Lou Pickney's 2024 NFL Mock Draft

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let me know what you think as I am a loyal reader of the draft king

Lou: The Jets are a very interesting team to watch going into the draft, as they could go in any number of directions. I'll say first off that drafting a replacement for LaMont Jordan should not be overlooked. While Jordan did not receive very much playing time behind Curtis Martin, the NFL is a game where RBs wear out quickly. That makes what Martin did in 2004 (and what he's done in his career) even more remarkable, but much like a car that starts to push 100,000 miles, how much longer do you want to chance it? I actually would be very surprised if the Jets finish day one (first three rounds of the draft) without having picked a RB.

With that said, here's my analysis of your picks. McFadden at the Jets' spot in Round 2 would qualify as a real steal. The draft should have some good corners available well into the second round, but I'm not sure if McFadden will last all the way to the Jets' pick. He's been a borderline first round guy, and while he might end up as a second rounder, that's more of a high/mid second rounder. If the Jets finish the first two rounds with S. Cody and McFadden, Jets fans will have reason to celebrate.

OT Khalif Barnes, barring injury between now and the draft, will be long gone by the time the Jets draft in round three. I doubt he'll even be there when the Jets draft in the second round. Currently, Mel Kiper has him at #20 on his big board. The guy is nearly 6'6", 300+ pounds and can run a 4.93 40. That is insane. Plus he's a great pass blocker. The Jets might luck out and get someone like OT Wesley Britt from Alabama. He doesn't have "superstar" stats, but he's 6'8" and scouts say he could potentially be a long-time starter in the pros. Britt might be there; Barnes *won't* be there.

As for Ben Hall (from Clemson), there seems to be a mix of opinions on him. He's not on the radars for some, while others have him pegged for right about where you do (round 4). In that sense he's a sleeper, though when I think of sleepers I tend to think of guys from smaller schools, like TE Adam Bergen from Lehigh. But you seem sold on Hall so maybe you know some things about him that the major scouts overlooked.

From: Cainhouse@aol.com
Sent : Sunday, March 20, 2005 11:11 PM
To : LouPickney@hotmail.com
Subject : Hello From a Browns Fan

There has been recent talk in inner draft circles that the Browns don't have Derrick Johnson that high on their board because of intelligence and the inability to shade blocks worthy of a #3 pick. I have recently heard that Merriman could keep rising all the way up to the draft and be a possible top candidate for the Browns between Merriman, Edwards, and a QB. Being from Texas I'm hoping for DJ but wanted to hear you thoughts. Also with the receiver at #3 talk was incited by Cleveland not addressing this need in free agency and possibly not LB b/c they picked up Stewart (LB) from Atlanta.

Lou: With a 3-4 defense, Romeo Crennel will need plenty of LBs. Stewart should be a nice addition as a starter at OLB, since he started all 16 games for Atlanta last year and finished second on the team in tackles. However, Cleveland allowed OLBs Warrick Holdman, Kevin Bentley and Eric Westmoreland to leave this off-season, meaning that the team is VERY thin at OLB even with the addition of Stewart. Incumbent OLB Chaun Thompson looks to be the other starting OLB at this point.

The latest from the rumor mill is that Arizona wants to trade up to ensure that it can land either Ronnie Brown or Cadillac Williams. Cleveland wouldn't mind trading down (at least in theory), so you might see something there. DJ might still be on the board at #8, so there could be something to that.

As for taking a receiver at #3, it could happen, but I'd like to think that Cleveland would be more inclined to take a WR in the second round (where there should still be some good talent on the board).

I'll leave you with this to ponder: if you're Arizona, and Cleveland offers you the #3 for the #8 and OT L.J. Shelton, would you take it? The Browns have needed a strong o-line since they returned to the NFL, while Arizona could then move up to the top three and all but ensure themselves one of the two Auburn RBs. And if you're Cleveland, do you do it, or do you demand more from Arizona?

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