08-09-2021, 02:29 PM
(08-09-2021, 10:21 AM)PDub80 Wrote: Here's my thing, like, does it matter if it's Jackson Carman today and D'Ante Smith develops over time? Or, if it's D'Ante Smith today while Jackson Carman develops over time? To me, NO, if doesn't matter. I think results from the draft as a whole are what matters and these guys deserve more time than 2 weeks of a camp to develop before being hammered with questions of "What's wrong".
I see what you're saying but I'd agree more if he were a total surprise. I thought D'Ante Smith was a STUD at the draft (http://http://thebengalsboard.com/Thread-Official-2021-NFL-Draft-Thread?pid=1026802#pid1026802), and I know a lot of others were talking about him too. You better believe I would have taken him ahead of Carman. I think more was made of his size than was deserved, considering his wrestling background the temperament/discipline that goes along with it, to say nothing of his proficiency for punching above his weight. At the same time, this is pure HYPE right now. He's being used as camp clickbait. I wouldn't get too excited just yet.
I also concur that it shouldn't matter where anyone was taken in the draft- that's common sense. They're not to blame for where they go. But that's an understated part of the draft process. Teams can't stick their heads in the sand when they reach, and just assume that the cream will rise to the top, especially not in R1 & R2. They're putting their pick in a position to fail if they do that. Jerome Simpson was a decent example imo. Yes he had talent- arguably R1 talent- but he was still a reach and could never live up to the billing. Who knows how he would have done if he weren't thrust under the R2 microscope (#46 too, as luck would have it).
