Draft thread

may be being looked at as a replacement for RMJ and to push Gamble into getting better (not that he hasn't progressed some already)

 

Maurice Drew of UCLA has made the unwise decision to enter a RB-heavy draft. He's much too small to be an every-down back, but he's sort of a poor man's Reggie Bush and would be a respectable threat as a kickoff and punt return man, along with having the ability to serve as a receiving threat on third downs.

 

not that we have huge needs there, but I'm assuming we don't spend to keep Wesley in UFA, and therefore we could use a somewhat talented #4 to grow into a #3 in the expected event that Manning goes somewhere else when he's UFA in one year

 

I don't doubt that we'll look at CB, but I was referring to the idea that Cromartie is a premium talent despite the fact that he's coming off of a serious knee injury, and thus it would presumably take a higher draft pick than we want to spend. Honestly I can think of worse ways to spend a second round pick (like all the ways we have), but I don't see it happening. If somehow he actually fell to the third round, I'd fight my way into the Panthers' draft room to make them select him.

 

bump for those who want to review earlier draft talk

 

Jonathan Orr, WR from Wisconsin, ran a 4.25 40 at pro day.
Fast track, but that's still ridiculous.

 

Assuming he doesn't get drafted by the NBA, anyone want to bring in David Noel (presumably as an undrafted free agent)? I don't know how his hands or his speed would be at this point, and his route running would undoubtedly be poor, but a freakishly athletic 6'6" former football recruit would look like an awfully interesting project. Unfortunately I wouldn't imagine that we'd have the roster space for him, and he's probably more interested in playing basketball somewhere anyway.

 

I expect to see Noel get drafted - he's very Gerald Wallace-ish. Not quite as quick, but has a much better jumper. Late first round wouldn't surprise me.

 

Prospect profiles are up on NFL.com now. They look different than in years past, so I wonder if they're by the same people. In any case, the profile for Carpenter is not encouraging. I've placed a lot of value in NFL.com profiles previously, so if they are by the same people, this raises some doubts for me. I didn't see him as being slow to react, as I actually think his instincts are above average, but maybe I was wrong. The Thomas Howard profile is also interesting because it lists him as being much heavier than I've seen his weight anywhere else, and it also describes him as being strong at the point of attack. If true, I'd be more comfortable with that pick.

Actually, the more I read these, the more I think they're being written by someone new (and may be entirely worthless). I mean does anyone at all buy this line about DeAngelo Williams: "He will end up being a very good backup running back, a good third-down back, and will catch a lot of passes out of the backfield."




More draft thoughts:
I'm amazed at how many people have come to doubt Matt Leinart. In my mind, he is the most polished quarterback to come out of college since Peyton Manning, has many of the same strengths and weaknesses, and is almost guaranteed to be at least an above average starting quarterback for the next decade. He has excellent touch, good accuracy, great leadership skills, and good coverage recognition ability. He reminds me a great deal of Tom Brady, actually.

If not for Morgan's contract, I'd almost be tempted to take someone like D'Qwell Jackson who could initially play SLB but move inside to MLB at some point in the future. Instead we probably just need depth at both positions, which can be had in the middle rounds.

There are so many great and good players that it's very hard to get a read on how this draft will play out. It could go in a million different directions based on how different teams have these guys rated and who initially goes where.

 

I agree with the former part, but the back-up idea is odd. Seemed like he contradicted himself by saying "he should be drafted high" and following with "he'll be a good back-up". Makes absolutely no sense, unless he is talking short-term.