(04-29-2024, 06:13 PM)jaglou53 Wrote:

(04-29-2024, 04:41 PM)Caldrac Wrote: I have little bones to pick about this off season and draft in general.

1. Josh Allen - Extended - Shows growth as a franchise.

2. Mitch Morse - Signed - Shows the ability to admit a mistake and fix it.

3. Foyesade Oluokon - Extended - Shows the ability to retain talent. As well as a great leader.

4. Brian Thomas Jr. - Selected - Not only did they decide that Gabe Davis wasn't the answer to losing Ridley - They went out and landed a WR1 to grow with Lawrence - While also picking up a 3rd and 4th RD selection in next year's draft. Shows the ability to understand value and competence.

5. Arik Armstead - Signed - Adding a veteran presence that has played well and has been apart of some really good and talented defensive fronts.

Those five moves standout to me more than anything. I actually really like the Jarrian Jones selection. Already said it in the college forum or somewhere around here. That's my favorite selection out of this entire class. I don't see that selection as a reach.

Jones was considered the top nickel CB in this class by a few sites and his energy, his play and his flexibility is much needed here. He'll benefit from a loaded front seven.

I wanted one more IOL drafted, I would have went in that direction one more time over Jefferson at NT or Robinson at KR. However, I understand the thought process there. I don't mind them getting a strong behemoth to play NT on this defense when needed. I don't mind another KR given the new rules and I don't mind the selection of a Kicker neither. We need one.

Myles Cole, low key? That's a damn good developmental prospect to bring along slowly. He'll learn from Allen, Walker & Armstead. He could very well find his place here sooner than expected if his measurables are as advertised. It's not like he was playing with a boatload of talent at Texas Tech on defense. He'll have his opportunities here to get isolated.

Back to the offensive line though. They did draft Foster, an All-SEC tackle that can play left or right side. Had a high PFF mark in the play action game and run blocking department. They have Cooper Hodges coming back. They also picked-up Jones out of Oregon. An absolute whopper of a guard that could very well make this team as the 9th or 10th man to also develop.

Don't sleep on Steven Jones.  Six years in college. Plenty of starts. Played good last year for a team that ran the ball well and helped get Bo Nix drafted on the opening night. He'll be fun to watch I think this summer. There's a lot to be happy about and to look forward to in my opinion.

All good points! They should have added another interior offensive lineman, as you indicated. They could have taken Bortlini or McCormick in round 4 instead of Jefferson. I'm not totally down on Jefferson, however, as a true nose tackle to help stop the run. Foster was a good pick since they have 2 tackles who will be free agents after this season. 

Not sure if you heard the interview today on Frangie show with LSU defensive line coach. Admittedly, not an unbiased source along with the biggest homer of all, Frank Frangie! Despite that, he spoke glowingly of Maason Smith and his best football being ahead of him. He noted that it took Smith a while to get back to form following his ACL, but saw definite improvement at the end of last season. I expect him to need a year at the NFL level to begin demonstrating his elite potential due to lack of experience in college. Hopefully he will contribute enough this season, especially if Hamilton is still not 100%. The coach also noted how Jefferson only played one season at LSU after transferring from Missouri, but showed much improvement at the end of the season. He has unreal strength and may become the 1st effective true Nose tackle the team has had in a long while. Both players have great work ethics and never got into any trouble, which is nice to know. I must say I liked the "helmet throwing" incident against Christian Haynes. Nothing wrong with defensive linemen who play with attitude, as long as they don't commit stupid penalties!