This summer, the Boilermakers are being divided.
Reporters Stacy Clardie and Kyle Charters are going head-to-head in GoldandBlack.com's Purdue player draft, a daily selection in which separate rosters of 25 are being assembled. In late July, we'll decide — based on GoldandBlack.com staff and member feedback — which team would win.
Clardie's last pick of the week comes at No. 39 overall.
Filling out the starters in my secondary needs to happen, like, soon with only five picks left in the draft for me after this one.
And that’ll happen with the next two picks, probably.
This one, though, I’m going to go with a "backup" — but a guy who could have starter-type potential: JUCO transfer C.J. Parker.
I like the idea of having a big-hitting safety — or at least a guy who wants to be aggressive and be a big-hitting safety, it’s yet to be determined at this level with Parker, obviously — as a guy who comes up to fill the box as a pseudo third linebacker in my defense. Robert Gregory certainly has the credentials to fill that role and has proven in practices and in games he isn’t afraid to pop people — that’s why he’s my starter right now — but if Parker can showcase that while also being a consistent tackler, he could leap-frog Gregory.
It’ll be interesting to see how Parker’s personality fits in a secondary that has an interesting group of them: Leroy Clark’s tendency toward speaking softly and rarely; Gregory’s brashness and trash talk; and Da’Wan Hunte’s swagger. Perhaps Parker’s apparent inclination to be chatty can be a unifying agent between diverse group. (And that could be a real-life application, not just on my team.)
Also by taking Parker, it means Kyle has to reach for his starter. So another reason not to wait on this one. Kyle's secondary is hurting — and I really don't think he can cover my receivers/passing attack.
More: Draft ticker 1-35 | 36. David Yancey | 37. Lorenzo Neal | 38. Brandon Shuman
More: Countdown to Camp series: Quarterbacks | Linebackers | Receivers
More: Changes to run game could spark production ($) | Much-needed vocal leaders emerging this summer ($)
More: 2016 football primer
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