Lack of production is a concern.
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Nah he’s going top ten
Even if stewart doesn’t go top 10, there is no realistic path for him to make it all the way to 28.
But…
I do see Holmes having a list of guys that he “Falls in Love With”.
Those are players that he would be willing to trade up to get.
I think this class of D-Linemen may have a few names on his “Crush List”.
Stewart fits the profile and could be one of them.
If there is someone on that list that makes it to the Tampa (19), Denver (20), Pittsburgh (21) range, that would be an area where he could make a move with friendly teams.
Wait a minute, I thought we were trading for Garrett?
Having Brad fall in love is the number 1 prerequisite for a Lions pick, and there will be some guys in this class who fit the bill. For me the most likely guy who might also fall into that range is Mykel Williams, but we’ll see. He’s not nearly as productive as someone like Verse was, for instance. But has a sky high ceiling.
He’ll definitely fall in love with Sawyer and JTT too, but he won’t have to trade up for them. He could probably trade down.
Physically, he’s similar to Davenport, a guy who can potentially “crush the pocket” from the edge, while occasionally stunting inside.
But, to me, lack of production is always an issue. The question is why didn’t he flourish against lower level OTs?
There is a corollary to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle that applies to Brad’s drafting. Still, I’m predicting that he stays in his draft lane this year, at least through #60. I suppose someone might unlock Stewart suddenly, but the 3 year evaluation of Travon Walker is in and it would be meh for someone drafted at #60.
I like Williams as well but I think he is less likely to fall because he had consistent production and people know Kirby front 7 defenders are typically better than the stats show.
But I think there will be a handful of players that he falls in love with that don’t have a realistic chance to make it to 28.
Williams and Stewart are two that he could move for if they approach the picks in the late teens and early twenty’s
Production is a fair question but it hasn’t been a deal breaker with Holmes.
Other than Hutch, who was a #1 prospect, his D-Line picks weren’t overly productive in college.
Houston had his big season against inferior talent at Jackson State but wasn’t special at Florida.
I don’t think Williams falls either, but there is a lot of dislike for him out there. Slow get off, low production, etc… Personally I think the high ankle sprain really limited him this year, and like you said there’s proof on concept with unproductive Georgia players becoming productive pros due to their wonky scheme - Nolan Smith, Travon, etc…
However I do think he’ll go lower than Stewart, who I’ve had pegged as a top 10 pick for 3 months now. When he approaches Travon’s testing numbers at roughly the same size, FOs won’t be able to resist.
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It doesn’t have to be Stewart.
I just feel that there is a certain level of frustration with pass rushers that Holmes may want to address if one of the guys he falls in love with get in range.
Holmes has had to make a lot of concessions at the Big End position opposite Hutch with drafting Paschal coming off injury, trying Romeo coming off injury, trying journeyman Commish, signing Davenport coming off injury, trading for a past his prime Za.
I think if an edge he falls in love with falls within range Holmes will end this chase and go get him.
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I don’t think so, he go in the first because of his testing but I sure wouldn’t touch him In the first . The guy looks like Tarzan plays like Jane. Well that’s a little much , but you get what I mean.
What I’ve seen of him play it definitely isn’t Jane.
I’ve only seen highlights so I’d want to watch full games to see if the effort is consistently there and determine if there is a defensible reason for the lack of statistical production.
I’ve coached guys that were animals and destroyed the guy in front of them but couldn’t find the ball for shit.
The player always played with effort and intensity and was just very raw. With coaching they developed better football IQ and instincts for making plays on the ball.
Most coaches would love to work with guys that have the attitude, temperament, and physical tools (Manu) and believe that they can develop the rest through coaching.
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Actually I think his tape is pretty damn good. Like the Georgia guys, A&M’s staff asked him to do a lot of stuff that didn’t allow him to put up big numbers - taking on blocks, moving inside, etc… but he certainly didn’t play like Jane. His motor ran really hot, especially when juxtaposed against Scourton.
Honestly it’s very similar to Travon Walker’s situation. Total freak athlete who didn’t have a lot of production. That guy made it all the way to number 1, over Hutch. He shouldn’t have, obviously, but Hutch’s excellence has masked the fact that Walker’s been very, very good. Double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons.
Stewart doesn’t have Walker’s absolutely freakish length, but he’s probably a touch stronger. I don’t think he goes number one or anything, but I think top 10 is almost a lock, given all the edge needs up there. Unless he totally blows the testing, which I find unlikely given he’s already off to such a good start.
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Call me crazy but I actually prefer Williams to Stewart. 
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Nah, I do too. He’s my edge 2 after Carter. I just know how these things tend to go, and Stewart’s testing is gonna put him over the top. I preferred Hutch and Thibs over Walker too (might have been wrong on that last one).
I said that was a little much, his play did seem to match his hype, but good point on walker witch I didn’t really careful that much, I’ve just seen to many of these types fail, so I will admit to liking guys with production. That’s why I have my day job, and will trust Dan and Brad. But he’s not on my board for this team.
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Yeah I prefer production too, but there’s already proof of concept with the Georgia guys (Mykel Williams wasn’t very productive either), and it’s easy to see that carrying over to Stewart for the same reasons. On those loaded defenses, there often aren’t enough stats to go around.
There is a big difference with me now and before Dan, if Milen picked that guy I would be bitching and complaining all the way into the season . But with Dan and Brad if he takes him , I will be like ok I missed something.
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I agree wondered about this guy with his lack of production then I remember Carter and things you and others said. So I haven’t commented much on Williams because it’s just to hard for me to know.
Thibs is still an awesome pass rusher. But it does seem that all of the concerns about attitude and mixed interests and what not were warranted.
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