Rafael Vela : The Nightmare Scenario

[Cbz40]

The Nightmare Scenario

By Rafael Vela

I’m looking at the many mock drafts and see something like this as the worst possible scenario for the first round:

• 7. Patriots — Leodis McKelvin;
• 10. Saints — Dominique Rogers-Cromartie;
• 14. Bears - Rashard Mendenhall;
• 15. Lions — Aqib Talib;
• 16. Cardinals — Mike Jenkins;
• 18. Texans — Jonathan Stewart;
• 20. Bucs — Devin Thomas;

So pick 22 arrives and what do you do? The top tier for cornerbacks is off the board. The two highest rated post-Darren McFadden backs are gone and the only receiver I rate as a first rounder — Thomas — is also gone.
Now what? After all the bashing, Felix Jones now looks like a legitimate option at 22. That, or a trade, if Jerry Jones can find a trade down partner or a trade for a veteran wideout. I’m not hearing many rumors, though.
What would you do in this situation? Teams war game this type of situation all the time. What do you think the fall back will be — at 22 and at 28?


Pacman Update:
Ah, those Titans. First they demand two draft picks in return for Pacman Jones. Now comes word that they want Jones to reimburse them millions of dollars in bonus money.


Jones is becoming a headache and he’s not even on the team. The linked story says both teams remain interested in a deal, so something could come to pass before the draft.

 

[The Rawhide Kid]

What's wrong with all those CB's and the top two post-McFadden RB's being gone? We're not going to have the 22 and 28 pick anyway.

 

[Bigdog]

I mentioned this last week regarding a mock draft that someone posted. This would really stink if this happens but it could. I wuold definitely try to trade for a vet wr or trade out of the first round with the 22nd and hopes to pick up additional picks like a 1st in the 2009 draft.

 

[Woods]

If the draft went like that, I'd try to trade down a few spots, and if I couldn't, I'd seriously consider Cason or K Phillips at 22, whoever they like more.

 

[gimmesix]

No vet receiver? Then give me Malcolm Kelly.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

That would fit just fine into my draft plan. Trade for RW and draft Cason. I still feel like he could turn out to be the best pro corner out of this draft class. We pick up Charles in the third and try to steal Okam later on in the draft.

 

[Woods]

That would fit just fine into my draft plan. Trade for RW and draft Cason. I still feel like he could turn out to be the best pro corner out of this draft class. We pick up Charles in the third and try to steal Okam later on in the draft.

I agree with you on Cason.

Personally, I prefer drafting him to Talib.

I have no problem with Cason at 22.

 

[NeonNinja]

I would still be fine with Cason being available to us.

 

[Kolemmitt]

I would go Cason at #22 and then hope Kelly or Sweed are there at #28. I would consider that a pretty good first round. Then give me Rice at #61. I would only go F. Jones if he was there at 61 and Rice and Charles were gone.

 

[JonCJG]

Trade up using our third along with #22 and take Rashard Mendenhall or DRC.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Trade up using our third along with #22 and take Rashard Mendenhall or DRC.

I would have to disagree there. Charles or Rice is the best value we will get at any point in the draft.

 

[JonCJG]

If we got Pacman and DRC we could be the best D the NFL has seen in a while.

Edit

I bet we could still get Rice or Jones at 28.

 

[AmishCowboy]

I agree with you on Cason.

Personally, I prefer drafting him to Talib.

I have no problem with Cason at 22.

He might turn out to be the best of the CB's anyway.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

If we got Pacman and DRC we could be the best D the NFL has seen in a while.

Edit

I bet we could still get Rice or Jones at 28.

Cason seems like he will be the better pro

 

[dbair1967]

I agree with you on Cason.

Personally, I prefer drafting him to Talib.

I have no problem with Cason at 22.

I do...I dont think he's anywhere near the 22nd best player in the draft...I dont even think he's getting picked in the first rd to be honest

David

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I do...I dont think he's anywhere near the 22nd best player in the draft...I dont even think he's getting picked in the first rd to be honest

David

Your right, value is determined by what other teams will pay for him. I think he is the steal at corner in this draft though.

 

[dbair1967]

Your right, value is determined by what other teams will pay for him. I think he is the steal at corner in this draft though.

I like him...just dont like him in the first rd and certainly dont like him ahead of some other prospects...he's pretty much as good as he is going to get...he doesnt have alot of upside IMO

If we got him where we picked in the 2nd (or somehwere in that area) I'd be happy...I'm not one of these thats thinks we MUST spend a 1st rd pick on a CB either though, because if we trade for Jones it makes no sense to me to waste a premium pick on a guy that'll at best be the 4th CB on your roster...now if we dont trade for Jones, then I could see more value in using a 1st (or even trading up some) for a quality CB

David

 

[JonCJG]

I like him...just dont like him in the first rd and certainly dont like him ahead of some other prospects...he's pretty much as good as he is going to get...he doesnt have alot of upside IMO

If we got him where we picked in the 2nd (or somehwere in that area) I'd be happy...I'm not one of these thats thinks we MUST spend a 1st rd pick on a CB either though, because if we trade for Jones it makes no sense to me to waste a premium pick on a guy that'll at best be the 4th CB on your roster...now if we dont trade for Jones, then I could see more value in using a 1st (or even trading up some) for a quality CB

David

It does make sense if you are not going to resign Newman. And with all of his talk about being one of the highest paid CB's in the league at the age of 30 going on 31, getting a CB with starting potential is important THIS YEAR.

Even if we get Pacman, he is one screw up away from NFL banishment.

To add to that, Henry has not made it through a full season without being out for multiple games and will be 32 years old this year.

We need at least 2 corners in this draft even if we get Pacman.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I like him...just dont like him in the first rd and certainly dont like him ahead of some other prospects...he's pretty much as good as he is going to get...he doesnt have alot of upside IMO

If we got him where we picked in the 2nd (or somehwere in that area) I'd be happy...I'm not one of these thats thinks we MUST spend a 1st rd pick on a CB either though, because if we trade for Jones it makes no sense to me to waste a premium pick on a guy that'll at best be the 4th CB on your roster...now if we dont trade for Jones, then I could see more value in using a 1st (or even trading up some) for a quality CB

David

You don't think he will translate to the pro game well? He seems by far the smartest corner in the draft. Why no up side? Who would you take above him?

 

[Vintage]

I have a hard time believing the Patriots are going to go CB when they could get a future cornerstone pass rusher in Gholston....

They desperately need LBer help, and with running a 3-4 defense, LBer is kinda important.

Saints could easily go for a CB, and I kind of expect them to.

Lots of people are talking about RB for the Bears, but they released Fred Miller. There OL is crumbling and old. I think OT is where they look in round 1, and round 2, they could turn to RB.

Lions could do many things. DE is a need. LBer is a need. CB and RB too. I sort of expect them to look at RB if Mendenhall is there. They need a RB with Jones not really being the answer. But CB could be the pick there.