Aaron (Charlotte, NC): When are you going to put up your latest mock draft? Will it have LenDale White falling to my Panthers since he decided to show up out of shape to his Pro Day?
Todd McShay: (1:12 PM ET ) I'm working on an updated Mock today. I'll have it finished by the end of the day and then the poor editors at ESPN.com will have to trudge through my awful writing for a day in order to make it legible. So, look for it at some point on Thursday. White is definately dropping, though. He could easily be the fourth RB taken behind Bush, DeAngelo Williams and Laurence Maroney.
Todd McShay: (1:14 PM ET ) The good news for White, however, is that several teams drafting near the bottom of the first round are in need of RB help -- including the Broncos at 22, Giants at 25, Panthers at 27, Jets at 29, Colts at 30 and Steelers at 32. That's why, despite how poorly he has handled his business during the postseason, I still don't see White slipping out of the first round.
Amie (Miami, FL): Hi Todd. When and by whom will Miami LB Rocy McIntosh be drafted? Thanks!
Todd McShay: (1:21 PM ET ) Good question, Amie. I'm a big McIntosh fan. I think he's one of the most underrated prospects in this year's class. It hurts him, however, that the 2006 crop is loaded with LB talent (Hawk, Sims, Greenway, Carpenter, Ryans, Howard, Hodge, Jackson, etc.). As a result, I could see him slipping to the third round. Currently, I have Rocky graded as a mid-to-late second round pick.
Chris (New Orleans): Todd, please explain the thinking behind the Saints taking Mario Williams with Will Smith and Charles Grant on the D-line already. Does that mean they trade Grant? I feel that Fergusson would be a huge upgrade on the O-line.
Todd McShay: (1:26 PM ET ) I'm with you, Chris. Mario is a special talent. In fact, he's freakish. I mean, how many prospects can you name that have run a 4.66 40-yard dash at 6-7, 295? However, while his upside is enormous, Mario is unpolished and he has a tendency to turn his motor on and off too much when you study him on film. Ferguson has some minor flaws of his own (lacks explosive strength and needs to play with more of a mean streak), but he also has huge upside as an athletic, rangy lineman that looks to be a future Pro Bowl LOT. With that in mind, why wouldn't the Saints go with the prospect that fills a bigger void? In order to protect their investment on Brees, I think it makes great sense to draft Ferguson as the LOT opposite last year's top pick Jammal Brown?
Todd McShay: (1:27 PM ET ) That's all assuming, of course, that the Saints keep their original pick at No. 2.
Todd McShay: (1:28 PM ET ) The latest buzz that I'm hearing when talking to friends in the league is that the Saints are truly contemplating taking Leinart at No. 2 if they don't get the type of trade-down offer they're looking for. Brees' contract can easily make him a one-year bridge-the-gap QB in NO and I'm hearing the Saints are more worried about his shoulder than most realize. Stay tuned.
Todd McShay: (1:39 PM ET ) I can tell you this (from very reliable sources): the Broncos plan on being very active on Day 1 of the draft. I don't think they'll make a blockbuster move to sneak into the top 5 or 6 picks. However, I do think they have guys targetted that they will be willing to move up for. I know they want to use their first two picks on two of the following three positions: TE, WR, RB. Look for them to draft a WR (Holmes or Jackson) or RB (Williams or Maroney) with their first pick. Then, they'll likely trade out of the first round in order to get a TE they covet early in Round 2.
Todd McShay: (1:41 PM ET ) Ironically, as strong as this year's TE class is, Vernon Davis may wind up as the only TE taken in the first round. Because there is so much depth at the position, teams are confident that they can get a good value in Rounds 2 and 3. As such, guys like Marcedes Lewis, Leonard Pope, Anthony Fasano, Dominique Byrd, etc. are all slipping a bit right now.
I will post other excerpts later.
Amie (Miami, FL): Hi Todd. When and by whom will Miami LB Rocy McIntosh be drafted? Thanks!
Chris (New Orleans): Todd, please explain the thinking behind the Saints taking Mario Williams with Will Smith and Charles Grant on the D-line already. Does that mean they trade Grant? I feel that Fergusson would be a huge upgrade on the O-line.
I will post other excerpts later.
