Guys, just posted this in a response to another thread, thought it's a good topic to discuss on its own. My theory: it's a waste to spend a 4th pick in the first round on the D-Brick, like many of you want to. Look at some of the people on our line over the last few years: Fabini: 4th round pick. Was solid for years Mawae: 2nd round pick by Seattle. A Pro Bowl mainstay. Moore: Undrafted Free Agent. Developing into solid guard Jones: 4th round pick. Developing into solid tackle McKenzie: 3rd round pick. Was solid tackle before leaving via free agency Thomas: 2nd round pick. Awesome guard before leaving for free agency. We can find tremendous value in the 2nd through 5th rounds. Let's spend the 4th pick on an impact player or an area of greater need. I'd rather get a tackle in free agency (this Atlanta kid) than use our 4th on the o-line. When's the last time we had success drafting an o-lineman in the first round? David Cadigan ringing bells?
None of them are as good as D'brick might be... There have also been a lot of great O-Linemen taken in teh first round
I think I could argue that from a skill/impact standpoing, Mawae and Randy Thomas in particular are just as good as the "potential" demonstrated by D-Brick. But regardless, the point is, we don't need them to be just as good. I was happy we traded down and didn't take Orlando Pace but instead took James Farrior who is awesome (and we should have kept!). A Jason Fabini was fine at tackle, we didn't need an Orlando Pace type contract.
I am not a fan of taking D'Brick at 4, but the two teams in the Superbowl this past year BOTH had awesome Olines... We certainly need to spend dome high picks on the Oline...
You prove my point. Seattle's starting tackle Locklear, for example, was a 3rd round pick. We can build an awesome line with 2-5 round picks. At some point you can't affort to keep them all anyway (see Thomas, McKinzie departures)
Exactly! O-line is useless is round 1. Especially since there is no one worth the number 4 anyway that is an o-lineman that we need. We already have an LT so there is no place on this team for D'Brick. I would go into shock if the NYJ drafted him.
For a player like D'brick, you make room. LT- D'Brickashaw Fergerson LG- Adrian Jones C- Nick Mangold RG- Pete Kendall RT- ???????
Every forgets Mike Williams for Buffalo was the best OT to come the pike in a few years, yet he is now unemployed. A top five pick must be a QB, RB, WR, CB, or MLB. Any other position is a waiste or top five money.
We probably won't be able to get Mangold with the picks we have right now... Brandon Moore is a good RG and Kendall would probably play Center...
Anything is possible, but my guess for now is that he winds up going in the late first round...I also don't see Houston passing on him with the first pick in the second round...
Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden all top 5 picks. Not saying great lineman haven't been drafted later in the draft, but if you think you're getting an elite, franchise LT like those 3, you take Ferguson.
I don't think with the litany of needs we have that we should make room for a tackle, no matter how good. Not a four my friend.
Thats a good looking line for years to come though, you cant deny that... from center left, we could have that for 10 years
No you take a RB that will carry the ball 20+ times a game. If he doesn't touch the ball be he not worth $6 million a year, period. At least a CB or good LB will get his hands on the ball a few times. I never heard of a OT winning the game. Have you?
What about Orlando Pace and Walter Jones who were taken with the 1st overall pick. Last time I checked they both have gone to the superbowl since they had those players.
