Bear Hands

Franklin, J. Sanders, Pearsall, Polk, Benson, Brooks, Corum...it's a cool crop of dudes. Could land a starting TE, WR2, slot, RB, there's just a lot of talent.

Yeah I'm not a fan of a trade down in most scenarios when it's this high of a pick and you have the needs we do. I could be sold on a package like I mentioned i.e. our 3rd and one of the 5ths for a late 2nd and 6th if a guy we're really targeting is still available late 2nd. You want to get impact and I don't mind even swaps/packages, but not this group of picks for a valuable one type situation.

Value charts to just gain a third: 33 <-> 50 & 82 33 <-> 45 & 92 People are forgetting they added in their own 3rd round pick (81) along with 33 to get 41, 72 and a future 3rd.

Yep.

Not at 33 or 39, but we for example have the first pick in the 4th, and then picks 141 and 142 in a row at the top of the 5th round. There is a lot of maneuvering you could do to get an impact player. Let's say McMillan, Van Pran/Limmer, Melton, Sinnett, or maybe Trey Benson/Blake Corum are available in that late third, you move into the 90ish range from 101 by using 141. You get that team to tag on a 6th (~180). So, giving a fourth (101) and fifth (141) for a 3rd and 6th while you still have a fifth at 142. Those are the type of trades I could imagine happening. You get a guy that can make an impact and are basically just changing out a 5th for a 6th.

He was the best at just giving up assets or gaining a bunch of mids for a decent selection. Just terrible. If you look at a lot of mid round trades in drafts, plenty of teams do even pick swap situations where it's worked out on both ends. For example, you send an early 3rd and early 4th, get a low 2nd and later 4th. We're so used to just either making these sweeping trade downs or trade ups, this fanbase isn't accustomed to the comparable value swaps and now freaks out at the notion of a trade down or trade up. It can still work, just gotta be mindful of value and what you're gaining.

It's situation dependent. I'd prefer we stand pat at 33 if any of the following are available: JPJ/Barton/Frazier, Chop, Arnold/DeJean/McKinstry, Mitchell/McConkey-- those are 9 specific players where the value add for me is too good to pass us. If anything, I would turn around after landing an impact starter, and trade 39 into the 40s on a package deal. Meaning - 39 & 141 to, for example JAX for 48 and 96 and maybe a late 2025th (checks out chart wise) So, land another third, but if you like the second rounders, are still assured a guy in that range. Scenario could look like: 33(2), 48(2), 65(3), 96(3), 101(4), 142(5), 240(6)..and an added pick in 2025 That 48 could be Ja'Tavion Sander, Edge Cooper, Kneeland, Polk, etc.

Visited the QC for the first time in 7 years last weekend — saw Evero at Front Porch Sundays in South End. Seems like a cool dude who loves Charlotte. Hope he wants to stick around and keeps building a good defense. Maybe find a protege soon that can take over when he inevitably leaves for a HC spot.

I imagine a surprise for some bc there’s fans of him at 33 or 39 - Legette is 76 overall and WR14

I kid I kid: https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/04/09231134/TheBeast2024_MasterFile-4-1.pdf

It's in an embedded tweet within an embedded tweet -- so it may be hard for you to find

Yeah I'm coming a bit around on Frazier.

Puts some good perspective on who could be the 33 best value picks. Notably: #26 Chop Robinson #32 AD Mitchell - maybe maybe he could fall to us if Ladd and Coleman go before.... #32 Marshawn Kneeland - Honestly love his fit and we've met with him. Could be one to start chatting about #34 Zach Frazier - He's more scheme versatile than advertised

Nourzad, Limmer, Van Pran and Bortoloni could be fits and targeted. Don’t believe we need to force it R2 if JPJ or Barton are off the board. Would be nice to grab a guy at the spot. There’s a few other swing interior lineman that could grow into the role but wouldn’t be immediate plug and plays. That ends with Bortoloni. There’s a lot more talent in this class than you usually see that could come in and play pretty quickly.

A bit off topic but aside the common wishes (P-J, Barton, Van Pran), Limmer is a guy who could be a real fit for us and potentially come in with starting ability. Like him a lot in the 4th ish range

People compared Mingo to AJ Brown and Metcalf before anyone here knew Legette...so when they see Legette compared to AJ and DK, there's an obvious correlation - it doesn't hold a ton of water, because the original comp in 2022 was a bit meh, just marginal. It was mainly because of Mingo coming from the AJ/DK Ole Miss factory and having similar body types. You're right though, different types of guys. Mingo didn't have Legette's top speed and hand catching/extension skills. Was also in a really basic offense at Ole Miss.

I like him, he's fun to watch, but he makes me nervous if he's the only WR we walk away with. We're going to be flexing Dionte inside and out. And then you've got Thielen who's better suited for slot but has slowed down and you can't bank on Mingo filling a roll consistently. It's why I think we need the guys that are technically advanced enough to put outside, create separation (not just be a 50/50 guy), and roll into motion inside and can be a chain mover with big play ability. For me, it's why I lean towards AD, McConkey, Franklin, and Pearsall (to a degree). But then, let's say, we land McConkey for example, absolutely turn around and see if we can grab Legette. His upside could be much more interesting to land than a guy like Corley, D Walker, Javon Baker, or J Burton.

I was surprised they didn't chat Pearsall, but the guys with no rumors flying around can be the ones teams don't want anyone knowing they are targeting. I still think he's the best fit for us and would be an excellent choice at 39 or in a trade down in R2. D. Walker outta UNC also got a bit of a passing neg but Brugler didn't report any team specific intel on him. More of a guy Nate didn't like.

Nate thinks he's funnier than he actually is at times, but he's shown to have a good offensive eye at times, more in the trenches and at TE. I guess the house he grew up in helps ha. His "guys" defensively have been a bit shoddy over the years.

I think it's a case of him being an X-Prototype. If there's a team sold on his ability to be impactful outside from the get-go, then I think it's obvious he leaps some of the other second to third rounders. If a team has legit concerns about his game on the outside and thinks he's more developmental, then he's going to be in that late 2nd-mid 3rd range.

Ah! Almost forgot the bit on him. I thought it was rather interesting. They have some concerns with his speed and ability to create separation at the pro-level, but he's a guy that can just make it happen when thrown to. They mentioned D Hopkins as a comp, not grade wise, just style & frame. Nate has him at 33 overall on his big board.

They went a bit in depth on Worthy. Seems to have some of the bigger red flags when it comes to his game moreso than any guy in the draft. Would not be surprised if he had a decent fall. Edit-add- They also had a decent section on Malachi Corley. The issue with him is team's trying to figure out what he's capable of at the jump. The Deebo comparisons got a bit of a laugh. Corley couldn't make the combine, and he only decided on running at his pro-day. Team's are still really uncertain and sounds like a big reason why he has (30) scheduled Private 30-visits. Route running is a bit of a mystery, though, just because he hasn't been asked to do a lot doesn't mean he can't. His interviews will make or break where he ends up.

Robert, Nate & Dane had a great discussion on the class this week. Really nice talk. Ze notes: -Marv is the clear #1. Some teams technically have Nabers ahead of him, but it doesn't sound like those teams are ones in the top-10. -Nabers & Odunze aren't far behind. They are special and each would've been the #1 WR in the past 2 drafts. -They talked Bowers because he plays at TE, slot, and outside. They're prety convinced he could be coveted. Denver, Indy, and LAR were the best fits so those could be trade up candidates with a team like Chicago or Atlanta at 8/9. -McConkey is high for a lot of teams. His combination of Z and Slot ability could end up being 60%+ in the Z. Can make things happen against zone and man. Excellent, top notch route runner, gets open quicker than anyone in the class. They said his skills and what he brings are the best fit for what Bryce Young needs in Carolina. -AD Mitchell has some inconsistency issues that could put him anywhere from 22 to 40. Still, extremely good prospect. -Teams are the most split on Legette, Troy Franklin and Worthy. Those guys could be anywhere from the 50s to the 70s. -Polk is a favorite higher than people think. May not be a top-end #1, but he's a real Robert Woods esque contributor. -Brugler's favorite receiver after the top few rounds: Malik Washington out of Virginia. Our own @Verge 's favorite as well. Powerful, twitchy, one of the best true pass catchers. Is an instant contributor. -Legette has real DK Metcalf top speed, yard eater. But he's limited, you want him on runway routes where he gains speed. He simply does not work himself open. #77 big board for Dane. He's good for posts, crossers, verticals. Early to Mid 3rd rounder comfort level. He's past ~60 overall for a lot of teams. Treylon Burks comparisons but looks bit better in some respects. Special Teams guy at the start, developmental X. Requires a very careful situation and offensive ecosystem. -McMillan - potential stud. Scrappy in the run game, great instant slot ability. -Roman Wilson has a 4th round grade. -Jermaine Burton has real skills, but is apparently a headache. Also got in the doghouse for at least 2 of the many schools he played for. Inconsistent, but sneaky big ceiling. -Their long shot "Puka Nacua" guy: Rice

No chance in hell. Teams are in love with him and Fautanu from Wash.

Note - this is not The Athletic’s consensus mock, this is just one of their writers Nick Baumgardner