He really wasn't "under the radar". Jet's had him in for a visit and showed interest. A surprising pick in Rd 4 with many quality Safeties and CBs available.
Powell is going to take LT's roster spot and role after this season. He'll take Richardson's roster spot and learn for this season.
This guy was also a big time fumbler in college too. 1 fumble per 60 somewhat carries, thats pretty worrysome
I agree we should give him more of a chance at RB but Rex seems like he could be thinkin of movin him from what he mentioned previously last season.Guess we will have to wait and see.
The more we watch these guys, the more it appears like they go for best player available regardless of need. That said, I trust them with the pick. No reason to reach for a guy who is not that good just because we have a need at that spot.
The scouting report in one of the articles in this topic actually said he is one of the few in this draft to hold the ball high and securely >_>
The Jets are looking ahead. This is LT's last season and we needed an all-around RB to compliment Greene and McKnight. Steal of the draft.
"Shows some tightness in his movement. Average burst through the hole and lateral agility. Can run with more consistent pad level. Is not exceptionally powerful or elusive. Was not asked to block very often. Only a one-year producer. Averaged a fumble every 66 touches his final three seasons. Lined up three yards behind the quarterback in a collegiate “pistol” offense and had more time to identify holes than he will at the next level." Not really sure how they can say hes a good ball holder with that
LT = Slowing down and may not have the initial fire, in his 2nd year in NY, as he did his first. Plus, his production in the final 8 games was nowhere near what it was in the first 8. McKnight = still hugely unproven. Bills were terrible last year. Even he's a solid player for us, Powell is a nice compliment since he's of a different style. Green = obviously he's the man, but 1 injury... and without Powell, you're left with the 2 guys above... not good. When the plan is "Ground & Pound" you play D and run the ball down opponents' throats. Thats just the way we drafted. I love the pick. Sure we have 'needs' at other positions. But when you reach to fill a need in the draft, instead of picking great football players, in the long term, you build a mediocre (at best) team.
I don't disagree with your last paragraph, but wasn't this guy projected to go in later rounds? edit: Nevermind, I see he was projected to go in rounds 3-4 now.
Bigger needs were OLB and RT but the value just wasn't there. Instead of reaching for need our FO made the right call by taking the BAP. We will either save money by cutting LT or upgrade Joe McKnight. Either way competition will get us the best out of each player.
Think about what happens when you reach for a player to fit a need. You lock up a roster spot & money in a player that you don't feel is the best one that was available to you. So say, we took a safety instead of Powell. Then next year, when a safety we DO really like, and DO believe is the best available, falls to us, what do we do then? Draft yet another one? If that's the case you then have a log jam at the position, and definitely can't develop all those safeties to the best of your teams/staffs ability.