Is the offensive tackle class not all it's cracked up to be?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 20, 2009 10:27 AM CDT in 2009 Off-Season

More thoughts on why a tackle in the second round might be as good as the tackles likely to be taken in the top five...and, like I said, something for Rams fans to think about before Saturday.

"In another draft none of these guys would be top five," Seattle Seahawks scout Charles Fisher said. "They're good players, but I wouldn't consider any of these guys as pure franchise cornerstones. Branden Albert is more athletic than all these guys."

That's from Bob McGinn's story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which I strongly encourage you to read. (Hat tip to Mocking the Draft).

A little futher down the page, he asks scouts to declare which OT was likely to bust. Andre Smith and Michael Oher get the most votes by far, but perhaps more telling is that the scouts McGinn talks to give the later OT picks - Eben Britton, William Beatty and Phil Loadholt - equally low chances of becoming busts as they do Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe.

Days away from the draft and pundits universally declaring that the Rams will take an OT, this should at least give you pause. And, of course, none of this is to say that the Rams will be sunk if they take Monroe or Smith at #2, not at all. They'll both be fine players, but it does make me wonder if it's not better to take a chance on a guy who could be a real difference maker, like Aaron Curry or Michael Crabtree.

Poll

Knowing there's not much of a drop-off between the top OTs in the draft and the OTs likely available in the second round, should the Rams take an OT with the second overall pick or wait to get one later in the draft?

No, don't draft an OT with the #2 pick

244 votes

Yes, get an OT with the second overall pick

111 votes

355 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

With this high of first round pick,

we have to take a difference maker, a leader. That person is Curry, not every draft that you get to have a opportunity to take a guy like this. There have been plenty of good offensive lineman taken in the second these past couple of years and this year looks no different.

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by srdmad on Apr 20, 2009 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

agree

most of the OT are underclassmen so u just don’t know.1 more time it’s Curry or bust

by Magyar on Apr 20, 2009 10:52 AM CDT reply actions

i say go with curry is he is there with the 2nd pick and get

o-line in 2nd rd i like crabtree and macklin also at wr but tradeing down and getiing more picks is way to go ..trade down to 6th or 7th spot we need more picks and depth

by j corn on Apr 20, 2009 10:58 AM CDT reply actions

Poll

You should change your question it’s confusing.

by MathB on Apr 20, 2009 11:03 AM CDT reply actions

+1

by Caruso on Apr 20, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

that article

certainly raises some eyebrows about the tackle class. Its very deep, but doesn’t have a lot of top-end talent.

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by jroman on Apr 20, 2009 11:07 AM CDT reply actions

In my opinion...

We are going to have to take the next 2 seasons to rebuild anyway so you have to start with the best player available, whoever that may be. But I think (as stated in the article) that the lineman this year aren’t high caliber, so give Barron a shot to play LT this year and if is no capable then replace him next year with an OT that we draft in the 2nd RD. this year or one in the first when there better next year. The pick should be anything but an OT, Curry would be the favorite then but I have a weird feeling that there gonna go with Crabtree, but I think they could shake up the draft more if they take Stafford or Sanchez and use them to trade with a QB hungry team like the Skins or the Jets.

by Caruso on Apr 20, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions

ummm...?

The poll question: “Should the Rams take an OT with the second overall pick or wait to get one later in the draft?”

Its not a yes or no question

by emeedee1 on Apr 20, 2009 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

Crabtree

couldn’t carry Curry’s Jock!

by Magyar on Apr 20, 2009 12:14 PM CDT reply actions

we did get

spammed. These guys are finding better ways of getting through the filter everyday. Keep an eye out everyone.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 20, 2009 1:03 PM CDT reply actions

poll

fixed it. hope that makes more sense.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 20, 2009 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

A Serious Question

Does anyone on this board think that Monroe/Smith are any better than Barron at LT? I honestly dont think so, why draft someone that high when theyre not going to be any better than what we have now……….It has to be Curry or Crabtree. Like someone said before, if Barron doesnt work out at LT and the LT we take in the 2nd or 3rd round doesnt workout, then we draft an OT high next year. I always hear these “pundits” say the Rams will take an OT because Pace is gone(as if it were a done deal), but these guys are only looking at us from the surface. They dont know we have a capable LT in Barron.

3k for Rams asst GM.....someone make it happen!

I have proof TackleBox IS Jim Haslett

by JordansDad on Apr 21, 2009 12:47 AM CDT reply actions