Untouchable

Diontae is the big piece because grabbing someone who can win on his route and win early was missing big time last year.  I'm really excited to see how they will use XL because he could have a huge impact with the many different way he can impact a game.  We now technically have a couple of players that can beat man consistently and some weapons to hurt zone badly, so like all the moves this offseason on paper its a huge improvement.

Would still like to see another speed merchant who can win deep and with his routes added over the rest of the draft too. Maybe Burton if he falls from character concerns.

He primarily lined up here for the Steelers so not a real surprise here but figured he'd be moving around or playing a bunch of Z.  Doubt a draft pick would change this in 2024 either.

I get he is really young and has the jump ball highlights but I'm much lower on Coleman. Not impressed with his speed or route running on tape especially against draftable prospects and those players don't translate very often in the NFL.

1 hour ago, jayboogieman said:

Cliff notes:

• Says he would ignore edge in the second round since they signed two guys that can start

Don't know that I agree with this point.  The only proven and consistent pass rusher on the entire D-line is Clowney, so grabbing an EDGE, especially one that could reduce inside like YGM did last season on passing downs (thinking Robinson or Kneeland types) seems like a huge need on paper.

Center is a need and could easily be BPA though.  Team might continue with building from the inside out and snag JPJ, Barton or Frazier there in the second.

I'm seeing in the range of 16-20 true first round grades on prospects this year.  We could be sitting in a position where trading back a couple spots keeps us with the same caliber type player and picking up an extra day 2 pick on top of it.  Arizona moved back 8 spots from 33 just last year and picked up a 3rd.

We're going to have a grouping of players we like around that pick, if we feel we can still get one and move back to grab extra capital go for it.  We're not one player away anyway.

Its set up nicely for the draft at this point

- Outside WR - Johnson has a ton of snaps at the X and can play all over.  Theilen is relegated to the slot for the most part nowadays.  Last 2 coaching staffs drafted power slots and tried to move them to the X so just target an outside WR this time.

- EDGE2 - Expecting either Wonnum or Johnson to fill that EDGE2 role is a tough sell and a high draft pick here would solidify either EDGE2 or EDGE3 this year and even though Clowney is EDGE1 this year you have a chance to develop that player to move up the depth chart.  With the length of the contracts of the players and the fact we just reset the position here this will be a perennial need right now.

- CB2 - Same deal banking on Dane Jackson to fill that role. CBs get banged up at a high clip too, so competition for that spot is likely needed. Probably why we're talking to Gilmore already.

- C2 - Line looks fine with depth all around except for at Center.  Corbett had an unlucky year of injuries but its a rough sport and an injury or two to a guard could prompt Corbett to slide back out too.  He's also on the last year of his deal so resetting the position with a high pick and setting it up for the future would be smart.

- ILB3 - Depth is weak here and Thompson is in the last year of his contract so draft and start developing.

- RB3 - Hubbard is in a contract year, Sanders contract is going to make him expendable next season.  The position is going to need an overhaul.

- TE2 - Tremble looks like he is up to TE1 now but if you're looking for more in the passing game out of the position an upgrade has to be made.

Without projecting draft trades it would be ideal if we came out of the first two days of the draft with a WR, C and EDGE

I'm very high on him.  He is small so holding up in the run game will be an issue particularly year 1, but he has good length for that small frame.  Not going to bend the edge like Burns could but he has a good array of rush moves.  I'd look for him around 65.

Significantly more refined right now then Issac and Booker IMO, but you're really drafting those guys for traits and potential.

4 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

The other thing that scares me with Legette, beyond some quite apparent growth needed (route-running, ball tracking, spatial awareness), is that he was a 5 year guy, and did nothing, like nothing, for the first 4.  ~420 yards, 5 TDs, in his first 4 years.  That's not an season avg, that's overall. 

So, 23 years old, one real season making noise.  Not trying to just dig at him, but he would be a very disappointing 2nd round choice IMO.  We've gone through this type of receiver before who tests well, measures well, but then it's like, what are you getting on the field?  Is he a game breaker? Playmaker? Team elevator? I don't see it.  

We need the separators, technicians, multi-role types.  Now if we get him as one of a double dip, I could definitely buy in on the upside, but he's not a plug and play.  And at that age, it makes me nervous. 

 

The late breakout is probably discussed during the interview processes with teams but I have a feeling the passing of his dad right before entering college (after losing his mom a couple years earlier) could be a factor and might be why teams are giving him a pass on the low early production.

54 minutes ago, Ricky Prickles said:

Mingo won't be the same as you saw last year with decent coaching and an actual offense that isn't garbage before the ball is even snapped.

If I had a guess I don't think he's going to play on the outside as much next year.  Probably going back to that power slot role he did well in college, kind of like Chris Godwin plays for the Bucs. Also why I think the team is targeting another outside receiver in the draft.

I like Marshawn Kneeland and he's looking like a top 50 prospect with his size, length, athleticism and versatility. It will probably take about 39 to get him but I think he could have an immediate impact.

I like Adisa Issac too who has all the traits and upside but needs time to develop. I'd be more comfortable with him closer to 65 though.

Kansas' Austin Booker is another traits/upside prospect I like potentially in the 3rd round. Strong pass rush but run defense needs to be developed. Could come in as a situational rusher in year 1 with hopes of improvement against the run.

I think we are eyeing up red zone/contested catch weapons right now so Legette fits right into that as where he wins. Outside of snatching a prospect like Brian Thomas Jr or Adonai Mitchell that slips to us I think Legette is the next best option there early day 2.  He is older compared to the other similar style WRs in the range (23 vs 20/21) but seems to get a pass on his development in scouting reports because this is his first year of big production.  Still his size/speed/strength combo along with run blocking prowess makes him very appealing. I expect a big receiving threat type at TE is coming too to help in that role.

1 hour ago, Crixtala said:

can someone explain the hype on Payton Wilson? seems like a ticking time bomb to me already being 24 coming into the nfl and two acl tears. is it just because he's from State?

I personally prefer younger prospects, because they still have room to develop but Wilson does have very good well rounded tape with a strong athletic profile.  Local kid helps here for sure too.

Looks like Haynes replacement and Barno competition

This is a good signing as EDGE3 with upside to EDGE2 and the contract reflects that.  As others have noted his numbers don't matchup to the tape as his sacks and pressures are mainly clean ups or free runs, but he's young with size/length/speed traits who can hopefully continue to develop.  Hopefully a Day 2 draft pick and a bigger free agent still to come at the position.

EDGE1, 2, & 3 - We probably need at least 3 EDGEs with 2 coming in free agency.  Draft and develop the 3rd.  We have a top 30 visit with Marshawn Kneeland so far.

WR2, 5 - Another outside opposite Johnson. I'm sure they will try Mingo but the draft is where I expect them to go.  Probably add a late round or UDFA slot option as well to develop for when they move on from Theilen too.  I like Adonai Mitchell (Texas) on the outside and maybe an Ainias Smith (Texas A&M) for that slot.  The team is showing a lot of interest in Xavier Leggette or even Keon Coleman.

TE1 - Move TE is missing here.  It looks like Tremble is at the Flex and Thomas is at the Inline but right now the Move is Sullivan. Free agency is bare so draft and develop attempts likely. We seem to have interest in Jared Wiley from TCU.

S2, 3 - I have a feeling Fuller is about to fill this void. Depth looks weak here too right now but maybe Robinson and Cook have been developing. Haven't looked into safeties for the draft.

C2 - Corbett's recent major injuries and him not playing/practicing C in years means we need to address it.  Plus gives us a good chance to slide Corbett back into G if injury bug bites the position. WVU's Zach Frazier has gained traction lately as an option here.  Wisconsin's Tanor Bortolini is a later round zone only center.

CB2 or 4 - Hill is going to be that CB3/Nickel but you're hoping Dane Jackson takes the CB2 job right now but another one that can compete for it is needed. They liked Jamison a lot last year so maybe he's developing but depth is vital at CB. I'm a fan of FSU's Renardo Green who looks to be underrated right now at least by the media.

6 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

Ricky Pearsall or Adonai Mitchell please 

Adonai Mitchell is an ideal draft target at this point to me.

No brainer.  He was Exclusive Rights free agent so if you offer a minimum contract he has to sign it. 1 yr probably around 985k (probably no guarantees either).

I've been mentioning and hoping for this move since the trade deadline last season.  The ideal draft target now would be Adonai Mitchell.

57 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Is he worth it? 

In theory yes. With offenses taking more and more underneath passes and not going deep as much a stronger investment in LBs, especially one strong at coverage, as opposed to safeties could make sense.

Upgrades on offense needed to be made and we are at the point where it was going to be coming at the expense of the defense unfortunately.

Bozeman is a fine center just not a fit in the new offense (nor was he last season). Need players that fit the system so this could be seen coming from a mile away.

If you're shipping Burns out you need 2 rushers now, so you're probably spending a healthy sum on one in free agency at the very least.

You should look to bring back YGM as well as EDGE3 too after a solid stint when healthy last year. Haynes is likely gone if he's not calling it a career after his back injury last season so you're looking at an almost completely empty edge rushing room without resigning anyone.

....No effect on the comp picks and a history with the offensive coaching staff

Those are serious health concerns when it comes to the concussion so not a surprising move at all though I thought they would spread the dead cap hit with a post June 1st designation.

Ian will go next and Tremble will take his spot.  Sullivan was resigned already and they might bring back Ricci if there is no competition.  TE is going to get some investments this offseason.

I looked back at how the Bills revamped their WR core after drafting Josh Allen because Dan Morgan was a director of player personnel at that time.  See if there might be some clues how the team could address specifically that position here since draft capital is currently limited.  Here's what they did:

2018 - Draft QB but no other real help arrived though they took a couple flyers on slot options late in the draft.  Allen's season was rough but his work with his legs kind of salvaged it a little

2019 - Two key investments on the first day of free agency.  Cole Beasley to man the slot and the speedy John Brown for the flanker.  Beasley was a known commodity and solid slot option in Dallas while Brown was underrated coming from Arizona.

2020 - Big splash in the trade for a true #1 in Stefon Diggs to primarily man the split end position.  The move seemingly turned Allen into one of the premier QBs overnight, though looking at the film from the year before Allen was consistently making the correct reads but wasn't getting consistent help.  They also drafted Gabe Davis on Day 3 of the draft which came in handy as Brown would start getting hit by the injury bug and would be released after the season.

For the Panthers, their year 1 included the QB and slot option (if they dont move AT).  The team also took a swing at a WR who definitely looks like he needs more time to develop if he develops at all.  This year could lead to the team not making a big splash for a true #1 and finding a strong speedy option instead as there are a few good ones to grab in free agency or potentially develop out of the draft.