2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[BizCat]

I really wish there was a documentary on the Browns.. the mystery of everything leading up to the draft. The hiring of Dorsey and key other guys, the discussions on Clueless Hue, and the whole scouting process. It would have been a first. Show us all those talks when they're debating Mayfield and Darnold, etc.

[Batman1980]

I don't know why they give Hue a chance, he's not going to develop Mayfield and he's part of 1-31 so I would've ditched him at the end of the season along with his staff.

[BizCat]

I'll be honest, as I always am - I'm still a little surprised about Denzel Ward at #4. He's definitely a great player, but I thought it was a foregone conclusion that the #4 pick would have been Chubb, with Barkley having gone at #2. But Cleveland has Myles Garrett and Ogbah, but still there's a 3rd member on a penetrating line that could cause some serious damage. Or rotation, whatever.

But they did need some big help in the secondary, so the pick is easily justified. I think they might have been able to trade back a few picks for Ward, but maybe the offers weren't great.

In a division that has Antonio Brown, AJ Green, and whoever ends up Baltimore's #1 guy (probably Crabtree), it's definitely needed.

[Batman1980]

Defensive line trumps defensive secondary, time will tell if it was the right pick. Terence Newman was amazing for about 6-7 seasons and I don't think he was worth the #5 overall pick. Rotation is key, especially when you *must* get a play from your down 4 to change the outcome of a game.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by BizCat

I'll be honest, as I always am - I'm still a little surprised about Denzel Ward at #4. He's definitely a great player, but I thought it was a foregone conclusion that the #4 pick would have been Chubb, with Barkley having gone at #2. But Cleveland has Myles Garrett and Ogbah, but still there's a 3rd member on a penetrating line that could cause some serious damage. Or rotation, whatever.

But they did need some big help in the secondary, so the pick is easily justified. I think they might have been able to trade back a few picks for Ward, but maybe the offers weren't great.

In a division that has Antonio Brown, AJ Green, and whoever ends up Baltimore's #1 guy (probably Crabtree), it's definitely needed.

With all due respect, that was a COLOSSAL reach at #4 to take a CB. Sh*t, I would have taken Rosen and then traded him elsewhere, haha.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by RageATL

With all due respect, that was a COLOSSAL reach at #4 to take a CB. Sh*t, I would have taken Rosen and then traded him elsewhere, haha.

At #4, it'd have to be Deion Sanders, Charles Woodson or Everson Walls for me to consider it. Maybe Darrelle Revis in his prime, maybe. CBs just aren't the difference makers a Chubb will be.

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by BizCat

I really wish there was a documentary on the Browns.. the mystery of everything leading up to the draft. The hiring of Dorsey and key other guys, the discussions on Clueless Hue, and the whole scouting process. It would have been a first. Show us all those talks when they're debating Mayfield and Darnold, etc.

This would be significantly better than "Draft Day" and more entertaining than "Hard Knocks". If this was on a pay service that I don't currently have, I'd pay to subscribe so I could watch it.

The discussions on Hue would be the comedy sensation of the year.

[BizCat]

And that's just it, he went the very next pick to #5 Denver who is going to pair him up with Von Miller. So, they went and did what Cleveland should have done with that defensive line.

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by BizCat

First time that 2 brothers went in the first round.

First time since 1999 5 QB's were drafted in first round.

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Thanks Bats for following and joining DangRefs

ALSO --

1st time ever that Round 1 started and ended with a Heisman-winning QB.

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by RageATL

With all due respect, that was a COLOSSAL reach at #4 to take a CB. Sh*t, I would have taken Rosen and then traded him elsewhere, haha.

Ward was always going to go in the top 10 somewhere, so personally I don't think it's much of a reach. With that said, I wonder how big the drop-off is between Ward and guys like Josh Jackson and Isaiah Oliver, because where the second-guessing can start is thinking that the Browns could've had Chubb at 4, and now with picks 33 & 35 could have either one of those guys.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by BagheeraMcGee

Ward was always going to go in the top 10 somewhere, so personally I don't think it's much of a reach. With that said, I wonder how big the drop-off is between Ward and guys like Josh Jackson and Isaiah Oliver, because where the second-guessing can start is thinking that the Browns could've had Chubb at 4, and now with picks 33 & 35 could have either one of those guys.

Top 10 is too much for any secondary talent that isn't at the level of an Earl Thomas or Richard Sherman. As great as they can be, you can scheme around secondary stand-outs, it's the great defensive linemen that win you championships. As far as Heisman winning QBs, time will tell, I am one of those who think the Ravens' pick is the next Michael Vick. Flashy but will never win you a championship.

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

I don't know why they give Hue a chance, he's not going to develop Mayfield and he's part of 1-31 so I would've ditched him at the end of the season along with his staff.

Hee Haw didn't want to fire him because of his previous reputation as a hair-trigger owner. He also bought Hue's line about 'not having enough talent to win', which led to Sashi losing the power struggle between the two of them.

It basically turns this season into another forced marriage like it was when Holmgren took over as team president and kept Eric Mangini another year.

This situation is all on Hee Haw.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

At #4, it'd have to be Deion Sanders, Charles Woodson or Everson Walls for me to consider it. Maybe Darrelle Revis in his prime, maybe. CBs just aren't the difference makers a Chubb will be.

Precisely my point.

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Top 10 is too much for any secondary talent that isn't at the level of an Earl Thomas or Richard Sherman. As great as they can be, you can scheme around secondary stand-outs, it's the great defensive linemen that win you championships. As far as Heisman winning QBs, time will tell, I am one of those who think the Ravens' pick is the next Michael Vick. Flashy but will never win you a championship.

I believe the New York Giants would agree 100% with what I've highlighted in bold, and so do I, which is why I would've taken Chubb as well, all scarlet-and-gray bias aside on my part.

[Moviefan1203]

Lot of good football players still available. Will be another fun night, fellas!

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by RageATL

I will say this, despite who I wanted at #3, everything I watched and read post-draft said the Jets nailed the pick of Darnold and that being coupled with Jeremy Bates our OC, the turnovers could be limited/coached out of his game. I'm down with that, so I'm warming up to the young fella.

He should of went number one imo, the Jets lucked out with Cleveland stepping in another pile of poo imo. I think the Jets might of finally found their guy, whether if he is just good or great remains to be seen but certainly is light years ahead of camp fodder like Hackenburg imo.

[Batman1980]

Hackenberg should not be on an NFL roster, like Matt Barkley.

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

He should of went number one imo, the Jets lucked out with Cleveland stepping in another pile of poo imo. I think the Jets might of finally found their guy, whether if he is just good or great remains to be seen but certainly is light years ahead of camp fodder like Hackenburg imo.

I am definitely happy he didn't go #1.

But I can not wait to be sitting here with you guys in 5-10 years and seeing how this whole QB class plays out.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by BizCat

I am definitely happy he didn't go #1.

But I can not wait to be sitting here with you guys in 5-10 years and seeing how this whole QB class plays out.

Multiple franchise QB’s.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

He should of went number one imo, the Jets lucked out with Cleveland stepping in another pile of poo imo. I think the Jets might of finally found their guy, whether if he is just good or great remains to be seen but certainly is light years ahead of camp fodder like Hackenburg imo.

Hey, luck figures into it as well. We have had great draft luck the past several years with Leonard William, Jamal Adams and now Darnold all falling into our laps. But like you said, we'll see.