draft exercise version 1

1. Marcel Dareus DT Alabama - Too solid a player at too big a need to pass up. Will anchor our DL for years. Not really any other considerations here.

65. Marcus Cannon G/T TCU – RG needs to be addressed as does backup for Otah. Or maybe replace an injured more than we think Otah. Could do either. (Also considered Greg Little WR UNC and Ras-I Dowling CB Virginia. CB is a need more than WR but Dowling has durability issues. And, no, I am not a Tarheel fan I just think Little is going to be a big time pro.)

97. Jerrell Powe DT Mississippi – Not like we only need one DT. He has the mass and strength to hold his own, occupy multiple blockers and push Guards back into the pocket. (Thought about Drake Nevis DT LSU here but I like Powe’s size.)

98. Johnny Patrick CB Louisville – Add a CB every draft. 4.46 40 at his pro day isn’t elite but it’s respectable. Reads like he is a good all around prospect with enough run support size and football intelligence to be a starter. (Really wanted to select Nate Irving ILB NCSU here just because he is such a great story and a beast. Also, the homer in me wanted K.J. Wright OLB Mississippi State.)

132. Jordan Cameron TE Southern California – Hopefully a USC TE converted from a WR doesn’t carry the Southern Cal receiver stench.

166. Alex Henery PK Nebraska – Time for Kasay, Lloyd and Baker to go. Extremely accurate FG kicker. Can BOMB the ball. Is an outstanding punter as well. We pick up 2 additional roster spots. Will need to draft a PAT holder tho..

203. Dion Lewis RB Pittsburgh – Combines shiftiness and speed with brute power. 5’-07”/195 and ran a 4.47 40 at the Pitt pro day. In 2010 had 1799 yards with 17 tds rushing on 325 attempts for a 5.54 average. Caught 25 passes for 189 yards and 1 td. 2009 National Freshman of the Year. Next RB in line and let him earn his keep on special teams.

243. Aldrick Robinson WR Southern Methodist – 5’-10”/182 and ran a 4.35 40. Let him and Armanti fight it out.

 

I can only hope Marcus Cannon lasts until the 3rd. With him at guard and Otah at tackle, we'd be able to run it down anyone's throat.

 

I think moving Dareus around might keep more consistency. Not sure whether conditioning will ever be an issue, but would assume not. He's a decent pursuer so it's not like he's just either dominating

so you'd characterize him as more of a man guy than a zone? Am I reading that wrong?

we definitely need two guys. Ideally one is a vet but I picked two. I think teams will do what they need in the draft to fill positions, and where needed, supplant with FAs.

two corners is a bit of a surprise. Definitely a different style than Dowling, not bad, but I don't know if I could see two guys there.

decent depth. You, like most people, put more bodies on O than I did. I expect if there's any appreciable FA, there's no real money going into the D, and plenty into the O.
While I'm commenting, no TE on your draft.

hard to say on FBs (I think San Diego ran more two-back than anyone this year, or at least that was quoted by Al Michaels). I do think Fiammetta is a good fit for the zone. Not sure we need both another FB and another RB (DW gone means Sutton is the third back, and while Goodson did play well last year and Sutton is overhyped for one game at FB, Sutton IMO is probably the better and less risky RB).

 

logically plenty of upside without as much downside as, well, everyone else.

Didn't want to go over this with Collin's (just like my comment below on Powe) since he didn't pick him, but I'd have a hard time with an OL pick that high. Still, I can see some concern with the OT depth, and you have to have good linemen in this scheme (actually, there's not a lot of room for bullshit anywhere in Coryell, but all the 5 step, no protection stuff really does mean need for protection).

like I said above I considered saying this with Collin's draft, adding to where I said I'd want two guys at DT. Powe is a guy I picked. With Dareus' size, if we were picking again, I'd want a smaller guy. Not that it has to be a one tech/three tech thing, I just don't look at the defense as a pair of big men with chaos running around it. That's more what the Ryans do.

like Cameron. A placekicker would be interesting, but again I think we will let Kasay let us know when that will need to happen. No way anyone kicks and punts on a regular basis.

only WR pick so far I can really say I like.


also, FWIW, I don't give a fucking shit who Casey Matthews' family is. He's a 4-3 ILB, we have Dan Connor who might be stuck there, and Jon Beason, who is about to blow up (and get paid). I don't get the need for an ILB. And while he's a good prospect with great bloodlines it doesn't matter. It's not a need. If we did, and keep in mind I'm not keen on touching much that's UNC right now, Quan Sturdivant is a player. He's not as athletic as I figured he'd time out at, but he's a good fit in either scheme, plays fast and smart. And he's not a need either.

If I had to go after a LB, and I wouldn't (but expect Rivera will, around the 5th), Lawrence Wilson, UConn. Not that tall, not huge, but athletic, active, instinctive, and a good pass rusher. And won't be expensive.

 

No, ILB is not a need. Picking up Matthews is an upgrade over Connor and that makes the overall D better especially if Beason has to slide outside again. Connor doesn't suck, but I believe he is the best he will ever be. That far down in the draft, I'd take a flyer on an upgrade over filling another hole that FA could fill.

Bloodlines isn't always a true indicator of a players impact on the pro level (see Dorsett, Blades, et al.) but, it can provide you with something to measure with and used with film and interviews it can only help to gauge the value of the pick.

 

1. Marcel Dareus, DT Alabama
65. Andy Dalton, QB TCU
97. Drake Nevis, DT LSU
98. Casey Mathews, LB Oregon
132. Da'Norris Searcy SS UNC

No idea after 132 lol

 

Connor has experience and was rated something like the 3rd best ILB this year by one of those sites over the time before he went out. What's the purpose in upgrading so heavily at a position where the player might not play at all?

I mean, how many of you have seen an Oregon game lately? I get that not everybody has time to watch tons of football, and since the kid I haven't as much, but the guy's almost a consensus pick in this thread by now. Based on the name? Tell me more. How's he blitz? How instinctive is he in his drops? Name a play you saw that made you really take notice.

 

I'd just characterize him as someone you don't want matched up against quick receivers, so for instance, he'd never play over the slot. Zone v man to me is more about awareness than anything, so I think Dowling would be fine in either.

Frankly, I'm just shocked that Nevis is listed that low. I was very, very impressed with the guy whenever I watched LSU. He didn't abandon his responsibilities and shoot gaps like Fairley, and I didn't see him getting pushed around by the bigger SEC guards or centers. Nevis is great about using his hands to control leverage, which allows him to play bigger than he is. I know I keep saying it, but if we could get him, I'd be fucking thrilled.

Marshall is as good as gone, and I can't see keeping Gamble around unless he's willing to return after being cut to rid the team of that onerous contract (thanks Hurney!). You've said something about liking Pugh there, but if we make that move then we just draft safety here instead. I'd rather take a corner and leave Pugh where he is. Plus, with Dowling's injury history you have to hedge somewhat.

Thought briefly about Stocker, but I wasn't in love with anyone. I know that some like Cameron's athleticism, but I prefer a guy with more experience at that position, and I don't see him as comparable to someone like Graham in terms of physical talent. Getting Shockey lessened the need somewhat, but if the right player came along I wouldn't be opposed to it, I just didn't see anyone who fit well. Hell, bring in Pianalto as a UFA and see if he can stay healthy through training camp.

We don't, but that late in the draft you're picking competition more than you're looking for guys to fill empty spots. They could push the incumbents, but probably wouldn't make it. Also, I agree with you about Matthews. I haven't studied a lot of Oregon defensively, but that stinks of name-value.

 

Don't forget he has the same hair style.

 

I think i may have started the Mathews run. He did play inside at Oregon and doesnt have the speed of his older brother to match up against quality tightends i guess. But im not so ridged in believing what Rivera will do on D. I actually expect alot of hybrid 3-4 4-3 stuff as our guys are pretty small and fast. He has top intangibles even if his measureables arent the prototype and honestly i was just trying to add quality guys that i beleive wouldnt bust. Since we had those picks so close together i thought why not. Plus we did have linebacker issues. Maybe a pure outside backer would be better with Davis and Anderson so questionable.

He did make a big play in the national championship game, stripping Newton of the ball.

And unlike Dareus he was actually a 2 year starter. Honestly, nobody is concerned Dareus only started one year? Newton gets labeled a one year wonder and not a peep about the DT.