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2013 NFL Mock Draft: Tyler Eifert to the Dolphins?

2013-04-22T18:14:20Z

The Miami Dolphins have made a real effort to bring in talent in free agency this offseason, and few could argue with the notion that they've improved a great deal. The signing of wide receiver Mike Wallace was a big one, as the team is hoping that quarterback Ryan Tannehill will make a big impact in his second season in the NFL.

More: Visit The Phinsider for more on the Dolphins

They have a relatively high pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, and the direction they go with their pick will be interesting. Will they continue to add weapons for Tannehill or will they go a different direction?

Dan Kadar of SB Nation released his latest mock draft on Monday and he has the Dolphins taking Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert with the No. 12 pick in the first round:

The Dolphins have made an effort to surround Ryan Tannehill with more talent this offseason, re-signing Brian Hartline and adding Mike Wallace to the fold. Now they add arguably the most talented skill player in the draft in tight end Tyler Eifert. It's true Jeff Ireland doesn't value tight ends in the draft, and the Dolphins have never taken one in the first round. Eifert is just too good of a fit.

Miami definitely needs some help at tight end, and Eifert would be able to come right in and be the starter, probably for a long time. It's just another move meant to help Tannehill succeed in the NFL. You can find a full scouting report on Eifert here.

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NFL Mock Draft 2013: Dion Jordan still the pick for Jaguars

2013-04-22T17:31:37Z

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been in full-on rebuilding mode for some time now. With another top-five pick in the NFL Draft, they're not getting away from that any time soon. This also doesn't seem to be the strongest draft we've had lately, but the Jaguars should still be able to land a strong player at No. 2 overall.

More: Visit Big Cat Country for more on the Jaguars

Dan Kadar of SB Nation released his penultimate mock draft on Monday and he has the Jaguars addressing a big need with the selection of Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan:

There has been a lot of discussion about the Jaguars drafting an offensive tackle with the second overall pick. The logic is that the team hasn't started the process to extend left tackle Eugene Monroe. But the team has a more immediate need with a player that can line up at the Leo position. Besides, Jordan has the most upside of any pass rusher in the draft this year.

The Jaguars will likely be able to get Monroe extended, and that means the selection of Jordan or one of the other high-impact defensive players is likely the smart route for Jacksonville. Jordan can definitely make big things happen, and he'd come in and immediately be a starter wherever the Jags need him at this point. Check out his scouting report here.

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• NFL mock draft: Thursday looms

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• 2013 NFL schedules: Monday night | Sunday night | Thursday night

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Buccaneers select Sheldon Richardson

2013-04-18T12:00:06Z

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 7-9 in 2012 after losing five of their last six games and having one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. The Bucs allowed the most passing yards in the NFL, while opposing quarterbacks had 30 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, with the Bucs losing shootouts more often than they won any. Many have speculated that this could cause the Buccaneers to draft a cornerback in the NFL draft or trade for Darrelle Revis, but it is still just speculation.

Also speculation: Tampa doesn't take a cornerback with their first round pick.

More: Bucs Nation: Jets Price is Too High

While it is true that Tampa Bay is in need of help in the secondary, it is also true that they are in need of help in other areas. Losing five of six games doesn't solely fall on one group of players. If Tampa Bay does land the disgruntled Revis from the Jets, it will likely cost them at least the 13th overall pick that they hold in the draft. If they don't trade for Revis, is any corner worth a pick that high other than Dee Milliner? Many experts are saying no, and there seems to be a fat chance that Milliner would get out of the top ten.

So that would mean that unless the Bucs trade down or take a cornerback higher than most expect, it could cause them to select a player from another position. Perhaps one like defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson out of Missouri. That is what Rob Rang of CBS Sports has projected in his latest mock draft:

It has long been rumored that the Bucs will ship this pick to the New York Jets as part of a trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis. That doesn't necessarily mean the team will use this pick on a cornerback should the trade not occur. Perhaps due in part to their inability to defend the pass, the Bucs led the NFL in rush defense in 2012, allowing just 82.5 yards per game. That's why it is surprising the team elected to allow half of their front four (defensive end Michael Bennett, defensive tackle Roy Miller) to leave town as relatively inexpensive free agents. I believe it is an indication that the Bucs plan to invest heavily on the defensive line via the draft, potentially starting in the first round with Richardson.

Adding an impact player on defense at any position should theoretically help other units anyway. So if Richardson is the consolation prize for a player like Revis or Milliner, that would not be that bad.

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NFL Mock Draft 2013: Jags snatch up Geno Smith

2013-04-08T15:34:41Z

In the latest SB Nation three-round mock draft by Matthew Fairburn, the Jacksonville Jaguars go all out to improve their struggling team.

In order, Jacksonville takes top-quarterback prospect Geno Smith of the West Virginia Mountaineers, followed by safety D.J. Swearinger of the South Carolina Gamecocks and Auburn Tigers defensive end Corey Lemonier.

More: Extended draft expertise Extended Jaguars coverage

Smith going to Jacksonville would be an upset, with most people expecting Smith to land with either the Philadelphia Eagles or Arizona Cardinals.

However, taking Smith to replace the disappointing Blaine Gabbert wouldn't be the worst move in the world. The Jaguars have had major issues drawing fans to games, and taking Smith would only help bring people back. Smith is unquestionably the best quarterback in the draft.

Swearinger is one of the most interesting players in the secondary coming into the draft. Playing in the SEC, Swearinger showed the ability to cover while still being able to come up and lay the wood on a ball carrier.

Lemonier is a player who can get after the quarterback, something that is desperately needed for a team that couldn't lay a hand on the signal caller.

The Jaguars need help at almost every position, and this draft would be a great upgrade.

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2013 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins take Tyler Eifert, defense

2013-04-08T15:10:10Z

In the latest SB Nation three-round mock draft by Matthew Fairburn, the Miami Dolphins come back with a massive haul due to their five picks.

In order, the Dolphins selected tight end Tyler Eifert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, corner Jordan Poyer of the Oregon State Beavers, safety Eric Reid of the LSU Tigers, Fresno State Bulldogs safety Phillip Thomas and defensive end Sam Montgomery of LSU.

More: Extended draft expertise Extended Dolphins coverage

This would be an incredible draft for Miami. The Dolphins need help in the worst way in their secondary after losing Yeremiah Bell, Vontae Davis and Sean Smith over the last two years. Fairburn understood this and picked up Poyer, who will immediately step in and start. Poyer excels at zone coverage, something Miami does quite often.

Reid is a terrific player who might be the most dynamic safety in the draft. Anyone who watches Reid knows what a playmaker the youngster can be. In the SEC, Reid stood out.

In the first round, Eifert makes all the sense in the world. The Dolphins need to get quarterback Ryan Tannehill a security blanket and Eifert is the best in tight end in the draft.

Thomas is another player who can contribute right away and will probably come in for sub-packages. Montgomery is a tough player to project. If Montgomery decides he wants to play hard, he's a first-round talent. If not, he will probably be out of football soon.

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NFL Mock Draft 2013: Bucs take Xavier Rhodes

2013-04-08T14:40:50Z

In SB Nation's latest three-round mock draft by Matthew Fairburn, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers potentially upgraded on both sides of the ball.

In order, the Buccaneers selected cornerback Xavier Rhodes of the Florida State Seminoles, Stanford Cardinal tight end Zach Ertz and Missouri Southern defensive tackle Brandon Williams.

More: Extended draft expertise Extended Buccaneers coverage

Rhodes is perhaps the most physical corner in the draft. A big corner at 6'2 and 210 pounds, Rhodes can climb up on the receiver at the line of scrimmage and pound on his opponent before they get out of the five-yard bump zone. Along with Mark Barron, this would immediately be a young, very talented secondary.

Ertz is considered by almost everyone to be the best tight end outside of Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert and would be a great fit in Tampa Bay. Ertz would replace Dallas Clark and be the long-term security blanket for Josh Freeman.

Williams is from a small school but has shown the ability to push the pocket somewhat and attack the run game. Considering how much the Buccaneers struggled on the defensive line, it's worth the gamble.

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How to watch Final 4 online, TV schedule, radio and more

2013-04-06T12:00:04Z

For those unsure of how to take in Saturday's pair of Final Four games, fans will be afforded a number of different viewing and listening options. The games, which tip off at 6:09 p.m. ET from Atlanta, will be aired on television, streamed online and via smartphone app and will also be called live on the radio as well.

For more on the story, visit Card Chronicle and Mid Major Madness

Like they have all spring long, CBS will broadcast both semifinal contests live and in their entirety, with Steve Kerr joining Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg in the booth for the third straight year. The two games, which feature Louisville and Wichita State in the opener and Michigan versus Syracuse to follow, will also stream online at NCAA.com as well.

For the tech savvy viewer, Apple has the March Madness Live app available iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and iPad Mini. Android offers the same app to their subscribers.

For more on the story, visit Nunes Magician and Maize 'n Brew

And finally for fans stuck in the car on Saturday evening, both games will be broadcasted via Dial Global Sports Network. Tampa's Dial Global Sports Network affiliate is WHFS-FM 98.7.

The winners of Saturday's games will advance to Monday night's championship game.

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Final Four game time, TV schedule and more: Syracuse vs. Michigan

2013-04-04T23:35:16Z

The 2013 Final Four finishes up on Saturday night, when the Michigan Wolverines take on the Syracuse Orange.

Complete game coverage: Maize n Brew Nunes Magician

Led by AP Player of the Year Trey Burke, Michigan cruised by South Dakota State, VCU, Kansas and Florida to win the South region. They were part of arguably the best game of the tournament in the Sweet 16. Led by Burke's 18 second half points, the Wolverines crawled back from a 14-point deficit to win the game in overtime.

Syracuse hasn't had quite as much drama. They routed Montana, California, Indiana and Marquette in the East region, with the Cal win being the only margin of victory less than 11 points. This is their first Final Four appearance since the championship season of 2003.

Here's the complete schedule for Saturday:

Game time: 8:49 p.m. ET

Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.

TV: CBS (also streaming online at March Madness Live)

Line: Michigan by 2

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