Who Should TT Draft 1st Round?

[Joemailman]

Based on a survey of 5 Draft Sites, I'll say that the top 22 players off the board will be:
Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Eric Berry, Russell Okung, Sam Bradford, Derrick Morgan, Joe Haden, Jimmy Clausen, Trent Williams, Anthony Davis, Rolando McClain, Dez Bryant, C.J. Spiller, Brian Bulaga, Carlos Dunlap, Earl Thomas, Bruce Campbell, Jason Pierre-Paul, Mike Iupati, Brian Price, Taylor Mays, and Sergio Kindle.

Based on that, who should TT pick on the 1st Round?

[Lurker64]

If Davis, Bulaga, Campbell, and Iupati are off the board at #23, there isn't really an offensive lineman left worth taking in the first.

You could trade down and get Brown in the early second, though he's not a first round talent as he's small and weak at this point (though he does have LT feet).

But if I had to pick one of those guys left, I'm taking Brandon Graham.

[3irty1]

Jerry Hughes Jr. DE, TCU

[Joemailman]

Unless he blows everybody away at the Combine, Hughes is another guy who could be available somewhere in the 2nd round. I looked at the big board of 3 sites and he was rated 39, 48 and 71 overall.

By the way, although I have Sergio Kindle going in the top 22, 3 of the 5 sites I used had him available at #23. Seems to be a lot of disagreement about how early he'll go.

[Fred's Slacks]

I'd love to say trade up for Iupati. But he's raw and I have little faith that our coaching staff could develop him. So I selected Brandon Graham. He was a beast at the senior bowl and he'd instantly improve our pass rush which in turn improves our secondary.

[hurleyfan]

I'd love to say trade up for Iupati. But he's raw and I have little faith that our coaching staff could develop him. So I selected Brandon Graham. He was a beast at the senior bowl and he'd instantly improve our pass rush which in turn improves our secondary.

Crap, can't remember his name (OLB for the Steelers... Defensive POY), would Graham fill a need like him in Capers defense?

[Joemailman]

James Harrison? I've actually seen him compared to Woodley, who plays on the other side for Pittsburgh.

[Fritz]

Thing is, Kampman can rush the passer too, but he can't seem to cover. How are Graham's coverage skills going to be? He played DE for Michigan. Does anybody who pays attention better than I do know the answer or have an idea?

[hurleyfan]

James Harrison? I've actually seen him compared to Woodley, who plays on the other side for Pittsburgh.

Thanks Joe!
can Graham play that "style" or he is more a DE?

[Joemailman]

Well, that's what everyone will be trying to figure out. Some of the drills they run at the combine will be very important in helping teams try to determine if he has the athletic flexibility to play coverage.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Who TT SHOULD draft is a whole lot different question than who TT WILL draft.

I don't think he will draft an offensive lineman. Why? All the top guys in this year's draft have question marks. Why chance your #1 pick on a guy who has a 50/50 chance of being a John Michels or a Ross Verba when to do it you have to pass on a really good skill player? Good O-lineman can as likely be found in lower rounds.

As things stand right now, if TT decides to pick an offensive lineman, I'd put my money on Maurkice Pouncey. Why? The guy is the best center in the country. Think Nick Mangold. He's 20 years old. Wells and Spitz are not the long-term answer at center. Even if they are, Pouncey is athletic enough to play guard. He's even played tackle. He's big now and could easily put more weight on his frame. He's got sterling attitude and work ethic.

The problem is, after the combine, TT would probably have to trade up to get him. (Yeah, I know Centers aren't drafted with #1 picks, but Pouncey could be the exception.)

Actually, I hope all the O-lineman get picked prior to TT's pick, because then more surer bets at other positions will fall to the Packers. In that case, TT's choice could be a semi-surprise.

For instance, he could draft a running back like Jonathan Dwyer or Ryan Matthews or even Jahvid Best. (The first two could share duties with Grant; the third would be a great change of pace. However, McStubby would have to change his "pass or nothing" philosophy to make the choice of a RB worthwhile.) Or TT could go with a middle linebacker like Brandon Spikes (depends on what the future is for Hawk). Or a CB like Donovan Warren (depends on the development of Lee and Underwood and the health of Blackmon). Or a DE like Brandon Graham (playoffs proved the Pack needs more pass rush). Or a Or even a WR like Damian Williams (although not as likely).

My bet would be on a defensive guy who can rush the passer, like Graham or Sergio Kindle, who just might fall in TT's lap.

Who SHOULD TT draft with his #1?

I'll wait for the Combine, but as things stand right now I think the Pack should draft the top defensive guy available who can rush the passer. Maybe Kindle. Maybe Graham. If Pouncey is still within reach after the Combine, I'd pick him.

[Pugger]

If there aren't any decent OTs left (or TT doesn't trade up) then maybe TT will take a CB seeing our starters are getting a little long in the tooth...?

[Maxie the Taxi]

If there aren't any decent OTs left (or TT doesn't trade up) then maybe TT will take a CB seeing our starters are getting a little long in the tooth...?

Believe it or not, for a rather weak draft class, this year's crop of CB's is fairly deep. After Joe Hayden, however, there's much debate over who's next.

Patrick Robinson is rated a first rounder by some, but is there really a lot of difference between Robinson and Dominque Franks or Kyle Wilson or Kareem Jackson or even Javier Arenas? Sure, Robinson has the measurables, but Arenas is a player. I heard the Pack is interested in Wilson. But are any of these guys better than Pat Lee or Brandon Underwood? Both these guys could have breakout years next year. I like Underwood a lot.

If I were TT, I'd pick Arenas in the 2nd/3rd Round. He's an outstanding return man and durable, which would allow us to unload Blackmon who has proved he's electric, but subject to severe outages every season.

[Maxie the Taxi]

By the way, Arenas played better than all the CB in the Senior Bowl. But I don't see him as a corner in the NFL.

Arenas reminds me of Leroy Butler, tough, smart and a nose for the football. He's about as fast as Butler and the same weight, only 2 inches shorter.

The Combine will make or break this guy's fortune, but considering his potential at DB and his return ability, he's a no brainer for me.

He's way better than Bush -- he's got football smarts -- and that has to be a reason to draft him right there.

[RashanGary]

1st round: Probowl LT
2nd round: Probowl CB


SB here we come!!