Mockathon

With the roster having more holes than a truck-load of cheese wheels and a dearth of draft picks to fill them it's been a challenge to get excited for this draft.

Then came a free agency that added as many probable key players as any FA period in the franchise's history!

Kwesi is still eventually going to have to hit on at least half of the selections in a draft but that proposition is eased by so many of the positions having a presumptive player ready to go.

So the typical offseason marathon will be more like a 5K this year, which can also be enjoyable!

And as an added bonus, we'll get to see some possible landing spots for the latest best of the Bison

Here is last week's edition.

Now onto the new one

It also makes trying to project selections more of a pickle than usual, which is also adds intrigue.

When 24 flashed onto the screen three hypothetical offers were included. The simulator had Miami wanting to go up one from 25 and I snatched picks 135 & 224 to go along with it. That cost the chance to add Grey Zabel, who landed with the Fins but such is the cost.

Big New York and Jacksonville then wanted to go the 25th but only offered selections in the second round and beyond.

Safety continues to be the most glaring need on the roster but the best remaining heir to Harrison Smith would be too much of a reach.

So instead, looking for someone who could take some pressure of the defensive backs was the choice. Tennessee Edge James Pearce would be a possibility for that but getting young upside for the middle of the defensive line is even more tempting, cue the music

Walter Nolen (Mississippi DT)

Along with DT, running back has received much of the buzz during this draft cycle but there's a third group which is starting to get steamy - tight ends. TJ Hockenson may well bounce-back from a disappointing 2024 but with age and high price factoring in, TE is a legitimate position to be addressed during the draft.

And it just so happened that the top three players on the mock big board are all at that position.

Say hello to the future security blanket for McCarthy:

Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)

At 135 tackle Chase Lundt (UConn) was given serious consideration as a long-term backup for both edges but the need at corner took precedent. At this point one player made more sense than the rest

Quincy Riley (Louisville)

Lundt nearly slipped to the 139th but the volume of OTs validated waiting the extra few picks. Either Anthony Belton (NC St.) or Jalen Travis (Iowa St.) would fit the bill! For the sake of the exercise I went with the bigger and slightly better athlete.

Jalen Travis

187 presented another potential diamond in the rough to develop under two of the best defensive minds the franchise will ever have

Kitan Crawford (Nevada Safety)

The last pick would also add another potential wildcard to the defense as a safety turned linebacker to learn from Brian Fores and possibly fill-in should something happen to Josh Metellus.

Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon)

Only time will tell how Kwesi and the Gang further bolster the roster but we're one step closer to the picture being revealed!

What do you think of this potential outcome?

Each time will present different opportunities, factoring in the latest information as it becomes available. So be sure to like, follow & subscribe to avoid missing out!