GunnerBill

I have been accused in previous draft cycles of being a closet Clemson fan due to my tendency to be higher on their prospects than the consensus. Whether it was Christian Wilkins being a top 10 grade, or my willingness to overlook Isaiah Simmons total lack of a clear position, or my willingness to overlook Andrew Booth's health questions or being high on Trenton Simpson. Well here you go folks, here is the Clemson prospect I don't like. Orhorhoro is not my cup of tea at all. People will know I like good hand usage on a pass rusher, edge or interior, and his are all over the place. And secondly I have never seen a high round DL prospect who gets spun around by OLs so much. He looks like he is doing a spinning top impression half the time and ends up facing the wrong way. If he got to the Bills first 4th round pick would I think the athletic traits were worth a punt? Sure. But spending #60 on this guy would be an error.

I agree as a combo that is nice. Don't think either are a true WR1 though.

Not a complete bust but definitely a disappointing first rounder for the Bears. His best football has all been since leaving there.

Except Thomas and Metcalf run the same 3 routes. Having them both together would be a limited offense IMO.

The injury was part of it. But that pro day yesterday should arrest the slide somewhat.

I love Newton I just don't know how the Bills extract maximum value from him and Ed Oliver. Can this team afford to spend a 1st roind pick on a guy who plays the same position as their best defensive player? I don't know. To be honest I don't think Newton will be there anyway. So it is all moot.

The best defensive player in the draft.

The take I heard when Schoen was here from people inside and close to it was always he is the best pure evaluator on the staff but he doesn't have Beane's strategic brain. And as we know there is more to being a good GM than just being able to spot a good player.

Yea he makes sense as a day 3 pick.

Honestly not a guy I've really got into the tape on. I'll watch the vid you linked, thanks. But my impression of him from watching Michigan on TV was again he is a two point stance rusher who you couldn't really use in anything other than pure pass rush situations and I don't know if he is sufficiently skilled as a rusher to be someone you want to take a starter off the field for in those packages. EDIT: That is a nice set of highlights though. If I get time I'll dive in a bit deeper. Like his run reads.

Yea he is a situational pass rusher early rather than a 3 down player. But he does have some tools as you say. He explodes off the snap.

Yea having more picks does not equal winning the draft. You still have to evaluate. It isn't pot luck.

I'm with you. If Latu lasted to #28 then, as you know, I'd probably take him. And while it wouldn't my pick I'd understand the reasoning behind Chop at #28 too. But beyond that the three second round grades I have - Trice, Braswell and Isaac - are all more 3-4 rushers for me. I might consider Trice if he is sticking out at #60 because I think he could be developed into a 4-3 end (he'd need to be sticking out) but I'm not sure he is a day 1 starter in this scheme. In round 3 I like Noah Elliss more than most but again not as a Bills fit I think he is a 3-4 outside backer who does his best work from a two point stance. After those guys, honestly, I just don't like the class. I have a 5th round grade on Kneeland. I don't like him at all. I think he has very little pass rush upside. I think Austin Booker late 3rd / early 4th is someone who'd be of interest and Javon Solomon 4th/5th round too. Then you get into Jalyx Hunt, Brennan Jackson and Myles Cole who I'm fine to throw 5th, 6th, 7th rounders at but are not guys that you draft expecting to get into your rotation much in 2024. We have a need at EDGE but you don't make Marshawn Kneeland the answer to that need just by overdrafting him on day 2. You may as well give Shaq Lawson another 1 year vet minimum deal for the value he'd bring.

I have a 3rd on him too. A pretty high 3rd but a 3rd all the same.

I think overall the draft is far from an exact science. There are teams that do better and teams that do worse, but nobody bats close to 100. I think in general you should want to apply the more picks strategy. But that doesn't equate to never trade up and always try and trade down. It's just a general principle for how to maximise your chances. My theory on drafting is do not fixate on any one player or position. Do not reach through draft tiers. Let the board make your decisions for you. That generally favours the Ravens style "let the draft come to you" type approach.

That is definitely true. But there are still stronger day 3 groups and and weaker ones... and this is a weaker one overall.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State - New York Giants Rome Odunze, Washington - Chicago Bears Ladd McConkey, Georgia - Arizona Cardinals Brian Thomas Jr., LSU - Dallas Cowboys Xavier Worthy Texas- Miami Dolphins Buffalo Bills pick: Troy Franklin

Yea. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they take a QB or even move to #4 to do so. I was just meaning even if you are not going to there is reason for the Giants to make everyone think they are going to.

I've had this feeling about the Giants and a Quarterback for a while. But equally if you are sitting there at #6 and you have a specific receiver preference why not let it be known that you are looking at QBs to try and encourage Minnesota or Denver or the Raiders to trade up ahead of you into #4 or #5 which takes a potential wide receiver team out of your way and increases the chances your guy gets to #6.

No

I fall in the bad route runner camp. It is wjy a guy with that speed is open so infrequently on the tape.

For sure. But some drafts are deeper than others. The chances are better there more talent there is. This is a good class at the top. It isn't a class with great depth. Doesn't mean there won't be starters that come from rounds 5 through 7. But the chances are not equal each year.

Yea was my trade and my bad I hadn't read the rules. FWIW Bralen Trice was the guy I'd have taken if approved.

The over on Mitchell is free money.

Both our 7th rounders are on NFL rosters though in fairness.... and were on 53s last season not PS.