Reality Check

Reality Check:  We will NOT draft De Sean Jackson in round 1 because he is too little.

5'9", 167lbs.

Hell no.

I don't know what these mock draft sportswriters are thinking on this one. I think he's a second-rounder at best.

While WR is definitely a need, I don't think this one's the guy we want. Small receivers can do well, but it's a matter of physics on this one. Small mass means when he gets hit he'll go flying into the stands!

You people are way to hung up on this. He is a football player, pure and simple. You guys keep talking about his weight like he won't put any on and bulk up a little in the NFL. How big is Galloway and Steve Smith and Santana Moss and Devin Hester to name just a few. Every one of them are under 6 feet and none weigh over 190 (don't believe the Galloway listing). Besides, what were their wieghts coming out of college. 

At WR and returner the only thing to look at is the skill set.  Does he have good hands, run good routes, is he fast, etc...

If they take him I will be happy, if they don't and go CB or DL I'll be happy.  We just have to wait until it pans out. 

(just don't come complaining when he has 4 returns for TDs next year and we skipped him)

I'm wondering if they wait and take a flier on Mario Manningham. So called experts have him droping into round 3 because of all the issues that have risen from his workouts and interviews. It would allow us to take a lineman and a DB but wouldn't really, lets say solidify, our receiving corps. Kinda hit or miss with him i guess. Its a damn shame the guy is such a knucklehead.

Not my choice of path but just a thought. Lets face it though, the only way to get a sure thing WR in this draft would be to trade for a vet. The class is fully loaded with boarderline first rounders.

PFT said it best: "this years draft is a crap shoot at WR, trade your first pick, get some more picks, and shoot as much crap as possible.

I agree that Mario is a gamble, but so is every WR in this draft.  

I also absolutely agree that we should TRY to trade out of the first round and pick up an extra 2 & 3 and 2 for next year... if possible.  Need a team willing to do that and I am not sure if it exists. 

If that did happen, I think we should take a DL and a CB in RD 2 and a WR in 3 with a RB or QB.   BUT, as I have been saying, no way Gruden doesn't go offense with the first chance he gets.

...exactly...buy how often do you seen Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, or Steve Smith take a hit??  These guys have figured out that they shouldn't take on a LB...so they get down.

DeSean Jackson is a risky pick in round 1...but not a whole lot more than any of the other WR's (I think Devin Thomas is a little safer pick).  Route running is the key to a receiver's consistent success in the NFL...Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, Rod Smith, Wes Welker...not fast, but great route runners...the only exception are guys with sub 4.4 speed but they tend not to be as consistent.  Route running is the reason why most receivers take 3 years to be consistently productive...it's usually only the fast guys that can contribute immediately.  I don't think ANY of the receivers in this draft are great route runners...maybe a few figure it out down the road and become productive, but none that I see right now. 

Limas Seed, Malcolm Kelly, and James Hardy will not contribute to their teams immediately (if at all).  The only reason these guys were succesful at the college level is because they were a little faster than their competition, they were taller...and they all have good hands...that doesn't cut it in the NFL....Michael Clayton...i hope you're reading this

DeSean Jackson is my risky, frivolous "fun" pick...everyone will be excited to see what he can do.  Devin Thomas is a little safer but not as "electrifying".

Brian Brohm/Chad Henne is my "damn we need a QB" pick.

Anyone one of the top rated CB's is my "safe" pick...there are some very good ones in this draft.

I won't be upset if we pick any of the above....but I will be cursing a bit when DeSean Jackson runs back his first TD...and if he's picked post #20...Karma will probably have him to it to us!