Who do you not want us to draft?

Originally posted by Overkill:
Jake Locker

Originally posted by Overkill:

Originally posted by RedWaltz24:

Originally posted by Gavintech:

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:

Originally posted by RedWaltz24:
I know the team needs better pass-rush, but I would be worried if they used the #7 pick on a pass-rush specialist. I mean, when was the last time a top 10 pick was used on a pass-rush specialist 3-4 OLB that ended up being worth his spot in the draft?

There's really only been one 3-4 OLB drafted in the top 10 in the last 20 years (Vernon Gholston in '08), so there's not a huge sample size.

That was my point. You can't say you've seen a lot of top 10 flops when there has barely been anyone to flop.

I think there is a reason why teams tend not to draft those kind of guys in the top 10, same as certain other positions.

As I tried to communicate with my original post, is that I have seen a lot of success, but I have seen some failures. It just doesn't seem like a top 10 pick kind of position. I know I could be wrong, but it still doesn't make my stomach any less queasy when thinking about drafting someone of that sort at #7.

I think it has to do with a player playing one position (DE) in college and being drafted to play a different position (OLB) in the pros. There's some added risk there that has to be considered, especially at the top of the draft where the financial risk is so huge.

I'm not saying this should guide our decision on Quinn (or anybody else), just that I think it explains some of the historical bias.

Originally posted by rivercity:

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Blaine Gabbert - Not at #7

Cam Newton - Not at #7

Jake Locker - Not at all on the first day

Robert Quinn - Not at #7

Almost this-Add Mallet

OK, let me get this straight. The 4 teams left in the NFL playoffs all have QBs who were 1st-round picks; we have a new coach who's greatest strength may be developing QBs and who has stated, in contrast to his predecessor, that QB is the most important position; the draft has a number of high-ceiling QBs; the only QB on our roster is David Carr; and most of you all don't want to even consider drafting a QB! I beg to differ. Maybe there will be some way to trade back to the teens, pick up a 3rd, and still get one of those guys without picking them 7th, but we need to draft one early and give Harbaugh something to work with.

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:

Originally posted by Overkill:

Originally posted by RedWaltz24:

Originally posted by Gavintech:

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:

Originally posted by RedWaltz24:
I know the team needs better pass-rush, but I would be worried if they used the #7 pick on a pass-rush specialist. I mean, when was the last time a top 10 pick was used on a pass-rush specialist 3-4 OLB that ended up being worth his spot in the draft?

There's really only been one 3-4 OLB drafted in the top 10 in the last 20 years (Vernon Gholston in '08), so there's not a huge sample size.

That was my point. You can't say you've seen a lot of top 10 flops when there has barely been anyone to flop.

I think there is a reason why teams tend not to draft those kind of guys in the top 10, same as certain other positions.

As I tried to communicate with my original post, is that I have seen a lot of success, but I have seen some failures. It just doesn't seem like a top 10 pick kind of position. I know I could be wrong, but it still doesn't make my stomach any less queasy when thinking about drafting someone of that sort at #7.

I think it has to do with a player playing one position (DE) in college and being drafted to play a different position (OLB) in the pros. There's some added risk there that has to be considered, especially at the top of the draft where the financial risk is so huge.

I'm not saying this should guide our decision on Quinn (or anybody else), just that I think it explains some of the historical bias.

The conversion aspect is a great point. It's also been supply/demand....prior to 2004, there were only a handful of teams running a base 3-4, so those teams could wait until later rounds to grab these conversion-types. As more teams see the benefits of a 3-4 (especially over the last 6 years or so), you see an increase in these guys being taken in the 1st round (4 in 2009 alone).

IMO, as more teams move away from a base 4-3, we'll see an increase in 3-4 OLBs being taken in the 1st round, and possibly in the top 10.

Originally posted by rivercity:

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Blaine Gabbert - Not at #7

Cam Newton - Not at #7

Jake Locker - Not at all on the first day

Robert Quinn - Not at #7

Almost this-Add Mallet

OK, let me get this straight. The 4 teams left in the NFL playoffs all have QBs who were 1st-round picks; we have a new coach who's greatest strength may be developing QBs and who has stated, in contrast to his predecessor, that QB is the most important position; the draft has a number of high-ceiling QBs; the only QB on our roster is David Carr; and most of you all don't want to even consider drafting a QB! I beg to differ. Maybe there will be some way to trade back to the teens, pick up a 3rd, and still get one of those guys without picking them 7th, but we need to draft one early and give Harbaugh something to work with.

Originally posted by DRUSTOPO:
Easy...CAM NEWTON!!!! Ive been watching college football for a VERY LONG time. Ive seen these running QB's that bail themselves out by running 15 yards for a 1st down on 3rd and 14, keeping the drive alive, fail miserably at the next level. Throw in the fact that he's only been a starter for 1 full year and he has bust written all over him.

Originally posted by Thorhawk:
top of my list is cam newton