gimmesix
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
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I have really been torn over whether or not I believe Dallas should try to trade up and take Darren McFadden. So much of the conflict is based on cost and needs at other positions. Getting Adam Jones would help some with one of those concerns, but not completely (since we don't know how he'll act).
The primary things that make me say don't do it are:
1) Having to trade both first-round picks and probably more to trade up.
2) The more pressing needs we currently have IMO at wide receiver and cornerback. We know we have our starting running back, but we don't know if one of the players we want to start at receiver (Terry Glenn) will be able to go and we know we need a capable third corner, who can play on the nickel D and probably have to step in for an injury.
3) The strong depth of the running back class in this draft. Since our primary objective is to get someone to spell Barber, the need to go after the draft's best back isn't pressing.
The primary things that make me say do it are:
1) Although this is a strong RB class, I believe McFadden could be a rare back. This is a player who succeeded against some very, very tough defenses in a tough league, and made several of them look weak. This is a player who succeeded despite Arkansas lacking a decent passing game. This is a player who succeeded last year despite a concussion or two and playing a lot of the season with bruised ribs (which I believe is the main culprit behind his fumbling, since he didn't have a fumbling problem previously). Yes, the Wild Hog formation and having Felix Jones as a backfield teammate helped, but even with both of them on the field, teams still knew the run was coming, focused on McFadden and couldn't stop him consistently. In other words, he's absolutely not going to be a bust and has shown he might be something special.
2) Dallas could kill two birds, possibly three, with one RB. Two of our primary positions of concern are backup running back and "speed" wide receiver, and I believe that McFadden could be the answer at both positions. He wasn't called upon to catch a lot of passes at Arkansas, but his hands have never been a problem and he is a multiposition athlete, being as good in the secondary as he was in the backfield in high school (and recruited for both spots). I truly believe with his size, strength and speed, Dallas could line him up at receiver to provide a speed threat or put him in the backfield with Barber some and then motion him out. That, of course, would be in addition to his duties at running back. On top of that, McFadden was overshadowed by Felix Jones as a kick returner, but he did very well with the opportunites he got. So even though Barber is the starter, McFadden would get plenty of opportunities to contribute, justifying the pick.
3) If we do get Adam Jones and the Raiders are willing to trade down for our two first-rounders (maybe throw in a sixth in 2009), then the price is not too steep in my mind. We'd still have to go after a corner early in the draft, but I'd be willing to stick with the WRs we've got, watch the development of Stanback and have McFadden add that speed threat.
Ultimately, I'm not sure I'd be disappointed with Dallas' decision either way (unless we traded the farm to move up). If we don't get McFadden, we have a good chance of adding two good players at positions that need the depth. If we do get McFadden, we stand a chance of having a special player who can put a lot of added stress on defenses already struggling to contain our stars. That possibility excites me, but what we might be losing to trade up deflates me.
The primary things that make me say don't do it are:
1) Having to trade both first-round picks and probably more to trade up.
2) The more pressing needs we currently have IMO at wide receiver and cornerback. We know we have our starting running back, but we don't know if one of the players we want to start at receiver (Terry Glenn) will be able to go and we know we need a capable third corner, who can play on the nickel D and probably have to step in for an injury.
3) The strong depth of the running back class in this draft. Since our primary objective is to get someone to spell Barber, the need to go after the draft's best back isn't pressing.
The primary things that make me say do it are:
1) Although this is a strong RB class, I believe McFadden could be a rare back. This is a player who succeeded against some very, very tough defenses in a tough league, and made several of them look weak. This is a player who succeeded despite Arkansas lacking a decent passing game. This is a player who succeeded last year despite a concussion or two and playing a lot of the season with bruised ribs (which I believe is the main culprit behind his fumbling, since he didn't have a fumbling problem previously). Yes, the Wild Hog formation and having Felix Jones as a backfield teammate helped, but even with both of them on the field, teams still knew the run was coming, focused on McFadden and couldn't stop him consistently. In other words, he's absolutely not going to be a bust and has shown he might be something special.
2) Dallas could kill two birds, possibly three, with one RB. Two of our primary positions of concern are backup running back and "speed" wide receiver, and I believe that McFadden could be the answer at both positions. He wasn't called upon to catch a lot of passes at Arkansas, but his hands have never been a problem and he is a multiposition athlete, being as good in the secondary as he was in the backfield in high school (and recruited for both spots). I truly believe with his size, strength and speed, Dallas could line him up at receiver to provide a speed threat or put him in the backfield with Barber some and then motion him out. That, of course, would be in addition to his duties at running back. On top of that, McFadden was overshadowed by Felix Jones as a kick returner, but he did very well with the opportunites he got. So even though Barber is the starter, McFadden would get plenty of opportunities to contribute, justifying the pick.
3) If we do get Adam Jones and the Raiders are willing to trade down for our two first-rounders (maybe throw in a sixth in 2009), then the price is not too steep in my mind. We'd still have to go after a corner early in the draft, but I'd be willing to stick with the WRs we've got, watch the development of Stanback and have McFadden add that speed threat.
Ultimately, I'm not sure I'd be disappointed with Dallas' decision either way (unless we traded the farm to move up). If we don't get McFadden, we have a good chance of adding two good players at positions that need the depth. If we do get McFadden, we stand a chance of having a special player who can put a lot of added stress on defenses already struggling to contain our stars. That possibility excites me, but what we might be losing to trade up deflates me.
