1. Ray Rice is the Second Best RB in the Draft - Some team will get themselves a great RB in the 2nd round, the way things look. Rice can block, catch, and run. He may lack the top gears, but he has good agility, COD, and vision, all of which are far more important than that extra gear. 2. Brandon Albert is a future Pro Bowler - This doesn't have much imagination behind it, but whatever. He gets to the second level, which is a must for any OL. Quick, strong at the point of attack, and athletic. That's what I like in my OL. I question whether or not he is worth a top 10 pick simply because I am not sure 2 games is adequate enough to determine whether or not he is a LT in the NFL or not. If he ends up at OG in the NFL, some team is getting themselves a helluva OL. 3. Bad Year for QBs - Another obvious statement. But I think there will be more surprises from this year's class than normal. You have guys like Josh Johnson who could develop into something if given a couple of years. Guys like Erik Ainge, Chad Henne, Joe Flacco, Colt Brennan, Andre Woodson, etc. In previous draft classes, there was always a consensus or a near consensus to the order. This year, after Matt Ryan, its guess work. I think there are going to be the usual amount of QBs that develop into something as any other draft class, but I think you are going to see it happen in the mid rounds more so than the top of the draft. If I was taking a QB on day 1, I'd be very wary. 4. Patriots won't go CB - Everyone, it seems, has them going for a CB. And while CB is a pressing need, its nowhere near as pressing as LBer. The Patriots are built somewhat backwards. In a 3-4, its more important to have LBers than DL. Yet, the Patriots DL is much better than their LB core, which is a luxury. They desperately need to add youth and athleticism to a LB group that is nearing retirement age. Gholston would be ideal for them, but he is probably gone at this point. I wouldn't rule out Rivers though. He'd be an ILB for them (and someone who could cover, which is another problem the Patriots had from their LBers). The Patriots need to start developing some LBers soon to take over for Bruschi, Seau, soon... 5. Dominque Rogers-Cromartie is overvalued by us internet users - There was an article written recently where the writer talked to some scouts about Cromartie and it was said that the scouts weren't as high on Cromartie as many of the mock drafts were. To be fair, Cromartie is an athletic freak with a world of potential. But what has scouts concerned was that he didn't dominate the lower division as someone should with his talent/ability. Rather, he gave up too many completions. This is some pause for concern, to be sure. But his athletic ability and size are too great to pass up. Some had him going in the top 10. I think he goes somewhere in the 15-20 range.
I wanted to throw some other predictions out here as well: Tommy Blake is worth the gamble on day 2. He has his life back under control and was a top 5 talent heading into this year. Yes, there is risk attached to him. But for the athleticism and potential he has to offer, if he can be had in rounds 5-6, I think its a risk worth taking. The league is always looking for premier pass rushers and Blake has that kind of ability. Jack Ikegwuono is also worth a late pick. If your team can afford to redshirt him, its probably worth the gamble too. He was thought to be a 2nd round talent before the injury. Some team will take that gamble and if Ike can recover fully, they'll get themselves a helluva bargain. And considering how many 6/7th rounders get cut, why not take a chance on a guy who had a high grade until he was injured? The talent is there. Jason Jones is an interesting DE prospect from Eastern Michigan. He has good athleticism for his size and could surprise some people. J Leman could become a good 2 down LBer. He doesn't have good athleticism, but he is smart, instinctive, and makes plays. Sometimes I get too caught up in the athletic measurables a player might have and overlook production. Leman has the production. A late day two pick on him could give a team good value for that pick.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Vintage @ Apr 24 2008, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>4. Patriots won't go CB - Everyone, it seems, has them going for a CB. And while CB is a pressing need, its nowhere near as pressing as LBer. The Patriots are built somewhat backwards. In a 3-4, its more important to have LBers than DL. Yet, the Patriots DL is much better than their LB core, which is a luxury. They desperately need to add youth and athleticism to a LB group that is nearing retirement age. Gholston would be ideal for them, but he is probably gone at this point. I wouldn't rule out Rivers though. He'd be an ILB for them (and someone who could cover, which is another problem the Patriots had from their LBers). The Patriots need to start developing some LBers soon to take over for Bruschi, Seau, soon...</div> Matt Walsh has gotten the agreement that he was looking for yesterday. Come on Goodell, snatch some more picks from the Pats before Saturday and let Baltimore move up to #7!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ Apr 24 2008, 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Matt Walsh has gotten the agreement that he was looking for yesterday. Come on Goodell, snatch some more picks from the Pats before Saturday and let Baltimore move up to #7!</div> Nevermind, he doesn't have to turn in the tapes until May 8th...
I bet the Patriots trade down for extra picks. I don't think they're going to take anyone at that spot.
So many of mock drafts are "chalk" in the sense that they're based on media-perceived players and therefore have their roots in the national coverage of their respective football programs. To that end, and something that Peter King touched on in his latest mock, Tyrell Johnson will go in the first round. <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/04/20/mmqb/2.html" target="_blank"> Peter King also has Mendenhall going to the Cowboys</a>, the fallout of the Ravens taking Brian Brohm in the first.
