... and not this one in particular.

 

To me, it always seems like the way I view the Draft is from a different point of view from a lot of other fans. Due to this, I wanted to lay out my views and more importantly, get a chance to read yours.

 

First off, the Players. To me, the players available in the Draft should not be viewed in a historical context against previous draft classes or other players. The players are who they are, and expectations should be based on their skill set and perceived potential. In other words, Jameis Winston went #1 overall in 2015 and Peyton Manning did the same in '98. This doesn't mean that Winston should be considered a failure if he doesn't meet or exceed Manning's career. What is relevant is how Winston compares to the rest of the players that are available when he was selected. This leads me to...

 

Secondly, the Draft Selections. More accurately, the position a particular team has in the Draft. Trading your draft pick or acquiring another team's pick needs to be, in my opinion, viewed with the idea of projected success, particularly when it comes to future picks. In other words, New England's Third Round selection isn't going to hold the same value as Cleveland's. Obvious statement is obvious, but I think it bears repeating. And Finally...

 

The Draft Class. This is very closely tied to the first point, and may even be the same thing but I feel like there are nuances buried in it that should be brought to light. A top five pick in 2016 should not be held to standards that are outside of the draft class. In each and every class, there is a "best" player. How that player stacks up against the rest of the players in the League should really only come into consideration if a team is considering trading for future picks. The next point is the "shape" of the Draft class. I've long thought that a draft class is a lot like a pyramid, but one that maybe Picasso would design. Basically, it would not have continuous lines or a steady shape. There may be Classes where there is a clear cut #1 talent. That pyramid would be skinny at the top. Then there may be others where several players bunch up towards the high 20's and low 30's. This pyramid will bulge as it descends.

 

Does any of this make sense? Do your views differ?

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

 

Ain't that the truth.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

One thing I have said about the draft is people should not care much about which college a certain player went to. It is so annoying when people say just because this guy was a Gator, he will suck in the NFL. But I take one exception to this: Wisconsin running backs. They break NCAA and Big Ten records in college, but their potential never comes to fruition at the next level. Otherwise, I don't see a connection between a player's college and bust risk.

 

I agree with Deacon nobody should call the top pick a bust because someone else picked #1 overall had a much better career. However there is a limit to that: JaMarcus Russell, Tim Couch, Alex Smith, and David Carr, who were #1 picks in their respective drafts, deserved the bust label. Now Smith is looking good with Andy Reid but he needed the right coaches to succeed. The other guys simply stunk.

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I don't have a perspective necessarily. I just watch and yell and/or scream. 

 

I love the way Dave has drafted. Our needs at that time happen when the draft is offering better talent at those positions. It appears they look many years forward as they've been able to get their needs in the same years as the strength of the draft provides. Even with the LT, we needed one and whatever you feel about Luke, the first 2 picks were LT's. Second, QB. He targeted one and bam, right in our laps as well as an outstanding class of WR's that we could pick from. Last year DE and again this year Defense line is a strength. 

 

Keep doing that Dave and I'm on board.

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I don't have a perspective necessarily. I just watch and yell and/or scream. 

 

I love the way Dave has drafted. Our needs at that time happen when the draft is offering better talent at those positions. It appears they look many years forward as they've been able to get their needs in the same years as the strength of the draft provides. Even with the LT, we needed one and whatever you feel about Luke, the first 2 picks were LTs. Second, QB. He targeted one and bam, right in our laps as well as an outstanding class of WRs that we could pick from. Last year DE and again this year Defense line is a strength. 

 

Keep doing that Dave and I'm on board.

 

I read Dave Caldwell chose not to pick a QB in 2013 because the 2014 class was much better at that position.

 

Actually we needed a RT. Unfortunately moving Luke Joekel to the right side did not work out for him.

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I don't have a perspective necessarily. I just watch and yell and/or scream. 

 

I love the way Dave has drafted. Our needs at that time happen when the draft is offering better talent at those positions. It appears they look many years forward as they've been able to get their needs in the same years as the strength of the draft provides. Even with the LT, we needed one and whatever you feel about Luke, the first 2 picks were LT's. Second, QB. He targeted one and bam, right in our laps as well as an outstanding class of WR's that we could pick from. Last year DE and again this year Defense line is a strength. 

 

Keep doing that Dave and I'm on board.

 

I think Caldwell has shown impressive vision with regards to future classes and it seems like he drafts with long-term success in mind. That's definitely something I can't state about how I felt after a Gene Smith draft. My first impression regarding the Bortles pick was rather severe speculation. That however, proved to be misguided so far. All in all, I'm happy with the way that Caldwell drafts, as I like that he seems to have the big picture set firmly in his mind.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

I think Caldwell has shown impressive vision with regards to future classes and it seems like he drafts with long-term success in mind. That's definitely something I can't state about how I felt after a Gene Smith draft. My first impression regarding the Bortles pick was rather severe speculation. That however, proved to be misguided so far. All in all, I'm happy with the way that Caldwell drafts, as I like that he seems to have the big picture set firmly in his mind.

 

Dave Caldwell made it very clear from the beginning he will build this team through the draft for long-term success, adding he is aware there will be growing pains in the process. Gene Smith had no clear vision for the future; he just reached for need hoping he found the right guys. The difference between those two is like night and day.

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One thing I have said about the draft is people should not care much about which college a certain player went to. It is so annoying when people say just because this guy was a Gator, he will suck in the NFL. But I take one exception to this: Wisconsin running backs. They break NCAA and Big Ten records in college, but their potential never comes to fruition at the next level. Otherwise, I don't see a connection between a player's college and bust risk.

 

I agree with Deacon nobody should call the top pick a bust because someone else picked #1 overall had a much better career. However there is a limit to that: JaMarcus Russell, Tim Couch, Alex Smith, and David Carr, who were #1 picks in their respective drafts, deserved the bust label. Now Smith is looking good with Andy Reid but he needed the right coaches to succeed. The other guys simply stunk.

 

Rule #1 of drafting: If he's a defensive gater you should pass.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Rule #1 of drafting: If he's a defensive Gator you should pass.

 

Dante Fowler is a defensive Gator. If he plays up to his draft status, you will be happy to have him on the roster.

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Rule #1 of drafting: If he's a defensive gater you should pass.

#1a: offensive Gator player with excessive cult like following you should pass.

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"I'm not mad, I'm proud of you. You took your first pinch like a man and you learn two great things in your life. Look at me, never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut." - Jimmy Conway

#1a: offensive Gator player with excessive cult like following you should pass.

 

#2: Never get involved in a land war in Asia.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

#1a: offensive Gator player with excessive cult like following you should pass.

 

Who are you referring to?

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#2: Never get involved in a land war in Asia.

 

#3: Never bet with a Sicilian when death is on the line.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Dante Fowler is a defensive Gator. If he plays up to his draft status, you will be happy to have him on the roster.

 

If me aunt had balls she'd be me uncle. That's about as likely as Folwer working out.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Who are you referring to?

 

All of them.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

If me aunt had balls she'd be me uncle. That's about as likely as Folwer working out.

 

You don't know what the probability of Fowler working out is before his first game.

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All of them.

 

All of who? There aren't any.

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All of who? There aren't any.

 

There you go again.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

There you go again.

 

Name one current Jaguars player who fits that description.

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