Couple thoughts, of course just my opinion...
A. Nobody that should be available to us in late R1 represents anything but maybe a marginal upgrade to the current OL IMO.
B. Outside of the big Dogs at WR, we should be able to pick from a very dynamic group, and get our specific guy (ie body type, skill set, etc). OBJ, Jarvis Landry, Jordan Matthews, Davante Adams, etc.
C. If we wait til late R2, I don't think we will be looking at a dynamic WR. A pretty good one? Sure. But now you are talking about marginally upgrading the OL and WR corps with our top 2 picks. I think this is a really poor way to improve your team.
D. A 1st round pick needs to be a potential difference maker. If it is a LG, that guy better be playing at a pro bowl level and soon. And this idea doesnt just apply to OL IMO, but extends to Safety, LBer, RB, TE. The current history of late R1 OL has been pretty meh. I think getting an average starting quality non-LT OL in R1 is just antiher reason to seek another upgrade in another year or 2. It's an endless cycle of trying to upgrade, when reality shows the quality of OL play is dwindling across the league. The better athletes are being put at DE and DT.
E. And my big point; I think a dynamic threat on the perimeter with a healthy Harvin will make life so much easier for our QB and OL. If a defense has to account for 2 dynamic receiving threats, they can ill afford to just stack the box.
Good dialogue here...my biggest concern is that the yearning for an Elite OL is a pipe dream and would require drastic negligence (both draft picks and cap $) to achieve. Upgrade the downfield and perimeter threats, and I think you see the OL get a boost. Additionally, I think we can find a good raw athlete on the OL in the middle rounds and try to strike gold. Billy Turner is an intriguing option in R2.
EDIT/ADDITON: I'm not an advocate of spending premium draft capital on OL depth. For a clear upgrade to the OL? Of course. DL, WR, i am more than willing to because those types, despite health of others in front of them, without a doubt will see the field.
EverydayImRusselin":3041se5y said:
Mtjhoyas":3041se5y said:
Again...do you want a 2nd round talent at OL or a potentially game changing talent at WR or TE? That's what is going to be available at our 1st round pick.
Or do you want to try and upgrade the offensive line and grab a big WR in the 2nd, or grab a big WR in the 1st and hope the Oline holds up? There is an extraordinary amount of good WR in this draft. I've seen mock's with WR like Coleman falling into the 3rd. I wouldn't mind even waiting to try and grab someone like Cody Hoffman by trading back from our 2nd rd pick.
Here are the OL under contract for 2014 according to overthecap.com
Okung
Unger
Carpenter
Sweezy
Bowie
Bailey
Hauptmann
I see a starting line of Okung Carpenter Unger Sweezy Bowie
Does that seem like enough depth to risk waiting for an OL later in the draft?