Executive Producer/Analyst
@NFLMatchup
w/
@DariusJButler
& Sal Pal. Sr Producer
@NFLFilms
44 yrs. Co-author The Games That Changed The Game, Amherst College '78
40 years ago - July 23, 1979 - I walked into NFL Films for the first time as an employee. I'm just glad after 4 decades my card still gets me in the door and my password still logs me in to my computer. Grateful that I had a hand in pioneering X and O football on television.
Now that Kyler Murray has decided to focus on football, here's my evaluation based on an 8 game study. Murray is a fascinating prospect, one of my most fun to study. Please feel free to respond. I love these kinds of discussions.
When the 49ers traded up in the first round, I immediately thought it might be for Brandon Aiyuk. He fits their pass game and overall offensive scheme very well with his multi-dimensional deployment and explosive traits. Here's my evaluation of Aiyuk.
This is a great day for all of us at NFL Films. Steve Sabol is in the Hall of Fame. I know it's a special day for me. Steve was my mentor and my friend. In so many ways, he was responsible for my career path. I couldn't be happier for Steve. I only wish he was here to see it.
I'm starting today to share my full evaluations of some players in the draft. For me the fun is the process of evaluating. I'm not a big mock draft or list guy. I'm a grinder watching tape and really enjoying it. I hope this will generate some good conversation.
People who know me know I do not tweet very often. But some have been tweeting that Howard Cosell was my father. Howard was my uncle, my dad’s brother. Just wanted to set the record straight. Stay safe everyone.
Back at it today. Let's look at the 2 Alabama receivers - Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. For those who have listened to me the last month on radio shows and podcasts, you know how I feel about Jeudy.
Watching tape this morning in my office at NFL Films. It's just the right thing to do to listen to AC/DC. Don't need reason, don't need rhyme, ain't nothing I would rather do.
Today's evaluation is Lamar Jackson. A lot there, and a lot of factors and variables as you transition him to the NFL. Smart reasonable people will have different points of view re: Jackson. There's no question he will generate much discussion in NFL organizations.
With draft week upon us, let's take a detailed look at Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. This is all based on extensive film study. Tua's injuries did not factor at all in my evaluation.
Based on my evaluations of the prospects, I felt the Bears first 4 selections in the draft were strong. The more I watched Anthony Miller the more I liked him. Chicago now has more than enough weapons to execute Matt Nagy's expansive and diverse offensive approach.
My breakdowns continue with Josh Rosen. I've attached my evaluation of Rosen from last summer when I watched all of his 2016 games, and my evaluation from 2017 tape. I did not look back at my 2016 notes one time until I was finished with 2017. It struck me how similar they were.
It's that time of year with the draft 5 weeks away. I've been locked in my office watching college tape . I love everything I've seen on Twitter from a lot of different people. At this point I've seen about 150 players. Let's start with 2 receivers - AJ Brown / N'Keal Harry.
We will stay with WR today. Yesterday it was Pittman and HIggins. Today it's Denzel Mims and Justin Jefferson. It's a deep WR class. Different sizes, different traits, different ways to transition to the NFL.
With the Senior Bowl getting ready to start I wanted to share some work I've done studying and evaluating Drew Lock and Daniel Jones. This is all based on film study.
There has certainly been a lot of talk about Jalen Hurts since the Eagles made him the 53rd pick in the NFL Draft. I have been asked about Hurts quite a bit over the last week. Here's my full evaluation. This is based solely on film study from the 2019 season.
Hey everybody. I just need to set the record straight. I see many tweeted about my big board. I don't have a big board. I do evaluations of prospects as they project and transition to the NFL. I get about about 225 players evaluated in detail every year.
Today 2 more receivers - Ceedee Lamb and Jalen Reagor. Lamb was one of my more fascinating evaluations. I watched him in detail in both 2018 and 2019. There were times I loved his tape, and other times I was less certain. But don't get me wrong - he's a strong prospect.
Let's look at 2 big wide receivers today - Michael Pittman and Tee Higgins. I am particularly fascinated to see where bigger WR will go in the Draft, how the NFL sees them. There are a good number of them in this draft class.
Yesterday I posted my evals of AJ Brown and N'Keal Harry. We'll stay with the receiver theme today with Hakeem Butler and Keesean Johnson, 2 receivers whose film I really liked. As always, comments, both positive and negative, always welcome.
Most know I am more of a re-tweeter than a tweeter. But today, I need to acknowledge the death of Peter Green. Green led the first incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, and for those who love blues-rock, he was one of the best there was, in the same company as Clapton, Beck, Page. RIP.
Really privileged to be part of an awesome new website - . People have asked me for years if they could find my college evaluations in one place. Well, it's there. My friend
@Fantasy_Guru
has put together a great team. Right now, it's 100% free.
Here's my breakdown-evaluation of Baker Mayfield. In many ways, Mayfield's transition reflects the changing nature of NFL passing games with increased emphasis on quick game, backfield actions and misdirection concepts. He'll be seen differently depending on pass game concepts.
Let's continue with wide receivers. Today it's Brandon Aiyuk and Antoinio Gandy-Golden. Gandy-Golden is another one of the many big receivers in this draft class. I will be fascinated by how the league views big receivers. It's one of the draft's main storylines.
Here are my evaluations of the Jeffey Okudah and CJ Henderson. Both are outstanding corner prospects with all the traits you look for. In the NFL, you must be able to play man coverage and both can do that effectively.
After Edwards-Helaire's performance last night I went back this morning and re-read my pre-draft tape study evaluation. Here it is. One game does not make a season but I really liked Edwards-Helaire coming out of LSU.
Here's my evaluation of Roquan Smith. As I have said on radio shows, there's not much mystery to his game on tape. He's one of the best prospects in this draft class, and I am curious to see where he gets drafted.
With the draft getting closer I am going to re-tweet some of my QB evaluations. I love all the conversations on Twitter so feel free to comment/discuss. Starting later this week, I will share more of my evaluations at different positions. I have seen about 200 players up to now.
I'm seeing a discussion of Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen re: the Saints. Here are my evaluations of both players based solely on tape study. Murray is a bigger man and his tape showed more versatility.
Now that it's draft day, and we know it's all about the QB (or so they tell me), here are my full evaluations of Darnold, Rosen, Allen and Mayfield. They are all different re: strengths and weaknesses. So much will depend on coaching and scheme.
So it's that time of year. Been grinding away watching college prospects on tape. Hey, I'm a one man personnel department. I love the work. Here are my reports on 2 of my favorites. As always, discussion is encouraged and welcomed.
Let's continue with receivers on this fine Saturday morning. Today it's KJ Hamler and Laviska Shenault. 2 receivers who point to the absurdity of making lists, but hey, I know, everybody loves lists. Have it at. I love to see the responses.
Let's stay with QBs today, and focus on Justin Herbert and Jordan Love. There are so many variables involved when you transition a QB to the NFL, including coaching, scheme, offensive philosophy, overall team strengths and weaknesses. Almost all QBs are system QBs.
I just finished watching all of Michael Thomas 83 first down pass targets. It was a fun project. Thomas had 65-822-12.6-5 TD on first down. It was his most productive receiving down in 2019.
Today I continue my evaluations with 2 WR, DJ Moore + Anthony Miller. Moore I looked at early in the process without knowing anything about him and very much liked what the film showed me. Miller's film also intrigued me re: transition to the NFL, and that's what it's about.
Here's a second evaluation today. Here's my breakdown of Tremaine Edmunds, the Virginia Tech LB, one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft class for many reasons, including his age. I will be fascinated to see where he goes in the draft and to follow his NFL career.
I continue my draft evaluations today with Bradley Chubb. This is my breakdown after watching 7 games in 2017. Last summer, I also watched 5 games so I have seen a lot of tape on Chubb. A strong prospect.
Here are 2 players I studied hard on tape, and found really interesting - Ross Blacklock and Zack Baun. I will be fascinated to see what teams select them in the draft. I don't do mocks (guessing is not my thing) so I don't go that route. This is all based on tape study.
So I am finally getting a chance to do my favorite off-season activity - reading novels. I just finished City on Fire by Don Winslow, one of the authors I most enjoy. It’s a great read with a fascinating lead character. I recommend it highly.
During the week I took a look at some receivers in this 2019 draft class. Today I look at 2 running backs - Josh Jacobs of Alabama and Miles Sanders of Penn State. My guess is I liked Sanders more than most. Feel free to comment. All my evaluations are based solely on film study.
Here are my evaluations of two of the top interior DL in this draft class - Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw. Here's a question to ponder: Must an interior DL be a quality pass rusher to have premium value in both the draft and the NFL?
Today let's look at 2 QBs - Jacob Eason and James Morgan. I will be fascinated to see where they go in the draft, particularly Eason. Eason is a little bit old school: a pocket QB with an easy powerful arm who can drive the ball to all areas of the field.
I find it fascinating that all anyone responds to when I evaluate a player - which almost always comes from watching at least 5 games and in the case of WRs all their pass targets - is a comparison that pops into my head based on style and potential deployment in the NFL.
Let's stay with running backs today - Cam Akers and Zack Moss. Akers was one of those backs the more I watched the more I liked his tape. I believe he can be a factor in the passing game as he develops as an NFL back.
I’m partnering with
@FantasyPts
again this year to release my rookie scouting profiles in a comprehensive package. Here is a free preview of my Trevor Lawrence evaluation. You can pre-order the full guide within the link. Let's have at it. It's draft time.
Another week. Let's look at running backs, starting with D'Andre Swift and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Of course, we have the debate about the value of running backs in the NFL. It generates strong points of view. Feel free to weigh in.
We will stay on the receiver theme for another day. Today it is Marquise Brown and Deebo Samuel, both very intriguing prospects in totally different ways. As always, feel free to comment.
I studied over 100 college players over the last couple of months. Of course, now I am focused on the NFL but it was a lot if fun looking at so many college players. A lot to digest. Hey, it's football. It's what I do.
We will stay with receivers today, and look at Bryan Edwards and Van Jefferson. As you look at my evaluations, think about this: how many receivers are scheme transcendent, and how many become a function of how they are deployed, i.e. scheme adaptability?
Let's look at some of the players projected to go high in the draft. We'll start with Isaiah Simmons. We know what he can be as sub defense player. What he is in a base defense is the question. He has the size of a LB, but plays like a safety.
Remember when you were young and you'd return to school in Aug/Septand the teacher would ask what you did on your summer vacation. Well, what I did on my summer vacation was grind through college tape looking at players who will be in the 2019 NFL Draft. Let's start with some QB.
Let's look at 2 corners - Trevon Diggs and Cameron Dantzler. You never have enough corners in today's NFL. I really liked Diggs tape with his overall combination of traits. I will be curious to see where he gets drafted given his size, man-to-man ability and competitiveness.
Yesterday it was Okudah and Henderson. Today let's look at 2 more corners - Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler. In the NFL you can never have enough quality corners. Corners and WR are almost always the most drafted positions in every draft.
We will continue today with running backs. I tweeted out Jonathan Taylor a few weeks ago, but here it is again, along with JK Dobbins. I loved Taylor's tape, but again, you get into the debate re: positional value in the NFL. Have at it.
Just got back from ESPN where we shot
@NFLMatchup
Draft Special. It airs tonight on ESPN2 at 8:30P. Catch Sal Pal,
@LRiddickESPN
and yours truly. One player we talk about is Minkah Fitzpatrick. Here's my evaluation of one of the most multi-dimensional players in the draft.
More info coming this week as
@MattBowen41
, Sal Pal and I return for our 4th season together, and
@NFLMatchup
begins his 38th season on
@ESPN
. Can't wait to get started.
The
@NFLMatchup
show is back this week on ESPN/ESPN2.
Here’s our schedule of games for Week 1…
• PIT-BUF
• LAC-WASH
• AZ-TEN
• CLE-KC
• MIA-NE
• GB-NO
• BAL-LV
@gregcosell
More of my draft evaluations. Make sure you go to the 33rd Team web site to see all of the ones I've done so far. Many more to come. Still almost 5 weeks until the draft.
My draft series continues (I did Barkley Thursday and Chubb Friday). I wrote about Josh Allen earlier this week for . Here's my complete evaluation after studying his 2017 tape. I also watched 5 games last summer from 2016.
My buddy
@vxmcclure23
wanted to see my evaluation of Clemson corner AJ Terrell.Terrell has the traits to be a strong corner in the NFL. Everybody always debates where players get drafted. I don't worry about that, because I don't know what teams draft boards look like.
Go to the 33rd Team web site and click on the Draft Board section if you're interested in seeing more of my evaluations. There will be more coming. I'm grinding away watching tape. It's what I do.
Robinson's only flaw might be that he is a running back. My guess is he will be a top 5 prospect on just about every team's draft board, if not
#1
on some. Make sure to go to the 33rd Team to see more of my draft evaluations.
Since there has been a lot of talk about my comments re: Isaiah Simmons on the
@RossTuckerNFL
podcast, I am retweeting my evaluation of Simmons. I know my Matchup colleague
@MattBowen41
shares much of what I say here. This is all based on film study.
As we get closer to the NFL Draft let's look at the 2 linebackers that seem to be getting the most attention - LSU's Devin White and Michigan's Devin Bush. As always, my evaluations are based solely on film study. Feel free to discuss.
Let's look at 2 more QBs - Jalen Hurts and Jake Luton. Hurts will be a fascinating evaluation as NFL coaches look to transition and project him to the league. My guess is smart reasonable people will have totally divergent views. I cannot wait to see where Hurts gets drafted.
Boutte is one of the most intriguing receivers in this draft. The last 2 years at LSU did not work out as hoped but there is a lot of talent in that body. I will be very curious to see what team drafts him. As always, go to the 33rd Team web site.
The more I watch Hooker the more I like his traits. A fascinating case study in transitioning from a specific college pass game to a more conventional NFL pass game re: formations and route concepts. Check out my evaluations on the 33rd Team web site.
Okay boys and girls. It's time to get on board with and my Fantasy Points Draft Guide. I have been grinding and grinding in my office watching tape of college players - 170 so far with more coming up until and beyond draft weekend. Much appreciated.
Get ready for the return of NFL Matchup this weekend.
@MattBowen41
, Sal Pal and I will break down 7 important matchups. You can catch us at these times: Sat/8:30A/ESPN2 and Sun/4A/ESPN. We are ready to go.
There's been a lot of talk about Justin Herbert the last couple of days. Here's my evaluation (I tweeted this last week as well). I watched a lot of Herbert, looking at his tape from 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Let's continue looking at what I did on my summer vacation with breakdowns of 3 more quarterbacks who will playing their last year in college this season. As I'm sure many of you know, going forward I will be focused solely on the NFL. We begin our 34th season on
@NFLMatchup
.
It's getting to be that time of year when I begin grinding on college prospects in this year's NFL Draft. With the East-West Shrine game later today, here's some preliminary work I've done on North Dakota State QB Easton Stick.
I was asked for my tape evaluation of Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson. Here it is. I kept going back and forth with Johnson. I remember watching him last summer with all of his 2018 targets. A tough receiver to get a handle on re: NFL transition.
I have been asked to re-tweet my evaluations of Burrow and Tua. Here they are. The Bengals could have a very intriguing offense if they continue to shore up their OL. Remember, they get Jonah Williams back this season.
It's day 1 of the NFL Draft. I love the process of evaluation. There are so many variables that determine how a player transitions and translates to the NFL. Here's my evaluation of Burrow and Young. You can find 90-100 of my evaluations at . Check it out.
Here are my evaluations of 2 more WR who are available tonight - Laviska Shenault and Denzel Mims. I'm sure some were surprised Mims did not come off the board last night.
We are about a half hour away from the return of NFL Matchup. Sal Pal,
@MattBowen41
and I are back for our fourth season together, and the 38th year of the show. We break down 7 of the most intriguing games opening weekend - 8:30A on ESPN2.
Yesterday I shared my evaluations of 2 defensive players. Today I post my evaluations of 2 offensive players I found very interesting on tape - Antonio Gibson and John Hightower. Since I don't try to guess where players get drafted, I have no idea where they will go.
I turn my attention to corners today: Denzel Ward and Carlton Davis. In today's NFL, where 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) was used on 57% of all offensive snaps in 2017, you can never have enough corners. And corner is a position that sees a lot of players drafted every year.
I am very curious to see where Gibbs goes in the Draft. I remember watching his Georgia Tech tape last summer knowing he was going to Alabama and thinking this is a first round pick. Big-time explosive in a league defined by explosives.
I liked Mingo's tape. He has an excellent physical and athletic profile for an NFL WR, with the versatility to line up in multiple locations within the formation. A strong prospect.
Here are my evaluations of the first 2 OT taken last night - Andrew Thomas and Jedrick Wills. Wills will be moving to LT with the Browns. He has the skill set/traits to do that. And keep in mind, the delineation between RT and LT is no longer a critical factor in today's NFL.
Continuing sharing my detailed evaluations of some draft prospects. Today it's Mason Rudolph. My sense is he will be polarizing in draft rooms. Different organizations will see him differently. Very much a function of scheme and coaching. So many variables with QB.
Let's re-visit Tua and Herbert. For those who know me, I don't do guess (mock) drafts. I'm much more interested in the evaluation/projection/transition of players to the NFL. Check out many more of my evaluations at .
Here are my evaluations of 2 defensive linemen I believe will come off the board tonight - Taven Bryan and Da'Ron Payne. They are different players re: size and traits but both have the desirable combination of attributes that should get them on the field early.