Fun read, thanks.
I think first off Hooker goes in round 1 because of 5th year control. The old days of taking a QB in early round 2 if he's got size or production issues but otherwise projects well are going to be affected by QB salaries. These guys require so much money, even the mediocre ones want $30M or more, that the 5th year option you get from the first round means sliding up and taking him in that late round 1 range is the way to go. If you hit on the QB you'll be real glad you positioned appropriately to maximize that. So for Hooker as a guy who should probably go in that early round 2 range I think he's off the board for sure late first.
I love Forbes. He's got the things I covet in a corner and I figure he'll grow into that frame and someone will have a true difference maker. But it's not like he will require weight to do that in the NFL. He'll instantly be felt out there. Concern of course is if we take him suddenly we look light in the pants at corner with him and Durant. But honestly... In today's NFL it's about snuffing out big plays in the pass game. If Forbes is there I take him because I think he's going to be somewhere from a plus corner to a routine Pro Bowl type.
I think Gibbs is off the board pretty early. Also think he goes off before Robinson. Of the two I think Robinson has a better chance to make it to us than Gibbs, because Gibbs is the modern back teams are looking for. He could be a Kamara type in an offense. Robinson is a bell cow, which is certainly desired but not like guys who might be special in the pass game and Gibbs also can run the ball on the interior. He's not elite there but he can do it plus threaten in the pass game which makes him the top back in this draft IMO. And I'm a guy who personally prefers the bell cow types just projecting what I think the NFL is thinking here.
TE I would not touch Washington at 36. Rams need to hit on that pick and going with a physical freak who disappears feels like a poor way to do that. Rather have Kraft so move down and accrue a pick if that's the plan. Also and btw I think LaPorta will intrigue McVay as well because he's an instant threat in the pass game on day one. Yeah his blocking is not good but his threat in the pass game is something man and he sure fits this offense as a slot possession sub if Kupp can't go. Basically he'd be like a stealth WR pick masquerading as a TE in terms of impact. Washington and Musgrave both feel like high bust potential to me.
Edge I have a feeling they covet McDonald. If he's on the board he might be their #1 overall target. Due to the presence of AD the addition of a good Edge has the potential to impact this defense in a major way, just like we saw with Von once he got his game going.
If I had to handicap positional likelihood at 36 I'd go with Edge > CB > TE. Edge because if the fit is there they take him period. CB because the secondary is our weakest positional group right now and we badly need a starter back there plus there should be value on the board. And TE because it's a need for us going forward as they move on from Higs after the season and this draft has a ton of quality.