Draft thread

[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. (Quote edited)

Kyle Brandt and Tom Pellisaro both saying that they don't remember a draft when there was such widely reported disparity in team's rankings of many players and such unpredictability after the first three picks in many years. They said it was a vibe they have been feeling last night and all this morning so far in Green Bay. McShay thinks the same. Very much a grab bag and one that can hold endless surprises.

Oh yeah big time. lol, i am doing my best guessing based on sources I trust. But lol even following Keim he has like 12 players they can take. That helps me narrow it a little but not a heck of a lot. Also that all can change if there is a surprise faller which seems likely in this draft. It should be chaos and in turn a ton of fun.

My best guess is Booker or Green or Ezeriuaku if they fall. but more likely they trade back and then we are talking about 2nd round players and of course we don't know yet who is there. But if I had to take a shot at who they'd take in a trade down in the 2nd: JT, Landon Jackson, Scourton. If I had to book one of them, I'd guess they take Scourton.

But all of that of course could be wildly off.

[skinsinparadise]

My guys list in no particular order. These are guys I feel like I like more than some in the mock media and also dudes I really liked watching. More edges and RBs because that's the spot I watched the most by a mile.

Maxwell Hairston, 5'11, 183
Jahdae Barron, 5 '11, 200
Derrick Harmon, 6 '5, 310
Tate Ratledge, 6'6, 308
Jayden Higgins, 6'4, 215
Donte Thornton 6'4, 205
Pat Bryant, 6'2, 204
Mike Green 6 '3, 251
Donovan Ezeiruaku 6 '2, 247
JT Tuimoloau, 6'4, 265
Josaiah Stewart, 6 '1, 249
Nic Scourton, 6'2, 257
Andrew Mukuba, 6', 190
Skattebo, 5 9, 219
K. Johnson, 6', 225
T. Henderson, 5'10, 202
RJ Harvey, 5'9, 208
DJ Giddens, 6'1, 212
B. Tuten, 5'11, 209
Tahj Brooks 5'10, 230

[Warhead36]

Doesn't Hairston have a sexual assault allegation as well? Might be off our board. But Kevin Sheehan was picking him as our guy on 980 this morning as well.

Would be kinda underwhelmed by any CB that wasn't Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron to be honest.

[The Evil Genius]

If he's there, I'd prefer Emeka Egbuka at 29. While not necessary a need, he'd be a phenomenal compliment to Terry and Deebo.

[GoingCommando]

I've got some of the same names for my guys who I like way more than the consensus mock drafter. Here's mine:

QB - Shedeur Sanders, Kyle McCord, Will Howard
RB - Cam Skattebo
WR - Tre Harris
TE - Harold Fanin Jr, Jackson Hawes, Brant Kuithe
OT - Kelvin Banks, Hollin Pierce
IOL - Weston Franklin

IDL - Alfred Collins, TJ Sanders, Elijah Simmons, Zeek Biggers
EDGE - Donovan Ezeiruaku, Elijah Roberts, Ashton Gilotte, JT Tuimoloau
LB - Jay Higgins, Barrett Carter, Carson Bruener
DB - Xavier Watts, Andrew Mukuba, Malaki Starks

[skinsinparadise]

Doesn't Hairston have a sexual assault allegation as well? Might be off our board. But Kevin Sheehan was picking him as our guy on 980 this morning as well.

Would be kinda underwhelmed by any CB that wasn't Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron to be honest.

I saw there is some rumor that when he was in his early 20s he slept with a 17 year old. But I haven't seen much legs to the story. But again I am not the character police, I'll let the teams figure that out. And I've heard this team really likes Hairston and has met with him several times. Comes off like a good dude in interviews, happy go lucky type. But am not going to rate these guys good or bad purely based on Internet rumors and even just interviews.

Having said that the scouts McGinn interviews -- maybe to a fault mentions any character concern they've heard typically. And zip about Hairston on that front.

Watching Hairston what didn't you like?

https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-10-cb-t ... nal-talent
3. MAXWELL HAIRSTON, Kentucky (5-11, 183, 4.27, 1): Fourth-year junior. “He’s really fast, really quick,” one scout said. “He’s not going to be fazed by tough competition. His style translates quickly to the NFL. Most guys have to learn to play without using their hands all the time. That’s how he already plays. You see so many flags on the young guys because they grab people all the time because of the college rules. This guy is really quick with his feet.”

Clocked the fastest 40 at the combine to go with a vertical jump of 39 ½ inches and a 10-9 broad jump. “After Travis Hunter he might be the best athlete of all of them,” said a second scout. “He is electric as far as change of direction, movement, speed. He’s a thinner dude. Just elite cover athletic ability, awareness and confidence. He is a cocky little guy. Reminds me of Janoris Jenkins coming out of Florida (in 2012), but faster. The only thing is that size.” Redshirted in 2021, barely played in 2022 and started 20 games the past two years. Arms were 31. “There are some size and strength limitations,” a third scout said.

“But he is quick, fast, feisty, aggressive and has good instincts. I just worry about the size and strength over the long haul. But it’s about instincts and speed. It’s hard to find that combo.” Finished with 89 tackles, six interceptions and 10 passes defensed. Forced three fumbles. Missed five games in 2024 with what was described as a nagging shoulder problem. “He had the unfortunate episode where he had I want to say a shoulder injury of some kind and he went to the hospital in Lexington and he got stuck with an infected needle, of all things,” said a fourth scout. “So he missed a good portion of the season and then came back at the end. Kentucky has a history of producing DBs the last eight, 10 years under Stoops because that was Mark’s position as a coach. Hairston’s the best one they’ve ever had, he really is. I think he’s definitely a first-rounder. Running that time at the combine solidified it.” Three-star recruit from West Bloomfield, Mich.

[Warhead36]

If he's there, I'd prefer Emeka Egbuka at 29. While not necessary a need, he'd be a phenomenal compliment to Terry and Deebo.

He's my favorite safe pick of the draft. He's basically a guaranteed 750-850 yards/5-7 TDs every year with the occasional 1k yard season. There is value in safety as well.

[skinsinparadise]

I've got some of the same names for my guys who I like way more than the consensus mock drafter. Here's mine:

QB - Shedeur Sanders, Kyle McCord, Will Howard
RB - Cam Skattebo
WR - Tre Harris
TE - Harold Fanin Jr, Jackson Hawes, Brant Kuithe
OT - Kelvin Banks, Hollin Pierce
IOL - Weston Franklin

IDL - Alfred Collins, TJ Sanders, Elijah Simmons, Zeek Biggers
EDGE - Donovan Ezeiruaku, Elijah Roberts, Ashton Gilotte, JT Tuimoloau
LB - Jay Higgins, Barrett Carter, Carson Bruener
DB - Xavier Watts, Andrew Mukuba, Malaki Starks

I like Fannin. I see some boom-bust in him so I waver a little. But he would be fun.

I like Tre Harris, even though he isn't that fast, such a deep ball threat and physical receiver-- YAC.

Alfred Collins is one of my fav run stuffer DTs. I haven't watched TJ Sanders but am intrigued as to what I've read about him and his stats.

Jay Higgins is a baller but that 4.82 speed worries me.

I want to love Malaki Starks but haven't found the game that I am smitten with. What am I missing?

[Warhead36]

I like Fanarin too but how many young TEs can we keep?

[skinsinparadise]

I recall on extremeskins, early during the draft season, I with @GoingCommando were talking about Will Johnson. Back then we were expecting a top pick in the draft and still thought Will would be out of our range.

Judging by today's rumors he could be there at our pick. He's the dude I'll try to cram before the draft starts today. Be wild if its Sainistrill and Will Johnson on this team.

https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-10-cb-t ... nal-talent
2. WILL JOHNSON, Michigan (6-1 ½, 194, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “As a pure corner I have him over Hunter,” said one scout. “He can play off. He can press. He’s really good in zone. Really good dude. He has average speed, though. Just kind of a smooth mover. Plays his best coming downhill making a play toward the ball. I don’t think he’s a gambler. He’s just really instinctive. Sometimes down the field when his back’s turned I don’t know if he can locate it and track it as fast as you want. But he’s a player. He’s strong enough to be physical.” Returned three of his nine interceptions for touchdowns. “Ball skills are awesome and instincts are incredible,” a second scout said. “He just sees everything, almost to his detriment because he jumps a lot of stuff. Last year, in the Washington (CFP) championship game, they got him. Another game they got him. He’s definitely trying to make a highlight. I question his big-time explosive speed. Not top run-support toughness.

Reminds me of (Pat) Surtain.” Started five of 14 games as a freshman but missed 10 games in 2023-’24 with knee (arthroscopic surgery), shoulder and turf toe injuries. “He’s got to prove he can be durable, prove you can fight through adversity from an injury standpoint to really earn my trust,” said a third scout. “I don’t want to accuse the guy of milking an injury but the questions have to be asked. That guy scares the bejesus out of me. Who’s the guy that came out of Virginia Tech about four years ago? (Caleb) Farley? He was injured. Same conversation. It’s a buyer-beware pick.”

His father, Deon, was a defensive back at Michigan from 1990-’94. “It’s a shame he got hurt,” said a fourth scout. “I like him. He’s a gambler, though, and he’s going to have to learn when to pick those battles. As many times as he gambles he’ll get his ass beat, too. And when he gets beat when he gambles it’s a big-ass play, and you can’t give those up in the National Football League. He’ll make some big plays but, man, you get beat to the flat, big chunks happen that are game-changers. I don’t want to say he’s a wild-horse rider, but he’s close to it.” Started 22 of 32 games, finishing with 68 tackles and 10 passes defensed.

Never forced a fumble or recovered a fumble. “No, no, no, no, no — he’s not Patrick Surtain,” said a fifth scout. “I saw him more of a second-rounder. He’s not the athlete that Christian Gonzalez is but he’s like a lower-level hotel in that chain. There’s a lot good. There’s just not a ton of great.” Short arms (30 1/8) for his height. “Everything you look for in a corner excluding injury he does it at corner,” a sixth scout said. “He can definitely do it but he’s been out a little bit every year. But how many of them haven’t? It’s now becoming one of those deals where after they know they’ve got enough games on tape they start folding up shop.” Either left or missed a game with injuries eight times. Five-star recruit from Grosse Pointe, Mich.