2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: CB

JustInTime wrote:

Here’s the article with his analysis. I’m not sure if it’s just group think but it’s really coalescing around this prospect. 

We lost Bynum, didn't replace him and Harry's 36. Louis Braille could see the need. We pick at 24. Right now, according to Mock Draft Database, Nick Emmanwori's consensus ranking is 23. Starks at 21. Unless we trade down, I'd say safety is now in the lead for our first pick.

supafreak84 wrote:

I'm also really warming up to that pick...like a Taco Bell for lunch and washing it down with a 32 ounce cappacino blast as I sprint to the toilet kind of warm

I wouldn't be upset with the pick. I loved Sean Taylor. Watching him play was a treat. With us taking a S that high, I would rather not have the questions about coverage skills and movement when it comes to WRs. Everything else he is elite. Really is a box S, and I wonder how he will transition to covering NFL talent at the WR position.

supafreak84 wrote:

I'm also really warming up to that pick...like a Taco Bell for lunch and washing it down with a 32 ounce cappacino blast as I sprint to the toilet kind of warm

Only to find single ply toilet paper, LOL.

Like Thanos said "I am inevitable"

You've got to admit this isn't just a trend but a claxon sounding.

MaroonBells wrote:

We lost Bynum, didn't replace him and Harry's 36. Louis Braille could see the need. We pick at 24. Right now, according to Mock Draft Database, Nick Emmanwori's consensus ranking is 23. Starks at 21. Unless we trade down, I'd say safety is now in the lead for our first pick.

I luv a good D and I love a good S...Hell, I was weaned on PPE's, Joey Browner and those b4 Harry

S is a bigger need than RB, but an S will not contribute much (if at all) this year...Given that, I wonder if you dont try and grab one later?

CB/DT? I can get behind all day.

MaroonBells wrote:

We lost Bynum, didn't replace him and Harry's 36. Louis Braille could see the need. We pick at 24. Right now, according to Mock Draft Database, Nick Emmanwori's consensus ranking is 23. Starks at 21. Unless we trade down, I'd say safety is now in the lead for our first pick.

The stars are in alignment...#21 jersey is available...THIS IS WARI...

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SKOL
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SKOL
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BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYOOOOOOOOO

JustInTime wrote:
[twitter]https://x.com/sleepervikings/status/1907447082400792935?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ[/twitter] I mean, cmon now.

We've gone round and round on this topic, but you'll never convince me that elite safety play is paramount to getting to a Super Bowl. It's a luxury position and we've had elite safety play for years. Take a look at who the teams playing in the Conference Championship games trotted out at safety. Theres no first round picks in there and a whole lot of late round or undrafted dudes from Bumfuck State. It's a position that you can convert corners to or sign older veteran players like a Patrick Peterson who can give you adequate play at the position. The days of the classic "enforcer" type safeties are over because of the rules and how the game is played. Sean Taylor was a one of one type player and more times than not you end up with a Taylor May's or Lewis Cine (yup brought him up again). Using a 1st round pick on a safety this year gets us minimal to no return for the 2025 season. KOC was just interviewed at the owners meeting talking about how excited he was for Theo Jackson and that he expects him to take on a huge role this season. I just don't think in any scenario do you draft a 1st round safety over fortifying either line, taking a corner or adding a playmaker to the offense.

All I’m saying is there’s a pretty strong trend for this particular player, that’s pretty much it. If Barron, Harmon, Starks, and Emmanwori are all on the board 10 times, 6 times I’m taking Barron, 3 times I’m taking Harmon, and the last time I do a best out of 7 coin flip for the safeties.

As far as elite safety play goes, Lott, Reed, Chancellor, and Mathieu are just a few examples off the top of my head. NE has had some pretty good S play over the years. Reid for KC is pretty good too. There’s others but I’m not going down that rabbit hole. 

I will say at this point in the cycle to have a trend this strong by multiple members of the draft community there’s something there beyond just smoke. 

No one was more pissed, maybe you, when we passed on Hamilton. Livid. Then I checked into Cine and on paper there was a lot to like. So, instead of posting my gut wrenching disappointment over and over I looked for the upside. Anything else was pointless.

Obviously something in Cine’s brain pan or chest cavity was really off. By all accounts Emmanwori has a high football IQ. His floor year 1 is a standout ST performer on a team in desperate need of difference makers. Big nickel and Mettelus understudy, plus a mix and match starter to potentially negate guys like Gibbs, Swift, LaPorta, Green Bay TEs. The back 7 is really limited speed and size wise. 

I see possibilities. I’d like to 5 minutes with BFlo to see what he thinks.

Addendum 

Here’s the other thing that resonates when you think about it. It’s a copycat league. Think of all the playoff teams. Teams are starting to run more again. Give me a LB sized S who can play nickel, track down Gibbs, Swift, Lamar Jackson et al, man up on Barkley and King Henry. 

Further, Hitman is gone after this year. Mettelus replaces him and Emmanwori in the Mettelus role but on steroids.

Chess not checkers

JustInTime wrote:
All I’m saying is there’s a pretty strong trend for this particular player, that’s pretty much it. If Barron, Harmon, Starks, and Emmanwori are all on the board 10 times, 6 times I’m taking Barron, 3 times I’m taking Harmon, and the last time I do a best out of 7 coin flip for the safeties.

As far as elite safety play goes, Lott, Reed, Chancellor, and Mathieu are just a few examples off the top of my head. NE has had some pretty good S play over the years. Reid for KC is pretty good too. There’s others but I’m not going down that rabbit hole. 

I will say at this point in the cycle to have a trend this strong by multiple members of the draft community there’s something there beyond just smoke. 

No one was more pissed, maybe you, when we passed on Hamilton. Livid. Then I checked into Cine and on paper there was a lot to like. So, instead of posting my gut wrenching disappointment over and over I looked for the upside. Anything else was pointless.

Obviously something in Cine’s brain pan or chest cavity was really off. By all accounts Emmanwori has a high football IQ. His floor year 1 is a standout ST performer on a team in desperate need of difference makers. Big nickel and Mettelus understudy, plus a mix and match starter to potentially negate guys like Gibbs, Swift, LaPorta, Green Bay TEs. The back 7 is really limited speed and size wise. 

I see possibilities. I’d like to 5 minutes with BFlo to see what he thinks.

Addendum 

Here’s the other thing that resonates when you think about it. It’s a copycat league. Think of all the playoff teams. Teams are starting to run more again. Give me a LB sized S who can play nickel, track down Gibbs, Swift, Lamar Jackson et al, man up on Barkley and King Henry. 

Further, Hitman is gone after this year. Mettelus replaces him and Emmanwori in the Mettelus role but on steroids.

Chess not checkers

You make some fair points. I still wouldn't draft a safety over some of the other options that should be available. We'll see what the Kwesi/Grigson brain trust comes up with.

supafreak84 wrote:
I'm also really warming up to that pick...like a Taco Bell for lunch and washing it down with a 32 ounce cappacino blast as I sprint to the toilet kind of warm

I’m always impressed with the reactionary timing of Will Johnson on tape.

Good Size. Good film. Good Program. Good production.

It seems like a lot of people are overthinking this one. https://t.co/mcatvwKZQv pic.twitter.com/nhePkwFFfO

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) April 4, 2025

.@MJD mock draft 1.0: Jaguars take Tetairoa McMillan over Travis Hunter at No. 5https://t.co/AHFBPfWhlC pic.twitter.com/OZVsJCKuVc

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 3, 2025

:cool:

Nohl Williams, California (6-0 ½, 200, 4.48)

One scout said: “He’s the best corner on the West Coast. Last year he was, too. Fast and instinctive, can play outside or inside. The big thing is his ball skills. Led the country in picks (seven).”

This is an interesting RAS comparison for Trey Amos. They move really similarly on tape, too. pic.twitter.com/Or2m2kg7pf

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) April 4, 2025

A lot to prove - and the talent to back it up.

Next step for @ECUPiratesFB DB Shavon Revel Jr.? ➡️ 2025 #NFLDraft 💪

📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2aY6LKIghh

— NFL (@NFL) April 5, 2025

Will Johnson’s fluidity and change of direction make him a promising NFL corner. pic.twitter.com/msluADIuzM

— PFF (@PFF) April 5, 2025

Kansas’ Cobee Bryant is the Most Competitive Player in the NFL Draft😤 pic.twitter.com/M5xfi8TBqQ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 5, 2025

The #Vikings had a waiver claim on Jack Jones in 2023, but the #Raiders were rewarded him since they were higher. Minnesota’s interest in Jones dates back to his draft year. Keep an eye on this one: https://t.co/XCtII8pvgO

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 6, 2025

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/1908947751276032229?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Super talented but certainly a bit of a head case. I think my preference at this point would be to bring in Jones or Asante Samuel and just cross cornerback off our list of draft needs.

Jones, 27, has played in 42 games, including 21 starts, across three seasons with the Patriots and Raiders. He has seven career interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns, and 136 total tackles.

Does he have return skills?

Could @UMichFootball's Will Johnson be the first corner taken off the board? @MoveTheSticks dissects his game film 🫡

📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/XIdY5WZXHF

— NFL (@NFL) April 7, 2025

Much like Dallas Turner last year, I haven’t bothered to look at Will Johnson much because he’s not going to be available where we pick. Now, I’m not so sure.