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Day 3: who do we target?

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ESPN discussion - New England having best draft.

I think they have had a good draft, but part of that is because they picked all offense so far. And ESPN loves offense as do most sports corporations. If you want to get the best draft grade ever by ESPN... go just go WR/RB/TE/QB in the first, second and third. Hit all the fantasy spots.

That being said, here is my grade so far.

#4 Will Campbell OT B- Part of this is just bad luck being the 4th spot. There was no true 'A move' here and no one was going to trade up. Had to pick from the next tier down. I think McMillian was the best value/need fit (But that would have only been a B+), Campbell isn't a bad pick per say. But he needs to stay at LT or this pick will go down hill fast. I am grading it assuming he is a career LT who is middle of the road as a starter in that spot.
#38 Tre Henderson RB - B - I get why they picked him. It was a need. He is really talented. Arguably the best talent left at this point. But i think a trade back would have been optimal. I am just very wary of picking RBs this high. They need to be SO GOOD to be worth it.
#69 - Kyle Williams WR - A - The more i learn about this player the more i like the pick. They got good value here and a potential difference maker.
#95 Jared Wilson C - A+ - When you consider the extra value form the trade downs and still getting this level of player here... one of the best overall values of the draft and their best pick. Will be able to help at guard a bit if needed and to get some playing time and very possibly our center for the next 10 years, and maybe a really solid one.

To me the main issues with their draft is the board early, particular in their first 2 picks went a bit sideways on them and the players to fill the needs they way they wanted weren't there.

Here is how i rank the drafts so far.

#1 Ravens - wow. I hate them. But man can they seem to draft.
#2 Panthers - I think the clear #2 team. They've killed it.
#3 Texans - Things just fell their way, but also had the ammo to pull trades they needed at the spots they needed.
#4 Falcons - Very good value.. only pick i didn't love was Pearce, but still okay value there.
#5 Pats - Part of this was also just bad luck. at the spots they were at.
#6 Giants - typical Giants draft. Solid but somehow i feel it won't work out.
#7 Chiefs - I don't think they are amazing overall... but Simmons is the steal of the draft by a mile. That alone earns them a high grade
#8 Vikings - Good players at good value spots with very few picks... can't put them higher with so little to grade, but doing well.
#9 Seattle - Very solid picks for their spots, but they took Zabel a bit too high IMO. Also that QB at 92... I don't see it. Other value was there.

And finally, maybe great... maybe not.

#10 Bears - A lot depends on how Burden works out and taking any TE at 10th is a statement. If he is the star some people think he is great. If not, we'll see.. After those i like it more... but i feel the top 2 picks could go either way... good or really bad value wise.

Biggest WTF of this draft.

Browns - They start off things SO GOOD. Then do a massive reach IMO on Mason Graham who should MAYBE be the 12th guy. Then they don't take great value at 33 with a lot of great value there. Pick the wrong RB at 36. For as much as i hesitate on Henderson, i think he is better than the guy they took by a good bit. Fannin is a great pick. But then a head scratchier as they get a back up QB with other good players on the board. They got off to an amazing start with an insanely good deal... then kind of went full Browns IMO.
 
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Remaining needs: DT, Blocking TE, CB, K, LT, WR, QB

They've be best to take another OT and DT sooner than later. They can find a blocking TE, Kicker and CB's later in the draft.
 
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Edge should be the first pick followed by FS and then feel free to take a DT.
 
Four picks is far too early to discern a pattern but it's notable that three of the four picks were from Ohio State, LSU and Georgia. Big schools, SEC and Big 10. I wonder if that continues today.
29 of 102 have been from the Big 10
 
A word on Joshua Farmer who could be in the running for 106.

He's one of the youngest in the draft, is country strong, plays violently with strong hands and has 35" arms. Daniel Jeremiah had in his top 50 at one stage. Was a late 30 visit to us.

 
I'd really like to see edge next too--I see a small value group there followed by a dropoff. Safety is murkier at this point--maybe a S/LB tweener like Bassa?
I’d say FS is their biggest need on defense, but the team can’t address every need.
 
Seeing how they addressed needs at LT, RB, WR, and C, drafting the best player avail and that being a LG wouldn't be the worst decision in the world.

DT, FS and maybe a TE are a higher priority still IMO

I know Vrabel said some good things, but it is possible Strange just sucks ass in camp and preseason and they trade him. That would save the team 2.4m as he is in the last year of his rookie deal.
This is a really dumb post RW. Strange has never "sucked ass" when he has been healthy. Why do you think he would suddenly suck ass now? Perhaps if Drake Maye sucks ass they will send him packing too.
 
The calls for Jack Sawyer are completely understandable and he may very well be the pick but if you thought Will Campbell was a T-rex, Jack Sawyer has arms so short even Campbell could block him at 31 3/4". That's not to say he's not excellent, just worth bearing in mind.
 
The 25% missed tackle rate might be an issue for them. They can't fault his work ethic and instincts though.
Our Dugger and Peppers would be good training ground for any SS.
 
Remaining needs: DT, Blocking TE, CB, K, LT, WR, QB

They've be best to take another OT and DT sooner than later. They can find a blocking TE, Kicker and CB's later in the draft.
I hope they don't just take a "blocking TE". That's definitely the skillset they need most in the current TE room, but Hooper is on a 1 year deal and Henry is on a 2 year deal and I wouldn't be on either lasting past that. This is a strong TE class by most accounts. It'd be great if they could find a well rounded TE to groom for the long term over a stop gap blocking TE. Just use an extra OT for that.
 
Anyone thinking trade back with 1 of the #5's?
 
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