(04-25-2022, 12:33 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote:

(04-25-2022, 12:24 PM)The Real Marty Wrote: Have we reached the point where if we don't draft exactly the players you want, you're going to have a complete meltdown?

Walker is the exception. Nearly every football analysts in the country says Hutchinson is the better prospect and he fits our system. Walker is way less productive and doesn't fit our scheme. I just read where Todd McShay said nearly every scout, coach and owner he has talked to prefers Hutchinson, yet the Jaguars appear to be leaning the opposite way. This goes right along with our pattern over the last 10 years. It's why we are constantly picking in the upper quarter of the draft and being laughed at by the rest of the league. We never take the "safe" pick. We always seem to do something goofy and it bites us in the butt. I thought we would've learned something when we reached on C.J. Henderson and K'Lavon Chaisson. I hope we finally do the smart thing and stay away from risks.

I agree. If I were a GM, I'd go consensus and safe all the way in the first round. You want upside paired with definite production. You get fired when first round picks become busts. You don't get fired right away for base hits and doubles. We've had many strikeouts, like Henderson and Taven. That's what did in Caldwell. 

For pass rushers, I want someone like Hutch who already has an arsenal of pass-rush moves, not someone who has to be motivated and taught moves. If they don't have anything but a bull rush or speed, it evidences a lack of work ethic and passion for the game. Fowler was just an athlete with speed coming out. Chaisson was even worse -- little production and undersized. 

If I'm Pederson, and Baalke picks Walker over my objection, I'm meeting with Khan and requesting final say in future drafts. Make a power play right there at the height of your power coming in new and having a blank slate. And I would say it's because everyone in the draft room but Baalke wanted Hutch or one of the tackles.

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