Matt Kalil & Janoris Jenkins in twenty twelve

[C47]

Assuming Kalil comes out this year, this is what we need to address two major holes on the roster. Gross is regressing at a rapid pace, and was always better at RT anyway. Adding Kalil would give us a new franchise LT to protect our franchise QB, and allow us to move Gross back to a RT position he excelled at. Jenkins, in my opinion, is the best COVER corner in the draft. He would give us a guy who could step right into the LCB position opposite Gamble, and eventually would be our shut down corner. Right now he's projected as a fringe first rounder (but more than likely early second) by most draft sites.

This is what will help this team reach the next level. We need to be able to protect the QB, and we need two or more capable corners. I have faith the DT's will come around after taking their lumps this year and having an off season of conditioning, and I love our DE's with the emergence of Applewhite and Keiser. The only other question is OLB, but I honestly think OT and CB are much bigger holes. At this point, I feel like WR in the first would just be a luxury, and a team with MAJOR holes can't afford a luxury. I also fully believe that Gettis will return at 100%, and I LOVED the ability he was flashing at the end of last year (reminds me a ton of Boldin). This is imo what we need and I'm starting the bandwagon for these two guys. Who is with me? Kalil & Jenkins in 2012! Hurney....GET IT DONE!

[SOJA]

I'd be more than fine with this

[HeatCheck]

Let's hope his off the field issues make him drop.

I am on board.

[stirs]

trade down

[C47]

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2902

Thinking back to the 2011 NFL Draft and OT Tyron Smith, the reason he played right tackle for Southern Cal is because of this guy right here: Matt Kalil. At 6'7" and 295 lbs, Kalil enjoys the height and girth that NFL scouts salivate over when you hear the term "prototypical left tackle." The list of skills he does well heavily outweighs his shortcomings.

Kalil is excellent in run blocking: stays low, great drive blocker, gets his hands in position quickly, hand-punches defensive linemen where he wants them to go. When it comes to playing hard and with a nasty attitude, he brings it every game and every play. As a pass blocker, he moves very well laterally. Quick feet. Can eat up a bull rush with his ability to stay at home, keep his butt behind him and low in order to hold his ground.

The number one offensive line prospect is definitely Kalil. He's a lock as a Top 5 and will likely be a Top 3 choice. Matt has a long family history of offensive linemen: his brother Ryan was a second round pick by Carolina in 2007. His father Frank played offensive line in the USFL back in the day. The only knock on Kalil is that he doesn't have that high-ceiling athleticism and he'll need to add a little bit of muscle between now and his NFL playing days begin.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1631888

Pass blocking: Eases out of his stance, showing good patience in allowing the defender to come to him. Plays with textbook balance and technique; his knees bent, shoulders square and on the balls of his feet. Has good arm length and strength throughout his upper body to grab hold of the defender. Generally speaking, when Kalil gets his hands on the defender, it is game over, as he has the power and agility to mirror his opponent. Can get fundamentally lazy on occasion, however, failing to shuffle laterally and instead leaning into the defender, creating opportunities for his opponent to surprise him with a secondary move. Has good, but not elite lateral agility and may struggle with top edge rushers at the next level. Good recognition in pass protection. Sees the stunt and/or blitz coming and reacts accordingly.

Run blocking: Fires off the snap and has the prototypical build and strength of an NFL offensive lineman. Maintains good pad level and has the strength in his upper body and leg drive to knock his opponent off the ball, including in short yardage situations. Keeps his hands inside the numbers. Quick to the second level and shows good, not great, mobility in blocking secondary targets. Flashes some nastiness, taking advantage of defenders off-balance to pancake them emphatically.

Pulling/trapping: Not asked to pull often in this scheme, though he is asked to block on the move on designed roll-outs. Comfortable in this role, showing plenty of athleticism and recognition to handle blocking in space. Effective trap blocker, who opens his shoulder to allow the defender inside, before turning and sealing the opponent from the action.

Initial Quickness: Doesn't wow you with his initial quickness. Instead, has a smooth, patient style about him when in pass protection. Rarely allows an outside pressure despite operating against hybrid fronts and many undersized pass rushers. Has good quickness off the snap when run blocking, though his strength and hand placement are more critical to his success.

Downfield: Good initial quickness when he needs to get to the second level. Locates his assignment quickly. Generally shows good lateral agility and balance when on the move and greets his target with an emphatic punch. Doesn't rely on an initial shove to finish the block, but instead sticks with his assignment. Would like to see him show a little more fire in his play, as he seems content with controlling his opponent rather than physically dominating him as he seems capable of doing.

Intangibles: Younger brother (Ryan) and father (Frank) each played D-I college football (Ryan at USC, Frank at Arkansas, Arizona) and in the NFL (Carolina and Buffalo, respectively). Plays on the defensive line for special teams and blocked a PAT against Notre Dame in 2010.

[C47]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1620533

Read & React: Rare anticipatory skills. Sneaks a peek into the backfield and anticipates routes very well. Possesses as good a break on the ball as any cornerback in the country. Will get himself in trouble as he?s highly aggressive and thus, susceptible to double-moves, but possesses the quick feet, loose hips and good speed to recover if the quarterback doesn?t attack immediately. Quick to react to the run.

Man Coverage: Low, quick backpedal. Loose hips and smooth acceleration. Easily changes directions to mirror receivers. Doesn?t have great size, but flashes good physicality in press coverage. Gets a good initial jam on the receiver and has the agility to turn and run downfield.

Zone Coverage: Good awareness for zone coverage. Has a good feel for the receivers and their routes due to film preparation and keeps his eyes trained on the quarterback. Can drift when he sees the quarterback focusing on an area and is therefore susceptible to savvy passers. Quick to react to the thrown pass and converge on the ball.

Closing/Recovery: Very good downhill closing speed due to his willingness to gamble by reading the quarterback?s eyes as well as exceptionally quick feet. Times his leap well and has good ball skills for the INT. Can extend and pluck outside of his frame. Good vision and elusiveness for the return.

Run Support: An underrated component to his game. Reads run quickly and isn?t afraid to go inside the box. Fights through the receiver block and is willing to take on bigger ball-carriers. Good lateral agility to break down in space.

Tackling: A bit inconsistent in this area, though he?s more physical and typically a more reliable open field tackler than most at his position. Will lead with his shoulder trying to make the highlight reel hit and leave himself vulnerable to missed tackles. Will sell out for the PBU/interception and, if he misses, leave the receiver running away from him. Takes good angles in pursuit and breaks down to make the secure stop against elusive athletes in the open field.

Intangibles: Started 37 of 40 games over his career; missing only one (2010 Outback Bowl) due to injury. Showed his toughness by playing through a torn labrum in his right shoulder nearly the entire season. Injury worsened throughout the year, forcing him to miss the Outback Bowl to have surgery to repair it. Arrested in May, 2009 for his role in a fight. Was tasered and originally charged with affray and resisting arrest without violence, both misdemeanors. The affray charge was later dropped. Was arrested twice in the span of four months following the 2010 season for marijuana possession. His second arrest prompted new Florida head coach Will Muschamp to kick him off the team, leading to Jenkins' transfer to North Alabama.

[Cat'sGrowl]

If you are absolutely insistant upon drafting an OT, I'd rather trade down and draft Jonathan Martin. Draft a Janoris Jenkins or Robert Lester in the 2nd, and a Danny Trevathan in the 3rd. Of course, that still abandons our biggest need-Defensive Tackle.

[mav1234]

it is funny to see someone say Kalil doesn't have high ceiling athleticism but he is known for blocking kicks.

also trading down is nice in theory but it's never as easy as it sounds... but if we do trade down we might be in range of a decent DT prospect.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Defense!

Defense!

Defense!

[Gin and Juice]

I would love this draft except for one tiny, tiny thing..................we need some fugging OLB's

[Catalyst]

I'd prefer Justin Blackmon in the 1st and the best available defensive player in the 2nd. There's a chance Zach Brown drops into the early 2nd; if so, Blackmon + Brown would be outstanding.

[C47]

it is funny to see someone say Kalil doesn't have high ceiling athleticism but he is known for blocking kicks.

also trading down is nice in theory but it's never as easy as it sounds... but if we do trade down we might be in range of a decent DT prospect.

Yea, that's one thing in that writeup I just can't agree with. He was a little stiff when he first got to USC, and lacked the ability to pull to the outside regularly. But ever since his freshman year, he's really dedicated himself to being an all around great offensive tackle. He's put in a ton of work to increase his athleticism and it shows this year....

[C47]

I'd prefer Justin Blackmon in the 1st and the best available defensive player in the 2nd. There's a chance Zach Brown drops into the early 2nd; if so, Blackmon + Brown would be outstanding.

I just don't see Blackmon having the impact that Kalil would on this team. I think he is by far the best of the three big name receivers (Blackmon, Jeffery, Floyd), but I also believe we have more than capable receivers in Steve Smith, David Gettis, Brandon LaFell and our tight ends. Also, it remains to be seen what Pilares has to offer as a WR, and the free agent receiver class is pretty damn strong this year....as it has been said many times on here, free agent wide outs will want to play in this offense with this QB...

[Carolina Husker]

If we're in the Top 5, Kalil needs to be the pick.