Happy Draft Eve! The mocks will start flying, as the smokescreens start to settle, and teams set in to the war room. Let’s get right to action.
Reports are the Niners are unsure what quarterback to draft, but I’m not buying it. They made this boneheaded, not well thought out, multi-year organizational setback franchise altering trade with one person in mind…and their institutional arrogance will keep them drafting Mac Jones. Pitts to the Falcons makes sense, especially with Julio rumors abound, but I disagree. Taking a TE at #4 is too high. Period. [sidebar: name me the top 3 tight ends in the NFL right now, and tell me where they were drafted] (spoiler alert: not in the first round). [second sidebar: name me the top 3 tight ends of all-time, and tell me where they were drafted] (spoiler alert: not in the top 10). Even with the more modern trend of tight ends as receivers, the positional value is just not there at #4.
Roid Rage is right on when he notes qb-needy teams will need to leap frog Denver, which makes the Lions at 7 (and Panthers at 8) prime candidates to trade down.
The Broncos will end up with a quarterback, and they’re hoping they can stay at 9 to get one. If Rashawn Slater’s on the board, he’s an absolute must for the Giants. Reports are that David Gettleman is in love with Devonta Smith, but 166 pounds??? He should’ve put some rocks in his shoes at his weigh in. I’ve been hearing a lot of chatter on Jaycee Horn rising up. Could be in play for any of the NFC East teams from 10-12.
Edge rushers are kind of flying under the radar, but I think they have a chance to be the most impact-ready position in the Draft. The more tape I watch of Jaelan Phillips, the more I like. The Jets may be tempted to double up on offense in the first round…but new Head Coach Robert Saleh comes from the defensive side of the ball…and needs to build a complete team.
Baltimore got completely fleeced pulled off a trade with Kansas City, and is now in the market for an offensive lineman. If you’re a Chiefs fan, you got to love this trade. Sure, you don’t have a first round pick, but you now have Orlando Brown, a proven pro-bowler, who instantly steps in at Left Tackle. Plus, he’s only 24. Elsewhere, Roid Rage is close to drafting Travis Etienne to the Bills, but I’m already sold. I’m telling you. Etienne is Dalvin Cook 2.0. Book it.