dryheat44
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 6,351
- Reaction score
- 78
1. Miami - Jake Long OT Michigan. Dolphins go the safe route. Can't blame them.
2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey DT LSU -- Some mocks have him falling due to injury concerns, but I don't see it. He came back from leg injury to play productively last season. He's a great player and will allow Haslett to move Carriker out to DE, vastly improving two DL spots. The other option is Chris Long, and it comes down to whether the Rams would rather line up with a T/E combo of Carriker-Long or Dorsey-Carriker. I think the latter is far superior.
3. PROJECTED TRADE - Atlanta trades the #3 pick to the New York Jets for the #6 pick, a 2009 5th rounder, and QB Kellen Clemens. The Jets select Matt Ryan QB Boston College. I think in the end, the Jets are going to decide that Ryan's upside is too good to pass up, and well worth the modest trade forward. Pennington can play QB for the first few months, or until he gets hurt again, while Ryan sits and learns how to prepare to be a successful NFL QB. Ryan also brings a fresh face to the franchise and will get fans excited for the New New York Jets. Atlanta gets to drop down a few slots where a lineman makes more sense, and picks up a QB that at the very least will be a competent backup. Remember that the QBs on the roster are Joe Harrington, DJ Shockley, and Chris Redman. I think more than 1 QB can safely be added. Harrington/Clemens/2nd round draft pick is a big improvement.
4. Oakland - Chris Long DE Virginia -- Most mocks have Darren McFadden going here, because of Al's supposed fascination with speed. This isn't the late 70s, though, and it seems that almost every "skill" position player in the draft has speed to burn. And who says "skill" positions are the exclusive domain of the offense? I know that it would kill Al Davis to have the son of one of his favorite players line up against his team twice a year wearing the colors of the hated Chiefs, which will almost certainly happen if they pass on Long. I know that Justin Fargas didn't receive a "back-up" contract earlier this year. And I know that Weird Al doesn't want to go out of his way to give Lane Kiffin weapons on offense.
5. Kansas City - Vernon Gholston DE Ohio St -- The Chiefs have put the word out that they're enamored with Otah, but he won't be the pick here. However, with the trade of Jared Allen, rush end becomes a big priority. Gholston fits perfectly here. Some say he's a risky pick, but really, is he any more risky than putting your faith in Allen staying sober and out of legal trouble?
6. Atlanta -- Ryan Clady OT Boise St -- Atlanta needs to beef up their offensive line before they can look to QB. Dimitroff will gladly snatch up the best LT prospect in the draft and pencil him in the starting lineup.
7. PROJECTED TRADE -- The Patriots trade the #7 pick to Cincinnati for #9 & #77. The Bengals select Sedric Ellis DT USC. You can argue that Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Charlotte all have DT as their top need. You really can't argue that after Sedric Ellis, there's a bit of a drop-off in quality of interior linemen. The Bengals have a comp pick in the third round, which could free up their other third-round pick to be traded, as it is here.
8. PROJECTED TRADE -- The Ravens trade the #8 and #38 picks to Dallas for the #22, #28, and #61 picks. The Cowboys select Darren McFadden RB Arkansas. I've said all along that Dallas's interest in McFadden was overblown, but Jerry Jones might be willing to go as high as #8 to grab him. And MBIII still waits his turn to become a future back. The two late first rounders leave Baltimore in excellent shape to pluck a fine QB and CB.
9. PROJECTED TRADE -- The Patriots trade the #9 pick to Philadelphia for the #19 and #49 picks. The Eagles select Brandon Albert OL Virginia. It seems the race is on to trade up for an offensive guard. I never claimed I understood the draft process, but it seems several teams are drooling over the big fella, including Philly, who may be eyeing a replacement for the rapidly aging Jon Runyan. The Eagles would likely be dangling CB Lito Sheppard as bait to move up, but unless they can quickly agree to a new contract, the Patriots wouldn't be interested. Expect Sheppard to be dealt later in order to recoup that second-round pick.
10. New Orleans - Leodis McKelvin CB Troy -- New Orleans have addressed their CB needs somewhat, but still have some work to do. McKelvin also brings some serious punt return skills to the table, which will reduce the burden on #25.
11. Buffalo -- Keith Rivers LB USC -- Rivers and a healthy Posluzny give the Bills two dynamic young LBs that will be the centerpiece of the defense into the next decade.
12. Denver -- Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt -- I think the Broncos would be ecstatic to trade out of this pick, but I'm not sure who's out there that's worth trading up for. I'm not sure that Williams is the best fit for a zone-blocking team, but he's the best left tackle prospect left in the draft, and there's a big hole there for the Broncos.
13. Carolina - Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee -- This is another spot where a trade down would be beneficial, but if one isn't out there, this could be a nice spot to take a talented guy in the middle of the defense. Mayo could be the guy that Morgan could've been.
14. Chicago - Devin Thomas WR Michigan St -- Chicago needs RB help, but the Bears have more pressing needs, and this draft is deep in running backs. The Bears lost their top two receiving threats last month, which means their top returning WR is....Devin Hester? Rashied Davis? Mark Bradley? Marty Booker is a competent #2, but at some point the Bears need to add someone with real WR potential. Whomever the QB is going to be doesn't really have much chance for success until the Bears upgrade. Thomas is a WR that can do whatever you need him to.
15. Detroit - Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon -- If I may borrow from myself, Stewart could be the guy that Kevin Jones could've been. He has the size, the speed, and the hands to be a do-all back for Coach Marinelli. I don't know if the Lions want another running back with foot problems, but I do know they don't want to go into the season with Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun as their primary running backs.
16. Arizona - Mike Jenkins CB South Florida -- Mendenhall is awfully tempting, and he'd be great in Arizona, but the Cardinals cannot afford to ignore their hole at corner any longer.
2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey DT LSU -- Some mocks have him falling due to injury concerns, but I don't see it. He came back from leg injury to play productively last season. He's a great player and will allow Haslett to move Carriker out to DE, vastly improving two DL spots. The other option is Chris Long, and it comes down to whether the Rams would rather line up with a T/E combo of Carriker-Long or Dorsey-Carriker. I think the latter is far superior.
3. PROJECTED TRADE - Atlanta trades the #3 pick to the New York Jets for the #6 pick, a 2009 5th rounder, and QB Kellen Clemens. The Jets select Matt Ryan QB Boston College. I think in the end, the Jets are going to decide that Ryan's upside is too good to pass up, and well worth the modest trade forward. Pennington can play QB for the first few months, or until he gets hurt again, while Ryan sits and learns how to prepare to be a successful NFL QB. Ryan also brings a fresh face to the franchise and will get fans excited for the New New York Jets. Atlanta gets to drop down a few slots where a lineman makes more sense, and picks up a QB that at the very least will be a competent backup. Remember that the QBs on the roster are Joe Harrington, DJ Shockley, and Chris Redman. I think more than 1 QB can safely be added. Harrington/Clemens/2nd round draft pick is a big improvement.
4. Oakland - Chris Long DE Virginia -- Most mocks have Darren McFadden going here, because of Al's supposed fascination with speed. This isn't the late 70s, though, and it seems that almost every "skill" position player in the draft has speed to burn. And who says "skill" positions are the exclusive domain of the offense? I know that it would kill Al Davis to have the son of one of his favorite players line up against his team twice a year wearing the colors of the hated Chiefs, which will almost certainly happen if they pass on Long. I know that Justin Fargas didn't receive a "back-up" contract earlier this year. And I know that Weird Al doesn't want to go out of his way to give Lane Kiffin weapons on offense.
5. Kansas City - Vernon Gholston DE Ohio St -- The Chiefs have put the word out that they're enamored with Otah, but he won't be the pick here. However, with the trade of Jared Allen, rush end becomes a big priority. Gholston fits perfectly here. Some say he's a risky pick, but really, is he any more risky than putting your faith in Allen staying sober and out of legal trouble?
6. Atlanta -- Ryan Clady OT Boise St -- Atlanta needs to beef up their offensive line before they can look to QB. Dimitroff will gladly snatch up the best LT prospect in the draft and pencil him in the starting lineup.
7. PROJECTED TRADE -- The Patriots trade the #7 pick to Cincinnati for #9 & #77. The Bengals select Sedric Ellis DT USC. You can argue that Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Charlotte all have DT as their top need. You really can't argue that after Sedric Ellis, there's a bit of a drop-off in quality of interior linemen. The Bengals have a comp pick in the third round, which could free up their other third-round pick to be traded, as it is here.
8. PROJECTED TRADE -- The Ravens trade the #8 and #38 picks to Dallas for the #22, #28, and #61 picks. The Cowboys select Darren McFadden RB Arkansas. I've said all along that Dallas's interest in McFadden was overblown, but Jerry Jones might be willing to go as high as #8 to grab him. And MBIII still waits his turn to become a future back. The two late first rounders leave Baltimore in excellent shape to pluck a fine QB and CB.
9. PROJECTED TRADE -- The Patriots trade the #9 pick to Philadelphia for the #19 and #49 picks. The Eagles select Brandon Albert OL Virginia. It seems the race is on to trade up for an offensive guard. I never claimed I understood the draft process, but it seems several teams are drooling over the big fella, including Philly, who may be eyeing a replacement for the rapidly aging Jon Runyan. The Eagles would likely be dangling CB Lito Sheppard as bait to move up, but unless they can quickly agree to a new contract, the Patriots wouldn't be interested. Expect Sheppard to be dealt later in order to recoup that second-round pick.
10. New Orleans - Leodis McKelvin CB Troy -- New Orleans have addressed their CB needs somewhat, but still have some work to do. McKelvin also brings some serious punt return skills to the table, which will reduce the burden on #25.
11. Buffalo -- Keith Rivers LB USC -- Rivers and a healthy Posluzny give the Bills two dynamic young LBs that will be the centerpiece of the defense into the next decade.
12. Denver -- Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt -- I think the Broncos would be ecstatic to trade out of this pick, but I'm not sure who's out there that's worth trading up for. I'm not sure that Williams is the best fit for a zone-blocking team, but he's the best left tackle prospect left in the draft, and there's a big hole there for the Broncos.
13. Carolina - Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee -- This is another spot where a trade down would be beneficial, but if one isn't out there, this could be a nice spot to take a talented guy in the middle of the defense. Mayo could be the guy that Morgan could've been.
14. Chicago - Devin Thomas WR Michigan St -- Chicago needs RB help, but the Bears have more pressing needs, and this draft is deep in running backs. The Bears lost their top two receiving threats last month, which means their top returning WR is....Devin Hester? Rashied Davis? Mark Bradley? Marty Booker is a competent #2, but at some point the Bears need to add someone with real WR potential. Whomever the QB is going to be doesn't really have much chance for success until the Bears upgrade. Thomas is a WR that can do whatever you need him to.
15. Detroit - Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon -- If I may borrow from myself, Stewart could be the guy that Kevin Jones could've been. He has the size, the speed, and the hands to be a do-all back for Coach Marinelli. I don't know if the Lions want another running back with foot problems, but I do know they don't want to go into the season with Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun as their primary running backs.
16. Arizona - Mike Jenkins CB South Florida -- Mendenhall is awfully tempting, and he'd be great in Arizona, but the Cardinals cannot afford to ignore their hole at corner any longer.
Last edited:
I do like the moves NE makes in there. I wouldn't mind if it happened like that, since I don't expect the player that I would like NE to draft at seven to be there.
