Kiper has us taking Fairley, McShay has us taking Bowers

[scarface]

has anyone seen fairley's college highlights? This guy is a roughing the passer machine.

Thats a good thing imo.

What?? 15 yard penalties??

[mav1234]

What?? 15 yard penalties??

it's about his "intensity" and his "desire to win." You know, how it's good to be dirty and all.

but it could also be evidence of lack of discipline and inexperience. I mean, the guy hasn't played that many years at that high of a level (not trying to knock him here, just saying), so maybe it can be coached to a level that is not a hinderance.

remember his personal foul lead to an oregon scoring drive and touchdown... so... even if he made up for it, still.

[Kevin Greene]

It's not my logic, it's life's logic, it's the real world logic, I just happen to understand it.

Yes, I understand that if the 23 year old is willing to give up 30 million dollars, we will have wasted our pick, in the 2nd to worst case scenario. In the worst case scenario, we pay 50 million to someone who is worth less than half that.

More than likely they will all take less money than in years past just because they know it's better than nothing. If worst comes to worst and we haven't signed them before next year, we trade the rights and get something out of it.

Your scenario is the extreme one way, mine (and others who share this scenario) is more realistic and probable.

And what does your life logic say of Andrew Luck passing up $40 million plus, risk everything to career ending injury and enter the draft next year with a salary cap?

[Icege]

I thought rookie signings would fall under the rookie pay scale when the cba is completed?

[DaveThePanther2008]

I am tossed between Fairley and Peterson. It depends on what you preceive is more important. Good strong DL play makes your defensive backs better than they are. OR a Solid DB corp will make your D-Line look better.

I am gonna reserve the right to change until after the combines but for now I think Fairley is our best choice.

If you are gonna reach on a QB I would rather reach with Newton than Gabbert.

WR as much as I like Green I think we are OK with Smitty, LaFell and Gettis.

OG I would hope that Robinson would get his head out of his A$$ and be the beast we thought he would be.

So with all that it takes me back to Fairley or Peterson... Flip a Coin.

[SorthNarolina]

Mike Mayock is the only guy for me. I don't know if he's the best but he can easily explain his views which makes him my fav.

[KJDaniel31]

Honestly I don't see enough from Bowers' film to warrant a #1 overall pick, just my opinion.

If you are looking to draft the best player available, I find it hard to argue against picking AJ Green or Patrick Peterson.

AJ Green would give us an instant upgrade on offense now, and a potential perennial pro bowler for years to come. When Steve is gone (may be sooner than later), the offense will never miss a beat at the WR position in his absence and might actually be better. This is the best player to draft to enhance our passing game in the future. More weapons = more points. The QB will be able to get him the ball, if not Clausen, someone. Relax QB naysayers.

Patrick Peterson would actually immediately upgrade two positions. Punt returner and cornerback. He has Hester-esque abilities on returns with much much higher potential defensively. He is the best athlete in the draft.

I agree about Peterson, but consider this: how many of these top 10 picks whose value is increased due to being a great kick returner actually return kicks after their 1st/2nd year? Seems to me they always either give up the job, or don't turn out to be good at their main gig. Just seems like teams dont want a top prospect returning kicks and playing CB/WR/RB.

[mav1234]

I honestly am curious because I don't know - how many teams have first rounders and (I assume he would) starters at a key position actually returning punts year in and year out? Seems like it'd be a way to get him playing time early and excite people but not sure it's a long term thing.

[KJDaniel31]

I was just giving dude a hard time. He's still on the Cam Newton #1 bandwagon so I made a joke.

In all seriousness I feel like Locker is the forgotten man, partly because he plays in the Northwest and partly because he didn't have a monster year. He's got just as many tools as everyone else and I think his ceiling is higher than most. That being said, it only takes one coach/gm to fall in love with one player (The Golden Calf of Bristol situation) and all the draft rankings go out the window. What makes a difference for most of these guys, especially QBs, is the situation they get drafted into. None of them can play now so in the end I think the player with the most success will be the player that gets to go to a decent team and sit for at least half the season.

Do I think he's #1 worthy? No

Top 10 worhty? Probably not

He's my 2nd QB somewhere late first early second.

He could go a lot sooner to a team with a huge need and a dream or he might go later but I think him and Gabbert are similar with Newton and Mallet 3rd/4th, or 4th/3rd. Mallet is ready to play sooner than Newton but each of them have their issues, one player on and off and the other mostly off.

Interestingly, I have seen almost every game Locker has played in his career. I saw him as a freshman and saw a super talent back then. I blew him up to my friends who laughed at the prospect of him being a superstar NFL QB. I think he has the best physical tools I've ever seen coming into the draft (ever=since 1997ish, when I was old enough to have a clue), and I think people really dont understand how terrible the rest of his team was. HIs line/receivers/coaching was about as bad as it gets, and I doubt that team wins 3 games without him this year. His arm strength/athleticism/accuracy are off the charts IMO, but his decision making is the big question. I think with coaching that can be improved.

I'm sure many can spout stats and say he "cant be that good", and I'm not claiming we should take him #1 or guaranteeing that he will be an elite QB. But from what I see on film of him, his tools are as good as it gets. If we traded down and got him in the middle of the 1st I would be ecstatic.

[PantherFan52]

Both Helmet head and Mcfugstick are two of the worst draft evaluators out there. I pay no attention to what they say.

[KJDaniel31]

I honestly am curious because I don't know - how many teams have first rounders and (I assume he would) starters at a key position actually returning punts year in and year out? Seems like it'd be a way to get him playing time early and excite people but not sure it's a long term thing.

I went back to 2003, First round picks whose value was tied to kick returning...you will find a pattern.

2003

#5 Terence Newman

#28 Andre Woolfolk

2004

#9 DeAngelo Hall

#10 Dunta Robinson

#25 Ahmad Carroll

#28 Chris Gamble

2005

#6 Adam Jones

2006

#2 Reggie Bush

#19 Antonio Cromartie

#25 Santonio Holmes

2007

#9 Ted Ginn

#15 Darrelle Revis

#20 Aaron Ross

#30 Buster Davis

2008

#11 Leodis McKelvin

#16 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

#22 Felix Jones

#24 Chris Johnson

#27 Antoine Cason

2009

#19 Jeremy Maclin

#23 Percy Harvin

#25 Vontae Davis (I think, cant find stats)

2010

#9 CJ Spiller

#24 Dez Bryant

#29 Kyle Wilson

I did that from memory and some stat research, but I'm sure I missed a couple. Just seems like after a year or 2 these guys either give up kick returning or never pan out at their main position. It just seems like kick returning as an added value to high picks is non existent.

[Seamonk]

I'd Rather wait for Mayock's Mock..

[Seamonk]

I went back to 2003, First round picks whose value was tied to kick returning...you will find a pattern.

(long list of players here)

I did that from memory and some stat research, but I'm sure I missed a couple. Just seems like after a year or 2 these guys either give up kick returning or never pan out at their main position. It just seems like kick returning as an added value to high picks is non existent.

Kick returning as a WR/CB means you have flexible hips and really good agility and speed. A lot of these guys as rookies started out as kick returners and got acclimated to the speed of game faster that way. CBs who can return punts typically have better hands than those who don't and are seen to be more aggressive with their INT totals. WRs who can return punts typically have high deep throw value. Kickoff returning is a valuable assessment to top end speed and ability to find openings in a crowded field.

So while you don't -need- to be a kick returner to be good, it helps show natural football instincts along with physical traits.

[Cavscout]

Kick returning as a WR/CB means you have flexible hips and really good agility and speed. A lot of these guys as rookies started out as kick returners and got acclimated to the speed of game faster that way. CBs who can return punts typically have better hands than those who don't and are seen to be more aggressive with their INT totals. WRs who can return punts typically have high deep throw value. Kickoff returning is a valuable assessment to top end speed and ability to find openings in a crowded field.

So while you don't -need- to be a kick returner to be good, it helps show natural football instincts along with physical traits.

Sounds like Deon Sanders