Bear Hands

Yep - I'm kind of happy we didn't land him. He's a vet that is still a non-3-down guy, his nonexistent run defense makes that contract such an albatross. It doesn't make me like Wharton's deal for us (my least favorite), but the Pats deal saved us from ourselves a bit.

While we're talking a fresh prospect that I happen to be a fan of, might as well get on a soapbox: Point 1 - He is not undersized by any means, his length is far above the mean His wingspan is in like the 85th percentile. An interesting note - his wingspan is 5 inches over Khalil Mack, 2 inches over Will Anderson's. Only 1/2 inch away from the no-production yet size hyped 6'5 267 Shemar Stewart's. For comp - Ez's is around 83", arm length 34". For NFL comp, the mean for wingspan is 80" and arms 33.5" at for starting EDGE defenders. So it's not just my isolated comparisons. Point 2 - He isn't just a flashy "pass rush specialist" His film (and testing) shows elite quickness, hand work, and ability to play with the heads of OTs that normal prospects don't grasp. (see my prior post) Testing wise, one of the fastest 3-cones and short shuttles for an edge in years. Fastest this year for both -- and those two drills are the ones teams look at for pass rushers, usually very indicative of success. His quickness is off the charts. He's a guy that played well, showed well to those casually watching and those film-studying. Then he goes out and tests well to back it up. Apparently interviews super well. So, I think it's all about his capacity/potential as a run defender. That's really what it comes down to. Can he be a 3-down guy or is he a specialist? I see a 3-downer, his run defense is better than given credit for. A breakdown Ez vs. the NFL mean Arm Length: 34" vs. 33.5" (over) Wingspan: 83" vs. 80" (over) 3-Cone: 6.94 sec vs. 7.23 (WELL over, 95 percentile) Short Shuttle: 4.19 vs. 4.424 (over) Height: 6'2 1/2 vs. 6'3 (slight under) People look at the height a smidge under 6'3 and take that without considering the rest. I think with Ez, it all comes down to what teams think his run defense upside is. All it takes is one team - if they think he can become more that a passing down guy, then he could go high. But if guys like Nik Bonitto and Haason Reddick can turn into these all-arounders, I don't see why this kid can't either who has higher pedigree and better measurables. Now, I prefer Graham, Walker inside, Will Johnson, Barron, and some others over him, but once we're in this tier outside of the top guys, I find the argument way more compelling for Ez over a Mykel Williams or Shemar Stewart.

He’s better in the run game than people realize and has great length. Hard to know how he’ll stack up against every bigger OT out there but he managed against some big ones in 2024. Of course, could start situationally but he’s not necessarily a shrimp. His length and wingspan matches plenty like Highsmith and Bonitto who are great players with big careers still ahead of them. Ez is also the only prospect in this draft with a legit Von ghost move. Easily the most advanced pass rusher in this draft. He would be working tackles for a few quarters, get them thinking they know how he’s attacking and then switch up with his hands and moves super effectively. Great chess player. When you’re talking advanced, he was using pro-vet level technique at times. Plenty of teams in the teens are eyeing him. Perfectly reasonable target for us, I mean, I definitely prefer him over Mykel, Shemar, Pearce and Green. We’ve met with him.

Yeah if I’m not being predictive and just throwing out what I want, I’m taking calls from Indy, Seattle, Denver, etc. if they come in. Ezeiruaku would be my top target, then you have more resources via trade to land favorite targets in that R2-3 range

I like Barron a lot but I don’t see it happening with our FO’s preferences. Although his ability to flex between outside CB, slot and FS make him like a jacked up Sainristil with a bit of the Witherspoon gene. He could be exactly what we need but no one’s really talking about him for us. Think your autocorrect may have changed out Will Johnson — who I also like but his man coverage skills worry me a tad this high in the draft. And injuries.

I want Donavon Ez and/or Derrick Harmon - one is the best finesse edge rusher in the draft with one of the most nuanced games I’ve seen from an OLB, and the other is the most balanced disruptor in the vein of H Ngata - most pressures, 2nd highest DL in pressure rate last year. An absolute force, with the production to backup. We’re chasing and chatting these spotty upside guys, TEs, or skill positions guys with legit holes in their game. I feel like these two (and maybe even Kenneth Grant) are ripe for the picking and will not disappoint. Pounding the table for all three, but I don’t expect to get any of them.

If both are gone, we're probably going Mykel. Warren fans will not be happy, but it's a strong possibility.

I know we like him quite a lot so have been trying to come around. His interviews available online show a really cool dude, seems to genuinely want to get better and enjoys the game. He has the run defense prowess. Very strong, not elite but could become elite. So you’re banking on him developing his pass rush skills. The notable limitations IMO are his athleticism and burst aren’t what you’d expect for a guy with his size and skills. He has a grind it out motor and solid leverage skills, but doesn’t have the feel for the snap or the quickness you want in a R1 edge. That’s what I find to be the tough sell. Awareness, snap feel, and quickness not super teachable. Stepping back and putting him in perspective of this class, it’s not some huge reach, but you really should be getting a ton more with a top-10 overall pick. Feel like there’s a lot of more sure fire talent with just as high ceilings, but we may weigh our defensive need and land him. It is what it is. -JF

he’s talented. Probably out half of his rookie season with a torn labrum.

I love Noel and the Maryland kid.

*updated Interested to see there's somewhat of a void of late 2nds - there's Princely, Porter, Mbow, Sanker, Parrish being a few, but there's quite a gap between those projected top-50ish and then those outside top-100s.

We’re probably going to end up with Mykel

Pretty much every fan base starting at the Pats pick wants to trade back lol I would say it would take Jeanty, any OL, or maybe Shedeur not being picked by 8 to prompt a trade up. Don’t see anyone after the top 3 being THAT coveted. Especially on defense. Maybe Graham but that’s it.

The thing with these types is that they need to hone their craft and advance their skillset aside from the coaches’ time. Coaching doesn’t have the extra capacity to handhold them in development and figuring out how to be an NFL level player. They need to want to develop. Especially pass rushers with the layered game that’s played in the trenches — all the small things that turn into mind battles vs OL during the course of a game (This is why I’m such an Ez fan) If there is a question mark there, I’d stay away from a DL. Hope we’re trying to gauge that with any of these types of prospects. Do they have the mentality to get better on their own.

Pick 8 is right at the tail end of where the draft transitions from 1st round talent to a big field of higher end 2nd round talent. If the guy that’s left isn't in our plans at 8, then sell the damn pick before reaching please. Like the Seattle one.

This edge class is just weird. EZ & Princely are leaps and bounds ahead of Mykel, Shemar, etc. from a pass rushing perspective. If Graham or Walker aren’t there, I really don’t know who I’d go for. WJ and Barron look more appetizing by the day.

Wouldn’t be ideal at 8. The top of this draft kind of blows overall. It did before lying season. Now, after the workout dust has settled, it still seems historically bad.

Not only that, but he has a very balanced toolset against the run and pass. Scheme versatile, real trench warrior. Very much a Steelers/Ravens target IMO. Has tested well to back up a strong final season at Oregon.

Harmon and Norman-Lott fan. Think both go much higher than anticipated. Harmon could sneak to the low 20s, maybe late teens. Norman-Lott a high second. Would love him if he were there at 57

One of the worst teams lost its worst players — oh my gooood

He was one of the original vloggers to really get good at his video production, but he is one of the most incorrect guys from a projection and prediction standpoint you’ll find.

Hmm I like his content from time to time, but don’t agree with his ranks here.

Parrish is a great one to keep an eye on who would instantly get in over Smith-Wade - quality spunky player

If you line him up versus his common comparisons - Drake London is a bit better after the catch and Michael Pittman a bit better at out powering DBs for jump balls. You take those away and it’s a solid guy, but unsure if teams see enough that helps them really elevate their offenses.

Per Daniel Jeremiah, he hasn’t come across anyone that has him top 10. Mentioned some teams have him below 20th overall. Highest in the 10-13 range.