TMC
04-23-2008, 09:11 AM
1-Miami made the best choice. I am not against Dorsey, Long, or Gholston, but IF Jake Long fails at LT, he should be a solid RT for years. And, he can always move inside to LG. I just do not see the Dolphins not getting value out of his deal and IF he becomes another Joe Thomas, they have 4 pieces of a line in place for the next 4 seasons or so.
2-I think the Rams take Chris Long OR trade down and I think the team that wants the 2nd pick the most is the Saints. In fact, the Saints moving to #2 makes more sense than any other trade in the draft. The Saints want Glenn Dorsey, a hometown hero, that not only will make their team better, but will put butts in the seats. The cost, the 1st and 2nd this season and some future picks, at the very least, a 2nd and 3rd next season. Why would the Rams do this? There are rumors they are split on the pick, needing a DE but having Dorsey as the clear cut BPA. A trade down gives them value and allows them to add a DE like Derrick Harvey.
3-There are a couple guys I think slide in the first. I would be very surprised is Rodgers-Cromartie does not slide outside the top 15. His kidney issues have to make teams a little wary. I think that Ryan Clady has rubbed some teams wrong with his visits/interviews and could slide more than any other guy. In fact, I think that Chris Williams, Brandon Albert, and Jeff Otah go ahead of Clady.
4-There are some risers. Of course, Brandon Albert has rocketed, so he is obvious. Watch for Devon Thomas to go in the Top 20, maybe the Top 15. Derrick Harvey probably won't make it outside the top 10, but definitely won't go past Carolina. Three runningbacks will go top 20. Three defensive ends as well. I think the rush on DL probably pushes a guy like Balmer in the top 20.
5-Do the Raiders fill a need or take the hot pick in McFadden? IMO, I would draft Sedric Ellis. Not only is he a stud, they have issues on the defensive line. IMO, Ellis and Dorsey are top 5 talents, McFadden is not. My top 5 are Ellis, Dorsey, Long, Long, and Gholston....but I think Gholston has the biggest bust potential. With that said, the Raiders take McFadden. Maybe the worst kept draft secet.
6-Teams will not draft the tackles as readily as we think they will. With depth at tackle being stated as great, teams will opt to fill needs at other positions and wait because they feel they can get a tackle later. Carolina is watching a DE and RB. The Lions are watching the same DEs and RB as well as linebackers. Houston is watching RBs and corners. The Chiefs trade of Allen may kill our chances of getting a tackle. Certainly they will opt for one of the top 5 guys if they slide (and, IMO, this may kill the Ravens chance of getting Ryan).
7-I think the Eagles and Bills make a trade. Philly wants to secure a tackle. The Bills want a WR and like Devon Thomas. I think we see the Eagles use Lito Sheppard to move up to #11. The Bills would get a corner and a shot at the #1 WR while the Eagles could draft a better player without giving up a starter.
8-I do not think the Steelers take a corner in the first round. Talib has some issues that have surfaced and word is Dallas really likes him. Jenkins visited, but I do not think he gets past Tampa Bay and may be a target of Houston. Cason is the other guy that visited, but I think he is a target if we move down. The RBs are also very unlikely. I think the top 3 are gone and Chris Johnson, who visited, is a trade down target. If the Steelers fail to catch a sliding CB or RB, offensive lineman/trade down is the move and if it is a lineman, Cherilus is probably our guy.
9-I think the 2nd round target will be a pass rusher or wide receiver. The 3rd round targets are corners and defensive linemen.
10-No matter what happens in the first round, half the board will hate it, half will love it. There will be no Ben Roethlisberger unity on Saturday. How the front office performs on Sunday will determine how well our team will be in 2 seasons. Draft poorly, we have holes like we do now. Draft well, and we are reloading next season, not rebuilding.
My early top 10 prediction:
1-Jake Long (I am sure of this one)
2-Glenn Dorsey
3-Matt Ryan
4-Chris Long
5-Brandon Albert (I know, I know)
6-Vernon Gholston
7-Sedric Ellis (the Pats/Saints will trade if Ellis is here)
8-Leodis McKelvin
9-Keith Rivers
10-Derrick Harvey (another Pats trade)
2-I think the Rams take Chris Long OR trade down and I think the team that wants the 2nd pick the most is the Saints. In fact, the Saints moving to #2 makes more sense than any other trade in the draft. The Saints want Glenn Dorsey, a hometown hero, that not only will make their team better, but will put butts in the seats. The cost, the 1st and 2nd this season and some future picks, at the very least, a 2nd and 3rd next season. Why would the Rams do this? There are rumors they are split on the pick, needing a DE but having Dorsey as the clear cut BPA. A trade down gives them value and allows them to add a DE like Derrick Harvey.
3-There are a couple guys I think slide in the first. I would be very surprised is Rodgers-Cromartie does not slide outside the top 15. His kidney issues have to make teams a little wary. I think that Ryan Clady has rubbed some teams wrong with his visits/interviews and could slide more than any other guy. In fact, I think that Chris Williams, Brandon Albert, and Jeff Otah go ahead of Clady.
4-There are some risers. Of course, Brandon Albert has rocketed, so he is obvious. Watch for Devon Thomas to go in the Top 20, maybe the Top 15. Derrick Harvey probably won't make it outside the top 10, but definitely won't go past Carolina. Three runningbacks will go top 20. Three defensive ends as well. I think the rush on DL probably pushes a guy like Balmer in the top 20.
5-Do the Raiders fill a need or take the hot pick in McFadden? IMO, I would draft Sedric Ellis. Not only is he a stud, they have issues on the defensive line. IMO, Ellis and Dorsey are top 5 talents, McFadden is not. My top 5 are Ellis, Dorsey, Long, Long, and Gholston....but I think Gholston has the biggest bust potential. With that said, the Raiders take McFadden. Maybe the worst kept draft secet.
6-Teams will not draft the tackles as readily as we think they will. With depth at tackle being stated as great, teams will opt to fill needs at other positions and wait because they feel they can get a tackle later. Carolina is watching a DE and RB. The Lions are watching the same DEs and RB as well as linebackers. Houston is watching RBs and corners. The Chiefs trade of Allen may kill our chances of getting a tackle. Certainly they will opt for one of the top 5 guys if they slide (and, IMO, this may kill the Ravens chance of getting Ryan).
7-I think the Eagles and Bills make a trade. Philly wants to secure a tackle. The Bills want a WR and like Devon Thomas. I think we see the Eagles use Lito Sheppard to move up to #11. The Bills would get a corner and a shot at the #1 WR while the Eagles could draft a better player without giving up a starter.
8-I do not think the Steelers take a corner in the first round. Talib has some issues that have surfaced and word is Dallas really likes him. Jenkins visited, but I do not think he gets past Tampa Bay and may be a target of Houston. Cason is the other guy that visited, but I think he is a target if we move down. The RBs are also very unlikely. I think the top 3 are gone and Chris Johnson, who visited, is a trade down target. If the Steelers fail to catch a sliding CB or RB, offensive lineman/trade down is the move and if it is a lineman, Cherilus is probably our guy.
9-I think the 2nd round target will be a pass rusher or wide receiver. The 3rd round targets are corners and defensive linemen.
10-No matter what happens in the first round, half the board will hate it, half will love it. There will be no Ben Roethlisberger unity on Saturday. How the front office performs on Sunday will determine how well our team will be in 2 seasons. Draft poorly, we have holes like we do now. Draft well, and we are reloading next season, not rebuilding.
My early top 10 prediction:
1-Jake Long (I am sure of this one)
2-Glenn Dorsey
3-Matt Ryan
4-Chris Long
5-Brandon Albert (I know, I know)
6-Vernon Gholston
7-Sedric Ellis (the Pats/Saints will trade if Ellis is here)
8-Leodis McKelvin
9-Keith Rivers
10-Derrick Harvey (another Pats trade)