John Clayton: Spotting some early free agency trends

[Big C]

briggs, justin smith, and samuel have all been tagged so thats 3 less big targets already. i wouldnt be dissapointed if we traded down to around 11 or so and got okoye if available.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Big C

briggs, justin smith, and samuel have all been tagged so thats 3 less big targets already. i wouldnt be dissapointed if we traded down to around 11 or so and got okoye if available.

That wouldn't be bad. 11-14 isnt a bad place to be sitting in this draft. However, I think only a 2nd rounder PLUS would be sufficient to drop out of the top 12 or so.

We can't be looking to get rid of our pick. That leads to bad deals. If some team calls on draft day and wants to give us a lucrative deal for our pick, then you pull the trigger.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

We can't be looking to get rid of our pick. That leads to bad deals. If some team calls on draft day and wants to give us a lucrative deal for our pick, then you pull the trigger.

I have been trying to get this point across to people around here. I keep reading "we should trade down" like that should be THE PLAN. You can't plan on it. I think you have to approach Free Agency as a time to prudently fill gaps. That means finding as many players as possible who can play a role for you and do it well while paying them a market value deal. Flecther is a good idea but only if we get a market deal on him. IE: not some crizazy contract that we get stuck under in 3 years. To say he is too old is to say we shouldnt' take him at all when I think what everyone means is that he is too old to give a lot of money too. We fill holes in FA as possible and use the draft to fill other areas of need as long as we are getting solid value out of the pick. If someone comes along with a deal or if we can cook one up then go for it. But those deals don't materialize until well after free agency so considering trading our pick to get more picks to fill holes we don't know if we'll even have is silly.

I totally agree with the 'We can't be looking to get rid of our pick' mode of thinking.

[theJBexperience]

If we drop in the first round, should we still try to address the DL? It seems like there's a number of good defensive linemen this year. Or do you think we'll try to build the secondary should we trade down, since there's probably going to be a big DL push towards the beginning of the draft.

I think a guy like Reggie Nelson could be a great compliment to ST. I know Springs is probably going to get shifted to safety, so that still leaves us short a starting CB. Leon Hall could be around later in the 1st round or Darelle Revis. I just wonder what the Skins strategy will be should they slide in the order.

I'd really like to draft a defensive linemen. I know a lot of you feel we should trade down if Alan Branch isn't available at 6, but what if Amobi Okoye is? I mean he's only 19, and he is a hoss. Gaines Adams or Jamal Anderson would most likely drop to the #6 if branch isn't taken. Shouldn't we snag one of those two? I don't think we'll be able to address our DL problems through FA.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by theJBexperience

If we drop in the first round, should we still try to address the DL? It seems like there's a number of good defensive linemen this year. Or do you think we'll try to build the secondary should we trade down, since there's probably going to be a big DL push towards the beginning of the draft.

I think a guy like Reggie Nelson could be a great compliment to ST. I know Springs is probably going to get shifted to safety, so that still leaves us short a starting CB. Leon Hall could be around later in the 1st round or Darelle Revis. I just wonder what the Skins strategy will be should they slide in the order.

I'd really like to draft a defensive linemen. I know a lot of you feel we should trade down if Alan Branch isn't available at 6, but what if Amobi Okoye is? I mean he's only 19, and he is a hoss. Gaines Adams or Jamal Anderson would most likely drop to the #6 if branch isn't taken. Shouldn't we snag one of those two? I don't think we'll be able to address our DL problems through FA.

If Branch is gone before #6 (with Tampa Bay picking ahead of us, it's very likely - they love picking defensive linemen) then we should stick with the D-line and take either of the two top defensive ends -- unless there's a blockbuster trade offering.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

If Branch is gone before #6 (with Tampa Bay picking ahead of us, it's very likely - they love picking defensive linemen) then we should stick with the D-line and take either of the two top defensive ends -- unless there's a blockbuster trade offering.

Has Tampa even drafted on the DL in the last 3 years at all?

I think they want Calvin Johnson.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Has Tampa even drafted on the DL in the last 3 years at all?

I think they want Calvin Johnson.

After doing some research, you're right - they haven't used their top pick on a d-lineman since 2003. And yes, Calvin Johnson might be what allows us to get Branch.

As I see it, Oakland and Detroit will take quarterbacks. But Cleveland, Tampa Bay, and Arizona could go either way (offense or defense). If Branch is as awesome as people are saying -- a superstar at the defensive line is sometimes as lucrative to teams as franchise quarterbacks. Romeo Crennel is a defensive guy, and the Bucs always seem enamored with collecting players for a swarming defense, making that their primary focus -- they've always been known as a 'defense first' team. But hopefully Calvin Johnson will sway them the other way.

Adrian Peterson is the other offensive gem that the Browns might not want to let get away. They need help everywhere.

Like my sig says, I'm a Branch guy. Let's face it, when was the last time the Redskins had a cornerstone at defensive tackle? Branch could give us that for the first time since ... Dave Butz?

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

we should stock with the defensive line regardless of where we draft from cause there is a plethera of talent in the d line in this years draft