or more a case of who won't we draft might be a better question.
For the first time, I can see an argument for every single position on the roster, and only the weakness in quality at certain positions mean they won't get taken.
There are no S or TE worthy of being taken at No10. But after that ....
Interior Linemen: Despite having Levitre, Wood, Urbik and Rinehart, DeCastro is considered a can't miss prospect ... and Glenn could be pushed outside. Any one of our existing interior linemen could become trade bait and moved.
Offensive Tackles: Clearly a need and neither Reiff or Martin would represent a major reach as we've seen with other players at this position in previous drafts.
Quarterback: Tannehill possibly could slide here, and whilst I don't think he deserves to go this high, such is the premium on QBs that deeps reach. Who'd have thought Ponder would have been a No12 pick.
Wide Receiver: Blackmon won't be here but Floyd will and based on his senior season, he won't represent a reach either. A partner for Johnson would upgrade our passing game.
Running Back: Fred Jackson isn't getting any younger and Spiller is too light to carry the load. What would we do if we are on the clock and Richardson is sat there?
Defensive Tackle: We are set with Dareus and K.Williams, but behind them the depth is a little shallow especially if we rotate heavily. Carrington and Troup have yet to show a great deal. Someone like Brockers or Cox could be enticing.
Defensive End: Despite signing Mario and Anderson, pass rush was very weak last year. Anderson has also had a very mixed career. We have some youngsters like Batten and Gilbert but none proven. Someone like Ingram or Coples would revolutionise this position. I know some question Coples effort; I admire his honesty in admitting he took some plays off especially as he was being constantly double team yet still produced decent stats.
Linebacker: With Sheppard, Barnett and Morrison in place it doesn't look like a need but in my opinion Kuechly as a MLB or SAM represent as close to a can't miss prospect in this draft and would allow us to enter the season wit great depth.
Cornerback: A need, but Claiborne might slide. Do we reach for a Kirkpatrick, Gilmore or Jenkins, try to trade down or discover there are no suitable players when Round 2 rolls around.
Personally I keep thinking I've worked out who we should draft, only to find myself arguing effectively for another position. And with the exception of Tannehill, I wouldn't say WTF to any of the positions being targetted.
Ultimately, I think Quinton Coples might be the surprise choice. When teams changed defensive alignments, they often go early and heavily at that position in the draft irrespective of who they sign in free agency. Take Miami when they switched to the 3-4 defense in 2008 - they spent heavily in free agency but also went after suitable players early in the draft. Though of course their No1 choice was Jake Long.
For the first time, I can see an argument for every single position on the roster, and only the weakness in quality at certain positions mean they won't get taken.
There are no S or TE worthy of being taken at No10. But after that ....
Interior Linemen: Despite having Levitre, Wood, Urbik and Rinehart, DeCastro is considered a can't miss prospect ... and Glenn could be pushed outside. Any one of our existing interior linemen could become trade bait and moved.
Offensive Tackles: Clearly a need and neither Reiff or Martin would represent a major reach as we've seen with other players at this position in previous drafts.
Quarterback: Tannehill possibly could slide here, and whilst I don't think he deserves to go this high, such is the premium on QBs that deeps reach. Who'd have thought Ponder would have been a No12 pick.
Wide Receiver: Blackmon won't be here but Floyd will and based on his senior season, he won't represent a reach either. A partner for Johnson would upgrade our passing game.
Running Back: Fred Jackson isn't getting any younger and Spiller is too light to carry the load. What would we do if we are on the clock and Richardson is sat there?
Defensive Tackle: We are set with Dareus and K.Williams, but behind them the depth is a little shallow especially if we rotate heavily. Carrington and Troup have yet to show a great deal. Someone like Brockers or Cox could be enticing.
Defensive End: Despite signing Mario and Anderson, pass rush was very weak last year. Anderson has also had a very mixed career. We have some youngsters like Batten and Gilbert but none proven. Someone like Ingram or Coples would revolutionise this position. I know some question Coples effort; I admire his honesty in admitting he took some plays off especially as he was being constantly double team yet still produced decent stats.
Linebacker: With Sheppard, Barnett and Morrison in place it doesn't look like a need but in my opinion Kuechly as a MLB or SAM represent as close to a can't miss prospect in this draft and would allow us to enter the season wit great depth.
Cornerback: A need, but Claiborne might slide. Do we reach for a Kirkpatrick, Gilmore or Jenkins, try to trade down or discover there are no suitable players when Round 2 rolls around.
Personally I keep thinking I've worked out who we should draft, only to find myself arguing effectively for another position. And with the exception of Tannehill, I wouldn't say WTF to any of the positions being targetted.
Ultimately, I think Quinton Coples might be the surprise choice. When teams changed defensive alignments, they often go early and heavily at that position in the draft irrespective of who they sign in free agency. Take Miami when they switched to the 3-4 defense in 2008 - they spent heavily in free agency but also went after suitable players early in the draft. Though of course their No1 choice was Jake Long.
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