2011 NFL Draft

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Good point. But from everything I've heard, teams aren't changing their approach to the draft based on the lack of free agency. At least that's what they are saying, we'll see if the draft actually reflects that.

Yeah I think that's BS. How can they not change their approach?

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It's because of no free agency/player trades possible. With those, we would already have Vince Young, Minnesota would have Kevin Kolb, Arizona would have Carson Palmer, Titans would have Kyle Orton, Miami would have Donovan McNabb, etc (disclaimer: the preceding are all hypotheticals but you get my point)

Yeah, thats kinda what I thought...means some serious talent could slide.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I think it's more hype than reality. I think we'll see 3 go in the 1st for sure, 4 tops. Newton, Gabbert, Locker, and maybe Ponder near the bottom of the 1st. More likely Ponder goes top of the 2nd.

Heard Dalton could be draft 1 round too...

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Yeah I think that's BS. How can they not change their approach?

I think it makes some sense. I don't think teams will want to reach for a need. Especially at QB given the uncertainty of the CBA right now. There's just not going to be enough time to get a rookie ready to play right away. There's going to be free agency at some point, and when there is I think teams may end up overpaying or will be more aggressive than usual to get their guys.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I think it makes some sense. I don't think teams will want to reach for a need. Especially at QB given the uncertainty of the CBA right now. There's just not going to be enough time to get a rookie ready to play right away. There's going to be free agency at some point, and when there is I think teams may end up overpaying or will be more aggressive than usual to get their guys.

See I think in a way not having enough time to get a rookie ready to play sort of helps. Because then, in our case for example, let's say everything was back to normal in July, we can play Grossman and not feel the pressure of starting Locker or even playing him right away because there's not that expectation of "oh you drafted this guy at 10, why aren't you playing him?"

It's almost like we're redshirting him for 2012.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I think it makes some sense. I don't think teams will want to reach for a need. Especially at QB given the uncertainty of the CBA right now. There's just not going to be enough time to get a rookie ready to play right away. There's going to be free agency at some point, and when there is I think teams may end up overpaying or will be more aggressive than usual to get their guys.

Well said. I would add that there are few first-day starting QB's in the draft. So if you are hungry for a starter for next year, the draft likely will not help you, so there is no reason to reach for a QB.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

See I think in a way not having enough time to get a rookie ready to play sort of helps. Because then, in our case for example, let's say everything was back to normal in July, we can play Grossman and not feel the pressure of starting Locker or even playing him right away because there's not that expectation of "oh you drafted this guy at 10, why aren't you playing him?"

It's almost like we're redshirting him for 2012.

Yeah it might help take away some of the pressure early on, but you know by midseason if the team is struggling, people will start calling for him regardless.

[SmootSmack]

True.

The one thing about this supposed run of QBs in the first round is that, if true, that means that someone who may have otherwise been a first rounder may slide down into the 2nd round. Say a Phil Taylor, for example. That could make our 2nd round pick pretty valuable where we could trade down that pick

[SBXVII]

As you guys have said I think in normal situations teams would have traded for all those players limiting what they would have to do in the draft. If they didn't get the QB they had hoped they would get then they would simply draft one.

With out teams being able to trade for a position of need then I think teams almost have to draft for a position of need because they don't know if later they will be able to pick up the QB they were interested in due to someone else offering more money and taking that option away.

In other words the draft was the last resort to fill spots that were not filled through FA. In this situation this year the rolls will be reversed I feel. Teams will have to draft to fill positions and "if" a player becomes available later in FA then they can add to the spot.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

True.

The one thing about this supposed run of QBs in the first round is that, if true, that means that someone who may have otherwise been a first rounder may slide down into the 2nd round. Say a Phil Taylor, for example. That could make our 2nd round pick pretty valuable where we could trade down that pick

Exactly. Maybe drop back in the 1st to pick up a late 1st and a 3rd rounder. Then drop back in the 2nd to a late round 2nd and pick up a 4th rounder.

[GMScud]

Side note- The draft commercial with Kiper on ESPN promoting the latest "Fast and Furious" debacle is soooo cheesy.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I'm told ESPN mentioned today that the Skins are looking to drop back in the draft, which I think we all have heard, in order to pick up a 3rd round draft pick. Then their rumor was the Skins would take a DL in the 1st, QB Nevada Colin Kaepernick in the 2nd, and a OL in the 3rd.

Did anyone else hear this?

If there is any substance to that rumour, it would correspond with what has been said about the Skins trading with St. Louis and moving to #14. That would probably yield a third round pick. But I doubt that the Skins would do that and pick a DL. If they want a DL, they could trade down farther, add a second round pick, and still get a solid DL.

I think the Skins would only do the trade with the Rams with the idea of picking a QB at #14. That's because they wouldn't want to go any lower in the first round and risk losing their guy to Miami or Jacksonville. Otherwise, why not try to get a deal in place with NE at #17 (NE would probably take Julio Jones) to pick up a second and a fourth?

The other question in this scenario is: why wouldn't the Skins be worried about Minnesota picking their guy at QB? The answer may be that the Skins have a verbal agreement in place with the Vikings to trade them Donovan McNabb after the draft.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Side note- The draft commercial with Kiper on ESPN promoting the latest "Fast and Furious" debacle is soooo cheesy.

Sigh I know. Every year at this time though I'm reminded of how great Kiper is. I'm talking about off-camera. He's probably my favorite NFL insider at work, as far as the type of guy he is. If every insider was like him, we'd all work for free (well not exactly, but we'd love the work)

[Mechanix544]

Another thing I can see happening, is that with the limited time that is going to be available getting these green quarterbacks ready to play, and with so many teams needing a starting quarterback, it HAS to raise the value of say a Donovan McNabb.

Now, let me also say this, I doubt any teams is going to mortgage their future or give their firstborn for him, but I definitely could see a deal in where teams want a proven commodity to come and step in and perform without losing too much function at the position, even if it is for a short term (2-3 years, or even one year, with another upside of having your green rookie QB learn behind an all pro QB).

I definitely see the market for a McNabb getting hotter, and the longer this lockout goes, the better our chances of getting a good deal (picks/players if not traded before this draft). Holding this card tight to our chest seems like it really could serve us well, and we could possibly recoup that 2nd round pick we gave up, but more than likely I see us getting a 3rd and 4th for him, which is good value right now, given our lack of picks.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Side note- The draft commercial with Kiper on ESPN promoting the latest "Fast and Furious" debacle is soooo cheesy.

Yeah, Paul Walkers career as a good actor kind of went down hill after Varsity Blues.