Grant Tunkel's Mock Draft

What We Learned Last Night: Alabama

2012-01-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

Nothing we didn't already know.

Alabama's defense was as dominant as it has been all season, shutting out LSU en route to a 21-0 victory in the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Crimson Tide suffocated Tigers QB Jordan Jefferson and the rest of their attack, allowing 92 - 92! - yards of total offense in the game. The Tigers recorded just five first downs and didn't cross midfield until the fourth quarter.

As the game progressed, the nation got an opportunity to watch a team that could produce four or five first-round draft picks, most of which were on defense. The entire front seven could be a day one roll call (meaning the old day one, rounds one through three).

Leading the way was LB Courtney Upshaw, who recorded six tackles and one sack and earned defensive MVP honors. Defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick showed his versatility, flying all over the field to make plays.

One Alabama player who has gone a bit under the radar, but had a strong game last night, was defensive back De'Quan Menzie. He hasn't showcased the same playmaking ability as Kirkpatrick, but to the naked eye - watching on television without the benefit of coaches' tape - he seemed to turn in a strong game.

Then, of course, there's surefire top-10 pick Trent Richardson. The running back finished with 20 carries for 96 yards and the put-away touchdown, a 34-yard run in the fourth quarter to make it 21-0 Crimson Tide. It wasn't Richardson's best game - prior to the long scoring run, he had just 62 yards on 19 carries, one of which was a 20-yard rush. But he was effective in helping establish a ground game that accounted for 150 yards.

Upshaw, Kirkpatrick and Richardson are certain first round picks. Safety Mark Barron also should be selected in the first round. Linebacker Dont'a Hightower hasn't received a lot of recognition as a potential first-rounder, but a strong Combine could allow him to sneak into the end of the round.

Playoff Teams, but Help Needed

2012-01-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

Four teams saw their post-season ended in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Each team had a critical flaw exposed, one that could be addressed in the April draft. Here's a look at each team, and an area of need.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals' storybook season came to an end on Saturday in a 31-10 loss to the Houston Texans. They won nine games, led by strong performances from rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. But Cincinnati allowed over 150 yards rushing and an untimely breakdown in the secondary to put the game away in Houston. The Bengals could look to use their lower-half pick in the first round on a defensive player, perhaps someone who can make an impact on a rotational basis while learning the ropes as a future starter. Cornerbacks Adam "Pacman" Jones and Nate Clements could benefit from an influx of youth in the secondary.

Detroit Lions: Detroit is another team that could use some help in the secondary. The Lions ranked 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed in the regular season and watched Saints QB Drew Brees throw the ball all over the field on Saturday night. They also could consider upgrading the running game, which ranked 29th in the league in total rushing yards during the regular season.

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons do not have a first round pick in 2012 after trading it to the Cleveland Browns during last year's draft. Atlanta traded up to the sixth overall pick to select wide receiver Julio Jones. The trade sent last year's first-, second- and fourth-round picks as well as this year's first- and fourth-rounders to Cleveland. Atlanta might want to consider using its first pick of the draft - a second-rounder - on a defensive lineman with pass-rushing abilities. The Falcons tied for 19th in the league in sacks during the regular season.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers allowed the fewest passing yards in the league during the regular season, but they allowed over 300 to Broncos QB Tim Tebow in their 29-23 overtime loss on Sunday. Cornerback Ike Taylor had a less-than-stellar game, and the Steelers aren't getting any younger in the secondary. They could add a defensive back in the first round of the draft.

Jones Heading Back to School

2012-01-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Oklahoma announced earlier today that quarterback Landry Jones is returning to school for his senior season.

Jones, who at the start of the season was considered by some to be the No. 2 QB prospect behind Stanford's Andrew Luck, did not have the stellar season many expected. He threw for fewer yards and touchdowns and recorded a lower completion percentage than his sophomore campaign.

His 28-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio was off of his 38-12 total from a year ago.

Jones will likely challenge USC quarterback Matt Barkley for the top quarterback spot - and possibly the No. 1 overall pick - in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Suitors for Jeffery: Cardinals, Eagles, Jets?

2012-01-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery will garner a lot of attention from teams picking in the middle of the first round. Which of those teams could use a wide receiver, and might be inclined to select Jeffery?

Arizona Cardinals (No. 13): Regardless of who becomes the Cardinals' starting quarterback next season (Kevin Kolb, John Skelton or perhaps a late entrant), Arizona is going to need another wide receiver across from the all-world Larry Fitzgerald. After Fitzgerald's 80 catches for 1411 yards and eight touchdowns, no receiver had more than 54 catches and 689 yards. Jeffery would provide a big red zone upgrade for Arizona.

Philadelphia Eagles (No. 15): The Eagles finished the 2011 season at a disappointing 8-8 for a number of reasons. One of those was the inconsistent play of WR DeSean Jackson, who could test the free agent waters this offseason. Jackson finished with 58 catches for 961 yards and four touchdowns after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Jackson also caught just four touchdowns, his lowest total since his rookie season, when he scored twice. Jeffery would provide Michael Vick with a big-time target and would fit in nicely alongside Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek.

New York Jets (No. 16): There are a lot of questions surrounding the Jets' receiving corps in 2012. Will Plaxico Burress return? Will Santonio Holmes still be on the roster? Who will Mark Sanchez throw to? The answer might be Jeffery, who could make one of the league's best red zone teams even better in that department. He can stretch the field and provide the Jets with a big-play outlet.

Alshon Jeffery to Enter NFL Draft

2012-01-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

ESPN's Joe Schad just tweeted a few moments ago that South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery will enter the NFL Draft.

Jeffery has the physical tools to be a top-notch wide receiver at the next level - he stands at 6-4, 229, and has made some highlight-reel catches during his tenure at South Carolina.

From a numbers standpoint, his junior season pales in comparison to his outstanding sophomore season (49 catches, 762 yards, eight touchdowns versus 88 catches, 1517 yards, nine touchdowns). But Jeffery saved his best game for last, catching four balls for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Gamecocks' 30-13 Capital One Bowl win over Nebraska.

Jeffery is without question, at the moment, a top-20 pick in the first round of the draft. He can make an immediate impact as a red zone target and over time, develop into a receiver with the complete skill set.

Update on NFL Draft Entrants

2012-01-03T13:48:00.001-08:00

I am going to give this another go. It has been a long time since I updated this blog (the last post was on January 5th, 2011, about Andrew Luck being the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick if he declares for the draft), but I'm back with news, notes, information and analysis. Enjoy.

Earlier today, ProFootballTalk.com (which, by the way, is a terrific source of football knowledge) posted about a number of players who have declared for the NFL Draft. Among the interesting names: Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict and Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu.

Burfict has all the talent in the world to be a top-notch linebacker, but questions have arisen about his work ethic and his ability to remain calm on the field. He has drawn a number of personal foul penalties in his Arizona State career and could be a liability on the field.

Sanu starred for the Scarlet Knights, catching 115 balls for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns. He set the school and conference record for receptions. Sanu stands at 6-2, 215, according to the Rutgers website.

Luck Should Be No. 1

2011-01-05T09:11:00.001-08:00

Monday's Orange Bowl proved once again why Stanford QB Andrew Luck is the best draft-eligible quarterback in college football. The Cardinal signal-caller went 18-for-23 for 287 yards, four touchdowns and one interception on his way to MVP honors.

The game was just the latest in a string of phenomenal performances by the 6-4, 235-pound quarterback. He finished the season with 3,338 yards passing, 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. His QB rating was third among quarterbacks with qualifying statistics, trailing only Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Heisman finalist Kellen Moore.

Luck finished with a 70.7 completion percentage, fifth in the nation. His 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio was among the best in the country as well.

Where does this put Luck if he decides to leave school and declare for the NFL Draft? At the very top.

If Luck enters the 2011 NFL Draft, he immediately becomes the top available prospect in the draft and the surefire, can't-miss No. 1 overall pick.

He has a strong arm and he's extremely accurate. Luck can make all the throws, and he makes good decisions with the football. He's an incredibly intelligent quarterback who is patient in the pocket and rarely forces throws. He doesn't let mistakes snowball, either. Luck was intercepted at least once in only six of the 13 games the Cardinal played this season, but only two of those games were multi-interception performances.

When the play breaks down, he can run with the football. Luck carried 55 times for 453 yards and three touchdowns this season after carrying 61 times for 354 yards and two touchdowns last season. He has not fumbled the ball in two years.

There should be no questions about his durability and strength. Luck has delivered his fair share of bruising hits, including one on USC defensive back Shareece Wright as he returned a fumble against Stanford.

There should be no questions about his ability to handle the spotlight, either. Luck has said all the right things leading up to his decision about the draft. One just has to look at his maturity during the post-Orange Bowl press conference, when he deflected questions about his future and chose to focus on the performance of his team.

Luck has proven he has the necessary skills to succeed at the next level, and if he does enter the draft, there's no doubt he should be the first overall pick.

NFL Draft Order Officially Announced

2011-01-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

The end of Week 17 marks an important point in the NFL season. The regular season is complete, the playoff picture is set, and the draft order begins to take shape.

Earlier today, the NFL officially announced the order for the 2011 draft from picks 1-20. Here is the list, according to NFL.com.

1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)
2. Denver Broncos (4-12)
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
10. Washington Redskins (6-10)
11. Houston Texans (6-10)
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
13. Detroit Lions (6-10)
14. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
15. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders) (8-8)
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)
19. New York Giants (10-6)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

A few notes about the draft order:
- The top 20 picks in this year's draft features two 10-6 teams, the Giants and Buccaneers. This is the first time the top 20 has a 10-6 team since the 2006 NFL Draft, when the Chiefs picked 20th after going 10-6 during the 2005 season and missing the playoffs.
- Three of the top 10 teams - the Panthers, Browns and 49ers - will have new head coaches in 2011. The Bengals, TItans, Dolphins and Jaguars could also fire their head coach. The Cowboys and Vikings appear close to removing the interim title from their current coaches.

AFC Grades

2010-04-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE RAVENS
GRADE: A
EXPLANATION: Baltimore's success over the years has been predicated on defense, so they went out and drafted two top-notch defenders. Texas LB Sergio Kindle (No. 43) is a very good pass rusher and a steal in the second round. The Ravens skillfully traded out of the first round with Denver, acquiring three picks. Alabama DT Terrence Cody (No. 57), another second round pick, is a monster in the middle. If he gets into shape, he and Haloti Ngata will wreak havoc on defense. Tight ends Ed Dickson (No. 70) of Oregon and Dennis Pitta (No. 114) of BYU are very good pass-catching TEs. Both were selected with picks acquired in that first round trade.
BEST REMAINING PICK: DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse (R5/157)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
GRADE: B+
EXPLANATION: Indianapolis' first three picks were very good. OLB Jerry Hughes (No. 31), the Colts' first round pick, was an All-American at TCU. He had 26 sacks over his final two seasons. Iowa ILB Patrick Angerer (No. 63), their second round pick, is another solid player. He had over 100 tackles his junior and senior years, and had six interceptions over those two seasons. USC CB Kevin Thomas (No. 94), their third round pick, has the size and agility to be a good CB in the NFL. He sometimes gets beat off the line, but overall, he's a good player. The rest of the Colts' picks will look to compete for backup positions.
BEST REMAINING PICK: OLB Kavell Conner, Clemson (R7/240)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
GRADE: B+
EXPLANATION: The Patriots added a lot of depth, and some skill too. CB Devin McCourty (No. 27) was a solid but unspectacular pick in the first round. The selection of TEs Rob Gronkowski (No. 42) in the second round and Aaron Hernandez (No. 113) in the fourth round give the Patriots two pairs of great hands. Both are legitimate threats at the position. Florida LBs Jermaine Cunningham (No. 53) and Brandon Spikes (No. 62), both second round picks, have some work to do, but will have the chance to learn in Bill Belichick's system.
BEST REMAINING PICK: QB Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State (R7/250)

TENNESSEE TITANS
GRADE: B+
EXPLANATION: Tennessee came away with two great picks, and a few others who could pan out as well. DE Derrick Morgan was a great grab at No. 16 in the first round. He's adept at rushing the passer and a disruptive force against the run as well. The Titans added WR Damian Williams (No. 77) in the third round. He runs very good routes and excels at holding on to the football, making him an ideal #2 receiver. He reminds me of the Giants' Steve Smith. He's not particularly fast, but he's a solid all-around receiver. LB Rennie Curran (No. 97), a third round pick, and CB Alterraun Verner (No. 104), a fourth round pick, both have a lot of potential.
BEST REMAINING PICK: S Myron Rolle, Florida State (R6/207)

CINCINNATI BENGALS
GRADE: B/B+
EXPLANATION: Nothing about the Bengals' draft sticks out as a great pick, but Cincinnati turned in a solid draft. If first round Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham (No. 21) is healthy, he's a great pass-catching TE. Texas WR Jordan Shipley (No. 84) is quick and has good hands, but he'll have to prove he can do it at the pro level. The Bengals also made four hit or miss picks on defense, drafting Florida DE Carlos Dunlap (No. 54), Wake Forest CB Brandon Ghee (No. 96), Georgia DT Geno Atkins (No. 120) and Texas LB Roddrick Muckelroy (No. 131). Dunlap has great upside but major consistency issues. The same can be said for Atkins. If two of those four hit, this is a very solid draft.
BEST REMAINING PICK: WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas (R6/191)

CLEVELAND BROWNS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The success of this draft will be based solely on Cleveland's third round pick, QB Colt McCoy. If he succeeds, it's an A, but if not, it's a bad grade. For now, the Browns get a B. The McCoy pick was a great one, waiting all the way until No. 85 to snag him. Florida CB Joe Haden, their first round choice at No. 7, is a flashy player with a knack for picks (8 in 3 seasons), but he still has work to do to be more consistent. Oregon S T.J. Ward was a reach in the early second round, and Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty is a bit injury prone, making him a risky pick in the late second round. But again, as McCoy goes, so goes this draft.
BEST REMAINING PICK: G Shawn Lauvao, Arizona State (R3/92)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: Safety Eric Berry (No. 5) will be a star in this league for years to come. He's got the perfect combination of size, speed and skill for the position. CB Javier Arenas (No. 50) was another good pick in the third round, although some question his ability to be a starter in the NFL. Still, he has great speed and should make an impact in the return game. The same can be said for RB Dexter McCluster (No. 36), the Chiefs' second round pick. He's undersized, but he has great speed and he can be a playmaker with the ball.
BEST REMAINING PICK: TE Tony Moeaki, Iowa (R3/93)

MIAMI DOLPHINS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Dolphins traded down from No. 12 to No. 28 and got three picks from the Chargers (one of which they traded away to the Cowboys), a very good move. They used that No. 28 pick to take Penn State DT Jared Odrick, a solid player. The Dolphins need help on their aging defensive line, and Odrick can step in immediately and work in the rotation. But nothing else about the Dolphins' draft stood out. LB Koa Misi (No. 40) was a good pick in the second round, but not a great one. Guard John Jerry (No. 73) was also a decent pick in the third round. There was nothing spectacular about the Dolphins' draft.
BEST REMAINING PICK: LB Austin Spitler, Ohio state (R7/252)

NEW YORK JETS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Jets got a big-time CB in Kyle Wilson (No. 29) in the first round. He's a playmaker who can be a star in the return game as well. But the "B" stands for a lot of things here. It stands for bold, as in the decision to cut Alan Faneca and draft Vladimir Ducasse (No. 61) in the second round was bold. The decision to trade Leon Washington and draft Joe McKnight (No. 112) was also bold. "B" stands for Bill, as in Bill Callahan. If the Jets' offensive line coach can't groom Ducasse into a solid replacement for Faneca, this draft will be far worse than a "B." The lack of draft depth isn't an issue in this grade, considering New York traded picks for WRs Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes.
BEST REMAINING PICK: FB John Conner, Kentucky (R5/139)

OAKLAND RAIDERS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Raiders' draft wasn't bad at all, considering their recent track record. Alabama ILB Rolando McClain (No. 8) was a little bit of a reach, but he's a better player than people give him credit for. He's a tough player and a big hitter. DT Lamarr Houston (No. 44) was a very good pick in the second round as well. The Raiders grabbed OT Bruce Campbell (No. 106) in the fourth round, a lineman with good size at 6-6 314 and big upside. Some thought Oakland would reach for him, but the team stayed patient and grabbed him on day three.
BEST REMAINING PICK: WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson (R4/108)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Steelers needed to come out of this draft with offensive line depth, linebacking depth and playmakers. They satisfied two of those needs. Florida lineman Maurkice Pouncey, their first round pick at No. 18, is a good player with versatility. He'll compete for a starting job and be a very viable backup. Pittsburgh chose three linebackers, including Virginia Tech's Jason Worilds in the second round (No. 52), but none who stand out. Ohio State's Thaddeus Gibson (No. 116), a fourth round pick, could end up being the best of the three, but he has work to do. The Steelers failed to grab an immediate impact playmaker on offense. All three skill position players they selected will need some work to develop into regular contributors.
BEST REMAINING PICK: RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (R6/188)

HOUSTON TEXANS
GRADE: B-
EXPLANATION: The Texans' biggest hole was at CB, and they addressed it in the first round when they drafted Alabama's Kareem Jackson (No. 20). Their decision to select Jackson over Kyle Wilson was surprising, but it might not have been the wrong move. The rest of the Texans' draft, however, wasn't great. Second round pick RB Ben Tate (No. 58) was chosen over a number of higher-ranked backs, and he'll probably be expected to play a big role for a team whose ground game wasn't very good last year.
BEST REMAINING PICK: TE Dorin Dickerson, Pittsburgh (R7/227)

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
GRADE: B-
EXPLANATION: The Chargers reached for RB Ryan Matthews, trading up in the first round to get him at No. 12. The trade wasn't too lopsided, with the Chargers and Dolphins giving up three picks each. But it was still a reach for a player some thought would be available at their original pick at No. 28. Washington LB Donald Butler (No. 79) was a solid pick in the third round, a player who tackles very well and brings great intensity to the team. But the rest of San Diego's draft was unspectacular.
BEST REMAINING PICK: QB Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee (R5/168)

DENVER BRONCOS
GRADE: C+
EXPLANATION: The only reason the Broncos get such a low grade is because of - you guessed it - their pick of Tim Tebow at the end of the first round. In my opinion he's not a viable NFL quarterback, he's not better than Clausen and McCoy, and he's definitely a reach at No. 25 overall. Other than that, the Broncos draft was pretty good. WR Demaryius Thomas is a physical specimen who thrived in a triple option scheme at Georgia Tech. If he is able to adjust to a pro offense and learn more routes, he'll be a threat at the position for years to come. Minnesota WR Eric Decker (No. 87) was a very good pick in the third round. He's got very good size and good hands.
BEST REMAINING PICK: CB Syd'Quan Thompson, Cal (R7/225)

BUFFALO BILLS
GRADE: C
EXPLANATION: The selection of RB C.J. Spiller in the first round (No. 9) is a solid pick, despite the crowded backfield in Buffalo. But the Bills missed the mark in the rest of the draft. Central Florida DT Torell Troup (No. 41) was a reach in the second round. Buffalo also failed to draft a serviceable QB despite having their chances. The Bills did get Troy QB Levi Brown (No. 209) in the seventh round, but they passed up other QBs who would have been better picks.
BEST REMAINING PICK: DE Alex Carrington, Arkansas State (R3/72)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
GRADE: D
EXPLANATION: Jacksonville's draft started off on a bad note, when the Jaguars reached for Cal DT Tyson Alualu at No. 10 in the first round. He's a good player, but it's unclear whether he projects better in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Jacksonville could have traded down in the first round and still grabbed him, and picked up picks in the process. None of Jacksonville's remaining picks were particularly good, either.
BEST REMAINING PICK: RB Deji Karim, Southern Illinois (R6/180)

Day 3 Wrap-Up

2010-04-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

The third and final day of the 2010 draft is in the books, and not before some drama. The Raiders acquired Jason Campbell in a trade, the Seahawks dealt for LenDale White and Leon Washington, and a number of big names remained on the board following pick No. 255.

So who won and lost on the final day of the draft? Here's the wrap-up.

Three Winners
1) Oakland Raiders: It was a very good day for the Silver & Black. They drafted Maryland OT Bruce Campbell in the fourth round (No. 106), a player some thought they would reach for in the first three rounds. Two picks later, they picked speedy WR Jacoby Ford from Clemson (No. 108), a solid addition for a team that likes to run a fast offense. But their biggest move of the day came in the form of a trade, when they sent a 2012 fourth round pick to the Redskins in exchange for Campbell. He should be their week 1 starter at a cheap price. I'm not ready to anoint the Raiders Super Bowl champs. They're probably still a couple of pieces away from being a playoff contender. But they're on the right track.
2) Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore got some very good talent on day two. The Ravens drafted Ohio State OLB Thaddeus Gibson in the fourth round (No. 116). He was a solid player for the Buckeyes, and can develop into a fine NFL player with a little bit of work. Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer, a sixth round pick (No. 188), is a talented runner who thrived in the triple option scheme in Atlanta. He needs some work in a pro scheme, but he has the athleticism to make it. The Ravens also got great value when they drafted Gibson's college teammate, DE Doug Worthington, in the seventh round (No. 242).
3) Cincinnati Bengals: Both of the Bengals' fourth round selections were good value picks. Georgia DT Geno Atkins (No. 120) is a little small at 6-2 293, and he's been inconsistent (7 sacks in 2007; 0 in 08; 3 in 09), but he's shown he can play at a high level. Texas LB Roddrick Muckelroy (No. 131) amassed over 200 tackles in his final two seasons, including two sacks and an interception in his final season.

Three Losers
1) Buffalo Bills: Buffalo didn't make any glaring mistakes on day three, but the Bills failed to come out of the draft with a serviceable QB. They did draft Levi Brown of Troy in the seventh round (No. 209), but he's a far cry from Clausen and McCoy. They also passed on Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour, who went at No. 181 to the Bears, and Cincinnati's Tony Pike, who went at No. 204 to the Panthers.
2) Former Heisman hopefuls: How the mighty have fallen. Before the season, Mississippi QB Jevan Snead and Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount had their sights set on big-time seasons. Instead, Snead had a terrible year and Blount punched a Boise State player on opening night, costing him most of his season. Both men have reportedly signed contracts, with Snead heading to Tampa Bay according to Scout.com's Adam Caplan and Blount on his way to San Francisco according to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora. Still, it's surprising to see both men go undrafted.
3) Draft change doubters: From what I could see, the three-day, twice-in-primetime 2010 NFL Draft was a big success. ESPN's Trey Wingo said there were plenty of fans left at Radio City Music Hall on Day 3. It also brought more intrigue to the second round and fourth round, with overnight trade buzz generating a lot of interest. The changes seemed to work.

Now it's on to the signing frenzy for undrafted rookie free agents. Snead and Blount are already signed. Michigan CB Donovan Warren is signing with the Jets, according to ESPN's Joe Schad. A number of other players will likely sign in the next couple of days as well.

That does it for the 2010 draft. Grades are coming over the next few days.

Jets Gamble on Joe

2010-04-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

It's not often that a team trades its most explosive player for an unproven, inconsistent rookie running back.

But that's essentially what happened today when the Jets traded Leon Washington to Seattle and drafted USC RB Joe McKnight. It's not a straight up trade, but it's close to the same thing.

And it's a head-scratcher.

Washington was electrifying in green. He seemed to be capable of scoring every time he touched the football, and he had become a fan favorite. Sure, he suffered a terrible injury last season, relegating him to the injured list as Shonn Greene became a star overnight in the playoffs. Yes, the Jets went out and signed LaDanian Tomlinson in the offseason.

But how sure can the Jets be that Greene wasn't a flash in the pan? Does LT have anything left in the tank? If the answer is "no" to either question, Washington will be sorely missed. He's had plenty of time to recover from that leg injury, and he'll be close to 100% when camp begins, if not at it.

Now, all eyes turn to McKnight.

Few players have more raw talent than him. If you've seen the YouTube videos of him in high school, you know what he's capable of. Some people - myself included - anointed him the next Reggie Bush upon his arrival at USC. He was that good.

But McKnight never put it all together in cardinal and gold.

There was the fourth quarter against Arizona in 2007, when he dazzled the Coliseum crowd with a 45-yard punt return and a 59-yard run to set up USC's final 10 points and give the Trojans a come-from-behind, 20-13 win. There was the final drive at Ohio State in 2009, when McKnight gained 54 of USC's 96 yards, setting up the game-winning score over the Buckeyes.

These are just two of the flashes of brilliance in McKnight's otherwise disappointing career. He scored just 15 touchdowns on offense in three seasons, and rushed for over 1,000 yards just once - amassing 1,014 in his junior season, his final year at USC. McKnight struggled to hold on to the football at times, especially in the return game. It became such an issue that he lost his spot as a punt returner.

It's a bit much to expect him to step up and fill Leon's shoes. He never came close to filling Reggie's.

Can he eventually be that type of player? He has the skill to do it. But it's going to take a lot of work to make it happen.

Day 2 Wrap-Up

2010-04-23T22:58:00.001-07:00

The second and third rounds of the draft are complete, and a few key questions were answered. How far would Jimmy Clausen fall? Even more than expected. When would Colt McCoy come off the board? Later than many people thought he would. Could Taylor Mays slide into the third round? No, the 49ers wouldn't let that happen.

Many questions still remain as we head into the final day of the 2010 draft, but before we get to those, let's take a look at the winners and losers of Day 2.

Three Winners
1) New England Patriots: The Pats made four picks on day two, and each was a good selection. Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski (2/42) is a solid pass-catcher who can challenge Alge Crumpler for the starting job, as well as learn from him. New England chose two Florida LBs, Jermaine Cunningham (2/53) and Brandon Spikes (2/ 62). Neither will be expected to start immediately and can learn in the system. The Pats grabbed a receiver in the third in Ohio's Taylor Price, another player who can learn in the system. But perhaps their best move of the day came in the third round, when they traded pick No. 89 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the Panthers' 2011 second round pick. New England now has two first round picks and two second round picks in next year's draft.
2) Minnesota Vikings: The Vikes traded out of the first round on Thursday night and made just two selections on day two, both in the second round. But they made their two picks count. Virginia CB Chris Cook (34) provides depth at a position that needed it. Then they traded up to draft Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, a bruising back who will be a great complement to Adrian Peterson. Both players have the potential to make big impacts as rookies.
3) Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore's defense got even better, and their offense became more explosive. DT Terrence Cody (2/57) is a force to be reckoned with in the middle, and he can work with Haloti Ngata to learn the trade. Oregon TE Ed Dickson (3/70) is a solid pass-catcher who can be another threat with Todd Heap. Dickson can also line up as a receiver if the Ravens need him to.

Three Losers
1. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo filled a need when it drafted DT Torell Troup with the No. 41 overall pick, but it was a reach that high in the second round. The Bills also failed to get a QB, passing on Clausen with their second-round selection and McCoy with their third. DE Alex Carrington could develop into a good player, but drafting a QB would have been a better decision.
2. A certain USC safety: It's been a rough few weeks for Taylor Mays. He was considered a likely first round pick before sliding to the middle of the second round. It was almost certain he would be the third safety off the board after Eric Berry and Earl Thomas. Instead, he was the third safety taken in the second round. Then, he decided to take a shot at former USC coach and current Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. It was not a good day for Mays.
3. Ohio State: The total number of Ohio State players taken in the first three rounds: 0. No, that's not a typo. 0 Buckeyes have been chosen so far. In case you were wondering, the Buckeyes have had 329 players drafted in their history. But 0 so far.

Top 5 Players Remaining
1. Everson Griffen, DE, USC
2. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
3. Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson
4. Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
5. Thaddeus Gibson, DE, Ohio State

What to Watch For on Day 3

The USC Three: Griffen might have the most talent of anyone left in the draft, but will his inconsistency cause him to drop even more? What about RB Joe McKnight, who never quite put it together for the Trojans but still has playmaking ability. And when does TE Anthony McCoy come off the board, given his pass-catching ability and positive marijuana test?

Where is Pike's Place?: Cincinnati QB Tony Pike is the best QB on the board entering the fourth round. Washington (103), Seattle (104), Oakland (106) and Buffalo (107) all could be interested.

Plenty of CBs left: There is still a lot of talent left on the board at this position, including Oregon's Walter Thurmond and Cal's Syd'Quan Thompson. There's also been a lot of talk about Akwasi Owusu-Ansah of Indiana (PA).

Second Round Analysis

2010-04-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

64. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Charles Brown, OT, USC - A steal by the Saints to close out the second round. He's a good all-around tackle with good size and intangibles. Some people - myself included - had him as a first round pick. The Saints picked a potential starter in Brown.

63. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Pat Angerer, LB, Iowa - A bit of a reach by the Colts, but he has good upside. He ran a slow 40-time (in the 4.65 range), but he had a solid senior season, recording 135 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and one interception. He also had five picks the year before.

62. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Minnesota): Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida - Some people have Spikes rated higher than Sean Lee, who went earlier in the round. He's a passionate player who flies around the field. He's a hard hitter who can become a solid NFL player under the tutelage of Bill Belichick.

61. NEW YORK JETS: Vladimir Ducasse, OL, Massachusetts - The Jets need depth on the offensive line, and Ducasse is a good addition at this point. He's a big lineman at 6-4 330 and a solid guard. If the Jets trade or release Alan Faneca, Ducasse could challenge for the starting job.

60. SEATTLE SEAHAKWS (from San Diego): Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame - Tate is a steal for Seattle at this point in the draft. Head coach Pete Carroll knows him well, having coached against him at USC. He's a playmaking wide receiver with great hands and good speed. He runs good routes as well. Tate is versatile, in that he can throw the ball and run it, making him an ideal candidate for any type of Wildcat offense the Seahawks may run. He's also good in the return game.

59. CLEVELAND BROWNS (from Dallas): Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee - Cleveland was not a good rushing team last season, the Browns don't have a true No. 2 RB behind Jerome Harrison. Hardesty is a speedy back who can make people miss. Still a bit surprising, though, to see another running back taken instead of McKnight.

58. HOUSTON TEXANS (from New England): Ben Tate, RB, Auburn - Houston's ground game was not very good last season, and they needed to address it. Joe McKnight was the best running back left on my board, but Tate is bigger than McKnight and a better complement to Steve Slaton.

57. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama - Cody is a beast in the middle. He has the size to be a dominant nose tackle in the NFL, but he's a bit slow and seems to wear down as the game goes on. If he can get in NFL-level shape, he can wreak havoc in the middle with Haloti Ngata for years.

56. GREEN BAY: Mike Neal, DT, Purdue - He's too big to be a defensive end but a little small as a defensive tackle. He also has issues bringing it on every play. But when he's on his game, he can make things happen in the middle.

55. DALLAS COWBOYS (from Philadelphia): Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State - Lee is the second-best inside LB in the draft at a position the Cowboys need help. Still, he has injury concerns after tearing an ACL in 2008. But if he stays healthy, he can be a good player.

54. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - Dunlap has the skills to be a top-15 pick, but he's had off
the field issues that accounted for his slide to this spot. If he can get things figured out, he has the potential to develop into one of the best steals in the draft.

53. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Jermaine Cunningham, OLB, FLorida - There's a group of linebackers left at this point in the draft who are similar in abilities, and the Pats pick a solid player out of that crop. new England needs to get younger on defense, and the youth movement continues with this pick.

52. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Jason Worilds, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech - He's a little small to be a full-time defensive end, but he's got very good speed as a pass rusher and good agility as well. The Steelers can use him as a hybrid defender.

51. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (from Houston): Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford - Gerhart is an old-school running back who isn't afraid to run people over on his way to the end zone. And he's very good at getting there. He provides a phenomenal complement to Adrian Peterson, Minnesota's own version of thunder and lightning.

50. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Atlanta): Javier Arenas, DB, Alabama - A bit of a reach for the Chiefs at this pick, but Arenas is an athletic defensive back. He has a knack for the ball, although his coverage skills are not top-notch. Arenas also gives the Chiefs a boost in the return game.

49. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Taylor Mays, S, USC - Mays has first round athletic skills with second or third round cover skills. With the right coaching, he can develop into a hard-hitting, Pro Bowl-caliber safety in the NFL. But he's going to have to work at it. Still, he's a physical specimen and the Niners get quite an athlete.

48. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame - A dream scenario for the Panthers. This was their first pick in the draft, and I doubt they believed they would have a shot at Clausen. Now, they add a QB with a pro-style skill set who has good pieces around him on the offensive line and at skill positions on offense. Clausen could start from day one.

47. ARIZONA CARDINALS (from New England): Daryl Washington, LB, TCU - The Cards had a hole at LB after the departure of Karlos Dansby, and this is a good move to fill the void. Washington can play as a LB and as a down lineman. He's a solid addition to Arizona's defense.

46. NEW YORK GIANTS: Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina - Solid pick by the Giants. He has been rising up draft boards in the last few days. He has good athleticism and great size (6-5, 328).

45. DENVER BRONCOS: Zane Beadles, OL , Utah - An interesting pick by the Broncos. USC's Charles Brown is a better overall offensive lineman and UMass's Vladimir Ducasse is a better guard. Still, Beadles is a big player with a bit of versatility on the line.

44. OAKLAND RAIDERS (from New England): Lamarr Houston,, DT, Texas - Back-to-back Longhorns off the board in the second round. He's a big guy at 6-2, 300, and has good burst through the line. Oakland showing a clear commitment to defense.

43. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas - An absolute steal for the Ravens. He's quick to the ball, and if his knee stays healthy, he's going to be a star at the next level. He has great skills, and will improve under the tutelage of Ray Lewis.

42. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Oakland): Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona - Gronkowski is a solid pass-patcher with good blocking skills as well. He could start at tight end when the season opens.

41. BUFFALO BILLS: Torell Troup, DT, Central Florida - Troup is a bit of a reach, but he fills a need at DT.

40. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Koa Misi, LB, Utah - Interesting to see Misi off the board before Sergio Kindle, but a good pick by Miami. He has good size at 6-3, 251 pounds, and shows the Dolphins' continued commitment to improving their defense and getting younger.

39. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (from Oakland): Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois - Tampa Bay needs targets for Josh Freeman, and Benn is an excellent receiver. He's athletic and very good at jumping for the football. This is a great pick for the Bucs.

38. CLEVELAND BROWNS: T.J. Ward, S, Oregon - Ward's coverage skills are mediocre at best, but he's a physical specimen and he can hit. He does have injury concerns, though. It's surprising to see him off the board before Taylor Mays.

First Round Wrap-Up

2010-04-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

The first round of the 2010 draft is in the books. It took just about 3 and a half hours - about as fast as any first round in recent memory. And in the span of 32 picks, there were surprises, trades, steals and everything in between. So who won, who lost, and what's left for the next six rounds? Here's the first round breakdown.

Three Winners
1) Detroit Lions: The Lions got the best player available in the draft at No. 2 in Ndamukong Suh. He'll make an instant impact. They traded back into the end of the first round to grab Cal RB Jahvid Best at No. 30. He's another player who can make an impact from the start of the season, and in a big way. He's a playmaker who can dazzle in the ground game, catching passes and in special teams.
2) Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins got exactly what they needed in the first round - a solid interior defensive lineman in Jared Odrick and additional draft picks. They didn't see the right value at No. 12 and traded with San Diego, getting No. 28 overall (which they used on Odrick), a second-round pick (No. 40) and a fourth-round pick (No. 126). Odrick is a good addition to an aging defensive line, and the picks give them a chance to add more talent.
3. Oakland Raiders fans: For once, the Raiders didn't completely upset their fans. Rolando McClain may not be exactly what they wanted, and No. 8 is a little high for him. But he has the potential to be a fine NFL player, and the Raiders could make the pick even better with solid drafting on days two and three.
Honorable mention: Seattle Seahawks for landing Russell Okung and Earl Thomas.

Three Losers
1) San Diego Chargers: The Chargers swapped first round picks with Miami and gave up two more selections, all to move up to No. 12 and draft Ryan Matthews. He's been rising up draft boards and has great upside, but No. 12 was too early to draft him. San Diego could have drafted Matthews later in the round, or taken Best, who went two picks after San Diego's original draft position.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags needed help on defense, but reaching for Cal DT Tyson Alualu didn't make sense at No. 10. He's a good player and certainly would have been available at the end of the first round. Jacksonville's selection spot was highly-coveted, and the Jags would have been wise to trade down, add picks and still add Alualu. He's not a bad player, but the value isn't there at No. 10.
3) A certain Notre Dame quarterback: If you'd told me Jimmy Clausen was going to slide out of the first round, I would have been surprised, but not utterly shocked. If you'd told me Tim Tebow was going to be drafted before him, I'd have laughed. If you said both scenarios were going to play out, I would have called you downright crazy. But they did, and Clausen's wait lasts overnight. How much sleep do you think he will get before 6 pm ET on Friday?

Top 5 Players Remaining
1. Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas
2. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
3. Everson Griffen, DE, USC
4. Charles Brown, OT, USC
5. Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU

What to Watch For on Day 2

QB Crazy: There's likely to be a trading frenzy in the first few picks of the second round. Teams in need of a QB will try to move up to grab Clausen or Texas QB Colt McCoy. The Rams, Bucs and Eagles all could benefit from Clausen's slide. They could acquire additional picks in the process.

The Lions Line: Detroit added a couple of important pieces in the first round. Now, they need to bolster their offensive line in round three (they traded their second round pick to get Best). If the Lions are able to add a lineman on day two, they'll be in the running for the big winner of the draft.

Pittsburgh's Return Path: The Steelers went the safe route in round one and drafted an offensive lineman, Maurkice Pouncey of Florida. They have a hole in the receiving corps and a number of other needs. Pittsburgh needs to add a WR in round two.

FIRST ROUND LIVE CHAT

2010-04-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

2010 GTMD First Round Chat

Mock Draft Version 3.0

2010-04-21T14:26:00.001-07:00

FIRST ROUND
1. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford is, quite simply, a franchise quarterback. Durability shouldn't be an issue, and he has the ability to thrive in a pro system. Bradford may not win immediately, but with a couple more pieces around him, the Rams could return to prominence.

2. DETROIT LIONS: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
I've said it all along - Suh is a rare talent who comes around only every so often. He can beat double and triple teams, sack the quarterback, move laterally to stop the run, block field goals and even lead block around the goal line. He's an easy choice at number two.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Some boards have McCoy higher than Suh. He's a phenomenal player and has the chance to make an impact from day one. Could he be the Warren Sapp-like player the Bucs have hoped for? They hope so.

4. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Russell Okung is the most polished of the offensive tackles, but recent draft buzz has Williams as the pick here. He could end up being the best of them all, given his size and athleticism. A little bit of coaching could make him a perennial Pro Bowler in the NFL.

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
All of this Eric Berry to the Chiefs talk is making safety a distinct possibility, but the Chiefs have a glaring need at offensive tackle. If Okung is available, how could they not pounce on him? He's the most ready of all the tackles and he can start from the moment the ball is first snapped on offense. Berry will likely end up a star in the league, but Okung will as well. This pick makes the most sense for the Chiefs.

6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Speaking of Berry, Seattle should take him here. The Seahawks have a number of needs including offensive tackle, making Bryan Bulaga an enticing choice. But Berry is the guy, a clear-cut superstar in waiting. Plus, based on Pete Carroll's Twitter clues, Berry is the guy. He probably also comes highly recommended from former Tennessee head coach and defensive coordinator and current USC coaches Lane and Monte Kiffin.

7. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Cleveland probably wants Berry, but Morgan has the ability to be a great player. He's very quick around the end, he can get to the quarterback and stop the run, and he can play on every down.

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
If you have any idea who the Raiders are going to take, please call 1-800-GTDraft. Just kidding. But trying to guess Al Davis' draft plans is a difficult task. Michael Smith of ESPN Tweeted earlier in the week that Iupati to the Raiders was picking up momentum, and it makes sense. He's versatile (he can play guard or tackle) and probably a reach, and Davis loves versatility and poor drafting.

9. BUFFALO BILLS: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
If the Bills don't take Jimmy Clausen, they should take Bulaga. They have a big need at offensive tackle (notice a theme in the top 10 picks?) and Bulaga will compete for a starting job in training camp. He's a very good player with good size.

10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
It's a possibility that Spiller falls this far, and if he does, the Jaguars may pounce. He could spell Maurice Jones-Drew and slow down the wear and tear on one of the league's best backs. Plus, he can catch passes out of the backfield and provide a dual threat with MJD.

11. DENVER BRONCOS (from Chicago): Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
I'm convinced the Broncos won't take Dez Bryant because of his issues, and McClain is the answer. He fills a big hole and can start from day one. He had a fine career at Alabama and should be a solid LB in the NFL.

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
Williams is the best true nose tackle available in this draft class, and the Dolphins don't have a true, number one player at the position. It'll be difficult to imagine Bill Parcells and Co. passing him up.

13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Niners pick twice in the first round and have a number of needs to fill. This might be a little high to draft a safety, but Thomas is a gifted player and a smart move here.

14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from Denver): Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Seattle also has two picks in the first round and a major hole on the offensive line. Davis is a solid pro prospect with the upside of being a great player in the the league. He is the last of the top four tackles worthy of a pick this high, and picking him here makes sense.

15. NEW YORK GIANTS: Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
Graham is a very underrated linebacker with a solid skillset. The Giants need help in the LB corps, and Graham can provide depth in his first year and be a starter in his second year.

16. TENNESSEE TITANS: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
This is a dream scenario for the Titans. They need major help in the secondary and Haden is the best CB available. He's got great ball skills and playmaking abilities.

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (from Carolina): Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The Niners don't have a viable option at quarterback, despite what Mike Singletary and the San Francisco brass might lead you to believe. Clausen has a pro skillset and can challenge for the starting role.

18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Maurkice Pouncey, OL, Florida
Pittsburgh needs help along the offensive line, and Pouncey can provide that help at center and guard. He can be a viable option all season. Dez Bryant is available here, but the Steelers likely won't take him. They don't want another headache caused by a player with perceived character issues.

19. ATLANTA FALCONS: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Pierre-Paul is an interesting player. He has the skills to be a top 10 pick, but he's got raw talent after only starting a handful of games at the Division I level. He's a project, but after a year or two in the league, he can develop into a star player.

20. HOUSTON TEXANS: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
A lot of people are underrating Wilson, who proved he's a ball-hawking CB at Boise State. He is a playmaker in the secondary and can improve even more with a year in the NFL. Houston needs a CB after losing Dunta Robinson, and Wilson can step into that void.

21. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
One team that doesn't have an issue drafting players with so-called character issues is Cincinnati. Bryant has a tremendous amount of talent and could be the offensive piece missing since the departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Bryant gives Carson Palmer another deep threat aside from Chad OchoCinco.

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Sergio Kindle, OLB/DE, Texas
New England's defense is getting older by the minute, and the Patriots are in need of pass-rushers. Kindle is a hybrid player who Bill Belichick can mold into another defensive star. The Patriots could also trade out of this pick if the see value in doing so.

23. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Charles Brown, OT, USC
Remember last year, when Aaron Rodgers spent more time on his back than just about any QB in the league? The situation improved over the year, but it's still not where it needs to be. Brown is a reach at No. 23, but he's a solid tackle who can start from day one. Green Bay needs the help and the depth.

24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
The Eagles would love for Brown to fall to them, but they'll settle for help in the secondary instead. Jackson is the best CB left at this point, and he's their pick.

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Taylor Mays is one of the biggest question marks in the entire draft. Can he be an NFL-caliber safety, or is he better served becoming a pass-rushing OLB? Mays has serious athletic skills and could thrive under the tutelage of Ed Reed. The Ravens can afford to take that gamble here.

26. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
After trading Anquan Boldin during the offseason, Arizona needs a pass-catching target for whoever their QB is. Thomas was one of the best playmaking receivers in college football this past season - in the triple option. Put him in a pro offense, and the sky's the limit. Worst case scenario, he's a productive deep threat as the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver. Best case scenario, the Cardinals don't miss a beat with him.

27. DALLAS COWBOYS: Roger Saffold, OT, Indiana
Dallas is in dire need of offensive line help. Saffold is a reach here, but he's rising up draft boards fast. And did I mention the Cowboys really need help on the offensive line?

28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
San Diego was effective with a two running back system, and with LaDanian Tomlinson ineffective last year, the offense wasn't as dominant as it could have been. Matthews may not be a star-studded pick, but he can work with Darren Sproles to be an effective tandem.

29. NEW YORK JETS: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
When Griffen gave 100% during his career at USC, he was arguably the best pass rusher in the Pac-10 Conference. He had some issues with his work ethic, landing him in Pete Carroll's doghouse, but his upside is tremendous. He already has the skills to be an effective DE in the NFL, and the chance to learn from Jason Taylor and Shaun Ellis could pay dividends for him and the Jets.

30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Minnesota needs help on the interior defensive line, and there are a couple of players in the same class at this stage of the draft. Odrick is the choice over UCLA's Brian Price, but barely. He doesn't have to make a major impact right away, and with a year of work, he can be a solid player.

31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Jerry Hughes, OLB/DE, TCU
In the right system with the right coaches, Hughes could develop into one of the steals of the draft. He's a hybrid player like Kindle but with less name cache, which is the only thing working against him. Hughes doesn't have to be a day one impact player on the Colts and will benefit from a year of growth.

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
The defending Super Bowl champs are in an interesting position here. They could trade out of the first round with a team looking to draft Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow. But if they stay here, they can take Weatherspoon, an OLB with big upside. He also provides solid depth at a position of need.

SECOND ROUND
33. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Tyson Alualu, DT, California
34. DETROIT LIONS: Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
35. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
36. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
37. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Washington): Brian Price, DT, UCLA
38. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
39. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
40. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (from Seattle): Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
41. BUFFALO BILLS: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
42. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (from Chicago): Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
43. DENVER BRONCOS (from Miami): Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
44. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Jacksonville): Damian Williams, WR, USC
45. DENVER BRONCOS: Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
46. NEW YORK GIANTS: Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State
47. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Tennessee): Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
48. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
49. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois
50. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Atlanta): Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
51. HOUSTON TEXANS: Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
52. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
53. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina
54. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida
55. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Koa Misi, OLB, Utah
56. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
57. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Thaddeus Gibson, DE, Ohio State
58. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
59. DALLAS COWBOYS: Vladimir Ducasse, G, Massachusetts
60. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from San Diego): Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota
61. NEW YORK JETS: John Jerry, G, Mississippi
62. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
63. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Gene Atkins, DT, Georgia
64. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Anthony McCoy, TE, USC

Cardinals Hope to Repair Wings

2010-04-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Arizona Cardinals had a difficult offseason, losing a number of key players. They'll turn to the draft to replenish their roster, starting at No. 26 tomorrow night. KSCR 1560 AM in Los Angeles' Dave Dulberg, a Cardinals fan, believes the team has a few options in the first round.

In the valley of the sun expectations could not be higher regarding the Arizona Cardinals. Over a two year span, in which the team has won two division titles and been on the doorstep of football immortality, a franchise that was once despised for its frugal ownership, game day choke jobs, and draft day busts (yes I’m talking to you Wendell Bryant and Andre Wadsworth) has become the team of the city.

But just as the team and its growing faithful began reveling in the success of the past two campaigns, it seems the 180-degree transformation may have hit a bit of a speed bump this off-season. For an organization coming off its best statistical regular season since relocating to desert in 1987, it seemed more than plausible that the team would spend the months following their 42-14 Conference Semifinals shellacking at the hands of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints retooling rather than reviving.

However, in typical “Cardinal fashion” anything that is too good to be true, probably is. In a less than a month, the team lost its spiritual and offensive leader Kurt Warner to retirement, its defensive punch in Karlos Dansby and Antrell Rolle to free agency, and arguably its strongest force, both mentally and physically, in Anquan Boldin, whose departure via trade was written on the wall months earlier.

While the team tried to save face with both its fans and players, bringing in an aging interior linebacker who is past his prime (Joey Porter), a one-hit wonder whose accuracy leaves something to be desired (Derek Anderson), and a tempestuous cornerback with a checkered work ethic, still leaves the Redbirds with some work to do this weekend at the NFL Draft. Even if their talent alone is good enough today to capture a third straight division title in the NFC West, which is easily the worst division in professional sports, the team’s manic makeover leaves them with an inexperienced quarterback in a league defined by the position.

Although the departure of Warner, Boldin, Dansby, and Rolle on the surface appear to have created holes in playmaking positions, the biggest loss for a team predicated on its 3-4 defense, was the retirement of Bertrand Berry. While Thursday night will be full of nose tackles and defensive ends like Gerald McCoy and Dan Williams going off draft boards early in the night, the Cards' best bet at No. 26 is to fill Berry’s role with a versatile linebacker who will: a) further along the maturation process of Will Davis and Ali Highsmith through competition; b) allow the newly-signed Porter to roam freely on the outside; or c) provide versatility both as run-stopper and third down rusher (both qualities Berry exhibited throughout his tenure).

The big names that come to mind from a linebacker standpoint are Big 12 studs Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri) and Sergio Kindle (Texas). While they both are without a doubt the two most athletic pro-ready backers in the draft, in many ways their high marks basically cancel each other out, leaving the potential that one falls to the latter part of the first round. If those two names are called quicker than expected, look for the Cardinals to go after two-time All-American Jerry Hughes from TCU. The reigning MWC Defensive Player of the Year is the ultimate DE/LB hybrid in this year’s draft and could be a more than admirable fit for NFC West champs at No. 26. While undersized, his quickness off the line combined with the uncanny amount of strength he displayed with his 11.5 sacks in 2009, makes him an instant bona fide pass rusher a la Dwight Freeney.

If all else fails the Redbirds could look to add a pass catching threat for Leinart, and if they choose to go in that direction, it most likely will come from the tight end position- in particular, Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham. While a right meniscus tear kept him out of playing his senior season, with his 6’5”, 251-pound frame it is no wonder he caught 25 touchdowns his final two seasons in Norman. If any early round prospect can help make up for the loss of Boldin, it is the physical Gresham, who plays more like a big receiver than a tight end.

For now it’s a waiting game, or for Cardinals’ fans, a praying game. Let’s just hope the Bidwill family doesn’t do anything stupid, after all the draft’s now in primeti

News and Notes on 4/21

2010-04-21T10:38:00.001-07:00

We're just about 24 hours away from the Draft and the news, notes and rumors are flowing. The NFL announced today that it has suspended Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger for six games, which makes a possible Draft day trade even more complicated. Here's a look at the rest of the day's information.

NFL Network's Rich Eisen Tweeted earlier today that the Steelers offered Ben Roethlisberger to the Rams and St. Louis said no thanks.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll informed the Twitter-sphere that he will be Tweeting clues about Seattle's draft plans throughout the day. So far, the clues lead me to believe Clemson's C.J. Spiller could be the pick. But he can't go off the board at No. 6, right? And there's no chance he's still available at No. 14, right? But then again, nobody has ever accused me of being Sherlock Holmes.

ESPN is reporting that Florida QB Tim Tebow will not be attending the Draft.

The Redskins already have Donovan McNabb, but they still may consider Sam Bradford, writes Rick Maese in yesterday's The Washington Post.

The Forgotten QB

2010-04-19T00:12:00.001-07:00

Does the name Colt McCoy ring a bell?

If it doesn't, I won't blame you. After all, the QB talk these days is centered around the other three. We seem to know where Sam Bradford will be drafted. Now the question is whether it's by the St. Louis Rams or the Cleveland Browns.

Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen is the likely next QB off the board, but is it to the Oakland Raiders at No. 8? How about the Buffalo Bills at No. 9? Or is it somewhere in Aaron Rodgers territory?

And Tim Tebow? He seems to be the most intriguing player in the draft based on the number of times you hear his name on a given day.

But McCoy is nowhere to be found. Save for Jon Gruden's QB Camp on ESPN, he is a relative no-show. Expect the same on Thursday night.

Sure, he has the mental makeup of a top QB. He has the college stats to back it up. Other than his injury in the National Championship Game, he's durable. But he is not a first round pick.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has McCoy at No. 25 on his latest Big Board (as of April 14), which is surprising. Yes, he's got a good arm and good size (6-2, 210). Yes, those numbers are very impressive: He threw 61 touchdowns against 20 interceptions in his final two college seasons and had a completion percentage over 70.0% both years.

But there are a number of questions surrounding McCoy.

Is he fully recovered from the title game injury, and is his arm back to 100%? Does he have enough mobility to survive at the next level? After all, he was sacked 78 times over his final three seasons in Austin. Most importantly, do his stats belie his abilities, having played in a favorable system?

Make no mistake, he is a good QB, and has as good a shot as anyone in this draft class of succeeding as a signal-caller in the NFL. Still, he's a clear notch below Bradford and Clausen. Tebow has shown promise with his revamped throwing style, and his versatility trumps McCoy's.

So where does that leave Colt? He's clearly a day two pick, and probably mid to late second round. If the Pittsburgh Steelers are serious about trading Ben Roethlisberger, he could be taken at No. 52 overall (20th in the second round). Maybe the Arizona Cardinals (58th overall) or the Seattle Seahawks (60th overall) take him. These are all possibilities.

Just don't expect Thursday to be McCoy's night.

Daily Notes 4/17

2010-04-17T14:34:00.001-07:00

We're less than a week away from the NFL Draft, and here's a look at some news and notes from around the league:

- Former Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh isn't sure we're he'll end up on draft day, but today, he told the Cornhuskers he'll be making a $2.6 million donation to the school.

- Speaking of Suh, Detroit Lions DB Louis Delmas said today the big DT would allow him to "sit back, read the quarterback and break on the ball." This after new Lions DB Chris Houston told the Detroit News he wants his team to draft Suh.

- Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork looks at former USC DE Everson Griffen, someone Mel Kiper Jr. says could be "a terror in the Rex Ryan system."

- BYU's all-time leading rusher, Harvey Unga, has decided to leave school because of a violation of the school's honor code, according to the Las Vegas Sun. The Sun also said Unga will try to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft in July.

Can't Stand Pat

2010-04-14T13:47:00.001-07:00

With the rest of the AFC East improving around them, the New England Patriots will turn to the draft to improve their team. The Patriots have a bevy of picks, and Jim Chandley lays out his plan for using them.

Now we are going to proceed under the false pretense that the Patriots are going to pick in the first round. Never mind, you know what? We’re going to proceed under a number of false pretenses.

The first is that the Patriots are going to pick in the first round. The second is that I, or anyone else outside of the Orwellian fortress that is Gillette Stadium, has any idea what the Patriots are going to do; ever. The third is that yours truly knows anything significant about football, which is a generous supposition indeed.

But it’s speculation season, and I love to speculate, so let’s do this!

Assuming that Bill Belichick decides to make a pick in the first round [the one he currently holds at 22], I do not think he goes tight end as many say he will. I admit that Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma) looks enticing. I would be tempted to pick him if I were the Patriots and I were keeping the pick. But I don’t think they will.

It is here that I should also mention the unique situation in New England with regard to the offensive line. The Patriots had some issues protecting Tom Brady this season, and those issues will not be any less severe considering the fact that both Stephen Neal and Dan Koppen could still retire, and are not what they once were. So the temptation would be obvious to draft a talented young man in the first round to protect the quarterback.

Enter Dante Scarnecchia. The offensive line coach has allowed the Patriots to be singularly ignorant of what the draft-rats say about offensive linemen for years. If you give him a decent athlete, he will make him an offensive lineman.

This team thought it was going to carry on without Richard Seymour, and I’m not complaining about winning the division and going 10-6 (ok, well maybe I am complaining about going 10-6, a little). But the fact remains that this team couldn’t rush the passer at all. I think they go defensive end in the first round. There are a couple of candidates; we will assume Derrick Morgan doesn’t make it to them. So the pick is…

DE Everson Griffen (USC).

New England has three second round picks. The first is No. 44 overall. I view this pick as the inverse of the first. If the Patriots do go tight end at 22, they go defensive end at number 44 and likewise in the other direction. Since I took a defensive end at 22, the pick is…

TE Rob Gronkowski (Arizona).

The next pick is number 47, soon after Gronkowski comes off the board to wear his blue and silver jersey. I have a lot of TEs and DEs on my board at this point as a contingency, but since I’ve picked one of each already [and I don’t expect more than one of each until very late Sunday] I will take out an insurance policy here on Wes Welker. The young man I will pick here is a small-framed wideout capable of running quick cutting routes much like Welker. Although we don’t know what Welker’s future holds, an insurance policy is a good idea, and this young man could prove a great weapon opposite Welker in 3-5 wide sets if he is healthy. So the pick is…

RB Dexter McCluster (Mississippi).

At number 53, New England will have filled its major holes, save the gaping one in its ability to cover receivers one-on-one. This will hopefully be fixed by one of the cornerbacks I have singled out as a possibility. I am a little nervous about picking a cornerback here because I feel that the Hooded One wants to see a lot more than what other teams are looking for out of his defensive players. He may well satisfy the need for a corner very late and ignore the types of players I’ve focused on. But assuming I know a little more than I think I do, the pick is…

CB Dominique Franks (Oklahoma).

The Patriots do not pick in the third round, so we wait until the fourth, where they will have their corner and their wideout already. I say this because at this point, my Patriots board is dominated by these positions. However, I again do not see the Patriots taking more than one player at these positions so high. Therefore, I will go to free safety, where New England is always happy to take on another talented player who can potentially play a nickel or dime back and spell the likes of Brandon McGowan. So the pick is…

FS Kam Chancellor (Virginia Tech)

The Patriots have an abundance of late round picks, and Jim eloquently explained each one. He believes the Pats will draft with an eye towards adding OL depth and a couple of offensive players. Here are his projections.

5th round: OT Tony Washington (Abilene Christian)

6th round: G Brandon Carter (Texas Tech)

7th round: C Joe Hawley (UNLV), RB Deji Karim (Southern Illinois), WR Antonio Brown (Central Michigan), QB Tim Hiller (Western Michigan), TE Greg Boone (Virginia Tech)

Green Bay on Draft Day

2010-04-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent a lot of time on his back last season. Packers fan Jared Sandler believes the team needs to address that issue with their first pick - and a few more down the road.

Watching the Green Bay Packers for the first eight weeks of the season was absolutely one of the most frustrating experiences for any Packers fan. No matter the team, every defensive end or edge rusher had a field day on Aaron Rodgers because of the Packers’ horrendous offensive line play.

The problems, which existed due to injuries (read: Chad Clifton) and inexperience (read: T.J. Lang) and players playing out of position (read: Darryn Colledge and Scott Wells), were still inexcusable. The Packers have one of the brightest stars in the league in Aaron Rodgers and they damn sure better do everything they can to protect him. Chad Clifton is back but is not getting any younger or healthier. Mark Tauscher is also not getting any younger or healthier.

With the wealth of talented offensive linemen, now might be the best time for Green Bay to grab an impact offensive tackle in the first round, like a Trent Williams or Bryan Bulaga (because neither Russell Okung or Anthony Davis will fall) and add a few interior offensive linemen as the draft progresses.

If Green Bay did not draft an offensive lineman in the first round, they need to try add depth and youth to their secondary, particularly their cornerbacks. While they had one of the best secondary groups in 2009—a group that single-handedly won them a game or two— their corners, the feature part of their secondary, are getting up there in age. Charles Woodson is 33 and still looking good, but for how much longer? Al Harris is 35 and missed most of last season due to injury. Tramont Williams and Jarrett Bush are both young, but proved to be very inconsistent as starting cornerbacks.

Green Bay won’t get a guy like Joe Haden, but maybe they will get a guy like Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty. Maybe the answer isn’t in the first round, but the secondary positions, specifically on the outside, present a few needs for Green Bay.

Next on the agenda for Green Bay is finding young players who fit the role of Dom Capers’ 3-4 scheme on defense. They let Aaron Kampman go because he simply did not fit that mold. They got better as the season progressed, but it was very evident early on that they did not quite have the best personnel. In order to do this, Green Bay needs to grab a young nose tackle to clog up the middle, and some athletic defensive tackles to play on either side of the line. There were rumors Green Bay was interested in Taylor Mays as an edge rusher. And while he might not be the answer, they need a force off the edge—someone with size and speed.

The final need, although not one that needs to be addressed in the first round, is the running back position. Ryan Grant has been very inconsistent since his breakout 2008 season. He isn’t great in the passing game and is only okay as a pass blocker. A more consistent running game would open up the Green Bay offense, which is most effective when they can use the run to open up holes downfield.

Draft Impact: Jets Acquire Santonio Holmes

2010-04-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

Multiple news outlets, including Bob Glauber of Newsday (New York) and Jay Glazer, are confirming that the New York Jets have acquired WR Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 5th round pick.

The trade does not really affect the Jets' first-round draft plans, but it has major implications for the next six rounds. The acquisition of Holmes makes it increasingly unlikely that the Jets will use a second- or third-round pick to draft a WR, which could have included USC's Damian Williams or Notre Dame's Golden Tate. Now, the Jets should use those picks to add depth along the offensive and defensive lines.

Pittsburgh now has a gaping hole at WR, and the Steelers could get good value at No. 18 overall. There is a small possibility that Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant will be available there, and Demaryius Thomas of Georgia Tech probably will be available. Pittsburgh's next pick is at No. 52 overall, a second-round selection. If the Steelers choose to wait that long, an offensive lineman remains the likely choice in the first round.

Mock Draft V 2.0

2010-04-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

1. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Rams are going to draft a quarterback here. Bradford has questions about his durability, but he’s the best signal-caller available.

2. DETROIT LIONS: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Remember when Suh was the sure-fire, can’t-miss No. 1 overall pick? Well, now he’s the sure-fire, can’t-miss No. 2 overall pick.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Some people have McCoy ranked higher than Suh. Perhaps Tampa Bay will try to recapture the glory days when Warren Sapp anchored the defense.

4. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Who is going to protect Donovan McNabb and lead the Redskins to the promised land? Answers start here with Okung.

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The Chiefs have won 10 games over the last three years after winning nine in 2006. They need help in a lot of places, and addressing offensive tackle is a must.

6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Third tackle in a row? Why not. Pete Carroll has been a college coach, but he knows you can’t win in the pros if you can’t keep your quarterback upright.

7. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
The two-headed Mike Holmgren-Eric Mangini monster should be good at evaluating talent, and Berry is the best defensive player available not named Suh or McCoy.

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Why not? The Raiders have already bolstered their defensive line and probably should draft Dez Bryant to help on offense. But you try to figure out what Al Davis wants to do.

9. BUFFALO BILLS: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The Bills need a franchise quarterback, and after Bradford, Clausen is the guy. He has been slipping down draft boards, but he’s a very good player with a pro-style skill set.

10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
The Jaguars are another team that needs help at a lot of positions. Morgan has phenomenal speed around the edge and he can get to the quarterback and stop the run.

11. DENVER BRONCOS (from Chicago): Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Brandon Marshall saga rolls on in Denver, and in the meantime, the Broncos will add another receiver. Even if Marshall stays, this pick makes sense. Great speed, big play ability. Another target for Kyle Orton.

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
Miami will almost certainly address defense here, and Williams fills a need along an aging defensive line.

13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Niners are another team that needs to address some issues on defense. Thomas is a talented safety who instantly helps their secondary.

14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from Denver): C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
At No. 6, the Seahawks addressed their offensive line. Now, they address who gets to run behind that line. Think Shaun Alexander with more speed.

15. NEW YORK GIANTS: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Talk about a fall from grace. The Giants went from 5-0 Super Bowl contenders to 8-8 and mediocre at best. They need help on defense, and McClain is the answer at LB. It’s surprising to see him fall to 20 and below in some drafts.

16. TENNESSEE TITANS: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Tennessee has been looking for a big-time CB, and Haden is the best player available at that position.

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (from Carolina): Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis has the skills to be the second OT off the board but does he have the mental makeup? Still, San Francisco needs offensive line help and Davis is the best available in this draft.

18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
Pittsburgh needs depth and versatility along the offensive line. Check and check.

19. ATLANTA FALCONS: Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Kindle can play OLB and DE and excels at rushing the QB. He’ll fit in nicely on the fast track in Atlanta.

20. HOUSTON TEXANS: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Houston lost a coin flip with Atlanta and picks 20th. They also lost Dunta Robinson to the Falcons. Drafting Wilson is a logical move to replace him.

21. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
The Bengals need a playmaker to line up opposite Chad OchoCinco. Thomas has remarkable size and speed. He can step in from day one and be a threat on every play.

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
The Patriots defense isn’t getting any younger, and Graham fills a hole in a depleted linebacker corps.

23. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
Aaron Rodgers spent too much time on his back last season. Iupati is a step in the right direction for fixing the holes on Green Bay’s offensive line.

24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Philly has issues on defense, especially in the secondary. Jackson is the best DB available.

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Baltimore addressed its need at WR in the offseason, signing Anquan Boldin. Now, the Ravens add a very talented player on the defensive side of the ball. Griffen could end up being the best pass-rusher in this draft.

26. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
The Cardinals lost Boldin, and need another target for their QB, whether it’s Matt Leinart or someone else.

27. DALLAS COWBOYS: Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Cowboys need help on offensive line and at safety. Mays has been surrounded by questions but he’s a physically gifted athlete and could, with a year or two in the pros, become a solid safety.

28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
It makes sense – the Chargers lost LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles is not an every-down back. Matthews would be a nice complement.

29. NEW YORK JETS: Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
The Jets make their hay on defense by rushing the quarterback. Odrick is very good at that. And he provides the Jets with depth to do that on every play.

30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Minnesota has holes in its secondary, and at this point in the draft, McCourty is the best available DB.

31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Indy has options at No. 31, and one of them is Weatherspoon. He’s a solid all-around player and can play from day one.

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Dunlap has the talent to be a top 15 pick, but he has slid out of the first round in many drafts. If the Saints get him at No. 32, they get top-tier skill.

A Couple of Pieces Away?

2010-04-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

The Houston Texans flourished last season, finishing 9-7 and just missing the playoffs. Can they find the missing pieces in this year's draft? Scott Spillman explains what Houston needs to do at No. 20 and beyond.

After coming off the best season in Texans history, there aren’t as many glaring issues as some would lead you to believe. The loss of Dunta Robinson has left a void in the secondary, but Houston has one of the best front seven groups in the league.

With the first round pick, I believe the Texans will go CB or safety. There has been a lot of talk about Earl Thomas, but I’d like to see Kyle Wilson, the CB from Boise State. He’s been all over the Texans website and proved in the Senior Bowl he is the real deal.

In the second round I’d like to see the Texans draft a RB, possibly even trade up to get it. However, Gary Kubiak is not one to wheel and deal so I suspect someone like Ryan Matthews out of Fresno State will be available to the Texans. Matthews will provide the bigger back that Chris Brown, Ahman Green, and Ron Dayne couldn’t. In the third round, I’d like to see a DT. Connor Barwin was a nice addition, but it doesn’t appear Amobi Okoye is panning out as the everyday DT we had hoped. I’d like someone like Mike Neal from Purdue, an intellectual and versatile player.

In the fourth I expect the Texans to try to find another steal in the secondary for SS. Chad Jones from LSU or Major Wright from Florida would be nice value at this pick. In the fifth round, I am going out on a limb, but I’d like to see Leigh Tiffin from Alabama. Yes, that’s right – a kicker in the late fifth. Kris Brown let too many games get away and even if Tiffin doesn’t work out, a fire is lit under Brown’s rear end.

In the sixth round, I’d like to see an explosive return man who could play #5 WR. I am not shot in the foot with David Andersen and Andre Davis/Jacoby Jones are good punt returners, but a burner would be nice. Kelton Tindal from Newberry, a D-II school, ran in the 4.3 range, blazing speed for being 6-3. Finally, to wrap up the draft I’d like to see another QB to back up Schaub. Orlovsky is Kubiak’s project, but I’d like to see someone who could compete with him, but contribute as well, much like a Jason Garrett to Troy Aikman. I think Max Hall from BYU fits the bill. Other possibilities include another offensive lineman, but with the recent signing of Wade Smith, I think the Texans are pleased, especially considering the injuries they had to endure this past season. Look for some surprises and a lot of defensive picks and prepare to see the Houston Texans in the playoffs this year.

RB Rankings

2010-04-07T00:16:00.001-07:00

Is there a first round-worthy running back after Clemson's C.J. Spiller? At the moment, it doesn't seem that way.

Spiller is in a class of his own. He has the speed, quickness and agility to be an elusive runner at the next level. He has the strength and determination to fight for the extra yard when he needs to. He can catch passes out of the backfield as well. Simply put, he's a playmaker - and he's worthy of a top-20 pick.

The only other back to generate a lot of first round talk has been Fresno State's Ryan Matthews. He's a big back at 5-11+ and 218 pounds, and he has pretty good speed (he ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the Combine) and solid strength. Still, he's not at Spiller's level and is not as heralded as some other backs in this draft class. Of course, that doesn't mean a whole lot when it's all said and done. But Matthews is clearly in the second tier on my draft board, and a late first round pick.

Another name to watch is Jahvid Best, the talented Cal running back. When he's on his game, he's equally as explosive as Spiller. He can also catch passes out of the backfield and he's a talented player in the return game. Best isn't someone to call on when you want to run straight up the gut on 3rd and 1, but he could be a nice second round steal for a team.

Other second round backs to watch: Dexter McCluster (Mississippi) and Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech)

Will Silver and Black be Back?

2010-04-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Last year, the Oakland Raiders turned heads with their first round pick. Will it be the same this year? Raiders fan Alejandro Madrid tries to make sense of what should happen.

Following a record seventh straight season of losing at least eleven games, the Oakland Raiders head in to the 2010 NFL Draft with the eighth overall pick. The draft has not been kind to Oakland in recent years. Since 2001, the Raiders have made eleven first-round selections, and only one of them had a noticeable impact—Nnamdi Asomugha.

Looking ahead, it is nearly impossible to project the Raiders’ direction, considering owner Al Davis’s penchant for head-scratching picks. On April 22 at Radio City Music Hall, the Raiders must avoid a first round debacle similar to last year’s. Davis sent a hush over the usually boisterous crowd as he inexplicably selected Darrius Heyward-Bey—projected to be a late first-round pick—with the seventh overall selection. Davis cited Heyward-Bey’s impressive 40-yard dash time as the rationale for the pick. Without a doubt, Davis is aware of safety Taylor Mays’ jaw-dropping performance at the NFL Combine a few weeks ago in Indianapolis. However, Davis must resist drafting Mays. Despite his impressive numbers at the combine, scouts are mixed on how his skills will translate to the NFL, and he fails to address the Raiders’ most considerable needs.

Unfortunately, the Raiders need upgrades at every position except kicker, punter, and tight end. In the first round, Oakland’s wisest route would be to select a quarterback or an offensive tackle.

Oakland desperately needs a QB. JaMarcus Russell has failed to prove he is an NFL-caliber player, and journeyman Bruce Gradkowski, who played well at times in relief of Russell, is not a permanent answer. Neither of the top two quarterbacks, Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford, appears to fit with Oakland. Clausen’s arrogant mentality, similar to that of Russell, will only irritate fans and alienate teammates. As for Bradford, he is coming off of a serious injury, and the Raiders cannot afford to gamble on another quarterback after Russell proved to be a bust as the first overall selection in 2007.

Despite the mismatch, Oakland may be forced to select one of these two highly touted prospects if they are still available when the Raiders pick. 2011 is filled with quality quarterbacks like Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet, who would fit in nicely with the Raiders. However, the Raiders don’t have a first round pick in 2011 after trading it away to New England for Richard Seymour last off-season. In the absence of a first-round pick next year, the Raiders need to either select a quarterback this year or wait until 2012.

Even though two years is a considerable amount of time to wait, the Raiders are not going to instantly become a title contender and should be patient. Following this logic, the best use of their first-round pick is to draft a solid offensive tackle. During 2009, Oakland’s offensive line allowed the 3rd most sacks with 49. At tackle, Oakland is depleted, and 2010 offers a crop of very athletic offensive tackles that can make an instant impact. Russell Okung and Anthony Davis both possess impressive size and blocking ability that would not only protect the quarterback—whether it is Russell or Gradkowski—but also create bigger holes for running backs Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. While Okung and Davis are clearly the top two offensive tackles, Bryan Bulaga would be a major upgrade, and the Raiders would be wise to draft him.

In the later rounds, Oakland should address needs on the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders could use a speedy, physical linebacker as well as a cornerback with above average cover skills to complement one of the league’s top cornerbacks in Asomugha. Although the receiving corps was underwhelming in 2009, the Raiders should stay away from drafting a WR. The group showed occasional signs of brilliance and will be much improved in 2010 as Chaz Schillens, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Louis Murphy gained valuable experience last season.

After years of futility, Raiders fans cling to the hope that Draft Day 2010 will turn the franchise around.

Chiefs of the Draft?

2010-04-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Kansas City Chiefs have a number of holes to fill in this year's draft. When they're on the clock at No. 5, there will be plenty of options. Chiefs fan Mike Couzens explains what KC needs to do in three weeks.

Looking into the future for the Kansas City Chiefs is not easy. There’s a lot of needs and not enough picks in the draft to fulfill them all, so the Chiefs are going to have to make some tough decisions when it comes to what positions they’re going to prioritize in this year’s pool. Looking into the future is only so tough because there are some young guys who are growing (Jamaal Charles), middle of the road guys who could flourish (Matt Cassel), and some old guys (Brian Waters) who could be gone any day now.

But those are positions with relatively stable players, especially with the addition of Thomas Jones at running back. Where the help is really needed is on defense. The Chiefs ranked 30th in overall defense in 2009, and 31st overall in 2008. The reasons the KC teams of the early 2000’s were so good was because of the offense, and it was always the defense that held them back. Even with a semi-potent offense with emerging stars like Dwayne Bowe, Charles and others, the defense can get this team to be better than its 4-12 mark of 2009.

Three names that the Chiefs need to have on their board come draft day are Safeties Eric Berry and Taylor Mays and NT Terrence Cody. Their current safeties are Jon McGraw and Mike Brown—two guys past their prime and who more importantly do not fit into the young scheme of this current team. Adding Mays or Berry, two players who could be immediate starters, would immensely improve the defense. A good safety can be like a quarterback on defense in the sense that he can control the field and see the game in a way that no other player does. The Chiefs haven’t had that on defense in a number of years.

Cody, on the other hand, would fill the role that Glenn Dorsey was supposed to when Carl Peterson drafted him back in 2008. He was supposed to be an interior tackle, but the team moved to a 3-4 defense and he’s now an end. Cody would be the massive run-stopper this team’s been in need of for a long time. Not only would that lead to teams having to double team Cody or just avoid him all together, but it would take pressure off the rest of the defense, especially when it comes down to trying to get pressure on the quarterback.

Those are the team’s most glaring needs, however there are other areas like wide receiver (who starts behind Bowe) and tight end (Leonard Pope is not the answer) that are secondary to defense. 2010 will be interesting with Scott Pioli getting his first chance to draft at the helm of the Chiefs organization. Here’s to hoping it’s better than what KC fans are used to.

A Lions Fan's Roar

2010-04-01T11:23:00.001-07:00

I asked fans of a number of different teams to give me their take on how their team should draft. Kevin Patra of TheSportsUnion.com answered the call for Detroit.

I have to start by giving props to Martin Mayhew. He had one of the most solid drafts of any team in 2009 outside of Green Bay. He got his franchise quarterback, a tight end who looked good until getting hurt midway through the season, a safety who actually makes plays on the ball, a solid outside linebacker and a useful defensive tackle. He didn't draft an offensive lineman until the seventh round, but all in all it was a good draft for the first time GM.

I will not claim that I knew Mayhew had it in him, and I was just as pissed as the next guy when they took a tight end and a safety the first 33 picks--I was already over them giving $41 million guaranteed to Stafford at that point. But I was wrong.

Can you really blame any Detroit fan for being skeptical? After eight years of watching Matt Millen screw up pick after pick, we all just figured this was another case of a terrible GM making god-awful decisions. Almost a year later, I'm still stunned more than half the selections were actually players with a pulse.

The greatest part of being a Lions fan in 2010 is that after suffering a 2-30 record the past two seasons--I would have gone for the past ten, but I start to weep adding all those numbers in the right-hand column--is that no one, not even Matt Millen could screw this draft up. (There is only one scenario I can think of that would actually be disappointing, but we will get there in a bit.)

Sitting at No. 2 the Lions will go one of four ways. They take whichever DT falls to them, Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, take offensive tackle Russell Okung or trade down.

That is it, there really are no other choices.

Thankfully there is no big, flashy skill player that makes GMs lose their senses like a 14-year-old in love. All three of the players they would draft are in trench positions, a place where the Lions were despicably terrible last season. And if they trade down and obtain several more picks while saving money, all the better. They can't go wrong filling gaps in a roster that is more devoid of talent than a WB television mini-series.

Suh seems to be everyone's consensus top player in the draft, but with the Rams already spending several first rounders on their D-line the last few years, some gurus believe they will go QB with their pick, leaving Suh for the Lions. After the acquisitions of DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and DT Corey Williams, Suh wouldn't be under such enormous pressure to perform all by himself on a pathetic line. The attention on other players would give him an easier time controlling the middle. Of the top DTs he is the best at controlling the line of scrimmage, and while he doesn't provide as great an interior push as say a Warren Sapp, for a team that was so bad between the tackles last season he would solidify the middle.

McCoy, on the other hand isn't as strong or as forceful at holding his spot as Suh, but he does provide more penetration up the middle. Matched with Vanden Bosch on the outside the two could wreck havoc on opposing backfields.

Recently word has spread that after making moves in free agency and trades to shore up the line the Lions will go OT with their first pick in the draft. If this is the case, I say, Hallelujah! While both Suh and McCoy grade out better than Russell Okung, the best O-Lineman in the draft, left tackle has been a need position for the Lions since Lomas Brown left in 1996. Okung would allow the Lions to move Mr. Offsides, Jeff Backus, to guard, where he would be much more effective. That would allow Detroit to kill two birds with one stone--a good left tackle, and a decent to good left guard. It would also help Matthew Stafford stay upright a little more than last season.

Trading out of the No. 2 spot wouldn't be a bad move either. If they can move down a few spots for someone who wanted to move up and take Suh, and the Lions can get a couple extra picks and still take Okung, that would be ideal. I also wouldn't be too upset if they traded down and picked up a cornerback like Florida's Joe Haden.

There is still that one scenario that would get me upset. After last season I'm able to put it out of my mind and pretend that there is no way on God's green earth it will happen, but I'll throw it out anyway. If the Lions pull a Cleveland and trade down about 35 times (I'm assuming no one outside of the top 12 will have the goods to trade up into the No. 2 spot) and end up drafting, say, C.J. Spiller with the 17th pick, I will not be happy. Not that Spiller doesn't have the potential to be a great player, and hey if somehow they can scam an extra six picks out of the deal it will probably calm my rage.

But I would just like one draft where the Detroit Lions take players that do the dirty work. You know, like the rest of the Blue Collar people that work in Detroit.

USC Pro Day Report

2010-03-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

If you were expecting anything earth-shattering from USC's Pro Day today, you didn't get it. But what transpired at Cromwell Field should bode well for the Trojans expecting to hear their name called next month at the NFL Draft.

Safety Taylor Mays didn't help his stock tremendously, but he didn't hurt it, either. He arrived for the workouts looking a little slimmer than he has been, but he looked just as athletic on the field. Mays looked good in coverage drills and displayed good hands.

He chose not to run the 40-yard dash, letting his NFL Combine time stand. When asked why he didn't run today, he said: "Didn't need to." Easy enough. Mays also said he wasn't quite sure where he's going to be on draft day, adding that he hadn't ruled out the possibility of being in New York.

Another possible first round pick, DE Everson Griffen, turned in a solid Pro Day as well. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash, showcasing the speed that makes him a viable threat as an edge rusher in the NFL. Griffen also looked good in the other agility drills. He showed great bursts of speed and strength off the blocks. He should hear his name called on Thursday night.

The offense:
- WR Damian Williams looked good as well. He runs solid routes and has sound hands, making him an ideal second-round pick.
- RB Stafon Johnson continues to impress, running a 4.62 40 time. Not exactly blazing speed, but considering where he's coming from, it's pretty good. Johnson also displayed some good hands catching passes.
- Fellow RB Joe McKnight did not have a great day. He stumbled a bit in the agility drills, but it was unclear how much of that had to do with the cleats he was wearing and the synthetic surface at Cromwell Field. Either way, he was not sharp.
- It was a mixed day for the offensive line. OT Charles Brown pulled up on his second 40, grabbing at his left hamstring. He sat out the rest of the day. Jeff Byers looked good, turning in a 5.09 40 time and solid runs in the agility drills.

The defense:
- CB Kevin Thomas had a phenomenal day. He ran a 4.43 40 time and looked smooth in coverage drills, displaying good hands as well. Thomas should be a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
- S Will Harris ran a 4.59 40 and certainly helped his stock, given that he wasn't invited to the NFL Combine.

MOCK DRAFT V 1.0

2010-03-10T15:40:00.001-08:00

1. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
I may be the only one still sold on Suh as a can't-miss, sure-fire number one overall pick. The Rams need a defensive stopper in the middle of the front seven, and Suh is that guy. He's an all-world talent with tremendous athleticism. Think about teams that have had great defenses. The Ravens had Tony Siragusa and now Haloti Ngata; the Titans struggled after losing Albert Haynwsworth; the Bucs of the past had Warren Sapp clogging up the middle; the dominant Pats had Vince Wilfork. You get the idea. It makes no sense to me to draft either QB at number one overall. Sam Bradford's shoulder still concerns me, and Jimmy Clausen isn't the number one pick. Suh is going to be a stud at the next level.

2. DETROIT LIONS: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
I already made my case for drafting a start DT and putting him directly into your lineup. The Lions D would get an immediate boost from adding McCoy. How good is he? Some have him rated higher than Suh. Enough said.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Bucs are hoping either Suh or McCoy falls to them, but if not, Okung should be their guy. He has the skills to be a stud offensive tackle for years in the league, one who can help protect Josh Freeman.

4. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
As much as the Bucs want a DT, the 'Skins want an OT. But if they can't grab Okung, why not Berry? He's the top safety in the draft with a phenomenal skill and the ability to start from day one. I don't see Washington taking a QB. I get the feeling head coach Mike Shanahan will give Jason Campbell one more try.

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
KC needs help along the offensive line in a big way. Davis is a top-tier tackle with great size.

6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think Clausen is going to make a better QB than Bradford. That being said, Pete Carroll and company need a QB of the future and Clausen is their man.

7. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
The Browns' offensive fire sale continues, and if they dump Brady Quinn, who knows? It could be Bradford here. But Eric Mangini is a defensive coach, and PIerre-Paul is the top DE available.

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
The Raiders need an OT and might reach here, especially if Okung and Davis are gone. Bulaga is the next best tackle available. Oakland could draft Bradford here, but Al Davis seems to love JaMarcus Russell and they'll probably give him another shot.

9. BUFFALO BILLS: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
No Aaron Rodgers here. Bradford will go in the top 10, that is almost certain. Buffalo needs a QB with that position a big question: Is Trent Edwards healthy? Is Ryan Fitzpatrick good enough? Brian Brohm? No, Bradford.

10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Thomas is primarily a safety but he's versatile - he can play CB too. Jacksonville needs a ton of help on defense, and the Jags will start here in the first round.

11. DENVER BRONCOS (from CHI): Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Even if Brandon Marshall stays, Denver still needs another receiver to play opposite him. Bryant is the top man in this class.

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
The Dolphins need a DT after the Jason Ferguson news came down, and Odrick is a big player. He can play DT and DE, helping Miami in multiple situations.

13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The 49ers have a number of positions of need, but tackle is at the top. Williams is a big player with great skills.

14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from DEN): Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
This would be a dream scenario for the Seahawks: Grab a franchise QB with their first pick, then take a stud pass rusher with their second.

15. NEW YORK GIANTS: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
The Giants defense fell apart at times last year, and McClain could end up being the best defensive player in this draft outside of Suh and McCoy.

16. TENNESSEE TITANS: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden's stock slipped a bit after the Combine, but he didn't get near the top of big boards by accident. He's a solid cover corner, and he would be a great addition to the Titans' defense.

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (from CAR): Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
This would also be a dream scenario for the Niners: addressing two of their biggest needs in the first round. OT at 13, and now a big-time LB at 17.

18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Mays is another guy whose stock has fallen tremendously, but he's a gifted athlete and an imposing figure. He could provide the Steelers with an imposing figure at a safety or, possibly, as a linebacker.

19. ATLANTA FALCONS: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen has the potential to be a consistent 10-sack player in the league for years. He's that good when he's on his game.

20. HOUSTON TEXANS: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
The Texans need a steady running back who can carry a big workload. Spiller can run, catch out of the backfield and do everything the Texans need him to. He's a very versatile back.

21. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
If the Bengals don't add T.O., they'll add another downfield target in Benn. They also have a number of needs on defense, but for now, it's Benn.

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
The Patriots are getting old on defense, and Graham is a hybrid player who can wreak havoc in the backfield.

23. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Wilson would be a steal at 22. He's an underrated corner with big-play potential.

24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Dunlap is another guy who started high on draft boards and has since fallen. But he's a talented player with a solid skill set.

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Tate is very underrated as a playmaker. He can play receiver, running back, throw the ball and return punts and kicks. He would be a nice complement to Anquan Boldin.

26. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
The Cardinals need a replacement for Boldin, and Thomas is a big, physical receiver who has a knack for the big play. He would be a great addition to play with Larry Fitzgerald.

27. DALLAS COWBOYS: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
What a steal for Dallas. Williams is regarded as a top 15 pick on a lot of boards, and he's an excellent DT. He can make an immediate impact for the Cowboys defense.

28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
With the departure of LT, the Chargers need another big-play back. Best is an explosive runner with breakaway speed and he can catch out of the backfield.

29. NEW YORK JETS: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
If a stud pass rusher isn't available at 29, the Jets have the luxury of being able to add offensive line depth. Iupati is a big guard who could learn well under Alan Faneca.

30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Price is another underrated player. He's a talented DT and would fit right in to the Minnesota defense.

31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
The Colts need some help along the offensive line, and Campbell is a big tackle. He provides depth and could start as a rookie.

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
New Orleans could use some depth in the secondary, and McCourty is the best cornerback available at this spot.

TOP PLAYERS AVAILABLE:
Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU

The Blind Side

2010-03-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

OK, sorry, I had to. Call it a cop out.

But when it comes to the NFL Draft, offensive tackles are on every team's radar. You can never have enough depth on the offensive line, especially at OT. Last year was an exceptionally strong class of tackles, with three going in the first eight picks and four in the first round. Each tackle had a case to be the first one off the board.

This year's class is on par with last year's in terms of depth. It's not as talented as last year's, at least in my opinion, but there are some excellent players available. First, the rankings. Then, the explanation.

1) Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
2) Anthony Davis, Rutgers
3a) Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
3b) Trent Williams, Oklahoma

There are two clear tiers in this year's class. Okung and Davis are the top tier tackles, both worthy of top 10 picks. Bulaga and Williams are the second tier tackles, and could go anywhere from 11-25. Some believe Bruce Campbell (Maryland) is worthy of joining that second tier, but on my board, he's just outside the top 25 and possibly outside the top 32.

Okung is the tallest and smallest of the group at 6-8, 299. He has tremendous overall athletic ability and is a well-rounded blocker. Davis is slightly behind on my board because of a couple of red flags. Make no mistake, he's a monster at 6-5, 323, and he can block. But he has dealt with some weight issues in the past. The Seattle Times' Danny O'Neil wrote about how Davis showed up to Rutgers weighing 360 pounds, but worked his way down to a manageable weight with hard work. Still, that is a slight concern. He's only a shade below Okung.

Bulaga and Williams are even on my board in the second tier. The former checks in at 6-6, 311, while the latter is 6-5, 306. The biggest question about Bulaga is his injury history. He missed a few games in 2009 with a thyroid condition, and suffered a shoulder injury a couple of years ago. They're both solid blockers, but a notch below Okung and Davis.

Draft Impact: Safeties on the Move

2010-03-06T13:37:00.000-08:00

The New York Giants desperately needed help in their secondary. Enter safety Antrel Rolle. The Cardinals had a void. Hello, Kerry Rhodes. Now, both teams can focus on other key positions.

New York picks 15th in the first round - a prime position to make a pick on the defensive line. UCLA DT Brian Price would be a great grab at that spot, as would USC DE Everson Griffen. The Giants have long believed that you can never have enough pass rushers, and Griffen excels at getting to the QB. If Alabama ILB Rolando McClain somehow slips to 15th, the Giants should pounce.

And what about the Arizona Cardinals? After letting Rolle go and trading Boldin, they made another trade today, sending a 2010 fourth rounder and a 2011 seventh rounder to the New York Jets for Rhodes.

The Cardinals pick 26th, with a number of options. Acquiring Rhodes means they almost certainly won't use their pick on USC S Taylor Mays. On the offensive side of the ball, they've been so successful because of a three-receiver attack. They lost Boldin, but they do have Jerheme Urban and Early Doucet. Both showed flashes of brilliance in the playoffs.

It seems likely at this point that they'll try to draft a linebacker, given the recent departure of Karlos Dansby to the Miami Dolphins. If possible, they'll look toward Texas LB Sergio Kindle, and possibly use some of their latter round picks to trade up to grab him.

Clausen or Bradford?

2010-03-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

We began the college football season with four QBs on the first round radar: Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow and Jevan Snead. Now, we're down to two: Bradford and Jimmy Clausen.

Bradford is ahead on many big boards, including ESPN's Big 2 (Scouts Inc. has Bradford at 9 and Clausen nowhere to be found; Mel Kiper Jr. has Clausen at 4 and Bradford 5). But on this big board, it's clear cut: Clausen is ahead.

Before I explain, let's take a look at the numbers:

Make no mistake about it, Sam Bradford had a phenomenal college career. He put up incredible numbers two years ago before missing most of this past season with an arm injury. He's going to make a good QB at the next level.

But Clausen has a few things that Bradford doesn't. He has a stronger arm and pretty good accuracy on the deep ball. He played in a more pro-style system at Notre Dame than Bradford did at Oklahoma, and threw the ball very well. Clausen has much more experience playing under center than Bradford, a major plus when it comes to the next level.

And Bradford scares me a bit with the injury. Clausen is a tougher QB than Bradford, and much more durable. Clausen fought through turf toe for a good portion of the season and continued to play for the Irish.

Bradford will still be a first round pick, and it would be surprising right now to see him fall out of the top 20. But the first QB off the board should be Clausen.

Draft Impact: Ravens Get Boldin

2010-03-05T16:27:00.001-08:00

Finally, Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco has his man.

The Ravens acquired former Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin Friday in exchange for picks in the third and fourth rounds. Baltimore also acquired Arizona's fifth round pick.

The teams pick back-to-back at the end of the first, with Baltimore selecting 25th and Arizona 26th. The trade does not mean, however, that the Ravens are definitely out of the receiver race.

Baltimore could use the pick to grab Illinois' Arrelious Benn or Notre Dame's Golden Tate. That would give Flacco and company a pair of playmaking receivers, an upgrade over the current group. The other option is to make a selection to bolster the secondary, with a group of talented corners available in the second half of the first round. Among the possibilities are Boise State's Kyle Wilson and Rutgers' Devin McCourty.

Draft Impact: Bears Add Three

2010-03-05T16:16:00.000-08:00

The Chicago Bears have been very busy in the free agent market, signing a trio of players: DE Julius Peppers, RB Chester Taylor and TE Brandon Manumaleuna.

There are two camps forming after these moves. One is the "Primed For a Title Run" camp, the other is the "When Did Daniel Snyder Take Over?" camp. There are some out there who believe the Bears just went on a terrible spending spree, and won't be rewarded for it.

But what does this mean for Chicago's drafting strategy? Not a whole lot. The Bears don't have a first round pick (the 11th overall selection belongs to Denver as part of the Jay Cutler trade). The Bears don't have a second round pick, either (the 42nd overall pick belongs to Tampa Bay as part of the Gaines Adams trade).

The Bears do have a third round pick, but by the time they make the 75th pick of the draft, a lot will have changed. It's a bit early to say that the Peppers, Taylor and Manumaleuna signings have drastically altered Chicago's draft day plans. There's a lot that can happen between now and the 75th pick.

Draft Impact: Jets Get Cromartie From SD

2010-03-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to Grant Tunkel Mock Draft. I apologize for the long absence of content, but now I'm back and ready to go. We're under two months away from the NFL Draft, so it's time to get things rolling.

This is the first in a series of "Draft Impact" posts. These posts will talk about the draft implications of trades, signings and cuts.

- - - - -

Before I even get to the draft impact of the New York Jets trade with the San Diego Chargers for CB Antonio Cromartie, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum deserves a standing ovation.

This trade is a coup for New York, which now has the best CB tandem in the NFL. With Darrelle Revis on one side and Cromartie on the other, the Jets are saying to opponents: "I dare you to throw the football." Not many teams are going to take the bait. Cromartie also came at a remarkably low cost. The Jets gave up a third round pick in the 2011 draft for a former All-Pro CB. What a steal.

As far as the draft goes, it's now safe to say the Jets will not use the 29th overall pick on a CB. Boise State CB Kyle Wilson and Rutgers CB Devin McCourty were among those rumored to be options at 29, but not anymore. Now, it seems likely that the Jets will use 29 on a WR. Arrelious Benn (Illinois) and Golden Tate (Notre Dame) are possibilities that late in the first round. It's also possible the Jets will ship their 1st rounder to the Denver Broncos and acquire Brandon Marshall.

Where do the Chargers go from here? They pick 28th in the first round, and may target Wilson or McCourty to fill the void at CB. The Chargers also could draft an offensive tackle to provide depth.

The QB Competition: Everyone Shuffles

2009-09-07T16:07:00.001-07:00

With the first week of college football in the books, it's time to look at the race for the top draft-eligible QB. The rankings, please:

(1) Colt McCoy, Texas (LW: 2): 21/29, 317 yards, 2 TD-1 INT in 59-20 win vs. Louisiana-Monroe
(2) Jevan Snead , Ole Miss (3): 12/22, 175 yards, 2 TD-2 INT in 45-14 win at Memphis
(3) Tim Tebow, Florida (4): 10/15, 188 yards, 1 TD, 2 carries, 1 yard, 1 TD in 62-3 win vs. Charleston Southern
(4) Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (1): 10/14, 96 yards, 1 TD in 14-13 loss vs. BYU

Bradofrd drops to No. 4 largely because of his injury, which has been diagnosed as a grade 2 or 3 elbow sprain. However, with the long-term prognosis still forthcoming, the OU signal-caller has to be dropped to the fourth spot until more can be learned about his health and situation. His numbers were solid in his half of play, despite Oklahoma's offensive shortcomings in that half.

McCoy, however, leapfrogs to the top on the strength of his performance. He led the quartet in passing yards and added 2 scores to his name. His lone blemish was the pick in the second quarter, with the game already well on its way to blowout status.

Snead had a bad first half, looking terrible in throwing 2 first-half interceptions. But he turned it on in the fourth quarter, throwing 2 scores in the period to salt away a 45-14 victory over Memphis. Snead was not spectacular in the game, but we'll get a clearer picture of his skills once he shakes off the rust and gets to the heart of the college football season.

Tebow was solid but not spectacular, completing over 66 percent of his passes and throwing for a score. He only carried twice, including a 1-yard touchdown run. The Florida QB is known for playing his best football in big games, and as the contests get more important, Tebow tends to rise to the occasion.

Weekend Wrap-up for Week 1

2009-09-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, there's still a handful of games to be played in the opening week, but with the bulk in the books, it's time for THE WEEKEND-WRAP-UP. The "Weekend Wrap-up" will be a regular feature during the college football season. It'll take a look at the draft-eligible players who had big days to bolster their draft stock and bad days to hurt it.

STARS
- USC RB Joe McKnight (Jr) turned in one of the finer performances of his college career, even if it was against San Jose State. McKnight, who came to USC with high expectations but has been largely inconsistent, carried 10 times for 145 yards and 2 scores. He fumbled on his third carry - something he has been prone to do at USC - but dazzled on his touchdown runs, one of them a 54-yard masterpiece in which he made a number of would-be tacklers miss. McKnight didn't open the season as a top-10 back in terms of April 2010 because of his inconsistency, but he opened the season as the #1 RB on the depth chart, and if he can consistently show this skill set, he'll be talked about when the draft rolls around.
- Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant (Jr) is arguably the top draft-eligible receiver in college football, and he wowed everyone with 3 catches for 77 yards and 2 TDs. His numbers weren't gaudy, but his athleticism was. He made a spectacular 46-yard touchdown grab late in the second quarter, blowing past the secondary and diving to make a remarkable catch. Bryant is a big-play receiver with remarkable skills and a knack for making spectacular grabs, which he showcased Saturday.
- Cal RB Javhid Best (Jr) made his case for the #1 RB slot, as did Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer (Jr). Best carried 10 times for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Dwyer had 7 carries for 95 yards and 2 scores - all in the first half - including a 74-yard scoring run on the first play from scrimmage. Both are among the nation's elite draft-eligible RBs, and it'll be interesting to see how this race develops as the season goes along.

STUMBLERS
- Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford (Jr) suffered an injury to his throwing arm, forcing him to sit out the second half of Oklahoma's loss to BYU. More to come in the Week 1 QB Competition update.
- Clemson RB C.J. Spiller (Sr) opened up his season with a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD but was injured in the second quarter and did not return. The injury is not believed to be serious, according to the Clemson athletic department.

Blount Update: Bye-Bye, 2009

2009-09-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Oregon announced today that it will suspend RB LeGarrette Blount for the duration of the season after he punched Boise State LB Byron Hout last night.

What does this mean for his chances in April 2010? Nothing good. Blount could have used a strong 2009 to bolster his draft stock and make him a viable second- or third-round draft choice. Now, he will sit out all of 2009 and almost certainly ensure he will not be drafted in 2010.

Blount Punches Ticket to Tumble-Town

2009-09-03T22:55:00.001-07:00

In the last post, I anointed Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount as one of the top draft-eligible running backs in college football. Thursday night, he made waves in a way that will likely send him tumbling down early draft boards.

Blount hit the exacta at Boise State, turning in a poor physical and mental performance. He carried 8 times for -5 yards, the worst performance of his college career. Then, during the post-game handshake, Blount punched a Boise State player on the field, and was escorted off by players, coaches and security.

This could be the final straw for Blount, who possesses enormous talent but is now in trouble yet again. In February, he was suspended indefinitely for a "failure to fulfill team obligations," according to Mike Bellotti. The Oregonian reported on February 10 that Blount "[had] been a no-show at various team meetings in the offseason." Now, he could be a no-show for good, as in kicked off the team. The Chip Kelly era started with a resounding thud with the 19-8 loss to Boise State, and now the new coach may be forced to dish out harsh discipline to one of his best players.

At the very least, Blount's antics off the field do not bode well for future character evaluations when the draft nears.

Pre-Season Rankings: The RBs

2009-09-02T10:16:00.001-07:00

This year's crop of draft-eligible running backs is particularly deep, with as many as 8 players who are possible first- or second-round picks. The talent pool also features a number of juniors who will face a tough decision when it comes time to declare or stick around for one more year.

The rankings:
1) C.J. Spiller, Clemson
2) Jahvid Best, Cal (Jr.)
3) Evan Royster, Penn State (Jr.)
4) Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (Jr.)
5) LeGarrette Blount, Oregon
6) DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
7) Noel Devine, West Virginia (Jr.)
8) Charles Scott, LSU
9) Chris Brown, Oklahoma
10) Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (Jr.)

Spiller's case is an interesting one. He had a remarkable freshman campaign in 2006, rushing for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his production has dropped off each of the last two years, 768-3 in 2007 and 629-7 in 2008. He is a very good receiving back as well, catching 34 passes each of the last two seasons. If he can reverse his trend of diminishing returns on the ground and showcase the talent that made him an electric back in 2006, he can make a case for No. 1 RB off the board in 2010. The skills are there - he just has to put it all together.

Best has a chance to make his case for No. 1 after an astounding sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has explosive moves, incredible quickness and the ability to bring the crowd to its feet every time he touches the football. If Best displays similar numbers in 2009, not only will he be the top back, but he'll be a top pick in April 2010.

Dwyer is another interesting case. After a decent freshman year in 2007 (436 yards, 9 TDs), he had an incredible 2008, thriving in the newly-installed triple option offense to the tune of 1,395 yards and 12 TDs. Dwyer must prove he has what it takes to put up those numbers (or something similar) in a conventional offense.

The biggest question for this group is: Where does the top tier end? Some people suggest there is a group of four top backs, and the rest aren't worth first-round status. Others say the top three is the top-tier. I'm in the latter group. Royster is a solid back (1,236 yards and 12 TDs in 2008) with the skills necessary for the next level. Dwyer, as mentioned above, needs to prove he can succeed in a conventional offense. If he can, he'll earn first-round status.

The QB Competition

2009-08-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

The 2010 NFL Draft will feature a star-studded cast of QBs: Florida's Tim Tebow, Texas' Colt McCoy, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, and Ole Miss' Jevan Snead. At this point in time, this quartet of signal-callers is widely heralded as the cream of the crop.

But who is No. 1? This debate plagued the draft world this past April, when the question of Mark Sanchez or Matt Stafford was raised every day. That question was never truly answered until draft day, when the Lions took Stafford ahead of the Jets' trade to get Sanchez.

So in an attempt to provide more clarity and lend insight to the situation, GTMD will be tracking the competition from week-to-week. Before I rank the four QBs as they currently stand in my book, let me lay out some relevant statistical information (players listed in alphabetical order, so as not to give anything away).

Sam Bradford- 08: 4720 yards, 50 TD-8 INT, 67.9 comp %; 07: 3121 yards, 36 TD-8 INT, 69.5 comp %
Colt McCoy - 08: 3859 yards, 34 TD-8 INT, 76.7 comp % (561 yards rushing, 11 TD); 07: 3303 yards, 22 TD-18 INT, 65.1 comp % (510 yards rushing, 4 TD)
Jevan Snead - 08: 2762 yards, 26 TD-13 INT, 56.3 comp %
Tim Tebow - 08: 2746 yards, 30 TD-4 INT, 64.4 comp % (673 yards rushing, 12 TD); 07: 3286 yards, 32 TD-6 INT, 66.9 comp % (895 yards rushing, 23 TD)

And now, the rankings:
1) Sam Bradford: Here is the true question: Is Bradford a product of his system, or is he for real? He is a very accurate passer with a good arm and good instincts. He put up gaudy numbers last year with over 4700 yards and 50 scores. He is the most complete out of any of the QBs, and opens up as the pre-season No. 1 on this list. However, he has to keep up a similar pace to stay here. It's a bit unfair to expect the same numbers, but he has to keep his mechanics in place and remain consistent throughout the year.
2) Colt McCoy: He has exhibited a tremendous understanding for the game, making smart passes last year (for the most part). He improved his completion percentage and TD-INT ratio from 2007 to 2008, a clear sign that his game is improving from year to year. It'll be hard to take another leap in those categories this year, but consistency is the key for him as well. McCoy has also exhibited good mobility, as evidenced by his rushing stats, and if he stays healthy, he'll challenge Bradford for the top spot.
3) Jevan Snead: His numbers were not spectacular last season by any stretch, and he is far behind the other three in important categories that showcase decision-making skills (TD-INT ratio and comp %). But he has tremendous arm strength and is a year older in the Ole Miss system, something that cannot be underestimated. Snead has a chance to showcase his talent in a very good conference, and could benefit from having some of his toughest tests at home (the Rebels host No. 5 Alabama and No. 11 LSU). If Snead steps up his game, we could be looking at a clustered 1-2-3.
4) Tim Tebow: There's no denying that Tebow is one of the greatest college football players of our generation, and perhaps of all time, but he doesn't strike me as an NFL-type quarterback. He is very mobile, has displayed decent arm strength, can run through people unlike any quarterback in recent memory, and has displayed the grit and determination of champion. But does he fit the mold of an NFL QB? Not really. He'll make a fine fullback, a great special teamer, and a very good gadget player at the next level. But at the moment, Tebow doesn't strike me as someone who can play QB at the next level based on his style of play.

Pac-10's Top 10

2009-08-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

While at USC football practice Thursday to watch Day 1 of the Matt Barkley era, I spoke at length with a former Daily Trojan colleague of mine, Dan Greenspan, who currently writes for CollegeFootballNews.com. Dan has contributed to this blog before, and this is not the last time his name will show up within its confines.

Dan and I discussed the 2010 draft for a little bit, and he laid out his pre-season Top 10 Draft-Eligible Prospects in the Pac-10 Conference. This is his list.

1. Taylor Mays, S, USC
2. Walter Thurmond, CB, Oregon
3. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
4. Brian Price, DT, UCLA
5. Charles Brown, OT, USC
6. Syd'Quan Thompson, DB, Cal
7. Damian Williams, WR, USC
8. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
9. Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
10. Lawrence Guy, DL, ASU

My Take:
Mays is an all-world defensive talent who would have certainly been a first round pick in this past year's draft. With another solid year as the anchor of the USC defense, Mays very well could solidify a top 10 pick in 2010, and likely sneak into the top 5.

Gronkowski is a physical specimen at 6-6, 265, and continues to improve his game each year. He could end up being the first or second TE off the board overall when it's all said and done.

Blount and Best are a pair of talented running backs with tremendous skillsets. I think Best has the potential to rise up this list as the season progresses, and if he reaches his full potential. could be a top-20 pick overall in the 2010 first round.

College Football 2009

2009-08-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

The 2009 college football season is just a few days away, and with it comes the beginning of more NFL Draft Talk. Yes, late April is still far off in the distance, but it's never too early to start prognosticating and predicting.

In addition, I will have a very unique perspective on college football this year. I'll be covering most of USC's games, including traveling to a majority of the road contests. And given that perspective, I'm going to use it to my advantage.

Any time I see someone play on television, or, more importantly, in person, who is draft eligible, I'm likely to throw up a post on GTMD and talk about that player/players. Stay tuned throughout the regular season for these posts.

Also, be sure to follow Grant Tunkel Mock Draft on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GTMockDraft.

Day 1 Winners and Losers

2009-04-25T22:20:00.001-07:00

I'll hand out my draft grades tomorrow when all the dust has settled, but I'd like to take a look at a couple of the standout teams from the first day of the 2009 NFL Draft, as well as a couple of teams who clearly missed the mark.

TOP OF THE CLASS
- New York Jets: The Jets knew exactly what they wanted coming into the draft - a franchise QB - and they did everything they could to grab one. Sitting at No. 17 was not going to do the team any good, so they swapped first rounders with Cleveland and gave up a second rounder, as well as three players who would have likely been riding the pine in New York. The end result: Mark Sanchez, a franchise-quality QB.
- Green Bay Packers: The Pack had two first round picks, moving back into the bottom end of the round, and addressed their defense in a big way. B.J. Raji is a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the defensive line, and Clay Matthews is a standout OLB who works hard and can punish opposing ball carriers.
- Cleveland Browns: Cleveland traded down twice and landed the guy they seemed to be targeting from the beginning, Alex Mack, a standout center at Cal. They made three picks in the second round, adding two good receivers and a defensive end with a lot of potential. I thought the pick of Brian Robiskie was a bit of a reach, but he's certainly a hometown favorite with his Ohio State connections.
- New England Patriots: The Pats did a phenomenal job of maneuvering out of the first round, when they clearly didn't want to take anyone at their draft position. They used their four second rounders to pick some good talents (I think Patrick Chung and Darius Butler translate very well to the next level), but their trade work was phenomenal.
- Buffalo Bills: The Bills made four very solid picks. Aaron Maybin excels at getting to the quarterback, and Jairus Byrd is a ballhawking corner who led the Pac-10 in interceptions each of the last two years. Eric Wood is a standout at center, and Andrew Levitre can provide immediate help at the guard position.

HEAD-SCRATCHERS
- Oakland Raiders: What were they thinking? Darrius Heyward-Bey could prove to be enormously talented at the NFL level, but he would have been available at least seven or eight picks later. An enormous reach at No. 7. And the second round pick is a major head scratcher. Michael Mitchell, the safety from Ohio, was apparently valued by many other teams as no more than a Rookie Free Agent.

NOT GREAT BUT NOT AWFUL
- Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Jackson could end up being a stud in the NFL, but he's a bit of a reach at No. 3.
- San Diego Chargers: Larry English is also an interesting selection. He, too, could end up being very good, but picking him at No. 16 is somewhat of a surprise. The Chargers may have been able to draft him later in the first round, and could have possibly traded down.

DRAFT DAY LIVEBLOG

2009-04-25T11:24:00.001-07:00

Grant Tunkel Mock Draft

The Sanchez Scenarios

2009-04-25T00:22:00.001-07:00

With Matthew Stafford already locked up as the No. 1 overall pick, all eyes turn to USC QB Mark Sanchez. Where will he fall? Some late-night ESPN viewing can clarify some things:

- Chris Mortensen said there is about a 20% chance the St. Louis Rams will take Sanchez at No. 2

- Both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay believe Sanchez will go off the board when the Seattle Seahawks picks at No. 4.

- Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels told Ed Werder that he does not believe his team will trade up to take Sanchez, nor would he be a lock if he fell to No. 12, the Broncos' first of two first-rounders. He also said the team has not contacted anyone about trading up, but admitted that the Jacksonville Jaguars have contacted him about moving up to No. 8.

- Sal Paolantonio caught up with New York Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum after a draft meeting, and the GM told the ESPN reporter that his team is in fact interested in moving up from No. 17, most likely to draft Sanchez. Many people believe it would take the Jets' first-rounder, second-rounder and fourth-rounder to move up to No. 8 to draft the QB. Another scenario that has been floated around involves the Cleveland Browns, Brady Quinn and the No. 5 overall pick.

Other late-night notes:
- With 11 draft picks this year, the New England Patriots could possibly move up into the top 10 to draft some defensive help.

And don't forget, the draft day LIVE BLOG kicks off at 3:45 pm ET/12:45 pm PT.

MOCK DRAFT VERSION 2.0

2009-04-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here it is folks, the much anticipated mock draft version 2.0. I have mocked out the first two rounds for your viewing pleasure.

ROUND ONE
1. DETROIT LIONS: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
5. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
6. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
7. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
8. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
9. GREEN BAY PACKERS: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
10. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
11. BUFFALO BILLS: Tyson Jackson, DE
12. DENVER BRONCOS: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
13. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
15. HOUSTON TEXANS: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
16. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
17. NEW YORK JETS: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
18. DENVER BRONCOS (from Chi): Rey Maualuga,, LB, USC
19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
20. DETROIT LIONS (from Dal): Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
21. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
22. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Darrius Heward-Bey, WR, Maryland
23. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
24. ATLANTA FALCONS: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
25. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
26. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
27. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
28. BUFFALO BILLS (from Car through Phi): Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
29. NEW YORK GIANTS: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
30. TENNESSEE TITANS: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
31. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
32. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Alex Mack, C, California

ROUND TWO
33. DETROIT LIONS: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
34. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from KC): Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
35. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois
36. CLEVELAND BROWNS: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
37. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
38. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Max Unger, C, Oregon
39. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
40. OAKLAND RAIDERS: William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
41. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Paul Kruger, OT, Utah
42. BUFFALO BILLS: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
43. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama
44. MIAMI DOLPHINS (from Was): D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
45. NEW YORK GIANTS (from NO): Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
46. HOUSTON TEXANS: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
47. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from SD): Connor Barwin, DE, Cincinnati
48. DENVER BRONCOS: Sean Smith, CB, Utah
49. CHICAGO BEARS: Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Oklahoma
50. CLEVELAND BROWNS (from TB): Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
51. DALLAS COWBOYS: Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
52. NEW YORK JETS: Andrew Levitre, OG, Oregon State
53. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss
54. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Eric Wood, C, Louisville
55. ATLANTA FALCONS: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
56. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State
57. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Patrick Chung, S, Oregon
58. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
59. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond
60. NEW YORK GIANTS: Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina
61. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Fili Moala, DT, USC
62. TENNESSEE TITANS: Pat White, WR, West Virginia
63. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Cody Brown, OLB, Connecticut
64. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Sherrod Martin, CB, Troy

Draft Day Liveblog

2009-04-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

I wanted to remind everyone that I will be LIVEBLOGGING the NFL Draft from the comforts of my couch. You can follow along RIGHT HERE on this site, thanks to the folks at CoverItLive.com, who will be providing the live blog application.

Mock 2.0 Coming Soon

2009-04-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not releasing Mock Draft v 2.0 earlier, but the combination of school work, new information on team needs/desires, and trades that did or did not happen has made me make quite a few changes in the last handful of days. That being said, I plan to release the first-round by tonight and possibly the second round later on. Stay tuned.

KSCR Top 12

2009-04-20T11:02:00.001-07:00

The men of Monday Morning Quarterback, the leadoff program on KSCR 1560 AM Los Angeles, went through their top 12 picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. Myself, Bryan Fischer and Phil Wallace mocked out the the beginning of the first round, with a slew of surprises and interesting picks. Take a look.

1. Detroit Lions (Grant): Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
2. St. Louis Rams (Bryan): Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
3. Kansas City Chiefs (Phil): Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle Seahawks (Grant): Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
5. Cleveland Browns (Bryan): Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
6. Cincinnati Bengals (Phil): Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
7. Oakland Raiders (Grant): Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (Bryan): B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
9. Green Bay Packers (Phil): Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
10. San Francisco 49ers (Grant): Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
11. Buffalo Bills (Bryan): Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
12. Denver Broncos (Phil): Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

BREAKING NEWS: Bills/Eagles Trade

2009-04-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

We're slightly more than a week away from the beginning of the draft, and already first-round picks are trading hands.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills agreed to a trade today, >according to NFL.com. The Bills will send All-Pro OT Joe Peters to Philly, in exchange for three draft picks:
- the 28th overall selection in the 2009 draft, the Eagles' second of two first-rounders
- a 4th-round pick in the 2009 draft
- a 6th-round pick in the 2010 draft

Peters addresses one of Philly's immediate needs, which is at offensive tackle, and allows them to a different direction at No. 21. Buffalo, armed with two first-round picks, can use the draft to make some major upgrades to its defense.

Mock Draft v 1.0

2009-04-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

I present to you the first version of my mock draft. It is already being tweaked, with version two due out at the end of the weekend or some time early next week. Enjoy.

1. DETROIT LIONS: OT Jason Smith, Baylor
2. ST. LOUIS RAMS: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
4. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: QB Mark Sanchez, USC
5. CLEVELAND BROWNS: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
6. CINCINNATI BENGALS: DE/OT Brian Orakpo, Texas
7. OAKLAND RAIDERS: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
8. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State
9. GREEN BAY PACKERS: DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
10. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia
11. BUFFALO BILLS: DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee
12. DENVER BRONCOS: DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
13. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: OT Andre Smith, Alabama
14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
15. HOUSTON TEXANS: CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
16. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: LB Rey Maualuga, USC
17. NEW YORK JETS: WR Percy Harvin, Florida
18. DENVER BRONCOS (from Chicago): DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State
20. DETROIT LIONS (from Dallas): OT Michael Oher, Ole Mmiss
21. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
22. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: WR Darius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
23. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: LB Clay Matthews, USC
24. ATLANTA FALCONS: DE Everette Brown, FSU
25. MIAMI DOLPHINS: WR Hakeem Nicks, UNC
26. BALTIMORE RAVENS: LB Brian Cushing, USC
27. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
28. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Carolina): OT Eben Britton, Arizona
29. NEW YORK GIANTS: WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers
30. TENNESSEE TITANS: CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
31. ARIZONA CARDINALS: DE Larry English, Northern Illinois
32. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: C Alex Mack, California

Best Left:
TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
RB Donald Brown, Connecticut
RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
CB Darius Butler, Connecticut
S Louis Delmas, Western Michigan

Cutler and the Draft

2009-03-17T23:49:00.000-07:00

As the Jay Cutler saga continues in Denver, a number of teams have turned their attention to the situation. And clearly, this will have an enormous affect on the draft.

First and foremost, if Cutler is traded from the Broncos, they would sit pretty at No. 12 to possibly take a quarterback. I do believe either Matthew Stafford or Mark Sanchez will be available at that position, and the Broncos would clearly have to take a quarterback. That is, unless they instead choose to go the one-year rental route (a la Jeff Garcia).

Among the teams interested in Cutler:
Detroit Lions (picks 1 and 20)
New York Jets (pick 17)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (pick 19)
Minnesota Vikings (pick 22)

Clearly, if either of these teams - or any other team for that matter - acquires Cutler, their draft day needs will be drastically altered. Furthermore, the Broncos would at the very least acquire the team's first- and third-round picks in exchange for Cutler, giving Denver quite the drafting arsenal.

As the situation continues to unfold, the draft day picture will continue to develop.

Free Agency Making Waves

2009-03-01T02:18:00.000-08:00

We're less than a week into free agency, and already the open market is causing a stir. A lot of faces changing places, and, from a draft perspective, it is helping to make the pictures a bit clearer - or in some cases, a bit muddiers.

Kansas City Chiefs: The acquisition of Matt Cassel guarantees the Chiefs will not be using the No. 3 overall pick to select a quarterback. Instead, they'll almost certainly improve their defense. Look for LB Aaron Curry to be the pick for KC. Plus, think about how he'll be able to learn from the other Patriot acquired via trade, Mike Vrabel.

New York Jets: The Jets have once again been incredibly busy, signing former Raven Bart Scott and trading for Lito Sheppard. There are also heavy rumors New York will make a run for safety Jim Leonhard and cornerback Corey Ivy. As Rex Ryan continues to raid his former team, the Jets continue to present a draft day question mark. Will they target USC QB Mark Sanchez? If they acquire Ivy, will they still go after the best available defensive back? Are Florida State's Everette Brown or LSU's Tyson Jackson, both defensive ends, in the cards? And with the release of Laveranues Coles, is a wide receiver possible? Still a lot of questions left to be answered.

Denver Broncos: The Broncos have brought in four defensive players thus far, including S Brian Dawkins. I don't think they're done adding to that side of the ball. If one of the big three offensive tackles falls to them at No. 12, they'd have to consider, but with a new 3-4 scheme being put in place, I think one of the edge rushing defensive ends would be the fit here.

Washington Redskins: The signings of Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall (re-signed) mean the 'Skins will have a formidable defense this year. I'd expect them to make a run for one of those offensive tackles, perhaps by trading up in to the back end of the top 10.

Post-Combine Thoughts

2009-02-26T14:34:00.001-08:00

[Note: I apologize for the lack of any substantive posting during the Combine. Such is the life of a college student.]

There's nothing like the NFL Combine, really. The eyes of the football world turn to Indianapolis to see how high a guy can jump, how far he can jump when standing still, and how many reps he can do on the bench press.

Do you get two points if your starting defensive tackle can do 28 reps at 225? No?

The combine did, however, provide us with some clarity in a couple of situations. The offensive tackle picture became a little less muddier. Andre Smith decided it would be a good idea to leave the Combine early and not tell anyone. This erratic move, coupled with his Sugar Bowl suspension and weight issues, clearly makes him the No. 3 offensive tackle. As for the other two - Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe - some people believe Smith has the slight edge. When it's all said and done, all three will be first round draft picks, but I still hold to the belief that Monroe will be the first tackle off the board.

Aside from that, I wouldn't say there were major changes at other positions. Matthew Stafford is still the guy at quarterback, with Mark Sanchez a close second. On the defensive side of the ball, the top players at each position remain intact.

In other words, the Combine served to reinforce our beliefs - not change them.

Combine Approaching: Part I

2009-02-15T02:09:00.000-08:00

The NFL's annual draft combine begins Wednesday in Indianapolis, and for many players, this is a pivotal point in the pre-draft process. The combine can make some players - and it can break some players. Perform poorly, and your stock plummets. Impress the scouts, you could see yourself rising the draft charts.

Let's take a look at a couple of these make or break prospects on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback: Chase Daniel (Missouri), Graham Harrell (Texas Tech)
Both players have seen their stocks drop like a rock since the pre-draft rounds began. A good combine could go a long way towards restoring their value, and might push them into the top seven or eight signal-callers. A bad combine could very well seal these two players' fate; we could be talking about being drafted in the fifth round or later - if at all.

Running Back: Glen Coffee (Alabama), P.J. Hill (Wisconsin)
Coffee is towards the bottom of the second tier of running backs in this draft. A good combine might make him the fourth back off the board, but a bad combine could push him out of the top 10. Hill is at a disadvantage because he is at the bottom end of the height spectrum (5'11") but at the top end of the weight spectrum (265 pounds). If he can use the combine to show that he can be a bigger version of Jacob Hester, he'll certainly get looks from teams in the fourth or fifth round. But if he doesn't show the versatility of the lighter running backs, Hill will be looked at as a late-round fullback at best.

Wide Receiver: Patrick Turner (USC), Mike Thomas (Arizona)
Turner must have a good combine to stay on teams' minds. At 6'5" tall and 221 pounds, he certainly has the size. But he has underachieved throughout his college career, and he has to show teams he has the drive and desire to be a top receiver. Turner is falling off of many draft boards, but a good combine could put him back on. Thomas, on the other hand, is undersized at 5'8" tall and 187 pounds. He must prove to teams that his lack of size is not a severe disadvantage.

Tight End: Only 16 tight ends were invited to the combine this year, and basically everyone other than Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State) has something to prove.

Offensive Line: This is a weak class in terms of guards and centers, while the tackles are pretty strong. I think the big thing to watch will be who differentiates themselves in the big four of Eugene Monroe (Virginia), Jason Smith (Baylor), Andre Smith (Alabama) and Michael Oher (Mississippi). The question remains as to who is number one in this group. The combine may be able to answer that question.

Favre Gone; Is Sanchez Next?

2009-02-12T03:10:00.000-08:00

With yesterday's announcement that Brett Favre would be retiring, let the speculation begin: Who will be the next quarterback of the New York Jets?

The Jets have three QBs currently on their roster: Kellen Clemens, Erik Ainge and Brett Ratliff. But they also have the No. 17 overall pick, and there is heavy speculation that USC QB Mark Sanchez could fall to New York. The Trojans gunslinger would be a welcome addition in NY. He is in the pro mold with an excellent arm and good smarts. He makes pretty good reads and can be effective in short-yardage and home run ball situations.

There is some question, however, as to whether or not Sanchez will be available at 17. There is widespread speculation that the Kansas City Chiefs (3rd overall) and San Francisco 49ers (10th overall) are interested in taking Sanchez, if he isn't drafted by the Detroit Lions with the first overall selection.

There is also the possibility of the Jets trading down in the first round and selecting Kansas State's Josh Freeman, although it is more likely that they will take one of the big two or no QB at all.

I think Sanchez will be available at 17, and it will be hard for the Jets to pass him up, given his skill level coming out of a pro system at USC. If you asked me to mock the draft today, Sanchez would be a Jet.

OT: Who is Number 1?

2009-02-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

That seems to be the question these days. There's a quartet of highly-talented offensive tackles in this year's draft: Alabama's Andre Smith, Virginia's Eugene Monroe, Baylor's Jason Smith and Mississippi's Michael Oher. All four tackles should be first round picks. But who is the top of the class?

It's an interesting question. Let's take a look at the tale of the tape for these four stars.

Name	Height	Weight
Andre Smith	6'4-7/8"	341
Eugene Monroe	6'5-1/8"	310
Jason Smith	6'4-1/2"	300
Michael Oher	6'5"	330

They're pretty comparable in size, with Smith being the smallest of the four. But size isn't the only thing when judging offensive tackles. Robert Gallery was 6'7" and roughly 325 pounds when the Raiders drafted him, and he has not been the model of consistency on Oakland's offensive line.

So who gets the nod at #1? Andre Smith was the early favorite, but Monroe has moved into that position, with Jason Smith also seeing some play in the top slot. At this moment, I'm going to give Monroe the slight edge. His injury issues have been documented, but he is a powerful force who combines speed and strength. His agility at the position is incredible, and can start from day one.

Both of the Smiths are viable options and cannot be discounted. However, I think the MCL injury sustained by Jason last season, and the bowl-game suspension of Andre could scare some teams off. In terms of sheer physicality, Andre gets the edge. But Monroe's combination of size and speed is striking.

Oher is also a fine player, and his life story is an incredible one. But his speed is not as good as the other three, and thus will most likely be the fourth offensive tackle off the board.

Mock Critique: McShay 1.0

2009-02-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Todd McShay released his first mock draft, and it is chock full of, well, different stuff. You've been seeing a lot of the same from many of the experts, but McShay is taking a different route.

He has plugged Baylor OT Jason Smith into the number two hole, although he acknowledges the St. Louis Rams have multiple options at the position. He finally listened to me (or so I'll say) in giving the Kansas City Chiefs an OLB at three, not a quarterback. Scott Pioli will go defense first, and that means Aaron Curry.

Which leaves the question: Where does Mark Sanchez go? The answer: The New York Jets at 17. I completely agree; if Sanchez manages to slip past the 49ers, he will fall all the way to 17, and the Jets can't pass him up. It's a no-brainer to make that selection.

I disagree, however, with his pick at 18. The Chicago Bears shouldn't take Florida WR Percy Harvin. They already have a big-time playmaker in Devin Hester, and with Hester playing on offense more and more, adding Harvin makes no sense.

The rest of his draft is pretty agreeable, although I don't think the Philadelphia Eagles will take TE Brandon Pettigrew if OT Michael Oher is still on the board.

One other note: McShay has the New England Patriots taking USC LB Clay Matthews at 23. What a story that would be. The former walk-on with a football pedigree becomes a first round pick.

Center: One Man Band

2009-01-29T04:33:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to pretend to have extensive knowledge about the centers available in this year's draft. In fact, I've only truly analyzed the play of two of them. But from reading a number of different scouting services, and watching one player in particular, it's clear that only one man is fit for the job of first center off the board: California's Alex Mack.

Mack was truly the gold standard for centers in the Pac-10 (a conference I'm familiar with) as well as around the country. At 6'3", 310 pounds, he has the necessary size to translate to the next level. He has been a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation's top center, each of the last two seasons. And he was awarded the 2008 Draddy Trophy as the top scholar-athlete in all of college football. In other words, he has the skills and the brains to be an NFL player.

Mack currently sits at No. 32 on ESPN.com's Scouts Inc. board, and I would not be surprised if a team took a chance on him late in the first round.

Other Names to Watch: Max Unger (Oregon), Johnathan Luigs (Arkansas), A.Q. Shipley (Penn State)

If the Draft Happened Today...

2009-01-29T04:17:00.000-08:00

If the draft happened today, how would the top five picks play out? Like this:

1. Detroit Lions: QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia
There's no denying Detroit needs a quarterback, and right now that is probably the Lions' most pressing need. Which signal-caller will it be? Stafford seems to get the slight edge on a majority of boards, and as of now, he gets the edge here.

2. St. Louis Rams: OT Andre Smith, Alabama
It's no secret that the Rams have needed a solid offensive tackle since Orlando Pace was in his prime, and Smith fits that need. He has the physical attributes and skill to be that type of tackle, and the intangibles to go with it.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
The Chiefs don't need a QB - they need an anchor on the offensive line. Monroe provides that stability in the first round.

4. Seattle Seahawks: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The Seahawks haven't had a big-play wide receiver in quite some time, and Crabtree is an all-world talent. He is, at this point, the best player on the board (and might have been from the start) as well as the best player at a need position.

5. Cleveland Browns: OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
The Browns need help on defense, and Curry is the best player left on the board. He is an athletic linebacker who brings immediate ability to the table. He could start on day one, and Cleveland certainly needs that type of help.

TOP 5: Wide Receivers

2009-01-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

(1) Michael Crabrtree, Texas Tech
(2) Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
(3) Percy Harvin, Florida
(4) Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
(5) Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
(5) Brandon LaFell, LSU

There's no doubt that Crabtree is the top of the class. He's a physical specimen with a world of talent, and if the Detroit Lions didn't have the first overall pick, I'd say Crabtree had a shot to be the top selection in April. (If Detroit takes another wide receiver, all hell may break loose).

After Crabtree clearly comes Maclin, who is quite the talent himself. I wanted to put Nicks above Harvin, because I think Nicks is a better route-runner and pure receiver than Harvin. But the Florida product is more explosive and a pure playmaker. Don't discount Nicks, though.

After those two come two fine receivers. I know this is a top five, but I can't differentiate between Darrius Heyward-bey and Brandon LaFell. Both are similar in size (LaFell has an inch and a half and nine pounds on Heyward-Bey) and skill, and I think they're largely interchangeable on draft boards.

Other names to watch: Juaquin Iglesias (Oklahoma), Mike Thomas (Arizona)
I've always liked Iglesias' style of play and his big-play ability. He thrived with Sam Bradford at the helm, and I think he could slot into a third receiver role very well in the NFL. As for Thomas, he is certainly undersized (5'8", 197), but he plays with a lot of heart and he's a very quick receiver. With some good workouts, he could rise up teams' boards. He also has a bit of special teams potential.

TOP 5: Running Backs

2009-01-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

(1) Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
(2) Beanie Wells, Ohio State
(3) LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
(4) Shonn Greene, Iowa
(5) Javon Ringer, Michigan State

Moreno, Wells and McCoy are pretty close, but the edge goes to the Georgia back. His name surfaced in pre-season Heisman Trophy discussions, but that didn't pan out. Still, Moreno, is a high-quality back with a ton of pro potential.

Don't count out the diminutive Ringer, either. He cracks my top five because of his work ethic and determination. He gave opposing defenses fits throughout the year, and I think he's got what it takes work-wise to make it to the next level. Ringer is only 5'9", but I think teams are beginning to realize that height isn't the be-all, end-all. Just look at the success of Maurice Jones Drew (5'7") and Darren Sproles (5'6"). Plus, 1,600+ yards and 22 touchdowns speaks volumes about Ringer's skill.

Other names to watch: Glen Coffee (Alabama), Jeremiah Johnson (Oregon)
At this point in time, I'd be surprised if either of these two guys were drafted before the third round. Coffee has the better shot of the two, but I think Round 3 is a better target for these guys. Coffee is small for his height (a bit under 200 pounds at 6'1"), but doesn't shy away from bruising guys from time-to-time. Johnson has great quickness and could translate into a fine receiving back or special teams player.

TOP 5: Quarterbacks

2009-01-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

(1) Matthew Stafford, Georgia
(1) Mark Sanchez, USC
(3) Josh Freeman, Kansas State
(4) Nate Davis, Ball State
(5) Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State

The question at the quarterback position remains: Who is number one? Is it Stafford or Sanchez?. Depending on who you ask, you will get a different answer. I have done nothing to settle that debate because I truly see them on equal footing for now. That could change, of course, as teams continue to evaluate their performance at the various scouting stops.

Everyone agrees, however, that after these two, it's really slim pickings. Freeman has ascended the draft charts to be the (almost) consensus number three, with Davis close behind.

Everyone also seems to be in agreement that Texas Tech's Graham Harrell and Missouri's Chase Daniel are quickly falling out of favor. I was never high on Harrell, but I think Daniel could surprise as a late-round draft pick.

Other names to watch: Drew Willy (Buffalo), Cullen Harper (Clemson), Rudy Carpenter (Arizona State)
These are not the next three names on my list, but they're three guys who should garner some attention on day two and, if drafted, have a lot of potential.

Mock Critique: SI.com's Don Banks

2009-01-23T17:23:00.000-08:00

[Don Banks' mock draft can be found here]

The big break from a lot of different drafts here is that Banks has the Detroit Lions taking Alabama OT Andre Smith instead of Georgia QB Matthew Stafford. I can't say I completely disagree, but I have the feeling that Stafford and Mark Sanchez are pro-type quarterbacks who would fit well. Can I see Detroit going non-QB? Absolutely. Do I think they will? No. The rest of Banks' top 10 is pretty feasible, although you already know my feelings on the Kansas City Chiefs and their QB situation. Give Tyler Thigpen a chance.

I'd be stunned if the Buffalo Bills took TE Brandon Pettigrew at 11. Sure, the Bills need help on offense, but not from the TE position. WR Jeremy Maclin seems more likely for Buffalo if they choose an offensive player. I also disagree with Banks' prediction at 12. The Denver Broncos should grab DT B.J. Raji if he's on the board, which he is in this mock. The success of the 3-4 defense is predicated on the defensive tackle position moreso than the ILB position.

I don't have too many qualms with the rest of Banks' draft either. Again, at this point, I'm not going to critique each and every pick. I will say one thing though: If the Tennessee Titans are able to grab Percy Harvin at 30, Nashville should throw a party. He's a very versatile player and I think he would give the Titans the explosive receiving threat they didn't have this year.

What To Expect From This Blog

2009-01-23T17:19:00.001-08:00

There are a lot of things you can expect:
- Critiques of other people's mock drafts: Below this post, I did a brief critique of Mel Kiper's first mock draft. Look for more critiques in the near-future, including one on SI.com's Don Banks' mock.
- Player Profiles: From time-to-time, I'll take a look at specific prospects and talk about their game and their pro potential.
- Player Rankings: I'll give you my top players at each position.
- The Mock: There should be multiple versions of my mock draft, but of course, the one the week of the draft is the one that matters most.

Mock Critique: Kiper Version 1.0

2009-01-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. released his first 2009 mock draft, which officially signals the start of the 2009 mocking season. Usually, anything done before that is simply attempts at grabbing the air. Nothing substantive occurs until the Duke of the Draft...ok, I'll stop putting Kiper on a pedestal.

But with the release of Kiper's first version (which, to no surprise, is only available in part to non-Insider subscribers [don't worry, I'll critique the second half of the first round too)], it provides us with some things to talk about.

There are a few picks I can't agree with. We'll start with my beloved New York Jets. There's just no way they can take Florida WR Percy Harvin with the 17th pick. There's no denying the Jets need a receiver to step up and be a big-play guy, but Harvin is not the answer. He's only about 5-10, and while he's an explosive weapon who can play multiple positions, he doesn't fit the type of receiver the team needs. They need a tall receiver - not another Santana Moss.

Backtracking for a moment, Kiper has the Kansas City Chiefs going with USC QB Mark Sanchez at No. 3. I'm not sold on this, at least for now. Tyler Thigpen showed considerable growth throughout the season, and I have to think there's some institutional confidence in him - perhaps enough to mean KC will not go QB in the first round.

A team that I do think will eventually take a quarterback is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, I don't think they will go that route in the first round. Kiper has the team grabbing Josh Freeman, the signal-caller from Kansas State, at 19. Freeman's stock has taken a jump in recent weeks, but I'm not sold on him. I think the team is more likely to use a late-round selection to draft a QB. To me, it makes sense to remain with Jeff Garcia at the helm, at least for the first year of the new coaching regime. I know the rookie coach-QB combo worked this year, but I wouldn't expect similar results.