The Altogether Appropriate NFL Draft Thread

[DJnVa]

So Cleveland is the only team to figure this out? I know that they're a dog and pony show, but there's still something there that makes teams trot on out to these things.
 
You're the Cleveland Browns--*any* info you can glean from anyplace has got to help.
 
 

If you need a Pro Day to make or break your QB draft desicion then you are likely doing something wrong

 
Well yes. That's why I said to at least do some due diligence.

 

[Super Nomario]

So Cleveland is the only team to figure this out? I know that they're a dog and pony show, but there's still something there that makes teams trot on out to these things.
 
You're the Cleveland Browns--*any* info you can glean from anyplace has got to help.
 
Well yes. That's why I said to at least do some due diligence.

There's also the whole absurd gamesmanship around trying to guess whether teams are or are not interested based on whether they do or do not attend the Pro Day. Maybe the Browns are happy with the QBs they have! Farmer has hinted that maybe Cleveland was there, just in secret!
 
It's hard for me to believe there's much useful information here for teams in these Pro Days, I guess except in the case that someone had medical questions that might be cleared up. On the other hand, it's hard for me to imagine there's any real downside to skipping it. This is a period in the NFL offseason with a pretty low signal-to-noise ratio.

 

[soxhop411]

Will Andre Johnson get his wish?

 

The Texans wide receiver told reporters last month that Houston would be wise to trade the first overall pick in May's draft, a scenario the team reportedly is considering after owner Bob McNair called it a "possibility" in January.
Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report was told at this week's NFL Annual Meeting that the Texans are "trying hard" to move down to "acquire extra selections." According to Pompei, the Buffalo Bills have emerged as one potential trade partner.
 

 
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000337770/article/houston-texans-reportedly-trying-to-trade-no-1-pick?campaign=Twitter_atl_sessler

 

[mpx42]

edit: in the media forum

 

[soxhop411]

Report: Patriots Want To Trade Up In First Round, Draft Wide Receiver http://t.co/RbrTA1BW7i

 

[Dogman]

I don't buy it.  Nevermind picking up a WR in the first round but losing picks to do so seems counterproductive to the team building philosophy.  Further, the article says team sources told Bleacher Report.  I seriously doubt that happened.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I don't buy it.  Nevermind picking up a WR in the first round but losing picks to do so seems counterproductive to the team building philosophy.  Further, the article says team sources told Bleacher Report.  I seriously doubt that happened.

Mike Freeman is the one they supposedly told.  He's pretty locked in to the NFL with his work at CBS Sports online.  It still may not be credible and it is lying season, but dismissing it simply because of Bleacher Report doesn't apply here.  It's the person making the report and he's not a random blogger.

 

[Dogman]

Fair enough but that still doesn't sit well with how the Patriots almost never share info like this. My initial point still stands.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Getting the "right" wide receiver in the draft is the question mark. Look at what happened to the Falcons when they went all in on Julio Jones. But if you swing and miss at WR, which is always a possibility because it's such a difficult position to gauge, then you've lost twice --- with the player and with what you gave up to get him.
 
I can see the Pats leaping 3-5 spots if someone is still there. But there are enough other needs that they aren't in a position for an all-in gamble

 

[MainerInExile]

Amendola, Edelman, Boyce, Dobson, LaFell, and Slater are all roster locks (one would assume).  That's already 6 WR.
 
Are they really going to use a first round pick and more to upgrade from Thompkins for the 7th WR spot?  This seems like total BS to me.

 

[Marciano490]

I'm not sure I understand the question.  Wouldn't the upgrade be over Amendola/Edelman for the WR1 spot?

 

[MainerInExile]

I'm not sure I understand the question.  Wouldn't the upgrade be over Amendola/Edelman for the WR1 spot?

I didn't mean as an ordered list.  I just meant that you've changed 1 of the 7 WR on the roster, and I question whether that is worth the price.

 

[Super Nomario]

Amendola, Edelman, Boyce, Dobson, LaFell, and Slater are all roster locks (one would assume).  That's already 6 WR.
 
Are they really going to use a first round pick and more to upgrade from Thompkins for the 7th WR spot?  This seems like total BS to me.

I don't think Boyce is a lock; the dead money is only $357K. That's more than Thompkins (< $2K) but it's not much and Thompkins was better last year.
 
In general, I agree with you; I don't think this is a prime area of need. But your list emphasizes the conundrum the Pats are in with the position - they have a "good is the enemy of great" problem where there are a bunch of B-minus options but no A players unless Dobson takes a big leap forward. If they use a mid-round pick on Cody Latimer or Paul Richardson or Brandon Coleman, does that materially improve the picture? On the other hand, a true #1 would improve things considerably.
 
Of course, most #1s aren't #1s their rookie seasons (Calvin Johnson had just 756 yards). This is also a good year for slot guys, with receivers like Jeremy Gallon, Michael Campanaro, and Robert Herron likely available as late-round picks or UDFAs. I think you probably stay away or take a flier late, but if you want another WR going early makes sense.

 

[MainerInExile]

I don't think Boyce is a lock; the dead money is only $357K. That's more than Thompkins (< $2K) but it's not much and Thompkins was better last year.

How many 4th round picks has BB cut after only one year?

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

In case you had Day #2 contenders Kelcy Quarles or Victor Hampton on your board, both Gamecocks were apparently in a fracas at a nightclub last night...
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/usc-footballers-wanted-questioning-nyc-club-beating-article-1.1757255

Edit: Looks like Quarles is trying to pin the rap on another USC teammate...

"Im (mad) about it because its going to hurt my draft status. Im about to do everything I possibly can to get my name cleared because its not fair. I had nothing to do with this... I have not been questioned. What am I being questioned for? I am telling you they are looking for Chaz Sutton."

 

[Super Nomario]

How many 4th round picks has BB cut after only one year?

It's not uncommon: Jabari Holloway, Dexter Reid, Kareem Brown, Garrett Mills, Cedric Cobbs, Kevin O'Connell (who was a third-rounder), Tyrone McKenzie (ditto). There's little economic downside. They cut fifth-rounder Lee Smith in camp his rookie year a couple years ago. I don't think his draft status will have any impact on whether or not they cut Boyce (which isn't to say they will cut him).

 

[MainerInExile]

It's not uncommon: Jabari Holloway, Dexter Reid, Kareem Brown, Garrett Mills, Cedric Cobbs, Kevin O'Connell (who was a third-rounder), Tyrone McKenzie (ditto). There's little economic downside. They cut fifth-rounder Lee Smith in camp his rookie year a couple years ago. I don't think his draft status will have any impact on whether or not they cut Boyce (which isn't to say they will cut him).

You're right, faulty memory on my part.  The 3rd round is where it becomes rare.

 

[Super Nomario]

On some ESPN PodCast - http://cdn16.castfire.com/audio/303/2117/7061/2166522/firstdraft_2014-04-23-120822-3953-0-0-0.32.mp3?cdn_id=33&uuid=a8084d3d2f18ec715dca60f4d7f288ab&referer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F0Vdnjec0rI
 
Kiper brought up safety and tight end as the biggest needs. Kiper likes Fiedorowicz. McShay called Lyerla a top-40 talent but in the top 5% of character concerns he's ever covered. McShay dismissed drafting WR in the first round, but they suggested RB as a surprise position (Carlos Hyde or Andre Williams), though pointed out the draft is stacked with RB and there would be lots of talent later. They like Ka'Deem Carey's tape but pointed out no one who's run a 40 that slow (4.7) has contributed. McShay suggested Keith Wenning (Ball State) as the best fit among late-round QB options.
 
Interior OL didn't come up at all, which I think is a mistake.

 

[Super Nomario]

I think they're a little high on some of the Senior Bowl guys - Aaron Donald went 14, Zach Martin 16, Dee Ford went 17, Kyle Van Noy 24 - those are higher than I've been seeing them. I think there's some recency bias there.

Funny how Donald and Martin have kept their Senior Bowl bump but Ford and Van Noy have slid back to the point where they're fringe-first-rounders / early-second-rounders (which is basically where they started).

 

[Phragle]

Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN  1h
There is no secret to uncover with many of the "polarizing" players in this draft that a consensus can not be reached on.
 
Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN  1h
Player success/failure never has been as much about "scouting genius" as some may think. The real work begins AFTER the draft.
 
Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN  1h
Many things going to happen with all of these kids behind the scenes that are hidden from the public that will GREATLY affect development.
 
Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN  1h
Personally find it fascinating to research and study programs/coaches and their corresponding player development history as well.
 
Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN  1h
What I learned as a young player w/the Falcons compared to what I learned when I joined the Browns and Belichick/Saban is a perfect example.
 
Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN  1h
Like going from learning how to multiply fractions to Honors Calculus.

 

[soxhop411]

Next years NFL draft may be in late May……  
 
https://twitter.com/BobMcGinn/status/464058212258287616
 
Bob McGinn ‏@BobMcGinn  3h
Three NFL people that I really trust say the league is giving serious consideration to scheduling the draft a week or two later in 2015.

 

[axx]

Later?

 

[mascho]

Who gets the honor of starting the game thread? I nominate SMU or SN.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Who gets the honor of starting the game thread? I nominate SMU or SN.

 
I'll second those nominations.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Who gets the honor of starting the game thread? I nominate SMU or SN.

It won't be me. I'll be lucky to make it home on time for 8:00.

 

[mascho]

@PatriotsSB49: The evolving offers for the #Patriots 1st round pick tonight have begun approach "too good to turn down" status this morning.

 

[Phil Plantier]

So what do we think "too good to turn down" is? A second this year and a first next year?

 

[mascho]

So what do we think "too good to turn down" is? A second this year and a first next year?

That's exactly what I was thinking. Specifically Houston's. I really think Houston is betting that Bridgewater falls, and they trade back in with someone to get him.

 

[dcmissle]

So what do we think "too good to turn down" is? A second this year and a first next year?

That's old school Pats; have not had one of those for a while. Obviously any deal very likely conditional.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Considering half my department got let go yesterday and we have meetings scheduled until 730 today to address the future of our department after the restructuring. .. SN time. I'll get home sometime after the 5th pick. Sucks.

 

[Shelterdog]

That's old school Pats; have not had one of those for a while. Obviously any deal very likely conditional.

They did it in 2011.

 

[dcmissle]

They did it in 2011.

I think you are right sir. Flipped 28rh pick for 1at rounder in 12, which they packaged for Chandler Jones. Also got second rounder in 11, which they used for Vereen

Here's hoping for repeat. If I am wrong, someone please correct.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

Edit: wrong thread

 

[SMU_Sox]

We all get inundated with combine crap every year. I was on yahoo nba today and came across this:
 

LaVine worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers this afternoon. He showed off his athleticism, jumping a 46-inch vertical leap.

 
Let me say that again... it's a 46. Inch. Vertical. Leap. Yeah, yeah, he's tall and plays basketball, SMU, why should we care? Because it's tangentially related to this and come the hell on, a 46 inch vertical. 

 

[soxhop411]

Cooper Is Bored with Normal Pullups

 

[soxhop411]

@DougKyedNESN: Report: Patriots Expected To Target Receiver Early In 2015 NFL Draft http://t.co/eXoMXPANrG