Andy Dufresne's collection of in-season mock drafts. (1 Viewer)

[Andy Dufresne]

The Vikings' team motto? "Just wait 'til next year!"

I'm just getting familiar with a lot of the up and coming college players. Chaos Commish, Sigmund Bloom, and COlin are all more advanced as scouts than I. But I think I'm getting a pretty good handle on what NFL teams need. So I though I'd give it a try. I had some fancy commentary, but I think I'll save it for later this year.

I have no idea what the draft order will look like. Teams that look playoff bound one week are turning up as top 5 pick type teams. What's a guy to do?

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Andre' Woodson, QB - Kentucky

2. Minnesota Vikings - Brian Brohm, QB - Louisville

3. Atlanta Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB - Arkansas

4. Buffalo Bills - Glenn Dorsey, DT - LSU

5. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT - Michigan

6. Dallas Cowboys (via Cle) - Kenny Phillips, S - Miami (FL)

7. New York Giants - Malcolm Jenkins, CB - Ohio St.

8. Oakland Raiders - Sam Baker, OT - USC

10. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE - Virginia

11. San Diego Chargers - James Laurinitis, MLB - Ohio St.

12. Tampa Bay Bucs - Dan Connor - LB, Penn State

13. Arizona Cardinals - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona St.

14. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT - USC

14. Detroit Lions - DeJuan Tribble, CB - Boston College

15. New York Jets - Gosder Cherilus, OT - Boston College

16. Tennessee Titans - Desean Jackson, WR - California

17. Patriots (via SF) - Quentin Groves, DE/OLB - Auburn

18. Houston Texans - Terrell Thomas, CB - USC

19. New Orleans Saints - Philip Wheeler, LB - Georgia Tech

20. Washington Redskins - Calais Campbell, DE - Miami (FL)

21. Baltimore Ravens - Tommy Blake, DE - TCU

22. Green Bay Packers - Steve Slaton, RB - West Virginia

23. Jacksonville Jaguars - Early Doucet, WR - LSU

24. Carolina Panthers - Jasper Brinkley, LB - South Carolina

25. Philadelphia Eagles - Aqib Talib, CB/S - Kansas

26. Denver Broncos - Frank Okam, DT - Texas

27. Chicago Bears - Matt Ryan, QB - Boston College

28. Pittsburgh Steelers - Steve Justice, C - Wake Forest

29. Seattle Seahawks - Tashard Choice, RB - Georgia Tech

30. Dallas Cowboys - Adarius Bowman, WR - Oklahoma State

31. San Francisco - D.J. Hall, WR - Alabama

 

[GoBills02]

Honestly, Buffalo has to trade down and get more picks. CB, DT, LB are the biggest needs. DT is the only position they're healthy in right now.

 

[plymkr]

Andy,

Get off of the ledge. The Vikings are not so bad that they are getting the second pick of the draft. Wishful thinking. Strong D and solid run game won't let that happen. I don't know alot about the college players yet, but I love draft info!

 

[BroadwayG]

I like these, but I think GB will take the best corner available in the draft.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Andy,Get off of the ledge. The Vikings are not so bad that they are getting the second pick of the draft. Wishful thinking. Strong D and solid run game won't let that happen. I don't know alot about the college players yet, but I love draft info!

Imagine I'm saying this as nicely as I can - You have no idea what you're talking about. The defense isn't that good. The backfield is getting exposed now and it won't be long before teams take advantage of that.And that offense may be historically bad.Plus the schedule only gets worse from here.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I like these, but I think GB will take the best corner available in the draft.

I originally had them taking a corner. When I switched the draft order around a bit, I ended up with them staring Slaton in the eye.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Honestly, Buffalo has to trade down and get more picks. CB, DT, LB are the biggest needs. DT is the only position they're healthy in right now.

Not to pick on you, but since you're first, I have to throw out this disclaimer:Please refrain from saying "team X should trade down to get more picks" in ANY of my mocks. We know that. But the problem is that it's very rare event because it's a very expensive proposition for the team trading up.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Andy,Get off of the ledge. The Vikings are not so bad that they are getting the second pick of the draft. Wishful thinking. Strong D and solid run game won't let that happen. I don't know alot about the college players yet, but I love draft info!

You have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[plymkr]

Andy,Get off of the ledge. The Vikings are not so bad that they are getting the second pick of the draft. Wishful thinking. Strong D and solid run game won't let that happen. I don't know alot about the college players yet, but I love draft info!

Imagine I'm saying this as nicely as I can - You have no idea what you're talking about. The defense isn't that good. The backfield is getting exposed now and it won't be long before teams take advantage of that.And that offense may be historically bad.Plus the schedule only gets worse from here.

They aren't great, but I have to disagree that they are that bad. We will see, it's a long season and we can disagree and revisit this later in the year.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Bears 27th?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?

Makes no sense to me...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Bears 27th?

Uh, yeah. About that...Somebody's got to win the NFC North. And I'm not sold on it being either the Lions or the Packers quite yet. The NFC is the suck. Who else makes the playoffs?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Bears 27th?

Uh, yeah. About that...Somebody's got to win the NFC North. And I'm not sold on it being either the Lions or the Packers quite yet. The NFC is the suck. Who else makes the playoffs?

The Pack run away with it. Just watch

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Bears 27th?

Uh, yeah. About that...Somebody's got to win the NFC North. And I'm not sold on it being either the Lions or the Packers quite yet. The NFC is the suck. Who else makes the playoffs?

The Pack run away with it. Just watch

Well. According to this, I have both in the playoffs, so....

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Bears 27th?

Uh, yeah. About that...Somebody's got to win the NFC North. And I'm not sold on it being either the Lions or the Packers quite yet. The NFC is the suck. Who else makes the playoffs?

If Lovie keeps sticking with Grossman (and of course if the defense keeps losing players to injury at an alarming rate - Vasher and Briggs being the latest victims), it won't be the Bears. I'm not sold on the Lions, but the Packers are looking like a playoff team right now.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I was hoping we could discuss players and the teams they could go to, not the draft order.

 

[JimboJim]

6. Dallas Cowboys (via Cle) - Kenny Phillips, S - Miami (FL)21. Baltimore Ravens - Tommy Blake, DE - TCU27. Chicago Bears - Matt Ryan, QB - Boston College

- Look for the Cowsboys to go offense with that first pick. There are a ton of young high priced draft picks on their D (Ware, Spencer, Newman, Williams, Carpenter, Spears). My best guess would have them going McFadden if he's there, or either a WR like Jackson or an OT like Long/Baker.- Tommy Blake will be a top ten pick next spring. He's a little small, but gets after the QB better than anyone else out there right now; think Dwight Freeney.- If Ryan keeps playing like he has been, I could see him ending up as a top ten pick. The QB class looks amazingly deep this season with Woodson, Brohm and Ryan as the top three, and a bunch of guys like Henne, Ainge, Booty, Brennan and Keller that could all go in the first two rounds.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Don't let Chaos Commish see you with Choice in there...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Don't let Chaos Commish see you with Choice in there...

 

[massraider]

The way it stands, I'd be happy with the Raiders getting a DE, DT, or OT. Any of those will do.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

6. Dallas Cowboys (via Cle) - Kenny Phillips, S - Miami (FL)21. Baltimore Ravens - Tommy Blake, DE - TCU27. Chicago Bears - Matt Ryan, QB - Boston College

- Look for the Cowsboys to go offense with that first pick. There are a ton of young high priced draft picks on their D (Ware, Spencer, Newman, Williams, Carpenter, Spears). My best guess would have them going McFadden if he's there, or either a WR like Jackson or an OT like Long/Baker.- Tommy Blake will be a top ten pick next spring. He's a little small, but gets after the QB better than anyone else out there right now; think Dwight Freeney.- If Ryan keeps playing like he has been, I could see him ending up as a top ten pick. The QB class looks amazingly deep this season with Woodson, Brohm and Ryan as the top three, and a bunch of guys like Henne, Ainge, Booty, Brennan and Keller that could all go in the first two rounds.

If Barber continues the way he's begun this season, I don't think they'll take McFadden. I could definitely see them going WR or OT, though.A lot of where a QB goes is dependent on which team picks where. Like we saw with Quinn this year, it wasn't about his talent as much as it was teams just weren't looking QB this year.

 

[corpcow]

Andy,Get off of the ledge. The Vikings are not so bad that they are getting the second pick of the draft. Wishful thinking. Strong D and solid run game won't let that happen. I don't know alot about the college players yet, but I love draft info!

You have no idea what you are talking about.

I agree that maybe they'll struggle a bit, but I don't see them finishing behind Atlanta or Buffalo...

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Don't let Chaos Commish see you with Choice in there...

LOL, he knows I'm just kidding.I hope.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Andy,Get off of the ledge. The Vikings are not so bad that they are getting the second pick of the draft. Wishful thinking. Strong D and solid run game won't let that happen. I don't know alot about the college players yet, but I love draft info!

You have no idea what you are talking about.

I agree that maybe they'll struggle a bit, but I don't see them finishing behind Atlanta or Buffalo...

That may be true. Buffalo is getting decimated by injuries.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

 

[Bankerguy]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Have you seen McFadden, dude is downright scary.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

If he can't beat out 65 year old, 125lb Warrick Dunn...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

If he can't beat out 65 year old, 125lb Warrick Dunn...

Part of the reason he can't beat out Dunn has to do with Dunn as a person and ambassador if you will for the Falcons. It will take longer than against a similar performing older RB on another team, but I still think Norwood takes over the #1 job by year's end.

 

[southeastjerome]

Interesting on Tribble being the first BC guy off the board. I love Tribble, but I think concerns about his size could bump him down a little later than that. And Matty Ice would be a steal for the bears at 27. You're right, it all depends on how the teams line up. A lot of the teams in the top 20 have good young QB's. And a team like Detroit might be beyond desperate in the secondary. Imagine if he landed in Detroit as the heir apparent to Kitna? If Martz stays then Ryan's numbers in the pro's could look like his college numbers.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

That's reductionist to the point of absurdity...Of course you have to take your current roster composition into account when drafting...Now do you reach for a player a round early to fit a need, no...But you don't blindly pick the BPA no matter what...And especially with that high of a pick, picking a guy at a position where you have talent and youth is ridiculous...

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

I thought Minny didn't draft for need? Wasn't that your position earlier?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

That's reductionist to the point of absurdity...Of course you have to take your current roster composition into account when drafting...Now do you reach for a player a round early to fit a need, no...But you don't blindly pick the BPA no matter what...And especially with that high of a pick, picking a guy at a position where you have talent and youth is ridiculous...

I totally disagree.

 

[zamboni]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

If Norwood was viewed an every down back, I think Petrino wouldn't be starting Dunn and giving him most of the carries.As for more significant needs, they could indeed enter, say, the Michael Turner sweepstakes and use that high pick elsewhere.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I thought Minny didn't draft for need? Wasn't that your position earlier?

Earlier when? I don't remember saying that.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

I thought Minny didn't draft for need? Wasn't that your position earlier?

Earlier when? I don't remember saying that.

The whole "Why did Minnesota draft Adrian Peterso if they already had Chester Taylor" thing..

 

[ScoobyDoo]

I thought Minny didn't draft for need? Wasn't that your position earlier?

Earlier when? I don't remember saying that.

I never said that either.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Interesting on Tribble being the first BC guy off the board. I love Tribble, but I think concerns about his size could bump him down a little later than that. And Matty Ice would be a steal for the bears at 27. You're right, it all depends on how the teams line up. A lot of the teams in the top 20 have good young QB's. And a team like Detroit might be beyond desperate in the secondary. Imagine if he landed in Detroit as the heir apparent to Kitna? If Martz stays then Ryan's numbers in the pro's could look like his college numbers.

They can't flush 2nd rounder Stanton after just one year on IR. They can't and likely won't draft a QB.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

That's reductionist to the point of absurdity...Of course you have to take your current roster composition into account when drafting...Now do you reach for a player a round early to fit a need, no...But you don't blindly pick the BPA no matter what...And especially with that high of a pick, picking a guy at a position where you have talent and youth is ridiculous...

I totally disagree.

So you really think you don't look at your roster composition AT ALL when figuring out who to pick?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Interesting on Tribble being the first BC guy off the board. I love Tribble, but I think concerns about his size could bump him down a little later than that. And Matty Ice would be a steal for the bears at 27. You're right, it all depends on how the teams line up. A lot of the teams in the top 20 have good young QB's. And a team like Detroit might be beyond desperate in the secondary. Imagine if he landed in Detroit as the heir apparent to Kitna? If Martz stays then Ryan's numbers in the pro's could look like his college numbers.

They can't flush 2nd rounder Stanton after just one year on IR. They can't and likely won't draft a QB.

But I thought you shouldn't consider your current roster's composition when drafting?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

That's reductionist to the point of absurdity...Of course you have to take your current roster composition into account when drafting...Now do you reach for a player a round early to fit a need, no...But you don't blindly pick the BPA no matter what...And especially with that high of a pick, picking a guy at a position where you have talent and youth is ridiculous...

I totally disagree.

So you really think you don't look at your roster composition AT ALL when figuring out who to pick?

I didn't say that either.But if you honestly think that anyone in the first round with a backfield of Norwood/Dunn should pass on McFadden, well, that's insane.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I thought Minny didn't draft for need? Wasn't that your position earlier?

Earlier when? I don't remember saying that.

The whole "Why did Minnesota draft Adrian Peterso if they already had Chester Taylor" thing..

Blind squirrels pick up nuts every now and then and the AP pick was a departure from the status quo.For better examples of the Vikings picking for need, see Ryan Cook and Troy Williamson.

 

[Fiddles]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Interesting on Tribble being the first BC guy off the board. I love Tribble, but I think concerns about his size could bump him down a little later than that. And Matty Ice would be a steal for the bears at 27. You're right, it all depends on how the teams line up. A lot of the teams in the top 20 have good young QB's. And a team like Detroit might be beyond desperate in the secondary. Imagine if he landed in Detroit as the heir apparent to Kitna? If Martz stays then Ryan's numbers in the pro's could look like his college numbers.

They can't flush 2nd rounder Stanton after just one year on IR. They can't and likely won't draft a QB.

But I thought you shouldn't consider your current roster's composition when drafting?

Norwood is so good that he got 6 carries for 32 yards yesterday. With a long of 26, which while nice means he went 5 for 6 with the remainder.I considered Atlanta's roster when considering who they'd draft and I don't think Norwood is that good. If you do, great. Who should they take instead?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Interesting on Tribble being the first BC guy off the board. I love Tribble, but I think concerns about his size could bump him down a little later than that. And Matty Ice would be a steal for the bears at 27. You're right, it all depends on how the teams line up. A lot of the teams in the top 20 have good young QB's. And a team like Detroit might be beyond desperate in the secondary. Imagine if he landed in Detroit as the heir apparent to Kitna? If Martz stays then Ryan's numbers in the pro's could look like his college numbers.

They can't flush 2nd rounder Stanton after just one year on IR. They can't and likely won't draft a QB.

But I thought you shouldn't consider your current roster's composition when drafting?

I considered Atlanta's roster when considering who they'd draft and I don't think Norwood is that good. If you do, great. Who should they take instead?

It totally depends on where they are drafting from, but I would say that either a QB if they are in the top 2 or Glenn Dorsey would be much better picks for their team...You also don't need to use top picks to get RB production...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

It totally depends on where they are drafting from, but I would say that either a QB if they are in the top 2 or Glenn Dorsey would be much better picks for their team...You also don't need to use top picks to get RB production...

That's one philosophy. I think you're short changing McFadden's skills.There's any number of ways the Falcons could go. Either of the two or three top QBs would be good, as would Dorsey or either tackle Long/Baker.

 

[Phlash]

Why would Atlanta take a RB at #3 when they have Norwood?Makes no sense to me...

Ah. I knew someone would ask that.The answer is "because Norwood's not an every down back." Why did the Vikings draft Peterson when they had Chester Taylor? Because AP is better.McFadden is much more the "power back" type that Petrino is looking for (from what I've heard anyway) than Norwood is.

How do you know that Norwood isn't an every down back?Picking a RB is a wasted 1st round pick for the Falcons this year, IMO...They have many many far more significant needs

Drafting for need gets you to what Minnesota is now. Never draft for need. Never.

The Patriots draft for need. Logan Mankins and Ty Warren are two examples of guys who they picked quite a bit above their expected draft position.

 

[southeastjerome]

Interesting on Tribble being the first BC guy off the board. I love Tribble, but I think concerns about his size could bump him down a little later than that. And Matty Ice would be a steal for the bears at 27. You're right, it all depends on how the teams line up. A lot of the teams in the top 20 have good young QB's. And a team like Detroit might be beyond desperate in the secondary. Imagine if he landed in Detroit as the heir apparent to Kitna? If Martz stays then Ryan's numbers in the pro's could look like his college numbers.

They can't flush 2nd rounder Stanton after just one year on IR. They can't and likely won't draft a QB.

The lions? Spend an early round pick on the same position 2 years in a row? Nah, that would never happen. All joking aside, I wasn't saying that I thought Detroit would take him, just that he would dominate under Martz (who doesn't I guess). I also think Stanton's presence wouldn't necessarily preclude them from taking a QB.