Quote:
Originally Posted by GTripp0012
I mean, there's the train of thought that you filled a critical need cheaply, but you have to ask yourself if the need was actually filled, and at what cost. Yes, the "red zone weapons" need was filled, but it cost THREE second round draft picks. Was the red zone weapons need worth three second round draft picks? A rational person would say no.
I think who we didn't draft is a very critical factor in evaluating a draft. If it wasn't, no one would every have a bad draft. I'm not advocating hindsight three years from now if Calais Campbell becomes an all-pro. That's pretty pointless. I'm looking at a roster that is seven deep with competent receivers, and I'm just thinking to myself, as we all should be:
Fact: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends don't have the impact on the game to make the offense score ten more points per game than it did last season. People don't have any clue what they are talking about. That's just not the way things work.
What we didn't do was add any significant help for a front seven that is starting 4 players over the age of thirty, and a 5th next year when Andre Carter hits 30. That matters. It really does.
Yes, we can address those needs next year, but do you have any confidence that we will?
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I wouldn't classify the three 2nd rounders as exclusively "Red Zone" threats. Thomas runs a 4.4, Davis can stretch the middle of the field, and Kelly while initially may be a "Red Zone" guy, should develop into A. Boldin-lite as long as he doesn't act like a whiny-baby.
I agree with your point about improving the offensive point production not being done by
a single WR. However if you give a developing QB three more large targets that can make plays on the ball, that will definitely help keep drives alive and compensate for inaccuracy as JC learns the system and improves. I think two major factors in the improvement to our offense will be a combination of Zorn's playcalling and JCs improved play.
We did address the OL with the 3rd rounder and some of the UDFAs. I'll wager Buges develops at least one of the UDFAs into a solid back-up. DL & LB is still a concern that I share with you.
I was hoping for DL to be addressed early, then WR later, but unfortuantely the draft didn't play out that way. Merling was taken right before our #34 pick by Miami, (based on SS's G2 we may have gone with Thomas even if Merling was there). Trevor Laws was taken a pick or two before our # 48, Harrison, DT, Ark was taken shortly before our 3rd or 4th rounder. So VC & crew went with "best available" and I thought addressed needs pretty well on Day 2.