Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson could succeed Randy Starks in Miami. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
With just over two weeks remaining until the 2013 NFL Draft, it’s time to take another look at which direction teams may be looking to go in over the draft’s first three rounds. Read on to find out where this year’s top prospects are being projected.
Could West Virginia’s Tavon Austin be joining Cam Newton in Carolina this April? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
With the first wave of free agent signings complete, it’s time to take another look at what may happen in this April’s 2013 NFL Draft, taking into account the repercussions of what has transpired so far in free agency. Read on to find out how recent events may have reshaped organizational draft strategies.
Cornellius Carradine could remind Bill Belichick of Chandler Jones. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
New England may unfortunately enter the 2013 NFL Draft with more needs than draft picks, having traded away their fourth, fifth, and sixth-round selections in deals for Aqib Talib, Albert Haynesworth, and Chad Johnson, respectively. The Patriots could use young wide receiver talent, depth along the offensive line and defensive front seven, and starters in the defensive backfield. Read on to find out how they might choose to allocate their draft selections in order to address these areas of their roster.
Manti Te’o is an impressive all-around linebacker.
NEPD Staff Writer: Dan Hope
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are making as much noise as any program in college football through the first four weeks of the season. The Fighting Irish are off to a 4-0 start. With an impressive set of wins already including back-to-back victories over Big Ten powers Michigan State and Michigan, Notre Dame looks like they are finally back to being one of college football’s top contenders.
The No. 10 Fighting Irish have talent on both sides of the ball as well as on special teams, but it is their defense that is making them a contender. Notre Dame ranks fourth nationally with only 9 points allowed per game, and are 16th nationally in total defense with 291.3 yards allowed per game.
The leader of that defense is senior inside linebacker Manti Te’o. If you’re a college football fan, you’ve known who Te’o was since he became an immediate star as a freshman at Notre Dame. If you’re an NFL fan, you should get to know him soon.
Is Cal WR Keenan Allen worthy of a first-round look? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Dan Hope
As of now, it does not appear that there will be any Justin Blackmon, A.J. Green or Julio Jones in the 2013 NFL draft class. While all three of those receivers were college superstars who established themselves as top-10 draft picks, there is not even one sure-fire first-round draft pick yet among draft-eligible wide receivers.
There are a few players, however, getting hype as the potential No. 1 wide receiver in the draft class, and one of those players near the top of the list is California junior Keenan Allen. With that said, however, it may not even be safe to say that Allen should be a first-round draft pick, assuming he declares for this year’s draft.
Washington State’s Marquess Wilson is among the most productive receivers in college football. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Matthew Jones
The New England Patriots’ complicated contract negotiations with franchise player Wes Welker were among the organization’s most frequently-discussed storylines this offseason, and despite Welker’s decision to sign the franchise tender before the beginning of the regular season, the wide receiver’s future in New England remains as unclear as ever.
Welker has been on the field for just 105 of New England’s 149 offensive snaps (70.5%) after lining up on 1,211 of the Patriots’ 1,362 snaps last season (88.9%), including the playoffs. Welker’s reduced role with the club has been complimented by Julian Edelman’s increasing presence; Edelman participated in just 120 snaps last season but has already seen 98 snaps in 2012. Edelman was also on the field to begin the game against Arizona in Welker’s place; the 26-year old ultimately played in 75 of the Patriots’ 82 snaps in week two.
These factors have encouraged speculation that Welker’s role in the office is diminishing, that 2012 will be his last season in New England, and even that the Patriots have been scaling back his responsibilities in advance of a trade before the NFL’s October 30th deadline.
New England had been linked with wide receiver prospects even prior to the beginning of the regular season, and should a divorce occur between the Patriots and Welker, addressing the position will appear even more necessary. One intriguing prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft is Washington State Cougars split end Marquess Wilson.
How will Griffin's world class hurdling translate to the 40 time? We'll find out in Indianapolis. (Photo: ICON SMI)
NEPD Editor: Doug Kyed
It feels like it’s getting closer, right? With the NFL Combine upon us, the 2012 NFL Draft is a mere 66 days away.
Okay, so it’s not that close, but at least we have the Combine to keep us busy for the next week or so.
I know every year there’s word about how over-hyped the Combine is, but I love it. If anything it gives you a different look at all of the players we’ve been studying all year and more. If nothing else, it’s just fun to see how fast everyone is, how high they can jump and how many times they can rep 225 pounds.
There’s certain players at every position I’ll be keeping an eye out for, and we’ve got all the numbers the players will be wearing so you know who to watch.
Projecting New England’s Opening-Day Wide Receiver Depth Chart
Patriots Off-Season: Monitoring the Progress of Brandon Spikes
Patriots sign coveted UDFA Mark Harrison
The Five Most Intriguing Veteran Players in 2013
Report: Rob Gronkowski May Need Back Surgery
Major 2012 Contributors on the Roster Bubble in 2013
Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley: The Symbiotic Patriots Backfield
Patriots Sign Veteran Guard Tyronne Green
Bill Belichick’s Affinity for Greg Schiano, Rutgers Should Be Questioned
