He would immediately improve the back end of Houston's defense. Then Ziegler47, in gray suit, black Oxford shirt, no tie, white and black sneakersentered the draft room, where 13 scouts, personnel people, one coach and one owner would plot the immediate future of Al Davis team. Chicago simply has to improve in this area. He touts great length, can jam receivers at the line and has outstanding change-of-direction skills. I'm not going to rush to judgment on the Gareon Conley allegations. He's worthy of such a comparison. 03/20/23. Hand: 9.5. Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia Click to here to watch all of Simms' first-round picks for 2023. Why? Cardinals: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama 4. The pre-draft process comes with waves of information that can seem overwhelming at times. People talk about his accuracy, but his pass-protection was poor, and he had the worst talent around him of any of these guys but hes got the biggest upside of anyone in the class. You can take my top five cornerbacks and match them up against an NFL general manager's top fiveyou might have some of the same players in there, but you're probably going to find differences as well. Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky 5. He's a more impressive specimen than Elliott was in last year's draft. There's not a better run-blocking lineman in the draft. When I think of a can't-miss prospect, I think about some of the guys I've seen come into the NFL over the years. They understood the IQ that I do have. Not only do they need a legit pass-rusher, but they also need help against the run. Wilson underwent surgery by the top athletic foot surgeon in the field, Dr. Robert Anderson, to repair a fracture last Nov. 21. If you watched the Chicago Bears last year, you know the team is devoid of talent in the secondary. He's one of those rare defensive prospects that come along once every few years. Give him some time, and I think he's a Pro Bowler. Colorado's Chidobe Awuzie is one of the most physically gifted cornerbacks in this draft. Florida's Jarrad Davis is a three-down linebacker and a thumper between the tackles. This is one of the toughest picks in the first round for me because the Indianapolis Colts can go in a number of different directions. I mean, theyve tried everything else. Last year, he had Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert as his top two prospects. Chris Simms April 19, 2017 Bob Levey/Getty Images There are two schools of thought when it comes to targeting prospects early in the NFL draft. OL - Really Solid actually EDGE - Good in 19, Bad in 20, Mixed in 21, Domata Peko is gone and Michael Johnson (30) is getting up there in age. His value is too high for Detroit to pass him up. Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes is a special, special talent. Projected Round (2017): Top-25 Pick. I cant help it. Spoken like his fathers son. Gameday, as Mark Davis said. No action on Zieglers phone. Six weeks ago, Anderson sent a letter to each team, saying Wilson has responded extremely well to surgery. As I explain in the next item about Arizonas draft, Houston could be picking very early next yearwhich will put a white hot spotlight of pressure on Anderson. 3 overall selection, which would suggest that they do not believe he will be available with their selection. He's phenomenal in the open field, and while he might not knock you out, you're going to go down when he gets to you. Click here to find the full first-round draft order. ere to find the full first-round draft order, When is the 2022 NFL Draft: Dates, schedule, TV channel, start time, Round 1 draft order, Chris Simms 2022 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings, Chris Simms 2022 NFL Draft Safety Rankings, Chris Simms 2022 NFL Draft Edge Rusher Rankings. I can use my feet. We'll be focusing on the second group here. In 2017, he ranked the 3 first round QBs in the exact order they were drafted (yes, with Trubisky first). Tyree, welcome to the nation, McDaniels said. While you're drafting Adams to be a physical strong safety, he has the range and the cover skills needed to play free safety, too. 21. Having the 12th and 33rd overall picks, to go along with the Raiders 38th choice, would be tempting. The back-shoulder throws, the 50-50 balls, the goal-line grabsWilliams can come down with all of them, and that's exactly what the Ravens offense has been missing. So no real drama. But people have started taking his ranks as gospel, when they have errors just like any other analyst's rankings. I had over a 3.0 in high school. CHRIS SIMMS RELEASES HIS 2020 NFL DRAFT QUARTERBACK RANKINGS ON "CHRIS SIMMS UNBUTTONED" PODCAST Simms' Top Five Prospects: Joe Burrow (#1), Justin Herbert (#2), Jordan Love (#3), Tua Tagovailoa (#4), and Jacob Eason (#5) "It's the cleanest film I've ever seen from a college quarterback." - Simms on Joe Burrow There have been plenty of rumors recently about the Jaguars taking a quarterback, but I'm not basing this selection on rumor. Grant Cohn Mar 3, 2021 8:02 PM EST Chris Simms probably is. Howard possesses. He had to be dealing with Detroit, trying to get ahead of Vegas to ensure getting Johnson. Foster deserves to be in the conversation with guys like Bobby Wagner or Patrick Willis when they came out of college. He can be the much-needed shutdown corner the Saints have been looking for. The Lions could go to more two-tight-end sets and take advantage of the athleticism of Eric Ebron and Njoku in the play-action passing game. Washington's John Ross would add a different element to the offense. But the vibe in the room, the smiles, showed this staff loves Wilson, even with the foot injury that made him an iffy candidate to some teams. In the NFC South, the Saints have to face Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Matt Ryan. Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk can play tackle, but I think he can kick inside and be an even better guard. If you turn on the tape, you can see, you can answer the questions. He can find the ball-carrier, and when he does, Foster doesn't try to hit people; he tries to knock their heads off. The Los Angeles Chargers might consider taking a quarterback at No. L.A.'s new defensive coordinator is Gus Bradley. QB - Josh Allen at 1 and Lamar Jackson at 4, Kyler Murray at 1 and Daniel Jones at 6 RB - Is all over the place. Clemson's Mike Williams is a weapon. I can check down. So he actually back pedaled on what most consider to be his best year in ranking. This is a no-brainer. Stanford's Christian McCaffrey can only help this unconventional offense grow. I don't think the value for what the Titans need is going to be there at No. The Raiders, after conversations with teams above them about trading up from number seven in the first round, decided to stay in their slot, barring a surprise. But, you know, everything happens for a reason. He can take on blockers and shed them. The Texans have asked Stroud to let the S-2 Test controversy go, but he got a couple last licks in on it. But the Panthers have to start putting some weapons around quarterback Cam Newton too. Ziegler and McDaniels stared at the trade-value board in the back of the room, analyzing trade possibilitiesthe values, plus or minus for the Raiders, based on the numerical values Ziegler assigns to each pick: +177 ARI sends 2-33, LV gives back 4th (109), +68 ARI sends 2-33 and 6-213, LV gives back 3-100 and 4-109. The deal got done and all parties notified, he said, with close to a minute left. Conley should be able to play either on the outside or in the slot. The Cincinnati Bengals can use an influx of talent along their defensive line. This is the draft. All of a sudden, New York's line is a strength. The team can't count on Aldon Smith to come back into the picture and remain there, so drafting an elite pass-rusher is the way to go. Hell fit in great here., McDaniels football ops guy, Tom Jones, walked in with a phone. He's a better overall prospect than Keanu Neal was coming out last year, and I loved Neal. NBC analyst and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms releases his quarterback rankings each year ahead of every draft, and he has weighed in with his top five for 2022 ahead of the Thursday's first . This is another no-brainer to me. For my money, Charlton is one of the best all-around defensive linemen in the draft. He has the hips and the change-of-direction talent to be a top-notch cover corner. WR - Parris Campbell at 2 and Deebo and AJ Brown at 4 and 5. Howard is a difference-maker, and the Jets could desperately use one of those on offense. I see him as a Jeremy Shockey or a Greg Olsen type. I've put a lot of time and work into the evaluation of these draft prospects, and I'm basing my mock on my own evaluations. With cornerback taken care of, we now look to safety. He has Watson as the top guy followed by Trubisky at 2. Wanted to give you a few points. Interestingly enough, I don't think this draft is heavy in top-end talent, but there is a wealth of depth and value to be had. In 2017, he called Patrick Mahomes the 2017 NFL Drafts most special QB talent.. However, their biggest weakness is in pass protection. He can stand in and block or catch passes from a traditional tight end spot, and he still has the quickness and the agility to split out and play like a receiver. He's 6'4" and 272 pounds, ran a 4.64-second 40, did 33 reps in the bench press and produced a 41.0-inch vertical. A team doesn't need to have a specific role in mind for Baker in order for him to succeed. We value the TAP test (a test in the pre-draft process that measures mental toughness, drive and composure under pressure), and Tyree got one of the highest grades on it, a Green plus-plus. The beauty with Foster is that he has the makeup to play inside in either a 3-4 or a 4-3. Hehas great hands, makes people miss and can take a pass up the seam and explode for a 70-yard touchdown. You can put him at nickel or at free safety if need be, but he's also a guy you can put on an island and let him run with the other team's No. This Zach Wilson is very very intriguing - I don't remember the last mock draft where he is not the #2 QB. What planet is Simms on? pic.twitter.com/rZeDm0qQrl. While Njoku is a bit smaller than Howard at 6'4" and 246 pounds,his physicality and length more than make up for it as a blocker. Adding Lamp would allow the Giants to play D.J. Im certain Chicagos football minds have different ideas than those of Simms. The Bills have been starving for a quarterback of this nature, but they won't need to rush Mahomes on the field. He's just too talented to ignore. They're also my two safest picks at the position, and I think both will have stellar NFL careers. I was trying to find two great football men. Caserio told me at NRG Stadium that Stroud was clearly the teams target at two. He also signed veteran quarterback Drew Stanton. He's a physical specimen. Chris Simms reveals his rankings for the top quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft class and breaks them into different tiers, from C.J. As the round wound down, quietly, I asked Davis what he thought of Ziegler and McDaniels, the ex-Pats, entering year two of their regime. Arizona's defense is similar to Pittsburgh's, and Reddick can be a more physical version of Ryan Shazier for the Cardinals. He doesn't have the footwork or the agility to fully excel against edge-rushers at the pro level. 7:36 p.m.: Crosby sent a video message to Wilson, and in the draft room, Ziegler had it and he showed it to McDaniels and Davis on his phone. I give Joe Burrow at 1 the same consideration I give Kyler at 1 in 2019. So, lets keep an open mind when thinking about Kellen Mond and the Bears being totally smitten with each other. The 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner. For more from Simms, check out the video below: Luis Medina is a Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at@lcm1986. We had them in the last six weeks. I'm confident that at his worst, he's starting on a defensive front for years to come. And I am book smart. On Wednesday's PFT Live, Simms . Chris Simms has dropped his QB Rankings for the 2021 NFL Draft. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chris Simms' Quarterback Rankings for the 2021 NFL Draft Simms probably is the best quarterback scout in media today. Bouye, who just signed a huge five-year, $67.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. You can be numbers smart. We gotta go get [Patrick] Mahomes and [Justin] Herbert. Obi Melifonwu from UConn has been flying under the radar a bit, and I'm not sure why more people aren't talking about him. The plan was preordained. Wilson. Stroud, Ohio State Bryce Young, Alabama Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Anthony Richardson, Florida Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA and Will Levis, Kentucky Chris Simms' 2023 NFL Draft WR Rankings: Zay Flowers, Boston College Jaxon Smith-Njibga, Ohio State Quentin Jonston, TCU Michael Wilson, Stanford I can process very, very fast. Stay away from predictionsthat way, you wont have to eat them later. In 2017, he called Patrick Mahomes the 2017 NFL Draft's "most special QB talent." That seems to have been accurate, to say the least. Detroit's general manager Bob Quinn is another guy I worked for in New Englandand New England loves tight ends. He can cover. His ceiling is a bigger, stronger Chandler Jones, and in a short amount of time, he can become the total package. Few tight ends are capable of doing all of that. What I love about Jackson is how he saves touchdowns and scores touchdowns. Yes, Foster has his character concerns, but the Chiefs are a stable organization. Look, Richard Sherman may soon be on the way out, and Earl Thomas was talking about retiring last season, so the Seahawks need to prepare for the future. Fournette is also a special kind of physical. After watching him shut down our No. He's impressive.". Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Former NFL quarterback and current NFL analyst Chris Simms has made waves in the past for his yearly NFL draft quarterback rankings and breakdowns. He's a hard-hitting, quality-in-coverage safety who can set the tone in the Chargers secondary. For what it's worth, I found a video simms did with Bleacher Report for 2017. He's the type of receiver Flacco can launch balls to down the field. The price, of course, is denuding the 2024 draft when the Texans might wish they had two first-round picks and four in the first three roundsinstead of now just one first-round pick, one second- and no thirds. But he still had him below Trubisky. Ross can play the Tyreek Hill role. Hes toward the bottom as a thrower of the football, and hes careless with the football," Simms explained. What's not to like about a guy who is 6'0", 206 pounds, runs the 40 in 4.35 seconds and possesses the physicality of a former running back? Chris Simms' quarterback draft rankings are so bad they managed to get Kellen Mond trending (KELLEN MOND!) A torn pectoral muscle at UCLA's pro day has caused Moreau to practically disappear from the draft conversation, but there's too much talent to ignore. Comments by third parties are neither sponsored or endorsed by Bleacher Nation. Marcus Mariota doesn't helm a traditional NFL offensethere are some college elements to what the Titans do. They mulled. Melifonwu has tremendous size (6'4", 224 lbs), tremendous speed (ran a 4.40-second 40 at the combine) and unreal leaping ability (logged a 44.0-inch vertical at the combine). Chris Simms is one of the best in the business. He's going to be special. Whatever the Steelers need Barnett to do in their multi-look 3-4 defense, he can do. He stopped by the floor-to-ceiling photograph of the man who lords over this franchise 12 years after his death, and Ziegler patted the photograph of Al Davis. Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone have to be concerned with having Blake Bortles at quarterback. Quarterbacks DeShone Kizer and Cody Kessler were traded to the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars respectively. The Panthers can use McCaffrey as a traditional back, put him at slot receiver or place him in the backfield next to Stewartand it's going to drive opposing defensive coordinators nuts. Reuben Foster was put on earth to play middle linebacker. Those are all the great QB's near the top. Barnett can come in and complement Bud Dupree as a pass-rusher. 1 selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Texans: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech 3. That wasnt it. has great hands, makes people miss and can take a pass up the seam and explode for a 70-yard touchdown. Baker and Lamar is an honest conversation. Plus, that 37.5-inch vertical is going to allow him to out-leap most defensive backs. The Chargers defense would suddenly look pretty nasty with Joey Bosa on the front end and Adams on the back end. Everything that Ive done in college, Ive been very consistent. This is the right value for him as a prospect, and he fills a need on Pittsburgh's defense. It sounds counterintuitive, but in the hours before the NFL Draft, the people running drafts for $6 billion franchises didnt know much more than the rest of us. These hits are awesome and prove that he is a premiere QB evaluator. The Tennessee Titans' general manager is Jon Robinson. He's going to control you and take you out of the play. He ran the three-cone drill in 6.68 seconds at the combine, which shows his ability to stick his foot in the ground and change direction. Panthers (via Bears): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama 2. In all, the needy Raiders, trying to rebound from a few years of failed top picks, got two likely starters out of the draftWilson and Mayer. The teams draft board had been set with finality Wednesday, after three months of debate. Bleacher Nation is a private media site owned and operated by Betsperts, Inc., and it is not affiliated in any way with Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, or the Chicago Blackhawks. He's one of the four best corners in this draft, and he's a great fit for Dick LeBeau's defense. So I could still see Conley being drafted early if a team believes Conley's story that he is innocent. While he doesn't always wow you on tape, Barnett doesn't have many weaknesses. If the biggest risk is that he's a starting end for the next decade, he's a can't-miss prospect. Minnesotas Terell Smith Has Been Drafted by the Bears, The Chicago Bears Drafted Noah Sewell, Whose Brother Also Plays in the NFC North, Finally, the Bears Draft Receiver Help Its Cincinnatis Tyler Scott, Bears Fans Are Going To Love Roschon Johnson, The Lions Are Trading Top Running Back DAndre Swift to the Eagles, Texas Running Back Roschon Johnson is the Chicago Bears First Day 3 Pick, Pre-Gamin: 2023 NFL Draft Day 3 (11 AM CT): Bears Picks, Needs, Broadcast Info, Draft Thread, More. After their rookie year we would probably go Baker, Lamar, Allen. He's like a younger version of Tyrann Mathieu or a better version of Keanu Neal coming out last year. He also had 92 carries for 204 yards and five touchdowns. But people have started taking his ranks as gospel, when they have errors just like any other analyst's rankings. KC would have given 31 and 217 (sixth round) for 38 and 70, a net on the points chart of minus-147. LSU running back Leonard Fournetteis 6'0" and 240 pounds, and he might have the quickest feet in the draft at his position. Not surprising. The Browns could win this draft by making this move. I think Ive been one of the most consistent players in college football for the last two years. But more than that, Simms previous rankings have been prophetic at times. Im actually blessed, Im super blessed to be a Texan. LSU safety Jamal Adams is one of the five best players in this draft, for my money. Now, he is an NFL analyst for Bleacher Report. Simms does not see the appeal in Darnold. Stroud and Anderson came with their families and made it clear they were all-in on going to a losing team after years of nothing but winning in college. Thomas can play defensive end or defensive tackle and is going to be disruptive at either position. And lets continue to keep a critical eye regarding all of the draft-eligible quarterbacks who could be chosen by the Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft later THIS MONTH. However, I'm not sure the value is going to be there. He says Mahomes is probably his number 3, but depending on team, Davis Webb, Deshone Kizer and Nathan Peterman. I don't know. Then Ziegler and McDaniels huddled. Even if he's a bust, that means he'll only go to one Pro Bowl instead of five during his time with your team. Did Fields Get Enough Help? Miguel Amaya is Reportedly On His Way to D.C. Padres vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets Monday, May 1, 2023, Dodgers vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets Monday, May 1, 2023, How to Watch Dodgers vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV, Padres vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch, Nuggets vs. Suns Western Conference Semifinals Game 2 Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets Monday, May 1, 2023, Updating the Blackhawks Draft Board After Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and Obsession, Bleacher Nation Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Its part of my DNA, Davis said. That left Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Josh Rosen to follow behind that duo. That's about as close to a bust as I think he could be. He has special mobility, and he's an incredible sideline-to-sideline player. 5:42 p.m.: Cards GM Monti Ossenfort called Ziegler. I really think that theres different types of ways to be smart. His thoughts on the 2018. The three-day event takes place this Thursday, April 28 through Saturday, April 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 6, so I think they pull the trigger on the trade. They needed help. This is where the draft starts, Ziegler, stating the obvious, said. Best tight end in the draft, Kelly said. He has tremendous speed (ran a 4.41-second 40 at the combine) and range for the position. The Raiders got their presumptive backup to Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan OConnell, in the middle of the fourth roundabout two rounds earlier than the consensus of where he deserved to go. He comes from Jacksonville, and before that, the Seattle Seahawks. I honestly think Adams is a better version of Landon Collins, and that's saying something. RELATED: When is the 2022 NFL Draft: Dates, schedule, TV channel, start time, Round 1 draft order. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. So far, Simms has revealed his highly anticipated list of the top 5 quarterback prospects, wide receivers, cornerbacks, running backs, and more. Alabama's Cam Robinson is a big, powerful tackle who I ultimately think fits better as an NFL guard. 1. Archived post. I really respect him for the depth of his analysis and confidence to stray from the consensus rankings. As a return specialist, Jackson can be one of the best in the league. 5:18 p.m. PT: Panthers picked Young. See below to find out who made the top 5 names for each position. The Cleveland Browns lack elite talent in their front seven, and Garrett is going to be an elite defensive player for years to come. Humility is something Im not afraid of, Stroud said. As good as Howard is, Miami's David Njoku is my favorite tight end in this draft. 1 receiver and pick off a couple of passes in his first practice, though, I knew he belonged on an NFL field. As a prospect, he reminds me of Julius Peppers, Jadeveon Clowney or Jason Pierre-Pauland I think he's more physically gifted than all of them aside from perhaps Clowney. Allen has enough skill and power to sit on the outside shoulder of a guard and beat him man-to-man. Arizona was targeting Johnson. He would immediately make Washington's defense better. But all over Reddit, people are saying "He had Mahomes as QB1 and faded Mitch Trubisky." EDIT: As others have posted, he actually changed his 2018 rankings after watching more tape and landed on: Allen, Rosen, Mayfield, Lamar, Darnold. At 4:59 p.m., 11 minutes before the draft kicked off, owner Mark Davis slipped into the room, in his white satin Raiders jacket and stonewashed faded jeans. His motivation, his drive, how he handles adversity off the charts. slipped into the room, in his white satin Raiders jacket and stonewashed faded jeans. Chris Simms' 2022 NFL Draft Position Rankings: The top QBs, WRs, RBs, and more ahead of draft weekend By Mary Omatiga Apr 25, 2022, 1:00 PM EDT Share this: Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window) 1 Comment The 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner. Photos used are the property of Bleacher Nation, are used under a license with Getty Images, are used with permission, are fair use, or are believed to be in the public domain. I wasn't sure if Cadillac Williams would be a superstar when I first met him, but I could tell that he was a guy you could hand the ball to 20-30 times a game without worrying if he'd screw up. Hooker, who snagged seven interceptions last season, would immediately add a playmaking presence to the back end of Chicago's defense. Look, we gotta rush the passer. Theyre gonna love you. There are too many questions about Perrimanregarding his health and what kind of player he can beand Steve Smith retired at the end of last year. Whichever team drafts Allen will get a guy who can do a lot of things for its defense for many, many years. Information on Bleacher Nation may contain errors or inaccuracies, though we try to avoid them. NFL Chris Simms' Film Room: Breaking Down Draft's Top QBs B/R Video March 29, 2017 Chris Simms goes inside the 2017 NFL draft to break down some of the top quarterbacks and. Western Kentucky's Forrest Lamp is yet another college tackle I believe fits better as a guard in the NFLI don't think any of these guys are first-round tackles. You know you're entering a weird draft when a 273-pound defensive tackle is being billed as a possible second overall pick. The Raiders expect Wilson to be ready to play this season on schedule. That is one heck of a nights work. Chris had Trubisky going 5 in a trade up by the Browns, Mahomes at 10 to the Bills, Deshaun at 31 in a trade up by the Jags. Simms always ranks these guys as he sees them. Be humble, which you are. I still believe in Ereck Flowers as a left tacklehe just needs to work on his technique. Any pre-draft ranking that doesnt have Trevor Lawrence at the top will raise eye brows. We ended up with the board where we all felt it needed to be., 8:30 p.m.: Two picks left, including Kansas City at 31. I thought about going with Clemson's Mike Williams here. This guy knows what he's talking about." He can play every position in the secondary, which is where his value lies. He's strong enough to shed blockers, and his ability to read and react in the run game is incredible. At pick No. As will ones that have Mac Jones in the top-3, and Kellen Mond in the top-5. Stroud to Bryce Young and more. Chris Simms 2022 NFL Draft DT and LB Rankings: Be sure to subscribe to Chris Simms Unbuttoned for more on the 2022 NFL Draft as well as an unfiltered look at the NFL, featuring player access, unabashed opinion, X&O film breakdown, and stories from a life in and around football. None of MLB, the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, the Cubs, the Bears, the Bulls, the White Sox, or the Blackhawks have endorsed, supported, directed, or participated in the creation of the content at this site, or in the creation of the site itself. Now they need to add that modern-day NFL middle linebacker. Ziegler and McDaniels did know by staying putand they would get a phone call that surprised and tempted them minutes before their pickthey were not in control of their fate.