After the initial excitement from Rounds 2 and 3 wore off, i took a step back trying to understand the logic and master plan for this FO based on the guys picked thus far in 2017 along with those taken last year. Here's what stands out to me - one guy's opinion:
1 - They definitely stick to a "type" of player be it measureables or scheme fit
2 - It appears they are locking into players before the draft, as opposed to teams who wait to see how the board falls (minus Tunsil since the targets we heard were off the board and it was a rare situation. We heard about Barnett/Harris before Day 1 and Tankersley before Day 2. Last year we heard about Howard and others.
3 - They are stacking players at positions or with skillsets similar to others already on roster, seemingly in anticipation of replacing those veterans
2017
Harris - future replacement to Wake? seemingly part-time player until then bc of run deficiencies
McMillan - potential starter at Sam or Mike but similar player/replacement for Timmons.
Tankersely - future replacement for Maxwell? depth player and special teamer until then
2016
Tunsil - replacement for Albert (although easily BPA and elite talent who wasn't expected to fall)
Howard - need position, seemed like at time of draft it was to be the #2 CB but ultimate replacement for Maxwell as Lippett was also in mix for future PT
Drake - change of pace guy who fits the scheme, has a distinct role but also replacement for Miller's speed and insurance for Ajayi knees. However, only part-time player in the role he fits.
Carroo - not a need, insurance for Stills free agency situation and/or Parker injury history.
So here is my questions and concern.....feel free to chime in with you stance or view of the current direction-
Are we going to get better as a team with this philosophy? Are we a playoff team trying to get better to challenge this year? Or are we reloading for the future and not best utilizing the prime careers for Wake, Suh, Jones, etc by drafting complimentary players to fill deficiencies on the current roster, such as a slot CB with boundary potential, ball-hawking center-field S, run-stuffing DT, 3 down DE, starting OG and thinking outside the box a little with how we handle our pick allocation?
To me, this philosophy works when you're already on top and looking to maintain and manage contracts/depth/flexibility. But i'm concerned it won't for us in our current situation. I like to fall somewhere inbetween.....elite talent Round 1 regardless of position (within reason) but then looking for starters after and ways to improve the team now.....then boom/bust or riskier guys late hoping to hit on someone special since many later rounders don't make rosters anyway. Ajayi fit that mold with the medical talk, Lippett fit that mold with the position switch.
The value of guys like Witherspoon, Elflein, Feeney, Wormley, Willis, etc in the 3rd was tremendous.....i would have loved to have more ammo and flexibility. Same with some guys still on the board in Round 4.
1 - They definitely stick to a "type" of player be it measureables or scheme fit
2 - It appears they are locking into players before the draft, as opposed to teams who wait to see how the board falls (minus Tunsil since the targets we heard were off the board and it was a rare situation. We heard about Barnett/Harris before Day 1 and Tankersley before Day 2. Last year we heard about Howard and others.
3 - They are stacking players at positions or with skillsets similar to others already on roster, seemingly in anticipation of replacing those veterans
2017
Harris - future replacement to Wake? seemingly part-time player until then bc of run deficiencies
McMillan - potential starter at Sam or Mike but similar player/replacement for Timmons.
Tankersely - future replacement for Maxwell? depth player and special teamer until then
2016
Tunsil - replacement for Albert (although easily BPA and elite talent who wasn't expected to fall)
Howard - need position, seemed like at time of draft it was to be the #2 CB but ultimate replacement for Maxwell as Lippett was also in mix for future PT
Drake - change of pace guy who fits the scheme, has a distinct role but also replacement for Miller's speed and insurance for Ajayi knees. However, only part-time player in the role he fits.
Carroo - not a need, insurance for Stills free agency situation and/or Parker injury history.
So here is my questions and concern.....feel free to chime in with you stance or view of the current direction-
Are we going to get better as a team with this philosophy? Are we a playoff team trying to get better to challenge this year? Or are we reloading for the future and not best utilizing the prime careers for Wake, Suh, Jones, etc by drafting complimentary players to fill deficiencies on the current roster, such as a slot CB with boundary potential, ball-hawking center-field S, run-stuffing DT, 3 down DE, starting OG and thinking outside the box a little with how we handle our pick allocation?
To me, this philosophy works when you're already on top and looking to maintain and manage contracts/depth/flexibility. But i'm concerned it won't for us in our current situation. I like to fall somewhere inbetween.....elite talent Round 1 regardless of position (within reason) but then looking for starters after and ways to improve the team now.....then boom/bust or riskier guys late hoping to hit on someone special since many later rounders don't make rosters anyway. Ajayi fit that mold with the medical talk, Lippett fit that mold with the position switch.
The value of guys like Witherspoon, Elflein, Feeney, Wormley, Willis, etc in the 3rd was tremendous.....i would have loved to have more ammo and flexibility. Same with some guys still on the board in Round 4.
