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National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
April 15, 2006
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Joe Weber
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 15, 2006
Subject: Chargers Pick
I liked your mock draft a bit better when it had the Chargers taking Chad Greenaway in stead of a CB (although I do like Hill the best of what we could get at pick #19). That is not to say that you're less accurate in changing the pick, just that I believe that an OLB is a better pick for the Bolts in terms of balancing need and value. Do you still agree with this? I thought this was going to be the Chargers big push to the Super Bowl, but with Brees gone (a move that did need to be made) and the likelihood of Donnie Edwards being traded, I'm not sure what to expect. I'm glad we are less likely to take a WR, but I'm starting to worry that drafting another CB or S won't pan out like a lot of our other ones will. Do you see them talking a OLB at all, or a OT, or trading up?
Lou: You can't discount the possibility of the Chargers taking a OLB or an OT. Both are need spots for the team, as least in my opinion. Some of that might rest on just how cemented Steve Foley is at his OLB position; San Diego did spend a first rounder on OLB Shawne Merriman last year, so they might not be so eager to repeat that in 2006, particularly since this is a deep OLB draft. Though with Charger LB Shaun Philips getting into trouble with the police recently, who knows if they'll feel a heightened need to go for another powerful OLB in round one.
The reality for the Chargers is that they need to stop the pass to be a bona fide contender, and the best way to do that is to bring a playmaking CB on board. Offensive tackle has been a need spot dating back to when LaDainian Tomlinson came on board in 2001 (and what he did then was really underrated, posting monster numbers despite that weak offensive line and lack of a passing game toward the beginning of this decade.) This gives the Chargers a number of options in how they could go in the draft.
From: Clayton Riley
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 15, 2006 3:14 PM
Subject: Brad Smith....
Where is Brad Smith a good fit at?
Lou: Smith, one of my favorite players in the EA Sports NCAA Football franchise in recent years, was an amazing scrambling QB on the college level. However, he looks to be making a move similar to what Antwan Randle-El made when he went from Indiana to the pros, switching from QB to WR; Matt Jones also made such a move last year when he came out of Arkansas. Particularly in a draft that's as weak (at least at the top) at WR, Smith might be able to catch on with a team that could put him on its practice squad for a year to learn the position. His natural athleticism will lead an NFL team to give him a shot; he'd probably be better off going into a situation where he can learn and be given a year to transition, versus one where he'd be expected to immediately earn a roster spot and produce right away.
You could even draw up crazy plays involving Smith; put him in standing next to the QB in a shotgun position, where he could potentially have the snap go to him, take a handoff, shoot into the flats to catch a pass, etc. He has a high ceiling for potential due to his superb athleticism.
From: Robert Bruce
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 15, 2006 4:37 PM
Subject: Redskins questions
I first wanted to say you have a great site and keep up the good work. I
was wondering what you think the Redskins will do with their second round
pick and what players will be available to them. I was also wondering if
you have any information on the Ahmad Brooks situation....supplemental draft
or back to a D-IAA school? Any chances of the Redskins landing him if he
does go into the supplemental draft? Thanks.
Lou: The very latest with Ahmad Brooks is that he'll be applying for the NFL Supplemental Draft. Word is that he was dismissed from the Virginia football team for the spring, but that he could "potentially" return for the fall. It doesn't look like that will happen, though. In February, the Cavalier Daily reported that Brooks failed a drug test; what role that, if any, played in Brooks' dismissal from the team is unclear.
Without knowing for sure, I'd guess that Brooks would be snatched in the supplemental draft with no less than a third round pick. Despite injuries hampering his 2005 season, Brooks is still highly regarded for his great 2003 and 2004 seasons. Had he come out for the 2005 draft, he would have all but surely been a first round pick, likely in the top half of the first round.
Brooks' father, Perry Brooks, played for the Washington Redskins, so I'm sure there are some who would like to see him end up with the Redskins for nostalgic reasons. But there are other teams where Ahmad Brooks would make more sense (like the Colts, for example.)
As for the Redskins in the second round, OLB seems to make sense (to replace Lavar Arrington), and in this draft, I could see them going that route. Corner is another option for them, or interior offensive line. But OLB or CB would make the most sense.
From: Mike Bloom
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 15, 2006 7:07 PM
Subject: April 14 mock
I like your draft. The first seven picks in particular make a tremendous amount of sense. But that doesnt mean it will fall that way. If those teams always made sense they wouldnt be drafting in the top seven!
While the Niners need Vernon Davis - deparately - they also have a severe need for DBs. I think its a toss up between Davis or Michael Huff, and remember that their coach is a defensive guy. I think David goes here - but don't be surprised to see Huff.
Ngata to the Bills at 8 may not happen as they also have an OL need. I am looking for Winston Justice there after his purported monster pro day.
If Ngata or Justice are still available, I think one of them goes to the Cards at 10. Cutler seems like a lot of hype. He could go at 10, but he could also go to them in the second round at #42. QBs tend to fall - ala Aaron Rogers, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, and Jim Druckenmiller. Denny Green needs to win now - I think he drafts someone he can plug in as a starter now. Even if Young were available here, I am not convinced that they go QB here. Denny has too much on the line this year.
I don't see Philly taking Gabe Watson. They reached last year for a DL, and while they have the need i don't see it happening in the first round - or at least at 14 (they could trade down and take him later).
I echo reader sentiments that Tamba Hali is unlikely to go at #15. He is smallish and his workouts were mediocre. If Denver goes DE in the first round, it will be for a disruptive force - Dwight Freeney like. Not sure Hali fits the bill. I think he is a late first to mid second rounder.
I think KC will again defy logic and skip a WR in the first round. Why? Because they haven't drafted a WR in the first round in recent memory, despite more than obvious need. With a new head coach it could be different, but I doubt it. They still have significant needs on defense and Edwards is a defensive coach.
I think Cromartie will go higher than #23 due to athleticism and speed. Teams always drool over fast athletic DBs - and Cromartie is the fastest and most athletic. The guy ran a 4.38 in the 40 and isnt fully recovered!!! He is superman in football cleats, albeit with some cryptonite susceptible joints.
As much as I like Chad Greenway I don't see him going in the first round - in fact he could fall to the third. A good instinctual player, he simply isn't fast enough or strong enough to warrant a 1st round pick. People may compare him to Lofa Tatupu - they would be wrong. Tatupu was stellar - just short. Like Zach Thomas a playmaker. Greenway was a great college star but has a way to go physically to be a pro star. Like countless other guys, but lets say a slow version of Brian Bosworth.
Mercedes Lewis and Leonard Pope? Usually I would say no way to 3 TEs in the first round, particularly these 3, but with the talk about weakness at WR this is possible. But I think it more likely that a polished WR like Derek Hagan sneaks into the round late, or a big target like Maurice Stovall. I see Hagan as a Mark Clayton possession sort of guy - but bigger. Of course Hagan could also go much later as the NFL doesnt respect Pac 10 skill players outside USC. Stovall is probably better suited to the second round, but teams in need.....
I agree that LenDale White is probably out of the first round and into the second round. Last I heard he wasnt going to be able to run prior to the draft. Other than Willis McGahee, who was an absolute freak, what other RB has skipped the timed run and gone in the first round? Of course, if White runs and does well that will change things. But Stephen Jackson fell to #24 in 2004 due to slow 40 times - and he is faster than White.
Also, next year should be a stellar RB class led by the Sooners' Adrian Petersen and Michigan's Mike Hart. The Steelers could wait a year and see how Staley and Parker work out, and then draft out of a deep 2007 class. And Indy could depend on Rhodes for a year and do the same.
Anyway, great site. Keep the updates coming! And Happy Easter.
Lou: You make some excellent points. A few thoughts:
-San Francisco will have a chance to get corners in later rounds, but a player like Vernon Davis comes along only once in a few years.
-Likewise, the lack of depth at DT makes me think Buffalo will go DT over OT in round one. Especially since Ngata fits the Bills' 3-4 system so well.
-Cutler is a talented QB prospect; he'd fit in very well for the Cardinals long-term, but you're right about Denny Green needing to win now (I've said as much on here.)
-2007 is already looking like it will be a good draft, if many of the incoming juniors for the 2006 season decide to declare early. I've already begun a preliminary list for that, if you can believe it. But first things first with this draft...
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