Throughout this whole process I've wanted Barkley the whole time. My thought was, if he's basically Elliott (or better) without being an asshole, it's a no brainer selection. We haven't had a difference maker at RB since Tiki, and to me, Barkley kind of seems like the Calvin Johnson of RBs...one of the better prospects at the position to ever come out. Put this guy on the field and figure out the rest kind of pick.
That being said, the past few days I'm changing my tune based on the way Rosen has handled himself throughout this whole ordeal. He just seems special to me. You can't necessarily know if someone is going to be great based on the way they carry themselves, but man, he just seems to have the "it" factor. Incredibly bright and talented, and just seems to really want to be a winner and be the face of a great organization. Obviously QB is the most important position on the field, and honestly, I didn't really believe the Rodgers comparisons at first, but I really am starting to see it.
I think one of Shurmur's traits he looks for in a QB aside from leadership would be remaining calm under pressure situations - he has said that multiple times. Rosen's ability to slow it down, read a defense, and make the correct calls time and time again is the thing that sets him apart. He won't be a robot, and he'll challenge the offense to be great.
At this point a night before the draft, I'm starting to get the feeling that Rosen will be the pick. Because Gettleman will think he's the only QB in this class with "gold jacket" in him. Barkley is incredibly enticing, and certainly will be happy if we take him. But the idea of passing on a guy like Rosen who goes on to be an all pro would be just brutal, especially with Wentz in Philadelphia for the next 10 seasons. Whoever we take, I'm gonna root like hell that he's an immediate pro bowl type talent. But for now, Rosen is my guy.
And you have to think beyond a year or 2 unless you believe in Davis Webb. If davis Webb fails you've resigned yourself in getting "zero value" from the most important position on the field. OBJ and Barkley can't make enough plays without having many other good quality players too.
No thanks. Let's get our QB whether ti be Rosen or Mayfield.
In the end, I have to trust the professionals who have far more information than I do, and got to see/speak to all these guys up close. There is no way we can accurately criticize their choices considering how little we know. Of course they could make bad choices, and we can throw mud later, but it's pretty hard to do that this weekend.
with that said, from my limited perspective
1st Choice - Rosen
2nd Choice - Trade back, best possible haul of players
But not at 2.
But not at 2.
If you are not sold on a QB...and don't have a trade partner...what do you do? And there is always the risk that some team that covets Chubb, trades up themselves to grab him after you have traded down.
I think it was to remain competitive in the short term by keeping Eli at QB as long as possible, and then to transition to a future QB long term.
I doubt Shurmur is beating the drum for a high picked QB because that would mean 1-2 seasons of development and maybe his replacement as HC, except maybe for Rosen. So If Shurmur has a real conviction on a QB, that may influence DG quite a bit.
I think it was to remain competitive in the short term by keeping Eli at QB as long as possible, and then to transition to a future QB long term.
I doubt Shurmur is beating the drum for a high picked QB because that would mean 1-2 seasons of development and maybe his replacement as HC, except maybe for Rosen. So If Shurmur has a real conviction on a QB, that may influence DG quite a bit.
Your suggesting DG would be influenced because Shurmur might not want to wait a couple/few years for this pick to pay off, and he could get fired in the interim. That is exactly the type of thing the GM is paid NOT to be influenced by.
In the end, I have to trust the professionals who have far more information than I do, and got to see/speak to all these guys up close. There is no way we can accurately criticize their choices considering how little we know. Of course they could make bad choices, and we can throw mud later, but it's pretty hard to do that this weekend.
with that said, from my limited perspective
1st Choice - Rosen
2nd Choice - Trade back, best possible haul of players
I'm in the boat with you. I've been all in on Rosen since the USC-UCLA game in November. Darnold would be my second choice. Trade back would be my distant third choice, but ideally to Denver at 5 or Cleveland at 4 (but I don't see Cleveland trading up).