2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[Boltjolt]

I get it and fully understand. If it wasn’t for those 2 WR’s, I would be right there with you. In fact if they trade back some, I would prefer Brock over the OLine and Arnold.
Congratulations on the success of the board and I pray you have many more to come. It’s a great place to come and talk football.

I will say that Tom actually came to dislike a lot of the Erhardt-Perkins offensive scheme as it became outdated and he couldn’t stand that Bill refused to add Premium talent to the Receiver core. Nothing against Jules but he passed to him a lot by the design of that outdated offense. That’s why the one game he had AB in New England he forgot Jules was running routes that game in Miami.

A quick did you know. Since Randy Moss and that record breaking 2007 season. The New England Patriots have not had an “X” receiver gain 1,000 yards in a season. Brandon LaFell came the closest with 953 in 2014. That system is designed to feature the slot receiver, TE down the seams and 3rd down backs swinging out of the back field.

This was what happened in Vegas with Carr and McDaniels. McDaniels wanted Carr to throw more to Renfrow in the slot and Carr continued to throw to Adams who was his college buddy but actually the best receiver in the game. Carr refused and McDaniels gets rid of him and brings in Garoppolo and slot receiver from New England Jakobi Myers. When Garoppolo is in Myers gets more targets a game then Adams (After Adams had a 1500 yard season mind you). This starts the down fall of the arrogant boy wonder. Garropollo gets hurt and McDaniels gets fired. That’s why the cigars came out.

Sorry so long but I can talk schematics for hours.

Sounds kinda odd though.
Adams and Carr were college teammates at Fresno but the year before Adams got there, Renfrow had 103 receptions (on 128 targets for 80.5% catch rate) and Carr was asked why he threw to Renfrow so much and he said "because he is always open".

I would think Adams would just be another weapon and Carr wouldn't be stupid enough to not use both.
Refrow looks like a grocery store clerk but imo he has great hands and body control and runs good routes. Just not real fast....or big. He is currently a FA.

[Fleet 1]

I get it and fully understand. If it wasn’t for those 2 WR’s, I would be right there with you. In fact if they trade back some, I would prefer Brock over the OLine and Arnold.
Congratulations on the success of the board and I pray you have many more to come. It’s a great place to come and talk football.

I will say that Tom actually came to dislike a lot of the Erhardt-Perkins offensive scheme as it became outdated and he couldn’t stand that Bill refused to add Premium talent to the Receiver core. Nothing against Jules but he passed to him a lot by the design of that outdated offense. That’s why the one game he had AB in New England he forgot Jules was running routes that game in Miami.

A quick did you know. Since Randy Moss and that record breaking 2007 season. The New England Patriots have not had an “X” receiver gain 1,000 yards in a season. Brandon LaFell came the closest with 953 in 2014. That system is designed to feature the slot receiver, TE down the seams and 3rd down backs swinging out of the back field.

This was what happened in Vegas with Carr and McDaniels. McDaniels wanted Carr to throw more to Renfrow in the slot and Carr continued to throw to Adams who was his college buddy but actually the best receiver in the game. Carr refused and McDaniels gets rid of him and brings in Garoppolo and slot receiver from New England Jakobi Myers. When Garoppolo is in Myers gets more targets a game then Adams (After Adams had a 1500 yard season mind you). This starts the down fall of the arrogant boy wonder. Garropollo gets hurt and McDaniels gets fired. That’s why the cigars came out.

Sorry so long but I can talk schematics for hours.

Thanks and i think we are headed for a lot of that 3rd paragraph personally. I guess time will tell. I am excited to see what these new schemes look like. We are sort of just going off past stuff with Roman and Harbaugh. Maybe they are evolving and creating something totally new to compliment the style of QB we have. I do expect way more designed runs for Herbs this season.

Yeah i prefer to trade back and grab Bowers as well. And i do feel like 6 is still maybe a little high. But i dont think he is there at 11. So if you trade with the Vikes you probably need to move back up. Giants were really the only team i could conceive a trade with for a QB...and still get another high pick to get the WR. Im trying to find a way to get Bowers and a WR in my initial trade back. With no trade and we stay at 5? I just assume draft the WR. Not sold on the TE class outside of Bowers. Sanders is solid but i might lean OL in the 2nd. Im trying to get Bowers/WR/OT in most of these Giants trade mocks. I just want to get the offense settled and let Justin gel with it.

WR1 Nabers
WR2 QJ
TE1 Dissly
TE2 Hurst

or

WR1 QJ
WR2 Mitchell
TE1 Bowers
TE2 Dissly

If we are in 12 more often than not i really prefer that 2nd grouping. I just think its balanced and sexy as hell. lol

[SuperChargedRodney37]

Sounds kinda odd though.
Adams and Carr were college teammates at Fresno but the year before Adams got there, Renfrow had 103 receptions (on 128 targets for 80.5% catch rate) and Carr was asked why he threw to Renfrow so much and he said "because he is always open".

I would think Adams would just be another weapon and Carr wouldn't be stupid enough to not use both.
Refrow looks like a grocery store clerk but imo he has great hands and body control and runs good routes. Just not real fast....or big. He is currently a FA.

Correct, Renfrow was killing people under neath out of the slot while Waller cleared the path. However, they had no explosiveness and became a dink and dunk offense. That’s why they got Adams. Get more explosive and open the run game for Jacobs. I’m not sure why Renfrow fell off with McDaniels because that offense should have featured him in the slot.

i would take a look at him as a cheaper alternative to Boyd if they don’t draft Nabers. If they draft Nabers then MVS makes a lot of sense as a field stretching X.
i would also take a look if they drafted MHJ.

[Fleet 1]

[DerwinBosa]

This is definitely possible but much more difficult than it seems.
Since the 2019 draft there have been 30 Receivers drafted in Round 2. Only 9 have hit as a success. That’s only a 30% hit rate.
In that same timeframe, there have been 5 Receivers drafted inside the Top-10. All 5 have succeeded for a hit rate of 100%

I choose to start in 2019 to make it more fair because that was the AJ Brown, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf draft where they were all 2nd rounders.
Also, if we take the predicted Top-10 Receivers this years. Does anyone believe baring injury of course, that the Big 3 of MHJ, Nabers, Odunze won’t be a success?
If they live up to the billing, that would be 8 for 8.

That’s why it’s going to be very difficult for this team to pass up MHJ or Nabers at #5 (IMHO).

I don't believe Nabers is a good match for our offense or with Harbaugh. If you put Nabers with the Giants (Daniel Jones), I believe it's a disaster waiting to happen. Same if he goes to Tennessee. I don't see him succeeding unless he has a top ten quarterback (which we have) and an offense that is best suited for his skills (which we don't have). I think Harrison and Odunze can play anywhere.

While the five receivers you referenced (Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Drake London, and Garrett Wilson) are very good-to-great, the Dolphins and Eagles passed on better players at more important positions to take Waddle and Smith. The Dolphins passed on Penei Sewell, Patrick Surtain, Micah Parsons, and Rashawn Slater. The Eagles passed on Parsons and Slater.

[SuperChargedRodney37]

Thanks and i think we are headed for a lot of that 3rd paragraph personally. I guess time will tell. I am excited to see what these new schemes look like. We are sort of just going off past stuff with Roman and Harbaugh. Maybe they are evolving and creating something totally new to compliment the style of QB we have. I do expect way more designed runs for Herbs this season.

Yeah i prefer to trade back and grab Bowers as well. And i do feel like 6 is still maybe a little high. But i dont think he is there at 11. So if you trade with the Vikes you probably need to move back up. Giants were really the only team i could conceive a trade with for a QB...and still get another high pick to get the WR. Im trying to find a way to get Bowers and a WR in my initial trade back. With no trade and we stay at 5? I just assume draft the WR. Not sold on the TE class outside of Bowers. Sanders is solid but i might lean OL in the 2nd. Im trying to get Bowers/WR/OT in most of these Giants trade mocks. I just want to get the offense settled and let Justin gel with it.

WR1 Nabers
WR2 QJ
TE1 Dissly
TE2 Hurst

or

WR1 QJ
WR2 Mitchell
TE1 Bowers
TE2 Dissly

If we are in 12 more often than not i really prefer that 2nd grouping. I just think its balanced and sexy as hell. lol

Thanks for the conversation Fleet.
I absolutely feel this offense with evolve into more passing than expected. Marcus Brady is a good mind but I think people are over looking the addition of Marc Trestman. I could honestly see him and Greg Roman having some wrestling matches to see what game plan is used because one loves to run and the other is allergic to it. 😂

Just to be clear, I don’t prefer the trade down or think it’s realistic for what they would ask for. I think the value of MHJ/Nabers is just too good with the perfect timing for them to reset the position as a whole at a premium discount. However, if they did get what they want and trade down. I would prefer Bowers and Graham Barton assuming the Vikings. I don’t see a 1st round grade on any other receiver outside the big 3 and Barton can play all 3 line positions.

Bowers at TE laps the field multiple times and I wouldn’t touch Sanders with a 10 foot pole. I think they could go TE on day 3 for a developmental guy they can bring along slowly.

[SuperChargedRodney37]

I don't believe Nabers is a good match for our offense or with Harbaugh. If you put Nabers with the Giants (Daniel Jones), I believe it's a disaster waiting to happen. Same if he goes to Tennessee. I don't see him succeeding unless he has a top ten quarterback (which we have) and an offense that is best suited for his skills (which we don't have). I think Harrison and Odunze can play anywhere.

While the five receivers you referenced (Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Drake London, and Garrett Wilson) are very good-to-great, the Dolphins and Eagles passed on better players at more important positions to take Waddle and Smith. The Dolphins passed on Penei Sewell, Patrick Surtain, Micah Parsons, and Rashawn Slater. The Eagles passed on Parsons and Slater.

Hello Derwin,
I will just say this again that people will be surprised at their thoughts on Nabers. Based on your statement, you would be one of them. I really like Odunze as well but they have him 3rd out of the 3. You are really selling low on Nabers skills and more importantly Nabers attitude toward football and willingness to be “vicious” on the field.

What you’re talking about when it comes to those 5 WR’s is a different discussion entirely and not the point of what I was sharing to Fleet. You’re focusing your attention on the other players that were drafted in and around those players in that draft (mostly the 2021 draft) and judging whether you think those picks were wasted based on your opinion of those others players. The problem with that exercise is you’re not taking into account how those teams were constructed at the time and what phase of their building process they were in. To say Parsons or Slater were better for the Eagles at that time without taking into consideration their roster construction is a hard argument my friend.

The point of why I posted the information was to show the odds are greatly stacked against you if you’re looking at getting a WR1 outside the Top-10. This is because it’s a Premium Position. If you really want to be technical, 2 or those 5 WR’s have already played a big role in their teams making a Super Bowl since they were drafted.

This is about the Premium position of WR1 versus just a WR. Not about the other Premium positions of (QB/Edge,LT,CB1).
Not trying to be rude with you so please don’t take it that way. You just can’t get more guaranteed on the hit rate than 100% though.

[blueman]

I think it's because if we DON'T draft Bowers, we'll be moaning about it for YEARS...

Brees sucks.

I’m sorry, what were you saying?

[blueman]

So every play on that vid, he’s got at least one WR further downfield, usually two, sometimes three. And that’s a helluva lot of missed/broken tackles, not gonna see near that from NFL starters. I’ll say it again (so critty doesn’t have to), BB won’t have the impact we’re seeing in his college game in the pros - certainly not on the Chargers, who’s going deep for him to clear out the traffic underneath when he’s the fastest guy out there lol? I just think you need more than we currently have to scheme him into positive plays, but that’s just me. Rather have one of the top 3 WR, or OL with that top pick (wherever it is after trading back lol).

[Lone Bolt]

I did not know this would be an essay final exam.

Soon, the woodMock v5 will appear.
With minimal comment.
If you don't understand yet--you never would anyhow.

The gauntlet has been thrown.
Post your very finest mock within a matter of days.
Or you will be laughed right out of the arena of football ideas.

Ok...Ill get to work...but lets go apples to apples here for the last dance...what kinda mock?

What I think they WILL do?
What I think they SHOULD do?
What I would LOVE for them to do?

Also...trade or no trade?

Lemme know....

[DerwinBosa]

What some scout and executives are saying about the offensive line prospects in this Bob McGinn article for Go Long:

This is regarded as a good to outstanding year for tackles. Last year, Ohio State’s Paris Johnson was the first to be picked when he went No. 6 to Arizona. When 16 scouts were asked how many of this year’s tackles were better prospects than Johnson, the average of their responses was 3.3.

Twelve players received mention in a poll of those 16 personnel men asking to name their six best offensive linemen regardless of position. Six points were awarded for a first-place vote, five for second and so on.

Joe Alt led with nine first-place votes and 87 points. Following, in order, were JC Latham (58, two), Troy Fautanu (47), Taliese Fuaga (45, two), Olu Fashanu (44, three), Jackson Powers-Johnson (18), Amarius Mims (17), Tyler Guyton (eight), Graham Barton (seven), Jordan Morgan (three), Blake Fisher (one) and Christian Haynes (one).

“Depth-wise, it’s pretty good for the first couple rounds,” a seasoned scout said in reference to the tackles. “Classically speaking, compared to Walter Jones and Jonathan Ogden and Tony Boselli, no, but we’re in a different era of the game. This is the best of what college football has to offer.”

1. JOE ALT, Notre Dame (6-8 ½, 321, 5.07, 1): His father, Jon, was 6-7, 270 out of Iowa when Kansas City drafted him No. 21 as a left tackle in 1984. His 13-year career with the Chiefs included two Pro Bowls. “He’s just like his dad,” a veteran scout said. “Natural left tackle, just smooth like his dad was. I imagine he worked with his dad because his pass technique is just exceptional and he has great pass level as a run blocker.” Played some tight end as a true freshman in 2021 before moving to LT and starting the final 33 games of his career. “He bends like a 6-4 guy,” another scout said. “He’s got immediate leverage on the outside rusher. He has real long arms (34 1/4 inches) and uses them to punch and push the speed rusher wider. He can pick up stunts and pass the rusher off to the inside. Really good quickness out of his stance. This guy bends his knees. You can’t get any better than this.” Worked out exceptionally well. Recorded the best short shuttle (4.51) and 3-cone (7.31) of the tackles. “He’s a nice player, don’t get me wrong,” a third scout said. “But I’ve seen a lot of tackles over the years I think were as good if not better than him. But if you look over the last number of years (there are) not many (great) ones.” Hands were 10 inches. Said a fourth scout: “I just don’t like anybody that tall. But he’s got ridiculous makeup, ridiculous pedigree. He’s steady and sturdy. Knows how to play. There’s going to be times where he's going to get his ass rocked back because he’s 6-8. He’s probably the most consistent guy in the draft. He’s better than (Mike) McGlinchy, and he’s wired way better than McGlinchy. He’s got mental stamina, which is huge for the position. He’ll be maybe a Pro Bowl-level tackle but I don’t think he’ll be an All-Pro guy because he’s just going to have some innate issues the way he’s built.” From North Oaks, Minn.

2. JC LATHAM, Alabama (6-5 ½, 343, no 40, 1): Mississippi-born, he played two years of high-school ball in suburban Milwaukee before finishing with two years at IMG Academy (Fla.) “Sort of well-traveled,” one scout said. “He’s still very young (turned 21 in February). He’s got a big upside in what he can be over the next two, three years. He’s such a huge, powerful person. He’s only played right tackle but I think he could play some left tackle. He could be a guard.” Third-year junior, two-year starter at RT. “Has a physical skill set to be a Pro Bowl guard or Pro Bowl tackle,” a second scout said. “Has lateral agility, exceptional power and size to move people in the run game. Needs to be more consistent as a tackle in the passing game. With bumpers inside as a guard he should shut anybody down. He’s more destructive as a run blocker than (Taliese) Fuaga, but not as consistent.” Josaiah Stewart (6-1, 245), Michigan’s lean edge rusher, went right through Latham to foil a two-point conversion run to end the game and hand the Crimson Tide a CFP semifinal defeat. “Here’s a 340-pound dude that’s athletic as can be and built like a damn house and the little guy, No. 5 (Stewart), runs him over,” a third scout said. “That’s the kind of guy he is. I’ve never seen a guy just stand and watch plays as much as this guy. I wasn’t crazy about the guy from there a couple years ago, Evan Neal, and he turned out to be a disappointment. He’s kind of cut from the same cloth. They tease you a little bit but ultimately you wonder, ‘Does this guy like football? Does he really want to be out there?’ He flashes some Pro Bowl stuff and then some stuff you really don’t want him on your team.” Arms were 35 1/8, hands were 11. “He’s got more ability than Paris (Johnson) but Paris was much more instinctive and aware, which is a huge, huge deal,” said a fourth scout. “What worries me a little bit is if you play him inside because when he struggles it’s (against) games and second-level defenders. There seems to be a lot of confusion there. With Latham, when it’s me and you the end, he doesn’t lose. All his (problems) come on twists, games, stunts, movement.” From Oak Creek, Wis.

3. TALIESE FUAGA, Oregon State (6-5 ½, 326, 5.16, 1): Fourth-year junior, two-year starter. “I don’t know if he’ll be great but he’ll be good,” said one scout. “He really jumped up this year, probably more than anybody I saw. He was a backup until (2022) and this year he really improved his game. He’s physical, he’s strong. He’ll be a solid starting right tackle in the league and play for a long time.” Redshirted in 2020, backed up in ’21 and started at RT for two years. “Smart, aggressive, tough, more than enough athleticism,” said a second scout. “Willing to finish. Hard to get around. Very, very passionate about the game, which you appreciate.” Arms were 33 1/8, hands were 10 1/8. “He is the true, prototypical right tackle,” said a third scout. “Like in the old school. Better run blocker. Maybe a little stiffer and not as athletic as a pass protector. But he’s tough. He’s got range. Played well with his hands. I don’t think there’s much bust potential with him at all.” From Tacoma, Wash. “I kept trying to like him,” a fourth scout said. “He’s a solid right tackle only. Not really light on his feet. Kind of gets in the way. You need feet to control and sustain. If he’s got to adjust to sustain I don’t really see that.”

4. OLU FASHANU, Penn State (6-6, 312, 5.10, 1): Redshirted in 2020, backed up Rasheed Walker in 2021 and started at LT in 2022-’23. “He reminds me a ton of Germain Ifedi,” one scout said. “It’s more robotic mechanically than it is athletic. Which isn’t fatal because he’s so big, so long. When I watched him go against good pass rushers, especially the Ohio State game, there was a little more concern. I thought he was more bottom half of the first round than the top half.” His hands were a position-low 8 ½. “What’s happening in every (draft) room is if you like the tape and the person you’ll dig up everything you can for why it’ll be OK,” the scout said. “If you want to lower him on your board and you’re not sure about him and there’s other guys you have more conviction on it’s going to be, ‘OK, name me a tackle with less than 9-inch hands?’ No one’s going to be able to do it and they’ll move on to another guy.” His arms were 34 inches, which ranked seventh among the top 10 tackles. “My big concern is durability,” a second scout said. “He’s been hurt every year. He’s been hurt through the (spring). Great kid. He’s competitive. He wants to do well. He’s probably not the elite left tackle athlete initially I thought I was looking at. In a perfect world, he’s probably more of a right tackle because he is very strong. He’s stout. If he gets his hands on you, you ain’t moving. His anchor pass pro is really good.” From Waldorf, Md. “He’s got similarities to Ikem Ekwonu coming out of NC State (in 2022),” said a third scout. “I just don’t think that translates well against elite pass rushers. I thought Ekwonu was going to be a bust but he’s turned into a serviceable guy (for the Panthers).”

5. AMARIUS MIMS, Georgia (6-7 ½, 344, 5.08, 1): Classic boom or bust. “You might have a first team All-Pro in three years or the tackle from Georgia (Isaiah Wilson, No. 29 overall pick, 2020) that Tennessee took that never stepped on the field,” one scout said. “Four years from now, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s the best of the whole group. His talent is stupid. Talent-wise, he’s the second best behind Latham. But I don’t know the depth of the makeup.” From tiny Cochran, Ga. “He’s a little bit squirrely but somebody’s taking a shot on the guy,” a second scout said. “He may be the biggest bust. He’s so f--king talented but there are so many (questions). He’s only started how many games? That ain’t very many. That scares the f--k out of me.” Played nine games as a true freshman backup in 2021 and promptly entered the transfer portal. Removed his name after 10 days, started two games at RT in ’22 and then six in ’23 before suffering an season-ending ankle injury. “Here’s the enigma of the draft for me,” a third scout said. “How much trust can you have in him? Mekhi (Becton) definitely had more experience and was definitely more polished and had more power and finish. He was playing left tackle in college. I would have Mekhi higher than him.” Arms were 36 1/8, hands a position-largest 11 1/4. “Mims is absurd, the talent that he has,” said a fourth scout. “But you’re kind of throwing the dice. Really neat kid. Nice, friendly, well-spoken, intelligent. You could really hit on this guy.”

6. TYLER GUYTON, Oklahoma (6-7 ½, 330, 5.21, 1-2): Fourth-year junior. “If you watch the Florida State game he actually dominated (Jared) Verse,” one scout said. “He kicked his ass. Absolutely dominated him. But he only steps up for big games. He went down to the Senior Bowl and stepped up. Thing is, once he gets comfortable, once he gets complacent, he’s gonna shut it down a little bit it looks like. In the National Football League you have to step up to the challenge every week. He may be the biggest bust. He’s an athletic freak but he’s just a mental midget.” After two backup seasons at TCU, he made 14 of his 15 starts for the Sooners at RT. “Thing that pisses you off about him is he’s so dang inconsistent with his hand placement,” a second scout said. “He gets beat by guys he has no business losing to. In the run game, his temperament and finish are very inconsistent. He can do it. He just has to set his mind to it. But when he does he can get push and movement off the line of scrimmage. He can pull and get to the second level. It’s just a matter of (improving) character-wise to reach the next level.” Arms were 34 1/8, hands were 10 ¼. His vertical jump of 34 ½ inches led the top 20 tackles. “He’s talented but there’s some unknowns based on what you see on film,” a third scout said. “His technique just isn’t very good. Definitely a finesse style, but he can be a starting left tackle. Not a bad kid. You could really hit on him if you’re comfortable with the makeup.” From Manor, Texas.

1. TROY FAUTANU, Washington (6-3 ½, 320, 5.04, 1): Fifth-year senior. “He may be the best pure athlete of the whole group,” one scout said. “I think he’ll end up being a guard because he’s so quick and mobile. He doesn’t have the height or arm length you want for left tackle but he can play left tackle. I thought he was a dominant player. Only negative I had is he’ll be 24 (in October). I think he’s going to be a great guard.” Redshirted in 2019 and started merely three of 13 games in 2020-’21. Starting LT the past two years. “I don’t doubt that he can’t play tackle but he'll be a really good guard,” a second scout said. “Athletic, quick, competitive. Really good kid. He can be inconsistent with his technique at times. He can lunge at times. But there’s no glaring holes.” Arms were 34 ½, hands wee 9 ½. “Not an ounce of fat on him,” a third scout said. “I really, really like the athlete. I could see him playing left tackle because his pass pro is unreal. Plus, he’s got some prick in him. (Taliese) Fuaga played hard; he’s just not as mean as this guy. The combination of mean and athletic usually doesn’t happen. Usually you’re asking for one or the other. Of the top guys, he has the best feet.” From Henderson, Nev.

2. GRAHAM BARTON, Duke (6-5 ½, 311, 5.03, 1-2): It’s possible scouts went back and watched more 2020 tape of Barton than any other prospect. That’s because he started five games there as a true freshman before starting 34 games at LT from 2021-’23. “He did a lot of center work at pro day and it looked like he’d been doing it the entire season,” said one scout. “He’s going to be a really, really good player for a long time. His rocket is ascending. Exceptional makeup. Super smart, very self-aware.” With arm length of 32 7/8, playing tackle in the NFL probably is out of the picture. Some teams project him to center whereas others have him at guard. “I don’t know why you’d want to put a guy that’s 6-5 at center,” a second scout said. “He can play guard because he can pull and trap and get to the second level. But at center, the guy’s 6-5, I don’t think he'd have a chance. Those (short) nose tackles will always have leverage on him. I just wish he was more physical. As the season progressed he started getting pushed around.” A third scout compared him to the Titans’ Peter Skoronski, who was the 11^th pick in 2023. “Skoronski had a little more power but I thought Graham’s movement and overall agility was better,” he said. “He’s longer than Cody Whitehair when he had to make the move from left tackle to interior player for the Bears. I think he’s better than Cody Whitehair. Duke is not one of those schools that comes to mind if you going to run Power-O all day long but Barton shows some finish.” From Brentwood, Tenn.

3. CHRISTIAN HAYNES, Connecticut (6-2 ½, 320, 5.06, 2-3): Played hard consistently for bad teams from 2018-’19 and, post-Covid, from 2021-’23. “Probably my favorite player in the draft,” one scout said. “Against Tennessee (Nov. 4) he was fighting every damn play. I’ve never seen a guy fight more people that he did in that game. That was just impressive. You just don’t see people just block and play to the whistle and after the whistle like this guy anymore. He’s just an old-school, tough, nasty guy. He is explosive. He can jolt guys at the line of scrimmage. He can really run and pull and adjust. In pass pro he can slide, change directions. He holds a little bit too much but that’s just his over-exuberance. I just love his attitude. You take him, you’ve got a starter and a really good player.” Started 49 games, all at RG. “My biggest issue with him is the way he looks,” another scout said. “He looks like an old man body-wise. He’s not a pretty picture. He just does not have good genetics. But, he’s a good football player. He’s got a little bit of stiffness. He’s a good win-with but for added value you’re projecting him as a center, which he’s only ever done in practice. I think he can do it.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 9. From Bowie, Md.

4. COOPER BEEBE, Kansas State (6-3, 322, 5.00, 2-3): Fifth-year senior, four-year starter. “Just a huge upper-body brawler,” one scout said. “Slow feet, limited athlete. No bend. Top-heavy dude. Smart, technique-sound tough guy but very limited as an athlete.” Started games at three positions: 26 at LG, 13 at LT and nine at RT. “Old-time offensive lineman mentality,” a second scout said. “Mauler. Nasty. Not as athletic as some of the others. He can short set in pass pro but if you ask him to play in space he’s got some problems. He’s a guard. I liked him much more last year (2022). Not as quick or mobile (in 2023).” Arms were just 31 1/2, hands were 9 ¼. “Short arms, like 30 some percent body fat,” said a second scout. “Not a really impressive athlete. He is a tough guy, I’m not going to take that away from him. He can move a defender in the run game. He’s similar to Will Hernandez. Hernandez didn’t look bad, though. He was just short.” From Kansas City, Kan.

1. JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON, Oregon (6-3 ½, 326, no 40, 1-2): Two offensive linemen in this draft refused to run the 40 both at the combine and their pro days: JC Latham and Powers-Johnson. “We didn’t really like the makeup,” said one scout. “Arrogant. Not your typical offensive lineman mentality.” Made two starts on offense as a true freshman and just one in 2022 before becoming a starter and capturing the Rimington Award as the nation’s leading center in 2023. “He’s ready made,” a second scout said. “Throw him in there and he’ll go to the Pro Bowl. He’ll kick people’s ass. Powers has played guard, center and tackle but he looks like a natural center.” Arms were 32 ¼, hands were 9 7/8. “He’s going to get overdrafted,” a third scout said. “This is all based on five reps at the Senior Bowl. He looked good in the one on one’s and people got all excited. I don’t think he’s going to cut it at the end of the day. This kid is a little bit of a head case. Guy rolls up on him, he goes on the ground. They cart him off and 10 minutes later he’s back on the field. He’s the boy that cries wolf. I didn’t think he fit the wide zone for teams that are running that scheme. He’s a big mauler up top. How many times did he snap, move, get into the guy, finish the block in a good, clean bounce? Not many. It’s all really rough around the edges.” A fourth scout called him “quirky,” adding, “So when teams interviewed him it kind of depends how he came off. Not a bad kid or anything, just kind of a different kid.” From Draper, Utah. “Everybody tries to kill him because of certain things but he plays football the way it’s supposed to be played: tough,” a fifth scout said. “He’s a prick. So what? Can’t you be a prick? Who cares? He’s playing for your team. Everybody tries to kill him on his makeup. His makeup isn’t that bad.” Just turned 21 in January. “That combination of strength, movement, grit and toughness, there’s zero chance you miss on that guy,” a sixth scout said. “Is he a little out of control, a little spazzy at times? He only played center one year. Is he really a center between the ears, which is a huge part of it? Can he run the huddles, identify the mike? Can he correct mistakes and tell the guards what to do? I don’t know, but a center like that is gold to me.”

2. ZACH FRAZIER, West Virginia (6-2 ½, 315, 5.25, 2-3): Four-time state heavyweight wrestling champion in West Virginia. “You can see that in his game,” one scout said. “He’s not a super explosive guy as much as he just gets into players and uses his hands and his leverage to work them left to right. He’s going to be a value pick. He’s in that Ben Jones, David Andrews, Tyler Biadasz world.” Started at LG in 2020 and at center for the last three years. “He’s definitely Creed Humphrey,” a second scout said. “He was a high-school wrestler, too. Creed wasn’t an elite athlete. He’s just really efficient and his balance was awesome. That’s what this guy does. Just gets the job done. He’s a good enough athlete. Just gets in the way and blocks people. That’s what Creed does. (Tyler) Linderbaum was more athletic and more dynamic.” Arms were 32 1/4, hands were a position-leading 10 7/8. “He doesn’t do anything for me,” said a third scout. “He’s short-armed and not a big guy. He’s a center only. He was just a very average guard. He was a good player but I struggle translating it to the next level.” From Fairmont, W.Va.

3. DOMINICK PUNI, Kansas (6-5, 317, 5.40, 3): Spent 2018-’21 at Division II Central Missouri, starting 22 games at both tackles in the three seasons that the Mules played. “He’s a four-positional player,” said one scout. “He is a right tackle. He’s not a left tackle. He can play guard and tackle at a backup level and may grow into a starting center. Maybe center is his best position. I like his temperament.” At Kansas, he started 13 games at LG in 2022 and 12 games at LT in ’23. “He’s a smooth, smooth athlete,” a second scout said. “Much better pass blocker than run blocker. He kind of plays like Division II: ‘Am I good enough?’ I said he’s got talent, let’s go! He’ll flash movement, change of direction and adjust in pass pro. You’re, like, ‘All right, this guy can be really good.’ He’s just got to get it out of him. I’d try him at left tackle. When he’s on with his movement and natural athletic ability, he does some really nice things at left tackle.” Arms were 33 3/8, hands were 10 1/8. “You love his size and his length and his strength,” a third scout said. “Has some real foot speed limitations. More of a gap scheme guy. Wouldn’t be a great fit for outside zone scheme.” From St. Charles, Mo.

4. SEDRICK VAN PRAN-GRANGER, Georgia (6-4, 301, 5.19, 4): Started 44 straight games as a two-time national champion and two-time captain. “He played a long time; you can’t overlook those guys,” one scout said. “Smart as shit and he’s a great kid. He could be a starter.” Didn’t run well and his arms measured 31 3/8, the shortest of the top 12 centers. “Loved his wiring and makeup, his size, his strength,” a second scout said. “Foot speed and overall athletic ability have some limitations. He’s a little tight in the hips and gets off balance at times. His arm length caused a little bit of (concern) just being matched up in pass pro. I think he’s gonna start in Year 1. His makeup is true starter. He’s a leader. He’s exactly what you want in a profile for the position.” Hands were 9 ½. “His time shocked me,” said a fourth scout. “I thought he’d be at least a 5-flat guy. He’s not a real physical player but, boy, is he quick and can get to the second level and block downfield. He needs to get stronger and be more physical.” From New Orleans.

5. TANOR BORTOLINI, Wisconsin (6-4, 300, 5.00, 4): Made a name for himself at the combine with a blazing 40 and position-leading times in the short shuttle (4.28) and 3-cone (7.16). “Really good athlete,” one scout said. “Not real physical. Just very, very smooth. His strength is just OK. He can hold up. He’s got some anchor. But he’s really good as a zone-type blocker. Real good technician.” Started at center as a senior but generally had been a starting guard in 2021-’22. “Tested well, athleticism to spare,” a second scout said. “He lacks length to sustain. Plays tough. He’s physical. The length, to me, is the issue. I see him as a center-only but he’s played other spots. His (shotgun) snaps weren’t always consistent. I could see him going in the third round. I wouldn’t go higher than the fifth.” Arms were 31 ½, hands were 10. “I’m not sure he isn’t better than Powers-Johnson,” a third scout said. “But he’s got 31 ½ arms. He’s probably a center only, but he can be a pretty good center.” From Kewaunee, Wis.

[YAC]

I've not been active here for awhile, but wanted to inject a thought.

While I'm not a fan of Brock in the top 7 of the draft for the Chargers...I do see a talent/value that no one talks about.

Brock is a treasure in open-space and down-field blocking. This is something no one thinks to consider, but can spring a play from a 12-yard gain to a scorch-earth TD. The 49ers treasure receivers and tight ends who can block, and that's usually not in-line. That's in space. Brock can do that. He has the athleticism, the gift and the WILL.

Bowers will immediately produce from day one. He'll give you 700-1000 yards per year...and he'll make his teammates better.

That all said...he won't move the needle like one of the top 3 WR in this class, IMO. I really wouldn't like BB at five, but I could see a spot for him if we trade down, and he lines up where it makes sense.