Okay, next up the draft

[papasmurfbell]

Agreed.  I’m sure it’s a reasonable deal.

[tsylvester]

1 year right around 1, 1.5 mil, great deal

[tsylvester]

The Ravens, Cowboys and Dolphins received the most compensatory picks with four each, and the Chargers, 49ers and Seahawks each will have three additional selections.

1 4th, 5th, 2 in the 6th

[oldno82]

Does anybody know what is the highest comp  pick ever given out? Is 3rd round the max?

[papasmurfbell]

3rd is the max.  It should be the 33rd pick in that round.

[tsylvester]

15 picks, Eric should be able to replenish this team with top quality players at positions of need.

[tsylvester]

Micheal Pierce retires, great guy, gonna need to replace that bulk

https://foxbaltimore.com/sports/sports-unlimited/baltimore-ravens-michael-pierce-retirement-nfl

[tsylvester]

Board replaced with Jake Hummel, and excellent special teams and back up line backer from the Rams

Wallace was also resigned

[tsylvester]

Humphries did the team a solid, restructuring his contract to lower his cap number this year from $18 mil to $1.2, convetfing the $16 mil to bonus and adding two void years, saving the team a little over $13 mil in cap space.

https://www.si.com/nfl/ravens/news/baltimore-ravens-restructure-marlon-humphrey-contract

[oldno82]

Marlon is a loyal Raven and a team leader. I just hope he stays healthy. We need him.

[tsylvester]

In a surprise move, the Ravens resigned Cleveland, when healthy, mentally & physically, a good versitile lineman.

They also signed Cooper Rush to a 2 year deal worth up to $12.2 million. I guess and am glad the JJ back up plan is likely over.

[oldno82]

I liked both moves. Cleveland proved he could play at least at a satisfactory level in the rotation and was eager to play special teams.

I don't know too much about Rush but I am glad the Johnson plan is over. I looked at Rush's stats over his career and they are solid.

The contract is for $6 mil but is loaded with incentives. Nice!

[tsylvester]

Yes, Rush should be able to win some games if called upon, at the very least he can throw the ball farther than 10 yards, unlike the old man.

Now, will Cleveland take this proverbial 2nd chance to heart, prepare and practice properly? If so, we have Merkari's replacement.

[tsylvester]

Not a bad read as we get closer to the draft

https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-strongest-position-group-weakest

Before we dive into my ranking of the 11 position groups in the 2025 draft, it's important for you to understand the criteria I used. In assessing each position, I identified star-caliber players, future starters and overall depth. Generally speaking, I concentrated on prospects who are most likely to be drafted in Rounds 1 through 5. I weighed star players and future starters twice as heavily as overall depth, and my ranking scale ranged from 10 to 30 points. A score of 20 points or higher for a position group is considered strong.

Here is how I stack the position groups in this prospect crop, from strongest to weakest.

[oldno82]

Very good read, I'd say. So if it pans out that way, maybe we finally get that young pass rusher we've been throwing the dice on the last few years. If we come away with a starting edge guy I'd consider it to be a decent draft. If we also come away with a D-line guy who's a starter I'll be happy. Anything more and I'd be ecstatic.

 

 

[tsylvester]

This draft is loaded with big fatties who play the two technique and can crush a pocket. I'm sure they will come away with one.

[oldno82]

Me too and I want a guy who can be a beast in rushing the passer off the edge on a consistent basis...the kind of guy who draws 2 blockers to slow him down.

[tsylvester]

There is a kid from Florida, papa & I talked about him a year or two ago. Massive, 464 pounds as a defensive lineman. I've watched him closely, quick feet for someone so large, played the 2 quite easily as he took up 3 gaps

But I was surprised that he was either not that strong or didn't know how to use his strength. It did take 2 men to move him. I'm curious to see where he gets drafted. He did have pretty good stamina

[tsylvester]

I like him, would love to have him on the Ravens

“He moves way better than anybody thought he would at his size,” fellow defensive tackle Joey Slackman said. “I don’t see why a team wouldn’t give him a chance. He’s a football player through and through; I would want that guy on my team.”

Watson repped 225 pounds a whopping 36 times, which topped any bench-press performance at this year’s NFL combine. He covered the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds and recorded 25 inches in the vertical jump.

https://apnews.com/article/florida-pro-day-desmond-watson-2404470ed9c680df0a0ccc0a8db33368

[papasmurfbell]

I figure we get a top 10 dt.  

[oldno82]

8 hours ago, papasmurfbell said:

I figure we get a top 10 dt.  

Agree.

[tsylvester]

I think they will get a couple of big boys, this draft and even after, is loaded

[papasmurfbell]

Sure .  I’m just talking a top 10.  They may become out with3 of them.  Say #5, #28, and #72.  I just see one grabbed by the end of day 2.

[tsylvester]

Put Watson and Faalele in at tackles, see Phili try to run the tush push

[papasmurfbell]

In a tush push situation I would take faalelle.  In normal offense he is to slow.