http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html They have us taking Chris Long at #3 and McFadden dropping past the Pats at 4 to #5 with the Raiders. They make a pretty decent case as to why we would go for Chris Long over McFadden and in a perfect world we could get both of them but my opinion is this: Our offensive line isn't the only reason why Thomas Jones hasn't scored a rushing touchdown this season. The other reason is Thomas Jones himself. He was behind an ELITE offensive line in Chicago that made him appear to be a lot better than he actually is. Lets not forget that this former first round pick was a Cardinal before he went to the Bears because he wasn't working out there. Jones needs an elite offensive line to be an elite running back. McFadden is an elite running back no matter how mediocre the offensive line is. We have three glaring needs: No defensive line pressure on the QB, no real running game and no true left guard. As high as we are in the draft we will only be able to address the running back or the defensive lineman option so I pose this question: Which do we go for? (And I know there are a boat load of threads about this but lets see some people make their cases after you read the above draft.)
I would add "ability to stop the run" to this list. Here's my opinion. It depends on what happens during free agency. Lets assume for a moment that we are able to address the pass rush (i.e., Suggs) and grab another defensive lineman (i.e., Justin Smith?) who is capable of starting and playing well in this league. Then, it makes sense to draft McFadden. He will add a dimension to the offense that it currently lacks. However, if we miss out on some impact free agents, then the right choice is to bulk up the defensive line, because it is BY FAR the most glaring need right now. Hopefully the Jets are able to add some pass rushing ability, another 3-4 end, and maybe an offenseive linemen (i.e., Max Starks, Lijla from the Colts) to fill those spots. If not, the DL NEEDS to be addressed in the draft. But it will be really hard to pass up McFadden.
There aren't many d-linemen that fit out system that are going in the first round, i say take mcfadden, and try and get shawn crable in the second then work on both lines.
How about Long? By all accounts he is a pure 3-4 DE and someone who the Jets can build around. It feels like its been a long time since our defense has been able to stop the run. Even in the recent playoff years that has been an area of weakness. Its pretty demoralizing to watch teams constantly go over a 100 yards rushing on your team. An improved DL is a huge need and Long, accrodung to everything I have read, seems to fit the bill.
Long sounds intriguing, but I think we could probably slide back a few spots and get him. NE scares me away from getting cute and trading back though. I'd hate to trade behind them. The guy (Dorsey) that seems like he could be a great fit is currently projected to go #1. I wonder what it would take to move a couple spots up.
I could see us getting McFadden and Groves next year, Groves seems to be slipping i dont see the 49ers taking another linebacker for the 3rd year in a row, they need a wr more that defense is solid but the offense is bad.
I've seen Groves slipping in a lot of mocks also. Seems to be going anywhere from top 10 in the first round to top 10 in the second round. Anyone know what the reason is? Is it a lack of production? Size or speed concerns? Only seen as a situational pass rusher?
...I don't think anyone cares. If you want to stop liking a team because they have a bad draft, then go ahead. We've had a lot of horrible drafts throughout the years, but everyone seems to stick around because it gives them something to complain about. If you want to go be a Pats fan because they have good draft, go ahead.
Interesting to see the Steelers select a guard, in the belief that Max Starks and Alan Faneca hit FA, as is the Steelers custom with free agents.
Chris Long would be great...I am just a little nervous about him being underweight. We need some bulk up front to stop that run. If Chris Long can become the 3-4 End we need...I say take him because we MUST get better in the trenches.
I don't think he'll get over powered much because of his size, but if he does, he has enough speed to still make a play on the ball carrier.
The undersized D-line is our greatest weakness, drafting another undersized defensive lineman won't help much. I really would like trading down with Dallas and get one OLB (Gholston or Groves) and one RT (Otah or Cherilus) or perhaps Kenny Phillips. Propably to good to happen though.
I posted a link and some 3-4 defense information. Long is currently listed at 280. This might seem small for a 3-4 DE (see below) but by all accounts he will eb able to gain 10-15 pounds due to his frame. Plus he has experience in the 3-4, which should help immensely. I do agree that he might not have all the measureables but he seems to be a 3-4 end from what I have read. If anyone has a better sense of where he might fit, please post. http://www.geocities.com/epark/raiders/football-101-3-4-defense.html 3-4 DEs tend to weigh around 290-310, and many are former 4-3 DT/DE "tweeners". They must be able to play the run well. The 3-4 DE is responsible for the B and C gaps in the running game and lines up in the 5-technique position, so he is head-up on the OT. It's tough for a 3-4 DE to pick up as many sacks as a 4-3 DE, because a 3-4 DE doesn't have the freedom to go willy nilly upfield. He has to protect the LBs in order for the 3-4 to work. Panthers' 4-3 DE Julius Peppers said that he didn't like playing 3-4 DE, because he felt like he was essentially a DT. Unlike Peppers (6-6 290), most 4-3 DEs are not suited to playing 3-4 DE, because they lack the size and ability to hold up against the run. Examples of solid 3-4 DEs are the Patriots' Richard Seymour (6-6 310), the Steelers' Aaron Smith (6-5 300), and the Raiders' Bobby Hamilton (6-5 285)
The problem with specifying a trading partner this early is that there is no way of knowing if Dallas has any interest in giving up their two first round picks. Plus we would probably also need a 2nd and a late rounder to make the numbers, according to the Jimmy Johnson chart, all work out. That seems like a lot to hope for.
Ok, lets just air this out now. There is no way we get any value from Dallas unless we FLEECE them of all their picks. Hypothetically, if we had the number 3 overall pick that would be worth 2200 points. Dallas also has Cleveland's first round pick, but with Cleveland doing as well as they are, their pick won't be nearly as high as Dallas would like. As of right now Cleveland has the 19th pick worth 875 points and Dallas has the 31st pick worth 600 points. This leaves Dallas with 1475 points to our 2200 points and a difference of 525 points. All told, Dallas would need to give up both first rounds, their second round and their third round in order to equal anything close to our first round pick. So, Dallas would need to give up their entire first day and their 3rd round pick just to move up to #3. So, please, would everyone please stop talking about us trading down with Dallas when it wouldn't be in Dallas' favor whatsoever.
Warhound........I agree Dallas isn't going to mortgage their future to move up to the #4 spot. IMO, most of the Dallas talk is just talk, since Jerry Jones is from Arkansas and is supposely in love with McFadden. I could see us moving down to maybe the 10th pick or so and pick up a second rd pick and maybe a day one pick in 2009.
