Big Blue Huddle

The 33rd Team
@The33rdTeamFB
🔟 defensive linemen went off the board in our latest first round mock, via
@NoFlagsFilm
 😤

2 - Abdul Carter, CLE
7 - Mason Graham, NYJ
8 - Mykel Williams, CAR
11 - Jalon Walker, SF
15 - Mike Green, ATL
17 - Derrick Harmon, CIN
19 - Shemar Stewart, TB
22 - Kenneth Grant, LAC
23 - Walter Nolen, GB
28 - Donovan Ezeiruaku, DET


https://x.com/clt_ny/status/1907789911450681433

The idea that every high draft pick in round 1 will be great is just as puzzling.  The ability to pick talent continues to be a darts business on football teams.

Day 3 is doubtful. This is where the draft has the deepest talent, and teams will take their turns going through it on Days 1 & 2

Day 2 will be the sweet spot for me. MAYBE very early Day 3 at best (High 4th)

I think it will need a top75 pick in this draft to yield a year one impact/rotation and second season starting DT but it will need a top 40 pick to yield an equivalent OG or OT. Yes, you might catch lightning in a bottle with a later pick but the odds diminish substantially. There will be plenty of useful rotational guys at a bunch of positions including DT well into day 3. How the Giants prioritise picks beyond pick 3 will be important.

Related, but not worth starting a new thread:


Art Stapleton
@art_stapleton
·
2h
Interesting prospect participating at Giants local pro day today: I'm told Miami (OH) edge Brian Ugwu will be attending, per source.
The Hillside NJ native began his college career at Rutgers and transferred to Miami, where he racked up 20.5 sacks in three seasons.

Good teams regularly find mid and late round gems.

Quote from: Philosophers on April 03, 2025, 12:07:10 PMGood teams regularly find mid and late round gems.

Last time the Giants was doing that was when EA was GM

Can they? Yes!  But before attempting to answer the question, it would be useful to know whether they still will have picks 34 and 65 on Day 2 which they might not should they choose to trade back into Round 1 for Jaxson Dart.

Should that happen, they still are likely to have two picks of the remaining 5 in or near the top 100 namely, 99 and 105. Of course, if it doesn't happen, the odds of finding a starting D-lineman would be a lot better on average statistically should it be their priority. In any event, we know at least two things: scouting and player evaluation is as much art as it is science, and the decisions of those picking ahead of us can be pivotal to our own CHANCE of success.

Better to be lucky than good?

Cheers!

   

I really like J.J. Pegues from Ole Miss, and he might fall to the third day thanks to the stacked position

A quick summary (courtesy of NFLDraftBuzz) https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/JJ-Pegues-TE-Auburn:

Bio
A former tight end turned defensive tackle, JJ Pegues has carved out one of the most unique paths to the NFL draft in recent memory. The Oxford, Mississippi native started his collegiate career at Auburn where he showed his versatility as a tight end before transitioning to the defensive line. After transferring to Ole Miss in 2022, Pegues found his true calling in the trenches while maintaining his offensive role as a short-yardage specialist, setting an SEC record for touchdowns by a defensive lineman in 2024.

Pegues' journey from high school phenom to SEC difference-maker speaks volumes about his athletic potential. At Oxford High School, he dominated as a 270-pound tight end who could play anywhere on the field, leading his team to a Class 6A state championship. His rare blend of size and agility earned him four-star ratings across the board from major recruiting services. After two seasons at Auburn, including a position switch to defensive tackle, Pegues transferred to Ole Miss where he evolved into a disruptive force on defense while moonlighting as an automatic touchdown machine in goal-line situations.

In his final season at Ole Miss, Pegues showcased his development as a defensive tackle while continuing to make history on offense. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball helped the Rebels to a successful campaign, capped off by a Peach Bowl victory over Penn State. Beyond the field, Pegues distinguished himself as a Wuerffel Trophy nominee and earned a spot on the SEC Community Service Team, demonstrating the character NFL teams covet.

Summary
A powerful interior defender with rare athletic traits, Pegues transitioned from tight end to defensive tackle after transferring from Auburn to Ole Miss in 2022. His movement skills and explosiveness immediately stand out on film, particularly in his ability to fire off the ball and penetrate the backfield. The former skill position background manifests in his exceptional lateral mobility and pursuit ability, traits that separate him from traditional defensive tackles.

Working primarily from 0 to 3-technique alignments, Pegues displays natural leverage and the functional strength to hold his ground against single blocks while showing development against double teams. His initial quickness and agility allow him to defeat zone blocking schemes, though his hand technique remains a work in progress. In the run game, he consistently maintains gap discipline while demonstrating the lateral quickness to work down the line and make plays outside his primary gap.

What sets Pegues apart is his proven effectiveness as a short-yardage specialist on offense, where his athleticism and instincts have made him a consistent threat in goal-line situations.

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as a side note: he was named to Bruce Feldman's 2021 College Football Freaks List. From a character perspective, he tops the charts