I had a couple of assumptions before I did my Mock draft.
I like Vince Young a lot. There is a lot of things he will need to learn, but that is true for all quarterbacks. More importantly, in college he showed that he can learn. He improved his passing accuracy and recognition in all 3 years he played. His senior year, Texas ran a lot of Read and React plays out of the shotgun, requiring him to read the defense and make a throw. He will have to improve to succeed in the NFL, but all of his history to this point indicates that he will. And if he does put it all together, you have a fantastic weapon at QB. He can be the next Randall Cunningham before the Achilles injury.
For Some teams, I have difficulty guessing which Defensive Back teams like. Unless I have some specific insight, I may just allocate a generic CB to those teams.
I don’t put players coming off serious injuries in the first round. That means Allen and Cromartie are not first round picks in this mock.
The wide receivers are terrible this year. I only have one in the first round. Denver and Philly are trying to win now and they can’t wait for a Receiver to develop. The other teams in the later part of the round don't really need a WR.
1. HOU - Reggie Bush I don’t see them passing on him contract or no contract.
2. NO – Matt Leinart – I know they signed Brees, but this pick belongs to owner Tom Benson. After Katrina, the city of New Orleans can no longer support an NFL team. They are now a smaller city than Green Bay, and the team does not have the same type of local tradition. This team is moving to LA in the next couple of years. Either Benson will sell them, or he will move them himself. When that happens, Lienart gives them the start power to draw crowds. There are enough hard core USC alumni and football fans who would support a Lienart lead LA Team. This is a business pick, not a football pick.
3. TEN – Vince Young – I think they would take Vince Young over Lienart. The coaches who care about the next couple years want Lienart, who would learn the offense more quickly. But the general manager wants to win long term, and sees Young as the better prospect for the reasons I listed above.
4. NYJ – Mario Williams – The Jets will not trade up in this years draft. During the Abraham saga, the Jets refused to give up extra picks to obtain the 15th pick from Atlanta. In the end Denver got involved and traded up for the 15th. Most of us even thought that Denver got a very good deal to move up in this draft. If that was the case why didn’t the Jets move up? My guess is the Jets value their 2nd and 3rd round picks more than other teams. As such, I don’t see them paying the necessary value to move up with New Orleans. They stay here and draft Defensive End over Offensive Tackle. There has also been some noise that Mario isn't an end in a 3-4 defense. The New England Defense is not a true 3-4 or a 4-3. It is constantly changing to confuse the quarterback. Mario Williams gives them flexibility to run this kind of system.
5. GB - AJ Hawk – Not only talented but brings emotion and passion to a defense lacking such qualities in recent years. The least likely draft pick to bust in my opinion.
6. San Fran - Vernon Davis – They need an offensive weapons for Smith, and the top defensive players are gone. Ferguson doesn’t fill a need, as they signed Jennings last year.
7. OAK – Winston Justice– Art Shell convinces Al Davis that OL is important. Barry Sims is a guard playing tackle and gave up 12 sacks last year. They just moved Gallery to LT, and drafting Justice replaces the RT spot. They now have improve 3 spots on the OL, RT, LT, and LG. I took Justice over Ferguson here, as he plays right tackle naturally and I think Davis likes players with some nastiness in them. Ferguson may be a little too clean cut and polished for Davis’s liking. Regardless of what happens, Al Davis will not draft a QB. He realizes he wont live long enough to see them develop. In fact, the Saints moving to LA might be the shock that kills him.
8. Buffalo – D’Brickshaw Ferguson – Thrilled to have him still available. Replaces a huge hole. I can see Arizona offering the farm for this pick as well, but I bet Buffalo stay put and drafts Ferguson.
9. BAL trade with DET – Haloti Ngata – Baltimore trades up to restore the Defensive line, and replace some players they lost. Ngata will eat up blockers and make Ray Lewis better, and both top defensive tackles will be gone when they pick again. Ngata fits their scheme better than Bunkely. I am assuming they will get Steve McNair from the Titans as soon as he is cut. Detroit trades down for reasons listed below.
10. ARI – Michael Huff – Pairs with Rolle to add immediate talent to the secondary. I can see Arizona trying to move up for Offensive Line help like Crazy, but I couldn’t find a place for them to go. I don’t think they see DT as big of a need as DB. They play the Rams and Seattle in division, so they need to improve their pass coverage.
11. StL – Broderick Bunkely - The Rams lost multiple Defensive Tackles in the off-season. I don’t buy the argument they need a QB because Bulger is brittle. Bulger wont get hurt as much now that Martz is gone and the Pass protection is a focus again. Linehan will not let his quarterback get killed, and will keep extra players in to block if need be.
12. CLE – Jay Cutler – Seriously, Charlie Frye? That is their 3 year plan? Charlie Frye?
13. DET – Ernie Sims – The player that makes the Tampa Cover 2 scheme work is a coverage linebacker with speed to drop back in coverage. Ernie Sims fills the Derrick Brooks role in this defense and gives them a side line to side line player with good coverage skills. They miss on Huff, but the cover 2 can hide holes in the secondary more than holes at linebacker. They can also drop back to this pick as none of the teams above them are a risk to take this kind of Linebacker.
14. PHI – Chad Greenway - WR seems the logical need position, but I don’t think Philly reaches for a player in any draft, and I don’t think the Wide Receivers are good value for them at this point. Philly hasn’t taken a Line Backer in the first round since Andy Reid got there, but Greenway is a heady, hard working football player. I bet the really want a OT, but those are gone. This is a poor spot for Philly to be in based on there needs and values. They absolutely could move up or down.
15. Denver – Kamerion Wimbley – Desperately need a pass rush. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them double dip at DE round 1 and 2. Rookie Wide Receivers take too long to develop, and this team is built for the next two years.
16. MIA – Jimmy Williams – Adds some depth and size in the secondary.
17. MIN – Bobby Carpenter – Productive, mobile, OLB. Has the necessary skills to play the Cover 2 LB position. They consider Lawson, but the switch from DE to Cover 2 LB is not easy, and Min has good depth at DE
18. INDY Trade with Dallas - DeAngelo Williams – Indy trades up to secure their pick of the running backs.
19. SD - Jonathan Joseph - Or some other Corner back. I really don’t know which one.
20. KC – Tye Hill - Or some other Corner back. I really don’t know which one.
21. NE - Abdul Hodge – This pick could go any number of ways. They need a Running Back, help in the secondary, Line Backing help, and Wide Receivers and all of those positions are available. Belicheck and Ferenz are very close, and Hodge is a solid football player in every way but combine measurables. Hodge, not Greenway lead the Hawkeyes in tackles the last 3 years. With Bruschi stroke and Ted Johnson getting up in years, Middle Linebacker needs some help. I think that they prefer bigger Running backs, and I don’t think they are interested in LenDale White’s me first attitude.
22. SF (from DEN) – Manny Lawson. San Fran finds an OLB to play the 3-4 Scheme for Nolan.
23. TB – Marcus McNeill – Productive in great conference. This staff has a better feel for him than most as they scouted Carnell Williams so thoroughly last year.
24. CIN – Mathias Kiwanuka– I don’t buy the TE position. Scoring last year wasn’t their problem. Kiwi helps their pass rush.
25. NYG – Lawrence Maroney – Tiki is getting up their in age. Jacobs is a goal line/short yardage back. Maroney is the best Bid Ten running back, and Ernie Acorsi can’t pass those up.
26. CHI – Thomas Howard – Lance Briggs is making noise about wanting a contract similar to what they gave Urlacher. He wont get it in Chicago, so the Bears need a replacement.
27. CAR – LenDale White – Carolina wants to base their attack on a power Rushing game. They also are rumored to have encouraged White not to run if his hamstring was hurt. Foster isn’t a power runner, and Shelton didn’t prove enough last year.
28. JAX – Demarco Ryans – Del Rio likes tough physical linebackers.
29. NYJ (from DEN) – Eric Winston – Filling in the Offensive and Defense lines would be a great draft for them.
30. Dallas Trade with Indy – Gabe Watson – Character and effort concerns don’t bother Parcells. Fills in a depth issue at Nose tackle, and picks up extra draft picks as well. They can get a linebacker in the second round to fill in that position. If Jason Ferguson gets hurt, They have no one on the roster who can replace him. This is a need pick for them.
31. SEA – David Joseph – They even give him Hutchinson’s old locker
32. PIT – Santonio Holmes – Fits a need. First WR taken this round. They can use him as a 3rd Wide receiver, and develop him slowly. He can also really stretch the field. The Steelers are prepared to take someone else, but this is a good value for them at this spot.
I like Vince Young a lot. There is a lot of things he will need to learn, but that is true for all quarterbacks. More importantly, in college he showed that he can learn. He improved his passing accuracy and recognition in all 3 years he played. His senior year, Texas ran a lot of Read and React plays out of the shotgun, requiring him to read the defense and make a throw. He will have to improve to succeed in the NFL, but all of his history to this point indicates that he will. And if he does put it all together, you have a fantastic weapon at QB. He can be the next Randall Cunningham before the Achilles injury.
For Some teams, I have difficulty guessing which Defensive Back teams like. Unless I have some specific insight, I may just allocate a generic CB to those teams.
I don’t put players coming off serious injuries in the first round. That means Allen and Cromartie are not first round picks in this mock.
The wide receivers are terrible this year. I only have one in the first round. Denver and Philly are trying to win now and they can’t wait for a Receiver to develop. The other teams in the later part of the round don't really need a WR.
1. HOU - Reggie Bush I don’t see them passing on him contract or no contract.
2. NO – Matt Leinart – I know they signed Brees, but this pick belongs to owner Tom Benson. After Katrina, the city of New Orleans can no longer support an NFL team. They are now a smaller city than Green Bay, and the team does not have the same type of local tradition. This team is moving to LA in the next couple of years. Either Benson will sell them, or he will move them himself. When that happens, Lienart gives them the start power to draw crowds. There are enough hard core USC alumni and football fans who would support a Lienart lead LA Team. This is a business pick, not a football pick.
3. TEN – Vince Young – I think they would take Vince Young over Lienart. The coaches who care about the next couple years want Lienart, who would learn the offense more quickly. But the general manager wants to win long term, and sees Young as the better prospect for the reasons I listed above.
4. NYJ – Mario Williams – The Jets will not trade up in this years draft. During the Abraham saga, the Jets refused to give up extra picks to obtain the 15th pick from Atlanta. In the end Denver got involved and traded up for the 15th. Most of us even thought that Denver got a very good deal to move up in this draft. If that was the case why didn’t the Jets move up? My guess is the Jets value their 2nd and 3rd round picks more than other teams. As such, I don’t see them paying the necessary value to move up with New Orleans. They stay here and draft Defensive End over Offensive Tackle. There has also been some noise that Mario isn't an end in a 3-4 defense. The New England Defense is not a true 3-4 or a 4-3. It is constantly changing to confuse the quarterback. Mario Williams gives them flexibility to run this kind of system.
5. GB - AJ Hawk – Not only talented but brings emotion and passion to a defense lacking such qualities in recent years. The least likely draft pick to bust in my opinion.
6. San Fran - Vernon Davis – They need an offensive weapons for Smith, and the top defensive players are gone. Ferguson doesn’t fill a need, as they signed Jennings last year.
7. OAK – Winston Justice– Art Shell convinces Al Davis that OL is important. Barry Sims is a guard playing tackle and gave up 12 sacks last year. They just moved Gallery to LT, and drafting Justice replaces the RT spot. They now have improve 3 spots on the OL, RT, LT, and LG. I took Justice over Ferguson here, as he plays right tackle naturally and I think Davis likes players with some nastiness in them. Ferguson may be a little too clean cut and polished for Davis’s liking. Regardless of what happens, Al Davis will not draft a QB. He realizes he wont live long enough to see them develop. In fact, the Saints moving to LA might be the shock that kills him.
8. Buffalo – D’Brickshaw Ferguson – Thrilled to have him still available. Replaces a huge hole. I can see Arizona offering the farm for this pick as well, but I bet Buffalo stay put and drafts Ferguson.
9. BAL trade with DET – Haloti Ngata – Baltimore trades up to restore the Defensive line, and replace some players they lost. Ngata will eat up blockers and make Ray Lewis better, and both top defensive tackles will be gone when they pick again. Ngata fits their scheme better than Bunkely. I am assuming they will get Steve McNair from the Titans as soon as he is cut. Detroit trades down for reasons listed below.
10. ARI – Michael Huff – Pairs with Rolle to add immediate talent to the secondary. I can see Arizona trying to move up for Offensive Line help like Crazy, but I couldn’t find a place for them to go. I don’t think they see DT as big of a need as DB. They play the Rams and Seattle in division, so they need to improve their pass coverage.
11. StL – Broderick Bunkely - The Rams lost multiple Defensive Tackles in the off-season. I don’t buy the argument they need a QB because Bulger is brittle. Bulger wont get hurt as much now that Martz is gone and the Pass protection is a focus again. Linehan will not let his quarterback get killed, and will keep extra players in to block if need be.
12. CLE – Jay Cutler – Seriously, Charlie Frye? That is their 3 year plan? Charlie Frye?
13. DET – Ernie Sims – The player that makes the Tampa Cover 2 scheme work is a coverage linebacker with speed to drop back in coverage. Ernie Sims fills the Derrick Brooks role in this defense and gives them a side line to side line player with good coverage skills. They miss on Huff, but the cover 2 can hide holes in the secondary more than holes at linebacker. They can also drop back to this pick as none of the teams above them are a risk to take this kind of Linebacker.
14. PHI – Chad Greenway - WR seems the logical need position, but I don’t think Philly reaches for a player in any draft, and I don’t think the Wide Receivers are good value for them at this point. Philly hasn’t taken a Line Backer in the first round since Andy Reid got there, but Greenway is a heady, hard working football player. I bet the really want a OT, but those are gone. This is a poor spot for Philly to be in based on there needs and values. They absolutely could move up or down.
15. Denver – Kamerion Wimbley – Desperately need a pass rush. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them double dip at DE round 1 and 2. Rookie Wide Receivers take too long to develop, and this team is built for the next two years.
16. MIA – Jimmy Williams – Adds some depth and size in the secondary.
17. MIN – Bobby Carpenter – Productive, mobile, OLB. Has the necessary skills to play the Cover 2 LB position. They consider Lawson, but the switch from DE to Cover 2 LB is not easy, and Min has good depth at DE
18. INDY Trade with Dallas - DeAngelo Williams – Indy trades up to secure their pick of the running backs.
19. SD - Jonathan Joseph - Or some other Corner back. I really don’t know which one.
20. KC – Tye Hill - Or some other Corner back. I really don’t know which one.
21. NE - Abdul Hodge – This pick could go any number of ways. They need a Running Back, help in the secondary, Line Backing help, and Wide Receivers and all of those positions are available. Belicheck and Ferenz are very close, and Hodge is a solid football player in every way but combine measurables. Hodge, not Greenway lead the Hawkeyes in tackles the last 3 years. With Bruschi stroke and Ted Johnson getting up in years, Middle Linebacker needs some help. I think that they prefer bigger Running backs, and I don’t think they are interested in LenDale White’s me first attitude.
22. SF (from DEN) – Manny Lawson. San Fran finds an OLB to play the 3-4 Scheme for Nolan.
23. TB – Marcus McNeill – Productive in great conference. This staff has a better feel for him than most as they scouted Carnell Williams so thoroughly last year.
24. CIN – Mathias Kiwanuka– I don’t buy the TE position. Scoring last year wasn’t their problem. Kiwi helps their pass rush.
25. NYG – Lawrence Maroney – Tiki is getting up their in age. Jacobs is a goal line/short yardage back. Maroney is the best Bid Ten running back, and Ernie Acorsi can’t pass those up.
26. CHI – Thomas Howard – Lance Briggs is making noise about wanting a contract similar to what they gave Urlacher. He wont get it in Chicago, so the Bears need a replacement.
27. CAR – LenDale White – Carolina wants to base their attack on a power Rushing game. They also are rumored to have encouraged White not to run if his hamstring was hurt. Foster isn’t a power runner, and Shelton didn’t prove enough last year.
28. JAX – Demarco Ryans – Del Rio likes tough physical linebackers.
29. NYJ (from DEN) – Eric Winston – Filling in the Offensive and Defense lines would be a great draft for them.
30. Dallas Trade with Indy – Gabe Watson – Character and effort concerns don’t bother Parcells. Fills in a depth issue at Nose tackle, and picks up extra draft picks as well. They can get a linebacker in the second round to fill in that position. If Jason Ferguson gets hurt, They have no one on the roster who can replace him. This is a need pick for them.
31. SEA – David Joseph – They even give him Hutchinson’s old locker
32. PIT – Santonio Holmes – Fits a need. First WR taken this round. They can use him as a 3rd Wide receiver, and develop him slowly. He can also really stretch the field. The Steelers are prepared to take someone else, but this is a good value for them at this spot.
to answer the original question: Yes, i do think Charlie Frye is there 3 year plan
