New Peter King FIMA article breaks down 2021 draft prospects

[SCO96]

I only posted a portion of the article. I don't have anything about QB's because we've discussed that to death on these boards. 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/03/07/nfl-draft-primer-quarterbacks-fmia-peter-king/

1) Not a great defensive draft, at all. Jeremiah has 24 players with first-round grades, only 10 on defense. (For the record, four quarterbacks, four wideouts, three offensive linemen, two running backs, one tight end, three edge players, three linebackers, three corners, and one safety. No defensive tackles.) Jeremiah has Rousseau, Jaelan Phillips of Miami and Kwity Paye of Michigan atop his Edge rankings, but it doesn’t seem like any of them are locks.

What’s weird about this draft: It’s conceivable that the first eight players could be offensive players, and one of the unheralded corners—opt-out Virginia Tech athlete Caleb Farley or Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II—could be the first defender taken. “If you want a corner,” Jeremiah said, “you better get one in the first couple of rounds. It falls off after that.” Another son of an ex-NFLer, South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn (son of former wideout Joe Horn), should go by the end of round one.

2) Best position in the draft: Wide receiver (again). In the last two drafts, teams have picked a total of 30 wideouts in the first three rounds. This year, Jeremiah has 19 receivers with grades in the top three rounds. When you see the recent draft depth of the position—third-round wideouts from the last three years: Terry McLaurin, Michael Gallup, Tre’Quan Smith, Diontae Johnson—I begin to think NFL teams should start treating the receiver position like running backs. Don’t waste a high pick on one; you can get a good one in the seventies, eighties, nineties overall.

“It’s almost the same every year now, Jeremiah said. “Last year, I had a record number of guys with top-three-round grades [27]. Not as much this year, but so many good options in the second, third, fourth rounds.” Most draft boards will have LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle among the top 12 picks. Kadarius Toney of Florida is Jeremiah’s fourth first-round wideout, but his favorite wideout at a bargain price (mid-round two) is Mississippi’s Elijah Moore: “There were games that nobody could cover him.”

3) Surest position at the top? Might be offensive line. It’s not deep, but either Rashawn Slater of Northwestern or Penei Sewell of Oregon (both were 2020 opt-outs) could be opening-day left tackles in September. They should both go in the top six or eight. Slater played well against Ohio State and ace edge-rusher Chase Young in their 2019 meeting. Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC) could play guard or tackle comfortably, and Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech) and Jalen Mayfield (Michigan) could crack the end of the first round.

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I found the comments on the defense prospects to be interesting. After reading this I'm glad we went all defense last year. Still, I wouldn't be crushed if we took a CB at #8 or with our 2nd round pick (#40) if one fall to us because we probably won't be able to get a solid starter after that...and CB is a desperate need on this team. Only one of our corners, (Donte), had an INT last season

The deepest position, WR, is the one position we're set for in 2019. DJ and Robbie both went over a 1,000 yards last year so we don't need a #1 or #2 in 2021.  According to this analysis, we can probably find a replacement for Curtis Samuel if he we can't afford him in the offseason. For years I've felt WR is becoming one of the easiest positions to replace...especially if you have a good system and QB already in place.

The O-line at the top of the draft are almost considered locks to start day one at LT. If Slater or Sewell fell to us at 8, it would be hard to pass on them. With the right LT in place, Moton's return, and a couple of other tweaks our O-line could should become a position of strength and if we failed to get a QB this year, whoever we brought in in 2022 (FA, trade, or draft pick) would be in a much better position to succeed. I was under the impression that this year's class of lineman was deep for interior lineman. I want to see what the other draft gurus are saying about them.

Thoughts?

 

Edited March 8, 2021 by SCO96

[BrianS]

It's pretty simple.  The rules have made it much easier to play receiver.  More and more receivers can get the job done.  You'll still have your generational players, but the "good" receivers are becoming much more common.

[SCO96]

32 minutes ago, BrianS said:

You'll still have your generational players, but the "good" receivers are becoming much more common.

Great point. If you are set at all the other positions and a can't miss prospect is available in the first round then I think a team should grab them. But, if you have roster holes on the o-line, d-line, or secondary I think they should be addressed. Like you said, it's easier to find good receivers who can get the job done w/out being Pro-Bowler players.

[thefuzz]

Thank you, was a nice read.

 

Really hope we don't do something stupid, but it feels like we are going to do something stupid.

[Basbear]

7 hours ago, thefuzz said:

Thank you, was a nice read.

 

Really hope we don't do something stupid, but it feels like we are going to do something stupid.

Herniay is gone bro...... but I got the same feel as you. Fritterererer came form a team that traded lots(few times with panthers). Im always honest, for him being the lead draft guru, theyve gotten awful results since that great 2012..... Herniay was better in 2017-20. Russ wilson and Pete just overcame those years, they have been faaaar too cute about the draft. They traded back plenty and trusted the board that more than likely Frittererere made. Piss poor is doing them a favor in describing their draft pools.  

[Basbear]

7 hours ago, stbugs said:

It does make going all D last year seem better as we need a good amount of work on O (QB, OL, TE and replacing Samuel). Just wish we didn’t do the Teddy experiment as we’d be in much better position to have our rookie QB or a pick that would be a huge value in a trade for Watson. #2 would be the equivalent of #8, 2022 1st and 2022 2nd. We probably wouldn’t have to give up more than #2, 2021 3rd (we’d have our 2021 3rd comp pick too) and 2023 1st (or a 2022 2nd/2023 2nd). Trying to half ass contending was so dumb. Our QB issue would be so much easier to solve. 

Ive been trying to find others that have the similar needs, OL feels like every team is looking for help. I seen where Oakland and LAcharg may need 4 starters, depending on future stuff. 

[GoPanthers123]

Rhule or someone said we are going O heavy this year, so that works.   We may trade up too so it’s QB, OL and whatever is left.