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spagsbacker
I just don't think Akers is special. One of the things I don't like about Snead drafts are is he uses the anti-Baltimore philosophy. Baltimore lets the draft come to them, and they end up getting great players at positions of need by the end of the draft. Im sure they didn't identify a need at RB for the 2nd rd, but when JK fell to them, they grabbed him. Snead on the other hand has been drafting for need since Tavon Austin, and Gerald Everett, and Greg Robinson and on and on. He was going to take Akers and Jefferson with our first picks regardless of the value, and the value was not great. He identified one rb and one wr that were pretty certain to be available at our picks and planned the draft accordingly. I know I know, everyone will claim that no team does not draft for need....but I've never understood that argument. Every draft I am disappointed because Snead drafts for need, not value.
Baltimore drafted Dobbins to replace Ingram. Dobbins has almost twice the amount of carries that Ingram does this year in only 2 more games, and has 1.2 ypc more than Ingram. Ingram is a FA in 22, so he has 1 year left on his deal, is 31 and will make 6.3m next year with a Lamar Jackson extension on the horizon. Plus, Baltimore wants to run the ball, so having a 1-2 punch at RB makes sense. So no, they didn't let the draft come to them. They snagged the best RB available.
And FWIW, the Ravens ILBers desperately needed an upgrade and took Patrick Queen in the first...so no, they draft for need too.
And as far as value regarding Akers and Jefferson. Akers was the 30th overall prospect according to NFL.com which has Lance Zuerlien and company grading guys. Jefferson was 75th and taken 57th, not a giant reach. Terrell Lewis taken 84th overall had a 65th overall ranking. Burgess was ranked 72nd, and the Rams drafted him 102nd overall.
And as far as not drafting for need. Its pretty simple, a team has holes, and little cap space to fill said holes, so how exactly are they supposed to fill those holes? The draft. The idea is to move up and down to get the guy you want and still get good value (which Snead does do, he moves all over) The Rams have done a really good job of taking BPA while planning for the future. Kiser, Fuller and Burgess, Noteboom, Evans and Edwards.
I would guess every draft you are disappointed, its not because of who he drafted, its who he didn't draft. And that would be the guys you wanted. And that I can relate to.
As far as Akers, he is a superior talent to Henderson in every way. A top 10 recruit coming out of HS, broke Dalvin Cooks' rookie rushing record at FSU. Is 2" taller, 11 lbs heavier than Hendo. And he ran a faster 40, jumped higher, jumper further. Hendo is shiftier and has a quicker acceleration. Akers has a chance to be special. So does henderson, but Akers has the size and build to be workhorse back special. I suggest patience.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
