2010 NFL Off-Season Rumors and Reports (Week 4)

[The Goat]

Does anybody realistically expect Okung to fall to us? Both Detroit and Tampa need youth at LT and he's the best in the draft. And at 306 lbs he moves very well and shows the ability to play in just about any scheme (though it sounds like he'll be best suited for zone-blocking).

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Does anybody realistically expect Okung to fall to us? Both Detroit and Tampa need youth at LT and he's the best in the draft. And at 306 lbs he moves very well and shows the ability to play in just about any scheme (though it sounds like he'll be best suited for zone-blocking).

Tampa is in the same boat as St. Louis in that they've spent a lot of early picks on their line, or in Tampa's case the O-Line. Trueblood and Penn are one of the better pair of bookends in the league. They also have Davin Joesph, Jeff Faine, and Jeremy Zutah on the interior. If anything what they really seem to want now is a difference maker on the D-Line. Someone that can bring the same sort of level of play to the defense that Warren Sapp brought for all those years.

Detroit on the other hand as far as Tackle is concerned has a reliable type in Jeff Backus and a recent first round pick invested in Gosder Cherillus. They also have a head coach in Swartz who saw first hand what a guy like Albert Haynesworth can do for a defense. Of course maybe they want better protection for Stafford but it's certainly possible that they could pass on Okung. On the other hand I don't see Tampa really considering him at all.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Does anybody realistically expect Okung to fall to us? Both Detroit and Tampa need youth at LT and he's the best in the draft. And at 306 lbs he moves very well and shows the ability to play in just about any scheme (though it sounds like he'll be best suited for zone-blocking).

Tampa definitely will take a DT, or trade down, but there is no way they leave this draft without a stud DT. Detroit does have a need to get younger, but not a dire need. Their LT has started every game for 9 years, and is still serviceable. What they NEED is interior linemen. And there will be very good ones in the 2nd round. But there won't be a stud DT like Suh or McCoy, and Schwartz knows what a stud DT can do in his system. The Most likely way for Okung to be gone is if the Rams don't take Bradford, in which case a spot opens up for some strange things and maybe Okung and Bradford disappear. As it stands now the top 4 picks in order will most probably be
Bradford
McCoy (or Suh, but McCoy is has been more consistent so I think he goes here)
Suh
Okung

I think the time lag between the combine and draft just makes the talking heads have to fill up space with all the various combinations, but Detroit and Tampa both need and understand the need for an impact player at DT.