Opinion on the 1st Round

I always thought in the first round, if thre's a valuable lineman available, you should take them, because that is the premium position. It's where the game is won and lost. So I think Offensive line in this draft, but I'd be intrigued in someone like Calais Campbell, even though DE isn't a glaring need. Like they say, you can't coach size, 6'8" guys don't grow on trees.

But if you covered them in leaves and bark they'd look like one.

Anyway, the point is, size is overrated. Steve Smith is a top wideout in the league, Warrick Dunn got it done for years, Maurice Jones-Drew, etc. Dwight Freeney is too light, Tapp is too short, Drew Brees is too short, and Bob Sanders is too small. Picking someone for size alone is what gets Sonics in trouble every year, save Durant.

You pick based on production.

I would take a RB or OL, depending on who is left on the board.  I am leaning towards OL.  I have not done any real research, but it seems like running backs can come out of no where and run well if they are following a good line, plus your line protects your QB.  Ryan Grant, Earnest Graham, Najeh Davenport, and Kenton Keith all seemed to do pretty good when they came in to replace an injured player, and all averaged 4 or more yards per attempt.  We have two startes on the OL who are over 34 years old, so we need some youth to replace them when needed.

there are ten 6'2" guys doing great things. Then there are about another 500 million undersized who either failed or never even got the opportunity. Not that I was talking about receivers or backs anyway, I was talking specifically about linemen. When it comes to the trenches, having the right size and athleticism gives you a natural advantage... As for the guys in that position you did mention, it's worth remembering with the undersized Freeney and Mathis, the Colts had a pathetic run defense. Also, Tapp is way too short. As far as Calais Campbell is concerned, I did say I was 'intrigued' - not sold. I feel he should have gone back for his senior year. However, assuming he is the kind of player I'd hope he'd be, I'd much rather use a first round pick on a premium player like that rather than a running back who everyone will probably booing five or six years from now. When you're playing on the line, you have a space of about five steps in each direction of yourself to work in and that's pretty much it. Of course you need to have good technique, but if you don't have the right size and athleticism, you just will not have enough leverage to win the battle, it will look like that State Farm ad. You have to have those long arms to reach out, create the leverage, give yourself space to work in. You must have that first step to get off the line. You can teach someone how to use their hands and feet - you can't teach someone how to grow three inches... well, not legally at least.