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ArizonaRamFan
Drafting on potential should be completely outside of those top 3 rounds of "premium picks". As the competitiveness of all levels of football only rises, we just GOTTA be grabbing proven fellas out of those first 3 rounds.
Which I do think we've done this year, though I'm still a little on the "show me" side with Everett.
Well.
On the OL, name all the proven linemen that have been picked top 10 from 2013 on. "Proven" doesn't mean much anymore because the spread offense makes it harder to judge linemen these days. In fact it used to be that linemen were safe first round picks. Not now. What percentage of first round linemen from 2013 have NOT struggled?
Since OL schemes vary so widely from team to team as you adroitly point out, it doesn't mean much to say that a guy is "proven" unless he's just manhandling every guy he gets put against, even from top schools, week after week. That guy I *would* say is a proven lineman, but guys like that don't come along every draft. Maybe Ronnie Stanley last year for the Ravens.
But, I meant it in a far more general sense: a receiver who is displaying the ability to run every route. A TE who has it all: agility, speed, route repertoire and proven willing and able blocker. A RB with great acceleration, reliable hands, etc. Unblockable wizards like Donald. Coverage wizards like Jenkins (granted, he had some warts but he was still a good Ram).
I just don't like seeing so many "this guy has potential" picks end up busting for the Rams. Maybe it's just shell shock, but potential has become a dirty word to me.
