mayoclinic

Of course the odds that Raji will be available at 23 are quite long. But they're better than they were a few days ago when he seemed a lock top 10 pick. It's unlikely but not inconceivable that he could fall past Denver at #12, which would put him within trading reach.

Besides, it's a nice change of pace from "is Connor Barwin overrated".

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

upstater1

This is wrong. He's an excellent tackler and he throws his body around. He is not soft AT ALL.

Ungeheuer

I wouldn't draft B.J. Raji in the first round, no way. And not because I think marijuana is bad. It's just... a guy who can't stay clean for a test he knows is coming has a serious issue. When testing positive for weed will cost you millions of dollars, and you still can't smoke weed for even a month, and besides you've been caught for it before, and had other disciplinary problems before -- these are big, big red flags. Especially for a guy who's not exactly in peak physical condition and has enormous man-titties at age 21 or whatever.

Raji may be a good kid. He may even just have a simple philosophical disagreement with the league about the dangers of marijuana, a la Ricky Williams. But the fact is the league busts you and suspends you for smoking weed, and once you do test positive at the combine, you automatically enter a structured testing program which increases massively the likelihood of getting caught again. I can't for the life of me see a situation in which Belichick invests a first-rounder on a kid with one strike against him already.

Also, Raji is really a nose tackle. They've already re-signed Wright and they're probably going to re-sign Wilfork. Assuming they do those things, they have a much bigger need for a 3-4 end. I'd rather see them draft someone like Hood or Jarron Gilbert than Raji. And if you're drafting a nose tackle, why not draft Ron Brace instead? No weed issue, and you can get him later in the draft.

Maybe if Raji fell to the bottom of the second, you could grab him there, but not with any of the first three picks -- that would be amazingly risky.

bagwell368

No Butler or Raji.

Trade (these are all equal w/ the draft calculator):

#23 and #58 to the Cardinals for #31 #63 and #95

trade #89 (3a) and #95 (3b) #124 (4) to the Vikings for #54

trade #31 and #63 and our 6th (around #202) to the Browns for #36 and #50

Giving these top six picks: 34, 36, 47, 50, 54, 97

Then bring home 5 of these guys, deal one forward to next year:

DL - Jarron Gilbert, Evander Hood, Ron Brace
OLB - Maybin, Matthews, Barwin, English
OT - Beatty, Jamon Meredith, Cadogan, Fulton, TJ Lang
S - Sean Smith, Moore, Rashad Johnson, Vaughn, Martin, Clemons
OG - Robinson, Levitre

Ochmed Jones

I would be very happy taking Butler at #23. I think he projects as a pro bowl CB. He has confidence/moxy, decent speed, above average change of direction and experience playing zone.

I am not sure how Raji makes it passed Oakland unless Al Davis really wants a speedy WR.

condon84

Raji's not getting past the Denver Broncos twice in the first round. That team is in desperate need of help along the DL.

If we take Butler at #23, it wouldn't be shocking. Look at our roster. Hobbs is in the final year of his contract, Bodden is in a one year deal, Springs signed for three years, but he's already 34 years old. And our two young guys are unproven, and do not have the physical abilities of Butler. BUtler would become our most athletic and one of our bigger DBs if we get him. Plus he has played some offense for UConn.

bakes781

That's what I like to hear!

The value is there and with the multitude of picks in round 2 we can afford to be patient when it comes to addressing our more immediate needs.

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mgteich

If Butler projects to Belichick as a future all-pro, then Butler will likely be drafted at 23. I just don't believe that Butler will be rated that highly. If he is even close, 34 will give us another chance.

mayoclinic

Sounds like Connor Barwin. Oops, wrong thread.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

Grizzafted

It's a hilariously retarded idea that BJ Raji is going to drop past Green Bay or Denver, at the latest.

If BJ Raji is there for the Broncos they'll pop champagne. That would completely change their defense.

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