GunnerBill

Yea no guarantee it works. But I liked him coming out and he has some actual talent. Definitely worth the lottery ticket.

I like to do this each January, look back at the guys that were left on my draftboard, or highlighted in my sleepers thread for the previous year's draft and how their first year in the NFL has gone. Some alumni of this column who have gone on to have on to have good careers are Robby "Chosen" Anderson (2016); Carl Granderson (2019); Bryce Huff and Juwan Johnson (2020). At the end of the 2023 NFL Draft I had 6 guys on my board with draftable grades not taken: Emil Ekiyor, IOL, Alabama Ekiyor was a 4th rounder on my board and was signed as an UDFA by the Colts. He was waived at the end of camp and has not been picked up by anyone else. His NFL dream is likely over. Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama Ricks was also an early 4th rounder to me and he has fared somewhat better than his former Crimson Tide teammate. He made the Eagles roster as an UDFA and has stayed on the active roster all season. Ricks established himself as a core special teamer and has had 3 pass breakups and 1 tackle for loss in his limited defensive snaps where he has played a bit on the outside and a bit in the slot. With their two vet corners - Slay and Bradberry - having tough seasons, Ricks should get a shot to compete again in 2024. Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame Joseph was also a 4th rounder and was signed as an UDFA by the Lions and has spent the majority of the season on their Practice Squad. He did receive his two free elevations and played in a couple of games, exclusively on special teams. Ivan Pace, LB, Cincinnati Pace was another 4th round grade by my board and has been the success story of this group. By the season's end he had established himself as a starting linebacker for the Vikings who snagged him as an UDFA after the draft and accumulated 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 2 tackles for loss as a rookie. Primed for an even bigger year in 2024 and has already won an NFC defensive player of the week award. Rezjohn Wright, CB, Oregon State Rezjohn Wright was an early 5th rounder by my board and was signed as an UDFA by the Carolina Panthers. He was waived at cutdowns and signed to their practice squad. He also spent time on the Raiders practice squad during the season and has just signed with the Saints on a futures contract. Trey Dean III, S, Florida The Jets signed Dean, who I had a 5th round grade on, as an UDFA after the draft. He was cut at the end of camp and signed to the practice squad where he remained the entire season, without being elevated or appearing in any games. His practice squad contract expired at the end of the Jets' season and he became a FA - who was quickly scooped up by the Chiefs and will remain on their practice squad until their season ends (hopefully sooner rather than later). There were also two guys that I hadn't watched enough of to have a full grade on or to have on my board but who I flagged in my sleepers list prior to the draft who then went undrafted. They were: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia The Giants snagged Ford-Wheaton as an UDFA and he had an impressive camp. He was starting on four special teams units and had catches on offense in their first two pre-season games. The local beat guys there seemed to think he had a real shot at the 53 before tearing his ACL in the final pre-season outing and heading to IR. He will try again in 2024. Jordan Mims, RB, Fresno State It was our very own Buffalo Bills who signed Mims out of Fresno State and he made some plays in pre-season. However, he didn't make the roster and chose to sign with the Saints' practice squad (not clear whether the Bills tried to get him back). He then bounced on and off the roster early in the year when the Saints had running back injuries, appearing in two games but not logging any carries. He has now signed to a futures contract. Overall one real hit, one real miss and a bunch of other guys in between who have either seen limited action or no action but remain on rosters and still have a chance to stick longer term. I don't think last year's was a particularly good draft but there are always 1 or 2 guys who sneak through and can make an impact as undrafted players.

Frazier and Garrett did get the jobs permanently and take their teams to the playoffs at least but other than them (and Marrone mentioned above) not a lot to note.

I think the chance to coach Herbert is no doubt tempting. But it is one of the worst ownership situations in the league. They don't like spending money and they interfere. Worst of both worlds. And Harbaugh is incapable of biting his tongue

The only other one I have is Marrone in Jax. Took them to an AFCCG but it was a lightening in a bottle season and they disintegrated quickly after. The one that always stood out as "shoulda" to me is Dan Campbell in Miami. Went 5-7 but his team competed their asses off every week and they passed him over to hire Adam Gase. Major mistake and I was saying it even then.

Can't get anything going here Houston. That scramble drill to Singletary is all they have had.

Let's hope they don't call it on Dion tomorrow. He has got away with multiple of those this year.

I think Jeff Fisher was originally an interim with the Oilers, ended up coaching them to a Superbowl appearance (as the Titans). Remember seeing that on an NFL films thing.

Sam Martin is good to go. Excellent.

I like that as a swing. Good move.

They are a bad spot for him though. I don't see him and the Spanos family happily co-existing.

I think he should have hired Harbaugh. Unless of course Jim turned down an interview and we don't know about it. That was the best fit for him IMO.

No. The following year. 2013 was Tuel pick 6 at the goalline. 2014 was 4th and 1 and the fumble through the endzone from that sh*t running back Whaley traded for from Philly.... something Brown? We were the better team in both games. Lost them both of course.

Yep. They have run out of space in the schedule. If they want to add anything else or delay things they need something else to make way.

Jamaal Charles. I am still not over the 4th and 1 near midfield that turned into a touchdown.

They did.

When we lose to Chad Pennington and the Sanchize come back to me.

Correct it is much more complicated than many wish.

If the Bills are not in it I don't care who wins the AFCCG. To be honest hosting the Texans would be nice but not a gimme. So I am not that fussed whether it is Houston at home or Baltimore on the road.

No. Next question. 100%.

No. That was serious. Cos I knew our kicker wasn't going to make it.

Sure. But the Falcons still have to try and leverage whatever they can.

I know what his hit is and I know the market too. It is $2m dead cap to cut him. It is $7.5m to keep him. I don't think anyone on that list who is an upgrade is likely coming for less than the $5.5m difference (you might be able to get a cap number slightly lower I suppose by signing someone for multiple years but their AAV will be higher than $5.5m - but if that is your concern you can just add some void years onto Poyer and spread his hit). I think the most sensible cap decision is keep Jordan one more year at that number. Let Micah walk. The worst outcome IMO is they both walk off campus together.... UNLESS it is arm in arm with their Superbowl rings. In which case I think that would be kinda fitting.

I think most likely the move is keep requesting interviews with other candidates so that when Bill Belichick arrives for his second interview tomorrow they can apply some pressure on him to decide. They are very likely conscious that Belichick has the power here. They want to turn the screw a little bit. Don't jerk us around we have other options it is yes or no.

Yea I agree a full year with Josh he will be a top candidate and may well land a job next year if it goes well. But I don't think he is getting the Atlanta job. I think Belichick is.