If you add some mid to late round talent to the mix, that looks pretty good. We certainly don't have 6 guys in the mix at any other position on the team. Also, there is no reason that the first 3 don't get resigned if the price is right. Leonhard's injury was a fluke. Pool missed 4 starts and 1 game entirely for us. He had 1 INT. The previous season he missed 5 games for the Browns. Are you really happy that our FS only got us 1 INT? Edit: his 11 passes defensed wasn't bad at all though.
I agree very much with this... the question is: Do you go with less talent at a more important position or vice versa? Reed, Sheard and maybe Ayers aren't the prospects Heyward and (imo) Wilkerson are talent-wise... however their role is more important. What poison do you choose?
It doesn't matter how it happened...it was still a serious injury, was it not? Brodney Pool missed games with the Browns because of headaches that they thought were concussion symptoms.
I mocked Heyward to the Jets a couple of months ago when I was bored and everyone hated the pick. Funny how the pre-draft process works.
You obviously want the more talented player. Would you rather take an above average pass rusher, or would you want a damn good DE? When you draft for need with that philosophy you kill your team.
I didn't hate it. At the time players like Sheard, Reed were flying up the board and expected to be late Rd 1 prospects. It's clear if you draft either in Rd 1 you are reaching and not drafting the BPA. Trust me, most of this board and Jet fans aren't in love with Heyward. If we do draft Heyward, wait on all the hate from the average no nothing about the draft Jet fan because of The Ohio State factor.
Atlanta Falcons are doing fine... so are the Chiefs. Of course when the talent difference is huge you go with the BPA. My question is how much is the gap between the OLBs we are talking about and a guy like Heyward...
he jumped out at me in 09. I think hed be perfect for us. and would be VERY VERY happy if he fell to 30. i have a feeling SD nabs him if they dont find a OLB
Tyson Jackson hasn't panned out and Tamba Hali has become one of the better pass rushers in the league. I don't see why you're using them as an example. Still, the Chiefs will only win 5 or 6 games in 2011. They had a weak schedule in 2010.
I don't see a good pass rushing OLB available at #30 that is the BPA. Reed and Sheard are early/ mid Rd 2 picks. Justin Houston isn't what our scheme needs. The Jets may regret not having a rd 2 pick for a player like Acho.
We're on the same page about this - if certain players are gone, I'd rather trade back than reach for a big riser like Brooks Reed. I'm also against drafting Justin Houston. Jabaal Sheard and Sam Acho are my favorite top picks if we opt to get out of the first round. The closer the draft gets, the more I think we're going to end up with Akeem Ayers - not a bad thing, but I like other players more.
I'm fine with Ayers. I guess I have little patience with people saying "we need to draft a pass rusher at #30". Pass rushers don't grow on trees. Very few DE/OLB make a solid impact in the NFL as prolific pass rushers. Suggs and Ware are rare players. If we stay at #30....my guess would be Ayers, Wilkerson or Heyward based on who's available.
Don't mean to reroute this thread but the Chiefs are building a nice little team out there. I can see them going 10-6, give or take a win.
Would you not consider Ayers BPA at #30? Or do you not consider him "a good pass rushing OLB"? I was on the Reed bandwagon, seems like he's cooling down after the smoke settled from the Combine. I've just grown a disdain for Houston, the more I watch, the less I like him as a OLB period. The only bright side about not selecting a top OLB this year is the talent pool at the position next draft. So many potential rush linebackers...
I'm looking for more than just a passrusher TBH, I think my partiality Martez Wilson proves that. I'm not against selecting a OLB that may not have complete pass rush skills, but can offer all the other aspects of LBs. When you have versatile players in the 3-4, it can take it to another level...
I agree, good point. Ayers would be a good selection and a solid contributor. Everyone wants this pass rush rookie savior that is going to have double digit sacks, they really are rare and hardly exist. Getting solid players...Heyward, Ayers improves the defense to make Rex's system get to the QB in many ways.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love more than anything for a instant fix to the passrush, but like you said, it's highly unlikely, especially at the end of the first where the talent starts to dip. Now if Ayers could come in and make just 1 impact play on the season, whether it be an INT, a PBU, or a game ending sack, I would take it and call it a win...
