DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2015 NFL Season The NFL Draft 2015 Team Needs

OK - so there is a lot to be said for BPA ... but I think you have to adjust according to team need as long as the players you are picking between are 'close' in your assessment of their ability.

So having said that - I thought I would rank areas of the team I think based on "team need" using a grading scale A-E. A = desperate need. B = significant need. C = would like to improve. D = low priority. E = Only depth needed.

QB - A+ regardless of JM's rehab think this is a huge hole (yeah I know - I'm probably the only one that sees this? )
RB - D - If we don't touch the RB's I won't have an issue
WR - B - even if we sign another Vet (I'd prefer Cecil Shorts) I'd like to draft a WR in the top 2 rounds.
OL - D - I think we need to be more dominant in the run game, but think a decent QB would give you the opportunity to run the football (eg - early last season).

DL - B - I can't see how our starting rotation is going to configure itself and based on 2014, someone (or 2 or 3) is going to be injured.
LB - D+ - I think I'd like to see an ILB and another OLB to replace Sheard, suspect someone will be signed in FA. But I think we are "okay" with who we have. If Robertson shows a little more improvement, if Kirksey improves a little, I think we have an above average set of LBs .... most especially if the DL is upgraded.
CB - D - just my opinion, but between Gilbert, Desir and Williams I think we will be okay. A vet Free Agent would settle some nerves.
Safety - E. I like Gipson and Whitner.

K - C - I'd like an upgrade but dont think the draft is the best place to do it
P - D - I am fine with Lanning
KR - A - only the second desperate need on the team. I'd possibly target a KR specialist who is a WR or CB in the 4th or 5th round.

So it's not rocket science but I am beginning to be completely convinced we need to trade up for Mariota. Depending on who and what you read - we need to trade with the Redskins at #5 which according to the Value chart is 1700 pts. I'd guess that due to how desperate we must seem - we'll have to pay closer to 2000 pts to land a trade (and hope Washinton don't end up falling in love with someone that isn't going to fall to #12). . . . This years #12 (1200 pts). Next years 1st round (probably going to be high - not sure how you allocate points?) + our 3rd (210 Pts) and 4th (108 pts) this year would put us well and truly over the seeming points comparison.

Obviously you have to have a trading partner to pull off a trade - obviously we don't know what else another team might put together - obviously I don't know what your opinion or the FO opinion of Mariota is .... but I think I have convinced myself we should do "whatever" it takes to get him. I'd take Winston if he isn't taken by the Bucs ... warts and character questions and all (that's a reversal from how I felt in during college season) .... Landing a stud WR at 12, and playing with McCown/JM is not going to help much. Signing a Shorts/Bowe FA and having Mariota throw them the ball yields better and faster returns IMO..

I don't like Marcus Mariota so I don't really care to trade the farm to move up and grab him. He's a one-read QB from a gimmicky offense. I'm just not interested in him, but that's just my personal preference.

In MY opinion, the only way we'll be competitive next year is if we can get our run game going again. If we had it my way, we would draft DT and RT at #12 and #19, so we can stop the run and effectively run the football.

I agree with you 100% that we NEED a QB but I hate the idea of trading the kitchen sink for a risky QB such as Mariota.

Biggest needs...

QB, DT/DE, RT, Pass Rusher and then a WR (or two).

Honestly, I would rather see Bryce Petty with our 2nd round pick.

I have been running that Draft Generator using the "Composite" big board. I have pretty consistently been able to grab Shelton or Brown at 12, one of the pass rusher's at 19 (Beasley, Ray, Dupree, or Armstead), Green-Beckham in the 2nd, and either Petty or Grayson in the 3rd.

I have also found that taking one of the top 3 WR with the 12th or 19th means losing out the either the high level run stoppers or pass rushers.

That said, about 1/5 to 1/4 of the time, Mariota has been falling to 12. If that were to happen for real, I would grab him and adjust.

Petty is the guy I like most in this draft. I'm not totally against Mariotta, but he's another Manziel type that would require a year or two to see if he could develop......too much ??? to trade up for. If he fell to the Browns at 12 then would understand the pick. If we traded up for another 1 read and go QB I will be done with this FO.

Whereas Hundley is vastly overvalued in this draft, Petty is undervalued imo. Most mocks have him going in the bottom of the 2nd or early 3rd. I would rate him as a bottom 1st top of the 2nd prospect. He's a similar prospect as Carr imo and that is where Carr went.

Let's just add my thoughts.

QB - A - Obvious, but I don't see Mariota or Winston available, and don't see a move.
RB - C - For here, a third down back/KR/PR type here (see below)
FB - B - These are valued low, and I would like a selection.
WR - A - I am pretty sure need trumps Farmers previously stated opinion.
OL - D - Backup/developmental players only.
TE - B - I do see a pick here, I can't tell you where by I am hoping in the top 4 rounds.
DL - C - Influenced by the Starks signing. I would not be surprised if we went with Shelton (12) or Brown (19).
LB - C - Not really seeing a need here.
CB - C - The Williams signing probably settles this.
S - D - I don't see the need for this year.
K - B - I would not be mind a pick here.
P - B - I would be happy with a replacement for Lanning, who is below average at best.
KR - A - A real need here.
PR - A - Also a real need.

We need a stud WR, DL, OL and LB. There are no stud QB's after the first 2.

Exactly, so what you have to do in a case like that is draft as many playmakers as you can on both O and D so when you finally get your qb he has a very good supporting cast. Add as much talent as you can. Terry Bradshaw would have never been what he was if he didn't have all that talent around him.

You mean like the way the Colts drafted Marvin Harrison and Tarik Glenn right before they drafted Peyton Manning, then added Edgerin James and Reggie Wayne within a couple years after?

That's a good example yes. Keep your picks and draft the players you need to fill the holes. Msn Fox sports had what I feel was a good 7 rd Browns draft. We need playmakers on both sides of the ball.