Courtney Upshaw is the best player left for day 2.
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
The first round of the 2012 NFL Draft is in the books, but that doesn’t mean there are great football players left. Here is the list of best player available based off my Big Board.
Is Courtney Upshaw's stock on the rise or the fall?
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
Five days remain before Commissioner Goodell steps to the podium and announces the first pick in the draft. Which players are rising up the draft board and which players are headed in the wrong direction?
The draft chatter is very thick right now and the board is extremely fluid. I try to wade my way through the non-sense to see who’s really rising up.
Why would the Patriots be taking Kendall Reyes over Devon Still?
NEPD Editor: Doug Kyed
How does Courtney Upshaw fit the Patriots? Could Matt Forte be a future Patriot? What are my thoughts on Chandler Jones?
Those are some of the questions I’ll be answering in my weekly “Too Long For Twitter” Friday mailbag where I take questions from Twitter that warrant, deserve or need answers longer than 140 characters
If you have a question about anything, tweet it to me @DougKyedNEPD, and I’ll try to include it in the column on Friday. If you aren’t on Twitter, feel free to throw in a question in the comments section.
What is Mike's take on Dontari Poe?
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
The NFL Combine is over and we now have two months to wait until the actual draft. Free agency starts March 13th and everyhing will likely change after that, with teams filling some of their biggest needs.
On to our 15 thoughts this week.
Bruce Irvin could the fastest defensive lineman in Indianapolis this week. But how will he stack up during official measurements? (Photo: ICON SMI)
NEPD Editor: Doug Kyed
The combine is great for many things, but one of those is just the chance to see every player in one setting, doing the same drills right next to one another. There are so many variables during the season, it’s nice to see one controlled environment even if they aren’t in pads.
Each of these positions has something different to showcase at the combine, for DBs, it’s all about speed at footwork. For the defensive line, it’s more about flexibility and strength. For linebackers, teams will be looking at technique, burst and overall athleticism.
It’s a fun time of year, so when you’re watching the NFL Network, make sure to watch some of these guys.
NEPD Staff Writer: Mike Loyko
Due to the inclement weather in Mobile the South practice was also held indoors. Unfortunately it was another walk through type practice which featured players wearing no pads and no helmets. As has been the story all week, the South practice featured a little bit more pace and a little bit more effort from the players.
It seems that Coach Shanahan puts more emphasis on match ups and consistent 1 on 1 competition than Coach Frazier does. The South team runs more 7 on 7 drills and does more 11 on 11work than the North squad does. Although the practice was not a good opportunity to scout and evaluate players, it was a good opportunity to talk to agents and scouts about the week.
NEPD Staff Writer: Mike Loyko
I finally got a chance to watch the South team practice today and I was impressed. Out of the two teams the South team definitely has the better pro prospects. Here are my notes from the practice. (more…)
2014 Patriots 7-Round Mock: Version 5.0 (and a Few Notes)
A Potential Move: Patriots Second-Year Wideout Mark Harrison
Mike Loyko’s 2014 NFL Draft Guide: Now Available
2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Penn State Defensive Tackle DaQuan Jones
Edge of Development: Patriots Defensive End Michael Buchanan
2014 Edge Rushers: A Look at Michael Sam’s Game
2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Oregon State Defensive End Scott Crichton
Making Sense of Patrick Chung’s Surprise Return to the Patriots
