Buzzmaster: We're getting Mel right now!
Mel Kiper: The combine's coming up. There's not a lot going on right now. I'm trying to figure out ratings on players.
Dan (PA): Mel, If Chase Daniels Was in this years draft, would he be a top 5 pick?
Mel Kiper: No. Chase Daniel is a heckuva college QB. He is in a great system. He had great talent around him. It was the exact same offense he played in high school. He's a coach on the field. He's very accurate. He's very resourceful. But there are some limitations there. He doesn't have a great arm. He's under 6-feet. Where would he rank? He would be down the line. I would have at least 10 QBs ahead of him. Maybe as many as 12, 13.
Enfield, CT: Even though the Falcons are desperate for a quarterback, why wouldn't they take McFadden. He will more than likely be the most talented player available and they could use a running back as well as a quarterback.
Mel Kiper: I agree. I think if Matt Ryan is gone, he would be the main option, I agree that McFadden would be the likely choice. Most teams are using tandem RBs. You have Norwood and you could have Norwood and McFadden as your guys. Dunn is getting up there in age. Then you start thinking about second round for QBs. Chad Henne and others will still be there.
Scott (Raleigh, NC): Mel - what do you think of Jake Long being a left tackle in the NFL? How would he compare to Joe Thomas? Is he a viable candidate for the Dolphins at #1?
Mel Kiper: As far as a LT, it was somewhat of a question coming into this year, if Jake would be a great RT or an average LT. That changed this year. This year he became a very good pass blocker. He's not as good as Joe Thomas, but he's a better run blocker than Thomas. That makes him a LT. The team that makes the most sense is KC. In terms of Miami at No. 1, no. If they don't take Matt Ryan, they're trading down. Then Jake Long would be ideal for KC.
Jorden (Wausau, WI): What is the biggest need the Packers have to address in the draft?
Mel Kiper: CB would be one. In a pass happy league, both of their starters are getting up in age. No. 1, TE. They use a lot of double TEs. But I would say CB would be the No. 1 priority. But the Packers don't have one position where if they don't get someone, they say they're hurting.
Brian (Merrillville, IN): Hey Mel, Jerry Angelo is infamous for striking out on picks in the first round, except for Tommy Harris, and they need help all over the offense. I know in your first mock you have da Bears selecting Sam Baker OT from USC, but I've heard that there are concerns with his athleticism and he was a little dinged this year for the Trojans. At #14 who else besides Baker, at any position, can come in and start? Because the Bears need to immediately fill holes and Angelo cannot miss on another first rounder.
Mel Kiper: The LT. That's why I think Sam Baker provides a lot of versatility. Chris Williams at Vanderbilt is another guy. Another player would be Ryan Clady. He would be the No. 1 option, if he's there, but I have him going earlier to the Broncos. If they want to go RB, they could look at Stewart from Oregon.
Mel Kiper: But people right now are underrating Sam Baker. He's a heckuva football player.
David NY: I tried asking this last chat, but I guess it didn't make it through so I will try asking it again. Where do you see Michael Oher going and do you think the G-Men might take him with thier second round pick.
Mel Kiper: First of all, he's going back to Ole Miss. He has, I think, wisely decided to go back. He had a good year, not a great year. He can improve. He can move defenders off the ball. He's gotten his weight down over his career. I just think another year at LT will make him, maybe, a top 10 pick next year. I think he would have been a first rounder, a late one, this year.
Katelyn (Syracuse, NY): With the 11th pick should the Buffalo Bills take Malcolm Kelly (WR, Oklahoma)?
Mel Kiper: I think they should. A WR with the physical prowess of Kelly would be a help to the Bills. WR is a need. So is CB, DT, TE, OLB. But I definitely think Kelly, a big, physical, talented WR is what they need opposite Evans.
stefan (nyc): do you believe any of the QB's in this years draft can be franchise quarterbacks?
Mel Kiper: Matt Ryan is the one going in that will be perceived to be a franchise QB. His career will be similar to an Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Roethlisberger. As for the other guys, it's a very deep QB year. You could go 15 deep with QBs that could be starters. People that aren't being talked about - Dennis Dixon, Nick Hill, Paul Smith, Josh Johnson, Matt Flynn. There are a lot of those kinds of guys that are off the radar and have a chance. There will be a couple of other guys that emerge from this class. Booty, reminds me of Chad Pennington. Chad Henne is intriguing. Joe Flacco has the strongest arm in this draft. You can't forget about Brian Brohm. There are a lot of QBs in this draft.
Mel Kiper: Ironically, we could have a QB go No. 1 overall and then not have another one picked in the first round.
Al: (B-more): Steeler fan here, Mel. Who can you see as being available in the first three rounds to address the team's line problems, with maybe a young bull for the DL, too? Thanks!
Mel Kiper: In terms of the OL, I'd look at it in the first round. Chilo Rachal from USC, that would be a good addition for the Steelers. They could use another WR. The secondary. But Rachal is a blue chip unknown coming out this year.
Kyle Philadelphia: Hey Mel, Did Flacco take a hit in the draft with his lousy performance in the Senior Bowl? Thanks!
Mel Kiper: I don't think he was poor. He didn't have a chance at the Senior Bowl. He only threw about 6-7 passes. At the Senior Bowl, you throw everyone out there. You're playing with guys you've never played with before. Flacco, he flicks his wrist and throws the ball. I see him as at worst a second round pick.
Ryan, Wisconsin: Why has Antoine Cason fallen in your cb rankings? He won the Thorpe award and falls in rankings, I don't understand that?
Mel Kiper: Awards are a lot about publicity and perceptions. He has good size, he's 6 feet. He doesn't have great recovery speed. The combine workout is important to Cason. Does he have the speed to catchup? He's probably about a fourth round guy.
Jim (syracuse,NY): When we all look back on this years draft. Who will be the steal of the draft?
Mel Kiper: That's a very hard question because usually the steal is a steal because he drops further than where you think. I can say much better the day after the draft. I think some potential steals, depending on where they come off the board - Chris Johnson, RB from East Carolina; Sam Baker, potentially, if he drops a bit; Hilee Taylor, OLB from UNC; Chevis Jackson, CB from LSU; Kevin Smith, RB from S. Florida; Earl Bennett, WR from Vanderbilt; Pat Sims, DT from Auburn.
Corey (Philadelphia, PA): Hey Mel, where do you see Owen Schmitt going this upcoming draft?
Mel Kiper: First of all, not many teams need fullbacks. I'd say third round for Schmitt. Tough, rugged, hard nosed player. Versatile. But very few teams prioritize the FB position.
George (Elkton,MD): Do you think the Ravens will take a QB with the #8 pick?
Mel Kiper: I don't think so, no. Matt Ryan is the only one you take at 8 and he'll be long gone. I don't think the Ravens look at QB at all. Their needs are CB, WR, DL. They have other areas they have to address.
Bob (Boston): Which college will have the most 1st round picks this year?
Mel Kiper: USC. No question about it. They could have five first rounders. No one else would have more than 2. The first off the board for USC should be Ellis. Then, Fred Davis, Chilo Rachal, Sam Baker, Keith Rivers. Four and as many as five.
chris (chicago): mel - phenomenol job as always - who are some players you think the Broncos might target after the first round?
Mel Kiper: What they need, they have to come out of this draft to get someone to protect the left side of Jay Cutler. His development is contingent of that. That's why I think Clady would make a lot of sense. They also could use a DT, an MLB. They have to get younger at safety. They could also look at a WR.
Zach ny: what is the eagles primary goal to establish in this years draft?
Mel Kiper: They need some help in the secondary. They need to add a CB early. They also need to develop a young safety. They also need a pass rushing DE. They don't have a true No. 1 WR. They could also use a DT.
RJ - Dallas: Where does Erik Ainge fit in the draft? Day 1?
Mel Kiper: Day 1 is only the first and second rounds. We really can't talk about Day 1 and Day 2 any more. I don't think we talk about Day 1 or 2 any more. But with that said, can Ainge be a second round pick? Possibly. I think he's more of a third or fourth round pick. He has the ideal height. His arm strength is not great, it's average. He doesn't have a lot of that ''wow'' factor. But he wins and he does a solid job.
Jake (williamsville NY): Aside from Dorsey and Ellis, what other DT's can get upfield and to the QB?
Mel Kiper: There are a couple of guys. Kentwan Balmer, UNC. Marcus Harrison from Arkansas. Dre Moore, from Maryland. Trevor Laws from Notre Dame. Those are some guys that can do some damage.
Ted (NY): Whos the 2nd QB? Whats the earliest he might get drafted?
Mel Kiper: Good question. At this juncture, it's too early to call. Joe Flacco. Brian Brohm. Chad Henne. Those are the three that are really in the mix.
Mel Kiper: Right now it's too close to call. I think Flacco is the guy. With his height and arm strength, I think people are really going to talk about him.
Albi (Manhattan): What do you think of the Saints picking up Curtis Lofton in the second round?
Mel Kiper: I think it would be a good move. The Saints need an LB. They need a big play LB. Curtis Lofton is a heckuva football player. Their LBs overall combined for just 5 sacks. I do like Lofton. CB is the No. 1 need, however. They need a topflight cover man. No question.
Jimmy (Rochester, NY): Mel, do you think the salaries for the first round picks have gotten out of control? Top ten picks are making more then established pro bowlers in some cases.
Mel Kiper: That's the reason why there is so much pressure to make those picks count. That's also why you don't see teams trading up into the top 10. Trades involving the top 5, we haven't had any trades involving a top 5 pick since 2004 when we had the Manning-Rivers flop. Teams are very reluctant to trade the top 10 picks. That's because the money spent is not what teams want to spend to get up there. That's just the way it is. That's the nature of the salaries.
Pedro: New Jersey: Can you list the top five running backs in this year's draft?
Mel Kiper: It's turned out to be a pretty decent position. I would go in this order: Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson and No. 6 is Mike Hart. No. 7 would be Jamaal Charles and then Kevin Smith. Ray Rice and then Steve Slaton for the top 10.
Charles (Washington DC): What do you think about Xavier Adibi? Sleeper pick?
Mel Kiper: I wouldn't say a sleeper, no. He's probably a guy that goes a little higher in the draft than my projections. He is fast. He has the body. He sometimes gets caught up in traffic. I'd say he's probably going to be a third round pick.
dan (vermont): after their amazing draft last year what can the giants do to keep up the draft momentum they had in the 07 draft?
Mel Kiper: Just hoping your players get opportunities. Boss got a chance because of Shockey's injury. Bradshaw stepped in. Those two guys were late in the draft and made them have a productive draft. The way Steve Smith came on as a WR. I think in terms of this year, they're a team on paper, that needs to look at OLB, S, OL, CB. But OLB and safety are No. 1 and 2.
Matt (Boston): Who do you belive, McNamee or Clemens?
Mel Kiper: My question is, what good is coming with this? We should look forward and not backward. Instead of looking at past problems, we should be looking at what we can do to prevent the problems. This is preventing us from talking about baseball. We have pitchers and catchers reporting and we're not talking about it. To look back and try to punish players, look at it like it's a sport. I try to enjoy the accomplishments of players and not try to worry about asterisks or anything. Not a lot of good is going to come out of this. You need to try to take measures to prevent this from happening.
Justin (IN): What direction do you see the Chargers going in the draft?
Mel Kiper: They need help. They're a hard team to predict. If you look at them right now, CB, RB with the Turner situation, OG, WR. They're a team that does not have a pressing need. They don't have one area, like Green Bay. The really don't have one area where you say, if they don't get a guy, they're in trouble.
Mel Kiper: This is a strong team from a talent stand point.
Mindy (Wilsonville, OR.): Mel, are scouts forgetting about Dennis Dixon?
Mel Kiper: He's kind of been off the radar a little bit. How much of a factor will he be in the NFL. You had an assessment of Dixon before the injury. He's a wild card in this draft. Two things: he's a one-year wonder and it wasn't a full season; and you're looking at him coming off the injury. When he will be back to 100%?
Mel Kiper: At one point in time, I thought he could be a second rounder. Does someone take a flier on him in the 4th or 5th?
Mikey (NJ): Are the Jets set at QB with Clemens, or do you see them taking one this year?
Mel Kiper: That's the million dollar question. He's not a guy who has shown that he can be a good starting QB, but he hasn't shown that he can't be a good starter. They had to feel that he could be a starter. They took him in the second round. He's still young, improving but has a lot of work still to do. When you draft a QB in the second round, you better hope that he works out. John Beck was a second round pick for the Dolphins. He would have been the guy if they didn't change coaches. They have to keep their fingers crossed.
John (Buffalo, NY): What tight ends that will be available in the later rounds, 3-7, show the most potential?
Mel Kiper: This is a great year for TEs. Some later round guys that I like are Tom Santi, Mike Peterson, Kolo Kapanui, Craig Stevens.
Tim (Cincinnati): Mel-Do you think Ellis might fall to the Bengals??
Mel Kiper: I don't think he'll fall to the Bengals, so if they want him they have to trade up to get him. They would probably have to move ahead of Baltimore. If he's still there at 6 or 7, they might want to move up to get him. If Cincy wants Ellis, they have to be aggressive and move up to get him.
Jan Honesdale, PA: Hi Mel. I saw your CB positional rankings and you had Aqib Talib as your #1. However, I looked at the rankings of other experts and they had him for either 3 or 5 . What do you see in him that the others may not be seeing to rank him as 1 so far?
Mel Kiper: He's a great talent. He's a gifted athlete. He has recovery speed. You look at a guy that has the height. He plays taller than 6-1, because he has the jumping ability. I like Leodis McKelvin from Troy a lot. I just Talib a little bit better. Those are your two top drawer CBs. Then I think you're looking at Mike Jenkins. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Tennessee St. And Chevis Jackson from LSU is a bit underrated. The CB is a deep position in this draft. There are also some combo S/CB like Reggie Smith, Charles Godfrey are in that mold.
Mel Kiper: I guess I've got to get back my watching Roger and McNamee now. I'll be like everyone else like that. We'll be back next Wednesday when we're ready for the combine to get underway.
