All American Sports

Top 5 Moves That Will Happen in the 2021 NBA Offseason

By Cleveland Central

5. Kyle Lowry Sign and Trade to the Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers tried to pursue 35-year old point guard Kyle Lowry before this year’s NBA Trade Deadline in March. The two teams could not reach a deal, but I believe that Philadelphia will aggressively pursue Lowry this off-season. Lowry is a Free Agent coming off an exceptional 2020-21 season, as he averaged 17.1 PPG 7.3 AST 39.6 3P% 59.3 TS%. Lowry proved to be one of the league’s most efficient scorers and playmakers, despite his old age. He would fill the 76ers’ biggest need as an elite shot creator and playmaker in their backcourt. Lowry also had a solid defensive year, putting up a defensive rating of 115 (career high) and averaging 1 steal per game, but he had a -0.7 DBPM (career-low) which is Defensive Box Plus-Minus. Overall, this move would work out for both teams, as the 76ers vastly improve their backcourt with Lowry’s offensive ability and the Raptors end up with great value in return.

76ers Receive: PG Kyle Lowry

Raptors Receive: PG George Hill, SF Danny Green, 2022 Lottery Protected FRP

4. Paul George is Traded to the Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are potentially one star away from being a title contender, as the team fell short of making the playoffs this season with their losses in the play-in tournament to the Lakers and Grizzlies. The team underwent this season without star SG Klay Thompson, who tore his Achilles in a pickup game. In my opinion, a Paul George trade might not be as unrealistic as many people think. If the Clippers fall short of the finals and Kawhi Leonard decides to decline his player option and go elsewhere, Los Angeles could seek a trade for George and begin a rebuild. With Klay Thompson not seeing the court in 2 years, the Warriors need to acquire another superstar if he stays injury-prone or cannot perform at a high level again. The Warriors must do everything they can to keep Steph Curry happy and that means that they need to return into title contention soon as Curry turns 34 years old next season. Paul George would provide elite defense and scoring ability alongside a great backcourt duo in Curry and Thompson. George is finishing off one of his most efficient years, averaging 23.3 PPG 6.6 REB 41.1 3P% 59.8 TS% and a defensive rating of 110. He can space the floor, which the Warriors struggled to do this past season, and give Curry opportunities to create with off-ball scoring. This move would instantly improve the Warriors and hopefully, with a healthy Klay back, the team can revive their former success. The Clippers would also win out on this deal by getting multiple picks and a great amount of youth to start their rebuild.

Warriors Receive: SF Paul George

Clippers Receive: SF Andrew Wiggins, SG Jordan Poole, PF Eric Paschall, 2021 FRP, 2021 FRP (VIA MIN)

3. Karl-Anthony Towns is Traded to the Portland Trailblazers

It is clear that the Trailblazers do not want to undergo a deep rebuild of their roster, instead, they prefer to build around their all-star point guard Damian Lillard. The backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum seems to be coming to an end as they lack consistent defensive production and have not experienced a deep playoff run yet. Portland needs to make a splash this offseason to transform into title contenders. A star center like Karl-Anthony Towns could land them in that arena. With the Trailblazers planning on re-signing SG Norman Powell (player-option), their new backcourt duo could consist of Lillard and Powell which would replace CJ McCollum. The team already has a very solid center in Jusuf Nurkic, but if there is an opportunity to replace him with a player like Karl-Anthony Towns, they must jump on it. Towns brings elite scoring ability to their frontcourt, and can stretch the floor which was a big need for the Trailblazers this past season. Towns averaged 24.8 PPG 10.6 REB 38.7 3P% 61.2 TS% and a Defensive Rating of 113 (career-high) last year. Towns’ time in Minnesota has not been successful so far, so the Timberwolves could potentially agree to part ways and focus building around last years #1 overall draft pick, Anthony Edwards. This move would make the Trailblazers a serious threat out of the West and they could potentially make a deep playoff run next year. Overall, the deal gets the Blazers an All-Star Caliber center and the Timberwolves can receive great value in return to continue building around Anthony Edwards.

Trailblazers Receive: C Karl-Anthony Towns, SG Malik Beasley

Timberwolves Receive: SG CJ McCollum, C Jusuf Nurkic, SF Nassir Little, SG Anfrenee Simmons, 2021 FRP

2. Bradley Beal is Traded to the Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are already title contenders, even without their star point guard Jamal Murray in the 2021 playoffs. Denver was reportedly close to completing a deal with the Wizards to land shooting guard Bradley Beal before the trade deadline. However, the Nuggets did not want to give up 22-year-old SF Michael Porter Jr. After being swept in this year’s playoffs, Denver should give him up and do whatever they can to land Bradley Beal. Beal brings elite scoring and solid defense and has a very nice all-around game that would no doubt put this team over the top. Beal averaged 31.3 PPG 4.7 REB 22.9 PER (Player Efficiency Rating) 59.3 TS% and Defensive Rating of 115. He was one of the best SG’s in the league last year and could potentially request a trade out of Washington after suffering a Round 1 Series Loss, but it would certainly take a lot to land him. Overall, a trade for these teams would work out well for both of them as Denver lands an All-Star SG and becomes a top 3 title favorite while Washington starts a rebuild with a young talented player and multiple picks.

Nuggets Receive: SG Bradley Beal

Wizards Receive: SF Michael Porter Jr, SF Will Barton, SG PJ Dozier, 2022 FRP, 2023 FRP, Jerami Grant Trade Exception ($9.5 million)

Kawhi Leonard Sign and Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers

If the Clippers fail to make the Finals, there is a good chance Kawhi Leonard declines his player-option and tests the open market. For most teams, they would need to complete a sign and trade to land Kawhi Leonard because of their cap space. In my opinion, Kawhi Leonard would fit perfectly with the Los Angeles Lakers. In this case, Kawhi decides to return to Los Angeles, but with a different team. He woud not have to travel far to pair with two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Kawhi would be able to gain a great amount of money in a sign and trade and will be able to contend for a title with the 2020 NBA Champions. The Clippers organization would not like this move but they would be able to get at least some decent value back for Leonard. Kawhi is a Top 5 Player in the NBA coming off an MVP caliber year, averaging 24.8 PPG, 6.5 REB, 26.0 PER (Player Efficiency Rating), 62.2 TS% (career-high), and a Defensive Rating of 110. Kawhi brings elite offensive and defensive ability, and he is one of the most efficient scorers in League History. Kawhi would make the Lakers the best team in the NBA and the Clippers would enter a deep rebuild. This sign and trade works out well for both teams as the Lakers are the NBA Title Favorites and the Clippers get at least some value back for Kawhi instead of him signing somewhere else and not getting anything for him.

Lakers Receive: SF Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Receive: SF Talen Horton-Tucker, PF Kyle Kuzma, SG Kentavious Cadwell-Pope, PG Dennis Schroder (sign and trade) 2023 FRP (Swap Worst with Pelicans)

NFL Mock Draft

By Cleveland Central

JAX- QB Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)

Without a doubt, Lawrence is the best Quarterback in this draft. He fits all schemes and has an amazing skill set which allows him to be a dynamic player. He can push the ball down the field consistently and utilize his athleticism when needed.

NYJ- QB Zach Wilson (BYU)

Wilson is rated as the 2nd best Quarterback on most boards, and for a good reason. He can throw the ball with elite timing, makes accurate throws on the run, and creates plays with his legs. Following the departure of recently traded QB Sam Darnold, the organization is in need of a franchise QB.

SF- QB Trey Lance (NDSU)

Lance is an athletic quarterback with next-level physical skills and tremendous upside. He is always patient in the pocket and keeps his eyes downfield while also going through his progressions smoothly. He does a great job commanding the offense and spreads the ball around well, but he hasn’t faced high-level competition.

ATL- TE Kyle Pitts (Florida)

Kyle Pitts is one of the best Tight-end prospects in years. He’s versatile enough to play on the outside at Wide Receiver and brings a lot of value to both the TE and WR positions. Pitts has great size, athleticism, and hands to make him a big threat on the outside, in the slot, and on the line.

CIN- OT Penei Sewell (Oregon)

Sewell has the most potential at O-Line in this class, he might not be the best Day 1 starter right away but he’ll be worth it in the long run. The Bengals need to protect Joe Burrow. Sewell has great athleticism and technique which will help him thrive.

MIA- WR Ja’Marr Chase (LSU)

Chase is rated by most the best Wide Receiver in this class, The Dolphins might have bigger needs than WR with the addition of Will Fuller, but Chase is too good to pass up on. He has elite route running, hands, ball skills, blocking, and playmaking. He would truly give an elite weapon to Tua.

DET- WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama)

In my opinion, Jaylen Waddle is the best WR in the class. He is a once in a generational talent. He can line up outside or in the slot and do his thing. His jump off the line, hands, ability to be used in different motions, playmaking are all elite. The Lions just landed a cornerstone of their Franchise with this pick here.

NE- QB Justin Fields (Ohio State) * Via Carolina

Fields brings an elite throwing ability, athleticism, and arm talent. He’s proven to be able to throw around defenders or work himself into generating velocity and accuracy when on the move. He can start right away or sit and develop. He has some issues of sitting in a pocket too long and not finding his 3rd and 4th reads. In my opinion, he is a Franchise QB.

DEN- QB Mac Jones (Alabama)

Mac Jones brings great leadership, a player who can make the right great reads, and has an underrated deep ball. For Mac Jones to thrive he needs Great protection, playmakers, and play-caller.

DAL- CB Patrick Surtain (Alabama)

The Cowboys clearly need a corner, they are a great defense away from Super Bowl contention. Surtain is by far the best corner in this class and will boost their Secondary. Surtain is a large corner with a huge upside. He is elite off the line, has a great hand technique, works to get his head back around, locates the pass in the air, and covers crossing patterns well.

NYG- OT Rashawn Slater (Northwestern)

Slater will be very effective right away in the NFL. He can play tackle and guard. He gets consistent leverage, has amazing range, and keeps his feet moving. He is a big need for the Giants.

PHI- WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama)

Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith is an interesting prospect. He is an undersized WR at 170 pounds but has amazing awareness and skill. He creates great separation with a quick release off the line. He’ll surely help the Eagle’s WR problems.

LAC- OT Christian Darrisaw

Darrisaw is an athletic OT who does great at keeping his feet moving, correct placement of hands consistently, and can block in motion. The Chargers land their Tackle of the future

MIN- OT Alijah Vera-Tucker

Vera-Tucker has an amazing balance and body control in pass protection. In run protection, he gets his body in a great position to win the matchup. The biggest need for the Vikings is filled.

CAR- CB Jaycee Horn (South Carolina) * Via New England

Horn has amazing athleticism and size. He has quick flipping hips going downfield, amazing burst off the line, great awareness in man coverage. Carolina gets their CB of the future.

AZ- CB Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech)

Farley does have injury concerns but has amazing ball skills. He plays exceptionally well in Man Coverage. Arizona gets a CB to pair up with Byron Murphy.

LV- LB Micah Parsons (Penn State)

Parsons brings amazing range in coverage. He has a quick burst, great size, and strength to shed blocks. He is the most talented LB in this class and will help a lot of the Raiders’ defensive problems.

MIA- LB Jerimiah Owusu-Koramoah (ND)

Owusu-Koramoah can be used in multiple ways. He can be used as a Safety, Inside Linebacker, Slot Corner. He has tons of versatility and is a positionless player. He brings quickness, lower body power, and just a freak athlete overall. He can fill in many needs for the Miami Defense

WAS- S Trevor Moehrig (TCU)

Moehrig has amazing over-the-top coverage, ball skills, and makes great downhill tackles. Washington fills a hole, while just being another good Safety away from an elite Secondary. Washington will target a QB in Day 2 after failing to trade up.

CHI- OT Samuel Cosmi (Texas)

Cosmi brings great leverage, flexibility, and foot Agility. His game overall improved in 2020 especially his strength. Chicago snags an OT of the future after failing to trade up for a QB while snagging one in Day 2.

IND- DE Jaelan Phillips (Miami)

Phillips does have concussion concerns. He was forced to retire once but came back. He has great acceleration off the edge, he is very flexible, great closing burst, and good at stopping the run. Indianapolis takes a risk to land the DE of the future.

TEN- DE Azeez Ojulari (Georgia)

Ojulari had great explosiveness off the line, keeps excellent body control, and uses his hands exceptionally well. Tennessee gets another pass rusher after signing Bud Dupree, Tennessee fixes their biggest need from last year.

NYJ- DE Kwity Paye (Michigan)

Paye brings great power and explosiveness. Paye has great leverage on the line and quick hands. The Jets land a Defensive Lineman of the future helping new HC Robert Saleh.

PITT- RB Najee Harris (Alabama)

Harris has great size, great awareness to make the proper cuts, great at shedding tackles, and is an amazing Blocker. He can be used in the passing game as well. Pittsburgh gets an explosive weapon to try to make one last push with QB Ben Roethlisberger.

JAX- DT Christian Barmore (Alabama)

Barmore has very efficient hands, can track the QB, can break through double teams, and brings great explosiveness. Jacksonville gets the interior of their defense solidified.

CLE- CB Greg Newsome II (Northwestern)

Newsome is a physical and strong Boundary corner. He brings great ball skills, the ability to recover in coverage, wrap-up tackler in run support, and has a high football IQ. Cleveland continues to add to an already Talented Secondary.

BAL- WR Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)

Bateman is an amazing outside target. He brings quality route running, hands, and release off the line. He can get YAC and make outstanding highlight grabs. The Ravens get Lamar another weapon this off-season.

NO- CB Asante Samuel Jr (FSU)

Samuel Jr has great footwork, body balance, awareness, great at closing in on the catch point, and tackles well after the catch. New Orleans adds onto already an amazing defense.

GB- WR Terrace Marshall Jr (LSU)

Marshall Jr is a great playmaker. He creates separation, has great footwork, and can be used on the outside or in the slot. Marshall has a huge catch radius and can track the ball down. Green Bay adds a solidified WR2 and gets Rodgers a huge weapon.

BUF- DE Gregory Rousseau (Miami)

Rousseau can escape blocks, get a great burst, and close the edge put well. Rousseau has the athleticism and agility to get to the QB in the Secondary Rush. Buffalo fills a huge need and continues to make themselves a top dog in the AFC.

BAL- DE Jayson Oweh (Penn State)

Oweh has great explosiveness, strength, and speed. He is very rangy and can cover out to the back-side range. He gets a unique turn to his hips to get off the edge and gets to the QB quickly. Baltimore fills their biggest need on Defense.

TB- Carlos Basham Jr (Wake Forest)

Basham Jr can play on the outside at Edge or on the inside at DT. Basham has great hands, he brings a strong point of attack, he plays with technique and power moves. If he adds Secondary Pass Rush moves he can be a top-tier DE in the league.

Is Washington on a Path to Success?

By Jayden Phelps

Jayden’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/washcapital

Since NFL free agency began 11 days ago, the Washington Football Team’s offseason has been a success. First, Washington’s free agency kicked off with a signing of the 38 year old journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick on a slim 1 year, 10 million dollar contract. Currently, the team has not found a long-term solution at the quarterback position, so Fitzpatrick is a part-time solution to a noticeable hole on the roster last season. Even at age 38, Fitzpatrick continues to play at a high level and is a great veteran presence in the locker room, as we saw last season with Miami’s rookie quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Fitzpatrick will look to repeat his past success on his 9th NFL team here in Washington. The second player that Washington signed in free agency was wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Personally, I was very happy about the signing because Samuel is only 24 years old and now pairs alongside his former roommate and teammate at Ohio State, Terry McLaurin. Samuel agreed to a three-year, 34.5 million per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Standing just 5’11” and weighing only 195 pounds, Samuel’s does not let his size limit his success as he can burn defenders with his speed, quickness, and route running. In 2017, Samuel showed off his speed by running a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, which is one of the fastest of all time. Lastly, Washington managed to land cornerback William Jackson, formerly of the Cincinatti Bengals. At 28 years old, Jackson is entering the prime of his career and entering one of the best defensive units in the NFL in Washington. This signing came as a replacement for the departure of cornerback Ronald Darby earlier this offseason. Darby signed a 3 year, 30 million dollar deal to join the Denver Broncos and was a key piece of Washington’s defense last season. However, Jackson is an upgrade because of his 4.37 speed and great coverage skills which he exemplified as the top cornerback in Cincinnatti for the past few years. Jackson provides another leadership and veteran presence on an already strong Washington defense. Overall, I am extremely happy with what general manager Martin Mayhew has done with this team, and I believe this young and talented Washington Football Team is on a path to greatness.

NBA Trade Deadline Edition: Bulls did not Take Charge

By Khamani Cooper

Khamani’s Instagram

Based on the title of this article, you might be scratching your head, saying, “This guy makes no sense” and all that. However, in this article, I take a deeper look at some of the major trades of the deadline, specifically with the Chicago Bulls. As you may have heard, the NBA trade deadline passed last week and helped a lot of teams gain one final push towards the NBA playoffs, while some others began the long journey of the rebuilding process.

The Chicago Bulls have always been one team that is close to chasing their past success, but something seems to push them away. The Bulls are a young team that is currently flirting between the end of their rebuild and being a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. They have shown magnificent improvement in recent years and star shooting guard Zach LaVine earned his first all-star game appearance this March. Some Chicago fans have argued that Lavine has filled in the Michael Jordan Role, but that is definitely pushing it. The Bulls have a lot of young talent surrounding him including a young point guard in Coby White. However, the North Carolina product was recently benched for Tomáš Satoranský. White is as quick as lightning, is a great space creator, and has a great overall skill set that compliments his teammates. I simply do not understand why head coach Billy Donovan is benching him, but that is not the point. The media has a tendency to “over-hype” a lot of moves made by teams at the trade deadline. Now, the Bulls and Magic deal was apparently the “trade of the deadline”. Here is the full breakdown of the deal:

Chicago Bulls receive: Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu

Orlando Magic receive: 2 1st Round picks, Otto Porter, and Wendell Carter Jr.

While Chicago did receive a great piece in Nikola Vucevic, I do not believe that this was the right move. Nikola is a great talent, but his teammate, Al-Farouq Aminu is a problem: He is only putting up 5 points a game on 40% shooting. The worst part is that Aminu eats up 29 million dollars of Chicago’s cap space for the next 2 years. Orlando got a great young asset in Wendell Carter Jr., but he will not fit into Orlando’s system because they are not and never have been a physical, rebounding basketball team, which would have matched Carter Jr.’s skill set. It also explains why former first-round pick Mo Bamba hasn’t found success in Orlando. Despite that, the Magic made the right decision to start a rebuild and they got the best they could out of trading Nikola Vucevic, and the Bulls did not get as much as many fans and media believe they did. Finally, here is the official deal with my thoughts.

Chicago Bulls receive: Nikola Vucevic (Solid starting Center) Al-Farouq Aminu (A bad contract)

Orlando Magic receive: Wendell Carter Jr. (Young Center) Otto Porter Jr. (Expiring Contract), and 2 Future 1st Round picks. Now you tell me who won this trade. Yes, the Bulls have a higher chance of making the playoffs right now but what they had to give up will hurt their future greatly. Hope you enjoyed the article!

Hi, This is Khamani Cooper, the person who wrote this article, I would like to apologize for not writing more and being more into this. Writing means A lot to me and now I am realizing that writing is really special to me, so expect more articles and expect to see me grow every article. I hope you love my stuff and keep supporting me! Thank You!

Are the New York Knicks for Real?

By Sam Schwartz

Sam’s Instgram

After 43 games, the New York Knicks are legitimate contenders to make the postseason for the first time since current assistant coach Mike was running the show eight years ago. Led by first-time all-star Julius Randle and up-and-coming sophomore RJ Barrett, the Knicks look to be in a position to experience the most important moments of their season in May instead of the August draft lottery. The question now for head coach Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks is whether their early season success is indicative of a playoff berth, or the result of an easy first-half schedule.If you watch the Knicks play this season, it is clear that the engine powering the train is Randle. Just last year a hated figure amongst Knick fans for his poor shot selection and unwillingness to pass the ball, Randle has evolved into a willing facilitator and much-improved shooter. For the Knicks to continue their competitive play late into the season as the schedule gets tougher, Randle must continue to lead the way with his team’s first play. Alongside Randle, Barrett has gradually become the Knicks’ second-best player despite a lack of national recognition for his development. While Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, the two players selected before Barrett in last year’s draft, have quickly become recognizable stars, Barrett’s failure to reach a similar stature has left many to unfairly label him a bust. In the Knicks first eight March games, Barrett has averaged a stat line of 20/5/3 as well as increasingly impressive defense. Barrett may not ever be a premier option within his team’s offense like Williamson and Morant, but he has proven capable of serving as a strong Robin to Randle’s Batman. Filling out New York’s rotation are a group of both promising young prospects and impactful veterans that at their best give the Knicks just enough to compete with the league’s elite teams. Experienced sharpshooters Reggie Bullock and Alec Burks have given the Knicks a combined 21 points a night on ten three-point attempts per game. For a Knicks squad that struggles as a whole to produce from beyond the arc, Bullock and Burks’ ability to create from distance is essential to keeping the team’s offense afloat. Derrick Rose has been an important midseason trade acquisition for New York, averaging twelve a night while providing the team’s offense with much-needed energy in limited spurts, yet he has yet to play in March after contracting COVID-19. The Knicks will need Rose back and performing down the stretch to continue to tread water around the 500 mark. So, are the Knicks for real? My answer, as a lifelong Knicks fan who has been continuously crushed by the team’s lack of recent success, is yes. Maybe I’m too invested, too optimistic with a midseason record that for most contending clubs would be a disappointment yet for Knicks fans feels like a miracle. Can the Knicks fall off as their schedule gets more difficult? Certainly. Do I think they have what it takes to sneak into the postseason? I cautiously believe so. Many have made comparisons between this year’s Knicks team and the 2018-19 Brooklyn Nets. Both outplayed early-season expectations to contend for a playoff spot with a young core not seen as ready for competitive play, both were led by a first-time All-Star that many had written off as overrated and inefficient too early, and both teams employed the one and only Theophilus Alphonso Pinson. If that’s not enough to indicate the Knicks are on the fast track to success similar to that of Brooklyn’s D’Angelo Russell-led Nets, which are now amongst the league’s top contenders, I don’t know what is. A playoff berth, even in the likely event that they lose in the first round, would be huge for the Knicks. The fans have craved playoff basketball at the Garden, and the franchise would be given the chance to showcase the allure of winning basketball at the Garden to prospective free agents. My only wish as a fan is that the Knicks don’t do to Randle what the Nets did to Russell, and let him set the path for greatness just to be dealt to make way for incoming stars. A playoff berth marks a successful season and the start of a new era for the Knicks, and I think they can pull it off.

NCAA Tournament March Madness Bracket Predictions

By Chris Carr

As March Madness officially begins tommorow night, I will slowly reveal my bracket until my final predictions are posted on Instagram and Tik Tok before the games begin. March Madness is always the best time of year for many college basketball fans, but even the casual fans who fill out a bracket for the fun of it. Fun is what March Madness is about. The upsets, the buzzer beaters, the mascots, and the fans. Unfortunately, no fans will be allowed to attend this year’s games in Indianapolis, but many will pay close attention to their brackets as they follow along the rollercoaster ride to the national championship. So, without further adoubt, here are some of my picks in this year’s tournament:

The Favorite: 1. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Head Coach Mark Few is coaching the 20th team in history that has entered into the NCAA tournament undefeated. The Bulldogs hold a 26-0 record and are led by a group that is filled with all american talent. Corey Kispert, Drew Timme, and Jalen Suggs are the guys to know for the Bulldogs as they are 3 of the 10 best players in college basketball right now. Many people have questioned the talent that Gonzaga has gone up against, but they have gone 4-0 against top 25 teams this year and their conference, the West Coast, has fielded some of the best teams in years. The Bulldogs also have beaten the 2,3, and 4 seeds in their region this year, making their path to a championship even easier than before. No team has won the NCAA tournament with an undefeated record, but can the Zags break history here? My prediction is no. Even with heightened competition in the WCC, Gonzaga still has not faced the best of the best teams. It is very hard to adjust from that level of competition to the tournament level. They have beaten many of the top teams in their region which is why I have them in the final four, but when they play an unfamiliar top team, I think they lose. It is very tough to win the tournament, especially when you haven’t experienced the feeling of defeat yet.

The Cinderalla: 12. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

The Gauchos have won 18 of their last 19 games entering the tournament and enter in as a 12 seed with a favorable matchup against the Creighton Blue Jays. The Blue Jays have been without their coach, Greg McDermott, since March 4th for racially insensitive comments. These comments shook up the team chemistry and they looked shaky in the Big East tournament, getting blown out 73-48 vs Georgetown. On the flip side, the Gauchos are led by JaQuori McLaughlin who is a 6’4 senior guard that transferred from Oregon State. Head Coach Joe Pasternack has led UCSB to four straight seasons with over 20 wins and they finally have a tournament appearance to show for it. I predict UCSB to win over Creighton and also win their next game over a 13 seeded Ohio team. Ohio plays a Virginia team that will not arrive in Indianapolis until Friday because of COVID-19 protocols. That also means that Virginia will be without many of their players, so I have Ohio in an upset win. But, I believe UCSB is a better team that can dethrone them in the second round. From there, UCSB would likely be matched up against number 1 seed Gonzaga. Now, I don’t have them winning this game, but if they can pull of this miracle, they would be the ultimate cinderella team.

Sleeper Team: 8. LSU Tigers

After watching LSU tear up the SEC tournament, I have high hopes for this team entering March Madness. First of all, they were disrespected by gaining the 8 seed in the tournament, but they fortunately have a relatively easy path to the final four. LSU is led by a group of NBA talent featuring Cam Thomas, Javonte Smart, and Trendon Watford. They have seen a plethora of top-tier teams and I expect them to make a run into the elite eight. They play an inexperienced St.Bonaventure team in the first round and play the 1 seed Michigan in the second. While this might sound scary, Michigan is missing their best player, Isaiah Livers, and is 2-3 in their last 5 games. Then, the Tigers would likely face off versus a Florida State team that has only seen two top 25 teams all year, so I have them coming out on top again. Lastly, I have them re-matched against their SEC tournament opponent, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite my high praise for LSU, I have them falling to Alabama in a nailbiter here.

Bust Team: 4. Virginia Cavaliers

As I already mentioned, I have the Ohio Wildcats upsetting Virginia in the first round. Ohio is led by one of the most talented players in the nation, Jason Preston, and have won 9 of their last 10 games. Even if this upset doesn’t happen, Virginia is not going anywhere far in this tournament. Lots of casual fans like to pick them because Virginia is usually good in the tournament and is known for their stellar defensive play. However, they do not arrive to Indianapolis until Friday, which is one day before their game on Saturday. This is because many team members are currently in quarantine right now due to COVID-19, so it looks like they will be losing a good amount of their roster for this game. If they somehow win their first two games, they also play the only undefeated team in the tournament, Gonzaga, who they have already lost to this year. For all of these reasons, Virginia has to be the bust of the tournament and I would be shocked to see them go anywhere far.

My Pick: 1. Illinois Fighting Illini

While Illinois did have some hiccups early on in the season, head coach Brad Underwood has this group playing the best basketball that I have seen out of any tournament team right now. When healthy, this team is the best in the nation. Luckily, the Fighting Illini were healthy for the Big 10 Tournament, which they won convincingly. They have a very strong pick and roll game that features one of the best players in the nation, Ayo Dosunmu, along with big man Kofi Cockburn. With a well rounded roster that is equipped by shooters along the perimenter, I expect this team to cut the nets at the end of the tournament. They have faced plenty of talented teams in the Big 10 this year and have faced 10 top-25 teams as well. With an impressive resume, experienced coach, versatile roster, and two of the best players in the country, I do not think there is any team that can beat the Illini.

Where Will NFL Quarterbacks Land This Offseason?

By Silver Star Sports

Silver Star Sports Instagram

To start, I hope I’m wrong with these predictions to be honest. I’d love it if more guys switched teams but it might not be as crazy as everyone expects. All I know is if Deshaun is traded, then the dominoes will fall and this will be completely wrong. However, here are my landing spots:

Dak Prescott

Original Team: Dallas Cowboys

New Team: Dallas Cowboys

I see a one year deal for Dak here. Franchise tag him and he will have another year to “prove it” for his big deal next season.

Deshaun Watson

Original Team: Houston Texans

New Team: Houston Texans

We’ve never seen a player like this get traded in the NFL and I don’t think we will. This package would require an unprecedented haul.

Matthew Stafford

Original Team: Detroit Lions

New Team: Indianapolis Colts

This trade just makes too much sense for both sides with Phillip Rivers retiring, the Colts’ need for a win-now roster, and the Lions agreeing to part ways with him.

Carson Wentz

Original Team: Philadelphia Eagles

New Team: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles should let him battle Hurts for his job back. I don’t think teams are lining up to trade for him with that contract and his performance this season.

Mitch Trubisky

Original Team: Chicago Bears

New Team: Chicago Bears

The Bears are in a weird spot here. They’ll miss out on the top 4 due to draft position & Mac Jones isn’t a Day 1 upgrade over Trubisky in my opinion.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Original Team: San Francisco 49ers

New Team: San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco will likely explore trades for Watson and Stafford but the price will be too rich when Jimmy is already decent.

Matt Ryan

Original Team: Atlanta Falcons

New Team: Atlanta Falcons

Even if the Falcons draft a quarterback with the 4th pick, it would benefit the rookie quarterback to sit and learn behind Ryan for a year or two.

Sam Darnold

Original Team: New York Jets

New Team: New York Jets

The Jets will likely draft a QB with the 2nd pick in this year’s draft. I also predict that new head coach Robert Saleh will preach about an open competition at quarterback before their rookie draft pick wins out.

Teddy Bridgewater

Original Team: Carolina Panthers

New Team: Carolina Panthers

Bridgewater still has 2 years left on his 3 yr/$63M ($33M guaranteed) deal. That’s a hard contract to move for Carolina but they will probably draft a quarterback with the 8th to create some competition.

Cam Newton

Original Team: New England Patriots

New Team: Free Agency

Newton isn’t bad but this year did not really do him any favors. The most likely landing spot I see is him reuniting with Ron Rivera in Washington, but I believe he will ultimately remain unsigned.

2020 NFL Re-Draft (Part 2)

By Chris Carr (All American Sports) 1/27/21

Here is a look at our re-draft of the 2020 NFL Draft! For each pick, I considered each team’s performance this past season, positional needs, scheme fits, player potential, player performance, and a whole lot more. With that in mind, here is a breakdown of my thought process behind each pick from 17-32 (1-16 is in part 1) in the real 2020 NFL Draft along with my 2020 NFL Re-Draft

17th Pick: Dallas Cowboys

Original Pick: WR CeeDee Lamb

New Pick: DL Derrick Brown

Starting off part 2 is the Dallas Cowboys who had an extremely disappointing season with a 6-10 record and obviously missing out of the playoffs. The Cowboys’ failed season was largely due to quarterback Dak Prescott’s ACL tear in week 5 and their defense. Their defense was a complete mess all season long and ended up finishing the year ranking 28th best in the NFL. Here, I have them taking defensive lineman Derrick Brown, the best defensive player on the board with tons of potential as both a run stopper and pass rusher.

18th Pick: Miami Dolphins

Original Pick: OT Austin Jackson

New Pick: RB Jonathan Taylor

I believe the Dolphins have a great running back duo for the future in Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed and feel that both backs are severely underrated. However, this is a re-draft and both of these guys are rookies so the Dolphins would not have them on their roster yet. As a result, I believe Jonathan Taylor would be the pick here. I think Taylor is a bit overrated because he is running behind one of the best offensive lines in Indianapolis. However, he had a fantastic rookie year and the lack of running back talent in Miami is too much for them to pass on a talent like Taylor.

19th Pick: Las Vegas Raiders

Original Pick: CB Damon Arnette

New Pick: CB C.J. Henderson

I think a lot of people were surprised when rookie cornerback Damon Arnette was taken here by the Raiders in last year’s draft. Arnette was not supposed to be taken off the board for a while, but John Gruden is John Gruden and he is known to reach for players every year. This stereotype once again proved to be true as Arnette was disappointing and didn’t even see the field that much in his rookie season. However, with a talent like C.J. Henderson falling into the Raiders’ lap, he is a clear upgrade from Arnette and gets taken here.

20th Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

Original Pick: DE K’Lavon Chaisson

New Pick: S Julian Blackmon

With Chaisson looking like a bust already and this defense looking like a disaster, I think the Jaguars can upgrade here with the best defensive player on the board: Julian Blackmon. Blackmon was a pleasant surprise for the Indianapolis Colts this season as he was taken in the third round and then quickly proceeded to earn the starting safety spot. Plus, the Jaguars don’t have C.J. Henderson anymore, so Blackmon fills a hole in the Jacksonville secondary.

21st Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Original Pick: WR Jalen Reagor

New Pick: WR Tee Higgins

Although we didn’t see him much, Jalen Reagor looks like a clear swing and miss pick for the Philadelpha Eagles for one reason: Justin Jefferson, the wide receiver taken right behind him in last year’s draft. On one hand, Jefferson had a historic rookie season for Minnesota with well over 1,000 receiving yards. Picked one spot ahead of him, Jalen Reagor only posted just 400 yards and a lone touchdown. However, Tee Higgins was another great rookie receiver who posted 900 yards and 7 touchdowns this season and fills a hole for the receiver-needy Eagles. Higgins is a great blend of route running, speed, and size who can help the quarterback of the future in Philadelphia, Carson Wentz.

22nd Pick: Minnesota Vikings

Original Pick: WR Justin Jefferson

New Pick: WR Chase Claypool

Alright, Alright, enough about how great Justin Jefferson is. He is off the board here for the Vikings, so they go with the next best receiver on the board which is Chase Claypool of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Claypool put together a solid rookie year even with somewhat minimal role because of the great reciever depth on the Steelers. I believe Claypool’s potential is sky-high here as he gets a bigger opportunity in Minnesota with the departure of Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson.

23rd Pick: Los Angeles Chargers

Original Pick: LB Kenneth Murray

New Pick: LB Patrick Queen

While Kenneth Murray didn’t have a bad rookie season with the Chargers, Patrick Queen had a better one in Baltimore. Both play the same position and Queen is a clear upgrade due to his better rookie season, higher ceiling, and scheme fit in my opinion. The Chargers tried to make Murray into more of a coverage linebacker and that clearly didn’t work out, so Queen can take his place there.

24th Pick: New Orleans Saints

Original Pick: OL Cesar Ruiz

New Pick: OL Jonah Jackson

Same thing with the Chargers in the previous pick, not a bad rookie year from Ruiz, but there is another guy who is an upgrade at the same position. That man is Jonah Jackson who had an excellent rookie year with the Detroit Lions and he can be a versatile piece on the New Orleans offensive line.

25th Pick: San Francisco 49ers

Original Pick: WR Brandon Aiyuk

New Pick: DT Javon Kinlaw

Both rookies for San Francisco had solid first seasons, so luckily for them, both of them return home just with different picks. Brandon Aiyuk was picked 14th in our redraft (25th in NFL Draft) and Kinlaw here at 25 (14th in NFL Draft). I thought Kinlaw was a bit disppointing but the 49ers cannot pass up someone who had a good rookie year and is already familiar with their defense.

26th Pick: Green Bay Packers

Original Pick: QB Jordan Love

New Pick: DB Isaiah Simmons

Well first of all, Jordan Love looks like he is going to have to spend a few years on the bench before he can start because of the great play of Aaron Rodgers this season. One surprising rookie that caught my eye was linebacker Krys Barnes who had a few solid games this season and saw a surprising amount of playing time for an undrafted rookie. However, I don’t see him being a long term piece for Green Bay. After a pretty successful year from the Packers, I don’t see any gaping holes around their roster so I believe they can take a risk with this pick here. As a result, Isaiah Simmons goes off the board here. If he is properly utilized, I think Simmons can be one of the best in the league at whatever position he plays. He adds a level of versatility and coverage that Barnes doesn’t have and he can play any position on the defensive side of the ball, so I have him landing in Green Bay here.

27th Pick: Seattle Seahawks

Original Pick: LB Jordyn Brooks

New Pick: OL Damien Lewis

While Brooks had a solid rookie year, the Seahawks have massive holes on the offensive line. Lewis was Seattle’s third round pick this past year and helped their offensive line greatly. Lewis moved around in lots of different spots and played them all pretty well. When the Seahawks can find him the proper spot and add other offensive line pieces, they will be almost impossible to stop. Also, running back Chris Carson is a free agent this offseason, so if he leaves, Seattle will have to beef up their o-line for a new running back to come in.

28th Pick: Baltimore Ravens

Original Pick: LB Patrick Queen

New Pick: RB Antonio Gibson

With a lot of free agent linebackers for the Ravens this offseason, I would have loved to stick with their original pick, Patrick Queen. With Queen off the board, I decided to take Antonio Gibson. Baltimore is an extremely run-heavy team and without rookie running back J.K. Dobbins, I replaced him with a better one in Gibson. Gibson is also a better fit for Baltimore as he is a bigger back than Dobbins. Gibson is also more of a power and downhill which fits perfectly behind the Ravens’ big and powerful offensive line.

29th Pick: Tennessee Titans

Original Pick: OT Isaiah Wilson

New Pick: CB AJ Terrell

Wilson ended up being one of the biggest busts in the draft this past year. He only played one game with the team and head coach Mike Vrabel couldn’t even start talking about him and didn’t have an answer when he was asked about Wilson’s future with the team in an interview. Anyways, the Titans have bigger holes to fill and one of them is the cornerback position. Tennessee’s defense took a major step back this season and part of it was due to the departure of cornerback Logan Ryan in the offseason. An undersized Adoree Jackson started on the outside and he clearly did not work out. Instead, I have them taking AJ Terrell, who fits perfectly into Tennessee’s zone defense and fills a major need at the cornerback slot.

30th Pick: Miami Dolphins

Original Pick: CB Noah Igbinoghene

New Pick: WR Lavishka Shenault

Igbinoghene did not totally fit right with Miami this season. While he is still one of the youngest in this class, Miami barely used him and had other successors fill up spots in the secondary. Instead, I have them filling a hole at wide receiver and taking Lavishka Shenault. Shenault had a promising rookie year in Jacksonville and is a very versatile offensive weapon. Brian Flores loves these type of guys who are speedy, quick, and can play multiple positions on offense. For example, Jakeem Grant and rookies Malcolm Perry and Lynn Bowden Jr. played all around the field but the Dolphins do not have either Perry or Bowden because this is a re-draft and they are rookies. Instead, the Dolphins upgrade with Shenault who is a similar player, just better in my opinion.

31st Pick: Minnesota Vikings

Original Pick: CB Jeff Gladney

New Pick: DB Kamren Curl

While I feel that he is a bit overrated, Kamren Curl remains the clear steal of the draft. Taken in the seventh round, Curl ended up seeing the field in various spots and made the most out of his time. I have him jumping up to the first round here for the Vikings who have an extremely weak secondary. Curl is certainly an upgrade from Gladney along with the other young Vikings cornerbacks and he can play the safety position. Vikings free safety Anthony Harris is a free agent this offseason and is unlikely to sign back with Minnesota which helps Curl’s case for this pick here.

32nd Pick: Kansas City Cheifs

Original Pick: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

New Pick: CB L’Jarius Sneed

Although others may not feel the same way, I believe Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a bust this season for Kansas City. Helaire was running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league and only put up decent numbers. Helaire had a few games where he got carries in the single digits and the Chiefs continued to rotate other running backs into his workload. Overall, I feel that he was not worthy of a first-round pick and this Chiefs offense would be very similar without him. However, the Chiefs defense would not be the same without L’Jarius Sneed who proved to be a key piece in their secondary. Sneed was picked in the fourth round and worked his way up to become the starting cornerback come playoff time. Sneed is a very physical cornerback who still has some work to do, but he has lots of potential and was a difference maker for Kansas City’s defense this past season.

2020 NFL Re-Draft (Part 1)

By Chris Carr (All American Sports) 1/23/21

Here is a look at our re-draft of the 2020 NFL Draft! For each pick, I considered each team’s performance this past season, positional needs, scheme fits, player potential, player performance, and a whole lot more. With that in mind, here is a breakdown of my thought process behind each pick from 1-16 (17-32 will be in part 2) in the real 2020 NFL Draft along with my 2020 NFL Re-Draft

1st Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

Original Pick: QB Joe Burrow

New Pick: QB Joe Burrow

Not much change here in Cincinnati as quarterback Joe Burrow only played for about half of the season. Burrow looked good not great during his tenure, but with more weapons and a better offensive line, he is guaranteed to improve. The Bengals needed a quarterback with this pick for sure, so I considered Justin Herbert, but I still believe that Burrow has the most potential in this class. Herbert also is surrounded by a much better offense, which helps his appearance but I can’t go against Burrow with this pick here.

2nd Pick: Washington Football Team

Original Pick: DE Chase Young

New Pick: DE Chase Young

Just like the first pick, nothing changes here for Washington. Young proved to be a great all-around player along with being an effective leader on and off the field. Young was constantly praised by teammates and coaches all season long, even drawing a comparison to Ravens’ legend Ray Lewis for his leadership. However, they could have chosen to go with a quarterback here, but this defense would not be the same without Young and they are now set up for success for years to come.

3rd Pick: Detroit Lions

Original Pick: CB Jeff Okudah

New Pick: WR Justin Jefferson

The Lions’ pick and Chase Young’s former teammate at Ohio State, Jeff Okudah, did not work out as planned for Detroit this season. Okudah battled some injuries throughout the season but just didn’t look like the same on-the-field product that the Lions expected to get. This is a great example of a fantastic college talent that has not yet translated to the NFL level yet, however I love Okudah and I believe he still has lots of potential. Also, you will see him reappear on this list at a later pick. However, the Lions cannot ignore wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s historic year. Jefferson had the most receiving yards by a rookie since Bill Groman all the way back in 1960. Also, Detriot’s star receiver Kenny Golladay is a free agent this offseason and it looks like he will be on his way out of Detroit, so Jefferson can take his place here.

4th Pick: New York Giants

Orginial Pick: OT Andrew Thomas

New Pick: OT Tristan Wirfs

Thomas was already a surprise pick in last years draft, going number four overall and he simply did not live up to the high expectations of New York fans. Thomas was even replaced at times in the middle of games and just did not look fundamentally sound. However, luckily for the Giants, this draft class was stacked with talent on the offensive line, so I replaced Thomas with Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs plays the same position as Thomas and looked like the best offensive lineman in this class by far. He is a great all-around blocker with phenomenal size, strength, and agility. Overall, Wirfs is simply an upgrade for a failed Andrew Thomas and looks like he will be one of the best lineman in the league soon.

5th Pick: Miami Dolphins

Original Pick: QB Tua Tagovailoa

New Pick: QB Justin Herbert

Let me just start off by saying that I believe Tua Tagovailoa is extremely overhated. I think Tua produced solid numbers for the Dolphins this season and is their long-term solution at Quarterback. In my opinion, I think it would be ridiculous for the Dolphins to take another Quarterback in this year’s upcoming draft even though many people feel that they should. However, if the Dolphins were to redo their past draft, then they should take Justin Herbert. Just like the previous pick, I have someone who is an upgrade at the same position which in this case is Justin Herbert. Herbert was a pleasant surprise for the Chargers this season, considering that he was even not supposed to start the first week of the season. However, an injury to QB Tyrod Taylor shined the spotlight on Herbert who looks to be the Quarterback of the future for the Chargers, or in this case, the Dolphins.

6th Pick: Los Angeles Chargers

Original Pick: QB Justin Herbert

New Pick: QB Tua Tagovailoa

With Herbert gone and an obvious need at the Quarterback position, I have the Chargers selecting Tua Tagovailoa, the next best QB on the board. While Tua didn’t live up to the expectations of being the 5th pick, I still believe he can be the franchise Quarterback here.

7th Pick: Carolina Panthers

Original Pick: DL Derrick Brown

New Pick: DB Jeremy Chinn

While Derrick Brown had a decent rookie season in Carolina, their second round pick, Jeremy Chinn, looked like a future superstar for Carolina’s defense. In my opinion, Chinn looked like what people expected Isaiah Simmons (8th Pick) to play like, as he moved around to play nearly every position on defense this past season. Overall, Chinn has unlimited potential and proved to be more valuable for the Panthers out of the second round, then they got out of their first round pick, Derrick Brown.

8th Pick: Arizona Cardinals

Original Pick: DB Isaiah Simmons

New Pick: OT Jedrick Wills

Like I mentioned before, Isaiah Simmons wasn’t who the Cardinals expected him to be. Like Chinn, Simmons moved around in different spots on defense this season. However, it looks like it will take some time for him to adjust to the NFL level and find his true position and potential. However, I still think he has potential to bounce back from a rough rookie campaign and you can find him later on this list. However, the Arizona offensive line has some holes to fill. Protecting Kyler Murray is a top priority for Arizona’s offense which is why I have offensive tackle Jedrick Wills going off the board here. Wills had a great rookie season with the run-heavy Cleveland Browns’ offense. However, the Cardinals could not relate to the Browns success in the run because of a disappointing season from running back Kenyan Drake and the Offensive Line in front of him. Wills fits perfectly as he is an excellent run blocker and an underrated pass blocker who can truly elevate this Arizona offense.

9th Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

Original Pick: CB CJ Henderson

New Pick: RB James Robinson

Like my Panthers pick, this is another example of two rookies on the same team where the lower drafted player outperforms the other one. However, rookie running back James Robinson was not drafted at all out of Illinois State this past season. Robinson was signed by the Jaguars as an undrafted rookie before the season. The release of star running back Leonard Fournette led to Robinson earning the starting spot in week one. He shocked every single team that passed on him and put up over 1000 rushing yards, nearly 350 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns during the season. However, their original selection, cornerback CJ Henderson also played pretty well, but I believe Robinson made a greater impact this season and still has his best football ahead of him.

10th Pick: Cleveland Browns

Orginal Pick: OT Jedrick Wills

New Pick: OT Mekhi Becton

It is definitely safe to say that Wills was the right selection for the Browns at pick number 10, however with him off the board, I decided to go with Mekhi Becton. Becton plays the same position as Wills and is a very similar player as they both are big, powerful lineman who excel in run blocking. Becton is pretty much the next best guy on the board here and fits perfectly in Cleveland’s powerful run-heavy scheme.

11th Pick: New York Jets

Original Pick: OT Mekhi Becton

New Pick: OL Michael Onwenu

While the Jets were one of the worst teams in the league this past season, one thing they did right was making the most out of their first round pick, Mekhi Becton. However, Becton is off the board. So, similarly to the previous pick, the next best offensive lineman on the board is picked here. That man is none other than Michael Onwenu who was one of the steals of the draft. Selected in the sixth round, Onwenu earned the starting spot on the New England Patriots offensive line. Onwenu is a versatile lineman who proved his value and can definitely help protect Sam Darnold or possibly a new quarterback in New York.

12th Pick: Oakland Raiders

Original Pick: WR Henry Ruggs

New Pick: WR CeeDee Lamb

I actually believed in Henry Ruggs when he was surprisingly selected number 12 in last year’s draft by John Gruden’s Raiders who are known for reaching for players in the draft. That stereotype proved to be true as Ruggs looked like a true swing and a miss pick for the Raiders. However, while he is one of the fastest in the game, he was a disappointment in his rookie year as he never had a game with over 3 receptions. However, this draft class is loaded with wide receiver talent, so I have the Raiders filling their massive hole at that position with CeeDee Lamb. Unlike Ruggs, Lamb impressed in his first year with 74 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards. The leading receiver for the Raiders, Nelson Agohlor, is also a free agent this offseason and looks to be heading out of Las Vegas, which helps Lamb’s case for this pick here as he can take his spot.

13th Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Original Pick: OT Tristan Wirfs

New Pick: S Antoine Winfield

In my opinion, Tampa Bay had one of the best drafts last year with Tristan Wirfs in the first round and then Antoine Winfield in the second. Both rookies had impressive seasons, but with Wirfs and most of the other top-tier offensive lineman off the board, Winfield is the surefire selection here. Winfield played great this season and helped Tampa Bay’s young secondary be one of the best in the league this year. He is the best player on the board here and proved his value to the Buccaneers this season, making him the pick here.

14th Pick: San Francisco 49ers

Original Pick: DT Javon Kinlaw

New Pick: WR Brandon Aiyuk

You can see the pattern here, I like to pick guys who were later round selections and outplayed the first round pick as they return to their original team. The Panthers, Jaguars, Buccaneers are all victims of this and now I think the 49ers should do the same. While Javon Kinlaw played decent in his first year, wide receier Brandon Aiyuk’s talent is undeniable. The 49ers suffered injuries all around their team and the wide receiver position was no different as WR Deebo Samuel was out for most of the year. Aiyuk had 7 touchdowns and close to 800 receiving yards this year and still has lots of room to grow. Also, the 49ers have plenty of talent on their defensive line, so Kinlaw doesn’t make sense here especially since he did not live up to the value of the 14th pick.

15th Pick: Denver Broncos

Original Pick: WR Jerry Jeudy

New Pick: WR Jerry Jeudy

To me, the Broncos look like a complete mess right now. I don’t believe Drew Lock is their answer at Quarterback and they have an older defense pairing with a very young offense. Plus, they also finished with a very disappointing 5-11 record and play in a very young and competitive division. However, one bright spot was Jerry Jeudy who put together a solid rookie campaign. An injury to Courtland Sutton in week two allowed Jeudy to become Denver’s top receiver. While Jeudy was inconsistent, he also faced the opponent’s top cornerback almost every week and his quarterback Drew Lock dealt with accuracy issues all year long. I believe a healthy Courtland Sutton and an improved Drew Lock or other quarterback will help Jeudy greatly. I believe Jeudy still maintains the potential to be one of if not the best receiver in this class and the Broncos offense would be a complete disaster without him.

16th Pick: Atlanta Falcons

Original Pick: CB AJ Terrell

New Pick: CB Jeff Okudah

While I actually believe in AJ Terrell, the fact that Jeff Okudah is still on the board is undeniable. Terrell is a solid zone cornerback but definitely is a question mark in man coverage. Terrell has a lot of room for growth and looks like a project for Atlanta. However, I still believe Okudah can bounce back in his second year after not living up to the expectations as the 3rd pick this year. Okudah was not properly utilized in Detroit and also constantly battled injuries throughout the year. While we didn’t see him a ton this season, Okudah is still a great, physical young cornerback who is amazing in man coverage and is also solid in zone. Okudah has way more potential than Terrell in my opinion and is more of a scheme fit who can fit perfectly in Atlanta’s young defense.

Thank you for reading and be prepared to part 2 coming soon!! Let me know your comments below!!

Should the NBA Cancel the Season?

By Shayne Pickering (NBA Hoops Rumors) 1/15/21

Shayne’s Instagram (NBA Hoops Rumors)

While the Coronavirus continues to affect nearly every aspect of our daily lives, the NBA has recently undergone a surge in positive tests around the league.

The 2019-20 regular season was suspended last year after Rudy Gobert infamously became the first NBA player to test positive for Covid-19. However, the NBA, led by commissioner Adam Silver, was able to create the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida which created a thrilling end to the season with the Los Angeles Lakers being crowned NBA champions.

However, that was last year. The coronavirus is in the past, right?! Wrong!! Even with no fans and insane restrictions on all teams, players, coaches, staff, and referees; there have still been numerous cases of the virus around the league.

The Golden State Warriors became the first team with positive tests as they had 2 players test positive right before the start of the season. After that, the NBA was able to limit cases until the new year of 2021.

Then, Chicago Bulls forward Chandler Hutchinson tested positive on January 1, forcing teammates Ryan Arcidinaccio, Lauri Markannen, and Tomas Satoransky to quarantine. Other players that have tested positive include Tomas Satoransky, Maxi Kleber, Seth Curry, Jayson Tatum, and in the most recent case: Karl Anthony-Towns (January 15).

Many key players like Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, and Zion Williamson have quarantined as a result of being close contacts to players who have tested positive. If any player on your team has to miss time due to quarantine, you can be down key players for multiple games. As a result, this could prevent the formation of team building and chemistry if the positive tests continue to rise.

If a team has less than 8 players available, they cannot play in that game and it would need to be postponed to a later time. Many teams have experienced this unfortunate situation, leading people to believe the NBA needs to postpone their season as a temporary measure or possibly terminate the season.

A short, 7-day quarantine period with no games would be ideal to allow teams to have most of their team ready to play. However, this is unlikely to happen because of the amount of money players, teams, and the NBA would lose.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!!