Who will be the best in the NFL in 5 years?

[EireTiger]

When looking at the possibilities for the first pick in the draft there are a number of things to consider such as athleticism, production in college, character, intelligence, effort, etc.

One thing I would ask is, of the the top 6 players in this year's draft (C. Long, J. Long, G. Dorsey, V. Gholston, M.Ryan, D. McFadden), which ones will be (or could be) the best player in the NFL at their position?

I would argue that the only players who might be the best in the NFL at their position in 5 years are Glenn Dorsey (DL), Vernon Gholston (DE/OLB), Jake Long (OT) and Darren McFadden (RB). Chris Long and Matt Ryan are good players but don't appear to have the physical tools/high ceiling to be considered the best in the NFL at their position. Is that something that should be considered when picking first overall?

Isn't it interesting that Ryan and C. Long are the names most associated with the first pick?

I actually think Chris Long will be the pick......

 

[phinsfan84]

I definatly feel that Both longs, Dosey, and Mcfadden all have legit shots at being the best at their postions in 5 years. We never really know though until they strap em up.

 

[elandre]

Id say Chris Long... The guy may have a slow rookie year 4-5 sacks just like Mario Williams but as he learns and adapts the guy is gonna be nasty ! :up:

 

[fgrocker]

Id say Chris Long... The guy may have a slow rookie year 4-5 sacks just like Mario Williams but as he learns and adapts the guy is gonna be nasty ! :up:

Isn't one of the nice things about drafting Chris Long the fact that he is one of the most ready to contribute players in the draft, and not a project like Mario Williams?

 

[NorFlaFin]

Unless the light bulb comes on and (more importantly) stays on Vernon Gholston is destined to be a pass rushing specialist.

 

[Kdawg954]

After Jake helps Ronnie get 2500+ total yards season after season . . . . we will all know who is the best. Here is wishful thinking towards the selection of Jake Long.

 

[Padfoot]

When looking at the possibilities for the first pick in the draft there are a number of things to consider such as athleticism, production in college, character, intelligence, effort, etc.

One thing I would ask is, of the the top 6 players in this year's draft (C. Long, J. Long, G. Dorsey, V. Gholston, M.Ryan, D. McFadden), which ones will be (or could be) the best player in the NFL at their position?

I would argue that the only players who might be the best in the NFL at their position in 5 years are Glenn Dorsey (DL), Vernon Gholston (DE/OLB), Jake Long (OT) and Darren McFadden (RB). Chris Long and Matt Ryan are good players but don't appear to have the physical tools/high ceiling to be considered the best in the NFL at their position. Is that something that should be considered when picking first overall?

Isn't it interesting that Ryan and C. Long are the names most associated with the first pick?

I actually think Chris Long will be the pick......

It's rarely that simple to know. Having more athletic ability is not a guarentee that a guy will be a better football player. Nor is it a guarentee that a guy with lesser physical tools can't raise the level of his play significantly.

 

[umpalu]

honestly it will be Jake Long if he gets drafted by St Louis. With Pace there he will be put to RT (with the thought of grooming him at LT until pace retires until they see what he can do there) and will dominate immediately there, this years Joe Thomas at that position. He will be put into the right position and right situation immediately to have a stellar career.

 

[#1dolphinsfan]

I think it will be Chris Or Jake long

 

[Digital]

Honestly, systems do matter. Michael Jordan was the best basketball player, but when the system changed to baseball he wasn't good enough. That's likely the situation for guys like Glenn Dorsey, he's going to be dominant in a 4-3 and pedestrian in a 3-4, so it's not quite as simple as we'd like.

Sedrick Elliss is a monster, so is Dorsey, but McFadden will have the most instant-impact. In 5 years it could be Jake Long, Vernon Gholston, Chris Williams, Groves, or someone else. But some of these prospects really have higher bust potentials too, so you've got to be comfortable with that. Ryan, Brohm, Flacco, Henne, Gholston, Groves, and Nicks are some of the guys with the biggest bust potentials. QB's are always dicey, and athletic guys who don't have the best technique or instincts are always high risk/high reward projects. Someone like Chris Long or Jake Long don't have those risks, but may not have the same athletic ceilings either. Then there are guys like Dorsey and Baker who have injury concerns. There's a lot more to it than simply who plays the best right now.

 

[BO KNOWS]

WHEN ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO GET A CLUE? BECK IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A BETTER QB THAN ANY QB COMING OUT OF THIS DRAFT. THE GUY STARTED FIVE GAMES HIS ROOKIE SEASON. He played on the worst team in the NFL last year. I don't recall anyone on the Dolphins playing good last year. WHAT QB DO YOU KNOW DID GOOD AGAINST PHILI AND PITT THEIR ROOKIE SEASON ? I don't recall payton having a good first year or palmer, or eli, or elway. heck I remember farve as a third stringer in Atlanta for a couple of years before being traded to G.B. and even then was a second stringer before 'MAGIC' got hurt. Give me a break Beck will be fine. Grow a Brain people!!! I bet my left testicle we don't draft a qb early in the draft...

 

[Majpain]

Id say Gholston if he plays in a base 4-3.

 

[Fin-omenal]

Sorry McFadden lovers but A Peterson will be the best at his position the next 7-8 years..but hey nothing is wrong with second best.

 

[adamprez2003]

McFadden, Ryan or Gholston all have the potential to surpass what Jake Long and Chris Long will bring to the NFL. I think both Longs have the potential to be very good at what they do but the others have the potential to be great. Of course the tradeoff is the others could also bust. High risk high reward, low risk low reward. Having said that I dont think any of the players mentioned have the potential to be the best at their positions. I would look at players like McKelvin or Clady as having more potential to be the best at their positions

 

[ChambersWI]

McFadden, Ryan or Gholston all have the potential to surpass what Jake Long and Chris Long will bring to the NFL. I think both Longs have the potential to be very good at what they do but the others have the potential to be great. Of course the tradeoff is the others could also bust. High risk high reward, low risk low reward. Having said that I dont think any of the players mentioned have the potential to be the best at their positions. I would look at players like McKelvin or Clady as having more potential to be the best at their positions

talent wise maybe, but guys like Jake and Chris Long will not be outworked by anybody and aren't exactly slouches when it comes to athleticism. Remember, at the combine, Gholston was not overwhelmingly more athletic than C Long.

as for the question of the thread, it does have a lot to do with what situation the player enters. I think Vernon Gholston might struggle in coverage in a 3-4, but if he goes to a team like the Rams I think he could be very good right away. At the same time, I think Chris Long will be great in whatever system he plays because of his work ethic and dedication to football (and no this is not my hatred for Ohio State talking, I give Buckeyes props when it is due).

I also think you have to look big picture as well. Everybody laughed that Mario Williams was selected number 1 overall, people ain't laughing anymore.