Official NFL Draft Thread

[detroitbasketball]

Figured we might as well, with the news today that the Texans will take either Bush or Mairo Williams (as if we didn't know already)

Anyway, here's the draft order:
1 Houston 2-14
2 New Orleans 3-13
3 Tennessee 4-12
4 New York Jets 4-12
5 Green Bay 4-12
6 San Francisco 4-12
7 Oakland 4-12
8 Buffalo 5-11
9 Detroit 5-11
10 Arizona 5-11
11 St. Louis 6-10
12 Cleveland 6-10
13 Baltimore 6-10
14 Philadelphia 6-10
15 Denver (f/ATL) 10-6
16 Miami 9-7
17 Minnesota 9-7
18 Dallas 9-7
19 San Diego 9-7
20 Kansas City 10-6
21 New England 10-6
22 San Francisco (f/WAS via DEN) 4-12
23 Tampa Bay 11-5
24 Cincinnati 11-5
25 New York Giants 11-5
26 Chicago 11-5
27 Carolina 11-5
28 Jacksonville 12-4
29 New York Jets (f/DEN/ATL) 10-6
30 Indianapolis 14-2
31 Seattle 13-3
32 Pittsburgh 11-5

Discuss. Post mock drafts. Etc.

[Just Blaze]

Here's my mock draft (with explanations) that Im doin for the ESPN.com NFL mock draft contest. Top 15 only.

Enter here: games.espn.go.com/draftforecast/frontpage

1. Houston-Reggie Bush (I kind of believe they'll take Mario Williams but that's just me. WHEN Bush goes to Houston, Im buying his red Houston Texans jersey for sure!)

2.New Orleans- D'Brickashaw Ferguson OT(they traded tackle Wayne Gandy to the Falcons for safety. Need to protect Brees.)

3. Tenessee- Matt Leinart QB (make more immediate impact than Young but organization is mixed on which qb to take.)

4. New York- Needs to take Ferguson but Mario Williams (Dont need a QB this year.)

5. Green Bay- A.J. Hawk LB (wanted LaVar but Farve situation made him go to N.Y.)

6. San Francisco- Vernon Davis TE (doubt they'll get him. gut feeling. may take huff or even Ernie Sims- they HAVE to address linebacker )

7.Oakland - Vince Young QB (Al Davis loves Vince Young but would also love to grab Leinart. May trade up to do so)
8. Buffalo- Broderick Brunkley DT Florida State (Dont care about the Bills but they'll pick some defensive lineman)

9. Detriot- JAY CUTLER! (They can develope Cutler into a good pro QB because Kitna and McCown are not long term qbs. Cutler is the future.)

10. Arizona- Michael Huff DB (Will be a nice compliment to Antrel Rolle or Adrian Wilson depending which position he plays.)

11. St Louis- Antonio Cromartie DB (dont have big name corners. the ones they have are injury prone. Cromartie's stock has been flying despite sitting out all last season with injury.)

12. Cleveland- Haloti Ngata DT (will improve the Browns defensive line. steal Ngata here.)

13. Baltimore- Would of love to get Ngata because he can make plays for Ray Lewis but will take Winston Justice(to protect Kyle Boller and maybe replace the aging Jonathan Ogden as the anchor of the O-line)

14. Philadelphia- Chad Jackson WR (will have solid wideout corps with reggie brown, pinkston, and greg lewis but Jackson will give the Eagles a gamebreaker to replace T.O.)

15. Denver- Santonio Holmes WR (Will take a defensive player if they end up trading for Javon Waker.)


other- San Diego takes Jimmy Williams CB from Virginia Tech. They need a CB.

[sep]

silverblazer said:

1. Houston-Reggie Bush (I kind of believe they'll take Mario Williams but that's just me. WHEN Bush goes to Houston, Im buying his red Houston TExans jersey for sure!)

So you think they'll take Mario, but have them taking Bush, that doesnt make to much sense.

[Just Blaze]

The consensus is that they'll take Bush so Im goin with that. Im just tryin to win the contest ;D.

[Freak93]

Eagles won't take Chad Jackson, or any receiver. Eagles will go with a linemen, just how they are.

[detroitbasketball]

No way do they take Cutler ahead of Huff. Cutler didn't impress the Lions in his workout with them.

[Sportsbuck]

Besides, they have 2 or 3 Veteran QB's, with a lot of money invested in them. Besides, Huff is the best DB in the draft, and boy do they need a DB

[detroitbasketball]

They'd look at Vince or Leinart if they were there and would probably take Leinart. If not, it's either Justice or Huff. Jay Cutler id overrated, badly.

[detroitbasketball]

My top 15 at this moment (subject to change...a lot. Many of the analysisessesses and all the player comparisons were taken from nfldraftcountdown.com)
1. Houston Texans - Reggie Bush, HB, USC
NFL Comparison: Marshall Faulk

It’s not a bunch of smoke and mirrors, and the Texans, despite other needs, don’t pass up the next Gale Sayers.

2. New Orleans Saints - D’Brickishaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
NFL Comparison: Walter Jones

Last years first rounder Jammal Brown is moving to left tackle to replace Wayne Gandy, who was traded, but is Jon Stinchcomb ready to step in and be a starter on the right side? Quite frankly, no. Ferguson is the best OL prospect to come out of college in quite a while. The Saints could still trade down.

3. Tennessee Titans - Vince Young, QB, Texas
NFL Comparison: Randall Cunningham

Their recent spat with Steve McNair only helps solidify the fact that the Titans will take a QB. Jeff Fisher and Norm Chow like Leinart. The front office likes Young. The front office has the final say on the pick. Put two and two together.

4. New York Jets - Matt Leinart, QB, USC
NFL Comparison: Tom Brady

Surprise! They’ve thought about trading down for Jay Cutler, but this is far better. With ferguson, their number one target off the board, they can do away with injury-prone Chad Pennington once and for all and Leinart gets to stay on a national stage on Broadway. Everyone’s happy.

5. Green Bay Packers - Mario Williams, DE, NC State
NFL Comparison: Julius Peppers

Aaron Kampman simply is not the answer. Let’s face it, he hasn’t done much in the NFL yet, and Williams is a massive upgrade. KGB and Williams on the pass rush is just plain scary.

6. San Francisco 49ers - Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
NFL Comparison: Ben Watson

Saw his stock absolutely skyrocket after the NFL Combine, and now he’s taken by San Fran to provide much-needed help for the sputtering offense and sophomore QB Alex Smith.

7. Oakland Raiders - A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State
NFL Comparison: Dan Morgan

Last year in the draft the team hit a home run in the third round with Kirk Morrison who started and played well as a rookie but that still leaves one starting spot left to fill. Can’t ask for a much better fit than Hawk, who drops further than anticipated with the shuffling in the top five.

8. Buffalo Bills - Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Oregon
NFL Comparison: Darnell Dockett

Even though Larry Tripplett was brought in as a free agent he alone won't offset the losses of Sam Adams, Justin Bannan and Ron Edwards on the interior of their defensive line. Bunkley is the best interior lineman in the draft according to the Bills, and without a good option at offensive tackle available here, he is Marv Levy’s pick.

9. Detroit Lions - Michael Huff, DB, Texas
NFL Comparison: Aeneas Williams

There is little doubt that Terrence Holt can be upgraded at free safety, and with both Andre Goodman and R.W. McQuarters gone some help will be needed at cornerback as well. Huff can play both positions and is the kind of ball hawk that’s all the rage in today’s NFL.

10. Arizona Cardinals - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
NFL Comparison: J.P. Losman

Josh McCown is now gone and while Kurt Warner resuscitated his career to a degree last year but it is high time to begin grooming a youngster and John Navarre isn't going to cut it. Cutler may not be ready to step in right away, but could become a good quarterback. Might have to go a different direction if Minnesota can move up to 9, where they would pick Cutler.

11. St. Louis Rams - Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech
NFL Comparison: Quentin Jammer

As the saying goes if you have a lot you probably don't have anything and that is the case here where the Rams have several solid cover guys but still lack that elite #1 at the position. Williams has the potential to turn into that type of player.

12. Cleveland Browns - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
NFL Comparison: Shaun Rogers

One thing every great 3-4 defense has is a stud nose tackle to occupy blockers and control gaps in the middle and while Ted Washington's solid he's far from a long-term solution. Cleveland sees the dream scenario occur as Ngata drops to 12.

13. Baltimore Ravens - Winston Justice, OT, USC
NFL Comparison: Willie Anderson

Surprise pick, possibly. The offensive line was a major disappointment for the team in 2005 and with Orlando Brown now gone Tony Pashos is penciled in as the starter at right tackle and they can do better. Doesn’t work out much better, as Justice was a right tackle in college.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
NFL Comparison: Keith Bulluck

Keith Adams has left as a free agent and Dhani Jones did not play up to the team’s expectations last season (and has gotten into a tad of legal trouble in the offseason) so they are on the lookout for someone to make plays in coverage.

15. Denver Broncos (from Atlanta - John Abraham trade) - Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
NFL Comparison: Steve Smith

Despite evidence to the contrary Rod Smith can't play forever and while Ashley Lelie has shown flashes he won't ever be a true #1 so the time is now to bring in a youngster to groom.

[sep]

detroitbasketball said:

8. Buffalo Bills - Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Oregon
NFL Comparison: Darnell Dockett

Bunkley is out of Florida State, not Oregon.

[detroitbasketball]

My bad, I originally had Haloti Ngata there and forgot to change it.

[Maize]

Besides any trades that could occur, here is my mock draft.

1. Houston - Reggie Bush RB USC
2. New Orleans - D'Brickashaw Furguson OT Virginia
3. Tennessee - Vince Young QB Texas
4. N.Y. Jets - Matt Leinert QB USC
5. Green Bay - Mario Williams DE N.C. State
6. San Francisco - Vernon Davis TE Maryland
7. Oakland - A.J. Hawk LB Ohio State
8. Buffalo - Brodrick Bunkley DT Florida State
9. Detroit - Michael Huff S Texas
10. Arizona - Jay Cutler QB Vanderbilt
11. St. Louis - Tye Hill CB Clemson
12. Cleveland - Haloti Ngata DT Oregon
13. Baltimore - Ernie Sims LB Florida State
14. Philadelphia - Winston Justice OT USC
15. Denver - Chad Jackson WR Florida
16. Miami - Antonio Cromartie CB Florida State
17. Minnesota - Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota
18. Dallas - Donte Whitner S Ohio State
19. San Diego - Jimmy Williams CB Virginia Tech
20. Kansas City - Santonio Holmes WR Ohio State
21. New England - DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis
22. San Francisco - Richard Marshall CB Fresno State
23. Tampa Bay - Jonathan Joeseph CB South Carolina
24. Cincinnati - Manny Lawson DE N.C. State
25. N.Y. Giants - Sinorice Moss WR Miami
26. Chicago - Leonard Pope TE Georgia
27. Carolina - Chad Greenway LB Iowa
28. Jacksonville - Kamerion Wimbley DE Florida State
29. N.Y. Jets - Bobby Carpenter LB Ohio State
30. Indianopolis - Joseph Addai RB LSU
31. Seattle - Ashton Youboty CB Ohio State
32. Pittsburgh - LenDale White RB USC

[McGahee]

So uh yeah, anyone having a super cool draft party?!?! I was thinking of having one on Sunday, since that's when the best players are picked!

[sep]

mcgahee26 said:

So uh yeah, anyone having a super cool draft party?!?!

No

[McGahee]

God I hope you wouldn't...

A kid nearly got beat up today for trying to set one of these up. It's so funny cause he has no friends, but he tries to invite all the cool kids...

8. Buffalo- Broderick Brunkley DT Florida State (Dont care about the Bills but they'll pick some defensive lineman)

Hater... but yeah we probably will

[ChisAto]

mcgahee26 said:

So uh yeah, anyone having a super cool draft party?!?! I was thinking of having one on Sunday, since that's when the best players are picked!

nope, but I'm going to the 49ers draft party. I don't really care for the 49ers but hey it's free. ;D My dad has a friend at work who is a 49ers fan, so we're going with him.

[sep]

tribemaster said:

me and a buddy will probably watch the draft, but not a big party....

Lucky, im probably the only one in the group I hang out with that even knows the NFL Draft is this weekend.

[Maize]

My dad is a draft guru, and every year, for about 4 years now, he has beaten me in a pick 'em contest. This year I try and take down the old man. So it will just me and him watching all of it. Its one of my favorite sports days of the year. No reason for a party...

[McGahee]

Am I the only one that completely loses interest after the first 15 picks or so? Unless for some reason my team or a college player I really like is later in the 1st round, I usually turn it off and just check it online...

[sep]

I watch pretty much the whole first day, then tune in every now and then during the second day. Even if they dont turn into NFL stars I like seeing where some of the good/decent college players go, even if they arent the Reggie Bush's of the world, and wont ever make a pro bowl or anything.