2016 Mariota vs 2015 Mariota

Byard hasn't really made too many plays yet but hes a sure tackler. Pretty sure hes leading the safeties in snap % by now.

 

Oh, thought he was making fun of Lewan's name lol

 

I feel this draft was about getting value for the #1, fixing the RT issue and getting depth guys who can eventually start.

Conklin, that one is obvious. Henry was a great value pick, and has looked good every opportunity he's had. Only reason he hasn't played more snaps is because Murray is the 2nd leading rusher in the NFL. Murray has another year with this team and then he's done here I'm sure, thus making the Henry pick smart.

Douglas is done. Sharpe will either be the #2, or a great Wright replacement, which is great value for where is was picked.

I didn't want Dodd at #33, I'd have preferred a CB so not defending this one. That said, we saw what happened when Morgan went down last year, an OLB was needed. If he didn't have the stress fracture and missed TC and been injured, the outlook on him could be totally different. I'm saving judgement till next year on him. But again, I didn't care for this pick.

Loved the Johnson pick. But Woods is the vet the resigned for 1 year and has been playing solid. This team couldn't stop the run in years past. They've been doing a good job this year, so I'm not going to complain that a rookie is stuck behind a vet on a decent run D team. He'll get more playing time next year and become the starter.

Byard has looked pretty good and is getting more snaps. He'll be a full time starter at S next year, no doubt.

So, we drafted the best RT through 13 weeks in the entire NFL, a workhorse RB to replace the great, aging back we have, a starting S, likely a starting NT, a starting WR and a depth OLB with an injury concern. Not sure what you were expecting, but I consider that nailing a draft. Especially with what JR did in FA, gaining an extra 1st this year (likely top 10), and compared to what we've done in previous drafts.

Not sure what you were expecting?

 

I've noticed him a fair bit in the past couple games. He's playing in a garbage secondary, but he's made some great tackles and plays the ball well. Could be special once the rest of the secondary is fixed.

 

I was

 

What would you take away from the draft and who would you replace that was available at the time?

 

Man he turned our RBs and O-line from one of the worst in the league to top tier. Brought WR from bottom tier to below-average.

Can't do everything in one year. Next year is the secondary obviously.

 

What he said, you can't fix a roster that was second worst, then worst in the league in back to back seasons, in one off season.

He picked up some stop gap secondary guys. I expect him to get that unit fixed this coming off season.

I will say I think Eli Apple was available at #33, who I'd have gone with over Dodd. But I get why JR made the pick he did.

 

I wanted Noah Spence with that pick. I heard he's doing ok.