We will have more of an idea how our current players look after the season but right now it looks like they will have a hard time cutting down to 53. Since so many players will more than likely return next year, I would like to see them package a few picks and get two players in the first round. Go for a couple of studs instead of a whole host of players hanging around hoping to make the team.
Originally Posted by: wpr
It would be hard to get two 1st round picks unless we have a very bad season, or trade away a stud player or trade a future 1st (maybe 2nd).
That being said, a good with round selection can become a good starter, see out LT. Top picks aren't always better than later picks.
Now if we're talking trade ups though, one guy I want to watch more of is
Kentucky's DT Deone Walker, 6'5" 350lb, based on this, most assume NT, but the opposite is true, he's being used as B gap (between the OG and OT) penetrating pass rusher.
And one of the things that impresses me the most is that he had had over 525 snaps in 2022, then over 725 snaps in 2023, when most college 300lbs DTs don't get even 450 snaps, as they are rotated to keep them fresh... Walkers huge snap count suggest he's not coming off the field and getting breathers which makes him more valuable and that also was a huge stat when we drafted Kenny Clark.
The part that sort of scares me with Walker, is that while he's gotten a freaking ton of pressures, he stands straight up off the snap too much, which college OL haven't been able to take advantage of, because of his size and length, and athletic enough to move around them. NFL OL might not be so overwhelmed and might do a much better job of taking advantages of Walkers weaknesses.... and neutralize him a lot more often. Of course, if Walker learned to stay low, and get a good bull rush move, he also might be able to over come that and be close to unstoppable.
A lot of what if here, but he comes be the next mega star at DT (or someone whom dominated college and then couldn't adapt to the NFL). But I'm excited for his potential, and he needs to be in a system that wants to use him as a pass rusher. If they try to force him to be a NT, then it could be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.