Official 2025 NFL Draft Superthread | Prospect Discussion

[Topcat]

The theory that TEs are more important than WRs is disavowed by the entire league. I’m not making the rules here, I don’t know what I can say to change the 32 teams. The reason teams will pay a CB1 upwards of $30M a year is to cover WR1s. Nobody is paying LBs $30M to cover TEs.

Follow the money, believe the actual draft picks year after year. They are not all lying, they are not all intentionally ignoring what is best for them and their team, and the theory they are all less intelligent than us TPB experts is a bit … well … likely misplaced.

We may have a solid receiving TE that can get to the 7 yard routes already on the roster. The elite TEs everyone here drools about are the ones that can regularly split the 20 yard seams for big gains. Nobody pays $40M for a 7 yard button hook TE, they pay that for WRs though.

I’m excited about a couple TEs too, but we have to at least recognize there is a real world that NFL teams live in too. Safeties cannot cover WR1s, Safeties can cover TE1s. TEs are not harder to cover. Its obvious fact, we can see it. DCs choose to risk giving up the 7 yard pattern by putting just a LB on it because if they prioritize their better DBs to defend it, they will get dissected by WR1s and some WR2s. You don’t see them putting LBs out on WR1 so they can take away those 7 yard TE routes with a Safety. Remember that infamous opening play when Mack found himself out on the boundary against Hill - he’s waving to Staley HEY BRO WTF???

Good slot receivers can get open underneath fast too, fyi. I’ve been preaching Skill#1 = GET OPEN FAST in my WR scouting. I loved Ladd pick because I saw that in him on his tape. I love Egbuke for this ability, I see it again in some of his tape. I don’t care he’s not a traditional X, of course, I could be wrong on that …

Mac, I suppose yer right about WR1's getting more $$$ than TE's...but...I was thinking that the TE's ability to get open on short routes is a slightly higher priority need for us at this point, than a WR1...especially given the need to keep Herbie healthy and our still unproven IOL at LG and C...having said that, I do want a true burner at WR out of this draft...

[dmac_bolt]

Mac, there IS one factor you need to add to your theory...a TE typically runs short to medium routes...a WR, especially an X-Wideout, typically runs medium to long routes...in order to effectively use an X receiver, you need solid pass pro...fortunately we have upgraded our RG spot with Becton...however, LG and C are still question marks...it's that 1-2 extra seconds Herbie has to hold onto the rock to progress to his X receiver that could get him sacked...on the other hand, a TE running a hot route with the heat coming will bail out Herbie frequently...of course, ideally, I'd like to have BOTH a solid receiving TE AND a solid X wideout...

The theory that TEs are more important than WRs is disavowed by the entire league. I’m not making the rules here, I don’t know what I can say to change the 32 teams. The reason teams will pay a CB1 upwards of $30M a year is to cover WR1s. Nobody is paying LBs $30M to cover TEs.

Follow the money, believe the actual draft picks year after year. They are not all lying, they are not all intentionally ignoring what is best for them and their team, and the theory they are all less intelligent than us TPB experts is a bit … well … likely misplaced.

We may have a solid receiving TE that can get to the 7 yard routes already on the roster. The elite TEs everyone here drools about are the ones that can regularly split the 20 yard seams for big gains. Nobody pays $40M for a 7 yard button hook TE, they pay that for WRs though.

I’m excited about a couple TEs too, but we have to at least recognize there is a real world that NFL teams live in too. Safeties cannot cover WR1s, Safeties can cover TE1s. TEs are not harder to cover. Its obvious fact, we can see it. DCs choose to risk giving up the 7 yard pattern by putting just a LB on it because if they prioritize their better DBs to defend it, they will get dissected by WR1s and some WR2s. You don’t see them putting LBs out on WR1 so they can take away those 7 yard TE routes with a Safety. Remember that infamous opening play when Mack found himself out on the boundary against Hill - he’s waving to Staley HEY BRO WTF???

Good slot receivers can get open underneath fast too, fyi. I’ve been preaching Skill#1 = GET OPEN FAST in my WR scouting. I loved Ladd pick because I saw that in him on his tape. I love Egbuke for this ability, I see it again in some of his tape. I don’t care he’s not a traditional X, of course, I could be wrong on that …

[dmac_bolt]

True but it might keep them from drafting one in round 1. Anyones guess.

Isn’t KC more than a little desperate for OL reinforcement? Homey can work miracles with good blocking, take it away and no receiver matters. Jmo. I’m not sure they are targeting Kelce’s replacement a year early vs OL starter now.

[charger1993]

recent mock done today
22: R1 P22 WR Matthew Golden - Texas
55: R2 P23 TE Mason Taylor - LSU
86: R3 P22 EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau - Ohio State
125: R4 P23 RB Bhayshul Tuten - Virginia Tech
158: R5 P20 DL Aeneas Peebles - Virginia Tech
181: R6 P5 CB Jason Marshall Jr. - Florida
199: R6 P23 G Luke Kandra - Cincinnati
209: R6 P33 S R.J. Mickens - Clemson
214: R6 P38 C Jake Majors - Texas
256: R7 P40 DL Zeek Biggers - Georgia Tech

[CanadianBoltFan]

I like the idea of Harmon, Nolan and Grant at 22 over Booker and Zabel. I think you can get OG later in the draft

I think 22 is a bit rich for Taylor. I would rather have Ebuka at 22 over Taylor
Today, I think its IDL will be the pick

I am sticking with Grant as my guess for 22

[Bolt4Knob]

As much as I would love an offensive weapon, DL makes a lot of sense. They need a young stud to achor the defensive line for years to come, something more than a rotation of journeymen and this is the draft to do it.

One of Grant, Harmon or Nolan makes a lot of sense and i think those 3 are better players and better value than Booker or Zabel who are 2nd rounders on some boards.

Loveland would change this equation but no I dont think Mason Taylor should be picked at 22.

I like the idea of Harmon, Nolan and Grant at 22 over Booker and Zabel. I think you can get OG later in the draft

I think 22 is a bit rich for Taylor. I would rather have Ebuka at 22 over Taylor
Today, I think its IDL will be the pick

[Topcat]

I get your thought. It seems like fans get obsessed on certain players over their own assessments, and what usually follows is they get their hearts ripped out on draft day when that player goes to another team!

I let that go a long time ago! Would be happy if we got Taylor but I would be just as happy initially if we got Terrance Ferguson in the 3rd, or Jackson Hawes later in the draft for his epic blocking ability! The odds are we won't get any of them....

I think Hawes might be there in the 6th round if we want him...

[Topcat]

I'm also going out on a limb and hereby declare that any NFL safety can cover any TE much easier than he can cover Chase. The safety is not up on the line to stop 7 yard TE curls because Chase poses a much greater danger if they do; they can't cover him if they come up within 7 yards of the LOS (most of them, at least).

Mac, there IS one factor you need to add to your theory...a TE typically runs short to medium routes...a WR, especially an X-Wideout, typically runs medium to long routes...in order to effectively use an X receiver, you need solid pass pro...fortunately we have upgraded our RG spot with Becton...however, LG and C are still question marks...it's that 1-2 extra seconds Herbie has to hold onto the rock to progress to his X receiver that could get him sacked...on the other hand, a TE running a hot route with the heat coming will bail out Herbie frequently...of course, ideally, I'd like to have BOTH a solid receiving TE AND a solid X wideout...