2025 NFL Offseason/Free Agency/Draft thread

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Technically, Shedeur is dodging the draft

another brilliant bazinga

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

I was going to ask about Clay Matthews (?) message from the President as they were getting ready to start the draft-what exactly did he say and no surprise that Trump tried to make himself the center of attention again on something.

I transcribed it as jkhglakjhgdlkahgdlkjahelhjaehjaeuiohgilounvnlbhujkdhagd

[HerRealName]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Graham Mertz getting drafted might just be one of the surest signs of what an absolutely void of offensive talent draft class this really is.

I don't understand why anyone would bring Mertz on UDFA let alone spending a draft choice on him. I'm surprised Ewers hasn't been picked yet though.

[QuikSand]

Being a draft nerd and also a Dolphins fan is a toxic combo. Their front office (incredibly in power for 10 years) just really believes in their own valuation, much of it based on very finely tuned matters of "fit" -- maybe not quite as annoying as Mayock w the Raiders, btu a similar vibe.

So, I probably run 75 mock drafts for the Dolphins, either plotting out what do do after using pick 13 here, or there, and so forth... and then variations of trading down or trading up in later spots. It was enjoyable, I got to know this draft much better for having done so, but I knew all along that I couldn't wish anyone onto the roster, and that my mocked players would end up going to more conventional front offices, while the Dolphins reliable reach and reach.

The day-after grade is usually bad for the 'Phins, as they vary a lot from the consensus boards. But the thing is, that means they leave value on the table. This year, DT Grant was a rumored consideration for quite a while, but I just wasn't able to sell myself that he was enough value to take at 13, which apparently thay had just planned to do all along. I mocked myself dealing down from 13 to 25 or 28 or whatever and picking up a selection or two for the trouble, and then taking a DT (even Grant) at that point, but... just sitting tight at 13 and taking him never felt right to me.

They dealt up to get a G they like... I liked him too and am fine with the pick, but they seem so super confident about their late picks, it's just off-putting. And none of the guys they are taking in rounds 5+ are guys I had any interest in at this point in my Dolphins mocks.

Sigh. We'll see how it turns out, but they feel like they bungled a window, and now are fiddling while the cinders burn out. Even if they somehow get a fully healthy season from Tua and a couple other good turns, it's nearly impossible to see them beating any of the AFC power teams in Dec/Jan.

[QuikSand]

…and then they pick QB Ewers, a guy I did indeed grasp in the 5/6 range fairly often for them. Fine.

[CrimsonFox]

man 5th round. after they passed on him several times and he was still there, then trading up. They must have been playing the long game the whole time. Good work Clev.

Also There IS such a thing as too much taxidermy

[Danny]

As someone said that was almost certainly orders from the owner to do that

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Being a draft nerd and also a Dolphins fan is a toxic combo. Their front office (incredibly in power for 10 years) just really believes in their own valuation, much of it based on very finely tuned matters of "fit" -- maybe not quite as annoying as Mayock w the Raiders, btu a similar vibe.

So, I probably run 75 mock drafts for the Dolphins, either plotting out what do do after using pick 13 here, or there, and so forth... and then variations of trading down or trading up in later spots. It was enjoyable, I got to know this draft much better for having done so, but I knew all along that I couldn't wish anyone onto the roster, and that my mocked players would end up going to more conventional front offices, while the Dolphins reliable reach and reach.

The day-after grade is usually bad for the 'Phins, as they vary a lot from the consensus boards. But the thing is, that means they leave value on the table. This year, DT Grant was a rumored consideration for quite a while, but I just wasn't able to sell myself that he was enough value to take at 13, which apparently thay had just planned to do all along. I mocked myself dealing down from 13 to 25 or 28 or whatever and picking up a selection or two for the trouble, and then taking a DT (even Grant) at that point, but... just sitting tight at 13 and taking him never felt right to me.

They dealt up to get a G they like... I liked him too and am fine with the pick, but they seem so super confident about their late picks, it's just off-putting. And none of the guys they are taking in rounds 5+ are guys I had any interest in at this point in my Dolphins mocks.

Sigh. We'll see how it turns out, but they feel like they bungled a window, and now are fiddling while the cinders burn out. Even if they somehow get a fully healthy season from Tua and a couple other good turns, it's nearly impossible to see them beating any of the AFC power teams in Dec/Jan.

I feel the same as a Bengals fan. They are going to do it their way regardless of results. They are going to draft for need and that's going to end up with them drafting players early and missing out on players that get taken just before them.

[CrimsonFox]

oh man this is rough

Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft pick loses mother hours after being selected | CNN

[bhlloy]

I feel bad for Dillon Gabriel. That’s a really unenviable position to be in now. The guy they took instead of the more talented guy, except then they went back and took that guy later as well.

[QuikSand]

Somebody go get this undrafted rookie TE:
CJ Dippre

[miami_fan]

Wait a second, the Browns traded up to pick 144 for the honor of drafting Shedeur? I want to believe that John Schneider called up Jimmy Haslam directly, told him that Howie Roseman thought Shedeur was the next Jalen Hurts and that is what sealed the deal.

[PilotMan]

NDSU's Cam Miller was picked in the 6th round by the Raiders. He makes the 4th QB from NDSU drafted in school history.


Two picks earlier they selected Montana State's Tommy Mellott.


Both QB's played against one another in the FCS Championship game this year, and Miller pulled NDSU through with a 35-32 win.

[CrimsonFox]

The best name in the draft: Cam Skateboo

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

I feel bad for Dillon Gabriel. That’s a really unenviable position to be in now. The guy they took instead of the more talented guy, except then they went back and took that guy later as well.

Gabriel is more talented than Sanders. The only thing Sanders has on him is height.

[CrimsonFox]

Here's what I wanna know from you guys. Which teams do you think will reach out for Pickett, Watson, and Flacco and be good fits?

[CrimsonFox]

I was watching my recording of the rouds 4-7 draft and there was a new fifth analyst on the end with glasses his face was all puffed out and red and angry like a republican and he kept ranting against the NFL for Sanders falling to the 5th round. The others were calmly trying to explain to him that no one likes him because his attitude and his dad's baggage was why but he wouldn't listen.

[Ghost Econ]

With Riley Leonard and Will Howard both going in the 6th round, this was probably the worst starting National Championship pair since at least AJ McCarron and Everett Goldson in 2013. 3 of the 4 final 4 QBs were taken in round 6 or later and Drew Allar is almost certainly worse but will get drafted higher.

Also, what does it say about Arch Manning that he sat behind a 7th round draft pick for 2 years.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

Here's what I wanna know from you guys. Which teams do you think will reach out for Pickett, Watson, and Flacco and be good fits?

The only people reaching out for Watson will be lawyers for more civil suits.

[Thomkal]

Yeah I think the only teams that would go for Watson at this point would be teams with a big QB injury run.

[PilotMan]

Seeing that Shadeur's brother fired Dad as agent after the draft feels pretty fitting and also hilarious.

[Thomkal]

Draft grades from the Athletic-they loved my Cards draft so yeah Cards?


NFL Draft 2025 guide for every team: Picks, scouting reports and more - The Athletic

[bronconick]

Isn't his brother closer to UFL quality as a player anyway?

[QuikSand]

So if I had a nice grade on Dillon Gabriel, I think I’m calling the Browns and helping them resolve their vexing situation,

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Somebody go get this undrafted rookie TE:
CJ Dippre

Pats add him to a nice rookie haul

[GrantDawg]

Can you trade a rookie? I thought you can, but my friend said he didn't think you could.

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[sovereignstar v2]

I think so. Eli Manning comes to mind but that was ages ago

Edit: thought you meant draft pick. You definitely can trade a rookie after they've signed a contract

[QuikSand]

Yes, though I don’t recall ever hearing about it happening prior to contracts being signed, other than the during-draft moves like Eli Manning and Philip Rivers.

Lynn Bowden Jr was drafted a few years ago by the Raiders, and traded before his rookie season to the Dolphins. But yeah it’s pretty rare for obvious reasons. I’d guess it happens with very marginal players here and there without any fanfare.. late round pick is gonna get cut, deal him for a pick swap or something.

[GrantDawg]

It was the son of the Falcons DC that pranked called Sheduer. That's so terrible (and terribly funny).

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[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

It was the son of the Falcons DC that pranked called Sheduer. That's so terrible (and terribly funny).

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

Nah, not funny at all IMO

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

It was the son of the Falcons DC that pranked called Sheduer. That's so terrible (and terribly funny).

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

It appears several players were pranked:


NFL investigating prank call of Shedeur Sanders during NFL draft - ESPN

[CrimsonFox]

I've been thinking a lot lately that the draft needs to be hosted by a comedian. It takes itself too seriously

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Yeah I think the only teams that would go for Watson at this point would be teams with a big QB injury run.

I think that's what they are banking on. But they won't be able to keep ALL of them into the season. I think Pickett will get traded to be a backup somewhere else.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

I've been thinking a lot lately that the draft needs to be hosted by a comedian. It takes itself too seriously

As fans maybe but this is a dream come true for the athletes and their families and sometimes communities.

[albionmoonlight]

Any team with an established starter should be calling CLE and trying to buy low on Pickett. Great backup QB who does not really have a space in that QB room anymore.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Draft one week away.

Here are some of my predictions with various levels of hot take:

Sanders is not the second QB off the board

The first round will set a record (or close to a record) for fewest trades while picks are on the clock

Nick Emmanwori is a surprise top 10 pick

Tet McMillian falls below 20

Nailed the first one

Not sure about how close we came to a record, but the #2 pick being involved in a surprise trade killed the spirit of this guess

Nope

Super Nope. Apparently if the Panthers had not grabbed him, there were multiple teams ready to run up his card in the next few picks.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Danny

As fans maybe but this is a dream come true for the athletes and their families and sometimes communities.

I agree. Plus, booing the Commissioner is now a time-honored (and entertaining) tradition. And seeing him interacting with these young guys is also kinda funny (especially the recent trend of trying to out-bear-hug the last guy which will eventually end up with a broken back or some other sort of injury for Goodell).

Plus, there was some entertaining smack talk from some of the guest pick announcers. Terrion Arnold talking shit about being glad he didn't get picked by GB, and then whoever the hell the smug young guy was announcing a Broncos pick with 3 straight shots at GB losing the '98 SB to Denver was part of the comic relief, from the little I saw over the weekend.

[Atocep]

Baltimore and Carolina's drafts are probably my 2 favorites. I liked what the Giants did other than the Dart pick.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

It was the son of the Falcons DC that pranked called Sheduer. That's so terrible (and terribly funny).

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1. I wanted Shedeur to lean all in on his heel status and rip in the the guy. Him handling it with a certain amount of class ruins a good bit of the heel character building of Shedeur. {Sarcasm alert}

2. My non sarcastic response is given the misdeed, I sort of feel bad for Jeff Ulbrich. I am not shedding any tears, starting any Go Fund Me's or anything like that. It just sucks that the story is more "the son of Jeff Ulbrich" than "21 year old Jax Ulbrich". I am assuming that Jeff did not give Jax Shedeur's number or tell Jax to do the prank call. Despite his time as Jets' interim head coach, Jeff should be an afterthought in the reporting of the dumb shit his 21 year old son did IMO.

[CrimsonFox]

I think reporting this was the worst idea in the world. That has now put the idea into the heads of millions of people. (especially the friends of the draftees) Let the games begin!

[CrimsonFox]

At least it's confirmed. Fields is the punk I thought he was.
And the Jets just are addicted to overpaying for garbage QBs.

IF Rodgers DOES go to Pittsburgh, I wonder if being there will make him not suck.
It's possible.

[Arles]

Green Bay added a UDFA named "Buggs" Brown. He's a corner who played at FAU. Here are his numbers:
6'1", 224
4.38 40, 37" vertical, 10'1 broad jump, 24 reps on the bench, 4.09 shuttle

For a CB, his RAS is 9.93.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

At least it's confirmed. Fields is the punk I thought he was.
And the Jets just are addicted to overpaying for garbage QBs.

IF Rodgers DOES go to Pittsburgh, I wonder if being there will make him not suck.
It's possible.

He's a punk because he signed with the Jets? Or is there something I missed?

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

At least it's confirmed. Fields is the punk I thought he was.
And the Jets just are addicted to overpaying for garbage QBs.

IF Rodgers DOES go to Pittsburgh, I wonder if being there will make him not suck.
It's possible.

Are you confusing Justin Fields with Shedeur Sanders? Or are you confusing Jax Ulbrich with Justin Fields?

[albionmoonlight]

In the past decade, the Falcons have been fined for:

- $350k + 5th round pick for illegal crowd noise
- $75k + $25k to HC for an injury report violation on Bijan Robinson
- $250k + 5th round pick for tampering with Kirk Cousins
- $250k +$100k to DC for a prank call

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 30, 2025

Damn, GrantDawg. No wonder they call y'all the Dirty Birds :-)

[bhlloy]

I understand the need for the league to be seen to do something but that’s got to be one of the most laughably absurd and harsh penalties ever right?

The kid should get an ass whooping by his parents but beyond that… really you are going to fine somebody for having league information accessible at their house that their family can get at?

[albionmoonlight]

It's like anything--the consequences matter, not the process.

I worked stocking shelves at a grocery store. They had all sorts of rules about keeping the warehouse doors closed when they were not actively unloading trucks to help prevent theft.

But it is annoying to constantly open and close the doors, so people would just leave them open a lot when trucks were coming and going and no one really cared.

But one day some dudes came in through the open door and stole stuff and all of the employees who should have closed the door got fired.

Same here.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Damn, GrantDawg. No wonder they call y'all the Dirty Birds :-)

If you ain't rubbin, you ain't racin. It would be so much better if they would actually win something.
This one is stupid, but I get the league had to do something. The only person that did anything wrong was someone they couldn't punish, so they took it out on the team and the coach.

[bhlloy]

This isn’t some dudes though, it’s his own kid in the safety of his own house. Maybe the league had robust data classification policies and by the letter of the law he’s in violation of that and the penalty is established, I dunno. But I’m guessing that’s not the case and it’s just the perception that they have to close the door after the horse has bolted in a scenario that nobody ever could have anticipated.

[Passacaglia]

You don't think the NFL has good data policies?