You raise a very interesting question. Is there really a definite way to know whether or not Daunte will be healthy before the draft? Probably not, but that'd pretty much determine what we'd do on day 1. All things considered, Brady Quinn, though I think he could do great things here, most likely isn't going to be here unless we trade up to get him...I know I know the Matt Leinart thing could happen.
But if we don't move up for Quinn, I really think we at least need to look at Drew Stanton, Trent Edwards or Jordan Palmer in rounds 2-4, to at least get some youth in there. I'm far more intrigued about the possible class of LT's coming out next year. There's obviously Jake Long and Sam Baker, Barry Richardson of Clemson will be there, and possibly Jared Gaither coming out of Maryland. I'd much rather get a QB this year for Cam to start molding while Daunte/Cleo are starting, so that if either of them doesn't pan out, which I'm going to bank on until I see Daunte on the field running around in the regular season like he did in 2004 (I'll eat my crow for that I'm sure), we'll have some insurance and a year of experience under that drafted QB's belt.
I'd much rather get a year of tuteledge in a QB now, rather than waiting until next year, and if DC or Cleo doesn't pan out - we're right back to where we are now, one year later. And the odds of getting a franchise tackle next year are more likely given we'll have to trade up really really high for Joe Thomas, and I think 3 of the 4 next year are better prospects than Levi Brown this year.
So, get a QB via the draft this year just simply to gain the experience of the routine a la Carson Palmer or Phil Rivers primarily since he sat 2 years behind Brees. That'd be the dream scenario is letting a QB sit a few years behind Daunte or Cleo, and then you have a good problem on your hands at the QB spot rather than waiting an additional year and upping the risk of being in the same spot we're in at the moment, pending what happnes to DC. Fineas had a pretty good thread about Damion McIntosh being our LT again for another year, which I'd be alright with. He's not the best against speed rushers, but he holds his own. I'd like to have he and Alabi battle it out this year, and pick a stud next year.
