TOboy

Anyone know who Gary Smith is? And seems to me, if they've waited this long on Ziggy, it might've been to see how things shake out in the 1st.

Until a deal is done for Clark we can’t assume the Bills are out. The asking price will likely drop as the draft nears/begins, and then we’ll see who is willing to pay up and meet Seattle’s lowered demands.

I'd be good with 16 and 20something. They'll still likely have at least one of the top OT's on the board, and more than likely a solid DE (Gary? Ferrell? Burns?) or DT (Wilkins?). And then they can use the 2nd pick on either a top WR, Fant, or whoever is left from above.

I don't see anything spectacular when watching him. As you stated, more of a high motor guy in my opinion. I'd value him more of a 3rd rounder, but I'm far from an expert talent evaluator.

Then we'd miss out on countless pic and gif opportunities!

Definitely a need for depth. Possibly someone he can apprentice with Lorax for a year before assuming a bigger role.

It seems to me that Beane wants to shore up all positions, so he can truly draft BPA each round. I don't think this precludes him from drafting a RB, but I suspect they'll only do so if they feel the player offers the best value at that time. With the exception of DT and maybe TE, there really isn't a glaring weakness heading into the draft. If we can add a couple of difference makers to the roster, we should have a bright future ahead.

You don't have one?

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I don't think he has that kind of size. Was more thinking of them utilizing him in the traditional FB role.

No benefit in doing so now. Plus, it really depends on what they envision doing this year. They may plan to utilize him more this year. It's not like they've added an abundance of TE's to block in the running game (perhaps they add one in the draft?). They certainly have the talent to run more of a spread offense this year, but will they? There's also special teams to consider.

Or he sees an up and coming team with a vastly improved OL and a very old backfield and believes he'll have an opportunity to carve out a role.

If all the top defensive studs are off the board (Williams, Allen, Oliver, Bosa), I'd be in favour of dropping back to the early teens provided you can pick up an extra 2nd. As long as you don't go further back than Washington at 15, you should have a selection of solid OT's, DL (Gary? Ferrell, Wilkins), TE (likely Hock or Fant available), and WR (DK or Hollywood).

I'm all for keeping Josh upright and giving him the best chance to succeed this year. I also think Shady will be far more effective this year with a significantly better OL.

I was already a little scared of him, just has that boom or bust feel, so I don't want him to be in play at 9. Doesn't mean I'd drop him from my board entirely though. If he were there at 40 (which I understand is very unlikely) I'd be very intrigued. The Raiders did well taking Maurice Hurst much later than he was expected to go last year due to a similar issue.

I don't disagree at all, but that's been the dialogue around him. Early in the process he was in the top 10 of many mock's, but that's changed the last couple of months. Of course mock's really don't mean anything. Just seems to be the common perception that he'd likely drop to the teen's.

Given all the talk of his short arms and likely having to move inside, that would be surprising.

Nice depth move. Seems the writing may be on the wall for Murphy, especially if they use a pick on another RB.

When did he game plan against the TB defence?

Elsewhere in the least surprising news of the day...

You trade up for a player not a draft slot.

I suspect that's a possibility, and McCoy from Tampa is another possibility (if we don't go DT in the 1st).

I'd be fine with 700-800 yards and a good red zone threat provided his blocking is as good as advertised.

If the first round plays out like this, I like Hock as the pick. For me it really comes down to Oliver and then Hock (provided the obvious top guys are gone - Bosa, Q Williams, J Allen).