2021 NFL off season thread

[rubecube]

Great pick for the Ravens.

[Sainters7]

Can't believe the Saints passed on JOK, the LB out of Notre Dame. Was hoping for Farley or Newsome at CB, sadly wasn't an option.

I don't get that pick, man...hours after picking up 2018 first round pick DE Davenport's 5th year option too.

[oldschoolcalgary]

the NFL is interesting in that the first 3 rounds are usually pretty deep... also surprised JOK slipped out of the first.

you never know though - I was hoping the Bucs would pick JOK or Barmore...Tryon seems to have some upside though, so learning under JPP and Barrett is maybe a good plan?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

from what I've seen, he's a great mobile QB with some good deep touch.

Big issue with OSU qb's is how well can they really read defenses; Meyer and Day run a lot of spread looks (not read options anymore, though they do run situationally).

I hate to say, in some ways, he reminds me of Trubisky...very good athlete that flashes at times...but is he going to be consistent at the NFL level, where your windows are a lot smaller and you don't have the ability to out recruit your opponents.

Jones seems to be the perfect QB for the Pats. Very accurate at the college level and a guy that plays within the system...but does that accuracy carry over to the NFL where you don't have Waddle, Smith, Ruggs and Jeudy and Metchie to throw too?

I would worry about Fields behind a not great offensive line, and I don't know much about the Bears line, if you can contain him and force him to work the pocket, I think its a problem, his in pocket game isn't his strengths, its what he does on the move that's really great.



I can't believe the Pats got Jones, what a mana from heaven for them. He's in my mind a high IQ QB, that can understand reads, he won't murder you with his arm strength, but he will murder you if he gets time in the pocket to get to the third read.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's one thing for the Steelers to draft a RB in the first round because they are a playoff team with far fewer holes and a current stable of running backs that is, being generous, terrible. But for the Jags to do it, with the holes they have, and after they just found a 1,000 yard rusher in the....undrafted free agency round....yikes.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It's one thing for the Steelers to draft a RB in the first round because they are a playoff team with far fewer holes and a current stable of running backs that is, being generous, terrible. But for the Jags to do it, with the holes they have, and after they just found a 1,000 yard rusher in the....undrafted free agency round....yikes.

I don't know Steelers picking Harris was flashy and they let go of Connor...but they didn't really address their OL which was a bit problem imo...I think giving Ben another weapon out of the backfield as a receiver could help a bit

the NFL has been trending away from 1st picks on RB, with a few understandable exceptions (Barkley, MacCaffrey, Elliott (for a while he looked good)).

I think the Jags wanted to bring some familiarity for Lawrence, but they probably could have traded back a little if set on Etienne....

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I would worry about Fields behind a not great offensive line, and I don't know much about the Bears line, if you can contain him and force him to work the pocket, I think its a problem, his in pocket game isn't his strengths, its what he does on the move that's really great.



I can't believe the Pats got Jones, what a mana from heaven for them. He's in my mind a high IQ QB, that can understand reads, he won't murder you with his arm strength, but he will murder you if he gets time in the pocket to get to the third read.

like someone mentioned, Chicago has been a QB graveyard, which is the biggest fear with Fields.

yeah, Jones was definitely a perfect fit...there were plenty of buzz of the Pats moving up to get Jones, so to be able to be patient enough to wait was really smart.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I would worry about Fields behind a not great offensive line, and I don't know much about the Bears line, if you can contain him and force him to work the pocket, I think its a problem, his in pocket game isn't his strengths, its what he does on the move that's really great.

This is a lazy analysis of Fields. He's a very accurate passer, especially outside the dashes and brings plus athleticism. I think the Bears let him sit behind Dalton and Foles for the year and let them take the abuse of the ####ty Bears oline, but Fields is a solid prospect.

I can't believe the Pats got Jones, what a mana from heaven for them. He's in my mind a high IQ QB, that can understand reads, he won't murder you with his arm strength, but he will murder you if he gets time in the pocket to get to the third read.

Jones had the best supporting cast in college football and doesn't have the arm strength to be late on his throws in the NFL. If his brain is Brady/Manning level, then that won't matter as much, but he's got very little margin for error.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It's one thing for the Steelers to draft a RB in the first round because they are a playoff team with far fewer holes and a current stable of running backs that is, being generous, terrible.

nah, I hate this pick so much. And everybody knew it was coming too, I pretty much had weeks to accept it, but it still pisses me off. I think you just don't draft RBs in round 1, period. Maybe if you're a contender and that's the final piece, but otherwise it just doesn't make any sense. Steelers had to go OL here.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I'm not a huge fan of drafting running backs early either, but my point was more that the Jags made one of the worst draft picks ever with their pick, whereas the Steelers at least needed a running back even if they reached for one. And Urban Meyer has already made it even worse

https://twitter.com/user/status/1387972600278749185

Yeah I uhhh, well....I guess you could....yeah....shall we start the over/under pool on the date Urban has a "heart attack"?

[Erick Estrada]

Not surprising given the times that there were a few reaches in the 1st round. Raiders as always getting poor value in the 1st round. IMO the 49ers really went out on a limb. Shanahan could have drafted any of the top 5 QB's and coached them up to at least passable NFL standards like Garoppolo but Lance is such a hope and a prayer. I'm not of the opinion you can turn raw, physically gifted athletes into gifted NFL passers so I would hate this pick if I was a fan of the team. This kid isn't Patrick Mahomes that played three seasons and was an accomplished College QB. This guy played 17 games against FCS competition. I don't hate the idea but the amount of draft capital they spent on him to me is madness. If this kid doesn't pan out heads should roll in that organization.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by devo22

nah, I hate this pick so much. And everybody knew it was coming too, I pretty much had weeks to accept it, but it still pisses me off. I think you just don't draft RBs in round 1, period. Maybe if you're a contender and that's the final piece, but otherwise it just doesn't make any sense. Steelers had to go OL here.

SI really liked the pick, giving the Steelers an A+ grade. They think he has Hall Of Fame potential.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2021-draft-tracker

The Steelers are getting their next great back—Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, and now Najee Harris. Harris has Hall of Fame potential, and the Steelers addressed their most prominent need. Harris is an elite pass-catcher, can pass block, and is the best ball carrier in the draft. He has rookie of the year written all over him and could help bring the Steelers back to the playoffs. This was the best pick for Pittsburgh's current roster. The offensive line class is excellent, and there will be value in the 2nd round. With the lack of talent later on in the draft at the running back position, the Steelers are getting a true three-down back. This is one of the best picks so far. -- JB

[ForeverFlameFan]

I didn’t mind the pick the Cardinals made in Zaven Collins, but I can’t say I know enough about him to really give my take on it. Anyone got any good info on this guy?

[devo22]

Originally Posted by troutman

SI really liked the pick, giving the Steelers an A+ grade. They think he has Hall Of Fame potential.

yeah I don't doubt his talent either. There's a lot to like about him as a prospect, my qualms are purely tied to value and asset management. I think RBs in round 1 are a terrible idea, but I at least could live with picking one late in the 1st if you're a contender looking for a luxury piece (like Edwards-Helaire last year) or if you want to complement a young franchise QB. But if you look at the Steelers situation, it reminds me a bit of Saquon Barkley going to the Giants back then. Sure, they picked him even higher, but they also had an old QB close to retirement, a weak OL and a lot of other areas they needed to address. Realistically, the Steelers should be an 8-9 team or something like that in this division right now, meaning that finding a new franchise QB will be difficult next year too. So you're probably wasting Harris' first two seasons where as a team you go nowhere, and unfortunately for RBs, those two years are probably those where you get most out of them. It just feels like a complete waste of an asset. And again, nothing against Harris personally, he's a great prospect and apparently a really nice kid, so I'll be rooting for him. I just don't see how this pick makes any sense for the team right now.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I'm not a huge fan of drafting running backs early either, but my point was more that the Jags made one of the worst draft picks ever with their pick, whereas the Steelers at least needed a running back even if they reached for one. And Urban Meyer has already made it even worse

https://twitter.com/user/status/1387972600278749185

Yeah I uhhh, well....I guess you could....yeah....shall we start the over/under pool on the date Urban has a "heart attack"?

I say three years from now, after he hoists the Lombardi Trophy and passes it to Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.

Duuuuuvvvaaaalllllllll

In reality though it isn't a bad pick, Etienne is a playmaker that makes defenders miss and has great speed. Very similar to Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Very much a luxury pick to back up the shiny new QB. The Jags do need help on D for sure...and looks like they could have had both Moehrig and JOK now.

Putting him in a sheltered role to start his career is not always a bad thing.

"one of the worst picks ever" lol Man you must be from the future or psychic to know this.

The Raiders reaching on Leatherwood is far worse, Passing on Derrisaw may be one of the biggest botches this year.

Now The Jags just need to draft JOK or Moehrig @ 33 and I will be happier.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Serious question: Which running backs drafted in the last 10 years are worthy of HOF consideration? I don't think there's a single guy you would say "He's definitely a HOFer". There are some guys that could get there (Henry, Kamara, McCaffrey, Cook), but even then they would have to put up obscene numbers for several more years to have a legit case. For me there's a kicker (Mr. Tucker) who is a much more likely HOFer than all running backs out there right now.

But that Jags example, man....they literally proved how little value running backs have, and within not even 12 months went and drafted one with one of the 25 most valuable picks in the draft. Bad teams stay bad for many reasons. It's not even like I think Etienne sucks or anything, but drafting a third down back at 25...goddamn that is baaaaad.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Since1984

I say three years from now, after he hoists the Lombardi Trophy and passes it to Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.

Duuuuuvvvaaaalllllllll

In reality though it isn't a bad pick, Etienne is a playmaker that makes defenders miss and has great speed. Very similar to Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Jags do need help on D for sure...and looks like they could have had both Moehrig and JOK now. A luxury pick to back up the shiny new QB.

Putting him in a sheltered role to start his career is not always a bad thing.

"one of the worst picks ever" lol Man you must be from the future or psychic to know this.

The Raiders reaching on Leatherwood is far worse, Passing on Derrisaw may be one of the biggest botches this year.

Now The Jags just need to draft JOK or Moehrig @ 33 and I will be happier.

If your justification for a pick is "The Raiders made a worse pick", you know you made a really bad pick.

[devo22]

Mayocks draft record in general is pretty spotty. Having a different board than the media and other teams is one thing, but why don't take advantage of that? It just feels like they are reaching every year. Ferrell at 4, Arnette at 19, Leatherwood at 17. If you love these players so much more than others, at least try to trade down and get them some more assets. It just feels he blindly trusts his eyes and tries to be the smartest guy in the room, but that's not an ideal way to build a team.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

If your justification for a pick is "The Raiders made a worse pick", you know you made a really bad pick.

That wasn't a justification...it was an example of a worse pick, there are actually a few more IMO:

Zaven Collins to the Cards
Kadarius Toney to the Giants
Payton Turner to the Saints.

Edit: I will even thro in Stokes to GB

That is 4 picks that in my mind are much worse than taking a running back with excellent college numbers and has chemistry and familiarity with your brand new star QB.

Like I said, I would have been happier with the Jags taking JOK and then Moehrig @ 33 I would have also liked Barmore. But it is by far not the worst pick in the draft.

I get that historically RB's drafted in the 1st round are not great and hardly work out, and the fact that they already have 2 backs playing in front of him.

Only time will tell.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Can't believe the Saints passed on JOK, the LB out of Notre Dame. Was hoping for Farley or Newsome at CB, sadly wasn't an option.

I don't get that pick, man...hours after picking up 2018 first round pick DE Davenport's 5th year option too.

You can never have too many pass rushers.