CBS’s mock draft has Mikey going to Lions in the first round!
Mikey will be a good slot corner and Lions could use help in the secondary. I thought he was projected for the second or third round. Good for Mikey. One of the best position switches ever.
Also, it has JJ going to Steelers. That will be a good spot for him.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:12 AM ^
It has become nearly universal that JJ is a first round pick. Most recent projections have him in the top 12 picks consistently.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:20 AM ^
FWIW Ben Albright, Broncos reporter I follow, says Denver wants JJ bad but don’t think he’ll be available at 10. His sources have him going as the 2nd or 3rd QB, maybe as high as #2.
Thinks they’re going to have to move way up to get him.
His other comment was gold. Said “talking heads on ESPN and randos on Twitter who bought the all-22 and consider themselves experts think a lot less of McCarthy than NFL scouts and coaches”
February 25th, 2024 at 9:49 AM ^
McCarthy rising that high might help Harbaugh and the Chargers, because as much as Harbaugh would love to have Bowers, I’m thinking they’d prefer to trade back a bit, with Bowers still being a possibility, depending how things fall.
February 25th, 2024 at 2:58 PM ^
Maybe that's why CBS has Steelers trading up 11 spots to 9.
I had him going 16th to Seattle but his stock seems to be rising.
Mikeys stock up too. Pretty sure teams are looking at him as a corner who could play safety as well.
February 25th, 2024 at 10:29 AM ^
The Bears won't take JJ #1 because they could trade down with some team who thinks Caleb Williams will save their mismanaged organization. His ceiling is probably #3 because Maye has the He Would Have Been #1 in 2023 label.
February 26th, 2024 at 8:23 AM ^
Saw some graphic the other day of Caleb Williams against top 25 defenses versus not-top-25 defenses. I'm sure most QBs numbers fall when they play better defenses, but I'm wondering how all world he really is. I've never actually seen him play.
February 25th, 2024 at 12:20 PM ^
1st overall? no
1at round? yes
He is turning into QB4 amongst mocks usually not falling past Denver at 12. Raiders and Vikings also popular destinations.
February 25th, 2024 at 4:06 PM ^
JJ is going first in almost every draft. Top 16 in most drafts
February 25th, 2024 at 9:00 AM ^
Being a converted WR to DB is money.
February 25th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
Particularly under Jim Harbaugh.
Richard Sherman screams in approval.
February 25th, 2024 at 1:27 PM ^
Recent DUI not-withstanding
February 25th, 2024 at 9:05 AM ^
So many mock drafts, each trying to draw views and be more outrageous then the others.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:10 AM ^
I love Mikey but I can’t see the Lions taking him in the first. They already have a good slot CB in Brian Branch, they need a boundary corner, edge, IOL or DT. Holmes has shown he’s a ‘best available’ drafter though so you never know!
February 25th, 2024 at 9:22 AM ^
Love Mickey but unless he really blows people away at the combine he’s not going in the 1st round IMO.
That’s a mock draft that matched the fan base of the college and the pro team and chose the most likely player.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:46 AM ^
Yes. Sainristil is one of my favorite Michigan players of all time and I expect to see him the NFL, but he's never looked like a first-round draft choice.
February 25th, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
Yeah he’s great and all, I just don’t think he has the measurables or positional versatility to be a first round pick. Hard to justify a first round pick for a guy that is limited to playing the slot.
February 25th, 2024 at 1:25 PM ^
Not sure. He’s an elite slot corner, a position becoming increasingly more important in the pros. He held his own against MHJ when Will Johnson went down vs. OSU, and he has played outside fade routes exceptionally well in general for a nickel back.
If Dax Hill is worth a first round pick, I think Mikey is as well, despite the measurables.
February 25th, 2024 at 4:09 PM ^
Dax Hill is worth a first round pick because of his elite athletic traits and his ability to play multiple positions.
Slot corner is becoming more and more important, but with limited roster space it’s hard to use a first round pick on a guy who can only play the slot when other teams have been able to stick guys in the slot who can play safety or outside corner as well.
Drafting in the NFL isn’t so much about how good you are at your position in college. It’s about measurables and how you project to the next level, and positional versatility is incredibly valued with limited roster space available to begin with.
February 25th, 2024 at 7:50 PM ^
Mikey can play both but his best position is slot because he lacks the ideal height to play on an island. Mikey could be a first Rd pick due to the fact most defenses in the NFL have 3 CB 2 safeties starting or 5 DBs starting in their base defense. I would love Mikey on the Lions but to me doesn't make sense with Branch already being the guy. Also they might be resigning CGJ. Lions need a try lockdown corner because Sutton isn't a true lockdown CB he is a great 2 but isn't the #1 we need. Not sure if there is a bonafide lockdown in this draft but we will get more looks after the combine.
February 25th, 2024 at 2:38 PM ^
Dude was clutch and a leader for 3 years..but in particular the last two. He plays like you'd hope a first rounder would play..smart, touch and damn near always in the right place at the right time.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:13 AM ^
Branch plays our slot. That pick makes no sense unless they want to move him to Safety. Even so, their dire need is at outside corner. Seems like this guy doesn’t know what he is doing.
February 25th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
branch is pretty damn good. leave him be.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:25 AM ^
Removed. Meant to reply to link above.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:30 AM ^
Sigh--reply moved.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:32 AM ^
My reading comprehension always sucks, but especially when I haven't had enough coffee.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:30 AM ^
I love Mikey, but that ain’t happening. The lions need a pure outside CB, not another slot guy which they have in spades.
February 25th, 2024 at 9:42 AM ^
Mocks are dumb and used for engagement and clicks. So having Mikey going to the Lions is good for business.
that said, he would be a great fit!
February 25th, 2024 at 10:01 AM ^
I mean, would be cool, but plays the same position as Brian Branch so highly unlikely to happen.
February 25th, 2024 at 10:26 AM ^
The Lions need at CB is an outside one. Mikey projects to be a slot corner in NFL, and the Lions just drafted Branch. That said, whichever team drafts Mikey will get one heckuva of a player. I am planning to be at the Combine on Friday and see him do very well.
February 25th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^
Told ya’ll, best QB prospect in the draft when it’s all said and done…
February 25th, 2024 at 11:43 AM ^
I agree, even though he’ll probably be the fourth QB off the board. I actually think those first three—Williams, Maye and Daniels—will all disappoint and be outperformed by JJ, Penix and others. Maybe Spencer Rattler.
February 25th, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
We exposed Penix, I like the kid but don’t think he is as good as advertised.
I got eviscerated a month ago on this board for saying that JJ has the best combination of tools and skill sets the NFL are looking for. No one has the speed, arm talent, arm strength, play extending ability, intelligence, or analytical skills of JJ….well combined at least. Just wait til team interviews.
February 25th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
Mel Tugger liked your first sentence.
February 25th, 2024 at 1:13 PM ^
Maybe Spencer Rattler.
C'mon, you don't really believe that.
February 25th, 2024 at 3:01 PM ^
I’m being a tad hyperbolic and “maybe” is doing a lot of work there but I really do believe the top 3 will underperform and that a middle-late round guy could outperform them. Rattler's got a lot of tools so there's a chance it could be him.
February 25th, 2024 at 8:00 PM ^
Not really an original thought. There is always a QB drafted after the first Rd that outperforms a 1st rounder. Thai is the best talent of QBs in a draft in some years. Maye is super athletic, so is JD and Caleb. Most think JD is going to be the one that doesn't live up to expectations. But we will see. Rattler just don't see it had some good WRs every where he has been and. Didn't do much. I thought Prudy was good and that was because cause I watched many games of his. I liked his athletic ability in college and he made good decisions and also started for 3 plus years or more. Experience can be a big factor in some going to the NFL. But overall I do think one 1st Rd pick will disappoint because it is more likely to happen then all QBs being great starters. But then Rattler has a lot of starts in college so who knows, maybe he gets put into a system that flows with his talent and has a good QB guru on his new NFL team. People tend to forget fit and system has a lot to do with a players success
February 25th, 2024 at 10:36 AM ^
Sorry, this is an insane mock draft right off the bat: he predicts that the Falcons will trade up to #2 to take Jayden Daniels, when they could almost certainly get Justin Fields for only a second-rounder?
February 25th, 2024 at 1:21 PM ^
Yeah, but why would they want Justin Fields?
February 25th, 2024 at 2:28 PM ^
Same reason they'd want Jayden Daniels, I guess: a running quarterback who looks like Lamar Jackson when throwing to elite receivers but turns into a pumpkin otherwise. Fields wouldn't require mortgaging the next few years, though.
February 25th, 2024 at 3:03 PM ^
Because they have Desmond Ridder? He makes everyone look more attractive.
February 25th, 2024 at 8:09 PM ^
Also it didn't help that Smith couldn't coach a QB worth a shot. He made his QBs look way worse then they were. He put his QBs in bad situations which didn't help them at all and especially a young one. Ridder was never the most accurate but he isn't some bum. Smith didn't know how to use Pitts who should be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams but instead made him avg. at best.
February 25th, 2024 at 8:05 PM ^
Fields has talent and can be a good QB if he has a chance to stay in a system longer then 1 year and is put into a one that uses his talents properly. They tried to make Fields a pocket passer for the first half of the year and he didn't run when he needed to and tried to be a robot by doing what they said. They failed him bad. Give him someone who can develop his strengths in the right system and he will flourish.
February 25th, 2024 at 10:43 AM ^
I'll echo others when I say that Mike is one of my all-time favorites. What a fun player to watch and overall amazing person. I will sorely miss watching him don the maize and blue next season.
However, due to variables like size, weight, and yet-to-be-seen-but-not-likely-off-the-charts combine numbers, I don't think he can possibly go in the 1st round.
This take is approaching lemon-eating levels.
February 25th, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
Mikey Sainristil is one of the greatest Michigan defender to ever play at Michigan especially when you consider the lack of pub he got.
The best way I can explain him.... he's an offensive weapon on defense plus he's an excellent defender in all areas.
He's also a Buckeye killer...that play on Stover will go down as one of the single greatest plays ever in the game.
If he runs a 4.3 he definitely will be a late 1st rounder....prolly will be anyway.
February 25th, 2024 at 12:00 PM ^
He's also a Buckeye killer...
A Buckeye serial killer
2022
2023
February 25th, 2024 at 11:00 AM ^
They'd be lucky to have him.
February 25th, 2024 at 11:09 AM ^
JJ to the Steelers would be great
February 25th, 2024 at 11:17 AM ^
Mikey will always be a favorite Michigan defender of mine, but this seems kinda out there. He's gonna be a good NFL NB, but he doesn't possess the elite tangibles (size and speed, etc.) to be a 1st Rounder. He's listed at 5'10", and while he's an athletic kid I don't see him running a 4.3 or posting an insane 3-cone score. At least not enough to be taken in the 1st Round.
This feels like the local team pining for the Michigan kid, and while I do think he's gonna be an excellent NFL player, 1st round feels ridiculous to me. Great value in the 3rd round though.
February 25th, 2024 at 12:17 PM ^
This is a stupid mock. He ain't displacing Brian Branch who looks like a potential All Pro. That's a waste of resource by a team needing outside CB, DE, and interior OL at the top of list. Lions need an outside corner not a nickel/slot. Also no one has Mikey in the first in any other mock.
February 25th, 2024 at 12:30 PM ^
I feel like the Lions need an outside CB, not a NB...no?