(03-25-2023, 12:12 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(03-25-2023, 03:45 AM)cat bells Wrote: Play it as it comes but for me as enjoyable as last season was there are still enough areas we can improve on in the team that unless there's a special player there i think generally speaking id prefer the possibility of two good contrbutors.

Would really be great to hit on one of those 4th rounders. We kind-of need to. 
It's been a while since the 4th round produced a worthy player for us. 

The only 4th rounders still with us since 2016 are: 

Jordan Smith (long shot to be a rotational pass rusher this year) 
Ben Bartch (should compete for starting LG this year)
Shaquille Quarterman (made one spectacular play last year in 21 defensive snaps - one year left on rookie deal as a backup LB and ST guy) 

So - out of 8 guys taken in the fourth round over 8 years, we have one guy that might win a starting job this year, but most fans are hoping to upgrade him. One guy who might earn a 2nd contract as a core ST guy. And a long shot developmental edge who may not stick after camp. 

While I value the 2- fourth round picks, part of me is intrigued at our higher success rate in the third round.
Picks since 2016 in the third round include:

• Luke Fortner
  
• Chad Muma
  
• Andre Cisco
  
• Davon Hamilton
  
• Josh Oliver (just signed a $21 mil contract in Minn)
  
• Qunicy Williams (just signed a $18 mil deal with NYJ)
  
• Ronnie Harison
  
• Dawuane Smoot 
  
• Yannick Ngakoue
  

Needless to say - that's a bigger pool of talent. Is it worth spending two fourths to move up - assuming a player is on the board presenting value? 

Tough one to call for me, but I'm leaning toward moving up and gambling on higher probability of contribution.

Half those guys were drafted by Caldwell and his scouts. I wouldn't mind using one of the 4th round picks to trade up into the 2nd round or high 3rd round to nab someone who falls at a position of need.

---

(03-25-2023, 01:58 PM)cat bells Wrote: Yeah .... Personal preference but id (certainly) put OL and (probably) put nickel slightly ahead at the top of our list of needs. After that id also fancy a TE, something on the DL and safety .... And wouldn't have turned my nose up at a late round running back before they signed Johnson (which seems a solid pick up) ... But you can't have it all!! ... With a less than extensive knowledge of the draft prospects my reference to TE was clouded simply because the depth of prospects at that position seems particularly strong this year so (in theory) Baalke should be able to come out with a useful player at the tight end position slightly easier. ... I 'd be honest and say I'm also assuming (possibly naively) that we can get hold of Smoot and Campbell on the line... Failure to do so obviously changes things a bit in that regard... 

You're not wrong though ... The fingers are starting to drum now.  Two more weeks and I might have to join the damn 'golf' thread 

I wouldn't over value nickel. Undersized CBs grow on trees. Trust the scouts and try to find a diamond in the ruff with one of the 4th round picks and then bring in a couple more as undrafted FAs to compete with Herndon. If none of them can beat out Herndon, bring in some more bodies when teams start trimming their rosters.

---