2023 Forum Mock: Discussion Thread

[Thezone27]

Love Zay Flowers, he was actually #2 on my board. He is a punt returner on offense with the ball in his hands and a really good route runner without the ball.
His only knock is him being 5'9'' but he is an absolue star in the making in my opinion

I was going to take him if JSN was off the board, because I wanted to trade back.

 

[Thezone27]

First off, I am usually not a big height, weight, speed guy. Also I hated his block sled drill that went viral, absolutely horrible technique and in a game he can block absolutely no one this way.

Having said that, in game he is a really really good blocker, backside cut offs, across the formation, combo blocks with the Tackle at the Point of Attack. Surprisingly he excels at blocking on the perimeter and in the second level, but not by just blowing away much smaller DBs or LBs but he positions himself really well, he is a very smart blocker who knows and understands angles. He can read defenders if the path of the Defender doesn't allow him to catch the runner Washington immediately flips to the next dangerous defender which allows the runner at least 5+ extra yards. I wouldn't trust him to block a End in Pass Protection by himself or by himself at the point of attack, other than that I am certain he can execute all other blocks on the next level.

But what really made me decide on him is that he is an absolute mismatch on the passing front. I know he did not have the stats to back it up with Bowers being the receiving option for the Bulldogs, but he is a nightmare for opposing DCs and I am rather confident his receiving numbers will increase when he is used correctly. There is absolutely no way he can be covered 1-on-1, standing at 6'7'' with a huge wingspan, even if he is not the best route runner you need to have a safety over the top of him every time he is on the field. There is no DB in the NFL that can match his size and if there is nobody over the top he destroys defenses just by his pure size. Even if his route tree is limited to Seams, Overs, Shallows, Fades and Spot Routes he dictates coverages and alignments for the defense, like a true #1 X-WR would do, which is hugely important for an offense as it frees up everybody else.
Being a former basketball player he can catch, even excels at contested catches when posted up against a LB or DB and high points balls with ease.
He can be an In-Line Blocker, H-Back, split out wide in Goalline Situations and even play the slot a bit.

In todays NFL he is a huge chess piece because with his size and blocking ability Offenses can go from 20 personnel to Empty in an instant and DCs will never know what to expect.

love Washington, but he was really overshadowed by Brock Bowers.

 

[Simba]

@purplepittabread88 back on the clock

 

[All_black_everything]

@DaCiderEarl on the clock

 

[Simba]

Bresee is such an interesting case. Has shown some flashes over his career but has been marred by injuries and off-field stuff (nothing personality based) and has had basically 0 consistency. Think the medical reports are going to tell the story on where he gets drafted in real life.

 

[RavensMania]

Love Zay Flowers, he was actually #2 on my board. He is a punt returner on offense with the ball in his hands and a really good route runner without the ball.
His only knock is him being 5'9'' but he is an absolue star in the making in my opinion

appreciate it. Yeah his film doesn't lie and a punt returner on offense is a great way to describe him. His footwork is insane.

 

[All_black_everything]

I’m aware I’m on the clock. I had last minute interest in the pick, I will sort through those negotiations quickly.

 

[Truth]

I’m aware I’m on the clock. I had last minute interest in the pick, I will sort through those negotiations quickly.

You're good! Feel free to give the negotiations their due diligence.

 

[DaCiderEarl]

@Truth thanks for making my pick!

Van Ness learning from Bosa and Mack is a scary thought given his upside and he can play multiple positions which will let him see the field early. He is not a finished product by any means and needs to work on his technique, but damn do I like his upside and non stop motor as a wrecking ball. (With or without Miley on his back)

 

[Truth]

Kancey could be a game-wrecker.

 

[All_black_everything]

Kancey could be a game-wrecker.

Agreed, love his lateral mobility, hand usage, first step, motor, plays the run well enough. Playing next to Derrick Brown on pass rush downs was intriguing

 

[Giants56Ravens52]

Van Ness and Kancey were both on my short list. Good picks.

Depending on the next 2, Giants may be looking to trade back.

 

[Thezone27]

There is a lot of talent still on the board with the amount of overdrafts we've had... hopefully someone forgets a good player, and he falls to me in the third!!!

 

[Thezone27]

I feel it's a little early for Dalton, but he's good

 

[RavensMania]

I am aware I'm on the clock. Thinking over a trade offer I just received. I'll make the pick prior to 11am, if I don't accept the trade offer.

 

[Giants56Ravens52]

Had to make sure I got Addison. He was by far the best WR left on my board, and while I reloaded there with OBJ and Davis, I wanted to infuse more youth and a long term #1 for Daniel Jones.

 

[Ozzsome]

Had to make sure I got Addison. He was by far the best WR left on my board, and while I reloaded there with OBJ and Davis, I wanted to infuse more youth and a long term #1 for Daniel Jones.

To be honest I was surprised he was still there. Personally though I don't quite see the hype surrounding him, granted I only watch the "vs." Videos on Youtube and don't have access to All-22s which makes evaluating WRs and DBs pretty hard, but at USC he primarily ran hitches, tunnel screens and Gos (at least in the games I've seen). While he is ok after the catch its hard to judge his route running for me, which should be by far his best trait according to numerous outlets, once he ran a different route his route running didn't wow me though.

Then again Daniel Jeremiah and other outlets have him ranked really high and sometimes even as the #1 WR. I think DJ even has him in his top 10 overall, I on the other hand am just some random weirdo on the internet so he'll propably turn out really good.

 

[Ozzsome]

Really like the Kincaid pick, I think he can be really really productive as a pass catcher, for a TE is terrific after the catch and his smart shield off blocks will allow him to be an H-Back or even In-Line Blocker on the Backside in my opinion

 

[Ozzsome]

I feel it's a little early for Dalton, but he's good

If you like a player and believe he will turn out to be really good it's never too early.
Except if you are the Pats and take Cole Strange in the first round

 

[Simba]

Really like the Kincaid pick, I think he can be really really productive as a pass catcher, for a TE is terrific after the catch and his smart shield off blocks will allow him to be an H-Back or even In-Line Blocker on the Backside in my opinion

That was my thought on him. Don't really care about much of his blocking skill right now. Guy can run a route, get open, and make stuff happen with the ball in his hands. Not too dissimilar from Evan Engram who I didn't have a chance to retain for the Jags.