Reese looks to be the one with the most upside to me. Don't take me wrong, I think Bain is a good solid pick too. I agree he is kind of an anchor of the defense. Like JFM was, but of course better. But I believe with Reese we can have a true passing game wrecker who can be good in the run game too. He seems to be a freak athletically who is strong as an ox and can defend the run too. Like Parsons, Anderson type. He compliments JJ very well, who is better as a run defender. Also, on Bain, I am not sure if these measurables are accurate (https://x.com/dpbrugler/status/2001298384238309505), but if true, 6-2, 277lb, 30 3/4 arms, is not ideal for an Edge in the NFL. Now, seeing him play, I have no doubt he will be very good, but does that limit his potential a bit against athletic NFL OTs with 34+ inch arms? Aiden Hutchinson for example (similar anchor type taken #2), was taller, leaner, and had longer arms. And again, I like Bain, but from potential perspective, even with a bit of projection, I think Reese seems like a higher ceiling guy. Needs to gain a few pounds, which he did last year, and can do again, is just 20, bigger frame, long arms, freak athlete, and is already playing at all American level. I would probably take him at this point. But really looking forward what Bain can do against Indy OL tonight.
My biggest takeaway whenever I look at these two guys is that we really can’t fuck it up. There are indicators for both guys that says the could be stars or duds. Walking away from the draft with either is a huge win. I prefer Reese because he can change the way an entire defense looks with his ability to play the run and get to the QB from different positions. But hard to get mad about drafting a stud DE.
I think the modern NFL is more now about the passing and inversely getting to the QB to limit the passing attack. So if Reese projects to be better at getting to QB at the next level, while can still defend the run quite well, it just sounds a bit more exciting. How it all works out no one knows...
Reese has a lot of one hit wonder in his profile. Not to mention, Bain's resume this year is superior to Reese's in terms of production against the best teams. He dominated ND, A&M, and OSU. Also Bain has been consistently doing it his entire career. He had a breakout freshman year with 7.5 sacks and this year he had 8.5 sacks. Reese had 0.5 career sacks before this season. Not to mention Bain's hand usage is top notch and he has a great first step. He's also an effective interior rusher/disrupter. There's just so much production and impact there over a longer period of time from Bain that I couldn't pass on that for a prospect who looks raw and more of a project in Reese. I'm going with the more proven commodity over the upside/potential prospect.
I see Reese as a locked in OLB though. Not sure where he fits in a 4-3 D. He’s much better suited for a 3-4 OLB role imo. Bain I feel can play anywhere on that front 4. Going to be interesting to see how he does tonight
Why don't you think he can gain another 7lbs like he did last year and play DE a la Parsons? He has a large frame, and that's what predominantly analysis are projecting.
Parsons is a bit of an outlier don’t you think? He mainly played LB at PS. Came to the NFL and his combination of bend, speed and agility made him a problem for OT. I think hoping Reese is Parsons is a long shot. For us he’s probably a will/sam LB.
This is what’s concerning. Parsons didn’t play as an elite pass rusher at Penn State at all. The way he plays in the NFL is also very unique. Undersized speed rushers like him are rarely game wreckers. Hoping Reese can somehow emulate that feels like we’re chasing a dragon.
The only reason I floated Safety is because of the mention of “best player in the draft.” Now, seeing as I know next to nothing about 99% of the available players, I wanted to get folks “take” on Downs. Is he the BPA by a mile or is it up for debate? Is he 1a and Bain 1b? That close? Essentially, if the safety is the best player available by a country mile, then, I don’t care what is considered premium, you take him. If someone feels, he’s the next coming of Ed Reed then you draft him! To me, considering it’s a passing league, I’ll agree the end is a premium position, but that would also include corner AND safety, IMHO… Yes, the primary goal is to get to the quarterback before he can actually throw the ball. However, once the ball is released, you better have a decent secondary or all the “Parsons” in the world aren’t going to save you.
There’s no way Downs is a bad player. He has a very high floor. The question is - will he make impact plays at the next level? Will he pick balls off? Will he sack the QB on light timed blitzes? Will he make TFL’s? Or will he just be a good center field safety that prevents explosives? I liked Hamilton a bit more than Downs and floated the Jets taking him at 4 over Sauce because of the impact player element. Downs is really damn good though and it’d be hard to be upset with that selection.
The 2 pick could be the catbird seat in a draft perceived as weak like this, I bet some teams will become hyper focused on players they like and want to trade up to avoid being stuck in a weak field. That's assuming we have an opportunistic GM and Woody doesn't demand they overdraft a QB out of obvious desperation. Even Fat Joe tripped into some good trades.
If Woody has the ability to do one thing - thinking - he just might. He has shown, times and again, he's actually pretty deficient in that regard.
I don't want a trade. I want 4 terrific players out of the top 44. 4 impact players can change an entire dynamic. Plus they can get some impact players in free agency. Yeah, QB is the biggest issue, and they might even draft one with he first 4 picks. I don;'t care who they draft, just get really good players. trading down gives you more picks and yes, its a crap shoot, but unless they get decent spots in return, I'm not interested in the 100th best player. 2027 gives more great opportunities. they really should have a stacked team after that, including some QB.
Correct he was a pure LB at PS and developed into a pass rusher. He’s pretty much a unicorn… I see Reese as a 3-4 OLB. What do you see him as?
The same but I think like you said he can definitely play that WILL coverage/blitzing linebacker especially with the modern day 4-2-5 being used on a lot more downs. Could be a really cool player but he’s not a core player. He’s someone you add to a good defense already ala Seattle or either of the LA teams. Not someone you make a center piece.
Reese probably has higher upside (younger, longer arms) but Bain is the safer pick for me. Bain's floor is high and if he had longer arms he'd be considered a freak athlete too. It's a tough call. Reese probably has a better shot at being a 15+ sack guy but Bain is more likely to be a consistent 10 sack guy who does well in run support, holds the edge well, etc. I lean Bain as of now but I've seen him play a lot more than Reese so I'm biased.
If the Jets are not sure Reese can be converted to a full time Edge and be a core foundational player, he cannot be picked at 2. Not sure of he can or not, but if the Jets plan to leave him at LB, I would not pick at #2. Also, I just learned he missed bunch of games in his freshman season with concussion. Don't know if this is relevant now two years later, but it certainly wasn't great to hear. And Bain sure did make a strong case tonight, stepped up in the biggest moment. Was double and even triple teamed a lot, and won most of 1 on 1s. If measurements come in a little better than unofficial reports, he could be a lock at 2. Baily and Tate are the other two who could be under consideration.
Unless Reese is a true LB who can also blitz, I can see it but he is way too small to be an edge. Seems like peoples reach for the next Michael Oarains but there’s really only been one. Will McDonald fills this role for us anyways. Bain looked great tonight. Engaged in the run. Solid pass rush on double teams all night. He reminds me so much of TJ Watt. Not the biggest but a true threat with Ben’s off the edge. I liked Saratt from Indiana too. Reminds me of Gabe Davis maybe in round 2. And this is a stretch but 61 Mauiga on Miami is a sick OL. Maybe draft as a G and build best ol ever at16
Throw out that last interception last night .,,gimme Carson Beck at #2 Let him sit and learn till the Jets fire Glenn Miami stormed back after a poor start in November And beat some powerhouse teams JMHO
