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The Best RB in the 2013 NFL Draft

April 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Who do you think is the best running back in the 2013 NFL Draft?  Eddie Lacy is a name that is often mentioned after he ran all over Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game, but scoutPRO expert Nelson Sousa has a different opinion.  Let’s see what he has to say:

Look for Bernard to make a difference during his rookie year.

I think Giovani Bernard is the best RB in this year’s draft based on all-around talent. After doing research, watching film and the Combine, I have come to the conclusion that he could be the best fantasy rookie RB in 2013. He is a short, explosive player that is solid in the passing game. His skill set is similar to that of Doug Martin, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB who had a big fantasy season in 2012 as a rookie. Bernard also reminds me of DeAngelo Williams in terms of size and home run potential. Now we need to see if he lands in an ideal situation with an NFL team. I could see a team like the Bengals who lack explosive players on offense (besides A.J. Green) taking him with their first round pick (21st overall).  Additionally, I could see a team like the Jets trading back into the first round to select him.

Nelson will continue to provide his insight right up until Draft night, so make sure to keep coming back over the next few weeks. Don’t forget to follow scoutPRO (@CSAscoutPRO) and Nelson (@The_Franchise12) on Twitter!

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Nelson’s Thoughts on the Combine

March 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

March is here and with free agency beginning in just 10 days, the NFL offseason is starting to heat up.  From Alex Smith getting traded to Kansas City to Joe Flacco’s new monster contract, these will no doubt be just a few of the many storylines around the league.  scoutPRO expert Nelson Sousa was hard at work this past week watching the Combine and is back this week to offer up his thoughts on everything that went down in Indianapolis.

Quarterback

Geno Smith

Although you may hear some compare him to RGIII, I see him as a smaller Cam Newton.  He is a pocket passer, but a lot less accurate than RGIII.  That is why I don’t agree with the comparison.  He won’t step in and run an offense right away next season, and I just don’t think he will be a great QB, at least during his first couple years in the NFL.

Matt Barkley

If he goes to a team that runs a west coast offense, he could be fine.  However, I just don’t think he will be all that special.  Barkley’s stock has really fallen over the past two years, as many analysts were saying he would have been a top 10 pick had he declared after his junior year at USC.

Could he still be a first round pick?

Tyler Bray

Bray is flying under the radar, and may not make an impact in his rookie season.  However, he has really good tools.  He is one of the tallest (6’6” 232 lbs.) QB’s in the draft and has arguably the best arm of anyone.  He does show some inconsistencies with his game, which is why I think it will take him a few years to make an impact.

Running Back

Eddie Lacy

Lacy’s stock rose to the rafters after his personal demolition of Notre Dame’s defense in the BCS National Championship game.  Some are saying he is better than Trent Richardson, which is a bit ridiculous.  He is getting a ton of hype right now, and it may or may not be warranted.  I need some time to watch more film and will wait until his pro day to see what else he can do.

Notre Dame had no answer for Lacy during the National Championship game.

Montee Ball

Like Lacy, I don’t see him being anything special at the next level.  He played behind a massive offensive line at Wisconsin, which boasted an average weight of around 320 pounds per lineman.  That played a big role in his production, so it’s hard to predict what will happen once he gets into an NFL backfield.  I see him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

Giovani Bernard

I believe Bernard will be a difference maker in his rookie season.  He is an explosive RB who also catches well coming out of the backfield (had 47 receptions at UNC in 2012).  He performed well at the Combine, finishing near the top in both the 20 and 60-yard shuttles.  That shows his explosiveness, an attribute you definitely need to succeed as an NFL RB.

Look for Bernard to be a difference maker during his rookie year.

Andre Ellington

Unfortunately for him, he pulled his hamstring while running the 40 at the Combine.  I still like this guy and will look to see what he can do at his pro day at Clemson.

Wide Receiver

Tavon Austin

This guy is worth all the hype and is a real deal difference maker.  His elite speed and agility was on display in Indianapolis where he posted a blazing 4.34 forty time.  The comparisons of a Wes Welker/Percy Harvin hybrid make sense.  If a team like Atlanta or New England could draft him, he would be a great fit for their high-scoring passing attacks.  More weapons for Matt Ryan and Tom Brady is not something opposing defenses want to hear.

Austin is one of the most explosive playmakers in the 2013 draft.

Cordarrelle Patterson

Like Eddie Lacy, this guy is getting a lot of hype.  He has drawn comparisons to Julio Jones, but I see him as more of a Stephen Hill type WR.  He is a size and speed freak like Hill, which was on display at the Combine.  He had strong performances in the 40, broad jump and vertical jump, but not so much during the position drills.  Patterson messed up a number of times (e.g. not following directions) and looked quite confused at times. The Chiefs coach that was running the drills got frustrated with him, something you don’t want happening as a rookie.  He is a huge work in progress and I don’t see him making an impact in his first year.  With that being said, he will probably be the first WR off the board during the 2013 NFL draft.

Ryan Swope

He surprised everyone with his 40 time, matching Tavon Austin with a 4.34.  I don’t see why he can’t be productive in the NFL and think he is worth the hype he is receiving after his surprising display of speed at the Combine.

His 4.34 forty time surprised many at the Combine.

Conner Vernon

The former Duke Blue Devil may not be a household name like Tavon Austin or Cordarrelle Patterson, but he is a guy who could make an impact as a later round pick.  He is by no means a speed guy, but has many skills that a slot WR needs.  He has good hands, run crisp routes and is simply a smart player.  Mike Mayock was talking him up during the Combine, complementing him on his intangibles such as the ability to draw penalties.  He won’t be taken in the early rounds, but he is the kind of player that you hear about during their rookie season.

Stedman Bailey

If it weren’t for his college teammate Tavon Austin, you would probably hear about this guy more often.  He has very good hands, which hauled in a whopping 25 TDs from Geno Smith in 2012.  He is built similarly to Steve Smith, although he isn’t quite as fast (4.52 forty time).

Robert Woods

Like Conner Vernon, this kid knows how to play the game.  He is listed at 6’0”, 200 lbs. which doesn’t sound like anything special.  However, he looks bigger on the field.  Mike Mayock compared him to Reggie Wayne, which isn’t a bad guy to be compared to.  He has no red flags or baggage attached to his name, and will get on the field right away with his football smarts.

Woods will get on the field right away as a rookie.

Tight Ends

Tyler Eifert

This kid blew up the Combine.  He excelled in basically every drill and clearly knows how to catch the ball.  He didn’t look all that big to me, but that won’t be a problem for him.  He can really stretch the field from the TE position.  Since he didn’t do much blocking while at Notre Dame, that might be something he needs to improve upon as he transitions at the next level.

Zach Ertz

He looks like a player and will look to join his many former Stanford teammates as a high pick come April.  Going into the Combine, all the talk at the TE position was concentrated on Ertz and Eifert.  They did nothing to change my view on them and I think most analysts would agree with that.

Along with Tyler Eifert, Ertz is at the top of the 2013 TE class.

Vance McDonald

He is flying under the radar, which surprises me.  He basically matched Eifert’s numbers in every drill, while showing his upper body strength after posting the most bench reps at the TE position with 31.  As a converted WR, he moves really well for his size and showed great athleticism making catches.  With his ability to line up in the slot and a deep TE class, someone is going to get a great deal on this guy.  He reminds me of Rob Gronkowski.  Like Gronk, he isn’t going to be a first round pick, but don’t be surprised if he ends up being better than Eifert and Ertz.

Thanks for stopping by!  Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @CSAscoutPRO and Nelson at @The_Franchise12!

 

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Free Agency Preview – WR’s

February 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

With the Combine getting started this weekend, it will only be a few weeks before free agency begins.  scoutPRO expert Nelson Sousa is back to talk about the talented group of free agents WR’s.  Any team in need of some help has plenty of options to consider, including some big names.

Greg Jennings

In my opinion, I think he is the best of the bunch and the most valuable.  He can play on the outside, in the slot, has a great work ethic and no off the field problems like some other free agent WR’s (Dwayne Bowe and Mike Wallace).  Miami seems like a logical fit, as they are desperate for a WR1.  Also, they are way under the salary cap and have plenty of money to spend.  Dolphins HC Joe Philbin was Green Bay’s OC from 2007-2011, and during that period Jennings averaged over 1,100 yards per season while hauling in 46 TD’s.  Philbin is clearly familiar with him and I’m sure Ryan Tannehill wouldn’t mind throwing to the two time Pro Bowler.

Possible destinations:  Dolphins

Will Jennings take his talents to South Beach?

Mike Wallace

I think he is right behind Jennings in this class and could see the Chiefs making a run at him if they don’t end up keeping Dwayne Bowe.  New Chiefs HC Andy Reid likes smaller, faster WR’s (Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin), and that’s exactly what Wallace brings to the table.  He can really stretch a defense deep with his 4.3 speed, evidenced by his 21 yards per reception in 2010.  If they want similar money, I think Kansas City would choose Wallace over Bowe.  The Dolphins are another team that could target Wallace.  They are weak at WR and could definitely benefit from his big play ability.

Possible destinations:  Chiefs, Dolphins

Wes Welker

First off, I think the Patriots are going to trade for Percy Harvin.  Bill Belichick likes him and he can step into Welker’s role while injecting some youth and speed into the offense.  Furthermore, Harvin can stretch a defense deep and also line up in the backfield.  With that being said, they are going to let Welker walk.  He is going to get quite a bit of money and should attract attention from multiple teams.  It all depends on cap room, but one team that makes sense is Dallas.  Miles Austin is always hurt and Welker would pair well with Dez Bryant.  Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones could view him as the piece to get them over the hump into the playoffs while providing a safety valve for Tony Romo.  Denver would also be a good fit.  He could be that slot guy, but with two young WR’s in Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas who are going to need new contracts soon, it might not work financially.  The Bengals are in need of playmakers to go with A.J. Green, and he would be a great complement to him.  This is a playoff caliber team, but they still need a guy like Welker to solidify the offense and help Andy Dalton out.  A few more teams that make sense are the Falcons and Steelers.  If Tony Gonzalez does end up retiring and they don’t sign a free agent TE, he could step in and take his catches in the middle.  That’s a big part of their offense, and Welker would pair well with outside threats Julio Jones and Roddy White.  Lastly, if Mike Wallace ends up leaving Pittsburgh, they are going to need a new WR.

Possible destinations:  Cowboys, Bengals, Falcons, Steelers, Broncos

Welker has had 100+ catches in five of the last six seasons.

Dwayne Bowe

He is no doubt a talented player, but his off the field issues will raise concern with anyone looking to sign him.  From conditioning and work ethic questions to a suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, he has quite a bit of baggage attached to his name.   A team with a veteran coach who can control him would be an ideal fit for Bowe.  If Mike Wallace leaves Pittsburgh, the Steelers could work.  Mike Tomlin is a no-nonsense kind of guy and would provide some tough love that Bowe needs.  Although he had some run-ins with Todd Haley while he was in Kansas City (now the Steelers OC), Bowe had his most productive seasons under Haley.  He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011, notching a career best 15 TD’s in 2010.  Another team that could make sense is Minnesota.  If they end up trading Harvin like I have predicted, they will be left with basically nothing at the WR position.  Adrian Peterson can’t do everything, so they would have to make some moves and get Christian Ponder some weapons to work with.

Possible destinations:  Steelers, Vikings

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back next week for Nelson’s review of the NFL Combine.  Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @CSAscoutPRO!  

 

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Free Agency Preview – RB’s and TE’s

February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Although it has only been a few weeks since the Super Bowl, I’m sure many of you are already counting down the days till the 2013 season.  With the Combine and free agency coming up in the next few weeks, there will be plenty of opportunities to get your football fix.  To help you get a head start on your 2013 fantasy leagues, scoutPRO expert Nelson Sousa is here to offer his thoughts on some guys who may be headed for new teams in the near future.  This week, let’s take a look at some RB’s and TE’s who will be free agents come March 12th.

Reggie Bush

When it comes to Bush, I don’t see him re-signing in Miami.  With Lamar Miller waiting in the wings (a guy I have been high on for a long time) and bigger holes to fill at other positions, I believe they will ultimately let him walk.  With a treasure trove of talented WR’s set to hit the open market (Dwayne Bowe, Greg Jennings, Wes Welker, Mike Wallace), Miami could look to use some of their $35 million in cap space to upgrade their WR talent.  Salary demands could also factor in, as his base salary in 2012 was at $4.5 million.  Taking all that into account, I could see Bush fitting in well in Detroit and Cincinnati.  Both of them have traditional between-the-tackles RB’s (Leshoure and Green-Ellis) and could use a hybrid, pass catching type threat out of the backfield that Bush provides.  During his days in New Orleans, Bush had two seasons with over 70 catches, showing he can definitely be a major factor in the passing game.

Possible destinations:  Lions, Bengals

Bush's days in Miami are likely over.

Ahmad Bradshaw

As many of you have probably experienced, Bradshaw is very injury prone.  He has had numerous surgeries on his right foot over the past few years, a potential red flag for teams looking to sign him.  When he is on the field, he has been productive.  Bradshaw has averaged 4.6 YPC over his career, while compiling two 1,000-yard seasons since 2010.  I see him getting a one-year deal with incentives to prove his worth and show everybody that he can stay healthy.  With that being said, I could see Green Bay taking a chance on him with a cheap contract.  They haven’t finished in the top half in the NFL in rushing since 2009 and could use some explosiveness out of the backfield that Bradshaw provides.  While the Bengals have a 1,000-yard rusher in BenJarvus Green-Ellis, they also could use an injection of explosiveness into their offense.  A few other teams that I think might take a look are the Jets and Falcons.  Shonn Greene is also a free agent and Bradshaw himself has said he would be interested in talking with them.  When it comes to the Falcons, Michael Turner is simply out of gas.  He is scheduled to count $8.9 million against the salary cap in 2013, so it’s probably safe to say he will be released.  Jacquizz Rodgers is not going to be a full-time RB, so picking up Bradshaw on a cheap contract makes sense.

Possible destinations:  Packers, Bengals, Jets, Falcons

Jared Cook

I have always been a fan of this guy.  Simply put, he is an athletic specimen (6’5” with 4.49 speed) who has been underutilized in Tennessee.  The Titans are expected to slap the franchise tag on him come March 4th, so he may still be in Tennessee for the 2013 season.  While former Titans OC Chris Palmer didn’t seem interested in using him, he saw an increase in targets when new OC Dowell Loggains took over the play calling in early December.  For instance, he saw 12 targets against Houston in early December, the only time he reached double digits in that category in 2012.  If he doesn’t end up getting franchised, I could see the Falcons making a run at him. With Tony Gonzalez expected to retire, Cook would be a great fit in the Falcons vertical passing attack. Gonzalez saw 124 targets during the 2012 season in which the Falcons finished with the 6th ranked passing offense in terms of YPG.  The Falcons love to air it out and are going to need someone to step in at TE and fill the void left by Gonzalez’s retirement.

Possible destinations:  Falcons

Matt Ryan probably wouldn't mind adding Cook to his arsenal of pass-catching weapons.

Jermichael Finley

Like Jared Cook, Finley is a big time athlete.  He recently told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that it is a “50/50” chance on whether he will return to Green Bay next season.  The Packers will soon have to make a decision on him as he is due a $3 million roster bonus in March.  Finley has publicly said he would like to return, while head coach Mike McCarthy seconded that statement in his season ending news conference.  Finley has shown flashes of brilliance in the past (3 TD game against Chicago in 2011), but has also been plagued with drops and apparent chemistry issues with Aaron Rodgers.  A change of scenery could probably do him so good, and one team that comes to mind is the Falcons.  As I talked about in the Jared Cook segment, they are going to need a new TE with Gonzalez retiring.  Finley can line up all over the field and create serious matchup problems in the red zone.  With Julio Jones and Roddy White taking up most of the attention of opposing defenses, Finley could do some damage in the Falcons high octane passing attack.

Possible destinations:  Falcons            

Dustin Keller

Although he struggled with injuries in 2012, Keller has always been a favorite target of Mark Sanchez.  He saw over 100 targets in 2010 and 2011 while grabbing 5 TDs in each of those seasons.  He is not likely to return to the Jets as they have some serious salary cap issues.  According to reports, they are $18 to $22 million over the 2013 salary cap.  Two teams that could use some help at the TE position are St. Louis and Tampa Bay.  Rams OC Brian Schottenheimer used to be with the Jets and was OC when Keller was at his best.  Other than Lance Kendrick’s 80 yard TD against the Bucs in week 16, the Rams got basically no production from any of their TE’s in 2012.  Tampa is in a similar situation, with the aging Dallas Clark as their only option at the TE position.  Adding a viable TE would not only give Josh Freeman another option and a nice security blanket, but it would also free up some more room for playmakers Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson.

Possible destinations:  Rams, Bucs

Could Keller reunite with his former OC in St. Louis?

Remember to come back over the next few weeks to check out Nelson’s thoughts on free agent QB’s and WR’s.  Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @CSAscoutPRO!

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Fast Forward to 2013 – Breakout TE’s

January 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

We are now less than a week away from Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.  The anticipation has been building and football fans around the world are surely counting down the days until kickoff.  Throughout the playoffs, scoutPRO expert Nelson Sousa has been here offering up his advice for next season in his Fast Forward to 2013 segments.  After revealing his breakout QB’s, RB’s and WR’s, he is back this week to talk about some TE’s who could make some noise come September.

Rob Housler

Like teammate Michael Floyd, he is a talented player who could be a sleeper next year if Arizona’s QB play improves.  New Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians will also feature the TE, just as he did in his days as offensive coordinator in Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.  Housler wowed scouts at the 2011 Combine with his unique blend of size and speed at the TE position (ran a 4.53 forty with a 37” vertical).  Even though he hasn’t produced much of anything through his first 2 seasons, the awful play of Arizona’s QB’s and offensive line makes it difficult to objectively evaluate this guy.  Even Larry Fitzgerald wasn’t immune to their issues in 2012.  He had only 798 yards, his first season with less than 1,000 since 2006.  Arians worked his magic with the Colts this past year, so maybe he can do the same with Arizona and get their offense going.

Jermichael Finley

If Greg Jennings leaves Green Bay during free agency, Finley could be in for a career year if he stays with the Packers.  Over the last 5 years, Jennings has caught 38 TDs and compiled three 1,000-yard seasons.  Somebody will have to fill the void, and Finley is fully capable of doing just that.  He seems dedicated to becoming a better football player, and it doesn’t hurt that he has one of the best QB’s in the business throwing him the ball.  Speaking at his season ending press conference, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy had this to say regarding Finley; “I’ve really felt Jermichael Finley was a different man, different player from the bye week on.”  If he keeps working hard, maybe 2013 will be his breakout season.

Will 2013 be Finley's year?

Dustin Keller

Since he is a free agent, it all depends on where he ends up playing next season.  Although he struggled with injuries in 2012, Keller did not miss a game in his first 4 seasons.  He has always been a favorite of the much-maligned Mark Sanchez, evidenced by his 100+ targets in 2010 and 2011.  During that span, he also had 120 catches with 10 TDs.  The Jets don’t exactly have a vaunted passing attack, so maybe a change of scenery could spell a breakout for the 6th year pro.

Vernon Davis

He isn’t a sleeper, however, he will come discounted in your 2013 fantasy drafts.  Colin Kaepernick will learn how to use him, and it may just be starting to click.  In the NFC Championship game against Atlanta, Davis had 106 yards and a TD.  Simply put, this guy comes up big when it matters.  In 4 career postseason games, he has compiled 442 yards and 5 TDs while averaging 27.6 YPC.  Judging by his past, expect Davis to make some plays against the Ravens come Sunday.

Davis has come up big in the postseason.

We would like to thank all our subscribers for a great 2012 NFL season.  Enjoy the game this weekend and remember to check us out on Twitter at @CSAscoutPRO!

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Weekend of All-Stars

February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Howdy fantasy footballers!

Can you believe February is almost over?  Time has flown by this year. Soon it’ll be Opening Day for the MLB. But before that, let’s talk about this weekend. For those of you who still follow football in the off-season, the NFL Combine has been underway. The biggest names on the field? Luck vs RG3. It is a battle of who gets drafted first and if RG3 can show scouts he needs to be the number 2 pick if he doesn’t go first. I know a 40 time does not mean much when you play QB, but RG3 had a 4.41. That’s Vick fast. And Luck? Remember last year’s number one overall pick? Cam Newton, the athletic freak at Auburn who had scouts scrambling for his attention. Well Luck ran the same 40 time. Not once did I see that coming. I am not saying Luck is not athletic and strong. I just never imagined his quickness. But again a 40 yard time does not really mean anything for a QB. The biggest thing about the Combine is what it means. Performance at the Combine does have some correlation to success in the NFL but it is not a good predictive measure. Also in the NFL, free agency is well under way. Big names like Mario Williams, Foster, John Abraham, Matt Flynn and Matt Forte are some of the players that could stay or leave.

Some of y’all saw Ryan Braun win an appeal against the MLB. The MLB was looking to suspend the MVP winner but Braun fought back tooth and nail and won. And than there are those who watched the NBA All-Star weekend. Friday night showcased celebrities, Legends, and the US Secretary of Education. The best moment on Friday night was Kevin Hart, who after being ejected, won the MVP for the Celebrity game. After promising to go 40 and 10, he instead went 8 and 6. Not bad for a guy that can easily get dunked over. Key word: over. We have to see if the NBA and David Stern fine Kevin Hart for his actions against the officials and Mark Cuban for being Mark Cuban. I think $25k for both is reasonable. Saturday had other events such as the Skills Challenge, Rising Stars Challenge, 3 Point Contest and the Dunk Contest. Here is my pet peeve: the Dunk Contest has become the main All-Star event. And while it’s popularity has increased, the level of dunks has decreased. Back in the day you had Jordan, Vince Carter, D.Wilkins, Dr. J, Spudd Webb and McGrady going for the win. (Super)stars competing in the contest. Want to make the contest better? [I mean this year's dunk contest was not all that great - give it till April and the public will forget who won and competed]. Have Ibaka, Howard, Griffin, Lebron, Wade, and even Westbrook or DeAndre Jordan compete. Guys that are athletic freaks that can put on a show. I mean this year we had three different dunks involving jumping over another person (or two). Where is the creativity? Where is the pure athletic power that Vince Carter, Wilkins, and Jordan used to bring? You cannot possibly tell me athletic power has gone down with new training methods and technological advancements. Stop with the flashy dunk attempts that take 8 tries or the gimmicky props.

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