I thought it would be interesting to see what 5 players people on this board would be alright with us drafting at #8, or if people even have 5 players that they would accept our GM (I know a lot of you hate him, and look for more reasons to do so) taking. Here are my 5 in no particular order: 1) Ryan Tannehill, QB - Whether or not he has the ability or skill-set to be our franchise QB of the future is not for me to say, but I think that if our coaching staff (Our offensive coordinator previously coached him) and GM believe he is the right player for us then I would fully support it. 2) Luke Kuechly, ILB - I think that he has the ability to be a special player in the NFL for a long time, having a special 3-down ILB is never a bad thing. 3) Quinton Coples, DE/OLB - Again, I'm not a scout or a GM and can't say whether or not his tendency to take plays off can be changed or if its an underlying personality issue. But if we believe he can give full effort when he gets to the NFL, he does have the physical attributes to be special. 4) Justin Blackmon, WR - Out of all the players that are predicted to go before our #8, I think Blackmon has the best chance to fall to us. I think that he is a great receiver, who has dropped a little because of his size/speed deficiency (compared to recent 1st rounders AJ Green and Julio Jones). With or without that extra size and speed, I think Blackmon will be a game changing #1 receiver. 5) Mark Barron, S - In today's league, defending the pass is essential to the success of a franchise. Though safeties do not usually get drafted in the top 10, I believe that with the orientation of our league changing, so will the ideology of how high safeties go. Mark Barron is the only true first round talent at safety, he is smart and athletic and would be a good fit in Kevin Coyle's Defense. Other players I wouldn't freak out about us taking: David Decastro, Melvin Ingram, Matt Kalil, Stephon Gilmore
No particular order except by who I think will be available: #1) DeCastro #2) Kuechly #3) Tannehill #4) Floyd #5) Barron
I like Barron, but wouldn't take him at #8. He just doesn't have enough Ed Reed or Troy Palomalu in him for my tastes that high. Now if they trade down to 20...that's a different story, although IMVHO, I doubt that S is on their list in the first....They've done too much in FA and shuffling players we have around to warrant first round need... I like DeCastro and Kalil but don't think even Irish has the cojones to draft an OL in the first at #8. I do, however, like both Fletcher Cox and Melvin Ingram, even as high as 8 even tho they might both be a little over drafted at that point. Other than that, you're list is fine with me, but my dream scenario is they trade down with Dallas, Cards or Philly for a second rounder or 3rd and something else and still get Tanny...
In no order: Kuechly Tannehill Floyd Coples Upshaw I would be ok with Claiborne, Blackmon, or Richardson but I don't expect them to be available. Ingram is about the only player who's been associated with or around our pick that would bother me that I can think of.
I just can't get on board with Blackmon. I think he's good, but for me to take a WR that high, he needs to be elite. I don't see that with him. Tannehill, Coples or Kuechly. I'd really prefer to trade down a couple spots to see if one of the latter two drop several spots.
In order of preference: 1. Tannehill 2. Mercilus 3. Coples 4. Kuechly 5. Gilmore I dont expect Claiborne to be available but it'd be cool if he landed on our team. Trading down and landing Weeden, Osweiler, Floyd, Jeffery or Barron wouldnt upset me
I think Blacmon , Weeden or the cb from lsu whos name escapes at the moment or the Copels kid would be fine 8 is too high for weeden bt its way too high tor Tannehill too. i as hoping we could trade down 8 spots and get extra picks
Kuechly Blackmon Claiborne Ingram Tannehill One of those guys or a trade down please. Also Coples? Lord I hope not.
I'd take: Cox Tannehill Claiborne of Blackmon if they fall Floyd (with a little headache) I'd say 'meh' if it was: Ingram Gilmore Mercilus Seriously do not want and having no clue how on earth people like them: Coples Kuechly
1) Richardson- if he drops 2) Kuechly- the best defensive player in the entire draft IMO. 3) Barron- the top safety in the entire draft 4) Ingram- I like him more as a pass rusher than Coples 5) best offensive lineman still on the teams draft board
Maybe the Dolphins should go in a different direction, but to say you dont understand why people like Kuechly is bizarre.
No, it's not bizarre at all. A middle linebacker who managed a quadrillion tackles but not a single sack (in his senior season) or forced fumble (in his whole darn college career) has no business being a top 10 pick. I do like me a Kirk Morrisson but I wouldn't touch a guy like that in the top 10 with a pole.
If Blackmon is still there at #8, I hope we run (don't walk) to the podium to take him. Everyone else mentioned, I'd just as soon see us trade back to the mid teens and pick BPA at an area of need. Presumably an edge pass rusher.
And I am to assume he wasn't called upon it because he was so terrific at it the coaches feared it would be too much of an unfair advantage? A tackling machine that didn't force a fumble in what, 500+ tackles? I prefer my tackling machines to come up with a big play from time to time at least. And if they don't, give me someone who does in the top 10. I'd be fine with Kuechly in the 20-30 range, I have no clue why he's considered top 10 talent.
I find it bizarre that people get pissy when they poorly back up their points. Like judging a middle linebacker by the amount of sacks he has.
I find it bizarre that people still can't (or won't) be bothered to read even after they failed the first time and were told as much. I also find it bizarre that people can apparently judge my state of mind from a single sentence. I find it even more bizzare when people who don't even bother to make a point expect others to back up theirs. And most bizarre of all I find that I'm still talking to you. I shall refrain from doing that in the future.
Rather have Kuechly than Coples. Also how bizarre how bizarre. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY
Im not pooping on your reasoning, I just am not seeing it the same way. The FF stat is a little puzzling considering the amount of tackles he makes but the sack total can be a product of alot of things moreso than his ability. I would like the pick personally but I could see why others would feel like we need to go in another direction.
I think Kuechly will end up being the best defensive player taken in this draft. The guy has instincts that cannot be taught. Anytime we've had a top Defense we've had a stud MLB. We have a deep history at the position. Going back to a 4-3 a MLB is in essence the QB of the defense. I'd take Kuechly hands down. Trade back up into the first for Weeden and we have our QB as well. That's been my take for a while now. Coples I'm not excited about. I'd be happy with a trade down and picking up Ingram though. Guy is a great pass rusher.
Any questions about Kuechly.. please see http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7784610 He is Urlacher Type
I think if Tannehill is not the pick, then Floyd will be in play.. 4 others I would be cool with at 8?, it depends on if someone drops, but let's say the top 6 or 7 dont... i don't have four, would rather trade down.
The more I see Luke the more I love him. 6'3" 4 yr starter. QB of the D, with 4.5 speed and hits harder than Freeney??
Kuechly Decastro Blackmon Trade Down - Fleener Tannehill I'd support but as of now I don't really care for.
Here's my 5 in no particular order: 1) Ryan Tannehill - QB - Texas A&M 2) David DeCastro - G - Stanford 3) Courtney Upshaw - LB/DE - Alabama 4) Justin Blackmon - WR - Oklahoma State 5) Luke Kuechly - LB - Boston College Runner-ups 1) Melvin Ingram - LB/DE - South Carolina 2) Mark Barron - S - Alabama 3) Quinton Coples - DE - North Carolina Don't Want 1) Michael Floyd - I'd gladly take him later on in round one. 2) Riley Reiff 3) Any QB not named Luck, Griffin, Tannehill, or Weeden 4) Coby Fleener - like Floyd, I'd gladly take him later on on round one.