2019 Draft - Edge Rushers

[smitty46953]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

You understand that there was no way to guarantee this beforehand, right? The last two guards to go top ten before Nelson were Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack, both of whom flopped miserably and never even came close to living up to their top ten draft status. Both of them were All-Americans and hyped up as great players like Nelson was. Even discounting that and assuming he was going to be elite (which would've been a foolish assumption beforehand), an elite OG hasn't been worth as much as an elite DE, WR, LT, LB, DT, CB, etc. in the NFL over the last 10+ years. Considering 16 of the top 20 contracts for offensive lineman belong to LTs, and LTs don't get paid as well as the other positions I listed, it would seem that is a well established point among NFL GMs. That makes drafting a guard that high an even bigger risk. Fortunately it worked out, but no one could've known that Nelson would have a bigger impact as a rookie than any OG in the past 10+ years on draft day.

Few of us wanted Nelson, I watched ND a lot and he passed the eye test for me. Had Chubb been available and it was up to me the pick still be Nelson. Just my 2 cents. Had to protect the QB …

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by smitty46953

Few of us wanted Nelson, I watched ND a lot and he passed the eye test for me. Had Chubb been available and it was up to me the pick still be Nelson. Just my 2 cents. Had to protect the QB …

If Nelson had a good season but not All-Pro, and Chubb still had 12 sacks, the decision wouldn't look nearly as good, and that was a distinct possibility on draft day. Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack passed the eye test in college as well, I'm sure.

[smitty46953]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

If Nelson had a good season but not All-Pro, and Chubb still had 12 sacks, the decision wouldn't look nearly as good, and that was a distinct possibility on draft day. Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack passed the eye test in college as well, I'm sure.

Maybe for you not for me, Nelson is first time I would have ever considered a OL in top 10 outside of a LT. I was that high on this kid. Even if not an All-Pro out the gate if he kept Luck healthy I would be fine with that.

[FatDT]

It doesn’t matter. Ballard gambled and won, Nelson is great. And we will probably go decades without ever drafting another guard top 10.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by FatDT

It doesn’t matter. Ballard gambled and won, Nelson is great. And we will probably go decades without ever drafting another guard top 10.

Oh he absolutely gambled and won, but let's acknowledge it was a gamble.

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Oh he absolutely gambled and won, but let's acknowledge it was a gamble.

Dude, every draft pick is a gamble. Always has been.

[DrSpaceman]

Why are we still arguing about last year's pick that worked out?

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Oh he absolutely gambled and won, but let's acknowledge it was a gamble.

Every draft pick is a gamble. Everybody thought Tony Manderich was a sure thing

Ballard took in account interviews, academic grades, character and work ethic. Im betting he looks at all players through that lens

[FatDT]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Oh he absolutely gambled and won, but let's acknowledge it was a gamble.

I just did when I used the word “gamble”.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by FatDT

I just did when I used the word “gamble”.

That comment didn't really refer to you.