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Futures at Football Outsiders: Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah
Abdullah could get lost in a strong class of running backs with size and speed, but good, all-round football players are just as hard to find. What is your favorite position to watch? I get this question a lot. Originally it was running back. It’s the most intuitive and improvisational role on a football field.…
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Futures: My Expansion Franchise
You’ve just been awarded an NFL expansion team and must build your personnel department. Go. Futures: My Expansion Franchise By Matt Waldman When the writer of Smartfootball.com suggests that, “you should storify that series of tweets,” it’s a take on a subject worth further exploration. The topic came courtesy of Luke Easterling (@NFLDraftReport) who, on…
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Futures: Pitt DT Aaron Donald
I’m not a betting man, but if I were, Aaron Donald would be one of two players in this deep draft class that I’d have no reservations betting on as a future star. Futures: Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald By Matt Waldman Help Wanted: Football Players Candidates must demonstrate efficiency and productivity while performing in a…
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Futures: RB Bishop Sankey
If blocking schemes were types of questions on a test, Matt Waldman explains why Bishop Sankey would be much better at true/false than multiple choice. by Matt Waldman This week’s Futures contains excerpts from the 2014 Rookie Scouting Portfolio, my 1284-page scouting report on 164 prospects at the offensive skill positions, which is available for…
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Futures: BYU OLB Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy has all the tools to become a quality starter in the NFL. He also has the vision and decision-making to become potential star. Futures: BYU OLB Kyle Van Noy By Matt Waldman When my friend Ryan Riddle, Cal’s all-time sack leader, says outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy has great instincts, that’s a player…
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Futures: “I am smarter than ‘Phillip’ Rivers”
The Wonderlic is great for testing future loan officers, but Matt Waldman would rather have Wonderlic failures like Jim Kelly or Ray Lewis as his on-field CEOs. Futures: I Am Smarter Than “Phillip” Rivers by Matt Waldman “You scored a 32 –- that’s better than Phillip Rivers. He scored a 30. Rivers’…
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Scouting QBs: Separating the Dark From the Dark
After spending an insane amount of time during the last decade studying players, talking with scouts, and paying attention to history, I have learned three things about evaluating football talent: Scouting and quarterbacking are about detail and nuance. Experience matters, but not like you think. Quarterback remains the untamed wilderness of football evaluation. These are…
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Futures: 2014 Speed Score Leaders
If I had a laboratory fitting of a mad scientist, Football Outsiders’ Speed Score would have its application. What about now? Futures: The 2014 Speed Score Leaders By Matt Waldman Indulge me in a bit of fantasy. Imagine an old football field. It’s a practice field at the rear of an abandoned high school with…
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Futures: Louisville S Calvin Pryor
When it’s all said and done, Teddy Bridgewater might not be the best Louisville player in this draft. Futures: Louisville S Calvin Pryor By Matt Waldman One of my favorite football players during the past 15 years began his college career as a corner, but finished it playing both safety positions and earned a first-team…
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Futures: Brandin Cooks vs. Ifo Ekpre-Olumu
The Oregon State receiver may be a headliner, but Cooks was upstaged in this game in resounding fashion by a fellow junior with a higher draft stock that has chosen to stay in school. Futures: WR Brandin Cooks vs. Ifo Ekpre-Olumu On most Saturdays where he treads his feet, Oregon State junior Brandin Cooks is…