Bear Hands

I'd tend agree. Also, depending on what we think of the CBs, DJ Turner could be in the mix. The guy simply has the skills. Could still pack on a few more to get to be upper 180s w/his frame. There are two others that I think are getting pretty overlooked: Adebawore & Tuli Tuipulotu. Both check a lot of boxes and are really interesting builds. They could honestly play everything from 3 tech to standing at the edge. Probably 3-4 DE most of the time, but they're very versatile dudes that bring a lot of quickness and power. Very overlooked during this build up.

I like that. The only thing is that I think it could be a bummer not landing a potential playmaker/speedster. We've got Chark as the only sub 4.42 in the RB/WR room.

-We don't draft a receiver until the 4th round -Pick 2: It's JuJu Brents (or) DJ Turner with a trade down -Tucker Kraft is the TE we land

If I’m being honest, exposing bias and give myself the liberty to be unnecessarily judgemental (and be judged) and assess his personality/leadership: I’ve been a big Stroud fan but my instincts tell me he’s the type that needs an advocate. JSN was his mouthpiece and outside of the UGA game, he’s never really just taken the keys for the car that was OSU. I’ll admit, it’s all based on my feel to him via interviews, nothing more. He’s the quiet leader, which honestly, some of the best have been. But watch his interviews with teammates—They’re buddy buddy but there’s just a lack of “this is the guy” with him. He’s not a proactive type, no sense of when to press the gas, stop the brakes type. He thrives off the support of others to drive. And I can see hints of his reflexes/response style with the pace/demeanor to him. Solo taking a test may be an issue. And when plays break down, there can be issues. When I see other OSU players vs Bama, I’m just unsure exactly how impactful of a leader he was. Seeing how Saban, Anderson and Branch speak about Bryce is telling for me. It’s less what’s wrong about CJ and more about the combination of sharpness, composure, football IQ, team mentality that I can just see a whole locker room being 150% there for Bryce. man’s I’ve preferred CJ for most of the process but that’s just the vibe I get.

Some may be hesitant with where his mechanics & accuracy is at, but man, if this kid hits with the right coaching combo, you've got it all. The size, agility, speed, arm, legs, game breaking ability. Unsure if he's gonna turn into some undeniable leader and SB caliber guy, but he does have that 1-3 year MVP-level stretch ceiling. His sheer upside compared to the rest is just hard to ignore. I believe Bryce has the elite gene, creates out of structure and unreal awareness and IQ, but Richardson does have some undeniable excitement.

Gannon is one of the most awkward coaches you can find.

Scenario A - Need Filler w/Trade 1-Bryce Young QB Bama ~39-trade down, gain a 3rd rounder 2-Julius Brents DB KSU 3-1-Tyler Scott WR Cincy 3-2-Derrick Hall EDGE Auburn 4-1-Israel Abanikanda RB Pitt 4-2-Anthony Bradford OG/T LSU 5-Cameron Latu TE Bama Scenario B - No Trade & No WR (w/lesser mocked guys) 1-1 Bryce Young QB Bama 2-39 Tuli Tuipolutu EDGE/DE USC 3-93 Cedric Tillman WR TEN 4-114 Juice Scruggs OG/C Penn State 4-132 Jay Ward CB/S LSU 5-145 Keaton Mitchell RB ECU

Great post. Yeah that's kind of a "doi" type moment for me in realizing: "doesn't everyone want this?" Ideally, of course. I guess the weight at which they let it dictate who they want is what varies squad to squad. And also what positions teams think it matters more at. For example, GB has very strict guidelines to who they'll bring in as a receiver. 6'0+, 8.0+ RAS, 200+ lbs In this day and age, I think you REALLY want it OLB and DB with how RPO has been integrated into so many offenses. You want the speedy closers that can stick with the TEs and stretch plays. As someone else mentioned, Brandon Smith has a lot to like in this department. Very excited to see if he can bring something to the table. He's almost 6'4, 250, 34 5/8" arms, 10 1/4" hands, 4.52, 37.5 vert. That's a heads above any LB in this class.

The short arms thing is more than Rhule. That's a league wide baseline a lot of scouts have in respect to guys on the perimeter line. But definitely echo Jimmy re:this being a much better staff. Given Brown & Evero's nuance when they speak to talent & scheme, I'm sure they are balancing pure skill/player with these type of traits. I can see it as a priority in identifying guys that match their physical prototype but it's no doubt part of a bigger equation. edit--Also: The emphasis on physical traits seems to be more in the LB & DB department from what I'm seeing. Like Mr. Scot mentioned, it could due to the Seattle influence from Fitt and Morgan. Align that with the Fangio inspired Evero, there could really be an interesting fusion going on here on defense. I think it's really exciting.

Thx. Foskey & White were two that I looked past on this. Thanks for the post with the full breadth of positions.

Saw that vid. I still like Henley, he had him as his #3 over Simpson. Like the general feel and how Wash State wasn't afraid to play him up standing at the line. His overall size is on the smaller end, but the proportions put him on the lengthy side with some really great quickness/wrap up ability. Henley as an ILB in a 3-4 isn't optimal/the perfect fit, but could work like some other undersized ILBs did in the past for Fangio. Funny enough, my prediction for him is to Miami at 55, straight to Fangio himself.

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.