jhern87
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Attyla the Hawk":37knk1j2 said:jhern87":37knk1j2 said:I couldn't agree more on the importance of the O-line. Unfortunately I'm not as sold on our ability to pick the right ones (Carpenter wasn't a good pick in round 1). I do like Yankey from Stanford though! He's big and very athletic for how big he is. I would be ecstatic if we ended up with him on draft day.
Was there a particular OL prospect in 2011 that you think we should have taken? Honestly, at any position was there a guy you'd have taken between #25 and 35 overall? Outside of Wilkerson who wasn't a fit for a team already with Red Bryant on it -- I'm not seeing any talent between Carpenter and the next 10 draft picks.
I think it's been well established that Seattle had to take OL in 2011. We weren't in a position to not take them. We didn't even have a starting 5 on the roster. And we weren't exactly flush with cap space then either.
Otherwise, I'd say our ability to pick the right OL talent has been superb. Okung/Williams was a no brainer at 6. Sweezy in the 7th. Giacomini off a practice squad. McQuistan a waiver wire pick up. Bowie a 7th round pick. Bailey a UDFA.
Other than Fat Rabbit (PS) and the since retired Moffitt -- every guy we've ever drafted is still on an active NFL roster as far as I know.
I've been eyeing Bitonio since the senior bowl before the combine and his performance there really sealed/confirmed more than I necessarily saw on tape. In terms of athletic testing, which Seattle covets, his scores are up there with top 10 overall guys going back half a decade. It doesn't mean he's as good as they are but the raw materials are certainly all there. He was a mid to late second round grade OL talent before the combine so it's not as if he's pulling a Dontari Poe.
It's certainly an interesting draft class. But overall I expect Bitonio's relative scores to be very much off the charts compared to prospects at other positions that are expected to be available at 32.
I don't thinking reaching for a guy is ever the answer. If you're going to stay put then take the BPA but if they "had to take an OL" (as you claim) then trade down. Even Carpenter's own coach was surprised he went that early and he hasn't played to the level of a first round pick; so his confusion was obviously warranted.
Joel Bitonio would be a great pick imo. Big strong and looks physically capable of playing immediately.