2023 NFL Draft -- April 27th to April 29

[Yoshinator]

Just now, stitches said:

This OL class was not particularly good. Very few hyper athletic OLinemen. Ballard just cannot resist. I thought from the very beginning Witt would be one of the targets. 

Yeah, big-time athlete. I was thinking of him as a UDFA, Pretty happy with the pick all things considered.

Just now, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

These late round Oline picks are fine. But this team still needs to add a proven vet.

We can still sign Dalton Risner to a 1 year deal. Big IF, but I think we do it.

[stitches]

Just now, Jared Cisneros said:

Yeah, big-time athlete. I was thinking of him as a UDFA, Pretty happy with the pick all things considered.

The thing I wonder about is... can we afford to roster 2 OTs that are considered somewhat of projects... ?

[TomDiggs]

https://theathletic.com/4330488/2023/03/22/nfl-draft-2023-jake-witt/
 

great article on Witt

 

world of potential 

 

[holeymoley99]

There are 2 starting Guards in F.A. Risner and Witt, will be watching cut list tonite and tomorrow to see if anyone else joins them only other option is sliding Smith inside.

[Yoshinator]

Just now, stitches said:

The thing I wonder about is... can we afford to roster 2 OTs that are considered somewhat of projects... ?

I think so. Freeland is good enough where if a Tackle goes down, he can start. Witt is probably better than our depth right now. I don't think he starts unless there are multiple injuries, but an athlete like him would get claimed off the practice squad.

[stitches]

1 minute ago, TomDiggs said:

https://theathletic.com/4330488/2023/03/22/nfl-draft-2023-jake-witt/
 

great article on Witt

 

world of potential 

 

Yeah, that's where I learned about him - from Brugler's article. 

[holeymoley99]

Just now, TomDiggs said:

https://theathletic.com/4330488/2023/03/22/nfl-draft-2023-jake-witt/
 

great article on Witt

 

world of potential 

 

Former TE sounds like a poor man Rainman

[Zoltan]

Just now, stitches said:

Yeah, that's where I learned about him - from Brugler's article. 

I'm curious what his arm length is 

[richard pallo]

Wasn’t Fries a 7th rd pick?

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Just now, Jared Cisneros said:

I think so. Freeland is good enough where if a Tackle goes down, he can start. Witt is probably better than our depth right now. I don't think he starts unless there are multiple injuries, but an athlete like him would get claimed off the practice squad.

You don’t think we can stash Witt in the practice squad? 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

1 minute ago, holeymoley99 said:

There are 2 starting Guards in F.A. Risner and Witt, will be watching cut list tonite and tomorrow to see if anyone else joins them only other option is sliding Smith inside.

Thdy probably Fried but I don’t like making him the starter.

[stitches]

1 minute ago, Zoltan said:

I'm curious what his arm length is 

According to The Beast, it's 33.5"

[Yoshinator]

1 minute ago, Mr. Irrelevant said:

You don’t think we can stash Witt in the practice squad? 

Nope. He's too good an athlete and too high of potential where a team that carries 9 or 10 O-Lineman will take a shot on him (especially when injuries pile up during the season).

[holeymoley99]

Max gets picked.......good job Chargers 

[TomDiggs]

I’ve seen multiple articles that essentially called Witt the most athletic tackle in the draft and while he’s the most raw w very little experience, the potential is incredible. 
 

a fun fun pick to end things 

[Yoshinator]

Too bad Trice just went, I would have taken him as a UDFA. He may have came here.

[TomDiggs]

Just now, Jared Cisneros said:

Too bad Trice just went, I would have taken him as a UDFA. He may have came here.

Another great get for Pitt. They’ve been awesome this draft cycle too. 

[stitches]

 

[Zoltan]

Well Risner seems like a must right now

[Yoshinator]

1 minute ago, Zoltan said:

Well Risner seems like a must right now

Yeah, hopefully Ballard had a pre-draft agreement with him to sign him on Monday. We're going to need him now.

[Yoshinator]

I'll be back in a few mins, going to take the dog for a walk before we sign our UDFA's.

[NFLfan]

5 minutes ago, TomDiggs said:

Another great get for Pitt. They’ve been awesome this draft cycle too. 

 

They and the Ravens always seem to have great drafts.

 

This kid is a 4-year Academic All American. I wish him success 

[NFLfan]

Is this Mel Kiper's last year on ESPN?? Sounds like a farewell. It may be that they are celebrating 40 years together.

[Yoshinator]

I'm back. Dream here at OG would be to sign Ekiyor as an UDFA and sign Risner to a 1-year deal. 

 

Hopefully he makes it through to UDFA in a few picks.

[Yoshinator]

Bryce Ford-Wheaton may not be a bad WR pickup in UDFA either if he makes it.

[NFLfan]

@Zoltan  I see one of your fellow alums was drafted. Name is Alex Austin, I believe.

[NFLfan]

I mentioned Isaiah Bolden earlier. He is a CB from Jackson St. He is a sleeper. The Pats drafted him with pick #245.

[Zoltan]

7 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

@Zoltan  I see one of your fellow alums was drafted. Name is Alex Austin, I believe.

Yup he was the better of the two Oregon State CBs available glad to see him drafted

[Yoshinator]

UDFA is about to start. Lets get some more talent. Great draft guys!

[stitches]

I posted a separate thread about Colts UDFAs here:

 

 

 

[stitches]

 

 

 

[CS Coltsfan]

4 hours ago, stitches said:

from coltswire UDFA 

Rumored signings

G Emil Ekiyor, Alabama (source)

RB Darius Hagans, Virginia State (source)

WR Zavier Scott, Maine (source)

S Aaron Maddox, Campbell (source)

DB Cole Coleman, Elon (source)

WR Braxton Westfield, Carson Newman (source)

LB Liam Anderson, Holy Cross (source)

LB Donavan Mutin, Houston (source)

WR Cody Crest, Sam Houston St. (source)

 

[NFLfan]

43 minutes ago, stitches said:

 

 

 

 

You guys got top athletes.

[NFLfan]

So far the Vikes have signed these UDFAs:

 

1. OL Alan Ali, TCU

2. DT Calvin Avery, Illinois

3. ILB Abraham Beauplan, Marshall

4. OLB Andre Carter II, Army

5. OL Jacky Chen, Pace

6. CB C.J. Coldon, Oklahoma

7. ILB Wilson Huber, Cincinnati

8. WR Cephus Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana

9. WR Malik Knowles, Kansas State

10. ILB Ivan Pace, Jr., Cincinnati

11. K Jack Podlesny, Georgia

12. TE Ben Sims, Baylor

13. WR Thayer Thomas, N.C. State

14. CB NaJee Thompson, Georgia Southern

15. CB Jaylin Williams, Indiana

 

https://www.vikings.com/news/undrafted-free-agents-2023-nfl-draft

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by NFLfan
updated

[stitches]

5 hours ago, NFLfan said:

So far the Vikes have signed these UDFAs:

 

1. OL Alan Ali, TCU

2. DT Calvin Avery, Illinois

3. ILB Abraham Beauplan, Marshall

4. OLB Andre Carter II, Army

5. OL Jacky Chen, Pace

6. CB C.J. Coldon, Oklahoma

7. ILB Wilson Huber, Cincinnati

8. WR Cephus Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana

9. WR Malik Knowles, Kansas State

10. ILB Ivan Pace, Jr., Cincinnati

11. K Jack Podlesny, Georgia

12. TE Ben Sims, Baylor

13. WR Thayer Thomas, N.C. State

14. CB NaJee Thompson, Georgia Southern

15. CB Jaylin Williams, Indiana

 

https://www.vikings.com/news/undrafted-free-agents-2023-nfl-draft

 

You guys have a couple that was definitely draftable - Andre Carter was projected to go day 2 before he tested. It seems like the word for him is that he's never had the chance to prepare like an NFL prospect because of his committments to Army and if you get him in an NFL strength and condiditoning room he will improve a lot, but it might take some time.

 

Ivan Pace was the other one that I thought would get drafted. He's a really fun LB, but he's small and probably why he didn't get drafted. But he plays physical and he's probably one of the best blitzers in the draft. Haven't hear of the rest of the class but I bet there are some more diamonds in the rough... 

[NFLfan]

8 hours ago, stitches said:

You guys have a couple that was definitely draftable - Andre Carter was projected to go day 2 before he tested. It seems like the word for him is that he's never had the chance to prepare like an NFL prospect because of his committments to Army and if you get him in an NFL strength and condiditoning room he will improve a lot, but it might take some time.

 

Ivan Pace was the other one that I thought would get drafted. He's a really fun LB, but he's small and probably why he didn't get drafted. But he plays physical and he's probably one of the best blitzers in the draft. Haven't hear of the rest of the class but I bet there are some more diamonds in the rough... 

It

It seems that the fans are excited about Carter and Pace.

 

They seem to like Avery too. (Tweet from one of the most respected Vikings fans)

 

[NFLfan]

 Never heard of this guy but I like him. Lol. We like our lower round picks and UDFA ls better than the first few.

 

 

[RollerColt]

2 hours ago, NFLfan said:

 Never heard of this guy but I like him. Lol. We like our lower round picks and UDFA ls better than the first few.

 

 

Wow, that kid is fun to watch. 

[VikingsFanInChennai]

3 hours ago, NFLfan said:

 Never heard of this guy but I like him. Lol. We like our lower round picks and UDFA ls better than the first few.

 

 

He looks like Latavius Murray, but I see no tightness in his body reflexes, impressed with hip flexibility, lateral movement and agility. Not sure how he's in pass protection and pass catching. 

 

How do you like the draft class overall? 

 

last two years have given underwhelming feeling, isn't it? 

 

But, I see a change in the way they have drafted in defense, lots of highly intelligent guys who can decipher the plays, communicate in the middle and excel in some areas even if they've some limitations. I think Flores is trying to build in the mold of Belichick, that defense more often understands what's going on with a chance to know beforehand and make plays. He may need more quality players though, or the young guys need to develop. Not sure how it's going to gel overall, but offense could be fun if Kirk doesn't feel like he's already out of Minnesota. 

[VikingsFanInChennai]

3 hours ago, NFLfan said:

 Never heard of this guy but I like him. Lol. We like our lower round picks and UDFA ls better than the first few.

 

 

 From the Draft network 

Quote

 

He struggles when he is forced to create on his own at the line of scrimmage as he lacks the lateral agility to make defenders miss when met in the backfield. 

 

The area in which McBride truly excels is his ability to run with power and contact balance. He rarely goes down by the first tackle and he runs with excellent pad level and leg drive to consistently push the pile. McBride is likely to be viewed as an excellent backup running back or as the power back in a committee. 

 

He lacks value as a receiver out of the backfield and will likely only be utilized on first and second downs. Additionally, while there are instances of him breaking long runs, he lacks the true home-run speed to be a big-play threat at the next level. Ball security is another area of improvement as McBride has fumbled 11 times over the last two seasons. 

 

Overall, McBride will be a successful NFL back because of his play strength, run instincts, and contact balance but may never develop into a feature back as he lacks receiving ability and is not a big-play threat. 

 

Top Reasons to Buy In:

 

Power

Instincts

Balance

Top Reasons For Concern:

 

Lateral agility

Top-end speed

Receiving skills