Buzzmaster: (12:57 PM ET ) We'll have Mel at the top of the hour! Send in all your NFL draft questions NOW!
Buzzmaster: (1:01 PM ET ) We've got Mel!
Mel Kiper: (1:03 PM ET ) Now that the combine is completed, we can talk about how this effects the players' ratings. Now we can look at the individual workouts.
Adam (Sarasota, FL): The Raiders have more pressing needs than RB but if McFadden is available at #4 do you believe they take him?
Mel Kiper: (1:04 PM ET ) It would be hard not to. Very hard not to. It would be very interesting at that point, because they have a huge DT need. They'll be staring Ellis and Dorsey in the face there. But you have a huge investment in Russell. You have an OK back in Justin Fargas, but you don't have a great back. If you can put McFadden with Fargas, then you're helping out Russell. It's going to be hard for Atlanta at No. 3 to pass on McFadden.
Sam (Chicago): Mel, now that the combine is finished which player boosted his stock the most and which player hurt his stock the most?
Mel Kiper: (1:05 PM ET ) I think helped himself the most is Rodgers-Cromartie. Now he's a first round pick. John Carlson hurt himself. It's a big TE year. He entered the year as the first TE. Dropped to 2, 3, 4 during the season. Then he runs a 4.9 in the 40. There will be a number of tight ends drafted before Carlson. Also, Felix Jones didn't run as fast as I thought he would.
Mel Kiper: (1:06 PM ET ) With a very competitive RB group, running a 4.47 is a good time, but not as fast as you thought. Also, Mario Manningham did not as run as fast as you would have thought. He hurt himself by probably a round and a half.
Mel Kiper: (1:06 PM ET ) Brandon Flowers also. He only ran a 4.58.
Andrew (Ypsilanti, MI): Mel - With 6 seemingly "elite" players ad the No. 7 overall pick, I think the Pats might have the worst overall value in the draft. Agree?
Mel Kiper: (1:07 PM ET ) Even though Ellis isn't a good fit for New England, they may have a pick that's worth something. Say Cincy wanted to get Ellis and wanted to get ahead of Baltimore. If Ellis is still around at that point, which I think he will be, Cincy could be one of the teams looking to move up to get him.
Matt (Chicago): Was there anyone at the combine who had a great showing, but you believe will be a bust?
Mel Kiper: (1:08 PM ET ) I don't think Andre Caldwell plays as fast as he times. Craig Stephens, TE from Cal, doesn't play as fast as he timed.
Chris (Fairfield): Mel, The 49ers need a receiver bad. Who do you think will be available when their up and what directions do you think they'll go?
Mel Kiper: (1:09 PM ET ) A guy that's moved up into that mix is Devon Thomas from Michigan State. He's a guy that has to be a consideration. Also, James Hardy from Indiana.
Mel Kiper: (1:09 PM ET ) Another receiver who ran well is Bennett from Vanderbilt. DeSean Jackson from Cal if he's still available would be interesting for them too.
Mickey PA: Mel, Dont the Bears hope to have the same success the Browns had with Anderson by bringing Rex and Kyle back for just one year? Dont you see them taking a T, Qb, and WR in that order on the first day? who will they take if they do?
Mel Kiper: (1:11 PM ET ) I think they will. Grossman did take them to a Super Bowl. This is the organization that drafted him. We blame the QB in Chicago for all their ills, but that team had a lot of problems on that team. I believe they draft a QB in the second round. But their other needs on the team are OL, WR and RB. It's other problems than QB. Joe Flacco, John David Booty are possibilities for QB.
Mel Kiper: (1:12 PM ET ) Chris Williams and Ryan Clady are possibilities for help on the OL.
Matt, Segog MN: Who would you say has the most raw talent and has the chance to be a great NFL player in 2 to 3 years?
Mel Kiper: (1:14 PM ET ) Vernon Gholston has great raw talent. His workout was spectacular. He was considered a top 6 pick before the work out. Harvey from Florida had a great workout. I moved him into the top 25 last week. Aqib Talib from Kansas has great physical and athletic ability. Brandon Albert is another one.
Thomas ( Beckley,WV): I can just see Jerod Mayo in a Titans uniform. How did you like his combine workouts? What round do you see him going??
Mel Kiper: (1:15 PM ET ) Mayo not only had a good workout, but he ran a 4.54. He had a great year. He had 140 tackles. He showed excellent skills. I think he's probably a second round pick. But keep in mind, former Tennessee Volunteer Al Wilson. He went in the second round too.
Phil (Louisville): What is the difference between a good left tackle prospect and right tackle prospect?
Mel Kiper: (1:16 PM ET ) A LT protects the blind side of the QB. He has to deal with the best DEs in the league. The DEs who have the best speed and quick off the ball. The RT is the lead run blocker. He's not as strong a pass blocker, but he can't be terrible in that area either.
Graden (Seattle): With the Stewart and Mendelhall performances at the combine, is there any chance they'll still be around for the Seahawks at 25? If not, will Fred Davis be there?
Mel Kiper: (1:19 PM ET ) Possibly. It could work that way. But you have Chicago, Detroit, Arizona who could all take RBs. Tampa, Dallas as well. There's a chance, but right now, if McFadden goes in the top 3, 4. the Seahawks don't have to get a RB in the first round to get a quality RB. This draft isn't just about the first round. Chris Johnson from East Carolina, if he goes in the second round, he's going to be a good pick for someone. You can probably pick up a Ray Rice in the third round.
Mel Kiper: (1:20 PM ET ) Willie Parker wasn't drafted; Rudi Johnson went in the fourth round; Priest Holmes was undrafted; Michael Turner was a late round pick; Ahman Green was a fourth; Ladell Betts was a second round; Brandon Jacobs fourth round; Brian Westbrook third round. Those are just a few of the guys that weren't first rounders.
Brian (LA): How much does it hurt a player's chances at getting drafted to not be at the combine?
Mel Kiper: (1:22 PM ET ) Well, everyone goes to the combine that's invited. If you're invited, 99% of the time, they go. You go to the medical and interviews. You might not workout. There are some guys who haven't been invited and the leader of that group is Osi Umeniyora.
Robert Jacksonville beach Fl: Who do u think the Jaguars should get in the first round im thinkin Defensive End?
Mel Kiper: (1:23 PM ET ) I have them taking Harvey, DE from Florida. I agree. That's an area that they need - quality pass rusher. They also need a WR. There's no true No. 1 WR. I like Harvey or Campbell from Miami.
Justin Pittsburgh, PA: Mel, other than an O-lineman who do you see the Steelers drafting? They need a wideout, cornerback, and probably another runningback among other things.
Mel Kiper: (1:24 PM ET ) The Steelers are one of the teams that don't need a lot of help. They need an OG, CB/S and WR. There will be two outstanding guards available when they pick, Chilo Rachal and Branden Albert. They both figure to be on the board when they pick.
Zac (Medford, MA): I have heard very little on the Eagles and what players they are looking to draft. Any insights?
Mel Kiper: (1:24 PM ET ) The Eagles and their needs are DE, CB, WR, OT. Those are their areas of concern.
Addison Price (Louisville, Ky.): What round (if any) will University of Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson be picked in the NFL draft?
Mel Kiper: (1:26 PM ET ) The hitch at the top of the deliver, the slow release, is the issue. That's not going to change. It's hard to tweak at this stage of a career. It's just a big difference. You can get away with it in college, but it's harder in the pros. I say 2nd or 3nd round.
Christopher(VA): Just as an additive to your info on later round RBs: Terrell Davis (probable HOF player) was a 6th round pick.
Brandon (Pittsburgh): With the Commanders having a new coach come in which area of their needs do you think they will fulfill with this years draft?
Mel Kiper: (1:27 PM ET ) Their major needs don't change. DE and WR are their major needs. It's not going to change with Jim Zorn. If you look at the DEs at that point, it's Harvey, Campbell. If you're looking at WR, DeSean Jackson, Malcolm Kelly, if he's there.
Matt, Segog MN: Right now who is the better pro prospect John David Booty or Erik Ainge?
Mel Kiper: (1:28 PM ET ) I give the slight edge to Booty. I have him as the fifth highest rated QB and Ainge as the sixth highest.
John (NY): Top 10 team most likely to trade down is _____ .
Mel Kiper: (1:28 PM ET ) New England. Possibly Baltimore. But I would say New England.
Mel Kiper: (1:29 PM ET ) We rarely have trades involving the top 5 teams overall.
JP (NYC): Mel, How did zbikowski do at the combine and would it make sense for the Giants to draft him in the 2nd or 3rd round for more safety depth?
Mel Kiper: (1:30 PM ET ) He ran a 4.52, which is pretty good. He has a little more trouble in space in terms of tackling. But I thought he had a heckuva junior year. He might have been a third round pick last year. By going back, he had a subpar season. Now you're looking at more of a fifth round pick.
JoeB, Tampa FL: LB Ben Moffit had a solid combine. When do you see him getting drafted?
Mel Kiper: (1:31 PM ET ) Moffit as far as the ILBs, he is the 6th highest rated ILB. That puts him in the fourth round, fifth round mix.
Mike (Warrensburg,MO): Mel, Lets show the Packers some love! Who do you see them taking in the first round?
Mel Kiper: (1:32 PM ET ) Their needs are CB, TE, OG are their main three. The guy that's moved into the first round, if he's there, is Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. That would be a good pick for him. But there could be a good CB on the board for them at that point.
Adam (Philly): What pass rushing DE can be the steal of the draft in the 2nd or 3rd round?
Mel Kiper: (1:34 PM ET ) I think Wallace Gilberry from Alabama. He didn't run a good 40, but plays good with the pads on. Darrell Robertson from Georgia Tech.
Jared (Denver CO): What is the ddepest position in this years draft?
Mel Kiper: (1:35 PM ET ) Right now, I'd go QB, TE, OT, CB and also if you need a 3rd or 4th WR.
Roland (Tampa, FL): Mel,which safeties helped themselves the most at the combine?
Mel Kiper: (1:36 PM ET ) In terms of running well, the guy that turned some heads is Quinten Demps from UTEP. Josh Barrett is a physical speciman. He ran a 4.45. He's a big physically gifted safety.
Jerry (Delaware): Did Flacco do well enough at the combine to overtake Brohm as the #2 QB?
Mel Kiper: (1:36 PM ET ) He's right there. Right now it's a dead heat between Brohm, Flacco and Henne. There's a chance that Flacco could be the second QB taken.
Mel Kiper: (1:37 PM ET ) Flacco would be a good second round pick for a team like the Ravens or Bears.
Matt (Boston): How did Jaime Silva fair? Will teams look at his great senior season?
Mel Kiper: (1:38 PM ET ) Silva is a player. He's not a workout warrior. He's going to be impressive on the field. He can make big plays. Remember Bill Bates? He came out of Tennessee undrafted. I look at him as a Bill Bates. He's not an early round guy, but he's a gamer. He's an overachiever.
Brent (IOWA) : Who is the biggest name projected to go 2nd day?
Mel Kiper: (1:40 PM ET ) Maybe Mike Hart. He could be a third round pick. Frank Okam from Texas. Vince Hall, ILB from Virginia Tech. Craig Steltz, S from LSU.
Mel Kiper: (1:40 PM ET ) Colt Brennan at QB.
Kyle (Minneapolis): Why dont the players do the running drills in pads at the combine? Wouldn't that be more representative of "game" speed?
Mel Kiper: (1:41 PM ET ) It would be, but what you're trying to do is get an idea of how they stack up against the competition. You stack them up against prior year players. If you change the dynamic of how they tested, it would negate the prior years of testing. And you want to find out just who the fastest players are. It's a good idea, but it would effect how we look at past years.
German (San Juan, PR): With the combine now over, who do the Dolphins take at #1?
Mel Kiper: (1:43 PM ET ) I think the Dolphins still have to think about Matt Ryan, because of the QB situation at Miami. He's clearly one of the best players in the draft. I have him third right now. Now, if they get wowed over by a trade offer, they have to look at that. I'm sure the intriguing guy for Parcells is Chris Long. That's the kind of player Parcells likes. He's got the bloodlines, the passion. He played in a 3-4 defense for Al Groh. Groh and Parcells coached together.
Andy (Denver): How big of a gap is there between Long and Clady? If the Broncos manage to Clady with the 12th pick, would he be a great value for them there?
Mel Kiper: (1:45 PM ET ) Yeah, Clady or Williams would be the LT that they need to help Cutler in his development. The key for this team is Cutler. They have to get him to the point where he's stable. It's been good and bad for Cutler. Right now Clady is slightly above Williams, but that's a fluid situation.
Matt, Ca: Has Aqib Talib fallen to the end of the first round due to his combine performance? If not, what projected first round corner is most likely to fall to the Giants at the end of round 1?
Mel Kiper: (1:46 PM ET ) I thought he did well. He ran 4.48 and jumped 38 inches. I don't see anything wrong with a 4.48. He has ideal size. He's a tall player who played well all year for Kansas. To me, he's the No. 1 CB in this draft. That's not to say that he'll be the No. 1 CB taken.
Sean (Hermosa Beach, CA): Mel, what do you think of the new format for the NFL Draft?
Mel Kiper: (1:47 PM ET ) I like them. Love them. I've been talking about the draft and cutting down the time for years. I commend Goodell. A 6 hour first round is not good. If a team is just taking the 15 minutes just to get the publicity that's not good. I think it's perfect. I've had some friends that have timed out when their team is picking because they knew each team would take 15 minutes.
Mel Kiper: (1:49 PM ET ) I like the way they broke up the two days too. From the standpoint of the teams of staying focused for the entire day. Now you have a situation with two rounds on Day 1 and then 3-7 on the second day where the picks fly by with only 5 minutes for each.
Mel Kiper: (1:49 PM ET ) You don't need to have a marathon. It needed to be changed a long time ago. These picks are too important.
Cody Philly: Mel, who do the bucs look at since super mario had a subpar workout. thanks
Mel Kiper: (1:51 PM ET ) They could go in a number of directions. They need WR, RB, CB. They could take a WR like a guy like DeSean Jackson. Limas Sweed. If you want to go RB, maybe a Felix Jones, though he might be a second rounder. A CB, Rodger-Cromartie.
Dan (San Jose): D'Brick 2006, Joe Thomas 2007 or Jake Long 2008?
Mel Kiper: (1:52 PM ET ) Joe Thomas. D'Brick needed to add some weight to his frame. He was 260 when he came to Virginia. The main thing a LT has to do is protect a QB. If you're going to throw the football as much as teams do now, you need a LT to protect the QB. That's the forte of Long. I would grade them out as Thomas, Long, Ferguson.
Mike (AZ): when is post combine mock coming out?
Mel Kiper: (1:53 PM ET ) That will be up on Tuesday, March 4. In less than a week.
Mel Kiper: (1:53 PM ET ) The new ratings will be up tomorrow morning - the new Big Board and new positional rankings.
Jon (indy): Everyone is afraid of Colts questions since they dont have a first rounder. Please give us a few names to at least think about for round two. Thanks.
Mel Kiper: (1:54 PM ET ) First of all, what do they need? They need DT, OLB, OG. Those are some areas. No first round pick, that goes to San Francisco.
Mel Kiper: (1:54 PM ET ) The interesting DT is Marcus Harrison. If he's there in round two, he's a good pick.
Kevin (New York: Mel, what is the buzz on Jonathan Stewart after the combine?
Mel Kiper: (1:56 PM ET ) He's kind of maintained. He ran a 4.48. He's a compact, strong, well built back. You like those compact guys. He's in that 5-10, 230 pound range. He had some gapping holes to run through. Dennis Dixon was a great threat and a huge plus for Stewart. He's a dynamic talent. He caught the ball adequately this year. He also returned kicks. He gives you some versatility. He's probably going to be a mid to late first round pick and will be the third RB drafted.
Mel Kiper: (1:57 PM ET ) I'm not an advocate of taking a RB in the middle of the first round. I think you can find a RB like Stewart in the 3, 4, 5 round each year. That's not to say I don't like Stewart or am knocking him, but I'm just not an advocate of taking RBs high.
Jeff, College Parkm MD: Dre Moore ran a 4.8 as a 305lb DT, he didnt seem to get any hype. What are your thoughts?
Mel Kiper: (1:59 PM ET ) He had a good Senior Bowl week. He has awesome physical ability. He flashes top 10 pick ability. But there are other games that he looks like a fourth rounder. He's not consistent. He doesn't give you week in, week out consistency. Somebody is going to take this kid in the second round and roll the dice that you can stabilize his play.
Mel Kiper: (1:59 PM ET ) This is a kid that can really move and has athleticism for someone over 300 pounds.
Mel Kiper: We covered a lot of bases today. We'll be back next Wednesday again. Now we're just looking forward to individual workouts. When we talk next week, we'll have another first round projection out there, which goes up Tuesday.
