Bear Hands

Nice. Yep, looks like nfldraftbuzz for them all

This does Levis no favors. Yikes. I also foresee lively Hooker conversation ahead as he's much more in line with Stroud and Young at the top than Richardson or WL with these metrics.

I probably phrased that wrong. If they view them equally and can't see discernible reasons why one is above the other, and Houston comes calling with pick 33, heck or even 65, you're still getting your guy and netting another top pick. That huge value back. Not saying that's the reality but it's possible.

I feel that Fitterer gives off a much more "I can negotiate with this guy" feel than some of the other GMs around the league. I sense he's the type that can gain leverage and get a favorable deal without the other side knowing yet. Poles is young, inexperienced, there's going to be speedbumps in Chicago. Them getting DJ Moore and a few future picks doesn't help as much as they think. Herbert, Foreman, DJ, Mooney, Claypool is above avg on paper, but could unravel very quick, especially if the line doesn't hold up.

I think it's fair to say we're very high on both Young & Stroud, but if Houston gave enough for #1, we'd have no problem with a swap. That's the case if we really feel like it's a 1A/B situation and not 1/2.

I almost feel like there's an oversell to the idea we're enamored with both Bryce and Stroud. And that information spreading around for what appears to be a super tightly shut collaborative team here is a tell in itself. The more we look like we could taking Bryce, the more worried Houston gets because their cat is out of the bag. I swear, if we turn this situation into landing a package and swapping with Houston, that will be some impressive work.

Yeah it’s amazing how much too much alcy hits post-35. I don’t understand how some in certain circles do it. My stomach just can’t handle much anymore. Fitter. Happier. More Productive.

At least with Chark, you know when he's disappearing bc he's injured & is a good X receiver when in. Hardman is a see-saw when he's healthy so you don't know when he'll disappear. Also isn't an ideal X, more slot. Bottom line-Chark isn't getting benched, he's getting injured. Hardman has already played himself to the bench in KC post-Hill trade. One wastes a roster spot, the other can get IR'd.

Yeappp. I mean, they're not going to play into others' hands and say they're not for shorties. It's an obvious answer to say we're open & it's about identifying the best player. Just keeps teams guessing. Doesn't mean we're going Bryce.

Will be nice to see how these two are gelling together without Tepper in plain view.

The cliff happened for me around 34. It's small things for a few years and then you're like, oh sh*t why does my back hurt randomly?

To be fair, that's been his role his entire career from when he was second fiddle to Diggs so I don't think there's a misassumption he's coming in as this top-end WR1. He's a really solid receiver with a few years left in the tank.

Potential offense w/these adds, plus some preferred mock dudes: QB: CJ Stroud (1), Andy Dalton RB: Miles Sanders, Roschon Johnson (R4/5), Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear TE: Hayden Hurst, Luke Schoonmaker (R4), Tommy Tremble WR: Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, TMJ, Josh Downs (R2), Jonathan Mingo (R4/5) *Would like to see someone an EDGE like Byron Young or CB Garrett Williams R3. Or could easily swap Downs/Williams type combo for a BJ Ojulari/Tyler Scott R2 & 3. Our carryovers remaining (bold) are the young guys from Rhule's stink that still have a smidge of potential.

The dude has known how to get open along with sure hands. CJ or Bryce will be super glad to have him

I'll let the contract people configure the contracts. We needed more than just a maybe like Chark or Hardman, and had to probably outbid some contenders for his services. And this path doesn't waste more capital via trade.

As a lake man of a Northern WI and NC origin, I am sure he will find the Carolinas mighty fine. Lots of nice similarities between Minny/SP and Charlotte as well.

We’ve flipped every offensive staff member and skill position player minus Campen this offseason. This team is going to feel so freaking different this year.

Exactly. His skills are hands and getting open early without lightning speed. That's a young QB's best friend right there. Sets us up to find some burners.

Yeah his experience alone on playoff pedigree teams, with top receivers, will help our young guys out tremendously. Instantly a huge veteran presence on the entire offense to help what will be a super young group outside of him, Bozeman, and Hurst.

That's great. Mentor, can have him for his late career stretch. Seems like a perfect vet to help out a young WR room.

I'm a BIG fan of Thielen. I think tales of his lost step are overstated. Yes, he's not his 26 year old self, but the guy still maintained his WR2 status in a year where Osbourn was supposed to start taking a big increased load and JJ's targets continue to go up as a league wide superstar. I would love to see him somehow be that leader vet receiver that supports and mentors up an entire group under him. He could set up a great legacy move for him if he is the leader for a young offense like the one we're putting together. Get him for his late career for a few years, he can sign/retire a Vike down the road. Sure hands for a guy that can get open quick is a perfect vet. Chark is a good upside gamble because when he does play, he's a solid X receiver. TMJ can be flanker. I'm unsure if Chark signs here though, but would be optimistic about it if it happens. Them combined would open things up not just positionally, but in receiver type. Could take anyone from Mingo to Scott to Downs with that type of group.

Fair. I made a thread about potential targets at 39, and something I realized in mapping it out is we may end up favoring one of these EDGE or CBs over guys like Downs, Hyatt, & Musgrave. If for example BJ Ojulari, Tyrique Stevenson, Felix, or the Northwestern kid are there, I could see them above the WRs on our board. But if that's the case, do we really sit and wait until 93? Trade down to gain another pick in the top-100 could be a viable strategy. Especially if we want to pick up a few receivers with starting upside like Scott, Tillman, Mingo, Reed, Wilson, or Jarrett.

Trade for Brandon Aiyuk.

For me, it's if you think one is a franchise guy worth having another contract w/a 5th year option. If someone in your top tier becomes within a range of manageable capital in a trade, I'd take a gander. That being said, I'm more in favor of staying put or a slight trade down to the 40s. I think Zay & S-N are worthy. They just seem that good. I've been a big Addison fan since he made Pickett look good, but his year in USC was a bit underwhelming. Less sold on Johnston.

I highly highly doubt S-N, Zay, Addison, or Johnston make it past NYG/DAL in the first. First 4 are gone minimum in the first, especially given other team needs. Question is do Hyatt or Downs present themselves. I'm a big Downs fan so would be fine with him at 39.