Draft Discussion - No Spoilers/Experts/Twitter

madalig12 · 09-05-2014 02:42PM

I muted him every time anyway. Would I be right in saying I might be seeing the Browns on sky this year! That's a first for me. :eek:

andyman · 09-05-2014 03:11PM

Rodgers
Cutler
Stafford
Bridgewater

Lacy
Forte
Bush
Peterson

Nelson
Cobb
Marshall
Jeffrey
Megatron
Tate
Jennings
Patterson

NFC North is going to be so much fun next year!

glued · 09-05-2014 03:30PM

I really like the Vikings if they can get Bridgewater playing. He's a good game manager and should get Jennings and Patterson more involved. They still need to get better on defence and Barr helps them in that regard. If they can pick up a bit of talent late on the they should be fine. Let's not forget they signed Linval Joesph who is a great DT too. Also Captain Munnerlyn was another good addition.

You'd expect them to pick up a decent corner and another addition for the DLine. After that you'd think it'd be project OL players.

I really like the look of this team. It'll be interesting to see how Joesph, Barr, Munnerlyn change this defense.

Hulk Hands · 09-05-2014 03:44PM

I still think they might be a year away. Contrary to popular opinion, QB wasn't the main issue at all last year. An issue granted, but they still scored plenty of points. The offense figures to be decent if not great next year with Peterson, and Cassel having a good rapport with Jennings. Patterson is a monster. If Bridgewater plays next year, you know things have gone wrong.

The pathetic D last year was the problem. It fell apart once Harrison Smith went down early . Rhodes will be a good CB, but there's nothing across from him. Smiths a stud and munnerlyn looks decent in the nickel. The linebackers are terrible though and Barr doesn't look ready to impact right away. Front 4 is decent with no depth. I'd cautiously say 8-8. With 7 first rounders in 3 years, I still think the team is one for 2-3 years time. Probably too late for Peterson sadly

UnitedIrishman · 09-05-2014 04:42PM

The NFC North is proving to be the opposite to the NFC West - all teams getting either building their offence or getting more stacked on offence and all have fairly questionable defences.

Meanwhile the Rams and 49ers continue to build their already tough D's.

glued · 09-05-2014 04:44PM

Hulk Hands wrote: »

I still think they might be a year away. Contrary to popular opinion, QB wasn't the main issue at all last year. An issue granted, but they still scored plenty of points. The offense figures to be decent if not great next year with Peterson, and Cassel having a good rapport with Jennings. Patterson is a monster. If Bridgewater plays next year, you know things have gone wrong.

The pathetic D last year was the problem. It fell apart once Harrison Smith went down early . Rhodes will be a good CB, but there's nothing across from him. Smiths a stud and munnerlyn looks decent in the nickel. The linebackers are terrible though and Barr doesn't look ready to impact right away. Front 4 is decent with no depth. I'd cautiously say 8-8. With 7 first rounders in 3 years, I still think the team is one for 2-3 years time. Probably too late for Peterson sadly

Joesph and a fit Floyd will be a good combo. Last year the Vikes had very little on defense. Joesph will be a major upgrade in the run game and he should help Floyd out a lot too. Anthony Barr may not be an instant impact player but he should be a decent upgrade for the Vikes. All of these little pieces with a healthy Smith, a better Rhodes and the addition of Munnerlyn and they have seriously improved their defense.

8-8 would be a pretty decent benchmark for a developing side. I'd say if Bridgewater has any sort of an impact then they should be pushing hard for the playoffs.

andyman · 09-05-2014 04:48PM

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

The NFC North is proving to be the opposite to the NFC West - all teams getting either building their offence or getting more stacked on offence and all have fairly questionable defences.

Meanwhile the Rams and 49ers continue to build their already tough D's.

The teams were always missing a link to make their offences great which have been filled both this year and last.

As a Lions fan I would preferred to have taken a safety at 10 with Gilbert off the board. We've got a good defence against the run and improving the secondary would have given us a lot to work with, however I really can't complain about another weapon for Stafford, especially one like Ebron who's ready to start in Week 1.

Packers have really improved their secondary by taking Ha Ha though, likewise with the Bears. Between them two in the division I think. Don't think there are many offences better than the Lions in the NFL but our D (secondary in particular) leaves a lot to be desired.

UnitedIrishman · 09-05-2014 04:55PM

I think Ebron will be a big player for the Lions in that he'll keep defences honest and somewhat restrict sides trying to double and triple cover Megatron (makes no difference he still catches it).

The big difference in the division is of course Rodgers. Swap him with any other sides QB in that division and that side wins the division, simple as. As long as we have him healthy and a semi-decent defence coming together then we'll be Bowl candidates (would help if we got a new DC though).

andyman · 09-05-2014 05:25PM

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

I think Ebron will be a big player for the Lions in that he'll keep defences honest and somewhat restrict sides trying to double and triple cover Megatron (makes no difference he still catches it).

The big difference in the division is of course Rodgers. Swap him with any other sides QB in that division and that side wins the division, simple as. As long as we have him healthy and a semi-decent defence coming together then we'll be Bowl candidates (would help if we got a new DC though).

Our D-line can cause Rodgers problems I think. A lot of strength in there and Ansah can only improve on his decent rookie season. Last year when we beat you it tore your O-line to shreds, would it really have been much better for Green Bay with Rodgers playing that day?

He's fantastic, don't get me wrong, but with any elite QB if his line is getting dismantled it can really nullify him. That's why I felt sorry for Flynn during our game. He got sacked for fun but he got zero protection from the line and he was the one taking all the guff from the media.

Having said that, mind, give a receiver an inch of space and Rodgers will find him, which is worrying from our point of view. We have to take a DB in round 2.

UnitedIrishman · 09-05-2014 05:58PM

andyman wrote: »

Our D-line can cause Rodgers problems I think. A lot of strength in there and Ansah can only improve on his decent rookie season. Last year when we beat you it tore your O-line to shreds, would it really have been much better for Green Bay with Rodgers playing that day?

He's fantastic, don't get me wrong, but with any elite QB if his line is getting dismantled it can really nullify him. That's why I felt sorry for Flynn during our game. He got sacked for fun but he got zero protection from the line and he was the one taking all the guff from the media.

I think our line should be stronger this year with Bakhtiari a year more experienced at LT and Sherrod may possibly do something if he has anywhere near the ability retained that got him picked in the first round. The disappointing thing is that Dietrich-Smith is gone so that means we badly need to find a center in this draft although there are rumoured to be a few possible positional changes.

Thing with Flynn in that game was that he was holding onto the ball way too long. Rodgers would've changed plays at the line to nullify a lot of the pass rushing threat by getting the ball out quick. We played very obvious football for lack of a better word. I mean Rodgers was sacked 50 times in 2013 and we still won 11 games in the regular season.

Paully D · 09-05-2014 06:11PM

Who are your winners and losers from day one then lads?

I'd go for the Browns - getting the corner the vast majority have as top rated, their QB (though this could go either way for me) and adding a likely top half 2015 1st rounder for good measure.

Vikings - Barr seems to be a good fit for them and Bridgewater is a level above any other QB in the draft for me. Getting him at #32 was brilliant.

Losers then I'd have to go Bills - I do really like Watkins and believe he could be as good as AJ Green, but giving up an almost certain top half draft pick next year to move up 5 spots? Meh.

andyman · 09-05-2014 06:22PM

Paully D wrote: »

Who are your winners and losers from day one then lads?

I'd go for the Browns - getting the corner the vast majority have as top rated, their QB (though this could go either way for me) and adding a likely top half 2015 1st rounder for good measure.

Vikings - Barr seems to be a good fit for them and Bridgewater is a level above any other QB in the draft for me. Getting him at #32 was brilliant.

Losers then I'd have to go Bills - I do really like Watkins and believe he could be as good as AJ Green, but giving up an almost certain top half draft pick next year to move up 5 spots? Meh.

I'd have the Vikings as the winners personally. They really know how to draft. Two good 1st rounds in a row for them.

I genuinely don't know why the Bills would give up a top half pick in 2015 when there is such a deep selection at WR, but Jags selecting Bortles at 3 was just mind-boggling. They easily could have boosted their defence by taking Mack or traded down if Bortles was the man they wanted.

Chucky the tree · 09-05-2014 06:22PM

Winners: Vikings
Losers: Bills

Basically Paully D seems up both. Browns messed up with Manziel at 22, would have been a brilliant draft otherwise for them. Honourable mention to the Rams. I think Matthews is a better LT but I think Robinson fits better with the Rams as he can start a either guard or right tackle and develop slowly which they need to do. Donald is a great pick, I think he will be a great player and it just makes they're defensive line incredible. If Bradford can last the season they could cause a few shocks next year. That's going to be a great division to watch.

Oat23 · 09-05-2014 06:37PM

andyman wrote: »

Nelson
Cobb
Marshall
Jeffrey
Megatron
Tate
Jennings
Patterson

NFC North is going to be so much fun next year!

Bears also have a 3rd receiver coming through named Marquess Wilson who could be special in this offense as well. Some had him as a 1st/2nd round pick before he left the WSU football program in October of his junior year and we picked him up in the 7th round last April. Our offense would be serious if he became a legit threat as the 3rd WR. He's 6'3'' and one of those 'go up and get it' receivers like Alshon.

Hopefully he has added some weight in the off-season working with Marshall/Alshon. Can't wait to see him in pre-season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpPzojudHMo

Hulk Hands · 09-05-2014 06:48PM

andyman wrote: »

I'd have the Vikings as the winners personally. They really know how to draft. Two good 1st rounds in a row for them.

I genuinely don't know why the Bills would give up a top half pick in 2015 when there is such a deep selection at WR, but Jags selecting Bortles at 3 was just mind-boggling. They easily could have boosted their defence by taking Mack or traded down if Bortles was the man they wanted.

Good 3 really, Kalil and Smith was a monster haul in '12. Last years class look good but not certain yet, while this year looks good too. Pity the only 'miss' Spielman has seemed to have has been the most important one - Ponder

Lionbacker · 09-05-2014 07:23PM

andyman wrote: »

Having said that, mind, give a receiver an inch of space and Rodgers will find him, which is worrying from our point of view. We have to take a DB in round 2.

I'd rather get the "flamethrower" linebacker, that Mayhew was talking about last month.
Aside from Levy & Tulloch there is very little quality in the LB core. Two possibilities in round 2 I'm looking at is; Kyle Van Noy and Jeremiah Attaochu. Pick either of them & I'll be delighted. Both would be plug in players that can also get to the QB, which has been badly missing in our LB group for a long time.

(Would also be a nice story if Van Noy was picked. Literally taught Ziggy Ansah how to play football [along with coaches of course] & former room-mates, while at BYU)

Paully D · 09-05-2014 08:19PM

ESPN ratings up over 3 million this year compared to last years figures. In no small part due to Mayock's "guessing" I'm sure.

Mikeyt086 · 09-05-2014 08:49PM

"@AdamBCC:Jeff Darlington said Dave Caldwell told him that multiple HCs & GMs called him to say Bortles was their #1 QB & that it was a nice pick."

Hmm...

The the press conference right after they said this:

"Bortles will not start right away. Chad Henne remains the starter. If Bortles has a really good preseason... Chad Henne is still the starter. The staff is committed to be disciplined with his development, and will not rush things along."

Makes me wonder how you can use a #3 pick on him, with Khalil Mack sitting there. I mean I trust the new front office completely but they also said that if Clowney was available at 3 they would have picked Bortles. wtf

Paully D · 09-05-2014 08:56PM

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

"@AdamBCC:Jeff Darlington said Dave Caldwell told him that multiple HCs & GMs called him to say Bortles was their #1 QB & that it was a nice pick."

Hmm...

Before hanging up the phone and doing this:

Ah, I'm only kidding. It will certainly be very interesting to see how he does. I'm not a fan of the pick though.

Oat23 · 09-05-2014 09:00PM

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

"@AdamBCC:Jeff Darlington said Dave Caldwell told him that multiple HCs & GMs called him to say Bortles was their #1 QB & that it was a nice pick."

Hmm...

He was my #1 QB as well. The drop down to the #2 (Bridgewater) is quite big then in my opinion.

It was a weak QB class though, which is why I was so against the Bears letting Cutler go and having to get a guy in the draft this year to replace McCown in a year or two.

JaMarcusHustle · 09-05-2014 10:14PM

35 million people watched the 1st round at some point or another, the most in history. Get used to the draft in May guys

Paully D · 09-05-2014 10:26PM

I think we can peg the Browns in for a receiver here. Josh Gordon will likely be done for the season after failing yet another drugs test. I'm now surprised they didn't take Watkins, Evans or Beckham Jr knowing this.

eagle eye · 09-05-2014 10:26PM

So I guess we can expect the Vikies to try and snag Lee and any other available WR with the Gordon thing.

Paully D · 09-05-2014 10:44PM

Matt Miller's opinion on the remaining WR's:

Matt Miller @nfldraftscout
Top WRs available (in order): Cody Latimer, Davante Adams, Donte Moncrief, Jarvis Landry, Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Martavis Bryant

I can't believe he has Lee so far down.

HigginsJ · 09-05-2014 10:48PM

Suggestions for the best way to get draft picks tonight (streaming not an option)

HigginsJ · 09-05-2014 10:49PM

Paully D wrote: »

Matt Miller's opinion on the remaining WR's:

Matt Miller @nfldraftscout
Top WRs available (in order): Cody Latimer, Davante Adams, Donte Moncrief, Jarvis Landry, Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Martavis Bryant

I can't believe he has Lee so far down.

Errrrrr Jordan Matthews

Paully D · 09-05-2014 10:51PM

HigginsJ wrote: »

Errrrrr Jordan Matthews

He really doesn't like him at all.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2040773-2014-nfl-draft-matt-millers-updated-scouting-notebook

I want to like Jordan Matthews' game a lot more than I actually do. Matthews looks the part, and his high-waisted, long-striding skills made for great college production.

But in the NFL, his lack of explosive moves out of his breaks and very average hands are a concern. Matthews is too often credited—including by yours truly—as a great route-runner and pro-ready player, but that's hyperbolic. He's talented, but so are 15 other receivers in the class who are all vying to be drafted ahead of him.