It will be a Left Tackle

[bobblehead]

I have given a lot of thought to this draft and read everyones insights and I realize our D sucked it up and is transforming this year, but I am concluding we will take a LT for our first pick. We may trade up or down slightly but I am convinced of this.

In the NFL the most important position...the position historically manned by the most top 5 draft picks is QB. Next in line I'm pretty sure is LT. Complete DE's are probably pretty close, but the list of good LT's coming in round 3 or later is probably smaller than most positions. Regardless, it is probably the most important single position on the field next to QB.

Clifton is getting old and as much as I liked College at LT, its not a position to gamble with. This draft is probably deeper at LT than any I remember recently. My guess is that at #9 there will be a LT available that would have been a top 5 pick in other drafts. (comparable to D'Brickshaw Ferguson)

I remember Ron Wolf struggling to get us a LT for the first few years of his regime (Michels, Verba). I just don't see TT passing up the chance to get the heir to Clifton when he is available.

[KYPack]

Re: It will be a Left Tackle

I have given a lot of thought to this draft and read everyones insights and I realize our D sucked it up and is transforming this year, but I am concluding we will take a LT for our first pick. We may trade up or down slightly but I am convinced of this.

In the NFL the most important position...the position historically manned by the most top 5 draft picks is QB. Next in line I'm pretty sure is LT. Complete DE's are probably pretty close, but the list of good LT's coming in round 3 or later is probably smaller than most positions. Regardless, it is probably the most important single position on the field next to QB.

Clifton is getting old and as much as I liked College at LT, its not a position to gamble with. This draft is probably deeper at LT than any I remember recently. My guess is that at #9 there will be a LT available that would have been a top 5 pick in other drafts. (comparable to D'Brickshaw Ferguson)

I remember Ron Wolf struggling to get us a LT for the first few years of his regime (Michels, Verba). I just don't see TT passing up the chance to get the heir to Clifton when he is available.

There is another factor in this. Both St Louis and Cincy could well take a LT. The top 3 tackles are projected to be locks in the pro's. If two are gone there always the tendency to grab one in a run of left tackles.

TT always surprises you, so it will probably be a WR.

[Joemailman]

I tend to agree that if one of the top 3 are there, TT will grab him. If not, he will take Raji if available. If Raji and the 3 OT's are gone, I think he will try to trade down. The more I think about it, I don't see TT taking a pass rush specialist with the #9 pick.

[rbaloha1]

I tend to agree that if one of the top 3 are there, TT will grab him. If not, he will take Raji if available. If Raji and the 3 OT's are gone, I think he will try to trade down. The more I think about it, I don't see TT taking a pass rush specialist with the #9 pick.

Outside of Andre Smith, unsure if the other prospects merit a #9 pick.

Round 2 could present good value. Recall Clifton was drafted in round 2.

Colledge imo is a left tackle -- the position played at Boise State. Appears more natural as a lt. Barbre could also be ready to start at guard. Very impressive athleticism with a nasty finishing attitude.

[Joemailman]

Not sure what to make of Barbre. He seemed to fall out of favor with the coaching staff last year. He might have a chance to start if Spitz replaces Wells at Center. If TT feels on OT is the best player on the board at #9, he'll take him.

[texaspackerbacker]

I'll give this idea a definite maybe.

I've said many times, you can get very decent ZBS OTs farther down in the draft. However, if you can get some big mauler who is also mobile enough for the ZBS, you are certainly ahead in the game. Combine that with the fact that, IMO, we are set on D right now a lot better than many people think, and it just might be an OT.

If those top three are gone, though, I really can't see Thompson trading up, and I doubt he would force a pick of some lesser OT.

Top three OT, Crabtree if he falls to us, or the top cover corner in that order is what it will be. If all those are gone by #9, I don't know. Maybe trade down.

[Joemailman]

The LT isn't zone blocking on passing plays. He's usually one-on-one with the other team's best pass rusher. If TT thinks one of those guys can be an outstanding LT, he'd be wise to take him.

[Fritz]

I'll give this idea a definite maybe.

I've said many times, you can get very decent ZBS OTs farther down in the draft. However, if you can get some big mauler who is also mobile enough for the ZBS, you are certainly ahead in the game. Combine that with the fact that, IMO, we are set on D right now a lot better than many people think, and it just might be an OT.

If those top three are gone, though, I really can't see Thompson trading up, and I doubt he would force a pick of some lesser OT.

Top three OT, Crabtree if he falls to us, or the top cover corner in that order is what it will be. If all those are gone by #9, I don't know. Maybe trade down.

I don't necessarily agree we are set on D, Tex, but I would go so far as to say that I think this team might be set at linebacker, which few posters believe. We just added three new ones this past week - Hunter, Thompson, and Kampman - while adding only one new starting linebacker position.

I'm good with an offensive tackle. Or a defensive nose tackle. Or a defensive end who can hold the fort. Or that OSU corner. Or a trade down.

[The Shadow]

It really all comes down to the player TT believes is the best value at #9 - with the exception of a QB and perhaps receiver.
If it's a tossup betweeen a great O tackle, stud nose, deluxe pass rusher, or beast linebacker - then it gets really interesting.

[Guiness]

I can't see the top 3 OT's all being gone by #9!

Let's see, Stafford, Raji, Curri, Crabtree, Jenkins should all take up slots. Maybe Brown.

Which leaves me with a scary thought. Do we end up looking at a board that has Sanchez and Maclin? Ouch. If that happens, I guess I hope for Orakpo.

edit: which brings up something interesting - who's the top rated RB this year? Seems like there's none that will even go before around #20?

[KYPack]

I can't see the top 3 OT's all being gone by #9!

Let's see, Stafford, Raji, Curri, Crabtree, Jenkins should all take up slots. Maybe Brown.

Which leaves me with a scary thought. Do we end up looking at a board that has Sanchez and Maclin? Ouch. If that happens, I guess I hope for Orakpo.

edit: which brings up something interesting - who's the top rated RB this year? Seems like there's none that will even go before around #20?

Beanie Wells out of THE Ohio State University
OR
Knowshon Moreno from UGA.

I wouldn't burn a #1 on Wells. I've seen Moreno do a lot of great stuff, but is he an NFL RB?
I really couldn't say.

There will be some stud rookie RB in the league next season, but good luck picking him in this draft.

This is a thin year at RB.

[Lurker64]

I think the worst case scenario for us is if in the first eight picks Smith, Smith, Monroe, Jenkins, Curry, Raji, Crabtree, and Brown are all gone. I think if that happens, we have to desperately hope that somebody wants to trade up to get a quarterback.

[Pacopete4]

thing this is, is there a LT worth it at #9? Thats the main thing.. if there is, hell ya grab em. But if there is someone you can see us getting in the 2nd, 3rd and so on... wait and get a position we need now (DL)

[Guiness]

A lot of talk about LT, but Clifton sure didn't look that bad this year!!! He still played at a high level for a lot of the season, and even if he isn't a great run blocker (never has been) he's still pretty darn good at keeping his DE off the QB's back.

I'd be interested to see the answer to BH's original questions - what is the average draft position of starting LT's in the league? Is College the answer? He's been playing out of position, but I think the coaching staff should have a pretty good idea of whether or not he can man that position in the future.

edit: found a questionable source (a Lion's fan rag!) that said average draft position for an LT is 50.

[texaspackerbacker]

Who said anything about a RB at #9? That's pretty close to the last thing we need.