(04-26-2022, 07:49 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote:

(04-26-2022, 11:08 AM)Bullseye Wrote: 1.  We don't know exactly what Caldwell will do with the scheme though.  We know he will run a 3-4 base, but that's about it.  Most of the time we'll be in a base nickel, by Pederson's estimation.  We don't know how creative or flexible Caldwell will be in utilizing his players.  He may well utilize Walker in a way that better utilizes his skill set than Georgia did and get the most out of his pass rushing ability. 

2.  As for what to do with the other players...what other players do we have along the front 3...specifically DE...that;s indispensable?  I was saying last year when we signed all of these guys than none of them were dominators.  They weren't.  While there was improvement from 20-21, there were times we got hammered in the running game (SF, 1st quarter vs. Indy in game one) and could get no pressure in the passing game.  If we added Walker strictly as a 3-4 DE, he could still improve the front generally and pass rush specifically.  If he has the tools to be a dominant edge rusher...even better.  Furthermore, though I prefer to stack up on offense, there is nothing at this point that precludes the team from stacking up on defense the first two rounds.  What would the defense look like with Walker and say Mafe after the first two rounds?  I'd say if the goal was to improve the pass rush, that combination would accomplish that goal too. In fairness, I was not comparing Walker yo any of the Smiths I listed above.  I only named them to illustrte it's possible to get good pass rush from a 3-4 DE.  That said, J.J. Watt wasn't picked until 11th or 12th, and only produced 5 sacks as a rookie.  It took some time and development for him to be J.J. Watt.  I have my doubts abouut the player and the coaching, but it's possible he could develop into a good edge rusher too.

3,  This time last year, we were in the ideal situation in terms of draft position and the talent pool available.  We had a huge need at the most important position, and the top of the draft had a guy who most observers seemed to think was the best QB prospect to come out in years.  Below him were four other QBs carrying first round grades...two of which were drafted immediately after Trevor Lawrence, one more at pick 11 or so, and then the last at 15.  This year, it's not so good.  This year, the draft class seems completely devoid of the clear cut stud at the top of the draft class.  It makes it far less likely to be able to trade back and get anything remotely resembling a lucrative draft haul in return.  Bor does there appear to be a Julius Peppers type of player.  We have a bunch of flawed candidates at the top of this draft class from which to choose.  While I don't think it's as bad as the 2013 draft class, I do think like 2013 (and 1991 (Russell Maryland), too) it may be lackluster at the very top, especially in comparison to last year.  No matter who we pick, there is some reason to think we might be at least mildly disappointed with the results, especially in the rookie season.  While not the move I would make, I could see a team in this instance gambling on potential to swing for the fences.  Still don't think it's worth dumping your team over it.  As far as stress goes..the only thing I can advise is to not expect much from the team.  Since 2000, botching the draft has been as traditional to the team as teal jerseys.  Don't expect much...and if they exceed your expectations...great.  If not...your disappointment will be mitigated to some degree.

1. Even if we are in a nickel most of the time, Walker will have no place to play when we are in a base 3-4. He's certainly not an OLB and we are already loaded at 3-4 DE and NT. If I'm spending a #1 overall pick on a player, I want him in there every down. Hutchinson can play every down in both schemes. 

2. We just spent a ton of money on Folorunso Fatukasi. I'm not budging on Davon Hamilton, I still think he will be a very good NFL player and I won't excuse him from the discussion. We also have Malcolm Brown and we signed Arden Key who is coming off his best year as a pro. I wouldn't sit any of these guys for an unproven Walker, who had limited success rushing the passer in college. He may have the tools to be a dominant pass rusher, but to this point he hasn't used them on the field. Why? I think it's gonna take 1 to 2 full seasons before we see any kind of production in the NFL from Walker. I just don't see him developing into the star pass rusher you'd need him to be to justify such a selection. If you are talking about taking him and then snagging Mafe at #33 (which is a long shot since I believe Mafe is gone near the bottom of round 1), I don't like it at all. I've stated my case for Walker, but as for Mafe, although I like him, I don't think he will be nearly as productive as Hutchinson at the next level and may not be perfectly suited for a 3-4 scheme either. IMO, a better scheme fit might be Nik Bonitto of Oklahoma. Hutchinson is just too good of a fit for scheme we would be using and the only reason I can see for Baalke to pass on him in favor of any other pass rusher at #1 would be his hatred of Harbaugh. 

3. I totally agree. Ideally, we could trade down, possibly adding a first rounder in 2023 and select one of the elite WR's we so desperately need. I just don't see that happening though. If we're gonna take a risk and go for broke, why not do something really daring that could really help this team in it's biggest area of need? Why not throw caution to the wind and just select Jameson Williams #1? Most of us wanted him all along before he got injured. He is making one of the more miraculous recoveries I've ever seen from such an injury and appears to be on his way to possibly being able to play the first game of the season, if he has no setbacks. I think we all can agree that Trevor Lawrence desperately needs a #1 receiver who can stretch the field and Williams certainly fits the mold. To me, this makes much more sense than trying to coach up a college 3-4 DE with very limited success as a pass rusher to reach his full potential.

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(04-26-2022, 07:26 PM)HolsterHusto Wrote: Just go Ickey 1st and Linderbaum 2nd. We can then draft Will Anderson next year when we are inevitably drafting first again next year.

I have a question to all the posters wanting to draft Ekwonu #1. If we are indeed working on signing Robinson to a long term deal as reported, where do you play "Ickey"? You can't play him at LT for any time in the near future, because you have Robinson long term and if you play him at RT, you've basically admitted that drafting Walker Little was a mistake. If you play him at OG, how do you justify taking an OG #1 overall. It's a question that has me really perplexed. I really would like to get some insight.

Since I am in the minority that favor going with offensive line, I'll take a crack at it.  You play Ickey at OG.  Giving us Cam, Scherff, Ickey Little/Taylor.  Also Shatley/draftee at center.  Ickey or Neal can most likely jump right in at guard, tackle in a pinch but will need some pass protection refinement. This gives them time to do that.  It should give us a solid offensive line for the first time in a while. This will help the running backs, help our QB and let the receivers get downfield better.  In crunch time last year they had no chance getting downfield. This will help our offense stay on the field more (we were 31st in time of possession) and score more as well. It will help our defense as the offense will be less prone to go 3 and out  most of the first half. The D gave up 27 ppg last year. If they improve by 6 points  down to 21 they would have ranked between #7 and #15 last year. (LA was #15) I can believe by the offense staying on the field more and actually scoring more we can get half of that. The offense only average 14.something last year and needs to get into the mid 20's. If they don't I don't care how good the D is we will be here again next year. Drafting an edge rusher while a real need will not help them do that and the defense will continue to be stressed every game by the offense not able to move the ball when the game is in doubt.  The draft we went with Fowler,  Scherff was drafted right after that, we just paid him how much?  Looking at this year's prospects since there really is no true #1's I think of our pick as a top 10 pick not the magical #1. Who cares where Little was drafted if he plays a part in providing a solid O line for our offense. Thinking like that (pride) will keep us in the bottom third of the league forever. Yea I know I have a crackpot scheme...LOL

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