Saturday, May 7, 2022

NFL Expansion (40 Teams) and Realignment

 

NFL Expansion and Realignment


    This is the first in a series of articles about NFL Expansion and/or Realignment.  Our first article has reasonable geographic realignment with an expansion to 40 teams.




NFC East

   Washington Commanders
   Philadelphia Eagles
   New York Giants
   Carolina Panthers (moved from NFC South)
   Hartford Wolves (Expansion)


AFC East

   New England Patriots
   New York Jets
   Buffalo Bills
   Baltimore Ravens (moved from AFC North)
   Richmond Admirals (Expansion)


NFC South

   Tampa Bay Buccaneers
   New Orleans Saints
   Atlanta Falcons
   Dallas Cowboys (moved from NFC East)
   Birmingham Fire (Expansion)


AFC South

   Jacksonville Jaguars
   Houston Texans
   Tennessee Titans
   Miami Dolphins (moved from AFC East)
   San Antonio Desperados (Expansion)


NFC North

   Chicago Bears
   Detroit Lions
   Green Bay Packers
   Minnesota Vikings
   St. Louis Archers (Expansion)


AFC North

   Pittsburgh Steelers
   Cincinnati Bengals
   Cleveland Browns
   Indianapolis Colts (moved from AFC South)
   Louisville Redhawks (Expansion)


NFC West

   Arizona Cardinals
   Los Angeles Rams
   San Francisco 49ers
   Seattle Seahawks
   Portland Marauders (Expansion)


AFC West

   Denver Broncos
   Kansas City Chiefs
   Las Vegas Raiders
   Los Angeles Chargers
   Oklahoma Stampede (Expansion)
   

Saturday, April 23, 2022

2022 Monty on Sports: Monty & Friends Mock Draft

2022 Monty & Friends Mock Draft 1.0


1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ikem Ekwonu OT NC State - Picked by Monty

   Monty's Thoughts:
You need to build around Trevor Lawrence.  Ekwonu is the perfect guy to protect him.

2. Detroit Lions - Aiden Hutchinson EDGE Michigan - Picked by Chuck

    Monty's Thoughts: Detroit needs a lot of help defensively.  Hutchinson might be the best player in the draft.


3. Houston Texans - Evan Neal OT Alabama - Picked by Chuck

   Monty's Thoughts:
 There is not a position that the Texans are strong.  What better place to start than Offensive Tackle. Evan Neal is the most pro ready offensive lineman.

4. New York Jets - Travon Walker DL Georgia - Picked by Jeremy

   Monty's Thoughts:  Every part of the Jets Defense needs help.  Travon has the potential to be a game   changing force.


5. Kansas City Chiefs - Kayvon Thibodeaux Edge Oregon - Picked by Evan

   Monty's Thoughts: Where do I start?  The Chiefs got this pick by trading for the Giants 1st Round picks this year, as well as '23 & '24 1st Round Picks for Patrick Mahomes.  Chiefs get a great player here.


6. Carolina Panthers - Jermaine Johnson II Edge Florida State - Picked by Hailey

   Monty's Thoughts: I think this is about ten picks early for Johnson.  Would have preferred Charles Cross here.  All that being said, Carolina needs help on both sides of the line.


7. Kansas City Chiefs - Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati - Picked by Evan

   Monty's Thoughts:  The Mahomes trade continues to prove fruitful with the selection of Sauce. Best Corner in the draft is something the Chiefs needs in the Wild, Wild AFC West.


8. Atlanta Falcons - Jameson Williams WR Alabama - Picked by Evan

   Monty's Thoughts:  If the Falcons are having Marcus Mariotta as the leader of their offense, then he is going to need more weapons than Kyle Hill.  Jameson Williams is one of my Top 3 players in this draft, even with the injury.


9. Seattle Seahawks - Malik Willis QB Liberty - Picked by Sean

   Monty's Thoughts: Willis is definitely a project QB.  Seahawks are hoping Drew Lock can be the bridge to Willis by '23 or '24.


10. New York Jets - Chris Olave WR Ohio State - Picked by Jeremy

   Monty's Thoughts: The second of my Top 3 players goes here.  The Jets get Zach Wilson a weapon and find out for good if he will be their Quarterback going forward.


11. Washington Commanders - Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame - Picked by Jeremy

   Monty's Thoughts: The weakness of the Washington team is their secondary. They get the far and away best Safety in the draft to lead their defense. 


12. Minnesota Vikings - Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU - Picked by Monty

   Monty's Thoughts: Was hoping for Hamilton to drop to pair with Harrison Smith.  Would have taken Garrett Wilson had Stingley been gone.  Stingley easily the 2nd best Corner in the draft, in spite of his struggles the past two seasons.


13.  Houston Texans - Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State - Picked by Chuck

   Monty's Thoughts: In Houston, it appears Davis Mills is the Man.  After getting someone to protect him at pick 3, they get him my #1 player of the draft.


14. Baltimore Ravens - Charles Cross OT Mississippi State - Picked by Brittney

   Monty's Thoughts:  Cross fell a long way, but the Ravens and Lamar Jackson are the beneficiaries. Cross is in a near perfect situation.


15. Philadelphia Eagles - Jordan Davis DT Georgia - Picked by Chuck

   Monty's Thoughts:  To become the new top dog in the NFC East, the Eagles need to improve their defense and receiving corps.  They select the Combine Warrior to anchor the middle of their defensive line.


16.  New Orleans Saints - Trevor Panning OT Northern Iowa - Picked by Brittney
  

   Monty's Thoughts: The Saints need to replace Armstead, whom retired.  This is their best chance for that.


17. Los Angeles Chargers - Zion Johnson G Boston College - Picked by Monty

   Monty's Thoughts:  The Chargers do not have a lot of holes.  Zion Johnson provides the biggest upgrade.


18. Philadelphia Eagles - George Karlaftis EDGE Purdue - Picked by Chuck

   Monty's Thoughts: As I said before, receivers or defense.  Karlaftis, with the addition of Jordan Davis, helps make half of a formidable front four.


19. New Orleans Sainta - Christian Watson WR North Dakota State - Picked by Brittney

   Monty's Thoughts: Saints are using the same strategy as the Texans, a protector and a weapon.  If Michael Thomas is able to return at full strength, then Watson could do some amazing things in the Big Easy.


20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kenny Pickett QB Pitt - Picked by Jeremy

   Monty's Thoughts: My Top Rated Quarterback does not even have to leave Heinz Field.  This year is Trubisky's, barring an All-Pro season it will be Pickett under center in 2023.


21. New England Patriots - Andrew Booth CB Clemson - Picked by Monty

   Monty's Thoughts: To me, Booth feels like a Patriot kind of pick.  Booth might be able to help slow down the Bills offense.


22. Green Bay Packers - Drake London WR USC - Picked by Ashley

   Monty's Thoughts: Nothing against London, but USC has a history of underwhelming receivers.  Would have loved to see Skyy Moore here.


23. Arizona Cardinals - Kenyon Green G Texas A&M - Picked by Chuck

   Monty's Thoughts: Kenyon Green is here to help keep Kyler upright.  Kenyon takes away an excuse if there is another quick playoff departure by Kyler Murray.


24. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa - Picked by Jeremy

   Monty's Thoughts: The Cowboys fill the hole left by Travis Frederick.  If this doesn't help fix Zeke, not sure what will.


25. Buffalo Bills - Trent McDuffie CB Washington - Picked by Hailey

   Monty's Thoughts: McDuffie joins a loaded team.  He is in a position to both learn and contribute.  He may have been drafted into the best situation of anyone in this draft.


26. Tennessee Titans - Nakobe Dean LB Georgia - Picked by Monty

   Monty's Thoughts: Nakobe Dean is a positional need, due to needing to stop Jonathan Taylor.  If he can provide, even a 15% improvement, the Titans will once again be AFC South Champs.


27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Perrion Winfrey DT Oklahoma - Picked by Monty

   Monty's Thoughts: Vita Vea needs a partner in crime and Winfrey is it.


28. Green Bay Packers - Boye Mafe Edge Minnesota - Picked by Ashley

   Monty's Thoughts: Vikings' fans are in tears as Mafe crosses the border and dons the green & yellow.  The loss of Zadarius Smith is heavily lessened by the addition of Mafe.


29. Kansas City Chiefs - Treylon Burks WR Arkansas - Picked by Evan

   Monty's Thoughts:  In a spot where you would think you might see a Quarterback selected, the Chiefs select Burks.   Great value for a guy that some have as the #1 receiver in this draft.


30. Cleveland Browns - George Pickens WR Georgia - Picked by Rich

   Monty's Thoughts:  The Chiefs traded this pick to the Browns for Baker Mayfield and Pick 44.  Might be a touch early for Pickens, but I think he goes early in the 2nd at the latest.  This pick probably assures that Jarvis Landry will not be back.


31. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Smith OL Tulsa - Picked by Jeremy & Monty

   Monty's Thoughts: If you saw the Bengals in the playoffs you know there was only one thing they need: Offensive Lineman.  Tyler Smith was the best lineman available, but don't be surprised if the Bengals trade up multiple times to get multiple lineman.


32. Detroit Lions - Daxton Hill S Michigan - Picked by Chuck

\   Monty's Thoughts:  The Lions go back-to-back Wolverines to try and sure up a leaky defense.  You can be assured of one thing, there will not be any boos by Lions fans.