2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Tight Ends

April 20, 2018

The tight end position has evolved in the last ten years. Tight ends are no longer big, vertical targets that strictly line up next to the offensive tackle and run block first. Tight ends are athletes now. They are mixed and matched within personnel groupings and line up as split ends or in the slot. Tight ends are used to generate match ups now. The 2018 class has a handful…

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Offensive Tackles

April 19, 2018

Offensive tackle has always been the strongest offensive line position in the NFL draft but that is not the case in this draft. It is a position with two tackles possibly going in the first round. After Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey and UCLA’s Kolton Miller, there is a drop off at the position. Texas’ Conor Williams and Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown have first round talent but teams have reservations about both…

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Guards

April 16, 2018

The guard position in this draft is as good as I have seen in my twenty of years of covering the NFL draft. Quenton Nelson is the best guard prospect I have watched on tape since David DeCastro. He has everything you are looking physically and technically. There are not many flaws in his game. Here are our top ten guards and some thoughts on the position. XNOJOE’S Top Ten…

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Mock Draft 2.0

April 14, 2018

The Browns are going to shock the football world and take Josh Allen number one overall. My second of three mock draft is here. There are some changed at the top based on pro days and some of the chatter that is circulating around teams at the top of the draft. Here is our second mock draft of the pre-draft process. 1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming: Where there is…

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Centers

April 13, 2018

The center position has experienced a revival of sorts in recent years. Gone are the days of the short, compact center. Teams are now looking for centers who have size, length and offer versatility. Offensive line coaches want centers who can also kick outside and play guard. Here are our top ten centers in this draft. XNOJOE’S Top Ten Centers 1. Billy Price, Ohio State, 6-4 305 2. James Daniels,…

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Defensive Tackles

April 12, 2018

The defensive tackle position is home to some of the best pure talent in this draft. There are five tackles in this class who could go in the first round and make an immediate impact as rookies Here are our top 20 defensive tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft. XNOJOE’S Top 20 Defensive Tackles 1. Vita Vea, Washington, 6-4 337 2. Da’Ron Payne, Alabama, 6-2 311 3. Maurice Hurst, Michigan,…

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Defensive Ends

April 8, 2018

As many as five defensive ends could go in the first round round in what is a top heavy class at this position. Here are our top twenty defensive ends. 1. Bradley Chubb, N.C State, 6-4 269 2. Marcus Davenport, USTA, 6-6 264 3. Harold Landry, Boston College, 6-2 252 4. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State, 6-5 270 5. Arden Key, LSU, 6-5 238 6. Lorenzo Carter, Georgia 6-5 251 7….

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Linebackers

March 29, 2018

The linebacker position has changed in the NFL over the course of the past twenty years. Inside linebackers are two down specialists now. Outside linebackers are three down hybrids who rush the passer and drop into coverage. The days of the leveled linebackers who played all three downs are over. Here are my top twenty linebackers and ten thoughts on the position. XNOJOE’S Top 20 Linebackers 1.Tremaine Edmunds, 6-5 253,…

Read More >>

2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Safeties

March 23, 2018

Now more than ever, the safety position has become an integral part of the defense. gone are the days of your traditional free safety and strong safety. Safeties are now hybrids who have to be able to play in all three levels of a defense and play all three downs. The position has changed thanks in large part to more offenses running the spread offense. Defenses have to play more…

Read More >>