FBG Mock Draft '25 Completed with all 101 picks inside (11 Viewers)

[RC94]

Everyone - The Giants are open to trading down from 1.03. Please DM me if you want to talk trades

 

[Uruk-Hai]

@Bri

-You can start us off any time you are ready, we officially are live tomorrow morning I would say

@daveR @RC94 @JetMaxx @Streetduck
I would start getting your selections lined up because whenever Bri gets us started, you don't have to wait either, you'll be free to select

Cheers!

I'm going to need some time to work on trades. There shouldn't be a rush on this. We have 3 weeks until the draft and nothing else to do.

Agreed

 

[DA RAIDERS]

@Tau837 @Gr00vus
Who is gonna draft for the Bolts?

I will take the Chargers.

I may need to caveat given some discussion about being on the clock. I should have no problem making a Chargers pick within 10 minutes once I know they are on the clock, But I might not be able to check this thread for several hours at a time. If that is a problem, someone else will need to take the Chargers, and I will just critique their picks.

It's a guideline, I just want to remind folks we are not drafting a start up dynasty or a Redraft in April and can just let the clock run for 24 hours, that's all I'm saying.
Every night things will slow down, we'll have some dry patches during the day as a lot of people work jobs where they can't just scroll this thread, we understand

Be kind to us west coasters

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I’m for a slow clock. No need to rush

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@Bri

-You can start us off any time you are ready, we officially are live tomorrow morning I would say

@daveR @RC94 @JetMaxx @Streetduck
I would start getting your selections lined up because whenever Bri gets us started, you don't have to wait either, you'll be free to select

Cheers!

I'm going to need some time to work on trades. There shouldn't be a rush on this. We have 3 weeks until the draft and nothing else to do.

Totally agree and understand, the 24 hours I suggested is still what we are going with
I just wanted to let folks who are ready at the top of the Draft a chance to get us rolling

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@Tau837 @Gr00vus
Who is gonna draft for the Bolts?

I will take the Chargers.

I may need to caveat given some discussion about being on the clock. I should have no problem making a Chargers pick within 10 minutes once I know they are on the clock, But I might not be able to check this thread for several hours at a time. If that is a problem, someone else will need to take the Chargers, and I will just critique their picks.

It's a guideline, I just want to remind folks we are not drafting a start up dynasty or a Redraft in April and can just let the clock run for 24 hours, that's all I'm saying.
Every night things will slow down, we'll have some dry patches during the day as a lot of people work jobs where they can't just scroll this thread, we understand

Be kind to us west coasters

I lived in SOCal/Santa Monica from '00-'07, I'm with you
I miss 10am kickoffs and afternoon games actually over by 4:00

 

[Ministry of Pain]

RC94 cannot repeat as our Guide again but he's agreed to be one of the 32 who Drafts
We will need 31 more and several have already spoken up in last year's thread

1. Tennessee Titans - @Bri
2. Cleveland Browns - @daveR
3. New York Giants - @RC94
4. New England Patriots - @JetMaxx
5. Jacksonville Jaguars @Streetduck
6. Las Vegas Raiders - @DA RAIDERS
7. New York Jets - @rockaction
8. Carolina Panthers - @Instinctive
9. New Orleans Saints - @farfromforgotten
10. Chicago Bears - @travdogg
11. San Francisco 49'ers - @efactor
12. Dallas Cowboys - @Gatorade
13. Miami Dolphins - @Ministry of Pain
14. Indianapolis Colts - @popeye @JohnnyU
15. Atlanta Falcons - @TheDirtyWord
16. Arizona Cardinals - @ZWK
17. Cincinnati Bengals - @eighsse2 @QuizGuy66
18. Seattle Seahawks - @Largent
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - @Grahamburn
20. Denver Broncos - @Stoneworker
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - @menobrown
22. Los Angeles Chargers - @Tau837
23. Green Bay Packers - @Crippler
24. Minnesota Vikings - @Andy Dufresne
25. Houston Texans - @Buckna
26. Los Angeles Rams - @dkp993
27. Baltimore Ravens - @Uruk-Hai
28. Detroit Lions - @nysfl2
29. Washington - @Harjiran
30. Buffalo Bills - @-OZ-
31. Kansas City Chiefs - @Ben & Jerry's
32. Philadelphia Eagles - World Champions - @Long Ball Larry

We picked @Bri for the Titans, he'll need to confirm
DirtyWord is going to take Atlanta
@menobrown will take the Steelers
MoP is likely taking the Phins
Sign up below and we ill assign GMs to teams
And share the duties with your fellow sharks from the same home team around here. It's Ok to huddle up and discuss in the team threads before making any final decisions

Let's have fun and I will do my best to keep things rolling for everyone.
Last year this place was crazy on point with the Top 6 QBs, we were all a little stunned they went so fast and then the NFL had them all by Pick 12, incredible QB class.

GO!!!

I hope this works so all 32 get a jingle
Just letting everyone know that we are LIVE!

Bri has chosen Cam Ward but we are taking our time over the next 24+ hours, give folks a chance to finish some research and think about any trade offers they want to make.
What we don't want is folks just sitting on their picks waiting to see if the phone rings, please don't do that

I understand why @RC94 wants some extra time for the next day or two, it makes sense. But he is openly wanting to trade down and is making sure folks know, he's active

-Dolphins have expressed interest at No 13

There are trade charts on page 1 and 2 of this thread, you can easily see what picks are worth numerically and about what it takes to make a fair trade offer.
If you are picking 13th we'll say and it's your time to pick and nobody has connected with you about a trade, you need to make a pick from your list.

At the moment and tonight/tomorrow morning I'm just focused on the top picks. The rest of us have time right now to get some feelers out there.

If you have a pick somewhere in the 20-25 range, you're likely to get a PM from me if I can think of a decent trade offer to move down.
If I send those out and nothing comes back then I kinda know I gotta make a pick at 13
I'm mostly talking out loud to myself but you get the general idea here.

 

[RC94]

From what I've seen, to make it simple, a 2026 pick included in a trade would be valued as the last pick in that round this year. So if you trade a 2026 1st, according to the trade chart it would be worth the #32 pick, which is 590 points, although that goes down as we go down the 1st. If PHI were to trade their 2026 1st, the #32 pick next year would be worth closer to the last pick in the 2nd round.

 

[daveR]

Browns are in trade discussions for #2.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Browns are in trade discussions for #2.

I'm excited to hear about this, I've felt like the Browns are in a tough spot but there are teams behind them that need QBs and might pull the trigger.
I've heard Jaxson Dart's name mentioned a lot in very recent days as being a possible Top 5 pick suddenly, that could change the order of the draft real quick.

 

[daveR]

Browns are in trade discussions for #2.

I'm excited to hear about this, I've felt like the Browns are in a tough spot but there are teams behind them that need QBs and might pull the trigger.
I've heard Jaxson Dart's name mentioned a lot in very recent days as being a possible Top 5 pick suddenly, that could change the order of the draft real quick.

I have responded to the DM with a counter. Do I have to do anything else to get his attention?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Vikings would clearly love to move down - they currently only have four draft picks including no 2nd or 4th.

 

[daveR]

Browns trade #2 to Bears for #10, #39 & #41. Bears on the clock!

 

[travdogg]

So, the Bears have been very active this offseason. They started by adding maybe the biggest prize of the offseason, in Ben Johnson. He alone could be worth more than any other addition by any NFL team. I'm strongly of the belief that the Bears are not and have not been as much talent deficient as coaching deficient particularly on offense.

Then the Bears used FA to greatly improve their OL, adding Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and then arguably the best young C in the NFC in Drew Dalman. The Bears suddenly may have a top 3 OL in the NFL. They then added Dayo Adeyingbo to the DL, which was possibly an overpay (Jonah Jackson probably was too) but a useful addition.

This draft in my eyes, has 2 elite players in it, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. After them, I think the next group doesn't differ much. I honestly think the dropoff from #2 to #3 as big than the dropoff from #3 to #40. In my eyes the Bears need that "Stud" that they haven't had much in the 2000s. Pretty much just briefly Khalil Mack and Brandon Marshall, otherwise you probably have to go back to Brian Urlacher. To me trying to find some decent upgrades with 3 picks in the top-41, holds less value than adding a elite gamechanger.

Which brings me to the pick itself. Abdul Carter probably fills a bigger need, and would be a Will Anderson like addition to me, and allow Adeyingbo to work back and forth between DE/DT. There is certainly some strong logic to it, and if I was unable to acquire pick #2, I was willing to make a similar offer for pick #3 if he was still there. Having said that:

With the 2nd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft the Chicago Bears select Travis Hunter CB/WR Colorado.

I think Hunter is arguably the best non-QB to come out in a decade. Personally, I think he's best as a CB who maybe plays some WR just like his college HC. I think adding Hunter could give the Bears the best secondary in the NFL, and new DC Dennis Allen has shown the ability to get a lot out of less. What he could do with Hunter, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Kevin Byard could be special.

I think Hunter has a HOF ceiling. I don't think a Champ Bailey comp is unfair or unrealistic. He will not be beat deep, and he has elite ball skills, and obviously work ethic given his 2-way status. The only knock on his game is I don't think he's a particularly strong player, so maybe don't match him up 1-1 against the Mike Evans types, but I think he holds his own in run defense, and obviously is a game changing playmaker. This also has the benefit of pushing Tyrique Stevenson into the Dime, which is an excellent depth piece.

I think Travis Hunter could be the best CB in the NFL by the end of the 2025 season. He's that amazing.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

The Las Vegas Raiders will entertain offers to trade down.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Browns trade #2 to Bears for #10, #39 & #41. Bears on the clock!

Thrilling, we are off to the races!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

So, the Bears have been very active this offseason. They started by adding maybe the biggest prize of the offseason, in Ben Johnson. He alone could be worth more than any other addition by any NFL team. I'm strongly of the belief that the Bears are not and have not been as much talent deficient as coaching deficient particularly on offense.

Then the Bears used FA to greatly improve their OL, adding Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and then arguably the best young C in the NFC in Drew Dalman. The Bears suddenly may have a top 3 OL in the NFL. They then added Dayo Adeyingbo to the DL, which was possibly an overpay (Jonah Jackson probably was too) but a useful addition.

This draft in my eyes, has 2 elite players in it, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. After them, I think the next group doesn't differ much. I honestly think the dropoff from #2 to #3 as big than the dropoff from #3 to #40. In my eyes the Bears need that "Stud" that they haven't had much in the 2000s. Pretty much just briefly Khalil Mack and Brandon Marshall, otherwise you probably have to go back to Brian Urlacher. To me trying to find some decent upgrades with 3 picks in the top-41, holds less value than adding a elite gamechanger.

Which brings me to the pick itself. Abdul Carter probably fills a bigger need, and would be a Will Anderson like addition to me, and allow Adeyingbo to work back and forth between DE/DT. There is certainly some strong logic to it, and if I was unable to acquire pick #2, I was willing to make a similar offer for pick #3 if he was still there. Having said that:

With the 2nd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft the Chicago Bears select Travis Hunter CB/WR Colorado.

I think Hunter is arguably the best non-QB to come out in a decade. Personally, I think he's best as a CB who maybe plays some WR just like his college HC. I think adding Hunter could give the Bears the best secondary in the NFL, and new DC Dennis Allen has shown the ability to get a lot out of less. What he could do with Hunter, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Kevin Byard could be special.

I think Hunter has a HOF ceiling. I don't think a Champ Bailey comp is unfair or unrealistic. He will not be beat deep, and he has elite ball skills, and obviously work ethic given his 2-way status. The only knock on his game is I don't think he's a particularly strong player, so maybe don't match him up 1-1 against the Mike Evans types, but I think he holds his own in run defense, and obviously is a game changing playmaker. This also has the benefit of pushing Tyrique Stevenson into the Dime, which is an excellent depth piece.

I think Travis Hunter could be the best CB in the NFL by the end of the 2025 season. He's that amazing.

He certainly learned from one fo the all time greats as his Head Coach in Colorado

 

[farfromforgotten]

The Las Vegas Raiders will entertain offers to trade down.

Trade offer sent from the Saints.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

The Las Vegas Raiders will entertain offers to trade down.

Trade offer sent from the Saints.

passing it around the war room

 

[JetMaxx]

#4 remains available if a team would like to begin discussions.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I am going to go ahead with the idea of making the first 24 hours time for GMs to quickly do any research needed and also think about whether they want to trade up or not

I've done this example a couple times but I'll show you a fairly straight forward trade example.
-Miami decides to trade down from No 13 when the Seattle Seahawks call them and dangle the No 52 pick in the 2nd round. Seattle has 2 picks in the 2nd and they want to move up 5 spots in the first round to secure the player they want. Grier/MoP ask for the No 50 pick to move in front of Seattle in the 2nd round but the Seahawks don't bend and with no better offers on the table the Dolphins accept and move down from 13 to 18 and acquire the No 52 pick in the Draft.

Seattle also could have traded the 2nd in '26 but here's the thing, as a GM in this thread I would want more picks that I can select and discuss right now. Plus those future picks won't mean anything when we fire up the Mock Draft '26 thread next year. I would encourage folks to try and only use the future picks as maybe a cherry on the top of a solid trade involving this year's draft picks.

But I'm not the Boss here, just a tour guide mostly and I would like some feedback on how you all feel about it.
And any other ideas you all have, now is the time to post them up so we can discuss.

Thanks

Without any blue chip QBs I doubt we'll see too many trades in a real draft. Seems like there are a few guys considered top tier and then a bunch of players lumped together 5-40+. You could see some "on the clock" stuff per usual, but teams moving around pre-draft is unlikely.

The way it was described in the athletic football show was that in most drafts, the trade value chart is kind of a baseline and then teams will pay a premium of 1.25 or 1.5x to move up and get the guy they really want. But this year, it’s kind of like a .8x on the trade values all around because of how flat the draft is (based on some discussions with front office people). So it does seem like fewer trades are likely .

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Everyone - The Giants are open to trading down from 1.03. Please DM me if you want to talk trades

Eagles will trade you pick 32 for pick 3

 

[-OZ-]

Everyone - The Giants are open to trading down from 1.03. Please DM me if you want to talk trades

Eagles will trade you pick 32 for pick 3

bills offer pick 30, even better!

We’d go Ricky Williams style here. The entire bills draft for the 3.

 

[ZWK]

Everyone - The Giants are open to trading down from 1.03. Please DM me if you want to talk trades

Eagles will trade you pick 32 for pick 3

bills offer pick 30, even better!

We’d go Ricky Williams style here. The entire bills draft for the 3.

The Arizona Cardinals will give picks 16 & 47 for Abdul Carter pick 3.

 

[-OZ-]

for Abdul Carter pick 3.

among the most obvious post-#1 choices in the last few drafts.

 

[rockaction]

I sincerely think the best move is a trade down. (Actually two but..) I think it'll change the draft for many teams in trickle down fashion too

This was the right move. Solid.

 

[RC94]

1.03 - NY Giants select Abdul Carter

According to many he's the best player in this draft and has elite upside. Even though this isn't a major need, PHI proved that you can't have enough pass rush. At the least, the NY Giants can stand to improve considering they had only 45 sacks as a team last year. Not terrible, but they can do better. If Carter lives up to the hype, he will be worth far more than 1.03. If they have to trade Thibodeaux, they can, but they should be able to put him, Carter and Burns to good use.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Good Morning Everyone

-Updates based on a PM thread RC94 had going and also MoP/Me last night
RC94 was trying to move the 3-pick for several hours to no takers and I assure you he tried to slide down at least 8-10 if he could have found a dance partner, no dice!

Meanwhile MoP was busy being a copycat with another PM thread asking everyone from about 18-26 if they wanted to move up to No 13-Dolphins and it was mostly No No No
I'm telling you this because if your plan is to wait until you are on the clock and then announce you would like to trade down...you need to be active with other GMs before the pick

I'm sharing this also so you have no delusions of what's ahead.
I love the trades and hope to see more but...
The early data from a couple of active traders would indicate the chances of you having to make a selection when you are OTC is about 80%-90% right now so be ready

Cheers!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@JetMaxx
You are OTC, I know you posted you wanted to trade down last night, RC94 and I both were active in trying to trade down last night, didn't work if you read my post above

@Streetduck for the Jags and @DA RAIDERS will be up after that

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@rockaction

@Instinctive

@farfromforgotten

-Hope we make it you all by Noon/Early afternoon, we'll see

 

[Ministry of Pain]

1.03 - NY Giants select Abdul Carter

According to many he's the best player in this draft and has elite upside. Even though this isn't a major need, PHI proved that you can't have enough pass rush. At the least, the NY Giants can stand to improve considering they had only 45 sacks as a team last year. Not terrible, but they can do better. If Carter lives up to the hype, he will be worth far more than 1.03. If they have to trade Thibodeaux, they can, but they should be able to put him, Carter and Burns to good use.

Some of the fun between selections is discussing what others before you have done. I know you wanted to trade down and I will explain why I didn't trade up
The Dolphins have Jaelan Phillips coming off an injury, Chubb coming off injury but didn't play last season and will be 18 months between action,
Miami also drafted Chop Robinson last year. Phillips is in Year 5 of his rookie deal and might not be back in '26, Chubb won't likely be here in '26 either
Those 3 are going to get all the snaps and their contracts have been reworked so they are set as they are for 2025, not much will change

Drafting an Edge player in the 1st round is smart in general vs the price of a free agent Edge rusher typically
I see Miami for '25 as being set or ready to roll with what they already have, Miami also has a couple other Edge reserves like Mohamed Kamara who looked great in college and has had a year on the practice squad to learn and get better. I think Edge in '25 is a. bit of a luxury for the Phins.

And I didn't like the price of 13/48 1st and 2nd round next season, that sets Miami back IMHO, doesn't push them up over the top
IOL/IDL plus a couple other spots are Miami's biggest needs so I passed
My best offer would have been 13/48 and the 1st next season but I didn't feel like that was gonna be enough for you so i didn't counter plus I'm not sure Carter is the right fit in Miami
That said he's an outstanding player and I'm sure he'll make the Giants a better team. 3 headed monsters at Edge make teams stronger, helps the secondary out big time

Great pick

 

[efactor]

1.03 - NY Giants select Abdul Carter

According to many he's the best player in this draft and has elite upside. Even though this isn't a major need, PHI proved that you can't have enough pass rush. At the least, the NY Giants can stand to improve considering they had only 45 sacks as a team last year. Not terrible, but they can do better. If Carter lives up to the hype, he will be worth far more than 1.03. If they have to trade Thibodeaux, they can, but they should be able to put him, Carter and Burns to good use.

Some of the fun between selections is discussing what others before you have done. I know you wanted to trade down and I will explain why I didn't trade up
The Dolphins have Jaelan Phillips coming off an injury, Chubb coming off injury but didn't play last season and will be 18 months between action,
Miami also drafted Chop Robinson last year. Phillips is in Year 5 of his rookie deal and might not be back in '26, Chubb won't likely be here in '26 either
Those 3 are going to get all the snaps and their contracts have been reworked so they are set as they are for 2025, not much will change

Drafting an Edge player in the 1st round is smart in general vs the price of a free agent Edge rusher typically
I see Miami for '25 as being set or ready to roll with what they already have, Miami also has a couple other Edge reserves like Mohamed Kamara who looked great in college and has had a year on the practice squad to learn and get better. I think Edge in '25 is a. bit of a luxury for the Phins.

And I didn't like the price of 13/48 1st and 2nd round next season, that sets Miami back IMHO, doesn't push them up over the top
IOL/IDL plus a couple other spots are Miami's biggest needs so I passed
My best offer would have been 13/48 and the 1st next season but I didn't feel like that was gonna be enough for you so i didn't counter plus I'm not sure Carter is the right fit in Miami
That said he's an outstanding player and I'm sure he'll make the Giants a better team. 3 headed monsters at Edge make teams stronger, helps the secondary out big time

Great pick

On bolded, agree that this is a crazy price to pay for a non-QB especially with a team like the Dolphins who are a Tua injury away from another down season unless they do something smart like sign Joe Flacco. I know the "trade chart" is a thing, but I don't think it can/should be used as a draft bible. Plus issues with Carter's meds. Different opinions but the fact that there are concerns would make me leery about giving up a huge amount of draft capital to move up for him.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

IMO, the focus on edge of the lines - both offensively and defensively - seems like a decade behind in thinking.

Teams that have solid interior line play are the ones that are winning.

On the defensive side guys on recent Super Bowl winning teams like Vita Vea, Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter/Jordan Davis are wrecking offenses more than the exterior players are.

I think Mason Graham is the guy to get if you're looking defense.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

So, the Bears have been very active this offseason. They started by adding maybe the biggest prize of the offseason, in Ben Johnson. He alone could be worth more than any other addition by any NFL team. I'm strongly of the belief that the Bears are not and have not been as much talent deficient as coaching deficient particularly on offense.

Then the Bears used FA to greatly improve their OL, adding Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and then arguably the best young C in the NFC in Drew Dalman. The Bears suddenly may have a top 3 OL in the NFL. They then added Dayo Adeyingbo to the DL, which was possibly an overpay (Jonah Jackson probably was too) but a useful addition.

This draft in my eyes, has 2 elite players in it, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. After them, I think the next group doesn't differ much. I honestly think the dropoff from #2 to #3 as big than the dropoff from #3 to #40. In my eyes the Bears need that "Stud" that they haven't had much in the 2000s. Pretty much just briefly Khalil Mack and Brandon Marshall, otherwise you probably have to go back to Brian Urlacher. To me trying to find some decent upgrades with 3 picks in the top-41, holds less value than adding a elite gamechanger.

Which brings me to the pick itself. Abdul Carter probably fills a bigger need, and would be a Will Anderson like addition to me, and allow Adeyingbo to work back and forth between DE/DT. There is certainly some strong logic to it, and if I was unable to acquire pick #2, I was willing to make a similar offer for pick #3 if he was still there. Having said that:

With the 2nd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft the Chicago Bears select Travis Hunter CB/WR Colorado.

I think Hunter is arguably the best non-QB to come out in a decade. Personally, I think he's best as a CB who maybe plays some WR just like his college HC. I think adding Hunter could give the Bears the best secondary in the NFL, and new DC Dennis Allen has shown the ability to get a lot out of less. What he could do with Hunter, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Kevin Byard could be special.

I think Hunter has a HOF ceiling. I don't think a Champ Bailey comp is unfair or unrealistic. He will not be beat deep, and he has elite ball skills, and obviously work ethic given his 2-way status. The only knock on his game is I don't think he's a particularly strong player, so maybe don't match him up 1-1 against the Mike Evans types, but I think he holds his own in run defense, and obviously is a game changing playmaker. This also has the benefit of pushing Tyrique Stevenson into the Dime, which is an excellent depth piece.

I think Travis Hunter could be the best CB in the NFL by the end of the 2025 season. He's that amazing.

I feel pretty safe saying this, you pulled off the trade of the Draft and I doubt anyone will top the excitement of this one

-1st of all i want to congratulate @daveR as he was telling everyone he was in negotiations, that was a good post and let everyone know how real it was as it unfolded
I think he made Cleveland stronger getting more picks and more young players that will be taken and added to the strengths Cleveland has

The Browns could come out of this year's Draft with some real hope for the future.
Not sure QB will be solved but many other areas they can become a sound team with some help from the draft

-The Bears parting with 10-39-41 IMHO will not happen but it's a good trade and it might be something that would propel them into the next level
They signed a lot of FA players to shore up their OL so I think they pass on OL in the 1st round. Plus it's a FF site and we're just having fun so it's interesting to see at least 1 team explore the possibility of a big trade involving a 3 for 1 deal, I thought it was a great example for everyone else to follow if they want to try and get a deal done

Both teams had to give and i think both teams win out here. Bears are in a very tough division and need some studs or almost best at their position if they are ever going to pass the other 3 teams stacked against them.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

-I haven't had a chance to discuss this much as we are scrambling just to get this moving
One of the things I notice when I look at the depth charts on Ourlads which has the year plus the round in which the players on the team were drafted.
Both the Chiefs and Eagles who went to the Super Bowl last year and also 2 seasons prior to that, the cream of the NFL, both teams are loaded with draft selections
Both teams have free agents but it's not the core of the team typically.

My point is the Draft is so critical for the long term success of the team.
KC understands that and tries to improve as much as possible thru their drafts

IMO, the focus on edge of the lines - both offensively and defensively - seems like a decade behind in thinking.

Teams that have solid interior line play are the ones that are winning.

On the defensive side guys on recent Super Bowl winning teams like Vita Vea, Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter/Jordan Davis are wrecking offenses more than the exterior players are.

I think Mason Graham is the guy to get if you're looking defense.

100% agree with you
I find it fascinating how many starters for Playoff teams there are, especially in the last 2-3-4 drafts, meaning they are riding the wave of great drafts plus good coaching
Very few teams assemble a bunch of free agents and acquisitions and win the Super Bowl.

Bucs and Rams did bring in key free agents to win their trophies but many of their core players were still from the Drafts
Bucs especially had 4 starting DBs all on rookie contracts, the combined salaries for the entire secondary that year was like $5M-$6M, they loaded up elsewhere
Rams traded future picks to win now but they also had strong OL/DL filled with many guys they had drafted

 

[Stoneworker]

I think Mason Graham is the guy to get if you're looking defense.

With that motor he's got Zach Allen+ upside

 

[Ministry of Pain]

IMO, the focus on edge of the lines - both offensively and defensively - seems like a decade behind in thinking.

Teams that have solid interior line play are the ones that are winning.

On the defensive side guys on recent Super Bowl winning teams like Vita Vea, Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter/Jordan Davis are wrecking offenses more than the exterior players are.

I think Mason Graham is the guy to get if you're looking defense.

My only issue at DT/IDL is the depth is so deep and I like guys in the 2nd round almost as much as the 1st
It's definitely an area I am looking with the Phins but they spent about the same pick on Christian Wilkins in 2019, he was pretty good in a Miami uniform, they let him walk

I feel like big DT types are relegated to the bench when a high scoring game breaks out and the other team starts to pass almost every down
I understand the importance of the DT position and it makes a huge difference on all the short yardage and goal line situations on defense

At the same time I'm happy Miami isn't $25M per season into the position and it might be OK to draft this again in the 1st round
But I do feel this position is very deep and even the 2nd/3rd round you'll find a pug n play starter for the next 4-5 years

 

[Andy Dufresne]

IMO, the focus on edge of the lines - both offensively and defensively - seems like a decade behind in thinking.

Teams that have solid interior line play are the ones that are winning.

On the defensive side guys on recent Super Bowl winning teams like Vita Vea, Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter/Jordan Davis are wrecking offenses more than the exterior players are.

I think Mason Graham is the guy to get if you're looking defense.

My only issue at DT/IDL is the depth is so deep and I like guys in the 2nd round almost as much as the 1st
It's definitely an area I am looking with the Phins but they spent about the same pick on Christian Wilkins in 2019, he was pretty good in a Miami uniform, they let him walk

I feel like big DT types are relegated to the bench when a high scoring game breaks out and the other team starts to pass almost every down
I understand the importance of the DT position and it makes a huge difference on all the short yardage and goal line situations on defense

At the same time I'm happy Miami isn't $25M per season into the position and it might be OK to draft this again in the 1st round
But I do feel this position is very deep and even the 2nd/3rd round you'll find a pug n play starter for the next 4-5 years

This is true too. In which case I'd say - take two. Philadelphia showed that you can't have enough good defensive linemen.

If you really wanted to go bold for the Giants you take Will Johnson with the first pick and then a DL with the second.

 

[travdogg]

IMO, the focus on edge of the lines - both offensively and defensively - seems like a decade behind in thinking.

Teams that have solid interior line play are the ones that are winning.

On the defensive side guys on recent Super Bowl winning teams like Vita Vea, Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter/Jordan Davis are wrecking offenses more than the exterior players are.

I think Mason Graham is the guy to get if you're looking defense.

I agree with most of this. The best lineman are the best lineman, regardless of where on the line they play. Aaron Donald is probably the best front 7 player of the last 20 years.

I'd probably take it a step further, and argue that QB is on another level, but very little separates the other 21 starting positions.

 

[travdogg]

So, the Bears have been very active this offseason. They started by adding maybe the biggest prize of the offseason, in Ben Johnson. He alone could be worth more than any other addition by any NFL team. I'm strongly of the belief that the Bears are not and have not been as much talent deficient as coaching deficient particularly on offense.

Then the Bears used FA to greatly improve their OL, adding Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and then arguably the best young C in the NFC in Drew Dalman. The Bears suddenly may have a top 3 OL in the NFL. They then added Dayo Adeyingbo to the DL, which was possibly an overpay (Jonah Jackson probably was too) but a useful addition.

This draft in my eyes, has 2 elite players in it, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. After them, I think the next group doesn't differ much. I honestly think the dropoff from #2 to #3 as big than the dropoff from #3 to #40. In my eyes the Bears need that "Stud" that they haven't had much in the 2000s. Pretty much just briefly Khalil Mack and Brandon Marshall, otherwise you probably have to go back to Brian Urlacher. To me trying to find some decent upgrades with 3 picks in the top-41, holds less value than adding a elite gamechanger.

Which brings me to the pick itself. Abdul Carter probably fills a bigger need, and would be a Will Anderson like addition to me, and allow Adeyingbo to work back and forth between DE/DT. There is certainly some strong logic to it, and if I was unable to acquire pick #2, I was willing to make a similar offer for pick #3 if he was still there. Having said that:

With the 2nd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft the Chicago Bears select Travis Hunter CB/WR Colorado.

I think Hunter is arguably the best non-QB to come out in a decade. Personally, I think he's best as a CB who maybe plays some WR just like his college HC. I think adding Hunter could give the Bears the best secondary in the NFL, and new DC Dennis Allen has shown the ability to get a lot out of less. What he could do with Hunter, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Kevin Byard could be special.

I think Hunter has a HOF ceiling. I don't think a Champ Bailey comp is unfair or unrealistic. He will not be beat deep, and he has elite ball skills, and obviously work ethic given his 2-way status. The only knock on his game is I don't think he's a particularly strong player, so maybe don't match him up 1-1 against the Mike Evans types, but I think he holds his own in run defense, and obviously is a game changing playmaker. This also has the benefit of pushing Tyrique Stevenson into the Dime, which is an excellent depth piece.

I think Travis Hunter could be the best CB in the NFL by the end of the 2025 season. He's that amazing.

I feel pretty safe saying this, you pulled off the trade of the Draft and I doubt anyone will top the excitement of this one

-1st of all i want to congratulate @daveR as he was telling everyone he was in negotiations, that was a good post and let everyone know how real it was as it unfolded
I think he made Cleveland stronger getting more picks and more young players that will be taken and added to the strengths Cleveland has

The Browns could come out of this year's Draft with some real hope for the future.
Not sure QB will be solved but many other areas they can become a sound team with some help from the draft

-The Bears parting with 10-39-41 IMHO will not happen but it's a good trade and it might be something that would propel them into the next level
They signed a lot of FA players to shore up their OL so I think they pass on OL in the 1st round. Plus it's a FF site and we're just having fun so it's interesting to see at least 1 team explore the possibility of a big trade involving a 3 for 1 deal, I thought it was a great example for everyone else to follow if they want to try and get a deal done

Both teams had to give and i think both teams win out here. Bears are in a very tough division and need some studs or almost best at their position if they are ever going to pass the other 3 teams stacked against them.

There was a good amount of negotiation for the #2 pick, and I'd also begun to negotiate for the #3 pick just in case. I was really opposed to dealing future picks, as I feel like that's kinda pointless for this exercise.

I doubt the Bears trade up too, but I REALLY think they should. Just don't see the point in staying put with 3 top 41 picks, when they arguably have no glaring holes. Even their worst starters (like Swift) are ok. That's not to say they are an elite team, just that they don't really have any big holes to fill.

If I had stayed at #10, I don't have a position I'd really target. It'd be BPA, and I'm not a fan of that value. ESPN had a 2 round mock yesterday where they gave the Bears Will Campbell, Emeka Egbuka, and Quinshon Judkins with those top 41 picks, and personally, I'd rather have Hunter than all of those 3, and I like Campbell/Egbuka a lot.

In this Hunter scenario, putting myself in the Bears GM shoes, I'm probably looking at a RB like Chubb or Dobbins to pair with Swift, or maybe a guy is there in round 3.

I thought 10, 39, 41 for 2 made a lot of sense for the Browns too. Unlike the Bears, I think the Browns have all kinds of holes to fill.

 

[JetMaxx]

1.04 The New England Patriots select Will Campbell OT LSU

The need to protect Maye has to be a priority. The short arms are a concern but his athleticism will make up for it.

 

[travdogg]

1.04 The New England Patriots select Will Campbell OT LSU

The need to protect Maye has to be a priority. The short arms are a concern but his athleticism will make up for it.

Unless the Browns or Giants go QB, I think the Patriots are in a really rough spot at #4. Its a tough position to be in. Campbell feels like the safest player at that spot, and that's sort of how Vrabel operates.

 

[Instinctive]

@rockaction

@Instinctive

@farfromforgotten

-Hope we make it you all by Noon/Early afternoon, we'll see

Panthers are at 8 and I'm ready. Have a sick kid at home today and doing errands so if it takes 60 mins before I see, nobody freak out.

 

[Instinctive]

1.04 The New England Patriots select Will Campbell OT LSU

The need to protect Maye has to be a priority. The short arms are a concern but his athleticism will make up for it.

Unless the Browns or Giants go QB, I think the Patriots are in a really rough spot at #4. Its a tough position to be in. Campbell feels like the safest player at that spot, and that's sort of how Vrabel operates.

Seems like a pretty tough spot for sure. I don't think he's even a clear top OL anymore. Sucks to draft at the drop off spot.

 

[Streetduck]

Jacksonville trades the 1.05 to the Browns for the #10 & #41 picks.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Jacksonville trades the 1.05 to the Bears for the #10 & #41 picks.

I think you got good value.

 

[daveR]

Jacksonville trades the 1.05 to the Bears for the #10 & #41 picks.

Actually, to the Browns.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

OT is probably the right choice. Which one probably doesn't particularly matter here. Who knows which one the team prefers?

 

[Streetduck]

Jacksonville trades the 1.05 to the Bears for the #10 & #41 picks.

I think you got good value.

Yes to the Browns, my bad.

 

[daveR]

With pick 1.05, the Browns select Mason Graham. Let the controversy begin!