If the Titans want Williams they should get creative.  Swap picks with the Jags contingent upon the Jags trading that pick to the Eagles.  The Titans demand a mid round draft pick from the Jags who happily comply since they get the boatload of picks from the Eagles.

 

Eagles get Mariota

Titans get Williams + an additional pick (4th round?)

Jags get Eagles 1st & 2nd draft picks, 1st next year, and McCoy.

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I think fans are putting Williams on a bit of a pedestal.  He isn't any better of a prospect than Fowler, Gregory, Beasley, or Shelton.  People are trying to find that "can't miss" prospect and there aren't any generational top 5 players this year short of maybe Winston.  Maybe Gurley as well, but we know what the value of running backs is now.  Don't get me wrong, it's a very good class from the top to the bottom.

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I think fans are putting Williams on a bit of a pedestal. He isn't any better of a prospect than Fowler, Gregory, Beasley, or Shelton. People are trying to find that "can't miss" prospect and there aren't any generational top 5 players this year short of maybe Winston. Maybe Gurley as well, but we know what the value of running backs is now. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good class from the top to the bottom.

I don't see Winston being any kind of 'generational' player.

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I think a case could be made. From a football standpoint, I think he is the best qb prospect of the last 10 years not named Luck.

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Not seeing it. I guess we'll find out.

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I think fans are putting Williams on a bit of a pedestal.  He isn't any better of a prospect than Fowler, Gregory, Beasley, or Shelton.  People are trying to find that "can't miss" prospect and there aren't any generational top 5 players this year short of maybe Winston.  Maybe Gurley as well, but we know what the value of running backs is now.  Don't get me wrong, it's a very good class from the top to the bottom.

Actually.... Williams is a better prospect than all of them.

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I know it's pure speculation, but it seems like I'm the only one who doesn't like that deal. I don't think those picks are enough for us to give up the third overall pick. I'd want another first rounder or a couple additional day two picks in there. This deal would net us the 20th overall selection, the 52nd pick this year, and what is likely another first round pick in the mid 20s next season. I'd personally prefer an elite talent at our original pick over the combination of players available there. McCoy also had a down year last season and will earn significant money the next couple seasons. That move screams, "we'll dump McCoy while some teams think he still has some value."

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Actually.... Williams is a better prospect than all of them.

Not everyone agrees. He's good, no doubt, but I don't see what makes him any better than the rest. From a production and athletic standpoint they are on equal footing, and some better. Watching Williams play, he seems like he flashes more than he is consistent with no real dominant aspect of his game. In my opinion, those other players have the same draft grade as him.

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I think fans are putting Williams on a bit of a pedestal.  He isn't any better of a prospect than Fowler, Gregory, Beasley, or Shelton.  People are trying to find that "can't miss" prospect and there aren't any generational top 5 players this year short of maybe Winston.  Maybe Gurley as well, but we know what the value of running backs is now.  Don't get me wrong, it's a very good class from the top to the bottom.

 

My fear is that he's a little small for a DT.  He's built more like Alualu at 290 pounds than Stroud (310) and Henderson (330)

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Yeah, I think Alualu is a good comparison. I feel like he is probably best suited as a 3-4 defensive end.

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Why?

 

Because Zack Ertz would be an instant upgrade over Marcedes Lewis if we miss out on the Julius Thomas sweepstakes.

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My fear is that he's a little small for a DT. He's built more like Alualu at 290 pounds than Stroud (310) and Henderson (330)

Williams weighs 302, Suh weighs 305.

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Williams weighs 302, Suh weighs 305.

People just like being different for the sake of being different.


"You guys...Williams isn't even that good. He just doesn't wow me... I wouldn't take him at 3"


Not saying Williams will for sure be great but he has a better shot than any other player in this draft.

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The more people examine the differences between the Pass Rush 3 or 4 (Fowler, Gregory, Ray and Beasley) and Leonard Williams the more most people realize that except for all the hype that the public draftniks are giving Williams, he just is not that big of an impact player compared to the other guys.

 

Now put yourself in the Titans situation. The Titans are a 3-4 Defense that uses a lot of Pass Rush LBs.

 

Leonard Williams in their defense is a 3-4 DE and his job is to occupy the double team so that the LBs can make the plays.

 

This is the Dick Lebeau Steeler defense.

 

How is Leonard Williams going to make as big an impact in the Titans defensive alignment as compared to a Justin Houston type of OLB like Dante Fowler?

 

There is just so many smokescreens here.

 

The Leonard Williams selection by the Titans makes no sense other than to the TV/Internet draftnicks because in their mind, he is their guy and their ego will not let them see anything other than their guy.

 

In my mind, if the Titans pass on Marcus Mariota, they will regret it for a decade.

 

If they do pass on Marcus Mariota, then they had better find the next double digit sack master at OLB and be in the same place as the Chiefs are in 5 years, while attempting to re-sign Dante Fowler or Randy Gregory.

 

I think Leonard Williams makes much more sense in the Jaguars defensive alignment, which is why I think it is important that the Jags fill the Leo DE role in Free Agency.

 

If the Jaguars fill the Leo-DE role in Free Agency that frees them up to draft Leonard Williams at Pick 3 or alternatively to trade the Pick assuming that Marcus Mariota is available at Pick.

 

This whole off-season is like one big chess game and it sure is fun watching Dave Caldwell align his chess pieces.

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The more people examine the differences between the Pass Rush 3 or 4 (Fowler, Gregory, Ray and Beasley) and Leonard Williams the more most people realize that except for all the hype that the public draftniks are giving Williams, he just is not that big of an impact player compared to the other guys.

 

Now put yourself in the Titans situation. The Titans are a 3-4 Defense that uses a lot of Pass Rush LBs.

 

Leonard Williams in their defense is a 3-4 DE and his job is to occupy the double team so that the LBs can make the plays.

 

This is the Dick Lebeau Steeler defense.

 

How is Leonard Williams going to make as big an impact in the Titans defensive alignment as compared to a Justin Houston type of OLB like Dante Fowler?

 

There is just so many smokescreens here.

 

The Leonard Williams selection by the Titans makes no sense other than to the TV/Internet draftnicks because in their mind, he is their guy and their ego will not let them see anything other than their guy.

 

In my mind, if the Titans pass on Marcus Mariota, they will regret it for a decade.

 

If they do pass on Marcus Mariota, then they had better find the next double digit sack master at OLB and be in the same place as the Chiefs are in 5 years, while attempting to re-sign Dante Fowler or Randy Gregory.

 

I think Leonard Williams makes much more sense in the Jaguars defensive alignment, which is why I think it is important that the Jags fill the Leo DE role in Free Agency.

 

If the Jaguars fill the Leo-DE role in Free Agency that frees them up to draft Leonard Williams at Pick 3 or alternatively to trade the Pick assuming that Marcus Mariota is available at Pick.

 

This whole off-season is like one big chess game and it sure is fun watching Dave Caldwell align his chess pieces.

I'm glad you brought this up.

 

The Titans could easily go Williams at this spot, if you are factoring in LeBeau.

 

One of the trademarks of LeBeau's defenses in Pittsburgh were the outside linebackers who were typically impressive blitzers/pass rushers.

 

However, examine some of the guys who played that position over the last 20-25 years.

 

Greg Lloyd

Joey Porter

Jason Gildon

Jason Worilds

Lamarr Woodley

James Harrison

 

All of those guys were 2nd round draft choices, at best.

 

When the Steelers did expend high draft choices at LB (Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, Kendrell Bell, Lawrence Timmons), they tended to play inside, not outside, though they DID draft Jarvis Jones to play outside a few years ago.

 

What's more, the Steelers under LeBeau have utilized high draft choices on 3-4 DL (Hampton, Heyward) within that time frame.

 

This is a draft that is supposedly deep in 3-4 OLB/hybrid pass rushers, and if LeBeau has any input in the draft (and I believe he will), they will draft at least one OLB in the mid rounds. I think he knows how to identify these guys.

 

I do not suggest Tennessee does not need an OLB, or for that matter, that there are no OLB/DE hybrid types that are worthy of being drafted that high.

 

But I can see Tennessee looking to bolster the DL first, then coming back later to bolster the OLB.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

I'm glad you brought this up.

 

The Titans could easily go Williams at this spot, if you are factoring in LeBeau.

 

One of the trademarks of LeBeau's defenses in Pittsburgh were the outside linebackers who were typically impressive blitzers/pass rushers.

 

However, examine some of the guys who played that position over the last 20-25 years.

 

Greg Lloyd

Joey Porter

Jason Gildon

Jason Worilds

Lamarr Woodley

James Harrison

 

All of those guys were 2nd round draft choices, at best.

 

When the Steelers did expend high draft choices at LB (Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, Kendrell Bell, Lawrence Timmons), they tended to play inside, not outside, though they DID draft Jarvis Jones to play outside a few years ago.

 

What's more, the Steelers under LeBeau have utilized high draft choices on 3-4 DL (Hampton, Heyward) within that time frame.

 

This is a draft that is supposedly deep in 3-4 OLB/hybrid pass rushers, and if LeBeau has any input in the draft (and I believe he will), they will draft at least one OLB in the mid rounds. I think he knows how to identify these guys.

 

I do not suggest Tennessee does not need an OLB, or for that matter, that there are no OLB/DE hybrid types that are worthy of being drafted that high.

 

But I can see Tennessee looking to bolster the DL first, then coming back later to bolster the OLB.

 

You and Stigma both bring to light an interesting point regarding the old Pittsburgh Defense. Maybe now we'll get a better glimpse into LeBeau's approach to building a Defense, provided that he has significant input into the Draft selections.

 

Just what does he value? Is he a Defensive Lineman guy? OLB guy? Secondary support guy? Lord knows that he has had enough talent and each of those spots to work with over the years to make a case for each of them. It'll be interesting to watch how Tennessee develops.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

You and Stigma both bring to light an interesting point regarding the old Pittsburgh Defense. Maybe now we'll get a better glimpse into LeBeau's approach to building a Defense, provided that he has significant input into the Draft selections.

 

Just what does he value? Is he a Defensive Lineman guy? OLB guy? Secondary support guy? Lord knows that he has had enough talent and each of those spots to work with over the years to make a case for each of them. It'll be interesting to watch how Tennessee develops.

 

The thing is, the NFL as a whole has evolved. Part of the reason the Steelers went with the 3-4 was to find room for all of the "tweeners" that didn't fit the 4-3 that everyone was using back then. Now, a lot of teams are using 3-4 and the "tweeners" are more in demand.

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People are going to continue saying Williams is overrated so much that eventually he will be underrated.

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Actually.... Williams is a better prospect than all of them.

 

And it's not even close.

 

This draft is very weak at the top outside Winston and Williams.  Not sure many, if any, other than those two would be drafted inside the top 10 were this a typical draft.  Very weak at the top.

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"You do your own thing in your own time. You should be proud."

The thing is, the NFL as a whole has evolved. Part of the reason the Steelers went with the 3-4 was to find room for all of the "tweeners" that didn't fit the 4-3 that everyone was using back then. Now, a lot of teams are using 3-4 and the "tweeners" are more in demand.

 

That's why the pickings are very slim for a team like ours.  Especially at pick #3.

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"You do your own thing in your own time. You should be proud."