Todd McShay Chat : Scouts, Inc.
Ryan, Houston, TX: Todd, what do you think is more likely: The Jets trade up with the Texans and take Reggie or they trade up with the Saints and take Matt Leinart
Todd McShay: No brainer... If the Jets move, it will be one spot ahead of the Titans in order to grab Leinart.
Todd McShay: Leinart isn't a superstar prospect and I don't think he'll ever be a QB that can carry a team (ala Elway, Marino, etc.). However, Leinart has the physical and mental tools to succeed as a starter in the NFL if he's surrounded by a solid supporting cast. Out of the three top QB prospects in this class (Young and Cutler), Leinart is the safest. He'll be ready to play almost immediately and he has the intangibles to provide leadership and a winning mentality.
Todd McShay: Anyway, to get back to the question, I don't think the Jets will give up the amount of picks it will take to wrestle the Texans out of the top pick. At the end of the day, the Texans will stay put and take Bush No. 1. After that, it gets interesting because the Saints have put their pick up for public auction.
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Aaron (Charlotte, NC): When are you going to put up your latest mock draft? Will it have LenDale White falling to my Panthers since he decided to show up out of shape to his Pro Day?
Todd McShay: I'm working on an updated Mock today. I'll have it finished by the end of the day and then the poor editors at ESPN.com will have to trudge through my awful writing for a day in order to make it legible. So, look for it at some point on Thursday. White is definately dropping, though. He could easily be the fourth RB taken behind Bush, DeAngelo Williams and Laurence Maroney.
Todd McShay: The good news for White, however, is that several teams drafting near the bottom of the first round are in need of RB help -- including the Broncos at 22, Giants at 25, Panthers at 27, Jets at 29, Colts at 30 and Steelers at 32. That's why, despite how poorly he has handled his business during the postseason, I still don't see White slipping out of the first round.
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Pittsburgh, PA: Any chance that Buffalo drafts a quarterback 8th? Thanks
Todd McShay: I would be shocked. I never liked J.P. Losman as a pro prospect and I think the Bills made a terrible mistake by moving up to draft him at pick No. 22 in 2004. However, they've given him too much money and haven't invested enough time in him yet to write him off. Plus, with Holcomb serving as competition, the team at least has a backup plan.
Todd McShay: In my opinion, the Bills have too many other needs to address -- including OT, DT and CB.
Todd McShay: Trading out in order to stockpile extra picks is a good option. Otherwise, the Bills are sitting pretty with the eighth pick, where they can get the DT of their choice (Haloti Ngata or Brodrick Bunckley) or maybe even use the pick on fast-rising OT Winston Justice, who put on an amazing display at USC's pro day on Sunday.
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Amie (Miami, FL): Hi Todd. When and by whom will Miami LB Rocy McIntosh be drafted? Thanks!
Todd McShay: Good question, Amie. I'm a big McIntosh fan. I think he's one of the most underrated prospects in this year's class. It hurts him, however, that the 2006 crop is loaded with LB talent (Hawk, Sims, Greenway, Carpenter, Ryans, Howard, Hodge, Jackson, etc.). As a result, I could see him slipping to the third round. Currently, I have Rocky graded as a mid-to-late second round pick.
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Brian (PIttsburgh): Where does Stanley McClover play in the NFL, DE or OLB?
Todd McShay: He's an ideal fit as a 3-4 linebacker. He's one of several guys in this year's class that benefit from so many NFL teams moving to a 3-4 either fulltime or as a hybrid scheme.
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Chris (New Orleans): Todd, please explain the thinking behind the Saints taking Mario Williams with Will Smith and Charles Grant on the D-line already. Does that mean they trade Grant? I feel that Fergusson would be a huge upgrade on the O-line.
Todd McShay: I'm with you, Chris. Mario is a special talent. In fact, he's freakish. I mean, how many prospects can you name that have run a 4.66 40-yard dash at 6-7, 295? However, while his upside is enormous, Mario is unpolished and he has a tendency to turn his motor on and off too much when you study him on film. Ferguson has some minor flaws of his own (lacks explosive strength and needs to play with more of a mean streak), but he also has huge upside as an athletic, rangy lineman that looks to be a future Pro Bowl LOT. With that in mind, why wouldn't the Saints go with the prospect that fills a bigger void? In order to protect their investment on Brees, I think it makes great sense to draft Ferguson as the LOT opposite last year's top pick Jammal Brown?
Todd McShay: That's all assuming, of course, that the Saints keep their original pick at No. 2.
Todd McShay: The latest buzz that I'm hearing when talking to friends in the league is that the Saints are truly contemplating taking Leinart at No. 2 if they don't get the type of trade-down offer they're looking for. Brees' contract can easily make him a one-year bridge-the-gap QB in NO and I'm hearing the Saints are more worried about his shoulder than most realize. Stay tuned.
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Bob (Buzzard's Bay, Ma): Why is Jerome Harrison being overlooked so much? He's about the same size as Reggie Bush, compares very well to Reggie against common opponents and ran a 4.47 40 at the combine. He out-produced every other RB on the field, accept Reggie. Reports say he's not as good as his numbers. How can that be?
Todd McShay: You make some good points, Bob. Harrison rushed for 1,900 yards and 16 TD's last season, while also chipping in with 24 catches. He definately did not have the supporting cast that Bush had at USC, either. But let's face it; while Harrison is very good, Bush is exceptional.
Todd McShay: I think Harrison is underrated and could wind up becoming a steal in the third round. At the very least, he should develop into a versatile backup that can contribute as a runner, receiver and on special teams.
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Steve (San Diego): Please tell me Bunkley will make it to 14 for my Birds. If not him Justice?
Todd McShay: Sorry, Steve. I think Brodrick Bunkley and Winston Justice will be gone by the time the Birds pick at 14. Bunkley could go as high as No. 8 to the Bills, and I can't see him slipping past the Browns/Ravens at 12/13. As for Justice, he also could go as high as No. 8 to the Bills and I'm also hearing that Dennis Green & Co. are highly interested at No. 10.
Todd McShay: As for Philly, I think OLB's such as Ernie Sims or Chad Greenway are possibilities. RB DeAngelo Williams is also a possibility. I know people don't want to hear it, but the Eagles need a back that can carry a lot of the regular load in order to keep Westbrook healthy and allow him to do more as a receiver/return specialist.
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Grant ( Napa, Ca): Todd, do you see the broncos trying to package their 2 1st rounders to trade up with frisco to get vernon davis? who it be beneficial to the niners? and who should they take with those two? Thanks
Todd McShay: I can tell you this (from very reliable sources): the Broncos plan on being very active on Day 1 of the draft. I don't think they'll make a blockbuster move to sneak into the top 5 or 6 picks. However, I do think they have guys targetted that they will be willing to move up for. I know they want to use their first two picks on two of the following three positions: TE, WR, RB. Look for them to draft a WR (Holmes or Jackson) or RB (Williams or Maroney) with their first pick. Then, they'll likely trade out of the first round in order to get a TE they covet early in Round 2.
Todd McShay: Ironically, as strong as this year's TE class is, Vernon Davis may wind up as the only TE taken in the first round. Because there is so much depth at the position, teams are confident that they can get a good value in Rounds 2 and 3. As such, guys like Marcedes Lewis, Leonard Pope, Anthony Fasano, Dominique Byrd, etc. are all slipping a bit right now.
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Mickey(Doylestown): Mel Kiper has the Bears taking a CB in the first round, but know they need to load up on offensive firepower like a speed WR like Sinorice Moss or a Big pass catching TE like Leonard Pope?
Todd McShay: Mel and I don't always see eye-to-eye on this stuff, which is one of the reasons this process is so much fun. After all, if you poll 10 GM's on one player you're likely to get five or six differing opinion. WIth that said, I think Mel is right on the mark with the Bears. I see what you're saying, Mickey. The Bears do need help at TE and WR. However, DC is their biggest need right now. With so many quality DC prospects in the second-half of the first round (J. Williams, Hill, Cromartie, Allen, Youboty, Joseph, etc.), the Bears would be wise to cash in. As I said earlier, the TE's will slip. If the Bears can get a DC like Youboty in the first round and a TE like Fasano in the second round, wouldn't you be pleased?
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Matt, MPLS : Pick 17.....Actually get drafted? traded to Falcons for Schaub? Not submitted in time? Something cool I dont even know about?
Todd McShay: I thought we were in the trust tree... with the little branches...
Good Old School reference. It's a new regime with the Vikes now, though. They'll do a good job of being organized and of having a solid game-plan on draft day. I know that Brad Childress wants to draft a young QB to develop, but I don't think he's willing to give up the farm to move up for Leinart, Young or Cutler. If Young or Cutler happens to slip to the 12th pick (one ahead of the Ravens), then you could see the Vikes get aggressive about moving up. Any earlier would require too many picks, though.
Todd McShay: If the Vikes don't find their future franchise QB in the first round, I think they'll look to the defensive side of the ball. With the cover-2 scheme, the Vikes need more athletic linebackers in order to drop and cover more ground. FSU's Ernie Sims would be perfect if he's available.
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Nate (Awesomeville): Any chance the Raiders won't mess up their draft?
Todd McShay: The Raiders are really a wildcard right now. It's widely speculated that Al Davis has a thing for Vince Young, but how could they spend that kind of money on a QB with Brooks, Walter and Tuiasosopo already in the stable. It seems to me that Brooks is a bridge-the-gap solution while Walter develops. In my opinion, the Raiders should try to trade down in order to stockpile picks b/c they have so many needs. If they can't, I would gladly take Texas DB Michael Huff or Maryland TE Vernon Davis (one of the two should be available) with the 7th pick.
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Christopher (Phoenix): How good will Florida?s Chad Jackson be in the pros? What current NFL player does he compare to?
Todd McShay: I think he has the physical tools to develop into a top-10 receiving threat in the NFL. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Chad Johnson (Bengals). He has good size, explosive speed and outstanding natural athleticism. Now, the big question is whether he can put it all together on the next level. When you watch Jackson on film, his play is erratic. He needs a good position coach to help him with his route running skills and he also needs a veteran teammate that will push him and teach him the work ethic it takes to elevate his game to the next level. In short, Jackson can be special if he wants to be. Holmes is the more polished player at this point, but I grade Jackson out slightly higher because he has a higher ceiling.
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AE (DC): Do you see the Skins taking a LB in the 2nd round? If yes, then whom?
Todd McShay: The Skins might as well give vacation days for much of their front office on draft weekend. Their first pick isn't until the second round (53) and they only have two picks (53, 84) in the first four rounds. With that said, They'll be looking LB, OG, DT and DC in the second and third rounds.
Todd McShay: Here are a few names to chew on for you deprived Skins' fans: OLB Rocky McIntosh (Miami), OLB Jon Alston (Stanford), ILB Gerris Wilkerson (Ga. Tech), OG Chris Chester (Oklahoma) , DT Rodrique Wright(Texas) and DC Dee Webb (Florida).
Todd McShay: Well, that's all for today. You guys wore me out. We came up short on 2K again (only 1,400 questions), but I guess that's what happens when you go up against a mega-star like Mike Greenberg on SportsNation.
Todd McShay: I'll be back next Tues. to answer more questions. I'll also be joining Greenberg and Golic (and The Prof.) on ESPN Radio for Day 1 of the draft. So, if you can't get to the tube to catch Mel & the gang, make sure to tune in for all the updated picks and analysis on ESPN Radio. Be well.
