Bear Hands

I think we got a bit of a deal with Lewis but no doubt overpaid to land Hunt. This year will be telling if it paid off/if this can somehow be a competitive team/sniff the wildcard race. Teams are starting to covet IOLs as much as OTs with how the game is these days.

Well one thing's for sure, JSN's fantasy stock is to the moon Dan & Dave know him quite well...this could have real legs

I'm being a bit delinquent today during Teams calls today too haha. Noticed Allen watching McCord. He's nice. Strong pass catcher who could come in and not really take away from Chuba. But also fill in if needed. -a quick edit/add- For Tyleik, I already like him and then heard there's a lot of quiet buzz and he's been interviewing super well (forgot where but it was yesterday) Seems like a guy teams don't want to let out they are coveting.

Great thread. For me: QB: Kyle McCord RB: RJ Harvey, Brashard Smith, LeQuint Allen (love for us) TE: Tyler Warren, Mason Taylor WR: Matthew Golden, Jaylin Noel, Jaylen Royals OL: Campbell, Wyatt Milum, Marus Mbow, Luke Kandra EDGE/OLB: Ezeiruaku (love), JT Tuimoloau, Bradyn Swinson, Princely DL: Grant, Harmon, Tyleik Williams (awesome fit IMO), Farmer, Norman-Lott LB: Jalon Walker, Barrett Carter DB: Xavier Watts, Darien Porter, Dorian Strong K: Caden Davis - @Icege I like your McLaughlin shout out. He had a bad injury so may have a delay to start, but he's a legit NFL center.

I agree in terms of priority. It's why I've been been a big fan of Grant, Tyleik, & Harmon. This was just a more EDGE specific look. I'll probably do a "my guys" thread but, but a glimpse at those: EZ OLB, Harmon DE, Tyleik NT/DE, Mason Taylor TE, Xavier Watts S, Milum OT

I don't dislike Walker. Would be happy with the pick but with that comes expectations-- which is IMO a more NFL-ready version of Nolan Smith (which I think you're alluding to). That being said, Smith hasn't lit the world on fire yet. Made great strides this year though.

Nice link- Tyleik my man, word may get out on him. Best run-d talent and at arguably are most important area of need.

He was a guy that was so damn fun during the season and you could just see "it". Then you watch highlights and it's like, yeah damn, he's good. My thinking is starting to be -- if we're seriously considering these guys like Mykel, Shemar, then we absolutely should consider Ez. Especially if everyone is true in thinking there's only 2 blue chips, a few more 1st round talent and then a big ole' pool of fringe 1st/2nd types. He has a great move-set, counters, is a legit technician rushing the QB. His run defense is not bad at all though people will point to his size and say it could cause a detriment...but he's not really THAT undersized by any means. People will look at the height/weight and think he's an outlier, Micah/Parson/esque, but the dude has 34" arms. He's not a shrimp, not to mention the top 3-cone, top 20 shuttle in his class. His frame is more like Turner, Verse, WA Jr. IMO. He's a guy if you draft him, you instantly boost your pass rush. There's no question marks there. There are flaws with pretty much everyone after Carter, why not take the most polished pass rusher?

I'm not a trade up guy, but that type of one in R2 is appealing to ensure we land an impact talent. Whether it's for a DT like Tyleik Williams, DE like Harmon, CB like Porter, or Ezeiruaku. Sucks we don't have pick 40. The chart difference value to the top of the 2nd from 57 is minimum a mid 3rd. So a bit steep, but could see a minor trade up to the 40s if a impactful talent we love if sitting there.

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.