Is drafting an Offensive Lineman with the 1st overall pick a waste of a draft pick?

[Maschine_Man]

I never argued whether or not you should pick a QB before an LT. The OP's question was "Is drafting an Offensive Lineman with the 1st overall pick a waste of a draft pick?"

My answer is no IF the LT is graded out to be a stud LT who can protect a QBs blindside for the next decade. If he's graded out as best out of a mediocre bunch then you pass, but if it's jake long/joe thomas potential? I dont know wtf you would pass that up. Theres a reason why tom brady fought so hard to get Matt Light to play another year. There are very few positions in football where you could make a pick that impacts your QB and not have to address that position again for an entire decade. You'd be silly as a GM to pass that up.

I don't know why anyone feels stud LTs and QBs must be exclusive. See: Trent Williams & RG3, Russell Okung & Russell Wilson. Both LTs were picked top 5 when the teams had shytty QBs at the time and I bet you both those QBs appreciate them greatly

did you know that matt light was one of the lowest rated LT's?? (according to PFF)

And I'm not saying that an LT isn't a good pick. but first overall?? really? I mean if you have so many holes that you are picking first overall then an LT isn't really gonna save you.

All I'm talking about is IMPACT.

and what the difference is between a stud LT and a good LT??

is it really worth dropping 8-9 million a year on?

IMO, the LT position is the most overrated position in football nowadays.
With the way the offensive rules have changed(Can't touch the QB, can't touch receivers,etc) the QB has more free reign in the pocket.

again, I'm NOT saying you can get away with a scrub. it is definitely NOT a position that you can play around with. But I don't think these dudes should be getting starting QB money.

also, your two examples of qb's and LT's is interesting. those two qb's are the most mobile qb's in the NFL. again...taking away from the impact that a stud LT would be needed for. would it be worth it to those teams if they dropped 8-9 million to cover those LT's?

I dunno....But IMO. I'd rather spend the big money on weapons and get a solid LT. then sacrifice my money on a stud LT and lose out on my big impact guys.



maybe i'm just jaded from watching my dolphins lately. I mean they got this huge stud LT in Jake Long. and had one of the worst offenses during his whole career here. They passed up on qb's, and receivers. but they had a solid line...and where did that get them??

whereas, if you get yourself a qb, and some weapons around him then you will have better success.

I mean Atlanta and Miami were side by side at one point. and they ahve gone in completely different directions since then.
MIami has finally woke up and got their qb and now that they got him, that "stud LT" is wearing down and still asking for 9 milly.

 

[MustafaSTL]

If my Rams didn't take Orlando Pace first overall we wouldn't have won our 'ship.

 

[YouMadd?]

WTF is OP talking about? The O-Line is the offenses foundation. It begins and ends on the o-line and d-line for the most part. An o-lineman is such an important investment and clowns don't even realize it. Madden fukked so many of yall up.

These nikkas doing fantasy drafts and doing the O-line last because they can just sign some 80-something rated players in free agency and still be the highest scoring offense in their leagues...

 

[the bossman]

linemen are cleanin the fukk up

gotta get to the QB and protect the QB

 

[Street Knowledge]

2013 NFL Draft Year Of The Offensive Tackle: Not Always The 'Safe' Bet

 

[Edi]

no position is a safe bet

there's no perfect formula for building a great team.

 

[360dagod]

the problem is the nfl teams dosent give gms 5-6 years to build a franchise....

If there isnt a "must have"qb in the draft,I dont think its an issue...

Ask Peyton Manning during his last two years in INDY when he was getting hit almost every play...

Hitting a qb is almost as good as a sack...

I dont care if your Peyton Manning or Tom Brady,when nikkas start getting hit,they become different qbs..

Madden has fukked up alot of heads...

Matter a fact ask Jay Cutler about the importance of an oline

 

[7oclock]

I think I understsand the OP question and point. Which is

OL is probably the less distinguished positions and their stats don't show up in the boxscores. To the casual fan, you just see a bunch of guys blocking. I know I never watch the OL, I watch the QB and the pass rush during the snap.

So with that being said, I'm people don't understand why OL is so important to pick in the first round.

 

[MikelArteta]

i really dont like it especially when your team is ass and you get a high pick i want a player ic an see stuffing the run, getting sacks, throwing the ball, running the ball, catching the ball.

I know how important olinemen are, but i never get excited over it.

 

[Reggie]

I see where the thread starter is coming from after seeing teams like the Saints and Steelers win Super Bowl's recently with subpar or average LT play. But an elite Lt makes the whole line better usually not just one spot. And if you get the chance to scoop one up you better. But if i had to choose between an elite QB prospect an the elite LT im picking the QB everytime.

 

[the bossman]

Lets take this draft for example. It was a horrible draft for QBs unlike last year. If you're a shytty team with many holes (including QB) in a lot of places and you have a high pick, you have two options:

1) take a LT graded out to be a sure-thing stud for a decade (Joe Thomas/Jake Long esque)
2) mediocre QB who could easily turn out to be another Jake Locker or another Blaine Gabbert