NFL 2011 Draft Thread

HansomB1derful wrote:

I think a few years down the road we might see a first round where New England has every pick. I think that's Belichek's draft endgame.

LMFAO!

*Legion* wrote:
Leroyog wrote:
*Legion* wrote:

LOL!

Tennessee, I love you.

i just got done lol'ing myself. What the hell?!?!?

They just got rid of a QB who was mobile and couldn't complete a pass.

We'll see. I was hoping they got Locker or Dalton.

Have fun teaching Blaine Gabbert how to take snaps under center.

Ok, first rounds over and all I can say is...

What in the hell just happened? Wow, I have the odd feeling that there are some GM's who are going to be bagging groceries in a minute....ok, in a year.

I still can't believe the Titans. Or Atlanta for that matter.

And Mallett's issues really scared people off, which is a shame as he can throw the ball.

Bowers. Was he there? That knee must be sh*t if people weren't willing to try him at the end of round 1. I mean, hell, Tebow went in the first round last year.

Stealing Legions Top 32 and added where they went if they went so far.

*Legion* wrote:

Here is my "Top 32":

1. Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama) #3 Buffalo
2. Von Miller (OLB, Texas A&M) #2 Denver
3. Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU) #5 Arizona
4. Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska) #19 Giants
5. AJ Green (WR, Georgia) #4 Cincy
6. Robert Quinn (DE, NC) #14 St.Louis
7. Ryan Kerrigan (DE, Purdue) #16 Washington
8. Cameron Jordan (DE, Cal) #24 New Orleans
9. J.J. Watt (DE, Wisconsin) #11 Houston
10. Anthony Castonzo (OT, BC) #22 Indy
11. Julio Jones (WR, Alabama) #6 Atlanta via Cleveland
12. Mike Pouncey (G, Florida) #15 Miami
13. Tyron Smith (OT, USC) #9 Dallas
14. Nick Fairley (DT, Auburn) #13 Detroit
15. Christian Ponder (QB, Florida State) #12 Minny
16. Aldon Smith (DE/OLB, Missouri) #7 San Fran
17. Corey Liuget (DT, Illinois) #18 San Diego
18. Derek Sherrod (OT, Mississippi State) #32 GREEN BAY PACKERS DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!
19. Muhammad Wilkerson (DT, Temple) #30 Jets
20. Gabe Carimi (OT, Wisconsin) #29 Bears
21. Danny Watkins (OT/OG, Baylor) #23 Philly
22. Ryan Mallett (QB, Arkansas) Undrafted
23. Phil Taylor (DT, Baylor) #21 Cleveland
24. Colin Kaepernick (QB, Nevada) Undrafted
25. Cameron Heyward (DE, Ohio State) #31 Pitt
26. Stephen Paea (DT, Oregon State) Undrafted
27. Mark Ingram (RB, Alabama) #28 New Orleans
28. Kyle Rudolph (TE, Nortre Dame) Undrafted
29. Akeem Ayers (OLB, UCLA) Undrafted
30. Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri) #10 Jacksonville via Washington
31. Nate Solder (OT, Colorado) #17 New England
32. Aaron Williams (CB/S, Texas) Undrafted

Notables the Prince sliding to the Giants at 19th....

and props to Legion for getting 26 players of the 32 right and all the misses coming past 20. For me thats harder then the impossible nonsense of predicting which order they go in.

and nice boring pick by the Packers. Protect Rogers!

jowner wrote:

and props to Legion for getting 26 players of the 32 right and all the misses coming past 20. For me thats harder then the impossible nonsense of predicting which order they go in.

Not bad, eh? Only one worse than Mayock.
And I knew I was excessively high on Mallett and especially Kaepernick. (Can't help it. I am gay for Kaepernick).

It was vindicating to see Ponder to where he did. The draftniks treated Ponder and Dalton like they were the same guy but Ponder's (healthy) arm is not the pop-gun Dalton's is. I mean you only had to watch the Senior Bowl to see that.

and nice boring pick by the Packers. Protect Rogers!

Yep, I called that pick right before it happened. Sherrod is a good left tackle. I like guys with the feet to play left tackle. I think you can get maulers to play RT later in drafts, but big men with agility are harder to come by, especially outside the top 10. Sherrod is a lot like Rodger Saffold, last year's first pick in round 2 - an agile tackle with great feet whose main knock is not having bull strength, who went on to a hell of a rookie year. You can build guys up in the weight room, but good luck teaching a big man to be agile when he isn't already.

Gumbie wrote:

Have fun teaching Blaine Gabbert how to take snaps under center.

Better that than a guy that's already proven he can't throw from the pocket.

The guys at Football Outsiders made a scary observation in their chat - Vince Young was more accurate than Locker.

(I need to come back to TF2 because I miss the Titan sh*t-talk)

So apparently this is Christian Ponder's girlfriend.

Minnesota fans disappointed with the Ponder pick, you can officially STFU. (And you already should be - Ponder's great, ignore the draftniks)

*Legion* wrote:

So apparently this is Christian Ponder's girlfriend.

Minnesota fans disappointed with the Ponder pick, you can officially STFU. (And you already should be - Ponder's great, ignore the draftniks)

Wait, aren't you a draftnik?

I like the Dareus pick, although I truly feel that the way to improve is to get a QB that can play, and go from there. I also like that the Bills are in a position to get Mallet or (preferably) Dalton with their second round pick. Of course, I know New England is going to trade #33 to someone that will take Dalton, and probably for a dozen future first rounders.

As my buddy responded when I suggested Buffalo trade #3 to New England for its two firsts and #33, "New England does the raping in the draft, not the Bills."

Ponder was a great choice for Minny. His stock had been rising since the Senior Bowl. And I don't just mean cause Legion was high on him. The only problem I see is that Amukamara was still available (among others) and with Locker and Gabbert being taken off the board they might've had their hand pushed a little.

Tennessee drafted Locker like they don't have a second round pick or something ...

*Legion* wrote:
Gumbie wrote:

Have fun teaching Blaine Gabbert how to take snaps under center.

Better that than a guy that's already proven he can't throw from the pocket.

The guys at Football Outsiders made a scary observation in their chat - Vince Young was more accurate than Locker. :)

Locker's a better leader than Vince, so in that sense he's a huge step up. Clearly they value that more than his horrid accuracy.

garion333 wrote:

Locker's a better leader than Vince, so in that sense he's a huge step up. Clearly they value that more than his horrid accuracy.

I guess it could be worse for the Titans, it could be like they have a receiver who's going to be dissapointed to not have the ball come his way. Well, it will fly in their general direction, but with Kenny Britt going to prison here shortly, who cares if it keeps going right over their collective heads.

Let us speculate on which pick in the first round was obviously picked for the Eagles for Kolb!!

As a Giants fan, I am most happy this morning. I figured I didn't want to watch them screw up a 1st round pick this year, and I woke up, and they drafted Prince Amukamara, and I partied like it was 1999.

Seriously though, he's going to make it Purple Rain at the Meadowlands.

OK, really serious, awesome pick at #19, how the f*ck did he drop so far? Not that I am complaining.

Kush15 wrote:

OK, really serious, awesome pick at #19, how the f*ck did he drop so far? Not that I am complaining.

...Quarterbacks...

garion333 wrote:
Kush15 wrote:

OK, really serious, awesome pick at #19, how the f*ck did he drop so far? Not that I am complaining.

...Quarterbacks...

Thank you Carolina, Jacksonville and Minnesota

Kush15 wrote:
garion333 wrote:
Kush15 wrote:

OK, really serious, awesome pick at #19, how the f*ck did he drop so far? Not that I am complaining.

...Quarterbacks...

Thank you Carolina, Jacksonville and Minnesota :-)

You forgot Tennessee.

And Defensive ends apparently. All the trouble Houston had in the secondary last year and they grab a DE with Prince still available? I guess they still feel burned by picking a CB first last season. I don't think any amount of QB pressure will make Creamy Jackson a better CB. He got burned and/or juked out of his cleats every other play.

The Titans clearly picked up Locker based on his leadership, heart, and toughness...definitely not his accuracy. When people knock his accuracy, no one ever brings up the fact that his offense line was beyond terrible and he was running for his life nearly every snap. The guy also has pretty impressive football IQ when it comes to reading defenses and setting up hot routes. Which is something we've never had since the Titans came to Nashville.

I'm pretty sure they are hoping he turns out to be Brett Farve Jr. minus the dick pictures.

Kush15 wrote:

As a Giants fan, I am most happy this morning. I figured I didn't want to watch them screw up a 1st round pick this year, and I woke up, and they drafted Prince Amukamara, and I partied like it was 1999.

Seriously though, he's going to make it Purple Rain at the Meadowlands.

OK, really serious, awesome pick at #19, how the f*ck did he drop so far? Not that I am complaining.

That pick killed me and continues to kill me. If Amukamara had gone at 13, I wouldn't have cringed, but to make it to ONE PICK before Tampa? It hurts. It's going to be Joe Thomas all over again (he went third to Cleveland, Tampa took Gaines Adams at four that year). Every time somebody talks about how well Joe Thomas is playing, I want to stab myself in the head. Going to be the same with Amukamara.

Also, I still cannot believe what Atlanta gave up. You have a relatively young team! You'll be good for years! What the hell are you doing?

Also, I still cannot believe what Atlanta gave up. You have a relatively young team! You'll be good for years! What the hell are you doing?

That's the only way this makes sense - they assume they will be sending off late round picks and going to the playoffs every year.

Personally, I think Holmgren robbed them blind. Great move by the Browns.

So the WTFs for me as I caught up on the draft:

Locker at 8? Really, Tennessee? Really?

Then the Jags trade up for a guy that I had ranked right about the same place in Gabbert, and the Vikings take Ponder (who I had above both since he's accurate, but I'm guessing the Vikes could have traded down). I was also surprised to see the Texans take Watt at 11 with a few guys on the board that might have met their needs better.

As usual, the rich are getting richer - New Orleans picks up a steal at DE, the Giants get a steal at CB, the Pats get more picks and fill their need on the offensive line.

I loved the Seattle pick. No QB reach or undersized corners, just a big guy up front to man the trenches. I would have liked to see Jordan fall to #25, though. We'll see if they are targeting Dalton/Mallet/Kaepernick today, but it would not surprise me at all if they take another big man on the defensive line.

Gumbie wrote:

The Titans clearly picked up Locker based on his leadership, heart, and toughness...definitely not his accuracy. When people knock his accuracy, no one ever brings up the fact that his offense line was beyond terrible and he was running for his life nearly every snap.

The problem is that he wasn't accurate when not pressured.

And he wasn't just inaccurate for Washington. He was a walking misfire at the Senior Bowl. Pretty much all my notes from the Senior Bowl game are about his accuracy, and those were written up and posted here "on the record" well before he became a stinkin' Titan:

* Accuracy a BIG concern. Lots of throws just off-target. Thew skinny post too high twice.
* Started to come alive in drive 4. Couple of strong throws, but also couple of off-target throws that defenders could jump on.
* No wonder Mayock has such a problem judging him. All sorts of tools here, undermined by this accuracy problem.
* Is accuracy fixable? Locker still inexperienced working from pocket. Ripe for molding by a QB guru?

That Senior Bowl game is where I took my exit from the Jake Locker bandwagon (and hopped on the Colin Kaepernick one, who, again, I am totally gay for).

not only did NO get a stud at DE, they snuck up and nabbed Mark Ingram to make their offense as well rounded as it can get.

I was a Jake Locker guy for a few seconds his freshman year when he looked scary good for a freshman but then he never seemed to progress into a stud. I'm still shocked he got taken that high.

not only did NO get a stud at DE, they snuck up and nabbed Mark Ingram to make their offense as well rounded as it can get.

I actually disagree - running backs are fungible. I think they could find a back (or just keep using Pierre Thomas!) that will produce as well as Ingram in later rounds and even as UFAs. I think the Saints overreacted to their freak RB injuries last year, and as always the Patriots capitalized.

I'm trying to wrap my head around the Niners' pick, but I can't. Are they somehow hoping they're in the Kevin Kolb/Carson Palmer sweepstakes?

I'm trying to wrap my head around the Niners' pick, but I can't. Are they somehow hoping they're in the Kevin Kolb/Carson Palmer sweepstakes?

I probably would have gone with Prince or one of the other defensive linemen available were I them, but I can't fault them for the pick. Certainly better than picking any of the QBs still on the board.

Rat Boy wrote:

I'm trying to wrap my head around the Niners' pick, but I can't. Are they somehow hoping they're in the Kevin Kolb/Carson Palmer sweepstakes?

I hope they're in the Colin Kaepernick business, because I am completely gay for him and where better for my object of gay affection to be than San Francisco?

Minase wrote:
not only did NO get a stud at DE, they snuck up and nabbed Mark Ingram to make their offense as well rounded as it can get.

I actually disagree - running backs are fungible. I think they could find a back (or just keep using Pierre Thomas!) that will produce as well as Ingram in later rounds and even as UFAs. I think the Saints overreacted to their freak RB injuries last year, and as always the Patriots capitalized.

I'm just mad that I have to draft Ingram now to handcuff Pierre Thomas on my fantasy team.

Minase wrote:
Also, I still cannot believe what Atlanta gave up. You have a relatively young team! You'll be good for years! What the hell are you doing?

That's the only way this makes sense - they assume they will be sending off late round picks and going to the playoffs every year.

Personally, I think Holmgren robbed them blind. Great move by the Browns.

Yep. Even if Atlanta is picking late, IT'S THEIR ONLY PICK. I mean, you need depth. Now, if Indianapolis or somebody did this, I'd understand it more; you have a short window left of Peyton, and "win now" makes complete and utter sense. Atlanta? What the hell? Ryan's going to be good for years, and you have a relatively young offense in general. I just don't get it.

It's mind-boggling to see the Browns make what appears to be an excellent move.

*Legion* wrote:
Rat Boy wrote:

I'm trying to wrap my head around the Niners' pick, but I can't. Are they somehow hoping they're in the Kevin Kolb/Carson Palmer sweepstakes?

I hope they're in the Colin Kaepernick business, because I am completely gay for him and where better for my object of gay affection to be than San Francisco?

Waiter, a bottle of brain bleach, please.

After a night to sleep on it, here are my thoughts on day 1 of the draft:

* Teams don't value "NFL readiness" for QBs as highly as I do on my board. Christian Ponder and Ryan Mallett were the highest ranked QBs on my board in large part because both guys are the most "ready" to step onto an NFL field and run an NFL offense. Teams took three QBs before Ponder, all of whom I consider "project" guys versus "NFL ready" guys, and only one of whom I had a 1st round grade on.

* I can tell you what Tennessee thinks when they look at Jake Locker: a white Steve McNair. A guy who doesn't really have downfield passing ability, but who will roll out and stretch the field horizontally, and will pick up 1st downs with his legs. Of course, that's also what they saw when they looked at Vince Young (except the white part). But, at least this time, the guy they're looking at isn't a Wonderlic-certified dum-dum.

* Atlanta's thinking is clear: the game overwhelmingly favors elite passing attacks, and they think they can win by outrunning their opponents on the scoreboard. But when you get down to it, they have to find a way to not let Aaron Rodgers torch them for 48 points in their own stadium. That just got harder. But one thing you can bet on: when free agency opens, Atlanta is going to be active. There's no way they could cough all that up for a receiver and then be conservative in free agency.

* I totally do not get Ryan Kerrigan to the Redskins. Washington is still running a 3-4, right? Kerrigan is a classic hand-on-the-ground 4-3 DE. Washington is saying he's going to be a stand-up OLB in the 3-4. He's not that fast. He's a Howie Long-style grinder (or Chris Long, to be more timely). I just don't see him dropping in coverage.

* Amukamara sliding is almost incomprehensible to me. Prederick finally gets a G-Men 1st round pick that's nothing but thumbs-up from me.

* I wonder what the offers for pick #32 were that Ted Thompson turned down. But I can't fault the pick they made. I like Sherrod better than three of the five tackles taken ahead of him. Plus he's a pure left tackle and that means Bulaga can be the right side mauler he's a better fit for.

So apparently my 49ers have the most picks remaining with 11?

Let's see if they can screw this up somehow.