Random Thoughts Less Than 2 Weeks Out

[JustInTime]

Starting to hear talk about several teams trying to move up. 

Charles Davis’ latest mock has the Cardinals taking Simpson at 3. You know someone is going to do something totally unexpected in the top 10, and this would be classic Cardinals. They’ll follow it up next year with Arch or Sayin.

Early look at 27 is heavy with top end guys. Might be as many as 4 RBs with first round grades. 

Latest word out of Minnesota is they’ll view production over traits in the draft. Depending on the position, I’m not sure I agree with that approach. 

I don’t think Downs is going as high as he’s consistently mocked. He’s just not special as far as traits go. 

I cannot wait to see what Frank Smith does with the run game. Could have a big impact on the C we acquire. I think they’ll place a premium on movement over anchor. 

I think I like Faulk and Woods as our best options at iDL. Both were somewhat miscast in 25. Woods in particular. I really like him in 24 more than 25. 

Grabbing Demond Claiborne to be our Achane would be my best outcome at 97 or if we acquire a 4th in a modest trade down. Delp at the same range would also be an excellent outcome. J-Rod would be great insurance for the annual Cashman injury.

[MaroonBells]

I agree about traits over production. You're not looking for great college players. You're looking for players who project to be great pros. And production can be misleading due to scheme, opponent, surround. 

The Cards made that mistake with Rosen/Murray. Will they do it again? I think they should trade down and try to get more picks to build their roster. Ideally, another 1st rounder in next year's supposed Festival de las QB. They're in a total rebuild and they need to give their new QB some surround before bringing him on board. 

It's interesting that DJ says "some teams" have Thieneman and EMW over Downs. Curious to see how that plays out.

[Kentis]

Woods played at a heavier weight in 25, he played much better in 24….

[Montana Tom]

I agree about traits over production. You're not looking for great college players. You're looking for players who project to be great pros. And production can be misleading due to scheme, opponent, surround. 

The Cards made that mistake with Rosen/Murray. Will they do it again? I think they should trade down and try to get more picks to build their roster. Ideally, another 1st rounder in next year's supposed Festival de las QB. They're in a total rebuild and they need to give their new QB some surround before bringing him on board. 

It's interesting that DJ says "some teams" have Thieneman and EMW over Downs. Curious to see how that plays out.

A poster child for traits over production was Danielle Hunter when we drafted him out of LSU.
Outside of those seasons when he was dealing with neck injuries, he's been pretty damn good in the NFL. 
73 sacks, avg 12.16 sacks/season?

Yup agreed. Traits.

[JustInTime]

[JustInTime]

   

This works.

[purplefaithful]

I'd love to get more than that for Greenard and I hate trading him to Philly - how about an AFC team instead?

I'd love to have grabbed a WR day 3 or figured out a way to acquire Delp..But yah, overall that would be a hella haul draft on paper.

[JustInTime]

I'd love to get more than that for Greenard and I hate trading him to Philly - how about an AFC team instead?

I'd love to have grabbed a WR day 3 or figured out a way to acquire Delp..But yah, overall that would be a hella haul draft on paper.

Eagles are the team most frequently mentioned so I just went with that. Chiefs apparently are interested too. 

JMG might be almost as good of a prospect as Delp. We shall see.

[AGRforever]

We’ve been through hell and back health wise this spring. I haven’t looked at more than 2-3 mock drafts and couldn’t name more the 2-3 athletes that’ll get drafted this year.

The 2026 Vikings could make the 2022 draft look like a raging success and I wouldn’t know any better.

Rather then dig into it with two weeks to go. I’m going to take the blue pill and remain in the matrix this spring.

I’ll let yall tell me if I should be happy

[MaroonBells]

Eagles are the team most frequently mentioned so I just went with that. Chiefs apparently are interested too. 

JMG might be almost as good of a prospect as Delp. We shall see.

JMG is interesting. He has a weird way of running with his head down. Love the size and speed tho. 

I like stacking up on day-two picks. Every time I do a mock, I struggle to meet need and value at 18, but at 49 I keep wanting to trade down due to all the great players I want between 50 and 100. In a lot of ways, those day-two picks are going to be more interesting than the 1st rounder. I like that this mock gives us a 4-player injection of top 54 talent for the defense. I think that would make Flo happy.