Official 2015 Draft Discussion

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Is this a good draft to get a 3/4 DE at the top? Not really any good 5 techs without a lot of work that I see.

[Millionaire Wussy]

If we improve our running game - via o-line improvements and better running backs - that can go a long way in improving the play of our front seven on defense. I'm looking at 2013. That will keep our defense fresh and explosive.

[Steve]

To me the DE thing is also about pushing Liuget and Reyes. Both are close to being FA, so we either need to sign them or let them walk and have nothing to show for the draft picks. I don't necessarily think we have to fill the need at the top. Even a mid round pick would probably be OK to push our starters. If the right guy i available, and an OL is not falling, then I am OK with a high pick, but only if the right guy falls.

I do agree about the improving our own run offense will help the play of the DE. But that doesn't mean that we have to sit pat on the DL. I don't think we need 2 DE to push both our DE, one would do. And I expect that while we do need a couple of OL, we probably won't fill all those spots via the draft.2 rookies starting inside next to Watt would be a very inexperienced interior OL, so I expect a FA in there.

The other thing that would help our DL is upgrading the OLB spots. We need the OLB to help collape the pocket and squeeze the run D. Too often our DE are giving up their gaps, and trying to get outside, where if the OLB were playing better, they would be in a position to contain and squeeze the formation more.

[bonehead]

As far as a position, we need to start thinking 34 DE. Our NT play wasn't great last year, but it was not a big issue. The DE play was incredibly uneven, and it has been the last few years. Liuget and Reyes continue to flash dominance and then disappear. If we want a player like Malcolm Brown, use him at DE, not NT.

We should go after Odrick

[Mister Hoarse]

LSU OT La'el Collins says he has a meeting set up with the Chargers

Jeebus. LSU again??

[Formula 21]

Jeebus. LSU again??

He'd look good in the powder blues.

[Fleet]

Honestly with how big a issue our MLB situation is i think the cheapest way to fix the problem is through the draft. If we do enough in free agency to beef up 2 spots on the OL we can probably wait until the 2nd or 3rd to get another good OL prospect. Its a really deep draft at OL most likely with underclassmen expected to come out. Grab an OG and OT in free agency. I still think Fluker would be a good OG with work. He needs a lot of work anyways. Let him get his hands on a guy in tight space and i think he will be successful.

I'd look long and hard at Mississippi States defensive captain Ben McKinney. Not only is he freak monster on the inside but he can also line up on the outside and rush the passer. So you can almost say we are drafting another OLB in the first but using him at ILB. lol He wont need to come off the field. I think he has a huge amount of value in the first round if he comes out. He is a massive ILB with scary speed.

One of my favorite players in the draft if he comes out. Im always a big fan of those guys that can cover a couple positions. Hes not the best coverage guy so line him up at OLB on pass downs and switch Ingram to MLB. They can be interchangeable. Good LB coach can work on his hand issues. Similar to Barr but at the MLB spot.

But if you want to fix the run defense issues at MLB hes probably the next Willis type player. Sideline to sideline run defender at 6'5 250.

I was talking about this kid and him playing OLB back in December.



The Kansas City Chiefs are "considering" Mississippi State ILB Benardrick McKinney "as a possible replacement for Justin Houston," according to TFY Draft Insider Tony Pauline.
"I presently rank Benardrick McKinney at outside linebacker and so do a number of teams. Sources tell me the Kansas City Chiefs are considering McKinney as a possible replacement for Justin Houston who they may lose in free agency," Pauline writes. If the Chiefs aren't willing to open the bank for Justin Houston, they may have to look towards the draft to fill a major need. However, it looks like the Chiefs are thinking that they could utilize McKinney's combination of size, length and athleticism as an OLB.

[Formula 21]

UConn cornerback Byron Jones makes great leap at NFL combine
Associated Press
23 minutes ago

Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones claps after his long jump was measured at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones claps after his long jump was measured at the NFL football scouting …

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Byron Jones might have made one giant leap up the NFL draft boards Monday. Actually, make it two big leaps.

On the last day of workouts at the NFL's annual scouting combine, the Connecticut cornerback soared 12 feet, 3 inches in the broad jump. That was 15 inches farther than the second-best defensive back and 8 inches longer than the best listed in the NFL scouting combine database.

Gil Brandt, a longtime Dallas Cowboys executive who still works with the combine, believes it a record. He couldn't remember anyone topping 12 feet.

In addition, Jones' distance was longer than the Olympic record of 11.38 feet, set by Ray Ewry in 1904. The event was discontinued in the Olympics after 1912 and the IAAF, track and field's governing body, no longer sanctions or certifies broad jump records.

World-class athletes also don't train for the broad jump and if they did, the record would probably be much longer.

Nobody could stay with Jones in the vertical jump, either. He went 44.5 inches, going 3 inches higher than the next closest finisher.
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Everyone seemed surprised, except Jones.

"My personal (broad jump) record was 11-7. That's what I was doing at the training facility and I obviously broke that," he said by phone. "It feels good to put a PR (personal record) up."

How much could Jones' performance help his stock? That will be determined leading to the draft, which begins April 30.

He started combine week barely cracking some of the top 10 lists at his position. But on the last of four workout days in Indianapolis, Jones made a splashy exit — and jump-started a national buzz on social media.

"I feel it may have boosted it up a little bit, but at the end of the day the film is what is most important," Jones said. "You've got to have good film, so I'm relying on that."
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Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones runs a drill …
Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianap …

NFL decision-makers collect a wealth of information before making draft decisions, and on Monday there were still some numbers to fill in for Jones.

The NFL's official tracker did not list Jones with a time in the 40-yard dash or the number of bench press reps he did at 225 pounds — two stats that usually have much more to do with draft stock than numbers in the vertical or broad jumps.

But, for one day, he was a bigger star than some of his better-known colleagues.

Michigan State's Trae Waynes (4.31 seconds) and Darby (4.38) turned in the fastest 40 times among cornerbacks. Mississippi State's Justin Cox was the fastest safety in the group at 4.36. Southern California cornerback Josh Shaw was one of four players clocked at 4.4, and cornerback Marcus Peters ran a 4.53.

Peters was booted off Washington's roster in November.
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Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones (29) is congratulated …
Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones (29) is congratulated by Texas State defensive back Craig Mag …

Shaw led the whole group with 26 reps on the bench press. Waynes tied for seventh (19), Peters had 17, Cox finished with 15 and Darby came in at 12.

And during a week in which when Jameis Winston impressed in the throwing drills, Marcus Mariota ran a 4.52 in the 40 and Melvin Gordon matched Marshawn Lynch's time in the 40, it may have been Jones who helped himself the most.

"I feel like I did well," he said. "Of course, I hit my marks in the vertical jump and the broad jump. I've got to run a fast 40 and continue to look smooth in the background."

[Sec-E4]

Time to readjust my thinking. A couple of guys stepped up.

I would'nt readjust too much ...Some of these guys can't apply their talent and quickness to the actual NFL pace and everything else that comes along with it

Running a fast 40 and throwing 70 yards from one knee isn't always a good thing...I'm just stating the obvious

[Panamamike]

I agree..... If it doesn't jump out on tape, it's just a mirage. Use the combine to reinforce what you already know, not make huge leaps over what the game tape reveals.

[Heatmiser]

I agree..... If it doesn't jump out on tape, it's just a mirage. Use the combine to reinforce what you already know, not make huge leaps over what the game tape reveals.

Raiders better draft the long jumper CB with their first round pick. Or else someone else will get him. Do it, Mark Davis! Do it!

TG

[Formula 21]

I'd take CB Byron Jones somewhere to try to train up. It's all about the legs.