ESPN PFW Nolan Nawrocki Chat Wrap...1 'boys

[WoodysGirl]

Nolan Nawrocki: Less than a week away. Decisions are being made. The phone lines are starting to ring. Trades are being discussed. Let the questions roll...


Amy (Nebraska cornfields): Nolan-Love your work! Please help a GIRL out..Where will Carriker end up and tell me KC is smart enough to go offensive line in the 1st and wr in the 2nd????

Nolan Nawrocki: Amy, Carriker could go as soon as 11 to San Francisco and as low as 18 to Cincinnati, where he would be an ideal future replacement for Justin Smith. I would not expect him to last much longer. As for KC, they are looking for not just one offensive lineman but several after losing Will Shields to retirement and still having a need at offensive tackle. A trade down is a possibility being explored, but don't rule out defensive end either with Jared Allen facing a potential four-game suspension. Carl Peterson has shown he will take the best player over the biggest need. As long as Tony Gonzalez is in Kansas City, essentially serving as the No. 1 receiver, receiver will remain a lesser priority.


George Goffstown NH: PFW, I think the Pats could draft David Harris ILB at 28. Do you think this is too much of a reach? I believe he is the best fit for the 3-4 speed, size and a mean streak! Thoughts...

Nolan Nawrocki: George,
Belichick likes to buy his linebackers through the free-agent market because the adjustment period from the college game to the pros can be very trying for a rookie attempting to learn his defense. Harris, no doubt, is a great fit. He's big, strong, smart and a natural leader. He's the best take-on linebacker in the draft in a defense (3-4) that calls for a lot of stacking and shedding. It will not surprise me if he is a first-rounder, but I would be surprised if New England took him there given their history. Generally speaking, their philosophy is not to draft linebackers.


Frank (San Francisco): SF is inquiring into the #2 pick? How legit is this rumor?

Nolan Nawrocki: Strictly a rumor...


Nik - Michigan: The lions are looking to trade Mike Williams, does he have any trade value?

Nolan Nawrocki: Maybe a late-round pick for some teams. Given his work ethic issues, however, I think it's more likely that teams will wait for him to be released.


Hal (New Orleans): Puszlusny gonna be a saint?

Nolan Nawrocki: The Saints could use a linebacker, but there is a chance Posluszny could be long gone. Marv Levy, who drafted Shane Conlan, and Dick Jauron have taken a strong liking to No. 31.


Nick (Pittsburgh PA): How strong of a possibility is it that the Steelers will draft Derrell Revis. He was one of the best corners in college despite playing for an unsuccessful team. He played at Heinze Field and knows how bad the traction can be. He just seems like a great fit. And what about the Steelers taking a 2nd round running back? I thought Brian Lenord out of Rutgers would be a good choice, because Dan Kreider is getting old and the Steelers struggled in the red-zone. Thank You

Nolan Nawrocki: Nick, Revis would be a great fit if he were there and he would fill a pressing need. However, he is not expected to be on the board at No. 15. Leonard, however, could be and he would fit the Steelers' offense very well.


Ron (Houston): Nolan, thanks for taking the time to chat! Have you heard which direction Houston is leaning at 10? Hall, Revis?? Are they trying to trade down? Thanks.

Nolan Nawrocki: Corner is a strong possibility given the state of the current roster. They are thin at corner. From what I'm hearing, there's a chance Kubiak and Shanahan could make a deal on draft day, and the Texans could slide back 11 spots.


jon (philly): will anthony spencer be available to the eagles at 26?

Nolan Nawrocki: Yes, I think they could trade back and even get him in the early second. I would expect their secondary to be a bigger need in the first round though.


Code (Kenner, LA): Nolan, If Poz. is gone by the time the Saints select at 27, your best estimate at who they pick?

Nolan Nawrocki: Don't rule out a defensive tackle. Hollis Thomas is getting old and struggled staying healthy. Tennessee DT Justin Harrell is a distinct possibility.


Joe (Indiana): Where do you think Brady Quinn will eventually land and who is the better QB, Brady or Russell?

Nolan Nawrocki: No later than No. 7. Russell is clearly more physically gifted. Quinn is the better quarterback, hands down, and will be the better pro.


Josh (Jax, NC): Nolan, who do you see the Steelers looking at with the 15th pick? Carriker? Moss?

Nolan Nawrocki: Carriker and Moss are intriguing fits, but I think they have a more pressing need in their back seven and would expect a cornerback - Revis or Hall - or linebacker - Beason or Timmons - are more likely possibilities depending on availability.


Kurt (Boston MA): Stallworth and Welker are goign to be suiting up for the Pats next year, but if Jarrett or Ginn, Jr. should slip for whatever reason, could the Pats still bolster that receiving corps with a good WR in the first round?

Nolan Nawrocki: Kurt,
Yes, but history shows they tend to like quick and shifty, sharp route-runners, neither of which Jarrett or Ginn are. Anthony Gonzalez could be very intriguing though.


Jordan (Utah): I think the Niners would be crazy to pass on Willis at 11. Please tell me they will not take Carriker instead!

Nolan Nawrocki: Given the choice between Willis and Carriker, I think it's a no-brainer. Willis could be special.


Dan (Ohio): If you have an empty roster, the player you take to start your franchise is _________.

Nolan Nawrocki: Adrian Peterson. He is a ruthless competitor, the most competitive player in the draft and he could make a team instantly competitive. He is a difference-maker and a future Hall of Fame talent if he can learn to better protect his body and stay healthy.


Andy (cincinnati): The bengals have many needs on defense, what position are they likely to address at #18? Will they throw us a curve and draft an offensive player? (Ginn, Olsen)

Nolan Nawrocki: Anything is possible, Andy, but the way I hear it, I would look for them to select the best defensive linemen or the top cornerback, preferably with return ability.


Greg (Denver, CO): So, you think Oakland is making a mistake if they take Russell before Quinn?

Nolan Nawrocki: ABSOLUTELY. Check back with me in three to five years.


Brooksie (CO): What do you see the Broncos doing with their pick @21. DL or would they look at getting a LB with the release of Wilson.

Nolan Nawrocki: Brooksie,
Word in the league is they are positioning to move up into the back half of the top 10 with an eye on a front-seven defender, potentially Jamaal Anderson, Alan Branch or Patrick Willis. They could not land Patrick Kerney in free agency, the trade for Dan Wilkinson did not go through and they released Al Wilson so they have needs in every area. My gut still tells me they will seek to protect their investment in Cutler.


Frank (Miami, FL): If Adrian Peterson fell to the #9 spot...Do you think the Dolphins would draft him if there are no trade partners?

Nolan Nawrocki: I can't imaging he would slip that far. I would be surprised if he got out of the top five, but anything is possible. If he were sitting there at No. 9, I would think the Dolphins would have a number of interested trade partners but sure, at that point, I would think they would have to take him. Don't forget, Randy Mueller drafted Deuce McAllister when he had Ricky Williams.


Ricky(San Diego,CA): If the bolts stay at #30, can they get reggie nelson?

Nolan Nawrocki: Possibly. But there are a number of teams, starting with Cincinnati at No. 18, who I think are very interested.


chuck (jax): Great chat. Where do you see the Jags going in the first round?

Nolan Nawrocki: After losing Deon Grant, I think they have to look at the safety position very closely. Questions about whether Reggie Nelson could line up the defense have hurt his draft value. It's difficult to take a safety who cannot make the secondary calls in the first round. Michael Griffin could be a very strong consideration.


Derrick (Los Angeles, CA): If you're the niners GM, would you rather have calvin johnson and lose 3 picks or get Willis/branch and a wideout like Steve Smith in the 2nd?

Nolan Nawrocki: Teams generally find the most value when they sit tight, trade down and let the board fall to them, taking the best available player with every pick. I would follow that approach and concentrate on finding receivers in the middle-to-late rounds.


Dave (Baltimore, MD): Do you think the Ravens might take QB John Beck from BYU at the end of round 2? They need an heir apparent for McNair and he is my favorite after Quinn and Russell.

Nolan Nawrocki: Word out of Detroit is that he could be their early second-round pick. He might not be there for Baltimore.


RIC ATL,GA: who wins Canes OR Sooners in 2008? your early pick

Nolan Nawrocki: Between the two, I'll take the Sooners. They are stocked and have more stability on the coaching staff.


Joe (AZ via Chicago): NOLAN - Thanks for chatting - When will the NFL make the vastly-overdue improvement of having players run the 40 IN PADS at the combine??? Doesnt this make more sense? Look how Jarrett TORCHED Hall in the Rose Bowl, and timed slow in shorts and slid considerably while Hall plays slow (Jarrett ran right by him a few times) but ran fast in shorts, and now is top-15. Wouldn't THE TEAMS want to get the more accurate assessment of having the players run in pads??

Nolan Nawrocki: It's been done before on college campuses and I agree with you completely that playing game speed is much more important that timed track speed, but it could be a logistical nightmare at the Combine.


Stan (West Des Moines, IA): Prediction time - with the #3 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Browns select ___________________.

Nolan Nawrocki: My gut still tells me Adrian Peterson. Strong word out of Cleveland is Brady Quinn. If Russell happens to slide, and word is that Lane Kiffin is not on board with the decision to draft him, Phil Savage would be doing cartwheels down the Browns' hallways.


Matt (Nashville, TN): Do you see the Titans selecting Ginn if he is still available? With Pacman gone, he could also help out on special teams.

Nolan Nawrocki: Return help is definitely a plus. Running back could be a consideration if Marshawn Lynch slides. LenDale White is still not in great shape, and gone are Travis Henry and Chris Brown.


Nate (philly): With everyone calling Z. DeOssie a 'sleeper' at this point is he likely to be drafted earlier now? Say the 3rd round?

Nolan Nawrocki: The first day would be a little bit rich, but not surprising given the lack of depth at the LB position and DeOssie's ability to contribute on special teams. He definitely will warrant consideration early on the second day.


Sam (Fort Lauderdale, FL): DUDE, why won't you answer the question?! ALL the buzz in Cowboys land is a trade up with a combination from our 10 picks this year to get AP, then trade Julius Jones to BUF, GB, or TEN for their 2nd rd pick. According to the chart, Dallas could get the 9th overall from MIA for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 7th rd picks. Still leaving them with a 4th, 6th and 7th. And the 2nd they get for JuJo. This is gonna happen if AP is there, right?

Nolan Nawrocki: Sam, Thanks for submitting your question 200 times. Persistence pays off. If the Cowboys have a way to land either Peterson or Lynch, I could see it happening, but the stars have to align right for everything to happen the way you want it to. All that is certain is that they will have to move up in the first round to land a running back.


Michael (Sacramento): Heard on ESPN radio that "4 or 5" teams are interested in Briggs. Angelo says he has had no conversations other than with Washington (not recently). Does Briggs get traded, and what kind of return will Angelo get if he is dealt.

Nolan Nawrocki: I've been told talks have quietly and slowly commenced again, but at this point, a trade still looks unlikely.


Mike (Wisconsin): Buzzer beater!! Should Oakland not consider taking Joe Thomas? Last I checked that line was pretty pathetic...

Nolan Nawrocki: And he scores. The line is not great, but changing to a zone blocking scheme could make the job a lot easier. And it's difficult to draft another left tackle who plays short-armed when they still have one on the roster that they drafted second overall several years ago. Thanks for all of your questions.

Feel free to visit www.profootballweekly.com if you have any more and enjoy the draft!

 

[Pabst]

I'm not a fan of trading pretty much the entire draft for one player, although AP would be the one player I would want the 'Boys to trade up for.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

That was far better work than the Scouts Inc. guys... Good job, Nolan.

 

[Future]

Sam is an idiot