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Okay, your plan is to draft Light's replacement at the end of Round One, groom him behind the current starters this season, then move him into Light's slot and reshuffle the O-line for 2010... Do you really think Scar and BB are thinking that way?If your #1 priority is to replace Kaczur at RT in 2009 then I agree with you. But if you look at the long term then I think Beatty offers tremendous value.
Beatty is a pure LT prospect. He has unteachable footwork and agility. He needs to get a bit stronger and more physical, but that is teachable. His ceiling is a 10 year pro bowl LT. I disagree with your assessment that only Meredith is considered a potential LT - Beatty is as a pure LT prospect as there is in the draft.
The most likely scenario is that Beatty would back up Light in 2009 while working on his conditioning and strength, but I suspect that by mid-late season he might merit considerable reps at left tackle. Light moving to RT would be an upgrade over Kaczur, and Kaczur could potentially move to RG as a backup long-term solution for Stephen Neal. With Kaczur able to play LT, RT and OG we would have tremendous depth and versatility compared to what we have now. In addition, with all of the OL contracts which expire after 2009 (Kaczur, Levoir, Mankins, Neal, Hochstein, Yates) he would give some long-term insurance. We would go into 2010 with Beatty and Light as our starting OTs set.
Light is an eight year starting LT on a team that went to five AFCCs and four Super Bowls in that time frame. Kaczur is a four year starting OT on a team that went to two AFCC and one Super Bowl while he was here. Neither looks like they are declining, in fact Kaczur is getting more comfortable the longer he plays at RT.
LeVoir is good insurance, Beatty does not upgrade him that I can see. I'm not buying the "need" or the value for a Day One OT. I see good value in the mid rounds and good projects in the late rounds/UDFA. Beatty is an extravagance I'm not buying - but he might help one of the kids who can help this team last to the next NE pick.