tynimiller
Cheesehead
- Joined
- May 2, 2012
- Messages
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As I typically do let's set the stage for what I think we will have done or internally know desire to do the following or similar:
- Conversion/restructure of Jacobs contract to free a little. Honestly I'm not opposed if they announced they full pushed a conversion and shoved void years on...small push for a window now and Josh likley plays out his career or valuable part of his career with us.
- Christian Watson signs multi-year extension (lowers his hit some, not a ton)
- Devonte Wyatt is extended as well or known will be
- Eglton Jenkins released
- An Eric Stokes type level signing at CB (think 3yr/22M) or so.
- A DJ Reader or similar type DL signing (think 2yr/$8M) or so
- Sign Bobby Okereke LB or similar to a few year deal, hit this year for around $4.6-$5M
- Lowest RFA tenders (first refusal tender) on RFAs Brenton Cox and Darrian Kinnard
- Sean Rhyan is signed for like 3yr/$18M - guarantee would only be around $5-$7M though making it a one or two year deal
- Sign Nick Niemann to a two year like $2M/year deal to keep him here for ST prowess
- Chris Brooks already resigned
- Hadden, Jennings and Melton to their ERFA level contracts.
This and if we restructure Gary some leaves us with still quite a bit of space truly, but most importantly Gute does precisely what he must do arguably more than he ever needed to and that is don't have yourself painted into a positional corner for the draft. Every FA signing have starting potential but worst case are solid consributors that can hold serve....Okereke wouldn't count towards future compensatory formulas either since released.
2.52 & 2027.R7 TRADED TO TEXANS FOR 2.59 / 5.139 / 2027.R6
2.59 Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State 6'5' 256lbs
Remember Gary took paycut but is here, LVN production per snap was increasing amazingly well last year...but we lose Enagbare and will be calling on Cox and Sorrel (who showed promise) to step up...but enter a rookie that IMO will quickly allow us to see him as our Edge3 out the gate and could play his way to Edge2. Yes, I see him with that much potential. Dani has been an incredibly consistent starter and producer along the edge for Penn State for three straight seasons rarely missing games. 15.8% win rate on his pass rush is special level...77.7 grade against the run is confirmed on film at setting a great edge and when he gets hands on the ball carrier it is typically over for the runner.
He tested amazing, which I already predicted...few notes....essentialy elite level vertical (39.5) and broad (1011) and the crucial 3 cone he dominated doing it in 6.90 and his ten yard split was 1.64 with 40 coming in at 4.63.
Two crucial measurements hands and arm length he obliterated with 10.13 inch hands and 33.38 inch arms. Essentially he checks every box imaginable whichi is why according to Tyni's specific board we nab a top 50 player trading back with Houston to pick up touch more capital. He is a consensus top 100 guy but most scouts and contacts say he likely will be there in the third.
The small trade back was deemed worth it as the board has held up incredibly well IMO and I had about 4 or 5 guys I saw as very worth a top 60 pick still there.
3.84 Daylen Everette CB Georgia 6'1' 196lbs
One of the most consistent CBs in this draft with one of the highest floors but potentially somewhat close already to his ceiling....or so I thought. I saw Daylen as a crazy smart high football IQ guy that overcame possibly some of his athletic restrictions (not bad, still awesome athlete but I didn't see elite athlete). His 9.82 RAS Score screams at me to watch film again...perhaps he is so smooth it makes him seem slower or not as fluid of a mover...effortless maybe.
Either way we get a CB that currently is in my top 75 so again somehow we get a guy that according to my board is a deal, consensus board has this as spot on essentially. With Stokes (or the like) brought in and now Everette added...that CB room is looking like it could be a dog fight (Valentine, Nixon, Stokes (or similar), Hobbs and Everette)...and just like that Gute flips a position in need of growth and competition.
4.120 Jager Burton iOL/C Kentucky 6'4' 312lbs
Jager is to me everything I want at this stage and given that we have Rhyan as a stop gap at center worst case. Jager in 2023 played 159 center snaps / 485 RG snaps and then in 2024 379 LG snaps and then this past year played only center logging 817 snaps and played the position very well. His film showcased a center that will absolutely be able to get out in space on calls where we move him, dude straight can move despite being 312 pounds. While he didn't do the 3 cone drill, I'd be shocked if he doesn't excel at it. 1.76 ten yard split is special at that size and sub 5.00 forty geesh.
His blocking angles especially in space are high level and for sure one of his primary strengths in run game. He has the strength (questioned that going into his final year) but not the nastiness you might like in the trenches but again there was flashes of it....but to be fair as we bulk up the rest of our line if we have a moving athlete at center flanked by Banks and Belton on either side...could be fun for playcalls. Worst case folks we have a more than capable center back up IMO (better than Monk was coming in IMO) and a cat that could even play guard.
5.139 Jeff Caldwell WR Cincinnati 6'5' 216lbs
Just a real special cat (pun intended for this bearcat) that started out at Lindenwood for the first three years of his collegiate career. His final season there he put up 1,011 yards on 52 catches and scored 10 (he scored 22 total in three years)....and then transferred to Cinci - and while he didn't put up gaudy numbers proved to be a deep threat averaging 14.9 ypc for the bearcats and chipping in 6 TDs on only 32 catches.
Gute loves speed and boy does he have it despite being his size...running a 4.31 forty and a 1.48 ten yard split, dude can burn! 42 inch vert with a 11+ foot broad....just an insane athlete given a 10.00u RAS Score due no agility testing but dear lord folks...WORST case he is the new MVS for this offense and can save Golden and Watson from maybe a few deep wash routes just to stretch the defense. If Golden progresses...Reed likely becomes expendable and if Caldwell or Savion prove solid depth...Wicks might also be able to be let walk too eventually.
5.158 Eli Raridon TE Notre Dame 6'6' 245lbs
Everyone knows I'm an Irish guy...and everyone knows good TEs come out of Notre Dame. Raridon simply put has it all to put together a solid NFL career and if you couple him with a clear TE1 in Kraft I think he grows even faster with slightly less pressure...plus we got Musgrave here for a year. I personally think Raridon is closer to the 125 or so ranked guy...however the second tier of TEs he is in is loaded with guys that due to that have a wide range of likely spots they might go.
Raridon can do it all though, ND taught him to be a professional, run block and excel in his responsibilties. He is however a massive target, slippery route runner and knows how to use his body in highpointing or jump ball cases. Only caught 32 balls for ND but averaged 15.1 yards/rec and his hands are SOLID.
Raridon tilts the draft to three offensive guys so far vs two defensive.
6.200 Adam Randall RB/WR Clemson 6'3' 232lbs
Yes, don't freak....Clemson prospect that is part WR and part RB...but dude is a beast. Randall was being used some but Clemson needed him to switch to RB and dude hit the ground running (pun intended). In that new role his first year he averaged 4.8 yards per carry and 7 yards per reception when targeted....1,000+ all purpose yarder. His usage is low because he didn't get used on the ground a ton in previous years...having 168 attempts in 2025 with 10 touchdowns.
Just an incredible chance to add a dynamic athlete who excelled when a whole job was thrown at him...his after contact abilities due to his size are excellent, and even just in his single season you saw the progression of his vision and decisiveness in his running decisions. I'd love us to still maybe sign a guy like Aaron Jones or such and maybe have this guy be that returner, running back and wide receiver back up and make it worth having four RBs on the roster (Jacobs/Jones (or similar vet)/Brooks/Randall)
He is one of my favorite and most intriguing prospects just due to the raw nature at the position but the advantage in the passing game he offers which is special.
7.236 Enrique Cruz Jr OT Kansas 6'5' 313lbs
Honestly, kind of a forgotten guy and clearly in that tier of Day3 tackles that might have as much of a chance to go undrafted as he does going in 5th round. The athlete he is - is incredible, but his tape doesn't showcase it, so trying to figure out what that issue is likely is the key to unlocking him. Some plays he looks insane and too much for anyone and other plays like he is clueless in assignment or technique....all on the same drive.
That said though you don't have many guys with his Packer prototype size, and athleticism (9.99 RAS) PLUS 33.75 inch arms and 10+ inch hands. Dude checks all the boxes except proven...
7.254 Deven Eastern DL Minnesota 6'5' 315lbs
I LOVE him. Not quite the athlete a lot of the big men before him have been but dangit if this interior plugger doesn't do that role quite well and can provide a little interior pass rush even at times. 34inch arms and 10 inch hands he has the physical make up to maybe be something and this late, that's a dart I'll toss on a guy that I saw absolute wreck MSU and Wisconsin this year as his best games.
7.257 Chris Adams OT Memphis 6'5' 311lbs
At this stage in the game I really do prefer a TE or OL dart thrown and give me a guy with either a LOT of experience or a high level athlete. Adams didn't test at combine for a RAS but I like him for how consistent and injury free he played for Memphis over the years - playing more than 840 snaps at LT or RT over the last three seasons. The game I remember him doing very well IMO was their matchup against Arkansas according to my notes.
Quick Reflections IMO of course:
Best Value Pick - Likely Everette...he really has the credentials and experience to possibly start rookie year.
Worst Value Pick - Jager...athlete yes but many would say you could have waited and not lost much in return if you wanted a center.
Favorite Pick - Eli Raridon...pedigree, grit and a willingness to do what needs done to win is just a really good mix of qualities and I think he succeeds for sure in his role soon.
Roster wise this draft doens't do anything for the defensive interior trenches except one late, but that is why Gute did the DJ Reader addition and who knows what big old veteran may get released that could be added as well later...LB is for sure the one spot someone might point to as this puts a lot of weight on Hopper and Okereke who I predicted for this exercise we sign. Otherwise we add a versatile FAST rookie contracted guy that likely might mean Bo Melton time is done....trenches along the OL is for sure bolstered some along with Rhyan signing and expected growth. Love it all collectively from a roster build space.
- Conversion/restructure of Jacobs contract to free a little. Honestly I'm not opposed if they announced they full pushed a conversion and shoved void years on...small push for a window now and Josh likley plays out his career or valuable part of his career with us.
- Christian Watson signs multi-year extension (lowers his hit some, not a ton)
- Devonte Wyatt is extended as well or known will be
- Eglton Jenkins released
- An Eric Stokes type level signing at CB (think 3yr/22M) or so.
- A DJ Reader or similar type DL signing (think 2yr/$8M) or so
- Sign Bobby Okereke LB or similar to a few year deal, hit this year for around $4.6-$5M
- Lowest RFA tenders (first refusal tender) on RFAs Brenton Cox and Darrian Kinnard
- Sean Rhyan is signed for like 3yr/$18M - guarantee would only be around $5-$7M though making it a one or two year deal
- Sign Nick Niemann to a two year like $2M/year deal to keep him here for ST prowess
- Chris Brooks already resigned
- Hadden, Jennings and Melton to their ERFA level contracts.
This and if we restructure Gary some leaves us with still quite a bit of space truly, but most importantly Gute does precisely what he must do arguably more than he ever needed to and that is don't have yourself painted into a positional corner for the draft. Every FA signing have starting potential but worst case are solid consributors that can hold serve....Okereke wouldn't count towards future compensatory formulas either since released.
2.52 & 2027.R7 TRADED TO TEXANS FOR 2.59 / 5.139 / 2027.R6
2.59 Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State 6'5' 256lbs
Remember Gary took paycut but is here, LVN production per snap was increasing amazingly well last year...but we lose Enagbare and will be calling on Cox and Sorrel (who showed promise) to step up...but enter a rookie that IMO will quickly allow us to see him as our Edge3 out the gate and could play his way to Edge2. Yes, I see him with that much potential. Dani has been an incredibly consistent starter and producer along the edge for Penn State for three straight seasons rarely missing games. 15.8% win rate on his pass rush is special level...77.7 grade against the run is confirmed on film at setting a great edge and when he gets hands on the ball carrier it is typically over for the runner.
He tested amazing, which I already predicted...few notes....essentialy elite level vertical (39.5) and broad (1011) and the crucial 3 cone he dominated doing it in 6.90 and his ten yard split was 1.64 with 40 coming in at 4.63.
Two crucial measurements hands and arm length he obliterated with 10.13 inch hands and 33.38 inch arms. Essentially he checks every box imaginable whichi is why according to Tyni's specific board we nab a top 50 player trading back with Houston to pick up touch more capital. He is a consensus top 100 guy but most scouts and contacts say he likely will be there in the third.
The small trade back was deemed worth it as the board has held up incredibly well IMO and I had about 4 or 5 guys I saw as very worth a top 60 pick still there.
3.84 Daylen Everette CB Georgia 6'1' 196lbs
One of the most consistent CBs in this draft with one of the highest floors but potentially somewhat close already to his ceiling....or so I thought. I saw Daylen as a crazy smart high football IQ guy that overcame possibly some of his athletic restrictions (not bad, still awesome athlete but I didn't see elite athlete). His 9.82 RAS Score screams at me to watch film again...perhaps he is so smooth it makes him seem slower or not as fluid of a mover...effortless maybe.
Either way we get a CB that currently is in my top 75 so again somehow we get a guy that according to my board is a deal, consensus board has this as spot on essentially. With Stokes (or the like) brought in and now Everette added...that CB room is looking like it could be a dog fight (Valentine, Nixon, Stokes (or similar), Hobbs and Everette)...and just like that Gute flips a position in need of growth and competition.
4.120 Jager Burton iOL/C Kentucky 6'4' 312lbs
Jager is to me everything I want at this stage and given that we have Rhyan as a stop gap at center worst case. Jager in 2023 played 159 center snaps / 485 RG snaps and then in 2024 379 LG snaps and then this past year played only center logging 817 snaps and played the position very well. His film showcased a center that will absolutely be able to get out in space on calls where we move him, dude straight can move despite being 312 pounds. While he didn't do the 3 cone drill, I'd be shocked if he doesn't excel at it. 1.76 ten yard split is special at that size and sub 5.00 forty geesh.
His blocking angles especially in space are high level and for sure one of his primary strengths in run game. He has the strength (questioned that going into his final year) but not the nastiness you might like in the trenches but again there was flashes of it....but to be fair as we bulk up the rest of our line if we have a moving athlete at center flanked by Banks and Belton on either side...could be fun for playcalls. Worst case folks we have a more than capable center back up IMO (better than Monk was coming in IMO) and a cat that could even play guard.
5.139 Jeff Caldwell WR Cincinnati 6'5' 216lbs
Just a real special cat (pun intended for this bearcat) that started out at Lindenwood for the first three years of his collegiate career. His final season there he put up 1,011 yards on 52 catches and scored 10 (he scored 22 total in three years)....and then transferred to Cinci - and while he didn't put up gaudy numbers proved to be a deep threat averaging 14.9 ypc for the bearcats and chipping in 6 TDs on only 32 catches.
Gute loves speed and boy does he have it despite being his size...running a 4.31 forty and a 1.48 ten yard split, dude can burn! 42 inch vert with a 11+ foot broad....just an insane athlete given a 10.00u RAS Score due no agility testing but dear lord folks...WORST case he is the new MVS for this offense and can save Golden and Watson from maybe a few deep wash routes just to stretch the defense. If Golden progresses...Reed likely becomes expendable and if Caldwell or Savion prove solid depth...Wicks might also be able to be let walk too eventually.
5.158 Eli Raridon TE Notre Dame 6'6' 245lbs
Everyone knows I'm an Irish guy...and everyone knows good TEs come out of Notre Dame. Raridon simply put has it all to put together a solid NFL career and if you couple him with a clear TE1 in Kraft I think he grows even faster with slightly less pressure...plus we got Musgrave here for a year. I personally think Raridon is closer to the 125 or so ranked guy...however the second tier of TEs he is in is loaded with guys that due to that have a wide range of likely spots they might go.
Raridon can do it all though, ND taught him to be a professional, run block and excel in his responsibilties. He is however a massive target, slippery route runner and knows how to use his body in highpointing or jump ball cases. Only caught 32 balls for ND but averaged 15.1 yards/rec and his hands are SOLID.
Raridon tilts the draft to three offensive guys so far vs two defensive.
6.200 Adam Randall RB/WR Clemson 6'3' 232lbs
Yes, don't freak....Clemson prospect that is part WR and part RB...but dude is a beast. Randall was being used some but Clemson needed him to switch to RB and dude hit the ground running (pun intended). In that new role his first year he averaged 4.8 yards per carry and 7 yards per reception when targeted....1,000+ all purpose yarder. His usage is low because he didn't get used on the ground a ton in previous years...having 168 attempts in 2025 with 10 touchdowns.
Just an incredible chance to add a dynamic athlete who excelled when a whole job was thrown at him...his after contact abilities due to his size are excellent, and even just in his single season you saw the progression of his vision and decisiveness in his running decisions. I'd love us to still maybe sign a guy like Aaron Jones or such and maybe have this guy be that returner, running back and wide receiver back up and make it worth having four RBs on the roster (Jacobs/Jones (or similar vet)/Brooks/Randall)
He is one of my favorite and most intriguing prospects just due to the raw nature at the position but the advantage in the passing game he offers which is special.
7.236 Enrique Cruz Jr OT Kansas 6'5' 313lbs
Honestly, kind of a forgotten guy and clearly in that tier of Day3 tackles that might have as much of a chance to go undrafted as he does going in 5th round. The athlete he is - is incredible, but his tape doesn't showcase it, so trying to figure out what that issue is likely is the key to unlocking him. Some plays he looks insane and too much for anyone and other plays like he is clueless in assignment or technique....all on the same drive.
That said though you don't have many guys with his Packer prototype size, and athleticism (9.99 RAS) PLUS 33.75 inch arms and 10+ inch hands. Dude checks all the boxes except proven...
7.254 Deven Eastern DL Minnesota 6'5' 315lbs
I LOVE him. Not quite the athlete a lot of the big men before him have been but dangit if this interior plugger doesn't do that role quite well and can provide a little interior pass rush even at times. 34inch arms and 10 inch hands he has the physical make up to maybe be something and this late, that's a dart I'll toss on a guy that I saw absolute wreck MSU and Wisconsin this year as his best games.
7.257 Chris Adams OT Memphis 6'5' 311lbs
At this stage in the game I really do prefer a TE or OL dart thrown and give me a guy with either a LOT of experience or a high level athlete. Adams didn't test at combine for a RAS but I like him for how consistent and injury free he played for Memphis over the years - playing more than 840 snaps at LT or RT over the last three seasons. The game I remember him doing very well IMO was their matchup against Arkansas according to my notes.
Quick Reflections IMO of course:
Best Value Pick - Likely Everette...he really has the credentials and experience to possibly start rookie year.
Worst Value Pick - Jager...athlete yes but many would say you could have waited and not lost much in return if you wanted a center.
Favorite Pick - Eli Raridon...pedigree, grit and a willingness to do what needs done to win is just a really good mix of qualities and I think he succeeds for sure in his role soon.
Roster wise this draft doens't do anything for the defensive interior trenches except one late, but that is why Gute did the DJ Reader addition and who knows what big old veteran may get released that could be added as well later...LB is for sure the one spot someone might point to as this puts a lot of weight on Hopper and Okereke who I predicted for this exercise we sign. Otherwise we add a versatile FAST rookie contracted guy that likely might mean Bo Melton time is done....trenches along the OL is for sure bolstered some along with Rhyan signing and expected growth. Love it all collectively from a roster build space.
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