2023 Draft Fits

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
Solak has been pushing this narrative on a couple Ringer podcasts, too.

Wonder if BB is doing Caserio a solid & helping him drum up interest in the pick since the Texans have no interest in Stroud.

I would like it if they monitored the ARich situation & be ready to trade up a bit to get him if necessary, but they didn't do that on Fields so I'm not optimistic.

Going to go with a Druckenmiller comp on Levis.
The only QB I'd be excited to go up for would be Richardson. Don't see the upside for Stroud and while I can see Levis' appeal, I really don't like the way he throws, his upper body is all stiff, he's so wonky throwing left, to me that's way harder to fix than footwork. I think Richardson's career is very destination dependent, if he's drafted by a team who knows what to do with quarterbacks he could be a star.
 

Shelterdog

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 19, 2002
15,375
New York City
I think they are out on Wright, they have been connected to every top OT except for Wright, they have had meetings with Paris Johnson, multiple meetings with Brod Jones, met with Anton Harrison, Mauch, and Steen for a later round pick. I agree with SMU that there is too much Wynn in Wright to risk where he is going to go. I don't think Levis is a smokescreen, I think they brought him in to do some advanced scouting assuming he goes to IND. He wasn't going to be there at 14 and probably isn't as good as Mac Jones regardless. I do think there is legit interest in Bijan as he is arguably the safest pick in this draft class and NE isn't going to win an arms race in the AFC regardless so switching to a ball control plus strong D type of team might be their best chance at competing.

Only player I hope they would consider trading up for is Richardson. He is the ultimate boom/bust prospect in this draft and arguably the only true difference maker on offense. If he doesn't work out at QB he might be the best move TE in the NFL in 3yrs, kidding but not really.
What do you mean too much Wynn in Wright? They seem like very different prospects.
 

JM3

often quoted
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2019
14,293
The only QB I'd be excited to go up for would be Richardson. Don't see the upside for Stroud and while I can see Levis' appeal, I really don't like the way he throws, his upper body is all stiff, he's so wonky throwing left, to me that's way harder to fix than footwork. I think Richardson's career is very destination dependent, if he's drafted by a team who knows what to do with quarterbacks he could be a star.
Richardson's athletic ability, arm strength & pocket presence makes both his floor & his ceiling so high. More than any QB prospect in a long time I want him to go to a team I don't mind rooting for.
 

Justthetippett

New Member
Aug 9, 2015
2,394
Richardson's athletic ability, arm strength & pocket presence makes both his floor & his ceiling so high. More than any QB prospect in a long time I want him to go to a team I don't mind rooting for.
Like the Pats! He seems to have slipped in the latest mocks, including Kiper's. Not sure if this means anything but if he does slip I hope the Pats either extract a 2024 R1 from someone or drop the hammer themselves. Personally I doubt he gets by Indy.
 

j44thor

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
10,961
What do you mean too much Wynn in Wright? They seem like very different prospects.
Uncoachable and questionable work ethic, those are the rumors circulating and why Wright is likely dropping. Otherwise he'd be right up there with Skor, Johnson, Jones based on tape.
 

Shelterdog

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 19, 2002
15,375
New York City
Uncoachable and questionable work ethic, those are the rumors circulating and why Wright is likely dropping. Otherwise he'd be right up there with Skor, Johnson, Jones based on tape.
Not sure that’s the issue with Wynn at least not until
This year-injuries are wynns big problem
 

JM3

often quoted
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2019
14,293
Like the Pats! He seems to have slipped in the latest mocks, including Kiper's. Not sure if this means anything but if he does slip I hope the Pats either extract a 2024 R1 from someone or drop the hammer themselves. Personally I doubt he gets by Indy.
Yeah, my hierarchy of happiness would be something like...

1) falls to Pats at 14
2) modest trade up to grab him
3) Seahawks
4) Lions
5) Pats big trade up to get him
6) other

If the Pats don't get him I'm on team trade down & take advantage of the big fluffy center of this draft with as many mid-range picks as possible.

I would also look into trading away Mac & trading for Lance, but I'm stubborn.
 

MannyRam

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 25, 2002
781
North Cackalacky
This is largely where I am. Trade down to the 20s, pick up another 2nd and a 5th, take OT first. Then Campbell, then a WR/TE/Edge.
Silly me - thought Wright would fall to the 20s and could snag Campbell early in the 2nd. That said, very happy to get Gonzales. And Witherspoon and Forbes drafted ahead? Not sure what I'm missing
 

Justthetippett

New Member
Aug 9, 2015
2,394
Silly me - thought Wright would fall to the 20s and could snag Campbell early in the 2nd. That said, very happy to get Gonzales. And Witherspoon and Forbes drafted ahead? Not sure what I'm missing
I can understand Witherspoon given what Seattle already has and Pete's penchant for guys that play with an edge, but I agree on Forbes. I don't see that one working out for Wash. I actually worried when they were on the clock that they would pick Levis and leave BB to decide between Forbes and Gonzalez. Happy it broke the way it did.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
Last year their biggest issue on offense was the OL. This off-season they signed multiple OTs and just drafted 3 IOLs to go with Hines who is coming back but a flyer last year and Steuber who honestly is probably roster fodder. They spent their FA dollars on a TE and a WR and added an RB. The two WRs they took are both RAC slot types one of whom has a nice ceiling of a WR1 or high 2 and the other is at least a very good returner. The picks they made on offense make sense. Look the board and the way other teams picked they basically went with BPA and it was defense. Last year I was skeptical but this year I think they really crushed it.
 

OldeBeanTowne

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2007
1,093
Last year their biggest issue on offense was the OL. This off-season they signed multiple OTs and just drafted 3 IOLs to go with Hines who is coming back but a flyer last year and Steuber who honestly is probably roster fodder. They spent their FA dollars on a TE and a WR and added an RB. The two WRs they took are both RAC slot types one of whom has a nice ceiling of a WR1 or high 2 and the other is at least a very good returner. The picks they made on offense make sense. Look the board and the way other teams picked they basically went with BPA and it was defense. Last year I was skeptical but this year I think they really crushed it.
Have to say I agree with you @SMU_Sox. And thanks again for all your contributions here. Really learned a lot about guys I would've otherwise known nothing about. Made watching the draft this year much more entertaining than usual, despite all the pomp and circumstance.
 

Devizier

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 3, 2000
19,475
Somewhere
I have a question abou some of the sliders who seemed like superficial fits for the patriots.

One guy that came to mind is Adeboware; the Patriots had definitely scouted him and he had some pre-draft buzz, but it's pretty clear that the initial consensus of him as a day three prospect was right. Moreover, the Patriots clearly had no interest. Wondering what the issue was there? The physical tools certainly seemed to be present.

In contrast, the lack of OL/TE picks made sense in the context of the early runs at those positions.
 

ehaz

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 30, 2007
4,948
I was a little surprised by the WR picks after the first round. JSN, Zay, QJ, Addison was pretty much what you would expect for the first four. But who had the 2nd rounders being:

- Jonathan Mingo
- Jayden Reed
- Rashee Rice
 

Shelterdog

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 19, 2002
15,375
New York City
I have a question abou some of the sliders who seemed like superficial fits for the patriots.

One guy that came to mind is Adeboware; the Patriots had definitely scouted him and he had some pre-draft buzz, but it's pretty clear that the initial consensus of him as a day three prospect was right. Moreover, the Patriots clearly had no interest. Wondering what the issue was there? The physical tools certainly seemed to be present.

In contrast, the lack of OL/TE picks made sense in the context of the early runs at those positions.
He's a bit of a weird fits for the Pats isn't he? His build is more of a DT than a DE, but he's much smaller than BB likes playing inside a lot. And while he's clearly a sick athlete the football skills don't line up as well (e.g. he doesn't wrap up well, doesn't get tackles/sacks when he does get to the backfield).
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
White was one of my prototypes. He can play 3tech on passing downs if you want or start as a 4i or 5-tech. You could also line him up as a weakside edge. He fits a similar role as a beefed up Wise. He is a lot stronger than his 285 pounds would tell you. Plays like a 310+ guy. He offers you a lot of versatility.
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

Internet Cowboy, Turbo Accelerator, tOSU Denier
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Last year their biggest issue on offense was the OL. This off-season they signed multiple OTs and just drafted 3 IOLs to go with Hines who is coming back but a flyer last year and Steuber who honestly is probably roster fodder. They spent their FA dollars on a TE and a WR and added an RB. The two WRs they took are both RAC slot types one of whom has a nice ceiling of a WR1 or high 2 and the other is at least a very good returner. The picks they made on offense make sense. Look the board and the way other teams picked they basically went with BPA and it was defense. Last year I was skeptical but this year I think they really crushed it.
The OTs they signed are either way too old (Reiff) or guys who are depth guys. They did not address their OT problem at all, and the three late round interior guys.......maybe? They picked a kicker in the fourth round, they reached on at least one player, if not two.

Listen, if you thought you came off as skeptical last year, read your posts from last year. I get that you are trying to appeal to folks who can build your audience, but you are smart enough that you can see the truth. Speak it. That is the brand you should build. Not contrarian, but honest.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
Yammer, you’re on ignore and going after my character is kind of sad. I saw you quoted me so I made the mistake of showing ignored content. I won’t be making that mistake again. Please cease to engage with my content going forward as I won’t be responding minus this one post.
I’m honest… I write about draft superlatives every year. Gonzalez, White, Mapu, Sow, Mafi, and I think Douglas were all on them. Andrews and Boutte weren’t. I didn’t do special teams.

The OT class sucked this year. There were 2 OTs taken day 3, Steen at 65 and Morris at 92. Day 3 OTs are a gigantic gamble anyway and they took one with Sow.
I wrote about how none of the top OTs were slam dunks. Read the superlatives for that. The value didn’t match the board for taking an OT. Pretty obvious when you look at where the OTs went. Furthermore taking a different OL than Sow or an OT round 4 doesn’t exactly solve the tackle situation. They couldn’t solve all of their roster issues in one draft and OT and TE unfortunately didn’t get addressed. Day 3 OTs have a minuscule hit rate. Hell day 2 OTs don’t hit as often as other positions. I’m fine with them taking a corner who was 7th on the consensus draft board Vs the OTs who in most years are round 2 or back of the first guys.
My honest take is what I’ve said - they stuck to their board which had defensive players higher days 1 and 2. White was someone they were considering at 14.
 

GB5

New Member
Aug 26, 2013
675
SMU, thank you for your time consuming draft material. I enjoy it every year. So much over the years has been Belichick drafting lower rated guys because they fit his system. With that in mind, how do we explain Mapu. From my recollection I don’t recall him drafting undersized linebackers who can fly and attack the line of scrimmage.
Redshirt year for the most part this year?

What do you make of Bill going off script(if you agree) and drafting a”new age” linebacker?
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

Internet Cowboy, Turbo Accelerator, tOSU Denier
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Yammer, you’re on ignore and going after my character is kind of sad. I saw you quoted me so I made the mistake of showing ignored content. I won’t be making that mistake again. Please cease to engage with my content going forward as I won’t be responding minus this one post.
I’m honest… I write about draft superlatives every year. Gonzalez, White, Mapu, Sow, Mafi, and I think Douglas were all on them. Andrews and Boutte weren’t. I didn’t do special teams.

The OT class sucked this year. There were 2 OTs taken day 3, Steen at 65 and Morris at 92. Day 3 OTs are a gigantic gamble anyway and they took one with Sow.
I wrote about how none of the top OTs were slam dunks. Read the superlatives for that. The value didn’t match the board for taking an OT. Pretty obvious when you look at where the OTs went. Furthermore taking a different OL than Sow or an OT round 4 doesn’t exactly solve the tackle situation. They couldn’t solve all of their roster issues in one draft and OT and TE unfortunately didn’t get addressed. Day 3 OTs have a minuscule hit rate. Hell day 2 OTs don’t hit as often as other positions. I’m fine with them taking a corner who was 7th on the consensus draft board Vs the OTs who in most years are round 2 or back of the first guys.
My honest take is what I’ve said - they stuck to their board which had defensive players higher days 1 and 2. White was someone they were considering at 14.
To be frank John, I don't care that I am on ignore. You have always been thin skinned and I will call bullshit where I see it. The OT class sucked this year???? Read your first posts in this thread. But more importantly, read your posts from last year and note that your default is to play to what you think folks want to hear. You weren't critical. Pandering to the crowd to build audience for your writing is easy to get sucked into in an era of clickbait and follows, but it does not create value . Sow is a superlative???? Douglas??? Mapu???? Good Lord, John.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
SMU, thank you for your time consuming draft material. I enjoy it every year. So much over the years has been Belichick drafting lower rated guys because they fit his system. With that in mind, how do we explain Mapu. From my recollection I don’t recall him drafting undersized linebackers who can fly and attack the line of scrimmage.
Redshirt year for the most part this year?

What do you make of Bill going off script(if you agree) and drafting a”new age” linebacker?
I think with Mapu there are a lot of similarities with Dugger and Phillips. Bill loves going big nickel but he also likes linebackers who can take on offensive linemen head on. Mapu is a mix of both. He might be a nickel backer or a dime backer to start next year. Remember Cameron McGrone? He has a similar ability to smash heads downhill. Unlike McGrone he is better in coverage. He probably won't be able to handle covering slots in man but tight ends seems like a possibility. They announced him as an ILB so I would imagine he puts on 10 pounds or so. The strength and conditioning program will work wonders for him.
 

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
Moderator
SoSH Member
To be frank John, I don't care that I am on ignore. You have always been thin skinned and I will call bullshit where I see it. The OT class sucked this year???? Read your first posts in this thread. But more importantly, read your posts from last year and note that your default is to play to what you think folks want to hear. You weren't critical. Pandering to the crowd to build audience for your writing is easy to get sucked into in an era of clickbait and follows, but it does not create value . Sow is a superlative???? Douglas??? Mapu???? Good Lord, John.
This adds nothing to the thread. Take any beef you have with SMU to DMs.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
Let’s end this thread on a high note, shall we? The 2024 OT class looks really good with a lot of quality depth. Assuming a small handful (3-4) seniors who have 2 years of eligibility now and 1 year next year at the draft come out there are 10-15 legit day 1 or 2 prospects. I studied a few of them in November and December preparing for this years draft (in order to cover 280+ prospects I have to do film study 8 months of the year so I inevitably do film study on guys who return to school) and the guy who would have been my OT1 this year is definitely coming out next year for example, Olu Fashanu.

To close this out on a high note let me give you all a list of the guys I think have a shot to be top 100 picks next year:

These are the guys, in order, on mock draftable, but I have seen all of these guys discussed in some detail by other analysts. Now not all of them will come out and not all of them will end up being top 100 guys. Also, we will inevitably have someone rise up. Last year no one had Darnell Wright with a top 100 kind of grade - most outlets thought he would be a PFA or late rounder.

Olu Fashanu, PSU (watched)
Joe Alt, Notre Dame
J.C. Latham, Alabama (watched)
Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Cooper Beebe, Kansas State (watched)
Zion Nelson, Miami (watched him in 2020, 2021, and 2022 lol)
Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
Graham Barton, Duke
Amarius Mims, UGA
Jordan Morgan, Arizona
K.T. Leveston, Kansas State
Jack Nelson, Wisconsin (watched)
Jonah Monheim, USC (watched)
Robert Scott Jr., Florida State
Reuben Fatheree II, TAMU
Troy Fautanu, Washington
Patrick Paul, Houston
Zak Zinter, Michigan.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,094
Let’s end this thread on a high note, shall we? The 2024 OT class looks really good with a lot of quality depth. Assuming a small handful (3-4) seniors who have 2 years of eligibility now and 1 year next year at the draft come out there are 10-15 legit day 1 or 2 prospects. I studied a few of them in November and December preparing for this years draft (in order to cover 280+ prospects I have to do film study 8 months of the year so I inevitably do film study on guys who return to school) and the guy who would have been my OT1 this year is definitely coming out next year for example, Olu Fashanu.

To close this out on a high note let me give you all a list of the guys I think have a shot to be top 100 picks next year:

These are the guys, in order, on mock draftable, but I have seen all of these guys discussed in some detail by other analysts. Now not all of them will come out and not all of them will end up being top 100 guys. Also, we will inevitably have someone rise up. Last year no one had Darnell Wright with a top 100 kind of grade - most outlets thought he would be a PFA or late rounder.

Olu Fashanu, PSU (watched)
Joe Alt, Notre Dame
J.C. Latham, Alabama (watched)
Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Cooper Beebe, Kansas State (watched)
Zion Nelson, Miami (watched him in 2020, 2021, and 2022 lol)
Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
Graham Barton, Duke
Amarius Mims, UGA
Jordan Morgan, Arizona
K.T. Leveston, Kansas State
Jack Nelson, Wisconsin (watched)
Jonah Monheim, USC (watched)
Robert Scott Jr., Florida State
Reuben Fatheree II, TAMU
Troy Fautanu, Washington
Patrick Paul, Houston
Zak Zinter, Michigan.
Not an OT but what’s your take on BC’s Mahogany? He was getting a lot of press before last year’s offseason injury. What’s your “best case” scenario for him?
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
Not an OT but what’s your take on BC’s Mahogany? He was getting a lot of press before last year’s offseason injury. What’s your “best case” scenario for him?
I am a sucker for BC offensive linemen even though I know I know don’t scout the helmet. The dude produced on the OL as a RS freshman IIRC? When guys on the OL are holding their own at a young age that is HUGE!

I’m looking forward to watching him next year. OL tape is like listening to music for me. Fucking love watching big guys doing their thing.

With a torn ACL he might choose to go back for another season after this one if his explosiveness isn’t back so let’s keep on eye on him.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
I think sometime in June or July I’ll start a new thread on summer scouting. Hopefully after I move back to Philly and get settled in I can start making YouTube’s or TikToks. If I can’t get the thread started in June or July I’ll at least get the 2024 potential fits thread started in August. Hopefully I can actually do some live scouting of Fashanu as I want to check out Penn State’s games!
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,094
I am a sucker for BC offensive linemen even though I know I know don’t scout the helmet. The dude produced on the OL as a RS freshman IIRC? When guys on the OL are holding their own at a young age that is HUGE!

I’m looking forward to watching him next year. OL tape is like listening to music for me. Fucking love watching big guys doing their thing.

With a torn ACL he might choose to go back for another season after this one if his explosiveness isn’t back so let’s keep on eye on him.
Thanks. He kind of reminds me of Josh Beekman, one of my favorite players when I was there. Hopefully he can regain that form.