Bear Hands

I’m kind of on the other end of it— Running through mock scenarios and in trying to place myself in these teams shoes, I think Thomas could last until the 20s. And once in the mid-20s, I’m still unsure if the value of the specific WRs available matches the rest of the lot at IOL (Sua, Barton, Morgan, etc), the DB class becomes more in front with Kool-Aid, Arnold, Wiggins, DeJean, etc. and there’s more front-7 prospects like the Robinsons and maybe Sweat. Depends on how teams value these kids and have their boards sorted, but they tend to lean more heavy on the lines early.

I get Chris Godwin vibes with the kid. He's one of "my guys" in the draft so that was my table pound/elevator pitch. Flanker/Slot combo type who will infuriate defenses. Played 194 snaps outside compared to 260 in the slot with good downfield looks in school. His toughness is definitely a big selling point, he takes hits, has made many tough catches contested through contact. If you take us out of the equation, I don't see him going much further than the mid-40s. If you just lay out the traits: Measurables: Size - 6'1 192, 4.41, he's not some undersized slot-only type Route running - huge check Hands - check Positional Flexibility - check Quickness - check - the guy just gets open Only true negative I see is that he's a bit less fluid/loose type than some others, but he's got the technical wherewithal, snap quickness, combined with positional flexibility that sets him ahead. He gets open, doesn't drop, and is instantly a top-20 route runner in the league once drafted. Brugler reported a few teams were very high on him, one team's scouting room had him graded the same as BT Jr. Pretty interesting.

From what I gather, they could be targeting an IDL like Byron Murphy or Newton, otherwise, Quinyon Mitchell would be a good fit at CB. I also imagine Brian Thomas could be available around their pick. Lots of possibilities for them. Overall, the OL and DL in this draft will be more coveted than let on and I think there may only be 5 WRs gone by 33. I think we're looking at some sort of combo from this crop below at 33 and 39: WR: AD Mitchell, Pearsall, Franklin, McConkey TE: Sanders EDGE: Chop, Kneeland, Ellis CB: McKinstry, DeJean, Tampa, Wiggins IDL: JP-J, Suamataia The top-3 LBs and maybe Trey Benson long shots at 39.

Sticky hands, slot machine, can play outside as a flanker, has real on-field quickness, is an excellent route runner, and doesn’t shy from contact. I don’t see how that type doesn’t succeed at an NFL level. He’s good for all types of sets–screens, motion, is a seam-stretcher, zone beater. The immediate combo Z/slot ability puts him well over guys that are only one receiver type. And his technical advancement puts him well ahead of the questionable X-prototypes. He also takes on blocks (willingly) and is a physical guy with natural hand talent and speed. So speed, quickness, gets separation, sticky hands, plays multiple spots, and plays with such tenacity…that's who I want. That dude is Ricky Pearsall.

It's tough. Yet again, such a huge roster flip. 10 starters added via FA/Trade - LG, RG, WR, TE, CB, S, ILB, (2) OLB, & (1) DL And then, whether internal moves/promotion/coming off injury, our starting C, TE, and other ILB (Shaq) will be different from last season. So we're looking at 13 new starters for a 2-15 team. Losing Luvu stung a bit, but the rest were all understandable moves. I am whelmed. Without knowing results, it's a B for this team mid-reconstruction. Problem I still see--I don't know how we're going to generate offense with our current RB & Receiving rooms. Dionte is a good addition but we still have no one to really become the "dude" on offense. We're still pretty sparse and needing the Kyren, Achane, St. Brown, Collins, DeVonta type addition that could help this team do something, anything on offense. The player that can help truly define an offense if you don't have a QB that's a top-level playmaker. The good news is that I think we have a OL that will be able to pave lanes for that type of threat, we just need to land one now.

Benson is the one that stands above the rest pretty noticeably. He’s the 4th best in over 5 years only behind Bijan, Gibbs and Hall. I wouldn’t be surprised at 39…just saying.

He’s not one I would have a problem passing on ha - imagine we could slip to the mid second - we met with him so could be a top of third consideration. CB rankings are all over the place this season - Quinton and Arnold may be the only 1sts. Possibly McKinstry, doubt the Iowa kid does.

I have 15 solid 1st rounders, then there's a big drop, but it's a late first type talent. I don't find a major difference in the guys in the late teens vs. whose available R2 until you're around pick 40-45 this year. So I wouldn't qualify them all a sure fire first round talent, I probably said that a bit strangley--it's more that 16-33 are at a much more even playing field with 34-45 than 1-15.

Trotter will be lucky to be a 3rd rounder with his man coverage issues and inconsistencies as a tackler in a MIKE role. I see Colson as the best true ILB in this draft. Wilson and Cooper are exciting but not as sure things. Then there’s quite a dip in a rather shallow group. It’s a need as Jewell+Shaq may not last more than a season, so we’ll see. Personally, I’m preferential to Junior— who knows.

RP. He fits our needs to a tee and I have a hard time seeing how he doesn’t immediately have an impact in this league. I’m just a huge fan. Would hate to force a WR but Pearsall is my WR7 and has floated 35-40 on my big board. Franklin and McConkey are close, but I have question marks on Ladd and don’t think Troy is a fit (big fan of his though). Worthy and Legette are further down. It’s tough this year—my 2 cents is if Mitchell is gone as WR5 (and WR6 Coleman too who I don’t deem a fit), we need to consider BPA. There will be 1st round value at DL, IOL, and DB at 33 (along with WR). There’s just too many first round grades for round 1. I have about 42ish… There’s a lot of scenarios where someone like Newton, Darius Rob, Chop, Kool-Aid, Suamatia, Guyton, Morgan, Barton, or Wiggins is there for us. A few of those are hard to pass on just to take WR because we need one.

There's a guy who is both the quickest zone beater and arguably the best route runner that should be available at 33, maybe 39. I really hope we take him. There's almost too much noise around Legette.

It looks like we may exercise, what is it called? Oh yeah, patience. From how I'm seeing/grading this draft, there's going to be a round 1 graded guy at 33 and 39. Just stand pat, see what presents itself. You never know. Could end up being Chop Robinson, Brian Thomas, AD Mitchell, JPJ/Barton at C, etc.

Love the unscripted camera flip. Just hanging out with Schefter. Helps make sense the frequency of leaks from the FO haha

Yeah not the best edge draft. Only a few edge setters. Some high upside rushers like Chop and Elliss but then it starts to get a bit bleak. Not bought in to the 2nd-3rd round graded guys.

Yeah not the best edge class but there’s a few (him included) that could be great. Elliss would slide right into a Jack role for us. His spin move is Freeney-esque Then there’s Kneeland who is a straight up bully. Can set the edge, bull rush, throw OTs backwards. He also surprised with the best 3-cone and short shuttle. So he’s sneaky quick. I believe both of those guys are way high on team boards over certain website rankings.

I’ll take Chop, Kneeland, or Elliss please

What you equated extended under multiple coaches and GMs. Within the context of expectations for the current situation, it is. But yes, bigger picture, absolutely not.

Damn. He was so good last year. Yeah, makes the Burns seem a bit more digestable.

I believe he can be successful, his shiftiness, quickness/change of direction, and acceleration are really nice. However when he didn’t beat a man with his speed, he doesn’t shake off DBs - need to check back but think some were the Rutgers and OSU games - he gets thrown off by initial contact and McCarthy ends up needing to dance bc no one was getting open. When they designed plays for him to get the ball quickly or behind a set, he lit it up. And when he can burn DBs at the jump, he lit it up. But you need to be able to win against NFL DBs on the outside, I don’t see that yet. I just think he has more acclimation needed as a potential Z than others and will primarily be slot year 1. He’s a joystick, that’s for sure. Also-So much was designed for him and the plays were setup in a way that I find it hard to have a true eval for certain traits. Just my 2 cents

Baker is my mid-round pick that I would keep an eye on. Feiry, physical, and really jumps off the screen when you what UCF clips.

Ooooh. If I'm being honest, I like Pearsall a bit more due to his toughness and slightly larger frame. They are both right in line w/route running and quickness. But Pearsall is so fast at beating zone. McConkey missing some time last year doesn't concern me, but that is also something to factor in. Pearsall doesn't shy from contact at all, and with that said hasn't been banged up. Just a tough and rather spunky dude that's improved every year. I've seen a fiesty-Godwin comp which I think is really appropriate.

Yeah, he's one of my favorite dudes in the draft. Both him, then Kneeland + Ellis at EDGE are the guys who I think are way higher up than some sites rank them. Some of my favorite player fits for us.

This is a really nice article on the top guys broken down by type. They're sorted by what their style leans most towards although a handful can play multiple (I.E. McConkey, Pearsall, etc.) https://watchedthetape.substack.com/p/2024-draft-receiver-rankings?r=33u1bz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Figured to drop some tidbits on the board today. Interesting nuggets from the Athletic show: There is a clear, consensus top-4 per team scouts (MH, Odunze, Nabers, & Thomas) However---> Brugler reported one scout he spoke to has the same grade on Brian Thomas as he did Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall is higher than he's being perceived. Of course very different receivers, but grade wise, the same. So, beginning at WR4/5, there is a ton of variance in how clubs are ranking these guys. A guy Team A ranks at WR13 could be WR5 on Team B's board Despite the 40 time, Worthy is still a tough sell for a lot of clubs. His tape doesn't have the explosive plays you expect with that speed. Body catcher, has some concerns at that size. More Ja'Lynn Polk love. Robert Woods comp -- not viewed as a go-to #1 but could be an excellent #2.

For a season, Dionte could be enough, but I'm unsure if he fits in the long term plans. It's why my personal pref would be to target the types that have good floors with little acclimation needed. The nice thing is these dudes still have legit ceilings, all-pro potential, they're not gadgety. They can just play multiple receiver spots. It's why I'm waaay preferential to McConkey and Pearsall in this draft class. I have something coming on Pearsall because I've become a huge stan of his. If we're talking X-types, AD Mitchell is a guy tough to pass if there. Otherwise, the one high upside, higher bust potential guy I like early is Troy Franklin. Oregon's offense revolved around him and just love when you spot a guy with that type of energy that takes the team up a notch. He paves lanes, was explosive, and is just smooth as hell. His problem is that he could get bullied/lacks play strength so he could be used more in a movement role at times to create quick separation until he acclimates for NFL man coverage. Which is great bc we have Dionte to help counter for a season. Elsewhere, I'd LOVE to take a mid-to-late gamble on a guy like Javon Baker. He's a draft crush as well.