I wouldn't say I disagree with them, but I'm not impressed by their points, which are kind of lazy and lack depth IMHO.

Saying that Chase is the #1 WR prospect by a large margin simply due to his being 205-lb versus 175-lb is a bit of a stretch, particularly when we've seen Smith play against the best and still dominate. I like Chase' size but he's not the route-runner DeVonta Smith is and he's not going to separate as well either. We know that based on the tape. We've seen Smith go against R1 CB prospects and do just as well (if not better) than Chase did against those same types.

To me, the educated argument for Chase isn't about quality (where Smith beats him right now), but rather ceiling. Chase produced 1,700 yards in 2019 at LSU as a markedly less-polished WR than Smith was this year while contending with Justin Jefferson stealing targets on the other side. Meanwhile, much of Smith's 1,800 yards this year was tied to his being the clear #1 in the Alabama offense and playing like the polish veteran he was, continually roasting whoever was put in front of him week-in, week-out. Smith was basically un-coverable this year in a way that Chase simply never was at LSU.


Likewise, their points about how WRs should be more highly valued in the draft is pretty reactionary. The offensive system and the QB are both still more important than the WR in today's NFL.

And their points about "transient" QBs being the new norm? I don't think so. Even if you believe that, WRs don't make the QB, rather it's the opposite. WRs only begin to matter when you surround a great QB with equally great WRs: Hill & Mahomes, Adams & Rodgers, Thomas & Brees, Hopkins & Watson, Metcalf & Wilson, etc. We could go back and find the best years in Peyton Manning and Tom Brady's career and cite the WRs they had at the time: Wes Welker, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas, etc.


Ultimately, both Smith and Chase are great prospects and Miami would be lucky to grab either. I'm happy to get on board with either dude. Chase has great production, good size, good strength and a noticeable feistiness in his game. Smith has great size, great hands, great production and the overall polish, too. He does all the little stuff right which is what allows you to overlook the lack of strength. They're both awesome.

However, when it comes to Florida TE Kyle Pitts, I think they're right. He is a ridiculous prospect that should be scene as real stud, with potential to end up as the NFL's #1 guy. He could be that good if he works hard.

 

Some of the trade back scenarios I have done involve taking Pitts at 6-12. He may not be the greatest need but he will better than everyone we have right now.

 

There is theoretically a way we could get both without sacrificing draft picks in the future if we trade back from #3 to #5 or #6 and use what we get in return to move up from #18 to #7 or #8, assuming the trade partners are there. At least that's what the draft trade value chart says (500-600 points in both cases):
https://walterfootball.com/draftchart.php

That would actually be my most preferred outcome because if you miss out on getting both Smith and Chase you could get one of them plus Parsons or Pitts or whoever else (except Sewell), assuming 3 QB's go top 8.

 

I agree. Even with Gesicki in Miami, Pitts should still be in play given his potential talent and impact. Worst case, Gesicki could be traded. But I think there's serious value to consider in nabbing Kyle Pitts to pair with Gesicki assuming Miami is able to pull another good WR from the draft.

This is exactly what I was just thinking. Instead of #3 and #18, why not try and bring those 2 picks closer together.

Maybe you don't get the #1 WR but the chance of landing 2 of the next best guys is pretty interesting.

 

Like your thoughts and I love Pitts, he seems to be special. Would like to have a combination of Smith/Chase/Parsons/Pitts, even though that would probably cost us Harris, if we’d pick up Javonte Williams later I could live with that though.

 

I'm all in if you can swing us getting two of the top receiving targets.

 

I'd love either Smith, Chase or Pitts. Either would be a great get for us. Heck, add one of them as well as getting Preston Williams (and maybe Albert Wilson) back and our receiving unit goes from anemic to stout as :censored: in a single off-season.