It began with the NFL Scouting Combine which wrapped up on Monday, 4 March 2019. To be clear, the NFL Scouting Combine is but one component of the pre-draft process. The Scouting Combine was showcased in grand style at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was a grueling week of observing star athletes competing for a shot at NFL stardom. The NFL Scouting Combine limits attendance to a select group of stakeholders including medical personnel, player personnel, coaches and executives from each of the 32 official NFL teams.
This highly anticipated event on the NFL calendar is effectively a week-long interview for football players eligible for the NFL Draft. Only the creme de la creme rise to the top in this 4-day powwow which can mean the difference between victory and defeat for the world's ranking NFL teams. Fans are typically restricted from observing this process which is crucial to the upcoming NFL season. The impact of the NFL Scouting Combine is perhaps best felt on the mock drafts.
The mock drafts will have players elevated and relegated as the selection process continues. However, it's the free agency process which began on Wednesday, March 13 that also has a significant impact on the potential performance of NFL teams. While basketball fans are fixated by March Madness, NFL fans are all about The Draft and the Free Agency signings. To this end, several important dates warrant consideration:
March 11-13 – NFL clubs are allowed to enter negotiations with certified agents of football players who will be designated as ‘unrestricted free agents’ once their 2018 NFL contracts expire at 4 PM New York time on March 13. Before the 4 PM deadline, NFL clubs must make a minimum salary tender to these unrestricted free agents to enjoy exclusive negotiating rights with these players. The first official day of the 2019 NFL League Year is midnight on March 14, 2019. All trading activity for 2019 commences at 4 PM on March 13, 2019 after all 2018 contracts have expired.
April 19 – this is the deadline for RFA's (restricted free agents) to officially sign their offer sheets.
April 25-27 – the official NFL Draft for 2019 is unveiled in Nashville, Tennessee.
The New York Jets could be looking to Josh Allen from Kentucky. Alan is an impressive 6'5", and weighs in at 262 pounds. With arms measuring 33.5 inches, and hands at 8 3/4 inches, he is built for speed with a 40-yard dash of 4.63 seconds and a broad jump of 118 inches. His NFL prospect grade is rated at 6.66. This New Jersey native played for Alabama before coming back to the Garden State during his senior year. Allen exceeded expectations in 2018, racking up multiple trophies including the Nagurski Trophy and the Bednarik Award in the process.
The Detroit Lions could be looking to fill the number 8 position with Rashan Gary who has explosive speed and incredible maneuverability. Alternatively, Montez Sweat has all the makings of an NFL superstar. Sweat is a high-energy player who has received All-America honors, and he could quite possibly fill the void left by Ziggy Ansah’s departure.
The New York Giants could be looking at Dwayne Haskins as a leading Ohio State quarterback. With a 40-yard dash time of 5.04 seconds and a vertical jump of 28.5 inches, Haskins has the makings of an instant starter. At a height of 6'3", and hands measuring 9 5/8 inches, Haskins finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and he is also a third-team All-American.
It should come as no surprise that nobody is watching the draft more closely than those who stand to make money from the 2019 NFL season. Bookmakers from Las Vegas to Atlantic City are carefully watching proceedings and adjusting their odds accordingly. Believe it or not, there are betting odds on the 2019 NFL Draft, with multiple selections on players, positions and potential signings. Many of these odds at bookmakers take the form of proposition bets. Leading sports authorities like ESPN routinely make predictions on who will be picked for the NFL Draft.
For 2019, a few notable names come to mind, including Kyler Murray. His decision to switch to football took many in the Oakland Athletics organization by surprise. Murray has been a red-hot performer, and many leading bookmakers have this Oklahoma QB as a top pick for the draft. Murray features at the top of the charts as a contender for the NFL Draft. The Oklahoma University quarterback didn't do much at the Indianapolis meet, but most folks are convinced he will get drafted. Incidentally, he's a 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and that means he's a natural contender for the draft.
Other stars who have a strong chance at the big league include Quinnen Williams from Alabama, Drew Lock from Missouri, and Jawan Taylor from Florida. A name worthy of mention is Nick Bosa from Ohio State. He had a great showing in the recent Scouting Combine, and he ripped through a 40-yard dash in just 4.79 seconds. At 6'4", Bosa has the strength and ability to wreak havoc on the field and NFL teams know that. As far as favorites go, Bosa is Boss!
The New York Giants may decide to go with a safe pair of old hands in Eli Manning as the QB, or get first crack at Dwayne Haskins from Ohio State. Haskins set an impressive record in the Big Ten with 50 TDs which generated some 5000 yards passing. At an impressive 6'3" and a weight of 230 pounds, Haskins has the makings of a star.
As a fan of the New York Giants – he grew up in New Jersey btw – Haskins had dreams of playing for the Big Blue. His dreams may be realized in coming weeks. Fortunately, Haskins is hot property for many teams in the NFL, including the Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and Oakland Raiders. The drafts are always changing, and with them the odds. So far, it looks like the Giants will be going long on Haskins for a QB position.
The 888sport blog, based at 888 Towers in the heart of London, employs an army of betting and tipping experts for your daily punting pleasure, as well as an irreverent, and occasionally opinionated, look at the absolute madness that is the world of sport.
