2015 NFL Power Rankings: Post Free Agency

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. New England Patriots
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Denver Broncos
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Philadelphia Eagles
11. Detroit Lions
12. Carolina Panthers
13. Buffalo Bills
14. Cincinnati Bengals
15. New Orleans Saints
16. San Diego Chargers
17. Kansas City Chiefs
18. New York Giants
19. Minnesota Vikings
20. Houston Texans
21. San Francisco 49ers
22. St Louis Rams
23. New York Jets
24. Miami Dolphins
25. Atlanta Falcons
26. Washington Redskins
27. Chicago Bears
28. Oakland Raiders
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
30. Cleveland Browns
31. Tennessee Titans
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 (The Final One)

1.    Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

There is a huge need at the QB position in Tampa right now and a huge reason behind why they actually have this pick. The Bucs get the best QB in the draft and their Franchise QB for years to come with this pick. Should be ready to plug and play on day 1 for Lovie Smith and the Buccaneers.

2.    Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Leonard Williams is possibly the best player in this draft and gives the Titans a blue chip player at a huge position of need on the DL to pair with Jurrell Casey and give the Titans a premier Defensive Front and an identity on the defensive side of the football.

3.    Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler Jr, OLB, Florida

Pass rusher a big need for the Jaguars in lack of a dominant pass rusher to go along with the mixture that they have currently. Fowler the best of the bunch and probably the only one currently capable of filling the 4-3 DE on all 3 downs against the run and as a pass rusher. Can’t have enough of these guys on your team as Gus Bradley the Head Coach seen while he was in Seattle with the Seahawks.

4.    Oakland Raiders: Kevin White, WR, WVU

The Raiders need to help out their young 2nd year QB Derek Carr here and start to build on that offensive supporting cast that he will have to works with and that starts with getting one of the best WRs in the draft if not the best eventually in Kevin White. Give the Raiders speed, size and athleticism all in one which you look for at the WR as a true number 1 guy. Fits what the Raiders have looked for in a WR no matter your other traits even though White has much more that the last Raiders 1st round WR.

5.    Washington Redskins: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri

Washington need to improve on the defensive side of the ball under new Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry and it starts with finding a running mate for their for Pro Bowl OLB Ryan Kerrigan with Brian Orakpo leaving in Free Agency. Raw is a good fit for the 3-4 OLB position with a quick first step and great and violent hands.

6.    New York Jets: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Gurley is a top 10 player on his talent alone but suffered an ACL injury last season but should be ready to go for camp from everything that is coming out right now. He breaks the trend of recent years of no running backs going in the 1st round. Gurley is maybe the best player in this whole draft when all their careers is said and done with and would complete the skill position players for the Jets. Giving the Jets a 3 down back that will be able to carry the rock the 20-25 times a game if need be. In my eyes Gurley is the best RB to come into the league since Adrian Peterson back in 2007. His medical has come back clear and is certainly worth of this pick.

7.    Chicago Bears: Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

Stopping the run was a huge issue for the Bears defense in 2014 making them one of the worst defences in the league and a way to help that situation is to add some beef and big bodies upfront which is what Danny Shelton gives you and a perfect fit as a NT in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense which the Bears are moving to this year. He is able to push the pocket and give you some interior rush on passing downs so I don’t class him as a 2 down player. John Fox is a defensive minded coach and will do what he can to get this defense back on track as soon as possible in the windy city.

8.    Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

There is a need for pass rushers down in the ATL as they have struggled defensively getting after the QB and being able to find a complement to their improving and young secondary. Vic Beasley will give them some much needed pass rush coming off the edge that they have not ha since John Abraham departed a few off seasons back. Beasley’s freaky numbers at the combine probably good enough to go with his tape and make him a worthy pick at this point.

9.    New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, G, Iowa

The Giants usually like going big in the 1st round whether it be on the much vaunted Defensive Line over the years or on the Offensive Line which I think they do again here this time helping to protect their Franchise QB Eli Manning which they have not done well in recent years due to injuries and losses to retirement and Free Agency. There is a new Scherff in town in New York and would be a plug and play starter at Guard and has pro bowl potential in an offense I expect to be one of the league’s best in 2015.

10. St Louis Rams: DJ Humpheries, OT, Florida

Jake Long is now a Free Agent after a few injury ravaged seasons with the Rams and finding a Tackle is a priority for this team to go with Greg Robinson who could also play inside at guard as he develops. DJ Humpheries is the best and most ready Tackle in this draft and would be plug or play on either side where ever they feel most comfortable with him and Robinson at during camp going into the season.

11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Helping out their young QB in Teddy Bridgewater is something they would like to do in Minnesota and finding a true No 1 WR would certainly help them in that area and could do that with Teddy’s old Louisville teammate in DeVante Parker who he has good familiarity and chemistry with and allow they to grow into the league together in what could be a really good offense if a certain No 28 decides to return like he is contracted to.

12. Cleveland Browns: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Amari Cooper is the most polished and pro ready WR in this draft and a legitimate top 10 prospect for nearly everyone. The Browns have a huge need at the WR position with the status of Josh Gordon up in the air at this present time. Cooper projects as a No 1 WR at the NFL level and gives them a true No 1 to pair with free agent signing Dwayne Bowe who at this point in his career is more of a No 2 WR.

13. New Orleans Saints: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

The Saints have need at both ILB and OLB and Bud Dupree can play both of them if required. He would likely be a running mate for Junior Galette on the other side of him. Dupree has the ability to be a great pass rusher with lots of upside and help the Saints upgrade in this area where they struggled at a year ago giving the Saints 3 rushers that you most of the time in Rob Ryan’s defense that you really need to account for.

14. Miami Dolphins: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Miami have a pro bowl CB in Brent Grimes but are really lacking on the other side of him after a few releases this offseason so they go get the drafts best CB to shut it down on either side of the field giving them the ability to do many different things on Defense. Will eventually replace Grimes as the No 1 CB as Grimes ages and eventually retires or moves on. Wayne’s is a great athlete that has the size and speed looked for at the CB position.  

15. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Cornerback is the biggest issue for this football team after letting a few CBs leave in Free Agency this offseason and not really had what they have wanted here since there Super Bowl year. Peters gives them a physical tough CB that can play both man and zone and fits in well with the 49ers mentality on defense especially under new Head Coach Jim Tomsula a former DL coach. Peters possesses good ball skills and a good tackler as required for the position.

16. Houston Texans: Nelson Aglohor, WR, USC

With no Andre Johnson now in Houston there is a big spot and shoes to fill at the WR position in Bill O Brien’s Offense. Strong would be a great compliment to DeAndre Hopkins that is the projected No 1 WR for the Texans currently. Aglohor has played in a pro-style offense at USC and is probably as good a route runner as you get in this class behind Amari Cooper. Would slot in straight away and probably start on the outside or inside given the Texans a nice WR trio. Aglohor is a game changing weapon as a kick returner as well.

17. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

There isn’t really a starting RB on the Chargers roster right now and is one of their glaring needs at this time. They want to be balanced and be able to run the rock under Head Coach Mike McCoy with what looks like an improving Offensive Line. Gordon is a good value pick for the Chargers here and gives them a 3 down back that excels in all 3 areas. Has great speed and explosiveness with the ability to run inside and outside the Tackles. Gordon’s presence may make this offense one of the league’s best if Rivers continues to play how he has recently and Allen picks it up again with Stevie Johnson on the other side of him.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, ASU

The supporting cast around QB Alex Smith hasn’t been great in his 2 years in KC but it looks to be getting better with Andy Reid’s influence over the organisation going into year 3. No WR caught a TD in KC a year ago mainly due to lack of quality at the WR position but with the addition of Maclin given them some much needed speed and yards after the catch. Strong gives the Chiefs a red zone presence and size at the position as well as being able to also stretch the field vertically if required. Does lack top end speed and struggled to create separation on deeper patterns but is awesome at making contested catches and has the ability to go up and high point the football.

19. Cleveland Browns: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

This is the pick that the Browns got from the Bills a year ago and they need to use it wisely even though it wasn’t a pick they expected to have until a year ago. They do what I think the Bills would do also with this pick and take a QB in Marcus Mariota to try and eventually solve their problems at the QB position with Manziel an uncertainty at this point. They surely have to hit on a QB at some point and this may be the one. Mariota has the physical tools to succeed as an NFL QB but will likely have to sit for possibly a year and learn and adjust to the Pro Style system and probably start for the Browns late in year 1 or in year 2. They already have a stop gap in place in Josh McCown.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

Chip Kelly is a happy man in this scenario as the player the Eagles hope falls to them does with them being desperate for a Safety to pair with Malcom Jenkins and Landon Collins would be the perfect complement to him. Collins has range to play the deep middle safety but is better in the box hitting people and getting his hands on the football when possible. Collins is a sound and solid tackler and good in run support.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon

The Defensive Line in Cincinnati was an issue a year ago struggling both against the run and rushing the passer. They brought Micheal Johnson back in Free Agency to give them the 2 DEs that made this DL a once feared unit. There is still one hole to fill on this line assuming that Geno Atkins returns to his expected All Pro level. Armstead has flashed on take and will give the Bengals some beef inside hopefully to improve their run defense. If Armstead hits this DL could be up there with the best in football next season

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

A young outside pass rusher really lacks on this Steelers defense with Worilds now retired and they are relying on old veteran James Harrison to start for them on the edge. Getting to the QB is important part of this Steelers defense and Randy Gregory can sure do that for you and has the prototypical frame to become a dominant 3-4 OLB in the league. He is a value pick for the Steelers here due to off field issues that see him drop from the top 10 to this point and if you can get on board that he is over these drug related issues he is too good to pass up on at this point. Could go CB or Safety at this point but the Steelers have a history of not going that way early if they don’t really have to.

23. Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

The Lions lost a lot of depth on the interior DL that has turned the strength of this team to a weakness. They brought over Ngata but need some more help as replacing Suh is not going to be easy or done by one player. Brown has the ability to be a great run stuffer that is able to rush the passer from the 3 technique in the 4-3 defensive front. Running on the Lions again won’t be easy l just like a year ago.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

Quality Cornerback play in the defense that the Cardinals want to play are a must and losing Cromartie leaves a hole at the CB position. The Cardinals already have stud CB from LSU so why not go back to that well and get another one that can help this Cardinals secondary once again become one of the best in the NFL and live up to the high standards this defense has set for themselves. Has issues related to drugs but coach Arians has took another kid out of LSU that had worse issues of this kind and that seems to have turned out fine for him and his team.

25. Carolina Panthers: La’el Collins, OT, LSU

Maybe the worst offensive line in the NFL and have huge needs at multiple positions along this OL at both tackle and guard. Protecting the QB is a must for the Panthers if this offense wants to move up a few notches. Collins would give the Panthers a plug and play LT that would be a significant upgrade on what they played with a year ago. Cam Newton cannot take as many hits as he has taken over the 1st 4 years of his career especially last year after they lost Jordan Gross to retirement. They would hope Collins can provide the type of protection Gross did for a long time to come.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF

There is a lack of youth and top end ability at the WR position for the Ravens with Steve Smith Sr the only really trusted guy on the roster at this point. The Ravens are one of few teams nowadays that like to throw the football deep down the field and Perriman give the Ravens the size and speed required on the outside to be able to do this now that Torrey Smith is with the 49ers. Perriman has huge upside and the ability to the No1 WR if he can develop his route running more and eliminate the drops a bit from his game. Not a Ravens type of pick but Perrimans upside maybe too good for the Ravens to pass on here with no real glaring need on this team with Jimmy Smith coming back which will help at the CB position.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Eli Harold, DE, Virgina

The front seven for the Cowboys needs to improve especially in the Pass Rush area and are looking to get home with 4 guys up front. Eli Harold give you another rusher on the edge and helps even more to fill the void left by the departure of Demarcus Ware a year ago. When Hardy returns the Cowboys now have a nice rotation at DE giving DC Rod Marinelli more toys to play with.

28. Denver Broncos: Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma

Wade Phillips comes in to be the DC of this defense which means they are moving to a 3-4 defense. There is no natural NT on this roster currently with Terrance Knighton being allow to walk in Free Agency. There is a need for a space and block eater up front to anchor this DL and make this defense again one of the leagues better run defences. Phillips is a natural NT that can provide the ability to push the pocket and win inside and get into the face of the QB as quickly as possible. His size on passing downs will also help Miller and Ware off the edge with one usually being left one on one with a tackle. He fits the aggressive DL men that Phillips likes up front.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State

The Colts know the importance of having a top quality center can do for your offensive line just look at the impact that Jeff Saturday had on that OL when he was there when Manning was in Indianapolis. There is a serious need to improve the interior of this OL and get this running game going a bit more as well as providing protection for one of the league’s most valuable assets in their Franchise QB Andrew Luck. Erving is the best Center in this draft and has the versatility to also play guard and possibly RT if needed all positions of need for this team.

30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami

There is for me only one need on this team right now and that is at the ILB position and it’s probably in the best interest of the Packers to trade back here as there is multiple guys at about the same level in this scenario. The Packers let Hawk and Jones go in Free Agency and are looking for an ILB to pair with Sam Barrington. Perryman would be a great complement to Barrington with his downhill physical style of play for a well build LB that will improve the Packers run defense that was leaky until Matthews moved inside on early downs last year. The Packers would like to keep Matthews at his better and preferred position of OLB if possible.

31. New Orleans Saints: Dorial Green Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

A potential value pick and steal for the Saints with this pick as this kid has as much talent at the WR position as anyone in this draft and could be a special player in the league if he puts his mind to it and gets his life back on track and past his off field issues of recent times that see him drop to this point. The Saints have lost the Speed of Stills and the Size of Jimmy Graham this offseason they get both traits in one with DGB. Payton hasn’t back away from troubled players in the past especially if they can help him on the field. He Gives the Saints another redzone presence as well as an ability to get down field giving the Saints a WR like the other teams in the divison seem to have at least one of.                                                                                                               
32. New England Patriots: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut

Losing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in Free Agency has hurt the Patriots secondary especially the CB position and can get a talented CB here at 32 that has freakish athletic ability that has potential to be a high end starter with ability to play man to man on a regular basis. He isn’t just a freak show that wowed people at the combine he also is a pretty good football player as well. 

Understanding an NFL Play Call: Spider 2 Y Banana

An NFL Play Call come across to us NFL fans as a long drawn out command that no one outside the league seems to understand. The long play calls are used to give the offense as much information about each different play as they can get out to the players in the limited amount of time that exists between plays. How plays are called in the league are different due to each team having their own terminology for plays that are the same. Most of these play are play designs that are part of a particular offense that is known as the West Coast offense. Most teams in the NFL run a variance of the West Coast Offense. An example of a West Coast play call is “Green Right Strong Slot Spider 2 Y Banana”. A play call that may be familiar to people that have watched a lot of football in particular Monday Night Football where analyst and former NFL Head Coach Jon Gruden has an obsession with this particular play.


I thought it would be insightful to breakdown this play and let people know what each part of the play actually means to each and every player involved in the play:

Green Right Strong Slot is the terminology that is used to describe the formation used in the play. The play is run out of 21 personnel which represents two backs in this case a HB and a FB and the one Tight End. The HB lines up behind the QB in the I position with the QB under center and the FB offset to the Strong Side that is the side to which the TE lines up on. The two WRs the X and the Z line up to the left with the X receiver lined up on the outside and the slot receiver playing off the line of scrimmage as the Z receiver.

Spider is the terminology that is used to describe the protection that is used on this particular play. Spider is in this case the term that is used to represent Slide to the Left Protection. Each of the Offensive Lineman on this play will move to their left on this play and block the player to their left. The slide on this play usually leaves an unblocked D-Lineman that will get chopped or cut down by the HB to stop him from getting home.

The number 2 refers to the series of plays. Each series of plays have different characteristics as well as being either a run or pass series. In Spider 2 Y Banana the number 2 means that it is a play action pass. The play action looks like a fake of a power run play that sees the HB chop an unblocked Defensive End down after the FB has bluffed that block and then goes out into the flat.

Y Banana is the passing concept that is used on this play that sees the Y receiver in the offense which is always the TE is running what is known as a Corner route that looks like the shape of a Banana. There are many different passing concepts in an NFL offense and this is just one of lots of different ones.

Spider 2 Y Banana is a play that really starts with the FB who is the primary target on this play and if he is open which he usually is the 1st read for the QB in what is known as a progression. The phrase “You can’t go broke taking a profit” is often used when referring to this play due to how often the FB is open and picks up a few yards. The aim of the play is to get the ball to the TE on the Corner route but defensive coverage dictates the possibility to get the ball to the TE who is the 2nd read in the progression usually works against Man to Man or a blown Coverage. It is most likely that the ball will go to the FB who is the primary receiver on this play or to the 3rd read to the crosser from the weak slot position who will keep going on his route and won’t stop. The 4th option on his play known as the Venus is basically an alert route and very rarely should be thrown to and usually means trouble as Andrew Luck knows all too well from the game against USC a few years back where he threw to the Venus on this play in a tied ball game in the 4th quarter that ended up going back for 6 the other way. Luckily for Luck the Stanford Cardinals came back to win that game.