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If I may, I'd like to comment on the last few posts (again, another great draft discussion by the best posters on the site). As some of you may know, I am a year-round draft junkie, and try to watch and follow as many prospects as possible. Anyways, I'll start with the safeties.
Mediocracy is not improved with more mediocre talent. While Denver's secondary isn't mediocre, it isn't particularly "stunning" either. Removing Kennedy, and replaceing him with an average Ferguson doesn't improve the prospectus of the secondary. Also, anytime there is a surplus in the draft, you must tap into it. It's like drilling for oil; you put your derek in a region plentiful in petroleum, not in a region lacking depth and quality aquifers (Oklahoma analogy). Look at the Eagles of the 2002 NFL Draft. Wanting secondary help, they went to the plentiful CB well twice, landing two future standouts in Shepherd and Brown. While Denver probably shouldn't draft two safeties, it would be foolish to not take a stab at one of the many quality safeties available this year. While I'm not as high on Underwood, I do like Bullocks. who is the best centerfielder in the Draft, in the second. But, Denver doesn't have to take that route in the second. The beauty of depth is that it becomes a buyer's maket, and better safeties fall to later, and cheaper, rounds. Guys like James Butler of GT, O.J. Atogwe of Stanford, ad even Donte Nicholson of Oklahoma could fall to late third or even fifth round status because of the depth at safety. All three have their flaws, but each has upside all in the same. Nicholson bears watching, a SS in college shouldn't fool you, Oklahoma loved to play a two deep style, and Nicholson can make plays against both the run and the pass. He would be a reach in the second, but a steal in the fourth. Still, if better pass defense is what you want, Bullocks can cover the deep half with the best of 'em, and those big plays given up by Denver are cut down significantly.
The Eagles of '02 bring up another good point, don't pigeon hole your draft for the immediate future. When Brown and Shepherd were taken, Philly already had the best CB tandem in the NFC East. But, by the time Vincent and Taylor's contracts ended, the Eagles were already set at the position with younger, CHEAPER talent. By looking ahead three years, the Eagles used the draft as a tool for fiscal responsibility. If you don't believe this, why do they always have 15 million or more to work with? Now, Philly hasn't had glearing weaknesses the past few years, like Denver, but that speaks more on every move Philly Management makes, not just their draft, but it bears noting. What it means for Denver is that while the first round can address immediate needs, don't view every pick as a way to fill a current hole, look down the road to avoid cap troubles. So if Denver does take Williamson in the first round, don't piss and moan about the selection, understand that in two years, when Smith is gone, a Williamson, Lelie, Watts trio at reciever never skips a beat, and money is not allocated to replace the loss. It is just an example and not a forecast (but do note that I am high on this guy, really high, and I'll discuss it more as the draft nears.)
One more thing, Spencer is great, but you will need a top 15 second round pick to land him, he is soaring up draft boards and is the best interior offensive player in th draft. Yet, it would be a travesty if we did not have Evan Mathis in the top two on our board of Interior linemen. He just fits the scheme and is as strong as an ox, check the reps. Great player, my second favorite.
Mediocracy is not improved with more mediocre talent. While Denver's secondary isn't mediocre, it isn't particularly "stunning" either. Removing Kennedy, and replaceing him with an average Ferguson doesn't improve the prospectus of the secondary. Also, anytime there is a surplus in the draft, you must tap into it. It's like drilling for oil; you put your derek in a region plentiful in petroleum, not in a region lacking depth and quality aquifers (Oklahoma analogy). Look at the Eagles of the 2002 NFL Draft. Wanting secondary help, they went to the plentiful CB well twice, landing two future standouts in Shepherd and Brown. While Denver probably shouldn't draft two safeties, it would be foolish to not take a stab at one of the many quality safeties available this year. While I'm not as high on Underwood, I do like Bullocks. who is the best centerfielder in the Draft, in the second. But, Denver doesn't have to take that route in the second. The beauty of depth is that it becomes a buyer's maket, and better safeties fall to later, and cheaper, rounds. Guys like James Butler of GT, O.J. Atogwe of Stanford, ad even Donte Nicholson of Oklahoma could fall to late third or even fifth round status because of the depth at safety. All three have their flaws, but each has upside all in the same. Nicholson bears watching, a SS in college shouldn't fool you, Oklahoma loved to play a two deep style, and Nicholson can make plays against both the run and the pass. He would be a reach in the second, but a steal in the fourth. Still, if better pass defense is what you want, Bullocks can cover the deep half with the best of 'em, and those big plays given up by Denver are cut down significantly.
The Eagles of '02 bring up another good point, don't pigeon hole your draft for the immediate future. When Brown and Shepherd were taken, Philly already had the best CB tandem in the NFC East. But, by the time Vincent and Taylor's contracts ended, the Eagles were already set at the position with younger, CHEAPER talent. By looking ahead three years, the Eagles used the draft as a tool for fiscal responsibility. If you don't believe this, why do they always have 15 million or more to work with? Now, Philly hasn't had glearing weaknesses the past few years, like Denver, but that speaks more on every move Philly Management makes, not just their draft, but it bears noting. What it means for Denver is that while the first round can address immediate needs, don't view every pick as a way to fill a current hole, look down the road to avoid cap troubles. So if Denver does take Williamson in the first round, don't piss and moan about the selection, understand that in two years, when Smith is gone, a Williamson, Lelie, Watts trio at reciever never skips a beat, and money is not allocated to replace the loss. It is just an example and not a forecast (but do note that I am high on this guy, really high, and I'll discuss it more as the draft nears.)
One more thing, Spencer is great, but you will need a top 15 second round pick to land him, he is soaring up draft boards and is the best interior offensive player in th draft. Yet, it would be a travesty if we did not have Evan Mathis in the top two on our board of Interior linemen. He just fits the scheme and is as strong as an ox, check the reps. Great player, my second favorite.
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