The 09 NFL Draft

well if anything I see the Colts picking up Hakeem Nicks if he is available.. Indy have a nice hole in WR that needs to be filled.

If the Bucs pick Josh Freeman, as so many mocks have them doing, I'll pitch a fit. You don't spend a first round pick on a project, even if it's a QB.

That's what he's been groomed for.

This draft strikes me as being either wafer-thin or very deep...past Jason Smith and Aaron Curry, there's a bunch of guys with big question marks IMO. Reminds me of '06 with less elite depth.

There are some positions with a lot of depth -- defensive line and cornerback among them -- but the sexy positions are pretty thing, although the wide receiver depth isn't bad.

Any good mock drafts out there that were good in the past?

Actually, I should correct/clarify myself - I don't see depth at the top; I think the draft drops off after the top 3 prospects (which I rate as Jason Smith, Aaron Curry, and Eugene Monroe)...after that, there aren't any guys I'd be thrilled to grab with a top 15 pick.

It's a draft with not-bad depth (some nice RBs, decent DL depth, great LB class) but as far as what I consider "elite" prospects it is thin. About half the first round is going to be technically "overdrafted" IMO.

Still, all that said, I think this might be a very good draft. I guess I just don't see the "great talent" at the top.

Oh, Everette Brown might be a stud OLB but in general I just don't trust FSU DLs. You've got Boulware, who was great, and a succession of busts (I know I'm missing a stud DT in there as well - Corey Simon?)

Reports are that Stafford is going to sign with the Lions this week, pre-draft.. which would then open up possibly the Rams and even the Chiefs pre-draft signing their picks. That would be great.. knock off 30 minutes of the draft right then and there and go straight into pick No. 4.

I liked Todd McShay's newest mock, He had 6'3 Rutgers WR Kenny Britt, going to Miami at 25.

Travis Johnson and Darnell Dockett are both doing pretty well currently. Bunkley suffered from holding out too long, but he's catching up. FSU DEs are usually the busts, with Peter Boulware and Kamerion Wimbley being the most recent exceptions to the rule. Jamal Reynolds, Reinard Wilson and Alonzo Jackson were guys that couldn't cut it in the NFL.

I'm wondering where Graham Gano will be drafted, if he is at all. He won the Groza award this year, and was the best PK FSU has had since Jano. I think he missed his first FG of the year, then hit like 18 straight. Tore his knee during practice just before the start of the season, and he said it was the best thing that ever happened to him, as he learned to focus more on the execution of the kick, and not just killing the ball. He missed the first 2-3 games, then came back and only missed 2 FGs the rest of the season, I think. He also took back over punting duties about half way through the season as well--he was originally named a pre-season AA as a punter.

Yeah, I know, I'm excited about a kicker. Antone Smith is about the only other FSU player that's not on defense that has even a slight chance of being drafted.

So, where do you rate Brown, considering you wear maroon-and-gold (or whatever the fuck the 'Noles call their colors) glasses?

I think he could be a Wimbley-type as an OLB in a 3-4 defense. He definitely needs to get a bit more size, and work on his technique, but there were very few games last season where he didn't get consistent pressure in the backfield. He's very fast, and has good closing speed. I remember one play in particular in a game where the QB faked an inside handoff, then started rolling away from Brown, and Brown stopped, changed direction, and still caught the QB. The "strange" thing about him is also that he's a high-character guy. No problems ever with off-the-field antics, and I don't think he takes plays off. I think the biggest hurdle those guys have to face in the NFL is that instead of playing against a FR or SO every so often that you can use and abuse, the NFL guys are all in the top percentile, no matter how long they've been in the league. He used and abused the kid from Clemson, and also terrorized UMD and Virginia Tech. So he put up some of his best numbers against decent college level teams, not just the Podunk U's of the world. He'll have to work on his coverage skills, and his run-defense, but if you're drafting him, I think it's more for his QB pressure skills than anything. Even Mario Williams took a season or two to get to where he is now.

And it's Garnet and Gold. Maroon and Gold was close.

WOW! Rumors are being said about Miami shopping RB Ronnie Brown, allegedly for a late 1st or mid 2nd rd pick.

And who would be their primary RB? Ricky Williams? Wha-huh?

Martianman, Well, Miami would then have to draft a RB, but last year they did draft an RB Lex Hilliard that did make their practice squad, But if they do trade Brown, it would be for a fairly high pick, and if that is a #2 then Miami would have 3 #2 selections in rd 2, and they can move up for someone they really want. Brown has been injured now 2 times, so maybe Miami wants a younger, cheaper, and more explosive back, than he.

Very strange indeed, for a 'Nole.

Nah, Brown sounds like a solid prospect to me. I wouldn't be upset with GB getting him.
Glad you took that the right way - I'm from Big Ten country, so we've got crimson and cream, scarlet and gray, cardinal and white, and Imaroon and gold....but if you asked someone on the street what the darker color in all for unis was, they'd probably just say "red."

To paraphrase Nigel Tufnel, it's things like that which make college football either very awesome or somewhat stupid.

This should be required reading for all budding NFL superstars heading into the draft.

http://www.esquire.com/features/the-...arinovich-0509


It's easy to take shots at flops like Brian Bosworth and Mandrich who were all hype and little to no substance but Marinovich could have been great. The mention of Favre is a good one; he had his own personal demons that he overcame and became a legend. Todd just gave up and gave in to his temptations.

I see if Nicks falls this far down the Colts will pick him up, if he's not then I'm sure it'll be a DT for sure. While I'm a huge fan of Gonzo, without Marvin, there is not much depth left in the receiving core.

That's actually one of the reasons I actually like Green Bay somewhat--they tend to draft a decent amount of FSU players, although Jamal Reynolds was a bust. Edgar Bennett and Leroy Butler were two great ones, and so was Javon Walker before he left, and Terrell Buckley started out in Green Bay.

Walker has been a trainwreck since leaving. Butler is still a folk hero in these parts and Bennett coaches GB's RBs (though I would have preferred they draft Amp Lee that year, but oh well).

Seeing how this draft may end up being full of busts, or just serviceable defenseman...I would like to see the niners throw their pick at the cards and try to work a deal for Anquan.

I cant think of a better reciever for the direction singletary is taking the team. Of course, the prospect of trading within the NFC west seems unlikely, but I think the niners have the money to sign boldin to a big money deal and they have picks to throw.

Where in the solar system are you from, if you think the Dolphins can get anything close to a 1st round pick for a back who's going to be 28 next season, one year removed from major knee surgery?

So Arizona has reduced it's asking price for boldin per ESPN. A 2nd RD pick and other considerations. Eagles, Jets and Giants are in the mix. That's cheap if you think you can win a SB now. Only downside is that he's 28, had a injury issue last year, and wants a huge contract.

This is a no brainer for the Giants. Doubt the bears have the balls or cash to go after him but that would be a huge weapon.

The deal wouldn't be a straight up trade for picks, so I guess your right in thinking no one would do that because that wasn't what anyone was proposing.

The Niners would have to come forward with an absolutely stunning package for the Cardinals to trade him within the division.

Boldin seems like a natural fit for Philly, but they are either doing a great job of downplaying how much they like him or they truly don't have a lot of interest. The way he plays would instantly make him a fan favorite there. He loves contact which makes fans gravitate to him but is also a good way to get hurt.

hell pAso, I don't think that Miami could get a 1st rd pick for RB Ronnie Brown, I just mentioned that it is rumored the Dolphins preferred a late 1st rd pick, or a 2nd round selection. I would guess the best Miami could get is a 3rd rd pick.

Call me silly, but I don't think "broken face on a vicious hit" is a chronic injury.

Detroit kicked off the 09 draft festivities by signing Georgia qb Matt Stafford to six-year, $78 million deal that includes an NFL-record $41.7 million guaranteed. And rumor has it that St. Louis will have Sanchez signed before the draft even starts tomorrow.

If the Lions can beef up their offensive line they're going to score a lot of points next season. Whether or not they'll be able to stop anybody else's offense is another story.

The Rams still have a lot of money tied up in Bulger. I find it unlikely they'd sink a ton of money into another QB without moving Bulger first, and I don't see that happening any time soon.

EDIT: Well, now I'm reading the Jets may be interested in trading for Bulger, so who knows? This is why I love draft day!

Agreed - today should be a fun day, a lot of crazy stuff will probably happen before 4pm EST even gets here and I think the first round is going to have many trades.

I'm very interested to see what the Browns end up doing. I'm a fan of Brady Quinn and think he has a shot in the NFL, so I would like to see them keep him. Ideally, I'd love to see the Browns keep Braylon Edwards, but alas, that does not seem likely to happen. I was hoping for that 1st and 3rd, but with ARI just reducing their demands, I highly doubt that happens. However, if the 2nd round pick is high enough, it could work out...

I hope this Sanchez talks stays hot and Aaron Curry can fall to the Browns at 5 - that would be my ideal scenario (and then get the Giants 1st and 3rd and get a lot of players). God knows the Browns need all the talent they can get right now.

Word is now that the Giants are trying to trade up to get Darius Heyward-Bey. Don't know if the Braylon Edwards thing will happen or not.

Talking about the hamstring that kept him out of some of the playoffs. Very worrysome in WR's.
You are assuming Stafford will play and play well. 2 big assumptions for a rookie QB.

Cutler to Edwards sounds nice. Why are theo Browns so quick to dismantle their offensive weapons? First Winslow and now Edwards. I know they are bad but NFL turn arounds can be quick and they will need some offense.

Sanchez=Leinart. Guy was playing will future NFL players at every position. The talent overwhelmed most teams. I'd pass.

Who was the last USC QB that took his team to a playoff win?

Booty-no. Palmer-no. Leinart-no. Stumped after that.

Bears are willing to trade their 2nd round pic. Sun Times says trade down but I'm thinking there are 2 WR out there that teams want to part with.

You have to go back to 1968, Bill Nelsen for the Cleveland Browns.

I looked that up, by the way, I don't have that kind of in-depth knowledge of USC quarterbacks.

Sorry, but am I the only one who likes to watch the draft just to pick out future burn-outs? I don't WISH that they fail, just think it's funny when they turn out to be a Tim Couch or a Ryan Leaf.

Referring to the Stafford pick, since when can teams pick before the draft even begins? I mean I know it's happened before but I never understood it. I guess when you have the first pick you're technically on the clock before it all starts.

Also, i'm really just referring to the QB position as far as burn-outs.

Michael Oher- best story of the entire draft? I'd say.

As a Lions fan, I can live with the Stafford pick. I would have gone with Jason Smith since this teams needs an LT very very very badly. If I had to go QB, I would have tried to get Mark Sanchez because I think he will be a better pro, but I still like what Stafford brings to the table.

The Lions still have 2 first round-quality picks (#20 overall and #33 overall--the first pick in the 2nd round). They can get an OT in there (Oher, Britton, Beatty) and some help for the defense.

Det hasn't technically picked Stafford yet; but since they know they'll get the player they want, they can sign him to a contract before the "official" pick.

Well, he IS the only player with a book about him, so that probably says something.

Knock is he's a little soft - one of those guys who has gotten by on his natural talent but might quit when it gets to be time to really work.

Pat Haden was the QB when the Rams beat the Vikings in '78.

Still, that's 30 years ago. Going to check on Rodney Peete...

Rodney Peete started for the '95 Eagles when they thumped Detroit 58-37. Though depending on your criteria - Peete was a 6th round draft pick of another team when he started for Philly.

Heard an unsubstantiated rumor the Chiefs offered the #3 for Det's #20 and #33 picks.

So I'll proably watch the NFL network online because Kiper and Berman just annoys me. Deon Sanders will be a bore but I remember the show from last year and enjoyed them better.

Who is sticking with ESPN?

Chicago papers really want Boldin. A 2nd round pick and what? What kind of player do they think they can get?
It's fun to speculate. I usually look at the teams who pick a certain player. Though I think Sanchez is a bust no matter who takes him. Gotta feel bad for whoever goes to Cincy.

Considering what Detroit is paying for the overall number one pick, that might not be the wisest decision. Plus, I'd say Detroit needs the two picks more than the one. Here's hoping Rey Maualuga drops to 20.

ETA: Boldin to Chicago? That'd make Chicago damn scary. Considering what they put down for Cutler, though makes it a risky prospect (assuming they'd be giving more drafts for him).

If Denver really wants Sanchez then this is the way to go. I'd still take best 2 defenders.