Official 2007 Live Draft Thread

[Merlin]

You heard it here first. Our first third pick for R Moss C Anderson.

I can see our first 3rd rounder for Moss, however I don't think the Raiders will bite on that alone. Who is C Anderson?

[AtlPackFan]

THIRD ROUND IS TONIGHT?! I thought it was only first two rounds...

We're just getting started!


Sporting News take on Brandon Jackson:

Brandon Jackson
RB, Nebraska

War Room analysis
Strengths: Is a big, athletic runner with the footwork and agility to make quick cuts to get through backside holes. Is a strong runner with good balance to absorb hard hits and keep on going. Runs through arm tackles. When keeping pads low, can deliver a violent blow to would-be tacklers. Shows good hands as a receiver, adjusting nicely to off-target passes. Is an instinctive runner who sees the field well and shows the patience to wait for blocks and then make quick cuts. Is adept at bouncing runs outside when the middle is clogged.

Weaknesses: Is an upright runner who is not always aggressive when attacking the line. Must improve ball security in traffic. In pass protection, lacks good technique and aggressiveness and thus gets jolted and driven backward way too easily. Lacks the explosiveness and speed to score long touchdowns.

Bottom line: Jackson came out as a junior to avoid being stuck in a backfield rotation at Nebraska, which wasn't worth the injury risk. With good quickness and athleticism for his big body, he has the skills to start in the NFL and can become a punishing runner if he lowers his shoulders more frequently.

Probably a little reluctant to lower his shoulders given his past injury history. :P

[packers11]

ahhhh we get to know in 30 minutes if Randy Moss will be a packer...

This is more exciting than the #1 pick

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

lets go pittman in round 3

Was thinking the same thing.

[MadtownPacker]

You heard it here first. Our first third pick for R Moss C Anderson.

I love that deal!!!

[Lynx4Ben]

Courtney Anderson is the Raiders tight end. I am pretty sure he is still there. They also drafted Miller.

[pittstang5]

Ok....who like Ben Patrick with one of the thirds

[BallHawk]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=n7LqfRdnT0I


Brandon Jackson Highlight

I like what I see. Of course, it's meant to make him look good, but he runs with more power than I would think a 5'9 guy would.

[Tony Oday]

I would love to see Moss as a Packer in this round then draft a saftey. Follow that up manana with CB, OG, QB, CB, QB, RB and TE.

[Brainerd]

Kinda explains the shoulder problems.

[Lurker64]

I really worry about these needs picks. I wonder if they really were the best. I'm curious to hear what Thompsons says. I want to hear "This was the best guy on our board" but somehow I don't think I'll hear that.

"Best" is certainly graded out in terms of "best fit for us." I mean, a 360 lb guard prospect might be highly touted by the vast majority of NFL teams, but if you're scheme requires your linemen to be agile you're likely to undervalue that guy relative to everyone else. Likewise, we likely have Olsen graded lower than a lot of folks because our offensive scheme requires our tight ends to block periodically.

So Jackson might well have been graded out ahead of everyone else because he seems to exhibit the three most important properties of a zone rusher: Burst, Awareness, and Recognition. Other backs drafted ahead of him might well beat him in other areas (like straight line speed, or big play ability), but teams value different characteristics differently.

I think he's a good fit and reasonable value for the pick. He doesn't have the hype that Bush had, but then again most of the other teams in the NFL passed on Bush in the second, so maybe the GMs of the league know something that the draftniks don't.

[Rastak]

To Dallas:


James Marten
OT | (6'7", 309, 5.08) | BOSTON COLLEGE

Scouts Grade: 79
View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All

Strengths: Plays with a mean streak, works to the whistle and flashes the ability to sustain blocks. Gets adequate hand placement, has decent upper body strength and can lock onto defender's frame. Plays with a wide base and shows good balance as a run blocker. Takes sound angles to blocks, shows good range for size and can get into position at the second level. Has long arms, moves feet well and can ride defenders past the pocket. Possesses good lateral mobility, can change directions quickly and flashes the ability to counter double moves. Shows good awareness, keeps head on a swivel and can adjust to line stunts as well as blitzes. Possesses good size and has the frame to comfortably get bigger. Has experience lining up at guard and is somewhat versatile.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal explosiveness and has some problems beating defenders to the point of attack. Doesn't deliver a violent initial punch, doesn't roll hips into blocks and isn't going to knock many defenders back. While flashes good lower body strength doesn't play with great leverage and isn't a great drive-blocker at this point. Takes too long to get into pass set and is going to have problems preventing explosive edge rushers from turning the corner. Though flashes ability to anchor against bull rushers doesn't get great knee bend in pass set and can get pushed back into the pocket.

Overall: Marten arrived at Boston College in 2002 and was redshirted. As a redshirt freshman in 2003, he appeared in all 13 games while backing up Jeremy Trueblood, and started the Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl at right tackle. Marten became a fulltime starter in 2004 at left guard for all 12 games that season. In 2005, he once again started all 12 contests at left guard. Marten then moved to left tackle for the 2006 season, where he started all 13 games, earning second-team All-ACC honors.
Marten doesn't dominate the point of attack and one-gap defenders will give him some problems. On the positive side, Marten has enough physical tools to develop into a starter, including an excellent frame and above-average athletic ability for his height. That's why we believe Marten is underrated and warrants consideration on Day 1.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[ND72]

I'm saying it again....I LOVE the Brandon Jackson pick.

[MadtownPacker]

You heard it here first. Our first third pick for R Moss C Anderson.

I can see our first 3rd rounder for Moss, however I don't think the Raiders will bite on that alone. Who is C Anderson?

Courtney Anderson a decent field stretching TE.

[Merlin]

I thought maybe we would offer the lower 2nd for Moss straight up but knowing we picked up a 3rd rounder you would think that would be the offer. I know the Patriots offered a 4th and Oakland said no, also the rumors are that the Raiders are only talking to the Packers. Could it be that TT is trying to build an offense for a change?