Assume Banks (13), Campbell (5), Membou (7) and Booker (14) are gone at 25 and your OL choices are Simmons (25), Zabel (31), Jackson (36), Esery (41), Williams (42), Conerly (46), Savalenaea (49), Milam (50), Mbow (59) and Ratlege (61) who may not be there at 58. Who do you choose if OL is your priority? The three most commonly mentioned are Simmons, Zabel and Jackson with each having their own true believers. I'm looking at Milam as someone I wouldn't want to miss, but I'm perhaps too enamored with Draftbuzz reports which are dated.
I've used PFF, PFN, and NFL Draft Buzz. I think PFN is the most realistic. https://www.profootballnetwork.com/
The problem for the past two years was that when Collins, Dell, or Diggs went out, we had zero quality depth. At the end of last season we essentially had ONE legitimate receiver because Metchie/Hutchinson struggled (apparently) to get open. I like the idea of getting Golden/Egbuka/Luther in the first and then grabbing one more in the third so that, hopefully, we have FOUR guys that are legitimate weapons. As for TE I think we're stuck for another season.
Maybe Nick should ask CJ if he wants an OL or WR with the first pick. My guess is that CJ and Nick will want to grab the best WR at 25 and find interior help in later rounds.
I'm not sure that you wouldn't get both with a better OL. I still hold out hope for Metchie and Huchinson if CJ has an extra half second.
Just guessing - but if the season started tomorrow, I think they'd feel better about their OL than WR room. They don't really have a viable starter on the roster beyond Collins & Kirk (Dell); maybe Metchie - but he's now beyond Kirk on the depth chart. I think they need two WRs they'd be comfortable starting if Collins were hurt. And it's why I think they're going WR in round 1 if it makes sense.
Jackson, I would have thought Simmons, but with our FA moves getting tackles, there is no reason to risk him, although there is an argument to be made that this would give him time to heal. Zabel maybe if we didn't now have Patterson AND Scruggs competing for C, don't need a 3rd for one position. Jackson is a guard, who had to do the backwards move of kicking OUT to tackle to replace Simmons and did a really good job. Putting him back to guard but having his ability to play tackle in a pinch will be great, could help kick Howard back out if one of the new tackles isnt working and/or solidify the other guard spot.
Give me Loveland in the 1st and either either of the Iowa St. WR's in the 2nd. Or go BPA in Rds 1-2 and pick Kyle Williams who can play the Y or Z positions as well as KR/PR at 3-79. I wouldn't be against picking Isiah Bond in the 3rd. I know he had a bad year, but he's talented and Both Williams/Bond have the speed to stretch defenses. Bond ran a 4.39 on a hurt ankle.
Very few if any teams have 4 "legitimate" TE/WR weapons can manufacture separation based on technique and/or skills. Maybe if you include 1 or 2 guys are just great at contested catches, but even those plays are not a safe bet. For the depth guys or the last few receiving options on a particular play, it should really be the scheme and/or threat of the running game that gets them open. Maybe a guy who just a has knack for finding holes/soft spots in zones.
Drafting Loveland and Kyle Williams would give you these weapons. Like I've said, go watch Kyle Williams and tell me that there's a big difference between his game and Golden's game. Then if you doubt what you saw on the game film, then go back and watch the Sr. Bowl practices and get back with me. Williams can get separation.
Loveland is outstanding. Here is his evaluation from PFN. Colston LovelandTEMichigan Height: 6 - 5 |Weight: 248 lbs |RAS: N/A Colston Loveland is a long and lean tight end prospect with excellent overall athleticism. He is a natural receiving tight end who was grossly under-used throughout his collegiate career. He aligned all over the formation for the Wolverines but was at his best operating detached from the line of scrimmage and in the slot. Loveland is a smooth mover with good speed off the line of scrimmage. He is a long strider who quickly chews up grass and gets down the field. He flashes very good overall straight-line speed and has the ability to stretch the seam
I'll trust your analysis. I don't really have the time to delve into the tape. My point was just that from a resource (draft picks/cap space) and roster construction, I'm not sure spending that much on WR/TE is the best strategy. One day 1/2 pick sure, but not 2. Now if they can scout some diamonds in rough from day 3 picks or UDFA, by all means. I just think the high leverage picks should be spent more on Offensive Line and up the spine of the defense.
I would like Zabel, then Ersery. I see Zabel as a future pro bowler. I see Ersery as the best OT fit. I don't want a defensive lineman in the 1st, but I like the idea of drafting CB Jadhae Barron here. He's a CB with speed that can play inside and outside.. The drop-off from Lassiter and Stingley to the next CB is huge. No bigger drop-off from starter to nonstarter than at CB.
I heard my first concern voiced about Zabel and his senior bowl performance. It appears he might have been jumping the count which is what Tunsil does to gain an edge. I do NOT want more of the same.
I prefer Jackson over Zabel, but seeing him jump the count during drills makes me wonder if he has been doing the same in games. I want to look into that before completely casting him aside for others. So far, I have yet to see him jump the count in games the way he did during drills.
Remember guys this is deception time. The closer we get to the draft expect rumors and complaints about top prospects to suddenly surface as the PSYOPS campaign begins. Goal is to get your guy to slip to your range or pick. I'm not saying the above isn't true, just that I'd take it with a grain of salt. Like the stuff that came out on Ohio State LT.
If he's playing C you dont have to worry about this. I didn't see this at the Sr. Bowl. However if true most false starts occur because of lack of communication between the center and the rest of the OL. Also false starts shouldn't be as big of an issue for the OG's vs the OT's because they're lined up next to the Center/ball.
