NFL Combine

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by gunn

17 to 8 over the last 5 years
19 to 7 in the 5 years prior to that
Combined 36 to 15 over the past 10 years

I can interpret that to mean that there haven't been very many 1st round talented Safety prospects to choose from. So, that would make them a rare find and highly valuable. The 8 that were chosen over the last 5 years have been pretty good. Perhaps we should take a look at how many Pro-Bowls those 8 have gone to compared to the 17 CBs. Just a thought.

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I can interpret that to mean that there haven't been very many 1st round talented Safety prospects to choose from. So, that would make them a rare find and highly valuable. The 8 that were chosen over the last 5 years have been pretty good. Perhaps we should take a look at how many Pro-Bowls those 8 have gone to compared to the 17 CBs. Just a thought.

I would never say a team shouldn't draft a safety in the first round. My point was that many fans overvalue the safety position, especially FS, compared to how GM's value the position. and that I think the GM's are right.

Another interesting thing to look at in the last ten drafts is how many times a safety was drafted before any cornerbacks were off the board. I think you will find that in most years a CB is the first to go. Another thing to look at is the average salary of the top 5 safeties in the league compared to the top five CB's.

I'm a big advocate of drafting for need in the first round. If I were a GM and my team was in good shape at DE,QB,CB,LT, and WR, then I might start looking at a safety if I needed one.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

I'm a big advocate of drafting for need in the first round.

Hmm, we no longer have anything to discuss. There is too much money involved in a first round pick to miss the mark by reaching for a player to fill a need. I understand wanting the 1st round rookie to come in and start and the easiest way for that to happen is by drafting a position of need. However, if the player is talented enough, you may find it hard to keep him on the bench. We will just have to agree to disagree.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Roy P

There is too much money involved in a first round pick to miss the mark by reaching for a player to fill a need.

see Duane Brown

[Bigtinylittle]

From what I understand, the Texans are happy with that pick. They had a desperate need and filled it the best they could.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

From what I understand, the Texans are happy with that pick. They had a desperate need and filled it the best they could.

And they are publicly going to go say Duane is a reach? Not going to happen.

[Nconroe]

Duane was what, the eighth OT drafted in 2008. For sure a pick of need at the time. Seems to be working out ok since Texans had no. 1 ranked passing offense in 2009, perhaps after two years looks like not a reach. in 2008 had no 13 rushing offense. Duane Brown was faster in 40 and slightly heavier than all guys taken above him I think.

Pick # NFL Team Player Position College
1 Miami Dolphins Jake Long Offensive tackle Michigan
Miam no 20 passing offense, 15 TD, 34 sacks, 198 yds/gm, no 4 rush
12 Denver Broncos Ryan Clady Offensive tackle Boise State
Denver no 13 passing offense, 21 TD, 34 sacks, 223 yds/gm, no 18 rush
14 Chicago Bears Chris Williams Offensive tackle Vanderbilt
Chicago no 17 passing offense, 27 TD, 35 sacks, 217 yds/gm, no 29 rush
15 Kansas City Chiefs Branden Albert Offensive tackle Virginia
Kansad City no 25 passing offense 18 TD, 45 sacks, 183 yds/gm, no 11 rush
17 Detroit Lions Gosder Cherilus Offensive tackle Boston College
Detroit no 21 passing offense 16 TD , 43 sacks, 198 yds/gm, no 24 rush
19 Carolina Panthers Jeff Otah Offensive tackle Pittsburgh
Carolina no 27 passing offense 16 TD, 33 sacks, 175 yds/gm, no 3 rush
21 Atlanta Falcons Sam Baker Offensive tackle USC
Atlanta no 14 passing offense, 27 TD, 27 sacks, 223 yds/gm, no 15 rush
26 Houston Texans Duane Brown Offensive tackle Virginia Tech
Houston no. 1 passing offense 29 TD, 25 sack, 291 yds/gm, no 30 rush

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

see Duane Brown

The team may be happy with Duane Brown, but while they filled a need, they could have drafted DeSean Jackson or Ray Rice. I'm not saying the Jeremy Zuttah would have been a better LT, but I'd have felt fine moving Pitts back to LT if I had Ray Rice running behind him. However, we have a "need" filled. What is ironic is, we were able to pass on Michael Oher to draft Brian Cushing the next draft. If Cushing and Oher had both left school early and had been in the previous draft, I'd be willing to wager that Oher would have been the Texan.

[Blitzwood]

For the record, I thought it was a huge reach to take him in the first round. But I believe it was Gibbs who really wanted him so who am I to argue. Also, I believe we didn't have another pick until the 3rd round.

It was definitely to fill a need versus BPA.

BTW, Matt Forte would have looked good in Battle Red on Sundays.