Bear Hands

Excluding Carter, I think I can quickly sum up the conundrum at EDGE. 1. Promising Prospect with Major Wrinkles Jalon Walker - Size/Down-to-Down Position (ILB v. OLB) James Pearce - Reported issues in the locker room & beyond (one source) (another - Per C. Kinnan) Mike Green - SA Allegations/UVA Dismissal 2. Biggies lacking Pass Rush Skills (High Ceiling/Development types) There's the guys who test well, but don't have the tape and aren't the best pass rushers. This is often a bust prototype with some success stories every now and again. This includes: Shemar Stewart Mykel Williams 3. Donovan Ezeiruaku Best EDGE in college this season (IMO), has the length/span of a 6'5 guy - came in a hair under 6'3 248 (Bigger than Walker), better run defense chops than given credit for (83.6), & tested incredibly well. So tape and testing both big fat green checks. Sooo with this said, this is where I say: Don't be shocked if we don't end up with an pass rusher (or) you hate our first round selection. Walker is the least bust-able of the bunch here, but his impact may not be as big as you'd want year 1. Bottom line is I hope we go BPA, think this kind of shows why it could be smart (But I do love Donovan). I just look at Nic Scourton, JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Princely, Elijah Roberts, Powell-Ryland, Savion Jones...there are guys with just as much upside we can land later. I just don't see the value when Mason Graham, Tyler Warren, Will Johnson, or heck, even Colston Loveland could be available. I don't see the value in getting a Stewart or Mykel over them. But also, don't sleep on Ezeiruaku. And while I'm at it- Derrick Harmon if we're looking at the DE 3-4, especially if we trade down. Out of all of these prospects, those are the two that if you just think back through the college season, they terrorized offensive lines and got it done. Long story short- offseason can distort.

I'm good with no one then.

Have you seen the FA market? It’s basically this or just don’t sign anyone. Pretty bare.

I don’t think it’s a given Graham is gone. I for real think he could be there for us. Was catching up on the athletic pod this morning and Mays/Brugler were chatting about him for a minute. Some teams just don’t go for DL with his body type (I think it will be to their detriment) He would just need to slip past JAX, NE and NYJ. LVR aren’t going DT. And JAX and NE have QBs they absolutely need to support (Campbell and Membou). I can see it happening.

I was getting at the point that Green, Pearce and Nolen all have reported character concerns. I’d argue Pearce can set the edge, he’s decent against the run from what I’ve seen. And not only that but metrics show it (graded in the high 80s). He can get thrown off dependent on the type of linemen but he’s much more refined as an edge setter than is let on.

I wouldn’t mind Mason Taylor in R2/3 if there (Jason Taylor’s kid). After Warren/Loveland, Taylor brings a lot of what Dave is describing and apparently teams are just smitten with him.

Holding off the idea you hear everything this time of the year— Brugler was saying Howard had probably the toughest combine of the bunch at QB. Don’t know if he’s trending up.

Yeah it’s ultimately up to the interviews for a lot of these guys (Pearce, Green, Nolen) with reported concerns. Same in any job, if there are concerns from prior employment and you don’t interview well to dissuade them, then it ain’t gonna land you the gig. I heard a report some teams are fine with Pearce and others aren’t. So it could definitely be more of a lifestyle thing outside the locker room or his attitude in general. Jordan Addison was similar. In a case like Green, that’s a bit different IMO because he had multiple accusations and was kicked out of a major program. But with Pearce, it’s just “concerns”. Ultimately up to the teams, and it only takes one. Let’s not make that Philly again.

He also didn’t have the best 2024. 2023 tape was first rounder work but last year was a different story. He has made some of the best highlight reel plays in CFB in his career so those seem to glow him up more than the totality of his work IMO. Allowed a very high 99.00 passer rating when targeted in 2024. Gave up some big plays throughout the year, doesn’t have the top end speed you want either.

Starks had a weird combine. Worst 3 cone in the safety class but his drills were solid. Don’t think he helped himself

Graham is a dude. I've said before, but it doesn't take much to have him slip to us. Ward, Carter & Hunter are the only 3 I firmly see drafted above us. There's 4 teams - NE, NYJ, LVR, & NYJ -- I can see him available.

Totally agree, made a quick edit that will probably clear my view up. Not top-10 worthy, good player, but way too much risk baked in compared to who else should be there.

There's a bit of a misconception - Stewart has good tape, but he has a pressure to sack conversion blip that's mightily significant. The "why" for that is the question. and edit - I like him, but that blip doesn't really make him a top-10 pick for me. Even in this lesser talented class. If we're flirting with this, might as well take a swing on Donavon Ez. He has good enough run-d and is the most refined pass rusher after Carter.

I like Brashard Smith and RJ Harvey. Definitely some interesting guys. Sleeper and who I find a great fit: LeQuint Allen from Syracuse. Awesome pass catcher

Byron Murphy Jr. CB and Julian Blackmon/Holland S would be nice targets. And of course Milton Williams, but a lot of teams are vying for his services.

If we trade down, I'd probably consider Ezeiruaku over these two, especially Mykel. Grant NT, Donavon EDGE, Harmon DE all have more production, are more developed, with just as high ceilings. If we go this route, I hope I'm wrong. But if this is actually who we end up with, it will be somewhat of a piercing indictment on our drafting abilities. Rather, the inability to be mindful of the board and how it falls without getting too locked in.

Mykel is the one that concerns me. He was one of the guys mid season that I was not impressed with at all while watching UGA..he not only looked lost at times during games but just straight up disappeared. And people will tout his run defense, he’s above average but in no ways elite from what I’ve gathered. Stewart generated consistent disruption and it’s evident on his reels you can find of snaps. He was a surprisingly fun watch for not having major sack line— but the pressure to sack conversion is a bit of a question mark. So at #8, we better not just have our sights on a particular guy, especially these two. Have the board, see what top talent somehow falls, stick to it, trust your staff’s work. If we just lock in and reach again, it would be a disappointing trend to see in Morgan.

They’re both way too high of risks at 8 for the ceilings they have. I wouldn’t risk these toolsy/high-potential guys in our spot. History shows it is not kind… but Morgan tends to show his cards and has tunnelvision from what I’ve seen. Hope this doesn’t hold too much water If they’re willing to consider these two and want the size with the even higher potential, I’d rather take Grant or heck, even Harmon on the DL instead of two rather underwhelming EDGES.

To an extent but you need the awareness and timing which are traits a bit more baked into a player's makeup.

He's the type that will be in the eye of the beholder. For me, at his size, you'd expect a better run defender. Doesn't seem to peel off OLs quickly enough to wrap up runners. He gets caught up and can't move off interior linemen once they've got him in their grips. When he seems to have a strict assignment on a passing down, he can be good but he plays kind of inconsistent and awkward. Kind of a fringe R3/4 talent for me. Of the bigger IDLs that can play 2 gap - I like Tyleik, Collins, & Phillips over Walker.

Jason Taylor’s kid is good.

Walker may not be a R2 or even R3 guy. But there should be some legit interior talent available.

Yep - His size and athleticism is simply rare. And is a guy at that spot with legit pass rush chops, not some run-d only clog. He could easily rise. I could see us being a team who has a soft spot for him. And that Nolen is a stud too. Lesser an NT but he’s fun as hell. Murphy was the only IDL last year with refined PR chops. This year’s draft is a different story. Really love the interior talent. Heck, you’ve got Norman-Lott and others in the next tier who is no slouch.

A few people have had him top-15 overall for a minute like PFF and I think it holds true. His potential on top of a decent floor is sky high. And at a coveted position. Personally think he’s PR #2 after Carter.

He's also already pretty good against the run. Has some inconsistencies from time to time, but sheds off blocks and moves laterally very well to get to the runner. Def a fan. I see a Will McDonald with better burst. Needs to pack on some meat, but he's a really strong prospect. Projected top-5 overall preseason.