So I guess we are drafting Brandon Scherff

[TCB]

To help whoever it is at quarterback be able to step up and throw a split second longer.
To help whoever is running the ball have a split second longer to decide when or where to cut.

Despite:
Since we have done soooo much in free agency to address the offensive line.
Since we know Moses and Long will be studs for the next decade.


I have no idea who we are drafting but at least with this thread title a few heads might explode.

 

[Sharkinva]

The smart poker player never tips his hand until he is ready to put the cards on the table. Many under estimate this kid and the impact he would have. But imagine having a Larry Allen type for his entire career.

 

[TCB]

The smart poker player never tips his hand until he is ready to put the cards on the table. Many under estimate this kid and the impact he would have. But imagine having a Larry Allen type for his entire career.

Who cares about Larry Allen types when we could have the next Jared Odrick! lol

 

[skinsdad62]

we could do worse

 

[redskinsfan]

Gruden (and McCloughan by his silence) thinks we're all good at the RG position. So, if we're drafting Scherff, it'll be at RT. The problem there is that he's not too well suited to handle pass pro. He's thus not a great choice at #5. If we're stuck at #5, we take Leonard Williams (if he's available) or Dante Fowler. If either are off the board, Shane Ray should be there.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Gruden (and McCloughan by his silence) thinks we're all good at the RG position. So, if we're drafting Scherff, it'll be at RT. The problem there is that he's not too well suited to handle pass pro. He's thus not a great choice at #5. If we're stuck at #5, we take Leonard Williams (if he's available) or Dante Fowler. If either are off the board, Shane Ray should be there.

Perhaps it's more of a case of other spots on the roster requiring more attention immediately in their opinions. No one can argue we have multiple needs that can't be addressed in just one year.

 

[redskinsfan]

Perhaps it's more of a case of other spots on the roster requiring more attention immediately in their opinions. No one can argue we have multiple needs that can't be addressed in just one year.

Yes, we certainly do. That's why I'm a big proponent for trading down. If, however, we're going to take a BPA at #5, that will be either Williams or someone like Fowler. Williams would be the only guy that would make me stick with our #5 pick if we had the chance to trade down. (That is, of course, depending on what we get in return, but I trust Scott to maximize our booty in such a swap.)

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Yes, we certainly do. That's why I'm a big proponent for trading down. If, however, we're going to take a BPA at #5, that will be either Williams or someone like Fowler. Williams would be the only guy that would make me stick with our #5 pick if we had the chance to trade down. (That is, of course, depending on what we get in return, but I trust Scott to maximize our booty in such a swap.)

Since I'm not a talent evaluator, I'll leave the speculations at who is 'worth' the 5th pick to others. I can see the argument for multiple players. Really comes down to trusting SM to make the best decision for the team long term.

For ex, if he chose WR Amari Cooper, some might think that insane. But take into account PGs contract and or an injury or two...might end up being a brilliant pick. That's the thing about long term strategic thinking. Hard to evaluate until time has passed. That's why I like the strategy of going for good football players in the draft. Makes sense to me.

 

[redskinsfan]

Since I'm not a talent evaluator, I'll leave the speculations at who is 'worth' the 5th pick to others. I can see the argument for multiple players. Really comes down to trusting SM to make the best decision for the team long term.

For ex, if he chose WR Amari Cooper, some might think that insane. But take into account PGs contract and or an injury or two...might end up being a brilliant pick. That's the thing about long term strategic thinking. Hard to evaluate until time has passed. That's why I like the strategy of going for good football players in the draft. Makes sense to me.

I don't doubt that someone like Cooper would be a good long term pick. But that's usually something better teams (can) do since they've got players that can currently send them to the playoffs on an annual basis. We've already got to two pretty darn good ones, a TE that also competes for the ball as well, and one of the two WRs complaining that he doesn't get the ball enough. Add in someone like Cooper and you've to a real logjam at the position.

With our beloved Redskins, we need people that can play now and that fit a need. This is especially true in view of everyone's quest to resolve the mystery of how Robert will perform if given a chance to show his wares. That should mean that we focus in on the o-line. My belief in that has been challenged with Gruden's view that there's nothing wrong with the RG spot. But no one is disputing we need RT help. And that's one of the key issues (hopefully) McCloughan will address.

Also, I wouldn't believe McCloughan's blanket statement that BPA will be the sole criterion governing his pick at #5. To be sure, BPA is an important factor in making that pick; but with a selection that high, it's got to be one that also fits a need. That's why I can't see him taking Cooper or a WR. If we're standing pat, the players that fit the criteria mentioned above are Leonard Williams and Dante Fowler/Shane Ray. But like you said, we've got plenty of other needs, which, along with McCloughan's penchant for hoarding draft picks, lend itself to trading down. By doing that, we can still get a solid RT and select others that can fill needs at positions such OLB. WR is also deep and that's certainly a possibility in this draft. But that will depend on other considerations, not the least of which is how the current staff views Ryan Grant.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

The thing is, all the best teams choose the best football player on their board according to their talent evaluations. That doesn't mean some need hasn't been wrapped up into that talent evaluation during the process somewhere. With a team like us, that means multiple positions to be filled.

Using the mantra, we are not a good team doesn't diminish the fact that we need to select players that are smart for long term success. We perpetuate being NOT a good team if we follow short term thinking.

The focus in the draft has to be on long term Good football players that fit the team. Immediate needs are hopefully addressed in FA as best as you can, if I understand SMs stategy correctly.

Reality is an injury can make a specific position an immediate need on any given Sunday.

 

[redskinsfan]

The thing is, all the best teams choose the best football player on their board according to their talent evaluations. That doesn't mean some need hasn't been wrapped up into that talent evaluation during the process somewhere. With a team like us, that means multiple positions to be filled.

Using the mantra, we are not a good team doesn't diminish the fact that we need to select players that are smart for long term success. We perpetuate being NOT a good team if we follow short term thinking.

The focus in the draft has to be on long term Good football players that fit the team. Immediate needs are hopefully addressed in FA as best as you can, if I understand SMs stategy correctly.

Reality is an injury can make a specific position an immediate need on any given Sunday.

I don't disagree with your assessment above. While injuries can open up glaring holes in any particular position, that's unfortunately a reality bad teams like the Redskins face. Their draft strategies must necessarily focus in on BPAs that can fill immediate needs in the top selections of their draft. In stark contrast, teams like the Packers and Steelers who've got a lot / most of their positions filled with players they like, they can draft to for depth and on a more BPA basis. That's why those teams can say goodbye to veterans that have made great contributions to their teams and replace them with younger, less pricey players they've groomed to fit their system while waiting for their bump up in the depth chart.

We're not there yet. But we need to always remember that lines on both sides of the ball can really change the entire makeup of a team (e.g., see what the Cowboys did last year with their o-line). McCloughan has done well to do that with our d-line and supplemented it with CB help, which is also a vital position in any defense. I'm waiting to see what he does with our o-line. If he fixes that up, we've actually got the potential to be a pretty explosive offense. Key word though is 'potential.' That will depend on things like QB play. If Robert can get his head straight and Gruden can exercise just a little more patience, a better o-line may yield far more benefits than anyone could imagine.

 

[skinsdad62]

a guy like scherf is ranked in the top 9 players in this draft by draft grade . picking him at 5 is a good pick as is fowler , beasley , williams or either of the wrs

 

[deanpet21]

Some people on here have Schreff ranked over Fowler. I don't get it. We can find a Schreff in the 2nd round. We cant find a Fowler in round two.

 

[Sharkinva]

Some people on here have Schreff ranked over Fowler. I don't get it. We can find a Schreff in the 2nd round. We cant find a Fowler in round two.

Maybe because some of us dont want to ignore THIS about Fowler

Bounced all over the field. Raw pass rusher. Still learning nuances of the position. Needs more coordination between hands and feet. Pass-rush approach lacks efficiency and includes too much wasted motion. Expected "speed-to-power" conversion inconsistent on tape. Tackles with length can lock him out and run him over the top. Average lower-body strength with limited window to fend off power. Limited recovery talent when beaten early in snap. Inconsistency against downhill running game is a concern.

Dante Fowler, Jr. Draft Profile NFL.com

Now compare that to this

Will default to sumo-style power push rather than leg churning at times. Not a grab-and-control pass protector. Opens the gate earlier than you would like against edge rushers offering two-way goes. Tightly wound lower body with average bend. Sometimes gives one-shot effort on second-level blocks, allowing his man back into the play. Has dominant finishing traits, but not a consistent finisher of blocks. Would love to see more fiery play demeanor from him.


Brandon Scherff Draft Profile NFL.com

Noticed I listed both players WEAKNESS here. I would much prefer an O-lineman that needs to be coached up a bit over a one dimensional pass rusher thats still apparently learning the position. At #5 you SHOULD get a day one 3-4 down player. Not a guy who you need to rotate out if its not an obvious pass play.

But umm... thats just me I guess.

 

[Sharkinva]

Seriously Dean.. you are pounding the drum for us to take some who has been painted as the possible biggest BOOM or Bust player in the entire draft?? At #5. Over a guy who most agree at WORST will be a stellar inside O-lineman??

Dante Fowler, Jr. might be the biggest boom or bust prospect in the NFL Draft - SBNation.com

Come on Mannn!!!

 

[countryroads316]

Some people on here have Schreff ranked over Fowler. I don't get it. We can find a Schreff in the 2nd round. We cant find a Fowler in round two.

Disagree we could land Kikaha with our 3rd rounder pretty close height and weight as Fowler

BOTTOM LINE
Kikaha is the most accomplished pure pass rusher in this draft class. Relies on a relentless motor off the edge more than athleticism. He has an elite determination to get to the quarterback. While he seems to specialize in just rushing the passer, Kikaha has the power, hands and frame to improve against the run. It might take some work to get fully comfortable as a stand-up 3-4 OLB, but Kikaha is a very safe draft prospect as long as his medicals check out.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I gotta agree with Shark, they can't miss on this pick. After reading how Fowler does not have that explosive first step, which is obviously critical to being a great pass rusher, I am cooling on this idea. He basically sounds a lot like they guy they already have at that spot who was taken in the 2nd round last year.

 

[TCB]

Foller this Foller that. Someone else can take Foller!

 

[redskinsfan]

I gotta agree with Shark, they can't miss on this pick. After reading how Fowler does not have that explosive first step, which is obviously critical to being a great pass rusher, I am cooling on this idea. He basically sounds a lot like they guy they already have at that spot who was taken in the 2nd round last year.

He may not have an "explosive" first step, but it's plenty quick. The reason why Fowler is better than others is because of his size (261 pounds), which McCloughan likes, and the fact he's already played as a stand-up pass rusher in college. Other prospects like Randy Gregory are way too small (235 pounds) and can't seem to stop rolling blunts. Or they've played too much as a dirt-in-the-hand DE that would make a transition to an OLB in our 3-4 a (big) challenge.

 

[skinsdad62]

He may not have an "explosive" first step, but it's plenty quick. The reason why Fowler is better than others is because of his size (261 pounds), which McCloughan likes, and the fact he's already played as a stand-up pass rusher in college. Other prospects like Randy Gregory are way too small (235 pounds) and can't seem to stop rolling blunts. Or they've played too much as a dirt-in-the-hand DE that would make a transition to an OLB in our 3-4 a (big) challenge.

and this is why shark and i feel the OLB's are overrated all have flaws and we saw dean's past man crushes . remember moses anyone ?

if you draft a guy who at worst will be a great OG like larry allen please tell me the downside again ?