Is Ndamukong Suh worth the 1st overall pick? Value vs. Need:
As the April draft approaches, the race for the #1 overall pick has been narrowed down to four prospects: Sam Bradford, Ndamukong
Suh, Jimmy Clausen and Gerald McCoy. In reality, the "four" prospects are really a smoke screen as Bradford and Suh are really the
only two in contention. Drafting a quarterback with the #1 overall pick makes sense. In the past 20 years, quarterbacks have been
chosen 12 times #1 overall, while defensive tackles have been chosen three times. 12 vs. 3 is not an eye opener or surprise by any
measure. The reasons are obvious: the NFL is a quarterback/pass first league and teams build their franchises around the quarterback
position. This would give more credence as to why Bradford should/wil be chosen #1. But, is Suh, a dominant DT, worth the #1 overall
draft pick?
Many are comparing Suh to former first rounder, Warren Sapp - arguably the
most dominant interior defensive lineman ever. A player of his potential and
ability only comes around once every few years, while each draft a "franchise"
quarterback seems to emerge. Suh dominated the college ranks playing
against some of the more high-powered offenses in the Country: Oklahoma,
Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. While playing these offensive
minded teams, Suh accumulated the following career stats: 212 tackles,
23 sacks, 4 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. These stats, in particular his
senior year stats, helped put Suh on the map and earn him an invitation to
New York as a Heisman finalist.
At 6-4, 305 pounds, Suh is extremely versatile and athletic for his size.
The Nebraska coaches noticed this and often took advantage of talent by
dropping Suh into coverage, spying the QB and even blitzing from a linebacker
position. Suh attributes much of his athleticism to playing soccer as a youth and
as a main reason for his quick feet and agility. But, the question still remains:
Is Suh worth the #1 overall pick?
Perhaps the team drafting has an impact on whether a QB or DT should be taken. St. Louis finished the season with a 1-15 record,
earning them an opportunity to draft the best available player. As history shows, St. Louis likes to draft defensive lineman. Since 1995,
seven defensive lineman have been drafted in the first round by the Rams - that accounts for 50% of their draft picks in the past 14
years. The problem with St. Louis is, they do not have a good history of developing productive defensive lineman. Out of the seven, only
2 are still on the team: Adam Carriker and Chris Long. Carriker is looking like a bust, while Long has yet to have a season worthy of the
3rd overall draft selection. This does not necessarily mean if drafted, Suh will not be productive - he is considered far better and more
prepared than any other defensive lineman drafted by the Rams.
The Rams need to weigh their options: Do they draft a quarterback who has great upside and may struggle at first? Or, do the Rams
draft a "sure" bet in Suh who will have an immediate impact? One of the biggest considerations needed to be taken is who the Rams
currently have at the quarterback position. Marc Bulger, Kyle Boller and Chris Null make up the quarterbacking corp. Bulger has not
finished a full season since 2006 and his production has consistently declined. Boller and Null are not starting caliber. On defense, the
Rams still have Carriker, whom if can stay healthy, may make an impact along with a slew of other second tier defensive tackles. What
player will give the Rams the best chance to win?
The problem for the Rams is that as good as Suh is, he will not help put points on the board. In 2009 the rams averaged less than 11.0
points a game, but gave up over an average of 28.0. At this point, the Rams do not have the luxury of not addressing the quarterback
position. 11.0 points a game will lead to another 1-15 season. Yes, Suh may very well (and most likely will) reduce the 28.0 points a
game, but he only plays defense. Can the Rams rely on Marc Bulger? If Bulger goes down, can they really win with Boller and Null?
Doubtful.
All signs and objective reasoning point to the Rams needing to draft a quarterback, regardless if its Bradford, Clausen or someone else
(p.s. Bradford is the only one worthy of the #1 pick). The Rams need offense this offseason if they are going to compete, and Bradford
gives them the best chance. Going back to the original question: Is Suh worth the overall #1 pick? He is indeed worthy, just not for the
Rams. There are 28 (or more) other teams in the NFL that would jump on the chance to draft Suh #1 overall, but when a quarterback is
needed, you have to take the best available even if he isn't regarded as the best available player.
- Draft Huddle
As the April draft approaches, the race for the #1 overall pick has been narrowed down to four prospects: Sam Bradford, Ndamukong
Suh, Jimmy Clausen and Gerald McCoy. In reality, the "four" prospects are really a smoke screen as Bradford and Suh are really the
only two in contention. Drafting a quarterback with the #1 overall pick makes sense. In the past 20 years, quarterbacks have been
chosen 12 times #1 overall, while defensive tackles have been chosen three times. 12 vs. 3 is not an eye opener or surprise by any
measure. The reasons are obvious: the NFL is a quarterback/pass first league and teams build their franchises around the quarterback
position. This would give more credence as to why Bradford should/wil be chosen #1. But, is Suh, a dominant DT, worth the #1 overall
draft pick?
Many are comparing Suh to former first rounder, Warren Sapp - arguably the
most dominant interior defensive lineman ever. A player of his potential and
ability only comes around once every few years, while each draft a "franchise"
quarterback seems to emerge. Suh dominated the college ranks playing
against some of the more high-powered offenses in the Country: Oklahoma,
Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. While playing these offensive
minded teams, Suh accumulated the following career stats: 212 tackles,
23 sacks, 4 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. These stats, in particular his
senior year stats, helped put Suh on the map and earn him an invitation to
New York as a Heisman finalist.
At 6-4, 305 pounds, Suh is extremely versatile and athletic for his size.
The Nebraska coaches noticed this and often took advantage of talent by
dropping Suh into coverage, spying the QB and even blitzing from a linebacker
position. Suh attributes much of his athleticism to playing soccer as a youth and
as a main reason for his quick feet and agility. But, the question still remains:
Is Suh worth the #1 overall pick?
Perhaps the team drafting has an impact on whether a QB or DT should be taken. St. Louis finished the season with a 1-15 record,
earning them an opportunity to draft the best available player. As history shows, St. Louis likes to draft defensive lineman. Since 1995,
seven defensive lineman have been drafted in the first round by the Rams - that accounts for 50% of their draft picks in the past 14
years. The problem with St. Louis is, they do not have a good history of developing productive defensive lineman. Out of the seven, only
2 are still on the team: Adam Carriker and Chris Long. Carriker is looking like a bust, while Long has yet to have a season worthy of the
3rd overall draft selection. This does not necessarily mean if drafted, Suh will not be productive - he is considered far better and more
prepared than any other defensive lineman drafted by the Rams.
The Rams need to weigh their options: Do they draft a quarterback who has great upside and may struggle at first? Or, do the Rams
draft a "sure" bet in Suh who will have an immediate impact? One of the biggest considerations needed to be taken is who the Rams
currently have at the quarterback position. Marc Bulger, Kyle Boller and Chris Null make up the quarterbacking corp. Bulger has not
finished a full season since 2006 and his production has consistently declined. Boller and Null are not starting caliber. On defense, the
Rams still have Carriker, whom if can stay healthy, may make an impact along with a slew of other second tier defensive tackles. What
player will give the Rams the best chance to win?
The problem for the Rams is that as good as Suh is, he will not help put points on the board. In 2009 the rams averaged less than 11.0
points a game, but gave up over an average of 28.0. At this point, the Rams do not have the luxury of not addressing the quarterback
position. 11.0 points a game will lead to another 1-15 season. Yes, Suh may very well (and most likely will) reduce the 28.0 points a
game, but he only plays defense. Can the Rams rely on Marc Bulger? If Bulger goes down, can they really win with Boller and Null?
Doubtful.
All signs and objective reasoning point to the Rams needing to draft a quarterback, regardless if its Bradford, Clausen or someone else
(p.s. Bradford is the only one worthy of the #1 pick). The Rams need offense this offseason if they are going to compete, and Bradford
gives them the best chance. Going back to the original question: Is Suh worth the overall #1 pick? He is indeed worthy, just not for the
Rams. There are 28 (or more) other teams in the NFL that would jump on the chance to draft Suh #1 overall, but when a quarterback is
needed, you have to take the best available even if he isn't regarded as the best available player.
- Draft Huddle
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |||||||
