rookBoston

While the season was in full swing and the Pats were undefeated and cruising along to a historic season, I was tracking the mock draft community. I recently came across some notes that I took in October, where I had reviewed 8 different mock draft sites, and compiled the consensus draft class.

Some highlights:

1. Miami - DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Dorsey was the near consensus, with 7 of 8 draft sites picking him for the Fins. Since then, there have been injury questions and his star has faded a bit. But in November, he was seen as THE impact player in the draft class. The minority opinion at #1 overall was for Jake.

2. St Louis - OT Jake Long, Michigan
6 of 8 sites had Long going here. The other two had Dorsey and Chris Long in the slot.

3. Atlanta - QB Matt Ryan, BC
Ryan was selected in this spot in 7 of 8 drafts. Interestingly, the other guy they were projecting here was Andre Woodson, QB Kentucky, who people aren't even thinking about in the 2nd round anymore. Why the hell not?

4. Oakland - DE Chris Long, Virginia
There wasn't a strong consensus for this pick. CLong was chosen in 4 of 8 mock drafts in November with JLong, Ellis, McFadden and OL Sam Baker (!?) rounding out the field. Whoever thought Ellis in November... I think they were on to something.

5. KC - OT Ryan Clady, Boise St
Clady was the pick in 3 of 8 drafts. 2 votes went to CLong, 1 for McFadden, 1 for Malcom Jenkins (who didn't declare), and one for USF CB Mike Jenkins. Personally, I don't understand how DCR and McKelvin are being considered ahead of productive and athletic DBs like Jenkins. Track stars rarely make good football players. Tebucky Jones comes to mind.

6. Jets - RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
6 of 8 chose McFadden here, and that's still a popular idea. The other two went for CLong (this is the lowest anyone projected him to go) and Gholston. In the 8 mocks, this is the only time Gholston appeared in the top 10. Makes me wonder how a guy playing for a National Championship caliber team was able to run so deep under the radar that no one had him pegged for the draft. With all the hype, you'd think that Gholston was the heart and soul of the OSU D... and, actually, he wasn't. Had they declared, Gholston might have been the third OSU defensive player selected after Jenkins and Laurinaitis.

7. New England - LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Of course Laurinaitis didn't declare, but everyone had him pegged for Foxboro. I spent a lot of time watching his interviews and watching his film, and I have to say I was nervous about this pick. I'm not sure he's a guy that BB would draft. The minority picks at #7 were CB Mike Jenkins (who didn't declare, either) and LB Dan Conner, which was never a fit and looks downright silly, now.

8. Baltimore - QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
5 of 8 sites. No one is thinking this, anymore.

9. Cincinnati - DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
This still seems to be the consensus. #9 is also the lowest Laurinaitis was picked in the 8 mocks.

10. New Orleans - CB Malcom Jenkins, Ohio State
Who didn't declare. Also taken here: Mike Jenkins, LB Rivers, CB Talib

Noticably absent from all this is Gholston who has magically shot up the charts and is being bandied about as a possible #1 overall. Fat chance, I say. Parcells is playing mind games. He intends to draft CLong.

Since October, Dorsey has dropped a bit. Brohm has dropped more seriously. CLong has risen and then dropped and may rise again. Rivers has risen. Mike Jenkins has dropped.

For the rest... many of the projections are still legit today: Ellis to Cinci is still popular. Ryan to Atlanta is still popular. McFadden to the Jets still looks legit.

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NePatriots

Interesting... Maulalaualulauga from USC is better than Lauranaitis in my opinion.

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Box_O_Rocks

Brohm is reportedly rising again amongst the draft guru community, though I'd be surprised if many draftniks are thinking that way. The Laurinaitis I watched in the National Championship game was a poor fit for NE's 3-4, though it would have been fun watching the reaction of folks if/when BB skipped over him for some other player.

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VJCPatriot

Don't worry, you'll still be treated to their moans of disappointment when BB passes over Keith Rivers. ;P

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1010101010

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Zeke_Mowatt

I thought the same thing about Laurinaitis during the Championship game having seen him projected at 7 for the Pats. He may have one of those Katzenmoyer-esque meteoric falls after his Senior season...

BradfordPatsFan

So we can get him at 32 next year?

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Zeke_Mowatt

If we're drafting at 32, I don't care if we re-draft Katzenmoyer let alone Laurinaitis