Randall I think the big issue here is you flat out were like "Let's get crazy" and "I don't care about the Giants".
I actually said “let’s shake things up” not let’s get “crazy” lol. Pretty different. I said not caring about them made it easier to pass on Simmons for more picks because more picks is better. Whereas imagining Simmons on JAX would make him impossible to pass up lol
Randall in here really trying to showcase the difference between “let’s shake things up” and “let’s get crazy” like there’s really a difference
Shake things up means do something unusual I didn’t say “let’s get crazy” which implies doing something just stupid lol Based on the chart a first, second, third, and next year third is value. If you want me to up it to a first next year, whatever, really doesn’t matter cause this mock draft can’t actually include next year
Idk if I’d trade down to Dallas’ spot, but I personally would rather get picks than spend a top 5 pick on Simmons (or any off ball linebacker)
Luke Kuechly, Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Patrick Willis, Derek Brooks were all off ball, I don't get this take at all.
I'm fine either way with the trade. It's not bad value either way. But it is pretty unrealistic for those teams do to that kind of business. Dallas doesn't have many holes right now so I figured it'd be a good time to pounce on a star. Plus, that trio of LB would dominate every opponent.
Simmons is also capable of being a pass rusher and a VERY explosive box safety though haha. He’s definitely different. A team with a hybrid defense like New England could move him all over the fucking place lol. Rush OLB in a 3-4, SAM linebacker in 4-3, WILL linebacker in the nickel, an “enforcer” safety in 6-7 DB packages, the “robber” safety in over/under packages, etc. Simmons is a top 5 prospect EASY.
In general, with a top 5 pick, I’d like to: 1) take a QB 2) trade out to someone else who wants to give up a king’s ransom for a QB 3) take the best player on the board at a premium position, assuming the board falls in a way that makes sense (EDGE, CB) Giants don’t need a QB, should be able to trade out and take advantage of the Chargers or Dolphins’ needs at QB if they’re so inclined, or I’d personally grab Okudah if the board fell this way and there was no trade partner. All of the all time great players you cited were first rounders but not top 5 picks. To move 4, you’re probably getting a top 15 pick and a future 1 back at the minimum, and those additional picks are where I’d want to grab the LB, assuming LB is a team need. Simmons is great, but I’d rather have Patrick Queen and a second top prospect if I’m a bad enough team to have gotten a top 5 pick without a need at QB
You are making sense overall but, all I would say is Simmons well above average pass rushing skills make him worth that pick. It’s extremely rare to find a capable pass rusher who is also very good in open space / coverage. He’s both an on ball and off ball linebacker, with the speed of a DB. Those 3 things together make a super valuable player. If he was a more traditional LB I would side with you.
Now what DC in the league is actually going to utilize Simmons to the best of his abilities? A question worth asking
Brian Flores in Miami would do really well with Simmons. Matt Patricia would probably bench him in week 4.
I would love to see him in LA with Derwin James, but they’re gonna be fucking dumbasses as select some mediocre QB prospect when they’d be better off with Tygod at that point