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The FO Mock Draft“Audibles at the Draft?” In a manner of speaking, yes. For FO’s first mock, we wanted to adopt the roundtable style that makes Audibles enjoyable. To that end, six staffers were recruited — Doug Farrar, Mike Tanier, Bill Barnwell, Sean McCormick, Ben Riley and Patrick Laverty — and the round robin began. The first mock is standard format with commentary, though we may be looking to shake things up with different mocks in the future. We went two rounds this time, no trades. We generally went more for Team Needs than Best Player Available, though there were exceptions. (Note: We lost Dr. Tanier halfway through the second round to more pressing matters. As a result, Doug and Sean doubled up on picks once each to keep things moving along.) FIRST ROUND1-1-1 Miami Dolphins — Chris Long, DE, Virginia The Dolphins recently sent emissaries to Long’s Pro Day at Virginia, where he did nothing but linebacker drills for 15 minutes. Long was down to 267 pounds, five pounds lighter than his Combine weight. He played end in Al Groh’s 3-4 system at Virginia, and Groh and Dolphins czar Bill Parcells go way back. Parcells has a great history with hybrid edge-rushers, and Long is the best this year. There are no questions whatsoever as to Long’s work ethic or intensity (the Dolphins’ new boss loves relentless players), and though either Long would greatly benefit Miami’s rebuild, it’ll be Chris over Jake as Parcells constructs the defensive side first. Bonus: He may show up in a few pickup truck commercials with dad Howie, but this is not a guy who’s interested in Dancing with the Stars. 1-2-2 St. Louis Rams — Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU I had Jake Long in this position initially, then I broke out in those hives I get whenever I think about drafting one of those hulking in-line Big-10 run blockers in the first round. I had an image of Marc Bulger getting flattened because Long just wasn’t quick enough to beat a speed rusher (Alex Barron was flagged for a false start in the image, so the play didn’t even count). Dorsey’s health is a question, but the health of a 320-pound man will always be in question. I see Dorsey at the 3-technique on rushing downs, then moving over center on passing downs while Adam Carriker moves inside. That’s a deadly interior rush that should make Matt Hasselbeck shudder and keep Mike Martz from instituting many 60-pass game plans. 1-3-3 Atlanta Falcons — Jake Long, OT, Michigan One of Dave Lewin’s tenets in the Lewin Career Forecast is how games started become an indicator because of the effect more intensive scouting and available film has on a player’s stock. Each year, we see guys like Quentin Moses, Matt Leinart, or Brian Brohm morph from a preseason top-five lock to a post-college question mark. Unlike those guys and many others, Long was a projected top-five pick before the season, and his stock is just as high now. That indicates consistent, effective performance to me. And as for those hulking Big-Ten offensive linemen, Long’s 6-foot-7, 317 pounds. Joe Thomas is 6-6, 316, and he sure turned out alright. Thomas has a rep of having better footwork than Long, which I can’t speak to one way or another, but Long’s 20-yard shuttle (4.73 to Thomas’ 4.88) and his three-cone (7.44 to Thomas’ 7.95) were superior, which means if he isn’t as deft on his feet as Thomas, he sure ain’t no slouch. 1-4-4 Oakland Raiders — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC If Darren McFadden and Vernon Gholston are both on the board, Al Davis’ head might explode as he’s forced to choose between them. But we’ve locked Al in the closet for the weekend, which allows us to ignore the 40 times and the bench presses and go with the player who is the best fit, and that’s Ellis. The USC product followed up an excellent senior season by absolutely dominating at the Senior Bowl, and we put more stock in that than in his disappointing combine numbers. The Raiders were the worst run-stopping unit in football last year, and all they’ve really done to address it is re-sign Tommy Kelly and trade for a corner who wouldn’t come up to play the run if his life depended on it. Ellis is a good fit, and he has a higher floor than some of the other top prospects, which is an important consideration when you’re picking in the top five in consecutive years. 1-5-5 Kansas City Chiefs — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State From Herm Edwards’ post-draft press conference: “We play the game of football. We play to win the game of football. And to win the game of football, you need to run the football. You also need to pass the football. “You need to both run and pass the football. “And score. “And to do that, you need to block for the guys who run and pass the football. It’s no secret that we lost 12 games last year. We ranked dead last in rushing yards per game — 78 yards. That’s not good. That’s not good. But you need to get over it. It’s called life. “So, we drafted a guy who we think will help us be in a position to run and throw the football a little bit better. Some people are going to say we reached. OK, we reached. If getting a 6-6, 310-pound pure left tackle is a reach, then we reached. Were there some other guys we liked? We liked a lot of guys. It’s easy to like guys. We liked Jeff Otah. He’s a guy. Will he be as good as our guy? Uh, HELLO? We took our guy because he’s our guy. And we like him, and he’s going to help us where we need to be helped. “That’s what football is.” 1-6-6 New York Jets — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS select with the sixth pick in the draft … sorry, hold on, Jerry Jones is on the phone … “Hi, Jerry. Be right with you, Commissioner Goodell…” OK, sorry, Jerry was only offering a first and a third, so we’re going to take his man anyway. The Jets select with the sixth pick from the University or Arkansas, running back Darren McFadden. While it would be easy to go in any number of directions on defense, with the Jets players looking like tourists in Times Square at any given moment, this could be a once-in-a-decade opportunity to get a gamebreaker. People raved about Adrian Peterson’s size as a back this year and McFadden is also a speedy 6-2, 205-pound home run threat on every touch. The Jets just revamped their offensive line with Alan Faneca and Damian Woody to go along with young stars Erik Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and now they can get the running back that they were hoping Thomas Jones to be. 1-7-7 New England Patriots from San Francisco 49ers — Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State The Patriots fielded two defenses in 2007: the one with linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, and the one without. The Colvin version stomped every opponent into submission, while the version without Colvin, lost for the season in a close contest against the Eagles, was all too vulnerable down the stretch. With the 30-year-old linebacker ostensibly out of the picture, and several questions raised about New England’s linebacker corps going forward, Bill Belichick and friends will be grinning from ear to ear as they send the seventh card up to the podium with Gholston’s name on it. The freakishly athletic “endbacker” from Ohio State may not be the finished product that Chris Long is, but could prove to be the better player in the long run. All he needs is time for his experience to match his physical ability. The few questions about Gholston’s game –- most notably how he squares up against the run -– can be answered and corrected over time. This is a lead-pipe lock for a team whose mid-zone defense was open for business in the postseason. 1-8-8 Baltimore Ravens — Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College John Harbaugh + Cam Cameron + Matt Ryan = A clean break from the Brian Billick era. Alleluia. Billick was running out of people to blame. Ryan’s a great build-around prospect, the kind of guy who can be the face of the organization as Harbaugh and Ozzie Newsome sweep away the last remains of the Super Bowl team. Really, how long has it been since we got excited about a young offensive star in Baltimore (no one really got excited about Kyle Boller, did they?). Get your season tickets now, Ravens fans: New offense, new quarterback, new optimism. 1-9-9 Cincinnati Bengals — Philip Merling, DE, Clemson This would be an ugly scenario for the Bengals to be in; the top two guys on the board are corners, and the Bengals have spent consecutive first-round picks on defensive backs. That lets them go in one of two directions. They could draft Malcolm Kelly, who would be their Chad Johnson replacement. That move would also, though, eliminate a good portion of the leverage the Bengals have in being able to deal Johnson — since everyone, their mom, and Matt Millen would know that the Bengals had to deal him. Alternately, they could choose to address issues in their front seven, and Merling’s a better fit for them than Keith Rivers. The Clemson junior is a workhorse defensive end who basically slots in as Justin Smith’s replacement. Smith was never a great pass-rusher, and Merling might not be either, but he’s going to be stout against the run and is versatile enough to play any spot on the line in the 4-3 and still play end in a 3-4. With a team that could very well be undergoing a schematic change this time next year if things don’t go well, that could come in handy. 1-10-10 New Orleans Saints — Keith Rivers, LB, USC “And with the tenth pick, the New Orleans Saints select cornerback — whaaat? How could you not take a cornerback?!?!” Look, we all know that the Saints have a wee problem covering receivers, and that they need to add at least one corner if not two. But it doesn’t automatically follow that they need to use the tenth pick overall on one. This is a deep corner class, but there isn’t much separating the top corner from the fourth or fifth corner in terms of ability. In fact, no one seems certain who the top corner is. Is it Leodis McKelvin? He’s a good prospect, but he’s on the small side, and hands of stone aren’t generally seen as a desirable quality for a corner. Is it Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie? He was terrific at the Senior Bowl and his athletic numbers are off the chart, but he was a mediocre player at Tennessee State and it’s hard to believe that he’d be flying up the boards if “Cromartie” didn’t figure prominently in his name. So New Orleans decides to wait until the second round for their corner and fills another need with Rivers, who is the only franchise weakside linebacker in the draft. 1-11-11 Buffalo Bills — Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina “And with the eleventh pick, the Buffalo Bills select wide receiver — whaaat? How could you not take a wide receiver?!?” The Bills are in a very similar spot to the Saints: They need help at wide receiver (and cornerback, for that matter), but there just isn’t all that much daylight between Limas Sweed, Malcom Kelly, DeSean Jackson, and Mario Manningham. It’s even possible that Early Doucet will be there for them in the second round, so why would the Bills want to play Ted Ginn Roulette in the first? Hence, if the Bills are smart, they’ll take a page from the “best available” playbook and select Balmer instead. He’s a versatile guy who can played both tackle and end, much like Clemson’s Philip Merling, and dominant defensive tackles are in short supply in the NFL. 1-12-12 Denver Broncos — Chris Williams, LT, Vanderbilt Vertical leap, 40 times, shuttle run, bench press. All those things and more are measured at the combine. And that’s all great. But those skills aren’t the most important to a Denver offensive lineman. Intelligence? Yeah, he went to Vanderbilt, so we know he’s not your typical player from “The U” or any other school that needs to abbreviate to just one letter so the players don’t forget where they played in college. Size? Yeah, Williams has that. He’s already 6-6 and 315 pounds, and he’s a growing boy. A need? Yes, with the retirement of Matt Lepsis, there is an opening. But what is the most important thing to a Denver offensive linemen? There is a secret drill linemen go through at the combine, 1-13-13 Carolina Panthers — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia The Panthers took a serious look at Pitt’s Jeff Otah here, but Otah’s more of a road grader and Carolina needs agility on the left side with Mike Wahle departing for Seattle and Travelle Wharton possibly moving inside to guard. Albert is by far the best guard prospect in this draft — so athletic, he’s seen by some as a future left tackle. It’s because of this versatility, and how it can benefit a line in flux, that the underclassman will be the right choice for the Panthers. He’ll learn the NFL from the inside to start and keep the line solid as the one constant while an anemic offense rebuilds around him. 1-14-14 Chicago Bears — Kenny Phillips, S, Miami If I really controlled the Bears, I would have sent Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton to a nice island somewhere, retained Brian Griese, traded down a few slots here, and taken Joe Flacco or Brian Brohm. But the Bears have decided to give Grossman one last look and are keeping Orton around for some reason. I don’t want to add a first-round pick to the mix. That would make three youngish quarterbacks clamoring for reps with the first team, which is rarely a good situation, especially when you factor in the weaponless state of the offense. So with several good tackles off the board and no receiver in this draft who can help right away, we’re going to improve the secondary. Mike Brown is always hurt and may be finished and Brandon McGowan is a stopgap. Phillips can play strong safety with Danieal Manning at free safety, though Philips looks more like a deep player in the long run. With Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman at the corners and guys like Aaron Rodgers and Tarvaris Jackson playing quarterback in the division, the Bears could lead the league in interceptions. 1-15-15 Detroit Lions — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy My conversation with Matt Millen: B: “Wow Matt, this is a dream scenario for us. We had one of the worst secondaries in football last year and the top two cornerbacks are still on the board!” I’ll take McKelvin because his name sounds like McDonald’s, and that will make Matt happy. Also, although the Lions signed Brian Kelly and traded for Leigh Bodden, Kelly’s 32 and Bodden has alternately been healthy and mediocre the last two years. 1-16-16 Arizona Cardinals — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois Derrick Harvey was a serious consideration as a replacement for Calvin Pace in Arizona’s new 3-4 scheme, but he’s ultimately not the same caliber of prospect as Mendenhall. The Illinois star averaged 6.2 yards per carry this season, and he proved himself to be a weapon in the passing game as well. Mendenhall didn’t get a lot of carries his first two seasons, so he should have a lot of tread on his tires. We know that offensive production carries over from year to year more than defensive production, and the Cardinals have a lot of the pieces in place to experience some sustained success. They spent a lot of money unwisely on Edgerrin James, but they can make up for it by adding a stud young back. 1-17-17 Minnesota Vikings — Brian “I’m finally out of the closet!” Brohm, QB, Louisville Poor Bernard Berrian. First Rex Grossman, now Tarvaris Jackson. He must be wondering if it’s his destiny to play with young, mediocre-to-awful quarterbacks who really should be benched but for the inexplicable refusal of the Bears’ and Vikings’ respective coaching staffs to give up on their failed projects. Well Bernard, I’ve got good news for you: I’m running the mock Minnesota franchise right now, and I say Tarvaris Jackson is barely worthy of being a backup in the NFL. And like the Lewin Career Forecast, I’m eyeing Brohm’s career completion rate of 66 percent like a juicy steak. So we’ll take Brohm, hope that he brings Brady Quinn’s girlfriend with him to provide “comfort” during the draft-day free fall, and worry about who’s going to play defensive end about, oh, 31 picks from now.” 1-18-18 Houston Texans — Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (Sit down, Mr. Millen, we know McFadden has already been taken. Go finish your Happy Meal.) In 2006, there was an uproar in Houston when General Manager Charley Casserly did not select Reggie Bush with the first overall pick. Now the Texans have their Reggie Bush. Jones, who is also a junior, shared the backfield with McFadden and rushed for more than 1,100 yards in both 2006 and 2007. Training camp competition will not be a foreign concept to Jones as he handled his position just outside the spotlight flawlessly. There may have been even further uproar if the team had to go another year with Ron “not so great anymore” Dayne as their featured back. Jones will also be able to provide an extra spark with his ability to return kickoffs, as he took it to the house four times in college, including two 100-yard returns. He has that ability to stop and change directions on a dime, leaving defenders with a handful of air. Many were upset at the time with the non-Bush pick, but with Jones and Williams, the combined gain may be great enough to cause the Texans to be drafting even later next year. 1-19-19 Philadelphia Eagles — Dan Connor, MLB, Penn State The Bednarik Award is coming home. The Iggles need a new man in the middle, and they won’t have to go far to find their next defensive cornerstone along with Asante Samuel — all they’ll need to do is to head over to Linebacker U. Connor, like his Nittany Lions predecessor Paul Posluszny, is a versatile and relentless defender with surprising speed and agility. He ran a 4.67 40 at his Pro Day, and some teams have talked to him about playing outside (which he has done), but he’s engineered to run a defense from the middle. That’s what he’ll do for Jim Johnson’s blitz-happy crew. 1-20-20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Early Doucet, WR, LSU What, an offensive skill position player under 32? Perish the thought. It takes 12 years for a receiver to master Jon Gruden’s system, but the Bucs can’t wait around for Maurice Stovall to go gray and replace Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, and Kevin House at receiver. I really think Malcolm Kelly would be a better fit in the offense because he’s a big possession receiver who loves to block, but do we really want to see another Michael Clayton situation? Heck no. Doucet’s an all-purpose receiver who can grow into a No. 1 if he can download Gruden’s playbook straight into his brain. 1-21-21 Washington Redskins — Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma Washington hasn’t used a draft pick on a wideout since Taylor Jacobs in 2003, and the Brandon Lloyd experiment has now officially failed (shock!). The talk of mock drafts has them leaning towards defensive end, but they’re somewhat underrated as far as depth along the defensive line goes. At wideout, Santana Moss had an incredibly disappointing year, and although Antwaan Randle El played well, he’s a No. 3 wideout stretched as a No. 2. Kelly has the ideal size you look for in a wideout, he’s a very good blocker (a huge part of the Redskins system, at least under Al Saunders), and he functions perfectly as a possession receiver that opens up space for the deeper threats of Randle El and Moss. Jason Campbell, welcome your new best friend. 1-22-22 Dallas Cowboys from Cleveland Browns — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State With a roster stocked with quality players at nearly every position, Dallas can let the draft come to them. San Diego was in much the same position two years ago when they took a flier on Antonio Cromartie and that pick paid off in spades, as Cromartie is the most dominant young corner in the league. Rodgers-Cromartie doesn’t have the Florida State pedigree, but he has the same combination of size, speed and athleticism. He was a man among boys at the Senior Bowl, and he followed that up with a stellar combine that cemented him as a first-round prospect and arguably the best cornerback in the draft. Rodgers-Cromartie won’t be ready to start right away, but with Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry on board, the Cowboys don’t need him to. This is a bit of a boom-or-bust pick, but it’s one Dallas can afford to make with another first rounder in their pocket. 1-23-23 Pittsburgh Steelers — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon With the loss of Alan Faneca, the real-life Steelers are praying for Branden Albert to be available in the first round. But here in FOmockdraftistan, Doug Farrar was all over Albert like white on rice, so the mock Steelers draft for value here by taking Jonathan Stewart, who is a steal this late in the first round. Stewart is an elite talent who might turn out to be the best running back in this year’s class. He can move the pile, and he’ll help prevent Mike “Omar Epps” Tomlin from making Willie Parker the next victim of the Curse of 370. 1-24-24 Tennessee Titans — Limas Sweed, WR, Texas Maybe this is the “Peaches and Herb” draft for me as we can sing “Reunited” here again. New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger wants a big wide receiver for his offense and that’s what he gets in reuniting Sweed with college teammate Vince Young. Sweed is a big receiver at 6-5, 215, who can give most NFL corners a match-up problem. Just two issues with picking him this early though: He doesn’t have blistering speed as he ran a 4.46 at the combine, and probably even more concerning is that he only played six games in 2007 because of a wrist injury that required season-ending surgery and was still giving him problems at the Senior Bowl. If everything checks out medically, Sweed could be a great fit for the Titans. 1-25-25 Seattle Seahawks — Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida The Seahawks took a hard look at USF cornerback Mike Jenkins, and there’s little doubt that Cal’s DeSean Jackson and Michigan State’s Devin Thomas would be on the board of a team whose receiver depth has taken some serious hits in the last year. But having re-signed Marcus Trufant, with great faith in a trio of young receivers and with all the truly elite tackle prospects off the board, Seattle sticks to its BPA modus operandi and takes the dominant Gators defensive end. This may piss off every draft observer in the Emerald City from a positional standpoint, but it’s a better pick than many may realize. First of all, you take a player this good when he falls this far and there are no red flags. Second, there isn’t a lot of defensive end depth behind Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp, and Kerney will be 32 on December 30. Talk to the SEC’s left tackles and they’ll tell you what the 6-5, 271-pound Harvey can do to an opposing offense. His eight sacks and 17 tackles for loss in his senior season alone show that while he’s a versatile player, Harvey does most of his damage behind the opponent’s line of scrimmage. Seattle’s defense is predicated on a consistent pass rush above all else. The best way to accomplish that is to avoid overtaxing the elite players you already have, and to set your personnel to bring an overwhelming show of force when necessary. Just ask the New York Giants. 1-26-26 Jacksonville Jaguars — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida The Jaguars’ biggest need is probably at defensive end or wide receiver, but while there are some very good ends on the board, none seems like a perfect fit in Jacksonville. I don’t want to saddle this team with another first-round developmental wideout; let them sift through the free agents they picked up instead. No, the Jags need to be able to beat the Patriots and Colts in the playoffs, and that means they need to be able to cover all of those receivers (or rush the passer, but this works too). Jenkins may be the best corner in the draft. As an added bonus, he is well built and has a good rep as a run support corner, so he’ll do a good job against all those Joseph Addai draw plays and against the Titans and Texans’ ball control tactics. Thanks for leaving him on the board! Sincerely, Jack Del Rio. 1-27-27 San Diego Chargers — Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma The Chargers would have loved to see Dan Connor or Kenny Phillips fall here, but with the Bolts set at the deeper positions in the draft (cornerback and defensive line) and with no halfback with a first-round grade left on the board, the Chargers would likely trade out of this pick. If forced to select at gunpoint, I think they take Lofton, whose strengths (stout run defense, versatility, huge motor) are a good fit for this defense while his weaknesses (not a pass rusher) aren’t a big concern. I don’t buy the Chargers drafting a tackle in the first round since A.J. Smith has built the offensive line around Marcus McNeill (a second-round pick) and multiple late-round selections. 1-28-28 Dallas Cowboys — Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State While Terrell Owens is still performing at a high level, he’s no spring chicken anymore, and Dallas would do well by adding a potential No. 1 receiver to groom behind him. Thomas, at 6-2 and 225, compares favorably to Dwayne Bowe, who went right around this spot last year and turned in the top performance of any a rookie receiver. The risk is that Thomas only played one season of Division I-A ball and that he is an unpolished route runner, but he displayed terrific hands at Michigan State, as well as a rare ability to pick up yardage after the catch. Thomas is also an excellent return man, and he’ll immediately upgrade Dallas’ special teams. DeSean Jackson was also a consideration in this spot, but ultimately size won out. 1-29-29 San Francisco 49ers from Indianapolis Colts — Sam Baker, OT, USC What a crappy off-season the 49ers are having. They just lost a fifth-round draft pick for tampering with the contract of a guy they didn’t even manage to sign (Lance Briggs), added a 36-year-old receiver who is supposedly going to be their No. 1 wideout (Isaac Bruce), and signed DPAR Public Enemy No. 1 to back up Frank Gore (DeShaun Foster). Yikes. They need help virtually everywhere, but with the loss of Justin Smiley and Larry Allen, the offensive line is the most immediate concern. Baker’s a four-year starter who has won just about every accolade imaginable while playing against top-flight competition, so I’m at a bit of a loss to explain why the punditocracy has turned against him. Who cares about a tackle’s “demeanor?” Walter Jones is a big pussycat and he seems to have turned out OK. 1-30-30 Green Bay Packers — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas Picking this late, it’s hard to really get the franchise corner that the Packers need. Their current studs are bit long in the tooth. Talib is a high bang or bust pick. For his style of play, think Asante Samuel, someone who likes to jump routes and gamble on the big INT. He’s got good size for a defensive back at 6-1, but shows just good not great speed. He’s no Pacman Jones, but there are concerns about off-field activities. 1-31 New England Forfeited 1-32-31 New York Giants — DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal There’s an outstanding need at free safety, but the dropoff after Kenny Phillips means that Jerry Reese can go with a second-day pick there, and who better to do so? Jackson the speedburner is a smaller target than Eli Manning’s used to, but we’ve seemingly passed the era in which the only completions possible for the Super Bowl MVP are dumpoffs to running backs and tight ends and jumpballs to Plaxico Burress. Sinorice Moss hasn’t exactly set the world afire, while Burress and Amami Toomer present their own injury and age concerns, respectively. The (Carolina) Steve Smith comparisons are legitimate with Jackson — he might be the only waterbug receiver out of this class with the toughness to survive the slot at the NFL level -– and the threat level from a speed perspective is undeniable. He’ll bring a special element to New York’s offense. SECOND ROUND2-1-32 Miami Dolphins — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware Representing the 8-5-6. And giving the Tuna a Bledsoe-like talent to build around. 2-2-33 St. Louis Rams — Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan Taking Glenn Dorsey with their first pick means that Calais Campbell would be a luxury here, and for a team with such significant needs, there is no such time for luxury. St. Louis has a need at wideout with Torry Holt aging, Isaac Bruce gone, and Drew Bennett having never-really-been, and while Manningham’s stock has tumbled some this year, watching the guy play shows the sheer talent he has. He’s an intelligent route-runner, has excellent hands, and by all accounts, plays faster than his 40 times. In addition, initial research we’ve done has suggested that wide receivers in rushing-heavy conferences like the Big Ten are underrated as compared to wideouts in pass-friendly conferences like the Pac-10. 2-3-34 Atlanta Falcons from Oakland Raiders — Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn With three second-round picks and no other teams likely to reach for Chad Henne at this point, the Falcons are willing to take their time before addressing their need at quarterback. Instead, they go with the best pass rusher on the board in Groves. Atlanta was 26th against the pass last year, and John Abraham is too injury-prone to be relied on. Groves can play outside linebacker and can rush from a down position in passing situations. 2-4-35 Kansas City Chiefs — Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn Herm: “You draft to fill your needs. HELLO! You DRAFT to FILL your NEEDS! So we took a kid who we think will help fill one of our needs. He’s fast and he’s big and we like him, so that’s why we picked him. People on the Internet might criticize the pick. That’s fine. I don’t own the Internet. My job is to be a football coach. I coach the game of football.” 2-5-36 New York Jets — Cliff Avril, LB, Purdue The Jets need help on defense and Avril is very athletic, loves being around the ball, has good size at 6-3, 250. Avril can also rush the passer from the outside. Great fit for Mangini’s 3-4 defense. 2-6-37 Atlanta Falcons — Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona The need is obvious after the DeAngelo Hall trade, and in more ways than one. Cason will be, as Ocho Cinco would say, “a fresh of breath air” after Hall’s diva act rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. Cason doesn’t have Hall’s raw talent, but he does have great potential and he fits the Falcons’ new “Character first, because we can’t afford anything else at this point!” motto to a T. 2-7-38 Baltimore Ravens — Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech Good tackler, good interceptor, fills a need. Wish I could keep revamping the Ravens offense but I don’t like what’s on the board right now, so let the cornerback run continue. 2-8-39 San Francisco 49ers — Oniel Cousins, OG, UTEP Cousins is a tackle with brilliant raw skills, but needs more polish to start in the NFL at tackle. Put him on the interior, let him refine his technique, and then bring him outside when you get rid of Jonas Jennings. 2-9-40 New Orleans Saints — Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma The hope was for Brandon Flowers or Antoine Cason to fall here, but it didn’t work out that way. Still, several quality cornerback options are left on the board, and Smith is one of them. With his size and physicality, he resembles a young Mike McKenzie, which is good, because the current version is still recovering from a torn ACL and may be finished as a starting-caliber corner. 2-10-41 Buffalo Bills — John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame Many denizens of the mock draft punditocracy have USC’s Fred Davis or Purdue’s Dustin Keller ranked higher, but Carlson is a better pass-catching tight end than either of them, and the Bills desperately need some weapons on offense. A high-character guy who will be easy to market to Buffalo’s new Canadian fanbase. 2-11-42 Denver Broncos — Calais Campbell, DE, Miami Local kid comes home. Denver native Campbell could be a steal at this position. Size is not a problem at 6-7 and almost 300 pounds. Speed is not stunning, but the upside is his 2006 season, as he looked like an early first-round pick, but then disappointed in ‘07. 2-12-43 Carolina Panthers — Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame Laws won’t replace the departed Kris Jenkins from a size perspective — he’d have to resemble a midrise apartment building to pull that off. But he’s the gap-shooting weapon needed for this formerly great defensive line to get back on its collective feet. 2-13-44 Chicago Bears — Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt Great value at this point and fills a need in Chicago. Otah is probably a right tackle in the pros, but the Bears have needs on both sides. 2-14-45 Detroit Lions — Pat Sims, DT, Auburn Matt’s busy eating his hamburger. The Lions lost Damien Woody and ditched Shaun Rogers, so an interior lineman would work. Sims is a better prospect than any of the guards available, so he’s the pick here. 2-15-46 Cincinnati Bengals — Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers One of the most underrated players in the draft. One of the things that keeps the Bengals offense from reaching the rarified Indianapolis air is the lack of a dual-threat back who can have a major impact in the passing game. Enter Rice, who looks and plays like a young Tiki Barber. He has some wear on his tires, but that is a second-contract consideration. 2-16-47 Minnesota Vikings — Andre “Bubba” Caldwell, WR, Florida We need to add some guys for Brohm to throw to, and Caldwell is a big receiver with great hands who isn’t afraid to go over the middle, just the type of security blanket this team needs. Plus he’s Reche Caldwell’s brother and I want to see if the eyeball-bulge thing is genetic or what. 2-17-48 Atlanta Falcons from Houston Texans — Chad Henne, QB, Michigan He passes the most important test for Arthur Blank. Henne’s allergic to dogs. The 6-3 Wolverine could jump right in and start for the Falcons in ‘08 2-18-49 Philadelphia Eagles — Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College Cherilus doesn’t get the warm fuzzies that the first-round tackles get because his technique is still under development. He would, however, be an intriguing replacement for right tackle Jon Runyan down the road. Cherilus is a prototypical mauler who can do some real damage, especially on running plays. Where he’ll struggle a bit early on is in consistency and discipline, especially from a penalty perspective. 2-19-50 Arizona Cardinals — Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana Speaking of penalties, Antrell Rolle’s move to free safety leaves a void at the cornerback position. Porter needs some finishing work and he’ll never blow anyone away as a tackler, but he’s an incredibly quick cornerback who will outrun many of his mistakes until he figures it out. 2-20-51 Washington Redskins — Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska It makes no sense for the Redskins to depend on Jon Jansen being healthy for an entire season when the guy simply can’t do it. Relying on Jason Fabini and his ilk isn’t smart, either, so Nicks comes in here as a potential long-term and/or injury replacement for Jansen and depth on the line in the meanwhile. 2-21-52 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee Strictly a case of BPA, as Mayo has risen to the point where he is arguably a late first-round pick. Tampa is always in the market for linebackers. 2-22-53 Pittsburgh Steelers — Chilo Rachal, OG, USC Rachal would benefit from another year in college, but he entered the draft early in part to help pay for his mother’s stomach surgery. He still should be able to start right away and help Steelers fans forget about that one guy who plays for the Jets now. 2-23-54 Tennessee Titans — Marcus Harrison, DE, Arkansas I must have something for Razorbacks as he’s the third one I’ve chosen. The Titans have a need at both tackle and end, and Harrison can fit either role. Good size at 6-2 and 320 pounds, good speed for a big man as he’s run sub-5 40s. 2-24-55 Seattle Seahawks — Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M Given their need at tight end, the Seahawks’ representatives would have to be forgiven for tripping all over themselves in getting the card with Bennett’s name on it up to the podium — the paucity of tight ends selected earlier plays right into their hands. While Purdue’s Dustin Keller and USC’s Fred Davis intrigue for different reasons, Bennett’s size, athleticism, blocking ability and basketball background make him the surest prospect in this class of tight ends. 2-25-56 Green Bay Packers from Cleveland Browns — Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue Keller represents a great fit for the Packers, who can use him as an H-back in their Full House formation or as a receiving tight end on passing downs. 2-26-57 Miami Dolphins from San Diego Chargers– Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State Bill Parcells has already traded for his binky Jason Ferguson to man the nose, but the Dolphins will need a younger player to rotate in/take over when Ferguson suffers his inevitable injury. Rubin is no threat as a pass rusher, but he can tie up blockers and make tackles on inside runs, which is all the defense will ask him to do. 2-27-58 Jacksonville Jaguars — James Hardy, WR, Indiana Jacksonville takes a page from the Matt Millen playbook and keeps drafting receivers until they get it right. With Ernest Wilford gone and Matt Jones on his way out the door, Hardy can step in and provide another big target in the red zone. 2-28-59 Indianapolis — Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech Last year, the Colts traded their first-round pick to the 49ers in order to grab Tony Ugoh. The move obviously worked out well for them but now Indy feels the sting of having to make their first selection deep into the second round. The Colts have no glaring needs, but they could use some depth at linebacker, and Adibi is a good situational player, even if he is a bit undersized. Maybe he and Bob Sanders can share a locker or something. 2-29-60 Green Bay — Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State Looking to get the offensive line younger as players like Chad Clifton may be looking at the end of the road again. (As an aside, isn’t it a bit ironic that Warren Sapp is retired before Chad Clifton?) Reports are that Schuening is big and mean, but not overly athletic at this point. You can get someone in better shape, you can’t teach a mean streak. 2-30-61 Dallas Cowboys — Chris Jackson, RB, East Carolina 4.24 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine. Will he play that fast? Probably not, but he deserves credit for coming to the draft process prepared. As a player, he complements Marion Barber as a guy who can return kicks, catch the ball out of the backfield (he was a wide receiver off-and-on in college), and serve as a scatback. If he could become a better blocker, he’d be a real terror. 2-31-62 New England — Terrell Thomas, CB, USC Thomas is less a burner on long routes and more a solid player who tackles very well, doesn’t get out-thought and has shown toughness on the field. Could be a safety at the next level. 2-32-63 New York Giants — DaJuan Morgan, S, NC State 127 Comments » |
Not likely Raiders draft Sedrick Ellis. Raiders likely to sign Grady Jackson.
Raiders are going to be a hybrid defense next year.(4-3 and 3-4) They have the personel to play both defenses very well. Friends of Grady Jackson say hes coming back to the Raiders(probably after the draft so not to tip off there intentions+ has to clear up some legal issues) Raiders could use another pass rusher (who can’t) Lets see why Raiders are not really in bad shape rushing the QB. LEts see you have D Burgess , K Edwards( K Milliard Raiders Dline coach has made a living at bringing out the best in these guys) Thomas Howard -would be a beast coming off the corner. (would easily give what clemons gave and probably surpass them)
Lets see Raiders will probably keep at ther most 9 DLIneman(eight More realistic)
1. DT /DE Tom Kelly 2. D Burgess DE/OLB 3. Gerard Warren DT/DE /NT 4. Terdel Sands DT/NT 5 Jay Richardson De 6. William Joseph DE/DT 7 Kalimba Edwards 8. Grady Jackson(if true will be their Dline rotation DT and NT.
Only DE I think they don’t pass on is Chris long. IF Long gone I think they might go for LB over the Dlineman.
Lets see Dominating defense plus a consistant running game(they proved that by being sixth leading rushing team) = a potential playoff team.
How do Raiders further upgrade that defense
Im say by taking USC OLB Keith Rivers. Raiders are going to be playing hybrid 3-4/ 4-3 defense next year. Keith Rivers just might be better fit than Gholston. Would give the Raiders three coverage LBS . (Rivers, Thomas howard and Morrison) To go with Two Passrushers DE/Olbs roatating (Burgess and Edwards) You throw that LB corp with the Raiders secondary and the defensive motto would be - Thou shall not pass.
How does this improve the run defense easily. Thomas HOward can play anywhere. You can put him at safety ( 240 pounds) . Beauty of it all is you lose nothing in coverage with him at safety. Also you can be alot more agressive - as you have alot of interchangeable parts) You can blitz from anywhere and lose nothing in coverage.
Get rrady people because Raiders defense is going to be demonic in 2008. If offense is not grat team still make oplayoffs. If offense is good, Raiders will at least make it to AFc Championship game maybe against Colts.
:: Raiderjoe — 4/7/2008 @ 10:16 am
Can Chris Long throw a pass or is Parcells planning to win every game 3-0. With huge holes at QB and offensive line (where the Dolphins have 1 NFL tackle) I simply can’t see them going defense with this pick.
:: johonny — 4/7/2008 @ 10:34 am
All signs out of Foxboro are that Belichick and co are very interested in Gholston.
That alone makes me doubt that they’ll draft him. Still, they need SOMEONE at LB… I like this choice better than most draftniks that have them taking a CB. It seems to me that Gholston is a better option at OLB than any of the CB propsects are at CB…
:: MJK — 4/7/2008 @ 10:38 am
Ben never did answer who is going to play defensive end for the vikings… while I’d love to see them get Brohm, just feel that if they don’t move up someone else will trade up to nab him before they pick.
:: andrew — 4/7/2008 @ 10:40 am
If the 49ers take offensive linemen with their first two picks I will eat my hat. I will then create a page on Myspace in which I offer to eat (and record and post the video) any other unwanted hats from around the globe. They have five veteran offensive linemen who they quite like and zero pass rush. They will take at least one defensive front seven player with their first two picks and probably two. The only other position they will be looking at will depend on what kind of value they can get at receiver.
:: Jimmy — 4/7/2008 @ 10:51 am
I will be the first to admit that ripping mock drafts is pointless and stupid. That said, the Eagles taking a LB at #19?! While leaving Jenkins, Harvey, DRC, Sweed, Hardy, Baker and Jackson on the board? A team that never drafts LBs in the first round? A team that’s in love with its young LBs and has much more pressing needs elsewhere? I’m utterly speechless.
:: Harris — 4/7/2008 @ 10:52 am
The Colts are drafting for depth and Adibi is a great fit for the Colts, but a pass rusher (Freeney and Mathis are their only DEs that can get pressure) or a runningback to replace Kenton Keith (he ran great, but is hands are awful) is more of a need than LB (They have 3 good starters in place and Clint Sessions is a great backup/future starter.)
I’d take the subject of my gigantic man-crush, Chris Johnson. He can backup Addai, return kicks and split out in the slot. The Colts defense was 3rd in total DVOA and return all their starters, so passing on defense for a great offensive player makes more sense than usual.
:: shake n bake — 4/7/2008 @ 10:55 am
” A team that never drafts LBs in the first round? A team that’s in love with its young LBs and has much more pressing needs elsewhere? I’m utterly speechless”
Maybe that is why Eagles never win Suprbowl. Maybe Eagles should rethinkg how they do everything. Maybe Eagles drafting LB in 21st round shows that they are changing the way they think.
Lets see lets just look at the Raiders. They had some problems in recent years so they changed the way they do things. They draft a great Qb (J Russell next J Eway), they sign big name free agents (D Hall, G Wilson, J Walker all great), and they have a very good young head coach who will be with the team for maybe 10 to 15 years.
Raiders are changing and will win a SupreBowl in a few years. Eagels are staying same and will continue to fall short.
:: Raiderjoe — 4/7/2008 @ 10:57 am
The Giants are set at safety with james butler and michael johnson. knight is a placeholder. They may still draft a safety based on best player available but it is not a pressing need.
:: elisha — 4/7/2008 @ 11:24 am
#8 - by changing you mean destroying any hope of having capspace in the future?
I echo #6 - I would be shocked if the eagles took conner. Their history suggests they may move up or down for a player - and with lito sheppard still in the mix it’s hard to predict where they will end up.
:: andro — 4/7/2008 @ 11:27 am
re10
Al Davis say cap space not going to be a problem. Might even be no salary cap in 2011. Raiders willbe fine. Nothing to worry about.
:: Raiderjoe — 4/7/2008 @ 11:30 am
Harris makes the same point I did when this was posted and taken down last week (what happened there, anyway?).
If Doug is suggesting what the Iggles SHOULD do, then taking a LB isn’t a bad idea - except, of course, for the fact that it’s almost impossible for a LB to outperform his contract when you draft him in the first round. Yes, it’s an area of need. I’d still like to see a WR or a S - either of whom better be able to return a kick better then Reno @#$%^ Mahe.
On the other hand, if Doug is trying to predict what the Iggles WILL do, then there’s no chance - NONE - that it will happen.
:: Dean — 4/7/2008 @ 11:31 am
I don’t even think LB is an area of need, certainly not compared to (in no particular order) WR, S, OL, KR/PR, or DT. I’d rather see the Eagles take a CB at that point than a LB.
:: Harris — 4/7/2008 @ 11:38 am
#12 - dean, I agree. For the purposes of the list - it makes sense. And drafting a WR or S that can return kicks would be an ideal situation. I’d suspect that they grab someone like that in the 2nd or 3rd round. There seems to be little separation on how the teams are evaluation both of these positions in the top of the draft.
And Re #11 - I agree that the Raiders may be improving in some areas. Certainly an improved Jamarcus Russel can expedite that.
:: andro — 4/7/2008 @ 11:45 am
It would certainly be interesting to see what the 2007 University of Michigan offense could do down in Atlanta with a competent offensive coordinator. Now if the Falcons just take Mike Hart with their 3rd round pick…
Speaking of Hart, does anybody have a good read on where he’ll go in the draft? I’ve watched every U of M game that he played in, and while the kid has minimal top-end “speed”, he’ll turn more 1 yard gains into 8 yard gains than any back I’ve seen. A good comparison could be Joe Washington - for anybody familiar with Hart’s style, check out this uncanny resemblance:
URL EDITED AND PUT IN NAME
:: Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabbadu — 4/7/2008 @ 11:47 am
Is it an area of need? I think so. They have a lot of young guys and they are making the usual offseason noises about how much they like them - but that doesn’t necessarily translate into reality.
They claimed they were happy with Takeo Spikes right up until the day they cut him. They claimed they loved Tank Daniels - right up until the day they cut him. They loved the practice squad guy a few years back (not Greg Richmond, the other one) until he had to play in a game, then they cut him, too.
Right now, Chris Gocong’s claim to fame is that he’s better then Dhani Jones, and Gaither can proudly claim he’s better then Mark Simineau. Yay. Bradley backed up a couple rookies last year, and now he’s supposed to be The Man in the middle?
Depth? A journeyman free agent in Boiman, a practice-squad guy in Akeem Jordan, and Some Guy Named Pago. Pedigree doesn’t automatically equate to performance, but I’d call this cause for concern.
Yeah, the starters are all young, and yeah, they’ve all shown flashes, and yeah, they all have that ubiquitous “upside,” but I’d still say that it’s an area of need.
:: Dean — 4/7/2008 @ 11:51 am
Sorry - #16 was about the Iggles LB and was in response to Harris @ #13.
:: Dean — 4/7/2008 @ 11:52 am
“Thomas Howard -would be a beast coming off the corner.” — “raiderjoe”
A beast? “A” beast? Raiderjoe doesn’t use articles! It’s an imposter!
:: Dylan — 4/7/2008 @ 12:02 pm
#16 - I agree with your assessment of the Eagles’ LB’s. If they do pass on LB’s during this draft and then in week 1 or 2 the current young guys get beat up - the fan reaction should be nothing less than rediculous.
Do you think there is any chance they would take a Felix Jones or Jonathan Stewart if they were on the board at their current position? Using the above order - those are the two guys within reach at that pick that I would be most excited about.
:: andro — 4/7/2008 @ 12:07 pm
#5 - I’m all for taking an O-lineman with one of those two picks, but I agree with your general sentiment. If Quentin Groves is available at #29 and we pass on him, we’re absolutely crazy.
:: Bazooka Joe — 4/7/2008 @ 12:15 pm
Two terrible selections for the Bengals. Cincinnati was decimated by injuries last season. The last thing they need to do is to use their first pick on a guy coming off sports hernia surgery and is a question mark to even play. Rivers, Balmer, Albert, Mendenhall, basically anyone would be a better choice. As for Ray Rice in the second, I like Rice, but with the loss of Chris Henry I can’t see them passing on WRs Caldwell or Hardy.
:: Dave — 4/7/2008 @ 12:18 pm
If I’m the Raiders (or KC) I’m probably at least thinking about trying to convince NE that they want to trade up ‘just so you can take whoever Mangini’s drooling over and watch him cry’. Or alternately convincing the Jets that NE put a good deal on the table for that reason.
:: craig — 4/7/2008 @ 12:22 pm
There’s no way Miami’s getting out of the first two rounds without drafting an O-Lineman.
I can see Miami picking Jake Long #1 overall and then just grabbing the defensive BPA at #32 & #57.
Yes, I am assuming that John Beck will pan out. And if he doesn’t, I guess Miami will be picking in the top 5 next year! At least we’ll have Jake Long to protect the next guy.
:: Andy — 4/7/2008 @ 12:22 pm
#16 By your definition, every position in the league not occupied by an entrenched starter between 24 and 29 is “an area of need.” Are there questions with the Eagles’ LBs? Yes. Are they so serious that they require a first-round pick? Hell no. Especially not when compared to real areas of need at safety (Dawk will eventually retire), WR (Brown and Curtis frighten no one) and DT (no depth).
:: Harris — 4/7/2008 @ 12:26 pm
#7 Shake, Agreed on the DL more than RB, though just because it finally makes sense to draft for the O means Polian will do the opposite! Like drafting Clark and Wayne years ago and everyone said “Hunh? Is he nuts? They need D!”
In addition to a pass rusher (from the interior?) I’d look at contracts–like Indy did a year before Pollard and Glenn’s contracts were up, and they drafted Clark and Ugoh to replace them; I’d look for a key player who is nearing the end of his useful financial life for them, and assume they’ll draft a replacement as high as they can. That Manning guy’s getting a little old, isn’t he?
:: Bobman — 4/7/2008 @ 12:44 pm
I came to mention that the pick at #4 makes way too much sense for the Raiders to follow through on it.
But I’m more interested in hearing what Ravens and Vikings fans think about drafting yet another franchise quarterback and if they think things will really change this time.
:: Herm? — 4/7/2008 @ 12:50 pm
The Lions picks I just don’t agree with.
They currently have 5 corners on the roster and they plan on using one of Alexander or Dwight Smith as a corner as well. The Tampa 2 does not really need 1st round corners either to work well (see Super Bowl winner with Jason David and Nick Harper at corner).
And then DT. Yes they lost Rogers, but they signed Darby (who is yes 33 and coming off a major injury)-but they also like Langston Moore and they have last year’s 2nd round pick who was a 3-4 DE in college (let me say this if the Lions do not put Francis at DT at some point they are incredibly stupid).
The Lions are not going to let Harvey or Mendenhall get past them. RB is a huge need (they can go it in the 3rd round as well, but they have no RB under contract after 2008 and I am not sure Shaun Alexander is not the answer).
DE is a need, the Tampa 2 thrives on it, the hope is either that Francis becomes a great pass rusher or the Lions draft one early and let Francis play the Justin Tuck role.
Woody is not a lost for the Lions. dude was benched at guard early and only started the last 4 games at RT (where he played well)-RT is possibly a need as well.
LB is a huge need as well.
Judging by who was on the board still
I think the Lions would go either Mendenhall/Harvey in the 1st round
Mayo in the 2nd round.
:: lionsbob — 4/7/2008 @ 1:03 pm
If you guys do this again, you should really consider letting raiderjoe do Oakland’s picks. How better to simulate Al Davis’ bizarre and erratic decision-making process?
Anyhow, all my knowledge about college football is second-hand, so I won’t presume to comment on the picks. As for my team (the Giants), I disagree with #9 that safety isn’t a concern– Butler & Johnson might be serviceable, but I am by no means confident that such will be the case. They don’t need to use pick #31 on a safety, but they do need to get one somewhere.
The linked article on the Giants draft needs explains things better than I could. Reese will use their first-rounder on the non-QB, non-RB who is rated most highly in their system.
:: JasonK — 4/7/2008 @ 1:06 pm
Griese DVOA -15.4%, DPAR -2.6
Grossman DVOA -16.1%, DPAR -3.1
Orton DVOA -16.5, DPAR -1.2
As someone who watches every Bears game, every year, I’d send them all to the same island and start over with a first rounder. Griese is not a savior by any means, he may be the best of three bad options, but….
:: brasilbear — 4/7/2008 @ 1:10 pm
The upcoming FAs don’t tell a whole lot for the Colts. They’ve got just about everyone signed past next season. Jeff Saturday, Tyjuan Hagler and Kelvin Hayden are the starters who’s contracts are up. Dylan Gandy too if he wins the empty guard spot over Charlie Johnson.
Saturday is getting up there, but I expect them to extend him out for a bit longer. Hagler is solid, but can be replaced by Sessions if they can’t afford to bring him back, which they probably can since he’s not a high profile guy and they already got a 1 year extension done with him last season. Hayden is the only one that worries me, but hopefully Jason David has scared teams out of overpaying cover 2 corners. Also Dante Hughes is exactly the kind of guy that could be great at CB for the Colts. Hopefully he’ll be the nickelback this year instead of Tim “I’m the fast corner on the team by far, but it doesn’t matter because I’m always out of position” Jennings.
:: shake n bake — 4/7/2008 @ 1:16 pm
and the Titans picked Marcus Harrison? Are they going to miss Pacman Jones that much? I don’t see the Titans going to that well again (Harrison was suspended for a felony drug charge).
:: lionsbob — 4/7/2008 @ 1:25 pm
I don’t see the Steelers passing on Otah or Cherilous to take a running back. Yes, Stewart would be a great value, but if they want a back there’s Mike Hart and Kevin Smith from UCF still available. Great running backs seem to slip and the Steelers are good at finding RB production without drafting in the first round for them. If Otah is still available I see the Steelers taking him, especially since he went to Pitt. Hopefully Albert is still there, but if he isn’t Otah or Cherilous and Rachal would not be a bad top 2 selections for them.
:: R. Magill — 4/7/2008 @ 1:28 pm
Harris, don’t get me wrong - I do not advocate using the first round pick on a linebacker. I do see it as our biggest area of need. But taking a linebacker with a first round pick, in principal, is a bad idea. Last year, Leon Hall, picked 18th signed a 5 year deal worth $13.6 Million, with $8.2 Million guaranteed. That would be chump change for a QB, a WR, an OT, a DL, or a DB. But for a linebacker, that’s a sizeable part of the teams budget. Sizeable enough that I would look elsewhere with that pick - which was my original point that got lost in the shuffle.
We actually agree that the 3 spots I’d most like to see us address with that pick are S, WR, and DL. DL is a distant 3rd on the list because we have already devoted a healthy chunk of money to the position, and because if we have a DL returning kicks, we have bigger problems. Once we get into rounds 2-4, though, THAT is where I’d like to see us add another linebacker. Yeah, that means Dan Connor doesn’t get to stay home, but I think it would be the best use of our picks.
(Oh, and Labinjo was the other LB I was trying to remember in the post above that they raved about up to the day they cut him.)
Andro - Felix Jones or Jonathan Stewart? If you’d asked me that last week, I’d have simply answered “no,” and given you the same explanation as above. I do want to see us add another back - and preferably one that can return kicks. But if you draft a RB in the first round - ESPECIALLY with a franchise like Philly where the backs (ideally) share the workload - your best hope is for Maurice Jones-Drew caliber production, but at Adrian Petersons price. Even if the guy isn’t a total bust, you still could find yourself paying Shaun Alexander money for the 2007 version of Alexander. What’s interesting is that I read somewhere last week (the Inquirer? Daily News? I forget.) that Cap’n Andy was talking about the draft and said the usual vanilla about being interested in trading and being interested in taking the best player available if we stayed at #19. But then he added an interesting twist and said “even if that means taking a running back.”
It’s a LOT harder to pick a RB or a LB and get value in round 1 then it is to pick some of the other positions. And I think, philosophically, there’s no way they’re taking a linebacker. But because of that little quote, I’m going to waffle a little. I think theres a chance that a RB really is a possibility. I’d STILL like to see us land Kenny Phillips or the little gnat from Cal.
Side note to Ben Riley: I can’t really critique the picks, as I don’t claim to be fully versed in KCs roster. But that’s some d@mn funny stuff. Well done, sir.
:: Dean — 4/7/2008 @ 1:31 pm
Two terrible selections for the Bengals. Cincinnati was decimated by injuries last season. The last thing they need to do is to use their first pick on a guy coming off sports hernia surgery and is a question mark to even play.
Because god knows dozens of NFL players see their careers ended because of a sports hernia.
:: Bill Barnwell — 4/7/2008 @ 1:32 pm
As for the Eagles discussion, the team does need a middle linebacker. They’ve chosen two linebackers in the second round before (albeit at the end of the second round with both picks, and one was Matt McCoy), and although they usually lean towards drafting a lineman in the first round, it’s not as if they haven’t gone out of the blue before — Freddie Mitchell comes to mind. OK, so that didn’t work, either, but it’s not unreasonable to think the Eagles would take Connor in that spot.
:: Bill Barnwell — 4/7/2008 @ 1:35 pm
Is it possible to see one Titans mock that doesn’t have them taking Limas Sweed? I know they’ve had a thing for UT Austin the past two years but sheesh.
The Titans are not going wideout in round 1. I’m thinking RB, Felix Jones if he’s still there (doubtful) and Ray Rice if Jones is gone (likely). Lendale White proved he can be the between the tackles workhorse with happy feet and Chris Henry proved why he never started at Arizona. Jones or Rice will fill perfectly a gaping hole in our backfield.
:: Jasonomics — 4/7/2008 @ 1:55 pm
re: 26
Ravens fan response: I’d be thrilled with Ryan at 8. The Ravens have only once drafted a “franchise QB” in Boller, and that was obviously a huge mistake. But that was Billick’s mistake, and Cam Cameron did a very good job working with Rivers in SD (he regressed considerably under “offensive genius” Norv Turner). I don’t think Ryan will be another Manning or elite QB that can carry a team, but rather a good efficient QB in a quality offense, like Rivers.
Considering Ozzie Newsome has a great track record drafting defense and a good track record with OL and RB, I hope Cam’s input can help solve the problems we have in the passing game. Lord knows Billick couldn’t develop or properly evaluate QBs, although maybe he was skilled at designing an offense for an already established QB. Cam built one of the best offenses in the league from scratch (along with Marty, of course), in Baltimore he really only needs to get production from the QB position.
In short, new regime = possibility of success.
:: jonnyblazin — 4/7/2008 @ 2:06 pm
If Harvey drops to #25, i’ll eat my balls, mark my words.
Connor isn’t a top15 prospect too. Great college player, too much of a limited athlete.
F.Jones before Stewart ? Not even with an injury toe. Stewart is a great prospect, while F.Jones has question marks(Strenght, big one, and playing behind D.McFadden)
DRC ddropping that far ? Why ? Playing in a small school ? He was great at the Senior Bowl. Lack of athleticism ? Great workout. I don’t understand.
Sam Baker 20 picks before Otah, while rumours are he might be selected at #5 ? Really ???
I really don’t see Hardy dropping that far, but that might be possible.
And Chris Johnson, not Chris Jackson.
I know it’s just an opinion, but I’m really shocked by some of your analysis, coming from the best football related website.
I guess we’ll see coming draft day, but I’m really surprised !
:: bubqr — 4/7/2008 @ 2:09 pm
That cant really be RaiderJoe right?? I mean he was attempting to use proper grammar; he still didnt but the fact that he tried makes me suspicous. Also his point about the number of linemen was completely rational, very odd to see that.
If it is really you, I like it better when you are drunk.
:: Ryan Harris — 4/7/2008 @ 2:10 pm
#38
DRC is dropping because despite being awesome in post-season camps and the combine he was not that good at Tennessee State.
That and he only has one kidney (yes he had this problem for a while, had it removed when he was 8) but NFL teams might not be willing to pay a dude top money if one hit can end his career.
:: lionsbob — 4/7/2008 @ 2:13 pm
Bill, I expected Harris to beat me to this, but I guess not. “but it’s not unreasonable to think the Eagles would take Connor in that spot.” Actually, it is. And using what they’ve done in previous second rounds as evidence isn’t really accurate, either. Why? Capanomics. It’s not how every organization operates, but it is how Philly operates. In rounds 2 and 3 of the Reid era, they’ve drafted Matt McCoy, Quentin Caver, Barry Gardener, Stewart Bradley, and Chris Gocong. Those second and third round picks have MUCH smaller salaries then first rounders. Last year, for example, Bradley got less then a million dollars in salary and bonus combined (using Ian Whetstones site for the numbers). The late second rounder, Abiamiri, got $1.085 million combined. That’s peanuts compared to what a first rounder gets paid. So to suggest that drafting a position in the second round equates to drafting a position in the first, well, it simply doesn’t.
Getting away from the draft (where they’ve never spent big money on a LB) for a moment, Philly has shown a willingness to acquire LBs via trade, where there is no signing bonus (Simineau, Spikes), and have looked at low budget free agents (Boiman, Fowler, Dhani Jones) - but have never gone out and spent money to get, or keep, linebackers. Trotter and Barber were allowed to leave and be overpaid elsewhere.
And using Freddie Mitchell as an example of why they might take a linebacker is equally absurd. Reid has shown that he IS willing to spend at the WR position. The results haven’t been there, but the effort has. They tried a first round pick (Fred-Ex). They traded for, and gave a big contract to T-O. They went out and got Kevin Curtis, who was expensive, and more productive then people realize, even if he’s not a star. This offseason they have unsuccessfully gone after Randy Moss, Tory Holt, Roy Williams, and Larry Fitzgerald. Clearly there IS a willingness to spend money on WRs.
But at the end of the day, as long as Reid is running the show, it’s ludicrous to think they would spend a first round pick on a linebacker, when there is nothing in a decade of organizational philosophy to suggest that they are willing to spend money at the position.
:: Dean — 4/7/2008 @ 2:16 pm
I don’t see why the Giants would take Jackson in the first round. He’s not the WR I think they would be looking for. I believe they would prefer a bigger target to eventually replace Plaxico.
Based on the draft to that point, I think Jeff Otah, Gosder Cherilus, and Jerod Mayo are much more likely possibilities. The Giants would like to move Diehl back to guard soon and get a pure LT. OLB becomes a pressing need if Strahan retires. Considering where they drafted Michael Johnson, I doubt Reese would go that early for a safety. However, he does need to look for Butler’s 2009 replacement now.
:: kevinNYC — 4/7/2008 @ 2:27 pm
Shouldn’t the Jaguars be looking into a running back? Fred Taylor is 34, and Maurice Jones-Drew, while very talented and productive, is too small to carry the load by himself. And i recall the Jaguars trading Labrandon Toefield, a very capable 3rd string back, to the Panthers. It looks to me like the backfield should be addressed after defensive end. Leave wide reciever until later, this is a running football team.
:: MR_TIGGUMS — 4/7/2008 @ 2:30 pm
Grr. The Broncos are much more concerned with the ability to cut and chop block than the ability to leg whip. And unfortunately, the combine hasn’t instituted a “head level to knee level dash” test. And if the Broncos pick a DE in the second with good value at DT available, I will be very, very sad.
:: The Hypno-Toad — 4/7/2008 @ 2:42 pm
The Bear’s finished 7th in defensive DVOA, and 2nd in WDVOA, if they draft a safety in the first round to say I’ll be shocked would be an understatement. Also, Jerry Angelo called this class of safeties “anemic.”
I really hope that the run on offensive lineman doesn’t happen as early as FO would have it.
:: Tom D — 4/7/2008 @ 3:08 pm
What Dean said.
Also, the Eagles don’t exactly NEED to draft a MLB as they cut Spikes expecting to move Gaither to the WIL and start Bradley the MIKE. There is no reason to believe that Conner will be better at that spot than Bradley, who is 20 pounds heavier and played well in a limited role last year.
:: Harris — 4/7/2008 @ 3:19 pm
…but NFL teams might not be willing to pay a dude top money if one hit can end his career.
Guess they’re not willing to pay anyone top money then.
:: bravehoptoad — 4/7/2008 @ 3:24 pm
#42: Considering where they drafted Michael Johnson, I doubt Reese would go that early for a safety.
Because you don’t invest the huge sunk cost that is the 14th pick of the 7th round on a guy only to have him to sit on the bench in his second season…
(I’m kidding– I know you meant that to mean that Reese has shown that he can get decent Safety prospects in the later rounds. On a first reading, though, the way you phrased it threw me a bit.)
On your other points, OT is a possibility in the unlikely event that a great prospect drops, but from what I’ve read, there isn’t a guy outside the likely-top-20 who would be a clear upgrade on Diehl at OLT. The Giants already have developmental OTs up the wazoo (Whimper, Koets, Goddard), so I doubt it’ll be a major priority.
Strahan leaving would create a hole at DE, not at OLB. Kiwanuka will remain a SLB in the base defense and will play DE in the nickel. There are no plans to move him back to a full-time DE. Tuck will start at Stray’s old LDE spot, and move to DT when Kiwanuka steps up to the line. In that scenario, they need a new #3 DE in the base set, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them draft one early.
With Safety as the biggest need on the team (which can often be filled with a later pick), I see the Giants’ early selections as pure value/luxury picks. Anything short of a QB, RB, TE (unless Shockey is traded), P, or K wouldn’t shock me.
:: JasonK — 4/7/2008 @ 3:26 pm
If you guys do this again, you should really consider letting raiderjoe do Oakland’s picks. How better to simulate Al Davis’ bizarre and erratic decision-making process? Posted by #28
need…now…
:: TomHat — 4/7/2008 @ 3:28 pm
I’m not a big fan of college football and I ignore the smaller programs, but in looking at the QBs in this draft I hadn’t heard anything about Joe Flacco of Delaware except that he exists and plays QB. What’s so special about him for him to deserve being the 3rd QB taken?
:: youppitime — 4/7/2008 @ 3:29 pm
re: 41
Each NFL team has the same positions to choose from in the later half of round 1: OT, G/C, TE, RB, WR, QB, DT, DE, LB, S, CB. Do you really think the Eagles haven’t spend a first round pick on a LB because of a organizational philosophy? Or is it possible, considering there are 11 main positions to fill, they haven’t picked a first round LB because there hasn’t been great value at LB when they’ve picked?
It seems kind of absurd to suggest that the Eagles won’t draft a LB because they are opposed to paying a LB $2mil a year. If a very good LB is available for $2mil per year, thats great value for any team. Mid-late 1st round picks don’t take up much cap room at all.
:: jonnyblazin — 4/7/2008 @ 3:29 pm
DeSean Jackson? Toughness of Steve Smith? Really? Really?!? Have you guys ever watched him play? Think he is a great talent and has amazing speed but have definitely seen him shy away from contact (not blaming him as he is undersized and I’d do the same). I don’t know if toughness is what he is known for.
Also, don’t know how seriously, I can take analysis here given that they mentioned Carolina Steve Smith and not the former USC WR Steve Smith in the analysis. Pretty big oversight of an up and ocming receiver who played very well and beyond that expected of a rookie in the post season.
:: John — 4/7/2008 @ 3:29 pm
“If Harvey drops to #25, i’ll eat my balls, mark my words.”
I for one am hoping he drops to #25.
:: RowdyRoddyPiper — 4/7/2008 @ 3:35 pm
“Do you really think the Eagles haven’t spend a first round pick on a LB because of a organizational philosophy?”
Yes. I do think that.
:: Dean — 4/7/2008 @ 3:58 pm
Am I the only one who thinks that the Eagles staff just isn’t very good at coaching up certain positions (LB and WR come to mind), and therefore should trade for those players rather than burn high draft picks on them?
:: Dave — 4/7/2008 @ 4:52 pm
I don’t know squat about college ‘ball, but that was an entertaining read. Kudos Ben “Herm” Riley in particular.
And who is this Raiderjoe who writes in (almost) complete sentences, makes good points about the Raider roster on the defensive side of the ball, and quotes Marshal Petain?
Bring back real Raiderjoe!
:: James, London — 4/7/2008 @ 4:55 pm
Re #34: “Because god knows dozens of NFL players see their careers ended because of a sports hernia.”
Unfortunately, Bill, us long-suffering Bengals fans have been forced to endure the slings and arrows of outrageous sports hernias, which have helped derail the Cincy careers of both RB Chris Perry and LB Ahmad Brooks. It’s not an injury to be trifled with — Perry took forever to recover and there are whispers that Brooks’ actually involved muscle tearing off bone, which has slowed his recovery to a crawl. Sorry, but the idea that any team is going to use a top 10 pick on a pre-injured player strikes me as fundamentally nuts. And given recent Bengals history, I would expect them to flee at top speed at the mere mention of the word “hernia.”
:: Dave — 4/7/2008 @ 4:56 pm
#55 I think it’s more a function of poor talent evaluation — no amount of coaching was going to make anything of Freddie Mitchell. They said last year that they changed the way they evaluate LBs and it APPEARS to have paid off as Gaither, Gocong and Bradley SEEM to be pretty good. Whether they’ve figured out the problems with selecting WRs remains to be seen, though Reggie Brown looks like a solid pro if not a Pro Bowler. Now, if they’d stop using 6-foot-4, 220lb Hank Baskett as a skinny TE, I’d be really pleased.
:: Harris — 4/7/2008 @ 5:22 pm
I thought Brooks tore his groin.
:: Bill B