Friday Reading

Giants

Falato SI.com: Crafting the Ideal Giants Draft: Round 2 of 5
Nick Falato takes a look at the Giants roster and what they have done in free agency and, devoid of any simulators, narrows down the top possibilities for the Giants in each round in the second of this five-part series
https://www.si.com/.amp-nygiants/nfl/giants/draft/crafting-the-ideal-giants-7-round-draft-round-2-of-5

Lombardo NJ.com: I understand the allure of Isaiah Simmons, and the need for an elite talent on defense. But, the #Giants are at least two years of solid drafts away from REALLY competing, which is why it feels like negligence not to take the OT you think is best, to speed up Jones’ development

RV SNY: Giants 2020 NFL Draft Mailbag: How serious is Dave Gettleman about trading back?
Plus, would the Giants take a tackle over Isaiah Simmons?
https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/giants-2020-nfl-draft-mailbag-how-serious-is-dave-gettleman-about-trading-back/313246778

Leonard NYDN: Giants Mailbag: The NFL Draft and the No. 4 pick take center stage for Big Blue
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-giants-mailbag-nfl-draft-20200409-dzszqdbhmzchled24bkvrcfqb4-story.html

Edge

Rosenblatt NJ.com: Why haven’t Giants done more at edge rusher? Possible reasons (Oshane Ximines?), solutions (NFL Draft?), potential targets
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/04/why-havent-giants-done-more-at-edge-rusher-possible-reasons-oshane-ximines-solutions-nfl-draft-potential-targets.html

LB

Lombardo NJ.com: NFL Draft 2020: Giants interested in Temple LB Shaun Bradley | How he would fit Patrick Graham’s defense

“As first reported on the Giants Extra text service, the Giants have shown consistent interest in Temple linebacker Shaun Bradley dating back to the NFL Scouting Combine, and throughout the pre-draft process, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation.
Bradley has the potential to be chosen anywhere between the fourth and sixth rounds of the draft later this month...

LIkely best-suited as a WILL linebacker, Bradley could have an opportunity to impress the coaching staff early on, given the uncertain timetable for Ryan Connelly to return from a torn ACL. Bradley would likely have the chance to contribute on special teams immediately, with the chance to fight for a starting job in the future.”

https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/04/nfl-draft-2020-giants-showing-interest-in-temple-lb-shaun-bradley-how-would-he-fit-patrick-grahams-defense.html

S

Schwartz NYP: What Giants’ safety strategy is likely to be in 2020 NFL Draft
https://nypost.com/2020/04/10/what-giants-safety-strategy-is-likely-to-be-in-2020-nfl-draft/amp/

NFL

Corry CBS Sports.com: Agent's Take: Breaking down who will be the next franchise-tagged player to be traded

“An acquiring team will be hard-pressed to sign Ngakoue to a multi-year contract that doesn't put him in the $20 million per year pass rusher club, which currently has five members (Khalil Mack -- $23.5 million per year, Aaron Donald -- $22.5 million per year, DeForest Buckner -- $21 million per year, DeMarcus Lawrence -- $21 million per year, Frank Clark -- $20.8 million per year). Ngakoue's 37.5 sacks during his four NFL seasons are two more than Clark had at the same point in his career. Lawrence has 38 sacks when combining the four best seasons of his six-year NFL career. Since Ngakoue just turned 25, he'll likely be looking for a deal that would allow him to potentially hit the open market when he is in his late twenties.”

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-breaking-down-who-will-be-the-next-franchise-tagged-player-to-be-traded/

BALTIMORE
Shaffer Baltimore Sun: Could the Ravens trade up in the first round? Only if they know an ‘elite’ draft prospect will be there
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-draft-trade-up-20200409-flfydhojoffizg2wofudwbkmvm-story.html?

CAROLINA
Getzenberg Charlotte Observer: Panthers Tracks: Greg Little’s future has clarity, but the offensive line needs help
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/panthers-tracks-news/article241904116.html

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: NFL draft Q& A: Will Ryan Pace trade down in Round 2? Is Jalen Hurts a smart target at No. 43? With all the talk about the Bears getting a guard, why not an offensive tackle?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-mailbag-nfl-draft-brad-biggs-20200409-kkzuc3uprzgh7dbj7ewqkox5oq-story.html

CINCINNATI
Dehner The Athletic: The Bengals staff have been tasked with finding a new way to connect and learn about prospects.
I took a look inside how they’ve found a way to get it done, what they’ve missed most and how they created comfort amid chaos
https://theathletic.com/1736144/2020/04/09/inside-bengals-prospect-evaluation-as-its-never-been-before/

Nightengale Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Burrow confident he can make an immediate impact: 'I've won everywhere that I've been'
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/5128383002

Lieser Chicago Sun Times: Draft analysis: With their offensive-line budget maxed out, Bears need help in draft
https://chicago.suntimes.com/platform/amp/bears/2020/4/9/21215337/2020-nfl-draft-with-their-o-line-budget-maxed-out-bears-need-help-in-draft

CLEVELAND
Williams Cleveland Plain Dealer: NFL Draft 2020: Which tight ends should the Browns target in later rounds? Film review
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/04/nfl-draft-2020-which-tight-ends-should-the-browns-target-in-later-rounds-film-review.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Georgia LT Andrew Thomas connected with Browns GM Andrew Berry on their video call & ‘I’m the best tackle in this class’

“Growing up in Lithonia, Ga., Thomas played drums at his church, and the music ministry was a family affair.
“Washboards and tambourines, the whole thing,’’ he said.
As a freshman in high school, he was still playing drums in the marching band until he decided to make a different kind of music on the field.
“I’d be at the pep rally and I’d be playing in the band with my jersey on and then I’d go over to the football team and do the football things,’’ Thomas said. “But my head coach, Chris Slade, told me I had a chance to write my own ticket playing football. He told me that I have to put my focus on football and that’s what I did.’’
When Thomas left for Georgia, he mostly left the drums behind and transitioned to piano, alternating between gospel music and R& B.
“I still love music, but I put my focus on football and I’m here now,’’ he said.
It was Thomas’ impeccable character that seemed to strike Berry as much as his dominating performance at left tackle in the demanding SEC, where he became the first Bulldog in 21 years to win the conference’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy and earned All-SEC first-team honors as a junior in 2019.

“Andrew said I had a lot of the intangibles that they’re looking to add to their team, good character,’’ said Thomas. “They feel that translates to playing on the field, so I feel that’s something I have.’’

Thomas was planning to make a ‘top 30’ visit to Cleveland — one of their 30 allotted players to come to team headquarters before the draft — but the coronavirus pandemic turned those visits into carefully controlled Zoom or FaceTime calls. Instead of knocking the Browns’ socks off with an in-depth in-person interview and perhaps even a private workout at Georgia, he’s had to impress them via video chat.
“The calls with the teams help me to stay mentally sharp, understanding the game when they ask me to explain different concepts and trying to learn different things that they teach me,’’ he said. “I’ve just been trying to focus on staying in shape and performing well in these interviews, because right now this is all I have to help them get a grasp on what type of player and person I am.’’

Thomas also had a Zoom call with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and they discussed his wide zone scheme, something Thomas ran a lot at Georgia.
“He was saying me being athletic is something that they like as far being able to open up holes in the wide zone,’’ he said.
Thomas has had about seven or eight video conferences so far with teams such as the Dolphins, Giants and Jets. “Mostly teams in the top 10,’’ he said.
He knows he’s up against some stiff competition in this draft, with a stellar tackle class that includes Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton. They’re so highly-ranked, in fact, that all four could go in the top 10. But Thomas has no question about who should go first.
“I played three years in the SEC at both right tackle and left tackle,’’ he said. “I dominated every year and I feel like I’m the best tackle in this class.’’
Draft analyst Mike Renner of profootballfocus.com, an analytics site the Browns have valued, couldn’t agree more. Renner has Thomas ranked No.1 among tackles and No. 8 overall on his big board.

“While you don't need to have elite strength to be an elite pass protector in the NFL, one thing is for certain: it helps,’’ Renner writes in the site’s draft guide. “Being able to stop opposing edge rushers in their tracks with one punch can make up for a lot of technical issues. Thomas not only has that level of strength, but he also shows terrific agility and down to down consistency in his technique. He's got the best career grading profile of any tackle in the draft class and has done it against the best competition of any tackle in the class as well. All that makes you feel good about his prospects in the NFL.’’
Thomas’ advantage over players such as Wirfs and Wills is that he started his final two seasons at left tackle after playing on the right side as a freshman.
“In high school, the last three years I played left tackle and then I was flipped to right tackle at Georgia and I was starting in the SEC, so that was a big thing for me and it helped me,’’ he said. “The next year, I flipped over to left tackle. It was a smooth transition and I dominated the next two years. I feel like going through that, even though it wasn’t in the NFL kind of will help me if I have to go through it again.’’

With the Browns signing Jack Conklin to start at right tackle, Thomas would start at left tackle, but has the versatility to move around in a pinch.
“I can definitely go over to the other side and play right tackle,’’ he said. “When I train, I work some at right tackle and I can also move inside if I have to. Just trying to get on the field wherever I can.’’
Thomas, who’d be the heir apparent of future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, joked, “I definitely have the right last name.’’

He re-iterated what he said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, that he’d embrace the challenge of following in Thomas’ footsteps.
“He’s one of the best to play the game and he’s going to be a Hall of Famer, so I would definitely be excited to learn from that guy,’’ he said.
Although he mostly watches film of Dallas’ Tyron Smith and Washington’s Trent Williams, he learned a lot about Thomas from former Browns offensive line coach Bob Palcic, who he worked with prior to the combine.

“I did a lot of two-hand punching in college, and if you watch Joe, he does a lot of high-hand, low-hand, which coach Palcic was teaching me,’’ Thomas said.
Thomas would love to block for former Georgia teammate Nick Chubb again as he said at the combine, and would love to play with Baker Mayfield, whom his Bulldogs defeated 54-48 in a double-overtime Rose Bowl thriller over the Sooners after the 2017 season.
“He’s a dynamic quarterback,’’ Thomas said. “Being on the other side of that just watching how good of a quarterback he is, the Browns are definitely going to be a winning team in the near future. It would be an honor to block for him. He’s very passionate, very energetic throughout the game and I’m sure his teammates respond to that well.’’
Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper also have Thomas imagining the possibilities...”

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/04/georgia-lt-andrew-thomas-connected-with-browns-gm-andrew-berry-on-their-video-call-im-the-best-tackle-in-this-class.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns sign Adrian Clayborn to 2-year, $5.75 million free-agent deal; arrives as a solid rotational edge rusher
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/04/browns-sign-adrian-clayborn-to-his-2-year-575-million-free-agent-deal-a-solid-rotational-edge-rusher.html?

DALLAS
Gehlken Dallas Morning News: Cowboys DE Aldon Smith says he slept 'under a car’ in 2018
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/04/09/cowboys-de-aldon-smith-slept-under-a-car-in-2018/?

DENVER
O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos Draft Board: Justin Madubuike would bring interior pass rush, versatility
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/09/broncos-draft-board-justin-madubuike-texas-am/amp/

DETROIT
Rapoport NFL.com: One team to watch during the NFL Draft is the Lions: At No. 3, I’m told they’ve had discussions with teams about potentially moving back from their slot and that teams wanting to move up have been receptive. As it maps out possibilities, Detroit is always an intriguing team.

Birkett Detroit Free Press: If Detroit Lions want to trade down in NFL draft, Tua Tagovailoa's injury concern may help
https://amp.freep.com/amp/5120960002

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: Texans acquire Brandin Cooks in trade with Rams
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Houston-Texans-trade-WR-Brandin-Cooks-Rams-15191021.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: A healthy Brandin Cooks would give Texans a speed merchant
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/A-healthy-Brandin-Cooks-would-give-Texans-a-speed-15191337.php

Barnwell ESPN: Brandin Cooks trade grades: Another disaster for the Texans, and an admission of failure for the Rams
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29018504/brandin-cooks-trade-grades-another-disaster-texans-admission-failure-rams?

Smith Houston Chronicle: Will J.J. Watt end up as the first lifetime Texan?
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/brian-t-smith/amp/J-J-Watt-Texans-lifetime-career-15190751.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Horner Indianapolis Star: NFL Draft 2020: Finding receivers for Colts QB Philip Rivers
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/5124176002

JACKSONVILLE
Frenette Florida Times Union: My advice for how Jaguars should use their draft ammunition
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20200409/gene-frenette-my-advice-for-how-jaguars-should-use-their-draft-ammunition?

KANSAS CITY
Walker CBS Sports.com: Bashaud Breeland re-signs with Chiefs after meeting a surprisingly underwhelming free agent market
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bashaud-breeland-re-signs-with-chiefs-after-meeting-a-surprisingly-underwhelming-free-agent-market/amp/

LAS VEGAS
Bair NBC Bay Area: NFL Draft 2020: Raiders in solid salary-cap standing heading into event
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/nfl-draft-2020-raiders-solid-salary-cap-standing-heading-event

Gutierrez ESPN LV: Does a 'virtual draft' affect Raiders GM Mike Mayock's propensity for trades?
https://www.espn.com/blog/las-vegas-raiders/post/_/id/24255/does-a-virtual-draft-affect-raiders-gm-mike-mayocks-propensity-for-trades?

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Dunne B/R: Has Tyrod's Time Finally Come?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2885538-has-tyrods-time-finally-come

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Jalen Ramsey contract, salary cap means Rams must fortify corner position via draft
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2020-04-09/rams-cornerback-situation-entering-nfl-draft?

Benjamin Allbright: About 20% of the Rams salary cap this season will be dedicated to players not playing for them

Jason OTC: I believe that the $21.8M cap charge for Cooks will be the largest single year dead money charge ever taken for a player, surpassing the $21.12M the Steelers took for Antonio Brown last year

MIAMI
Jackson Miami Herald: Tua camp pushes back on injury report. And Miami Dolphins reach out to several tight ends
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article241886276.html

Jackson Miami Herald: What Dolphins are saying on Herbert. If Lombardi report of 2 past broken wrists for Tua is true, that's 9 injuries for Tua in college.But methinks more Dolfans want Tua for 10.2 games a year than a guy that reminds them of Tanne.

Kelly Sun Sentinel: Tua Tagovailoa’s agent challenges reports about QB’s health
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-draft-tua-tagovailoa-agent-20200409-m5ojje2cibczxb6i56e6v6gqry-story.html

MINNESOTA
Cronin ESPN Minn: Trent Williams? High draft pick? Vikings' options for fixing big problem
https://tv5.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/29734/trent-williams-high-draft-pick-vikings-options-for-fixing-big-problem?

Coller Skor North: Q and A: Ex-Bears center Olin Kreutz breaks down how Garrett Bradbury can take the next step
https://www.skornorth.com/2020/04/q-and-a-ex-bears-center-olin-kreutz-breaks-down-how-garrett-bradbury-can-take-the-next-step/

Tomasson Twincities.com: Georgia safety J.R. Reed, son of former Vikings star receiver Jake Reed, said he has talked to the Vikings during the draft process, including a phone interview with director of scouting Jamaal Stephenson. He also had an interview with the Vikings at the combine.

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: With much of the attention naturally focused on this year's NFL draft, it's easy to overlook how the Patriots still have hopes for many in the Class of '19. How that group could play a role for the team
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4819758/patriots-nfl-draft-class-of-19-has-chance-to-provide-a-needed-boost

Gasper Boston Globe: Making the case for Cam Newton as the Patriots’ ‘bridge’ quarterback
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/09/sports/making-case-cam-newton-patriots-bridge-quarterback/?

Leger NBC Boston: NFL analyst says Tom Brady 'would have won 10 Super Bowls' with Ravens

Wednesday on the Dan Patrick Show, former Baltimore Ravens scout and current NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked what question he would pose to Brady if he could get one honest answer from the 42-year-old quarterback. His response was... interesting.
"Tom, if you were the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, with their personnel, how many Super Bowls would you have won there?" Jeremiah answered. "If he was telling the truth, he’d say 10."
Patrick and the rest of the crew were left speechless before Jeremiah doubled down.
"I mean, look at the personnel, Dan," he said. "Compare the personnel of those two teams, outside the quarterback position, for the 2000s decade. I think he would have won 10 Super Bowls."

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/nfl-analyst-says-tom-brady-would-have-won-10-super-bowls-ravens

Breer MMQB: To add on to what MoveTheSticks is saying here ... this came closer to happening than most know. Brady had a strong advocate in the Ravens organization in then-QBs coach Matt Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh pushed for hard for him in Round 3 in 2000. Ravens took Chris Redman instead.

NEW ORLEANS
Terrell The Athletic: What does history say about Alvin Kamara’s future with the Saints?
https://theathletic.com/1733969/2020/04/08/what-does-history-say-about-alvin-kamaras-future-with-the-saints/

NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: Jets’ biggest safety question has nothing to do with 2020 NFL Draft
https://nypost.com/2020/04/10/jets-biggest-safety-question-has-nothing-to-do-with-2020-nfl-draft/

PHILADELPHIA
Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles 2020 NFL Draft preview: Running back
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-2020-nfl-draft-preview-running-back-zack-moss-antonio-gibson-aj-dillon/

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: NFL draft flush with offensive tackle talent; Eagles likely to take one at some point
https://www.inquirer.com/sports/nfl-draft-flush-with-offensive-tackle-talent-eagles-likely-take-one-some-point-20200409.html

Gallen Penn Live: Jatavis Brown hopes he’s found a ‘good fit’ with Philadelphia Eagles in free agency
https://www.pennlive.com/philadelphiaeagles/2020/04/jatavis-brown-hopes-hes-found-a-good-fit-with-philadelphia-eagles-in-free-agency.html

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers mailbag: Will Dee Ford be healthy? Will Jalen Hurd be a tight end?
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/49ers-mailbag-Will-Dee-Ford-be-healthy-Will-15190103.php

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Bucs GM Jason Licht says he will never call quarterback Jameis Winston a ‘bust’
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2020/04/09/bucs-gm-jason-licht-says-he-will-never-call-quarterback-jameis-winston-a-bust/

Stroud TB Times: Bucs open to drafting their quarterback of the future, but it has to be the right fit
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2020/04/10/bucs-open-to-drafting-their-quarterback-of-the-future-but-it-has-to-be-the-right-fit/

WASHINGTON
Selby Redskins.com: 'He's A Tremendous Athlete': Redskins Have High Expectations For QB-Turned-TE Logan Thomas
https://www.redskins.com/news/logan-thomas-high-expectations-redskins

Ben Standig The Athletic: J.R. Reed also spoke with the Redskins post-Combine. 4.54 speed dpbrugler projects mid-Day 3 range

Colleges/Draft

Adam Schefter ESPN: Speaking to people in and around college football this week, there is “strong conviction” there will be college football this season. Uncertainty about when - multiple scenarios being debated - but they sound certain there still will be college football this season.

Gil Brandt Twitter Q& A

The teams with the best IT teams that can help them navigate on draft day will be in the best position. With the UDFA's, the player might get cut out of most of the conversations and the agents will make most decisions for their clients. Process will need to be simplified

[Will the Bengals trade the first pic] Zero chance, in my estimation. The fans would revolt in Cincy.

[What is a fair trade for Miami to move up to Detroit’s #3 pick] I would want No. 5 as a swap plus 18 and 26.

[Raiders] Best CB at 12 and best WR at 19

[How important is the wonderlic for QBs? If teams are on the fence about two QBs could it make the difference] If I were drafting, yes. I cant speak for other teams. Some teams put heavy value on it, others dismiss it

[If you could have any QB after Burrow who would it be] Herbert, and maybe before Burrow

[How many QBs will go in the top ten] Two for sure: Burrow and Herbert. Tua if a team is ok taking him knowing he might not have a 10-year career

[Five years from now which 2020 draftee will be the best QB] I'm going to say Herbert

[Hurts] I think he'll probably go in the third round. I like him. Need to evaluate the system that Lincoln has there in Oklahoma. That system helped his stats. I know Lincoln thinks he's pretty good. Same characteristics as Lamar Jackson. Not as good but similar

[First RB off the board] I know Michael Jones-Drew wouldn't agree, but I would take Taylor. He's got an unbelievable skill set. People worry about all the carries but he never missed a game with injury. I see similarities between him and @saquon.

[WR with the best hands] Jeudy

[Who goes first Wirfs or Becton] Wirfs

[Pounding the Table for] Outside of Chase Young? Ezra Cleveland has a chance to be a special player, needs to get stronger but watch out when he does

[Who is the pass rusher you like that is on very few people’s radar] The guy from Notre Dame Julian Okwara is pretty good. He's just on the other side of my top 50 players.

A few others I like:
Marlon Davidson
Alton Robinson, has the skills but carries baggage
Josh Uche

[Have you ever seen a college linebacker with no instincts actually become instinctual in the NFL] Not very common. Urlacher lacked instincts and obviously became very instinctive. Harry Carson lacked recognition skills and went on to have HOF career. Same with Sam Huff.

[Cowboys draft Delpit in 1st round] I would probably try to move down a few spots but yes I I think he's worthy. Not a great tackler but has tremendous ball skills, something the Cowboys sorely lacked last year. Better year in 2018 but I don't believe he was fully healthy in '19

RB
Adam Schefter ESPN: NFL teams notified Utah RB Zack Moss, who underwent knee surgery in 2018, that his surgically repaired knee checked out well, per his agent Jamal Tooson. Moss’ knee was a concern for teams and the player coming into the process, but this was his best-case scenario.

22. LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

5-foot-7, 207 pounds 
Yahoo Sports draft grade: 6.01
TL;DR scouting report: “Compactly built powder-keg back with excellent hands who lacks long speed and pass-block consistency.
The skinny: A 3-star Rivals recruit who played four miles from Tiger Stadium in high school, Edwards-Helaire — the “H” is silent in his last name — committed to hometown LSU as a junior. He played as a true freshman in 2017, running nine times for 31 yards, catching three passes for 46 yards and returning 13 kickoffs for 427 yards. In 2018, he led the Tigers in all-purpose yards, rushing 146 times for 658 yards and seven TDs, catching 11 passes for 96 yards and running back 17 kickoffs for 416 yards. 
As a junior in 2019, Edwards-Helaire was named first-team all-SEC on offense and second-team as a returner. He rushed 215 times for 1,415 yards and 16 touchdowns, caught 55 passes for 453 yards and one touchdown and ran back 10 kickoffs for 214 yards. 
Edwards-Helaire, who turns 21 years old in April, declared early for the 2020 NFL draft. He attended the NFL scouting combine and participated in all drills except for the 3-cone drill and the shuttles.
Upside: Named LSU’s team MVP this season over Heisman winner Joe Burrow. Burrow said Edwards-Helaire is the best player he’s ever played alongside. Pro Football Focus rated him as the most valuable running back in college football in wins above average (WAA) — also the 13th-most valuable player regardless of position and third-most valuable non-QB in 2019.
Rocked-up physique. Great lower-body explosion can be traced to track-and-field background — outstanding jumping numbers at the combine. Thick, muscular legs are like diesel pistons. Fast, choppy feet. Shifts weight quickly and runs downhill well. Plenty of tread left on his tires — fewer than 500 touches in college.
Averaged 6.6 yards per rush, third-most in the country among backs with 200 or more carries. Racked up four 100-yard rushing games vs. top-10 ranked opponents in 2019 (Florida, Auburn, Alabama and Clemson). First-down machine — moved the sticks on 26 of 55 receptions (47.2 percent) and on 78 of 214 runs (36.4 percent).
Caught 55 passes last season, second-most among FBS backs. Good-sized hands (9 5/8 inches). Natural receiving ability. Sharp route-running on quick stuff. Great hot option against the blitz. Could even play slot receiver — great feel for leveraging the two-way go. Master of the angle route. Lined up 98 snaps out wide and 66 more in the slot.
Built with low center of gravity. Tough target to hit squarely — like trying to tackle a greased-up bowling ball. Uses his blockers as shields and is hard to pick up in tight quarters. Elusive runner with great vision — always seems to find escape hatches when things look bottled up. 
Runs with toughness, burst and shiftiness. Can make defenders look foolish trying to tackle him in space — flashes a spin move (see second quarter vs. Auburn). Watch this run against Vanderbilt where it appears the play is designed for Edwards-Helaire to skip through the C-gap, but when that’s bottled up he kicks it outside and then back against the grain for a 25-yard gain:

Two plays kind of defined LSU's regular season en route to the championship. The first was the 3rd-and-17 conversion in the fourth quarter against Texas. The other was this play, Edwards-Helaire’s shoestring catch against Alabama.
Burrow found Edwards-Helaire for this quick out six yards short of the sticks — but he makes a move, tiptoes the sideline and powers through CB Trevon Diggs’ tackle attempt for a critical conversion:

Three-down back who can operate in any type of system. Two fumbles on 478 career touches. Threw a TD pass in fifth overtime against Texas A& M in 2018. Showed burst on kickoffs and rarely made poor choices on returns.
Downside: Small frame that could wear down. Likely never will be workhorse back — probably needs to be paired with a sturdy complementary backfield piece. Not a burner (4.59-second 40-yard dash). Lacks the long speed to beat fast defenders to the edge. Was taken down from behind regularly.
Struggles to move the pile on his own in short yardage. Favorable an OL situation at LSU — ran behind Joe Moore Award-winning unit. Faced light boxes and nickel and dime personnel vs. LSU’s high-flying passing game.
Needs work as a pass blocker. Short arms (29 inches) show up in pass-protection issues. Has trouble squaring up bigger rushers. Gets reckless trying to match blitzers’ force head-up. Or tries to wildly dive at defenders’ legs. 
Watch this play against Texas where Edwards-Helaire tries to cut block the linebacker and fails to prevent the sack:

Long-term durability could be a worry. Suffered late-season hamstring injury that limited him to seven snaps (and two carries) in win over Oklahoma. Limited experience as one-year starter.
Both fumbles in 2019 came near the end zone — one backed up against his own end zone against Vanderbilt that resulted in a Commodores touchdown, and one the next game against Utah State at the Aggies’ 1-yard line. Likely limited in special-teams contributions to kick-return duties. Only three kick returns longer than 38 yards on 40 career attempts.
Details of self-defense shooting incident in 2018 still must be considered. Edwards-Helaire and LSU teammate Jared Small were reportedly attempting to sell something to a man (18-year-old Kobe Johnson) they met in a car when the eventual victim pulled a gun and attempted to rob them. One of the LSU players also had a gun and shot Johnson, killing him. 
Neither LSU player was charged in the incident. Court documents redacted which player pulled the trigger, but it has been reported in other places that it was Small who had the gun and who shot Johnson. Baton Rouge (La.) district attorney Hillar Moore called the shooting “totally justified.”
Best-suited destination: Edwards-Helaire is a three-down back with outstanding burst and receiving skill. Short of teams that don’t favor smaller backs, there shouldn’t be too many teams that don’t highly value his skills, especially as a pass catcher.
Among the NFL teams that could be interested: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.
Did you know: Edwards-Helaire was born Clyde Edwards — the same name as his father. The elder Clyde was 22 when he was arrested for drug distribution and possession. He later was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The younger Clyde Edwards was 11 months old.
His mother, Tonge, later married Shannon Helaire, who became his stepfather. While his biological father was in prison, the younger Clyde Edwards legally added Helaire to his name when he was 14.
The elder Edwards was released from prison early on good behavior in February 2014. Since then, Edwards-Helaire and Clyde Edwards have tried to rebuild their relationship. Edwards has said he turned to selling drugs at 17 when his own young mother struggled to pay bills, quitting football and school and trying to help support the family without his father in the picture. 
But Tonge wanted her son to know the man who fathered him once he got out of prison. She told ESPN.com, “I wanted him to know his dad. That’s his biological father. At the end of the day, you need to know who your family is.”
Edwards-Helaire considers himself lucky to have two father figures and honors both with his hyphenated name.
They said it: “Ultimately, I feel like every question was answered this year. Every week it was always something, ‘Does he have breakaway speed?’ And then I’d bust an 80-yard touchdown. ‘Can he make a guy miss?’ Made plenty of guys miss. ‘Is he going to show up Bama game?’ Ultimately, all the questions were answered, so I feel like my resumé is all checked out.”
— Edwards-Helaire at the combine, on facing doubters
Player comp: Maurice Jones-Drew and Brian Westbrook. LSU RB coach (and former NFL back) Kevin Faulk has said he even sees some Barry Sanders in Edwards-Helaire.
Expected draft range: Round 2”

https://sports.yahoo.com/yahoo-sports-top-2020-nfl-draft-prospects-no-22-lsu-rb-clyde-edwards-helaire-182258223.html

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Pflum BBV: 2020 NFL Draft prospect profile: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2020/4/9/21208722/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-tee-higgins-wr-clemson-scouting-report-ny-giants

Andreu Gainesville Sun: Florida football: Van Jefferson awaits NFL call after combine got cut short by surprise injury
https://amp.news-press.com/amp/5125479002

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Alex Weber, Laremy Tunsil's brother, prepping for shot at NFL
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/Alex-Weber-Laremy-Tunsil-brother-prep-shot-NFL-15190808.php

T
Wilson Houston Chronicle: How a strong Senior Bowl moved UH’s Josh Jones into first round
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/How-a-strong-Senior-Bowl-moved-UH-s-Josh-Jones-15189919.php

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Ledbetter AJC: Ex-Georgia Bulldog Solomon Kindley hopes to rise up draft boards
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/solomon-kindley-hopes-swim-his-way-nfl-draft-boards/ryDRwroB5PXEuiGUV9z34J/

DL
Jeremiah NFL.com: Weird draft nugget: Michigan has 4 draftable linemen but somehow they finished 77th in the nation in rushing. That's bizarre

Bobby Skinner@BobbySkinner: Florida DL Jabari Zuniga #92 might end up being the steal of this draft.

I LOVE what’s he’s putting down. Amazing motor with great get off from of the line of scrimmage with a good inside move. You can play him all over as well and he’ll shed blocks

DT
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texas A& M DT Justin Madubuike in heavy demand: Visited Titans before NFL shutdown; has multiple video conferences; before shutdown: visits scheduled with Texans, Ravens, Vikings, Raiders, Eagles, Bengals, Rams, 49ers
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Texas-A-M-defensive-end-Justin-Madubuike-NFL-Draft-15190390.php?

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Rittenburg ESPN: Why Chase Young is the NFL draft's most dominant defender

“Allen: He was so well proportioned physically. He kind of reminded me in that regard of Shawne Merriman. When you see him, that's the only other guy I've seen in person that looked like that. He has that freaky ... if you take that 6-2, perfect-build linebacker and you just stretch that out to 6-foot-6, that's what he looked like. There aren't many out there; there really aren't.
Cincinnati OL Chris Ferguson: When I first saw him, he's a big dude. Film doesn't really do it. He's a big dude in person. Playing against him, he's quick-twitch.
Former Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer: You could just tell he was physically blessed. He's dominant because he's worked hard on making himself a better football player, but 6-6 and 260, 270, that type of stature, complemented by the speed off the edge, is just so impressive.
Michigan State OL Tyler Higby: I remember when I first went out there, on the scouting report during the week, I don't remember the exact height and weight we had him at, probably 6-6, but I remember going out there, looking at him and thinking, "Damn, he's a little taller than I thought he was."
Northwestern offensive line coach Kurt Anderson: He's got all the tools of an edge rusher that make you have to game plan a little bit for him, because he can change the course of a game with one strip sack, a critical third-down type of deal that makes the quarterback move and throws the timing off of deep routes. I've been fortunate that I've been able to coach in the NFL and see some of these elite edge rushers. Coached in the SEC against Myles Garrett. He reminded me of somebody like that.
Devising a game plan: 'If you leave him one-on-one with a guy, it's over'
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph: The biggest thing was early in the week, like Day 1, I got to teaching them how quickly this is going to happen up the field. If you're not exposed to that, then the first thing you do is if you get beat or pressured or insecure about it, you start to change up what you do fundamentally. We did all we could, man. We lined guys up offsides all week in practice, and we have fast guys, but just put them in that position.
Anonymous Power 5 coordinator: Part of their whole deal with him is wanting you to put so much attention on him. They wanted you last year to divert all of your attention to how you could put together a game plan or protect for him so you could have less people out in routes. If you put your back in, they're playing seven guys in coverage against your four eligible receivers because you're losing your running back on routes, so it played a specific advantage to them.
Former Michigan State offensive coordinator Brad Salem: The other issues in passing down, third down, your protection has to slide to him, or your back has to help and chip. Then there's certain things you can't do, like your back getting out, certain protections and certain directions, so it limits what you do.
Former Penn State offensive line coach Matt Limegrover: We were going to try to chip him with our tight ends or check him with our back as much as we could. One thing about Ohio State's defensive coaches is they're not dummies. They know people are going to have a plan for them. You try to start moving guys around and then they move him around and you're trying to adjust your protection.
Allen: Any time you have a guy like that, who is so disruptive, he can basically single-handedly destroy your pass game, he can disrupt your run game. There are only a few of those guys where you say we need to know where he is at all times and if you leave him one-on-one with a guy, it's over.
Anderson: You've got to game plan some things to mess with him early in the game. In the run game, we brought everybody at him, receivers to cut off the back side, we had tight ends to go back on the back side and cut, whatever we could do in the run game just to get him off-kilter, make him think about other things besides rushing the passer.
Rudolph: Michigan did a good job of leaving their back. They just said, 'Screw it, we're not going to get to a checkdown with our tailbacks.' They just left their tailback in, and he would always go in to help the outside chip help or the outside double protection of Chase.
Allen: That's a bad feeling, because you're always having to give help to that person's side, and then that creates problems. They're so talented across the front that you put too much into him and then someone else is going to beat you.
Clemson OL Jackson Carman: I watched a lot of film, at least an hour every day of Ohio State and how they ran things and him specifically. The different looks he gave off on film, I asked my guys to help me replicate that, his straight edge rush, his swipe, his counter, things like that to have them down. I really focused in on his demeanor, his stance, when I was studying him. His pad level after his first step. One thing I noticed on film was, after his first step or two, his pad level raised and dramatically increased his ability to counter inside.
Ferguson: When I watch film, I like to watch the third quarter or early fourth. You really start to see how guys play, because you're tired and that's when your tendencies come out. What I saw on tape, straight through he was quick-twitch and still going. His best move was a double swipe, so I tried to hand-fight him and not give him my hands or commit to one move.

Game time: 'He's two steps going, and our tackle's just starting to take his first step'
Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell: Going into the game, you know you have to do so much. It might be simple things, like we've got to make sure we slide more to this side. We've got to make sure we've got the ability to chip with the back. We're not going to be like some others and say, "We're not going to take our chances and put this guy in a situation."
Rudolph: As simple as it was, the most unique part of him was how quickly he got up the field. When you watch him and you see his first step and you see how much ground he covers on his first step, he does a great job of working on timing the snap count and using all the information he can pre-snap to be as quick as he can off the ball.
Allen: We can't hold the ball too long, we have to chip him with our back, we have to slide to him, we have to double-team him with our tight end or whatever you need to do. All those things sound good, but that takes away from other things we like to do, so he was a nightmare.
Carman: I was smiling the whole time. It was a surreal moment for me, not only as a football player but as a person. You see the guy on TV every week, and they're talking about a Heisman and the best since Lawrence Taylor, and he's just right there in front of you. But I've gone against really good players, so it was honestly just me having fun.
Clemson OL Tremayne Anchrum: The hype is worse than the actual game. Going into it, I never felt like I was in a position where I was in trouble. We had a plan where we were going to chip him before he gets started because his takeoff is one of the more dangerous things he brings. All that moving so fast off the ball can be troubling. But we didn't really chip as much once we got into the swing of things and got comfortable.
Ferguson: At first, I wasn't even going against Chase; I was on the right side. He was going against our left tackle, but he wasn't doing too well, so they moved me to left tackle in the middle of the game. That's when I started going against him and we started bringing a running back out to chip him, and we had our tight ends lined up to chip him before going out on their routes. That really seemed to help, but he was still productive in that game.
Limegrover: He got a sack against us where our tackle never even had a chance. We were down on the 7-yard line, we were in the horseshoe area of the stadium, the place was just insane. You can see it, ball's snapped, he's two steps going and our tackle's just starting to take his first step.
Nebraska offensive line coach Greg Austin: Before our game, he was always over the left tackle, so we felt, "OK, let's work on some chips, let's work on some protections where the tight end is releasing through the defensive end on his route." Sure enough, it was apparent to us when we got in passing situations, they moved him over to the right side, to our right tackle, and Matt Farniok is not as good a pass-protector.
Allen: We left that game saying that's the best Ohio State team we've played since I've been at Indiana. That team will probably be in the final four. That's how I felt after we played them in the beginning of the season.

Final impressions: 'I'm so glad his ass left early'
Anderson: When you combine speed and length together, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. It's a combination of the two. He has got an array of moves in his toolbox, but he's going to get some coaches at the next level that are going to put more tools in his toolbox. He's so talented and gifted athletically that he was able to get away with just beat stuff, an up-and-under and a spin move.
Limegrover: That kid doesn't jump offsides. He's got tremendous discipline as far as, "I want to get the best jump possible," but he doesn't get fooled easily. When I work individually, I had guys lining up offsides. You're not going to have the time and space that you'll have at home because that kid is good enough, and he's long, and he can get on you in such a hurry. It kind of unnerves you as a tackle.
Fickell: I'm not saying he's Jadeveon Clowney. You're thinking of people who have length like that, who sometimes go to different places that use him in different ways, and then you take guys like the two Bosas who went to a place that doesn't try to overdo it with them, but basically say, "We're a four-man front. We're putting your hand down. We're letting you be on [the] edge and we're letting you go." He's closer to the Jadeveon in the sense of, "He could do this, he could do that." And sometimes I don't know that completely gets what they do best on film all the time.
Austin: This year, the jump that he made -- and when I say the jump, I'm not saying he was a bad player [in 2018] and he just jumped on the scene this year, but he was not the player [two years ago that] he was this year.
Rudolph: We didn't really go against him the year before, and then this year, what you saw, there was an explosiveness in his lower body that allowed him to get to that spot up the field, still maintaining that forward pitch and lean. That was different. You just don't see that out of guys. There was a power there.
DeBoer: Every single week, you look at a defense and figure out: Who are the guys we've got to be aware of? Who's the pass-rusher? Who's a guy you can't, matchup-wise, throw the ball against from a corner or safety standpoint? He's one of those elite players, one of the guys who affects the game as much as anyone I've ever seen.
Ferguson: He doesn't show much emotion. Even my running back, Mike Warren, he was talking to him the whole game and all Chase did was give him a little smirk. He's a hell of a football player. He's going to make some NFL team happy.
Higby: I noticed he has one move he has perfected. As a tackle, you have to be perfect in your technique to even have a chance, and if you don't, he's going to beat you every time. It's like a double hand swipe, he has the steps down, the hands down, he has everything about it perfect, so it works really well for him.
Allen: We all figured he was going to declare, but when he did, we threw a little party. I hope they don't have any more like him coming, because woo!
Austin: I'm so glad his ass left early.”

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2020/story/_/id/29007542/why-chase-young-nfl-draft-most-dominant-defender?

Wallner Michigan Live: Former Ferris State DE Austin Edwards battles to get noticed ahead of NFL draft
https://www.mlive.com/sports/2020/04/former-ferris-state-de-austin-edwards-battles-to-get-noticed-ahead-of-nfl-draft.html

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Field Yates ESPN: Isaiah Simmons played just one year as a high school WR and his stats are just silly (via dpbrugler's excellent draft guide): 29 catches, 994 yards, 34.3(!) yards per catch and 13 TD. 45% of his catches went for a score.

The draft's ultimate freak athlete.

S
Dunleavy NYP: NFL Draft 2020: Antoine Winfield Jr. and his family legacy may fall to Giants
https://nypost.com/2020/04/09/nfl-draft-2020-antoine-winfield-jr-may-fall-to-giants/amp/

Seifert ESPN: Antoine Winfield Jr.'s unique 2020 NFL draft path: 5-foot-9 with first-round bloodlines
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2020/story/_/id/29011535/antoine-winfield-jr-unique-2020-nfl-draft-path-5-foot-9-first-round-bloodlines?

History

Gil Brandt: Happy 84th birthday John Madden. Most people don't know this but John was quite an athlete. He got a scholarship to Oregon in 1954 to play w/ childhood friend John Robinson. It was there he raced John Landy (world record holder in mile) in a 40, bets were placed ... and he won

Giants Birthdays 4-10

Charles Brown T FA-NO 2014 NYG 2014 4-10-1987

Jeff Weston LT/DT W-MIA 1979 NYG 1979-1982 4-10-1956