Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Mock Draft 3.0

Greetings, G-Force.

The combine is over. Prospects got another chance to shine and this brings me to Mock Draft 3.0. I'm going to have some creative fun with Mock Draft version 3.0. Why? Because I'm just having fun man and there's nothing illegal about that, man...and really a mock draft is fantasy, so I feel it's OK to fantasize. Again, I'm going to refrain from drafting OL because I don't know enough about the players and where they might land. Allow me to do so and buzz in - if you wish.

Here goes...

Round 2 - Pick 1) The Falcons trade DeAngelo Hall to the Giants for pick #31. The Falcons target a QB with this pick as they drafted McFadden at #3. Therefore, the Jets trade up with us to get in front of the Falcons, Chiefs and Dolphins. The Packers trade their #1 pick for the Jets #2 and #4 pick of this year. Plus, the Packers can probably still get their guy at this pick. The Packers select Dan Connor, LB, Penn State. After watching James Jones line-up with his hands in his pockets, the Packers draft this cold weather maniac. Connor comes in and starts instead of Poppinga week 1.

Round 2 - Pick 2) The Packers trade Corey Williams to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos crave a DT. They fail in their attempts to get Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams is the next best available option. Shanahan loves to wheel and deal and Ted Thompson has a history of dealing players to the Broncos (ie. Javon Walker). With the Broncos 2nd round pick, the Packers select Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State. History says that Ted Thompson drafts WR's in the early rounds. Koren Robinson, Terrence Murphy, Greg Jennings, and James Jones are all examples of this. Thomas fits what we do. Instantly, he's a weapon. Plus, I still cannot get over Ruvell Martin dropping the football.

Round 2 - Pick 3) John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame. Sticking with the trend of drafting cold weather players (for this mock draft any ways) the Packers draft Carlson over Jermichael Finley and Martellus Bennett. Finley and the Packers apparently have a minor infatuation for each other. Each year the Packers seem to draft a Texas A & M player (Robert Ferguson, Michael Montgomery, Johnny Jolly, Terrence Murphy). Therefore, it would not surprise me if the Packers went after Bennett.

Round 3) Steve Slaton, RB, WVU. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas interests me, but I need to give the edge to Slaton because he is a Mountie. Slaton was not overly impressive during the Combine. He ran slower than I expected. But, this does not diminish my desire to see Slaton running in Green Bay. Charles is a smooth runner. He looks graceful running and catches the ball, which is very appealing and may be the element that Packers backfield is missing. I also like Mike Hart. He's a mudder. A proven cold weather runner. He holds onto the football. But, he's not the change of pace back that we need. Ray Rice is also a solid 3rd round back, but I question his ability to catch the football.

Round 4 - Pick 1) Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU. So, I'm drafting a warm weather guy. But, he's my boy. He ran a 4.62, which will drop his stock. We'll be getting 2nd round talent in the 4th round.

Round 4 - Pick 2) Tom Zbikowski, S, ND. Stack, I'm fully on board, mate. He becomes our PR if Willie B. is unable to stay healthy.

Round 5) Owen Schmitt, FB, WVU. Sounds too low? Yeah, that's what I thought as well, but from what I hear/read this is an extreme possibility. Peyton Hillis and Jacob Hester have surpassed him on a number of draft boards, however ESPN still lists him as the top FB. This one is draft robbery!

From ESPN:
Overall: Schmitt attended Wisconsin River-Falls before transferring to West Virginia in 2004, redshirting that season. He appeared in 25 games in his first two seasons with the Mountaineers (2005-'06), logging 113 carries for 731 yards (6.5 average) and nine touchdowns, plus 20 receptions for 167 yards (8.4 average) and another score. As a senior in 2007, he had 47 carries for 272 yards (5.8 average) and four touchdowns, adding 12 catches for 121 yards (10.1 average) and a receiving TD. He also had three punts last season, averaging just 20.3 yards but placing two inside the opponents' 20. Schmitt dealt with quadriceps, knee and ankle injuries at West Virginia but never missed any games. Schmitt is a big, powerful fullback with outstanding straight-line speed and reliable hands for his position. He also plays the game with great passion and is the type that will do anything asked of him in order to contribute. Schmitt still has room to improve in terms of technique as a blocker and he'll never be more than a situational short-yardage runner in the NFL. However, we believe Schmitt is the most complete fullback prospect in the 2008 class. He should come off the board somewhere in the fourth-to-fifth round range.

Round 7) Curtis Johnson, DE, Clark-Atlanta. Johnson dominated low level competition. He's a speed rusher. Another warm weather guy, but at this stage, I'm willing to take the risk. I'd also consider Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville with this pick.

So, I'm a little light on CB help via the draft, but this comes in FA. In FA, the Packers grab Fernando Bryant. Bryant is a former 1st round pick. He's an image of his former self, but he knows the NFC North and he's been torched by Favre in the past...this is enough for him to want to stay in the NFC North. It'll be comfortable for him. He instantly improves our status at the 3rd CB position.

Enjoy.

2 months until the Draft,

Talkin' S-Mac.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Mock Draft Version 2.0

Greetings, G-Force.

Good to write with a clear mind...finally...yes, finally, the devastation of the NFC Championship Game is behind me. Well, kind of.

Any ways, it's time to focus on the offseason. We need an upgrade over Poppinga at LB. I'd love Karlos Dansby via FA. I would throw money at Dansby. He'd be the solution to any LB deficiencies that currently exist. He can rush the passer. He can stop the run. He can defend the pass. I want him. I'd give him whatever amount of $$$ that he is looking for. I covet Dansby. Period.

In the draft, I'd like 10 picks. I want a speed RB, 2 CB's, a WR, a TE, a P, a KR, and 3 OL. It would be ideal if one of the picks could not only play a position, but if he could also return kicks so that the Packers would not have to use a pick on a return specialist. I would also enjoy it if the Packers drafted a small school S in the later rounds.

In Mock Draft Version 2.0, I'm going to once again stick with the 6 picks that the Packers currently own. Admittedly, I have poor knowledge of this years OL that are coming out, so for the fun of it, I'm not going to list any OL. With that being said, I do not want the Packers to draft an OL until the 2nd Day and on the 2nd Day, I hope the Packers load up with 3 of them after accumulating a number of other selections.

Round 1 - Fred Davis, TE, USC. If the Packers keep this pick, I'd still like the addition of Davis. He'd be an added weapon to the offensive arsenal. He'd open up the middle of the field and once again, the Packers would have 2 legitimate threats at TE. However, I've always been a proponent of having 4 picks on Day 1 of the draft. Therefore, I'd prefer to trade down about 12-15 spots into the 2nd round. In addition, we could add a 3rd rounder and another pick in the vicinity of the 6th round. This would allow us to draft 2 CB's, a TE, and a RB on the 1st day. Other players that would interest me if the Packers keep their 1st Round draft pick would be Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Devin Thomas. After watching the Senior Bowl, Stack and I had agreed that "DRC" and Tashard Choice, RB, from Georgia Tech, were the 2 most impressive players on the field. I admit that the only time that I've seen "DRC" was during the Senior Bowl, but in that game he picked off a pass and made two great pass deflection plays. Additionally, he is Antonio Cromartie's cousin. I've noticed that a couple of web sites are projecting "DRC" to the Packers. If so, I'd be happy with the pick. He'd immediately step in as our 3rd CB. I just wonder if you could slide down a couple of picks and still get him. With regard to Devin Thomas, I simply think that he fits into what we do. Every time he touches the ball, he is a threat to take it to the house. He's dangerous. He plays the ball well in the air. He's elusive after the catch. He can get deep. He runs a solid slant. Bottom line - he fits into the Packers scheme. Although the Packers most pressing need is not a WR, Thomas might be too good to pass up. However, he, too, would probably be able to be drafted even if we traded down a few slots into the 2nd round.

Round 2 - Steve Slaton, RB, WVU. Two years ago, a "source named Manny" on local Miami radio stated that the Chicago Bears were going to draft Devin Hester in the 2nd round. Two months after his bold statement, the Chicago Bears drafted Devin Hester. This same "Manny" dude has made another proclamation. He's stated that their are two teams that covet Slaton - the Bears and the Packers. Slaton would add the element of a home-run hitter. Every time Slaton touches the ball, he has the ability to take it to the house. A swing pass to Slaton is loaded with excitement. If Dansby is not obtained via FA, I'd also consider a LB here. Shawn Crable was a playmaking LB for Michigan. Geno Hayes is an abolute animal, but I'm not positive that he would fit into the culture of Green Bay, WI. Some are predicting that the Packers may be interested in Philip Wheeler in the 2nd round. Stack speaks of this as well. Wheeler is largely a MLB. I'd be surprised if the Packers moved in his direction unless they thought that he could be moved to the outside. Antoine Cason would also be an option in the 2nd round. He can return punts as well as play CB. He's an offensively minded DB and he'd learn a lot from Chuckie and Al.

Round 3 - Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU. With the exception of Mel Kiper, every thing that I read says that he is a 3rd-4th round pick. If he's there, I want him. 'Nuff said.

Round 4 - Owen Schmitt, FB, WVU. Although we don't necessarily need a FB, I am enamored with his game. This would be a value pick. He has WI roots as he initially went to Wisconsin-River Falls. He reminds me of Tom Rathman. He'll run you over. He can catch the ball. He loves to block. Hell, I even saw the guy punt a couple of times. I'd be surprised if he does not play in a Pro Bowl at some point in his NFL career. I read that he is a 4th to 5th round pick. He'd be a steal here. In fact, if Jackson is not around in the 3rd round, I'd consider drafting Schmitt then. Ben Moffit, LB, South Florida is also a guy that I've seen dominate a game. He's an active player who finds the football. He's got great hands and attacks the run. He'd be a gem on special teams. I've also read that Wesley Woodyard might be available here. If so, he's a guy that is worth a look. He's fast and looks for punishment.

Round 5 - Marcus Henry, WR, Kansas. Henry is big with average speed and a nose for the end zone. He runs a decent slant pattern and can get over the top. Last year, he had over 1,000 yards, 10 TD's and averaged nearly 19 yards per catch. Simply put, Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan made plays at the college level. He is not a perfect fit for our system, but in the 5th round, he is a guy to consider. Arrington made big time plays against big time competition at big time moments in big time games. Kenneth Moore, Mario Urrutia, and Marcus Monk are all WR's to consider at this point. Moore is a small guy, but he is elusive and always dangerous with the ball in his hands. Urrutia is a monster, but an attitude problem. In many ways, Urrutia reminds me of TO. Big, fast, questionable hands and at times, his an absolute cancer. But, when Urrutia is on, he is a 1st round draft pick. He had a miserable year last year. Off field issues kept him off the field. For some one, he'll be worth the risk. Monk was a legitimate 3rd down receiver for Arkansas two years ago. Last year, we was banged up and never found his stride. He doesn't necessarily fit into the Packers scheme, but he's got reliable hands and a knack for getting open. I also like the names Justin Forseth, RB, Cal and Tom Zbikowski, S, ND with this pick. Both were solid contributors at the college level. Zbikowski would also be able to return kicks. Stack also tells me that the Packers have their eyes on Larry Grant. Since, at this stage, we don't have a 6th round pick, I'll pencil him in as a potential name for Round 5. Grant played a tremendous game in the BCS Championship Game. Prior to this game, I was never really impressed with his game. He attacks the ball and he means it when he hits you. From what I've seen, he's not terrific in space, but if he's playing straight ahead he's able to finish the play.

Round 7 - Bobbie Williams, S, Bethune Cookman. Alright, alright. So, I've only seen highlights of him. But, I've read about him in the Herald on almost a daily basis. I also read in the Herald last September that the Packers had sent scouts to watch him. Williams picked off 14 passes in 44 collegiate games. He's supposed to be a ball hawk. I'd take a chance.

OK, so I admit, I like athletes. I like play makers. For the most part, I like guys from big schools. I like guys who are accustomed to big time competition and know what it is like to win. Eventually, I'll get it drilled down so that - in the mock draft - the Packers will have drafted more than 2 players on defense, but for now, this will do. After all, the draft is still 2.5 months away.

Enjoy.

Buzz On. Buzz In,

Talkin' S-Mac.