Rich wrote:
wkloiber13 wrote:
I'm not really of the mindset that we go after any high priced free agents this year. We have the most picks in the draft. I think we're in a perfect place to build our roster through the draft and fill most of the areas of need we have.
We have the most picks in the draft, but its 9 picks, more than half of which are mid to late rounders. What is the probability that those mid to late rounders effectively fill the needs we have?
The answer to that question is very low. We need to hit on picks in the first three rounds, but after that you're picking longshots.
That means we may effectively fill about 2-3 positions through the draft. That's why you use free agency to supplement the draft.
The reason free agency usually doesn't work out is because you're overpaying for what someone has done with another team. But in the case of guys like Wallace and Vollmer, they are younger players who have yet to reach their prime.
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I mean seriously, how many free agent signings that we've made in the last five years outside of Wake, Starks, and Moore have really been difference makers for our team?
You forgot about Dansby and Reggie Bush.
You also forget how many players we've drafted versus how many have panned out.
The good teams don't put their eggs in one basket (draft versus free agency).
They use both.
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I agree that Wallace fits an area of need, but wouldn't you agree that we could draft some kid in the first three rounds with 4.3 speed that could do many of the same things as Wallace???
Yeah sure, we could draft a kid with that type of speed and maybe he has success. Maybe he doesnt.
Wallace has already had that success. Ted Ginn had 4.2 speed coming out of college. Did he produce like Wallace?
I'd rather go with the proven commodity at that position because there is a player out there that can fill it and address other positions through the draft because free agency doesn't have much to offer at those positions.
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The way I see our roster right now is we need several things. I'm going to assume we loose Long in free agency and re-sign the rest of our veteran free agents. So after Long departs, here is what I see as our shopping list in no particular order:
1 - Offensive Tackle (1)
2 - Offensive Guard (1)
3 - Big Physical Receiver (1)
4 - Speed Receiver (1)
5 - Outside Cornerback (1)
6 - Free Safety (1)
7 - Defensive Line Depth (1)
8 - Linebacker Depth (1)
9 - Offensive Line Depth (1)
I addressed all those needs in my write up.
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We have exactly nine picks at this time if I'm not mistaken, ten if we get a compensatory for Long. So in my eyes, we can fill almost all of our areas of need through the draft this year.
No offense, but you're in LALA LAND if you think we're going to hit on 9 or 10 picks.
I see what you're getting at and I agree that we cannot solve all of our problems with the draft alone. However, I do feel that we can solve the majority of our issues with the draft
If you look, three out of the nine needs I listed were depth guys, or guys we can get in the mid to late rounds. Even the safety position could be addressed with a mid round pick in my opinion. We just need someone to come in and compete with Chris Clemons.
Same goes for offensive guard. We just need someone to come in and push Jerry. I think Incognito is good enough for now and doesn't need to be replaced yet. But Jerry is suspect and could use some competition. I think we could find a nice guard in the 3rd or 4th round.
Now the other four needs (WRx2, CB, OT), I agree, it will be tough to hit on all of them. But we do have five picks in the first three rounds right now, potentially six picks if we get a high compensatory pick for Long.
I'm sorry I forgot to mention Dansby and Bush. I left Bush out because we traded for Bush, he wasn't a free agent. Dansby was a free agent, but we made him one of the highest paid middle linebackers in the NFL when we signed him. He's still one of the most expensive players on our roster. But I get what you're saying. Both guys are veteran leaders and both have had an impact.
Believe me brother, I'm not floating around in La La Land. I hear what you're saying. I have no issues with us looking for quality free agents. I just have an issue with us throwing a ton of money at guys who haven't proven they can produce in our system.