At pick 1.18, you bring up a very underrated point. If the Bengals use that pick on an instant starter at RT, it will likely be a prospect with the potential to man the blindside down the road. I see mocks quite often that have CIN/Latham at 1.18 with Guyton or sometimes even Fashanu still on the board. Makes no sense to me. I don't believe Orlando Brown has the stranglehold on the LT spot that many seem to assume. It's not far-fetched to think the notoriously frugal Bengals may already have one eye on a more economical replacement.
I'm souring a bit on Latu. Been combing his breakdowns and focused on his matchup with Fuaga at the Senior Bowl. I have concerns.
For me, he doesn't pass the eye test. Like, not at all. Physically, he's closer to a stud HS Senior than a rocked-up NFL EDGE prospect, and that's a red flag given he's 23 years old. Flat butt. Very narrow shoulders and what appears to be sub-standard arm length. Relatively weak lower body. I get that Latu's major selling point is his technical excellence/hand usage. His viral rep at the Senior Bowl where he beats Fuaga with a blink-and-you-missed it counter is just filthy. However, Fuaga won the day - sometimes simply rag dolling Latu. That's my main concern: His technical prowess may not be as effective vs. NFL linemen as it was against PAC12 linemen two to four years his junior. I fear once NFL linemen get hands on him, it'll be game over. I'm currently working on my first mock, and feeling increasingly more comfortable with Latu outside the top 20.
I agree with your SB prediction. SF in the SB has more to do with the Lions beating themselves than Niners excellence. The Chiefs are carrying a chip on their shoulders that I'm not seeing with the 49ers.
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At pick 1.18, you bring up a very underrated point. If the Bengals use that pick on an instant starter at RT, it will likely be a prospect with the potential to man the blindside down the road. I see mocks quite often that have CIN/Latham at 1.18 with Guyton or sometimes even Fashanu still on the board. Makes no sense to me. I don't believe Orlando Brown has the stranglehold on the LT spot that many seem to assume. It's not far-fetched to think the notoriously frugal Bengals may already have one eye on a more economical replacement.
I'm souring a bit on Latu. Been combing his breakdowns and focused on his matchup with Fuaga at the Senior Bowl. I have concerns.
For me, he doesn't pass the eye test. Like, not at all. Physically, he's closer to a stud HS Senior than a rocked-up NFL EDGE prospect, and that's a red flag given he's 23 years old. Flat butt. Very narrow shoulders and what appears to be sub-standard arm length. Relatively weak lower body. I get that Latu's major selling point is his technical excellence/hand usage. His viral rep at the Senior Bowl where he beats Fuaga with a blink-and-you-missed it counter is just filthy. However, Fuaga won the day - sometimes simply rag dolling Latu. That's my main concern: His technical prowess may not be as effective vs. NFL linemen as it was against PAC12 linemen two to four years his junior. I fear once NFL linemen get hands on him, it'll be game over. I'm currently working on my first mock, and feeling increasingly more comfortable with Latu outside the top 20.
I agree with your SB prediction. SF in the SB has more to do with the Lions beating themselves than Niners excellence. The Chiefs are carrying a chip on their shoulders that I'm not seeing with the 49ers.