Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com
The Rams have a hard decision to make coming up in April, but some people are making it much harder than it should be. The question is whether they should take stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is considered the best player in the draft, or should they take a franchise quarterback in Jimmy Clausen? Hard? Maybe for some people, but if I'm running a franchise and I lack a franchise quarterback - I'm acquiring one any way possible. Yes, I understand there is bust potential on quarterbacks. I understand that there are chances Suh becomes the next Reggie White. But ask yourself, is Suh, who would get #1 pick money really going to help the Rams franchise make the playoffs in the near future? I'm thinking not. I'm thinking one defensive linemen is going to help a franchise win 2-4 more games, not 9-10. It's no coincidence that a high percentage of winning teams have a franchise quarterback (Manning and Brees in the Super Bowl are good evidence). Clausen is a higher prospect than last year's picks Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez were at this point, and even more than Matt Ryan was the year before that. If the Rams truly want to start being successful, they have to start at square one - having that franchise quarterback. Clausen has to be the pick for the Rams.
I’ve got to note that I personally think the Rams have to address the QB spot. But, for the sake of the debate, I’ll argue for Suh. You’ve got a coach in place who is an admitted defensive-lineman addict with a chance to draft the most heralded defensive tackle prospect in years. It’s almost too perfect. Plus, it’s not like the Rams don’t need just as much help on the defensive side of the ball. Chris Long and Adam Carriker haven’t done much of anything up front to warrant their high selections not long enough ago. And no one else seemed interested in participating as St. Louis finished 29th in total defense and 27th against the run. Then there’s the thought that the Rams might not have the protection or receiving corps to make use of a top passer. And while we’re speaking of passers, although I like both, Jimmy Clausen hasn’t been a big winner and has an attitude that turns some people off, while Sam Bradford just missed an entire season after injuring his shoulder… twice. No prospect is a sure thing, but sue me if I’m wrong; Ndamukong seems close.
When evaluating the wide receivers in this draft class, I noticed a couple of things. First, this is a pretty weak receiving class for a team looking for a number one go to guy (only 2 have potential in my opinion). Second, in my analysis of the receivers, I think Damian Williams is the best receiver of this class and has the most potential to be a "go to receiver." Damian Williams has everything I look for in a receiver: great route running (can contribute immediately), a great work ethic, and has great hands. Also being a pro system helps his case and I really think whoever gets him in the draft is getting great value.
I’m going with a slight underdog here and taking Golden Tate out of Notre Dame. Michael Crabtree might have sparked some hope for spread receivers, but there’s still a premium on getting a guy who’s at least tried to run pro routes. Tate’s coming out of Charlie Weis’s offense with loads of experience in a similar system to what he’ll likely play in next season. He doesn’t have great height, and there are better pure speed guys, but if you’re looking for a playmaker, Tate fits the bill. He’s got good enough speed to stretch a defense, is a dangerous athlete especially after the catch, and has nice instincts. His route running needs work, but he’s got that special something that you see in a Percy Harvin type. Plus, he’s got great leadership abilities, and is a pretty heady player.
The Tim Tebow question is the biggest question of this draft. Can Tim Tebow play at a elite level? Can he be successful? Will he play quarterback? And most importantly, where and who will draft him? I honestly believe he will be a first round pick, not based on just his character and talent, but on his appeal to a franchise. I really think he will get drafted by Jacksonville, but I'm not sure that is his best fit. I really think he could do well in any offense as long as he has to sit behind for a couple years and work on his mechanics. Guys with poor mechanics have sat (Tony Romo, Steve Young) and became very successful quarterbacks in the NFL. I don't see Tim Tebow as any different.
I’m higher on Tebow than most, but I still think that any rookie can benefit from some transition time on the bench. Sure, there are some, like a Matt Ryan, that can come in and have an immediate positive impact, and maybe Tebow can do that, but I’d rather see him drafted into a position where he is allowed maximum time to use his greatest strength – his desire to work harder and become a better player. Give him a season behind Matt Leinart in Arizona and see what happens. Leinart hasn’t shown much yet, other than an innate ability to complete passes to corners, but the team has hope for him, and he did get to learn enough to pass on to Tebow from one of the all-time greats in Kurt Warner. The offense has plenty of skill position talent to insulate a young starter once Tebow takes over, and I believe that Ken Whisenhunt is creative enough to fully utilize a guy with this skill set. What I don’t want to see is Tebow ending up somewhere like Miami where he’ll be wasted as a Wildcat project.
One of the guys I'm ecstatic to see in the combine is running back Toby Gerhart from Stanford. This guy reminds me so much of one of the more exciting running backs to watch in the NFL, Marion Barber. He is physical, a downhill runner, and he loves contact. Gerhart is projected anywhere from the 3rd round all the way to possibly the 5th round. If he has a good combine, he could slip into the 2nd. He has questionable hands and elusiveness, but he works hard and I can see him being a very underrated running back in the NFL.
Hard to call him underrated after an incredible week at the Senior Bowl has his name bouncing around draft conversations everywhere, but a guy I’ve been high on for a while is Kyle Wilson out of Boise. He’s an intelligent player with the kind of confidence successful corners need and a versatility that should be coveted by all 32 teams. Whether he’s blitzing, covering, or returning, he’s a dynamic guy that can change a game in an instant. Also, have to mention Ryan Matthews out of Fresno State. He’s got good enough size, underrated vision, and was extremely productive last season. He seemed to play better against tougher opponents too, going off for 230 yards against Boise, 160 against Wisconsin, and 150 against Cincinnati.
Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com
We all know the NFL is a copycat league and a lot of teams are now running a 3-4 defense. With this, scouts have an even harder job evaluating prospects because they have to figure out if a guy fits in a 4-3 as a defensive end, or if he is a 3-4 Rush Linebacker. In my evaluation, I believe that Sergio Kindle could be the best 3-4 rush linebacker and certainly has the measurables and athleticism to succeed. He is 6'4" 255 pounds and has some very nice speed. If he can get the right coaching and learn to be a little more physical, he could end up being a good pass rusher in the NFL.
2 comments:
I vote for Clausen because the Lions need (among many other things) Suh. As you can tell, I don't care how it turns out for the Rams.
I disagree with your assessment of the Lions. They should draft Russel Okung because for one, Jeff Backus sucks, and for two, its pretty important to protect your 80 million dollar quarterback.
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