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| I had planned on leading The Athletic’s annual NFL Draft confidential with the quarterback intel I’ve gathered; after all, this is the exact kind of quarterback crop that makes the draft so fascinating: star power, intrigue and a half-dozen potential first-rounders. But after speaking to more than a dozen NFL coaches and scouts over the past month, I needed to audible. That’s what I realized after several interesting conversations about the receivers. I came away from the NFL Scouting Combine thinking that the two closest players to sure things were Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Washington’s Rome Odunze. In Harrison, you have the son of an NFL receiving great and the most complete of what has been a remarkable run of Buckeye star wideouts over the past decade — many of whom have shined in the NFL. I’d assumed he would be the No. 1 guy on everyone’s wide receivers board. But apparently, that is not the case. At all. Marvin Harrison, Rome Odunze … and Malik Nabers above them both “(Harrison’s) not No. 1 to me,” said a veteran NFL receivers coach, whose team is in the market for another top receiver, and whom we’ll ID as WR Coach 1. “(LSU’s Malik) Nabers is the No. 1 on my list and I think he is on a lot of people’s lists. He’s just different to me. I don’t think it’s anything toward Marvin, it’s just really that Nabers is that good. His skills with the ball in his hands are really different. His acceleration is just different. His explosive is different. He tracks the ball really well. He’s a smaller guy but he can still play outside. He’s rare in a lot of ways. He’s got some Ja’Marr Chase in him, some DJ Moore skills. I hesitate to say this because Tyreek Hill’s speed is just so different from anybody in the league, but Nabers has some of that kind of burst and just so explosive off the line of scrimmage. “He’s as fast as the person chasing him. He’s gonna run away from whoever. If Deion was chasing him, he’d go 4.21 or whatever. He’s the best WR prospect since Chase and on tape, I think he’s even more impressive. This dude is different.” Another long-time NFL assistant, who has coached receivers and been an NFL offensive coordinator, agreed that Nabers was the top receiver prospect. “It’s Nabers and then there’s a gap,” said Offensive Assistant 1. “He is the best wide receiver in the draft in a couple of years, maybe more. He is Tyreek Hill combined with both of those San Francisco guys (Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk). He is so explosive. He has a second gear. He can stop on a dime. He breaks tackles. You can’t jam him because he’s just too quick and if you miss at all, he’s gonna outrun you. He’s really competitive but he can be a pain in the ass. He’ll be the guy who’ll have something to say to the coordinator coming off the field. He’s got that edge to him where he doesn’t know when to let up. He doesn’t know that those guys are on his side.” Scout 1: “Nabers is so much more explosive. I think he has more upside. I don’t know if I trust him like I trust Marvin. I trust Marvin to be disciplined.” WR Coach 2: “We have Nabers as No. 1. He’s got all the ability in the world. He’s got Receiver No. 1 written all over him. He does have some stuff he’s got to clean up. Route running, which will come naturally with the right coach and group of receivers. So much upside. He just brings a different presence. His physicality. You see that on tape. He’s got that dawg in him.” Harrison, the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Biletnikoff Award winner, is bigger than the 6-feet, 199-pound Nabers, who finished second in the FBS with 1,569 receiving yards and third with 14 touchdowns. Harrison ranked No. 2 on the Freaks List in 2023 after putting up impressive numbers in the Buckeyes strength program. He’s bench pressed 380 pounds, broad-jumped 10 feet 8, clocked 3.94 in the shuttle and topped out at 23.5 mph, according to Ohio State sources. But Harrison didn’t do any of the testing in the draft process, which has added to some skepticism about his explosiveness. “Marvin is great too,” said WR Coach 1. “You question just how fast he is. He can take the top off and he’s got elite ball skills and elite tracking. I don’t see 23 mph — that’s really, really fast. He’s to me more of a glider, build-up speed type of guy. Which you would expect, because he is huge.” Offensive Assistant 1: “Marvin is really good. Polished. If you’re looking to pick on something, he’s not gonna run by people. They’re gonna squat on him at the top of the break. He’s good. I just wished he did the testing. He comes across as casual a little bit.” Scout 1: “I think Marvin is pretty damn explosive. Physically, he’s like a 6-3 CeeDee Lamb. He just doesn’t have that innate dog that Malik has.” WR Coach 2: “Harrison is like a fluid, smooth receiver. He doesn’t have the same elite traits like Nabers. He can separate and catches the ball real well. I don’t think he wows you.” Odunze is as tall as Harrison and a little thicker at 212 pounds. He did all the testing in Indianapolis, clocking a 4.45 40 with a 1.52 10-yard split, vertical jumping 39 inches and going 4.03 in the 20-yard shuttle. Last season at Washington, Odunze led the nation in receiving yards with 1,640 to go with 82 catches and 13 touchdowns. Scout 1: “Rome is the safest guy of the receivers. He’s just not as talented as Malik or Harrison as far as getting consistent separation at an NFL level. I trust him a little more than those guys. As far as strength through the catch, he might be the best. He’s built right to last and run routes.” WR Coach 1: “He’s great at tracking the ball; he’s rugged and has good run after the catch ability. Can play inside and out, and he’s so smart — like different type of smart. He can pick things up so easily and will adapt easily to the pro game because of the system and the concepts they had there, and that really shows up in his game.” Offensive Assistant 1: “I like the grit and his lower body is really strong. But he’s not running by people or closing cushion like Nabers does.” WR Coach 2: “I think you have a top two with Malik and Marvin, and then I think there’s Rome, who I don’t think is in that same tier as those two. Rome has the make-up to be really good but in my opinion he doesn’t have the elite traits like the other two. I question his top-end (speed). He doesn’t have that juice like Nabers. He’s more of a possession-type receiver. He’s a more polished route runner, but I don’t think he’s to the level of Marvin.” |
MHJ has been (and is still) ahead of him in almost every expert mock so id consider it a pretty big surprise if it goes that way.
Seems his game is predicated on speed. Does he have a release package that will enable him to gain separation when he’s on the line with a physical corner opposite him?
From what I’ve gathered, a lot of his separation comes from being off the line and using his speed before he can get jammed.
I'm not an Odunze guy, but if we had a QB and it made sense to draft a WR at #6, I would hope Nabers, MHJR or Thomas would be in the mix.
I'm not an Odunze guy, but if we had a QB and it made sense to draft a WR at #6, I would hope Nabers, MHJR or Thomas would be in the mix.
Sure, with Daniels at QB.. Jones, might as well run ins and quick outs..
If the Giants want to stretch out their investment in Jones, Nabers is the guy.
Agreed. I assume in that case, there is a strong likelihood that the Giants would trade down. I would not. I would take JJM.
Why?
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Are more likely than Nabers being there.
Agreed. I assume in that case, there is a strong likelihood that the Giants would trade down. I would not. I would take JJM.
Agreed on both points.
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Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
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In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
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...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
There's a vey good chance that McCarthy goes to the Vikings in a trade with the Chargers.
Since the Giants want to stretch out their investment in Jones, Nabers is the guy.
I fixed the preposition above...
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In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
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...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
There are also many analysts like Daniel Jeremiah that view Harrison in a tier above Nabers and Odunze.
Since the Giants want to stretch out their investment in Jones, Nabers is the guy.
I fixed the preposition above...
Schoen: John, we looked at all the prospects thoroughly. I have the Sky Miles to prove it. None of these guys grade out high enough to justify the cost.
Mara: Excellent.
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In comment 16482212 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
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...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
There's a vey good chance that McCarthy goes to the Vikings in a trade with the Chargers.
Not according to Sky King whom has been adamant Minnesota is all on on Maye with Penix without tradeup as their backup plan.
Here's the likely scenarios I see playing out:
(A)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE JJM
4. NYG MAYE (COULD FLIP FLOP 3 AND 4 IF 3 TEAM TRADE HAPPENS)
5. NABERS/MHJ
6. NABERS/MHJ
(B)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE MAYE
4. NABERS/MHJ
5. NABERS/MHJ
I really don't see NE trading down with Minnesota, seems highly improbable. I don't see Minnesota trading a haul for JJM. The most likely scenario is we either get Maye or have JJM or Odunze or OL as our top options at 6. That's just my 2 cents.
Doubt it. The Chargers want picks this year and the Vikings want a QB.
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Jets will jump us for Nabers. You know the drill
Doubt it. The Chargers want picks this year and the Vikings want a QB.
They will settle on Penix at 11 if no Maye, Penix would be the best QB from this draft for a while on the Vikings.
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In comment 16482216 BleedBlue46 said:
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In comment 16482212 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
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...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
There's a vey good chance that McCarthy goes to the Vikings in a trade with the Chargers.
Not according to Sky King whom has been adamant Minnesota is all on on Maye with Penix without tradeup as their backup plan.
Here's the likely scenarios I see playing out:
(A)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE JJM
4. NYG MAYE (COULD FLIP FLOP 3 AND 4 IF 3 TEAM TRADE HAPPENS)
5. NABERS/MHJ
6. NABERS/MHJ
(B)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE MAYE
4. NABERS/MHJ
5. NABERS/MHJ
I really don't see NE trading down with Minnesota, seems highly improbable. I don't see Minnesota trading a haul for JJM. The most likely scenario is we either get Maye or have JJM or Odunze or OL as our top options at 6. That's just my 2 cents.
In all deference to Sky King, I'm sure there is much more to the Vikings draft plans that people posting here actually know what is truth or misinformation. I still don't see it that way at all, the Vikings are desperate for a QB. ESPN's Dan Orlovsky believes J.J. McCarthy will be an "early favorite" for NFL OROY with Vikings. McCarthy is perfect for the Vikings QB for their offense.
Link - ( New Window )
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In comment 16482218 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482216 BleedBlue46 said:
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In comment 16482212 GFAN52 said:
Quote:
In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
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...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
There's a vey good chance that McCarthy goes to the Vikings in a trade with the Chargers.
Not according to Sky King whom has been adamant Minnesota is all on on Maye with Penix without tradeup as their backup plan.
Here's the likely scenarios I see playing out:
(A)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE JJM
4. NYG MAYE (COULD FLIP FLOP 3 AND 4 IF 3 TEAM TRADE HAPPENS)
5. NABERS/MHJ
6. NABERS/MHJ
(B)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE MAYE
4. NABERS/MHJ
5. NABERS/MHJ
I really don't see NE trading down with Minnesota, seems highly improbable. I don't see Minnesota trading a haul for JJM. The most likely scenario is we either get Maye or have JJM or Odunze or OL as our top options at 6. That's just my 2 cents.
In all deference to Sky King, I'm sure there is much more to the Vikings draft plans that people posting here actually know what is truth or misinformation. I still don't see it that way at all, the Vikings are desperate for a QB. ESPN's Dan Orlovsky believes J.J. McCarthy will be an "early favorite" for NFL OROY with Vikings. McCarthy is perfect for the Vikings QB for their offense. Link - ( New Window )
We can agree to disagree then because teams don't usually trade the farm for 2 different QBs. They have a target and if they can't get the guy they want they don't trade for the next best option, especially when they could get Penix and Newton or a top cb or Murphy at 23 instead of trading both and maybe more for JJM. What Sky King has said makes complete sense. We will know in 48 hours!
I wouldn't be surprised at all if AZ actually prefers Nabers. He fits much better with Murray too.
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In comment 16482234 BleedBlue46 said:
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In comment 16482218 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482216 BleedBlue46 said:
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In comment 16482212 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
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...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
There's a vey good chance that McCarthy goes to the Vikings in a trade with the Chargers.
Not according to Sky King whom has been adamant Minnesota is all on on Maye with Penix without tradeup as their backup plan.
Here's the likely scenarios I see playing out:
(A)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE JJM
4. NYG MAYE (COULD FLIP FLOP 3 AND 4 IF 3 TEAM TRADE HAPPENS)
5. NABERS/MHJ
6. NABERS/MHJ
(B)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE MAYE
4. NABERS/MHJ
5. NABERS/MHJ
I really don't see NE trading down with Minnesota, seems highly improbable. I don't see Minnesota trading a haul for JJM. The most likely scenario is we either get Maye or have JJM or Odunze or OL as our top options at 6. That's just my 2 cents.
In all deference to Sky King, I'm sure there is much more to the Vikings draft plans that people posting here actually know what is truth or misinformation. I still don't see it that way at all, the Vikings are desperate for a QB. ESPN's Dan Orlovsky believes J.J. McCarthy will be an "early favorite" for NFL OROY with Vikings. McCarthy is perfect for the Vikings QB for their offense. Link - ( New Window )
We can agree to disagree then because teams don't usually trade the farm for 2 different QBs. They have a target and if they can't get the guy they want they don't trade for the next best option, especially when they could get Penix and Newton or a top cb or Murphy at 23 instead of trading both and maybe more for JJM. What Sky King has said makes complete sense. We will know in 48 hours!
I guess we will have to agree to disagree, but I believe you're underestimating the desperation the Vikings have for a QB and if its not them, it will be the Broncos or another team trading into the Chargers spot.
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In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
Quote:
...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
If the proposed NYG, NE, AZ, three-team trade doesn't happen, I wonder if the reason wouldn't be that AZ has Nabers as their #1 WR and doesn't want to risk losing him to LAC by trading down to #6. That might be even more likely since they already have a ton of draft capital.
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In comment 16482212 GFAN52 said:
Quote:
In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
Quote:
...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
If the proposed NYG, NE, AZ, three-team trade doesn't happen, I wonder if the reason wouldn't be that AZ has Nabers as their #1 WR and doesn't want to risk losing him to LAC by trading down to #6. That might be even more likely since they already have a ton of draft capital.
Could be, Murray fits much better with Nabers than with MHJ or Odunze. Nabers tape and testing is absolutely elite, I could see why AZ would be reluctant if they really want him then there aren't any other receivers like him.
NYG gets pick 3 for 6, 70, 2025 1st and a player (Evan Neal/DJ) *Price driven up bc of Minny
Pats get pick 4 for 6, 68, 2025 3rd
Chi CW
Wash JD
NYG Maye
Pats JJM
Chargers Alt/MHJ
Cards MHJ/Nabers
NYG gets pick 3 for 6, 70, 2025 1st and a player (Evan Neal/DJ) *Price driven up bc of Minny
Pats get pick 4 for 6, 68, 2025 3rd
Chi CW
Wash JD
NYG Maye
Pats JJM
Chargers Alt/MHJ
Cards MHJ/Nabers
That doesn't seem like enough picks going back to the Patriots.
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are 1 and 1A on Cards board then why not take the free money and trade down to six?
NYG gets pick 3 for 6, 70, 2025 1st and a player (Evan Neal/DJ) *Price driven up bc of Minny
Pats get pick 4 for 6, 68, 2025 3rd
Chi CW
Wash JD
NYG Maye
Pats JJM
Chargers Alt/MHJ
Cards MHJ/Nabers
That doesn't seem like enough picks going back to the Patriots.
If they are getting the guy they want it's just basically a thank you for helping us box out Minnesota. They would have likely taken JJM anyways in this scenario.
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are 1 and 1A on Cards board then why not take the free money and trade down to six?
NYG gets pick 3 for 6, 70, 2025 1st and a player (Evan Neal/DJ) *Price driven up bc of Minny
Pats get pick 4 for 6, 68, 2025 3rd
Chi CW
Wash JD
NYG Maye
Pats JJM
Chargers Alt/MHJ
Cards MHJ/Nabers
That doesn't seem like enough picks going back to the Patriots.
Agreed. Jones is also untradeable.
Nabers could be far enough ahead of MHJ for the Cardinals that they don't want to trade and risk losing him to LAC.
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In comment 16482284 Stars_and_stripes said:
Quote:
are 1 and 1A on Cards board then why not take the free money and trade down to six?
NYG gets pick 3 for 6, 70, 2025 1st and a player (Evan Neal/DJ) *Price driven up bc of Minny
Pats get pick 4 for 6, 68, 2025 3rd
Chi CW
Wash JD
NYG Maye
Pats JJM
Chargers Alt/MHJ
Cards MHJ/Nabers
That doesn't seem like enough picks going back to the Patriots.
Agreed. Jones is also untradeable.
Nabers could be far enough ahead of MHJ for the Cardinals that they don't want to trade and risk losing him to LAC.
Thats why they'd be getting our future 1st which will likely be high. I don't see them having Nabers graded high enough above MHJ to be worth saying no to that haul. I wouldn't love it, but it would be fun to see what Daboll could do with Maye.
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are 1 and 1A on Cards board then why not take the free money and trade down to six?
NYG gets pick 3 for 6, 70, 2025 1st and a player (Evan Neal/DJ) *Price driven up bc of Minny
Pats get pick 4 for 6, 68, 2025 3rd
Chi CW
Wash JD
NYG Maye
Pats JJM
Chargers Alt/MHJ
Cards MHJ/Nabers
That doesn't seem like enough picks going back to the Patriots.
You could be right but 2025 1st when Pats may expect Giants to be below .500 next year could be quite valuable (as Maye is not ready to play day 1)
The value of Maye to Giants and Minny could be of similar value as trading to #1 overall. Why? Because Maye has a franchise QB grade on their boards high enough to be QB1 in most 'normal' drafts.
I think he’ll be a really good one - a notch below prime Beckham but similar impact. But it does concern me a little that his biggest plays were not on the line on the outside. Seems like we would still need that kind of WR even with Nabers on the team.
Anyone who watched him play regularly disagree?
Same here.
Did you see the Trials Saturday at PSU?
when MHJ sat out the draft process and Nabers put up the big pro day i thought there was a chance. then i watched some of his highlights and went right back to thinking no way.
i see Nabers' explosiveness, but Harrison is such a natural stud. his catch vs UM downfield while getting tackled was special. i know odunze measurement wise comps to fitzgerald well but i think MHJ is going to be fitzgerald.
feldman is great though so i guess we'll see. only 48 hours away.
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In comment 16482243 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482234 BleedBlue46 said:
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In comment 16482218 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482216 BleedBlue46 said:
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In comment 16482212 GFAN52 said:
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In comment 16482206 BleedBlue46 said:
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...
Why?
Because it's becoming clear Nabers and MHJ are the two highest rated players in the entire draft and JJM is either going to NE or will likely last until pick 6. 4 QBs are most likely not going in the top 5 unless the 3 team trade happens. The Vikings are extremely unlikely to trade the farm for JJM as Sky King had continually said based on info from his friend at Vikings HQ.
There's a legit chance Nabers goes before MHJ too.
There's a vey good chance that McCarthy goes to the Vikings in a trade with the Chargers.
Not according to Sky King whom has been adamant Minnesota is all on on Maye with Penix without tradeup as their backup plan.
Here's the likely scenarios I see playing out:
(A)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE JJM
4. NYG MAYE (COULD FLIP FLOP 3 AND 4 IF 3 TEAM TRADE HAPPENS)
5. NABERS/MHJ
6. NABERS/MHJ
(B)
1. CHI CW
2. DC JD
3. NE MAYE
4. NABERS/MHJ
5. NABERS/MHJ
I really don't see NE trading down with Minnesota, seems highly improbable. I don't see Minnesota trading a haul for JJM. The most likely scenario is we either get Maye or have JJM or Odunze or OL as our top options at 6. That's just my 2 cents.
In all deference to Sky King, I'm sure there is much more to the Vikings draft plans that people posting here actually know what is truth or misinformation. I still don't see it that way at all, the Vikings are desperate for a QB. ESPN's Dan Orlovsky believes J.J. McCarthy will be an "early favorite" for NFL OROY with Vikings. McCarthy is perfect for the Vikings QB for their offense. Link - ( New Window )
We can agree to disagree then because teams don't usually trade the farm for 2 different QBs. They have a target and if they can't get the guy they want they don't trade for the next best option, especially when they could get Penix and Newton or a top cb or Murphy at 23 instead of trading both and maybe more for JJM. What Sky King has said makes complete sense. We will know in 48 hours!
I guess we will have to agree to disagree, but I believe you're underestimating the desperation the Vikings have for a QB and if its not them, it will be the Broncos or another team trading into the Chargers spot.
The Chargers aren't going to trade with the Broncos to get a QB.