Originally Posted by Saccopoo
1. Dee Ford, DE; Auburn
6'2"
252 lbs.
32 7/8" Arms
10 1/4" Hands
- Productive when he plays, but he's never finished a full season at the college level including a back injury in 2011. (Remember he wasn't medically cleared to participate in the Combine because of it.) Competitive on the field, with a good initial burst. However, he's not instinctive and doesn't make a lot of impact plays past the sack; e.g., doesn't make a lot of tackles for loss, forced fumbles, etc. Considering that guys like Jackson Jeffcoat and James Gayle were UDFA's, I think that they paid a steep price for a guy who is going to require coaching and time to go along with the historical injury concerns.
Who should have been the pick: Xavier S'ua-Filo, OL; UCLA
They took an OG later in the draft but nearly everyone considered S'ua-Filo to be the best at that position. He would have been an immediate starter and provided high level performance from the very first snap.
3. Phillip Gaines, CB; Rice
6'0"
193 lbs.
31 7/8" Arms
9 5/8" Hands
- I consider this a pretty big reach. Gaines hasn't shown the strength to play press man coverage at this point due to a lean frame and lack of on the field power. Injury history. He can cover in the zone and does have instincts when the ball is in the air, but he's not a safety as he doesn't come up in the run very well. His track speed (4.38 Combine 40 and was on the Rice track team) doesn't translate over to the football field. As Direckshun said, there was about 50 guys I would have taken before Gaines at this spot.
Who should have been the pick: Donte Moncrief, WR; Ole Miss
Huge, exceptionally fast, explosive, productive and only 20 years old. He would have been a top 15 pick next year. Oh, and by the way, have you seen our current crop of WR's? My mind is still blown that we took Gaines with Moncrief still on the board.
4. De'Anthony Thomas, RB; Oregon
5'9"
174 lbs.
29 7/8" Arms
8 1/8" Hands
- Dexter McCluster. And don't tell me that this guy is faster/more explosive/productive. They are exactly the same guy right down to the exact size, speed, production in college and upside in the pros. Exact same guy. Now, that's not a bad thing by any stretch, especially looking at what Reid did with McCluster this past season. The thing is, at this size, you've got to really love the game. McCluster did. And McCluster was pretty strong for his size, where Thomas isn't as strong/physical. He's more of a track guy where McCluster was a football player.
Who they should have picked: Dontae Johnson, DB; North Carolina State
You could actually make a case for a lot of players here (Brent Urban, Nevin Lawson, Cameron Fleming, etc.), but Johnson is a true press cover corner with size and speed. Strong hands and punch right at the line and will fight a guy all the way down the field.
5. Aaron Murray, QB; Georgia
6'1"
207 lbs.
30 5/8" Arms
9 1/8" Hands
- WTF? Short, with very short arms and very, very small hands. Shitty release. Lack of athleticism. He's instinctive on the field and has some excellent games where he's making some absolutely great plays, but there are a whole lot of times where he just absolutely shits himself and throws the game away all on his own. Broken leg, ACL injuries in the past. It almost seems that Dorsey won't take a guy unless he's been pretty ****ed up with an injury at some point. Anywho, Murray is not an NFL QB. Not even a backup. He will never get passes off consistently at the next level. Considering that he's a poor man's, less poised Chase Daniel, and we've already got the real Chase Daniel on the team, it's a horrible pick.
Who they should have took: Ryan Carrethers, DT; Arkansas State
Carrethers went two picks later. He's massive, strong as bull, eats space and blockers like Joey Chestnut does hot dogs and would have provided a very nice option to Poe throughout the season. Former wrestler who understands leverage and who is very instinctive on the field following the ball and diagnosing the play. Made a ton of tackles for the Red Wolves over his career and got better every single year.
6. Zach Fulton, OG; Tennessee
6'5"
316 lbs.
33 1/4" Arms
10 1/4" Hands
Looks the part, but doesn't play to the part. Very muscular and long. Looks more like a OT than a OG, but doesn't have the feet or legs or agility to be on the outside. Plays soft at times and doesn't drive guys off the ball. Slowest 3 Cone Drill at the 2014 Combine by any participant. Won't make it past the first cut as we've already got numerous marginal talent guards on the roster.
Who should have been the pick: Tyler Gaffney, RB; Stanford
Experience in a pro style system, fast (4.49 Comine 40), explosive (36.5" vertical, 116" broad) with good vision and power. Thick and strong. Instinctive and effective inside the tackles.
6. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OT; McGill
6'5"
298 lbs. (though he played/weighed in at 321 at the East/West Shrine Game)
- The Canadian Eric Fisher. Smart (3.92 GPA in PreMed), hardworking, strong and athletic for a big ****er. Former defensive lineman who made the switch to the OL two years ago. Plays nasty and just gets after dudes. He's also a model citizen off the field, volunteering with the Montreal police, Drug Rehabs, high schools, etc. Two time team captain. He and Catapano can establish a Chiefs chapter of Mensa.
Who they should have took: Trevor Reilly, LB; Utah
I'm okay with Tardif. They needed a backup OT and the guy has skills, smarts, athleticism and intangibles. However, he's raw like sushi and needs reps. I don't think you can prepare a guy within a single season to be ready, even a smart guy like Tardif.
However, Reilly would have given us a guy who is capable of playing any of the linebacker positions and playing them well. Originally recruited as a safety, he's been all over the field for Utah at DT, DE, both OLB spots, both MLB spots and S. He's fluid dropping back into coverage and has a variety of pass rush moves getting into the backfield. Very instinctive and plays pursuit, tackles and zones like it's from the textbook. I felt he was just a fraction below what you would have got from a guy like Kyle Van Noy. Same type of player (but bigger and more athletic) and at this point in the draft, a complete steal.
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