Mock Draft 23 Commentary!

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Sounds like you haven't followed Jimmie Ward's career as closely as you think you have.

Barrows: Jimmie Ward symbolic of a 49ers defense that’s suddenly out of step

Versatility always has been one of Ward's strong suits. But it's also put him in a lot of thankless situations throughout his career.

theathletic.com

In Ward's career, he has been moved to slot, outside corner, and free safety.

Demeco Ryans made Ward his priority free agent because of that flexibility.

I think that article justifies my position.

Ward was drafted as a safety. He had the ability to play safety, and come downhill to make the plays that were in front of him. He also had the versatility to do other things, like play man coverage--just as I previously stated. And yeah, he's been able to do all of those things at a high level on defense.

Jartavius hasn't shown that downhill playmaking ability in his limited snaps with safety coverage responsibility. He has over 1000 snaps as a corner, and not even 200 as a deep safety.

Could you project him as a safety? If you're a team whose nickel is three safeties, then sure. Especially in cover 1 situations where he has to play man coverage or slot into run fits, yeah.

Coming out, Ward was a safety who had the ability to play corner. Martin is a corner who might have the ability to play safety.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I think that article justifies my position.

Ward was drafted as a safety. He had the ability to play safety, and come downhill to make the plays that were in front of him. He also had the versatility to do other things, like play man coverage--just as I previously stated. And yeah, he's been able to do all of those things at a high level on defense.

Jartavius hasn't shown that downhill playmaking ability in his limited snaps with safety coverage responsibility. He has over 1000 snaps as a corner, and not even 200 as a deep safety.

Could you project him as a safety? If you're a team whose nickel is three safeties, then sure. Especially in cover 1 situations where he has to play man coverage or slot into run fits, yeah.

Coming out, Ward was a safety who had the ability to play corner. Martin is a corner who might have the ability to play safety.

Isn't this an all too common draft discussion? College defenses and pro defenses define the robber or STAR slot position differently. Martin played more safety as a sophomore then transitioned into the robber by his senior year. We talked about this with Minkah Fitzpatrick, C.J Garner-Johnson and Tyrann Mathieu. More than half of the "free safety" prospects in this draft do the same.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Isn't this an all too common draft discussion? College defenses and pro defenses define the robber or STAR slot position differently. Martin played more safety as a sophomore then transitioned into the robber by his senior year. We talked about this with Minkah Fitzpatrick, C.J Garner-Johnson and Tyrann Mathieu. More than half of the "free safety" prospects in this draft do the same.

I think there's a difference between "I think this corner can play safety" and calling someone who played over 75% of their snaps at corner a safety.



If you want to talk about how Star, Monster, Robber, Slot corner, Nickel Corner, Box Safety and Dimebacker all overlap in modern NFL defenses, I'm all with you.

If you want to say a corner like Martin or Tre Tomlinson can project to play safety, I'm with you.

I just don't like calling people the wrong position when it's clear what position they played.

Is it pedantic or splitting hairs? Yeah. Probably.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I think there's a difference between "I think this corner can play safety" and calling someone who played over 75% of their snaps at corner a safety.

View attachment 15011

If you want to talk about how Star, Monster, Robber, Slot corner, Nickel Corner, Box Safety and Dimebacker all overlap in modern NFL defenses, I'm all with you.

If you want to say a corner like Martin or Tre Tomlinson can project to play safety, I'm with you.

I just don't like calling people the wrong position when it's clear what position they played.

Is it pedantic or splitting hairs? Yeah. Probably.

Seems like this discussion is more about your quick trigger than Jartavius Martin, LOL. Dude plays deep safety and slot, and the Niners lost the player who did the same for them last year. Whatever label you want to call it, Jartavius Martin is a good match for what the team lost in free agency.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Nice pick @Stark

Ivan Pace is fun as shit.

I really hope he doesn't end up in Pittsburgh or Baltimore. He could be a problem for us if he does.

He's so explosive, especially blitzing. Just a short, stubby, sawed-off shotgun ready to blow up every play he's on the field for.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I'm very torn on this year's safety class as a whole. Outside of Burns, I have far more questions than answers.

I like Jammie, and he's terrific value this late @G00seY3

 

[Randolphkeys]

I like Jammie, and he's terrific value this late @G00seY3

Jammie was, without question, the best strong safety on the board. No brainer.

@Jack Brickman just took a white cornerback not named Jason Sehorn. He last started at corner in 2003, so we have gone 20 years without a white guy playing corner in the NFL.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

Jammie was, without question, the best strong safety on the board. No brainer.

@Jack Brickman just took a white cornerback not named Jason Sehorn. He last started at corner in 2003, so we have gone 20 years without a white guy playing corner in the NFL.

I almost took Jammie for the Browns last pick. Was hoping he'd last to my next one.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Jammie was, without question, the best strong safety on the board. No brainer.

@Jack Brickman just took a white cornerback not named Jason Sehorn. He last started at corner in 2003, so we have gone 20 years without a white guy playing corner in the NFL.

Troy Apke wasn't that long ago, was he?

Edit: He's still in the league!

 

[Randolphkeys]

Troy Apke wasn't that long ago, was he?

Edit: He's still in the league!

View attachment 15048

He has nine starts at safety. Last season he was moved to corner but never made a start. The Sehorn streak is still alive for now.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

@daddywags


Kid is truly incredible. He's a conductor of an orchestra. He was a reduced recruit heading into college because schools weren't sure if he'd pick music or football--he picked both.

Turner is the guy I want this year--like Thomas Booker last year. I don't think he's going to be a world beater, but I do think he can be quality, dependable depth along the defensive line. And when you combine that with his character, those are the sort of cheap building blocks that you can build a talented football team around.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Sewell is a good match for the Browns in the fifth round. They need a true inside linebacker, somebody who can thump on first and second down.

@Singer24 hasn't logged on for a week. I wrote him a PM and I'll give him the full six hours but I will have a pick ready for him to move things along.

 

[adam81king]

Just a heads up that I'm away from my computer until about 8pm, so pick #145 (assuming it gets to me) will be done shortly after that tonight. My apologies.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Whenever you have the chance to draft a local college QB and start a huge quarterback controversy, you pretty much have to do it. The fact that Bennett's first name is a garbage cheap cologne only cements the plan.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Fun facts about New Orleans pick from PFF:

Jones went unchallenged for almost his entire Texas A&M career. He was targeted only 19 times this past fall, allowing 10 catches for 94 yards on 278 coverage snaps.

Good pick, Hurl!