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Yeah, they definitely put a high value on leadership abilities. After watching the McBeane crew for the past eight drafts, it hasn't been too difficult to pinpoint the prospects they typically go for. They like prototypical measurables and high end athleticism but sometimes a player might have one or the other and it'll still be enough for them to pick the guy. He mentioned Ed Oliver as a guy who doesn't have the typical size for DT but has the athleticism. Versatility. Can this WR block? Can he play more than just one spot? Can we kick this DT outside at times in rush packages? And as always, can they play special teams. Character is a big one as well. It's pretty clear how important culture is in that building. Obviously they'll still bring in guys that might be a little sketchy in this area but only if their on field ability can outweigh any possible issues with them. Experience is the other one. They gravitate towards players that typically have two or more years being a starter in college. Every player they picked this year has two or more years as a starter under their belt. Landon Jackson was a 3-year starter, Chase Lundt was a 4-year starter, and Dorian Strong was a 5-year starter. The only one that was a 1-year starter was Jackson Hawes but I couldn't find much on if he started at Yale. And then there's the leadership/team captain stuff. Hairston, Sanders, Jackson, Walker, Lundt, and Prather were all captains in college. Other guys that have been with the team for a while like Josh, Dion, Milano, Shakir, Tre, Bernard, etc were all captains. So yeah, their preferred player profile is elite measurables and/or athleticism, good character, versatility, experience, and leadership. Find that stuff in the scouting reports each year and you'll get a fairly decent idea of who they like.

Yeah, he basically explained the process that ends up leading to picks being tipped. He said there are times when a team has their selection turned in pretty quickly and it can be 8-9 minutes before it's announced on TV.

Right? When I saw people still clamoring for them to take a WR in the 6th or 7th it became pretty clear they just wanted one just to say they drafted one. At that point tho there isn't anyone on the board that's gonna come in and have an actual impact for this season. Far as I can tell, a banged up secondary and their #1 CB going out on the first quarter of the AFCCG had more impact than not having a certain type of pass catcher. And the DL struggled to get home against Mahomes since the coverage broke down so quickly, dude had the ball out before anyone got to him. So...they clearly addressed that in the draft with three DBs and three DL. Given their diligence done on WR prospects this year I'm sure they had a couple guys targeted but the board just didn't fall their way. And the one dude they did the most homework on, Isaiah Bond, turned out to be a real turd salad.

Absolutely. No one wants excuses but at least an explanation for Kincaid and Coleman's struggles last year can be put on injuries. Based on what was said after the season it sounded like Kincaid maybe should've been shut down for the year. Hopefully they're both able to get right and have a great year.

You know what, I think they did! Cooper was obviously limited but still had some decent moments. Mack on the other hand did nothing but catch first downs or touchdowns. 31 receptions, 25 for first down, 6 for touchdowns. And this idea that they're just a "bonafide #1 WR" from getting over the hump is a little disingenuous. Especially when you see that they literally already tried that with Diggs and still didn't make it to the big one with him. In fact last season was the closest they've come to making the SB and it was without Diggs.

For everyone saying they're "sIcK of HiM nOt aDdrEsSiNg it!" Let's just take a look at what he's done.... we'll start in 2019... Signed John Brown, Cole Beasley, and had claimed Isaiah McKenzie the season before. Brown led the team in receiving, Beasley was clutch and they found a solid role for McKenzie. Also spent a 3rd on Dawson Knox who's been fine. 2020: Trades a first for Stefon Diggs who leads the league in receiving that season. Spends a 4th on Gabe Davis and a 6th on Isaiah Hodgins, signed TE Tyler Kroft. 2021: Brought in Emmanuel Sanders, drafts Marquez Stevenson. 2022: Signs Jamison Crowder, drafts Khalil Shakir. 2023: Spends a 1st on Dalton Kincaid, adds Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield. 2024: Drafts Keon Coleman in the 2nd, adds Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, trades for Amari Cooper. This doesn't even point out how he added serviceable RBs like Singletary, Cook, and Davis, as well as claiming Ty Johnson. Now, obviously not everything worked out exactly as they would've liked. Some guys got hurt, some weren't as productive as they would've thought...but this idea that he never addresses it is bogus.

I could've kicked rocks for a week over that one. When he launched that thing, my first thought was, "Geez Louise dude, keep it in the stadium." But then I see Diggs get under it and I'm like, "Oh man, he's got a chance at this! *plop* Sonofabiscuit!"

Does Hancock have ability at safety? I haven't read up too much on him yet. But yeah, cupboard was bare for sure. Tre and Dane one-year deals, they didn't bring back Rasul, definitely needed to add there. I actually like the safety group. I think Rapp is kinda underrated. I think they're a better defense when he's out there. I don't mind Hamlin, great story obviously, but he whiffs on the run at times. Hopefully Bishop can become what they want him to be and seems like Forrest ain't bad.

I'd be fine with it but from everything I've read it sounds like that wrist injury he has is gonna be tough as hell to come back from. The rumors flying around at the combine were that there's a strong chance the injury is a career-ender.

This Joe dude must be so wise. Nothing against him but I made the point earlier that none of these armchair analysts have access to these prospects the way pro teams do. Sure, they can tell a lot from the tape and the testing, but none of them are sitting there breaking down film with a position coach who might say, "We can fix that with coaching" nor have any of them sat down and been able to interview them and assess their personality, their intelligence, their passion for football, etc etc. They aren't able to sit there with the player and put a play up on the screen and ask, "Okay so walk us thru what happened here" but teams and pro scouting departments do. There are just too many extra variables these outside draft guys don't know to say "I think this guy is better at scouting than a guy who actually gets paid by a pro franchise" at least for me anyway. Again, Joe seems like a nice guy but his info is limited to game film.

I don't mind them going with three corners if that's what they think they needed. It does make me wonder if they have some concerns about Benford's health long term. I know they gave him the extension so I would assume all the medicals checked out well. But getting two concussions back to back like he did is no bueno.

Not that they would cut Alec Anderson (they love him from everything I've read) but does Hawes steal a few snaps from him this season? Having a guy that can block but also has the ability to sneak out and be a target is nice.

Hey, just like 2022 when they went Elam in the first and Benford in the sixth. This time tho, I want both corners to be successful. I feel better on Hairston than I did in Elam for sure tho. Seattle nabbed Horton three picks earlier, I kinda liked him in the 5th here but what can ya do.

He's radioactive at this point.

I'm not sure there's anyone on the board at this point that makes any kind of impact for this season so... And any of the WRs that have a shot at making an impact as a rookie were out of reach. It's possible they grab a guy in the 5th but that'll be a guy they develop and bring along at a certain pace, similar to Shakir. His rookie year he had what, 10 or 12 receptions or something? Had more impact in '23, grew into one of Josh's favorite targets in '24 and has a chance to be the go-to guy this year. I like the Tory Horton kid from Colorado State but I ain't gonna be kickin' rocks or nothing if they don't select him.