The 2025 Draft Thread

[Chris 44]

I haven't talked much about Rocket Sanders. don't love him but like him. Similar brand to Tahj Brooks.

Among these guys he reminds me the most of Brian Robinson but with more explosion so in other words better than him.

Monangai reminds me of a rich man's Chris Rodriguez. Similar style but with a bit more agility, better pass protector, and a little more explosion.

Not that am looking for better replicas of our current backs. But if I thought about it from that context, those would be the two.

Lequint Allen similar to Ekeler, better pass catcher, and pass blocker but Ekeler is the best runner IMO.

What has always stood out to me about Ekeler is his instincts and sheer will/competitiveness.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Damien Martinez, Brashard Smith, Croskey-Merrit would be my guys at RB now, Martinez easily #1 of those three but I suspect they'd go for Croskey-Merritt.

Monangai would be next for me. Then Rocket Sanders. Then Montrell Johnson.

I didn't watch Mullings much so don't have a take on him but he'd be around this range. Lequint Allen, love the pass catcher but not the RB so am mixed on him.

 

[Skinfanjon]

That’s a bit harsh and unfair to B Rob… you’re talking like he’s a scrub, he’s not. He played well before getting nicked up last year and the run blocking was bad.

Now I’m first in line for a Saquon/Jamyrr type, but our running back cupboard isn’t exactly bare… we could do a lot worse than BRob, Eckler, Rodriguez, and McNichols… that was a good committee last year…

And again, I was a fan of taking a back in the 2nd…

BRob has no vision. I’m not going to get caught up in splitting hairs about whether he’s a scrub or JAG, but he’s not anything more. Rather sign Dobbins and let him battle with CRod and McNichols for the last two spots. I’m not sure Robinson would survive.

 

[skinsinparadise]

That’s a bit harsh and unfair to B Rob… you’re talking like he’s a scrub, he’s not. He played well before getting nicked up last year and the run blocking was bad.

Now I’m first in line for a Saquon/Jamyrr type, but our running back cupboard isn’t exactly bare… we could do a lot worse than BRob, Eckler, Rodriguez, and McNichols… that was a good committee last year…

And again, I was a fan of taking a back in the 2nd…

I think Robinson is average. Below average as to consistency.

I think some miss that he was inconsistent from the jump. Poor game in game #1, game #3. It was almost a perfect good game to bad game run for him right from the start.

But two of his best games was early. And Ekeler played his best early so the running game as a whole was on fire early. But the dude who really started hot and faded some was Ekeler.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I think Robinson is more of an athlete than a RB. He's a big dude who is fast for his size and if you give him a crease he will motor through. But not much creativity to his game.

I think its a waste to use Jayden (running QBs bring the best typically out of their RBs), and this new bigger and better O line to feature Brian Robinson who IMO isn't bad but is average at best. Inconsistent from game to game and injury prone, too.

 

[heisenberg]

That’s a bit harsh and unfair to B Rob… you’re talking like he’s a scrub, he’s not. He played well before getting nicked up last year and the run blocking was bad.

Now I’m first in line for a Saquon/Jamyrr type, but our running back cupboard isn’t exactly bare… we could do a lot worse than BRob, Eckler, Rodriguez, and McNichols… that was a good committee last year…

And again, I was a fan of taking a back in the 2nd…

I dont think he's a scrub I just think he's a jag.

The running back position got Watered down for years because teams started to believe they could get production out of almost anybody drafted almost anywhere and for the most part that's been pretty true but last year there was a little bit of an awakening and teams are starting to realize again the value of having elite talent at the position if you can find it.

Robinson is that guy who can get the job done but there are still several guys in this draft just as good as he is and maybe some that are better and I want better.

This year I'm probably going to have to settle for Robinson or likely someone of his equivalent.

 

[Goskins10]

So much for getting excited about the deepest rb class in years.

Pretty slim pickings at this point.

Looks like we're going with Brian pound straight into the line of scrimmage for 3 yards robinson for one more year.

Oh well as has been said you can't overhaul the entire roster in two years, we'll eventually get an exciting back and I am very happy with the moves we've made this year.

I disagree with your assessment of Brian Robinson and the run game. Most of our running game problems were more due to the oline than the backs. Early in the season the Oline was doing a pretty decent job run blocking and we Robinson was fine. They got figured out and Kliff could not hide them anymore and the running game disappeared. This revamped oline may take 4 to 6 games to hit their stride but by the middle of the season I expect us to have a much improved run game. Also, let's not forget Deebo can change how defenses can defend us. Not saying they will be lighting the world on fire. But they don't need to.

Would I like for us to have taken a back? Yea, if the right one were there. But it's clear they believe in and are sticking to their board. That's how you build a roster, not going after perceived need.

 

[RWJ]

Man, Ahmed Hassanein taken by the Lions. I liked him if APR from VT was gone. Come on, AP. Draft the VT EDGE at #205 if he's there. Tapp was at his Pro Day and hopefully he impressed.

 

[Skinfanjon]

I’m banging the table for Ryan Fitzgerald next. Didn’t miss a kick last year. 13-13 FGs with 5 50 yarders and a long of 59. Only missed 2 kicks the year before. We met with him. Think this is the plan. Contenders need reliable kickers!

 

[skinsinparadise]

I dont think he's a scrub I just think he's a jag.

The running back position got Watered down for years because teams started to believe they could get production out of almost anybody drafted almost anywhere and for the most part that's been pretty true but last year there was a little bit of an awakening and teams are starting to realize again the value of having elite talent at the position if you can find it.

Robinson is that guy who can get the job done but there are still several guys in this draft just as good as he is and maybe some that are better and I want better.

This year I'm probably going to have to settle for Robinson or likely someone of his equivalent.

Agree with this but to your later point that remains to be seen. This RB class is special. Even this tier has its share of RBs who IMHO are distinctly better than Robinson. We got to take one though, lol.

 

[Skinfanjon]

I disagree with your assessment of Brian Robinson and the run game. Most of our running game problems were more due to the oline than the backs. Early in the season the Oline was doing a pretty decent job run blocking and we Robinson was fine. They got figured out and Kliff could not hide them anymore and the running game disappeared. This revamped oline may take 4 to 6 games to hit their stride but by the middle of the season I expect us to have a much improved run game. Also, let's not forget Deebo can change how defenses can defend us. Not saying they will be lighting the world on fire. But they don't need to.

Would I like for us to have taken a back? Yea, if the right one were there. But it's clear they believe in and are sticking to their board. That's how you build a roster, not going after perceived need.

I disagree with your disagreement.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I’m banging the table for Ryan Fitzgerald next. Didn’t miss a kick last year. 13-13 FGs with 5 50 yarders and a long of 59. Only missed 2 kicks the year before. We met with him. Think this is the plan. Contenders need reliable kickers!

Am good with that. I prefer other spots but wouldn't hate it. I've read a few things about him after seeing they met with him.

 

[heisenberg]

Would I like for us to have taken a back? Yea, if the right one were there. But it's clear they believe in and are sticking to their board. That's how you build a roster, not going after perceived need.

I totally agree, I'm not disappointed at all with what the team has done, they've picked very well based on how the draft fell to them.

I'm just bummed it didn't fall a little differently.

 

[Gooseneck]

With 6 picks before us

Aeneas Peebles
DI
Virginia Tech

R.J. Mickens
S
Clemson

Jared Ivey
ED

Kaimon Rucker
ED
North Carolina

Damien Martinez
HB
Miami (FL)




Tyler Batty
ED
Sebastian Castro
S




Brashard Smith
HB
SMU

Kaimon Rucker
ED
North Carolina

Seth McLaughlin
C
Ohio State

157
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
ED
Virginia Tech



Kobe King
LB
Penn State

196
R.J. Oben
ED
Notre Dame

Jah Joyner
ED
Minnesota

Kyle Monangai
HB
Rutgers


Dan Jackson
S
Georgia
POS
Marcus Yarns
HB
Delaware

Cody Lindenberg
LB
Minnesota

Rayuan Lane III
S

Dean Clark
S
Fresno State

Raheim Sanders
HB
South Carolina

Corey Kiner
HB
Cincinnati

Jay Higgins
LB

LeQuint Allen
HB
Syracuse

Hunter Wohler
S
Wisconsin
View
Player

Kitan Crawford
S
Nevada

POSJacory Croskey-Merritt

Fadil Diggs
ED
Syracuse
POS

Ja'Quinden Jackson
HB
Arkansas

 

[bainesdc]

I smell Antwaun Powell-Ryland or Jacory Croskey-Merritt here

 

[RWJ]

I'm hoping APR but am thinking AP spends it on FSU PK Fitzpatrick.

 

[Gooseneck]

Who is the best long snapper out there?

 

[RWJ]

Just noticed Dallas is a pick ahead of us. Don't take our player away from us Clay!

 

[Skinfanjon]

Am good with that. I prefer other spots but wouldn't hate it. I've read a few things about him after seeing they met with him.

It’s as unsexy as it gets but man, I don’t need to see the OCD routine every time next year. Hitting on a real PK is probably more impactful than anything else they can pull here.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I remember baking in the heat in Tampa and saying on ES more Ekeler and less Robinson in game 1. Week #3 really bad against Cincy. Week #5 really bad against the Browns. He had 2 of his three 100 yard games early. And Ekeler filled in well early in the season when Robinson struggled so it felt like the running game was going good because someone was hot enough early in the season.

But Robinson bounced from bad game to good game throughout the season. I agree he doesn't suck. He's IMO a JAG. So so. Some of that is on the O line. But he also had an offense geared to stop Jayden with RPOs-RO and it translated for same old same old for him.

I said this weeks ago. And it wasn't about taking a shot at him but more about this RB class -- IMO even the 4th tier group of RBs, the late rounders, has a bunch who I believe are better than Robinson.