My draft want list

[sundevil04]

At this time of year, it's very difficult to predict how things will unfold in the draft.

If we come away with one player from 3 of these 4 categories, I'll consider it a great draft.


TE
Eric Ebron (1)
Jace Amaro (1)
Austin Sefarius-Jenkins (1/2)
Troy Niklas (2)

RB
kadeem Carey (2)
Carlos Hyde (1-3)
Bishop Sankey (2/3)
Lache Seastrunk (2/3)
Jeremy Hill (3/4)
Andre Williams (3/4)
Storm Johnson (5)

S
Haha Clinton-Dix (1/2)
Calvin Pryor (1/2)
Deone Buchannon (2)
Ahmad Dixon (3)
Craig Loston (3)

3-4 DE
Stephen Tuitt (1)
Kony Ealy (1)
Timmy Jernigan (1)
Rashede Hagemen (1)
Will Sutton (2/3)

There are a million ways this could unfold getting us 3+ of these guys but I'd REALLY love to see...

1.) Stephen Tuitt - 6'6" 312lbs to replace DD in 2105 and pair with CC's 6'8" 300lbs and dumpster Dan. BEEEEEF!
2.) Troy Niklas - 6'7" 270lbs - Would be the top TE prospect in the 2015 draft, but decided to come out early. Very athletic, more productive thatn Kyle Rudolph ever was at ND and the converted OLB has only played TE for two years.
3.) Ahmad Dixon/Craig Loston Both are 6'1"/6'2" Safeties that can cover a big TE and can play in the box and lay the wood
4.) Jeremy Hill - 6'1" 235lbs and ran for over 2,085 yards in 19 games (110 Y/game - 6.9ypc) in the SEC. Would be a rd2 talent if not for off the field issues.

 

[Reddog]

Is it safe to assume we get the LT in FA in your scenario?

 

[sundevil04]

Is it safe to assume we get the LT in FA in your scenario?

yes

 

[cardfaninfl]

Is it safe to assume we get the LT in FA in your scenario?

yes

Then I would be very happy to see the first three picks going toward the priorities of DE / TE / S.

 

[Reddog]

Then I would be very happy to see the first three picks going toward the priorities of DE / TE / S.

You beat me to it. Don't think we need to draft another RB this year. I would rather have a FA who has experience picking up the blitz and go OLB/TE/S/DE/Speed WR.

 

[Matt L]

I don't quite understand the need for a 3-4 defensive end. I typically prefer best player available and I do think think Tuitt has a lot of talent and can be a good player in the NFL, I just don't believe it is as big of a need as a 3-4 Outside Linebacker, LT or even Safety.

 

[sundevil04]

I don't quite understand the need for a 3-4 defensive end. I typically prefer best player available and I do think think Tuitt has a lot of talent and can be a good player in the NFL, I just don't believe it is as big of a need as a 3-4 Outside Linebacker, LT or even Safety.

This draft is assuming we address LT in FA.

Regarding you not seeing a need for 3-4 DE. What's your plan for replacing Dockett?

PS we'll have to agree to disagree on Tuitt's talent. He had 12 sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a Sophomore from a D-line spot. I think he'll be dominant in the NFL, but each to his own.

 

[Bodha]

2.) Troy Niklas more productive than Kyle Rudolph ever was at ND

By like 100 yards and 2 or 3 TDs. You make it sound like hes blown KR out of the water.

KR put up consistent numbers. TN had 1 comparable season to Rudolph.

 

[juza76]

This draft is assuming we address LT in FA.

Regarding you not seeing a need for 3-4 DE. What's your plan for replacing Dockett?

PS we'll have to agree to disagree on Tuitt's talent. He had 12 sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a Sophomore from a D-line spot. I think he'll be dominant in the NFL, but each to his own.

mayock mantioned he could struggle keeping his weight around 310 320

 

[sundevil04]

By like 100 yards and 2 or 3 TDs. You make it sound like hes blown KR out of the water.

KR put up consistent numbers. TN had 1 comparable season to Rudolph.

1.) Troy had 1 comparable season to Rudolph, because he came to ND as an OLB (and made the 2 deep as a true freshman). Then made the transition to TE his sophomore year (playing behind Tyler Eiffert) and in his Junior year he had 498 Yards rec 5TD's compared to Rudolph's 328 Yd's and 3TD's.

I'm not sure how you read that to say he blew out Rudolph's numbers. The reason I said "ever" was because Rudolph came to ND as a TE and started 3 full seasons there. In none of those three seasons did he have over 364 yards and 3 TD's.

 

[Matt L]

This draft is assuming we address LT in FA.

Regarding you not seeing a need for 3-4 DE. What's your plan for replacing Dockett?

PS we'll have to agree to disagree on Tuitt's talent. He had 12 sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a Sophomore from a D-line spot. I think he'll be dominant in the NFL, but each to his own.

Dockett has two years left on his contract and I thought he played well, he was pretty stout against the run and got a little pressure on the QB. If really need to replace him this off-season, I would target Sutton in the third.

I agree with you that Tuitt has talent and is very versatile. I am just not as sold that he will be a dominant defensive end in the NFL and I feel like we have similar player on the defensive line already in Calais Campbell.

What would be your plan for replacing John Abraham and Matt Shaughnessy?

 

[sundevil04]

Dockett did play well this season, but he'll be 33 next year and we'll be paying him an average of 9.3 Mil/year each of the next two seasons when he's 33 & 34 years old.

I'd love Sutton in Rd3, but as of now he looks to be a 2nd round prospect

 

[Jay Cardinal]

It seems Notre Dame fans are pretty upset about losing the tight end Niklas. It sounds like he was a really good blocker and receiver for them. I think he could be a good one.

I am not completely sold on Tuitt. I know he has the size, but he was on a really, really good defensive line at Notre Dame. He got to go against single blocking a lot more than if he was on a different team. We will see how he develops, but I like Hageman more.

I love the other ideas like Clinton-Dix, ASJ, Ka'Deem, Deone Buchannon, and Will Sutton!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

It seems Notre Dame fans are pretty upset about losing the tight end Niklas. It sounds like he was a really good blocker and receiver for them. I think he could be a good one.

I am not completely sold on Tuitt. I know he has the size, but he was on a really, really good defensive line at Notre Dame. He got to go against single blocking a lot more than if he was on a different team. We will see how he develops, but I like Hageman more.

Me too. He's soooo physical and athletic. I hope he's there at 20.