Arrelious Benn ......Future Raven??

[ravenmad71]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Arrelious-Benn-runs-a-436-at-Illinois-Pro-Day.html

Ran 4.36 at Univ Illnois pro day. 6'1 220lbs Anquan Boldin clone w/speed

I know the Ravens will have plenty of options on draft day at the 25th selection.. if he is there... he'd be nice to add to the nest.

[NC Raven]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Arrelious-Benn-runs-a-436-at-Illinois-Pro-Day.html

Ran 4.36 at Univ Illnois pro day. 6'1 220lbs ... w/speed

I know the Ravens will have plenty of options on draft day at the 25th selection.. if he is there... he'd be nice to add to the nest.

fixed that for ya! ;)

The guy caught a whopping 7 TD passes in his entire college career. Next.

[baltimore_hokie]

fixed that for ya! ;)

The guy caught a whopping 7 TD passes in his entire college career. Next.

Agreed. I don't see Boldin at all with this guy. I see a physical specimen more than I see a football player.

No chance he is BPA at 25.

[TL24x7]

The guy caught a whopping 7 TD passes in his entire college career. Next.


He didn't have much in terms of an offense to support him but I would agree, he isn't worthy of No. 25.

[jonboy79]

No chance he is BPA at 25.

Especially since the WR position is at least "good enough" for at least a year.

Value will be on defense at 25 I think.

[Ravens0587]

Give me D Thomas at 25

[ravenmad71]

Demarious Thomas is a guy that I really hope falls. Hopefully his foot issue will allow him to go by the boards or down a few slots that the Ravens would have a shot at.

What are some opinions on Fla TE Hernandez.???? I missed alot of Fla games to really have a read on him. Most of the TE talk has been about Gresham.

[baltimore_hokie]

What are some opinions on Fla TE Hernandez.???? I missed alot of Fla games to really have a read on him. Most of the TE talk has been about Gresham.

Spred offense. Not much of a blocker. Wasn't running Pro-style routes. I have no interest in him (or any other TE, really) before the third round.

[RoflDogs]

Benn has borderline terrible hands. He dropped like 3 passes in the gauntlet at the combine

[Rxdoxx]

Plus as JeremiahW posted here http://ravens24x7.com/forum/showpost.php?p=201374&postcount=10

He scored 11 on the wonderlic, the lowest of any WR, Bay-Bay had 34.
So I question his ability to understand nuances and translate them into situational route running.

I've already filed him away in my mind with the label Patrick Johnson, size and speed with little else to offer.
There are only so many downfield shots that can be set up in a game, and his hands scare me that we will waste most of those shots on top of everything else.
I'll pass.

[RavenScallywag]

yeah, more and more I think about it, I think we wait on WR. There should be some good value at CB and DL at the end of Round 1. I wouldn't be very shocked if we traded out of Round 1 to pickup some later picks though. I think we need to come away from this draft with a DL, a CB, a WR, a TE, and maybe an OL. Where we draft them, I'll let Ozzie pick.

[jonboy79]

yeah, more and more I think about it, I think we wait on WR. There should be some good value at CB and DL at the end of Round 1. I wouldn't be very shocked if we traded out of Round 1 to pickup some later picks though. I think we need to come away from this draft with a DL, a CB, a WR, a TE, and maybe an OL. Where we draft them, I'll let Ozzie pick.

I agree on all points.

[baltimore_hokie]

I think we will see Ozzie trade back if none of the following players are still on the board:

- Earl Thomas - One of my favorite players in the draft. Difference-maker at safety, all the ability to be a very good CB too. He may be worth trading up a few spots to get.
- Brian Price
- Dan Williams
- Dez Bryant
- Kyle Wilson
- Jared Odrick (maybe)

One of these players could easily fall to us at 25, but there are plenty of scenarios where we could get an extra second or third rounder if none are still available.

I just don't see Gresham or D. Thomas (as much as I wish) as viable options at 1:25.

[ravenmad71]

Points made all the way around. Its funny how a few moves ( adding Boldin and resigning of Mason )takes the some of the pressure off the 25th selection. Now we can add a player at any position and feel good about the pick.

[jonboy79]

I think we will see Ozzie trade back if none of the following players are still on the board:

- Earl Thomas - One of my favorite players in the draft. Difference-maker at safety, all the ability to be a very good CB too. He may be worth trading up a few spots to get.
- Brian Price
- Dan Williams
- Dez Bryant
- Kyle Wilson
- Jared Odrick (maybe)

One of these players could easily fall to us at 25, but there are plenty of scenarios where we could get an extra second or third rounder if none are still available.

I just don't see Gresham or D. Thomas (as much as I wish) as viable options at 1:25.

Great list, agreed

[psuasskicker]

I think we will see Ozzie trade back if none of the following players are still on the board:

- Earl Thomas - One of my favorite players in the draft. Difference-maker at safety, all the ability to be a very good CB too. He may be worth trading up a few spots to get.
- Brian Price
- Dan Williams
- Dez Bryant
- Kyle Wilson
- Jared Odrick (maybe)

One of these players could easily fall to us at 25, but there are plenty of scenarios where we could get an extra second or third rounder if none are still available.

I just don't see Gresham or D. Thomas (as much as I wish) as viable options at 1:25.

I like the list and agree for the most part (although I wouldn't hate Gresham either). However, there's no way that none of those guys make it to us without someone else of TREMENDOUS value falling into our laps.

Plus I think it's likely we trade back anyway, but that's a separate topic. I think it's more likely three or four of those guys fall to us, and we trade back a few spots to pick up a 3rd or 4th rounder and get one of them anyway.

- C -

[Jeremiah W]

Plus as JeremiahW posted here http://ravens24x7.com/forum/showpost.php?p=201374&postcount=10

He scored 11 on the wonderlic, the lowest of any WR, Bay-Bay had 34.
So I question his ability to understand nuances and translate them into situational route running.

I've already filed him away in my mind with the label Patrick Johnson, size and speed with little else to offer.
There are only so many downfield shots that can be set up in a game, and his hands scare me that we will waste most of those shots on top of everything else.
I'll pass.

I have a real problem with that. not because WR is a brain busting position, but I suspect one major reason why guys who have all the measurables and pass the eyeball test still fail is the mental part of the game. There are only 9 routes, but there are so many reads and responsibilites and adjustments, and that is after you already know the playbook and terminology. Is he bright enough to not tip off his routes and read coverages presnap? Can he get on the same page as the QB in terms of route adjustments for different types of coverage? there are so many details to know it is ridiculous and we know athletic ability alone is not nearly enough.

[baltimore_hokie]

I like the list and agree for the most part (although I wouldn't hate Gresham either). However, there's no way that none of those guys make it to us without someone else of TREMENDOUS value falling into our laps.

Plus I think it's likely we trade back anyway, but that's a separate topic. I think it's more likely three or four of those guys fall to us, and we trade back a few spots to pick up a 3rd or 4th rounder and get one of them anyway.

- C -

Earl Thomas and Brian Price are on a whole different level than the other guys I listed, so I don't think you would see any trading back if they are still there. Odrick is the only guy that I listed, though, that I am anywhere near confident that he will be around.

Thomas could easily go in the top-15, and I just have a hard time seeing him get past the Falcons.

Price may not get past 12 or 13.

Pretty much all the guys I listed are consensus top-15 talents, so I can't see how you can be that confident that one, let alone several, of them will still be around at 25.

It all depends on how many teams will take guys on the OL that also have needs where we do.

[Jeremiah W]

I think we will see Ozzie trade back if none of the following players are still on the board:

- Earl Thomas - One of my favorite players in the draft. Difference-maker at safety, all the ability to be a very good CB too. He may be worth trading up a few spots to get.
- Brian Price
- Dan Williams
- Dez Bryant
- Kyle Wilson
- Jared Odrick (maybe)

One of these players could easily fall to us at 25, but there are plenty of scenarios where we could get an extra second or third rounder if none are still available.

I just don't see Gresham or D. Thomas (as much as I wish) as viable options at 1:25.

I would put D Thomas above Bryant by a little. Javid Best is a guy I have been incredibly impressed by for years now. I think he will be like Chris Johnson or Marshall Faulk and would make an impact year 1 in the return game and as the 3rd back in the Sproles role in the SD version of Cam's O.

[RavenScallywag]

Maybe I'm being too picky, but I really don't want to pick Dez Bryant. I know his skills at WR are going to be great, but everything I have heard about his character makes me think we're going to have troubles on our hand in a few years. I'd much rather pick up a guy at another position and work on developing a later round WR.

Then again, Ozzie and company have better insights than me. So if they rate him above 25 and he's sitting at 25, then we'll take him and I'll just hope I'm wrong.

[baltimore_hokie]

Maybe I'm being too picky, but I really don't want to pick Dez Bryant. I know his skills at WR are going to be great, but everything I have heard about his character makes me think we're going to have troubles on our hand in a few years. I'd much rather pick up a guy at another position and work on developing a later round WR.

Then again, Ozzie and company have better insights than me. So if they rate him above 25 and he's sitting at 25, then we'll take him and I'll just hope I'm wrong.

I agree somewhat, but you just can't pass on a top-5 talent at 25. TOP FIVE. We're talking Andre Johnson-esque skill set. AT 25!!

[Carey]

I think we will see Ozzie trade back if none of the following players are still on the board:

- Earl Thomas - One of my favorite players in the draft. Difference-maker at safety, all the ability to be a very good CB too. He may be worth trading up a few spots to get.
- Brian Price
- Dan Williams
- Dez Bryant
- Kyle Wilson
- Jared Odrick (maybe)

One of these players could easily fall to us at 25, but there are plenty of scenarios where we could get an extra second or third rounder if none are still available.

I just don't see Gresham or D. Thomas (as much as I wish) as viable options at 1:25.

Couldnt agree more, and i like the maybe beside Odrick, I think Odrick will be good but is he a whole round better then Alualu? I dont think so, i dont even think he is a better player then him just a little more physically gifted.

[edreedisgod20]

I agree somewhat, but you just can't pass on a top-5 talent at 25. TOP FIVE. We're talking Andre Johnson-esque skill set. AT 25!!

I basically agree with this. Dez Bryant kind of reminds me of Randy Moss in 1998. Moss fell all the way to 21 in that draft because of (rather severe) character concerns. And yes, they have affected him throughout his pro career. But with Moss, you know... You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and then you have a future Hall of Famer.

While it's a stretch to say Bryant (or anyone) is the kind of talent that Moss was, he also doesn't have as many problems.

[Stealthbirds80]

No Benn at 25 cause I think we trade back to acquire more picks, but any of the said players before could be available like a Bryant and such may get the nod. I'd trade back though.

[jonboy79]

I would put D Thomas above Bryant by a little. Javid Best is a guy I have been incredibly impressed by for years now. I think he will be like Chris Johnson or Marshall Faulk and would make an impact year 1 in the return game and as the 3rd back in the Sproles role in the SD version of Cam's O.

RB is the exact last thing this team needs with noone even nibbling at McGahee.

[Jeremiah W]

RB is the exact last thing this team needs with noone even nibbling at McGahee.

Willis is one and done unless he takes a huge pay cut.

Think of it like this, we had Willis but drafted Rice anyway and that worked out, why not get another guy like Rice? It is not like QB, you can get 3 guys enough touches and one of them is only here for a year.

I am pretty sure the Ravens are thinking about Best since they sent the RB coach to the pro day. Not sure what his draft value is, but I think he is draftable.

[baltimore_hokie]

Kareem Jackson from Alabama is another guy that I could see the Ravens taking a long look at. I would put him slightly about McCourty and slightly behind Wilson.

[TheFlacco]

Plus as JeremiahW posted here http://ravens24x7.com/forum/showpost.php?p=201374&postcount=10

I've already filed him away in my mind with the label Patrick Johnson, size and speed with little else to offer.



Patrick Johnson was tiny

[jonboy79]

Willis is one and done unless he takes a huge pay cut.

Think of it like this, we had Willis but drafted Rice anyway and that worked out, why not get another guy like Rice? It is not like QB, you can get 3 guys enough touches and one of them is only here for a year.

I am pretty sure the Ravens are thinking about Best since they sent the RB coach to the pro day. Not sure what his draft value is, but I think he is draftable.

Due Dillegence.
It amkes no sense to draft a RB to be NEXT YEAR'S backup in teh FIRST round this year.... b
A first round RB can come in and start right away. A fifth round pick is ready to be a backup immediately... why draft a first rounder a year ahead of time when yoiu have real needs and holes on your team?

Are you related to AL Davis there Mr Peppers?

[jonboy79]

Kareem Jackson from Alabama is another guy that I could see the Ravens taking a long look at. I would put him slightly about McCourty and slightly behind Wilson.

With us being thin at returner I'd probably keep McCourty ever so slightly ahead, but if I knew Webb would be healthy by September I'd agree.

[RavenScallywag]

For returner, don't forget about Jalen Parmele. He took over when Webb got injured and if I say so myself, I think he at least won the right to defend the job in camp...Granted, I know we want to plan for the future, but I think I'd value pure position skills over the return skills right now. Unless they are totally equal at positional skills...

[psuasskicker]

You don't need return guys till late in the draft anyway. I'd rather we draft a specialist late than a guy we don't really need at another position early because he brings return talent. If the guy we draft has return ability, meh, whatever. But that's a need that shouldn't even be thought about early in the draft...at least, not enough to impact who we actually pick.

- C -

[Jeremiah W]

Due Dillegence.
It amkes no sense to draft a RB to be NEXT YEAR'S backup in teh FIRST round this year.... b
A first round RB can come in and start right away. A fifth round pick is ready to be a backup immediately... why draft a first rounder a year ahead of time when yoiu have real needs and holes on your team?

Are you related to AL Davis there Mr Peppers?

So you would not want Chris Johnson or MJD at 25?

It makes no sense to draft a 5th round talent in the 1st round, but when you can get a guy that can make a difference any time they touch the ball, why not? How about Reggie Bush? I was saying how ridiculous it would be to take him #1 and pass on Williams, but if he was there at 25 vs guys like Odrick and Gresham, it would be a pretty easy choice right? You take the playmaker. We can find a McKinney or a Talavou to eat up blockers or a good TE in the 2nd round. Those late round backs that are good backups tend not to be anywhere near as special as the late 1st and early 2nd guys, like Rice or Deangello Williams, Chris Johnson. Those guys make it happen, and they work better in a RBC 3 back system so they can return kicks and punts and even cover punts with freakish athletic ability, speed strength and agility.

I am not ready to put a solid late round grade on Best because I do not know the guy or his medical history and personality, but his highlight tape is insane, his combine workout was incredible and he was more impressive than Ray Rice in college. Rice is now an MVP of the NFL watch list guy next year. Willis is still very effective and put up 14 TDs in the #2 role. Rice was well over 300 touches including the catches, despite what felt like a lot of pass happy gameplans. There is plenty of work to go around for a 3rd back that is as good as some of the late 1st round superstars I listed.

RBs are injury risks, but they are big time difference makers. If the back is a threat to go all the way, it takes the entire focus of the D away from the passing game. If hte back is going to get run down after 10 yards even if he breaks free, they are not going to respect the play action nearly as much and will keep both safties over the top and LBs looking up the crossing routes. When those guys are all more worried about getting juked out of thier shoe, they tend to loose track of the WRs and TEs and do not tend to get good hits on them over the middle.


I am not saying it is a need, but if the Ravens really are going to take the best player on the board, at some point there is a good chance that player is a rb from Cal named Best.

[RoflDogs]

Its plain old stupid to take a RB in this draft because we have 4 capable runningbacks the coaches believe in

[Rxdoxx]

This draft is frustrating, so many good picks, so few actual picks.
I'm finding a bunch of players I'd like to see the ravens get all over the place, then I look at team "needs" and the only fairly sure spot is the 25th for someone who could start contributing a little on other than ST. At least immediately.

Draft seems to be a grab bag, where you grab what you can, and hope most if not all work out, the more grabs you have, the better chances of hitting the home run. Only way I see to increase the grabs at least in the upper rounds is to trade #25 and get what we can of 2s and 3s. Unless someone absolutely off sky-high board falls to us, I can't see a lot of potential difference between maybe pick #16 and pick #60.

One player I like that I see no chance of us taking is Koa Misi.
I'm in a mock draft elsewhere so have been fishing around a little in the second tier possibilities...
so posting this info just FYI, I really like what I've seen and been reading, but don't see any current chance of this player becoming a Raven because he wont be there when round 5 arrives and is a luxury pick for us to use with one of our only 2 high picks to shore the team up other than DE/WR/CB/TE

Nawa'akoa Lisiate Foti Analeseanoa Misi

Koa Misi, Utah, 6-3, 251, 2: He is a pick-your-poison type of athlete who is powerful enough to take on and shed a blocker on the spot and fast enough to run around you and chase down his victim. Put that together with excellent instincts, a high-rev motor and team-leader type personality, and this prospect should fit well on somebody's roster. A standout in his one year at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College, Misi then moved on to terrorize opponents for three more years with the Utes. Misi impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl with his overall ability. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com/CBS Sports/USA TODAY

Played DE, had the best vertical of any DE at the combine 38", but projected as an OLB by many.
I think he can be Ray Lewis' replacement with a year's worth of pro conditioning. Appears to have a slight weight problem, but it not on the fat/heavy side, it dropped from his playing to the combine by maybe 18lbs

Koa Misi has lined up at just about every position in the front seven over his career. After changing from the interior line he made a name for himself over the past two seasons as a DE.
In three years at Utah, Misi started in 36/38 games, totaling 206 tackles, 26 tackles-for-loss and 10.5 sacks. First-team All-Mountain West honors this year.

[jonboy79]

Its plain old stupid to take a RB in this draft because we have 4 capable runningbacks the coaches believe in

My comments have nothing to do with Best... but our roster. Best could be the man, and he might get 20 carries this year and 100 the next year, while we pay him MILLIONS of dollars to sit on the bench. It jsut makes absolutely no sense.

Yes, JW it would be easy, you take Gresham or Odrick LONG before you take Best. Those are players that can play small/medium/large roles as rooks and grow into their roles. Best is a guy who would be STUCK, DEEP on the depth chart, unable to showcase his talent. There just aren't that many carries to go around. Odrick or Gresham could come in, light the world on fire and start, Best couldn't no matter how he played. Do you understand that? He would have almost zero chance to start next year? You would be planning ahead, for a career ending injury to your one year starting near MVP caliber back?

BPA takes into consideration roster construction, need, and transition times. Fact is, RB is not only the deepest roster spot, but also the quickest Pro transition. We have NO NEED for that guy this year. With Mcgahee gone, and maybe McLain next year, talk to me then, abotu a big backup. Maybe as early as the 2nd or 3rd if both are gone.

[Jeremiah W]

My comments have nothing to do with Best... but our roster. Best could be the man, and he might get 20 carries this year and 100 the next year, while we pay him MILLIONS of dollars to sit on the bench. It jsut makes absolutely no sense.

Yes, JW it would be easy, you take Gresham or Odrick LONG before you take Best. Those are players that can play small/medium/large roles as rooks and grow into their roles. Best is a guy who would be STUCK, DEEP on the depth chart, unable to showcase his talent. There just aren't that many carries to go around. Odrick or Gresham could come in, light the world on fire and start, Best couldn't no matter how he played. Do you understand that?


He would have almost zero chance to start next year? You would be planning ahead, for a career ending injury to your one year starting near MVP caliber back?

We have NO NEED for that guy this year. With Mcgahee gone, and maybe McLain next year, talk to me then, abotu a big backup. Maybe as early as the 2nd or 3rd if both are gone.

Lets just say for the sake of argument we are not talking Best we are talking CJ 2000 or Deangelo Williams.

Then tell me they would never play and would help us more than a backup TE or rotaion DT/DE.

In addition to taking over the Willis role eventually that was vital, 14 TDS, a guy like that could be the main punt and KR guy and have an impact like Cribbs, Sproles, Hester or one of those kind of guys. Something we would not want to do with Rice.

Then there is the fact that Rice had over 300 touches last year. What if he gets hurt? Are we fine? Sure, but we are no longer dynamic at the RB spot.

You can not have enough guys like Best or Spiller on your team. There are only about 10 guys like them in the NFL and they make a lot of plays.

Look at how effective MJD was playing behind Fred Taylor. You can not tell me there is not room for a great playmaker who can catch and return kicks. That is crazy talk. And at the 25th pick we are talking Oher money, 5 years 13 mil. I would much rather see the Ravens draft Best over Benn, but I would take a DT like Price or Williams or WR Thomas. A TE or a guy who is not going to sack the QB can be picked up later and Cedric Peerman is no Javid Best or CJ Spiller.

[RavenScallywag]

Ok, I'm going to change my stance a little bit on this one...

Having too many good people at once position is a nice problem to have. True, I would've advocate taking 3 good QBs or anything like that, but I could see where Best would be a nice pickup in the 1st or 2nd round...

That said, I don't think we should TARGET Best. We will stick to BPA, through and through. If Best is the BPA on the board when we pick, and we have him rated above or at the pick we're on, then he's here. But I don't think it's a good strategy to say "Man, wouldn't it be awesome to have 3 Chris Johnsons on the team?", when you clearly still have holes at other positions like DL, CB, TE...And then you also have to consider positions like S, OT, LB, WR where the talent we have is good, but either age or contract status could create holes in a year or two.

Given all that, I don't see us taking Best unless something causes him to fall pretty far below where he's expected to be taken. If we're going to "stock up on RB", it's generally going to be because a RB fell. If a RB is just there around what we value him at, I would tend to think we'd have a position of need graded at or above him still on the board, or we can find a team possibly willing to give up some great value for him.

[jonboy79]

Lets just say for the sake of argument we are not talking Best we are talking CJ 2000 or Deangelo Williams.

Then tell me they would never play and would help us more than a backup TE or rotaion DT/DE.

In addition to taking over the Willis role eventually that was vital, 14 TDS, a guy like that could be the main punt and KR guy and have an impact like Cribbs, Sproles, Hester or one of those kind of guys. Something we would not want to do with Rice.

Then there is the fact that Rice had over 300 touches last year. What if he gets hurt? Are we fine? Sure, but we are no longer dynamic at the RB spot.

You can not have enough guys like Best or Spiller on your team. There are only about 10 guys like them in the NFL and they make a lot of plays.

Look at how effective MJD was playing behind Fred Taylor. You can not tell me there is not room for a great playmaker who can catch and return kicks. That is crazy talk. And at the 25th pick we are talking Oher money, 5 years 13 mil. I would much rather see the Ravens draft Best over Benn, but I would take a DT like Price or Williams or WR Thomas. A TE or a guy who is not going to sack the QB can be picked up later and Cedric Peerman is no Javid Best or CJ Spiller.

People are saying we NEED to get rid of Gaither and can't pay two starting tackels real money, but want to pay TOP money to 3 RB's AND A FB???

It would be nice to have one of those guys, but it's a luxury this team obviously can't afford. If they are making decisions about cornerstone tackels, they don't need to stockpile top level Runnign backs. It would be nice to have a player liek that, but if that's what you want draft Javier Arenas late and have a guy that might help out at corner a bit too.
Trade Mcgahee and it's more likely. But I still wouldn't like to draft a guy in the first. There is almost no chance he's the BPA when we pick if you factor need into the equation at all. I'd strongly prefer Earl Thomas, Kyle Wilson, Odrick, McCourty or any other of the many players who could possibly START this year. Heck, Gresham and Gronkowski would have a major chance at starting or at least contributing in a major way.

[Rxdoxx]

Given all that, I don't see us taking Best unless something causes him to fall pretty far below where he's expected to be taken. If we're going to "stock up on RB", it's generally going to be because a RB fell. If a RB is just there around what we value him at, I would tend to think we'd have a position of need graded at or above him still on the board, or we can find a team possibly willing to give up some great value for him.

Pretty much where I have come to.

Gone from Best is a stupid pick to being just fine if we take him.
But that statement is with the major modifier of in Oz we trust.
If the FO selects him, the things that others have been saying here means I relax and say "dang, he must be really special".

I'm not on his bandwagon by any means, at least until I hear us pick him, but I won't be screaming NO NO NO, I'll be thinking that the FO must see him as better than Rice. Till then I'm neutral but have other preferences currently.

[psuasskicker]

People are saying we NEED to get rid of Gaither and can't pay two starting tackels real money...

Um, who's saying that?


It would be nice to have one of those guys, but it's a luxury this team obviously can't afford. If they are making decisions about cornerstone tackels, they don't need to stockpile top level Runnign backs. It would be nice to have a player liek that, but if that's what you want draft Javier Arenas late and have a guy that might help out at corner a bit too.
Trade Mcgahee and it's more likely. But I still wouldn't like to draft a guy in the first. There is almost no chance he's the BPA when we pick if you factor need into the equation at all. I'd strongly prefer Earl Thomas, Kyle Wilson, Odrick, McCourty or any other of the many players who could possibly START this year. Heck, Gresham and Gronkowski would have a major chance at starting or at least contributing in a major way.

I dunno why anyone's even humoring this suggestion. This is why JW is on ignore (and curse you for quoting him, cause now I have to respond!). I haven't seen a single mock with him getting drafted in the first round, and no one has him as anything higher than the #3 RB in this draft. Caveat of course is that none of us or the media are professional talent evaluators, but still, there's at least enough to say directionally, Best isn't exactly going to be seen as BPA at #25.

It'd be nice to say "Would you draft Chris Johnson at #25?" Problem is, we're not drafting Chris Johnson. We're drafting Jahvid Best. And Jahvid Best might become Chris Johnson, but he also might become Laurence Maroney, or Cadillac Williams, or Chris Perry, or William Green, or any of the other numerous RBs drafted in the first round the last ten years that have or look like NFL busts at the position. It's a stupid assertion to make such a comparison, because the easiest way to combat it is simply to state "Why would I draft Chris Johnson at a position where I'm already strong when I could draft Dwight Freeny at a position I actually need?"

Logic 101 FTW!

- C -

[RavenScallywag]

I'm not on his bandwagon by any means, at least until I hear us pick him, but I won't be screaming NO NO NO, I'll be thinking that the FO must see him as better than Rice. Till then I'm neutral but have other preferences currently.

See, I don't even see it as FO thinks him better than Rice. I can agree with the logic of drafting him if they think he's a special type of playmaker that is worth more than where we pick him. By that logic, he is truly the best player on the board and a guy who is going to pay divedends one of two ways...either he's as good as or better than Rice and we have someone to replace Rice when his contract is up, or he's not as good as Rice and we have potential trade bait down the line.

If he's just "the best value at the time" and not someone we see as a special player, we trade back.

[Jeremiah W]

This guy really likes him, but I still question the production and IQ.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Arrelious-Benn-makes-his-move.html

[RoflDogs]

This guy really likes him, but I still question the production and IQ.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Arrelious-Benn-makes-his-move.html


And hands

[baltimore_hokie]

Could Earl Thomas fall to us??


According to NFL.com's Pat Kirwan, Texas S Earl Thomas' draft stock is "dropping slightly in the minds of some people" at the current owners meetings.

Based on this info, Kirwan has dropped Thomas from No. 10 overall (Jags) to No. 27 (Cowboys) in his latest mock draft.

He would be a perfect pick for us. He could play CB early, then transition to S to take over for Reed.

He is a playmaker. Great speed. Great ball skills. The only knock on him is that he in under-sized, but he is still a big hitter. Smallish, play-making safety slips to Ravens late in the first round...see what I'm trying to do here??

[RavenScallywag]

why is Earl Thomas' stock dropping? DraftCountdown.com latest mock has him going to the Texans at #20

[baltimore_hokie]

why is Earl Thomas' stock dropping?

Size, isn't going to blow anyone away with measurables (a la Taylor Mays).

He is one of my favorite players in this draft, and I hope teams let him slip to us.

Kiper has him going to the Cowboys at 27, McShay has him going to Jacksonville at 10. Quite the polarizing prospect.

[RavenScallywag]

could be interesting to see...I think Taylor Mays stock is rising, so the Texans would have an interesting dillema on their hands. Take Earl Thomas, the young, local prospect or go with Mays, the seasoned senior safety with the desired size and measurables. we could have a good shot at whichever of the two the Texans don't take, and either seem like good picks to me.

[Rxdoxx]

see what I'm trying to do here??
Yep.

I still think we trade out, but it won't happen until we are on the clock and know who is gone and who is left.
At that point, if a Thomas has slipped that far, I think we do grab him, if the high value is gone but another team sees a player they really want and have to move into our spot to get we then get extra picks.

There are very few players that I can see us having to take making it down to our pick, but as long as the Al Davis' of the world are drafting anything is possible. As to the thread starting, I can't see us using it on Benn if that is the level left, I'm sure we try for extra picks.

[baltimore_hokie]

could be interesting to see...I think Taylor Mays stock is rising, so the Texans would have an interesting dillema on their hands. Take Earl Thomas, the young, local prospect or go with Mays, the seasoned senior safety with the desired size and measurables. we could have a good shot at whichever of the two the Texans don't take, and either seem like good picks to me.

But I like Thomas because he can play CB too, he's got some Asante Samuel in him. It would fit perfectly in our plan to have him play CB to start his career, then transition to S once Reed is done. He can be a playmaker at either.