2025 NFL Draft Chatter

[NoDak]

Just saw a mock that had this trade taking place...


New England trades: 2025 first-rounder (No. 1)

Las Vegas trades: 2025 first-rounder (No. 8), 2025 second-rounder (No. 39), 2026 first-rounder, 2026 third-rounder, 2027 first-rounder, 2027 third-rounder

Round 1, Pick No. 8: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
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Huh. I wonder if the author of this mock is a Patriots fan?

 

[Simpleton]

I’d prefer Hampton in the second to Jeanty in the first. Problem is I don’t see a WR worth a damn at our spot likely in the first, and what we need is offensive skill position talent since we are saddled with a shitbag of a QB.

Is there an impact edge rusher there?

There are a ton of front 7 players that will be available but I don't think any truly stand out above the rest. My favorite is Derrick Harmon since he's the most well-rounded DT after Graham, and there are a few nice edge rushers but most of them are limited in some form or fashion.

Mykel Williams has ideal size and is excellent against the run but his burst/bend is questionable, Pearce has excellent burst and a frame to add weight but struggles against the run, Jalon Walker might be the best pure edge rusher after Carter but he's a tweener who kind of doesn't fit neatly anywhere in a 4-3, he might fit as a 3-4 OLB.

Same goes for the DT's, Kenneth Grant is great against the run but one-dimensional as a rusher and Walter Nolen is really explosive but gets washed out against the run.

Ultimately Jeanty will probably be the BPA but if we take one of these front 7 players with someone like Hampton in the 2nd or Sampson in the 3rd that'd be fine.

 

[Rev]

It's going to suck when they pay Dowdle in the offseason and don't draft a rb until the 6th or 7th round.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

It's going to suck when they pay Dowdle in the offseason and don't draft a rb until the 6th or 7th round.

The sad thing is we will act like you only need one RB on the roster. I don't trust this team to draft one RB much less 2 RBs so I want to resign Dowdle for that reason. But lord knows you're probably right about resigning Dowdle and then not drafting anyone.

The worst is we will hear the same excuses after the draft. They all just went a little higher than we thought. We really liked some guys in the fourth but didn't have a fourth round pick. We really liked this TE that we just had to have.

Yada Yada Yada. It's the best RB class in probably 5+ years and we will still find a reason to not take one. It wasn't that long ago we took Pollard while having a Zeke in his prime. But that feels like ages ago now.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Jalon Walker might be the best pure edge rusher after Carter but he's a tweener who kind of doesn't fit neatly anywhere in a 4-3, he might fit as a 3-4 OLB.

Yeah watched him more yesterday and it's kind of funny. For a guy with tweener size he plays with a ton of power. He can straight bullrush a 300+ pound OT into the QB. Saw him do that a few times against Notre Dame. He isn't as athletic as a Parsons but he plays a lot bigger than he is. Feels like he would be a perfect 3-4 OLBer to me.

Like him a lot more than Williams.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Ultimately Jeanty will probably be the BPA but if we take one of these front 7 players with someone like Hampton in the 2nd or Sampson in the 3rd that'd be fine.

This is what I'm screaming. Front seven (mostly DL) or Jeanty, in that order. Harmon would be my #1 realistic target.

Sure, BPA if the guy is truly great enough, but I don't really want OL or WR in this draft.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

This is what I'm screaming. Front seven (mostly DL) or Jeanty, in that order. Harmon would be my #1 realistic target.

Sure, BPA if the guy is truly great enough, but I don't really want OL or WR in this draft.

I'm not going to go as far as to say I don't want WR. These guys look like lost puppies without Lamb. It's a big need. But I also don't love the WRs outside of a few guys. This WR class doesn't feel nearly as good as the last few years. After Egbuka I don't really like anyone until like the middle rounds. And I think teams will reach on those middle round guys because teams just always need receivers.

 

[Simpleton]

Yeah watched him more yesterday and it's kind of funny. For a guy with tweener size he plays with a ton of power. He can straight bullrush a 300+ pound OT into the QB. Saw him do that a few times against Notre Dame. He isn't as athletic as a Parsons but he plays a lot bigger than he is. Feels like he would be a perfect 3-4 OLBer to me.

Like him a lot more than Williams.

Yea now I view some of these front 7 prospects really comes down to scheme and who we hire as DC, so I guess we'll have a better idea in about 3 weeks.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm not going to go as far as to say I don't want WR. These guys look like lost puppies without Lamb. It's a big need. But I also don't love the WRs outside of a few guys. This WR class doesn't feel nearly as good as the last few years. After Egbuka I don't really like anyone until like the middle rounds. And I think teams will reach on those middle round guys because teams just always need receivers.

Exactly. WRs always go high now, so I think we'd be getting the third or fourth guy in a weak class. And I don't think a WR this high is best for the team anyway. In the second if it works out, okay.

The problem we have is we have so many needs, I don't see how we fill them all. Especially with as many FAs as we have. This thing has disaster written all over it again if we don't have an incredible draft.

 

[Simpleton]

I don't think we absolutely need another WR to be successful next year per se. Obviously if something happens to Lamb we'd be fucked but as long as he's around and we add a talented RB we'd be at least on par with most of the top teams.

Baltimore's best WR is Zay Flowers and their 2 is like Rashod Bateman, Green Bay has a hodgepodge of WR's with no true 1, Buffalo's WR1 is like Khalil Shakir I guess?

Cooks has shown some life these last few games, re-sign him for cheap, Tolbert is already a solid WR3, sprinkle in Turpin, maybe Mingo develops some, and you still have a solid pair of TE's to complement all that.

Of course there are also top teams with elite duos like the Bengals, Eagles and Vikings, and it'd definitely be nice to have if the board falls a certain way, but I don't think it's a prerequisite for winning 11-12 games next year as long as we add a legit talent at RB to juice up the run game.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Right, I just don't see multiple high picks on WRs working out that well most of the time. Just not the best use of resources unless you're already loaded everywhere else.

And to me a decent #2 you should be able to find in FA, and I don't mean an expensive one. Just a savvy vet who knows what he's doing and can get open when Lamb is getting all the attention, which he still would with a first rounder on the other side anyway. Kind of like Cooks really, except I'd go for the bigger body older guy in FA and get the speed guy in the mid rounds. It's okay if he needs some development and isn't a finished product yet.

 

[Simpleton]

I'd still consider WR's even as high as the 2nd, but it has to be the right spot. Like I'd love someone like Tre Harris in the 3rd, really like Tez Johnson as well, but I don't really want to burn a 2nd on Ayomanor or some such when I expect guys like Tyleik Williams and Deone Walker to be available.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I don't think we absolutely need another WR to be successful next year per se. Obviously if something happens to Lamb we'd be fucked but as long as he's around and we add a talented RB we'd be at least on par with most of the top teams.

I mean I'm a pretty big fan of McMillan. I think he is a really good WR. I just don't think he will be around when we pick. That's like saying I love Graham. I really do. But I just don't think he will be around when we pick. Of course if one of those two falls I'd take them.

I very much like Egbuka but I don't know if he will be the best available at our pick. He feels like a top 15-20 talent in most drafts. But in this one does that make him worth pick 12 or 13? Maybe. I'd have a first round grade on him.

That's really it for first round WRs for me. And I don't think I have anyone I would want in the second. I'd have a second round grade on a guy like Burden but that's like saying, I'd take Mykel Williams in the second round. Sure, I would but he isn't going to be available then. Jaylin Noel in the third? Now we may be talking. Or hell his teammate Jaydin Higgins? Absolutely in the fourth/fifth.

Circling back to Egbuka though. I'd take him over Mykel Williams for example in a heart beat. Or either of the Texas AM kids for example. I feel pretty confident he is going to be a 1000 yard, multiple year starter in the NFL. The ceiling isn't as high as Lamb but it basically allows you to forget about WR for the next 5 years.

 

[Rev]

you should be able to find in FA,

All in. All in.

 

[Simpleton]

I mean I'm a pretty big fan of McMillan. I think he is a really good WR. I just don't think he will be around when we pick. That's like saying I love Graham. I really do. But I just don't think he will be around when we pick. Of course if one of those two falls I'd take them.

I very much like Egbuka but I don't know if he will be the best available at our pick. He feels like a top 15-20 talent in most drafts. But in this one does that make him worth pick 12 or 13? Maybe. I'd have a first round grade on him.

That's really it for first round WRs for me. And I don't think I have anyone I would want in the second. I'd have a second round grade on a guy like Burden but that's like saying, I'd take Mykel Williams in the second round. Sure, I would but he isn't going to be available then. Jaylin Noel in the third? Now we may be talking. Or hell his teammate Jaydin Higgins? Absolutely in the fourth/fifth.

Circling back to Egbuka though. I'd take him over Mykel Williams for example in a heart beat. Or either of the Texas AM kids for example. I feel pretty confident he is going to be a 1000 yard, multiple year starter in the NFL. The ceiling isn't as high as Lamb but it basically allows you to forget about WR for the next 5 years.

I want to see how Egubka runs first before I say I'd consider him at 12-13 (as a backup option). If he runs in the 4.4's or better like Olave, sure, if he can't break 4.5 I don't think I'd consider him unless we traded down.

As it is I think there are already too many guys in front of him to say I'd really give him strong consideration at 12-13. Assuming 2 QB's, Hunter, Carter, Johnson, and one of the OL (6 total) definitely go before we pick, you have Jeanty, McMillan, Graham, Harmon, Pearce, Walker and Starks to take us to 13.

I can't see any scenario where I'd take Egbuka running a 4.5+ over any of those guys.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

On a side note, I think I'm back in on Jalon Walker. Not as a LBer but as a DE or 3-4 OLBer. I know there would be bitching about the fit with Parsons already here but the guy is talented. He might only be 245 pounds but he plays with every bit of power that some 260 pound DE's play with. Am I going to pass up on a guy (TJ Watt) just because he doesn't fit the typical DE body type? I don't think so. Ravi would have an absolute shit fit having Parsons and Walker at DE (Two guys who will probably settle in the 250 pound range) but I've got guys like Kneeland, Sam Williams and maybe Golston to rotate in at DE to be your bigger guys. But if he rests enough, I don't think any OT's are going to be blowing this kid off the ball. And on pass rushing downs with Walker and Parson's out there at DE, it could be a lot of fun.

What are the thoughts on Will Johnson? I know, corner, yuck. But if he falls to our pick, do you take him knowing that Diggs may not be back to start the season? He is a really good corner. Not the front 7 guy I badly want but I don't think you'd be disappointed having him starting opposite Bland either. I just don't know how much to rely on Diggs anymore and his soft ass tackling can be a big detriment at times.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I want to see how Egubka runs first before I say I'd consider him at 12-13 (as a backup option). If he runs in the 4.4's or better like Olave, sure, if he can't break 4.5 I don't think I'd consider him unless we traded down.

As it is I think there are already too many guys in front of him to say I'd really give him strong consideration at 12-13. Assuming 2 QB's, Hunter, Carter, Johnson, and one of the OL (6 total) definitely go before we pick, you have Jeanty, McMillan, Graham, Harmon, Pearce, Walker and Starks to take us to 13.

I can't see any scenario where I'd take Egbuka running a 4.5+ over any of those guys.

That's fair. I'd have a hard time taking him that high too if he ran a 4.55 for example. But 4.5 or under I'm ok with. Basically give me Lamb type speed because I do think he has some of that run after the catch that Lamb also has (And no one else on our roster seems to have). He also has the ability to get separation, something everyone on our roster seems to lack (Including Cooks who seems to really have lost a step).
I'm still iffy on Starks. He hasn't been the ballhawk that I'd expect to be taking a safety that high. And the Georgia front 7 creates such chaos that I think some of his play making is just a result of that chaos created. I agree on Jeanty, McMillan, Graham, Harmon and Walker. I'm still not sure on Pearce. If we had Quinn he would be a no brainer. But I could also see him being a bit of an awkward fit here with Zimmer.

 

[Simpleton]

On a side note, I think I'm back in on Jalon Walker. Not as a LBer but as a DE or 3-4 OLBer. I know there would be bitching about the fit with Parsons already here but the guy is talented. He might only be 245 pounds but he plays with every bit of power that some 260 pound DE's play with. Am I going to pass up on a guy (TJ Watt) just because he doesn't fit the typical DE body type? I don't think so. Ravi would have an absolute shit fit having Parsons and Walker at DE (Two guys who will probably settle in the 250 pound range) but I've got guys like Kneeland, Sam Williams and maybe Golston to rotate in at DE to be your bigger guys. But if he rests enough, I don't think any OT's are going to be blowing this kid off the ball. And on pass rushing downs with Walker and Parson's out there at DE, it could be a lot of fun.

What are the thoughts on Will Johnson? I know, corner, yuck. But if he falls to our pick, do you take him knowing that Diggs may not be back to start the season? He is a really good corner. Not the front 7 guy I badly want but I don't think you'd be disappointed having him starting opposite Bland either. I just don't know how much to rely on Diggs anymore and his soft ass tackling can be a big detriment at times.

The DC hire is what really matters with a guy like Walker because he needs to be used in a very specific way.

If Zimmer comes back I think he fits in an Anthony Barr-like role, if we hire a 3-4 DC I think he could slot in well enough as a 3-4 OLB, even if we bring in someone like Brian Flores as HC (very unlikely, I know) I could see him being used similarly to Andrew Van Ginkel where he's kind of an off-ball LB who rushes/blitzes in clear passing situations. Kind of a 3-4 OLB/4-3 SAM hybrid.

I don't really know why Zimmer was playing Parsons as a pure DE, and I certainly hope that changes if he's back once we have our depth back in place with guys like Williams and potentially Lawrence returning, but Walker is even less suited for a role like that. Whoever the DC is would have to be committed to using him as a sort of designated pass rusher who floats around based on alignment.

And I don't really want any part of Will Johnson unless the board is just completely barren. I'd be ok with it if it meant cutting Diggs or letting Bland walk and using that extra space to do something of note in FA, but in reality it would just make them comfortable letting a more highly paid guy leave so they can sit around with their thumbs up their asses for the first month of FA.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

The DC hire is what really matters with a guy like Walker because he needs to be used in a very specific way.

If Zimmer comes back I think he fits in an Anthony Barr-like role, if we hire a 3-4 DC I think he could slot in well enough as a 3-4 OLB, even if we bring in someone like Brian Flores as HC (very unlikely, I know) I could see him being used similarly to Andrew Van Ginkel where he's kind of an off-ball LB who rushes/blitzes in clear passing situations. Kind of a 3-4 OLB/4-3 SAM hybrid.

I don't really know why Zimmer was playing Parsons as a pure DE, and I certainly hope that changes if he's back once we have our depth back in place with guys like Williams and potentially Lawrence returning, but Walker is even less suited for a role like that. Whoever the DC is would have to be committed to using him as a sort of designated pass rusher who floats around based on alignment.

This is where we disagree. I don't think he is athletic enough to really be a LBer who blitzes occasionally. Every play he isn't running towards the QB is a play I think he is a bit of a liability. I'd feel better about Parsons in that Barr like role than I would about Walker. I just don't see that speed and change of direction that I need out of a LBer.

Even with Zimmer I think I just make Walker a RE. In a 3-4 I think he would be perfect as an OLBer.

 

[Simpleton]

This is where we disagree. I don't think he is athletic enough to really be a LBer who blitzes occasionally. Every play he isn't running towards the QB is a play I think he is a bit of a liability. I'd feel better about Parsons in that Barr like role than I would about Walker. I just don't see that speed and change of direction that I need out of a LBer.

Even with Zimmer I think I just make Walker a RE. In a 3-4 I think he would be perfect as an OLBer.

We'll see what he runs, I'm expecting the 4.4's/low 4.5's, and if Zimmer could turn Barr into more or less an off-ball LB after being a full-time DE in college I'm sure he could do it with Walker.

Only another 3-4 weeks until we know who our 2025 DC is.