Draft Thoughts - The Post-Haynesworth Edition

[The Goat]

WRT the depth at OT and LB for this year's draft i think there's a huge difference of opinion... Kiper lists his top 5 OTs:

1. Jason Smith, Baylor
2. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
3. *Andre Smith, Alabama
4. Michael Oher, Mississippi
5. *Eben Britton, Arizona

but goes on to say anyone taken after these will be a project in the NFL. Personally i think all five will go in the first round though maybe 1 or 2 fall into the 20's.

Onto LB it's a pretty bleak picture. Kiper's ILBs:

1. Rey Maualuga, USC
2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
3. Jason Phillips, TCU
4. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
5. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina

Obviously Rey is the big prize but beyond him there isn't a guy who really stands out.

Finally Kiper's take on the OLBs is the most disappointing:

1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. Clay Matthews, USC
3. Brian Cushing, USC
4. Larry English, Northern Illinois
5. Clint Sintim, Virginia

Curry's ability isn't in question but he'll be gone by the 5th overall pick. Kiper says Sintim really isn't 1st round talent. Also like mentioned a hundred time Cushing has a big durability downside.

Now i've seen a lot of posts here and comments around the web that OT talent is pretty deep and LB talent is uber deep... it doesn't look that way according to the authority, albeit a dorky guy, on college players.

I think the bottom line is that if we hope to get two legit starters at OT and LB from the draft we're probably gonna have to move our 2nd pick up from the 3rd round. On the other hand I loath the idea of trading down from 13 if we have to then pass on A. Smith, Oher or Rey.