The Case for CB at #7 (Okudah)

[MHS831]

Before we start analyzing the player, take a glimpse at the person.  In this link, Jeff Okudah announces that he is entering the draft in a letter to his mother who died of cancer recently.  It is hard to dismiss his character and determination to be great as her son. You see how he values teammates and has a mature concept of moment and opportunity.  This is a guy you want on your team.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/jeff-okudah-ohio-state-football

Then there is this:

The need to take the best CB in the draft at #7:  While we are all clamoring for OTs and DTs, there are a few factors that should be considered when you look at the team as a whole.  First, we have a raw LT with first round talent who was not really given a chance to develop this year.  I image the offseason will benefit Little.  Do not draft another one yet.  Secondly, this draft is loaded at DT and free agency will feature a DT or two, and we have some cap room (until Marty spends it all re-signing our own players).

Even if we pay Bradberry to return (I think Marty will give him a great deal to stay), we still do not have an answer on the other side.  Action Jackson needs to change his nickname to Tito--whatever happened to him?  I think he was out of position and would maximize his talent at Nickel.  Cockrell is depth at best.  By adding Okudah to the roster, you get a smart, agressive, long shut down CB who makes both outside CB spots better.   Bradberry no longer gets the #1 WR; he gets the #2.  That makes him better.  Okudah can cover any WR in the NFL right now--today.

We do not realize how bad the CB position was this year for 2 reasons:  We had a ton of sacks/pressure on the QB, minimizing the oppositions ability to pick apart the secondary, and teams could run on us and usually had a lead.  If we can practically shut down the opposition's #1 and #2 WRs, we are going to stay in games longer--and win a few.  While it may not seem like a top need, CB is a huge need.

Of course, if Bradberry walks, we might not have a choice if Okudah is on the board.

Next:  "The case to draft a QB at #7"

[micnificent28]

Hes gone before we can pick him. Most have him 3-4 range.

[LinvilleGorge]

If we hire a coach with a zone heavy defensive scheme then a CB at #7 almost certainly doesn't make sense.

[Seltzer]

6 minutes ago, micnificent28 said:

Hes gone before we can pick him. Most have him 3-4 range.

Yep.  Would love to have him but I think it is a pipe dream

[Snake]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If we hire a coach with a zone heavy defensive scheme then a CB at #7 almost certainly doesn't make sense.

We honestly can't really know what we need till we see our defensive coach. I absolutely agree taking CB high would be a mistake though if we run a zone scheme. 

[MHS831]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If we hire a coach with a zone heavy defensive scheme then a CB at #7 almost certainly doesn't make sense.

There are some good Zone CBs in this draft later.

About him not being there at #7--he is the only CB I would take, so the argument is over when he is taken.

HOWEVER guys, you could have 2 or even 3 QBs taken in the top 5.  Young is in there too.  Thomas, Wirfs, Brown---I could see Okudah falling to us.

[mc52beast]

Gone before #7. Wouldn’t mind the pick if we can upgrade the o-line via FA, not many quality OT’s in this draft. Little has already had two concussions, how many more hits can he absorb before he’s Michael Oher?

Not too worried about DT’s, could possibly get Brown and if not there’s a buttload of them in this draft.

[mav1234]

He actually could be available at 7, but I think he probably will go 3 or 4. 

[MHS831]

In my view, there are only 2 players who we KNOW will not  be there at #7-Young and Burrow-barring some bad news, they are nearly locks to go 1-2--but we do not know for sure.  There are some players who I think could sneak into the top 7---Both of the prospects from Iowa, for example, could go top 7.  Brown, Thomas, and Jeudy---how could anyone say with certainty that JO will not be there? 

Is this possible?:

1. Burrow (99% sure he is the next Bengal QB)

2. Young (Best player in draft; doubtful defensive coach RR goes another direction)

3. Brown (Lions biggest need is DL, Brown is a versatile, violent DT)

4. Thomas (Giants need a T and he is a hog mollie--Gettlemen gets fired if he does not take Thomas)

5. Tua (The Dolphins and the Chargers #6 need a QB; if Tua comes out, I don''t see him getting past #6--Dolphins will be all in if they do not get Bridgewater, imo)

6. Wirfs or Herbert (The Chargers need QB and OT as their 2 biggest needs at the moment--if the Fish take Tua, I think the Bolts take Wirfs but someone is going to take the Herbert bait)

So you are saying this scenario is not possible? 

[Sgt Schultz]

I wouldn't hate the pick if he is available.  But, I still think we need a lot more help in the trenches. 

Relying on Little is a gamble because of the injuries.  And, I don't know if we have a handle on just how bad the OL is.  Could one player, for example Little, coming into his own make a big difference, or are we worse than that?

On the DL, we certainly got pressure on opposing QBs.  That was not the problem.  The big issue is one of us would have averaged over 5 yards a carry against our defense, largely because the DL was one-dimensional.  It could rush the passer, but it could not stop the run.  Those are the arguments against Okudah.

The argument I see for him: imagine being able to rush the passer with a shut-down corner on one side, assuming those expectations are realistic for him at the next level.  DCs would be drooling.  And there are some pretty good DTs in this draft, so missing one at #7 does not leave the position unaddressed.

But, it does not matter if the opposition is rushing for 240 yards a game.

[musicman]

I think this would be a great pick at #7

 

[Forty-Eight]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

Before we start analyzing the player, take a glimpse at the person.  In this link, Jeff Okudah announces that he is entering the draft in a letter to his mother who died of cancer recently.  It is hard to dismiss his character and determination to be great as her son. You see how he values teammates and has a mature concept of moment and opportunity.  This is a guy you want on your team.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/jeff-okudah-ohio-state-football

Then there is this:

The need to take the best CB in the draft at #7:  While we are all clamoring for OTs and DTs, there are a few factors that should be considered when you look at the team as a whole.  First, we have a raw LT with first round talent who was not really given a chance to develop this year.  I image the offseason will benefit Little.  Do not draft another one yet.  Secondly, this draft is loaded at DT and free agency will feature a DT or two, and we have some cap room (until Marty spends it all re-signing our own players).

Even if we pay Bradberry to return (I think Marty will give him a great deal to stay), we still do not have an answer on the other side.  Action Jackson needs to change his nickname to Tito--whatever happened to him?  I think he was out of position and would maximize his talent at Nickel.  Cockrell is depth at best.  By adding Okudah to the roster, you get a smart, agressive, long shut down CB who makes both outside CB spots better.   Bradberry no longer gets the #1 WR; he gets the #2.  That makes him better.  Okudah can cover any WR in the NFL right now--today.

We do not realize how bad the CB position was this year for 2 reasons:  We had a ton of sacks/pressure on the QB, minimizing the oppositions ability to pick apart the secondary, and teams could run on us and usually had a lead.  If we can practically shut down the opposition's #1 and #2 WRs, we are going to stay in games longer--and win a few.  While it may not seem like a top need, CB is a huge need.

Of course, if Bradberry walks, we might not have a choice if Okudah is on the board.

Next:  "The case to draft a QB at #7"

Your title should be, “The case to trade up for Okudah”. 
 

because we ain’t getting him at 7

[WOW!!]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

Before we start analyzing the player, take a glimpse at the person.  In this link, Jeff Okudah announces that he is entering the draft in a letter to his mother who died of cancer recently.  It is hard to dismiss his character and determination to be great as her son. You see how he values teammates and has a mature concept of moment and opportunity.  This is a guy you want on your team.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/jeff-okudah-ohio-state-football

Then there is this:

The need to take the best CB in the draft at #7:  While we are all clamoring for OTs and DTs, there are a few factors that should be considered when you look at the team as a whole.  First, we have a raw LT with first round talent who was not really given a chance to develop this year.  I image the offseason will benefit Little.  Do not draft another one yet.  Secondly, this draft is loaded at DT and free agency will feature a DT or two, and we have some cap room (until Marty spends it all re-signing our own players).

Even if we pay Bradberry to return (I think Marty will give him a great deal to stay), we still do not have an answer on the other side.  Action Jackson needs to change his nickname to Tito--whatever happened to him?  I think he was out of position and would maximize his talent at Nickel.  Cockrell is depth at best.  By adding Okudah to the roster, you get a smart, agressive, long shut down CB who makes both outside CB spots better.   Bradberry no longer gets the #1 WR; he gets the #2.  That makes him better.  Okudah can cover any WR in the NFL right now--today.

We do not realize how bad the CB position was this year for 2 reasons:  We had a ton of sacks/pressure on the QB, minimizing the oppositions ability to pick apart the secondary, and teams could run on us and usually had a lead.  If we can practically shut down the opposition's #1 and #2 WRs, we are going to stay in games longer--and win a few.  While it may not seem like a top need, CB is a huge need.

Of course, if Bradberry walks, we might not have a choice if Okudah is on the board.

Next:  "The case to draft a QB at #7"

Alot of ppl here will crap on you because they have gone Oline crazy with no context...

But I applaud your attempt at thinking of a different path of improvements...

Good poo homie...

[CRA]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If we hire a coach with a zone heavy defensive scheme then a CB at #7 almost certainly doesn't make sense.

didn't he generally play man coverage at Ohio St?  

I mean talent is talent but corners are weird sometimes about being great in man or zone looks sometimes