Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

NFL Draft - NFL draft preview and analysis from Pro Football WeeklyTwo other comments that jumped out at me:

Very interesting that they have Smith of Alabama sliding so far down.

I thought Sintim looked stiff and uninstinctive in senior bowl practices.

They have KC taking an OLB instead of a QB. Maybe they anticipate a deal for Cassel.

Re: Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

I hope Pioli wants Cassel, I'd love to have their #34 overall pick for starters.

Sintim did look stiff and uninstinctive, but I think some of that is normal for a kid moving off the LOS for the first time. I've got to rewatch the practices and game, but I did see a really nice play from him just before the South scored their first TD - he was down on the LOS as a SLB and took on the LSU FB Quinn Johnson and Louisville OC/OG Eric Woods, stoning the two of them in the backfield allowing Mitch King to make the tackle for no gain. I still think he could work inside, but if he doesn't he could rotate with Vrabel and Woods while Thomas moves back to SILB.

Re: Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

Oher making it to within one pick of us - and to the pick I hope we get for Cassel - is interesting. I realize he has some issues but he'd be a big upgrade over Kaczur.

Yes I agree. Just as kids have to adjust to going from the 4-3 to a 3-4, I think 3-4 kids also need time to adjust to the 4-3. Regardless I think BB will have an easier time projecting Sintim into our defense than most kids he scouts.

I do like the idea of finding a strong player for OLB and moving Thomas back inside to SILB. From the SILB I think Thomas would help the run defense and last year looked good in coverage.

Re: Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

I think Nawrocki is one of the better draft analysts out there, but I find some of his early picks a bit unlikely:

- Everett Brown going #3. Maybe he'll explode at the combine, but as of right now it doesn't seem unlikely, unless he has some inside info.
- The Browns going RB over LB/CB at #5 seems unlikely to me. Also, Curry playing LB is different than Gholston converting to OLB from DE; it's much more of a sure thing. Also, if Mangini is worried about getting production from his pick, Wells' injury history might scare him off more.

I also thought Andre Smith falling to 13 at this point was unlikely but interesting. The OT position is just valued too highly. If Smith shows slow feet at the combine/pro day and teams don't think he it suited for LT, then that is a different matter.

I thought it was interesting that Nawrocki had the Broncos passing on BJ Raji and him falling to Houston at 15. It encourages my wet dream of us trading Cassel and getting #18-22 in the 1st round, and then trading up with New Orleans which needs additional picks badly. New Orleans' biggest needs are LB and DB, and with a slight trade back they could probably still get Laurinaitis or a top CB in the 1st.

I could see Mark Sanchez to the Jets at #17 ... hope he turns out to be a one year wonder. I could also see Arizona picking RB at #31-32. If Moreno is gone then LeSean McCoy could be an option. I could see San Diego taking Moreno at #16 given how LT2 is getting dinged up and is about to hit the 30 wall.

I just don't see Sintim as having 1st round athleticism, and feel this will come out further as the draft process progress, but we'll see.

Re: Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

I ask this out of ignorance, not criticism--do you think Oher is the best fit for the Pats (among the first-round types)? What about, say, Max Unger, who (allegedly) can play anywhere on the line?

Re: Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

Box, not sure what you mean here. Sintim has been a linebacker at Virginia all four years: Clint Sintim Biography - University of Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site - VirginiaSports.com

Re: Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

Most notable here for me is that he's got Clay Matthews going in the first round. Some pundits forecasted that he would go around the third round before the senior bowl week started. That's quite a jump.

He also ommitted Percy Harvin in the first round. I can't believe that a guy with as much speed and potential for immediate impact would make it to the second round. Specially after the year Chris Johnson had and the kind of impact he had on an offense.

I also don't know if Bill Polian would go for an unpolished albeit high upside reciever like Heyward-Bey. The Colts seem to like guys who are a little bit more polished and ready to go coming out of college. And with Caldwell wanted to get bigger with his defense, I think they'll go with DL/DE in the first round.

I also can't imagine Pioli picking Brown that high.

Re: Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round
 

I'm with you, no way Harvin makes it out of the first. Too many ho-hum, non-dynamic offenses (Titans, Bears, Vikings, OTTOMH) need playmakers in the passing game.

I noted the jump of Matthews as well. Would not mind at all to see the Pats grab him in one.

Also think you're spot on about the Colts and their process. I actually think Gonzo's old teammate Brian Robiskie as Senior Bowl reports were that he looked very polished. Cosby is another one, but Indy already has as slot guy in Gonzo.