Surprises from Day 1..

[lillloyd]

I thought for sure the Steelers would grab Hightower. I thought he was lost to us.But I guess the OL need was just too great.

Here's an angle to consider: by trading with *Cincinnati* at 21--a team with guard needs that was often linked to DeCastro in mocks--you actually dramatically increased the odds that Hightower would be there at 25.

The reason being, Cincy was the last team prior to Pitt's pick that had serious interest in a guard. The only remaining teams between the Chandler Jones pick at 21 and the Steelers at 24 was Cleveland (who was after skill position players) and Detroit (who would probably prefer Reiff over DeCastro).

Voila, the DeCastro falls into the Steelers' lap at 24. And as much as we liked Hightower, we're not going to pass on a tremendous value like DeCastro at a huge position of need.

The NE FO is smart enough to understand the likely dominoes they'd set into motion by targeting *Cincy*--the last guard-focused team left ahead of Pitt--at that point. If NE was really high on Hightower, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they simultaneously were targeting Jones at 21 AND orchestrating the fall of DeCastro to the most likely team ahead of them to take Hightower (Pitt) at the same time.

BTW great job guys with your draft so far. I'm sure you all are quite happy (and relieved) to invest in impact defensive LBs!

 

[everlong]

The big shocker has to be Bruce Irvin to Seattle in the middle of round 1. I've been public before in saying how I think the term "reach" is overrated because we don't really know for sure if a guy would have certainly been around much later. However, I just can't get my head around that one.

I went to bed just before this pick and got up in the morning and hopped on my cycling trainer and turned the DVR on to start watching again and was like am I really awake? Yep it's the Seahawks who were sleeping. Wow.

 

[Metaphors]

- The arms race in the NFC East. Washington, Dallas and Philly all jumped up to get what they hope will be elite players. The Giants stick at #32 and reach for a RB as a panic move after (at least IMO) surprisingly missing out on their target in Doug Martin.

- How the rush ends went and to whom:
Hawks (Irvin) - Enough has been said about this
Jets (Coples) - Questionable motivation to disfunctional locker room
Chargers (Ingram) - Fell into their laps
Bears (McClellin) - Fit issues for a 4-3
Texans (Mercilus) - They do realize they have a lot invested in the guys already there...don't they?
Pack (Perry) - Not really an OLB. Have their USC glasses on too tight?
Take out the Texans and Irvin, reshuffle and restore some sanity to the proceedings.

- Tannehill and Weeden will cost more jobs than the housing crash.

- Don't understand taking Wright and Jenkins early in an historically deep WR class. The cost of missing out on these guys (vs. the alternatives available) is minimal. Trade down or wait for your next pick.

 

[manxman2601]

Here's an angle to consider: by trading with *Cincinnati* at 21--a team with guard needs that was often linked to DeCastro in mocks--you actually dramatically increased the odds that Hightower would be there at 25.

The reason being, Cincy was the last team prior to Pitt's pick that had serious interest in a guard. The only remaining teams between the Chandler Jones pick at 21 and the Steelers at 24 was Cleveland (who was after skill position players) and Detroit (who would probably prefer Reiff over DeCastro).

Voila, the DeCastro falls into the Steelers' lap at 24. And as much as we liked Hightower, we're not going to pass on a tremendous value like DeCastro at a huge position of need.

The NE FO is smart enough to understand the likely dominoes they'd set into motion by targeting *Cincy*--the last guard-focused team left ahead of Pitt--at that point. If NE was really high on Hightower, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they simultaneously were targeting Jones at 21 AND orchestrating the fall of DeCastro to the most likely team ahead of them to take Hightower (Pitt) at the same time.

BTW great job guys with your draft so far. I'm sure you all are quite happy (and relieved) to invest in impact defensive LBs!

That is great analysis

 

[manxman2601]

I went to bed just before this pick and got up in the morning and hopped on my cycling trainer and turned the DVR on to start watching again and was like am I really awake? Yep it's the Seahawks who were sleeping. Wow.

Apparently the Jets, Ravens and 49'ers would all have taken him in the first round (or at least that is what is being reported).

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Here's an angle to consider: by trading with *Cincinnati* at 21--a team with guard needs that was often linked to DeCastro in mocks--you actually dramatically increased the odds that Hightower would be there at 25.

The reason being, Cincy was the last team prior to Pitt's pick that had serious interest in a guard. The only remaining teams between the Chandler Jones pick at 21 and the Steelers at 24 was Cleveland (who was after skill position players) and Detroit (who would probably prefer Reiff over DeCastro).

Voila, the DeCastro falls into the Steelers' lap at 24. And as much as we liked Hightower, we're not going to pass on a tremendous value like DeCastro at a huge position of need.

The NE FO is smart enough to understand the likely dominoes they'd set into motion by targeting *Cincy*--the last guard-focused team left ahead of Pitt--at that point. If NE was really high on Hightower, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they simultaneously were targeting Jones at 21 AND orchestrating the fall of DeCastro to the most likely team ahead of them to take Hightower (Pitt) at the same time.

BTW great job guys with your draft so far. I'm sure you all are quite happy (and relieved) to invest in impact defensive LBs!

Nice Post! Very plausible theory here.

 

[everlong]

Apparently the Jets, Ravens and 49'ers would all have taken him in the first round (or at least that is what is being reported).

That's amazing if true but in the case of the Jets the way the draft fell even if Couple is gone you take Ingram before Ivrin.

 

[DaBruinz]

- The arms race in the NFC East. Washington, Dallas and Philly all jumped up to get what they hope will be elite players. The Giants stick at #32 and reach for a RB as a panic move after (at least IMO) surprisingly missing out on their target in Doug Martin.

- How the rush ends went and to whom:
Hawks (Irvin) - Enough has been said about this
Jets (Coples) - Questionable motivation to disfunctional locker room
Chargers (Ingram) - Fell into their laps
Bears (McClellin) - Fit issues for a 4-3
Texans (Mercilus) - They do realize they have a lot invested in the guys already there...don't they?
Pack (Perry) - Not really an OLB. Have their USC glasses on too tight?
Take out the Texans and Irvin, reshuffle and restore some sanity to the proceedings.

- Tannehill and Weeden will cost more jobs than the housing crash.

- Don't understand taking Wright and Jenkins early in an historically deep WR class. The cost of missing out on these guys (vs. the alternatives available) is minimal. Trade down or wait for your next pick.

I think you need to go back and re-evaluate some things.

1) Shea McClellin - DE in the 4-3. Think Rosie Colvin, but with the ability to drop into coverage.

2) Mercilis - Provides a much needed 3rd OLB for the Texans rotation. This protects them in the event of an injury..

3) Perry - Whether they have him lined up Wide with his hand down or have him standing up, he'll be learning the position opposite Matthews. That, alone, will allow him to be more effective.

Wright was arguably one of the best receivers in the draft. Many had him and Floyd as 2 and 2A so I don't see how that is a surprise to you. Jenkins is the surprise since many had him as a mid-to late 2 and possibly an early 3..

 

[everlong]

Jets (Coples) - Questionable motivation to disfunctional locker room.

I'm putting him in as an early nomination for the Vernon Gholston Award.

 

[FoxWhiskey]

1. Cowboys traded up for Claiborne.
2. The face of Stephon Gilmore. He looked like he had received a death sentence.
3. Seahawks drafted Irvin
4. Brandon Weeden was drafted in Rd1
5. Pats have traded up-twice

 

[Metaphors]

I think you need to go back and re-evaluate some things.

1) Shea McClellin - DE in the 4-3. Think Rosie Colvin, but with the ability to drop into coverage.

2) Mercilis - Provides a much needed 3rd OLB for the Texans rotation. This protects them in the event of an injury..

3) Perry - Whether they have him lined up Wide with his hand down or have him standing up, he'll be learning the position opposite Matthews. That, alone, will allow him to be more effective.

Wright was arguably one of the best receivers in the draft. Many had him and Floyd as 2 and 2A so I don't see how that is a surprise to you. Jenkins is the surprise since many had him as a mid-to late 2 and possibly an early 3..

Colvin was a mid-round pick that took years to develop into a functional part of the Bears 4-3. Then they let him walk rather than re-sign him after his rookie deal. Colvin was straight-line slow but had a burst. McClellin seems to be the opposite. Idonije and Peppers are each 6'6", 275+. It may work but I don't see it. Jones or even Perry would have been better fits.

Rotation guy and injury insurance is a shaky rationale for a 1st round pick.

Lining my dog up across from Matthews would make him more effective. Wouldn't make him a scheme fit. He is more of a straight-line run-n-chase type. Just like Perry.

As for WR, wasn't arguing Wright's value as a 1st round pick (though I could if you want). Was saying that taking a guy at #20 when there will almost certainly be comparable guys at #52 doesn't seem like a good use of resources. If the class was shallow at WR, wouldn't have an issue. Thought Hill would go based on physical makeup and Wright would slide (kind of like Upshaw).

 

[ExpatPack]

- The arms race in the NFC East. Washington, Dallas and Philly all jumped up to get what they hope will be elite players. The Giants stick at #32 and reach for a RB as a panic move after (at least IMO) surprisingly missing out on their target in Doug Martin.

- How the rush ends went and to whom:
Hawks (Irvin) - Enough has been said about this
Jets (Coples) - Questionable motivation to disfunctional locker room
Chargers (Ingram) - Fell into their laps
Bears (McClellin) - Fit issues for a 4-3
Texans (Mercilus) - They do realize they have a lot invested in the guys already there...don't they?
Pack (Perry) - Not really an OLB. Have their USC glasses on too tight?
Take out the Texans and Irvin, reshuffle and restore some sanity to the proceedings.

- Tannehill and Weeden will cost more jobs than the housing crash.

- Don't understand taking Wright and Jenkins early in an historically deep WR class. The cost of missing out on these guys (vs. the alternatives available) is minimal. Trade down or wait for your next pick.

Chargers got the gold here with Ingram. Got no idea what the Seaturkeys were thinking.

I think the Packers did well drafting Perry tbh and the rap that he can't transition to OLB is overhyped. Perry is very fast and athletic, was probably the BPA, and the Packers don't play a strict 3-4.

Why the Bears took McClellan rather than Perry for a 4-3 is beyond me.

 

[manxman2601]

That's amazing if true but in the case of the Jets the way the draft fell even if Couple is gone you take Ingram before Ivrin.

Apparently if Coples was off the board, they were taking DeCastro.

 

[everlong]

Apparently if Coples was off the board, they were taking DeCastro.

That would have made sense.

 

[Daigle]

Apparently if Coples was off the board, they were taking DeCastro.

That one would have been bad for us actually. Good thing they got Coples. I still think his best position will be 3-4 DE but lets hope he busts like everyone says.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Definitely Pats movin up NOT once BUT twice!
And Bruce Irvin goin in mid 1st rd. I liked Irvin wouldn't mind him here but I thought he'd be in 2nd rd for sure. Lotsa interesting moves lookin forward to what we do with 2 final slots in Rd 2.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Apparently if Coples was off the board, they were taking DeCastro.

They should have been taking DeCastro all along.

 

[DaBruinz]

Colvin was a mid-round pick that took years to develop into a functional part of the Bears 4-3. Then they let him walk rather than re-sign him after his rookie deal. Colvin was straight-line slow but had a burst. McClellin seems to be the opposite. Idonije and Peppers are each 6'6", 275+. It may work but I don't see it. Jones or even Perry would have been better fits.

Idonije? You mean the guy they only gave a 1 year contract to?

The Bears didn't let him walk. Colvin was asking for more money than the Bears wanted to pay him, and things got ugly despite Colvin putting up 2 straight 10.5 sack seasons. Now, as I said, think Rosie Colvin but with the ability to drop back into coverage. Sorry, but McLellin is the better fit for a guy opposite Peppers who can do all 3 aspects of the game.

Rotation guy and injury insurance is a shaky rationale for a 1st round pick.

No. It's not a shaky rationale unless you have your head so far up your arse you aren't bothering to see the forest for the trees. With Reed, Barwin and Mercilis, the Texans can keep their OLBs fresh through-out the game. Also, one only has to look at the fact in each of the last 3 years, the Texans have lost an OLB to major injury. Not to mention they could feel that Reed's best position is actually at ILB, not OLB.

Lining my dog up across from Matthews would make him more effective. Wouldn't make him a scheme fit. He is more of a straight-line run-n-chase type. Just like Perry.

Now you roll out the stupidity. How do you know that Perry isn't a scheme fit? People said that Matthews was a straight line run-n-chase type. Look what happened in his rookie year when they weren't double-teaming him. Now, the Packers add a guy opposite him that teams will have to account for. But, yeah, you're right and the Packers and Capers are just stupid..

As for WR, wasn't arguing Wright's value as a 1st round pick (though I could if you want). Was saying that taking a guy at #20 when there will almost certainly be comparable guys at #52 doesn't seem like a good use of resources. If the class was shallow at WR, wouldn't have an issue. Thought Hill would go based on physical makeup and Wright would slide (kind of like Upshaw).

Guess you need to go back and read your own post. You said you didn't understand taking Wright early. Taking him at 20 isn't early. There isn't anyone who is comparable to Wright in this draft. That could be where you are tripping up in your evaluations.

 

[MP-Logick]

They should have been taking DeCastro all along.

If the Jets had taken DeCastro then the Steelers probably would have drafted Hightower. Thank goodness for Rex Ryan!

 

[DaBruinz]

If the Jets had taken DeCastro then the Steelers probably would have drafted Hightower. Thank goodness for Rex Ryan!

I need choked on my water when one of the pundits said "Didn't the Jets already try this with Vernon Gholston"???