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Name some good outside cornerbacks with sub 30 inch arms.


NewEra

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I’ve been searching and I’m coming up blank.  There are some good slot corners, but I don’t know of any outside guys.  If you know of any, list them.  Please and thanks.  
 

There were 2 corners drafted with sub 30 inch arms last year.  Elijah Molden and Avery Williams.  Both slots.  

4 DB prospects in the 2020 draft.  Some may be safeties.  Don’t think any are in the nfl

 

i think there were 2 in 2019 draft-  neither of which are in the nfl I don’t think.  

6 DBs in the 2018 draft. A few of them are safeties, including Jordan Whitehad.  Donte Jackson was the only first rd pick in 2018-2021.  He’s just been average. I wouldn’t consider him good. 

 


 

 

Edited by NewEra
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Here we go again...

 

McDuffie is a player who didn't allow a single TD in his final two seasons of College Football. Where he surely lined up against many 6 foot plus WR's who play or will play in the NFL. Yes, he has sub 30" arms. But it's a quarter inch under 30.

 

Also, you have to keep in mind he has a 38.5" vertical leap at his Pro day. This would have put him in 5th among all CB's at the Combine. This ability makes up for outstretched arm length on contested balls when leaving his feet. 

 

He is still considered a top prospect at the position despite less than ideal measurables for his technique, football IQ, and his play. There have been players at other positions who have succeeded because of their proficiency in other aspects while having weaknesses in others. I remember all the talk of Ed Oliver's lack of ideal measurements heading into the Draft. But his proficiency on field outweighed that. The same could be the case with McDuffie.

 

There was a time when a QB under 6 foot couldn't succeed in this league. It's why Russell Wilson wasn't drafted until Round 3. Now the league is drafting Kyler Murray 1st overall. Sometimes there are outliers to the rule. Looking back through the years, I can't really find many, if any, instances of a top Draft Prospect at Cornerback with his measurements. But that doesn't discount everything he's done to this point or completely dismiss that he can be an outlier to the rule.

 

Ultimately, we'll find out this weekend if this is as big of a concern to teams is it is to some of you on this board. I weigh what is seen watching a player play much more than measurements. If Beane selects him, both he and McDuffie have my total faith.

Edited by BillsFanForever19
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Great post, but we can't let little things like that stop us from drafting a first round defensive back. I mean.....forget Josh Allen. He is already good. Why waste picks on blockers and/or receivers?

We have history to fall back on. Donte Whitner (the 2nd ranked safety in 2006) had arms that were 30.63 inches. I lost count of the games that he won for the Bills! Levy and Jauron didn't want desperately needed help on both lines. Of course not, as long as there was an undersized defensive back to grab in round 1 and pay 36 million dollars to. 

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7 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Great post, but we can't let little things like that stop us from drafting a first round defensive back. I mean.....forget Josh Allen. He is already good. Why waste picks on blockers and/or receivers?

We have history to fall back on. Donte Whitner (the 2nd ranked safety in 2006) had arms that were 30.63 inches. I lost count of the games that he won for the Bills! Levy and Jauron didn't want desperately needed help on both lines. Of course not, as long as there was an undersized defensive back to grab in round 1 and pay 36 million dollars to. 

I don’t think it’s a little thing.  History shows most of those guys struggle in the NFL

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15 minutes ago, GolfandBills said:

I don’t think it’s a little thing.  History shows most of those guys struggle in the NFL

 

I think more than anything, history shows that there haven't been top prospects that have those measurements. Going back a number of years, those that have had those measurements did not perform at the level of McDuffie in College. Their skill was not at his level. Therefore, them underperforming in the Pros was not surprising.

 

The closest I could find that was a top prospect was Damon Arnette at an even 30, as opposed to McDuffie's 29.75. He was still taken 19th overall. Unfortunately, between injuries and his own idiocy, we never got to see if he could overcome this supposed sure fire death blow to his potential everyone is making arm length out to be.

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@NewEraHere is a hall of famer with 30.5 in arms and a very poor RAS.  55 career INTs, 8 pro bowls and 3 time 1st team all pro.  Went 59th overall which was #4 pick in 3rd round in 1991.  Aeneas Williams, Cards. I realize arms > 30 but shows metrics can be wrong

image.thumb.png.c53e7e0938fab50338f064b04ff9eb8b.png

 

As for Trent Mcduffie his RAS IS 9.49.

from Yahoo Sports:

The biggest concern with McDuffie is his sub-30” arms (29.75”), which puts him in the fifth-percentile for length. Per PFF’s Austin Gayle, the only corners with sub-30” arms to play 400-plus snaps in any season since 2017 are Ross Cockrell, Donte Jackson, Cameron Sutton, Troy Hill and Avonte Maddox. And while he looked good in his press-man opportunities, McDuffie played a lot of zone coverage in college

 

RAS scores for listed players above:

Jackson 7.04

Cockrell 3.04

Sutton 6.06

Troy Hill 2.91

Maddox 8.86

 

Last note of interest, Cockrell and Maddox were Pitt Panthers and Bills and Carolina drafted each respectively.  Bills have met with Damarri Mathis from Pitt - 9.72 RAS with 4.39 speed and 31.5 in arms.  He is my 4th rd sleeper for the Bills who have Jackson and Hamlin from Pitt already. 

 

Edited by freddyjj
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I don't think anyone has suggested the arm length will stop McDuffie being able to play in the NFL. I actually think he is very unlikely to be a bust. At worst I think he will be a very good slot corner. The point on McDuffie is I do see a ceiling limitation based on both his measurables and his play style. I don't think he will ever be a true high level #1 outside corner. I see him more as a good #2 corner on the outside or a top end slot. Then your question becomes is that worth a top 25 pick in the NFL draft? 

 

To me the answer is still, no. 

Edited by GunnerBill
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1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

I don't think anyone has suggested the arm length will stop McDuffie being able to play in the NFL. I actually think he is very unlikely to be a bust. At worst I think he will be a very good slot corner. The point on McDuffie is I do see a ceiling limitation based on both his measurables and his play style. I don't think he will ever be a true high level #1 outside corner. I see him more as a good #2 corner on the outside or a top end slot. Then your question becomes is that worth a top 25 pick in the NFL draft? 

 

To me the answer is still, no. 

Mckduffie always reminded me of an Antone Winfield type If mckduffie can get to that level I have no problem using the 25th pick on him

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7 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Here we go again...

 

McDuffie is a player who didn't allow a single TD in his final two seasons of College Football. Where he surely lined up against many 6 foot plus WR's who play or will play in the NFL. Yes, he has sub 30" arms. But it's a quarter inch under 30.

 

Also, you have to keep in mind he has a 38.5" vertical leap at his Pro day. This would have put him in 5th among all CB's at the Combine. This ability makes up for outstretched arm length on contested balls when leaving his feet. 

 

He is still considered a top prospect at the position despite less than ideal measurables for his technique, football IQ, and his play. There have been players at other positions who have succeeded because of their proficiency in other aspects while having weaknesses in others. I remember all the talk of Ed Oliver's lack of ideal measurements heading into the Draft. But his proficiency on field outweighed that. The same could be the case with McDuffie.

 

There was a time when a QB under 6 foot couldn't succeed in this league. It's why Russell Wilson wasn't drafted until Round 3. Now the league is drafting Kyler Murray 1st overall. Sometimes there are outliers to the rule. Looking back through the years, I can't really find many, if any, instances of a top Draft Prospect at Cornerback with his measurements. But that doesn't discount everything he's done to this point or completely dismiss that he can be an outlier to the rule.

 

Ultimately, we'll find out this weekend if this is as big of a concern to teams is it is to some of you on this board. I weigh what is seen watching a player play much more than measurements. If Beane selects him, both he and McDuffie have my total faith.

Here I go again…..making completely valid points…..MY BAD.  
 

yet there isn’t ONE good cornerback in the nfl with sub 30 inch arms.  Sounds like we should take Mcduffie….if we want to be stubborn idiots.  Maybe this ONE cornerback will be great….while no other have been. In round one, no thanks. season 4 nbc GIF by Blindspot

6 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I think more than anything, history shows that there haven't been top prospects that have those measurements. Going back a number of years, those that have had those measurements did not perform at the level of McDuffie in College. Their skill was not at his level. Therefore, them underperforming in the Pros was not surprising.

 

The closest I could find that was a top prospect was Damon Arnette at an even 30, as opposed to McDuffie's 29.75. He was still taken 19th overall. Unfortunately, between injuries and his own idiocy, we never got to see if he could overcome this supposed sure fire death blow to his potential everyone is making arm length out to be.

History shows that…..Trent McDuffie is the only good short armed cb in history.   He must truly be a superstar.  

4 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

If you can play you can play

But there’s never been one that can…. Interesting 

4 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

Era, if you have the time to research arm length In recent history for outside CB’s, god bless ya.

Google search is hard.  “insert draft year here” combine measurements.  Scroll.  Takes about a minute or 2 per draft class.  

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3 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

Antoine Winfield Sr.

 

Who was pretty damn good.

 

I just thought back real quick, "short corners, short corners ... ah, Winfield."

 

29 3/4s. Which is familiar from somewhere, isn't it?

Thanks.  There’s 1!

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Ok.  You have some who emphasize arm length.  Some who emphasize RAS.

 

Fine.  Don't take any chances.

 

Zyon McCollum

CB Sam Houston State

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 199 | RAS: 10

 

Arms 30 3/4"

 

Take him in the 3rd after taking McDuffie in the 1st.

 

God, I'm turning into DIck Jauron...excuse me while I go upchuck.

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Here's a really neat source of historic combine mesurables data that's sortable by position:

 

https://nflcombineresults.com/nflcombinedata_expanded.php?year=all&pos=CB&college=

 

McDuffie's 29.75" arms appear to be a real liability based on all the other CBs drafted over time.   Outside of Winfield (29.75"), Arron Glenn (30.0"), Cam Sutton (30.0"), Will Allen (30.0") or even LEODIS F'n MCKELVIN! (30.125") I don't recognize many standout players with shorter arms, let alone first round picks.

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15 minutes ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

Should wingspan also be considered in this case? If McDuffie has a wider chest/shoulders it would increase his wingspan.

Not sure, but I suppose it could be.  I haven’t looked into it

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8 hours ago, NewEra said:

I’ve been searching and I’m coming up blank.  There are some good slot corners, but I don’t know of any outside guys.  If you know of any, list them.  Please and thanks.  
 

There were 2 corners drafted with sub 30 inch arms last year.  Elijah Molden and Avery Williams.  Both slots.  

4 DB prospects in the 2020 draft.  Some may be safeties.  Don’t think any are in the nfl

 

i think there were 2 in 2019 draft-  neither of which are in the nfl I don’t think.  

6 DBs in the 2018 draft. A few of them are safeties, including Jordan Whitehad.  Donte Jackson was the only first rd pick in 2018-2021.  He’s just been average. I wouldn’t consider him good. 
 

McDuffie looking less and less like a stud based on math.  

For me... and maybe only me... I feel like this is just looking at one statistic and ignoring the rest... Kind of like looking at accuracy but ignoring the rest. Steve tasker was always one of the if not THE smallest players on the field.. but he played big game cause of all the other things he could do really well. While this may be a bad example lets look at another. Josh Allen had horrible completion percentage coming into the NFL BUT he hand all the other tangibles to be a great QB. 

 

For me this is nothing more then paying attention to one stat... thats why you got my rolly eyes...

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11 minutes ago, Shake_My_Head said:

Here's a really neat source of historic combine mesurables data that's sortable by position:

 

https://nflcombineresults.com/nflcombinedata_expanded.php?year=all&pos=CB&college=

 

McDuffie's 29.75" arms appear to be a real liability based on all the other CBs drafted over time.   Outside of Winfield (29.75"), Arron Glenn (30.0"), Cam Sutton (30.0"), Will Allen (30.0") or even LEODIS F'n MCKELVIN! (30.125") I don't recognize many standout players with shorter arms, let alone first round picks.

Great find….thank you.  Added that to my bookmarks.  So there’s one good cb in the last 34 years that had arms shorter than 30 inches.  
 

not saying McDuffie won’t be good. I like his tape.  He looks like a helluva player.  So did Donte Jackson when the panthers took him in rd 1.  If he’s out pick, I’m sure we’ll be getting a solid player that will start opposite Tre for a year or two, but may just end up replacing Taron in the slot. If money gets tight.  

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8 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

Great post, but we can't let little things like that stop us from drafting a first round defensive back. I mean.....forget Josh Allen. He is already good. Why waste picks on blockers and/or receivers?

We have history to fall back on. Donte Whitner (the 2nd ranked safety in 2006) had arms that were 30.63 inches. I lost count of the games that he won for the Bills! Levy and Jauron didn't want desperately needed help on both lines. Of course not, as long as there was an undersized defensive back to grab in round 1 and pay 36 million dollars to. 

Whifner? Hard pass! 

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4 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

For me... and maybe only me... I feel like this is just looking at one statistic and ignoring the rest... Kind of like looking at accuracy but ignoring the rest. Steve tasker was always one of the if not THE smallest players on the field.. but he played big game cause of all the other things he could do really well. While this may be a bad example lets look at another. Josh Allen had horrible completion percentage coming into the NFL BUT he hand all the other tangibles to be a great QB. 

 

For me this is nothing more then paying attention to one stat... thats why you got my rolly eyes...

Sure, i may be doing that.  
 

there’s been 1 good outside corner in the last 34 years that had arms shorter than 30 inches. ONE.  We are in need of an outside corner.  So let’s draft a guy we hope is the second good corner…..out of thousands.  


I’m not saying he’s not good.  I like the player… but this is more than just a trend.  Like @GunnerBill says…..he’s best in the slot and his upside is lacking.  @ pick 25, we’re looking for upside.  Not someone to fill a need

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4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Sure, i may be doing that.  
 

there’s been 1 good outside corner in the last 34 years that had arms shorter than 30 inches. ONE.  We are in need of an outside corner.  So let’s draft a guy we hope is the second good corner…..out of thousands.  


I’m not saying he’s not good.  I like the player… but this is more than just a trend.  Like @GunnerBill says…..he’s best in the slot and his upside is lacking.  @ pick 25, we’re looking for upside.  Not someone to fill a need

 

Thinking about it, McDuffie seems like another in a long line of pre-draft "stalking horses" who get a lot of love early on as top-15 picks, but ultimately slide down and into round two.   

 

Meanwhile, we're now starting to pick up the late, late buzz about guys like Lewis Cine, Quay Walker and Logan Hall and who're likely to rise up to round one and where eveybody will go "Whoa! Didn't see that!" when they get picked Thursday night.  

 

So much smoke, very little light--just like every year.

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26 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Sure, i may be doing that.  
 

there’s been 1 good outside corner in the last 34 years that had arms shorter than 30 inches. ONE.  We are in need of an outside corner.  So let’s draft a guy we hope is the second good corner…..out of thousands.  


I’m not saying he’s not good.  I like the player… but this is more than just a trend.  Like @GunnerBill says…..he’s best in the slot and his upside is lacking.  @ pick 25, we’re looking for upside.  Not someone to fill a need

back in 2017 this article came out http://seahawksdraftblog.com/the-2017-cornerback-class-has-a-wingspan-problem and this was talking about 32 inch arm length.. note... we picked a pro bowler out of this draft with just over 32 inches. So the question to be asked... is there any data any where that shows 1 player with sub 30 inches that are good in the nfl? so i did some research myself. 

 

Opinionated but these are 2 top 20 CB's in the league within half an inch.

Byron Murphy top 20 cb with 30 1/8 arm

Casey Hayward top 20 cb 30.25

 

there was a guy named Mighty Mouse Mark McMillian who was only 5'7 small arms (they did not measure his arms but they were small lol) and had a fine career at CB.  a source i do not trust said his arms were 29 inches.  in an 8 year span he had 23-24 INT's. 

 

That being said... this is an interesting conversation to be had and i am removing my rolly eyes and adding a thumbs up.

 

EDITED

(movie Hoosiers) "did not know they grew them so small down on the farm"~

Half inch make or break? i dont know man...

 

 

 

 

Edited by PrimeTime101
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5 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

back in 2017 this article came out http://seahawksdraftblog.com/the-2017-cornerback-class-has-a-wingspan-problem and this was talking about 32 inch arm length.. note... we picked a pro bowler out of this draft with just over 32 inches. So the question to be asked... is there any data any where that shows 1 player with sub 30 inches that are good in the nfl? so i did some research myself. 

 

Opinionated but these are 2 top 20 CB's in the league within half an inch.

Byron Murphy top 20 cb with 30 1/8 arm

Casey Hayward top 20 cb 30.25

 

there was a guy named Mighty Mouse Mark McMillian who was only 5'7 small arms (they did not measure his arms but they were small lol) and had a fine career at CB.  a source i do not trust said his arms were 29 inches.  in an 8 year span he had 23-24 INT's. 

 

That being said... this is an interesting conversation to be had and i am removing my rolly eyes and adding a thumbs up.

 

EDITED

(movie Hoosiers) "did not know they grew them so small down on the farm"~

Half inch make or break? i dont know man...

 

 

 

 

Nice info, thanks for posting.  
 

that’s all we can do right now is research and watch tape.  The research I’ve done says no to McDuffie @ 25.  Watching the highlights…..he’s a yes @ 25.  But many highlights say yes.  I’m tempted to watch game tape on him….but not emoted enough to do so. I’ll trust the guys I know know their **** 

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Just now, PrimeTime101 said:

 

Opinionated but these are 2 top 20 CB's in the league within half an inch.

Byron Murphy top 20 cb with 30 1/8 arm

Casey Hayward top 20 cb 30.25

 

 

Hayward is as close as you come to making the point, he had a couple of years with the Chargers where he was a legit #1 outside corner. But even he started in the league in Green Bay as a nickel corner. He didn't become a starting outside corner until year 6, his second season on his second team. Murphy is a decent player, but while he 'starts' outside in base when the Cardinals go to nickel he plays the slot and Borders comes in on the outside. Murphy played over 100 more snaps in the slot in 2021 than he did outside. 

 

I would argue both of those actually prove my point. That you can have shorter arms and be a good NFL corner, but that generally means playing at nickel or being a lower ceiling guy outside. 

 

I think Hayward is like the high end projection for McDuffie. He was a round 2 pick. My question marks are whether he really represents 1st round value?

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I don't think vertical leap makes up for arm length. Sure, you can jump higher, but think about most coverage situations. If the QB is delivering the ball on time and on target the receiver isn't jumping up to catch it. And if you're a shorter CB with short arms, the WR is going to ostensibly be in stride whereas the short CB with short arms has to jump up to make a play. 

 

I think some of the measurables and reliance on combine data can be overblown (the player still has to be able to play). However, they are data points that if put in proper context can be instructive for GMs and coaches when trying to determine whether a player can successfully make the transition from college to pro. 

 

You can look at almost any position and if a player is undersized they probably need to possess some other outstanding trait to make up for the deficiency. Tyreek Hill is probably the poster child for that - his small stature is offset by blazing speed. 

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Idk.  If you look at Beanes track record in rd 1 I dont see many Cbs making the cut this year.  Buffalo is significantly higher on Dane Jackson than most humans on the internet.  At this point I would be surprised if they go Cb in rd 1.

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Darrell Greene had a twenty year hall of fame career and was only 5' 9".  I couldn't find his exact arm length but did find a lot of information about how "experts" in the NFL doubted his ability to play in the league because of his size.  His speed, smarts and toughness was all that really mattered.  If the Bills can walk away with a similar player and results, I'll take that any day.

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3 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

Idk.  If you look at Beanes track record in rd 1 I dont see many Cbs making the cut this year.  Buffalo is significantly higher on Dane Jackson than most humans on the internet.  At this point I would be surprised if they go Cb in rd 1.

Beane wasn't planning on taking back to back D ends last year but that's how it played out with his board.

 

If a DB is his highest rated player, he'll take him- regardless of his thoughts on Dane Jackson.

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9 hours ago, NewEra said:

I’ve been searching and I’m coming up blank.  There are some good slot corners, but I don’t know of any outside guys.  If you know of any, list them.  Please and thanks.  
 

There were 2 corners drafted with sub 30 inch arms last year.  Elijah Molden and Avery Williams.  Both slots.  

4 DB prospects in the 2020 draft.  Some may be safeties.  Don’t think any are in the nfl

 

i think there were 2 in 2019 draft-  neither of which are in the nfl I don’t think.  

6 DBs in the 2018 draft. A few of them are safeties, including Jordan Whitehad.  Donte Jackson was the only first rd pick in 2018-2021.  He’s just been average. I wouldn’t consider him good. 
 

McDuffie looking less and less like a stud based on math.  
 


 

 

He might be an outlier, but I don't think the Bills draft him. 

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20 minutes ago, jwhit34 said:

I don't think vertical leap makes up for arm length. Sure, you can jump higher, but think about most coverage situations. If the QB is delivering the ball on time and on target the receiver isn't jumping up to catch it. And if you're a shorter CB with short arms, the WR is going to ostensibly be in stride whereas the short CB with short arms has to jump up to make a play. 

 

I think some of the measurables and reliance on combine data can be overblown (the player still has to be able to play). However, they are data points that if put in proper context can be instructive for GMs and coaches when trying to determine whether a player can successfully make the transition from college to pro. 

 

You can look at almost any position and if a player is undersized they probably need to possess some other outstanding trait to make up for the deficiency. Tyreek Hill is probably the poster child for that - his small stature is offset by blazing speed. 

I stopped reading the second you said that..

8 seconds look how high the dude jumped.  He jumped so high his legs from his knee to feet went horizontal with the field. for ONE SECOND... dont try and tell me Vertical leap does not make up for arm length.. 

 

 

HORRIBLE Narrative This is a ball that was about to hit a player on time right place at the players helmet and he jumped up and stole it... 

 

ever hear of the 50/50 ball? 

Edited by PrimeTime101
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2 minutes ago, SWATeam said:

Beane wasn't planning on taking back to back D ends last year but that's how it played out with his board.

 

If a DB is his highest rated player, he'll take him- regardless of his thoughts on Dane Jackson.

Right, but im talking Rd 1.  There is not a Gregory Rousseau type at Cb imo.  Possibly Booth but injuries.  Elam idk either.  The guys available seem to be 2nd rd types that we are pushing up because we want a cb.  I believe Beane when he says he is comfortable with Jackson, White and Johnson.  That means he wont reach on a guy he has a lower grade. I thought possibly Woolen because how freaky he is but he is significantly older than Buffalo has drafted. 

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