The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

http://footballgameplan.com/fbgps-2015-nfl-draft-special-inside-the-war-room-washington-redskins/

Good evening and Happy Easter Redskins fans! Here's my inside the war room special for you guys.

Enjoy!

Em

Emory, Scot McCloughan has repeatedly said he doesn't draft for need. I understand your analysis is based on what you would do were you the GM, but it's not really relevant if it's not based on the BPA approach that Scot is going to take. Where do you stand on the BPA approach vs. drafting for need? Personally, I think BPA is better for the long-term success of the franchise, while drafting for need leads to a more one-hit wonder kind of line-up.

I watched that video this morning, and feared I may have accidentally dropped some acid during the night. Bizarre first pick.

Still, I guess everybody is entitled to an opinion.

UK Skins Fan wrote:I watched that video this morning, and feared I may have accidentally dropped some acid during the night. Bizarre first pick.

LOL. Interesting analysis, UK!
Funny thing is, I see Shaq Thompson as a potential SS for someone, but certainly not this early!

Emory! Should we worry about you?

Thompson is an interesting talent, but is one of those players that doesn't seem to have a natural position in the NFL. I'd expect him to be a good player for somebody, but not good enough to justify a top 20 selection in my opinion, certainly not top 5. I still like the trade down approach - don't think there'll be a can't miss prospect available to us, and we can take several good steps to improving the roster by collecting as many picks as we can.

UK Skins Fan wrote:Thompson is an interesting talent, but is one of those players that doesn't seem to have a natural position in the NFL. I'd expect him to be a good player for somebody, but not good enough to justify a top 20 selection in my opinion, certainly not top 5. I still like the trade down approach - don't think there'll be a can't miss prospect available to us, and we can take several good steps to improving the roster by collecting as many picks as we can.

Regarding him as a Strong Safety... he was interviewed on Sirius NFLN a couple of days ago... when it was suggested that he might be taken to play safety, he responded, with absolute certainty and firmly..."I am a linebacker". Hell... he may be! Very smart player.

I wouldn't mind drafting him in round 2, if we trade down and gain another pick from somebody.

UK Skins Fan wrote:I wouldn't mind drafting him in round 2, if we trade down and gain another pick from somebody.

Where would you play him? He's very light for a 3-4 ILB...

Countertrey wrote:

UK Skins Fan wrote:I wouldn't mind drafting him in round 2, if we trade down and gain another pick from somebody.

Where would you play him? He's very light for a 3-4 ILB...

And therein lies the problem. I think his primary position would have to be SS, but I also think he'd be moved around all over. When I said "I wouldn't mind taking him in round 2", it was a poor choice of words. I'd rather we steered clear completely, but the main point I was attempting to make (very poorly) was that I don't think he's first round talent.

UK Skins Fan wrote:

Countertrey wrote:

UK Skins Fan wrote:I wouldn't mind drafting him in round 2, if we trade down and gain another pick from somebody.

Where would you play him? He's very light for a 3-4 ILB...

And therein lies the problem. I think his primary position would have to be SS, but I also think he'd be moved around all over. When I said "I wouldn't mind taking him in round 2", it was a poor choice of words. I'd rather we steered clear completely, but the main point I was attempting to make (very poorly) was that I don't think he's first round talent.

That's what's interesting... and where I "kind of" agree...and disagree...
I think he's definitely not first round SIZE... but he absolutely has first round talent. This is a very talented, driven, and intelligent football player. If he were playing at 245, there is no doubt in my mind that he'd be strongly considered by some teams in the mid to late first round. At his current weight, he's a significant risk at ILB... but he HAS played some safety... and was quite good... There isn't a large book on that, but he's so driven, that I have no doubt he'd be excellent. The problem is, he says "I'm a linebacker"... period. Wherever he ends up, he's going to be a nightmare for matchups.

I'll play devil's advocate for a second and say I wouldn't mind drafting him at round 3 to play ILB.

Can an NFL strength coach put 5-10 lbs on him? If so, he might make a great ILB in a 3-4 where he's asked to play a lot of coverage. He's 6'1", a talented athlete, and played safety. I can see him taking TEs out of the passing game and terrorizing WRs over the middle. With an improved defensive line in front of him that has a true 330+ lb nose tackle to help break up the run, he could potentially flourish. Our current LBs struggle in coverage.

With his size, I suspect he'd be a better fit as a 4-3 linebacker. He's intriguing, but nowhere close to being a top 5 pick (prepares to receive egg on face).

Countertrey wrote:I think he's definitely not first round SIZE... but he absolutely has first round talent. This is a very talented, driven, and intelligent football player. If he were playing at 245, there is no doubt in my mind that he'd be strongly considered by some teams in the mid to late first round. At his current weight, he's a significant risk at ILB... but he HAS played some safety... and was quite good... There isn't a large book on that, but he's so driven, that I have no doubt he'd be excellent. The problem is, he says "I'm a linebacker"... period. Wherever he ends up, he's going to be a nightmare for matchups.

I agree with CT on this at least from what I've read on Thompson. He's projected to go in the first round, doubt you'll see him there in the third.

I just don't quite understand what his position is. RB? OLB? ILB? And like you wrote I've seen him listed as a possible safety. If he's really capable of playing safety he could be one scary dude there.

riggofan wrote:He's projected to go in the first round, doubt you'll see him there in the third.

I wonder about where he'll go, since he seems adamant about playing linebacker only. I think you have to grade him as a linebacker and compare him to other linebackers, not just as a football player that will play where you want.

Hooligan wrote:

riggofan wrote:He's projected to go in the first round, doubt you'll see him there in the third.

I wonder about where he'll go, since he seems adamant about playing linebacker only. I think you have to grade him as a linebacker and compare him to other linebackers, not just as a football player that will play where you want.

I'm betting that he goes in the second round to a team that's willing to take some risks there.

If he can beef up without losing speed or quickness, somebody gets a nice backer... if he stays the same, they'll convince him to move to SS... and they'll get a nice Safety.

I like Emorys personality his videos and presentation seem professional.

However I always disagree with his opinions and this video is no exception. Shaq Thompson at no.5? Jeez Louis!
Shaq Thompson is a good player but surely not the best available at that point in the draft. Also not the best saftey either.

Who knows maybe he could be the next ST? But I could see Shaq in the second round maybe. I would not complain if we took Shaq in the second round.

The rest of the picks I do not like at all. Very small players along the Oline and Dline. Whereas both Scott and Gruden prefer bigger players.