Does not matter the reactions on this board. LaPorta was projected to be a second rd pick and that where he was drafted. Most teams had Mayer before him but he still would have been gone to another team in the second round so technically it was not a reach.
If anything Campbell was more of a reach as most pundits had him going in the second rd.
Agreed, I searched for “Mayer” under “this thread” and looked at all the draft night discussion. It’s not that anyone was banging the table for the ND TE, it’s just that 100% of Big Boards had him higher. Went with the next pick. Musgrave was betwixt them in consensus ranks.
Mayer had an insane blocking grade - on mobile but IIRC it was around 90, whereas LaPorta was in the mid-50s. The Iowa TE also had a lot of drops in college. Can’t block & drops (+ not wanting to pay him) were why we moved on from the last guy. But he does move like a WR, he looks nothing like any TE we’ve had running routes from the Slot.
I like him personality wise. His YAC is intriguing, that’s one thing we never got from Hock. We’ll see how it works out. Nobody knows.
Campbell is growing
in on me. His 4.65 is a considerably slower time than Rodrigo (4.52) but his tape in quarters zone looks good. He doesn’t have the ability to flip his hips and mirror in coverage. But I like his read and react.
All of the first four picks are going to contribute Y1. Branch has the hardest path (bc of depth) to earn snaps but he is so instinctual. Guy is always in the right place, literally never misses a tackle.
I don’t think LaPorta has a big year statistically bc it’s just a really complex transition. Even guys like Andrews and Kittle were meh as rookies. But long term he should work out.