2011 NFL Draft

[Displaced Flames fan]

It's time to start discussing this. What do you think your team will do? What do you want them to do?

For the first time in years the Broncos are in a very interesting draft position. There is no doubt they will get the player they want at #2. The question is, how many players are they happy with getting there?

I really think they will trade down and pick up an extra pick.

I think Patrick Peterson is the best player in the draft, but he is not the biggest need on the woeful Broncos defense. Interior lineman are the primary need. Marcel Dareus seems to be a natural fit. I've heard the Broncos are not high on Bowers. Von Miller is another possibility.

Prediction: If Jake Locker is available when the Broncos pick in Round 2, they're taking him.

Yes, this would make me happy, but the facts are the Broncos have had a private workout with Jake and have been impressed with his learning curve since the senior bowl. Evidently he's been working his arse off and has improved a great deal. The Broncos new leadership is not sold on Tebow (Duh), Quinn (Duh) and feel Orton is not a long term solution. If they don't get locker they may try to get Kaepernick in later rounds.

[wpgflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

It's time to start discussing this. What do you think your team will do? What do you want them to do?

For the first time in years the Broncos are in a very interesting draft position. There is no doubt they will get the player they want at #2. The question is, how many players are they happy with getting there?

I really think they will trade down and pick up an extra pick.

I think Patrick Peterson is the best player in the draft, but he is not the biggest need on the woeful Broncos defense. Interior lineman are the primary need. Marcel Dareus seems to be a natural fit. I've heard the Broncos are not high on Bowers. Von Miller is another possibility.

Prediction: If Jake Locker is available when the Broncos pick in Round 2, they're taking him.

Yes, this would make me happy, but the facts are the Broncos have had a private workout with Jake and have been impressed with his learning curve since the senior bowl. Evidently he's been working his arse off and has improved a great deal. The Broncos new leadership is not sold on Tebow (Duh), Quinn (Duh) and feel Orton is not a long term solution. If they don't get locker they may try to get Kaepernick in later rounds.

Why would the Broncos rest there hopes on a QB whose career college record was 14-25, struggles in a pro style offence and has accuracy issues with his throws. I'd have more confidence in Tim Tebow (and believe me I hate Tim Tebow).

[browna]

Seattle's division win and playoff victory basically moved them down 17 spots, as compared to if they lost to St. Louis week 17.

They tried a last minute run at getting a deal with Hasslebeck before the lockout, but couldn't get it done...a smoke screen or not, and if he's back next season or not, Seattle has to start looking ahead for their next QB.

Is that home town kid Locker, and is it at that spot this year...tough to say. He did work out with Seattle, as he did Denver.

But, Seattle's lines are most needing revamp first and foremost, DL, then OL (which played ok given the patchwork done, and I think will be better this year still under Cable)

Then it would be LB where they have good athletes in Curry and especially Tatupu, but not nearly the run stopping size (in combination with the weak DL) needed to stop offenses.

I think they go DL at least in the first round, but a top 3 round pick at QB wouldn't surprise me either and that would start the succession plan for Hasslebeck (who still may be back regardless).

[transplant99]

When you win the Superbowl with the 2nd youngest team in the league...you dont need nuthin!!

OK...not really.

With the likely loss of Cullen Jenkins and the second felony arrest for loser Johnny Jolly the Pack will be looking at defensive ends who can play in the 3-4. Craig Heyward of Ohio State has been mentioned. Also with an aging Chad Clifton on the OL, I suspect theyw ill also be drafting another guy there as well even though the plan is for Bryan Baluga to move from RT to LT when Clifton comes to the end of his career.

In order here is what i expect the Pack to do...

1st- DL
2nd-OL
3rd- WR or RB
4th CB or S
5th LB
6th BPA on D who can also retrun kicks/punts
7th BPA on O " "

With the emergence of so many young guys last year when thrust into the spotlight because of injuries and there ability to handle it at the highest level, its a really interesting time for Ted Thompson. Charles Woodson was looking to be a guy that needed to be replaced (though nearly impossible to find such a diverse player at CB) and low and behold here come Tramon Williams and Sam Shiels. Everything right now will be predicated on how much they have to spend at what position.

I would love for them to finally find a franchise RB, though I still think that Ryan Grant if healthy and James Starks are a decent duo and when you throw in John Kuhn as a blocker/short yardage/3rd down guy they should be OK.

It wouldnt hurt to have another weapon for Rodgers down the field either....as much as i like James Jones he drops far to many balls for my liking, especially when he is wide open and can waltz for TD's.

It's weird...they really dont have any glaring holes, but there is always room for improvement on any team.

[rubecube]

This is the first time in a while where I really haven't followed the lead up to the draft that closely. The lack of a CBA is really hurting the Eagles right now, as I think they'd like to go after Asomugha and trade Kolb (Seattle reportedly offered their first for Kolb). That being said, I'd like to see a strong cover corner, like Brandon Harris, or a big offensive lineman like Pouncey or Carimi in the first round.

[Sylvanfan]

Chiefs still have plenty of holes, so whoever the best player available is can pretty much be drafted with the exception of any running back. I'd still like to see the team get tougher on both sides of the line, but someone else who can catch balls against NFL corners opposite of Dwayne Bowe is badly needed.

It was tough enough to figure out what Pioli would do 3 or 5 picks into the draft....will be even more difficult to figure out who he'll pick 25 places in.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by wpgflamesfan

Why would the Broncos rest there hopes on a QB whose career college record was 14-25, struggles in a pro style offence and has accuracy issues with his throws. I'd have more confidence in Tim Tebow (and believe me I hate Tim Tebow).

I wouldn't call picking a QB in the 2nd round 'Resting your hopes'. Chances are he won't even be there.

Someone is going to pick Locker and its not going to be because they are stupid.

[Papi34]

Patriots need to get younger on the lines, with 6 picks in the first 3 rounds they have the ability to do so.

I also think this could be the year that the Pats move up :O and not down in the draft.

I think with the 17th pick they land a D-lineman and im thinking JD Watt is likely at that spot or possibly a guy like Aldon Smith if he drops.

With the 28th pick i think they go O-line and a guy like Pouncey or Carimi if they are available.

the 32nd spot is extremely interesting as they have a full day break to decide what to do with the pick. I think alot of teams who need a quarterback and didnt address it in the first round will be willing to trade for this pick as guys like Locker, Mellet, Dalton could all still be available at the beginning of the 2nd.

Really excited about the draft as the Pats are always busy.

Interesting little stat, the Pats havent picked a guy in the first round whose last name doesnt start with a W or M since 2002, all the more reason to think Watt is on their radar

03 - Warren
04 - Wilfork, Watson
05 - Mankins
06 - Maroney
07 - Merriweather
08 - Mayo
09 - (no first round pick)
10 - McCourtey

[wpgflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I wouldn't call picking a QB in the 2nd round 'Resting your hopes'. Chances are he won't even be there.

Someone is going to pick Locker and its not going to be because they are stupid.

If someone uses a first rounder on him it won't be the smartest decision a teams ever made. I seriously don't get the hype on this guy. It seems like every time football isn't being played Locker is suddenly good at football again.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by wpgflamesfan

If someone uses a first rounder on him it won't be the smartest decision a teams ever made. I seriously don't get the hype on this guy. It seems like every time football isn't being played Locker is suddenly good at football again.

Yeah the guy is one of those guys who has "potential" that everyone raves about, but never seems to actually display it for consistent periods of time.

[Papi34]

Originally Posted by wpgflamesfan

If someone uses a first rounder on him it won't be the smartest decision a teams ever made. I seriously don't get the hype on this guy. It seems like every time football isn't being played Locker is suddenly good at football again.

I remember this time last year Locker was the number one prospect for this years draft, everyone basically had him going to buffalo before a game was even played. Just shows how much players move around making the draft in a way a crapshow. Look at Brandon Spikes, if he would have came out a year early he would have been a top 10 pick in 09 instead he went back to school had a terrible 40 time and dropped to the patriots at 62nd in the 2010 draft.

Ive seen experts who had Fairly in the top five drop him as low as 14th so much behind the scene stuff that goes into this thing totally fascinating.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by wpgflamesfan

If someone uses a first rounder on him it won't be the smartest decision a teams ever made. I seriously don't get the hype on this guy. It seems like every time football isn't being played Locker is suddenly good at football again.

What hype? The hype is gone. About midway through last season the hype ceased to exist.

[Bobblehead]

Niners want either Von Miller or Patrick Peterson. They dearly hope one or the other is still there at 7. If neither of those guy are available expect them to try and trade back. It seems there are a lot of issues with players this year, both on and off the field. So if the targeted players aren't available it doesn't appear SF will want to reach.

Even though a new QB is a need, it appears that Harbaugh isn't sold any any of the QBs are worth a #7 pick. But I can see a QB being taken in the 2nd round. There are some prospects, but many of them are a bit raw and don't appear like they could step straight into a starting job.

And the Niners have the most pick of any team, but most of those are in the 7th Rd. There will be some competition for spots in training camp (if one happens).

[Montana Moe]

The Saints need a big body on the defensive line, or maybe a big, run stuffing LB. They couldn't stop anyone on the ground last year. Other than that, any defensive player would be great.

[Trojan97]

I'm hoping the Texans take a guy like Robert Quinn to play OLB in the new 3-4. Having Quinn, Barwin & the Cush as pass rush options from the second level would be tremendous. Some fans want a corner but I'm ok giving Jackson/Quin another shot provided they upgrade the safeties.

Also, we should do a two round mock draft again. Maybe start it a little earlier this year tho. I really enjoyed last years.

[Flickered Flame]

Its pretty clear that the Fins have some major interest in Mark Ingram and obviously need a QB. I have read a few articles that said the Fins maybe willing to trade down because they feel Ingram could still be available a few spots down from 15.

As for QBs, they have worked out a bunch but they like Ponder, experience running a spread offence, a pro-style offence and Kaepernick and TJ Yates, who I am not familar with.

Pouncy is another name I kept hearing is a possibility at 15 for the Fins.

Its somewhat interesting because last year the Fins drafted defence first, when they should have went offence. This year they should draft defence first but they need offence.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

I'm hoping the Texans take a guy like Robert Quinn to play OLB in the new 3-4. Having Quinn, Barwin & the Cush as pass rush options from the second level would be tremendous. Some fans want a corner but I'm ok giving Jackson/Quin another shot provided they upgrade the safeties.

Also, we should do a two round mock draft again. Maybe start it a little earlier this year tho. I really enjoyed last years.

Quinn would be a great pick. Another option is Aldon Smith if Quinn is off the board already. He might be a bit of a reach at 11 though. OLB is a huge need to address in the first 2 rounds.

[PeteLFan]

The Rams need to add some weapons on offence, only if Donnie Avery can stay heathy he can provide to be a great 2nd target. We need to add a #1 receiver, does anyone thing AJ Green will fall as far down to the Rams?

[DropIt]

Really hoping that Anthony Castonzo will fall to the Bears, but I am aware that this is quite a stretch. He was projected to be in the 20-25 range earlier in the season and I was hoping he would stay there, but it looks like he is being projected to go as high as Detroit's pick.

That said, Chicago needs to take an Olineman. Anything to improve on the league's worst from last season.

[Papi34]

I think you have a chance at Costanzo, alot of scouts are looking at him as boom or bust prospect and may slide a little bit but is certainly a first round pick.