Love this one. Might switch one of the guards for a tackle (offensive or defensive) but I love both those guards so I don’t know which one I would replace.
Matthew Golden makes sense for us in that he's the speed demon we need as a good outside receiver. If not, is there another quality, pure-speed, receiver for the outside slot? I'm skeptical that Ratledge will be available at 79 but we can hope.
There is discussion that his best position might be Center, but flexibility anywhere along the line is an asset. I see him as another OG/C like Scruggs and Patterson. We have to find the best to communicate as well as block there and rotate the rest.
There is speculation Jayden Blue RB from Texas could be a hybrid Back/Receiver and recently ran under 4.3 at his pro day. He has the speed to excel deep or on a Jets sweep and the RB experience which should lead to RAC yards. He's rising, but should be an early day 3 pick. My favorite Tackle is either Ersery or Williams. The rest are probably better moving inside.
Spoiler: OTs JOSH SIMMONS STRENGTHS: ● Light-footed in lateral slides, with good size and length ● Took big step between 2023 and '24 seasons with efficiency getting out of stance ● Maintains wide base, with terrific body fluidity ● Shows terrific pacing to stay centered, both on the move and once engaged ● Patient yet direct with hands in pass pro to land accurate punches and stay connected ● Able to rework or chop hands to regain leverage ● Terrific when working in tandem to stymie stunts and games ● Redirects well as run blocker to wall off lanes ● Works in different snatch and slingshot techniques ● Range jumps out on run pulls — often reaches landmarks one step before defender ● Penalized just once in six starts in 2024 (false start vs. Oregon) ● Experienced at both left and right tackle WEAKNESSES: ● Needs to continue developing anchor to settle down after giving ground to bull rushes ● Occasionally caught over-setting ● Initial handwork needs to be better in run game ● Not a true people-mover once he latches ● Non-contact patella injury in left knee (Oct. 2024), which required season-ending surgery SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Ohio State, Simmons lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's diverse run game (gap/zone, pin-pulls, counters, etc.). After two seasons at San Diego State, he transferred to Columbus and blossomed while moving from right tackle to left tackle the past two seasons. Simmons was on pace over the first five games of the 2024 season to be an All-American and looked like a strong contender for OT1 in the draft class, but he suffered a non-contact knee injury in mid-October, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Simmons explodes out of his stance in pass protection and plays with knee-bend, balance and calmness to govern his movements, shoot his hands and stay square to pass rushers. He isn't an overpowering mauler in the run game, but Kelly's offense highlighted Simmons' range when executing pulls, reaches, traps, etc. Overall, Simmons is a nimble, coordinated pass protector with tremendous athletic poise and the body control to be a long-term starting left tackle in the NFL. His pro projection hinges on medical feedback. JOSH CONERLY STRENGTHS: ● Outstanding lateral quicks, change of direction and overall movement skills ● Explosive jump setter to easily cut off pass-rush angles ● Elite recovery balance ● Average height but above-average arm length and big, firm hands ● Keeps head on a swivel to locate blitzes and stunts ● Uses light feet and body control to seal frontside end on zone runs ● Paces speed to shine at the second level and out in space, where he can erase defenders on the move as a lead blocker ● Plays with both raw strength and an aggressive play style ● Allowed only six pressures over his final 12 starts (all coming against Ohio State) ● Durable; finished his career with 28 straight starts WEAKNESSES: ● Core strength must be addressed and developed ● Hands are all over the place and frequently late, leaving his chest exposed ● Bull rushers are able to rock him on his heels and drive him backward ● Explosive laterally out of his stance, but he'll be early and overset, inviting inside rush moves across his face ● Can be caught leaning in pass pro and needs to find better balance between being patient and aggressive ● Only played left tackle in college and doesn't have functional experience at right tackle or on the interior SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Oregon, Conerly manned the left tackle position in offensive coordinator Will Stein's multiple run scheme with a lot of unbalanced looks. After transitioning to the offensive line as a high school sophomore, he made steady improvements each season, and he played his best ball over the second half of his final year in Eugene. A quick, fluid mover, Conerly has the range to reach his landmarks laterally in pass protection and on the move, at the second level and in the run game. Because of the underdeveloped parts of his game, he will put himself in some compromised positions, especially against power rushers, but his recovery balance is exceptional. Overall, Conerly must continue refining his hands and core strength, but he is on the right trajectory and enters the NFL with a promising foundation based on athletic movements and body control. Currently a "bend, don't break" blocker, he has the talent to become a solid starter early in his NFL career. AIREONTAE ERSERY STRENGTHS: ● Imposing size with broad shoulders, long arms and obvious upper-body strength ● Trusts athleticism and feet to stay patient in his process (credits his time in basketball and dance for his footwork) ● Quick out of his stance to jump set, pull or reach and seal three-tech defensive linemen ● Able to quickly access his length to fend off cross-chops and inside counters ● Displays an improved feel for stunts and blitzes compared to 2023 tape ● Flashes square power to move defensive linemen against their will (weight-room strength translates to the field) ● His coaches praise the jump he made during his college career ● Grew into a team leader, according to NFL scouts ● Started 38 straight games at left tackle to finish his career WEAKNESSES: ● Upright, and his hands are often wide and inaccurate when striking mid-slide, leaving him hugging/hooking rushers ● False steps at times and occasionally allows his feet to get choppy if he gets stressed ● Can do a better job continuing to work his hips into position as he engages ● His anchor can be diminished when he's late with his strikes ● Comes off the ball high, which leads to waist-bending tendencies ● Can see him finish with grit on some plays but needs to do it more consistently ● Didn't miss any starts because of injury past three seasons but did sit out most of regular-season finale (Nov. 2024) with right ankle sprain ● Almost all of his career snaps (96.3 percent) came at left tackle SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Minnesota, Ersery locked down the left tackle position in offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh's zone-heavy scheme. Because he did not play football until his sophomore year of high school, he was raw when he enrolled at Minnesota but developed into the Big Ten's Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2024. With his NFL-ready build and length, Ersery has a stiff punch to steer rushers wide of the pocket, and he can anchor down when rushers try to attack him down the middle. Though he moves well for a big man, especially as a zone-blocker, there are some sloppy elements to his game and he is stiff when attempting to redirect or recover, especially when his hands are tardy. Overall, Ersery has the size, strength and movement talent to become an NFL starting tackle — if his timing, angles and overall consistency continue to improve with pro coaching. It might be a bumpy ride early as he transitions to the next level. DONOVAN JACKSON (Dane listed him as an OT) STRENGTHS: ● Workable height, length and girth for NFL trenchwork ● Displayed outstanding control in pass sets at left tackle ● Carries weight well, with core strength that extends to his fingertips and cleats ● Willfully throws punch to keep blockers away from his frame ● Initial quickness helps him close space with defenders to win blocking angles ● Very smooth on pulls/climbs to pick off multiple targets while on the move ● Widens and resets his feet to anchor versus power in pass protection ● Works well in tandem on stunts and sees things well (Ryan Day: "He's very, very intelligent ... (and) processes high levels of information.") ● Only two penalties over final 28 games in college (holding vs. Iowa 2024, block in the back vs. Indiana 2024) ● Has played a lot of football (53 career games) ● Graduated with a 3.85 GPA, highest on the team — his work during the week shows on the field (Texas' Barryn Sorrell called Jackson the toughest tackle he faced in 2024, "because of his preparation.") ● Selfless; willingly returned to his high school roots and played left tackle when Ohio State was hit with injuries (Chip Kelly: "It's a credit to the type of person Donny is — one of the true leaders on our team.") WEAKNESSES: ● Strong but not overpowering and won't consistently drive or redirect in run game ● Overextends upper half, giving defenders an opportunity to pull his weight against him ● Feet can be tardy catching up after his hands connect ● More false steps than expected, opening the backdoor for defenders ● Sat out first two games of 2024 season after injuring his hamstring (Sept. 2024) SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Ohio State, Jackson played both left tackle and left guard in former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's diverse run game (gap/zone, pin-pulls, counters, etc.). Highly recruited out of Texas, he didn't ascend to meet some of his sky-high expectations at left guard, but he was the unsung hero of the Buckeyes' 2024 national championship run after kicking out to left tackle to replace an injured Josh Simmons for the final nine games. Following a rough first start against Abdul Carter and Penn State, he played at a high level the rest of the way, including an impeccable playoff run. Long considered an interior prospect by NFL teams, his left tackle tape was better than what he showed at left guard, forcing NFL teams to reevaluate his best positional fit. Though not an overpowering drive blocker, Jackson moves well out of his stance with the flexibility/length/strength combination to latch and occupy defenders with his hands. His processing gradually improved each season, and he didn't look like a fish out of water in space. Overall, Jackson's sustain and recovery hiccups must be addressed by an NFL coaching staff, but his athletic traits and play strength should translate well to the next level. He projects as an NFL starter, and his tape shows a player with true tackle-guard versatility.
Spoiler: Guards TYLER BOOKER STRENGTHS: ● Physically imposing size with wide base, long arms and proportional mass ● Repeatable tape — strain and finish, strain and finish, etc. ● Efficient setup to square rushers in pass pro ● Heavy hands to land jarring strikes and crater defenders ● Bends well for his size with hip mobility to anchor and slow down bull rush ● Drives his feet in run game to displace and create lane access ● Controlled and decisive as a puller and will unload when on a single track ● Always looking for work and hunts opportunities to put defenders on their backs ● Describes play style as "legal assault" (Booker: "I make guys not love football anymore.") ● Laser-focused — he's been on a mission to be an NFL player since grade school ● Durable and works hard to stay conditioned — started 27 of his last 28 games at Alabama ● Team captain who describes himself as a "natural born leader" and gets the most out of his teammates (NFL scout: "He keeps everyone accountable in that locker room. ... After (Alabama's) Vandy loss, 'Book' was the guy who got everyone back on track.") WEAKNESSES: ● More functional than dynamic as an athlete, which shows when he redirects in space ● Lacks suddenness in countering steps/reactions ● Quick out of stance but can be more aggressive in sets to achieve an upkick position ● Hands can get caught outside defender, hurting his ability to latch and control ● Committed seven penalties in 2024, including three false starts ● Saw late-game snaps at right guard as freshman but worked almost exclusively at left guard in college (trained at right guard and center during pre-draft workouts with O-line guru Duke Manyweather) ● Missed one game as sophomore because of back spasms (Sept. 2023) SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Alabama, Booker primarily lined up at left guard in head coach Kalen DeBoer's run-heavy, RPO-based scheme. After an inconsistent yet promising first two years in Tuscaloosa, he had an All-America junior season as a critical team leader and made the key improvements NFL scouts were hoping to see. In pass protection, you want your guards creating the depth of the pocket by answering and anchoring, which Booker does at a high level. In the run game, you want your guards driving and creating room with the intent of dominating their man, which Booker also does consistently. The next step for him is to continue developing his savviness to counter/reach high-end athleticism and blitzes that cross his face. Overall, Booker is built like a bull, with the play strength and finishing mentality to match. His average foot quickness, however, might not be ideal for every scheme. He projects as an immediate starting guard with the tools and competitive character that are easy to bet on. KELVIN BANKS (Dane listed him as a G) STRENGTHS: ● Broad-framed with proportionate thickness throughout his body ● Moves controlled with initial lateral steps to reach depth landmarks and stay ahead of rushers ● Patient, skilled hands in pass protection ● Aims strikes at breastplate of defenders to lock out and maintain contact ● Stays square versus wide-rush alignment but also can cut off inside moves ● Rolls hips well at contact to win positioning and create movement in run game ● Athletic puller with body control to pace and pick off space defenders ● Efficient on combinations and pays close attention to blocking geometry ● Durable — missed only one start at left tackle over past six seasons, dating back to sophomore year of high school ● Humble team captain who is all business (head coach Steve Sarkisian: "Whenever somebody comes to me and asks, 'Coach, what do I need to do and how do I need to do it?' I say, 'Be like Kelvin.") WEAKNESSES: ● Lack of desired arm length leads to more catch blocks than you'd like to see ● Longer-armed defenders can break him down and access his edges (see 2024 Georgia tape) ● Spends too much time on the ground, falling off drive blocks in run game ● Lacks overpowering strength to redirect defenders ● Flagged seven times in 2024 (four holding calls, three false starts) ● 100 percent of college snaps came at left tackle — any position change would be a projection ● Left ankle sprain vs. Texas A&M and missed 2024 SEC Championship Game vs. Georgia (Dec. 2024) SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Texas, Banks was a fixture at left tackle in head coach Steve Sarkisian's multiple-run scheme (RPO, wide-zone offense). Despite not moving to the offensive line until high school, he looks like he has been playing there his entire life — it wasn't a coincidence the Longhorns' rise mirrored Banks' tenure (Texas' wins increased each of his three seasons in the program). With well-timed feet and handwork, Banks is a natural in pass protection and shows an instinctive feel to attack with leverage and create force through his body mechanics. His balance can be too easily disrupted, though, especially in the run game, which can leave him overextended or on the ground. Overall, Banks doesn't have ideal length and needs to improve his sustain tactics to be a consistent finisher against NFL talent, but he has controlled footwork and depth in his pass sets, plus the fundamental know-how to fit and leverage blocks and keep defenders occupied. He projects as an immediate NFL starter who can stay at tackle, although his best long-term position might be guard.
Spoiler GREY ZABEL (Dane listed him as a C) STRENGTHS: ● Awesome footwork and flexibility to spring out of stance and set up shop (top vertical jump among all offensive linemen at the NFL combine) ● Balanced in pass pro and reaches landmarks square and on time ● Fluid on the fly to adjust through gap exchanges on stunts ● Active and eager with his hands to stun and snatch defenders ● Rolls his hips, drives his feet and maintains strain through contact in the run game ● Efficient tempo on combination blocks and knows when to release and seal ● Light feet on the move with elite range to pick off space defenders on long pulls and screens ● Versatile experience, with college starts at both guard and both tackle positions (also started at center in high school) ● Durable; finished career with 36 straight starts ● Voted a 2024 team captain; quarterback Cam Miller calls him "one of the best leaders I've ever been around." ● North Dakota State coaches rave about his character (NFL scout: "Football, farming and his family — not sure he cares about much else.") WEAKNESSES: ● Lacks ideal arm length, making it tough for him to maintain connection with speedy rushers who reach his edge ● Guilty of throwing hands prematurely, giving rushers a window to chop/wrap his shoulder ● Lean body type and lacks ideal sand in lower half, which hinders his anchor against power rushers ● No college starts at center, although he played at the pivot during Senior Bowl practices ● Penalized 15 times in past two seasons, including a drive-killing personal foul in 2024 national title game ● Only one of 40 career starts came against FBS competition (Colorado in 2024) SUMMARY: A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Zabel was an All-America left tackle in offensive coordinator Jake Landry's run-focused scheme (previously started at right tackle and both guard spots). He was part of an offensive line room that included Cordell Volson (2022 fourth-round pick) and Cody Mauch (2023 second-rounder). Whether out in space or in confined areas, Zabel shines as a run blocker with his athletic range and grip strength to connect, strain and seal lanes. In pass protection, he can be walked back and surrender depth versus power, but he mirrors well and stays balanced through contact as he refits his hands to grind bull rushes to a halt. Overall, Zabel must prove he can consistently anchor against NFL power, but his light, flexible movements and strong hands keep pass rushers busy and displace defenders in the run game. A college tackle, he projects best inside, at either center or guard, where he will compete for immediate starting reps and offer Pro Bowl upside. TATE RATLEDGE STRENGTHS: ● Tall with thick, stout frame and massive hands ● Latches on in run game and flashes strength in legs and hands to create lanes ● Has body quickness and control to stretch front-side and execute short pulls ● Plays with flat back and impressive leverage for his size, helping him reset pass-pro anchor and halt power ● Keeps hands tight in punch to batter and bruise ● Rarely fooled by stunts and plays with vision to identify games and blitzes from depth ● Mean dude — takes it incredibly personally when quarterback gets hit ● Penalized just three times over past two seasons (two holding flags, one false start) ● His coaches rave about his practice habits and love for football ● Very personable; connects well in locker room (NFL scout: "He's a goofball, but the guys over there love him.") ● Kirby Smart said he's as "special as they come," because of his leadership (95 percent of Georgia's 130 players voted him a 2024 team captain) WEAKNESSES: ● Shorter arms stand out when punch timing isn't on point ● Leaves edges vulnerable when set points are inconsistent ● Has overzealous moments in run game and finds himself overextended ● Occasionally drops his eyes into contact ● Feels most comfortable on right side and doesn't have proven experience across the line (aside from four snaps at left guard, 100 percent of his 2,081 career offensive snaps came at right guard) ● Missed at least one game each of past four seasons: Lisfranc injury to right foot four plays into first career start, which required season-ending surgery; missed one game as sophomore because of shoulder subluxation (Nov. 2022); missed one game as junior because of bone bruise to left knee (Nov. 2023); left ankle injury (Sept. 2024) as senior and required tightrope surgery, which sidelined him four games SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Georgia, Ratledge established himself at right guard in offensive coordinator Mike Bobo's multiple-run scheme (zone and gap). Despite missing 20 games with injuries over the past four years, he became an All-American and All-SEC first-teamer the past two seasons and an unquestioned leader in the program. NFL teams are searching for guards who can move defenders with their lower bodies and control them with their upper halves, and Ratledge did both consistently on his college tape, bullying defenders out of gaps to create running lanes. In pass protection, he has the smarts and anchor to maintain the integrity of the pocket, although he needs to improve his punch timing to stay centered versus pass-rush quickness. Overall, Ratledge is a self-described "dirtbag" with the contact power, competitive edge and functional movement skills to match up against NFL defensive linemen. He should compete for a starting role as a rookie and has the necessary tools for a decade-long pro career, if he stays healthy. •Simmons: “Penalized just once in six starts in 2024” •Jackson: “Only two penalties over final 28 games in college (holding vs. Iowa 2024, block in the back vs. Indiana 2024)” •Booker: “Committed seven penalties in 2024, including three false starts” •Banks: “Flagged seven times in 2024 (four holding calls, three false starts)” •Zabel: “Penalized 15 times in past two seasons, including a drive-killing personal foul in 2024 national title game” •Ratledge: “Penalized just three times over past two seasons (two holding flags, one false start)”
•Simmons: “Penalized just once in six starts in 2024” - due to injury and missing the rest of the season against OSU's better competition. He had 25 penalties between 2022 and the 2023 season
Ersery maybe gone before our first pick. Conerly and Ersery are top two LT in the draft. Conerly is the better outside zone LT, while Ersery is the better Power Gap LT. Ersery is the better match for the Texans of the two.The scarcity of LT in the draft is why Caserio punted and signed two tackles during free agency. I think the Texans will wait till next year to address the tackle position in the draft. The most likely scenario is to draft a Guard in the 1st round. Zabel and Booker are just way too good to pass up.
Question. Are we drafting for the longterm, shortterm, or a balance of both? For example, if we're drafting for the shortterm then I suppose we're not drafting any two-year projects, right? And if we're drafting for the shortterm, do we need to draft a DT?
I don't think there is any room on the roster for any projects. Caserio has signed extra veterans at every position on the roster. The two 7th round picks are completely worthless because they won't make the team and your just hoping you can sneak them on the practice squad.
At that point we're just looking for the best player we can find and hope that we found a diamond in the rough. It doesn't happen often but it does happen.
Trade up into the late 2nd/early 3rd to get him, use a 2026 pick to get him. Caserio has a bunch of 2026 picks from the Tunsil trade.
I think you may be right. I'm hoping for Zabel and Ratlege, even if Caserio has to trade up for Ratlege.
I think our defense is Super Bowl quality. I think we could avoid defensive picks and put ourselves in position to win in all this year. So what if we also avoid OL picks and use our top-4 to add weapons and depth to the offense? What do you think?
Caserio can use those picks to find ST's guys or package them with other picks to trade up. Also Caserio can trade 2025 7th's for 2026 6th's,
