(03-03-2024, 03:35 PM)anonymous2112 Wrote: That means that every time a guy from Group 3 gets picked ahead of pick 17 (Nix, Bowers, or Fuaga, maybe?), we are that much closer to getting one from Group 2.  I'm starting to think there's no way even Gene Smith could screw this 1st rounder up.

O ye of little faith...

I'm preparing my liver already.

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(03-03-2024, 10:11 PM)flgatorsandjags Wrote: At 6-foot-4 1/4-inch, 303 pounds, Bortolini ran a 4.94-second 40 with an exceptional 1.69 10-yard split (and strong 32 1/2-inch vertical and 9-foot-4 broad jump). He also had the best time among offensive linemen in the 3-cone drill (7.16 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.28 seconds). In fact, Bortolini joined Jason Kelce as the only OL at the combine since 2003 to have a sub-4.3 20-yard shuttle and a sub-7.3 3-cone drill, per NFL Research. The two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection looked like a professional center coming out of his stance during drills, snapping the ball and smoothly stepping in either direction. A coach on the field complimented his balance and body control in a pass protection drill. I agree with that assessment of his performance.

bench reps?

I don't need a sprinter at center. I want a brick wall that smacks back.

TBH, his name popped up a bit while I played with mocks, might be the SVP consolation prize. I just get nervous about another mid-round C, do we end up with flawed guy that we have to accomodate like we presently have with Fortner, or do we actually have depth at this position in the darft that lets us address glaring need without overbuying?

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