Bear Hands

Sometimes it’s obvious that we made a ton of reaches, panicked, got fleeced in trades or on the rare occasion got great value and nailed a draft. This year, we landed promising talent, mostly around their projected spots per consensus. Made some nice dealings, gained a pick back next year and ended up with a draftee in every round 1-7z I like the guys we drafted, we got every offensive skill player (RB, WR, TE) for the worst offense in the league. Landed a a really high ceiling LB fitted for our defense, and some developmental DBs and a DL. Not bad. First draft in a while where I’m not walking away scratching my head.

Penix is going to see the field first and work with the first team probably up until preseason due to Cousins rehab. Thats what’s even more awkward is their 1-8 investment is going to get all of this chemistry and trust gained this offseason and just handoff to a vet right before the season starts.

Yep. Hainsey, Stinnie and Mauch were absolutely awful in run blocking last year so it's really hard to see how effective DC's offense will be with an even average run game. Just hard to tell but the passing game started to click down the stretch. Will be interesting to see. Could be more SEA esque given the personnel in Tampa not really showing it at full effectiveness.

Yeah it’s going to take another year to come together. The three guys this year are all great high-ceiling foundational pieces. It’s a start. And if Diontae vibes well, maybe we give him a 2-3 year deal.

Yep I think you laid out the role XL will ideally fit into long term. But I won’t be surprised if we start him out only outside in RZ and particular looks. He’s not ready to be fixed at the line of scrimmage going up against press —that’s clearly Dionte’s role. He’ll likely be a combination of what we used Shenault and Mingo for in one dude (at least starting out) Still think a speedy primary Z who can rotate into slot and shake off coverage is a big need. That’s pretty much Thielen’s role rotating in and out but he’s slowing down. He can get open but he’s not doing much once he catches it. Still think we need more shifty, short area quickness on this team that can quickly beat zone for Bryce. It’s missing.

Yeah this was one of the best trades we managed in a while. Gained our second back from the Bryce trade, likely got the guy we wanted anyways.

I'm rooting for him because the WR still feels incomplete to me. It's a combination of our slot guys not having either speed or the short area quickness to beat better NBs and break big plays, and also not really having resolution at flanker.

Gosh, loving some of these WRs haha. Javon Baker was a riot in his opening presser. Kind of wish we double dipped in the 5th or 6th for a shifty/joystick type dude like Malik but oh well. : /

I agree. I've been following him for the last 2 years and am a big fan. Think he has all the tools to be successful. Tough in the pocket, strong upper body and mechanics, he'll take risks (doesn't play the safe/stat friendly game), and he noticeably progressed as a processor last year. Big year for him in a new setting. Will be interested to see how he performs in the ACC.

https://theathletic.com/5413234/2024/04/13/miami-football-spring-game-cam-ward/

Some notable stuff re: the idea that this was a "reach": The guys at Underdog (Norris and Winks) really like Trevin. Had him ranked as a 3rd. Brugler w/The Athletic had him as a 3rd rounder. PFN had him #73 overall. One of the top LBs, and ahead of Junior Colson. The Steelers were reportedly eyeing him in the 3rd, and they honestly had a great draft. They have good instincts. So I'm excited.

Not to mention only ~235 carries in college total so he's got a lot of miles on the horizon.

One of the bigger things that holds younger TEs back is the lack of true flex experience in college. Having both in-line and big slot looks. Last year-LaPorta had the high volume college experience, same with Kincaid & Kraft. 3 guys had it this year- Bowers, Sanders and Sinnott. Stover a bit. It's reassuring to have a guy who has the experience and volume. We're not relying on some upside and these 20-30 reception college years for 250ish yards. This is a dude.

I've always appreciated this guys takes. He's a big fan of Legette and is starting to convince me otherwise of our direction at receiver (linked to Panthers timestamp):

I can agree with this. We keep our focus on our top likes and don't let notable droppers influence our decision-making. Even if those droppers align with needs. We'll see. The WR room still has me pretty nervous.

Well it's entirely the same scouting room, same guys who've done all the reports the last 3 years. Only difference is Fitt and his chins aren't there.

Must not like Beaux Limmer or Brenden Rice

Have not heard of this guy -- but here's the pick: Jaden "Big Baby" Crumedy DT Miss State 6'4 301 Profile Link: https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jaden-crumedy/32004352-5523-6813-a20b-aee47516f2d9 5th-6th Round Grade on most sites and big boards 5-tech/3-4 DE Per Brugler (paraphrased): If you grade the flashes, not many guys have his athletic movements & power potential combination at the position. Needs to be coached up to become more consistent.

Hill, Scott and Dane are all respectable with experience inside and out. May not be well known but they’re Evero guys. Heck, even though Scott is a bit of a journeyman, he started a SB for Evero’s DB group in LA. So they know the defense and are capable vets if no newbies shine.

He at least looks above some recent King Charles cavaliers we’ve been drafting lol

Just an FYI folks: Evero's Denver Defense - Surtain - the stud CB Damarri Mathis 5'11 - outside (4th rounder) K'waun Williams 5'9 - NB (UDFA) Evero's Ram's Super Bowl Backfield - Ramsey - the stud CB Darious Williams 5'9 - outside & slot (UDFA) Nick Scott 5'11 - slot (7th rounder) David Long 5'11 - slot (late 3rd) Pre-SB: Our own Troy Hill 5'10 - used in a few spots And now here: Horn - the stud CB *Troy Hill - 5'10 - see above Dane Jackson 5'11 - outside & slot capable *Nick Scott 5'11 - see above Smith-Wade 5'10 - outside & slot capable

Captain is the go-to undersized DB fans of this fanbase refer to when they see anyone under 5'11. They don't realize how high a percentage of corners in this league are in fact 5'11 and under and how variable they can be that play box heavy/in the slot. Not to mention Captain peaked pre-defensive modernization where 5-6 DB subpackages took over.

If anything, DBs later on is a spot that we've been able to find more than others, historically speaking. Bene, Munnerlynn, Norman, Worley, McClain (did well elsewhere)

He'll definitely compete for slot snaps in dime and quarters. Starting NB will probably be Hill vs. Dane unless this kid can be a bit of a diamond in the rough. Can see us scooping up Gilmore to get the perimeter corner. Should settle out the DB room.