Mocking a QB to the Detroit Lions is lazy

Firstly, this is not discounting that Malik Willis (or Kenny Pickett) is or will be a bad QB in the NFL. In fact, I think that Malik Willis can be a top QB if he falls to a team with a proper coaching staff and with adequate weapons around him. He is an exciting prospect, but raw. He will be 23 years old in his first NFL game, and hasn’t really solidified himself as the QB1 in a draft class that lacks high-end talent in his position. In my opinion, he would be a fantastic 2nd-round project with incredible upside, however not worthy of the #2 pick.

The Detroit Lions have glaring holes in their defense. There is a desperate need for an elite pass-rusher. Unfortunately, this draft is missing a Bosa or Myles Garrett or Chase Young. Hutchinson/Thibodeaux/Walker are great but not elite talents. However, whether it be any of those three, the Lions will get a much needed improvement to their defense as compared to drafting a QB that may or may not be better than the one they have. If I thought that Kyle Hamilton was the next Ed Reed, then I would support him being drafted to the Lions, yet I don’t see that. An EDGE rusher is the only position the Lions can draft at #2 that will make sense.

Now, trading down makes the most sense. Loading up on draft capital in a class that lacks high-end talent but is deemed to have a pool of good talent is a fan’s wet dream. If the Lions move down, I would look for guys like S Kyle Hamilton, DT Jordan Davis, or EDGE Jermaine Johnson. I think all three of these guys will be day 1 starters for the Lions, while the organization also has more draft capital to build this team.

Malik Willis is a “We’re a QB away from being great” type pick. If he ends up in Pittsburgh or Washington, I think he’s going to be great. Pittsburgh has great weapons for him, and he can sit behind a serviceable Trubisky for a year or two. Washington traded for Carson Wentz who is nothing more than a bridge QB. They have a great defense, good weapons on offense, but are missing a QB to take them over the edge in an otherwise weak NFC East.

In the end, please stop mocking a QB to the Lions. If they do indeed draft Malik Willis, then I’ll tip my cap to the lazy bloggers, but he better be a top-5 QB for that not to be the beginning of the end of the Holmes/Campbell era.

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2021 Fantasy Football Draft/Pass: Quarterbacks

The Draft/Pass series will be going over every positional group, and I may even dabble into IDP. The positional rankings I will be using is FantasyPros so there will be a consistency throughout this, even though I do not totally agree with them. My opinion on each player is my own, and I would love to hear why you agree or disagree. THIS IS ALSO FOR 1 QB LEAGUES, NOT SUPERFLEX.

Draft

Matthew Stafford, LA Rams

Ryan Gaydos/FOX

Former Detroit Lions superstar Matthew Stafford begins the 2021-22 campaign in sunny Los Angeles after being traded earlier this year. Stafford takes over an offense that has far more weapons than his Detroit teams have had the past decade, even with the unfortunate loss of Cam Akers. With Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, and Tyler Higbee all returning, the Rams drafted receivers Tutu Atwell in the 2nd round, Jacob Harris in the 4th, and Ben Skowronek in the 7th. Darrell Henderson will serve as the lead back with Akers going down (news broke as I was writing this) and the involvement of Xavier Jones will be certainly needed.

Stafford enters in on FantasyPros at #12. This criminally underrates what Stafford is capable of. He was the #15 in fantasy points despite only playing 100% snaps in only 12 games. This was also with a WR group consisting of Marvin Jones Jr., Quintez Cephus, Danny Amendola, and Marvin Hall. My selection of Stafford being here may be due to my own hometown bias, but Stafford was the life of the Lions for a long time and we are all excited to see what he will be able to do in LA and what this Rams team has to offer. His ADP should be much higher than it is. I would consider him a top 5 candidate for the 2021 season.

Daniel Jones, NY Giants

Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

This will come as a shock and I will either look like a genius or an idiot for this take, but the Giants have the weapons to be a scary offense next year. It all comes down to Daniel Jones taking care of the football. He’s had 39 turnovers the past two years, but showed signs of improvement his sophomore season. Entering his third season, he now has Saquon Barkley returning at some point early in 2021 and a true WR1 in Kenny Golladay coming over from Detroit this offseason. The Giants drafted WR Kadarius Toney in the 1st round of the 2021 draft, but reports have come out stating that Toney will be a project WR and will make the biggest impact in the return game. His role as a receiver is not immediately pressing with Golladay, Shepard, Slayton, and TE Evan Engram being the target-men for Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones comes in on FantasyPros as their #21 QB. In 14 games last season, he was ranked #24 on Sleeper, so a slight rise is not very controversial on FantasyPros, but I think Daniel Jones can crack the top 15 IF HE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL. This strictly relies on Daniel Jones taking that step forward because I think this is his last chance to show that he deserved being the #6 overall draft pick and replacing Eli Manning. This is a make it or break it year for Daniel Jones, and I’m betting on him making it.

Trey Lance, SF 49ers

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

I’m going to say it, this situation reeks of Patrick Mahomes and KC when he was drafted. Cannon arm, viewed as a project, and had suitable weapons around him. With that said, I do not have Patrick Mahomes expectations. Trey Lance is coming from a good D-II program, but he has not played against D-I defenses. What Trey Lance has going for him though is Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of him on the depth chart, which will help him adjust to both the playbook and the speed of the NFL. The 49ers have two solid, young receivers in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Ayuik, along with one of the top TEs in the league with George Kittle. Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell were among the draft selections for San Francisco which will bolster the running back group that lost Jerrick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman. I would expect Sermon to take that RB1 spot sooner than Lance takes the QB1 spot, but having young talent that are progressing will help Lance become more comfortable in this offense.

Drafting Lance high is a gamble, because he could start Week 1 this season, or be held out until Week 1 next season. I think that he will find a middle ground there, with the likelihood of him getting a chance sooner rather than later if Jimmy G continues to regress. Trey Lance instantly makes this offense more polarizing, boosting the value of all receivers and Kittle. Lance’s ability to push the ball down field and throw sideline to sideline with zip on the ball makes Ayuik a target for fantasy owners as well. Trey Lance is not going to be a starter for your teams immediately, but he will be your starter heading into the playoffs and for years beyond.

Pass

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports

Kliff Kingsbury will not take Arizona to the next level. This has more to do with Coach Kingsbury than it has to do with Kyler Murray. I think Murray is a great QB and has shown that he is deserving of being a top QB drafted. However, I will not be biting at his current ADP. Arizona did no improve their running game, their offensive line consists of almost all new guys, and it seems as if it is only bringing in guys on their last leg i.e. James Conner, AJ Green, JJ Watt, and Rodney Hudson.

Kyler Murray was the #1 QB on Sleeper last season and comes in at #3 on FantasyPros this season. He has a top receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, but after that, I’m not a fan of this offense. If Kyler has to continue to run for his life, Arizona will be on a downward spiral. I do not like the lack of usage at their TE position. I hate their rushing game. Outside of Hopkins, Kyler has no true weapons. If Kyler slips and 5 QBs are taken before him, I would consider. Taking him after Mahomes and Allen is a risk that I am staying away from.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft has been compared to the likes of Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. The talent is there, but Lawrence is missing what Luck and Manning had. In his rookie year, Luck had Reggie Wayne and rookie TY Hilton as targets. Peyton, although he had a terrible rookie year, had Marvin Harrison and Marshall Faulk. Jacksonville does not have any weapons that are comparable to what Luck and Manning had. Lawrence is going to be a great QB, but I would hold off in 2021 because I do not think Urban Meyer will last long as the head coach in Jacksonville.

Like I said, the talent is there. I just hate the situation, which is similar to Kyler Murray. Trevor Lawrence will be a great QB in this league, but I don’t believe that he will have the fantasy relevance this season for him to be one of the top players in his position to be taken. Do not rely on him to be your starter, but look for him as a backup because of his possible upside.

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Hurts is at the helm of the Eagles after Carson Wentz’s departure to Indy. A major problem with the Eagles is that they have been missing a star receiver to help out Wentz and now Hurts. The addition of Jalen Raegor last season has been an improvement, but he is not the alpha that will bolster their offense. Drafting DeVonta Smith, however, will. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner will be a great weapon for his former and current QB.

The issue at hand is that Hurts is currently QB11 on FantasyPros. Braking into QB1 territory for a guy with a new coach, new weapons, but most importantly, rumors swirling around Deshaun Watson. Drafting Hurts at his current ADP is an incredible risk considering that Watson is not off the table. Further, it seems as if negotiations have occurred between the Texans and Eagles, which shows that Hurts may not be Nick Sirianni’s guy. I would recommend fading Hurts this season, until it is determined that he will be the franchise guy in Philly for the years to come.

The late-round QB your team should be targeting in the 2020 NFL Draft

We all know of Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, and Justin Herbert. Those three are almost solidified to go in the Top 10. Then you have Jordan Love, Jake Fromm, Jacob Eason, and Jalen Hurts. However, Anthony Gordon deserves some recognition because he could be a diamond in the rough.

Anthony Gordon, Washington State

Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review

2019 stats: 493/689, 5579 yards, 48 TDs, 16 INT

Projected round: 5th-6th

Washington State is known around the college football world for their aggresive, Air-Raid attack on offense. The Cougars throw the ball more than 75% of their offensive snaps. With that, Gordon is going to be the third straight QB Mike Leach is sending to the NFL (Luke Falk & Gardner Minshew). Between the three, Gordon has put up more impressive stats in his one starting season. However, Washington State ended the 2019 season at 6-7, which is disappointing when compared to the 2018, Minshew led, 11-2 Cougars.

Breakdown:

We’ll look at the things I like first. Lots of Gordon’s passes are bubble/screens, swings, snags, or slants. However, he has the ability to take the top off a defense with his deep ball:

Another thing that I like is Gordon’s playmaking mentality. He is comfortable outside of the pocket, while also having the mobility to pick up first downs if needed:

I specifically wanted to go through a drive that Gordon showed excellence. #11 Oregon (6-1) were hosting Anthony Gordon and Washington State. On the road, Gordon was given the ball on his own 10 yard line, 3 minutes to go, down 6 points. Here are the key plays from that phenomenal, 90 yard drive to put them ahead.

2nd and 5 from own 15, 2:45 left-

 

1st and 10 from own 40, 2:14 left-

 

4th and 3 from Oregon 5, 1:03 left-

There must be something about Gordon’s game that drops his stock down to a Day 2-3 pick. One reason is the interceptions. He shows some carelessness with the ball, throwing in extremely tight windows that can be crucial:

SUMMARY:

Anthony Gordon is an exciting QB that will be a developmental project for an NFL head coach. He is thrown into the “Air-Raid” system QB category, but he shows some real gunslinger traits about him that will catch a GM’s eye. I would not be surprised to see him be lumped in with Eason and Fromm as a potential 3rd or 4th round pick come draft day. I also would not be surprised to see him drop to the late 6th round, in which I think a team will be getting a steal. Granted, Gordon will need to be coached up on many things before he is ready to take quality snaps in the NFL. His footwork is inconsistent, he seems to get tunnel vision on a receiver which allows the defender to make a play, and he makes pretty reckless decisions. With that said, Gordon is a baller. He is not afraid to step up in the pocket and make a big throw. He has the ability to also escape the pocket, shown above. One of my favorite things about him is not getting down about an interception. Gordon will continue slinging the ball until the clock hits 0:00.

Grading the Detroit Lions’ free-agent signings

The 3-12-1 Lions entered the off-season with a dumpster fire defense. Flashback to Week 1, many believed that this defense would carry the load. Signing Trey Flowers and Mike Daniels, while also having Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson, and Damon “Snacks” Harrison. Fans hoped for Jarad Davis to improve, yet it shows that he is not a suitable MIKE for this team. We scratched our heads at the Tavai pick, yet he showed some flashes throughout the season. Then the Quandre Diggs trade happened, which seemingly spiraled everything out of control. Injuries upon injuries struck this team, and now, here we are. Slay traded to Philly for a 3rd and 5th. Kennard released. Snacks released. Glasgow released. Daniels let go. Melvin let go. Sam Martin let go. McKissic let go. What did we get back in return? Well, let’s go through everything.

Desmond Trufant, CB (Atlanta Falcons)

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

With Slay gone, many were hoping for Byron Jones. The Lions play the most man-to-man defense in the NFL, therefore, the available pool of corners that fit our scheme slims down. The former first round pick back in 2013 has been the CB1 for the Falcons, leading their secondary. What worries me is that this could be another situation like Mike Daniels, where an aging player is released by their team and we sign them after they come off a serious injury.

THE GOOD: Trufant is able to fill a massive hole at CB1 with the departure of Darius Slay.

THE BAD: Concerns with injuries, as well as Trufant is turning 30 later this year. This signing satisfies the Lions’ need for a CB1 for the short-term, but will need to invest in a younger CB somewhere in the near future. With the third pick in the draft this year, Okudah seems like a strong possibility to be this successor to Trufant.

GRADE: B

Jamie Collins, LB (New England Patriots)

Winslow Townson, Associated Press

Patricia likes the guys that he has experience with back in New England. Jamie Collins is a linebacker that is a great fit for the Lions because of his ability to cover tight-ends and running-backs. A revamp of this defense is much needed, so bringing in veterans that understand the culture that Patricia is trying to develop.

THE GOOD: Collins has experience in Patricia’s scheme and is capable of playing at an incredibly high level. He has been very productive over the course of his career, particularly with New England.

THE BAD: Collins is currently 31 years old and just signed to Detroit on a three-year deal worth $30M. I’m not a huge fan of the deal itself, but if Detroit is able to get similar production to what he did with New England last year, Collins will be a great addition to this defense.

GRADE: B+

Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT (Philadelphia Eagles)

Dave Zangaro/NBC Sports

The offensive line for the Lions had question marks looming since the departure of TJ Lang. Taylor Decker appeared to be a star early, however, has not been able to keep it all together. Frank Ragnow has been awesome at center, but that is really it. Glasgow seemed to be a solid guard, yet Quinn thought otherwise. Rick Wagner proved to be overrated and overpaid with his release. The key factor at play is what the Lions are going to do with Tyrell Crosby. Many believed he would get his chance at RT, yet the Lions signing Big V to a 5-year $50M contract, I find it hard to believe that Big V is going to sit behind Crosby making that much money.

THE GOOD: Vaitai has sat behind two of the best tackles in the game, Lane Johnson and Jason Peters. With Cory Undlin (former Eagles coach) joining Detroit’s staff, one can assume that Undlin saw promise in Vaitai.

THE BAD: A 5-year $50M deal for a player that has been unproven is concerning.

GRADE: C (with B upside)

Chase Daniel, QB (Chicago Bears)

Lions fans know Chase Daniel as the backup that defeated them on Thanksgiving Day back in 2018. Daniel is a career backup, spending time on the Saints, Chiefs, Eagles, and Bears throughout his 10-year career. He’s been proven to be competent, which has not been the case for backup QB’s in Detroit for the last few years.

THE GOOD: Stafford going down last year derailed the season. Chase Daniel will be able to come in, per anything to happen to Stafford, and bring the Lions success.

THE BAD: There is not really anything bad about this deal. I’m interested to see what the Lions do in this year’s draft and see if they invest a late pick in a developmental QB to sit behind both Stafford and Daniel.

GRADE: A

Danny Shelton, DT (New England Patriots)

I understand that the casual fan hearing the Lions signing another former Patriot is annoying, but I’d rather look at the player. Shelton is a solid run-stuffer on the interior of the defensive line. Shelton will be replacing Snacks, who had a similar role. I’m sure the Lions were looking to purse Chris Jones (franchise tagged by KC) and DJ Reader (signed to CIN), but luckily were able to grab a solid DT in Shelton.

THE GOOD: Value. Shelton signed to a 2-year $8M deal with Detroit, which is significantly less than that of Snacks’ former contract. This allowed Detroit to grab another piece for the defensive line.

THE BAD: Shelton is not the premier run-stuff player that Snacks was. Also, Shelton has been used more as a rotational piece than a solidified starter. This will be another case, like Vaitai’s, to see what kind of player he really is being a starter.

GRADE: B-

Nick Williams, DT (Chicago Bears)

Mentioned above, Shelton signing his deal allowed for Nick Williams signing with Detroit. Williams is a 29-year old vet, with experience on numerous teams. Last year, Williams was able to get to the QB 6 times, which is great for an interior lineman. A pass-rushing interior lineman is much needed on Patricia’s defense, which Williams is able to do.

THE GOOD: The Lions needed to improve their defensive line personnel. Further, they needed players that have the ability to rush the QB, which Williams showed he was able to do last season.

THE BAD: Williams broke out in his fifth season with the Bears. It is unknown why he wasn’t able to get his career going earlier with Kansas City or Miami, but maybe the Lions found a diamond in the rough.

GRADE: C+

 

 

 

 

Don’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

The NFL Draft is nearly a month away. With most of the big-name free agents off the market, we now have a better idea of where players will fall. Obviously, it’s almost easier to hit the lottery than getting a perfect mock. Also, adding in a couple trades to make things a little spicier. There is a table at the bottom of the mock that translates each selection to each team for easier view. Enjoy!

MOCK TRADES:

MIA sends 1.05, 1.26, 5.126 to DET for 1.03

CLE sends 1.1, 3.74 to CAR for 1.07

MIN sends 1.22, 2.58, 7.249 to TB for 1.14

ROUND 1

1. CIN- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Josh Auzenne/WAFB-TV

Transitioning from Andy Dalton to Joe Burrow will not only rejuvenate AJ Green and John Ross, but the entire Bengal’s team. Pairing Burrow with young head coach Zac Taylor will be something to keep an eye on heading into the 2020 season. With 2019 first round pick Jonah Williams returning, Cincy’s offense is something to keep an eye on.

2. WSH- Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

With Washington trading for Kyle Allen, it is almost fact that they will not be taking a QB at #2. The only other thing that can happen is the Chargers or Dolphins can trade up above Detroit to take Tua, but that seems less likely than Washington taking Chase here. An elite pass rusher to put across of 2019 first round pick Montez Sweat will give an immediate boost to Washington’s front.

3. MIA (via DET) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

A bidding war between Miami and LA can and will be won by Miami due to their amount of draft capital. I do believe that it is in which ever team that drafts Tua to sit on him for a year, be 100% sure that he is healthy, and come into the 2021 season prepared. Both LA and MIA are capable of this, with Miami sitting on Fitzpatrick/Rosen and LA with Tyrod Taylor. In this case, I see Fitzpatrick starting most of the season, and seeing Rosen appear later in the year to see exactly what he is worth for Miami to ship him off to gain picks in the following year’s drafts. Tua has superstar traits, it just comes down to providing him weapons and protection.

4. NYG – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

The Giants will have the first choice at the top offensive line prospects. Wirfs provides versatility, with his ability to play guard and tackle. Scouts believe he will be best playing at guard, but I would like to see him at RT. With a generational running back heading into year 3 in Saquon Barkley, and a young QB in Daniel Jones, investing in a solid piece in Wirfs will be beneficial for all of the weapons the Giants have on offense.

5. DET (via MIA) – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson

This pick comes down to Simmons or Okudah and the Lions are going with Simmons. With the Lions signing Trufant, that allows them to invest in a playmaker. Trading Slay hurts the secondary, but I believe that Oruwariye is going to take a big step in becoming the Lions CB2. Jarad Davis is not capable of being a starter for the Lions any longer, and with the release of Devon Kennard, the LB group in Detroit needs a boost. Simmons provides versatility that is needed with the amount of times Patricia drops his linebackers into coverage.

6. LAC – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Justin Herbert could be playing for the Arizona Cardinals right now, however, with him staying in school, it hurt his draft stock. I was wrong about Josh Allen coming out of college because I was worried about his accuracy. Similarly, I worry about Herbert’s accuracy. Scouting reports suggest that he is “deadly accurate” and I don’t see it. However, Herbert has the arm and the physical traits that you want in a QB. Putting him in LA to sit behind Tyrod will allow him to learn the offense, and eventually take over for the Chargers.

7. CLE – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

The Giants selecting Wirfs puts pressure on Cleveland to move up and grab the next tackle. Cleveland had great signings in free agency, now getting an anchor at LT will provide the much needed protection for Baker Mayfield. All of the hype last season for the Cleveland offense disappointed fans, however, look for a positive bounce back year as the Browns get a full year with Kareem Hunt, as well with the pairing of Austin Hooper and David Njoku.

8. ARZ – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

Over the past few months, we have watched Wills fly up draft boards. Wills is a polished blocker, being a two year starter at Alabama. At 6’5, 320lbs, Wills is capable of being one of the top tackles in the league for years to come. With the Cardinals robbing Houston of DeAndre Hopkins, giving Kyler Murray protection is a must and Wills here seems to be a no brainer.

9. JAX – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Derrick Brown is a name that will be known by many next season. He is one of the most complete DT coming into the draft that I have witnessed in recent memory. Brown has incredible strength that allows him to fight off blocks. His run stuffing ability appears to be elite. With Jacksonville sending off Campbell, a boost to their defensive line is needed. Getting Brown here at 9 is fantastic value.

10. CAR – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

With Carolina signing Bridgewater, they eliminate themselves with moving up to take Tua or Herbert. In this case, they are able to pick up an extra pick by moving down and still getting an absolute beast. Kinlaw has been relatively flying under the radar, which shocks me because of his talent. Kinlaw provides a pass rushing ability that is superior to that of Derrick Brown’s. That said, I would not be surprised to see Jacksonville grab Kinlaw and Brown to fall here to Carolina.

11. NYJ- Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

12. LV – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

13. SF (via IND) – Jeffery Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Okudah dropping all the way to 13 seems insane. Remember Greedy Williams being a solidified top 10 pick early last year? Okudah is definitely a better prospect and, in my opinion, a better player, so he will not drop far. Pairing Okudah with Sherman, while also reuniting with Nick Bosa, seems unfair. This SF defense only gets better.

14. MIN (via TB) – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

15. DEN – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

16. ATL – AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

17. DAL – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

18. MIA (via PIT) – K’Lavon Chassion, EDGE, LSU

19. LV (via CHI) – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

20. JAX (via LAR) – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

21. PHI – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

22. TB (via MIN, BUF) – Josh Jones, OT, Houston

23. NE – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

24. NO – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

25. MIN – Zach Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

26. DET (via MIA, HOU) – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

27. SEA – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

28. BAL – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

29. TEN – Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma

30. GB – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

31. SF – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

32. KC – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

ROUND 2

33. CIN – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

34. IND – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

35. DET – Cesar Ruiz, OG, Michigan

36. NYG – Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

37. LAC – Austin Jackson, OT, USC

38. CAR – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

39. MIA – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

40. HOU – Lloyd Cushenberry III, OG, LSU

41. CLE – Grant Delpit, S, LSU

42. JAX – AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson

43. CHI – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

44. IND – DeAndre Swift, RB, Georgia

45. TB – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

46. DEN – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

47. ATL – Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M

48. NYJ – Jalen Raegor, WR, TCU

49. PIT – Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s

50. CHI – Jonah Jackson, OG, Ohio State

51. DAL – Matt Hennessy, OG, Temple

52. LAR – Joshua Uche, EDGE, Michigan

53. PHI – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

54. BUF- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

55. BAL – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech

56. MIA – J.K Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

57. HOU – Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama

58. TB – Robert Hunt, OG, Louisiana

59. SEA – Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

60. BAL – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

61. TEN – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida

62. GB – Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

63. KC – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

64. SEA – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

Picks By Team

ARZ	Wills, OT
ATL	Epenesa, EDGE	Madubuike, DT
BAL	Shenault, WR	Brooks, LB	Cleveland, OT
BUF	Johnson, CB
CAR	Brown, DT	Diggs, CB
CHI	McKinney, S	Jackson,OG
CIN	Burrow, QB	Lewis, EDGE
CLE	Thomas, OT	Delpit, S
DAL	Henderson, CB
DEN	Ruggs III, WR	Hennessy, OG
DET	Simmons, LB	Blacklock, DT	Ruiz, OG
GB	Jefferson, WR	Dantzler, CB
HOU	Cushenberry, OG	Davis, DT
IND	Love, QB	Swift, RB
JAX	Kinlaw, DT	Gladney, CB	Terrell, CB
KC	Murray, LB	Arnette, CB
LV	Lamb, WR	Fulton, CB
LAC	Herbert, QB	Jackson, OT
LAR	Uche, EDGE
MIA	Tagovailoa, QB	Chassion, EDGE	Niang, OT	Dobbins, RB
MIN	Jeudy, WR	Baun, EDGE
NE	Gross-Matos, EDGE
NO	Queen, LB
NYG	Wirfs, OT	Anae, EDGE
NYJ	Bechton, OT	Raegor, WR
PHI	Higgins, WR	Okwara, EDGE
PIT	Bartch, OT
SF	Okudah, CB	Mims, WR
SEA	Weaver, EDGE	Igbinoghene, CB	Akers, RB	Wilson, OT
TB	Jones, OT	Taylor, RB	Hunt, OG
TEN	Gallimore, DT	Greenard, EDGE
WSH	Young, EDGE

Detroit Lions 2020 7-Round Mock Draft

After an incredibly disappointing 2019 season, the Lions find themselves drafting 3rd overall in this years draft. With there being three “elite” prospects in Burrow, Young, and Tagovailoa, the Lions could possibly be sitting on a gold-mine with teams looking to move up for Tua. Teams that are being expected to purse the Lions’ pick are the Dolpins, Chargers, Panthers, and Raiders. In this mock, the Lions will be accepting a trade with the Dolphins.

TRADE: DET sends 1.03 to MIA for MIA 1.05, 1.26 (via HOU), and 3.07

1.05 (via MIA) – Jeffery Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Jeffrey Okudah has the skill-set either take over duties at CB1 for the Lions if Slay is moved, or form one of the most dangerous trios in football with Slay/Okudah/Coleman. Okudah has been compared to Marshon Lattimore, both OSU alumni, and if the Lions can grab someone of Lattimore’s caliber, that is well worth a top-5 pick. With the Lions playing the most man coverage in the NFL, getting the best man-to-man corner is a no-brainer. Okudah showcases his ability to mirror routes with his insane statistics, coming from PFF. He has only allowed six 15+ yard completions over 400 snaps. While on the boundary, Okudah has only allowed first downs on 20% of his 93 targets since 2018.

1.26 (via MIA) – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

Julie Toles, TCU Athletics

Blacklock is a 6’4, 305lb monster. He is able to use his strength to power through gaps and get after opposing QB’s. The Lions struggles to apply pressure on passers last season was evident. With the departures of Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison and possibly A’Shawn Robinson, the Lions will need to fill a massive hole on the defensive line. Using the draft capital gained from trading out of the 3rd overall pick allows the Lions to get a high end talent.

2.35 – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

Rick Kimball/ISD

With the third pick for the Lions, we are going to bolster the defense again with a pass rushing specialist. Julian Okwara is has the speed and bend to get around the edge and produce sacks. Experts suggest that he would be best used in a 3-4 front with flexibility, which would be a perfect fit for the Lions. I would like to get an instant starter this early in the second round, but plugging in an edge rusher day one is not that common. Rotating Okwara into the game on passing downs would allow him to shine best in 2020, while he develops into a true three down defender improving his run defense.

 

3.67 – Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s

AJ Shulte/Pro Football Network

D-III athlete in the third round? Bartch is more than capable playing at the next level. He was able to elevate his draft stock with his outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl, which Matt Patricia witnessed first-hand. Although he was on the South team, it was evident that Bartch held his own against some of the premier pass-rushers entering this year’s draft. Bartch is not going to be a plug and play OT off the rip, but he can develop into a solid tackle for the Lions if Decker/Crosby do not take a positive step in 2020.

3.70 – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)

The first of my two receivers the Lions taking is an excellent talent, who if were in year’s prior drafts, would likely be a late first/early second prospect. Denzel Mims can be a QB’s best friend with his ability to catch nearly every ball you throw his way. An aging Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola leaves question marks on the future of the receiving group for Matt Stafford, but giving him Mims will provide a future WR2 who can fill Jones’ role.

4.99 – Shane Lemieux, IOL, Oregon

Andrew Doughty, Oregon Athletics

Since the departure of TJ Lang, the Lions offensive line has not been up to par with where it needs to be to make a step at being a serious contender. Lemieux is at the worst, a depth piece. He can contribute best in a power run scheme, which is great for Kerryon and Bo. Just as there are question marks at RT, there are also concerns with both of the guard spots. Shane has great power and shows it off on film. He has a place in the NFL as a future starter.

5.131 – David Woodward, LB, Utah State

Wade Denniston, USU Athletic Media Relations

This has potential to be an awesome pick or a wasted pick with Woodward’s injury history. He suffered a vertebrae fracture and several concussions in college, which will raise concerns for NFL GM’s. However, his upside is worth the risk. If taken, the Lions can sit on Woodward, allow his body to full heal for another year, and then plug him into the MIKE spot after they get rid of the disappointment that is Jarad Davis. Scouts recommend providing him with a solid interior line that will prevent blockers reaching him, which I do not believe will be a problem given that the Lions should grab some DT’s in free agency, along with drafting Blacklock.

5.154 – Antoine Brooks, S, Maryland

Maryland Football

Trading Quandre Diggs mid-2019 season showed serious concerns over who is going to take his place, but also showed how much the front office believes in Tracy Walker and Will Harris. Adding depth here in the fifth round with Brooks gives the Lions a safety that has incredible tackling ability with the added trait of being able to be a solid nickel defender.

6.162 – Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

One can dream that Gordon falls this far. The thing about Gordon is that he will be lumped in as a system QB, similar to how Minshew was last season. Last year, I mocked Minshew to the Lions. I enjoyed Minshew’s personality and game. What I see in Gordon is a guy that can exploit defenses WHEN he is on fire. Being a one year starter, he still needs time to acclimate himself to the speed of the game, especially moving from the PAC-12 to the NFL. However, I believe he will be able to come in and be a better back-up to Stafford than those who have been the last few years.

 

 

The State of the Detroit Lions

Let’s go back to Week 4 of the NFL season. The Lions host Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who were among the teams that were favored to win the Super Bowl. Sitting at 2-0-1, the Lions lose a nail biter 34-30. Many fans said that loss may be the best loss they have ever witnessed. The following week, the Lions head out to Green Bay and lose one of the worst officiated games I have watched, in case you forgot. Now sitting at 2-2-1, many of us were still optimistic.

Then we jump to today, the Detroit Lions sit last in the NFC North at 3-6-1, Matthew Stafford done for likely the season, Kerryon Johnson done for likely the season, Mike Daniels has finally came back after signing a one year deal for over $9 Million, Diggs traded for a bag of cheetos, and leaders of the team speaking out against that trade. This team has one of the worst defenses in the NFL after being hyped as having the best defensive line to begin the season. Darrell Bevell has actually done a good job on the offensive side of the ball, yet we are 1-6 in the last 7 games.

Fans are speaking about our scheduling “softening up” because we play teams like the Redskins, Broncos, and Buccaneers, but those teams are saying the same thing about the Lions. It is quite likely that the Lions enter the 2020 NFL Draft with a top 10 pick for the second consecutive year which will draw criticism considering Bob Quinn fired Jim Caldwell because “9 wins aren’t enough”. Well after 26 weeks of football, we are at 9 wins after Caldwell had 18 wins in 32 weeks of football. Now let me emphasize, I understand that Patricia and Quinn are attempting to build a system here. However, nobody knows what that system is, and I hate to think that neither do Quinn and Patricia.

As we roll into the conclusion of the 2019 season, the future of our staff is uncertain. Am I on the train that wants to fire Quinntricia? Not exactly. I do want to see a plan though. Trading Diggs for a 5th round pick is a decent move if, and only if, there are moves following that trade that will benefit the team. I’m glad to see that the front office believes in Tracy Walker and Will Harris. What I don’t like to see is our most prominent players, specifically Darius Slay, openly criticize that move. I waited until the four o’clock deadline to hear something about moves because apparently, the Lions were not sellers, they were buyers. So maybe they were going to use that 5th to acquire someone like they did last season in Snacks Harrison. As the clock hit 4pm, nothing happened. To me, that’s a fire-able offense, considering the state that the Lions are in.

As we move towards the NFL Draft, rumors of Stafford’s back injury has caused some reasonable concern. The problem is, Bob Quinn will not spend a first round pick on a quarterback because he is on the hot seat. Look at teams like the Packers (Rodgers), the Chiefs (Mahomes), and even in the sense of the Rams (Goff). These teams will draft a QB in the first rounder, let them sit and learn, and then unleash them. What is another characteristic of these teams? They are successful. Drafting a QB in the first round is a long-term move that Bob Quinn can not afford to take. I’m sure if Joe Burrow falls to the Lions, maybe he will actually give some consideration to him, but even then, I believe he will trade the pick to a QB needy team who haven’t already traded up for him.

In all honesty, I’m just as frustrated as the rest of the fans for how this season has turned out. I stayed positive after the TJ Hockenson selection. I stayed positive after making Justin Coleman the highest paying nickel corner.  I stayed positive after signing Trey Flowers to an absurd amount of money after the Patriots let him walk. I stayed positive after giving Mike Daniels $9 Million to sit the bench. I even stayed positive after we traded Diggs for nothing. Now, I don’t know have much care for this front office and ready to get into draft mode.

Lastly, for those who like to say, “Well if you don’t like them, who should replace them”. I have just the answer for you, but you are going to have to wait.

Monday Night’s Officiating Crew Join Mason Crosby in Lambeau Leap

Lions fan here, but I think it’s pretty obvious that my bias does not apply unless you’re a rat, Packers fan. I will present my case on why these officials need to be removed from the NFL. We have players being fined for waving at a defender while scoring a touchdown but referees laughing off the field after blowing numerous calls that will more than likely have ZERO repercussions.

EXHIBIT A- illegal use of hands to the face by Trey Flowers #1:

Trey Flowers working off the edge, left hand clearly under the chinstrap. Lions get the sack, which would have forced a punt from Green Bay, but wait! Flag comes in late, illegal use of hands from Trey Flowers. A five-yard penalty but more importantly, it becomes an automatic first-down. Guess what happens after, you guessed it, touchdown Green Bay, or was it?

EXHIBIT B- Ruled touchdown, reviewed, confirmed touchdown:

Here we have the supposed touchdown after the legal hands to the shoulder penalty. We have the catch, knee down, no part of his body/ball is across the white line as Justin Coleman makes contact. All scoring plays are review-able to all 31 teams in the NFL but apparently the Packers are an exception.

EXHIBIT C- Blown Pass Interference Call:

Here we have Marvin Jones downfield after beating the Packers defender. As the ball is in the air, the desperate defender throws his arm across Jones’s chest, disrupting his ability to attempt to make a catch. Clear PI, two refs watching this happen, no call. And for everyone saying “WHY WOULD MP NOT CHALLENGE?!?!” Well in the last 21 challenges for pass interference’s, coaches are 1-20 in getting it reversed. The PI needs to be as egregious as the Saints/Rams PI in order for it to be overturned. Therefore, the PI needs to top the worst non-call in NFL history in order for it to be possibly overturned. What a standard to have. Now consequently, this would have continued a drive that could have given the Lions a touchdown that would’ve extended the lead to 10. Instead, Matt Prater daddy’d a 51 yard field goal, points on the board regardless.

EXHIBIT D- illegal use of hands to the face by Trey Flowers #2:

 

Last but not least, the call witnessed around the world. After a crucial third down stop that would have resulted in a 33 yard field goal attempt, but more importantly, give the Lions almost 2 minutes to put a drive together to win the game. Instead, the automatic first down allows for the rats to run the clock down, kick a field goal, and jump into the stands with the zebras to celebrate being handed the game.

EXHIBIT E- 13 Packers on the field?

3rd and 8, the Pack are able to load the box and also account for all receivers. Hello? Anyone? THIRTEEN PLAYERS ON THE FIELD

EXHIBIT F- all of the other bullshit that happened:

I was not able to find photos for the Kerryon Johnson catch that was reviewed and determine that it was not a catch, the unsportsmanlike penalty on Tracy Walker as he was going for an interception, the ACTUAL illegal use of hands to the face by the Packers on numerous occasions, and the hold that allowed Rodgers to escape the pocket and run for a first.

As a Lions fan, I have witnessed horrible officiating. It is a common nuisance that is factored in by us when determining the outcome of each game we play. The only thing that I am happy about that has come out of this game is that it was witnessed by millions of NFL fans across the country. If this game were to be played a 1:00pm(EST) on Sunday, then it’s to be assumed that the Lions and us fans would be considered to be whining once again. The Packers are enemy number 1A now with the refs being 1b, FTP, FTR.

Don’s Top 10 Quarterbacks: 2019 Midseason College Football Rankings

On July 23, 2019, I released my preseason rankings for QB’s here and now I’m back with an updated ranking. We’re seeing four new faces, and a little shifting up and down the list. This list is based off stats, team performance, and my opinion. Let’s get into it.

Honorable Mention: Dillion Gabriel, UCF; Kaleb Barker, Troy; Chris Robinson, Florida Atlantic; Cole McDonald, Hawaii; Jacob Eason, Washington

10. Jamie Newman, Wake Forest

via Andrew Dye, JournalNow.com

Starting off this list is the man leading the UNDEFEATED #19 Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Jamie Newman currently has 1,521 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Along with this, Newman is a top dual-threat QB with 262 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 78 rushes. Wake Forest is not only making themselves a name in the ACC, but also nationally. After defeating Utah State week 1, and North Carolina week 3, Jamie Newman will continue his push for the Heisman along into Wake Forest’s big game against Clemson November 16th.

9. Justin Herbert, Oregon

via GoDucks.com

Justin Herbert was my 3rd ranked QB entering the season and has not impressed me thus far. The Ducks suffered a hard loss to Auburn week 1 and since then, Oregon has not been able to put together a good offensive performance (excluding Nevada). Herbert looks great on the stat sheet with 1,341 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 1 interception. However, I would like to see Herbert be able to dominate the Pac-12 and compete for a national title, but that loss to Auburn and the games against Stanford and Cal were a little to close for comfort for Herbert, who is a top QB prospect in the upcoming 2020 NFL draft. Herbert has a chance to prove me wrong with the games against Washington and Washington State approaching in a few weeks.

8. Anthony Gordon, Washington State

via Michael Wyke, AP

At number 8 is my top Pac-12 QB, Anthony Gordon. Gordon takes over the Washington State offense after Gardner Minshew being taken in the 6th round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. I rank Gordon above Herbert because of how explosive WSU’s offense is. They do have losses to UCLA and Utah, but they are putting up 45 points per game. Gordon himself has 2,146 passing yards (most in NCAA), 22 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. As mentioned before, Washington State is going to Oregon for a big Pac-12 matchup which should be a great game to see how well Gordon and Herbert compare to one another.

7. Sam Ehlinger, Texas

via Joe Robbins, Getty Images

Texas football is back? Sam Ehlinger thinks so and I do as well. Ehlinger is leading the 4-1 Texas Longhorns with 1,448 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. As Jamie Newman was mentioned to be a dual-threat, Ehlinger is also with 236 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 51 carries. The Longhorns only loss is to LSU, which was one of the best games of the season this far. Texas has a big game against Oklahoma this weekend, which will be a true testament of who is the best team in the Big-12.

6. Jake Fromm, Georgia

via 24/7 Sports

The first of the three SEC quarterbacks comes in a #6 with Jake Fromm. Fromm is in his junior season now with the Georgia Bulldogs, who are in contention for a National Championship. Fromm has thrown for 1,076 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Fromm was able to beat Notre Dame two weeks ago which was his only close call this season. At this rate, an interesting matchup between Alabama and Georgia for the SEC title is setup for the end of the season. Before that, Georgia must take care of Florida and Auburn, two teams that are going to test Fromm and the Bulldogs.

5. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

via CBS Sports

Five games in and Trevor Lawrence has been incredibly underwhelming for people, myself included, who believed he was the best quarterback in the nation. Lawrence is sitting at 1,131 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Furthermore, Clemson is coming off a narrow victory against North Carolina a week ago. I still believe Trevor Lawrence is one, if not the most, talented QB in the nation. Look for him to shine as the season goes on and Clemson makes their way to another College Football Playoff.

4. Justin Fields, Ohio State

via Kevin Allen, USA Today

I mentioned in my initial rankings that I’d expect Justin Fields to make this list come mid season and here he is in the top 5. After transferring from Georgia and not being able to beat out Jake Fromm as the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs, Fields is leading a Buckeyes team that looks to be the best team in the country. Fields is at 1,293 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 1 interception, 283 rushing yards, and 8 touchdowns. Incredible numbers as the first year starter is leading the undefeated, #3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes who are almost a certain team to reach the playoffs. Fields is coming up against the top teams in the B1G-10 with Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan all left on their schedule. If Fields is able to keep this up, look for him to rise on my rankings at the end of the season.

3. Joe Burrow, LSU

via Brody Miller, The Athletic

Joe Burrow has shocked the nation after leading an LSU team that most thought would be centered around their defense. Burrow led the Tigers past their win against Texas, while averaging 55 points a game. Burrow has thrown for 1,864 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in 2019. LSU still has Florida, Auburn, and Alabama left on their schedule. We have witnessed what Auburn’s defense is able to do, as they defeated Justin Herbert and the Oregon Ducks week 1. Alabama is the number one team in the country. If LSU gets through this schedule undefeated, Joe Burrow has a chance to lead this team to a national championship.

2. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

via SoonerSports.com

Jalen Hurts is another shock to the country, but not as much as Burrow considering how we saw him lead Alabama as a freshman. After losing his job to Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts stayed on Alabama for a year before transferring to the team that sent consecutive #1 overall draft pick QB’s to the NFL. Jalen Hurts is considered as the front runner for the Heisman trophy, which will also be the third Oklahoma QB to win the Heisman in the third consecutive year. Jalen Hurts is sitting at 1,523 passing yards, 499 rushing yards, 21 total touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Hurts is leading an Oklahoma team that is battling against Texas for the B1G-12 title, as well as also competing for a national championship. Just as I said with Ehlinger, the Texas/Oklahoma game will be crucial for both teams to reach the College Football Playoff.

1. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

via RollTide.com

Just as I ranked him in the preseason, Tua Tagovailoa is still the number one QB in the nation. Tua has been near perfect with a 76.4% completion rate, 1,718 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Alabama has the top receiving group in the nation and Tua is making great use. As of now, he is the top QB prospect in college while also leading the Heisman race. As Alabama begins the tail end of the season, they will be looking forward to showcasing their talent against the likes of LSU and Auburn along with a possible SEC championship game against Georgia. It is a criticism of Alabama that they play a weak schedule, however, they have to overcome great teams to reach the National Championship game once again.

Talent Disparity in College Football: Inner Monologue Vol.6

As we make our way into the 2019 season of college football, the CFP rankings currently sit as Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, and Oklahoma. Familiar teams continue their dominance, most notably Alabama and Clemson. This goes all the way back to when the College Football Playoff began in the 2014-15 season. Alabama has played in the playoffs every year. Clemson missed the inaugural playoff, but has made every playoff after. Oklahoma has made the playoff 3 of the 5 years. These three teams are seemingly dominating their respected conferences and schedules with relative ease. Sure, they may have a game each year that goes to the last few minutes or OT, but they always prevail. Then you have the likes of Ohio State and Georgia who always get so close, yet OSU has made the trip twice and Georgia once. So what gives?

If you go back and look at who has been dominating the recruiting game, it’s easy to guess. From 2016 to 2019, Alabama has 58 Five Star recruits, Georgia has 47, Clemson has 26, Ohio State has 34. Now if you look at a team like Michigan, they have 12. Notre Dame has 2. Florida has 8. The drop off is incredible. Now, people like to come back with the argument of having four and three star recruits. Sure, let’s have that argument.

2019				2018
	5-Stars	4-Stars	3-Stars	5-Stars	4-Stars	3-Stars
Alabama	11	58	13	12	51	18
Ohio State	13	47	25	11	55	17
Georgia	14	45	25	14	47	24
Clemson	7	33	33	9	37	24
Michigan	4	36	38	4	40	39
Florida	1	39	35	2	33	43
Notre Dame	1	46	35	1	43	38

The disparity is clear. Then the question becomes, why is this happening? Well, as I mentioned before, who has been competing for National Championships? Kids want to win rings, and they are going to the schools that are giving them the best chance to. With a four team playoff, there are not many teams to pick from. As you can see, Alabama and Georgia are the top teams in the SEC, Ohio State is the best team in the B1G 10, and Clemson is a sure winner of the ACC.

Then we look at which teams are putting players in the NFL. In the 2019 NFL Draft, Alabama led the country with 10 players drafted, Ohio State being second with 9 players, and fifth being Georgia with 7. As far as conferences go, SEC is dominating recruiting, which in turn, the SEC is dominating the draft year in and out with 64 players being drafted last year alone. The numbers speak for themselves.

Is there a problem with this? Alabama has created a dynasty. Clemson may be creating a dynasty. Georgia is giving Bama a run for their money. Ohio State looks like the best team in the country, and has been the best team in the B1G 10 the last few years. Oklahoma has nobody keeping up with them in the B1G 12. With these trends continuing, I don’t see much of these teams dropping out of the playoff race. Rather, I think they will just continue to grow putting themselves into a whole other tier of college football, leaving the “have-nots” playing for nothing. Is this discouraging? Sure. Is it fair? I don’t see what’s wrong with the principles of this. This is the consequence of giving the people what they wanted, the college football playoff.

If there was to be a solution to this, it would have to be an expansion in the college football playoff. Moving to 8 teams would allow for recruits to have a better chance of getting their ring, while being on a team that they have an immediate impact. These five star recruits are waiting an extra year or two to see the field because the five star recruits at their position from the year’s prior are in their spot. Some people have been proposing that expanding to a 12 or 16 team playoff would be even better, but then it becomes teams are playing that don’t belong. If the playoffs were to start today, would people really want to see a game between #1 Alabama vs #16 Boise State. I mean, let’s be honest, the spread would be about 31 points. With an 8 team system, we would be looking at #1 Alabama playing against #8 Wisconsin (Jonathan Taylor). That would be far more interesting, especially seeing how JT handles himself against a stout Alabama defense.

My case is that disparity in college football is a reality. These broadcasters and analysts that are saying that the amount of 5-star recruits a team has compared to another doesn’t matter are absolute idiotic. The same teams are landing the big name recruits, and these same teams are playing in January. I just want to bring to light that recruiting is a big factor in how teams are playing, coaching aside. It’s easier to go out on the field on Saturday with a 5-star team than it is coaching up a team of 3-star players. Of course not all five stars pan out, but I’m not considering the outliers because, well, they are outliers. The college football system is among the most exciting brand of sports, but the disparity is making the game predictable and repetitive.