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National Football League
Draft King Mailbag

October 25, 2006
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com

Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.


From: Gary Simpson
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Oct 17, 2006 7:51 PM
Subject: Fresno State's Marcus McCauley and Kyle Young

Hi Mr. Pickney, I hope all is well. I wanted to ask you a question if I may pertaining to Fresno State's Marcus McCauley. Withh the poor season the Bulldogs are currently having, do you think it will affect McCauley as well Kyle Young's potential first round draft status? Lou: Fresno State just hasn't been the same since last year's game with USC. It has been a tough road for Pat Hill's Bulldogs, though to be fair they have played plenty of non-conference, big-time competition.

But individual prospects have to be viewed, as least to a large degree, on their own merits. Marcus McCauley runs a 4.33 40, and that kind of blazing speed can make a team overlook the struggles of a player's college team. Yes, Fresno State is 1-6, and I think that must be taken into consideration to some degree... but McCauley can't do everything.

As for Kyle Young, Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc. projected him to be no better than a third round prospect and predicted that he may move to guard in the NFL. I'm not sure that will be the case; it all depends on what team drafts him and what the needs are of that team. There are some mobility concerns about Young that I think will hurt him more than any problems Fresno State is having as a team. But Young has been a rock, staying healthy and consistent at the center position for Fresno State, and there are many things to like about his game projecting ahead to the NFL level.


From: Michael Dillard
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Oct 25, 2006 10:09 AM
Subject: questions on redskins

I am a cowboys fan my roommate is a redskins fan. I stumbled across your “draft king” site and was wondering if you could clarify all the redskins moves that are setting them up for this years draft?

Lou: Because of Clinton Portis' injury problems in the pre-season, Washington feared that there might be a lack of depth on the team at the RB spot. When Jerious Norwood emerged as a bona fide talent in Atlanta, it became obvious that T.J. Duckett was dispensable. Washington believed that Duckett could fit into its offense, so they worked a three-way trade involving Denver (and disgruntled WR Ashley Lelie.)

Denver obtained Washington's 3rd round pick in 2007... but more importantly, they obtained the right to trade picks with Washington in the first round of the draft. That was a very NBA-style aspect of the trade; until it happened, I didn't even know if an NFL team was allowed to trade an option on its draft picks.

Remember that two years ago, the Redskins gave up a first-round pick (and more) to land QB Jason Campbell from Auburn. Denver ended up trading the pick away to San Francisco (Manny Lawson went with it, the #22 overall selection in the '06 Draft), but at times I wonder if Denver looks at Washington like the guy in your fantasy football league who you can sometimes con into making a bad deal. "Yeah, you take T.J. Duckett... and we'll give up our pissed off WR to get your third rounder and trade up for your first." I think more teams should trade options like that; what great motivation it is to win (on top of all other motivation) knowing that you're bettering yourself in a trade on top of all of the other spoils of victory.

Duckett has not factored much into the Washington offense as of yet. As for a draft strategy, far be it from me to guess what Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and company are going to do. At QB they are set for the future, Clinton Portis is a star RB, and they have big money and big talent at WR. Santana Moss needs to lay off headbutting cornerbacks, but that's another issue. Chris Samuels is a solid offensive tackle, and I don't know if Washington would look to bolster its o-line in the first two rounds.

The excellent HailRedskins.com has an in-depth breakdown of problems on the Washington defensive front, particularly noting (as of this writing) the confusion that exists in the secondary. Yes, Shawn Springs has been hurt, and CB Mike Rumph (acquired late in training camp from San Francisco) has not had a chance to go through a full camp with the Redskins... But, to quote HR, "Fact of the matter is, 2006 is showing that Gregg Williams belief that he can fill anyone into any position and be effective is just not true."

Depending on where Washington ends up, maybe they'll go LB in the first round. Andre Carter has not panned out at DE the way that the Redskins would have hoped; again, depending on who is on the board when they pick, maybe they'll go DE. But even with Carter struggled, he is under a six-year, $30 million contract. Granted, only the $9 million signing bonus is guaranteed in most NFL deals, but if Carter is cut early into his tenure, the remainder of his pro-rated signing bonus will be applied to the current year's salary cap... and that is not good times. At all. So my guess as of now is that Washington will go LB, unless Snyder decides that he wants to land a "big name" type player, which is why I have Washington slotted with Jeff Samardzija as of the moment. You never know what the Redskins will do.


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