Escape The Pocket

The NFC East’s Biggest Regrets From the 2018 Offseason

As this offseason comes to a close, let’s take a look back at some of the worst moves of the 2018 offseason. The NFC East had a lot of offseason action in 2018, and it is certainly *ahem* interesting to look back at. These moves are the most regrettable that each NFC East team made.

Giants- Signing Nate Solder

The Giants gave the left-tackle a record 4-year $62 million contract in free-agency. The Giants knew they need O-line help, so they signed the best tackle available. Or so they thought. Nate Solder took a big step-back from his days protecting Tom Brady. $62 million was way too much for the 21st-best Tackle in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus.

Redskins- Passing on Derwin James

I would say something about Alex Smith or Derrius Guice here, but I don’t think injuries are really a “regret”. Instead I’ll talk about how the Skins passed on a DROY candidate for Da’ron Payne, who has had so-so production this season. James could have filled a major role for the Redskins. The Redskins released starting safety DJ Swearinger midseason and ended-up trading for Ha-Ha Clinton Dix.

Eagles- Not Setting Themselves Up for Success in 2019

The Eagles are projected to have the least cap space, -$16 million, heading into 2019. Although making the playoffs this year, they have a plethora of holes to fill if they want to go back. In 2018, the team’s cap-space was poorly managed by GM Howie Roseman. This shortsightedness will cost the Eagles as they have few resources with which to patch their many holes.

Cowboys- Lack of WR Investment

The Cowboys midseason acquisition of Amari Cooper proved quite fruitful for a team dying for a quality ball-catcher. But why were they in that situation? They knew receiver was a need going into the 2018 offseason, but they failed to properly address it. They let Dez Bryant leave. They whiffed on WRs twice in the draft. They picked-up Allen Hurns, but he never truly contributed. A great offseason for Dallas, but they definitely failed to address one of their biggest needs.

Pre-Training Camp 2019 NFL Tiered Power Rankings

Welcome back to Escape the Pocket! If you’re new to this blog make sure to take a look around. Anyways, with NFL training camp on the horizon I thought it would be a good time for my inaugural tiered power rankings!

Tier 1- The Elite

1. New England Patriots

The reigning champs are about to experience a gigantic influx of talent, unlike any a defending champ has ever seen. Not only did they select five rookies in the first three rounds of the draft, the Patriots also have many talented players returning from injury. First and Second round picks from 2018, Isaiah Wynn (LT) and Duke Dawson (CB), never played a snap last season after they both suffered season ending injuries. Wynn will likely take over Trent Brown’s role, and Dawson will join an already stacked group of DBs.

2. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts selected three players in the second round of this years draft, and each fills a need. Rock Ya-Sin (CB) will contribute to a somewhat lacking secondary. Ya-Sin is an expert at creating turnovers. Paris Campbell, the speedster from Ohio State, will be a great compliment to the receiving core, and should help open up the entire offense. Linebacker Ben Banogu should join a stacked front-seven rotation. Don’t forget the free agency addition of Justin Houston either. The colts went 9-1 in the last ten games last season, and will ride that momentum into a strong run in 2019.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are incredibly talented, and I expect them to make a deep playoff run this year. They had a quiet free agency, but they did resign some key defensive players. They then nailed their first two draft picks. In the first round they nabbed Jerry Tillery, a high floor with upside defensive tackle. Interior D-line was an area of need heading into the draft, and they addressed it well with that pick. In the second round, the Chargers took another stud defender in Nasir Adderley. Adderley, a safety from Delaware, will fit right into the starting line-up across from Derwin James. The Chargers will have a top offense led by Phillip Rivers and Melvin Gordon. And the defense will be scary with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram rushing, and a stacked DB core defending the pass.

4. New Orleans Saints

The Saints were one missed call away from the Superbowl last year. Some people may have this team ranked higher, but I disagree. The Saints lost Ben Watson to retirement, and Mark Ingram to free agency, in an overall quiet offseason. They then focused almost entirely on defense with their (few) draft picks. Drew Brees is forty years old, and the Saints might experience some unforeseen problems on offense this year.

5. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams had a tough offseason. They lost more than they gained in free agency. All-Pro guard Rodger Saffold left for the Titans, and All-Pro safety Lamarcus Joyner left for the Raiders. Did they try to replace them in free agency? Well, they didn’t sign any O-Lineman, but they did sign the 34-year-old veteran Eric Weddle. So now they look to the draft to fill their hole at guard in the draft, right? Wrong. They didn’t draft a single interior O-Lineman. Though they had a tough offseason, the Rams still have the talent of an elite team.

Tier 2- The Playoff Bound

6. Philadelphia Eagles

7. Dallas Cowboys

8. Kansas City Chiefs

9. Cleveland Browns

10. Chicago Bears

Tier 3- The Wildcard Competitors

11. Atlanta Falcons

12. Baltimore Ravens

13. Seattle Seahawks

14. Tennessee Titans

15. Minnesota Vikings

16. Green Bay Packers

Tier 4- The Hopefuls

17. Houston Texans

18. San Francisco 49ers

19. Pittsburgh Steelers

20. Jacksonville Jaguars

21. Detroit Lions

22. Buffalo Bills

Tier 5- The Longshots

23. New York Jets

24. Carolina Panthers

25. Oakland Raiders

26. Denver Broncos

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tier 6- The Still-Rebuilding

28. Washington Redskins

29. Arizona Cardinals

30. Miami Dolphins

31. New York Giants

32. Cincinnati Bengals

Los Angeles Rams: 2019 Fantasy Football Breakdown & Guide

Hi everyone! Welcome to Escape The Pocket, my new blog that is filled with unique and exclusive NFL content. This post is the first in a series where I will break down the fantasy value of every player on a team. Below is my analysis on every Rams player currently being drafted.

Note: All players are sorted by there ADP (or Average Draft Position) as of July 4th.

1. Todd Gurley, RB (2.05)

Gurley is the biggest wildcard in fantasy football. After a disappointing end to last season where he had minimal touches partly due to a knee injury, people are starting to question the reliability of last year’s number-one fantasy RB. This explains why his ADP currently places him in the middle of the second round, rather than the top of the first. As questions surrounding his health force Gurley’s price into a freefall, he may become an amazing value that will come with some high risk.

2. Brandin Cooks, WR (4.04)

Over the last three seasons, Cooks has averaged over 15 yards per reception. This big-play ability should help him stick out in a crowded LA receiving core. Every time he touches the ball, he’s a threat to go all the way. Brandin Cooks is a high-upside pick at the start of the fourth round.

3. Robert Woods, WR (4.07)

Robert Woods is the antithesis to Brandin Cooks. McVay uses Woods as more of a possession receiver, one who can be relied on to get a new set of downs. Week-to-Week, Woods will be a more reliable option for your team, but lacks explosiveness and upside. If you’re choosing between Cooks and Woods in the fourth round, look at your team so far and assess your needs. Does your team need more upside or reliability?

4. Cooper Kupp, WR (4.12)

After an ACL tear ended Kupp’s 2018 season eight games short, he looks to bounce back in 2019. Knee issues hindered Kupp for much of last season, yet he still managed to average nearly 12 points per game. Jared Goff often looked Kupp’s way first in redzone situations, which led Kupp to score a TD in 6 of his 8 full starts last season. As the redzone target on a high-octane offense, Kupp carries great value at the end of the fourth round.

5. Jared Goff, QB (9.07)

Players such as Goff are the reason it’s always a bad decision to draft a quarterback early. Goff, who is currently being selected around the middle of the ninth round, is an immensely greater value than, for example, Aaron Rodgers in the fifth round. Goff is coming off his best season yet at the helm of the Ram’s offense. He ended the season as the QB six in fantasy points after chucking for nearly 3700 yards and 32 TDs. With Todd Gurley’s health remaining a question mark, Goff may have to take an even greater role in the Ram’s high-flying offense. Another year in McVay’s system and the return of Cooper Kupp will help Goff repeat as a top-six fantasy QB.

6. LA Rams DST (10.04)

I don’t care how good a defense is, but you should NEVER draft one before the fourteenth round. A defense’s performance week-to-week is more dependent on the opponent than the defense itself. No matter how high a defense is drafted you will eventually drop it on a week that it has a bad matchup. The best strategy for drafting a defense is to grab one in the later rounds who you know have a favorable matchup in week one.

My Predictions For The 2019 Rookie Class

Welcome to my new blog Escape the Pocket! If this is your first time on the site make sure to take a look around. Now onto the post…

The NFL draft has come to a close! Now that we know where all the top prospects are headed, lets predict which one’s will have the best campaigns in 2019!

Rushing Yards Leader- Justice Hill, RB Ravens

Justice Hill, the fastest running back in this draft class, should get plenty of opportunities to light up the field in Baltimore. As the second rusher on the depth chart, coincidentally behind Mark Ingram, Hill should play an Alvin Kamara-type in the ravens run-heavy offense. With the additions of receivers Marquise Brown and Myles Boykin, opposing defenses should have trouble covering the already-dynamic Ravens offense. This will open up the field for Hill, and let him do what he does best: Use his blazing fast speed to run past the defense. Note: Hill averaged a stellar 5.9 ypc in 2018 with the Sooners.

Receiving Yards Leader- Noah Fant, TE Broncos

Fant was the best pass-catcher in the NFL draft, and he’s heading to a Denver offense that desperately needs one. Behind only 32-year-old Emmanuel Sanders and the still-developing Courtland Sutton, Fant will soak up a TON of targets from Joe Flacco/ Drew Lock. And there’s no doubt he’ll capitalize on them. Fant averaged 13.9 yards-per-reception over his career at Iowa, and he will flourish in Denver’s system.

Passing Yards Leader- Kyler Murray, QB Cardinals

As the only rookie quarterback expected to start week one, it’s hard not to choose Murray. He’s entering a revamped Arizona offense that should help him thrive from the get-go. Along with HOFer Larry Fitzgerald, Murray will throw passes to the young trio of Hakeem Butler, Andy Isabella, and Christian Kirk. And don’t RB David Johnson, who is one of the best pass-catching backs in the league. Offensive-Minded head coach Kliff Kingsbury will make sure Murray shines in his rookie campaign.

Sack Leader- Brian Burns, DE Panthers

Burns was one of the most athletic prospects in the entire draft, and, with expert coaching from the Panthers defensive staff, he will rack up sacks in his rookie season. Behind only 32-year-olds Bruce Irvin and Mario Addison, Burns should be an immediate starter in Carolina, or at least a strong member of their rotation. Burns was a high upside pick, and I bet it’ll pay-off huge for the pass-rush-needy Panthers. He may end up as the steal of the draft.

Offensive Rookie Of The Year- Josh Jacobs, RB Raiders

Three of the last four OROTYs have been running backs, and that trend should continue with Jacobs. As the best RB in the draft, Jacobs will walk into a starting role in Oakland. And Oakland is not a bad place to running in 2019. The formidable duo of Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams will stretch the field, leaving holes for Jacobs to operate. I have no doubt that head coach Gruden will try to pound the ground as much as possible, and Jacobs will capitalize as the sole rushing option on that squad.

Defensive Rookie Of The Year- Quinnen Williams, DT Jets

Debatably the the best overall prospect in the draft, Williams will hit the ground running in year one with the Jets. We all know he has the talent to succeed. He has the size to succeed. He had insane production last year in ‘Bama with eight sacks and 19.5 (!) tackles for loss. On top of all that, the Jets have no starting caliber DTs other than Williams. There’s really no reason he won’t succeed in his rookie campaign, and immense production should earn him this high honor come next year. Best of all, Williams is still getting better.