Who is your pick at #7?

[Primus Porcus]

There is elite blue chip talent.

Love and Styles. They check every single box there is to check.

I personally think Mendoza is, too. He’s just a gamer. When the game is on the line he’ll make the play needed. He may not throw for 300 hundred a game, but he’ll move the chains and have solid QB stats. And they have Jeanty. And a safety blanket in Bowers.

Downs would be blue chip, but the physical stuff is a little under that threshold. But he’s close.

There isn’t blue chip talent in premium positions, though. And I think that may be what you meant.

1. Your description of Mendoza sounds A LOT like Johnny Manziel, as well as Baker Mayfield. The true question is which one do you get?

2. There absolutely isn't a blue chip talent at premium positions, and I hope the team is smart enough to understand that in this draft, while Edge might be the biggest 'need' it might not be the right play. Give me All Pro talent in the top 10 and let everyone else complain about a player who's 'pretty good' but not 'elite.'

 

[KDawg]

1. Your description of Mendoza sounds A LOT like Johnny Manziel, as well as Baker Mayfield. The true question is which one do you get?

2. There absolutely isn't a blue chip talent at premium positions, and I hope the team is smart enough to understand that in this draft, while Edge might be the biggest 'need' it might not be the right play. Give me All Pro talent in the top 10 and let everyone else complain about a player who's 'pretty good' but not 'elite.'

There is NO chance that Mendoza is ANYTHING like Manziel.

I think point 2 is in agreement - but it’s hard to tell on forums sometimes.

 

[Primus Porcus]

There is NO chance that Mendoza is ANYTHING like Manziel.

I think point 2 is in agreement - but it’s hard to tell on forums sometimes.

Fair, but Manziel was described as a gamer who didn't show up on the stat sheet, he showed up on the field.... so I'm taking by your response that he's more Mayfield than Manziel, which I'm not going to argue against, that's why I posed the question. There is a hell of a fine line between what works and what doesn't, which I also don't think gets recognized enough. The ability level between the best QB in the NFL and the 15th best isn't as much of a gap as people want to admit. Getting the 'right' guy is the key, and that's the debate about whether the guy has the right stuff or he doesn't.

 

[KDawg]

Fair, but Manziel was described as a gamer who didn't show up on the stat sheet, he showed up on the field.... so I'm taking by your response that he's more Mayfield than Manziel, which I'm not going to argue against, that's why I posed the question. There is a hell of a fine line between what works and what doesn't, which I also don't think gets recognized enough. The ability level between the best QB in the NFL and the 15th best isn't as much of a gap as people want to admit. Getting the 'right' guy is the key, and that's the debate about whether the guy has the right stuff or he doesn't.

How much do you know about Mendoza as a player?

This is a guy who printed out pictures of all of his teammates at IU when he transferred and shook their hands and knew their names when he introduced himself.

This is a guy that had pictures and stats of every Heisman winner at the Heisman ceremony so he could shake their hands and make them realize he cares that much about this stuff.

I also heard he refused to date during college because it was a distraction.

He is going to be mentored by Tom Brady.

He’s not Mayfield, either. He’s got an absolute stellar attitude.

He studies like Peyton Manning. He doesn’t have the arm talent Manning does, but he’s a guy who will grind every day to make sure he’s ready for the next day’s challenges.

He’s smart with his decisions in real time. Get down? Take contact? He makes the correct decisions. He protects the ball.

He’s not reckless, he’s media savvy and he gives a shit. If we didn’t have Jayden and were in position for Mendoza I’d feel so good getting him.

 

[Bulldog]

I would take Downs at #7 and look to use free agency to get an impact DE/rusher and #2 wide receiver.

Objectively without prejudicing guys based on position Downs looks like the best prospect IMO.

If things shake out in our favor we can also sign a primary back as well.

That would give us 4 impact players and a chance to use rest of cap space and picks in draft to build younger depth.

I would not look to resign Chris Paul or any of the super geezers like Miller, Wagner or Ertz.

These guys aren’t 29 or 30 or 31 they are over 35 and that’s the time to sell on non-quarterbacks.

I don’t see Mariota coming back with a new offense being installed that takes us further away from what Kliff had Daniels running.

Perhaps we can find a legit developmental quarterback and jettison Sam Hartman.

 

[Primus Porcus]

How much do you know about Mendoza as a player?

This is a guy who printed out pictures of all of his teammates at IU when he transferred and shook their hands and knew their names when he introduced himself.

This is a guy that had pictures and stats of every Heisman winner at the Heisman ceremony so he could shake their hands and make them realize he cares that much about this stuff.

I also heard he refused to date during college because it was a distraction.

He is going to be mentored by Tom Brady.

He’s not Mayfield, either. He’s got an absolute stellar attitude.

He studies like Peyton Manning. He doesn’t have the arm talent Manning does, but he’s a guy who will grind every day to make sure he’s ready for the next day’s challenges.

He’s smart with his decisions in real time. Get down? Take contact? He makes the correct decisions. He protects the ball.

He’s not reckless, he’s media savvy and he gives a shit. If we didn’t have Jayden and were in position for Mendoza I’d feel so good getting him.

I don't know a ton about Mendoza, i literally was deferring to you big dawg... The description you outlined had parallels to other players that had drastically different trajectories in the league. Both of which entered the league with similarities to Mendoza. Mayfield has ascended, Manziel didn't. All that said, I dont think he's Lamar, Allen, Mahomes, Jayden, Maye, or Caleb either...

 

[Bulldog]

Manziel also had a drug problem.

 

[RedWolf]

I want Bain, Love or Tate

 

[Dlts20]

I'm going with one of the 3 pass rushers strictly for the fact that I really don't like hardly any that's available in the FA market. There are decent RBs, WRs, Corners, etc but the edge pool is limited, flawed, and it's a premium position so I think that is what we will pick in the draft. Whoever of the 3 that is left will be our guy

 

[Canuck]

There is elite blue chip talent.

Love and Styles. They check every single box there is to check.

I personally think Mendoza is, too. He’s just a gamer. When the game is on the line he’ll make the play needed. He may not throw for 300 hundred a game, but he’ll move the chains and have solid QB stats. And they have Jeanty. And a safety blanket in Bowers.

Downs would be blue chip, but the physical stuff is a little under that threshold. But he’s close.

There isn’t blue chip talent in premium positions, though. And I think that may be what you meant.

I agree with your assessment and to your point, if neither of Love, Styles or Downs are there at 7, wouldn't we be better off trading down? provided we can find a partner.

 

[Bulldog]

I would take Downs over Love.

Potential longevity in the NFL plays a part in selecting in the top 10.

A franchise safety can play 10-12 years in the NFL, running backs are usually beyond their prime by 29-30 if not earlier.

 

[Canuck]

Agreed, between the 2 I'd prefer Downs, but would still be good w Love.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Downs number 1. Styles number 2. Love number 3. Bailey would be outstanding but doubt he drops.

 

[HailYeah]

I chose love simply for the fact I remember seeing Ekeler break some big runs/passes during our run in 2024 and how that changed this offense.

 

[KDawg]

I would take Downs over Love.

Potential longevity in the NFL plays a part in selecting in the top 10.

A franchise safety can play 10-12 years in the NFL, running backs are usually beyond their prime by 29-30 if not earlier.

If that safety DOES have a degenerative knee issue (we don’t know either way at this point) this point goes out the window.

 

[Bulldog]

If Love becomes an Adrian Peterson type back then he is worth the selection.

But if he becomes a now fairly common 1,050 yard rusher and catches 35 passes you are going to look back and rue selecting a player at a harder to find position.

 

[KDawg]

If Love becomes an Adrian Peterson type back then he is worth the selection.

But if he becomes a now fairly common 1,050 yard rusher and catches 35 passes you are going to look back and rue selecting a player at a harder to find position.

If Bailey gets 5 sacks a year you’re going to be frustrated.

If Styles can’t break 70 tackles - same.

If Downs has a short career because of injury OR plays like Kam Curl the first few years without ball production even if he’s a stud, people will find it to be a wasted pick.

Trust the scouting, pick the best guy, and move on. It’s all a what if game

 

[Bulldog]

I like Tate' size and competitiveness but his 4.53 speed is a question mark at this point.

Is he really a guy to take at #7?

I am looking for a replacement for McLaurin after 2026 and that players needs to have down the field creds against fast NFL corners.

 

[Canuck]

I like Tate' size and competitiveness but his 4.53 speed is a question mark at this point.

Is he really a guy to take at #7?

I am looking for a replacement for McLaurin after 2026 and that players needs to have down the field creds against fast NFL corners.

I don't think he'll be there at 7, but I would take him if he was.

Can always go WR next yr as well if needed.

 

[Bulldog]

You think Tate will go ahead of where Nabors went last year?