I am paying less attention to the Draft this yr simply because the thing can become an obsession and it is perhaps slightly overrated as the only means of talent acquisition. What I've run across is disturbing, this is the most Defense heavy Draft I've seen in yrs, if ever, based on the Top 100 type of lists that I've read: http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2011-nfl-draft/top-100-prospects.html http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Players/?id=5&view=type http://www.universaldraft.com/position-rankings/2011/simon-clancys-top-100-2011/ http://newsite.draftnasty.com/ Basically this draft is compromised mostly of top notch DE's along with Tackles all mixed with other positions such as Corner Back sprinkled into the mix, even the irredoubtable Boomer has Evan Royster as his #3 running back, most yrs he would be #8 or so in the Charles Scott position at the end Day 2 mid Day 3. Strategically, we are in a bad way, have to wonder if in Draft 2011 taking a Olinemen would make more sense, or even bolstering the Defense with another passrusher?
I would take Ingram, Leshoure, Todman, Williams, Lewis, Carter over him right now and thats pre combine.
None of which are worth the #15 at this point in time, and therein is the problem we can overdraft a Running Back, or take one later in the draft, the talent level is not hugely disparate, however if we wanted to add a passrusher or olinemen, this is a great yr to do so at #15.
I would say Ingram is worth #15. You are right, though. This is a defensive draft. I think if we can get 2-3 playmakers in the first few rounds, it could be a solid draft for us though. There is talent in Free Agency and there is enough offensive talent in the first 3-4 rounds. I think it will be a solid draft as long as we don't go QB or defense early.
Well, I'd be really tempted to draft Von Miller over Ingram as you can never have to many passrushers, and he very well could be the BPA at #15, and it is a move the Steelers would make.
ingram is well worth #15, i think there are plenty of offensive playmakers too in this draft, sure its heavy in the 1st round talent pool with defensemen but it really isnt our key to unlocking a higher points per game yards per completion yards after catch and better run avg. dont quote me but i believe we were ranked 5th in d? but our offense was 30. we need to change that, now
One cannot assume that "it was that way..last yr.." means the situation will continue into this yr, though that is what Miami has done for a very long time.
Check this out: If we wanted to kick Vern Carey to Guard, either one are fine prospects and more than likely one will be there at #15. That is the sort of draft that this one is, Defense and Tackles and terribly shakey Qb prospects.
I understand we need another pass rusher on passing situations along with Wake...but let's not forget Misi was nasty as a starter last year. I'm all for bringing in a later round pick to be a pass rush specialist or a FA...but I don't want to spend a 1st round pick on someone who may see the field half the game, if that and when we have much more important needs like our interior oline, WR. and RB.
If I were a GM, I would always look two years out to see what kind of draft we were going to have. We loaded up on D last year and the O suffered. Now there are not alot of O in this draft and we have slim pickings. Hopefully we get some fast and good FA talent in here to stop the bleeding.
Because it wouldn't be great value. We need to use that 1st round pick on a starter, specifically offense. If we draft Von Miller, we won't use him as an every down LB. We would only bring him in on some passing situations to help generate a pass rush. Whereas, we could spend the 1st on someone like Mark Ingram, who could be our workhorse at RB for years or a playmaker at WR (hopefully Julio Jones), or trade down and get more picks to get more playmakers.
Mark Ingram would not be the right pick for us, I feel we have too many holes upfront that need to be addressed. It would be a waste.
Von would probably move to ILB for us..... but we could probably move him all around the field. I still prefer to trade back. There's no offensive talent in the first round but there's enough in the 2nd-4th to help impact our team. -You have the best spread WR in the draft, Jerrell Jernigan, who's extremely elusive and can gain quick separation. -There's a speedy vertical threat, Titus Young, who can also gain quick separation, pick up YAC, and track the deep ball in a freakin hurricane if needed. -Greg Little is a huge, physical target who is also great at playing in space and either running over people or making them miss..... and he poses as an eventual replacement for Brandon Marshall so we could actually trade Brandon in a few years and recoup at least a 2nd rounder for him. Not to mention he's a serious redzone threat, and we can create packages where he's even lined up TB. -There's the Xfactor, Tyrod Taylor, who could be used all over the field (and as a better WC QB than Ronnie). -DJ Williams can be lined up virtually anywhere to allow our offense multiple formations w/o changing personnel. If we're running more spread formations, then all of these guys would be great pickups b/c they're tremendous at playing in space and getting open quickly while being able to make plays once they have the ball...... and they're all scoring threats. If this were my draft, I'd find a way to grab all 5 of them and rebuild my offense from the ground up with them and Marshall (while adding my RBs and Oline in FA). These guys can be moved all over the field to create mismatches or take advantage of whatever defensive package is on the field, and that's what I'm looking to do.
This is a good offensive draft at the top of the draft. But we may be just be out of the reach. AJ Green, Julio Jones, Jon Baldwin, and Blaine Gabbert.
I always think it's funny how every draft year people complain "this year is not a very good draft". This draft is a pretty good offensive draft IMO. Losing Blackmon, Floyd and Broyles hurts a little bit, but it's still a very good, very deep WR class IMO. The HB class also seems very deep. Mark Ingram is a elite HB prospect and if his injury issues check out Ryan Williams is a stud. After them there is plenty of depth. I've talked about the QB class in other threads, but there are 4 guys in this class that have a solid chance to go in the 1st round. That's more than the average. Behind them there are the usual hanful of solid prospects in guys like Devlin, Ponder, and Yates. The O line may not be as good as some of the past years, but overall I think the offensive talent is pretty good.
Very good insight about looking ahead something I don't believe our team does but I think Sparano and Ireland thought this offense with the addition of Marshall was going to be much better than it was Not saying much regarding Sparano and Irelands judge of talent on the offensive side of the ball
yea ronnie and ricky looked spent.. sure the oline was letting them get hit in the backfield but not on every play. personaly i think lex hilliard is our smashmouth guy at rb we need a home run threat that i think we can get in devine in a later round. but i sure would love mark ingram
I prefer using FA to address immediate needs and the draft for anticipated needs 1-2 years out if possible...... unless there are guys in the draft with tremendous talent potential who fit our needs. Example: We need a vertical threat/playmaker. I'd go after Santonio Holmes first, but if we couldn't land him then I'd target a guy like Titus Young in the draft. We need a guard, so I'd prefer to grab an immediate upgrade in Mankins or Nicks rather than having to use a precious 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in this year's draft on interior Oline.
I agree completely with this. I was thinking yesterday how great a fit Holmes would be and have been a fan of drafting Young for a while.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...-weigh-in-and-day-1-of-senior-bowl-practices/ Thought this was interesting as I've kind of thought it but have not, and will not, study it that deeply. To me the real upside to this is "if" we skip Ingram at #15, there are a slew of running backs when we manage to pick again.
That's the beauty of the RB position. You can get a guy in the 3rd round and probably plug him into the rotation right away.
That is why I'm not particularly hyped on Mark Ingram, I really LIKE his game and would not complain if we drafted him, however stepping back and looking, maybe Qb or OLB is the better pick for us as when you have this many jobs up for grabs sooner or later it will come down to competition between who you have, sort of like having 1 bullet in your machine gun, you are not going to hit 4 targets, so you may as well be sure to hit the one you are aiming at in the first place.
I kind of feel the same way although I would probably switch OLB with WR. Ingram is a special player IMO and I would not be upset with the pick at all even though I am usually against taking RBs in the 1st round. I just think you have to go QB if you get the chance to get your guy. There should be good HBs to be had in the 3rd round.