As we get ready for the combine in a few weeks, let's take a look at this writers best guess for where the 4 teams of the AFC East will go in this year's draft.
#6 - New England Patriots - WR D.K. Metcalf (Mississippi) - Have you seen the size of this man? Metcalf is a rare blend of size and speed wrapped up to form a coverage nightmare. The biggest hole on this roster is offensive line, but in a deep O-line draft, the Patriots grab a playmaker to play opposite Julio Jones and eventually supplant him as WR1.
#10 - Buffalo Bills - LB Devin White (LSU) - With the recent trade of Dont'a Hightower and desire to keep Jamal Adams from getting beat up in the box, Buffalo goes with the best linebacker in the draft. White flies over the field and will be looked at to play day one in upstate New York. Buffalo was one game from the Super Bowl and will hope completing their LB core can take them that extra step this year.
#24 - New England Patriots - OL Dalton Risner (Kansas St.) - Tackle or Guard? To be determined. Can the guy play high level football on the offensive line? Absolutely. New England needs to tighten up their line to keep pace with their rivals in Buffalo and Risner will do just that. He can give them a boost from the get go.
#27 - Buffalo Bills - TE T.J. Hockenson (Iowa) - Is it possible Hockenson is gone by this point? Totally. Especially considering how fast he's been climbing draft boards the past couple of weeks. However, in this mock, he's there and Buffalo doesn't hesitate to grab the most complete tight end in the draft. He can block, he can catch, and he will give the Bills some options when it comes time to pay Hunter Henry next year.
#28 - New York Jets - OT Yodny Cajuste (West Virginia) - With the Jets in full rebuild mode after their recent fire-sale, you could throw a dart blindfolded and still hit a position of need. They have holes everywhere and will likely go best available or even trade back for more picks, but this writer knows how much their GM likes to build from the line outward and we see that on display with their drafting of a true left tackle.
#33 - Miami Dolphins - S Nasir Adderley (Delaware) - Do we really expect the Dolphins to not draft a safety here? Adderley does well in coverage and can hit which is a pre-requisite for Miami. The secondary in South Beach already has its share of young stars with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Desmond King. By adding Adderley they have the chance to make the NFL version of a "Big Three." If the Dolphins strike out in free agency, they could go edge here, but Miami and safeties go together like peanut-butter and jelly.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Saturday, January 19, 2019
2019 3GML NFL 1st Round Draft Order
1. Arizona Cardinals
2. Denver Broncos
3. Oakland Raiders
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. San Fransisco 49ers
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Detroit Lions
9. New England Patriots
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Cincinnati Bengals
12. Green Bay Packers
13. Los Angeles Chargers
14. Atlanta Falcons
15. Washington Redskins
16. Carolina Panthers
17. Cleveland Browns
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Tennessee Titans
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
21. Seattle Seahawks
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Houston Texans
24. New England Patriots
25. Miami Dolphins
26. Indianapolis Colts
27. Buffalo Bills
28. Philadelphia Eagles
29. Kansas City Chiefs
30. Green Bay Packers
31. Los Angeles Rams
32. Indianapolis Colts
33. Miami Dolphins
2. Denver Broncos
3. Oakland Raiders
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. San Fransisco 49ers
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Detroit Lions
9. New England Patriots
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Cincinnati Bengals
12. Green Bay Packers
13. Los Angeles Chargers
14. Atlanta Falcons
15. Washington Redskins
16. Carolina Panthers
17. Cleveland Browns
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Tennessee Titans
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
21. Seattle Seahawks
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Houston Texans
24. New England Patriots
25. Miami Dolphins
26. Indianapolis Colts
27. Buffalo Bills
28. Philadelphia Eagles
29. Kansas City Chiefs
30. Green Bay Packers
31. Los Angeles Rams
32. Indianapolis Colts
33. Miami Dolphins
2018 Season: Super Bowl LIII
ATLANTA (GA) -- A dream postseason run ended in triumph for the New England Patriots with an end-to-end 53-13 domination of the Atlanta Falcons.
Rookie Kyle Lauletta cemented his name into the hearts of Patriots faithful with an incredible 478 passing yards to go along with 5 TD.
Lauletta, the game's MVP, was overly emotional after the game. The Richmond product was seen shoving a police officer prior to joining his team on stage to receive his trophy.
"I got a little mad after the game," Lauletta said. "The emotions got the best of me; I thought he (police officer) was someone else. I'm truly sorry."
After falling behind 5-7 early, the Pats never looked back.
Their methodical, dominating style of play, silenced the local Falcons faithful throughout.
"Embarrassing," Matt Ryan said. "I'm disappointed to finish this way."
The Patriots now join their AFC East counterparts with a Lombardi Trophy.
Each of the past four Super Bowl Champions have come from within the division.
Rookie Kyle Lauletta cemented his name into the hearts of Patriots faithful with an incredible 478 passing yards to go along with 5 TD.
Lauletta, the game's MVP, was overly emotional after the game. The Richmond product was seen shoving a police officer prior to joining his team on stage to receive his trophy.
"I got a little mad after the game," Lauletta said. "The emotions got the best of me; I thought he (police officer) was someone else. I'm truly sorry."
After falling behind 5-7 early, the Pats never looked back.
Their methodical, dominating style of play, silenced the local Falcons faithful throughout.
"Embarrassing," Matt Ryan said. "I'm disappointed to finish this way."
The Patriots now join their AFC East counterparts with a Lombardi Trophy.
Each of the past four Super Bowl Champions have come from within the division.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
2018 Season: AFC Championship Game
BUFFALO (NY) -- Kyle Lauletta again, in improbable fashion, did just enough to propel the upstart New England Patriots past a team who, on paper, looked sure to advance. With their 26-23 victory over the Buffalo Bills, Lauletta now has his team one win away from immortality.
Emphasis on the word HIS.
"This is a crazy world we live in," Lauletta said. "I'm just proud of our guys - We got one more to go."
The Pats head coach already confirmed that Lauletta would start, even if incumbent Dak Prescott were healthy.
Aaron Rodgers, looking for his second ring in the past three seasons, played a sloppy game with a pair of INTs and a fumble lost.
"It's on me today," Rodgers said. "We are all devastated."
Lauletta was not perfect by any stretch, but did just enough to keep his team in the game. In the closing seconds of the first half, Lauletta found a streaking Dez Bryant for a 44 yard TD pass to tie the game at halftime.
That was the last touchdown by either team.
The Patriots will now play the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LII.
Interestingly enough: This will be a home game for the Falcons.
These Patriots do not mind.
"We've just won at two of the toughest venues in the NFL," Marshon Lattimore said. "What's one more road game to close it out?"
Emphasis on the word HIS.
"This is a crazy world we live in," Lauletta said. "I'm just proud of our guys - We got one more to go."
The Pats head coach already confirmed that Lauletta would start, even if incumbent Dak Prescott were healthy.
Aaron Rodgers, looking for his second ring in the past three seasons, played a sloppy game with a pair of INTs and a fumble lost.
"It's on me today," Rodgers said. "We are all devastated."
Lauletta was not perfect by any stretch, but did just enough to keep his team in the game. In the closing seconds of the first half, Lauletta found a streaking Dez Bryant for a 44 yard TD pass to tie the game at halftime.
That was the last touchdown by either team.
The Patriots will now play the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LII.
Interestingly enough: This will be a home game for the Falcons.
These Patriots do not mind.
"We've just won at two of the toughest venues in the NFL," Marshon Lattimore said. "What's one more road game to close it out?"
Friday, January 11, 2019
2018 Season: Divisional Round
MEADOWLANDS (NJ) -- Some 331 miles away from MetLife Stadium rests the campus of the University of Richmond where rookie QB Kyle Lauletta played his college football. The Spiders of Richmond are not what you would call a known entity to college football fans. However, with his 224 yard, 2 TD performance in relief of injured Dak Prescott during Saturday's Divisional Round showdown, Lauletta is now firmly known around the NFL.
With their 27-20 victory, the Patriots defeated arguably one of the toughest NFL teams in recent memory, the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Jets.
Lauletta out-dueled fellow rookie phenom Lamar Jackson throughout. Jackson threw five interceptions in a night to forget to give his team no chance to win.
"I let everyone down," Jackson said. "I can't believe this."
Lauletta did what Dak Prescott could not do throughout the season: Beat a playoff caliber team.
"Dak is the man here and if he's good to go next week, he'll be the man," Lauletta said. "With that said, if they call my number, I'm all in."
New York's back pages lit up Sunday morning with titles of "Kyle Effing Lauletta" and "Kyle MF'ing Lauletta" for the extra bold.
For a game filled with All Pros and future Hall of Famers, this spider had his day.
"Craziest thing I've seen in football," Todd Bowles said. "I'm devastated for our guys."
The Jets will now look to the offseason - One in which major changes are expected with many key players looking to move on and the team hoping to rebuild.
The Patriots, once an afterthought in the AFC East, are now one win away from the Super Bowl.
"One day at a time," Julio Jones said. "We got two games to play."
-30-
Buffalo Bills @ Pittsburgh Steelers Recap
The Buffalo Bills dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-14 on Sunday evening to earn their second trip to the AFC title game in the past three seasons.
Aaron Rodgers and Brandin Cooks again shredded any coverage shown to them.
The Bills are now the unlikely hosts to the title game after New England's improbable victory over the Jets on Saturday.
With their 27-20 victory, the Patriots defeated arguably one of the toughest NFL teams in recent memory, the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Jets.
Lauletta out-dueled fellow rookie phenom Lamar Jackson throughout. Jackson threw five interceptions in a night to forget to give his team no chance to win.
"I let everyone down," Jackson said. "I can't believe this."
Lauletta did what Dak Prescott could not do throughout the season: Beat a playoff caliber team.
"Dak is the man here and if he's good to go next week, he'll be the man," Lauletta said. "With that said, if they call my number, I'm all in."
New York's back pages lit up Sunday morning with titles of "Kyle Effing Lauletta" and "Kyle MF'ing Lauletta" for the extra bold.
For a game filled with All Pros and future Hall of Famers, this spider had his day.
"Craziest thing I've seen in football," Todd Bowles said. "I'm devastated for our guys."
The Jets will now look to the offseason - One in which major changes are expected with many key players looking to move on and the team hoping to rebuild.
The Patriots, once an afterthought in the AFC East, are now one win away from the Super Bowl.
"One day at a time," Julio Jones said. "We got two games to play."
-30-
Buffalo Bills @ Pittsburgh Steelers Recap
The Buffalo Bills dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-14 on Sunday evening to earn their second trip to the AFC title game in the past three seasons.
Aaron Rodgers and Brandin Cooks again shredded any coverage shown to them.
The Bills are now the unlikely hosts to the title game after New England's improbable victory over the Jets on Saturday.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
2018 Season: Wild Card Playoffs
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 38 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 35
KANSAS CITY (MI) -- A spirited comeback by the home side fell short as the New England Patriots held on to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35 Saturday morning at Arrowhead Stadium.
Dak Prescott shook his 'can't win the big game' in 2018 label with an outstanding 391 passing yards to go along with five TD strikes.
"I've heard the talk," Prescott said. "Failing to beat the Jets or the Bills put us in this position as the #6 seed, but it's a new game now. We'll see who is standing after next week."
WR Julio Jones, who may be the game's quietest superstar, scored on four of his six receptions while putting up 151 receiving yards.
"We had to keep scoring," Julio said. "This is a tough place to play and we knew it wasn't going to be easy."
The Patriots typically stingy defense was gashed throughout by HB Kareem Hunt who finished with 196 rushing yards on the day.
The Patriots will now travel to face the NFL's #1 seed in the 15-1 New York Jets.
During the regular season, the Pats struggled mightily against the Jets - Particularly against their pass rush led by 3GML MVP Joey Bosa.
BUFFALO BILLS 38 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 27
JACKSONVILLE (FL) -- Aaron Rodgers did just enough to fend off a hot Blake Bortles to lead his team to a 38-27 road victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars 38-27.
Bortles and the Jags were 10.5 point home underdogs with their 7-9 record, but didn't play the part.
The much-maligned Bortles finished 21-29 for 346 passing yards and 3 TDs to keep his team close.
But Rodgers was better.
The former NFL MVP passed for 352 yards and 5TDs to best Bortles.
"You never know in the playoffs," Rodgers said. "Next week it could be Todd (Gurley) dominating the afternoon - These games take on a life of their own and all you have to do is be the last team standing at the end."
Brandin Cooks continued his impressive run with six receptions for 219 yards and a pair of TDs in the victory.
To help close out the game late, veteran NaVorro Bowman was able to secure a pair of sacks to prove that Father Time hasn't closed out this player's career yet.
"This is it for me," Bowman said. "I'm trying to go out a champion."
The Bills will now travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in what should be a raucous Heinz Field atmosphere.
COMPENSATORY PICKS BEGINNING TO BE ANNOUNCED
With the end of the NFL's regular season, 3GML 2019 compensatory picks are slowly being announced as teams have until the end of the 2018 league year to list players set to become UFA's. Based on their final 2018 Madden rankings, here are the current awarded compensatory picks to 3GML squads:
BUFFALO BILLS
K Chris Boswell (75) - 5th
MIAMI DOLPHINS
DE William Hayes (86) - 3rd (#100)
WR Devante Parker (80) - 4th
CB Jonathan Jones (77) - 5th
WR Cordarrelle Patterson (76) - 5th
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
MLB Reuben Foster (77) - 3rd (#98)
DT Tyler Davison (79) - 5th
NEW YORK JETS
DE Cameron Wake (89) - 3rd (#97)
HB David Johnson (87) - 3rd (#99)
HB Duke Johnson Jr. (82) - 4th
OLB Mychal Kendricks (82) - 4th
P Laclan Edwards (77) - 5th
Saturday, December 29, 2018
2018 Season: Wild Card Preview & AFC East Notes
NEW YORK JETS
After wrapping up their second consecutive AFC East crown and the AFC's top seed, the 15-1 New York Jets were able to spend some downtime together, resting up for what they hope is another Super Bowl run.
Head Coach Todd Bowles, who has been long rumored to step away from the club, regardless to how the season finishes, was seen on the Stanford football sideline during the New Year's Eve Sun Bowl game between the Cardinal and the PITT Panthers.
"I just love what David (Shaw) does here with his guys," Bowles said. "I know this (season) is the end for my time in the NFL, I'm itching to look at a bit of a slower pace and to plant some roots; Maybe at the college level."
Upon his return to team headquarters, Bowles and his squad will be watching to see which teams make it out of the Wild Card round before making their trek to the Gotham City.
"The road to the Super Bowl is through here," Lamar Jackson said. "I think we have proven we are up for any test - We welcome any challenge."
BUFFALO BILLS
After a Week #17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills secured the AFC's #5 seed and a road matchup against the scuffling Jacksonville Jaguars on Wild Card weekend.
A top heavy AFC East feasted on all other AFC opponents allowing the Jaguars to limp into the playoffs with a losing record.
"We can't take anyone for granted," Aaron Rodgers said. "I know they gave up like 100 points the other week, but it's a new season now."
Leonard Fournette, who has been seemingly non-existent for the Jags the past four weeks, tried to pump his squad up with what seems to be an ill-advised guarantee.
"We're at home and we are going to win," Fournette said. "You heard it here first and I'll never waiver from that."
The -19.5 point underdogs would be the biggest dog in history to advance in a playoff game.
"A lot of times those barking dogs don't have no bite," Jamal Adams said. "He's my boy and all (both played at LSU), but man he's out there."
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
With a strong regular season finish, the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of the AFC West, earned the right to host the AFC's #6 seed from New England.
However, being more than a touchdown underdog at home, seems to be a bit of a slap in the face for a team boasting one of the better home field advantages in the NFL.
"Yeah it's a dig at us," Patrick Mahomes said. "I think we should be favored. But none of that matters once the game is on."
New England would have won any other AFC division this year, but being slotted in the strong AFC East put them as the last team in.
"Wild Card teams make runs all the time," Julio Jones said. "It starts Saturday and we'll see where the road takes us."
MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Miami Dolphins acted fast in their search for a new Head Coach. The team interviewed Don "Wink" Martindale (DC Baltimore Ravens), Rex Ryan (former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills HC) and Tony Dungy (former Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach) before announcing the hiring of Matt Campbell who has been the Head Coach of Iowa State from the Big 12 since 2016.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity," Campbell said. "Job number one is to build our staff and connect with our current players to ensure we are laying our foundation together."
Campbell also announced that Charles London would be his offensive coordinator and that Chris Hewitt would serve as the team's defensive coordinator.
London played runningback at Duke before spending time coaching RBs at Penn State University under Bill O'Brien. London then followed O'Brien to the Houston Texans before joining the Chicago Bears for the 2018 season.
Hewitt played collegiately for Rutgers before joining the New Orleans Saints for three seasons as a defensive back. In the professional coaching ranks, Hewitt has coached special teams and defensive backs for the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh. He will be handed to the keys to a defensive backfield with good, young talent.
After wrapping up their second consecutive AFC East crown and the AFC's top seed, the 15-1 New York Jets were able to spend some downtime together, resting up for what they hope is another Super Bowl run.
Head Coach Todd Bowles, who has been long rumored to step away from the club, regardless to how the season finishes, was seen on the Stanford football sideline during the New Year's Eve Sun Bowl game between the Cardinal and the PITT Panthers.
"I just love what David (Shaw) does here with his guys," Bowles said. "I know this (season) is the end for my time in the NFL, I'm itching to look at a bit of a slower pace and to plant some roots; Maybe at the college level."
Upon his return to team headquarters, Bowles and his squad will be watching to see which teams make it out of the Wild Card round before making their trek to the Gotham City.
"The road to the Super Bowl is through here," Lamar Jackson said. "I think we have proven we are up for any test - We welcome any challenge."
BUFFALO BILLS
After a Week #17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills secured the AFC's #5 seed and a road matchup against the scuffling Jacksonville Jaguars on Wild Card weekend.
A top heavy AFC East feasted on all other AFC opponents allowing the Jaguars to limp into the playoffs with a losing record.
"We can't take anyone for granted," Aaron Rodgers said. "I know they gave up like 100 points the other week, but it's a new season now."
Leonard Fournette, who has been seemingly non-existent for the Jags the past four weeks, tried to pump his squad up with what seems to be an ill-advised guarantee.
"We're at home and we are going to win," Fournette said. "You heard it here first and I'll never waiver from that."
The -19.5 point underdogs would be the biggest dog in history to advance in a playoff game.
"A lot of times those barking dogs don't have no bite," Jamal Adams said. "He's my boy and all (both played at LSU), but man he's out there."
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
With a strong regular season finish, the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of the AFC West, earned the right to host the AFC's #6 seed from New England.
However, being more than a touchdown underdog at home, seems to be a bit of a slap in the face for a team boasting one of the better home field advantages in the NFL.
"Yeah it's a dig at us," Patrick Mahomes said. "I think we should be favored. But none of that matters once the game is on."
New England would have won any other AFC division this year, but being slotted in the strong AFC East put them as the last team in.
"Wild Card teams make runs all the time," Julio Jones said. "It starts Saturday and we'll see where the road takes us."
MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Miami Dolphins acted fast in their search for a new Head Coach. The team interviewed Don "Wink" Martindale (DC Baltimore Ravens), Rex Ryan (former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills HC) and Tony Dungy (former Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach) before announcing the hiring of Matt Campbell who has been the Head Coach of Iowa State from the Big 12 since 2016.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity," Campbell said. "Job number one is to build our staff and connect with our current players to ensure we are laying our foundation together."
Campbell also announced that Charles London would be his offensive coordinator and that Chris Hewitt would serve as the team's defensive coordinator.
London played runningback at Duke before spending time coaching RBs at Penn State University under Bill O'Brien. London then followed O'Brien to the Houston Texans before joining the Chicago Bears for the 2018 season.
Hewitt played collegiately for Rutgers before joining the New Orleans Saints for three seasons as a defensive back. In the professional coaching ranks, Hewitt has coached special teams and defensive backs for the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh. He will be handed to the keys to a defensive backfield with good, young talent.
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