Should we really draft a RB and QB?

[Padfoot]

I see many people on here arguing that we will likely draft a QB and others saying we will likely draft a RB.

The former argue that John Beck's quality is uncertain and that BP will definately draft a QB because of that.

The latter argue that Ronnie Brown is coming off an ACL tear and BP will definately draft a RB as insurance.

I have to say that I completely disagree with both scenarios. Yes our QB and RB are both uncertain at the moment. However, we ARE indeed certain that we have major holes in the offense line, we ARE certain that we have major holes in the run defense and we ARE certain that we have a very weak secondary.

Why is it that BP has to draft based on what is uncertain about our team when he can draft based on what is certain about our team?

Think of it in terms of triage. Our run defense and secondary are practically dead. But our QB and RB can still come out ok. Shouldn't we fix the more pressing needs first?

It's not like we're passing on Peyton Manning or Adrian Peterson either.

 

[Lazy1]

When building a team what is considered priority? The first thing maybe other than a solid oline, is a qb. Even if you love John beck you have to admit he didnt look good last year and still needs a lot of work and is a question mark, and if hes not our guy we could already have a qb developed in our wings. If he is the guy then you have a nice qb for trade or for backup so drafting a qb to me is really a win win no matter what happens with beck. As for rb i think we will draft one in the middle rounds b/c i think thats where all the value picks will be on day 2. Even if we draft both a rb and qb anywhere in the draft it still leaves us enough picks to adress other needs on our team.

 

[FinFanatic80]

I tend to disagree some what with what you are saying. First off at QB, if the tuna doesnt take Ryan at 1 (which i dont think he will) I can still see him taking one late in the draft which he can develop and wont cost much. Plus we all know McCown is not the answer and probably wont be here for more then a year or so, so if Beck never comes around he at least has another QB who has been in the system for awhile and is young who can potentially become have a shot at being a franchise QB. I think the 3 QB's on our opening day roster will be Josh McCown, John Beck, and a rookie.

At running back, we all expect Ronnie to come back fully from his ACL but thats never a 100% sure thing. I agree i think he will be good to go at the beginning of the season but god forbid something happens to him again. You think the tuna is going to trust the full rushing load with Ricky Williams (granted Booker can play 3rd downs and stuff but he cant carry the entire load)? The one thing we all know by now about Ricky is he cant be trust (even though i think he is on some good prescriptions now to help with his deeper problem) i wouldnt have complete faith in him until he can go a whole season with no problem. With the draft being so deep at RB this year, what does it hurt to take one real late like a QB and just develop him into a star or as an emergency for this season?

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[FinFanatic80]

plus, look for the tuna to try and trade down occasionally in the later rounds to pick up some more players since we have a ton of needs that 7 picks cant all fill. We pretty much could use at least someone at every position on the field wether thats to start or a quality reserve.

 

[Padfoot]

I understand these arguments. I agree that QB is the most important position and I realize that if Ronnie is unable to recover then we would be without a solid #1 runner.

However, with that said, we aren't expected to win this year. It's very difficult to rebuild a team in one year. So why not draft what we know we need this year. And play out the season and see where Beck and Ronnie are.

After the season we can evalute them and decide then, if we should draft a QB to replace Beck or a RB to replace Ronnie.

We don't really have much to lose next season if Beck and Ronnie are unable to perform.

 

[fishypete]

Flacco and Kevin Smith.

 

[Lazy1]

I understand these arguments. I agree that QB is the most important position and I realize that if Ronnie is unable to recover then we would be without a solid #1 runner.

However, with that said, we aren't expected to win this year. It's very difficult to rebuild a team in one year. So why not draft what we know we need this year. And play out the season and see where Beck and Ronnie are.

After the season we can evalute them and decide then, if we should draft a QB to replace Beck or a RB to replace Ronnie.

We don't really have much to lose next season if Beck and Ronnie are unable to perform.

I see your point, but I think your underestimating the values of these positions in the draft. After the season regardless of evaluation from our current players the player we drafted can still be an asset to our team. If Ronnie brown is healthy and has a pro bowl year, bottom line is we still need a backup that can fill in and also contribute regularly(Ricky williams imo doesnt have long term value w/us), why not have a michael turner even though you have an LT(example)? As for qb it NEVER hurts to have to many good qb's. Beck is still a ? and like i said what could be negative to having 2 good qb's? I'm not saying we dont have huge needs all over the place, and im not saying to use high picks on these positions, but i think we'll adress qb for sure, and i think we'll take a rb too based on the talent we could get in the middle rounds.

 

[Padfoot]

I see your point, but I think your underestimating the values of these positions in the draft. After the season regardless of evaluation from our current players the player we drafted can still be an asset to our team. If Ronnie brown is healthy and has a pro bowl year, bottom line is we still need a backup that can fill in and also contribute regularly(Ricky williams imo doesnt have long term value w/us), why not have a michael turner even though you have an LT(example)? As for qb it NEVER hurts to have to many good qb's. Beck is still a ? and like i said what could be negative to having 2 good qb's? I'm not saying we dont have huge needs all over the place, and im not saying to use high picks on these positions, but i think we'll adress qb for sure, and i think we'll take a rb too based on the talent we could get in the middle rounds.

Personally I think Booker can fill the role of back up to Ronnie perfectly.

I don't agree though, with the idea that it doesn't hurt to have too many good QB's or running backs because I think of it in terms of opporunity cost. For every extra running back or QB you draft, that could've been a valuable defensive starter or backup.

I'd love to have solid depth at QB and RB but I just think we're not in the position to worry about that now. And instead I feel we should be filling the team with quality starters at every position before we think about high quality backups.

 

[3rdandinches]

Any RB can fill in on a moments notice as Chatman showed everyone after being out for a year. QB needs time to develope so drafting one later in the 4th or later would be alright. I still don't want to draft one at all, Flacco scares me about all this hype after the season is over. He's supposedly now this great can't miss prospect climbing up the draft board. He can throw 60 yards standing still, who cares !! What did he do in college, why wasn't he more successful at Pitt, these things concern me. If Beck fails horribly this year we may be picking 1st next year so lets take a QB then. If he shows signs of success then we'll be closer to the ultimate goal and we'll have no need for a QB to push him. I've always stated you need to draft a QB every 3/4 years to develope and secure stability long term at the position, I just don't think this is the year when we have so many other holes to fill first.

 

[rc305]

Flacco and Kevin Smith.

Bring in Flaccos buddy, Omar Cuff:). Does anybody know what is going on with Cuff? I'm pretty sure he is a senior and his numbers were to good to not be invited to the combine and all that good stuff.

 

[ih8brady]

Are people forgetting our depth with ricky Williams and Lorenzo Booker?

 

[umpalu]

simple without even reading anything but the title, no. next year yes, this year no. if we were a highly successful team then I would say pick them up, but we have so many basic needs that potential has to play a part at this point because free agency is basically over. We still have way to many holes to fill to start going after "luxury" at this point.

 

[WVDolphan]

Are people forgetting our depth with ricky Williams and Lorenzo Booker?

Our top RB is questionable to even be healthy enough to start the season. If he does its questionable as to when he will be 100%

Our current backup is prone to be banned from the league or quit.

Our 3rd guy on the depth chart is a 2nd year player who is more or less a pass catching 3rd down back.

I hardly call that depth. We dont need a running back as insurance. We need one that can play.

Even if Ricky were to return close to his old form, you cant really count him as a roster spot(I know he counts as one technically according to league rules) but, you just cant trust the guy to ALWAYS be there for ya. So from that standpoint we need a true backup and a guy who can be counted on to start for a while if necessary.

Plus you have to consider the possiblity that Ricky just dosent have it anymore. And even if Ronnie is 100% you need someone that you can actually count as a guy who is going to be there to share some of the load with him.

Best case scenerio....Ronnie is 100%, Ricky returns to form. But, even in that case we still need another back because of the Ricky not being able to trust him factor. So yes, draft a running back.

 

[WVDolphan]

Draft a QB ONLY if its Ryan. Draft any one of about 4 or 5 running backs who might go in rounds 2-5. I like Rice and Choice myself.

 

[fishypete]

Are people forgetting our depth with ricky Williams and Lorenzo Booker?

Can you trust Ricky Williams and if you can...how long does he have left...and Booker is a part time player at best...considering that R. Brown is coming off an injury and may not be the player he was...nothing is a given.
It wouldn't shock me to see a running back selected with a later pick.