Originally Posted by BakoSaint (Post 973147)

I don't love that we drafted a player with an injury history, but its one injury, so a lot better than if it was a chronic series of injuries. If he doesn't stay healthy the front office needs to look in the mirror, not curse the heavens, because this was a known thing, but he certainly may stay healthy. If he reinjures the ACL in the 1st quarter of our first preseason game and retires and we go 0-17, ok, we have the 1st overall pick in the 2024 draft. Thats the great thing about not trading up, if we miss, we got insurance in the form of value added to our pick next year.

I do love that we didn't trade up, drafted a position of need, and still have all our 2024 picks.

It would be better if he had returned to dominance in 2022 but then we might have traded our 2024 1st round pick to move up and get him. I see he had a kidney infection in 2022 and I could see how that might slow a person down for awhile, so I don't like any excuses, but I like a lot of other excuses worse than that one.

I am glad we didn't draft a TE. I think the position is just too unpredictable to spend high picks on. Also TE almost never contribute the first year. And then if they do somehow develop in later years to justify a big second contract, they rarely hold up to justify that contract. And fit is such a complicated factor for a TE in an offense, very few are successful with two teams. Meanwhile, all kinds of mid round TE are incredibly successful because they happen to be the guy who can become a workout warrior to the next level in the pros with great facilities and no classes, and they happen to be the rare guy who can go over the middle in the nfl and bruise people without falling apart themselves. Its so unpredictable who can be that guy at TE in the NFL. So many of the sure things at TE in the nfl draft miss, and if they do happen to hit, they still rarely get a ring without an elite QB. So I am glad if we never draft a TE in the 1st or 2nd round in the rest of our franchise history.

I think it was stupid that the Falcons spent a top 10 pick on a RB. Yeah he is great. Fournette was great. Edward Helaire was great. Nadjee Harris was great. Breece Hall hasn't torn an ACL posting Aaron Rodgers memes on twitter yet. 50/50 this guy won't be better than the RB we signed for $4 million a year in free agency.

Originally Posted by iceshack149 (Post 973169)

CB's Joey Porter jr. and Brian Branch are still available. So are some solid looking TE's in Darnell Washington and Michael Mayer (please stay away from QB Will Levis)
I wouldn't be surprised if the Saints picked Steve Avila or O'Cyrus Torrence with the next pick.

Originally Posted by Mr.Riaton (Post 973178)

I was initially against spending a first rounder on him mainly because of the injury history, but after digging a little more I read that it was back in 2021. Since then it seems to have healed fine. I listened to an interview with him this morning and he claims he’s 100% healthy and no lingering issues, so I feel much better about the pick. If he stays healthy and improves with good coaching, he’ll be a really good player for us. I love that he’s really good against the run because we need it, especially now that Bijan is in the division.

Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 973187)

Yup... if one is to believe the hype, he was a top ten pick if not for the injury history. But Bryan stated that's the only time he's ever been injured in his life. And he played QB in HS too, FWIW. Tough story to hear with the recent loss of his sister to brain cancer. His character, attitude, mindset and moxie is just the kind of person you want on your team. His interview revealed a clean bill of health right now. So he should be an instant starter next to Cameron Jordan.

Originally Posted by BakoSaint (Post 973147)

I think it was stupid that the Falcons spent a top 10 pick on a RB. Yeah he is great. Fournette was great. Edward Helaire was great. Nadjee Harris was great. Breece Hall hasn't torn an ACL posting Aaron Rodgers memes on twitter yet. 50/50 this guy won't be better than the RB we signed for $4 million a year in free agency.

Originally Posted by CheramieIII (Post 973198)

Good pick! I thought we would get Murphy and Dallas reached for Mazi! Oh well, always next year! Where do we go in the second round?

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 973195)

Let's allow Terry Fontenot & his group worry about who they should/shouldn't have taken inside the 10 spot.

We have our own concerns in the draft :bng:

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 973213)

We are in a good position to draft a solid player (DE/G/TE) @ #40, then possibly either a S or RB in rd #3.

If someone selects either overrated Levis or even Hooker tonight, that will push more good players down to us or definitely within reach.

In my mind, if you want to make a serious playoff push you'll need those nasty dogs in the trenches before a skill guy.

My best guess -> we go DL or OL @ #40 :beatnik: .

Wildcard - the safety from Bama.

Originally Posted by Boston Saint (Post 973214)

Solid post. But I still think Washington’s size at TE makes him the guy for me. He helps the run game right off the back and he’s a handful to defend. Red zone offense and rushing will both go up with him. Just my take.

Originally Posted by Mr.Riaton (Post 973220)

If any combination of Washington(TE), White(DE), Avila(G), Torrence(G), or Branch(S) are there at 40, that would be a very difficult choice to make if I’m GM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 973223)

Good thing they have already got that figured out. If you had spent the past few weeks drilling down on all of those players and hashed through it all with your expansive staff your choice come tonight would probably be pretty easy, too. :D

Then again, the plan may not be to wait until #40 if one of those, or someone else, is their primary target.

I just hope they get whomever it is they want!

:bng:

Originally Posted by lee909 (Post 973222)

Cody Mauch at 40 for me.

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 973227)

Nice.



Yep, it's time to find Peat's replacement in the 2023 draft.

Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 973186)

List of best availables for today, potentially:


Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Brian Branch, S. Alabama
Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Drew Sanders, ILB, Arkansas
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern
Steve Avila, G, TCU
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Byron Young, OLB, Tennessee
Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
Ji'Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
BJ Ojulari, OLB, LSU
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Derick Hall, OLB, Auburn
O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
Cody Mauch, G, North Dakota State
Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Kelee Ringo, CB/S, Georgia
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State


The best G and S still are available. My best guess would be going to a G at 40. We need to think of the future there.