Bear Hands

Luke Schoonmaker. The Athletic has been hinting scouts are super high on him this offseason so he could surprise some where he’s selected.

Love Kincaid. Love Kuntz. Otherwise, I wholeheartedly disagree. Musgrave gives me the most trepidation. LaPorta has shown he can actually carry an entire offense. It wasn’t a good one, but I don’t know man. There were advanced blocking tech that he’s able to perform while being the team’s main target. You just don’t see that. And it’s a proven school for TEs. Musgrave has shown next to nothing in college. There’s barely anything to go on for even liking him. To each their own.

I have a mock brewing and running through scenarios and just haven’t had Simpson get past SEA R2 or Sanders past BUF R1. Big fan of all 3 in their own ways Seems like EDGE and CB will have the hottest names, but LaPorta is just so damn appealing. If we land Bryce, think they could become a really fun duo long term. Just like those two packages together. Faves are def McDonald, Stevenson and LaPorta at this point.

Hey folks, here's a fun showcase amidst the QB chatter. This is not about a specific position, rather specific players that I just think will be/and should be coveted given our roster and potential fit. I believe the fringe-1st round talent this year goes all the way to the top-50-ish prospects. It is a solid draft class, just simply not star studded/Tier 1 heavy. My hunch is telling me there's a bit of fool's gold at the top, but some dynamite players in the 20-50 range. First off, notable exclusions I'm deeming unavailable come 39 (or) there's already been healthy discussion on: Josh Downs WR, Jalin Hyatt WR, Deonte Banks CB, Dalton Kincaid TE, Darnell Washington TE, BJ Ojulari EDGE Here we go: Will McDonald IV EDGE Iowa State https://www.nfl.com/prospects/will-mcdonald-iv/32004d43-4459-9665-e69d-a74762fc7e67 This is the rarest chance of the bunch because I doubt he'd make it past PIT, but 6'4 239, long edge rusher with high sack potential. Above average to high level balance, bend, & burst. What he brings that sets him apart is his discipline and hands use. Where he may become available is due to his genera awareness and quickness once a guy gets to the second level. He can flash early, but will need time in his overall game. One of my faves in a stacked EDGE class. Tyrique Stevenson CB/NB https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyrique-stevenson/32005354-4571-6698-d1af-a62614e4d25d 6'0 198, big enough to bully receivers, but he's got 4.4 speed. Really nice blend of skills, outside corner, play nickel, & can even punt return (wouldn't be primary). I think a guy like Stevenson is one of the more sure-fire targets I'd love to have R2. Started college recruited to UGA but transferred and I see as a First Round graded guy. There's just a big crop here and he could realistically be there. Julius Brents CB/NB (Met/Visited) https://www.nfl.com/prospects/julius-brents/32004252-4551-0110-2798-7a9b05aa2760 6'3, 198, Athletic specimen with some really interesting appeal. I mean, this kid's length is freaky. He can play outside and NB similar to Tyrique, but he's got a higher upside as a run-defender and could be a bit more versatile. Not kidding when I say this kid has DPOY potential if he hits his ceiling. With his size, length, quickness, blitz-ability, he could be a monster if he hits. Makes sense why nearly every team is meeting with him. Jack Campbell ILB Iowa https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jack-campbell/32004341-4d36-4731-433d-b35acfc680bc Campbell is a stud. 6'5 249, would be a bit tricky his fit given we have the Shaq/Luvu combo, but I think Evero could figure it out. Might as well mention he met with Kuechly and has been working with him this offseason. Simpson & Sanders are great, but this is the LB I'll highlight. Sam LaPorta TE Iowa (Met/Visited) https://www.nfl.com/prospects/sam-laporta/32004c41-5064-0235-3970-b5e5514839fc 6'3, 245, 4.59 40. Another Buckeye. I'll be honest, this is my favorite prospect this year. Overall, has some of the best balance of smooth and power that I've seen at TE in some time. This brother WAS the Iowa Buckeye's offense. TEs are not asked to do what he did in college. As all-around as they come, reliable blocker, was the Buckeye's leading receiver, he's got a great chance to make a rare quick impact in the league as a TE. Zach Charbonnet RB UCLA (Met/Visited) I know, I know, "no RBs this high". I agree, but I'd be lying if I said I wanted more than just Sanders/Hubbard/Blackshear. Blending the style Charbonnet brings with Sanders is exactly what Staley had in Detroit last year and I think this could be pretty damn interesting. Plenty of RBs like Spears, McBride, Tucker, Roschon, etc. but I wouldn't look past this as a possibility. Cam Smith CB South Carolina (Met/Visited) https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cam-smith/3200534d-4909-8020-4c6f-60f2e2c8bfc6 6'1 180, 4.43 40, outside CB, played a season with Jaycee so could bring the buds back together. This kid would be up there with the top-5 CBs if he was a bit better at wrapping plays up but he's got the rest of his game pretty down. I'd peg Stevenson higher but he's one I can definitely see happening. Honorable mentions (less likely, but shout outs): Tyler Scott WR https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyler-scott/32005343-4f71-9390-286c-9940bb34941f 5'10 177, 4.4 40. This is one of my surprises but I think he's way high on team boards. Scott is typically mocked in the 3rd-4th but I think there's a chance he goes ahead the likes of Tillman, Rice, & Mingo. He has a lot you look for in the modern NFL. Quick, consistent, reliable...I saw this comp on CBS and agree, think prime Laveranues Coles. He could be really nice to have. He's an open field guy though, not contested catches. At the end of the day why I want Mingo or Tillman, but would not be mad one bit with Scott. Felix Anudike-Uzomah EDGE 6'3 255. I like him quite a lot but he has some stuff to keep developing. He's a bull but needs better polish. Also doesn't appear to be the quickets/have the best burst, but he is pretty relentless. Lots of potential, reminds me a bit of Terell Basham from some years back. Buuut, TB didn't work out.

With Reich preferring all-around types likely not a Panthers target but he's got some moderate buzz around. But I don't anticipate him being much higher than a late 4th/5th.

This list is updated: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/04/05/2023-nfl-draft-visits-tracker/ It lists that we've met with Sam LaPorta. A trending TE, likely in the #39 range. Other notables not mentioned a ton in here are Garrett Williams CB Syracuse (R3-4) & Cam Smith CB (R2)

Mallory is definitely a TE to watch

Beyond Burns who is an obvious answer, Luvu 100% for me. Wash State/Leach rotated him inside and outside in 2017. He was a great asset for them, all over the field, in disguises, they were creative with him & he knows how to hunt the QB. He's such a good piece to have moving forward. I think he's primed for a nice fluid role here. ILB and OLB. Between him and Chinn being basically FLEX starters, it's just dependent on the package. And we'll be in nickel more than 3-4. Shaq, Luvu, Burns and Chinn all standing in the box is what's up. You have two outside corners, two deep, & the 3 man front of Brown-Tuttle-Williams. And if we don't land an EDGE in R2-3, watch out for Haynes. The dude has improved every year and I feel like he could really have a chance to make an impact.

I think it's Stroud. Trusting my original feel/instinct. And am actually even more giddy to see what we can finagle with 39 and 93.

There's definitely a chance either Tyrique Stevenson, Julius Brents, or Cam Smith are there at 39. Deonte Banks is trending up but someone's gotta be there. Those are the CBs for discussion and I am weighing a bit more than EDGE or 34DE. Honestly, T. Stevenson would be a fantastic fit and is probably my #39 wishlist frontrunner. He can play NB, outside, and PR.

I'd have him higher than Felix, Adebawore, Foskey.

He'd be a great pick at 39. There is a large chunk in the 25-50 range I think will be perfect for us to find a great fit. This draft is not star top heavy, but the first round grades continue into the 40s IMO. EDGE wise, here's one of the higher upside guys. Fringe 1st eval, but likely a 2nd rounder.

Chris Creamer just splooging rumors too soon

It's a process...

So after 9 pages, we find out we're not getting new unis. Good thing I didn't log in until recently haha.

I don't quite agree with the notion that Young is this obviously better QB if he was taller. I don't agree he'd be this runaway #1 if they were both 6'3. Young may have shown more composure & creativity out-of-structure (this year's newly pegged term), but if you can do something once, you can do it again and Stroud showed growth and game in the biggest moments. At the end of the day, what I really want isn that accuracy+arm combination with the least amount of red flags. That is simply Stroud. Now, I'm not concerned with Bryce's height, I'd be thrilled with him, but this notion that CJ is a high floor/low ceiling type is just shallow. When you're that accurate with an NFL-level/non-Pennington arm, the sky is the limit.

Could also blow the lid off this draft if the Texans aren't goo-goo gaga over Stroud. Ryans may want a *potential monster like Anderson. Then that could throw AZ into a tizzy without their expected man there. Could trade down w/SEA for example. And the Colts would still be screwed hehe. 1-CAR Bryce Young 2-HOU Will Anderson 3-SEA (from AZ) CJ Stroud Now THAT, that would be wild.

The fact we met with JuJu Brents and Mingo makes me really excited. Both some of my favorite CB and WR targets alongside Deonte Banks and Tyler Scott respectively. Those are two guys I’ve looked at and wondered why they aren’t deemed higher picks. Maybe the FO wants to find out something similar and if they’re truly promising targets

I think it's all quite fun. Just don't take it or your opinions too seriously, it's all out of our control. We're almost there

LaPorta and Mingo would be muy bueno

I think the setup is actually nice. If he can play ILB with Luvu OLB in base (20-30% of snaps), but then is Big Nickel most of the other time with some box safety sprinkled in, he plays 95%+ of our snaps easy. Luvu will basically be floating between inside and outside which I think is fine.

Yeah his ankles have been the most consistent bug with him. Probably safe bet to land ourselves a WR come draft time.

Yes.

Between the uncertainty with him and the injury bug with Chark, I'd like to think one works out in our favor. Would still be nice to draft a guy with decent upside like Tyler Scott or Jonathan Mingo in the mid rounds.

Now that's just weird. Don't know if that or the Strong guy are more strange.