Bear Hands

Yeah gotta trust the new guys to an extent. Who knows, if Barton is the only potential C that goes R1, we may pass on JPC and Frazier at 33 for skill positions. Could see Van Pran, Limmer or others fitting, but can't get too bent out of shape if it doesn't happen.

Don't want to clog up the main board-here's my final take at a predictive mock (with some major trades) Getting something on the books/having some fun. Wasn't a long effort, just an ongoing one I've been revising in GoogleDrive since March lol. Enjoy 2024 Mock Draft: 1 - CHI - Caleb Williams QB USC Not much to say. This is happening barring Caleb doing something career-ending. 2 - WAS - Jayden Daniels QB LSU Daniels ends up in DC. If he hits, it will be above and beyond, so just roll the dice. A new era in WAS begins. Not buying rumors. *3 - MIN (from NE) - Drake Maye QB UNC TRADE #1 - The Pats have a lot of needs at the start of their rebuild - a popular refrain is to stay put and grab a QB. But if there’s a sweet offer here (and they’re obviously listening), I just think they take it and the Vikes will give them a crap ton. Maye to Minnesota. 4 - AZ - Marvin Harrison Jr WR OSU I’m not biting that Arizona moves down like last year. Don’t get cute, take the best player in the draft. *5 - NE (from LAC) - JJ McCarthy QB Michigan TRADE #2 - The Patriots trade back up to get their guy. They go with another QB out of Michigan and gain some capital from the trade down in the process. 6 - NYG - Rome Odunze WR WASH I think they’re all about Rome if they can’t land a QB. Big boost to the Big Apple’s struggling offense. Slight surprise over Nabers. 7 - TEN - Joe Alt LT Notre Dame TEN is a weird team. HC-Callahan, QB-Levis, RB-Pollard/Spears, WR-Hopkins/Ridley. I guess that’s what they’re rolling with after being big FA spenders. Alt has been an easy pick in mocks, but it’s for a reason. Would be a huge get and they see if Levis has “it” in 2024. 8 - BUF (from ATL) - Malik Nabers WR LSU MONSTER TRADE #3 - The Bills take an absolutely bonkers approach and trade up for Nabers. Sending 28, R4, 2025’s 1st, 2nd and more. Hell, maybe a player as well. 9 - CHI - Byron Murphy II DT Texas Poles stated their intentions to land one of the draft’s blue chip players so I don’t see them moving down. However, I think people are sleeping on how teams view Murphy. I honestly love this fit. 10 - NYJ - Brock Bowers TE UGA I don’t see Bowers falling much further. I could see the Rams trying to trade up but I can also see Bowers just being the pick for NYJ, even if I prefer him elsewhere. *11 - LAC (from MIN through NE) - JC Latham OT Alabama The Chargers move down and land an OL that fits Harbaugh’s style player to a tee. 12 - DEN - Dallas Turner DE/ED Alabama I’m not quite sure what the Broncos have in mind this offseason other than their uniform change. I’m also unsure about Nix or Penix going this high. Payton has high standards and I don’t see them reaching. They take the top edge defender. 13 - LVR - Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo The Raiders are in a spot where the fanbase is getting pretty antsy for an answer at QB. However, this new regime has Telesco and Antonio Pierce at the helm. Telesco loves getting sure things (new MO for the Raiders), and Pierce is all defense. This selection gives them a stout CB1 across from Jack Jones. Pair that with the DL they’re growing with Crosby, Wilkins, Tyree & Koonce, they could go from good to great on D. 14 - NO - Troy Fautanu OT/G Washington Their defense is in decent shape but if they want that offense to get more consistent, they would be wise to take advantage of the upper tier in this OL class, especially given their situation. Could be a good fit here. 15 - IND - Jared Verse EDGE FSU Indy goes against the commonly mocked routes for a top pass rusher. Versatile, would be a nice fit for them. I like Pearsall reuniting with AR in R2. *16 - LAR (from SEA) - Laiaitu Latu DE/ED UCLA TRADE #4 - I wanted Byron Murphy II for SEA, but I get a sense he’s coveted. With him gone, SEA gets a pick or two from LAR. LA grabs Latu to bolster their edge. If a team okays his medicals, he’s arguably the top EDGE in the class. *17 - AZ (from JAX) - Graham Barton C/G/T Duke TRADE #5 - Arizona trades back up with all of their ammunition gained for one of the guys a ton of teams like, and is going higher than you think. 18 - CIN - Taliese Fuaga OT/G Oregon State This could be a wise direction with Burrow’s history. Sure, Trent Brown is signed and will be their LT, but Fuaga has some positional flexibility and this would make a lot of sense value wise (and for the future) *19 - SEA (from LAR) - Johnny Newton DT Illinois Seattle trades back and gets a dude who could help shape out their front-7 very nicely. Reunites him with Witherspoon as well. I like this fit a lot for Seattle. 20 - PIT - Olu Fashanu OT Penn State I was thinking WR, but I see Pittsburgh being patient considering the depth of the class. This is a super valuable selection. Excellent fit here since Dan Moore is just a backup (as he should be). Huge upside pick. *21 - WAS (from MIA) - Brian Thomas Jr. WR LSU TRADE #5 - Miami has a handful of needs after a cap-casualty filled offseason. Priority should be stabilizing that offensive line. But if the guys they like are gone, they could take calls to gain some much needed picks. Ideal scenario for WAS to keep Thomas and Daniels together. MIA dips out of R1, just slightly, can still fill their IOL needs just fine. 22 - PHI - Terrion Arnold CB Alabama Arnold is a great fit for their defense and I think this could work out quite nicely for them, staying put. *23 - NE (from MIN) - Amarius Mims OT UGA NE is able to keep this pick with their reverse trade up for JJ. Land a lineman, big need to help keep the kid upright. 24 - DAL - Ladd McConkey WR UGA Dallas is moving into a semi-rebuild situation. Lots of needs. I can see Ladd being a bit coveted once we’re around this spot. Also- after losing Pollard, they need someone to catch the quick ones from Dak. Big needs on the OL can wait as they grab Ladd. 25 - GB - Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama The Packers are a team with particular standards at DL, OL and DB where you can take certain guys off their list. This was Mims or Kool-Aid for me, and Mims is gone. 26 - TB - Cooper DeJean DB Iowa They have some ties to the DBs and can see them taking DeJean to create a bit of a stabilizing force in their secondary. *27 - JAX (from AZ) - Adonai Mitchell WR Texas This would be interesting for T Law. Unsure if it’s a Baalke pick, they’re eyeing DBs, but this could be smart for them. Their FA moves didn’t get it done receiver wise. *28 - ATL (from BUF) - Chop Robinson EDGE Penn State ATL is still able to target an EDGE defender after a huge trade down. *29 - LVR (from DET) - Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington TRADE #6 - I can’t find the best fit for Detroit here, and if Penix is still on the board, maybe they take a trade. Could still grab a hometown boy like Darius Robinson or Kris Jenkins at 44 in this scenario. 30 - BAL - Jordan Morgan OT/G Arizona Fresh off a big year, the league MVP now has Derrick Henry in house. I think it would be smart to give them a boost up front. This happens to fill a moderate need, but more importantly, it’s just smart for a team gunning for a SB. They lost some in the front-7 and could use a defender, but they have more picks for that. 31 - SF - Nate Wiggins CB Clemson The secondary could use a boost and they met with Wiggins (flew him out on a private 30). His skills are elite, just needs some bulking. Perfect for their Cover-3. 32 - KC - Kingsley Suamataia OG BYU The WR spot is popular here, but they don’t need to force it. Just as much need to protect Mahomes if they want to continue winning SBs. 33 - CAR - Xavier Worthy WR Texas I just think Morgan is going WR, there's no stopping him. For Worthy, I’ve slowly come around on why this makes a lot of sense for us. Not my top choice but this is predictive. After a closer look and challenging my own takes-- he doesn’t seem as scary as other speedsters like John Ross were in the past. Think Worthy could be super interesting in this offense, his combination of footwork, balance, start/stop, and ability to quickly separate is what Bryce needs. He hand catches, can be aggressive, and I see no reason why he can't put on 10 lbs. Ceiling = TY Hilton meets Tank Dell meets DeSean. Absolute field-stretcher & playmaker added. Notable Outs: Troy Franklin WR Oregon Kris Jenkins DT Michigan - Watch for LAC Round 2 Tyler Guyton OT Oklahoma - Surprise, but big dude, injury history, some questions what spot is best Jackson Powers-Johnson C Oregon - Injury rumors ring true and he doesn't go Round 1, and we don't select him. Xavier Legette WR South Carolina - will still be a top target for CAR in Round 2 Zach Frazier C WVU Junior Colson ILB Michigan Mike Sainristil DB Michigan Marshawn Kneeland OLB/DE Western Michigan Edgerrin Cooper LB Texas A&M Darius Robinson ED/DL Missouri Full CAR Draft: 2-33 Xavier Worthy WR Texas 2-39 Junior Colson LB Michigan - A bit of a surprise but I think he's LB1 and we just plug him in. Is Shaq even a certainty? Here's the new defensive general for the long term. Led the best defense in the country to a title and checks nearly every box as a LB. 3-65 (trade down for 3-72 & 4-111 from NYJ) 3-72 Trey Benson RB FSU - He becomes a big part of the offense the second he's on the team. 4-101 Javon Baker WR UCF - I really like this guy; a real DB-bully. Has chemistry with Bryce too. 4-111 Sedrick Van-Pran C UGA - Center Dice roll 5-141 Myles Harden CB South Dakota - DB Dice roll 5-142 Tip Reiman TE Illinois - I don't think we're using TE a ton in Canales' offense, but another late round gamble

Yep - they're job interviews at the end of the day, some visits could be to test out how their personalities fit. Lots of former GM's have admitted such. They may be close to sold but hear weird things and want to see how they fit. Although, we met with Legette enough, and there's enough out there definitely giving credence to our affection being true. I don't why--but it always seems like we can't hide our intentions lol. Doesn't matter who is here. We're either, "oh yeah, we all saw that coming" early-on that turns into "who the f*ck is this" come late Round 2 lol. Never do I find myself being "Nice, I liked that kid during the process, maybe a tad high but promising pick" If it's Legette, as someone mentioned, it will just be funny how loudly, yet again, we telegraphed our intentions.

I'm a Pearsall fan but there's been such little connection or reported interest on our end, I'm not expecting it to happen. Would be happy if it did but I just doubt it. Doesn't seem we're eyeing the technician, high-floor types. Seems like we'll continue to ignore dudes. If not, then I'll be pleasantly surprised. Legette, Worthy, Corley, Dez Walker, at lot of our meetings have been with the more boom/busters. Scares me with this scouting department. Let us not forget Fitt may be gone, but the guys who wrote up all the reports and helped create the boards are all still here.

Daniel Jeremiah with more on him...(linked to the right time) DJ echoes common concerns but also echoes high 2nd round being likely (It really seems like our liking of him isn't smoke). Tough eval - muscled up and fast but two big concerns: 1-too tight to be able to run a full route tree 2-blended in at the Senior Bowl, didn't jump out down there around other guys with NFL talent He's not coming into the league to just plug in outside. Needs plays in an environment tailored to him.

Brugler reported this morning on the AFS that some, not all, but some teams have medicals flagged for Brian Thomas Jr. There's a chance he's not WR4. Could he be in striking range mid-20s? I know some here hate the idea of any trade, but if he drops, our name could pop on the TV tomorrow night.

He's mer fave. Would love it somehow.

Long shot here because we're talking the Panthers... I wonder if the FO is actually trying some misdirection and overselling our neediness for WR to get a guy like Frazier or Barton to fall. Highly doubtful though lol

@Leaky_Faucet Nice draft. I'm not in tune with Renardo Green but love the direction. Frazier seems like an awesome guy and fantastic C prospect. Franklin and Rice compliment each other well and make a lot of sense. And I'm a big fan of Stover - Sinnett is the popular choice for many but I think Stover is maybe a notch above. Schroeder is an underrated prospect. Physical, best pass-protecting RB in the country, can catch (not a huge pass catcher, but can be effective), would be great for Bryce.

News Flash: Panthers sent what became the 1st Overall to Chicago. Bears are on the clock. Locking/holding until the draft begins tomorrow Notable Times: ROUND 1: Thursday, April 25: 8 p.m. ET ROUND 2-3: Friday, April 26: 7 p.m. ET ROUND 4-7: Saturday, April 27: Noon ET

If inevitable, meaning, Bozeman played awful, it was questionable if it was just a down year or no -- regardless, they go ahead and get rid of him and then sign 2 guards long term in FA, and now have a glaring hole at center with Mays the only other candidate rostered, then yes, inevitable.

With current trends & the type of consultants that would be hired--they likely take the silver out, reduce the shoulder stripe, and it would have this over-simplified bland look to it. I think our all blacks with the classic helmet is the best look and is sharp as hell. Those are great--and then I associate the team w/ the all-white as those are the most worn and look fine. It's fairly timeless. The longer we hold, the more trends will come back around to our styling and we can pass over the current fads. I do wonder if they'd ever explore an alternative logo but meh.

We’ve stayed so close to our original with only one real restyling that it adds a nice level of consistency to the maddening inconsistency everywhere else in this org. Just some minor tweaks every 5ish years is fine but we don’t need an overhaul…or else this is what happens.

Broncos just did as well - been rumored for a bit:

I’m fine holding at 33. Same with 39 unless the Raiders or Rams are calling with a juicy offer for a QB. Otherwise, I think we should monitor the guys falling in R2 and if there’s a real for sure impact dude we want, use one of our fifths to do a 3+5 swap for a late 2nd+6th. An up-down package to assure an impact talent, where you don’t lose capital, is what I prefer.

There’s always “that” guy in drafts that creates the starkest divide—this year, it’s far and away XL for this fanbase.

Player aside— To have this type of tunnel vision again is concerning from the GM.

We need instant contributors, not developmental types so he better be ready if he’s the pick. No more TMJ or Mingo jamokes. Come in and produce day 1 like most WRs these days taken within the first 3-4 rounds.

What even are you getting at? I asked a question my man... I think you need to stop wasting time trying to do whatever you're doing right meow.

That takes the fun out of a fresh thread on Friday my dude. No trouble, writing a few names down takes a nanosecond

I can see your perspective there - you look at Max Melton at Rutgers or Dru Phillips out of Kentucky; they could be targets at 65 - so there’s merit in asking- what is Mike bringing that they don’t/and vice versa. If we’re comparing talent and likelihood at BPA, you’re gaining more out of a Frazier/Barton, Tampa, or some of the WRs in the low thirties.

Wont act like he’s perfect. That PI was his first of the entire season FYI

Thanks - fair enough. He’s grown on me but I’m always open to hear it out on the opposing end. For me- I see some really strong traits you don’t commonly find in prospects. To your point though, I can see the RM Jr comp because he is intense physically/at the point of attack, but he has really good zone awareness that you need in that Rams/Fangio tree hybrid spot. Not to mention he graded out super high against the run. Communicates well on field, student of the game, and hearing how he took it up a notch between 2022 and 2023 speaks volumes to what he can do at the next level. I mean, the dude was voted MVP by his peers on that team, made countless big time plays at the biggest moments…I don’t see the shade for him. I can see the dislike for the position but said my take on that front. My spidey sense just tells me there’s something with him but I’ve been wrong before. Seems people want this stout outside shut down corner but I love these versatile tweeners that operate in the box and become this dynamic centerpiece. McDuffie was a revelation this past year.

He played boundary, in the box and NB. He would be out there a huge snap percentage-likely bulk. I just dispute that he’s just a NB, especially given the modern trends with nickel and dime and how the hybrid developed in Fangio’s scheme. I also just think this dude brings it and has the extra Kuechly-esque gene. You just don’t get that IQ and leadership out of any prospects. I’m not even a big Michigan fan or anything but he’s an easy sell IMO if you dive into it. https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2024/04/10/mike-sainristil-nfl-draft-interview Great insight in here.

Curious to the “not good” bit. Open to hear what you think his deficiencies are. Best defender on the best defense in the nation, started more at CB at Michigan than Arnold did at Bama and is arguably (and statistically) the best ballhawk in the draft. What makes him a work in progress? I get if people don’t want to invest high in a primary slot corner (although I think it’s flawed if you look at any currently successful team)…but would love to hear more.