Draft Week Rumors, Leaks and Media Draftniks Final Mocks

[ForJimmy]

4 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

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.

 

 

The run heavy team proves my point.  It's all about opportunities in which both players had limited college opportunities due to their offenses they were in.  Both had 50ish catches that final year with similar numbers.  Both McCarthy and Moore had/have issues with the deep ball in college.  The point of Sadiq also being a good blocker is Oregon using him for that role as well.  Not just a jumbo WR which limited his receptions as well as the Oregon offense focusing on spreading the ball.  He is a solid prospect, probably not one we need to draft but still a good one. 

We also are not locked in on the players were brought in.  Having a later pick kind of throws that out the window to a degree.  We visited these players at pro days, individual workouts, combine etc as well.  

[MHS831]

5 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

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.

PFF:   Chau Smith-Wade is a cornerback for the Carolina Panthers who earned a 57.0 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 79th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 57.2 ranked 79th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 55.4 ranked 77th at the position.

He recorded 1 interceptions on the season. Smith-Wade broke up 1 passes in coverage. He allowed a 98.8 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. He surrendered 41 receptions in coverage. He also contributed 50 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.   (Damn!  50 SOLO?

 

MHS:  This is a weakness.  As you imply, 45, he may be better as a Swiss Army DB than a nickel.  

Edited Monday at 05:35 PM by MHS831

[shaqattaq]

1 hour ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

will be extremely shocked if we draft Sadiq. Canales has shown he likes inline tight ends that can block, and I'm confident in saying that is not Sadiq

This is my thought too. Even Canales' receivers are expected to block well.

[45catfan]

I would love to trade back with the 159th pick.  Having back to back picks gives that luxury.  When mocking, I really need 9 picks to give me the sense of hitting all the need areas.  While I doubt we pick up two extra picks, at least one more will help.  

[45catfan]

Here's a different spin from ESPN's Jordan Reid's final mock:  (thank goodness)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48480079/2026-nfl-mock-draft-seven-rounds-257-picks-predictions-jordan-reid-fits

[45catfan]

The Browns, lol.

This got me thinking though, if they pass on proctor at #6 (likely) and he's still on the board at #19, we trade back with them.  The reason?  The team most people have Lomu married to just re-signed their LT, Williams with the 49ers. If both guys are there and the team feels #19 is a little rich for Lomu, trade back to #24, The Browns get their tackle and we get ours, oh, and some draft capital to boot.

Edited Monday at 06:03 PM by 45catfan

[DJ feed me moore]

I wouldn't hate trading down if the price is right...

[PanthersNCSU]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

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.

I'm just worried the only scenario where Rodriguez is a Panther is us finding a trade down partner in the 1st. Seems he's getting 1st round buzz now, and worst case would be the typical pick 33 or 34 guy on Day 2 which will probably be too rich for our trade up blood. 

[45catfan]

Here is Shefter's take: (Panthers at 28:40)

 

Edited Monday at 07:17 PM by 45catfan

[PleaseCutStewart]

2 hours ago, ForJimmy said:

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.  

I have to disagree on most of what you said.

His route tree is his biggest weakness. The only routes I would say he looked great on were seams, screens, and slants. His curls were ok while the routes that require sharp cuts (dig, out, corner) were poorly ran by him. Granted, route trees are something that can be developed by NFL teams, it just might take a while for Sadiq.

His blocking I am not sure on. He blocked corners/safeties/hybrid coverage LBs pretty well from the slot. I haven't seen if he can block/chip in the box LBs or down linemen and we have no tape of if he can do it at the y-tight end spot. He is a willing blocker which is good.

He should be explosive after the catch, but it for whatever reason hasn't shown up on tape. This is probably one of the most baffling things for me watching his tape after his crazy good combine - the dude should be a YAC machine, but it just isn't there on his tape.

Not saying this article is article of the year or anything, but it gave pretty good insight into Sadiq's YRR and YAC last season. https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/football/news/should-te-kenyon-sadiq-be-a-first-round-pick-with-these-red-flags-in-his-nfl-draft-profile

Edited Monday at 07:36 PM by PleaseCutStewart

[Cavscout]

I think this may be the year...

[45catfan]

4 minutes ago, Cavscout said:

I think this may be the year...

With three of those guys in our range of #19, it should be. I still don't think so.  It's WR or OT. Miller is a RT and that's not the OT we immediately need.

[XClown1986]

1 hour ago, 45catfan said:

Here is Shefter's take: (Panthers at 28:40)

 

I think I agree with Schefter at this point. Trenches just makes sense. 

I'm thinking one of McDonald, Miller, or Lomu. (Based on 30 visits)

Edited Monday at 08:57 PM by XClown1986

[ForJimmy]

1 hour ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

I have to disagree on most of what you said.

His route tree is his biggest weakness. The only routes I would say he looked great on were seams, screens, and slants. His curls were ok while the routes that require sharp cuts (dig, out, corner) were poorly ran by him. Granted, route trees are something that can be developed by NFL teams, it just might take a while for Sadiq.

His blocking I am not sure on. He blocked corners/safeties/hybrid coverage LBs pretty well from the slot. I haven't seen if he can block/chip in the box LBs or down linemen and we have no tape of if he can do it at the y-tight end spot. He is a willing blocker which is good.

He should be explosive after the catch, but it for whatever reason hasn't shown up on tape. This is probably one of the most baffling things for me watching his tape after his crazy good combine - the dude should be a YAC machine, but it just isn't there on his tape.

Not saying this article is article of the year or anything, but it gave pretty good insight into Sadiq's YRR and YAC last season. https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/football/news/should-te-kenyon-sadiq-be-a-first-round-pick-with-these-red-flags-in-his-nfl-draft-profile

Brugler has him as TE1 and going to the Ravens in the first.  Apparently Sadiq's football IQ is pretty high (interviewed very well).  Also he was an WR and CB in high school.  This is why I always thought his route running was solid.  I'm sure it needs some polishing but for a TE it's pretty good.

nfl.com

Built like a bodyguard with a compact, well-defined frame.

Capable of running a robust route tree.

Gets in and out of breaks with good snap and separation.

Vandalizes defensive seams with impunity against man coverage.

Survives collisions with catches thanks to his hand strength.

Shows off agility and acceleration after the catch.

Fits up run blocks with proper positioning and base width.

Grips and presses forward with moving feet to stay connected.

-Again I don't know if we should take him but if he goes to the right team he could become a scary weapon at the next level.  I just like him as a prospect.