Tag Archives: Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson Is Ready for the NFL Draft

Draft Day Is Today

FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 06: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots run onto the field prior to the game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Today is the day the NFL Draft begins. The day when dreams come true in the face of the NFL. The Patriots have hosted Lamar Jackson a few times among other prospects. The drama surrounding the team can be pushed aside for a while, and real football can be talked about. Bill Belichick is building a team for the future to have an easy transition for Josh McDaniels. What the Patriots are going to do with the 23rd overall pick remains to be unseen, but Lamar Jackson was excited when he met with Bill Belichick.

Lamar Jackson spoke yesterday in Dallas. According to USA Today, Jackson talked about Belichick, saying, “I’ve always seen him so serious. Even when he won the AFC championship, he just passed the trophy like he was so serious about it. So I was like, he’s probably going to be hard or something. But he was cool, laid back. Just wanted to talk and stuff like that, so it was pretty cool for me. We were just talking and having a conversation, and he was trying to help me. And he, like, giggled and started laughing, and I said, ‘Oh snap!’

Lamar Jackson Ready to Begin a Career in the NFL

Lamar Jackson wouldn’t mind being the next Jimmy Garoppolo. Jackson knows Garoppolo learned a lot when he was behind Tom Brady. Jackson also said yesterday, “When Brady said I’m a beast, I’m like, ‘Brady said that!?’” Brady doesn’t really come out too much and talk, but that’s one of the guys I’ve looked up to as well, playing football and just trying to learn to be a quarterback”. Nope, Brady doesn’t, so him approving of Jackson is pretty clear what could be happening tonight, even though Brady shouldn’t have a say.

Jackson also said that McDaniels and Belichick could help him grow more as a quarterback. Like I’ve said all along what’s going to happen. They are drafting a quarterback this draft to groom to be the successor to Tom Brady. At the end of the press conference, Jackson said, “I’m just happy for my name to be on their mind period, It’s cool to me. I’m cool with it in a positive way”.

Who Will the Patriots Draft at Quarterback?

Tom Brady Endorsing Lamar Jackson

Tom Brady will go into this season being 41. Belichick knows he has to draft a quarterback this upcoming draft to be realistic. There is no way that Belichick won’t go into this season without drafting a quarterback.  It looks like Tom Brady is all in on Lamar Jackson.

On NFL Network’s Instagram, there’s a post which is what you see in the picture below. Tom Brady comments “He’s a beast!!!!” with a thumbs up emoji. Moreover, you can take this one or two ways. One, that’s who Brady wants to be his successor. Or two, he thinks the Patriots defense is horrible and Jackson would run all over the Patriots defense. Personally, I think it’s the first reason.

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Lamar Jackson is a 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and can tear defense’s apart with his running game. Also, with Brady endorsing the Instagram post, it seems like he wants the Patriots to draft him. Jackson’s response on Twitter shows he’s excited when the GOAT spoke.

The Options at the Quarterback Position

The second option the Patriots could have is Sam Darnold out of USC. Furthermore, could the Patriots trade with the Cleveland Browns to take Sam Darnold number one or four overall? Belichick wants to give Josh McDaniels the best team possible when he takes over next season. Finally, there is no way Tom Brady will sign an extension. He’s done after his contract is up. If he wasn’t done, why would he be endorsing a quarterback on Instagram? Seems like Brady doesn’t know Belichick is leaving, but he realizes that it’s almost time for him to hang it up.

In addition, it would be a slap in the face to Robert Kraft and fans that thought he was going to play till 45. However, there’s no way he’s playing till he’s 45. The end of “Tom VS. Time” told you that. So who will the Patriots draft? Almost certain that remains to be seen but it will be either Lamar Jackson or Sam Darnold. Consequently, you have Nick Caserio going to all these private workouts because he knows Belichick is gone in a year. He wants to make sure who they draft will be a good fit for the Patriots’ system post-Belichick.

 

Cover image courtesy of Daily Snark.

Boston Sports Extra Mock Draft 1.0

After a crazy free agency, teams are left with different needs. BSE projects how the first round will look like in its first mock draft:

1.Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold, QB

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Darnold is the best QB in the draft, and someone they desperately need. Tyrod Taylor is not a long-term plan, and the addition of Carlos Hyde means that they really don’t need Barkley here. QB of the future is the pick here.

2.New York Giants – Saquon Barkley, RB

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Barkley gives the Giants a spark in their offense and takes pressure off Manning. They could also trade down to the Bills if they get a good deal.

3.New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Josh Rosen, QB

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They gave up three second-round picks to move up three spots. The most polished passer in the draft is the right pick here especially with the Jets’ addition of Terrelle Pryor.

4.Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans) – Denzel Ward, CB

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With Barkley gone, the Browns go to their true top need outside of quarterback: a true lockdown corner.

5.Denver Broncos – Quenton Nelson, OG

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The Broncos addressed their QB need with the signing of Case Keenum and pick someone to protect him with one of the most bust-proof prospects in the draft. The Broncos had a terrible offensive line unit last year, so Nelson is the pick here.

6.Indianapolis Colts (via New York Jets) – Bradley Chubb, DE

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Chubb is arguably the best defensive player in the draft, and falls to the team that needs a pass-rusher the most.

7.Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S

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With the additions of Vinny Curry and JPP, the Buccaneers look to improve their secondary with the best player available.

8.Chicago Bears – Tremaine Edmunds, LB

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Edmunds is considerably the best and most versatile linebacker because he can rush the passer, drop back in coverage, and can stop the run. The Bears can use him effectively as they need someone who can consistently do this.

9.San Francisco 49ers – Derwin James, S

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While it is not a dire need, the 49ers take a great hard-hitting safety. The pick makes sense to bolster the secondary along with Richard Sherman and the fact that starting safety, Eric Reid, is a free agent.

10.Oakland Raiders- Roquan Smith, LB

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After addressing the secondary in free agency, the Raiders choose someone who can help them from Day 1. Smith is a fast, athletic playmaker which is a player the Raiders defense desperately needs.

11.Miami Dolphins – Vita Vea, DT

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Vea can fill a Ndamukong Suh sized hole left in the Dolphins defense. A QB can be a pick here but doesn’t seem likely after the Brock Osweiler signing. He is the best interior DL according to Mike Mayock.

12.Buffalo Bills (via Cincinnati Bengals) – Josh Allen, QB

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The QB-needy Bills’ best bet is to roll with McCarron and Allen, two young quarterbacks with great promise.

13.Washington Redskins – Mike Hughes, CB

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Redskins lost Kendall Fuller and are likely to lose Bashaud Breeland. They draft a two-phase playmaker that can also contribute as a kick returner.

14.Green Bay Packers – Marcus Davenport, DE

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The Packers pick a player that adds much-needed pass rush off the edge.

15.Arizona Cardinals – Baker Mayfield, QB

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One thing the Cardinals have learned over the years is you can never have too many quarterbacks. Bradford is injury-prone, and Glennon lost his job to a rookie. Mayfield is the pick here. Another option would be a wide receiver who can learn from the great Larry Fitzgerald.

16.Baltimore Ravens – Calvin Ridley, WR

CFP National Championship presented by AT&T - Alabama v Georgia

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Ridley is the top-rated receiver in the draft and falls to the Ravens, who is needing offensive weapons even after signing Michael Crabtree.

17.Los Angeles Chargers – Lamar Jackson, QB

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The Chargers choose to groom their quarterback of the future with their pick here. Jackson could strive under the coaching of Anthony Lynn.

18.Seattle Seahawks – Mike McGlinchey, OT

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Seattle had an abysmal offensive line unit in 2017. Here is a player that can tremendously improve it.

19.Dallas Cowboys – Maurice Hurst, DT

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Hurst is a first round talent that has shown he can disrupt the passer and get off blocks.

20.Detroit Lions – Da’Ron Payne, DT

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The Lions found their workhorse back in LeGarrette Blount with Ameer Abdullah to complement him.  Here, they draft a player who can stop the run and rush the passer on the interior defensive line.

21.Cincinnati Bengals (via Buffalo Bills) – Will Hernandez, OG

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Cincinnati picks Hernandez to improve the interior offensive line and give Joe Mixon a powerful player to run behind. He may lack height but makes up for it in strength and toughness. He has all received comparisons to Pro-Bowler Richie Incognito.

22.Buffalo Bills – Rashaan Evans, LB

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The Bills look on defense after targeting a quarterback with their first pick. Evans is a fast and skilled tackler who can fill the hole of tackle leader, Preston Brown.

23.Los Angeles Rams – Courtland Sutton, WR

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The Rams pick a big-bodied receiver to replace Sammy Watkins and give Jared Goff a new target.

24.Carolina Panthers – Ronnie Harrison, S

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The Panthers are looking for a leader and difference-maker at safety. Harrison fits the bill.

25.Tennessee Titans – Harold Landry, OLB

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The Titans need a consistent pass-rusher. Landry displays the quickness and hustle to get to the quarterback.

26.Atlanta Falcons – Taven Bryan, DT

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Bryan is a versatile player who can play both tackle and end. He should help the Falcons right away, especially with the losses of Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn.

27.New Orleans Saints – Mike Gesicki, TE

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The Saints draft class of 2017 might have been one of the best. They filled a lot of holes on their team last year. One thing they do need is a new weapon for Brees to take the load off Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. The trio would be a nightmare for defenses to guard if they pick this athletic touchdown machine.

28.Pittsburgh Steelers – Leighton Vander Esch, LB

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With Ryan Shazier out for the 2018 season, the Steelers look for a capable inside linebacker in the Boise State product.

29.Jacksonville Jaguars – Dallas Goedert, TE

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Although they signed Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, the Jaguars could look to add a long playmaker capable of being a go-to guy for Blake Bortles.

30.Minnesota Vikings – Jaire Alexander, CB

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With 39 year old Terrence Newman likely to leave in free agency, the Vikings draft a tough physical corner who can replace Newman as the nickel.

31.New England Patriots – Lorenzo Carter, OLB

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Many mock drafts have New England drafting a tackle with the loss of Nate Solder. However, the resigning of LaAdrian Waddle, return of Tony Garcia, and signing of Matt Tobin provide the team with enough depth. Garcia does have to get back to football shape, but his college tape shows that he is a more than capable linemen. In the meantime, Waddle can start while Garcia can develop. He was drafted because the Patriots planning a future without Solder. In turn, New England looks to add talent and depth to a depleted core group. The Patriots have shown interest and could use someone like Carter who is fast, athletic, and capable of getting to the quarterback.

32.Philadelphia Eagles – Hayden Hurst, TE

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The Eagles do not have a lot of holes on their team. Behind Zach Ertz, there is no real depth. Therefore, the Eagles draft Hurst who is a big-bodied catch-and-run threat who fits perfectly in the scary Eagles offense.