Kiper has us taking Fairley, McShay has us taking Bowers

[TheRealDeal]

Yup, same reason there is a record # of underclassmen declaring for the draft this year.

I don't understand the huddle sometimes. This point of "Hold outs" will get brought up at least 10 more times and so will the "Sign Hass" comments even though they said they wanted him back and he said he wants to play for a winner.

I really think there has been an influx of bad huddlers/posters lately.

[unicar15]

Trade the pick. Not going to say Fairley or Bowers will be busts but they are not #1 material for a team with as many needs as we have. If you don't want to draft Gabbert #1 then trade the pick but do not draft DL when the defense has plenty of talent.

[jtm]

No one is going to hold out when there will be a rookie cap next year

I doubt seriously that the new rookie cap will be retroactive. If anyone knows where they have the actual rookie salary cap contract, please let me know the website. I would like to read it in its actual form. I would imagine that the salary cap will still be applicable for rookies signed in this draft. Otherwise every team will just drag their feet until it expires and I doubt whoever wrote the agreement on the players' side did not think that through.

And yes I agree that Panthers will try and trade down but I don't see many takers.

[Guest Setfree1012]

No need to draft DL when we're very young there with Brown, Johnson, Hardy, Norwood, along with veteran Brayton. To me in the 4-3 we need space eaters, big bodies. And those can be found via free agency. We can't sign an impact player like A.J. Green at WR, or Peterson at corner, so to me you take one of those two. Players who have the ability to help put up points for the leagues WORST OFFENSE.

I personally can't stand the way McShay, and Kiper hype up players, just because they had a good SEASON or BOWL GAME. A.J. Green's been a beast since day one, Peterson is reguarded as the #1 DB prospect, and if we're gonna be aggressive and attack we need DB's who can bump, to give the pass rush a chance to work, not a disruptor in the interior.

I mean if we were still middle of the pack defenseively with the undersized Landri, and Hayden I think we'll be perfectly fine and even better bringing in a quality proven FA, or drafting with one of our multiple 3rd rounders.

[klbishop143]

I know Bowers perhaps has the most amount of talent but I just don't think we need him with johnson and e brown. especially when we have NO ONE in interior.

Fairley has got to the the choice if we're going DT...

What are the odds Marvin Austin is available in the third. He's the 6th (I think) ranked DT in the draft. Last year 10 DT's were picked before the third. If we can get Green with the first and Austin in the third we'd be solid in two need positions. However, Austin does have character issues which could scare JR off and I wouldn't be surprised to see Rivera go after a TE early.

[jtm]

I don't understand the huddle sometimes. This point of "Hold outs" will get brought up at least 10 more times and so will the "Sign Hass" comments even though they said they wanted him back and he said he wants to play for a winner.

I really think there has been an influx of bad huddlers/posters lately.

Yeah, how so? If you have data explaining how a new contract that has yet to be signed can retroactively effect a contract in place, please explain.

[Jackofalltrades]

Mayock, what does he say?

The others are just talking heads.

[Self Centered]

Will be interesting. I suspect whoever we draft ultimately holding out because none of the guys would be a #1 pick overall in a normal year. But I am sure they will still want #1 overall money. I hope it is not a problem but I foresee this being a big issue. Suh got $40 million guaranteed - none of these guys are worth that.

aj green is

[Self Centered]

No need to draft DL when we're very young there with Brown, Johnson, Hardy, Norwood, along with veteran Brayton. To me in the 4-3 we need space eaters, big bodies. And those can be found via free agency. We can't sign an impact player like A.J. Green at WR, or Peterson at corner, so to me you take one of those two. Players who have the ability to help put up points for the leagues WORST OFFENSE.

I personally can't stand the way McShay, and Kiper hype up players, just because they had a good SEASON or BOWL GAME. A.J. Green's been a beast since day one, Peterson is reguarded as the #1 DB prospect, and if we're gonna be aggressive and attack we need DB's who can bump, to give the pass rush a chance to work, not a disruptor in the interior.

I mean if we were still middle of the pack defenseively with the undersized Landri, and Hayden I think we'll be perfectly fine and even better bringing in a quality proven FA, or drafting with one of our multiple 3rd rounders.

i definitely agree with this

[TheRealDeal]

I wasn't saying you in particular because this isn't the worst idea ever but here's how it breaks down. It's not that it will be retroactive but it is a negotiating tool for the GMs.

If a player comes out and demands 50mil the GM can offer 30 mil.

If the player refuses to sign it the GM can let the player hold out all season and try and reenter the draft the next year or trade the rights.

If the player re-enters the draft next year, there will be a presumable rookie salary cap.

Now the player will likely have a bad reputation and could possibly not go number one overall again but let's assume they do for consistency. The rookie cap now has the #1 overally pick slotted at 15mil.

That player went from wanting 50mil to being offered 30mil to signing for 15mil. GMs know this, players know this (hence so many entering draft trying to get the money while they can), and agents know this. It's really not a difficult concept.

[Matthias]

For those who want AJ, To me, wide receivers are a dime a dozen, and we can find and develop a receiver later on. (cough* Lafell/Gettis cough*) AJ Green would be a disaster of a pick. Compare AJ's college statistics to Dwayne Jarrett's

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=161084

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=379205

Honestly, if you remove the names and just saw the stats, who would you say is the better receiver? Jarrett had his one handers, his long Moss like touchdowns, and it got him no where with us. Yet we took Steve Smith in the third round, a little punt returner, and made him an elite receiver. (And would have been hall of fame receiver if it wasn't for the wasted years of QB play. I still think he can get that however, and be the first receiver to have 2,000 receiving yards in a season.) So I say no to AJ, and develop a guy later on. The only receiver I would take high on the draft board would be Alshon Jeffrey, and he isn't coming out this year. (I'd be willing to trade up for this guy)

With all that said, I completely agree with Kiper's mock draft. (When it comes to us, I haven't viewed his other picks thoroughly)

[Mvp2014]

The guy that had Jimmy at #1 all of last year? hah And the guy that said JRuss was going to be an elite qb in 2 years..

[TheRealDeal]

Matthias, just like with QBs, college stats mean nothing. It's all about tools

[Matthias]

Matthias, just like with QBs, college stats mean nothing. It's all about tools

Yeah you're right about that. Yet I think there are some quality receivers entering free agency. The best plan is to go with Fairley this year. Then perhaps go with Alshon when he comes out if we need a number one WR by then. (Unless we can get Luck, next year's draft will be stacked with potential.)