2014 NFL draft thread (no longer too early)

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

He's a stud athlete. Whether he can read defenses and make good decisions, who knows? Too many times at Tech where he threw very questionable balls. But, as I said last fall, he's worth a gamble in a later round. If he flops as a quarterback, you could move him to another position and try to capitalize on his athleticism.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

If you're the Falcons and you get Clowney, it is possible that they're a contender next season. Last year was a perfect shitstorm with injuries. I'm not saying I'd pick them to beat Seattle, but I could see them making the playoffs. If they are thinking that way, giving up a pick in the mid 20s to move up and get an elite player is a fair price.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

Man, that's stripping themselves of a lot of future picks in the last few years, though, isn't it? What did they have to give up to move up to get Jones? Too many of those trades and you have no depth (and injuries kill you....like last year....)

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

I thought they gave up too much to get Jones at the time and I was wrong. He's an elite receiver. He helped get them very close to the Super Bowl. Jones being injured last season doesn't mean he's not still an elite player.

I can't imagine the Rams or Texans will move back to the No. 6 slot for anything less than a future No. 1. It would be pretty unprecedented for someone to move into the top slot to get something other than a QB.

The popular feeling seems to be that the Rams covet one of the tackles (Matthews or Robinson) and they can almost certainly get one of them at No. 6. Obviously, they're not getting the kind of ransom they did when the Skins got RG3, but I can't imagine they move back without getting a No. 1 or equivalent in return.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

Yeah, I can see the trade making a lot of sense for the rams. I just don't know if I do it if I'm the Falcons.
Now, Cleveland trading with the Rams so they can get in front of Jax and have their pick of the second-best QB in the draft, I can see making sense for both teams.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

Here's my worry. Cleveland trades with the Rams to take Manziel or Bridgewater ahead of Jacksonville. The Rams fall into the No. 4 spot, Clowney is on the board at No. 4 and Atlanta moves up to take him.

I don't think that will happen. But if Cleveland is involved, never underestimate the level of stupidity that can occur.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

Yeah, probably. They've got to get better on both lines. They're pretty soft; can't run the ball and can't stop the run. Don't need a QB or WR (assuming Julio Jones recovers) as much as they need linemen. If they don't get Clowney, I expect them to target Jake Matthews, an offensive tackle. I doubt Clowney will be available with the No. 6 pick; not sure how much I would pay to move up to 1 or 2 for him.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

I think if there was any chance of Clowney falling to No. 6 (It was never likely...) it's completely gone now.

I could see him being there at No. 4 if the QBs go 1-2-3, assuming Cleveland is the team that trades up. I think the team that takes him, in whatever slot will be a team that trades up to do so.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

This is a fun read, a look back to the pearl-clutching about how far Clowney would fall because he didn't play against Kentucky.

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/97596/

My favorite was the idea that he might go in the "second or third" round, or be a value play in the mid-20s.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

At first I thought that was directed at me. I was wondering if I had an Alzheimer's moment and made a prediction like that.

Glad I wasn't the one...

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

If you want a few laughs go back and look at the draft and coaching threads.

 

Re: (Way too early) 2014 NFL draft thread

So no more love for Teddy Bridgewater? He was supposed to be the next big thing for a while.

AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray, Zack Mettenberger, Tajh Boyd? Might not be franchise quarterbacks, but could be serviceable players.