Wishful thinking

Fire

Fire

in the hole
Thought it would be interesting to talk about who you would like to see your favorite team take in the upcoming draft. It will be very different this year if a labor agreement can't be reached beforehand, since that means teams will not be able to fill some of their needs before the draft takes place.

At this point I am going to assume this is how it is going to be, which is unfortunate since my favorite team, Detroit, is finally becoming competitive after finally firing their former GM (who shall remain nameless). Picking up G Rob Sims, CB's Chris Houston and Alphonso Smith, and DT Corey Williams. for late round picks were great moves to fill major needs. Vanden Bosch and Burleson were good FA additions also. I really think GM Martin Mayhew knows what he is doing. Here is a nice article about him.Lions GM Martin Mayhew lets his deals do the talking | detnews.com | The Detroit News

As of now the biggest needs to fill for the Lions are 1)CB, LB, and OL. 2)WR, RB, S. When it comes to this years draft, I think Mayhew and Co. will refine their BPA philosophy. I am 99% sure they will choose the highest rated player out of LB, CB, and OT. I would be a little surprised to see them go with a tackle though.

Barring trades, here is my pre-combine wish list for Detroit:

1.13 - If either Prince Amukamara or Von Miller fall to 13, I would be thrilled. Realistically I don't see that happening though. That leaves a choice between OT's Solder and Castonzo, CB's Brandon Harris and Jimmy Smith, and LB Ayers. I would like any of these, but am a little wary about Solder and Smith. They have high upsides, but are possible busts. Ayers could be included here, but he is versitile and athletic enough to contribute right away in our weak LB core. So, I would be happy with Castonzo, Ayers, or Harris. Cameron Jordan could end up being the choice if they stick to BPA. The DL is one of our strong points, but BPA is a good philosophy. A trade down here would be nice if we get an offer, an extra 3rd would be nice to trade down later in the 1st.

Rounds 2,3, are a little dependent on the 1st round pick, and those who surprisingly start to free-fall. Being realistic I would be happy with S Rahim Moore,LB's Bruce Carter, Justin Houston, Mason Foster, Mark Herzlich, or Dontay Moch, CB's Aaron Williams, Curtis Brown, Brandon Burton or Ras-I Dowling. At Gaurd I like Hudson or Moffitt. I like both Wisniewski and O'Dowd at center. Raiola is undersized and average at best, he needs to be replaced soon. A WR in round 2 is a little too early for me, but if Titus Young or Leonard Hankerson fell to us in round 3 I would be OK with that.

So, that's my early wish list. What's yours?
 
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Fire

Fire

in the hole
Interesting article about the possibilities of trades during the draft from Great Blue North Draft Report:

One of the lingering questions about the upcoming draft is whether there just might be a trade or two at the very top of the top of the board. In recent years there has been a dearth of deals involving high picks as teams were scared off from moving up to acquire a top 5 pick by the salary cap hit that it was going to take to sign the player selected. There have some hopes, though, that with a rookie salary cap expected to be part of the new CBA, whenever it is finally agreed upon, that teams may feel less constrained if they were tempted to try and move up into range to take one of the top picks this coming April. Its probably not going to happen, though, at least this year. On the one hand, while a rookie cap is almost assured to be part of the CBA, the exact parameters lilely will not have been worked and one thing NFL teams hate is uncertainty.

There is a very real possibility, though, that the way the top 10 shakes out this April, itself could mitigate against a lot of dealing. On the one hand, the top of the board is very talented. However, one of the vagaries of this year's draft is that the top prospects appear to come in pairs. Indeed, in the consensus top 10 or so for the 2011 draft there are two DTs, Nick Fairley of Auburn and Alabama's Marcel Dareus; two DEs, Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson and North Carolina's Robert Quinn, two corners, LSU's Patrick Peterson and Nebraska's Prince Amukamara; as well as a pair of WRs in A.J. Green of LSU and Alabama's JulioJones. Throw in the strong possibility that there will also be a pair of QBs with top 10 grades including Blaine Gabbert of Missouri and Auburn's Cam Newton and this year's top 10 starts looking a lot like Noah's Ark. What all this means is that teams are going to be very unlikely to want to trade up, for example, for a player like Fairley, who appears to be the consensus #1 prospect as there is an almost equivalent player in Dareus. And there is likely going to be a similar story for each of top 5 prospects Bowers, Peterson and Green. At the same time, because there is drop-off in talent after the top 11-12 prospects this year, teams with later top 10 picks may very well be reluctant to trade down and pass on the opportunity to take an elite level prospect, even if it means adding an attractive package of extra picks. Indeed, its unlikely that any team with a top10 pick or so is going to be willing to move out of the top 10 without getting close to a king's ransom in exchange.

That doesn't mean, though, that won't be other teams with an eye on trying to move up this coming April. Indeed, its hard to believe that both New England and San Diego, which have the 17th and 18th picks overall this year, aren't already plotting how to get up closer to the top 10 in order to better address some specific needs. Both the Patriots and Chargers have a history of been willing to move up and both are armed with extra picks. New England, for example, is the only team currently with two first-round picks this year - the Patriots also own the 28th selection - and have a total of 6 picks in the first three rounds, while the Chargers have extra picks in both the second and third rounds. Ironically, the Patriots and Chargers could also very well be looking to trade up to acquire similar players as both teams run 3-4 schemes and both would appear to need an outside pass-rush threat like Texas A&M OLB Von Miller, as well as DE who can also get some heat on the passer along the lines of Fairley, Dareus and California's Cam Jordan, who likely will go a few picks after the initial two. And if they aren't able to move, the options to address those issues available to the Patriots and Chargers will be far less attractive.

There is also the possibilty that there could be a number of trades around the proverbial 'amen' corner of picks 10-14. The odds are better than even, for example, that both Washington and Minnesota, which have the 10th and 12th picks respectively, will be looking to acquire one of this year's top QB prospects, but are likely going to have to move up from those picks in order to be assured of landing either Gabbert or Newton. Indeed, it won't be a total shock if Redskins' enigmatic owner Daniel Snyder, who loves to make a splash, makes a move to acquire Newton. Houston and Detroit, which have the 11th and 13th picks, could also have an especially tough decision come April 28th if things ultimately play out the way they are currently shaping out, although that remains a big if. Again, ironically, it appears that both Houston and Detroit have similar needs at CB and LB, but there is a good chance that neither will be able to address the issue at those spots. As such, both the Texans and Lions could be forced to try and trade up into the top 10 to get someone at either position. Alternatively, if they aren't able or willing to move up, their best option may be to try and trade down. Same story for St. Louis which just has to be hoping that Julio Jones drops to #14, but a lot of things would have to go right for that to happen. Again, the Rams could find themselves in the same situation as the Texans and Lions in that they could very well have to move up to get the guy they want, but could consider dropping down if it doesn't work out as there isn't likely going to be a 3rd WR worth the 14th pick if that's the directioin the team wants to go.

Stay tuned...
 
Fire

Fire

in the hole
Maybe the combine will get others into this. As a Detroit fan I am used to looking forward to the draft around the middle of October.
 
Sgt John

Sgt John

Sith Lord of T&A
I would like the Cowboys to have balls and trade Tony Romo to the Bills to move up to 3 overall and select Cam Newton. Why not.
 
Phicinfan

Phicinfan

Expert on nothing, opinionated on everything
Administrator
Eagles wishlist?

First round go Camri OT from Wisconsin to fix the round robbin at the ROT position.
Next ILB, they need depth to replace when injuries hit.

Oh, and I want Asoumagha(SP?) to play other corner in FA!!
 
RZR

RZR

Sun-kissed & restless
In honor of the thread title, I would love to see us snag North Carolina's Robert Quinn. However, I'd also be happy if we sunk our swords into Perdue's Ryan Kerrigan. I think Kerrigan would present the talent and character AND the position skills with his ability to pass-rush that would earn him a start on opening day.

If we can secure the right fit at DE, then we need to turn our focus to the area of need which is our Linebacking squad. Then, we need another TE. I'm still getting a feel for this year's draft class and not sure which OLB and MLB get me the most excited... yet. I'll circle back after the Combine.
 
Fire

Fire

in the hole
So, after the combine Castonzo looks like the guy I will be hoping for at 13, unless they see something in Tyron Smith (who did not participate except for lifting, due to injury) that makes them think he is even better. Castonzo looks technically sound and athletic. He was almost as good as Joe Thomas in the drills. Solder might have a higher ceiling, but needs to gain strength and will be a project.

Prince will not be there, his 4.43 will keep him in the top ten for sure. Miller did nothing to fall to Detroit either. Jimmy Smith is fast, and big, and physical, but he tackles too high and has some character issues. Harris is only 5'9 but I still really like him, but 13 is just a tad early for him.

Best case for me would be for Julio Jones to be there at 13, and someone like Jacksonville, or New England leap frogs St. Louis to grab him, and Detroit still gets Castonzo or Harris plus an extra 3rd or 4th round pick. Santa, I have been good. Please make this happen.
 
MNJHNSN

MNJHNSN

New Member
Patriots - Would love to see JJ WATT and then COSTANZO taken in Rd 1. Cant see COSTANZO falling that far, so maybe SOLDER....
 
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mills

mills

Well-Known Member
As a Carolina fan, I want a franchise QB... DE's and DT's don't excite me and Carolina fans need excitement. I will accept Newton or Gabbert, more leaning towards the Gabbert side but Cam sure would be fun to watch run around.
 
bobbeaux

bobbeaux

Member
the texans need to shore up the 31st? ranked defense . . . new def cood wade phillips and other coaching changes will help, but they are also switching to wade's version of the 3-4 defense which to many would open up more holes to fill . . . wishfully thinking, the texans need to make a bigger splash in fa than in year's past and also i'm wishing the cba is agreed upon before the draft . . . if both of those happen, here are perspective players/positions i believe they should target:

need at least 1 cb - n. asomugha or j. joseph (frees up g. quin to move to fs/nickel to start/depth)
need at least 1 s, but preferably 2 - e. weddle, d. landry, q. mikell or d. manning (b. pollard and e. wilson were released/not resigned)
need at least 1 olb - q. black or j. anderson

then in my perfect world, the following would fall to texans in the draft: (olb, cb, nt)

round 1 - v. miller or p. amukamara
round 2 - b. harris or j. houston
round 3 - k. ellis or j. powell

then more 3-4 depth and oline depth.
 
Fire

Fire

in the hole
Updating my wish list for Detroit:

1.13 - Tyron Smith or Castonzo (unless Amukamara falls in our lap).
Smith looks to have the higher ceiling, but will take a little time to learn. Castonzo seems more likely to contribute right away. His technique his very impressive.

2.13 - Mason Foster LB, Washington or Bruce Carter LB, Carolina.
Foster has experience at all 3 LB positions and was very productive with a non-stop motor, and great work ethic. Good against the run and in coverage, with ability to rush the passer. This guy is flying up draft boards. Carter may be even more talented, but his knee injury (torn ACL) is a major concern. CB is still a need if Prince is not there in the first, but LB is even more of a need. I would not be upset if the pick here was Brandon Harris, but he should be gone by 2.13, Ras I Dowling would be okay, but I would rather have one of the linebackers.

3.13 - My wish list will be complete if we go Smith/Castonzo in the first, Foster/Carter in the second, then in the third take the best CB available (Dowling, Burton, House, Brown). If we are lucky enough to get Harris in the second, then we should take the best LB available in the third(Moch, Chris Carter, or Bruce Carter if he falls this far).

4.13 - O'Dowd Center, USC would be great here.

5.13 - BPA regardless of position, even if they have character/off field/injury issues. 5th round and higher are the rounds to take gambles on.
 
storminn0rm

storminn0rm

Brewmaster
Fire said:
Updating my wish list for Detroit:

1.13 - Tyron Smith or Castonzo (unless Amukamara falls in our lap).
Smith looks to have the higher ceiling, but will take a little time to learn. Castonzo seems more likely to contribute right away. His technique his very impressive.

2.13 - Mason Foster LB, Washington or Bruce Carter LB, Carolina.
Foster has experience at all 3 LB positions and was very productive with a non-stop motor, and great work ethic. Good against the run and in coverage, with ability to rush the passer. This guy is flying up draft boards. Carter may be even more talented, but his knee injury (torn ACL) is a major concern. CB is still a need if Prince is not there in the first, but LB is even more of a need. I would not be upset if the pick here was Brandon Harris, but he should be gone by 2.13, Ras I Dowling would be okay, but I would rather have one of the linebackers.

3.13 - My wish list will be complete if we go Smith/Castonzo in the first, Foster/Carter in the second, then in the third take the best CB available (Dowling, Burton, House, Brown). If we are lucky enough to get Harris in the second, then we should take the best LB available in the third(Moch, Chris Carter, or Bruce Carter if he falls this far).

4.13 - O'Dowd Center, USC would be great here.

5.13 - BPA regardless of position, even if they have character/off field/injury issues. 5th round and higher are the rounds to take gambles on.
Click to expand...

I like your thinking
 
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