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.
Showing posts with label Aaron Curry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aaron Curry. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Mock Critique: McShay 1.0
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.
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.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
If the Draft Happened Today...
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.
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.
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