Draft wrap-up 2013

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by ethat001

[...]I"m sure it has been discussed somewhere over the past 1-2 weeks, but... everyone is saying they could start, both were supposed to have been drafted 2-3 rounds higher, but... they weren't. I realize the drugs with Rambo, but just wanted to see what everyone else was thinking by passing them up. A lot of teams passed on these guys round after round, and picked up much lower ranked safeties ahead of them. If we get "steals", I'd love it, but makes me wonder[.]

I pencilled in PT and BR as making the roster, not neccessarily as starters. Given that they are rookies and safety carries a lot of responsibility in our defensive system, I would be very surprised if both are a day one starters. Given the state of our safeties, however, I would be less so if one is a day starter. The bar, quite frankly, is not set very high right now, and, if they play competently during the preseason and work their way into the rotation, one or both may very well be regular starters by the end of the year. That is not a comment on their ability so much as it a comment on our lack of talent at the position.

While I think it unlikely either replaces B. Merriweather as starter, let us not forget BM has been cut twice folks and has played in one game for us. Just as we need to wait on the rookies, let's see more than one half out of Merriweather. I would agree that, based on his past performance, BM is the best we have at the position but that is just not saying much. As for Tanard Jackson, even if reinstated (not a given), he is not eligible to practice until after the preseason. I can see him starting out on the PUP list or something equivalent so he can get into game shape if Shanahan is even willing to give him a shot once reinstated. As I recall, MS was pretty pissed about his suspension and talked about accountability and how TJ really let folks down.

As for the rest of the safety crew, who is someone that we are saying "Oh yeah, he's a keeper - we can't cut him for a rookie". Gomes? Pugh? Doughty? Bernstine? If either PT or BR show even a little potential in preseason Gomes is history - he's had his shot to show up and, well, he hasn't. Bernstine - maybe, but Bernstine would probably be safe on the practice squad where PT and BR probably would not. Pugh? ehh. I think he is the day one starter opposite BM but is very very replaceable. Doughty? <sigh> I imagine he makes the team 'cause that's just what he does.

All in all, I think pencilling in PT and BR the final roster is pretty much a "unless they sh** the bed" move b/c of their youth and the draft pick investment but mostly b/c our current safeties are marginal at best.

As for being passed over, let's not forget last year. RB's chosen before our own Alfred Morris:

1(3) Trent Richardson (CLE)
1(31) Doug Martin (TAM)
1(32) David Wilson (NYG)
2(50) Isaiah Pead (STL)
2(61) LaMichael James (SFO)
3(67) Ronnie Hillman (DEN)
3(84) Bernard Pierce (BAL)
4(97) Lamar Miller (MIA)
4(106) Robert Turbin (SEA)
5(159) Chris Rainey (PIT)
5(170) Vick Ballard (IND)
6(173) Alfred Morris

Sure, Morris fits the Shanny system but, please, the boy is a tough, patient runner with vision - he would succeed in almost any system. Who knows why guys fall, several safeties (Vaccaro, Reid, Elam, Cyprien) were generally ranked ahead of PT & BR. Others may be scheme fits or just looking at different tape - You think the Giants, Rams, Pittsburg, the Colts and Miami aren't cursing themselves for passing on Morris? Bottom line, regardless of ranking, it's a big ol' crap shoot and, hopefully, by throwing enough darts at the DB's we hit something close to a bullseye.

PT and BR are getting a lot of early love based on their college play. Regardless, I think their making the roster is a given in light of our crappy safety talent and the fact that they are this year's cheap talent. Further, and for the same reasons, earning a starter's spot at safety is not an impossible dream on this team - not seeing any Ed Reed's or Sean Taylor's on the current roster. However, whether they are "steals" or not is an entirely different question that will have to wait until we see them strap on some pads and play with the big boys.