Who Should TT Pick In the First Round? 3.0 Final Version

[pbmax]

There is an adjustment to playing inside. Jones is still making it (or is in the middle of not making it). Instincts for the position take some time to develop, especially in the first two downs trying to react to either run or pass. Jones is slow to diagnose running plays.

I have no idea if Shazier played inside at all in Columbus. If he did, it might help. Sheer playing time at a big program might help as well. His measureables aren't the only reason his drat stock is higher than Jones' was.

[Zool]

There is an adjustment to playing inside. Jones is still making it (or is in the middle of not making it). Instincts for the position take some time to develop, especially in the first two downs trying to react to either run or pass. Jones is slow to diagnose running plays.

I have no idea if Shazier played inside at all in Columbus. If he did, it might help. Sheer playing time at a big program might help as well. His measureables aren't the only reason his drat stock is higher than Jones' was.

Watched 3 games worth of Shazier plays on youtube yesterday. Without going back and counting, I'd say he played 50/50. Sometimes he was at the line between the tackle and the end, but standing up. Sometimes he was traditional OLB. I saw a couple plays that looked like a 3-4 where he was in Jones' exact spot. He didn't look fantastic in coverage but passable. Didn't seem to miss a lot of tackles and got off his blocks pretty well.

OGs would get their hands into him and he would rip off and make a play. Not something I'm used to seeing from a LB.......Jones and Hawk I'm looking at you.

[Carolina_Packer]

TT lika the safe pick - If he don't trade down, it's Blackhawk.

Channeling your inner Italian? That's a sssspicy meat-a-ball!

[bobblehead]

I am voting shazier strictly from what I have read. I don't follow college close enough to grade talent, but he strikes me as the "all around talent". We need a guy like that so we can confuse with our alignments and how we come at an offense. I have long said that clay isn't a pure pass rusher, he plays the run well and can cover. Match him with another guy like that so the O can't figure out who drops into cover and who is coming...mix in a bit of Mike Neal and JPepp bouncing around the line and you have the makings of a front 7 that might even cover for our lack of safety play.

[mraynrand]

Channeling your inner Italian? That's a sssspicy meat-a-ball!

indeed!

[mraynrand]

I am voting shazier strictly from what I have read. I don't follow college close enough to grade talent, but he strikes me as the "all around talent". We need a guy like that so we can confuse with our alignments and how we come at an offense. I have long said that clay isn't a pure pass rusher, he plays the run well and can cover. Match him with another guy like that so the O can't figure out who drops into cover and who is coming...mix in a bit of Mike Neal and JPepp bouncing around the line and you have the makings of a front 7 that might even cover for our lack of safety play.

The hope I have for the guy, is that, unlike Hawk, he will play faster than bigger in the NFL. More like an Urlacher than a Briggs. he showed that at OSU. The biggest worry I have is that, like Hawk he will be 'solid' but unspectacular, i.e. Blackhawk

[woodbuck27]

I'm starting to think other and grab an outstanding WR before the rush to pick at that position. I don't like it that Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are both UFA's after the 2014 season.

ie go WR and BPA (WR)....or make a choice between O'Dell Beckham Jr. or Brandin Cooks.

Both are Juniors and both are shorter than 6' - 0" and weigh < 200lbs..

[Maxie the Taxi]

What do Beckham and Cooks bring to the table that Myles White doesn't?

I've been watching Kelvin Benjamin all year. The guy has size and makes big catches...lots of TD's. He's virtually always open. So he drops some easy ones. That's why God made coaches who can yell.

Draft him first and then Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the second, or vice versa.

[wist43]

That's the question, but someone pointed out he's only 5lbs lighter than Kuechley. He would hopefuly replace Jones right away. Watch some video of Shazier, he's a good football guy, and we need more of those on D.

I agree about Shazier... would add speed and instincts to the second level.

We need to replace both ILB's though, and need a competent safety. We're sooooooo weak up the middle.

[wist43]

What do Beckham and Cooks bring to the table that Myles White doesn't?

I've been watching Kelvin Benjamin all year. The guy has size and makes big catches...lots of TD's. He's virtually always open. So he drops some easy ones. That's why God made coaches who can yell.

Draft him first and then Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the second, or vice versa.

Your post here got me to look at Benjamin... haven't looked at him prior. The first thing that jumped out at me, before I ever read any write-ups about him, was that he ran very sloppy routes, and didn't get into/out of his breaks well at all. He's a big guy, and best suited on the outside, but I think his value in an offense like Green Bay's is very limited.

When I went to read some write-ups on him, the first comment under "negatives" was 'poor route runner'.

So for that reason, I don't see Benjamin as an option for TT.

[wist43]

I'm starting to think other and grab an outstanding WR before the rush to pick at that position. I don't like it that Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are both UFA's after the 2014 season.

ie go WR and BPA (WR)....or make a choice between O'Dell Beckham Jr. or Brandin Cooks.

Both are Juniors and both are shorter than 6' - 0" and weigh < 200lbs..

WR is such a deep position this year... the guy I'd love to land in the 2nd round is Donte Moncrief, Old Miss.

Don't think he'll be there at our 53rd pick though...

If we could move around, and come away with Shazier/Ward/Pryor in the 1st round, and Moncrief in the 2nd, I'd be a happy camper.

[wist43]

The hope I have for the guy, is that, unlike Hawk, he will play faster than bigger in the NFL. More like an Urlacher than a Briggs. he showed that at OSU. The biggest worry I have is that, like Hawk he will be 'solid' but unspectacular, i.e. Blackhawk

Another guy I like, if we miss on Shazier in the 1st round, or go another direction - is Kyle Van Noy out of BYU.

There is a lot of talent - a lot of 2nd and 3rd round players in this draft that will be as good as the 1st rounders... it is why I wouldn't mind trading down.

[RashanGary]

Another guy I like, if we miss on Shazier in the 1st round, or go another direction - is Kyle Van Noy out of BYU.

There is a lot of talent - a lot of 2nd and 3rd round players in this draft that will be as good as the 1st rounders... it is why I wouldn't mind trading down.

Agree. I'm looking at a lot more really good football players who also have top notch or close to athetic ability than in years past. The entire first round is good with the exception of some boom or busts who will bust. A big part of the second round is like the first round in years past. Who drops? Who's willing to move up? It's a great year for a draft and develop team.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Your post here got me to look at Benjamin... haven't looked at him prior. The first thing that jumped out at me, before I ever read any write-ups about him, was that he ran very sloppy routes, and didn't get into/out of his breaks well at all. He's a big guy, and best suited on the outside, but I think his value in an offense like Green Bay's is very limited.

When I went to read some write-ups on him, the first comment under "negatives" was 'poor route runner'.

So for that reason, I don't see Benjamin as an option for TT.

What you say is true to an extent. So many of these profiles are exaggerated or BS. Most of them are contradictory hearsay. Here's one from NFL.com that square with what I know:

Strengths
Possesses rare size with an 83-inch wingspan. Is a physical mismatch vs. defensive backs and linebackers. Eats cushion and separates with long strides. Strong approach to the ball -- is not easily knocked off course and will enter the middle on crossers. Outstanding jumpball catcher -- climbs the ladder, plucks the ball at its highest point and regularly snatches it out of the air with superb body control and the grace of a ballerina. Creates separation with his body. Adjusts surprisingly well for the low ball and tracks it well over his shoulder. Energetic football demeanor. Confident and competitive. Strong-handed. Uses his body well to shield the defender from the ball and can beat double coverage. Good run strength after the catch (see three tackles broken on TD run vs. Florida) and does not go down easy. Strong enough to handle defensive ends when motioned inside to chip and delivered some head-snapping, crackback blocks (see N.C. State). Emerged as a clutch, go-to, big-play receiver -- caught the game-winning TD in the national championship game vs. Auburn and consistently was targeted in critical situations and in the red zone. Scorched Florida CB Loucheiz Purifoy and created mismatch problems from the slot.

I've watched several Florida State games this year and I'm just going on what I saw. It seems to me you can teach anything but size and the trend seems to be bigger receivers and bigger D-backs.

Of course, I don't know anything about the guy's character or work habits. I tend to think success came pretty easy to him in college.

[Maxie the Taxi]

From Rotoworld:

According to Packer Report, Washington TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins clocked a 4.56 forty-yard dash during a Friday workout with the Jets.

We're always wary of misinformation this time of year, but Packer Report's source is ex-NFL scout Dave-Te' Thomas, who has a solid reputation as far as we can tell. Seferian-Jenkins weighed in at 6-foot-6, 271, making the 4.56 mind blowing even if you account for a potentially "fast track." ASJ added a ridiculous 37 1/2-inch vertical, per the report. The 2013 Mackey Award winner did not test at the Combine due to foot surgery to repair a stress fracture. We expect Seferian-Jenkins to be a second-round draft pick. Apr 28 - 3:25 PM
Source: Scout.com