My 2017 draft review/opinion

I started writing this as a response to one of the draft grade threads, but as I just kept on rambling it evolved into a full breakdown, and I felt it maybe became worthy of a thread of it’s own.

When I look at this draft, although I may not be happy with all of the selections, I come away feeling very confident in this team and the direction of the front office under Grier and Gase, with Tannenbaum overseeing it all. I like the plan we had this year. We knew our needs. We trusted our valuations. Sounds like they used a nice combination of BPA & Need to make their selections, and they didn't panic and jump around the board like Tannenbaum seems to like to. I think we saw a change in strategy there, likely due to the influence of Greir/Gase being more involved.

I have based this OPINION off my own takes of the player and some cut-up videos of them from around the internet, as well as articles, and things I've learned about the player/game along the way from opinions/information of those in the club I trust and value.

Round 1, Charles Harris:
I like this pick. I think if you watch this guy, you can really see why they wanted him. Keep in mind, the plan here with this draft seemed to be help the defense, and fill needs with talent. Charles Harris does that. There’s no denying Wake is nearing the end. His performance doesn’t show that, but he’s not getting any younger. Our DE’s behind Wake aren’t known for their pass rushing prowess either. Harris has tons of pass rush ability, that’s pretty clear when you watch him. I don’t think he’s as weak against the run as some think. I’ve watched a few videos and didn’t come away completely appalled by his run D. Mind you, he’s got some work to do, absolutely. I think though, anytime you’re picking outside of say the top 10 in talent in the draft, you should expect some issues for this guys to work on. Overall, he fills an immediate need in helping bolster the pass rush, and fills a long term need doing the same once Wake’s career ends. I saw some suggest a trade down here, but I don’t think you can pass up that kind of pass rush ability. When I watch him rushing the passer, I feel like I’m watching Wake at times. Also, by all accounts, a really solid, good character guy. A seemingly re-occurring theme with guys Adam Gase wants on this team. I would have considered adding Peppers or McKindley here too if possible, but I like this pick.


Round 2, Raekwon McMillan:
I’ll admit, I thought we were going to go Zach Cunningham or Melifonwu here, and I would have been happy with that. I preferred it. Lets face it though, we needed an LB more than anything. Been the weakest unit of this team for a couple of years now. I felt Cunningham was the better player. However, after watching more of, and learning more about McMillan, I feel like he has the higher ceiling. Cunningham may be the more athletic, more sideline to sideline able, but I think McMillan is more of the downhill, run stuffer/thumper and much more solid tackler. I believe that, is the sole reason for this pick. No secret, our LB’s were poor tacklers, and poor against the run. Raekwon should assist in that. Reading from some of our great club members, it was pointed out too his age. He’s SO YOUNG. He’s got a lot of growing and developing still to do, so he should only get better. Combine that again, with solid character. At his age, captain of the OSU defense. Impressive. We certainly need leadership on that defense. My concern with him though, it’s no secret he played with a lot of high end talent on that OSU defense. So, is he benefiting mostly from those around him? Or is he a playmaker in his own right? I’m not good enough at this to answer that question. The FO seems to think so, so that’s good enough for me since I sell insurance, and they work in pro football. I do though, think he’s a guy that’s going to benefit from working with Timmons, and Alonso, and that will help him grow into the role, and I can see the possibility of him becoming a solid LB here for some time.


Round 3: Cordrea Tankersly:
I think again here, its obvious how aware the FO was of our needs. Maxwell, is what he is at this point. Whether that’s good or bad, I mean, who knows. Depends on the week I guess. However with his contract/salary going to be increasing, no surprise to see us take a CB. Apparently by most accounts he is compared to Maxwell. I don’t know enough about him, or have seen enough to pass a judgement, however again, I understand the pick, fills a need for depth, and future role when Maxwell likely isn’t on the roster after this season, or who knows, maybe after camp. He’s got idea size, seems like he needs some work though to get less grabby. I’m not sure I’d want him as a day 1 starter at this point.


Round 5: Issaac Asiata
I like this pick. I hate that we didn’t have a 4th rounder to address the OL though, but I can’t fault this year’s draft for that. Guys I would have preferred went in the fourth. Again though, fills a need. I would have prioritized this need earlier, but we didn’t have a lot of choice. I think he’s a better run blocker than pass blocker. It’s no secret we needed help. If he starts, its more of a reflection on how bad the current talent is at Guard than his ability. I think he’s going to need some time to add strength. Ultimately, I think he can be a starter in this league. However, again, keep in mind… I sell insurance.


Round 5: Davon Godchaux
OK, I didn’t like this one at the time. I had kind of forgotten our need for DT’s though while following the draft. I didn’t like it though because I thought for sure we were going to address the OL here again. Danny Isidora went a few picks later to the Vikings, and he would have been my preference here. I didn’t know much about Godchaux, but watched a few videos, and did some reading. I don’t see a bad player, but I don’t see a great one either. I get it, it’s the 5th round, so that makes sense. I don’t see anything he does particularly well, but I don’t see anything particularly bad either. Doesn’t seem bad against the run. Should help there. Our DT depth beyond Phillips is pretty invisible though, so again, another example of the staff picking a pretty productive player and addressing a need. I’m not in love with it, or high on it, but it doesn’t look awful, and it was a need.


Round 6: Vincent Taylor
I was surprised to see us double up on DT’s, but again, that was more me forgetting about the lack of depth there. Admittedly, again, didn’t know much about him. After watching some video cut-ups of him though, I actually like him more than Godchaux. He’s got some serious power, made some pretty big impact plays. Seems like more of a penetrator. Should help against the run, and help keep that DL rotation nice and fresh. If there’s an issue of keeping either Taylor or Godchaux on the final roster after camp, I’d think Taylor would get that spot over Godchaux if it comes down to it. Again though, I sell insurance. Just as the pick of Gofchaux, I’m not in love with it, or high on it, but it doesn’t look awful, and it was a need. If they both make the roster, great! If just one makes it, that’s good too seeing as it’s the 5th and 6th rounds we’re talking here.


Round 7: Isaiah Ford
Slim pickings when you get to the 7th. I didn’t pay much attention, at all here. So, I don’t have much to add. I’d be surprised if he makes the roster, especially given the investment in Carroo. I’m not sure if he’s talented enough to pressure him to be honest.


Overall Grade:
I like what they did with the selections. I didn’t necessarily agree with all of their choices, but after learning a bit more and watching these guys they did pick a bit more, I understand why they did what they did, and took who they took. It all seemed well orchestrated, and a welcome difference from years past.

Ultimately the real grading comes down the road when we see how these guys come in and play, and if the FO staff actually nailed their evaluations and such. However, I think we should be encouraged by the fact that they got good value (by most accounts), and got what appear to be good players and addressed the big needs we had on Defense. There was a plan, and it seems pretty clear they stuck to it. That's a good way to run the draft, especially if you nail your evaluations. Time will tell.

Overall though, based on what I see and feel, as much as I hate to grade a draft before these guys have played a down in the NFL or even had a practice I would assign a grade of B- If we were just talking the first two rounds, I’d say A-, I like those two picks. However, over all I drop to a B, or B- simply because I’m not in love with either of the two DT’s, would have preferred another Guard drafted, I think there’s some risk to McMillan, but the upside is undeniable, Asiata has some work to do. However, it’s hard to knock the team on this draft because they did a good job finding players with good character, good production, and good skills to fill their needs. I think all but Ford are potentially rosterable players, but maybe one of the DT's his the practice squad. So, I'm comfortable at this point saying it's between a B or B-

Again, keep in mind, I may not know what the hell I'm talking about, but this was fun! My apologies if it was too long for you, or if you think I'm crazy. I'll crawl back into my igloo up here in the great white north with a bottle of scotch and I won't really care anyways

 

Clearly you read it then, donkey And, thanks.

Yeah. I get the need for the double dip at DT, I'd have just rather not done it at the expense of Isidora. He may not have been the answers to our OL problems either, and maybe they didn't value him either, it just would have made me feel better. I get the Guard may not be of utmost importance to us, but I'd have felt better investing another pick in it to see what we could have gotten. Especially over Godchaux who just, doesn't wow me... again, as someone who doesn't do this for a living.

Also, for the record, this Canadian does not prefer the CFL over the NFL. Not even close. I barely pay attention to it, and I wish they would adopt a set of rules a little more similar to the NFL game (although I think most CFL fans would be strongly opposed to that) so that it could become more of a developmental league. That's another rant for another thread/time though.

 

D, to D+ range? Are you sure that's not a typo? I mean, if you take into consideration what people with knowledge of player evaluation and associated with the game for a long time whether strictly media, formerly involved in front office work and now in media etc, etc. Everyone in those circles believes this was likely a B- in the least. Maybe there's a couple floating around in the C range, but I haven't seen them. I'm not so sure how you can go to the D range, unless you simply are just angry they didn't do what you wanted. I think though, even in those cases, to make a valid statement/judgement on this you need to take your own needs/wants out of the process, and look at the player and how it fits what we wanted/needed. Maybe you've done that, but I find it a bit hard to believe given the grade by you, compared to the general consensus of those involved in the league on some level. Of course, they could be wrong. I'm sure I am wrong in some area's too, I'm just not sure how you can be serious saying D/D+ unless it's simply because it's not what/who you wanted. Like I said, I wasn't a fan of some of the picks, there's a couple I'd have done differently, but when you go back and look at the player, I think you can at least see, and understand their thought process. Which to me, makes it hard to say D/D+. However, you're entitled to your opinion I suppose. I think that's being a bit extreme though, I mean that's essentially like saying none of these guys are going to be here in 3 years to grade it that poorly.

Foster had too many issues to be considered at 22 IMO. That was pretty much confirmed by almost every single team passing on him in the first round. I think they just felt the need to address the pass rushing need as soon as they could have, with a player they were clearly in love with. You look at it they want the picked it, and you can easily say that Harris, while he needs some work, he's going to make an impact, and he's going to get quality snaps throughout his rookie year, you look at McMillan and I think he's likely going to be either one of our starting LB's, or heavy in the rotation as he gets his feet wet. So, if you were pegging Foster for 60% snaps, I think you're going to see that from McMillan, and you're going to see that from Harris as well, if not more for both of them. You still get the LB, and you get a pass rusher in the process.

Ultimately, we've got to see how it translates on the field, and were just making assumptions at this point. I don't think a grade of D/D+ is anywhere near accurate, but hey, that's your opinion and thats ok too.