Who Should TT Pick In 1st Round? 1.0

[Joemailman]

I'm estimating the following players will likely be gone before the Packers pick, but feel free to disagree:

Laremy Tunsil, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Bosa, Myles Jack, Jared Goff, DeForest Buckner, Carson Wentz, Ezekiel Elliott, Ronnie Stanley, Vernon Hargreaves, LaQuan Treadwell, Darron lee, Shaq Lawson,
Reggie Ragland, A'Shawn Robinson, Jack Conklin, Mackensie Alexander, Corey Coleman, Will Fuller,
and Josh Doctson.

Who Should TT pick?

Poll to follow.

[Joemailman]

Sheldon Rankins.

[woodbuck27]

Sheldon Rankins.

I think that DT Sheldon Rankings who's ranked as the NO. 1 DT on a popular site will be long gone off the board at pick NO. 27.

I like Jarran Reed ... 6' -3"... 307 lbs ... ALABAMA ... http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...55/jarran-reed

and

NT Andrew Billings ... 6' 1" ... 311 lbs ....BAYLOR... http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...ndrew-billings

Andrew Billings resembles a TT pick.....his next BJ Raji before his decline

NT Andrew Billings

[Maxie the Taxi]

IMO our top two needs in this draft as they impact Round 1 are: 1) Pass protection; and 2) Pass rush. TT should pick the BPA in these categories in the first round. If we can get either a starting caliber LT (say Jack Conklin) or a starting caliber pass rusher (say Kevin Dodd or Leonard Floyd) out of this draft with our first round choice, then mission accomplished IMO.

[Joemailman]

I think that DT Sheldon Rankings who's ranked as the NO. 1 DT on a popular site will be long gone off the board at pick NO. 27.

I like Jarran Reed ... 6' -3"... 307 lbs ... ALABAMA ... http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...55/jarran-reed

and

NT Andrew Billings ... 6' 1" ... 311 lbs ....BAYLOR... http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...ndrew-billings

Andrew Billings resembles a TT pick.....his next BJ Raji before his decline

NT Andrew Billings

CBS has 5 mock drafts and in 2 of them Rankins would be available when the Packers pick. Nobody really knows. My guess is either Rankins, Billings or Reed, or a combination will be available when TT picks, and he'll be happy to take one of them.

[Fritz]

CBS has 5 mock drafts and in 2 of them Rankins would be available when the Packers pick. Nobody really knows. My guess is either Rankins, Billings or Reed, or a combination will be available when TT picks, and he'll be happy to take one of them.

This is one of those drafts where I would like to see Thompson trade down and grab an extra third if that scenario is possible. His best picks are truly "best available" such as Rodgers and Jordy Nelson. Sometimes his "need" picks work out (Clinton-Dix), but often they do not (Harrell, Sherrod).

My favorite Ted round is the second. He does some of his best work there.

[Carolina_Packer]

I voted for Andrew Billings, DT from Baylor, although I'd be happy with Rankins or the best rated DT. Stopping the run is the foundation to winning down and distance battle and creating the pass rush that everyone wants to see make strides. You can move Clay back to OLB, but if the line gets leaky against the run, they will rarely be in situations where they can have an effective pass rush. With the expiring deals for a few of the offensive lineman next year, an OL like Jason Spriggs would be a good idea as well.

BAP, but if team considers DL to be deep in talent, but OL not as much, perhaps you pick an OL first, while hoping the OL fits where he is being selected.

[hoosier]

This is one of those drafts where I would like to see Thompson trade down and grab an extra third if that scenario is possible. His best picks are truly "best available" such as Rodgers and Jordy Nelson. Sometimes his "need" picks work out (Clinton-Dix), but often they do not (Harrell, Sherrod).

My favorite Ted round is the second. He does some of his best work there.

Another way of looking at this is that he's had very good success picking at skill positions and only so so when picking linemen--but even then better on offensive than defensive side. His batting average when drafting DLs and LBs in the first three rounds is right around .200. NB: Harrell and Sherrod were not really need picks, they fit the "it's hard to find good behemoths so draft em when you can" logic.

[mraynrand]

IMO our top two needs in this draft as they impact Round 1 are: 1) Pass protection; and 2) Pass rush.

I agree. The history of the OL is that it is frequently injured and the backups are subpar (for backups). And outside pass rush is ancient and thin.

[call_me_ishmael]

I have a strange feeling he trades up to 15ish if Leonard Floyd is there. I have only watched the highlights but man does he look talented and athletic. I am not so sure Floyd will be there at 15 though.

[BZnDallas]

I voted Billings but don't think he'll be there, but if Vernon Butler is there I take him. And get my ILB in rd 2 or 3. Butler can fill any need on the DL and will make any ILBs job easier. Mountain of a man from a small school and is that type of player TT likes.

[woodbuck27]

I have a strange feeling he trades up to 15ish if Leonard Floyd is there. I have only watched the highlights but man does he look talented and athletic. I am not so sure Floyd will be there at 15 though.

I'm just now checking out ** a 5 Round Mock and OLB Leonard Floyd goes to Indy at NO. 18.

** Fr. NFL.Com:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000648219/article/fiveround-mock-50-cowboys-pluck-myles-jack-derrick-henry

That same Mock gives the PACKERS DT Jarran Reed (Alabama).

NT Andrew Billings goes to Oakland at NO. 14.

DT Sheldon Rankins goes to Buffalo at NO. 19.

In Picks 21 through 26 the teams pick 3 X WR and 2 X CB.

In that mix ...DE Chris Jones goes at NO. 22 to Houston.

[woodbuck27]

This is one of those drafts where I would like to see Thompson trade down and grab an extra third if that scenario is possible. His best picks are truly "best available" such as Rodgers and Jordy Nelson. Sometimes his "need" picks work out (Clinton-Dix), but often they do not (Harrell, Sherrod).

My favorite Ted round is the second. He does some of his best work there.

TT might look for a playmaker in Round 1. An impact player that's a game changer.

Otherwise he should pick a prospect that will hopefully add something to either the OL or DL.

[Carolina_Packer]

TT might look for a playmaker in Round 1. An impact player that's a game changer.

Otherwise he should pick a prospect that will hopefully add something to either the OL or DL.

OL may be least impactful right away, unless needed for injury replacement.

DL is not glamorous, but you sure know when the defense is not stopping the run. A scheme versatile DL who can help stop the run could have a ripple affect, giving the ILB's a cleaner opportunity to make plays, and down and distance that will help the OLB's get home in the pass rush. When we had a leaky DL, our defense looked horrendous. Could part be scheme? I guess so, but players make plays, not schemes. Get the big guys early.

[woodbuck27]

OL may be least impactful right away, unless needed for injury replacement.

DL is not glamorous, but you sure know when the defense is not stopping the run. A scheme versatile DL who can help stop the run could have a ripple affect, giving the ILB's a cleaner opportunity to make plays, and down and distance that will help the OLB's get home in the pass rush. When we had a leaky DL, our defense looked horrendous. Could part be scheme? I guess so, but players make plays, not schemes. Get the big guys early.

I believe this:

Championship teams have OL's and DL's that have solid depth. The impact of adversity can never be under estimated in terms related to a long playoff run.