Packerats 2010 Mock Draft

[Joemailman]

With the FA acquisition of Karlos Dansby, WR and OLB now become the biggest areas of need for the Dolphins. Carlton Mitchell is a consideration, but the Dolphins will go with edge rusher Dekoda Watson OLB Florida State

Strengths:
Terrific athleticism --- Very good speed --- Quick with a burst --- Great change of direction skills --- Long arms --- Reliable tackler --- Sideline-to-sideline range --- Does a nice job in pursuit --- Able to match up in coverage --- Tough --- Smart --- Competitive --- Hard worker --- Leader.

Weaknesses:
Severely undersized --- Doesn't play strong --- Average instincts and awareness --- Has trouble getting off blocks --- Will get pushed around at times --- Will not be a fit for every system --- Durability is a concern.

[packrulz]

The Jags of course signed free agent Aaron Kampman and drafted Derrick Morgan in round one so they're set at DE, QB Tony Pike is considered, but the defense still needs linebackers, so they select: Sean Lee, ILB Penn State

jmbarnes101 is on the clock...

[jmbarnes101]

Due to trades they made last year to acquire Jay Cutler and Gaines Adams the Bears are without a draft pick in the first two rounds of this years draft. That doesn't mean they haven't done anything to change their team however. After going to the Super Bowl in 2006 the Bears are now starting to break up that team and bring in others. They seemed to be the big winners in free agency landing Julius Peppers,Chester Taylor, and Brandon Manamaleula. They've also let go of some former key players on defense such as Alex Brown and Nathan Vasher and the sudden and unexpected death of Gaines Adams didn't help either.

With the entire front office and coaching staff on the hot seat it will be interesting to see how this year goes for this team and after bringing in former coaches Mike Martz and Mike Tice, Lovie Smith shouldn't be too comfortable this year.

The questions for the Bears are many but two of them are how much will Mike Martz change this offense and can the defense rebound to close to previous levels.

While some would say that one of the Bears major needs is WR but their two biggest needs are on the offensive line and in the secondary.

With their pick the Chicago Bears select...

Jon Asamoah, OG Illinois

While the Bears could use a Free Safety, there isn't one available worth drafting at this spot so the Bears turn towards the other spot they really need help with. Cutler was under duress a lot last year and Asamoah, while better in a zone blocking system, should be able to help keep pass rushers off Cutler just a bit longer to help him complete passes to his downfield targets. Smart, committed, and willing to take direction Asamoah can play OG and C and should be able to compete for a starting spot from day 1.

Analysis courtesy of Nfldraftcountdown.com
Strengths:
Ideal height and bulk --- Is super athletic --- Quick and Agile --- Nimble feet --- Nice balance and body control --- Terrific mobility and range to pull and get to the second level --- Able to recover when beat --- Good strength --- Violent hand use --- Is stout at the point of attack --- Can move defenders off the line --- Very Smart --- Has a fantastic motor and finishes his blocks --- Tough --- Extremely Versatile --- A great work ethic -- Competitive --- Leader --- Durable --- Lots of quality experience.

Weaknesses:
Short arms --- Doesn't always utilize proper leverage --- Will bend at the waist --- Gets caught reaching and lunging --- Not overly powerful and won't manhandle opponents --- Average instincts and awareness.

Notes:
Last name is pronounced "ass-uh-MOW-uh" --- A three-year starter for the Fighting Illini --- Named 2nd Team All-Big Ten in 2009 --- Could project to either guard or center at the next level and might even be able to play tackle in a pinch --- Didn't miss any games in college but suffered a shoulder injury (fractured scapula) during the Senior Bowl practices --- Also excelled in the classroom and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors --- Good all-around player who is effective in pass pro and as a run blocker --- Possesses a superb mix of physical tools and intangibles --- Best fit may come in a zone blocking scheme --- Profiles as an NFL starter and will at the absolute least be a valuable backup.

[Joemailman]

After losing Kenny Phillips to a serious knee injury, the Giants' secondary was a disaster. So much so that they signed Aaron Rouse. Even if Phillips makes a complete recovery, the Safety position is a major problem for the Giants.

Therefore, the Giants will select Major Wright S Florida

Strengths:
Adequate height and ideal bulk --- Good timed speed with a burst and closes in a hurry --- Great instincts --- Extremely physical --- Reliable tackler and a knockout hitter --- Active with a terrific motor --- Does a fantastic job against the run --- Good range --- Nice hands and ball skills --- Big special teams potential --- A lot of high - quality experience.

Weaknesses:
Not overly explosive or athletic --- Stiff --- Hips aren't fluid and doesn't transition well --- Will struggle to match up in man coverage --- Too aggressive and gets out of control at times --- Takes some bad angles

[packrulz]

Tennessee already lost DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to Detroit and isn't expected to re-sign C Kevin Mawae. DE Jason Babin and CB Tye Hill were signed, but defensive end and cornerback remain the two biggest areas of need. The Titans select: Javier Arenas, CB Alabama

Overview
With an SEC-record seven punt returns for touchdowns, Arenas might be known more for his agility, vision and acceleration as a return specialist, but these skills proved to be just as effective over his final two seasons as a starting cornerback -- which is why he's flying up draft boards.

Highly touted as a prep athlete due to his return skills, Arenas made an immediate impact for the Tide as a freshman. He returned two punts for scores -- including an 86-yarder against Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl that broke school and bowl records, but did not register a tackle.

He saw the field as a valuable backup in the secondary as a sophomore, registering 20 stops, including two tackles for loss. Again, however, his return skills earned him the most attention, as Arenas returned a punt 61 yards for score against LSU and averaged 24.3 yards per kickoff and 15.4 yards per punt -- both good enough for second all-time in Crimson Tide history.

Arenas was even better as a junior, returning three punts (87, 80 and 73 yards) for scores and emerging as an all-conference selection at cornerback with 63 tackles, eight passes broken up and an interception, which he naturally returned for a touchdown.

Arenas returned his record-breaking seventh punt for a score against Chattanooga as a senior, but otherwise saw his average drop slightly as teams simply refused to kick to him. If his production as a returner was disappointing in 2009, Arenas' play at cornerback and as an all-around defender certainly was not. Despite missing the South Carolina game due to bruised ribs, Arenas finished with a staggering 71 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and five interceptions. He was at his best in the big games, essentially ending the contest against Florida in the SEC Championship Game with an end zone interception of Tim Tebow and securing two interceptions in the national title game. Arenas has a short, stocky build well-suited to playing inside in nickel coverage. He boasts rare foot quickness, balance and instincts and has proven a reliable open-field tackler and productive blitzer. Despite his staggering production, Arenas lack of height and below-average straight-line speed will be a problem for teams using man coverage -- though zone teams may still value him as a top 120 prospect.

Analysis
Read & React: Good anticipatory skills. Reads the action and breaks on the ball quickly. Can be beaten with good play-action fakes. Lacks the deep speed to recover and has to be protected over the top by a safety.

Man Coverage: Flashes an aggressive pop at the line of scrimmage when in man coverage. Good lateral agility to turn and run with receivers. More quick than fast, and can be beaten over the top if left alone in man coverage.

Zone Coverage: Alert and active defender when in zone. Reads the action quickly and gets a good break on the ball, especially on short and intermediate routes. Disciplined defender and reliable tackler.

Closing/Recovery: Lacks the straight-line speed needed to recover if beaten initially. Quick feet and possesses a very good first step to accelerate out of his breaks to close. Has good leaping ability, but lacks the height teams prefer and can be beaten by bigger, taller receivers. Natural hands and an obvious threat with the ball in his hands.

Run Support: Aggressive fighting through blocks to come up in run support. Highly active defender and an effective open-field tackler.

Tackling: Secure open-field tackler who breaks down in space against shifty athletes. Not a big hitter, but wraps his arms around his target with good drive for a player his size. Struggles some against bigger receivers, but has good strength to drag them down quickly.

Intangibles: Knack for returning punts/kicks didn't just develop in college -- he set the record for Robinson High School in Tampa with seven returns for touchdowns as a senior. Good athletic bloodlines. Cousin, Gilbert Arenas, plays in the NBA for the Washington Wizards.

[packrulz]

The Panthers released strong-side linebackers Na'il Diggs and Landon Johnson, and defensive tackles Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis leaving important openings, the Panthers select: Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina

Overview
Joseph's name was not expected to be on the league's final list of 53 underclassmen declaring for the draft, but NFL teams are likely to be happy it was. The former Florida state weightlifting champion and all-state football star decided to leave the Pirates, at least partially due to head coach Skip Holtz leaving ECU for Tampa to take over at South Florida.

The first-team All-Conference USA performer (60 tackles, 22 solo, 13 for loss, three sacks) combines strength and an ability to pressure the quarterback very rarely found in someone his size. He was an immediate contributor for ECU, making 40 tackles, 8.5 for loss, with four starts in 13 games as a freshman. Joseph then earned honorable mention all-conference honors with 43 tackles, eight for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

Joseph's potential is intriguing, but there are questions about his functional strength and stamina, which could limit his value to some teams. Others might end up drafting him higher than his ability warrants because of a pressing need at the position.

Analysis
Pass rush: Looks like a nose tackle but plays like a three-technique, penetrating and getting consistent pressure when fresh. Good closing speed for his size, swallows up quarterbacks that lack great elusiveness. Straight-ahead runner, however with limited lateral quickness, will not break down to change direction in the backfield.

Run defense: Adequate anchoring against double-team blocking due to thick legs and a wide upper body and will move to the ballcarrier after he's through the line. Can be moved and doesn't rip off blocks to stop the play before it starts. Willing to chase down the line and downfield between the tackles if he sees the ball in his area. Susceptible to the cut block. Not strong enough to arm tackle backs in the hole.

Explosion: Surprising quickness off of the snap for his size, gets into his gap in a hurry when fresh. Does not deliver much pop to his opponent with his hands on initial contact, however, relying on athleticism to get the job done.

Strength: Does not play as strong as you would think because he plays high and does not consistently use his hands to disengage. Does not reset his hands, get leverage by getting his hands under pads, or attempt to churn his legs after contact to push his man into the backfield.

Tackling: Length and wide body allows him to engulf players in his path. Gives effort to chase, can be effective when well rested. Gets a lot of assisted tackles because of his hustle. Does not sink his hips when approaching the ball, however, and is easily eluded by quicker players in space.

Intangibles: Part of a rotation inside, possibly due to stamina issues. Looks to be winded when playing two consecutive series. Dropped 70 pounds after his freshman season (came to EUC at more than 370 pounds) due to a back injury, regained 20 before 2008 season.

Brandon494 is on the clock...

[Brandon494]

With the 79th pick in the NFL Mock Draft the 49ers select...

Dezmon Briscoe

Overview

Briscoe is a talented receiver that has been plagued with inconsistencies. He builds to speed more than being explosive or instant but does show a gear to pull away once he gets even with defenders and can run down some deep balls. He is not as physical or aggressive to the ball when in a crowd as you’d expect for someone with his size. If he can mature both physically as well as emotionally he has a chance to become a quality second receiver.


Strengths

Briscoe has really nice size. Has been extremely productive in college. Has a nice set of hands and can grab the errant throw, fight for the jump ball and extend and catch away from his body. Is a surprisingly effective player after the catch. Is natural with the ball in his hands, can make defenders miss, and has a natural feel for finding open seams.

Weaknesses

Briscoe needs to become a more consistent performer. Isn’t overly sudden and builds to speed as he goes. Doesn’t eat up cushions quickly. Occasionally hears footsteps over the middle and gets alligator arms. Needs to become more reliable catching the ball in traffic.

OS PA on the clock....

[OS PA]

The Denver Broncos are on the clock and after bolstering their offense in the first two rounds with Dez Bryant, WR, and Vlad Ducasse, OT, they are looking to start pumping more talent into their defense. The signing of Jamaal Williams was a huge(pun intended) step in the right direction for their 3-4. Elvis Dumerville was arguably the most improved player from last year. Brian Dawkins still has "it". Champ Bailey has lost a step, but is still among the best corners in the league. But, the Broncos are severely lacking in DE talent as well as their linebacking core, which leaves a lot to be desired.

Thaddeus Gibson is an intriguing prospect, but at 6'2 243 he is undersized for a 3-4 end. However by running a 4.5/4.6 at the combine and showing incredible athleticism during drills, Gibson is considered to be able to make the leap to 3-4 OLB where he could be a force as an outside pass rusher. The Broncos were so close to making the playoffs last year, and they have picks later in the draft that could be spent on developing a OLB from a DE, so they decide to pass on Gibson for a collegiate linebacker that could step in and rush the passer from day one.

Greg Hardy, DE, Navarro Bowman, OLB, and Alex Carrington, DE are considered here as well, but the GM goes a different direction.

With the 80th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft the Denver Broncos select Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina

Norwood is a short, well-built player that has been the Gamecocks' most productive defender over the past three seasons. He plays out of control at times, not leveraging the ball or maintaining his gap responsibility. He is a solid tackler, keeping good balance and wrapping effectively in the open field. Norwood isn’t a powerful hitter but does keep his pads over his feet which make him an efficient tackler. He is an instinctive player that reads quickly as both a run and pass defender. Norwood shows decent range in coverage but may be a liability in pure man schemes. He possesses strong hands to control blockers on contact and his low-center of gravity makes him tough to get off his feet. Norwood is a good football player that does have some limitations and discipline concerns (angles, leverage, etc.) but has enough tools to be a solid contributor at the next level.

Strengths
Norwood’s a player who’s at his best when the lights are on. He’s a tough, competitive player who was highly productive in college. Doesn’t have any durability questions. Is an efficient tackler who can really break down in space and wrap up. Solid athlete and effective blitzer who displays good hand use and has a great motor in pursuit.

Weaknesses
For a player who loves to rush the passer, Norwood lacks ideal height. He can take inconsistent angles and needs to improve defending the run on the edge. Plays undisciplined at times within the defensive scheme. Can be caught out of position. Can play in coverage but could struggle in man against backs at the next level.

[packrulz]

Freds Slacks is on the clock...

[OS PA]

Just to get my next pick out of the way, because I'm not sure if I'll be around tonight. The Texans got their running back earlier so there shouldn't be a problem, but if Fred picks the player that I picked, just insert either Montario Hardesty or Greg Hardy instead. Thanks!

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a tough situation here. It appears that Big Ben will not take the fall for his night of mischief earlier this year, but the NFL still could come down hard on him for his recent string of immaturity. The Steelers offense has moved towards the precision passing game, and if they don't have Big Ben at the helm for part of the season, their offense could sputter. They have decent talent at WR and TE, and their offensive line was beefed up with the addition of Mike Iuapati. However, with the discovery last year that Fast Willie Parker had turned into Slow Willie Parker and Rashard Mendehall is not quite the player this wished he would be, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to replace the hole that Willie left when he was cut.

Greg Hardy is a tempting prospect on the defensive line, but is not quite big enough nor mature enough to handle being a 3/4 defensive end. There are plenty of big boys left to plump up their line later in the draft, so the Steelers look towards two running backs with this pick.

Montario Hardesty is an intriguing prospect with his combination of vision and balance, but the Steelers already have a Hardesty-like back in the roster in Mendehall and Moore. So they turn to look at the school that produced a gamebreaking type back who plays for the Superbowl Champs, is as good a running back as he is a receiver, and has the second and third gear that it takes to take the rock to the house in the NFL.

With the 82nd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft the Pittsburgh Steelers select Joe McKnight, RB, USC.

McKnight is an elusive ball carrier that knows how to set up his blockers and does not need a huge lane to run through. He enjoyed his first full season staying healthy in 2009 and declared early to take advantage of that. He finishes his runs off better than you’d expect for someone his size. He is not a power back but does know how to dip his pads to run through arm tackles and will attack tacklers with an explosive burst. He shows a good burst through the hole and while he has good speed to threaten deep he will get run down from behind at times. He can be an effective receiver both out in the flats as well as downfield.

Strengths
McKnight has elite quickness and agility for the running back position. Has good speed in the open field. Shows impressive vision, waits for the play to develop, finds the cutback lane. Very competitive with the ball in his hands and plays with the attitude of a bigger back. Was productive in college. Exhibits a natural feel setting up blockers.

Weaknesses
McKnight has enough height but lacks the bulk and thick build of an every down back. Doesn’t possess the natural strength to be consistently effective between the tackles. Dealt with some minor injuries in college while sharing the load. Blocking could use some polish. Isn’t a true power runner.

[Fred's Slacks]

The texans love to grab defensive talent in the draft and this pick is no exception. They feel they get great value and complete their spectacular LB trio by picking Navorro Bowman LB Penn State.

[Brandon494]

Steelers select Joe McKnight from previous post by OS PA

jmbarnes101 on the clock.....

[Brandon494]

The texans love to grab defensive talent in the draft and this pick is no exception. They feel they get great value and complete their spectacular LB trio by picking Navorro Bowman LB Penn State.

Good pick, I almost picked him with the 49ers pick but felt they needed more help on offense than defense.

[OS PA]

The texans love to grab defensive talent in the draft and this pick is no exception. They feel they get great value and complete their spectacular LB trio by picking Navorro Bowman LB Penn State.

Good pick, I almost picked him with the 49ers pick but felt they needed more help on offense than defense.

I struggled with the Broncos pick. I haven't seen many of these 3rd rounders play, so I had to go by what a bunch of sites said and decided on Eric Norwood over Bowman. This draft is super deep in Linebacker prospects. I'm a big Muckelroy fan, wonder if he'll go before Round 4.

[Fred's Slacks]

The texans love to grab defensive talent in the draft and this pick is no exception. They feel they get great value and complete their spectacular LB trio by picking Navorro Bowman LB Penn State.

Good pick, I almost picked him with the 49ers pick but felt they needed more help on offense than defense.

I struggled with the Broncos pick. I haven't seen many of these 3rd rounders play, so I had to go by what a bunch of sites said and decided on Eric Norwood over Bowman. This draft is super deep in Linebacker prospects. I'm a big Muckelroy fan, wonder if he'll go before Round 4.

Thanks for the props Brandon. And there is nothing wrong with the Norwood pick. Also a good prospect and possibly a better fit for the 3-4. No doubt this is a deep draft for LB. Not just these guys but Worlids and Thadeus Gibson are both still avialable as well.