Football Preview #1: Good teams win, great teams cover.

Hello, all. I took a while, but the boys are back. We're doing something a little different this year.  Instead of the old NFL previews, we are picking four games each from both the college and pro ranks and picking against the spread rather than simply who wins and loses. Let's get into it.

Pats-Dolphins (Pats -7.5)
Ryan: The Patriots have always had the Dolphins number and now come into this weeks game angry after back-to-back losses and being called old.

Steelers-Ravens (Steelers -3.5)
Ryan: The Steelers' defense is weak, and Baltimore has a revamped offense with multiple weapons. John Brown can stretch the field.

Raiders-Browns (Raiders -2.5)
Oakland is giving up more than seven yards per play. It's Baker Mayfield's time to shine. Defensively, Myles Garrett will be a headache in Oakland's backfield all afternoon.

Chargers-49ers (SD -10.5)
Ryan: Without Garrappolo, the 49ers will struggle to score. San Diego can put up the points to cover the spread.

College
Alabama-Lousiana (Bama -48.0)
Ryan: Hard not to take 48 points, even against Alabama

Clemson-Syracuse (CLEM -24.0)
Ryan: Clemson is working on a new QB and Clemson has been a surprise this year in the ACC. Syracuse keeps it close for a half and loses by about 17.

Penn State-Ohio State (OSU -3.5)
Ryan: Penn State sucks

Stanford-Notre Dame (ND -5.5)
Notre Dame is vastly overrated (per usual) as shown by Vanderbilt hanging with the Irish in South Bend despite playing pretty poorly.

Jeff: Dolphins
Patriots have been shaky to start the year while Miami has been the opposite. I think New England will get the win, but Miami will cover the spread

Ravens
The Ravens are going to win this game simply because the Steelers aren't that good. They should have lost their first three games, so I don't think they'll be able to handle the Ravens.

Browns
Come on. The Browns are winning this game. They are the much better team.

Chargers
Losing Garrappolo for the season is a killer and I don't see how CJ Beathard the elite Chargers defense with only a week of first-team reps.

Alabama
I mean come on. Take Bama and the points.

Syracuse
Clemson's overrated every year and Syracuse is vastly underrated. I'll take 24 points for Syracuse.

Ohio State 
James Franklin stinks

Notre Dame
ND switched QB's last week and it was very effective. I think this will continue.

Brad
New England
Miami has started strong and New England has done the opposite. I'm expecting a reality check in this game. Pats by 15.

Pittsburgh
Steelers could realistically be 3-0 or 0-3. The win last Monday was dominant, even if the final score didn't show it. I like the better team here, and if I could call a push, Steelers by three.

Browns
Call me a bandwagoner, I don't care. I'm on the Browns hype train. Cleveland has the most momentum of any one-win team and the Raiders have none. Baker Mayfield will shine in his first start as the Raiders can't get any pressure on the QB.

Chargers
I'm tempted to pick the 49ers, especially the way they played in the fourth quarter of last weeks game, but Melvin Gordon will tear them up.

College 
Lousiana
I go to Alabama and have seen them play first hand. They are the best team in college football, but I can tell you how this game goes. Tua goes off in the first quarter, slows down a little in the second, and then Jalen Hurts comes in. I expect a 51-7 final score, and Lousiana will cover.

Clemson
I believe this game will be close in the fourth quarter but the Tigers will pull away late.

Ohio State
Penn State has struggled with mediocre teams all year and the Buckeyes are the second best team in the country. The game will be closer than tan it should be, but Ohio State will pull away in the second half.

Stanford
Notre Dame shouldn't even be favored. I see the Cardinal winning by double-digits.


Joe
Patriots 
Miami ain't starting 4-0.

Raiders
John Gruden's return to the bay area is off to a disastrous start. Wouldn't it be fitting for Chucky to get his first NFL win in a decade against the Browns?

Ravens
Steelers win, Baltimore covers. These games are usually tight as hell, and Sunday night will be no exception. Steelers by two.

Chargers
A legit playoff contender vs. CJ Beathard. I like my chances.

Lousiana
'Bama by 47.

Syracuse 
The Orange aren't a bad team. Eric Dungy is a fine QB, so I'll take Syracuse to cover.

Ohio State 
Love Penn State, but the defense isn't ready yet. Buckeyes by 14.

Stanford
They'll ride the momentum from last weeks comeback against Oregon and pull a mini-upset in South Bend.

Pitt-Penn State: Three keys to victory

It's Pitt-Penn State. It's at Heinz Field, and it's at night. Pretty exciting, eh?
It will be more thrilling for me if Penn State gets out of Pittsburgh with a win, and here are three things that need to happen for the Nittany Lions to do that.

1. Last weeks near disgrace= Motivation
Penn State came so close to experiencing one of the worst losses in its history last Saturday against App State at Beaver Stadium. The near-disaster, however, could turn out to be a blessing.

Hopefully, the Nittany Lions at the least learned that they aren't that good yet, and know that they shouldn't take anybody lightly. The main hope is that Saturday's close call will create a more focused Penn State team that will make its debut in primetime tonight.

2. Force a big mistake 
Trace McSorley played a solid overall game the first time the two teams played at Heinz Field, going 24-35 and throwing for 332 yards. McSorley made mistakes, however. He lost losing a fumble early in the game, and His last throw of the day was intercepted in the end zone by Pitt defensive back Ryan Lewis, sealing the game.

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is in a similar situation that McSorley was two years ago. He's a young, undersized QB playing in his first big game and waiting to make an impact. Chances are that this will be a tight contest late in the second half, so if Penn State can force Pickett to make a big mistake with the game on the line and get the ball in the hands of an older, wiser and better McSorley, than I like the Nittany Lions chances to get the job done at Heinz Field.

3. Trace Mscorley, primetime player.
The most comfortable I feel with McSorley behind center is in primetime. When the lights are shining brightest, there are few players in college football who are better. Trace may not have the best stats in the world, and he's capable of looking shaky for a quarter or three. If the game is close in the fourth quarter, however, that's when McSorley turns into a monster.

People can say whatever about this guy, but he's a winner. If the way he plays tonight mirrors what he's done for the past two years, I like Penn State's chances.

Prediction
This will be a good football game. Not a great game, but a good one. It's  Pitt's super bowl, so the Panthers will be fired up, especially at home. For three quarters, the game will be extremely tight. In the last 15 minutes however, is when I expect Penn State's athletes to take over the game.

The Nittany Lions are more talented than Pitt, and I think that will be evident in the fourth quarter. McSorley will become the monster that he so often is toward the end of the game, and in the last five minutes, he'll throw the touchdown pass that puts the Panthers to bed.

Penn State 34, Pitt 24

Brace yourselves for life after Messi/Ronaldo

By: Joe Smeltzer

Photo creds to huffingtonpost

Whether or not Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two best players of all time is debatable.

What isn't up for discussion is that no players have ever matched their fame on a global scale. For Americans who aren't familiar with European football, the best way that I can describe the Messi/Ronaldo rivalry is like the Magic-Bird era of the 80s, only on steroids. As fate would have it, for the past decade, the two best players in the world—and maybe of all time— both played in the same league, on its two most famous teams that themselves make up one of the biggest rivalries in sports— Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Since Ronaldo left Man United for Spain, the two have virtually ruled the club football world, combining to win Spain's La Liga in all but one season since 2010, and collectively winning six UEFA Champions League titles. Most importantly, Messi and Ronaldo both transcend their sport in a way that nobody before them ever has, and it's doubtful that anybody can match their impact going forward. While the two megastars still have a few dominant seasons left, however time is starting to track them down.

Messi is 31 years old, and Ronaldo is 33, which means that both will be north of 35 by the time the next World Cup rolls around. With Messi's Argentina and Ronaldo's Portugal both exiting Russia within hours of each other, it's possible that we have seen the last of soccer's biggest stars on its biggest stage.

It looks like Saturday's 4-3 loss to France will be the last time we ever see Messi in an Argentina uniform. The relationship between Leo and his home countries soccer fans/federation has been a complicated one, and even led to him briefly retiring from international football in 2016. Messi will be 35 come 2022, and at 31, he looks tired of being the face of Argentina. So it seems unlikely that he will put up with the high and sometimes unfair demands of his country for another four years.

Ronaldo's case is a little different. While neither player has had a lot of success internationally, unlike Messi, CR7 has won a major tournament (Euro 2016) and, to put it kindly, hasn't had a supporting cast as strong as Messi's Argentina squad. So fans are easily justified in not placing as much pressure on Ronaldo as Messi, because Cristiano has more excuses not to win.

Knowing that Ronaldo will likely still be productive in 2022 and has shown no signs of hanging it up anytime soon, if Portugal qualifies, I'd be shocked to not see CR7 leading the squad in Qatar.

There’s a strong chance that we won't see at least one of these two giants in four years, if not both. At some point, both of them will be gone, and soccer will have to look for new faces to lead the sport. A few candidates have shown up already in Russia.

The man responsible for Messi's World Cup exit, France's 19-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe, looks like he could blossom into one of the world’s best. England's Harry Kane already captains his country at 24-years-old and is the frontrunner for the prestigious golden boot. The man most likely to take over as soccer’s marque player is Messi's former teammate at Barcelona, 26-year-old Neymar of Brazil. By November 2022, Neymar could well be the best player in the world, and along with Messi and Ronaldo, his name is one that transcends his sport.

What Leo and Cristiano have accomplished might be impossible to duplicate, and them both coming along at the same time and in the same league is a perfect storm that probably will never be replicated.

One good thing about a soccer world without Messi and Ronaldo is that the two are so good and so legendary, that at times it’s as if no other players matter. The main positive about the two legends walking away will be the open doors that it creates for others to become the faces of their sport. I think it would be wise to catch a glimpse of the future beforehand.

 Time catches up to everybody, and all we can do as fans is appreciate what these guys can give us over the next few years, and also focus harder on the stars of the future.

USA or no USA, the World Cup is unique

By Joe Smeltzer

Eight months after the last World Cup ended, I got hooked on world football.

There once was a time when I couldn't stand anything associated with the world's most popular sport. After a friend from high school introduced me to the beautiful game, however, I saw what I was missing, and was absolutely obsessed for about a six month period.

Although I haven't followed the sport as much as I'd have liked to the past few years when something big happens, such as my favorite club, Liverpool FC, making it all the way to the Champions League final, I don't miss it, and I will be invested come next week when the 2018 World Cup kicks off.

World football has its annual events as well, unlike other sports, its largest platform happens as frequently as a presidential election. So having developed such a passion for the sport and realizing that it would be three years before I'd get to appreciate the World Cup for the first time was a tough pill to swallow.

Due to team USA's ineptitude leading to it missing the big tournament for the first time since 1986, this nation's interest in soccer understandably won't be as high in 2018 as it was in 2014, 2010, 2006 etc. While it makes perfect sense for a fan to not want anything to do with an international tournament that their host country isn't taking part in, the fact is that the World Cup isn't something that any sports fan should miss out on.

As somebody who once hated soccer more than any other sport, I can say that just watching one game could be enough to make a believer out of anybody. What better time to give the beautiful game a try than when it's at it's most glorious, which is the World Cup? You never know when your view will change and what will cause it. Hopefully, you'll fall in love with the sport while the World Cup is in action, and not when it's three years away.

Joe Smeltzer's 2018 NFL Mock Draft

By Joe Smeltzer

1. Cleveland- Sam Darnold, QB USC
Although the number one pick is arguably less certain than it has been in a long time, I think a consensus is growing that Darnold is going to be the guy. The Trojan's QB is probably the safest one to take, as unlike Josh Rosen or Josh Allen, Darnold has big-game experience. He's a winner, and Cleveland needs winners.

2. New York Giants- Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State
Some have Barkley going as high as No. 1, while others see him falling toward the bottom half of the Top 10. While I can't see the Browns going anywhere other than QB, the Giants have an established one in Eli Manning. Knowing that they don't necessarily need a quarterback, it's hard to see the G-Men passing on the most gifted athlete in the draft.

3. New York Jets- Josh Rosen, QB UCLA
In my opinion, Rosen is the most pro-ready quarterback in this class. He's more physically gifted than Darnold, and unlike Allen, has proved himself at a high level in college. At 6'4 and 218 pounds, Rosen looks like a quarterback, and the Jets will see first hand if he has what it takes to atone for not picking DeShaun Watson last year.

4. Cleveland- Bradley Chubb, DE Cleveland 
Imagine Cleveland landing the best defensive player in the draft for the second straight year. Now picture both of those players playing opposite each other at defensive end. Chubb pared with Myles Garrett would be terrifying, and barring a surprise, there's nothing stopping Cleveland from making that happen with their second first-round pick.

5. Denver- Quenton Nelson, RG Notre Dame
Denver needs help up front. Last season, the Broncos allowed 32 sacks, good for second-most in the NFL. They have a chance to bolster that line by picking unquestionably the best offensive lineman in the class. At 6'5 and 325 pounds, Nelson does his job both in pass blocking and run blocking. It's rare for an offensive guard to be taken so high in the first round, but Nelson is the type of player who would be worthy of such a high selection.

6. Indianapolis- Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB Alabama 
The Colts need everything, and when you're a team that needs everything, it's logical to go with the best player available. If Fitzpatrick drops to six, he will be far and away the best one left on the board. The safety can do it all, from pass coverage to practically playing the linebacker position. He's a beast, and him being paired with Malik Hooker could make for a solid secondary.

7. Tampa Bay- Derwin James, DB Florida State
Tampa had a respectable defensive backfield in 2017. But Brent Grimes isn't getting any younger, and Vernon Hargraves still has some work to do. The prospect of James and Hargraves being in the same defensive backfield could turn Tampa's secondary from average to one of the better ones in the league. James is a beast who can defend, and return kicks. Add that to him being local, and this seems like a perfect fit.

8. Chicago- Tremaine Edmunds, LB Virginia Tech 
Edmunds is not your typical inside linebacker. He's 6'5, yet plays in the middle His combination of height, speed and quickness makes him the best linebacker in the draft, and in my opinion, Chicago would be foolish to not draft either him or Roquan Smith. While Edmunds' instincts might not be as strong as Smith's, those can come with time, and I think his upside will be too much for the Bears to pass up.

9. San Francisco- Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State 
Yes, Ward is a little undersized at 5'11. But that didn't stop him from dominating in the Big 10. His 4.32 40 time at the combined speaks for itself, and while his ability to match up with tall wide receivers is worth questioning, there's little doubt that Ward is the best cornerback in the draft. Oh, and he can learn a little from Richard Sherman.

10. Oakland- Roquan Smith, LB Georgia 
Edmunds and Smith are 1a and 1b as far as linebackers go, and whatever team is lucky enough to nab one of them can consider its first round a success. Anybody who at least somewhat followed Georgia's magical run to the national championship game knows that Smith is sharp as a knife and can run from sideline to sideline with the best of them. The guy is a winner, and in my opinion, has what it takes to quarterback a defense at the next level.

11. Miami - Vita Vea, DT Washington
He's 6'4 and 347, and he can run a 5.1 40. Miami could use a defensive tackle after the departure of Ndamukong Suh, and Vea is the best option of the bunch beach.

12. Buffalo - Josh Allen, QB Wyoming
Is he a bust? Maybe. But hey, teams love tall guys that wow at the combine, and Allen is that guy. The Bills need a QB, and Allen might just be what they're looking for.

13. Washington - D'Ron Payne, DT Alabama
The 'Skins number one priority is a defensive lineman. Next to Vea, Payne is the best one.  He's slightly quicker than Vea, but is more than 30 pounds lighter. He established himself as one of the best players in the SEC, and there's no reason he can't fill Washington's void up front.

14. Greene Bay - Josh Jackson, CB Iowa
When Jackson finally got a chance to play regularly for Iowa this season, he was awesome. He had seven interceptions, and also has upside as a kick returner. The two best corners in this years draft are in the Big 10, and Jackson can help a secondary in a lot of ways.

15. Arizona- Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma 
I don't see him going to Cleveland, but Baker is first round material. He's short, but he's a winner.

16. Baltimore- Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama 
This draft class is low on receivers, so the Ravens should have a good chance of filling their biggest need by drafting the highest rated one in the class. Ridley has speed,and knows how to run a perfect route which is part of what made him to go-to-guy on this year's national champions. While it wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world for Baltimore to go with Christian Kirk or Courtland Sutton, if the Ravens want a receiver, Ridley should be their guy.
17. Los Angelous: Maurice Hurst, DT Michigan 
The Chargers are set on the edges with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but getting a tackle wouldn't hurt. Hurst was a hoss in the Big 10, and could well be the same in the NFL. If he pans out, LA could have one of footballs best defensive fronts pretty soon.

18. Seattle- Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame 
Some might be surprised if McGlinchey drops this low. But I'm afraid he has bust potential. Yes, the man is a giant at 6'8, 309, but he leans into blocks, and might not be able to cut it against NFL defensive ends. There's no doubt McGlinchey is going in the first round, but whoever takes him could be in for a disappointment.

19. Dallas- Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M
With Dez Bryant gone, the Cowboys could use a receiver, and Kirk is thought to be the second best one in this class. Kirk is not only a deep-ball threat with speed, but he can also help out in special teams. "America's Team," is starting life without Dez, and taking Kirk would signal that.

20. Detroit: Ronald Jones III, RB USC
The Lions have no running game, and common wisdom tells me that Darius Guice would be their guy in the first round. But my gut tells me that Detroit will take Jones instead. So that's what I'm going with. We'll see how it turns out.


21. Cincinnati- Will Hernandez, OT UTEP
Cincy's line has been a mess ever since it foolishly let Andrew Whitworth walk. Drafting Hernandez would be a step in the healing process. Yes, he's from a small school, but Hernandez is a big guy who knows how to sustain a block. He has quick feet and a strong upper body, so don't be surprised to hear his name called by the end of the night.

22. Buffalo- Leighton Vander Esch, LB Boise State
The Bills focused on their offense with their first pick, and now its time to further improve the defense. At 6'4 256 pounds, Vander Esch has an excellent physical build, and if he can stay healthy, he'll have an excellent pro career.

23. New England- Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville 
After the Malcolm Butler debacle, don't be surprised if New England focuses on a corner. Like Ward, Alexander is undersized. But he's fast, and a beast in press coverage. Anybody who is drafted into the Patriots organization has a great chance for success, so Alexander should be licking his chops

24.  Carolina- Justin Reed, S Stanford
His brother Eric has made a name for himself with the 49ers, and Justin will soon have his chance to follow. The younger Reid is versatile, well built, and got better and better as time went on at Stanford. Having watched a few Pac-12 games, I know what Reid can do. This guy is a gamer.

25. Tennessee- Marcus Davenport, DE UTSA
Davenport is polarizing. This is a guy who could either go in the top 10 or could drop all the way out of the first round. To me, Davenport's upside (i.e., his size and athleticism) is too great for him not to go on the first day. Don't be surprised to see him so higher than 25, either.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Courtland Sutton, WR SMU
The Falcons offense struggled last season, so they may want to give Matty Ice another capable option. Sutton is, in my eyes, the second best receiver in the draft, and the lack of interest in the position this season could benefit Atlanta. With Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu in the fold, Sutton won't have to worry about being a superstar right away. So this pick could be the best thing for both sides.

27. New Orleans Saints- Mason Rudolph, QB Oklahoma State
Drew Brees is still the man. He's also old. So it might be time for the Saints to start thinking about his successor. I don't like Air-Raid Quarterbacks (See Smith, Geno, Weeden, Brandon, Ware, Andre), but Rudolph is still intriguing, and he won't be thrown into the fire right away, so he'd have time to figure himself out before possibly succeeding one of the greatest to ever do it.

28. Pittsburgh- Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama 
The Steelers taking a linebacker? What a rarity!

29. Jacksonville- Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville
Hey, why not? The Jags are hardly sitting pretty at quarterback (yes, I know how much Blake Bortles is making,) and Jackson might be the most intriguing one in the whole class because of how athletic he is. Unlike Darnold, Allen, Rosen or Rudolph, Jackson can have a successful NFL career even if he flops at quarterback. So Jackson's versatility might lead to him sneaking into the first round.

30. Minnesota- Mike Gesiscki, TE Penn State 
We are...

31. New England - Orlando Brown, OT Oklahoma 
The Patriots need help up front, and Brown is so big (6'8, 345) that he can seal off blocks practically just by standing there. The Pats could get a steal late in the first round, which would be fitting for the team that always knows who can cut it and who can't.

32. Philadelphia-  DJ Moore, WR Maryland
Depth at running back/receiver was a big reason why the Eagles won the super bowl, and I would expect them to further bolster one of those positions. Either Moore or Georgia running back Sony Michel could well be the first rounds last pick.

Donny Chedrick's 2018 NFL Mock Draft

By Donny Chedrick
1.    Cleveland (0-16) – Sam Darnold, QB (USC)
It appears at this point that Darnold is the clear-cut top quarterback in the draft and as always, the Browns need one after trading DeShone Kizer, who they drafted last season. Darnold seems to be the fit. Big, athletic, can make big throws. He goes No. 1.
2.    New York Giants (3-13) – Saquon Barkley, RB (Penn State)
And at pick No. 2  we already start the guessing game. The Giants need to revamp the offensive backfield after a dismal season. Eli Manning still has at least a year left so the Giants could take a chance with taking a QB later in the draft. Saquon Barkley has a chance to change a whole team, and he could do that in New York if the Giants take him at No. 2
3.   New York Jets, from Ind. (4-12) – Josh Rosen, QB (UCLA)
This pick will probably be one of the Josh’s in the draft that play quarterback. Josh Rosen out of UCLA seems to be more likely to the Jets than Josh Allen from Wyoming. The Jets traded up from pick No. 6, I think QB is the obvious choice here unless they throw a major curveball.
4.    Cleveland, from Hou. (4-12) – Bradley Chubb, DE (N.C. State)
If Saquon Barkley gets selected by the Giants, expect the Browns to continue working on that defensive line. Last season Cleveland selected the top defensive end in the form of Myles Garrett. This year Cleveland could do the same thing at No. 4
5.    Denver (5-11) – Quenton Nelson, OG (Notre Dame)
The first offensive linemen in the draft could go in the top five picks if the Broncos don't fall in love with taking a quarterback. There is also a shot that this isn’t Denver picking at No. 5 after John Elway explained that the pick was for sale. If the Broncos want to be safe, Nelson could be the selection.
6.    Indianapolis, from NYJ (5-11) – Tremaine Edmunds, LB (Virginia Tech)
The Colts need help defensively, which is why they could go in plenty of different directions with the sixth pick. The Colts pretty much need everything besides a starting quarterback so this pick is somewhat a shot in the dark.
7.    Tampa Bay (5-11) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB (Alabama)
The Bucs need secondary help and drafting Fitzpatrick would create some stability and versatility in that area as Fitzpatrick would join a unit containing Vernon Hargreaves.
8.    Chicago (5-11) – Denzel Ward, CB (Ohio State)
This could be a “best player available” type of pick because right off the bat Ward wouldn’t step into a starting position. The Bears have Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller at both corner spots, but Ward could see time as a slot corner or find himself in a starting role if an injury occurs.
9.    San Francisco (6-10) – Marcus Davenport, DE (UT-San Antonio)
Out of a small school, there is no denying Marcus Davenport’s dominance in the conference, but it is a big question mark if he can do it in the pros. Having John Lynch as GM in San Francisco, the 49ers can spot defensive talent. Davenport might be a risk worth taking.
10.    Oakland/Las Vegas (6-10) – Derwin James, S (Florida State)
If Denzel Ward isn’t selected a few picks before, the Raiders could grab him. If that option isn’t there, however, Oakland could be looking at Roquan Smith out of Georgia or Derwin James out of Florida State. The Raiders have Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson, but a guy like James can sit behind for a year or two before taking over if the team feels it can fill the linebacker void later in the draft.
11.    Miami (6-10) – Roquan Smith, ILB (Georgia)
The Dolphins would love to add a stud linebacker to join Kiko Alonso and that guy could be Roquan Smith from Georgia. He was the Bulldogs defensive leader last season in one that got them to the National Championship game. Smith can be a player to change a defense as a whole.
12.    *Buffalo, from Cin. (7-9) – Josh Allen, QB (Wyoming)
Don’t be shocked if Buffalo uses its leverage to move up into the top ten or top five picks if the intention is to select Allen. If Allen is still available with the Bills staying at No. 12, he will be gone after that because there isn’t much sense in Buffalo passing on him.
13.    Washington (7-9) – Vita Vea, DT (Washington)
With Ziggy Hood slated as the starting nose tackle for the Redskins,  Vea could be the first round selection. Comparable to a guy like Haloti Ngata, Vea can really bolster a defensive line that needs him.
14.    Green Bay (7-9) – Calvin Ridley, WR (Alabama)
With the departure of Jordy Nelson, the Packers could get Aaron Rodgers another target by taking the wide receiver out of Alabama.
15.    Arizona (8-8) – Baker Mayfield, QB (Oklahoma)
I like this fit for Mayfield because this could be the ideal mix of sitting back and learning as well as stepping up and playing. Weather-wise, Arizona and the NFC West would fit right into what Mayfield was used to at Oklahoma.
16.    Baltimore (9-7) – Mike McGlinchey, OT (Notre Dame)
The Ravens continue to spot issues up front, which means they could be taking what most consider to be the top tackle in the draft. Baltimore may try to find a guy that can play opposite of Ronnie Stanley on the offensive line, and that guy could be McGlinchey.
17.    Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) – Da’Ron Payne, DT (Alabama)
Not many are more brute up front than Payne. This was a guy with another power to bench press over 400 pounds in high school before going on   to terrorize offensive linemen in the SEC. Payne could join a defensive line with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, and really solidify the middle of that line if the Chargers make the pick.
18.    Seattle (9-7) – Josh Jackson, CB (Iowa)
The Seahawks let go of Richard Sherman this offseason so this pick makes sense to fill that void if the Seahawks want to target it early in the draft.
19.    Dallas (9-7) – Christian Kirk, WR (Texas A&M)
This selection could be a few different guys, but it will likely be a wide receiver. After Dallas parted ways with Dez Bryant, the receiver position could be targeted for the Cowboys to a fill the open spot at WR unless they want to throw Allen Hurns into the fire.
20.    Detroit (9-7) – Derrius Guice, RB (LSU)
Although the Lions have Ameer Abdullah and now LeGarrette Blount, selecting another young running back could help out that backfield, especially since Abdullah hasn’t quite developed into a homerun hitting RB.
21.    Cincinnati, from Buf. (9-7) – Isaiah Wynn, OG/OT (Georgia)
There isn’t a lot of depth on the Bengals' offensive line, which is why Wynn's versatility Isaiah Wynn is so attractive to them. His ability to play guard, tackle or even center in a pinch could land him on a roster in the first round. A team like the Cincinnati would be a fit.
22.    *Buffalo, from KC (9-7) – Maurice Hurst, DT (Michigan)
After the Bills collect their QB, they may target the defensive front by going with big block eater out of Michigan – Maurice Hurst. With Kyle Williams likely not having many years left for Buffalo, Hurst can find himself getting his feet wet for a few years before sliding into a starting spot.
23.    *New England, from LAR (11-5) – Jaire Alexander, CB (Louisville)
Malcom Butler had an ugly exit from New England after not playing in the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia. The Patriots could use this to fill the position gap Thursday night.
24.    *Carolina (11-5) – Justin Reid, S (Stanford)
This pick may not seem like it makes a lot of sense, but the Panthers could make somewhat of a surprise pick by going with the safety out of Stanford. Reid could pretty much step right into a backup role with the potential to get starts in his rookie season.
25.    *Tennessee (9-7) – Harold Landry, EDGE (Boston College)
Harold Landry could be a guy to set the edge for Tennessee if the pick is made in the first round to be a potential upgrade from DaQuan Jones. It would bolster a line that features Jurrell Casey in the middle.
26.    *Atlanta (10-6) – Mike Gesicki, TE (Penn State)
Gesicki could find himself going anywhere from the middle of the opening round to not in the first round at all. One team that could find interest in the big target the Atlanta Falcons. With Austin Hooper as the team’s top tight end on the depth chart, Gesicki could end up going to Atlanta
27.    *New Orleans (11-5) – Billy Price, C (Ohio State)
Although Max Unger is the center right now in New Orleans, Billy Price could get picked here to be a utility guy along the Saints offensive line. New Orleans went with an OL last year in the first round of the draft, and it could look to do it again. Drew Brees needs all the protection he can get.
28.    *Pittsburgh (13-3) – Rashaan Evans, LB (Alabama)
After the injury to Ryan Shazier late last season, selecting a linebacker would help fill the major void left by the crushing injury. The only way the Steelers don’t go with Evans is if one of the top defensive backs are on the board is left that Pittsburgh feels it can't pass up.
29.    *Jacksonville (10-6) – Leighton Vander Esch, LB (Boise State)
With how good the Jacksonville defense was last season, there isn’t much depth behind the current starters, which is how Vander Esch could fill into the rotation.
30.    *Minnesota (13-3) – Will Hernandez, OG (UTEP)
The Vikings could really improve the offensive line if they go with the huge guard from UTEP. Hernandez at over 340 pounds would bring back the days of monster offensive linemen. Although he played both guard and tackle in college, expect a guy with his build to stay on the interior of the offensive line.
31.    NYG, from NE (13-3) – Mason Rudolph, QB (Oklahoma State)
The only trade I have in the 1st round is a big one between the Giants and the Patriots that could potentially involve Odell Beckham Jr. This will also open the chance for New York to take the big QB they want to learn from Eli Manning for a few years – Mason Rudolph. That would allow the Giants to draft their future RB and QB in the opening round.
32.    *Philadelphia (13-3) – Sony Michel, RB (Georgia)
The Eagles love having a plethora of running backs in the system, but also lost LaGarrette Blount. Jay Ajayi is the starting back at the moment, but Michel could join a backfield with already a good tandem of runners.

National Championship Game: Three keys to victory for both teams

By Joe Smeltzer

Photo creds to vstvhd.com

It started with 68, and now it's down to two. Tonight is national title night. We all know about the two teams that have made it to the show, and here is what they can do to come away with a national title.

Villanova 
Key #1: Shoot
It's been the Wildcats' bread and butter all season and it was on full display Saturday against Kansas when the 'Nova shot 55 percent from the field and 45 percent from beyond-the-arc. If the Wildcats' shots are falling, they have a great chance to win the game. But if they aren't...

Key #2: Offensive rebounding
Before the tournament, I wrote that Villanova's unproven offensive rebounding ability could cost it on a night where its shots weren't falling. The 'Cats' Elite Eight win over Texas Tech was one of those games. Nova shot just 33 percent, but thanks in large part to 20 offensive rebounds, the Wildcats pulled through and advanced to the Final Four. Michigan's defense won't make it easy for Villanova to score, so crashing the offensive glass could play a vital part for the 'Cats to win their second national title in three seasons.

Key #3: Contain Moe Wagner
He's the heart and soul of the Wolverines, and Loyola-Chicago found out how good he is Saturday when the German posted 24 points and 15 rebounds. The 6'11 Wagner can score down low, and his shooting isn't too bad either. He's a weapon that can hurt Villanova in a lot of ways, so if the 'Cats can limit him from going off too much, they'll be in good shape. It will be up to Omari Spellman to hold his own in the post against big Moe.


Michigan 
Key #1: Keep the shots from falling
Michigan had the top scoring defense in the Big 10 and was third in the conference in opposing field goal percentage, so the Wolverines know how to defend. They haven't encountered a test quite like Villanova, so to come away with a national title, the D is going to have to be on point.

Key #2: Defensive rebounding 
It's essential for Michigan that when Villanova misses a shot, that's the end of the possession. No second chances. It would be pretty crappy for the Wolverines if they do their job in limiting Villanova's shooting but still lose because they didn't box out.

Key #3: Slow the game down
If Michigan gets into a shootout with the Wildcats, it won't go well. For the Wolverines to pull an upset, they must slow the game down, and make it a "first-to-60" or a least a "first-to-70" type of deal. Just because Big Blue scored 99 points against Texas A&M doesn't mean that they should expect to do that again against Nova. The offense must slow things down, and keep the ball out of Jalen Brunson's hands as often as possible. The less time Villanova has the ball, the better.

Prediction
Every bracket I turned in had Villanova winning, and nothing that's happened over the past two weeks has changed my mind. The Wildcats are the best of the best, and its their time to spark a debate as to where they rank among college basketball's greatest four-year stretches. Rejoice, Philly.

Villanova 78, Michigan 66