tophergillock
Pro-Bowler
Offline
I am starting to agree with the very small percentage of you guys that we should not draft a OLB in the first. We need a sure thing not a prospect, and most of these guys are just potential right now.
Ansah - For all the Ansah supporters, he will be long gone by the time we pick. Also I think he is just to raw at this point. When watching film he is good...but not great. He has the potential to transform into a great player but it will take a couple years in my opinion.
Dion Jordan - the only LB I would truly think about taking. He is fluid, did great in the combine, and looked like the real deal on film. Probably won't be there though.
Mingo - I know he was out of position at LSU, but he gets taken out of plays way to often. He actually scares me as a potential pick. Put a big quick (NFL) OT on him and he will disappear just like in college. He is one of those guys that will have a really good game for a team and then disappear for three games.
Jarvis Jones - Interesting here. I actually like him. Great hustle guy, can pass rush with the best of them. The spine condition scares me, as well as his size.
Other Options Instead of LB
Star Lotulelei - If we consider a player like Jones that has a potential major condition, I would rather take Star. His condition might be potentially worse but his presence in a game and his ceiling is much higher.
Lane Johnsin - Joeckel and Fisher will not be there, but the more I watch Lane Johnson the more I like him. (Maybe even more than Fisher.) Even if Bushrod comes back I would still consider taking this kid. Good tackles are a commodity in the NFL and we really need to fill both positions.
Warmack and Cooper - OG is not a position that we really need to upgrade (though I don't think Grubbs played as well as everyone hoped). SP, however covets that position as well as Drew. These guys are the real deal and could solidify our line for the future.
Vaccaro and Trufant - I am not on the Xavier Rhodes bandwagon like some around here. We have enough corners that can't tackle well. Trufant, however, is a solid, fast kid with great instincts.(Actually my favorite CB in the draft). Vaccaro is a sure tackler and very instinctual, he will need to work on his coverage however.
Patterson and Austin - I know these are offensive guys, but these two will be studs. Our WR group is getting older, often injured, and besides Morgan are mostly possession receivers. We need a guy who can get separation, and both of these guys do just that. They separate, find soft spots in zone, and can catch. I like Patterson more, but I think Austin is a better fit for us.
I actually am leaning more towards wanting an offensive guy (Oline or WR), over some of the defensive guys in the first. With the depth in defense this year an offensive guy might actually be the smartest choice in the first round and then stock up on D. The first 14 picks will be mostly defense (outside of some Oline) leaving the great offensive players still on the board.
Picking a top tier player is tricky. The more defensive players get picked the more diluted the talent becomes on that side of the ball, leaving higher talent on the offensive side. I just don't want us to reach for potential or make a pick that is safe but has a low ceiling.
Ansah - For all the Ansah supporters, he will be long gone by the time we pick. Also I think he is just to raw at this point. When watching film he is good...but not great. He has the potential to transform into a great player but it will take a couple years in my opinion.
Dion Jordan - the only LB I would truly think about taking. He is fluid, did great in the combine, and looked like the real deal on film. Probably won't be there though.
Mingo - I know he was out of position at LSU, but he gets taken out of plays way to often. He actually scares me as a potential pick. Put a big quick (NFL) OT on him and he will disappear just like in college. He is one of those guys that will have a really good game for a team and then disappear for three games.
Jarvis Jones - Interesting here. I actually like him. Great hustle guy, can pass rush with the best of them. The spine condition scares me, as well as his size.
Other Options Instead of LB
Star Lotulelei - If we consider a player like Jones that has a potential major condition, I would rather take Star. His condition might be potentially worse but his presence in a game and his ceiling is much higher.
Lane Johnsin - Joeckel and Fisher will not be there, but the more I watch Lane Johnson the more I like him. (Maybe even more than Fisher.) Even if Bushrod comes back I would still consider taking this kid. Good tackles are a commodity in the NFL and we really need to fill both positions.
Warmack and Cooper - OG is not a position that we really need to upgrade (though I don't think Grubbs played as well as everyone hoped). SP, however covets that position as well as Drew. These guys are the real deal and could solidify our line for the future.
Vaccaro and Trufant - I am not on the Xavier Rhodes bandwagon like some around here. We have enough corners that can't tackle well. Trufant, however, is a solid, fast kid with great instincts.(Actually my favorite CB in the draft). Vaccaro is a sure tackler and very instinctual, he will need to work on his coverage however.
Patterson and Austin - I know these are offensive guys, but these two will be studs. Our WR group is getting older, often injured, and besides Morgan are mostly possession receivers. We need a guy who can get separation, and both of these guys do just that. They separate, find soft spots in zone, and can catch. I like Patterson more, but I think Austin is a better fit for us.
I actually am leaning more towards wanting an offensive guy (Oline or WR), over some of the defensive guys in the first. With the depth in defense this year an offensive guy might actually be the smartest choice in the first round and then stock up on D. The first 14 picks will be mostly defense (outside of some Oline) leaving the great offensive players still on the board.
Picking a top tier player is tricky. The more defensive players get picked the more diluted the talent becomes on that side of the ball, leaving higher talent on the offensive side. I just don't want us to reach for potential or make a pick that is safe but has a low ceiling.
