FanNation

It's Way Too Early For This

  I need to do this quick because it has already closed itself twice-once on the blog and once on Word.  This is based off of my rankings for next year, and I will include eligible underclassmen.

1. Atlanta Falcons-Michael Oher/OT/Ole Miss: Oher is easily the best player in this draft.  He's got size, speed, and now a coach who has done a great job with offensive linemen.  He could be a starter from day 1.

2. Chicago Bears-Knowshon Moreno/RB/Georgia: Moreno, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, will come out early.  Cedric Benson is on his way out, and Forte can't carry a team on his own.

Second Day Fodder You Didn't Know About: Linebackers

In keeping with the other two blogs I wrote on lesser known players. The first was about offensive skill positions, while the second was strictly Defensive Lineman.

I'll drop my LB list on you now. Feel free to comment, or just skim and read. I did try to narrow down the list, but there were a few special teamers I added in. One I omitted, but might be of interest was Bo Ruud, who is brother to Buc Barrett, both of whom share the dad who played in the NFL. I guess they're "almost" NFL royalty. Without further ado, here is the LB list:

Second Round-Second Day Fodder: D-Line

This is a continuation of my previous blog that broke down some not so known guys that could go later in the draft. They don't have the flash and dash that the big name guys have, but they could contribute and be second day steals. You can read these for yourself if you have the time and patience on www.nfl.com/draft if you like, but I thought I'd pick out the prospects with the more favorable reviews. 

Red Bryant (DT) A mauler and a great pass rusher. Shows great promise and is compared to Casey Hampton of the Steelers.

You may not have heard of 'em. But you just might later.

I was sifting through the draft report on several of the key prospects on www.nfl.com. It seemed to me that the top 5 guys they had listed at each position weren't all that appealing. So it occurred to me that I'd dig a bit deeper and see if there weren't any second round or even second day picks who'd make an impact. Just so we're clear, I'm just nutshelling what I found on NFL's own site. I tried to pick most guys who showed some promise based upon the bio listed. Anyway...enjoy. Here are the offensive skill positions: 

QB’s

Colt Brennan (QB) Like Alex Smith, good WC guy.

Brian Brohm (QB) Likened to Brees. Slow starter? Good 1ate 1^st or 2^nd round pick

Dennis Dixon (QB) Scrambler likened to Moon. Good one to take a flier on in 2^nd round.

Alex Brink (QB) Smart but streaky? Good 2^nd day pick

Chad Henne (QB) < happy feet, INT’s, too much like Harrington. Streaky.

Josh Johnson (QB) He’ll be a second day sleeper. He is a great scrambler like Cunningham. If given time to develop could wind up a great starting QB.

Sam Keller (QB) A Pocket passer with a big arm. Immobile QB who will need a good line to protect him. Needs to improve mechanics and seek secondary targets.

Xavier Lee (QB)  Has a great arm, but will need to develop as a backup before he can start. He is compared to Tony Banks, and we know how that worked out.

Bernard Morris (QB) He’s compared to Losman. A great athlete, but inconsistent.

Kevin O'Connell (QB) Can make every throw in the NFL, including the long bomb. Might need time to develop behind a starter for a few years.

. T.C. Ostrander (QB) He’s compared to his predecessor Trent Edwards. However there are questions as to his instincts on the field.

Andre' Woodson (QB) He could either be an Akili Smith or a Jason Campbell. This depends upon whether or not he can become a good leader and work on his short range accuracy. He has the tools to be a good QB, but has to develop into the role.

RB’s

Jamaal Charles (RB) is promising tandem back like Julius Jones.

Matt Forte (RB) is a good receiver, has balance and moves like Edge James.

Justin Forsett (RB) Another speedy perimeter runner like MJD.

Jerome Felton (FB) is a punishing back like Bettis.

Chris Johnson (RB) might wind up to be a faster and as dangerous version of Westbrook.

Lex Hilliard (RB) is a Wal-Mart version of MB3 who has similar traits in his punishing running style.

Owen Schmitt (FB) is being compared to Larry Czonka. That’s high praise, but then he’s supposed to be a great blocker and a punishing runner.

Ray Rice (RB) is likened to Emmitt Smith in size and running style. He could be a huge steal if he were to improve his receiving skills.

Kalvin McRae (RB) has strength and speed, but could be a practice squad dummy or a UDFA surprise like Grant was.

Marcus Thomas (RB) is a patient runner who can get the short yardage. He has no breakaway speed, but could be a good change of pace guy.

WR’s

Donnie Avery (WR) Speedy route runner like Kevin Curtis.

Jabari Arthur (WR) is like Brandon Marshall, but not speedy. He can run routes well and might be a good over the middle WR.

Dorien Bryant (WR) is like Sean McDonald. A speedy, second gear type WR.

Adarius Bowman (WR) is similar to Braylon Edwards. He is a good open field runner who is physical.

Will Franklin (WR) is speedy like Roddy White. But he’s not the best route runner.

Harry Douglas (WR) is a speedster like Yamon Figurs.

D.J. Hall (WR) is a good vertical threat.

So these are the skill positions. I'll post OL's and the Defensive side of the ball later. 

It's a Mock Draft...What Else Should I Title It?

OK, so my other Mock Draft just got screwed over by the Dolphins, so I thought to myself...Why not make another one....?

#1 Miami Dolphins-OL Jake Long, Michigan: He got signed today...

#2 St. Louis Rams-DE Chris Long, Virginia: With Jake Long going #1, the Rams lost their coveted offensive lineman, but that was probably their second biggest need in the draft. The Rams need a defensive lineman, and the only other option is Vernon Gholston. I've heard rumors that the Rams don't like him, which probably means that they'll take Gholston, but of the two, Long is probably the better fit for the Rams.

#3 Atlanta Falcons-QB Matt Ryan, Boston College: I had Ryan slipping in my other draft, and I still don't think this is the right pick, as Chris Redman showed some talent last season, and I don't like Ryan, but I can't deny the absolute man-crush that most scouts, and Todd McShay, have on Ryan. Granted, he is a solid QB, but I would liken him to a Jon Kitna. He's got the talent, but he's never gonna be the Peyton Manning-type QB everyone thinks he will be. Still, the Falcons are going to address the QB position. I'd just rather see them do it with an Erik Ainge in the 3rd round.

#4 Oakland Raiders-DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU: Al Davis might be the only person who can publicly admit liking a player, then actually follow through on it, but that isn't what will happen here. McFadden would be a great pick for the Raiders, but unless he has an o-line, he won't do anything. The Raiders won't take an o-lineman here, but they will take Dorsey to help shore up that defense. Sedrick Ellis is probably the better player, but the Raiders will take Dorsey.

#5 Kansas City Chiefs-OG Brandon Albert, Virginia: I had a really tough time with this pick. The Chiefs do not want to be in this situation, because they can't have Long, they can't get Ryan for trade bait, and there are no offensive linemen left who merit top 5 consideration, but Albert is the best left. I think the Chiefs would probably trade out of here, possibly to a team that wants McFadden, but I can't figure out who, besides the Cowboys, that would be...Albert himself is the best lineman remaining, and the Chiefs have needs at both tackle and guard, giving them several options with Albert.

#6 New York Jets-RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas: This, as well, was a very tough pick. Gholston would be a great pick here as well, and the Jets probably need a DE more than a RB, but the Jets also need someone who will help to make a splash with the fans, and that is what McFadden brings, plus himself being a dynamite runner.