Honestly, if we are trading that far back I'd almost rather just see if we could trade out of the first for a first next season.

That said we do need defensive line help, but if we are going defense I think I'd rather stay at pick 13?

In the end if the pick panned out though it would be a win.

 

Ferrell strikes me as a bit of a safe pick. Belichick seems to think he can pick those guys up in the 3rd or 4th, and there is probably going to be value to be had at the sub-position later in the draft. I think if you're going to splurge they ought to be more physically spectacular.

IMO if the board plays out like that, you've got to give Dexter Lawrence a long hard look.

 

If we pick up a 2019 3rd, a 2020 2nd, and still come out of the draft with one of the best defensive lineman, then yes, I will absolutely be happy about how the first round panned out. As other have said, trading down more would be even better. If we were in that spot, and one of the teams at the very bottom of the first or the top of the second would trade us a 2020 first rounder to move down about ten more spots, I'd be giddy.

 

I will be thrilled if we traded down to the end of the first for more picks. But I don't agree with trading out of the first completely. The fifth year option for 1st rounders makes them too valuable to pass up.

 

I would be happy with this scenario, although I would hope we get a little bit more in return than just an extra third this year and an extra second rounder next year. I would trade back even more towards the bottom of the first and pick a guy like Jeffrey Simmons while getting us at least a couple more extra picks.

 

Yes, ill take a 2nd and 3rd and Ferrell.

 

I don't think WR is our biggest need at the moment. I want to get better at the pass rush position. I would take Sweat with the pick. If you brought in Flores for his defensive prowess, and you have a guy like Sweat just sitting there, how do you pass him up? I gotta believe Flores would think he could mold that clay into the next Julius Peppers.

 

Sweat is reportedly dropping on many boards due to his heart condition. I like sweat but I wouldn't take him at 13, he is long, strong and fast but is not good at changing directions, his lateral speed and quickness is really lacking, and his pass rush moves are very underdeveloped.

 

We didn't take a WR in this scenario. We took an edge player

 

If the medicals on Sweat are ok and you trust your staff ... he's a difference maker. Ferrell seems like a solid and sturdy player, but not sure if he is a difference maker. I won't complain about him at 22 certainly. Brian Burns would have been an interesting alternate - higher ceiling/lower floor, and Deandre Baker would have to garner some real interest.

Did we make out well according draft value charts? A 2 and 3 seem low, would prefer a 2020 first in there somewhere, though perhaps because it's a double trade down instead of a single one that value isn't there.

 

I have no real issues with the pick? But a 3rd and a 2020 2nd to move down those places? Feels like we got hustled on those deals.

 

Yup, that would be any coach's dream draft- a starter and two extra picks? There's nothing to think about there if the offers are on the table.

 

Yes but you wouldn't know that at the time of the trade would you. I mean if come pick #13 we trade down to #24 (I get that it was 2 trades) and picked up a third rounder a 2020 second only for then the rest of the draft to go a different way and for likes of Burns, Ferrell, Sweat, Wilkins all go. Then suddenly everyone would be getting hysterical talking about the fact that we traded our way out of a useful position and din't pick up enough to balance it. Basically don't trade down for the sake of trading down.

 

I don't know- this draft is supposed to be extremely deep on defensive talent and I'd think day one starters can be had in the first three rounds. So if we can turn one pick into three, land a 3 down defender and possibly two rotational starters, then I'm not as worried about missing out on a player like Sweat or Burns. As good as they look on film, they're just as likely to bust as any other 1st rounder...just look at Dion Jordan.

 

Sweat at least has the production to match the hype. Dion was mostly all potential and looked good in a weak draft for pass rushers.

Sure, any single pick can be a bust, but some are riskier than others. The premium talent, the game-changing talent, is more likely to be found the higher up you go. We can definitely make the argument that at this stage, we need a greater volume of just "solid" players rather than a difference maker though.

 

His 7 second 3-cone, 4.2 second short shuttle, and 1.55 second 10 yard split show that he has very good quickness and lateral agility/speed. For comparison, Von Miller's 10-yard split time was 1.53, 3-cone was 6.7, short shuttle was 4.1, Khalil Mack's 1.54, 7.08, 4.18 and Jadeveon Clowey's 1.56, 7.27, 4.43. He definitely needs to improve and develop, but I think you should say that about all NFL rookies. However, he literally dominated the SEC and led that conference in sacks. You don't play that well in that conference and not be in the running for a high draft position...

His ceiling is high enough that he's at least top 15 material.

 

agreed. plus, if it panned out the way PFF predicted (unlikely) - and Baltimore took Metcalf, it'll be a bonus since I think he'll be a bust and it will hurt one of my most hated teams.

 

I'm thinking that DT Christian Wilkins is going to be the pick.

 

That seems to be the trend the last day or so. He and Godchaux would certainly make a formidable interior DL combo. I wonder if taking a DT in the first round would almost compel them to then take a pass rusher in the second, given that we have basically nothing except hope for Harris there now.

 

No, because fielding a competitive team in 2019 is not the goal.

We can take a late round flyer or two and actually give them game reps to see what they bring. We can sign cast offs after cut downs. We have the 2020 draft and 2020 free agency.

 

An excellent point.

 

That would be a great pick. Wilkins is the lowest risk high reward player projected to be available at 13. He can play 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE which fits into our plans on defense. He make the most sense to me if he makes to 13.

 

Like a said sweat is has good upside but he is too risky for me if I am making the pick at 13. He has a heart murmur, and he does have an issue with change of direction regardless of his times. He looked awkwrd changing directions and stumbled on few occasions running the DL drills at the combine. He is also very lacking in his pass rush moves besides a speed rush and a bull rush. I am just very much against drafting risky players in the first round given our long history of first round busts. I would take a Christian Wilkins, Cleilin Ferrel, Jawan Taylor or Cody Ford before Sweat at 13. They are all much safer picks with higher floors and almost as good if not better ceilings than sweat.

 

Going into it, I can honestly say that I'm pretty open to whatever happens: Murray, Haskins, interior-DL, edge rusher, a trade back. I can literally get on board with anything.

This team just needs to compile pieces. R1 picks are important but they are still only a single player. Tonight's pick (or trade back) is going to be one of many moves that help shape the next few years. Lots of things can be a win for the team which makes me feel good. Tonight will (hopefully) be a celebration no matter what.


That said, I'm a Clemson alum and I would really get a kick out of Wilkins being the pick. He is such a stand-up guy and has special talent. He's easy to pull for. It doesn't hurt that in college he demonstrated an innate ability to shrug a lineman and get pressure whenever he saw fit. It was as if he had an instinct for when to play his hardest and when the impact plays where needed. There's potential for him to be really disruptive at the next level if that continues.


In general though, good DTs can often be had later on, too. Wilkins wouldn't be bad given his special traits but on the other hand, R1 is just about the only chance you have of grabbing a really special CB or DE. So while I like Wilkins, there's that same feeling (like with taking a RB) that you're gambling on that player being a truly elite specimen.


And as much as I'd love to root for him, I'm not 100% sure that Wilkins is that guy. But he may be.

 

Or run D was Swiss cheese last year. I haven't checked, but I'm sure they were near the bottom of the league. Also, as we know, having a good run D helps you thwart the passing game by making the play action less effective, Than there is the Marion Hobby connection. Then there is also the fact hat NE doesn't value edge rushers as much as interior DTs. Flores may not want to do things the same way, but he was a D coach in NE and had great success there. Grier may overrule him, if that's the case, but I think they both will be on the same page.

If Haskins somehow falls, he may be the pick, but I think that's highly doubtful unless some bong mask picture of him suddenly appears or something.

But then there is the fact that, in just about every draft, there is a curve ball, something unexpected happens and it's almost impossible to predict. Who knows what that will be this year. We'll see.

 

Yeah, good points about NE. They value all kinds of football players so long as they can make an impact and Wilkins would be great from that perspective, I think. Still, you have Godchaux and Taylor both there already. Everyone talks about Godchaux when in reality it was Vincent Taylor who looked good until the injury. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm just thinking the team would lean more towards DE over DT all other things being equal. They seem to have an almost comical need at DE and that's also a position that drops off quicker outside R1.

Very anxious to see what happens with the QBs in this draft as well. I think the top-10 will be very interesting. Personally, I'd prefer Miami stay away from QB this year, but that's just me.

 

Yeah and since they most likely will play with many fronts and packages, Wilkins is versatile where he can play the Nose position and can also kick outside in a 3-4 type package. He's fast for a big guy.

I would like them to take a flyer on QB, Easton Stick in the later rounds. I like his game and I think he has the potential to be as good or better than most of the top QB names out there. JMO.

 

Yep, I'm with you. I wouldn't mind Wilkins and Stick either. Gotta start taking one or two serious QBs in the mid-to-late rounds.

 

Run defense was 31st last season. 14th in 2017, but also 30th in 2016, 28th in 2015, 24th in 2014, 24th in 2013. So, yeah, the run defense has sucked for a while now.

 

Man, last year's defense was truly an embarrassment. None of us will soon forget the smiling face of Deshaun Watson as he lit that unit up.

Still, I hope Flores will demonstrate a championship-level commitment to building up a physical defensive front. That's where it needs to start. The problem last year went well beyond just the players.

 

I would prefer we grab Brett Ripyen or Ryan Finley in the mid to late rounds. I think they could be decent starters or quality backups at worst.