The Athletic website

“Some people say he didn’t improve, but it’s hard to improve on 17 and 8,” said a league scout who observed Bridges firsthand in multiple games and practices. “He was playing out of position all year. To me, he’s a four, through and through. Like, he can obviously play some three — and the three and the four in the NBA are pretty fluid, anyway — but it was an adjustment.”

The scout who spoke to The Athletic represents a team expected to pick in the 10-to-15 range. “We anticipate he’ll be looking at us right in the face,” he said. Without having yet brought Bridges in for an individual workout and interview, which it intends to do, the team, like many others throughout the league, is weighing whether the 6-foot-7 wing will amount to a role player or a substantial rotational piece.

“I think a lot of people look at him, they don’t see an elite, elite skill,” the scout said. “He’s a good shooter, who might become above average. He kind of powers his way to the rim with his body at the college level. But in the NBA he’s going to have athletes who are bigger than him, stronger than him and are a little bit more athletic. He’s not overly long. He’s not overly big.”

LooseGoose wrote:

DWags wrote:Goose, the Athletic has a breakdown of what they think Ward's Bridges, Jackson's draft chances are. It's a pay wall.  Any insight?  

“We've looked at Nick, but he’s not — other than Zach Randolph, there’s just really no one like him,” one NBA front-office representative said. “His weight fluctuates. He’s not in great shape. He can’t shoot. There are less and less back-to-the-basket guys in the league and, for him, at 6-8, I would assume he will go undrafted.”

An Eastern Conference scout went further:

“Best-case (scenario) for him is late second round. He just doesn’t have that profile as a five in the league. Nick is a hard guy to peg. Don’t get me wrong, at some point in his career, maybe he makes a roster, maybe he plays in the NBA. But right now, I don’t think he’s draftable. The draft is all based on upside and guys having skills that you can develop.

Jeff Ward, a former professional player with roughly a decade spent overseas, said his son will return to school if he doesn’t receive positive feedback from workouts. He called it “a win-win situation.”

Jeff Ward added that if his son does return to college, it will “absolutely, 100 percent” be at Michigan State, dispelling any potential transfer rumors.

Clarett's Folly wrote:

LooseGoose wrote:

This should also answer the "why doesn't Nick Ward get more minutes" question.

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:An out of shape nick ward is better than any other big man we currently have on the roster.

LooseGoose wrote:

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:An out of shape nick ward is better than any other big man we currently have on the roster.

Tillman would own him 1v1. Ward is no OTPT.

3. Ohio State
Urban Meyer has offered no hint on where his three-man quarterback derby stands, though Dwayne Haskins remains the presumed front-runner. The offense brings back RBs J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber and a deep receiving corps, while spring star H-back Demario McCall will play a bigger role as well. Ends Nick Bosa and Chase Young lead another stacked Buckeyes defense.

4. Wisconsin
The Badgers went 13-1 last season and have fewer question marks going into this one. QB Alex Hornibrook, RB Jonathan Taylor and the entire starting O-line return, as do Butkus Award finalist LB T.J. Edwards and playmaking safety D’Cota Dixon. The D-line must replace three starters, but ends Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand asserted themselves as replacements this spring.

5. Washington
The Huskies skyrocket from No. 12 in my January rankings. Washington welcomes back fourth-year QB Jake Browning and three-time 1,000-yard rusher Myles Gaskin. Junior Aaron Fuller cemented himself in spring as the Huskies’ new No. 1 receiver, with sophomore Ty Jones not far behind. The defense will miss stud DT Vita Vea but should be deeper and more experienced as a whole.

6. Georgia
QB Jake Fromm spent spring trying to fend off No. 1 high school QB Justin Fields. Even with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel gone, the Dawgs will have another strong backfield led by sophomore D’Andre Swift. Defensively, Georgia must replace star Roquan Smith and three other starting linebackers. Sophomore Monty Rice made an impression with 14 tackles in the spring game.

7. Michigan State
The Spartans, 10-3 a year ago, bring back as much production as any other team in the country. QB Brian Lewerke and RB LJ Scott lead what can be a more explosive offense. Sophomore Jordan Reid could bolster the O-line, and C Matt Allen is poised to replace distinguished brother Brian. DE Kenny Willekes, LB Joe Bachie and CB Josiah Scott headline a strong defense.

8. TCU
The Horned Frogs quietly won 11 games last season. Jalen Reagor and KaVontae Turpin lead a loaded receiving corps that will help break in touted QB Shawn Robinson. TCU’s rebuilding O-line remains a concern coming out of spring. Gary Patterson should field another strong defense with DE Ben Banogu, LB Ty Summers and S Niko Small. DE L.J. Collier dominated the spring game.

9. Miami
The Turnover Chain might make more appearances thanks to LB Shaq Quarterman, S Jaquan Johnson and a defense that dominated spring camp. DT Gerald Willis is back after missing last season, and freshman DE Greg Rousseau shined throughout spring. Incumbent QB Malik Rosier continues to fend off younger challengers but could use help from a retooling O-line.

10. Michigan
There are no excuses for the Wolverines now that Ole Miss transfer QB Shea Patterson is eligible. Coordinator Don Brown will again field one of the nation’s stingiest defenses with stars like DEs Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich and LB Devin Bush. Stud WR Tarik Black returns from injury. Michigan’s season will hinge on whether Jim Harbaugh can finally field a solid offensive line.

LooseGoose wrote:Mandel's postspring preseason ranking....

3. Ohio State
Urban Meyer has offered no hint on where his three-man quarterback derby stands, though Dwayne Haskins remains the presumed front-runner. The offense brings back RBs J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber and a deep receiving corps, while spring star H-back Demario McCall will play a bigger role as well. Ends Nick Bosa and Chase Young lead another stacked Buckeyes defense.

4. Wisconsin
The Badgers went 13-1 last season and have fewer question marks going into this one. QB Alex Hornibrook, RB Jonathan Taylor and the entire starting O-line return, as do Butkus Award finalist LB T.J. Edwards and playmaking safety D’Cota Dixon. The D-line must replace three starters, but ends Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand asserted themselves as replacements this spring.

5. Washington
The Huskies skyrocket from No. 12 in my January rankings. Washington welcomes back fourth-year QB Jake Browning and three-time 1,000-yard rusher Myles Gaskin. Junior Aaron Fuller cemented himself in spring as the Huskies’ new No. 1 receiver, with sophomore Ty Jones not far behind. The defense will miss stud DT Vita Vea but should be deeper and more experienced as a whole.

6. Georgia
QB Jake Fromm spent spring trying to fend off No. 1 high school QB Justin Fields. Even with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel gone, the Dawgs will have another strong backfield led by sophomore D’Andre Swift. Defensively, Georgia must replace star Roquan Smith and three other starting linebackers. Sophomore Monty Rice made an impression with 14 tackles in the spring game.

7. Michigan State
The Spartans, 10-3 a year ago, bring back as much production as any other team in the country. QB Brian Lewerke and RB LJ Scott lead what can be a more explosive offense. Sophomore Jordan Reid could bolster the O-line, and C Matt Allen is poised to replace distinguished brother Brian. DE Kenny Willekes, LB Joe Bachie and CB Josiah Scott headline a strong defense.

8. TCU
The Horned Frogs quietly won 11 games last season. Jalen Reagor and KaVontae Turpin lead a loaded receiving corps that will help break in touted QB Shawn Robinson. TCU’s rebuilding O-line remains a concern coming out of spring. Gary Patterson should field another strong defense with DE Ben Banogu, LB Ty Summers and S Niko Small. DE L.J. Collier dominated the spring game.

9. Miami
The Turnover Chain might make more appearances thanks to LB Shaq Quarterman, S Jaquan Johnson and a defense that dominated spring camp. DT Gerald Willis is back after missing last season, and freshman DE Greg Rousseau shined throughout spring. Incumbent QB Malik Rosier continues to fend off younger challengers but could use help from a retooling O-line.

10. Michigan
There are no excuses for the Wolverines now that Ole Miss transfer QB Shea Patterson is eligible. Coordinator Don Brown will again field one of the nation’s stingiest defenses with stars like DEs Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich and LB Devin Bush. Stud WR Tarik Black returns from injury. Michigan’s season will hinge on whether Jim Harbaugh can finally field a solid offensive line.