First-Round Mock- How's this Look? Analysis for most picks...

[Midwest]

Thanks for the responses from all of you, which got progressively more complimentary, LOL. Washington is apparently very interested in Okoye (it could be a bluff, but Washington's traditionally not been as adept at bluffing as other teams; when they want a player, they WANT a player). If they take Okoye, that has a two-fold effect: first of all, it eliminates Okoye as an option for Buffalo and second of all, it means teams like Houston, Miami, and San Francisco, who would consider Okoye, will look elsewhere; the most damaging effect for that concerning us is if San Francisco takes Patrick Willis at #11; Derek Smith in their improved and revamped defense, just doesn't seem to be cutting it at MLB. And some think the top eleven is too high for Ted Ginn Jr., so we'll have to see.

 

Secondly, about Marshawn Lynch, he was not only exonerated for "insufficient evidence," which could still indicate his guilt but just not enough evidence to pursue it in court. No, the testimony by his ex-girlfriend was chocked full of inconsistencies, to the point that it looks much more compellingly that she made it up than that anything happened. So that should not be greatly held against him. I've also listened to him in interviews. Some may be bothered by his "grill," and some may think he's not as "polished" as a Patrick Willis or Amobi Okoye (not that I believe they'll last to #12, anyway) whatever "polished" means, anyway. But Lynch does seem like a good guy who's done a heck of a job transcending his circumstances of growing up poor in gang-ridden, inner-city Oakland. He also seems much more extroverted than McGahee ever was, which hopefully translates into him being eager to please as a RB for the Buffalo Bills. And he would have an opportunity to be a great one; this guy has all the skills, there are few that doubt that.

[obie_wan]

Thanks for the responses from all of you, which got progressively more complimentary, LOL. Washington is apparently very interested in Okoye (it could be a bluff, but Washington's traditionally not been as adept at bluffing as other teams; when they want a player, they WANT a player). If they take Okoye, that has a two-fold effect: first of all, it eliminates Okoye as an option for Buffalo and second of all, it means teams like Houston, Miami, and San Francisco, who would consider Okoye, will look elsewhere; the most damaging effect for that concerning us is if San Francisco takes Patrick Willis at #11; Derek Smith in their improved and revamped defense, just doesn't seem to be cutting it at MLB. And some think the top eleven is too high for Ted Ginn Jr., so we'll have to see.

 

Secondly, about Marshawn Lynch, he was not only exonerated for "insufficient evidence," which could still indicate his guilt but just not enough evidence to pursue it in court. No, the testimony by his ex-girlfriend was chocked full of inconsistencies, to the point that it looks much more compellingly that she made it up than that anything happened. So that should not be greatly held against him. I've also listened to him in interviews. Some may be bothered by his "grill," and some may think he's not as "polished" as a Patrick Willis or Amobi Okoye (not that I believe they'll last to #12, anyway) whatever "polished" means, anyway. But Lynch does seem like a good guy who's done a heck of a job transcending his circumstances of growing up poor in gang-ridden, inner-city Oakland. He also seems much more extroverted than McGahee ever was, which hopefully translates into him being eager to please as a RB for the Buffalo Bills. And he would have an opportunity to be a great one; this guy has all the skills, there are few that doubt that.

 

There is a very strong chance that SF takes Willis at #11. Their staff spent the entire Senior Bowl week with Willis and are in the best position to assess his future prospects. If they are sold on him, then the Bills do not get a shot unless someone they like even better falls into their lap - like Okoye.

[stuckincincy]

Secondly, about Marshawn Lynch, he was not only exonerated for "insufficient evidence," which could still indicate his guilt but just not enough evidence to pursue it in court. No, the testimony by his ex-girlfriend was chocked full of inconsistencies, to the point that it looks much more compellingly that she made it up than that anything happened. So that should not be greatly held against him.

 

Never argue with a mob. Better to break into their cars and steal their stuff while they're out ranting.

[BB2004]

What do you think? Does this bear anything to reality?

 

1. Oakland- QB JaMarcus Russell (LSU)

 

2. Detroit- WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech)- Matt Millen defies his critics again and Mike Williams may be a cap casuality in June.

 

3. Cleveland- QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame)

 

4. Tampa Bay- DE Gaines Adams (Clemson)- They addressed LT with Petitgout and now look to replenish at DE (Rice aging; Dewayne White left via FA).

 

5. Arizona- OT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)

 

6. Washington- DT Amobi Okoye (Louisville)- If they're already high on him, nothing they'll learn from here on out will dissuade them.

 

7. Minnesota- RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)- Chester Taylor, no Chester Taylor- Peterson offers too much value here.

 

8. Houston- FS Laron Landry (LSU)

 

9. Miami- DT Alan Branch (Michigan)

 

10. Atlanta- DE Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas)- Kerney opted out of his contract and headed for Seattle, and Abraham is perennially injured, it seems.

 

11. San Francisco- MLB Patrick Willis (Ole Miss)- They'll continue to address WR in the coming rounds, but Mike Nolan wants to solidy the middle of that defense.

 

12. Buffalo- Marshawn Lynch (California)- Trading down is an option, but with Willis gone, running back by committee may eventually give way to the dynamic and elusive Lynch being a 315-carry back by 2008 for Buffalo.

 

13. St. Louis- CB Leon Hall (Michigan)- Would love to go DT, but no other DT is worthy of #13 with Okoye and Branch both gone.

 

14. Carolina- OT Levi Brown (Carolina)

 

15. Pittsburgh- LB Paul Posluszny (Penn State)- A surprise pick, but Posluszny may be a better fit to help against the run with the increased incorporation of Mike Tomlin's Cover 2 than a pure pass-rusher like Jarvis Moss or Lawrence Timmons; they could have kept Joey Porter if that was their intention.

 

16. Green Bay- TE Greg Olsen (Miami)- Somewhat crushed that Lynch is in Buffalo, they will trade to trade down to the bottom of the first. If they're unable to, Bubba Franks' replacement is found in the highest-rated TE in the 2007 draft: Greg Olsen.

 

17. Jacksonville- Reggie Nelson (Florida)

 

18. Cincinnati- CB Chris Houston (Arkansas)

 

19. Tennessee- WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State)- Talk about a glaring hole, though DE Charles Johnson will be considered because 24 sacks as a team is a very paltry number.

 

20. New York Giants- LB Lawrence Timmons (Florida State)- Poor combine or not for Timmons, the Giants have multiple needs but none worse than OLB's.

 

21. Denver- DE Adam Carriker (Nebraska)- They need an injection of youth upfront and they narrowly lost out on Kerney to the Seahawks.

 

22. Dallas- CB Aaron Ross (Texas)

 

23. Kansas City- WR Robert Meachem (Tennessee)

 

24. New England- DE/LB Jarvis Moss (Florida)- Good value here, and he'll transition to a 3/4 OLB for the Pats. Rosevelt Colvin is in the last year of his 5-year, $25 million dollar contract signed in 2003 and just like with Adalius Thomas, Belicheck will love Moss' versatility.

 

25. New York Jets- CB Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh)- Justin Miller, while an exceptional returner, has been a disappointment as a starting CB. Revis just seems to have a knack for producing big plays despite top-end speed.

 

26. Philadelphia- WR Dewayne Bowe (LSU)

 

27. New Orleans- CB Marcus McCauley (Fresno State)- A bit of a reach after a poor 2006, but he has an excellent combination of size and speed and fills the Saints' biggest need.

 

28. New England- SS Michael Griffin (Texas)- Rodney Harrison turns 36 in December and has been battling injuries for the last few years. The Pats have his replacement, plus a better contingency plan if he gets hurt again.

 

29. Baltimore- OT Joe Staley (Central Michigan)- The Ravens need line help, but they may be fine with an interior of Jason Brown and Keydrick Vincent at guard. Staley can play LT if Odgen retires (admittedly a bigger responsibility than the Ravens want him to have immediately) but more likely replaces Tony Pathos at RT.

 

30. San Diego- WR Sidney Rice (South Carolina)

 

31. Chicago- G Ben Grubb (Auburn)

 

32. Indianapolis- OLB Jon Beason (Miami)- In the event that June ultimately doesn't re-sign, Beason would be very good value at pick #32 to fill in at the weak-side. He's not as good in coverage as June, but he has better size and may prove to be a better run-stuffer than what the Colts' are accustomed to from the "Mike" position.

 

 

I paid attention to the first 11 picks before Buffalo picks and if it works out this way, which it could, I think we would go with top cornerback first or trade down. I would not like to see the draft turn out like this but it is a possibility. I think a lot of what happens depends on what Washington decides to do. If they go with Jaamal Anderson or Alan Branch, I think the chance of getting Okoye or Willis is more likely, that is if we go for one of the two of them.

[Midwest]

I paid attention to the first 11 picks before Buffalo picks and if it works out this way, which it could, I think we would go with top cornerback first or trade down. I would not like to see the draft turn out like this but it is a possibility. I think a lot of what happens depends on what Washington decides to do. If they go with Jaamal Anderson or Alan Branch, I think the chance of getting Okoye or Willis is more likely, that is if we go for one of the two of them.

 

I agree that Washington is the key. I think the players that end up falling out of the top eleven are players that we wouldn't draft, anyway: OT Levi Brown and WR Ted Ginn Jr. So for us at #12, it'll either be Lynch or trading down; I think CB would be too high here. It is a first-day need, but I think we either wait until the second to see if there is great value to be had (Daymeion Hughes? Marcus McCauley?), or more likely take a LB in the second (if we take Lynch in the first) and wait until the third for a CB; someone like Tanard Jackson with our first third, if he falls, or C.J. Gaddis of Clemson with our second third, would be quality additions.