First Round Prediction thread

[Coachmarkos]

I will be ok with the Hooker selection. If we are going to run the Seahawks "Cover 3"... we need that guy out there that can play Center Field. (and also occasionally man up on a slot guy).

He's the best one of those in the draft.

(I'm still partial to Adams, but Hooker is a great consolation prize, IMO)

[Millionaire Wussy]

Man oh man. I'm seeing absolutely no downside and only great things if we go Forrest Lamp at #7. He was my initial first round favorite after seeing him at the Combine and I think he is THE guy to get. I don't think it's wise to pass up a stud o-lineman. Especially when your own o-line is as uninspiring as ours. Yes, I still love McCaffrey but injury concern is an issue after last year for him. And for a guy as versatile as McCaffrey you want to use the guy a lot. But NOT if he's hurt.

[Rambler]

All right. It's time for my never-right attempt to deductively reason whom the Chargers pick. Of course, all bets are off if they trade down or up (please don't trade up).

Let's weed out certain positions. Offensive line may be a big need, but there's nobody worth taking at 7. QB may be a future need, but not for a few years, and no one in this draft deserves to go anywhere near this high. Inside linebacker is not a need, plus the only one here worth considering is knucklehead Foster. And kicker and punter can be safely crossed off the list.

Let's cross certain players at other positions off the list. We'll start with the one most mock drafts have us taking: Malik Hooker. One year wonder. That is not Telesco's M.O. Injury concerns, tackling issues- not the "hammer" type of player that TT went out of his way to draft a couple of years ago. I'd say the same with Lattimore-- 1 year, great physical tools, but chronic hamstring issues (and he'll probably be gone anyway). Cross off Fournette (but not McCaffrey, who is a complementary type of running back, not a bellcow like we think we have with Gordon already).

Who's left? Solomon Thomas would be a great pick, but unlikely to be there at 7. Adams the same. Jonathan Allen has the production, but also shoulder concerns-- I think he drops down into the teens. Barnett has the production, so he's a possibility. TT does like to draft at a position currently manned by a player set to become a free agent the next year (Ingram)-- he's then covered in case that player bolts to another team. What about the wide receivers? I don't think Williams is worth drafting that high (although Tennessee might end up picking him at 5 to make me look dumb)--plus I don't like his route-running and inability to get separation. I'd prefer Davis at wide receiver, but only at a trade-down, maybe at 12 if Cleveland trades up to get Trubisky.

So it could be Barnett, or maybe Thomas or Adams if they fall.

But I wonder if they end up going a totally different direction.

New team in town, needing to win over fans. Maybe they go offense?

McCaffrey makes a lot of sense. Exciting, big-play type of player. Fits in with Lynn's emphasis on run game, giving him 2 big-league running backs, both of whom can also catch out of the backfield (McCaffrey could be an outstanding 3rd down option). Not just a safety valve, a wide receiver-type talent who could run deep routes out of the backfield, to open up the field for others.

So I think it's McCaffrey.

But here's one wildcard that is almost as likely: OJ Howard. What? We drafted our tight end last year, right? And Gates will be back for one more year too (at least he's signed for another year). Still-- Howard is a pretty good blocker, in addition to being a seam-busting receiving tight end. How much better could our running game be with 2 good blocking tight ends (Gates at least tried to block some last year, but that's always been a deficiency in his game). And you're not telegraphing run with the 2 tight end set either, because both Howard and Henry are great receivers. You improve the run game, you balance your offense, and you get someone to replace Gates (Henry could too, but as good as he looked last year, Howard looks better).

Probably not, right? Still, maybe? Or, would we draft defense in the 1st round, and then hope to get a running back (Mixon) or tight end/wide receiver (Evan Engram) with our 2nd round pick (if they fall that far)?

I'll put the jinx officially on: we will pick McCaffrey in the 1st, or if he's gone, Howard. There. Make me look foolish, TT!

[chargerkdb]

Interior oline and a Defensive Tackle are what we are after. Picking at #7 I'd have to say right now J Allen but I just have a feeling we will trade out and pick around 20+, if that's the case it's anyone's guess, BPA at need position. We will be taking a WR somewhere and I have a feeling we will see a QB as early as 2-3 round.

[Millionaire Wussy]

IF Forrest Lamp is truly as good as Zack Martin at Guard - as Mike Mayock maintains - don't you have to pick him? No matter what picking spot we're at? It might help keep Gordon healthy. At least we'll have one guy Gordon can run behind. And he can play at tackle as well? I saw him on tape so yes he can play tackle. I wonder if he can play Center too.

And what happened to that late round OL pick last year - Donovan Clarke? Is that his name? Is he still on the team? Is he healthy?

[Big Dog]

All right. It's time for my never-right attempt to deductively reason whom the Chargers pick. Of course, all bets are off if they trade down or up (please don't trade up).

Let's weed out certain positions. Offensive line may be a big need, but there's nobody worth taking at 7. QB may be a future need, but not for a few years, and no one in this draft deserves to go anywhere near this high. Inside linebacker is not a need, plus the only one here worth considering is knucklehead Foster. And kicker and punter can be safely crossed off the list.

Let's cross certain players at other positions off the list. We'll start with the one most mock drafts have us taking: Malik Hooker. One year wonder. That is not Telesco's M.O. Injury concerns, tackling issues- not the "hammer" type of player that TT went out of his way to draft a couple of years ago. I'd say the same with Lattimore-- 1 year, great physical tools, but chronic hamstring issues (and he'll probably be gone anyway). Cross off Fournette (but not McCaffrey, who is a complementary type of running back, not a bellcow like we think we have with Gordon already).

Who's left? Solomon Thomas would be a great pick, but unlikely to be there at 7. Adams the same. Jonathan Allen has the production, but also shoulder concerns-- I think he drops down into the teens. Barnett has the production, so he's a possibility. TT does like to draft at a position currently manned by a player set to become a free agent the next year (Ingram)-- he's then covered in case that player bolts to another team. What about the wide receivers? I don't think Williams is worth drafting that high (although Tennessee might end up picking him at 5 to make me look dumb)--plus I don't like his route-running and inability to get separation. I'd prefer Davis at wide receiver, but only at a trade-down, maybe at 12 if Cleveland trades up to get Trubisky.

So it could be Barnett, or maybe Thomas or Adams if they fall.

But I wonder if they end up going a totally different direction.

New team in town, needing to win over fans. Maybe they go offense?

McCaffrey makes a lot of sense. Exciting, big-play type of player. Fits in with Lynn's emphasis on run game, giving him 2 big-league running backs, both of whom can also catch out of the backfield (McCaffrey could be an outstanding 3rd down option). Not just a safety valve, a wide receiver-type talent who could run deep routes out of the backfield, to open up the field for others.

So I think it's McCaffrey.

But here's one wildcard that is almost as likely: OJ Howard. What? We drafted our tight end last year, right? And Gates will be back for one more year too (at least he's signed for another year). Still-- Howard is a pretty good blocker, in addition to being a seam-busting receiving tight end. How much better could our running game be with 2 good blocking tight ends (Gates at least tried to block some last year, but that's always been a deficiency in his game). And you're not telegraphing run with the 2 tight end set either, because both Howard and Henry are great receivers. You improve the run game, you balance your offense, and you get someone to replace Gates (Henry could too, but as good as he looked last year, Howard looks better).

Probably not, right? Still, maybe? Or, would we draft defense in the 1st round, and then hope to get a running back (Mixon) or tight end/wide receiver (Evan Engram) with our 2nd round pick (if they fall that far)?

I'll put the jinx officially on: we will pick McCaffrey in the 1st, or if he's gone, Howard. There. Make me look foolish, TT!

[Formula 21]

It won't be McCaffery. Guaranteed. No team can afford two first round RBs. Their cost is too high compared to their production.

See ESPN top story. I can't copy the link on an iPad.

[Formula 21]

Hooker. There are others I'd prefer, but he's the guy who will be there when we pick.

Drafts generally fall the way we think they will. There is substantial group think in football evaluation.

[Guest]

What's crackin? I just got back from the future. Here's what happened in round 1.

1. Browns - Myles Garrett
2. 49ers - Solomon Thomas
3. Bears - Jonathan Allen
4. Jags - Leonard Fournette
5. Titans - Marshon Lattimore
6. Jets - O.J. Howard
7. Chokers - Jamal Adams
8. Panthers - Dalvin Cook
9. Bengals - Malik Hooker
10. Bills - Haason Reddick
11. Saints - Marlon Humphrey
12. Browns - Mitch Trubustsky
13. Cardinals - Deshaun Watson
14. Eagles - Mike Williams
15. Colts - Malik McDowell
16. Ravens - Ryan Ramxczykz
17. Redskins - Taco Charlton
18. Titans - Corey Davis
19. Buccaneers - Budda Baker
20. Broncos - Christian McCaffrey
21. Lions - Caleb Brantley
22. Dolphins - Reuben Foster
23. Giants - Jabrill Peppers
24. Raiders - Zach Cunningham
25. Texans - Patrick Mahomes
26. Seahawks - Forrest Lamp
27. Chiefs - Jarrad Davis
28. Cowboys - Sidney Jones
29. Packers - Tre'Davious White
30. Steelers - Ryan Anderson
31. Falcons - Cam Robinson
32. Saints - David Njoku

[bonehead]

What's crackin? I just got back from the future. Here's what happened in round 1.

1. Browns - Myles Garrett
2. 49ers - Solomon Thomas
3. Bears - Jonathan Allen
4. Jags - Leonard Fournette
5. Titans - Marshon Lattimore
6. Jets - O.J. Howard
7. Chokers - Jamal Adams
8. Panthers - Dalvin Cook
9. Bengals - Malik Hooker
10. Bills - Haason Reddick
11. Saints - Marlon Humphrey
12. Browns - Mitch Trubustsky
13. Cardinals - Deshaun Watson
14. Eagles - Mike Williams
15. Colts - Malik McDowell
16. Ravens - Ryan Ramxczykz
17. Redskins - Taco Charlton
18. Titans - Corey Davis
19. Buccaneers - Budda Baker
20. Broncos - Christian McCaffrey
21. Lions - Caleb Brantley
22. Dolphins - Reuben Foster
23. Giants - Jabrill Peppers
24. Raiders - Zach Cunningham
25. Texans - Patrick Mahomes
26. Seahawks - Forrest Lamp
27. Chiefs - Jarrad Davis
28. Cowboys - Sidney Jones
29. Packers - Tre'Davious White
30. Steelers - Ryan Anderson
31. Falcons - Cam Robinson
32. Saints - David Njoku

Thanks McFly......I'll just paste this into the Top 32 thread if u don't mind

[UtahBolt]

I think if Garrett, Thomas, Allen and Adams are gone and McCaffery is there (which will happen), we trade back with someone who really wants McCaffery before Carolina (Philly?) and take Lamp. Then depending where the extra pick from the trade lands, we find a qb in rounds 2-4 while targeting safety and DL with our own picks.

[Coachmarkos]

My rank
THOMAS
ADAMS
Trade down
Allen
Mccaffrey
Hooker

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