Boom or Bust Draft

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(05-16-2019, 05:33 PM)3wt Wrote: Ross Tucker called our draft "Meh";   Kiper & McShay graded our draft out at A-

So we have a boom or bust draft here:

1. Jonah Williams - Dropped because no one could certify he'd be a quality tackle and because of ordinary measurable and athleticism; BUT superior production against elite competition, superior intelligence, love of the game, superior technique and mental toughness
2. Drew Sample - Roundly criticized pick because of paltry production in the receiving game and the belief he'd be there as late as the 4th round; BUT film showed that he was frequently open, caught everything thrown to him, was the consensus best blocking TE in the 2019 class and would not have been there in the 3rd Round
3. Germaine Pratt - Liked by most but loved by none.  Former safety with good production but stiff hips and limited athleticism;  BUT superior production, excellent speed, demonstrated ability to cover and a great tackler.
4. Ryan Finley - Meh QB in this class.   Tucker calls him, "Dalton Lite".   Average to below average arm.  Inconsistent.  BUT - when he's on he's VERY accurate, has great intelligence and is a big time competitor.
5. Renell Wren - Inconsistent performance.  Raw.  BUT - Big time size/ length, great quickness, motivated (late) towards practice and film work, when he's performing up to his capabilities is dominant.  I read that as he's inconsistent because of lack of experience not motivation or brains.  Deemed very coachable.
6. Michael Jordan - Has poor techniques and sluggish feet and is prone to quick combination moves; BUT has great size, was smart enough to make the calls as center and is likely to grow into his size as he cleans up his technique
7. Trayveon Williams - Smaller back with limited power and limited vision;  BUT gained mentally and physically in his last season, has great production is an alpha player that sparks the rest of the team.
8. Deshaun Davis - Smaller linebacker with average to slow speed;  BUT is very smart, knows where to be, sheds well and gets there quicker than faster linebackers - and hits like a tank
9. Rodney Anderson - Talented and well sized running back with a significant history of injuries; BUT the film when he's healthy is excellent and has the potential to be the perfect backup to Mixon
10. Jordan Brown - Good sized corner who is perceived as not being physical and a poor tackler;  BUT has terrific size/ speed ratio, has really good ball skills and can "smother" underneath routes
    

It's the Kool-Aid, rose colored glasses and homer time of the year I realize.  But I think the draft has the potential to be excellent.  And I'm intrigued by the UDFA QB as well.   I particularly am excited about the first 3 picks and Wren, Jordan and Davis.  They have the potential to be game changers by the end of the season.  So I'm saying BOOM.

What say you?  Boom or bust?

I'm going BOOM because it isn't necessarily just how well these players come in and contribute but the synergy created by filling some substantial gaps in the roster:

Williams allows us to move Glenn (who has clearly lost a step and was never elite) to a position where he could upgrade that position, be it RT or RG.  

Sample gives us depth of talent at TE, improved run blocking, and the flexibility of having Uzomah or Eifert lining up outside (their more natural position).  

Pratt is the speedy linebacker we haven't had in some time.  Nickel package (our real base defense) with him and Vigil will be light years ahead of what was being rolled out there last year.  I don't see DeShawn Davis as having the speed to make it and I wish there had been another LB selected instead of Ryan Finley, although I understand the move.  

Wren and Jordan have the potential to contribute as starters in the long run, but right now will provide quality depth.  Wren might just be situational at first, but fills a huge gap left by Peko.  It also serves notice to Billings that he needs to step up or could lose his spot.  Jordan could end up being the steal of the draft and fill the void left by Boling next year...which seems very likely at this point.

The backs are going to help prepare for life without Gio and will provide quality depth behind Mixon.  They look like outstanding values where they were selected.  Based on their production and where they played, it shows how undervalued RBs have often become in the draft.  I also think they will both have boulder-sized chips on their shoulder.

Jordan Brown is an absolute freak athletically and has amazing ball skills.  An NFL strength and conditioning program might allow this 7th rounder to take the place of our slot corner (Dennard) that was a 1st rounder.  That would be extraordinary drafting.  Watch this kid in the preseason.  He has AJ Green-like in-air adjustments that are just unbelievable.

So, if you get more out of your current roster, and get starters out of your first three picks with many of your later picks clearly being earmarked for future starting roles with current abilities to play on a rotational basis, you have done pretty damn well.