He was pretty damn good in 2023 from what I can recall.
Obviously our Ragnow replacement strategy was insufficient. I like Tanor Bortelini quite a bit in 2024’s draft but he was gone by the time we grabbed Manu.
So is there any one you like in this draft you think could step in ?
I don’t think people expect superstars like Saint. But here’s some names who have started for their teams and are later rounders (3rd or bellow) in the 24 draft:
Beaux Limmer (OL)
Bucky Irving
Brandon Coleman (OL)
Dom Puni (OL)
Mason McCormick (OL)
Tyrice Kinght (LB)
Tarheeb Still (DB)
Tyrone Tracy
Cooper Beebe (OL)
Calen Bullock (DB)
I’ll stop there, there’s about a dozen others just in 2024.
These people exist.
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I have no problem with the trade up to get a guy. (Branch)
But trading up to select a guy ESPN didnt have tape on to show on draft day. Or with major iniry history Thats another stroy.
I’d feel the best about Laloulu. Slaughter could work but he’s going get walked back into the QB at times until he builds out his lower half.
No slam dunks.
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How about Jones I know he doesn’t have the size , but he is so strong and Run blocks well and can get to second level ? What you think of him
I’m open minded. Like you said he’s just small.
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Lol what a spoiled fanbase
Brad Holmes mid round picks
3rd round - Alim McNeil
4th round - Amon-Ra St. Brown
3rd round - Kerby Joseph
Yeah, I can deal with a few “pet projects” when he’s drafted 2-3 Hall of Fame level players in his first two drafts in the mid rounds.
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Beebe was the #73 overall pick. Not even part of this discussion.
Bucky Irving was electric when healthy.. but Tampa also had a top notch O-line.
The rest of those guys… not moving the needle that much when it comes to playoff caliber teams.
Nobody wants Puka?
He also shows that it matters -where- a guy goes. Lots of talented players get drafted by the Browns in the 1st and suck until they get out of town.
The idea that the entire NFL draft after the first two rounds is complete shit except for the gleaming gems Brad Holmes picks is nonsense. Is that your argument?
Brad is made some amazing blunders and guys here can not accept any criticism. Manu, Bromart, Vaki, Hooker were just dumb and way overdrafted. Should Brad just burn his picks and get UDFA because he is the smartest guy in the room and every pick after the 2nd round is shit anyways so whats the point?
Somehow ARSB, Puka, Alim McNeil exist in your world where everyone after round 2 is shit. Why don’t we focus on those? Oh, because then you don’t have an argument. Cool!
Who are you and what did you do with @BigNatty ?
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Brad has at least twice spoken about him as the one that got away.
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Just helping the bald guy out. He’s been busy trying on wigs all night.
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So 3 good players in 5 years is a good GM?
And you know what? Brad did trade 3 picks to get those players. He stays put and drafted BPA.
Moving up in the first or early 2nd is expected and been a home run.
But name 1 move where he made a BIG move in round 3-5 that paid off?
And dont say branch. He moved up 3 spots for a guy that was #1 on most boards.
BroMart, Sorsdal, Manu, Vaki, Tesla
All mid round picks that were not on most draft boards top 10 or top 20.
Hooker, paschal, rakestraw, Levi - injured “value” picks.
They averaged 6 games per year each. In other words, 1 player worth of games per year.
Those were all super high risk moves with massive capital that have resulted in NOTHING
Why can’t he name Branch?? Oh that’s right…we have to cherry pick it so that it fits our narrative. I mean Branch was a 2nd round pick and you said rounds 3-5.
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Was branch injury prone? No
Did branch come from a small school? No
This is a silly post. Nothing in the mid rounds is super high risk.
3 “good" players. Yeah, two 1st team all pros and an arguably top 5 DT when healthy. Only good
So you’re questioning if this guy is a “good” GM?
First Draft - Sewell, St. Brown, McNeil, Barnes and even Iffy made an impact two years ago
Second draft - Hutchinson, Jamo, Kerby, Rodrigo and even Houston made an impact in his rookie season and is still in the NFL
Third draft - Gibbs, LaPorta, Branch, Campbell
Even in his “bad" draft he drafted an above average starting guard in the 6th round and a starting corner. 2025 too early to tell but he drafted a starting guard and a starting DT at minimum, we’ll see on the rest
This is the guy you’re questioning? I can live with some 3rd round misses when you’ve had three generational drafts in a row that turned this franchise from the laughingstock of the league to a Superbowl contender seemingly overnight. Does it mean he didn’t make some mistakes? No, but you seem to forget what a great drafter and team builder this guy has been.
I actual respect your conerns because while I love Brad and think he’s amazing, your points are valid.
However, other than Hooker, and Jamo, i don’t think these other guys were injured value picks. Rakestraw was a first round pick on many boards eespecially early on and he’s considered to be a great value pick because he “fell”.
Some would like Brad to be more aggressive in free agency and trades. However, I don’t agree with it, and that’s not his style. He builds through the draft, signs either amazing or quality free agents like David Montgomery, Chark, Zeitler, CDIII, Reed, Reader, Amik, Ceedy Duece (who was arguably the best S in the league at that time). Other than Sutton, no one can say he hasnt done extremely well. He trades when needed. Like ZA’Darius Smith.
He is aggressive in drafts instead of FA or trades. Trading up in the 1st or 2nd he’s done well so far. When drafting late sometimes it good to take chances and be agressive with players who have loads of potential. Example are the guys like BroMart who failed. But IMO it’s still worth the risk.
Building through the draft, taking risks, devloping players, siging your own guys… thats the way.
A lot of fans have become spoiled. Since when are 3rd round picks or later this valuable? Some of you are treating them like top 10 picks. Which 3rd rounders (or later) ever even become good? Oh, ARSB, Kerby, and Alim have. Brad drafted those guys.
I think its valid to criticize sometimes but some of you take it too far. BH is the best!
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