NFL Draft Contest

By Mark

14 Apr

It’s that time once again, everyone. Feel free to submit your pick for who your team is going to draft. I’d encourage everyone to also submit who you would like your team to draft, since it’s always fun to hear who people are interested in. (Only the former will be counted for the purposes of the contest.) I’m very interested in hearing who all of the Hawks fans out there are interested in picking, since there seems to be no consensus whatsoever concerning who Seattle should pick at #4.

As usual, the winner gets…well, nothing. I keep threatening to give someone a big sloppy wet kiss, but I’m not that cruel and, frankly, I don’t think anyone would buy that anyway. Good luck everyone.

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5 Responses for "NFL Draft Contest"

Aaron April 15th, 2009 at 5:14 am 1
New England is drafting 23rd, and it would be a colossal shock to all involved if they don’t go for a defensive player, specifically a linebacker. They desperately need one, and there are expected to be several decent prospects still on the board when they pick. USC alone has contributed three LB’s who may go in the first round, and I suspect they’ll take one of them. If pressed to choose just one, I’ll go with Clay Matthews, Jr.

That said, they could shock everyone and go with West Virginia QB Pat White, whom I read they may be interested in as a receiver/punt returner/option QB type of changeup player. The first round is probably too early for such a gamble, however, especially since they have multiple 2nd round picks.
ntliek April 20th, 2009 at 5:40 pm 2
If you trust the majority of mock drafts out there, the Vikings will take a WR with the #22 pick. While that could happen, it would only be because the best offensive tackles are off the board by that point and the team doesn’t want to reach on a guy they could likely get in the second round. Personally, I think the team goes OT (that is definitely the greatest need) and I’m going with Eben Britton from Arizona as the likely candidate.

Another possibility would be Max Unger (a Duck, Mark!!), but I think the team is fairly comfortable with John Sullivan to replace Matt Birk at Center. After all, they did just draft Sullivan last year.

I don’t really see the Vikings selecting a defensive player in the first round, unless it is in a “best player available” move (so maybe CB Vontae Davis?). I just saw a mock draft (linked off profootballtalk) that has the Vikings taking Clay Mathews with #22. While this makes sense for New England (see Aaron’s post above), I don’t see ANY possibility of the Vikings selecting a linebacker in the first round given the team’s depth at that position.

So good luck to everyone’s teams and let the waiting begin!!
ntliek April 24th, 2009 at 3:06 pm 3
So there seems to be a lot of speculation about the Vikings going with Percy Harvin with their first-round pick, given that Childress apparently flew down to meet with him this week. Personally, I really hope that isn’t the case, but IF the Vikings think they can get OT Phil Loadholt out of Oklahoma in the second round, they might opt to go with something other than an OT in the first round. Still, I’m not sure it will be a WR. I could also see them going CB here .

So where are the picks from our resident Seahawks fans? The word on the street this evening is that it will be Stafford at #1, so that should make your job a bit easier. Come on, pull the trigger already!!
Mark April 24th, 2009 at 8:26 pm 4
Sorry I’ve been so flaky about responding you guys. Thanks for all of the comments and insights on your teams.

Aaron, I think Matthews would be a solid pick, and I’ve heard that he would be ideal as an OLB in a 3-4 defensive scheme. There was a story about Matthews and fellow LB Brian Cushing being part of a bogus “White Power” Facebook group, but by all accounts it was an in-joke between Matthews, Cushing and some of the non-white players on the USC squad. Matthews carries a first round grade, so it’ll be interesting to see if he falls at all. Incidentally, the Pats have four picks in the first two rounds, so they’ll be one of the more interesting teams to watch. (Great, just what we need…Belichick and co. reloading with more young talent…sorry Aaron, I’m just jealous )

Natalie, interesting rumors coming out of Minnesota. I’ve been paying attention to Unger for quite a while. Excellent technician who won’t overpower DTs but will be able to make line calls, play four or five positions on the line in a pinch and doesn’t get fooled by stunts or blitzes. That’s the scouting report I have. If the Vikings are seriously interested in a center (and from what you’re saying they might be covered there) Alex Mack out of Cal is another excellent prospect who has a reputation for being a bit more of a mauler. (But also smart…he went to Cal after all.) Incidentally, both of those players can line up at OG, if Minnesota has a need there. As far as some of the other positions/names you raised…I’m hearing that Percy Harvin is a real head case. Hence your reluctance to draft him, I imagine. DeSean Jackson had a similar rap coming out last year. He fell to the second round but had a productive rookie season with the Eagles.

I’d say if Britton is still there when you pick, grab him. He sounds like someone who would have gone higher if he’d stayed in school another year. From what I hear, Loadholt is strictly a RT prospect, (no lateral movement; he got abused by Brian Orakpo in the Oklahoma-Texas game,) but he could be pretty devastating laying down blocks for AP. As far as other WR prospects go, Darius Heyward-Bey could be in play when you guys are on the clock. Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt and Brian Robiskie are all projected second rounders but could do in a pinch.

As for my Hawks…I’ve got this continuous loop in my head: Sanchez, Curry, Crabtree, Sanchez, Curry, Crabtree…can’t decide. Won’t know until draft day. Word is now the Rams are getting in on the Sanchez talk, and I know KC has been angling to move out of that pick. My gut tells me that if Curry is available, the Hawks take him. I wouldn’t complain about any of those guys, quite frankly.
ntliek April 25th, 2009 at 4:15 am 5
So I woke up this morning like it was Christmas and actually said out loud “It’s Draft Day!!” Just a tad bit excited . . . . I, too, am jealous of Aaron and all the picks he gets to be excited about early on in the draft! As for the Seahawks, I submitted my draft picks for this NFL contest and had Curry as the pick. I’ve heard about the Rams/Sanchez talk, although it could just be an attempt to get someone to try and trade up to their spot. Hard to say.

In terms of the other WRs (beyond Crabtree who will be gone and Harvin whom I don’t want) I think those other guys probably will be on the board at #22. I’ve actually seen a lot of mocks that have Nicks and Britt going late in the first round and a few that have Robiskie as well. I’m still sticking with my original pick – Britton at #22. Usually I hate uncertainty but that is what makes the draft so exciting!!