Jake Rigdon

Articles

Mock Draft Tips: Don’t like any of your first-round options? The ‘luxury pick’ is your friend

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: What do you do when all of your favorite targets are drafted ahead of you? How Dak Prescott became a Cowboy is an example of what can happen when…

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Up, Down or Stay: Outside of Iowa’s Epenesa, 2020 appears to be a down year for 5-techs

The top 5-technique defensive linemen in the 2020 NFL draft are A.J. Epenesa of Iowa, Marlon Davidson of Auburn, and … And … While this year’s crop of defensive ends and pass-rushing linebackers – Edge players – has some depth, the proverbial cupboard is almost bare when it comes to the 3-4 defensive ends, or…

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Mock Draft Tips: Are your top 3 prospects still available? Here’s what you should do

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: What should you do when your top three choices are available in the first round?. You’re drafting with Fanspeak’s On the Clock mock draft simulator, and it’s your turn…

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Up, Down or Stay: Where should you rank Clemson CB A.J. Terrell?

When customizing your own Fanspeak On The Clock big board, it’s important to avoid overreacting. Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell is a good example. Prior to Clemson’s loss to LSU in the national championship game, Terrell was seen as a fringe-first round draft choice. Analysts raved about his size, athleticism and speed. Then LSU receiver Ja’Marr…

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Safe Pick: You don’t need a 1st round RB to succeed in NFL

Last year’s rushing leaders paint a picture on the state of the running back position in the NFL. Excluding quarterback Lamar Jackson, eight of the top 10 rushing totals came from running backs drafted in the first or second rounds. However, only three of those RBs played on playoff teams: Derrick Henry of Tennessee (second-round…

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Mock Draft Tips: Now is the time to draft 2016 replacements

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: If you have a former 2016 first-round player who has still not signed a contract extension, then you better start thinking about drafting a player at his position this…

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Up, Down or Stay: Kansas OT Hakeem Adeniji could — should? — hear his name called on Day 2 of the NFL draft

One player is 6-foot-4, 302 pounds and tested out in the 90th percentile in many of his Combine measurements. He started in 48 games. The other player is 6-foot-4, 312 pounds and also tested out in the 90th percentile in several categories, according to Mockdraftable.com. He started 29 games. So why is Kansas offensive tackle…

Safe Pick: Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III hopes to buck trend of sub-4.30 wide receivers

Alabama junior Henry Ruggs III doesn’t have to do much to become the king of the sub-4.30 wide receivers. Nine wide receivers have run a 4.30 second 40-yard dash at the Combine since 1999, and none of them have gone on to NFL greatness. One went to a Pro Bowl as a rookie – as…

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Up, Down or Stay: Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson a likely Day 3 pick

Look at 10 mock drafts, and you’ll find Minnesota receiver Tyler Johnson listed anywhere from the first round to a late-round, Day 3 pick. At 6-foot-1, 206 pounds, the issue with Johnson isn’t his size pr production. The problem is his speed, or at least the perceived lack of it. Further complicating matters: Johnson decided…

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Safe Pick: Best spot for Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet is likely 2nd round

It’s hard to call any tight end a “safe pick.” SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit did a deep-dive into why tight ends are valued so low and shouldn’t be drafted in the top 10 after the Lions took Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson with pick no. 8 overall last year. The takeaway: A tight end’s value to…

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