1. The Colts and Panthers moved up for C.J. Stroud (at No. 1) and Anthony Richardson (No. 4), respectively. The Bears were at the heart of both trades. Especially in light of everything you saw and heard at the combine, how’d you like those moves?
Baumgardner: The Colts and Stroud felt like a perfect pair
before the combine. Stroud could go through his share of first-year hiccups, but Indianapolis has a better roster than we’re used to seeing this high up in the draft. The Colts have the defense and general personnel to help a young player like this. For me, it seemed like a decision of whether Indianapolis would fall in love with Stroud,
Bryce Young or neither and opt to sit and wait, knowing there’d be value at No. 4 anyway.
Stroud was terrific at the combine and in the College Football Playoff. His throwing motion is like a well-practiced golf swing, and he’s the most gifted pocket passer in this class. And, make no mistake, this is a good quarterback class.
Tice: I love it for the Bears, who need as many viable players and ways to find them as possible. A war chest of draft picks would help.
Stroud matches the size threshold that the Colts have for their players and would bring a polished game to a roster that isn’t as bad as one might think. Pairing Stroud (my personal QB1) with Shane Steichen, who has a background in Norv Turner offenses, would make sense. Stroud could push the ball to an Indianapolis receiving corps with size. That roster would just need a little talent injection along the offensive line, as well.
Based on conversations had before and during the combine, the Colts are looking for a long-term option at quarterback but not a project. While there’s no such thing as certainty when it comes to rookie quarterbacks, Stroud is as close as you’ll get in this draft class to threading that needle. His size, accuracy and consistency make him the kind of foundational piece needed to build this offense around.
I still some have questions about how Stroud will manage pressure at the next level, but I have a hard time seeing him being anything other than the efficiency machine he’s been since his first start for
Ohio State. The 2017-18 version of
Jared Goff is the trajectory I’m banking on, and Stroud’s ceiling will be determined by how comfortable he is using his legs.
3. Trades aside, what was the most surprising pick of Dane’s latest mock?
Another thing that’s not a surprise to me but might be to some: Dane noted
Houston doesn’t have to (and might not) take a quarterback at No. 2. It seems like too many have assumed otherwise. The Texans need so many things, in addition to a quarterback, that if they want to ride with Davis Mills for a bit longer and focus on the elite options in next year’s quarterback class … I can understand that.
Tice: It was a non-pick for me, and that’s Johnston falling out of the first round. This wide receiver class is not a great one, as far as top-end talent — especially compared to recent classes and even more so when it comes to receivers with size. I wouldn’t be shocked if Johnston falls to Day 2, because he is not a perfect prospect, but he has an intriguing height/weight/speed combination that others at the top of this year’s class don’t.
I kept scrolling to see his name and ended up in the comments section.
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