On the Clock - Draft Simulator

Good point. It's a lot like how fans were happy about Oher because he wasn't Bell. Worley at the end of the year was still a bad NFL cornerback, but he clearly improved from the laughably terrible NFL cornerback he had been to start the season. What's frustrating is that this class of cornerbacks is really good, just light years better than the last one, so not only would it be valid to take Lattimore at #8 but there are going to be some steals in rounds two through four, and I don't think the Panthers are going to take any of them because of Gettleman's commitment to Bradberry and Worley.

 

O.J. Howard might be the most physically gifted tight end on the planet right now (Gronkowski/Graham have gotten old), but the skills aren't there and who knows if they ever will be. The media brings up his big performances in the national championship games but those came on busted coverages where he was left wide open. I have not seen Howard consistently beat coverage, create separation, or bring in contested catches. Even if this offense needed a tight end, I wouldn't take him at #8 because there's so much risk that Howard never takes advantage of his gifts.

 

I just value competition, especially for young players. I feel the same way about Bradberry, who I think is a good player. If those guys earned it in the offseason and through camp/preseason, I'd be very happy, but I'm worried that Gettleman thinks he "solved" that position already.

 

I think the talent will go early. CB's, TE's, Safety's will come off the board in the first two rounds. I'm with you guys and if a talented CB is sitting there in the 2nd I'd jump on him. I'm assuming Colin Jones was re-signed to a special teams role and not a nickel db. Just add talent to the secondary in any form and it'll be an upgrade.

 

A good, sturdy nickleback would be nice. I do think we're going to hand the outside job to Worley, but getting someone to cover the slot would make me feel better.

 

Just a few random thoughts, I've been traveling for work recently and haven't had much opportunity to post:

@Collin - Many of your Barnett criticisms are valid, and I don't advocate for the #8 pick, but you can't think that he accidentally set the Tennessee sack record above Reggie White. I don't have time to look through the tape that you pointed out, but I recall watching the Florida tape and coming away impressed with his getoff and hustle. However, I'll concede this debate to you regardless because I don't have the opportunity to out-research you at the moment

This draft is really loaded to the gills with elite athletes, so I think Barnett is going to drop quite a way anyway.

I'm really disappointed in Fournette's showing. I wonder if his ankle is still bothering him. I expected a 40 time in the 4.4s at a minimum, and the 28" vertical is simply pathetic. He also looked terrible catching the ball. Conversely, Solomon Thomas lit it up, and now I think there's almost no way he lasts to pick 8 which is disappointing. Here's the players that I think are for sure off the board at 8:

Garrett
Adams
Thomas
Lattimore (he also killed it)

I think at least 1 QB from this years grab bag will go, possibly 2. I now think there is a real chance Jonathan Allen drops to our pick due to shoulder injury concerns which makes that one a no brainer IMO. If he's not there I'd be banging the table for Corey Davis or maybe even John Ross after that retarded 40. You just can't overlook 4.1 speed paired with solid college production in a major conference. (I know he ran a 4.22, but he came up gimpy at the end and was still hand timed in the mid 4.1s). A trade back for Garrett Bolles would also be a solid move. Malik Hookers injury situation just makes me too nervous to take that plunge.

We can absolutely forget the dream of Forrest Lamp at 40. That dude is going late teens or early 20s now. I think there's going to be some really sweet prospects at TE, CB and safety at 40 though so we are still sitting pretty. I saw one mock where Marlon Humphrey fell to that pick, and I think if that happened I'd shit my pants and orgasm all at once (is that called a shitgasm?) Cam Robinson might even drop there now, although I sort of doubt it.

I have seen a lot of chatter about OJ Howard at 8. He definitely showed what kid of athlete he is (his SPARQ score was in the high 90s I think). I'm not as opposed to that pick as I was, I just think the other guys I named above give you more instant bang for the buck. Howard will need some development time to come into his own since he was never used properly at Alabama.

I had some other random thoughts but I forgot what they were so I'll save them for a later post.

 

Speaking of pick number 40:

Teams who showed the most interest in RB Samaje Perine today: #Vikings, #Steelers and (especially) the #Panthers...

From Dane Brugler

 

I kind of fell in love with him while watching Mixon. 40 seems pretty high, though.

 

agreed seems high. Still think the front office feel they need a power back. 40 is high but I can see him there. Some sort of DL,TE or potentially DB in the first followed by RB I round two. Perine? Kamara doubt he is there? Same for McCaffrey. Just how I imagine it going.

 

He really does have an endearing skill set. I could totally see him in a Panthers uniform this fall, by hook or by crook. It would be a nice bonus if he could play fullback.

I wish Shula wasn't such a dolt, because McCaffrey is a really fun chess piece to play with.