I love Ponds, just not here. I want to see what Rake has and McCreary was a great pickup. I know you probably don’t think he’s exclusively a slot but theres a pretty big consensus that’s what he is.
Of all the defensive back positions, we are the deepest at slot corner imo.
The idea of leaving Sewell to play RT because you draft Proctor loses all credibility imo. A SB contender rolling out Proctor at LT when you have Sewell is absolutely ridiculous imo. Let’s say the Lions do take him, Sewell is still moving…
McCreary was a great pick up, but he’s not gonna stop us from taking a slot corner. And at least according to Reisman or Risdon or one of the beat guys, Dan & Co still think Rakestraw could end up outside. That was the plan going into last season at least:
So whether you think Ponds is an inside or an outside guy, I think there’s plenty of room for him. Also, you can never have enough DBs. Also, needs change so, so quickly, DB will be a need again soon enough. Finally, the draft to me - and I think to Brad too - is about adding talent more than filling needs. If he falls for Ponds, I don’t think it will matter at all who we’ve already got there.
He knows our GM’s catnip like affinity for POUSes. (Players Of Unusual Size).
It’s crazy high to take a corner that small at 17. Especially one who might just be a slot. I have him going 24 to Cleveland and even that sees high to me…
It’s not just McCreary and Rake…Maddox and Branch also play there. And doesn’t Izien too?
I get it and you know more about this than I do, but when we take a corner in this draft, I believe it will be an outside guy with adequate size. We have a ton of little guys.
It’s fair to not want him for his outlier numbers, it’s evaluation and valuation and it’s about making them meet. To each their own.
I’ll only say that it NEVER shows up on tape. Well, he’ll get beat just like any other corner (though much less than any other CB in this draft), but it’s rarely due to his size. That 43 inch vert really plays, he goes up against some huge WRs like Jeremiah Smith, Kenyon Sadiq and Denzel Boston. He high points one toss to Boston that I don’t think a 6’4 corner would have reached. His knack for timing, positioning, and crazy jumping ability make him a real threat in jump ball situations. He dominated Boston, and he made Germie Bernard basically quit, and that guy’s known for not quitting.
And i LOVE Germie Bernard. Ponds highlights definitely stand out. I love him I just wouldn’t love him in the 1st for us. I have no doubt he’s a baller and a top 5 corner in this draft.
I don’t want corner in the 1st, but I would probably prefer Delane, McCoy, and maybe Chris Johnson before Ponds. If we do somehow take him, I hope it’s after a trade down.
Of course it’s not just the highlights - everyone has great highlights - it’s the consistency of his tape. As it is I have him ranked 10th overall, but if he was 2 inches taller he might be my #1 prospect. His tape is that good.
I know you don’t just watch highlights haha. But I don’t watch much more unless I catch the actual games when they are on (which I did catch a couple Hoosier games). Ponds athleticism and physicality really stands out and that’s one reason I’m also high on him. I don’t agree that all highlight tapes look good. For example I was pretty underwhelmed with Denzel Boston’s. There wasn’t much of anything spectacular there imo. He does have the athletic profile that I really like though.
I do think maybe I’m stuck on the size and general outlook here. But I would still be irked a bit to not see an OT or Edge in round 1. I guess a draft like Ponds/Johnson, Jacas/Moore, Travis Burke/Kage Casey would still be pretty satisfying. Although I would prefer a Keionte Scott or Treydan Stukes + a 1st rd OT…but I’ve learned that the draft rarely falls the way I want.
I saw you mentioned your buddy has been saying Fano to Cleveland the entire draft process.
He’s now the favorite to go there.+300
And also it is dead even odds for Fano to be the first OL selected along wiht Mauigoa. Fano was +250. Now even.
What are Ponds odds to go in the 1st round now? I bet they’ve skyrocketed from where I got them.
Ponds 9-1
Cisse 8-1
I got Golday35-1
He’s actually 40-1 now
I can see the Giants grabbing Freeling at 10. I hope you’re right.
They were right I was wrong.
Giants unbelieavable draft IMO. Jets killed it too.
Jman a little rough this year.
Only picks I nailed with receipts
7- Styles
8-Tyson
17- Miller was my #2 wasn’t as heavy as Freeling but still hit
Lomu- pick 28
22- had small bets on Mesidor, was heavier Lawrence
23- Concepcion
Ty Simpson to Rams - HUGE
Freeling under 19.5 - HUGE
Delane before Bain
Tate under 7.5
Styles over 5.5
Yeah, that was terrible, wasn’t it?
Gibbs and Campbell being good has nothing to do with whether or not Proctor will be good.
And no, Proctor would not have been good if we took him. Not every player we take is some great player.
I’d argue we didn’t walk away with Proctor BECAUSE he’s not good.
I’m just not second guessing Brad. That was my point.
He’s not perfect, but, he’s the best Lions GM I can remember.
What do you suppose certain NFL evaluators currently working for teams might be seeing in Proctor that you may not? Not trolling, just curious.
I’ve seen evaluations that say he could be a bust or a HOFer.
/not a draftnik
They see a former five star who was a three year starter at Alabama and who might be the largest player in the NFL every year he plays. They also see someone who is dominant when he gets his hands on the defender and can move anyone off their spot.
And the common refrain among detractors is that he’ll never reach his ceiling, in large part due to a lack of discipline and love of the game.
I guess that’s what you mean when you say he’s not “good”?