The EDGE Conundrum at 8

[Bear Hands]

Excluding Carter, I think I can quickly sum up the conundrum at EDGE. 

1. Promising Prospect with Major Wrinkles

• Jalon Walker - Size/Down-to-Down Position (ILB v. OLB)
• James Pearce - Reported issues in the locker room & beyond (one source) (another - Per C. Kinnan)
• Mike Green - SA Allegations/UVA Dismissal

2. Biggies lacking Pass Rush Skills (High Ceiling/Development types)

There's the guys who test well, but don't have the tape and aren't the best pass rushers.  This is often a bust prototype with some success stories every now and again.  This includes:

• Shemar Stewart
• Mykel Williams

3. Donovan Ezeiruaku

• Best EDGE in college this season (IMO), has the length/span of a 6'5 guy - came in a hair under 6'3 248 (Bigger than Walker), better run defense chops than given credit for (83.6), & tested incredibly well.  So tape and testing both big fat green checks.

Sooo with this said, this is where I say: Don't be shocked if we don't end up with an pass rusher (or) you hate our first round selection.  Walker is the least bust-able of the bunch here, but his impact may not be as big as you'd want year 1. 

Bottom line is I hope we go BPA, think this kind of shows why it could be smart (But I do love Donovan).

I just look at Nic Scourton, JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Princely, Elijah Roberts, Powell-Ryland, Savion Jones...there are guys with just as much upside we can land later.  I just don't see the value when Mason Graham, Tyler Warren, Will Johnson, or heck, even Colston Loveland could be available. I don't see the value in getting a Stewart or Mykel over them.

But also, don't sleep on Ezeiruaku.  And while I'm at it- Derrick Harmon if we're looking at the DE 3-4, especially if we trade down.  Out of all of these prospects, those are the two that if you just think back through the college season, they terrorized offensive lines and got it done. 

Long story short- offseason can distort.

[MHS831]

9 minutes ago, Bear Hands said:

Excluding Carter, I think I can quickly sum up the conundrum at EDGE. 

1. Promising Prospect with Major Wrinkles

• Jalon Walker - Size/Down-to-Down Position (ILB v. OLB)
• James Pearce - Reported issues in the locker room & beyond (one source) (another - Per C. Kinnan)
• Mike Green - SA Allegations/UVA Dismissal

2. Biggies lacking Pass Rush Skills (High Ceiling/Development types)

There's the guys who test well, but don't have the tape and aren't the best pass rushers.  This is often a bust prototype with some success stories every now and again.  This includes:

• Shemar Stewart
• Mykel Williams

3. Donovan Ezeiruaku

• Best EDGE in college this season (IMO), has the length/span of a 6'5 guy - came in a hair under 6'3 247 (Bigger than Walker), better run defense chops than given credit for (83.6), & tested incredibly well.  So tape and testing both big fat green checks.

Sooo with this said, this is where I say: Don't be shocked if we don't end up with an pass rusher (or) you hate our first round selection.  Walker is the least bust-able of the bunch here, but his impact may not be as big as you'd want year 1. 

Bottom line is I hope we go BPA, think this kind of shows why it could be smart (But I do love Donovan).

I just look at Nic Scourton, JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Princely, Elijah Roberts, Powell-Ryland, Savion Jones...there are guys with just as much upside we can land later.  I just don't see the value when Mason Graham, Tyler Warren, Will Johnson, or heck, even Colston Loveland could be available. I don't see the value in getting a Stewart or Mykel over them.

But also, don't sleep on Ezeiruaku.  And while I'm at it- Derrick Harmon if we're looking at the DE 3-4, especially if we trade down.  Out of all of these prospects, those are the two that if you just think back through the college season, they terrorized offensive lines and got it done. 

Long story short- offseason can distort.

When I mock, which we all know it has become the gold standard, I struggle to select an edge in round 1, and that was BEFORE I considered the character red flags concerning Pearce and Green.  I think, if what I have seen is true, we cannot afford risk.  You have to remove Pearce and Green from the board at the top of the first round.

I love Walker the person.  I am just not seeing the fit yet, but I do feel that the Panthers are really interested, which means that Evero could be frothing at the mouth for him.  If that is the case, I am for it.  HOW they use him is more important than his skill set, but man, I see a leader DAWG in him.  I am not on the Walker bandwagon like others on here--I envision him as an ILB who can move outside or blitz from the ILB spot.  I just don't see the whole picture, just the puzzle pieces.

I think they are looking at Edge in the second, and here is why:  We have 9 picks and I see us moving up if a guy drops.  I see Princely, Sawyer, and a few others as being the "fall back" picks, but I love Ezeiruaku.  I could see us trading back and grabbing him late in the first.  I would be elated.  Then grab a 3/4 DT/DE.

[jfra78]

Just stop thinking of Walker as an edge.  He will be elite as an ILB

[countryboi]

trust your analysis and draft the best player available no matter where that takes you

[Icege]

34 minutes ago, Bear Hands said:

Excluding Carter, I think I can quickly sum up the conundrum at EDGE. 

1. Promising Prospect with Major Wrinkles

• Jalon Walker - Size/Down-to-Down Position (ILB v. OLB)
• James Pearce - Reported issues in the locker room & beyond (one source) (another - Per C. Kinnan)
• Mike Green - SA Allegations/UVA Dismissal

2. Biggies lacking Pass Rush Skills (High Ceiling/Development types)

There's the guys who test well, but don't have the tape and aren't the best pass rushers.  This is often a bust prototype with some success stories every now and again.  This includes:

• Shemar Stewart
• Mykel Williams

3. Donovan Ezeiruaku

• Best EDGE in college this season (IMO), has the length/span of a 6'5 guy - came in a hair under 6'3 247 (Bigger than Walker), better run defense chops than given credit for (83.6), & tested incredibly well.  So tape and testing both big fat green checks.

Sooo with this said, this is where I say: Don't be shocked if we don't end up with an pass rusher (or) you hate our first round selection.  Walker is the least bust-able of the bunch here, but his impact may not be as big as you'd want year 1. 

Bottom line is I hope we go BPA, think this kind of shows why it could be smart (But I do love Donovan).

I just look at Nic Scourton, JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Princely, Elijah Roberts, Powell-Ryland, Savion Jones...there are guys with just as much upside we can land later.  I just don't see the value when Mason Graham, Tyler Warren, Will Johnson, or heck, even Colston Loveland could be available. I don't see the value in getting a Stewart or Mykel over them.

But also, don't sleep on Ezeiruaku.  And while I'm at it- Derrick Harmon if we're looking at the DE 3-4, especially if we trade down.  Out of all of these prospects, those are the two that if you just think back through the college season, they terrorized offensive lines and got it done. 

Long story short- offseason can distort.

I am here for any and all Donovan Ezeiruaku propaganda.

Dude's tape was even more fun than Tyler Warren's to watch.

[Bear Hands]

11 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

When I mock, which we all know it has become the gold standard, I struggle to select an edge in round 1, and that was BEFORE I considered the character red flags concerning Pearce and Green.  I think, if what I have seen is true, we cannot afford risk.  You have to remove Pearce and Green from the board at the top of the first round.

I love Walker the person.  I am just not seeing the fit yet, but I do feel that the Panthers are really interested, which means that Evero could be frothing at the mouth for him.  If that is the case, I am for it.  HOW they use him is more important than his skill set, but man, I see a leader DAWG in him.  I am not on the Walker bandwagon like others on here--I envision him as an ILB who can move outside or blitz from the ILB spot.  I just don't see the whole picture, just the puzzle pieces.

I think they are looking at Edge in the second, and here is why:  We have 9 picks and I see us moving up if a guy drops.  I see Princely, Sawyer, and a few others as being the "fall back" picks, but I love Ezeiruaku.  I could see us trading back and grabbing him late in the first.  I would be elated.  Then grab a 3/4 DT/DE.

I'm not a trade up guy, but that type of one in R2 is appealing to ensure we land an impact talent.  Whether it's for a DT like Tyleik Williams, DE like Harmon, CB like Porter, or Ezeiruaku.  Sucks we don't have pick 40.  

The chart difference value to the top of the 2nd from 57 is minimum a mid 3rd.  So a bit steep, but could see a minor trade up to the 40s if a impactful talent we love if sitting there.  

[Bear Hands]

2 minutes ago, Icege said:

I am here for any and all Donovan Ezeiruaku propaganda.

Dude's tape was even more fun than Tyler Warren's to watch.

He was a guy that was so damn fun during the season and you could just see "it".  Then you watch highlights and it's like, yeah damn, he's good. 

My thinking is starting to be -- if we're seriously considering these guys like Mykel, Shemar, then we absolutely should consider Ez. Especially if everyone is true in thinking there's only 2 blue chips, a few more 1st round talent and then a big ole' pool of fringe 1st/2nd types.  

He has a great move-set, counters, is a legit technician rushing the QB.  His run defense is not bad at all though people will point to his size and say it could cause a detriment...but he's not really THAT undersized by any means.   People will look at the height/weight and think he's an outlier, Micah/Parson/esque, but the dude has 34" arms.  He's not a shrimp, not to mention the top 3-cone, top 20 shuttle in his class. 

His frame is more like Turner, Verse, WA Jr. IMO.  He's a guy if you draft him, you instantly boost your pass rush.  There's no question marks there.  There are flaws with pretty much everyone after Carter, why not take the most polished pass rusher?   

[Jay Roosevelt]

We shouldn't force an edge rusher if the better players available are at another position. If Mason Graham or Will Johnson are available they'd be far better picks than the 2nd or 3rd best EDGE.

[Aussie Tank]

I think the stars are aligning for us to take Stewart. Character issues everywhere, he has the size and length that Morgan coverts and he dominated the Senior Bowl. Morgan sure does love a Senior Bowl stand out 

[panthers55]

If I see several guys I want one consideration for me would be which positions cost too much to find a  quality starter  in free agency. Like drafting Ickey in the first for left tackle because they cost so much in free agency.  So can we find a good safety in free agency at a good price or do we use one of our top draft picks on the best safety in the draft. Edge is expensive as is WR and quarterback among others.  I wonder how much cost factors in and make you reach instead of BPA if the BPA is not one of the expensive positions.

[Icege]

DAWG

[Icege]

Battling against possible new OT1 of the draft, Armand Membou.

DAWG

[Icege]

Medicals just got leaked

DAWG

[ncfan]

Walker

im not going to overthink it.  Just turn in the film, he really impacts a lot of plays.

He’s shown the bend and ability to be a pass rusher off the edge despite not playing it full time.

Is he small, yes.
 So was another guy that came out of Georgia who was similar size.  He played Edge rusher and LB.   Teams over thought things when he came out as well and let him slide right down to Philly’s lap.   Now he was an impact starter on this years Super Bowl winning defense