BearSox's Draft Discussion

[BearSox]

This is BearSox's Draft Discussion, and I will go over our options for each round. I guess this can be considered some what of a mock draft as well, but I'd like to have a discussion about our options and such. I'm only going to the first day for now.

 

ROUND 1:

We have a couple choices here and it looks like we can be picking in the 10-12 range as this team is brutal. One option is safety and perhaps Kenny Phillips is available here. But with no franchise LT or QB, we can't use a draft pick on a "luxury". So, lets take a look at our other options. Trading down is an option, but that is easier said then done. How about LT? Long will likely be gone in the top 5 and Clady might or might not be there for us. There is Jeff Otah, but I'm not sold on him being able to be a top LT. I love him, his size, and athleticism, but there is still question as to whether he can be LT or rather RT. Other then that, I don't see a tackle being worth a pick in the 10-12 range, and with players like Chris Williams and a few others possibly being available in the early 2nd round, we might be able to hold off on LT (especially if we shell out the money to Faneca). Now, our only other ideal option would be QB. You got Matt Ryan but I am sick of gunslingers who make stupid ass decisions. I'll pass. The only QB's we should be looking at in the 1st round are the guys from the state of Kentucky. Andre' Woodson probably has the most upside, but has a longer way to go. Brian Brohm would be the safer pick and would be ready for the NFL much quicker then any of the other 2, IMO.

My pick: Brian Brohm, QB - Louisville

Ideally with this, we let Grossman walk, Griese and Orton duke it out in preseason to see who plays QB for the 1st half of the season or so while we develop Brohm and eventually have him start. If we put togehter a good team we can still compete next season.

 

ROUND 2:

Now, LT has to be the pick. Safety, maybe, but we need someone similar to McNeil who can step in right away and make an impact. Chris Williams fits that bill, but right now he can go anywhere from top 20 to the middle of the 2nd. We take a risk with QB in the first and hopefully it pays off with Williams still being on the Board.

My pick: Chris Williams, LT - Vanderbilt

Big physical LT who has very good footwork and athleticism for his size. Similar to McNeil, but probably won't have that big of an impact. But he can at least pass protect and is a great run blocker. Biggest negative is that he may be too soft and needs more of a mean streak. However, with him, we shift Tait over to RT and improve the OL.

ROUND 3 (A):

With our 2 biggest needs taken care of we can shift our attention to safety, runningback, more o-line help, or wide receiver. I personally think a safety has to be brought in now. Craig Steltz is an option at safety, but there is that question about his speed/coverage skills, but he is an extremely smart player and answered some of the questions about his coverage with 6 picks this season. Josh Barrett is an option and is a good fit for the system, but isn't anything really special. Has some leasership skills and can play the run, and is good in coverage. But ther are questions about his speed and durability. Now, the only other guy I see being worth a pick here would be a guy out of Arkansas St. in Tyrell Johnson. He has the most upside and has the shot at being something special. If he played at a bigger school, he'd be considered a 1st round pick. But like most players who play on a bad team in lesser known conference they have a tendincy to fall. I will be optimistic and predict he will be available here.

 

My pick: Tyrell Johnson, S - Arkansas St.

Might be a bit more raw then the other safeties, but has a much bigger upside. He is physical and is very good in pass coverage as well. Bring back Brown cheap for one year, and have Johnson just develop and perhaps make an impact if Glassman gets injured again.

 

Round 3 (B):

Now with QB, LT, ans SS all being resolved, we shift our attention to specialists with our 2nd 3rd round selection. Now, WR or more OL help would be nice here, but we need another RB IMO. Allen Patrick would be ideal, but if some JR's opt to stay another season he can shoot up draft boards. However, I see him in the mid-late 3rd round range because I really don't see a lot of the top JR runningbacks staying. Tashard Choice is another option, but is he really better then AP? As for OL, Heath Benedict could be an option, but if we gamble, he might be available in the early 4th round if we are lucky. Wr, maybe. Levelle Hawkins would be nice as our slot receiver. If we can't resign Berrian, WR becomes a bigger need, so this is tough. OLB isn't even an option right now, IMO. Even if we don't keep Briggs, we have Okwo and Williams who will be the two who compete for the WILL spot.

My Pick: Allen Patrick, RB - Oklahoma

Homerun threat at runningback. Is a physical runner as well as a shifty runner. Would be a great compliment to Benson, IMO. Plus, we all know how Angelo loves Oklahoma guys.