Tackle or Guard

aside from Collin suggesting that Elton might make a better tackle than anyone in this draft (in the locked thread) is there anyone else here who would like to weigh in on this . . . I think it's worth discussing. If he did end up being the best overall lineman in the draft why wouldn't he be worthy of a #14 pick? Either he starts as a G and we move Wharton to RT or he slides out to RT from day one and earns that spot. Both options would improve us where we probably need it most and cheaper than buying some pricey FA RT . . . right?

 

No, I don't think Brown makes for that good of a tackle. He's possibly the best OL in the draft, but I don't think it's the lock that some think, and most do have Jamaal and many even have Barron over him (which, of course, I find to be questionable at best).

The second scenario you suggest basically depends on what we think of Wharton at OT. I think in pass protection he'd be fine, though typically in the preseason action we saw him in, he was against smaller rushers who weren't that good, so it would be hard to totally project him. And, of course, he's probably not gained that much strength/won't gain that much strength, so he'll potentially still be a run blocking liability, but at RT if he can wall off an end in contain or reach a linebacker he's doing well enough. I'd rather have a dominating RG and Wharton at RT than try Brown at RT, but in the end we can still get a good future starter/current depth/competition as late as the 3rd or 4th in this offense for guard.

 

I've heard it suggested, but I'd want to see him do it (move to tackle), and not just test well to suggest he could. It could improve his stock if he did that in the Senior Bowl or something.

But no, I like him regardless. Big mauler that can move and stone blitzers. If you are going to take a guard in the top 15, that's what one needs to look like and play like. Someone to make the other guy say give. An attacker, not a protector.


I hate when people do this, but we might be able to pull off a trade down this year. A lot of the guys I like right now are rated lower on some of the boards. If someone wants to trade up for Ronnie Brown, hey, why not. Depth overall is a concern, this is a good way to solve it.

 

Yeah, I hate it when people do that, too. But it's more often ridiculous, like "well I traded down five spots, and then four more, and then six more, and now I have 13 of the top 50 picks."

But to trade down to 20 or so? sure. I also wouldn't mind a trade up like 2003's trade to get Manning, because I'd much rather have 4 first day guys.

I saw someone suggest a trade over on the Lair that would give us Philly's 1st, a high 2nd a few picks later, and a 4th for our 14 and a 6th, or something like that. Really, really ugly trade. But the problem is, my philosophy really leans on having a number of second tier guys in that meaty 30-55 range that usually has the differencemakers (but not the stars). And while it didn't look terribly well done, and it's always improbable, I wouldn't mind it.

 

. . . but when was the last time our staff spent a pick on a big mauler? I just realized that all of our enterior O-linemen under Maser have been 300 pound leverage types (or with that intent) and not big road-graders. He doesn't fit the profile unless maybe they wanted him at RT.
So, maybe O-line DOES wait until round two or three.

BTW - I might be hoping for that trade down scenario too, but from all I can tell we shouldn't get too low with so few elite prospects.

 

JBrown fits, though. He's a lightweight. Honestly, I think he fits better at LT in most schemes.
Of course, I don't think they'd shy away too much from Elton Brown just because he's a bigger guy, but I do think they like mobility a good bit and that's something he can do. A lot of maulers don't, though honestly I could still see Manuwai in this O (and that's still stinging).

 

yeah Vince seems like just the right type of guy . . . when is his contract up :huh:

 

>>not big road-graders.

Hmmmmm. Sore spot.

gotta move in this scheme and hit moving targets if you are a guard. Being over 320 doesn't prevent that, as Elton can attest. As being under doesn't guarantee, as Brez would point out.

 

OT to OG is much more fathomable than OG-OT. A Gaurd is protected on both sides.

 

Just a draft gripe. We really coulda made Manuwai that 2nd, if not Witten (who'd be wasted here). Probably too expensive - he was starting to get Pro Bowl cred.