match up to Seattle. The 'Hawks secondary will create trouble for Teddy Bridgewater, Pick: Seattle
#5 Green Bay Packers at #4 Washington Redskins- The 'Skins are doing a lot better than the Pack right now, and that could be the difference in this match. Overall, the Packers are a better team with more talent, but Washington is simply better playing football right now. Aaron Rodgers is in a terrible slump while Kirk Cousins is having the best year of his career. Pick: Washington
AFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #3 Cincinnati Bengals- Cincy is notorious for going one-and-done in the playoffs, and it looks like that trend will continue this year. The Bengals will be without their starting QB Andy Dalton, who was an MVP candidate earlier in the season. In his place will be AJ MCarron, who's made three starts his entire career. The Steelers meanwhile, feature an elite aerial offense comprised of stars like Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger, and Martavis Bryant. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #4 Houston Texans- Both of these teams have elite defenses, but the edge here goes to the Chiefs. Alex Smith and Andy Reid have playoff experience, while Brian Hoyer and Bill O'Brien do not. When you add on the fact that Kansas has won their last ten games, a KC win looks certain. Pick: Kansas City
NFC Divisional Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #1 Carolina Panthers- It looks as if Marshawn Lynch will not be back in time for the playoffs, and that's really going to hurt the Seahawks. They don't have anyone else on their roster that can run through that stout Carolina D. Meanwhile, Carolina is flying high and absolutely loaded with talent like Cam Newton, Mike Tolbert, and Josh Norman. Pick: Carolina
#4 Washington at #2 Arizona Cardinals- Realistically, Washington doesn't have a chance here. A defense featuring guys like Calais Campbell will most likely shut down the 'Skins offense. Expect Carson Palmer, David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and the rest of Arizona's offense to do big things in this one. Pick: Arizona
AFC Divisional Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #1 Denver Broncos- Peyton Manning will be starting for the Broncos, but it's not known exactly how healthy he is. The Steelers meanwhile, are hopeful DeAngelo Williams (who was great for them this season) will be back for this round. If he is, expect the Steelers to pull off an upset. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #2 New England Patriots- As mentioned before, the Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the league and have one of the best defenses in the league (thanks to guys like Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, and Eric Berry). While I wouldn't be surprised by an upset, the Patriots are still the favorites here. Their defense has been playing well all season and Tom Brady had a great season. Pick: New England
NFC Championship:
#2 Arizona Cardinals at #1 Carolina Panthers- The Panthers had the best record in all of football this season, but that run should end here. They just don't have that playoff experience while the Cardinals are chock-full of veterans like Palmer and Fitzgerald. Pick: Arizona
AFC Championship:
#5 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 New England Patriots- The Patriots have had trouble staying healthy this season, but receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman should be available for this game. That could tip the scales in what will otherwise be a very close game. Pick: New England
Super Bowl:
New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals- Despite Brady having a great season, he has been stopped on occasion (like against the Jets in Week 17). The Cards' defense is good enough to stifle the Pats' offense (especially their running game). The MVP will go to the probable regular-season MVP runner-up, Palmer. Pick: Arizona Cardinals (Carson Palmer)
Agree with these predictions? Comment and let me know.
NFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #3 Minnesota Vikings- The Seahawks are red-hot after their big win over Arizona in Week 17. The Vikings are also hot after beating Green Bay in Week 17 to clinch the NFC North. Unfortunately, the Vikings just don't match up to Seattle. The 'Hawks secondary will create trouble for Teddy Bridgewater, Pick: Seattle
#5 Green Bay Packers at #4 Washington Redskins- The 'Skins are doing a lot better than the Pack right now, and that could be the difference in this match. Overall, the Packers are a better team with more talent, but Washington is simply better playing football right now. Aaron Rodgers is in a terrible slump while Kirk Cousins is having the best year of his career. Pick: Washington
AFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #3 Cincinnati Bengals- Cincy is notorious for going one-and-done in the playoffs, and it looks like that trend will continue this year. The Bengals will be without their starting QB Andy Dalton, who was an MVP candidate earlier in the season. In his place will be AJ MCarron, who's made three starts his entire career. The Steelers meanwhile, feature an elite aerial offense comprised of stars like Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger, and Martavis Bryant. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #4 Houston Texans- Both of these teams have elite defenses, but the edge here goes to the Chiefs. Alex Smith and Andy Reid have playoff experience, while Brian Hoyer and Bill O'Brien do not. When you add on the fact that Kansas has won their last ten games, a KC win looks certain. Pick: Kansas City
NFC Divisional Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #1 Carolina Panthers- It looks as if Marshawn Lynch will not be back in time for the playoffs, and that's really going to hurt the Seahawks. They don't have anyone else on their roster that can run through that stout Carolina D. Meanwhile, Carolina is flying high and absolutely loaded with talent like Cam Newton, Mike Tolbert, and Josh Norman. Pick: Carolina
#4 Washington at #2 Arizona Cardinals- Realistically, Washington doesn't have a chance here. A defense featuring guys like Calais Campbell will most likely shut down the 'Skins offense. Expect Carson Palmer, David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and the rest of Arizona's offense to do big things in this one. Pick: Arizona
AFC Divisional Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #1 Denver Broncos- Peyton Manning will be starting for the Broncos, but it's not known exactly how healthy he is. The Steelers meanwhile, are hopeful DeAngelo Williams (who was great for them this season) will be back for this round. If he is, expect the Steelers to pull off an upset. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #2 New England Patriots- As mentioned before, the Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the league and have one of the best defenses in the league (thanks to guys like Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, and Eric Berry). While I wouldn't be surprised by an upset, the Patriots are still the favorites here. Their defense has been playing well all season and Tom Brady had a great season. Pick: New England
NFC Championship:
#2 Arizona Cardinals at #1 Carolina Panthers- The Panthers had the best record in all of football this season, but that run should end here. They just don't have that playoff experience while the Cardinals are chock-full of veterans like Palmer and Fitzgerald. Pick: Arizona
AFC Championship:
#5 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 New England Patriots- The Patriots have had trouble staying healthy this season, but receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman should be available for this game. That could tip the scales in what will otherwise be a very close game. Pick: New England
Super Bowl:
New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals- Despite Brady having a great season, he has been stopped on occasion (like against the Jets in Week 17). The Cards' defense is good enough to stifle the Pats' offense (especially their running game). The MVP will go to the probable regular-season MVP runner-up, Palmer. Pick: Arizona Cardinals (Carson Palmer)
Agree with these predictions? Comment and let me know.
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