Draft thread

[skinsinparadise]

Booker fits the Dallas power blocking system and they draft and develop OL as well as anyone. For them he'd be a great pick but he doesn't really fit what we try to do. He'd be useless in pulling and in the screen game etc.

I disagree. I think Booker is a really strong puller and he's got the accuracy and coordination to be a very versatile run blocker. He would probably be the best run blocker on our line as a rookie, and strengthen our ability to run left, which is probably going to be mediocre with Tunsil.

You could also be sure that the pass protection on the left side would be rock solid because Booker is very clean in that area too. Between adding Tunsil and potentially drafting Booker, that could give us the best OL in the NFL when Cosmi returns.

Booker as a pass protector to me looks potentially elite. Between his size, massive hands, long arms and good anchor -- he's a wall. You have him and Tunsil on the left side, good luck getting pressure on Jayden's blind side.

As a run blocker, to my eyes he lacks foot speed. But he's good at reaching his target and sustaining his blocks without holding the player. You see so many o lineman get in the way of the defender or push them but don't maintain their blocks. He is dfferent on that front. He very cleanly in the game I watched maintained his block to open a crease.

Digesting more material today, I got the vibe he's likely the one they want the most -- him or Mike Green if they stick at 29. Ezeirukau as the runner up. Green I don't think is dropping there. Booker -- 50-50. Ezeirukau I am getting the vibe will likely be there at 29.

[skinsinparadise]

I watched four 2024 games of cutups on Tyler Booker: vs Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and LSU. My take on Booker:


I want to include a gif of one of my favorite moments from his cutups. LSU has a super blue chip freshman DL named Dominick McKinley that got away with a hands to the face where he ripped Booker's helmet off. Booker stayed with the block and you could see it pissed him off and he yelled at the ref for missing the call. By rule, he had to sit out the next play and Alabama gets the big conversion on an outside run anyway. He then proceeded to take his revenge on McKinley for the rest of the game, just kicking his ass and making his life miserable. This was my favorite moment of payback that Booker got away with, taking McKinley down and just slamming the dude's head into the ground:


https://imgflip.com/gif/9rp1ie

Thanks for putting in the work. Reading and hearing about the dude. He's also a culture builder in a big way.

The scouts comments on him.

GUARDS
1. TYLER BOOKER, Alabama (6-4 ½, 326, 5.34, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s a pretty safe bet to be the first guard,” one scout said. “He has the most solid foundation. Now he may be a little bit more of a gap-scheme than a run-off-the-ball wide-zone type. He’s a big body. Real big personality. He’s very much liked at the school. He’s been paid a lot of money. There’s some maturity there.” Rotated at both guards in 2022 before starting 25 games at left guard in 2023-’24. Last season, one of his starts came at left tackle. “Giant human being,” said a second scout.

“Heavy-handed, flexible, strong, smart, good athlete. Not a great puller or second-level guy but he’s a really good in-line player, run and pass. He’d be our starting right guard yesterday. Guards typically don’t go in the first round but he will. He could play some right tackle in some power schemes.” Five-star recruit from New Haven, Conn., and IMG Academy. “A guard like this, you could take him (first round),” said a third scout. “He’s not super talented or dynamic in any way but he’s big, moves well enough, plays on his feet, good football intelligence, he works. He’ll be good.”

Arms were 34 ½ inches, size 11-inch hands were the largest at the position. “I don’t know if he’ll be a solid starter but I don’t think you’ll miss on him,” said a fourth scout. “I have him in the second round but you’ve got to find 32 and he may be one of those 32.”

https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-4-gc-wh ... -dawgs-out

[skinsinparadise]

@GoingCommando

If you got some time, can you take a look at Tyler Booker? I watched one game and I'll dive in some more. But you came at the O lineman sometimes more cynically than I do -- in a good way which I think helps with this evaluation.

Absolutely. He was going to be the next player I looked at after you mentioned him, but I got distracted by discovering that amazing JustTheTape youtube channel. What a Godsend for draft nerds. I hope they keep doing this every year.

Yeah I know I'm harsh on OLs. Everyone has their position where they have kind of strict sets of "tells" where that make them enthusiastic or sour on players, and mine are for OLs. I might see a certain kind of loss where I'm like, "damn this guy is under-strength," or "this guy can't run block at that range" and it doesn't necessarily rule the player out for me, but it makes me think they aren't a fit for certain timelines, schemes, positions, etc.

I'll watch Booker today. I've already watched Conerly, Milum, Belton, the three top tackles, Hollin Pierce, Ratledge, and Donovan Jackson. I know we've only been linked to some of those guys, some of it was just curiosity. I want to watch every OL that we've been linked to. If you can think of any more, throw them at me.

My best guess listening to Keim and a few others. As to your take, I'd be especially curious about Hairston, CB and Oladejo, edge. And how would you feel if Will Johnson fell? I haven't watched Johnson in eons, I'll probably rewatch tonight.

First round or trade to early 2nd. I get the impression: Booker, Green, Ezeiruaku, Will Johnson (if he is a surprise faller, some now think its not crazy), Barron, Egbuka, Hairston. Maybe Derrick Harmon, Scourton, Conerly.

Feels like Keim thinks they are especially hot for Booker and Green and Ezeiruaku is the runner up. As always, he doesn't directly say that but he's given enough bread crumbs for me to leap to that conclusion.

If they trade down further down the 2nd: JT Tuimoloau, Landon Jackson in play. Maybe Kaleb Johnson or Treveyon Henderson but they lean towards taking a RB later in the draft.

2nd round: Oladejo UCLA, Edge
2nd round: Schweisnger UCLA, LB
2nd round: Belton-- Keim suggested other o lineman too but didn't name more
3rd round: Quincy Riley, CB, Tai Felton WR
4th round: Kyle Kennard, Edge, David Walker, Edge
4th round: a whole bunch of running backs, I gather they simple take their favorite who is left. Getting the vibe they love Tuten.

Mid rounds: D. Ward, CB, Jaylin Smith CB, Pat Bryant WR, Billy Bowman safety

Late round guys: Eugene Asante, LB, TJ Brooks RB, Woody Marks RB, Ollie Gordon RB, Arian Smith WR, Jonas Sanker, S, Tonka Hemingway, DT

Edit: addition in the late 2nd-3rd round range Darien Porter.

[mhd24]

Just listened to McShay's latest podcast (he's very entertaining). Had us taking Ezearaku, but did have a nugget about our interest in 4 players. He said we are connected to Henderson, Hampton, Connerly, and Emmanwary (the SC Safety).

[skinsinparadise]

Just listened to McShay's latest podcast (he's very entertaining). Had us taking Ezearaku, but did have a nugget about our interest in 4 players. He said we are connected to Henderson, Hampton, Connerly, and Emmanwary (the SC Safety).

Good reminder for me, I've listened to all of McShay's podcasts but today. I'll check it out. He did link us to Henderson before. Keim knows we are very interested in Henderson but seems to disagree with Mcshay that we take him at 29. But maybe in a trade down.

I like Henderson, Conerly, Hampton a lot. I have stuggled to get into Nick Eminanwori when watching him. I like him but far from love him. Misses too many tackles and is a sloppy tackler among other things.

[skinsinparadise]

They just reran the Commanders-Bears game. At the end Jayden talked about the team's brotherhood, etc.

It doubles down for me about why guys like Booker and Egbuka are likely on the table for them.

Especially if we want to win a SB, its a component typically to make it happen. If you listen to some players talk about why this team they were on versus another more talented version of it won a SB -- it oftens centers on team chemistry being off the charts where guys love battiling for each other.

[Warhead36]

I just don't see why/how we'd draft Booker. How the hell is he gonna go out and block on all of our screens, Daniels bootleg RPO stuff, Deebo jet sweeps, etc.? He's a tank in a phone booth but out in space he's useless.

[skinsinparadise]

Kiper-Yates did a predictive mock. Some picks relevant to our discussion.

22. Los Angeles Chargers
Yates' pick prediction: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Few teams have a clearer identity than the Chargers, who believe strongly in being able to dominate in the trenches. Booker would help further cement that along the offensive line thanks to his power. The Chargers are a classic fit for Booker, who would likely leapfrog Zion Johnson into the starting lineup and pair with Mekhi Becton to form the league's largest guard duo.

Kiper's notes: Booker is definitely a hot name right now, as teams have gone back to his great tape. There are a few teams in the 20s that could use him on their offensive lines, including the Texans and Ravens. I've also been told to watch Kenneth Grant at this pick. He shares a Michigan connection with Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, and as I mentioned, Grant is getting some mid-Round 1 love right now. He might not even reach Los Angeles'


19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yates' pick prediction: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Tampa Bay has made it clear that cornerback is a priority this offseason. Barron has elite instincts and is versatile. The Bucs tied for 26th in picks last season with seven, so

26. Los Angeles Rams
Yates' pick prediction: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Schwesinger's range, versatility and processing skills will appeal to Los Angeles, which has a thin linebacker room at the moment. His 115 tackles ranked 14th in the country last season.

Kiper's notes: Schwesinger has been getting some late-Round 1 buzz recently, and he's a good pick at this stage. Alabama's Jihaad Campbell would also get some looks at the end of Day 1, despite the shoulder concerns. He could ultimately end up being a really good second-round pick for some team.

Projected Commanders-Browns trade
Yates' trade projection: We're almost through Round 1, and Ward is still the only quarterback off the board. With a few QB-needy teams waiting at the top of Round 2, the Browns could pounce on the opportunity to move up to secure their guy. I have Cleveland trading Nos. 33 and 104 (a fourth-rounder) to Washington for No. 29. The Commanders have just five picks, so they could be looking to trade down.

Kiper's notes: The Commanders are in a good spot, having turned their roster around quickly. Moving down for another pick and still landing a good prospect at the top of the second round would be good business. My top three needs for them are edge rusher, cornerback and running back.

A few prospects who could fit the Commanders, whether they stay at No. 29 or ended up atop Round 2: Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos and Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.

30. Buffalo Bills
Yates' pick prediction: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Buffalo is searching for another cornerback opposite Christian Benford, and Hairston is sticky in coverage with 4.28 speed and good ball skills. Buffalo is a zone-heavy team, which fits Hairston's skill set and what he saw in college.

32. Philadelphia Eagles
Yates' pick prediction: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

After 16.5 sacks in 2024, Ezeiruaku burst onto the first-round radar. He is long and instinctive, and he uses his physical tools and savviness to keep tackles on their heels. The Eagles are looking to replenish their edge depth after Josh Sweat left for Arizona in free agency.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insi ... er-round-1

[skinsinparadise]

I just don't see why/how we'd draft Booker. How the hell is he gonna go out and block on all of our screens, Daniels bootleg RPO stuff, Deebo jet sweeps, etc.? He's a tank in a phone booth but out in space he's useless.

Watching him some more. He's not a fast mover but he hustles in the run game and is a people mover. He sustains blocks in the run game better than most O lineman I've watched. Once he locks in his block, he maintains it, thanks to his power-massive wingspan and massive hands, which helps build creases in the run game. This team ran plenty of power-gap-duo and he's ideal for that.

But definitiely IMO his super power is being a wall in pass protect. Considering its Jayden's blindside and he's our most important asset, having basically an impenetrable left side has clear value especially in this division that has Dexter Lawrence and Jalen Carter. And heck Parsons basically lines up against the weak link often against every O line, he's given our guards fits. So this plays well in our division.

But digesting some of the mocks in the last few days, good news I gather for you, Booker might not be there at 29.

[skinsinparadise]

McShay

Top Talents Who Could Fall

Michigan CB Will Johnson

Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell

Marshall edge Mike Green

Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr.

Ole Miss IDL Walter Nolen

Oregon IDL Derrick Harmon

I consider the above six guys to be top-20 talents in this draft, which is why I’m shocked to hear how much uncertainty there is about when they will be selected. I can't remember going into a first round with this many high-end players who have such drastically different draft ceilings and floors.

Texas corner Jahdae Barron is another interesting name to monitor. Adam Schefter reported he could go as high as no. 7, but there’s also a scenario where he’s on the board until the mid 20s.