1 – I wonder what the new format will have of consequences. Of course everyone does just that, but my point is that I don’t entirely buy the widespread opinion that it won’t matter much. Usually everyone is gathered in the same room, and that means it is possible to communicate – even on a small and almost chit-chat level. I would imagine things like “hey, maybe we will get that guy, what do you think?”, “hey, area scout X, am I correct that prospect Y attended that school with that coach?”, “yo, coordinator, this guy is 6’4. You said you preferred 6’2 guys, right?” is thrown around a lot. I guess it would be possible to connect everyone on the same videocall, but I don’t really know much about computer programs that can do that, so I can’t say. I am not at all trying to imply that these questions-and-answers are that important, but I would suppose it changes the dynamics.
2 – Remember when they wanted to upgrade the pass rush, and thus they traded for Chandler Jones and drafted Robert Nkemdiche in the first round the same year? Who knows what they truly think of the passing arsenal?
3 – Simmons out of Clemson is the most exciting prospect in this class. Not necessarily who I want the most, but the most electrifying. Positionless players are the new trend in the NFL, and this guy can pretty much line up in any defensive position. The coordinator has to have a plan for him, though. If Vance Joseph (or any other defensive coordinator) does not have a specific plan in place, then don’t draft him.
4 – Who in their right mind think they know what would happen on day three?! Well, me.
Some players I like (actually, I include round three):
Offensive tackle Lucas Niang, TCU.
Offensive tackle Matt Peart, Uconn.
Center Matt Hennessy, N.C. State.
Wide receiver Lynn Bowden, Kentucky.
Wide receiver Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island.
Tight end Jacob Breeland, Oregon.
Tight end O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Edge rusher Darrell Taylor, Tennessee.
Defensive tackle James Lynch, Baylor.
Defensive tackle Khalil Davis, Nebraska.
Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State.
Linebacker Logan Wilson, Wyoming.
Defensive back Reggie Robinson, Tulsa.
Safety Davion Taylor, Colorado.
5 – I wonder what last years draft class mean for this year. NFL teams don’t have a one year plan. They plan for at least three years ahead, meaning I am not so sure they did not have the long term in mind last year. If that is correct, what are their visions for offensive tackles Josh Miles and free agent pickup Brett Toth (who will, by the way, be an All Pro at some point), or bringing in Marcus Gilbert for that matter? What about the three wide receivers? Using high draft picks at those position would basically be like giving up on those draft picks since they would then be so far down the depth chart that I would argue it doesn’t really matter anymore (baring injuries). Sure, one of the tackles could in theory by the #1 swing tackle on the roster, but any wide receiver would fall to #5 on the chart, and even in Kingsbury’s offense, how big a role would that guy have?
6 – If Derrick Brown is on the board at #8, and they pass on him, then that’s it. I am getting up and walking away from the TV. No, I didn’t mean that! It doesn’t count! Don’t hold me to it!
Some analyst will have you believe he is not a great pass rusher, but he collapses the pocket like it was no big deal. How is that not pass rush? You know, often former quarterbacks will tell you that the pass rush affecting them the most was not the player he could not see one yard behind him, but the player he could see two yards in front of him.
7 – I don’t for one second believe in valuable-less late round picks. That is potential starters. I don’t understand why people would undervalue them that much. You never throw those away. Never.
8 – Will any player currently on the roster be trait bait? My sleeper pick: Andy Isabella for a sixth- or seventh round pick.
9 – I am not one of the guys arguing that left tackle is still more important than right tackle, but still the biggest argument for that distinction is that the left tackle protects the quarterbacks blind side. Well, not that it would be that relevant with the Cards, but Jedrick Wills did in fact protect Tua’s blindside since Tua is a lefty.
10 – If the Cards traded down, the goal must be to get their second rounder back, so I was wondering how far you could go back, and still be compensated with that high a pick. History is obviously a much better indicator than any draft chart, so I looked it up. I went back five years.
Buffalo Bills sold #10 overall pick for #27 pick, a third rounder and first rounder the year after.
Tampa Bay sold #7 + a third rounder for #12, and two late second round picks.
Denver Broncos sold #10 for #20 and a low second rounder, as well as a third round pick the next year.
Raiders sold #10 for #15, a third- and fifth round selection.
Miami Dolphins sold #8 for #13 as well as two starters.
Cleveland Browns sold #8 and a sixth round pick for #15 and a third round pick, as well as a second round pick the year after.
Tampa Bay sold #9 for #11 and a fourth rounder.
I guess the evidence mostly shows that there isn’t really any return that can be expected. It probably depends on how much the buyer wants the prospect.
11 – Remember the name Chase Claypool. He is a wide receiver out of Notre Dame with tight end size, characteristics and, to a large extent, playing style. Some analysts has suggested he could go in the first round. Could be an interesting fit.
12 – Based on current projections, would they target defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas or maybe cornerback C.J. Henderson in a small trade back? If so, I would absolutely be in favor of that (of course, provided that Brown and Simmons are gone at #8).
13 – Prioritized offensive tackles: 1 - Jedrick Wills, 2 - Andrew Thomas, 3 – Tristan Wirfs, 4 – Mekhi Becton.
Many people seem to forget that Andrew Thomas has experience at both right- and left tackle, while Wirfs and Wills obviously both played right tackle regularly in college. If you are targeting a right tackle, this is the right year to do it.
14 – Bypass edge rushers all together and go for Clowney. Just do it, Keim.
15 – Draft weekend is potentially my favorite weekend of the year, so of course it matters a great deal how the TV production- and coverage is. I wonder how well it will work this year.
2 – Remember when they wanted to upgrade the pass rush, and thus they traded for Chandler Jones and drafted Robert Nkemdiche in the first round the same year? Who knows what they truly think of the passing arsenal?
3 – Simmons out of Clemson is the most exciting prospect in this class. Not necessarily who I want the most, but the most electrifying. Positionless players are the new trend in the NFL, and this guy can pretty much line up in any defensive position. The coordinator has to have a plan for him, though. If Vance Joseph (or any other defensive coordinator) does not have a specific plan in place, then don’t draft him.
4 – Who in their right mind think they know what would happen on day three?! Well, me.
Some players I like (actually, I include round three):
Offensive tackle Lucas Niang, TCU.
Offensive tackle Matt Peart, Uconn.
Center Matt Hennessy, N.C. State.
Wide receiver Lynn Bowden, Kentucky.
Wide receiver Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island.
Tight end Jacob Breeland, Oregon.
Tight end O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Edge rusher Darrell Taylor, Tennessee.
Defensive tackle James Lynch, Baylor.
Defensive tackle Khalil Davis, Nebraska.
Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State.
Linebacker Logan Wilson, Wyoming.
Defensive back Reggie Robinson, Tulsa.
Safety Davion Taylor, Colorado.
5 – I wonder what last years draft class mean for this year. NFL teams don’t have a one year plan. They plan for at least three years ahead, meaning I am not so sure they did not have the long term in mind last year. If that is correct, what are their visions for offensive tackles Josh Miles and free agent pickup Brett Toth (who will, by the way, be an All Pro at some point), or bringing in Marcus Gilbert for that matter? What about the three wide receivers? Using high draft picks at those position would basically be like giving up on those draft picks since they would then be so far down the depth chart that I would argue it doesn’t really matter anymore (baring injuries). Sure, one of the tackles could in theory by the #1 swing tackle on the roster, but any wide receiver would fall to #5 on the chart, and even in Kingsbury’s offense, how big a role would that guy have?
6 – If Derrick Brown is on the board at #8, and they pass on him, then that’s it. I am getting up and walking away from the TV. No, I didn’t mean that! It doesn’t count! Don’t hold me to it!
Some analyst will have you believe he is not a great pass rusher, but he collapses the pocket like it was no big deal. How is that not pass rush? You know, often former quarterbacks will tell you that the pass rush affecting them the most was not the player he could not see one yard behind him, but the player he could see two yards in front of him.
7 – I don’t for one second believe in valuable-less late round picks. That is potential starters. I don’t understand why people would undervalue them that much. You never throw those away. Never.
8 – Will any player currently on the roster be trait bait? My sleeper pick: Andy Isabella for a sixth- or seventh round pick.
9 – I am not one of the guys arguing that left tackle is still more important than right tackle, but still the biggest argument for that distinction is that the left tackle protects the quarterbacks blind side. Well, not that it would be that relevant with the Cards, but Jedrick Wills did in fact protect Tua’s blindside since Tua is a lefty.
10 – If the Cards traded down, the goal must be to get their second rounder back, so I was wondering how far you could go back, and still be compensated with that high a pick. History is obviously a much better indicator than any draft chart, so I looked it up. I went back five years.
Buffalo Bills sold #10 overall pick for #27 pick, a third rounder and first rounder the year after.
Tampa Bay sold #7 + a third rounder for #12, and two late second round picks.
Denver Broncos sold #10 for #20 and a low second rounder, as well as a third round pick the next year.
Raiders sold #10 for #15, a third- and fifth round selection.
Miami Dolphins sold #8 for #13 as well as two starters.
Cleveland Browns sold #8 and a sixth round pick for #15 and a third round pick, as well as a second round pick the year after.
Tampa Bay sold #9 for #11 and a fourth rounder.
I guess the evidence mostly shows that there isn’t really any return that can be expected. It probably depends on how much the buyer wants the prospect.
11 – Remember the name Chase Claypool. He is a wide receiver out of Notre Dame with tight end size, characteristics and, to a large extent, playing style. Some analysts has suggested he could go in the first round. Could be an interesting fit.
12 – Based on current projections, would they target defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas or maybe cornerback C.J. Henderson in a small trade back? If so, I would absolutely be in favor of that (of course, provided that Brown and Simmons are gone at #8).
13 – Prioritized offensive tackles: 1 - Jedrick Wills, 2 - Andrew Thomas, 3 – Tristan Wirfs, 4 – Mekhi Becton.
Many people seem to forget that Andrew Thomas has experience at both right- and left tackle, while Wirfs and Wills obviously both played right tackle regularly in college. If you are targeting a right tackle, this is the right year to do it.
14 – Bypass edge rushers all together and go for Clowney. Just do it, Keim.
15 – Draft weekend is potentially my favorite weekend of the year, so of course it matters a great deal how the TV production- and coverage is. I wonder how well it will work this year.
