Latest Reid Top 50

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/bengalsbrews/status/2113021808815268181

Parker’s patience and ability to let his blockers set up means he understands how to read blocks. Looks to do well with patience. Add in the speed and natural pass-catching ability, and he looks like a back who could contribute on all three downs.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7710870/2026/10/22/nfl-draft-2027-quarterbacks-sleepers-top-10/?unlocked_article_code=1.KlE.eeEV.DuGpBzErrzRQ&source=user_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

Yabbut, look at the upper right.

Will Heldt is having a game.

Without researching it. What does he better fit in the NFL? Edge in the dirt or standing up in a 3-4. Haven’t gotten too much into the draft deep yet.

Canthony wrote:

Without researching it. What does he better fit in the NFL? Edge in the dirt or standing up in a 3-4. Haven’t gotten too much into the draft deep yet.

To me, he’s a 6-7 260lbs Gink.

Will Heldt drop into coverage surprisingly well, and it is actually one of the most unique and positive aspects of his NFL scouting profile. [1, 2]

Despite his massive 6'6"–6'7" frame, prominent draft analysts like Todd McShay have noted that his coverage ability is highly instinctual rather than a rare gimmick. [1, 2, 3, 4]

• Fluid Hip Turn: While he occasionally struggles with sharp lateral redirection when chasing ball-carriers in space, he smoothly opens his hips to drop diagonally into zone coverage. [1, 2, 3]

• Massive Passing Lane Obstacle: Because of his 260-pound frame and exceptionally long arms, he acts as a major roadblock in underneath zones, effectively muddying passing windows and making it difficult for quarterbacks to throw around him. [1, 2]

• Gaining Depth: Evaluators have praised his natural ability to smoothly drift into zone depth, read route progressions, and identify quick-hitting concepts like tunnel screens.

  [1]

This exact coverage versatility allows defensive coordinators to move him around seamlessly, making him highly schematic for teams that run hybrid multiple-front look packages. [1]

You could also line him up like TID. He’s been in a 4 point, 3 point, and standup. Just another multi position guy.

Also like the edge from Wisconsin.

Would love to add Heldt, Reynolds and QueSean Brown. Hell, Grunkemeier as a dev QB too.

JustInTime wrote:

To me, he’s a 6-7 260lbs Gink.
Will Heldt drop into coverage surprisingly well, and it is actually one of the most unique and positive aspects of his NFL scouting profile. [1, 2]
Despite his massive 6'6"–6'7" frame, prominent draft analysts like Todd McShay have noted that his coverage ability is highly instinctual rather than a rare gimmick. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Fluid Hip Turn: While he occasionally struggles with sharp lateral redirection when chasing ball-carriers in space, he smoothly opens his hips to drop diagonally into zone coverage. [1, 2, 3]
Massive Passing Lane Obstacle: Because of his 260-pound frame and exceptionally long arms, he acts as a major roadblock in underneath zones, effectively muddying passing windows and making it difficult for quarterbacks to throw around him. [1, 2]
Gaining Depth: Evaluators have praised his natural ability to smoothly drift into zone depth, read route progressions, and identify quick-hitting concepts like tunnel screens.
[1]
This exact coverage versatility allows defensive coordinators to move him around seamlessly, making him highly schematic for teams that run hybrid multiple-front look packages. [1]
You could also line him up like TID. He’s been in a 4 point, 3 point, and standup. Just another multi position guy.
Also like the edge from Wisconsin.

Was going to ask how well he can drop into coverage being that size. Sounds like an asset for a team in the NFL. Packers, Rams, and NE sound like a good fit for someone like that. Guy I will watch. Thanks.

Overkill for the Vikings? I really like Golday. He may not be a specimen, but he’s a lot better in this system than I think most realize.

Canthony wrote:

Overkill for the Vikings? I really like Golday. He may not be a specimen, but he’s a lot better in this system than I think most realize.

I don’t think you can have too much depth at Edge. You could line up Heldt at either edge position. Golday would be a guy that fills the Gink or Wilson role.

Canthony wrote:

Was going to ask how well he can drop into coverage being that size. Sounds like an asset for a team in the NFL. Packers, Rams, and NE sound like a good fit for someone like that. Guy I will watch. Thanks.

It’s pretty wild that a guy can go from a four point stance on one rep, then to a two point dropper. I’d bet my last dollar that BFlo is all over Heldt. Had the same feeling about Golday last year, just not this early in the season. I’ve been looking for a Ted Hendricks type guy for years.

Will Heldt is considered an excellent schematic fit for the Minnesota Vikings. His unique, hybrid skill set perfectly aligns with the defensive identity created by defensive coordinator Brian Flores. [1]

Flores runs one of the most aggressive, high-disguise, and heavy-blitz defensive schemes in the NFL. He relies on players who can execute multiple roles seamlessly to keep quarterbacks guessing. [1]

Why He Fits Brian Flores' Scheme

• High-Volume Disguise: Flores loves to crowd the line of scrimmage with 5 or 6 defenders, making it impossible for an offense to tell who is rushing and who is dropping out. Heldt’s natural ability to smoothly flip his hips and sink into diagonal zone coverage allows the Vikings to fake a heavy blitz and drop him backward into underneath passing lanes. [1, 2]

• Alignment Flexibility: Heldt is comfortable rushing the passer out of a standard three-point dirt stance or standing up as a two-point edge rusher. The Vikings frequently move their edge rushers all over the formation—including reducing them down inside the B-gaps to stress opposing guards—a role Heldt's 6'6", 260-pound frame can handle. [1]

• Aggressive Run Defense: Minnesota's defense requires its edge players to firmly hold down the boundary so off-ball linebackers can fly around cleanly. Heldt’s powerful baseline as an average-to-plus starter against the run fits this requirement down to a tee. [1, 2]

Where He Fits on the Roster

The Vikings heavily value edge-rusher depth and rotation. Heldt would step into the hybrid "Joker" role. [1]

• The Long-Term Role: He would project nicely as a rotational edge rusher who can handle heavy run-downs and step in on third-down sub-packages where the defense wants to mask its coverage intent.

  [1, 2]

• Draft Range Consideration: Currently tracking as a highly-rated prospect on most major 2027 NFL Draft big boards, the Vikings could potentially target him on Day 2 (Rounds 2–3) to inject premium, young length into their front seven. [1, 2]

JustInTime wrote:

It’s pretty wild that a guy can go from a four point stance on one rep, then to a two point dropper. I’d bet my last dollar that BFlo is all over Heldt. Had the same feeling about Golday last year, just not this early in the season. I’ve been looking for a Ted Hendricks type guy for years.

Loved Golday. Woke up on Friday and said, Golday all day today. We got him. Knew he was perfect for us. Knew a lot about him last draft. Where will Heldt go? Can’t see us drafting him in the first. I still think it will be WR for us in round 1. If we retain BFlo, I don’t see CB being an option either. I’ve wanted a S so bad. Wanted EMW bad last year. So very happy with our guy Banks, however.

JustInTime wrote:

Will Heldt is considered an excellent schematic fit for the Minnesota Vikings. His unique, hybrid skill set perfectly aligns with the defensive identity created by defensive coordinator Brian Flores. [1]
Flores runs one of the most aggressive, high-disguise, and heavy-blitz defensive schemes in the NFL. He relies on players who can execute multiple roles seamlessly to keep quarterbacks guessing. [1]
Why He Fits Brian Flores' Scheme
High-Volume Disguise: Flores loves to crowd the line of scrimmage with 5 or 6 defenders, making it impossible for an offense to tell who is rushing and who is dropping out. Heldt’s natural ability to smoothly flip his hips and sink into diagonal zone coverage allows the Vikings to fake a heavy blitz and drop him backward into underneath passing lanes. [1, 2]
Alignment Flexibility: Heldt is comfortable rushing the passer out of a standard three-point dirt stance or standing up as a two-point edge rusher. The Vikings frequently move their edge rushers all over the formation—including reducing them down inside the B-gaps to stress opposing guards—a role Heldt's 6'6", 260-pound frame can handle. [1]
Aggressive Run Defense: Minnesota's defense requires its edge players to firmly hold down the boundary so off-ball linebackers can fly around cleanly. Heldt’s powerful baseline as an average-to-plus starter against the run fits this requirement down to a tee. [1, 2]
Where He Fits on the Roster
The Vikings heavily value edge-rusher depth and rotation. Heldt would step into the hybrid "Joker" role. [1]
The Long-Term Role: He would project nicely as a rotational edge rusher who can handle heavy run-downs and step in on third-down sub-packages where the defense wants to mask its coverage intent.
[1, 2]
Draft Range Consideration: Currently tracking as a highly-rated prospect on most major 2027 NFL Draft big boards, the Vikings could potentially target him on Day 2 (Rounds 2–3) to inject premium, young length into their front seven. [1, 2]

If round 2-3 I could see it for sure. I’m guessing he will continue to move up. I agree that Flores would do wonders with him. Can you imagine the schemes Flo would come up with? Infinite.

Canthony wrote:

Loved Golday. Woke up on Friday and said, Golday all day today. We got him. Knew he was perfect for us. Knew a lot about him last draft. Where will Heldt go? Can’t see us drafting him in the first. I still think it will be WR for us in round 1. If we retain BFlo, I don’t see CB being an option either. I’ve wanted a S so bad. Wanted EMW bad last year. So very happy with our guy Banks, however.

Heldt probably is in the 40 range but his fit in BFlo’s scheme could drive him up our board. If we took him or Lopa with our first I’d be happy. Or Cole, but he’s long gone by our pick.

If we go WR, Duff would be an excellent option. Caught him last year vs Penn State and he’s been on the uptick since. His game is vastly different from our current WR room. Been my WR3 all year.

Primary Routes He Wins On

• Verticals & Go Routes (The 9-Route): Duff uses long, building strides to chew up off-coverage turf. While he lacks elite linear speed to run past deep safeties, his ball tracking and physical frame allow him to stack cornerbacks over his shoulder down the boundary. [1, 2, 3]

• Back-Shoulder Fades: A heavy staple of the Rutgers passing attack. Duff displays exceptional body control to stop on a dime, adjust mid-air, and use his wide wingspan to pluck the ball away from defensive backs. [1, 2]

• In-Breaking Power Concepts (Crossers & Digs): Whether aligned on the boundary or used as a "power slot," Duff runs physical over-the-middle concepts. He relies on controlled tempo adjustments and subtle hand fighting to box out defenders and catch balls through traffic. [1, 2]

• Comebacks & Hitches: He effectively uses his 225-pound frame to lean hard into a cornerback's chest at the stem of the route, using his play strength to create just enough window to snap back toward the quarterback. [1, 2]

NFL Route Tree Limitations & Evaluation

• Intermediate Snap & Quickness: Scouts note that Duff often "gathers" himself before breaking, displaying limited short-area suddenness. Sharp breaks like out-routes, whips, or quick slants are more difficult for him because he loses momentum trying to decelerate his massive frame. [1, 2]

• The "Area Code" Target: Because he does not consistently run away from coverage or shake elite defensive backs at the break, his route tree is designed to make him an "area code receiver". His route grade (79/100 via Scouting Grade

  ) reflects a player who relies on his elite reach and frame to rescue heavily covered throws rather than winning with pure separation.

It would be like having a power forward style WR.