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DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU at 8?


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I wouldn't be pumped about a "reach" on a guy like DE at #8 but I very much like the player. I will say that he is a 3-4 EDGE only. He's too small to be a 4-3 DE. 

His pass rush tools are arguably the most advanced but he does have issues with power because of his size. 

Fantastic athlete, however. Super agile, great bend. 

Day one he would be our best pass rusher, IMO.

Edited by kungfoodude
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18 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

There's no questioning his athletic traits. There's nothing but questions about his actual football abilities though. His film is littered with plays where he gets around or through the blocker immediately just to run around (very fast) aimlessly all the whole having a clear path to the ball. His film screams "amazing athlete who just isn't a football player". 

he is the DE version of XL.  He had one incredible year.   I like this kid but no fuging way should he be in the discussion at 8.  I mean again its just a moronic question.  It just is.  Maybe at the back 3rd of the first if we were to trade down but even then hell fug no.

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2 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I wouldn't be pumped about a "reach" on a guy like DE at #8 but I very much like the player. I will say that he is a 3-4 EDGE only. He's too small to be a 4-3 DE. 

His pass rush tools are arguably the most advanced but he does have issues with power because of his size. 

Fantastic athlete, however. Super agile, great bend. 

Day one he would be our best pass rusher, IMO.

One thing to consider.  Will this team stay at a 3-4 when EE inevitably leaves?

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I like him, but he is small for the position, played in a conference with weaker competition, and he is currently at 32 on the consensus big board.  This draft is full of edge rushers so i hope we don't reach for one at 8.  He would be in the trade back and take an edge conversation though. 

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1 minute ago, mrcompletely11 said:

One thing to consider.  Will this team stay at a 3-4 when EE inevitably leaves?

Yeah, hence why I pointed that out. Keep in mind that given the way we are building this defense overall, we very well could end up either being stuck in a 3-4 or needing a retooling on defense to switch.

I will say that isn't likely to be a concern after next season. The overwhelming majority of personnel are likely to be jettisoned by future HC/DC/GM's anyway.

We only have two core players at the moment, Brown and Horn. 

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3 minutes ago, rebelrouser said:

I like him, but he is small for the position, played in a conference with weaker competition, and he is currently at 32 on the consensus big board.  This draft is full of edge rushers so i hope we don't reach for one at 8.  He would be in the trade back and take an edge conversation though. 

I would say that "weaker competition" is basically laughable. Look at all the not only ACC guys but small school guys that pepper the current and past NFL elite.

The only reason the "lesser competition" flag should come up is if you see a guy NOT being dominant at that lower level.

Good example being someone like Chase Young from the 2022 draft. He has been dramatically outproduced by Alex Highsmith from Charlotte. Or how Kobe Tuner from Wake Forest has dramatically outproduced Jalen Carter.

It's not where you played, it's how you played, and how you project to the NFL. 

Look at the long line of nothing Georgia, Alabama, Ohio St., etc players. It wasn't that they didn't play the correct level of competition, they just weren't NFL caliber guys.

How about this, would you rather have a pass rusher with a far superior pass rushing skillset and was inanely productive in college like DE or would you rather have an underwear Olympics champ like Shemar Stewart that basically had next to zero college production against "better" competition?

I know my answer. I would also take Green over a guy like that too. fug the competition, those guys look ready to play in the NFL. 

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17 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

he is the DE version of XL.  He had one incredible year.   I like this kid but no fuging way should he be in the discussion at 8.  I mean again its just a moronic question.  It just is.  Maybe at the back 3rd of the first if we were to trade down but even then hell fug no.

Did you quote the wrong post? LOL 

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9 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

damn

 

and we still have folks screaming for Warren or tet

Well, we need players, that is the bottom line. If you think Warren or Tet are truly elite, I get it. Doesn't mean I have to agree but it damn sure means you better be right at the end of the day. 

IMO, that is what is so tough about this draft and where we are in it. If you take first guy off the board at WR, TE, DE/EDGE, or OT specifically, you probably are setting yourself up. There are too many guys that could be #1 or #6. It's a dicey draft.

Hence why I am beating the table to trade down.

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