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headslapper
If I remember correctly the talk prior to the draft was all about OL and it was between Robinson and Matthews, we would have probably gone Matthews, but the alternate cry from many fans was for Watkins at WR.
There were some speaking highly of Mack, but the prevailing wisdom was OT. Even those who liked other players knew we needed a LT and the discussion was mostly centered on which one.
Lots to think about there. The main issue was that Jake Long was coming back from knee surgery. That's what drove the LOT talk. He had had 2 arm surgeries before, and while he played well in 2013 (until injured), adding the knee to it made him an issue. Frankly, btw, in the end, I prefer having Whitworth to Matthews. Anyway if they had taken Mack, I would think that right now, they would have to decide who to keep longterm---Mack or Donald. I doubt any team could afford extensions for both.
If I were given the magic 20/20 hindsight to change the 2014 draft, I would have traded down with Buffalo and taken both Donald and Martin. They would then have another 1st round pick in 2015 on top of it,.
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I think they could afford Mack and Donald but it would require them getting rid of Quinn's salary and possibly shaving somewhere else. Quinn is at $12.4 mil. and nearly $13 mil. in '18 and '19 respectively. You add another $3-$5 mil. to that and you're in range.
With the benefit of hindsight I'd take Donald and Martin too. Without the benefit of hindsight, I can say that I wanted a trade down with Buffalo and would have selected Taylor Lewan and Donald. I actually wanted Jake Matthews but he was gone by #9.