Rumor Draft Rumors Ramping Up

Rolling with 5th round picks and hoping to find a diamond in the rough seems like a pretty bad way to go about finding a franchise QB IMO.

 

If they don't go Winston or Mariota at #2, the QB I think they like in the later rounds is Mannion. He's the prototypical Whisenhunt QB, tall, very strong arm, etc. And like @TitanJeff said, you could spend a mid rounder on him to see if he flourishes in the event Mett doesn't and you're only out a mid-rounder if he doesn't.

A few draft thoughts:

1. I don't rule out the possibility of going offense in the 1st round, whether or not that's pick #2 or a lower pick after trading. If you look at our defense, we do have some difference makers (Casey, Orakpo, Williamson) but our offense really doesn't have anyone that scares anybody. And with Whis being an offensive guy, I wouldn't put it past him to pull the trigger on someone like Kevin White or Amari Cooper, even if it would be considered a reach.

2. If they go defense, I wouldn't be surprised to see them pass on Williams in favor of an OLB. In almost every interview I've heard, Ruston has emphasized that he wants to get better and deeper at all the LB positions. We would have our choice of any of the outside guys at #2 to come in and play in rotation with Morgan and Orakpo. I know you typically don't want to draft a guy this high to play in a rotation, but you can never have too many pass rushers and the guy would be great insurance if Orakpo is injured again.

 

Is Mannion a better option than trading for Barkley?

Another late round name I've read about is Bo Wallace, seems like a Mett type QB.

 

Just another view to look at like you said bro, the question is, IS Mariota worth changing your system for? Here is how I look at it. What can turn around this team faster, Whiz confusing system, or old school control the clock/run Offense. This would help our D and we have the pieces for it. Grab a run blocking RT, add a RB in round 2-3 that can run in between the tackles, now you have Sankey, Rookie, and Andrews/DMC and Mariota. Suddenly, you are dangerous and controlling drives, and players don't have to be Einstein to get it.

 

or trade for Rivers...
Chargers, Mariota talk isn’t going away | ProFootballTalk

 

Iv'e been saying this for a while. We need a true #1, I could see them rolling with Cooper/White especially after signing a great route runner like Douglas etc. I also think that the could go OLB with #2. LeBeau loves linebackers, and if Orakpo doesn't stay healthy, bang, plug in.

 

FTR I believe Mariota can eventually master Whiz's offense, its not too much for him IMO, but he will struggle mightily transitioning.

Mariota is a good option in 2016 and beyond. And if we dumb down the offense 2014 was all for nothing. I like to think of that as a learning year, and now we can move forwards.

 

I think he has it in him to transition as well, but you get what I am saying. We don't have to dumb it down, just take 1 thing and do it well, then the rest we can build on. Having a great run game NEVER hurts a team, and it's something we did well for a long period of time. I miss that.

 

Mannion is bigger and has a stronger arm than Barkley. I just think if Barkley was going to develop, he would have done so in the past 3 years he's been in the league and could at least challenge Sanchez for the #2 QB spot.

I've been ringing the bell for Mannion for a while and he just had a great pro-day last week. Check out the article (with a video) about it.

Sean Mannion of Oregon State has look of an NFL QB at pro day - NFL.com

I will be surprised if Wallace gets drafted. He is SO inconsistent. And inconsistency is one thing that scares scouts quite a bit. Even Ole Miss fans said there was a "Good Bo" and a "Bad Bo." There were times when he looked like a stud and other times he couldn't throw the ball in the ocean.

 

Yes!! but with 2 1st rounds (one next year) and maybe an additional 2nd round this year.. I hate the dude as much as anyone, but I believe it's the best chance to save some jobs next year...