2026 Draft

[Harry]

I guess I don't understand your point. The idea with drafting Mauigoa at 3 is to get a RT. People are saying it is safe because his skill set also projects very to OG which means if he doesn't work out at RT, you can kick him inside to OG.

It's the Leonard Davis thinking. (Similar to Will Campbell, Rashawn Slater, Justin Pugh, Fuaga, Wirfs, Wills, Riley Reiff, Bryan Bulaga, Fautanu, Brandon Scherff)

The majority of people I read & talk with think he stays outside. Some others see him as more of a mauler who doesn’t pull well or make second level blocks. I think he’s okay at RT. I don’t know if he could move to LT. I also don’t think he’s dramatically better than Fano. I believe a few guys, like Proctor, would be okay at RT.

 

[oaken1]

Wouldn’t that make sense for our scout to be that guy if those players would propel them into a top 5 defense?

i DONT THINK THEY WOULD.
bUT EVERY DRAFT SOME SCOUT FALLS IN LOVE WITH SOME PLAYER AND JUMPS ON THE TABLE TO GET HIS gm TO DRAFT THE KID.
DOESNT MEAN THE KID ACTUALLY EXISTS IN THIS DRAFT. jUST THAT SOMEONE IS BOUND TO THINK SO.

 

[Chopper0080]

Yeah, and what happened with Leonard Davis? Refused to play at G and left to do so in Dallas.

It's the #3 pick. If you aren't certain he can play the position you're drafting him for, why draft him at #3 overall?

It's funny that you are making this argument as you are one of the posters who bristles at always and never...essentially arguing using absolutes. Teams are as certain as they can be which is why they would take him in the top 10, but they recognize there are no absolutes to the draft and so also value some security.

 

[Chopper0080]

The majority of people I read & talk with think he stays outside. Some others see him as more of a mauler who doesn’t pull well or make second level blocks. I think he’s okay at RT. I don’t know if he could move to LT. I also don’t think he’s dramatically better than Fano. I believe a few guys, like Proctor, would be okay at RT.

I think Mauigoa is going to be a fine RT. I don't see a need to move him to LT. I think he can also lose weight if he struggles to block in space for a stretch zone team. I like that he has three years of starts at 20 years of age. I like that I have zero concerns about him holding up vs power as a rookie. I have a few more questions about Fano which is why I like Mauigoa over him.

One thing I have begun to value a bit more of OL guys being able to move defensive players. I think Mauigoa can move guys and anchor vs a bull rush which are two things that help young OTs.

 

[Card'em]

Many are projecting Mauigoa as an outstanding guard prospect. This gives him a very high floor as a guard, and a high ceiling as either a guard or tackle. I like the odds.

 

[Chopper0080]

Many are projecting Mauigoa as an outstanding guard prospect. This gives him a very high floor as a guard, and a high ceiling as either a guard or tackle. I like the odds.

If I didn't think he was going to stick at RT, I wouldn't have him as an option at 3 or in the top 10. That's where I differ.

 

[Stout]

It's funny that you are making this argument as you are one of the posters who bristles at always and never...essentially arguing using absolutes. Teams are as certain as they can be which is why they would take him in the top 10, but they recognize there are no absolutes to the draft and so also value some security.

Fair point.

 

[D-Dogg]

My dream draft would be the Miami offensive tackle at 3….Simpson at 34 and Coleman the Washington runner at 65….

I just hate a RT at 3. That's crazy work.

 

[TJ]

I wouldn’t touch Tyson in the first round. Probably has the biggest bust potential of all projected first rounders

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

I wouldn’t touch Tyson in the first round. Probably has the biggest bust potential of all projected first rounders

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

His talent is unquestionable. His injuries are a massive concern, however

 

[TJ]

His talent is unquestionable. His injuries are a massive concern, however

Talented, yes. But I never saw surefire first round talent when I watched him. That and his injuries should push him to the second day of the draft

 

[oaken1]

It's funny that you are making this argument as you are one of the posters who bristles at always and never...essentially arguing using absolutes. Teams are as certain as they can be which is why they would take him in the top 10, but they recognize there are no absolutes to the draft and so also value some security.

As for the absolutes.... then drafting a RT @ 3 is a serious no-no, lol...

In all areas of life I live in the grey...I'm pretty damn sure gravity means I ain't gonna float off the planet if I jump with all my strength... way damn sure... but why take chances??

You don't take a Center @3...but suddenly we got a 15 time all pro that lead blocks the sneak for a six yard average and plays every single snap of a 17 year career while motivating, pushing, and leading his line mates into a perpetual top 3 ranking...
Damn....maybe taking a center at 3 ain't so bad.....

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Don’t understand how you or others say this draft is weak, but then expect a team to trade up in the same draft.

To be fair, I don’t think anyone is “expecting” anything. “Wanting” isn’t expecting.

And all it takes is one team to want to trade up. A lot of posters don’t want to take a rb or safety at 3. But it seems pretty broadly acknowledged that downs and love are top talents. There are clearly teams that are willing to draft RBs in the top 10 still. If a team thinks love is their guy, voila there’s a trade partner.

 

[daves]

My fear is that Monti and his scout team can't make up their minds so they trade down and then let others choose first leaving us with the left overs.

... and additional picks.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Talented, yes. But I never saw surefire first round talent when I watched him.

Hard to see through your wildcat tinted glasses. Tyson is a stud.

 

[football karma]

I just hate a RT at 3. That's crazy work.

In this draft, I would be ok with RT at three -- but he better be Tristan Wirfs or even Armand Membou

Mauigoa isnt close to either of those guys

put in a different perspective: David Bailey isnt the prospect Will Anderson was, but he is way closer to Anderson than Mauigoa is to Membou

 

[TJ]

Hard to see through your wildcat tinted glasses. Tyson is a stud.

Definitely gonna be studly on that IR

 

[Harry]

I wouldn’t touch Tyson in the first round. Probably has the biggest bust potential of all projected first rounders

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

In the past this has often been the case of guys with speed concerns

 

[Harry]

I just hate a RT at 3. That's crazy work.

I endorse this thought but if they can’t trade the pick it’s a reasonable option

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I guess I don't understand your point. The idea with drafting Mauigoa at 3 is to get a RT. People are saying it is safe because his skill set also projects very to OG which means if he doesn't work out at RT, you can kick him inside to OG.

It's the Leonard Davis thinking. (Similar to Will Campbell, Rashawn Slater, Justin Pugh, Fuaga, Wirfs, Wills, Riley Reiff, Bryan Bulaga, Fautanu, Brandon Scherff)

Didn't Denny Green say, you don't draft an OT that high and not play him at LT?
I don't like Mauigoa as a RT at 3. I said back in the Parris Johnson threads that if he was drafted to be the RTOF, it was a bad pick. But we all figured he was there for a year then back to LT.
The only reason I could see RT at 3 is because the draft is pretty weak and there are no standouts other than Downs and Love that will be available. If I wasn't sold on, or going edge, I'd probably take Downs. He's the best defensive player, maybe best player overall, in the draft.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Didn't Denny Green say, you don't draft an OT that high and not play him at LT?
I don't like Mauigoa as a RT at 3. I said back in the Parris Johnson threads that if he was drafted to be the RTOF, it was a bad pick. But we all figured he was there for a year then back to LT.
The only reason I could see RT at 3 is because the draft is pretty weak and there are no standouts other than Downs and Love that will be available. If I wasn't sold on, or going edge, I'd probably take Downs. He's the best defensive player, maybe best player overall, in the draft.

I am just tired of going into a game knowing automatically we can’t run the ball…..getting a kid who can blow open holes makes me smile….getting a safety does nothing for me….did u see kiper had us taking bailey today?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Didn't Denny Green say, you don't draft an OT that high and not play him at LT?
I don't like Mauigoa as a RT at 3. I said back in the Parris Johnson threads that if he was drafted to be the RTOF, it was a bad pick. But we all figured he was there for a year then back to LT.
The only reason I could see RT at 3 is because the draft is pretty weak and there are no standouts other than Downs and Love that will be available. If I wasn't sold on, or going edge, I'd probably take Downs. He's the best defensive player, maybe best player overall, in the draft.

What top nfl safety, past or present, does downs compare to?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Don’t understand how you or others say this draft is weak, but then expect a team to trade up in the same draft.

Or expect Monti to be able to make the right pick in a weak draft even further down a weak draft board.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I am just tired of going into a game knowing automatically we can’t run the ball…..getting a kid who can blow open holes makes me smile….getting a safety does nothing for me….did u see kiper had us taking bailey today?

I did see that and I'd be happy with it. Kiper also now has Downs #2 to the Jets.

Downs reminds me of Eric Berry for the Chiefs, who I think was a top 10 pick for them. I don't think he's an Ed Reed, Sean Taylor type prospect. But I can see the Ed Reed comparisons with similar size, athletic ability, smarts, and playmaking ability. It's just that Ed Reed is probably the best I've ever seen.

When Chip Kelly was OSU's OC 2 years ago, they had packages on offense for Downs. He's that dynamic of a ball carrier. He was rarely used as a punt returner, but he did have return on of his few for a TD. I looked it up. He had 4 PR's for Bama, 1 for a TD, 6 for OSU, 1 for a TD. A 20% punt return for TD is pretty good. Maybe he is more like Ed Reed than I thought.

 

[Harry]

What top nfl safety, past or present, does downs compare to?

Brian Dawkins maybe? Versatile & major ballhawk.