Official 2008 NFL Draft thread Day 2

[red]

NE screwed San Diego.

like they need it. they got a first this year, and they'll get a 2 next year

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

NE screwed San Diego.

Teams want the pats to good forever I think.

[Rastak]

Ravens take LB Gooden.....


Strengths: Possesses adequate height/bulk to play MLB or WLB in a 4-3 scheme, and is a very good athlete for his size. Very smooth in his hips; shows good change-of-direction skills and closing burst to the ball carrier. Shows outstanding initial quickness once he makes the proper read. Displays excellent lateral quickness and is a sideline-to-sideline run defender. Takes quality angles and does an outstanding job of wrapping up in space. Most of his production comes as a run-stopper but his interception in the first quarter (7:10 remaining) of the season-opener versus Marshall provides a glimpse of his potential in coverage. He reads screen all the way, jumps the pass and makes a shoe-string interception. If coached properly, he has the fluid hips and speed to cover lots of ground in zone and can match up with most backs one-on-one. He displays the closing burst to make an impact as a pass rusher. Also possesses the physical skills (speed and tackling) to excel cover kicks in the NFL.

Weaknesses: Possesses adequate but not ideal bulk. Needs to become more aggressive and physical when it comes to taking on blocks. He's well built and is a solid tackler but he lacks explosive power. A bit too much of a finesse player. Takes the easy way out sometimes. Does not attack the gap as hard as he should at times and will dance around some blocks he should take on. Plays with too narrow of a base and gets washed out by bigger blockers too easily in the phone booth. Occasionally is a bit slow in reading his key. Occasionally will be a quarter count late and also will get caught peeking in the backfield at times. Needs to improve his array of pass rush moves. Gets held up in traffic too much and must learn better moves (spin, rip, club, etc.) to disengage.

Overall: In his first four seasons at Miami (2003-'06), Gooden appeared in 37 games (15 starts) and amassed 137 tackles (15 for losses), half a sack, five pass breakups and a blocked kick (which he recovered for a touchdown). In 2005, he suffered a left shoulder dislocation in the season opener that required season-ending surgery, which led to his receiving a medical redshirt season. In 2007, he had 100 tackles (three for losses), three fumble recoveries, three pass breakups and an interception. During his five years with the Hurricanes, Gooden played all three linebacker positions, including middle linebacker last season. In '06, he suffered a concussion and missed two games. In '04, a left shoulder sprain limited him to coming off the bench over Miami's last three games. Bottom line: Gooden was a tackling machine on a disappointing Hurricanes defense in 2007. He is a good-sized, fluid athlete with very good closing burst to the ball carrier. He certainly has the skills to develop into a playmaker in coverage and as a pass rusher. However, he is undisciplined with his reads, he lacks explosive power and he needs to do a better job taking on and shedding blockers in the iso-run game. He may fit better at WLB in the NFL. Regardless, Gooden is a bit of a boom-or-bust prospect as a late-second or third round pick because he seems to have curable weaknesses but only time will tell if he's coachable enough, tough enough and instinctive enough to take his game to the next level.

[Fritz]

Damn. The Chargers gave up a 2nd rounder next year to move up into the third round this year?

And then drafted a damn fullback.

Wow. Maybe the Chargers should steal the old Patriots' helmet logo...a guy bending over...

[red]

i'm really getting sick of the caveman commercials

those stopped being funning about 2 years ago

[Rastak]

Bills take DE Ellis:


trengths: Quick, anticipates snap counts fairly well and flashes the ability to disrupt running plays behind the line of scrimmage. Takes adequate angles to the ball, plays with a good motor and makes some plays in pursuit. Is fast enough to turn the corner, has above-average but not elite closing speed and is a relentless pass rusher. Can change directions quickly and is capable of developing effective double moves. Wraps up upon contact and is a sound open field tackler that Flashes the ability to deliver the big hit. Tall enough to add bulk up and should get stronger at the point of attack.

Weaknesses: Undersized and is vulnerable to wearing down if asked to play an every-down role. Plays a little too high, doesn't have great lower body strength and is going to struggle to anchor when teams run at him. Doesn't deliver a powerful punch and can take too long to shed blocks. Relies on burst too much, doesn't do a great job of setting offensive tackles up to the outside before redirecting inside and isn't capable of regularly beating double teams. Lacks ideal awareness and doesn't always get hands up when isn't going to get to the quarterback. Charged with obstructing an officer in late September 2006 and Virginia Tech suspended him for the Georgia Tech game as a result. Underwent shoulder surgery to repair torn labrum in right shoulder in 2003, slowed by shoulder injury during 2006 season, he missed 2007 spring practices after undergoing shoulder surgery and his durability is a concern.

Overall: Ellis was redshirted in 2003. In his next three seasons (2004-'06), he appeared in 38 games (21 starts) and registered 112 tackles (27 for losses) and 13.5 sacks. As a senior in 2007, he started all 14 games and posted 53 tackles (nine for losses), 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception (which he returned five yards for a touchdown) and five pass breakups. Ellis sat out 2007 spring drills after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He had the same surgery in October of his redshirt freshman year ('03). He also suffered a right shoulder sprain in 2006 but played through the injury. In 2006, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. Ellis' injury history and problems anchoring against the run make him a fringe first day pick but he's got the frame to add some weight and get stronger at the point of attack so there's a lot to like about his upside in a one-gap scheme. In addition, he has the burst and top-end speed to make an immediate impact as a situational pass rusher.

[ND72]

the "tweener" HB/FB pick for the chargers is a good pick. They need a backup and a "bruiser" to give LT a rest. I like the pick for them.

[Rastak]

Chiefs take RB Charles.....


trengths: Reads blocks well and shows adequate patience. Explosive, turns corner quickly and turns on the jets when gets into space. Moves well laterally and is capable of exploiting cutback lanes. Shows good balance, flashes a strong stiff arm and can pick up yards after contact. Changes directions well, can quickly change gears and makes defenders miss in the open field. Has adequate experience catching the ball out of the backfield and isn't going to drop many passes should catch. Fast enough to go the distance when gets a seam and is a dangerous open field runner after the catch. Doesn't shy away from contact and shows adequate awareness when asked to help out in pass protection.

Weaknesses: Lacks elite size, relatively high center of gravity makes him vulnerable to big hits and there are concerns about ability to hold up as the primary ball carrier over the course of a 16-game season. Hindered by an ankle injury during freshman season, missed 2006 Sam Houston State game with an injury and sustained an ankle injury in 2007 so durability is somewhat of a concern. Lacks elite lower body strength and is going to have some problems pushing the pile in short-yardage situations. Has improved in this area but still dances behind the line at times and gets caught in the backfield a little too much. Doesn't always practice sound ball security and has had problems putting the ball on the ground. Struggles to anchor in pass protection and needs to attack the thighs of defenders when picking up the blitz. Lacks experience returning kicks.

Overall: Charles started three of the 13 games he played in during his true freshman season in 2005 finishing with 878 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 119 carries. He also caught 14 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns that year. Charles started one of the 12 games he appeared in during the 2006 season finishing with 831 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 156 carries. He also caught 18 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown that year. Charles started all 13 games of the 2007 season finishing with 1,619 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 258 carries. He also caught 17 passes for 199 yards last year. Additionally, Charles ran track at Texas during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Charles isn't a power back who can wear defenses down over the course of the game or consistently push the pile in short-yardage situations. However, he is a dangerous open field runner with exceptional burst to run away from defenders. Charles is tougher to bring down than his size might indicate and catches the ball better than people seem to think. His fourth-quarter production in 2007 is hard to ignore. There's also something to be said for his improvement over the past two years since turning full attention to the gridiron. With all that in mind, we feel comfortable giving Charles a second-round grade.

[The Leaper]

Guy I'd like that Packers to get in the 3rd:

Roy Schuening: OG, Oregon St.

[Rastak]

KC with another good value pick.

[Rastak]

Good pick, Panthers take Conner.....


Strengths: Is tall with adequate bulk and room on his frame to get bigger. Displays very good natural instincts. Is physical, tough and aggressive, but also disciplined. Plays with a mean streak and his motor never stops running. At his best when he's protected and playing in space. Reads his keys quickly, takes solid angles in pursuit and shows good closing burst to the ball carrier. Does a fine job of using his hands to keep blockers off his body when flowing to the ball. Shows good upper-body strength. Reliable tackler; he breaks down effectively in space and consistently wraps up with good power at the point of attack. Gets good depth on his drops and displays adequate-to-good range in zone coverage. Displays good ball skills for his position. Has a nose for the ball and always seems to be in on big plays. Is an instinctive blitzer with good closing burst to the QB when he gets through the line.

Weaknesses: Plays a bit high at times. Stronger upper body than lower body. Plays with somewhat of a narrow base and will struggle in some phone booth matchups versus bigger blockers. Good quickness laterally and coming forward, but takes a bit too long in transition when turning and running. Makes up for it with instincts in zone but he will have some trouble sticking with quicker RB's one-on-one in coverage. Needs to improve his array of pass rush moves. Character issues need to be looked at (suspended for three games in 2005 after being cited for harassing phone calls) but are unlikely to cause him to slip in the draft.

Overall: Connor appeared in 33 games (24 starts) in his first three seasons (2004-'06), registering 274 tackles (19 for losses), 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three interceptions and an 18-yard fumble return for a touchdown. In 2005, he was suspended three games after placing a series of harassing phone calls. In 2006, he suffered a broken right hand but didn't miss any games. As a senior in 2007, he started all 13 games and finished the season with 145 tackles (15 for losses), 6.5 sacks, six pass breakups and an interception. Connor was a first team All-America selection in 2007 and a second-teamer in '06. He played both inside and outside linebacker with the Nittany Lions. Connor's brothers, Jim and Mike, both played college football. Connor has experience playing inside and outside linebacker. From what we see on film, his best fit in the NFL will be at middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. Connor will need to add some bulk and improve his ability to take on blocks in the phone booth. He also has some room to improve when it comes to his technique in man-to-man coverage. However, Connor displays excellent natural instincts versus the run and in zone coverage and he has the speed to play sideline-to-sideline when protected from the linemen in front of him. Connor is a bit more physical and fluid than former Nittany Lion teammate Paul Posluszny (2nd round to Buffalo, 2007), which is why we expect Connor to come off the board earlier in this year's draft likely mid-to-late portion of the first round.

[red]

finally

[Lurker64]

KC's draft just seems to be oozing value at this point. It's nice to need either everything or nothing, you can just take the good players.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

The cats have some nice backers.

[SkinBasket]

Guy I'd like that Packers to get in the 3rd:

Roy Schuening: OG, Oregon St.

I'm rooting for Reggie Smith. For safety.