24+ Hours Out

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: I think the 49'ers know exactly who they're taking. It's just drama unfolding, exactly how the NFL wants it. With it widely known that Jax is taking Lawrence and the Jets going with Wilson, I bet the league made sure teams don't make their intentions known.

You're right about the NFL. They want as much drama as possible. But I have heard there is disagreement in the Bay between front office and coaching. And that would be not at all surprising. 

@"TBro" said:

@"BarrNone55" said:

lowing Real Time NFL Draft Cities NHL MLB NFL NBA • • •

What I’m hearing about the Minnesota Vikings on the eve of the 2021 NFL Draft

By Chad Graff 2h ago@2x.png" style="max-width:100%"> 15 @2x.png" style="max-width:100%">

The long and drawn-out process that leads up to the NFL Draft finally culminates Thursday when the first picks are made. But if the few months of speculation leading to the draft feel elongated, the week before the draft can seem especially extended. In these last few days and hours, conversations pick up around the league, but it can be hard to decipher what is real and what are smokescreens either from scouts trying to hide what their team is doing or from agents trying to stir up the demand for their players. With all of that said, let’s empty the digital notebook on the eve of the draft with a look at what I’m hearing about the Vikings. The Vikings love Rashawn Slater …And to be honest, who doesn’t? In the last month, there has been increased chatter that some around the league actually view the Northwestern offensive tackle as the top player at his position ahead of Oregon’s Penei Sewell, the presumptive top tackle for the last year. While I’m not sure if the Vikings are one of the teams that have Slater graded ahead of Sewell, they really like Slater. This is an important point to keep in mind when viewing any prospect through the lens of what the Vikings might think: Rick Spielman loves to see how a prospect fares against his toughest collegiate competition. That’s part of why the Vikings drafted Garrett Bradbury, who played very well against Clemson, and, as Spielman noted in our story earlier this week, why he always had a high grade for Justin Jefferson. And when thinking about that aspect, Slater checks the box in a major way. Slater opted out for the 2020 season but had his best 2019 performance against Ohio State’s Chase Young, the NFL’s 2020 defensive rookie of the year, when they faced off in college. Young managed one sack that game and only two tackles. But that’s not the only reason the Vikings are high on Slater. He’s athletic enough to play in their zone-rushing scheme and powerful enough to manage against some of the elite edge rushers the Vikings play twice a year in the NFC North. There’s a reason some teams have Slater ahead of Sewell on their boards. Spielman attended Slater’s pro day, something he tried to do with prospects he’s considering who sat out the 2020 season.

You left off the rest of the article where he predicts they will take AVT at 14 and that trading up was only a 10% possibility in his mind. He also thinks Rick will attempt to trade up in the 2nd to grab an Edge Rusher. 

• New England and Carolina have discussed a deal to give the Patriots the No. 8 pick. (Albert Breer, The MMQB)
• The Washington Football Team could trade up from the No. 19 pick into the top 10. (Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, ESPN)
• Penei Sewell is not expected to fall past No. 8. The Giants are a "sneaky contender" to trade up and acquire Sewell. (Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, ESPN)
• Falcons general manager Terry  Fontenot said Wednesday Atlanta wants to land an "impact player, whether it's someone who is going to sit or is going to play on day one." (Tom Pelissero, NFL Network)
• Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley tested positive for COVID-19 on a test administered by the NFL on Tuesday and will not attend the draft. (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
• The Dolphins have agreed to terms to trade starting left guard Ereck Flowers to the Washington Football Team in a deal that includes a swap of late-round picks. (Adam Schefter, ESPN)

@"PurpleCrush" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: I think the 49'ers know exactly who they're taking. It's just drama unfolding, exactly how the NFL wants it. With it widely known that Jax is taking Lawrence and the Jets going with Wilson, I bet the league made sure teams don't make their intentions known.

You're right about the NFL. They want as much drama as possible. But I have heard there is disagreement in the Bay between front office and coaching. And that would be not at all surprising. 

I've read about those disagreements. Not sure how much stock I put in them, only because it seems Lynch and the FO have a good rapport with Shanahan. I could be completely wrong (probably am), but with one day prior to the draft and having traded that much capital to get into that spot.....I'd sure as hell want to be on board with everyone as far as who I'm taking.

Tell me what’s wrong with Justin Fields. Because I can’t find it. Love this player. pic.twitter.com/C5193eyWKj

— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) April 28, 2021

@"BarrNone55" said:

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Bizarre to me that we're 24 hours away from the draft and Jax is still comparing QBs and Shanahan is apparently undecided. At least publicly. 

I don't believe that they are undecided. They are trying to generate stories.

I dunno. I think Shanny real wants Jones and Lynch wants Lance. If Shanny is a Cousins fan boi, isn't Mac the younger version of his unrequited love?

@"Tyr" said: Maybe it's not fair, but Justin Fields makes me nervous due to the poor track record of Ohio State QBs in the NFL. I know he should be viewed as his own person, but is there any reason to believe he's different than their previous highly touted QBs who were busts in the NFL? I don't mind the idea of drafting a QB, but I was hoping for someone in the 3rd and 4th round, which maybe isn't reasonable since QB prospects often seem to get bumped up a round or more.

I get the pessimism on OSU QB's, but to me Fields is not like the rest. This kid was a top 2 recruit right next to Lawrence (and in some cases was ahead). He also played in a handful of games at Georgia his freshman season, which had more of a pro-style system.

Does he have some things to work on? Sure, but so do practically all rookies. I think the kid is going to be a stud in the NFL.

So, speaking of QBs: do you draft one, say Day 2 or do you try and land a guy like Drew Lock or Minshew for possibly a Day 3 pick?

@"PurpleCrush" said: I think the 49'ers know exactly who they're taking. It's just drama unfolding, exactly how the NFL wants it. With it widely known that Jax is taking Lawrence and the Jets going with Wilson, I bet the league made sure teams don't make their intentions known.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: I think the 49'ers know exactly who they're taking. It's just drama unfolding, exactly how the NFL wants it. With it widely known that Jax is taking Lawrence and the Jets going with Wilson, I bet the league made sure teams don't make their intentions known.

Why?  You think knowing the top 3 picks would hurt draft viewership for the first round?  I dont,  that would only affect the casual fans and they don't get into the draft anyway.

@"BarrNone55" said:

@"TBro" said:

@"BarrNone55" said:

lowing Real Time NFL Draft Cities NHL MLB NFL NBA • • •

What I’m hearing about the Minnesota Vikings on the eve of the 2021 NFL Draft

By Chad Graff 2h ago@2x.png" style="max-width:100%"> 15 @2x.png" style="max-width:100%">

The long and drawn-out process that leads up to the NFL Draft finally culminates Thursday when the first picks are made. But if the few months of speculation leading to the draft feel elongated, the week before the draft can seem especially extended. In these last few days and hours, conversations pick up around the league, but it can be hard to decipher what is real and what are smokescreens either from scouts trying to hide what their team is doing or from agents trying to stir up the demand for their players. With all of that said, let’s empty the digital notebook on the eve of the draft with a look at what I’m hearing about the Vikings. The Vikings love Rashawn Slater …And to be honest, who doesn’t? In the last month, there has been increased chatter that some around the league actually view the Northwestern offensive tackle as the top player at his position ahead of Oregon’s Penei Sewell, the presumptive top tackle for the last year. While I’m not sure if the Vikings are one of the teams that have Slater graded ahead of Sewell, they really like Slater. This is an important point to keep in mind when viewing any prospect through the lens of what the Vikings might think: Rick Spielman loves to see how a prospect fares against his toughest collegiate competition. That’s part of why the Vikings drafted Garrett Bradbury, who played very well against Clemson, and, as Spielman noted in our story earlier this week, why he always had a high grade for Justin Jefferson. And when thinking about that aspect, Slater checks the box in a major way. Slater opted out for the 2020 season but had his best 2019 performance against Ohio State’s Chase Young, the NFL’s 2020 defensive rookie of the year, when they faced off in college. Young managed one sack that game and only two tackles. But that’s not the only reason the Vikings are high on Slater. He’s athletic enough to play in their zone-rushing scheme and powerful enough to manage against some of the elite edge rushers the Vikings play twice a year in the NFC North. There’s a reason some teams have Slater ahead of Sewell on their boards. Spielman attended Slater’s pro day, something he tried to do with prospects he’s considering who sat out the 2020 season.

You left off the rest of the article where he predicts they will take AVT at 14 and that trading up was only a 10% possibility in his mind. He also thinks Rick will attempt to trade up in the 2nd to grab an Edge Rusher. 

Yeah, as it is a pay for site, I wasn't going to post the whole thing.

@"BarrNone55" said: So, speaking of QBs: do you draft one, say Day 2 or do you try and land a guy like Drew Lock or Minshew for possibly a Day 3 pick?

@"BarrNone55" said:

JAYLEN WADDLEWR, ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

An NFC executive told ESPN that he believes that Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle is the "best player in the entire draft."ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano pass along that current buzz has the Eagles keen on Waddle. To the point where Philadelphia might trade up to get him. The reporters note that because Dallas (No. 10) and the New York Giants (No. 11) both have picks ahead of the Eagles (No. 12) right now, any trade up would likely need to be with another outfit -- simply due to the fact that all three teams are in the NFC East and thus (presumably) won't be trading with each other. As for who could be a willing trade partner should Philly really, truly be enamored with Waddle, look toward the Lions (No. 7) and the Panthers (No. 8). 

.@heykayadams has never lied

📺: @GMFB | @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/suAFEzHkpf

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 28, 2021

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"BarrNone55" said:

JAYLEN WADDLEWR, ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

An NFC executive told ESPN that he believes that Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle is the "best player in the entire draft."ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano pass along that current buzz has the Eagles keen on Waddle. To the point where Philadelphia might trade up to get him. The reporters note that because Dallas (No. 10) and the New York Giants (No. 11) both have picks ahead of the Eagles (No. 12) right now, any trade up would likely need to be with another outfit -- simply due to the fact that all three teams are in the NFC East and thus (presumably) won't be trading with each other. As for who could be a willing trade partner should Philly really, truly be enamored with Waddle, look toward the Lions (No. 7) and the Panthers (No. 8). 

When did Matt Millen take over in Philly? 

10. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USCHT: 6-4 | WT: 315 | Highlights
One of the biggest risers of this past year, Vera-Tucker flashed elite tools when he moved outside to left tackle for the Trojans last season. I see him as a top-tier guard, however, the best in this class.
Stat to know: Vera-Tucker was responsible for just two sacks and two holding penalties on 849 total pass blocks over the past two seasons.