Quote:I think any pick in the first 3 sounds is highly valued. Obviously the earlier the pick, the more the franchise is probably depending on them to make an impact.


I like the Dolphins idea of treating the draft picks differently in mini-camp. The early guys especially have already secured a roster spot. There is no need to have your prized pass rusher trying to beat a right tackle around the edge in 11 on 11 in rookie mini camp.

But if you follow your suggestions to their conclusion, then you may actually put more of your players at risk.

 

Let's agree for the moment that these drills put the players at unnecessary risk of injury so let's eliminate them....at least for the highly valued draft picks.

 

But then let's also remember players get injured simply lifting weights and working out.  Michael Cheever, who quite possibly could have gone down as the best C in Jaguars history, hurt his back lifting weights, and his career was ended immediately.  So to further minimize risk to highly valued players let's stop these activities too...all the way until training camp.

 

So now you have a bunch of guys nowhere near football shape, going against the guys "going nuts" up until training camp.  You have guys not in football shape going up against guys from other teams who are in scrimmages and preseason games.

 

You don't think that would actually increase the risk of injury for the very same people you are trying to protect?

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