Draft Week Rumors, Leaks and Media Draftniks Final Mocks

[ForJimmy]

Just now, 45catfan said:

Yes, those are 1st round TEs worth the pick. Otherwise, minus those types of credentials, draft a guy who can really contribute and help out the team.

So Loveland wasn't worth the pick?  His final season was on par with Sadiq's.  Sadiq is actually the better blocker between the two as well.  Warren has twice a many receptions for twice as many yards and the same TDs as Sadiq.  He was used more and force fed the ball in PSU's offense.  @LinvilleGorge explained Sadiq's situation pretty well.

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

People keep saying Sadiq wasn't targeted while failing to recognize that he literally had the most targets and receptions for Oregon this year. The guy had a god awful YRR and YAC (like bottom 50% of TEs in college football and worse than many TEs that won't even get drafted) while also having a drop rate north of 10%. His receiving yard total was crap in large part because of his failure to do anything after the catch.

From the tape I have seen of him, he only has straight line speed - he is surprisingly way slower than he should be laterally. This is one of the reasons he was primarily used as a seam and screen TE (also solid success with slants) - he just doesn't have a quick break when running a corner, out, or dig route and badly rounds these routes off (this will lead to QBs throwing INTs). 

I get he had a crazy combine and the dude is a freak athlete, but he has so many red flags, it's hard to keep track of all of them. Just too many unknowns to draft him in the 1st IMO

To be clear, I'm not in love with him as a prospect. I'd greatly prefer his teammate Thieneman on the other side of the ball of we're drafting Oregon in the 1st. But I get why a lot of people are high on him as a prospect. Personally, I think he's boom or bust and I'd prefer a guy who is at least theoretically a "safer" pick. We can't afford a bust in the 1st three rounds. We don't have to draft All-Pros but we need some solid contributors with those picks and should probably shy away from boom/bust guys. Our roster needs just don't allow for the risk. It's a different story if you're a contender with a glaring need or two and you think a boom/bust guy might put you over the top if he hits. That's a different story.

[PleaseCutStewart]

9 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

TE in general is a tough position to evaluation on "production."  So much depends on system, usage, QB etc...  You have Bowers and Warren (for one year) that really tipped the scale on receiving stats.  Kittle's college stats weren't crazy, neither were Kelce's,  McBride had one great year at Colorado St with 3 meh years.  Tucker Kraft didn't light it up at a small school either.  Sadiq is clearly an explosive receiving threat who can block well.  It's on the staff of whoever drafts him to develop him and use him right.  

Players like Kittle and McBride are exceptions to the rule. And they were drafted very late because of how nonexistent their stats were in college.

Big difference between taking a chance on a day 3 pick than a 1st round pick

[MHS831]

IF Smith-Wade moves to S, we could be adding a CB.  

Mind blown.

Not many people are talking DT/DE

I see movement for a LB.  Up or down.

Crystal ball getting foggy--image of a.....Can't tell.  Gone.

 

 

[PleaseCutStewart]

Just now, MHS831 said:

IF Smith-Wade moves to S, we could be adding a CB.  

Mind blown.

Not many people are talking DT/DE

I see movement for a LB.  Up or down.

Crystal ball getting foggy--image of a.....Can't tell.  Gone.

 

 

I don't understand where this idea of Smith-Wade being an effective safety came from. I am all for adding a CB in the draft, but I want no part of Smith-Wade being anything more than a depth safety at best if we move him to safety.

At the end of the day, Smith-Wade is a JAG, whether its at nickel or safety

[ForJimmy]

1 minute ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

Players like Kittle and McBride are exceptions to the rule. And they were drafted very late because of how nonexistent their stats were in college.

Big difference between taking a chance on a day 3 pick than a 1st round pick

Kittle, McBride (actually had one great year), Kraft, Loveland, Kelce, LaPorta would all have to be exceptions which is now making the high production guys more of the exception.  Look at Warren's stats before that final year he was featured in his offense.  A fraction of the yards and 2 TDs over 3 years.  That is my case and point.  They featured this talented TE his senior year and his stats were amazing.  TE's college receiving stats are tough to translate in the NFL.

[45catfan]

The reason I hate the Sadiq link to us is as follows:

-Shallow starting LT draft. We've got to sh1t or get off the pot.  If we don't get a first round LT, it's a wasted pick to slow roll a developmental type later in the draft.

-WRs might drop.  If a legit WR drops to #19, why would we pass them up? 

-McNeil-Warren or Thienemen: We have got to upgrade safety.

-Slot CB. We could upgrade over Smith Wade.

-Better production TEs later in the draft.

.

[PleaseCutStewart]

Just now, ForJimmy said:

Kittle, McBride (actually had one great year), Kraft, Loveland, Kelce, LaPorta would all have to be exceptions which is now making the high production guys more of the exception.  Look at Warren's stats before that final year he was featured in his offense.  A fraction of the yards and 2 TDs over 3 years.  That is my case and point.  They featured this talented TE his senior year and his stats were amazing.  TE's college receiving stats are tough to translate in the NFL.

Yeah, but most of these tight ends

1) Were effective y-tight ends (both blocking and running routes)

2) Had a fully (or mostly fully) developed route tree

3) Had good peripheral stats (YRR, YAC/RAC, Air Yards, etc.)

4) Had low drop percentages

 

And it's hard for players like Kittle, Loveland, and Laporta to get stats when they are playing for run first Big 10 teams. And yes, I know Oregon ran it more than they passed, but those teams were probably like 60-65% run with QBs far worse than Dante Moore

[45catfan]

11 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

So Loveland wasn't worth the pick?  His final season was on par with Sadiq's.  Sadiq is actually the better blocker between the two as well.  Warren has twice a many receptions for twice as many yards and the same TDs as Sadiq.  He was used more and force fed the ball in PSU's offense.  @LinvilleGorge explained Sadiq's situation pretty well.

Loveland was at Michigan who was a run heavy team.  I was unsure about him because of it, and the very reason I thought McCarthy was a questionable pick where he got selected.  

Also, we've got blocking TEs already; we need a Greg Olsen 2.0.

There are decent options for TE in every round.  

Based on who we brought in, you can take a educated guess when we might be targeting a TE. Literally this one sight has the guys we brought in for visits raked sequentially, so rounds 4-5.

 

 

[ForJimmy]

1 minute ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

Yeah, but most of these tight ends

1) Were effective y-tight ends (both blocking and running routes)

2) Had a fully (or mostly fully) developed route tree

3) Had good peripheral stats (YRR, YAC/RAC, Air Yards, etc.)

4) Had low drop percentages

 

And it's hard for players like Kittle, Loveland, and Laporta to get stats when they are playing for run first Big 10 teams. And yes, I know Oregon ran it more than they passed, but those teams were probably like 60-65% run with QBs far worse than Dante Moore

I feel like he checks most of these boxes. Definitely has a robust route tree, great blocker, and is explosive after the catch.  I do think his drops were up this year and I haven't checked his or the other players peripheral stats.  He isn't my first choice, but I can see his appeal as a prospect.  I just don't know how good we are at developing TEs.  JT never got better like I thought he would.  We might be better off signing a vet like Joker or Jonu IMO.  

[45catfan]

I think we all can agree pick #51 is the best off-ball LB remaining on the board. Right?

[MHS831]

14 minutes ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

I don't understand where this idea of Smith-Wade being an effective safety came from. I am all for adding a CB in the draft, but I want no part of Smith-Wade being anything more than a depth safety at best if we move him to safety.

At the end of the day, Smith-Wade is a JAG, whether its at nickel or safety

I have head several sources say it--it could be one person says it and everyone repeats it.  I think S-W played S at some point before turning pro and someone commented on it.  I heard someone on TV (I only watch NFL Network and some ESPN, so there's that)

THis is what AI reports:

The Charlotte Observer mentioned that Carolina Panthers cornerback Chau Smith-Wade is a candidate to move to safety. 

• The Charlotte Observer reported on March 13, 2026, that with the Panthers looking to upgrade their safety position, there is "potential for nickel corner Chau Smith-Wade to move back there, as well".
• CatCrave (FanSided) also noted in July 2025 that Smith-Wade's ability to play corner, nickel, and safety makes him valuable, as his versatility allows for movement across the secondary. 

While primarily playing nickel corner, teammates and coaches noted his intelligence and ability to make calls for the safeties during 2025 OTAs, making a transition a possibility.

[45catfan]

1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

I have head several sources say it--it could be one person says it and everyone repeats it.  I think S-W played S at some point before turning pro and someone commented on it.  I heard someone on TV (I only watch NFL Network and some ESPN, so there's that)

THis is what AI reports:

The Charlotte Observer mentioned that Carolina Panthers cornerback Chau Smith-Wade is a candidate to move to safety. 

• The Charlotte Observer reported on March 13, 2026, that with the Panthers looking to upgrade their safety position, there is "potential for nickel corner Chau Smith-Wade to move back there, as well".
• CatCrave (FanSided) also noted in July 2025 that Smith-Wade's ability to play corner, nickel, and safety makes him valuable, as his versatility allows for movement across the secondary. 

While primarily playing nickel corner, teammates and coaches noted his intelligence and ability to make calls for the safeties during 2025 OTAs, making a transition a possibility.

This why CB is in play, his versatility and while a utility knife, can be upgraded. Doing a lot of things decently and doing one thing really well are completely different.

[MHS831]

3 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

I think we all can agree pick #51 is the best off-ball LB remaining on the board. Right?

The only way I see that NOT happening is if they do not draft a WR in round 1 and one falls--but the second round LBs a month ago seem to have been rising. 

I think Morgan will go after Rodriguez in some way--and take Hill if he fails--and settle for Golday.