Your brand new franchise may select one of these players... (1 Viewer)

[Colin Dowling]

You have just been granted ownership of the newest NFL team and have been awarded the chance to select one player from the top-10 selected in the 2005 draft. Who would it be?

1. Alex Smith - Developing slowly, wildly inconsistent. Am I the only one thinking he should be a lot better by now?

2. Ronnie Brown - not panning out so far as the 3 down stud we anticipated.

3. Braylon Edwards - coming along nicely, I suppose

4. Cedric Benson - See Brown

5. Carnell Williams - See Benson

6. "Pac Man" Jones - Probably the most talented player in this top 10, but he has a handful of off the field issues.

7. Troy Williamson - Nothing like spending the #7 pick on a #4 receiver.

8. Antrell Rolle - is he in the league anymore?

9. Carlos Rogers - Good, not great, so far.

10. Mike Williams - Almost lazed his way out of a job entirely.

 

[moleculo]

do I have to? ugh.

 

[BroadwayG]

Wait, will Benson cry if I select him?

 

[Jimboozie]

Braylon Edwards. End of thread.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Alex Smith, he is still the youngest starting QB in the league and he has 2 years under his belt. QB is the most important player on the field so this is where I would start.

 

[BroadwayG]

Braylon Edwards. End of thread.

Fantastic reasoning, sport.

 

[GregR_2]

You forgot the trade down option.

 

[sandlotshrink]

Wow, that is an ugly list. I would select Braylon out of that list and do not see a close 2nd.

 

[Fallerjw]

Braylon Edwards. End of thread.

Obviously the knee injury slowed him down, but so did the team he ended up on. He is in his third season, but last year he was slowed by the knee injury from the season before. Last season he had 61 catches for 884 yards and 6 TDs. That was with a nightmare QB scenario, a terrible line, and no running game. Now he's back from the injury and looks like a 75 -80 reception, 1,200 yard, 8 - 9 TD WR. Most teams would be happy with that. By the end of the year, he'll probably be considered a top 10 - 15 WR in the NFL. If he'd work out some of his drop issues, he'd probably be a top 5 - 10 type NFL WR. There's your choice.

 

[pollardsvision]

it has to come down to smith or braylon.

the real lesson from this draft appears to be the value of drafting a RB high. it seems hard to build around a RB. there are exceptions, but it seems that RB's are a product of the system that they play in (how good would addai really have to be to be successful?). RBs have a short lifespan and, when drafted in the top 10, they may be abused before the can help the team much.

adrian peterson seems to be a great pick, but how old (and abused) will he be by the time he makes the vikings offense better than they'd be without him?

you don't pass on a great offensive tackle when you can get them (when was the last time a 3-time pro bowl tackle became a free-agent?) and you can't pass on a great QB if they are there either.

there are still reasons to believe a. smith can come around, so given those options, the 49ers look like they made the right call. if edwards keeps developing, he could be a monster.

this was a terrible draft. not much in QB, OT, or great defender departments, which might explain 3 RBs being taken in the top 5.

 

[Road Warriors]

You forgot the trade down option.

#11 - Demarcus Ware, DE DAL#12 - Shawne Merriman, LB SDI might start here.

 

[Rushmore]

Braylon, then Rogers.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Smith [ 9 ] ** [31.03%]

Brown [ 6 ] ** [20.69%]

Edwards [ 10 ] ** [34.48%]

Benson [ 2 ] ** [6.90%]

C. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Jones [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

Williamson [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rolle [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rogers [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

M. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

 

[ScoobyDoo]

 

[BigTex]

Brown, I believe his performance is more of situation (Miami) and not talent.

 

[yesitsme]

Braylon Edwards is the only one worth really starting otherwise you're waisting a pick. You get your WR 1 or WR2 with him and then build from there.

Everyone else is either trash or less than average.

The other choices would be Ronnie Brown or Benson but I don't think they are as promising as Edwards is at his position.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

You forgot the trade down option.

#11 - Demarcus Ware, DE DAL#12 - Shawne Merriman, LB SDI might start here.

My response was going to be "1.12"

 

[The Jerk]

If I was the owner, I'd try to avoid hiring any of the scouts/GMs who rated these players as the best in their class.

 

[Riffraff]

1. Alex Smith - Developing slowly, wildly inconsistent. Am I the only one thinking he should be a lot better by now?

Bear in mind, he is younger than the rookie QBs of the 2006 and 2007 draft classes. He's in his 3rd year as an NFL starter. He's still got plenty of time to mature and get better.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Braylon, then Rogers.

Agreed.

 

[DoubleG]

You have just been granted ownership of the newest NFL team and have been awarded the chance to select one player from the top-10 selected in the 2005 draft. Who would it be?

1. Alex Smith - Developing slowly, wildly inconsistent. Am I the only one thinking he should be a lot better by now?

2. Ronnie Brown - not panning out so far as the 3 down stud we anticipated.

3. Braylon Edwards - coming along nicely, I suppose

4. Cedric Benson - See Brown

5. Carnell Williams - See Benson

6. "Pac Man" Jones - Probably the most talented player in this top 10, but he has a handful of handcuff off the field issues.

7. Troy Williamson - Nothing like spending the #7 pick on a #4 receiver.

8. Antrell Rolle - is he in the league anymore?

9. Carlos Rogers - Good, not great, so far.

10. Mike Williams - Almost lazed his way out of a job entirely.

FYP.Went with Caddy - he showed some guts playing hurt. I think it's a sign of things to come.

 

[TheFanatic]

This may be the most meaningless thread I have ever read and I spend a lot of time in the FFA....Why would a guy like Mike Williams even be on the list?

 

[mad sweeney]

You forgot the trade down option.

 

[murzman]

Even though I voted for Edwards, I would imagine the results might look a lot different is this poll wasn't coming off his career game against Cinci...

 

[The Jerk]

This may be the most meaningless thread I have ever read and I spend a lot of time in the FFA....Why would a guy like Mike Williams even be on the list?

It's not a list. It's the first ten choices of the actual 2005 draft.

 

[notapplicable]

Pacman's the best player of the ten without a doubt, but you have to go Braylen I guess.

 

[pettifogger]

You forgot the trade down option.

#11 - Demarcus Ware, DE DAL#12 - Shawne Merriman, LB SDI might start here.

My response was going to be "1.12"

I was talking with some friends last week about how I'd rather have the 2007 draft 11th pick and get Patrick Willis, instead of the number one pick, J Russell, plus use the $40 million difference to hunt for free agent help. But as to your poll, I voted Smith -- close between him and Edwards, but Smith looks to me as having the potential to have a very decent decent career. Peyton Manning at age 22 (1998) -- 56.7% completion, 71.4 passer rating, 26, TD 28 int. Alex Smith at age 22 (2006) -- 58.1% completion, 74.8 passer rating, 16 TD, 16 int. No I am not saying he will develop like Manning, only that his first full season is comparable in production to Manning's. (Manning threw more passes of course.) It would be too much to predict him to improve like Manning has, but if he does improve steadily he could be among the elite QBs in the league.

 

[Assani Fisher]

Alex Smith and its not even remotely close imo. Honestly this is one of the most lopsided(imo) polls I've seen in the SP in some time. I'd probably rather have Smith than any TWO of the others.

 

[Grahamburn]

It's funny how a guy can have a big game in week two and all of a sudden a bunch of people want to build a team around a player like Braylon Edwards?! Really?

I'd love to see ANY franchise ever decide to build their team from ground zero around a wide receiver.

For me it would be Ronnie Brown. He's basically stuck in Miami right now around very poor offensive talent, and now has another coach who seems completely lost. Living in Florida, I had the "honor" of watching many Miami games last year and Ronnie Brown was consistently the best player for the Dolphins, which I guess isn't saying a whole lot. But, the guy would get hit two yards deep in the backfield and turn the carry into a three or four yard gain. It was uncanny. A lot of fantasy football guys called him a bust last year and rightfully so, but Ronnie Brown still had a fairly decent season even missing a few games. He didn't live up to his ADP, but I really thought he played well.

If I'm building a team from this draft class, my guy is Ronnie Brown.

 

[switz]

It's funny how a guy can have a big game in week two and all of a sudden a bunch of people want to build a team around a player like Braylon Edwards?! Really?I'd love to see ANY franchise ever decide to build their team from ground zero around a wide receiver.For me it would be Ronnie Brown. He's basically stuck in Miami right now around very poor offensive talent, and now has another coach who seems completely lost. Living in Florida, I had the "honor" of watching many Miami games last year and Ronnie Brown was consistently the best player for the Dolphins, which I guess isn't saying a whole lot. But, the guy would get hit two yards deep in the backfield and turn the carry into a three or four yard gain. It was uncanny. A lot of fantasy football guys called him a bust last year and rightfully so, but Ronnie Brown still had a fairly decent season even missing a few games. He didn't live up to his ADP, but I really thought he played well. If I'm building a team from this draft class, my guy is Ronnie Brown.

Braylon will be one of the best receivers in the league next year. WRs take time to develop.However I agree, you don't build a team around a WR. (NOTE: You don't build around Ronnie Brown either)

 

[Rushmore]

It's funny how a guy can have a big game in week two and all of a sudden a bunch of people want to build a team around a player like Braylon Edwards?! Really?I'd love to see ANY franchise ever decide to build their team from ground zero around a wide receiver.For me it would be Ronnie Brown. He's basically stuck in Miami right now around very poor offensive talent, and now has another coach who seems completely lost. Living in Florida, I had the "honor" of watching many Miami games last year and Ronnie Brown was consistently the best player for the Dolphins, which I guess isn't saying a whole lot. But, the guy would get hit two yards deep in the backfield and turn the carry into a three or four yard gain. It was uncanny. A lot of fantasy football guys called him a bust last year and rightfully so, but Ronnie Brown still had a fairly decent season even missing a few games. He didn't live up to his ADP, but I really thought he played well. If I'm building a team from this draft class, my guy is Ronnie Brown.

The monster game he had helped draw some attention for him, but I would've voted him regardless. There was plenty of hype coming into this season with Edwards. I was impressed how quickly he came back from the injury and looking good despite being in such a mediocre offense. I hate the Browns but don't deny that he has tremendous talent and upside. I'd prefer not to have to build with a Wr, but with the choices given, he was the pick.

 

[theoneandonly]

It's funny how a guy can have a big game in week two and all of a sudden a bunch of people want to build a team around a player like Braylon Edwards?! Really?I'd love to see ANY franchise ever decide to build their team from ground zero around a wide receiver.For me it would be Ronnie Brown. He's basically stuck in Miami right now around very poor offensive talent, and now has another coach who seems completely lost. Living in Florida, I had the "honor" of watching many Miami games last year and Ronnie Brown was consistently the best player for the Dolphins, which I guess isn't saying a whole lot. But, the guy would get hit two yards deep in the backfield and turn the carry into a three or four yard gain. It was uncanny. A lot of fantasy football guys called him a bust last year and rightfully so, but Ronnie Brown still had a fairly decent season even missing a few games. He didn't live up to his ADP, but I really thought he played well. If I'm building a team from this draft class, my guy is Ronnie Brown.

Braylon will be one of the best receivers in the league next year. WRs take time to develop.However I agree, you don't build a team around a WR. (NOTE: You don't build around Ronnie Brown either)

Sure you build a team around wrs. lol look at the lions they just took there 4th top10 wr in 5 years! Look at the cards boldin and fitz. Two dominating superbowl caliber dynasty teams lol.

 

[SSOG]

Smith [ 9 ] ** [31.03%]

Brown [ 6 ] ** [20.69%]

Edwards [ 10 ] ** [34.48%]

Benson [ 2 ] ** [6.90%]

C. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Jones [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

Williamson [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rolle [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rogers [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

M. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

He's probably the second best CB in the entire NFL behind Champ, and the second best returner in the entire NFL besides Hester. He's an amazing, amazing, amazing, franchise-changing talent. The rest of the top-10 seems like a whole bunch of mediocre, the kind of guys you could easily and cheaply replace through free agency... so instead of getting a player I could easily replace with a mediocre guy off the street, why not get a franchise-changing talent and back him up with a mediocre guy off the street? If he winds up playing his way out of the NFL thanks to his $.02 head, then you're not really any worse off than the franchise that wound up with Caddy Williams or Ronnie Brown... but if you can actually hold him together, then man... wow.Hell, Lawrence Taylor had off-the-field issues, too. I'm not saying Pacman is in the same league as LT, but if LT was on that list, don't you think he'd get 100% of the votes, character concerns be damned?

 

[Grahamburn]

It's funny how a guy can have a big game in week two and all of a sudden a bunch of people want to build a team around a player like Braylon Edwards?! Really?I'd love to see ANY franchise ever decide to build their team from ground zero around a wide receiver.For me it would be Ronnie Brown. He's basically stuck in Miami right now around very poor offensive talent, and now has another coach who seems completely lost. Living in Florida, I had the "honor" of watching many Miami games last year and Ronnie Brown was consistently the best player for the Dolphins, which I guess isn't saying a whole lot. But, the guy would get hit two yards deep in the backfield and turn the carry into a three or four yard gain. It was uncanny. A lot of fantasy football guys called him a bust last year and rightfully so, but Ronnie Brown still had a fairly decent season even missing a few games. He didn't live up to his ADP, but I really thought he played well. If I'm building a team from this draft class, my guy is Ronnie Brown.

Braylon will be one of the best receivers in the league next year. WRs take time to develop.However I agree, you don't build a team around a WR. (NOTE: You don't build around Ronnie Brown either)

Fair Enough. I had to pick one of the choices, right? Might as well be Ronnie Brown faced with the rest of that class.

 

[redman]

Ugh! Braylon Edwards? I guess?

 

[pantherman]

You have just been granted ownership of the newest NFL team and have been awarded the chance to select one player from the top-10 selected in the 2005 draft. Who would it be?1. Alex Smith - Developing slowly, wildly inconsistent. Am I the only one thinking he should be a lot better by now?2. Ronnie Brown - not panning out so far as the 3 down stud we anticipated.3. Braylon Edwards - coming along nicely, I suppose4. Cedric Benson - See Brown5. Carnell Williams - See Benson6. "Pac Man" Jones - Probably the most talented player in this top 10, but he has a handful of off the field issues.7. Troy Williamson - Nothing like spending the #7 pick on a #4 receiver.8. Antrell Rolle - is he in the league anymore?9. Carlos Rogers - Good, not great, so far.10. Mike Williams - Almost lazed his way out of a job entirely.

I'm going with Smith..ugh...A RB with a new franchise is a waste and WR are picked up fairly easily in waivers. A QB should be around for a while if he survives the for sure weak o-line.

 

[yesitsme]

This may be the most meaningless thread I have ever read and I spend a lot of time in the FFA....Why would a guy like Mike Williams even be on the list?

Uh, because he was the No. 10 pick in the draft and this is a top 10 list.

 

[-OZ-]

Braylon Edwards. End of thread.

I may be one of the bigger Michigan and Edwards fans here, and I would have taken him #1 in 2005, but Smith is close IMO. I can see where Smith could be the better choice, depending on your philosophy/coaching.

 

[Phlash]

Smith [ 9 ] ** [31.03%]

Brown [ 6 ] ** [20.69%]

Edwards [ 10 ] ** [34.48%]

Benson [ 2 ] ** [6.90%]

C. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Jones [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

Williamson [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rolle [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rogers [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

M. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

He's probably the second best CB in the entire NFL behind Champ, and the second best returner in the entire NFL besides Hester. He's an amazing, amazing, amazing, franchise-changing talent. The rest of the top-10 seems like a whole bunch of mediocre, the kind of guys you could easily and cheaply replace through free agency... so instead of getting a player I could easily replace with a mediocre guy off the street, why not get a franchise-changing talent and back him up with a mediocre guy off the street? If he winds up playing his way out of the NFL thanks to his $.02 head, then you're not really any worse off than the franchise that wound up with Caddy Williams or Ronnie Brown... but if you can actually hold him together, then man... wow.Hell, Lawrence Taylor had off-the-field issues, too. I'm not saying Pacman is in the same league as LT, but if LT was on that list, don't you think he'd get 100% of the votes, character concerns be damned?

He may be an idiot but he's a fantastic football player. An absolute stud when he's on the field... I still remember when he scorched my Pats on his kickoff return in '06...

 

[kilrb]

Hands down its Smith. The kid is 22-23 years old. You don't pay top pick money to a WR period. Smith has shown steady improvement and is still the youngest starter in the league! Braylon is a very good player and could be great but a #1 pick....no way.

Pacman can make it rain in jail...........someday soon he'll drop the soap!

The rest aren't really worth a comment.

 

[notapplicable]

Hands down its Smith. The kid is 22-23 years old. You don't pay top pick money to a WR period. Smith has shown steady improvement and is still the youngest starter in the league! Braylon is a very good player and could be great but a #1 pick....no way.

Pacman can make it rain in jail...........someday soon he'll drop the soap!

The rest aren't really worth a comment.

He has? When?

 

[Oh the Humanity]

Edwards. Smith would be my choice for an already existing team, but a new team is going to take several years to get to the point where they can actually protect a QB to the point where he can be effective, and by then he' beaten up to the point where he's not the same guy you drafted (See David Carr).

If you really are starting a new team, you should be drafting linemen, not skill players.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

Smith [ 9 ] ** [31.03%]

Brown [ 6 ] ** [20.69%]

Edwards [ 10 ] ** [34.48%]

Benson [ 2 ] ** [6.90%]

C. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Jones [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

Williamson [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rolle [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Rogers [ 1 ] ** [3.45%]

M. Williams [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

He's probably the second best CB in the entire NFL behind Champ, and the second best returner in the entire NFL besides Hester. He's an amazing, amazing, amazing, franchise-changing talent. The rest of the top-10 seems like a whole bunch of mediocre, the kind of guys you could easily and cheaply replace through free agency... so instead of getting a player I could easily replace with a mediocre guy off the street, why not get a franchise-changing talent and back him up with a mediocre guy off the street? If he winds up playing his way out of the NFL thanks to his $.02 head, then you're not really any worse off than the franchise that wound up with Caddy Williams or Ronnie Brown... but if you can actually hold him together, then man... wow.Hell, Lawrence Taylor had off-the-field issues, too. I'm not saying Pacman is in the same league as LT, but if LT was on that list, don't you think he'd get 100% of the votes, character concerns be damned?

LT never got suspended for a year. You'd really build a franchise around a guy who can't play for a year, and even then has to prove an ability to stay out of trouble that has not been evident to date? All this, knowing he can't come to your facilities or have the structure of practices, etc? Really?!??! Talent or not, that's a huge risk.

 

[Lash]

Braylon (and maybe Brown) are the only two i see as having elite talent

 

[-OZ-]

If you really are starting a new team, you should be drafting linemen, not skill players.

This is a decent point. I'd also draft Defense, there's no doubt that this:

My response was going to be "1.12"

is the right answer. (except that it doesn't answer the question)Not too surprising, 4 of the better picks in that 1st round belong to the Patriots (Mankins) Colts (Jackson) and Chargers (Merriman and Castillo)

 

[Bri]

Joe Thomas or McNeil

 

[Mungo Burrows]

If you really are starting a new team, you should be drafting linemen, not skill players.

This is a decent point. I'd also draft Defense, there's no doubt that this:

My response was going to be "1.12"

is the right answer. (except that it doesn't answer the question)Not too surprising, 4 of the better picks in that 1st round belong to the Patriots (Mankins) Colts (Jackson) and Chargers (Merriman and Castillo)

I noticed the same thing. I'd say the Ravens did all right with Clayton too (Although it'd be nice if he could stay healthy) but I think that furthers the point.

 

[bostonfred]

Even if Alex Smith is the most talented of the bunch, that doesn't mean I'd like to start my team with him. I don't think Alex Smith is a difference maker. I think he's good enough to be an average starting quarterback in the NFL. If you're going to pick one player to build your team around, you should pick someone that has a chance to be one of the very top players at their position at some point. Looking at this group with the benefit of some hindsight, it's between Cadillac (who looks good but has been injured and run behind a bad OL in an offense that didn't use him on the goal line until this year) and Edwards (who has been good despite playing in Cleveland). If it's a brand new franchise, I don't want to start with a running back because we won't have a good team around them right away, and running backs don't last long enough to build a new team around. So I go with Edwards this year, spend a year teaching him how to run routes, and plan on aggressively pursuing the best available quarterback next year.

 

[perry147]

I can't believe I just selected Benson - but he has yet to prove or disprove anything.

 

[Truman]

Pacman and its not even close.

He's the best returner in the league and one of the best corners in football. Drafting another player means you get about the 20th best QB/RB or an underachieving receiver who shouldn't be carrying the load.