2/20/09
2009 NFL Draft E-mails – Sanchez, Pettigrew, Jenkins
I just read your team needs on the Texans, and I wanted to respond to it. If you disagree with it, that’s totally fine.
You are missing a need at SAM linebacker. Xavier Adibi and Zach Diles are athletic and motivated, but, given their sudden injury concerns, and that fact that they are more sized to be WILLs than SAMs, the Texans would be very well served to get a strongside linebacker and let Adibi and Diles split time at Weakside. I think we should make a play for Cincy’s Rashad Jeanty since he fits the Texans’ free agent style of underrated, undervalued veterans.
My Response:
The reason I didn’t list SLB as a need is because I think Zach Diles actually played really well before he got hurt. I’d want to see him get a shot as the guy at that position next year.
As for Jeanty, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of tender the Bengals place on him, but I think it might require a second-round pick to get him.
I don’t think the Falcons are drafting Pettigrew. Could they improve at TE? Definitely. If he fell to them given your realistic scenario could this happen? Sure.
However, the Falcons system really uses TEs as blockers and doesn’t emphasize them much in the passing game. I would bet they use their 2nd (maybe) or 3rd on a TE like chase coffman or the guy out of south carolina (can’t remember his name, as a UGA fan I thought he was really good though). Just wanted to let you know, not a critique but an observation. It’s obvious you do your homework so maybe you already knew this.
My Response:
I know the Falcons use TEs as blockers, but that’s exactly why Brandon Pettigrew is the perfect fit for them. He’s one of the top blocking TEs in this class, so he would be an upgrade there and in the passing game as well.
I was wondering what your rationale was for having the Seahawks pass on Malcolm Jenkins at pick 4. I haven’t seen anyone make this prediction yet. I know it’s probably a bit of a reach, but you (or Matt McGuire?) really don’t seem to like the idea of the Seahawks taking a tackle in the first round because of how much money they already have invested there. And you have cornerback listed as the Seahawks No. 1 need this off-season.
Jenkins is the best cornerback available, so it seems like the perfect combination of need/elite players available for him to be selected there. Is a cornerback’s perceived value really low enough to drop him out of consideration for the top-4? I don’t think it’s Jenkins individual level of talent that’s at issue, because I’ve seen plenty of mocks predicting him going to the Browns at number 5.
What about Moreno to the Broncos? Now that Shanahan is gone, do you think they might want a #1 back? Moreno seems like he would fit their blocking scheme really well (unless that left with Shanahan too). Couple all of that with the issues they had with running back injuries last year…I bet Cutler would be a fan of that pick. McDaniels is an offensive coach, and Selvin Young hasn’t really proven anything…anyway, what do you think?
My Response:
Matt’s the one that doesn’t believe the Seahawks won’t draft an OT. I do.
I think No. 4 is too high for Malcolm Jenkins. I never had him above No. 8 in my mock. With receiver and left tackle being needs, I think both of those positions are more valuable and more deserving of No. 4 money, even though CB might be more of a need.
Knowshon Moreno to the Broncos would make sense if they didn’t have so many holes on defense. I just don’t think they can afford to spend a pick on a RB when history has shown you can get one in the middle rounds. Denver’s defense is too awful.
I’m a KC homer, so I’m sure I can’t look at this board as objectively as you guys can. That said (and I may be buying in to the Pioli hype a bit too much), but I can’t see KC reaching this far for a 1 yr. starting junio. No doubt you both have made excellent points on why him and why not some others. I can’t disagree with you that Sanchez has some raw talent, and is no doubt the 2nd best QB. I also think finding a franchise QB is/should be the #1 priority for any team.
That said, I say Pioli drafts the best player here… period. I don’t know who that is, but in the 1% chance that Stafford falls here…y eah, we take a QB. I don’t think the 3rd best player on the board is Sanchez, and is a BIG reach at #3.
I tend to think that Crabtree (if here), Curry, or the best OT (we’re BAD on the right) goes here. I know, I know, nobody takes a LB at #3. That said, Pioli and Belichick have found a way to come up w/ really good QB’s in later rounds. Taking a QB this high that turns out to be a bust can have long-term consequences to a franchise. I think that will be a consideration. Anyway, I don’t see it, but it’s certainly possible.
My Response:
I disagree with your assessment that Sanchez is a reach at No. 3. Why is he a reach? He’s a Pro-style QB with all the attributes you could want out of an NFL quarterback. If I thought Sanchez was a reach, I wouldn’t have the Chiefs taking him at No. 3.
But since you brought up reaching, Aaron Curry and a right tackle would be reaching at No.3. No 4-3 linebacker or right tackle is worth third-overall money. That’s why only one linebacker has been chosen in the top three in 11 years, and that picked ultimately failed. Meanwhile, right tackles can be found in the later rounds.
Michael Crabtree is interesting at No. 3 and if Brian Orakpo has a great Combine, he could be considered… but right now, the pick looks like it’s going to be Sanchez.
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