2023 NFL Draft Watch and Post Thread - The Hangover Special

[JamesMadisonSkins]

2 minutes ago, Koolblue13 said:

Our cap is going to be fine, even if we don't cut anyone. Fuller, Chase and Thomas are the three biggest candidates and they are also the best players at their positions and it's not close.

 

Saving 4 mil on Roullier isn't the smartest move. Not in my opinion. He's an excellent center and unquestionably our best Olineman.

It’s more what he’s saving in 2024. But I have to assume he’s in his final year regardless. We don’t have much cap space this year but can create some by letting Norwell go. Enough to sign picks and be flexible in season. 
 

$5m on Gates and a 3rd round pick on a Center seems to spell the end for Roullier within a year anyway

Edited April 29, 2023 by JamesMadisonSkins

[mhd24]

1 minute ago, MrJL said:

we do not need a WR at all.  We have three top quality guys and we also have our probable starter's favorite WR from college

I could only see a specialist WR to replace Milne and be the full-time PR/KR (ala DeAndre Carter).

[AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy]

I really like the Quan pick. I wonder if Lovie Smith had any input there? 
 

I understand the concerns with our approach to the draft. It seems to lack creativity and flexibility. I share those concerns.

 

But I am reminded of the college football adage…”It’s not the ones you miss on that hurt you, it’s the ones you get that just can’t play”.

 

Keep drafting good players. Keep drafting good culture guys. I really like our roster.

[skinsfan66]

7 minutes ago, mhd24 said:

I could only see a specialist WR to replace Milne and be the full-time PR/KR (ala DeAndre Carter).

Agree no WR and would like forbes to get a shot at returner, has all the tools.

[“Misdirection”]

6 minutes ago, JamesMadisonSkins said:

It’s more what he’s saving in 2024. But I have to assume he’s in his final year regardless. We don’t have much cap space this year but can create some by letting Norwell go. Enough to sign picks and be flexible in season. 
 

$5m on Gates and a 3rd round pick on a Center seems to spell the end for Roullier within a year anyway

this is where having a HC and GM as the same dude can impact decision making.

 

A GM on a multi-year deal may agree with you. Ron in his position is pushing his chips in, so to speak. He seems to be building a team this year to have as much depth as possible. 
 

He’s got to make a deep run to have a chance to run it back next year. So he’s not going to just cut guys for future cap space.

 

he wants to load this team up with talent and depth at every position, and will figure out 2024 when/if he gets there.

[MrJL]

2 minutes ago, JamesMadisonSkins said:

It’s more what he’s saving in 2024. But I have to assume he’s in his final year regardless. We don’t have much cap space this year but can create some by letting Norwell go. Enough to sign picks and be flexible in season. 
 

$5m on Gates and a 3rd round pick on a Center seems to spell the end for Roullier within a year anyway

 

Wes Schweitzer cost  around 3.5 and 4.5 mil the last two years

[Skinsinparadise]

27 minutes ago, HigSkin said:

Dovetails a bit with the what @KDawg and @Skinsinparadise have been saying about questionable team building strategy (defense) in that, they are counting on the upgrade of EB and belief they've got an offense to compete now.

 

 

 

I have a different complaint that some in the draft media have.  And fans on twitter.

 

I was listening to the Finlay podcast and they said what they hated by the Quan Martin pick was that they took Forbes first.  Why go secondary back to back?  For me I can give a rats behind about that.  The Eagles double down on the D line when they already had a great D line -- but they are geniuses and we are morons for doing the same thing?

 

I said yesterday the opposite point of what the Finlay podcast did -- what i loved about Martin was partly that they took Forbes.  Love the combination.  Turn a so so secondary into a really good one.  They said it doesn't fit.  For me its the opposite -- he was IMO the perfect missing piece to turn a decent secondary into a really good one.

 

But as much as i liked Martin i am not sure he was the top player there.  But much more on point, i don't get the sense that they take their top rated players on their board.   It doesn't matter to me if their players matched what we think.  Their evaluations matter.  Ours obviously do not matter at all.

 

But Keim pretty much revealed how they do it -- and it synchs with their past drafts.  What are the top 2 needs and lets work the board that way.   Every need based driven thought that Keim has shared has played out so far.  100%.  He said before last night, they are going O line and hybrid safety.  And that's exactly what they did.  Night one was CB-O line.  Its exactly what they did.  I hate the picking 2 positions and riding with that.  Use the WHOLE draft, within reason of course of some variables.

 

The biggst thing for me is CB was the deepest spot in this draft.  And for a team who likes to draft to need -- it sort of screwed up the flow of the draft to take the deepest position first IMO.   

 

That move alone isn't that bad in a vaccum.   But it sort of fits their approach with everything, they tend to focus on the draft it seems one round at a time with a need basis approach.  And if that's your game then IMO think harder about how one move effects the other, etc.

 

But on the aggregate I think they do a good job.  I make a list of give or take 20 players every draft and they seem to hit almost every year some of my favs so I can't complain.  2 out of their 3 first picks were on my favorite 20 players list -- and the players i like to pick are typically not the most obvious players.  

Edited April 29, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[KDawg]

Just now, “Misdirection” said:

this is where having a HC and GM as the same dude can impact decision making.

 

A GM on a multi-year deal may agree with you. Ron in his position is pushing his chips in, so to speak. He seems to be building a team this year to have as much depth as possible. 
 

He’s got to make a deep run to have a chance to run it back next year. So he’s not going to just cut guys for future cap space.

 

he wants to load this team up with talent and depth at every position, and will figure out 2024 when/if he gets there.

Why are we acting like this is new for Rivera because he’s afraid for his job?

 

And why are we changing narratives? The last few months it was, “Rivera will mortgage the future and mess this team up for the long term because he has to win now to keep his job!” (Not from you, Misdirection, but it was a very common sentiment from a few very loud folks).

 

Now, he hasn’t done that and that narrative can’t be spun, but now it’s shifting to “he’s building the best depth for JUST this year because he has to win!”

 

This is the same blueprint from the moment Rivera and crew took over. Safe, slow, risk averse, character players, position versatility and building depth.

 

Why pretend this is different?

 

Only viable explanation is folks haven’t been paying that much attention. And if that’s the case, probably shouldn’t judge.

[RWJ]

1 hour ago, skinsfan66 said:

And Chase is ready till he gets hurt and takes up more cap space again. Wash is in big trouble again at center if he is best of the bunch as I see it. Need to keep Howell upright without the parting of the red sea up the middle.

I don't "liking" a question with a negative but I agree.  My words are harsh here.  Two years in a row should be enough to tell you to move on from Chase.  Very good OC but in the end it's a business because your paying a player to do a job/play a sport.  With the drafting of Strom, Chase should be given his walking papers and if that does happen, then that to me is complete and utter stupidity on RR and Co.  Just my opinion.  At OC we have Gates, Strom and a very good but oft injured vet Larsen.  Chase needs to go, IMO.  

Edited April 29, 2023 by RWJ

[Koolblue13]

3 minutes ago, RWJ said:

I don't "liking" a question with a negative but I agree.  My words are harsh here.  Two years in a row should be enough to tell you to move on from Chase.  Very good OC but in the end it's a business because your playing a player to do a job/play a sport.  With the drafting of Strom, Chase should be given his walking papers and if that does happen, then that to me is complete and utter stupidity on RR and Co.  Just my opinion.  At OC we have Gates, Strom and a very good but oft injured vet Larsen.  Chase needs to go, IMO.  

Yes, two career back ups and a rookie career back up should definitely mark the end of a very good starter and if not it is utter stupidity. RR and Co are dumbs.

[mhd24]

I think we go RB either in R4 or R5.  Roshon Johnson perhaps or maybe Going Commando's guy in Deuce Vaughn?

[Number 44]

If a true MLB is a thing for the Commanders, Sewell would be a great pick here, IMO.

[RWJ]

1 minute ago, mhd24 said:

I think we go RB either in R4 or R5.  Roshon Johnson perhaps or maybe Going Commando's guy in Deuce Vaughn?

Really hoping OT and LB in 4th/5th and in that order.  I really want to see Ivan Pace, LB from CInn. selected by us.  He's special, I think.  

[Conn]

59 minutes ago, Chris 44 said:

How tempting it must be for Harris to pick up the phone and tell Ron his thoughts going forward. Give Ron the go ahead to be aggresive....or not. The behind the scenes goings on would be fascinating. Understanding there can be nothing official but would be shocked if there isn't any nudge, nudge, wink, wink going on.

I would guess that Harris has not exchanged so much as a text message with any staff member aside from the day he was in the building touring. He’s a professional and it’s not his team yet. But he’s probably ready to get off to a running start when it is official. 

[“Misdirection”]

11 minutes ago, KDawg said:

Why are we acting like this is new for Rivera because he’s afraid for his job?

 

And why are we changing narratives? The last few months it was, “Rivera will mortgage the future and mess this team up for the long term because he has to win now to keep his job!” (Not from you, Misdirection, but it was a very common sentiment from a few very loud folks).

 

Now, he hasn’t done that and that narrative can’t be spun, but now it’s shifting to “he’s building the best depth for JUST this year because he has to win!”

 

This is the same blueprint from the moment Rivera and crew took over. Safe, slow, risk averse, character players, position versatility and building depth.

 

Why pretend this is different?

 

Only viable explanation is folks haven’t been paying that much attention. And if that’s the case, probably shouldn’t judge.

no you’re correct, this is how they’ve always done things. It’s clear that Ron isn’t going full win-now in mortgaging the future. And you’re right, I never thought he would lol. 
 

he’s going to slow play this all the way til training camp etc for any cap related decisions so he doesn’t accidentally tank depth and someone else gets hurt. 
 

I think Ron in win-now vs normal Ron is something small like keeping 1 of fuller/chase/Thomas that they might normally cut. Something so minute we probably wouldn’t really think much of 😅

[Chump Bailey]

3 minutes ago, mhd24 said:

I think we go RB either in R4 or R5.  Roshon Johnson perhaps or maybe Going Commando's guy in Deuce Vaughn?

 

Israel Abanikanda might be the target in the 4th

[DWinzit]

The best bang for their buck in positions of need right now is like LB, RB and then G. What did we call that BPAANOP or some like that 

 

 

 

[RWJ]

1 minute ago, Chump Bailey said:

 

Israel Abanikanda might be the target in the 4th

I am all over Duece, Champ with one of our 6ths. 

[Conn]

20 minutes ago, skinsfan66 said:

Agree no WR and would like forbes to get a shot at returner, has all the tools.

He’s not a returner, this isn’t Madden where being small, fast, quick, and having field vision on INT returns means you should be a returner lol. You don’t want your prize 1st round midget DB getting blasted on pointless returns. That’s for a depth guy or someone who has proven they can protect their body over hundreds of return touches. Forbes is a starter almost instantly at a much higher value spot. 

[Skinsinparadise]

RB.  This was my rankings before the draft.

 

I spent a lot of time on this spot.  RB and TE easily I spent the most time watching, the edge, O line.  Took me a long time to seperarte in my mind the RBs after the top 4 which I think there was somewhat of a consensus on.   After the top 4, not much of a consensus.

 

The rounds i listed weren't where I thought they'd land but how i personally rated them.  I am not doing doing too bad so far, my top 7 on that list are the actual running backs that were taken so far. 

 

My top 3 next:

 

Roschon Johnson

Dwayne McBride

Zach Evans

 

I doubt they take Roschon though, they are supposedly looking for speed.  Roschon is a power back -- Brian Robinson 2.    

 

My pick here would be either McBride or Evans.  I'd love either one. 

 

But if as @KDawg likes to joke work off lists of a round further that where they are picking.  Then Keaton Mitchell.  He fits the theme.  Like the last 2 picks, he's on my guys list and it feels like he might go a round or two later than the 4th.  

 

If I had to guess what they do.

 

Israel Abanikanda or Chase Brown for reasons I expressed in anoither post.  Maybe Mitchell but it seems early for him

 

I'd get a rush (pun unintended) from a bunch of these RBs.   I actually like a lot the next 10 RBs that I have on my list that weren't already taken.  it's an odd super deep spot.

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[KDawg]

9 minutes ago, Number 44 said:

If a true MLB is a thing for the Commanders, Sewell would be a great pick here, IMO.

Sewell probably isn’t as good as you think he is.

[Warhead36]

8 minutes ago, Conn said:

I would guess that Harris has not exchanged so much as a text message with any staff member aside from the day he was in the building touring. He’s a professional and it’s not his team yet. But he’s probably ready to get off to a running start when it is official. 

Yeah and I don't think he wants to influence the decision making one way or another. He's gonna wanna see how these guys operate before evaluating and anything he directs them to do would affect that and skew the results of the process.

[Number 44]

1 minute ago, KDawg said:

Sewell probably isn’t as good as you think he is.

Can you elaborate?

[Chump Bailey]

Just now, Number 44 said:

Can you elaborate?

 

He's stiff

[KDawg]

Just now, Number 44 said:

Can you elaborate?

Watch his film. He misreads often, isn’t really down hill, doesn’t move sideline to sideline well and isn’t all that athletic comparatively. He is a better pass rusher than ILB and he wasn’t even great at that. He is a pure potential pick that could do well in the right system. I don’t think that’s our system.