Akhhorus and CNYSkinFan Debate Series: 1st Round draft prospects

Akh on Shawne Merriman DE Maryland: My opinions are clear on Merriman. He is an interesting talent, but I dont think he’s worth a top 15 pick. Too many questions linger when going over his file. I dont like workout warriors, he should have stayed smaller and tried to play LB in a 3-4 or slimmed down a bit and played OLB in the 43. I dont think he has the proper frame for DE in the NFL. The comparisons with Kearse are flawed; Kearse ran a 4.4 at the workouts, at his best Merriman runs around a 4.7(and that was on a fast track). He’s too risky a pick for my tastes. With his play in college and his measurables, he is almost identical in many ways to DE Cedric Jones, another good (but not great) college player who rose up the draft thanks to hype and workouts and went in the Top Ten a few years ago. The Giants took him thinking he was a diamond, and he turned out to be Zirconia. He had 4 total sacks in his 5 year career.

CNYSkinFan on Shawn Merriman DE Maryland: This could be an interesting pick. Merriman has been heralded as a “freak” type defensive end. A speed rusher that can use his smaller size to blow past tackles ala Javon Kearse. However Merriman may be too small to do this. He would be a great late 1st round gamble but not necessarily a top ten pick. Of course picking him at #9 may be a stretch but it would probably result in two things, an eventual starter at defensive end and pissing off Cowboy Fans who would love to have him when they pick.

Akh on Antrell Rolle CB Miami: My opinions are also clear on Rolle. Yes, he’s had a great workout and posted good combine numbers, but his play definitly suffered last year as compared to 2003. If he came out in 03, he would have been a justifable top ten pick; I think he will be a top ten pick this year, but he shouldnt. My biggest warning signs with him are that when he team needed him to shut down wideouts last year, he was nowhere to be found. He disappeared completely in 3 games against teams they should have beat(UNC, Clemson, Louisville)(against Wideouts who were nowhere in his class of talent, but beat him anyways) and didnt bother to make his presense felt in the Va Tech game. On top of this, he relies too much on grabbing wideouts which will be called a lot in the NFL. I have serious reservations on him.

CNYSkinFan on Antrell Rolle: Antrell Rolle, CB Miami. Rolle is definitely a decent cornerback. Good speed and excellent size and will match up well against Terrell Owens and Plaxico Burress in the NFC East. The problem is that Rolle’s physical style of play may not mesh up well with the new NFL rules. And with the Redskins basically set at CB with Harris and Springs, I am not sure that Rolle will crack the starting lineup and a First Round pick in the top ten should start.

Akh on Troy Williamson: If the skins are looking for physical ability and deep play threat, Williamson would fit the bill at 9. However, he probably could use more teaching. He played in a terrible offense at SC and his familiarity with a pro style offense is lacking. However, since the skins already have Moss and Patten, Williamson would not be asked to be a primary Wideout. He would complement Moss very well.

CNYSkinFan on Troy Williamson: Troy Williamson WR, South Carolina. Boy the scouts love this guy. No one benefited from a great combine more then Troy. His 4.3 40 number has many scouts and skins fans alike picturing him blazing down the sideline catching deep balls for touchdowns. With Mike Williams and Baryon Edwards almost assuredly gone by the time the Redskins pick at #9 this is the best WR prospect out there. He came out maybe a year early or he would be a top 5 pick next year hands down. However he would only be asked to play #3 in the skins offense and could be brought along slowly. Might be a bit of a reach at #9 though and if the Redskins could trade down but not too far as Carolina is eyeing him at #14.

Akh on Heath Miller: The hot player of HR. Everybody loves him. And in some ways, the hype is justified. He is definitly a playmaker at TE who would be a major red zone threat. However, two things stand out with this argument: first, a #9 pick should be more than just a red zone threat, second he’s hurt and has yet to workout for scouts. So we dont know in what condition physically he’s in. If we knew his 40 time and measurables,we would have a good idea of his physical ability. I would have no problem with the skins taking him; but I would be mad if taken at 9. Deal down and get him.

CNYSkinfan on Heath Miller: Heath Miller, TE Virginia. Oh Heath how I love thee let me count the ways. Anyone who has read anything I have written about the poor play of our TE Group (and before you respond Cooley is an H-back not a TE damnit) knows why I love Heath Miller. Heath is an all around TE that will help EVERY phase of our offense. He is a decent run blocker and pass blocker, an upgrade over our current situation for sure. He also can catch passes in the flats and over the middle, something we sorely need. Is TE a stretch at #9? Maybe. But many people said that about Taylor at #5 last year. This selection fills a need in our offense, perhaps the last glaring need yet to be addressed, and does so with the best young player at the position. He has been hurt so no workout numbers are scaring off some people, but he will go in the first round. If we can trade down and get more picks and still get Heath I would be ecstatic. I think the Redskins need to seriously consider him at #9 though too if no trade down partners become available.

Akh on PacMan Jones: as a pure CB, as talented as any other prospect. He has speed, ability and playmaking talent. However, he is also rather small. Interesting prospect, but I dont know if I wouldn’t rather deal down and hope for him. If the skins could not deal down at all and expect to pick up any extra value, then drafting PacMan wouldnt be a bad choice at all.

CNYSkinFan on PacMan Jones:Adam “Pac Man” Jones, CB W. Virginia. Adam is the type of corner that will do real well in the NFL under the new rules. He has speed to stay with receivers without holding and instincts to play the ball well. However he is awful small for a Greg Williams type corner and will not be able to blitz as often. If we went with corner we should probably take him, which is why Tennessee will grab him before we can get to him. If he is available though he could remind people of Darrel Green with his size speed and heart.

Akh on Carlos Rodgers: A prototype of the new breed of CBs in the NFL. Has some size, but his strengths are his technical ability at CB and a fluidity of play on the field. However, the skins could drop back several picks and still get him. Ultimately, after a trade down, I hope the skins end up with Rodgers.

CNYSkinFan on Carlos Rodgers: Carlos Rodgers, CB Auburn. Carlos could be the best cornerback in this draft and just not getting the pub the other two. He has size and speed, pretty good technique, and a nasty streak that may make him the prototypical Williams CB. However he is not valued anywhere near #9 and we should only be selecting him if we find a trade down partner in the low 20’s.

Akh’s Recommendation: First off: Trade Down! Unless someone like Mike Williams drops to 9, there is no-one really worth that pick. Unless you want to draft a non-need player like Thomas Davis. This is a seven player draft, the skins unfortunately have pick Nine. After trading down, then targeting Miller, Rodgers, Jones or Williamson would be the best move.

CNYSkinFan’s Recommendation: My Preference: Do what it takes to get Heath Miller. Trade down or pick him at #9. He is the only player in the first round that can have immediate impact this year