2021 NFL Draft thread - Day 1 discussion
 

Round 1 starts tonight at 8 Eastern / 7 Central.

TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Stream: fuboTV, NFL app

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1387795364674252803

This will be interesting, but my guess is that it's an over-rated storyline. There is enough tape to make decent evaluations for most of the draftable players this year. Maybe it's not recent tape, and not as much as in the past, but I'll wager that the league's stronger scouting departments will be fine. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ballard get one or two picks this year for weaker picks next year, because he trusts his group to get it right, and other GMs may be panicky.

Oh boy, draft night! Which for the Colts means the excitement of waiting for the to see what the Colts trade down for.

I kid, I kid...kind of.

yeah, I really liked ballard's last press conference where he said "talk to you friday"

The only benefit of having that 1st rounder is the 5th year extension which would be nice to have on a LT or pass rusher.

Saints are also rumored trying to trade into the top 10

Also here is the breakdown of who the experts predicted us to draft. Stole from reddit, not sure where he stole it from, maybe indystar

Jaelen Phillips, EDGE (Miami) - 13 selections: Glynn Morgan (NBC Sports), Charlie Campbell (Walter Football), Dan Kadar (Akron Beacon Journal), Jason McIntyre (Fox Sports), Seth Trachtman (Yardbarker), Sam Farmer (Los Angeles Times), Chris Simms (NBC Sports), Nate Bouda (NFL Trade Rumors), Derrik Klassen (Football Outsiders), Thor Nystrom (NBC Sports EDGE), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports), Bucky Brooks (NFL.com), Mel Kiper Jr (ESPN)

Azeez Ojulari, EDGE (Georgia) - 11 selections: Staff (Pro Football Focus), Mike Tanier (Pro Football Network), Rhett Lewis (NFL.com), Peter Schrager (NFL.com), Staff (USA Today), Eddie Brown (San Diego Union Tribune), Danny Kelly (The Ringer), Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated), Staff (Draftwire), Ben Allbright (Pro Football Network), Tony Pauline (Pro Football Network)

Teven Jenkins, OT (Oklahoma State) - 10 selections: Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports), Charles Davis (NFL.com), NFL Staff (Draft Kings), Kevin Hanson (EDS Football), Calvin Watkins (Dallas Morning News), John McClain (Houston Chronicle), Ryan McChrystal (Sharp Football Analysis), Jenny Vrentas (Sports Illustrated), Staff (DraftBlaster), Zak Keefer (The Athletic)

Samuel Cosmi, OT (Texas) - 6 selections: Peter King (NBC Sports), Dean Kindig (DraftTek), Lance Cartelli (Lines.com), Josh Norris (Underdog Fantasy), Michael Fabiano (Sports Illustrated), Joe DeTullion (The Game Haus)

Kwity Paye, EDGE (Michigan) - 5 selections: Omar Kelly (Miami Sun Sentinal), Zach Hicks (SB Nation), C.J. Doon (Baltimore Sun), Pete Prisco (CBS Sports), Mike Wells (ESPN)

Christian Darrisaw, OT (Virginia Tech) - 4 selections: Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL.com), Luke Easterling (Draftwire), Jon Ledyard (Pewter Report)

Alex Leatherwood, OT (Alabama) - 2 selections: Stephen Holder (The Athletic), Staff (Alpha Football)

Caleb Farley, CB (Virginia Tech) - 2 selections: Paul Banks (The Sports Bank), John Daigle (NBC Sports EDGE)

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT (USC) - 1 selection: Jack Borowsky (Sports Illustrated)

Carlos Basham Jr, EDGE (Wake Forest) - 1 selection: Will Brinson (CBS Sports)

Elijah Moore, WR (Ole Miss) - 1 selection: Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)

Eric Stokes, CB (Georgia) - 1 selection: Nick Klopsis (Newsday)

Greg Newsome II, CB (Northwestern) - 1 selection: Trevor Sikkema (The Draft Network)

Gregory Rousseau, EDGE (Miami) - 1 selection: Bryan Fischer (Athlon Sports)

Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina) - 1 selection: Matt Miller (The Draft Scout)

Joe Tryon, EDGE (Washington) - 1 selection: Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com)

Kadarius Toney, WR (Florida) - 1 selection: Charlie Casserly (NFL.com)

Liam Eichenberg, OT (Notre Dame) - 1 selection: Chad Reuter (NFL.com)

Jayson Oweh, EDGE (Penn State) - 1 selection: Matt Lombardo (Fansided)

Rashod Bateman, WR (Minnesota) - 1 selection: Staff (Tankathon)

Trevor Moehrig, S (TCU) - 1 selection: Walter Cherepinsky (Walter Football)

I'd actually like to see a trade down or 2. Maybe something like:

Saints get: 21

Colts get: 28, 98, 105

Then:

Jets get: 28

Colts get: 34, 66

Dropping down 13 picks in this scenario would give the Colts 34, 54, 66, 98, and 105, or likely 2 of the top 50, 3 of the top 75, and 5 of the top 100 players in this draft. I think if you don't get Jenkins or Phillips, this is probably the best play.

RAS. Scores. if interested

https://relativeathleticscores.com/2...aft-class-ras/

Also I said I'd do an OT ranking. No discussion, but here it is:

01) Rashawn Slater
02) Teven Jenkins
03) Christian Darrisaw
04) Liam Eichenberg
05) Samuel Cosmi
06) Penei Sewell
07) Dillon Radunz
08) Jalen Mayfield
09) Walker Little
10) Brady Christensen
11) Alex Leatherwood
12) Stone Forsythe
13) Spencer Brown
14) James Hudson

This is just the players I watched personally, and I'll happily give a justification for each ranking if asked. Answering one ahead of time, I know I previously ranked Sewell much lower, the increase in rank says nothing about his tape and everything about his age, build, and potential. To be clear, based on the Colts needing a Day 1 starter, I would not draft Sewell for them were he available, and if Cincinnati drafts him at 5, they won't be doing Joe Burrow any favors in the first year. Perhaps down the line, but I don't think Sewell is a game 1 starter based on his film. I took Vera-Tucker out because IMO he's a guard. His kickstep is too labored and forced to stick at LT, and he can't handle speed.

Eichenberg over Cosmi?