2023 DB Draft Prospects Group Assessment

[samhain]

I'm starting to view Quan Martin as a player I'd really like to see in stripes. He checks a lot of boxes and can play all over the secondary.

I generally favor drafting a true boundary corner, but I'd make an exception for Martin. I don't think I'd take him at 28, but if he's there in round 2 I'd hope they pull the trigger.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Thought I could do a partial update here after 1 week of FA. As expected, Bates has gone. His $$ was essentially used to sign Orlando Brown at LT. Disappointingly, Bell left for Carolina. We have signed Nick Scott from the Rams to replace him. Scott started last yearxat S for the Rams, and during their SB run. Had a pick on Brady in the POs and a huge hit on Deebo Samuel.

We also re-signed vet Michael Thomas.

While you never say never, I think we are done at Safety for the moment.

Position Group #3: Safety

I. 2023 Roster Status

A. Signed = 6. Cap Hit; Dead Cap; FA Year/Type

1. D. Hill (FS/CB, Starter); $2,651,594; $9,545,748; 2026 TO/'27
2. N. Scott, (SS, Starter); $2,388,235; $3,000,000; 2026 UFA
3. T. Anderson (S3, Reserve); $946,521; $229,563; 2026 UFA
4. M. Thomas (S4, Reserve); $940,000; $0, 2024 UFA
---------------
5. B. Wilson (S5/KR, Reserve); $2,000,000; $0; 2024 UFA
------------
6. Y. Corker (S/DB, PS); $740,000, $0, 2024 UFA

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(03-14-2023, 07:28 PM)OSUfan Wrote: Did you purposely leave Hill off the signed S list?

Nah, just accidentally erased him. Look at the post 5 posts downthread, he's back where he should be. Did yoy purposely fail to notice his reappearance in the subsequent posts?

But your post (and my screw up), and the Sidney Jones signing at CB, do makes this a nice time to circle back to the grouping after the first wave of FA. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Well, here we go for a reset after the first wave. DB has definitely had the mist turnover, with Bates & Bell leaving at safety and Apple & Flowers still unsigned at CB. Hill will take over for Bates, and we signed Nick Scott to replaced Bell. Tycen Anderson seems healthy and will play a larger role this year. We re-signed Michael Thomas. Ditto vet DB Jalen Davis. We signed CB Sidney Jones, thiugh what this means for Apple/Flowers is unclear at the moment. CB Allan George is also signed, who played pretty well in limited duty last year, IMHO.

Position Group #2: Cornerback:

I.  2023 Roster Status:

A. Signed = 7.  Cap Hit;  Dead Cap; FA Year/Type

1.  C. Awuzie (CB1, Starter, Inj); $7.938,232; $1,500,000; 2024 UFA
2.  C. Taylor-Britt (CB2, Starter); $1,352,892; $1,131,942; 2026 UFA
3.  M. Hilton (CB3, Slot Starter); $5,961,754; $2,000,000; 2025 UFA 
4.  S. Jones (CB4, Reserve); $990,000; $0; 2024 UFA
5.  A. George (CB5); $870,000; $0; 2024 FA 
6.  J. Davis (CB6/slot2): $1,205,000; $150,000; 2025 UFA
-------------
7.  D. Hill (FS1, Starter, CB7/slot3); $2,651,594; $9,545,748; 2026 TO/'27 
--------------
8.  M. Tell III (PS CB); $870,000; $0 


B.  Unsigned = 2.  2022 Cap Hit; FA Type

1.  E. Apple (CB2/CB1, Starter); $3,750,000; UFA
2.  T. Flowers (CB5, Reserve); $1,838,240; UFA
---------

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Position Group #3: Safety

I.  2023 Roster Status

A. Signed = 6. Cap Hit; Dead Cap; FA Year/Type

1. D. Hill (FS/CB, Starter); $2,651,594; $9,545,748; 2026 TO/'27
2. N. Scott, (SS, Starter); $2,388,235; $3,000,000; 2026 UFA
3. T. Anderson (S3, Reserve); $946,521; $229,563; 2026 UFA
4. M. Thomas (S4, Reserve); $940,000; $0, 2024 UFA
---------------
5. B. Wilson (S5/KR, Reserve); $2,000,000; $0; 2024 UFA
------------
6. Y. Corker (S/DB, PS); $740,000, $0, 2024 UFA

[tms]

I don't know if this belongs here but I'm not sure it doesn't haha so here goes...

I really like Marcco Hellams for this team. If Brugler's tag is accurate at Round 6, he'd be a steal. Honestly, I don't get the hesitation. The man is a natural football player, if not playmaker. May be a bit overzealous on some of his reads but he's an athlete. Plays fast and is a former track star to boot. His ball skills to date are unproven, but he's a former wideout; I figure he has the pedigree to pick that up. Speaking of pedigree, comes from a strong background and obviously played at an elite level at Bama. For what it's worth he's 6' 200, can play all over the backfield and fits like a glove for Lou's scheme. It may be a case of confirmation bias but when I watch his tape I see a potential hybrid of Bates, Bell and Hilton.  

He suffered a concussion at the Senior Bowl but if that's what's holding up his draft stock, I'd swoop in and reap the benefits later.    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q_Skdfd2C8

[dxdtdemon]

James Rapien and Malik Wright have talked about Kentucky CB Carrington Valentine lately, and cincyjungle.com said that Valentine met with the coaching staff yesterday, so how what do all of you think about him?

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Thought I'd bump these a week out. CB really has not changed much, but we did get news on Chido's recovery going well so far (knock on wood). IDK if that changes much, but perhaps a little less impetus to take a CB in Round 1. 

Position Group #2: Cornerback:

I.  2023 Roster Status:

A. Signed = 7.  Cap Hit;  Dead Cap; FA Year/Type

1.  C. Awuzie (CB1, Starter, Inj); $7.938,232; $1,500,000; 2024 UFA
2.  C. Taylor-Britt (CB2, Starter); $1,352,892; $1,131,942; 2026 UFA
3.  M. Hilton (CB3, Slot Starter); $5,961,754; $2,000,000; 2025 UFA 
4.  S. Jones (CB4, Reserve); $990,000; $0; 2024 UFA
5.  A. George (CB5); $870,000; $0; 2024 FA 
6.  J. Davis (CB6/slot2): $1,205,000; $150,000; 2025 UFA
-------------
7.  D. Hill (FS1, Starter, CB7/slot3); $2,651,594; $9,545,748; 2026 TO/'27 
--------------
8.  M. Tell III (PS CB); $870,000; $0 


B.  Unsigned = 2.  2022 Cap Hit; FA Type

1.  E. Apple (CB2/CB1, Starter); $3,750,000; UFA
2.  T. Flowers (CB5, Reserve); $1,838,240; UFA
---------

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Finally catching up to the fact that B. Wilson is a FA. Adjusted post accordingly. Still do not think S is a top priority, as there is really only one round 1 worthy guy (Branch) and I cannot see safety in Rd 1 two years in a row. Further, I think other postion groups are deeper (TE, DE, CB) or we have more of an immediate need (TE, RB, pass rush) that Day 2 is unlikely as well. Not impossible, though. 

Position Group #3: Safety

I.  2023 Roster Status

A. Signed = 5. Cap Hit; Dead Cap; FA Year/Type

1. D. Hill (FS/CB, Starter); $2,651,594; $9,545,748; 2026 TO/'27
2. N. Scott, (SS, Starter); $2,388,235; $3,000,000; 2026 UFA
3. T. Anderson (S3, Reserve); $946,521; $229,563; 2026 UFA
4. M. Thomas (S4, Reserve); $940,000; $0, 2024 UFA
---------------
5. Y. Corker (S/DB, PS); $740,000, $0, 2024 UFA

B. Unsigned = 1. 2022 Cap Hit, FA Type 

1. B. Wilson (S/KR); $562,500 (PUP), UFA

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

In terms of guys I like:

Rd 1:
CB: Witherspoon. He'll be gone. I could see Banks or Forbes as well, but I'd take Mayer or a DL prospect over either (Van Ness, Murphy, Kancey). Maybe Washington or Bresee as well, though Bresee has some flags. Bijan if there. Maybe even Flowers.

S: Branch only. And I'd take any of the guys mentioned above before him save maybe Bresee.