Silver's Ultimate Mock Draft: Guess Who's #1?

Post #1 » by **ReasonablySober** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:41 pm

1. Carolina Panthers – Aaron Rodgers(notes), QB: Did you really think the Cal portion of this column was complete? Rivera not only reveres his alma mater, but he has a thing for quarterbacks who are exceptionally accurate, marvelously mobile and coming off a Super Bowl MVP season. And while future Hall of Famers Tom Brady(notes) and Peyton Manning(notes) may be more accomplished, Rodgers has time on his side: Six years after leaving Cal and experiencing perhaps the most conspicuously uncomfortable draft day in NFL history, he’s just 27 and seems to be getting better – which is kind of scary. All of that makes him the first guy out of the green room (yes, there is a UMD green room, and it makes Jimmy Kimmel’s look boring; use your imagination) with an enthusiastic “Peace Out” for his peers.

and the 3rd defensive player taken (behind Suh and Revis):

11. Houston Texans – Clay Matthews(notes), LB: With apologies to 2009 NFL defensive rookie of the year Brian Cushing(notes), the Texans pick the third-year ex-Southern California linebacker who hasn’t tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Whereas Cushing struggled following his four-game suspension to start 2010, Matthews cranked up his already awesome game and helped the Packers win a championship. It doesn’t hurt that Matthews’ uncle, Bruce, was one of the best pro football players ever to call Houston home.

Newz · Post #2 » by **Newz** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:45 pm

I thought it was going to be a 'start your team' type draft and I was stun Clay was at 11.

But I can definitely see that pick if it factors in teams needs and such.

Turk Nowitzki · Post #3 » by **Turk Nowitzki** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:49 pm

I don't see how Clay would go before Freeman, Bradford, and Rivers in this scenario. I think Joe Thomas is way too low also.

Newz · Post #4 » by **Newz** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:55 pm

Turk Nowitzki wrote:I don't see how Clay would go before Freeman, Bradford, and Rivers in this scenario. I think Joe Thomas is way too low also.

It's not a start from scratch thing, it factors in team needs and everything. So if a team has a QB, then they would pass on a guy like Freeman, Bradford, Rivers, etc.

I still think Clay is kind of high. I know if there was a 'start from scratch' type draft he probably wouldn't even be in the first round for me.

trwi7 · Post #5 » by **trwi7** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:56 pm

Matty Ice is too high.

Newz · Post #6 » by **Newz** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:58 pm

trwi7 wrote:Matty Ice is too high.

I lulzed at Ryan and Luck being ahead of Bradford.

After Rodgers I think Bradford would be the second guy I'd start a team with. That guy was very good as a rookie with very few weapons.

Post #7 » by **ReasonablySober** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:05 pm

I'd be very tempted to take Luck #2.

OBF-MKE · Post #8 » by **OBF-MKE** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:51 pm

Newz wrote:It's not a start from scratch thing, it factors in team needs and everything. So if a team has a QB, then they would pass on a guy like Freeman, Bradford, Rivers, etc.

But he says "the exercise is simple: Using this year’s original draft order, and after soliciting the input of some of the NFL’s most respected talent evaluators, I give you a realistic idea of what would happen if everyone in the world were available"

El Duderino · Post #9 » by **El Duderino** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:35 pm

I'd take Rivers if i'm Denver. Luck if i'm Buffalo. Bradford if i'm Arizona. Freeman if i'm Cleveland. Many flip those two. Joe Thomas if i'm Dallas. Calvin Johnson goes higher.

Newz · Post #10 » by **Newz** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:09 pm

OBF-MKE wrote:
Newz wrote:It's not a start from scratch thing, it factors in team needs and everything. So if a team has a QB, then they would pass on a guy like Freeman, Bradford, Rivers, etc.

But he says "the exercise is simple: Using this year’s original draft order, and after soliciting the input of some of the NFL’s most respected talent evaluators, I give you a realistic idea of what would happen if everyone in the world were available"

Yeah, if everyone were available to the teams as they were already built. As in they can just pull someone off of another team if they want with no consequence.

Look at Green Bay's pick in order to see what he is really trying to do.

Newz · Post #11 » by **Newz** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:10 pm

El Duderino wrote:I'd take Rivers if i'm Denver. Luck if i'm Buffalo. Bradford if i'm Arizona. Freeman if i'm Cleveland. Many flip those two. Joe Thomas if i'm Dallas. Calvin Johnson goes higher.

Also, Calvin Johnson is without a doubt the number 1 WR off of the board for me. Best WR in the NFL and it isn't very close, IMO.

Nothing against Johnson or Fitz as they are amazing. But Megatron is in a class of his own.