I don't usually clamor for draft picks, but I'd love for the Browns to pick him up. Where do you think he will get drafted, and where would you be comfortable drafting him?
My ideal scenario involves us trading back a few spots from 4, and using that second round pick on Hyde.
If we've already picked a QB, one of the top corners, and Skov, then I'd be ok with taking him in the third. He's my #2 RB in the draft but I really want those other players and we don't really need Hyde.
If we didn't have Tate I'd only be OK with taking him in the third. I don't think he's a top 40 rb.
It'd be nice to get him but he seems on par w other prospects, not the clear cut best that many see to see him to be. I'm thinking we hit other needs & get a RB later on after Hyde is gone.
I Wouldn't mind Hyde (NFL your need 2 good backs) but only if we somehow slide down a little and gain perhaps an extra 2nd round pick...then maybe Hyde comes in play...I don't see Hyde sliding out of round 2...perhaps
1a. QB Bridgewater- slide down pick up a second round pick
1b. WR Brandon Cooks- electric WR to pair with Gordon
2a OG Sua Filo- our mobile guard
2b RB Hyde- RB to run the winter winds with
3a. CB Stanley-Baptiste- finally size in our small secondary
3b ILB Christian Jones- our LB to pair inside with Dansby
4a OT Fleming - swing tackle finally OT depth
4b. ILB Smallwood- Dansby successor and depth yes a double dip at the position
Rest of the draft I'd secure depth on the lines perhaps even USC Kennard as an OLB, perhaps double dip at QB spot (not sure with VY on board) I love CB Carrington Byndom as our 7th round pick...5'11 177lbs 4.37 speed 37' vert...and as a Texas db lots of expierence against the pass
I'd take him in the second round. I think he will be a great back in the NFL.
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I'd take him in the second round. I think he will be a great back in the NFL.
I'd take him with our first 3rd maybe, the fact that we have Tate makes me not want to spend high on an RB... Mainly because I'm sure he has some performance escalators in his contract he'd be upset about...
I'd be fine with a guy like Care in the 4th.
I prefer Tre Mason over Hyde anyways. Like them both.
I would rather take a plus level CB over a plus level RB with our 2nd round pick.
Give me a QB and a pair of CB with our 1st 3 picks, and an ILB after that and I'll be happy. Grab purely the best available after that, and build depth, and future starters. This is the draft to build a team with ..... maybe not a lot of sure things at the QB spot, but man, a team can fix a lot of problems with this draft.
We had 6 Pro Bowl players last year, with Thomas, Mack, Gordon, Cameron, Haden, and Ward,
We have potential Pro Bowl level players in Dansby, Whitner, Bryant, and maybe Rubin and/or Taylor, depending on how our defense develops under Pettine ...... and Tate on offense, if Shanahan works his usual RB magic.
Man, there is talent on this team. Not all of it is All Pro level ..... but there is significant talent here. Now we must get the QB spot right, and we need to make sure that our secondary, especially CB, is as deep and talented as it can be.
I get excited every year, and always get let down ...... but I really think that we are heading in the right direction, I really love some of the off-season moves the team made this year, and with 10 picks in this coming draft, and with many in "impact player" range .... and with the division in a down mode ...... man, this is the time to make a big move upward in the division.
Is it May 8th yet?
I can't wait! It's like I'm 5 years old and Christmas is right around the corner. Sure I've gotten coal a few times lately ..... but with enough heat and pressure, coal can become a diamond.
Hyde actually reminds me of a bigger Ben Tate.
I'd take him in the 4th.
Too many better players in front of him and too many teams needs in other areas to be burning a pick on him any earlier.
I'd be fine with him in the third but I think he goes late 2nd
I'm glad we got Ben Tate, but we still lack depth at feature-running back. I like Baker and Lewis, but I don't see them as every down RB's. The Browns need to take a bigger RB in the draft, and Hyde is the best of the larger every-down backs, imo. Most of the other ranked RB's hover around 200-205 lbs. The trouble is, like you, I think that they'll need to move back into the late 2nd round to get him. Backup plan might be to take Terrance West, Towson St (5-9, 225, 4.5 / 40) in the 4th round. I only saw him play once, but he was very impressive, albeit against a lesser, small college opponent.
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I'd be fine with him in the third but I think he goes late 2nd
I agree. I think that the 3rd is entirely appropriate for us ....... but I don't think that he'll still be there then.
I wouldn't take him unless he fell. There are too many backs of close value to take one at a spot we can still get a starter at say OG, ILB or FS. I think teams will think the same. I'd be surprised if more than 1 or 2 backs go in the 2nd.
No WAY do we take Hyde in the second round. Only way we'll even consider taking him at all (possibly) is if he still happens to be there in the 3rd. With Ben Tate already on the roster, we have no clear need for a #1 RB and too many needs at other positions like corner, guard & receiver. I'm assuming we also take an ILB fairly high, (Mack? Mosely? Both? Borland or Skov later?) and a FS possibly at some point, (though Gipson seems to be coming on and liked by the staff). It's likely we do pick a running back at some point, but chances are pretty good IMHO it'll be in the 4th round or later.
Whether they take Hyde or not, I think you need 2 good every-down RB's on a team because of the beating they take, and they need to be NFL sized, as in +220lbs. Tate's injury history, and the fact that Houston did best with a rotation (60-40%) of Foster and Tate point to a need for another RB like him. I don't think Baker, Lewis, or Whitaker fill that bill. Ideally, Hyde falls to the Browns first 3rd round pick and they grab him. I'm hoping that the trendy-current NFL view that devalues RB will lead to that happening. If I could envision the Browns as I'd like them to be, it would be a run-first, clock-eating offense and a shutdown defense that gets lots of 3-and-outs. Everything old is new in the NFL and I'd like the Browns to be at the forefront of the Neo Ground-and-Pound Era.
No argument there. I could see us taking Hyde if he fell far enough. I could also see us taking Jeremy Hill, Andre Williams, Seastrunk, Charles Sims or Storm Johnson. The draft is deep at RB, one that fits Shanahan's system will be there when we're ready to pick one. I believe that a good, very good, running game will be part of our success.
Personally, with the signings we've had this offseason (the most solid we've had in a long time) I'd rather get some starting level linemen to the right of Thomas. We have two solid linemen that we can count on to do their job every play. I wouldn't mind Watkins at 4, but if we slid back in the first (not too far mind you) got ourselves some extra picks this year while we were at it and built another version of the Hogs from the Theisman/Riggins days we'd be doing quite well.
With the extra picks we get from a move like that we could move back up and get other needs taken care of also.
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No argument there. I could see us taking Hyde if he fell far enough. I could also see us taking Jeremy Hill, Andre Williams, Seastrunk, Charles Sims or Storm Johnson. The draft is deep at RB, one that fits Shanahan's system will be there when we're ready to pick one. I believe that a good, very good, running game will be part of our success.
I agree. There are a lot of backs of pretty much equal talent.
Hyde might be the best, but he isn't the best by that much, and he isn't the next OJ Simpson or Emmitt Smith, so I wouldn't burn a high pick on him, or any back this year.
For our team, we can get equal value....back-up.... in the 4th/5th round.
As I always ramble, I wouldn't spend anything before the 4th on RB.
With this regime going ground and pound I care less about that. I think we can find nearly the same value if we wait past Hyde, but I like the idea of grabbing OSU players if they want to stay in Ohio. For what it is worth Hyde grew up in Cinci and then went to Florida for high school so I doubt he's a lifelong browns fan.
Are there any talented backs who have fallen due to injury or drug problems this season? I'd be happiest grabbing a Lattimore or Bryce Brown type guy if we could.
I'm an Ohio State fan, and of course a Hyde fan. Even with that if I were Ray Farmer I'd wait and address some other needs before taking a RB who will be #2 to Tate. I think Andre Williams of Boston College is the guy they are targeting in the 4th round. I am fine with that. I like his physicality. I think he's suited to a zone blocking scheme. Although he's a big power back he's shown that he can get to the outside. His pass catching skills are suspect but I can live with that.
I like him, but maybe round three, late second if we engineer a swap. Think he could be very solid on a limited basis, but not in the first round and a half for my taste. But a solid option, JMHO.
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I'm an Ohio State fan, and of course a Hyde fan. Even with that if I were Ray Farmer I'd wait and address some other needs before taking a RB who will be #2 to Tate. I think Andre Williams of Boston College is the guy they are targeting in the 4th round. I am fine with that. I like his physicality. I think he's suited to a zone blocking scheme. Although he's a big power back he's shown that he can get to the outside. His pass catching skills are suspect but I can live with that.
God I hope not. All of the guys yards came from extra effort that led to a ridiculous number of fumbles. If someone tries to make him hold onto the ball he's no more than a Hillis clone without the hands. History shows the best backs are between 200-220. I hope we dont go for a bruiser.
Maybe we aren't talking about the same guy, I don't know. Williams played 43 games in his Boston College career. He had 10 fumbles, lost 6 in his entire career. Not great but not alarming either.
I almost feel silly rebutting this one. Weight is somewhat arbitrary. Anyway he's reported to be about 230 lbs. Coincidentally, two of this years highest rated RBs also weigh 230 lbs. Carlos Hyde and Jeremy Hill.
Tate will be the featured back. We have guys who can give a change-of-pace or be the 3rd down specialist. What we don't have is more than one guy who runs with power.
Baker might not be a bulldozer, but he runs with authority.
Hyde WILL BE THE 1ST RB taken... And he wont get past the 2nd round.
I'm taking all bets.
As far as having Tate and no need to draft RB High..... Tate has had injury issues and being a 2nd back and not the featured back on the team makes him suspect. No one prepares for the 2nd RB. I think most ppls confidence in Tate is way too high. He is a nice addition but doesnt solve our problem when we have ZERO depth at RB. If he gets hurt or underperforms, who do we have to fill in.... NO ONE.
There is a definite need to find a quality back in this draft. I want Hyde or Tre Mason. If they draft the kid from BC i will scream (he's so overrated and bust written all over him)
I am not saying we don't need to take a back in this draft.
All I am saying is I doubt it happens before round 4, but hey....if we select Hyde in the 2nd, I won't bet all bunched up even though I feel we can find starting players for this year in round 2 rather than adding depth with the pick.
Let's worry about the starting 22 and worry a little less on the 32 or so support players.
With the way that RB's are being devalued (which I will never grasp) I'd bet that as good as Hyde is, he falls past the second round.
I was listening to Sirius NFL radio Friday afternoon where they were having a fan mock draft. They got a fan of each team to send in their top 5 picks for the first round for their team. They pre-assigned one fan for each team. Whoever our guy was the choose Mack at #4. I was happy with that pick.
As the picks went on it was clear the fans were staying away from QB's and this I found interesting, as it came time for our 26th pick no qb's had been taken. Our 26th, I was thinking it would be Bortles, Manziel or Bridgewater but no, the guy must be a flaming OSU homer, he chose Hyde.
Is there something in the water in Ohio that just keeps people from exercising good judgement when someone from OSU is still on the board?
To be fair, most of the OSU homers here - me included - are saying they'd like to pick up Hyde in the 3rd round at pick #71, but think he *might* be gone in the late 2nd round. He is the top rated RB on at least half of the "experts" boards, and no lower than 2nd or 3rd on most of them that I've seen. Although maybe there was something in the water that your Sirius mock drafter was drinking, like whiskey.
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To be fair, most of the OSU homers here - me included - are saying they'd like to pick up Hyde in the 3rd round at pick #71, but think he *might* be gone in the late 2nd round. He is the top rated RB on at least half of the "experts" boards, and no lower than 2nd or 3rd on most of them that I've seen. Although maybe there was something in the water that your Sirius mock drafter was drinking, like whiskey.
Now now, lets not pick on whiskey drinkers!
No sir, I'm partial to it myself ... in moderation, of course.
Just draft Jerrick McKinnon in the back end of the 4th. He'll be just as good as Hyde and Mason without the cost of a 2nd.
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With the way that RB's are being devalued (which I will never grasp) I'd bet that as good as Hyde is, he falls past the second round.
I think they are being devalued a bit because there really aren't all that many special players...like Peterson. I think coach's have found out that yards gained is mostly about opportunity. Give darn near any of these guys the right number of carries and they are going to land at 1200 yards for the year....or close....especially if you have a decent offensive line.
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I was listening to Sirius NFL radio Friday afternoon where they were having a fan mock draft. They got a fan of each team to send in their top 5 picks for the first round for their team. They pre-assigned one fan for each team. Whoever our guy was the choose Mack at #4. I was happy with that pick.
As the picks went on it was clear the fans were staying away from QB's and this I found interesting, as it came time for our 26th pick no qb's had been taken. Our 26th, I was thinking it would be Bortles, Manziel or Bridgewater but no, the guy must be a flaming OSU homer, he chose Hyde.
Is there something in the water in Ohio that just keeps people from exercising good judgement when someone from OSU is still on the board?
I'll admit I am OSU homer but I even wouldnt take him at 26. I would think about it in the 2nd rd, depending who is still on the board, and if he's there a top of the 3rd, I'm grabbing him with no hesitation.
The only way I see us taking him if we get some extra picks from a trade down. And once again, everybody believes Tate is the answer, I hope its true but either way we have no running game if he flails or gets injured.
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I'll admit I am OSU homer but I even wouldnt take him at 26. I would think about it in the 2nd rd, depending who is still on the board, and if he's there a top of the 3rd, I'm grabbing him with no hesitation.
Going to have to agree to all of this. RB's seem almost depressing now. I'm fine rolling in with Tate, Baker and Dion Lewis. As you said though, if he's there in the second factoring in who is still around for the pickings - maybe. If he slips to the third, which I don't see possible given he'll likely be the first RB selected in the draft - then heck yeah you had better take him!
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With the way that RB's are being devalued (which I will never grasp) I'd bet that as good as Hyde is, he falls past the second round.
I think they are being devalued a bit because there really aren't all that many special players...like Peterson. I think coach's have found out that yards gained is mostly about opportunity. Give darn near any of these guys the right number of carries and they are going to land at 1200 yards for the year....or close....especially if you have a decent offensive line.
Yup, that certainly worked out well for TRich LOL
But I get your drift..
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With the way that RB's are being devalued (which I will never grasp) I'd bet that as good as Hyde is, he falls past the second round.
I think they are being devalued a bit because there really aren't all that many special players...like Peterson. I think coach's have found out that yards gained is mostly about opportunity. Give darn near any of these guys the right number of carries and they are going to land at 1200 yards for the year....or close....especially if you have a decent offensive line.
IMHO they are being devalued because 1) it has become "a passing league". More value is placed on the supporting players in that aspect of the game. For example, while the RB's stock has dropped, the TE's stock has sky rocketed. And 2) because much value at the position has been found in later rounds. With the success of (insert the name of your favorite late round success story here) the need to draft a RB high has proven unnecessary, and in our case, even folly.
Bottom line though is that good teams need a good running game and that the winning teams all have one. The key is finding a system that allows for success in the run game and a back or two who fits that system.
We'll see next year how devalued they are when/if Gurley and Yeldon come out.
LOL, by next year it's possible that the tide will have turned yet again. As I stated, all the good teams have a good running game, and it's likely that this will once again start to be noticed and imitated. Everything old is new again.
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LOL, by next year it's possible that the tide will have turned yet again. As I stated, all the good teams have a good running game, and it's likely that this will once again start to be noticed and imitated. Everything old is new again.
While I do agree with this, I don't believe it will be a sudden turnaround. I believe we will see players who may have been extremely good RB's decide to play other positions instead. I mean if you had the option of playing a position that was in high money demand, rather than play a position that was being devalued, which would you choose?
I can't remember which RB it was, but just last week one of them said they had the option of playing S. That in retrospect, if he had it to do over again, he would have went that route. So I believe we will see a trend where the most elite athletes that may have chosen the RB position before, will not pursue the position.
I believe the days of seeing elite RB's could be taking a very long vacation.
That was our very own Ben Tate.
That said, I don't think it's their choice
I believe athlete's always have a choice. If I'm a high school football coach, I want elite athletes. I'm not going to force an elite athlete out of my program by being stubborn. If he's actually elite, he will be a great asset at more than one position.
Once he gets to the NCAA level, being elite he will have the choice of schools and programs. He has choices.
I've seen a lot of midwest high school football and it's all just Marty Ball. I don't know how the South or California do it, but all I'm saying is that if some of these schools had Megatron on their teams, they'd still be running that triple option. I think Greg Little is a great example of this. At 6'2 the guy should not be playing RB, but he was.
Uh Oh. Look out. Mary Kay's Tweetin' that Hyde is on our radar for pick # 35.
KFFL
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Uh Oh. Look out. Mary Kay's Tweetin' that Hyde is on our radar for pick # 35.
KFFL
I'd love to have Hyde.
In the 3rd round.
I don't want to spend a 2nd on an RB, when we just signed one..
Unless the offense is going to be VERY run heavy... Which I don't think it is, or should be, we have the makings of a really balanced owffense...
If we take Robinson at 4 and Hyde at 35, I will be furious beyond words. I think that both moves would be wasted moves.
However, since reports of this kind are rarely true, hopefully I'll be a happy camper on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
I can't say I'd be "furious" to aquire two players of Robinson and Hydes calibur.
I just don't think we need those specific people at that junction. I'd rather get a 3rd round G and a "sleeper" RB... Better value IMO.
I just want the draft to be over with honestly. It's to the point I'm not even excited anymore.
Given the dire, desperate need we have at QB, ILB, and CB, I would be furious with a RT and a RB with 2 of our top 3 picks.
I love Joe Thomas, both as a player, and as a Cleveland Brown ..... but let's be honest ...... how many games has the best LT in the game helped us win? We have great talent on the OL in Thomas and mack, and solid players in Greco and Schwartz. If they draft Robinson, it better be because they have a 1st or 2nd round offer for Schwartz. I would not even really be a fan of dumping him at this point, because I think that he will be much better back in a WCO/ZBS scheme.
Besides, our OL was pretty damn good when any QB not named Weeden was under Center, and when either Obi or Baker tried to run behind them. I just simply do not se a desperate need there. I think a RT at 4 would be an enormous waste.
I think you are overstating our need at ILB and CB slightly.
Dire? Desperate? Come on now.
Skrine is a solid #2 corner, can he be improved upon? Of course, does replacing him make our depth better? Yes. But you don't HAVE to replace HIM to make the depth better. And I say that as a guy that would love Fuller at 26.
I'm completely fine with a guy like Borland from WI or Bullough from MSU at ILB, and you might be able to get one of them at the top of the 3rd, if not, move it up to the 2nd.
We don't need 10 drafted rookies coming in. Use those later picks to get better players.
I would be ecstatic with
4: QB Bridgewater/Manziel
26: CB Fuller
35: WR Matthews
71: LB Borland
83: G Richardson
106: RB Sims
127: S Reynolds
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4: QB Bridgewater/Manziel
26: CB Fuller
35: WR Matthews
71: LB Borland
83: G Richardson
106: RB Sims
127: S Reynolds
Give me this ... with Manziel as that first player drafted (ideally if we trade back to 6-10 and acquire another 2nd/3rd, and then draft him)
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I'd be fine with him in the third but I think he goes late 2nd
I think you're right.
I need to do some research. Who has been on IR more, Ben Tate or Sam Bradford?
My bet is Tate.
Tate - Twice, His Rookie year when he broke his ankle in the preseason. And last year he missed the last two games (of a 2-12 season) with broken ribs. He's never played in less than 11 games.
Bradford - Once, Last season he missed the last 9 games after being put on IR, he missed 6 games in 2011, but was never placed on IR
15 games in 4 years for a QB.
8 games in 3 years for a RB. (Not counting his missed rookie season)
The guy that gets hit every play he ouches the ball misses more than the guy that isn't supposed to get hit every play, who knew?
j/c
Don;t see why we'd go second round for a RB when we picked up a good on in FA. There's a few different running backs that will be available in the 3rd and even beyond that have good potential.
And honestly, there's something about Hyde I don't trust. Can't quite put my finger on it but I have a feeling playing against bigger, faster defences every week, he's not going to be what he was in college.
For running backs, I like that Sims kid from W. Virginia or Bishop Sankey from Washington.
Not sure why we always get linked to Hyde. He is not a ZBS running back -- and Shanahan is known for only drafting guys who fit his scheme (usually waiting until the late rounds to do it).
Of course - Shanahan isn't in charge of the draft. But if the FO hired him (probably after an interview where he talked up the ZBS for this team)- i would think they would be paying attention to the type of RB he wants.
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Don;t see why we'd go second round for a RB when we picked up a good on in FA. There's a few different running backs that will be available in the 3rd and even beyond that have good potential.
GREAT potential . . .
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He is not a ZBS running back -- and Shanahan is known for only drafting guys who fit his scheme (usually waiting until the late rounds to do it).
What type of RB fits this system? In general and in THIS draft?
Honestly only thought if you were fast enough, can hit the hole, block, & catch you were a fit.
I'd love to have two punishers running the ball.
Mack and Byer come to mind.
Not sure I want that 2nd pick accomplishing that.
I'd like a corner myself.
Kevin Mack. Only jersey I've ever owned. The one I still wear.
I don't think using a 2nd round pick on a running back in this draft would be wise. There is great depth at the running back position, we can get one who can play much later in the draft. Also, we should use our second round pick on a player who can help us at a position of more need (corner, guard, wide receiver, inside linebacker).
I agree. With the addition of Tate, with Baker looking pretty good at the end of the season, with adding a legit FB, I might take a late round flyer on a RB but I wouldn't do it first or second day.
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I think you are overstating our need at ILB and CB slightly.
Dire? Desperate? Come on now.
Skrine is a solid #2 corner, can he be improved upon? Of course, does replacing him make our depth better? Yes. But you don't HAVE to replace HIM to make the depth better. And I say that as a guy that would love Fuller at 26.
I'm completely fine with a guy like Borland from WI or Bullough from MSU at ILB, and you might be able to get one of them at the top of the 3rd, if not, move it up to the 2nd.
We don't need 10 drafted rookies coming in. Use those later picks to get better players.
I would be ecstatic with
4: QB Bridgewater/Manziel
26: CB Fuller
35: WR Matthews
71: LB Borland
83: G Richardson
106: RB Sims
127: S Reynolds
What happened last year when teams lined up 3 or 4 wide against us? We have Haden, who is a very good CB. (though I don't know if he is "great") Skrine is a solid #2 Corner, probably better suited to play in the slot. Who else do we have? Want to trust McFadden to cover even a #3 receiver? What about that 4th? Maybe we throw a S on him, but is that optimal?
I want to be able to play against a 4-5 receiver spread, and actually be able to cover them. That takes quality CBs. We have 2 right now. That's it. If either guy gets hurt, we're screwed.
In the last 3 years. Haden has played 15, 11, and 15 games. What do we do when he gets dinged and misses a game or 2? How about if we're in the middle of a playoff push?
No, the need for quality CBs, both a starter, and top end depth, is vital if this team wants to win. After QB, I can think of no position in more dire straits right now.
ILB is also a mess right now. (outside of Dansby) We signed a guy who is decent depth, but who has played something like 7 games in the past 3 years. We need to find the guy who can not only play alongside Dansby, but who can anchor the ILB unit in a couple of years when Dansby retires. ILB is a dual need in that regard. We have no one to fill that position as a starter right now, and have limited backup options. Robertson is probably our best option right now. Want to play with him at ILB? 
The problem with ILB is that there are limited options in this draft. We'll probably take one of the (far) second tier ILB in the 3rd/4th rounds. I hope we take 2 in this draft.
Anyway, I stick with my original opinion. Our 1st 3 picks should be a QB and a pair of CB, unless Mosley drops to us at 26. I would still take CBs as high as the remaining available players can be justified.
If we have to go into this coming year with Robertson at ILB, and a backup/N/D CB corps consisting of McFadden, Heath, Trufant, Poyer, and Hughes ...... then our defense will be as fragile as it was last year, and susceptible to breaking at any time. I don't want that to happen. Plus, having vastly improved CB play would help a guy like Gipson as well.
Our defense is really close to being an elite unit. We should do what it takes to take that next step.
On offense, we need a QB. That is our biggest need. Put a guy like Roethlisberger on this team, and it would be an upper level offense. Having exceptional receivers like Gordon at WR, and Cameron at TE, along with Tate now at RB, and almost any QB would be thrilled to see those weapons available for him to use.I think that we have enough complimentary/role receivers to manage the 3rd-5th options for the QB. We also do have Hawkins as one of thse extra weapons.
Man, I look at our offense, and really, QB is the screaming weakness. We return 80% of the OL unit that was so exceptional 2 seasons ago when we last played in the WCO. They allowed only 36 sacks to Brandon Weeden and Co. that year. That is very good. I believe that we can fill the G spot opposite Greco internally. We spent extra roster spots last year developing young OL. We need to see what we have.
I like out top 3 RB, Tate, Baker, and Lewis. Add in Obi as a solid option as well, and the group is solid. I would like to add one more to the group, but this is a quality unit.
Our WR corps starts with Josh Gordon, and that's a great place to start. Hawkins is a slot-supreme guy. We have Little, who for all of his flaws, is still an incredible blocker, and one of the hardest worked on the team. We signed Burleson to add to our group of guys who play opposite Gordon. He is a guy who understands running routes, and should be an excellent piece of the puzzle.
TE is Cameron, He's only a Pro Bowler, like 3 of his offensive teammates.
I remember back in 2007, when we had a QB who could get the ball down the field. We had Edwards, Jurevicius, and Winslow. We had an incredible passing attack. Who was our 3rd receiver that year? Can anyone remember? I can't. Cribbs played some ..... but 3 catches for 37 yards wasn't exactly a huge contribution. No matter, DA still threw for almost 3800 yards, and 29 TD.
The QB is our biggest, deepest hole on offense. I wish that I could believe that Hoyer is the answer, but I don't think that we can count on it. If we can get the QB right, I think that this offense is primed to explode. We need to grab the guy we feel has the highest potential, and start developing him.
Get the QB right. Give this team a quality starter there. Once that's done, the offense will come together. This is the 2014 NFL. Pass the ball, Stop the pass, Win games. If we get the QB right, there is no reason why we can't see a 2007-like explosion.
Fill a couple fo massive holes on defense, and the defense can make moves towards becoming an elite unit.
QB/CB/CB/ILB/ILB. These are the holes that need filled in order for this to happen.
This team can be one of those huge surprise teams, if we address our needs smartly. IMHO, that means adding a QB, a pair of CB, and a pair of ILB to compete for the starting spot. . All other spots are luxuries.
Your thinking is solid but not taking a WR in a draft so rich with them would be madness. I'm not saying top pick but we can pick up great talent in the 3rd round at WR this year.
I'm in agreement we should get another corner and another ILB- but I actually think we need a new ILB worse as Craig Robertson should not be a starter on this D.
If Moseley is there at 26 or close enough to 26 that we can trade up using a late rounder, I'd be all over it. As really after him, the talent gets pretty ordinary pretty fast.
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What happened last year when teams lined up 3 or 4 wide against us? We have Haden, who is a very good CB. (though I don't know if he is "great") Skrine is a solid #2 Corner, probably better suited to play in the slot. Who else do we have? Want to trust McFadden to cover even a #3 receiver? What about that 4th? Maybe we throw a S on him, but is that optimal?
You kind of just proved my point by saying Skrine is a solid #2. I'm not saying don't draft a CB, I'm just saying we don't HAVE to spend a 1st round pick on a CB, because replacing the #3 is the same as replacing the #2, you're still improving depth..
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I want to be able to play against a 4-5 receiver spread, and actually be able to cover them.
Then by your standards our first 3 picks should be CBs? No team can say they have 5 good corners, not even the Seahawks.
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If either guy gets hurt, we're screwed.
Never plan for something you have control over, aka injuries.
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In the last 3 years. Haden has played 15, 11, and 15 games. What do we do when he gets dinged and misses a game or 2? How about if we're in the middle of a playoff push?
Again, you're planning for injuries, And didn't our D play pretty well when Haden was out for 4 games? If the defense as a unit can't handle someone missing a game, then that's a whole nother problem
No, the need for quality CBs, both a starter, and top end depth, is vital if this team wants to win. After QB, I can think of no position in more dire straits right now.
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ILB is also a mess right now. (outside of Dansby) We signed a guy who is decent depth, but who has played something like 7 games in the past 3 years. We need to find the guy who can not only play alongside Dansby, but who can anchor the ILB unit in a couple of years when Dansby retires. ILB is a dual need in that regard. We have no one to fill that position as a starter right now, and have limited backup options. Robertson is probably our best option right now. Want to play with him at ILB? The problem with ILB is that there are limited options in this draft. We'll probably take one of the (far) second tier ILB in the 3rd/4th rounds. I hope we take 2 in this draft.
Do I want to play a guy that has experience, and is still reaching his potential? Sure. Would I like to improve on it? Of course. I don't see your doom and gloom "messy" ILB situation, we need an ILB, draft one. Boom, done, in a couple years, draft another..
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Anyway, I stick with my original opinion. Our 1st 3 picks should be a QB and a pair of CB, unless Mosley drops to us at 26. I would still take CBs as high as the remaining available players can be justified.
I think taking two of the same position in your first three picks is a waste, when theres more talented players at other positions out there...
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If we have to go into this coming year with Robertson at ILB, and a backup/N/D CB corps consisting of McFadden, Heath, Trufant, Poyer, and Hughes ...... then our defense will be as fragile as it was last year, and susceptible to breaking at any time. I don't want that to happen.
Yeah, it'd be great to have Pro Bowlers at every single position, is also highly unlikely..
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Plus, having vastly improved CB play would help a guy like Gipson as well.
I think the greatest help we could ever give Gipson is Whitner.
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Our defense is really close to being an elite unit. We should do what it takes to take that next step.
One more CB, and a starting ILB.
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On offense, we need a QB.
Duh.
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We also do have Hawkins as one of thse extra weapons.
I believe we're going to use Hawkins a lot more than you think...
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QB/CB/CB/ILB/ILB. These are the holes that need filled in order for this to happen.
I think it's crazy you want to draft two CBs and two ILBs.
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Kevin Mack. Only jersey I've ever owned. The one I still wear.
Without a young, hard running, big back I think we are still missing a big piece.
If Carlos Hyde is that guy, go get him!
I don't know Hyde. Does he run hard, really hard? Is he tough?
How does he compare to Lacy?
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Kevin Mack. Only jersey I've ever owned. The one I still wear.
Without a young, hard running, big back I think we are still missing a big piece.
If Carlos Hyde is that guy, go get him!
I don't know Hyde. Does he run hard, really hard? Is he tough?
How does he compare to Lacy?
Very similar... Hyde is a beast. Big, Fast, sees the holes well, can block,... He reminds me of Eddie George but with better hands.
Reminds me more of Beanie Wells.
Actually, he reminds me of Kevin Mack.
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Reminds me more of Beanie Wells.
Agreed.
Whoa!!!
Beanie Wells is NOT Kevin Mack!
Which one is it?
If he is really big, fast, runs hard, and is tough, what is the problem?
What is going on with this dude?
Is he a significant drop off from Eddie Lacy?
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Reminds me more of Beanie Wells.
Agreed.
Nothing like Beanie Wells IMO....Hyde is a hard runner that I never saw let up like Wells did.
Hyde is like the MACK !
I love watching Carlos Hyde play. He's a bulldog in the backfield and he's a tough as nails runner, but I wouldn't pick him at R2 #35. If Hyde's gone by the time we pick in the 3rd Round, I would give a legitimate look at Washington RB Bishop Sankey. Sankey's an under the radar talent IMO.
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I love watching Carlos Hyde play. He's a bulldog in the backfield and he's a tough as nails runner, but I wouldn't pick him at R2 #35. If Hyde's gone by the time we pick in the 3rd Round, I would give a legitimate look at Washington RB Bishop Sankey. Sankey's an under the radar talent IMO.
I like Sankey too but both will be gone by the 3rd.
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Whoa!!!
Beanie Wells is NOT Kevin Mack!
Which one is it?
If he is really big, fast, runs hard, and is tough, what is the problem?
What is going on with this dude?
Is he a significant drop off from Eddie Lacy?
Actually he is very similar to Lacy... Lacy's feet are probably a smidgeon better but Hyde I think has him beat in every other aspect.
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Hyde is like the MACK !
If that's true, then overdraft and get our guard in the 3rd!
Don't let him pass.
Love Sankey and Mason, but I want a TANK!
A mean one. Viscious one.
I just don't see Shanny wanting a 235 lb, 4.6something 40 time tank. I think he wants faster and more agile.. How many of the top 20 RBs list at over 220 lbs? I bet it's not more than 2 or 3.
What does he favor in the red zone? Hard to argue against Bettis size tight and short to score. I like Hyde.
I can see it. The great ones will find a way. I would love to see this happen. Or Marqise.
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I just don't see Shanny wanting a 235 lb, 4.6something 40 time tank. I think he wants faster and more agile.. How many of the top 20 RBs list at over 220 lbs? I bet it's not more than 2 or 3.
well, we already have Ben Tate and Dion Lewis... I think that we've got "small and quick" covered.... adding "big and crushing" can't hurt, right?
Mack was a different animal. Literally. He was a beast. Loved to hit. Hyde is smarter and not as big. And he accelerates to the second level better.
I remember a game when Webster Slaughter caught a TD pass and took his helmet off before he got back to the bench. Mack wasn't thinking and gave Slaughter a ceremonious head butt while Slaughter's helmet was off. Slaughter gave him that "you're crazy" look while he checked his head for blood.
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What does he favor in the red zone? Hard to argue against Bettis size tight and short to score. I like Hyde.
No idea. Also hard to argue in favor of taking a situational runner with the #35 pick.. The RB is losing favor in the NFL, the 230+ lb running back is losing favor even faster...
I'm not against Hyde, just not exactly in favor of it either.. when Shanny was with the Redskins Morris accounted for almost all of their rushing TDs.. well or RGIII.. and Morris is 215 or so.. maybe that was necessity because that was his only option, I don't know.
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I just don't see Shanny wanting a 235 lb, 4.6something 40 time tank. I think he wants faster and more agile.. How many of the top 20 RBs list at over 220 lbs? I bet it's not more than 2 or 3.
He faster then 4.6... he pulled up with a hammie during the combine when he ran. He's a high 4.4- low 4.5