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Kyle Brandt: Steelers ‘Instructed Largest Lie’ Of Week 1, Will Be Ready To Get Off The Mat Shifting Ahead

Daily SF News — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 02:01:50 +0000

The stock of the Pittsburgh Steelers was on a fast track to the moon heading into the 2023 season.

Then, in Week One against the San Francisco 49ers, that stock came crashing back to Earth like a lead balloon.

Things went sideways quickly in a 30-7 loss at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore in a much-anticipated season opener.

For Good Morning Football co-host and popular NFL Network personality Kyle Brandt, he believes that the Steelers “told the biggest lie” in Week One and that they’ll be just fine and will bounce back.

In his latest 10 Takes with Kyle Brandt podcast, he emphasized that Week One lies to people when it comes to results in the NFL.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again to you: Week One is a liar. It is a pathological liar. Let me make sure you understand: there are teams in Week One that looked like garbage but will have home playoff games this year. There are teams that looked like Super Bowl teams but will miss the playoffs. You can look it up historically; Week One is a liar,” Brandt said on his 10 Takes podcast. “Who told the biggest lie in Week One? …I think it’s the Steelers … I think that the Steelers are going to get off the mat. I just think they ran into the best team in football in the 49ers.”

It’s not at all surprising that Brandt remains in on the Steelers and believes in them despite the lopsided loss in Week One. All summer long Brandt was seemingly driving the Steelers’ hype train, stating early on in the summer that he was picking them to make the playoffs because of Mike Tomlin and Kenny Pickett, well before the hype got out of control in the preseason.

Though the loss was an ugly one for the Steelers with them getting beat up in all three phases, chances are they just were dominated by the best team in football when it’s all said and done. It would not be at all shocking to see the 49ers hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the year in Las Vegas.

They are that good.

It’s also not surprising that the Steelers have some work to do. While Pittsburgh did a great job reshaping the roster this offseason through free agency, via a trade and in the 2023 NFL Draft, they are still a work in progress and need real reps and adversity to build upon and come together. Though training camp was rather intense and the starters played quite a bit in the preseason, there’s nothing like regular season football.

There’s also nothing like playing the 49ers, too, apparently.

Brandt has faith the Steelers will get off the mat and will be who everyone thought they were going to be, this time in Week Two. We’ll see if Pittsburgh — already pretty banged up — can get off the mat in primetime on Monday Night Football in Week Two.

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Kyle Hendricks pitches 7 2/3 no-hit innings vs. Giants

Daily SF News — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 03:30:11 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO — The Chicago Cubs, stuck in fourth place in the National League Central, were in desperate need of a series win over the Giants. You earned this Saturday, but almost got more.

Right-hander Kyle Hendricks put up a no-hitter in the eighth inning and was four outs from throwing the Majors’ first pitch of the year before Giants left fielder Mitch Haniger hit a full-count pitch into the gap in the left midfield hit Clean two-out double.

Hendricks quickly grabbed a third out and watched Julian Merryweather complete a combined one-hitter and a 4-0 win, giving the Cubs a chance to win the series on Sunday and with a respectable 5-5 Game against San Diego to return to Chicago. Anaheim and San Francisco.

Hendricks’ only blemish before the Haniger goal was a one-out walk on Michael Conforto in the second inning.

The 33-year-old, longtime Cub was attempting to throw the 18th no-hitter in franchise history in just his fourth start of the season after missing nearly 11 months with a ruptured right shoulder capsule.

Counting pitches became a problem for Hendricks, despite the Giants’ batsmen being aggressive and making many early countouts. Hendricks threw 81 pitches in seven innings. He hadn’t pitched more than six innings or 86 pitches in any of his first three starts after rehab.

But the first two Giants hitters in the eighth inning helped Hendricks by knocking out four pitches total.

The outcome of the game did not seem in doubt.

Matt Mervis hit a home run against Jakob Junis and started the third inning. Christopher Morel broke a 0-for-22 with a home run on Junis early in the fourth set and added a two-out, two-run single in the fifth set to chase Junis down.

Mike Tauchman had a crucial hit in the inning, a double that put two runners in goal position with an out, but he helped Hendricks much more in midfield.

With an out in the third set, Tauchman went left center when Brandon Crawford made a drive to the warning line right of center. Tauchman stole what appeared to be extra bases from Crawford with a sweeping catch and held the ball as it slammed onto the dirt.

Tauchman played for the Giants in 2021 and is known in San Francisco for a lone catch when he vaulted the left field wall at Dodger Stadium in the ninth inning of a tie game with two outs, robbing Albert Pujols of what appeared to be the world coming together Walk-off home run.

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49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Imprecise on Beginning QB Shifting Ahead

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 11:18:19 +0000

Getty

Jimmy Garoppolo throws the soccer ball into the rain during the 49ers’ loss to the Colts on Sunday October 24th.

The trust Kyle Shanahan has in Jimmy Garoppolo seems to look and sound vague.

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers watched his team suffer a sloppy 30:18 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, October 24, and witnessed his quarterback throw two late interceptions through the rainy Bay Area skies .

Losing 12 points gave the 49ers their fourth straight defeat. The moment the question was put to Shanahan whether Jimmy G is the man who goes forward, Shanahan gave that answer.

“I would guess,” said Shanahan, heard at 3:15 in the post-game press downstairs.

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49ers coach Kyle Shanahan talks about Jimmy Garoppolo’s future as the team’s starting QB | CBS Spor …Hear from 49ers manager Kyle Shanahan after his team lost to the Colts in Sunday Night Football. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL: youtube.com/user/CBSSportsHQ FOLLOW US ON: Facebook – facebook.com/CBSSports/ Instagram – instagram.com/cbssportshq/ Twitter – twitter.com/CBSSportsHQ #NFL #SundayNightFootball #Colts # 49ers2021-10-25T05: 11: 48Z

The 41-year-old head coach then added that his assessment will be done in the movie room and when reviewing the squad’s available health.

“I’ll look at this tape and see if the boys are healthy first. I don’t even know where our boys are, ”Shanahan said. “It was good for Jimmy to get healthy enough today to play in this game.”

Shanahan indicates fights

Shanahan didn’t want to blame it on the rainfall, which brought a torrent to the grass at Levi Stadium and made football slippery.

His attack only made 181 yards through the rain … and not a single finish went beyond 30 yards.

“I think we had a lot of trouble throwing and catching a lot more than they did, that’s what it looked like,” Shanahan said. “I didn’t think there were a lot of bad choices. Just missed a couple of litters. Obviously he missed the ball a couple of times. “

While Deebo Samuel was a ray of hope for the 49ers with his 7-catch, 100-yard and one touchdown evening, Garoppolo targeted him the most with 11 attempts on his side – including that late interception with three Colt defenders nearby and Xavier Rhodes who snap up The Pick.

In the evening, the 49ers flipped the ball four times. However, Shanahan didn’t spend all of his press answering whether or not to remain committed to Garoppolo or not to return to rookie Trey Lance.

“I have a whole team to worry about,” Shanahan said. “Don’t just think about what the quarterback situation is like right now. I’ll evaluate everything, see where our team stands, see what gives us the best chance of beating Chicago, and see what our options are. You go into this every week and figure out your options. We had two quarterbacks injured this week. Jimmy could come back and play. We’ll see if Trey can (play) next week, we’re not sure yet, but I have a lot of things to find out. “

Jimmy G says 49ers must “execute”

Meanwhile, Garoppolo admits that the act begins with him.

“I don’t have a specific thing. Whatever game is called, we have to go out there and play it, ”said Garoppolo. “It’s about investing more time and effort, staying longer, more hours, the little things at this point. The NFL is a crazy thing. One week you’ll be at the top and the next at the bottom. Every team has its ups and downs and we are currently at the bottom, but we can defend ourselves. “

And what about the morale of Jimmy G and the now 2-4 49ers?

“We are a close team at the moment. It starts with me, no doubt, ”said Garoppolo. “But we have a good group of guys and we have to get back to work.”

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VideoVideo related to 49ers hc kyle shanahan vague about starting qb forward2021-10-25T14: 02: 34-04: 00

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Wrongful Loss of life Lawsuit Filed Towards Redwood Metropolis Police In 2018 Capturing Of Kyle Hart – CBS San Francisco

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 01:46:54 +0000

REDWOOD CITY (BCN) – The wife of a man who was killed by a Redwood City police officer in 2018 after her husband attempted suicide filed a lawsuit against Redwood City and the officers involved in federal court in San Francisco on Tuesday.

According to police, on December 20, 2018, officers reacted to a house on 400 block of Lincoln Avenue in Redwood City and met Kyle Hart in the back yard of the house, armed with a butcher’s knife.

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Hart allegedly ran towards officers who were still holding the knife, and although Officer Leila Velez used a taser on him, it was ineffective. Then Officer Roman Gomez shot Hart.

Hart, who had already suffered self-inflicted wounds on his arms and neck, was taken to hospital, where he later died.

According to John Burris, attorney for Kyle Hart’s wife Kristin Hart, the entire police reaction took just 29 seconds.

“This is a situation in which Mr. Hart suffered. His wife had reported this and the police had no plan to de-escalate. As soon as they saw Mr. Hart, they actually killed him, ”Burris said. “Time, distance, and re-evaluation could have been done and none of it was. Instead it was ‘fools rush in’. “

Kristin Hart said that her husband, a native Redwood City American and a teacher at Frank S. Greene Middle School in Palo Alto, recently became scared and was on medication, even though he has not had any past violence.

Kristin Hart held back tears and described Kyle Hart as a kind, loving teacher and father of two.

“He loved his life and had no intention of dying that day. I asked 911 for help as we are trained to do it. Instead of helping, the police came with guns drawn and shot him in our back yard, ”she said. “I don’t know who you thought were there to serve and protect that day, but it wasn’t my family.”

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In addition to Redwood City, the lawsuit also named Gomez and Velez as defendants, as well as Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland.

The suit claims that both Gomez and Velez failed to provide medical care to Kyle Hart after the shooting and were handcuffed when he was fatally gunshot when the paramedics arrived.

Although Gomez was initially placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting, criminal charges were never brought against Gomez and Velez, and both remain employed by the Redwood City Police Department.

The action is aimed at unspecified damages.

Kristin Hart said she filed the lawsuit after failing to reach an agreement with Redwood City officials about policy changes.

“What I would like to see is a comprehensive approach to how the Redwood City Police Department respond to a person in a mental crisis. The right equipment and training are part of it and must be based on a culture that really values everyone, ”said Kristin Hart.

In a statement, Redwood City officials said while they were unable to comment on active litigation, they have since partnered with San Mateo County Behavior and Recovery Services to set up a pilot program to deal with people in mental health crisis.

“The loss of life is always tragic, as is the case with the death of Mr. Hart. City officials have appreciated the opportunity to work with the Hart family in the past and hear their recommendations on police policies, ”Redwood City officials said.

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NFL exec on 49ers: “I simply do not buy Kyle Shanahan shifting up all the best way to 3 for Mac Jones”

Sat, 03 Apr 2021 16:02:30 +0000

Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers

The Athletic’s Mike Sando made his round of the league asking about the San Francisco 49ers who traded to # 3 overall to pick a quarterback. Even if the two best picks are viewed as bans – Trevor Lawrence for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Zach Wilson for the New York Jets – no one is really sure about the 49ers’ plan.

There is speculation – a lot of it.

Given its history with quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Matt Ryan, many believe that San Francisco was traded in for Mac Jones of Alabama. Two NFL executives who spoke to Sando can see that. Whether or not they agree with the possible choices is a different story.

“I heard you think really seriously about Mac Jones and it would blow my mind,” one of the executives told Sando. “If you’d asked Alabama who their starting quarterback would be a year ago, it wouldn’t have been Mac Jones.”

A third manager isn’t sure Jones is the reason the 49ers dropped multiple first-round picks to jump to the top of the draft regulation.

“I don’t think they rose for Mac Jones,” the nameless person told Sando. “I think it’s North Dakota State (Lance) but it could be Ohio State (Fields). They keep Garoppolo for a year, redshirt the rookie and then if everything goes according to plan they have a Kansas City situation with them Mahomes.

“I suspect Carolina or Denver pull the trigger on Mac Jones or the bears go up, but I’m not buying Kyle Shanahan, who goes up to three for Mac Jones.”

That should come as a relief for 49ers fans who feel that Jones could have been acquired with a lower range – or they didn’t want Jones at all. There seems to be a range in giving so much draft capital to a player whose cap may be lower than Justin Fields or Trey Lance’s.

Obviously, this is a choice that will change the franchise and that Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch will have to make. Failure could be devastating for the organization.

More San Francisco 49ers News

NFL teams believe 49ers are “bluffing” over Jimmy Garoppolo plans

By David Bonilla

March 28, 2021

Throughout the off-season, the San Francisco 49ers have insisted that Jimmy Garoppolo stay on the team’s plans for at least 2021. You haven’t wavered even after trading until the third stop in the upcoming draft, presumably to pick a future quarterback. “Jimmy is here to stay. He’s our guy this year,” a 49ers source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Keeping Garoppolo for at least one more season might make sense, even after San Francisco picks up one of the top quarterback candidates in this year’s draft class. The team can afford it after clearing some salary caps. Should the 49ers land a Trey Lance or Justin Fields, the young quarterback could sit for a season

Jeremiah: The majority of the NFL think the deal was the 49ers for Mac Jones

By David Bonilla

March 29, 2021

It sounds like the majority of the NFL believes that the San Francisco 49ers, who climbed from 12th to 3rd last week, should have the right to draw Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, not Justin Fields the state of Ohio or Trey Lance from Alabama North Dakota State. Of course, maybe that’s exactly what the 49ers want the league to be. There are so many fog screens in the design that it is difficult to predict what might happen. That’s part of the appeal. Even so, NFL Media’s draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah revealed what a lot of people in the league are hearing – that head coach Kyle Shanahan and San Francisco Jones, who most believe they are the fifth best quarterback in this year’s draft class, covet. “Well I think the majority of the people in the league

49ers, NFL teams can begin Phase 1 of the OTAs on April 19th

By David Bonilla

March 30, 2021

The NFL has informed the teams that they can begin Phase 1 of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Monday April 19, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. There remains some uncertainty about what the offseason program might look like given the impact of COVID-19. How much is going to be personal versus virtual? The NFL announced today to clubs that they can begin Phase 1 of the OTAs on April 19, per source. Players are still allowed to train in small groups at the facility, as many have done. The NFL and NFLPA will soon continue to discuss virtual and face-to-face meetings and field work. – Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)

NFL officially expands the regular season schedule to 17 games per team and creates 49ers in the Bengals Matchup

By David Bonilla

March 30, 2021

Big changes are coming up for the coming season. Today, the NFL announced that the regular season schedule for each team would include 17 games instead of the 16 fixture lists that have been a staple since 1978. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported this first. NFL owners have officially approved the regular season of 17 games starting in 2021. – Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 30, 2021 According to Ian

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Two-Spherical 2021 NFL Mock Draft: San Francisco picks Justin Fields, Kyle Pitts lands with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati | NFL Draft

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 11:44:51 +0000

The San Francisco 49ers, after agreeing to a blockbuster trade-up, took a blowtorch to every 2021 NFL mock draft created beforehand. General manager John Lynch sent two future first-round picks and a 2022 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins to swap their 2021 No. 12 overall pick for Miami’s No. 3 overall pick, all but ensuring that head coach Kyle Shanahan will have a new rookie quarterback on his roster this upcoming season.

The Dolphins proceeded to trade a 2022 first-round pick, a 2021 fourth-round pick and the No. 12 selection in 2021 to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 6 pick and a fifth-rounder. Miami reenters the top-end wide receiver market (Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith) with the second trade, while Philly trades six draft order spots for a future first-rounder to help build around second-year signal-caller Jalen Hurts (for now).

Let’s stoke the flames a bit. Here’s a new two-round 2021 NFL mock draft with the above trades reflected in the draft order.

View PFF’s 2021 NFL Draft position rankings:

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | iOL | DI | EDGE | LB | CB | S

1. Jacksonville Jaguars — QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

The flurry of trades this past Friday in no way impacts the Jaguars’ selection at No. 1 overall. Trevor Lawrence is the obvious choice for Urban Meyer and company — and that’s been the case since the team secured the No. 1 overall selection in December.

2. New York Jets — QB Zach Wilson, BYU

Multiple analysts have said the Jets are locking into former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson as the No. 2 overall pick in April. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said an NFL scout texted him during BYU’s Pro Day on Friday: “Draft starts at 3. Wilson going 2.”

Fortunately for Jets fans, Wilson is the best-case scenario for the team. Betting on the elusive fourth-year breakout from Sam Darnold is not New York’s quickest path to relevance again. Wilson is PFF’s No. 2 overall player and quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft and a much better prospect than Darnold was even before his career derailed into a series of “wow” throws on Twitter and helpless optimism.

PFF’s Mike Renner also recently compared Wilson and Ohio State’s Justin Fields in an article for PFF.com, in which he said:

“The only way I’d go Fields over Wilson is if I had an offensive coordinator who needed a rushing threat at the quarterback position. Otherwise, Fields’ issues with holding onto the ball combined with Wilson’s elite off-platform ability and arm talent ultimately gives the BYU quarterback the nod.”

PFF’s Seth Galina also praised Wilson in his article comparing the former Cougars quarterback to another significant pre-draft riser in Joe Burrow, calling out Wilson’s notable arm talent as a key separator between the two prospects. And no quarterback in college football posted a higher grade than Wilson in 2020.

3. San Francisco 49ers (via Miami Dolphins) — QB Justin Fields, Ohio State

The 49ers didn’t trade two future first-round picks and a future third-round pick to give Jimmy Garoppolo another wide receiver or add to the secondary. With all signs pointing to Lawrence and Wilson being the first two players off the board, general manager John Lynch knew it was his time to strike and secure his next favorite quarterback prospect. And while there’s been some speculation that the 49ers will take either North Dakota State’s Trey Lance or even former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, PFF’s pick at No. 3 overall would be Ohio State’s Justin Fields.

The concerns with Fields’ processing and his tendency to hold the ball too long in the pocket are valid, but the prospect of his development in those areas coupled with his proven athletic ability and accuracy should be too good for San Francisco to pass on. Fields is PFF’s No. 3 overall player and No. 3 quarterback prospect in the 2021 class. He’s also the only quarterback in this class with two years of 90.0-plus PFF grades (2019-20).

Frisco, Texas, USA; North Dakota State Bison quarterback Trey Lance (5) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Toyota Stadium. Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

4. New England Patriots (via Atlanta Falcons) — QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State

Bill Belichick didn’t spend north of $130 million in guaranteed money this offseason — the second-most of any NFL team in a single offseason in league history — to watch his Patriots play themselves into a worse pick in 2022 without their quarterback of the future on the roster. New England wore its checkbook thin knowing it can afford to do so with Cam Newton making backup money on a one-year deal and a rookie contract at the quarterback position pending.

Atlanta is pot-committed to Matt Ryan for two years after restructuring his contract during free agency. Per Over the Cap, the Falcons take on $65 million in dead money if Ryan is traded prior to June 1. And the team takes on $40.5 million in dead money if it trades him before June 1, 2022.

While it’s enticing to stay put at No. 4 and secure the best non-quarterback in the class, Atlanta would be foolish to not sell the pick to the highest bidder looking to come up for Lance or even Jones. Adding at least two future top-50 picks to move down 11 spots in this situation is better than any single non-quarterback selection at No. 4 overall, and that includes Kyle Pitts, Ja’Marr Chase, Penei Sewell, etc.

New England will need to give up a lot of draft capital to do it, but it doesn’t have much of a choice. The Patriots likely won’t be drafting in the top 15 again in the Belichick era, especially after improving as much as they did this offseason. They’re in a very similar spot as San Francisco in that both teams have too good of coaches to ever draft in the top five but also too middling of quarterbacks to ever go the full distance.

Get aggressive, bet on Belichick and add a cost-controlled rookie contract at quarterback to balance the free agency decisions and give the team a high-ceiling prospect at the most important position in football.

5. Cincinnati Bengals — TE Kyle Pitts, Florida

While there is a chance a team is desperate enough to inquire about the Bengals’ pick at No. 5 in an attempt to secure Mac Jones, I expect there to be a calmer market for the former ‘Bama quarterback’s services. And if that is the case and the team’s phone isn’t ringing with trade-down offers, Cincinnati should sprint the card in for Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.

Pitts and former Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell are similar in that they’re both arguably the best prospects we’ve seen at their respective positions in five-plus years. You can’t go wrong with either player at No. 5 overall, but the bigger impact in the wins column (and Joe Burrow’s development) comes with adding Pitts as a weapon for the offense than securing Sewell’s services as an upgrade over either former first-round pick Jonah Williams or newly signed veteran Riley Reiff.

Pitts can immediately be the Bengals’ top receiving option and a top-five tight end in the NFL as a rookie — he’s that good.

6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia Eagles) — WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

I disagree with the value of trading a future first-round pick to move up just six spots and draft a wide receiver, but we’re playing with the cards Miami dealt. And while the content that would follow a Mac Jones selection at No. 6 for Miami would light the internet on fire, a near-lateral move at quarterback doesn’t feel close to as valuable as taking the class’ top receiver prospect in Chase.

The Dolphins need to do everything in their power to answer the pressing multi-million dollar question: Is Tua Tagovailoa the guy? Fitting him with as many weapons as possible is the fastest track to answering that.

Related: It’s too early to write off Tua Tagovailoa, but the Miami Dolphins should still draft a top quarterback via Kevin Cole

7. Detroit Lions — OT Penei Sewell, Oregon

I’d include a kneecap joke here if the bit wasn’t already played out in January. Plus, the better joke to be had is the sheer state of Detroit’s roster.

Dan Campbell’s Lions are one of Vegas’ favorites to pick No. 1 overall in 2022. With Jared Goff replacing Matthew Stafford and Kenny Golladay now suiting up for the New York Giants, Detroit’s offense is well on its way to being a bottom-five unit in the NFL this season. Give Spencer Rattler, Sam Howell, Kedon Slovis or the field a fighting chance in 2022 and add the best non-quarterback in this class.

8. Carolina Panthers — QB Mac Jones, Alabama

Carolina might have been the biggest loser of the 49ers-Dolphins trade. While the early offseason rumors were chock full of Panthers trade-up scenarios or Deshaun Watson jersey swaps, Friday’s trades and more than 15 civil lawsuits involving Watson have collectively blurred the Panthers’ future under center.

An in-division trade between Carolina and Atlanta is unlikely, even if the Panthers are willing to send the farm to come up to No. 4 overall. There’s still hope that one of the four best prospects makes it to Cincinnati at No. 5 overall, but the more likely scenario is the fifth-best quarterback in the class — which is Jones, in PFF’s opinion — still being on the board for Carolina at No. 8 to ultimately settle on.

Jones isn’t a clear-cut upgrade over current starter Teddy Bridgewater, but he’s not an obvious downgrade, either. Plus, he’ll come significantly cheaper. The Panthers can afford to spend big in free agency once Bridgewater’s contract is off the books in hopes of building a supporting cast good enough for Jones to win with in the NFL.

9. Denver Broncos — LB Micah Parsons, Penn State

The Broncos’ biggest need is quarterback, but if Carolina and New England target signal-callers early in the draft, it’s likely five will have come off the board before Denver’s selection at No. 9 overall. Vic Fangio and company would have no choice but to enter the 2021 season with Drew Lock as the starter and take the best player available in the first round.

Fangio can get the best out of Parsons at the next level and should put him in a position to make an immediate impact at off-ball linebacker.

10. Dallas Cowboys — CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

Patrick Surtain II likely solidified his spot as the top cornerback to come off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft with his Pro Day. His 87.0 PFF grade in 2020 also led all college cornerbacks with at least 400 defensive snaps.

11. New York Giants — WR Devonta Smith, Alabama

DeVonta Smith’s reported weight (170 pounds) shouldn’t keep the Giants from pulling the trigger on the Heisman Trophy winner if he falls into their laps at No. 11 overall. And while the team did just break the bank for former Detroit Lions receiver Kenny Golladay, Smith is an instant upgrade over Darius Slayton or Sterling Shepard — one who will benefit from playing a rotational role split between the outside and the slot.

Similar to Miami’s situation with Tua Tagovailoa, New York needs to do everything it can to see if Daniel Jones can be “the guy” for the franchise before making the decision to either move on from him or offer an extension. Adding Smith is a step in that direction.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins via San Francisco 49ers) — CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

Horn’s combination of athleticism and physicality is rare for the cornerback position. He allowed just eight catches on 24 targets for 116 yards in the seven games he played in 2020.

13. Los Angeles Chargers — OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

A former three-star recruit, Slater earned 75.0 and 76.6 PFF grades playing right tackle for Northwestern as a true freshman and sophomore in 2017 and 2018, respectively. His PFF grade jumped to 90.0 in his first season starting at left tackle for the Wildcats in 2019. He immediately fills a need for the Chargers, regardless of whether he plays tackle or interior offensive line at the next level.

College Park, MD, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) and linebacker Jordan Glasgow (29) prior to the snap against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

14. Minnesota Vikings — Edge Kwity Paye, Michigan

Paye is a rare athlete who won’t last deep into the first round if he tests as well as expected at the 2021 NFL scouting combine. He also produced the fourth-best PFF pass-rush win rate (26%) of any Power Five edge defender in the country in 2020.

15. Atlanta Falcons (via New England Patriots) — WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

Waddle is arguably a better receiver prospect than Henry Ruggs III was coming out of Alabama in 2020. An explosive, dynamic athlete, Waddle ranks inside the top five in yards per route run (3.64) and yards after the catch per reception (11.5) over the past two seasons. Adding him to play inside and split outside reps with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley would give Matt Ryan every reason to lead a top-flight offense in 2021.

16. Arizona Cardinals — Edge Jaelan Phillips, Miami (Fla.)

Jaelan Phillips was regarded as the No. 1 overall recruit by the 247Sports Composite coming out of Redlands East Valley High School. He racked up 218 tackles, 30.5 sacks and two interceptions in his junior and senior seasons combined en route to being tagged as a five-star recruit.

However, Phillips suffered three severe concussions early in his UCLA career that led to him retiring from football ahead of the 2019 season. He eventually returned to the game to play for Miami (Fla.) in 2020 and turned in one of the better seasons of any pass-rusher in the country. The concussion concerns will drive all of the conversation surrounding Phillips, but there’s no arguing he’s one of the most purely talented defensive prospects in the class.

17. Las Vegas Raiders — OT Christan Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

Darrisaw was one of the bigger college football breakouts in 2020. A former three-star recruit out of Maryland, he improved his grade from 68.6 starting at left tackle in 2018 up to 95.6 playing the same position in 2020. The 6-foot-5, 350-pounder earned himself some money this season, for sure.

18. Miami Dolphins — Edge Jayson Oweh, Penn State

One of several developmental edge prospects in this class, Oweh is athletic and bendy for the position but lacks high-end college production. He earned just an 81.8 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2019 and an 80.3 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2020. However, he is a project worth investing in the back end of the first round for a Titans team in desperate need of some juice along the edge.

19. Washington Football Team — OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State

Jenkins improved his PFF grade in each of his past three seasons at Oklahoma State, working all the way up to 92.0 in 2020. He is a road grader in the run game and a brick wall against bull-rush types in pass protection. Turn on his tape against Texas’ Joseph Ossai, and you’ll quickly understand the hype.

20. Chicago Bears — Edge Azeez Ojulari, Georgia

Ojulari is the best pure speed rusher in the 2021 class and should pick up wins along the outside edge early in his NFL career. The former Georgia standout has freaky explosiveness and the bend to turn the corner and finish at the quarterback. He earned a 91.7 pass-rushing grade that ranked second among all FBS edge defenders in 2020.

21. Indianapolis Colts — WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

Bateman isn’t a freak athlete with high-end top speed, but he’s still one of the best pure separators in this class because of his ability to get off the line of scrimmage and win with efficient route-running. The former Minnesota standout led the country in yards per route from an outside alignment as a sophomore in 2019.

22. Tennessee Titans — WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss

Losing Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith in the same offseason should put Tennessee in a prime position to target a wide receiver at No. 22 overall, and Elijah Moore would be a huge value for Ryan Tannehill and company. Moore was one of the most productive receivers in the country for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, finishing the 2020 season with the third-highest PFF receiving grade in the country (92.4).

23. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks) — CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II is a perfect fit for Robert Saleh’s zone-heavy defense. He has great click-and-close ability along with high-end balls skills that should translate to early production in New York.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers — Edge Gregory Rousseau, Miami (Fla)

Rousseau is far from a polished prospect, but the former Miami defender is a high-end athlete with ridiculous size and length for the position (6-foot-6, 260 pounds). He earned a 76.2 PFF grade playing up and down the line of scrimmage for the Hurricanes in 2019 and can immediately step in as a chess piece in Pittsburgh’s defense while he develops his pass-rushing skill set.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) — S Tre’von Moehrig, TCU

The Jaguars need to continue to invest draft capital in the secondary. Sidney Jones is the only Jacksonville defender with 100-plus snaps at outside cornerback and a PFF grade above 61.0. Rookie C.J. Henderson should continue to get better with experience as long as he can stay healthy, but the rest of the depth chart is a bit of a mess.

Moehrig (6-foot-2, 202 pounds) is the best free safety prospect in the 2021 class and should be coveted for his physical tools and ball production come April’s draft.

26. Cleveland Browns — DI Christian Barmore, Alabama

Barmore’s consistency at Alabama is one reason to be concerned about him as a high-end prospect, but his performances in the Crimson Tide’s bouts with Notre Dame and Ohio State in the College Football Playoff are some of the best we’ve seen from any defensive tackle in this class.

Buying into the high end and continuing to develop Barmore (RS So.) at the next level is a worthwhile investment for the Browns at No. 26, especially knowing the lack of depth in the 2021 defensive tackle class.

Columbia, Missouri, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. (6) runs against Missouri Tigers safety Martez Manuel (3) during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

27. Baltimore Ravens — WR Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU

Terrace Marshall Jr. is a big-bodied wide receiver who can play in the slot or on the outside at the next level. He can immediately be what the Ravens hoped Miles Boykin would develop into over the past two seasons.

28. New Orleans Saints — CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

Currently PFF’s top-ranked cornerback and No. 14 overall player in the 2021 class, Farley is a fluid athlete with all the tools necessary to dominate at outside cornerback in the NFL. Before opting out of the 2020 season and declaring for the draft, the 6-foot-2, 207-pounder earned a 90.5 PFF coverage grade that ranked third among Power Five cornerbacks in 2019.

While Farley could very well be the best cornerback to come out of the 2021 class, concerns with his back injury and his sheer lack of experience at outside cornerback could lead to him being available for the Saints at No. 28.

29. Green Bay Packers — LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame

An elite athlete with some of the best pure explosiveness in the class, Owusu-Koramoah can quickly become one of the league’s best coverage linebackers if he continues to develop at the position. He excelled in coverage while playing the bulk of his snaps split between the box and slot cornerback positions.

30. Buffalo Bills — OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State

Radunz is a big riser up draft boards coming off his stellar performance at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl. He also earned 79.1 and 87.2 pass-blocking grades in his 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively. The Bills already have starters at both left and right tackle in Daryl Williams and Dion Dawkins, but getting younger and cheaper at a premium position while adding depth is a good use of draft capital for a team with few holes and a soon-to-be highly paid quarterback.

31. Kansas City Chiefs — OT Sam Cosmi, Texas

One of the better athletes at his position, the 6-foot-7, 309-pound Cosmi earned 82.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grades in all three of his years at Texas. He also posted a 90.5 PFF overall grade in 2020.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — OT Walker Little, Stanford

Walker Little would be coveted as one of the best players in this class if he didn’t miss nearly all of the 2019 season and opt out of the 2020 season. He’s a former five-star recruit with ridiculous athleticism for his size. Tristan Wirfs was a home run for the Bucs a year ago, and Little could be exactly that as a developmental piece behind Donovan Smith while the veteran plays out the rest of his contract.

Round 2

33. Jacksonville Jaguars — CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State

34. New York Jets — OT/OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC

35. Atlanta Falcons — Edge Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest

36. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) — LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

37. Philadelphia Eagles — WR Rondale Moore, Purdue

38. Cincinnati Bengals — OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

39. Miami Dolphins (via Carolina Panthers) — OG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State

40. Denver Broncos — OT/OG Jackson Carman, Clemson

41. Detroit Lions — LB Nick Bolton, Missouri

42. New York Giants — C Landon Dickerson, Alabama

43. San Francisco 49ers — LB Jabril Cox, LSU

44. Dallas Cowboys — DI Alim McNeill, NC State

45. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Minnesota Vikings) — WR Dyami Brown, UNC

46. Atlanta Falcons (via New England Patriots) — CB/S Elijah Molden, Washington

47. Los Angeles Chargers — CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia

48. Las Vegas Raiders — S Richie Grant, UCF

49. Arizona Cardinals — RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

50. Miami Dolphins — Edge Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma

51. Washington Football Team — OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame

52. Chicago Bears — CB Aaron Robinson, UCF

53. Tennessee Titans — CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse

54. Indianapolis Colts — S Jevon Holland, Oregon

55. Pittsburgh Steelers — Edge Payton Turner, Houston

56. Seattle Seahawks — CB Eric Stokes, Georgia

57. Los Angeles Rams — OT/G Jalen Mayfield, Michigan

58. Baltimore Ravens — Edge Rashad Weaver, Pittsburgh

59. Cleveland Browns — LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky

60. New Orleans Saints — Edge/LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State

61. Buffalo Bills — Edge Joseph Ossai, Texas

62. Green Bay Packers — DI Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

63. Kansas City Chiefs — DI Marvin Wilson, Florida State

64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Edge Joe Tryon, Washington

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