MichiganCardinal

I think all QBs can benefit from a year behind another guy. Not to say that Mahomes would have busted without it, or that Zach Wilson would have succeeded with it, but I do think both of their careers were affected by what they did or didn't do their rookie season. I think Stroud was mismanaged by Ohio State, or at the very least not utilized to his abilities, maybe by design. His Georgia tape makes you go "where the hell was that??"... The way he uses his feet to evade the rush, keeping plays alive while scanning the field and buying time for his receivers to get open in that game was something else, and it wasn't something really seen in the regular season, which makes me think it may have been Ohio State coaching encouraging him to be conservative and take the sack in those situations, because they knew they were the better team and would win games if they limited turnovers. A year in a good system with good coaching, where he can pick up some of those skills and better integrate his feet into his game, could put him into that elite QB tier, even if he's doing it a different way than the other guys in that tier.

IF we are open to a QB at #6, I'm opposed to Will Levis (I think he's the prototypical riser just because he's a tall QB); I am in favor of Anthony Richardson only because I trust Holmes (if it was a different regime, or Holmes didn't have his track record I would be very much opposed); and I am hesitant on Bryce Young (I don't think he will workout in the NFL, but I see what people like, I also don't think he will be there). The only QB I would give an unequivocal thumbs up to taking if he's there is CJ Stroud. I think he is a perfect fit into the offense that has been created around Goff. He is that pro-style passer like Goff, but is more athletic, with a much higher ceiling than Goff. He's the guy that can sit for a season behind Goff, inherit the offense in 2024, and potentially take it to the next level, without changing anything about the scheme.

My Big Board 3.1 Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama* CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State* Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas* Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech* Bryce Young, QB, Alabama Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia^ Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern* Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU* Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State* Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson* Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida* Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State^ Calijah Yancey, DT, Pitt* Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama* Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame Tuli Tuipuloto, EDGE, USC Jordan Addison, WR, USC Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa Brian Branch, DB, Alabama* Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M* Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa State Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame^ Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia* Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson Quan Martin, DB, Illinois* Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama* Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah^ Will Levis, QB, Kentucky Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan* Cody Mauch, OG, North Dakota State* Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa* Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State *Target for DET ^Not interested for DET

I mentioned it above, but that’s why I would be clear with Goff and the rookie about expectations ahead of time, and I probably wouldn’t even dress the rookie in 2023. Particularly if it’s Richardson. Have a QB depth chart of 1) Goff, 2) Andy Dalton (or whatever veteran free agent you like), 3) Rookie, and you make clear from your first press conference that this kid will not see the field in 2023, no matter what. I’m okay with testing the waters on a Goff trade if Stroud is the pick at 6, because I think he could plausibly play behind this offensive line in week one. But if the value isn’t there (I’d probably want a late 1st), then there is more value in having the rookie sit behind Goff. I don’t think the answer is bringing in a journeyman. Calls would be even louder to bring in the rookie, and the QB play would be worse.

I care more about winning than having a cheap QB though. If they redshirt a rookie QB, Goff leads us to winning the NFC North and a playoff win, and they look into 2024 and say “sticking with Goff gives us the best chance to win”, I’m okay with that. It creates a bit of drama and headlines, but at the end of the day I just want to win. I would rather the rookie QB be a colossal bust and have the Lions win playoff games and divisions (and more?) under Goff than move on from a winning QB because we think we have to dog our heels in on a lesser option because we drafted one high. It’s a similar problem facing the 49ers right now. All else being equal of course I don’t want our picks to bust, but I would rather the team say “(Richardson) isn’t quite where we need him to be, and Goff puts us in the best position to win games” than double down on what’s not working to save face.

I think they would fully intend on keeping Goff at least one more year and redshirting any rookie QB. With Ben Johnson and the offensive firepower we have here, Goff’s trade value should only rise, and he also puts us in the best position to win in 2023.

I’m not impressed with Sewell, but it’s to do with his tape, not his 40. I don’t care at all about his 40. He could have been one of the dozen players to not run it and we wouldn’t even know. I also don’t think he would even be on many of our radars if he wasn’t Penei’s brother, and while that’s a cool story, I don’t think it necessarily leads to great football players (see: Romeo and Julien Okwara). As far as linebackers go, I think Jack Campbell fits the Dan Campbell culture of hard nosed football player to a t.

I'm not holding my breath that he makes the 53-man roster this fall, but getting anything at all out of him would be huge. The position doesn't have much at all in terms of depth, so he'll definitely get his chances in training camp if he can go.

I was going to say the same thing. I'm not sure he slides below #7.

He should have his day in court, but these details are bad even notwithstanding charges. There’s being guilty of misdemeanor reckless driving, and there is being guilty of making a stupid decision three months before the biggest day of your life. As of now, I’m fine with the Raiders taking him at #7 and letting them take that gamble. Regarding Lewis, I think it’s hard to compare, because the crimes/conduct is so different. I would not want Lewis because I don’t like him as a person. I had a really hard time when the Lions signed child abuser Adrian Peterson. I didn’t like him and still don’t like him as a human being. At all. So no, I wouldn’t want them to draft Lewis, or Peterson, but because they’re scum, not because I don’t trust them. I have nothing against Carter personally, I think he’s just immature, makes stupid mistakes, and is not a guy I trust being a high pick for my team.

For me, it all seems to go to a lack of maturity, both football maturity and emotional maturity. When you’re drafting someone in the first round, there is an expectation that they be a face to your franchise and a leader in the locker room. I remember the scene from Hard Knocks when Hutch got up and announced his insane signing bonus and then danced to Billy Jean. I can’t imagine that kind of situation would go great if it’s Jalen Carter announcing his insane bonus and then not showing to a voluntary workout. When McShay came out with that story, Carter had four months to refute it. During which he could have sat on his ass and done nothing and seen no hit to his stock. Instead, this happens. And then rather than showing contrition and admitting it was a stupid mistake that he made in celebration of a National Championship, he doubled down and showed that he’s not learning anything. If he can’t go four months, I don’t trust him to go 4-5 years through a large rookie contract. I’m for giving kids second chances. I’m not for giving them large checks to be the face of the franchise.

I don’t think I want anything to do with Carter. Story comes out about character concerns, he goes drag racing the next month that results in a teammate’s death, lies to police about it, gets charged with only misdemeanors, and instead of showing remorse and learning, he doubles down and claims that he’s going to be “fully exonerated”? I don’t see anyway that this guy’s behavior improves when he receives a fat NFL paycheck.

Just had a chance this morning to watch Holmes and Campbell speaking yesterday. I haven't seen anyone mention that Levi's name came up. He is on track in his rehab and in the team facilities... Nice to see him not just giving up. Would be great if he could even just turn into a depth piece on the defensive line.

I think Campbell's comments could just as easily be saying that we are not going to be the 2022 Jaguars out-paying everybody else for the free agents we want. I have a hard time believing that the master plan involves never signing free agents to multi-year deal. That would be uncharacteristically dumb.

I really want them to get one good corner in free agency. Preferably Dean or Bradberry. I don't think there is starting corner talent on the roster after Okudah, and I don't think it's fair to expect a rookie corner not named Sauce to start on day one as an outside corner in the NFL. Beyond that, I'm perfectly content with drafting and re-signing. Bobby Wagner would be nice for a veteran presence, but if they don't want to spend the money I am not going to complain. We saw them stand pat last season (particularly on defense) against many fan's wishes, and they tripled their win total. They absolutely have a plan, and I'm definitely not in favor of blowing that plan up and spending for the sake of spending.

Not publicly. It may have been a flag by medical staff, because the back was an issue for him at Washington, but he didn't miss a game because of it until he hit the NFL to my knowledge.

The NFLPA released report cards today for every franchise based off of surveys they had players complete. I’m not sure how much weight to put into it, because I’m sure all sorts of things can influence these results outside of the truth. Lions were ranked 15th of 32. The Vikings came in 1st and the Commanders came in last. Cardinals were 31st.

Could be. He’s a $9.5MM cap savings with a post 6/1 cut, so it would likely depend on how much the regime loves the pick and how much they need the money.

I think he’ll be on the team through April and they’ll decide after the draft what to do with him. A guard in the first three rounds means he’s out. Otherwise crossing our fingers that the back is healed.

I don’t think I’m interested in Bresee before the 2nd/3rd round but I’d be very interested there. He’s got the ceiling to be at a Jalen Carter. He’s just got a very large bust potential too.

I like Wilson a lot, but I think I see a lot of Travon Walker in him. Stare long enough at any prospect (Anderson here, Hutch last year), and you’ll manufacture flaws. Analytics matter, no doubt, but I don’t think they should necessarily overshadow the eye test and statistics. If a team takes Wilson with Anderson on the board, which I think is a distinct possibility, I think they will regret that decision long-term.

How about if they drop to 4 and we jump to 3 and snipe Anderson?

I think Skoronski would make a lot of sense if you don’t love the defensive players there. Immediate plug and play at guard and can move to RT when you move on from Decker. I think it would be a contender for the best offensive line in the NFL, if they can freaking stay healthy.

Richardson makes zero sense for the Colts and I’ve got to toss the rest of that out because of it. It will be really interesting to see how far Carter slides though.

I really doubt it’s a corner at 6 unless the next Sauce Gardner appears in the next month. As of now I just don’t see enough separation between 1-5 and 6-15 at the corner position to justify taking one early instead of waiting until the 2nd round.