2009 NFL Draft talk thread

[RedFusion]

With the NFL season down to one game, the draft is the next major event to look forward too. The woeful Detroit Lions have the first pick and most mocks have centered on them selecting Matt Stafford with that first pick. I honestly can say I completely disagree with that selection. The Lions just became the first team to lose all 16 games in one season. The only comparably woeful season is that 1970's Bucs team that went 0-14. The next season wasn't much better netting them just 2 wins. Just going through NFL history looking back at the worst teams with only a handful of exceptions almost every single on was picking again the next season in the top 10. Right now, there is absolutely no reason to expect the Lions to break that trend.

Now when I look at the Lions, they easily have the worst offensive line in all of football giving up over 50 sacks this past season. Starting LT Jeff Backus has been a huge culprit at not getting the job done protecting the QB yielding 9.5, 15.5, and 9.25 sacks over the past 3 seasons. Selecting a LT with that top overall pick would do wonders for this teams offense, especially since they would instantly upgrade their terrible interior line with Backus moving back to LG.

 

[jeps]

Stafford is NOT who they need first, I agree. Smith or Monroe would most likely be a better pick for them. the lions DO have two first round picks, 1 and 20. this gives them the option of taking a lineman first and adressing another weak spot, such as QB, later in the round. Even though stafford will be gone sanchez is no slouch either.

I'm interested to see where Beanie goes, obviously. the broncos have a dilemma about that. they NEED an RB yet at the same time they don't need one, just a healthy one because their injured ones are good.

I have a feeling crabtree will become a seahawk, since they cant really afford seneca wallace as starting wr again.

 

[RedFusion]

The Lions actually have 5 day one picks, 2 1sts, a second, and 2 thirds. If I were the Lions I would target the top LT with that top pick, then address the woeful defense with the 20th pick, hoping that someone like Rey Maualuga, James Laurinaitis, or Vontae Davis falls that far. Just take a defensive player at that spot, it doesn't matter his position as the defense is just bad. At the top of the second I would target Nate Davis from Ball State if he's still on the board or a top flight SS like Patrick Chung from Oregon or DT Evander Hood from Missouri if he's gone. By the third round I would just target the BPA with both picks.

Beanie is an interesting case. He has top 10 talent but I think most just seem to be struggling to find a good spot in the top 10 for him. Denver might be the first team that will kick the tires on him and that's not even a given as they need major help on defense and might be switching to the 3-4 this off-season...enhancing that need by that much more. After Denver no team really needs a RB until the Cardinals come on the board, so it could be a long day for him, which is unfortunate.

Crabtree does seem like a given to be in Seattle for the 2009 season. Their receiving core was just a mess this season and they need someone that can stay healthy and be a reliable outlet for the QB to throw to for that team to have a chance at making a playoff run.

 

[Kraznaya]

This draft is deep on LTs, with many mocks disagreeing on who's the best, that could definitely play a role in both Detroit's and the St. Louis's (who also need someone to eventually replace Pace) decisions.

I actually want the Rams to take Crabtree if they can't trade down because I'm stupid like that =D

 

[Darkness]

This draft is deep on LTs, with many mocks disagreeing on who's the best, that could definitely play a role in both Detroit's and the St. Louis's (who also need someone to eventually replace Pace) decisions.

I actually want the Rams to take Crabtree if they can't trade down because I'm stupid like that =D

Eventually replace Pace ?

They need to replace him now and get rid of him. He's getting 10 million a year and he missed more games than he played the last three years (and even when he played he was not the Orlando Pace of old). His performance does not warrant his huge salary. Better replace him now...

 

[holy king]

Beanie is an interesting case. He has top 10 talent but I think most just seem to be struggling to find a good spot in the top 10 for him. Denver might be the first team that will kick the tires on him and that's not even a given as they need major help on defense and might be switching to the 3-4 this off-season...enhancing that need by that much more. After Denver no team really needs a RB until the Cardinals come on the board, so it could be a long day for him, which is unfortunate.

why is this unfortunate?
i'd consider it rather unfortunate to be picked by the lions than by the cards...

 

[Azale]

I will be surprised if Jerry Jones does not trade into the first round. Not that we have any massive glaring holes to fill (besides safety and that's not really deep this year).

 

[Kraznaya]

Eventually replace Pace ?

They need to replace him now and get rid of him. He's getting 10 million a year and he missed more games than he played the last three years (and even when he played he was not the Orlando Pace of old). His performance does not warrant his huge salary. Better replace him now...

I don't know the financial side of it but it doesn't seem cutting him will be worth the cap hit so they're looking to restructure; he'll be around for the time being.

With the draft 5 deep in prospective top OTs I can see the Rams passing on an OT in the first round... what do you think of Raji?

 

[RedFusion]

why is this unfortunate?
i'd consider it rather unfortunate to be picked by the lions than by the cards...

Because the difference between being picked in the 20's and in the top 10 is several million dollars. As a running back you only have a short time to earn your money so every dollar counts.

I will be surprised if Jerry Jones does not trade into the first round. Not that we have any massive glaring holes to fill (besides safety and that's not really deep this year).

They would probably have to offer next years first to do it as they don't have a pick this year until 51. Maybe they'll trade up in the second, but I can't see them going all the way up until the 1st, especially if they are just looking to pick up a safety.

I don't know the financial side of it but it doesn't seem cutting him will be worth the cap hit so they're looking to restructure; he'll be around for the time being.

With the draft 5 deep in prospective top OTs I can see the Rams passing on an OT in the first round... what do you think of Raji?

Pace will be back next year. Right now, I see the Rams debating between Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith and Aaron Curry. The biggest issue is with Pace back, what are they going to do with two left tackles?? Andre Smith might be the pick if they feel he can man the right side for as long as Pace sticks around. But if they want to win and win soon, then they take Curry. He's the best defensive player available and fills a huge need at LB. Then address the line with the second or third round pick.

B.J. Raji is a beast. Not worth the second pick though for a team running the 4-3, but I would be tempted to take him at 5 where the Browns pick as a NT for the 3-4 is of the utmost importance and pairing him with Shaun Rogers on that line would give opposing teams nightmares.

 

[emzie]

There's a lot of line depth this year. What are the prospects for the Lions trading down?

Beanie is an interesting case. He has top 10 talent but I think most just seem to be struggling to find a good spot in the top 10 for him. Denver might be the first team that will kick the tires on him and that's not even a given as they need major help on defense and might be switching to the 3-4 this off-season...enhancing that need by that much more. After Denver no team really needs a RB until the Cardinals come on the board, so it could be a long day for him, which is unfortunate.

There's a lot of speculation that the Chargers might be looking for a new RB.

 

[holy king]

Because the difference between being picked in the 20's and in the top 10 is several million dollars. As a running back you only have a short time to earn your money so every dollar counts.

is there no way of, well, just demanding a bigger contract?

 

[RedFusion]

is there no way of, well, just demanding a bigger contract?

You should have been Brady Quinn's agent...

 

[RedFusion]

There's a lot of line depth this year. What are the prospects for the Lions trading down?



There's a lot of speculation that the Chargers might be looking for a new RB.

Trading down always sounds great, but with whom? And even if they do trade down they could be taking themselves out of position to get any of the top tackles as they all could potentially go in the top 10.

The Chargers situation is still up in the air, especially with Tomlinson. There is still a decent chance he is back in a Charger uniform next year.

 

[King of Town]

knowing who the lions would pick this year would be a whole lot easier if Millen was still there.

 

[Serutan]

why is this unfortunate?
i'd consider it rather unfortunate to be picked by the lions than by the cards...

It's still difficult to wrap one's head around that statement. Normally,
wondering if the Lions or Cards would draft you is like wondering if you're
going to have to take cyanide or strychnine.

 

[Supr49er]

Todd McShay's mock draft has the 49ers taking Matt Sanchez, QB from USC.
A good pick is he has a good Offensive Coordinator - still not filled.

 

[rhawn]

Isn't Dan Reeves lined up for that? Anyhow is it really a good idea to grab another(the last 3 suck) USC QB to try to revive your franchise?

 

[Supr49er]

I heard Dan Reeves was also talking to the Cowboys.

As far as USC QBs, Carson Palmer is pretty good.

 

[BrendanM]

Todd McShay's mock draft has the 49ers taking Matt Sanchez, QB from USC.
A good pick is he has a good Offensive Coordinator - still not filled.

Nothing infuriates me more when mock guys make huge judgment calls like this. It seems possible but I just don't see it happening right now when you still have Alex Smith (giving up on him at this point is fine with me) on contract and Shaun Hill playing legitimate QB - the guy has the winning touch in San Francisco - they haven't seen that in a long time. I think Mike Singletary commits to improving the D first.

Kiper has Mark Sanchez going to the Chiefs, this seems more reasonable considering the Chiefs were 2-14 with new management coming in. Hold on though, Tyler Thigpen wasn't that bad. Of his 11 starts he threw for 2,600 yds (300 plus rushing), 18 tds, rushed for 3, only 11 picks with 2 fumbles. That's not a bad stat line for a 2nd year quarterback on a Herm-tainted Chiefs team. I wouldn't be surprised if Scott Pioli and whoever his HC is stick with Thigpen. They'd also save millions in cap room to spend on other players.

Mark Sanchez started 1 season, as good as it was, is still only 1 season. I know one QB who started only one season who did horrible in the NFL... Akili Smith, anyone? Mark Sanchez is being overvalued in my opinion. I'd stay away!

Another Mel Kiper gear grinder is him having Miami taking Darius-Heyward Bey number 25 overall... what? The Detroit Lion Law states you shouldn't take a WR in the first round 2 years (or 1 year or consecutive years) apart. They already got Tedd Ginn in the 07 draft, why would they get another WR in the 09 draft. WR seems out of character for a Bill Parcells teams that is still rebuilding with needs at ILB, OLB, CB, and S.

Isn't Dan Reeves lined up for that? Anyhow is it really a good idea to grab another(the last 3 suck) USC QB to try to revive your franchise?

Don't mistake Carson Palmer as sucking just because he's on a bad team like the Bengals. He's good, the Bengals aren't... specifically the front office.

 

[Azale]

McShay is a joke and Kiper is really only good on a "I don't know anything about the draft, tell me some basics" level. Mike Mayock from NFL Network destroys both of them, in my opinion, especially in talent evaluation.