MHS831

Consider this: A first round pick has about a 50-60% chance of success. This draft has some of our needs in the fourth round. I would do this deal, but you cannot ignore the cap. If you do this deal, and I am not sure how this would work, but can you not agree in principle to an extension? You are looking at $25-30m. Wilson had 1100 yards and was the third most targeted WR in 2024. He caught two thirds of them-not bad. To do this, you may have to cut Clowney and not re-sign Dalton. Rework Hunt. Rework and extend Moton. Wilson, XL, AT, Coker--not bad, especially if XL and Coker improve from year 1.

replace the "L" with an "H" and that was my high school nickname. Be here all week-try the veal.

sure is--

I will say that TE is more of a need than most seem to realize, and a good receiving TE could reduce the need for a WR but it does not stretch the field that much--however, only Kyle Pitts (to the best of my memory) was drafted higher than 8th (4th). Brock Bowers--the best TE I have seen coming out of college-- was the 13th pick. With our needs (edge, DT) you are foolish for shopping for a TE in round 1 when they are available later. You can find a good TE late--we did last year. I saw a TE/HBack at the SR bowl and he seemed like a stud--from Ga Tech--Hawes. Heck, he might not even get drafted, but he seemed like he could run FB, H back, had good hands--If you get some time, watch some of his video.

Yeah. I think trading for him taking on about $9m in salary (guestimate) is a luxury for a contender looking for a #2 to compete. We have Kupp in Thielen. I am so worried that we overpay for a free agent WR playing in a good system (like we did the Eagles RB) and he underperforms here.

we could have written this--fluff. That time of year, I suppose

Here is how I see it: Assuming we cut Tuttle and Ray (or let them go) and do not re-sign Mike Jackson or Shaq Thompson: Nose Tackle (0-3 technique) Nose Tackle depth Defensive End (Across from Brown; Robinson should be rotational) Edge A player who can get after the QB and hold the edge. We had too many cut backs for big gains. This assuming we keep Clowney and Wonnum. Edge Strong side edge to play for a season behind Wonnum. Linebacker Starting #2 CB Starting Safety Starting Safety Not to mention the Offense (depth QB, RB, WR, TE, Swing T, C-even though I think May earned the job, we need depth) That is 15 players--more than a quarter of the roster (28%). Morgan better get busy.

As for the Tee Higgins fans, take him away from Joe and Chase and make him a #1, he might not be worth close to $30m.

Restrepo or Bech in round 3 would be nearly as productive, imo/ if the injuries continue to hinder Kupp 10 years younger, $26m cheaper....

he said "Religion," not God or Jesus or Moses, etc. It is not the institution of religion that is problematic--it is the manipulation of that institution that is problematic. I am fairly certain that is what was meant.

Anything that man touches he tarnishes with corruption. Never before has religion been weaponized and used by political figures as it has been recently. According to Pew Research center, and I had a discussion with a Methodist minister about this recently, Gen X-Z are disassociating from the church in record numbers. Those in power or seeking riches on earth use it to manipulate....It is called menticide in some cases--brainwashing. To see it for what it is, you have to be objective and willing to see what is under the blanket. Pew says that 50% of the American churches--mostly evangelical, will not exist in 2050. For the first time ever, American youth value "common sense" (36%) over spirituality (24%) when making ethical decisions. So no, the church is not above corruption, greed, and manipulation of the masses. This is not really new--but it is being exploited now like never before. Because of more access to the media, Children are less likely to be scared into church and forced to believe the dogma as before. They see the greed, lying, and manipulation. This is not mocking Jesus or God--this is exposing those who distort images of Jesus and God so that they can rape, rob, and manipulate you to vote one way or another. This $50 million dollar preacher knows what I am talking about, as did/does Jim Bakker, Catholic priests, Falwell, Swaggart, etc.

Seems to be very common these days, actually, and applicable to the majority.

Special Juan, I appreciate how you bring stuff like this to the Huddle...Much appreciated--gives us something to discuss.

I think they are all parroting what others are saying--like a bunch of penguins scared to be the first to jump in the water. I have noticed what you are saying. When I looked into Will Howard (after being thoroughly impressed with him in the playoffs) I was like, "How is Sanders rated higher than this guy?" All hype. By draft day, Howard has to be drafted in the first. If I am a GM and I need a QB, how do you pass the player with his credentials? I may be missing something, probably am, I may be sitting stupid and confident--but I would draft him in round 1. Watch him rise up boards over the next 8 weeks.

Yeah, I think he will stay in LA.

A player like Mack will want to go where he can win a ring. The Panthers do not need to use their cap contributing to retirement funds--they need to build a core. I think the odds Mack comes to Charlotte are very unfavorable. He is playing at a high level--PFF score of 90 last year, 7 sacks--but his production will soon start dropping--you are paying last year's rate for diminishing returns. Not smart--but he is unlikely to come here-- In terms of building a core, you need to develop edge rushers for the future, hoping they make an immediate impact. Most take 2 seasons of development before they reach their prime years.

Predicting that Will Howard will be top 10 is a reach-I get it--but how can you have the highest QBR in the nation, complete over 70% or your passes for the year, demonstrate the ability to run from the pocket more than the top 2 QBs, win the national championship game, demonstrating excellence in passing (over 80%) and rushing (over 50 yards) and not be close to the others in the QB rankings? He is about the same size as Josh Allen, and he can run the ball like him--just was not asked to as much. He is more accurate at this stage of his career. I am scratching my head, wondering, "Why are the "experts" right now not talking about him in the first round conversation? Frankly, he is my QB1 right now. He needs weapons and an OL, but all QBs do. If these numbers do not make you equal to Ward and Sanders, what criteria are they using to measure QBs? I seriously do not get it. Sanders struggled this year and Ward had a great season at Miami--second only to Will Howard. What measures are they using?

He played with a stud DT at SC, so I am not sure if he benefited from that or not. This guy is fifth or sixth round at this time.

WANT MORE RADICAL INTEL? What would you say if I told you that there will be 2 QBs taken in the top 5, and one of them is not Sanders? That's right. I have spoken. Here is my take on this and it has changed a bit since starting this thread--and I assume the boards in early February are laughable when late April rolls around--so without further ado.... I think there is a Brock Purdy or two or three in this draft---which makes drafting a high-risk candidate at #1 or #2 overall a big gamble. My potential Brock Purdys: 1. Will Howard, Ohio State. Why is he rated so LOW???? A big, strong-armed QB who can run when needed. Completion percentage over 73% (good OL, WRs), but when the pressure was at its highest, he ran for 57 yards vs. Notre Dame, completed 17 of 21 passes (81%) for 231 yards and had a QBR of 99.1 in the National Championship game. At 6' 4" 235, he flashes glimpses of a more accurate (in college) Josh Allen. I am saying that Will Howard BELONGS in the first round--if not, I have no idea what they use to determine quality at the QB position. For the season, Howard had the NCAA's highest QBR rating 89.6, ahead of Cam Ward, the second highest QBR rating at 88.4. Coincidentally, Shedeur Sanders had a 75.5 QBR, 20th overall. 2. Jaxon Dart, Mississippi: I just don't trust Kiffin QBs--a system qb? A Corral? I would take a look at the balls he throws downfield on passing downs and ignore all the rest. Some scouts have a first round grade on him. Dart had the 4th highest QBR in college football at 86.3--I was surprised by that. 3. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana: Yes, he played a soft schedule, but it was a Big 10 schedule and he took a bad team and won games. He has a lot of experience, good size, a quick release, but a pure pocket passer. 29 TDs, 5 Ints 69%. Played poorly in loss to Ohio State, and was respectful vs. Notre Dame. Rourke had the 5th highest QBR rating in college football at 85.1. 4. Quinn Ewers, Texas: The "Bo Nix" of this year's draft? Probably not. Experienced, a rep for being injured a lot, he had 53 TDs and 18 picks the past 2 seasons. Not going to beat you with his legs. Handled the mental pressure of keeping a Manning on the pine, so he is a competitor. Ewers had the 21st highest QBR rating with a 75.4 5. Kyle McCord, Syracuse: In his last 2 seasons (Ohio State and Syracuse) McCord posted gawdy numbers: 7,949 yards, 58 TDs, and 18 Ints, 66% completion rating. A pocket passer. McCord had the 14th highest QBR at 78.6. So how do I rank the QBs this year? 1. Will Howard, Ohio State and Cam Ward, Miami. Will is slightly ahead of Cam in QBR (big 10 schedule vs. ACC) as the #1 rated QB in college football, but he had stud WRs and a solid OL. Ward did not. However, most would not believe me if I told you that Will Howard had more rushing yards than Cam Ward. So what is the difference? How can you say Ward is to be picked first overall and the National Championship QB with better size, stats and demonstrated excellence on the biggest stage should go in the second or third round? Frankly, I think Howard will climb boards and by the end of April, he will be a first rounder. I think he will be the better pro. If not, what criteria are they going by? (I am sure some will argue against my point here--but please, bring facts, data, and solid information. Your opinion is not a stamp of correctness). 3. Shedeur Sanders. He is a good pocket passer and makes sound decisions when he has a pocket. This season, he had no pocket. He needs protection. A good fit would be the Raiders (offensive line is solid). I don't really have him that far below Cam and Will, but it is hard to gauge his ability when being sacked and pressured. 4. Jaxon Dart. He has the fourth highest QBR rating which puts him a notch below Howard and Ward. Is it the system? Does he have the arm strength? I do not see first round, but a team in the second may trade up in the back of the first round to get that fifth year option.

That is the popular sentiment right now, but after the combine and free agency, things will change. In the past 15 years, there have been 2 DTs drafted in the top 8 picks--Quinnen Williams was taken by the Jets 3rd overall in 2019 and our own Derrick Brown was taken with pick #7 in 2020. So DT is not one of those rare positions that teams reach or trade up for in the top 10 picks of the draft. Compare that to CB, DE/Edges, QBs, WRs, OTs--they are more like TEs--rare to see one go first round early. This draft is pretty loaded at DT, imo, so I see teams thinking, "We will go after that Edge, CB, OT, or WR and get the DT later. You could argue that Graham is special, and I would agree. But if the CB from Michigan (who is a baller) and one of the two premiere LTs (better protect Maye) and two QBs and Hunter go in the top 5, we have a chance.

I don't either. If we ended up with J Walker, we could play him inside early and edge on passing downs. Or we could send him from A/B gap behind Brown and a good NT with 2 good edges...We will get a good player.

Here is my plan: An OT, WR, CB, 2 QBs, and Hunter go in the top 7. That would leave Carter or Graham for us. I know the Patriot beat writers recently had them taking the top OT for Maye.

I would take Graham over Mike Green if both are on the board. And the dark horse that nobody is talking about at parties is Will Johnson, the shut er down CB from Michigan. Across from Horn--oh my. Keep Clowney and Wonnum and add an edge later-- But I think Graham is better at DT than Green is Edge. Graham is one of those rear interior DL that can shut down a team--similar to Chris Jones with KC.

Well, I could not draft Dart in round 1--I could not draft Sanders or Ward in the top 10--however, when you are a GM and the free agent market is piss poor, I might be more inclined to roll the dice--there are 2 players from last year that I thought were bad picks (Jayden Daniels--good college player, but a pro? and Bo Nix (I thought he was a second round career backup. I am terrible at picking pro QBs from the college pool. Can't do it. So I can't base my opinion on prior knowledge. I try to look at the GM--Schoen in NY HAS TO DRAFT A QB. I don't even think he can bring in Fields or Darnold--too risky. He has to hope to get Sanders or Ward--I do not see any options for him. Darnold will be a Raider---saying it now. Mark my wirds. By the way, this is one of those threads you make before the all star games and combine and free agency and cringe.

I agree. I think I might take Will Howard over both--I realize they put up stats--something that worries me about Dart in the Kiffin system, but doing it for 3 years is better than Matt Corral, imo,. If Cleveland takes Hunter and then can get their QB (I am very high on Howard--people call me crazy--even those who don't know my opinion on Howard) and I know that they are very high on him in Ohio. I think that would be a win-win. Howard could use a season behind a veteran, so I would not be opposed to bringing in a vet like a Taylor Heinicke to help him transition. In my opinion, Taylor Heinicke is a great backup qb in the NFL