Footballguys #24 - 5/13 - Combined Rookie Draft Board Plus News And Notes And More

[Footballguys.com]( Footballguys #24 - 5/13 - Combined Rookie Draft Board Plus News And Notes And More Volume 21, #24 -- Monday Night, May 13th, 2019 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email [View in Web Browser]() Howdy {NAME}, Good Tuesday to you. We've got more new content for you today including the Combined Draft Board from our Dr. Jene Bramel. Check it out to get a visual look at the Draft Board with commentary. Plus the News and Notes you need. Let's go. J SITE NEWS A. [Combined Rookie Draft Board]() Our Dr. Jene Bramel with a visual look at a full offense-IDP rookie draft board with position-by-position commentary. [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [PHI - QB Cody Kessler to call Philadelphia home](#1) 2. [NO - TE Jared Cook's role to expand?](#2) 3. [KC - QB EJ Manuel calling it quits](#3) 4. [SEA - QB Geno Smith finds new home in Seattle](#4) 5. [BUF - TE Lee Smith signs with Bills](#5) 6. [BUF - Dawson Knox a matchup problem?](#6) 7. [TEN - A.J. Brown delivering on the field](#7) 8. [WAS - Terry McLaurin making plays](#8) 9. [CAR - Will Grier catching on fast](#9) 10. [CHI - Chicago signs Riley Ridley to deal](#10) 11. [CLE - Cleveland signs LJ Scott](#11) 12. [PIT - Pittsburgh adding WR Johnny Holton](#12) 13. [DET - Four Detroit draft picks ink rookie deals](#13) 14. [NYG - Two NYG picks sign](#14) 15. [BUF - Devin Singletary showing elusiveness](#15) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [PHI - QB Cody Kessler to call Philadelphia home]( Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com - Dave Spadaro Free-agent QB [Cody Kessler]( (Jaguars) signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, May 13. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed. The Eagles also waived QB Luis Perez. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Kessler has starting experience that could prove to be valuable to the Eagles. They currently have Nate Sudfeld and rookie Clayton Thorson competing for the backup job to Carson Wentz. While Wentz continues to recover from his back injury, these three passers will compete in camp. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [NO - TE Jared Cook's role to expand?]( Source: The Times-Picayune - Luke Johnson New Orleans Saints TE [Jared Cook]( will be given the chance to show 'everything he can do' for the offense, according to tight ends coach [Dan Campbell](. 'The guy is over 30 and he still runs like the wind. He can absolutely smoke,' Campbell said. 'He's got 35-inch arms, he is long, and he is fast.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We've seen Cook finish as a top-5 fantasy tight end like he did last season for the Raiders. This is a much better passing game with the Saints, so projecting him for similar output is not outlandish. We like where he's going off the board right now. Cook has a current ADP of TE8 (6.10) in 12-team PPR leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [KC - QB EJ Manuel calling it quits]( Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates Kansas City Chiefs QB [EJ Manuel]( announced his retirement Monday, May 13. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Manuel spent all of last year out of football but latched on with the Chiefs in late February. Instead of competing to be a backup, Manuel decided to call it a day. A first-round pick of the Bills in the 2013 NFL draft, Manuel saw injuries and inconsistencies derail his career. He finishes with 3,767 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions as a pro and a 6-12 record as a starter with the Bills and the Raiders. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [SEA - QB Geno Smith finds new home in Seattle]() Source: ESPN.com - Jordan Raanan Free-agent QB [Geno Smith]( (Chargers) signed an undisclosed contract with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, May 13. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Smith will compete to be a backup behind starter Russell Wilson. The Seahawks have Paxton Lynch as the primary backup now, and Smith should be able to push him for the no.2 job. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [BUF - TE Lee Smith signs with Bills]() Source: BuffaloBills.com Free-agent TE [Lee Smith]( (Raiders) signed a three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills Monday, May 13. Financial terms weren't disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is Smith's second stint with the Bills. A fifth-round pick out of Marshall in 2011 (Patriots), Smith failed to make the 53-man roster in New England and was quickly scooped up by the Bills. He was in Buffalo from 2011-2014 before moving on to the Raiders. Smith is a big-bodied blocker and not much of a fantasy factor. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [BUF - Dawson Knox a matchup problem?](=) Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown Buffalo Bills TE Dawson Knox 'demonstrated his athleticism and speed in the open field' during rookie minicamp and was able to beat safeties and linebackers in drills, according to [Chris Brown]( of BuffaloBills.com. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Knox posted great workout numbers before the draft, but his production in college never matched that potential. We'll see if the third-round pick from Ole Miss can finally start to produce like he could in the pros. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [TEN - A.J. Brown delivering on the field]() Source: TitansOnline.com - Jim Wyatt Tennessee Titans WR A.J. Brown has been the most impressive player during rookie minicamp, in the opinion of Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Brown was arguably the best wide receiver from Ole Miss this year in the draft. The hype may have been around 'Mr. Universe' D.K. Metcalf, but Brown is more polished. It's not a surprise that he's turning heads early in minicamp. The Titans passing game isn't one we'll invest heavily in when it comes to re-draft leagues, but we certainly appreciate Brown's upside in dynasty formats. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [WAS - Terry McLaurin making plays](=) Source: NBC Sports Washington - Peter Hailey Washington Redskins WR Terry McLaurin and QB Dwayne Haskins were 'cooking in 1-on-1s' during rookie minicamp,' according to Peter Hailey of NBC Sports Washington. 'You could've taken the numbers off of every wideout and still easily guessed he was the one who played college ball with Haskins,' Hailey said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] McLaurin should be 'cooking' in 1-on-1 drills. The guy is one of the fastest wide receivers to come into the league this year. Haskins knows that because McLaurin was one of his favorite targets in college at Ohio State. We love that this dynamic duo from college is going to get to stay together in the pros. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [CAR - Will Grier catching on fast]( Source: Panthers.com - Bryan Strickland Carolina Panthers QB Will Grier 'seemed to be picking things up really quickly' during rookie minicamp, according to head coach Ron Rivera. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Grier is a mature prospect with the upside to develop into a quality starter one day. The Panthers will use him as a primary backup to Cam Newton in 2019 provided that Grier continues to impress. We love his mindset, skill set as a passer and upside in dynasty formats. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [CHI - Chicago signs Riley Ridley to deal]( Source: ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer Chicago Bears fourth-round draft choice WR Riley Ridley signed a four-year contract with the Bears Monday, May 13. Financial terms were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ridley is the younger brother of Falcons star WR Calvin Ridley. He's got good size, measuring in at 6'1" 199 pounds. He's not a burner, but Ridley knows how to use his body and concentration to win consistently at the catch point. He will compete in training camp for one of the final spots at the WR position. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [CLE - Cleveland signs LJ Scott](=) Source: ClevelandBrowns.com Undrafted free-agent RB LJ Scott (Michigan State) signed with the Cleveland Browns Monday, May 13. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The team also waived RB [Devante Mays](. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Scott is your classic power back but he does have a receiving element to his game that could help him earn a roster spot. If you play in crazy deep dynasty formats, keep track of the Michigan State runner. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [PIT - Pittsburgh adding WR Johnny Holton]() Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo Free-agent WR [Johnny Holton]( (Raiders) agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, May 13, according to a source. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Holton has plenty of speed and flashed a bit (mostly against the Broncos) in 2017. He spent last year on practice squads and was only targeted one time in one game. The Steelers have revamped their WR corps and Holton is going to be a long-shot to make the 53-man roster. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [DET - Four Detroit draft picks ink rookie deals]() Source: DetroitLions.com Detroit Lions fourth-round DE Austin Bryant (Clemson), sixth-round RB Ty Johnson (Maryland), seventh-round TE Isaac Nauta (Georgia) and seventh-round DT PJ Johnson (Arizona) signed undisclosed four-year contracts Monday, May 13. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Johnson is 5'10" 208 pounds and can make big plays happen with space. He's not a power runner and won't win many collisions, but Johnson does have big-play ability as a runner. His game as a receiver needs to be enhanced as Johnson only had 11 catches for the Terrapins over the last two seasons. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [NYG - Two NYG picks sign]() Source: ESPN.com - Jordan Raanan New York Giants fifth-round picks WR Darius Slayton and LB Ryan Connelly signed undisclosed four-year deals Monday, May 13. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Slayton can get by the defense in the blink of an eye. He ran a 4.39 second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine earlier this year and that speed certainly stands out on film. Slayton does have issues with drops and concentration that will need to be cleaned up if he wants to play up to his potential as a pro. He's a size/speed prospect we'll monitor in deep dynasty formats. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [BUF - Devin Singletary showing elusiveness](=) Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown Buffalo Bills RB Devin Singletary showed the ability to avoid defenders in traffic during rookie minicamp, according to [Chris Brown]( of BuffaloBills.com. 'There were times where he disappeared into the pile only to come out the other side and into the secondary on a few run plays,' Brown said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Singletary is not the biggest or the fastest running back. Instead of relying on those physical traits, Singletary is a natural runner with good instincts for the position. He also gets by on keeping his feet moving upon contact. We'll see him compete for a spot on the depth chart behind LeSean McCoy. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. 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