Offseason musts to help the draft

[ghst187]

what's your list of minimum things we have to do in order to position ourselves for a great draft that will address our needs?

Mine:
1) Bring back the WR corps: sign Dez, tender with at least a second Beasely
2) Figure out the RB position: sign Murray or bring in AP. Our running game is our identity.
3) Keep the LB corps largely intact: keep 2/3 FA LBs, McClain, Durant, Carter (pick two)
4) figure out the CBs: if we ditch Carr we have to have a FA IMO and we'll still probably need to draft one
5) figure out the RT: keep Free or Parnell or both? If Free doesn't demand huge money I'd love to have him back as he's markedly better in pass protection. Parnell won't cost much to keep and is younger. However, if we lose one of them the OT position becomes a draft need IMO.

Luxury items:
6) bring in one key FA along the DL: Suh would be amazing, Fairley is available and will be lots cheaper or possibly someone else to include a DE. Bringing in one impact player here makes it less dire that we use a high draft pick on a DT
7) Bringing back Spencer. I think its a foregone conclusion that we'll use one or two of our first three picks on pass rushers and at least one at the DE position. Does Spencer stymie progress of a rookie?
8) KR/WR: Dwayne Harris. I would love to get Lockett in the draft but I'm afraid he could be gone even before our third round pick.

I think hitting the minimum 1-5 items are the least we can do and not go into the draft desperate at multiple positions. Doing 1-6 would give us incredible flexibility with the draft to go after key impact players and BPAs. Anyway, that's how I'm seeing it, Jerry has a lot of work to do this offseason.

 

[darthseinfeld]

what's your list of minimum things we have to do in order to position ourselves for a great draft that will address our needs?

Mine:
1) Bring back the WR corps: sign Dez, tender with at least a second Beasely
2) Figure out the RB position: sign Murray or bring in AP. Our running game is our identity.
3) Keep the LB corps largely intact: keep 2/3 FA LBs, McClain, Durant, Carter (pick two)
4) figure out the CBs: if we ditch Carr we have to have a FA IMO and we'll still probably need to draft one
5) figure out the RT: keep Free or Parnell or both? If Free doesn't demand huge money I'd love to have him back as he's markedly better in pass protection. Parnell won't cost much to keep and is younger. However, if we lose one of them the OT position becomes a draft need IMO.

Luxury items:
6) bring in one key FA along the DL: Suh would be amazing, Fairley is available and will be lots cheaper or possibly someone else to include a DE. Bringing in one impact player here makes it less dire that we use a high draft pick on a DT
7) Bringing back Spencer. I think its a foregone conclusion that we'll use one or two of our first three picks on pass rushers and at least one at the DE position. Does Spencer stymie progress of a rookie?
8) KR/WR: Dwayne Harris. I would love to get Lockett in the draft but I'm afraid he could be gone even before our third round pick.

I think hitting the minimum 1-5 items are the least we can do and not go into the draft desperate at multiple positions. Doing 1-6 would give us incredible flexibility with the draft to go after key impact players and BPAs. Anyway, that's how I'm seeing it, Jerry has a lot of work to do this offseason.

One of the more rational mock offseasons ive seen. Some thoughts on a few of your points.

2)Id consider Mark Ingram as well. He had a solid season and seemed to turn the corner on his career and could be Pro Bowler behind this line. Ive heard people say he's slow and he is, but he runs with great vision and solid power. And let me ask ya this. Murray isnt slow by any means, but how much of his near 1,900 yards has he got breaking of 50 yard runs. We need a 4 to 8 yards every carry guy.

6) Not turning my nose up to Suh at all. We have been much more frugal of late with contracts and I would like to see them continue that. But players like Suh are the reason I want to see them continue to be frugal. When are more effective managing the cap, you put yourself in a better position to add a player like Suh who will cost alot but could potentially put you over the top.

7) To awnser your question, no he wouldn't. I thinking our plan going forward is to use a heavy rotation and I dont see Spencer holding a rookie back. Jones loves him some Spencer and I expect him back.

8)Lockett IMO is a second round prospect who considering the depth at WR this year could go in the third. Honestly however, I wouldnt be upset at all if he was our second round pick. T Will reminds me a bit of James Jones when he was a Packer who was way more effective once they added Randell Cobb. Lockett could be our Cobb

 

[VACowboy]

1) Bring back the WR corps: sign Dez, tender with at least a second Beasely

I was a wait and see guy on Dez this year, but I'm in now. I just really hope he doesn't demand 16 mil. Beasley is a no-brainer, but I'd like to add another, more stout slot guy to the WR mix
,

2) Figure out the RB position: sign Murray or bring in AP. Our running game is our identity.

I couldn't agree more, but I really don't want to break the bank on a big name FA (at any position). I'd love to see a home run threat behind the Dallas OL (Duke Johnson).

3) Keep the LB corps largely intact: keep 2/3 FA LBs, McClain, Durant, Carter (pick two)

My preference would be to bring Carter back, but why is it that he only seems to thrive when other guys get hurt? I think Lee's best position, especially in a Marineli defense, is on the weak side, so I'd like to see McClain back for a reasonable deal. Durant is getting up there in age, but if he'll stick around for near the min, I think he'd be a quality asset to the team. Two LB's I really like in the draft are Denzell Perryman and Max Valles. Both are tremendous athletes with great instincts and college production. Most people have Valles penciled in as a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB, but I'd love to see him playing a sort of Von Miller, strong-side, move around blitzer. There's not a lot Valles can't do from the LB position. Perryman is a bit short, and he's probably a pure ILB, but man is he a good one. He's built like Mike Singletary, is strong, quick, great in coverage and plays sideline to sideline every play.

4) figure out the CBs: if we ditch Carr we have to have a FA IMO and we'll still probably need to draft one

I'm not sure what to do here. Carr hasn't played up to his contract and Claiborne is as good as gone. Scandrick may be our best defensive player. Sterling Moore has been a great pickup and Patmon has played pretty well for a rook. It looks like to me that our starters going into the draft, without signing a FA, will be Scandrick and Moore, with Patmon at the nickel. I have no idea what FA's will be available, and frankly I'd rather draft a DB than buy one. Corner seems to be a strength of the draft.

5) figure out the RT: keep Free or Parnell or both? If Free doesn't demand huge money I'd love to have him back as he's markedly better in pass protection. Parnell won't cost much to keep and is younger. However, if we lose one of them the OT position becomes a draft need IMO.

That pretty much says it. IMHO, if Stanley is there at #32, you have to at least do some serious thinking.

Luxury items:
6) bring in one key FA along the DL: Suh would be amazing, Fairley is available and will be lots cheaper or possibly someone else to include a DE. Bringing in one impact player here makes it less dire that we use a high draft pick on a DT

No big $$$ FA's for me. And DT is a strength of the draft too. Bennett, Brown and even Mario Edwards would be good selections at #32.

7) Bringing back Spencer. I think its a foregone conclusion that we'll use one or two of our first three picks on pass rushers and at least one at the DE position. Does Spencer stymie progress of a rookie?

I wouldn't mind seeing Spencer back but I'm feeling about 30/70 that it's gonna happen. It just depends what kind of contract he wants, in terms of both length and guarantees. If we draft a guy, he and Lawrence better be pushing Spencer for PT.

8) KR/WR: Dwayne Harris. I would love to get Lockett in the draft but I'm afraid he could be gone even before our third round pick.

I love Harris. He's more than just a return man, though. He's GREAT in coverage. Here's a guy I'd REALLY love to see with a star on his helmet: Jamison Crowder. Look him up.

I think hitting the minimum 1-5 items are the least we can do and not go into the draft desperate at multiple positions. Doing 1-6 would give us incredible flexibility with the draft to go after key impact players and BPAs. Anyway, that's how I'm seeing it, Jerry has a lot of work to do this offseason.

I agree, but I don't like signing FA's just to make the draft easier. I say draft well and re-sign your own guys, and fill in with a couple mid-tier FA's if you must.

 

[sbark]

Good List, JJ has had a position to get clear cut needs done before the draft if possible. I'm sure he weights off Romo's years left, with the possible development of D.Law and yet another Rookie......and then on the other hand review team history and the effect a C.Haley had on the 90's team. The 90's team was young and without the great deal on Haley, he might of passed, and might pass now on a SuH, JPP etc if the prices is simply too high...There is always risk---sign a guy and he goes down anyway (melton) or doesn't live up to expectations (carr)........the NFL isn't risk free

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Suh would cost too much, plus he's a thug. They need to focus on a few fringe players in FA & keep drafting well. Defense, defense, defense, is where I would go in the draft. Pass rusher, 1 technique run stopper, & a couple of corners, to start.