Draft comparisons - the "would've'/could've" thread.

[manxman2601]

Another take on the "would've/could've" dynamic:

Bears’ desperate pursuit for TreVeyon Henderson falls short as Seattle and New England snatch the crown jewel running back

A bold ambition to redefine the backfield can sometimes come with costly lessons and unforeseen setbacks. The dramatic pursuit for

motociclismo.pt

Take it FWIW, but according to this the Bears badly wanted Henderson, which makes sense - Ben Johnson would have loved a Jamyhr Gibbs type. They allegedly tried to trade up to 35, but Seattle moved up to that spot for Nick Emmanwori. This also alleges that the Pats had offers to move out of 38, but didn't want to risk missing out on Henderson.

Denver also reportedly considered Henderson with their first round pick:

Broncos Eyed RB TreVeyon Henderson In Round 1

The Broncos eyed TreVeyon Henderson in the event they swung a first-round trade-down move

www.profootballrumors.com

I think pick 38 was where they left the pick to the last seconds suggesting they were fielding offers.

 

[mayoclinic]

Makes sense. Also makes sense that Ben Johnson was hoping that Loveland + Henderson would be Chicago's version of LaPorta + Gibbs.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If Burden had performed in 2024, like he did in 2023, he would have gone in the top 10.
He didn't, and therefore, he didn't.

When a player takes that big of a step back, it's pretty damned concerning.

Especially when the reason was effort. It would have been ok if the QB just sucked, but when you hear that he just gave up on his team in the game against Alabama, and dogged it in others, then you really have to question his character.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think anyone who thinks we could just have had someone like Henderson later should just go and watch tape of Henderson lead and pass blocking.

He blocks better than anyone on their offensive line did all last year.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[Boston Boxer]

Love the Henderson pick, he’s an awesome weapon with great speed, a true team player. I didn’t like Burden, I saw him quit on his team several times.

was just going to say the same thing. I watched Burden a lot and he just did not impress me and (as you stated) quit on his team several times. He just didn't have that dawg in him. Henderson is a football player and a team first guy. He was high touted coming into Ohio St and he didn't disappoint. Even when they brought in Judkins...he still played hard and did whatever they wanted him to do even though he would share carries. I like Henderson a lot!

 

[patfanken]

He blocks better than anyone on their offensive line did all last year.

Evidently his pass protection and overall blocking put him into a class by himself, especially given his size. To my mind this is still the most interesting either/or situation in the draft.

I get we can manipulate the rumors, stats and analysis to grease out favored point of view, but the fun part is this can be a argument we can be having for the next 4 years. 2 talented players going to bad offenses led by 2 talented young 2nd year QB's with new and hopefully vastly improved offensive lines.

The Bears seem to ahead of the Pats at WR and TE on paper, but lets see what happens in the long run

 

[Huckleberry1]

Evidently his pass protection and overall blocking put him into a class by himself, especially given his size. To my mind this is still the most interesting either/or situation in the draft.

I get we can manipulate the rumors, stats and analysis to grease out favored point of view, but the fun part is this can be a argument we can be having for the next 4 years. 2 talented players going to bad offenses led by 2 talented young 2nd year QB's with new and hopefully vastly improved offensive lines.

The Bears seem to ahead of the Pats at WR and TE on paper, but lets see what happens in the long run

Ken, his running and receiving are what make him elite as a prospect, what his pass protection and blocking do is allow him to be on the field and contributing from day one, as well as guaranteeing that he will be the guy who is in the backfield on the vast majority of passing downs, because most rookie running backs come into the league with a deficiency in blocking and pass protection, and Henderson excels at it.

 

[mayoclinic]

Don't agree with this. Blocking is just as important as skill, hence all the teams desperate for linemen.

Henderson will have to be accounted for any time he is on the field - as a runner, receiver, and blocker. ahe blocks with obvious aggression and gusto, and he takes on bigger players with ease. He could have a Gronk-like impact on the offense.

The most important play Henderson makes in a game may be picking up the unblocked edge rusher to prevent a sack and keep a game-winning drive alive ... or preventing Drake Maye from taking a season-ending injury.

 

[Toofy]

I am no draftnik but I got some major positive vibes when I looked at laporta and the next one was Henderson. So hoping it really pans out..

I couldn't ask for a more perfect draft. I wouldn't want to change anything. I could be a party pooper and say something about seventh round draft picks , but who cares...at that point they were just waiting to end the day and the fact that we used lower rounds on long snapper and kicker is ideal. Building a real young team around Maye and depth all around so that bloated contracts next season can be done away with ( dugger , rham and onwenu) .

 

[Uptown]

I’m getting Brian Westbrook (with more speed) vibes.

 

[DarrylS]

Ball security is something that Vrable values, particularly after last year, Henderson has something like 656 touches and only one fumble..
If he has a good camp and preseason, can see him being the premier back for the Pats..

 

[everlong]

Henderson vs Burdon - It's the most obvious, but since it's my thread, I get to pick first.

others.

Henderson + Williams > Burdon + Any RB we could have had with the Williams pick. I think the two skill players we took are perfect for what we want to do and I think when all is said and done Henderson will be the best back in this draft.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Evidently his pass protection and overall blocking put him into a class by himself, especially given his size. To my mind this is still the most interesting either/or situation in the draft.

I get we can manipulate the rumors, stats and analysis to grease out favored point of view, but the fun part is this can be a argument we can be having for the next 4 years. 2 talented players going to bad offenses led by 2 talented young 2nd year QB's with new and hopefully vastly improved offensive lines.

The Bears seem to ahead of the Pats at WR and TE on paper, but lets see what happens in the long run

I was ecstatic with the pick of Henderson. I’ve always been in the camp of talent and production combined with location being a huge factor.

I believe Burden being here may have benefited more for early success as opposed to heavy competition to a pretty crowded room in Chicago. Odunze, DJ Moore, Loveland, Swift is a lot of mouths to feed for Ben Johnson. In New England he would almost assuredly take a lot of snaps at the y and z just like Kyle Williams will, which creates opportunities and excels the learning curve by repetition and experience.

So depending how much more you liked Burden over Williams and what they both do, coinciding with how successful Henderson becomes will be the deciding factor in 3 years. Honestly, if Henderson is great how much better does Burden have to be than Williams to decide which was the better course of action by the Patriots?

If the Bears really liked Henderson as much as they said they did, maybe they should of taken him at 10? The Lions made a leap and picked Gibbs rather early. I kind of look at their predicament of the Bears the same as the Pats last year when they were trying to trade up to get a late 1st round tackle. Just no willing trade partners.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

I’d say the second most obvious what if would have been taking someone else at 4, and trying to move up for a LT or hope one fell to #38.

We know now that Ersery would have been available at #38. If Campbell has to move to LG, and Jeanty emerges as a superstar, then we could look back at Jeanty + Ersery rather that Campbell + Henderson.

I like Henderson/Campbell. With LT, we didn't know that Ersery would be available and would've been sweating bullets that he lasted till 38; also we don't know how the Pats graded Campbell vs Ersery and there likely was a big gap.

As far as RB, Henderson's got a great all around game: very elusive runner, great moves, terrific receiver, great in pass protection, and also bigger than Jeanty and played against better competition. I go all the way back to Curtis Martin to think of a better looking back than Henderson on our team.

 

[Huckleberry1]

My only regrets draft wise, my could’ve/would’ve, I wish they double dipped at WR and also drafted a young pass catching TE. I hated the Woodson pick, we have tons of safeties, would’ve LOVED if they took a home run swing at WR Dont’e Thornton, 6’4” 230 and ran a 4.30 (definitely raw, but the kind of talent you take a chance on). Obviously the type of receiver we don’t have. Raiders took him 2 picks after Woodson. WR Arian Smith was available, TE Gunnar Helm was available. WR Jaylin Lane was available, WR Jalen Royals as well.

If they want to go defense, Edge Jack Sawyer was available, the Steelers took him, and you know they know Edge rushers. All 3 safeties taken after Woodson were rated higher than him.

Just HATED the pick, just way too many BETTER players available at pick #106. Once again, 4th round, can’t get too upset, but it did bother me a lot.

To me, this was a Belichickian pick. I hated the long snapper pick too, but now it makes a lot of sense.

I love the Woodson pick. He’s going to end up being a really good player for them.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I wanted Higgins at Henderson’s spot and a RB at Williams spot but I’ll take it.

 

[farn]

On the last play of the first half, in the biggest game, TH for a 75 yard TD catch ? I like players who perform under extreme pressure. Doesn’t mean he’s going to Canton, but I go Henderson.

 

[n1997y]

On the last play of the first half, in the biggest game, TH for a 75 yard TD catch ? I like players who perform under extreme pressure. Doesn’t mean he’s going to Canton, but I go Henderson.

That was a thing of beauty. I love how the announcer perfectly times his comment “Henderson can make a house call from anywhere”.

 

[State]

4, TE Tyler Warren.
38, same, RB TreVeyon Henderson.
69, Edge Princely Umanmielen.
95, LT Charles Grant.
106, LB Danny Stutsman.
137, same, DT Joshua Farmer.
146, NT Yahya Black
182, WR Ricky White III
220, S Dan Jackson.
251, OT Logan Brown.*
257, C Seth McLaughlin (will need medical redshirt year). *

*Both went undrafted.