I’ll be very satisfied when the word Wonderlic leaves the collective consciousness.
I haven't been involved in any of the Wonderlic conversation, so this may not be new insight, but 9 is so low that it indicates to me that he didn't try. You would expect that score just by guessing without reading any of the questions at all. So I would assume that's probably what he did. There may be some insight regarding his effort, but I can't believe it means anything at all about his intellect.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
Based on what I've read from people who know a lot about this stuff, he has dyslexia and the wonderlic test is poison for people who struggle with that, because a lot of it is recognizing patterns and that sort of thing.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:11 AM ^
It's like a 12 minute test. If you get hung up on a math problem and don't skip it, your score will plummet. It's a useless test. My biggest concern is can the guy (any guy) play football, and will he play hard for me. That's all that matters.
And by that same token, I care more about productivity than combine measurables.
So then by these standards, Chase should get drafted ahead of Rashan.
He played "harder" by any metric, and he was more productive, by any measurable metric.
But I betcha dollars to donuts he won't be!
I'll be on Twitter replying "Rashan Gary Academic All-Big Ten" to everybody tweeting about his Wonderlic.
Actually I won't, but if I could clone myself I'd task my close to do that today.
Bold Predictions:
Bush in the top 10
Gary goes in the 20's
Lions take Ed Oliver at 8.
Sweat drops into the high teens
I agree with you except with the Ed Oliver pick. The Lions will not take a D - tackle. LB, DE, TE or maybe even a corner, but they won't take a tackle.
Maybe, maybe not........Snacks is making noise that he wants a new contract and Lions haven't budged and A'Shawn is a free agent after this season. Drafting Oliver gives them the ability to let one of these two walk or trade. I would agree with your assessment on DT but for the fact that Oliver is the kind of multi-positional defensive lineman that Patricia likes. I think there are bigger needs (corner, OG and TE) but I could see it with Oliver.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:42 AM ^
If you haven't already, you'll soon realize why the Giants were willing to let Harrison go in a supposed "steal"
April 25th, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
How was it not a steal for a 5th round draft pick? Due $7M in 2019 and $9.25M in 2020. Knowing the Lions probably not in playoff contention, I am sure they will be able to trade him for a decent return if they can't agree to a long term deal.
April 25th, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^
I'm dense... why is that? Malcontent? Scared of the future cost?
April 25th, 2019 at 11:20 AM ^
The Giants let him go because they are more incompetent than the Lions, and that's saying a lot.
Agree with this prediction; Gary might have been drafted ahead of Bush were it not for the shoulder injury.
D. Bush going in the top 10
Gary falls to the 20s (deep draft, some questions, still going to be good in NFL)
D. Long going no later than 50 - he is a great cover corner and he has been getting LOTS of talk
Don't shoot me but I'm hoping MSU corner Justin Layne is still on the board at 49 for my Browns.
Paired with Denzel Ward we'd have a nice set of DBs
Really? Honestly curious about this because I have never been impressed with him. Maybe he played with some nagging injuries, but not impressed.
If the Lions don't trade, I expect them to take one of: Ed Oliver, Devin Bush, Montez Sweat, or Jonah Williams.
But knowing them, they'll probably take Hockensen.
Browns fan. Won’t be surprised to see John Dorsey move from 49 depending on how the first round shakes out. I don’t think it’s any secret that Jeffery Simmons is their guy and expect a trade up if he’s still there at the beginning of day two.
I’m hoping for David Long at 49 if they stay. The CB depth chart is sparse behind Denzel Ward and Ward’s presence would allow Long to play his more natural boundary position. Safety is also a need but I don’t love anyone so much that I think they can’t wait until pick 80 or later. Amani Oruwariye from PSU would be fine too
D-line depth is also needed and a guy like Zach Allen from BC on the edge or Dexter Lawrence from Clemson would be nice.
Giants fan here. This draft is going to suck no matter what...
Desperately need a QB (despite what the buffoon GM likes to say), so do they make the consensus "smart" pick and take Haskins, relegating me to rooting for a Buckeye? Given OSU's history of QB success in the NFL (or lack thereof), I may not have this problem for long.
Or maybe the rumblings of them really liking Jones from Duke are correct, and I'll have to watch them take Daniel Jones with the 6th pick. Depressing.
Or do they continue to ignore the problem, and pick a good player destined to languish in the dumpster fire that is the NY Giants (see: Barkley, Saquon).
Maybe they should just continue to suck and Tank for Tua!
Fellow Giants fan (grew up in the shadow of the stadium) and now Lions too since I moved here 20 years ago. Its entirely possible that the mindset here is a two year rebuild and completely tank out this year. Pick from the best of the high-end defensive players (face it, the Giants need everything) and then take your chances with the QB next year when the crop is looking much much better. I don't think the Giants have a win-now mentality. It wouldn't shock me at all to see them pass on the QB's and ride the strengths of this draft in the offensive and defensive lines.
I think you're right.
I'd be fine with that strategy, too. Get some play makers for the D this year, knowing the year is going to be a down year regardless, and wait for the more-talented QB class next draft.
I am a Giants fan now because of the Peppers trade.
I hope we get Gary and Jones/Lock I do not care what order just as long as we get them
If we can trade back from 17 and get Grier in the second round then I would be very happy
April 25th, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
Daniel Jones is Kyle Orton by another name and whoever drafts him will lose his job in three years time.
In that case, I hope Gettleman does draft Jones!
April 25th, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^
Will greer 16-18
April 25th, 2019 at 12:22 PM ^
If Lock is available when the Giants are on the clock, they will sprint to the podium to take him. It could happen that he is available but who knows how it will shake out.
Wait...really?
Im hoping the Lions are able to trade down to early-mid teens, get another second round pick, and that D. Bush has slid to them with their new 1st round pick. Since I don't think that will happen any of Oliver, Gary, Bush, or Sweat (who I think is off of Detroits board due to his heart issue)
If the Lions take Hockensen, it would be an absolute nightmare. There are so many more needs on this team right now. A tight end is a luxury in the NFL. Having a super elite TE is not a necessity. And you don't need to draft one that high. That would be Pettigrew, Ebron, and Hockensen, three first round picks on tight ends in the last decade or so. Absolutely unheard of, except for the Lions.
It's interesting the two different schools of thought: the Lions need the defensive players more vs. Stafford needs better targets more. I'm hoping for the DE, did not know until yesterday about Sweat having the heart issue.
Agree with your assessment. Stafford really doesn't have enough targets right now and that became apparent last year after Jones got hurt and Tate got traded. There is nothing on the free agent market at either wideout or TE (Lions got the only halfway average one) and the receiver class in the draft is weak. I'm not as south on Hockenson as everyone else. I don't think its that bad a pick particularly because he's a good run blocker which will only help their new commitment to the ground game. Wouldn't be at all upset with that pick.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:58 AM ^
The narrative around Stafford for his entire career is that he does not have enough weapons. At some point, he needs to make players better. Who can you point to that you can say, "Yeah, that guy was not that great, but Stafford made him an awesome player?" Guys like Russell Wilson can turn average dudes like Doug Baldwin into really good NFL receivers, but our guy just can't seem to do that.
A tight end is a luxury. They are rarely, if ever, taken in the top 10. The Lions already picked up James. There is so much more that needs to be done before taking a tight end.
April 25th, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
I feel like even when Stafford has weapons he still produces at a mediocre level. Time to fully build this team around the ground game and defense. Weve been seemingly playing the 'lets get more targets for Stafford' game for about a decade now and it really hasn't gotten us much anywhere.
April 25th, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
Hard to do at this point, but the Lions essentially need to Elway him, build up the D and the ground game and then ask him to lead a stupid comeback every once in a while. Won't be as successful as late 90's Donkey's but, y'know, Lions so what are you gonna do?
I don't really watch a ton of pro football, but I just want all of our Wolverines to be drafted as high as possible. Gary and Bush in the top 15, Wino in the late 1st round, Long in the late 2nd round, and just get Higdon and Gentry drafted, which I'm concerned might not happen.
Chase is not a first round talent. He's probably 3rd, late 2nd at best.
I'm with you on Gentry.
Higdon might get a flyer in the 6th or 7th; I'm just not totally sure he has anything that can set him apart in the NFL as an RB.
April 25th, 2019 at 11:11 AM ^
I'm hoping Chase is available in the third round for the Titans. They need an Edge Player and he'd be a good match of need to value at that point.
D Bush gets picked before Gary. Gary still goes in the first, just bottom half
The Lions will take TJ Hockenson at 8.
RABACK IT
Agree IF:
a) He's there (he could go before)
b) They don't trade back (which all the buzz is indicating they will)
and
c) None of the really big name defensive players fall back (Devin White?)
I hope the Patriots draft good players. I know I'm being ridiculous here, but I really hope they do.
April 25th, 2019 at 11:03 AM ^
Because that is who the Lions will sign in 5 years after the Patriots don't want them anymore?
April 25th, 2019 at 10:05 AM ^
Based on everything I’ve heard:
Lions will trade back (please get Byron Murphy)
Devin White to the Bucs is a lock
Redskins will make a move up to get Haskins
4 QBs will go in the first round: Haskins, Jones, Lock and Murray.
Gary will go in the first round but is sliding down teams boards.
Heres the crazy one: Raiders are making a surprising pick at 4 apparently, Gruden lives Devin Bush, I think Devin Bush could go at 4.
It will be a stunner if he doesn't take Quinnen Williams at #4, if he's available.
Quinnen Williams may be the best football player in the draft. I just can't see him being passed up. I don't know why the Jets wouldn't take him at #3. I can understand why the 49ers want Bosa. And at #1, I am wondering why Arizona wants Murray so much---but QBs always get drafted higher than they should. But I can't see Jon Gruden not taking someone as valuable as Williams. But who knows. I'm going to sit and just watch. I don't have any expectations for any player at any pick in the draft. And I won't be surprised if Rashan Gary falls out of the 1st round.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
I think Bush goes before Gary. Since there are so many DL in this draft and so few LB (at that level) Bush and White will be taken really quick, probably 11th at the latest.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:16 AM ^
My hopes: good teams trade up and take our guys. Our guys make $, make UM look good, and have a chance to win.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:50 AM ^
A few predictions/thoughts:
1. Lions trade down from 8, but not too far
2. Rams trade pick 31 and add a couple of day 2 picks (they currently don't have a 2nd rounder). Teams love moving back into the late part of round 1 for the 5th year option, especially for a QB. I'd love to see one of those QB's still sitting there at 31. This is the Rams first 1st round pick since taking Goff, due to that trade-up and the Cooks trade.
3. Gary slips a little, is taken after Bush, and is selected in the early/mid 20's.
4. I'm curious to see where Gary, Sweat, and Simmons go, and if/how far they fall due to injury/medical.
5. Points 1-4 will probably all be wrong, as who knows what's going to happen tonight. This draft seems like it could go in many directions.
April 25th, 2019 at 10:55 AM ^
My preductions:
Bush is the first wolverine taken, and is selected somewhere in the 5-10 range. The concept of sideline-to-sideline rocket linebackers is taking over in the NFL and Bush is a prototype.
Gary will fall into the late first round, and may even end up in the second. He has all of the physical traits, but his production in college has been mentioned, as is his injury history (including a lingering shoulder injury that may need surgery). Some have also questioned his motor and asserted that he takes off plays.
Chase moves up and is selected late second round or very early third. Measurable are great and all, but sometimes production, locker room presence, etc. are too much to look past.
I think that Long is going to also move up. People forget he existed at Michigan and the reason for that is that he was so damn good that the ball rarely was thrown to his side of the field. 3rd round is my prediction.
As for Higson and Gentry, I don't know that either get drafted. If they do, it's late 6th or 7th. Gentry is tall. What else makes him a prospect? He is a decent athlete, but not exceptional by NFL standards. He also has poor hands and is a negative blocker. Higdon has a better shot since he does have the size / strength combo, has average-ish speed and can take a solid workload. Not sure how he would look in a better offense, so I can see a team taking him with a late pick.
April 25th, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
-Gary will be drafted higher than he should be.
-Winovich will be drafted lower then he should be.
-White will be drafted before Bush, as he should be.
-it would be a mistake for the Jets to not take Quinnen Williams. Though there is a bizarre rumor that the Redskins are going to trade up to the Jets #3 pick and take Dwayne Haskins.
-if Jon Gruden gets Quinnen Williams at #4 he will be very happy. Quinnen Williams and Maurice Hurst in the middle. Can you imagine that!
-many mock drafts have not one but two TEs from Iowa going in the first round. What?
-some mocks have Chase Winovich going before Rashan Gary. Makes sense to me. But what makes sense doesn't always happen.