SI: (Way early) 2010 NFL Mock Draft

[Icness]

I prefer Berry to Mays as well.

Mays is in an interesting position next year--he's the only returning regular starter from what was perhaps the most talented CFB defense ever. Ellison is gone, and it was Ellison who told him where to play, whom to cover, what the offense was going to run. If Mays can come back and show he can do it without all the great talent around him, he's going to go hgiher than any safety in a long time, perhaps as high as Eric Turner, who went #2 overall IIRC. But if he struggles, the mask is revealed and he could plummet even though he's a physical freak.

[lpsevier]

I prefer Berry to Mays as well.

Mays is in an interesting position next year--he's the only returning regular starter from what was perhaps the most talented CFB defense ever. Ellison is gone, and it was Ellison who told him where to play, whom to cover, what the offense was going to run. If Mays can come back and show he can do it without all the great talent around him, he's going to go hgiher than any safety in a long time, perhaps as high as Eric Turner, who went #2 overall IIRC. But if he struggles, the mask is revealed and he could plummet even though he's a physical freak.

Let's not get carried away. Raiders will be picking in the top ten, so he's not falling out of that range.

[LAKESHOW]

if the first team does not need a quarterback, taylor mays should go #1. yeah, he is that good. he could play 4 positions on defense. safety. strong safety. outside linebacker. defensive end. he can also call plays on defense and diagram some plays on offense. all of these talents can be used and are needed, which is why he is a #1.

[Icness]

Been toying with some stuff, even watched a few game tapes. Preliminary top 20, seniors/4th year guys only:
1. Colt McCoy
2. Geno Atkins
3. Jermaine Gresham
4. Brandon Spikes
5. Tim Tebow
6. Auston English
7. Taylor Mays
8. DeMarcus Granger
9. Ndamukong Suh
10. Russell Okung
11. Brandon Lafell
12. Jerry Hughes
13. Trent Williams
14. Trevard Lindley
15. Sergio Render
16. Antonio Coleman
17. Vince Oghobaase
18. Sergio Kindle
19. Dan Lefevour
20. Eric Decker

It leans very heavily towards the Big 12 right now. That will change once I start seeing more SEC and Big East tape.

Real early crazy proclamation: Next year there is a pretty good chance that no Ohio State players and only one USC player go in the top 2 rounds. Depends on who comes out early and if anyone really steps up of course, but that would be a huge change from recent history.

[WAYSA]

Colt McCoy? Weren't you hammering him a few months ago? I just don't see it with McCoy.

[Icness]

Colt McCoy? Weren't you hammering him a few months ago? I just don't see it with McCoy.

I've watched 3 Texas games recently and focused on McCoy. His delivery isn't ideal but he's deadly accurate all over the field, and he picks up sight adjustments and coverages very well for a youngster. He just sees it like it's going to happen. Better athlete than I thought he was too, kind of like Brady Quinn in that regard. They've done more pro-style routes and trees since Vince Young was there and McCoy almost always makes the right read. I want to see him handle the rush better and sell the play action better. Not as good as Stafford or Ryan at the same point, but could easily close that gap.

Just got done with the Ole Miss/Florida game and Jevon Snead could very well emerge as the #1 QB too. Needs to work on consistency and keeping calm under duress, and more zip on his shorter throws. And for Tebow, well, Florida sure knows how to cater to his talents and hide his weaknesses. If an NFL coach can do the same he's going to be great, but what I see is a more physical, more intense Michael Vick, for better and for worse. I know people are widely divided on him, but if you think he's not a top 10 pick you're just wrong, sorry.

[Chi Dynasty12]

Is Bryant that much better than Benn right now?

I'd say Bryant is behind. And does anybody know when Bryant had knee surgery? Was it this off-season or in the past? I remember reading something about it.

[studcrackers]

he had surgery after he got hurt in the bowl game

and i doubt benn's better than him

[CJ_18]

Iceness what do you think of Virginia Tech Safety Kam Chancellor?

[Icness]

Iceness what do you think of Virginia Tech Safety Kam Chancellor?

I think he's a lot like former Hokie Aaron Rouse--an undersized OLB playing safety. Works in college and esp. in their defensive system, but he's going to have the same problems in the NFL that Rouse does and that Roy Williams has. He's probably a bit more instinctive in coverage than either guy but he's not as fast. Beware Hokie DBs--and I say that as a devout Hokie supporter. I would advise Chancellor to add 15 pounds and become a 4-3 OLB the way Thomas Davis did.

[WAYSA]

he had surgery after he got hurt in the bowl game

and i doubt benn's better than him

Based on what? Have you watched Benn or are you just completely dismissing him because you are an Oklahoma State fan?

Benn is a 6'2" 225 lb receiver that is impossible to tackle one on one. He doesn't quite have the lower body tree trunks like Boldin, but he's incredibly thick and his upper body is insane. Benn is not the freak Andre Johnson is, but he's noticeably faster than Boldin and is a 4.4 type of guy. A track speed version of Boldin is arguably the best receiver in the NFL minus the freaks like Andre Johnson & Calvin Johnson.

Dez Bryant is more of the leaper while Benn is the physical dynamo who is going to live off going over the middle and taking a 5-yard slant pass 60 yards. I could be underrating Bryant a little, but I get the Roy Williams feeling with him.

Combine all this with Benn's leadership and character and the likely hood that he reaches his potential and I take Benn over Bryant every day of the week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOEqkXIzZFM

^^ - Every single pile gets driven back at least 5 yards. This is a 225 lb manbeast taking pitches out of the backfield. Watch the catch at 2:17 if you have any questions about his ball skills.

I will be interested in hearing Jeff's take on these two later in the year.

[Roger Murdock]

It seems like there will be 4 elite talents in the draft next year in Bradford, Bryant, McCoy, and Berry.