[PARAM]

I give it a solid B+.

They addressed the positions I expected, albeit not in the order I projected. I like how they created contingency plans for future cap decisions.

I like the fact they addressed their needs with what they obviously thought was the BPA for that need. In other words, had a highly rated WR (say Ruggs) dropped to 52, would they have taken Akers there anyway? I don't know. IMO, Snead/McVay would have probably traded down a few spots and grabbed Akers. Or maybe not. Maybe just pick him anyway. I think most NFL teams look at the draft and where they pick, then attempt to figure who's going to be there and make their decisions based on that puzzle. If somebody falls, it changes things.

But I wasn't crazy about Akers because I thought Dobbins was rated higher but what do I know? They obviously had Akers rated higher. I'm a huge fan right now! They obviously had their eyes on Jefferson and Lewis. And it all has a lot to do with "fit". Some are saying Jefferson may be one of the best route runners, Lewis was a steal. So were Hopkins and Fuller, some say. I don't know enough about all of them to agree or disagree. Grade? Hell, I liked it.

[aeneas1]

poll results so far - 19 votes
17 - solid draft, addressed needs, solid character players, good job (b+, b, b- grades).
2 -they didn't pick they guys i wanted, i know more than they do (d or worse).

[PARAM]

poll results so far - 19 votes
17 - solid draft, addressed needs, solid character players, good job (b+, b, b- grades).
2 -they didn't pick they guys i wanted, i know more than they do (d or worse).

I think we got better in the last 3 days. Ain't that what matters?

[AvengerRam]

poll results so far - 19 votes
17 - solid draft, addressed needs, solid character players, good job (b+, b, b- grades).
2 -they didn't pick they guys i wanted, i know more than they do (d or worse).

Ex-act-ly!

[ramsman34]

Let’s talk about speedsters who can stretch the field. Or better yet, HOW one can stretch the field. First, we have no 40 time but he was timed ON THE FIELD as the fastest player at the Sr. Bowl. Second, what do you think the difference is in steps between 4.3 and 4.6 over 40+ yards? A step? Nope, more like barely a half step. .2 seconds over 40 yards. When a WR “gets” a step on coverage and catches the ball in stride, RARELY does he caught from behind from that cover player. Yes, a safety with a good angle might catch him. But it’s still a monster play.

I’m gonna remember the naysayers when Jefferson beats his man on a 7, 8, or 9 route using his superior technique, and then cruises into the end zone.

Moral: timed 40 speed alone does not make one a deep threat. Play speed, release against press man, disguising the break/route at the top of the stem, separation ability at the top of the stem, when the ball is in the air, and after the catch. All of these things make for a dangerous deep route runner. I think we will be blown away at how good Jefferson is at all of the above.

[PARAM]

I was just reading about the WR from Syracuse we signed as a UDFA. Similar strengths as Jefferson. Seems to me McVay and co. were looking for certain "traits". And those traits are not the measurables that excite evaluators. Let's call them "game measurables".

[safer]

With Woods and Cooper we have two elite, savvy route runners, now Jefferson will add to that. Yeah, I woulda bet a lot that we were gonna go for a speedster, but we gotta remember that neither Jerry Rice, or Bruuuuuuce had times under 4.6 coming in.
Plus, if you don't have a QB who is good on timing routes, a guy like Jefferson is almost wasted.
Curious to see what he can do vs. our corners in camp (IF we have one )

[river]

The Sporting News



LINK

Is Lewis really the Fowler replacement or will he become more of a situational/rotational 5T DE on passing downs when Brockers is out ?
Being a 6'5", 262 lbs. college junior, his body will still fill out some yet. Guys like Dominique Easley, Justin Lawler & Morgan Fox were all smaller by an inch or 3 and weighed approximately the same as Lewis when asked to move to DE, so I won't be surprised if the same happens here. jmo.

[river]

With Woods and Cooper we have two elite, savvy route runners, now Jefferson will add to that. Yeah, I woulda bet a lot that we were gonna go for a speedster, but we gotta remember that neither Jerry Rice, or Bruuuuuuce had times under 4.6 coming in.
Plus, if you don't have a QB who is good on timing routes, a guy like Jefferson is almost wasted.
Curious to see what he can do vs. our corners in camp (IF we have one )

Don't recall his 40 time, but isn't Nsimba Webster just as fast or faster than Brandon Cooks ?

[river]

I think he's the weak side OLB, eventually. Fowler barely ever dropped.. he was pretty much all upfield.. might as well have been a 4-3 DE, imo.

Could be, although Morgan Fox is no longer on our roster and other than practice squad player Marquise Copeland, who should we expect to rotate with Brockers during passing situations ? We are loaded with Edge OLB'er competition on the weak side, Lawler won't add much as a pass rushing DE, so who rotates with Brockers on 3'rd & long ?