Never too early 2020 NFL Draft Thread

[wist43]

I don’t see giving up a rushing record performance to Raheem Mostert(who they made look like Jim Brown) in the NFC Champ game “making strides” or “being on the right track” when considering what was invested. The Niners threw the ball 8 times.

The prior week against a beat up and ravaged Seahawks offense the defense almost blew that game too as they appeared gas’d in the 2nd half.

This was nowhere near having a “Championship Level Defense” as advertised. What’s worrisome is the defense had max good health last year for the most part too. The old “injury excuse” couldn’t even be used.

We probably won’t be as lucky this year. This has been going on for ten years now and it’s past pathetic.

I agree with all of that, but would argue it's still under construction.

When you've got a street FA like Lancaster playing significant snaps - you've got problems.

I think they've done a lot to fix the back end, and the Smiths along with Clark are good pieces up front; but I've always viewed Martinez as a weak link, Burks is a no-hoper (and that's wholly on Gute), Montravious Adams seems to be a bust too.

So bottom line is we still need some significant pieces up front.

Epenesa would immediately become our 2nd best DL, but I'm not sure he's worth a 1st round pick. I'll look at him some more though... really haven't watched a lot of his film.

He's stout though and can shed in the run game though, and that is certainly something we've been lacking.

[Bretsky]

I know he's got the production, but he's the poster child for pedestrian athlete. I have a real hard time getting behind taking him in the 1st.

I see him as a 2nd rounder. He's got some good attributes - strong hands, good hand fighter, savvy pass rusher, stout at the point; but, good God he's got all the athleticism of a snail.

Somebody will take him before pick 62, I hope it's not us.

Didn't you say something similar about my boy TJ ?

[Bretsky]

GOOD GOD ARE WE TALKING DEFENSE ROUND ONE AGAIN ?

Here's an i interesting consideration

How many 1st round draft picks do we have on Offense ? Scary

[Bretsky]

I like Queen a lot, but I'd be shocked if they take Queen at 30... assuming he were even there.

Players I like that I expect to be gone are Queen, Murray, and Mims. The OT's will be gone... if they want Bartch, I suspect they may have to trade up from 62.

Reagor will probably be there, maybe Blacklock too.

Fairly deep draft at the top... not a lot to seperate players 25-75. Trade down might be in order.

Don't want Lewis there. I like Jefferson, but would want to trade down - not sure he can play outside.

I don't think Murray or Queen are there; if they are Baltimore will pluck them ahead of us

[call_me_ishmael]

I see a lot of people seeming to think Murray is a future all-pro. If he's there at 25, do you move up and grab him?

[Bretsky]

I see a lot of people seeming to think Murray is a future all-pro. If he's there at 25, do you move up and grab him?

I would not give up our 2nd

[call_me_ishmael]

I would not give up our 2nd

I don't think you'd need to. Probably our 3rd. When the Packers gave away TJ they got a 4th to go from 26 I think to 33, right? I would maybe do a 4th and swap 5th and 6th round picks or something.

[Deputy Nutz]

I wouldn't move up to take a defensive player, unless one of the top tier guys are still there. Murray and Queen would both fit scheme in Green Bay, but based on the position, how the Packers addressed linebacker in free agency I don't think they will move up to draft one, but I would like both of them at 30.

[Deputy Nutz]

I said “One of the most Talented” and I stand by that.

Alexander- Top Pick and Pro Bowl level corner

Amos- Top 5 safety with a combined PFF rating over 80 last 4 years.

Savage- All-Rookie honors and they traded up in 1st to get him.

King- Top pick with elite size/speed combo who has dealt with injuries. Many thought he would be the next Richard Sherman.

I didn’t endorse any of these moves except Alexander. However, the fact is combined they are very talented and fast and athletic. I wasn’t on this board when these guys were accumulated but where I was EVERYONE HAD TO HAVE THEM. Well, now we have them and too some there still not good enough. We basically have three no.1 picks back there with an upper tier FA signing. Pettine needs to make it WORK!!!

I believe Epenesa to be a good football player but would not be happy with him being the first pick. They need too develop Gary as the 3rd pass rusher and once again it falls on Pettine to make that happen. We’re not in any position to be making luxury picks at this stage in the game. Pass rush wasn’t our glaring weakness. Stopping the run was. We don’t need anymore players on defense that allow us too have anymore “exotic pass rush looks”.

What we need is some guys that can line up and occupy there space and shut down running lanes while not allowing other teams running the ball right down our throat!!!!

Epenesa would play as a down linemen, totally different position then Gary as an outside linebacker. Epenesa would would play any where from a 5 tech to a 3 tech in base or in the nickel package with only two down linemen.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Epenesa would play as a down linemen, totally different position then Gary as an outside linebacker. Epenesa would would play any where from a 5 tech to a 3 tech in base or in the nickel package with only two down linemen.

Epenesa vs Austin Jackson was a good watch. Epenesa is best as an inside rusher. He actually reminds me of Za'Darius Smith with the way he uses his hands. Tough dude. He and Smith both tested poorly, but they are good football players. Just probably not the right fit to spend a 1st round draft pick for us.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Not sure what anybody sees in QB Anthony Gordon. He's fringe draftable to me. Jake Luton is a guy I kind of enjoyed. He's 6'6" and is more athletic than he tested. His arm strength is average though and he really has to wind up to get any juice. He was the consensus 13th QB on the big boards I use, but I think he has a chance to be one of the first drafted after the top 7.

It's a pretty solid RB class. A sleeper I like is Michael Warren. Bigger back with good feet and third down ability. LeVante Bellamy may not get drafted because he has no power, but he is fun to watch in space. There are quite a few decent third down types, but I always have a hard time evaluating them because they are all athletic and look good in space.

[pbmax]

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/be...p-elite-status

He has flirted with being one of the best in the game during his career.

I have no problem with Amos as he has finally brought some stability back there.

To me this is all on Mike Pettine. I think he is a Giant Fraud. He had some success with the Jets but he was with Rex Ryan and they amassed a warchest of talent on defense.

I have zero faith giving Pettine another 1st round pick will make us any better on defense.

So on the cusp of elite status after 2017. That was 2 seasons ago and he was since released. So I think we know how that worked out.

He fits better on the Packers defense than Dix would have with Savage (Amos as moveable SS, Savage usually deep) and he is more reliable than Dix. That is fine for me.

I don't think you can look at the similar struggles between Capers and Pettine and come to the conclusion that the issue is coaching.

I think wist is partially right that the Packers really struggle to identify talent on that side of the ball AND I think this is exacerbated by a philosophy that puts too much emphasis on stopping the pass. I largely agree with the approach, but you have to spend some more resources (more than Lowry, Lancaster and Martinez/Kirksey) to do it. Yes run defense is cheaper on the whole, but you can't stop the run with parts from the junkyard. I guess I am short changing Clark here but he does need help.

Once again I am hoping Captain Silo sits down Gute/Ball/LaFleur-Pettine and says to them get on the same ******g page.

[pbmax]

GOOD GOD ARE WE TALKING DEFENSE ROUND ONE AGAIN ?

Here's an i interesting consideration

How many 1st round draft picks do we have on Offense ? Scary

I think its the story of the last decade. But not sending more money in FA 2020 (realizing that it would hurt the cap eventually) left them with more questions than they will be able to address in one draft.

But I think the fact that WR is not just top heavy but deep argues for not staying put and taking a WR unless you get a Top 15 talent to drop. You get a legit high first level talent at WR and I think its worth another year of spit, pine tar and bailing wire for a run defense.

Or get a difference maker at another position of need (OT, DL, ILB). If not, trade down.

Problem with WR is deep so wait is that everyone else is planning to nab a wideout. So there will be a run. And 62 might be late for it. Then you have to hope to get James Jones

[Deputy Nutz]

Tee Higgins looked good against Virgina

[HarveyWallbangers]

So on the cusp of elite status after 2017. That was 2 seasons ago and he was since released. So I think we know how that worked out.

Amos? I think he was rated as a top 5-10 safety for 2018 by PFF. I don't think he was released either. He was a UFA.