MHS831

I think he is a 5th rounder--

I think people have questioned Verge in the past and ended up eating crow. She is only as reliable as her sources and she makes that clear. Charlie Campbell--same thing. Someone is going to have listened to the right sources at the end of tomorrow--and I appreciate people sharing what they heard--not going to accuse someone of being right or someone of being wrong--Hell, it could change between today and tomorrow--the draft shifts--etc.

Breaking this down on Draft eve. Thanks Verge. -Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia (has all the tools and the theme to this prom is stop the run. Can he develop a pass rush? I still don't get the love--25 tackles and 4 sacks.) -Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan (If he is there at #8, I doubt we trade back. I think Mason Graham is the third-rated player in the draft) -Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss (First round potential, probably a trade-back candidate. Character concerns seem to be about maturity. Specific incidents, like leaving practice early due to frustration and a potential injury situation during a game, have fueled these concerns. 22nd rated player and he had 6.5 sacks and 48 tackles--very productive.) -Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA (I see him as an underrated LB who will be drafted higher than his #45 ranking--maybe 20-25 spots higher. However, they probably see him as a second rounder seeing that the immediate need is not there to justify a trade up. 136 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions is Morganlike). -Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame (A dual-threat QB who took ND to the playoffs and championship. A 6'4" mobile qb with a solid arm who completed 66.7% of his passes this season (21 TDs and 8 picks) and ran for 906 yards. His passing needs work, but his footwork and mechanics could be the issue (many dual threat qbs have footwork issues. Cam Newton did as well) In my view, if they can develop QBs in Carolina, this is your guy. A steal for a fifth rounder.) -Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State (I am not a fan of this pick, but he did have 1200 yards this past season and runs a 4.4--considered to be a deep threat, which is what they want. However, his hands are suspect, reminding me of Ted Ginn. 5' 11" and can get separation but lacks fundamentals to run the entire route tree. Should start as a #3 somewhere by year 2. NFL Combine site lists him as a second rounder; I think that is high. He will go in the third or fourth, imo) -Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College (People see Donovan as a sack artist but I think this would be the target if we trade back. The man had 16.5 sacks--yeah team!--but to me, the most impressive stat he had: 80 tackles. Mykel Williams had 25 tackles and 11.5 fewer sacks. In other words, Ezeiruaku more that TRIPLED William's production. At 6' 2.5" 248 lbs. He fits the mold for the perfect OLB--and he can hold the edge. Not sure why he is rated #26--should be #15 or so, imo. -Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia (Teams will value Sanker's impact on punt and kick units, where his anticipation and technical proficiency stand out. Between the hashes, he excels at disrupting intermediate routes and flowing to the football. He sounds like a smart player with special teams ability. 98 tackles this past season, but known to be a deep s who covers TEs and RBs by keeping them in front. Should be a 4/5th rounder) -Billy Bowman, S, Oklahoma (I see Bowman being the perfect pairing with Moehrig. He is short (5'10") and not a good tackler, but he is solid in pass pro in zone. Bowman brings ball-hawking instincts. When you watch him operate in zone coverage, his anticipation jumps off the screen – the way he baits quarterbacks, reads their eyes, and breaks on the ball with conviction. This playmaking knack is what separates him from other mid-round safety prospects. Bowman could be there in the fourth round) -Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State (Another hidden gem, possibly, Gordon is a big back who runs a 4.6. The film shows a back with excellent vision between the tackles who knows how to set up blocks and explode through creases once he's identified them. While his 2024 regression is concerning, context matters – he faced stacked boxes behind a crumbling offensive line with minimal support from the passing game. I speculate he will be drafted in the fifth-seventh round.) -Anthony Belton, T, NC State (The Panthers will be drafting all of their OL from NC State until further notice. Ickey' replacement. His film reveals a player with significantly better technique in pass sets than run blocking, suggesting he's more advanced in the former despite his intimidating physical presence. While he sits outside the top 100 prospects in this draft class, Belton's exceptional length and pass protection upside make him a Day 3 selection with starter potential. Perfect player to develop behind Moton who can serve as a swing T for a season) -Deone Walker, IDL, Kentucky (for a day 2 prospect, Walker is raw. He plays well when fresh but seems to tire quickly. He gets good pass rush for a NT, and can win one-on-one situations. A rotational guy who needs to be moved around. 3rd rounder.) -Cam Jackson, IDL, Florida (Another big body who gets fatigued quickly.His floor appears to be a rotational run defender, but his ceiling will be determined by how much he can improve his conditioning and technical refinement. Possibly a 7th rounder-UDFA) -Quincy Riley, DB, Louisville (Riley projects as a valuable nickel corner with the potential to develop into a starting outside cornerback. His ball skills and instincts will translate well to the next level. Probably a 5th rounder) -Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina (at 6' 4" 255, Kennard is the size we are looking for. He had 11.5 sacks in 2024. Can step in and contribute immediately as a situational pass rusher while developing into a more complete edge defender. His explosive get-off and natural bend show up consistently on third downs, but he'll need a specific role early in his career. Think Harold Landry coming out of Boston College - a rusher who can win with speed and length while building up his power game. Kennard could be the pick at #57.) -Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (He's 6'3", 220 and runs a 4.38. he had 4 interceptions and 88 tackles. His rare blend of size and speed screams modern NFL safety, capable of matching up with tight ends, supporting the run, and roaming the deep middle. Mid to late first round) -Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota (While he may need time to develop into a full-time starter, his physical tools and steady college progression suggest he could become a quality right tackle with left tackle flexibility in the right system. Could be there when the Panthers pick in the late second round). -Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State (A 1200-yard receiver on a team with another 1200-yard receiver. sub 4.4 speed. Noel has "dangerous weapon" written all over him as a vertical slot receiver with deep-ball tracking ability that jumps off the film. The way he stresses defenses downfield belies his modest frame – this isn't your typical underneath slot guy. When he gets a clean release, defenders are immediately in survival mode. could be our second round pick).

I like him as well--a day 3 qb who has the tools. I see a 6 - 4 dual threat qb who's weakness is probably his passing. If Canales can get that worked out--lotta times it is just footwork or processing more than anything else--he could become a force. Has been working with Phillip Rivers. Arm strength seems to be good. Definitely a possible diamond in the rough.

Verge has really spiced this up a bit with her Mykel Williams prediction (based on an inside and an outside source) and the fact that she called Jalon Walker a "smokescreen" (or agreed to that description). The fact of the matter: I see neither as a good fit based on their college play. If Graham goes off the board at 7, I am praying for a trade back.

I was going through this draft slowly, and I got to the Raiders and thought, "Hmm. Graham could be there." Then I thought, after seeing the Jets draft Graham, "Now I have 1 more reason to hate Aaron "the narcissist" Rodgers.

interesting

No.

Your Emmanwori prediction--when we all laughed and/or scoffed--is starting to look pretty damn good.

It is starting to look that way. I found the Riley Leonard interest interesting.

So, if we can't move back, these are the only players with first round grades, to the best of my knowledge. Ranking them: -Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan (prolly gone) -Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia -Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina -Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss

It just occurred to me--it is draft eve eve. We need Sir Purr to let us sit on his or her lap and tell him what to tell Dan, Dave, and Dave what we want. Our second Draft in 3-D.

This is the time of year for optimism, but if we can go 4-5 with a crappy defense without Brown and Thompson, with weak Safeties and terrible DL--mediocre at best LBs--no pass pressure to speak of---then I think we can win 8 or 9 IF BRYCE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.

I think we are going with Sanders, and I think he is going to be decent to good.

It looks as though Bryce is engaged in some Jedi mind control training. I have it a little bit--but I need Yoda. My jedi skills work at WalMart when I enter the front doors--they open without touching them. Then I have turned on the water and hand dryers in bathrooms the same way. Sometimes I think, "Did I turn off my headlights?" and they turn off at that very moment. I just need more training.

I wanted to comment on this pick as well. The R OT from BC is my RT crush right now, but this guy can play. The RT from LSU is a keeper too--would have been the LT there, but Campbell and all that.

Somewhere I read a stat that said there has been only 1 TE with arms as short or shorter than his who made a pro bowl or something like that. I did not know that was an issue for TEs as it is for OTs. Snow wants to call him a wide receiver and if so, the 4.71 4o is also a concern--maybe limits his pass tree routes--He does have good hands. I still like Mason Taylor for us though-if we draft TE--I don't think we will unless the choice is obvious.

He is a TE, at least, on paper. But if you play him wide, that may be the fairest comparison because I have not seen him beside the T

We make a huge mistake if we ignore WR (or a TE weapon like Fannin) and OT, imo. I was thinking I heard some red flags on Fannin--not sure I am right--but if so, Morgan will not draft him--too many others with red flags (except Nolen) have been passed over, it seems. Maybe it was not character, but arm length (31.75) and 40 time (4.71 which is average, I would think). He is a baller, regardless. I like Bech as well, but Noel has the higher upside and is more of what we need.

I think Princely and Swinson could be the edge steals of the draft.

Oh yeah? Well, you hate about 60% of the population. And the other half is nearly as bad.

I agree in round 1 you take the BPA--here is why--let's say we take a TE or OT--most edges that are the best fits are second rounders. We can get a decent S in the third, and depth DTs on day 3. I personally do not buy into the Jalon Walker is a lock nonsense. If true, the team has some leaks that Morgan needs to address. Walter said, "Team sources" I call them spies and leaks. Telling people what you think serves no positive purpose. I would love Warren, Sanders, and Tremble at TE. I would love an OT because I know that would give us leverage with Ickey and a backup / replacement for Moton.

That is why I predict every player in the top 50. I then save the post where I was right, and gloat to others who then admire me for my wisdom because they forgot that i was wrong 98 percent of the time. I share this because i am counting on Huddlers' inability to remember stuff. If they do remember, I call them petty--I mean, I do not keep up with what others say so I could use it against them later--that would be petty.

Let's say we went LT in free agency last year--we'd have spent less, moved Ekwonu to G, Zavala could have stepped into the other guard role. Based on his play this year, he could have handled it, imo. Of course, Morgan did not have hindsight working to his advantage like I do. However, surrendering 6 sacks in 2024 (I have read both 6 and 7) after an 11 sack 2023 is encouraging for a 24-year old OT. I think we should wait and see what we have before extending him, but if he plays well, the price goes up. Based on his mechanics between 2023 and 2024 alone, I see improvement in terms of balance and waist bending. I think he guesses too much, causing him to take wider strides that cost him leverage. That is based on about 20 plays I watched--not exhaustive.

The Hershel Walker trade was the worst. Then Ricky Williams--Man, Mike Ditka came off looking like a circus clown. Wearing dreads, smoking a cigar, the wedding dress mess...Just too dumb. Just watched the video--stay away from trading for a RB.