Tweet
As of week 6, I think that our biggest needs are DE, S, MLB, DT, in that order.
Round 1: Greg Hardy, DE- Old Miss--6'5'', 260lbs.
I would honestly rather have one of the top three safeties (Rolle, Moore, Mays), but I just don't see them falling out of the top 20. That leaves Kam Chancellor as the next best option and I just don't like the value at that pick. I also really like Aaron Curry, however he suffers the same fate as he is rising up draft boards like crazy. Brandon Spikes is also an option that I wouldn't mind, however at this point I think Nate Webster is playing very well and is improving week to week. IMO, there just aren't many elite DTs in this class. I really don't see much difference in a DT that will go in the first, and one that will go late in the second or even the third. So that leads me to Greg Hardy. He is definitely big and strong enough to be effective against the run. AND, he is also very good at collapsing the pocket and getting pressure on the QB. Last year he had 10 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss. I also like that he is that dominant in the SEC, the best conference in the NCAA. Hardy could come in a start right away at Right End, and Dumervil could come in on passing downs. Lets face it, Doom is not very good against the run, and when those passing downs come along, he is usually too tired and worn down that he can't get into the backfield. This way, he gets to focus on rushing the QB. I still haven't given up on Moss, but I am not willing to pass up on someone this good. If Moss turns out to be the DE that I hope he will, then great, we will have a lot of very good depth on the D Line, which is always a good think. And, who knows, maybe he will end up making the change to outside linebacker.
Round 2: Tyson Jackson, DE- LSU--6'5'', 292lbs
OK, the only safety that worth taking in round 2 that MIGHT still be there, is Patrick Chung, but I honestly don't think he is worth the pick. I just don't see much difference between him and others we can get later. Spikes will be gone. I like McKillop and Brinkley, but I just don't see either one of them being a clear cut starter. As I have indicated in other threads, I am VERY high on Jackson. He is a beast. I watched him man handle everyone that UK threw at him last year when we upset the national champs. I have been watching him ever since and he is the best Left End prospect in the 09 draft. He is definitely a huge upgrade over E60, EE, and Crowder. Shanny wants to stop the run, well this guy can do it. He is also strong enough to push OLinemen backwards and help collapse the pocket. He will definitely draw many double teams. I don't know if he will still be there or not, but many "experts" have him falling to round two or even round three.
Round 3: Emmanuel Cook, SS-South Carolina-- 5'10'', 215lb
Unfortunately, I just watched this guy beat the crap out of Kentucky this week. He is short, but I think that helps him as far as tackling is concerned. It gives him a lower center of gravity which allows him to tackle more efficiently. The guy is good and would definitly be an upgrade over Manuel. He would be another drafted starter for our defense to build around.
Round 4: Curtis Taylor, FS-LSU-- 6'3'', 210lbs
He should be able to contribute right away. He will give McCree a tough fight for the starting job in his first year. He has good height and tackles very well. I have seen him play and he is very underratted. He is a steal if he falls this far, IMHO.
I think adding Hardy and Jackson will allow our front seven to better stop the run, while at the same time they will also put a lot of pressure on the QB. By putting pressure on the QB with our D Lineman, it allows our safeties to stay in coverage and help our corners. This allows Champ and Dre to be able to take the risk of trying to intercept a pass without worrying about a WR going for six if they don't pick it off, because the safeties are there to help. Shanny has built one hell of an Offense. That took some time. So will building the Defense. I think addressing the above positions will give us the best chance at getting off on the right foot.
Round 1: Greg Hardy, DE- Old Miss--6'5'', 260lbs.
I would honestly rather have one of the top three safeties (Rolle, Moore, Mays), but I just don't see them falling out of the top 20. That leaves Kam Chancellor as the next best option and I just don't like the value at that pick. I also really like Aaron Curry, however he suffers the same fate as he is rising up draft boards like crazy. Brandon Spikes is also an option that I wouldn't mind, however at this point I think Nate Webster is playing very well and is improving week to week. IMO, there just aren't many elite DTs in this class. I really don't see much difference in a DT that will go in the first, and one that will go late in the second or even the third. So that leads me to Greg Hardy. He is definitely big and strong enough to be effective against the run. AND, he is also very good at collapsing the pocket and getting pressure on the QB. Last year he had 10 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss. I also like that he is that dominant in the SEC, the best conference in the NCAA. Hardy could come in a start right away at Right End, and Dumervil could come in on passing downs. Lets face it, Doom is not very good against the run, and when those passing downs come along, he is usually too tired and worn down that he can't get into the backfield. This way, he gets to focus on rushing the QB. I still haven't given up on Moss, but I am not willing to pass up on someone this good. If Moss turns out to be the DE that I hope he will, then great, we will have a lot of very good depth on the D Line, which is always a good think. And, who knows, maybe he will end up making the change to outside linebacker.
Round 2: Tyson Jackson, DE- LSU--6'5'', 292lbs
OK, the only safety that worth taking in round 2 that MIGHT still be there, is Patrick Chung, but I honestly don't think he is worth the pick. I just don't see much difference between him and others we can get later. Spikes will be gone. I like McKillop and Brinkley, but I just don't see either one of them being a clear cut starter. As I have indicated in other threads, I am VERY high on Jackson. He is a beast. I watched him man handle everyone that UK threw at him last year when we upset the national champs. I have been watching him ever since and he is the best Left End prospect in the 09 draft. He is definitely a huge upgrade over E60, EE, and Crowder. Shanny wants to stop the run, well this guy can do it. He is also strong enough to push OLinemen backwards and help collapse the pocket. He will definitely draw many double teams. I don't know if he will still be there or not, but many "experts" have him falling to round two or even round three.
Round 3: Emmanuel Cook, SS-South Carolina-- 5'10'', 215lb
Unfortunately, I just watched this guy beat the crap out of Kentucky this week. He is short, but I think that helps him as far as tackling is concerned. It gives him a lower center of gravity which allows him to tackle more efficiently. The guy is good and would definitly be an upgrade over Manuel. He would be another drafted starter for our defense to build around.
Round 4: Curtis Taylor, FS-LSU-- 6'3'', 210lbs
He should be able to contribute right away. He will give McCree a tough fight for the starting job in his first year. He has good height and tackles very well. I have seen him play and he is very underratted. He is a steal if he falls this far, IMHO.
I think adding Hardy and Jackson will allow our front seven to better stop the run, while at the same time they will also put a lot of pressure on the QB. By putting pressure on the QB with our D Lineman, it allows our safeties to stay in coverage and help our corners. This allows Champ and Dre to be able to take the risk of trying to intercept a pass without worrying about a WR going for six if they don't pick it off, because the safeties are there to help. Shanny has built one hell of an Offense. That took some time. So will building the Defense. I think addressing the above positions will give us the best chance at getting off on the right foot.
Comment