Draft Spot

Subject: Mock Draft #1: All of Round 1
Time: 6:58:24 PM EST
Author:  jmbigbird

What better time to do my first Mock Draft than the beginning of 2007?  DraftSpot will be doing many Mock Drafts, each with in-depth analysis of the picks and other possible scenarios.  This Mock Draft is made up of all 32 picks for the first round and will have a lot of anylisis on every pick:

1. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame, Oakland Raiders

It is presently the popular idea that Quinn will go to the Raiders with this pick.  He was projected to go #1 in this draft back in May of last year, and still probably will.  The Raiders had another great year this year (2-14).  What's next, 0-16?  The way they played at the end of the season, they are heading in that direction.  The way to reverse this is to take the best player in the draft with the first pick, HEAR THAT HOUSTON TEXANS?  Quinn would also fill a need for the Raiders.  They have Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks as their top 2 QBs.  Walter can't handle being a starter in the NFL just yet, and Brooks is mistake-prone, and not a great quarterback.  Quinn is experienced and the Raiders, having passed on Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last year, will not pass up on Quinn in this draft.

Other Options: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin, JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU, Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech.

2.  

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Subject: DraftSpot Returns for Total NFL Draft Coverage
Time: 10:38:10 AM EST
Author:  jmbigbird

Well, its that time of year again!  Draft season has begun.  The bowls are coming to a close, and the draft order has arrived, at least for the early-on teams.  Draft Spot will be covering the draft in and out with many mock-drafts, statistics, and progress reports.  As we saw last year, at this time, the draft is still so unknown.  We have the draft order, however and here is how it is looking:

1. Oakland Raiders 2-14

2. Detroit Lions 3-13

3. Cleveland Browns 4-12

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-12 (A playoff team last year)

5. Arizona Cardinals 5-11

6. Washington Redskins 5-111 (Pfft.... People called them a potential SB team, all that talent, nothing done with it)

7. Minnesota Vikings 6-10

8. Houston Texans 6-10 (And look where the team who took REGGIE BUSH is!)

9. Miami Dolphins 6-10

10. Atlanta Falcons 7-9

11. San Francisco 49ers 7-9 (Best record since 2002, 2003 also were 7-9)

12. Buffalo Bills 7-9

13. St. Louis Rams 8-8

14. Carolina Panthers 8-8 (This team was my Super Bowl Pick?)

15. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-8 (Good job, defending champs!)

16. Green Bay Packers 8-8

17. Jacksonville Jaguars 8-8

18. Cincinatti Bengals 8-8

19. Tennessee Titans 8-8

20. New York Giants 8-8**

21. Denver Broncos 9-7

22. Seattle Seahawks 9-7**

23. Dallas Cowboys 9-7**

24. Kansas City Chiefs 9-7**

25. New Orleans Saints 10-6** (GO SAINTS!!!)

26. New York Jets 10-6** (Mangenius (Eric Mangini's nickname) leads one of the best stories of the year to the playoffs)

27. Philadelphia Eagles 10-6**

28. New England Patriots 12-4**

29. Indianapolis Colts 12-4**

30. Baltimore Ravens 13-3**

31. Chicago Bears 13-3**

32. San Diego Chargers 14-2**

**=Team is in playoffs, pick number not final.

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Subject: Luck of the 5th worst: Raptors Win The Lottery!
Time: 8:11:21 PM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

For the second straight year, the fifth wosrt team has won the lottery.  This year it was the Toronto Raptors.  The lottery is going to go like this:

1. Toronto Raptors

2. Chicago Bulls

3. Charlotte Bobcats

4. Portland Trailblazers

5. Atlanta Hawks

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

7. Boston Celtics

8. Houston Rockets

9. Golden State Warriors

10. Seattle Supersonics

11. Orlando Magic

12. New Orleans Hornets

13. Philadelphia 76ers

14. Utah Jazz

Congratulations to the Raptors!  I will be doing a mock draft now that the lottery is out.

 

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Subject: Lottery Day
Time: 6:27:35 PM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

Finally, Lottery Day is here again.  In a stupid but fun system that may send the worst team to the 4th pick, and the 14th best team to the first pick, the teams that missed the playoff's draft order will be decided.  The exciting thing about this is that now, I can start with mock drafts, having a definate order.  I will try to start a mock draft ASAP.  Till then, lets go Celtics!  Win the lottery tonight!  Them, or the Bulls.  Here are the odds for getting the #1 pick:

Portland 25%

Chicago (From New York) 19.9 %

Charlotte 13.8 %

Atlanta 13.7 %

Toronto 8.8 %

Boston 5.3 %

Minnesota 5.3 %

Houston 2.3 %

Golden State 2.2 %

Houston 1.1 %

Orlando 0.8 %

New Orleans 0.7 %

Philadelphia 0.6 %

Utah 0.5 %

Enjoy the lottery

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Subject: Finding This Year's High Riser
Time: 9:24:51 PM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

Every year, there is a draft high riser who shoots up the boards.  For instance, last year it was Channing Frye (it seemed like it'd be Danny Granger as well, but he slid to pick 17).  This year, the search is on.  There are a few players who look like they could be in that position.  There is Mardy Collins, a point guard out of temple, and Quincy Douby, a shooting guard out of Rutgers.  They'll need good workouts, and good scout evaluations to shoot up the boards.  We will see as the draft continues to get closer.

By the way, just on a side note, poor New York Knicks:

They're a terrible team, deep in salary cap trouble.  They have four highly paid, starter worthy point guards (Stephon Marbury, Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, and Steve Francis).  Their management is stupid.  What was Isiah Thomas' logic in the Francis trade?!  How could he justify spending 55 mil on another point guard!  Their coach, Larry Brown, who they spend a ton of money on, will get fired, it seems.  Well, at least they have a high draft pick in a great draft class, right?  WRONG!  The Knicks traded their pick to the Bulls.  Sorry Knicks fans, your team aint getting any better.

   

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Subject: Changing Gears
Time: 5:44:33 PM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

Now, it is time to change gears to the NBA Draft (I love the spring/summer, one draft to the next :)):

This is shaping up to be a great draft.  If it had Joakin Noah in it, I'd be calling it one of the best ever.  Still, this should be a great year.  The common trend for the top 5 will be forwards.  Get used to names like:

PF Tyrus Thomas, LSU

PF LeMarcus Aldridge, Texas

SF Adam Morrison, Gonzaga

PF Andrea Bargani, Italy (You'd never guess by the name)

SF Rudy Gay, UConn

PG/SG Randy Foye, Villanova

You may notice a name not on there is the highly hyped J.J. Reddick.  This is because, though no one doubts Reddick is a good shooter and offensive player, he is not a great rebounder or defensive player.  He may not even be the first Dukey taken (Shelden Williams).  Still, Reddick looks like a lock for the top 20.

The monopoly for this draft will be the UConn Huskies.  THEIR WHOLE STARTING LINEUP WILL GET DRAFTED!  The only one who might not is Josh Boone.  Though Boone looks like a first rounder right now, I've seen many players highly regarded fall because of fears with them.  Boone has attracted a lot of attention about his throwing, oh I mean shooting, abilities and his sub-Shaq-par free throw shooting.  I could see him slipping to the second round this draft.

So, everybody get ready, NBA Draft season's here.

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Subject: 2006 NFL Draft picks 27-32
Time: 9:55:00 AM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

27. DeAngello Williams, RB, Memphis, Carolina Panthers

A change in running style for the Panthers.  They usually like the power runners, but Williams is a fast, small runner.  He will be a change for them, but I think, for the better.  Williams is a very quick runner, he will usually either no for no yards, or big yards.  He and DeShaun Foster should create an excellent running game in Carolina.

28. Mercedes Lewis, TE, UCLA, Jacksonville Jaguars

A good pick by the Jaguars.  They need a pass catching tight end big time.  Lewis is just that.  He will probably start next season for them, and could be a nice pick for fantasy teams.  He will make a nice target for QB Byron Leftwich for sure next season.

29. Nick Mangold, C, Ohio St., New York Jets

The Jets have a common theme going thus far.  Offensive line.  They have drafted the top center and the top offensive tackle thus far.  Mangold is a big, tough, strong, good blocking center.  He is actually a little bit of a steal here.  The Jets still have needs at QB, WR, RB, and OLB to fill in the next rounds, but Mangold was a good pick.

30. Joseph Addai, RB, LSU, Indianapolis Colts

Addai was the top example of using the draft stock enhancers to his advantage.  He was a third-fourth rounder at the end of the season.  Then he had a good Senoir Bowl weekend, and became a third rounder.  Then, after a fantastic combine, in my opinion, the best of any running back, Addai found himself a late first rounder-early second rounder.  He will help replace Edgerrin James in Indy, and though Edge is practicallty un-replacable, he and Dominick Rhodes will do their best to get some yards between them.  Still, expect the ball to be thrown a lot next season.

31. Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami (FL), Seattle Seahawks

Well, looks like for the first time of twelve years there's gonna be no Miami players taken in the first....... nevermind.  It was so close!  Only two more picks!  Oh well, Miami (FL) has had a first rounder taken 12 years in a row.  The Seahawks made an interesting pick in Jennings.  He is quick, and great at coverage.  He will improve their secondary a lot.  Still, I think Richard Marshall would've been a better pick here.

32. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College, New York Giants

THE GIANTS DID WHAT?????!?!!!?!?!!?!?!??!  Chad Jackson has slid down the board to here, and then, they take Kiwanuka?!  I don't know what they were thinking.  Jackson would have filled a big need for them, and they take Kiwanuka?  Sure, Kiwanuka is a very good player, but they already have Osi Umenyora and Michael Strahan.  To me, this was the worst pick of the first round.

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Subject: 2006 NFL Draft picks 21-26
Time: 5:49:01 PM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

21. Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota, New England Patriots

Being a big Pats fan, and a draft nut, I was very happy to see Chad Jackson and Manny Lawson sitting there for them at 21.  But instead, they chose to go with a good, but not great option in Maroney.  Yeah, Corey Dillion is getting old, but that's what the third round is for, drafting some running back who slides.  Because the Pats didn't need a running back as much as they needed a linebacker, receiver, or cornerback.  No doubt Maroney is a really good back, but I think the Patriots should have waited until the second or third rounds to take a back up for Dillion.

22. Manny Lawson, DE/OLB, NC State, San Francisco 49ers (From Washington Redskins via Denver Broncos)

This, in my opinion, was the best pick in the draft.  Lawson's stock has been on the rise since the end of the college football season, with an outstanding combine, including a 4.42 40-yard dash time.  I even thought he could go a little higher than this, but he ended up being a great pick for the 49ers.  I suspect that, for their defensive system, Lawson will play linebacker, though I do not know for sure.

23. Davin Joseph, OG, Oklahoma, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WHAT!!!!!?  The Buccaneers selected who!?  Do me, this was one of the worst picks of the first round.  Not because Joseph is a bad player, which he isn't, or that he doesn't fill a need, but because they had many better options.  Winston Justice, Marcus McNeil, and Nick Mangold, who were all better offensive lineman, were all around at this time, but the Buccaneers picked Joseph.  Not a smart move by the Bucs.

24. Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina, Cincinatti Bengals

A pretty good pick by the Bengals.  Joseph still needs some work, but he has great speed and potential.  Not Antonio Cromartie potential, but potential.  Joseph was the third fastest corner at the combine, behind Tye Hill and Tim Jennings, and has elite speed.  He will have to develop in Cincinatti, though, before starting.

25. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio St., Pittsburgh Steelers (From New York Giants)

This was a great trade by the Steelers. They had lost their former starter Randel El to the Redskins, and now are looking for a replacement.  Holmes is perfect for them.  He is fast, but not Chad Jackson fast, but he is a fantastic route-runner, and great at getting open.  Ben Rothleisberger will have a new target next season along with Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward.

26. John McCargo, DT, NC State, Buffalo Bills (From Chicago Bears)

WHAT????????????  Mark Levy is losing his mind!  The Bills had Brodrick Bunkley available at 8, and they didn't take him, instead drafting Donte Whitner, who wasn't even at one of their biggest needs.  Then they trade up to get a player who will for sure be there for them at pick 37.  WHY?  It was just a stupid move.  I figured that they were trading up to get OT Winston Justice, who would've been a great pick for them.  Instead, they get McCargo, who woul've been around for them in the second round for sure.

 

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Subject: 2006 NFL Draft picks 16-20
Time: 10:05:42 AM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

16. Jason Allen, S, Tennessee, Miami Dolphins

Another SEC pick for Nick Saban's squad.  Still, Allen should make for a great fit with the Dolphins.  He is tough, fast, and big.  Because he missed most of the 2005-2006 season due to an injury, Allen's draft stock fell, people say he could've been a top 10 pick were he not injured.

17. Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa, Minnesota Vikings

I really like this pick by the Vikings.  Greenway is a reliable, consistent, great tackling linebacker.  The Vikings needed a linebacker, and Greenway was a perfect fit.  I look at this draft as having a similarity among the linebackers and quarterbacks.  There's the instant impact, totally proven guy (Leinart and Hawk).  Then there's the guy with the most potential (Sims and Young).  Then there's the instant impact, but not considered quite as good as the first guy (Greenway, and a little bit Cutler, though he still needs to improve his accuracy).  Getting Greenway was a great move by the Vikings.

18. Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio St., Dallas Cowboys

An interesting pick, but not a great one.  I was surprised when the Cowboys took Carpenter here.  They had a need at linebacker, but I thought that Manny Lawson, and DeMeco Ryans were better prospects.  Still, it is not a bad move by the Cowboys.  They will have a nice linebacker duo with Carpenter and DeMarcus Ware.

19. Antonio Cromartie, CB/WR, Florida St., San Deigo Chargers

The Chargers' draft room must've been celebrating when it came time for their pick.  They could have anyone they wanted!  Chad Jackson, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, and Winston Justice!  Four players that they wanted, but weren't sure would be here.  All four slipped!  Cromartie was a great pick here.  He is quick, has great coverage skills, and great hands, which is why he can also play wide receiver.  I believe he was the best cornerback in this draft, if you call Michael Huff a safety, and Cromartie was a great pick for the Chargers.

20. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn St., Kansas City Chiefs

OK, no doubt Hali is good, but pick 20?!  I thought this was not a good move by the Chiefs.  There were manycornerbacks still on the board at this time, which was also one of their major needs.  I understand the pick, but come on, this high?  Overall, a mistake by the Cheifs.

 

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Subject: 2006 NFL Draft picks 11-15
Time: 2:41:36 PM EDT
Author:  jmbigbird

11. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt, Denver Broncos (From St. Louis Rams)

I am very happy for Cutler.  It seemed like he would go to the Rams, which was not a good situation for him because they already had Marc Bulger and Gus Ferrotte.  The Broncos, on the other hand are a great situation for him.  They have Jake Plummer already, but he can be inaccurate, and inconsistent.  Cutler has these problems as well, but they can try to groom him into their future QB, which I know they want him to be.  This is because they saw that Cutler was there, and they had to make a trade up to get him.  The Broncos made a great move getting Cutler.

12. Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon, Baltimore Ravens (From Cleveland Browns)

In a shocking move, the Ravens have swapped picks with the Cleveland Browns.  This is because the Ravens really wanted Haloti Ngata.  The Browns were also interested in him, but perferred Kamerion Wimbley, or Manny Lawson.  The Ravens liked Ngata because he is huge, and a great tackler.  Also, Ray Lewis really wanted Ngata to play for them, and he threatened to demand a trade if the Ravens weren't listening to him.  There are some attitude issues with Ngata, but the Ravens, and especially Ray Lewis, saw something they really liked in him. 

13. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida St., Cleveland Browns

The Browns were very smart this draft.  They wanted Wimbley anyway, but they were able to get a sixth round pick, basically for free from the Ravens.  Wimbley is a very good defensive end.  He is very fast, a great pass rusher, and has great character.  He is ready to listen to Romeo Crunell, and the Browns are building a team with great character and work ethic.  I would say that Wimbley is a worthy top 10 pick, and is even a little bit of a steal here.

14. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida St., Philadephia Eagles

This is a huge steal.  I thought that Bunkley would go 8th to the Bills.  Now, in Philli, Bunkley should be a defensive force.  He is so, so fast for his size, and he had a fantastic season, senior bowl, and combine.  He bench-pressed 225 lbs 44 times.  The Eagles may return to their previous stature next season, but I think it'll take a little longer.

15. Tye Hill, CB, Clemson, St. Louis Rams (From Atlanta Falcons via Denver Broncos)

Tye Hill was named the combine's "fastest man."  He was also named college football's best defensive back.  Now, the Rams are getting a stud cornerback.  He will help the Rams' secondary a ton.  This is why the trade with the Broncos was good for both teams.  The Broncos got to get Jay Cutler, who they weren't sure if they could get.  Meanwhile, the Rams get Hill, who they wanted anyway, and an early third round pick.  So far, a very good draft for the Rams.

 

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