[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by ukcolt

This is a really weak draft at the very top end. One of the weakest i can remember regards the top 10-15 players. There are probably only 4 or 5 players who i consider to be elite players. After that there is talent, but not to the point where there is a generally a steep drop off in talent to the next man at that position (the big exception being LB). Overall I think there is a degree of depth to this draft.

The really top guys are Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, Mason Graham, Ashton Jeanty.

Do i like Tyler Warren? Yeah i do, but in other drafts he would be a 20-30 selection. Loveland is a mariginally lesser talent, who if he were to fall to the late 20's to early 30's, that's his sweet spot. Then you have Mason Taylor, who is probably a 40-60 talent. After that there is a drop off to the next TE.

Jihaad Campbell is a really good player, the best LBer in the draft, but he is again a player who would be in the 20's range if he were in last years draft. The next guy is either Schwesinger or Demetrius Knight who should be drafted a full rounder later at least.

I wouldn't be upset if we drafted any of Warren, Loveland or Campbell at 14, i expect Warren to go earlier, and i think Loveland is a bit early at 14, Campbell i would be happy with. But i think we should be trying to trade down to the mid to late 20's, or even into the top of the 2nd round. This is where the value starts to match the talent a little better.

In years past to get a Brock Bowers, i would be all for trading up, but that level of talent isn't there after the first 4 picks.

RB has incredible depth, the receiver position is also pretty deep, TE isn't too bad, the offensive line is deep down to the late 4th round. QB is really bad this year, i am not even sold on Cam Ward, certainly not at the top of the draft, to me he is more a mid 1st rounder, Sanders a late 1st, after that i am not sure there is anyone who will be a long term starter in the NFL.

The COVID eligibility rules gave extra years to older players, which impacted playing time of the younger players. Add in NIL deals that make it easier for talent to develop an additional year in college, and here we are. This draft has been impacted greatly by these two factors. That is why I am glad Tennessee chose this draft to get the top pick, because it will slow their return to being a competitive team. It is also why there was a run on QBs the past two years, because everyone knew this class would be weak. (By this, I mean the picks by MINN and ATL of a QB despite already having a guy at the starter position.