Bear Hands

Yep. I do see some parallels Morgan & Fitt could be identifying. Not straight equal comps but....Irvin:Ojulari, Sherman:Porter, Chancellor:Brents

I think we have a type One of the biggest observations I've taken away from pressers since the new regime took over (plus Fitt gaining a bit more pull), is the emphasis they keep pressing on athletic guys with length & rangy-ness. And in the last presser, they kept mentioning this in regards to defenders, specifically, linebackers (whether it's ILBs or EDGE/OLB is to be seen) As a precursor, there are plentiful outliers, this is not some end all/be all, but it seems like these are the priority physical traits that we are targeting from everything I can tell whether it be at EDGE, ILB, or even larger DB that play nickel. So, let's check out who is in the higher percentile length+athleticism wise in the draft. My gut tells me one of our picks (or more) is in this lot...why? Well after making the list, I realized that we've met with almost ALL of these guys. Didn't do that intentionally. Now, if someone unexpected falls at 39, then maybe the choice isn't at that spot, but one of these later names could VERY WELL end up a Carolina Panther. All of these peeps are 33" plus arms (sans 1 hyper-athletic guy), +/= 6'1. Identifying a mix of proven production & athleticism score: Round 1 Joey Porter Jr. (known visit) Obvious, high-end prospect, great length, instant outside starting corner. 6'2 1/2, 193, 34" arms, 10" hands 4.46 40, 35" vert, 10'-9" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/joey-porter-jr./3200504f-5277-3442-9f31-894fa5a2ca5d Potential R2/#39 Range: Will McDonald IV OLB/EDGE (potential visit request/had to turn down 6+ due to availability/too many visits) 6'4 239, 35" arms (34 7/8), 9 1/2" hands 36" vert, 11'-0" broad (top) https://www.nfl.com/prospects/will-mcdonald-iv/32004d43-4459-9665-e69d-a74762fc7e67 BJ Ojulari OLB/EDGE (known visit) 6'2 248, 34 1/4" arms, 10 1/4" hands 32.5" vert, 10'-6" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/bj-ojulari/32004f4a-5542-6541-4cd9-8e817d1b5514 Adetomiwa Adebawore Northwestern EDGE/DE/DT (Panthers defensive coaches were at the NW pro-day) 6'2 282, 34" arms (33 7/8), 10 1/2" hands 4.49 40, 37.5 vert, 10'-6" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/adetomiwa-adebawore/32004144-4502-1468-3d33-a0f9da804e5c Julius (JuJu) Brents Kansas State DB (known visit) 6'3 198, 34" arm, 9 5/8" hands (for a DB that's high end rangy) 4.53 40, 41.5" vert (top DB), 11'-6" broad (top DB) https://www.nfl.com/prospects/julius-brents/32004252-4551-0110-2798-7a9b05aa2760 Fringe 2nd/3rd: Derrick Hall Auburn OLB/EDGE (known visit) 6'3 254, 34 1/2" arms, 10" hands 4.55 40, 33.5 vert, 10'-7" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/derick-hall/32004841-4c27-4589-50da-dbb78b921d81 Daiyan Henley Wash State LB (known visit) 6'1 225, 33" arms, 9 1/2" hands 4.54 40, 35" vert, 10'-5" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/daiyan-henley/32004845-4e46-6212-4f0a-603906125b28 Dorian Williams Tulane LB (D Captain) (known visit) 6'1 230, 33 3/4" arms, 10 1/4" hands 4.49 40, 33.5" vert, 10'-0" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dorian-williams/32005749-4c24-3940-708f-17c023a4d993 Notable: 17 tackles in the bowl game win vs. Caleb/USC Darius Rush CB South Carolina (known visit) 6'2 198, 33 3/8" arms, 9 1/2" hands 4.36 40, 35" vert, 10'-1" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darius-rush/32005255-5305-7910-a1a9-d9de1ee2cde8 *Would be able to pair him with a pal of his in Horn. Fringe 3rd/4th Round Byron Young EDGE Tennessee (known visit) 6'2 250, 32 1/2" arms, 9 1/4" hands 4.43 40, 38" vert (top), 11'-0" broad (top) *3rd ranked EDGE in athletic score https://www.nfl.com/prospects/byron-young/3200594f-5512-7040-ee4b-f8bc5d0b4a6e YaYa Diaby Louisville OLB/EDGE/DE 6'3 263, 34" arms (33 7/8), 10 3/8" hands (2nd highest athleticism score for EDGE)--Is he being super slept on? 14 TFL, 9 sacks in 2022 4.51 40, 37" vert, 10'-0" broad https://www.nfl.com/prospects/yaya-diaby/32004449-4105-1911-562c-7d76f4e49b99 Late Round Sleepers: Ochaun Mathis Nebraska EDGE 6'5 250, 35 1/4" arms, 10 3/4" hands 4.74 40, 33.5" vert, 9'-10" broad (low) Transfer, not a ton a experience, but that size is tantalizing for a end of draft pick Shaka Heyward Duke 6'3 235, 34" arms, 9 1/2" hands 4.53 40, 31" vert (low), 9'-8" broad He's not a finished product but could find his way on in a special teams role with starter potential further down the line/some years. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/shaka-heyward/32004845-5927-7986-59f2-11ab553226ec

A trade back that lands us Brents (DB) & Scott (WR) would be one of my over the moon wishes. 1-Bryce Young QB 2-Julius Brents DB 3-1-Tyler Scott WR 3-2-Derrick Hall EDGE 4-1-Luke Schoonmaker TE 4-2-Israel Abanikanda RB 5-Jay Ward CB/S LSU

Mingo is getting a bit of extra hype online right now but Scott has been right there with him, fringe 2nd/3rd. From what I've read, his interviews have been really good and scouts are really high on him, so it could very well be TS who Fitterer liked. My other guess was Charlie Jones. In game speed & quickness is what I like more than just track speed and he's got it. A tad on the body catching side and a RB mentality with the ball--but he's tough as nails, gets separation, runs crisp. He may start out slot role but could expand. Chark is our only real speedy guy, could really use a burner at WR. I remember seeing tweets he visited but didn't see any confirmations on those websites with the aggregated lists. Definitely think Scott & Mingo have separated themselves from the next Tillman, Rice, Reed tier after the top-4/5. guys. Who knows!

Something to note in general is that there's only about a 15% hit rate for visits : drafted If a team knows what a guy brings, and knows his character through other means (combine, pro-day, etc.), then they don't need to bring them in. If they are interested, but there's a level of mystery, questions, or anything extra they're trying to learn, well yeah, then they'll bring them in. So don't simply equate visit to being bought in. Visits indicate interest but can just as easily be something teams come away with a hard confirmation the dude is off their board. Could mean they sold and want to confirm. Some could mean people hear weird stuff but the tape is too hard to ignore so they wanna meet the kid. So many possibilities.

Yup and it’s easy to see why—not necessarily height but it’s his length and athleticism. His length of crazy even for a 6’3 198 guy. And when he’s flashed in school, he’s shown elite upside. Hard to pass on that IMO. He’s easily my fave DB after Banks/Porter.

After Gonzalez & Witherspoon, it's hard to see Banks or Porter falling far. So at 39, we're talking: Kelee Ringo, Julius Brents, Tyrique Stevenson, Cam Smith, DJ Turner I think Ringo & Brents translate and are my fave candidates. (Big Brents fan) Smith & Stevenson may not be as ready, Turner is like Forbes/a bit on the light side so could get pushed around.

I’d take Levis at +1000 at 3 or AR at +600 at 5.

Love hearing the LaPorta, Byron Young, & OL news. Hard to see us not taking a OL this draft. Feels like the most certain pickup aside Bryce.

Yeah, I think he makes a lot of sense. Could be a solid pickup at/around 114 or 132. That's the optimal range with this RB class unless we REALLY like a guy.

We have no home run threat on this offense and I don't trust Hubbard as our backup. Staley & Brown have both referenced committee approaches and our starter has a Kareem Hunt-Browns level contract. So from my vantage point, we are entirely in position to upgrade, but it's not a must. We've met with Charbonnet, Kendre Miller & Zach Evans so it's entirely possible. I could honestly see us landing ANY RB type in this group whether it be a hard-nosed runner like Roschon Johnson to compliment, an all-around like DeWayne McBride, or a home run threat like Abanikanda. Wouldn't be opposed to a Peoples or Tucker later. Plenty of options. Oh and Tyjae Spears is my pipe dream but I won't build expectations for him and get let down. He's my fave in the draft by far.

If HOU is serious about landing Anderson or Wilson at 2, they're gonna push QBs down a hair. Puts ATL in prime position to trade down if Stroud (or even Levis) is available. Houston may want to jump the Titans to the grab the last of the top-4 remaining. ATL gains more ammo to surround Ridder, Houston still lands a QB. Not that I want them to succeed but if they play their cards right, could be in good shape.

An added prospect fit that could happen per some reports/buzz: Tucker Kraft & Sam LaPorta TE - Bengals, R2 They've hosted both and apparently are very high on them, potentially have their sights on them instead of Kincaid or Mayer at 28. I don't think they need to force anything with their position in R1. R1--I could see Gibbs (as mocked), DB, OL, or even DL if a rusher presents himself.

Due diligence. My hunch is that they're real contenders for Bijan. If they're committed to Ridder, they need to give him weapons, oh and at some point post-1998, finally put together a decent defensive front.

Just showcasing who it could’ve likely been. You ageist! Jk

Mingo is being repeated in the thread, but he was reported visiting early April. Fitt said "last week". Last week was Charlie Jones and Derius Davis. That being said, Mingo could be great, but for who Fitt was talking about, after checking, it is Jones, Davis, or an unreported prospect visit.

Yep. This may have been Charlie Jones. Interesting prospect, transferred from Iowa (good for him, awful passing game there). I've honestly been looking past the dude...really under the radar in sports media. NCAA Receiving Leaders in 2022 were: (1) Tank Dell (2) Charlie Jones (3) Rashee Rice In 2022: 110 rec, 1,361 yards, 12 tds, 12.4 ypr Combine: 4.43 Aiden O'Connell had a QBR of 119.0 when throwing to him. Size: 5'11 3/4, 175 lbs https://www.nfl.com/prospects/charlie-jones/32004a4f-4e16-0287-5859-a7165d1cc115 Seems like he interviews well and has a chip on the shoulder style.

If they're being accurate about specifically visited last week, I re-checked and I am only finding 2 reported visits: Derius Davis Charlie Jones -- Mingo and Smith-Njigba were over a week ago. Scott was reported having a meeting with us, but digging in, don't think it was a private-30.

Re: this comment I did check some stuff out and historic trades. It's s 9 spot move from 39 to 48. But where we gain is moving up 12 in the next round from 93 to 81 and them adding on a 5th to sweeten. I think we could squeeze a 4th, but that'd give them a big gap mid-draft, so could be a 39+93 for 48+81 swap, and they add on a future/24' 3rd (highest I could see)

Robinson was had with a 7th rounder swap. A near equal deal to what we did for Zane. Wow

I will say, I see Hooker fitting with a lot more teams than Levis right now so it could very well happen. Overall, even if there is some hesitation with Levis, I see ~TB/19 to MIN/24 is his floor for dropping. Hooker could end up as high as the teens (to the Texans?) so Hooker could possibly go before. That being said, there's A LOT of rumors this time of year. I will say, anyone who saw that Bama-TEN game & watched Hooker progress year by year from his sophomore season at VT to last year at TEN should know what he's capable of. Age be damned, if he can play, he can play. He has great downfield placement, got the legs, size, even if the arm isn't Levis-level, he's got game. My biggest BS meter goes off w/ the idea multiple QBs go in a row at the top. This is not a class that goes 1-3. Fits: Young - Panthers=as good as done Stroud - Colts, Raiders Richardson - Seahawks, Raiders, Vikings (Just don't see the Texans or Titans swinging for him) Hooker - Raiders, Texans, Rams, Tampa Bay Levis - Titans, Tampa Bay my 2 cents

I would have no problem with that if I didn't project him to Dallas at 26 in Round 1.

I will say, the Falcons scenario in my mock is one I hope doesn't happen. This gives them Bijan, Downs, & K White. They could put themselves in really nice position if someone wants to move up for Levis or AR (if they are available) at 8. Obvious candidates being HOU, TEN, & TB.

I think he's solidly a 1st rounder per what I've been seeing. Could be as high as LAC.

If they are in fact taking a committee approach as they stressed in pressers, I'm just unsure if you want to hand Hubbard ~15-20%-ish of offensive snaps when you can get a clear upgrade. Hubbard is currently slotted into a spot that will have gameday action. I'd seek an upgrade if one presents itself via BPA.