Mock Draft 5.0

[LiftTheCurse]

http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2203850

Some very surprising picks in 5.0

Its showing the Raiders taking a Offensive lineman? why? is that more important then a QB? or a WR that they will need when Rice and Brown retire, which could be next season.

Ben Roethisburger drops all the way down to Bills.

One thing that is still makeing me smile, is the pick that 4 of 5 mock drafts have projected the Pats drafting...Stephen Jackson. I think Jackson would be as affective in his rookie season as anyone else...Including Tomlinson or A-Train.

Anyone else see other picks that surprise them?

[marc]

I think Roethlisberger would be a total steal, I also think every GM in the league should be shot if Jones and Jackson fall to 21 and 22. I'll also throw my TV out the window if the Eagles take a CB

[andjbock]

I don't think that Jackson will be available at 21, despite every mock draft having him going to the Pats. Luckily not many teams are looking to draft an RB early on.

I'd be fine with Chris Perry or one of the Joneses, as long as an RB is taken with that 1st pick.

I still see the Pats trying to trade up and get another player. Possibly a WR at which point they could draft that OL at 32 and use a second round pick for an RB.`

[LiftTheCurse]

Who would you want the Eagle to take then? Who would be the best fit?

[LiftTheCurse]

Originally posted by andjbock
I don't think that Jackson will be available at 21, despite every mock draft having him going to the Pats. Luckily not many teams are looking to draft an RB early on.

I'd be fine with Chris Perry or one of the Joneses, as long as an RB is taken with that 1st pick.

I still see the Pats trying to trade up and get another player. Possibly a WR at which point they could draft that OL at 32 and use a second round pick for an RB.`

I dont think trading up to draft a WR would be a good idea. The Patriots already have 2 Talents young Wide Recievers: Deion Branchand Bethal Johnson plus Troy Brown, why would they want to add another? as Opposed to drafting a Kevin Jones/Stephen Jackson or Chris Perry?

[andjbock]

Troy Brown is probably in his last season with the Pats. And they lack any type of size beyond Givens at WR. You can never have enough targets for Brady since he uses everyone on the field. The need for an RB is somewhat (I stress somewhat) reduced with the resigning of Faulk.

I forgot that they re-signed Stokes, but still I wouldn't pass up on a guy like Williams if he was reachable by moving up enough.

Someone like OT Shawn Andrews or a DT could be options too.

[mlyons]

The Giants' organization will blow a gasket if it goes like this. They're really counting on Gallery being there with the 4th pick, I think.

[EagleEye_0]

Originally posted by LiftTheCurse
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2203850
Its showing the Raiders taking a Offensive lineman? why? is that more important then a QB? or a WR that they will need when Rice and Brown retire, which could be next season.

Taking Gallery wouldn't be a huge suprise at this point, however they have brought in both Orlando Brown and Damian McIntosh for workouts this offseason and if signed should mean the Raiders arent looking to take Gallery.

They do need someone to start at LT. Their LT from last season Barry SIms struggled and is better suited to be moved inside to the guard spot. Still to early to really gauge it until free agency is further along.

Also, both of the following sites blow away foxsports in their draft coverage.

http://www.thehuddlereport.com
http://www.gbnreport.com

[marc]

Originally posted by LiftTheCurse
Who would you want the Eagle to take then? Who would be the best fit?

A Wide Receiver most definitely. A lot of mock drafts have had either Rashaun Woods or Reggie Williams falling to them, if that happens they would be insane not to take one of them. I would settle for Michael Jenkins as well at that pick. They will most likely be resigning Vincent (atleast that's what I'm hearing) and it's time for Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown (1st and 2nd rounders from 2 years ago) to sink or swim. Not to mention they may be picking up another FA CB like Ahmed Plummer or somebody else.

[LiftTheCurse]

Originally posted by andjbock
Troy Brown is probably in his last season with the Pats. And they lack any type of size beyond Givens at WR. You can never have enough targets for Brady since he uses everyone on the field. The need for an RB is somewhat (I stress somewhat) reduced with the resigning of Faulk.

I forgot that they re-signed Stokes, but still I wouldn't pass up on a guy like Williams if he was reachable by moving up enough.

Someone like OT Shawn Andrews or a DT could be options too.

1) I like Kevin Faulk. But i dont think he would be Half as productive as he was last season if he was a starter all year. Faulk is at his best when he comes in on 3rd downs and picks u 4 or 5 yards, or catches a 10 yard screen. Using him as a 20 Carry Starter would do nothing but hurt the patriots. He is too Small to be a full time Starter, he would get smashed around and end up on the Injured List. And Kevin Faulk is too valubale to the patriots for 1) 3rd down yardage 2) Kick and Punt Returns 3) on the field Leadership. I would want the patriots to draft on fo the big 3 running Backs(Perry, Jackson,Jones) and use the Faulk for what he is best at.
2) If the Patriots Drafted Jackson, they would have a franchise type guy that would be productive right from the start. I wouldn't at all be shocked to see Jackson(no matter where he goes) to have 1200-1400 YDS 4.4 YPC 8-10 TD. And in the Patriots screening offense, he could rack up the Passing yards as well.
3) If the Patriots had a chance to trade up in the draft, and be in position get draft Mike Williams...I would greet that with open arms. But ONLY if they are SURE they would be able to get WILLIAMS.
4) I know the Pats Wide Outs are not Big, But they dont need to be. The Patriots play alot of 5-7 yard pass plays, and the WR's run after the play to pick up the yardage usally. So while Big 6'9" WR's are important, they just might not be as important to the patriots for the type of offense they run.
5) I agree that Brady cannot have enough targets to pass too...But having Troy Brown/Deion Branch/Bethal Johnson/David Givens/JJ Stokes/Dedric Ward should be enough for brady to throw too, and that should be enough for the pats to look into a RB, not a WR in the 1st round, Like Jackson.

[mlyons]

Originally posted by LiftTheCurse
1) I like Kevin Faulk. But i dont think he would be Half as productive as he was last season if he was a starter all year. Faulk is at his best when he comes in on 3rd downs and picks u 4 or 5 yards, or catches a 10 yard screen. Using him as a 20 Carry Starter would do nothing but hurt the patriots. He is too Small to be a full time Starter, he would get smashed around and end up on the Injured List. And Kevin Faulk is too valubale to the patriots for 1) 3rd down yardage 2) Kick and Punt Returns 3) on the field Leadership. I would want the patriots to draft on fo the big 3 running Backs(Perry, Jackson,Jones) and use the Faulk for what he is best at.

On a bit of a tangent, has anyone ever done any research into whether the size of a running back relates to his durability? It seems to be something like gospel that small running backs can't handle 20 carries or more a game, but every year it seems to me like big backs are more likely to break down than little backs like Tiki Barber or Clinton Portis. Is it just an inherent bias against guys who are under 225 lbs, or is there some evidence of smaller backs being more likely to get injured?

(Note: I'm not trying to pick on you or anything, LTC, it's just something I've wondered about.)

[BaseballMan]

the raiders taking an offensive lineman is pretty stupid.
It wasnt the line that was hurting them. It was receivers who couldnt get open and a old QB who would threw the ball away at the first sign of trouble. Not too mention coaches who put together the worst game plans in the NFL.

Oak needs a wr or qb or safety.

[LiftTheCurse]

Agreed. Not sure what they are thinking in 5.0

[EagleEye_0]

I watched every game and the offensive line was a problem. They were not very good, especially in pass coverage. WR and S are bigger needs yes, but Gallery at #2 while not what the Raiders will likely do is still a possibility at this point. For example, if the Raiders signed Darrell Jackson and Deon Grant they could very well take Gallery. As I said, too early to know at this point.

[drprestwood]

So many draft sites on the web...why so much stock in fox sports?

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2004/mock.html

[BaseballMan]

Originally posted by EagleEye_0
I watched every game and the offensive line was a problem. They were not very good, especially in pass coverage. WR and S are bigger needs yes, but Gallery at #2 while not what the Raiders will likely do is still a possibility at this point. For example, if the Raiders signed Darrell Jackson and Deon Grant they could very well take Gallery. As I said, too early to know at this point.

I totally disagree. They had some injuries and some penalty problems but when the reigns were taken off and they were given the chance to block they could do the job. But at some point the QB and WR have to make a connection.
You just let them block for a power back and youll see aint nothing wrong with that line. Garner was great but hes not really the right back for the line. And get some coaches to give them a chance to block.
I dont see how anyone can judge them properly when their coaches are calling more passes when their old QB's shoulder was actually hurting. Its hard enough blocking against a defense but then to use the weakest link of your offense most of the time was pretty bad coaching. After that first game the raiders should have gone to a basic grind it out offense. Instead Callahan tried to beat teams by passing which wasnt very good. They were living in 2002. Its hard to block for mass confusion.

That line is still young and big. You turn the reigns lose and let them just block, theyll get the job done.

[EagleEye_0]

Originally posted by BaseballMan
I totally disagree. They had some injuries and some penalty problems but when the reigns were taken off and they were given the chance to block they could do the job. But at some point the QB and WR have to make a connection.
You just let them block for a power back and youll see aint nothing wrong with that line. Garner was great but hes not really the right back for the line. And get some coaches to give them a chance to block.
I dont see how anyone can judge them properly when their coaches are calling more passes when their old QB's shoulder was actually hurting. Its hard enough blocking against a defense but then to use the weakest link of your offense most of the time was pretty bad coaching. After that first game the raiders should have gone to a basic grind it out offense. Instead Callahan tried to beat teams by passing which wasnt very good. They were living in 2002. Its hard to block for mass confusion.

That line is still young and big. You turn the reigns lose and let them just block, theyll get the job done.

Damien McIntosh is set to sign with the Dolphins. It's looking more like the Raiders may be looking at Gallery. Personally, I would be pleased if we drafted Gallery. This draft is incredibly deep at WR, so the Raiders could afford to wait until round 2 for one.

I'll break down the Raiders offensive line and why Gallery would be a very good pick if the Raiders address their other biggest needs in free agency and in rounds 2-7.

Tackle- Langson Walker, Barry Sims and Chad Slaughter

Guard- Mo Collins, Frank Middleton and Brad Badger

Center- Barret Robbins

Lincon Kennedy is going to retire, so all we have at tackle is a totally unproven Langston Walker (who I do like) and Sims who is probably one of the worst pass blocking LT's in the league. I agree that in run blocking, this unit is solid. Middleton and Collins were overweight and out of shape last year compared to where they should be. Moving Sims inside creates some motivation for those two guys as they compete with eachother for a job.

The line I listed above is not going to cut it. We need a starting tackle. What if Walker proves to not be capable of starting? What if Sims keeps getting continually beaten on passing downs? Yes, a power running game is going to help, but its not like we have a Ladainian Tomlinson to give the ball to. Wheatley and Fargas are not going to be able to carry the load of the offense. A successful passing game is necessary for those two to get some opening in the running game. We need to be able to throw the ball. Now, let me illustrate the potential of the line if we drafted Gallery.

LT- Robert Gallery
LG- Barry Sims
C- Barrett Robbins
RG- Mo Collins
RT- Langston Walker

Reserves Brad Badger, Frank Middleton, Adam Treu, Chad Slaughter

This line would be one of the better and younger ones in the NFL and leaves us with Badger and Middlton as reserves and a ton more versatility in the line in case of injury, Walker not playing well or Collins and Middleton being too fat.

As I said, it really depends on what happens here in free agency, but Gallery would be an excellent choice for the Raiders as it stands now.

[Vris]

When did this turn into a Raiders' needs thread?


Personally, I don't follow mock drafts, as most teams draft based on need, rather than talent (unlike the NBA). Also, if Jackson fell to the Pats, that would be cause of celebration. He would fit extremely well in the system. But first, Pats have to concentrate on Law. Losing Washington and Woody hurt. So, a DT or C/G wouldn't be a bad choice. But that's the problem with being the Super Bowl Champs...low draft picks...

[hamonrye]

Originally posted by drprestwood
So many draft sites on the web...why so much stock in fox sports?

Fair and balanced sports coverage.

[BaseballMan]

Eagle Eye,

Well looks like the raiders may be leaning towards a wr or qb in the draft since they picked up Ron Stone. I havent followed Stone much but i heard he was pretty good. I remember Madden praising him but thats not saying much since he seemed to praise almost every cowboy offensive lineman.
But i bet this eliminates an offensive lineman in the 1st round unless Stone is a has been.