ESPN 3rd mock

[MHS831]

You all make some great points.  I love the OT Trapilo pick but it is a round too soon.  Tells me someone is doing their homework.  He is a solid pass blocking RT and we need pass blockers to keep Bryce nice.

About S--I want an early S too, but Richardson was not bad when he played.  Most players improve the most between years 1 and 2.  There are some decent safeties in this draft later, so maybe I have been looking at the Corvettes in the showroom when I should have been kicking tires in the used SUV lot.

Regardless, with Moton's knee concerns, age, contract, etc.  I really would like to see us draft a legit starting-caliber, second tier OT now.  I watched Trapoli at the Sr Bowl and he has really strong pass pro form.  33" arms (OK) and he is 6'8".  There are others I like as well:

• Cam Williams, Texas
• Donovan Jackson, Ohio St.
• Charles Grant, W&M
• Anthony Belton, NC State
• Emory Jones, LSU

Our coaching staff just showed us how they can develop young players.  Wait until the third or fourth and get one of these guys.  Take a year to prepare them.  Sign BC to another 1-year contract for insurance.  If our OL coaches are an asset and they have a year to work with one of these OTs above, let them do their jobs.

In that second round pick slot, maybe we can get that Safety--might have to move up a bit--I would not be surprised to see a draft day trade of Zavala.  If other teams were scouting us properly, they should have seen a potential starter buried on the depth chart.

 

[LinvilleGorge]

5 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Yeah that's it. Could have had Chinn at half the price. It was a mistake and I think they will have to eat that one hard this year.

Yeah, the enforcer safety should have likely gone the way of the fullback with the new rules and the modern pass happy NFL offense. Just like the RB who was too slow or the TE who was too small used to play FB, now that guy is pretty much just not in the NFL aside from a few select individuals in select systems. Same thing with the undersized LB at safety. That guy probably just shouldn't be in the modern NFL unless as a backup and he's also an elite STer.

[Waldo]

20 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yeah, the enforcer safety should have likely gone the way of the fullback with the new rules and the modern pass happy NFL offense. Just like the RB who was too slow or the TE who was too small used to play FB, now that guy is pretty much just not in the NFL aside from a few select individuals in select systems. Same thing with the undersized LB at safety. That guy probably just shouldn't be in the modern NFL unless as a backup and he's also an elite STer.

It was such an overcorrection. Not having safeties that can cover just ignores everything the NFL has done the last 20 years. There is a front 7 and those guys need to be stronger against the run.

Now a safety that can also tackle along with coverage? That's the dream.

Edited April 16 by Waldo

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, Waldo said:

It was such an overcorrection. Not having safeties that can cover just ignores everything the NFL has done the last 20 years. There is a front 7 and those guys need to be stronger against the run.

Now a safety that can also tackle along with coverage? That's the dream.

Yeah, outside of the elite guys you kinda have to pick and choose. Pick coverage when it comes to DBs.

[Bear Hands]

Getting some people’s IDL3 in the 3rd round would be unreal.

I’ve seen Tyleik leaning into 1st rounder contention on stuff, so, juicy drop in that scenario for a rising prospect (to say the least)

[Waldo]

12 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yeah, outside of the elite guys you kinda have to pick and choose. Pick coverage when it comes to DBs.

Would that be like route skills and catching vs potential and big body at WR?

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Would that be like route skills and catching vs potential and big body at WR?

I was thinking more a long the lines of what we were talking about about with Icky - run blocking vs. pass blocking for a LT. Yeah, the elite guys are really good at both but if you're having to pick, definitely choose pass blocking over run blocking st that position.

[Tr3ach]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Moehrig was such a a head scratching signing. He's a 1980s safety in the 2020s.

The era of the undersized LB At safety should be over with the possible exception of the SS in a cover 3 scheme but in that situation you should probably be looking at that position as a spot to save cap space not burn through it.

That's every move Morgan has made so far as gm.  Almost every player he has drafted or brought in is more of the type of guys that would have worked back when he was playing, not as much now in modern schemes.

[Navy_football]

I disagree with some of your sentiments toward Moehrig. I think he's exactly what this team needed. A leader in the backfield that can tackle and fill his gap. The Panthers have to stop the run going forward. Moehrig is huge in that area. He's also a good blitzing Safety. More of a Kyle Hamilton lite. Agreed that a ball hawking FS is a BIG need too. I think that guy can be found in the later rounds in Mukuba and Malachi Moore. Smaller but more cover guys than anything else. 

[Waldo]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I was thinking more a long the lines of what we were talking about about with Icky - run blocking vs. pass blocking for a LT. Yeah, the elite guys are really good at both but if you're having to pick, definitely choose pass blocking over run blocking st that position.

Sure but LT is more like QB where scarcity requires adaptation. WR and Safety have plenty of guys coming out that can go the obvious route in their respective types. My example wasn't really well done I guess.

[LinvilleGorge]

17 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Sure but LT is more like QB where scarcity requires adaptation. WR and Safety have plenty of guys coming out that can go the obvious route in their respective types. My example wasn't really well done I guess.

I just see more opportunity for specialization with a position like WR where you're playing more bodies where with positions like safety and OT that guy is generally going to play most of not all snaps barring an injury.

[Waldo]

3 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I just see more opportunity for specialization with a position like WR where you're playing more bodies where with positions like safety and OT that guy is generally going to play most of not all snaps barring an injury.

I used to be. Didn't like smaller WRs where Smith was the exception to hold up. Now I just want them to be balanced and run routes. Sure the other guys can work out in rotation but I'm going the former everytime.

Look Ickey has to take a huee steps this year. 63ish to 66ish isn't enough of a jump. Maybe not but his 5th year option is a no brainer anyways. If not it's RT or he should become a Moerig somewhere else.

[LinvilleGorge]

13 minutes ago, Waldo said:

I used to be. Didn't like smaller WRs where Smith was the exception to hold up. Now I just want them to be balanced and run routes. Sure the other guys can work out in rotation but I'm going the former everytime.

Look Ickey has to take a huee steps this year. 63ish to 66ish isn't enough of a jump. Maybe not but his 5th year option is a no brainer anyways. If not it's RT or he should become a Moerig somewhere else.

Yeah, Icky still has a long way to go as a pass protector before I'll be on board with him being the long-term solution (meaning a gob of salary cap tied up) at LT. For sure pick up his 5th year option to buy us toke but I'm not even having discussions about a long-term contract.

[Waldo]

3 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yeah, Icky still has a long way to go as a pass protector before I'll be on board with him being the long-term solution (meaning a gob of salary cap tied up) at LT. For sure pick up his 5th year option to buy us toke but I'm not even having discussions about a long-term contract.

Not yet. This should be a wait and see 4th year. If he has a probelem with that we should be taking an OT early. I have no idea where it all stands but there shouldn't be a route where we don't pick up that 5th year option. He has cleared that level.

I'm also not sure on the difference in pay from OK LTs to good RTs. Would he get a shot at RT in 26 under that 5th year option? Would he even want to try? IDK. Not picking up an easy 5th is a red flag for me that something is off if not a smoke screen. Which would be weird given our history, like watching a frog fly from bumping it's arse.