2025 NFL Draft Thread

[Cincyfan78]

Wouldn't it be better for the Bengals to just be a bowling ball on offense and be unstoppable like the 2011 Saints offense? I don't feel the pieces are there for the defense to improve enough to hold most teams under 20. They can't allow the Ravens and Steelers to hold them up again only to squat in the playoffs.

Bengals defense had games giving up: 38, 41, 37, 35, 34, and 44. They lost each one of those games despite the offense averaging over 30 points in those contests. They don't have to be a top 5 unit, they just can't be a bottom 5 unit. Honestly, it shouldn't be that hard to improve. I really liked Lou as the DC, but his inability to adjust to the players on the roster who couldn't do what he wanted, and the lack of overall pass-rush outside of everyone not named Trey Hendrickson made it really, really tough. Lou also stuck with veterans who had aged out way too long (Hubbard, Bell, Pratt, etc...).

The Bengals had their most prolific offense in team history - even better than the SB and AFCC game rums...and didn't make the playoffs. So, yes, they could go balls to the wall and try and score 40 a game...but if they don't fix the defense, they are going to be in the same boat as last year, losing in shootouts because the defense was simply that bad.

Not to mention, offensively - they are pretty set everywhere BUT IOL and maybe 1 more backup swing IOL/OT. Everything else is pretty well covered. The need is on defense, both from a starting stand point, a depth, and raising the overall floor of talent.

 

[Cincyfan78]

yeah. I have a rule. No matter what I want in a draft. never complain if you take a lineman in the 1st.

The fact remains - as much as the NFL has changed - games are still won and lost at the line on both sides of the ball. Protect the QB and rush the QB. If you can't do those things, it becomes increasingly hard to be consistent and successful on either side.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

The fact remains - as much as the NFL has changed - games are still won and lost at the line on both sides of the ball. Protect the QB and rush the QB. If you can't do those things, it becomes increasingly hard to be consistent and successful on either side.

yep.
Win the trenches. Win the game.

 

[shopson67]

yeah. I have a rule. No matter what I want in a draft. never complain if you take a lineman in the 1st.

Well, depends on the lineman. Rams have drafted some stinkers since 2000 (Greg Robinson, Jason Smith, Alex Barron).

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Well, depends on the lineman. Rams have drafted some stinkers since 2000 (Greg Robinson, Jason Smith, Alex Barron).

well nothing is 100%
but OL probably has the least bust pct. for positions in the 1st round
but more importantly means your team is understanding where games are won. Picking right or wrong (on the individual) is a different thing. the plan is sound.
personally even if I dont understand the pick. if OL I trust in my team to get a quality Lineman in the 1st.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

As far as Defense.
the 2 things I want for early Christmas present.
All pro DT & an all star MLB.
Two spots that seem to be overlooked that absolutely should never be overlooked if you want a consistent bad ass defense.

 

[Clayton]

I think EDGE and CB have the most correlation between drafting high and success. DTs until recently busted all of the time IIRC.

 

[cdumler7]

I can't see how the Browns and Cowboys make a deal that involves Parsons. There is no way the Browns can afford to pay both Parsons and Garrett top money at the position and have a functional roster. And for the Cowboys Parsons is just too good to let walk in the hopes who you move up for becomes a good player to the level you already have in Parsons.

 

[cdumler7]

I think EDGE and CB have the most correlation between drafting high and success. DTs until recently busted all of the time IIRC.

I would add OT to this list. Not many great tackles in the NFL outside of the 1st round.

 

[Clayton]

I would add OT to this list. Not many great tackles in the NFL outside of the 1st round.

OTs can be a bit like QBs where you have to take them in rd1 generally. You don't have to take Edge players or CBs but you probably should.

That said, if this draft class has 2 TEs and 1 RB in the top 10 overall prospects you do have to roll the dice if you need them. The player is more important than the position imo

 

[Shanemansj13]

Agreed completely - I’m a big Falcons fan as you know and I think we should go just about all D in this draft, our O is pretty much set - I think we’ll get an edge rusher at 15 given how much we’ve struggled with the pass rush lately, but corner is a possibility as well and we could use another good corner besides Terrell. We need improvements at each level of D, and hopefully we get that in the draft. Agreed about the Bucs and Bengals as well, those teams look set on O, but their D’s need help.

Yeah Walker most likely won't be there but you have a couple guys I'm sure ATL would love to add. Mykel, Green, Ezeiruaku or Pearce

 

[Xeliou66]

Yeah Walker most likely won't be there but you have a couple guys I'm sure ATL would love to add. Mykel, Green, Ezeiruaku or Pearce

I would be good with any of those guys, Green is probably my first choice of those but I think all of them have a lot of potential.

 

[Clayton]

I think every NFC South team is currently expected to pick a pass rusher. I suspect the Saints might go offense but Mykel WIlliams seems to be the favorite atm

 

[Schmoopy1000]

I think EDGE and CB have the most correlation between drafting high and success. DTs until recently busted all of the time IIRC.

I know my team has sucked at drafting DTs

but we gotta keep trying.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Not surprising