Drafting a Guard in the first round

[Jackofalltrades]

DeCastro is an extremely polished guard out of Stanford who started for three consecutive years. While he is considered an early entry junior, he spent four years at Stanford and has already graduated. He is a disciplined and NFL-ready player who likely will warrant a starting spot immediately through his play. He could be one of the highest draft picks at the guard position in recent years, and he could easily go in the top 10.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profiles/david-decastro?id=2533043

[ItsPantone278]

DeCastro is an extremely polished guard out of Stanford who started for three consecutive years. While he is considered an early entry junior, he spent four years at Stanford and has already graduated. He is a disciplined and NFL-ready player who likely will warrant a starting spot immediately through his play. He could be one of the highest draft picks at the guard position in recent years, and he could easily go in the top 10.

http://www.nfl.com/d...stro?id=2533043

Compare that write up with what was said about Warmack in your previous post.

[Jackofalltrades]

I have, more than once.

I still don't think Warmack holds a top 15 grade simply by virtue of his position, same with RB's right now in the league.

I'm not saying Warmack isn't good or deserving of the hype, but his impact in the overall scheme of things will be minimized by his position. This, mind you, is coming from someone who believes strong line play is paramount to success.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I think it's a complete waste. That position doesn't hold any value. Decent G's are too easy to find.

If this was true, then why haven't we found a solid pair of starters? That interior line, especially the guard position has not be the same in years. It's always a different guy. Then some other guard returns. Then one gets injured, then we draft one. It's never ending. Center is set. Tackles are..somewhat set. but the guards are the biggest question. Other than Amini, the other guard position is a huge question.

[ItsPantone278]

Worst case he sures up that side of the oline. our run game improves. he makes Bell better. and Cam stays up right more often.

Best case we have an All-Pro on the team.

Worth the pick either way for us IMO.

Again there is a hand full of players I'd rather have, but that number is less than 14.

[Green Eggs and Cam]

You simply don't get much bang for your buck by drafting an OG in the first.

[Jackofalltrades]

If this was true, then why haven't we found a solid pair of starters? That interior line, especially the guard position has not be the same in years. It's always a different guy. Then some other guard returns. Then one gets injured, then we draft one. It's never ending. Center is set. Tackles are..somewhat set. but the guards are the biggest question. Other than Amini, the other guard position is a huge question.

We have one solid starter in the making but expecting Amini to just hop for D2 to the NFL without struggles is foolish. He got better as the year went on and there's no reason to think he won't continue to improve,

Hangartner was pretty damn good in 2011, so there was no reason to expect him to be as poor as he was this year. Once he had to move from RG to C it really through off the entire interior OL.

If I had to pick a G I'd take Cooper over Warmack for his versatility. After Kalil went down we saw how badly we needed a better back-up plan, Cooper gives you that.

[Jackofalltrades]

You simply don't get much bang for your buck by drafting an OG in the first.

That is my entire arguement in a nutshell.

[Icege]

I don't think that it is a waste. If it is a position of need and the best player available happens to be a projected Pro Bowler at the position, why NOT take them?

At the same time, the highest I've seen a guard taken in the last few drafts was Iupati at 17 (ironically enough, that was the pick that we had traded away for Everette Brown iirc). I can also see where it's not exactly the prettiest of picks due to the lack of direct impact on the scoreboard (how many guards do we see breaking a corners ankles before blazing by a safety for a toe tap catch?).

In the end it comes down to what's on the roster, what's available in free agency, and what's available in the draft.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

If Warmack/Cooper is BPA at 14 I think we will take either. Not saying I am for or against it...I just get a sense it may happen with Gettleman talking about big men allowing you to compete and the need to protect the face of our franchise.

An elite guard on the right side would open up running lanes that were not there last season, make our young and improving tackle in Bell better, keep our franchise QB on his feet, and solidify the interior of our line for years (Silatolu/Kalil/Warmack or Cooper).

Not sure who else available at 14 in this particular draft would have as big an impact on our offense immediately than either of these two. That said, there could be numerous defensive players that are available at our selection and can immediately step in and contribute in a big way.

No matter who we select I will trust this front office, this coaching staff, and get behind the pick 100% as I do every year.

[Coheed]

Guards are too easy to find, yet here we are, in dire need of a good guard. If the best player available just so happens to fill a need, take him. Come 14, Warmack might very well be BPA, and I'd be happy with the pick.

[Swaggasaurus]

I couldn't disagree more about DT. It's a premier position.

I don't think drafting DT high gets you anywhere, Lions x2, Jags, Bills, Chiefs, talented young DT's don't win football games. All you need at NT is a big guy who has been in the league long enough to learn good technique.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I don't give a rooty toot toot who we get and what position he plays as long as he helps us win.

[carolina-chuck]

Taking Warmack would be a "sexy" pick for the fans. Taking an OT would be too early, and I would really wait till 2014 to get probably a better one. Franchise OTs constantly comes through the Draft every single year. I think we can grab a pretty good receiver in the 2nd round this April, so "DT" should really be the ideal pick at 14.