JUST SAYIN’ – 2017

JUST SAYIN’ By John Cooney, February 23, 2017

One of the best RBs in this draft will NOT be showing off his gridiron wares at the Combine. Joe Mixon has had his off-field issues, we all know that. KC’s Tyreek Hill had a somewhat similar unfortunate event but got drafted and shined in 2016. Mixon is an awesome looking rusher, folks!

Bet QB Seth Russell forces pro scouts and personnel people to head back to the film room after the Combine.

Can’t believe Mississippi QB Chad Kelly isn’t at the Combine. Really? Injuries? Give me a break. This is just the extra wood on Kelly’s competitive fires to inspire Kelly even more. OK, he’s also had some attitude issues in the past… in the PAST.

Browns’ will go hard after Bills’ 2016 starting QB Tyrod Taylor. Book it!

But Coach Jackson does have an eye for walk-eligible Cincy QB AJ McCarron. AJ is a pretty fair passer, but starting material? Yeah, not sure ‘bout that.

Scouting Washington Huskies’ super WR John Ross, couldn’t help notice the rumbling rushing of running back Lavon Coleman. Good RB measures at 5’11-228. Runs about a 4.6-forty. He’s a 2018 draft class prospect that gained 7.5 YPC and notched 7 rushing scores on just 114 carries.

Speaking of those Huskies, QB Jake Browning is a tad slow through his progressions, not always on target with his throws and at times late getting the ball to his receivers. But he was just a sophomore and tossed 43 TDs to just 9 picks in 2016. One to watch in his junior campaign.

QB Tony Romo will be donning a different team jersey in 2017. Which one? Smoke is blowing Denver’s way, but seriously, how ‘bout ya Houston? Step up!

Brock Osweiler? Don’t want to say I told you so, buuut…

… it won’t be Kansas City. There’s an opinion out there that he might… not seeing that one.

One reason the Bears may just let oft-injured (soft?) WR Alshon Jeffery walk is the emergence of WR Cameron Meredith. Again, told you ‘bout Meredith way back when.

‘Zona has a quandary at WR. Gone is troubled Mike Floyd, but Larry Fitz is talking positively about playing in 2017. After Legendary Larry, Cards field flash but fragile John Brown and slick but slight JJ Nelson. Redbirds need more hands at wideout.

More Birds needing pass-catchers. Ravens lose Steve Smith to retirement in 2017, leaving Mike Wallace as Joe Flacco’s go-to. Iffy Breshard Perriman has flashed but he has also failed enough. Heads up on 2nd-year receiver Chris Moore. Just Sayin’!

4 of the Bills’ top 5 2016 WR contributors are free agents this off-season. Sammy Watkins needs help, folks. Buffalo should get a good long look at 2016 pick Kolby Listenbee, a 6’-197 flyer that burns the turf at 4.35. HE’s not just a linear deep threat either. Kolby Listenbee.

Philly’s Carson Wentz has all the tools to be a top-flight pro passer. But he doesn’t have the ball-hawks to succeed. Jordan Matthews is a fine receiver but he’s not a WR1. Eagles are staring at a complete revamp of the pass-catching corps. Smoke out of Philly bellows in the direction of Miami’s Kenny Stills. Yeah, he’s not a 1 either.

Pitt’s Sammie Coates teased early in 2016 before hand and hip injuries wrecked the rest of the season for him. Don’t sleep on sudden Sammie. The guy essentially tried to play pro pass-catcher with one hand. Coates got a taste and now knows he can play at this level. Watch out if he’s full-go for 2017.

Vikings’ rushing legend Adrian Peterson may be an ex-Viking or 2017. Purple people eaters go RB in this draft.

Article teaser:  2nd-year WRs that have my eye in 2017: Josh Doctson in Washington, Listenbee of the Bills, Jets’ Charone Peake and Robby Anderson, Moore in Baltimore, Bengals Cody Core… to name a few.

Article teaser II: Yards Per Touch… nifty way to look at RBs.

It ain’t perfect, but it’s excellent… Just Sayin!