Who will be available at 15?

[mussop]

Originally Posted by popanot

I certainly wouldn't pick a TE at 15. A LB wouldn't be a bad pick, but I'd probably go Moore, DE, and then LB if they all rated about the same. I think there will be some good RB prospects in the 3rd and 4th rounds so I would not go that route in Rd.1. I like both Mack and Max Unger so I'm holding out hope one of them will be there in Rd.2.

Why not a TE at 15 if he is the BAP and you know for the most part he is going to be a very good player. What happens to our O if Daniels goes down? Plus having 2 really good TE's can only help in the red zone. Im not saying that is what we should do but that we shouldnt just eliminate the option.

Ill take alot of heat for this too but I would take Mack at 15 without hesitation. The guy is probably the most NFL ready player in this draft and the center position is undervalued IMO. Those 3rd and short plays become alot less stressfull with him in there instead of Myers. If Mack or Unger (one of my favorite players in this draft) are available in the second I will cry if we dont pick em.

Originally Posted by jppaul

God, that sucks. I vote trade down.

Now that Mays has decided to stay in school it even looks worse. My bet is Everette Bown DE 6-3, 250 Florida State or Jeria Jerry DT 6-2, 290 Mississippi will now be off the board at 15.

The problem with trading down is everyone is looking at the available talent and saying the same thing. From 15 to rd 2 the talent level is pretty much the same. Its going to be real hard to find anyone who wants to trade up to 15.

[mussop]

Now that Bush has been named DC and says "everyone will be playing upfield. we won't be playing sideways". and describes his philosiphy as an attacking style that makes plays.

So knowing taht and looking at the players left scenerio Brown may be the guy that we covet. I still want Raji more than any other player in this draft but I wouldnt mind Brown if we really are going to attack the offense more.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by mussop

Why not a TE at 15 if he is the BAP and you know for the most part he is going to be a very good player.

Because our defense has sucked since forever and we can get a backup/insurance for OD in the later rounds or through FA rather than using our 1rst round pick on one. Actually, I have no problem with Dreessen as OD's backup and feel we could find another servicable TE or incorporate other offensive options if we got in a bind during the season.

As for Mack, I'd be OK with that pick. Center is definitely a primary weakness on this team. I think I'd still go D though if I had 3 or 4 offensive/defensive players rated about the same.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by mussop

Why not a TE at 15 if he is the BAP and you know for the most part he is going to be a very good player. What happens to our O if Daniels goes down? Plus having 2 really good TE's can only help in the red zone. Im not saying that is what we should do but that we shouldnt just eliminate the option.

I don't think you should just not consider a position (other than QB) because of who we have, but there does need to be a balance between need and best player available. If the team has a TE rated significantly higher than what else is left, then yes it should take him. If he's in a group of similarly rated players, well then you have to look at need as part of that decision. I think Dreesen is very solid as our second TE. His blocking is OK and he's capable of making a play in the passing game. He's much more versatile than Bruener. I think we could manage with Dreesen if OD went down for a few games.

[HPF Bob]

Mays staying in school really hurts because he was my second choice after his teammate Maululuga. The bright side is there will be a few unknowns that will ace their combines and shoot up the draft board that we haven't heard of yet. Remember Demarcus Ware? He was going to be a second-round sleeper, then a late first, then a mid-first and wound up being taken at #10? Heck, Mario Williams shot up draft boards the year he was chosen. There was no buzz about the guy in mid-January. It was all Bush, Leinart and VY.

So, don't sweat it right now. There's a lot that can change.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

The bright side is there will be a few unknowns that will ace their combines and shoot up the draft board that we haven't heard of yet. Remember Demarcus Ware? He was going to be a second-round sleeper, then a late first, then a mid-first and wound up being taken at #10?

I'm going on the record, Paul Kruger. Plays like Freddy and slices through offensive linemen.

6'5" 265lbs 4.68 - 40, reminds me of Patrick Kearney and would look nice opposite of Mario. He can play al 3 downs, so there's no need to find a specialist later in the draft to come in and pass rush, saving a draft pick.

Can we trade down and still get him? Right now, yeah. On draft day, we may be lucky if he's at #15.

[kravix]

I am curious as to how Goodell can say there will be no rookie cap in 2010. If it is negotiated as part of the CBA, which according to what we have heard from players it most likely will be, then it will be in place. Even if somehow the CBA stated that a rookie cap wouldnt take effect until the following season, what is to say that the owners wouldnt offer contracts at that rate in 2010 even if it is unofficial. I would rather bump the pay for vets or FA than spend 60M on some kid out of college that may never amount to jack.

[jppaul]

I can see it already we are so getting Travis Johnsoned again. Dammit.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by jppaul

I can see it already we are so getting Travis Johnsoned again. Dammit.

I wasnt aware he re-entered the draft.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I'm going on the record, Paul Kruger. Plays like Freddy and slices through offensive linemen.

Can this be considered the first official nickname of the 2009 Draft? Not quite Captain america though.

[jppaul]

You can also nix Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss, and Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida. The talent pool dwindles further.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by jppaul

You can also nix Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss, and Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida. The talent pool dwindles further.

Is it just me or does it seem like there are more top guys deciding to stay in college one more year than in years past?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by papabear

Can this be considered the first official nickname of the 2009 Draft? Not quite Captain america though.

No, I used the monniker "Captain America" to prevent spies from knowing who I was talking about. It was more of a code name than a nickname.

[jppaul]

Interestingly enough, I think you are correct. I have never seen so many sure fire first round and top ten picks decline to enter the draft.

Off hand in the top ten:

Taylor Mays
Sam Bradford
Gerald McCoy

First rounders:

Jermaine Gresham
Greg Hardy
Brandon Spikes

That is all I could think of off the cuff.

[jppaul]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I'm going on the record, Paul Kruger. Plays like Freddy and slices through offensive linemen.

Cheesy quote of the day.

[NBT]

Truth be told, we don't know who will be the second round picks, or who will jump up into the first. After the Combine it should become clearer.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by papabear

I don't think you should just not consider a position (other than QB) because of who we have, but there does need to be a balance between need and best player available. If the team has a TE rated significantly higher than what else is left, then yes it should take him. If he's in a group of similarly rated players, well then you have to look at need as part of that decision.

Well said!