Matt's Draft Journal

Having previously mentioned the evolution of the different positions on the field due to the style of play in the NFL recently transforming to it's present day form, possibly no other position has been affected more than the wide receiver on offense and cornerback position on the defensive side of the ball.  As running backs and linebackers have been tasked to be more skilled in recent years, the personnel and preference of today's NFL definitely has suited the wide receiver position as much as any spot on the field.  With approximately two thirds of plays ran in the NFL featuring at least three wide receivers, the cornerback position has had to counter with more quality depth at the position than ever before.  This is best illustrated as 43 cornerbacks account for a NFL Scouting Combine record high 70 defensive backs in total. Lengthy cornerbacks with long reach that have been highly coveted in recent years, as many defenses utilized press coverage which is often dicta...

Similar to the safety position, as I mentioned in my previous post , both the running back and linebacker positions have evolved within the NFL in recent years, as the game has shifted towards more of an inclination for smaller, leaner players who typically possess speed and quickness over strength and quantity in size. The era of the 220 pound tailback following a bulky, bull-headed fullback and colliding in the hole with a 250 pound linebacker twenty or so times a game are extinct.  Backs today are largely invaluable in the modern game if they can't contribute to some capacity in the passing game, essentially serving as half a player on the field in terms of value and versatility. In the same breathe, linebackers who are unable to factor in to the passing game, whether it be as an effective blitzer or decent, if not capable, in coverage, also lose value and make it difficult for them to be utilized as an every down player, which can limit their potential long term viability of st...

In recent years as the style of play in the NFL has transitioned to a more open-space, spread the field, type of game, the role of the safety position has evolved along with nearly every other position on the field.  In large part, gone are the days of the true distinction of a free safety and strong safety.  With more and more unique personnel playing a large percent of snaps and calling for a fifth defensive back (cornerback or safety) to be on the field, safeties in the NFL have to be capable of playing both near the line of scrimmage and in space, at least to a degree.  Players still have body types and skill sets that may make them more suitable and comfortable playing in the box, while others may be more effective in coverage and playing over the top of the defense.  Regardless, safeties in the NFL today must have enough ability and awareness to execute from multiple spots and be capable of at least being relied upon to play in different areas on the field so t...

With each year late February arises those who closely follow the NFL turn their eyes towards the annual event of the NFL Scouting Combine, held in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts.  Routinely, media and various personnel from each team in the NFL make their way to "Indy" to set their eyes on and evaluate the next wave of prospects that make up the future of the league.  While certain players come into the event with a name made for themselves having graced the largest stages of college football and received national coverage by the media, making them recognizable amongst fans throughout the last few years, there are always a group of prospects each year that arrive at the combine as a relative unknown, not only amongst fans and the media, but also somewhat of a mystery to various teams in the league.  Nevertheless, each of the 336 prospects invited to participate at the combine has performed well enough during their career to garner the atte...