Bear Hands

Yeah, I can only keep editing his posts for so long lol

Ah - yeah I got sucked in thinking only about defense haha. Totally fair.

Just depends I suppose how you qualify starter when there's a NB who can play the star role that would be in there at a higher snap % than some technical starters. There's about 7-9 always out there--Both ILBs, two starting S, two outside CBs, 2 of the 3 DL, 1 of the two EDGE guys. Our remaining edge rotation and 3rd-4th DBs are still pretty much starters. But sure, if we have an outside corner we love, I imagine that would take precedent (I.E. Kool-Aid or Tampa). Same goes if they think Kneeland is a 3-down guy.

Pre-shows are beginning. Let's get some good ole' rabble rabble rabble going. Our outstanding, super revered, perennial winning Panthers hold 2 picks. #39 in the 2nd and the first pick in the 3rd, #65.

Not everyone will be fans of a slot corner early, but I'm personally sold on the player. Thing is, ILB is critical for our two-high shell. They need to be fast sideline to sideline, be able to close in quickly, hover all over and Shaq coming off injury scares me. Colson or Cooper could make a lot of sense. Don't know how we'd do if we're looking at journeymen at LB this year. Very important for the Fangio disciple defenses.

Brugler said he heard things "about his character" from squads after the Senior Bowl. He may have interviewed poorly. Got all the momentum after the Senior Bowl, but then did the opposite once teams started meeting him and flying him for private-30s

Outside wise - check out Sainristil against Marvin Jr. when Johnson went down in that crazy game. He held his own against one of the top WR prospect in forever, at hair under 5'10. The year prior, same rivalry game, a moment at NB, had to stack up in the slot against a 6'4 250 TE in Stover and had one of the best plays you'll see to swat the ball away from the defender in a crucial moment in the endzone. As with any guy he has misses on tape, but his highs are big highs in big moments. And between Evero's penny front (the nickel 3-3-5 we disguise as a 5-1), dime, and our other subpackages, he loves using slot corners and runs heavy zone with high % blitzes. We really haven't had ideal guys for him yet --did get some who had experience in the system like Hill. Chinn was tried a bit and didn't work out, others rotated in but we never found our long term answer. And that's the bulk of our defensive snaps. We have 6 DBs on the field quite a lot. And historically, Evero seems preferential and totally fine with shorter DBs. Interestingly-Who is the best rated zone DB in the draft? Sainristil (at least according to pff). Not to mention being the captain, spoke of as a coach amongst players, being a tough willing blitzer, solid/aggressive run defender, and the best ballhawk on his team (one of the top in the country). He made big plays in big games. Lot's of good IMO, but yes, slot corner high is a ballsy move. Some good info: https://theathletic.com/5392472/2024/04/05/raiders-nfl-draft-prospects-mike-sainristil/ One of the articles that sold me--

To confirm - that's officially $12.4 mil for 2025 on the books.

Schefter with the update that everyone's known for a year lol What's done is done is done

I love Luke. I think Kay Adams does too lol.

Bills have a barn of picks -- could see them going a few routes. Maybe a trade down, or maybe take their top guy and then trade back up from 60 for another one. They also have DB and DL needs. Will be interesting to see what they do. Overall, DeJean, Johnny Newton & Kool-Aid are three who I imagine could go fairly quickly. Solid talents. But thing is, there's teams now with young QBs needing to either protect them or give them weapons. A real quality defender could fall. Excited to see what happens.

I'm sure they will catch on

When I used to live in Charlotte eons ago, used to drop by the combo Brueggers/Caribou all the time in that building. That bar has always been meh lol

Apparently it wasn't only the medicals--there are teams reportedly w/character concerns about JPJ per Daniel Jeremiah and Dane B. He may have a slide.

Cool deal--feel free to add wherever. More discussion the better.

That’s a very fair observation about TEs. This class had Bowers but I don’t think teams have Sanders as a clear TE2 that some sites have had him pegged as. I like when TEs were a critical part of their offense in school and not just athletic upside, Sinnott was the leading receiver for that squad. Albeit an iffy one on offense but still- good take.

Who do y'all got? Some rumblings... If we stay put at 39, I can see us going the DB Tampa/Sainistril or LB Colson/Cooper/Wilson routes. Maybe Marshawn Kneeland at EDGE. Both JPC and Frazier are still available at Center A double dip at WR could be fun - McConkey or Franklin would be interesting guys to compliment Legette. Don't be surprised if we invest higher than you'd like at RB today (Benson, Wright, Brooks) A presser takeaway - If we're looking for guys to fill roles as Canales described, I think both Wash products in Polk & McMillan would be strong options remaining in this draft that would compliment the WR room we're building. Can play X, Z, slide inside, do a bit of everything. Brenden Rice & Javon Baker are two notables with X potential at 65 or later And if we're looking for life after Thielen/not sure about Mingo, I would NOT discount Roman Wilson, Malik Wash, or Corley. Gut leans DB or LB, but won't be surprised if it's a double dip.

true true

Oh the fans at least know: this dude puts it well:

Point taken - though it's not too far off Brissett and Tyrod type money who had younger guys like Devito and Howell play over them when push came to shove.

I don't think they need to panic and get a QB. They missed out on the top guys, so just build up the team until the right time comes. You're not getting anyone much more promising than O'Connell (2023 early-4th) to compete with Minshew.

I like that the Raiders didn't shy away from him just because they have Mayer. Their defense is already becoming scary and they're positioning themselves well to drop a QB in come 2025. They need another outside CB and a WR with a lot of good ones still out there. The DL adding Wilkins with Crosby, Koonce, & Tyree could be nasty. A steady accumulation of trench warfare and blue chippers. Elsewhere, I love the Pearsall fit in SF. Could be a perceived reach, but I have a hard time not seeing him work out in the league. And the Rams - I was thinking they would be aggressive but they didn't need to and landed Verse at 19. Excellent value and he will pair really well with Byron Young.

Yeah that's true. Gotta admit though, Minshew looked a lot less capable in IND than earlier in his career. Think Aiden played for LV with more ease and had a bit better vision/could see more of the field. Minshew is a real backyard style QB that can get locked on guys.

*added a profile to the OP for those who aren't draft junkies

Some reactionary takes...hard to really get too definitive before these guys play, but some teams have created really nice situations for some top notch talent--> Favorable: SEA: I love the Murphy II fit in Seattle for Macdonald. He was one of my favorite players in the draft and could be an ideal centerpiece for that defense. They have some special young pieces in place. MIN: If you told me they would land JJ McCarthy and Dallas Turner without giving up a future first, I would've thought you were crazy. They were patient, didn't panic, and navigated the draft very well LVR: They stuck to a BPA strategy and I think this will be super beneficial for them. Bowers is one of the best TE talents in over a decade. O'Connell may be filling in until 2025 for them but Bowers is a piece to build around. CHI: Caleb walking into an offense with 2 OTs in place, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen, De'Andre Swift, & Kmet. NO: I hate to admit it but Fuaga was my favorite lineman outside of Alt and think they nailed this one. Unfavorable: The Falcons, regardless of what you think of either Cousins or Penix made one of the most head scratching moves in recent memory. They couldn't even quite explain their reasoning well in their press appearances so far. You spend $150 mil for 4 years on Cousins, apparently gave him an assurance they would help him via the draft, then they turn around and draft a backup/future starter that's 24 and ready to play. And his camp has already put out in the world he's confused by it all. Nice work. So Penix is either coming in sooner due to Cousins not working out (hedging their bets) or Penix will be 28/29 by the time he's handed the keys.