Random NFL Draft Musings…

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The now-defunct NFLPA has asked the top prospects to boycott attending the draft…

Originally, I felt it was petty and bothered me.  Now, I really wouldn’t mind that much.  As much as I would love seeing our new addition holding up the Bills new duds, if the players don’t want to be seen on draft day, that’s fine by me.  Perhaps now ESPN and NFL Network won’t kill any lingering suspense by showing the player on his phone three minutes prior to getting selected.

Von Miller has a two-day visit with the Bills scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday according to ESPN…

It continues to look like we are hotly pursuing the Texas A&M product.

Question-mark year for QB’s…

After I finished my board, I didn’t give one first-round grade out to a quarterback prospect.  Jake Locker was my highest at 8.9.  Accuracy is my #1 thing, but I’ve seen Jake make those throws in the past.  I feel that he has the work ethic to improve his footwork and iron out the inconsistencies in his game.  For me, there is too much risk to take him in the 1st round, though.  If I felt we needed to address the position this year, I would still probably go with Florida State’s Christian Ponder (8.7).  There are durability question marks and he doesn’t have the strongest arm in the world, but he’s accurate and is very good at play fakes.  Jake has a much higher ceiling, but Ponder is the safest QB prospect in this class in my opinion.  I try not to let position affect my grading scale, which is why a solid starting QB can still grade out as a 2nd round pick for me.  Incidentally, I would feel comfortable taking Gabbert (8.3) and Newton (8.4) in the 3rd round.  I wouldn’t come near Mallett until the 4th (7.8).

Potential or production?…

This debate looms in draft rooms every year.  How much do you trust your coaching staff to make something out of a talented athlete that hasn’t produced at the collegiate level?  If a team goes with safe picks, they can get solid players, but may miss out on the guys that become elite.  If a team goes with an immensely talented individual that doesn’t work out, it could set the team back for year.

Personally, I’ve always been a proponent of the former.  My strategy is that my 1st and 2nd round picks are guys that I’m most confident about succeeding at the next level.  They’ve been productive when given the opportunity.  They have at least average character (DeAndre McDaniel of Clemson did have a starter grade based on talent.  I quickly dropped him to “undraftable” after I read the full details on his disgusting behavior of maliciously beating up his girlfriend).  Essentially, I have to be comfortable with them being on my team.  To make a long story short, I’d be willing to take some chances on prospects from the 3rd round on.  Will that make me miss on some very talented guys on occasion? It probably will.  However, I feel that you may catch lightening in a bottle once in a while, but taking too many chances early is the quickest way to find yourself unemployed.

That is why I drove myself crazy trying to come up with a grade for Jake Locker.  After evaluating his tape, I’ve had him as high as mid-1st to low-2nd.  He is a potential pick, but I believe in him to take advantage of his unique skill set.  I better not get burned breaking my own rule, Jake!