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The Fourth Round Put This Draft Over The Top


panthers55

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I said last week that the first round would not make or break this draft. I indicated the 2nd and 4th rounds would be the ones that determine whether this draft was successful or not. I stand behind that all the more after looking at the results of this draft. Obviously picking an offensive guard in the second wasn't a sexy pick but it surely did solidify the line. But the fourth round was the one that really made this draft for me. Alexander and Adams are playmakers that will come in and contribute right away. Adams give us a legitimate punt returner for the first time since Smith was back there. I only hope that he isn't another Ryne Robinson who gave us hope only to fizzle out into oblivion. But for now I have high hopes he can come in and be a great contributor on a unit that has been absolutely abysmal.

Alexander looks to be a steal in the fourth. I can readily see why Hurney trade up and was willing to give away a sixth and 3rd next year to obtain him. He seems on film to be every bit as good as guys who were drafted much higher and only fell because of a misdiagnosis. He could rotate in right away and help spell both Johnson and Hardy. The more I see him, the better I like it.

This draft may not be another 2001 draft but it looks to shape up much better than the last few with the exception of 2011 where picking up Newton singlehandedly made it a good draft.

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I'm indifferent to the Alexander pick until we see him play. He could end up being one of those "how on earth did we get him there?" picks just as well as another "seriously - what the fug was he thinking?" pick. The only thing I don't see as a possibility for him is any sort of indifferent grey area.

I think the Silatolu pick will turn out to be a solid idea and I was secretly hoping we'd get Adams for a long time anyway...so I'm happy there.

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If Alexander pans out and becomes a legit NFL DE than this will be an excellent draft.

Thats a big if.

Good draft regardless though even though we could have improved our pass rush.

Well yeah, that's how all drafts are judged. At this point we can't look at any of them and make a judgment until they actually play.

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I was indifferent to the Alexander pick until I started doing some more research on the guy.

I am just as excited about his 19 tackles for loss, 8 broken up passes, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception as I am his 8.5 sacks.

He was a defensive playmaker even if he didn't have a bajillion sacks.

having talked to some people familiar with Oklahoma football he can play all along the defensive line of scrimmage. He played inside at tackle at times, outside, dropped into coverage at times.

I think he has a chance to be a really good player for us.

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Alexander's production increased every year at Oklahoma.. that's something scouts look for. He has a relentless motor, very long arms, and a variety of pass rush moves. He has some speed, but he prefers to be physical and shed blocks rather than run around his man. He was definitely an impact player and I thought he was a late 2nd-early 3rd round grade.

-Sooner Fan

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Alexander was a great value pick in the fourth and I think Hurney excels at getting great value in later rounds. This is just like Hardy in the 6th a few years ago. Alexander may not be Coples at this point but given where Coples went versus where we picked up Alexander, we got much better value. If he takes times to develop we haven't invested that much in him although I think he can contribute right away.

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