2024 Draft Debate and Discussion

[chisoxguy7]

1 hour ago, Sugashane said:

^^^ Sorry about that being so oversized. Not sure what happened there? Just copied and pasted it. 

I love the idea of grabbing Jordan Travis later on if we have the picks to do it. That’s a guy who is going to come into this league with a HUGE chip on his shoulder after the FSU CFBP snub.

[Sugashane]

Just now, chisoxguy7 said:

I love the idea of grabbing Jordan Travis later on if we have the picks to do it. That’s a guy who is going to come into this league with a HUGE chip on his shoulder after the FSU CFBP snub.

I keep seeing a lot about Nix and Rattler, I like Travis way more than either. He doesn't have the arm JJ has but has plenty of arm to make any throw you'll normally make, plus he plays more in the same style of Williams. Makes for a hell of a back up when you don't have to change your offense like with Tru/Glennon or Fields/Dalton. I like his touch when he throws, he can throw the bullets, can take some off to drop it over the LB and in front of the S, and he's a mobile guy. I have him as QB6 in this class. 

[Sugashane]

Honestly I would like to trade a 2025 6th to get a 7th rounder this year and spend on a punter or returner.

 

Returners - Daequan Hardy from PSU, Ainias Smith from Texas A&M, Lideatrick Griffin from Miss St.

Taylor from Iowa will be gone so McNamara from Texas Tech or the BYU kid are guys that could walk in and beat out Gill IMO.

[Epyon]

Sports mockery had a meeting tracker article.... Apparently we met with Ladd McConkey at some point. Hadn't seen that name pop up anywhere else, but big fan of the player talent wise.... Dude is borderline uncoverable. 

Also apparently Brock Bowers and Amarius Mims had individual pro days today.... Couldn't find if any Chicago presence was there, Steelers where all over it though for Mims. 9.57 RAS for Mims, with the largest wingspan recorded... Driving me nuts that there's no mention of us even talking to him (ditto Johnny Newton) 

Edited April 10 by Epyon

[soulman]

On 4/9/2024 at 12:35 PM, Madmike90 said:

 

Add Elliss to the list at #75...not an every down type of DE in this scheme but brings juice off the edge...

 

#1 Caleb Williams

#9 Rome Odunze

#75 Jonah Elliss

#122 Brandon Coleman

 

If we stay were we are throughout the draft (highly doubt it) those would be some quality additions.

If they're unable to get the DE/Edge guy they want in the first round them I believe they'll try to use guys like Elliss or whoever they may find in round three or four as pass rush specialists used to bring pressure on obvious passing downs.  I see the addition of Jacob Martin as that type of player.  Fast agile rushers.

[soulman]

14 hours ago, Sugashane said:

Honestly I would like to trade a 2025 6th to get a 7th rounder this year and spend on a punter or returner.

 

Returners - Daequan Hardy from PSU, Ainias Smith from Texas A&M, Lideatrick Griffin from Miss St.

Taylor from Iowa will be gone so McNamara from Texas Tech or the BYU kid are guys that could walk in and beat out Gill IMO.

I can see a need for more competition in a punter but I don't know that I'd spend a pick on one when we really don't have any beyond the 4th.  I'd look for a possibility of a trade for Hebert that should net a Day 3 pick.

Otherwise we do have return guys.  Herbert if not traded, Jones and Scott all have some KO return experience.  Jones was one of the better in the NFL last year.  Scott and Pettis have PR experience as does Jones except he's blown his shot twice.

[SLCbear]

2 hours ago, soulman said:

I can see a need for more competition in a punter but I don't know that I'd spend a pick on one when we really don't have any beyond the 4th.  I'd look for a possibility of a trade for Hebert that should net a Day 3 pick.

Otherwise we do have return guys.  Herbert if not traded, Jones and Scott all have some KO return experience.  Jones was one of the better in the NFL last year.  Scott and Pettis have PR experience as does Jones except he's blown his shot twice.

Check out some tape of Taylor and Rehkow.  both are worthy of picks  ... Gill should never kick for us again 😠 

[AZBearsFan]

13 hours ago, Epyon said:

Sports mockery had a meeting tracker article.... Apparently we met with Ladd McConkey at some point. Hadn't seen that name pop up anywhere else, but big fan of the player talent wise.... Dude is borderline uncoverable. 

It’s complete non-analysis of the player, but someone named Ladd McConkey doesn’t sound like he should be good at football. He needs a nickname like Moose or something like that. 

[AZBearsFan]

26 minutes ago, SLCbear said:

Check out some tape of Taylor and Rehkow.  both are worthy of picks  ... Gill should never kick for us again 😠 

A better punter would be nice, but I don’t think it’s a huge need. Last year Gill ranked:

25th in yards per punt

Last in net yards per punt 

30th in touchback percentage

30th in percentage of punts inside the 20

None of that is ideal. BUT, here’s how far those numbers deviated from those of the 16th best punter (league average punter statistically) in each of those categories:

1.3 less yards per punt

3.7 less net yards per punt 

5.3% higher touchback percentage

10.8% less of of punts inside the 20

We should strive for better with competition, but we’re talking about the difference of a single yard per punt for the part most under his control here (all of these numbers are tied at some level to field position and/or his coverage teams). It’s not that significant. Furthermore, since he’s been a part of our placekicking mechanic Santos has been nearly automatic, and to me there may be more to lose by screwing with what they have going there than there is to gain by changing the punter out.

[HuskieBear]

2 hours ago, AZBearsFan said:

It’s complete non-analysis of the player, but someone named Ladd McConkey doesn’t sound like he should be good at football. He needs a nickname like Moose or something like that. 

Ladd McConkey is a Peaky Blinder for sure

[BEAR FACE DOWN ARROW]

His first nickname was the best.

If BB was still on the Patriots they'd take him at 3. 

[soulman]

4 hours ago, SLCbear said:

Check out some tape of Taylor and Rehkow.  both are worthy of picks  ... Gill should never kick for us again 😠 

It's not about being worthy it's about not having enough picks right now.

[HuskieBear]

I ran a couple of sims targeting a R1 DT. I won't likely do a "final mock" but this is what i've been thinking the last week or so and i'm not sure i'm likely to move off of those thoughts. Definitely open to other things (WR and DE specifically in R1) - would love to hear thoughts on these.

DRAFT 1

Trade 1.9 to PIT for 1.20, 2.51, and 3.84. Pit moves up for Olu

1.1 - QB Caleb Williams. duh

1.20 - DT Johnny Newton. Both Newton and Murphy on the board (PFN sim i think hasn't caught up with player movement recently, so i drafted based on expectations). 

2.51 - WR Xavier Legette. Can come in to be WR3 with a development curve and deep threat. Could potentially take over WR2 next year if KA leaves.

3.75 - DE Brandon Dorlus. A big DE with inside/outside versatility. A backup to Walker with potentially to be Walker in 1-2 years. Not the biggest speed/bend player, but good size and length for DE depth atm.

Trade 3.84 to TB for 3.89 and a future 3rd (2025 R3 might be overpay, but it's what was offered. a 2025 4th would probably be more accurate). TB moves up for Bralen Trice

3.89 - OC Tanor Bortolini. Developmental OC. Good size at 6'4 305 lbs. Really good athlete that provides depth this season and takes Coleman's roster spot in 2025. Starting OC in 2025 and Bates moves to LG or solid interior backup.

4.122 - TE Tip Rieman. Another super athletic player, Rieman has only been playing TE for a few years. Needs work with route running and separation in the passing game, but a strong blocker at the point of attack and a 4 phase ST player

 

DRAFT 2

1.1 - QB Caleb Williams. duh again.

Trade 1.9 to LV for 1.13 and 2.44. LV takes JJ

1.13 - DT Byron Murphy. a strong athlete at 3T. fast, twitchy, explosive lower body. needs to work on finishing, but potential higher ceiling than Newton. allows Dexter to move to 1T

2.44 - OC Zach Frazier. This is a deep OC class, and i considered WR here again, but grabbing a top 1-2 rated OC is the play here with the depth of the WR class too. I think Frazier is going to be a stud.

3.75 - WR Tez Walker. I think Walker is going to be boom or bust, but his speed and deep ball tracking are traits that we bet on. He especially doesn't have to be a guy from day one. Focus on running deep routes, then we can start developing more. his speed with threaten defenses and open up underneath routes for KA and DJM. Polk and Pearsall are still on the board here, and I like Pearsall the most, but i think both of those guys go before our pick

Trade 4.122 and a 2025 6th to KC for 4.131 and 5.159. KC picks Blake Fisher.

4.131 - DE Jonah Elliss. Being completely honest, i dont think Elliss falls this far. He's the opposite of Sweat - a speed guy that struggles to set the edge in the run game. He's a former LB and that shows at times - but these are the reasons he drops a little bit (i'm guessing/hoping). He comes in as a sub-package pass rusher, bumping Walker inside. Dane Brugler gives him an "Alex Highsmith" upside so lets bet on athletes and hope that happens for us. IF we want to play the "he won't be there game" then Jalyx Hunt would be my next pick. Hunt would replace DRob as our "he's super fast and explosive but doesn't super know how to play the position" upside pick

5.159 - RB Rasheen Ali. An explosive runner with 3rd/4th gears available. Has KR experience and vision to hit holes in our ZB scheme. not great in the pass blocking game, but can be a guy that sits for a year and becomes an eventual replacement for Herbert. durability can be an issue and he is a slightly older prospect, but his last two healthy seasons he put up 40 tds, so he is productive.

[dll2000]

If Newton doesn't have health concerns I like draft one.

Though I am a fan of Zach Frazier long term.  I am always partial to guys that were great wrestlers.  They are tough.

 

[Madmike90]

I have been watching a lot of Verse recently and as good as he is the other guy who stood out to me on that Florida State DL was Fabien Lovett...he won't get the press of Verse or Fiske but he does a ton of good work in the run game especially where his length and power really stands out...if we see Pickens as more of a natural 3-T behind Gervon then Lovett would be an excellent addition behind Billings in the 4th-5th round range.