Years of disappointing play on the field came to a head at the end of the 2009 season when the St. Louis Rams finished with a 1-15 record. The worst record in the league brought the #1 Overall selection of 2010 Draft, and that pick was Sam Bradford. Bradford entered the season with question marks about his health and ability to transition from a spread offense to the pro game. Bradford answered all the doubts with a Rookie of the Year season, and led the Rams to a 7-9 season. A loss in the season finale kept the Rams out of the playoffs, and St. Louis looks to build upon that improvement in 2011.
The need to find weapons for Bradford was a pressing concern, but when Robert Quinn fell to the 14th Overall selection, it was not a pick the Rams would pass up. Quinn may have been a top 3 pick in 2010 if he had come out out early, but he stayed at North Carolina, only to miss the season due to NCAA violations. Concerns over a brain tumor that was diagnosed four years ago scared off some teams, but Quinn has gotten the go ahead to play, and now he gets to line up opposite Chris Long to for a dynamic pass rushing duo for St. Louis.
Rounds 2 and 3 brought Bradford the help he needs to propel the offense along. Tight end Lance Kendricks is a big target with sure hands, and a good enough blocker to help in the run game for Steven Jackson. Austin Pettis is a wide receiver with great size and speed to compliment Donnie Avery, who missed most of the 2010 season due to injuries.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Greg Salas, a wide receiver from Hawaii selected in Round 4. He should line up in the slot, and has one of the best set of hands of any receiver entering the draft.
Draft Grade: B+
Draft Grade:
Showing posts with label Robert Quinn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Quinn. Show all posts
Monday, May 9, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Picking My Jaw Up Off The Floor
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books. All I can say is 'WOW.' As I posted previously, some teams had a bit of a panic attack and reached for quarterbacks. Cam Newton will most likely win more hearts and minds in Carolina than ballgames. Jake Locker has all the athletic ability in the world, and he is going to get thrown into the fire right away in Tennessee. Unless they go out and get a veteran quarterback when the lockout is officially lifted, Minnesota is going to have a competition for the starting spot between Joe Webb and Christian Ponder. Then there is Jacksonville. When I heard they had traded up to #10 with Washington, my first thought was 'they are going to get a premier pass rusher.' Instead, they drafted the backup to David Garrard with the selection of Blaine Gabbert.
Outside of the quarterbacks, the biggest reach seemed to be San Francisco selecting Aldon Smith at #7. Talented, yes. Could they have picked him later, most likely. Or they could have had J.J. Watt, Cameron Jordan, Ryan Kerrigan, or Robert Quinn. Seattle's selection of James Carpenter at #25 was also a surprise, considering Gabe Carimi and Derek Sherrod were also on the board.
Every year, there are players who fall through the first round, and this year is no exception. Detroit will be able to line up Nick Fairley next to Ndamukong Suh after selection the Auburn star at #13. Robert Quinn went next to St. Louis, and now coach Steve Spagnola has a pair of outside pass rushers in Quinn and Chris Long, which he had in New York with the Giants and Mike Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Speaking of the Giants, they got a gem when Prince Amukamara fell all the way to them at #19. And the strange draft odyssey of Da'Quan Bowers continues. He has gone from a potential first overall pick to out of Round 1 completely. If he is healthy, Bowers is going to have something to prove, and the team that selects him will be able to sit back and smile. It will be interesting to see who picks him on Day 2.
If you wonder why some teams keep winning every year, look at how they draft. Pittsburgh got a prototype 3-4 defensive end with Cameron Heyward, and Green Bay got even more protection for Derek Sherrod with the final pick of the first round. But the biggest impacts were made via the trade route by the top two teams in the NFC South. Atlanta may have mortgaged quite a bit of it's future by handing Cleveland three picks this season and two in 2012, but they got the player they wanted in Julio Jones. Matt Ryan now has Jones and Roddy White on the outside, Tony Gonzalez at tight end, and Michael Turner in the backfield. Their defense got lit up for 48 points in the playoffs by Green Bay. I imagine Falcon fans are hoping they can get a sleeper pick or two late in the draft to shore up the defense.
The New Orleans Saints got help on both sides of the ball. Cameron Jordan fell all the way to #24, and they traded up with New England to get Mark Ingram at #28. They gave up a second round pick in 2011 and a first rounder in 2012. But their road back to the playoffs is going to be smoother with Ingram taking some of the load off of Drew Brees and Jordan getting after the quarterback on defense.
As for my mock draft and DSA Rankings, it's how you look at success. Getting players in the right spot, or in the first round. My mock got 5 picks in the correct spot, and 27 out of 32 in the first round. The DSA's got 3 picks correct, and 29 out of 32 in the first round. I consider that a success. All I can is if anyone had James Carpenter going to Seattle at #25 and you got every pick right, you deserve the $10,000,000 prize from the Bud Light Best Round Ever contest. Have a cold one for me!
Outside of the quarterbacks, the biggest reach seemed to be San Francisco selecting Aldon Smith at #7. Talented, yes. Could they have picked him later, most likely. Or they could have had J.J. Watt, Cameron Jordan, Ryan Kerrigan, or Robert Quinn. Seattle's selection of James Carpenter at #25 was also a surprise, considering Gabe Carimi and Derek Sherrod were also on the board.
Every year, there are players who fall through the first round, and this year is no exception. Detroit will be able to line up Nick Fairley next to Ndamukong Suh after selection the Auburn star at #13. Robert Quinn went next to St. Louis, and now coach Steve Spagnola has a pair of outside pass rushers in Quinn and Chris Long, which he had in New York with the Giants and Mike Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Speaking of the Giants, they got a gem when Prince Amukamara fell all the way to them at #19. And the strange draft odyssey of Da'Quan Bowers continues. He has gone from a potential first overall pick to out of Round 1 completely. If he is healthy, Bowers is going to have something to prove, and the team that selects him will be able to sit back and smile. It will be interesting to see who picks him on Day 2.
If you wonder why some teams keep winning every year, look at how they draft. Pittsburgh got a prototype 3-4 defensive end with Cameron Heyward, and Green Bay got even more protection for Derek Sherrod with the final pick of the first round. But the biggest impacts were made via the trade route by the top two teams in the NFC South. Atlanta may have mortgaged quite a bit of it's future by handing Cleveland three picks this season and two in 2012, but they got the player they wanted in Julio Jones. Matt Ryan now has Jones and Roddy White on the outside, Tony Gonzalez at tight end, and Michael Turner in the backfield. Their defense got lit up for 48 points in the playoffs by Green Bay. I imagine Falcon fans are hoping they can get a sleeper pick or two late in the draft to shore up the defense.
The New Orleans Saints got help on both sides of the ball. Cameron Jordan fell all the way to #24, and they traded up with New England to get Mark Ingram at #28. They gave up a second round pick in 2011 and a first rounder in 2012. But their road back to the playoffs is going to be smoother with Ingram taking some of the load off of Drew Brees and Jordan getting after the quarterback on defense.
As for my mock draft and DSA Rankings, it's how you look at success. Getting players in the right spot, or in the first round. My mock got 5 picks in the correct spot, and 27 out of 32 in the first round. The DSA's got 3 picks correct, and 29 out of 32 in the first round. I consider that a success. All I can is if anyone had James Carpenter going to Seattle at #25 and you got every pick right, you deserve the $10,000,000 prize from the Bud Light Best Round Ever contest. Have a cold one for me!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Draft Day Trade Scenarios
Every year, the one thing that stirs up mock drafts of everyone who puts prospects to teams are draft day trade. But in 2011, with the uncertainty hanging over the game due to the lockout, trades may be few and far between.
If the lockout is still in effect when the draft opens, teams can swap picks but not players. But when you look at past draft trades, most of them involve only picks. And after looking at the teams that may be looking to move up or down, I have come up with some scenarios that could be very interesting:
Seattle trading out of the #25 spot.
This possibility has been bandied about or a week or so now. I have the Seahawks selecting Jake Locker at #25, and if he is available, one way or another, he is going at that spot. Matt Hasslebeck is a free agent with his best years behind him, and Charlie Whitehurst is still an unproven commodity. But he was also a costly one. Seattle dealt a number of picks to San Diego for Whitehurst, and I believe Pete Carroll is going to give him the chance to lead the team in 2011. But Locker would be a valuable insurance policy, and the hometown quarterback would be very popular. Perhaps too popular. If Whitehurst is not up to the pressure of starting in the NFL and dealing with Locker as his backup with fans screaming to get him in the game, the trade to get Whitehurst would be seen as a failure.
So Seattle may be looking to trade down, and I don't believe there will be a shortage of suitors if Locker is available. I'm sure Minnesota would love to move up, but I don't see being able to package together enough picks for Seattle to bite. Minnesota does not select again until #43, then again at #106. Any trade with the Vikings would involve future picks, but Seattle would most likely want a pick early in Round 2. If that is the case, look for Buffalo or Cincinnati to make a deal. Two other possibilities are Arizona and San Francisco, but that is not likely since Seattle would not have anything to do with trading inside the division.
St. Louis trading with Dallas to get the #9 selection
I have a sneaking feeling on this. St. Louis needs an offensive playmaker, and it is not likely that Julio Jones will not be there at #14. Washington has been looking at Jones as well for the same reasons, and Dallas would make an excellent trading partner with the Rams. It moves them up to the spot before Washington, and Dallas could still get the player they need at #14. Their needs are offensive tackle and pass rushing end. I have them selecting Tyron Smith at #9, and it is possible he would be there at #14. If not, Anthony Castanzo might be there as well, and Gabe Carimi will most likely be available. If they look to a defensive end, J.J. Watt, Aldon Smith and Cameron Jordan should still be on the board. St. Louis selects at #47 in Round 2, and if the Cowboys could get that pick as well, it would give them three of the first 47 picks in a very deep draft, and the chance to fill in hole son both side of the ball in a hurry.
New England trading UP in Round 1
The Patriots are the masters of the draft day trade. Because of this, they have 2 picks in each of the first three rounds. But the Pats are not getting any younger, loading up on middle round picks has not helped them win a playoff game since their undefeated run to the Super Bowl in 2007. I see New England holding onto the #17 pick, but they could put together a package of picks that could very easily move them up to the top 10. How highly does Bill Bellichick value Nick Fairley to play in his 3-4, or what about pairing up Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara with Devin McCourty in the secondary? What about giving Tom Brady a top target along the lines of Julio Jones or even A.J. Green? If Von Miller or Robert Quinn are available, would the Pats make the deal to get one of the prized 3-4 pass rushers of the 2011 NFL Draft? If they do, don't be surprised. No one works the draft better, and any deal the Patriots make will be to their advantage. Nine days until the draft. I can't wait.
If the lockout is still in effect when the draft opens, teams can swap picks but not players. But when you look at past draft trades, most of them involve only picks. And after looking at the teams that may be looking to move up or down, I have come up with some scenarios that could be very interesting:
Seattle trading out of the #25 spot.
This possibility has been bandied about or a week or so now. I have the Seahawks selecting Jake Locker at #25, and if he is available, one way or another, he is going at that spot. Matt Hasslebeck is a free agent with his best years behind him, and Charlie Whitehurst is still an unproven commodity. But he was also a costly one. Seattle dealt a number of picks to San Diego for Whitehurst, and I believe Pete Carroll is going to give him the chance to lead the team in 2011. But Locker would be a valuable insurance policy, and the hometown quarterback would be very popular. Perhaps too popular. If Whitehurst is not up to the pressure of starting in the NFL and dealing with Locker as his backup with fans screaming to get him in the game, the trade to get Whitehurst would be seen as a failure.
So Seattle may be looking to trade down, and I don't believe there will be a shortage of suitors if Locker is available. I'm sure Minnesota would love to move up, but I don't see being able to package together enough picks for Seattle to bite. Minnesota does not select again until #43, then again at #106. Any trade with the Vikings would involve future picks, but Seattle would most likely want a pick early in Round 2. If that is the case, look for Buffalo or Cincinnati to make a deal. Two other possibilities are Arizona and San Francisco, but that is not likely since Seattle would not have anything to do with trading inside the division.
St. Louis trading with Dallas to get the #9 selection
I have a sneaking feeling on this. St. Louis needs an offensive playmaker, and it is not likely that Julio Jones will not be there at #14. Washington has been looking at Jones as well for the same reasons, and Dallas would make an excellent trading partner with the Rams. It moves them up to the spot before Washington, and Dallas could still get the player they need at #14. Their needs are offensive tackle and pass rushing end. I have them selecting Tyron Smith at #9, and it is possible he would be there at #14. If not, Anthony Castanzo might be there as well, and Gabe Carimi will most likely be available. If they look to a defensive end, J.J. Watt, Aldon Smith and Cameron Jordan should still be on the board. St. Louis selects at #47 in Round 2, and if the Cowboys could get that pick as well, it would give them three of the first 47 picks in a very deep draft, and the chance to fill in hole son both side of the ball in a hurry.
New England trading UP in Round 1
The Patriots are the masters of the draft day trade. Because of this, they have 2 picks in each of the first three rounds. But the Pats are not getting any younger, loading up on middle round picks has not helped them win a playoff game since their undefeated run to the Super Bowl in 2007. I see New England holding onto the #17 pick, but they could put together a package of picks that could very easily move them up to the top 10. How highly does Bill Bellichick value Nick Fairley to play in his 3-4, or what about pairing up Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara with Devin McCourty in the secondary? What about giving Tom Brady a top target along the lines of Julio Jones or even A.J. Green? If Von Miller or Robert Quinn are available, would the Pats make the deal to get one of the prized 3-4 pass rushers of the 2011 NFL Draft? If they do, don't be surprised. No one works the draft better, and any deal the Patriots make will be to their advantage. Nine days until the draft. I can't wait.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
DSA Player Rankings 5.0
The 2011 NFL Draft is now two weeks away. Mock drafts are coming fast and furious. And this is the point of the process where the draftniks need to be seen, and the best way is to make the shocking pick. Last year, it was Tim Tebow. Just about everyone had Tebow going in round 2 or later, then the Florida quarterback started creeping up the mock draft boards. Tebow had his highest mock draft slot at #9 to Buffalo, and eventually he went to Denver at #25.
This year, with the lockout preventing the onset of free agency, teams will not be able to fill needs with free agents and then select the best player available. The draft is going to be the need filler this year, and it will be tough to envision a shocking draft pick. Perhaps Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker could move into the Top 10, going to San Francisco or Tennessee, or even Julio Jones going as high as #4 to Cincinnati if A.J. Green is no longer available. But the player I see moving up mock draft boards in the next two weeks is Marvin Austin, the defensive tackle from North Carolina.
Austin had to sit out the 2010 season because of NCAA violations. But he had a good workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his pro day workout was even better. There are questions about his motor at times, but the ability is there, and he could very easily move into Round 1. Another issue that has dogged Austin was that he didn't play last year, but that has not hampered his college teammate, Robert Quinn, and it will be interesting to see how high he rises on mock drafts in the next two weeks. For now, Austin is not on the Top 32 in the latest DSA Player Rankings, but when the final list is published before the draft, I would not be surprised to see his name moving up. So here are the DSA Player Rankings 5.0 for the 2011 NFL Draft:
DSA Rankings 5.0 Plus/
4-14-11 Minus
1) Cam Newton +1
2) Marcel Dareus -1
3) Von Miller +2
4) A.J. Green +2
5) Blaine Gabbert -2
6) Patrick Peterson -2
7) Nick Fairley 0
8) Robert Quinn +3
9) Julio Jones +1
10) Prince Amukamara -2
11) Da'Quan Bowers -2
12) J.J, Watt 0
13) Anthony Castanzo +5
14) Aldon Smith +1
15) Tyron Smith -1
16) Ryan Kerrigan +1
17) Cameron Jordan -1
18) Mike Pouncey +1
19) Mark Ingram -6
20) Corey Liuget +5
21) Adrian Clayborn -1
22) Jimmy Smith +5
23) Nate Solder -1
24) Gabe Carimi -1
25) Akeem Ayers +4
26) Muhammad Wilkerson +5
27) Derek Sherrod -1
28) Justin Houston -4
29) Phil Taylor +3
30) Cameron Heyward -2
31) Jake Locker -10
32) Brandon Harris +2
The biggest movers up the DSA Player Rankings have been Anthony Castanzo, Muhammad Wilkerson, Coery Liuget, and Jimmy Smith. All four players moved up 5 spots each. But the biggest mover of all was Jake Locker, who fell 10 spots from #21 to #31. Btu I can see one of two scenarios on the opening day of the draft concerning Locker: he is going to go in the top 15, or a team will trade up to the end of the round and select the athletic signal caller. Many see Seattle as a team that would take Locker with the 25th pick, but Pete Carroll didn't trade away pick for Charlie Whitehurst for nothing. New England has a history of trading picks, and with the 33rd selection as well, the Patriots could be a trading partner. But Seattle could get a very nice package of picks at #25 if someone is high enough on Locker. The 2011 NFL Draft is in two weeks. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in prime time at Radio City Music Hall.
This year, with the lockout preventing the onset of free agency, teams will not be able to fill needs with free agents and then select the best player available. The draft is going to be the need filler this year, and it will be tough to envision a shocking draft pick. Perhaps Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker could move into the Top 10, going to San Francisco or Tennessee, or even Julio Jones going as high as #4 to Cincinnati if A.J. Green is no longer available. But the player I see moving up mock draft boards in the next two weeks is Marvin Austin, the defensive tackle from North Carolina.
Austin had to sit out the 2010 season because of NCAA violations. But he had a good workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his pro day workout was even better. There are questions about his motor at times, but the ability is there, and he could very easily move into Round 1. Another issue that has dogged Austin was that he didn't play last year, but that has not hampered his college teammate, Robert Quinn, and it will be interesting to see how high he rises on mock drafts in the next two weeks. For now, Austin is not on the Top 32 in the latest DSA Player Rankings, but when the final list is published before the draft, I would not be surprised to see his name moving up. So here are the DSA Player Rankings 5.0 for the 2011 NFL Draft:
DSA Rankings 5.0 Plus/
4-14-11 Minus
1) Cam Newton +1
2) Marcel Dareus -1
3) Von Miller +2
4) A.J. Green +2
5) Blaine Gabbert -2
6) Patrick Peterson -2
7) Nick Fairley 0
8) Robert Quinn +3
9) Julio Jones +1
10) Prince Amukamara -2
11) Da'Quan Bowers -2
12) J.J, Watt 0
13) Anthony Castanzo +5
14) Aldon Smith +1
15) Tyron Smith -1
16) Ryan Kerrigan +1
17) Cameron Jordan -1
18) Mike Pouncey +1
19) Mark Ingram -6
20) Corey Liuget +5
21) Adrian Clayborn -1
22) Jimmy Smith +5
23) Nate Solder -1
24) Gabe Carimi -1
25) Akeem Ayers +4
26) Muhammad Wilkerson +5
27) Derek Sherrod -1
28) Justin Houston -4
29) Phil Taylor +3
30) Cameron Heyward -2
31) Jake Locker -10
32) Brandon Harris +2
The biggest movers up the DSA Player Rankings have been Anthony Castanzo, Muhammad Wilkerson, Coery Liuget, and Jimmy Smith. All four players moved up 5 spots each. But the biggest mover of all was Jake Locker, who fell 10 spots from #21 to #31. Btu I can see one of two scenarios on the opening day of the draft concerning Locker: he is going to go in the top 15, or a team will trade up to the end of the round and select the athletic signal caller. Many see Seattle as a team that would take Locker with the 25th pick, but Pete Carroll didn't trade away pick for Charlie Whitehurst for nothing. New England has a history of trading picks, and with the 33rd selection as well, the Patriots could be a trading partner. But Seattle could get a very nice package of picks at #25 if someone is high enough on Locker. The 2011 NFL Draft is in two weeks. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in prime time at Radio City Music Hall.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Settling at the top
Trying to prognosticate the 2011 NFL Draft is like tossing a balloon into a tornado and trying to figure out where it's going to land. You can make a good guess, but that's about all it is. A guess. But by looking at the mock drafts that have been coming out lately, you can see quite a bit of settlement at the top of the draft.
Carolina seems to be sold on Cam Newton. His ability appears to be limitless, and his charisma will do just as much to revitalize the franchise. I have put Newton at the top of my mock draft, and I will be keeping him there.
It appears that Denver has their eyes on Marcell Dareus, the defensive tackle from Alabama. John Fox is a defensive minded coach, and he knows that to rebuild a defense you have to do it from the inside out. Dareus will be the building block he needs, and the return of Elvis Dumervil gives him a first rate pass rusher who will only be helped by the presence of Dareus.
At #4, Cincinnati has been looking at A.J. Green to rebuild their passing attack. The status of Carson Palmer is still up in the air, but is the Bengals take the talented receiver it may be what Palmer is looking for in an offensive upgrade to keep him around at least one more season. If Palmer decides to carry out with his threat to retire, look for the Bengals to make a serious move to get Kevin Kolb once the lockout is over.
Buffalo and Arizona seem to be joined at the hip at the top of the first round. The two choices that are bandied about the most are Von Miller and Blaine Gabbert. If the Bills are sold on Ryan Fitzpatrick as their quarterback, look for them to take Miller. This leaves the Cardinals to select Gabbert, and the happiest person with that pick would be Larry Fitzgerald. If Buffalo takes Gabbert, and if Cam Newton is already gone as well, Arizona will be looking at Miller. For me, Buffalo is convinced that Fitzpatrick is their quarterback, so I look for them to select Miller, with Gabbert going #5 to the Cardinals.
Picks 6 to 10 seems to be as set as they have been at any time during the draft process. Cleveland looks to be choosing between Robert Quinn and Patrick Peterson. I see Mike Holmgren taking the best player in the draft and pairing up Peterson with Joe Haden to form one of the best shutdown corner pairings in the league. Quinn would then go to San Francisco, and give the 49ers perhaps the most athletic pass rusher in the draft. If the Browns select Quinn, I can see San Francisco handing the card with Peterson's name on it before Quinn is off the stage.
Picks 8, 9, and 10 also seems to be falling into place. Look for Nick Fairley to go to Tennessee at #8, Tyron Smith to Dallas at #9, and Julio Jones to Washington at #10. The Titans get the defensive tackle that was once seen as a unanimous first overall selection, the Cowboys get their offensive line anchor, and the Redskins get the offensive playmaker they need.
It will be interesting to see how the draft winds blow in the next three weeks. Player stocks rise and fall very quickly, and in 2011, if something looks to be a certainty, just wait a minute and you are likely to find your mock draft looking like a math test you didn't study for with crossed out names all over the board.
Carolina seems to be sold on Cam Newton. His ability appears to be limitless, and his charisma will do just as much to revitalize the franchise. I have put Newton at the top of my mock draft, and I will be keeping him there.
It appears that Denver has their eyes on Marcell Dareus, the defensive tackle from Alabama. John Fox is a defensive minded coach, and he knows that to rebuild a defense you have to do it from the inside out. Dareus will be the building block he needs, and the return of Elvis Dumervil gives him a first rate pass rusher who will only be helped by the presence of Dareus.
At #4, Cincinnati has been looking at A.J. Green to rebuild their passing attack. The status of Carson Palmer is still up in the air, but is the Bengals take the talented receiver it may be what Palmer is looking for in an offensive upgrade to keep him around at least one more season. If Palmer decides to carry out with his threat to retire, look for the Bengals to make a serious move to get Kevin Kolb once the lockout is over.
Buffalo and Arizona seem to be joined at the hip at the top of the first round. The two choices that are bandied about the most are Von Miller and Blaine Gabbert. If the Bills are sold on Ryan Fitzpatrick as their quarterback, look for them to take Miller. This leaves the Cardinals to select Gabbert, and the happiest person with that pick would be Larry Fitzgerald. If Buffalo takes Gabbert, and if Cam Newton is already gone as well, Arizona will be looking at Miller. For me, Buffalo is convinced that Fitzpatrick is their quarterback, so I look for them to select Miller, with Gabbert going #5 to the Cardinals.
Picks 6 to 10 seems to be as set as they have been at any time during the draft process. Cleveland looks to be choosing between Robert Quinn and Patrick Peterson. I see Mike Holmgren taking the best player in the draft and pairing up Peterson with Joe Haden to form one of the best shutdown corner pairings in the league. Quinn would then go to San Francisco, and give the 49ers perhaps the most athletic pass rusher in the draft. If the Browns select Quinn, I can see San Francisco handing the card with Peterson's name on it before Quinn is off the stage.
Picks 8, 9, and 10 also seems to be falling into place. Look for Nick Fairley to go to Tennessee at #8, Tyron Smith to Dallas at #9, and Julio Jones to Washington at #10. The Titans get the defensive tackle that was once seen as a unanimous first overall selection, the Cowboys get their offensive line anchor, and the Redskins get the offensive playmaker they need.
It will be interesting to see how the draft winds blow in the next three weeks. Player stocks rise and fall very quickly, and in 2011, if something looks to be a certainty, just wait a minute and you are likely to find your mock draft looking like a math test you didn't study for with crossed out names all over the board.
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