Best Available? Draft a TE

[shallyshal]

Originally Posted by That Guy

at lb behind lemar, arrington and washington we have clemons and mccune (who may not be ready to play yet). washington can play inside though and clemons can be reasonable spot starter. I don't think holdman will be back, an a reserve lb is in my list of needs, but it not as important as TE #2, neither is SS. PP and clark are good enough and an upgrade there wont make as much a difference as a better TE. I'm assusming arringotn is back until told otherwise though.

just to point out that the patriots had graham and still took ben watson..
i think the skins have greater needs than TE. a lot will depend upon how free agency opens up.
who knows, if we sign a def end and a number 2 receiver in free agency and one of the premier tight ends slides to us in round 2, it might be tempting.
still would prefer another def lineman or off lineman with that pick, but if the TE is one of the better blockers and not a receiving te (byrd, i.e.) it might be worth considering.

for sanders offense we still have cooley and possibly manny white.. plus maybe johnson learned to block this offseason

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by shallyshal

for sanders offense we still have cooley and possibly manny white.. plus maybe johnson learned to block this offseason

except white is a running back that did poorly in trying to transition to hback and then got put on ir last year. that's not exactly a surefire solution

[shallyshal]

Originally Posted by That Guy

at lb behind lemar, arrington and washington we have clemons and mccune (who may not be ready to play yet). washington can play inside though and clemons can be reasonable spot starter. I don't think holdman will be back, an a reserve lb is in my list of needs, but it not as important as TE #2, neither is SS. PP and clark are good enough and an upgrade there wont make as much a difference as a better TE. I'm assusming arringotn is back until told otherwise though.

don't forget about kahary campbell. he played a fair amount of ILB last season- especially in goal line formations. he has gotten better

[ST21]

Originally Posted by amorentz

While I would certianly agree that a #2 WR is our biggest need, and probably a pass rushing DE, I think an in-line TE would be a huge boost as well. And I think this is the draft to do it as it is amazingly deep at TE. I realized this after reading Mel Kiper's mailbag...essentially picking at #22 in the 2nd round we could get a guy who would normally go in the mid-late first round (and Im not talking specifically about Mercedes Lewis) because of the insane depth of the 2006 TE class. I am a huge proponent of choosing the best available player, and not necessarily drafting for need...I am curious to hear what you all think.

The portion of the article to which I am refering is posted below:

Why do you have Mercedes Lewis as the sixth-best tight end in this year's draft? I know there are three really good juniors in the draft, but you had Lewis as the best senior tight end for most of the season. -- Wes, Santa Barbara, Calif.
His stock dropped late in the year. Lewis didn't finish as strong as some of the others and didn't distinguish himself at the Senior Bowl practices or game. USC's Dominique Byrd had a better Senior Bowl week, as did Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein. Owen Daniels has great pass-catching abilities as an H-back.


The juniors (Vernon Davis, Leonard Pope, Anthony Fasano) already were ahead of Lewis. In a year this strong with tight ends, being ranked sixth is not criticism. What Lewis had to do was play great football at the end of the year, and I don't think he did. I wanted to see him take over the practices at the Senior Bowl as a pass-receiving option, but he did not. The tight end position is one of the best, if not the best, position in this draft. In a normal year, Lewis would be one of the top two or three at the position, but this is a great year for tight ends.

No need for a TE, because Al Saunders will put Cooley at that Position..... no more H-Back...situation, thats not his Offense........so Let's get a #2...or DE no need to get a TE unless he's a for sure......Superstar

[dmek25]

the skins should take the best available defensive lineman,no question

[EXoffender]

If TEs are deep, it'll be a smart move to draft otherwise. Question is, who'll be available in the third?

[RedskinPete]

I think we are getting ahead of things here. Because what we do in freeagent market well have a big say what we will do in aprils draft! Maybe we pick up a free agent WR's or fill two needs like a DE and WR. That would change our view in the draft to other needs. But yes you should take a long hard look if a player falls to you that can improve your team! Then again maybe nothing happens in free agent market but I think we[Redskins] will use both to improve this team!

[That Guy]

WR and DE are there in FA in our price range. OL aren't, FA TEs aren't very hot either... and its a weak DB market compared to last year. If the need can be filled in FA without a $40mill contract, that's a good place to fill it for immediate results and then draft the best you can get in the draft... we could get 3 starters in the draft if the skins can use FA for DE and WR.

[RedskinPete]

Originally Posted by That Guy

WR and DE are there in FA in our price range. OL aren't, FA TEs aren't very hot either... and its a weak DB market compared to last year. If the need can be filled in FA without a $40mill contract, that's a good place to fill it for immediate results and then draft the best you can get in the draft... we could get 3 starters in the draft if the skins can use FA for DE and WR.

I think you are right big guy!!! :headbange