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New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Round 3, No. 75: 49ers draft Oklahoma State LB Nick Martin
Follow pick-by-pick coverage as the NFL Draft continues with rounds 2 and 3 tonight Pat Bryant, WR, Broncos: Bryant is a strong receiver, providing his team with a 50/50 winner, big plays and potential red zone target. The concerns are his route speed and struggles with man coverage, which is why he likely profiles as a Cedric Tillman type in fantasy ... if Tillman had already hit. Bryant can be a WR4, but like many other wideouts in this range, that will come with some top-20 weeks and plenty of WR5/6 outputs. Getty Images A terrific value pick at a need position. Thomas (6-1 5/8, 196) played three seasons at Florida State and as a sophomore in 2023, Thomas recorded 10 passes defensed, a forced fumble and 4.5 tackles for loss as a subpackage player. Last year, Thomas had five passes defensed and an interception. His arm length (32 ½ inches) and hand size (10 inches) are impressive, as is his tenacity. He should compete for a starting role opposite Sauce Gardner. Grade: A A rotational piece for most of his career, Broughton started all 15 games for Texas last year and posted 39 tackles and four sacks. He should step as either a starter or key sub-scopackage for the Saints' interior. But the Saints could have used an edge rusher a little more. Grade: C Getty Images Buffalo Bills: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas One of the biggest edge prospects in the class, Jackson can play a bit high and stiff at 6-6, 264 – but he's an outstanding athlete who jumped 40 ½ inches in the vert and ran a 4.68 40. A very versatile defensive lineman whose production doesn't quite match his traits – but also an exciting prospect who could be a fixture up in Buffalo for a while. Grade: B+ Lions traded pick No. 102 and two 2026 third-round picks to the Jaguars to get Nos. 70, 182 and a 2026 sixth. Getty Images Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Lions: TeSlaa can run free -- away from and past corners, plus slip into space -- even though he could use some route refinement. There is potential here with TeSlaa possibly pushing to start alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown in Year 2, especially with the talk of the Lions being so-so on Jameson Williams. Well, TeSlaa in that Williams role would be a nice WR4, making him a solid late-round flier in redraft and good Round 2 pick in dynasty. Jason Jones Draft picks aren't the only people in Green Bay looking for a custom look. The NFL has current and former players announcing draft picks for teams. Among those is Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, a 2024 first-round pick. For the second straight year, he's wearing a suit designed by Tom Marchitelli of the Gentleman's Playbook at the draft. Arnold announced Detroit's pick in the third round, 70th overall. (He trolled Packers fans while doing so, joking that he was "about to cry" because he thought he was going to green bay in last year's draft.) His suit is a shade of blue to mirror the Lions jersey. The jacket has a '6' embroidered to honor former Alabama teammate Khyree Jackson, who died in a car accident last July after being a fourth-round pick of Minnesota. Arnold is changing his number to six this season in Jackson's honor. Kyle Williams, WR, Patriots: Williams is your prototypical downfield threat in the makings of a Marquez Valdes-Scantling (shorter though) and Zay Jones. If Williams is a top-three wideout for the Patriots, that could bring rollercoaster WR5 value or that same inconsistency as a WR3 if he's a top-two option. Either way, this is another win for Drake Maye, who desperately needed receiving options. GO FURTHER Patriots draft WR Kyle Williams: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel Getty Images Detroit Lions: Isaac TeSlaa This is a pretty classic Brad Holmes pick, as the Lions gave up a lot to move up in the third for one of the biggest receivers in this class at 6 feet 4 and 214 pounds with 4.43 speed and a near 40-inch vertical leap. This is not a polished player and many teams had him much lower than round three, but the Lions' WR need is more long-term than short-term. My fear is that TeSlaa was a better tester than a performer, as he never caught more than 34 passes in Power Four action. Detroit also still hasn't selected an edge yet. Grade: C+ Getty Images Broughton was the 20th-ranked defensive tackle in this draft class by Dane Brugler in "The Beast," but Saints scouts must have liked what they saw in his high-profile role in Texas' elite defense last season. Check out Broughton's profile in "The Beast" here. The Browns' selection of Harold Fannin Jr. may motivate Joe Flacco to start throwing to tight ends. Fannin set 10 FBS records last season, including single-season marks for most receptions and receiving yards. Flacco was next to last in tight end target rate last year (12.8 percent, per TruMedia), but having someone of this caliber on the roster should change that. Getty Images A productive receiver for three seasons at UNLV, Willams (5-10 ½, 190) took off over his final two campaigns at Washington State. Last year, he caught 70 passes for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns. Williams has great speed and ran a 4.4 40 time at the combine. He also has punt return ability. It's another offensive weapon for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Grade: B+ Getty Images TeSlaa may not have the most impressive resume statistics-wise in this draft class, but his athleticism convinces the Lions to trade up for him at No. 70 overall. Read more about TeSlaa from The Athletic's NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler. Getty Images Harold Fannin, TE, Browns: Fannin is a stud with some eyebrow-raising numbers, but for fantasy, he unfortunately falls into a "wait for Year 2" spot. David Njoku is the clear choice ... for now, as he's an UFA in 2026. That allows Fannin to learn and adapt to the NFL, which he can do in time for his second season. Fannin's route work, hands and ability to get open -- even deep -- brings peak Jared Cook-like appeal. That means Fannin can be a TE1, and a Top 10 yearly finish is in play. How do you keep fans watching the NFL Draft? More guest appearances! This time it was actor Idris Elba and WWE star and actor and John Cena were on the telecast via video to introduce the Patriots pick. Elba and Cena are co-stars in the upcoming film, Heads of State, which is slated to be released later this year.
New York Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The NFL Draft is known for the custom suits. The evolution has been inevitable
Between Michael Strahan's hosting roles on 'Good Morning America' and 'Fox NFL Sunday,' it's common to see him in a tailored suit. But 32 years ago, while preparing for the 1993 NFL Draft, a suit wasn't on Strahan's to-do list. The Pro Football Hall of Famer and former New York Giants star defensive end recalls his draft attire: jeans and a T-shirt — a comfortable vibe more fitting because he was at his uncle's house watching the draft and not at the Marriott Marquis in Midtown Manhattan. Advertisement Strahan has evolved enough in fashion that he now has his own line of suits. As he has evolved, so, too, has the look and style of players on draft day. A basic suit won't cut it these days for some prospects. Thousands of dollars are invested in a draft-day look that might never be seen again. The 2025 draft starts Thursday evening, and the football world will see custom-made suits with the sole purpose of showcasing some athletes' style at Lambeau Field. Strahan said today's players are a lot different when it comes to the draft than they were when he came out of Texas Southern. If they plan to attend the event, they do so with inspiration and a sense of style that players of his era did not have. 'We didn't go to fashion shows in Paris,' Strahan said of players from the early 1990s. 'Guys take more risks and show more individuality now.' Sixteen prospects were invited to Green Bay, Wis., to attend the draft in person, meaning there are potentially 16 opportunities for an impression to be made by a player walking on the stage to shake hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and put on the cap of the team that drafts him. With a sense of style often comes distinctiveness, and according to Strahan, distinctiveness is not cheap. For a custom suit by a top designer, players can expect to spend in excess of $2,500. Add in shoes and accessories like custom jewelry, and Strahan said players can easily spend $10,000 for an ensemble that probably will not be worn again. Some players opt for colorful looks. A personal message or recognizing one's high school or college on the lining of the suit jacket is common. 'There are certain guys who can pull certain things off. There are certain guys trying to pull things off,' Strahan said. 'It's not like it's a plug-and-play. If you're a big guy that wants to wear skinny jeans, knock yourself out.' Tom Marchitelli is a custom designer for Gentleman's Playbook and has designed suits for NFL players for 11 years. He designed Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold's suit for the 2023 draft. It was a bold look: a one-of-a-kind salmon, silk-print suit. Sneak peak at Terrion Arnold's suit for the #NFLDraft 👀 Electric salmon silk print custom designed by yours truly. #LANK #NFLDraft2024 @AlabamaFTBL — Gentleman's Playbook (@GentsPlaybook) April 25, 2024 Marchitelli believes the draft is a player's chance to make a memorable first impression. 'Honestly, I think it's ridiculous for a player to ask for a suit that they could wear more than once, especially on draft day,' Marchitelli said. 'They're gonna have the opportunity to get other suits. If a client is looking for just a navy suit they can wear three times, they're not gonna pay my prices and have me fly out twice to have that done, right?' Advertisement Not everyone, however, goes for flash. Ge Wang, founder and president of ESQ Clothing, likened the draft suit to one for a wedding, as it's 'the most important day of your life.' Wang has done suits for NBA and NFL players. He said these days he only works with draft picks if he has a relationship with them. This year, ESQ has a suit planned for a previous client. Notre Dame cornerback Ben Morrison is expected to wear a new suit either when he's drafted or at his introductory news conference. A post shared by ESQ (@esqclothing) 'For us, it's always, 'Stand out but, like, in a classic way,'' Wang said. 'The first thing we tell someone for the draft is LeBron James' draft suit or Joakim Noah's draft suit, those get remembered, but for all the wrong reasons. So, we tell them, 'Stick with simple, stick with classic. … You might get on the best-dressed list, but you don't want to be on the worst-dressed list.'' Strahan said Josh Allen and Minkah Fitzpatrick wore his line of suits for the 2018 draft. When Ezekiel Elliott ditched the draft-day cropped-shirt look, he wore a Strahan-designed suit the following day. Strahan said he favors a classic look but doesn't judge young players and their style. 'We always try to make it something personal that they feel attached to,' he said. A post shared by Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr. (@fittypat21) But not everyone on draft day is shelling out a lot of money for a custom suit. Some players or their representatives reach out to tailors and clothiers for a free suit in exchange for publicity. That practice is why Wang has gotten away from the draft suit game. The looks might make the rounds on social media, but they aren't setting a standard for the majority of those buying custom suits. 'These guys that are professional athletes, especially rookies, often think their worth is a lot more than it actually is,' Wang said. 'Our average suit is $3,500. My clients honestly don't really care what a 22-year-old is wearing. … If Bradley Cooper's wearing it, if Tom Cruise is wearing it, that's different. But (the draft pick), I'm sorry, but you're not moving the needle — at least for our industry.' Advertisement Marchitelli said he's approached every year about making a suit for free for a player before the draft. With a clientele that includes several current NFL, NBA and MLB stars who already share his work on social media, he doesn't need the free press of someone wearing a suit they did not pay for. Marchitelli said clients usually pay $3,000 to $4,000 per suit and often purchase multiple suits. 'I've learned it's OK to say no because I know my value and my worth, that's for sure,' Marchitelli said. 'It is the agents who reach out and ask for the freebie; it's not the players. So when an agent reaches out and says, 'Will you dress my guy?' I'll say, 'Sure, tell them what suit prices are,' and they'll say, 'Well, no, can it be a promotional post?'' Additionally, some athletes, especially linemen, can have a hard time finding a suit that fits properly. Marchitelli said there's a pride in seeing a bigger player in a suit that fits well, one with the kind of stretch needed to be worn during physical activities and not tear. Wang said some of the more expensive brands come with big price tags but aren't necessarily made with athletes in mind. That isn't as much of a problem for basketball players, who tend to have slender builds, but it's an issue for the varying body types in football. 'Fit is everything,' Weng said. 'We have seen this trend starting in the 2010s of everything being comically too small. Luckily, now we're at a phase where suits are starting to look good again.' The NFL Draft, of course, is just the start of someone's career. Strahan said for all the flash and style, it's still about being welcomed into the league for anyone who has the opportunity to walk on stage. 'I remember the moment more than anyone's individual suit,' Strahan said.
