Draft Scenarios: what if Raiders go Defense?

[mgteich]

The question now, as always, is how who, if anyone, will trade up for the last of the seven studs. If Ryan or McFadden is sliding like Quinn last year, then there may be no trade partners. Then the patriots would be forced to pick the best player on their own board. Why does anyone think that this is such a tragedy. Sure it would be great to get a pick to move down to 8 and another to move down to 13. But if we can't, then we'll just pick whoever we were going to pick at 13. So Albert or Mayo might be a rich man.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

An if-then...

In the last couple of days, it seems that 75% of mocks -- here and elsewhere -- have settled on Darren McFadden for the Raiders. The ones with comments usually say something to the effect of "this isn't really a logical pick, but we all know Al Davis can't resist shiny objects." But there's another equally shiny object out there who actually makes sense for their team. Let's say they select Vernon Gholston. IMO that really transforms the board by eliminating a guy who would have been a real consideration for any one of the next 3 teams.

Try this on for size:

1. Jake Long, OT
2. Glenn Dorsey, DT
3. Sedrick Ellis, DT (A very real possibility for Atlanta, IMO -- DT would be the hardest position to address well with their wagonload of #2s )
4. Vernon Gholston, DE
5. Chris Long, DE

This leaves a very weird board for the Jets and Patriots. I don't think they want McFadden -- they've been sticklers for straight arrows, they've just taken on a ton of salary, and this draft is thick with RBs. And Ryan just isn't ready enough for a team that has a major win-now desperation about it. I think the Jets work like mad to trade down.

6. (via trade) Carolina: Matt Ryan

So: now what???

Oh pc, you're pitching softballs today! The answer is, Ryan Clady & Brandin Albert!

Who needs OL help? Baltimore, Denver, Carolina, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, maybe KC at 17 wants to move back up, lots of teams wanting OT help will be looking hard at the idea of moving back ahead of Baltimore for Clady or Albert. Heck, maybe NE can sweet talk St. Louis into trading them Adam Carriker for a LT (okay, that's pure fantasy, but it's that giddy Friday thing ).