Bear Hands

This is what bumped Kyren Williams and Bucky Irving down boards and they're two of the hottest RBs in the league right now. Honestly, it maybe a cheat code to look at who was a somewhat hyped mid-round RB going into the process, slightly underperformed testing wise, but produced very well...and grab him. Kyle Monangai & Devin Neal fit that bill for me this year.

Maybe the 4th/5th honestly.

Good lord. Are we seriously this bad at hiding our cards?

I'm more just speaking from my own rankings. Starks didn't have a good season. His 2023 was stellar but he fell off and gave up a lot this past one. Raw talent is there - I'll give you that, but not enough to put him in solid 1st round consideration IMO; especially considering his rather avg speed/quickness. I know there's some who really like him, but I'm just not sold. UGA in general had an weird year defensively which is why I'm a more hesitant than I would be in the past few years with their guys. And I also weigh positional value. Just don't think a safety is worth it THIS high like some other spots (I.E. RB unless it's a generational/once in 5+ years type) For me, I'm asking "what is a guy like Starks really giving us that a Watts, Ransam or Mukuba isn't?" Maybe a game breaking play once in a while you don't get from just any safety, but that's not happening consistently enough to warrant that much of a boost in his stock. I just don't see the "it" that others do outside his insane highlight reel 2023 season. Barron has shaped up to be my CB1 ahead of Johnson. I haven't heard much on his front related to us, but I personally like the fit. Can support our base and sub packages. Both of them have nice skills and would instantly be out there for a very high snap count. The other guy after being under the microscope that isn't far behind is Amos. But then I think there's a tad of a tier drop to Morrison/Hairston/Porter/etc. Emmanwori is in the eye of the beholder. For us, I'm not so sure he's playing 2-high, he's a big nickel in our sub packages. As a player, I see him as a Tampa-2 LB, Dimebacker-type. But we had a similar type in Chinn who we didn't seem to care for with Evero so it makes me wonder a bit... Some interesting DBs overall.

Being 6’3 230 Emmanwori is bigger than Shaq - some teams maybe looking at him as an offball lb. Great prospect. I think Starks is a late 1st at best

Last thing I’ll say on this for a bit - Give me Princely U over Mykel. He has the length, athleticism, bend, burst, dip and pass rush repertoire. And production to back it up. Run defense is okay, better hands. I don’t know, not trying to act like some “I’m better than all scouts” type but this Mykel poo is not what I wanted to hear. and edit - without the extra playoff game/same as TXAM, Mykel had 3 sacks this season and 7 TFL. 3.5 last season and only 7 TFL. For those scared about production with Stewart, this kid has the same issue.

Honestly, if we want effective, impact and leader just take Jahdae Barron and you get a dude we can play outside or at nickel. Like a Sainristil on roids that you can actually play on the outside. If we’re serious about sure things, he’s probably one of the most best combinations of technically proficient, intangibles, ceiling and instant impact you’ll find. Playmaker too. I honestly have been liking him over WJ with Johnson’s injury concerns and skills vs man.

Honestly, I hope Graham falls (and could) to make this easy on Dan and not force a pick like this. It just feels so much like the XL situation. At this point, I'm almost trying to get so bent up about this to either accept it if it happens or be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't. Lot's of time between the draft and now, but Mykel is the one EDGE talent I was hoping we would stay away from, even in a trade down. I'm usually not vehemently against a particular prospect, but this kid gives me such heavy bust vibes and I hated watching him disappear for UGA. Ankle or not.

Well the scouting department is still mostly the same since Rhule began sooooo

Yeah if this actually happens come draft day, it's going to be a tad annoying. It's been rumored for a month already. Especially if someone surprising falls and we still take this kid over Graham for example.

Biggest problems with Mykel: He's not actually that athletic for his size and really lacks in the burst department Terrible hands which is a pet peeve of mine with DL. He's not a given year 1 contributor because of his technique. Not a guy that had a pass rush plan developed with counters. Doesn't have the nuances down compared to someone like Ez who is super refined. His pass rush skills need some serious development. As mentioned, a 11.1% pr win rate, 61.0 pass rush grade on true passing downs (bottom of class) Is better suited for a 4-3 Where I'll concede: Optimal Power & Bend is there Super young and hopefully moldable UGA's scheme does not do someone in his mold any favors in showing off perimeter outside shoulder skills Good motor while being light on his feet. Fiery guy

Jets and him could be an interesting fit. Fields takes the pressure off for a season of transition. Also like him for PIT

100% agree. The interesting part of that too-- 1-11 possibility: Ward, Carter, Hunter, (3)OL, Graham, Shedeur, Jeanty, Tet, Warren...you could still be looking at Walker or Johnson at 12. Always have to factor in a random reach by a team as well. It could also make me stomach a Stewart/Mykel pick a tad more if they are that in love. And earlier second is great value in this draft.

I just don't think we're keen on a WR add high up -- many should brace for no Tet, even if available. Every time offense, Tet, or Warren have been brought up to Dan or Dave, I just don't see the enthusiasm you do when they're talking trenches or defense. If I had to guess our board, it is something like Mason Graham & Jalon Walker as 1A & 1B, top block after Hunter/Carter. Will Johnson is a wildcard (medicals dependent), then Mykel & Stewart as 2A and 2B. In a trade down, there's two (a DB and LB) who could come into play that aren't mentioned as much - Barron & J Campbell.

Similar takeaways. I think there's cold water being dumped on any receiving targets WR/TE in R1/2. Now, if someone like Noel or Bech lasts to 57, that could be a fun choice, but I'm beginning to expect mid-to-later WR/RB/TE adds...seems primed for defense or trenches with first 2-3 picks.

Some teams meet these kids off the radar, after events, or in unreported meetings and know they're awesome. We don't really know who or how long some of them have been vetted. And that goes back to the college season, after/before games. Back when, I remember listening to an ex-GM on a pod about how he used T30 on guys that look solid on tape but want to make sure they're not a nutjob. after hearing rumors. So they butter them up, take them out, see how they are with their guard down.

I do think we're in a perfect spot for a Jeanty trade up partner. He's not making it past Chicago so if someone wants him and he's there at 8, we may get a few calls.

Membou may be the front runner OL for some teams based on the measurements. Per Brugler, it seems split - some scouting teams think Campbell is a guard, others think he should have no problem on the outside. Vrabel likes his big dudes...so some of the more stickler teams could view Membou (and even Banks) ahead of Campbell. Pats, Jags, Jets all have OL needs ahead of us...

There's a multitude of reasons why teams have T30s.

It's a near certainty at least one of Tet WR, Graham DT, Walker LB, Johnson CB will be available, just on pure numbers/picks. Ward, Hunter, Carter, & OL1 are gone, that's 4. Just 3 more teams and then us. And hell, someone may pop for Jeanty and/or Shedeur/Dart. There's not 1 pure edge talent worth reaching after Carter, especially when you get immense value add with these guys that can play immediately and opponents need to account for. Mykel and Stewart are very risky and fit the bust mold more than anyone else in this draft. The Bucs OL won't give 2 flying fs about Mykel or Shemar on passing downs. Heck, we'd probably be playing Wonnum and Clowney over both on passing downs anyways.

They're definitely in our sights with Amos & Porter being two of our more notable T30 visits.

I know people would like to see it, but I haven't seen the twinkle in Dan or Dave's eyes when they've been asked about him. Dan has really been showing a giddy energy when talking about the secondary and big guys up front. Which points to these two and Will Johnson. With Jalon Walker hopefully a target as well. Not a lot of Barron buzz. I'm also not buying any team thinks the safeties are worth a top-15 pick and we just seem to have no buzz around Tet or Warren.

Tony Pauline who has had good scoops in the past reported within the last month we 'love' Johnson...along with Walker & Mykel more recently. If we aren't looking at passing targets as much as people may want them (I haven't seen much smoke around Tet or Warren), we may be looking at Will Johnson (or) Jalon Walker. Mykel Williams/Shemar Stewart being backup plans if we can trade down.

OP is updated. Also re-sorted to have more prominent at the top.