Big Blue Huddle

Whenever someone close to a team is giving out info this time of year, I have to wonder if they are doing a favor for someone to help with smoke screens or whatever misinformation they want out there. 

Interesting that he mentions #3.  I am not sure how probable it is (not very would be my guess), but is it possible the Patriots have the QBs stacked up in such a way that they see the top 2 as head and shoulders above the rest and then the next 4 as relatively equal?

I know in terms of fans and media we see it played as more of a top 3 or 4 close together, with Maye and McCarthy as the debate of who is 3 and who is 4.  But I could see a team seeing Williams and Daniels worth a top 10 pick and none of the others in that stratosphere, with guys like Nix and Penix not that far off from Maye and McCarthy.  If you are the Pats in that case and you think you can trade down and get a bunch of picks and still get a QB that you think is pretty close to the guy at #3, it would make sense to trade down.

This morning I was thinking about the possibility of them being the first curveball of the draft by selecting MHJ at 3, with the thinking that maybe they really like Bo Nix.  Guessing Arizona's phone would ring off the hook at that point. 

Star players make everyone around them better.  Guys who require extra attention from the opposition make it a little easier on the guys that don't. 

That of course means that the rest of the players on that side of the ball are competent and at least not a "gaping hole". 

So for this team, do we believe the OL is at least adequate with the offseason additions?  It was a gaping hole last year.  On defense, I don't see a gaping hole right now.  There is definitely areas that could use depth or upgrades, but I don't think there is any 1 position that a team can exploit and they will not have some answer for it. 

I think this team needs a star WR badly.  Hopefully Brian Burns is a player that can elevate the pass rush and help Thibodeaux realize his potential.  That would be the star power to go along with Lawrence on defense.

Quote from: Philosophers on April 18, 2024, 01:32:15 PMDraftable as what?  Unless we know where their grades were it is sort of meaningless.  Also I am sure every year they have draftable grades in players who return to school.  Sort of a meaningless comment without more context.

Agreed.  A lot if times guys go back to school because they ask the NFL for an opinion of where they would be drafted if they came out.  If those guys had 3rd day grades that would explain them going back to school.  Some will improve their grade this year and some will go the other way.

Quote from: TONKA56 on April 18, 2024, 04:04:12 PMHere's a hypothetical, because why not?:

How do you all think Jones would perform if he were swapped with Brock Purdy? I continually here that Purdy is nothing special and he just quarterbacks a loaded offense. 

I think better than he has with the Giants, but not as good as Purdy.  We saw another high 1st rounder not excel even with that cast.   I dont see Purdy as anything special at this point, but I think he is at least a match for his team and certainly in the top 12 of the league. 

I get your point about moving up for the QB and that being Schoen's legacy.  I think to some extent it works the other way as well.  If they don't draft a QB then signing Jones could be his legacy.

 

Quote from: Philosophers on April 18, 2024, 10:55:09 AMDo you think good QB play and good OL play would elevate Slayton's play further or is he sort of maxed out and at his ceiling?  In another words, can he become a very good X?

I don't see him as maxed out but I also don't see him as an "X".  He reminds me of someone like Devery Henderson.  If you put him opposite of a true X I think he becomes a better player and his yards/reception would increase. 

Slayton is a solid stretch the defense guy.  He is not a #1 or X or however you want to state it.  As the Giants leading receiver in 4 of the last 5 years, he is being covered by guys that cover #1s and has still been productive on a team that hasnt had good pass protection or consistent QB play.  I think he is trade bait at some point, be it during the draft or afterwards. 

There are some teams with good QBs who are currently lacking WR talent and if they get their #1 in the draft, he could be an excellent complement.  Or if they lose out on a 3rd rounder they coveted. 

At the same time I dont think the Giants should give him a multi-year deal with 50% or more guaranteed. 

Quote from: MightyGiants on April 17, 2024, 06:43:31 PMIt's costing Slayton $350K to skip those workouts.  With all this talk of the Giants drafting a true number-one WR, I suspect Slayton is concerned about his long-term future.  His numbers could be way down this season if the new WR, Hyatt, and Robinson take the lion's share of the receiver snaps

I think he will potentially be traded during the draft. 

Quote from: MightyGiants on April 17, 2024, 02:24:25 PMI have heard some things about Nabers from reliable sources.  I can't share what I heard, but knowing what I know, it's hard to say if the issues are enough to pass on a valuable player.  I would need the NFL and Giants background check, and I would need to speak to the man firsthand to really say if the concerns raised are enough to pass on him in the draft.

From what I have seen most have Nabers graded higher.  However, it doesn't look like he is graded significantly higher, so if there is any truth to those rumors or doubt about mental fit, I would go with the lower rated prospect. 

Are the personality things mentioned about Nabers real?  If so, I would rather see Odunze.  If those are just BS, then I am fine with either one. 

Quote from: Bob In PA on April 17, 2024, 11:42:12 AMRich: Was Joe Burrows ranked higher than Trevor Lawrence? I think not. Lawrence was a consensus top-rated QB in his draft, so I suppose it's fair to compare Lawrence to Williams (this year's consensus top-rated QB), but there is no value in a chart that shows Burrows ranked ahead of Lawrence when talking about the draft. Bob

I was surprised about that too, especially given Burrows limited success compared to Lawrence.  But I think these are pre-draft grades.  I am guessing its splitting hairs in terms of the grade difference.

Quote from: Philosophers on April 17, 2024, 10:04:38 AMI have a hard time believing he'd rank Bryce Young 12th prior to his rookie NFL season.  That feels like hindsight more.

Why do you feel that he wouldn't have had higher grades on the 11 in front of young? 

I could definitely see scouts considering his ceiling lower than the rest.  And my understanding is that they tend to place potential above production when evaluating

So he has Maye as the 2nd best QB this year.  Feels like most of what I see now is William, Daniels and then a debate of Maye vs McCarthy. 

Quote from: TONKA56 on April 17, 2024, 08:52:48 AMThere's definitely something to this...meaning that the coaching staff and the game planning was at least as culpable with respect to the lack of deep passing as the quarterbacks decisions. We saw it when other quarterbacks were in the game too. Of course we will never know exactly what the coaches wanted or what specific instructions they were giving the players.

Or what the coaches wouldnt try due to personnel

Quote from: Ed Vette on April 16, 2024, 06:38:12 PMYou hit on the point that that have to know the differences in the QBs they had prior to Jones. As well as the similarities. Do they see something in Jones that compels them to envision more from him?

I think they believe they can get more out of Jones with a competent OL.  I have no idea how good they think Jones can be.  I certainly feel his ceiling is very limited but they know him a heck of a lot better than I do.

To me the question is if they can get a bit more out of Jones and the team improves, how far can Jones really take a team?  And is a 9-8 type season a reason to move forward with Jones, maybe restructure to more guaranteed money to lower his cap hit but lock him in for a few more years?