1.Lamarr Woodley 3-4 OLB Michigan (6'2 268)-The man is im pretty sure what everybody on this board wants in terms of where we are going to be at in the standings. Fast, strong pass-rushing specialist who is second in the nation in sacks and is the leader and the best player of the best defense in the nation. 2a.Ryan Harris OT Notre Dame (6-5 / 292) – Very experienced has been starting since his true freshman season. Played RT as a freshman as he would with us and then LT the rest of the way as a senior. 2b.Brandon Meriweather S Miami, FL (6'0 188)-Has had his stock slip playing for Miami and hasn’t played at the level he did last year. But he still has the ability and is the leader of still one of the nation’s best defenses. Erik Coleman isn’t the long term answer 3. Quentin Groves 3-4 OLB Auburn (6'3 254)-Yeah we pick a pass rushing 3-4 linebacker already in Woodley but im pretty sure Barton’s contract will run up either a year from now or 2 years from now. Barton would be in his 30’s by then, if we do or don’t sign Thomas back in 07 we should still pick Groves cause he is a better fit. 5. Baraka Atkins 3-4 DE Miami, FL (6’4 275)-Another fallen UM prospect Baraka was considered a first rounder just like his teammate Meriweather, but instead of only falling to the 2nd round Atkins will likely fall into a middle round, if he is there I say we take him maybe a little too small for others liking if he is gonna be at the 3-4 end spot but Ellis is 285, 10 pounds more than Baraka and he is doing fine.
6. Matt Trannon WR Michigan State (6'6 235)-nice tall prospect plays basketball for Tom Izzo at MSU but will most likely be a football player. Just the tall deep threat we need for the offense. 7. Nathan Bennett OG Clemson (6?5 310)- an honorable mention as a pre-season all-american solid guard who is experienced as 5th year senior.
Like everyone else pretty much, I would love that first round pick. The 2nd round pick I don't like so much. I've had the privilege of watching Ryan Harris every game since he started at ND, and to say this season was a disappointment would be an understatement. He's got loads of talent, but from what I hear, he's had a lot of injury problems, particularly back surgery in this past offseason (take this info for what it's worth, it comes from his backup Mike Turkovich who I know pretty well). He was our best O-lineman last season, and this year he's struggling with even mediocre DEs. If I were going to pick a RT in the 2nd round, it probably wouldn't be Harris due to injury concerns and the obvious limits that it has put on him this year. Not to mention he hasn't played RT in quite some time and is pretty undersized for the position. As for Meriweather, I'm not sold. Not that I don't think Meriweather is a very good player because I think the 2nd round would be a reasonable time to pick him. I just think that Rhodes and Coleman are the answer and I would rather us draft a little more need-based in the 2nd round. So far, I also like the little that I've seen of Eric Smith. I don't think we need to pick up another safety this early. 3rd round - again, I'm not sold. This time it's the player though. I'm not sure I really think Groves would fill a need and I don't think he would be a better fit than Thomas. I'm very happy with the way Thomas has been playing and I think this system suits him well. I would rather sign Thomas back, but if the CS sees potential in Groves, why not? I just don't really see it. I love the Atkins pick. This is a guy I would love to see the Jets pick up. I don't think I really need to elaborate anymore. Trannon is another great late pick I think. I'm always impressed with him every time I see him and I think he would be a great fit on this team. Not going to lie - I don't know much about Bennett but we need to get some O-linemen somewhere and it seems like an appropriate time to pick one up. I would hope we get at least two in this draft though.
Barton is an ILB in the 3-4. Hobson and Thomas are our OLB's, so your reasoning for your third round pick is a bit off.
Yeah u are right my mistake Schlegel should fill our ilb spot anyway if Barton leaves i just forgot we picked sinced he hasnt played at all this season.But still Woodley, Vilma, Schlegel and Groves is somethong i would really want for the future.
No i dont think anyone worth mentioning is avalaible i really want a runningback too but just picking one just to pick one or picking one that isnt right for our system wouldnt be smart.If Lynch and Woodley are available we should take Lynch, but if he isnt woodley would be a very smart pick.
