Bear Hands

Valid - good discussion btw. I will say, this is where I get a bit more sold on specific players over filling a void. I do think there's validity in balancing positional priority in the draft with BPA, so I understand where you're coming from -- I'm more so just finding myself pretty compelled by this guy. I'm not a huge fan of Arnold and Kool-Aid, but they do check boxes and are overall really sound prospects. If available, hell yeah, they or even DeJean would be optimal. Do note - McKinstry isn't a ballhawk by any means and Arnold has even less CB experience than Sainistrill. Elsewhere, TJ Tampa isn't that good in the run game, played a lot of off-man and only had 3 picks his entire career. So you're banking on him rising to his potential. Wiggins - he's hot/cold, has the size and some injury concerns. It's just a big crop of different guys. I've read mixed reviews on Lassiter and will be honest, don't know much on Rakestraw. You look a little further on the boards, and I think the Max Melton and Dru Philips types seem just as exciting at around the 3rd round. This will all be about what the board presents. Looking at the prospects themselves, their production, consistency, accolades, word about their character/IQ, and how it seemed they fit in on their team (i.e. Mike S. being defensive captain & his team's voted MVP), that can tell a lot about success at the next level when all factored in together.

*added and edited the OP to reflect some updates. McMillan WR and Benson RB came in for visits

Yeah it was weird with Chinn - I still don't get what the deal was. Interestingly enough, historically, Evero used Bryce Callahan, Kyle Fuller and then found his way to McMilian at NB/his primary slot corner in the box, all undersized (2) 5'9 and (1) 5'11. I just don't think Chinn fit what he likes in the position. Chinn was also on the sidelines when Horn was healthy and we played Jackson outside and Hill in the slot. So he didn't even settle into the role consistently. Under 200 snaps total on the year. Edit - add: Also tried K’Waun Williams there who's also 5'9ish. His LAR days - Darious Williams 5'9

You’re saying that because you don’t value the position - I disagree considering our scheme and how the NfL is these days. If people are serious about BPA then trust the process—and these are the talents to consider.

Jackson Powers-Johnson may be falling, medicals being cited: Matt Miller: https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2024/insider/story/_/id/39828289/2024-nfl-draft-latest-buzz-rumors-news-prospects-risers Brugler: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2024/4/10/24126191/jackson-powers-johnson-oregon-medicals-injury-history-concussions

Yeah those guys are cool. They tend to have a nice blend of film analysis and analytics w/ their approach. Typically have good in depth stats they consider when talking about these guys.

I think that's all very fair to consider. Decent comp. I'd say there's shades of Devin McCourty who ended up converting to FS but had some good years at CB. For his best case? - no doubt easy ones to point to would be Anton Winfield or Asante Samuel.

I'm looking at it like we suck and will still suck. But maybe we get a good player or two.

Played 22% outside, 151 snaps of 684, but played one of the highest % of MI defensive snaps. What's a given is that he played a lot in Michigans's 4-2-5 with diverse assignments--which people saying he's slot exclusive or nickel aren't really considering the responsibilities for his potential role in the Fangio-hybrid penny package we run...this kid would get used 90%+ of snaps easily.

He's been pretty consistently top 40 on PFF this offseason (currently #34). #43 overall for Brugler.

His receiving highlights:

Tons of smoke. but for real—I like what I’m coming across with this kid. There’s so many from Michigan, and DB has been at my periphery, but digging into it, you can see why scouts and coaches would be fans of him. If a team is a sucker for size, Kool-Aid, Tampa or Rakestraw may be higher, but if you’re talking intangibles and ball hawking, he’s one of the tops in the entire draft. Depending on how certain squads grade their DBs, I could see him as high as DB4 on some team boards.

Take anything with a grain of salt right now. Just posted this in another thread: He had that huge interception at the end of the title game. Some fun notes: 2X team captain, was named team MVP for the best defense in the country. Described as a player coach and influencer, per the DB coach, he "changed the mindset of everybody on our team" Former wide receiver so has the aggressive/ballhawk mentality (this kid doesn't drop INTs) 6 INTs, 2 pick sixes last year, 3 picks took back for 70+ yards Played 20% outside, 80% slot, had good capabilities blitzing. 5 TFL, 2 sacks Only flagged for 1 PI in college (in the title game) covering Polk Seems like he was a BIG part of that team and its leadership.

The Sainristil note had me start to look into him a bit and he does sound pretty great, and then remembered his huge interception at the end of the title game. Some fun notes: 2X team captain, was named team MVP for the best defense in the country. Described as a player coach and influencer, per the DB coach, he "changed the mindset of everybody on our team" Former wide receiver so has the aggressive/ballhawk mentality (this kid doesn't drop INTs) 6 INTs, 2 pick sixes last year, 3 picks took back for 70+ yards Played 20% outside, 80% slot, had good capabilities blitzing. 5 TFL, 2 sacks Only flagged for 1 PI in college (in the title game) covering Polk Seems like he was a BIG part of that team and its leadership.

He had a lot of buzz around him due to his potential. Included the size and speed combo, coming from the same program that produced Brown and Metcalf, 50/50 ball capabilities, lots of the YT "scouting" channels really hyped him and he was liked by a wide range of folks on team boards around the league. Also had a ton of visits lined up, there wasn't much proven given the OIe Miss offense he was in, just one year of real production in it catching balls from Dart.

They're just posturing - I highly doubt they trade. If anything they take Marv Jr and use their crap ton of capital to move up in the first for Verse or Latu.

Mingo was hyped, and honestly, an internet fave because of his size & DK comps (even if they didn't hold a tone of water), but I don't think people anticipated he'd be as high as 39. DJJ was the one where everyone was truly like "who?" and being a trade up, it still just felt so unecessary. Oh..a 25 y/o guy OLB who's only played the position for a year, little to no production w/character concerns...but he can set the edge. Nice.

Was a typo - the OP corrected it later but yeah, Burton has some character concerns. Have seen that mentioned by more than just a few spots (The Athletic, Ringer, and here to name a few)

Some interesting stuff in here. Bolded what I found notable/related to us. Source:

It's all over the place. Should make it fun. Excited to see the reactions in this joint come next Friday haha

33- AD Mitchell WR Trade 39 and 240 to JAX, receive: 48, 96, 153 and 2025 4th 48 - Marshawn Kneeland EDGE 65 - Malik Washington WR 96 - Trey Benson RB 101 - Beaux Limmer C 141 - Newton CB TCU

While we're talking trades- a random trade I thought of that could be much more stomach-able, let's say Nix is still available at 39, LVR calls, gives us 44 and 112 (top of R4)...that could be interesting.

I would like that trade framework, but around pick 39 while keeping 33. Buut that would be tough to figure out bc you have the full night to negotiate 33; whereas 39, you'd be banking on no one trading up for a QB between 34-38. Rams have a lot of picks and they like trading. Could be an interesting partner, 52 and 83 + a future 3rd are valuable picks, not a bunch of pennies for a dime situation.