Mel Kiper: (2:03 PM ET ) Hello everyone! We've got the combine coming up next week so I"ll have new first round projections coming up around March 7 or so. But I'm going through all kinds of film and looking at free agency .. so let's get started!
Majeed (San Diego, CA): Mel, Which veteran QB would be best for Miami to bring in: Warner, Bledsoe, Garcia, or Brad Johnson?
Mel Kiper: (2:05 PM ET ) They are all possiblities. But after bringing in Feely and not working out, I think they need to bring in a guy from the college ranks that they can really teach and hand pick. I think Bledsoe is an ideal fit in Dallas. I would go after Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers if I were Miami.
John (Philly): Do you strictly evaluate the draftees by workouts or do you add the element of character? Which draftees have shown a great mixture of ability and character?
Mel Kiper: (2:06 PM ET ) Yes, you have to look at character and intelligence. Many guys are being asked to work out immediately. You can't wait 3-4 years anymore. You need guys with character and work ethic in order to make that transition. Some teams value it more than other, but I've always factored it into my final grades.
Nathan: Mel, What can my titans do with soooo much dead cap space and aging vetarans gobbling up money. Isn't Floyd Reese a better GM than this?
Mel Kiper: (2:08 PM ET ) You have to look at the options they have in free agency. We'll get into this more in the next few weeks. But they have to address the OL and probably CB if they lose Dyson. They have several areas to upgrade either via free agency or the draft.
mike (buffalo): what do you think about losman as the starter in buffalo? who do you compare him to?
Mel Kiper: (2:10 PM ET ) It's a big gamble for Buffalo. Not saying Losman won't be a great QB but will he be great this year? Culpepper and Palmer have done a good job in their first season after sitting their rookie year but they didn't make the playoffs and this Bills team has playoff aspirations. The role of the dice is whether he can lead a playoff caliber team .. is he a playoff caliber QB? Tom Donahoe invested a lot in Losman though so they want some return on that investment.
Dave (Erie): Do you think if the Vikes trade Moss, they'll try to trade up and take Edwards or Williams as his replacement?
Mel Kiper: (2:12 PM ET ) That's debatable. You can't just look at one need area for the Vikes. They need LB, secondary, etc. They need major help on defense. You can't react to one guy. There are other receivers beyond those two .. Roddy White and Troy Williamson they could probably get without moving.
Justin (ATL): Now that Brees got tagged, don't you think teams will still try to get him even though they have to lose a 1st round pick?
Mel Kiper: (2:13 PM ET ) Drew is off limits. The Chargers need him to take another shot at the playoffs. They can make a determination about Rivers next year. You can't allow an MVP QB to move on if you feel like you should be back in the playoffs.
bob (nyc): This draft is largely considered weak at the top. The guy for me who is an absolute slam dunk to be a successful player is Derrick Johnson, yet I see him outside the top ten on many draft boards. I think there is no way he gets past Crennel and the Browns. Any chance he goes top 5 when its all said and done?
Mel Kiper: (2:15 PM ET ) It's not a bad draft overall. The problem is the top 10. This year's top 10 would normally be picked between 10-25 in other years. Outside of 2-3 players who may emerge after the combine, you will have 6-7 guys in the top 10 who don't deserve to be there. Yes, he could go very high though. Cleveland needs help at QB, OL, def. secondary, etc. They need help all over. He could be a top 10 pick, but he's just off the fringe right now. For a LB who was credited for a lot of tackles, he also missed a lot of tackles.
Ben (Little Rock, AR): Mel, I got your requisite Matt Jones question. Can you just give me an update on him, (who's looking at him, what round do you project, what position)? Also, can you think of anyone from recent history who you would compare his draft status to?
Mel Kiper: (2:18 PM ET ) It's hard to say what team right now. People speculate the Bucs because Gruden had nice things to say during Senior Bowl. But Jones needs to adapt and show his pass catching skills. The one thing that helps him is he did have that great week in Mobile. His basketball background will help as well. He does have prior experience as a WR in high school. Those are things that are going to help him. I'd say fourth round is possible.
Corey (Hurricane, WV): Obviously the Browns have alot to achieve this offseason. Who starts at QB on opening weekend, and who will they draft in the first round?
Mel Kiper: (2:19 PM ET ) Still to be determined with Garcia moving on. McCown will be in the mix. What they have now and what they will have in the future are two different things. I think they are looking at Rodgers or Smith if they are available. Their QB probably isn't on the roster right now.
Mark (Philly): Mel, your mock has Philly taking Clayton in the first round -- won't his lack of height limit his ability to thrive in the NFL?
Mel Kiper: (2:21 PM ET ) In the latest one I have them taking Reggie Brown. Clayton is 5'10. Deion Branch's lack of height hasn't hampered him. Clayton was one of the best players on the field in Mobile. He is great after the catch and has a great attitude. He is deserving of a late first round pick. Reggie Brown could be a nice addition as well. Both are possiblities. Roscoe Parrish could be in the mix as well.
Mel Kiper: (2:22 PM ET ) I have Mark Clayton going to Baltimore in my newest mock.
Nathaniel (State College, PA): Come on Mel, fellow draft dork here. My buddy, (more crazy about the Steelers than you are the draft) asked me who the Steelers are picking. I gave him Marlin Jackson or Bryant McFadden, was I off base?
Mel Kiper: (2:23 PM ET ) I think Marlin Jackson depends on his workout. He has to prove he has recovery speed or he will move back to safety. I'm thinking more second round for him. Bryant McFadden has to show recovery speed as well. He has to show he can run in the 4.4's. McFadden is probably second round as well .. possibly late first. I have Heath Miller as the Steelers first round pick.
Daniel (Athens, Ga): Everyone has been very impressed with the way Reggie Brown is working out and he has been moving up all the draft boards. He was very highly regarded coming out of high school and even though he was a physical freak, he never really panned out at UGA. How much will his history of not living up to his potential hurt his draft status?
Mel Kiper: (2:25 PM ET ) He's not projected to be a guaranteed first round guy. He is late first or second round. He has a ton of talent but periods of inconsistency. But it's not like we are talking about a top 10 pick. Nothing wrong with the talent he has and where he will go in the draft.
Kate (Boston): Will the Pats take a CB in the first round? Or will they take a linebacker with Bruschi's health now in question?
Mel Kiper: (2:26 PM ET ) Good question. You hit both positions. CB and LB are areas they have to address. Maybe OL. But I always thought about corner, maybe Justin Miller or Channing Crowder. They need to be younger at LB.
Mel Kiper: (2:27 PM ET ) One thing they have to have is the intelligence of a player. They will be looking at testing and intelligence more than probably any team in the NFL.
JL (Chicago): There have been rumors of Leinhart being upset and possibly thinking about a supplemental draft. I have no idea how the supplemental draft works...is that even possible?
Mel Kiper: (2:28 PM ET ) Possible if he graduates with his class. It could be an option. Obviously it's not guaranteed where he would go. But yes, he could rethink his decision. I've said if he was in this draft he would be the No. 1 pick. With Chow leaving, you never know.
Hank (Vegas): Mel, with your draft list changing almost weekly, who are your surefire top five can't miss picks at any position?
Mel Kiper: (2:30 PM ET ) In reality, my board hasn't changed that much. It's the same guys in the top 25 for the most part. The top 15 of my projection hasn't changed hardly at all. But there is some shifting based on film evaluation and things will change after the combine. Indiviual workouts then start in March.
Mel Kiper: (2:32 PM ET ) Heath Miller is the hard projection. I moved him down because if Detroit doesn't take him at 10, where does he go? I had to drop him down to Pittsburgh. Not many teams have TE as a priority.
Steven (Monroe, LA): Why do you consider Bledsoe an ideal fit in Dallas? For Bledsoe, it may be, but from the Cowboys's perspective, I do not think so. Bledsoe-74.6 QB Rating Testaverde-74.4 QB Rating At least Testaverede would help bring Henson along. Bledsoe is only interested in starting, and would do very little to help bring Henson along.
Mel Kiper: (2:34 PM ET ) Ideal in that him and Parcells know each other and he has a few years left. They want a veteran QB. Parcells isn't worried about 2008, he wants to win now. He's already trying to bring Henson along, but they need somebody to QB this team right now. They also need help on DL, CB, OL, LB, WR, they need a lot of help!
Ryan (Green Bay): Mr. Kiper, HUGE CHEESEHEAD here, I really love Thomas Davis and think he would be a great addition to the Packers, do you see the Packers leaning anyway yet (offense or defense) and do you think that Davis would make an instant impact??
Mel Kiper: (2:35 PM ET ) If' I'm Green Bay, I'm thinking defense all the way. You don't get to SB's with a bad defense. They just don't have the def. personnel. DL, LB, secondary, etc. all are need areas. Much like the Chiefs and Colts .. all of them should be focusing on defense, defense, defense.
Daniel (Athens, Ga): People talk about how the Falcons have already invested two first round picks into WRs with Price and Jenkins and can't invest any more. Do you believe that a team can only spend so much on one position or do you think that a team should be willing to swallow its pride and try to find something that works even if you keep spending high draft picks?
Mel Kiper: (2:38 PM ET ) In terms of Atlanta, you have to look at a team individually. Atlanta needs help on DE, safety, CB, etc. They have other need areas that would supercede WR. You don't have to address an area early. It's not all about the first round. It's about getting value late in the draft. TO was a third round. Westbrook was third round. Etc. Bruschi was not a first rounder. Branch was not a first rounder. Rounds 3-7 are the most important rounds in the draft than rounds 1-2, no question.
Nick (Columbus): In the last mock that i read of yours, you had Rolle back farther than expected, do you see him as a fit in Cincinnati @ saftey next to Williams?
Mel Kiper: (2:39 PM ET ) Antrel Rolle is projected to be a mid first round guy. I have him going to Dallas. He could go to Minnesota, KC, etc. Depends on his 40 time. His recovery speed is big. If he shows a good 40, he could move up.
Josh (Grand Rapids): Because safety is a glaring need for Detroit, do you see a prospect worthy of taking at #10 or will they address that need in the later rounds?
Mel Kiper: (2:40 PM ET ) I would say address it in the second round maybe if they can move down. Nobody is worthy at the 10 spot.
Justin (ATL): Pacman Jones...is he the best CB to come out in years?
Mel Kiper: (2:41 PM ET ) He's in the mix. He'll be top 10 for a reason. He says he will run in the 4.2 range. He is a scrappy, tough, aggressive corner. He is an excellent return man. He will probably go 6 overall.
Paul (Jacksonville): JAGS HAVN'T SCORED 30 IN NEARLY 2 YEARS!!! Anybody in this draft around pick #21 that can help?
Mel Kiper: (2:43 PM ET ) You have a young QB you are working in. Leftwich will get better and better. You could still use an OL, particulary LT .. Alex Barron or Khalif Barnes maybe. Also on defense, they could use a DE, corner, etc. They have some specific need areas.
Mel Kiper: (2:43 PM ET ) They have a young WR in Williams who needs to show improvement this year.
Dave (Columbus): Here's the question on everybody's mind in Buckeye country about a certain former player. Who's gonna get Nugent?
Mel Kiper: (2:45 PM ET ) It's too early to project a team, but depending on how free agency breaks down, I see him going in the second round. He has ice in his veins and shows no sign of giving in to pressure. Most of his kicks flat out split the uprights. He has second round ability, no question about it.
Joey (Tucson): Mel,With a switch for the Broncos that emphasizes the 3-4, which pass rushing prospect would be the best fit? Pollack? Roth? Ware?
Mel Kiper: (2:46 PM ET ) I'd say probably Ware for that scheme. He could be a Pete Boulware type in that scheme. I have him going to Denver in my latest projection.
Brent (Cape Girardeau, MO): It is no coincedence that the top teams in the league every year are the ones that consistently have great drafts. That being said, how are the Rams keeping up with the times as they have drafted terribly in the past 3 or 4 drafts? Martz Madness (another reach in round one) again this year?
Mel Kiper: (2:48 PM ET ) Yeah, they have struggled. Some defensive guys that just haven't panned out. Others that we are still waiting on. But they need DE help now, LB help, OL, and another safety. Most needs are on the def. side. If I had to project for St. Louis, I would say Erasmus James. Had he stayed healthy all year, he probably would have been a top 5 or top 10 pick this year.
Mel Kiper: (2:48 PM ET ) He will be one of the more interesting players in this draft to see where he end sup.
Matt Millen (10th selection): If I trade down will Heath Miller be there?
Mel Kiper: (2:50 PM ET ) I think so. If you look Miller, you can move off that pick and feel pretty safe he will still be there. He would be a great fit. If you can keep Rogers on the field with Jones and add Miller, that's great talent, as good as any in the NFL at those positions.
Steven (Monroe, LA): Marcus Spears. Has his perfomance in Senior Bowl practices help elevate him to the mid first round?
Mel Kiper: (2:51 PM ET ) Helped him move from mid to late first round to possibly top 10 overall. He has the ability to be a force in the NFL. He has wingspan, height, athleticism, the whole package. He just needs to sustain a higher intensity level.
Thanks for all the great questions! Quite a wide variety today! We'll have a little combine stuff to talk about next week. Hopefully we can cover even more teams next week! Take care!
