First edit, moved Evan Neal up 1 slot in front of Linderbaum, now at 4. Primary reason is G/RT/LT versatility.
I don’t think you can play Neal at guard, unless you have Josh Allen or Herbert. He’s too tall even if he’s capable enough. I can’t imagine he can get his pad level low enough to consistently take on nose tackles either.
He did it well in the SEC. He successfully played all 3 positions over 3 seasons for Alabama. Played guard in 2019, took over for Wills at RT in 2020 and then took over for Leatherwood at LT in 2021. If you draft him, I’d keep Fant for his final year, play Neal at RG, and then however Becton does in year 3 lets you know whether you have Becton at LT and Neal at RT or Neal at LT and Becton at RT going forward.
I know he did, but that doesn’t mean that’s his optimal fit. He’s very big for a guard and you don’t want to move offensive lineman inside to out. It goes outside to in and once they’re in, they’re usually not going back out barring being a special player like Elgton Jenkins. We have a 6’2” quarterback that hasn’t yet displayed the confidence to step up in the pocket. The last thing you want is another 6’7” monster standing in front of him, at guard no less. On top of the fact that trying to block 6’2” 310 defensive tackles that are lined up closer to you than edge rushers are gets difficult at that height with long arms.
I have 2 hopes for the rest of this season and the offseason. 1) I'm still holding out hope that Detroit and/or Houston falls in love with Pickett or Corral. If a QB goes before our first pick, it basically guarantees us one of Hutchinson, Thibodeaux, or favorite OL (my order would be Ekwonu then Neal in the top 5). 2) Seattle loses at least 2 of their final 4 games, that would almost lock their pick into a top 10. We take their pick and trade back to one of the QB-needy teams in the mid-late teens (Pittsburgh, Denver, WFT, etc.) grab some extra picks and then take best playmaker available there, focusing on CB or WR with guys like Gardner, McCreary, or Elam at CB and Olave, Wilson, Williams, Burks, or Dotson at WR. I like the value of some of the OL prospects in the early-mid 2nd round range which makes me want to hold off on OL in the 1st but I wouldn't hate taking any of the guys already mentioned in this thread (Ekwonu, Neal, Linderbaum, Cross, & Kenyon Green) depending on where those picks ultimately land.
Personally I think he looks pretty good at keeping his pad level low here, #73 playing LG: He’s a total athletic freak for his size so he can get pretty low with good balance.
I just don’t think it’s a smart football move to draft a guy that high and play him an entire year at guard and then expect him to make the year 2 adjustment to play tackle all of a sudden. You’re playing with fire. Not to mention there are very few guards that big and tall for a reason regardless of how good of an athlete he is. Athleticism isn’t the issue moving from inside out anyways though. It’s pad level and consistent leg drive. Not to mention you need less arm extension against defensive tackles than you do defensive ends. You’re moving bodies at guard and getting to the next level not turning bodies out. To avoid double posting, I’ve watched FCS North Dakota State a couple weeks in a row now in the playoffs and I like what I saw out of this kid below. There aren’t a lot of highlight videos out there but I think I like him as a Kyle Juszczyk. A coaching staff would have to be very creative in developing him for this and he is NOT a NFL running back. But he’s a bruising runner who I’m sure would be a willing blocker and receiver on a NFL payroll. FYI I’ve never really watched too much FCS other than Wentz/Lance highlight reel so I might be adjusting very incorrectly for talent level.
Watching videos of Booth play makes me want him if Thibodeaux and Hutchinson are off the board when we pick.
-We really need an edge rusher badly. Don’t think Carl Lawson would have been a huge upgrade. Plus, DE need breaks or they get hurt. I don’t care but our first pick has to be used on Hutch, Thib, or Karalaftis -Seattle pick has to be traded back. Even if that means we lose on a guy like Stingley. We need to get a second round pick this year or something similar. Just too many holes that it doesn’t matter if we pass up on a Stingley. -Lot of football left to be played. Toilet bowl next wkd determines a lot. Also, I think Detroit wins one more. I could see us ending up with Thibideuax ideal draft, just assuming we get another second round pick. -Thibdeux -Sauce Gardner -Drake London or best WR round 2 first pick -Christian Harris -Jordan Battle
I agree but I think the Jets would be better served taking an OT instead of a CB. The CBs (Hall and Echols) have played well. I’d like to see them with another year of experience and a much improved pass rush.
It’s a decent CB room. Safety is a bigger area of need for us now that I think about it but Maye will be back, hopefully. we need to hit on every draft pick this year.
If I’m JD, I use the cap space we have this year to plug as many holes on D as possible. Probably looking at, at least, 2 LB’s, 1 CB, and 2 S’s. That would open the draft up for us so much by allowing us to focus on premium positions (EDGE, CB, WR, OL) with our first 4 picks.
I'd lose my shit if we got Sauce Gardner in the second. I think he'll go much higher. I'd consider him in the Linderbaum range, he is going to be so good as a pro if he can stay healthy.
I wouldn't be opposed to drafting a LB with one of the first 4 picks. Maybe sign one FA, but get a young guy who can replace Mosley soon. Harris, Clark, and Lloyd come to mind as round 2 possibilities.
