OTish: Let's have an NFL Draft thread
What are people's thoughts on the draft? Who do you want your team to draft? Here are some random thoughts:
Teddy Bridgewater: Someone will get a steal if Teddy Bridgewater falls into the second round IMHO. His pro day was appparently really bad, but he showed in games that he moves very well, can throw on the run, and is accurate. I don't see how you can put one day in front of a career of good work.
Lewan: Most people seem to have him pegged as the third tackle and a 10-20 pick, but there are also apparently a few people who have him as the first tackle. This is yet again a draft largely bereft of Michigan players, so it would be nice to see him go high.
Clowney: I sympathize with the fact that he had to either play at South Carolina last year or sit because he was barred from entering the draft last year. I also saw a lot of plays from him last year in which he did almost nothing, and he's been refusing workouts requested by teams during the draft run-up. I would be very hesitant to take a guy whose effort I questioned with a high pick.
Khalil Mack: He was the best player on the field when Buffalo played OSU last year, with 2.5 sacks and a 45 yard INT return for a touchdown. He produced all four years that he played, finishing tied for the NCAA career mark in TFL and first in forced fumbles. I'd probably take him over Clowney.
I am looking forward to the day AFTER the NFL teams, you know, actually select the players.
2015 mock drafts?
Trade Suh, get Watkins and a later pick for a DB or OL.
--- Lions.
lol
Then you better get Watkins with the 3rd or 4th pick and then take Aaron Donald with the 10th pick.
People are saying Donald is the only lock in the draft and will be one of the best players in the draft. I've seen him on a couple of occasions and he's a BEAST. His combine numbers backed it up and he's a high character guy.
I don't think you trade Suh, but if you do...you better get Watkins, take Donald and then get another high draft pick for Suh.
It's not out of the question only because he makes so much or is set to make so much.
Millen?
You might want to add
/s
lest the Lions brass take you seriously.
There's been quite a bit of talk linking Tampa to Manziel, which I really hope doesn't happen. I don't think Manziel is built to last in the NFL from a size and strength standpoint, and while he's at his best when he can play backyard style football, good luck running that against teams like the Seahawks or the 49ers. I like what we've got for the time being with McCown. He played extremely well after Cutler went down last year. He's not a long term solution by any means, but maybe you can pick up an Aaron Murray/AJ McCarron type in the later rounds and let McCown tutor them for a few years. Or even see what Glennon can learn from him. Bottom line: we've got bigger needs than QB right now.
I'd be happy with Mack, Clowney, Barr, Watkins, Evans or one of the top 3 OT. If the draft Manziel I might have to change teams. In reality I'd love us to trade the 7th pick to the 49ers who are rumoured to desparately want Evans. They also have a boat load of picks. If we can get their 30th pick and one of their 2 and 3 round picks, I'd do that. Then we'd have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds. We could get a OG, WR, DT, LB and QB. Or get a second WR and hope McCarron or Murray fall to the 5th round. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
I watch the ame against the Lions. He had a beautiful throw rolling out of the pocket in that game. Build up the OL and add some weapons at WR and they are a above average team.
I agree completely Lewan will be picked 10-20. IMHO he did not have the extra, extra push that Jake Long had to go top 5. Don't get me wrong, Lewan has ultra elite talent. He could still be a 5-10 pick because he has that nasty streak to finish blocks.
I'm a big fan of Taylor Lewan, but Jake Long was just a better OT than he was.
ugh. I'm not putting down the OP at all, but from a local sports radio talk standpoint in Cleveland, I am so unbelievably sick of draft talk. I tune to Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer daily, but every day for the past two months, they start with NFL draft talk and in particular, Manziel. It's amazing that they cannot think of anything else to talk about. As soon as I hear those words, I just turn it off.
EDIT: And as I type this, I look at my TV and it's freaking McShay and Kiper doing their mock top five. There aren't many things I hate more in this world than mock drafts. They're so stupid, pointless, and inaccurate.
I am interested in talking about this only because the board is a little slow today and because I've mostly avoided TV coverage of the draft.
Cavs missed the playoffs. Tribe is at last place. What else can a Cleveland sports talk personality talk about? LeBron?
DRAFT = Hope...
There is plenty to discuss. They always claim that they are different from every other sports talk show, but they aren't because all they want to talk about is the fucking NFL draft. They should change their name from the Really Big Show to Cleveland Browns Daily because about 75% of their show is that. It's awful.
I have been seeing Lewan and Matthews flip flopping over 2nd or 3rd tackle in most mocks i've read, with Robinson from auburn being the top guy. They all seem to be about the same most people convinced all should be solid NFL tackles. I have seen people saying Lewan might have a lower overall ceiling and be more in the backus unspectacular but reliable enough to last 10ish years in the league but never be an "elite" tackle which is interesting
Teddy should do well where ever he goes, if he drops out of the 1st half of the first round he is a steal. Mack seems like a stud just not quite as visible since he played in the MAC instead of the SEC, didnt get the constant attention Clowney did. I think both of them will be very good players as long as then end up in the right situation.
Watched some highlight tapes of Donald the DT out of Pitt when grantland had a post about him and i was like WOAH. He looks like a beast of a 3tech, wouldnt mind the lions taking him (if only so the bears dont snatch him up)
For the lions I'd like to stay where we are at 10, if some how Watkins (lol) or Evans are there I'd grab either of them. After that I'd go HaHa for sure, Ighenbenwhatever is only going to be a stop gap at saftey and Quin and HaHa would be a great combo. I'd be okay with a corner but i dont think any of them will be a huge step up from what we have now.
If Bridgewater does fall there is a chance that Cleveland can get both Watkins (4) and Bridgewater (26)
I strongly feel the draft should have been in mid-April. It loses steam when dragged out too long, kind of like the Canadian bowl game played Jan. 8th.
I'll take Kate Upton.
My cousin is a die hard Browns fan and he gets so excited for the draft becasue he says its the Browns "Super Bowl".
For real I wouldn't mind the Lions trading down from 10 to get Brandin Cooks in the 20s, that dude can ball. Perfect slot fit.
As a Vikes fan, I'm glad I don't have to wait too long to see who they select. With that said, I really hope they pass on a qb and pick up some talent on the defensive side. My wishlist:
1 - Mack (Not falling to them)
2 - Safety from Alabama (refuse to name him)
3 - Dennard (the other one)
They'll probably take a qb and I'll have to relive the Ponder experiment all over.
Yep, just like last year when every player they drafted (and even some UFAs) contributed in their rookie year.
Lions should NOT trade up. If Mack, Watkins, Clowney, Evans, and one of the OTs Robinson/Matthews are gone by #10, then they need to trade down. Drop to a late teens pick, nab an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick, then take your pick of Gilbert, Dennard, Pryor, Barr, Clinton-Dix, Shazier, etc.
That would make too much sense. This is the Lions we're talking about. Where just one more WR is what they need to finally be good.
Personally, I just don't trust first round WR's - especially those who came from a spread and have to learn to run routes and catch passes when not running wide open all day.
Lions led the league in dropped passes.
2. Clinton Dix
3. Gilbert
4. Pryor or Dennard (what a difference three years make)
5. Mosley
6. Fuller
In order of preference. The 10-13 teams have a lot of the same needs, so it'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out before the Bears pick. One of these guys should be there though.
Other thoughts: Mack and Clowney will be studs. I love Watkins, but he's my bust pick. And lastly, I think there might be a shift starting this year in how the QB is evaluated and drafted. It seems like the league is moving more towards a best player available mentality. I don't think anybody is sold on any of the QBs this year and the boom or bust prospects of drafting one so high are weighing on teams. Not getting a qb is bad. Whiffing on your qb pick is a five year death blow.
1. Watkins, Watkins, Watkins
2. Mack
3. Mathews or whichever QB they like most.
With Blackmon out for the year I don't think Watkins will be there. I wouldn't be upset f they said bump it and took Evans. I'd rather wait for a QB but can't blame the FO if they take one.
For the board's reference and perhaps to aid some of the discussion here, the comprehensive draft order is available in the NFL site - HERE
For the Lions, we currently have picks at 10th, 45th, 76th, 111th, compensatory selections at 133rd and 136th, 189th and 227th.
Call me crazy, but I think trading up for Watkins would be a fantastic move. Watkins would add more dimension to the passing game, which we all know will be relied on heavily, by adding another factor of explosion outside of CJ. Think about it... An offense with Bush, Johnson, Tate, Watkins, AND and improved Stafford (I have faith that Caldwell has been working hard with him on his game) could be insane. There is no doubt that the passing game will be our go-to method of offense, so why not boost it even more?
Honestly, the only other player I would rather get would be Clinton Ha-Ha Dix out of Bama to further boost the secondary. Seriously, if we are going to get another receiver if ESPN and SI say we are, why not go all out for Watkins?
Lions need a lot of help at WR. Beside Megatron and Golden Tate, they have no one at WR which is why WR is still in play at 1st round.
Aaron Donald, Odell Beckum Jr, and Eric Ebron are in play at #10 overall. To some degree, Justin Gilbert is in play. However, from what I've been told is the Lions do love their young CBs in Darius Slay and Bill Bentley. The only CB that they have question is Chris Houston. If they really think he's done with the toe injury, Gilbert is definitely in play. If not, CB won't be the pick at 1st round. I do know the Lions liked Anthony Barr, but he's likely to be gone before then.
Lions are looking to move out of #10 spot. They know that they're in a no man's land in terms of draft value that matches their needs. I give the Lions' chances of moving out of #10 spot at about 65%. It depends on the team and the trade proposal.
If the Lions do trade up, expect them to take either Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack or Sammy Watkins. Watkins is a popular choice, but don't discount the possibility the Lions take Clowney or Mack. Clowney would line up opposite Ziggy. Lions are in a serious need of edge pass rusher opposite Ziggy. Mack would line up at SAM LB as a rush LB who can drop back in coverage.
If they trade down, I know you guys would hate this, but Lions are seriously targeting Ryan Shazier. Lions are high on him as an athletic WILL LB. That would require moving DeAndre Levy to SAM LB where he played in his first two years as a Lions.
My dream draft for Detroit
1. HAHA
2. Tuitt
3. Marcus Martin C USC
4. Shaq Evans
4. Purifoy CB UF
4. Aaron Murray
6. Jeremy motherfucking Gallon
7. Chris Davis CB/KR Auburn (the dude that beat bama)