Official 2007 Live Draft Thread

[pbmax]

Hello everyone, can't say I expected that one. But unlike some posters, I like strengthening the position they selected. Can't comment on the guy as I have never seen him play, but consider this:

Pack Rush D
YPAtt - 4.1 - 13th in league
Att - 441 - 10th
Fum - 9 -12th tied with 7 others

Pass D
Opp QB Rtg - 75.4 - 8th in league
YPA - 5.9 - 14th
Sacks - 46 - 4th
Int -23 - 3rd

This jibes with my memory of the Pack Run D being less than overwhelming last year. While several people have mentioned the Pack are deep here, possibly set, I think, inside especially, it was a weak point, along with Saftety, SAM and Defensive backfield coach.

I like picking a DT, I hope this guy can play. The Pack D allowed 22.9 points per game last year. Thompson improved the Pass D by a wide margin last year, but Run D is still average.

[retailguy]

Why only 20 minutes. Make it 30 minutes and we can do an overnighter!

Overnight commercials are too cheap! They could slide the third round to day 2 though! :P

[superfan]

Cards traded up to take DT Alan Branch.

[Rastak]

Cards take Branch.....good pick for round 2....


Alan Branch
DT | (6'5", 324, 5.07) | MICHIGAN

Scouts Grade: 93


Strengths: A massive two-gap interior defender with excellent height, bulk and strength. He possesses a massive frame and is able to occupy two blockers in the run game. He shows good initial quickness for his size and typically does a solid job of playing with leverage for such a tall guy. He shows good balance and body control for his size. He gives a great effort on most plays and shows better than average stamina for his massive frame. He can take over a game when he's fresh and gets his motor running. He is more of a two-gap fit, but he often times will disrupt plays in the backfield by using his quickness, size and strength to penetrate. He is a powerful tackler with impressive wrap-up skills for his size. He displays the ability to collapse the pocket with a powerful bull rush. He's versatile and has experience playing NT, DT and DE in three-and-four man fronts.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal explosiveness. He's quick for his size but lacks the speed and closing burst to consistently make an impact as a pass rusher in the NFL. He's mostly a one-dimensional bull rusher type. He needs to improve his arsenal of pass rush moves. He has room to improve in terms of using his hands to play off of blocks. Durability is only a minor concern after missing two games due to a knee injury in 2005.

Overall: Branch appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2004 seeing time at defensive tackle, defensive end, and on special teams registering five total tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. In 2005, he played in all 12 games starting the final 10 contests and recorded 31 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble, again seeing action at both defensive tackle and end. Branch settled into a starting spot at defensive tackle for all 13 games in 2006 and finished the season with 25 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles earning First Team All-Big Ten accolades.
Branch is losing some momentum as the draft nears. He elected to bolt school early after his most productive season as a junior and he also showed good mobility for his size at the combine. There's no question that Branch possesses the rare physical tools to make an impact in the NFL, but he takes too many plays off on film and he wasn't overly impressive during private interviews with some teams. It also didn't help matters when he showed up at Michigan's on-campus workout in noticeably worse shape than he was a few weeks earlier at the combine. More than anything, there's a concern that Branch is capable of gaining too much weight and becoming even less motivated once he collects a paycheck at the next level. While Branch is too talented to fall out of the first round, it wouldn't be surprising if 19-year old Amobi Okoye (Louisville) winds up as the first defensive tackle taken in the 2007 NFL draft.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[BooHoo]

Branch really slipped. At least in some mock drafts.

[Rastak]

Lions trade down to Buffalo.....

[TennesseePackerBacker]

Hello everyone, can't say I expected that one. But unlike some posters, I like strengthening the position they selected. Can't comment on the guy as I have never seen him play, but consider this:

Pack Rush D
YPAtt - 4.1 - 13th in league
Att - 441 - 10th
Fum - 9 -12th tied with 7 others

Pass D
Opp QB Rtg - 75.4 - 8th in league
YPA - 5.9 - 14th
Sacks - 46 - 4th
Int -23 - 3rd

This jibes with my memory of the Pack Run D being less than overwhelming last year. While several people have mentioned the Pack are deep here, possibly set, I think, inside especially, it was a weak point, along with Saftety, SAM and Defensive backfield coach.

I like picking a DT, I hope this guy can play. The Pack D allowed 22.9 points per game last year. Thompson improved the Pass D by a wide margin last year, but Run D is still average.

Thanks for the stats, I can just imagine how many tackles Hawk and Barnett will rack up with Harrell or Pickett drawing a double-team every snap.

[Lurker64]

Bills got their LB in Posluszny. Good pick for them.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

TT is going to pick some guy I never heard of brfore in round 2.

[GrnBay007]

oh well, Coors has had some decent commercials. That last one with the pregnancy test was kinda funny.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

TT is going to pick some guy I never heard of brfore in round 2.

I wish Jarrett would slip to 47, but I highly doubt it'll happen.

[Rastak]

Bills got their LB in Posluszny. Good pick for them.

Hmm...NFLN didn't even announce it....this is too much like ESPN

[Rastak]

Bills pick:


Paul Posluszny
OLB | (6'1", 238, 4.63) | PENN STATE

Scouts Grade: 90


Strengths: Possesses good height, adequate bulk and room on frame to get bigger. He is one of the most instinctive linebackers in this year's class. Plays the game with tremendous intensity and toughness. Displays adequate speed and athleticism. Diagnoses plays as quickly as any linebacker in the country and takes outstanding angles in pursuit. He makes plays from sideline-to-sideline versus the run. Possesses adequate-to-good fluidity in hips. Has great range in zone coverage and will be able to match up versus most running backs in the NFL one-on-one. Displays excellent instincts and closing burst as a pass rusher. He's a natural leader with tremendous overall intangibles. Few work harder and respect the game more than him. Very good student, as well.

Weaknesses: Size is adequate but not elite, especially for teams that project him as a SLB in the NFL. May need to add some bulk to frame in order to hold up in the NFL. Effective in coverage, but lacks ideal ball skills and does not make many big plays in that facet of the game. Durability is an issue after knee injury in 2005-'06 Orange Bowl.

Overall: Posluszny played in eight games as a true freshman in 2003, recording 36 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He then started all 11 games at outside linebacker in 2004 finishing the year with 104 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. In 2005, Posluszny became a first team Associated Press All-American after starting every game (12) and registering 116 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Posluszny tore two ligaments in his right knee during Penn State's victory over Florida State in this year's Orange Bowl, but the injury did not require surgery. He returned to start all 13 games in 2006, finishing with 116 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning him first team All-American honors, an All-Big Ten first team (coaches) selection, and the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player.
Posluszny is a throwback-type linebacker with very good physical tools and even better intangibles. He started slowly as a senior but he returned to form once he adjusted to his new position (from WLB in a 4-3 to ILB in a 3-4) and became more comfortable with a smaller knee brace. He possesses adequate size and speed, but his rare instincts and ferocious mentality are what make him a special player. Posluszny seems to fit best on the outside but he displays enough promise to play inside or both in the NFL, depending on the scheme. Regardless, he projects as one of the top-three linebackers in the 2007 class and should come off the board in the middle of the first round.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[retailguy]

TT is going to pick some guy I never heard of brfore in round 2.

this is about the only sure bet you'll make today.

[Lynx4Ben]

I just got the call from Mr. Thompson. I am being selected in the second round by the Packers.