Bear Hands

Ooooh. If I'm being honest, I like Pearsall a bit more due to his toughness and slightly larger frame. They are both right in line w/route running and quickness. But Pearsall is so fast at beating zone. McConkey missing some time last year doesn't concern me, but that is also something to factor in. Pearsall doesn't shy from contact at all, and with that said hasn't been banged up. Just a tough and rather spunky dude that's improved every year. I've seen a fiesty-Godwin comp which I think is really appropriate.

Yeah, he's one of my favorite dudes in the draft. Both him, then Kneeland + Ellis at EDGE are the guys who I think are way higher up than some sites rank them. Some of my favorite player fits for us.

This is a really nice article on the top guys broken down by type. They're sorted by what their style leans most towards although a handful can play multiple (I.E. McConkey, Pearsall, etc.) https://watchedthetape.substack.com/p/2024-draft-receiver-rankings?r=33u1bz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Figured to drop some tidbits on the board today. Interesting nuggets from the Athletic show: There is a clear, consensus top-4 per team scouts (MH, Odunze, Nabers, & Thomas) However---> Brugler reported one scout he spoke to has the same grade on Brian Thomas as he did Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall is higher than he's being perceived. Of course very different receivers, but grade wise, the same. So, beginning at WR4/5, there is a ton of variance in how clubs are ranking these guys. A guy Team A ranks at WR13 could be WR5 on Team B's board Despite the 40 time, Worthy is still a tough sell for a lot of clubs. His tape doesn't have the explosive plays you expect with that speed. Body catcher, has some concerns at that size. More Ja'Lynn Polk love. Robert Woods comp -- not viewed as a go-to #1 but could be an excellent #2.

For a season, Dionte could be enough, but I'm unsure if he fits in the long term plans. It's why my personal pref would be to target the types that have good floors with little acclimation needed. The nice thing is these dudes still have legit ceilings, all-pro potential, they're not gadgety. They can just play multiple receiver spots. It's why I'm waaay preferential to McConkey and Pearsall in this draft class. I have something coming on Pearsall because I've become a huge stan of his. If we're talking X-types, AD Mitchell is a guy tough to pass if there. Otherwise, the one high upside, higher bust potential guy I like early is Troy Franklin. Oregon's offense revolved around him and just love when you spot a guy with that type of energy that takes the team up a notch. He paves lanes, was explosive, and is just smooth as hell. His problem is that he could get bullied/lacks play strength so he could be used more in a movement role at times to create quick separation until he acclimates for NFL man coverage. Which is great bc we have Dionte to help counter for a season. Elsewhere, I'd LOVE to take a mid-to-late gamble on a guy like Javon Baker. He's a draft crush as well.

The other thing that scares me with Legette, beyond some quite apparent growth needed (route-running, ball tracking, spatial awareness), is that he was a 5 year guy, and did nothing, like nothing, for the first 4. ~420 yards, 5 TDs, in his first 4 years. That's not an season avg, that's overall. So, 23 years old, one real season making noise. Not trying to just dig at him, but he would be a very disappointing 2nd round choice IMO. We've gone through this type of receiver before who tests well, measures well, but then it's like, what are you getting on the field? Is he a game breaker? Playmaker? Team elevator? I don't see it. We need the separators, technicians, multi-role types. Now if we get him as one of a double dip, I could definitely buy in on the upside, but he's not a plug and play. And at that age, it makes me nervous.

He falls more in the slot-only designation rather than the slot types that can also play flanker (McConkey, Pearsall). And in that slot-only designation, I'm taking Malik Washington and Corley over him. But I do like the guy, he's got some fire in that role. Michigan just used him soooo much on quick outs and veers and was their slot motion man so a lot is yet to be seen. However when he went deep, and didn't out pace coverage, he got swallowed by DBs. Just doesn't have the man v man strength to beat NFL DBs so I don't think he'll be coveted in the 2nd by teams. I see him being successful but it's going to be a slot role in a well-oiled machine type offense. My fit would be to compliment Jefferson and Addison in Minny.

Yeah I agree that we could use any type of receiver, but we have to prioritize the one's that don't need acclimation in respect to NFL-discipline, refined route running, and being a natural separator. Those are the missing traits that have giant alarm bells blaring in this WR room that we didn't go for when drafting TMJ and Mingo. We've been picking ones that have the upside, good size, big time testers, but needed legit acclimation in respect to route running and/or in-game discipline. We need the technicians and students of the game. In my view, we absolutely need to favor that over the receivers that have the X potential, but don't necessarily have the high floor. I feel like McConkey & Pearsall have flashing green lights for whoever drafts them. Both are instant top-15 route runners in the NFL once drafted, are lightning quick, playmakers, with measurables to boot. If we're talking 3rd-4th round, I could be down with Legette but this is a situation where he's not coming into start outside for us of the bat. If we want instant impact, it's these Z/Slot switcher types.

Yeah it's really nothing much. Happens a lot. Just clearly happened with Caleb too.

Legette plays physical and has speed, but he is not a savvy route runner who easily shakes man coverage — and that was at a college level. So move it to NFL and that all gets amplified. He does not fit what we need IMO.

With Leggette, I go back to Brugler and a few others saying his stock quietly took a pretty big hit at Senior Bowl practices. I’m not one to just roll with the trendy guy or what analysts are saying, but we need route running and a technician who can make an immediate impact along with that nice plus starter/all-pro upside. Play outside, inside. X, Z, slot. That is not Legette. He just gives me way too much pause at 33 or even 39. Mitchell, McConkey, Pearsall fit what I gravitate towards but we’ll see.

He never specifically did—Bama however did list him at 6’0 194 when in reality he’s that 5’10 185ish.

To be honest, I think the opposite and am a bit iffy on this EDGE class. After Verse, Turner, Chop and Latu, there is a significant drop of snap-ready talent. Lots of guys missing in the Will McDonald, Tuli or Byron Young mold. Adisa Isaac sort of interests me but a lot of others are either undersized or severely lacking in experience or strength. Not a fan of this class at all. Have 1 true like which would be in the 3rd-ish (but could rise): Kneeland out of WMich. Elliss has a Dwight Freeney esque spin move and is a ton of fun to watch. Could be the other to watch, but I don't see top-50 talent. He's more top-100. Those two-- Kneeland and Elliss would be my watches, but no way at 33, Kneeland maybe at 39 (or a trade down)

Apparently he filled in very well at LT for Dave B a few times. Perfect type of depth if Icky struggles. OL has rounded out nicely. Drafting a center is still possible but otherwise, seems near set.

We thought last year's was looking good so I'll just wait to judge in full at this point ha. What I liked: -The Dionte trade. We were gonna release Donte so it really is a nice trade off. -Robinson - Sets our front-3. Brown-Robinson-Tuttle is strong. -Dane Jackson - I like the dude. He's a plus corner, fairly consistent, that can play outside. Other comments: The OGs were important, we needed to overpay to get them, so we'll see how they do. One's been a solid B+/A- guy and the other stepped up last year on a depleted SEA team. I feel like Burns could have still got a 1st, but we had to do something and the Giants came in with enough for us to get something done. They signed him as the 3rd highest DE in the league with the trade, that type of contract should warrant higher returns.

True..I meant more than being bent he went to NO.

Meh. Doesn’t remotely bother me.

He could be a legit weapon in this league. Don’t forget he was also young when drafted—was the age of many rookies this past year. I feel like he’s close. Just needs to have the snaps and opportunity. He’s made some of our nicest TD plays and makes an impact every time he touches the ball. He’s also one of our only guys who has shown continuous, positive, progression. Very high ceiling IMO if we can capitalize.

Well that would be interesting for sure

He’s been a bust but it seems like a marginal contract. Could see Barno beat him out.

My guess is teams may not view a dip between 12-45ish this year. They maintain that, get ann extra flyer, and gain a second next year. I see a big drop off early and then a lot of similar value for a bit. Not a deep first but decent late 1st to 3rd talent pool this year.

An exciting skill position player that doesn’t have acclimation concerns

Unless the Vikes are staying aggressive and now looking to use two first and next years to move up very high.

We haven’t heard from him in a bit and I honestly haven’t thought about him for a few weeks so he’s starting to do some things right.