I comprised my list of eligible players for the NFL draft and gave them statistical values based on other pro scouts and guru's, like Mike Mayock, Gil Brandt, and Todd McShay. I also factored in things such as awards won, All-American Team status, etc., and used that value to have a better understanding of how good a player is, a consensus if you will.
For the ratings a team receives I will be using helmets instead of stars and they mean the following:
5 Helmets: Definate Playoff team/SuperBowl contender
4 Helmets: High Playoff probability
3 Helmets: Playoffs aren't entirely out of question
2 Helmets: Slim to no playoff hope
1 Helmet: This team is now on the clock for the 2014 NFL Draft.
Up first, Baltimore and Arizona.
2012 Record: 10-6 (Superbowl Champions)
2012 Division Rank: 1st (Tied with Bengals)
Scored 398 points (24.9/g), 10th of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 344 points (21.5/g), 12th.
Coached by John Harbaugh
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Caldwell and Cam Cameron
Defensive Coordinator: Dean Pees
Other Notable Asst.: Don Martindale (Linebackers)
2012 Draft Picks:
| Round | Pick # | Overall | Name | Position | College | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 35 | Courtney Upshaw | Linebacker | Alabama | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 28 | 60 | Kelechi Osemele | Offensive Tackle | Iowa State | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 21 | 84 | Bernard Pierce | Running Back | Temple | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 98 | Gino Gradkowski | Guard | Delaware | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 35 | 130 | Christian Thompson | Safety | South Carolina State | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 34 | 169 | Asa Jackson | Cornerback | Cal Poly | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 28 | 198 | Tommy Streeter | Wide Receiver | Miami (FL) | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 29 | 236 | DeAngelo Tyson | Defensive End | Georgia |
2013 Draft Picks with my Grades:
| Team | Overall | Round | Round Pick | Player | Position | Group | School | Conference | Year | Grade |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 Draft Grade: Overall B (18th of 32 overall) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undrafted Free Agents: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Virginia OL Jeff Braun; Florida International CB Jose Cheeseborough; Pennsylvania LB/DE Jermaine Copeland; Memphis OL Jordan Devey; Maryland TE Matt Furstenburg; Louisiana Tech RB Ray Holley; Mississippi TE Murphy Holloway; Utah CB Mo Lee; Towson WR Gerrard Sheppard; Southeastern Louisiana QB Nathan Stanley; Army QB Trent Steelman; Troy DB Brynden Trawick | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Free Agents Lost: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Retirements:
Ray Lewis ILB
Free Agents Signed:
Name
|
Position
|
Status
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Experience
|
Previous Team
|
2013 Team
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLB
|
6-4
|
259
|
3 Seasons
|
Oakland
|
Baltimore
| |||
CB
|
6-0
|
211
|
7 Seasons
|
Oakland
|
Baltimore
| |||
TE
|
6-4
|
250
|
10 Seasons
|
New England
|
Baltimore
| |||
DT
|
6-7
|
317
|
8 Seasons
|
N.Y. Giants
|
Baltimore
| |||
OLB
|
6-2
|
248
|
9 Seasons
|
Jacksonville
|
Baltimore
| |||
QB
|
6-2
|
222
|
5 Seasons
|
Denver
|
Baltimore
| |||
DE
|
5-11
|
260
|
7 Seasons
|
Denver
|
Baltimore
| |||
DE
|
6-4
|
315
|
8 Seasons
|
Dallas
|
Baltimore
|
What to Watch For:
With so many losses in Free Agency and the retirement of Ray Lewis, this team is a bandaged up version of itself. Flacco, Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, and Jacoby Jones are returning on offense, and that's about it. Dennis Pitta is out with an injury possibly for the entire season. Anquan Boldin was traded to the 49ers, and a handful of other players are gone in free agency moves. Look for Coach Harbaugh to put his coaching merits to the test this season.
Rating for 2013 NFL Season: 4 helmets out of 5.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arizona Cardinals
2012 Division Rank: 4th in NFC West
Scored 250 points (15.6/g), 31st of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 357 points (22.3/g), 17th.
Coached by Ken Whisenhunt
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Miller
Defensive Coordinator: Ray Horton
2012 Draft Picks:
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | Michael Floyd | Wide Receiver | Notre Dame |
| 3 | 80 | Jamell Fleming | Cornerback | Oklahoma |
| 4 | 112 | Bobby Massie | Offensive Tackle | Ole Miss |
| 5 | 151 | Senio Kelemete | Guard | Washington |
| 6 | 177[b] | Justin Bethel | Safety | Presbyterian |
| 185 | Ryan Lindley | Quarterback | San Diego State | |
| 7 | 221 | Nate Potter | Offensive Tackle | Boise State |
[b] The team acquired this sixth-round selection (#177 overall) and DE Vonnie Holliday in a trade that sent RB Tim Hightower to the Washington Redskins.
2013 Draft Picks with my Grades:
| Team | Overall | Round | Round Pick | Player | Position | Group | School | Conference | Year | Grade |
| Cardinals | 7 | 1 | 7 | Jonathan Cooper | OG | OL | North Carolina | ACC | rSr | 185.36 | Average= | 123.62 |
| Cardinals (from Chargers (Manti Te'o)) | 45 | 2 | 13 | Kevin Minter | ILB | LB | LSU | SEC | rJr | 184.24 | ||
| Cardinals | 69 | 3 | 7 | Tyrann Mathieu | CB | DB | LSU | SEC | Jr | 97.87 | ||
| Cardinals | 103 | 4 | 6 | Alex Okafor | DE | DL | Texas | Big 12 | Sr | 143.01 | ||
| Cardinals (from Giants (Ryan Nassib)) | 116 | 4 | 19 | Earl Watford | OG | OL | James Madison | CAA | rSr | 85.63 | ||
| Cardinals | 140 | 5 | 7 | Stepfan Taylor | RB | RB | Stanford | Pac-12 | Sr | 119.24 | ||
| Cardinals | 174 | 6 | 6 | Ryan Swope | WR | WR | Texas A&M | SEC | rSr | 95.83 | ||
| Cardinals (from Giants (Ryan Nassib)) | 187 | 6 | 19 | Andre Ellington | RB | RB | Clemson | ACC | rSr | 150.21 | ||
| Cardinals (from Panthers through Raiders) | 219 | 7 | 13 | D.C. Jefferson | TE | TE | Rutgers | Big East | rSr | 51.19 |
2013 Draft Grade: Overall A- (6th overall of 32)
Undrafted Free Agents:
Clemson WR Jaron Brown; Arizona WR Dan Buckner; Colorado State OT Joe Caprioglio; Michigan LB Kenny Demens; Cincinnati DE Dan Giordano; Oklahoma DB Javon Harris; California CB Josh Hill; Wyoming LB Korey James; Oklahoma S Tony Jefferson; Oklahoma S Tony Jefferson; Alabama A&M Jamaal Johnson-Webb; Louisiana Lafayette WR Javone Lawson; California OT Matt Summers-Gavin; Tennessee CB/S Prentiss Waggner; San Jose State DB Ronnie Yell; Marist WR Michael Rios; Florida A&M NT Padric Scott; Northwest Missouri State WR Tyler Shaw
Free Agents Lost:
Name
|
Position
|
Status
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Experience
|
Previous Team
|
2013 Team
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DB
|
5-8
|
181
|
6 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Tampa Bay
| |||
OLB
|
6-3
|
242
|
3 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Seattle
| |||
OG
|
6-6
|
325
|
9 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
San Francisco
| |||
C
|
6-2
|
300
|
3 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
San Diego
| |||
RB
|
5-7
|
185
|
4 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Pittsburgh
| |||
CB
|
5-10
|
190
|
6 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Pittsburgh
| |||
SS
|
6-3
|
230
|
12 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
New England
| |||
CB
|
6-0
|
192
|
4 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Indianapolis
| |||
QB
|
6-2
|
215
|
4 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Cleveland
| |||
OLB
|
6-3
|
265
|
4 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Cleveland
| |||
QB
|
6-6
|
244
|
3 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Cincinnati
| |||
LB
|
6-3
|
250
|
3 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Carolina
| |||
WR
|
6-2
|
204
|
2 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Buffalo
| |||
QB
|
6-3
|
218
|
6 Seasons
|
Arizona
|
Buffalo
|
Notable Retirements: None
Free Agents Signed:
Name
|
Position
|
Status
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Experience
|
Previous Team
|
2013 Team
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LB
|
6-1
|
244
|
6 Seasons
|
Washington
|
Arizona
| |||
DB
|
6-2
|
209
|
3 Seasons
|
San Francisco
|
Arizona
| |||
CB
|
6-1
|
195
|
5 Seasons
|
San Diego
|
Arizona
| |||
RB
|
5-10
|
225
|
4 Seasons
|
Pittsburgh
|
Arizona
| |||
DE
|
6-5
|
285
|
4 Seasons
|
Oakland
|
Arizona
| |||
WR
|
6-2
|
210
|
6 Seasons
|
Oakland
|
Arizona
| |||
SS
|
6-0
|
205
|
9 Seasons
|
N.Y. Jets
|
Arizona
| |||
MLB
|
6-1
|
252
|
4 Seasons
|
Minnesota
|
Arizona
| |||
DB
|
5-11
|
185
|
3 Seasons
|
Miami
|
Arizona
| |||
MLB
|
6-4
|
250
|
9 Seasons
|
Miami
|
Arizona
| |||
DB
|
6-2
|
205
|
3 Seasons
|
Miami
|
Arizona
| |||
T
|
6-7
|
302
|
7 Seasons
|
Kansas City
|
Arizona
| |||
QB
|
6-3
|
243
|
6 Seasons
|
Indianapolis
|
Arizona
| |||
CB
|
5-10
|
187
|
4 Seasons
|
Indianapolis
|
Arizona
| |||
DE
|
6-3
|
280
|
7 Seasons
|
Cleveland
|
Arizona
| |||
G
|
6-5
|
323
|
5 Seasons
|
Chicago
|
Arizona
| |||
TE
|
6-4
|
247
|
2 Seasons
|
Buffalo
|
Arizona
| |||
DE
|
6-4
|
263
|
13 Seasons
|
Atlanta
|
Arizona
|
What to Watch For:
The biggest name the Cardinals got is Carson Palmer, a legitimate QB to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. The defense was already above average and now they have Kevin Minter in the middle, Yeremiah Bell, Frostee Rucker, and John Abraham also join this team in hopes of making it better. Johnathan Cooper and Earl Watford were two highly rated guards on many boards and now they're blocking for Andre Ellington and Rashard Mendinhall. It COULD be an exciting year for the Cardinals and their fans.
Rating for 2013 NFL Season: 3 helmets out of 5 (thanks to strong drafting)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other NFL news from NFLcommunications.com :
2014 Pro Bowl, Presented by McDonald’s, Features New Format for NFL All-Star Game
Major
changes include elimination of AFC vs. NFC format, fantasy
football-like draft for team assignments, rules and roster changes;
Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders to serve as alumni captains
Gone is the familiar AFC vs. NFC match-up that has existed since 1971. Instead, players will be selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players. For example, the top six quarterbacks following voting will earn distinction as All-Stars, regardless of how many are from AFC or NFC teams.
Players will be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft, in which two leading vote getters will join two NFL.com fantasy football champions – who will attend the Pro Bowl – to draft players. One of these champions will earn their spot as part of Lenovo’s Fantasy Coach of the Year program, which provides NFL.com fans a chance to be rewarded for their fantasy football skills. The other champion can compete for a Pro Bowl role by playing at NFL.com/fantasy.
The fantasy football champions will have Hall of Fame help. Pro Football Hall of Famers JERRY RICE and DEION SANDERS will serve as alumni team captains, assisting the Pro Bowl team captains and fantasy football champions in the draft process.
“As players, we wanted to keep the Pro Bowl to honor excellence in individual performance and connect with the fans in a different environment,” Foxworth said. “To do that, I worked with a group of players to map out new ideas.”
The Pro Bowl player draft will air on Wednesday, January 22 on NFL Network. Players will practice with their teams on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The coaching staffs will be from the losing teams in the AFC and NFC Divisional playoffs with the best regular-season record. The 2014 Pro Bowl takes place on Sunday, January 26 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, and will be televised by NBC.
“We were very receptive to the ideas that Domonique and the players put forth,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “From there, our office worked closely with him in developing the concept. The players made it clear that they wanted to continue the Pro Bowl and were committed to making it better than ever. We think these changes will enhance the game for both fans and players.”
In addition to these changes, several other aspects of the Pro Bowl will be new in 2014:
- Game within the Game – A two-minute warning will be added to the first and third quarters and the ball will change hands after each quarter. This will increase the opportunities for quarterbacks to direct “two-minute drills,” which are especially exciting for fans.
- No Kickoffs – The coin toss will determine which team is awarded possession first. The ball will be placed on the 25-yard line at the start of each quarter and after scoring plays.
- Rosters – The rosters will continue to consist of 43 players per squad. The kick return specialist will be replaced by an additional defensive back.
- Cover Two and Press Coverage – The defense will be permitted to play “cover two” and “press” coverage. In previous years, only “man” coverage was permitted, except for goal line situations.
- Stopping of the Game Clock – Beginning at the two-minute mark of every quarter, if the offense does not gain at least one yard, the clock will stop as if the play were an incomplete pass. This rule will make the team with the ball attempt to gain yardage toward the end of each quarter.
- Game Timing – The game clock will start after an incomplete pass on the signal of the referee, except inside the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half.
- Play Clock – A 35-second/25-second play clock will be adopted instead of the typical 40-second/25-second clock.
- Sacks – The game clock will not stop on quarterback sacks outside of the final two minutes of the game. Currently, the game clock stops in these situations outside of two minutes of the second and fourth quarters.
That is all for now, I hope you enjoyed this blog. If you have any suggestions for upcoming blogs, please leave a comment. If you disagree/agree with anything, let me know.
Thanks,
