Post Combine Mock Draft (w/ options)

[bac151rum]

There are people I like better than Hightower, but they will be gone well before we pick. Just don't see anyone who can help as much as him that would be there in the 1st. If he's only a two down backer right now, and can be on the field day one for two out of three downs, thats more than we've gotten from a defensive pick in years.
My personal feeling about looking at wr's in the first is lets wait til Wallace is gone, then we can start planning for it. He's ours this year unless someone else signs him, no one with a first round grade has been claimed in ten years. I keep hearing what if....... Lets deal with what ifs when they happen.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Saw Gil Brandt saying that he sees Hightower as a high 2nd round pick. Think he will be there at 24 when we pick, but not sure if Poe, Glenn or a decent LT will be there. Could be the pick unless trade back.

[Kingmagyar]

Interesting interview with Nick Saban about Hightower where he mentioned his ability to play OLB in the 3-4 in pass rushing situations. Same exact size and speed as Woodley. Could be drafted for a multitude of roles even helping to replace James Harrison in a couple years.

[bac151rum]

Sometimes i wonder if Upshaw won't be the better inside linebacker from Alabama. But hecould never wear the green dot, from what I've read.

[ricardisimo]

Major flaw in your draft is addressing the loss of Wallace in the first. Even if we are to lose Wallace, Ward and Cotchery, I still don't think WR deserves more attention than OG, NT or ILB. Either trade up to get DeCastro or go Hightower and Zeitler/Osemele/etc.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

Major flaw in your draft is addressing the loss of Wallace in the first. Even if we are to lose Wallace, Ward and Cotchery, I still don't think WR deserves more attention than OG, NT or ILB. Either trade up to get DeCastro or go Hightower and Zeitler/Osemele/etc.

I think trading up to get a guard would be a waste of a pick if we lost Wallace. Stay where we are and then look at something like 1a- Hightower, 1b Ta'amu, 2. Marvin Jones WR 3. Brandon Brooks OG 4. Nate Potter OT

[Kingmagyar]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

Major flaw in your draft is addressing the loss of Wallace in the first. Even if we are to lose Wallace, Ward and Cotchery, I still don't think WR deserves more attention than OG, NT or ILB. Either trade up to get DeCastro or go Hightower and Zeitler/Osemele/etc.

I don't know how it is a major flaw to address a wide receiver with an extra pick in the first when your current depth chart would be:

Antonio Brown
Emanuel Sanders (history of stress fractures in both feet)

That to me spells desperation with a capital D. We would need to take 2 in the draft.

One of these Guards will be there in the 2nd round.

Zeitler, Osemele, Brandon Washington, Amini Silatolu and all have flaws that take them out of a first round grade anyway. At least the receiver would have a 1st round grade.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by Kingmagyar

I don't know how it is a major flaw to address a wide receiver with an extra pick in the first when your current depth chart would be:

Antonio Brown
Emanuel Sanders (history of stress fractures in both feet)

That to me spells desperation with a capital D. We would need to take 2 in the draft.

One of these Guards will be there in the 2nd round.

Zeitler, Osemele, Brandon Washington, Amini Silatolu and all have flaws that take them out of a first round grade anyway. At least the receiver would have a 1st round grade.

I just think Stephen Hill is a gamble we dont need to take. Can draft a much more accomplished WR in round #2 with Marvin Jones from California. Also can look to Free Agency for a guy like Early Doucet, Cotchery, Eddie Royal, etc for depth.

You can go get Larry Fitzgerald and Ben cant throw it to him from his back if there is no improvement in the O line to protect him, or establish a run game to keep defenses from knowing its pass all the time.

[Kingmagyar]

Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

I just think Stephen Hill is a gamble we dont need to take. Can draft a much more accomplished WR in round #2 with Marvin Jones from California. Also can look to Free Agency for a guy like Early Doucet, Cotchery, Eddie Royal, etc for depth.

You can go get Larry Fitzgerald and Ben cant throw it to him from his back if there is no improvement in the O line to protect him, or establish a run game to keep defenses from knowing its pass all the time.

I agree with you that Stephen Hill is a gamble. I am turned off a bit on Hill after hearing comments from his own fans at Georgia Tech about his inconsistency. So how would you feel about WR Kendall Wright? This guy is like a cross between Steve Smith, Hines Ward, and Santonio Homes sans the penchant for Mary Jane. Wright would be your more accomplished receiver by far.

And no doubt we need to improve and draft great to fill all those areas you mentioned, but I'm just saying if we lose Wallace and that is a big if, we can't squander a first round talent at WR and hope we hit the position with lesser guys later. We could lose Wallace as late as April 20th giving us no time and no one to find as a free agent replacement.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by Kingmagyar

but I'm just saying if we lose Wallace and that is a big if, we can't squander a first round talent at WR and hope we hit the position with lesser guys later. We could lose Wallace as late as April 20th giving us no time and no one to find as a free agent replacement.

Mike Wallace- 3rd round pick
Hines Ward- 3rd round pick
Antonio Brown- 6th round pick
Emannuel Sanders- 3rd round pick
Jerricho Cotchery--4th round pick

This is where I never understand the rationale of fans wanting to spend a 1st round pick on WR's.

So many things have to happen before a WR can ever get a chance to catch the football, yet so many teams that look for the next Steve Smith, find the next Sinorice Moss. Or the next Braylon Edwards, David Boston, Troy Edwards.....and the list goes on.