Let's assume we don't get Garrett or Allen in the first round and we don't manage to improve it in free agency.
Is there someone worth reaching for with the fourth pick? And if there isn't, what are our realistic options in the second and third rounds?
I would never reach, especially in the first round. This is a fairly deep draft at DE. We could get a contributor all the way into the 7th round. Personally, depending on what we do in free agency, I don't expect us to address DE until the 5th round or later. I believe we will focus on the O-Line, RB, CB and possibly Safety (if we don't get one in free agency), before we address DE. With that said, I believe there will be a lot of quality pass rushers still on the board from round 5 on. Hunter Dimick, Daeshon Hall, Darius English, Chris Odom and Keionta Davis could all be in play. I believe all could be solid contributors.
Solomon Thomas is worth it and improves our pass rush
I don't think it's a reach to take someone like Solomon Thomas. I agree with Markulous on that. Thomas is a respectable player. You could even make the case for Derek Barnett out of Tennessee University. But this is a very deep and extensive class at the defensive end position. And you could potentially see between 7 - 10 different players taken at this position on day one of the draft.
I also agree with JagsFanJay. We shouldn't reach with the No. 4 overall pick. I think they'll focus more on the offensive line through free agency though and then look to upgrade the secondary or backfield more with that No. 4 overall pick in the event Allen and Garrett are off the table for the taking. If they do want to add another pass rusher I think someone like Trey Hendrickson who lit it up during the east-west shrine week out of Florida Atlantic or Devonte Fields out of Louisville in day three or later could be ideal. Fields does have some off the field issues from his past but he's worth the risk.
As everyone has said, Solomon Thomas. Also, Tim Williams. If a GM believes the off field stuff is as overblown as some of the scouts quotes say, his talent is worth #4 overall. He's way better than Barnett, even against the run.
Quote:As everyone has said, Solomon Thomas. Also, Tim Williams. If a GM believes the off field stuff is as overblown as some of the scouts quotes say, his talent is worth #4 overall. He's way better than Barnett, even against the run.
Williams had a tough NC game, though. Would you agree? I like his skill set. Almost like Vic Beasley. That game just kind of turned me off a bit on him.
At #4 its only really Allen/Thomas/Williams and maybeee McDowell
Quote:Williams had a tough NC game, though. Would you agree? I like his skill set. Almost like Vic Beasley. That game just kind of turned me off a bit on him.
Everyone has bad games.
Yes, he is the closest thing there is to Vic Beasley this draft. A tad worse as a pass rusher and a fair bit better against the run. Not seeing the problem with that lol.
Quote:At #4 its only really Allen/Thomas/Williams and maybeee McDowell
McDowell at his peak is #4 worthy yeah, but talk about a guy disappearing in some games...
Quote:McDowell has his peak is #4 worthy yeah, but talk about a guy disappearing in some games...
At Michigan state too, D'Antonio is tough as hell on his players and he still had a bad motor.
That Villanova freak, the Youngstown guy, Charles Harris in the 2nd (if he falls), Jordan Willis (blah), Dawson Hall(had a good senior bowl),and Carl Lawson (injury problems)