Tag Archives: Dallas Cowboys

2019, DraftNasty Historical Content (Videos, Photos, Articles), Football, Articles

2019 NFL Draft recap, pick-by-pick: NFC East

April 28, 2019 dnmadmin Leave a comment

The New York Giants had the sixth overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft and selected former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones. Their selection set off a series of events in what shapes up to be a very competitive division in 2019. We take a look at every pick in the division made this past weekend.

NFC EAST

Hill (No. 9 pictured), the Dallas Cowboys second-round selection, actually starred as a 320-pound freshman defensive end under former defensive coordinator Erik Chinander.

Dallas Cowboys	Notable picks: Hill may be the pick that the team looks back on eventually with a smile. His immense athleticism could provide matchup problems from the inside in Year 1. Pollard’s play speed varies, but his downhill running style gives the team options in the return game.
Round, Selection,	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
2 (58)	Trysten Hill	UCF	74/2nd Round	We talked to one anonymous offensive coordinator who stated that “Hill was the best defensive lineman they had seen." This same coordinator had also faced other top-notch Power 5 defenses. It lays credence to the amount of talent that the 300-plus pound Hill possesses.
3 (90)	Connor McGovern	OG/Penn State	98/3rd Round	The Cowboys had a revolving door at the left guard spot in 2018 and McGovern- a former U.S. Army All-American-got on the field early for the Nittany Lions, starting nine games as a freshman. He is a bully on the football field who works better at guard than center.
4 (128)	Tony Pollard	All-Purpose/Memphis	161/3rd Round	The NCAA’s all-time leading kickoff returner in terms of TD returns was also an effective dot running back and slot receiver. He could be a steal in the fourth round. Career Stats: 4,860 all-purpose yards-139 carries for 941 yards (6.8 YPC) and 9 TDs; 104 receptions for 1,292 yards (12.4 YPR) and 9 TDs; 87 KOR, 2,616 yards (30.1 yds/KR) and an NCAA-record 7 KR TDs
5 (158)	Michael Jackson	CB/Miami (Fla.)	149/3rd Round	Jackson had a solid two-year run for the Hurricanes subsidized by an above average showing during 2019 East-West Shrine practices. He is a very good challenger versus wide receivers, particularly bigger receiving targets. He is a cornerback that does better versus outside releases than inside releases in press-man.
5 (165)	Joe Jackson	DE/ Miami (Fla.)	180/3rd Round	Jackson can be a bit unorthodox in his style, making it tough for offensive tackles to gauge his techniques. Despite some stiffness, he posted 138 tackles, 24 QB sacks, 37.5 TFLs, 5 FFs, 2 FRs, INT and 5 PBUs in 39 games.
6 (213)	Donovan Wilson	S/Texas A&M	168/3rd Round	Wilson came to Texas A&M with a reputation for turning the ball over and didn't disappoint in school. A long defender, his versatility extended to the nickel, cornerback and safety spots in school.
7 (218) Acquired from Oakland	Mike Weber	RB/Ohio State	347/5th Round	The former U.S. Army All-American got off to a hot start in Columbus, but that has since cooled down after a rash of nagging lower extremity injuries lingered over a two-year period.
7 (241)	Jalen Jelks	DE/Oregon	174/3rd Round	Jelks, a former high school interior DL, can move around the defensive front with ease. He is more athletic than his testing numbers suggest.

Corey Chavous — New York Giants first-round draft pick Daniel Jones' 85-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Rahming in the 2018 Independence Bowl was one of five touchdown passes in a career-best performance.

New York Giants	Notable picks: Although the Giants made several good selections, this entire draft will ultimately come down to how the team transitions from Eli Manning to Daniel Jones. GM Dave Gettleman and his scouting department deserve credit for getting early-round value with Love, the Slaytons and Ballentine. For the second straight year, Gettleman decided to draft a player from Georgia's defense (2018-Lorenzo Carter, third round).
Round, Selection	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (6)	Daniel Jones	Duke	73/2nd Round	The Giants believe that Jones can be an Eli Manning-clone, but perhaps with better athleticism. Jones started 36 games in his career and finished it with six touchdowns in an MVP performance in the 2018 Independence Bowl.
1 (17) Acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the Odell Beckham, Jr. and Olivier Vernon trade	Dexter Lawrence	Clemson	9/1st Round	After taking its heir apparent to Eli Manning early, the Giants decide to bet on the third Clemson DL to go off on the board. Can Lawrence return to his 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year form? It may not matter. He will line up over the center in the team’s three-man fronts and occasionally line up over offensive guards in their four-man looks.
1 (30) Acquired from the Seattle Seahawks	Deandre Baker	Georgia	36/2nd Round	Baker’s toughness will be a good fit for the Giants. He has a chance to vie for a starting role in Year 1. The big key for him will be finding a balance in transition during the move area for wide receivers (12-to-16 yards).
3 (95)	Oshane Ximines	DE/Old Dominion	148/3rd Round	Ximines (Troy Jefferson's Player to Watch in our 2018 Old Dominion preview) has plenty of the characteristics needed to produce as a 30-front outside linebacker. While only an adequate bender, he uses a quick-footed nature to escape offensive tackles. He seemed most comfortable rushing from the right side in the film viewed.
4 (108)	Julian Love	CB/Notre Dame	68/2nd Round	Love’s gambling style resulted in a number of pick-six opportunities in 2017, and he finished on most of them. The consensus All-American has outstanding instincts and quickness.
5 (143)	Ryan Connelly	LB/Wisconsin	237/4th Round	Connelly’s toughness shined through the entire 2018 season. Despite playing through injury, he produced at nearly the exact level as he had in 2017. He is not a thumper but is capable of getting low to tackle. Connelly ends up getting the draft call over partner and All-Big Ten linebacker T.J. Edwards.
5 (171)	Darius Slayton	WR/Auburn	127/3rd Round	Speed is a big part of the equation whenever a receiver averages 20 yards per catch over a three-year period. Slayton has no problems running by defensive backs. He caught three passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns in the 2018 Music City Bowl. His body language gives away intermediate route concepts because he doesn't come off the ball with consistent forward lean.
6 (180)	Corey Ballentine	CB/Washburn	50/2nd Round	He has excellent feet, hip flexibility, toughness and return skills. Working on staying lower in his backpedal will put yet another tool in his toolbox, but he already can close distances from a variety of angles.
7 (232) Acquired from Minnesota	George Asafo-Adjei	OL/Kentucky	583/6th Round	Plus size. Praised for his versatility within the program. Heavy puncher. Although he started primarily at the right tackle spot, he can backup several positions. His impressive Pro Day performance likely earned him a draft slot.
7 (245) Acquired from Los Angeles	Chris Slayton	DL-Syracuse	123/3rd Round	It could be argued that the 700-pound squatter has as much lower body strength as the team’s 17th overall pick in Lawrence. He is not an accomplished pass rusher but he finished his career with 32.5 tackles for losses. Despite the Orange winning 10 games in 2018, Slayton was the team's only draft pick.

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins passed for 4,831 yards (70%), 50 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2018.

Washington Redskins	Notable picks: Haskins may carry a bit of a chip on his shoulder due to his slight fall simply because the Giants play in the same division. It will be fun to track future Jones versus Haskins matchups. He will pair up with his Buckeye teammate McLaurin in the third round, and we felt that he carried second-round value. Harmon could become grand larceny in the sixth round, as could either Moreland or Brailford in the seventh. Bruce Allen and Doug Williams put together a well-constructed draft designed to grab another pass rusher, a future quarterback and more competition at receiver. Linebacker is still a question mark for the team entering 2019, especially after the release of Zach Brown. There will be a lot of pressure on Reuben Foster to finally come into his own.
Round, Selection,	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (15)	Dwayne Haskins	Ohio State	27/2nd Round	Haskins passed for 50 touchdowns in his only year as a starter at the collegiate level. He provides insurance in case Alex Smith is unable to return from a catastrophic leg injury in 2018. The All-Big Ten signal-caller will compete with former Broncos QB Case Keenum.
1 (26) Acquired from Indianapolis	Montez Sweat	Mississippi State	8/1st Round	The Redskins needed to upgrade their pass rush and Sweat was likely the best player left on its board. Aside from dynamic testing numbers, the former Michigan State Spartan stood out over the last two years on the field for the Bulldogs with underrated effort.
3 (76)	Terry McLaurin	WR/Ohio State	30/2nd Round	McLaurin caught 11 TD passes from Dwayne Haskins in 2018. After a strong Senior Bowl week of practices which clearly defined him as the week’s best route runner, it leaves one to wonder what his production would have been like as its No. 1 featured receiver. Aside from the ability to win off the line of scrimmage, he is one of the better gunners in this year’s draft. He finished his career with 17 tackles.
4 (112)	Bryce Love	RB/Stanford	110/3rd Round	Love went nearly exactly at his position on our Big Board, but he may have gone much higher if he had not suffered an ACL injury late in the year. Ankle issues were also a concern during his career. The fact that he carried the ball 97 less times as a senior may have saved him wear-and-tear in the minds of some entering this year’s draft.
4 (131)	Wes Martin	OG/Indiana	N/A	The Hoosiers team captain may have surprised some by going ahead of teammate Brandon Knight. His ability to create forward movement in the run game may be underrated. Martin did 38 reps at 225 pounds on his Pro Day.
5 (153)	Ross Pierschbacher	OC/Alabama	314/4th Round	It is not often that a high profile offensive lineman from the state of Iowa gets out of the state. Pierschbacher more than justified his national ranking as a prep level lineman. He has solid initial quickness, positive on-field movement and decent overall awareness. He will need some help if left on an island versus elite interior pass rushers.
5 (173)	Cole Holcomb	LB/UNC	272/4th Round	Despite being a good overall athlete, the second-team All-ACC linebacker did not have one scholarship offer coming out of high school. The former soccer player has good feet on the field. He is a bit of a pumped up 230-plus pounds. A workout warrior, he caught the attention of NFL scouts with his 4.46 speed, 6.77 3-cone and 4.15 20-yard short shuttle times in pre-draft workouts. He also went 11-feet in the broad jump.
6 (206)	Kelvin Harmon	WR/NC State	108/3rd Round	Harmon says he likes Michael Thomas (Saints) because their frames are similar. We think he plays the game at the right clip. His play strength and 218-pound frame make it tough for defensive backs to work through and around. He is a grinder who could stick.
7 (227)	Jimmy Moreland	CB-Nickel/James Madison	164/3rd Round	There is really not much more Moreland could have done while at James Madison. He covered instinctively, was willing in run support and finished plays on the ball as well as any cornerback in the 2019 NFL Draft class. He finished his career with 18 interceptions (363 yards, 6 TDs), but he was knocked for his 73 1/4-inch wingspan.
7 (253)	Jordan Brailford	DE-OLB/Oklahoma State	171/3rd Round	Brailford did exactly what he was supposed to do during the 2019 postseason. At every turn he not only met expectations, but often exceeded them. This was even evident when he showed up over 250 pounds at the 2019 NFL Combine. On the field, he put up 28 tackles for losses the last two years with efficient work using roll moves, slithering gaps on line games and an occasional inside club.

Miller (No. 48 pictured), Penn State's Co-MVP in 2018, posted 12.5 quarterbacks and 26 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.

Philadelphia Eagles	Notable pick: For a team that prides itself on pass rushers, the team’s fourth-round pick in Miller has a chance to be more than what many may bargain for. While his statistics don’t represent it, he was always at his best versus the best competition. For the second straight year, the Eagles take a defensive end with upside in the fourth round (2018-Josh Sweat).
Round, Selection,	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (22) Acquired from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for its 25th overall pick	Andre Dillard	OT/Washington State	13/1st Round	Dillard has the ability to pass protect at a high level and he will be tasked to become the team’s bookend opposite Lane Johnson. After being a serviceable Pac-12 tackle in a pass-happy offense, will his workout numbers translate to becoming a dominant force on the field?
2 (53) Acquired from Baltimore	Miles Sanders	RB/Penn State	49/2nd Round	Sanders came to Penn State ranked as the No. 1 running back in the entire country by several recruiting services. He is adequate in blitz pick-up and -although largely unproven as a route runner- possesses soft hands. As he moves on to the NFL, he will become more aware of his ball security.
2 (57)	J.J. Arcega-Whiteside	WR/Stanford	100/3rd Round	Arcega-Whiteside, the 2014 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, and former high school basketball standout, brings a high-flying style to the field. It will be important for the Eagles to move him around some, like they did at Stanford.
4 (138)	Shareef Miller	DE/Penn State	138/4th Round	Miller -a junior-entry who ranked 138th on our Big Board- could prove to be a better pro than collegian. He is better with his hand in the dirt than out of a two-point stance and often translates speed-to-power on line games and stunts. He bought into DL coach Sean Spencer’s various techniques the last two seasons.
5 (167) Acquired from New England via Los Angeles via Kansas City	Clayton Thorson	QB/Northwestern	178/3rd Round	His moxie, arm strength, athleticism and overall pocket presence complement above average size. He won 35 of his 53 career games in school and was 3-1 as a starter in bowl games (didn’t finish the Music City Bowl). He did, however, bring his team back from a 20-3 deficit in the 2018 Holiday Bowl.

Related Images:

2018, Football, Articles

New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys, 9-16-18: In-game report

September 18, 2018 Troy Jefferson Leave a comment

In a classic NFC East battle, the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) and the New York Giants (0-2) turned back the clock and played a style of football reminiscent of their 1990s encounters. The Cowboys prevailed 20-13. DraftNasty’s Troy Jefferson gives his impressions in this in-game report:

Cowboys defense

Giants quarterback Eli Manning completed 33-of-49 passes but averaged just 4.4 yards per attempt on Sunday night.

If it hasn’t already, the game ball should go to defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. The Cowboys harassed the Giants offense all game, holding their division rival to 35 rushing yards and sacking Eli Manning six times. Marinelli utilized his traditional single high safety looks with a few twists. Throughout the game, the fifth-year Cowboys defensive coordinator threw in some slot blitzes and twisting stunts along the defensive line. Manning was forced to run off his spot and settle for checkdowns. Even when he had time, he “hopped” in the pocket and didn't set his feet to throw. A good example of this was in the second quarter on third down when Manning panicked and rushed a throw that went behind his intended receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. The Giants addressed their skill positions in the offseason but Dallas took advantage of an offensive line and a quarterback that were out of sync.

Cowboys kicking game

Much to the dismay of Cowboys fans, Dan Bailey was released before the season. Bailey, who had an 88-percent field goal accuracy percentage over his seven-year career, was replaced with 28-year old rookie Brett Maher. Maher missed his only field goal attempt from 47 yards against the Panthers in Week 1, but did go 2-of-2 against the Giants. The kicks were from 37 yards and 29 yards respectively. Maher wasn’t tested in Week 2 with long range attempts but his progress over the season will be worth monitoring. In a division which is so heavily balanced, special teams could decide who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t.

Saquon Barkley

The Giants second overall draft pick has showed through two games that he can contribute in multiple ways. Dallas looked to stack the box against the run while also avoiding the home run ball to receivers Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard. Despite rushing for just 28 yards, Barkley caught 14 passes for 80 yards. The rookie from Penn State has transferred his open field deceptiveness from college to the NFL. On one play in the second quarter, Barkley caught the ball in the flat by beating the Cowboys linebackers to the outside and then used a spin move to avoid safety Kavon Frazier to gain a few extra yards. Look for head coach Pat Shurmur to continue to tailor the playbook to get Barkley more quick touches in the open field, whether that be in the running or passing game.

2018, Football, Articles

2018 NFL Draft recap, pick-by-pick: NFC East

April 29, 2018 dnmadmin Leave a comment

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys	Vander Esch hopes to bring championships to the Cowboys over the next few years. Notable picks: Vander Esch may prove to be the difference-maker that the Cowboys envision with his versatility. Armstrong’s uneven pre-draft workouts are not at all an indication of his on-field burst and athleticism. Williams adds some swing backup insurance and could outplay his original draft position.
Round, Selection,	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (19)	Leighton Vander Esch 6’4 256	Boise State	36 (2^nd Round)	Athletic former basketball player has to become better in his stack-and-shed. Underrated range in coverage.
2 (50)	Connor Williams 6’5 296	Texas	3 (1^st Round)	Williams’ injury in 2017 following an inauspicious start to his junior campaign. When he’s on top of his game, the finish is in place.
3 (81)	Michael Gallup WR-6’1 205	Colorado St.	145 (3^rd Round)	Gallup wins outside the numbers and plays with a physical style that is even stronger than his sturdy 205-pound nature suggests play-to-play.
3 (82)	Tracy Walker DB-6’1 195	Louisiana-Lafayette	191 (4^th Round)	Walker has enough length that he could even get looks at a cornerback spot. A solid tackler, his best football may be ahead of him.
4 (116)	Dorance Armstrong, Jr. OLB-6’4 257	Kansas	49 (2^nd Round)	Armstrong, Jr. has an 84-inch wingspan and produced 20 tackles for loss in 2016.
4 (140)	Dalton Schultz TE-6’4 249	Stanford	296 (4^th Round)	Schultz is an underrated route runner despite producing just 11 third down receptions in school.
5 (171)	Mike White QB-6’4 223	Western Kentucky	155 (3^rd Round)	White has all of the tools of an NFL starting quarterback minus the mobility.
6 (208)	Cedrick Wilson WR-6’3 194	Boise State	78 (3^rd Round)	Wilson produced like a first-round wideout in the MWC. Will his 4.55 speed translate to the perimeter or will he be relegated to the slot?
7 (236)	Bo Scarbrough RB-6’1 228	Alabama	308 (5^th Round)	It may have been a long wait on draft day, but the bruising runner could be a change-of-pace power back if he can contribute on special teams.

New York Giants	Hill (No. 98 pictured) ranked as one of DraftNasty's Top 3-4 DEs/DTs available in the 2018 NFL Draft. The former Wolfpack star rushed for over 800 yards and 5 TDs as a senior at the prep level. Notable picks: Hernandez is a mammoth blocker who wins on man blocks. If he can win as an angle blocker, it will increase the diversity of the running game. Hill and McIntosh both will add diversity to a defense that finished 27th against the run in 2017.
Round, Selection	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (2)	Saquon Barkley RB-6’0 233	Penn State	2 (1^st Round)	Barkley’s lateral agility is top-notch. How much will he contribute as a check down threat? Based on his collegiate film, he should line up at a number of spots.
2 (34)	Will Hernandez OG-6’2 327	UTEP	21 (2^nd Round)	A behemoth bar room brawler with mass and underrated quickness, Hernandez has to distribute his weight evenly to reach his immense potential.
3 (66)	Lorenzo Carter OLB-6’5 250	Georgia	68 (3^rd Round)	Carter has some similarities to current Carolina Panthers DE Mario Addison. Can he create speed-to-power off the edge?
3 (69)	B.J. Hill DL-6’3 311	NC State	22 (2^nd Round)	Hill’s dependability is aided by an ability to play a bit longer than his 77-inch wingspan would suggest. Makes plays laterally in the run game.
4 (108)	Kyle Lauletta QB-6’3 222	Richmond	154 (3^rd Round)	Lauletta –the 2017 CAA Offensive Player of the Year- maintains good posture in the pocket and excels on the hit-and-throw concepts. Posted a 4.07 time in the 20-yard short shuttle at the NFL Combine.
5 (139)	RJ McIntosh DT-6’4 286	Miami (Fla.)	161 (3^rd Round)	McIntosh has the size to play either DE or DT. His 83-inch wingspan complements a light-footed nature. He needs to anticipate snap counts with more consistency.

Philadelphia Eagles	Former Pittsburgh cornerback Avonte Maddox (No. 14 pictured) played WR, CB, PR KR and the nickel back spot for the Panthers. He will add versatility to the Super Bowl champions' roster. Notable pick: Maddox is a player who went undervalued due to size and slight durability concerns. His ability to cover the slot could increase some of the packages by DC Jim Schwartz. Schwartz typically likes to rush with four players and Maddox could increase coverage disguises. The Eagles got three of our top 60 players with their first three selections.
Round, Selection,	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
2 (49)	Dallas Goedert 6’4 260	South Dakota St.	56 (2^nd Round)	Goedert gives the Eagles two tight ends who can attack vertically in the seams of the field. And he weighs in the 260-pound range.
4 (125)	Avonte Maddox CB-5’9 183	Pittsburgh	53 (2^nd Round)	Maddox’s 4.39 40-yard dash at the Combine was only outdone by his 6.51 time in the 3-cone drill. He’s even better on the field than in T-shirts and shorts.
4 (130)	Josh Sweat DE-6’5 251	Florida St.	58 (2^nd Round)	Sweat fell due to lingering question marks about his knee. When he’s feeling good, he can translate speed-to-power with one-hand posts and collapses the edge vs. tackles.
6 (206)	Matthew Pryor OT-6’6 343	TCU	375 (5^th Round)	Pryor sits on run defenders with his mammoth size. He often wins in the first phase of block. 11 ½-inch hands.
7 (233) Acquired from New England Patriots	Jordan Mailata OL-6’8 346	Australia Rugby player	N/A	Mailata never played college football, but he ran in the 5.1-range for NFL scouts.

Washington Redskins	Settle (No. 4 pictured) posted 19.5 tackles for losses the last two seasons for the Hokies. Notable picks: Christian will help alleviate the issues the Redskins had last year when injuries beset the offensive line. Can he swing to the center position to challenge incumbent Chase Roullier? Settle is a player who was once thought of as a potential second-round pick before an uneven postseason.
Round, Selection,	Player	School	DN Big Board Rank/ Grade	‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (13)	De’Ron Payne DT-6’2 311	Alabama	30 (2^nd Round)	Payne will help to control the action as a fire-plugging two-gap specialist and occasional one-gap penetrator. Expect to see him aligned over the center in DC Greg Manusky’s three-man fronts.
2 (59)	Derrius Guice RB-5’11 224	LSU	24 (2^nd Round)	Guice will have to balance his bullish running style to avoid the injury scrapes that took away time from him as a junior.
3 (74)	Geron Christian OT-6’5 298	Louisville	79 (3^rd Round)	Christian’s versatility in school saw him move around during games. He was seen snapping the ball on his Pro Day and it could be a possible transition to a starting role.
4 (109)	Troy Apke S-6’1 200	Penn State	147 (3^rd Round)	Apke didn’t make a number of plays off the hash, but he demonstrated range during the week of the 2018 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and versus Pittsburgh in 2017.
5 (163)	Tim Settle DT-6’3 329	Virginia Tech	200 (4^th Round)	Settle’s quickness is aided by power. He will win versus guards or centers and could be a rotational piece on first and second down.
6 (197)	Shaun Dion Hamilton LB-6’0 228	Alabama	231 (4^th Round)	Crimson Tide team captain has battled major lower extremity injuries, but he can locate, identify and close once he’s made his reads.
7 (241)	Greg Stroman CB-5’11 174	Virginia Tech	381 (5^th Round)	With Stroman’s level of return ability, it is easy to forget that he also broke up 27 passes and picked off 9 passes in school.
7 (256)	Trey Quinn WR-5’11 203	SMU, LSU	227 (4^th Round)	Mr. Irrelevant caught 114 passes in 2017 after an unsettling stint at LSU. His savvy and quickness earn high marks.

2017, Football, Articles

Bryant’s Beehive: 3-for-3 into NFL Week 17

December 29, 2017 De'Angelo Bryant Leave a comment

Is Dez Bryant worthy of carry the title of X-Factor? Is Drew Brees still the best QB in the NFC South? What challenges does Kansas City Chiefs rookie QB Patrick Mahomes face in his first career start? Read more to find out these answers and more in Bryant’s 3-for-3.

Dez Bryant: X-Factor or Not

There’s no question from a physical standpoint Dez Bryant is one of those Terrell Owens specimen-type athletes. However, Bryant’s mediocre productivity this season has only been a reflection of his previous two seasons in Dallas. The Cowboys need more from their big money receiver. Before the double coverage murmurs begin, teams have had to respect the veteran presence of Jason Witten, the consistency of Cole Beasley, and the speed of Terrance Williams. Even when comparing him with Hall of Fame WR Michael Irvin in his eighth-year in the NFL, Irvin had 111 catches for over 1,600 yards (1995). Despite a decline in his numbers and less games played the following season, Irvin went on to have back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons (1997-98). At this point, the projection of Bryant reaching his 2012-14 status is not looking so bright. In 2017, Bryant failed to have a 100-yard receiving game and according to Pro Football Focus, he ranks second in the NFL with nine drops. The bottom line is Bryant is underperforming his contract, as well as his lead position for the Cowboys organization. With the future at quarterback and running back, is it time for the Cowboys to seek a No. 1 WR in the 2018 NFL Draft?

'Brees’-ing Through

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees continues to find the Fountain of Youth. Over the last few seasons, the NFC South has been graced with the athleticism of Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton, Atlanta Falcons 2016 MVP QB Matt Ryan, and the emerging Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Jameis Winston. However, the 38-year old veteran has led his team to its first winning record and playoff berth in four seasons. Perhaps these accomplishments are more fulfilling at this stage in his career than passing for 5,000 yards in a season (something he has accomplished four times). With one more game remaining on schedule, Brees has completed a career-high 71.9% of his passes and has managed to stay in the single digit column in interceptions (8). It has been eight years since Drew Brees has hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Does the ageless wonder have what it takes to bring another championship back to New Orleans?

Mahomes Debut

After locking up the AFC West for the second season in a row and clinching a spot in the playoffs, head coach Andy Reid is turning the keys over to rookie QB Patrick Mahomes for Sunday’s contest against the Denver Broncos. While this game may serve as a meaningless game for some, Mahomes will still be tested by a Broncos defense that ranks second in the league in total defense and fourth in the league against the pass. Mahomes, the 10^th overall pick in the 2017 draft, displayed great arm strength, strong hips through his release, and mobility coming out of Texas Tech. With a notable seasoned veteran and the potential contract discussions of Alex Smith at the end of the season, could we be getting a glimpse of the Chiefs new QB next season?

Football, Articles, 2016

Ezekiel Elliott 6’0 225 RB Ohio State: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

March 22, 2016 dnmadmin Leave a comment

15 Ezekiel Elliott RB 6'0 225 Ohio State

Photo by: Al Bradley Instagram: www.instagram.com/1djsoul

What makes this player NASTY (Strengths): Athletic bloodlines. Prototype size. Muscular build. Big game player. Brings his best vs. the best competition. Finishing speed. Ball security. Keeps the football high and tight to his frame. Holds his top-end speed and has rarely been caught from behind in the open field. Sticks his foot in the dirt and gets vertical on inside zones. Runs with forward lean. Delivers punishment to safeties, LBs and DBs (6-yard run, 1st quarter, Notre Dame '16). Gets on top of safeties and LBs quickly at the second level due to acceleration. Excellent hand-eye coordination shows up as an outlet on swings and flat routes. Patience. On counter-trey and counter-trap runs, he allows the puller to make contact in the hole before making a decision. Possesses the deft, subtle skips to bounce runs to his left (Penn State í14). Outstanding blocker. He will get all the way up the third level to block safeties. Heís also been a factor lead blocking on strong sweeps; where he's made highlight film blocks vs. CBs (Notre Dame í16-Fiesta Bowl). Ability to cut block has led to scoring opportunities in the red area (Barnett, TD, Illinois í15). Measures the thigh boards and ankles of moving targets. Identifies and ID's the most dangerous pass rusher in blitz pick-up.

Weaknesses: Does not always get his hips aligned to strike vs. longer OLB-types even after correctly identifying the man in pass pro (Penn State '14, Oregon '15). Suffered a broken thumb in the 2014 fall camp. He hasnít always made the last man miss in open field situations (Daniels, Oregon '15-national title game). Muffed and lost a punt vs. Virginia Tech in 2015. Underwent surgery on a wrist injury in the fall of 2014 and then again in the winter of 2015 (February). Had an infection in his leg in preparation for the Michigan State game in 2015 and was forced to spend time in the hospital due to pain. Posted just a 32 1/2-inch VJ at the 2016 NFL Combine.

Other Notes:

Earned a four-star ranking from Scout.com after starring in three sports (football, basketball and track & field)
Won state championships in the 100-meter, 200-meter (22.05), 110-meter high hurdles (13.77) and 300-meter hurdles as a senior
Named the Missouri Gatorade State Track Athlete of the Year in 2013
Tallied 50 total touchdowns as a high school senior
Coached by former NFL QB Gus Frerotte at the prep level
Father, Stacy, and mother, Dawn, both graduated from the University of Missouri and were standouts on the football and track teams respectively
2013: 30 carries for 287 yards (8.7 YPC) and 2 TDs; 3 catches and one TD
20 carries for 220 yards and 2 TDs vs. Wisconsin in the 2014 Big Ten Championship game
(OFFENSIVE MVP, 2015 Sugar Bowl): 20 carries for 230 yards and 2 TDs vs. Alabama on 1/1/15
OFFENSIVE MVP, 2015 National Title Game: 36 rushes for 246 yards and 4 TDs vs. Oregon
2014: 273 rushes for 1,878 yards (6.9 YPC) and 18 TDs; 28 catches for 220 yards (7.9 YPR)
27 rushes for 149 yards and 4 TDs vs. Notre Dame in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl
2015 (Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of Year, 1st team All-Big Ten, coaches): 289 rushes for 1,821 yards (6.3 YPC) and 23 TDs; 27 catches for 206 yards (7.6 YPR)
15 straight 100-yard games from 2014-15
22 career 100-yard games
Career Stats: 592 carries for 3,961 yards (6.7 YPC) and 43 TDs; 58 catches for 449 yards (7.7 YPR) and one TD
2016 NFL Combine: 10 1/4" hands, 31 1/4" arms, 4.47 (40-yd), 32 1/2" VJ, 9'10" BJ

Time to get Nasty...(Our Summary): Elliott's deceptive stride length and natural power provide a poor man's version of former All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers, Jets). His light-footed skip steps set up blockers to seal the edge when bouncing runs or provide assistance for his blockers when running inside. He has pop striking defenders in pass pro, but he could stand to match-up more square versus longer pass rush threats. There are few questions regarding toughness, football intelligence or size. Like Tomlinson, he's very natural catching the football out of the backfield. Elliott projects as a starting running back in Year 1 and his style of play fits gap-schemed styles like the Carolina Panthers employ.

DraftNasty's Grade: 6.605 (1st Round)

UPDATE: Elliott was picked fourth overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. In two seasons in the NFL, he has rushed for 2,614 yards (4.6 YPC) and 22 touchdowns. The 2016 first-team All-Pro selection has also caught 58 passes for 632 yards and three touchdowns.

Draftnasty Magazine