NFL - Are you ready for some Football - Draft and Off Season

[Guynemer]

Handful of players still on the board who, though they will never be stars, will definitely help you win. They are small for their positions, but they give everything they have got on every play, have sky-high intangibles, and are terrific leaders:

Dan Connor--surprised he's still availble. Sure to be one of the first players taken today.

Mike Hart--probably won't be taken until the fifth round, if then. Will be an absolute steal.

Jacob Hester--probably won't make it as a fullback, but could be a brilliant third-down type back, whether he is running, blocking, or catching.


If Mike Millen picks any of those three, I'll be stunned. Instead, I expect him to continue this draft's pattern of taking the third or fourth best available player at a given position.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Really liked the Falcons 3rd round. Chevis Jackson is going to be a very good corner in this league and DeAngelo Hall's replacement. I've ALWAYS like Harry Douglas and he'll be one of Matt Ryan's favorites. And Thomas DeCoud really helps the Safety position, which has been a big problem for the Falcons for a number of years.

[snoopy369]

Did Jerry Angelo go to Vanderbilt or something? I'm glad they took a WR at 3/7 but a bit confused why Manningham was passed over (a 1st round talent) in lieu of a 3rd-4th round level choice. Or, for that matter, why a character question DT (which we probably don't need anyway assuming Harris is healthy) was taken at 3/27 instead of Manningham again...

[Imran Siddiqui]

Minnesota takes John David Booty in the 5th round. Usually you wouldn't say a 5th round pick would start at some point in his rookie year... but when the starter is Tavaris Jackson... well...

[-Jrabbit]

The Bears value intelligence in players with less than outstanding measurables, so kids from schools with good academics (Vandy, Tulane) often get the nod.

Manningham was slipping for a reason. He didn't run well at either the combine or his pro day, and he scored a record-low SIX on the Wonderlich. (I think you get 6 for getting your name right.)

The DT from Arkansas is a value pick. Character and injury issues aside, he's supposed to have 1st/2nd round talent. And with the Bears' top two DTs coming off injuries, I agree with needing some depth there.

Still needed: another O-lineman and a clipboard-holder (QB3). Starting to look like it will be Dixon or Brennan for the latter.

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Minnesota takes John David Booty in the 5th round. Usually you wouldn't say a 5th round pick would start at some point in his rookie year... but when the starter is Tavaris Jackson... well...

I love this pick. It means the Bears won't draft the QB with the smallest hands in the draft.

[Will9]

I wish the Titans would have a WR sooner than they did. Picking a TE third round seemed even stranger now that they have Crumpler.

[snoopy369]

Will, actually I could easily see the Titans go 2TE with Vince Young and their interesting RB issues - 2RB 2TE 1WR or 1RB 2TE 2WR is a great set to play from with a mobile QB. Admittedly, 4WR1TE is better, but they aren't playing 4WR whether or not they draft all WRs this year

Also, TEs are usually quality special teams players (look at the Bear's 5/23 pick, ie) so they often contribute immediately while WRs don't necessarily (have to learn the offense, etc.)

I have to assume at this point the Bears have decided on a 2009 QB pick, or at least have decided that either Rex will totally bomb and they get a high pick (QB, 2009), or Rex will figure everything out and don't need a QB. Either that or they really like Brennan/Dixon and figure to use a 7th rounder (they have 4!!) on one or both. I say both...

[-Jrabbit]

The Titans not drafting any new WRs for Young in the first 3 rounds is one of the strangest things in this year's draft.

[snoopy369]

It's the same as with DAL - no WR in this draft was without red flags. It's the first draft in what, 20 years, with no WR in the first round?

I presume they didn't see any WRs that would start for them this year, and preferred to wait for next year (same as Bears-QB) to pick a better player.

[snoopy369]

Hmm, Dixon gone, as is Ainge... so it's either Woodson (highly unlikely as we don't pick again until 7/1) or Brennan. If they don't pick one of them, I suppose I could sign up to play QB3...

[Donegeal]

You're too short. Oh, wait... you're just an inch shorter than the starter!

[SlowwHand]

Redskins take Brennan. I like the "gamble".

[Imran Siddiqui]

Someone is going to get a steal with Mike Hart this late.

[snoopy369]

Woodson and Hart in the 7th round would be crazy... but likely.