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In the 2023 draft, Seattle had the #5 and #20 picks in the draft. They picked CB Devon Witherspoon and WR Jaxson Smith-Jjigba. 3 seasons later, they won a SB, with those 2 guys as cornerstones.
Witherspoon was not considered the best defensive player in the draft. Will Anderson went #4, and Jalon Carter was generally graded higher, though with character issues. Christian Gonzalez is a more complete shutdown CB.
What Witherspoon did bring was playmaker sanity, disruption, and a kamikaze attack mentality, that changed the entire persona of the defense. And that made him invuable.
Who are the guys in the 2026 draft whose contribution to the persona of the entire offense or defense outweighs their individual skills and talents? Guys who could transform the entire mentality of their side?
I can think of a few:
- WR Chris Bell. He punishes defensive players, brings an element of "bully ball" that the Pats haven't had since Gronk kicked guys out of the club.
- IOL Keylan Rutledge. The "toughest player in the draft", a fire breather with athletic upside. Is it worth spending a day 1 or 2 pick on an IOL. Maybe not. Would he transform thd entire identity of the OL? And would that alone be worth it?
- DB Keionte Scott. The most kamikaze and disruptive DB since Witherspoon. He would give the defense a whole different identity.
- LB Jacob Rodriguez. Other players have cleaner upgrade value. But Rodriguez is another guy who can stamp an entire defense with his personality - think Mike Singletary and the 1986 Bears.
Two questions:
1. How important do people feel that the ability to transform the mentality/identity of an entire unit us, vs. immediate contributions/clarity of how role and skills Ryan fit?
2. Are there other guys you think have these qualities, and should be prized particularly highly?
Witherspoon was not considered the best defensive player in the draft. Will Anderson went #4, and Jalon Carter was generally graded higher, though with character issues. Christian Gonzalez is a more complete shutdown CB.
What Witherspoon did bring was playmaker sanity, disruption, and a kamikaze attack mentality, that changed the entire persona of the defense. And that made him invuable.
Who are the guys in the 2026 draft whose contribution to the persona of the entire offense or defense outweighs their individual skills and talents? Guys who could transform the entire mentality of their side?
I can think of a few:
- WR Chris Bell. He punishes defensive players, brings an element of "bully ball" that the Pats haven't had since Gronk kicked guys out of the club.
- IOL Keylan Rutledge. The "toughest player in the draft", a fire breather with athletic upside. Is it worth spending a day 1 or 2 pick on an IOL. Maybe not. Would he transform thd entire identity of the OL? And would that alone be worth it?
- DB Keionte Scott. The most kamikaze and disruptive DB since Witherspoon. He would give the defense a whole different identity.
- LB Jacob Rodriguez. Other players have cleaner upgrade value. But Rodriguez is another guy who can stamp an entire defense with his personality - think Mike Singletary and the 1986 Bears.
Two questions:
1. How important do people feel that the ability to transform the mentality/identity of an entire unit us, vs. immediate contributions/clarity of how role and skills Ryan fit?
2. Are there other guys you think have these qualities, and should be prized particularly highly?
