2025 NFL Draft Simulator Thread

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

So let's game it.

I think we have to take Nolen and Harmon out of the equation for the sake of discussion, because I believe we are both in the camp that "In the unlikely event either of them fall to 31, you take him without blinking" right?

So we're really talking WR vs. RB.

Option A) Henderson and Dike/Lane
Option B) Burden and Etienne

I think I far prefer B.

And I know that's not an entirely fair exercise because you could obviously go WR in round 2 and get Noel, but the sort of shell gaming required for that makes a real comparison pretty tough.

The only real way to do it is to try the ceteris paribus game, take the pick previously used on a RB on a WR and the pick previously used on a WR on a RB.

Otherwise you're just playing around with the same argument I started with -- notably that I think the drafts tend to go a little better on balance when I attack the WR position in R1 with Burden or Egbuka.

In a complete vacuum, option B looks superior to option A in terms of likely total net yards those players will accumulate but I'm not so sure that's the truth.

How much better would Henderson be over Etienne in all facets? Will he be? If you project based on collegiate production, Henderson should be better at a ratio of 3:2. You also need to consider the current makeup of this football team and the profound impact a RB like Henderson can make immediately versus a WR. Henderson is already an A+ blocker. That helps your issues at OT and that helps your QB even when he isn't catching passes. Etienne is a solid blocker but he's not Henderson in that regard. He's more like a B-.

If I look at Burden v Dike, my preference of your two options, I'd say that this ratio of 3:2 holds for them as well if we assume Burden is more like his 2023 self.

You should also consider the effect on special teams that any of these guys can make. All of them have some experience as returners, but I think the guy who most moves the needle there is Dike. If you went the Lane route, he also moves the needle substantially on special teams.

While Burden/Etienne could have a larger offensive impact, I think Henderson/Dike could have a similar one. I think there is a bonus that Dike will contribute in all facets of special teams, especially as both a punt and kick returner.