1st Round Pick Malik Hooker

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by njcoltfan

So get the best available OL to make sure that Luck is still upright when and if the process is completed.

what do you mean the 'process is completed?' Its never complete, you are always looking to get better.

My belief is take BPA with thought of need. If you have a player rated way higher than any others when you pick, take him. If you have 'similarly' rated players, take the one that fits a need for you (the most need if both are needed).

So for Rd. 2, if a CB is rated higher than an OL, take the CB.

[Coltsalr]

If we're talking about value regarding our areas of need, still say that ILB is the place where the need/availability delta will be most striking.

Zach Cunningham is the last top caliber ILB. After him, it's a fairly steep dropoff to McMillian, Duke Riley, etc.

I think there will very likely be some CB's available at Round 2 that will be very nice value. I think there will also be that in Round 3. I do think one could make the argument that Quincy Wilson is such a top caliber CB prospect that his value would be overwhelming at 2.14, though.

With EDGE, again, the value will be there later on, I think. Hell, I might like Carl Lawson and Tim Williams (who could be Round 3 picks) over Jordan Willis and Tyus Bowser (who are getting hyped as Round 2 picks).

ILB is where we'll possibly have the shot that we won't have elsewhere. You could actually make that argument about RB to be honest, too. I'm guessing Kamara/Cook/Mixon all go in Round 2. Pass on them and I think that's a similarly big dropoff.

[HoosierinFL]

Actually cut Gruden a break. If you noticed, it was his job to play the negative on each pick last night. Kiper had all the positives on the picks, Gruden had all the negatives. And every bit of their rundowns was 100% scripted in advance. There is no way this is what Gruden really believes about Hooker or any of the picks. These guys might as well be actors saying their lines.

Anyway, Ballard said he wanted to increase the # of turnovers, he wanted ballhawks on defense, and he got the best one in the draft.

[FatDT]

Originally Posted by GoBigBlue88

Again -- you're not gonna fix the entire defense in one draft. Ballard has made big strides at FS, NT and positive strides at SAM (Simon>Walden) and EDGE (Sheard>Mathis) so far.

You're not wrong in this team needing EDGE dynamism still. But I really believe the CBs on Day 2 will be infinitely better players than the EDGE players on Day 2.

I think "infinitely better" is strong hyperbole. I'll agree Quincy Wilson or a ready-for-the-season Sidney Jones would be head and shoulders above the available pass rushers. After that though I think the talent drops off some and you can be comfortable waiting til round 3 or 4 with the idea of signing a FA ASAP.

Even if we get great players at positions of need it will take time to actually make it a defense. No denying that. That assumes Pagano and Monachino are capable of even doing it.

[1965southpaw]

For what it's worth...Urban Meyer is on Dan Dakitch show right now and he claims that Hooker is the best he's seen at the safety position collegiately in the last 10 years. Isn't concerned about the tackling issues.....chalks that up to not growing up as a football player but is confident that he will get better there quickly but he has great playmaking / difference making ability that is innate.

[Wyatt]

press conference is on live now. fyi

[Wyatt]

just said he's 85-90% healthy, should be 100% in 3 weeks or so on 1070

[omahacolt]

i like the pick. if he is as advertised, then he is exactly what we need. and that is defensive playmakers.


i also wish we could have gotten mckinley now that i heard him lose his fucking mind after getting drafted. this defense needs some crazy bastards running around.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by FatDT

If he only gets to a Bethea-level of productivity, is he worth the pick?

No. Bethea was good, but never had as many int's as Hooker should.

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

No. Bethea was good, but never had as many int's as Hooker should.

i disagree

if he has a career like Bethea i think that would be worth it. anything over that would be great.