Holy moly. Someone smarter than I will need to confirm, but to my eyes his sprint technique was sub-optimal. My understanding is he got upright too quickly, suggesting that he may have been sub 4.5 if he had been coached up more on his sprint technique. Regardless that's explosive
Whether we call him 3-4 OLB or whatever else, at least he wants to be an Edge who pressures the QB. He will battle against OTs, who in NFL are very athletic with long arms. When we are picking at #2, we want the guy who has massive pass rush upside. Reese is a projection (only 6.5 sacks in College), largely based on assumption he an athletic freak. Anything short of that IMO he may slide a few spots. And 32 1/2 inch arms is just not great when #2 was a projection based on athletic potential. This is not to say he is not elite prospect. Just that I am using combine as a data point to break something very close to a tie and I think Bailey gets tie breaker. And probably Bain too over Reese. Reese was expected to have 3-4 inch arm length advantage over Bain, and it is only 1.6 inch. I don't think that makes up for production difference Bain had over Reese in College, and is pretty low too. Reese is still a great prospect to be sure, just that Bailey to me pulled a little ahead, and maybe Bain as well.
Its a tough pick and mougey will hold it close to the chest I hope to get a team to trade up for a guy they love. I can see a case for all these guys, I just like the intangibles and production from Bain. But Bailey and even Reese have strong cases going for them
Production was great too though, the guy led FBS in sacks for fuck's sake, #2 TFL, highest PFF grade, stepped up in play-offs, etc... There is no clear #2, but I think he just checks most boxes.
Bain's motor is one of his biggest strengths. When a guy plays with that intensity almost all of the time, how can you pass that up? You just know you're going to get nonstop, pit bull with this guy. He's a human bowling ball that just pounces on people. Plays with a mean streak. Gotta go Bain or Bailey. Please Jets, no Reese. Don't f this up.
I think it’s Bailey …. Lemon at 16. If Lemon isn’t there then I can see them trading down a few spots but not too many. As far as LB they seem to like Jacob Rodriguez who can be had in the third round. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them grab Anthony Hill in the second round either.
I read where Hutchinson, Bonitto, and Parsons all have arm lengths shorter or equal to 32 4/8 inches. I am at a loss to understand why people think Reeves will not be a great pass rusher because he has 32 4/8 inch arms. Don’t get me wrong, I think Bailey is a wonderful, polished pass rusher. However, he is at best average against the run, and it is questionable whether he can also drop back in coverage when needed. Reeves is 20 years old with loads of untapped potential.
David Bayley is having an absolutely bonkers combine. I’m still firmly behind Reese as the pick but I’m definitely closer to 50-50 than I was this morning.
I’m not sure there’s a motor high enough to overcome what would have to be the most ridiculous outlier result when you consider everything about Bain physically.
I'll go with the eye test in terms of on-field production and Bain passes with flying colors. I'm not too worried about the arm length thing as his elite first step, explosiveness and violent hand usage should allow him to excel.
The point is not that arm length will prevent him from being a great pass rusher (32.5 is below ideal, but close enough and not the end of the world as you pointed out). It's that he hasn't been a great pass rusher in FBS and people are projecting he might become one largely because of his athletic potential. He did have a drop off last 6 games, didn't step up in big games. And now measurement showed he may not have this great physical advantage he was expected to have. I still think he is a great prospect, just that Bailey and Bain may have pulled slightly ahead in my book.
I think he will be a very good player and i would still pick him over Reese. The question is Bailey. Also great production and looks like an athletic monster.
You are correct - hence a trade down into the third round. I’d be surprised if the Jets don’t wind up with an early third round pick somehow because they were all over him at the senior bowl.
https://x.com/i/status/2027176991255093560 If we switch to 3-4 that makes Reese more of a better pick in terms of scheme right?
Yes, and I like this one as well. It shows him at joker in a nickel. https://x.com/i/status/2027101165901808076
He plays like 4.51 pass rusher. Thats the most important thing. He’s the guy. I like Bain too. However, he is different.
