My source has told me...

[La Pantera]

DeSean Jackson, per NFL.com

5'10, 175

And a much thinner frame than Tavon.

[TylerVagyler]

I'm not saying DT isn't a big need. And if we do go with a DT in rounds 1 or 2 I won't be upset at all.

I just think we will be going WR and DB.

As far as Austin is concerned, I think he will be a solid WR in the pros. I'm not advocating that we draft him or saying that if we don't we will suck. I was just curious as to why people think he won't excel on the outside.

I honestly think Keenan Allen is going to be the best WR in this draft and that's the guy I want.

[rayzor]

DeSean Jackson, per NFL.com

5'10, 175

jackson was 169 when drafted.

sproles was 5'6 187lbs when drafted. he's about 195 now.

welker 5'9 186 when drafted and he's still about the same weight.

once austin hits the weight room, he's going to put on some bulk. he's used to taking a beating and he'll get used to taking more of one.

[CPF4LIFE]

What makes you think Austin won't excel on the outside?

Did he do it in college? His tape says no.

[thefuzz]

What makes you think Austin won't excel on the outside?

Size.

Listen, I know that Welker/Smith/Jackson are all "small" guys, but that doesn't mean that you should go about drafting small because a hand full of guys in the past made it.

I'm not saying that he can't make it, just that it's a much riskier gamble to expect him to do so.

P.S. we also need red zone targets....and the bigger, the better.

[TylerVagyler]

Size.

Listen, I know that Welker/Smith/Jackson are all "small" guys, but that doesn't mean that you should go about drafting small because a hand full of guys in the past made it.

I'm not saying that he can't make it, just that it's a much riskier gamble to expect him to do so.

P.S. we also need red zone targets....and the bigger, the better.

I agree that a bigger body would be nice.

I also agree that he is somewhat of a risky pick.

One of the great qualities Austin brings is his ability to get open out of the backfield. That's good and all but we already have playmakers out of the backfield. Certainly not as explosive as Austin but Tolbert has proven to be a nice target.

With that said, Austin has enough raw talent to be a solid WR lining up on the outside. I'd just rather not deal with that transition process.

I don't mean to repeat myself but I see Keenan Allen being the safest pick at the WR position in this draft. And if we chose to address that position he should be the pick. I don't care what the latest projections say, he is worth the #14 pick. I see him making an impact from start.

[rayzor]

Did he do it in college? His tape says no.

kuechly's tape didn't show him rushing the passer. does that mean he can't or won't be used like that?

the ability is there.

[koolkatluke]

I'm not saying DT isn't a big need. And if we do go with a DT in rounds 1 or 2 I won't be upset at all.

I just think we will be going WR and DB.

As far as Austin is concerned, I think he will be a solid WR in the pros. I'm not advocating that we draft him or saying that if we don't we will suck. I was just curious as to why people think he won't excel on the outside.

I honestly think Keenan Allen is going to be the best WR in this draft and that's the guy I want.

1. Of course you don't because your so use to watch this team give up career days to undrafted RB's. And watching us give up 4.2 yards a carry and 110 yards on the ground. It must be great for you to watch our great LB corp become ineffective by OG running free and able to pick them off as RB's have a free lane. For a easy 5 yards. I hate that the DT position is so devalued by some in this fanbase. While most of the teams who make the playoffs year after year have good to great DT play. Do you not notice that?

The problem with Austin on the outside is your lessen his advantage putting him out there. He is not Steve Smith. What makes Steve Smith able to play on the outside despite his size. Is his ability to out jump bigger CB and take the ball out of the air. Austin hasn't shown he can do that. Also Smith is such a aggressive blocker that he isn't a liability on running plays. Austin hasn't shown that either.

There is a reason the Pats didn't line up Welker on the outside. He and Austin are most effective in the Slot position. Lined up against slower LB safeties and nickle backs around the same size as him.

Plain and Simple you don't gain much if any advantage lining Austin up against players like Sherman, Revis, Browner, or any teams top 2 Cb.

[TylerVagyler]

1. Of course you don't because your so use to watch this team give up career days to undrafted RB's. And watching us give up 4.2 yards a carry and 110 yards on the ground. It must be great for you to watch our great LB corp become ineffective by OG running free and able to pick them off as RB's have a free lane. For a easy 5 yards. I hate that the DT position is so devalued by some in this fanbase. While most of the teams who make the playoffs year after year have good to great DT play. Do you not notice that?

The problem with Austin on the outside is your lessen his advantage putting him out there. He is not Steve Smith. What makes Steve Smith able to play on the outside despite his size. Is his ability to out jump bigger CB and take the ball out of the air. Austin hasn't shown he can do that. Also Smith is such a aggressive blocker that he isn't a liability on running plays. Austin hasn't shown that either.

There is a reason the Pats didn't line up Welker on the outside. He and Austin are most effective in the Slot position. Lined up against slower LB safeties and nickle backs around the same size as him.

Plain and Simple you don't gain much if any advantage lining Austin up against players like Sherman, Revis, Browner, or any teams top 2 Cb.

You definitely make a strong argument and I don't disagree with you that DT needs to be addressed. And as I've already stated, I won't be mad if we take a DT early. What I've been trying to say is that I have a feeling we won't. If we truly do go by the BPA approach (which Gettleman has said he will) in this draft I see more talent at other positions when we're on the clock.

Of course I'm no draft expert and I have no "sources" so if I'm wrong, oh well.

[raleigh-panther]

I don't disagree with you, but I'm not particularly convinced Austin can stretch the field....just being fast doesn't = stretching the field. Your reason is precisely why I want Hunter. He's the best field stretcher in this draft, in my opinion. By far. I like Hopkins almost as much, but not as that type of WR. More of a Boldin (or even Fitzgerald if we want to be liberal with our comparisons) type.

I agree with you.

I just really feel we have to do something to augment Smith and if we do that everything is better.

I don't know about Tavon either....he just seems to be really versatile and two things can't be taught, I think, speed and versatility.

I guess if stretching the field is the key, then its Patterson....he is just such a hit or miss, seems to me.

Many things happen on draft day...I just hope for a difference maker at #14 vs. 'just a guy'.

[rayzor]

does steve smith stretch the field? does desean jackson stretch the field?

meh...doesn't matter. he'd likely be the pick at 14 if he's there regardless of his perceived ability to stretch the field and more because he's just that dynamic of a player that can be lined up pretty much anywhere and be lethal.

people are sticking too much to this idea of "need" and not enough to best player who can make an impact and fit what we do. apparently the FO thinks that he does. gonna trust gettleman's judgement here if austin is indeed the pick.

[klumme]

I want players who creates matchup problems, if that is in the slot then fine. Who cares if he can play the outside. With that said if we go WR I am hoping for Hopkins with Austin a close 2nd

[koolkatluke]

You definitely make a strong argument and I don't disagree with you that DT needs to be addressed. And as I've already stated, I won't be mad if we take a DT early. What I've been trying to say is that I have a feeling we won't. If we truly do go by the BPA approach (which Gettleman has said he will) in this draft I see more talent at other positions when we're on the clock.

Of course I'm no draft expert and I have no "sources" so if I'm wrong, oh well.

1. Then we will continue to lose and not make the playoffs while teams who have good to great DT play like the Ravens, 49ers, and Pats make it. Until this FO put some value on such a important position we will not be a contender.

2. There are 11-13 DT rated to be 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks maybe more. How is there more talent in other position when this (by Gettlemen's own words) one of the deepest positions in this draft? By many experts opinion this is one of the deepest DT drafts in decades.

[koolkatluke]

does steve smith stretch the field? does desean jackson stretch the field?

meh...doesn't matter. he'd likely be the pick at 14 if he's there regardless of his perceived ability to stretch the field and more because he's just that dynamic of a player that can be lined up pretty much anywhere and be lethal.

people are sticking too much to this idea of "need" and not enough to best player who can make an impact and fit what we do. apparently the FO thinks that he does. gonna trust gettleman's judgement here if austin is indeed the pick.

They don't stretch the field with just speed. Smith can jump with any player and high point a ball.

Austin has such a short target window and catch radius he has to be in the slot to use his speed and agility in open space. This isn't college he won't be able to out run people on a regular basis.