Reflecting on past drafts often brings moments of hindsight those times we lament missed opportunities, imagining how things might’ve turned out if we had snagged that coveted Pro Bowler instead of the underwhelming “dope” we ended up with. But until you’re the one sitting in the GM’s chair, faced with the pressure of making crucial decisions, it’s hard to fully grasp the complexity of picking winners. It’s also important to recognize the intricate work that goes into acquiring draft picks through trades a task that demands both skill and strategy.
The heart of this experiment lies in the picks themselves. For the past seven or eight years, I’ve been making my selections before our GM submits theirs. I suspect many of you have done something similar. It’s a fascinating long-term exercise, tracking the progress of these picks over three or four years, and envisioning the makeup of a team you built yourself. Did my choices align with Glenn and Mougey? Now’s the time to find out. Let’s dive into the comparisons and see how my picks stacked up when the pressure was on against theirs
Reflecting on past drafts often brings moments of hindsight those times we lament missed opportunities, imagining how things might’ve turned out if we had snagged that coveted Pro Bowler instead of the underwhelming “dope” we ended up with. But until you’re the one sitting in the GM’s chair, faced with the pressure of making crucial decisions, it’s hard to fully grasp the complexity of picking winners. It’s also important to recognize the intricate work that goes into acquiring draft picks through trades a task that demands both skill and strategy.
The heart of this experiment lies in the picks themselves. For the past seven or eight years, I’ve been making my selections before our GM submits theirs. I suspect many of you have done something similar. It’s a fascinating long-term exercise, tracking the progress of these picks over three or four years, and envisioning the makeup of a team you built yourself. Did my choices align with Glenn and Mougey? Now’s the time to find out. Let’s dive into the comparisons and see how my picks stacked up when the pressure was on against theirs .
ROUND 1 (PICK 7)
My Pick: OT, Armand Membou, Missouri
Mouglenn’s Pick: OT, Armand Membou, Missouri
Me and the two headed draft monster, Mougleen were on the same page here. It’s the start of new regime and this pick needs to be as safe as possible while also filling a need. We now have our future RT and have solidified our OL with youth and meanness. I can’t wait to see this unit in action.
ROUND 2 (PICK 42)
My Pick: WR, Jalen Royals, Utah St
Mouglenn’s Pick: TE, Mason Taylor, LSU
This is where Mouglenn and me diverge from our draft strategies. We both wanted to fill a different need here. I chose to go with a Royals who can do just about everything at a high level and has the tape and testing to back it up. Royals didn’t end up getting picked until round 4 by the Chiefs. Time will tell if I over drafted him or the league greatly slept on his true value. Mason Taylor on the other hand is not as polished of a prospect. He has a way to go when it comes to route running and blocking technique. The potential is there with a very high ceiling, but this pick is all projection. If he hits though, he will be a great one.
.other hand is pretty much Tyler Warren lite. He is incredibly athletic and can be used in many different ways. He’s also one of the best blocking TEs in this class. If we want to be a power running team using 12 personnel, we need more guys like Conyers.
ROUND 5 (PICK 176)
My Pick: IOL, Luke Kandra, Cincinnati
Mouglenn’s Pick: EDGE, Tyler Baron, Miami
Both Mouglenn and I went with smart depth additions here, and honestly, it’s surprising either of these guys were still available at this point in the draft. I had a strong third-round grade on Kandra and a solid fourth-round grade on Baron — two players with real starting potential at their respective positions. Baron brings power and versatility off the edge, but with Kandra, you’re getting an absolute brick wall on the interior. He’s a true mauler who plays with heavy hands, a strong anchor, and the kind of nasty streak you love to see in a future starter.