Who Should TT Draft 1st Round?

[sheepshead]

My rule, until there's a rookie cap, if someone offers anything reasonable, get out of the first round.

[Smidgeon]

My rule, until there's a rookie cap, if someone offers anything reasonable, get out of the first round.

I think the only contracts in the first round that are untenable are the contracts of the top 10 picks. Picking at #23 won't require an exorbitant contract.

[sharpe1027]

My rule, until there's a rookie cap, if someone offers anything reasonable, get out of the first round.

I think the only contracts in the first round that are untenable are the contracts of the top 10 picks. Picking at #23 won't require an exorbitant contract.

Yeah, those top 10 are just horrid. I agree with Sheep though, it is not a bad idea to get out of first round when you can get something decent in trade.

[get louder at lambeau]

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.

That's an interesting thought. I'm no draftnik by any stretch, but he seems like a TT kind of pick by your description. Then Spitz could play LG, if healthy, and they'd have Colledge and Lang to use however they want, like RT, backup LT, etc. Maybe if College got to practice full time as a T, he might go back to being the favorite to replace Clifton, as he was to many prior to this year.

[Guiness]

My rule, until there's a rookie cap, if someone offers anything reasonable, get out of the first round.

I think the only contracts in the first round that are untenable are the contracts of the top 10 picks. Picking at #23 won't require an exorbitant contract.

Yeah, those top 10 are just horrid. I agree with Sheep though, it is not a bad idea to get out of first round when you can get something decent in trade.

Please don't turn this into another salary structure debate!

[wist43]

Based on need... TT needs to look at OT and DB in the 1st 3 rounds.

Would like to see 2 new DB's on the field next year... hoping Underwood can develop further. Not holding out much hope for Lee.

[packrulz]

I prefer not to get too excited about any of these guys until after the combine, it's hard to tell right now who will still be there at #23. To be honest, I've never seen most of these guys play, and most sites want money for you to read their scouting reports, but nfldraftcountdown.com and fftoolbox.com have free basic information. I'm sick and tired of going into every season expecting Clifton and Taucher to start every game, they're getting old and have had lots of surgeries, it's not going to happen. Plus, they aren't great run blockers. One guy I think would be at least a good RT, and has played LT, is Ciron Black, he's tough, started all 4 years, and is a very good run blocker. Another problem the Packers have is at Safety, Kiper says TT will draft Taylor Mays and I think he will be good, some scouts are down on him because USC had a bad year, but he has the physical tools.

2010 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
person
Ciron Black, OL, LSU
Black has been the pillar of the LSU offensive line for four consecutive seasons, and he is one of the most experienced players in all of college football. Since redshirting in 2005, the senior tackle has started an incredible 52 straight games for the Tigers; 13 as a freshman, 14 as a sophomore, 13 as a junior, and so far 12 in his final campaign in Baton Rouge. Black was named a First-Team Freshman All-American by several publications in 2006, and he was an All-SEC performer in each of his next two seasons. The Tigers have been plagued by injuries this year so the offense has not been piling up a ton of yards, but Charles Scott (4.7 yards per carry) and Keiland Williams (5.3 ypc) have found success running behind a stellar offensive front.

Black also projects well to the NFL, and not just because he is extremely durable. In the mold of most LSU linemen, Black stands at an imposing 6'5'' and 322 pounds. He runs in the mid-5.3s of the 40-yard dash and has been clocked faster than 5.30 at that distance; impressive speed for a man of his size. Scouts will also love the fact that Black is an outstanding person off the field who excels in the classroom. The only real drawback--if you can call it that--is that Black, who has played both right and left tackle for the Tigers, is not an NFL left tackle (the more valuable position). He is an excellent run-blocker, but he must improve in the pass-blocking department if he is ever to protect a quarterback's blind side. Even so, Black is a lock to be off the board before the end of the second round, and he even has a shot at a late first-round selection.


2010 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
person
Taylor Mays, FS, USC
Mays possesses one of the most distinguished resumes of any prospect, regardless of position, in this year's draft. He was the PAC-10 Co-freshman of the year in 2006 when he registered 62 tackles and 6 interceptions. He followed his outstanding freshman campaign with a 65 tackle, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble season in 2007.Mays was voted to the Sporting News Magazine's first Team All American after the season; had a solid 53 tackle year in 2008. For his action, AP named him to their first team All-American squad. He also was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation's best defensive back.

The 6-foot-3 safety is one of the best pure athletes in this draft, blessed with uncanny athleticism and agility. Solidly built with raw power, he possesses incredible range and even better coverage awareness. Shows the acceleration and sheer speed to assist cornerbacks over the top. Has top notch closing burst and pursuit speed to rundown ballcarriers and stay with WRs downfield.

On the downside, he is not the most punishing hitter. Can be overaggressive and tends to miss some tackles in space. He is a low, drag-down tackler. Will stop moving his feet and lunge at the ballcarrier. Has not shown the hip turning skill many scouts covet and his backpedaling needs more work. Lacks the fluidity to move on a dime. Can be fooled by play action and double pup fakes, which allows receivers to get behind him. Should have been more productive playing in a pass happy conference.

Once projected as a top 5 pick, Mays' stock took a plunge with USC's less than stellar season and a mediocre Senior Bowl performance. Still, he has the physical ability to be drafted in the first round. He is a unique safety prospect who is more adept at covering receivers than at assisting the run. The athleticism is there and he if puts out the work, Mays could start early in his NFL career and be making an immediate impact.

[Fritz]

"one of the most distinguished resumes..."


Guess I've never thought of any football player's resume as "distinguished." Mebbe that safety from Florida who was a Rhodes Scholar.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I agree with you, packrulz, it's a bit early to get excited. However, even after the combine, who knows about offensive linemen? There are plenty of problems evaluating OL prospects:

1) There's not a lot of film available to the public (youtube, etc.) on O-linemen;

2) Even if there were film, most of us (me included) are not technically smart enough to evaluate it properly;

3) The biggest problem with following scouting reports online is that they seem pretty good at comparing and ranking prospects within their class year, but few if any rank them with current NFL players. So a particular tackle might be the best of this year's crop, but not good enough to start in the NFL, let alone become an all-pro.

Most of us can evaluate skill-position players pretty good because there's a lot of film available and most of us can recognize a speedy back or receiver who's elusive and has good hands.

Unlike us, the NFL team scouts are pretty good evaluators of O-line talent though. If a lot of tackles go in the first round, you can bet the talent available is on a parr with current NFL talent. If only one or two tackles are selected in the first round, the talent available isn't too good.

[sheepshead]

"one of the most distinguished resumes..."


Guess I've never thought of any football player's resume as "distinguished." Mebbe that safety from Florida who was a Rhodes Scholar.

I know right. The nfl draft takes on a life of its own for the next few months. Everyone's an expert to the puke stage.

[Pugger]

What if that Charles Brown slips to the second round? Or is there someone else to consider further down the line at OT?

[Fritz]

Does he have a distinguished resume?

[Maxie the Taxi]

What if that Charles Brown slips to the second round? Or is there someone else to consider further down the line at OT?

To tell you the truth if TT is set on drafting an O-lineman with the 23rd pick or later, I won't have anything to say about it one way or the other. The only one I've seen play is Pouncey.

[KYPack]

What if that Charles Brown slips to the second round? Or is there someone else to consider further down the line at OT?

To tell you the truth if TT is set on drafting an O-lineman with the 23rd pick or later, I won't have anything to say about it one way or the other. The only one I've seen play is Pouncey.

That Ciron Black will probably be gone before we get a shot. I don't get why they say he can't play LT, that's been his position. I saw him a bit last season. One game, he dominated. The next, he disappeared.

I agreee with your posts above. I can't say I can evaluated college boy OT's either. The pro scouts didn't do that good, either. Jason Smith was supposed to be sure fire, he had a very spotty rookie year. The only OT rookie that really shined last season was Oher.

OT and safety would have to be our focus, so therefore I KNOW TT will draft a WR.

[Smidgeon]

What if that Charles Brown slips to the second round? Or is there someone else to consider further down the line at OT?

To tell you the truth if TT is set on drafting an O-lineman with the 23rd pick or later, I won't have anything to say about it one way or the other. The only one I've seen play is Pouncey.

That Ciron Black will probably be gone before we get a shot. I don't get why they say he can't play LT, that's been his position. I saw him a bit last season. One game, he dominated. The next, he disappeared.

I agreee with your posts above. I can't say I can evaluated college boy OT's either. The pro scouts didn't do that good, either. Jason Smith was supposed to be sure fire, he had a very spotty rookie year. The only OT rookie that really shined last season was Oher.

OT and safety would have to be our focus, so therefore I KNOW TT will draft a WR.

Honestly, if the value is that much better than anyone else available, I personally think a stud WR to play (in the future) opposite GJ is a need. DD isn't getting any younger and three excellent skill position players receiving the ball (GJ, JF, and the yet unselected WR to replace DD) would make the offense even more unstoppable. That is, if the offense can be any more unstoppable...

But I agree, value being the same, I would prefer to see an LT or S I can get excited about. Heck. I don't even care about what position the guy plays. I just want a player I can get excited about.