Bowden, Stenberg part of a record-setting 2020 NFL Draft
Some NFL Draft roundup links:
The 2020 NFL Draft set ratings records. Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports reports, “The main driver behind some unbelievable ratings was the NFL draft being the main event on the sports calendar in April. With most people staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the second day of the NFL draft did numbers that other sports would love for big playoff games.”
The Raiders want Lynn Bowden to play running back. Josh Moore of the Herald-Leader has the report. “Ultimately, he’ll probably be what we call a joker — which I love in Jon’s offense — it’s somebody that’s able to do multiple jobs,” Mike Mayock, the Raiders’ general manager, told reporters Friday. “But day one, he’s going to come in and be a running back. In the SEC two years ago, he caught 60-70 passes as a slot. Last year, as you guys know, he was quarterback/wildcat. He gained over 1,000 yards. We think he’s one of the most athletic, tougher guys in this year’s draft.”
Bowden can do it all. Chase Goodbread of NFL.com writes, “Bowden brings rare run-after-catch skills and was reputed as one of the toughest players on the UK squad. He figures to add the most immediate value in an NFL offense that feeds him the ball on shorter, high-percentage routes, and scouts believe he projects most effectively from the slot position. That figures to complement Ruggs especially well, as Ruggs should provide a blistering-fast deep threat on the outside with the 4.27 speed that led all NFL Scouting Combine participants.”
Logan Stenberg to the Lions. Josh Moore of the H-L reports, “Only one quarterback hurry was attributed to Stenberg last season, and he did not allow a sack throughout. He led the Wildcats with 95 knockdown blocks and 209 blocks at the point of attack, according to the school.”
Lions like Stenberg’s nastiness trait. Justin Rogers of the Detroit News reports, “Stenberg said his ‘nastiness’ developed from being the youngest of four brothers, but that style of play got him in trouble at times with Kentucky, leading to too many penalties. He said knowing the balance of playing aggressive and outside the bounds of the rules is key.”
The SEC dominates the draft. My column says, “SEC players selected in the first three rounds: 40. ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 selections combined in the first three rounds: 37. Just another measuring stick for the ridiculous competition Mark Stoops and his Kentucky Wildcats face most every Saturday in the fall, and confirmation of the job Stoops and his staff have done, especially over the past four years, going 14-16 against that type of talent.”
Some Cats signed free agent deals. Josh Moore reported that Calvin Taylor, Ahmad Wagner and T.J. Carter agreed to deals to be in NFL camps.
Grading the Bengals’ draft class. Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes, “For the first time since 2016, the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t make a draft-day trade – and for good reason. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin and the Bengals had their pick of the litter at the top of each round. Bengals coach Zac Taylor disclosed at his post-draft press conference that the team found a happy medium of selecting the best player available and addressing a position of need.”
Pro Football Focus grades all 32 teams. It writes, “The 2020 NFL Draft is officially in the books. After a flurry of history-making picks and eye-raising selections from Thursday to Saturday, 255 players were selected to join the NFL’s 32 NFL teams. With that, we give you our full draft recap with analysis on each team’s day and every selection made during the weekend.”
Jake Fromm excited to join Bills. Mike Griffith of Dawg Nation reports, “Jake Fromm said he doesn’t know much about Buffalo, other than hearing the hunting and fishing in that area of the country is pretty good. But Fromm made it clear to the Bills media during conference call that he knows plenty about how to lead and compete and handle himself in the locker room.”
Rodrigo Blankenship goes undrafted. Brandon Sudge of the Macon Telegraph reports, “The former Georgia place-kicker will join the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, according to muliple reports Saturday night. Blankenship, one of only three place-kickers invited to the league’s combine in February, was the highest-selected specialist in the draft but did not hear his name called.”
A Bulldog is Mr. Irrelevant. Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald reports, “Georgia’s seven-player NFL draft class Saturday was capped with senior Tae Crowder the final pick of the three-day event. The New York Giants made him the so-called ‘Mr. Irrelevant,’ as the last selection. Crowder went from a reserve running back to a starting inside linebacker for the Bulldogs.”
Jameis Winston headed to the Saints. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports, “It’s one of Jameis Winston’s most repeated phrases: minor setback for a major comeback. And apparently, that’s what is behind his decision to restart his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints.”
Arkansas players soak in event. Bob Holt of the Democrat-Gazette reports, “University of Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks, linebacker Bumper Pool and offensive lineman Dalton Wagner might hear their names called as NFL Draft picks in the next couple of years. Over the weekend, the trio, along with millions of fans, were just glad to be able to watch the draft with the coronavirus shutting down nearly all college and professional sports.”
Packers see Rodgers as a mentor. Ryan Wood of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports, “While neither Brian Gutekunst nor Matt LaFleur gave Rodgers a heads up before drafting his potential heir in Thursday’s first round (unlike what Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman did for Carson Wentz before drafting Jalen Hurts one day later), both spoke with the two-time MVP immediately after. Gutekunst and LaFleur carried the same conversations following those messages: Rodgers is their quarterback for the foreseeable future.”
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 10:27 AM.
