Based on comments, practice tidbits, and depth chart pecking order, the early returns on the 2019 draft class are looking good...
Daniel Jones... The weak arm argument appears to have been a myth. And the typical QB adjustment from college to the pros seems to be going more smoothly than normal.
Dexter Lawrence... all line-on-line drills are limited in the spring, but Lawrence is already penciled in as a starter and the coaches seem to love him. They have also been using him in pass-rush packages.
Deandre Baker... He has started opposite of Janoris Jenkins the past two days and has looked sharp.
Oshane Ximines... He actually saw some first-team reps today. Schmeelk has said he has impressed as a rusher.
Julian Love... coaches seem to love his versatility. Currently still stuck behind Grant Haley.
Ryan Connelly... Has received positive reviews from the coaches.
Darius Slayton... was criticized early for dropped passes but really has come on the last two days. Despite Auburn's offense, coaches have said he is running good routes and he appears to be getting deep and getting separation on a regular basis. Shula said some really nice things about him today.
Corey Ballentine... Recovered pretty quickly from gunshot wound. Saw some action with the second team today.
George Asafo-Adjei... Early in OTAs, he was getting some second-team reps.
Chris Slayton... has actually received some first-team reps in OTAs when other players were absent.
Hes from a small school program. Thus far everything has been non contact. If you recall the comments after he was drafted, including his own, this year for him is about contributing on specials first and foremost. He needs to grow into the professional game.
Its great that he is adapting well. All good news, yes. But this year is not quite like Lorenzo Carters first year. He was as an SEC guy. Also a third round pick. X is from Old Dominion. It is not reasonable to expect him to play at the level Lorenzo Carter played last year.
Easy does it.
I watched him throw at his pro days and wondered why they spoke about a weak arm. But to be fair all these guys looked like they have strong arms to me.
Hell, if we had only picked Baker I think we would all be feeling like the early reports are encouraging.
As you go down deeper into the draft the evidence gets weaker but that is to be expected.
This could turn into a very young and talented team this year, even if the growing pains mean we end up with a losing record. Anyone watching closely would have to admit that although the evidence is extremely limited, so far it's all been mostly positive.
At the same time, I haven't enjoyed hearing that they are taking it slow with Markus Golden. I thought he was ready to go, not needing special treatment. Wonder what that's all about.
Hes from a small school program. Thus far everything has been non contact. If you recall the comments after he was drafted, including his own, this year for him is about contributing on specials first and foremost. He needs to grow into the professional game.
Its great that he is adapting well. All good news, yes. But this year is not quite like Lorenzo Carters first year. He was as an SEC guy. Also a third round pick. X is from Old Dominion. It is not reasonable to expect him to play at the level Lorenzo Carter played last year.
Easy does it.
I hear you, but two things: (1) he got 1st-team reps today even with the top three guys practicing; (2) his pass rush techniques seem much more advanced than a typical rookie.
Period. Nothing more at this point.
This time of year there's almost always positives about the draft picks.
And yes, that was actually said after the draft to indicate drafting players high each round is a huge advantage so Gettleman's credit is limited.
We use some strange logic around here.
As noted, CJ Conrad is making a great impression also.
Barkley, Hernandez, Carter (now rushing with a plan and flashed last year), BJ Hill (5.5 sacks and flashed even more than Carter as a rookie), RJ McIntosh (5th rounder who shows potential coming off illness)
Like you said Eric still early but a lot more positives and encouraging trends out of most of these guys than negatives so far.
Truthfully Slayton is the biggest surprise because this guy is constantly open. Constantly. If his hands keep improving wow...to get that kind of potential value in the 5th .
But I still remain cautious about the drops. Hands don't always improve.
The only guy in the negative column out of both drafts right now from round 5 of before is Lauletta. If the other guys keep developing and become contributors that is an amazing hit percentage for DG his first 2 drafts here.
Want to see Slayton , Connelly and Conrad with the 1s and in preseason against other teams . If they still flash then we can start to be even more encouraged.
Barkley, Hernandez, Carter (now rushing with a plan and flashed last year), BJ Hill (5.5 sacks and flashed even more than Carter as a rookie), RJ McIntosh (5th rounder who shows potential coming off illness)
Like you said Eric still early but a lot more positives and encouraging trends out of most of these guys than negatives so far.
Truthfully Slayton is the biggest surprise because this guy is constantly open. Constantly. If his hands keep improving wow...to get that kind of potential value in the 5th .
But I still remain cautious about the drops. Hands don't always improve.
The only guy in the negative column out of both drafts right now from round 5 of before is Lauletta. If the other guys keep developing and become contributors that is an amazing hit percentage for DG his first 2 drafts here.
What?
Truthfully Slayton is the biggest surprise because this guy is constantly open. Constantly. If his hands keep improving wow...to get that kind of potential value in the 5th .
Constantly open against shells and shorts and zero game-planning? And people call me the kook-aid fan..Come on, make it stop, until, at the very least, theres some contact. Even THEN, without game-planning, how do you judge?
Quote:
And this could be a 2 year run of prospects where we have nailed it.
Barkley, Hernandez, Carter (now rushing with a plan and flashed last year), BJ Hill (5.5 sacks and flashed even more than Carter as a rookie), RJ McIntosh (5th rounder who shows potential coming off illness)
Like you said Eric still early but a lot more positives and encouraging trends out of most of these guys than negatives so far.
Truthfully Slayton is the biggest surprise because this guy is constantly open. Constantly. If his hands keep improving wow...to get that kind of potential value in the 5th .
But I still remain cautious about the drops. Hands don't always improve.
The only guy in the negative column out of both drafts right now from round 5 of before is Lauletta. If the other guys keep developing and become contributors that is an amazing hit percentage for DG his first 2 drafts here.
What?
Quote:
Truthfully Slayton is the biggest surprise because this guy is constantly open. Constantly. If his hands keep improving wow...to get that kind of potential value in the 5th .
Constantly open against shells and shorts and zero game-planning? And people call me the kook-aid fan..Come on, make it stop, until, at the very least, theres some contact. Even THEN, without game-planning, how do you judge?
No doubt it's still early but he has shown quite well so far. And no one is anointing him Canton bound yet but for a 5th round pick from a run first program he is doing suprisingly well so far.
It isn't just the camp reports from Schmeelk etc either. Directly from the coaches mouth just a few minutes ago:
Dan Salomone
@NYGsalomone
Shurmur thinks WR Darius Slayton has made huge strides. Hes the first guy that comes to mind when asked about standouts from the rookie class. Slayton had some drops in rookie camp but has smoothed out since then.
Hes from a small school program. Thus far everything has been non contact. If you recall the comments after he was drafted, including his own, this year for him is about contributing on specials first and foremost. He needs to grow into the professional game.
Its great that he is adapting well. All good news, yes. But this year is not quite like Lorenzo Carters first year. He was as an SEC guy. Also a third round pick. X is from Old Dominion. It is not reasonable to expect him to play at the level Lorenzo Carter played last year.
Easy does it.
Thats good news, thanks for update. Ximines seems to have the the body of a 4-3 DE but with athletic of a 3-4lb so really rooting for him