04-03-2019, 07:52 PM
(04-03-2019, 05:55 PM)shanebo Wrote: Sure, but not a great comparison because Willie was drafted as a LT and later turned out to be a great RT. And Taylor/Williams aren't projected to be Willie Anderson, or even perennial pro bowlers (or even LTs, for that matter ...). Would you say Andre Smith -- who was drafted to be our RT -- was worthy of a top 10 selection? I say no.
The fact is there are certain positions that typically aren't worth a top-5 or top-10 pick. For example, RTs, OGs, and Cs. Why? Because if you're an incredibly talented O-lineman, you typically play LT since it's more important to protect a QB's blind side. Are there exceptions? Sure - RTs Lane Johnson and Ryan Ramczyk would (and should) probably go top 5. But they can play LT; only play RT because their teams are lucky enough to have a more talented guy at LT. OGs Zack Martin and David DeCastro would probably go top 10, but it's rare for an interior lineman to go that high because they generally don't have that much of an impact on the game. Same thing goes for safeties and ILBs (best guys are typically CBs and pass rushers, respectively).
This year we likely will have a rare opportunity to take a (potentially) perennial all-pro D-lineman with the 10th pick, someone who could be a real difference maker. No guarantee, of course, but I'd much rather take that chance than reach for a solid starting RT or OG. (obviously just my opinion ...)
He played LT in college but you have no idea what he was drafted to play. To my knowledge he never took the field for the Bengals as a LT. Andre Smith played LT in college as well.
