Mike Mayock top 20 and position rankings..

The point is that 2nd and 3rd round CBs (or even later) aren't all that much of a downgrade to guys we might draft in the 1st. The last thing we should do in that scenario, even with CB being a huge need, is use a 1st round pick on one. If Moore is there in the 2nd I like that value much better.

I'm not real sure about WRs. Something tells me Nicks might be a solid value at our pick. Still, there are LBs and maybe even a RB or TE that might be better value. I'll be happy if MR can just pick the guy who is going to be a pro-bowler again.

 

you're not hard to please

 

I am thinking this too. Wouldn't be surprised if we go TE or RB in the 1st. Especially if all the defensive studs are off the board. And then I could also see us trading out of the 1st.

 

Well...

I'd be jumping for joy if this was the first 20 picks. I'd then send our first, fourth and a 3rd next year in trading up to #21...and then I'd select the best pass rushing DE in the draft in Everett Brown!!!

Thank you Cleveland! Goodnight!!!

Gut

 

Fantasy Land...

Anyone wanna explain to me why Ayers is a top 5 pick? What COULD be his possible upside?

In fantasy land, let's say the combine track is so aweful, it adds .1 to your time so Ayers really is 4.80...wait, I said fantasy land...let's say it adds .2 to your 40 so Ayers is REALLY 4.70 speed. That is solid for a DE...not elite. We KNOW he weighs 272lbs which is fine...and we know he has solid but not spectacular athleticism. We KNOW he couldn't play his way onto the field until his senior year with no real prospect in front of him. We know he didn't sack the QB that much...even being able to rush from all over the field to create the best mismatch for him. He won't have that luxury in the NFL. We also know he's fairly weak due to his limited bench.

So even in fantasy land, he's a solid speed/athletic guy with little pass rushing effect against OT's and bulking him up to play DT is iffy at best. And usually, you don't want a 272lb OLB for a 3-4 D who can't rush the passer, has never covered anyone and is SLOW for an OLB. If you're projecting him to add 25lbs of muscle and play DT for a 4-3 or DE for a 3-4...that's a BIG projection since he's already slow and weak! And you wanna spend a top 5 pick on that???

Have fun!
Gut

 

Fwiw, I've watched every Vols game Ayers played in, and I'll be surprised if he is very good in the NFL. I agree with you and hope Ayers is not one of the Titans targets.

 

Hey...

Welcome to the world of comparing combine #'s to Pro Day #'s!

One of the things you look for is an upward curve of improvement. You'd like to see a player get better from year to year. Hood had a nice year in '07 with 30 solo tackles, 5 sacks, and 8 tackles for loss in 14 games. How did he follow that up? In '08 he had 31 solo tackles, 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss in 14 games. The only thing that increased was his assisted tackle totals...which for a DT are impressive. High assisted tackle #'s prove he is a high motor high urgency guy. But him disrupting plays is somewhat limited and he's likely a what ya see, what ya get player. It's also somewhat disconcerting that a player with ELITE NFL measurables didn't have bigger production. He could be great...or he could be a nice solid NFL DT.

Over 28 games, 61 solo tackles, 10 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss with not much change in his core numbers.

Jerry had a solid '07 with 40 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss in 12 games. Despite these nice numbers, Ole Miss's rush D was pretty bad. Still, his tfl show how well he penetrates. In '08, he was even better. After hurting his knee right before the season started (and missing the first game), he went on to LEAD the SEC with 18 tackles for loss, 25 solo tackles and 7 sacks in only 11 games. He had multiple games with 2 tackles for loss. Even better, Ole Miss' rush D was #1 in '08...showing he wasn't just a one trick pony and can now play the run quite well.

Over his 23 games (5 less than Hood), he had 65 solo tackles, 10.5 sacks, and a devastating 32 tackles for loss. His solo tackle #'s went down but his already impressive tackles for loss went into truly elite #'s and his sack #'s doubled in 1 less game played. That shows a learning curve in penetration as well as his team's vast increase in rush D shows he probably increased quite a bit in stopping the run and tying up double teams.

Based on the above along with my having seen both players play, I think Jerry is a first rnd pick and Hood is a second rounder who's athleticism could lead a team to reach a bit.

Gut