NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A week out from the start of the NFL draft, Mike Borgonzi was asked about all the smoke surrounding plans and intentions around the league.
“If you listen to everything that’s out there now, it’s a lot of smoke screens,” he said when I asked him about his feel for what the Jets and the Cardinals will do with the two picks in front of him. “I think you do have to pay attention to it. Certainly, I think we’re going to have options there at four no matter what the team does in front of us.”
But he said, there is an obligation to listen to it all, sort through what’s on social media, what he and his people are hearing from around the league.
Does he also have to participate in it?
“Sure,” he said to laughter. “That’s the game within the game.”
The NFL mandates that a decision-maker for each team hold a press conference like Borgonzi did in close range to the draft, which kicks off next Thursday.
Some can be painful, with the official or officials behind the microphone unwilling to say anything of substance. Others are more intriguing, perhaps with messages being sent.
Borgonzi didn’t say anything earth-shattering, but he did try his best to be helpful and informative.
Let’s look at some of the most interesting elements, with my thoughts on what they might really mean.
No. 4: He spoke highly of Jeremiyah Love and added, “There are also a group of edge guys up there that are really good too. I think we’ll have some really good options there at four.”
I think: It could be telling that he didn’t inject Sonny Styles there, in an answer to the first question he was asked, about Love.
Styles: He was asked for a comp for Styles, the off-the-ball linebacker out of Ohio State.
“In terms of the testing, not really anybody,” Borgonzi said. “His testing numbers, I think he broke every testing number for a linebacker. He’s tall, he’s rangy. He’s a former safety, so he’s got a great feel in coverage. His length can take up a lot of space on the field. Tremaine Edmunds was a linebacker that comes to mind that was similar size, I guess, but he wasn’t this athletic, so it’s a tough comp.”
That sounds like they love him.
But Borgonzi also emphasized that Robert Saleh has had great success with linebackers everywhere he’s been. Fred Warner was a third-rounder and so was Quincey Williams. Williams didn’t pan out in two years in Jacksonville, but played much better when he met up with Saleh in New York.
I think: Intentional haze out of the combination of answers.
Arvell Reese: Borgonzi gave him quite a review.
“He’s one of the more explosive players that I’ve ever seen in terms of his burst, his ability to close, his explosion on contact,” he said. “So he has all the tools to do it. They were using him so much off the ball, on the line of scrimmage. With a player like that, you can do a lot with early.
“You can use him in that spare position, joker, however you want to call it. You certainly see the flashes there of him being a dominant pass rusher. I think you’re looking at the tools and the upside there.”
I think: Borgonzi gave a rave review to a highly regarded player who could well go to the Cardinals at No. 3 or to a team that trades up to No. 3. It's a better review than he gave Love or Styles, but that's high-level parsing and I don't think the GM came into the room with an agenda to do it that way. He wasn't asked about David Bailey, the presumed No. 2 pick now, and that could have been better still.
Left tackle: Right now, the Titans intend to start the expensive but average Dan Moore in his second year. But they should have a new guy in the spot in 2027. What if he presents himself to them in this draft, even with the Titans looking more pressingly for a right guard and a center?
“The big guys are hard to find, as you know there are not too many guys who are that big and that athletic,” Borgonzi said. “I think that’s why those guys get taken so high. When you have a chance to acquire those types of positions, I think you have to do it regardless, and then however it shakes out, whoever wins the position battle.
"To have an opportunity to get a young tackle in here to develop, no matter where we take him, I think you certainly have to think about doing that.”
Starting left tackles around the NFL come predominantly out of the first three rounds of the draft.
I think: They’ll probably have an opportunity. But, given the more immediate needs, it’ll qualify as a luxury to me.
Rueben Bain: The pass rusher from Miami brings rare power but short arms.
The league knew of his two car accidents, one of which resulted in a death. The question is whether his driving issues translate to a character issue or resolvable off-field mistakes.
“We’ve had multiple touchpoints with Rueben, feel really good about the person,” Borgonzi said. “People make mistakes, but we really enjoyed having him in here and discussing a lot of stuff that had happened before. But we feel good with Rueben.”
I think: We should presume Borgonzi is an honest broker here. I’ve heard similar things elsewhere around the league too. But if they had an issue with him, they wouldn’t be sharing it.
Receiving class: The Titans need a No. 1. The combination of talent and positioning doesn't seem to present a path to a guy who will fill that, at least not on opening day.
"I think it’s a deep receiving class, and I think the top end is really good," Borgonzi said. "I feel good about the options that we have up there in Day One, and even Two and Three. There are some really good options there."
I think: The top end is not rated as highly as it's been in most years. Sure, you can find a great later, but the biggest hits come nearer the top, like with most spots. Carnell Tate doesn't seem likely at four, and many project him as a No. 2 type because of run-after-catch limitations.
