I'm sure you've seen/heard/read somewhere this morning that the Patriots have explored jumping into the back end of the first round (I've been big on this for a while). While the buzz has been that they're in the market for a wide receiver, a league source believes tackle is in play - depending on how the board falls. Part of the calculus here when it comes to WRs is how many teams at the back end of the 1st/top of the 2nd need pass catchers (Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Panthers), and despite the depth in this class, there's still a drop-off (plus a handful who are slot-only players).
- I spoke with multiple teams that met with the quarterbacks in this class and was told J.J. McCarthy was an absolute rock star in these settings. Football character, intelligence, and genuineness aren't always the easiest to show when these players have been coached up by their agencies to handle just about any question, but the Michigan product crushed it.
- Drake Maye wasn't too far behind, and the one thing I was consistently told about the Tar Heel QB is he exudes confidence and leadership. So, while both Maye and McCarthy are the youngest signal callers in the class, there's a maturity level that should serve both well.
- League sources believe if the 49ers were to move Brandon Aiyuk, they'd want picks this year because they have a roster good enough to win now. They also believe it has to include a first-rounder (think the A.J. Brown deal). That rules the Pats out - unless a move into the back half of the round one is done for that purpose.
- As for Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati asking for trades, the feeling is owner Mike Brown won't be strong-armed by either. The Bengals' roster is legit. Could Brown be moved off that by getting an offer he can't refuse? Rising salaries at the wide receiver position have only served to increase the asks, which is why this, too, would seemingly require a first-rounder.
- There is a lot of confusion about what the Giants are all about at #6. They've been tied to Maye and McCarthy and did extensive work on Michael Penix. Would they bypass a potential #1 wideout (Nabers, Odunze, or Harrison) to draft the QB of the future? If Brian Daboll is indeed on the hot seat - and some in NY believe that to be true - then how does picking a developmental prospect to sit behind Daniel Jones help his cause?
- There's been some talk that the Falcons are also interested in QBs. I call bullcrap on that. That strikes me as a way to extract another pick out of someone for a slight move back (could Atlanta be the team Minnesota flips with if McCarthy's still on the board).
- A couple of medical flags on first-rounders have leaked in the last few days. Troy Fautanu (OL/Washington) and Brian Thomas Jr. (WR/LSU) have some issues. Thomas will need shoulder surgery at some point, but the belief is it can be managed this season. Fautanu's knee has raised concerns, with Albert Breer writing, "That one was described to me as the sort of issue that shouldn't be a problem in the short term, but could wind up impacting his longevity in the pros." Fautanu is a top-10 player in this draft, for me, all things equal.
- No one I talked to expects the Broncos to stay at 12 (so they probably will). They have given up so much draft capital to acquire Russell Wilson (how's that working out for them?) and Sean Payton that they need to recoup some picks, especially with a roster in rough shape. Teams like Philadelphia, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis could find a willing partner in Payton, get their target, and aid Denver's attempt to add cost-controlled bodies. Some flies in the ointment for this - the potential availability of Brock Bowers at #12, the possibility that Dallas Turner is also sitting there (should Atlanta decide Laiatu Latu is a better fit or DT Byron Murphy), or a willingness to include Patrick Surtain in conjunction with picks to make that desired leap up the board to get a QB.
- Hey Jim Montgomery, play Jeremy Swayman in game 4, okay? (Yeah, I know it's not football, but I need to speak/write this into existence.)
As for the guys I'd pound the table for if I was allowed into a draft room (beyond the first-round types):
- Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
- Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
- Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
- T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
- Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
- Maason Smith, DT, LSU
- Roger Rosengarten, T, Washington
- Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
- Cole Bishop, S, Utah
- Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
- Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
- Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue
- Jha'Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane
- Elijah Jones, CB, BC
