#nfl-draft

#nfl-draft

Almost two years into his professional career, that's not the case anymore. Newton had a first-round grade with most experts. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn presented him with the Commander Gold Tag, reserved for primary targets who align with their desired ethos. When he slipped through the cracks and into their laps at No. 36 overall, Washington didn't hesitate to bring him on board.

His "contact courage" has been noted by coaches and teammates as an often overlooked but critical ingredient to the Patriots' defensive success. A third-quarter play in a Week 11 win over the New York Jets -- when 6-foot-1, 205-pound Gonzalez jacked up receiver Tyler Johnson, leading receiver Isaiah Williams to run into Johnson's back on a sweep -- is one notable example of Gonzalez's recent success in that area.

To be honest with you, it kind of pissed me off because I didn't think it made any sense,

In a sport dominated by some of the world's fastest and strongest humans, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is neither. That was evident during the 2013 NFL draft process for Allen, a 6-foot-2, 211-pounder whom many analysts considered the top receiver. But Allen had suffered a season-ending PCL injury in his final season at the University of California. He ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash at his pro day -- well behind Marquise Goodwin's 4.27 time that led receivers at the combine.

The New England Patriots are sporting a handsome 7-2 record after nine games, making even the rosiest predictions look tepid. One reason is that Mike Vrabel's first overall Patriots' draft pick, left tackle Will Campbell, is crushing Pro Football Focus's (PFF's) rookie ratings weekly. For some, it was a risky pick who'd project only to an NFL guard position. The reason was his shorter arms, which measured a whopping 3/8" shorter than the supposed requisite minimum.

Arriving as the No. 56 overall pick out of Western Michigan last year, Kneeland made four NFL starts. His tragic death comes less than three days after he scored his first NFL touchdown. Kneeland returned a blocked punt for a score against the Cardinals on Monday night in Dallas. After Sam Williams notched the second-quarter block, Kneeland pounced on the recovery for a score. It marked Kneeland's first touchdown in the college or professional ranks.

Lemon doesn't jump off the page at first glance. He's undersized at 5-foot-11, and he doesn't have the blazing speed of some other prospects. But the USC wideout is a technician on the field. He can operate in the slot or on the outside, using his lateral quickness and impressive feel for zone coverage to consistently find open space. The wide out has sure hands, rarely dropping passes that come his way.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Ohio State had 14 players from its national championship team selected in the NFL draft, which tied the team record and raised legitimate questions about who would fill the holes. Rebuilding years don't happen at Ohio State, but the Buckeyes projected as a team that might evolve over time. Halfway through the regular season, the Buckeyes' growth spurt has already come, and the team looks fully capable of defending its title.

"Be patient and be ready," he said. "You got to be ready when it's time. But when it's time, you're going to know. And it's coming up. I got a prediction. I ain't telling nobody. I got a feeling when it's going to go down. But it's going to go down this year. ... He's going to get a shot."

A few became the most infamous of all, like wide receivers N'Keal Harry and Tyquan Thornton, both of whom the former head coach reached for when they were selected. Neither did much of anything during their time in New England, and they were on another team within three years. For the most part, letting them go didn't look like a bad decision, and while that remains true, the rise of Thornton with the Chiefs this offseason is certainly noteworthy.

While it's difficult to put much stock into preseason stats, Chism's were impressive. He finished the exhibition season with 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. While Chism is not Edelman, Wes Welker, or Danny Amendola, he has the makeup and potential to be a quality NFL slot receiver, especially in a Josh McDaniels offense that relies heavily on the performance of inside receivers.

The NFL Players Association, reeling from criminal investigations into misused funds, resignations at the top and unapproved strip club expenditures, badly needed a win this summer. It found one -- in NFL ownership's couch cushions. The players received a substantial windfall in the second round of this year's NFL draft, benefiting from fully guaranteed contracts for seven players in the round -- and potentially an eighth once Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (the 36th overall pick) signs his deal.

Ashton Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in April's NFL draft, showcased his strength and agility, proving he can handle the NFL's physicality and contribute to the Raiders offense.

"We've been talking about the draft since last year and how we continue to build on that. ESPN has been a partner in that from day one, bringing the fans closer to that event and building that event into one of the most popular events on the sporting calendar, which is incredible if you think back a few decades."

Upton Stout, the 49ers' third-round draft pick, exuberantly celebrated his selection, saying, 'Let's do it!' repeatedly, showcasing his enthusiasm and determination to join the team.

Travis Hunter leads the Madden NFL 26 rookie ratings with an 84 OVR, boasting impressive stats including perfect 99 in Stamina and high ratings in Jumping and Agility.