Move The Sticks Garoppolo McCarron potential trade targets

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Move The Sticks: Garoppolo, McCarron potential trade targets Published: Dec 02, 2016 at 03:46 AM * * The deadline for undercla smen to apply for early eligibility into the 2017 is six weeks away, and I don't anticipate that this draft cla s will be a strong one for quarterbacks. There are more than a handful of teams still in , though. This has the potential create a strong market for two backup quarterbacks sitting behind established starters: (Bengals) and (Patriots). Both QBs have performed well in limited NFL opportunities, and both guys would represent an upgrade for several QB-needy teams. Many expected the to part with McCarron last spring, but they decided he was too valuable to trade away. As a perennial playoff team in search of a title, it made sense at the time to hold onto a quality backup quarterback. However, the haven't enjoyed a succe sful 2016 campaign, and you could make a case that they need a mini-rebuild to return to the postseason. McCarron is a valuable trade chip. Would he return a first-round pick from a team like the ? Hue Jackson is familiar with his skill set and McCarron already knows Jackson's offensive system (Jackson was Cincinnati's offense coordinator during McCarron's first two seasons in the league). He would be an upgrade over any quarterback on the ' roster, and Cleveland is loaded with 2017 draft picks. One potential hang-up in this scenario would be the fact that both teams play in the same division. If that's a major i sue, the could look to Garappolo. The are still very much in their championship window and 's performance doesn't appear to be declining. I can't envision a scenario where New England re-signs Garappolo once his deal expires following the 2017 campaign. It would make a lot sense for them to capitalize on his value and recoup a high draft pick or a proven veteran player at a position of need this offseason. A team like the would make a perfect trade partner. They appear ready to move on from , and Garappolo would give them a talented young signal-caller to build around. There will surely be one or two quarterbacks that emerge as coveted prospects in the Kevin Byard Jersey upcoming draft cla s, but I still believe these two young veterans will be more attractive options for several teams in need of a QB. With , there could be a very active market for veteran QBs this offseason. -- * * * There is always a spot in the NFL for a hard-working pa s rusher with a knack for making plays from multiple spots. That's why I believe Florida State DE DeMarcus Walker could shoot up the charts when coaches and scouts start digging into the tape. The 6-foot-2, 273-pound senior has racked up 15 sacks and three forced fumbles this season while flashing outstanding Jeffery Simmons Jersey strength, power, instincts and hustle. Walker wears out opponents with his relentle s energy and his strong technical game makes him nearly impo sible to contain. After studying the all-22 coaches' tape, I was impre sed with his ability to take over games from multiple spots. He dominates right tackles with an a sortment of power-based maneuvers (bull rush, butt-and-jerk and power swipe), yet he flashes enough short-area quickne s to occasionally win with fine se. Walker's skills showed up in splendid fashion last week against Florida in a five-tackle, two-sack effort that cemented his status as a top-50 prospect. Most impre sively, he flashed the kind of rugged pa s-rushing skills that could make him an intriguing option as an inside rusher at the next level. Considering how well former Seminole , Jr., transitioned to defensive tackle with the , Walker's powerful game and non-stop motor could prompt others to view the Florida State standout as an intriguing 'tweener on draft day. -- * * * "Where are all of the offensive linemen?" That's the first question a veteran NFL scout posed to me when I bumped into him a few weeks ago at a college game. While the question was clearly a rhetorical one, he did expre s some concern about the lack of elite offensive line prospects that could be available in the 2017 cla s. He told me that Alabama's Cam Robinson is viewed as the top prospect in the group, but the mammoth edge blocker hasn't brought his A game consistently this season. Although he doesn't think scouts will severely downgrade Robinson for his efforts, he does believe the Crimson Tide junior's rugged game might lead to some questions about his ability to develop into an elite left tackle as a pro. When I pre sed the veteran evaluator about first-round candidates to consider, he couldn't come up with a name that could creep into Day 1 range. I've heard buzz regarding Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk and Florida State's Roderick Johnson -- both juniors -- as po sible candidates, but it's clear from speaking to the veteran evaluator that teams in need of a franchise offensive tackle might be forced to venture into the free agent market for a quick fix. -- * * * The Stanford football program has enjoyed tremendous succe s over the last few years, and the expectations for the program have changed. They just finished a 9-3 regular season and people talk about it like it was a total failure. That's a pretty remarkable change in perception for the Cardinal. Coming into the season, many had Christian McCaffrey at the top of their Heisman Trophy candidate list. Unfortunately, he was dinged up earlier this season and didn't produce at the same historic level as last season. However, like the team itself, his year wasn't all that bad. In fact, he's been outstanding over the last five weeks. He's rushed for more than 100 yards in those five contests, including back-to-back 200-plus-yard efforts in his final two regular season games. He ranks seventh in the nation in rushing yards (1,603) and he's also been effective as a receiver, hauling in 37 balls for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns. I love his versatility, toughne s and playmaking skills. He deserves more attention than he's been getting on the national level. -- * * * Two must-see matchups for scouts on Championship Weekend Washington WR John Ro s vs. Colorado DBs Chidobe Awuzie and Tedric Thompson: I can't wait to see Ro s take on a talented Colorado secondary that features a pair of studs in Awuzie and Thompson in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The veteran defenders play critical roles on a defense that suffocates pa sing games with sticky coverage and punishing hits. Awuzie, in particular, is a standout cover corner with the athleticism, technical skill and feistine s to challenge Ro s on the perimeter. With Thompson providing insurance as an "over-the-top" defender with impre sive instincts and ball skills, the Buffaloes might have the recipe to keep the ultra-explosive pa s-catcher under wraps in a primetime game. -- Alabama WRs Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart vs. Florida CBs Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson: On paper, the SEC title game looks lopsided in Alabama's favor. Florida is beat up and coming off a 8-3 regular season, while Alabama is undefeated, healthy and loaded with talent acro s the board. There are some intriguing individual matchups for NFL evaluators to follow in this game, though. My favorite: Ridley and Stewart lining up against Wilson and Tabor. Ridley is a dynamic vertical threat and Stewart is a physical, do-it-all pa s-catcher. Wilson and Tabor both have good size and excellent instincts. I'll give the slight edge to the Florida cornerbacks in this matchup, and I can't wait to see it. -- This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us Ben Jones Jersey link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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