Buzz: Raiders Serious About Gholston?
ProFootballTalk is reporting this morning that “a league source tells us that there are ’strong indications’ that the Raiders will select Ohio State linebacker/defensive end Vernon Gholston.”
PFT goes on to write that
Gholston’s stock has improved dramatically as a result of pre-draft workouts. If drafted by the Raiders, he would likely supplant Jay Richardson at right defensive end.
And if the Raiders pass on McFadden, look for the Cowboys to try to make a move north, possibly by trading their two first-round picks (No. 22 and No. 28 overall) to the Jets at No. 6 or the Patriots at No. 7
A few things from my perspective.
First, Gholston is where he was projected to be months ago based on his projected workouts, right in the 4-8 range. That said, there are a few mock drafters who are getting a little loopy and who are taking him as high as number one and two, something that would be a shocking development should that happen.
Second, if McFadden is there at six, I don’t see the Jets passing on him due to his obvious talent — not to mention keeping the Patriots from stockpiling picks by trading back with Dallas.
Third, I see this as a possible rumor from the Raiders or those sympathetic to their cause to blackmail the Jets into trading up to the fourth pick to get Gholston, if that’s who they really want … and in the process give the Raiders a player (say D-Rob) and still allow the Raiders the potential to pick McFadden at six.
All in all, it seems a weak scenario … what are your thoughts?
Filed under: Buzz
Sounds like a smoke screen, who is the secret source? This is just the start of the rumors.
agree. I think that this year in particular, where any of the top 6-8 prospects could go to virtually any of the top 6-8 teams, but that each team may only really like 3-4 of the prospects, the gamesmanship will be in high gear for the next 2 weeks. rumors are there to shake out trades.
This sounds like typical pre-draft rumor mongering. The Raiders could be sending out these signals in order to generate trade interest.
If this “rumor” is true, trading out of the 6th pick for the Cowboys two first round picks is the way to go….the Jets are not one player(McFadden) away from winning the SB, stock pile as many draft picks as possible and they’ll be better off imo…
As much as I like McFadden and would want the JETS to pick him, their past history with RBs in 1st round has been extremely unlucky. Thus is the Cowboys offer their 2 #1s and maybe a later pick, I would trade down to take WR, CB and RB with 22, 28 and 36.
In an ideal world, I’d trade down with the Cowboys to get 2 #1’s, and then consider trading some of those if we can get multiple round 2 picks. I’d love to have 4-5 picks from end round 1 – end round 2, since it sounds like round 2 will have a lot to choose from (plus they’ll get much smaller contracts).
I don’t think the Cowboys are trading up into the top 10 regardless of how far McFadden slips, I don’t think Jones wants to part with both of his 1st rounders in any trade scenario.
That does not sound like a bad idea, moving up to 4th for our 6th and D-Rob. Getting cap space by getting rid of D-Rob and insuring to get Gholston (not sure the Raiders will take that) … but sounds like a plan to me.
I know the fan base cares about Gholston, but do the Jets? I’d rather trade down and get more picks and if Gholston is in early negotiations with the Dolphins I’d be suprised if he made it to 4. Let the Raiders have him. Call their bluff. Show Al Davis it isn’t the 70s.
If the Jets trade down with the Cowboys they better get more than 2 first round picks. Everybody keeps saying the Jets are more than 1 player away, but there is a good chance that the 2 players the Jets choose (in the Cowboys spots) will be busts as well. At worst, McFadden is a 3rd down back who plays special teams and runs some trick plays on offense. You can’t say that about any other guys. Plus, the Jets need a game breaker on offense and it’s worth the risk.
Dallas believes that their window is closing on their aging WR corp. McDaddy could put them over the top. Trading down gives us a CB and a big WR (Hardy!) and T Jones goes for 1250 behind our new OL anyway.
Personally, I dont particularly care about getting mcfadden. He’s very talented – yes. But if you’re setting up a whole system based on character players, I just dont see turning around and taking a questionable character – particularly at a postion that requires a heavy money commitment to keep them long term (Alexander, Johnson, etc). If Gholston’s gone, management believes in its QBs, and the DTs dont fit the system, then hopefully they trade down if value is there. if value really isnt there for a trade -down, then maybe reach a bit for a cornerback. My worry is that the best player available at 6 ends up being a DT, where we’d have little leverage. I wouldnt be upset with a mcfadden pick, but I think he’s far from ideal in this system and it’s not an area of need – He is a need for others so the trade value may be greatest for him.
We need draft picks in the top 50 players of the draft to solidify our team, our needs. Running back is not a major concern, and Mcfadden is slasher like Jones and Washington. We need a pounder as a running back to get those short yards, not a slasher. I would love to get dallas’ picks in the first round to address our needs – WR, CB, ILB, OLB, FS, QB, DE.
I think we need a player to strike fear into the hearts of opponents when they line up against our offense. We really only have one player that scares anyone (Leon Washington) and he is not big enough to play every down. With all the FA signings I think we may actually be just 2-3 players away — big weapon on offense would be a good place to go IMO with the #6. Unfortunately one of the 2-3 players is a quarterback — that is harder to get. I haven’t seen much of Matt Ryan but rumblings recently say we might be picking him? I’d rather play Chad or Clemens behind a real offensive line and see how they do — expending another high pick on a QB seems a waste to me unless they really like the guy.
Okay, let’s deal with a couple of comments here:
First, Ed(itor), I’d say the Jets have had pretty good luck with first round RBs, which include all-time Jets great Matt Snell, Hall of Famer John Riggins, and 80s stalwart Freeman McNeil. Blair Thomas was a bust and Roger Vick was just a dumb pick because nobody takes an FB in the first round. For feature RBs, the Jets have a 75% success rate, which is probably their highest for any other position besides QB (another reason to take Matt Ryan :-)).
Second, yes, DMc has some off-the -field issues (primarily in his personal life and an off-campus incident where he hurt himself, which was his only college injury), but nobody has ever said he wasn’t a good teammate or didn’t take football seriously (late for practice, fights with coaches or players, etc.). If such personal issues don’t disqualify someone from being President or Governor of NY or NJ, then I’m not sure why that would prevent DMc from being drafted at no. 6 in the NFL draft.
Third, Dallas will not trade up for DMc. Sure, if I were the Jets, taking Dallas’ 2 picks is a no-brainer. I just don’t see Jerry Jones doing that, especially after signing Marion Barber and being able to take Felix Jones at 22, if Jones wants a change-of-pace back.
Fourth, Al Davis trading with the Jets? He’ll only do it for a one-sided deal. Again, highly unlikely. I could see some team wanting to trade up to draft Ryan (if he’s there) or Ellis (ditto and assuming Dorsey is chosen already) because the perceived drop off at their positions after they’re taken is huge. The Jets aren’t afraid of trading up, but my bet would be that they trade up to the late first round, not up to a top 5 pick.
The biggest thing that worries me about Mcfadden is his fumbles in college (23) I believe in 3 seasons. I hope we have Kellen QB, but he is going to make enough mistakes that we cant afford to have a RB fumbling the ball every other game. If he was having that issue holding onto the ball in college, just imagine what will happen in the NFL. I would rather grab one of the top tall WR ( kelly, hardy, sweed) to give us that offensive threat to strike fear in our defenses.
SD, well stated. One other thing yet to be determined: How deep is this draft for talent at positions of need. I think you get one impact player out of this draft, our number six. After that, it’s a guess. I’m betting the Jets find a CB and WR on day one and fish for depth on day two.
“Getting cap space by getting rid of D-Rob and insuring to get Gholston ”
We wouldn’t be getting any more cap space by trading Robertson than we would by just releasing him and then there would be extra cap space lost because #4 will cost a lot more to sign than #6.
So, it all comes down to (a) if they really want (Gholston, McFadden, whoever) and (b) if they really don’t think that guy will be there at 6 and think the cost involved is reasonable for the upgrade over whoever IS there.
youre all nuts. the jets would never pass on mcfadden.
The way this draft looks to me, I think it is very unlikely that the Cowboys make that trade. If they would, I’d take that deal in a second. It would give the Jets pick numbers 22, 28, and 36. We could get top tier players at CB, WR and LB/DE. That would be a HUGE draft.
Al Davis traded with the Jets when we stole Doug Jolley. But, I can’t see it this year unless we overwhelm him. Not likely.
Gholston would help them, but the question that we cant answer is “Does Al Davis think Gholston is a “Raider”? because to him a ‘raider’ is some kind of special personality and mythical figure.
SD99 – I like your last post, but you wrote: “If such personal issues don’t disqualify someone from being President or Governor of NY or NJ, then I’m not sure why that would prevent DMc from being drafted at no. 6 in the NFL draft.”
Probably because DMC’s salary would be about 40x what a governor or president’s is, if you include the signing bonus. Presidential & Gubernatorial elections are primarily popularity contests, but football players are drafted mainly based on perceived talent. Perhaps the Jets take their first round pick more seriously than our country does when electing “leaders”?
If Dallas is going to trade up for McFadden, I’d guess it would not be for both their first rounders. They might be willing to give up a first this year and a first next year or a first, second and mid-round pick as well as a pick next year. Dallas has more pressing needs at CB and WR so they will want picks to address those needs in this draft.
More likely to see another team trade up 6-7 spots for Ellis or Ryan than a Cowboys trade. The cost for the Cowboys would be too much and there will be very good RBs available at the end of the first. On the other hand, there is a significant drop-off in DT talent after Ellis and Ryan pretty much the consensus #1 QB in the draft.
mike G, you are right on. All of these smart moves trade down, stockpile etc, please huh! Give me a break. We only outsmart ourselves. Proof is in the puting. Dan Marino, Warren Sapp issues right? Marino had COCAINE problems it was suggested at the time. What hapened since?
Also, I think that couple of “guys” (names) on this site are the same guy proagating what he thinks, answering his own questions, supporting himself. Great bro – get a life. You will not change the organisations opinnion on who to pick, you will only get on our nerves.
McFadden’s “character issues” are nothing to be worried about. That shouldn’t factor into the Jets considering him. He has some minor incidents at a piano bar and has some trouble with kids and what not, but doesn’t Tom Brady have the same problem? Character concerns are the last thing the Jets should be worried about McFadden. If this rumor is true I still don’t see Al Davis passing up on McFadden. If he does, I don’t see the Cowboys trading up that far to get McFadden, especially if it means giving up 2 1st rounders and possibly 2nd rounder. The Cowboys have bigger needs than RB such as CB and WR. Jaque Reeves is gone and Terrance Newman can’t cover everyone. TO is still good but is getting older and Terry Glenn is always hurt and is also getting old. If Gholston is gone and we can’t trade out, I think we should take McFadden. Who knows how this will play out.
Maybe its just me, but if the Jets were to draft Gholsten wouldnt that be contradicting the huge contract they gave Calvin Pace? DMC is the pick all the way, if hes not there, CB. But drafting Gholsten would almost be like the Jets admitting that they are not fully confident in Calvin Pace.
Pace = strong side, Gholston = weak side.
It would say more about the extension they gave BT, who figures to move back to his more suited WILL position next year.