Official 2007 Live Draft Thread

[Rastak]

The Vikes are by far the Packs biggest rival as of late. Just when the Bears got good we sucked but the Vikes and us seem to rise and fall together and it's always a battle.

Yea, I have to agree. There are plenty of reasons to admire the Packers franchise. I may not like them much but I do respect what they stand for....

[Rastak]

SEattle makes it's pick...



Josh Wilson
CB | (5'9", 189, 4.39) | MARYLAND

Scouts Grade: 83

Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position Selected by: Seattle Seahawks
Round: 2
Pick (Overall): 23(55)

Strengths: Shows a second gear when tracking the ball downfield and is fast enough to recover when gets caught out of position Shows excellent closing speed when coming forward and can cover a lot of ground quickly in coverage. Plays with a mean streak, fills hard when reads run and flashes the ability to deliver the big hit. Works to the whistle and has sideline-to-sideline range. Shows an adequate sense of timing and can get to the quarterback quickly when asked to blitz. Blocked three kicks at the collegiate level, is a dangerous kickoff return man and should make an immediate impact on special teams.

Weaknesses: While tough and doesn't shy away from contact, is undersized and could get pushed around at times. Gives receivers too much of a cushion and appears to have problems opening hips when forced to turn and run downfield. Footwork is inconsistent, doesn't stay low enough when backpedaling and can take too long to change directions. Doesn't use hands all that well and hasn't shown the ability to consistently slow down receivers at the line of scrimmage. Lacks ideal awareness and takes too long to recognize running plays. Gets engulfed by bigger receivers and takes too long to shed blocks when gets reached. Fails to wrap up upon contact at times and is an inconsistent open field tackler. Though an explosive open field runner that flashes big-play ability, doesn't have great hands.

Overall: Wilson appeared in all 11 games as a true freshman in 2003 collecting two total tackles. In 2004, he saw action in all 11 games (started the last four) and made 27 total tackles including two for loss, broke up two passes, and forced two fumbles. Wilson then started all 11 games in 2005 amassing 73 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks. In 2006, Wilson played in/started all 13 contests and recorded 55 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, 12 pass breakups, and one blocked kick.
Wilson lacks prototypical size for an every-down corner and he still has room to improve on his footwork, but he more than makes up for it with rare speed and a physical style of play. If his technique progresses as expected, he should become a dependable starter. He also has extra value as a potential return specialist in the NFL. Wilson projects as a late-second or third round pick.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Rastak]

Crowder to the Broncos....



Tim Crowder
DE | (6'3", 272, 4.69) | TEXAS

Scouts Grade: 83


Strengths: Has bulked up and now possesses a very good combination of size and speed. Plays with a good motor, possesses adequate range and always seems to be around the ball at the end of the play. Plays with good leverage and has the base to stack versus the run. Takes good angles to the ball, uses quick feet to make plays in space and is a reliable open field tackler that flashes the ability to knock the ball loose. He can be relentless as a pass rusher. Has adequate lower body strength and flashes the ability to collapse the pocket. Possesses good leaping ability, times jumps well and gets hands up when isn't going to get to the quarterback. He has been durable and has proven he will play through pain throughout his career. While he dislocated three fingers in 2005, he played in every game. He's a dedicated worker off-the-field.

Weaknesses: He displays adequate but not great athletic ability. He struggled to generate consistent pass-rush pressure versus some of the top OT's he faced at the collegiate level. Doesn't always anticipate the snap well, appears a step slow at times and is inconsistent. While he has good upper body strength and extends arms once in position, he has some problems locating the ball carrier and takes too long to shed blocks at times. He can be inconsistent in terms of his ability to take on and disengage from blocks. He also can be overaggressive and will get caught too far upfield or inside.

Overall: Crowder played in all 13 games with nine starts as a true freshman in 2003 after stepping in for the starter who suffered a season ending injury. He finished his true freshman campaign with 35 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and two forced fumbles. In 2004, Crowder became the starter at left defensive end for all 12 games and recorded 47 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He once again started every game (13) in 2005 and earned First Team All-Big 12 honors from the coaches after making 50 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. Crowder started all 13 games during the 2006 season and made 59 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, forced four fumbles, and recovered one fumble for a touchdown garnering him a consensus First Team All-Big 12 selection.
Crowder is inconsistent, he needs to improve his hand usage and his motor seems to run hot and cold. However, he has very good natural physical tools, including an ideal combination of size and speed. He displays the strength to develop into an effective run defender and the closing burst to make plays behind the line of scrimmage in the NFL -- versus the run and pass. As it stands right now, Crowder projects as a second round pick.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[pbmax]

Only prediction of second Round:

Broncos take Ryan Kalil

[pbmax]

SO much for that, and I'm out of the prediction business.

[SD GB fan]

i wanna see josh wilson go against calvin johnson

[Bretsky]

The Raiders traded for Mike Williams from Detroit.

Makes you wonder if they are planning for Moss's departure

On the Packer flagship they wondered if the Green Bay pick was a sign as well and went as far as speculating whether a few DL might be involved in the trade talks

[Rastak]

SO much for that, and I'm out of the prediction business.

LOL, don't feel bad......who knows what'll happen next.

[pbmax]

I was cheating anyway, just read that rumor on PFT's Draft Blog

[hurleyfan]

The Raiders traded for Mike Williams from Detroit.

Makes you wonder if they are planning for Moss's departure

On the Packer flagship they wondered if the Green Bay pick was a sign as well and went as far as speculating whether a few DL might be involved in the trade talks

I wonder if there has been this much "planning / scheming" for Randy Moss??

[Rastak]

Eagles take....



Victor Abiamiri
DE | (6'4", 267, 4.8) | NOTRE DAME

Scouts Grade: 79 Selected by: Philadelphia Eagles
Round: 2
Pick (Overall): 25(57)

Strengths: Outstanding physique. Is tall, well-built and chiseled. Still has enough room on his frame to add 10 more pounds in the future. Displays explosive upper body power. He has long arms and strong hands. He can knock OT's back on their heels with his initial pop (see: USC OT Winston Justice in first series of 2005 game). Is a fluid athlete with very good change-of-direction skills. Displays the athleticism to occasionally drop into coverage when asked. He has good initial burst and adequate top-end speed as an edge rusher. Is a powerful tackler that continues to improve in terms of his ability to wrap-up in the open field. He is a hard worker and he continues to improve with more experience.

Weaknesses: Possesses adequate but not great speed. He plays too high at times and needs to show more consistency when taking on blockers. He seems to lack ideal instincts and occasionally will take too long to find the ball. Needs to play with more consistent leverage and do a better job of using his hands to keep off blocks. Durability isn't a huge issue but he did miss 2005 spring drills after suffering a leg injury.

Overall: Abiamiri appeared in all 12 games (five starts) as a true freshman in 2003 and finished the year with 22 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack. In 2004, he saw action in every game (12), started one contest (Ohio State), and recorded 15 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. Abiamiri started all 12 contests in 2005 and made 46 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one forced fumble. In 2006, Abiamiri started all 13 games giving him 25 straight starts to end his career. He finished the season with 43 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Abiamiri steadily progressed throughout his career at Notre Dame. A situational pass rusher early on, he progressed to a fulltime starter's role as a junior in 2005 and had the best season of his career as a senior in 2006. He has upper-echelon natural tools and he looks the part of a potential Pro Bowler. The only thing he's missing physically is elite top-end speed. Also, while he was much more consistent as a senior, he still seems to lack ideal instincts. As a result, Abiamiri is a bit of a boom-or-bust prospect that should come off the 2007 draft board in the second-to-third round range.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[RashanGary]

I heard it on the Radio too, B.

I don't want to give up any of our DL. We need a rotation of 4 DT's and 4 DE's. I wouldn't give up any of them. Acctually, I'd be happy if we draft another DE.

[Brainerd]

Michael Turner will be with the Chargers unless something different happens. -- Norv Turner

Lol.

[hurleyfan]

Michael Turner will be with the Chargers unless something different happens. -- Norv Turner

Lol.

That's for sure, they're not getting the 1st they were looking for

[pittstang5]

I heard it on the Radio too, B.

I don't want to give up any of our DL. We need a rotation of 4 DT's and 4 DE's. I wouldn't give up any of them. Acctually, I'd be happy if we draft another DE.

Well, with Harrel, Pickett, Jolly, Williams, cole and Jenkins (sometimes) - someone is could be odd man out. Cole is the only guy I wouldn't lose any sleep over losing.