Jake Rigdon

Articles

Up, Down or Stay: Utah State QB Jordan Love could go anywhere from top-5 to second round

With the draft less than a week away, the voices for – and against – polarizing Utah State quarterback Jordan Love are growing louder. At 6-foot-4, 224 pounds, the redshirt junior checks all the boxes in terms of arm strength, athleticism and size. But he struggled at times with accuracy, and scouts were hoping for…

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Up, Down or Stay: Analyst says ultra-athletic LSU LB Patrick Queen is a ‘risky pick’

With so many restrictions in place for the 2020 NFL draft, teams are going to rely heavily on game tape. Simply put, the more tape a player has, the better. That might not bode well for LSU’s Patrick Queen. The 6-foot- 229 pound junior wasn’t on many analysts’ radars to start the season, but as…

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Safe Pick: Draft analyst says USC WR Michael Pittman will outperform many receivers taken before him

Almost forgotten in the 2014 wide receiver class are players like Kelvin Benjamin, who was the 28th overall pick. Marqise Lee, Paul Richardson and Cody Latimer were second-round picks, while Josh Huff was a third-round pick. Although the ’14 class is littered with potential Hall of Fame receivers, it also had its fair share of…

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Safe Pick: Will Auburn DT Derrick Brown’s poor Combine hurt him? Probably not, analyst says

Defensive tackles are rarely drafted high in the first round. The list of DTs taken within the first three picks of the draft since 2010 includes Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy, who went No. 2 and No. 3 in the 2010 draft, Marcell Dareus, who was the No. 3 pick in 2011, and Quinnen Williams,…

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Mock Draft Tips: When it comes to tie-breakers, draft the most versatile players

As part of an occasional series, Fanspeak will offer tips and best practices for its wildly popular and first-of-its-kind On The Clock draft simulator. Today’s topic: Teams place a premium on players who offer special teams ability or positional flexibility, especially in the later rounds. Bo Scarbrough is a rarity in the NFL. The hulking 6-foot-1,…

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Up, Down or Stay: Will LSU OT Saahdiq Charles fall to Day 3?

Don’t assume that a long-time starting left tackle for a national championship team is a sure-bet to play on Sundays. That was the case last year with Mitch Hyatt, who went from four-year starter at Clemson to an undrafted free agent who spent most of the year on Dallas’ practice squad. That’s not likely to…

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Up, Down or Stay: Colorado WR Shenault may drop, but LSU CB Fulton is a trickier projection

Colorado receiver Laviska Shenault and LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton find themselves outside of the top-60 in Hall of Famer Gil Brandt’s latest top-150 rankings. The two started the season considered high first-round prospects by many analysts but have seen their stock slip for different reasons. For Shenault, it’s a matter of health. He reportedly dealt…

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Safe Pick: Draft analyst lists 48 WRs with a Round 7 or better grade

If you want or need a wide receiver, this is the year to get him. Not a huge priority? Missed out on Day 1 and 2? That’s OK, you can still find a solid receiver deep in the draft. The Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller’s latest player rankings include 48 receivers with a Round 7 or…

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Mock Draft Tips: When in doubt, take the FBS player

As part of an occasional series, Fanspeak will offer tips and best practices for its wildly popular and first-of-its-kind On The Clock draft simulator. Today’s topic: The NFL is littered with small school gems, many of whom have gone on to stardom. But prospects who come from a non-FBS school make up a small percentage…

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Up, Down or Stay: Missouri’s Jordan Elliott called a top-20 prospect

Jordan Elliott has enjoyed a steady rise up draft boards throughout the season and draft process. And now the Missouri defensive lineman is being called “one of the most undervalued prospects in this entire draft class” by Pro Football Focus. That’s due in part because of his size (6-foot-4, 302) and his steady progress at…

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