Extreme Commanders

skinsinparadise wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:25 am

Warhead36 wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:01 pm

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 wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 9:49 am

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. (Quote edited)

GoingCommando wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:11 am

skinsinparadise wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:25 am

Warhead36 wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:01 pm

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.

I think Booker is actually a better run blocker than pass blocker. He's high end at both, but I think he's elite at run blocking. It's not just block the guy to the left of you with him, he climbs and pulls at a super high level. Better than Milum by a country mile in this way. Alabama ran tons of counters with Milroe and their backs, and they loved running them right and having Booker be the puller and hit that play side edge/OLB because he was so good at it. These are not scrubs he's getting to, it was guys like James Pearce and Jalen Walker. Booker is a really coordinated/controlled puller and climber that has great accuracy on second level/move blocks. He moves smooth and under control and stays balanced, plus he's an absolute load to deal with for a speedy LBer/edge that's giving up a lot of size to him. It makes them cautious and kind of freeze and brace for impact when they see him coming playside.

I know you're not arguing this, but running a slow 40 =/= being a statue that can't move block. High level move blocking was there in the cut ups. It reminds me of when everyone thought Dawand Jones was slow because he seemed like that type, and then there were snaps of him reach blocking and walling off Jalen Carter in the CFP game. Booker is mobile and coordinated, he's just not good at the 40, and he's not going to sprint out past the hashes and get to the front of playside alley defender blocks unless they're waaay off the line of scrimmage. But those kinds of runs aren't common, he can still hit those blocks field-side to create solid cutback lanes, and we have other athletic linemen/pass catchers who can hit those blocks.

If we get Booker, the only way he's not our Day 1 starter at LG is if he gets hurt during the offseason. That's the value of picking him over most of the other options being linked to us in the first round.

Jumbo wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 11:23 am

Skattebo interviewed on GMFB this a.m.: says he played multiple positions during his youth. Can "throw a little, catch a little" and was "tough enough to play defense" and seems like a pretty good level headed sort. Had 284 all purpose yards in peach bowl. Got sick and had the famous "puking scene" during the game because he'd eaten a too greasy omelet earlier.