2019 NFL Mock Draft V2.0

There's only one week left in the regular season which means shit has changed in the last week. Teams moved up, teams moved down, and some teams fucked themselves out of a higher draft pick, i.e. the Raiders. Regardless, I'm sad the regular season is coming to a close but at least I still have draft season to look forward to, so hooray?

This time, I'm only doing a 1st-round mock, as compared to the 3-round mock I did last week or whenever it was. Yeah, my memory sucks. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?

Here's the mock draft for this week, as there have been some significant changes, although the top somewhat stays the same, despite some picks changing.

1. Arizona - DE/EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State

Analysis: This pick is as obvious as it gets (right now at least). The Cardinals aren't in the hunt for a QB so they don't have to worry about reaching for Justin Herbert or Dwayne Haskins. Here, they get the #1 player in the draft, who will instantly transform the pass-rush from mediocre to stellar. He and Chandler Jones will form a much-needed deadly combination, as they will have to face 2 great QB's (Goff, Wilson) and 1 pretty good one as well (Jimmy Gorgeous) in a fairly tough NFC West.

2. San Francisco - DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama


Analysis: Shit, I really wanted to put a "true" EDGE guy here, like Kentucky's Josh Allen or Clemson's Clelin Ferrell, but it would be hard to pass up Williams. I bet every non-49er fan $5 that they can't guess who the current starting DT is. Guess. It's Earl Mitchell. Yeah, Earl Mitchell. He ain't scaring no one. Williams does and would in the NFL. The guy is an animal and is the type of player the 49ers need on a young, but potentially great, defense.

3. N.Y. Jets - DE/EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson


Analysis: I wanted to put Jonah Williams here but that's what I did in the first mock draft, so I decided to switch it up a little bit. That said, the Jets can't go wrong with an EDGE at #3. Their pass-rush is significantly lacking, not Raiders-shitty, but far from great. Ferrell, or Josh Allen, would bolster their pass-rush exponentially and in a pretty decent OT class, the Jets should be able to pick one up in the middle rounds or through free agency, where they have a shit-ton of money to spend.

4. Oakland - DT Ed Oliver, Houston

Analysis: 4 picks in... 2 EDGE's and 2 DT's. Have I mentioned that the Raiders defense is complete shit? I haven't? Yeah, it's complete shit. There's so many holes on that defense, it's tough to know where to start. As of this point, Oliver is the best player available (BPA) and he seems to be the perfect fit for the Raiders' defense. If the Raiders needed too, they could line up anywhere on the defensive line, and he would still thrive. Maurice Hurst has been phenomenal as a rookie this season, but that's pretty much the only bright spot. An Oliver/Hurst combination on the defensive front sounds great and one that reeks of potential. I can't see it being easy to pass up Oliver.


5. Detroit - DE/EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky


Analysis: The Lions need significant help on the defensive line and in the linebacking corps, especially if Ziggy Ansah leaves in the offseason. Allen was nothing short of great in 2018, as he managed 84 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. To top it all off, he won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award. That ain't an easy feat in the SEC. I firmly believe that Allen will be one of the best players in this draft and the Lions have to take him if he's available. 

6. Tampa Bay - OT Jonah Williams, Alabama


Analysis: Granted, I haven't watched many Buccaneers games this year (who has?) but from what I've seen, the offensive line needs help. A lot of it. Whether it was Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jameis Winston behind center, they were under constant pressure and falling on their ass. Williams is undoubtedly the best OT in this draft and although the Bucs need help in the secondary, I think it would be a big boneheaded move to not take Williams at 6. I wanted to slot a QB here, but I believe they'll address that on the second day of the draft.

7. Buffalo - CB Greedy Williams, LSU


Analysis: The Bills really, really need a WR but #7 seems a bit high for any WR in this draft. That said, I believe they could trade down and use those additional picks to round out their offense. The Bills already have one star in the secondary in Tre'Davious White, who also went to LSU, and adding a second one definitely wouldn't hurt, especially since Tom Brady is still in the division. Most have Williams as the CB1 in this draft (he's CB2 to me), so it's definitely not outside the realm of possibility to see him selected in the top-10.

8. N.Y. Giants - QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State


Analysis: What a shocker, a QB is slotted to the Giants! We all know about the Eli saga and no one knows if he will be back in New York or not in 2019. Regardless, I think it's time for that chapter to close and start a new one, especially with so many young, talented pieces on offense - namely Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram. The Giants could use a fresh start and Haskins is exactly what the Giants need to start that new chapter.

9. Jacksonville - QB Drew Lock, Missouri

Analysis: The Jaguars let out a collective "FUCK" when they found out that Justin Herbert was returning to school, thus leaving them with either Drew Lock or Will Grier in the first round. The Jags obviously need a QB. Bortles is not the answer and never will be. Cody Kessler has no business starting in the NFL and may be better off starting in the CFL, if that's even possible. The Jags surprised everyone last year, but fell back down to reality this season - and it all starts with the QB position. If the Jags want to contend and not be the laughingstock of the league once more, they have to take a QB in the first round.

10. Atlanta - DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State

Analysis: With their win last week, the Falcons kinda fucked up. They were in prime position to take one of the two elite DT's in this draft - Williams or Oliver - but they end up all the way down in 10th after the win and end up with a consolation prize in Simmons. I'm not doubting Simmons' talent, but he has had some off-field issues that will definitely scare some teams away. But on the other hand, he's a damn good DT and with his play, is deserving of a 1st-round selection. Grady Jarrett may or may not be back in 2019 as his contract is up, but I believe he will be back in Atlanta. A combination with Simmons would be extremely beneficial for the Falcons as they look to rebound in 2019.

11. Carolina - S Deionte Thompson, Alabama

Analysis: It's no secret the Panthers need some playmakers in the secondary. We all know about the saga involving Eric Reid, and Mike Adams is set to retire once the season concludes. This leaves the Panthers with a giant gap in the secondary, and Thompson is head-and-shoulders above the rest of the safeties in this class. He is a playmaker, without question, and would fit in nicely in the Panthers' secondary. I could also see them going with an OT here, but Thompson is too good to pass up at this point in the draft.

12. Denver - TE Noah Fant, Iowa

Analysis: I'm going with a surprise here, as the Broncos severely need help at the TE spot. Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt can't stay healthy if their lives depended on it and Troy Fumagalli ended up on IR, as well. They're starting some dude named Matt LaCosse right now and even though he's made some nice plays this year, he's not the long-term answer at TE. Noah Fant is undoubtedly the best TE in this draft and would finally give the Broncos a threat at that spot. This selection could've also been an ILB or CB, or even OT, but the Broncos need to open up the passing game, even if Case Keenum is their starter in 2019.

13. Cincinnati - ILB Devin White, LSU

Analysis: I'm sticking with White-to-Cincy once again, and the Bengals desperately need it. Their current starting linebacking corps is one of the worst in the NFL and they will continue to pick in the top-15 if they do not address it. White is a playmaker, and a potential cornerstone of a defense, so I believe it would be wise if they bit the bullet with his selection. In 2017, White registered 133 total tackles, 13.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks. This season, he totaled 119 tackles, 12 TFL and 3 sacks. That sounds like someone you want in the middle of your defense, right? Thought so. 

14. Green Bay - EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State

Analysis: The Packers also have a lot of needs but EDGE might be the one where they need the most help. It appears Clay Matthews will not be back next season, so it would be smart to address his replacement in a draft that is extremely heavy with EDGE guys. As of right now, I believe there are multiple tiers when it comes to these guys - the first tier consists of Bosa, Allen and Ferrell - and the second tier starts with Sweat (and then Brian Burns and Jachai Polite). Sweat was phenomenal for the Bulldogs this year with 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, and sounds like the perfect fit for the Packers' defense.

15. Miami - DE/EDGE Brian Burns, Florida State

Analysis: As much as I love Cameron Wake, it may be time to start finding his replacement as well. Wake will not be around forever. Although the Dolphins have some holes in their roster, Burns might be the BPA at this point. I think he is a big-time boom-or-bust prospect but if coached right, he could pay dividends. Like Sweat, Burns is in that second-tier of pass-rushers and had a stellar season, despite playing for a dismal Seminoles team. The current starters and backups at DE for the Dolphins include an old Wake, a mediocre, soon-to-be 29-year-old Robert Quinn, a soon-to-be 30-year-old, irrelevant Andre Branch, and their first-round pick from 2017, Charles Harris. Yeah, it's time to infuse some new, young talent among that defensive line.  

16. Washington - QB Will Grier, West Virginia

Analysis: I'm still sticking with Grier-to-DC with this mock. The Redskins need a quarterback badly, perhaps as bad as anyone in the league. Alex Smith may not come back in 2019, and Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez and Josh Johnson have no business starting in the NFL in 2018, much less 2019. Grier is the third-best QB in this draft and this makes too much sense to see him (or Drew Lock) selected to the Redskins in the middle of the first-round. 

17. Cleveland - WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State

Analysis: The Browns appear headed in the right way for once and aren't the least-talented team in the league for once. They have a solid receiving corps with Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway, but are just missing that downfield threat that can stretch the field. N'Keal Harry is that guy that could be a game-changer for the Browns. Standing 6'4" and 213 pounds, Harry also has marvelous hands and has made some Beckham-like catches for Arizona State throughout his career. I believe the Browns can't go wrong with Harry at 17(or Metcalf or Brown for that matter).

18. Philadelphia - CB DeAndre Baker, Georgia

Analysis: I've had the pleasure of watching Baker throughout his Bulldog career and I fully believe him to be the best cornerback in this draft. He has extreme play-making ability and always seems to come up big in big moments. That is what I want from my cornerback. The Eagles have been fucked all year in the secondary and currently start players that would be riding the bench for most teams in the NFL. If the Eagles are gonna try to make a comeback in 2019, they'll need some playmakers in the secondary - and it could all start with Baker.

19. Pittsburgh - CB Byron Murphy, Washington

Analysis: Like their Pennsylvania counterpart, the Steelers are also in desperate need of cornerback help... and address it in the draft. Artie Burns has been a bonafide bust since coming into the NFL, Joe Haden is getting up their in age, and Coty Sensabaugh ain't nothing special. The Steelers are a great team, but they're lacking that true shutdown, #1 cornerback - and that's exactly what Murphy could be in the NFL. This pick could've also been an inside linebacker, but with Murphy slipping down this far, I believe it would be a good decision to address the secondary.

20. Tennessee - OG Cody Ford, Oklahoma

Analysis: I'm sticking with this pick as well, because the Titans are in such dire need of help on the interior defensive line. Mariota has consistently been running for his life and put on his ass all season, which in turn, has caused him to get hurt. Reminds me a lot of the Colts and Andrew Luck just a couple of years ago. The Titans have to address this situation before it gets Mariota beheaded on the field by some roid-raged pass-rusher.  

 21. Minnesota - DL Rashan Gary, Michigan

Analysis: With Sheldon Richardson entering free agency this offseason, it remains unclear if the Vikings will bring him back. Rashan Gary is undoubtedly the best defensive lineman at this point and would be a better - and much cheaper - option for the Vikings on the defensive line. Inconsistency is definitely a worry when it comes to Gary, but he still managed to put up a stellar numbers for the Wolverines - 96 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks over the past two seasons.

22. Indianapolis - WR Riley Ridley, Georgia


Analysis: I firmly believe Ridley will be one of the best WR's in this class when all is said and done. He reminds me a lot of current Saints WR Michael Thomas, who has been lighting it up this year in the NFL. The Colts are in desperate need of a WR2 to go with soon-to-be 30-year-old T.Y. Hilton - even though Ryan Grant and Chester Rogers are solid guys, they are not WR2-type receivers. The Colts could use some help in the secondary, but a WR would be too good to pass up at this point.

23. Seattle - EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida


Analysis: Once again for the Seahawks, this is more of a luxury pick than anything. Polite is likely the BPA at this point, and that's what the Seahawks go with. Polite was an absolute stud with the Gators this season, registering 43 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. The Seahawks are set on one side with Frank Clark, but could use some help on the other side. Polite should be the pick for the Seahawks at this point.

24. Baltimore - WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss


Analysis: It feels like I've been saying for the past 6 years that the Ravens need a playmaker at wide receiver. Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead, and John Brown doesn't scare many opposing defenses. Although the Ravens primarily run the ball now with Lamar Jackson behind center, they still need a true WR1 to stretch the field and make plays. Brown is the best WR available at this point and this pick makes too much sense. This pick would've been an EDGE guy, but the best one available was taken just before the Ravens' selection.

25. Oakland (via DAL) - WR Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State


Analysis: The Raiders are in dire need of help across the entire roster, with receiver being near the top. Jordy Nelson is a shell of his former self, Seth Roberts is nothing more than a backup, and Marcell Ateman is a raw rookie that still needs time to develop. If Derek Carr is gonna succeed with the Raiders once more, he's gonna need a viable threat to throw the ball to. They will never succeed with the receiving corps they have now. Harmon was a bonafide playmaker at NC State, and his partnership with QB Ryan Finley was one of the best in the nation. The Raiders can only hope that Harmon can replicate that in the NFL with Derek Carr.

26. Houston - OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida


Analysis: I wanted to go with another DT here, but with the class being exceptionally heavy with that position, it makes sense to go with an OT here. Watson is one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL and will need to be protected, especially if he wants to have a long career in the NFL. Julie'n Davenport and Kendall Lamm isn't scaring any defenses and Taylor is likely the best OT on the board at this point. Taylor would make an excellent blindside protector for Watson.

27. Oakland (via CHI) - ILB Mack Wilson, Alabama


Analysis: I thought about going with an EDGE guy here, but Mack Wilson is a better prospect than any EDGE currently on the board. The Raiders' linebacking corps is in complete disarray and is in massive need of repair. Wilson has been a star in Tuscaloosa and reminds me a lot of current Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker, C.J. Mosley - and that's one hell of a compliment. The current Raiders LB corps consists of Jason Cabinda, Marquel Lee, and Tahir Whitehead - and that is scaring absolutely no one. Adding Mack Wilson into the mix definitely would.

28. L.A. Chargers - DT Derrick Brown, Auburn


Analysis: The Chargers don't have many holes within their roster, but if you had to nitpick, they could use some help among the defensive line. As said before, this class is exceedingly deep with DT's and Brown is likely the best available at this point. Brandon Mebane is a solid starter in the NFL, but he's nothing special. Outside of Mebane, there's not much - Darius Philon, Damion Square and last year's 3rd-round pick, Justin Jones. The addition of Brown would make the Chargers' defensive line much, much better.

29. New England - DL Raekwon Davis, Alabama


Analysis: The Patriots need some help on the defensive line, and with the Alabama/Patriots, Saban/Belichick connection, Davis makes sense at this point. Davis is an absolute animal on the field and would become an immediate starter among the Patriots' line. Trey Flowers is set to become a free agent, so his spot on the depth chart may or may not be up for grabs, while Adrian Clayborn isn't anything special. Compared to 2017, Davis had an underwhelming season, but he is still a phenomenal player that could drastically improve the Patriots' defensive line.

30. L.A. Rams - DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson

Analysis: With Ndamukong Suh set to enter free agency, the Rams might have to find his replacement in the draft. Wilkins has arguably been Clemson's best defensive lineman for the past few years and he makes perfect sense here. He would be a much better, less expensive replacement than Ndamukong Suh, who I would let walk if I were managing the Rams' front office. Wilkins has the opportunity to become one of the better players in this draft and going to a successful team like the Rams makes his opportunity even better.

31. Kansas City - OT/OG Dalton Risner, Kansas State


Analysis: I really wanted to go with some secondary help, but the Chiefs have two 2nd-round selections, and with the "elite" cornerbacks gone, Risner makes sense here. Mahomes has proven himself to be an exemplary quarterback, but has had moments where he's been running for his life. Risner is quite possibly the best Swiss knife OL of this draft, as he can play practically every position on the offensive line. The Chiefs could use someone like that on their offensive line to help protect their franchise quarterback.

32. Green Bay (via New Orleans) - DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame


Analysis: One of my favorite players in this draft, I think Tillery could be a difference maker from Day 1. He is a ginormous person, standing at 6'7" and 305 pounds, and is just the type of player you need in the middle of your defense. Kenny Clark has been stupendous this season, but needs help beside him, as he can't do it all himself. The Packers' current starter at DT is Tyler Lancaster, who I had honestly not even heard of up until a few weeks ago. That needs to change, and Tillery seems like the type of player that can make a significant difference immediately. The Packers have a great Day 1 of the draft with the selections of Tillery and Montez Sweat, both of which wreak potential and could cause havoc in the NFC North.

TWard's Favorite Players of the 2019 NFL Draft

Since I published a mock draft, I might as well do one of these as well. Obviously, I love everything about the draft, from the mocks to the scouting to card releases to whatever. It's just a wonderful time of the year.

Like every one that pays close attention to the draft, there have been a lot of players that I've gotten right, such as Kam Chancellor, Randall Cobb, Antoine Bethea, Brandon Marshall, Josh Norman, Kirk Cousins, Mike Wallace, David Johnson and others... then, there's some I've gotten completely wrong like Limas Sweed, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Taylor Mays, Glen Coffee, Ashley Lelie, James Hardy, Jarvis Moss, Chris Perry, among others. It comes with the territory. You're never gonna bat 1.000 when it comes to this shit, but you can't be any worse than Mel Kiper (*cough* Jimmy Clausen *cough*).

Here are some of my favorite players in the upcoming draft. I believe all of these guys could be steals. I'm gonna try to refrain from putting in bonafide 1st-round guys, so I'll try to just do guys that are likely to be selected from the 3rd round to the end (as it stands now... some of these guys could rise up as the draft nears, and some could fall down). For the draft enthusiasts like me, these are some players I think you need to familiarize yourself with.

Let's get it started... My favorite players of the 2019 Draft:

* RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis - Obviously, I'm from Memphis so I'm a little bit partial to Henderson, but I'm not joking when I say this: he reminds me a lot of former Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles. He is just lethal in the open-field and it has been a pleasure watching him play over the years. I don't know if he could be an every-down back in the NFL, as I think he would be better off in a committee approach. But, I truly believe that Henderson will be a star in the NFL. Yes, Memphis is not in a Power 5 conference but you cannot deny his godly 2018 statistics: 214 carries, 1,909 yards (8.9 YPC), 22 TD's + 19 receptions, 295 yards, 3 TD's. I don't know about y'all but those are some phenomenal stats. I really, really like his ability and think he will flourish in the NFL.

* LB Dakota Allen, Texas Tech - There are some things you just can't measure when it comes to a player. One of the things you cannot measure is heart - and that's exactly what Allen has. And he has a lot of it. If you don't know his story, I definitely recommend checking it out. He has been through a lot in his life and has continued to fight and fight, and as of right now, it appears he could be a Day 2 selection. He only played 10 games this year, so his stats weren't phenomenal, but that doesn't mean much. If put into the right situation, I believe Allen will be a tremendous LB in the NFL.  

* CB Lavert Hill, Michigan - I look at Hill and I see a potential shutdown corner in the NFL. I really like his style of play, although he will likely need to put on some weight in the NFL. He is very aggressive in the passing game, and does not get called a lot for penalties. Given the right situation with a top-of-the-line secondary coach, I think we could see Hill as a perennial Pro Bowler/All-Pro.

* LB Khalil Hodge, Buffalo - The last linebacker named Khalil from Buffalo turned out to be pretty damn good too, right? The dude is just a tackling machine and reminds me a lot of a current rookie, Darius Leonard. In 3 years at Buffalo, Hodge has amassed 414 total tackles in 37 games - that is absolutely absurd. On top of that, he has added 21 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The guy is just all over the field and that is the type of linebacker you wanna see on Sunday's. At this point, he will likely be a late Day 2 selection and whichever team ends up with his services will be getting a steal. 

* WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State - Some have him as a 2nd-round guy (like me) and some have him as a 3rd-round guy so I'm including him anyway. When watching an Iowa State game, my eyes are immediately glued to Butler. He just looks like he should be a forward in the NBA, as he stands at a whopping 6'6". He only caught 51 passes this year, but turned that into 1,126 yards (22.1 YPC). He reminds me a lot of current Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans. Just throw that shit into the air and Butler is gonna come down with it the majority of the time. There are some things he could get better at, but for the time being, he looks like an NFL WR. I truly believe he will be a star in the NFL. 

* OLB Te'Von Coney, Notre Dame - One of my favorite defensive players this year, Coney is the heart and soul of the Notre Dame defense. He just makes plays. He does not have great size like your prototypical linebackers but his instincts are an A+. The last two seasons, he has registered 223 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. In other words, he's stellar across the board. Once it gets closer to the draft, I could see him sneaking up into the first-round but as of right now, he's a late-2nd/3rd round player. Whoever gets him is gonna be one happy franchise.

 * RB Myles Gaskin, Washington - When you're looking for a running back, you always wanna look for one that has a knack for playing well in crunchtime in a close game. And that's exactly who Myles Gaskin is. Over the course of his career, he has seemingly come up huge in big moments and that's what I want from my #1 RB. He was nothing but phenomenal at Washington, seriously. 4 years, 4 1,000-yard seasons, which is absolutely absurd. 5,202 rushing yards in 4 years + 55 rushing touchdowns (21 in 2017). There are some things that he could work on, like catching out of the backfield, but as of right now, if I were a GM, he would be a top-3 RB to me. He will also need to put on some weight, as he's roughly only 185 pounds right now. But, I cannot wait to watch Gaskin on Sunday's, as he reminds me of a mixture of Sony Michel and Alvin Kamara (although he would need to get better at catching the ball out of the backfield).

* WR Stanley Morgan, Jr., Nebraska - A pedigree player, his dad also played wide receiver at the University of Tennessee and then the Patriots in the NFL. Unfortunately for Morgan, he really had no true gunslinging QB to throw him the ball while at Nebraska and because of that, his stats weren't exactly otherworldly. Despite that, he did manage to (barely) put up a 1,000 yard season this year even though Nebraska wasn't the most consistent team in the NCAA. I really, really like Morgan's upside, even though he's only 6'1" (but 200 pounds). I don't know if he will ever be a true WR1 in the NFL, but I believe he could be an extremely valuable WR2, similarly like Sterling Shepard, Pierre Garcon, Robert Woods, Nelson Agholor, and so on. 

* OLB Jabari Zuniga, Florida - Every time I watched a Florida game this year, I consistently heard Zuniga's name. I find it amazing that he isn't in the upper echelon of OLB's in this draft. He was seemingly in the backfield the majority of plays. I think he is a slight project and has some things he needs to work on, but I believe he will eventually flourish in a 3-4 defense. Since he is a junior, there is a chance he could return to Florida for his senior season, so he can boost his stock. But since he hasn't announced anything, I'm including him in this. Zuniga reminds me a lot of an elite pass-rusher currently in the NFL by the name of Danielle Hunter.

* RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama - I have to include at least one Alabama player in here. Jacobs is undoubtedly one of my favorite Bama players of the Saban era. He is not your typical Bama player though, as he was not heavily recruited coming out of high school and was not a 4/5-star player. But, if there's one word I could use to describe Jacobs... it would be hungry. He was consistently hungry to make big plays, try his hardest, and prove everyone else wrong. I don't know if he would be an every-down back in the NFL, but he would be an outstanding change-of-pace back.

* DL Austin Bryant, Clemson - Bryant usually gets lost in the shuffle after Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell and Dexter Lawrence, but I believe it is possible that he ends up the best of the bunch. There were some games where Bryant was the most dominant out of the four Clemson defensive linemen. He has played spectacularly the past two seasons with 26.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. He's like a mammoth out there, standing at 6'5" and 265 pounds, and would be great in a 3-4 defense. He just knows how to disrupt the backfield. As it stands right now, he's likely a Day 2 guy but it would not shock me if he moves himself up into the first round when it is all said and done.

* QB Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt - Like I said in my mock draft, I'm really not a fan of any QB in this draft and I think most of them will crap the bed in the NFL. However, there are some I like more than others and one of them is Shurmur - and yes, he's the son of the current NY Giants coach. His stats don't pop off the wall like Grier or Haskins, but he also didn't have a lot of elite talent around him like Grier and Haskins did. I view him as an incredibly raw prospect, but given the right situation, I could see him flourish.

Please end the Eli Manning Saga

It’s time. It’s been time for a while now. The Giants need to end their relationship with Eli Manning once the season concludes. I hate to say it because I’ve always been a fan of Eli, stretching back to his Ole Miss days — about an hour drive from my house. But even as a huge Manning supporter, it’s time to move on. Eli isn’t doing the Giants any favors right now and sadly, if anything, he’s holding the franchise back.

The Giants have some compelling offensive pieces — the only thing that’s missing is a young quarterback. Some thought Davis Webb was the answer. Nah. I’m sure some even thought Geno Smith could be a short-term answer after the whole Ben McAdoo shitstorm last season. The way it is right now, the Giants just need to sever ties with Eli and start anew. They have a good young core right now with Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard, Saquon Barkley and the mystery that is Evan Engram. Yeah, his offensive line has been a revolving door and has constantly put Eli on his ass throughout the year but there comes a time when you know it’s over. It’s over.

Eli did his part, though. He won the Giants two Super Bowl’s, both over the Patriots. That should be good enough, even for New York fans. It’s not like we’re talking about Kevin Kolb or Derek Anderson here. Eli will likely have a bust in Canton a few years from now, he’s paid his dues. But it’s time to move on. Although I am not completely sold on any QB’s in this draft, the Giants have to take one in the first round, whether it’s Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, West Virginia’s Will Grier or some Joe Schmo from the University of Slippery Rock (look it up, real college). The Giants aren’t like most cellar dwellers, though. As said before, they have some nice pieces on the offensive side of the ball. Things could be a whole lot fucking worse, so they should be thankful for that. Saquon Barkley looks like the second coming of Adrian Peterson, Beckham is one the best in the game, but Eli is holding them back. Sure, his stats don’t look like Ryan Leaf’s, but clearly he’s not what he used to be and the Giants would be better off without him.

The Giants should just try to get something for him. Whatever they can get. The most obvious choice, and probably the best one, would be to deal him to Jacksonville where he can be reunited with former coach and current Jaguars executive, Tom Coughlin. At least do a little right by the poor bastard. Then when the draft comes around, use their first-round pick on a QB, whoever that may be. They’re pretty much a lock to be picking in the top-ten, so it’s safe to assume they’ll end up with Herbert or Haskins, if they choose to go that route (and they should). Start a new era in New York with a young offensive core and for the love of sweet baby Jesus, get some help on the offensive line — whether that be through the draft or in feee agency (although their prized acquisition last offseason, Nate Solder, hasn’t exactly been Orlando Pace on the left side).

I just don’t see how the Giants can go another year — or 2, or 3 — with Eli at the helm. The only way I can possibly see that working is if they select Herbert or Haskins in the draft, and have them sit behind Eli for a year. Learn the playbook and the nuances of the game, then dump Eli and have the young gun take the reins in 2020. 

Another possibility — and it’s similar to the one above — is to do what the Redskins in 2012. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, the Redskins took Robert Griffin III in the first round, then took some dude from the Big 10 named Kirk Cousins in the fourth round. Obviously, we know what happened with RGIII’s career, who was then supplanted by Cousins and the rest is history, so to speak. Cousins was a pretty solid QB for Washington, then landed a lucrative deal with Minnesota this offseason. The Giants could replicate that in some form this upcoming spring by taking either Herbert or Haskins in the first round, then take someone like Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham, Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur (the current Giants’ head coach’s son, by the way), North Dakota State’s Easton Stick, or South Carolina’s Jake Bentley, somewhere in the middle rounds. I believe both Stick and Bentley are sleepers and both would benefit exponentially if they ride the bench for a couple of years. If whoever the Giants take in the first round ends up taking a shit on the franchise and bounces out of the league after a couple of years, then you have someone behind him that has ridden the bench for 2-3 seasons and just might know what the hell he’s doing.

Either way, regardless of what happens, Eli’s Giants career should come to an end once this season ends. He has been a terrific player for the Giants and I appreciate the loyalty the franchise has shown him, but there comes a point when you have to decide what’s more important — loyalty or winning. At this point, for a rabid fan base, it’s about winning. The Giants have to do something to rejuvenate the franchise and provide another valuable young piece on the offense.

2019 NFL Mock Draft V1.0

In case you don't know, I'm a big NFL Draft enthusiast. It's essentially my favorite time of the year. One thing I love doing is mock drafts and I will start with my three-round mock. Obviously, things will change considerably between now and when the draft takes place, so you have to take this with a grain of salt.

That said, I decided to do my first 3-round mock draft of the year. I initially did two rounds but said fuck it and decided to do another round because there were still some potential stars still on the board. 

Just a few notes:

* As it stands now, the Raiders would have 4 picks in the first 33. I went with a DL and two EDGE guys because their pass-rush is in that much disarray. They're currently ranked last in sacks and it ain't even close. The guys I mocked to them should definitely help with that.

* I have the Cowboys selecting an RB in the third round. No, this is not saying anything about Zeke's status as a starter. This is saying they have no good backup option and they don't need to run him into the ground at such an early age. The guy I chose for them would be a significant help to the offense, especially Zeke.

* I would honestly not be surprised if the Buccaneers select a QB on the first or second day of the draft. I have them going with one in the third. May not be a starter immediately but if Jameis fucks up again, then who knows.

* I really didn't wanna put Justin Herbert or Mack Wilson in this mock since both have indicated that there is a good chance they return to school, but ultimately decided to put them in.

ROUND 1:

1. Arizona - DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State

Analysis: Bosa is undoubtedly the bonafide #1 pick right now. Unless a QB-needy team like Jacksonville or the Giants trade into this spot, it will likely be Bosa, regardless of who's picking (i.e. Oakland, San Francisco, etc.) Bosa is considered to be even better than his brother Joey, who has had a stellar career thus far for the Chargers. Bosa would immediately bolster the Cardinals' pass rush and help stop the run, which currently ranks 30th in that category.

2. Oakland - DL Quinnen Williams, Alabama

Analysis: The Raiders are in desperate need of a pass-rusher and someone to clog up the middle. Williams is essentially both, as he has wreaked havoc on Alabama's defensive line and has been an absolute wrecking ball with 18 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. Williams is a star in the making, and will significantly help the Raiders' defensive line. 

3. NY Jets - OT Jonah Williams, Alabama

Analysis: The Jets selected Sam Darnold last year and in order for him to fully reach his potential, he will need someone to protect his blindside. Williams is the best OT in this draft and is an immediate Day 1 starter. He is basically there to keep Darnold upright, and that's what he's done at Alabama throughout his tenure at Tuscaloosa. Darnold will never succeed without a solid LT on the line, so Williams seems like the most logical pick at this point.

4. San Francisco - EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky

Analysis: I'm a big fan of Allen and have seen a lot of his games. The dude will be a star in the NFL, no doubt in my mind. He will help the 49ers' pass-rush exponentially. Their pass-rush seems almost non-existent right now, as they are currently tied for 19th in sacks. Allen is undoubtedly a Day 1 starter in a 49ers defense that already has some young, talented pieces.

5. Jacksonville - QB Justin Herbert, Oregon

Analysis: I'm honestly not a fan of any QB in this draft, but I believe Herbert to be the best of the bunch (if he does enter). The Jags desperately need a QB change. They thought Bortles would be the one but he consistently shits the bed on a weekly basis. He is not their QB of the future. The defense is elite when they're engaged in the game and they really need a QB that can keep them off the field instead of going 3-and-out on every possession. Herbert could be that guy.

6. Atlanta - DT Ed Oliver, Houston

Analysis: For a good chunk of the season, Bosa was thought of as 1A and OIiver 1B. Oliver has elite talent and getting him at #6 would be a steal. The Falcons need someone in the middle to help Grady Jarrett. Pairing Oliver with Jarrett would immediately give the Falcons one of the best DT duo's in the NFL.

7. Detroit - CB Byron Murphy, Washington

Analysis: The Lions need help in a lot of places, but the position they may need help the most in is in the secondary. Detroit really needs someone to line up opposite of Darius Slay and Murphy could be that guy. He just feels like a Matt Patricia guy. They need playmakers on defense and I think Murphy could be that player that drastically improves their secondary.

8. NY Giants - QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State

Analysis: Surprise! The Giants take a QB. Unfortunately, it is time for the Eli Manning era to come to an end. Although he hasn't been terrible, he hasn't been good either. The Giants already have Odell and added Saquon Barkley in the draft last year. This is a young offense and the Giants need a QB that can mold with those two. It is time for the Giants to hit the rebuild button and it starts with the Quarterback position.

9. Tampa Bay - S Deionte Thompson, Alabama

Analysis: The Buccaneers are in dire need of some playmakers in the secondary. Thompson reminds me a lot of his predecessor, Eddie Jackson, as he just has a knack for finding the ball and making plays. The Bucs' secondary has been victimized all season long and Thompson is by far the best safety in this class. He would immediately change the secondary as a plug-and-play guy.

10. Buffalo - WR D.K.Metcalf, Ole Miss

Analysis: Zay Jones, Robert Foster, and Ray-Ray McCloud. Those are the Bills' starters at WR right now, and is likely towards the very bottom in terms of WR corps rankings. They just don't strike fear into any opposing defense. They finally severed ties with Kelvin Benjamin, who was an extreme disappointment. Metcalf is a playmaker and a great downfield threat and would immediately bolster their WR corps and give Josh Allen a much-needed weapon.

11. Green Bay - EDGE Brian Burns, Florida State

Analysis: Clay Matthews is set to be a free agent in the offseason and it does not appear the Packers will bring him back. He has been a liability on defense at times and it's time to start looking for his replacement. Many have considered Burns to be the best EDGE in this draft, so getting him at #11 is a steal. I do believe Burns is one of the bigger boom-or-bust prospects in this draft, but if he hits, the Packers get a steal.

12. Carolina - OT Greg Little, Ole Miss

Analysis: Taylor Moton has been able to hold his own at the RT spot, but they desperately need someone to help Cam Newton's blindside. Greg Little is that guy. He is the second-best OT in this draft. It is time to get some different pieces among their OL, as Chris Clark and Marshall Newhouse are not guys that can help Newton stay upright on a play-by-play basis.

13. Denver - CB Greedy Williams, LSU

Analysis: Many peg Williams to be the best cornerback in the draft and this would be a tremendous pick for Denver. The team has several needs but in a pass-heavy league, I believe their biggest need right now is at corner. Bradley Roby has been inconsistent, Chris Harris will be entering his 9th year in 2019 and Tramaine Brock is just there to occupy space. Williams would be a bargain at #13.

14. Cincinnati - ILB Devin White, LSU

Analysis: I really, really, really wanted to mock a QB here and I do think it can happen. But when looking at the Bengals' LB corps, it's mediocre at best. Their current starters contain Nick Vigil, Jordan Evans and Hardy Nickerson Jr. -- that is not the best. White would immediately become a plug-and-play linebacker for Cincy. They have some other needs, but White is the best player available at this point and it would be foolish to pass him up.

15. Cleveland - WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State

Analysis: This pick would have been Greg Little, but the Panthers snatched him up right before Cleveland. However, Harry would be a great consolation prize. The offense already contains a solid, young core with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway and David Njoku. At Arizona State, Harry has had consecutive 1,000 yard seasons with 17 touchdowns. He would become a tremendous downfield threat for Baker Mayfield.

16. Miami - DE/EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson

Analysis: Cameron Wake is in the twilight of his career. Ferrell is an elite pass-rusher and could be a top-10 player when all is said and done. The Dolphins have quite a few needs but Ferrell is too good to pass up at 16th. I almost mocked a QB here as well, but I believe the Dolphins could address that need on the draft's second day because Ryan Tannehill just isn't the guy.

17. Washington - QB Will Grier, West Virginia

Analysis: It is uncertain if Alex Smith will be able to return to the field in 2019 after suffering a gruesome injury. Colt McCoy is not a starting QB in the NFL at this point, and neither is Mark Sanchez or Josh Johnson. With the selection of Grier, the Redskins get some much-needed relief at the QB position. Grier put up stellar numbers at WVU and although I am not a fan of air-raid QB's, Grier is the third-best QB in this draft.

18. Philadelphia - CB Deandre Baker, Georgia

Analysis: The Eagles have been a disappointment this year and a lot of it could be tracked back to injuries. They have suffered a great amount of losses this season, a lot of which is in the secondary, which currently fields a few guys that have no business starting in the NFL. I believe there is a good chance that Baker could be the best CB in this class (he is my #1 CB) and would give the Eagles some much-needed improvement at the CB spot.

19. Indianapolis - WR Riley Ridley, Georgia

Analysis: The Colts have been a pleasant surprise this year, but they could get better at the WR position. T.Y. Hilton is creeping up on 30 and is really their only true threat at WR. Ryan Grant and Chester Rogers have been decent, but neither are WR2 caliber guys. Ridley, the brother of Calvin, is a lot like his brother in many ways and would be a stellar pickup for the Colts at 19.

20. Tennessee - OT/OG Cody Ford, Oklahoma

Analysis: The Titans seemingly have the bookends worked out with Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, but they really need help in the middle of the OL, as opposing defensive linemen have been wrecking them all year long. Ford is among the best offensive linemen in this class and would significantly improve the middle of that Titans' line. Marcus Mariota desperately needs it. 

21. Minnesota - DL Rashan Gary, Michigan

Analysis: Sheldon Richardson is set to become a free agent and the Vikings may not resign him. Although inconsistent at Michigan, Gary is still a tremendous DT that can become an integral part of the Vikings' defense. If Gary is on the board by the time the Vikings pick, they have to take him.

22. Oakland (via DAL) - EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida

Analysis: The Raiders need help rushing the passer after trading Khalil Mack, which appears to be a giant mistake as of right now. Polite may not become the second Khalil Mack, but he is the best true pass-rusher on the board at this point. The Raiders currently rank dead last in the NFL with a measly 12 sacks.

23. Seattle - DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State

Analysis: Clearly, the Seahawks like to shock people when it comes to the first round of the draft (Rashaad Penny, James Carpenter). This is more of a luxury pick than anything. Simmons is a tremendous talent that can simply get to the QB. He's registered an amazing 27.5 tackles for loss the last two years and would be a huge benefit on the Seahawks' defensive line.

24. Baltimore - EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State

Analysis: Back-to-back Mississippi State picks. The Ravens could go a few different ways with this, especially WR, but I think it would be hard to pass up a player like Sweat. Terrell Suggs will not be around forever and it may be time to find his replacement.

25. Pittsburgh - ILB Mack Wilson, Alabama

Analysis: Ryan Shazier's status is still up in the air and he shouldn't play football again. The Steelers need to find his replacement and have been vulnerable at the second level of the defense. Wilson is undoubtedly the second-best ILB in the draft and he perfectly fits the Steelers' mold. Mack-to-Pitt makes too much sense.

26. New England - TE Noah Fant, Iowa

Analysis: Rob Gronkowski has been phenomenal throughout his tenure with the Patriots, but he's also considerably injury-prone. Dwayne Allen isn't a starter and is more of a run-blocker. Jacob Hollister isn't anything special. It's about that time to find someone that can help them at TE on a weekly basis. Fant is the best TE in this draft, so they might as well take a shot.

27. Oakland (via CHI) - WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss

Analysis: I really wanted to go with another pass-rusher here but the Raiders desperately need help at WR as well. Jordy Nelson is better off retiring, Marcell Ateman is nothing more than a benchwarmer, and the same thing applies to Seth Roberts. Brown is a bonafide starter in the NFL, although some teams might be wary of him and Metcalf because the last 1st-round Ole Miss WR hasn't exactly been that great (Laquon Treadwell). But, you never know until you try.

28. Houston - OT Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia

Analysis: The Texans traded away their longtime starter, Duane Brown, to Seattle and need his replacement immediately to protect Deshaun Watson's blindside. Julie'n Davenport might be a solid starter, but he still has some work to do. Kendall Lamm currently holds down the RT spot and he isn't exactly the answer on the OL. Cajuste is one of the better OT's in the draft.

29. L.A. Rams - DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson

Analysis: It's amazing to me that Wilkins has lasted this long, as he could very well become the next Aaron Donald. He is immensely talented and with the Rams needing help at DT, as Ndamukong Suh is set to enter free agency, Wilkins makes too much sense here. 

30. L.A. Chargers - QB Drew Lock, Missouri

Analysis: I almost went with a DT here, but decided to go with a surprise here. With Denver, Cincinnati and Miami passing up Lock, the Chargers decide to bite the bullet. There's no doubt that Rivers has been outstanding this year, but he is towards the end of his career. The Chargers don't have many holes anyway and decide it is time to perhaps find Rivers' replacement in hopes to replicate what the Packers did with Favre/Rodgers over a decade ago.

31. Kansas City - CB Amani Oruwariye, Penn State

Analysis: The Chiefs are one of the best teams in the NFL, but they have flaws, especially on defense with the linebacking corps and the secondary. I am a fan of Oruwariye and believe he could be one of the best CB's in this class and this is just what he needs. Kendall Fuller is a serviceable corner, but has been inconsistent. Scandrick is not the same player he once was with Dallas, and Steven Nelson is just a middle-of-the-pack CB. With this pick, the Chiefs significantly bolster the secondary.

32. Green Bay (via NO) - DT Gerald Willis III, Miami (FL)

Analysis: I wanted to go with a WR here, but there are plenty more available in the second round, and Willis may be the last of the elite DT's. Kenny Clark has played spectacularly this season, but he needs some help beside him. I would also not rule out the Packers packaging up this pick and their 2nd-round pick to move up and select an even better DT in this defensive line-loaded class.

ROUND 2:

33. Oakland - DE/EDGE Zach Allen, Boston College

34. Arizona - WR Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State

35. San Francisco - CB Julian Love, Notre Dame

36. Jacksonville - WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Oklahoma

37. Indianapolis (via NYJ) - DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson

38. Detroit - ILB Devin Bush, Michigan

39. Tampa Bay - OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida

40. N.Y. Giants - DT Raekwon Davis, Alabama

41. Buffalo - EDGE Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion

42. Atlanta - OL Dalton Risner, Kansas State

43. Green Bay - WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford

44. Denver - OT David Edwards, Wisconsin

45. Cincinnati - WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State

46. Carolina - S Taylor Rapp, Washington

47. Cleveland - DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame

48. Washington - ILB Te'Von Coney, Notre Dame

49. Philadelphia - RB Damien Harris, Alabama

50. Miami - QB Daniel Jones, Duke

51. Tennessee - DE/EDGE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech

52. Indianapolis - CB Bryce Hall, Virginia Tech

53. Minnesota - OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College

54. Philadelphia (via BAL) - DT Derrick Brown, Auburn

55. Houston (via SEA) - S Juan Thornhill, Virginia

56. Pittsburgh - CB Trayvon Mullen, Clemson

57. Dallas - TE Irv Smith, Jr., Alabama

58. New England - RB David Montgomery, Iowa State

59. New England (via CHI) - DT Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State

60. Kansas City - RB Bryce Love, Stanford

61. Houston - WR Anthony Johnson, Buffalo

62. Kansas City (via LAR) - EDGE Ben Banogu, TCU

63. L.A. Chargers - DT Isaiah Buggs, Alabama

64. New Orleans - EDGE Jalen Jelks, Oregon

ROUND 3:

65. Arizona - S Jaquan Johnson, Miami (FL)

66. Oakland - CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
67. NY Jets - EDGE D'Andre Walker, Georgia
68. San Francisco - WR Parris Campbell, Ohio State

69. Jacksonville - S J.R. Reed, Georgia
70. Atlanta - RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis
71. Buffalo - CB Kris Boyd, Texas

72. Tampa Bay - QB Ryan Finley, North Carolina State

73. New England (via DET) - WR Collin Johnson, Texas

74. Green Bay - S Nasir Adderley, Delaware

75. Cincinnati - OT Kaleb McGary, Washington

76. Carolina - DE/OLB Chase Winovich, Michigan

77. Denver - QB Clayton Thorson, Northwestern

78. Cleveland - RB Benny Snell, Jr., Kentucky

79. Detroit (via PHI) - TE Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri

80. Miami - C Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama

81. Washington - WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina

82. Indianapolis - OG Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin

83. Tennessee - TE Kaden Smith, Stanford

84. Minnesota - OLB Vosean Joseph, Florida

85. Seattle - CB Michael Jackson, Miami (FL)

86. Baltimore - WR Antoine Wesley, Texas Tech

87. Pittsburgh - OG Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin

88. Dallas - RB Justice Hill, Oklahoma State

89. Cleveland (via NE) - ILB Germaine Pratt, North Carolina State

90. Chicago - CB Blace Brown, Troy

91. Kansas City - OG/C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M

92. Houston - TE Dawson Knox, Ole Miss

93. Jacksonville (via LAR) - OG/C Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State

94. L.A. Chargers - OT Isaiah Prince, Ohio State

95. N.Y. Jets (via NO) - CB Kristian Fulton, LSU

Packers work out Paxton Lynch, hooray!

In case you didn't know, I'm the Paxton Lynch collector guy. Obviously, I'm from Memphis and am a Tigers fan, along with Alabama. Memphis has long been a laughingstock of the NCAA football community but they have gotten their shit together over the past few years with the hires of Justin Fuente and Mike Norvell. Paxton Lynch was also a big part of the revitalization of the Tigers program and eventually became a first-round pick. Obviously, I was super duper stoked about this and collected his cards (and still do).

According to reports that have come out, the Packers have worked former Memphis Tigers and Broncos QB Paxton Lynch. I don't know exactly what this means since they have Deshone Kizer, but I guess they don't have much faith in him. I'm hoping that Paxton can land a contract with the Packers -- he couldn't be any worse than Mark Sanchez was for the Redskins, right?

Obviously, this means, that if he does sign with Green Bay, he should start over Aaron Rodgers in 2019. No question. Rodgers is washed up so its time to either bench him or trade him and let Paxton take the reins and lead them to another Super Bowl victory. Paxton is the second coming of Tom Brady in case you didn't know.

I'm clearly joking. But it would be sweet to see Paxton hit the field once more. I truly do not believe he was given a fair shake in Denver. Vance Joseph didn't seem to like him from the start. Yeah, he wasn't great when given the chance but he wasn't Mark Sanchez either. He also came into the league incredibly raw and many knew this. He wasn't a Day 1 starter, never was gonna be. He needed time to learn the playbook and the nuances of the game. I really do not think Denver gave him a true chance to succeed, but I also say this as possibly the biggest Paxton fan out there.

Regardless, hopefully the Packers will sign him. I'm praying that they do because I will lose my goddamn mind.

Molly Qerim... Shut Up

Dear Molly & every other sports debate show host. First Take is hosted by Molly Qerim, who’s currently married to the guy Kobe dropped 81 on, but that’s besides the point. First Take is currently the highest rated sports talk show in the morning on the number one sports network. When people watch this show, literally no one wants to hear what Molly has to say. When I’m watching Stephen A Smith & Max talk about the Cowboys for the 80th straight day, the last thing I want is to hear Molly Qerim put her 2 sense into it. Molly is a prime example of someone who got hired for their tits & not brains.

 According to her Wikipedia she has a Bachelors of Arts in communication, I’m sure that got her the host job on the number one sports broadcasting networks morning television show. I have nothing against women in sports broadcasting but when you are hired to host a show, don’t interrupt. Im sure you are thinking but what’s makes Stephen A or Max so qualified to talk but she isn’t? Well it’s quite simple, Stephen A played college basketball & has been in & out of lockerooms for 25+ years. Max on the other hand is famous for his brother being assasinated & being a white knight. If I recall one time, Ryan Clark was on set during a debate about the. Sorry I can’t keep going, honest to God how the fuck does Ryan Clark have an analyst job. Ok back to the story, they were debating Warriors declining the White House visit. Ryan and Max disagreed, Max can’t ever say anything off color or disagree with a black man so as an apology during commercial break he gave him an over the pants handjob. Now back to the Elephant in the room Molly, in today’s political climate networks are forced to hire females in hopes of appeasing Buzzfeed. The only problem with this is, ESPN can’t  hire someone qualified like Ramona Shelburn. First Take is a daily 3 hour show & I don’t want to look at her for her once a week 30 minute appearances on ESPN NBA “The Jump”

Now go back up to the picture of Molly Qerim... So ESPN is a rock in a hard place with their hosting spot. Romana is a former college athlete & Stanford Graduate who is very well spoken & very insightful but unfortunately she’s built like Patrick Star. Molly is a loud obnoxious person with no sports or athletic background, constantly interrupting the debators BUT TITTIES TITTIES TITTIES. This is the danger of the climate Buzzfeed is creating, ESPN was under pressure to hire a female after the oringial host Jay Crawford left. So ESPN appeases the social justice warriors demanding a female but ESPN remembers its a business. ESPN remembers this is a daily show + podcast that last 2+ hours. Ratings would go down if viewers had to look at Romana all day, which is sad but it’s true. The sadder part is when people like Molly don’t realize this & think they were hired for their opinion.
First Take started in 2007, heres a picture of the hosts since 2007 (20010 top - 2018 bottom)

                                           

So as you can see the change throughout the years speaks volumes to the political changes & demands for workplace equality. Sometimes the road to hell is paved with good intentions, we see that here wit him First Take. Slowly deteriorating & hiring maybe not the most qualified but the most “attractive candidate”. Now I’m sure you’re saying but then explain Cari Champion. Well that was from 2012-2015 also known as simpler times. That hire was for please it’s lesbian viewers before there was 45 genders & a flavor of the month at Dairy Queen for Blizzards. Now here’s a few links to prove my point. 

Stephen A embarrasses Molly

Molly interrupts Stephen A 5+ times in 50 seonds

Molly the HOST somehow becoming a Debator interupting

There’s also many videos of just 5+ minutes of Molly in tight dresses with 150k+ views on ESPN, NFL network, which goes to prove my point. 

Now to log off, here’s a picture of Ben Shapiro with a suppressed pistol. 

Gambling on Football Cards

With this first post, I am going to try to intertwine the two things that this blog is about: football and football cards. Back in the old days, sportscards were actually collected and profiting off of them wasn’t really thought of as an option. Now, it’s really the complete opposite. The amount of “true” collectors have dwindled and the “investors” have skyrocketed. I hear all the time, “oh my god, the hobby is dying!” Well, that is the farthest thing from the truth. If anything, it’s thriving and at the bare minimum, it’s stagnant. But I truly believe it’s thriving. People, who have never collected cards, have begun to see the profit that could be made in this hobby and have thrown their hat into the ring. It’s essentially gambling when it comes down to it. Because of that, there are significant upsides, but there are downsides as well.

Lately, we’ve seen Drew Brees rookie shit skyrocket. Before that, it was Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Soon, it could be Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers. Investors have made that happen and while it’s a good thing for the hobby, it’s a bad thing for collectors like me (although that stuff doesn’t really interest me). Now that people have seen the money that could be made with those guys, they’re hoping to get in on the ground floor with guys such as Pat Mahomes (or Patty Christ), Carson Wentz and Jared Goff, who have all been drafted in the past couple of years. However, before that, we had players like Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr and before that, Colin Kaepernick.

When Kaepernick busted onto the scene, his big cards, namely his Contenders and National Treasures rookie autos, sold for outrageous amounts. Collectors, investors, and even analysts and scouts, deemed him as the next big thing. However, when given a full offseason to prepare, teams figured his style out and were soon able to stop him. With that, his performance dipped and so did his card prices. Investors, who had spent thousands, banked on him to become the next great QB, were suddenly out a shit-ton of money. That’s the danger of investing. You need to know when to buy and you need to know when to sell. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. For every Kaepernick or Derek Carr, there’s 20 Geno Smith’s, Jake Locker’s, Nick Foles’, Blaine Gabbert’s, EJ Manuel’s, Brock Osweiler’s, Sam Bradford’s, Blake Bortles’, and Johnny Manziel’s waiting in line. You could even lump Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota into that category because neither has fully lived up to the lofty expectations that were set before them. Although they weren’t on big market teams, people still bought them at a premium, hoping that they would eventually become All-Pro’s and Super Bowl-winning QB’s. Obviously, that hasn’t happened and it doesn’t appear it will any time soon, although hope isn’t completely lost.

This year, we saw 5 QB’s chosen in the first round — Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. While all have had their moments so far this year, they are all still a work in progress. Maybe the next Peyton or Roethlisberger is in this class, only time will tell. But that doesn’t mean that their cards are cheap. People have seemingly bought into all 5 of these guys in some shape or form, and praying that at least 1 will work out in their favor. A player that is missing from this list is Nick Mullens, who essentially came out of nowhere and is currently the 49ers’ starting QB. Because he came out of nowhere, he doesn’t have any cards (outside of Panini Instant). But because he’s starting for one of the NFL’s premier franchises, you can bet your bottom dollar that whenever his first card comes out, people are going to go batshit crazy and hope that he becomes the next Kurt Warner or some shit. Even though I highly, highly doubt that, it won’t stop people from pouring money into his cards. Maybe he will become a serviceable starter, or maybe he will become just another random fluke in the NFL history books. Time will tell but his stamp on the hobby has already been written and he doesn’t even have any cards out yet.

It all comes back to gambling. In 2002, David Carr became the #1 pick by the Houston Texans. His cards were scorching hot and it was unbelievable how much hype was built into him. However, his career never got going, whether you wanna blame his offensive line or just chalk it up to him being a mediocre QB. At the time, his #1 card was his SP Authentic jersey/auto. From January 2003 to September 2004, there were at least 53 sales of that card selling for more than $250 — the very vast majority being over $300. The card even hit the $500 plateau multiple times and one even sold for $618.08 on August 4, 2003. Do you know what the last one sold for? $9.50 on Sept. 25, 2018. Not only did that card dip, it fell harder than Lamar Odom at a brothel. It all comes back to knowing when to buy and when to sell.

Let’s look at one of Colin Kapernick’s premiere sets — 2011 National Treasures. Although there are quite a few subsets, there are at least 114 different sales that a card from that set sold for at least $500. The 1/1 shield/auto sold for a whopping $6,800 on December 24, 2013. $6,800!!!! Because of his on-field performance and his off-the-field circumstances, that card isn’t worth close to what it sold for then. The main card in the set, his jersey/auto #/99, topped out at $1,100 (a BGS 9.5) on June 6, 2013. The most recent sale? A #/25 version, obviously rarer than #/99, sold for $79 on October 23, 2018. It’s amazing the differences that can be made in just a handful of years. Shit happens but you can guarantee yourself that a lot of people lost a lot of money.

Now, let’s take a look at the other side of the coin. Take a trip with me back to 2005. Alex Smith is the #1 pick out of Utah, to the 49ers. The other top QB, Cal’s Aaron Rodgers, slips all the way down near the bottom of the first round to the Packers. That’s all fine and dandy, but the Packers already have someone named Brett Favre at QB. What was the point? Well, the Packers played it perfectly. They had Rodgers sit on the bench, groomed him and when Favre eventually decided to retire (the first time), here comes Rodgers. But during that time watching #4 on the bench, Rodgers’ cards really didn’t sell for that much. In the months leading up to the 2006 season, Rodgers’ 2005 Contenders rookie auto historically sold between $75-110, and throughout the season, many even dipped below $60. Looking back at that now, it is absolutely absurd. As of 2018, this card is perhaps is most highly-coveted card and collectors and investors alike are throwing all types of cash at this card. A BGS 8 just recently sold for $1,525 on December 15. A BGS 8.5 sold for $2,507 on November 28, and a BGS 9 sold for $2,874 on November 25. That last “raw” version sold for $2,300 on September 9. That is a gigantic jump from just 12 years when you could buy this card for less than $75. Boy, if I had a time machine. It wasn’t complete “overnight” success like Mahomes, but a several-thousand-percent increase in 12 years is nothing short of astounding. It’s not just limited to just his Contenders rookie autos, but all of his rookie shit has seen a humongous increase as well. That’s cool if you saw that coming over a decade ago and made some good money off of Rodgers, but unfortunately, for every Rodgers, there’s 25 other players that are the complete opposite. With the money being thrown around right now, there will likely never be another player that will follow the same trajectory as Rodgers or Brady. That will not stop people from attempting to make a quick buck, though. 

Dak Prescott is another player that has seen his prices skyrocket. A 4th-round pick in 2016, not a lot of people gave him a chance because you know, the Cowboys had Tony Romo at QB. But after an injury to the starter, Dak was thrust into action and he produced solid numbers. This caused his cards to skyrocket, as well. Soon, people were jumping on eBay quicker than a cop on a donut, hoping to find good prices on Dak Prescott cards. He became the new hot commodity, sometimes even more so than Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz and his Dallas teammate, Ezekiel Elliott. His card prices soared as he led Dallas to a playoff birth. Once Contenders came out, people’s checkbooks took a big hit. You couldn’t find any cheaper than $200-300. Hell, even the 1/1 Championship Ticket auto (a PSA 9) sold for $7,101 on August 24, 2017. The cracked ice /23 versions continually hit the $2,000+ mark, easily. Some regular base versions were even hitting the $1,000 plateau. Since then, he has obviously not led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl win or appearance, which has caused his prices to be nowhere close to what they were in their heyday. The most recent sale was $162.51 on December 9 and although that’s not David Carr-esque, it is still a significant dip. But if he does manage to bring the Cowboys a Super Bowl victory, you can best believe that the card will hit four figures once more.

The newest player to become the hobby darling is Pat Mahomes. In his first year as the starter, he’s been nothing short of phenomenal and has led Kansas City to a potential #1 seed in the playoffs. Because he has been so scorching hot on the field, his cards have as well. A 2017 National Treasures RPA Black #1/5 just recently sold for an incredible $22,100. Absolutely mind-blowing. That card might’ve been bought for a couple hundred bucks when it came out but because he has been tremendous this year, it’s shot up to an exorbitant amount. There have been 8 Mahomes 2017 National Treasures cards that have reached the $10,000 mark. 30 have hit at least $5,000. Personally, I think it’s dumb, but people are free to do whatever they want with their money. If they wanna go out and spend $5,000 on hookers & cocaine, then by all means, go for it. But it doesn’t mean it’s smart. With Patty Christ cards being the way they are now, people are essentially banking on him to not only be the greatest QB of this generation, but the best QB of all-time. There is a very, very, substantially low chance of that happening, but people seem to believe he could. To quote the great wordsmith Lloyd Christmas, “so you’re telling me there’s a chance?” There is. But I sincerely hope these people have a backup plan in place in case Mahomes becomes a one-year wonder (Nick Foles rings a bell when saying that). I am not diminishing Mahomes’ work, but good god almighty, there is just so much money being thrown at him. Maybe he’ll become great, maybe he won’t, but I wouldn’t completely mortgage my future on it.

Unfortunately, there is another downside to investing in players, and it’s the one that pisses me off the most. It’s also the main reason I don’t get into this shit. I’m just going to use this as an example: Let’s say Sam Darnold goes out this weekend and throws for 426 yards, 5 TD’s and completes 84% of his passes. After the game, a buyer snatched up the Prizm rookie auto you have listed for $200. You ship it, buyer gets the card, done deal. The following week, Darnold completely shits the bed, throws for 92 yards, 0 TD’s and 4 INT’s. Guess what it is waiting in your inbox Monday morning? A refund message from the buyer. It gets worse: the buyer can simply return the card because he “doesn’t like it”, according to eBay’s shitty rules. All of a sudden, you’re out time and money because the asshole that bought your card couldn’t sell it for a higher amount after Darnold’s crappy performance. While you get screwed in the end, the buyer gets off completely scot-free with no repercussions, even though his sole purpose was to make a quick buck. Unfortunately, that is just the way it is and there is absolutely nothing you can really do about it. So not only is there the potentiality of losing out when the timing is wrong, there is also the potentiality of the example above. It’s a risky game to play. 

Although investors have brought a great amount of money and spotlight onto this hobby, they have also brought significant downsides to it as well. I guess there is one good thing about all of this — it’s a lot worse in basketball. Only time will tell if this trend continues, but I don’t see it going away any time soon. People will continue to want to chase the “next” Tom Brady. The “next” Peyton Manning. The “next” Drew Brees. But what some people fail to realize is that there will never be a next Brady, Peyton or Brees. There is only 1 Brady. 1 Peyton. 1 Brees. There will never be another but that doesn’t and won’t stop people from buying.

More money will continue to be thrown into this hobby and although it is ultimately good for the hobby, it hurts the “true” collectors in the end. For those of you that invest, I wish you the best of luck and I hope you don’t lose your ass when the person you’re investing in becomes the next NFL flameout. May the cardboard gods look down upon you.