If David DeCastro falls...

[WolverineFan]

Would you be willing to trade up for him?

Let's say he gets past Dallas at #14. Would you be willing to trade up to #16 with the Jets? It would likely take a swap of this year's 1st round picks and our 1st next year. I would definitely take that deal. Two 1st round picks (both in the 20's) for probably the best OG to come out since Hutchinson? Yes please.

If you're not for that, we could probably work out a trade involving a swap of 1st's, a 2nd next year, and our 3rd this year. We avoid losing the 1st this way, but I think our picks are a necessity this year since we need to fill some holes on the roster.

[Brandon420tx]

I doubt he falls, but still ...

well, even though he is an elite prospect at G, I still wouldn't trade up for him, Guard is actually one of the strongest positions in this draft and theres alot of of "later" round prospects I like.

Only person I can see maybe falling I'd trade up for is Floyd

[kiwitexansfan]

I am very much in the never trade picks away, always trade to add picks camp.

In football no one prospect is worth mortgaging the future on.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

I am very much in the never trade picks away, always trade to add picks camp.

In football no one prospect is worth mortgaging the future on.

I disagree. NYG mortgaged a hell of a lot for Eli Manning. 2 Super Bowl's later...

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

I disagree. NYG mortgaged a hell of a lot for Eli Manning. 2 Super Bowl's later...

If DeCastro were a QB, and the Texans needed one, then trading up should be a consideration. For a guard? I don't think so. The difference between the top rated guard and one the Texans could take at their own pick is not worth the potential players given up. It would take the Texans 2nd round pick, or their 3rd + 4th, to move from #26 to #16.

[Rey]

Yeah I'd take him if he fell to us.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Lucky

If DeCastro were a QB, and the Texans needed one, then trading up should be a consideration. For a guard? I don't think so. The difference between the top rated guard and one the Texans could take at their own pick is not worth the potential players given up. It would take the Texans 2nd round pick, or their 3rd + 4th, to move from #26 to #16.

I agree about him being an OG versus being a QB. However, the difference between DeCastro and the next best OG is immense. He's a once in a decade OG prospect.

If you're saying the OG position is not worth giving up picks then okay that's fine. Many would agree with you.

[kiwitexansfan]

Maybe you do it for a franchise QB but you best get it right. And the Giants won superbowls as much by their commitment to drafting pass rushers as anything.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

He's a once in a decade OG prospect.

DeCastro's not a super athlete, like a Larry Allen. He's considered a technician, more than a power blocker. His value is that he's "pro ready" and plug and play. Bruce Matthews was a once in a decade prospect. DeCastro's nowhere near than level of a dominating athlete.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

Maybe you do it for a franchise QB but you best get it right. And the Giants won superbowls as much by their commitment to drafting pass rushers as anything.

They still wouldn't have won those SB's without Manning. They didn't add many of those pass rushers until after Manning was in the fold.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Lucky

DeCastro's not a super athlete, like a Larry Allen. He's considered a technician, more than a power blocker. His value is that he's "pro ready" and plug and play. Bruce Matthews was a once in a decade prospect. DeCastro's nowhere near than level of a dominating athlete.

I'm sorry what? Since when do you have to be a super athlete to be an elite prospect?

He's a tremendous run blocker and an excellent pass blocker. He can pull as well as he can road-grade. He's as much a technician as much as a power blocker, that's why he's so dominant. He dominated the PAC for the last few years. Have you seen his film?

[mussop]

If he fell to where it wouldn't take more than a fourth combined with our 1st I wouldn't hesitate. He is a plug and play G for the next 10 to 12 years that will play at a high level. Not to mention I have never been a Caldwell fan and Smith is 31 this year.

The better OL you put in front of Foster the better results you will get out of him. It didn't do any good signing him to a long term deal for all that money if he is going to be getting hit in the backfield all the time.

Edit: I would also like to add that even though we resigned Myers he is also 31 and Decastro is capable of playing C. Having said all this I'm still thinking it may be more beneficial to slightly trade down and draft Kevin Zeilter who also is also versatile enough to play C. Don't really see too much difference between the two.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

I'm sorry what? Since when do you have to be a super athlete to be an elite prospect?

DeCastro "dominated" in college football because of his skill level and technique. In the NFL, he will find highly skilled players with outstanding technique that are also superior athletes. That doesn't mean he won't be effective if he continues to hone his skills. But he's not going to be dominant, because he will be facing off against better athletes.

Look going to the "have you seen his film?" card is weak. Why would I comment if I hadn't seen Stanford play? I've enjoyed watching Andrew Luck since his Stratford days. Granted that this might not be great tape on DeCastro, and he does show some ability, but these clips versus UCLA hardly display a "once in a decade prospect". DeCastro often looks clumsy and slow. Much more like a 2nd round pick than a "once in a decade" prospect. That he's considered a mid-1st pick in this draft has more to do with the lack of top talent after the 2 elite QBs than anything DeCastro has done. I'm not suggesting that DeCastro wouldn't be value for the Texans at #26. Just that he's not worth throwing picks away to acquire him.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Lucky

DeCastro "dominated" in college football because of his skill level and technique. In the NFL, he will find highly skilled players with outstanding technique that are also superior athletes.

Don't really understand where you're going here. Every college player faces better competition at the next level.

That doesn't mean he won't be effective if he continues to hone his skills. But he's not going to be dominant, because he will be facing off against better athletes.

You could say this about any OL who's ever entered the draft.

Look going to the "have you seen his film?" card is weak. Why would I comment if I hadn't seen Stanford play? I've enjoyed watching Andrew Luck since his Stratford days. Granted that this might not be great tape on DeCastro, and he does show some ability, but these clips versus UCLA hardly display a "once in a decade prospect".

1st play of that clip he pancakes his man. 2nd play he drives his guy back 5 yards. 3rd play gets stood up at the line by his guy but fights through and makes the block. 4th play he plows through the guy in front of him and gets to the LB on a short yardage iso play. 5th play he pulls and gets his guy in space and makes the block. Quit watching after that...

DeCastro often looks clumsy and slow. Much more like a 2nd round pick than a "once in a decade" prospect.

I don't see that at all.

That he's considered a mid-1st pick in this draft has more to do with the lack of top talent after the 2 elite QBs than anything DeCastro has done.

I don't buy that for a second.

I'm not suggesting that DeCastro wouldn't be value for the Texans at #26. Just that he's not worth throwing picks away to acquire him.

There's nothing wrong with that opinion, I just happen to disagree.

^^^

[Brandon420tx]

The term "elite prospect" is thrown around alot. In this case, I used "elite" earlier in the sense that he is hands down the best OG in this draft.

But I overstated DeCastro's value. To really be considered "elite" to me as a draft prospect, you have to have above average physical talent as well as above average technique and understanding of your position. There are very few "elite" prospects in NFL history despite the high amount the word is thrown around. I'd consider Deion Sanders to be the standard when it comes to determining an elite prospect.

DeCastro is actually very close to being considered that by me, he has above average physical ability in my opinion. The only other athletes I have in this draft that come close to that consideration are Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin, and Morris Claiborne. I feel Luck didn't face enough very good defenses, I'd need to see Griffin in a more pro style offense, and if Claiborne was just 2 inches taller or a smidge faster I'd consider him elite hands down

[Dutchrudder]

I like Decastro a lot and would seriously consider him if he's there at 26, but I would never trade up for a guard. The position just isn't that important to me and doesn't warrant first round trade ups. We can get an OG in the mid rounds that will outdo Caldwell.

Guys that I would trade up for are Floyd, Blackmon, Keuchly, Ingram and maybe Upshaw.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

I like Decastro a lot and would seriously consider him if he's there at 26, but I would never trade up for a guard. The position just isn't that important to me and doesn't warrant first round trade ups. We can get an OG in the mid rounds that will outdo Caldwell.

Guys that I would trade up for are Floyd, Blackmon, Keuchly, Ingram and maybe Upshaw.

This is how I thought most people would feel. OG doesn't carry a big value with most football people. My infatuation with DeCastro is due to my belief that he's the best OG to come out in quite some time and is future multiple all-pro.

QB, WR, LT, and pass rushers are the ones that teams trade up for.

[Playoffs]

Too muchy money.

[Rey]

I just watched some Decastro and Zeitler clips and I think Zeitler is the better player...

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

I like Decastro a lot and would seriously consider him if he's there at 26, but I would never trade up for a guard. The position just isn't that important to me and doesn't warrant first round trade ups. We can get an OG in the mid rounds that will outdo Caldwell.

My sentiments exactly.