It would have to be a clear upgrade from Craig, I would imagine…
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I have some fears about backup pass catching RB if Gibbs goes down.
In a facet or two for sure. Like Laube would likely be a step back in some ways over Craig but a massive step forward as a pass catcher.
In the same vein…If the Lions draft a safety, do ya’ll think it’ll be at strong or free? I was looking at Jaden Hicks (again) a minute ago and loved him, but I think he would have issues backing up Kerby.
If Gibbs goes down we have all kinds of problems.
And Smith/Laube types tip our hand. One of the advantages of Gibbs is he doesn’t. Of course that’s why he went a lot higher in the draft.
But I’d almost rather have someone who might not be the elite pass-catching option those guys are, but who offer more when given the ball. I think you’re more apt to find a Chris Carson or Pacheco type that way, and if Gibbs goes down I think that’s what we’d need. Bam’s a pretty good receiver isn’t he? I know he’s coming off the injury.
I would love to find the next Jaylen Warren type as that third guy. Not asking for much I know lol.
I think Laube can function as a RB in that situation. Though his running will probably be more Jamaal like than anything additive beyond what’s blocked.
Bam is fine as an outlet from what I recall. He’s not who you want running Texas routes.
You know I’m a big Laube fan so I’d be fine with that, I just don’t think he offers much in the traditional sense. He almost plays a different position (Smith too). Rasheed Ali would be more of a fit with us in that scenario imo. Emani Bailey could work as well, he’s got soft hands though he’s not the biggest target. But more all around guys like that. Kimani Vidal too. In fact he might be my favorite of those options. Like Pacheco ran behind an awful OL.
I’m guessing late 3rd early 4th to a team like the cowboys, ravens or chargers
Vidal makes sense Would be our pass pro guy when we’re getting relentlessly heated up He may go higher than some think bc of that skillset though.
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I think he’s a good value at that level of the draft. Unlikely to be a star but a good Jack of all trades type in a committee.
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Vidal is probably the most Warren-esque late rounder, imo
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I sort of like Jase in this spot, if he could fall. I figure the most likely back to get hurt (you never know but…) is Monty. Jase sorta feels like Monty the way guys bounce off of him at 220. And he can do some pass catching too. Not a lot of tread worn off in college either. But honestly, its hard for me to get a feel for where he goes. I keep seeing him available in the sixth with mocks, but something tells me he won’t make it there.
I admit I’m always hesitant on Alabama RBs who weren’t superstars for them, very few have done anything in the league. Transfers like Kamara and Ford have done alright, but the only post-1st round Alabama RB who was worth a shit was Henry, and we all know he went way too late because the league was stupidly scared off by his non-traditional size.
Kenyan Drake was OK I guess, and Brian Robinson is still somewhat TBD (but looks like a jag to me), but that’s about the best of the best. And those guys were 3rd rounders, not day 3 guys. Le’Ron McClain stuck around for awhile, but he was a fullback.
We have both Iffy and Branch who are more SS. I guess B Joseph is the only other FS on the roster. FS seems more like a need. Kerby hasn’t exactly lit it up, I think FS is a sneaky need. Also interested what the experts think on this.
More CB crushes:
Quinyon Mitchell
Mikey Sanristill
Cooper deJean
Cooper and BB together would be lethal.
Also Kameron Kitchens…FS. I love football players who go later because they are not the right “body-type”.
Kinchens is an easy guy to love on tape but I was worried about his athleticism holding up as a FS, then he tested like this:
I don’t think it tells the whole story of his athleticism, and I think at safety you can get away with being less athletic if your instincts are top notch - which I think his are - but I have trouble envisioning a world we he holds up against NFL players injury single high like he did in college. Maybe in two-high, but for the most part I think his preternatural instincts makes him look much faster than he is. And there are plenty of examples of him giving up big plays on his tape as well.
In the end I think many teams will look at him as a box/strong safety. It’s too bad because it takes away from his instinctive roaming, but I think the risk of giving up the big play - especially in the NFL - will outweigh the inherent playmaking.
I’m’ a fan of the player but I think he’s going to slide. He’s a very specific fit in that he’s a two high guy only but I think many of the teas that play nearly exclusively two high are going to want a bit of a more versatility. A free safety without the range to go single high even a minority of the time is a weird niche. Do love the instincts and playmaking in the pass game though.
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Right, that’s probably a better way to describe it. He’s just a profile that is difficult to fit.
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I don’t see a place for Kinchens in our secondary because of those limitations. Is he that much better than Brandon Joseph?
I haven’t seen any pro day numbers on Jarius Monroe yet, and I’m thinking he’s better suited in the pros to play at safety because of his field awareness. I think he’ll be there at #201, but we’ll see.