Dolphins_SR66 said:
Wow, CK those are some serious posts....sweet reads. And you thought Boomer had a irregularly long post on VY :tongue:.
Too funny....great reads and very helpful. Its like we are in the draft prep room.
nice job.
Question: I know you and Boomer both feel our QB position could very well be sorted out before draft day.
Can you expand on what other position(s) (OL, LB, CB) could also have this occur.
And if so, how do you see us shifting our pick focus esp. on the first day. Do you see WR having any chance at #16 (if so who?) if say QB and OL or QB and LB are handled via FA?
How many CB could you see us take over the 2 days if we have FA solve other needs?
CK's younger than me. Thus his fingers work quicker on those long posts. :D
I think certainly Nick will look to add at least 1 CB, one safety, 2 OL, 1 LB and a couple of linemen through FA if possible. Remember, whilst we're over the cap, there is a lot of easily released money to free up some cash.
Whilst I would like to see LeCharles Bentley, I don't envisage it as a realistic goal because I think Drew Brees is our #1 FA target and I simply don't see us having the finances to ensnare both of those guys. I certainly think we'll be interested, especially for Mike Wahle type money, but I think the bidding could get too high. I see us going for more low key guys, Hartwig is a player I like who is getting better and better at the swing, perhaps Fabini, Benji Olsen for sure, Tom Ashworth for sure, although the Pats will try and re-sign him and I think the Jets will be keen as well, Fonoti will be interesting to track, Kevin Shaffer of the Falcons will garner interest, whilst Andre Gurode didn't become a bad player overnight.
At LB, Peterson for obvious reasons has to be a strong possibility. Polk has the Capers connections and is an improving player. Scott Fujita, Ben Leber and even Hunter Hillenmeyer are big guys, who can play play either SLB or WLB.
At CB, I think the draft process will throw up a starter for us, I really do. Of course we have Poole and Mitchell coming back and Madison talking about taking a pay cut, we could be in nice shape. There are plenty of draftable options as we all know from the guys we love like Huff and Cromartie and Hill, to the lesser known lights like Marshall and Joseph and the kid from Texas Abilene, etc etc etc. But in FA, Ty Law's name continues to reverberate but if he wanted too much money last year coming off an injury plauged down year, how much will he want now coming off the Pro Bowl? An interesting name released yesterday was Ahmed Plummer, who I thought was a solid CB who looked in desperate need of a change of team. In the 6'0, 195 region, he's plenty big enough.
Like CK says, how much interest do we have in Azumah, who can also return kicks? Ike Taylor has become a very solid corner, with great size. At safety, Tank Williams is a player I really like and who would fit the bill nicely, Archeluta who of course Wanny tried to trade up to get to convert to LB is another as CK says. Marquand Manuel is a little small, but filled in really nicely for Seattle when Kem Hamlin got hurt.
On the DL, like CK says, Bernard, Aaron Kampman, Anthony Weaver and Cory Redding is another who could play end in our 3-4. At T, Ma'ake Kemoeatu will quietly make some team happy, Willie Whitehead is a big 300 pounder and Russell Davis might get a look.
Up at WR, I think Jurevicious and maybe someone like Tim Carter might get a look.
As for your draft question......I don't see there being value at 16 for a WR. The team has a strong interest in Chad Jackson, but not at 16. Santonio Holmes.....don't see it. I think Nick stays true to his board. Clearly from last years first 4 picks, he likes competitors, guys who have started and contributed a long time at major schools. Guys who can come in and play early. To that end, the same old names - Justice, maybe McNeil, Jean-Gilles, Vernon Davis, Gabe Watson, Brod Bunkley, Greenway, even Ryans remains a possibility in my mind, despite his disappointing size, Bobby Carpenter, Huff, Simpson, Tye Hill, etc. Add in the x-factor of 'Planet Theory' types like Antonio Cromartie and I think one of these guys will be our pick.
I think at least 1 corner will be on the bill. I would imagine a number of street FA corners will come in as well.