Can we draft a starter?

[ABQCOWBOY]

honestly, w/ our roster, only an OLB has a chance of being a huge contributor as a rookie

OLB is the only position on our roster where we need an instant contributor from this draft if Carp is moved inside, that's why this year, I'm not necessarily looking at who might start, or might not, as a rookie, or who may play a huge role, like I did in the past, just someone who has a chance to do something in the near future when TO/Glenn, Flozell, Ellis, move along

I don't see OLB as the position. I see ILB as the position but that's here nore there. Honestly, I think we should really consider trading up in the draft or trading down and aquiring as many picks between 30 and 80 as we can. This, to me, is a year in which we either make a move to get a true impact player that can show dividends almost immediatly or, trade down and start bringing in good quality players to groom for the future. Honestly, I don't think staying at 22 is the best possible solution for us.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Singletary?

Sorry, whishful thinking on my part. Singleton.

 

[tomson75]

Classic quote. Conan the Barbarian, right?

Yep. Via Genghis khan.

 

[TNCowboy]

I seriously doubt they take an OLB with the first pick, unless someone extraordinary falls. Ayodele and James are almost certain to start. I'd wager Carpenter will split time with Ellis opposite Ware. Where would a draftee play, much less start, especially if Burnett improves any? A 1st round OLB would be a backup, like pretty much anything else we can draft.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I seriously doubt they take an OLB with the first pick, unless someone extraordinary falls. Ayodele and James are almost certain to start. I'd wager Carpenter will split time with Ellis opposite Ware. Where would a draftee play, much less start, especially if Burnett improves any? A 1st round OLB would be a backup, like pretty much anything else we can draft.

I see James as the weak link in that scenario but I could be way wrong. He, at least, knows the defense and makes the calls but again, I agree. I don't see a starter being drafted at 22.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

In addition to the FS if Hamlin doesn't come in, if we somehow got Willis, he could start inside right away.

If we *did* trade Julius, maybe someone like Lynch could start right away.

I think a Grubbs or maybe Blaylock *might* start over Kosier.

But like Alex said, the fact that this is a tough question is a beautiful thing.

 

[THUMPER]

At 22, what player might realistically slip or be available in that area of the draft that we can use a 1st rd pick on to start? Seriosly, what are the chances of that happening?

Do we need a starter at any particular position? I don't believe we do unless somehow one of the top FS falls to us but there are no guarantees that anyone we draft would be a starter particularly that late in the round.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Honestly, ILB or RB are the only positions I see a guy being able to come in and start ahead of anybody. This assumes that we sign Hamlin, which I think is likely.

I don't see a RB in this draft, outside of AD, who's capable of starting over Julius and Marion, and we don't need to draft an ILB necessarily, Carp could play that position

w/ how our roster is set up, we only need another pass-rusher and starting FS, and like you say, Hamlin starting there is a very real possibility

for me, this draft is about re-stocking some positions where we'll need new starters in the very, near future, and if we could use our 1st 2 picks to upgrade FS and getting another pass-rusher, then even better

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Many Top 15 pick talent caliber WR's don't start until the 2nd or 3rd year. Santonio Holmes only started 4 games last year, and the Steelers had absolutely nobody opposite Hines Ward. I don't see a 2nd tier talent like Jarrett, Meachem or Bowe beating out a good proven #3 WR like Crayton on Day 1. None of them are polished prospects. Jarrett and Meachem are juniors, and Bowe is extremely raw and is going to be a project player. Meachem and Bowe just recently became productive college players.

If Hamlin isn't signed, I could see Nelson or Griffin starting next year. Other than that, I don't see it.

he only started 4 games, but played alot, was the Steeler's 2nd leading receiver, in this league, 3 WRs find themselves w/ alot of playing time, the same goes for your top 3 CBs because of that

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

In addition to the FS if Hamlin doesn't come in, if we somehow got Willis, he could start inside right away.

If we *did* trade Julius, maybe someone like Lynch could start right away.

I think a Grubbs or maybe Blaylock *might* start over Kosier.

But like Alex said, the fact that this is a tough question is a beautiful thing.

ILB, FB and FS are really the only positions I see as possible candidates. As you said, Willis at ILB might be a guy but I seriously doubt it. After running a 4.37, I don't think Willis makes it to 22. If we traded Jones, then there would be a spot for a guy but Lynch would have to drop and I don't think he will. I do think Hamlin will be signed and so, that will put to rest the FS position. I don't think Grubbs or Blaylock can beat out Kosier. Kosier is a solid Run Blocker and he's very servicable in pass defense. He's still young and he's experienced. I honestly don't believe either of those guys could beat out Kosier as rookies. Besides, I don't see us drafting a Guard with our first pick. Could be wrong but I don't see it.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

ILB, FB and FS are really the only positions I see as possible candidates.

I don't know how you could say that when Dallas has talked to a rack of OLB and WR candidates, not to mention Blalock and Samson Satele

I agree w/ you though that it would be hard for a rookie OG to beat out Kosier

 

[theogt]

I seriously doubt they take an OLB with the first pick, unless someone extraordinary falls. Ayodele and James are almost certain to start. I'd wager Carpenter will split time with Ellis opposite Ware. Where would a draftee play, much less start, especially if Burnett improves any? A 1st round OLB would be a backup, like pretty much anything else we can draft.

We had a healthy contingent at the Purdue pro day, and the only player there worthy of taking in the first day that I can think of would be Anthony Spencer at OLB. That doesn't mean we'd draft him, but it does probably mean they're seriously considering it.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't know how you could say that when Dallas has talked to a rack of OLB and WR candidates, not to mention Blalock and Samson Satele

I agree w/ you though that it would be hard for a rookie OG to beat out Kosier

Well, it could very be that the team is taking the BPA approach here, which is what I would do. To me, those are the only positions I could see a guy coming in and starting and that's no guarante either. To me, FS is addressed already so no reason to look there. OLB could be the position we draft but it would be a guy that we could bring in to become a Pass Rush specialist in the beginnng. That would probably be the most logical way to do it. WR is typically not a first year starter deal. It usually takes a few year but that would definatly be a good investment to make this year at 22. The WR your going to get there would be a guy who would need to be developed IMO. I would be OK with that.

For some reason, I just think this might be a trade year. No real proof of that. Just feels like we might do that.

 

[sago1]

No #22 pick would give us an impact player who can start immediately barring injury or drastic miscalculation by other NFL teams during first day of draft. Except for FS, we've got decent to good players at just about all the positions.

What we hoping for with that pick is to acquire several players on first day of draft or later who can contribute this year and become starters in 08. For example, CB Aaron Glenn is 35 and we must pick a good CB who can replace him nlt beginning of 08--that's why I like Darrelle Revis who also a good return player.

We also need a young WR who can replace TO (turns 34 in Dec) next year cause none of us are sure Jerry will bring TO back next year. But who in this draft (except CJ) has #1 WR potential.

Flozel Adams is 32 and in last year of contract. Is McQuistan really a legit quality replacement at LT or must we draft an OT who can start next year?

Ferguson played well this year but he's 32 and we had no viable backup behind him. We gotta draft/sign a player who can back him up and hopefully replace him in 09--if not before.

In other words if we can draft 3-4 players this year who contribute to the team this year and show they have talent to be our starters soon then we've hit a grand slam.

 

[BigDFan5]

Sorry, whishful thinking on my part. Singleton.

Singleton is a free agengt isnt he?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

For some reason, I just think this might be a trade year. No real proof of that. Just feels like we might do that.

I'm down

as long as the direction is down, not up

personally, this is what I want to see w/ the 1st 3 picks: OLB, WR, CB, in no particular order, there are some exceptions such as Blalock in the 2nd, Samson Satele 3rd/4th, and Staley 1st round

 

[tomson75]

Singleton is a free agengt isnt he?

Yeah, I think he was released a while back. I hope you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting...

Nevermind. I was thinking of that other short, underweight, but decent regardless LB we had.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Singleton is a free agengt isnt he?

Yeah, but depending on how Ellis is doing and if we can find a quality ILB to allow for Carp to stay outside, we might just feel like we need to keep him. I don't know. I don't think he's a special player but he is a guy who we may end up needing because of Ellis' injury. Don't know.

 

[Manster68]

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH QUALITY CORNERS!

So when there is a draft where corners are strong, you have to take one I believe.

Houston, Ross, or Revis will be there and they should not be passed up.

 

[mschmidt64]

At 22, what player might realistically slip or be available in that area of the draft that we can use a 1st rd pick on to start? Seriosly, what are the chances of that happening?

I'd say slim.

We are set at just about every starting position, especially if we sign Hamlin.