d_wag Posted February 11, 2005 Posted February 11, 2005 http://www.gbnreport.com/scoutsnotebook.htm excellent article on great blue north draft report........ "Long-time readers of the GBN will know that we are proponents of the notion of strategic drafting. By strategic drafting we mean taking a look down the road at the following year's draft so as not to reach for a player at a position of need one year when that position is potentially loaded the next. And in what looks like a rather weak draft year at a number of positions in 2005, the concept may have greater import this coming April. Teams which are looking to upgrade at OT, for example, may want to consider passing on a player at the position this year when it looks to be a real down year for OTs - unless, of course, that one special player is available - and instead waiting until next year's draft when OT will be one of the strengths. Revenge of the big uglies.... As noted in yesterday's overview of the 2005 draft (see below), at one time, this year's draft was supposed to be the 'year of the offensive linemen'. That assessment, though, was based in large part on the assumption that most of this year's top juniors at the position would opt to enter the draft. Instead, a ton - both literally and figuratively - of junior OTs including Eric Winston of Miami, Winston Justice of Southern Cal, Marcus McNeill of Auburn, Andrew Whitworth of LSU, D'Brickshaw Ferguson of Virginia, Daryn Colledge of Boise State, Max Jean-Gilles of Georgia, Jon Scott of Texas, and Zach Strief of Northwestern ALL opted to return to school for their senior seasons this coming fall. Next spring, though, they'll all be draft eligible in what should be a rich year for OTs. The 2006 draft could also be the place teams add a quality C as there will be a number of top pivots available including Mike DeGory of Florida, super-quick Greg Eslinger of Minnesota and 340-pound Ryan Cook of New Mexico. The best of the bunch at C, though, could be 320-pound Kyle Young of Fresno State. On the other hand, the theme at this year's draft could be 'get your guards while they're hot!' as the 2005 OG class is the strength of a weak offensive line picture this year, whereas the position could be a weak link next April." this plays into our hand if you ask me, as we have a bigger need at guard then tackle (as long as jenning or a similar talented LT is signed)......we could most defantiely use more help at guard though........ rest of the articile breaks down other positions as well.......
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