Jaybirds

I'll be honest: I think ESPN gets lazy with us, especially at six. We kinda sorta need a OT (maybe a lot, maybe not at all), and he probably didn't want Stanley to fall out of the top six. So instead of doing any research Kiper just sorta crammed the two together. There's been a number of ESPN mocks that weren't 'wrong" for us, but didn't seem well-researched.

I think he has both coverage and rush skills. But it may be a question of how we get use out of them. We don't rush from the middle often, do we? And obviously he can't cover AND rush on the same play. So I'm saying the talent is there, and the fit is there, but it's not quite as simple as other options.

I just wish we could be a little more certain about his pass rush. I like him better than the guys we have there now. And I think Frazier's Tampa 2 experience would really help Jack shine here. But I think an all-the-time pass rusher would help our defense more than a sometimes-coverage-linebacker.

This sums up my own opinion as well. So I do think Spence is a fit for us at #6, because those four guys are likely to be gone. Instead of Bosa, the question may be Spence or Myles Jack? I think both of them could be there when we're on the clock. It's a little more apples to oranges comparison. But it could be a tough choice. If Jaylon Smith's knee is looking good (how many times have I typed that?) then things get REALLY complicated.

I wonder what that guy's opinions are on RGIII. Sure, there's a chicken-or-the-egg debate to be had about personnel and scheme. But this franchise isn't the Browns anymore. We don't have to throw everything out the window just because the cool college senior said "hi" to us.

Isn't this exactly why we want Buckner? A high-pressure DE gives the OLB a better chance at getting in? That was my big takeaway of Oregon's 4i technique. That's not exactly the same as what Denver was doing. But the DEs definitely helped Miller.

He doesn't seem like a good fit for us. If we were a 4-3 defense (and we did just bring in Frazier, so who knows?) then I'd love him as a cover linebacker. As it is I don't see enough pass rushing to make me think he's what we need. He's sorta like Ramsey for me: how do we make use of all that talent?

I saw this, too. Both the mocks they did this week had Ramsey falling to us at #6. One had two QBs going in the top 5. The other had Jacks and Buckner dropping Ramsey down. I'd be shocked if it really happened, but it sure seems possible. For a bad draft class, the top 5 is getting crowded.

You're going to be okay. I don't think there are support hotlines for mock drafts. But we're all here if you need to someone to talk to. Just don't give up hope. Pees has to retire eventually.

Oh. Well this is awkward. I meant Jaylon Smith. I'm multi-tasking, and didn't read closely enough. I'm sorry to let you down in your time of need. I do love Jack's game. And I think Frazier probably does as well. He's very much like Elliott for me: I'm happy if we get him, but he's probably going to go somewhere else. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Dallas or Jacksonville took him ahead of us. Jack/Mosely though.... some dreams just weren't meant to be.

Spence/Jack and then Fuller is exactly what I'm hoping for. But.... I've seen a few mocks recently where Ramsey has made it to us at #6. (usually two QBs go ahead of us, or Buckner and the OTs) So it could work out DB and then pass rusher. Nice problem to have.

I'm not sure "out" is the word I would use. There are CBs in the 2nd round that I like, and a couple of pass rushers later than that. But yeah, I'm guessing those positions are higher priority, and there will be guys there when Elliott is still on the board. It doesn't seem like a likely route for us. There's a couple of guys like that for me this year: I love their talent, I want to see what they could do here. But it's clear they're not going to fall to us. Best I can hope for is that they're bait for other teams so we get our guys. Elliott is like that, Myles Jack, A'Shawn Robinson in a big way, Doctson, Loyd, it's a long list.

Smith if the knee checks out, even if he misses a couple of weeks early. I'm cool with leaving him at ILB, so I have less concerns about his ability to catch up. Orr's contract is up, Smith is riding off into the sunset. We could use the depth here as much as OLB or DE. If the knee scares us, then I'd still take Spence at #6. I think he's got his act together, and we can put him to use right away. Even if Bosa and Buckner don't fall to us, personally I think we're still just fine at #6.

I admit I've tried the Ezekiel Elliott koolaid. And it's really not that bad. We already have our play maker receivers: a healthy Perriman and a more experienced Maxx Williams. A powerful Forte-esque running back would take a lot of pressure off our passing game, and indirectly help the defense by taking time off the clock. Despite Trestman's history, and the trends in the NFl, we just seem built to be a running offense. I don't think we get him, there should be other guys available. But I won't be surprised if it happens, either. I'd certainly prefer him over West or Taliaferro. We might not get a chance, though. If anyone needs him it's Dallas. The Giants are probably looking at him at 10, so he's not really a trade-back target. I just don't think our draft will go that way. I will say I think he's more of a play maker than Treadwell.

I agree. BUT... I've seen two mock drafts today that have Ramsey falling to us at #6. I'm okay with that.

Oh!!! Yeah, at that price I'd start a petition and deliver it to his door.

Prospect as in potential? I think it has to be Buckner. Spence is a little more proven at the job we'd ask him to do. And the different position does matter (does Canty need replaced sooner than Dumerville?) a little. But as far as what could be, I'd vote Buckner.

If Pitta decides to retire, it could do the same thing. I think there's a few ways where we could have money to spend. But even then I think we're more likely to go after a pair of C+/B- guys rather than one B+/A-. I feel that Weddle and Von Miller are right out. Sean Smith could be on the bubble. I like that he hasn't missed a game except for the 3 he was suspended. Of all the talents are DBs don't have, "health" is near the top.

Sure, I don't mind giving him a look. Compared to Davis or Walker he could be a big help next year. I just don't think he'll be available at less than $8 million; I doubt he's an option at that price.

I found an article from the Dallas/Ft. Worth press that would be happy if the Cowboys and Smith "settled" on 3 years/$8 million. So he may still be out of our price range. It seems like it's all been (slowly) downhill for him since 2011, I'm not sure how I'd feel about a three year deal. He's also not the ballhawk we want. But I definitely like his size for the AFC North's receivers.

I do think six sacks is a reasonable expectation for Suggs next year (well, more like between 4 and 8, but let's call it 6). But here's the thing: I think that could happen and we still get more sacks and QB hurries than this year. I'd say that's the point of taking a pass rusher in the first round to put with Jernigan and Za'Darius. I'd say Buckner and Spence would both do that for us. I personally think Jaylon Smith does that, and more. I think it's safe to say one of them will be there at #6.

That's a lot of offense at the beginning of the draft. I'm thinking there could be some really nice CB options for us in the 2nd, and I'd like to see us go in that direction. I guess it depends on what happens to Osmele and Monroe. I do think Spriggs is a nice find if we have to go that route. I just don't want to go that route. I'm still hoping Shepard and Higgins will be there in the 3rd for us.

Depends on the contract negotiations. I'm sure his agent will listen to other offers. He could make sense for teams that are in more of a "win-now" mode: plenty of years left in his career, but already has playoff experience. I'm sure the Eagles would love him. Probably the Browns, too. Edit: I mean, yes, I think the Redskins are by far the most likely team to have Cousins next season. Cut RGIII, get all his money back from the cap, hit Cousins with the franchise tag, and negotiate. But if we're talking about how Jerry Jones (or the Eagles) could best screw with Washington, it's disrupting that process. Maybe Washington has to pay too much, maybe it drives a wedge between Cousins' camp and the front office. There's no harm in trying.

Jerry Jones would love to put COUSINS behind that great o-line. I don't think Cousins wants to wait a year or two behind Romo, but he's an UFA.

There's probably too many moving parts, and maybe we just need a quarterback thread. But I'm not sure how much RGIII really changes the draft. I see Houston, St. Louis, Philly, and Cleveland all need starting QBs. Dallas needs a future starter, SF probably will need a starter. Denver and Washington possibly could if contract negotiations go crazy, but that's less likely. Griffin will be available for sure. But what offense on that list does he really help? Maybe Chip Kelly and SF? But do you really go from Kaepernick to Griffin and call that a solution?