Let's assume:
-We finish the year 9-7 and don't make the playoffs. That puts us in the high teens as far as draft choices go.
-We go into the offseason with a major need at LG. Free Agency is not an option.
-Other immediate needs are LB depth and replacement nose tackle for when RM moves on
-Running game improves but still not where we need it to be.
We're on the clock and Dalvin Cook is still on the board somehow. Do you take him having just invested a 2nd round pick on a RB a few short years ago as well as signing Ivory to a big deal (although it's really only 2 years)? Then use round 2 to grab a starting level guard and 3-7 to fill in depth and other needs.
Or do you take the best guard in the draft in round 1 (whoever that turns out to be)?
I guess the more high-level question is do you take a chance on a guy that could change the dynamic of your offense due to his game breaking ability and being a threat from anywhere on the field or do you stay true to more classic thought and take the guard and build from the inside out?
To me it depends on how Yeldon did during the season. If he couldnt find holes and Ivory basically did all the work then it's a no brained you take Cook. Shoot I almost think you take Cook anyways cause he's that damn good.
Quote:To me it depends on how Yeldon did during the season. If he couldnt find holes and Ivory basically did all the work then it's a no brained you take Cook. Shoot I almost think you take Cook anyways cause he's that damn good.
Thats my thinking. I don't want to bash Yeldon but he's not a RB that you have to game plan for if you're a DC. He doesn't scare you. Not that he can't be a good, productive back, but I don't think he possesses the skill set to be a game changing player.
To me its the difference in talent between a round 1 guard and a round 2 guard vs the difference between Cook and a RB in the 2nd round. Not even close.
Exactly Yeldon isn't great at one single thing that makes a scary RB other than being shifty. With Cook/Ivory and our TE/WR group who do you game plan for.
If he's the best player on your board or he's the most dynamic player on either side of the football. You take him. If we're coming off a 9 - 7 record and just barely missing the play-offs. And the running game was just "Okay" but not great. And there was plenty of room for them to excel if the passing offense continued it's performance from 2015 into 2016. You then have to start questioning the talent there and maybe not so much the scheme. Cook is fun to watch. He's had some great performances. The battery charges might make you worry a little bit. I am a Bulldogs fan so naturally I'll lean towards Nick Chubb a bit more. But I think Cook talent wise is better.
I am hearing the upcoming draft class is strong in LTs. If this is true, is there a viable LT on the board in this scenario? If so, perhaps I take a LT instead. The left side of the OL needs to be built, and in this scenario, I would take a G in the 2nd or 3rd. Caldwell has shown he can find quality guards in the 3rd round twice before (Linder and Cann). In fact, at this way too early point (right now I am enjoying the draft picks we just made), I do not see any scenario where LT is not a need next April.
LT could be a go-to position. But that's ultimately dependent upon whether or not Kelvin Beachum can succeed this year and stay healthy. I agree. I think a guard in the 1ST RD is rare. You'd have to grade them like Mike Iupati or David DeCastro to justify taking a guard that high I think.
I assume trading back is not an option? Because late first early second would be a good place to grab a LG/ RT prospect.
I tend to think we do end up picking an offensive lineman or a nose tackle as the OP said, maybe strong safety if no one emerges.
I like Cook a lot so I guess I'd be fine with it. It feels like we are good enough at that position going into the next few years. Hard to justify spending a first round pick on a running back, but he looks like he has special talent.
Hows that for a nonanswer?
He's a dynamic player. You take him.
Some homer.
Next years RB class is kind of like this years interior Dline group. Tons of talent so you can probably get 1st round talent in rounds 2 or 3.
Quote:Next years RB class is kind of like this years interior Dline group. Tons of talent so you can probably get 1st round talent in rounds 2 or 3.
Talent RBs yes I'll agree there but elite prospect RBs I'd say 3 depending on Chubb leg. Once the first one goes off the board the other 2 will be soon to follow.
Quote:Talent RBs yes I'll agree there but elite prospect RBs I'd say 3 depending on Chubb leg. Once the first one goes off the board the other 2 will be soon to follow.
I see around 7-8 first round talent RBs at the moment.
1)Fournette (LSU)
2)Cook (FSU)
3)Nick Chubb (Georgia)
4)Christian McCaffrey (Stanford)
5)Samjae Perine (Oklahoma)
6)Royce Freeman (Oregonl
7)Wayne Gallman (Clemson)
5,6,& 7 are talented but NOT elite. I'll agree on Christian so depending on Chubb we have 4 must have backs. I say grab one of the 4 in the first unless we still need and can snag a great tackle.
Quote:5,6,& 7 are talented but NOT elite. I'll agree on Christian so depending on Chubb we have 4 must have backs. I say grab one of the 4 in the first unless we still need and can snag a great tackle.
Samjae Perine is elite think he will show that this year. Perine in the 2nd is way better value than Chubb in the #20s. Think he might actually be better than Chubb.
For the sake of comparison, I'm going to assume that Cook can put up Warrick Dunn type stats (11,000 career rushing yards + 4,300 receiving yards) --- or 4.1 yards per rush and 8.5 yards per reception.
If TJ misses 4+ games this season, I'd take Cook.
If TJ plays 14-16 games with no serious injuries, I'd probably pass on Cook
As it stands now Ivory/Yeldon look like a very solid duo. Jaguars need to take the best available offensive lineman whenever they pick in the first round. Outside linebacker would be the other greatest need so they should target this position in the 2nd round.
Christian McCaffrey, the next slow white rhino (Tobey Gerhart)
Quote:Christian McCaffrey, the next slow white rhino (Tobey Gerhart)
Wow, shocking! You're so edgy.