Bear Hands

20 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

https://x.com/josephperson/status/1909374596723474665?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA
 

Add LSU DE Bradyn Swinson 

Yes please

1 minute ago, Swaggasaurus said:

Ok. You’re entitled to your opinion. I think he’ll be primarily a Jack they move inside on obvious passing downs to either blitz or spy. Still doesn’t put him as even a “ILB hybrid” for me, because you basically still need a two down starter at Mike or Will outside of Walker. 

I think you make fair points and it’s good convo. Walker’s big ability is disrupting the passer right now, so naturally, his role should be primarily an edge at the onset.  I could have framed it in a better way that wasn’t as off-ball centered.

47 minutes ago, theinstrumental said:

Everybody’s been screaming for a trade-down all off-season. If they can an offer this way, they should take it

The trade scenario I thought of was with Membou and the Seahawks at 8. They’ve expressed strong interest in him. 

If the Walker buzz is as strong as rumored, Membou (or maybe Campbell) could be the odd man out there at 8. NO, CHI, MIA plenty of teams need OL ahead of SEA and they have a ton of picks. 

We get 18 and one of their seconds at min. This year may not be as good a return as other years but the player value could hold — we still end up with Ez/Mykel/Tet/etc. at 18.

The Beast comes out tomorrow which usually drops a lot of hints and good intel. Will probably influence some opinions and stuff so wanted this out before

1 minute ago, Swaggasaurus said:

He has UDFA tape for his 1/2 down plays at ILB.

That’s a stretch. He was much better in zone and took on spy responsibilities well this past season. If you’re talking 2023 he had some growing pains but what he was asked to do with UGA translates to a diverse role in the NFL. Nolan Smith in ways - Eagles started playing him more off all this past year along with edge work and it turned out nicely. 

14 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I just decided to think this with my brain: 

If Cleveland takes Hunter, the Giants would obviously take Sanders or trade.  Why?  Abdul Carter would be the third DE (Thib, Burns, and Carter) while they have a need at DT and G and the secondary is a bit suspect.  This is Sanders' best hope of going third--but remember,the Giants have W QBs Wilson and Winston.  Next year's draft at QB is unreal.  So take a guy at #3 or build around Wilson?  Still, you do not take Carter.  I am guessing they trade out or take Graham.

If Cleveland takes Carter to play opposite Garrett, they would be awesome, but they have another W QB, Watson and Kenny Pickett.  Yikes.  Coach Stefanski is not a threat to win Mayor of Cleveland right now, so we shall see how patient they are with him.  A desperate GM and Coach would take Sanders.  If their plan is given an endorsement from the owner, they will trade back.  With Carter on the board, that trade would happen.

If the Browns take Carter, the Giants take Hunter and play him in their weak secondary and give Nabors a friend on offense at times. 

 

I just don’t think Sanders goes at 2 or 3.  And with how Thib’s career trajectory looks and Burns’ disappointing season, it sounds like an organization that has no problem going with an edge rusher again. Graham doesn’t push the needle for them/isn’t a target. Carter in NY could easily happen.

Heck, KT could be on the block for all we know. Probably a good call if they’re thinking about maximizing assets.

I also don’t see JAX, LVR, NYJ, or anyone else further down trading up for Carter at 3. Takes two to tango. The capital required isn’t worth it.  Even though he’s one of the few blue chips, he’s not generational and worth that type of package. 

1 minute ago, Swaggasaurus said:

Jalon Walker will not be playing inside backer. Even if he was 5’10”. He’s a 3-4 OLB all day.

I think it just depends on the package. He’ll be moving around but I see usage at both spots - I like him outside in base sets but in nickel, which is bulk, can see him in the middle. Playing around with simulated pressures, spying and blitzing. Having that element while still having perimeter rushers could confuse a lot of mid QBs.

If there's a prospect who looks strong on the field but has the question marks, makes sense to bring them in and see if they are indeed a nutjob or not.  Especially if they couldn't get a good sense in limited time to meet him at the combine. 

Randy Mueller has talked about it before -- many GMs don't just use these top-30s to validate the guys they already love.  Although we seem to do that and kind of show our cards a lot lol.  

But to the point, if they love tape, have met enough coaches/teammates and talked to them at the bowls/workouts, many teams don't need to wine and dine and get to know them.   There's certain guys who get to know regional scouts, GMs and position coaches starting mid-college season last year.   

On the flipside, there's the wildcards who aren't privy to developing relationships with the pro-community while in school, have bad reps, and teams need to dig a bit further into it.  A top-30 becomes a good measuring stick for those teams think could be a stellar fit but are unsure on who the guy actually is - which matters a ton at the end of the day.  Organizational fit has so much more weight than let on and is why these drafts after the first few picks get so all over the map.

7 minutes ago, Murph said:

I thought Aaron Roger’s to the Steelers was 90% a done deal. So why would they trade away the farm to move up for a qb? Dart should be there at 21.

Think they're really liking the DL R1.  Tyleik Williams is a hot name for them.  

1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

Reddick was the first comparison that came to my mind.   I am against him at 8, but not later.

I wouldn't compare him to Reddick size wise, but some similarities quickness and his move set coming out.  Far larger, better handwork, much more refined from a pass plan standpoint.   

5 inches longer, about 2 1/2" taller and 10 lbs heavier as prospects.      

3 hours ago, Panthro said:

Williams caught lightning in a bottle in the playoffs.

 That’s also a recipe for boom/bust contracting

Yep - I'm kind of happy we didn't land him.  He's a vet that is still a non-3-down guy, his nonexistent run defense makes that contract such an albatross.

It doesn't make me like Wharton's deal for us (my least favorite), but the Pats deal saved us from ourselves a bit.  

While we're talking a fresh prospect that I happen to be a fan of, might as well get on a soapbox:

Point 1 - He is not undersized by any means, his length is far above the mean

His wingspan is in like the 85th percentile. An interesting note - his wingspan is 5 inches over Khalil Mack, 2 inches over Will Anderson's.  Only 1/2 inch away from the no-production yet size hyped 6'5 267 Shemar Stewart's.

For comp - Ez's is around 83", arm length 34".  For NFL comp, the mean for wingspan is 80" and arms 33.5" at for starting EDGE defenders.  So it's not just my isolated comparisons.

Point 2 - He isn't just a flashy "pass rush specialist"

His film (and testing) shows elite quickness, hand work, and ability to play with the heads of OTs that normal prospects don't grasp. (see my prior post)

Testing wise, one of the fastest 3-cones and short shuttles for an edge in years.  Fastest this year for both -- and those two drills are the ones teams look at for pass rushers, usually very indicative of success.  His quickness is off the charts.

He's a guy that played well, showed well to those casually watching and those film-studying.  Then he goes out and tests well to back it up.  Apparently interviews super well.  So, I think it's all about his capacity/potential as a run defender.  That's really what it comes down to.  Can he be a 3-down guy or is he a specialist?  I see a 3-downer, his run defense is better than given credit for.

A breakdown Ez vs. the NFL mean

Arm Length:

34" vs. 33.5" (over)

Wingspan:

83" vs. 80" (over)

3-Cone:

6.94 sec vs. 7.23 (WELL over, 95 percentile)

Short Shuttle:

4.19 vs. 4.424 (over)

Height:

6'2 1/2 vs. 6'3 (slight under)

People look at the height a smidge under 6'3 and take that without considering the rest.   I think with Ez, it all comes down to what teams think his run defense upside is.  All it takes is one team - if they think he can become more that a passing down guy, then he could go high.  But if guys like Nik Bonitto and Haason Reddick can turn into these all-arounders, I don't see why this kid can't either who has higher pedigree and better measurables.

Now, I prefer Graham, Walker inside, Will Johnson, Barron, and some others over him, but once we're in this tier outside of the top guys, I find the argument way more compelling for Ez over a Mykel Williams or Shemar Stewart.  

He’s better in the run game than people realize and has great length. Hard to know how he’ll stack up against every bigger OT out there but he managed against some big ones in 2024. Of course, could start situationally but he’s not necessarily a shrimp. His length and wingspan matches plenty like Highsmith and Bonitto who are great players with big careers still ahead of them.

Ez is also the only prospect in this draft with a legit Von ghost move. Easily the most advanced pass rusher in this draft. He would be working tackles for a few quarters, get them thinking they know how he’s attacking and then switch up with his hands and moves super effectively. Great chess player. When you’re talking advanced, he was using pro-vet level technique at times.

Plenty of teams in the teens are eyeing him. Perfectly reasonable target for us, I mean, I definitely prefer him over Mykel, Shemar, Pearce and Green. We’ve met with him. 

8 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

I love those guys and Grant I think is a far safer pick than Graham. But, all that being said, those should be trade down targets. Which, as I have said many times, I am hugely in favor of. This draft is so loaded with two deep/rotational contributors that we should be maximizing the top 90 picks we can get.

If we could get, without trading substantial future draft capital, 5 picks in the top 90 I think we could position ourselves for a HELL of a draft.

Yeah if I’m not being predictive and just throwing out what I want, I’m taking calls from Indy, Seattle, Denver, etc. if they come in. 

Ezeiruaku would be my top target, then you have more resources via trade to land favorite targets in that R2-3 range

6 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

No chance for Wilson or Barron in that situation?

I like Barron a lot but I don’t see it happening with our FO’s preferences.  Although his ability to flex between outside CB, slot and FS make him like a jacked up Sainristil with a bit of the Witherspoon gene. He could be exactly what we need but no one’s really talking about him for us. 

Think your autocorrect may have changed out Will Johnson — who I also like but his man coverage skills worry me a tad this high in the draft. And injuries.

I want Donavon Ez and/or Derrick Harmon - one is the best finesse edge rusher in the draft with one of the most nuanced games I’ve seen from an OLB, and the other is the most balanced disruptor in the vein of H Ngata - most pressures, 2nd highest DL in pressure rate last year. An absolute force, with the production to backup. 

We’re chasing and chatting these spotty upside guys, TEs, or skill positions guys with legit holes in their game. I feel like these two (and maybe even Kenneth Grant) are ripe for the picking and will not disappoint. 

Pounding the table for all three, but I don’t expect to get any of them.

34 minutes ago, SOJA said:

I'm becoming more and more convinced we miss on both walker and graham that the draft goes like this

1- titans Cam 

2- browns carter

3- giants Hunter

4- Pats Membou

5- Jax Graham

6- LVR Walker 

7- NYJ Campbell

 

Even if Jax goes Walker, I think NYJ take Graham. Unless someone trades up in the top 7 for Shedeur I don't see us getting either one of those guys

If both are gone, we're probably going Mykel.  Warren fans will not be happy, but it's a strong possibility.

I know we like him quite a lot so have been trying to come around.

His interviews available online show a really cool dude, seems to genuinely want to get better and enjoys the game.

He has the run defense prowess. Very strong, not elite but could become elite.

So you’re banking on him developing his pass rush skills. The notable limitations IMO are his athleticism and burst aren’t what you’d expect for a guy with his size and skills. He has a grind it out motor and solid leverage skills, but doesn’t have the feel for the snap or the quickness you want in a R1 edge. That’s what I find to be the tough sell. Awareness, snap feel, and quickness not super teachable.

Stepping back and putting him in perspective of this class, it’s not some huge reach, but you really should be getting a ton more with a top-10 overall pick.  Feel like there’s a lot of more sure fire talent with just as high ceilings, but we may weigh our defensive need and land him.

It is what it is. -JF

12 hours ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

I like your thinking - I'm all for Campbell also 

he’s talented. Probably out half of his rookie season with a torn labrum.

I love Noel and the Maryland kid. 

*updated

Interested to see there's somewhat of a void of late 2nds - there's Princely, Porter, Mbow, Sanker, Parrish being a few, but there's quite a gap between those projected top-50ish and then those outside top-100s.  

We’re probably going to end up with Mykel

On 3/29/2025 at 6:57 PM, SOJA said:

Oh I'm all for a trade back if mason graham isn't there. I'd be ecstatic with that. 

 

My problem is I really can't see anyone trading up unless Jerry loses his mind for Jeanty 

Pretty much every fan base starting at the Pats pick wants to trade back lol

I would say it would take Jeanty, any OL, or maybe Shedeur not being picked by 8 to prompt a trade up. Don’t see anyone after the top 3 being THAT coveted. Especially on defense. Maybe Graham but that’s it.

2 hours ago, theinstrumental said:

Fortunately he’s dropping across pretty much all mocks and rankings that I’ve seen, and I haven’t seen any smoke lately connecting us to him. Feels like Mykel Williams is the one we have to worry about.

The thing with these types is that they need to hone their craft and advance their skillset aside from the coaches’ time. Coaching doesn’t have the extra capacity to handhold them in development and figuring out how to be an NFL level player. They need to want to develop. Especially pass rushers with the layered game that’s played in the trenches — all the small things that turn into mind battles vs OL during the course of a game (This is why I’m such an Ez fan) If there is a question mark there, I’d stay away from a DL.

Hope we’re trying to gauge that with any of these types of prospects. Do they have the mentality to get better on their own.