Bear Hands

*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. 

28 minutes ago, Verge said:

I dropped my prediction in the Huddle discord. I said Legette or McConkey at 33 but they jumped a pick. I think they are targeting Edgerin Cooper or Mike Sainristil today. 

I like seeing both of those names.  

21 hours ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Posting in this thread before we move up to 32 to take Legette lol

We have a winner

51 minutes ago, Jackie Lee said:

 

Ugh  

2 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

 

Fixed so people can see this without clicking the link - worth 30ish seconds to watch IMO

Just now, PNW_PantherMan said:

Figured they were worried about a leapfrog taking their guy.

Regardless of how you feel about Legette, the move up wasn’t bad.  If that’s your guy, they did the right thing to get him.

Pretty much.  We had back to back picks in R5 anyways so swapping 141 for 200 ain't no thang.   Those are all dart throws at the back of the draft.  

With some fresh perspective this morning - he's got mad untapped potential, seems to really love the game, and our new HC's best success was as a WRs' coach.  So the conditions are a lot more optimal to develop guys compared to past teams of ours.  If they like him this much, let's see what they can cook up. 

Maybe we can finally hit.  

1 minute ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

I don't know.  I feel the Bills kind of played themselves.  They gave the Chiefs the player they wanted and then moved down a pick to get what?  An extra 5th?  Why not just take your guy there?

They're losing the arms race to KC

It's been mentioned WR4-15 this year is all over the place team to team.  The Bills may feel comfortable with the ones they're targeting...or have something else in mind.  Beane is usually very pointed and deliberate with his draft moves so we'll see what happens tonight.

8 minutes ago, WhoKnows said:

This is what worries me. We fall in love with a guy. 6 QBs and Pearsall go in the first so there’s no run on WRs at the end of the 1st and we still get the guy we promised we would take.

We haven’t done well with taking guys we like who do not stand out at the combine drills or the Senior Bowl.

It doesn’t feel great to hear that evaluation now. I hadn’t seen that before. Oh well, still have a couple picks today but I feel like XL is a hope that he does well versus feeling like we got a stud who will excel no matter what.

I was fairly vocal with my concerns around him so it won’t be popular right now.

All we can do now is hope we’re proved wrong and balls out - after the pick on the AFS, Brugler mentioned he knew teams that had him as a third round guy.  He’s just limited right now with his upper body movement and ability to play outside against zone. If we’re in the redzone we can probably get him out there for jumps. Now that being said, I hope he kills it now that he’s here but  he’ll ease in with sweeps, motion, shallow crossers..he’s just not a plug in outside receiver.  Although to be fair, I don’t think that option was available if the team isn’t high on AD.

Just now, Mother Grabber said:

i agree with this. the main value of 33 was to fleece someone who wanted Penix or Nix. once they came off, the ability to rob someone dropped off significantly. the best thing is to get your guy. swapping 5 for 6 to get the 5th year option seems like a great move. it’s now up to the coaching staff to make this pay off.

Yeah I forgot which pod, but someone was saying that about this year.  #20-45ish have similar grades for a lot of teams, so if a team is really coveting a guy, it makes sense to go get him since the capital isn't requiring to jump a tier.  And with no QBs there, it wasn't much at all.  I.E. - the other trades in the 20s before ours.  

1 minute ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

I'm not forcing you to love the pick. You're entitled to your own opinion. His film stands out though. I wasn't high on the Mingo film. This kid has that extra gear. I think we will love him if we use him the right way. I think Bryce getting the ball out qucker should helps all of our WR's. We got a good mix of WR's now.

That's fine and dandy.  Just don't peel into your "buddy, settle down" shtick when someone is well and settled.  

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

1 minute ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

A cup of coffee in the morning you will feel a lot better about this pick tomorrow morning trust me.

If you've read my posts you should understand I take a pretty even keel approach and have been warming myself up to Legette.  Pick the hyperbolizing "you're freaking out" argument with someone else or get lost. 

Really shouldn't bother anyone if I don't like the pick.  I can be wrong and it's just football anyways, I don't mind admitting it.

Just now, top dawg said:

They are hardly the same receiver. You know as well as I do, that you go and get your guy. Ladd is good, but somewhat redundant. He also has a bit of an injury history. AD is kinda soft. There were concerns with him.

Yeah we had a preference.  No big deal, I'll root for him--like I told you, I expected it, and have tried to warm up to it.  I'm just miffed at how obvious we made it.  This trend continues under a third regime for Tepper. 

Just now, CamWhoaaCam said:

Buddy we traded nothing. Take a chill pill it's been a long stressful day for you it seems.

lol

Just now, ForJimmy said:

It was for the 5th year option. The trade is no big deal the player wouldn’t have been my choice. 

Agree that the trade is no big deal and the kid has potential.

It's just mad aggravating we couldn't keep this tight lipped yet again.  Everyone and their mom knew we were getting this kid.

This FO still can't control themselves. 

Honestly, just stupid.  2 of AD, Ladd, and Legette were going to be there for us. Maybe all 3.

Yay if he works out but we are still having mad tunnelvision, remain poor bluffers, and still can't just go BPA.  

-

edit - looking back a bit reactive here, hoping for the best

So we in fact showed our bluff and gave up capital to make sure we got the guy we telegraphed we wanted for weeks.  

Can't immediately play outside, huge gamble here.  Honestly hate it

Xavier Legette

6'1 220 | South Carolina

Quote

• 2019: Played in 11 games as a reserve and on special teams (9-80-8.9, TD receiving; 4-113-28.3 KR).
• 2020: Started 6 games (7-113-16.1). Missed the end of the season due to hamstring injury.
• 2021: Played in 11 games with 4 starts (8-63-7.9, TD). Missed two midseason games after a motorcycle accident.
• 2022: Played in all 13 games with 7 starts (18-167-9.3, 3 TDs receiving; 7-21-3.0 rushing; 15-441-29.4, TD KR).
• 2023: Second-team All-SEC. Led the team with 71 receptions, 7 receiving TDs. Ranked eighth in the FBS with 1,255 receiving yards (17.7 per). Started all 12 games.

notes from the interweb:

Quote

Strengths

• Makes full use of his size and play strength in one-on-one battles.
• Owns his space and defender’s space when catch is contested.
• Magnificent timing and extension to snare throws up the ladder.
• Uses subtle hand fighting to create late landing space for the throw.
• Powerful hands create added catch security with or without contact.
• Sneaky burst gear propels vertical separation and run-after-catch speed.
• Capable combatant when asked to do his part as a blocker.

Weaknesses

• Can win the catch phase, but the release and route phases lack polish.
• Tennessee’s tight press-man coverage was all over him for much of the game.
• Rushes through route design rather than selling it to the cornerbacks.
• Below-average quickness getting in and out of his breaks.
• Hits cruise control and waits for jump balls rather than keeping foot on the gas.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/xavier-legette/32004c45-4714-5351-c48c-d286b74bea32

WE'RE ON THE CLOCK

Best zone beater and hands in the draft.  And just as good of a route runner as McConkey

5 Picks left...8 notable available:

(1) IDL: Johnny Newton

(3) CBs: Kool-Aid, DeJean and Wiggins

(2) IOLs: Powers Johnson and Frazier

(2) McConkey & AD Mitchell

hmm.

Unlocked now that pre shows are starting up. Draft chatter in here

Thanks dude - sending our best