Todd McShay: Welcome in everyone.
Todd McShay: Free agency begins at midnight. While the pro guys are wheeling and dealing behind the scenes, let's talk some draft. I have all the combine numbers in front of me and I also am working up a new Mock Draft, which will be on espn.com tomorrow (Fri). Let's get after it...
Chris (Denver,CO): Who do you think the Denver Broncos should pick up and why?
Todd McShay: Denver needs to upgrade OT, DT and DS the most. Unless Glenn Dorsey slips due to medical concerns, I don't think there's a DT worth drafting at No. 12 overall. Vandy OT Chris Williams would be the right fit because of his agility. So would Boise State's Ryan Clady, but I think Clady will be off the board by then.
Chris, DC: Do you think Felix Jones will be around when the Cowboys make their second ist round pick?
Todd McShay: Yes. I think so. To be honest; the more film I study of Jones the less I like him as a first-rounder. He obviously has value because of his homerun hitting ability and versatility. But I'm not going to spend a top pick on a back that I don't think will ever be my premier guy.
John (Detroit, MI): Todd, the Lions have so many needs all over the field. Marinelli's focus seems to be on getting veteran guys who he can motivate in his system. What do you think they will focus on come draft day, after an active free agency period?
Todd McShay: At No. 15 overall I think the Lions are in a good spot to find an impact player at ROT or CB. Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah is a road-grader, which is what that line needs. And I think the run on cornerbacks will likely begin in that 11-25 range of the first round.
Todd McShay: My top 5 CB's right now are as follows: 1) Troy's Leodis McKelvin, 2) Mike Jenkins, 3) Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, 4) Aqib Talib and 5) Brandon Flowers.
Sam (Chicago): Who really disappointed you at the combine? Someone who appeared out of shape or smaller than advertised?
Todd McShay: Michigan WR Mario Manningham and LSU OLB Ali Highsmith disappointed me the most. I didn't think Manningham was going to run in the 4.3's or anything, but his 4.59 and 4.60 were really concerning, especially for a 181-pound WR. His technique in the 40 looked awful. So, while I can't understand why he wasn't better prepared, I'm also not ready to believe the nine games of film work I've done on him were wrong.
Todd McShay: As for Highsmith, he put on 10 pounds in the last month since the Senior Bowl and he ran a 5.02 in the 40-yard dash. As WLB like him should be running in the 4.5 to 4.6 range. I know he's a good player in the short area but now I have to go back and see if he's really incapable of playing in a lot of space in the NFL -- as his 40 time suggests.
Todd McShay: Just so everyone understands; I'm not going to give up on a player if his workout times don't match up with what I see on film. It does, however, force me to go back and watch more film with his new workout number in mind. Guys like Manningham and Highsmith make this job fun because they force tough decisions to be made.
Justin(Worcester, MA): Is there a market for the Patriots 7th pick because it seems as if none of their needs can be effectively addressed without drafting someone way too early?
Todd McShay: There could be a market, especially if RB McFadden falls due to character and/or DT Dorsey falls due to durability concerns. But I think Vernon Gholston would be a good fit as an OLB in that 3-4 scheme if he's available. If not, the Pats will have their choice of all the top CB's in this year's class.
mark (new orleans): Why wouldnt the Jets draft Ellis or Dorsey and go back to a 4-3 defense? They have a lot of pretty good parts for a 4-3 and none for a 3-4. Trading Vilma and Robertson would be dumb.
Todd McShay: Mark, I completely agree. It seems coach Mangini is forcing the issue with the 34. There's a good chance Ellis is available at No. 6. DT Robertson, DE's Ellis and Thomas and LB's Vilma and Harris could all fit the 43 perfectly fine. It would be a shame if they pass on Ellis for a lower rated player (and continue to sell off existing parts) just because they're hell bent on playing a 34.
Jason (Los Angeles, CA): Hey Todd, how bout a Titans question! Is it possible to get DeSean Jackson at 24 or maybe trade up to get him? Now that they have resigned Gage, and still have R. Williams, they need a burner, as well as someone to return punts!
Todd McShay: How about it, Jason! I think Jackson could still be on the board. His marginal size (5-10, 169) will scare a bunch of teams but you're right that he 's a good fit for what the Titans need. Even if he's gone, I don't think the Titans will (or should) move up for a WR. There will be a run on WR's in the bottom-half of the first round, so if it's not Jackson it could still be a potential impact player like Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly, Manningham, Devin Thomas, James Hardy or Early Doucet.
Depressed Bears Fan (Chicago): Now that the Bears made the fantastic decison to bring back both awful quarterbacks, what does that do to the chances of them drafting a quarterback on day 1?
Todd McShay: Ha ha. I don't mean to laugh but I get the sense you're expressing the feelings of a vast majority of Bears' faithful. Hang in there. It obviously doesn't make sense to draft a QB in the first round, but it wouldn't be the worst idea to go after one (Henne or Flacco?) in Round 2.
Todd McShay: As for Round 1, I think the Bears can take advantage of a strong OT class to upgrade their line -- Clady, WIlliams and Otah are all possibilities.
Eric (Chicago) to Depressed Bears Fan...: How is Kyle Orton awful? What's his record? Weak FA QB market. You don't give up 1st & 3rd round picks for an unproven QB (Anderson) or trade for a QB already washed up (McNabb).
Todd McShay: Well, maybe I was wrong. Maybe it's not the vast majority...
Kiran (Philly): Who gets drafted first, McKelvin or Rodgers-Cromartie?
Todd McShay: McKelvin. Better feet and more dangerous on punt returns. But Rodgers-Cromartie is moving up boards in a hurry. He could become the first small-school (non-FBS) prospect selected in Round 1 since 2000, when Jackson State WR Sylvester Morris and DB Rashard Anderson were taken 21 and 23, respectively.
Mitch (Gainesville, FL): How did Derrick Harvey do at the combine?
Todd McShay: He didn't run a great 40-time (4.80) but the rest of his workout was very good. His 10-yard split was much better than his 40, which is far more important for a DE. He also looked very smooth in position drills. Jarvis Moss is a more explosive athlete, but I think Harvey is a better all-around player.
Karl (Chicago): Todd, who looks to be the best bump and run CB in the draft?
Todd McShay: Aqib Talib could be if his technique improves. McKelvin, Jenkins and Rodgers-Cromartie aren't quite physical enough. Oklahoma's Reggie Smith could be good, as well, but he has yet to run becuase of his foot injury.
Paul (Tucson, AZ): Todd, Thanks for your time! How did Antoine Cason fare on Tuesday?
Todd McShay: He did as well as could be expected. Cason is a much better football player than workout guy, which is why I don't worry about his 40 times in the 4.5-second range. I think a cover-2 team will get a great value with Cason in the second round.
Ryan (Philly): What exactly is it that you don't like when you see Felix Jones on tape? He looks like a NFL star to me.
Todd McShay: Not a tough runner. Bounces most of his inside runs outside. Runs away from everyone in college but that won't fly in the NFL. Also benefitted greatly from defenses either keying on McFadden when he was in the game or letting down when he was on the sideline -- not to mention one of the nation's best run blocking OL's.
Todd McShay: That's all I've got for you today. Thanks for all the questions. We'll get back after it a week from now. Should be a lot shaking out in FA between now and then...
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