Lou Pickney's 2024 NFL Mock Draft

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Draft King Mailbag

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

From: LThomp5490@aol.com
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 24, 2006 6:18 AM
Subject: Your e-mail

In your latest mailbag...you wrote this,

"Before I start with the e-mails, I want to go over the report on ESPN.com about the Texans opening negotiations with RB Reggie Bush and DE Mario Williams. I think the Williams talk is simply posturing by Houston to try to get Bush's price tag down. Williams is going to be a great player, but as a speed DE he fits the 4-3 mold MUCH better than the 3-4."

1. Houston will run a 4-3 defense. Capers and Fangio are gone. Kubiak has already moved two guys, Antwaan Peek and Jason Babin, from 3-4 OLB to 4-3 DEs.

2. Williams is much more than a speed DE. If you get a chance, watch tape of the bowl game against USF. On one second half play, with his initial punch, Williams knocks the RT 5-7 yards off the LOS. He's 290 lbs with the frame to easily carry 10-15 more.

Lou: Babin was a talented DE at Western Michigan; I remember when he came out how Houston picked him in that typical DE-turned-OLB for the 3-4 style. I didn't realize that the Texans were going 4-3; as always, it's the readers who help keep me up to speed with individual teams and the moves they make.

There's no questioning Williams' power, I agree. The guy is massive. But with his speed, that aspect cannot be ignored (and in a 3-4, he would likely be moved to OLB.) There's a reason that he has emerged as the top defensive prospect in this draft -- it's his strength and speed.

Nonetheless, I still think the Texans will take Reggie Bush #1. But Williams is a great talent...

From: Charles Lane, Jr.
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 24, 2006 8:08 AM
Subject: Dallas drafted a OLB last season.

"OLB is a possibility, but remember that they used a first round pick on an OLB just last year. More on this in a bit." — Lou Pickney

The Cowboys did draft DeMarcus Ware last season, but they are still in need for another. The Cowboys still have a spot open at the other OLB spot. With Kevin Burnett getting hurt over and over last season, and the injury Al Singleton had their isnt a clear starter on the team. I'm looking forward to the draft and see what happens. My thought now is the Cowboys will trade down in the first and draft Bobby Carpenter. Even if they dont trade down I see them drafting Bobby Carpenter unless Winston Justice is available (I doubt it). Parcells likes kids of NFL players, & Bobby Carpenter's father played for Parcells. I see you have the Cowboys drafting Donte Whitner, S now on your mock draft. Its a chance the Cowboys could draft him but I see the Cowboys drafting a Safety in a later round.

Lou: It's my belief that Burnett is ready to take on a starting role for the Cowboys, but as you point out, not everyone agrees with my opinion on that. I have to disagree about Bobby Carpenter being a good match for Dallas' 3-4. With his size, he is a much better fit for a 4-3. He can knock someone into next week with his power, to be sure, but I don't see him being the right fit for the Cowboys system.

Dallas could trade down a couple of times, end up with a player like UTEP OLB Thomas Howard, and then get a safety like Daniel Bullocks or Darnell Bing in round two. That wouldn't surprise me in the least. As I wrote in the last mailbag, I think Chad Greenway would be a great fit of the team, so if he's on the board when the Cowboys draft, perhaps Dallas would stay at the #18 spot.

From: ksfree@comcast.net
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 24, 2006 11:33 AM
Subject: bills draft

Why do you think the bills will take Ngata over Bunkley? Bunkley seems to be a better fit for their new defense.

Lou: With the Bills going with a new "Cover 2" defense, on the surface it might look like Bunkley would be a better fit. However, Buffalo signed former Indianapolis DT Larry Tripplett, who at 293 pounds is more of a speedy, get after the QB type. The Bills will need to match that with an accompanying DT run stuffer... like the 340 pound Ngata. So even though Buffalo has abandoned the 3-4, Ngata still fits what the Bills need on the defensive line relative to who they already have on board.

From: Brian Wallin
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 24, 2006 1:47 PM
Subject: 2006 draft for Green Bay

I know that nobody is projecting this to happen, because everybody is positioning for the QB's at 2, 3, and 4. but what do the Packers do if the following scenario where to happen:

Houston: Reggie Bush
New Orleans: Mario Williams
Tennessee: Matt Leinart
Detroit (via NYJ): AJ Hawk (could be anybody trading up for this pick??)
Green Bay: ????

What would the Jets have to lose, if they have Cutler and Young rated remotely close they should be able to get either of them at #9. I can't see GB taking a QB, San Fran won't, Oakland probably would take Young, but doesn't need to(Brooks and Walters), and Buffalo has Losman, Craig Nall (another Packer backup that will succeed in the NFL; see Brunell, Brooks, Hasselback), and Kelly Holcombe. That would leave Jay Cutler to the Jets at 9 for a much better value!

But back to my original question... what would the Packers do in this situation? Clifton and Tauscher are the strengths of their line at tackle, so Ferguson doesn't make sense, Donald Lee played well last year, and we already have Bubba, so investing in another TE like Davis doesn't make sense either. Would they stretch for Michael Huff?? or do you think they would try to trade down if Williams and Hawk were off the board??

Lou: Under those circumstances, Green Bay would almost for sure try to trade down, maybe with Buffalo at #8 (moving up for Ferguson) or Oakland (don't discount the possibility of the Raiders making a move to secure Vince Young.) If they couldn't find any takers, I'd expect Green Bay to select Michael Huff, considering how porous its secondary was last year and how strong Huff appears to be as a prospect.

I agree with your evaluation of Donald Lee. He was at Mississippi State while my brother was there, so I saw more of his games than most draft observers. Lee was one of the few shining stars during his senior year, and I think the Dolphins missed the boat by letting him get away (though Miami is okay at TE with Randy McMichael.)

From: Josh Obergfell
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Apr 24, 2006 9:06 PM
Subject: Super Mario #1

Lou I would like to tell you again i love the site i check it everyday i'm really bummed out because me and my fiance are in the middle of moveing and because of which i'm not going to have cable or the internet to check on the draft but that is besides the point. the point is i don't think the texans should pick reggie bush just to sell tickets. when the best defensive end is right for the picken now before you boo me and tell me i'm a retard let me explain. lets take the colts. what was it two years ago manning broke the thochdown record, congrats but at the end of the season who was hold the trophy not Mr. Touchdown why lets face it the defense sucked. the chiefs have had an explosive offense for the past few years but no championship. now Jevon Kearse Julius Peppers Simeon Rice Michael Strahan Jason Taylor Bruce Smith and Reggie white are some of the best d line players ever with the exception of Talyor all have a reached a championship. And i'm not saying that reggie bush isn't a great player at his postion but is he going to get any better or have we seen the best of reggie bush. and Mario Williams is a great player and he is only going to get better. i guess what i'm trying to day is defense wins championships. if the texans want to sell season tickets draft bush, if they want to sell playoff tickets draft williams. Lou if you have time can you do a what if draft for me thanks

Lou: There's been a late rally for people who are suddenly excited about the idea of the Texans potentially taking Williams. I read an opinion piece today that encouraged Houston to take Williams over Bush. Either player would give a major boost to the team.

One comment before your what if draft... I just read a quote about the Heisman committee talking about how the potential of revoking the Heisman Trophy from Bush. That's ridiculous. If O.J. Simpson got to keep his, Bush should've have to give his up, no matter what happened with his situation.

I think the top four are the only that would be altered if Houston opted to go with Mario Williams. Here's how it would play out, in my opinion:

1. Houston Texans - Mario Williams, DE, NC State
2. New Orleans Saints - Reggie Bush, RB, USC
3. Tennessee Titans - Matt Leinart, QB, USC
4. New York Jets - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia

With Deuce McAllister coming off a torn ACL, adding Bush would give Drew Brees a nice boost on offense. But I don't think it would come to that...

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