Here's to hoping the Jets grab Mariota - and a second franchise cornerstone in the 2nd. Solid depth at OLB and OL that could be sitting there.
Just as a point of interest. If the Raiders pull off an upset against the 49er's (unlikely but they're currently leading 10-7 in the 2nd) there would be 5 teams with a 2-11 record. The Raiders entering today had the .590 strength of schedule and that won't change much if they beat the 49ers, the Jets lost to a sub .500 team so their current .583 SOS will drop slightly. This would mean that if the Raiders pull off the upset the Jets would currently be in the 4th draft pick position. In order to improve that position the Jets would have to lose out and the 3 teams in front of the jets (in terms of draft slot) would have to all win 1 game for the Jets to get the #1 pick. If all teams lose out the Jets would finish with the #4 (that can't happen though because there are several head to heads, including the Jets vs Titans). I think the Jets win the Titans game. I now predict that the Jets will be drafting between 5 and 8th slots.
Jets will pick behind Tennessee and Tampa Bay. I could TB going QB and Tennessee needs help everywhere.
If Tampa was smart, they get Gregory. They need a pass rusher more than anything else, they have basically nobody to go after the QB. Lovie is veteran QB obsessed and brought McCown as his guy, he knows what a pass rusher means to a team.
If TB is smart they'll take a QB. Like us and every other team in the NFL, nothing else matters as much as the QB. _
I wouldn't be suprised if Tampa takes Brandon Schreff. Their offense line for the most part has been awful this season, especially RG . Brandon Scherff can step in and contribute right away at RG or LG, and he can possibly be their LT of the future. In my opinion he's the best OT prospect, and the most polished one.
LT and pass rushers aren't that far apart from QB as far as what teams crave in the draft. I don't know who's call it will be in Tampa Bay but if Lovie has a say in it, he will fight for the best pass rusher(Gregory or Ray).
LTs PROTECT the QB. Pass rushers are only important BECAUSE of the QB. Quarterback is the most important position in all of professional sports. _
Of course it is but teams do value LT and Pass Rushers immensely and I am saying if a team prefers a LT or pass rusher over the QBs, its not outlandish to go get them.
When you are TB or us, it is outlandish to consider ANY other position with the 2 guys sitting there at the top. Criminal. _
It is if you don't get a choice of Mariota and if Winston is the guy left at QB. Winston's position may be important but is he really a better guy to get then a LT or Pass Rusher if you are the Bucs? With Mariota in the picture, becomes a matter of preference. Owner may see Mariota as a ticket seller but the coaches/front office may fancy a pass rusher or uprising LT better.
They are going to be drafting top 4 with 2 of the team's not needing a QB and no one else needing to move up. It's us and them. If they don't get one of those QBs their fans should revolt. _
Maybe they share the Vikings way of drafting and have love for Hundley/Petty to view them as a trade up candidate ala Bridgewater since Minnesota preferred Bridgewater over Manziel and they go for their own pass rusher like the Vikings with Anthony Barr. Winston will carry the same if not worse red flags than Manziel heading into this draft if he comes out. I'd say Minnesota made the right choice in their round 1 drafting, Barr has been pretty decent and Bridgewater kicks ass. Its a matter of drafting philosophies. Lovie has been an old school guy and is defensive minded, the only time he had to start a rookie QB in his time as a head coach is when Rex Grossman got hurt in preseason and the game managing Kyle Orton getting thrown in there back in 05. May not be his call at the end of the day but who knows.
And unless I miss my guess the Jets currently are at #4 after Carr led the Raiders to victory. He's maturing quite nicely as a QB on a very bad team.
There is not a GM worth his salt that will value Hundley or Petty over Mariota or Winston. No chance. _
If Winston carries a circus atmosphere and doesn't interview well or if stuff comes out, absolutely teams will take him off the draft board and not deal with that. Not outlandish at all if someone falls in love with Petty's maturity or Hundley's untapped potential/athleticism. Maybe teams see Colorado State's Garrett Grayson as the next Garappolo. While Winston's a better quarterback than that lazy sack of crap Russell, Russell despite being a QB went ahead of Calvin Johnson who was a WR. That move set the Raiders franchise for years. There will be understandable trepidation for Winston on and off the field.
