RealGM

Unfortunately, we had to start this a lot early than I wanted to. I know we've got the off season thread up and rolling already, but I wanted to dedicate a thread to just draft talk. I need something to dwell on you could say.

NEEDS

- O-line : We started the season with blocking problems and it literally ended our season as well. There's no doubt it's our number one need. It's probably safe to assume Clifton and Tauscher have played their final games in green and gold. Beyond Sitton and maybeee Spitz and Lang, our line could use a complete make over. Unfortunately, the free agent class is lacking big time tackles and it's not TT's cup of tea anyway. That being said, we are either going to have to rely on the draft, or trade our draft picks for an established player. Similar to what Philly did for Jason Peters.

Here's a look at some OL prospects that may or may not be in our range (23) come April.

Bryan Bulaga

Bryan Bulaga is the latest in a long line of talented offensive linemen from the University of Iowa. Bulaga began his career at left guard where he started five of the seven games he played in as a freshmen. As a sophomore, he took over at left tackle, starting all 13 of Iowa's games last season. Bulaga has started all five games he's appeared in this season. He missed three games early in the year, but it shouldn't effect his draft status because he was ill, not injured. Bulaga has very quick feet for a big offensive lineman and uses his long arms to ride speed rushers right out of plays. He is not as strong as fellow Big ten linemen Joe Thomas or Jake Long, but he's still very young and has time to develop. Bulaga's run blocking has also improved steadily over the last two seasons. He is no longer satisfied just blocking the man in front of him, he moves on to the next level and tries to get a block on a linebacker as well. The best fit for Bulaga would be on a zone blocking team in the NFL, because of his familiarity with the system. If he has a strong finish to his junior year, he will likely declare for the 2010 draft.

Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell has only been a starter for a year and a half, but he is the one player on Maryland who is holding the struggling offense together. He only appeared in five games as a freshman and earned one start against Clemson when injuries decimated the depth chart. As a sophomore Campbell began in a reserve role, but took over the starting job for the final seven games of the season. With his help, running back Da'Rel Scott became the first Terp ball carrier since 2002 to eclipse the 1,000 yard rushing mark.

Campbell could earn some accolades this season for his fine play, but few are paying any attention to Maryland at this point so his work will largely go unnoticed and unaccounted for. But at 6-7 and 310 pounds, Campbell is an NFL tackle. He has room to add a little more strength at the point of attack, but he will be playing in the NFL sooner or later.

Whether it will be sooner or later is the question with Campbell. If he can put up good numbers at the combine, he could slip into the first round. He could just as easily slip down to the mid-round level, making it wise to return for his senior season; getting out of College Park as soon as possible is never a bad idea because the team is not going to be much better next season.

Charles Brown

Brown is another athletic offensive lineman out of USC. He began his career as a reserve left tackle, playing in nine games during his sophomore campaign in 2007.Brown became a full time starter during the spring of 2008. His play in 2008 earned him an honorable mention to the Pac 10 All Conference Team.

He is tall and with the frame to get bigger. He is an above-average pass protector, and gets set quickly and maintains good balance; shows adequate lateral movement and can mirror and slide with athletic edge rushers. Brown is fast and agile out of his stand; he is mobile and has better-than-average body control, balance and change-of-direction skills.

However, he is not a physical player. He does need to add bulk and strength. He also lacks explosive power and overwhelming mass, struggling to hold his ground against bull rushers when not playing with good leverage.

Brown is a solid prospect who excels at pass protection. In time he could become an elite pass blocker. The knock on him is his lack of strength, which downgrades his run blocking skills. Bottom line: he is a fine tackle with upside. With added bulk and more experience, he could start in the NFL within a few years.


Tomorrow when I have more time I'll focus on other needs. ( rush linebacker, cb, safety)

Honestly, I really can't stand college football all that much. I tend to hear a lot of players but enough to know a lot about the draft. Is this draft deep at corner? Cause I would kind of like the Pack to pick up a corner in the first round if it isn't. It just seems like we've had pretty **** luck with corners in the late first/2nd rounds. Ahmad Carrol. Joey Thomas. I don't even know when Jarrett Bush was drafted/signed but I hate him having a roster spot too. And I could be wrong but I think it would be easier to find an offensive lineman who can step in on the roster in the later rounds than a corner.

Everything I've read states it's a bad draft for top tier corners. Haden from the gators is the cream of the crop.

Yeah and unfortunately Haden will be long gone before we are on the clock.

I was gonna start this thread today but I got swamped. I'm glad we got one going.

After Haden goes you have a lot of guys that could go depending on workouts. The Packers prefer guys with prototypical size so I think if they go defensive back it'll be in the 2nd or 3rd. Donovan Warren in the 2nd could be a solid pick. Same with fellow underclassmen Dominique Franks. It's possible Kareem Jackson comes out too.

Those three are in that 2nd-3rd round area, come with upside and the advantage of size that seniors Syd'Quan Thompson, Kyle Wilson and Javier Arenas don't have.

This draft is just ridiculous in its depth.

I primarily watch BIGTEN football so I am not up to speed on this years draft class, but this is ideally what I'd like to see TT do...

Early/Mid Picks: OT, CB, OLB
Mid/Late Picks: S, DL, P, KR/PR/RB (with speed and can catch)

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we traded down for extra picks. I'd actually encourage it unless someone slips to us that we can't pass up.

As for corners, I like Donovan Warren a lot too. He'll be a late first/early second rounder unless he has an amazing combine. Sticking with Michigan, I also think Brandon Graham is gonna be a hell of a player.

I'm just starting to sink my teeth into this draft, so I've got a lot to learn yet.

This is the draft where we need to get best available player at certain positions. We have enough talent to be contenders next year and now need certain positions to be filled with guys ready to contribute.

I wouldn't be surprised if we trade down as well. There is a lot of depth in this draft and unless there is a stud available at a position of need for us someone TT has rated very highly I would expect him to move down. A lot of value to be had later in the draft this year.

I'm hoping Joseph Barksdale (LSU) declares for the draft, because I'm generally underwhelmed by the tackles in this draft and he's one of the few who I think translates well to the left side. Campbell and Anthony Davis (Rutgers) will go before we pick and I'm fine with that. Bulaga is a right side only guy who gets lit up by speed rushers on a consistent basis. I like Charles Brown but he's a bit of a project himself. It'll probably be at least half a season before he's ready. Ciron Black is another right side guy. He's a mauler with mediocre feet and is a waist-bender as well. It's a classic recipe for him to get beat on the outside a lot. Oklahoma's Trent Williams isn't very good either. Jason Fox (Miami) doesn't have the high ceiling that some of the top guys have, but he's probably one of the safer picks, and he has a chance to be okay on the left side. If Notre Dame's Sam Young is, indeed, now a 3rd round type guy, he's worth it there. Selvish Capers is interesting, but he's raw (ie Jamon Meredith).

I favor a trade down as well. There are a bunch of guys clustered right where we're going to pick that all have about equal value as far as I'm concerned.

A few guys I want and round we'd probably need to get them in:
OLB Jerry Hughes (1) - Would be awesome opposite Matthews
ILB Brandon Spikes (2) - I think he's going to be a stud inside backer in a 3-4
OLB Sergio Kindle (2) - Not a very good pass rusher yet, but he's instinctive and good against the run
CB Brandon Ghee (1-2) - Physical corner with good size, speed, and instincts. I love corners that take on blocks, play the run, and tackle well. Ghee does all of that and is a good cover guy as well.

I like Mount Cody, but there are a bunch of run stuffing nose tackles in this draft that will go much lower and fulfill the same role.

I'm also interested to see South Florida's Jerome Murphy at the Senior Bowl. He's got great size for a corner and is, by all accounts, the biggest hitter on that roster. I'll be interested to see how well he covers. He'll probably be a 3rd or 4th round pick.

An early mock:

1 - St. Louis - Ndamukong Sue - DT - Once in a generation defensive lineman. Not a need but you put him next to Adam Carricker and Chris Long and that's as nasty as it gets.

2 - Detroit - Gerald McCoy - DT - The Lions had a great draft last year, it continues with McCoy. He'll be a stud.

3 - Tampa - CJ Spiller - RB - Call it the Chris Johnson and Jamal Charles effect. No team wants to pass on the next RB to average 5+ YPC and a home run hitter every time he touches the ball.

4 - Washington - Sam Bradford - QB - They need help on the offensive line, but I don't think Shanahan goes into next season with Campbell. I like Bradford more than many and I think if he's healthy he goes here. Could be Clausen too.

5 - KC - Rolando McClain - ILB - Berry or McClain. Based on Crennel's defense and the emphasis they place on linebackers I'm going with McClain.

6 - Seattle - Russell Okung - - They've got to address QB and OT and they've got two first rounders. I could see them go with Clausen here and nab an OT with their second first rounder. But for now I'll give them Okung.

7 - Cleveland - Eric Berry - DB - Early winners. 'Nuff said.

8 - Oakland - Taylor Mays - S (LOL) - The best physical specimen since Mario Williams goes to a team where the owner loves physical freaks regardless as to whether or not they can actually play football. For the record, I wouldn't go near Mays in the first round.

9 - Buffalo - Jimmy Clausen - QB - They could go with Bryant but I think at some point they need to address the QB position.

10 - Chicago - Dez Bryant - WR - Winners part II and the last thing the NFC North would like to see. Somewhat akin to when the Vikes landed Peterson and Harvin.

11 - Jacksonville - Derrick Morgan - DE - Harvey is solid but Groves isn't working. They need a pass rusher, that's what they get.

12 - Miami - Sergio Kindle - OLB - Moved up with a dominant bowl performance. Exactly what Miami needs.

13 - San Fran - Joe Haden - CB3rd biggest winner. I love Haden. If the Packers could move up for one guy this would be my choice.

14 - Seattle - Jared Odrick - DT - They took an OL with their first pick but Clausen isn't around now. They need a big body, Odrick is that guy.

15 - NYG - Brandon Spikes - MLB - Bit of a reach but it's a need. Brings a thumper and leadership on a defense that needs help.

16 - Tennessee - Carlos Dunlap - DE - It worked well the last time they took a freak DE from Florida.

17 - San Fran - Trent Williams - OT - Exactly what they need.

18 - Pittsburgh - Anthony Davis - OT - Big, physical mauler that will fit in well on a line that needs help.

19 - Atlanta - Jason Pierre Paul - DE - Another team that needs an athletic pass rusher. Anderson never worked for them.

20 - Houston - Earl Thomas - DB - I'm not huge on him, but I think he's the early lock if he makes it here. They need a FS in the worst way.

21 - Cincinnati - Arrelious Benn - WR - Obviously a need, they could go with Golden Tate too.

22 - New England - Brandon Graham - OLB/DE - Most think they'll move up, but I don't know why they would if they could get Graham here. He's the perfect fit for that defense.

23 - Green Bay - Mike Iupati - OL - I'm not a huge fan of Bulaga here. Campbell maybe. Ricky Sapp could be an option opposite Matthews. In the end I'm going with the monster Samoan. At worst he's a dominant OG but I think he'll end up being a standout LT.

Options:
Brandon Spikes
Bryan Bulaga
Arthur Jones
Ricky Sapp
Jahvid Best
Golden Tate
Mike Iupati
Corey Wooten
Bruce Campbell
Perish Cox
Chad Jones
Jonathan Dwyer

Is this your own mock or from another site?

Mine.

I'd be thrilled with Iupati, even if he doesn't get switched to T (and if he does and it works out, all the better). Are we hurting on the interior like we are at T? No, but from everything I've seen (dude was dominant) and read (he's legit) this guy could very well be an all-pro lock at guard for a decade. Just for comparisons sake, if you can draft Steve Hutchinson, do you?

I haven't seen a whole lot of Iupati, but I've read very conflicting reports based on what he can and cannot do at the next level. Hopefully I'll get a better look at him before the draft. Anyone know if he got a Senior Bowl invite? Even if he doesn't, he'll get a look at the East-West Shrine game (which is where TJ Lang showcased himself).

I think WalterFootball does some of the better work I've seen on the web of evaluating players. Here's what they've got on Iupati. http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2010miupati.php

The other sleeper offensive lineman who's getting a lot of hype is Vladimir Ducasse from UMass. I believe he got a Senior Bowl invite so we'll find out a lot more about him then.

DrugBust wrote:Mine.

This draft is so weird because your mock is totally plausible from what I can see, but at the same time there are mocks that have guys like Kindle and Spikes going in the middle of the 2nd that are equally plausible. There are just so many guys that are kind of in that same category where you can be picking at 15 or 60 and potentially be looking at similar prospects.

Wade-A-Holic wrote:

DrugBust wrote:Mine.

This draft is so weird because your mock is totally plausible from what I can see, but at the same time there are mocks that have guys like Kindle and Spikes going in the middle of the 2nd that are equally plausible. There are just so many guys that are kind of in that same category where you can be picking at 15 or 60 and potentially be looking at similar prospects.

Agreed.

Regarding Iupati, I didn't spend my Saturdays watching Idaho football but once I did hear about him and checked the guy out, in just the few minutes I spent watching him I didn't see anything close to Joseph. I think that's a very weird comparison, and I also like Walter Football. The guy I think he closely resembles is Marcus McNeill.

Also, with Spikes, he's a guy I can also see going in the 2nd. I think the right kind of team is going to have to want his experience and leadership and to me that screams NY. No more Antonio Pierce and they've got a gaping hole in the middle. Thomas should be in play their too, I think he'd be good next to Phillips.

DrugBust wrote:

Wade-A-Holic wrote:

DrugBust wrote:Mine.

This draft is so weird because your mock is totally plausible from what I can see, but at the same time there are mocks that have guys like Kindle and Spikes going in the middle of the 2nd that are equally plausible. There are just so many guys that are kind of in that same category where you can be picking at 15 or 60 and potentially be looking at similar prospects.

Agreed.

Regarding Iupati, I didn't spend my Saturdays watching Idaho football but once I did hear about him and checked the guy out, in just the few minutes I spent watching him I didn't see anything close to Joseph. I think that's a very weird comparison, and I also like Walter Football. The guy I think he closely resembles is Marcus McNeill.

I hear you, and I respect your opinion because I know you know your stuff. I'm anxious to see him at the Senior Bowl.

Seeing the depth in this draft makes me all the more irritated that we probably won't get a good draft pick for Kampman. This would have been a GREAT year to get a 1st or 2nd round pick for him.