This exactly, overpay as needed.

This high pick makes it easy to justify bad decisions, perhaps somewhat like heroin. We have a top 5 QB and a bottom 5 line. I don't see that there is any priority above the OL.

This team absolutely sucks without Andrew Luck. Lets protect that first. God forbid we somehow manage to create a running game out of the deal.

Barry Sanders would've averaged over 5 ypc behind this O-Line. As far as run blocking goes, I would say the O-Line was middling to average. Now, if you wanna talk about the pass blocking, then that's a different conversation.

If we really wanna face the facts, Gore just doesn't have the speed anymore to not only hit some of the holes, but to break the big runs. If there is a cutback lane to the outside, you can see that he can't take full advantage of it.

Also, I'm not sold on Mack as Gore's replacement either. We've got to get another dynamic dual threat RB.

I am not disagreeing with this in the least. I want Andrew Luck to have his Edge.....

But, I want the order to be O-Line first, RB second. Taking a RB with one of our top three choices in the 2018 draft reverses that order.

That is all I am trying to say. Fix the O-Line; find an Edge. That is the order Ballard should take.

Walk Worthy,

I’d love it if they signed two solid OL in UFA, drafted one in the top 2 rounds, and hit on a 3rd round RB like KC and NO did.

Sherck. Don't explain things to me like I don't know about the OL problems. Of course the OL is top priority. But we are not fixing the OL with a second or third round pick. We're fixing it with FA, a new scheme on offense, better coaching, and maybe a high first round pick. Most OL don't develop enough in college anymore.

Frank Gore is a very good back for his age. I'm happy to bring him back for another year to transition to our new lead back. But he's old and will slow down or get hurt. Happens to everyone.

I'm not convinced Mack is the guy at all. I don't think he can carry the ball 20 times a game and I don't think there's evidence to expect him to. We do need a Gore replacement. Whether he re-signs or not.

I don't really want Barkley. I don't believe in high first round RBs. You don't need one to succeed, at all. But even if you just look at the numbers, the large majority of top RBs are drafted in the first three rounds. If a guy like Michel is available in the third and we got some good prospects in the first couple of rounds I'm in favor of drafting him. A dynamic back like him coupled with a better OL will only help Luck and our new OC better implement the new offense.

I would prefer a bad ass defensive player, but if ballard actually takes barkley, I wont kill him for it.

Last year 3 RB's went 1st round

All 3 teams made the playoffs

A dynamic back like Barkley can make a hell of a difference

I am in the fix the line at all costs line. Open the vault and bring in two guards. Spend the high pick on a tackle. I love Barkley but this draft is thick with running backs. You'll get a damn good one in the second or third round. I think we have a much better chance of winning the super bowl with a great offensive line than with a transcendent running back

there seems to be a lot of either-or in these posts. drafting barkley doesnt precludes you from building an o-line. Most here say get some FA guards and draft some guys. The only o-lineman worth drafting that high (that I have read about) is nelson and most dont want to draft a guard at #3.

so the question comes down to do you want barkley or a defender with our first pick?

We need some explosion at that position (RB). Someone who can convert the short yardage gains that Gore can give us, but also take advantage of openings like Mack can; Without having to sacrifice one to get the other.

I like where FatDT's head is at. If we can find that value later, we should wait. I also think Barkley could make our offensive line look a lot better. I'm interested to see how things shake out during the combine and offseason. It seems like kid's stock always changes. Who really knows how these kids will be valued through the spring?

I voted trade down, but if the trades aren't there and Chubb is no longer considered as strong as a pick as he is now, go with Barkley. It's going to take a couple of years, lets get better in the OL next year when our record doesn't allow us to pick a true impact player like we can this year (assuming Chubb's stock suffers).

If Chubb is still the man when the draft rolls around I will completely understand the heat for passing on him for Barkley. We really do need someone who can get in the opposition's cheeks and Chubb plays with a nice edge.