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Draft Defensive Players?

Charlie Rivers

Charlie Rivers

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I mean the old saying is certainly true that good defenses win championships! If we can build from there - the D - first before focusing our attention on the offensive side of the ball, we could be in a better situation, come two to three years (if that), to not only enter the playoffs but go deep into the post season. With a solid D we have a much greater chance to win (IMHO) the divisional title as well, and walk-into the post season instead of backing into it and hoping that other teams win/lose for us to capture a spot as a wildcard contender.

What do you guys think? Build the defense (mostly) in this upcoming draft and not so much the offense?

Or...pick the best available players (available) or trade for more picks so we can pull the trigger in the 2026 draft?

Your thoughts?

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Not ignore the o-line, no. Get players for those roles on offense, but build MOSTLY on defense. That's what I'm saying.
 
Charlie Rivers said:
Not ignore the o-line, no. Get players for those roles on offense, but build MOSTLY on defense. That's what I'm saying.
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Well, given the historical statistics of player success by round, it's a reasonable premise that only 2 or 3 players can be expected to be quality day one starters or majority snaps contributers. IOW rds 1-3.

With that in mind, how do you suggest we address the Oline if we spend those 2-3 high picks all on defense?

I guess if it were a new regime, looking to the future, it might make more sense but Grier/McD are on on the hot seat. They are in "win now" mode. Who the hell knows what they are thinking, but I think most of us agree that an upgraded line is an imperative.

Can you be more specific on what you mean by "mostly"?
 
R1. Banks/Campbell (OT)/Booker
R2. Harmon/Watts/Campbell (LB)

Or

R1. Pearce Jr./Scourton/Starks/Johnson (one will fall to 13 IMO)
R2. Milum/Jackson

I like Warren and Fannin Jr. but I don’t see how we can draft either of them and walk away with 2 day 1 starters at positions of dire need. The best outcome would be trading down from 13 to the late teens or early 20s and picking up another 2nd this year. We MIGHT get lucky enough to land one of the better OL prospects still in the 1st.
 
I’m with you about building the defense but if Warren is there I’d have to go that route, and it’s not just because he’s on offense we it’s the totality of what he does for the entire team.

Run game, pass game, TOP, mindset, Size, Toughness, protection..
 
The teams that are left in the playoffs (including last week) can almost all successfully run the football- fix the OL.

Even good defenses are going to give up points to a good offense.
 
Unfortunately the 2025 draft is not a strong OT draft. Lots of questions about the top tier OT's.

But fortunately the draft is deep at the Interior Offensive Line postion or OG's. It's also not considered a draft where OLinemen will dominate round one.

The strength of the Oline is through day 2 and early day three. That's the sweet spot to select an OG prospect. Taking an Olineman in round one is a risky proposition. Whereas selecting a defensive player would make much more sense; considering it's the strength of the entire draft. The grades are higher at the top of the draft. Therefore there's a greater value and potential to select a star player at a defensive position. The offensive linemen or OT's would most likely have been graded late 1st round to 2nd round prospects if this was the 2024 draft. Got to be careful not to reach for a lesser player at a weaker position. Wait it out till someone drops or falls to you on day two or three.
 
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Usually I would be for BPA but Grier has really ****ed us over. It might be drafting a guy that fills a need due to money wrapped up in old guys. Or contrarily not drafting a pass rusher because of Chubb
 
Mach2 said:
Well, given the historical statistics of player success by round, it's a reasonable premise that only 2 or 3 players can be expected to be quality day one starters or majority snaps contributers. IOW rds 1-3.

With that in mind, how do you suggest we address the Oline if we spend those 2-3 high picks all on defense?

I guess if it were a new regime, looking to the future, it might make more sense but Grier/McD are on on the hot seat. They are in "win now" mode. Who the hell knows what they are thinking, but I think most of us agree that an upgraded line is an imperative.

Can you be more specific on what you mean by "mostly"?
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If I was the new regime, I'd be tanking in 2025 for a QB. But that's just me.
 
dolfan91 said:
Unfortunately the 2025 draft is not a strong OT draft. Lots of questions about the top tier OT's.

But fortunately the draft is deep at the Interior Offensive Line postion or OG's. It's also not considered a draft where OLinemen will dominate round one.

The strength of the Oline is through day 2 and early day three. That's the sweet spot to select an OG prospect. Taking an Olineman in round one is a risky proportion. Whereas selecting a defensive player would make much more sense; considering it's the strength of the entire draft. The grades are higher at the top of the draft. Therefore there's a greater value and potential to select a star player at a defensive position. The offensive linemen or OT's would most likely have been graded late 1st round to 2nd round prospects if this was the 2024 draft. Got to be careful not to reach for a lesser player at a weaker position. Wait it out till someone drops or falls to you on day two or three.
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Wish people would stop saying this is just not true.

Typical guards in college are inside zone or power run guards. We run an outside zone scheme meaning our guards are ideally extremely athletic and those guys rarely exist playing guard in college. If the do they end up being highly drafted ie Quentin Nelson.

Guys like Campbell and Banks are who are perfect fits for us. Tackles that are better suited at guard but will likely be day one starters there. They are athletic enough to play outside zone. However they will be overdrafted as some teams will actually grade them as actual tackles.

Yes you can find tweeners that need develop or Robert Hunt for example was a tackle in college we took him in the 2nd. Turned into a good guard however it took 2-3 years which we don’t really have. Day one starters in outside zone will likely be gone by our 2nd pick.

This whole find a guard myth that people love to talk about is more for power run schemes. That’s where you’ll find that big 6’3 330 lb guard that’s a straight mauler. Those are the guys that don’t come off early. While I’d love to turn into a power first term, I highly doubt McDaniel’s shift’s philosophy as the entire offense is built on outside zone and speed, transitioning would mean almost a complete overhaul which he has no time to do as if he doesn’t perform he’s likely toast.

I’m with you don’t reach if banks and Campbell are gone then by all means go somewhere else and don’t reach for a prospect you have at 30th best player but you can’t pass on them just because you think you can get better “positional value later” because you likely won’t.
 
hmichaels said:
Usually I would be for BPA but Grier has really ****ed us over. It might be drafting a guy that fills a need due to money wrapped up in old guys. Or contrarily not drafting a pass rusher because of Chubb
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Against BPA in the 1st. Thats a later round concept. If you’re picking 99th and there’s a guy you have ranked as 37th best then go ahead and take him even if not at a great need however at 13th you should be able to get an elite prospect at one of the top 2 positions you need. Maybe if you’re drafting end of the 1st but at 13 it’s pretty stupid.

See 0 value drafting an edge rusher at 13 because you have him as the 7th best player over a guard you have as the 16th best player simply because it’s better value when a guard impacts the team much more than another edge rusher with chop, Philips and Chubb on the team.
 
I think this draft will be a mix of Offense and Defense and will likely be made more clear after the Free Agency period is over

To me, I know I have to dedicate picks to OG/Tackle, Edge/DT, Safety and need to hit home runs with those picks. It could be two guards if we don't find one in free agency and the edge vs DT will depend on what we do with Chubb. I would also like to see a Nose Tackle considered, perhaps a bit later in the draft. Finally, we could use another TE to help that group

The mystery to me is WR. Do we draft a big bodied WR or do we target one in Free Agency. Do we keep Hill or do we move on from him?

Still some answered questions that will determine our draft priorities and will become clear in the next couple of months
 
hmichaels said:
Usually I would be for BPA but Grier has really ****ed us over. It might be drafting a guy that fills a need due to money wrapped up in old guys. Or contrarily not drafting a pass rusher because of Chubb
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201913Christian WilkinsDTClemson
20205Tua Tagovailoa †QBAlabama
18Austin JacksonOTUSC
30Noah IgbinogheneCBAuburn[v]
20216Jaylen WaddleWRAlabama
18Jaelan PhillipsDEMiami (FL)
2022—No pick (Tyreek Hill)——[w]
2023[x]no pick (Chubb)
202421Chop RobinsonDEPenn State
They are all starters except Iggy.
 
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