I would rather move up in the draft and take

[Zildjianz]

Taylor Lewan, or Jake Matthews and pay Rookie money then spend the farm on a FA LT. For one both of these rookies grade out better then any of the LT free agents and will cost far less money.
Also with Lewan he can play any position on the line, and is perceived to be a perennial pro bowler at guard or LT.

Maybe even if we could get a LT FA and also move up and get Lewan for Guard. We would have a solid OL to start building on.

Yes we would loose a couple of picks but we would solidify our line in the process.

 

[Geforce]

What are you willing to give up to move up to take Lewan or Matthews?

Instead of moving up for Lewan to play guard, why not take Zach Martin or Xavier Su'A-Filo.

 

[JCfinfan]

I like your reasoning, however, I'd rather pay a proven vet still in his mid 20's. We have so many other needs, I'd just hate to give up multiple draft picks to move up.

 

[cafinfan408]

you do realize the top 10 rookies still get paid pretty well for being unknown..

 

[Spesh]

Never ceases to amaze me.

The draft isnt for filling needs, its for loading up on talent. This is a deep draft class, giving away picks to move up for a frigging lineman is criminal. We will never be a contender as long as we keep averaging 17 points a game(or whatever exactly number it was). Not to mention we can get an equally good, if not better, tackle in free agency. And cap space is much easier to manufacture then draft picks.
Why are those players hitting free agency? Because other teams have figured out you dont need to make a giant investment into the offensive line to have a good offense. After 6 years of Jeff Ireland i would think people would understand that treating the offense line as a vengeful deity that demands sacrifices in the form of first round draft picks doesnt work. Apparently the lesson still hasnt caught on.

 

[dagger151]

We need a proven guy protecting Tanny. Fill the rest of the OL with draft picks if needed but no way we shoudl trade multiple picks with the needs we have now for a LT. Cant take chances now. Pay the money to Monroe and lock up the blindside for 5 years.

 

[BennySwella]

I agree with you for all other offensive linemen we need to replace... but for LT we need a proven guy. We can draft the rest.

 

[futurescout]

Deepest draft class in decades. Makes no sense to move up for anyone. And Lewan is 6'7 he will never play guard..

 

[Gonzo]

I'd rather take a FA LT, draft Martin (if Ebron isn't there), and another guard later in the draft to groom. However, those two moves alone will make the line infinitely better.

Normally, I'd despise drafting a guard in the 1st round, but Martin's versatility makes him well worth it, especially at 19.

 

[finsfanjay13]

Never ceases to amaze me.

The draft isnt for filling needs, its for loading up on talent. This is a deep draft class, giving away picks to move up for a frigging lineman is criminal. We will never be a contender as long as we keep averaging 17 points a game(or whatever exactly number it was). Not to mention we can get an equally good, if not better, tackle in free agency. And cap space is much easier to manufacture then draft picks.
Why are those players hitting free agency? Because other teams have figured out you dont need to make a giant investment into the offensive line to have a good offense. After 6 years of Jeff Ireland i would think people would understand that treating the offense line as a vengeful deity that demands sacrifices in the form of first round draft picks doesnt work. Apparently the lesson still hasnt caught on.

 

[Zildjianz]

Never ceases to amaze me.

The draft isnt for filling needs, its for loading up on talent. This is a deep draft class, giving away picks to move up for a frigging lineman is criminal. We will never be a contender as long as we keep averaging 17 points a game(or whatever exactly number it was). Not to mention we can get an equally good, if not better, tackle in free agency. And cap space is much easier to manufacture then draft picks.
Why are those players hitting free agency? Because other teams have figured out you dont need to make a giant investment into the offensive line to have a good offense. After 6 years of Jeff Ireland i would think people would understand that treating the offense line as a vengeful deity that demands sacrifices in the form of first round draft picks doesnt work. Apparently the lesson still hasnt caught on.

I agree we need more play makers however every time I suggest we need another play maker WR I get lambasted on here with everyone telling me we are good. In my perfect world we would move up and take Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans.

 

[Danny]

This is academic. We don'thave enough to move up with unless we want to give away our whole draft to take an OT in the top 10. It's not happening. If anything, we might move down.

Ozzy rules!!

 

[ITS!MATEO]

Playmakers are absolutely worthless if your QB is eating dirt every snap... An under the radar playmaker is had in just about any round in the draft.. That being said, no I would not like to trade up. We can choose a great guy in Zack Martin right where we'll be at 19 and still keep our picks.

 

[Gonzo]

Playmakers are absolutely worthless if your QB is eating dirt every snap... An under the radar playmaker is had in just about any round in the draft.. That being said, no I would not like to trade up. We can choose a great guy in Zack Martin right where we'll be at 19 and still keep our picks.

Why do people think that taking a playmaker in the 1st round requires that you do absolutely nothing to fix the offensive line? Totally flawed.

 

[PPPP]

I agree with you, OP. There are ton of folks here that are in love with the idea that spending massive amounts of money in the FA market means making a winner, but it's not true. It never has been true and it won't likely be true. There is one way to get the best new talent, and that's the draft. Impact players leave the board very quickly, and it's doubtful there will be one at 19. Move up to get Lewan/Matthews/Robinson for our 1st and 2nd would make me happy.