The 2025 Draft Thread

[RWJ]

He's a fun watch. He's surpassed Woody Marks with me as my top late round get if they take one late. No fumbles. Might be the best pass protector in this group. Runs with attitude.

I'm still on the Woody Marks train. His burst through the LOS, hands as a RB and ball security have him as my go to late round (5th/6th/7th) RB

 

[DogofWar1]

Femi Oladejo, UCLA (6-3, 261, no 40)
Said one scout: “He played stack linebacker for three seasons (two at Cal) and edge for one. More of a run defender than a pass rusher relying on his power and length (33 3/8 arms). Just the lack of awareness and instincts kind of limits his production. When he gets to the NFL he’s going to have to choose between football and this faith-based group that has been banned from college campuses across the country. It is probably not ideal for him.”

Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings...

Which prospect with red flags is worth the gamble? Tennessee's James Pearce & Marshall's Mike Green are igniting lively debate in draft meetings. Scouts tell all to our Bob McGinn.

www.golongtd.com

https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/7947ab31-f916-47a6-8b8f-62d56b4967f4_5388x3592.jpeg

Scusi, Le what?

 

[Anselmheifer]

Xavier Restrepo certainly wouldn’t be in keeping with our usual RAS standards.

 

[Hail Raiser]

I think Mowgui (monangi) is becoming my favorite RB. We have two temple guys on the roster. 3rds a charm. I like that program.

 

[DWinzit]

Xavier Restrepo certainly wouldn’t be in keeping with our usual RAS standards.

You sure have that right.

Did Restrepo ever run a better 40 than his initial 4.83? I understand he said a hamstring was a little sore. He has a great talent and head for the slot but he would never scare anyone or reach the end zone at that speed

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don't make too much of a "private"workout. We already know they worked out the U kicker. So while they are down there why not hit multiple players?

If I found out they met with him at the combine, I'd take the Restrepo thing more seriously.

 

[Riggo44]

Sorry! I work 40-50 hours + 25-30 with football. Just haven’t had the time to get into it this year. Hoping once I get some things settled I’ll have more time for next offseason.

 

[Riggo44]

6 Days until the best book of the year comes out:

 

[DogofWar1]

I need to check my Athletic subscription, I was tryna get 2 years of The Beast without paying an arm and a leg using their specials, I know that's close to running out...

 

[DWinzit]

By having a top 30 visit with Louisville's Edge Ashton Gillotte AP is continuing to focus on players projected in the late day two and day three area that fit at least portions of their "Commanders" profile. He has a lot of positive characteristics, athleticism and accolades although he isn't the type that would bring fear to an OC. He would be a good addition in a sum of the parts D.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Does anybody else here think that Kenneth Grant would be the perfect guy to pair with Johnny Newton, or that Jihad Campbell might make a great succession plan for Bobby Wagner, and also help us off the edge?

There are so many solid directions we could go.

 

[Hail Raiser]

We added 2 blue chippers (Tunsil, Deebo) and resigned another (Wagner), but we need to load up on the "core" types that you find day 2-3 and develop. We really need to trade back somehow. Maybe twice, so we don't have to keep signing one year cast offs.

 

[DWinzit]

We added 2 blue chippers (Tunsil, Deebo) and resigned another (Wagner), but we need to load up on the "core" types that you find day 2-3 and develop. We really need to trade back somehow. Maybe twice, so we don't have to keep signing one year cast offs.

Yeah, to me that is the backbone of the roster!

 

[Hail Raiser]

Yeah, to me that is the backbone of the roster!

Forgot which thread we were talking about this. ols

 

[DWinzit]

Forgot which thread we were talking about this. ols

Well it both now and fits in both

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

We added 2 blue chippers (Tunsil, Deebo) and resigned another (Wagner), but we need to load up on the "core" types that you find day 2-3 and develop. We really need to trade back somehow. Maybe twice, so we don't have to keep signing one year cast offs.

I will say, though, signing the 1 year cast offs has worked rather well for Peters. And we re-signed a few of the 1 year players to another 1 year deal.

I agree it would be good to build the middle of the roster through the draft.

However, I might take an opposite approach: I think they should go for key contributors in the draft, especially early. They've proven they can find depth in FA, so eh, keep doing that while taking swings at starters early in the draft.

Just because building a roster hasn't exactly been done this way in the past doesn't mean it's the wrong way of doing it. I like the creativity.

I would absolutely entertain small trade backs. The one I saw proposed which I would be all for is trading back from 29 to Cleveland's pick #33 and pick up a 4th or something like that. It's 5 picks, they would be going up to get a QB and get the 5th year option, and we'd drop down and collect a mid round pick. That would make a ton of sense.

However, I wouldn't trade back too far. I still think they need 2 starters in this draft: Edge and RB. They might disagree, but that's what I think.

 

[The Chump Bailey]

Does anybody else here think that Kenneth Grant would be the perfect guy to pair with Johnny Newton, or that Jihad Campbell might make a great succession plan for Bobby Wagner, and also help us off the edge?

There are so many solid directions we could go.

There a lot of dudes I'd like to rotate in with Johnny & Kinlaw and he's one but if I could only pick one name it'd be his mate Mason Graham.

I'd also love:

TJ Sanders South Carolina
Walter Nolen Ole Miss
Deone Walker Kentucky
CJ West Indiana
Tyleik Williams Ohio State
Derrick Harmon Oregon
Omarr Norman Lott Tennessee

 

[Hail Raiser]

I will say, though, signing the 1 year cast offs has worked rather well for Peters. And we re-signed a few of the 1 year players to another 1 year deal.

I agree it would be good to build the middle of the roster through the draft.

However, I might take an opposite approach: I think they should go for key contributors in the draft, especially early. They've proven they can find depth in FA, so eh, keep doing that while taking swings at starters early in the draft.

Just because building a roster hasn't exactly been done this way in the past doesn't mean it's the wrong way of doing it. I like the creativity.

I would absolutely entertain small trade backs. The one I saw proposed which I would be all for is trading back from 29 to Cleveland's pick #33 and pick up a 4th or something like that. It's 5 picks, they would be going up to get a QB and get the 5th year option, and we'd drop down and collect a mid round pick. That would make a ton of sense.

However, I wouldn't trade back too far. I still think they need 2 starters in this draft: Edge and RB. They might disagree, but that's what I think.

Signing all of them only works because we have a lot of cap and cash, that is going to change and we won't have that option anymore.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Signing all of them only works because we have a lot of cap and cash, that is going to change and we won't have that option anymore.

I politely disagree. The "cheap and available" guys on one year deals are exactly that, cheap and available. The only one year guy who's making any money is Wagner. (And they probably offered Wagner a 2 or 3 year deal to spread the cap and he probably turned it down. At his age, I'm sure he is content to go year by year on fully guaranteed contracts.) The rest are all affordable. You can do that with the bottom part of the roster until the cows come home.

What becomes more difficult when they pay Daniels is signing other top-end, high money guys, or absorbing the Deebo deal, or the Lattimore deal. That's the part that gets more difficult. Signing random WR4 in FA because you didn't draft one won't really change.

 

[burgold]

I will say, though, signing the 1 year cast offs has worked rather well for Peters. And we re-signed a few of the 1 year players to another 1 year deal.

It did, but the danger of is you've got to have a really amazing batting average as a GM. The one-year rental has to be able to fit, get up to speed with the playbook almost immediately, and then produce at a highish level. Almost all of Peter's prove it contract guys worked out last year. I don't know that he can do that every year.