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thesportssoundoff · 4 years

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A Dumb Draft Exercise

It's a Friday night and we're all locked in so I decided to do something a touch different. I took the current NFL draft order and then looked up the last five NFL drafts (2015-2019) to see who was picked at spots. Using the teams as they stand after one long (and it feels it) week of free agency, I picked ONE player selected at that set position to try and do a retro draft. Each team picked ONE player picked over the last five years at that specific spot (so at 1 overall, you could only draft 1st overall). How different would your favorite team look? Welll.....

1. Cincinnati- QB Kyler Murray (2019)

The first round picks of the past five years consist of four QBs (Jameis Winston, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield and Murray) alongside premiere edge rusher Myles Garrett. As is often the case with top pick QBs tasked with saving bad franchises, each becomes less and less attractive as the years go by and they hit the ceiling of "damn good but not quite franchise saver" over and over. I went with Murray because while I think Goff is vastly underrated by most fans, Murray's got the ability and personality to drastically change an organization that feels like it's been hankering for a chance over the past five years. Murray was one of the NFL's brightest stars last year and figures to only improve, especially if you put him under the watchful gaze of an offensive guru (of sorts) in Zac Taylor.

2. Washington- DE Nick Bosa (2019)

Was REALLY torn with Carson Wentz and Nick Bosa for the Redskins. There's a lot of dead-ish weight here with Mitch Trubisky and Marcus Mariota and while Saquon may be the best player in theory, no team needs to take a running back in the top 5 (or in the first round at all). Assuming the Redskins are truly comfortable with Dwayne Haskins then taking Nick Bosa and pairing him up in the front four along with the likes of Montez Sweat, Matt Ionidis and Daron Payne would probably be a formidable ass crew. Basically the Chase Young strategy.

3. Detroit- DE Joey Bosa (2016)

How about the Bosa Bros going back to back! One would assume tht if the Lions wanted a QB, they're GOING to have their pick of the proverbial litter on the back end. After all after Cincy, they'll have Tua, Herbert and Love at their disposal if taking a QB so amuses them. Instead operating under the belief that the Lions feel comfortable with Stafford for MAYBE one more year, it leaves us to choose from Joey Bosa, Solomon Thomas and Dante Fowler. Bosa is likely on his way to a multiple pro bowl career while Thomas may just grade out as average and Fowler is on his third team now. Easy choice if ya ask me.

4. NY Giants- WR Amari Cooper (2015)

The Giants would be picking from a variety of offensive players; two of which are current Dallas Cowboys. You have Amari Cooper, Zeke Elliott, Leonard Fournette on offense and then Denzel Ward at cornerback as pretty much your only other option. Give me Amari Cooper as he'd immediately step in and make an offense consisting of Daniel Jones, Barkley, Golden Tate and a two tight end threat of Evan Engram and Kaden Smith a pretty damn formidable one.

5. Miami- OLB Bradley Chubb (2018)

This WOULD be easy in theory. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey would've been a FINE choice here but the Dolphins have Xavien Howard and Byron Jones on the back end. With Jalen Ramsey out of the picture, you have an interesting linebacker in Devin White, a superb guard in Brandon Scherff and my selection Bradley Chubb. With so much locked in on the defense, Chubb (if healthy) steps in as an immediate premiere pass rusher. Barely edges out Brandon Scherff. BARELY.

6. LA Chargers- OG Quinton Nelson (2018)

Man! The Chargers would have their glut of talent to choose from if they so desired. Want an elite strong safety? Jamal Adams was picked 6th in 2018. Want a QB to groom and develop? Daniel Jones went here in 2019. If you want a flexible havoc inducing DL piece? Leonard Williams in 2015 went 6th overall. Ronnie Stanley is a pretty damn good tackle as well. Quinton Nelson is a top 3 guard in just two seasons and figures to continue to improve. It's not a premiere position for a lot of people but Nelson bucks the trend.

7. Carolina- QB Josh Allen (2018)

Funny bit? We have two Josh Allens here as Josh Allen from Wyoming and Josh Allen from Kentucky both went 7th overall. Both would be tremendous picks given the Panthers needs (an elite edge or a QB). Deforest Buckner finally hit on his potential and got paid paid for it as well, fitting in interestingly here as a potential flexible front line piece. The Panthers just paid Teddy Bridgewater relatively big time money but if you have the chance to take a really athletic strong armed QB who has shown strides in two seasons, you should do it. Imagine Allen throwing it to the likes of DJ Moore and Christian McCaffery.

8. Arizona- RB Christian McCaffery (2017)

THIS one was hard given the lack of obvious options. Do you need more receiving options? If so TE TJ Hockenson was picked 8th. Christian McCaffery is probably the best player at this spot but again, running backs and top 10s and etc etc etc. Nuke Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk are on paper a superb trio of WRs and you also have Kenyan Drake at RB. Vic Beasley is a good pass rusher who has sort of lost his way as a player (hence the one year prove it deal). Give me McCaffery I guess. I think he'd do wonders in Kingbsury's offense and I suppose you can make he and Drake work together. That's why head coaches get paid.

9. Jacksonville- OT Mike McGlinchey (2018)

There's not a lot of obvious fits for a tanking team like the Jaguars. DT Ed Oliver would be intriguing but I have no idea how he fits in with the Jaguars defense. The likes of Leonard Floyd (recently released), Ereck Flowers (failed tackle turned kinda failed guard), John Ross (oft injured speedster) are other options. Lastly there's Mike McGlinchey who was starting at right tackle for the Super Bowl 49ers. The Jaguars have spent picks at both tackle spots but McGlinchey is better.

10. Cleveland- QB Patrick Mahomes (2017)

Fuck. Would the Browns even with Baker Mayfield flirt with taking Patrick Mahomes? Who cares. Mayfield can be traded. If you have the chance to grab the best QB in the NFL, you do it. Easy peasy.

11. NY Jets- CB Marshon Lattimore (2016)

This one came down to Lattimore or Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick can do so much across a secondary and his swiss army knife toolset was amplified in a Pittsburgh secondary that left to his devices where he could roam free and fuck shit up. On the other hand, Marshon Lattimore represents one of the NFL's rare commodities; a star shutdown cornerback. Plus with Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams tie up the safety spots pretty well.

12. Las Vegas- QB Deshaun Watson (2017)

The Raiders are openly flirtatious with moving on from Derek Carr. Deshaun Watson would step in and be a massive upgrade. There's also not much here either given how 90% of the players are DL and the Raiders have plenty of names and faces they like there. Maxx Crosby, Maliek Collins, John Hankins and Clelin Ferrell to name a few.

13. San Francisco f/IND- OG Laremy Tunsil (2016)

Take the 49ers OL with Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey and Laken Tomlinson and then slide in Laremy Tunsil at RG. That's an absurd OL. There also weren't many options to really delve into either depending on how you feel about Da'Ron Payne and Vita Vea.

14. Tampa Bay- DE Marcus Davenport (2018)

Pick 14 over the past five years is a bit of a dry spell unfortunately. The best player on the list is DeVante Parker and the Bucs clearly have a collection of damn good WRs. Shaq Barrett and JPP are in place for 2020 but could the Bucs use Davenport as a third rusher and move him inside on pass rush downs. Not a lot of good ideas here unfortunately.

15. Denver- RB Melvin Gordon (2015)

Easy peasy! I mean Denver just signed him! That's a bit of a cheapie but let's keep with it. Gordon fitshere (and nobody else does).

16. Atlanta- LB Tremaine Edmunds (2018)

Edmunds with Deion Jones? Sign me up! The only other option that makes sense here is Marlon Humphrey at corner which would be an equally fine pick.

17. Dallas- S Derwin James (2018)

Given that Arik Armstead and John Allen would be 3-technique types in this defense, it makes sense we would ONCE again look at the safety market! Yay! The Cowboys scheme in 2018 apparently didn't like Derwin James as much as the media thought they did but this is a brand new scheme and a new way to play. Derwin James would edge out Keanu Neal (who BTW when healthy is an amazing safety) by virtue of being more of the chess piece the Cowboys need.

18. Miami f/PIT- C Ryan Kelly (2017)

Again there's a glut of corners here but the Dolphins have their fair share. As such, turn your attention over to a glut of centers---who they also just signed a guy for. Ryan Kelly is a pro bowl center though and you can make exceptions for that.

19. Las Vegas f/CHI- LB Leighton Vander-Esch (2018)

One of the better linebackers in the NFL prior to his neck injury, LVE was a friggin' elite athlete who could still redefine what NFL linebackers look like. His defensive coordinator is there as well (as the DL coach) and I bet Gruden would love his leadership and his ability as an off ball linebacker. This one is easy enough.

20. Jacksonville f/LAR- TE Noah Fant (2019)

The Jaguars are in the midst of a rebuild of sorts but unfortunately there's no immediate building block pieces at 20. It came down to Frank Ragnow (a versatile OL with upside) or Noah Fant and I opted for tight end Noah Fant since Minshew could use a reliable safety blanket. Assuming Fant can control his drops of course.

21. Philadelphia- WR Will Fuller (2016)

The Eagles could REALLY use some targets for Carson Wentz. Last year in clutch games they were relying on JJ Arceaga-Whiteside and Boston Scott for targets outside of their tight ends. Wouldn't have a problem going with FS Darnell Savage either who also went at 21.

22. Minnesota f/BUF- DE Bud Dupree (2015)

I don't know if the Vikings NEED an edge but even if they don't, there's really no options here. Josh Doctson was a flop in Washington, Charles Harris was a flop in Miami, Rashaan Evans plays the same spot as their glut of damn good linebackers and Andre Dillard is an unproven tackle for Philly to this point. Hit or miss here.

23. New England- Isaiah Wynn (2018)

I mean they drafted him here. Easy enough. Although would they take TE Evan Engram all things being equal?

24. New Orleans- WR DJ Moore (2018)

The Saints did grab Emmanuel Sanders but DJ Moore, Sanders and Michael Thomas is a whole different world of WR depth. There's also pretty much nobody else here worthy of snagging either.

25. Minnesota- WR Marquise Brown (2019)

HOLLYWOOD! The Vikings just traded away Stefon Diggs and could use an infusion of playmaker at their WR spot to help assist their TE room, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. Marquise Brown would give Kirk Cousins a souped up version of Jamison Crowder; a WR-3 he relied heavily on in Washington.

26. Miami f/HOU- DE Montez Sweat (2019)

So the Dolphins have signed a lot of DE and we also gave them Bradley Chubb earlier BUT Montez Sweat is going to terrorize the NFL for the next 5-10 years and so he and Chubb combined? That's big time pass rush. Also, again, not much to really select from here either.

27. Seattle- CB Byron Jones (2015)

If you drew up a make and model for a Seahawks DB? It looks like Byron Jones. Byron just got paid big time money by Miami It's Byron vs Tre White and Byron fits the mold a bit better. Could also see Seattle liking Kenny Clark. Lots of good defensive players at 27.

28. Baltimore- OG Laken Tomlinson (2015)

Let Tomlinson battle it out with the interior OL the Ravens have currently. There's really not much here, it's either Tomlinson or DT Jerry Tillery.

29. Tennessee- TE David Njoku (2017)

Funny story, the 2016 1st round pick here was forfeited via deflategate. With just four names to choose from (and not really much to talk about either way), the Titans take David Njoku. Njoku has struggled with his role in Cleveland and the Titans do have some solid tight ends already in place but Njoku would be a pretty nice flier. Most of the guys here at 29 are just not good unless you're a Taven Bryan truther.

30. Green Bay- LB TJ Watt (2017)

And Cowboys fans across the globe shudder in horror. Yes, the Packers have two really good DEs in the Smith brothers. There's nobody else here who comes remotely close to the pure value TJ Watt has. Let him rush from the left side and rack up the sacks. You can figure it out somehow I figure. Let Preston Smith play 3-tech or something!

31. San Francisco- LB Reuben Foster (2017)

On one hand, the less said about Foster the better. On the other, there's really nobody else here who would come close. Unless you're a Germaine Ifedi fan?

32. Kansas City- DT Malcolm Brown (2015)

For any other team in any other league, this is Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs are really set at QB for the next 10-15 years so we'll have to take a pass. Instead Malcolm Brown is pretty much the only other really good value play. Big thumpy 1-tech/nose tackles are usually found later on in the draft but Brown is a good one and the Chiefs truthfully don't need much else either.

#NFL #Draft #Thought exercise #fuckin' around

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junker-town · 7 years

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What was the best move each NFL team made in the 2017 offseason?

For some teams, their smartest decision was adding a player. For others, it was about letting one go.

It’s way too early to try to pinpoint how each player who landed somewhere new this offseason will impact his team. But we’re going to do it anyway.

Last year, not many people would have thought drafting Dak Prescott was the Dallas Cowboys’ best offseason move. But then the fourth-round pick was pressed into duty when Tony Romo went down with an injury during the preseason. Prescott never gave Romo the job back and went on to beat out teammate Ezekiel Elliott for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

We might not have predicted Prescott’s meteoric rise, but we’ll give it a shot this offseason and try to single out the one move each team made — whether during free agency or the draft — that we expect to make them better this season. Who knows? Maybe we’ve got this year’s Dak Prescott listed.

Arizona Cardinals: Locking down Chandler Jones

The Cardinals lost several defensive starters in free agency, but they held on to one key player: pass rusher Chandler Jones. Not only did they keep Jones in the fold, but they did it with a five-year deal.

Atlanta Falcons: Signing Dontari Poe in free agency

The Falcons were smart to lock up right tackle Ryan Schraeder and cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford with extensions. But Atlanta’s biggest decision — no pun intended — was beefing up the defensive line with Dontari Poe.

Baltimore Ravens: Adding Tony Jefferson to secondary

The Ravens’ pass defense was a priority this offseason, and they addressed it with a few additions. Of those, it’s safety Tony Jefferson who stands out. At 25, he has plenty of years ahead of him to make plays for Baltimore.

Buffalo Bills: Restructuring Tyrod Taylor’s contract

Taylor isn’t a world beater, but he provides the Bills with their most stable passing presence since Drew Bledsoe, protects the ball, and adds a dynamic running threat from the pocket. That may not be worth the $30.75 million the team would have owed him in guaranteed money on his old deal, but it’s in line with the nearly $10 million he’ll make in 2017.

Carolina Panthers: Springing for Christian McCaffrey

The Panthers made plans for life after 30-year-old Jonathan Stewart by drafting Christian McCaffrey with the No. 8 pick. McCaffrey fits in Carolina’s scheme, but also has the versatility as a receiver and returner to contribute right away.

Chicago Bears: Drafting Mitchell Trubisky, despite everything

The Bears, in their quest to be the new Browns, signed an underwhelming quarterback to a deal potentially worth $45 million before trading a handful of draft picks to move up one spot and selecting a passer with only one season of starting experience under his belt. But hey: If Chicago thinks Trubisky is the guy, then he’s worth the overpay.

Cincinnati Bengals: Letting Andrew Whitworth walk in free agency

Cincinnati had a rough run in free agency, losing two of its most important linemen in the process. However, letting Whitworth leave may have been financially prudent. The stalwart left tackle will be 36 this season, and while his best seasons have come in his 30s, $15 million in guarantees is still a risk for a blocker whose play could drop off in 2017.

Cleveland Browns: Not overthinking the No. 1 pick

Here’s a sign the tide is changing for the Browns: It’s hard to pick their best move — not because there weren’t any, but because there were several ones this offseason. The simplest answer is that the Browns made the right call to go with pass rusher Myles Garrett with the No. 1 pick.

Dallas Cowboys: Strengthening pass rush with Taco Charlton

Heading into the offseason, the Cowboys’ biggest needs were the pass rush and the secondary. Dallas didn’t have a lot of cap space to work with, so bringing in defensive end Taco Charlton in the first round of the draft was a smart way to check off one box.

Denver Broncos: Not panicking for a quarterback

The Broncos could have jumped up the draft order with a flashy trade or thrown money at a middling free agent like Glennon, but instead decided to back their young passers. Trevor Siemian was adequate in 2016, and 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch was considerably worse, but has a much higher upside. If the pair can meet expectations, they’ll provide surplus value on modest contracts.

Detroit Lions: Investing in Matthew Stafford’s protection

Stafford rewarded Detroit’s faith with an MVP-level 2016 season before a broken finger derailed his campaign. The Lions worked to ensure his safety this offseason by adding a pair of high-profile blockers in free agency. T.J. Lang and Ricky Wagner should offer an immediate upgrade for a franchise that allowed Stafford to get sacked on more than six percent of his dropbacks.

Green Bay Packers: Landing Martellus Bennett

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a premier tight end target in Green Bay since Jermichael Finley’s last healthy season in 2012. Now he’s got another big Texan to throw to with Bennett on board. Combining the former Patriot with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Geronimo Allison will once again make the Pack one of the league’s most fearsome passing offenses.

Houston Texans: Dumping quarterback Brock Osweiler

Osweiler was nothing short of a disaster last season, and the Texans wisely cut their losses after just one year. After dumping his salary onto the Browns, the Texans are trying again at quarterback with Deshaun Watson. Time will tell if trading a first-rounder for Watson was the right call, but he can’t be that much worse than Osweiler.

Indianapolis Colts: Jettisoning general manager Ryan Grigson

Grigson bet hard on aging veterans and ultimately failed to balance that with high-performing young prospects. New hire Chris Ballard has already made strides to improve the defense by adding two of free agency’s top linemen: Johnathan Hankins and Jabaal Sheard. The Colts also drafted Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson, two impact defenders. The new faces could help the franchise return to the top of the AFC South.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Using 1st-round pick on Leonard Fournette

With Blake Bortles’ future hanging in the balance, the Jaguars needed a strong upgrade in the running game to hide him as much as possible. They may have accomplished that with Fournette, who has a perfect combination of size, speed, and power. He’s the type of running back you can build an offense around, and the Jaguars are hoping he can make an immediate impact.

Kansas City Chiefs: Drafting their QB of the future

Alex Smith won’t be around forever, and he already limits the Chiefs’ offense with his risk-averse game. Trading up 17 draft spots to get Patrick Mahomes II was a gamble, but Mahomes’ big arm and fearless play should open up a lot more options in the passing game. He’ll get time to sit and learn under Andy Reid, which is pretty much the best situation a young quarterback could ask for.

Los Angeles Chargers: Surrounding Philip Rivers with weapons

Rivers must be pleased with the new tools he’ll get to play with in 2017. While Swiss Army Knife tailback Danny Woodhead left in free agency, the Chargers replaced that void with All-American wideout Mike Williams. They also landed two of the draft’s best blockers, Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney. Pair that group with healthy seasons from Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon and you’ve got the recipe for one of the league’s most explosive offenses.

Los Angeles Rams: Hiring Sean McVay

What’s the polar opposite of Jeff Fisher’s uncanny ability to coast on coaching accomplishments from nearly two decades ago? How about hiring a 31-year-old wunderkind for his first head coaching job? McVay’s offensive wizardry should punch up an offense that bordered on unwatchable in 2016.

Miami Dolphins: Extending the core of their defense

In a two-month span, Miami came to terms with veteran defenders Cameron Wake, Kiko Alonso, and Reshad Jones. While extending the 35-year-old Wake to an extra two years could prove to be dangerous, that trio forms the foundation from which the Dolphin defense can grow. When healthy, all three are Pro Bowl talents who can provide leadership for young prospects like Charles Harris, Raekwon McMillan, and Jordan Phillips.

Minnesota Vikings: Letting Adrian Peterson go

Peterson’s Hall of Fame career was established in purple and gold, but won’t end that way after the Vikings avoided the temptation to retain their aging tailback at an untenable price. Instead, he signed with the Saints on a two-year, $7 million deal. In his place will be former Raider Latavius Murray and Florida State’s all-time rushing leader Dalvin Cook. They’ll try to revive a rushing attack that ranked dead last in the NFL last fall.

New England Patriots: Trading for Brandin Cooks

The Patriots gave Tom Brady his most explosive receiving threat since Randy Moss by trading the No. 32 pick in this year’s draft to New Orleans in exchange for Cooks. The move was the antithesis of an old Bill Belichick standard — trading a player with a limited amount of team control (in Cooks’ case, two years) for draft assets — but should pay dividends as Brady ostensibly enters the twilight of his career.

New Orleans Saints: Getting the best CB in the draft

The Saints’ secondary has finished 31st and 32nd in the league over the past two seasons, and the pass defense was in dire need of upgrades. Using the No. 11 pick on Marshon Lattimore, the top cornerback in the draft, was a wise choice.

New York Giants: Bringing Brandon Marshall on board

Odell Beckham Jr. is great, but he needed a stronger supporting cast around him. Although Marshall is getting up there in years, he can still play and should have a couple more years left. Bringing in Marshall also allows Sterling Shepard to move to the slot position, where he’s most comfortable.

New York Jets: Selecting safety Jamal Adams in the draft

This hasn’t been a great year for the Jets. They signed soon-to-be 38-year-old Josh McCown, who could be their No. 1 quarterback for 2017. Their top receiver stands to be Eric Decker, who missed all but three games last fall. The only bright spot was picking up Adams, a top-three prospect, with the No. 6 pick, which also allowed them to move on from Calvin Pryor.

Oakland Raiders: Pulling Marshawn Lynch out of retirement

The Raiders don’t have much time left in the Bay Area, but they’re making the most of it by getting Oakland native Marshawn Lynch to come out of retirement. The Raiders lost Latavius Murray to the Vikings in free agency and needed another running back. Beast Mode will now share carries with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, hoping to run the Raiders to a Super Bowl before they ultimately move to Vegas.

Philadelphia Eagles: Giving Carson Wentz targets

Jordan Matthews is a talented slot receiver, but he was miscast as the Eagles’ top wideout in 2016. In order to flesh out the team’s depth chart, Philadelphia signed Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery this winter. That’s great news for Wentz, the rookie quarterback who came on strong early in the season but faded as opposing defenses grew wise to his limited array of targets downfield.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Rebuilding the Steel Curtain

The Steelers continued a recent trend of investing in their defense, spending two of their top three picks (T.J. Watt, Cameron Sutton) on high-ceiling defenders and adding Tyson Alualu and Coty Sensabaugh in free agency. If Watt and Sutton can crack the lineup, Pittsburgh could field nine starters it drafted in round three or higher since 2013.

San Francisco 49ers: Swapping picks with the Bears

Trading back one spot from No. 2 to No. 3 was genius, because the 49ers still got Solomon Thomas. Stocking up on some extra draft capital and getting the player the Niners were targeting anyway is a win.

Seattle Seahawks: Not trading Richard Sherman

Richard Sherman has made his share of headlines this offseason, but there’s no denying his value to the Seahawks’ secondary. The four-time All-Pro remains the kind of special player who can singlehandedly shift games. Trading him, even for a pair of first-round draft picks, may have shut Seattle’s gradually closing championship window for good.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Getting more weapons for Jameis Winston

The Bucs brought in DeSean Jackson in free agency, and then used their first-round pick to add the best tight end this draft had to offer, O.J. Howard. Winston has to be happy about that.

Tennessee Titans: Addressing gaping holes at receiver and defensive back

Marcus Mariota has all the tools to become an elite NFL quarterback, and the Titans gave him some much-needed backup in the draft by adding prolific Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis with the No. 5 overall pick. They also shored up the beleaguered secondary. Free agent acquisitions Logan Ryan and Johnathan Cyprien should make an immediate impact, and Adoree’ Jackson is the kind of rookie the team can build on.

Washington: Beefing up its defensive line

Washington gave up 4.6 yards per rush last season — a mark that ranked 26th in the league. Adding a pair of burly run-stoppers in Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain will improve a unit that has to face Ezekiel Elliott twice a year.

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jersey959-blog · 7 years

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No Poe, No Problem: Colts Could Nab Johnathan Hankins, Bennie Logan at Nose Tackle as Consolation Free Agent Prizes

While the Kansas City Chiefs Dontari Poe left town without a deal, the Indianapolis Colts could turn their attention toward other remaining top free agent nose tackles such as the New York Giants Johnathan Hankins or the Philadelphia Eagles Bennie Logan among others.

Regarding Hankins, 6’2″, 320 pound defensive tackle was originally a 2013 second round pick of the New York Giants, where he’s spent the past four seasons.

In his 4-year career, Hankins has 89 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 passes defensed in 52 career games (41 starts).

However, despite previously being one of the league’s best run-stuffers, Hankins is coming off an underwhelming 2016 season. Specifically, per Pro Football Focus (subscription), his +47.1 grade overall is just the 72nd best as an ‘interior defender’.

However, he still wholesale jerseys china apparently held his own against the run:

Follow Andy Benoit ✔ @Andy_Benoit #Giants had one of NFL’s best run defenses last season. Johnathan Hankins was quietly a big reason why. 1:35 AM - 1 Mar 2017 19 19 Retweets 29 29 likes

Follow Andy Benoit ✔ @Andy_Benoit The cheap nfl jerseys type of unnoticed sturdy down-to-down run D you get from Johnathan Hankins (the nose shade, between OL 71 and 70). 2:42 AM - 8 Mar 2017 24 24 Retweets 23 23 likes Set to turn only 25 years old at the end of March, Hankins has youth in his favor and could be a strong ‘bounceback’ candidate to turn it around–having had to play slightly out of position last season.

Entering the offseason, Hankins was rated as Pro Football Focus’ 35th best free agent of 2017:

35. Johnathan Hankins, DI, New York Giants

Johnathan Hankins put on tape the anti-contract year in 2016. While most players have the best year of their career with a big payday on the line, Hankins had the worst year of his career.

With Damon Harrison coming on board, Hankins was shifted along the defensive line to accommodate him, and wasn’t nearly as successful playing as more of a three-technique, penetrating style of defensive tackle than he was over the nose in previous years. He has never been much of a pass-rusher, but could be a solid run defender for a team that puts him back in his old position. He won’t come cheap; however, as Hankins could approach the 5-year, $46.25 million deal earned by teammate (and fellow defensive tackle) Damon Harrison last offseason.

Meanwhile, the 27 year old Bennie Logan is also expected to be highly sought after (perhaps immediately after Poe signs and ‘sets the market’).

The 6’2″, 315 pound defensive tackle was initially a 2013 third round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, having 124 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a pass defensed in 59 career games (51 starts).

Logan is fresh off a season in which the 4-year veteran cheap jerseys from china recorded 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in all 13 starts.

Like Hankins, Logan is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2016 season, having been ranked as Pro wholesale jerseys Football Focus’ 84th ‘interior defender’ with a +45.1 grade overall.

Logan is ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 9th best ‘sleeper free agent who could bring surprise upside‘–meaning he could be a somewhat ‘under-the-radar’ signing for the Colts right now:

9. Bennie Logan, NT

Logan is a true nose tackle, effectively limiting him to being a two-down player, which in today’s NFL has never been less valuable in terms of contract dollars. He has the ability though to make a major impact on those two downs if a team is willing to embrace the type of player he is. This past season he was a poor fit for Philadelphia’s new, aggressive, one-gap defensive front, but the year before he notched 45 defensive stops, fourth in the league among all interior defenders despite playing just 597 snaps in total. Only Damon Harrison had a better run-stop percentage than Logan’s 14.8 percent, a figure that would also have been second to Harrison this season. Embrace the two-gapping, run-stuffing ability and you could transform your run defense for pennies on the dollar. He has immense strength and could definitely boost the Colts run defense, where incumbent starter David Parry has been nothing more than ‘serviceable’–at best (and cheap jerseys china was recently arrested):

Follow Andy Benoit ✔ @Andy_Benoit This is the kind of grown man strength and redirect athleticism that Bennie Logan brings (DT 96). 1:52 AM - 8 Mar 2017 43 43 Retweets 40 40 likes

Simply put, the Colts ranked 25th against the run last season and could withstand to significantly improve at starting nose tackle.

Having a dominant nose tackle is something that the Colts haven’t had since installing Chuck Pagano‘s 3-4 defensive scheme in 2012, as the team has shuffled through the likes of Antonio Johnson, Aubrayo Franklin, Josh Chapman, and cheap jerseys most recently, Parry at the position among others.

Historically, nearly every great 3-4 defense has had a dominant nose tackle whether it be the New England Patriots Vince Wilfork (or Ted Washington), the Pittsburgh Steelers Casey Hampton, the San Diego Chargers Jamal Williams, etc.

If the Colts could sign either Hankins or Logan (should Poe sign elsewhere), it would theoretically provide the Colts with a ‘difference-making’ nose tackle finally–one who could consistently command a double-team and free up the inside linebackers to make tackles or plays at the 2nd level.

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