cowboyjoe
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Mel Kiper's 2010 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: A Pick By Pick Critique
First, I dont see that happening McClain falling down to us that far, but I bet thats one time Hostile wished bleacher report was right.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/347930-mel-kipers-20-mock-draft-upon-further-review#page/2
NFL fans across the country know that when Mel Kiper's updated mock drafts are released, the late-April bonanza is right around the corner.
With his most recent first-round predictions, some will take it as gospel and assume the prospects forecast for their respective teams are almost a sure thing.
However, a handful of players are slotted out of position or don't rationally match up with a team need. A few other players are inconspicuously absent from his newest draft.
The following is a review of the hits and misses of this mock draft. Quite a few of these picks don't look right and deserve a subsequent challenge.
Upon further review......
1.) St. Louis: Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)
Hard to argue with the first three picks even if Suh and McCoy ultimately reverse spots.
2.) Detroit : Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)
Detroit Lions fans can rest assured one of the two best defensive tackles prospects to come out in the last 10 years will be playing in Ford Field in 2010.
3.) Tampa Bay: Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)
Berry has been on everyone's radar throughout his career in Knoxville. Comparisons to Sean Taylor and Ed Reed are legit. Tampa Bay can finally start fielding a defense that has turned into a shell of its former self.
After this pick, however, Kiper's newest mock draft misses the mark on several occasions.
4.) Washington: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
Kiper's pick: Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
Apparently the Jason Campbell experience is over. Give the poor kid some time to actually set his feet and make throws and he just might surprise people. The Commanders need to build in the trenches first and it starts on the offensive side of the ball.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Personal feelings aside, in reality Mike Shanahan will want a quarterback either fourth overall or wait if he thinks Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan) or Tony Pike (Cincinnati) will be available in the second round.
The thought of locking down the quarterbacks’ blind side for the next 10 years is an excellent way to start the next phase of Shanahan's remarkable career. Russell Okung is the best tackle in the draft, despite the excitement surrounding the intriguing, yet unproven, Anthony Davis.
My pick: Russell Okung
5.) Kansas City : Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
Kiper's pick: Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
I have no problem with Davis, arguably the fastest-rising offensive lineman in this draft, going in the first round. However, the more logical spot for the relatively inexperienced early-entry prospect is in the bottom five picks of the opening round, not the top five.
It’s no secret the Chiefs offense is a disaster on many levels. While Dwayne Bowe is progressing nicely, the team is severely hindered by the worst offensive line in the NFL. Jamaal Charles was one of the better surprises in 2009; not so much with his speed and production (5.9 YPC) but the fact that he proved those wrong who had delegated him to nothing more than a third-down back.
There’s no arguing Davis' potential, but taking a player at this point in the draft whose scouting reports usually include the word “Raw” in any fashion doesn’t add up. At 6’7” and 310 pounds, Davis could stand to add some more weight. Chances are good he will still be available at least ten picks later.
I have Russell Okung and Bryan Bulaga both ranked higher than him as they are both safer picks. With the regression of Brandon Albert at tackle, a move back to his natural position (Guard) is possible.
His career in Piscataway wasn’t an exhibit in durability either. Davis only started 17 games in his three-year career. Can they really afford to absorb unnecessary risk this early?
UNDER FURTHER REVIEW: With new Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis joining old-friends Scott Pioli and Todd Haley, the Chiefs have an excellent front-office team in place. I’m not certain Matt Cassel (16 TD/16 INT) will ever be the quarterback Pioli thinks he will be, but the team is committed to him for the foreseeable future.
So all of this leads to the Chiefs grabbing a franchise tackle, right? Not so fast. Charles ran the ball extremely well, so the line must have done some things right. Kansas City needs playmakers on defense, and Joe Haden is by far the best cornerback prospect to come out in two or three years. If I have one pick in this draft that I willingly admit defies conventional wisdom, it’s Haden going to the Chiefs.
My pick: Joe Haden
6.) Seattle Seahawks: Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)
Former USC coach Pete Carroll needs a quarterback to replace the 34-year-old Matt Hasselback to begin his second go-around as an NFL coach.
Two things of note which work in favor of Bradford’s selection: Carroll will relate better to, for all practical purposes, a college kid, and Hasselbeck is a pretty good guy and should take the former Heisman trophy-winner under his wing from the beginning.
7.) Cleveland: Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
Kiper's pick: Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
No qualms here, even though the Dawg Pound appears to be calling for Dez Bryant. As talented as he is, the Browns invested heavily last year at the position, though. The team spent both second-round picks on Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi out of Ohio State and Georgia, respectively. But I think Haden might be gone already.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Since I have Haden slated to go two spots ahead to Kansas City, I can see new President Mike Holmgren building up the trenches.
Players like Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan are rare. An excellent pass-rusher and stout against the run, Morgan is an excellent building block for the Browns' defense.
My pick: Derrick Morgan
8.) Oakland: Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)
Kiper's pick: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, South Florida)
If it was any other team making this selection, I would vehemently disagree taking JPP this high. But, Kiper is right on so many levels with this prediction.
With 80-year-old Al Davis still calling the shots and defying conventional wisdom as he’s done so many times before, this pick makes perfect sense. What with the draft picks likes of Robert Gallery, Jamarcus Russell, Rickey Dudley, and Todd Marinovich...shall I continue?
To a certain extent, last year’s first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey was a reach of epic proportions as well.
Besides his reputation as one of the more cantankerous owners in NFL history, Davis can’t help but overstep his boundaries and not let his actual front office make the pick if he’s infatuated with a player.
JPP has certain character traits and tricks which don’t really translate to success in the NFL. A 6’6” 260 pound person, let alone college football player, that can flawlessly execute a standing back flip in pads is cute. Combine that with the fact he didn’t even begin playing football until his junior year in high school.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Despite a "perferct storm" scenario as far as Al Davis' standards are considered, I think the Raiders would be wise to find a fiery linebacker to continue improving their defense around. One name that comes to mind is Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes (6-3, 255).
Spikes is an intense competitor with a take-no-prisoners approach to the game. He would instantly become a fan favorite of Raider Nation.
9.) Buffalo: Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
Kiper's pick: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
Fans in Buffalo have been disappointed in the team’s last two supposed franchise quarterbacks. Trent Edwards seems to have the makeup of an upper echelon quarterback, but for whatever reason (maybe a porous offensive line) he hasn’t put it together.
While a quarterback may be a prime target in the mid-to-later rounds, the first priority is finding a long-term offensive tackle to protect their quarterback’s blindside.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: If Okung falls this far, the Bills can’t pass him up, but I don’t see how he will. I think Anthony Davis, despite all the recent hype, is more realistic at this spot. However, Marshawn Lynch has worn out his welcome in Buffalo even with a new regime in place under Chan Gailey.
My pick: Anthony Davis
10.) Denver: Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
Kiper's pick: Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
Of any of these picks, none will receive more disagreements than my feeling the Broncos do not have a permanent solution at quarterback. Kyle Orton had his best season in the NFL with 21 touchdowns against 12 interceptions last year.
After leading his team to an unexpected 7-0 start, the Broncos and Josh McDaniels were on their way to being the story of the year. In those games, Orton had an outstanding touchdown-to-interception ratio of 9:1.
However, he resorted back to his normal career averages for the remainder of the season, winning only two more games and dropping eight. His stat line over those 10 games was 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The end result is the former Chicago Bear and Purdue Boilermaker is a nice backup, but nothing more.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Josh McDaniels is able to land a smart, strong-armed signal caller in Jimmy Clausen. Clausen's a very tough kid and is already familiar with a pro-style offense during his time playing for Charlie Weis.
My pick: Jimmy Clausen
11.) Jacksonville: Brian Price (DT, UCLA)
Kiper's pick: Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
Logical? Yes, especially when you consider the league-worst pass-rush from a statistical measure (14 sacks). But it’s a bit premature, despite Jags fans clamoring for an instant upgrade in the pass rush.
It seems like they, along with Kiper, forget the team spent its first two picks last year on defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. It’s way too early to even consider taking another defensive end this high with two young players like those two. If neither of those two fail to make a significant jump in their third year, then maybe it’s time to start considering another end.
The team is serviceable at cornerback. If Gene Smith really wants to wake-up an underachieving defense, he’s better off grabbing a linebacker or a big tackle that demands double-teams to free up the young ends.
While the secondary in general was actually a major weakness last year, Reggie Nelson still deserves one more year and the team acquired an underrated strong safety in former Detroit Lion and Boise State product Gerald Alexander. So where does this leave Smith and his staff heading into the combine?
Now that owner Wayne Weaver has demanded his underpinnings establish a more relative identity on defense, Smith wasted little time announcing the team’s experimentation with the 3-4 is a distant memory. As they transition to the typical 4-3 base, don’t be surprised if Harvey and Groves drastically improve simply because of the extra support received along the line.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Defensive ends are without question an integral part of the 4-3, but if the Jaguars are looking to inject some energy and playmaking ability in the middle, Brian Price is a terrific and disruptive force. He will free up the two ends to make plays—when he’s not making them himself.
My pick: Brian Price
12.) Miami Dolphins: Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
Kiper's pick: Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
This pick would look a lot better if Miami didn’t recently release Joey Porter, and apparently re-,sign or somehow retain him only hours later. As strange as that move was, it may be nothing more than the team’s realization they’re better off trading him and gaining something of value instead of letting him walk.
No one really knows but Bill Parcells and his inner circle. Regardless, the Dolphins need firepower on offense.
Even so, Porter is up there in age, as is Jason Taylor, so a new outside linebacker is a definite need. But the Dolphins could be a possible playoff team if they had a true number one receiver for Chad Henne to throw to.
There’s no question Miami will be a run-oriented team with the two-headed attack of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. But that’s no reason to pretend Brian Hartline, Greg Camarillo, Ted Ginn or Davone Bess are suitable first-stringers.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: One player eager to step back on the field for some real game action is former Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant. At 6’2” and 225 pounds, Bryant is an excellent route runner with sticky hands and elusive open field ability.
He would provide an instant upgrade over the current corps of receivers. He’s capable of making acrobatic catches that no other Dolphin could, and Bryant’s also dependable enough to make the routine catches too. He’s been compared in many scouting reports to a young Terrell Owens but with better mitts.
My pick: Dez Bryant
13.) San Francisco: Kyle Wilson (CB, Boise State)
(These next two picks are two that I strongly disagree with Kiper's choice)
Kiper's pick: C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)
With Frank Gore and even the speedy Glen Coffee in their backfield, I’m not sure why the 49ers would even consider taking a running back.
As a team, they averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 2009, which puts them in the upper tier of teams. A closer look reveals the team was third from last in terms of rushing attempts (371) on the year.
My third grade math skills determine quite a revelation; if they would’ve run more with the talent already on the roster, a running back would not even enter the war room discussions. San Francisco knows that, and Scot McCloughan will not draft Spiller.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: A big, disruptive defensive tackle would be better. Another option would be a shut-down coverage corner like Boise State’s Kyle Wilson. Mr. RV Mural would also boost the team’s return game. This might be the highest Wilson appears in a first round mock unless he's off the charts at the combine.
My pick: Kyle Wilson
14.) Seattle: Golden Tate (WR, Notre Dame)
Kiper's pick: Everson Griffen (DE, USC)
While defense needs attention at some point in this draft, the Seahawks need playmakers on offense in the worst way.
I’m not too enamored with Griffen to begin with, and I question whether he even belongs in the first round. Last season was nice but far from “great”, as the one-time high profile recruit finished the year with eight sacks for an underachieving Trojans team.
Griffen’s career in southern California was spotty, including bouts with inconsistency and character concerns. He’s a one-trick pony with alleged issues about his effort and work ethic.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: The offensive-minded coach inherits a team with all kinds of issues on his side of the ball. By this point in the draft he should already have his franchise quarterback and begins adding playmaking weapons to breath some life into a very average group of receivers.
T.J. Houshmanzadeh is a personal favorite of mine, but he’s not a number one. He lacks the top-end speed and elusiveness NFL teams usually deploy with that role. Adding a player like Golden Tate makes more sense.
Tate is the most dangerous after-the-catch receiver, and possibly even player, in this class. His open-field vision and moves were groomed during his All-American high school career as a running back. By all accounts, he’s a First-Team All American and was one of the lone bright spots in a disappointing Irish season.
Tate finished last season with 93 receptions, 15 touchdowns and almost 1,500 yards. He proved to be a dangerous threat out of the backfield as well, averaging over seven yards per carry and scoring twice, along with another score on a punt return.
My pick: Golden Tate
15.) New York Giants: Sergio Kindle (LB, Texas)
The G-Men need a linebacker capable of pressuring the quarterback, so this pick makes sense.
16.) San Francisco: Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma)
I like this pick too, and I could see it happening unless San Francisco trades one of their two first round-picks.
The 49ers have a big-time need at right tackle, so the big Sooner lineman is an ideal pick to solidify both the run and pass games.
First, I dont see that happening McClain falling down to us that far, but I bet thats one time Hostile wished bleacher report was right.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/347930-mel-kipers-20-mock-draft-upon-further-review#page/2
NFL fans across the country know that when Mel Kiper's updated mock drafts are released, the late-April bonanza is right around the corner.
With his most recent first-round predictions, some will take it as gospel and assume the prospects forecast for their respective teams are almost a sure thing.
However, a handful of players are slotted out of position or don't rationally match up with a team need. A few other players are inconspicuously absent from his newest draft.
The following is a review of the hits and misses of this mock draft. Quite a few of these picks don't look right and deserve a subsequent challenge.
Upon further review......
1.) St. Louis: Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)
Hard to argue with the first three picks even if Suh and McCoy ultimately reverse spots.
2.) Detroit : Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)
Detroit Lions fans can rest assured one of the two best defensive tackles prospects to come out in the last 10 years will be playing in Ford Field in 2010.
3.) Tampa Bay: Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)
Berry has been on everyone's radar throughout his career in Knoxville. Comparisons to Sean Taylor and Ed Reed are legit. Tampa Bay can finally start fielding a defense that has turned into a shell of its former self.
After this pick, however, Kiper's newest mock draft misses the mark on several occasions.
4.) Washington: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
Kiper's pick: Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
Apparently the Jason Campbell experience is over. Give the poor kid some time to actually set his feet and make throws and he just might surprise people. The Commanders need to build in the trenches first and it starts on the offensive side of the ball.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Personal feelings aside, in reality Mike Shanahan will want a quarterback either fourth overall or wait if he thinks Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan) or Tony Pike (Cincinnati) will be available in the second round.
The thought of locking down the quarterbacks’ blind side for the next 10 years is an excellent way to start the next phase of Shanahan's remarkable career. Russell Okung is the best tackle in the draft, despite the excitement surrounding the intriguing, yet unproven, Anthony Davis.
My pick: Russell Okung
5.) Kansas City : Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
Kiper's pick: Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
I have no problem with Davis, arguably the fastest-rising offensive lineman in this draft, going in the first round. However, the more logical spot for the relatively inexperienced early-entry prospect is in the bottom five picks of the opening round, not the top five.
It’s no secret the Chiefs offense is a disaster on many levels. While Dwayne Bowe is progressing nicely, the team is severely hindered by the worst offensive line in the NFL. Jamaal Charles was one of the better surprises in 2009; not so much with his speed and production (5.9 YPC) but the fact that he proved those wrong who had delegated him to nothing more than a third-down back.
There’s no arguing Davis' potential, but taking a player at this point in the draft whose scouting reports usually include the word “Raw” in any fashion doesn’t add up. At 6’7” and 310 pounds, Davis could stand to add some more weight. Chances are good he will still be available at least ten picks later.
I have Russell Okung and Bryan Bulaga both ranked higher than him as they are both safer picks. With the regression of Brandon Albert at tackle, a move back to his natural position (Guard) is possible.
His career in Piscataway wasn’t an exhibit in durability either. Davis only started 17 games in his three-year career. Can they really afford to absorb unnecessary risk this early?
UNDER FURTHER REVIEW: With new Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis joining old-friends Scott Pioli and Todd Haley, the Chiefs have an excellent front-office team in place. I’m not certain Matt Cassel (16 TD/16 INT) will ever be the quarterback Pioli thinks he will be, but the team is committed to him for the foreseeable future.
So all of this leads to the Chiefs grabbing a franchise tackle, right? Not so fast. Charles ran the ball extremely well, so the line must have done some things right. Kansas City needs playmakers on defense, and Joe Haden is by far the best cornerback prospect to come out in two or three years. If I have one pick in this draft that I willingly admit defies conventional wisdom, it’s Haden going to the Chiefs.
My pick: Joe Haden
6.) Seattle Seahawks: Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)
Former USC coach Pete Carroll needs a quarterback to replace the 34-year-old Matt Hasselback to begin his second go-around as an NFL coach.
Two things of note which work in favor of Bradford’s selection: Carroll will relate better to, for all practical purposes, a college kid, and Hasselbeck is a pretty good guy and should take the former Heisman trophy-winner under his wing from the beginning.
7.) Cleveland: Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
Kiper's pick: Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
No qualms here, even though the Dawg Pound appears to be calling for Dez Bryant. As talented as he is, the Browns invested heavily last year at the position, though. The team spent both second-round picks on Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi out of Ohio State and Georgia, respectively. But I think Haden might be gone already.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Since I have Haden slated to go two spots ahead to Kansas City, I can see new President Mike Holmgren building up the trenches.
Players like Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan are rare. An excellent pass-rusher and stout against the run, Morgan is an excellent building block for the Browns' defense.
My pick: Derrick Morgan
8.) Oakland: Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)
Kiper's pick: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, South Florida)
If it was any other team making this selection, I would vehemently disagree taking JPP this high. But, Kiper is right on so many levels with this prediction.
With 80-year-old Al Davis still calling the shots and defying conventional wisdom as he’s done so many times before, this pick makes perfect sense. What with the draft picks likes of Robert Gallery, Jamarcus Russell, Rickey Dudley, and Todd Marinovich...shall I continue?
To a certain extent, last year’s first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey was a reach of epic proportions as well.
Besides his reputation as one of the more cantankerous owners in NFL history, Davis can’t help but overstep his boundaries and not let his actual front office make the pick if he’s infatuated with a player.
JPP has certain character traits and tricks which don’t really translate to success in the NFL. A 6’6” 260 pound person, let alone college football player, that can flawlessly execute a standing back flip in pads is cute. Combine that with the fact he didn’t even begin playing football until his junior year in high school.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Despite a "perferct storm" scenario as far as Al Davis' standards are considered, I think the Raiders would be wise to find a fiery linebacker to continue improving their defense around. One name that comes to mind is Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes (6-3, 255).
Spikes is an intense competitor with a take-no-prisoners approach to the game. He would instantly become a fan favorite of Raider Nation.
9.) Buffalo: Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
Kiper's pick: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
Fans in Buffalo have been disappointed in the team’s last two supposed franchise quarterbacks. Trent Edwards seems to have the makeup of an upper echelon quarterback, but for whatever reason (maybe a porous offensive line) he hasn’t put it together.
While a quarterback may be a prime target in the mid-to-later rounds, the first priority is finding a long-term offensive tackle to protect their quarterback’s blindside.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: If Okung falls this far, the Bills can’t pass him up, but I don’t see how he will. I think Anthony Davis, despite all the recent hype, is more realistic at this spot. However, Marshawn Lynch has worn out his welcome in Buffalo even with a new regime in place under Chan Gailey.
My pick: Anthony Davis
10.) Denver: Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
Kiper's pick: Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
Of any of these picks, none will receive more disagreements than my feeling the Broncos do not have a permanent solution at quarterback. Kyle Orton had his best season in the NFL with 21 touchdowns against 12 interceptions last year.
After leading his team to an unexpected 7-0 start, the Broncos and Josh McDaniels were on their way to being the story of the year. In those games, Orton had an outstanding touchdown-to-interception ratio of 9:1.
However, he resorted back to his normal career averages for the remainder of the season, winning only two more games and dropping eight. His stat line over those 10 games was 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The end result is the former Chicago Bear and Purdue Boilermaker is a nice backup, but nothing more.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Josh McDaniels is able to land a smart, strong-armed signal caller in Jimmy Clausen. Clausen's a very tough kid and is already familiar with a pro-style offense during his time playing for Charlie Weis.
My pick: Jimmy Clausen
11.) Jacksonville: Brian Price (DT, UCLA)
Kiper's pick: Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
Logical? Yes, especially when you consider the league-worst pass-rush from a statistical measure (14 sacks). But it’s a bit premature, despite Jags fans clamoring for an instant upgrade in the pass rush.
It seems like they, along with Kiper, forget the team spent its first two picks last year on defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. It’s way too early to even consider taking another defensive end this high with two young players like those two. If neither of those two fail to make a significant jump in their third year, then maybe it’s time to start considering another end.
The team is serviceable at cornerback. If Gene Smith really wants to wake-up an underachieving defense, he’s better off grabbing a linebacker or a big tackle that demands double-teams to free up the young ends.
While the secondary in general was actually a major weakness last year, Reggie Nelson still deserves one more year and the team acquired an underrated strong safety in former Detroit Lion and Boise State product Gerald Alexander. So where does this leave Smith and his staff heading into the combine?
Now that owner Wayne Weaver has demanded his underpinnings establish a more relative identity on defense, Smith wasted little time announcing the team’s experimentation with the 3-4 is a distant memory. As they transition to the typical 4-3 base, don’t be surprised if Harvey and Groves drastically improve simply because of the extra support received along the line.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Defensive ends are without question an integral part of the 4-3, but if the Jaguars are looking to inject some energy and playmaking ability in the middle, Brian Price is a terrific and disruptive force. He will free up the two ends to make plays—when he’s not making them himself.
My pick: Brian Price
12.) Miami Dolphins: Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
Kiper's pick: Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
This pick would look a lot better if Miami didn’t recently release Joey Porter, and apparently re-,sign or somehow retain him only hours later. As strange as that move was, it may be nothing more than the team’s realization they’re better off trading him and gaining something of value instead of letting him walk.
No one really knows but Bill Parcells and his inner circle. Regardless, the Dolphins need firepower on offense.
Even so, Porter is up there in age, as is Jason Taylor, so a new outside linebacker is a definite need. But the Dolphins could be a possible playoff team if they had a true number one receiver for Chad Henne to throw to.
There’s no question Miami will be a run-oriented team with the two-headed attack of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. But that’s no reason to pretend Brian Hartline, Greg Camarillo, Ted Ginn or Davone Bess are suitable first-stringers.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: One player eager to step back on the field for some real game action is former Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant. At 6’2” and 225 pounds, Bryant is an excellent route runner with sticky hands and elusive open field ability.
He would provide an instant upgrade over the current corps of receivers. He’s capable of making acrobatic catches that no other Dolphin could, and Bryant’s also dependable enough to make the routine catches too. He’s been compared in many scouting reports to a young Terrell Owens but with better mitts.
My pick: Dez Bryant
13.) San Francisco: Kyle Wilson (CB, Boise State)
(These next two picks are two that I strongly disagree with Kiper's choice)
Kiper's pick: C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)
With Frank Gore and even the speedy Glen Coffee in their backfield, I’m not sure why the 49ers would even consider taking a running back.
As a team, they averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 2009, which puts them in the upper tier of teams. A closer look reveals the team was third from last in terms of rushing attempts (371) on the year.
My third grade math skills determine quite a revelation; if they would’ve run more with the talent already on the roster, a running back would not even enter the war room discussions. San Francisco knows that, and Scot McCloughan will not draft Spiller.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: A big, disruptive defensive tackle would be better. Another option would be a shut-down coverage corner like Boise State’s Kyle Wilson. Mr. RV Mural would also boost the team’s return game. This might be the highest Wilson appears in a first round mock unless he's off the charts at the combine.
My pick: Kyle Wilson
14.) Seattle: Golden Tate (WR, Notre Dame)
Kiper's pick: Everson Griffen (DE, USC)
While defense needs attention at some point in this draft, the Seahawks need playmakers on offense in the worst way.
I’m not too enamored with Griffen to begin with, and I question whether he even belongs in the first round. Last season was nice but far from “great”, as the one-time high profile recruit finished the year with eight sacks for an underachieving Trojans team.
Griffen’s career in southern California was spotty, including bouts with inconsistency and character concerns. He’s a one-trick pony with alleged issues about his effort and work ethic.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: The offensive-minded coach inherits a team with all kinds of issues on his side of the ball. By this point in the draft he should already have his franchise quarterback and begins adding playmaking weapons to breath some life into a very average group of receivers.
T.J. Houshmanzadeh is a personal favorite of mine, but he’s not a number one. He lacks the top-end speed and elusiveness NFL teams usually deploy with that role. Adding a player like Golden Tate makes more sense.
Tate is the most dangerous after-the-catch receiver, and possibly even player, in this class. His open-field vision and moves were groomed during his All-American high school career as a running back. By all accounts, he’s a First-Team All American and was one of the lone bright spots in a disappointing Irish season.
Tate finished last season with 93 receptions, 15 touchdowns and almost 1,500 yards. He proved to be a dangerous threat out of the backfield as well, averaging over seven yards per carry and scoring twice, along with another score on a punt return.
My pick: Golden Tate
15.) New York Giants: Sergio Kindle (LB, Texas)
The G-Men need a linebacker capable of pressuring the quarterback, so this pick makes sense.
16.) San Francisco: Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma)
I like this pick too, and I could see it happening unless San Francisco trades one of their two first round-picks.
The 49ers have a big-time need at right tackle, so the big Sooner lineman is an ideal pick to solidify both the run and pass games.
