The 4th DSA Player Rankings are out, and there is a definite separation at the top. Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Russell Okung and Eric Berry look are the clear choice for the Top 5 of all the mock drafts I have compiled for the latest DSA's, with Bradford moving into the top spot in place of Suh. Bryan Bulaga and Trent Williams are getting a lot of looks at the 4th Overall selection if Russell Okung goes to Detroit at #2. Bulaga is steadily gaining on Jimmy Clausen for the sixth slot in the DSA's because Clausen has dropped in many mock drafts after the Redskins traded for Donovan McNabb. Williams has moved up past Joe Haden for the 8th slot, as Haden has been tabbed for a mid-teen selection and Williams has been getting looks at the 4th slot.
The biggest mover up has been Sean Weatherspoon, moving up four spots from #29 to #25. No big moves down, but Dez Bryant has been on a downward slide ever since his Pro Day Workout. The DSA Player Rankings 4.0 are:
1) Sam Bradford 2.00
2) Ndamukong Suh 2.18
3) Gerald McCoy 3.11
4) Russell Okung 3.89
5) Eric Berry 5.68
6) Jimmy Clausen 8.16
7) Bryan Bulaga 9.26
8) Trent Williams 11.00
9) Joe Haden 11.03
10) Rolando McClain 12.21
11) Derrick Morgan 12.97
12) C.J. Spiller 13.45
13) Dez Bryant 14.21
14) Dan Williams 16.16
15) Anthony Davis 16.95
16) Jason Pierre-Paul 17.53
17) Earl Thomas 17.55
18) Bruce Campbell 18.24
19) Sergio Kindle 21.47
20) Brandon Graham 21.61
21) Mike Iupati 22.45
22) Taylor Mays 22.50
23) Kyle Wilson 23.05
24) Jermaine Gresham 26.66
25) Sean Weatherspoon 27.32
26) Maurkice Pouncey 27.37
27) Carlos Dunlap 27.47
28) Everson Griffen 27.89
29) Brian Price 28.03
30) Ryan Mathews 28.63
31) Jared Odrick 28.87
32) Jerry Hughes 30.42
33) Golden Tate 30.68
34) Charles Brown 31.11
35) Demaryius Thomas 31.13
36) Patrick Robinson 32.13
37) Devin McCourtey 32.37
38) Arrelious Benn 32.84
With two weeks until the 2010 NFL Draft, I can see Bryan Bulaga moving in front of Jimmy Clausen in the DSA's, but one thing is becoming certain: Sam Bradford is going 1st Overall to St. Louis. You can almost say that Detroit is on the clock. Let the deliberations and arguments as to who the Lions will select begin.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Shaking up and settling down at the top of the draft
Moves involving veteran quarterbacks are shaking up and settling down the top of many draft boards for the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft. With the St. Louis Rams releasing Marc Bulger, look for Sam Bradford to not only be the 1st Overall selection, but to be signed and sealed before the draft. He is scheduled to work out for the Rams three days before the draft, but I can't see any scenario at this time where they will not select him. The one thing St. Louis cannot afford is to have a long contract negotiation that leads to a holdout. Bradford may not be ready to start from Day 1, but his development will suffer if he is not in training camp from the start.
The trade for Donovan McNabb has the Washington Redskins looking to take Russell Okung with the 4th selection, but what if Detroit pulls a shocker and takes the top rated tackle with the second pick. If this happens then you are looking for a major shakeup at the top. Tampa Bay will take either Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, and Washington has a decision to make. Take the next best tackle, either Bryan Bulaga or Trent Williams, or select Albert Haynesworth's new best friend and take the premier defensive tackle not selected by the Bucs. Can you imagine Haynesworth and either Suh or McCoy in the middle of the defensive line in Washington? With no pick at the top of the second round, and the draft being as deep as it is, it might be that Washington looks to trade down if they can get a pick in the 10-15 range of the first round and a package of picks later on.
The wheeling and dealing is starting to heat up in earnest. It looks to be an interesting two weeks leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.
The trade for Donovan McNabb has the Washington Redskins looking to take Russell Okung with the 4th selection, but what if Detroit pulls a shocker and takes the top rated tackle with the second pick. If this happens then you are looking for a major shakeup at the top. Tampa Bay will take either Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, and Washington has a decision to make. Take the next best tackle, either Bryan Bulaga or Trent Williams, or select Albert Haynesworth's new best friend and take the premier defensive tackle not selected by the Bucs. Can you imagine Haynesworth and either Suh or McCoy in the middle of the defensive line in Washington? With no pick at the top of the second round, and the draft being as deep as it is, it might be that Washington looks to trade down if they can get a pick in the 10-15 range of the first round and a package of picks later on.
The wheeling and dealing is starting to heat up in earnest. It looks to be an interesting two weeks leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Next stop for Jimmy Clausen
Mike Shanahan seems to be channelling his inner George Allen. The Future Is Now. Many believed that the Redskins would draft Jimmy Clausen with the fourth overall selection in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft. Now that Washington has made the trade for Donovan McNabb, where Clausen lands in the draft could very well be determined by what happens to Jason Campbell.
The Redskins have two options with Campbell. Keep him as a backup, or trade him. The offseason signing of Rex Grossman seems to be the indicator that the backup role is already filled, so now they are looking to trade their former 1st Round pick. Going down from Washington on the draft board, it will be interesting to see if any of the teams in the top half of the draft will make a deal.
Kansas City has Matt Cassell, so that doesn't look like a team that would pick up Campbell. Seattle just traded for Charlie Whitehurst, and they also have Matt Hasslebeck, so their quarterback situation looks to be set. Then there is Cleveland. They released Derek Anderson and traded Brady Quinn, then signed Jake Delhomme and traded for Seneca Wallace. Since Mike Holmgren coached Wallace at Seattle, he knows what he is getting in him and I can't see the new General Manager looking to muddle the quarterback situation there even more by adding another ingredient to the mix. Oakland has JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski. They seem to be upset that McNabb did not land out on the West Coast, and they have to decide whether trading for Campbell is the move that will help them win now.
Buffalo can sit and wait at the ninth slot. They might see Campbell as an improvement over Trent Edwards, or they can select Clausen as their franchise quarterback. A week ago Jimmy Clausen looks to be signing a $20 million plus signing bonus if Washington were to select him fourth overall. Now he might fall out of the top ten if Bufflao looks in another direction. But I don't see Clausen falling too far, and some team is going to get a quarterback who played in a pro style offense in college and now has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. But Clausen will need to hit the ground running. I thought the same thing about Brady Quinn three seasons ago when he fell to #22, but he and his agent overestimated his worth and a holdout cost him dearly. If Clausen gets signed and in camp early, look for him to have an immediate impact with the team that he falls to in the draft.
The Redskins have two options with Campbell. Keep him as a backup, or trade him. The offseason signing of Rex Grossman seems to be the indicator that the backup role is already filled, so now they are looking to trade their former 1st Round pick. Going down from Washington on the draft board, it will be interesting to see if any of the teams in the top half of the draft will make a deal.
Kansas City has Matt Cassell, so that doesn't look like a team that would pick up Campbell. Seattle just traded for Charlie Whitehurst, and they also have Matt Hasslebeck, so their quarterback situation looks to be set. Then there is Cleveland. They released Derek Anderson and traded Brady Quinn, then signed Jake Delhomme and traded for Seneca Wallace. Since Mike Holmgren coached Wallace at Seattle, he knows what he is getting in him and I can't see the new General Manager looking to muddle the quarterback situation there even more by adding another ingredient to the mix. Oakland has JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski. They seem to be upset that McNabb did not land out on the West Coast, and they have to decide whether trading for Campbell is the move that will help them win now.
Buffalo can sit and wait at the ninth slot. They might see Campbell as an improvement over Trent Edwards, or they can select Clausen as their franchise quarterback. A week ago Jimmy Clausen looks to be signing a $20 million plus signing bonus if Washington were to select him fourth overall. Now he might fall out of the top ten if Bufflao looks in another direction. But I don't see Clausen falling too far, and some team is going to get a quarterback who played in a pro style offense in college and now has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. But Clausen will need to hit the ground running. I thought the same thing about Brady Quinn three seasons ago when he fell to #22, but he and his agent overestimated his worth and a holdout cost him dearly. If Clausen gets signed and in camp early, look for him to have an immediate impact with the team that he falls to in the draft.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
2 Picks in the 1st Round
In the 2010 NFL Draft, two teams enter with with picks in the first round. Seattle will be selecting 6th and 14th, and San Francisco with have the 13th and 17th picks. For the most part there are teams that trade up and acquire another first rounder every year.
In 2007, Cleveland selected Joe Thomas 3rd overall, and did not wait to see if Brady Quinn would fall to them in the 2nd Round. They traded with Dallas and moved up to take the Notre Dame quarterback. Their two selections have been half right. Thomas has developed into one of the premier tackles in the league. Quinn held out, watched Derek Anderson have a great season, never did develop into a quality starter and was traded to Denver. Also in 2007, San Francisco had two picks, selecting Patrick Willis and Joe Staley. Their picks have fared better than Cleveland. Willis is one of the best middle linebackers in the game, and Staley, while not nearly in the class of Thomas, has produced far more at tackle than Quinn did at quarterback.
In 2008, five teams wound up with two first round picks. The pair of picks taken by Atlanta have been by far the best of the bunch. Matt Ryan has started since Day 1, and led the Falcons to the playoffs in 2008 and their first ever back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. Baker was thought to be a reach when the Falcons moved up to take him, but he has been a solid tackle, and he looks to protect Ryan for years to come.
In 2009, four teams had two picks in the first round. Detroit had an opportunity to follow the Falcons plan and take a franchise quarterback and left tackle, but after selecting Matthew Stafford first overall they passed on Michael Oher and picked tight end Brandon Pettigrew. While Pettigrew may develop into a quality tight end, Oher had a great season with Baltimore and looks to be their long term answer to replace Jonathon Ogden.
But the best pair of picks may turn out to be Green Bay in 2009, with their selections of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. Raji looks to be the run stuffing nose tackle they need for their 3-4 defense, and Matthews showed that even though he was a bit overshadowed at USC by fellow linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, he excelled in his rookie season.
With the depth of talent in the 2010 NFL Draft, it will be interesting to see if either Seattle or San Francisco will trade down and stockpile picks or hold onto their selections. I have Seattle taking Bryan Bulaga and C.J. Spiller, and the 49ers taking Trent Williams and Sergio Kindle. Seattle needs to replace Walter Jones, and Pete Carroll might be looking to use Spiller the same way he did with Reggie Bush at USC. I can see them holding onto both selections. San Francisco is looking for a tackle to pair up with Staley, and there is plenty of depth at the position. If they can trade down and possibly select Charles Brown or Anthony Davis, and even get Kindle or maybe Taylor Mays later in the first round look for the 49ers to be active trading partners in the opening round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
In 2007, Cleveland selected Joe Thomas 3rd overall, and did not wait to see if Brady Quinn would fall to them in the 2nd Round. They traded with Dallas and moved up to take the Notre Dame quarterback. Their two selections have been half right. Thomas has developed into one of the premier tackles in the league. Quinn held out, watched Derek Anderson have a great season, never did develop into a quality starter and was traded to Denver. Also in 2007, San Francisco had two picks, selecting Patrick Willis and Joe Staley. Their picks have fared better than Cleveland. Willis is one of the best middle linebackers in the game, and Staley, while not nearly in the class of Thomas, has produced far more at tackle than Quinn did at quarterback.
In 2008, five teams wound up with two first round picks. The pair of picks taken by Atlanta have been by far the best of the bunch. Matt Ryan has started since Day 1, and led the Falcons to the playoffs in 2008 and their first ever back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. Baker was thought to be a reach when the Falcons moved up to take him, but he has been a solid tackle, and he looks to protect Ryan for years to come.
In 2009, four teams had two picks in the first round. Detroit had an opportunity to follow the Falcons plan and take a franchise quarterback and left tackle, but after selecting Matthew Stafford first overall they passed on Michael Oher and picked tight end Brandon Pettigrew. While Pettigrew may develop into a quality tight end, Oher had a great season with Baltimore and looks to be their long term answer to replace Jonathon Ogden.
But the best pair of picks may turn out to be Green Bay in 2009, with their selections of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. Raji looks to be the run stuffing nose tackle they need for their 3-4 defense, and Matthews showed that even though he was a bit overshadowed at USC by fellow linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, he excelled in his rookie season.
With the depth of talent in the 2010 NFL Draft, it will be interesting to see if either Seattle or San Francisco will trade down and stockpile picks or hold onto their selections. I have Seattle taking Bryan Bulaga and C.J. Spiller, and the 49ers taking Trent Williams and Sergio Kindle. Seattle needs to replace Walter Jones, and Pete Carroll might be looking to use Spiller the same way he did with Reggie Bush at USC. I can see them holding onto both selections. San Francisco is looking for a tackle to pair up with Staley, and there is plenty of depth at the position. If they can trade down and possibly select Charles Brown or Anthony Davis, and even get Kindle or maybe Taylor Mays later in the first round look for the 49ers to be active trading partners in the opening round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The 3rd Quarterback off the Board
Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen will be the first two quarterbacks taken in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft. Since quarterback is the premier position in football, it is interesting that there is such little depth at the top of the position rankings. But it is looking more and more that Colt McCoy will be the third quarterback taken in the draft.
If you are looking for a quarerback who comes from a winning program, played in a BCS National Championship game, did not play in a pro style offense, took snaps out of the shotgun in a spread offense, and suffered a shoulder injury in his final season, you have your choice of players in Bradford and McCoy. I think it's strange that they are rated so far apart. McCoy is more mobile in the pocket, played a full four years and college and played under a spotlight that few quarterbacks ever have.
If you remember, McCoy started as a freshman taking over a team that went undefeated and was led by Vince Young to victory over USC in the BCS National Championship game. I don't believe you can measure how high the expectations were for McCoy. Although he did not deliver a National Championship, his Texas Longhorns finished with the same record as Bradford's Oklahoma Sooners in 2008 and beat them head to head. Only a loss to Texas Tech later in the season cost them a chance to play Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators for the National Championship.
McCoy did lead Texas to the BCS National Championship game in 2009, but an injury to his right shoulder cost him a chance to prove himself against the stout defense of Alabama. His recent Pro Day workout showed that his shoulder has healed, and he hit on all 45 passes. Now the question is: how high will McCoy go, and who will take him?
If Washington passes on Jimmy Clausen in the first round and takes Russell Okung, do they take McCoy with their pick in the second round? It may be a bit of a reach, but it will also be a good fit. McCoy could learn from Mike Shanahan while palying behind Jason Campbell. With a veteran quarterback in place he would not be rushed into the starting lineup, where Clausen would be if taken 4th overall. One knock against McCoy is his defeciency in reading defenses. Show me a quarterback who reads pro defenses right of college and I'll show you a freak of nature. There isn't a quarterback coming into the draft this year who is ready to play as much as Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez were the previous two seasons. McCoy may be a reach early in the second round, but some team is going to get a quality player who will be able to help them down the road.
If you are looking for a quarerback who comes from a winning program, played in a BCS National Championship game, did not play in a pro style offense, took snaps out of the shotgun in a spread offense, and suffered a shoulder injury in his final season, you have your choice of players in Bradford and McCoy. I think it's strange that they are rated so far apart. McCoy is more mobile in the pocket, played a full four years and college and played under a spotlight that few quarterbacks ever have.
If you remember, McCoy started as a freshman taking over a team that went undefeated and was led by Vince Young to victory over USC in the BCS National Championship game. I don't believe you can measure how high the expectations were for McCoy. Although he did not deliver a National Championship, his Texas Longhorns finished with the same record as Bradford's Oklahoma Sooners in 2008 and beat them head to head. Only a loss to Texas Tech later in the season cost them a chance to play Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators for the National Championship.
McCoy did lead Texas to the BCS National Championship game in 2009, but an injury to his right shoulder cost him a chance to prove himself against the stout defense of Alabama. His recent Pro Day workout showed that his shoulder has healed, and he hit on all 45 passes. Now the question is: how high will McCoy go, and who will take him?
If Washington passes on Jimmy Clausen in the first round and takes Russell Okung, do they take McCoy with their pick in the second round? It may be a bit of a reach, but it will also be a good fit. McCoy could learn from Mike Shanahan while palying behind Jason Campbell. With a veteran quarterback in place he would not be rushed into the starting lineup, where Clausen would be if taken 4th overall. One knock against McCoy is his defeciency in reading defenses. Show me a quarterback who reads pro defenses right of college and I'll show you a freak of nature. There isn't a quarterback coming into the draft this year who is ready to play as much as Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez were the previous two seasons. McCoy may be a reach early in the second round, but some team is going to get a quality player who will be able to help them down the road.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Round 2 on Day 2
With the 2010 NFL Draft spread out over 3 days, it will be interesting to see what kind of trades are going to be made after the first round. Normally, the St. Louis Rams would have 8 minutes to make their pick at the top of Round 2, but this year they have all night. A night to go over their choices and a night to field offers.
With the draft as deep as it is, there are two ways to look at it. Moving up doesn't make sense because you are going to get first round talent well into the second round. But there are going to be some very good players that teams may look to trade up to get. If you are looking for a defensive tackle, and Terrence Cody, Brian Price and Jared Odrick are still there after Round 1, do you get on the phone or play the waiting game? The same goes for the offensive line. Maurkice Pouncey, Charles Brown, Rodger Saffold and even Bruce Campbell might be available. If the receivers slip, you are looking at Golden Tate, Demaryius Thomas, Arrelious Benn and Brandon LaFell. Need a tight end? How about Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Ed Dickson. There is plenty of depth available at every position, not just the ones I have listed here.
With the extra night between Round 1 and Round 2 are teams going to make the trades to get the players they want? I believe there is going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing going on into the wee hours of the morning. It could make for an interesting Round 2.
With the draft as deep as it is, there are two ways to look at it. Moving up doesn't make sense because you are going to get first round talent well into the second round. But there are going to be some very good players that teams may look to trade up to get. If you are looking for a defensive tackle, and Terrence Cody, Brian Price and Jared Odrick are still there after Round 1, do you get on the phone or play the waiting game? The same goes for the offensive line. Maurkice Pouncey, Charles Brown, Rodger Saffold and even Bruce Campbell might be available. If the receivers slip, you are looking at Golden Tate, Demaryius Thomas, Arrelious Benn and Brandon LaFell. Need a tight end? How about Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Ed Dickson. There is plenty of depth available at every position, not just the ones I have listed here.
With the extra night between Round 1 and Round 2 are teams going to make the trades to get the players they want? I believe there is going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing going on into the wee hours of the morning. It could make for an interesting Round 2.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
A Mock Draft Redux?
I was going to post my latest Mock Draft, then it occurred to me. I can't see any changes I want to make at this time. There are some players I believe might swap spots, but for the most part what I believed before holds true for me now:
St. Louis will take Sam Bradford 1st overall, even more so after his Pro Day Workout.
Mike Shanahan feels the need to build a better offensive line is more important that taking Jimmy Clausen, since he has Jason Campbell as his quarterback and a below average line.
Seattle needs to rebuild their offensive line as well, and Bryan Bulaga is the best option at #6.
Cleveland need help at cornerback and on the line on both sides of the ball. Taking Joe Haden at #7 and selecting a quality lineman in the second round is their best option.
Oakland loves the athletic ability of Bruce Campbell enough to take him 8th overall, though they could easily take Trent Williams here as well.
Buffalo is going to do backflips when Jimmy Clausen falls to them at #9.
Denver will take Dez Bryant, because his athletic ability and the uncertainty of Brandon Marshall will make him too tough to pass on.
San Francisco gets their offensive tackle in Trent Williams, but if Oakland takes him then they will most likely take Anthony Davis or Campbell.
Pittsburgh gets some protection for Ben Roethlisberger by taking the most versatile offensive lineman in Mike Iupati.
Houston gets their replacement for Dunta Robinson by selecting Kyle Wilson.
Cincinnati beefs up their running game and gets a big target for Carson Palmer by taking Jermaine Gresham.
Philadelphia gets a safety that many see as the best in the class in Earl Thomas, but I wonder how many teams who were thinking about taking him will get scared off because of Thomas grabbing his hamstring at the end of his 40 yard dash during his pro day workout. If the Eagles get him at #24 it is going to be a steal.
Dallas is going to get a quality tackle in Charles Brown, even though he pulled up with a hamstring as well during his Pro Day 40 Yard Dash.
San Diego might take Terrence Cody to plug up the center of the defensive line, but I don't believe they see Darren Sproles as the full time back they need, and Ryan Mathews can fit the bill.
The New York Jets get another target for Mark Sanchez in taking Golden Tate.
New Orleans shores up their defense in getting Sean Weatherspoon with the final pick of the first round.
I'll be posting my final mock draft the week of the draft, but for now I don't see it changing much. But you never know.
St. Louis will take Sam Bradford 1st overall, even more so after his Pro Day Workout.
Mike Shanahan feels the need to build a better offensive line is more important that taking Jimmy Clausen, since he has Jason Campbell as his quarterback and a below average line.
Seattle needs to rebuild their offensive line as well, and Bryan Bulaga is the best option at #6.
Cleveland need help at cornerback and on the line on both sides of the ball. Taking Joe Haden at #7 and selecting a quality lineman in the second round is their best option.
Oakland loves the athletic ability of Bruce Campbell enough to take him 8th overall, though they could easily take Trent Williams here as well.
Buffalo is going to do backflips when Jimmy Clausen falls to them at #9.
Denver will take Dez Bryant, because his athletic ability and the uncertainty of Brandon Marshall will make him too tough to pass on.
San Francisco gets their offensive tackle in Trent Williams, but if Oakland takes him then they will most likely take Anthony Davis or Campbell.
Pittsburgh gets some protection for Ben Roethlisberger by taking the most versatile offensive lineman in Mike Iupati.
Houston gets their replacement for Dunta Robinson by selecting Kyle Wilson.
Cincinnati beefs up their running game and gets a big target for Carson Palmer by taking Jermaine Gresham.
Philadelphia gets a safety that many see as the best in the class in Earl Thomas, but I wonder how many teams who were thinking about taking him will get scared off because of Thomas grabbing his hamstring at the end of his 40 yard dash during his pro day workout. If the Eagles get him at #24 it is going to be a steal.
Dallas is going to get a quality tackle in Charles Brown, even though he pulled up with a hamstring as well during his Pro Day 40 Yard Dash.
San Diego might take Terrence Cody to plug up the center of the defensive line, but I don't believe they see Darren Sproles as the full time back they need, and Ryan Mathews can fit the bill.
The New York Jets get another target for Mark Sanchez in taking Golden Tate.
New Orleans shores up their defense in getting Sean Weatherspoon with the final pick of the first round.
I'll be posting my final mock draft the week of the draft, but for now I don't see it changing much. But you never know.
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