Los Angeles Chargers Off-Season Guide

Written by Christian Lysek    

They went and did it. The Chargers moved to LA. The move is greedy and unjustifiable. They abandoned their loyal fanbase and moved to a town with way too many teams already. Unfortunately, there is no turning back now, and it is time to start looking ahead to the next season. Here is what the LA Chargers will look like coming into the off-season.

Free Agency:

Cap Space: 8,949,991 (according to Fanspeak)

Notable Free Agents: RB Danny Woodhead, EDGE Melvin Ingram, LB Manti Teo

Danny Woodhead is one of the best scatbacks in the league, but he is on the wrong side of thirty, coming off a torn ACL, and is being made irrelevant with the emergence of Melvin Gordon. The Chargers would probably love to keep Melvin Ingram, but it would take some serious cap magic they might not be able to afford. They will probably lose Ingram in a bidding war. Manti Teo was the starting middle linebacker, but poor play and injuries will force the former second round pick to find a new home.

On the Market Prospects: EDGE Barkevious Mingo, RB Knile Davis

Obviously, the Chargers cannot afford much. Knile Davis can be a good backup to Melvin Gordon and can contribute in the return game. Barkevious Mingo is currently a draft bust, but he has potential and could at least provide depth for the Chargers.

The Draft:

Early Round Prospects (Rounds 1-2):

The Chargers offensive line is still garbage even when it is healthy so Ryan Ramczyk or Garrett Bolles could give Phillips Rivers and Melvin Gordon protection from either tackle position. The Chargers still have not replaced Eric Weddle, so picking up Malik Hooker or Budda Baker would give the secondary another ball hawk along with Casey Hayward. The Chargers could also replace Melvin Ingram with a young EDGE rusher such as Derek Barnett, Tim Williams, or TJ Watt. They all can play in the Chargers 3-4 defense and would ensure the young defense does not lose a step.

Late Round Prospects (rounds 3-7):

Davis Webb is a high upside quarterback with a big arm. He could replace Phillip Rivers in the future. Marcus Williams underrated safety from Utah who could help. Stacy Coley and Jehu Chesson are wide receivers with the size and speed to carve out a role in the Chargers offense. Stevie Tu'Kolovatu could play nose and eventually start for the Chargers as a space eater. Donnel Pumphrey has the speed and receiving skills to be a solid scatback. Kyle Kalis is a veteran guard from Michigan who isn't flashy but is solid. Chad Wheeler is enormous and could one day start at offensive tackle, but he needs good coaching to reach his potential. 

The one move nobody may see coming: 

The Chargers could trade Keenan Allen for a starter at another position. The Chargers are deep at wide receiver and could use skill at safety, EDGE, and offensive line. Allen is a great wide receiver but he cannot stay healthy. The return would still be high on him, though, and plenty of teams would be interested in the young star.

What I would do:

• Sign Barkevious Mingo
• Draft: Round 1- Ryan Ramczyk, Round 2- TJ Watt, Round 3- Marcus Williams, Round 4- Davis Webb, Round 5- Jehu Chesson, Round 6- Stevie Tu'Kolovatu, Round 7- Donnel Pumphrey

What do you think of this offseason plan? Comment below for questions and inputs and thanks for reading.

Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service.

Leonard Fournette Scouting Report: The Next Adrian Peterson?

Written by Christian Lysek

Leonard Fournette has been the face of college football since he stepped on LSU's campus as a freshman. Rarely does any prospect enter any school with as much hype as Fournette did, but even fewer players live up to the hype. Fournette did. His running ability carried the Tiger's offense and ensured that Fournette would go down as one of college football's greatest players. Now, as he goes to the NFL, he has solidified the first running back spot on my big board. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'1''
Weight- 230 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
129 carries, 843 rushing yards (6.5 YPC), 8 rushing TDs, 15 receptions, 146 receiving yards

Pros: Leonard Fournette, physically speaking, is the perfect running back. He has the size to run over defenders and be used in goal line situations. He also has the speed to pull away from even the fastest defenders. Fournette is special in more ways than physical, though. He has very good vision and is skilled at finding holes if they are present. Once he sees the hole, he explodes through with great acceleration and power. He then is able to get past defenders using all sorts of moves such as jukes, stiff-arms, spins, and just running them over. Fournette finishes every run with violence, punishing defenders and often willing his way to the end zone or first down marker. Fournette also has receiving ability as a dump off or screen target and can block effectively on passing downs.

Cons: Nagging injuries are the main concern with Fournette. An ankle injury limited him to seven games this past season so he will have to show more durability to succeed in the league. Fournette also has some fumble issues and will have to clean up his carrying technique so it is tighter to his chest. While he is a capable blocker and receiver, he could stand to improve his technique in both areas to be a more well rounded player.

Pro Comparison: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Is Peterson the best blocker or receiver? No. Does Peterson fumble the ball too much? Yes. Would anyone pass up the chance of having AP in his prime? Hell no. Peterson is one of the best pure runners in NFL history and used speed and power to dominate defenses. Fournette is a similar size and runs a style similar to Peterson, and he has the same ceiling as the future Hall of Famer.

3 teams that could use him: The Carolina Panthers need to take pressure off Cam Newton, and Jonathan Stewart is not getting the job done. They would be smart to plug in Fournette and destroy defenses using their read option plays. TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory are not getting the job done for the Jaguars, so putting in Fournette could restore their offense to what it was in 2015. The Colts or Eagles will have the 14th pick in the draft, and if Fournette is on the board, whichever team has the sooner pick should take him to take pressure off of their young star quarterbacks.

Conclusion: Leonard Fournette is the best running back prospect in years. He is a top 15 pick who should explode in the league with his speed and power.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Jarron Jones Scouting Report: The Irish Mammoth

Written by Christian Lysek

Every year in the NFL draft, we see some of the freakiest athletes get picked. This year will produce such specimens like Myles Garrett, Obi Melifonwu, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Jarron Jones. Jarron Jones may be the least well-known of the group. The mammoth from Notre Dame has dealt with injuries and did not attend an all-star game. Despite this, Jones has shown potential almost as big as he is and is one of my favorite sleepers in the draft. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'5''
Weight- 315 lbs
Year:
Junior (23)
2016 stat line:
45 tackles (26 solo), 11 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 PDs, 1 FF

Pros: Jarron Jones is enormous. He checks off every physical box from length to width. He surprisingly shows a quick first step and low(ish) pad level for his size. Against the run, he is a force. He explodes off the line of scrimmage and uses his length and strength to barrel through guards. He is a good finisher as well who does not miss many tackles. As a pass rusher, he flashes a bull rush, rip move, and swim move. Jones has active hands and keeps his legs pumping even through double teams. He also does a good job of getting his massive mits up to deflect passes if he cannot reach the quarterback.

Cons: The biggest knock on Jones is that he can't stay healthy. He has suffered through MCL, foot, and other injuries throughout his career. He needs to pass medical tests if he wants a shot at being an early round pick. Jones also needs to show consistency on passing downs and inside runs. He needs to avoid getting stood up by guards while rushing. On inside runs, Jones needs to show better strength and not get turned away from the running lane by the offensive lineman.

Pro Comparison: Michael Brockers, DL, LA Rams
Michael Brockers is a freaky big player who (when at his best) is the yin to Aaron Donald's yang. Donald uses his quickness to rush the quarterback and Brockers utilizes his power to eat up blockers, stop the run, and occasionally pass rush. Jones could see a similar role in his NFL career.

3 teams that could use him: The Texans love to have monsters on the defensive line, and Jones can plug up the inside while JJ Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and Jadeveon Clowney dominate the edge. The Buccaneers are always looking for a defensive lineman to pair with Gerald McCoy, so it would be worth seeing if him and Jones complement each other well. The Falcons need help on the defensive line next to breakout candidate Grady Jarrett, so Jones could slide in next to him and bolster the front seven.

Conclusion: Jarron Jones is a monster who can dominate in the run and pass game if he gets better coaching and can stay on the field. He should come off the board in rounds 3-5.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Green Bay Packers Off-season Guide

Written by Christian Lysek

How many times did we hear it: Aaron Rodgers needs help. It echoed around the sports world as the Packers fell to the Falcons in the NFC championship. Now the Packers need to perform the obvious maneuver and get Rodgers a running game plus an extra receiving threat. The defense could also use some work, especially with EDGE rushers and corners.  Here is how the Packers can check out all of the boxes.

Free Agency:
Cap Space: $35,275,292 (According to Fanspeak Ultimate GM after the cutting of James Starks and Sam Shields)
Notable Free Agents: RB Eddie Lacy, EDGE Nick Perry, EDGE Julius Peppers, OG TJ Lang, C JC Tretter, S Micah Hyde, TE Jared Cook
Eddie Lacy is overweight, inconsistent, and injury prone. Not resigning him should be common sense, especially since he has not had a good season since 2014. Nick Perry has been the Packers most consistent EDGE rusher when he is on the field, so resigning him is a priority.  Julius Peppers is a big name and still has gas in the tank, but he is just a rotational player and the Packers need to get younger at the position anyway. TJ Lang is a top ten or top five guards in the league, and the Packers cannot let him walk. JC Tretter is less of a priority, as he is just a solid player as opposed to a very good one. He will probably walk just because the Packers need the money to sign Lang, Perry, and safety Micah Hyde. Hyde is one of the defensive brights spots and is a good running mate to HaHa Clinton-Dix. Jared Cook did make that amazing catch versus Dallas to keep the Packer's dreams alive, but he was inconsistent for most of the season.

On the Market Prospects: TE Jack Doyle, OL Steven Wisniewski, RB Darren McFadden
Jack Doyle had a breakout season last year for the Colts, showing good blocking technique and great receiving ability. He can be Jared Cook's replacement. Steven Wisniewski can play each interior spot and is cheaper than JC Tretter. Even if the Packers draft a running back, they still need somebody to replace James Starks. Darren McFadden is not far removed from a 1,000 yard rushing season and could give the Packers another dimension on offense.


The Draft:

Early Round (1 and 2) Prospects:
If the Packers are serious about getting Aaron Rodgers some help, then Christian McCaffrey has to be the guy. He could bolster the run, pass, and return games and make the Packers less predictable on offense. If they choose to go defensive in the first round, the Packers should look at Takkarist McKinnely, Jarrad Davis, Gareon Conely, or Marlon Humphrey. McKinnely is a natural fit in the Packer's 4-3 scheme as an EDGE rusher and he could improve their pass rush. Jarrad Davis is a fast and mean linebacker from the defensive factory that is Florida. He could step in and start day one. Gareon Conely and Marlon Humphrey are both long corners who can help in the run game, something the Packers could use. In the second round, the Packers should look at Fabian Moreau at corner or Ryan Anderson at the EDGE position. Moreau is long and fast and could replace Sam Shields, while Ryan Anderson is an EDGE rusher who can play in space.

Late Round (3-7) Prospects:
Joe Mathis was a standout rusher for the Washington Huskies and fits the Packer's scheme. Pat Eflien is an All-American center from Ohio State who could fill in for JC Tretter. Derek Rivers is a small school pass rusher who could play on third downs. Cole Hikutini is a standout tight end threat from Louisville who could replace Jared Cook. Bug Howard is a tall, fast deep threat from North Carolina. Peter Kalambayi is a linebacker who can pass rush and play in a traditional linebacker role. Ahkello Witherspoon played opposite Chidobe Awuzie in a standout Colorado secondary, and he has the physical tools to succeed in the league. Connor McDermott is a project player, but the Packers could select him and try and harness his monster size (6'8'' 310 lbs).

One move nobody may see coming:
There are rumors that Adrian Peterson may not be a Viking next year, but what if the Packers picked him up? It would be just like the Vikings signing Brett Farve after his Green Bay days. Peterson could provide the rushing presence that the Packers need and it would be a punch in the gut to their division rivals.

What I would do

• Resign Micah Hyde, TJ Lang, and Nick Perry
• Sign Darren McFadden
• Draft: Round 1-Christian McCaffrey, Round 2- Fabian Moreau, Round 3- Pat Eflien, Round 3- Joe Mathis, Round 4- Cole Hikutini, Round 5- Bug Howard, Round 6- Derek Rivers, Round 7- Ahkello Witherspoon

Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service

Ryan Switzer Scouting Report: More than a Short White Guy

Written by Christian Lysek

We all know the stereotype. White skill players, specifically wide receivers, are always linked to either Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, or Jordy Nelson. Ryan Switzer from North Carolina falls into the Wes Welker category for many people. While we can debate about the morality of the stereotype, Switzer may actually be similar to Welker than other white prospects in the past. He may even have just as productive of a career as Welker. Here's why:

Measurables:
5'10''
185 lbs
Year: 
Senior (22)
2016 stat line:
96 receptions, 1112 yards, 6 TDs

Pros: Ryan Switzer is a quarterbacks best friend. He primarily works out of the slot, using crisp route running to get open for the quarterback. He cuts fast and has a good acceleration out of his break to pull away from defenders. He then uses his strong hands to reel in catches that are high, low, and everywhere in between. While some people just think of slot receivers as dump off targets, Switzer is much more than that. He can run posts and corner routes down the field and be an effective receiver. While Switzer is small, he plays big. He is absolutely fearless and does not shy from contact. That translates to the return game, something he excels at. He has taken 7 punts and kicks back to the house over the course of his college career, and he uses his foot quickness and agility to evade defenders on his way to the end zone.

Cons: The obvious weakness for Switzer is his size. His height and weight will limit him to slot and return duties. It also limits his impact as a blocker. He gives effort, but there is only so much a 185 receiver can do against a defender. His size also prevents him from fighting to gaian extra yards. I noticed on several occasions that Switzer was bounced back or halted inches before he could reach the marker because the defender was bigger than him. He needs to learn to find the marker and fall forward if he wants to be a great slot player. Switzer is very agile but not extremely fast, so he won't pull away from elite corners when running full speed.

Pro Comparison: Wes Welker
Yes, I am well aware that this is the traditional white guy stereotype, but hear me out. Welker is about the same size as Switzer and uses route running and agility to get open. Welker was known for being tough as nails, willing to take huge hits as long as he made a catch. Welker was also a huge asset in the return game, and he used his foot quickness and agility to evade defenders on his way to the house.

3 teams that fit him: The Panthers would be smart to select the hometown guy in the late rounds, as they have a ton of big play wide outs (Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, and Ted Ginn) but no reliable check down guy. Switzer could step right in and be a safety blanket for Cam Newton. The Broncos passing offense last season mostly consisted of Trevor Siemian chucking deep balls to Demarius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Switzer could provide a new dimension to a struggling offense. Jared Goff needs all the help he can get at Los Angeles, so the Rams would be wise to select a late-round security blanket for him such a Switzer.

Conclusion: Ryan Switzer's size limits him to the slot, but he is a special player at that position. Add in his return game, and Switzer can be a late round gem for a team looking for a specialist. He will probably go in rounds 3-5.

Myles Garrett Scouting Report: The potential #1 overall pick

Written by Christian Lysek

There are three positions I consider to be worthy of the first overall pick: EDGE rusher, quarterback, and offensive tackle. We already know it is a bad year for quarterbacks and an even worse one for offensive tackles, but the EDGE class is absolutely stacked. At the top of that list is Myles Garrett, a freak who was one of college football's best players the moment he set foot on Texas A&M's campus. Everyone is saying he will be the number one overall pick, and here's why:

Measurables:
6'5''
262 lbs
Year: 
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
33 tackles (18 solo), 15 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 2 PD, 2 FF

Pros: It cannot be said enough that Myles Garret is a freak. No one that big should move as fast as he does. He should destroy the combine. The important thing about his athleticism, though, is that you see it on the field and not just at the underwear olympics. His first step is lightning quick. It is so quick that he sometimes beats tackles just off of his first step alone without even having to bend the edge. When he does have to bend the edge, he does an excellent job of dipping his shoulder and staying balanced all the way to the quarterback. Garrett also has a powerful bull rush that knocks tackles off balance and drives them to the quarterback. Garrett is no slouch in run support either, He does a good job of setting the edge and has a sound tackling form. Additionally, Garrett does a good job of getting his arms up to deflect passes if he knows he cannot sack the quarterback.

Cons: The biggest problem with Garrett is that he needs a good counter-move. I want to see a spin when his speed rush fails or a swim move if his bull rush fails. Overall, Garrett just needs to improve his hand technique. Fortunately, these can be coached. He also has a nagging ankle injury, but that is not really a big deal if it checks out at the combine.

Pro Comparison: Jevon Kearse
Fans often forget how amazing "The Freak" was in his prime. He could win with speed and power using his tremendous athleticism. If Kearse had been able to keep the pace he set in the early years of his career, we would be talking about a Hall of Famer. We may be talking about Garrett in that conversation years from now.

3 teams that fit him: Let's put it this way: If the Browns don't draft Myles Garrett, then Urban Meyer is secretly drafting for them to drive up the attendance at Ohio State games.

Conclusion: Myles Garrett will be the number #1 overall pick. He has all of the tools to be a perennial pro bowler in the NFL. Don't overthink this one.

Patrick Mahomes II Scouting Report: The Ultimate Boom or Bust Prospect

Written by Christian Lysek

If you have been following the draft up to this point, you probably have found out that this is a very weak quarterback class. None of the prospects are close to the talent level that the two recent draft classes have produced at the quarterback position (Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, to name a few). For some, Patrick Mahomes is the one who can seize the top quarterback position and be a stud for some team due to his physical attributes. For me, Patrick Mahomes is the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in recent memory, even bigger than Robert Nkemdiche. Here's why:

Measurables:
6'3''
230 lbs
Year: 
Junior
2016 stat line:
5052 passing yards, 65.7% completion percentage, 41 TDs, 10 INT, 27 sacks, 285 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs

Pros: Pat Mahomes certainly looks the part. His height, bulk, and arm size are pro-typical and are a good template to work with. Mahomes can heave the ball quite far downfield and throws with a great velocity. He throws a little bit like an unrefined Phillip Rivers, as he releases the ball from the side rather than over his shoulder. It seems to work for him. Mahomes typically has several "wow" plays a game, where he fits a ball into a space that does not seem big enough for a football. He has enough accuracy flashes to warrant scouts getting excited. The best throws Mahomes makes are plays where he moves his legs or pump fakes to draw the defenders eyes and then rifles a pass to a receiver behind them. Mahomes ability to make these throws allowed Texas Tech receivers to YAC their way to big gains and touchdowns because the defenders were caught off guard. He also is a very good dual threat. He can extend plays and is good at picking up yards rushing.

Cons: For every spectacular throw Mahomes makes, he seems to make an atrocious one. His tape is littered with head-scratching throws that lead to picks or deflections. While Mahomes is very accurate when he is feeling it, his accuracy is terrible when he isn't. if he is missing a throw, it usually is an uncatchable ball as opposed to a more challenging catch. Part of this is due to his footwork. Some high school recruits have been taught better footwork than Mahomes, so an NFL team will need to start from scratch in that department. Mahomes just tends to forget his fundamentals in general. He chucks the ball across his body a disturbingly frequent amount of times and gets panicked when defenders get into the pocket, leading to the 27 sacks. He will just hold on the ball too much and either force a pass or take a sack. On top of all of this, the Texas Tech offense has never produced a quarterback that has had any sustained success in the NFL.

Pro Comparison: Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick is a great physical talent who could never quite grasp an NFL offense. While he was an effective quarterback in a dumbed down system, he has not been able to make a good transition to a full-time NFL offense. Mahomes will face a similar challenge, it is just a matter of whether he can make the necessary adjustments that Kaepernick could not.

3 teams that fit him: The Chargers, Steelers, and Saints (and the Giants) all have aging quarterbacks that will need replacements soon, so letting Mahomes sit behind some of the best quarterbacks in league history and learning from them and the coaching staff could help Mahomes reach his sky-high potential.

Conclusion: Patrick Mahomes is a physical talent that needs years of coaching to become acclimated to the NFL. He fits best with a team looking for a long-term replacement with a high ceiling for their aging star quarterback. He will probably be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.