Who are you targeting in the first round?

[Blake]

I know there is alot of talk about taking a corner no matter what, or all the mocks giving us a RB, like thats our most pressing need.

I look at the draft every year wanting to draft BPA. But alot of teams and draft junkies look to fill need with the first round, and I can understand why, but I think thats why you see alot of reaching and misses.

Left Tackle:
You can focus on our left tackle position and think that we have an untested and recently injured Charles Spencer who I liked alot, Ephram Salaam who is a temporary stopgap. I think we could end up with LT like Chris Williams of Vandy, or trade down and still end up with a player like Sam Baker.

Cornerback:
We have Dunta who had the devastating injury and might not come back @ 80% until november. Fred Bennet who is now our #1, and a couple of nicklebacks like J Reeves, and Petey Faggins. I think it makes alot of sense to take a CB, but with the top 2 CB's going off the board by #18, is Talib or Rodgers-Cromartie worth it? I feel we could pick up a CB in round 3 who would help out just as much as a first round CB.

Runningback:
I think this is NFL draft suicide. We have Ahman Green costing us alot of coin, with Taylor, and a slew of other backs behind him. Besides a Ray Rice or Jamaal Charles in the 3rd is just as good. Of course it would be really nice to have the option to buy a Mendenhall Jersey...

Safety:
Only one player on my board for round 1 and thats Kenny Phillips. With Hutchins gone and a lack of depth at the safety position he would make good sense.

My dream first day mock.

R1: Trade down and take Kenny Philips, S, Miami
R2: With our new 2nd round pick I would take Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
R3: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
R4: Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU

Chime in whenever you are ready.

[dickieb]

I definately like the trade down senario to get a 2nd rounder. Hopefully Phillips would still be there along with some 1st round CB talent and have a choice between Phillips and maybe Cromartie.

[srediar]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

I know there is alot of talk about taking a corner no matter what, or all the mocks giving us a RB, like thats our most pressing need.

I look at the draft every year wanting to draft BPA. But alot of teams and draft junkies look to fill need with the first round, and I can understand why, but I think thats why you see alot of reaching and misses.

Left Tackle:
You can focus on our left tackle position and think that we have an untested and recently injured Charles Spencer who I liked alot, Ephram Salaam who is a temporary stopgap. I think we could end up with LT like Chris Williams of Vandy, or trade down and still end up with a player like Sam Baker.

Cornerback:
We have Dunta who had the devastating injury and might not come back @ 80% until november. Fred Bennet who is now our #1, and a couple of nicklebacks like J Reeves, and Petey Faggins. I think it makes alot of sense to take a CB, but with the top 2 CB's going off the board by #18, is Talib or Rodgers-Cromartie worth it? I feel we could pick up a CB in round 3 who would help out just as much as a first round CB.

Runningback:
I think this is NFL draft suicide. We have Ahman Green costing us alot of coin, with Taylor, and a slew of other backs behind him. Besides a Ray Rice or Jamaal Charles in the 3rd is just as good. Of course it would be really nice to have the option to buy a Mendenhall Jersey...

Safety:
Only one player on my board for round 1 and thats Kenny Phillips. With Hutchins gone and a lack of depth at the safety position he would make good sense.

My dream first day mock.

R1: Trade down and take Kenny Philips, S, Miami
R2: With our new 2nd round pick I would take Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
R3: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
R4: Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU

Chime in whenever you are ready.

Cool, Kenny Phillips, thats who I selected as the GM for the raiderfan.net mock draft.....and I didn't have to trade down, he was sitting right there waiting to be picked....

[was385]

To take Phillips, the Texans would definitely need to trade down. He is not worth the 18th pick. That being said, I'd love to trade down and pick up a second in the process and pick Phillips. I think Rice and Charles probably would be gone by our pick in the third so I'd think the second would be used to pick up a running back.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by was385

To take Phillips, the Texans would definitely need to trade down. He is not worth the 18th pick. That being said, I'd love to trade down and pick up a second in the process and pick Phillips. I think Rice and Charles probably would be gone by our pick in the third so I'd think the second would be used to pick up a running back.

If Rice & Charles are taken by our pick, either Forte or Kevin Smith should still be there for us in the 3rd.

[Honoring Earl 34]

Ryan Clady OT 6-5, 320 Boise State
Jonathan Stewart RB 5-11,235 Oregon
Leodis McKelvin CB 5-11, 190 Troy
Rashard Mendenhall RB 5-11,195 Illinois
Mike Jenkins CB 5-11, 200 South Florida
Chris Williams OT 6-5, 320 Vanderbilt
Dominiuqe Rogers-Cromartie

[beerlover]

Leodis McKelvin
DRC
Chris Williams
Rashard Mendenahll
Jonathan Stewart

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Leodis McKelvin
DRC
Chris Williams
Rashard Mendenahll
Jonathan Stewart

I really like all of these guys too, and hope that at least 1 of them is still there at #18. I think we have the best chance (out of these 5), though slim, that Williams or Stewart are still there. If both were there, I'd probably go with Stewart and then try to get Godfrey (CB) in the 3rd and maybe Zuttah (OT) or Brown (OT) in the 4th.

If by some miracle DRC falls to us, I think we should jump all over him. But, if none of them are there, I hope we can trade down. JMHO!

[Blake]

Originally Posted by bah007

If Rice & Charles are taken by our pick, either Forte or Kevin Smith should still be there for us in the 3rd.

Exactly. I would love to get either of those football players in the 3rd. That is why I would have a hard time seeing us take a RB in the first.

[Hottoddie]

Chris Williams
Leodis McKelvin
Trade Down & pick up a 2nd, while remaining in the 1st, or high 2nd.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Kenny Phillips
Jonathan Stewart
Rashard Mendenahll


If we could trade down & still remain at the bottom of the 1st round, I'd take:

1) Gosder Cherilus (OT)
2) Tracy Porter (CB) or Charles Godfrey (CB)
3) Kevin Smith (RB)

[bah007]

I cant see Godfrey going in the 1st round.

I know I sound like a broken record, but if we trade down and Cason is there, we should get him.

[Hottoddie]

Originally Posted by bah007

I cant see Godfrey going in the 1st round.

I know I sound like a broken record, but if we trade down and Cason is there, we should get him.

I agree Godfrey won't go in the first, but I do think he'll be gone after the 2nd round.

As for Cason, I can't get on board with him for some reason. I'm not real excited about him.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Hottoddie

I agree Godfrey won't go in the first, but I do think he'll be gone after the 2nd round.

As for Cason, I can't get on board with him for some reason. I'm not real excited about him.

Most people aren't.

Fans love flashy players. Uber-athletes like DRC excite people.

Solid players like Cason may not be exciting to watch, but I want a guy that can get it done from day one without having to be coached up too much. Cason is that guy this year. He looks like he's probably the most NFL ready CB.

[YoungTexanFan]

1. DRC
2. Talib
3. Alberts (OG)
4. Mendenahll


I am not a fan of Stewart, McKelvin, or Williams. I don't believe a single one of those guys will amount to anything in the NFL.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

1. DRC
2. Talib
3. Alberts (OG)
4. Mendenahll


I am not a fan of Stewart, McKelvin, or Williams. I don't believe a single one of those guys will amount to anything in the NFL.

you've been consistant bashing them thats for sure, care to give us your specific reasons why "those guys will amount to anything in the NFL"?

[YoungTexanFan]

Well, I've never liked Stewart. I don't think his timed speed translates to the field well for the NFL. He doesn't have different gears. He hits the hole with good initial speed, but he doesn't have anything beyond that and he is a very straight field runner. He doesn't move his hips when he moves in the open field. I don't think he is fast enough to be an outside threat, and not powerful enough to be a power back, and not good enough in general to be a true feature back.

I don't like Williams. I just don't. Gut feeling. I don't like Cousins either, but he isn't a potential first rounder. I don't think Williams makes it past his rookie contract before becoming a drifting career backup. I'm thinking Jordan Gross, but not as good.

I actually believe I was the one to bring McKelvin to this board, but I have never considered him a first rounder. I'm one of the few people on this board who can actually say I've seen film of McKelvin. His dual threat ability helps, but it isn't enough. He isn't as tough as Daunta, and he isn't as good, and for the record, I've been saying for at least the past 2 years that Daunta is nothing more than a #2 CB in the NFL. McKelvin just doesn't seem like a top 20 CB to me. I wouldn't mind him with our 2nd rounder (if we were to have one), but not with our first. He will not be what everyone who follows the talking heads thinks.

[beerlover]

almost anyone else I'd pass go collect my beer & move on but since I respect ytf this needs to be addressed.

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

Well, I've never liked Stewart. I don't think his timed speed translates to the field well for the NFL. He doesn't have different gears. He hits the hole with good initial speed, but he doesn't have anything beyond that and he is a very straight field runner. He doesn't move his hips when he moves in the open field. I don't think he is fast enough to be an outside threat, and not powerful enough to be a power back, and not good enough in general to be a true feature back.

he is a down hill runner, there's not alot of shifting lateral movement his hips stay quiet, body lean/angle low, keeping weight balanced. he is not explosive hitting the hole when picking lanes he needs to attain full speed as quickly as possible thats why it seems he has one speed. his running style is similar to Steven Jacksons but his low center of gravity makes him more difficult to arm tackle. see Maruice Jones-Drew. I see him more of a tweener between those two backs.

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

I don't like Williams. I just don't. Gut feeling. I don't like Cousins either, but he isn't a potential first rounder. I don't think Williams makes it past his rookie contract before becoming a drifting career backup. I'm thinking Jordan Gross, but not as good.

Chris is not a mauler thats for sure, has decent measureables, not the longest arms or the strongest tackle by any means, but is much more athletic than say a Jordon Gross, quicker feet/better balance. he's not going to be a LT for every system but is a good fit for ZBS. looks to me like he stays clear of junk, sharp mind for the position & can handle the speed edge rushing ends, where he may struggle until he gets stronger is in bull rushes, but then this system would help him defend that move.

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

I actually believe I was the one to bring McKelvin to this board, but I have never considered him a first rounder. I'm one of the few people on this board who can actually say I've seen film of McKelvin. His dual threat ability helps, but it isn't enough. He isn't as tough as Daunta, and he isn't as good, and for the record, I've been saying for at least the past 2 years that Daunta is nothing more than a #2 CB in the NFL. McKelvin just doesn't seem like a top 20 CB to me. I wouldn't mind him with our 2nd rounder (if we were to have one), but not with our first. He will not be what everyone who follows the talking heads thinks.

I agree that it seems everyone has jumped on the bandwagon but that doesn't excuse sour grapes. his skill set for the cb position is so natural its as if he was born to play that position, hardly anything but 1st rd. talent. cb is not just having great speed, smooth hips & change of direction ability, its about positioning. having the instincts to defend an area by keeping your head up in the backpeddle & reading the QB/play. he has make-up speed. size & all those other things too but what has seperated him from the pack is the ability to lock down his man, play the angles & be physical in run support.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by Honoring Earl 34

Ryan Clady OT 6-5, 320 Boise State
Jonathan Stewart RB 5-11,235 Oregon
Leodis McKelvin CB 5-11, 190 Troy
Rashard Mendenhall RB 5-11,195 Illinois
Mike Jenkins CB 5-11, 200 South Florida
Chris Williams OT 6-5, 320 Vanderbilt
Dominiuqe Rogers-Cromartie

Prety good list.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by bah007

Most people aren't.

Fans love flashy players. Uber-athletes like DRC excite people.

Solid players like Cason may not be exciting to watch, but I want a guy that can get it done from day one without having to be coached up too much. Cason is that guy this year. He looks like he's probably the most NFL ready CB.

This is true. It's true too he's limited upside. Never move to FS.

[YoungTexanFan]

I know how Stewart runs, but I don't think his style is as comparable to Jackson's as you mention. Jackson has looser hips in the open field. Jackson also has more burst and enough of a second gear to distinguish the two. I think Stewart will be an NFL back, just not one worth the money he will get. I see him being similar to Shaun Alexander more than anything else in style, and I think he will slide to Seattle in the draft. I don't think he will be the back that everyone thinks he will be, not to say he won't be in the NFL.

You mention that Williams flaws, mainly strength, will be masked within our system, but often times the LT does not receive help. If he does, it is from a flexing H-back. It's clear that Williams isn't strong enough, but that can be said about many college players. However, I do not think his feet are as agile and quick as you do Beerlover. I can't see him as anything more than a swing tackle in the NFL. I know he is a bit more athletic than Gross, but I was using the draft slot vs production more so than skill set. I think Gross was the better prospect coming out, and I don't think Williams reaches what success Gross has had on the field.

Again, with McKelvin, a lot of this is personal opinion. I'm not a fan of his style of play. Watching the tapes that I have, he is similar to Daunta in a few ways, but he is not the same run supporting CB. He isn't going to matador a tackle, but his tackling is average at best when compared to guys like Talib and Godfrey. As for his cover ability, I think you are overrating them. I don't think Daunta has anything more than average coverage ability though, so take it with a grain of salt. I haven't see McKelvin jump a slant route or have correct position on a post-corner type route. I just don't feel he will be anything close to the CB his draft position and money would dictate.