Rondale Moore v. Richie Grant

What round are we talking here? Just from a player vs. player perspective, I easily take Rondale Moore. I play him in the slot between Chark and Shenault. He will give you some big play ability. As much as we need a Safety, I'm just not a fan of Richie Grant.

At 45 or 66.

I think I would take Grant.

I think there are similar receivers that offer what Moore offers (aside from the 600 lb squat) that will be available later.  But to me Grant shows good range and instincts and fits an immediate need as well.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Judging them solely as players, wholly irrespective of need, who would you take at 25 between Teven Jenkins and Zaven Collins?

I am genuinely torn between the two.

Collins.

Reasons are twofold. I see a lot of Cam Robinson in the write-ups I see on Jenkins, and I think there are better tackles that can be had either here at 25 or if you wait till 33. He'd excel at RT, but I don't know if I want him on the left as a long-term solution.

Second, I think someone with the instincts of Collins can come in, and learn the ropes from a guy like Schobert, and allow us to move on from him. It allows us to be multiple in our defensive fronts, where both LB can line up in a 3-4 or hybrid look. I don't really complain about Schobert, but he's going to get a little more expensive each year he remains on the team, and I'd be happier having a replacement in place that doesn't force our hand a year or two down the road. I don't see an immediate trade or release, but next year it begins being affordable where we actually save cap room by moving on should we choose to do so.

In the clips I have seen, Jenkins is more of a physical player than Cam Robinson.  One of the things that surprised me in studying Robinson at Alabama and with Jacksonville is despite his build and Alabama pedigree, he seems more a wall off blocker than a guy who would bury his opponent.  Just in the clips provided above, you saw Jenkins pancake his guy.  I also think it helps the analysis with him that he is more of a RT.

Admittedly, I have not considered the cap ramifications of a "glut" at ILB with the drafting of Collins.  I just think about the athleticism and versatility our LB group would have if we added Collins.

Pass drops?  If Collins started over Chaisson at OLB in a personnel grouping, all four starters could effectively drop.  Man coverage?  In that personnel grouping, I would be comfortable with three of those guys covering the average TE in man coverage, with Schobert being the exception.  Blitzing?  All of our LBs could be effective blitzing.  Adding Collins into the LB group would enable us to disguise the defense better.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Re: Collins v Jenkins, would the analysis change for you if Jenkins were a LT? 

Re: McNeil, are there any NTs/DTs you would rank higher in this draft class..that you think will be better than average?


New challenge:

This is a team that is lacking in starting caliber talent, to say nothing of depth.  There are only so many starters we can realistically expect to find in one draft.  So you, as GM, are looking for depth in the 5th round.

The two players your scouts recommend are RB Trey Sermon and Georgia LB Monty Rice.

Who do you take and why?

If Jenkins were a LT, assuming need is not a criteria, I would still choose Collins, as I think he has elite potential.

If we are talking 2nd round or later DT prospects, I really like Daviyon Nixon as a 3 tech DT.  I love high motor guys and especially big guys that can move.  He's 6'3 305 and has the agility of a LB. 
Good look at Nixon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FUUJJ4mNDo

For power and as a backup to Robinson, I like RB Trey Sermon.  The backup at RB is more apt to get platooning playtime to keep the starter fresh.  Although I like LB Monty Rice for depth and special teams, I already have a developing Shaquille Quarterman. I do tend to consider more for positional need later in the draft (5th and after), as I don't consider the grading to be much different.

I like Monty Rice much more than Quarterman.  Besides, we lack the numbers at LB since we are moving to a 3-4.  Nixon is a good player.  I could see why you'd prefer him to McNeill, though I think McNeil's position importance would take precedence for me.

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Our ILBs are two of our highest paid players. Our OLBs are our last two first round draft picks. Either way the amount that we've invested into our linebackers should mean we virtually have to go elsewhere with our extremely valuable and important 25th overall pick.

The only way it would be wise to pick Collins is if you think that he is far and away the best player available at 25, and I just don't think it's possible to have him graded a full tier ahead of the other players that will be on the board at the time. Regardless of whether that's Jenkins or someone else.

EDIT: Honestly, I actually do think we need another outside pass rusher. I have strongly considered Ojulari at 25. If you think Collins can be a premier pass rusher then he would be fine there, but most people think he is more off ball/versatile than pure pass rusher.

I think in the cap era you have to make that a mark against the players on the roster. It's a big reason why I think Collins is the better value than Jenkins. Making your expensive guys expendable is extremely valuable.

Good argument.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

The mauler part of the profile isn't what killed Cam Robinson, it was the heavy feet part. There are lots of players who are maulers who have light feet. We should pay one of those in FA, Trent Williams.

We should also draft one of those at 25, Jenkins. A tandem of Trent and Jenkins would be absolutely killer in both the pass and run game.

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The mauler part of the profile isn't what killed Cam Robinson, it was the heavy feet part. There are lots of players who are maulers who have light feet. We should pay one of those in FA, Trent Williams.

We should also draft one of those at 25, Jenkins. A tandem of Trent and Jenkins would be absolutely killer in both the pass and run game.

Agree with the first part. The problem with the second part is that I strongly believe Jenkins will be gone by pick #25.

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Yeah, I fear Jenkins will be paired with Quintin Nelson and make a terrifying left side for the next decade.

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Yeah, I fear Jenkins will be paired with Quintin Nelson and make a terrifying left side for the next decade.

I also believe the Steelers are gonna have a ton of interest in him.

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James Wiggins v. Kenny Yeboah  Round 5

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

James Wiggins v. Kenny Yeboah  Round 5

This is another tough one. I like both guys. Wiggins could be the most underrated Safety in the draft and Yeboah has a tendency to make some pretty big plays as a receiver. I mean the guy averaged over 19 yards per reception last season. He's the kind of TE that this team has been looking for. By the slightest of margins, I gotta go with Yeboah. I really like that kid.

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Jevon Holland vs. Carlos Basham rd 2

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Jevon Holland vs. Carlos Basham rd 2

Personally, I have never seen Holland play, but analysts indicate he is versatile with a chance to be elite.  I have seen Basham play a couple times, and he just stood out repeatedly.  I would have to take Basham for watching him splash and also valuing an edge player over a safety (if ignoring need).

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Jevon Holland vs. Carlos Basham rd 2

Basham definitely. I really like him. He has the size to play inside and out, depending on what scheme we use and he has the ability to get to the QB. I think Holland is a bit overrated. I didn't really see him as a standout player in 2019 and since he chose to sit out last season, my mind hasn't really changed. I think he's a pretty good player, but not a standout player.

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Basham is a fringe round 1 player, Holland is fringe round 2/3.

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Jevon Holland vs. Carlos Basham rd 2

Basham is the better choice. He can play end in a 3-4, but also play in a 4-3.

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Jevon Holland vs. Carlos Basham rd 2

the only argument against Basham is that we may already have two of him in Allen/Chiasson. Not an endorsement of either guy, but if the team puts need above other factors, it may count against him.

I take Basham every time, though. I've run a bunch of sims, and I don't think I've ever landed on Holland, no matter who was or wasn't still on the board.

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Jevon Holland vs. Carlos Basham rd 2

the only argument against Basham is that we may already have two of him in Allen/Chiasson. Not an endorsement of either guy, but if the team puts need above other factors, it may count against him.

I take Basham every time, though. I've run a bunch of sims, and I don't think I've ever landed on Holland, no matter who was or wasn't still on the board.

Basham and Allen/Chaisson are entirely different players. Basham is listed at 285 lbs. He is a 4-3 DE/3-4 DE/4-3 DT and Allen/Chaisson are more like 3-4 OLB's. They would play entirely different roles on this team.

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the only argument against Basham is that we may already have two of him in Allen/Chiasson. Not an endorsement of either guy, but if the team puts need above other factors, it may count against him.

I take Basham every time, though. I've run a bunch of sims, and I don't think I've ever landed on Holland, no matter who was or wasn't still on the board.

Basham and Allen/Chaisson are entirely different players. Basham is listed at 285 lbs. He is a 4-3 DE/3-4 DE/4-3 DT and Allen/Chaisson are more like 3-4 OLB's. They would play entirely different roles on this team.

This.

As for Holland, I think you underestimate him.  I think he has a lot of speed and range, and I'm betting he will get serious consideration by this team.  Based upon the positions Meyer indicated would be a point of emphasis this offseason, I think improving the team speed will be a priority.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Basham and Allen/Chaisson are entirely different players. Basham is listed at 285 lbs. He is a 4-3 DE/3-4 DE/4-3 DT and Allen/Chaisson are more like 3-4 OLB's. They would play entirely different roles on this team.

This.

As for Holland, I think you underestimate him.  I think he has a lot of speed and range, and I'm betting he will get serious consideration by this team.  Based upon the positions Meyer indicated would be a point of emphasis this offseason, I think improving the team speed will be a priority.

Honestly, you could be right. It's just hard to judge, since Holland wasn't a real standout player in 2019 and he opted out in 2020. I just don't have enough information on him to make an accurate assessment. With him not playing, he didn't have a chance to impress me, so he's an enigma to me.

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