The official 2008 draft discussion thread

[XXVI]

Originally Posted by Soup's Uncle

I was thinking the exact same thing...make it happen Vinny!

HTTR


QB - Jason Campbell
RB - Clinton Portis/Ladell Betts
TE - Fred Davis
TE/HBack - Chris Cooley
WR - Devin Thomas
WR - Malcolm Kelly
WR - Chad Johnson

OMFG SB SB SB SB!!!

[jsarno]

Alright guys, I need good reasons why we took this TE. Here is his scouting report from ESPN:
There were concerns about Davis' ability to stretch the field before the combine, and his slow 40 time backed up what we saw on film. He isn't an overwhelming in-line blocker, either, but he does a good job getting in position and he fights to sustain his blocks. In addition, he has the athletic ability, big hands and long arms to emerge as a reliable possession receiver.

I admittedly know nothing about this guy / pick, but my initial reaction is that we screwed the perverbial pooch. Please give me reasons to get on board with this.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

I saw the play and it is cool...
My point has more to do with using top picks for folks on the bench when we need starters on the Dline and elsewhere.

On that particular play...there were 2 TE and 2 WR....that leave either our 2 current top WRs on the bench, or our 2 new top picks.

In an ideal world....I would have liked to use one of these top picks on the Dline because, hell, they'd be a full time starter at minimum by 09
My point.....Talent does nothing when it aint in the game.

I know. Believe me, I've been banging the 'draft D-line' drum for years. But others have said it, and they're right -- defense hasn't really been the problem -- offense has. There was a reason Gibbs deferred to the D time and time again over the past few seasons -- he knew his offense wasn't going to get the job done.

As to your point about leaving our two new picks on the bench in 2 TE sets, what makes you think they'll be on the bench? I have a feeling we're in for another shock at the wideout position in the coming months because Zorn has seen the tapes, and apparently doesn't like what he sees with Moss/Randle El.

I never expected to be able to fill all of our needs this weekend, and I'm not holding my breath that they'll unearth a diamond for a pass rusher tomorrow. I guess the defense is satisfied with the pressure they can generate, so we'll just have to make do with what we have. Blache has already said you can expect to see more aggressive blitz packages than you did under Williams.

If these guys taken today can help put more points on the board, I think you'll be happy. And so will the defense.

[Bill B]

Lets hope the Skins target the lines tommorow. I think what people need to remember is the draft is not an exact science - there are going to be busts and gems and overall I think we have to give the FO a good grade - they were able to trade down and acquire more picks, which to me is always a positive as it allows teams more chances to find good players and it also helps out with the cap as the contract demands are a lot lower for these 2nd round and below compared to high first round picks. Just think there are bound to be some busts high in the first round and all that signing bonus money will become dead cap money at some point and the Skins have been able to avoid this pitfall. Yeah we focused totally on the offense, but I think we got good value for the picks. Also as far as lineman go remember I believe that some of the Hogs were undrafted/lower round picks, so don't despair till the whole process is done.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SKINSnCANES

and the Patriots added Stallworth, traded for Wes Welker, and then traded picks for Randy Moss...and they had just drafted Bethel Johnson, and Ben Watson... all they have to show is 75 TDs last year...

Yes. When in doubt, ask yourself, what would the Patriots and Colts do?

[jsarno]

Seriously...there is no one that thinks Davis is good pick here????

[skinsnut]

This Fred Davis dude couldn't have been the best value pick, check out some draft sites...he's ranked anywhere from 51-74....we picked him 48....and there were other guys available ranked a lot higher....I am really scratching my head why we did not go value OR need with that one.

Of course I hope they know something about Fred Davis that no one else seems to know.
They sure did their research with Cooley...and that worked out pretty well.
Maybe our staff knows how to find great TEs.....I hope.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

one guy did i forgot who

[WillH]

how well you think we'll get graded for these picks (not that it means anything)?

[budw38]

Originally Posted by SKINSnCANES

and the Patriots added Stallworth, traded for Wes Welker, and then traded picks for Randy Moss...and they had just drafted Bethel Johnson, and Ben Watson... all they have to show is 75 TDs last year...

Good , we should get 60 tds this year . Rumor has it that a few teams took Kelly off their draft boards < knee's > . I have a friend in Houston that had mentioned that a few weeks ago . NFL Draftcountdown.com has that on the scouting report for M. Kelly .

[Mattyk72]

How about a none option to the poll?

The more I think about it the more I like what we came away with when you're talking about value for where we picked these guys.

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Seriously...there is no one that thinks Davis is good pick here????

I'm so confident about this pick, I should count for three.

[Big C]

vinny and zorn said they picked by their board, the best available. they said they will continue to do that in the following rounds, however they dont think it will be another receiver. zorn also mentioned durability problems with receivers as another reason we took them. he said the davis pick was that obviously he was the best on their board, and it was important in the WCO to be able to change personnel to keep the defenses on their heels more or less. davis will help us be more versatile, and he also mentioned him helping in short yardage

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by WillH

how well you think we'll get graded for these picks (not that it means anything)?

We'll probably be graded well because of value of WR's.
We benefitted because they dropped so much.
The true grade is our record next year.

[12thMan]

On the offensive line, you have to figure Jon Jansen will be in the mix this season. Like it or not, that's how it's going down. I would also have to think Stephon Heyer, only a second year player, will be better on some mechanics, strength, and maybe add some bulk. Even if he's marginally better, and no on this board would argue that kid more than held his own last year, he's a very solid back up.

Chris Samuels - Let's face it, no one is going to beat him out anytime soon. He's going to play until the wheels fall off. So I don't care how good your left tackle is coming out of the draft, that's just not a position we're looking to make any immediate changes.

Casey Rabach - Again, a very solid player that is possibly the glue to the entire offensive line. He's, and I say only 30 years old right now, and has a lot of years left at that position.

Randy Thomas - What else do we need to say here. Our best all around offensive lineman.

Peter Kendall - Here's a position where the Skins maybe looking to replace a starter, but this year isn't that year.

So from I can see, at best the Skins need to add some depth here and not look for any immediate starters or impact players. You never want to say never, but I just can't imagine the offensive line getting crippled with injuries the way they did last year. No way, no how.