@blindfire3167 nope. Look at his accolades on Wikipedia and couple it with how he's made $157,114,238. Literally the only thing left that he could do in the NFL is get 138 career sacks and break John Randles DT record. But for why would he bother?
Mike Evans is, to me, is a Hall of Famer. He's been the stalwart of the Bucs offense for a decade and an incredible member of the community. Really enjoying your channel.
@@darkwulf2kif he has 1000 yards this year, he ties Rice for most consecutive 1000 yard season with 11. Hes also the only one to have more the 7 to start a career
@@putthefuinfun1947I remember rumors of Seattle wanting to trade for him years ago and I was like god please! His motor/effort is undeniable. Love watching him play.
The fact that weeks later, when the defense and pass rush was awful, Gruden having the stupidity to say it's hard to find a good pass rusher after trading the one he had, rubbed more salt in us Raiders fans wounds. And then whiffing on all the picks we got from this and the Amari Cooper trade, another first rounder who was on the team for 1 goddamn year and is out of the league now I believe after flaming out elsewhere for a season, just brutal.
He’s above average Unfortunately I don’t see him becoming “that guy” Especially with CJ stroud in the AFC south He’ll be lucky to reach the wild card each season
The Jags have gone further with Bortles than they have with Lawrence so far. But the passing game that Bortles gave them was that of a complimentary passer. He wasn’t exactly awful that year, but I wouldn’t say what he provided you is as good as Trevor Lawrence can at his best (especially after the Chargers game comeback). Also, I don’t think the Jags defense of the last two years would stack up well against Sacksonville.
not really i would say the huge factor was not running the ball up the middle three times to force new england to burn all their timeouts and letting bryant kick a 45 yard field goal that he was pretty much money at all year long. if they did what they were supposed to do that game never makes it to OT
That was just one play, how about all those stupid throws and then the decision to throw only to get sacked out of FG range? This is always going to be on Shanahan. He blew not one, not two, but t THREE double digit leads in SBs.
Eric Ebron was so fun to watch that 2018 season for the Colts. I picked him up on my fantasy team after week 1 and he single-handedly won that league for me.
Falcons fan here and you nailed it with Matthews. He's just mr. reliable and gets the job done but isn't the top end like a joe thomas either, but for sure worth the 6th pick in hindsight
Bortles is one of the QBs that would’ve been a good game manager on a competent franchise. Teams don’t look for that with a top three pick but I think he’d still be in the league if someone else drafted him later in the first round
To Bortles credit, imagine having the best season of your career end in a horribly officiated game....then watch the ref shake hands and laugh with the opposing qb. Idk if I could find motivation after that either.
I live down in the Bay Area, and we’re almost always around San Fran or Oakland. My mom went to a bar one night with some friends, and she met Khalil Mack there while he still played in Oakland. Super nice guy, great on and off the field. Easily one of my favorite NFL players.
I get Megatron is Megatron but if he’s a first ballot HOF, Mike Evans should too. He has more receptions, career yards, and career TDs in just one more season (19 games) than Calvin Johnson played. Mike Evans is one of the most underrated players of all time who has never had under 1,000 yards in a season.
I met you and Flemlo a while back and asked for him to cover Justin Gilbert. I guess he forgot or never got around to it. But thank goodness you remember.
I started watching football this year. Bucs were bad since i was 7 and i wasn’t a sports fan growing up. But when i turned 14 my brother told me “i know you don’t watch football. But you have to try this season. You drafted this guy from Texas A&M” Been a fan since. Without Mike i probably never start watching football
as a colts fan, i will always love ebron for that one year. he was, for one season, one of the best jump ball threats ive ever seen on my team. he had some crazy plays and i was 15 at the time so it was like the coolest thing ever to me
I wonder whats the story behind that i remember that ncaa i couldn't believe how good he was lol how did Buffalo get him how he made it out florida is still crazy
It's always been wild to me to see just how many high picks who were studs in college end up being busts in the NFL. It really shows just how wide the line between college and NFL is in terms of caliber of player you have to be to succeed. Of course there's things like team, scheme, coaching, work ethic,the mental side, among other things that go into it. It's still surprising to see some of the top athletes in the country with such high expectations fail to take the next step. Fortunately spring football gives many of these guys another opportunity to continue playing to prove themselves for another shot at making it to the league.
And the head of the 2029 HOF class winds up being Aaron Donald, who wasn't even the first pick of his own team in his draft year, gotta love how the draft plays out every year.
I put money on OSU against Buffalo the year before Mack came out and lost money. The next year, I put it on Buffalo and he single handledly beat the spread, won that money back for me and then got drafted by a team nobody likes. Evans is literally the reason Manziel was drafted; I'm happy his career turned out great even if Johnny Football didn't really care about football
Jake mathews was the start of our now elite oline. He does both run and pass blocking very well with few penalties. And the accolades thing, remember how many elite players were playing at his position throughout his career. It’s gonna be hard to rack up awards. Definitely worth the pick
This is probably my most memorable draft. The wide receiver talent was INSANE. Buffalo fawked up by trading up for Watkins who I admit seemed like a can’t miss prospect at the time but they could have stayed put and landed OBJ or Mike Evans. Not to mention the other studs who were drafted later.
@10:48 This is why Antonio Pierce is likely making a defensive pick and why DT Christian Wilkins - the playoff turnaround happens after they had built a defense in 2015-16
2014 was, in hindsight, one of the worst years to be a QB-needy team. Bortles never flourished, and the Jaguars made it that far in 2017 IN SPITE, not because of him. Manziel was a circus that epitomized the worst era of the Browns, being the face of a string of first round draft busts between 2011 and 2016. Even worse, the Browns paid a 6 figure sum to study who was the best QB, and the Vikings snapped up Teddy Bridgewater (the guy named in said study). Bridgewater was OK, but not a "set the world on fire" type of QB. In fact, the only QB that actually made it to the Pro Bowl from this draft class was a guy named Derek Carr, and he was picked in the 2nd round. The Raiders erred by running him out of town, but at least Carr brought stability under center when he was donning the silver and black.
Mike Evans is a true #1 receiver and the scouts' evaluation of Evans as a possession receiver that plays second fiddle could not have been more wrong. Mike Evans is one of the best deep threats in the league besides being a big body acrobatic catcher. His career ypc is less than Randy Moss by 0.2 ypc and Calvin Johnson by 0.5 ypc. Evans has issues with dropsies, and some games he simply plays passive. That is why he is not on their level, but he is a prototypical #1WR talent.
Later in the first round of the 14 draft, the browns took Johnny Manziel. - The addition of him and Justin Gilbert led to the dismantling of the team, coaching staff, and front office. It wasnt until 2017 when the rebuild started with Myles Garrett and David Njoku in the first round. One year later came Baker, Denzel Ward, and Nick Chubb in rounds 1 and 2. Now the Browns are a perennial playoff contender.
Watching Sammy Watkins play from the stadium stands reminded me of some of the greats I’d seen through the years. TV didn’t capture his speed except for all 22 film. He was the fastest player on the field like a man among boys.
2014 will always hold nostalgia for me. It was the year that, if Mark had half a brain, SHOULDVE turned Oakland into a dynasty. Franchise Edge, QB, and OG with a DT who became a run stuffer and a 2nd year DT who just dropped 11 sacks in 2023. It's a damn shame still
As simple and small as this may seem. Clowney didn’t have the bend to be an elite pass rusher. People overlooked that and I believe that’s what lowered his actual ceiling.
@@fortynights1513Agree. Always thought of him as a freak athlete but a lazy freak athlete. He just did enough but not much more. He had the potential to be like a Khalil Mack or Aaron Donald but too lazy to hit that potential
It’s so crazy how the NFL has changed over the years. Players NEVER stay with one team and it’s absolutely stunning how quickly they fall off the table. It’s easy to look I at a draft from 10 years ago and say “wow what a mistake here and what a mistake there” but it’s seriously scary what happens to quarterbacks that go to Jacksonville??!! Is Lawrence next?
I saw a good amount of him in Seattle in 2019. I recall him being better against the run than the pass, but that’s just what I recall thinking. He’s not a bust but he is underwhelming for a first overall pick.
I find it hilarious that it only took 6 games for the lions to realize that Greg Robinson wasn’t talented enough for the league, and the browns still decided to go with him for 2 seasons
The top 10 of this class was interesting because there’s a clear superstar in the top 5 (Mack), 4 good to solid players (Barr, Matthews, Clowney, Evans is a borderline superstar) and 4 busts. Just goes to the show the random nature of developing NFL players.
People were saying they'd take Clowney over JJ Watt even after he was DPOY with 20.5 sacks. They thought his upside was higher. Watt tested as athletic as the average Safety--minus the 40--at the combine at 290lbs!! Nothing against Clowney but there was a .01% chance his ceiling was that high.
Too bad we didn't go Aaron Donald instead, but it would have always been Clowney or Mack, AD didnt have that college campaign they did, but his combine experience was insane and thats why he even jumped as high as he did. He out performed his selection & his expectations, the greatest defender of all time now.
Khalil Mack is the first player to be an All Pro at defensive end and linebacker in the same season. It was a pleasure watching him in Oakland and an absolute heartbreak when he was traded. I have no idea what Gruden was thinking alienating him. You build a defense around that kind of talent. And you pay him what he wants, no question about it. The biggest lament about him is they got Carr in the 2nd round. The thing that held the Raiders back during the last five years of Carr's tenure behind center was bad defense. Eventually they found Maxx, and payed him handsomely and he deserves every cent of it. How much better is the defense with Mack for another four years if he is not traded for what unfortunately amounted to basically wasted picks in Arnette and tragically on Ruggs? Hard to say. But I bet it is a different story in the AFC West playing the Chiefs twice a year with Khalil Mack than it was with an average corner who was a moron and a kid who was starting to have a bit of shine then made an awful series of decisions under the influence and caused the death of a young woman and her dog. You can't tell me that Mack and Maxx wouldn't have been an absolute wrecking crew.
The offensive line issue is likely not going to get better soon I think NFL wise. I think its sooner we will get worse overall pass rushing from a bad draft or two draining the league. It's a serious issue because teams are given less time and less drills to fix those issues overall in the offseason. Lineman need physical contact in order to improve, mental reps only go so far on their own. It's also going to only elevate line coaches value further.
I remember doing my dynasty start up draft in 2019 debating between Julio vs Mike Evans. I instinctively said Julio is better but then I saw Evans was just a few years younger and was super consistent so I said I'll take the age over the accolades I guess. It's fucking wild that he is still putting up 1k seasons while Julio completely phased out of the league now.
Well this is perfect timing considering Donald’s retirement. A true all time great.
??? No way? Why wtf
@@blindfire3167Yep, he announced his retirement earlier today.
@@blindfire3167my reaction earlier when someone told me
@@calebc4077 But...was it for injury or health concerns or something? He's still fairly young and I don't think he's played beyond horrible yet?
@blindfire3167 nope. Look at his accolades on Wikipedia and couple it with how he's made $157,114,238. Literally the only thing left that he could do in the NFL is get 138 career sacks and break John Randles DT record. But for why would he bother?
Crazy to think all these picked are 10 years old this year. Crazy
yes I can't believe 2014 was ten years ago, that was a good year for me
I read this at first as “all these picks are 10 year olds this year” 😂
Still crazy and it's bout to be 11 years
Mike Evans is, to me, is a Hall of Famer. He's been the stalwart of the Bucs offense for a decade and an incredible member of the community. Really enjoying your channel.
yea I think he is but WR really tough to get in for whatever reason.
@@tomdemay6147 it sure is.
the fact he is near to, or shares the record, i forget with Jerry Rice, pretty sure he'll get in. 10 yrs straight of 1k + rec yards, is unheard of
Evans should make it in
@@darkwulf2kif he has 1000 yards this year, he ties Rice for most consecutive 1000 yard season with 11. Hes also the only one to have more the 7 to start a career
That Khalil Mack take is LEGENDARY
That dude is a G.. "I'd take Khalil Mack and not even sweat about it" 🤯
Merrill Hodge also was right about Johnny Manziel and a few other players
This video coming out the same day Aaron Donald retires is perfect 😂
Will never forgive John gruden for getting rid of Khalil Mack when he did. Luckily we have a mad maxx now.
Crosby is great
@@putthefuinfun1947I remember rumors of Seattle wanting to trade for him years ago and I was like god please! His motor/effort is undeniable. Love watching him play.
The fact that weeks later, when the defense and pass rush was awful, Gruden having the stupidity to say it's hard to find a good pass rusher after trading the one he had, rubbed more salt in us Raiders fans wounds. And then whiffing on all the picks we got from this and the Amari Cooper trade, another first rounder who was on the team for 1 goddamn year and is out of the league now I believe after flaming out elsewhere for a season, just brutal.
Why he's mid
@@AlexJohns-kw2umwhat
Man, can’t believe aaron Donald id gone now. That’s crazy
Phrasing, retired. "Gone" makes it sound like he died lmaooooo
I mean it makes sense, he hasn’t been the same player he was in his prime for 2 years now.
Rip
Yeah so sad
Fr
2014 in general was a vibe
It feels like it's still 2014 for me even though it isn't. A lot like 2007
Somebody the other day tried to tell me Trevor Lawrence is trash because Bortles went to an AFC championship when Lawrence didn't... 😑😑😑
He’s above average
Unfortunately I don’t see him becoming “that guy”
Especially with CJ stroud in the AFC south
He’ll be lucky to reach the wild card each season
So far lawrence has been a disappointment compared to what he was hyped up to be
@@A_r78 I think he can get it back on track
The Jags have gone further with Bortles than they have with Lawrence so far.
But the passing game that Bortles gave them was that of a complimentary passer.
He wasn’t exactly awful that year, but I wouldn’t say what he provided you is as good as Trevor Lawrence can at his best (especially after the Chargers game comeback).
Also, I don’t think the Jags defense of the last two years would stack up well against Sacksonville.
Kto uploading is like a breath of fresh air
The one thing about Jake Matthews is that his bone-headed holding penalty was a huge factor in ATL blowing the 28-3 lead.
not really i would say the huge factor was not running the ball up the middle three times to force new england to burn all their timeouts and letting bryant kick a 45 yard field goal that he was pretty much money at all year long. if they did what they were supposed to do that game never makes it to OT
@@zesolodar Two things can be true at once.
@@zesolodar Yeah blame Shanahan because if he ran more this SB with McCaffrey he has a ring. Hasnt even learned his lesson from 28-3
That was just one play, how about all those stupid throws and then the decision to throw only to get sacked out of FG range? This is always going to be on Shanahan. He blew not one, not two, but t
THREE double digit leads in SBs.
@@Ultimatecheezeburgerand somehow our dunce fanbase (falcons) still blame matty ice
Eric Ebron was so fun to watch that 2018 season for the Colts. I picked him up on my fantasy team after week 1 and he single-handedly won that league for me.
He needed Andrew Luck, truly a shame
I had the greatest FA pickups that season. Somehow I got Patrick Mahomes, James Connor, Phillip Lindsay, Marlon Mack, and Eric Enron all in FA
@@TheGambler2003all from the waivers?
Pro bowl season was wild
I got to see Khalil Mack up close when he played at Buffalo. He was a man amongst boys in the MAC.
Falcons fan here and you nailed it with Matthews. He's just mr. reliable and gets the job done but isn't the top end like a joe thomas either, but for sure worth the 6th pick in hindsight
Being the greatest offensive player in Buccaneers franchise history easily makes you a Hall of Famer.
Mike Evans fits the bill.
10 10k seasons is hof worthy
Aaron Donald retiring is every Qbs Christmas present
And to think that 10 years later, Donald hangs em up. Perfect timing.. Great job as always!
Been looking forward to this video for a while let's go. And the perfect day to release it on with AD retiring
Bortles is one of the QBs that would’ve been a good game manager on a competent franchise. Teams don’t look for that with a top three pick but I think he’d still be in the league if someone else drafted him later in the first round
To Bortles credit, imagine having the best season of your career end in a horribly officiated game....then watch the ref shake hands and laugh with the opposing qb. Idk if I could find motivation after that either.
I love the format and editing of these videos
Love your videos bro, always forward to these 💪🏽🔥
Early gang, thanks for the great vids KTO❤ from the Bucs fans
Always a good day when a new KTO vid drops
I live down in the Bay Area, and we’re almost always around San Fran or Oakland. My mom went to a bar one night with some friends, and she met Khalil Mack there while he still played in Oakland. Super nice guy, great on and off the field. Easily one of my favorite NFL players.
Lions fans called Ebron Droptimus Prime because of his drop issues
How i felt when giants had even engram
Crazy odd fact but of all the big name receivers in this draft, Cody Latimer was the first one to win a SB with the Broncos during the 2015 season.
Mike Evans just got his 11th straight 1,000 yard season
Wearing your madden rating as your number is fire
What's funny is 10-20 had some studs that year, leading with Donald. Imagine what Shazier's career would of been for not that freak horrific injury.
this series has been my favorite series from KTO... been watching it from the beginning!!
I get Megatron is Megatron but if he’s a first ballot HOF, Mike Evans should too. He has more receptions, career yards, and career TDs in just one more season (19 games) than Calvin Johnson played. Mike Evans is one of the most underrated players of all time who has never had under 1,000 yards in a season.
the first draft i watched growing up, crazy its been 10 years time flies man
Like
So fabulous! I hope you bought that little Dior bag. It is so cute. You are right. The kislux is handbag heaven.
It’s kind of hilarious how “massive” Blake Bortles contract looks just 6 years later.
It's crazy that this was 10 years ago, I remember it like yesterday watching all the draft videos while in college.
If only Houston had drafted Aaron Donald... That D line with Watt and Donald would have been insane
Merrill hodge is pretty accurate will all of his assessments
I agree
i love how a new one of these comes every year. makes me very happy
We gonna miss you AD99 Thank you for all the memories 💙💛🐐
I met you and Flemlo a while back and asked for him to cover Justin Gilbert. I guess he forgot or never got around to it. But thank goodness you remember.
I started watching football this year. Bucs were bad since i was 7 and i wasn’t a sports fan growing up. But when i turned 14 my brother told me “i know you don’t watch football. But you have to try this season. You drafted this guy from Texas A&M”
Been a fan since. Without Mike i probably never start watching football
as a colts fan, i will always love ebron for that one year. he was, for one season, one of the best jump ball threats ive ever seen on my team. he had some crazy plays and i was 15 at the time so it was like the coolest thing ever to me
First nfl draft class I watched
Jake matthews was my high school class mate! His hometown loves him!
I know my day is saved when KTO has released a new video🔥
I still find it crazy Mack came out of UB of all schools.
I wonder whats the story behind that i remember that ncaa i couldn't believe how good he was lol how did Buffalo get him how he made it out florida is still crazy
It's always been wild to me to see just how many high picks who were studs in college end up being busts in the NFL. It really shows just how wide the line between college and NFL is in terms of caliber of player you have to be to succeed. Of course there's things like team, scheme, coaching, work ethic,the mental side, among other things that go into it. It's still surprising to see some of the top athletes in the country with such high expectations fail to take the next step. Fortunately spring football gives many of these guys another opportunity to continue playing to prove themselves for another shot at making it to the league.
Week 1 Sammy Watkins is a HOFer
Imagine if he was just consistent. biggest what if in sports rookie Samy Watkins was on track to be a hof player
And the head of the 2029 HOF class winds up being Aaron Donald, who wasn't even the first pick of his own team in his draft year, gotta love how the draft plays out every year.
I put money on OSU against Buffalo the year before Mack came out and lost money. The next year, I put it on Buffalo and he single handledly beat the spread, won that money back for me and then got drafted by a team nobody likes. Evans is literally the reason Manziel was drafted; I'm happy his career turned out great even if Johnny Football didn't really care about football
0:23 Mel The Hyper! lol
Jake mathews was the start of our now elite oline. He does both run and pass blocking very well with few penalties. And the accolades thing, remember how many elite players were playing at his position throughout his career. It’s gonna be hard to rack up awards. Definitely worth the pick
I dont blame Ebron for his production in Detroit. Stafford is notorious for not throwing to his tight ends much
This is probably my most memorable draft. The wide receiver talent was INSANE. Buffalo fawked up by trading up for Watkins who I admit seemed like a can’t miss prospect at the time but they could have stayed put and landed OBJ or Mike Evans. Not to mention the other studs who were drafted later.
@10:48 This is why Antonio Pierce is likely making a defensive pick and why DT Christian Wilkins - the playoff turnaround happens after they had built a defense in 2015-16
As a Bengals fan, my brain started blasting Dark Souls boss music when you cut to AD at the end there haha happy retirement buddy
2014 was, in hindsight, one of the worst years to be a QB-needy team. Bortles never flourished, and the Jaguars made it that far in 2017 IN SPITE, not because of him. Manziel was a circus that epitomized the worst era of the Browns, being the face of a string of first round draft busts between 2011 and 2016. Even worse, the Browns paid a 6 figure sum to study who was the best QB, and the Vikings snapped up Teddy Bridgewater (the guy named in said study). Bridgewater was OK, but not a "set the world on fire" type of QB.
In fact, the only QB that actually made it to the Pro Bowl from this draft class was a guy named Derek Carr, and he was picked in the 2nd round. The Raiders erred by running him out of town, but at least Carr brought stability under center when he was donning the silver and black.
Mike Evans is a true #1 receiver and the scouts' evaluation of Evans as a possession receiver that plays second fiddle could not have been more wrong. Mike Evans is one of the best deep threats in the league besides being a big body acrobatic catcher. His career ypc is less than Randy Moss by 0.2 ypc and Calvin Johnson by 0.5 ypc. Evans has issues with dropsies, and some games he simply plays passive. That is why he is not on their level, but he is a prototypical #1WR talent.
I love these videos. Seeing these players, who were considered the best at the time and what's become of them, is extremely intriguing
KTOOOOOOOO!!! Its Friday, off the clock, and KTO comes in clutch. Time to kick back with a cold one. Thank you. Cheers!
Can’t believe the greatest interior defensive lineman ever retired today. What a shock.
babe wake up KTO just posted
Later in the first round of the 14 draft, the browns took Johnny Manziel. - The addition of him and Justin Gilbert led to the dismantling of the team, coaching staff, and front office. It wasnt until 2017 when the rebuild started with Myles Garrett and David Njoku in the first round. One year later came Baker, Denzel Ward, and Nick Chubb in rounds 1 and 2. Now the Browns are a perennial playoff contender.
Fun fact about Eric Ebron is that he’s from my high school in North Providence, RI. Played on the pop warner team too
Watching Sammy Watkins play from the stadium stands reminded me of some of the greats I’d seen through the years. TV didn’t capture his speed except for all 22 film. He was the fastest player on the field like a man among boys.
2014 will always hold nostalgia for me. It was the year that, if Mark had half a brain, SHOULDVE turned Oakland into a dynasty.
Franchise Edge, QB, and OG with a DT who became a run stuffer and a 2nd year DT who just dropped 11 sacks in 2023. It's a damn shame still
As simple and small as this may seem. Clowney didn’t have the bend to be an elite pass rusher. People overlooked that and I believe that’s what lowered his actual ceiling.
This is true he was mostly very stiff great run stopper tho but to be the number one pick u have to generational
By bend do you mean drive or motivation?
@@fortynights1513Agree. Always thought of him as a freak athlete but a lazy freak athlete. He just did enough but not much more. He had the potential to be like a Khalil Mack or Aaron Donald but too lazy to hit that potential
Barr use to be a glitch in madden
This is around the time I started seriously paying attention to the NFL so I remember these guys
man you could do a pt.2 on this draft (11-20) and it would still be an amazing video
As a lions fan it's so nice to see great draft picks now vs E-Drop
manziel and gilbert together on the browns must have been a nightmare for all of the adults in the locker room
It’s so crazy how the NFL has changed over the years. Players NEVER stay with one team and it’s absolutely stunning how quickly they fall off the table. It’s easy to look I at a draft from 10 years ago and say “wow what a mistake here and what a mistake there” but it’s seriously scary what happens to quarterbacks that go to Jacksonville??!! Is Lawrence next?
As a UB fan, I still can't believe we had someone go Top 5 in the draft
god i miss mack in the silver and black 😢
2014-2017 was peak humanity 02/14/2018 life started to suck 😢🦅🕊️
Clowney isn’t as bad as people think but it’s safe to say that hit in the bowl game is why he was the first overall
I saw a good amount of him in Seattle in 2019.
I recall him being better against the run than the pass, but that’s just what I recall thinking.
He’s not a bust but he is underwhelming for a first overall pick.
I find it hilarious that it only took 6 games for the lions to realize that Greg Robinson wasn’t talented enough for the league, and the browns still decided to go with him for 2 seasons
Bortles will at least always be legendary in this class due to his significance on the great show "The Good Place"
transition to the donald edit was TOUGHHH🔥
Can we all praise the fact that KTO is locked in enough that Aaron Donald was the end of the video, and not Odell?
Outro music always gets me hyped
The top 10 of this class was interesting because there’s a clear superstar in the top 5 (Mack), 4 good to solid players (Barr, Matthews, Clowney, Evans is a borderline superstar) and 4 busts.
Just goes to the show the random nature of developing NFL players.
People were saying they'd take Clowney over JJ Watt even after he was DPOY with 20.5 sacks. They thought his upside was higher. Watt tested as athletic as the average Safety--minus the 40--at the combine at 290lbs!! Nothing against Clowney but there was a .01% chance his ceiling was that high.
Blake Bortles and Danile Jones are similar. Kinda mid level, not great skillsets, but with one good year they get paid and then underperform
Mike Evans got Johnny Manziel drafted in the 1st round. Thats how good he is
As a Bills fan watching them trade up and not take Khalil Mack still haunts me.
Too bad we didn't go Aaron Donald instead, but it would have always been Clowney or Mack, AD didnt have that college campaign they did, but his combine experience was insane and thats why he even jumped as high as he did. He out performed his selection & his expectations, the greatest defender of all time now.
Khalil Mack is the first player to be an All Pro at defensive end and linebacker in the same season. It was a pleasure watching him in Oakland and an absolute heartbreak when he was traded. I have no idea what Gruden was thinking alienating him. You build a defense around that kind of talent. And you pay him what he wants, no question about it.
The biggest lament about him is they got Carr in the 2nd round. The thing that held the Raiders back during the last five years of Carr's tenure behind center was bad defense. Eventually they found Maxx, and payed him handsomely and he deserves every cent of it. How much better is the defense with Mack for another four years if he is not traded for what unfortunately amounted to basically wasted picks in Arnette and tragically on Ruggs? Hard to say. But I bet it is a different story in the AFC West playing the Chiefs twice a year with Khalil Mack than it was with an average corner who was a moron and a kid who was starting to have a bit of shine then made an awful series of decisions under the influence and caused the death of a young woman and her dog. You can't tell me that Mack and Maxx wouldn't have been an absolute wrecking crew.
What a career for Aaron Donald! I’m gonna miss watching that dude wreak havoc on the line of scrimmage
Khalil Mack beat my Buckeyes to death when he was in college at Buffalo.
What’s crazy is that Jadaveon Clowney ended up on the browns at one point 😂
The 2014 draft is one of the best drafts of all time imo
NFC west offences breathing a sigh of relief that Donald’s retired. Brilliant player
If Mike Evans had been taken Aaron Donald would have been a Buccaneer. Those were the 2 best players in that draft and are both sure fire HOFers.
2nd pick of the draft and he still trappin you gotta respect it
God the only player left on the browns from that draft is Joel Bitonio, future hall of famer but our first round set this team back for years
The offensive line issue is likely not going to get better soon I think NFL wise. I think its sooner we will get worse overall pass rushing from a bad draft or two draining the league. It's a serious issue because teams are given less time and less drills to fix those issues overall in the offseason. Lineman need physical contact in order to improve, mental reps only go so far on their own. It's also going to only elevate line coaches value further.
I remember doing my dynasty start up draft in 2019 debating between Julio vs Mike Evans. I instinctively said Julio is better but then I saw Evans was just a few years younger and was super consistent so I said I'll take the age over the accolades I guess.
It's fucking wild that he is still putting up 1k seasons while Julio completely phased out of the league now.