FA Steven Nelson, CB
FA Jamar Taylor, NCB
FA Ronald Blair, DE
FA Ben Garland, IOL
R1P3: Justin Fields, QB | Ohio State
R2P43: Travis Etienne, RB | Clemson
R3P96 from NE: Spencer Brown, OT | UNI
R3P102: Kendrick Green, IOL | Illinois
R4P117: Janarius Robinson, ER | FSU
R4P122 from NE: Benjamin St. Juste, CB | Minnesota
R5P155: James Wiggins, DB/S | Cincinnati
R5P172: Ihmir Smith- Marsette, WR/KR | Iowa
R6P194: Alaric Jackson, OL | Iowa
R7P230: Jonathan Marshall, DT3T | Arkansas
UDFA: Jhamon Ausbon, WR | TA&M
UDFA: Samis Reyes, TE
Free Agency:
Steven Nelson, CB: Steven Nelson has been graded in the upper half of cornerbacks in the past few years, and should not be too expensive given how late we are into free agency. With us moving up in the draft, we no longer have trading down for more mid round picks as an option, and so I cannot see us doubling up at cornerback in the draft like I had originally planned. Given Jason Verrett's injury history and Emmanuel Mosley's shaky record with consistency as an outside corner, we need someone who is ready to step in right away at a moment's notice.
Jamar Taylor, CB: It is no surprise that our cornerback depth chart is quite bare, and it is even more evident when you realize Dontae freaking Johnson is likely to be #2 on the depth at the NCB spot. Taylor was more than serviceable last year in place of K'wuan before succumbing to an injury of his own, and is worthy of bringing back on a minimum level deal.
Ronald Blair, DE: The quickest way to mask an inconsistent CB unit is to strengthen the defensive line. With that said, there aren't many options in FA or the draft for immediate contributors, especially outside of the first round. I can't find any information on the status of his 2019 injury which did not heal as expected, but if he is healthy enough to play, he is as sure a bet to contribute as anyone else in free agency and should come at a considerable discount.
Ben Garland, IOL: Ben Garland gets a bad rap. Nothing more than a slightly above replacement level player, he has been thrust into starting roles because of injuries, and judged unfairly off of his play in that position. While he should not and cannot be expected to be a multigame starter, he is absolutely a serviceable backup with an ability to play at all three interior positions.
Draft:
JAX | Trevor Lawrence, QB | Clemson
NYJ | Zach Wilson, QB | BYU
SF | Justin Fields, QB | Ohio State
ATL | Trey Lance, QB | NDSU
CIN | Penei Sewell, OT | Oregon
MIA | Kyle Pitts, TE | Florida
CAR (from DET) | Mac Jones, QB | Alabama
DET (from CAR) | Ja'marr Chase, WR | LSU
DEN | Patrick Surtain II, CB | Alabama
DAL | Jaelan Phillips, ER | Miami
NYG | Devonta Smith, WR | Alabama
PHI | Jaylen Waddle, WR | Alabama
LAC | Rashawn Slater, OT | Northwestern
MIN | Kwity Paye, ER | Michigan
NE | Jaycee Horn, CB | South Carolina
ARI | Greg Newsome II, CB | Northwestern
LV | Micah Parsons, LB | PSU
MIA | Zaven Collins, LB | Tulsa
WFT | Christian Darrisaw, OT | VT
CHI | Rashod Bateman, WR | Minnesota
IND | Samuel Cosmi, OT | Texas
TEN | Caleb Farley, CB | VT
NYJ | Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL | USC
PIT | Teven Jenkins, OL | OSU
JAX | Ifeatu Melifonwu, DB | Syracuse
CLE | Rondale Moore, WR | Purdue
BAL | Trevon Moehrig, S | TCU
NO | Milton Williams, DT | Louisiana Tech
GB | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB/S | ND
BUF | Najee Harris, RB | Alabama
KC | Jalen Mayfield, OL | Michigan
TB | Azeez Ojulari, ER | Georgia
R1P3: Justin Fields, QB | Ohio State
QB is definitely the pick. The question is, which one? None of us are in the NFL, and so there is no way that we can know if "MAC JONES WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE AT 12!!! NO NEED TO TRADE UP!!!" With that being said, I do have a hard time imagining giving up so much future trade ammunition to draft a player with a perceived lower ceiling. Where I can see us drafting Trey Lance, I also find it hard to imagine investing so much, and putting their careers on the line, for such a gamble. I think Fields is the best mix of floor and ceiling, and his Clemson game showed me everything that I need to know. Sorry Davis Mills, my first son.
R2P43: Travis Etienne, RB | Clemson
I know I know, it's a running back early. The NFL should not be drafting running backs early, and especially not a Shanahan. But common, lets give the fans of the NFL what the fans of the NFL want. Mostert and Wilson are both likely out the door next season, and Etienne can reproduce their skill sets at a high level on a rookie contract. Speed, contact balance, and a much improved skill set in the passing game, and Shanny gets his own version of Alvin Kamara while providing Justin Fields a security blanket.
*TRADE* New England, having missed out on Mac Jones, is moving back to Jimmy Garappolo. There is enough confidence in Shanny and Fields to let Jimmy go for the right price. We trade Jimmy G and R5P180 for R3P96 and R4P122
R3P96 from NE: Spencer Brown, OT | UNI
Assuming he doesn't bust, at the lower and more likely end of his ceiling, he is a Mike McGlinchey clone, but on a 3rd rounder rookie contract. He does have better athleticism and a nastier demeanor on the field than Mike McGlinchey, and so if he can figure out to consistently use his length to his advantage without letting his height be a disadvantage, he can be a franchise right tackle. Working with Joe Staley leaves hope for the latter.
R3P102: Kendrick Green, IOL | Illinois
This is our center of the future. A stud athlete, he will have no trouble making all of the blocks at the LOS and at the second level in our outside zone running scheme. He also has elite upper body strength, and he regularly tosses people out the club before sitting on their face.
R4P117: Janarius Robinson, ER | FSU
He doesn't use it, but Janarius has elite length. If Bosa and Kocurek can teach Robinson to use his 35-1/2" arms to his advantage, he can add it to his explosive first step and unnatural ankle flexibility. I am hoping that Ebukam (and even better, a revitalized Dee Ford) can be our speed rusher in nickel, but Robinson has a chance to push AA permanently inside, or off the roster, in a few years if he develops.
R4P122 from NE: Benjamin St. Juste, CB | Minnesota
f**k you DK Metcalf.
R5P155: James Wiggins, DB/S | Cincinnati
Wiggins is this year's L'Jarius Sneed.
R5P172: Ihmir Smith- Marsette, WR/KR | Iowa
NFL comp: A middle class Brandon Aiyuk meets Robby Anderson. 110M hurdle state champ. Ihmir is a smooth and springy route runner who has plenty of bounce in and out of his breaks, with the top end speed to be the deep threat we have been missing. He also is good in the open field, and has value as a kick returner. With him, the YAC bros is complete.
R6P194: Alaric Jackson, OL | Iowa
NFL comp: Laken Tomlinson. I'd estimate he takes over the right guard spot sooner rather than later, or the left guard spot if Daniel Brunskill performs well.
R7P230: Jonathan Marshall, DT3T | Arkansas
Kevin Givens showed promise, and so it's a shame he couldn't keep himself out of trouble. Jonathan is an athletic freak at defensive tackle with a great first step and immense strength.
UDFA: Jhamon Ausbon, WR | TA&M
This is a Kendrick Bourne budget level Kennan Allen in Allen Lazard's body. Lacking in athleticism, he has good enough route running chops to create justtttt enough separation to use his size and sure hands to keep the chains moving.
UDFA: Samis Reyes, TE
You don't know who this is?! Don't worry, me either. Here's what I do know:
Ht: 6053
Wt: 260
40: 4.65
Vert: 40"
Broad: 125"
Bench: 31
Primary Roster:
QB: Justin Fields, Josh Rosen
RB: Raheem Mostert, Travis Etienne, Jeff Wilson Jr
FB: Kyle Juszczyk
OL: Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Alex Mack, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Spencer Brown, Alaric Jackson, Kendrick Green
WR: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jalen Hurd, Ihmir-Smith Marsette
TE: George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner
DL: Arik Armstead, DJ Jones, Javon Kinlaw, Nick Bosa, Samson Ebukam, Zach Kerr, Jonathan Marshall, Janarius Robinson, Dee Ford, Ronald Blair
LB: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair
CB: Jason Verrett, Steven Nelson. Emmanuel Moseley, Benjamin St. Juste, K'wuan Williams, Jamar Taylor
S: Jimmie Ward, Jaquiskii Tartt, Tarvarius Moore, James Wiggins
Extra Credit - Early 2022 Draft Crushes
Treylon Burks, WR | Arkansas
Darrian Kinnard, OT | Kentucky
Noah Johnson, IOL | Kansas State
Ikem Ekwonu, OL | NC State
Carson Strong, QB | Nevada
Myjai Sanders, ER | Cincinnati
Boye Mafe, ER | Minnesota
Kayvon Thibodeaux, ER | Oregon
Adam Anderson, ER | Georgia
Kyle Hamilton, S | ND
[ Edited by adrianlesnar on Mar 31, 2021 at 12:51 PM ]
