Giants
Schwartz NYP: ‘This is the guy Dave wants’: The whispers around Giants’ No. 2 pick
https://nypost.com/2018/04/14/this-is-the-guy-dave-wants-the-whispers-around-giants-no-2-pick/
Schwartz NYP: The Giants’ draft targets at linebacker, cornerback and safety
https://nypost.com/2018/04/14/the-giants-draft-targets-at-linebacker-cornerback-and-safety/
Dunleavy NJ.com: Giants 2018 schedule: Our pick for ideal 17-week slate | No more opening at Cowboys
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/04/giants_2018_schedule_here_is_our_pick_for_ideal_17.html
QB
Leonard NYDN: Josh Rosen criticized for same traits that have made Eli Manning a franchise-altering QB for the Giants
https://www.nydailynews.com/amp/sports/football/josh-rosen-criticized-traits-made-eli-star-article-1.3933689
LB
Lombardo NJ.com: NFL Draft 2018: How Flemington native, Penn State LB Jason Cabinda says he fits Giants' defense
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/04/nfl_draft_2018_how_flemington_native_penn_state_lb.html
NFL
Volin Boston Globe: Sunday Football Notes: How the importance of strength coaches explains some of the Brady-Belichick tension
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/04/14/why-strength-coaches-are-important-during-nfl-offseason-programs/8DpK6ihsJhsfDzUCDxLyEO/story.html
BALTIMORE
Eisenberg Ravens.com: The Last Temptation of Ozzie Newsome
http://baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Eisenberg-The-Last-Temptation-of-Ozzie-Newsome/f0e71cc3-cf88-4650-8613-fce0876cdd12
Walker Baltimore Sun: As NFL draft approaches, Ravens near a potential crossroads at quarterback
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-0415-story.html
CINCINNATI
Dehner Cin Enquirer: A.J. Green returns with lessons from 'not-so-great' 2017
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cincinnati.com/amp/517630002
Dehner Cin Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals 2018 NFL Draft strategy: Cornerbacks
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cincinnati.com/amp/510680002
Calloway Lansing State Journal: Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Darqueze Dennard: 'Never give up on dreams
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.lansingstatejournal.com/amp/517092002
Daugherty Cin Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals passing on Eric Reid not personal, strictly business
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cincinnati.com/amp/517782002
CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Would the Browns draft someone other than Sam Darnold or Josh Allen at 1? Hey, Mary Kay!
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/04/with_all_the_talk_of_sam_darno.html
McManaman ESPN Cleveland: Browns draft 1-2? They can make it work if interested
“ESPN’s draft value chart awards the second overall pick a value of 2,600 points. The fourth pick is worth 1,800.
The Browns have three second-round picks: 33rd, 35th and 64th overall.
The 35th and 64th picks are worth a combined 820 points. The Browns could go from the fourth overall pick to the second by giving the Giants the fourth pick and the latter two that they own in the second round. If the Browns wanted to keep one of those picks, they could offer a future second-round choice in addition to one of this year’s, or they could wrangle a more complicated deal.
The positive: Completing this deal would give the Browns three of the top 33 players, including the first two. They would be taking bold action to be great. The negative: The Browns would go from three picks in the second round to one and would go from No. 33 to No. 114 without a selection.”
http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/273495/browns-draft-1-2-they-can-make-it-work-if-interested
DALLAS
Hill Fort Worth Star Telegram: Dak sad to see Dez go, says he had no part in decision
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article208922964.html
Doug Farrar (@BR_DougFarrar)
4/14/18, 2:40 PM
Dez is at a career crossroad. He can work on a few things and maximize the talent he has left, or he can refuse and flame out. It's all up to him. Bryant's focus drops are absolutely infuriating. He caused multiple picks last season because he whiffed or wasn't in the right place or simply didn't get himself lined up to catch the ball. He has a very limited NFL future if he doesn't figure this out. Route concepts can be Bryant's best friend, but he'll have to meet his play-callers halfway. He has issues with route consistency, which isn't exactly a state secret. But he'll have to ditch the sandlot stuff and adhere to the concepts he's given. What Bryant can still do is use his quickness in short areas to get open, especially in the red zone. He can sink inside in the red zone, and he's very tough to stop. If he develops this and works to be consistent, he could be a Boldin/Fitzgerald guy. But that's not automatic.
Stuart Football Perspective: Dez Bryant Continued The Great Cowboys WR Tradition
http://www.footballperspective.com/dez-bryant-continued-the-great-cowboys-wr-tradition/
Archer ESPN Dallas: Where the Cowboys stand at receiver without Dez Bryant
http://www.espn.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/80940/where-the-cowboys-stand-at-receiver-without-dez-bryant
DENVER
Todd McShay (@McShay13)
4/14/18, 11:23 PM
DEN part 1. Elway's first 4 1st-rd picks were on defense - and they've all been solid-to-excellent contributors. DEN didn’t have a 1st rd pick in '12 but its first pick that yr was also on D -- another hit w/ DT Derek Wolfe.
DEN part 2. As good as DEN has been drafting DEF early, it's been equally bad picking OFF talent. Six OFF players selected in Rounds 1 + 2 (2011-'16) were all major disappointments: QBs Osweiler + Lynch, RB Montee Ball, WR Cody Latimer and OTs Orlando Franklin + Ty Sambrailo
GREEN BAY
Wilde Wisconsin State Journal: For Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, teaming up with Jimmy Graham was years in the making
http://www.journalreview.com/sports/national/article_a576da21-ba32-5a92-8f0f-60305a18015b.html
Wilde Wisconsin State Journal: RB Montgomery hopes to stay hale and healthy in 2018
http://journaltimes.com/sports/football/packers-rb-montgomery-hopes-to-stay-hale-and-healthy-in/article_1f391f7b-9e19-5e09-8507-1e192b377a34.html
HOUSTON
Todd McShay (@McShay13)
4/14/18, 11:35 PM
It has been a decade since Houston spent its top draft pick on an offensive
lineman (Duane Brown, 26th overall in 2008).
INDIANAPOLIS
Todd McShay (@McShay13)
4/14/18, 11:31 PM
Colts have drafted just 2 WRs in the past FIVE drafts and neither is still with the
team (Phillip Dorsett 1st round in 2015, and Donte Moncrief 3rd round in 2014). Helps explain things...
KANSAS CITY
Paylor KC Star: The Star’s seven-round Chiefs NFL draft projection, version 1.0
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article208933339.html
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Williams ESPN LA: UCLA's Kolton Miller a possibility for Chargers at No. 17
http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-chargers/post/_/id/23925/uclas-kolton-miller-a-possibility-for-chargers-at-no-17
Woike UTSD: Chargers need to get Bosa, Ingram help on defensive line
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/chargers/sd-sp-chargers-draft-defensive-line-joey-bosa-20180414-story.html
MIAMI
Todd McShay (@McShay13)
4/14/18, 11:19 PM
Dolphins' trend: QB Brandon Doughty (2016 7th rd pick) is the only player from a non Power-5 school that Miami has drafted the past two years with Grier/Gase calling shots.
NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts/notes around Patriots and NFL (Amendola leftovers, new assistant coach from Mississippi, prepping for schedule release etc.).
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4812896/danny-amendola-no-80-in-new-england-starts-with-troy-brown?
Guregian Boston Herald: Patriots could swipe QB
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other/2018/04/patriots_could_swipe_qb
McBride Boston Globe: A ton of guys are battling for one or two spots in the Patriots’ receiving corps
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/04/14/there-will-battle-for-one-two-spots-patriots-receiving-corps/GoxUxAYKK8nCRGhUNzTDPL/amp.html
Todd McShay (@McShay13)
4/14/18, 11:41 PM
Dante Scarnechia, who returned two years ago following a two-year retirement, can flat-out coach! The Patriots haven’t spent a 1st or 2nd round pick on an OL since Nate Solder (1st rd) in 2011.
Todd McShay (@McShay13)
4/14/18, 11:42 PM
Patriots have selected a defensive front-7 player with their first pick
in five of the last six drafts.
NEW YORK JETS
Todd McShay (@McShay13)
4/14/18, 11:54 PM
21 out of Maccagnan’s 22 picks past 3 yrs are still on the roster, and 6-7 are solid-to-good starters. That’s a high hit rate. If the Jets land the right QB at pick No. 3, they'll turn things around a lot faster than people think. Confidence level
Mehta NYDN: Jets Mailbag: The Pro Bowl quarterback that Baker Mayfield resembles right now
“There is a lot of promise among this group, but no perfect player. Allen's accuracy doesn't necessarily scare teams, but there are fair concerns about his ability to process information quick enough at this stage of his development. Look, we all know that the guy has a bazooka for an arm, but I can't say this enough: You don't need to have the strongest arm. You just need to have a strong enough arm to make the requisite throws at this level.
Rosen's durability absolutely is a reasonable critique. There are teams that believe his two concussions this past season shouldn't be marginalized. Sprinkle in the fact that he missed a chunk of his sophomore year with a shoulder injury that required surgery and you have evidence of how brutal this game can be for an immobile pocket passer.
As strange as this sounds, I believe teams aren't overly concerned with Darnold's interceptions. The fumbling issues that date back to high school, however, have annoyed some NFL personnel folks that I've touched base with in the past year. That being said, Darnold has instincts to elude pressure that can't be taught. He's got this wholesome likability factor that matters to teams, too.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm not overly concerned with Mayfield's perceived maturity issues. Frankly, I love the guy's feistiness. Teammates also love the guy. He's an emotional leader, who reminds me a lot of seven-time Pro Bowler Philip Rivers. They share an on-field swagger/cockiness that can be easily misunderstood. Remember that scene years ago when Rivers was giving it to Jay Cutler? Some people hated it. I actually thought it was kind of cool. Mayfield exudes that same vibe. That attitude is contagious in a locker room.
My biggest concerns for Mayfield revolve around his ability to thrive at the next level given his relatively short stature (6-foot, 5/8), small hands (9.25 inches), spread-system background and lack of much exposure to playing in inclement weather (with those smallish mitts). That's not to say that Mayfield can't succeed at this level, but these inherent challenges must be factored into the equation.
Again, there is no perfect quarterback in this draft class.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-mailbag-pro-bowl-qb-baker-mayfield-resembles-article-1.3931109
PHILADELPHIA
Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles 2018 NFL Draft preview: Interior offensive line
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-2018-nfl-draft-preview-interior-offensive-line/amp/
PITTSBURGH
Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Texas A& M receiver Christian Kirk visits Steelers
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/04/13/Texas-AM-receiver-Christian-Kirk-steelers-visit-NFL-draft-Eli-Rogers-slot/stories/201804130107?
TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Why the Bucs’ big improvement could come from players already on the roster
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/2018/04/14/why-the-bucs-big-improvement-could-come-from-players-already-on-the-roster/
WASHINGTON
Bullock Washington Post: Derrius Guice could be the running back the Redskins have been looking for
https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/football-insider/wp/2018/04/14/derrius-guice-could-be-the-running-back-the-redskins-have-been-looking-for/
Draft
Hale ESPN: Edmunds brothers ready to graduate from Virginia Tech to the NFL
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/23172720/edmunds-brothers-ready-graduate-virginia-tech-nfl?platform=amp
QB
Costello NYP: Deep dive into how top 4 QBs in draft compare to NFL’s Top 15 QBs
https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2018/04/14/deep-dive-into-how-top-4-qbs-in-draft-compare-to-nfls-top-15-qbs/amp/
Stuart Football Perspective: The Trouble With Finding Comparisons For Josh Allen
http://www.footballperspective.com/the-trouble-with-finding-comparisons-for-josh-allen/
TE
Edholm PFW: NFL Draft: Q and A with Western Kentucky TE Deon Yelder
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/04/11/nfl-draft-q-and-a-with-western-kentucky-te-deon-yelder/aru4sh5/
G
Keefer Las Vegas Sun: Chaparral High grad Will Hernandez has come a long way to reach NFL Draft
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/apr/15/will-hernandez-nfl-draft/
Coller 1050 ESPN Minn: Vikings draft prospect microscope: Auburn G Braden Smith
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/04/vikings-draft-prospect-microscope-auburn-g-braden-smith/
DE
Edholm PFW: NFL draft profile — No. 14: UTSA DE Marcus Davenport
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/04/13/nfl-draft-profile-no-14-utsa-de-marcus-davenport/appbx7z/
Dabe Nola.com: Arden Key tells NFL teams he's been sober for longer than a year: report
https://www.google.com/amp/s/articles.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2018/04/arden_key_sober.amp
LB
Cannizzaro NYP: The fire behind NFL draft’s most intriguing stud, who has it all — except one thing
https://nypost.com/2018/04/14/the-fire-behind-nfl-drafts-most-intriguing-stud-who-has-it-all-except-one-thing/
CB
Pflum BBV: 2018 NFL Draft prospect profile: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2018/4/14/17231598/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-denzel-ward-cb-ohio-state-scouting-report-ny-giants
Edholm PFW: NFL draft profile: No. 15 — Louisville CB Jaire Alexander
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/04/12/nfl-draft-profile-no-15-louisville-cb-jaire-alexander/aurhton/
History
Stuart Football Perspective: The Vikings Are The Best Team To Never Win A Super Bowl
http://www.footballperspective.com/the-vikings-are-the-best-team-to-never-win-a-super-bowl/
Stuart Football Perspective: Where Was The Best Player Selected In Each Draft?
http://www.footballperspective.com/where-was-the-best-player-selected-in-each-draft/
Giants Birthdays 4-15
Mark Ellison G D11-Dayton 1971 NYG 1972-1973 4-15-1948
Jason Sehorn RCB/LCB D2-USC 1994 NYG 1994-2002 4-15-1971
Phillippi Sparks LCB/RCB/FS D2-Arizona 1992 NYG 1992-1999 4-15-1969
