Official 2010 NFL Draft Thread

[TimeForGuinness]

If you only did five years of course you are not going to get many. There's a reason that these guys aren't first rounders: they are not immediately ready (if they ever will be) and take time to develop. You pretty much kill three or so of those last five years due to guy's from the last few drafts not being seen as ready yet. If you move that five year window to something like the drafts 2-6 years ago, or 3-7 years ago you still get guys like Kolb, Schaub, etc.

Let's assume the 2003 to 2007 drafts for example (Bold are top 10 picks, italicized are #1 overall picks):

All First rounders:
2003: Carson Palmer, Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman
2004: Eli Manning, Philip Rivers , Ben Roethlisberger, J. P. Losman
2005: Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell
2006: Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Jay Cutler
2007: JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn

Notable Later rounders(or undrafted):
2003: Tony Romo (undrafted)
2004: Matt Schaub (3rd)
2005: Kyle Orton (4th), Matt Cassell (7th)
2006: None
2007: Kevin Kolb (2nd), Trent Edwards (3rd)

Obviously, there is a lot more talent in the first round, but that's a given as there's more talent at every position in the first round of the draft than later rounds. I just don't like the bust rate of 1st round QB's especially at the top slot. I do however see your point and agree completely that the Rams need to do something about it. I'm just not sure Clausen at #1 is what I'd like to see them do and I do like Clausen's NFL prospects quite a bit.

It's a debate that has merit on your side for sure, but basically you seem to agree with my point; If you want to get a good/great QB, you have to take them early. Just like anything else in life, there will be outliers, but the Rams are going to have to sack up and take that risk at some point.

If they pass on Clausen & Bradford because they legitimately just decide they aren't going to be good/great QB's, I can live with that (you have to be true to your evaluation), but if they continue to ignore the position because of fear of the bust rate, they're going to continue to lose hundreds of millions of dollars of their value due to overall suckitude.

I agree with this.

[JackofDiamonds]

We're set. Kahn's going to get us Vick.

[TimeForGuinness]

We're set. Kahn's going to get us Vick.

I actually dig this...it gives the defense a different look than just Jackson in the backfield. Will Vick throw or will he run? He might be able to squeak out a few more wins for us next year.

[phins]

We're set. Kahn's going to get us Vick.

Something about this statement made me chuckle.

[JackofDiamonds]

We're set. Kahn's going to get us Vick.

Something about this statement made me chuckle.

It's chuckleable, but if we actually get Vick, I think we'd be better off than having a better pocket passer. Our O-line is just too porous.

[phins]

We're set. Kahn's going to get us Vick.

Something about this statement made me chuckle.

It's chuckleable, but if we actually get Vick, I think we'd be better off than having a better pocket passer. Our O-line is just too porous.

You know, Vick for a year, and Clausen to learn for a year while the offensive line is being upgraded isn't the worst thing in the world either.

[TimeForGuinness]

We're set. Kahn's going to get us Vick.

Something about this statement made me chuckle.

It's chuckleable, but if we actually get Vick, I think we'd be better off than having a better pocket passer. Our O-line is just too porous.

You know, Vick for a year, and Clausen to learn for a year while the offensive line is being upgraded isn't the worst thing in the world either.

If the Rams want to trade down for Clausen, I have no problem with that as long as we get multiple draft picks. But taking Clausen #1 overall isn't the best idea.

I think Bradford goes before Clausen, anyway.

[phins]

We shall see in a few years...give me Clausen.

[Lebanon]

Draft Mind Dump

McCoy vs Suh. It is a matter of preference. One is a mack truck, the other is a corvette. It's 1a. and 1b at this point.

Gerald McCoy is a better fit in Spags's system than Suh. He has the most explosive first step I've ever seen. He has the perfect UT body, proportioned well. He only has two moves to disengage linemen and will need better coaching. Like Suh, his best position could be at 3-4 DE but he will excel as a 4-3 UT. McCoy is so explosive that he is often far too upfield and suffers in the run game because of that. He is very instinctual. Compares to Bunkley in terms of prospect characteristics but even better. He owns the A gaps. Extremely durable. Hasn't missed a game. Must be accounted for every play. If there is a matchup issue, it will be a bad day to be a quarterback. Probably should have produced more in college though.

Suh plays far too high and doesn't drive through offensive linemen with his lower body. Part of his playing high is so he can read-react and play the ball but that won't fly in the NFL. His job was to find the ball and attack. He is very instinctive and sniffs out screens and play-actions better than any defensive lineman in the last decade. But he lacks lower body strength and as stated above, doesn't leverage. He has an injury history. His motor is top notch, he doesn't take plays off. He can toss offensive linemen like rag dolls but in the pros the linemen will latch on to hand-dependent penetrators and shut them down. Prolific producer at a position that doesn't see that often. Unproportioned. Suh truly projects as a NT in the 4-3 and an elite 3-4 end. He doesn't explode off the ball. He is more of a gap-controller that can force his way into sacks instead of getting constant pressure. He compares favorably to Richard Seymour. That is pretty high end though.


I prefer McCoy. His game translates better to the pros. His flaws are easier to correct with coaching than Suh's. Suh can't become an explosive athlete off the snap, but he can be taught to leverage better. That said, Suh's production wasn't a fluke. He did it all. Some of that will carry over into the NFL.

Fact of the matter is, penetrating DTs are a premium in the NFL. They are rare and you don't pass on them. The "quarterback draft rule" takes a back seat in this case because of the lack of elite QB prospects in this draft. Fortunately, these DTs are the BPA.

I'm just spitballing here but if I had control of the Rams (and wanted to appease the fans), I would re-tool the defense.

>>Change to a 3-4. Draft Suh. Draft Cody in the early second (if he were to fall).

>>Put Suh at end, Carriker on the other end. Cody in the middle.

>>Long to the outside. He lacks the hips to drop back into coverage but he could rush the passer well from the edge.

Just trying to get the most we can from our past mistakes.



I am a firm believer that Clausen will be at least above average. Superb accuracy and mechanics, pro-style offense, adequate (but not great) size. Good zip. Doesn't turn the ball over because he recognizes coverages. His deep ball needs work (he throws a weird floater thing). He actually reads defenses unlike Bradford who works in a Tebow like offensive spread. Decent intangibles (funny how that works). "Feels" pressure and adjusts accordingly but has been guilty of happy feet. Cannot be rattled. But I don't think he warrants the #1 selection. High floor, Luhnow would be proud.

It takes two to trade and I don't know who would want to trade up to #1. At this juncture it would most likely be for Suh/McCoy but TB/KC/CLE has no incentive to trade up knowing that Stl wants to go QB and DET is looking to trade for a DT instead of drafting one.

Taylor Mays at safety is about as physically gifted as anyone to ever come out of college, but he didn't always live up to his potential.

Does May have good ball and coverage skills? Or is he basically a hammer?

Mays can be a great "center fielder" in the NFL IMO. Small chance he'll be asked to play LB in any system, even smaller chance that he would succeed at LB. He would be dominated at the LOS and already struggles with safety assignments. The "looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" reputation is gaining momentum.

He needs to drop back and just wait.

[Hungary Jack]

That is some serious scouting. Do you work in football?