The Ultimate Draft Guide Reading Matrix

Hey guys, I lurk a lot, but don't post a ton. But I was reading one of the reads and saw someone talk about draft information they read and they highlighted "walterfootball"as a place they checked and thought it would be my civic duty to let those who don't know out there are much, much better places for Draft information then that--because Walterfootball is mostly awful, and if you insist on reading Walterfootball-- it's Charlie Campbell's stuff you want to read. He used to edit The Pewter Report--a well respected Buccaneers insider information magazine and he has some legitimate contacts.

I thought I'd put together a "Go To Source" for draft information for all of you draft enthusiasts out there. There's a ton of information out there, but some places are just better to check out than others. I'll give you what I Find to be the most useful and then in the threads if I've missed something lay it out in the thread.

I didn't like them, so you might just have to copy and paste and if you like what you see then bookmark it.



Best Sites:

Mattwaldmanrsp.com

Waldman is a Film junkie. He really does his homework. Waldman does a lot of film breakdown and focuses on the finer points on technique. He's also honest in his writing and heady. If you haven't read anything on him he's great.

Here's a piece he wrote about Odell Beckham Jr. Last year before the draft as an example of his work.

http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2014/02/04/six-plays-that-make-me-a-fan-of-wr-odell-beckhams-game/

**Waldman focuses on offensive skilled position players, however. So you're getting a Ton of great information on offensive players, but for defense look elsewhere.



Rotoworld Draft News. This is the "defenderdawg" of NFL draft news. It highlights a lot of the information that comes out everyday from a variety of sources. It's one of my first stops every morning.

http://www.rotoworld.com/playernews/cfb/nfl-draft-player-news/



Lance Zierlein's The Sidelineview.com

Zierlein writes for the Houston Chronicle, has a radio show, started his own draft website, and his father was/is an OL coach in the NFL. Again he has legitimate contacts, and when breaking down Offensive Line Prospects he might be the best I've seen (and often his father will add is input).

NFL.com/combine/partcipants

Last year Nolan Naworicki wrote the profiles for NFL.com, but this year it looks like it's going to be Lance Zierlein. They are not up yet, but when they come out they will have all the combine players listed alphabetically and then it will have all their results there as well as a scouting report (Strengths, weaknesses, and a player comparison). It's a good thing to read to get a good snapshot of a player.


SecondRoundStats.com

Greg Peshek @NU_Gap on twitter. He is trying to bring analytics to the Draft. It's an interesting read though you can question the merits.


Bob Mcginn of The Miluwakee Journal Sentinel

@BobMcginn on twitter. He doesn't post often, but he will do scouts views on the top players and a top 100 big board close to the draft. Consistently the most accurate information out there and a good read. The Scouts stuff he does every year is MUST read.

Here's an early look at the draft

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/an-early-look-at-the-nfl-draft-b99403379z1-284999721.html


National Football Post.com ---especially Greg Gabriel. Worked a long time in the league.

Nepatriotsdraft.com They do their work. Their independent big board is consistently one of the more accurate on the web. Also they are THE premiere Undrafted Free Agent Round-up immediately following the draft. No one keeps track of it as fast as they do.


Draftbreakdown.com They do a majority of the Draft highlights videos out there. They are now partnering with Firstroundgrade.com so I think they'll be doing more articles moving forward.

As a Bonus Follow @jmpasq on Twitter. He Posts the most videos for draft breakdown AND he's a die hard Giants fan (Knicks as well). So if you have draft questions tweet him you know he's seen most of the prospects.


Seahawksdraftblog.com It's focus is obviously the Seahawks, but he does good work. He offers unique perspectives and he's a heady read.


Ourlads.com--- a site that's been around a long time and for good reason. They also have the most updated Depth Charts on the web as well.




Other sites I'll read

CBS Sports Draft http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft


Great Blue North Report GBNReport.com


Optimum Scouting.com (Eric Galko is good. He writes for Sporting News now as well).


Draftinsider.net (Tony Pauline)

Doug Farrar's SI's top 50--which will come out about 50 days before the draft.


Mockingthedraft.com (It's SB Nation Draft or something now) but Dan Kadar's mock drafts are good. They are more accurate than most.


NFLdraftdiamonds.com ---this is a good read closer to the draft because he does a lot of interview withs smaller school prospects--And I think he worked for one of the scouting services at one point so he has some knowledge.


Draftnasty.com is good, but pay site.


Twitter Follows.

Dont' agree with everything they say, but interesting to follow.

@GregCosell Also his website:


@Ryan_Riddle---Former Cal Bear and short time NFL player

@NFLosophy worked in the NFL is active on twitter.

@movethesticks (Daniel Jeremiah)

@RyanLownes

@Dpbrugler (CBS Sports Coverage)

@JoshNorris (Rotoworld)

@RussLande (Former Scout-has some whacky opinions both good and bad)

@MarkBullockNFL (Redskins fan, but good breakdowns)




Well hope that gives you something to do!