It's 2/14/11 and I'd hate to waste the main topic that's on all our minds without any followers as this is my first real post, but it's a topic that can be brought back up several different times as we are still pre-combine dates. Lets face it the NFL draft has been out Super Bowl as long as I can remember. I think the first thing that needs to be addressed is the needs. We all know what they are, but what we prioritize is up for debate. So I'd love to hear from you. This is my list:
1. CB
2. LB
3. G
4. WR
5. S
1 and 2, 4 and 5 for me were tough calls. I believe in starting a defense from the inside out. The LBs are the main group of guys on any defense. At 4 and 5 it's just a matter how much you believe in Spievey. Maybe you don't believe a safety is a need I can see that. I can hear some of you saying why isn't tackle up there and I'd love to hear from you with your reasoning, but the reason i don't is that if you get a tackle your going to kick in one of those tackles in at guard and we still have a good backup tackle. Now we all know the sexy names we all want cough Peterson cough, and I'm not going to waste your time talking about why we would want them. Maybe tomorrow I'll post up trading up and down. Here are guys below that I think we can realistically get and that meet a need.
First Round
There's nobody I really like here at 13, but assuming no trades here we go
Nate Solder - Everyone has a taking him. It's not sexy, but he kicks either Cherilus or Backus inside to play guard. He's a very raw player, but as everyone always says with raw players the potential with this kid is through the roof. He has good footwork it's just not quick enough, his balance is off in pass blocking, doesn't delivery a good first blow, and really struggles with the speed rush. Love him in the running game, gets to the second level and plays through the whistle. I don't know that he protects Stafford that much better early in his career.
Brandon Harris - This just seems to early for him, but we'll see how he runs. Probably best CB available (maybe Jimmy Smith). He's fast and has good ball skills. He can come in and be a starter on this team. I think he'd have his up and downs. Not as many picks as Alphonso had this year, but considerably less big plays. I think most importantly he's a guy that could be a good CB in this league eventually just not right away.
Akeem Ayers - In Cunningham's scheme the DL rush the QB and tackle the RB if they're on their path. I don't know if I explained that very well, but the main message is the LBs in his scheme are crucial to the running game. I look at Ayers and go that's the kind of guy I want playing outside LB for me, then I turn on the tape and he plays on his heels. He really is on the balls of his feet, but I feel like he plays pass first run second. He doesn't get in the gap and lay a hurt on someone. This last year at least I didn't get sick of seeing 3 LBs in the same gap. In a 4-3 scheme I believe the MLB makes nearly every tackle on a running play. Play side LB, is one gap ahead, MLB runs with, and backside is a gap behind the RB. Ayers has great speed and truly believe he has the speed to get to a lot of spots. I feel like he has great hips in the pass and run game. He's a good pass rusher. I feel he lacks instinct, the first step as I like to call it. I feel like I'm calling a Teddy Lehman (third down specialist). I just feel like you should get more at the 13 pick. Ayers can be I great player if he comes into the league with an outstanding work ethic and passion. I see him being average and average is a huge step up for us. He would play immediately, play great in the passing game, and help in the running.
I just don't love anyone at 13, I'd love these guys in the 20's. I think this year QBs running good 40 times helps us tremendously. Combine could really hurt or improve all of the QBs and any of the QBs taken inside of 13 helps us out. You look at all the big time QBs and 1 out of 4 is a pocket passer. I think 40s for the stupidest reason is really going to effect every single one of them including Mallet. Gabbert, Newton, and Locker can really help themselves out by running a good 40 time.
Let me hear your comments, questions, or who else you want me to talk about in the first round or anything else. This is our blog. The Detroit Roar over and out.
No comments:
Post a Comment