Schedules and Travis Johnson
National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
January 5, 2005
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Tony Payne
Sent: Wednesday, January 5, 2005 9:50 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: incorrect draft order
The draft order on your site is incorrect. A reading of the NFL rules says that draft position is determined by won-loss records only and not if a team makes the playoffs or not. Baltimore at 9-7 still picks after Minnesota at 8-8 unless Minnesota makes the superbowl.
Lou: I went off the list on Sportsline's website. However, if the list needs to be adjusted, I'll do so. We'll give Minnesota a chance to make a run in the playoffs, but if that doesn't happen then obviously any needed changes will take place. That could hurt Baltimore though, since the Vikings might also be looking WR in the first round.
From: Joshua Minott
Sent: Wednesday, January 5, 2005 12:10 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: 2005 nfl mock draft
I have a concern with your mock draft. What do you have against Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State? He went 1st team all-american on espn and rivals, and is regarded by many the best DT in the draft, including Mel Kiper. What is your explanation behind not having him in the first round of your mock draft.
Lou: I don't have anything against Travis Johnson. However, I don't consider him to be the best DT in the draft (I have Rodrique Wright, Anttaj Hawthorne and Shaun Cody ranked above him. You can add Dan Cody to that list depending on if you consider him a DT or a DE (he might play either position in the pros). Johnson has had some off-the-field problems, but those don't concern me like his injury problems (especially his shoulder injury). However, Johnson seems to be on the way up on many draft boards. I'll wait to hear how he looks at the combine before passing judgment on his injury situation. But even if he doesn't go first round, Johnson should be an early second round pick (and a steal at that).
