ESPN article on draft surprises discusses Newton:

2024 NFL draft confidential: College coaches' surprises, sleepers

https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/40076470/nfl-draft-2024-college-coaches-confidential-sleepers-surprises

Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton was a two-time AP All-America selection, a consensus All-American in 2023, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a Nagurski Trophy finalist.

"Everybody thought he was going to be a first-rounder," a Big Ten coordinator said.

But Newton had to wait until the second round, when Washington drafted him 36th overall.

"When he [gave full effort], he was unblockable," a Big Ten coach said. "His problem is, it's on and off. He's not consistent with his effort, and at that level, if you want to be a first-rounder, you better be a freakazoid or relentless effort. But when we watched his film, we were like, 'If he's going to play hard the whole game, I don't think we can block this guy.'"

6 hours ago, Est.1974 said:

I think every question about his character has been answered. And his work ethic.

 

"Meaning, of course, that there's still a chance, even a better chance now, that Chicago will 'trade down' with us, Caleb for Jayden."

You can't fool us, we know what you're thinking!  😋

39 minutes ago, RWJ said:

 

3 minutes ago, redskinss said:

I don't know who this Sam hartman guy is but my wife sure seems to like him.

We need Chariots of Fire theme added to this:

Patriots just took Joe Milton in 6th, interesting.

Guess I'm going to have to pay attention next year to which prospects are a team captain, Magee another one, seems to be a thing with GMAP.

We did have Cam Hart in for top 30 visit....

And Booker.

SF just took my personal mid-round RB crush, Isaac Guerendo. Rats. 3rd fastest 40 at the combine, period. At 6'0" and 221.

It's the Dream Killer, Ngata, with the Ravens' pick. Grrrrr.

OT Blake Fisher did a top 30 visit with Commanders....

Looks like we got 50 and 53?

2 hours ago, Kalu44 said:

 

If he is that special, I hope they are trying to trade up for him.

Problem there is, 2 teams ahead of them (AZ, BUFF) also have real need at CB. But crossing fingers for DeJean anyway.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/04/25/2024-nfl-draft-jayden-daniels-best-quarterback

The NFL Draft’s Best QB Just Landed With the Commanders

[excerpt]

This is a plea for the Commanders to avoid destructive internal politics. This is a plea for the Commanders to avoid a rapid turnover at the head coaching and offensive coordinator spots (the Detroit Lions have held onto Ben Johnson for two consecutive offseasons; the Commanders, even with success on Daniels’s part, should do what they can to keep Kliff Kingsbury installed). This is a plea for the Commanders to allow for organic growth and progress in lieu of clumsily piling on high-priced wide receivers to microwave the process. This is a plea for the Commanders to find the Jayden Daniels offense. This is a plea for the Commanders to avoid the quest for personal credit, avoid disparaging the quarterback anonymously to reporters in order to save careers if Daniels struggles (kind of like they did to Johnson when he decided not to be the team’s head coach this past winter), avoid his personal life becoming his public life. This is a plea to treat Daniels like the gift that he is to this franchise and to understand that, while everyone has a job to do, the Commanders’ main priority is to not allow that stinging embarrassment, that all-consuming indifference and apathy, that forget-about-it hopelessness to begin coursing through the fanbase again. 

It’s possible, especially now that the planets have aligned, that the Bears may have passed on the draft’s best quarterback and handed the Commanders the second chance of a lifetime. 

https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/jayden-daniels-jack-jones-commanders/

Raiders Star Suggests Jayden Daniels Isn’t Happy With Landing Spot

For the last several months, the Las Vegas Raiders were heavily linked to LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. Antonio Pierce was his recruiting coordinator at Arizona State and cornerback Jack Jones was his teammate.

Jones didn’t hide the fact that he thought Daniels would be a good fit in Las Vegas. However, it’s not going to happen after the Washington Commanders selected the Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 2 pick. Shortly after the news broke, Jones noticed Daniels’ body language and suggested he wasn’t happy with the landing spot.

“I know that look he ain’t wanna go there,” Jones wrote in an April 25 X post.

18 minutes ago, sinews said:

Other coaches who need to prove themselves? Bobby Johnson, o-line coach. Looks like he'll have his work cut out for him, given how the draft is falling. 

Yes, this feels like the weak link, both coaching and personnel wise, that could bring down the whole house of cards if not adressed/handled perfectly. Haven't done enough yet FA-wise, and kind of thought we'd move back into late first before all the 'top' OT were gone, but we'll see what happens with the rest of the draft and (hopefully) with additional FA signings.  Who knows whether Bobby Johnson can get the job done, skeptical but fingers crossed.

9 hours ago, CapsSkins said:

 

Thanks for posting this! I thought it was interesting when he talked about turning in the card, said they would have run it up there, 'but you know, they always tell us to hold it for a while.' NFL just has to get all those commercials in lol.

Wonder who the Chiefs thought would snag Worthy between 28 and 32....

1 minute ago, Conn said:

It was not just a matter of time, people who post here just need to exercise judgement and not be assholes 

Slackers in here, we exorcised judgment in the QB thread months ago. 

Feels like as soon as one CB goes, we could see 4-5 go, Mitchell and Arnold still sitting there....

Dallas Turner looks ticked lol.

I do think the streak will end here. Mebbe Turner to Colts?

And Bowers at 13 makes it the first time in NFL history that 13 players in a row on one side of the ball has happened at any point in a draft.

2 minutes ago, CommanderInTheRye said:

 

 

Anyone know what movie that's from?

 

I gotta watch it just to see that scene. Looks maniacal.

Looks like some Green Goblin to me, somebody find Spidey!

6 QBs in first 12 picks. Who would have thunk it?

I wonder if Bo Nix goes to Broncos at 12, or Raiders at 13. Rattler surprise coming?