Sedrick Ellis

possibly too small to stay a top 5 pick. We like USC guys. He's certainly a one gap player, and he's different from what we have starting, similar to what we have in our backups but clearly more talented.

He might not drop, but he's a good fit, and if he's there, certainly a guy who could be an option.

 

do we have to STILL like usc guys?

 

Agree.

 

they're still talented players. Ellis isn't considered top ten because he went to USC, though certainly being around a talented front seven helps him blow gaps.

 

I agree that at this point he could drop to us, but watching him twice this year he didn't stand up that great. I watched most of the Rose Bowl and he didn't seem to do a whole lot. What am I missing?

 

56 tackles, including 12.5 for losses of 75 yards (with 8.5 sacks for minus 67 yards), plus 6 deflections, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble. Two All-American nods.

He's squatty, so he's not looked at as undersized. Great hands, great first step, penetrates. Good leverage. Most of the same situations that Kris Jenkins used to generate success. He'd add pass rush, certainly. He can't bull rush like Jenkins can, though.

On the downside, I really don't know how strong he is, and I don't have a good feel for whether he's as athletic as you might hope since he's always going upfield and not as much running in pursuit. I don't know whether he's dominant because he's physically better, or if he's just that talented; his technique certainly seems to be good enough, and guys who use their hands well with the combo of good first step/leverage tend to do well.

He's supposed to be at the SR bowl, so certainly he'll have to dominate there. Most guys that are going to be considered top ten picks, don't show, so who knows. But I'd like to see him in action.

 

Kalil is quoted as saying he is the strongest player he ever played against.

That being said, I woul rather keep Jenks and Kemo and take a runner on Ryan Simms. Might make Peppers happy, and D-Lew did pretty well here after being a first round bust, maybe the same would be true of Simms.

I am strongly leaning towards DE in the first, and there seem to be plenty out there now that the Jr. are coming out.

 

end certainly seems to be, strategically, the way to go for defense. Best value, and there could be two there.
Just throwing Ellis out there as a possibility, because we might have a shot at him.

 

Rather see Calais Campbell or Kenny Phillips from Miami myself. Maybe even Early Doucet at WR if they want to address that position.

Did see a Rivals mock that had us taking Keith Rivers LB of USC. Not sure why they would think LB was as big a need since we have bigger holes elsewhere.

 

I really, really, really, really don't see a need to draft a receiver. I think we were more than young enough already.

LB, either. We've got two young playmakers, a third solid veteran, three young backups, and two special teamers. And a long snapper, and a guy who sits on IR all year. We have enough linebackers to form another defense.

DE's the bigger need. DT, nonetheless, if we could upgrade I'm not against it. We need more toughness and ability in the trenches, not just on the edge.