NBA Trade Idea

Just had this idea:

Sixers get: #1 overall pick in 2017 Draft (Markelle Fultz) from Celtics
   -Would fit in perfectly with young core

Pacers get: #3 overall pick in 2017 Draft (Josh Jackson / Jayson Tatum) from 76ers
   -About as good of a return as Indiana will get for George, a pending free agent at the end of this season

Celtics get: Paul George and the lower of a) the 76ers 2018 1st Rounder or b) the Lakers 2018 1st Rounder (owned by Philly)
   -Celtics cash their plethora of draft capital for a superstar and hedge with a future first rounder

Who says no?

Round 1 Recap

I’ll have a more thorough recap after the draft is done but here are some initial reactions:

The Good

-The 49ers: They were able to trade down from 2 to 3 and then back up into the late first round to acquire Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster. Great haul for the rookies, Lynch and Shanahan.

-The Jets: They got the best player in the draft at 6. That’s a huge win.

-The Bucs: The OJ Howard top-10 buzz was just smoke, but he gives Jameis another pass-catching weapon. It’s finally an exciting time to be a fan of Tampa Bay again.

-My mock: I hit on six of the first 8 picks. (Of course it doesn’t count for anything, but I had Fournette going to the Jags in my first mock and talked myself out of it. D’oh.) And, I didn’t post some kind of final, FINAL mock draft like Kiper and McShay.

-My prop bets: If gambling were legal and you followed my picks, it would have been a money-making night for you as 4 of 6 hit for a profit of 50 fake dollars.

-Takarrist McKinley: Love everything about him including the huge picture of his grandmother that he brought on stage.

I just pre-ordered my Adams jersey. Gonna love this guy.

Not Sure Yet

-The Browns: Eventually they need to find a QB. They had the chance at 12 but instead chose to trade down for more picks. Time will tell but it will be another year of guessing about the future in Cleveland.

-The Raiders: Boldest move of the day wasn’t a trade up for the QBs; it was Oakland taking a guy that was accused of rape this week. They better be correct.

-Alabama: The Crimson Tide had four first rounders which is a tremendous accomplishment; however, aside from Marlon Humphrey, the others slipped much farther than most expected.

The Bad

-The Bengals: I’m not buying John Ross as a good value at 9.

-The Dolphins: Jarrad Davis over Reuben Foster?

Best 25 Available

1. Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
2. Kevin King, CB, Washington
3. Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
4. Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
5. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
6. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
7. Tyus Bowser, LB, Houston
8. Budda Baker, S, Washington
9. Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
10. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
11. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
12. Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt
13. Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana
14. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
15. Josh Jones, S, NC State
16. Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee
17. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
18. Nathan Peterman, QB, Pitt

19. Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

20. Davis Webb, QB, Cal
21. Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

22. DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State

23. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

24. Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

25. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

Remainder of Jets Draft

Round 2 (Overall Pick)

7 (39). New York Jets: Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky

Round 3 (Overall Pick)

6 (70). New York Jets: Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

43 (107). New York Jets: Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State

Round 5 (Overall Pick)

6 (150). New York Jets: Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson

Round 6 (Overall Pick)

7 (191). New York Jets: Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse

Round 7 (Overall Pick)

6 (224). New York Jets: Kyle Kalis, OL, Michigan

Two Round NFL Mock Draft (And Then Some)

It's been five years since I put together a two-round mock draft. That's too long. For that, I apologize. I'll add all of the Jets picks too just for good measure. For what it's worth - although I will not make up trades in this mock - I think the Jets will work out a deal with either the Browns or .... the Redskins if Mitch Trubisky is still on the board. The Redskins would then deal Kirk Cousins to the 49ers (maybe for pick 34 this year and another second rounder next year?).

The best night of the sports year is almost upon us. And it will be even better without Chris Berman! Enjoy.

Updated as of 7:05pm. I haven't changed my Top 15 since this was originally posted on Saturday. Let's see how it plays out.

Round 1
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DL, Texas A&M
2. San Francisco 49ers: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
3. Chicago Bears: Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
5. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanfor
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

Reddick might be the biggest beneficiary of Reuben Foster's recent issues.

10. Buffalo Bills: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

11. New Orleans Saints: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

12. Cleveland Browns: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

13. Arizona Cardinals: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

15. Indianapolis Colts: Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky

16. Baltimore Ravens: Jabrill Peppers, Athlete, Michigan

17. Washington Redskins: Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA

18. Tennessee Titans: Kevin King, CB, Washington

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

20. Denver Broncos: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

21. Detroit Lions: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

22. Miami Dolphins: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

23. New York Giants: David Njoku, TE, Miami

24. Oakland Raiders: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

25. Houston Texans: Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

26. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

27. Kansas City Chiefs: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

28. Dallas Cowboys: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

29. Green Bay Packers: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

31. Atlanta Falcons: Tyus Bowser, LB, Houston

32. New Orleans Saints: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

Round 2 (Overall Pick)
1 (33). Cleveland Browns: Budda Baker, S, Washington
2 (34). San Francisco 49ers: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
3 (35). Jacksonville Jaguars: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
4 (36). Chicago Bears: Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee - Rocket scientist.
5 (37). Los Angeles Rams: John Ross, WR, Washington  I’ll call this my boldest prediction (Ross falling out of Round 1).
6 (38). Los Angeles Chargers: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame - Rocket scientist he is not. What was he thinking with this quote? The greatest ever? Last year he was behind Malik Zaire on the depth chart.
7 (39). New York Jets: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss - It's been five years since a Jets tight end put up more than 400 yards receiving in a season. I'm not sure in Engram would top that mark in 2017, but with an actual QB he would in 2018.

Engram would give the Jets a weapon out wide.

8 (40). Carolina Panthers: Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana

9 (41). Cincinnati Bengals: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC - Pacman 2.0 without the off-field baggage.

10 (42). New Orleans Saints: Davis Webb, QB, Cal

11 (43). Philadelphia Eagles: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

12 (44). Buffalo Bills: Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

13 (45). Arizona Cardinals: Josh Jones, S, NC State

14 (46). Indianapolis Colts: Antonio Garcia, OL, Troy

15 (47). Baltimore Ravens: Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado

16 (48). Minnesota Vikings: Dion Dawkins, OL, Temple

17 (49). Washington Redskins: Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt

18 (50). Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

19 (51). Denver Broncos: Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

20 (52). Cleveland Browns: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington - There’s a good chance that 2017 becomes a redshirt year, but the Browns won’t be competitive anyway and this would be a smart gamble with the extra pick Cleveland owns in this draft.

21 (53). Detroit Lions: T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin

22 (54). Miami Dolphins: Marcus Maye, S, Florida

23 (55). New York Giants: DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State

24 (56). Oakland Raiders: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

25 (57). Houston Texans: Aviante Collins, OT, TCU

26 (58). Seattle Seahawks: Desmond King, CB, Iowa

27 (59). Kansas City Chiefs: Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma - They already have Tyreek Hill so why not?

28 (60). Dallas Cowboys: Gareon Conley, CB Idiot, Ohio State - At some point, the risk that the charges against him are bogus might be worthwhile.

29 (61). Green Bay Packers: Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

30 (62). Pittsburgh Steelers: Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama

31 (63). Atlanta Falcons: Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State

32 (64). Carolina Panthers: Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan

Dropped Out

Caleb Brantley, DT Idiot, Florida

Remainder of Jets Draft

Round 3 (Overall Pick)

6 (70). New York Jets: Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

43 (107). New York Jets: Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State

Round 5 (Overall Pick)

6 (150). New York Jets: Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson

Round 6 (Overall Pick)

7 (191). New York Jets: Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse

Round 7 (Overall Pick)

6 (224). New York Jets: Kyle Kalis, OL, Michigan

Other Thoughts

-I still like the idea of the Bills using their fourth rounder on Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly, nephew of Buffalo legend Jim Kelly.

-Crazy draft idea: The Browns should go all in on a 2017 tank job and focus exclusively on the 2018 season and beyond. Take Garrett at 1 and take the best available players at 12 and 33. Then trade 52 and 108 for a 2018 first rounder. Trade 65 and Joe Thomas (to Seattle or the NYG?) for a 2018 first rounder. Trade Kevin Zeitler for a 2018 second rounder. I know the Browns just signed Zeitler this offseason, but this would essentially allow the team to buy a second rounder for the price of Zeitler’s signing bonus. This series of deals would give Cleveland three 2018 first rounders and four 2018 second rounders along with Garrett in addition to boatloads of cap room.

Prop Bets

-Mitchell Trubisky Selected: Under Pick 11.5. 200 to win 50

-Alabama Players Selected in First Round: Over 4.5. 100 to win 50 (Allen, Howard, Foster, Robinson, Humphrey)

-LSU Players Selected in First Round: Over 2.5. 80 to win 50 (Fournette, Adams, T. White)

-SEC Players Selected in First Round: Over 11.5. 50 to win 50 (Allen, Howard, Foster, Robinson, Humphrey, Fournette, Adams, T. White, Garrett, Barnett, Harris, Davis, Engram, Cunningham) 
-Corey Davis Selected: Under Pick 17.5. 80 to win 50
-John Ross Selected: Over Pick 18.5. 50 to win 50 

2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

It's been way too long since I last posted, and few things in the sports world get me more excited than the NFL Draft. I like getting my first mock out before the Combine to set a marker in the water.

1. Cleveland: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M - Not even the Browns can screw this one up. Although by drafting him, they'll probably screw him up somehow.

2. San Francisco: DT Jonathan Allen, Alabama - I'm not a believer in this year's QB class, but then again, I wasn't a believer last year and QBs went first and second overall. Plug Allen in for the next decade and call it a day.

3. Chicago: S Jamal Adams, LSU - Safety is becoming sexy again.

4. Jacksonville: RB Leonard Fournette, LSU - I was on Zeke last year as a surprise top 10 pick before almost anyone else. Fournette is this year's Zeke so I'm expecting him off the board at the same #4 selection.

5. Tennessee (via LA): DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford - Haven't seen anyone else with Thomas this high, but every time I watched him, he dominated. Also making a blind faith assumption that he'll interview well and impress teams with his Stanford intelligence.

6. New York Jets: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State - The Jets could go in so many different directions here, but fresh off the Revis release, I'll give them Lattimore.


Newest graduate from THE Cornerback University

7. San Diego Los Angeles Chargers: S Malik Hooker, Ohio State - Like I said, safeties are hot right now. An Eric Weddle replacement.

8. Carolina: OT Garrett Bolles, Utah - This is a weak year for top-tier offensive linemen but the Panthers need to protect Cam. 14 years ago, Carolina took OT Jordan Gross from Utah with the 8th overall selection and that worked out pretty well (Gross still works as a sideline reporter for the team). Repeat performance here?

9. Cincinnati: DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee - Pure speculation here, but I'm guessing the Bengals spend less on college scouting than any other team in football. They are probably too cheap to even drop the $79.99 to purchase ESPN Goal Line. They watch CBS, Fox, ABC, and ESPN. Don't even think they can afford ESPN2. If you don't play on those channels, you are out of luck in Cincy. Then they take the best players from those teams. Really simple strategy. Hey did you see Barnett dominating the SEC? Sure did. Let's take him.

10. Buffalo: CB Teez Tabor, Florida

11. New Orleans: DE Taco Charlton, Michigan

12. Cleveland (via Philadelphia): QB Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina - Seems like a dream scenario for Cleveland. After landing the best player at #1, they would have their pick of QBs to ruin.

13. Arizona: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan - Tough to think of a better situation for a young WR than to learn from Larry Fitz. Just ask Michael Floyd. Too soon?

14. Indianapolis: OT Cam Robinson, Alabama

15. Philadelphia (via Minnesota): CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

16. Baltimore: ATH Jabrill Peppers, Michigan - Harbaugh connection.

17. Washington: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama - Anyone else sick of Bama or is just me? Love that Clemson dominated them in the national title game. I digress.

18. Tennessee: WR Mike Williams, Clemson - Similar to the Browns' dream scenario, I think the Titans brass would do back flips if they could snag Williams here. I'm guessing he's in consideration for them at #5.

19. Tampa Bay: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State - I'm struggling to find a great spot for Cook so let's keep him in state.

20. Denver: OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin - I have a soft spot for any former D-III athletes. Make us proud, kid.

21. Detroit: DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State - Michigan connection? Why not.

22. Miami: WR John Ross, Washington - Out goes Kenny Stills; in comes his faster, (much) cheaper replacement.

23. New York Giants: TE OJ Howard, Alabama - It has now been a full decade since Jeremy Shockey left New York. (Wow, that makes me feel old.) That was the last time Eli had a legitimate threat at the tight end position.

24. Oakland: DT Caleb Brantley, Florida - The Gators might have four first round picks from their defense (and possibly up to seven defenders drafted in total). How did they give up any points this year?

25. Houston: CB Sidney Jones, Washington

26. Seattle: OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky - I love Lamp. Not really, but Russell Wilson will take any protection he can get.

27. Kansas City: QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson - A sneaky landing spot for the man Dabo dubbed "Michael Jordan."

28. Dallas: OLB Tak Mckinley, UCLA - I love watching this guy's tape. Freak athlete with sprinter speed who runs all over the field to make plays.

29. Green Bay: CB Adoree Jackson, USC

30. Pittsburgh: WR Zay Jones, East Carolina - Fantasy Sleep-ah alert.

31. Atlanta: TE David Njoku, Miami - If you thought the Falcon offense was good last year, wait until they add a threat at another position.

32. New England: QB Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech - Just a hunch but I think Jimmy G will get traded this offseason for a couple second round picks allowing Mahomes to become the heir to the Brady throne. (Speaking of feeling old, I remember when Mahomes' dad was on the Mets. Jesus.)

More thoughts:

-The Jets will end up with another second round QB. Wouldn't mind if that pick was DeShone Kizer.

-How about Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly to the Bills in Round 3? Uncle Jim can watch after him in Buffalo and keep him on the right track.