2021 NFL Off-Season Thread

[VerbalPuke]

1 minute ago, DYSI said:

I don't know why I still see mocks with Detroit taking a QB. I completely forgot about Goff, but still, you have to draft something useful and worry about a QB next year if Goff fails. 

I agree, I think it's one of those things where if somebody fell to them their is consideration in taking one. But Goff is still young, they just signed Tim Boyle from Green Bay presumably to be the #2. With having 4 1st rounders the next few years I think they can hold off this year. 

Unless they acquire some extra picks through a trade down, I wouldn't hate trying to grab somebody later on in the draft t maybe develop. 

[gunnar hendershow]

I'll go back and forth on Chase or Sewell for the Bengals all the way up to the draft. Both feel like players they absolutely need for Burrow to succeed.

All told though I think the risk of never finding a franchise LT is higher than the risk of never finding a franchise WR. Just feel like so many teams take LTs and hope they can adjust to the speed of the NFL. Only the Ravens seem to draft duds at WR.

[The Buscher]

I'd be thrilled if the Giants trade down.  It's not a great class for edge rushers which is the Giants' biggest need, so moving back a bit in the first and grabbing an extra pick or two somewhere and taking an edge guy later works for me.

[LL!]

On 19/04/2021 at 09:08, Lineker said:

 

[DMN in the House]

This is the dumbest day in Raiders history, and we drafted Jamarcus Russell.

[Plubby]

I can't think of anything that could shit on the history and tradition of the Oakland Raiders more than that tweet. Unforgivable.

[DMN in the House]

1 hour ago, Plubby said:

I can't think of anything that could shit on the history and tradition of the Oakland Raiders more than that tweet. Unforgivable.

Apparently it was based in George Floyd's brother making a comment about how he 'can breathe a sigh of belief', but it's a really bad look regardless of the organizations history of progressiveness (within the context of the NFL).

[Lineker]

 

[Lowerdeck]

On another board I'm on, we're doing a mock draft.  I have the Patriots and Giants.

 

Giants: took Rashawn Slater at 11

Patriots: traded picks 15, 96, and 242 to the Eagles for 12.  Took Mac Jones at 12.  Traded a 5th rounder (177) to Carolina for Bridgewater.  Traded Michel to Atlanta for a 3rd rounder (68).

[Meacon Keaton]

You should draft a quarterback with that pick too.

[Lint]

[Lineker]

Due dilligence I guess!

Quote

The NFL owners approved a rule change on Wednesday proposed by the Kansas City Chiefs that loosens jersey number rules. Get ready for a lot more players rocking single-digit jerseys.

Currently running backs, receivers, linebackers, tight ends and defensive backs must wear uniform numbers within a certain numerical range. The change means all the cool, single-digit uniforms that only kickers, punters and QBs can wear are now allowed on more players. It also means uniform numbers will look a lot more like college, where there are no such regulations and anyone can pretty much wear any number.

According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, per NFL rules, if a player wants to change his number this season, he would have to buy out the existing inventory of jersey distributors. If he wants to give notice now to change his number next season, there would be no requirement to buy out inventory.

The change would allow many of the NFL's top players go back to the looks they wore in college.

 

Quote

NFL owners approved a series of new rules Wednesday for the 2021 season, including one that will expand the influence of replay officials amid ongoing demands from coaches for more oversight of game-day officials.

Owners rejected more robust proposals for a full-time sky judge, including one from the Baltimore Ravens that would have created a booth umpire. Instead, owners took the more modest step of giving the existing replay officials -- who sit in the press box of each stadium -- the authority to consult with referees on certain "specific, objective aspects of a play when clear and obvious video evidence is present," according to the language of the rule.

Replay officials will not be able to throw flags or reverse calls on their own. But they can now offer referees advice based on what they've seen on broadcast replays in the areas of possession, completed or intercepted passes, the location of the ball relative to the boundary or end line, and whether a player is down by contact. Previously, replay officials had been limited to participating in plays that were under review. Coaches will not have to throw challenge flags to prompt that advice, which some replay officials have been giving referees informally for years.

Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL competition committee, said neither the committee nor owners felt comfortable with adding an additional official with full authority.

"I think we should try this," McKay said. "We have the technology. We have really good technology. It sits in the booth with the replay official, and it sits in New York. I think what we thought, and what the coaches' subcommittee thought, was let's use that technology and let's try to improve the crew. I do get nervous when it goes beyond that."

In other news regarding Wednesday's votes, NFL owners:

• Approved a relaxation of rules for the numbers that players of certain positions can wear because of expanded practice squads. Running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, defensive backs and linebackers can all wear numbers in the single digits now if they choose. Based on preexisting NFL rules, players who want to change their numbers this season will have to buy out the inventory of the NFL's manufacturing partners. This wouldn't apply to players who give notice in 2021 that they want to change numbers in 2022.
• Approved a one-year experiment in an attempt to make it easier to recover onside kicks. In 2021, the receiving team on kickoffs will be limited to nine players within 25 yards of the ball. Last season, NFL teams recovered only three of 67 onside kicks, the lowest total and recovery rate since at least 2001. As a result, the Philadelphia Eagles proposed that teams be given an option to gain 15 yards on one offensive play from their own 25-yard line to retain possession after a score.
• Tabled a rule that would have expanded the area where players are prohibited from blocking below the waist. McKay said that there is enough support to pass the rule now but that several teams had questions that will take some time to address. It could be revisited next month.
• Eliminated overtime in preseason games.
• Changed a rule that will now force a loss of down if two passes are completed behind the line of scrimmage.
• Approved a rule change that ensures the enforcement of all accepted penalties during successive try attempts, defined as an opportunity for a team to score one or two additional points during one scrimmage down.
• Did not act on a "spot or choose" proposal from the Ravens for the winner of the overtime coin toss. In that scenario, the team would have the option to choose either which team will have the first possession of overtime or where the ball would be spotted.
• Decided to include taunting among its points of emphasis for 2021. McKay clarified that the emphasis would be directed not at celebrations but toward acrimonious interaction among players.
• Tabled a proposal from the Buffalo Bills that would have pushed back interviews for general manager and head-coaching positions until after the championship round of the playoffs and would have prevented hires until after the Super Bowl. It will be further studied.
• Completed a study of the sharp drop in offensive holding during the 2020 season. McKay said that Walt Anderson, the NFL's senior vice president of training and development, would clarify the standard and put together a video for teams to consume before the 2021 season.

 

[livid]

5 hours ago, Lineker said:

Decided to include taunting among its points of emphasis for 2021. McKay clarified that the emphasis would be directed not at celebrations but toward acrimonious interaction among players.

Just what the league needs, more penalties!

[Lineker]

 

[VerbalPuke]

Ya know, it's weird but this might be the first draft that I honestly don't think the Lions can make a pick that will drive me nuts. I mean...assuming they stick to the script. Sitting at 7 there's a chance that the draft could shake out to us taking any of Pitts, Chase, Sewell, Parsons, Smith, Waddle, Slater, Sewell...and like none of those picks bother me. Like, I think my choices would be Sewell, Chase, Parsons (no way Pitts is there at 7, otherwise I think I do just take him and call it a day) but I really do like Devonta Smiths skillset, I know the weight is a concern but he can bulk up. Yeah, it's strange but I think I'd only be bummed if we traded up for somebody or completely reached. 

[gunnar hendershow]

I think a lot of people will be upset if the Ravens don't take a big target WR in the first round but I have no idea if one will be there. No idea if Orlando Brown will get traded before the draft, which would change approach too.

I've seen all sorts of different players mocked to the Ravens at this point and I'd be fine with most of them. Outside of CB and QB they can basically do well drafting any position.

[DYSI]

11 minutes ago, VerbalPuke said:

Ya know, it's weird but this might be the first draft that I honestly don't think the Lions can make a pick that will drive me nuts. I mean...assuming they stick to the script. Sitting at 7 there's a chance that the draft could shake out to us taking any of Pitts, Chase, Sewell, Parsons, Smith, Waddle, Slater, Sewell...and like none of those picks bother me. Like, I think my choices would be Sewell, Chase, Parsons (no way Pitts is there at 7, otherwise I think I do just take him and call it a day) but I really do like Devonta Smiths skillset, I know the weight is a concern but he can bulk up. Yeah, it's strange but I think I'd only be bummed if we traded up for somebody or completely reached. 

I feel the same way for the Giants. The draft was pretty much telegraphed the years we picked Jones and Saqoun, I have no idea what they're going to do... aside from not trade back. 

I could see either top OL, WR or even Parsons at 11 depending how it all shakes out. As long as we don't draft a CB at 11 I'll be happy! 

[livid]

I'm already prepared to hate the inevitable Mac Jones pick. 

[Lineker]

I still need to settle on a team! 

 

I could just go wherever Pitts goes. The boy is special.

[livid]

You might as well just choose the Dolphins. Half of what would have been Houston's future is there anyways.