Erasmus James Opinions?

[Reaganaut]

Had a great combine. Game tape from first games this year until he got hurt put him in best ever territory. Better pick than a receiver, corner, or linebacker IMHO.

[fdarugar]

I don't think he is worth the #9 pick.

[STaylorLayintheWOOD]

yeah i dont really think any of the top defensive lineman this year are going to be true playmakers. he may end up being a solid DE but no way would i use the #9 pick on him or any other DE for that matter

[Reaganaut]

Combine commentators put James in the top 5 if not the top ten. Better pick for the Skins then go FA after June for other needs.

[RunPortisRun]

#9 is not all that high of a pick and yes I think E.James is worth the 9th pick.

I hope we pick E.James if Mike Williams is off the board and Smoot is re-signed.

[Dirk Diggler]

James is ranked anywhere from 1-3 as far as DE's go and he's expected to go in the 7-18 range of the draft.

He slipped a little after running 1/10th of a sec worse than people figured him for at the combine last week. Whether an end runs a 4.7 or 4.8 doesn't really make much of a difference to me. How often do ends need to run 40 yards? Once per game? And if a team is depending on James to make tackles 40 yards down the field then they might have the worst back 7 in the league and should start there.

From what I understand, he looked good in the agility drills and measured in at 6'4" 266lbs. That's pretty good size but most ends will put on another 10 lbs once they enter the NFL. So at his height and 275 lbs, that's about what you figure an NFL right end to look like in a 4-3.

Bottom Line: I think he's the best pure pass rusher in the draft. If we do go end at #9, I think he should be the guy. I think Cody and Roth are a little too light in the ass to go in the top 10. I know there is a lot of Merriman talk but GW better be damn sure he can play end because the last thing we need is another OLB making primo dough.

[tr1]

If you invest a pick in a rookie DE, then don't expect him to contribute very much the first year. Dexter Manley had a very, very uneven first season. I remember Jurgensen saying that an opponent helped Manley with an equipment malfunction so that a backup wouldn't come on the field....

[heyholetsgogrant]

Hes a injury waiting to happen.

[Hog Lover]

Mel Kiper had him the best defensive product coming in to the season and he is still high on him. he has had injury problems, but he has performed better than any one else at his position when healthy.

[Mad Mike]

Erasmus is a cool name.

[atloldskin]

I worry about his health and think he is a reach at #9.

I would rather have Jim Davis, VT, in the third round than James with #9.

[brandies]

There are about 5-10 DL who are very close to equal. If we go this route we should trade down.

[dfbovey]

All the DEs that are considered first round prospects are kind of a wash to me. No one stands out. If we take one, I hope it's in a trade down scenario so that we get better value on our pick.

[sealskin]

Why pick someone coming off a major injury? Guys I am telling you the best all around defensive end is Shaun Cody (USC). He may be a little slower than James but watch him play. He is about 290 right now. He reminds me of Wynn but is a much better pass rusher. He can also spell Griffin at tackle. We should trade down around 15-20 and take him. He was great in the title game against Oklahoma playing against arguably the best right tackle in college.

[terps'n'skins]

if smoot is signed, rather trade up and get merriman