With the 8th pick in the NFL Draft......

[Minski]

I have revised my current top pick and now would be happy with either Jeudy, Lamb or Simmons

I think all of those guys are going to be great. The thing that I heard about Lamb (maybe by commentary in his highlights vid) is that he is so dedicated to his craft he works the hardest in training... that’s the thing which could end up making him the best in the long run

 

[wit3card]

A friend of mine who's a big Rams fan says Jeudy reminds him of ex Ram WR Torry Holt, I think largely because of the route running but for someone like me who's a huge Jeudy fan that was an eye opener.

I read an article yesterday where they talked about how the freshman year all of Jeudy, Ruggs and Smith were frustrated because Hurts was targetting Ridley all the time and ignoring the freshmen. In the NC game Saban switched to Tua and he started throwing to the freshmen, because he'd been working with them all year on the 2nd team and had much more rapport with them than Hurts did. One of the comments in the article was how all year people were hearing how Bama's backup QB lit up the starting DB's in practice, and he said while the coaches all knew Tua was for real and would eventually beat out Hurts, they also said one of the biggest reasons for that was the 3 freshmen WR's he was working with were all so good. Actually made me do a double take if they were that good, and the coaches knew it, why did they let Hurts favor Ridley all year?

That screams more to Tua is the better QB and he could use them accordingly and bring them to the max instead of them being so great. It sounds like that Brady/Rodgers/Brees WR upgrade that you see on the field but on College level. Tua is good and was in play for #1 pick before inquries...

 

[DVontel]

If by some miracle he’s there, how do you feel about Shenault in the 2nd? @Chopper0080

 

[WildBB]

Here are some more things to consider at #8.

re: Tristan Wirfs. I am fairly comfortable saying that most on this board, given his availability, would be interested in signing Brandon Scherff in free agency. What needs to be considered is that Scherff was drafted #5 overall to be a RT for the Redskins. 5 years later, people are willing to pay him 12mil+ to be a RG. Even if Wirfs fails at RT (which I don't believe he will) he has the ability to kick inside to RG and be a difference maker there as well. His paths to abject failure are fairly limited and he protects the most valuable piece of our franchise. Wirfs at 8 is 2020.

Also...while taking a RT in round 1 has not traditionally been a move that was considered smart, take into account that Lane Johnson, Mike McGlinchy, Jack Conklin, Bryan Bulaga, and Ryan Ramczyk are all RTs who were drafted in round 1 and have had pretty solid careers so far.

When considering Derrick Brown...the best interior linemen in the league play between 65% and 75% of defensive snaps. The best OL, ILB, and CB all play 90%+. When valuing a player at #8, are you prepared to lose out on 15% to 20% of on field snaps because of the position played?

In terms of dollars saved, currently there are 15 players at the EDGE designation whose contracts average over 14mil per year. Other positional considerations, 8 DT/DE(3-4), 4 ILB/OLB(4-3), 5 CBs, and 6 OL. Hitting on a first round pass rusher and/or DL player provides you the best rookie contract value out of these groups.

Hindsight is 2020, not Wirfs.

We're looking for impact, not only availability and snaps. Game changer at #8.

Anyway we do need to improve the OL AND the DL, and I'm in favor of getting in someone who can really help collapse a pocket. We got no rush outside of Chandler. There are some DL to be had this off season in FA as well, and I expect them to make a run at one.

 

[GatorAZ]

If by some miracle he’s there, how do you feel about Shenault in the 2nd? @Chopper0080

All P12 fans know his talent but he either misses games or is always banged up enough not to be fully effective. Let another team roll the dice.

 

[AZman5103]

Im beginning to change my thinking once again. While I would love a defensive difference maker or explosive WR...this might be the year to load up on O-Line talent. For the first time maybe ever, we have an ELITE O-line coach. Instead of asking him to make due with a bunch of no-names, why not give him some blue-chip talent? People have said this offense doesn't require an elite O-Line...but what if we had one? Those 200+ rushing yard games would become common and Murray would truly become 3 dimensional.

The talent level at OT this year is crazy good, and we might be able to get 2 legit starting OT's...(usually very high priced FA's) in the first 3 rounds. We could also get a starting interior lineman in the 2nd if we really want to go all in.

Right now our O-Line talent is lacking. They played better than expected this year, but Humphries is average at best and a FA, Shipley sucks and is a FA, Murray is a FA. Pugh is average at best, but could be improved. Sweezy is tough as nails, but could be improved upon.

Someone said earlier in this thread it has been decades since we have had a pro-bowl lineman. Elite level O-Line talent does not hit the FA market. Let's load up on actual o-line talent and let Kugler turn them into something great. The other spots we need can be filled with FA pick ups.

Round 1: Andrew Thomas

Round 2: If somone like Wills, Leatherwood, or even Wirfs slips, you take them.

Round 3: Lots of potential starting RT here: Prince Wanogho, Trey Smith (who would be a top 15 pick if not for the blood clot issue), Lucas Niang

If Thomas is not there, go with another position, don't reach for an OT that you like less...but if there is really solid O-Line talent in the first 2 days, we should be giving Kugler the ingredients to give us a top 10 Line.

 

[PACardsFan]

Walters Footballs most recent mock had Andrew Thomas dropping all the way to us. I haven't seen enough tape of him to comment, but he is definitely considered the best OT in this draft. I did watch a ton of tape on Epenesa & Gross-Matos last night. I'll comment sometime today on them. Both could be solid picks at 8. After his outstanding bowl game, I've see mocks with Jeudy going to the Giants at 4.

 

[slanidrac16]

Hindsight is 2020, not Wirfs.

We're looking for impact, not only availability and snaps. Game changer at #8.

Anyway we do need to improve the OL AND the DL, and I'm in favor of getting in someone who can really help collapse a pocket. We got no rush outside of Chandler. There are some DL to be had this off season in FA as well, and I expect them to make a run at one.

IMHO you are absolutely right. We need to add 4 quality defensive players. Draft Simmons then look to free agency for two quality d-lineman. Peters has been stellar but there is literally nobody behind him. We don’t have a DE that can both pressure and stop the run.

the o- line isn’t the best but under Kugler ( in one year) has become average. The focus from now until the draft has to be this defense.

 

[slanidrac16]

Im beginning to change my thinking once again. While I would love a defensive difference maker or explosive WR...this might be the year to load up on O-Line talent. For the first time maybe ever, we have an ELITE O-line coach. Instead of asking him to make due with a bunch of no-names, why not give him some blue-chip talent? People have said this offense doesn't require an elite O-Line...but what if we had one? Those 200+ rushing yard games would become common and Murray would truly become 3 dimensional.

The talent level at OT this year is crazy good, and we might be able to get 2 legit starting OT's...(usually very high priced FA's) in the first 3 rounds. We could also get a starting interior lineman in the 2nd if we really want to go all in.

Right now our O-Line talent is lacking. They played better than expected this year, but Humphries is average at best and a FA, Shipley sucks and is a FA, Murray is a FA. Pugh is average at best, but could be improved. Sweezy is tough as nails, but could be improved upon.

Someone said earlier in this thread it has been decades since we have had a pro-bowl lineman. Elite level O-Line talent does not hit the FA market. Let's load up on actual o-line talent and let Kugler turn them into something great. The other spots we need can be filled with FA pick ups.

Round 1: Andrew Thomas

Round 2: If somone like Wills, Leatherwood, or even Wirfs slips, you take them.

Round 3: Lots of potential starting RT here: Prince Wanogho, Trey Smith (who would be a top 15 pick if not for the blood clot issue), Lucas Niang

If Thomas is not there, go with another position, don't reach for an OT that you like less...but if there is really solid O-Line talent in the first 2 days, we should be giving Kugler the ingredients to give us a top 10 Line.

Umm....have you looked at this defense?

 

[DVontel]

More & more everyday I hope we draft Jalen Reagor in the 2nd if he’s still there.

 

[slanidrac16]

More & more everyday I hope we draft Jalen Reagor in the 2nd if he’s still there.

I think Higgins or Jefferson is a better fit for us.

 

[slanidrac16]

More & more everyday I hope we draft Jalen Reagor in the 2nd if he’s still there.

I think Higgins or Jefferson is a better fit for us.

 

[AZman5103]

Umm....have you looked at this defense?

I have, and I think that most of the holes can be filled with FA signings. I am huge Simmons fan, and if Thomas is not there @8, he would be my pick, with O-Line the most likely pick in the 2nd round.

I just think that Andrew Thomas, who most consider the top OT in a stacked class, is head and shoulders above DJ Humphries. I would not draft him to play RT at #8...I would draft him to start at LT from day 1, saving us 15 million per year on DJ, who will most likely spend 1/2 of his next contract on IR.

I just think we have complained about the O-Line for so long, that we can't take a very mediocre year and say "jobs done". We also have 3 UFA out of the starting 5. I would not be opposed to stacking a bunch of talent for Kugler to use.

 

[slanidrac16]

I have, and I think that most of the holes can be filled with FA signings. I am huge Simmons fan, and if Thomas is not there @8, he would be my pick, with O-Line the most likely pick in the 2nd round.

I just think that Andrew Thomas, who most consider the top OT in a stacked class, is head and shoulders above DJ Humphries. I would not draft him to play RT at #8...I would draft him to start at LT from day 1, saving us 15 million per year on DJ, who will most likely spend 1/2 of his next contract on IR.

I just think we have complained about the O-Line for so long, that we can't take a very mediocre year and say "jobs done". We also have 3 UFA out of the starting 5. I would not be opposed to stacking a bunch of talent for Kugler to use.

I get it. Humphries is our quagmire. If we let him walk and he plays like this year we will be blasting Keim for letting him walk. We will see how much influence Kugler has. Does he believe he can work with what he’s got or does he tell the front office there is only so much lipstick you can put on a pig.

Here is the other problem. A decision on Humphries will have to be made way before the draft and there is no way we will know if Thomas will still be there. In my eyes that leave 3 options. Sign Humphries. Tag Humphries or let him walk and sign another left tackle like Conklin. I think tagging Humphries is not going to sit well with Humphries and will leave a very sour taste in his mouth.

 

[AZman5103]

I get it. Humphries is our quagmire. If we let him walk and he plays like this year we will be blasting Keim for letting him walk. We will see how much influence Kugler has. Does he believe he can work with what he’s got or does he tell the front office there is only so much lipstick you can put on a pig.

Here is the other problem. A decision on Humphries will have to be made way before the draft and there is no way we will know if Thomas will still be there. In my eyes that leave 3 options. Sign Humphries. Tag Humphries or let him walk and sign another left tackle like Conklin. I think tagging Humphries is not going to sit well with Humphries and will leave a very sour taste in his mouth.

I agree. And it's his injury history that scares me more than anything. If he was an iron horse, I would say sign him long term at 15 million per year and shore up that spot. Unfortunately, signing him does not mean we are set at LT. He has missed 21 games in the 4 years he has actually played. Can we afford 15m on a guy that has finished 1 season? At that point would we be better off to sign a quality vet (meaning 8 million....not a scrub) and draft some young guys?

It's all up to DJ. If he wants elite LT money, and he wont sign the Tag, then I say we let him walk. I know players need to look out for themselves, but he should at least understand the Cards desire to see him play another 16 game season at a quality level before paying him long term. The Franchise tag is going to pay him 15 million completely guaranteed, so a player in his position might be better of signing it. I think if he hits UFA he will get 10 million per year, and he will be the 2nd wave of FA type guy.

 

[slanidrac16]

I agree. And it's his injury history that scares me more than anything. If he was an iron horse, I would say sign him long term at 15 million per year and shore up that spot. Unfortunately, signing him does not mean we are set at LT. He has missed 21 games in the 4 years he has actually played. Can we afford 15m on a guy that has finished 1 season? At that point would we be better off to sign a quality vet (meaning 8 million....not a scrub) and draft some young guys?

It's all up to DJ. If he wants elite LT money, and he wont sign the Tag, then I say we let him walk. I know players need to look out for themselves, but he should at least understand the Cards desire to see him play another 16 game season at a quality level before paying him long term. The Franchise tag is going to pay him 15 million completely guaranteed, so a player in his position might be better of signing it. I think if he hits UFA he will get 10 million per year, and he will be the 2nd wave of FA type guy.

Maybe the answer is signing him with huge incentives. Ten mil a year with 2 m bonus if he plays 14 games, 3 m bonus if he plays 15 games and a 5 mil bonus if he plays all 16 games. Would that work?

 

[TheCardFan]

I just don't see elite play with Wirfs. Athletic as hell but not dominant.

Just watch the first two minutes.

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[DVontel]

I think Higgins or Jefferson is a better fit for us.

I doubt either of them will be there.

Reagor would help this team in more ways than one.

 

[football karma]

i think its hard to make a roster better when you let an average starter leave in FA and have to use a top 10 pick to replace him

like it or not -- if you let average starting players at premium positions get to free agency, you end up overpaying to keep them -- because somebody else will

 

[wit3card]

Draft RT in the 3rd or 4th draft a C in the 3rd or 4th and get Simmons @ #8 and a DE in the #2nd round

If you want a #1 WR from the get go, maybe you draft it in the 2nd or 3rd, but normally you go FA and get one. But I think with what we KK said I think we don't draft a WR early this year. Maybe some diamond in the 5th or 6th or so.

 

[TheCardFan]

Latest mock from Tankathon:

Love this draft!

Fix the D in FA.

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[Chopper0080]

I just don't see elite play with Wirfs. Athletic as hell but not dominant.

Just watch the first two minutes.

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I really am not seeing the problem.

 

[TheCardFan]

I really am not seeing the problem.

I am unqualified as hell, so don't take it from me. I just don't see a top 10/dominating OT.

 

[Finito]

I just don't see elite play with Wirfs. Athletic as hell but not dominant.

Just watch the first two minutes.

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he played really bad in the 4th in his bowl game. I just don’t see it

 

[Finito]

I have, and I think that most of the holes can be filled with FA signings. I am huge Simmons fan, and if Thomas is not there @8, he would be my pick, with O-Line the most likely pick in the 2nd round.

I just think that Andrew Thomas, who most consider the top OT in a stacked class, is head and shoulders above DJ Humphries. I would not draft him to play RT at #8...I would draft him to start at LT from day 1, saving us 15 million per year on DJ, who will most likely spend 1/2 of his next contract on IR.

I just think we have complained about the O-Line for so long, that we can't take a very mediocre year and say "jobs done". We also have 3 UFA out of the starting 5. I would not be opposed to stacking a bunch of talent for Kugler to use.

the class isn’t stacked. Only 1LT grades out as a first rounder that’s the opposite of stacked