Day 1 Thoughts

[mayoclinic]

Short of Monroe Freeling or Max Iheanachor falling, I though round 1 played out about as well as it can go.

- 9 OLs went in a 20 pick run between 9 and 28, but the Pats still snagged the last top OT. along could have gone 20 picks earlier - he is up with Freeling and Iheanachor in terms of true tackle frame and high ceiling.

- I thought the Dolphins reached for both Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson. KC traded #9 and 3td and 5th round picks to replace the guy they traded away for #29.

- David Bailey and Jeremiyah Love are very good players, but there is no way I would take them at 2 and 3. Carnell Tate is not a true #1 receiver.

- Peter Woods and Keldric Faulk, 2 consensus top 10 picks entering the 2025 CFB season, fell to picks 29 and 30 due to inconsistency and lack of production. Jermod McCoy, another consensus top 10 talent, fell out completely due to injury concerns, reminiscent of Will Johnson last year.

- Ty Simpson going #13 was a huge gift.

- Jon Schneider had a brilliant 2025, but I never would have taken Jardarian Price at 32.

- There are easily 1l8 players remaining who could have gone 1st round without anyone batting an eye: Jermod McCoy, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Denzel Boston, Kayden McDonald, CJ Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, Aveion Terrell, Treydan Stukes, Chase Bisontis.

 

[Husse]

Interesting all around.

I'm glad we got a R1 tackle. I think the team is pretty well set up for starters in 2026. LB is imo the only position open for a rookie to start provided where we picked.

- Hopefully Lomu can play on the right side. I did see a combine interview with him where he said he has been practicing the right side both this off-season and 1v1s in-season. Seems like a good kid.

- KC trade does seem a bit of a mystery given the economics of it all. Granted, they have Mahomes, but I don't think they got much better with this sequence of events.

- I know there have been plenty of rumblings, but still somewhat surprised both by Lawrence and Ruthledge going where they went.

- Call me petty, and he could very well be good. But the reactions to the Simpson pick is somewhat hilarious and ironic given the Strange pick.

 

[Steve102]

Interesting all around.

I'm glad we got a R1 tackle. I think the team is pretty well set up for starters in 2026. LB is imo the only position open for a rookie to start provided where we picked.

- Hopefully Lomu can play on the right side. I did see a combine interview with him where he said he has been practicing the right side both this off-season and 1v1s in-season. Seems like a good kid.

- KC trade does seem a bit of a mystery given the economics of it all. Granted, they have Mahomes, but I don't think they got much better with this sequence of events.

- I know there have been plenty of rumblings, but still somewhat surprised both by Lawrence and Ruthledge going where they went.

- Call me petty, and he could very well be good. But the reactions to the Simpson pick is somewhat hilarious and iron given the Strange pick.

I saw a clip that McVay seemed pretty pissed.

 

[Husse]

I saw a clip that McVay seemed pretty pissed.

Yeah, he did not look happy at all.

 

[PatsFan2]

Interesting all around.

I'm glad we got a R1 tackle. I think the team is pretty well set up for starters in 2026. LB is imo the only position open for a rookie to start provided where we picked.

- Hopefully Lomu can play on the right side. I did see a combine interview with him where he said he has been practicing the right side both this off-season and 1v1s in-season. Seems like a good kid.

- KC trade does seem a bit of a mystery given the economics of it all. Granted, they have Mahomes, but I don't think they got much better with this sequence of events.

- I know there have been plenty of rumblings, but still somewhat surprised both by Lawrence and Ruthledge going where they went.

- Call me petty, and he could very well be good. But the reactions to the Simpson pick is somewhat hilarious and iron given the Strange pick.

Glad they didn't get K Sadiq rather him with the Jets than with Mahomes.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Glad they didn't get K Sadiq rather him with the Jets than with Mahomes.

Do you think the Pats pick C Bell in R2? Injury guys fell out of R1. Bell might keep falling.

 

[PatsFan2]

Do you think the Pats pick C Bell in R2? Injury guys fell out of R1. Bell might keep falling.

I think Denver or some other Team grabs Chris Bell he won't make it to us. I would Trade 63 for a Third and Fourth. I think the Third and Fourth rounds will be a sweet spot for Depth in this Draft.

 

[bakes781]

If we take a WR tonight it could very well be for the purposes of trading for AJ Brown.

 

[john4psu]

I was surprised Simpson went at #13. What other teams were interested in him? Could the Rams have dropped down gaining a later draft pick and still get Simpson? Missed opportunity?

 

[JohnJH]

I'm not an expert (but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn), but the transition from LT to RT is much easier than the reverse. Joe Alt was a LT in College, but started every game as a Rookie at RT and played at a Pro-Bowl Level. Lomu isn't as polished as Alt, but then considering that he'll take Moses' Reps in Camp and Regular Season Practices as his Reps are controlled (as they were last year), Lomu will have his entire Rookie Season to learn and get his body and skills right. If Campbell comes even close to being a 6'6 Slater (who has the same length arms as Campbell, only at 6'4), then we could have our 10 to 12 Year Bookend OT's.

It's what they now do with the rest of the draft that has me on edge. If they don't come away from this draft with a RB who can be a 1st and 2nd down caliber solid back with upside as experience is gained, then we're in trouble. RB isn't just a sneaky need, it's major need. Gilliam Is a blocking FB, nothing more. If their plan is just to have Stevenson and Henderson, and then call up PS Jags as needed, that's going to be a disaster. I'm on the Mike Williams Jr./Chris Singleton Train. If they don't, at the very least get Adam Randall, they are inviting trouble.

 

[sg14]

I was surprised Simpson went at #13. What other teams were interested in him? Could the Rams have dropped down gaining a later draft pick and still get Simpson? Missed opportunity?

I was thinking the Rams wanted to beat the Jets for the QB.