My draft strategy as it sits 3 weeks away from the draft is squarely on one of two strategies... Trade down from #6 for 2027 draft capital. Get the LT you feel is best between Proctor and Freeling, for me it's Proctor. Then the best WR still on the board at #24. There are 7 WRs that I have a first round grade on that are worthy of that pick. I don't have them graded closely, but all would be an immediate improvement to the WR room. If this is the strategy you go with, then a second WR will need to be picked at either #39 or #70.
Strategy #2, if Tate is on the board, take him and move on to BPA the rest of the way. If he is there, he is my BPA, so I don't have an issue turning in the card before we are officially on the clock. Then, I would try to move up 4-7 spots from #24 to secure the LT that I covet. I do think both will go between picks 17-25. So if you are dead set on one, you will need to get ahead of the Lions at #17 to make sure you get him. I do think the Lions take a LT if both are on the board when they pick. Moving from 24 to 16 would probably mean losing #70 and a 2027 4th or (1) of the 2026 5th rounders (we have 2) I would rather spend this year's 5th, but that would depend on what the Jets wanted to do. They might rather have 2027 pick. Jets are primed to move all over the board, so they would be a prime trade partner.
We have to be aware though, the Bears and 49ers are in desperate need of a LT as well. The Bears signed Jed Wills to a one year deal, they were so desperate. The 49ers still have Trent Williams on the roster at the moment, but he is carrying a $46M cap hit if they keep him on the roster at the age of 37. He would save $12M on the cap if they cut or trade him and it would be reduced even more as a post-June 1st designation.
This is who we are really competing with for these two LTs. I don't think anyone is really sold on either of them. They aren't the type of prospects that are going to transcend an offensive line. They are both solid enough though that they will be first round picks.
I would rather get my first choice at WR, whom I have rated higher than our #6 overall pick, then sacrifice our 3rd round pick to move up for Proctor at #16.
Now, if Dallas really does covet a defensive player enough to want to give us their #12 and either #20 or their 2027 first round pick... I would do that. Then I would consider Proctor at #12 or take Makai Lemon at #12 and then move up from #20 to get Proctor. THEN, come back at #24 and draft Denzel Boston, Jordyn Tyson or Chris Brazzell to pair with Lemon.
