(03-18-2024, 12:29 PM)flgatorsandjags Wrote: (03-18-2024, 10:54 AM)Mikey Wrote: I still remember the year the Failcons darfted Ridley. they already had Julio, signed Sanu in the offseason, and got a blue chipper in Rid. "How is anyone gonna stop them?" I thought.
They went 7-9 for two consecutive seasons. They moved on from Sanu, went 4-12. So much for stacking the deck.
...remember when we were saying this about Hockenson?
Think the Loins regret shipping him off? I mean, he was a vital part of their passing offense. Surely you wouldn't be able to find anyone else capable of producing at that level.
No I don't remember anyone saying that. I remember everyone loving Hockenson when he was coming out and he was a very good TE prospect but I don't remember anyone saying he was the best college TE ever. The Lions don't regret letting go of Hockenson because they lucked out and got a All Pro TE in LaPorta.
If they drafted Strange instead of LaPorta they would be regretting letting go of Hock and I don't think they would of made the playoffs this past year. We aren't any certain position away from a SB. We are good health and a couple blue chip players away and if you feel Bowers is a blue chip players and one of the next great TEs you take him.
This is definitely a debate in which both sides have a case. Bowers certainly looks like a future star and difference-maker as a tight end- especially in a system like Pederson's. On the other hand, people thought Kyle Pitts would be that guy in Atlanta and he's been a big disappointment mostly due to the offense run by the Falcons. The decision to trade back should be determined by who is still on the board and obviously the price that must be paid. In the New Orleans scenario, if both Latu and Mitchell were still on the board with 3 picks to go I'd stay at 17 if I felt that at least one of these would still be on the board for the Jaguars. Some may not want Latu due to his injury history, but if he passes the medicals he's a potential difference-maker on the Edge capable of 10 sacks as a rookie. Mitchell plays a critical position and doesn't appear to have any negatives. If the risk fails and both are taken ahead of the Jags pick, there will still be slightly less desirable options like Wiggins, Arnold or DeJean who could also significantly upgrade the secondary next season.
The decision to part with picks 96 and 116 would mean that 2 position groups in need of quality depth would likely be ignored. There should still be interior linemen on offense and defense as well as receivers still on the board if the Jaguars don't trade. That's why trading up for Bowers would be a tough choice for me.