Michigan DT Alan Branch appears to be slipping

[neosapien23]

Originally Posted by Alexander

You are attempting to make some point, don't ask me what it is.

My point was quite valid.

In the last twenty plus years, there have been 11 DTs taken in the top five.

2003 - Dwayne Robertson (fourth)
2001 - Gerald Warren (third)
1997 Darrell Russell (first)
1994 Dan Wilkinson (first)
1992 Steve Emtman (first)
1992 Sean Gilbert (third)
1991 Russell Maryland (first)
1990 Cortez Kennedy (third
1986 Tony Casillas (third)
1984 Bill Maas (fifth)
1982 Kenneth Sims (first)

Care to point out how many of these save Kennedy were worth it and how the ratio of busts to successes can justify selecting one in the top five?

If you stick to the numbers, you are better off no spending a pick in the top five. I've seen people giving Branch a third, fourth or fifth slot in this draft.

[View Full Quote]That's insane. You don't pay that type of price for a run clogger in the top five of this or any draft and expect to get a decent return.

The real question should be is Branch worth the 22nd pick if he couldn't even show up on shape for his interviews. Branch should be available to the Boys at 22. I see him getting drafted somewhere between the 18th-25th range. I don't know if he is worth the 22nd pick though when Dallas can get a similar player in the 3rd round.

[CowboyFan74]

Originally Posted by 5mics

I prefer Paul Soliai from Utah. He's raw BUT has a non-stop motor and is, in my view, more athletic than Branch. I d really don't like the reports that he was out of shape when he knows this is a job interview worth millions.....

Paul would work

[dwmyers]

Originally Posted by Alexander

I've seen people giving Branch a third, fourth or fifth slot in this draft. That's insane. You don't pay that type of price for a run clogger in the top five of this or any draft and expect to get a decent return.

I'm probably one of the biggest pro DT types on this board, but Alex is absolutely on target here. You don't pay filet mignon prices for a player with half the skill set of a DL.

The most recent successful 1st round draft of a NT type is Casey Hampton, but Casey was supposedly a mid second round in 2001 and Pittsburgh drafted him a round earlier than his draft position and succeeded. Who knows, maybe that success distorted the perceived price point for that kind of player.

A top 5 defensive lineman should be a Julius Peppers type. They should change games.

David.