I’m continuing to plough through games to fill out my horizontal board which already has 116 names on it. Considering I haven’t previously started a board until well after the college football season — I hope this provides some scope on the work I’m trying to put in this year, ahead of a huge draft for the Seahawks in 2023.
I wanted to write a few notes down on some players who’ve caught my eye. I appreciate I’m putting a lot of names out at the moment — I’d recommend running through recent articles you might’ve missed for other thoughts on different players.
I’ll share this though. This is what I’ve compiled for the first round:
Legit first round grades
Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas)
Will Anderson (DE, Alabama)
Will Levis (QB, Kentucky)
C.J. Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
Bryce Young (QB, Alabama)
Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida)
Mazi Smith (DT, Michigan)
Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame)
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Alabama)
Fringe first round grades
Jalin Hyatt (WR, Tennessee)
Darnell Wright (T, Tennessee)
K.J. Henry (DE, Clemson)
Bryan Bresee (DT, Clemson)
Kelee Ringo (CB, Georgia)
Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)
I also have a bunch of second and third rounders — but I want to do more work and publish the board in 2-4 weeks time with some information/detail left unsaid for now. However — I do have six centers in this range (many of which I’ve written about recently). Ten receivers (including Zay Flowers — very impressive, Jonathan Mingo — big and only scratching the surface and Bryce Ford-Wheaton — if he declares, a very interesting talent). Luke Musgrave the Oregon State tight end is in this range, as is Georgia safety Christopher Smith and UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet.
Jalin Hyatt (WR, Tennessee)
A lot of people will be turned on to Hyatt after the Alabama game and I went back to review five Tennessee games. Speed kills in the NFL and there isn’t anyone like Hyatt in this class who can get into his route efficiently then accelerate through the stem and create separation. He’s not just a blazer off the line who leaves defenders in his wake. Hyatt does something that’s arguably even more useful. It’s that late change through the gears that often shocks cornerbacks. It’s devastating. And you see it on the deep shots and basic slants where he creates the key separation as the ball enters his eye-line. He also presents his hands to the ball and generally does a good job catching. He’s going to be tremendously difficult to cover at the next level and he carries himself with a confidence you expect to see from a future star receiver. He has a great chance to go in the top-45 if he continues to excel.
Byron Young (DE/DT, Alabama)
Young isn’t a game-wrecker and nobody is going to be ‘wowed’ by his tape. Yet I noticed a couple of things watching Alabama’s D-line. Firstly, he’s very good at attacking his gap. While it doesn’t translate to a lot of pressures or sacks — it frequently forces a running back to think on his feet and it’s an easy way to disrupt rhythm in the passing game. There are plays where even though he’s not creating a pressure — his ability to shoot a gap or shove someone backwards creates disruption. On top of that, he’s stout at the POA and difficult to move. I couldn’t help but think he’d be a nice option for the Seahawks if they retain the scheme they’re rolling with. I’m not sure how he’ll test but I see him as a second-day-er who can be solid and useful — if unspectacular — at the next level.
Matthew Bergeron (T, Syracuse)
A Canadian-born blocker — I thought he looked extremely accomplished on tape. He was rarely out of position. He can set with fluidity to block-off the route to the quarterback. I like his kick-slide although it can be a little choppy at times. He can smooth that out. I’ve seen some sniffy reviews about how he finishes vs the run but I didn’t see any problems there. He plays with an edge and there were a couple of snaps where he dumped opponents to the turf against NC State. He doesn’t look quite like a prototype left tackle — he lacks obvious length in the torso — and I’m intrigued to see how he weighs and measures. He’s got ample lower body bulk though and I think at the very least he’ll find a home at guard, with the potential to be a useful starter. Testing numbers are always big at tackle and if he performs well, there’s no reason why he can’t be at least a day-two pick.
B.J. Ojulari (DE, LSU)
If Ojulari can put it all together, he can be a real threat at the next level. He has great quickness off the snap to put the tackle on skates — plus the length and bend to get around the arc and straighten to the quarterback. He has a variety of moves — he just needs to refine them all. There’s a euro-step, a spin move, a rip/swim, he’ll stunt inside. He does everything and when he’s honed his technique — combined with his explosive power and speed — he could be a terror off the edge. Ojulari also drops quite a lot into coverage and plays the role of a traditional 3-4 OLB. He does it well — he’s a fluid mover who can cover ground and fly to the ball when needed. He also has an edge and an intensity to his play. At LSU they have a tradition of awarding the #18 jersey to a player who shows the following aspects and traits: attention to detail, laser focus, attitude, smarts, grit. I liked his brother Azeez Ojulari when he was at Georgia and B.J shares some of his qualities. He’s a good player with the potential to have his best years in the NFL. Before testing, I’ll give him a day two grade.
Sedrick Van Pran (C, Georgia)
Blocking in a phone booth — he is very accomplished. He can latch on and control 1v1. There’s evidence on tape of how useful this can be. A lot of Georgia’s successful runs come from the interior, running into gaps created by the 1v1 blocking at guard and center. There’s evidence of him pulling and latching on successfully, moving to his right. He does have a tendency sometimes to over-extend and it’s surprising nobody has tried bat his arms down and use his own forward momentum against him. It’s an odd technical niggle given he shows so well planting the anchor with a good, strong back — there’s little need for him to reach as much as he does. Even so, he does keep his frame clean regularly. Van Pran’s second-level skills are a mixed bag. Sometimes he seems a bit lost when he progresses — but then there’s also evidence of some nasty, vicious blocking against smaller linebackers. Depending on how he tests, he could have day-two potential. I’ve found six centers I like in this range so far.
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Rob = Thanks for your hard work. If I were a Seahawks manager I would put you on the scouting payroll.
I’ve seriously wondered what our Rob could do in an NFL office. He seems to be right at least as often as some front offices, and almost always more often than Seattle’s lol. I came here originally because I was tired of the constant snow job from Carrol and the Seattle media, but I’ve learned more about college players and specifically what kind of things to watch for when trying to decide if a guy has it than I have from this Britt than I have in a lifetime of playing and watching football. Truly some of the best content to stay informed and get a real sense of the direction of the team. Everyone reading should really consider a modest patreon donation to the blog. The hours Rob and even the other regular contributors put in to provide free content make this a truly amazing place.
DL-Tuli Tuipulotu, 6-4/290, USC, is looking pretty good statistically so far this season.
2022, IN 7 GAMES: 12.5-TFL, 7.0-SACKS, 2-PBU, 1-QBH, 1-FF
Currently a consensus 3-rd round prospect, but is having a pretty decent season so far. Might he be a consideration for the Seahawks in the day-2 or early day-3 range? (I have no idea how to pronounce that name, an announcer’s bad dream. hopefully his middle name starts with an N, and they can call him TNT.)
I worry about his length. Play is very streaky too — kind of boom or bust. I have him in R3 at the moment.
Any opinion of Iowa’s Will McDonald or Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey?
And thank you for the prospect updates
McDonald has the physical tools but he’s all over the place this season
Foskey is decent for what he is — a 3-4 OLB with some ability — but he feels like the type of pick we see all the time who come into the league and become rotational rushers, never really emerging beyond that
Excellent Rob. Thank you very much.
Is that the new “low center of gravity” way of saying he has a big butt?
Yes — it’s a nice way of saying he’s got a big, fat arse.
🤭
Richardson? IDK, he has a ton of potential but he needs another year in school to prove he’s a going to be a 1st round pick. As of now he’s a borderline 2nd/3rd rounder. He makes too many bad decisions to trust him to be a franchise QB.
But you’re not drafting him for what he is now. You’re drafting him for what he can become.
I wouldn’t complain if it took both 2023 R1 picks to get him. I don’t think I’d spend more than that though.
He is not a borderline R2/3.
Nobody will dispute that his play has been inconsistent. But performance is part of this, projection is the bulk of it. Teams have to determine what a player can become, first and foremost. Richardson has the upside to be as good as anyone. You don’t knock him down two rounds because he had a bad game against Kentucky and USF. You judge the player on what he can be.
I’ve been doing this since 2008 and have barely seen anyone with Richardson’s upside in that time. He is a first round talent. The key for a team drafting him is to bring him in, let him learn the offense and grow — then have the patience to last through growing pains. It might never work. It it does, you have a Josh Allen on your hands.
That’s how you approach this.
Or you can just trade up to #1 and take Hendon Hooker.
Just kidding.
LOL
I am not denying the talent is there, but I really don’t think he comes out. Maybe someone takes a chance on him in round one if he does but I keep thinking Trey Lance when he is out there. His throws are very limited right now.
If he doesn’t come out then fine — he won’t be going to the NFL. But if he does, he isn’t a R2/3 pick. That’s absurd.
And it won’t be a case of ‘taking a chance on him in round one’. His potential is other-wordly. It’s an investment on that potential developing into a fantastic player. That’s what the draft is about.
As for Trey Lance comps — I don’t see that at all.
I made an awkwardly worded comment, connecting Richardson and Trey Lance, in a previous thread. My intention was not about their play, just more that I thought Richardson was being undervalued by some, in the comments, and that it might take a Trey Lance level of resources to obtain Richardson.
I’m agreeing with Blitzy: both first rounders, shoot for the moon.
Rob you are a beast.
I hope the hawks do not sign Geno to some big contract (I don’t even see how they could, with their poor cap situation). Rob has been consistent on this and I agree, he’s not the future, what he’s doing is great and cool.
I have been somewhat surprised how well KJ Jefferson has played so far. He completely decimated Cincinnati and BYU, hasn’t forced the ball, and doesn’t turn it over.
He’s also a one-read dynamo
And the BYU game was a horrible defensive shambles by both teams
Lot of SEC players.
Surprised not to see players such as Jaxon Smith Injigba, Jordan Addison, or Quinten Johnston as having first round grades. I know Jaxson hasnt put up numbers, but thats been due to not playing because of injury. And Addison seems to be having a good year and Johnson has turned it on lately. I can understand not having Kayshoun Boutte, as he hasnt played well. But the other three seem like still first round players if Hyatt is.
What about some LBs like Drew Sanders and Tyree Wilson? Seem to be getting alot of love and have the stats and play to back it up (at least sanders)
This is where it gets a bit frustrating though. People see these players in the media graded in R1 and then someone like me gives them a second round grade — a good grade — and they challenge/question it. Most of the players taken in round one next year will have second round grades. That’s the way this works. You have a very small portion of ‘legit’ R1 grades.
Hyatt is a fringe first rounder. I have a section between legit R1 and legit R2 which he is in. He is in that range because he is performing consistently very well, showing unique skills with his late separation, he just dominated one of the best teams in the country and combines suddenness with a second gear that is truly explosive.
Smith-Njigba ran a 4.64 forty at SPARQ. I want to see how he tests, on top of the injury issues this year. Addison is small and quick but he’s not lightning fast and has played in two very favourable offenses. I need to see him test. Johnson is a player I really like and has a great athletic profile and could go in R1. But he’s also had games where he’s disappeared this season.
It’s not a slur to put these players in R2 in October.
And, at times, teams start panicking and grab a player when certain position groups start flying off the board.
It’s the true unknown of the draft. Just how desperate is a team for a position group? Will a certain team reach because they see the rest of the talent level falling off a cliff after a certain prospect, who happens to still be on the board? Will they attempt to appease their star QB and grab a WR a bit early?
It’s one of the reasons I love watching other teams pick. The drama.
Don’t mistake my “surprise” as a critique though or saying it’s a slur. As most who have been on this board a while feel and know, your analysis is top notch. The surprise is that most the country has many WR with first round grades, and you only have one. If there was any critique, its on the media, not you. And mentioned of Hyatt is cause I go to LSU (distance learning), seen a lot of Hyatt play while watching all SEC past years. Still wouldnt have thought he was fringe round 1 as the best draft eligible WR in the country. The surprise is me not being able to analyze or see that he is clearly that much better than any other WR, when I didn’t think he was even most talented WR on Tenn coming into season.
Anything on Pitt’s Calijah Kancey?
Only watched Pitt once in the opening game. He played well then but I’ve not watched him since
Actually, I watched them vs Tennessee too but didn’t really watch the DL
I really like him from what little i’ve seen. Really good player, but there are two massive issues for me:
1.) What position is he in the NFL? 34DE, NT, 3-tech?
2.) He’s 6′ tall. Does he have the length to deal with NFL O-linemen?
As always, great stuff Rob. Realistically what do you consider too high for the hawks to take Richardson?
Rob, the draft articles that you do are truly unique and wonderful. They give us valuable information, get us “fired up” about looking forward to the draft, and inform our thinking “what would I do if I were the GM”.
I am hopeful that they can find Safeties like they did at CB this year. There are other positions of greater value and I know the Hawks don’t draft DB’s early. So I wonder if there is anyone currently on the roster they are looking to develop at Safety. For example, I wonder if Joey Blount is a realistic prospect and wonder if Tre Brown can play FS.
It’ll be fascinating to play the Cardinals again soon. They might catch them in the middle of an implosion.
Murray is jawing at Kingsbury.
And trying to get in synch with Hopkins and they’re having “discussions” on the sideline.
There goes Jeff Wilson on my fantasy team in the flex. 🤦♂️
Interesting the Rams and 9ers were in on him
Happy the niners did this. The move for lance looks crippling and they just invested what little draft capital they had left over on an oft injured, aging RB. He’s gonna be a BEAST in their system and if they win a super bowl this year (NFC is wide open) the trade is inarguably a win. But they are really all in on this year and looking at a LONG rebuild if lance doesn’t pan out
They now have $0 in effective cap space with 34 contracted players next year, and their natural 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks belong to someone else.
They’ll probably get a couple 3rds in comp for the minority coaching hires.
McCaffrey’s contract has 3years and $35m left on it for his 27-28-29 years. None of it guaranteed though.
They only have $33m of effective space in 2024 with 29 contracted players.
“win now” doesn’t begin to describe this trade.
Holy moly! As always thanks for the cap knowledge Cha. Those numbers really speak volumes,
On top of that the rams are underperforming while tied to some older expensive players. And the cards are tied to the currently very questionable looking trio of Kingsbury/Kiem/kyler. You could make a strong case that the future of the NFC west is the hawks for the taking with another solid draft or two, especially if they can find a young franchise qb. With the infusion of picks next year to play with these are certainly exciting times at SDB!
Ideal weapon for their offense and young QB’s best friend… IF (hugest IF ever?) he can stay healthy.
They have officially gone full Les “F them picks” Snead this year.
Outstanding trade for Carolina.
Don’t kid yourself, they’re paying for it.
They are swallowing more dead money for McCaffrey than the Seahawks did for RW.
Between McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson they’re eating $47.4m in dead money, and the best thing they have coming back is a second round pick.
I guess I’m looking at it from the perspective we have Adams & even if he came back healthy next year I don’t think we could get anything near that.
I definitely get your point, but it’s nice to see a team cut thier losses when they feel it’s time; even with the big cap hit, & still get something.
Poor, poor Will Levis. He will stepping into a rough situation after leaving a rough situation
Don’t be so sure. If anyone can screw up the #1 overall, it’d be Carolina. They could well fall in love with Stroud or Bryce. Likely? No. Possible? Absolutely.
Hard to know how to value – when you factor in age/injury and salary. I get it for the NIners – all-in in a year when getting to the NFC title game at least (and hopefully SB), seems very doable.
My second thought though was that I don’t know that I’d trade Walker straight up for CMC today, given all the factors. Showing again the allure of picks and first contracts.
49ers give up 2023 2nd, 3rd and 4th rd picks as well as a 2024 5th rd pick for CMC
That’s a really crazy move by niners. If hawks nail this next draft, we could see this young team benefitting from rams, niners on the down side. Could be a perfect storm.
The 49ers are a GOOD team without CMC. They won’t downside in the next year or 2 if he gets injured a lot.
If you get a prime version of CMC, why not, do it, maybe you win a trophy. If you get the injured version and he doesn’t play all year, it’s a disaster. If he shows up and gives you average game, or even worse, you’ve ruined your future for nothing. Given that they’ve already overpaid for Trey Lance, I wouldn’t have done it. Guess it played a role that Rams was the other team and they didn’t want him to get there.
And the panthers wrap up the first pick and Will Levis.
I wouldn’t assume that. If they do end up owning the #1 overall pick, I’d bet on Stroud at this point.
I wouldn’t
I think it’s increasingly clear Levis will go first
If you listen to 49 fan they feel the Rams beat them on the punch for Matt Stafford. maybe they went for Christian McCaffrey to be ahead of the Rams go all in . It’s a possible super bowl or bust situation for the 49er who knows. It paid off for the Rams last year but for sure it’s a huge risk for a guy who can’t stay healthy
Re CMC – they won’t give him the ball on every play; they will minimise his touches so gain maximum effect. Unlike the Panthers the 49ers have plenty of other weapons. This is a solid move.
Turf is off IR and has returned to practice
https://twitter.com/Turfthedog/status/1583472861771345920
Not a bad 40!
https://twitter.com/Turfthedog/status/1583472933359751169
That eagles pick they got from saints is looking like a potential trade partner to move up for a QB.
Yeah, only an offer they couldn’t refuse would pry Burns off their roster.
5th-year senior who already has 4 sacks and 7.5 TFL in 7 games this season. I don’t think Pete would go for another DE this heavy, but you never know.
McCaffrey, Deebo, and Kittle though… sheesh! If they are all healthy for the playoffs and the OL is at least average, even Jimmy G might not be able to mess that one up.
The “Shanahan can make any old RB a star” trope might be taking a beating.
Spent a 3rd on TDP this year, a 3rd on Simon last year, and now a 2, 3, 4, 5 and big $ on McCaffrey.
KS’ system does make many RBs look like a productive back. Problem is many of them don’t make it thru a season. It must be the emphasis on tough runs thru the tackles. CMC, for all his potential, is a high risk move considering his injury history. The word is they had to outbid the Rams. Both were after CMC. They gave up a lot for him (or not, depends if you believe the initial ask of two 1st rounders) but they dealt from the position of strength. They have a boat load of 3rd round comp picks and their roster is loaded with talent (and young) so giving away some of their picks is not a major issue. NFC race is wide open this year and this puts them in the lead role, if CMC stays healthy, and blocks the Rams from getting him.
A few more names to look into from Jim Nagy if anyone wants to:
2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Midseason OFFENSIVE All-Riser Team
https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1583433804756430849
SF and Rams already all in, Cardinals about to go through a coaching/GM(?) change and have a QB problem.
We’re set up looking good.
And holy smokes I saw Tennessee had won, but 5 touchdowns for Hyatt?? Whew. Really blew the top off the defense. Eskridge coming around is promising but wouldn’t mind adding a WR in the 2nd. (Not that Hyatt will be there)
Some team may draft the Hooker and Hyatt combo. Instant chemistry there.
Rob, great write up. Appreciate your updates and up to date analysis of the young prospects. Since it appears that the top QBs will be gone by the time the Hawks draft, we are looking at second tier of QBs. Do you think mechanics of Anthony Richardson are fix-able? For all the physical tools he has, he seems so raw, doesn’t read the defense very well, etc. and learning at the next level is a tall ask. I can name many QBs that came out of college with great arm, physical talent, etc. that didn’t translate well to NFL.
Jalen Carter, whom you have as a marginal 1st rounder, was mocked as a potential Seahawk pick at #7 by CBSSport (If I recall correctly, you’re not a fan of them!) USA Today’s OCT 6 mock has him at #5 to us and Will Levis going to Indy at #16 (Seriously! I realize lots have changed in 2 weeks, still who makes up this stuff). And Yahoo sports has Hendon Hooker as a #7 pick (overreacting based on one game perhaps). A more realistic mock from the Draft Network has Lewis gone at #3. Actually, the top 3 QBs are gone by the 4th selection. They have us selecting at #12, after starting the year as the worst team in the NFL
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2023-nfl-mock-draft-stroud-young-levis-ward/
These mocks mean very little at this point, just a fun read.
Thanks again and keep up the awesome work!
I don’t think mechanics are an issue for Richardson. Or even processing. I think he just needs to take his lumps and learn.
Sorry if this has been asked and answered elsewhere or one of the comment threads, but what do you think it would take to get the #1 pick, assuming the Hawks have 1R picks in the 10 to 20 range? Or is there no universe in which the worst team (Carolina or Houston?) would trade the #1 overall? There a lot of holes on the Seahawks roster and the bevy of picks is enticing, but it’s all largely for naught unless you get your franchise QB. In some sense the Geno Smith revival–and believe me, I’m cheering for him–is a bit of a conundrum because we’re likely not going to pick in the top 10 (unless Denver really craters) and it still seems unlikely that Geno can be the answer for more than a year or two.
It cost Washington three R1s and a R2 to move from 6 to 2 in 2012.
Tankathon currently have Denver picking 7, so moving from 7 to 1 10 years later would cost at least four R1s and probably two R2s.
Imo it would be an unmitigated disaster. I don’t care who you’re getting.
I agree. Don’t trade up for 1, you can still get two good players at say 7 and 18 without turning into the next 49ers. Might even hit gold on a QB in that range.
7 would give us a realistic shot at Richardson.
Yeah if that’s how much it would take, then I wouldn’t. You can’t mortgage the whole damn team for it, even if the first overall pick does have outsized importance. It seems like the consensus on this group is that Richardson is the pick for the Hawks based on availability/where we’re likely to pick. I’ll have to watch some tape!
Thanks for the thoughts, all.
Which would you prefer?
Use both R1 picks on Anthony Richardson
or
Use Seattle’s native R1 pick (the later of the two R1s) on Bryce Young and still have the other (earlier) R1 to spend on whoever
As recently as a week ago I’d have said Richardson no doubt. But I saw Young throw some unbelievably sweet throws vs Tenn, that made me revisit some of his earlier performances and I think he’s a natural a passer. He has touch, accuracy, placement, zip, distance. Plus I’m seeing a fiery competitor and team leader in him emerging. The only thing he lacks is size.
Not sure how I’d answer now.
Young is a great COLLEGE qb. I don’t want him anywhere near the Seahawks.
I disagree. A college QB is someone who works within a rigid one-read system where the sideline tells them who to throw to. Think CJ Stroud.
Bryce Young is a much more capable QB already. He regularly reads through progressions, looks off defenders, calls audibles effectively.
The only thing about him that says college is his stature.
Not sure I want to gamble on his size either. But I think he’s the best passer in this class by an easy margin.
Young seems to be the most intelligent and capable QBs right now. He can improvise and make plays. Just wish he was 3″ taller and 20 pounds heavier.
Yeah, Troy has a linebacker who just moved into 4th place all time in FBS history with over 500 tackles. 32 solo this year to go with half a sack and an interception. The problem?
5’9″ 210lbs.
Sure, maybe he can gain 20 pounds and become the next Sam Mills, but I doubt it.
Both picks? Why? Like if those are #13 and #18 and we need to trade up?
I’d keep Geno, Lock and select someone after a trade-back.
2xR1 is just too much for Richardson. And if you have mid-late R1s those might not be enough to trade up for #6-7. I’d say Richardson will be 90% bust and 10% amazing.
And Young will get destroyed. Maybe not in year one, but still feels like wasted resources.
If we wanna gamble it up, I’d trade back even a couple of times and get 2 guys in R2.
If we’d pick #6-7-8 that’s different. We can gamble on Richardson and still have an R1
Whoops…
https://twitter.com/BackAftaThis/status/1583511955947794432
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoACuGFGKuA
💯 I see no lie here.
Friday Press Conf w PC
“So many areas to continue to develop. Really good matchup. Coming off a big win, really challenging game for us. Worked well, working through guys coming back and staying healthy. I’ll tell you what I can about guys hurt.”
[q] Tyler Lockett playing Sunday? “Really good chance at playing. Being careful with him. If anyone can make it, it’ll be him.”
[q] Collier week? “Available to us if we can do that.”
[q] Bruce prepared to play? “Much further along. Thinking he’s ready to play. Not hesitant, just see if we can work that out.”
[q] Why always faith in Geno? “Played at high level in Jax game. Looks like he looks now. Hoping from that indication – took him a couple weeks to get going – never shown anything but that since he took over. You’d miss if you put your head in the sand. This season long, challenging, we gotta sustain. That’s what he’s gotta show us, if he can do it. Trying to keep rolling.”
[q] Improbable eight year gap? “Not many guys, but there are some guys. Not 8 years, but guys had to wait, grown into mature, experienced, composed player capable of being. Geno reuniting that hope that guys can hang in there, end of their career be available for great play.”
[q] Defensively good week, what see to know they’re on right track? “Consistency. Great on third, on fourth, everything we did like we want to see it with exception of QB running all over. Wasn’t like a heroic performance by anybody. Guys capable. Spread sacks around, guys covered. Just trying to make it obvious.”
[q] Run game? “No doubt need to run the FB. Makeup of our club. Not 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Effectively running. Third down conversions running FB. Good in short yardage too. Necessary to play well.”
[q] Ken Walker health? “Great. Checked in every day, feeling great. Didn’t get banged up. Excited knows he can do it. Another chance, need him to go.”
[q] Lockett not practicing, Dee practice more? “Yeah, having a baby today missed practice. He’s really stepped up, game changing for him. Terrific talent, keep him on field where he can be threat. More important to have a baby, otherwise he’d be there today.”
cha: I was two minutes behind the live stream and they cut it off immediately after PC was done. Probably one or two questions I missed.
Probably “How good is Tyler Lockett?”
it’s funny how much better pete’s answers come off after a solid performance and a W. stating the obvious I guess, but a lot less for him to dodge and avoid, etc. – – and I agreed w his answers re the D (that the good performances were spread around) and the run game.
Collier week? “Available to us if we can do that.”
What a perfect Pete answer.
Doesn’t sound like they are eager to get Collier involved.
They always talk Collier up…until he is actually available to play.
Hyatt is having a great year, but a bit surprised by the draft grade. He was a legit transfer candidate last season as he was down the depth chart and still not considered the best WR on the current Tennessee team. That would be Ced Tillman.
When you can create late separation by having a second gear those covering you don’t have, you will make a lot of plays
Does the talent spread in this draft class seem affected by previous Covid years? Whether guys leaving early, or less playing time available, etc? Or are we past that and this is just more of a random, happens to be thin at the top, draft class?
I think it’s just a top-heavy class this year