2021 NFL Draft Mega-thread: News, Rumors, and Discussion

[Matt39]

4 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

I'm not sure where this fear comes from that Douglas will stay at 2 and not take a QB. That ain't happening, fellas. 

For me? The Douglas/Darnold/Sexton connection. 

[Paradis]

On the topic of TEs, i posted this in the draft forum, but most stick to the main highway here--

If Pitts is out of the equation (likely), I've been a loud supporter of spending a day 3 pick on TE Zach Davidson (6'7, 245) from Central Missouri. His ceiling is the moon. I cut up some film from him earlier this year, and recently CBS ran a story about him after he had a killer Pro day.

Quote

(Davidson's 37 ½-inch vertical would have been tops among all tight ends in the 2020 combine, and his 4.62 40-yard dash and 6.95 three-cone drill would have ranked second among everyone at his position a year ago, but they aren't 6-foot-7).  A half dozen or so have been most persistent -- the Jets, Titans, Seahawks and Washington Football Team among them -- 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-from-division-ii-punter-to-nfl-tight-end-the-most-intriguing-prospect-youve-never-heard-of/

this makes me very.... very happy.

 

[BornJetsFan1983]

I do not understand the ridiculous notion of picking a TE in the first round. but if we did trade back and get a boatload of picks, it would make it easier to deal with. say we trade back with panthers or Atlanta and we took him in the second. Sure I'm good with it, because ideally we would have taken a lineman and maybe a WR in the first. But again I think it would be a waste of a pick when we have other pressing needs. and you could say add another potential starter with bigger impact like an edge rusher, another lineman, wr etc.. BUT anyone who think taking TE with top ten pick is crazy. TE with first rounder is still nuts, TE with second rounder whatever at least we didn't waste a frist round pick

[slimjasi]

1 minute ago, Matt39 said:

For me? The Douglas/Darnold/Sexton connection. 

Oh, I understand. 

But what I'm saying is that if Douglas is rolling with Darnold as the starter, he is 100% trading down. Acquiring draft picks is his kink, anyway. 

 

[oatmeal]

20 minutes ago, MysticalJet2 said:

That would be kinda weird tho if they get rid of Sam.

Update:

 

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I love you Jet fans! (If true)

 

????????

[MysticalJet2]

Just now, oatmeal said:

Update:

 

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I love you Jet fans! (If true)

 

????????

It’s the keystone cops running this organization!

[Mogglez]

1 hour ago, Big_Slick said:

How about an LT that's very likely to be a 10 year All Pro and possible HOF player. I think of Parcells passing on Orlando Pace.

We have a promising young LT.  I’m not wasting the 2nd overall pick on pissing him off and moving him to RT, all but assuring that he asks for a trade.  It’s beyond f’ng stupid.

[jetstream23]

2 hours ago, Paradis said:

That’s a long winded way of saying everything I’ve said in this thread. Everything. The only difference (that none of us know or can know atm) is where his head is w/ regards to the Wilson vs Darnold and picks. What’s the threshold there? We don’t know. 

The biggest rookie mistake Joe made in all of this is not committing to an approach earlier. I get the advantage of waiting for certain draft cycle milestones to pass - but now he’s incurred culpability. If he decides to stay with Darnold and he is as bad - while Wilson is MVP - everyone will say - you evaluated him and Darnold and you made such a horrible decision you’re done. Vice versa. If he went with Wilson and he struggled and was injured and Darnold took his next team to the promised land - Fck you Joe. Had he traded Darnold on January or conversely didnt even pretend to be interested in drafting a QB - he might survive this being wrong. Now?... he has to get it right. 

Yup.  He's put all the pressure on himself.  Nothing would be more Jetsy than trading away a guy who eventually becomes good enough to lead a team to the playoffs while replacing him with a rookie who busts.  The opportunity cost analyses that will be done in the years to come will be absolutely fascinating!

 

[slimjasi]

1 minute ago, Mogglez said:

We have an promising LT.  I’m not wasting the 2nd overall pick on pissing him off and moving him to RT, all but assuring that he asks for a trade.  It’s beyond f’ng stupid.

As down as I am on Sam, I would 100% prefer to keep Darnold and trade down than take Sewell at 2. It's remarkable that people actually want to do that. It's like Becton doesn't exist. 

[slimjasi]

22 minutes ago, CanadaSteve said:

The Patriots and the Chiefs say hi on that one!

The Patriots and Chiefs also, coincidentally, have (or had) elite QBs getting those guys the ball. 

Edit: And Gronk was drafted in the 2nd round, while Kelce was drafted in the 3rd round

[Rob Moore]

4 minutes ago, oatmeal said:

Update:

 

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I love you Jet fans! (If true)

 

????????

If true, that’s really not something to be proud of.  These are the reasons Jets fans get a bad reputation.  But not surprising, doesn’t take much more than a glance at the board to see the anti-Darnold crowd is the loudest and most obnoxious group.  It’s as if having Sam off the team and always quoting his QBR is more important than the actual team.  
There’s some really knowledgeable, level headed, and well connected posters here that see the value in the possibility in keeping Sam over a new qb, but that can’t be discussed because the torches and pitchfork brigade mount up immediately. 

It doesn’t make any of you guys look smart or sound like well informed fans, it makes many of you come off like arrogant bigmouth know it all’s.  

I know we’re all on the same team here and I respect everyone’s fandom of this team but sometimes a small rant is necessary.  Cheers all ?

[Matt39]

10 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

As down as I am on Sam, I would 100% prefer to keep Darnold and trade down than take Sewell at 2. It's remarkable that people actually want to do that. It's like Becton doesn't exist. 

Taking Sewell at two = franchise should be cancelled 

[dcJet]

2 hours ago, Paradis said:

If he decides to stay with Darnold and he is as bad - while Wilson is MVP - everyone will say - you evaluated him and Darnold and you made such a horrible decision you’re done. Vice versa. If he went with Wilson and he struggled and was injured and Darnold took his next team to the promised land - Fck you Joe. Had he traded Darnold on January or conversely didnt even pretend to be interested in drafting a QB - he might survive this being wrong. Now?... he has to get it right. 

If Wilson busts, I'm ok with JD.  Same if Sam succeeds somewhere else.  These are good moves with the information you have at the time.

However, if JD pulls a Macc and passes on a FQB for a TE /RT and a Sammyish Sam, he's toast.

[Paradis]

ANYWAY back to Zach Davidson. Ffs. I give you a TE to jerk off to - whom the JETS have legit interest in - and you guys want to labor over the onerous decision making of our PR/social media team?

smh. 

[oatmeal]

5 minutes ago, Rob Moore said:

If true, that’s really not something to be proud of.  These are the reasons Jets fans get a bad reputation.  But not surprising, doesn’t take much more than a glance at the board to see the anti-Darnold crowd is the loudest and most obnoxious group.  It’s as if having Sam off the team and always quoting his QBR is more important than the actual team.  
There’s some really knowledgeable, level headed, and well connected posters here that see the value in the possibility in keeping Sam over a new qb, but that can’t be discussed because the torches and pitchfork brigade mount up immediately. 

It doesn’t make any of you guys look smart or sound like well informed fans, it makes many of you come off like arrogant bigmouth know it all’s.  

I know we’re all on the same team here and I respect everyone’s fandom of this team but sometimes a small rant is necessary.  Cheers all ?

I personally love it this is sports, the athletes get paid handsomely and fans sit in the crowd with their opinions. Some loud and irrational others clam and open minded, either way I won’t tell you how to be a fan neither should you.
 

To each their own ?‍♂️

Oh and season ticket holder’s have a right to complain if they fear the Jets are bringing back the worst rated QB since entering the league, for a fourth season with viable replacements available

[Augustiniak]

Just now, oatmeal said:

I personally love it this is sports, the athletes get paid handsomely and fans sit in the crowd with their opinions. Some loud and irrational others clam and open minded, either way I won’t tell you how to be a fan neither should you.
 

To each their own ?‍♂️

Oh and season ticket holder’s have a right to complain if they fear the Jets are bringing back the worst rated QB since entering the league, for a fourth season with viable replacements available

How much fun will it be for the Sth if opening day at MetLife darnold throws a pick in the first quarter while staring down pitts, and then we see wilson throw a td pass on the Jumbotron?

[Philc1]

26 minutes ago, Mogglez said:

We have a promising young LT.  I’m not wasting the 2nd overall pick on pissing him off and moving him to RT, all but assuring that he asks for a trade.  It’s beyond f’ng stupid.

So just start Sewell at RT and let him dominate.  Fant is not good.  He gets zero push in the running game and is an average pass protector

[Mogglez]

2 hours ago, Philc1 said:

So just start Sewell at RT and let him dominate.  Fant is not good.  He gets zero push in the running game and is an average pass protector

I’m not interested in the opinion of a borderline troll poster that stole another poster’s username to hide from/circumvent a ban, let alone anyone that thinks taking a RT 2nd overall is smart.

[johnnysd]

47 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

I'm not sure where this fear comes from that Douglas will stay at 2 and not take a QB. That ain't happening, fellas. 

We are Jets fans. If another team was in the same set of circumstances as the Jets I would completely write down Zach Wilson as the pick and not even remotely worry that JD will make a stupid move.

But we have done them before from slightly stupid to mammothly all time stupid.

So the emotional Jets fan in me will sweat the pic for approximately 27 days and 14 hours.

Also, I worry a slight but of Douglas and Darnold sharing same agent.

I think the trades basically etch Wilson in stone at #2 but let's not forget:

 

 

[jetstream23]

51 minutes ago, oatmeal said:

Update:

 

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I love you Jet fans! (If true)

 

????????

Just wait until Adam Gase is on the Yearbook cover.

[slimjasi]

Just now, johnnysd said:

We are Jets fans. If another team was in the same set of circumstances as the Jets I would completely write down Zach Wilson as the pick and not even remotely worry that JD will make a stupid move.

But we have done them before from slightly stupid to mammothly all time stupid.

So the emotional Jets fan in me will sweat the pic for approximately 27 days and 14 hours.

Also, I worry a slight but of Douglas and Darnold sharing same agent.

I think the trades basically etch Wilson in stone at #2 but let's not forget:

 

 

Right - again, it's reasonable to fear that Douglas might decide to roll with Sam as the starter (unlikely as it seems right now). BUT if he does, he's trading down. That's all I'm saying. 

[jetstream23]

3 minutes ago, johnnysd said:

We are Jets fans. If another team was in the same set of circumstances as the Jets I would completely write down Zach Wilson as the pick and not even remotely worry that JD will make a stupid move.

But we have done them before from slightly stupid to mammothly all time stupid.

So the emotional Jets fan in me will sweat the pic for approximately 27 days and 14 hours.

Also, I worry a slight but of Douglas and Darnold sharing same agent.

I think the trades basically etch Wilson in stone at #2 but let's not forget:

 

 

This year's biggest opportunity for a collective groan from Jets fans on Draft Day could be if they take a Fullback much earlier than people think.  Ben Mason being taken any earlier than Round 6 would probably cause the pitchforks to come out.  (And I like Ben Mason)

[Rob Moore]

15 minutes ago, oatmeal said:

I personally love it this is sports, the athletes get paid handsomely and fans sit in the crowd with their opinions. Some loud and irrational others clam and open minded, either way I won’t tell you how to be a fan neither should you.
 

To each their own ?‍♂️

Oh and season ticket holder’s have a right to complain if they fear the Jets are bringing back the worst rated QB since entering the league, for a fourth season with viable replacements available

Yes fans should have different opinions, it’s what makes being a fan great...being able to disagree vehemently with another fan but knowing both of your hearts are in the same place is a wonderful thing.

As for the rest of your post all I see is “Blah blah blah....worst rated qb...something something....36th ranked out of 32....blah blah blah.”

[Philc1]

4 minutes ago, johnnysd said:

We are Jets fans. If another team was in the same set of circumstances as the Jets I would completely write down Zach Wilson as the pick and not even remotely worry that JD will make a stupid move.

But we have done them before from slightly stupid to mammothly all time stupid.

So the emotional Jets fan in me will sweat the pic for approximately 27 days and 14 hours.

Also, I worry a slight but of Douglas and Darnold sharing same agent.

I think the trades basically etch Wilson in stone at #2 but let's not forget:

 

 

Can’t wait for D-Mills the qb version

[adobolo2]

53 minutes ago, oatmeal said:

Update:

 

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I love you Jet fans! (If true)

 

????????

What was shefter playing at with that tweet today? A quick internet search would have show the picture of Darnold was up since at least the 18th march, there was a different picture of Sam before that.

[Beerfish]

2 hours ago, Paradis said:

Please don’t ever compare Kyle Pitts to the long list of asinine picks that tool made. 

Well my response is the same re TE's

List all of the TE's picked really high that were superstars.

List the best TE's in the NFL

[Charlie Brown]

On 3/29/2021 at 11:58 AM, football guy said:

Doubt it but noteworthy: 

 

Ummm @SAR I & I have said let's do it!!!!  

[David Harris]

37 minutes ago, Paradis said:

ANYWAY back to Zach Davidson. Ffs. I give you a TE to jerk off to - whom the JETS have legit interest in - and you guys want to labor over the onerous decision making of our PR/social media team?

smh. 

I missed the part explaining the Jets interest?  What's the 411?

 

Where's Wesco stand in this new offense.  It seems like if he can't make the move to the Juice FB role (which I doubt he can) that he's getting booted off or on to the practice squad.

[Paradis]

4 minutes ago, Beerfish said:

Well my response is the same re TE's

List all of the TE's picked really high that were superstars.

List the best TE's in the NFL

that's because most GM are idiots.,... Ebron and OJ Howard?... terrible decision. the last couple TEs I saw Rnd 1 value in was Fant/Hockenson/Eifert... Like who the hell is spending 1sts on Kmet, Fleener, Gresham, and Maxx Williams... Stupid. 

With that said--

Starting the Jeremy Ruckert TE1 train for 2022... Get on board. 

 

[Paradis]

2 hours ago, David Harris said:

I missed the part explaining the Jets interest?  What's the 411?

 

Where's Wesco stand in this new offense.  It seems like if he can't make the move to the Juice FB role (which I doubt he can) that he's getting booted off or on to the practice squad.

we laughably saw Adam try to H-back' him last year... i think he's looking for a job in september. 

Jets attended Zach's proday showing a lot of interest. This never happens in my world (jets sniffing around my favorite late round guys)... so it's worth an eyebrow raise.

[MichaelScott]

35 minutes ago, Beerfish said:

Well my response is the same re TE's

List all of the TE's picked really high that were superstars.

List the best TE's in the NFL

Its true. You can go back in time and find the same statements about OJ Howard, Hockensen, Ebron etc. Every year or two there is a top TE in the class thats a reported freak of nature, that's going to change the TE position, etc, etc, etc. And it seems like year after year, you never end up hearing about the Howard's and Hock's ever again once they hit the NFL. 

I'm not saying Pitts won't be a star - wtf do I know? I'm just saying, imo, when talking about TE's I tend to always return to your thinking re who are the difference maker TEs in the league and where were they drafted? History more often than not doesn't seem to agree with those projected "athletic freak of nature" "can't miss" prospects and often these guys don't live up to the hype and frequently disappear in the NFL. Not saying Pitts will definitely do that, just pointing out the record at this position. 

"But Pitts has soft hands!!" - Every single year the big name TE has something no one else has. This happens constantly.  

[slats]

1 hour ago, Paradis said:

On the topic of TEs, i posted this in the draft forum, but most stick to the main highway here--

If Pitts is out of the equation (likely), I've been a loud supporter of spending a day 3 pick on TE Zach Davidson (6'7, 245) from Central Missouri. His ceiling is the moon. I cut up some film from him earlier this year, and recently CBS ran a story about him after he had a killer Pro day.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-from-division-ii-punter-to-nfl-tight-end-the-most-intriguing-prospect-youve-never-heard-of/

this makes me very.... very happy.

 

Zach to Zach touchdowns... ? 

[Paradis]

3 minutes ago, slats said:

Zach to Zach touchdowns... ? 

The Zach attack 

[slats]

47 minutes ago, jetstream23 said:

This year's biggest opportunity for a collective groan from Jets fans on Draft Day could be if they take a Fullback much earlier than people think.  Ben Mason being taken any earlier than Round 6 would probably cause the pitchforks to come out.  (And I like Ben Mason)

On a team that already has Trevon Wesco, that would seem redundant. 

8 minutes ago, MichaelScott said:

Its true. You can go back in time and find the same statements about OJ Howard, Hockensen, Ebron etc. Every year or two there is a top TE in the class thats a reported freak of nature, that's going to change the TE position, etc, etc, etc. And it seems like year after year, you never end up hearing about the Howard's and Hock's ever again once they hit the NFL. 

I'm not saying Pitts won't be a star - wtf do I know? I'm just saying, imo, when talking about TE's I tend to always return to your thinking re who are the difference maker TEs in the league and where were they drafted? History more often than not doesn't seem to agree with those projected "athletic freak of nature" "can't miss" prospects and often these guys don't live up to the hype and frequently disappear in the NFL. Not saying Pitts will definitely do that, just pointing out the record at this position. 

"But Pitts has soft hands!!" - Every single year the big name TE has something no one else has. This happens constantly.  

This is my concern, too. I have no idea if it's valid, or if Pitts really is the guy who's gonna break the mold, but it seems like these TE freaks show up every couple of years or so and rarely (if ever) pan out. 

[football guy]

1 hour ago, Cbucco19 said:

@football guy I’d like to get your opinion . I know a lot of fans also want Fields but I feel like their is a better shot at staying with sam over fields . It’s going to be Wilson but what are your thoughts on that ? 

Short answer: yes. 

32 minutes ago, derp said:

Couple of thoughts come to mind here.

One is the lack of skill position focus makes sense and doesn’t. Doesn’t the Shanahan offense really funnel targets to one dude? I don’t think that guy is on the roster right now. Doesn’t seem ideal for a young quarterback. The 49ers were also able to get production out of their backup quarterbacks with scheme, line play, and skill players.

Another that kind of meshes with that is that as boring as it, Douglas came from Baltimore where they never really made huge investments in the quarterback position and the FO seems tight with Indy that also would rather take on reclamation projects than invest serious draft capital - Ballard’s been on record saying that - because you need to be right. With the high first round bust rate isn’t a quarterback a massive risk for Douglas to take?

Also, how media driven versus actually FO driven is this Zach Wilson hype? Highlights are insane. I was wowed by the arm too during the season, it’s super impressive. I also know very little about quarterback play and was watching highlights. You’ve got the crazy highlight throws, a pro day with more of the same, a year less people are meeting in person, and it seems super easy for the media to pump up this narrative and for Douglas can just sit back and let the conclusions he’s taking Wilson go wild. Reminds me of the JuJu connection everyone made. Wilson just strikes me as more flash over substance and Chris Simms aside some of those who dig in a little more (O’Sullivan, Waldman) see concerns with placement and decision making. Douglas seems like he wouldn’t get as caught into the wow plays. Even just the idea of taking someone who played in clean pockets all year, which was his major year of production. How is that not terrifying?

Last one is more related to the general offseason long trade #2 vs trade Darnold discussion - I think I’m a little lost in one area of it. Early this offseason, pre-FA, trading #2 was deemed more likely. I’d assume the Wilson evaluation hasn’t changed much since then. It also seems to me that since then teams have filled QB needs elsewhere, Darnold’s theoretical value has gone down from where it was previously because of that. Meanwhile the Watson thing, Wilson’s insane pro day, and the big return Miami got for the #3 pick not to mention the likelihood that if teams want a QB prospect they’ll need to get in early because now a likely non-QB team at 3 has been replaced with a lock QB team at 3...I’d think that all drove up the value of the #2 pick. Yet somehow the asset that’s gotten less valuable is more likely to get traded than the asset that’s gotten more value? I’m sure I’m missing something here but as I’m seeing it just doesn’t mesh so much.

Nice post. I don't think the point is to funnel targets to a guy, but they will if that player is always getting open. Primary objective is to mirror the run with the pass in order to establish an effective play-action passing game. 

Agree with the philosophy standpoint, that's true. But if they find a QB they believe in they're not afraid to pull the trigger. I think they have a good feeling about Darnold "realizing" his talent with the new scheme/talent. At the same time, I would think they believe Wilson is that guy where its acceptable to invest a top pick in as well. Question now is who provides the most value to the team now and in the future. 

I don't think it's media driven TBH. I think this guy is the best QB in the draft and I have for a long time. If he was higher rated coming out of HS, played for USC instead of BYU, and didn't have the injury history, I think people would look at him as the #1 pick. I think Lawrence is a player worthy of going top 5 in any draft, but someone whose vastly overrated. I think Wilson will be a more explosive QB in the NFL if all goes right with his development, whereas Trevor Lawrence will be more of a ho-hum QB like Matt Ryan but more willing to run. Doesn't mean he won't be really good, but just feel that Wilson has the ability/mentality to be a real playmaker at the position without sacrificing the traits required to be a sustainable QB (processing the field, reading defenses, accuracy from within the pocket). 

What I believed changed (and the only reason I have this belief is from talking to people connected to the Jets/Panthers): the market for #2. I think they really like Wilson, I think they really like Darnold. I think Wilson is superior for a lot of obvious reasons (fresh start, rookie contract, etc.) but imo he has some superior traits as well (downfield throwing ability, ability to throw accurately off-platform more consistently). You're 100% correct, the pro-day is a feel good, hype moment, but in reality it just confirms the Jets evaluation. However, I've thought this entire offseason that Carolina would trade for #2. I know their hellbent on finding a QB, and I know they have an aggressive owner willing to pay the price for one. What I did not expect to hear is that they are not as willing to trade up for a QB as people thought they were. Hell, even their GM candidates pitched the relationship with Joe Douglas and ability to make a deal as party of their interviews. But what I do know is the owner has become infatuated with the idea of Watson, and their front office has been selling that absent a star like Watson, it's not worth paying the price to trade up to #2 because (1) it results in too many resources invested in a developing player, which results in less talent around that player, hence draft bust; and (2) there are 5 "top 10" prospects in this draft... what makes more sense: trade up to #5 (or stick at #8) to take the 5th ranked QB (at worst), or invest 3 first-round picks, and at least a second-round pick in your 2nd ranked QB? Idk if they're bluffing or not, but it sure seems like they're fine sitting at 8 and waiting for the best player available to fall to them, QB or not.