2025 LT

[patfanken]

To be fair Wynn was never an LT1. He was mediocre at best. And then he lost all interest in competing when it became clear the Patriots weren't going to pick up his option.

We haven't had really good LT in New England since thexe days of Matt Light and Nate Solder. And we also don't have one of the greatest OL coaches of all time developing them either. Dante Scarnecchia was such a vital part of our dynasty looking back at it now.

I'm ok with dropping back a couple of spots and taking Kelvin Banks Jr. Maybe we are 'overdrafting' a little but this year's LT class is thin. After him you're looking at late 1st/early 2nd type prospects who may or may not make it as a left tackle.

I get that this OT class is very thin at the top, with only 2 or 3 first round worthy. But based on what I'm reading here, there seems to be a consensus that there will be very intriguing prospects all through the 2nd and 3rd days. None that look like day one starters but I bet. in a few years there be several good starters to come out of this class.

Now I have a few questions about Justin Simmons for the panel. Is he an elite LT prospect if healthy? When is he expected to be fully healthy? Is he expected to go in the first 40 picks?

And another OT question, I was under the impression that teams that hired minority coaches were compensated with picks. Did we ever get one for the Mayo hiring?

 

[zimmy]

I agree with Manx that we are in a tricky spot at OT in the draft. Worried that like last year we will miss the run at OT late in the first and the cupboard will be empty by our second pick. Can’t have that happen two years in a row ( btw we also managed to miss the run at the end of the 2nd)

You absolutely have to sign a competent starter in FA. In terms of the draft, I think Campbell is okay but you can’t pass on Carter or Hunt for him at 4. The decision would be whether to trade down and accumulate picks with one of those players on the board at 4. Given this team is severely lacking blue chip players, I think you stick and pick. Obviously trading down becomes the play if both Carter and Hunter are gone. The question is whether there will be an offer on the table. Trading to 6 or 7 with the Raiders or Jets feels like a good option where one of Graham or Campbell is likely still available (I’m not concerned about handing the Jets Sanders or Ward).

Trading up from 38 is going to be tricky as we saw last year. I also don’t think we are in position to be giving away too many picks given the state of our roster.

 

[manxman2601]

I agree with Manx that we are in a tricky spot at OT in the draft. Worried that like last year we will miss the run at OT late in the first and the cupboard will be empty by our second pick. Can’t have that happen two years in a row ( btw we also managed to miss the run at the end of the 2nd)

You absolutely have to sign a competent starter in FA. In terms of the draft, I think Campbell is okay but you can’t pass on Carter or Hunt for him at 4. The decision would be whether to trade down and accumulate picks with one of those players on the board at 4. Given this team is severely lacking blue chip players, I think you stick and pick. Obviously trading down becomes the play if both Carter and Hunter are gone. The question is whether there will be an offer on the table. Trading to 6 or 7 with the Raiders or Jets feels like a good option where one of Graham or Campbell is likely still available (I’m not concerned about handing the Jets Sanders or Ward).

Trading up from 38 is going to be tricky as we saw last year. I also don’t think we are in position to be giving away too many picks given the state of our roster.

I think we should sign the competent starter in FA as you say and then draft a high upside LT later in the draft to develop. Worst case scenario is that we'd still be in the position of having to draft a LT next year or the year after, best case scenario is we have an in-house solution at LT and the middling outcome is that we'll have drafted a possible swing tackle, RT or guard which has roster value.

 

[bakes781]

I just want Drake's 2nd option not be to run every time lol

 

[PatsFan2]

I agree with Manx that we are in a tricky spot at OT in the draft. Worried that like last year we will miss the run at OT late in the first and the cupboard will be empty by our second pick. Can’t have that happen two years in a row ( btw we also managed to miss the run at the end of the 2nd)

You absolutely have to sign a competent starter in FA. In terms of the draft, I think Campbell is okay but you can’t pass on Carter or Hunt for him at 4. The decision would be whether to trade down and accumulate picks with one of those players on the board at 4. Given this team is severely lacking blue chip players, I think you stick and pick. Obviously trading down becomes the play if both Carter and Hunter are gone. The question is whether there will be an offer on the table. Trading to 6 or 7 with the Raiders or Jets feels like a good option where one of Graham or Campbell is likely still available (I’m not concerned about handing the Jets Sanders or Ward).

Trading up from 38 is going to be tricky as we saw last year. I also don’t think we are in position to be giving away too many picks given the state of our roster.

Good post: I wish I could punch Mayo. I'm not hearing taking a QB from Tennessee or Cleveland: If that's the case Hunter and Carter are going 1 - 2 which leaves Shedeur Sanders as a Trade cog from Four.

 

[Steve102]

Good post: I wish I could punch Mayo. I'm not hearing taking a QB from Tennessee or Cleveland: If that's the case Hunter and Carter are going 1 - 2 which leaves Shedeur Sanders as a Trade cog from Four.

I don't see anyone giving up a kings ransom for him. He's far from a sure thing. It'll be interesting how he does at pro-days and combine, assuming he goes. His father may not let him go at the risk of lowering his stock if the reports are accurate that he's not a true R1 guy.

 

[bakes781]

Here is a 1v1 of 2 elites Will Campbell vs Shemar Stewart. Will wins just about every time.

 

[manxman2601]

Here is a 1v1 of 2 elites Will Campbell vs Shemar Stewart. Will wins just about every time.

I do like Campbell, it's just the value I'm not so keen on. Not necessarily because of him but because of who we'd miss out on. The question is, do we want Campbell + Sawyer/Umanmielen or Ersery/D. Jackson + Carter/Hunter/Graham? That's the way to look at it for me.

 

[bakes781]

I do like Campbell, it's just the value I'm not so keen on. Not necessarily because of him but because of who we'd miss out on. The question is, do we want Campbell + Sawyer/Umanmielen or Ersery/D. Jackson + Carter/Hunter/Graham? That's the way to look at it for me.

Option B

 

[Taxed in Maine]

Option B

I do like Campbell, it's just the value I'm not so keen on. Not necessarily because of him but because of who we'd miss out on. The question is, do we want Campbell + Sawyer/Umanmielen or Ersery/D. Jackson + Carter/Hunter/Graham? That's the way to look at it for me.

I don't think Ersery falls any where close to 38. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes mid 1st round.

 

[bakes781]

I don't think Ersery falls any where close to 38. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes mid 1st round.

Yeah the world finally caught up to what I've been seeing lol

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I do like Campbell, it's just the value I'm not so keen on. Not necessarily because of him but because of who we'd miss out on. The question is, do we want Campbell + Sawyer/Umanmielen or Ersery/D. Jackson + Carter/Hunter/Graham? That's the way to look at it for me.

I couldn't disagree with this logic more. The team desperately needs blue chip talent. Landing blue chip talent at #4 should be their sole focus. What position they may or may not be able to draft in the 2nd round shouldn't be what they make their decision at #4 on.

Especially because WR, EDGE, OT are all positions where we could justify using back to back picks on. I'd argue we have 0 starting caliber outside WRs, 0 starting caliber OTs, and only 1 starting caliber DE who's better used as an inside guy on the more important passing downs.

If Sawyer/Umanmielen are the best players on their board in the 2nd then they should take them even if they took Carter at #4 IMO.

 

[captain stone]

I do like Campbell, it's just the value I'm not so keen on. Not necessarily because of him but because of who we'd miss out on. The question is, do we want Campbell + Sawyer/Umanmielen or Ersery/D. Jackson + Carter/Hunter/Graham? That's the way to look at it for me.

Option B

Option C: Trade down, multiple times if possible, take the best available Left Tackle, and use the extra picks to try to fill the holes not covered before the draft during the free agency period. If the children Upstairs have the greatest free agency period in the history of the NFL, then sure why not go get yourselves a nice shiny toy at #4... But that's not happening and we All know it.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I get that this OT class is very thin at the top, with only 2 or 3 first round worthy. But based on what I'm reading here, there seems to be a consensus that there will be very intriguing prospects all through the 2nd and 3rd days. None that look like day one starters but I bet. in a few years there be several good starters to come out of this class.

Now I have a few questions about Justin Simmons for the panel. Is he an elite LT prospect if healthy? When is he expected to be fully healthy? Is he expected to go in the first 40 picks?

And another OT question, I was under the impression that teams that hired minority coaches were compensated with picks. Did we ever get one for the Mayo hiring?

Regarding Simmons, he was having an excellent season and was showing elite talent before the injury. I see him being mocked from 17-40 by a majority of mock data bases.

Regarding Mayo and draftpick? I don’t think they are getting one unfortunately. It’s written kind of weird but the way I read it is if you promote from within you are giving yourself a draft pick so it’s not allowed. He’d have to go to another team and work for them for 2 years and then be hired. Also there was an amendment to the Rooney rule in 2020 that if a black coach or GM is hired off your staff to become a head coach of another team, your organization will get 2 draft picks, 3rd 2025, 3rd 2026. This is what Detroit will be getting for the Jets Aaron Glenn hiring. Crazy stuff.

 

[manxman2601]

I couldn't disagree with this logic more. The team desperately needs blue chip talent. Landing blue chip talent at #4 should be their sole focus. What position they may or may not be able to draft in the 2nd round shouldn't be what they make their decision at #4 on.

Especially because WR, EDGE, OT are all positions where we could justify using back to back picks on. I'd argue we have 0 starting caliber outside WRs, 0 starting caliber OTs, and only 1 starting caliber DE who's better used as an inside guy on the more important passing downs.

If Sawyer/Umanmielen are the best players on their board in the 2nd then they should take them even if they took Carter at #4 IMO.

I think you're missing the point. That's exactly what I'm arguing - that we draft blue chip talent at 4 disregarding the supposed no 1 need at LT. I'm saying that there's a bigger downgrade by drafting Princely rather than Carter than there is drafting Ersery instead of Campbell. However, whilst I tend towards the BPA philosophy of drafting, roster value has to play a part too. Which has the greater value, LT1 or DE3? If I thought that Sawyer or Princely were way ahead of Ersery on my board I'd agree with you but I don't think they are especially when you take into account that this is a much deeper EDGE class than it is a LT one.

Now personally my ideal scenario is to sign a FA LT (and 2 WRS) so that we can do precisely what you are proposing but until that happens speculating about the best approach to dealing with the position is a worthy project.

So let me ask you how you would approach the LT situation in this scenario. We haven't signed one in FA, you've just drafted two DE in rounds one and two as you suggest. Where does the LT come from?

 

[manxman2601]

I get that this OT class is very thin at the top, with only 2 or 3 first round worthy. But based on what I'm reading here, there seems to be a consensus that there will be very intriguing prospects all through the 2nd and 3rd days. None that look like day one starters but I bet. in a few years there be several good starters to come out of this class.

Now I have a few questions about Justin Simmons for the panel. Is he an elite LT prospect if healthy? When is he expected to be fully healthy? Is he expected to go in the first 40 picks?

And another OT question, I was under the impression that teams that hired minority coaches were compensated with picks. Did we ever get one for the Mayo hiring?

Simmons is my OT1. I don't think he's elite but I do think he'll give you 10 years of good LT play. As for his injury, we might have to wait for the combine to find out about that.

Don't sleep on Donovan Jackson, the guy who took over Simmons' spot when he got injured. He gave up two sacks to Abdul Carter in only his second game starting at LT (understandable) but then went the rest of the season without giving up another sack. My OT3.

 

[bakes781]

Option C: Trade down, multiple times if possible, take the best available Left Tackle, and use the extra picks to try to fill the holes not covered before the draft during the free agency period. If the children Upstairs have the greatest free agency period in the history of the NFL, then sure why not go get yourselves a nice shiny toy at #4... But that's not happening and we All know it.

Trading involves another team and while I'm all for extra picks you have to be careful not to trade too far back. Because I can promise you there are teams with more ammo than us to trade up in certain rounds.

Doing mock Sims are a fun exercise but you only get one real draft.

 

[manxman2601]

The 33rd Team's scouting report on Anthony Belton concludes like this:

Belton projects as a developmental starting tackle for a run-heavy focused offense. Belton affords teams with a significant ceiling, thanks to his run game prowess and versatility for inside or outside concepts and the length to steepen angles on the edge.

With added technical refinement, he could become a quality starter by the end of his rookie contract.

Sign Ronnie Stanley, draft Anthony Belton. LT issues sorted.

Anthony Belton 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For North Carolina State Wolfpack OT

Get ready for the 2025 NFL Draft with a scouting report on NC State OT Anthony Belton. See Belton's stats, background, strengths..

www.the33rdteam.com

 

[manxman2601]

I've just realised the the Bleacher Report OL scouting reports are done by Brandon Thorn. For people that don't know him, he's considered by the draft community as the OL draft guru. Bleacher Report scouting reports on the OL will be my go to source from now on.

Here are his OT rankings. Note, he thinks Will Cambell is an interior guy but gives him the highest grade (8.4) of all linemen.

1. Best Run-Blocker: Josh Conerly Jr.
   Best Pass-Blocker: Josh Simmons
   Best Zone-Blocker: Josh Conerly Jr.
   Most Pro-Ready: Armand Membou
   Most Versatile: Marcus Mbow
   1. Armand Membou, Missouri (7.9)
   2. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon (7.9)
   3. Josh Simmons, Ohio State (7.9)
   4. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (7.8)
   5. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota (7.5)
   6. Cameron Williams, Texas (7.4)
   7. Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College (7.4)
   8. Marcus Mbow, Purdue (7.3)
   9. Charles Grant, William & Mary (7.0)
   10. Ajani Cornelius, Oregon (6.8)
   11. Jack Nelson, Wisconsin (6.5)
   12. Anthony Belton, North Carolina State (6.4)
   13. Chase Lundt, Connecticut (6.2)
   14. Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M (6.1)
2. 
   

 

[Headcase]

I've just realised the the Bleacher Report OL scouting reports are done by Brandon Thorn. For people that don't know him, he's considered by the draft community as the OL draft guru. Bleacher Report scouting reports on the OL will be my go to source from now on.

Here are his OT rankings. Note, he thinks Will Cambell is an interior guy but gives him the highest grade (8.4) of all linemen.

1. Best Run-Blocker: Josh Conerly Jr.
   Best Pass-Blocker: Josh Simmons
   Best Zone-Blocker: Josh Conerly Jr.
   Most Pro-Ready: Armand Membou
   Most Versatile: Marcus Mbow
   1. Armand Membou, Missouri (7.9)
   2. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon (7.9)
   3. Josh Simmons, Ohio State (7.9)
   4. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (7.8)
   5. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota (7.5)
   6. Cameron Williams, Texas (7.4)
   7. Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College (7.4)
   8. Marcus Mbow, Purdue (7.3)
   9. Charles Grant, William & Mary (7.0)
   10. Ajani Cornelius, Oregon (6.8)
   11. Jack Nelson, Wisconsin (6.5)
   12. Anthony Belton, North Carolina State (6.4)
   13. Chase Lundt, Connecticut (6.2)
   14. Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M (6.1)
2. 
   

I mentioned a version of that on Reddit the other day, big surprise no one over there has any sense of nuance.