Early Thoughts on NFL Draft

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Brant Kuithe from Utah is a very intriguing late round pick or UDFA. If he had come out after 2021 or not blown his knee out in 2022, I think he'd have been a 3rd or 4th round pick. (I'd have been pounding the table for him if he stayed healthy in 2022.) He was a better talent than his teammate Dalton Kincaid imo, even if Kincaid was more of a traditional TE.

However, the one big concern is he suffered another season-ending knee injury late in the year. Utah never specified what the injury was. If he tore his ACL again, I'm not sure he'll come back from it. The two big downsides, outside of health, with him are size (6'2" 236) and age (turned 25 in December). But man, he has potential as a move TE. His acceleration, agility, route running, and YAC skills are NFL traits.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYuom01KtWA


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMMgUMz56xE


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf0s_S2RSKE


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A8aj6wuFe8
 
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He's rated as a late third in some places, and I think he'll keep rising.
Pointless to debate day 2/3 right now but most everything I've seen has him around pick 145 on an average. I've also seen some with a 3rd I've seen some with a 6th and yes every player could change with the senior bowls combines and workouts coming up.
 
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Seems like I hope for the same thing every offseason. A matchup problem on offense and better blocking from the TE position (especially since they get so few targets anyway).

While they aren't close to being on the matchup problem level of my 2023 & 2024 choices (RB Jahmyr Gibbs & TE Brock Bowers) I guess I'm beginning to leaning towards Michigan TE Colston Loveland & Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. Guys who could take over Cooper Kupp's slot duties.

But, to make it work even better I'm hoping the Rams clean out the TE room (Higbee can finish out his contract I guess), and pair a good receiving TE with a good physical blocking TE like this kid Jackson Hawes from Georgia Tech or CJ Dippre from Alabama. One or both could probably be had in the 6th round given the depth of this draft class. Drop that 11 personnel percent usage, please.


View: https://youtu.be/g53W79h0ew4?si=CUDuwN6JSTvvSHBi



View: https://youtu.be/jTR1BTckKQM?si=EP4M4LQUBbiE3Ymd
 
Seems like I hope for the same thing every offseason. A matchup problem on offense and better blocking from the TE position (especially since they get so few targets anyway).

While they aren't close to being on the matchup problem level of my 2023 & 2024 choices (RB Jahmyr Gibbs & TE Brock Bowers) I guess I'm beginning to leaning towards Michigan TE Colston Loveland & Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. Guys who could take over Cooper Kupp's slot duties.

But, to make it work even better I'm hoping the Rams clean out the TE room (Higbee can finish out his contract I guess), and pair a good receiving TE with a good physical blocking TE like this kid Jackson Hawes from Georgia Tech or CJ Dippre from Alabama. One or both could probably be had in the 6th round given the depth of this draft class. Drop that 11 personnel percent usage, please.


View: https://youtu.be/g53W79h0ew4?si=CUDuwN6JSTvvSHBi



View: https://youtu.be/jTR1BTckKQM?si=EP4M4LQUBbiE3Ymd

It's hard to argue with Fannin's production, but something looked off when I watched him play. The way he runs is very weird. I'm not sure Loveland makes it to us. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chargers take him. If he does, he's worth strong consideration due to his movement skills. Not a bad blocker either.
 
It's hard to argue with Fannin's production, but something looked off when I watched him play. The way he runs is very weird. I'm not sure Loveland makes it to us. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chargers take him. If he does, he's worth strong consideration due to his movement skills. Not a bad blocker either.
The way Fannin runs threw me off, too. Then I realized that he may be just high hipped or something.:laugh1:
 
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Picking at 26 would be a difficult position for the Rams to draft a good left tackle prospect. This draft isn’t loaded with them like last years was.
This draft has a lot of guys who should fall in the late day 1 to early day 2 range who are imperfect OT prospects. Some might become good LTs, but it'll take work. That said, I'd just stick with Alaric Jackson, unless we luck into somebody who is better. (In that case, you move AJ to RT.) In this draft, I'd be looking for Havenstein's successor on Day 2 or Day 3.
 
ohhh... man I like this kid too, he also just popped up in my YT feed.
When I watch a player's tape, I wanna see some "WOW" runs / catches, something that makes me go, this kid could be *special*.
Gordon II has some runs that made me "wow" out loud. A bigger, bruising runner, great at screen passes, will go thru / over a D. Fast enough, can take it to the house 'cuz a safety can't stop him. Would be killer on the goal line. Anyway, here you go, enjoy:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8dVNUwYkI
 
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