NFL Draft 2011

[LUKE23]

Agreed. Of any unit on the field, I may even be most comfortable with our ILBs going forward.

For me, it's the secondary in general assuming Harris is back next year and can at least be a good nickel (Woodson/Williams/Harris/Collins/Burnett/Peprah is pretty damn good), but ILB is definitely low on my list in terms of concern as well. The secondary also has age concerns at CB, so that will have to be addressed sooner rather than later.

[Wade-A-Holic]

Agreed. Of any unit on the field, I may even be most comfortable with our ILBs going forward.

For me, it's the secondary in general assuming Harris is back next year and can at least be a good nickel (Woodson/Williams/Harris/Collins/Burnett/Peprah is pretty damn good), but ILB is definitely low on my list in terms of concern as well. The secondary also has age concerns at CB, so that will have to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Don't forget about Shields. I have a feeling he's going to be a LOT better next year with a full off season under his belt. He's been pretty good as it is, but I think the game will slow down for him a lot next year and we'll see him start to make plays.

I wish Burnett were more physical. Ideally, he's a free safety. Peprah's tackling is noticeable every week.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I could see Shields turning into a faster version of Tramon, neither of these guys were drafted but appear to have good work ethics. They are about the same size as well.

[Wade-A-Holic]

There can't be many better feelings for a GM than when guys like Tramon Williams emerge the way he has.

[RiotPunch]

Ayers has been my #1 want for a while, but he won't fall to us.

There is no denying his talent, but I think his pass rushing skills are a bit overrated. I'm sure it is something that can be taught to him, but watching him play I don't see that relentless drive to get to the QB.

That said, I think you're right that he will not be around when we pick.

I could see a number of different scenarios playing out for the Pack's first round. We could go pass rusher and grab a guy like Von Miller. But I believe someone dynamic will fall. I could picture a guy like Joseph Barksdale being there, who would be a great LT for us. I could see Julio Jones falling back that far, as people are questioning him right now. I could see Ras-I Dowling falling, and he would be a great longterm fit with Tramon. And sure, we could go ILB or RB with guys like Greg Jones and Mikel LeShoure... BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE.

Thankfully, I believe TT is a BPA guy as well.

[eagle13]

OL should be OK. Bulaga will be fine LT. Newhouse RT. Lang top utility man or LG.
We’ll lose either College or Spitz. Draft low rd.

DL is great IF Jolly and Neal return. Who cares about Harrell? I prefer Wilson & Green.

S is probably OK if Pep keeps looking good & Burnett returns full. Also 1 of bigby/smith.

CB could use a 3rd or 4th rdr if Tramon resigns. 1st or 2nd if not.

ILB = trade Barnett / Hawk walks – if both happen use 2nd / if one use 3rd.

OLB = 1st pick. Zombo & Jones = good reserves.

RB = 2nd – no certainty Grannt returns 100%.

K/PR – NEED IMPACT - .use 3rd

WR = Driver is still good but declining – ideal would be K/PR guy is WR.

1st = OLB
2nd = RB
3rd = WR-P/KR
3rd = ILB
4th = CB
5th = OL
6th = OL
7th = ILB

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

OL should be OK. Bulaga will be fine LT. Newhouse RT. Lang top utility man or LG.
We’ll lose either College or Spitz. Draft low rd.

DL is great IF Jolly and Neal return. Who cares about Harrell? I prefer Wilson & Green.

S is probably OK if Pep keeps looking good & Burnett returns full. Also 1 of bigby/smith.

CB could use a 3rd or 4th rdr if Tramon resigns. 1st or 2nd if not.

ILB = trade Barnett / Hawk walks – if both happen use 2nd / if one use 3rd.

OLB = 1st pick. Zombo & Jones = good reserves.

RB = 2nd – no certainty Grannt returns 100%.

K/PR – NEED IMPACT - .use 3rd

WR = Driver is still good but declining – ideal would be K/PR guy is WR.

1st = OLB
2nd = RB
3rd = WR-P/KR
3rd = ILB
4th = CB
5th = OL
6th = OL
7th = ILB

I agree with most of what you said but this would be my ideal draft (hopefully it would be BPA):

1 = OLB
2 = ILB
3 = WR/KR
3 = CB
4 = RB
5 = OL
6 = QB
7 = OL

I don't think we need to take a RB in the first two rounds unless an absolute stud falls. I'd also like to take a QB late to see if we can develop him into a 3rd stringer and then make Harrell the 2nd stringer and then trade Flynn.

[xTitan]

I have to laugh a little at Newhouse being pencil'd inb at tackle....c'mon man....

[midranger]

I agree with most of what you said but this would be my ideal draft (hopefully it would be BPA):

1 = OLB
2 = ILB
3 = WR/KR
3 = CB
4 = RB
5 = OL
6 = QB
7 = OL

I am with this 100%. Of course BPA, but ideally it'd break down something like that.

[midranger]

I have to laugh a little at Newhouse being pencil'd inb at tackle....c'mon man....

He looked good this summer, but I think Lang has a better chance there.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm still very surprised at the insistence that ILB is some sort of a need. I don't think there's a more unimportant position in football. Today's offenses have made the classic ILB an afterthought, especially in a 3-4. Patrick Willis is the game's best. His impact on the 49ers is negligent.

If you traded Barnett for Willis I'm 100% positive we're not winning any more games. Trade Zombo for Ware and I think we do.

[Kerb Hohl]

I'm also down for picking up an impact RB but I normally do not like filling that position in via high draft choice unless a Peterson, Johnson, Spiller, McFadden are available. I think there are easier ways to fill that position but I wouldn't complain. I'm not saying every 7th rounder turns into a magical back either.

That said, Jackson (who was a 2nd rounder, actually) has filled in decently and if he could run in short yardage would be be fine for the position.

But I'd take a RB, don't get me wrong.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't see a special RB in this draft, but there are guys who will be quality starters or contributors. I wouldn't take a RB in the first round of this draft, though. Not even Ingram or Williams.

[Kerb Hohl]

Just wait for this guy?

[midranger]

I disagree as you can probably tell DB. I think as teams go with more receiving options, the ILB's job becomes absolutely vital and he needs to be the most versatile player on the defense. He can't just pin his ears back and run at the QB (incredibly valuable, don't get me wrong), he has to diagnose, stuff the run, play coverage against an ever improving set of receiving TEs, spy the QB if he's mobile, and rush the passer effectively if called upon.

You don't think Brian Urlacher means a lot to the Bears defense? In his prime before the injuries, the guy would have something like 125 tackles, 6 sacks, 10 passes defensed, 5 INTs, and 5 forced fumbles per year. Granted, I don't expect to find a player as good as Brian Urlacher in this draft, but that versatility to do it all is HUGE in today's game.

[eagle13]

I disagree as you can probably tell DB. I think as teams go with more receiving options, the ILB's job becomes absolutely vital and he needs to be the most versatile player on the defense. He can't just pin his ears back and run at the QB (incredibly valuable, don't get me wrong), he has to diagnose, stuff the run, play coverage against an ever improving set of receiving TEs, spy the QB if he's mobile, and rush the passer effectively if called upon.

You don't think Brian Urlacher means a lot to the Bears defense? In his prime before the injuries, the guy would have something like 125 tackles, 6 sacks, 10 passes defensed, 5 INTs, and 5 forced fumbles per year. Granted, I don't expect to find a player as good as Brian Urlacher in this draft, but that versatility to do it all is HUGE in today's game.

Bears play 4-3 D. Big difference.

[midranger]

I know they do.

Though, what do we not ask our ILBs to do that the Bears ask their MLB to do? Play coverage? Fill running lanes (and make tackles)? Play fast laterally? Rush the passer on occassion? Seriously. Why is our ILB position so useless?

A great ILB makes both your DL's and S's jobs much easier.