My case for drafting an LT if one of the top 3 slides to 14

[Rhell]

Dallas moved up from 14 to 6 last year for a second round pick. If Fisher is there at 6, that would be an interesting scenario. A sure franchise LT would be worth it.

[The Golden Child]

If Lane Johnson is there at 14, believe me we'll jump on his ass.

[Rags]

Jockel to the Chiefs

Fisher to the Cardinals

Johnson to the Chargers

[iamhubby1]

Joeckel and Fisher will be gone. However some think that Lane Johnson might be there. If I'm Gett's I'm jumping all over Johnson because that would improve 3 positions. Johnson can immediately start at LT (per Mayock) which would allow us to improve the RT spot by moving Gross to the right side. Sliding Bell in to RG would be an upgrade over anything on our current roster. So 1 new player could = three line positions improved.

I'm for what ever makes the team better. Being able to move Gross to the right side would make us better. I would still hope we address the RG position as well. A mid level FA would be an upgrade. I think Bell would be RT#2 and emergency RG.

With Kalil coming back, a full offseason for Amini, an upgrade at RG, and Gross moving to the RT spot we are pretty darn good. So I am on the draft a LT this year train.

[The Golden Child]

Jockel to the Chiefs

Fisher to the Cardinals

Johnson to the Chargers

Yeah I could see that.

[panthers55]

If Johnson is there I think we pull the trigger. If gives us depth and a guy who can be a stud for the next decade. Gettleman is not as likely to try and make guys start day 1 like Hurney did with Silatolu.

[carpanfan96]

If Johnson is there I think we pull the trigger. If gives us depth and a guy who can be a stud for the next decade. Gettleman is not as likely to try and make guys start day 1 like Hurney did with Silatolu.

You spend that high of a pick on an olinemen and they are expected to start. Basically if you take one in the first two rounds that's a team replacing a starter, well hoping they did at least.

You don't spend a high pick for an OT and not play him as a rookie,

[panthers55]

You spend that high of a pick on an olinemen and they are expected to start. Basically if you take one in the first two rounds that's a team replacing a starter, well hoping they did at least.

You don't spend a high pick for an OT and not play him as a rookie,

With the new rookie wage scale I don't think there should be such an emphasis on starting right away particularly at positions where players need a year to learn what to do. Most rookie linemen get abused for the first year and struggle. Steve Smith alluded to the fact that Silatolu got abused royally last year and it really hurt our offense. He said that he and LaFell were routinely open but Cam was running for his life much of the time. I would rather protect Newton by giving him great o line protection even if that meant using vets until the rookie were ready, than sacrificing my quarterback because I felt obligated to put a rookie in who was ill-prepared to start.

The draft should be for depth and eventual starters unless you get a phenom like Kuechly, not necessarily starters day 1. When rookies made 10 million a year you had to do it but now not so much.

[Dash Global]

You spend that high of a pick on an olinemen and they are expected to start. Basically if you take one in the first two rounds that's a team replacing a starter, well hoping they did at least.

You don't spend a high pick for an OT and not play him as a rookie,

Normally your right, but we have a unique situation. Gross eyeing the end of his time in Carolina. We will only drop in the draft every year. If you want a blue chip LT you will need a high to semi high pick.

[chbright]

If only Matthews and Lewan came out...... then we take the best LT left (I cant imagine 4 out of the top 14 being OT right now, or hell even 5!). I am not sold that Johnson can come in and be effective as a RT. I think he is a LT only type. Gross could shift to RT as he has been top notch over there. while i think Gross is a better all around better FIT as a RT, $$$$ and need make him the LT, and he is still good there too.Thing is moving him to RT leaves Johnson and Aminu over on the left side next year, that would be more trouble than our right side was this year, cant have that.

personally i think the 2nd round might be the time to pick up a guy like Long, Thomas, Armstead (cause we don't have a 3rd, and he might actually go this high) or Fluker (betting his is gone before the 2nd though). Long can start inside, as could Thomas, and move out side later. Both I believe have played inside at G and outside at T before in college. Gives us upgrades now and potentially later depending on the development of Bell and Long/Thomas. Armstead would have to be a stash guy, or risk 2 highly talented, highly inexperienced guys over on the left side. Armstead is a LT/LG guy. He isnt a real anchor bull rush thwarter. More nimble and deflect the speed away from the QB. i like Armstead long term, I just wouldn't want to start him year 1. (side: could draft Johnson in the 1st and Long in the 2nd. start them on the right side, be an interesting pairing....)

Now Fluker is the ideal RT, big nasty bruiser. I would easily pay for that even if we had to move back into the 1st to go get him, but at 14 idk, If poo hit the fan and all the LT, CB, and DT were gone, i might consider over the wr crop this year, but that would mean a trade down could be in order to a qb or wr hungry team that would give up next years 1st and this years second. I wouldn't think he would be my choice to eventually slide over to LT, but that's ok. He could be the healthy Otah in terms of effectiveness as a road grader at RT. If thats how the staff grades him, I would get behind Fluker at 14 all the time.