So, there we are, with the #2 pick, fielding trade offers we've probably already heard before, hoping for some that we haven't. Apparently, no one has fallen in love with one of the quarterbacks, and neither have we, and no one is giving us the value we want for our #2 pick.
We're stuck at 2, and we have to move forward with our rebuild. We're going to model our Offense after Shanahan's WCO, and our Defense after Carroll's 4-3. We've added 9 players this offseason just to transform the offense. The defense added 5. We were epically bad at defense last year. We were Fantasy Football's destination franchise for "add & start" one-week heroes – and not in a good way.
We're going to focus heavily on Defense in this draft. We're going to model our draft like Carroll built his Defense. The Offense gets some attention, but we trust Kyle to do "more with less"; Saleh needs more talent. In this stage of the rebuild, we're drafting our D, laying the foundation for the future. Oh, and we're never drafting any offensive lineman from USC ever again. Ever.
Free Agency
We probably make a few more free agency acquisitions. We've still got a ways to go to get to 90 people on this team. The one key acquisition I want to note is a Veteran NT. As much as I have an irrational love affair with Jonathan Hankins, we won't spend that kind of money on a NT. So…we dig around, and find a pretty-decent graded FA vet NT who used to play just down the coast, at a fraction of the cost.
Sign: Cam Thomas NT, Rams – 6'4", 335 lbs., 30 yrs. Old, 70.4 PFF Grade 2016. 2-year deal, 1.3 mil. He's a run plugging Fat NT. Do not count on this guy for QB pressure, but he will command a double team in the run game.
Draft
1st Round: Malik Hooker, FS Ohio State – 6'2" 205 – The second most talented player in the draft. Instincts, speed, hands, leaping – this guy has it all. The first draft pick Carroll made to install his system was Earl Thomas. We're modeling his scheme. We're getting our Earl Thomas. The Free Safety position is almost as important to this scheme as pass rusher is. An Earl Thomas type Single High FS makes the secondary better - improving our Pass Defense, but even more importantly, it allows us to put 8 in the box - improving our Run Defense. Hooker is that guy.
2nd Round: Carl Lawson, Edge("Elephant") Auburn – 6'2" 261 – We get our "Elephant". Arguably the most important position in this scheme. He's an elite edge rusher. Like production against SEC competition? (I do): "Averaged a sack, hit or hurry once every 5.4 pass rushing attempts in 2016." He has every pass rush move you can think of. Measureables: 4.19 Shuttle! That's insane! 4.67 40, and benched 35 reps. He will get in the back field and live there. He's not a stud against the run, and he has "T-rex" arms – 31.5" (that's why he's available here), but he's not asked to be a stud Run Defender. He'll be asked to cause havoc and put pressure on the QB.
(skip to 0:32 if you're not into underwear)
3rd Round: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Colorado – 6'3" 198lbs – We get taller and more athletic at Corner. He shut down John Ross? Check. Production: Second-Team All-Pac-12, Led the nation with 21 PBUs on the year. Measurables: 4.45 40yard, 40.5" vertical (wtf?! yes, you read that right), 4.13 shuttle (wtf?!). In Witherspoon, Robinson, Ward, Tartt, and Hooker, we're building a scary-ass secondary.
4th Round: Nathan Peterman, QB Pittsburgh – 6'2" 226 –We're going to be looking to Free Agency and the draft every single year until we find our FQBotF. Is he a FQBotF? Maybe. He's got all the tools to become that for us. He throws with anticipation, accuracy, and he throws receivers open. But he's going to sit. He might sit for two years learning Shanny's system, but that's okay. We pick him knowing that he's a stash and develop project (just like every QB in this draft is).
4th Round: Kenny Golladay, WR NIU – 6'4" 218 – We need to add some more talent to our WR core. This guy brings it. He's a true outside WR and a definitive Red Zone threat. Smaller school guy, so he slips. Production: In 2015, he was a second-team All-MAC pick with 73 catches for 1,129 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2016, first-team All-MAC, picking up his second 1,000-yard season (1,156) and eight scores on 87 receptions. Measureables: 4.50 40yard, 35.5" vert, 4.15 shuttle. "He looked terrific during the position drills, showing impressive body control during the gauntlet drills to haul in a pass thrown behind him, while maintaining his momentum."
5th Round: Dawuane Smoot, DE Illinois – 6'3" 264 – What's better than having some good pass rushers on your team? Adding another good pass rusher on the team. When we're in sub (nickel/dime), we're going to need two pass rushers on the field. We've already drafted one. Now we've got another, and more depth. Our front 7 is getting significantly better. Production: In 2015, 40 tackles, 15 for loss, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles. 2016, Smoot was a team captain and a third-team all-conference, 56 stops, 15 for loss, and five sacks. Measureables: 4.7 40yard, 4.39 shuttle.
5th Round: Stevie Tu-ikolovatu, NT USC – 6'1" 331 – We gave up a ridiculous number of rushing yards last year. It was demoralizing to us, the fans, as well as the players on the team. We could not get the D off the field. The D suffered, the O suffered. We cannot win in this league unless we can stop the run. Doesn't matter how good our pass rush or how well our corners can cover if we can't stop the run. We need TWO Fat NT 1Tech 2gappers. We have all seen what happens when you have one, and he gets hurt. Stevie gets groomed behind our FA acquisition Cam Thomas (NTs take time to develop), and can rotate with him to keep them both fresh, if needed. Did someone order up two 330lb NTs on short yardage and goal line? Yes please! "NFL Comparison: Brandon Williams" (lol on the video…)
6th Round: Blair Brown, LB Ohio – 5'11" 238 – Who? (Sleeper stud steal, and in fact, this guy might not make it this far in the draft. You have probably heard of Tarrell Basham, well, here's his buddy). This guy has the potential to start at SAM, and, if needed, even eventually take over the starting Mike role, (no, really). Production: "He ranked 3rd in run stop percentage. Made a play once every 6.4 snaps. Missed just 2 tackles." Measureables: 4.66 40-yard dash, 37″ vertical jump, 4.18 short shuttle! (Yes, you read that right!), 6.92 3-cone. He's not 6' tall, but so what. "Brown can blitz effectively too, picking up 4.5 sacks among his 15 tackles for loss as a senior."
Blair Brown 1, Alvin Kamara 0 pic.twitter.com/sKrBkdLrRs
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) February 24, 2017
Blair Brown 2, Alvin Kamara 0 pic.twitter.com/msmvBrdlPk
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) February 24, 2017
6th Round: De'Angelo Henderson, RB Coastal Carolina – 5'7" 208 – Who? Well, at this point in the draft, Shanny leans over to John, and tells him "Hey, it's the sixth round, and this is where the Shanahan Family likes to find our starting caliber running backs." And they do. Here's why Shanny likes this guy: "His burst, and one-cut ability should appeal to zone-scheme teams while his pass catching and willingness to block gives him a chance to compete for a role on third downs." Oh, and his speed helps: 4.48 40yard. Production: "He scored in 35 straight games, setting the Division I record by falling just shy of Danny Woodhead's NCAA All-Division mark that he set at Chadron State. 2014: first-team All-Big South, ranking ninth in the FCS in rushing yards and seventh in rushing scores (234-1,534, 20 TD rushing; 33-289, TD receiving). Henderson was a third-team Associated Press All-American in 2015, as well as Big South Offensive Player of the Year, with 1,346 yards on 222 carries and 16 touchdowns rushing (40-403, three TD receiving). His totals were down a bit in 2016 because of the injury (183-1,156, 16 TD rushing; 20-190, two TD receiving), though he set career highs in rushing yards per game (128.4).
7th Round: Chad Kelly, QB Ole Miss – 6'2" 224 – Red Flags unite! So, time to step up to the plate, and swing for the fences. It's a seventh-round pick, so what's the risk? None. What's the possible reward? Just the best and most NFL ready Quarterback in the draft. Measureables? Lol. That, of course, would require a combine invite. Production: (excellent against SEC competition). "In 2015, second-team All-SEC nod (4,042 yards, 31 TD, 13 INT passing; 500 yards, 10 TD rushing) and the Sugar Bowl MVP while leading Ole Miss to wins over Alabama, Auburn and LSU in the same year for the first time in school history. Kelly was named second-team All-SEC as a senior, as well, even though his career ended early due to a torn right ACL and lateral meniscus in November 2016 (306.4 passing yards/game, 19 TD, eight INT)." He's hurt, he's a red flag magnet. He's a 7th round pick.
[ Edited by Lobo49er on Mar 24, 2017 at 9:28 AM ]
on drafting Hooker (Bring it!). 
on drafting Hooker (Bring it!). 
my main issue was Lawson is health issues...dude simply can't stay on the field. He is a beast when on it. As far as FS goes Marcus Williams is moving up my boards