1. Arizona Cardinals  - I like what the Cardinals did in the draft. They went for non-sexy positions early to strengthen their line, and then picked up 3 straight skill positions (RB, WR, RB) including Tyrann Mathieu – if he pans out, this is a monster draft.  Grade A
2. Atlanta Falcons – With 11 picks in the draft and a huge need at CB, it was all too obvious when the Falcons traded up to get CB Desmond Trufant. He’s solid, as are some of their later picks, so coupled with an already strong team this is a pretty good haul for Atlanta.  Grade B+
3. Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens defense was decimated in the offseason, so they responded with drafting four defensive players in a row. There are starters in this group and some other talented individuals, so we’ll see how they all turn out – that’s what kept them from an “A”.  Grade B+
4. Buffalo Bills – This grade hinges on QB E.J. Manuel – he’s the guy the Bills wanted, but is he the right guy? If he is then the move was a shrewd one. WR Robert Woods didn’t have the best season last year, but he’s a good player, as are the rest of the Bills’ picks.  Grade B
5. Carolina Panthers – Not many picks here for the Panthers, but they did the right thing – help the defense. We all know Cam & Co. can score, but Carolina needs to prevent other teams from scoring. DT Star Lotulelei and DT Kawann Short should help to free up last year’s Defensive ROY Luke Kuechly.  Grade C+
6. Chicago Bears – Da Bears finally drafted an o-lineman in the first round, but is Kyle Long really as good as they think he is? Also did they get enough players to really help an aging group of non-skill position players? Time will tell.  Grade C+
7. Cincinnati Bengals – I really like what the Bengals did this year. Don’t forget they were a very good team last season, and the drafting of TE Tyler Eifert will allow them to play some two-TE sets, and DE Margus Hunt will really help the already great defense. Good job here.  Grade A-
8. Cleveland Browns – Is OLB Barkevious Mingo really good enough to be taken 6^th overall? Will CB Leon McFadden really rise to the challenge or plateau as a backup CB? Cleveland really needed to help themselves in the draft and they didn’t. Grade C-
9. Dallas Cowboys – Yikes. First round pick C Travis Frederick was a huge reach. Most of their other picks don’t appear to be players who will make an impact this year. Not a good weekend for Jerry Jones ‘Boys’.   Grade D-
10. Denver Broncos – There are a lot of question marks with this group. Will DT Sylvester Williams and RB Montee Ball actually start for and help this team? Who knows? Denver was a great team last year, so any help would be appreciated. Grade C+
11. Detroit Lions – 5^th overall pick DE Ziggy Ansah is a wildcard, but he could be incredible. The choice of G Larry Warford in the third round is great because it fills a hole in the Lions line. Lots of upside in this group.   Grade B
12. Green Bay Packers – Pack drafted two talented RBs – Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin – that every other team passed on. They’re going to help the offense as much as DE Datone Jones will help the D. Good stuff.  Grade A-
13. Houston Texans – The first round pick of WR DeAndre Hopkins was great to play opposite Andre Johnson, and S D.J. Swearinger will play well off new acquisition Ed Reed. Not a flashy draft for the Texans but a productive one.  Grade B
14. Indianapolis Colts – There is a lot of talent here, but it’s also a group that needs work to really help the Colts. Who seem to be fine with that. The team is growing post-Peyton and is looking to improve on a solid year. This is a big picture draft.   Grade C
15. Jacksonville Jaguars – Really great stuff from a team needing a boost. OT Luke Joeckel will protect young QB Gabbert and he has a great new weapon too in Denard Robinson. The defense was helped as well and the Jags are looking good all of a sudden.   Grade A
16. Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs couldn’t really go wrong with the #1 pick, and OT Eric Fisher is a great player. He’ll do well to help out new QB Alex Smith. Third round pick RB Knile Davis could be solid, or not, depending on his health.  Grade B
17. Miami Dolphins – Lots of help for the defense with DE Dion Jordan being a great player for the Dolphins to move up and snatch. They added another CB in Jamar Taylor to go with free-agent pick up CB Brent Grimes. This team is really improving.  Grade A
18. Minnesota Vikings – Three picks in the first round after aggressive drafting. DT Sharrif Floyd, CB Xavier Rhodes and WR Cordarrelle Patterson – all could be stars, so who cares about the rest? Great moves.  Grade A-
19. New England Patriots – The players the Pats drafted aren’t bad but they need work and Brady doesn’t have a ton of time left as an elite QB. It will be interesting to see how New England develops these rather anonymous players.   Grade D
20. New Orleans Saints – Safety Kenny Vaccaro is a great player, and DT John Jenkins is talented as well, but the Saints only drafted five players and there isn’t too much excitement surrounding the bunch.  Grade C+
21. New York Giants – The Giants missed the playoffs last season after winning the Super Bowl the year before. None of the players they drafted are superstars, but they will help the team in some way. It’s a solid draft for them in a big picture way.   Grade B-
22. New York Jets – This draft could go either way. CB Dee Milliner is a great athlete, but will DT Sheldon Richardson help the defense? Questions also surround QB Geno Smith as to whether he can handle New York. Time will tell.   Grade C
23. Oakland Raiders – They traded from no. 3 to get Hayden who has health issues but can be a great player. Second round pick OT Menelik Watson should start and help right away and a couple more good picks makes this a decent draft. Grade B
24. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Lane Johnson is a much-needed talent to help the o-line and TE Zach Ertz will join an already very talented group of skill positions. Both will fit in well with new coach Chip Kelly’s offense.   Grade B+
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Four great picks that will help a Pittsburgh team that seemed to be declining. The choice of QB Landry Jones is interesting as well as he could be a quick study under Roethlisberger.   Grade B+
26. San Diego Chargers – Three first picks, three star-potential players. Will OT Fluker, LB Te’o and WR Allen could all be great, or not. Allen is the best choice to excel, as many believed he could have gone in the first round.   Grade B-
27. San Francisco 49ers – This draft was just epic. FS Reid – fills a hole. DE Carradine – fills a need. TE McDonald – fills a hole. Plus a whole group of other amazing talents. Added to the team the 49ers already have and… wow. Grade A+
28. Seattle Seahawks – They lost a first rounder to pick up WR Percy Harvin in the offseason and the team is strong enough to not need an amazing draft. Good work with DT Jesse Williams at 137^th.   Grade B
29. St. Louis Rams – Third team in a row from the NFC West that helped themselves in the draft. WR Tavon Austin is amazing, and trading down to get LB Alec Ogletree is a great move as well. Look out for this team as rebuilding is finally paying off.   Grade A
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Bucs traded for CB Darrelle Revis and thereby altered the first round for plenty of teams. They made some solid picks afterwards and are looking to improve on a season lost last year.   Grade B
31. Tennessee Titans – Lots of good picks here for a team that struggled last year and needed to fill some holes. G Chance Warmack will open lanes for Chris Johnson and protect QB Jake Locker. Then they went on to help the defense in the later rounds with OLB Gooden and DE Edwards. Good stuff.   Grade B
32. Washington Redskins – The Skins used their first round pick to get RG3 last year, so that needs to be said going in. Overall an ok draft for Washington with safety Phillip Thomas being the guy who could really bolster the D.   Grade B

2. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – Johnny “Football” looks poised to take that next step and enter 2014 NFL Draft. Difficult to label because he does everything so well but not necessarily dominant in one aspect. Reminds me of Drew Brees at this stage in his college career.

3. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville – Completed 69 percent of his passes this year for 3,718 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Bridgewater is true pocket passer with toughness and intelligence who could slip into our top spot with continued development in 2013.

4. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M – Cousin of Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. Jake will move from right to left tackle and replace Luke Joeckel and protect Johnny Manziel’s blind side. Matthews has nasty demeanor and is a guy who just loves to finish his blocks. His true test will come against pass rush and if he succeeds he will be top 5 pick in 2014 NFL draft.

5. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama – Freakish size (6’6″ 320) with a six pack. Cyrus tore his ACL & MCL in 2011 (typically requires 2 seasons to regain form) so we are expecting huge year from him. If you don’t believe us….listen to what Chance Warmak has to say: “Cyrus Kouandjio is super athletic,” Warmack said. “I haven’t seen a tackle like him in a while. He’s going to be a top-three pick, I think.”

By: Marcus Mosher

1.  Tavon Austin – West Virginia

5-9, 179 lbs.

With the recent success of Percy Harvin and Randall Cobb as “Jokers” in the Spread Offense, Tavon Austin has the potential to be a star in today’s NFL. Austin at West Virginia did most of his damage as a slot WR racking up 112 receptions for 1280 yards and 12 touchdowns, but his game against Oklahoma might be his most impressive. Austin received 22 carries against Oklahoma, most coming from the backfield, and dazzled many with 344 rushing yards and two TD’s to go along with 4 receptions for 82 yards. In a draft without a lot of offensive weapons, Tavon Austin will be a premier playmaker that NFL teams covet. He will be a first round pick who will make a big impact right away for an NFL team.

2.  Cordarrelle Patterson – Tennessee

6-3, 205 lbs.

Patterson only spent 1 season at Tennessee after being a Junior College transfer, but he did not fail to impress during his short collegiate career. Patterson is an electric player who is physically ready to dominate in the NFL, but he needs to refine his route running before he can become an elite player. Patterson has the rare combination of size, speed and explosiveness that will have coaches drooling come April. Look for Patterson to be the first wide receiver off the board early in the 2013 Draft.

3.  DeAndre Hopkins – Clemson

6-1. 214 lbs.

DeAndre “Nuke” Hopkins is one of my favorite players in the entire 2013 draft class. Hopkins was ultra productive in 2012, catching 82 passes for 1,405 yards and a ridiculous 18 touchdowns. Hopkins might be the most NFL ready WR because of his ability to run precise routes and strong hands. Hopkins has drawn comparisons to Roddy White and Reggie Wayne as Z-Recievers who can dominate inside and outside of the numbers. Hopkins would be an ideal #2 WR for a team in the late part of the 1^st round.

4.  Keenan Allen – California

6-3, 210 lbs.

Keenan Allen is the ideal #2 wide receiver in the league today. Allen is a long, athletic target with a huge catching radius. Allen isn’t a burner, only running an unofficial 4.71 forty at his pro day, but that doesn’t take away from what he does best. Keenan Allen can dominate with the football in his hands and can dominate on the outside.  Allen’s best fit would be as a #2 target in a west coast offense. He reminds me of Jordy Nelson in Green Bay.

5.  Markus Wheaton – Oregon St.

5-11, 183 lbs.

Markus Wheaton first got my eye during the Senior Bowl week when he dominated the practice sessions against potential first round pick Desmond Trufant from Washington. One thing that Wheaton does better than the rest of his peers is his ability to be an explosive route runner. He can consistently create space with his dynamic route running. Wheaton is capable of playing on both the outside and in the slot which increases his draft value based on his flexibility. Wheaton is one of the most competitive wide receivers in this draft class and the team that drafts him will be thrilled with his toughness and grittiness.

 1.      Dion Jordan – Oregon

6-6, 248 lbs

Dion Jordan is the most versatile pass rusher in the entire 2013 draft class because of the versatility he could provide to the team that drafts him. In the NFL he could become a ROLB, SLB, or a DE in a 4-3 scheme. Jordan is extremely athletic with outstanding length. Jordan played a variety of positions at Oregon, even lining up against slot wide receivers. Jordan is a natural bender and will be the best pass rusher in this draft class a few years from now.

 2.      Barkevious Mingo – LSU

6-4, 241 lbs

Barkevious “KeKe” Mingo is another long, athletic pass rusher, similar to Jordan. Mingo has an explosive first step and posses the ability to bend around left tackles. Mingo reminds some of a young DeMarcus Ware with his freakish ability to beat tackles off the line of scrimmage. Mingo was misused at LSU as he was primarily asked to control gaps and rarely asked to pin his ears back and get the quarterback. Mingo has a really high ceiling in the NFL, but will need to continue to build his body and improve his strength to hold up against the run.

 3.      DE Ezekial “Ziggy” Ansah

6-5, 271 lbs

A former track athlete from Ghana, Ansah might be the most physically gifted athlete in the entire draft class. At 6-5 and weighing in at 271 pounds, Ansah ran a 4.63 forty yard dash time and jumped 34.5 inches in the vertical jump without training. Ansah is as athletic as they come, but he has a long ways to go to become a dominant pass rusher. Right now Ansah relies solely on his athleticism to win and needs to learn the game before he will make an impact in the NFL. Ansah has elite potential and will be drafted high because of it. But in order for him to become worthy of his draft status, he will need to learn proper hand technique and develop pass rushing moves. 

4.      DE Tank Carradine – Florida St.

6-4, 276 lbs.

Carradine might have been number one on this list if he hadn’t torn his ACL late in the season as he is the most natural pass rusher in this draft class. Tank was very productive once he became the starter in 2012. He registered 11 sacks in 11 starts. Tank is an outstanding worker and plays with tremendous passion. The team that drafts Carradine might have to wait a year for him to fully recover, but they will be getting a future game changer at the defensive end position.

5.      Jarvis Jones – Georgia

6-3, 240 lbs

Jarvis Jones was one of the premier sack artists in the NCAA last season, but a poor pre-draft process has dropped him down on my list. Jones is the prototypical 3-4 linebacker with elite football athleticism when he just is asked to rush the passer. Jones does posses violent hands that can knock offensive lineman off balance. The knock on Jones is that he isn’t the most explosive athlete moving in reverse and teams are afraid he won’t be able to effectively drop back into pass coverage.

Where would the economy be without the English Premier League (EPL) and the British betting industry to bail it out?

While the economy continues to struggle in the relegation zone of the European economic league table, the EPL reaffirmed first place in the global wealth super league when it confirmed its latest domestic and international television agreements. Thanks to new TV deals, EPL clubs’ income is set to rise by a staggering 70 per cent at the start of the 2013/14 season. The industry standard Deloitte Football Money League claims that EPL clubs are due to receive a £5 billion annual cash windfall over the next few years.

Together with the explosion in EPL TV revenue, sports betting seem to be bucking the economic trend. According to the Huffington Post, the largest UK betting company William Hill PLC reported an increased operating profit of 20 per cent in the last calendar year. The company’s rise in profits was achieved by an ambitious push in to foreign markets, similar to the EPL’s, coupled with the development of its online betting operation.

The Huff Post cites a William Hill source as telling it that the contribution of British bookmakers has played a ‘crucial’ role in supporting the country’s flagging High Streets by generating £3.2 billion overall and providing the Treasury with £941m in tax revenues.

So the next time you place your bets at William Hill, or any of its myriad smaller competitors, remember to give yourself a little patriotic pat on the back for your enterprise and selflessness.

The NFL released the official 2013-14 schedule on Thursday, and the countdown to kickoff has already begun. (139 days by the way…)

As fun as it is to start looking forward to the upcoming season, there’s still a draft to be had and plenty of athletes looking to become NFL stars. With less than a week until the Kansas City Chiefs are officially on the clock, it’s time to sit down and attempt to predict which players will be drafted in the first round.

As we’re all starting to realize, the 2013 NFL draft is all about the defenders. From the line backwards, this is more than a deep draft on the defensive side of the ball. One such position that includes a bunch of excellent  talents is the safety position.

When trying to see what kind of safety can be separated from the chaff you must look at physical talents. Of course he has to be able to knock the ball down, but let’s be honest – it’s about speed, vertical jumping and athleticism.

One player who is well beyond all the others in this regard is Eric Reid.

The junior out of LSU is an athletic beast – his father was an All-American Hurdler and NCAA champ, so he’s got the genes. But Reid Jr. has also proven himself in his own right.

As proof, Reid absolutely rocked the competition in the combine.

He was the top performer in the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump AND the broad jump. 4.53 in the 40 is solid, as is 134 inches in the broad jump.

But the real kicker is the vertical jump – 40.5 inches AND he’s 6’1”. That’s a seriously potent combination.

It’s not often that you have a player on the tall side who has insane hops combined with intense speed. That’s the recipe for success in the safety position.

Unfortunately for Reid, he’s sometimes too athletic. Possibly for his own good. Once Reid can handle his awesome physical skills and not over pursue balls down the sidelines, he will be an excellent NFL talent.

Reid comes out of a very strong football program in LSU where he started every game as a junior – kind of a big deal – and he played very well for them too. He’s a physical beast with skills, an intense work ethic and proven success on a top-notch team. That sounds pretty good to me.

Currently, NFL.com has Reid as the third best safety prospect but is only predicting him to be drafted late in the first round.

In my opinion, the way the draft is looking so far, if Reid really is the third best safety out there (and I think he could be even better than 3^rd), he’s going to go much higher than 26^th overall. Teams who realize what talents he possesses will want to snatch him up soon. Or maybe he’ll slide to the Texans at 27^th and their backfield will be patrolled by safeties named Ed Reed and Eric Reid – that’s a wicked strategy.

Come draft day, look out for this guy or he’ll run right past you and down the sidelines to intercept balls for the team that’s playing your team. 

Draft Day trade value chart made famous by Jimmy Johnson  while coaching the Dallas Cowboys.

The NFL draft is right around the corner and while the first few pick seem to be lineman it is the quarterbacks that are still getting a lot of attention. Most of the focus is on West Virginia’s Geno Smith who seems poised to be a top five pick. But drafting is QB with a high pick has always been a bit of a crap shoot.

There have been spectacular flameouts like Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell. While late rounders like Tom Brady and undrafted players like Kurt Warner go on to be Super Bowl champions and legends of the game.

No disrespect to Geno Smith but let’s take a look at three QB’s that may turn out to be real bargains and lead there team to glory.

Ryan Nassib – Syracuse University. While Nassib was not particularly impressive on the field at the combine, reports are that he wowed many teams in the interview room. In his 2012 season with Syracuse he completed 62 percent of his passes for and impressive 3,749 yards. While he had 10 picks he also threw for 26 touchdowns. The reports on him are that he has a high football IQ and is very accurate. He could go in the second or third round.

Mike Glennon – North Carolina State. Glennon is an unpolished gem. He impressed at his pro day but was inconsistent at the Combine. Whatever team drafts him will have to spend some time and nurture him along. He threw for 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2012 for the Gamecocks. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 4,031 yards in the always tough SEC. He is projected to go in the third round.

E.J. Manuel – Florida State.  Emanuel’s stock has been rising since his impressive Combine workout. He is an accurate passer with great mobility. Teams love his dedication and work ethic. In the 2012 season he completed 68 percent of his passes for 3, 397 yards. He also threw for 23 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He has been a projected late second round selection but he has impressed so much that some are saying he could move up to the first round.

With what seems like a thin QB class this draft could produce a superstar QB that will have writers and fans of the future scratching their heads and asking, “How could so many teams pass up on THAT guy?”