The best, of the best, of the best, sir!

So with Troy officially retiring, we may be looking at a 3 horse race as to who we take in the 1st round: a CB, OLB or SS. If there was a NT special enough, I would throw that position into the consideration as well.

So, instead of just ranking the CBs, etc. they need to determine which CB, SS, OLB is the most special and deserving of our 1st round pick.

I don't study draft prospects enough to have opinions deep enough to decipher it to that level but I figure some of you will.

From what it appears (but you never know who will fall) the difference maker OLBs will be gone before our pick. Maybe one of the raw or incomplete guys will fall, but the real top shelf guys will be gone. Here is how some see it, as far as who of our areas of need would possibly be there for us.

OLBs who will be off board: Beasley, Fowler, Gregory, Ray - maybe.

OLB who could be there worth considering: Dupree, possibly Shane Ray - maybe - Eli Harold.

Harold has been climbing boards lately. He ran a 4.6 forty, which is impressive at 250 lbs. He can play from a 3 or 2 point stance. But he isn't a top 10 sacker or tackle for loss in VA team history. His production is good but not great. I wonder if Pgh is looking at him for 1st round material or hope he slips into the 2nd round. They may have to move up in the 2nd if they want him in that round.

CBs who will be off board: Waynes.

CB who could be worth considering: Kevin Johnson, Byron Jones, Rowe.

KJ is a water bug, but spindly lower body. Jones is bigger with good speed and has great leadership qualities and instincts, which I feel is a trait sometimes underrated (Remember Scott Shields, who had measurable off the chart but was lost on the field? He sucked. Rowe is a big one, but some feel he will make a better NFL safety. Take your pick. I think if they plan on continuing more zoen than man, Jones will be their man. If they are planning to go to more man-to-man, then it will be Johnson. Or, they could feel Rowe is best case pick, because he can help instantly in coverage, and eventually maybe be the starting SS.

SS who will be gone: No one.

SS worth considering: No one.

NTs: No one.

Since I don't know what their D plan is going to be, I can't say. All things being equal, I feel Jones might be the guy, because they value instincts and leadership and he will provide that, and, being we are such a young team on D now, leadership has to be a consideration. But, if they really want to boost man-to-man packages, it will probably be KJ.

Note: Who knows what movie the quote in the title is from?

 

Pretty good analysis Lloyd. Although I do think Landon Collins is worth taking at 22 as a SS. His game would fit really well in our defense. Also, I like Rowe better as a FS than I do a CB. I also think he is quite a bit of a reach at 22.

if I had to bet, were either trading up for Ray (assuming he falls within reach) or we're taking KJ or Byron Jones. Dupree and Collins are possibilities, but I think they are more long shots than the others.

 

I forgot about Collins. I don't like the thought of taking a SS in the 1st who can't catch and who is too stiff. He can bring the wood, but at nearly 230, he may be a tad bulky. (I know some other S played well that heavy, but it's not the norm. I don't think he will become another Steve Atwater, for instance.) In this "spread it wide, open it up era" of offense, covering and pick off ability is higher than before. I hate thinking that we will add another DB with bad hands after just getting rid of two of them (Clark, Ike). In case we missed it, we won some games because we got some turnovers last season. We need more of them, not less. If he is a liability in coverage and picking off the ball, I say that is too much too ignore even though he would surely help the rush D. We will shore that up in other ways. We need a SS who can cover and make picks.

 

Best available corner in the first, and then Double-O in the second. The kid from UCLA.

Spartacus

 

He's not the speediest guy, but I don't think his hands are all that bad. He made a nice one handed pick in one game I watched... Although he did miss a couple. He's only a real liability in man to man coverage tho, and we wouldn't be asking him to do that much. I thought he looked good in zone and has sneaky good range because he takes good angles (I did a little more in depth in another thread I started). He's definitely more of a throwback, but I don't think you have to be a smaller cover only guy to succeed in the NFL as a SS.

I think his strengths really fit our defensive scheme really well, and he would start for us immediately. I'd be fine with a starter at OLB and CB as our pick, but it want someone who is capable to be a starter day one at a position of need if we can... This guy would fit the bill.

 

I have no idea which way we go in the first, but every single one of our picks should be a pass rusher, a CB, or a safety. We are depleted at all three positions and can't afford to swing and miss, so double up on everything.

 

this is my choice in the first in order of availability

shawn rey
odizugava
marcus peters
dupree
k.johnson