FanNation

Just a few leftover Absurd Predictions to conclude my week of crazy blogging: 

1) Only one running back will go in the first round.  Eight will go in the second.  As talented as Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart are, teams need receivers and linemen more, and there are plenty of them with first-round talent.  Plus, the later talent at running back is also great, so most teams with room for a running back will be able to get a Steve Slaton or Ray Rice for much cheaper.

2) Malcolm Kelly will slip to the third round.  There are safer options available at WR.  He’s a classic underachiever, and hasn’t done anything to show he won’t be the next diva wideout. 

3) Someone will reach for the kickers.  There are two place-kickers in the draft pool, Art Carmody and Taylor Melhaff, both of whom are known for their consistency and cool under pressure.  SI projects both as seventh-rounders, but a lot of teams need a young kicker.  They’re probably tired of the Feely/Carney/Elam/Mare/Gramatica/Anderson carousel, and want to find a guy who they can count on for years to come.  One of these guys will go in the fifth, the other in the sixth.

4) Mr. Irrelevant will be… D.J. Wolfe.  The last pick of the draft belongs to the St. Louis Rams, a compensatory pick.  It will be the 252^nd choice.  Wolfe is smart and a hard worker who recently moved to safety from running back at Oklahoma.  He’s still learning a lot about the position, but with coaching could perhaps make a difference someday.  He’s the sort of guy you take a long shot gamble on with the last pick in the draft.