trickblue
Not Old School...Old Testament...
- Messages
- 31,439
- Reaction score
- 3,961
Link
This time of year, there is no shortage of mock drafts floating around the internet. Chargers.com wanted to do something a little different. We gave NFL writers the opportunity to play general manager. We chose a reporter who covers each team and called them to see how they think things will play out in accordance with the selections their peers made. For example, the Packers writer didn’t give his pick until after seeing who the other writers had taken off the board. What transpired was quite interesting. Check it out.
This time of year, there is no shortage of mock drafts floating around the internet. Chargers.com wanted to do something a little different. We gave NFL writers the opportunity to play general manager. We chose a reporter who covers each team and called them to see how they think things will play out in accordance with the selections their peers made. For example, the Packers writer didn’t give his pick until after seeing who the other writers had taken off the board. What transpired was quite interesting. Check it out.
- Houston Texans - Reggie Bush, RB, USC – John McClain, Houston Chronicle – Unless agent Joel Segal prices his client out of the top pick, it’s going to be Reggie.
- New Orleans Saints – Mario Williams, DE, NC State – Jeff Duncan, New Orleans Times-Picayune – The Saints would love to take A.J. Hawk here, but it’s too high. If they can’t trade down a couple spots, they’ll take Williams, a difference-maker who can make an immediate impact.
- Tennessee Titans – Vince Young, QB, Texas – Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean – They want a quarterback and Young reminds them so much of the guy they picked #3 in 1995 – Steve McNair.
- New York Jets – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia – Randy Lange, Bergen Record – If Matt Leinart is there, it’s going to be a tough call. I think they like him but don’t love him. There’s been speculation of moving up to two, but I don’t see it happening. Take the offensive tackle to protect the quarterback, whoever that might be.
- Green Bay Packers – A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State – Dylan Tomlinson, Appleton Post-Crescent – Vernon Davis is a possibility or they could try to move down, but Hawk will bring leadership and ability to an area of desperate need.
- San Francisco 49ers – Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland – Nancy Gay, San Francisco Chronicle – This team is in desperate need of playmakers on offense. Eric Johnson can’t stay healthy and their starting receivers right now are Antonio Bryant and Arnaz Battle.
- Oakland Raiders – Michael Huff, DB, Texas – Nancy Gay, San Francisco Chronicle – With Vince Young gone, the Raiders address pressing needs in the secondary by taking Huff. He’s got world-class speed and is a younger, more durable replacement for Charles Woodson.
- Buffalo Bills – Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State – Allen Wilson, Buffalo News – I get asked constantly if they’d take Leinart if he’s there, but they’re determined to see if J.P. Losman is a keeper or not. Bunkley is a great fit for this defense. He’s a quick-penetrating lineman and makes the most sense.
- Detroit Lions - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon – Mike O’Hara, Detroit News – I don't see how eight teams pass on Matt Leinart, but make it nine. The Lions have their hearts broken with Huff off the board. So they Huff and puff and take Ngata to strengthen their defensive tackle rotation.
- Arizona Cardinals – Matt Leinart, QB, USC – Kent Somers, Arizona Republic – The Cardinals would like to take someone who could help them right away, but if Leinart is on the board, they’ll fall to their knees in gratitude. Kurt Warner is 36 so they need a quarterback of the future.
- St. Louis Rams – Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State – Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post Dispatch – The Rams would really like to see Huff or Bunkley available, but they love the way Sims explodes to the ball and blows up blockers.
- Cleveland Browns – Kamerion Wimbley, OLB/DE, Florida State – Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer – Their greatest need is for a pass rusher in their 3-4 and Wimbley gives them just that.
- Baltimore Ravens – Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt – Brent Jones, Baltimore Sun – With no backup quarterback on the roster, the Ravens could use one that can also be groomed for the future.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Winston Justice, OT, USC – Les Bowen, Philadelphia Daily News – With Bunkley and Ngata gone, the Eagles turn to their offensive line where tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are both over 30.
- Denver Broncos – DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis – Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News - Under this scenario they'd give receiver a look, but the value probably isn't there this season, so they turn to a running back or a safety. The best player on the board at this point is Williams.
- Miami Dolphins – Chad Jackson, WR, Florida – Alex Marvez, South Florida Sun-Sentinel – The sentiment among most draft analysts is that the Dolphins will select a defensive back with this pick. But after signing four free-agent defensive backs, they may be too tempted by Jackson's potential to pass him up. The Dolphins don't have a bona fide starting wide receiver behind Chris Chambers and Marty Booker, plus the latter may be playing his final season in South Florida.
- Minnesota Vikings – Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa – Sean Jensen, St. Paul Pioneer Press – While the Vikings don't have to stretch for any position, linebacker is the most obvious need. Adding an athletic and explosive athlete like Greenway would create great competition at training camp.
- Dallas Cowboys – Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State – Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News – He’s a big, physical linebacker who will create havoc for offenses while playing opposite of DeMarcus Ware.
- San Diego Chargers – Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State – Steve Schofield of the North County Times thinks the Chargers will try to trade up to take Winston Justice. His colleague Jay Paris thinks they’ll stay put and take Miami OT Eric Winston to help protect Philip Rivers’ blindside. The Associated Press’ Bernie Wilson also thinks it will be a left tackle, but says it’s Auburn’s Marcus McNeil. Jay Posner and Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune think it’s a cornerback, and both agreed on Florida State’s Antonio Cromartie. Since he was the only player that got two votes, he’s the Chargers’ choice.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Manny Lawson, DE, NC State - Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star - The Chiefs need a cornerback, but they can get one of those with their next pick. They won't be able to pass on pass-rush help like this guy.
- New England Patriots – Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech – Ron Borges, Boston Globe - With the top linebackers gone, they'll most likely go for a corner and Williams is the best on the board.
- San Francisco 49ers – Tye Hill, CB, Clemson – Kevin Lynch, San Francisco Chronicle - The defense really needs help and Hill could help solidify their cornerback situation.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Marcus McNeil, OT, Auburn - Roy Cummings, Tampa Tribune - The Bucs are happy with the tackles they have but they're not overjoyed, especially with RT Kenyatta Walker. They need upgrades and McNeil fits the bill.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State – Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer – The Bengals are in a position to take the best player available, and they apparently have Whitner rated the highest on the draft boards of any available player at this point. They’ll look to take a tight end later.
- New York Giants – Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami – Paul Schwartz, New York Post – This would have been a linebacker if the Giants hadn't signed LaVar Arrington, but with him on the roster, that’s no longer a glaring need. Defensive tackle is a consideration here but with the uncertain health of Will Peterson and only one proven veteran CB (Sam Madison), the Giants need another cover corner and historically they love players from the Miami Hurricanes.
- Chicago Bears – DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama – Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times – The Bears were able to fill their most glaring need in the secondary Monday when Carolina announced it would not match the offer sheet the team signed Ricky Manning Jr. to. That gives GM Jerry Angelo the chance to select an athletic linebacker like Ryans who can push Hunter Hillenmeyer for the job on the strong side and provide insurance in the event Lance Briggs cannot be re-signed long-term.
- Carolina Panthers – Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota – Pat Yasinskas, Charlotte Observer – DeShaun Foster will open the season as the feature back, but his history of injuries leaves the Panthers wanting a strong insurance policy.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Mercedes Lewis, TE, UCLA – Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union – They’re looking to get Byron Leftwich another big target, and Lewis certainly fits that bill. Running back is another position they’ll take a long look at if there’s value here.
- New York Jets – Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama – Dave Hutchinson, Newark Star Ledger – Having already addressed the offensive tackle situation, the Jets go for the quarterback who is slightly under the radar at this point.
- Indianapolis Colts – Joseph Addai, RB, LSU – Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star – This may be a little early to take Addai, but because the need is so prevalent following the departure of Edgerrin James, they’ll go ahead and reach a bit and take him.
- Seattle Seahawks – Jason Allen, DB, Tennessee – Danny O’Neil, Seattle Post-Intelligencer – President Tim Ruskell generally thinks safety isn't a position that requires a first-round pick, but Allen was expected to be a top-20 pick and if he's there at 31, the Seahawks would get a great value.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – LenDale White, RB, USC – Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – The Steelers think he can be the next Bus, and with Willie Parker and Deuce Staley, they have the luxury of working him in slowly.
