Early 2017 mock

I am not a believer in taking a RB in the first round generally.

The exception is if you are at the end of the round (something like 24 and onward) and if the back is truly exceptional. Like if a Todd Gurley type player is there when we pick at 32 I would take that player. The problem is that player likely won't be there cause other NFL teams i think over value that position. So you will usually never find a player that good that late.

RB is an instant plug and play position if they are good and their impact on the stat sheet is clear but that usually does not equal wins much. The Rams last year went from 6-10 to 7-9 and their offense was actually worse this year as far as yards and points. Now it think Gurley did help them win but the overall impact was not as much as people tend to think.

Now next year i do hope we do pick a RB but it needs to be at a value spot.

BobDigital said:

RB is an instant plug and play position if they are good and their impact on the stat sheet is clear but that usually does not equal wins much. The Rams last year went from 6-10 to 7-9 and their offense was actually worse this year as far as yards and points. Now it think Gurley did help them win but the overall impact was not as much as people tend to think.

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I'm not loving the comparison of Gurley to # of wins, but that's just me. There's no doubting that the Rams drastically improved their run game by drafting one of the top up and coming RBs in the entire league. Todd Gurley may dominate for the next 4-5-6 years.

Unfortunately for them, they still had major issues with many of their other skill position players (like QB), and until those are addressed they aren't likely to make much progress. Now, if they're able to address those other spots, they could quickly become a wild card contender.

I didn't get a chance to follow the 2016 draft as close as I normally would so I am getting a head start on 2017.

I have been pretty vocal in the draft forum in the past about not drafting a RB in the first round because of the lack of value at the position, but with the seeming combination of need and talent in 2017 I think this is the perfect time to do so. The dream scenario is Leonard Fournette, but he is the best player in the draft and will likely be long gone. The most intriguing to me is Christian McCaffrey because he might be the third most talented back behind Fournette and Cook (or maybe 4th depending on how much you like Nick Chubb), but he might be the best fit for the Patriots.

Of course I have the include the obligatory Jimmy G trade for a 1st rounder that just about every mock on this board will have for the next 11 months

1a. CB- Desmond King- Iowa
Watching some tape on 2016 WR's and King caught my attention more than any of the pass catchers. Average height and speed but the guy can really cover. He reminds me a lot of Darrelle Revis. If he runs well he might be out of our range, but if we trade Jimmy G to Cleveland he might fall right in our laps

1b. RB- Christian McCaffrey- Stanford
Seemingly perfect fit for the Pats. Versatile, explosive, he can do it all. A perfect compliment to Dion Lewis.

2. OT- Conor McDermott- UCLA
a 6'8" former TE with excellent lateral mobility? Yeah, he sounds like a Pats OT. Not a lot of hype now but he could easily play himself very high in the draft. Early on, 2017 seems to have a lot more interesting OT prospects than 2016. There are a lot more of the long, 6'6"+ OT's that the Pats seem to prefer.

5th/6th/7th- RB- James Conner- Pitt
Where Conner goes (if he is drafted at all) will depend entirely on his health. Conner is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but if he can beat it he will be a player in the league. He is a perfect Blount replacement as a big bodied complement to the versatile every down back McCaffrey and the shifty and explosive 3rd down back Lewis. He has already shown the physical and mental toughness to make it in the NFL.

supafly said:

I'm not loving the comparison of Gurley to # of wins, but that's just me. There's no doubting that the Rams drastically improved their run game by drafting one of the top up and coming RBs in the entire league. Todd Gurley may dominate for the next 4-5-6 years.

Unfortunately for them, they still had major issues with many of their other skill position players (like QB), and until those are addressed they aren't likely to make much progress. Now, if they're able to address those other spots, they could quickly become a wild card contender.

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I am just trying to point out usually RB is one of the least impactful positions. It does look good and i think it helps teams that are particularly bad more than teams that are average but usually a great RB doesn't mean much in today's NFL.

If you depend on them too much they get overused and injured. If you use them just normally they don't touch the ball all that much. (20 times a game) to make much of an impact. Also they can't generally stay on the field for a drive. It is rare when you can have a RB on the field at the 20 and he can stay on for the entire drive. Eventually you need to depend on something else to move you and if you use a high pick on RB there is a good chance you lack that something else.

I have barely looked at these players but a quick mock

#1 Gabe Sherrod - DE - Did is a need I didn't mentioned but one that will be there. I like Flowers and Grissom okay but until i see it I think we need another top level prospect in the pipeline for when Long leaves and Nink is not getting younger. Sherrod will likely be a 1st round pick this time next year. Next year is a good year for edge guys, OTs and RB.

#2 Johan Pirsig - OT - Huge OT at 6'9 319. But he has the feet to move well and long arms. This could end up being too high for him but the potential here is big and with a good year he will easily move up.

#3 RB - IDK who yet.

I know people will be pounding the table for a RB but DE and OT are needs too and good value will be there. That has to take priority.

BobDigital said:

I have barely looked at these players but a quick mock

#1 Gabe Sherrod - DE - Did is a need I didn't mentioned but one that will be there. I like Flowers and Grissom okay but until i see it I think we need another top level prospect in the pipeline for when Long leaves and Nink is not getting younger. Sherrod will likely be a 1st round pick this time next year. Next year is a good year for edge guys, OTs and RB.

#2 Johan Pirsig - OT - Huge OT at 6'9 319. But he has the feet to move well and long arms. This could end up being too high for him but the potential here is big and with a good year he will easily move up.

#3 RB - IDK who yet.

I know people will be pounding the table for a RB but DE and OT are needs too and good value will be there. That has to take priority.

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In item #1 you mentioned that next year is a good year for edge guys, OT, and RB.

Hmmm, maybe that is why BB ignored those positions and filled other areas THIS year. Better to draft what is there, than to try and force lesser players at positions of need.

BobDigital said:

I am just trying to point out usually RB is one of the least impactful positions. It does look good and i think it helps teams that are particularly bad more than teams that are average but usually a great RB doesn't mean much in today's NFL.

If you depend on them too much they get overused and injured. If you use them just normally they don't touch the ball all that much. (20 times a game) to make much of an impact. Also they can't generally stay on the field for a drive. It is rare when you can have a RB on the field at the 20 and he can stay on for the entire drive. Eventually you need to depend on something else to move you and if you use a high pick on RB there is a good chance you lack that something else.

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It sounds like we could avoid some of this by utilizing the draft for cheap rookie deals, as well as continue with the RBBC system.