Pre-Draft thoughts from Diana Russini

[Mr. Scot]

Via The Athletic (link)

The Browns, Giants and Patriots are fielding calls for the Nos. 2, 3, and 4 picks, per league sources. The majority of teams looking to move up see Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter as their target should they be able to entice one of those teams, particularly Cleveland, with a suitable package. All three teams are listening.

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Most of the teams picking in the top 10, outside of Tennessee, have discussed trading out and are open to more discussions with teams as we get closer to Thursday night.

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The Falcons are focused on building up their defense with pass rushers — Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Marshall’s Mike Green are in play for Atlanta.

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Many sources around the league expect the Cowboys to target an offensive skill position with the No. 12 pick. Texas WR Matthew Golden and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan are names that I’m hearing could interest Dallas.

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Players who could be traded during the draft include QBs Kirk Cousins, Aidan O’Connell, Will Levis and Sam Howell.

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The Browns, Steelers and possibly Vikings could be involved in a Cousins trade. Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given its preference for J.J. McCarthy and that Cousins would need to sign off on any trade he is involved in.

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(Sheduer) Sanders is easily the most discussed quarterback in this class and, according to evaluators around the league, his value is all over the map. One veteran offensive coach I spoke with had concerns not about Sanders’ personality (which he likes), but about how his game will translate.

“Show me a QB that takes a lot of sacks in college and can translate his game to the NFL,” the coach said.

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One name that keeps coming up more and more is (Tyler) Shough of Louisville. Despite being a bit older (he’ll turn 26 in September), there are coaches out there who believe in him — one even told me he thinks Shough could end up being the best QB in this class if he lands in the right situation. This coach had him graded above Cam Ward.

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As for New Orleans: After redoing Derek Carr’s deal in lieu of cutting him, Carr’s shoulder issue does not dissuade the Saints from their initial plan: landing a QB in this draft. With a talented group of defensive players likely available at No. 9, the sense I get is that New Orleans would be open to taking the best player available in Round 1 and dipping into the QB pool later on.

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What a prospect visit really means: Many teams and fans like to read the tea leaves leading up to the draft, including what teams will do based on the 30 player visits they have set up over the past few weeks. As one successful general manager explained: “Just because a player visits doesn’t necessarily mean the team is interested. Sometimes it’s to be certain they are actually out on a player.”

This is also a chance to follow-up on players with medical questions or new injuries, especially if they didn’t work out at the NFL combine. Another head coach shared that some teams will even host prospects who won’t be drafted this week, as a way to get ahead in recruiting them as undrafted free agents. It’s all about collecting information, and sometimes just getting ahead of other teams.

 

[Mr. Scot]

Also from the article, a couple things Panther fans understand all too well...

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Don’t discount owners when it comes to discussions this time of year. I was speaking with a veteran head coach who estimates that 13 to 14 of the league’s owners are heavily involved in their teams’ processes — sometimes speaking to the character of the players they want their front offices to draft, or even being more direct in certain cases.

It’s a reminder that the power dynamics around draft time are more complicated than just the front office and coaching staff. Ownership can have a major impact on decisions — for better or worse.

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Final words of wisdom: As you are getting ready to watch the draft and feel good about what your team is going to do based on need and options, I’ll share with you what a Super Bowl-winning coach once told me: “Don’t ever discount that there are dumbass teams.”

[Jay Roosevelt]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Final words of wisdom: As you are getting ready to watch the draft and feel good about what your team is going to do based on need and options, I’ll share with you what a Super Bowl-winning coach once told me: “Don’t ever discount that there are dumbass teams.”

Best advice ever in sports.

[Jon Snow]

I believe there are dumbass teams as we have been one of them for a long time now.

[TheSpecialJuan]

She’s terrific 

[Waldo]

 

I started watching this and I'm about half done. He starts at the beginning of the concepts and keeps building upon it. I almost walked but then he kept expanding. I can't tell where he is going yet but it's well done to the half way point. 

[NAS]

2 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

Marshall’s Mike Green are in play for Atlanta.

I really don't want Green going to one of our division rivals, he may be the best of the bunch when it's all said and done, his previous off the field issues and not being on a better program are the only reasons he isn't discussed more in the top 10 

Edited April 23, 2025 by NAS

[toldozer]

I don't really understand the knock on sanders being sacked a ton.  When it happens in the NFL it's get the qb a better oline not he can't play.  I think most of sanders sacks were his line being below average more so than him not seeing the field well.  I'd take sanders over ward

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, toldozer said:

I don't really understand the knock on sanders being sacked a ton.  When it happens in the NFL it's get the qb a better oline not he can't play.  I think most of sanders sacks were his line being below average more so than him not seeing the field well.  I'd take sanders over ward

It has to do with their style...

The quarterbacks who get sacked the least are the Marino / Brady / Brees types who make quick reads and get rid of the ball fast.

Likewise, if you have someone who's trying to play "hero ball" and make a big play every time, that style doesn't translate well to the NFL. 

Pretty sure Sanders has been criticized more than once for holding on to the ball too long.

[Manna]

2 hours ago, Jon Snow said:

I believe there are dumbass teams as we have been one of them for a long time now.

that might even be an upgrade for us =/ 

[frankw]

4 minutes ago, Manna said:

that might even be an upgrade for us =/ 

Considering we've had a regime the last several years who felt it was prudent to assembling a winning roster to look over the bottom of dumbass teams rosters for talent like the Jaguars and the Jets and send them assets for their rejects well... sadly yeah. In the current term we've at least moved on from that foolishness so I guess that's a plus.

[TD alt]

1 hour ago, frankw said:

Considering we've had a regime the last several years who felt it was prudent to assembling a winning roster to look over the bottom of dumbass teams rosters for talent like the Jaguars and the Jets and send them assets for their rejects well... sadly yeah. In the current term we've at least moved on from that foolishness so I guess that's a plus.

I just can't put stock into Morgan until after I see what we do this draft. I am making no assumptions and have tampered expectations until I see real change.

[CPcavedweller]

Sanders took a lot of sacks, sure. But he also had one of the best completion percentages against the blitz, best passer ratings against pressure, etc. The sack number doesn't bother me because his numbers when facing pressure are so good. 

[CPcavedweller]

31 minutes ago, TD alt said:

I just can't put stock into Morgan until after I see what we do this draft. I am making no assumptions and have tampered expectations until I see real change.

Buffalo literally follows the Carolina model. It works for them because of their stability and their drafts have hit. 

They also play in a garbage division.