Rob Rang 1st-Round Mock

TrickyTexan · #1 02-02-2009, 04:11 PM

i dont see macklin coming here. we are set at wr moreso than any other position. As much as I would love having Macklin as a weapon, can't see us using a #1 on him in any scenario with so many other holes needed to be filled. Although after watching Arizona, can't say it wouldnt be fun to have Andre Johnson, Macklin and Walters lining up and Andre Davis/Jacoby Jones coming in while running 4 wr sets

barrett · #2 02-02-2009, 09:28 PM

You have to have a great slot guy to make 3 wide sets work. The patriots used Troy Brown/Branch/Welker in this role. The Colts used Stokely/clark. Arizona uses Boldin.

Walter almost never plays in the slot. His size serves him very well on the outside and helped make him a great deep threat this year, but he is not a slot guy. AJ played there some but I would not want to turn him full-time into a slot guy catching 8 yard passes like Wes Welker.

Can Maclin be a slot guy with his slight build? Did he ever play there at Mizzou? Anyone watch them a lot?

Roy P · #3 02-02-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrett

The patriots used Welker in this role.

Can Maclin be a slot guy with his slight build? Did he ever play there at Mizzou? Anyone watch them a lot?

Wes Welker is 5'9" 185lbs. Maclin is 6'1" 200lbs, so I wouldn't worry too much about his slight build. I wouldn't also dismiss the possibility that he'd be better than our current #2.

He could play the slot when we had 3 WR sets, but I'd have him on the field as much as possible. Imagine how successful Reggie Bush would be if he were a WR instead of a RB/WR hybrid.

sinnister · #4 02-02-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy P

Wes Welker is 5'9" 185lbs. Maclin is 6'1" 200lbs, so I wouldn't worry too much about his slight build. I wouldn't also dismiss the possibility that he'd be better than our current #2.

He could play the slot when we had 3 WR sets, but I'd have him on the field as much as possible. Imagine how successful Reggie Bush would be if he were a WR instead of a RB/WR hybrid.

One difference between Walter and Maclin is blocking. I doubt that Maclin will ever be as good of a blocker as Walter. With that being said, Maclin has a lot of potential as a weapon. Whether it develops is another thing.

barrett · #5 02-03-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy P

Wes Welker is 5'9" 185lbs. Maclin is 6'1" 200lbs, so I wouldn't worry too much about his slight build. I wouldn't also dismiss the possibility that he'd be better than our current #2.

He could play the slot when we had 3 WR sets, but I'd have him on the field as much as possible. Imagine how successful Reggie Bush would be if he were a WR instead of a RB/WR hybrid.

I definitely think he'd be an upgrade as our #2 guy. But he would eliminate Walter's effectiveness by playing the only spot it appears Walter can play. That is my question. If we draft Maclin I assume he becomes our #2 WR. But can he play the slot in 3 WR sets so that Walter is still an asset?

As for Welker's and Maclin's build, Welker is far thicker. The guy has no neck, is as muscled as a WR comes, and plays extremely physical. Height and weight is extremely deceiving sometimes. For example Reggie Bush is 6' and 203 and is absolutely a slight build.

So I repeat what I asked. Did Maclin ever play the slot at Mizzou? Can he shift over there and be our slot guy in 3 WR sets? If he can he upgrades both our #2 and #3 WR spots by allowing Walter to keep a value on our team. He would obviously upgrade our return game as well. So if he can play the slot, I can see value that measures up with a first round pick even if the need isn't a perfect match.

Roy P · #6 02-03-2009, 11:21 AM

Take a look...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWaqPMpqIWQ

0:43, 1:02, 1:11, 1:33

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzrlt...eature=related

0:33, 0:45, 0:59, 1:58, 3:03

These plays are where he's going over the middle and making plays. I'm not 100% certain that he lined up in the slot for each of these plays. However, based upon what I see here along with his ability to return kicks, it's obvious that he can run through traffic.

painekiller · #7 02-03-2009, 12:29 PM

He would be an upgrade over Jacoby Jones.

papabear · #8 02-03-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrett

I definitely think he'd be an upgrade as our #2 guy. But he would eliminate Walter's effectiveness by playing the only spot it appears Walter can play. That is my question. If we draft Maclin I assume he becomes our #2 WR. But can he play the slot in 3 WR sets so that Walter is still an asset?

I don't think Walter gets anywhere near enough credit. Maybe it's because he's white

(100% joke guys) He runs great routes and can get open underneath. Good hands. Great blocker (For a WR). He's also capable of making a few big plays down the field. If he can be upgraded. Fine. I just think that it's going to be very difficult to find a guy who makes us better than Walter.

I know his life is a lot easier with AJ on the other side, but he had some big games when AJ was out too. He had 900 yards and 8 TD's. He also had a higher yards per reception than AJ (15.0 vs. 13.7). Not many rookie WR's will give you that kind of production, and that's not even factoring in his blocking in the running game.

Maclin would be nice. He could help in the return game, and I think be a very dangerous weapon for this team as a WR. He would present some major headaches for DC's. I think any WR we draft this year is going to spend time as at least the #3 guy for a year or two while he develops. That's not a bad thing at all. In fact it's probably a very good thing to start developing a talented WR, but I think if you want to go WR you better be prepared for him to have trouble getting on the field. Davis and Anderson have both had some success in that #3 role as well. Jacoby...I'll leave that one alone.

popanot · #9 02-03-2009, 03:15 PM

Yeah, let's be like the Detroit Lions and draft a WR when it's about the lowest area of need on the team. It's proven to work for them over the years. I'd rather draft Knowshon Moreno if we're looking for a guy who could possibly hit home-runs and do double-duty by returning kicks. At least he'd be a sensible pick and back up/provide insurance for Slaton. But please, I hope Kubiak and Smith have level heads and do the right thing by drafting defense.

papabear · #10 02-03-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popanot

Yeah, let's be like the Detroit Lions and draft a WR when it's about the lowest area of need on the team. It's proven to work for them over the years. I'd rather draft Knowshon Moreno if we're looking for a guy who could possibly hit home-runs and do double-duty by returning kicks. At least he'd be a sensible pick and back up/provide insurance for Slaton. But please, I hope Kubiak and Smith have level heads and do the right thing by drafting defense.

I hope we end up with a defense heavy draft too, but if it's an offensive player who stands out when we're on the clock in the first then so be it. I would rather take a player the coaches have a lot of confidence in than for them to take a lesser player because he fills a need. My point wasn't to say don't take Maclin if he's far and away the best guy available. I was just pointing out to those who may be in favor of that realize what's the likely outcome because of my very high opinion of Kevin Walter.