2013 Ask Jeff Risdon a Question

[Dr Positivity]

Which position/player should the Bills draft?

[Icness]

Which position/player should the Bills draft?

I'm pretty consistent in mocking them either a tight end or a safety. Eric Ebron might fit at 9 but that's probably a bit of a reach. Not as much of a reach as a safety there though. They could go OT or WR there, or CJ Mosley the LB from Bama.

They have to get a NFL-ready safety in the first three rounds IMO. I really like Jimmie Ward for them in the 2nd, but he might be gone.

[ATL Boy]

Who are the Rams favoring with the number 2 pick? Which of the O-Lineman, Jake Matthews or Greg Robinson? Or would they maybe go with Sammy Watkins?

[Icness]

Who are the Rams favoring with the number 2 pick? Which of the O-Lineman, Jake Matthews or Greg Robinson? Or would they maybe go with Sammy Watkins?

Was tipped off from someone I trust during Senior Bowl week that they like Robinson more than Matthews at tackle. I know they've done a lot of work on Watkins, but at this point that's true of pretty much every team in the top 10. The only other real possibility at 2 is Clowney though I don't know how they would configure that with Quinn and Long already there.

They have not been shy about trying to trade back. Wouldn't surprise me if they dropped several spots. I do expect a safety and an OT by the end of the third and a QB in the 3rd-5th round range.

[Da Schwab]

The only other real possibility at 2 is Clowney though I don't know how they would configure that with Quinn and Long already there.

This made me think of a question: Do you think Clowney could fit in a 3-4 system (or just be outright converted) as a OLB? I imagine he would prefer to stay a down lineman, but could do you think it could be a wise decision for him or whichever team takes him?

[studcrackers]

It says Jake Bortles in your article Jeff

[studcrackers]

Also, why are you lower than most on Mettenberger and Lache Seastrunk?

[Icness]

It says Jake Bortles in your article Jeff

Thanks, submitted it for a quick edit. My typing scuks

[Icness]

Also, why are you lower than most on Mettenberger and Lache Seastrunk?

Mettenberger has atrocious ball placement. Like, on par with Tebow or Locker. And his mechanics are good, which means he's not apt to improve it much. Plus he's now torn up his knee twice.

Lache is a tough eval for me. I love his cutting burst and his open-field ability, but so much of what he does is a product of Baylor's spacing and splits on offense. I mean, Ganaway put up those kind of numbers and he's not even a practice squad guy. Different runners, obviously, but I would have liked to have seen Lache break some tackles in traffic, or have to hit a smaller hole quicker. The more I watched of him the more I became convinced he's more a product of the system than a great talent. Good player, worthy of a 5th-6th round pick and can be a solid speed back in the NFL, but not a star.

[Dalbi]

I have a question on Kelvin Benjamin. You say he has questions regarding consistency and drops. I saw one analyst say that teams will tolerate his drops/lapses because of his big plays and potential for greatness. I saw a little bit of that in the championship game with at least one dropped pass that should have been easily caught and then the catch at the end of the game. Just wanted to see what you thought about this idea and whether it will cause him to be overrated and drafted too high.

[Icness]

I have a question on Kelvin Benjamin. You say he has questions regarding consistency and drops. I saw one analyst say that teams will tolerate his drops/lapses because of his big plays and potential for greatness. I saw a little bit of that in the championship game with at least one dropped pass that should have been easily caught and then the catch at the end of the game. Just wanted to see what you thought about this idea and whether it will cause him to be overrated and drafted too high.

It's a very good question. Tough one to answer too, because each team will have a different level of tolerance for his rawness. The title game was a good microcosm of his career and his potential. He made the GW catch, made a couple other great plays, but also had two ugly drops and ran a wrong route that almost got picked off.

Two things working against him: he's 23 and he's fundamentally incompetent. At that age he's not likely to develop field sense or intuition much more.

But just look at the athletic package. Holy crap, he's huge, he's strong, and he can leap to get the ball.

I believe that some team will see a 6'5" 235 pound guy with a 38" vertical, (allegedly) runs a 4.5 flat, and can squat more than most tight ends and take him in the late 1st. Too much there to like. I would be a little more hesitant because his deficiencies are real and often glaring, but guys who focus more on what a guy can do instead of what they can't will love him. I'm trying to get better at doing that personally.

[WarFan]

Curious what you think of Martavis Bryant. I know he doesn't have the production but I like his upside more than others and he seems undervalued in the 3rd. I see a prime Alvin Harper.

[righterwriter]

Off the cuff, who could you see the Niners trading up for? Seems like their big needs are with a speedy WR/kick returner and a safety who is capable and ready to replace Whitner from day 1.

I think they could also target a pass catching TE/H-Back, as Vance McDonald was a non-factor despite getting the opportunity. I could also see them target a CB high in the draft.

Is there any player worth making that jump for higher into the first round? What do you think it would cost to get that guy?

[Icness]

Curious what you think of Martavis Bryant. I know he doesn't have the production but I like his upside more than others and he seems undervalued in the 3rd. I see a prime Alvin Harper.

Watched a lot of Clemson yesterday. Great athlete, long with long speed & strength. Decent hands, will let the ball get to his pads though. Fairly primitive as a route runner a la Kendall Wright of the Titans.

He's in the tier with Benjamin, Beckham, Robinson, Herron, Landry, and Davante Adams to me. Herron is an inside guy so he doesn't really fit in but in terms of ratings they're all close. Bryant is a 2nd round guy, how high or low in that round will go on his 40 time and his interviews. I've heard from people I trust he's one of those players who liberally stretches the term "student athlete" if you know what I mean...

[Icness]

Off the cuff, who could you see the Niners trading up for? Seems like their big needs are with a speedy WR/kick returner and a safety who is capable and ready to replace Whitner from day 1.

I think they could also target a pass catching TE/H-Back, as Vance McDonald was a non-factor despite getting the opportunity. I could also see them target a CB high in the draft.

Is there any player worth making that jump for higher into the first round? What do you think it would cost to get that guy?

Just a thought, but would their first, both seconds, and a first next year to move all the way up to get Sammy Watkins in the top 5 be too much?

Don't give up on McDonald yet, he was coming from a very different offense and the role the Niners had for him was foreign. Having said that, they'll certainly look at TE but likely later. A guy like Jordan Najvar or Richard Rogers makes some sense.

IMO they sorely need another CB. Not worth trading up to get one though because there's little differentiation at the top of the class. One team's #1 might be another's #5 and vice versa.

[gswhoops]

Just a thought, but would their first, both seconds, and a first next year to move all the way up to get Sammy Watkins in the top 5 be too much?

Is Watkins really THAT good of a WR prospect?

[righterwriter]

Off the cuff, who could you see the Niners trading up for? Seems like their big needs are with a speedy WR/kick returner and a safety who is capable and ready to replace Whitner from day 1.

I think they could also target a pass catching TE/H-Back, as Vance McDonald was a non-factor despite getting the opportunity. I could also see them target a CB high in the draft.

Is there any player worth making that jump for higher into the first round? What do you think it would cost to get that guy?

Just a thought, but would their first, both seconds, and a first next year to move all the way up to get Sammy Watkins in the top 5 be too much?

Don't give up on McDonald yet, he was coming from a very different offense and the role the Niners had for him was foreign. Having said that, they'll certainly look at TE but likely later. A guy like Jordan Najvar or Richard Rogers makes some sense.

IMO they sorely need another CB. Not worth trading up to get one though because there's little differentiation at the top of the class. One team's #1 might be another's #5 and vice versa.

It's intriguing to go all-in and get the stud #1 WR in the draft. It'd create a pretty damned formidable receiving corps between Crabtree, Boldin, VD, and Watkins. It also gives them a guy to eventually step in for Boldin once he starts to go south in 1-2 years or if Crabtree starts demanding a new deal after this coming year.

Watkins would fit perfectly as a burner that brings the offense to a much higher level all on his own. He'd be a dream WR for Kaepernick to launch the ball to down field in single coverage or to stretch the field and give his big WRs more room to operate underneath.

With that being said-- that's a lot of high value picks for just one guy, especially a 6 ft tall WR. The Falcons gave up a similar bounty for Julio Jones, but at least he is big enough to go over the middle and out-leap CBs at 6'3 220lbs. Could Watkins get the respect of Richard Sherman or Patrick Peterson or is he not big enough to enforce his will on the #1 WR's in the NFL (and just the NFC West)?

I think the Niners will have most of the catches going between the three guys they've got now, but want a speed guy to blow the top off of the secondary and stretch the field. Watkins fits the bill in so many ways, but if he's only going to be a 50 catch guy next to Crabtree, Boldin, and VD, then it might not be worth all of those picks.

I was thinking about Marqise Lee. He's got speed, he's a good route runner, he blocks (highly valued amongst 49ers WRs) and he seems like a high character guy. On top of that, he's got experience returning kicks, which is a major, major need for SF.

I think his poor season after two stellar seasons hurt his stock enough to drop him to maybe the 3rd or 4th WR taken, particularly since teams picking at the top of the draft are looking for a prototype size guy to be a #1 guy, and Marqise may be mostly well suited as a #2 guy (and #3 or #4 guy to start if he was in SF).

If I were the Niners at #30 and I had to deal to get up to #17 to get ahead a lot of teams dying for a playmaker like Lee, I'd be willing to give up a 2nd rd pick to get there.

Do you think Lee will translate to the NFL and would he fit on the 49ers?

[ATL Boy]

Off the cuff, who could you see the Niners trading up for? Seems like their big needs are with a speedy WR/kick returner and a safety who is capable and ready to replace Whitner from day 1.

I think they could also target a pass catching TE/H-Back, as Vance McDonald was a non-factor despite getting the opportunity. I could also see them target a CB high in the draft.

Is there any player worth making that jump for higher into the first round? What do you think it would cost to get that guy?

Just a thought, but would their first, both seconds, and a first next year to move all the way up to get Sammy Watkins in the top 5 be too much?

Hey, the Falcons did it and have never looked back since. It's an all in move but if Watkins really does become the Julio Jones/AJ Green player he's projected to be, then the niners will overtake Seattle in the NFC West imo.

[GS Warriors 1]

I think the only team that would really think about it is St. Louis, they don't truly need Clowney and they seem settled on Bradford at QB. I guess they could stick and take a tackle but they are usually a team that seems to like to trade down and stockpile picks as of late in recent years. Another could be Oakland if a QB they really like is gone but they need top tier talent anywhere possible(Mack? Maybe even Watkins for themselves). Everyone else sticks around to take a QB/Clowney.

[GS Warriors 1]

Do the Buccaneers think a QB falls down to 7 or is Carr a strong consideration there?