Crabtree or Maclin?

[8485]

Aso is not a sure thing to be signed again with a franchise tag and I thought Burgess could opt out at the end of the year? Thats what I remember if I am wrong I am worng.


Anyways I still dont see any of these top picks coming here. O line is a big deal and I could see us doing that if we dont worry about Aso or Burgess in the first two rounds. Also I really dont feel any of these guys hold up to this years draft.

We had our shot this year to get a guy and and move forword and we didnt. Al went after Walker and signed him to a huge deal to be our #1 wr. Why would you go out and get another one? I think they will draft late rounds still for a wr
its what makes sense if we keep Walker and we have no choice but to keep Walker.

[MarJack]

I know we probably don't have the luxury to draft a WR in the first or second round, but we have to get one higher rather than lower. We can't keep on drafting people like Arman Shields and Chaz Schilens, hoping maybe suddenly they will outclass their draft position and become a number 1 receiver, it hardly ever happens. Look at the top receivers out there, there is a very small amount of decent receivers who were taken later. Marques Colston is an exception, but he is one in a thousand, why waste our time trying to find the next one when we can get a better receiver earlier. Oher in the first round and Maclin in the second, I would be shi**ing myself.

[Slump]

Originally Posted by MarJack

I know we probably don't have the luxury to draft a WR in the first or second round, but we have to get one higher rather than lower. We can't keep on drafting people like Arman Shields and Chaz Schilens, hoping maybe suddenly they will outclass their draft position and become a number 1 receiver, it hardly ever happens. Look at the top receivers out there, there is a very small amount of decent receivers who were taken later. Marques Colston is an exception, but he is one in a thousand, why waste our time trying to find the next one when we can get a better receiver earlier. Oher in the first round and Maclin in the second, I would be shi**ing myself.

We have to wait and see what happens with Javon Walker. We are already paying him to be our #1 WR. Hopefully, if he continues to struggle, he'll retire after this season. If he does we can look at trades/FA. If not we might be stuck with him and guys like Curry and Higgins.

[TheAxis]

Originally Posted by 8485

Aso is not a sure thing to be signed again with a franchise tag and I thought Burgess could opt out at the end of the year? Thats what I remember if I am wrong I am worng.


Anyways I still dont see any of these top picks coming here. O line is a big deal and I could see us doing that if we dont worry about Aso or Burgess in the first two rounds. Also I really dont feel any of these guys hold up to this years draft.

We had our shot this year to get a guy and and move forword and we didnt. Al went after Walker and signed him to a huge deal to be our #1 wr. Why would you go out and get another one? I think they will draft late rounds still for a wr
its what makes sense if we keep Walker and we have no choice but to keep Walker.

I have not heard anything about Burgess being able to opt out after this year, not saying you're wrong, just havent heard anything myself.

I think Al will make an attempt to sign both of them, but no guarantees that they will want to stay here. Regardless of what they do, right now our biggest needs are O-line, D-line, and WR in my opinion. You make a good point about Walker but he hasn't worked out so far. I don't think we pass up the chance to take a WR just because we have a supposed #1 that doesn't play like one.

I really think it comes down to taking the BPA at one of these positions when we pick. And also trying to hit all three positions within the first 4 rounds.

To me, right now it looks like if we pick in the top 10 we will have a shot at one of the top offensive tackles.

If we pick 10-20 we're looking at Heyward-Bey, Maclin or Crabtree. or maybe a DE like Greg Hardy.

20 and below, although very unlikely, we are probably looking at the second tier group of O-lineman like Meredith, Jason Smith, Duke Robinson(second tier because he is a guard), etc.

[R8RFOX]

Originally Posted by TheAxis

8485 are you aware that Burgess is under contract for next year and there is a good chance that Asomugha will be franchised if he is not signed longterm??

Yup! I see Aso getting a long term deal or getting tagged AGAIN. Burgess, if he proves himself may get a new contract that keeps him here longer and is full of performance based incentives. If not, we don't need to touch his contract and let him ride it out another year with no change. I see some top WR FA talent that may be available this year. We kno Roy Williams is not going to be a Lion next year. I also wonder what Ocho Cinco will be doing. I for one would rather get Bey, Crabtree, or Maclin. Either one of those guys would be incredible additions for Russell. Priority should be in this order. LT, WR, DT, DE and then I don't care...

[Heart of Oak]

Firstly, I would rather see us trade up a bit to get the LT we want, rather than draft WR. However, I will play the game for now and draft WR . It really depends what you want out of your wideout, there are four top WRs - Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin & Heyward-Bey:

Crabtree - this guy looks like the best all round receiver, he gets YAC, he is tall, strong, brilliant hands and the only knock you could have on him is that he isn't the quickest and he plays in a pass-happy offense that inflates his numbers. However, pass-happy offense aside, the figures are truly astounding for a freshman.

Maclin - this guy is as fast as lightning, but is also one of the most fluid players I have ever had the joy to watch. As the YouTube clip says, he just glides. I think, while Crabtree is the better all round player, Maclin would be the more exciting to watch and would be more of a big play maker. However, I am a little concerned about his ability to get physical.

Harvin - this guy has a big NFL career ahead of him, but I have serious concerns about us drafting him. If we draft WR, we need a true #1, and I don't see this in Harvin. Most of his yards are rushing yards, which concerns me for a WR. He also lacks physical size (mainly height), most of the top WRs are 6'3 plus. In addition, I don't want to invest first round money in a 'Florida Gator Wideout'. I think he will become one of the most successful slot receivers in the league, but not a true #1 wideout.

Heyward-Bey - this guy is the dark horse of the race. On the one hand his measurables are excellent, but it is hard to guage him, because while Crabtree is part of pass-happy attack, Heyward-Bey has had dubious talent at QB throwing to him. I also fear he is the workout warrior of the group - no proof, just a hunch.

My choice would probably be Maclin, based on the fact that Crabtree will likely be gone given he has been so hyped.

But, if we draft high, I say we trade up enough to get Oher if possible. If we draft outside the top 10, Ciron Black is my LT of choice. then I proceed:

1. Oher / Black (OT)
2. Mack / Luigs (C)
3. Tyrone McKenzie (LB)
4. BJ Raji (DT)

I have omitted CB, WR & DE because:
a) If I can't have a top WR, then I would rather just take a low-tariff FA like Chad Jackson and wait until next year's draft, in any case, I don't know we can invest much more cap at WR just now.
b) Aso will sign or be exclusively franchised. Al, while trying to build the Raiders back up, can't afford to lose his best player.
c) At DE, I have Everson Griffin lined up as Burgess' successor, although it should be noted that Kalimba is playing his socks off right now.

[gdamac]

I am hoping we pick in the mid teens and we take a LT. Then a WR in the 2nd. Al said "We need to keep JaMarcus alive" (I paraphrase) so hopefully that means he takes the OL seriously. If Cable is still around hopefully we will pick a real stup OT.

[8485]

We have to take the best guy on the Board and if Crabtree is there we need to take him and I cant Imagine Al not taken him if he is there. Thats if Crabtree even comes out this year,he might not be the in the draft this year. I think if he's not there and then draft a Oline guy cause i dont think Maclin is a first rnd pick just yet,he is more of a return guy.

We can get good Oline guy in the second rnd and later rnds. Gallery isnt a great pick. He has never been to a pro bowl and has yet to live up to his draft postion.

[BoJack247]

Originally Posted by 8485

We have to take the best guy on the Board and if Crabtree is there we need to take him and I cant Imagine Al not taken him if he is there. Thats if Crabtree even comes out this year,he might not be the in the draft this year. I think if he's not there and then draft a Oline guy cause i dont think Maclin is a first rnd pick just yet,he is more of a return guy.

We can get good Oline guy in the second rnd and later rnds. Gallery isnt a great pick. He has never been to a pro bowl and has yet to live up to his draft postion.

just because Gallery didn't live up to his hype doesn't mean we should disregard high LT prospects all together. high picks before him and after him have worked out. Gallery had too much hype coming out, with all the draft experts calling him the next Anthony Munoz. everyone was wrong on that one.

i would definitely pick a top flite LT prospect over a WR prospect any day of the week. this past year showed that quality WRs aren't as valuable a commodity as OL prospects, as just about every WR fell into the second and third rounds, from Devin Thomas to DeSean Jackson to Early Doucet.

[OTF]

Originally Posted by Heart of Oak

But, if we draft high, I say we trade up enough to get Oher if possible. If we draft outside the top 10, Ciron Black is my LT of choice. then I proceed:

1. Oher / Black (OT)
2. Mack / Luigs (C)
3. Tyrone McKenzie (LB)
4. BJ Raji (DT)

I agree, we should seriouusly be considering Oher or Black. Would rather wait on LBs we have much bigger needs. Everything else looks good but would still like to go WR in the 3rd.

Originally Posted by BoJack247

i would definitely pick a top flite LT prospect over a WR prospect any day of the week.

Amen! An average WR will get open if given enough time while a great WR will never see the ball if the QB doesn't have time to throw it. Think back to when we had Moss before he quit and it should be obvious. If we can add an elite LT then our passing game will look good even with the same WRs we have now.

[Slump]

Another reason to draft a LT: If we get a good enought LT that means we can let McFadden/Bush/Fargas catch passes out of the backfield instead of pass-blocking. I would much rather use McFadden as a reciever, his pass-blocking has not looked good so far.

[Bram Raider]

Originally Posted by BoJack247

yes, i know its early to talk about next year's draft, but it keeps me optimistic. if we pick outside of the top 10 and 3 of the premier LT prospects are gone, imo we should pick a WR to give Jamarcus a good #1...then grab a good LT prospect in round 2.

Crabtree is clearly the early favorite, but the more i watch Jeremy Maclin play, the more impressed i am...not to mention he's a threat on kick returns. check out the vids:

What is interesting about both is the unsophisticated offenses both play in.
Crabtree was getting a number of short dumps and running after the catch.
Maclin's vid showed too many reverses. Otherwise many of his receptions were similar.

It worries me somewhat about both.
I don't think either will tear up the NFL for a few seasons whilst they learn the position properly.
In the meanwhile, you use their strengths like they were used in college.

As to who we would draft if it was a straight choice, would depend upon our offense.
Running a WCO hybrid, then Crabtree is a better fit. He reminds me a little of J.Rice.
Running more of a vertical offense, you choose Maclin. He has the deep speed required. Maclin shows great forward lean and looks a little like DeSean Jackson, but with more sand in his pants. He could end up another T.Brown, starting off as a WR / KR / PR having great speed, then developing his route running.

I think though that the decisions of both to go early will depend upon their draft grade given. Both do look like 1st rounders, so its possible.
If both do and the choice is Al Davis', expect Jeremy Maclin, because of his speed. Crabtree and Walker are similar.

[Bram Raider]

With Maclin though, I'd make damn sure than ACL he tore in 2006 and replaced with one from a cadaver was fine.