I know everyone, including myself, has their own idea as to what the Miami Dolphins should do in the 2023 NFL Draft. Armed with only 4 picks, none in RD 1, as the Miami Dolphins were punished for owner Steve Ross’ “tampering”, having discussions with QB Tom Brady and HC Sean Payton, while both were employed by other NFL teams. I think stuff like this happens all the time, but if somehow it comes out, then you have to pay for your indiscretions. This draft will not be a huge impact draft for our team, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find a couple of players who can make an impact this season and beyond.
I’ve been a fan of this team since the late 60’s, but I was a kid then and didn’t really comprehend the game. I’m still learning, and the game continues to evolve, mostly to enhance player safety and and to infuse as much offense as possible to recruit new viewers who don’t necessarily identify with the rules and strategy of gameplay, but love a high scoring affair. I recently read with much dismay that the “Roughing the QB” penalty that was up for potentially being a challengeable and reviewable penalty is now off the table, so the referees will continue to make a mockery and protect NFL QB’s at all costs, while NFL defenders are forced to play “patty cake” around opposing QB’s. Maybe they should just make a sack a two hand touch of the QB, so defenders won’t have to worry about actually tackling these 6′ – 6’5 200 – 250lb athletes and the 2 hand touch will keep the defenders from bringing them down. I think of the punishment QB’s used to endure, they were allowed to get hit at least 2 seconds after releasing the football with full force, and they were tackled as violently as any running back would be when they were in possession of the football.
This kind of brings me to my next thought. The NFL wants offense, that’s clear. As previously mentioned, I’ve been a fan since the late 60’s, and this could be one of the deepest rosters we’ve had here in Miami in it’s history. Our defense is very deep, and I feel our biggest holes or issues are on the offensive side of the ball. To me, TE and OL are still our biggest concerns. With TE’s Durham Smythe, Eric Saubert and Tanner Conner, we’re lacking a TE who is a true dual threat athlete, one that can win as an in-line blocking TE, and also be a reliable target in the passing game. Saubert is a an extra blocker at best, never having more than 15 receptions in any season. Smythe had a season high 34 catches in ’21 and fell to 15 last season. I get it, the offense runs through Tyreek Hill and Waddle, but if teams put extra personnel on those guys, someone else needs to step up. My first choice would be Georgia TE Darnell Washington. Of course, most importantly, he has to still be on the board in order for this to happen. Washington is a big bodied, shredded physical specimen who will block well in-line and also downfield. He has the speed to get downfield to help open holes for receivers and running backs. I also think his 6’7 frame will allow help him become a good receiving TE at some point. If Darnell Washington is there at #51, I hope we getter’ done!
At the moment, we have two very questionable spots on our offensive line. It seems as if our coaches are going to give LG Liam Eichenberg and RT Austin Jackson every chance to show they can start. I don’t like the idea of drafting a tackle, so i think our efforts would be better off concentrating on an interior offensive lineman, one that can play OG or C. Robert Hunt is one of our best linemen, and he has the frame, strength and athleticism to play outside at RT. There are a couple of interior guys who who might be able to help us. C/OG John Michael Schmitz and OG Steve Avila. Schmitz can play either center or G. Last season we brought in Connor Williams from the Cowboys and all he did was play EVERY-SINGLE-SNAP. He struggled with high snaps during the season, was our best C in quite some time. Schmitz could take over the C job and move Williams to OG, which could facilitate the move of Hunt to RT. Steve Avila is a big athlete who moves very well, and has the balance, power and athleticism to win and plays with some nasty. That could give that right side some serious nasty with Avila and Hunt. Nothing the Dolphins have said or done indicates that Hunt is moving to RT other than the fact we have only Austin Jackson currently our RT, and he’s started ZERO games there, and only played in 2 total games last season. Jackson is backed up by OT Geron Christian and OT Kion Smith. Not especially far fetched to think Hunt might move to RT, but we have to talent in place on the interior to allow that to happen.
Next year would probably be a better time to look for an OT if necessary, as we’ll finally have a first round pick and a 2nd, although we’ll be picking at 32. That’s the sacrifice you have to make when you win the Super Bowl, and that’s one I’m willing to make!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
BBMike and I settled it, BPA at #51. LOL
McD sees the “field,” the whole field. He and Grier, now Fangio, might be the keys at the top we have needed for 20 years.
Let Ross write checks for players, let real coaches coach, and let the games begin…
pheloniusphish If you really wanna have fun and not get aggravated at all play arcade mode on rookie level
Let Ross get his freaking Super Bowl so he can sell the damn team already
Lol…
TK, I agree with you…
I think you have commented that we can go (to the playoffs, plus) with what we have in-house. With the draft, can we add another starter, or two, oh my. That sets us up to keep building a force.
I did say that. I don’t believe this draft is key to our season. But if we can upgrade our overall roster in this draft that’s even better.
That podcast with the 3 Mike’s has me excited…lol
The Forgotten Realms were great too. I loved the first 6 or so books of the Drizzt series’. The Avatar series was awesome. All fun to read, fun to play.
What was the original D&D book series by Gary Gygax? Greyhawk? Gord the thief or something. I never liked those books as much as the Forgotten realms books.
The books were a secondary consideration the innovation was the actual campaign setting
Yeah, Gygax actually started with the campaign to books. His books weren’t very good, but it opened the door for Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms.
Just looked it up, Dragons of Autumn Twilight actually came out just ahead of Saga of Old City by Gygax by 10 months.
Homeland which was the first book of the second trilogy is one of my all time favorites
That whole second trilogy is amazing. The whole city and house ‘politics’ and hierarchy system in Homeland is awesome, and Drizzt’s origin story is top tier.
I really love Artemis Entreri and Drizzt’s later battles as well.
I just finished the entire collection again
Incredible series
I have the four big compendiums of the Drizzt novels
You guys are total geeeks . ! 🐕👉👌
What is underrated about Grier is does a good job getting the HC the kind of players they want. Some GM’s think it’s all about them and they build the team, and the HC coaches their vision. He also doesn’t have an ego. Proved that by hiring Marvin Allen and Reggie McKenzie to his staff.
McDaniel has a really good vision on how to create explosive plays. He’s also keen on what good defenses look like. But maybe his biggest quality is how he relates to players and others in the organization. He’s a genuine dude who knows what he’s talking about so he’s well respected.
Fangio has been well respected for two decades and is considered one of the best defensive coaches in the game.
Things are looking good for this team moving forward. This team wants to be in the Super Bowl this season. They don’t have an attitude like we’re not there yet. They believe they can compete for a championship. Can you dig it?!!! 🙂
I can see it…lol. Is that the same?
I’d say so. LOL
If we stay with the picks we have, the only positions I don’t see us drafting at #51 are QB, WR, LS, K and P.
and maybe FB.
Wait. Is FB still a draftable position?
We have two in Ingold and Lovett so you can add that to the list. 😉
Yes, they go in the 6th (4th if REALLY good)
Oh and when playing Madden use the halfback dive play on first downs. I’ve gotten 20 yards 34 yards and 72 yards with that play right up the middle. Remember to hold our to when using Mostert.
R2
D2
R2 / RS^
Sprint / Truck
Rumors heating up that the Colts will be the team to trade for Lamar Jackson.
Except they don’t want to guarantee 230 million
No team should especially for a QB who has missed 11 games(5-5 and 1 playoff game) the last two seasons.
So I shared a horrible story with you all about a close friend of mine’s friend who was savagely beaten in Brooklyn. Sadly he died. Now they’re looking for the piece of shit who did it.
That sucks. This shit has to stop. Sorry to your friend about his friend.
“We cannot and will not normalize serious criminal conduct” Bragg today the fucking nerve 🖕
That sucks, my friend. Condolences
Damn Tim, I was hoping for a better outcome. Sorry for your friend and you as well. 😢
bailbondmike says:
April 4, 2023 at 1:39 pm
I would be on board with trading #51 and WR Cedric Wilson to move up and get Washington but not any extra draft picks.
————
^
Who would trade for Cedric Wilson’s contract and trade back ? Maybe Baltimore if they don’t land OBJ ?
Possible answer below.
mf13ss says:
April 1, 2023 at 4:25 pm
It would be very wise to trade Cedrick Wilson to a WR-needy team (preferably in the NFC) with major cap room for a 4th or 5th round pick… in THIS year’s Draft.
I’m looking at y’all, Chicago, Carolina, Detroit, Green Bay, and Atlanta.
—————-
How about our @51 and Ced Wilson to Atlanta for @44?
We could sweeten the deal with either our 6th or 7th round pick.
Maybe we could make something happen with our 3rd round pick in ’24…
What, too early? 😀 😡
We only have picks 12567 in 2024.
We traded our 4th for Chubb I think and lost our 3rd to tampering.
This makes using next year’s picks hard because we will really need our 1 and 2 to fix some stuff like replacing X or Terron if that becomes necessary.
No one wants next year’s 5th except as a throw in.
Naples,
I was joking about our 3rd rounder next year… I’m still bloody FUMING over Steve Ross losing our 1st round pick this year, and our 3rd round pick next year.
Hence my 😡 face, man.
I riddle with double meanings often.
“Too early” was meant…
A) Is it too early a draft pick (3rd rounder) to make a trade?
B) Is it too early to joke about Steve Ross messing his own franchise over yet again by losing our 3rd round pick next year?
The best case scenario with Cedrick Wilson is he has a good season in year two. I think it’s Ekukanma vs. him for snaps. Berrios will have a role. Not sure it’s an easy trade with Wilson.
We could always sweeten the deal by offering to pay some of that salary, like half. It would still clear 3.5 mil for us.
After listening to the McD podcast, I came away with the opinion that McD believes he has an elite QB in Tua. The talent is there after McD poured over hundreds of throws on film by Tua. He showed management what he sees in Tua, as well. And, he believes it’s part of his job to help Tua see and develop that wisdom within. Nice!
MF13 … good one … I see it now, the sarcasm… it’s hard sometimes to see the eye-roll that goes with the printed word … very subtle on your part.
Like the Grier meme says, “F those draft picks, we want playmakers!”
Texas LB DeMarvion Overshown is set for a top 30 visit with Miami, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports, per a source.
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I like him except for his missed tackle ratio.
Would be a 3rd round target
So if this year is a meh year for the draft AND we don’t pick till 2/3 the way through round f’n TWO for god’s sake AND we only have one other quality pick AND we have a stacked roster with exactly ONE glaring hole in it,
then I say (in my best Grier voice) “F that wussy 3rd round pick with which we could get like a backup EDGE or a developmental IOL, let’s go get a playmaker!”
Meaning I’d package our 2nd and 3rd and go get Darnell Washington. He’s risen in the polls now to a dangerously high level like about pick #41. The 3rd TE after Mayer and Kincaid. I am not high on Mayer and meh on Kincaid (for our offense, I mean).
So.
We need to locate a trade target team in the top of the 2nd round like pick #33 (Houston). A team that is building and needs lots of players, and for whom one TE, no matter how good, is not going to make them a contender even for a winning record.
For us, getting a TE like Washington could put us in the Super Bowl.
But we need him right now!
Yeah, Kincaid never really lined up inline. Mostly in slot.
That said, I would not trade our 2 & 3 to get Washington. He would have a lot to learn in year 1. He would be a #1 TE of the future be we are building to win it this year. I don’t think any rookie TE puts us over the top this year in this offense with so much to learn.
a TE like Travis Kelce
A late round or possible UDFA CB to keep an eye on.
CB Ameer Speed, 6’3 210 from Michigan State. He has been spotty in coverage but the reason I like him is he would be a really good one to transition to Safety. Also, he is an athletic freak for his size.
He ran a 4.34 40!
He was a backup at UGA for 4 years and transferred to MSU as a 5th year senior and started at CB.
He is a tackling machine (63 as a boundary CB) and think he would make a good safety prospect.
Another CB I was looking at as a 6th, 7th, or UDFA but he crushed his Pro Day and think that alone drove him up draft boards a little.
He missed most of 2019 due to injury and sat out 2020 due to COVID. He is even a more athletic freak than Ameer Speed above.
CB Kaleb Hayes, 5’11 190, BYU
4.31 in the 40
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.17 sec
3 Cone Drill: 6.88 sec
40″ vertical
10’8 Broad
Bench Press: 17 reps
What’s got me is, with his athletic ability, he has 26 PD’s but 0 INT’s in 3 years as a starter. I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t have any thumbs.
Side note to the BYU Pro Day:
OT Blake Freeland did limited drills as he did everything at the combine but he did redo his shuttle and posted a 4.42 which would have ranked first at the NFL Combine for OL.
His combine time in the shuttle was middle of the pack (ranked #11) with a 4.71. That’s a big drop off to a 4.42.
0 ints, so he has Byron Jones hands
Look like it.
I’m going to need to buy some ocean fishing tackle, when I move back to Florida
Anyone know anything about Temu?
https://www.temu.com/moon_subject/un3.html?_bg_fs=1&subj=dpa-un-dal&_p_jump_id=644&_x_vst_scene=adg&goods_id=601099513450894&sku_id=17592196403726&adg_ctx=a-d040d408~c-0709e06b~f-a03d14f4&_p_rfs=1&_x_ads_sub_channel=feed&_x_ns_prz_type=-1&_x_ns_sku_id=17592196403726&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_gmc_account=647900107&_x_login_type=Google&_x_bg_adid=gd136488-1&topic_classify=114&_x_ads_account=3353959319&_x_ads_set=19695521677&_x_ads_id=151689093070&_x_ads_creative_id=653966773819&_x_ns_source=d&_x_ns_gclid=Cj0KCQjwuLShBhC_ARIsAFod4fKNpL2dNHm6WzddiAjtrDijOaCH6NvpKBSa4ocrldf65J9GnHRCct4aAnqrEALw_wcB&_x_ns_placement=overthecap.com&_x_ns_match_type=&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=&_x_ns_target=boomuserlist%3A%3A7399050731&_x_ns_devicemodel=samsung%2Bsm-g781u1&_x_ns_wbraid=%7Bwbraid%7D&_x_ns_gbraid=%7Bgbraid%7D&_x_ns_targetid=aud-1838136297987&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuLShBhC_ARIsAFod4fKNpL2dNHm6WzddiAjtrDijOaCH6NvpKBSa4ocrldf65J9GnHRCct4aAnqrEALw_wcB
Where’s Capt Stubbs?
Know nothing about it but those prices are scary good???
Yeah, as in cheap crap from China, falls apart, doesn’t catch any fish cheap
PIGGY, you will like this draft prospect! His last name is Sow. Squeeeeeel!
He is a LG prospect who could possibly be there in the 6th round but may not last to pick #197.
OG Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Big, powerful and athletic are the simplest ways to define Eastern Michigan guard Sidy Sow.
The 6’5″, 323-pound Quebec native joined the Eagles program then spent six years in Ypsilanti, Michigan. While the American game proved to be a slight transition for the French-speaking lineman, he went on to make an impressive 55 career starts—initially at left tackle, with the last four years spent at left guard.
His size and experience are obvious, though. A prospect’s athletic traits aren’t always as evident when he’s playing for a mid-major program and is playing along the offensive interior. Yet Sow dazzled by moving his big frame all over Lucas Oil Stadium during the combine.
His 5.07-second 40-yard dash turned out to be the second-fastest among linemen over 320 pounds. No heavier offensive lineman jumped higher than Sow’s 32-inch vertical. The same can be said of his 7.63-second three-cone effort.
Weight-adjusted numbers are important because not all prospects are built similarly. In Sow’s case, his relative athletic score falls just short of the highest possible score when his girth is taken into account.
Though a sixth-year senior, Sow has the size, experience and movement skills to possibly go higher than expected during the draft and push to start relatively early in his career.
Have his bust ready for Canton ready
Only about 3 weeks away from the draft. This will be the first year in ages I don’t take off early on Thursday. No point really. I’ll probably still take Friday off.
No point last year either, it was here in Vegas and I didn’t go to it, with very few picks
The Covid year it was supposed to be here, but they moved it, we had 3 firsts
I still took off early last year, then realized how much less fun it is with no picks on day 1. Learned my lesson and won’t bother this year.
Steve , you are an hour and a half away from me . We go to Henderson quite often do you live in that area ?
I’m in the Nortwest area, give me a shout out next time and I’ll drive down there
Naples, she is 15 years old and alive and kicking !! She has been my avi from day one and will always be my Avi.. 🐕
She has a twin sister that is not photographic but would be a great Avi.
Steve, some of that fishing stuff you can’t go wrong with. I never heard of some of those reel brands though. Didn’t know Ryobi made fishing reels. With reels you get what you pay for especially if you’re fishing in salt water. I have bought some cheaper reels but not “cheap” in construction like the Penn Wrath. I just change out a part or two and they last much longer. For instance, I switched out the metal drag washers for a carbon fiber ones.
I did see a Penn Battle II 6000 on there for 117.00 which is good. Cost you about 130.00 in stores. With shipping, might as well buy in in a store. I just bought a Penn Battle III 3000 for 140.00 through tackle direct.
If I buy any fishing stuff online, I use this site. I check their clearance link about every 2 weeks. lol
https://www.tackledirect.com/
Thanks!!
Mostly looking at lures, plastic baits, hooks and line from there
I’ll check out tackle direct too
Planning on getting a peddle fishing kayak, preferably with Fins instead of a prop, and a basic tandem one for guests, my son and his girlfriend in particular
Well,
trading our 2 and 3 is just using the 3 to move our 2 up 17 places
in my example above.
That’s in the range of correct value, I think.
We then get the man we want with our 2nd.
A playmaker for 10 years is worth that trade-up, IMHO.
I mean if they’d take Ced Wilson instead, then do that.
Even if we have to pay some of his salary, I’d do it.
He’s redundant with the arrival of Berrios, if not superfluous.
I’m not excited by the guys who’ll be available at pick #84,
and, for example,
if you look at that article listing who’s been picked at #84 for the past ten years,
it’s a bunch of NFL backups mostly.
I’d rather get one “can’t miss” stud than get two hit or miss prospects.
We don’t need bodies.
I think only if our FO is absolutely SOLD on Washington, trading our 2nd and 3rd to move up to get him is certainly a consideration… but only if we can’t move up by dealing Ced Wilson first, for example.
There are a lot of prospects we could land with that 3rd round pick who could turn out to be very good players. You’d really hate to miss out on those opportunities as a GM.
I get what you are saying. That is why I am digging into a lot of the potential UDFA and late day 3 prospects. We have 26 roster spots to fill.
I’ve got to think we’ll claim Brett Neilon, C, USC, as an UDFA, right? He sustained an Achilles injury this past December, so he’ll likely miss all of 2023, but at least he’d be ours.
If he was healthy, he’d probably go in the 1st or 2nd round of the Draft.
Heck, maybe he’ll get drafted regardless, kind of like Jaylon Smith did.
Has us taking OT and TE with the first two picks which is a pretty good guess
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-3-round-nfl-mock-draft-bryce-young-falls-while-c-j-stroud-and-anthony-richardson-surge/
Maybe reaching on Breeland and Kuntz can’t block. This mockster must love height for our Phins, being Breeland is 6’8″ and Kuntz is 6’7″.
*Freeland
Grief has thrown away way more picks than needed to move up for busts (or at least guys who did not wind up being worth the trade up)
I am steadfastly against packaging any picks to move up for ANYONE. Especially since we only have two picks with any value this year.
We can get two starters with our 2nd and 3rd round selections. (potentially probowlers if we get lucky as X was a 2nd round pick)
Stay where we are or trade back I say. DO NOT let Grief select another DT3.
Grier didn’t draft DT3, Ireland did.
Here is another late day 3 DB prospect.
S Christian Izien, 5’10 200, Rutgers.
A 4 year starter, starting 41 consecutive games. Had 83 tackles, 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and 5PD’s last season. He is very versatile, “he amassed more than 150 career snaps as a wide-nine rusher, 770 in the box, nearly 1,000 at free safety, and 809 at nickel. You can throw him in anywhere and expect him to produce.”
Had a good Pro Day also.
4.41 40
41.5″ vertical
4.15 20-yard shuttle
20 reps on bench
Signed! Sounds like a faster, better VJ version of Brandon Jones.
I take it back: I think somebody uses a day 3 pick on Brett Neilon, C, USC. May it be us.
Man, we have some talent at edge rusher, if they stay healthy and play up to their potential. Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah, Malik Reed and Andrew Van Ginkel.
I hope they all stay relatively healthy this year and can get to the passer. Same crew minus Reed were not good last season. (Ogbah being out most of the year)
Details on Van Ginkel’s new contract:
According to Over the Cap, the Dolphins and Van Ginkel agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.65 million. He’ll make $1.51 million in a fully guaranteed base salary, $750,000 in a signing bonus, $340,000 in per-game roster bonuses and another $50,000 in workout bonuses. His cap hit for the 2023 season is set to be $2.65 million.
Yep, trading down does it for me. Allowed for a luxury pick in WR Dell. That skinny fuck is electric with the ball in his hands!
70. Blake Freeland OT BYU
87. Joe Tippmann OC Wisconsin
100. Sean Tucker RB Syracuse
144. Nathaniel Dell WR Houston
167. Will Mallory TE Miami (FL)
185. Sidy Sow, OG Eastern Michigan
197. Christian Izien S Rutgers
211. DT Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
238. Brenton Strange TE Penn State
Coulda/shoulda went LB/Edge at 144.
https://www.thephinsider.com/2023/4/4/23670344/which-miami-dolphins-jersey-is-safest-to-buy
Piggy, you can look, but do not buy!
I already have a Waddle jersey which I’ve had since last September
The Curse is Over
Don’t sleep on Jerrod Clark, NT/DT, Coastal Carolina. 6’4″, 334, 5.25 40. He’s likely a day 3 draftee, and he could be our backup NT for Raekwon Davis.
This is my FIRST, but likely not my final…
M13’s Miami Dolphins 2023 Mock Draft
R2P20 (51): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (in a possible trade-up)
R3P21 (84): Blake Freeland, OT, BYU, OR Braeden Daniels, T/G, Utah
R6P20 (197): Brett Neilon, C, USC, OR Jerrod Clark, NT, Coastal Carolina
R7P21 (238): Devonnsha Maxwell, DT, Chattanooga
UDFA: Trent Thompson, TE/FB, UTEP; Christian Izien, S, Rutgers; more to come…
In this Draft…
— We’re unlocking the Mike McDaniel/Shanahan Offense by drafting a TE who can do it all in Darnell Washington. This opens the running game and the passing game.
— We’re bringing in competition for Eich and Jackson on the O-Line, whether it be Freeland or Daniels. Mind you, Daniels has played both T and G.
— Brett Neilon is too difficult to pass on in round 6, as he was likely a 1st or 2nd rounder before his Achilles injury. He could most certainly play G as well. If we go Defense, Jerrod Clark will be the backup for Raekwon Davis.
— Devonnsha Maxwell is a VERY underrated DT who could become very good in time.
This is my logic for the picks above.
Oh yeah… if we can’t land Washington, then BPA @ 51. After which, we’ll nab our TE in the 6th round.
I will not be surprised at all if they do not draft a TE this draft. We carry two FB’s on the roster and that usually displaces a TE.
It is highly unlikely that we keep 2 FBs on the 53,
although they seem to really like John Lovett and might try to use him as a Taysom Hill type gadget weapon, as he played QB in college, I think.
If so, he would take the 4th TE spot,
because we really need to go 4 deep at that position.
BBM
We currently have 63 players signed ( I think).
We can only carry 53 (and 10, maybe 12 on the PS).
Who would all these guys you are drafting and signing replace on the 53?
I know we need guys to practice in the spring and in Training Camp,
which is why they let teams carry 90,
but then we’ll cut down to 53.
If you look at our roster, you can see a large number of locked up roster spots.
Guys we draft or UDFAs must beat out some really good players to make our 53.
This is not like it was when Flores endured the burn down.
We just signed anyone who could put on cleats, and they got in games that year.
But if we draft a TE, he doesn’t even have to beat a man out to make the 53,
since we only roster 3 TEs right now and need to carry 4 on the 53.
We have 3 QBs on the roster, and I seriously doubt Brady unretires to us or we trade for A.Aron. Or Lamar hires an agent who finagles a deal with the devil (Steve Ross).
So I think we are set at QB.
We have 8 WRs,
with Swain a long shot and Sanders a small chance to make the 53.
The other 6 make the team unless we can find a GM stupid enough or desperate enough to help us unload Ced Wilson.
We could just cut him I guess, but then a new WR would need to be better than Braylon Sanders, who played for us last year instead of Ezukanma.
So I seriously doubt any WR short of Nuke or OBJr could crack that room.
We have 4 safeties, and we need only 4 on the 53, and the top 3 are locks with only Verone McKinley, who played pretty well last year, as a possibly replaceable guy.
I think we’re set at Safety.
We have a really exciting OLB group. 3 of them are absolute locks, and I think van Ginkel is too with Goode a long shot to make the roster.
I think we’re set at OLB.
At ILB we’ve got 4 spots locked up in Baker, Long, Riley, and Tindall.
We could sign another LB, either an EDGE or a MLB.
We could carry 9 total LBs or even 10,
if the bottom 2 are ST aces.
So I think we should look at OLB, ILB, MLB, EDGE, ST-generic-tackling-machine as a possible to make the 53 who is not on our roster right now.
Maybe even 2.
I think we are set in the kicking game. LS and PK are all will respected by the FO.
And we just stole an all pro P, so there’s no room to sign anyone else to the 53.
We might add a Punter to take some reps off Bailey during TC, but that’s it.
RB is an interesting roster group, all 4 being invited back this year.
They were mostly very successful last year and known to be under-utilized.
So I see a way they all 4 make the 53, and we go with that.
However, Gaskin is not spectacular and neither is Ahmed really.
They could be upgraded.
Mostert and Wilson are often injured,
so we could figure we need some young legs to shore up the RB room.
I like our RBs very much,
but we could replace the bottom 2
if we find more dynamic runners available to us.
We are NOT set at RB.
It wouldn’t surprise me if we drafted a RB.
We have 6 on the roster at DT and DE, with 4 locks in the DL unless we trade Ogbah, which I hope we do not.
We very well might be looking for a NT type DT to develop and push Davis for PT.
We might sign another DT who can make the 53, so we are not set at DL.
IMHO
We’re set at CB.
My god, what team has better starting corners than we do?
We need to carry 6 CBs on the 53.
I personally think Kohou’s rookie season was no fluke.
And Needham and Trill Williams were considered trustable players before their injuries.
That’s 5.
Elijah and Noah can duke it out in the battle of the Bible for the 6th spot.
I’m not talking about filling out our 53. I am talking about filling out our roster to 90 for OTA’s and training camp. Trying to find the Kohou’s out there. If it’s 63, that leaves 27 spots to fill. Four draft picks leaves 23 spots to fill. We don’t have much in cap space to bring in a bunch more UFA’s. We are looking at bringing in, at least, 15 or more UDFA’s for mini camp and OTA’s. We don’t get the Byron Jones money until June 1.
This is why I would not mind trading down to get more picks and more quality players to fill out the 90 man roster and not so many UDFA’s. Unless Washington is there at 51 then got to take him. There are several other players who if there at 51 I would take and not trade down.
What’s left is of course the Big Mess.
The OL.
We normally carry 8.
Armstead, Williams, Hunt, and uhhhh ???
ok Feeney and Cotton?
Robt Jones?
Lamm? Jackson? Eichenberg?
That’s 9.
Christian and Smith? Who?
So we’re not set at OL.
Draft, sign, or trade for more OL.
Please.
I endorse this message. Paid for by the committee to elect Naples as President of the blog
hah
just stating the obvious, Ken.
No blinding flash of insight on that one, right?
It should be obvious but….
One might call that a hole…lol
But this year, with our roster so well set,
I frankly don’t care about roster spots 70-90.
Except for TE and a few other possibilities,
and the OL,
They have almost no chance at making the 53.
Even less than usual.
1 – we don’t need them because we have a full room there.
or
2 – we can’t afford better players than we have at almost every spot.
So we’ll be bringing in almost hopeless players.
It’s almost sad to give them a jersey in the summer,
as they’ll have almost zero chance to make the team in the fall.
To me,
one of the most interesting questions for us in 2023
is whether we do indeed carry 3 QBs on the 53.
I think we do, and I think we need to,
because QBs, (especially ours) get hurt a lot,
and then the backup becomes the starter and then who is the backup?
Either in the game of the injury or in the next game,
if we don’t have a backup who knows our playbook,
we could be in big trouble.
But that is a precious roster spot.
Would a backup DB or DL help the team more?
or a 5th RB?
Mike White is young, large, and strong.
How much do they love Skylar after how he played last season?
I fully expect we carry 3 QBs
I agree we keep 3 QBs.
No doubt….we don’t have an OL to protect them…lol
Definitely keeping 3 QBs, IMO.
I think more teams will be keeping 3 QBs because of the concussion protocols. If it looks like a possible concussion these guys are getting taken out of the game.
That’s pretty good
If you open the tweet you can see the rest
Ours is pretty bad ass
The Giants one wins overall
Broncos is the worst.
Chiefs pretty cool.
They’re all pretty cool really that was a fresh/good idea
Skylar has something no other QB on the team has. A playoff start. He’s staying on the 53 he’s young and he looks like a good investment. Type of guy like Scott Mitchell where all of a sudden it became where other teams wanted him. Hopefully for great value to us and not as a FA. Maybe things play out where he plays here for 10 years.
Mostert is so fast
63 yard touchdown
Holy Week > Masters
(You got this son)
Those of you banging on the drum for OL
I want OL too but I’m not seeing have we could have or can make dramatic changes to the group we already have
We spent a ton last off-season on OL
We have also spent a ton of picks over the last few years
We made pretty dramatic improvement last off-season
I don’t think there was any great OL available via free agency
Nowhere near last years class anyway
We don’t have a first round pick
Guys like Austin and Eichenberg were both reaches. They are slow to develop and may not develop at all – bur what kind of player do you think you are gonna get in day 2 of the draft – another likely reach
I just think the team needs to start thinking more BPA than anything else. Seeing who slips to 51
It would be nice to find a RT we can start right away –
But I don’t think the front office made any mistakes by not acting out of desperation this off-season
If you want OL now, I think you are likely going into September still wanting OL. I just don’t see the move to be made now
Right now we don’t need starters out of the draft. We need guys who make the roster for four years and contribute. That’s good enough because they are low cost and vital to the operation. If you get a star out of it then you scored big. Tindell and Ez need to climb this year to show how this is supposed to work. We’ve signed the stars now we have to fill the best we can. Let’s Roll 💪🐬💥
^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS
That’s how I see it. I still think we’ll add more OL in some different ways. The draft will probably be one of them, then UDFAs and June 1st cuts.
I just beat Seattle by running Mostert for 155 yards. Waddle had 34 yards Hill had 28 yards Wilson had 35 yards and Mostert had another 18 yards receiving that was it
Sacked Geno Smith 10 times made him fumble three times recovered two of those one for a scoop score. Picked him off twice once for a pick six in desperation minutes. The game is really fun when you’re winning lol. When you were losing that bad it is not any fun at all. 🤬
Habba, Habba, Habba
I’m just saying
Maybe I can Berg and Jackson are delicate little buds about to flower into their potential. 🤥
When do you think they will open their flowers up to us El Guapo?
Are you disrespecting Coach McDaniel now?
Who’s disrespecting McDaniel?
51.Siaki Ika DT Baylor
84.Matthew Bergeron OT Syracuse
197.Kemari Averett TE Bethune Cookman
238.Alex Forsyth OC Oregon
A big NT to add to the DL rotation wouldn’t suck. LOL
Davis will be a UFA next year so adding a replacement a year before he leaves via FA whether we don’t re-sign him or he got a better offer from another team, is a good practice.
Barry Jackson thinks we are looking to add a DT
Every team has prospects they have good grades on then they want to meet them, get to know their character and how much they love football etc.
I think we might be targeting the depth of this draft and if that’s on defense we’ll pick those prospects.
Did you hear about this rumor about a trade that didn’t happen last off-season.
He moves really well for being 300 pounds
Yeah he’s really active much like Wilkins.
The more quality DL you have the better your defense will be. When you can rotate 8 guys up front including Edge that’s tough on opposing offenses to deal with. That’s what the Eagles did last season recording over 70 sacks.
Big man!
Naples,
Holy shit. That was some prodigious posting, my man. Lol
***
Nicely done. I’d need a nap.
What defensive prospects do you like in this draft?
thnx Randy
I’m OCD about a lotta stuff.
I do spreadsheets and flow charts and scatter diagrams and such on a regular basis.
Lol…awesome!
I have been trying to find OL rankings of SB winners in last 10 years, but no luck.
I love those monster mascots! Except the Broncos one is silly.
They should’ve just put up a pic of John Elway when he’s drunk.
I don’t believe you can get far with multiple QB injuries during the season and walk into the playoffs with your injured 3rd string QB trying to win a SB….lmfao! Sorry, it makes no sense to me.
I think with how accurate QBs are today and how fast WRs are and how advanced the route trees are, offenses have a distinct advantage.
The only way DCs can cope with that is
by putting physical freak athletes into the pass rush
and sending multiple blitzers, running stunts,
or otherwise attacking the QB before every throw.
QB pressures are a stat now; QB hits are up; sacks are expected regularly from the D, and many of the highest draft picks are for EDGE rushers.
Or OTs to try to block them.
This is why we are seeing more QB injuries than ever before.
OL seems like the weak link on almost every team,
and a team with a great OL tackle to tackle is rare and short-lived.
Therefore you are correct that the best predictor of a team’s success
(after a star at QB)
is a successful pass-blocking OL
that gels and remains injury free during a season.
Hence our 9-8 record even though we had
superstars all through our line-up,
because a so-so OL translated into a mediocre record and
having to go 3 deep on the QB depth chart.
Or, our QBs are just too fucking fragile…lol.
The question is, how many QB’s will we carry on gameday? We will have to carry 3 QB’s on the 53 man roster, of that there’s no doubt, but the way things went last season, is it possible we carry 3 QB’s on gameday? WIll the NFL make an allowance for a 3rd QB (emergency QB) and not count them against the gameday roster?
Good ideas
but for 2023
I don’t foresee any changes to the game day active ratio or going back to a designated emergency QB like there was before (although my memory is hazy on how that worked, like it is on many things).
Now, after a 2nd year of playing a 17-game schedule,
maybe the league will look at that.
It’ll only take a couple of embarrassing games on national TV
in which some WR or, God forbid, the punter
has to play QB
for the league to wake up and realize
they can’t market that on a regular basis
without looking like the “Replacements League” movies.
Not viable.
About the 53 thing,
I think an elegant solution would be to not count the LS, P, and PK in the 53.
They could make it a rule that none of the three would be allowed to play any other position no matter what (except maybe on funky fake punts or something).
That would allow teams to carry 3 QBs without sacrificing depth at DL or OL,
or forcing a WR to field punts, etc.
I think it’s ridiculous that most teams are forced to only carry 8 OL.
That’s not even a backup for each position!
That means teams regularly have to have players who are utility guys
who can play multiple OL positions.
That means they can’t hone their skills at one position
or for example be a great sub OG who can’t play Center or whatever.
And it means every week now
there are teams playing OL for meaningful snaps
who were on their sofas the week before.
Not good.
“I think an elegant solution would be to not count the LS, P, and PK in the 53.”
Or just increase active rosters to 56.
At the risk of being too rigidly prescriptive,
my OCD brain would like to see requirements
about what teams can carry.
They all should be required to carry (let’s say at least this many)
Offense
4 TEs *
4 RBs *
3 QBs
6 WRs *
10 OL
FB optional with a RB or a TE
Defense
6 CBs
4 Safeties
4 OLB
4 ILB
4 DE
4 DT *
NT optional with a DT
ST
1 P
1 PK
1 LS
return man optional with a WR
That would equate to
53
plus the 3 ST guys
The above uses the “sub for each position” paradigm.
3 WRs with 3 backups
2 TEs with 2 backups
2 DEs w/
2 DTs w/
3 CBs w/
etc., etc., etc.
and most importantly
1 LT and a backup
1 RT and a backup
1 LG and a backup
1 RG and a backup
1 Center and his backup
and 3 QBs for the reasons you guys so eloquently specified above.
I would hate to see the league start mandating what positions teams have to carry on their roster. The league used to mandate an emergency QB position, but they stopped doing that and just gave teams another roster spot. Most people didn’t like it, but I loved the way that played out in the NFC Championship last year.
The Niners went on their whining tour after the loss about not having an emergency QB. Well, they could have kept a 3rd QB active if they wanted to.
Why force teams into boxes? Let them live and die with the roster they construct.
And what about multi-positional players like WRs that can play a little QB, etc? Why can’t you have a guy who’s value is that he backs up multiple positions so you don’t have to carry an extra TE, because the FB is that 4th guy?
I know you’re just kinda talking out a train of thought, not really proposing this. I’m not trying to bash, I’m just talking the other side of the convo.
I agree, but let’s not forget how things work in the NFL, this isn’t college, you can’t just have 100 eligible players on the sideline
To get more players active it would have to be approved by the players association (union), and they likely don’t want more cutting into their salaries
I think the system works pretty well as is. The Niners Championship issue was a real outlier. If that kind of thing happened a lot then I could see changes being made, but it doesn’t.
One thing you can bet will happen, more teams will give a long look this year at keeping a 3rd QB
Now the hypocrisy, the players don’t want the 53 to go up to say 60, because it would mean you’re now splitting the players share of revenue to more, so the avg per player would be less
Elway btw is no longer employed by Denver.
Naples really is running for President of the blog. 😉
I can’t replace Mike E’s awesome essays,
but I can throw in some tangential concepts
and stats and records to help support his excellent positions.
(and yours and Krishna’s, as well as Son’s and MF13’s and on and on)
The football IQ of the people on this blog is literally off the charts.
I just try to get what you all tell me
organized in my mind … writing it out helps.
Laughing (gently) at Son for his Masters vs. Holy Week conundrum.
I remember one spring when I was a kid in high school
The Beach Boys had a tour featuring Buffalo Springfield for a long set before they came on and Strawberry Alarm Clock as the opener. Wow!
They were scheduled into my city on Maundy Thursday.
I bought tickets without telling my parents.
I had to confess when the date got close, because I couldn’t even drive yet.
I rationalized it to my mom as
“God is eternal; Buffalo Springfield is only here one night.”
She squinted and hesitated.
My dad was cool and pitched in with “God is omnipresent, so he’ll be there, too.”
My little brother, always the schemer and often the peacemaker between me and my parents, won the argument by a compromise.
The venue was right across the street and one block away from my church.
Little brother promised that I would go to church until it was time for the concert, walk over to County Hall for the show, and then return to church when it was over.
I thanked him,
but it was like a lot of times when he set up compromises for me
that I didn’t really want. (In this case it messed up my date with Debbie!)
I was always very suspicious on his motives.
I now owed him one he would use later
to go surfing instead of Vacation Bible School.
“God shows he is omnipotent at the beach,” he told my mom.
“He’s an Awesome God!”
“And you let my brother go to a rock concert during Holy Week, soo …”
(This was 5 years later! and he was still using it.)
Krishna says:
April 6, 2023 at 8:49 am
I don’t believe you can get far with multiple QB injuries during the season and walk into the playoffs with your injured 3rd string QB trying to win a SB….lmfao! Sorry, it makes no sense to me.
—
No one expects that to happen, but SF was trying last year, Phil won with a backup, we brought Griese back midway thru the AFC Championship game
The idea of good quality backup QBs is to get you thru the season, not lose every game and derail the season (like we did last year), and maybe win 1 playoff game, asking any more than that is too much
The point was that we need to protect our QBs with a decent to good OL. Without an OL to protect to the QB or QBs throughout the season, last year would not be an outlier, but more common. It was also right after I posted my search for the last 10 SB winners and their OL rankings. I wanted to see if there was a correlation. I pretty much understand higher concepts….lol.
Sheesh, I’m glad the Braves are out of St Louis. They crushed us.
Sorry but Go Braves…my favorite MLB team
lol, no worries, revel in it. Braves are a really good team.
Tyreek says he’s going to retire after his contract is up after the 2025 season, the contract goes thru 2026, but 2026 his cap hit is 56m with only 11m in dead money, so he knows 2026 is a throw away year and not really part of the contract
What it means to us is he’ll be going balls to the wall for 3 more years, without any worry about his longevity
I just want a way to get more OL available,
and if they just give the teams another roster spot or two,
they’ll just spend it on another skill player.
You’re missing the best player/BPA side of things
For the draft we’ll be trying to find a TE, OT, OG, and DT, those positions will only be selected, if need meets BPA, if not we’ll either see a trade or position we may need next year
As for adding to the 53 to make it 55+, teams try to keep their best players, even if they have too many at a position, else they’ll get value for them
People like Reese, is why I don’t watch women’s team sports
https://www.irishstar.com/sport/college-basketball/iowa-head-coach-snubs-jill-29641875
Seriously?! Lmao. It’s ok for men to trash talk, but not women? OK….dude.
Jill Biden was out of line inviting Iowa to the White House celebration of the LSU Tigers winning the Women’s National Basketball Championship. Let’s give everyone a participation trophy….lol.
Someone posted above that if we just get one quality starter out of this limited draft we have this year, they’d be happy.
Historically, that would be accurate. “Overall, only about two dozen players every draft will go on to have significant careers performing at a high level. That’s not a lot – less than one genuinely good player per team each year. ” -Ludford
I think improving our TE group is my goal for this draft, but i would also be on the lookout for another RB or EDGE.
I don’t see as much of a need for IOL, but another DT would also work for me.
51.Siaki Ika DT Baylor
84.Steve Avila OG
197.Brenton Strange TE Penn State
238.Sidy Sow OG Eastern Michigan
I believe they will sign a F/A OT when either Wilkins gets extended or they wait until June 1st when Byron Jones money becomes available.
Ika reminds of Vince Woolfork of the Pets. Huge man that can move and has the mindset to a good player.
I don’t like Raekwan Davis at all.
Avila has the bulk and mean temperament teams look for in a guard. I doubled up on OG because we really have to get it right. Sow is a bit of a project at the moment.
If the coaches want 2 players in particular, don’t mess around trade up and get them.
Fuck them draft picks.
That’s a decent Draft, Dean. I like it!
Just came to realize that Darnell Washington has a 15% drop rate. For those who don’t already know, that’s pretty bad. All of the other top-10 TEs in this Draft have drop rates below 10%, and Sam LaPorta was the second worst with 9.4% for the sake of comparison.
If you ask me, I believe it was more of a concentration matter with Washington and his size 11″ hands. I think he can be coached up in this aspect of his game, but in the meantime, I really hope his 15% drop rate scares teams away from him until we select @51.
This is a fun one.
It’s an easy choice for me. Table 3 with Shula and Zach.
I’d want to mingle. There’s some from each table. 😂
lol, whoever put this together did a good job of making each table interesting
Except Shula is dead…is anyone else on that list?
I wanted table 3 too, but…..
I think we can safely assume, for the purpose of the exercise, all participants are alive…
Or I guess you can assume it is with a dead Shula and pick another table as likely no one will want to eat at table 3, lol.
Well….I scanned the tables and wanted to sit with Shula….then I realized I couldn’t…unless I joined him….but that’s another topic…LOL.
LOL
No Crash?
I ain’t going! 🙂
Agreed!
Just realized that Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker was a 24-year-old senior. He’ll be 25 years old on September 28th. That knocks him down yet another peg for me.
Did not realize that either.
Feels like there’s is a Lot of older draft prospects this year
Maybe due to the extra year of college eligibility due to COVID.
Jets got their Packers QB. Or did they? lol
——————
“Jets signing former Packers QB Tim Boyle to one-year deal”
LOL, I almost commented with something very similar…
Check out what this Draft cat has to say about Emmanuel Forbes and Vic Fangio. Cue it up to the 17:12 mark…
Todd McShay proves why he failed at GM.
In his latest mock draft he has projected 6th/7th TE Brenton Strange to be selected at #54 by the Chargers.
WOW! LOL
Get your Ronnie Brown jersey out from the bottom of the drawer. We need to sign this RB as an UDFA if he doesn’t get drafted late.
RB Ronnie Brown from Shepherd. At his Pro Day he ran a 4.44, a 4.0 flat in short shuttle, a swift 6.98 seconds in the three-cone, 37″ vertical jump and 10’3” broad.
Last season he 219 carries for 1,863 yards (8.5 per carry) with 19 TDs rushing and had 56 receptions for 589 yards with 5 TD’s. Ranked 2nd nationally for all-purpose yards at 199.93 yards per game. Is also a KR and took one to the house last year.
I think someone drafts him late though. Small school but you can see by his #’s and video he should have been playing on a bigger stage.
Daniel Barker Could Be Late-Round TE Steal
After a terrific career at Illinois, TE Daniel Barker, 6’4 250 pounds from Ft. Lauderdale surprised many by transferring to Michigan State for his additional senior season. Barker had a solid campaign in 2022 for a Spartans team that had a losing record.
He was a Combine snub but made up for it during pro day, timing 4.75 seconds in the 40, despite straining a quad in his left leg. His other marks included 34″ in the vertical jump and 9’9’’ in the broad. Barker already made an official 30 visit with the TE-needy Lions and will participate in the MIAMI DOLPHINS’ local pro day.
TheDraftNetwork
“Michigan State tight end Daniel Barker is one of the more versatile do-it-all role players in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s difficult to pinpoint Barker’s positioning on the field when combing through Michigan State tape. On any given snap, Barker may line up in the slot, flexed out wide as a receiver, in-line, or even in the backfield to take handoffs. Barker’s versatility made the Spartans’ offense multiple.”