Stripes

I was under the impression that much of Dax's struggle was because of the chess piece mindset. I kind of hope they let him pick a lane and stick to it. I could see him maybe rotating into slot corner for some matchups; that wouldn't be too bad.

How else would the Arby's in Heath retain its only repeat customer?

Having some time to sit on these picks and consider what I like and don't like, I end up somewhere like what follows. Grades are pointless, but I'll do it anyway -- to represent how good I feel rather than how good the pick is (because who the hell knows). R1 - Shemar Stewart - It feels like another season where the pick that makes me the most uneasy is the first one. This has been a recent theme with Duke Tobin outside the Burrow/Chase home runs. Stewart is branded as the typical high-ceiling/low-floor gamble, and I hope that's accurate. I worry that he's better described as a moderate-ceiling/low-floor prospect. Players of a similar body-production archetype have, at best, been guys like Rashan Gary and Travon Walker (about 9-10 sacks in a good year). That's a good thing, and I would love to see that. It's not Myles Garrett though, even if the athleticism is on that level. The floor is Myles Murphy or Margus Hunt. We've seen this before, so I don't really feel great. I have been wrong before, so I will hope that is the case again. Projected role in 2025 -- rotational pass rusher, possible starter (I think he could be in a revolving door with Ossai and Murphy opposite Hendrickson). "Grade" -- D R2 - Demetrius Knight - I think I am higher on this pick than many Bengals fans. He strikes me as a legitimately good player with great character and maturity. His makeup as a prospect seems right on track with Wilson and Pratt before him, and we know that has worked. If the biggest gripe is his age, then I genuinely don't care about that. If they get four years from him and he plays well enough to shore up the LB room, then that's fine. Projected role in 2025 -- compete for a starting role with Burks to replace Pratt "Grade" -- B R3 - Dylan Fairchild - I also like this choice. It's fine to quibble about his "value" relative to draft position, but that's really all guesswork anyway. I know of at least two big draft outlets that had him in rounds 3-4, so I don't view it as some egregious reach. The guard position is a black hole on this roster without this pick, so we know there's a clear need and opportunity. Indeed, given his pedigree at Georgia, I think it's fair to expect him to step in and outperform Cordell Volson. There's no guarantee of that, but I like his chances. He's also another rock-solid character pick. Projected role in 2025 -- starting left guard "Grade" - B R4 - Barrett Carter - Good pick. I'm not sure it was "necessary" to double-dip at linebacker, but in the fourth round who cares. I think he's a good player that should have every opportunity to contribute in the scheme Al Golden has advertised. Between the higher emphasis on 4-3 packages and the need for special teams help, Carter should be able to find a role. I think he can be an ADG-type depth piece. I like him more than the LBers already on the roster behind the starters and Burks. Projected role in 2025 -- defensive depth, 4-3 packages, and special teams "Grade" - B R5 - Jalen Rivers - I'm not going to complain about more OL depth. This team has struggled so much in recent memory, including during deep playoff runs, because their OL depth wasn't good enough to cross the finish line. I am not sure if Rivers changes that, but he at least represents an effort. I could say "I'd have preferred Mbow", which, fine, but I will save that gripe until Mbow plays a down. I also like that he has significant collegiate experience at both guard and tackle. He also snapped the ball at the Senior Bowl. Projected role in 2025 -- OL swing depth "Grade" - C R6 - Tahj Brooks - I really don't care about this choice either way. Maybe he can contribute on special teams. I don't think running back was a need, and I have no clue about this player as a talent. He'll have to provide an immediate spark in camp and during the preseason, or his ceiling on this roster is probably pretty low. I don't figure he has a leg up over Moss or Perine for snaps in the immediate present. We've seen that before with Chris Evans. He could theoretically upgrade Trayveon Williams, but that means very little to me. Projectetd role in 2025 -- 4th running back, special teams, possibly cut "Grade" - C Put it all together with added weight for the early rounds, and I end up in the vicinity of a C overall. Sure. I guess that's about how I feel.

I have tried so hard, but I just can't do it. I can't. I don't have it in me. I have no opinion of this draft pick. It happened. I saw it. Those are my thoughts about Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech.

Certainly. I think it's also possible they hard pivoted as a response to everything Jermaine Burton.

They definitely did emphasize character. That has worked before (2020), albeit with less obscure names.

This will be an interesting test of process. They deviated frequently from consensus, and then the Ravens and Steelers took the consensus players in the Bengals’ wake. I hope it works out. I will withhold most of my moaning until the players play.

Guard double-dip complete.

This could be viewed as a direct response to Lamar Jackson.

Pittsburgh took Jack Sawyer. I have a feeling that's going to work well for them.

Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson Sure, okay

I think this is easily my favorite of the first three picks. Fairchild’s resume as a pass blocker is expansive and impressive, and he was still plenty decent in the run game.

I swear they use this phrasing on purpose.

Assessment of the first three rounds: Positions selected — beautiful Players selected — eeeeehhhhhhhhh Could be worse.

If you want a guard, take Ratledge when he’s there. Such goofy process. Whatever, it was a dire need. I hope Fairchild has it.

Based upon everything I know about this player [nothing], I am absolutely and utterly whelmed. I am whelmed completely out of my ass. I can hardly bear to be so whelmed, oh my God, whelm me daddy, yes right there, mmmmmmmmm (I am fine with the pick, I guess. The defense sucks. He plays defense. Cool.)

The Watts prophecy just feels inevitable. Sanders gone

Shough before Sanders is great comedy.

Best prospects already evaporating! Woohoo!

You can definitely argue that Jaguars got one player for the price of two. I was never thrilled with the Travis Hunter hype. I think his two-way ability dramatically inflated his perceived value. He needs to be elite on one side or the other to be worthy of what the Jags paid to get him. If he is a "solid" or "above average" receiver and/or corner, that's not good enough. I've heard a lot of "being average at two positions is like being good at one position", and I think that's just completely wrong.

I expect nothing, but I’ll be happy to be proven wrong. I resist the tendency to talk myself into things if it feels like coping. Regardless, they have a plan and a vision, so we’ll see what happens. No point in screaming yet. I’ll let him play.

Emmanwori is probably my favorite there, though I’d be very surprised if he makes it to 49. Otherwise I’ll be reasonably easy to please this time. Ratledge, Winston, Johnson, Sanders, and Savaniiaea might round out my six. I will quietly hope it’s not Mike Green. He’s probably a good player, but I don’t want to root for that.

I foresee Watts.

Ravens take Starks. BAL and PIT draft good defenders, and we draft... well, we draft.

As usual, Steelers get someone I wanted.