official 2014 nfl draft thread

[Joemailman]

Terry Bridgewater has a $5 million loss-of-value insurance policy if he isn't drafted in the Top 10, which increasingly seems likely.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...-out-of-top-10

Bridgewater purchased a $5 million loss-of-value insurance policy after the 2013 season, ESPN.com reported. That came on top of his $10 million total disability injury policy. Disability insurance has become common among top prospects, but ESPN.com reported that, "It is believed that no player who has bought loss-of-value insurance for the NFL draft has actually collected."

[Guiness]

Terry Bridgewater has a $5 million loss-of-value insurance policy if he isn't drafted in the Top 10, which increasingly seems likely.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...-out-of-top-10

Mathieu reportedly had one, and fell to the third round. He certainly lost value, but it wasn't because of an injury so I doubt he collected. I expect the same with Bridgewater, I haven't seen any report that he's hurt.

[mraynrand]

Terry?

[mraynrand]

Mathieu reportedly had one, and fell to the third round. He certainly lost value, but it wasn't because of an injury so I doubt he collected. I expect the same with Bridgewater, I haven't seen any report that he's hurt.

I heard that Kate Upton bought a loss of value insurance policy on her rack, in case it (they) droop(s) prematurely. Probably hard to collect on that too, but the insurance assessment might be interesting.

[pbmax]

Bowen likes Ward, even in the first if necessary. Does have him behind Ha-Ha and Prior.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2045731-2014-nfl-draft-whos-on-matt-bowens-draft-radar

Given the multiple personnel packages we see from NFL defensive coordinators, Ward is a fit at the next level because of the versatility he brings to the secondary.

With speed in the high 4.4 range, coverage ability and ball skills (11 career interceptions), Ward can roll down over the slot, drop to the deep middle of the field or play in the run front where he can chop down ball-carriers.

Plus, Ward can align underneath in the defensive sub-packages as a nickel or dime defender in both man and zone schemes to give coordinators more flexibility in the game plan.

He is quick with his hands in press, physical on the release and displays the lateral ability/closing speed to attack the football as a zone defender.

There are questions on Ward’s size (5’11”, 193 lbs) and the level of competition he saw in the MAC Conference. However, after watching the NIU product compete in the Senior Bowl, there is no question he stacks up versus top talent.

I graded out Ward behind Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville’s Calvin Pryor, but don’t be surprised if he is drafted in the first round next Thursday night.

[Fritz]

Bowen likes Ward, even in the first if necessary. Does have him behind Ha-Ha and Prior.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...ns-draft-radar

Aren't we hearing now the Packers like Terrance Brooks? And as always, is that just media puff, is it a Packer smokescreen, or is it true?

[smuggler]

Brooks has speed to spare. Even if he never becomes a starter, he would at least push Jarrett Bush off the roster.

[pbmax]

Aren't we hearing now the Packers like Terrance Brooks? And as always, is that just media puff, is it a Packer smokescreen, or is it true?

When was the last time the pundits called Ted's pick outside of AJ Hawk?

[Joemailman]

Tennessee reportedly not picking up 2015 option on Jake Locker. http://tracking.si.com/2014/04/30/ti...5-team-option/

Do we add them to the list of teams looking to draft a QB early? Many thought they were targeting Anthony Barr.

[Guiness]

Tennessee reportedly not picking up 2015 option on Jake Locker. http://tracking.si.com/2014/04/30/ti...5-team-option/

Do we add them to the list of teams looking to draft a QB early? Many thought they were targeting Anthony Barr.

Maybe, but wouldn't say for sure. Locker is not a total loss, just not worth $14M that the option would've given him - he was a top 10 pick.

[Fritz]

Reports keep coming out of Detroit - different reporters - that the Leos want to trade up.

They're Jonesin' for Watkins, and unless Mayhew is a genius and this is all a smokescreen, they're not even trying to hide it.

And I don't think it is a smokescreen. It's clear that the mandate from above is "win now," so there's no holding back. This might be another one of those years in which the Lions trade up - either to get Watkins, or, if they sit tight at ten, they may well trade up from their second round pick to try to get back into the first, late. That'd probably require their third, but they do have two fourths.

'Sniff. Sniff' What's that smell?

Ah, the sickly slightly sour smell of desperation.

[pbmax]

I hope they get their wish. Its worked out well for the Falcons.

[run pMc]

A trio of Megatron, Tate, and Watkins with Reggie Bush would be hard to stop.

[ThunderDan]

A trio of Megatron, Tate, and Watkins with Reggie Bush would be hard to stop.

They would be. But they threw for almost 4,500 yards last year and had almost 6,300 yards in total offense last year. Where do the extra yards come from? If you throw for another 1,000 yards you are taking 100-250 carries away from the running game and Bush.

[Joemailman]

Maybe the Lions are more worried about Megatron's knee than people realize.