RolandDeschain":21n7hgpn said:
Part of the reason I think it could/would work is that you wouldn't have to have a bunch of expensive veteran O-linemen. Assuming you hit one decent starter (or better) every other year, you could get away with having at most one guy on your line making big bucks. Besides, a line filled with 5 guys that are solidly good would make for an EXCELLENT offensive line, you don't need an elite guy or two on your line; though obviously, they're nice. Considering the cohesiveness with which offensive lines must work, I think it'd be definitely feasible. Not that I know for sure or anything, obviously. Has any team ever tried this? I wonder if there's a way to easily check if a team has drafted a lineman in say, 8 drafts out of 10, or something?
Two major issues with this:
1. You'd be potentially fighting your board in the early rounds every year. If the supply is there to make these O-line picks, fair enough. But at the moment offensive lineman are being way over drafted. Three tackles went in the top four picks last year and it pulled all the other guys forward too. So you might be drafting the 7th or 8th best tackle or guard in a class for the sake of it, when the value is superior elsewhere. This limits your opportunity to draft the solid starters you're talking about. Plus, you'd be potentially missing out on better players elsewhere.
2. The whole plan is reliant on hitting on a decent starter every other year at a minimum. Just two drafts where you don't achieve this sets you back to the point you're having to then replace the guys on the o-line you've busted on... all the while ignoring other positions. Whenever you zone in on one unit repetitively, it puts even more pressure to hit on your picks.
Plus, as mentioned earlier Seattle is approaching a crossroads. For three seasons we've benefited from cheap rookie deals in the new CBA and being able to add high price free agents to compliment the squad. Starting at the end of this current season, we're going to have to pay the studs. Sherman will be paid in 2014. Earl Thomas will be re-signed to a much bigger contract. I would argue Michael Bennett has already done enough to warrant serious consideration for a big deal.
It means guys like Mebane, Rice, Miller, Bryant, Clemons and others will be on the chopping block to save cash to pay our stars. And they will need to be replaced in the draft to get new cheaper players on the roster. I think last year showed we're already in 'plan ahead' mode. Guys like Jesse Williams and Jordan Hill may well be possible replacements for Mebane and Bryant. Next year the draft will be more of the same.
That doesn't mean we ignore the o-line... we will almost certainly have to replace Breno and McQuistan in the draft unless they're willing to sign ridiculously cheap deals. But it means keeping an open mind and drafting for value and not focusing too much on one unit.