I am a big fan of Walter Football and their Prospect rankings, I do question their Mocks but I feel for the most part their Positional Breakdown is pretty spot on. This post will address first our biggest needs and assessing players for that value. Obviously, I will use some of my personal bias but really want to get some solid feedback and hopefully other writer's Wish List by Position. So here we go... QB: Safe to say I am happy we chose last year to address that which has been our biggest need. There is one guy I wouldn't mind taking a late round flier on one prospect with great bloodlines. Jordan Rodgers Vandy- Love his bloodlines and he comes from SEC ball. Granted he probably won't even match any amount of his brothers talent. But, I like the idea of grooming QB's to exchange for some value or picks later on. RB: I think Miller can be the real deal and is a gamebreaker that we desperately need. I've tried to give Daniel Thomas a chance and the talent is there but if I see him turn his back and go into the pile again I will pull my hair out. Thigpen is a gimmick guy who is a utility tool, receiver, scat back. Gray well the staff must see something to keep him around I like his size. WE NEED A BIG BACK TO GET THOSE 1-2 yard 3rd down plays. 1. Levon Bell MSU- He fits the mold perfectly. Can still move and has athleticism but he could be the Thunder to Miller's Lightning. Still, he runs a little too upright for my liking. I wouldn't take him before our 3b. pick. 2. Mike Gillisee UF- I know he isn't the big back but he sure plays a lot bigger than his size. He is a ferocious runner and isn't afraid to step up and pass protect. To me he is a 5th round guy and if we get him you won't hear a complaint from me. 3. Spencer Ware LSU- Unfortunately was in a 5 back deep rotation. He is a solid downhill runner who really lowers his head. Reminds me of a Marion Barber type player who really runs with some anger. Although I wouldn't spend to high on him. WR: I like what we've done with our team but we are missing one big thing and that is a tall red zone threat. There are some that come to mind but I really don't want to spend a high round pick on a tall receiver cuz there really isn't anyone worth that high. Also feel that Bess may be out the door and a slot receiver might be a need, and we definitely need a gamebreaker at that position. 1. Tavon Austin WVU- He is too talented to pass up in the 1st round. Still not sure he is the pick as we have spent a lot of money on WR this offseason. Having Wallace run the seam and lure safeties downfield with Austin eating up underneath that is too scary to imagine. Belichick would be having nightmares all summer. 2. Stedman Bailey WVU- truth be told I like Austin's teammate more as a WR prospect. Still, he isn't the gamebreaker that Austin is I feel he is a superior WR, and really makes some crazy over the shoulder catches. His size is a little better than Austin and he really would be a great slot and also can line up outside. I wouldn't be mad with him at 3A that is for sure. 3. Aaron Dobson Marshall- I remember another big receiver who came out of Marshall who was doubted. This guy is really large and has some great hands should look at YouTube highlights to do it. He isn't a burner nor a gamebreaker but I feel in the redzone would be great. 4th rounder all over him. 4. Mark Harrison Rutgers- Rutgers has produced some pretty good talent and this guy has some serious size and really good measurables. I know Miami has been taking a look at him and I believe if we could snag him in the 5th he could develop. TE- Keller was a great value signing and really brings a dimension we haven't had. But we need some size and someone with blocking ability. 1. Tyler Eifert ND- My favorite player in this draft and I am not a fan of ND players for the most part. But this guy is something else, and I believe is the best ND to come out in the past years. He is a jump ball threat with good speed and great size and isn't afraid to block. Still think 12 is a little too high but I wouldn't kill myself over it. If we could drop 6 picks and still get him I am a happy man. 2. Travis Kelce Cincy- Really think he is going to be something special. He is still learning to be receiving threat but he suffered from poor QB play and still led his team in receiving. He plays with a mean streak which is what I want. I want our team to play with more edge, swagger, and violence. I like what our defense has added with Ellerbe, Wheeler, and Grimes as they bring it. Now we need that on Offense. This guy can be what Egnew was supposed to be. I would take him with 2B at the earliest but if we could get him in the 3rd I think we get great value. 3. Vance MacDonald Rice- He has definitely grown on me since the combine and really has great measurables and size. I like James Casey who came out of Rice and think this guy could be even better. I think 3rd round would be great value for him. OT- Well I know the complaints on Jonathan Martin but guys he was a rookie, he played 16 games and got better. He was an All-American for Stanford and kept Luck pretty happy for three years. Regardless his biggest thing is strength but what is the one thing NFL teams really can build with players on and that is in the weight room. The guy has great size and athleticism and fits our scheme. So hopefully he hits the weights. I still want to sign Winston for a 2 year deal and draft a guy to develop at RT. BTW love Joekel, Fisher, and Johnson think they all will be great players but I don't feel we need to spend a first rounder on one again. 1. Kyle Long Oregon- I like his bloodlines and his athleticism. I like his scheme at Oregon for one reason they play so fast, and that is what Philbin has wanted from day one. The thing with Long is he needs a little more development but I also feel he could be a Guard before a Tackle. I like Long with 2B pick or 3A if he is there. 2. Justin Pugh Syracuse- He is getting some exposure lately and has been known for alligator arms. Well, I don't want him at LT, i can see him at RT or at Guard. Still, I don't want to waste a 1st by any means but a 2nd rounder wouldn't be terrible. 3. Terron Armstead Ark PB- He is a physical freak but really needs some development, he projects as a LT but who knows if that comes to fruition. I still don't think he is worth a 2, but in the 3rd round he could develop quite nicely. 4. Brennan Wiliams UNC- this is my guy, he is coming off injury but he is a stud RT. UNC runs a zone scheme and he was still a 2nd team All-ACC despite missing significant time. If we get Winston on a one/two year deal let him play and Williams develop and have him and Martin hold the outsides down for the next 5+years. If we can snag him in the 4th we essentially get a 2nd round talent coming off injury. OG- We struggle with athleticism at Guard. Pouncey our Center is the only one who can really pull. Incognito is the leader along the line but he isn't really a scheme fit but he did make the Pro Bowl last year and I think we let him get one more year. Jerry god is he hard to be a fan of cause his talent is there but he just doesn't have the drive to really keep his weight down. I think he might be a RT still but needs to control his weight. Lance Louis is someone I am intrigued with as he is a solid pulling Guard, but coming off injury so he is a question mark. I am a big fan of Turner our OL Coach, and I think he is our best position coach besides Rogers for DL. 1/2. Long and Pugh like I said might end up being Guards but they are still some of my favorites. Ideally I'd love to have Jonathan Cooper but he is a 1st rounder and we can't waste a 1st rounder on a Guard. 3. Alvin Bailey Arkansas- three year starter on a SEC team, and you should know I love SEC players. Still, this guy plays with a nasty edge and surprised me with his speed at the combine. This guy in the late 3rd or 4th room would be a great addition. Might sit for year one but hit the ground running in year two. 4. Hugh Thorton Illinois - another 3 year starter and I like experience for sure. He needs a little more seasoning on pass blocking as he supposedly struggles with Speed Rushers but he is a guard not sure how many speed rushers are DT's. Still he is a angry player who is a better run blocker. He is 320 but carries it well, and I am sure with a NFL weight training program he could get down to 310 no problem and still add strength. So, those are my offensive wish list players basically I assessed value and where I feel we should be picking. I think with our Offensive minded Free Agency, defensive could be the focal point for defense especially in the first 3 rounds. Still, OL needs to be addressed because Tanny is going to need time to play with his new toys. Needless to say I am excited for our future. I think Philbin brings a certain confidence and bravado that reminds me of Shula, not so much the rah-rah guy but his players will fight tooth and nail for him. I also feel Ireland respects the hell out of him and Philbin really runs the show, wouldn't surprise me to see if he lasts with MIA to have him take over all Player Personnel. So let me know your thoughts and share your wish lists for Offense. I hope to do a Defense one coming up later this week. Happy Sunday!
I like a few of the same guys. I don't think Long will be there for our 2b pick. People are going to want to gamble on him on he'll come off the board quickly imo. I would love to pick up Le'Veon Bell! I think he could be a great complimentary back for Miller
I'd like to see... A runningback who can carry a significant workload, provide a different running style from Miller(prefer power), and whom can pass protect. A "true" tight end, someone who at least has a hope to develop into a decent in-line player, and whom is big and taller than defenders. More linemen. An investment in offensive line dominance is not unwarranted.
I like your list. I would add WR DeAndre Hopkins and TE Dion Sims. I'd look at JC Tretter as a guard.
i still want austin on this team, after that i would look at corners in the 2nd round, you could possible draw 2 starters imo, johnthan bank, darius slay, jamar taylor, dj hayden , after that its DE and offensive line hugh thornton, xavier nixon these kind of players
I agree I'd love to have a steady offensive line, but do I feel you need to have a dominant one to succeed as an offense..No. But, what I really want is a line that can grow together, and preferably all be scheme fits. But, yes I'd like to draft a Tackle and Guard this year, but I don't think they should be a 1st round pick. I believe Martin is much more comfortable at LT, and remember one of Martin's first games getting settled was against Aldon Smith, I see him make many look inadequate. Martin bulks up this offseason and gets a year under his belt, and I feel he could be very solid and I like his Football IQ. Pouncey is a stud no point in debating. But yes I think the right side of a our line could use some young picks to start and/or develop. I think Louis can be a starter if he returns healthy. I really like DHPVW's mock draft. I think Ansah would be a great pick up but don't believe he'd be a three down starter. But give him a year/two under Rogers tutelage and he could take over for Wake very nicely. I got to say I thought Swope's combine was really impressive, I just am not sold on him, but the Tex A&M connection probably will suit him. I'd like Bailey if he is still on the board. But like the Slay addition, and pretty much the rest of the draft. But, do you think Kelce will last that long on the board? I saw his pro day numbers and they could raise him into the 2nd.
You can make that argument for literally any position including quarterback. Striving for more than adequate on the offensive line is important.
You can make that argument for any group as well, "Striving for more than adequate on the offensive line/dline/secondary/lbs/offensive backfield/wrs is important." I think you can make argument that our WR corp and Dline are the closest units to being stellar, basically each is one player away. Why not go ahead and get the player for one of those two groups at 1? Personally I'd go WR because then we'd have a pretty young group across the board that can stay together for awhile.
I don't really care if the RB we pick up is big or not; just give me someone who can get 4-5 per carry first and foremost. Then see if they can pass-protect, get tough yards, and ideally someone who's at least somewhat of a threat in the passing game. You don't pass on a guy because he's the same size/style as Miller. I'm not a huge believer in Miller as a guy who can handle more than 12 carries/gm every week; I'd like to take a guy high. I'd personally go Bernard in the 2nd and L.Pryor/M.James in the 7th. I also think Bell is being overrated: slow-footed long strider who doesn't play as big as he is, made too much of a living in college bouncing things outside and running east-west on slower undisciplined competition. I don't expect much from him in the NFL, wouldn't take him before the 6th.
I want Austin in the 1st. If he is OTB and we pass, I'll be terribly disappointed. After that, I'd like a TE that can play as an inline Y and still be a seam threat, and a DE who can help with the pass rush. In the 3rd, I'd like a corner and a right tackle. Something like this: 1. Tavon Austin 2. Alex Okafor 2a. Travis Kelce 3. B.W. Webb 3a. Brian Winters 4. Stepfan Taylor or Joseph Randle.
I agree with most of what you said except: Vandy is SEC in title only lol and Gillislee is a 3rd-4th rd guy, and he's not going to play bigger than his size in the NFL. I like him, but not for the purpose you stated. If you're focused on adding RB depth, and a change of pace to Miller (something, I DO, agree with), Montee Ball should be one of the first names to come to mind. Stepfan Taylor, as well.
Mr. Clean I like your draft for the most part but I have heard mixed reviews on Okafor, I feel like he can disappear for games at a time. But, if Austin is on the board and we aren't sold on anyone else he would be great. I have definitely cooled off on Corradelle Patterson, his football IQ and work ethic have been questioned and he isn't really a need anymore. We need someone who can run the full route tree and we all know that WCO isn't the easiest for WR's to pick up. Not a big Montee Ball fan at all, think he is the product of Wisconsin's system. All there backs seem to have great careers in college then when do they produce in the NFL? I just see a different mentality from how Philbin runs his team. I like the way GB drafts and they don't overvalue positions who don't warrant high draft picks... If Martin is our LT we shouldn't use a 12 or trade up for a RT. One Player I have started to recently started to warm up to at 12... Barkevious Mingo- more seasoned than Ansah and just the type of athlete. I want football players... and Ansah worries me. Mingo's first step is like nothing I've seen. Reminds me of Bruce Irvin's speed but with a bigger build and can put on a good amount of weight to bulk up. Not interested in Rhodes or Trufant at 12 cause I think round 2 we can find just as good value. Eifert is really a great pick for us but 12 is a little high... still wouldn't be a killer.
Okafor gets results though. Look at his numbers of TFLs, sacks and hurries compared to pass rush snaps, and he is right up there. He has good active hand use and appears to me that he knows how to keep blockers off his body and can disengage as well as anyone in the draft. He seems to me to have a good motor, keeps hustling and doesn't quit before the whistle. He is also not one dimensional and could be a base 4-3 end for you, not just a pass rusher.
in terms of picking at 12. Mingo...to sum up how I feel about this prospect, he's gonna be like the ball in a pinball machine at the next level, I think even at the college level, players knew they could push him around..and did..I wouldn't go near him at 12.. Like your Eifert enthusiasm, plug and play, with upside to have star potential with his great athleticism and excellent position specific movement...box out, red zone, go get it, snatch it, finesse if you need it type player, serious offensive weapon and a match-up nightmare.. No problems here if we take this player. Patterson...never was hot on the player, don't trust him from the waist up to take the risk at 12.. I'm a fan of Montee Ball, the packers would be silly to let him go past their 2nd round pick...downhill runner, perfect posture as he runs, slight tilt in the ip upper body, has the patience to wait for the hole, sees it, then one cuts it, and explodes like a Terrell Davis..That lean will always find the end zone.. Love Tavon Austin..the most dangerous verstaile offensive weapon in the draft..don't care how tall he isn't..well built athlete, understands, and is aware of his talents in the field of play, is so confident in his abilities, you won't get a clean shot, this is a great sign of a talent that will translate to the next level, and look just about the same as it did in college, eventually the same.
