Stop Wasting High Picks on Offensive Skill Players

[maverick4]

I am okay with using a high pick for the O-line or a versatile TE, but we have been squandering high picks on sexy wide receivers and running backs who don't pan out.

Keep McDaniels out of the draft room. We need to build a dominant defense with strong depth, and you get more value and success from high defensive picks than high offensive selections.

Given our history, it is possible to find useful wide receivers and running backs off the free agent list or with a low draft pick. Offensive skill positions are too much of a crapshoot, and our obsession with those picks is what has made the Detriot Lions horrible the past few years, and I think is also related to why we haven't won the big one in awhile.

 

[BradyManny]

I wouldn't call Maroney a waste. Jackson, Johnson, yes, those were busts.

I think they should draft a WR somewhere in the draft, but go for the smaller, quicker, shiftier type. They seem to be surer bets in the draft. Same goes for RBs, too. It might be a stretch, but there's something about smaller players and the mentality & attitude they have. You know they always had to earn it and prove themselves and will likely continue to do so. I want another Deion Branch.

 

[captain stone]

I agree with both of you, though I would add TE to the list of positions to avoid in the first round.

CB, SS, OLB/DE and OT should be the only positions to target in the first 2 rounds next year. I would include ILB & FS, but because we already used one this year on Mayo and last year on Stomper, I would look elsewhere. And look what happens when the FO gets just a little aggressive in the UDFA marketplace: Guyton, Redd & BJGE. The FO really needs to step up its efforts there, because some positions can sometimes be filled nicely from the UDFA ranks: TE (esp. a blocking-type), FB, P, C, OG, RB, WR, DT, SILB, SS & FS.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I am okay with using a high pick for the O-line or a versatile TE, but we have been squandering high picks on sexy wide receivers and running backs who don't pan out.

Keep McDaniels out of the draft room. We need to build a dominant defense with strong depth, and you get more value and success from high defensive picks than high offensive selections.

Given our history, it is possible to find useful wide receivers and running backs off the free agent list or with a low draft pick. Offensive skill positions are too much of a crapshoot, and our obsession with those picks is what has made the Detriot Lions horrible the past few years, and I think is also related to why we haven't won the big one in awhile.

Dude! It does not matter where McDaniels is on draft day, there is only one guy calling the shots for the Patriots on draft day and that is BB. McDaniels is the 2 year old sitting in the corner crying for more ice cream after he has already had a half gallon of the stuff. The only thing coming his way is a backhand upside the head.

Speaking of wasting high draft picks on skilled offensive players, how many GM's out there would give all their draft picks to have a 6th round draft pick QB that has won 3 SB and an MVP, and then have as the backup a 7th round pick that has won 5 of his first 8 starts?



But I do agree with you that we need to forget about

 

[KillEM]

Agree.

Defense is more important. OLB, CB, SS, ILB... we are getting thin.

 

[Seneschal2]

I think they should draft a WR somewhere in the draft, but go for the smaller, quicker, shiftier type. They seem to be surer bets in the draft. Same goes for RBs, too. It might be a stretch, but there's something about smaller players and the mentality & attitude they have. You know they always had to earn it and prove themselves and will likely continue to do so. I want another Deion Branch.

IIRC, Branch was the 8th WR chosen in round two that draft, and the 11th overall. Obviously NFL-ready as a rookie. Looked like a veteran when he first ran his routes. Maybe Louisville's passing system had an impact also. His smarts and quicks certainly gave him an edge over Bethel and CJ, who were more about speed. All three were similar in production with each nabbing 100+ career catches. A crapshoot for sure.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

lee evans would be the perfect guy to go along with moss and welker

as for other free agents, I'd like to see LB channing crowder, DB kelvin hayden, OL mark tauscher

then draft:
1 - LB maualuga or cushing
2a - OT jason smith
2b - TE chase coffman
3a - S myron rolle
3b (comp. samuel) RB shonn greene

 

[Ochmed Jones]

lee evans would be the perfect guy to go along with moss and welker

as for other free agents, I'd like to see LB channing crowder, DB kelvin hayden, OL mark tauscher

then draft:
1 - LB maualuga or cushing
2a - OT jason smith
2b - TE chase coffman
3a - S myron rolle
3b (comp. samuel) RB shonn greene

Your rounds 2 and 3 are off the chains! I would be estatic if we gobbleed up those 4 players.

I am not so excited about your first round however. Even though Cushings is from New Jersey, and we really, really really need a pass rushing demon at OLB, he doesn't strike me as a BB type guy that puts football at the center of his life.
Now if you had NT Mount Cody in the first round, then it would be a perfect draft as far as I am concerned.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Your rounds 2 and 3 are off the chains! I would be estatic if we gobbleed up those 4 players.

I am not so excited about your first round however. Even though Cushings is from New Jersey, and we really, really really need a pass rushing demon at OLB, he doesn't strike me as a BB type guy that puts football at the center of his life.
Now if you had NT Mount Cody in the first round, then it would be a perfect draft as far as I am concerned.

yeah.......I'm not convinced with round 1, either........maybe george selvie? maybe CB victor harris