2007 Interactive NFL Mock Draft Discussion

[sebman2112]

I've gotta disagree here. What we've done is cut the nuts off the guy we want to be our alpha dog. We want Maroney to get 24-28 carries a game. He looks to be one of those players who gets stronger the more in rhythym he gets. Now we've drafted a similar player who we need to justify getting on the field, which will have Maroney looking over his shoulder and possibly created some ill-will. We released Dillon so Maroney could have more of a role...now we're going to be Indian givers? He probably needs a back to give him a 4-6 carry a game breather, no job for a first round pick.

And I don't buy this lining Lynch up as a WR. Are we going to actually sit down a WR or TE to play Lynch there more than a couple gimmicky plays a year? He's going to learn all the running plays, all the blocking assignments, all the running back receiving routes and the WR/TE routes and get enough practice to get his timing down? Never happen as a rookie. He'll have all he can handle learning blitz pickup so we could use him and not get Brady killed. Terrible investment of a first round pick. And I haven't even addressed the financial implications.

If we were dead set on acquiring an offensive skill player (and I understand we are constrained by not trading), why not Meachem? At that point, he had fallen further than Lynch and represented the best value.

Lynch is expected to go in the 12-16 range, so I can't see how Meachem would have fallen further at 24, than Lynch.....

Also, who said Maroney's going to run 28 times per game, and why can't NE use a two back system? Plus, Lynch has third down back ability, and he can line up at WR since he already does. The point being, he's very versatile, and does a lot. He'd be rotating with Maroney and Faulk year one, then after Faulk leaves he'd serve as the rotational RB with Money and the third down back. It's two roster spots in one player.

 

[patchick]

I guess to summarize, I respectfully disagree with the pick.

I wouldn't have made the same pick, but I don't disagree as strongly as you do. Which leads to the question: who would you take?

 

[dryheat44]

I wouldn't have made the same pick, but I don't disagree as strongly as you do. Which leads to the question: who would you take?

If Meachem is on the board at #24, it would take me about eleven seconds to get the card to Goodell.

 

[dryheat44]

Lynch is expected to go in the 12-16 range, so I can't see how Meachem would have fallen further at 24, than Lynch.....

I dunno...I've seen plenty of mocks with Lynch on the board at 24, like this one, for example. I've never seen him higher than the Packers at #16, and usually he seems to come off somewhere between 19-23. This is the first mock I've seen where Meachem is on the board at 24. Meachem seems pretty well established as the #2 RB in the draft with many WRs rated first rounders. Lynch is rated as the #2 RB is a draft that is RB weak.

He'd be rotating with Maroney and Faulk year one, then after Faulk leaves he'd serve as the rotational RB with Money and the third down back. It's two roster spots in one player.

So we've used a first round pick on a guy who is going to be a part time player not only in year one, but in year two as well? And that's good value? It's two part-time roster spots in one player. He's still going to be off the field more snaps than on. I can't imagine we're paying Maroney first round money to be a part-time player for the duration of his contract.

 

[patchick]

If Meachem is on the board at #24, it would take me about eleven seconds to get the card to Goodell.

Yup, he's the only guy left on my round-one wish list too.

 

[sebman2112]

I dunno...I've seen plenty of mocks with Lynch on the board at 24, like this one, for example. I've never seen him higher than the Packers at #16, and usually he seems to come off somewhere between 19-23. This is the first mock I've seen where Meachem is on the board at 24. Meachem seems pretty well established as the #2 RB in the draft with many WRs rated first rounders. Lynch is rated as the #2 RB is a draft that is RB weak.

A lot of people have been talking about Lynch at 12th overall but since the Bills also need LB's they've been talking about Willis for that pick. If Willis goes to the 49ers they will probably take Lynch, or Leon Hall (if still available). At 16 the Packers would probably take Lynch first, then Olsen if available. A lot of people have Meachem going to the Titans or Cowboys, but I rarely see him listed any higher. I've seen more mock drafts with Meachem around NE's pick than Lynch. Also, for a little while people had Lynch falling a bit because of the rumored "back problem" but all the NFL teams have checked him out and sources inside the NFL say those rumors were BS, so he has shot back up to board, where he was before the rumors. Really, I can't see how you could miss the talent he would bring to NE's offense.

 

[sebman2112]

I dunno...I've seen plenty of mocks with Lynch on the board at 24, like this one, for example. I've never seen him higher than the Packers at #16, and usually he seems to come off somewhere between 19-23. This is the first mock I've seen where Meachem is on the board at 24. Meachem seems pretty well established as the #2 RB in the draft with many WRs rated first rounders. Lynch is rated as the #2 RB is a draft that is RB weak.



So we've used a first round pick on a guy who is going to be a part time player not only in year one, but in year two as well? And that's good value? It's two part-time roster spots in one player. He's still going to be off the field more snaps than on. I can't imagine we're paying Maroney first round money to be a part-time player for the duration of his contract.

You realize Maroney only has an $8.735M contract, right? Also, considering Maroney has been somewhat banged up since getting here, adding Lynch or any other RB would be good if Maroney doesn't cut it. I really think he will, but it would be nice to have Lynch as your rotational player to lesson Maroney's strain, take over for Faulk, and be the starter if Maroney goes down. Plus, Lynch would have BPA value at that pick.

 

[dryheat44]

Don't confuse things. I think Lynch has a chance to be a very good player (I think he's overrated and would have been a mid-to-late second rounder last year -- but that's irrelevant for now).

I think for what you want him to do, it's not that he wouldn't help the team, but the pick is a poor value for the #24 choice. I don't think a part-time player is good use of the pick, and I can't just assume players are going to get hurt or start sucking when I make my draft choices. Steve Breaston could instantly help this team, but I'm not spending a high choice on him.

The best case scenario is that Lynch becomes our Michael Turner, and we can flip him (or Maroney) for a first round pick in a couple of years. The difference is that Turner was a fifth round pick, so it's a great return on investment. With Maroney and Lynch both being first round picks, the return is much less.

You actually opened the door when you said "Lynch or any other RB would be good if Maroney can't cut it." Yes, I agree. But I'll go with "any other (non first round) RB". For a quick example, I'd much rather take Meachem here and pick up Darius Walker, or from your draft list, Booker in the third or fourth round. Much better value.

 

[sebman2112]

Don't confuse things. I think Lynch has a chance to be a very good player (I think he's overrated and would have been a mid-to-late second rounder last year -- but that's irrelevant for now).

I think for what you want him to do, it's not that he wouldn't help the team, but the pick is a poor value for the #24 choice. I don't think a part-time player is good use of the pick, and I can't just assume players are going to get hurt or start sucking when I make my draft choices. Steve Breaston could instantly help this team, but I'm not spending a high choice on him.

The best case scenario is that Lynch becomes our Michael Turner, and we can flip him (or Maroney) for a first round pick in a couple of years. The difference is that Turner was a fifth round pick, so it's a great return on investment. With Maroney and Lynch both being first round picks, the return is much less.

You actually opened the door when you said "Lynch or any other RB would be good if Maroney can't cut it." Yes, I agree. But I'll go with "any other (non first round) RB". For a quick example, I'd much rather take Meachem here and pick up Darius Walker, or from your draft list, Booker in the third or fourth round. Much better value.

If Lynch and Meachem are both on the board I'm taking Lynch. There's a lot of talented WR's in rounds 2-4. If Meachem is on the board, but some of the other guys arent I'd take him. I would take Lorenzo Booker over Darius Walker any day of the week.

 

[dryheat44]

If Lynch and Meachem are both on the board I'm taking Lynch. There's a lot of talented WR's in rounds 2-4. If Meachem is on the board, but some of the other guys arent I'd take him. I would take Lorenzo Booker over Darius Walker any day of the week.

Obviously you believe that the dropoff from Meacham to a round 2-4 receiver (Craig Davis, Johnny Lee Higgins, Anthony Gonzalez, Aundrae Ellison to name a few) is less than the dropoff from Lynch to a round 2-4 running back (Brian Leonard, Kenny Irons, Michael Bush, Tony Hunt). I think the opposite is true.

 

[Seymour93]

I've gotta disagree here. What we've done is cut the nuts off the guy we want to be our alpha dog.

I don't think Maroney has quite earned the alpha dog role yet. With this pick he's going to have to work even harder to secure his job, which is a good thing. We also have a Faulk replacement. Maroney-Lynch immediately puts us up at the top of the league in terms of a rushing attack.

With Meachem gone the BPA is Houston IMO...

 

[ayjackson]

Houston or Griffin here, I think.....possibly Beason or Harris.

I like Griffin though. The value's there too. While he may be rated as an early two, the extra year of protection makes it a sensible choice at 28.

 

[zarakotas5]

Saints pick Houston:

Basically a crossroads pick that best matched BPA vs. biggest need. I think it's a solid pick, but not one that is particularly exciting or savvy. I had devised a choose-your-own-adventure style branched system of if/then scenarios that now need to be greatly revised based on the draft so far.

CB is/was probably the greatest overall need. Fred Thomas is essentially no more than a coach in uniform these days. He'll keep the position warm and be a tutor. Mike McKenzie is marginal, too, I believe and getting old.

Despite this being the biggest need position, I anticipated filling it later. I had targeted other players, expecting some already chosen to still be available.

Houston is in a grouping with 3 other still available CBs. He arguably has less positionally exclusive upside than a couple and more overall talent than a couple. I also have reservations about his sprouting post-season regard. However, I believe he is a mini "physical-freak"-type with lots of potential. Coaches can mold him.

 

[zarakotas5]

Additionally, I regret voting down the trade option. I didn't expect everyone to be so diligent, considerate, and down-right smooth during this draft (so far) and thought it would have clogged the flow...so THANKS everybody, but if..

I would have traded down, if possible. There are players who will be selected in the next 10-15 that I am am more intrigued by than Houston (when considering draft position & additionally picks, etc) that will be gone by my next pick.

I came up with multiple trade scenarios that would have been benefitial to both parties (I get the pick position and targeted players, other team gets more "points", etc) that I think would have yielded a better bounty overall...

But, Saints fans should be happy, not to mention the irony of NO jerseys w/ "Houston" on the back..

 

[dryheat44]

I don't think Maroney has quite earned the alpha dog role yet. With this pick he's going to have to work even harder to secure his job, which is a good thing. We also have a Faulk replacement. Maroney-Lynch immediately puts us up at the top of the league in terms of a rushing attack.

At the risk of repeating myself, do we really want to use two first-round picks on a running-back-by-committee? Am I crazy in thinking that if we used our first pick last year on a running back, we want him to be a stud workhorse?

I agree that Maroney hasn't earned the alpha dog label (that's we I said "the guy we want to be alpha dog), but if you don't think Maroney's proven himself, why do you seem to think Lynch has proven himself, as in "Maroney-Lynch immediately puts us up at the top of the league in terms of a rushing attack"?

The next guy from a Tedford offense who isn't a bust in the NFL will be the first.

 

[sebman2112]

OT: Mel Kiper has the Cowboys picking Dwayne Jerrett.....Did I miss something? They'd take Meachem or Bowe before they would take Jerrett, if they went WR.

 

[dryheat44]

OT: Mel Kiper has the Cowboys picking Dwayne Jerrett.....Did I miss something? They'd take Meachem or Bowe before they would take Jerrett, if they went WR.

Didn't Jarrett get taken before Meachem and Bowe in our interactive? Interesting.

 

[zarakotas5]

Lynching:

I have to agree with at least the questioning of the Lynch pick. The Pats, at present have no 2nd. The pick fills neither the BPA (arguably) nor the simple staffing of a need. The next pick is a ways off (discounting the 2nd 1st).

Lynch is a hella back outta Cal, but not a truly exciting prospect. The same 3-5 yards could be gained by any assortment of backs that will be available later. Personally, although it is my favorite position of all-time, the RB position is one where only the truly special stand above the 80% JAG.

That said, I think the reasoning makes perfect sense and I do support the pick based on intent. The first pick can be thought of as a pure luxury pick of picking the GM's BPA, while the next pick, 3 later, can be used as anticipated, etc.

 

[bakes781]

I think secondary has to be addressed with pick #28 here. Meriweather, Ross, McCauley, Hughes are all good choices.

 

[Irish Hooligan]

Lynching:

I have to agree with at least the questioning of the Lynch pick. The Pats, at present have no 2nd. The pick fills neither the BPA (arguably) nor the simple staffing of a need. The next pick is a ways off (discounting the 2nd 1st).

Lynch is a hella back outta Cal, but not a truly exciting prospect. The same 3-5 yards could be gained by any assortment of backs that will be available later. Personally, although it is my favorite position of all-time, the RB position is one where only the truly special stand above the 80% JAG.

That said, I think the reasoning makes perfect sense and I do support the pick based on intent. The first pick can be thought of as a pure luxury pick of picking the GM's BPA, while the next pick, 3 later, can be used as anticipated, etc.

:ditto: :agree: :yeahthat: