After 255 picks, 26 trades and about a million players referred to as "this guy" the NFL draft is finally in the books. There was drama, a few surprises and another Rodgers/Leinart quarterback tumble from Notre Dame's Brady Quinn. Sorry, but it was fun to watch him squirm. Now a look at what the real war rooms did compared to our bloggers.
Before we get into the detailed comparison of what teams actually did compared to our bloggers pick by pick let's look at the winners and losers.
BIGGEST REACHES: FlyingPig taking linebacker Brandon Siler (Florida) at #35 when he went #240. NotreDame selected tight end Ben Patrick at #71 and he lasted until #215.
BIGGEST STEALS: Norcalfella snared linebacker Justain Durant at #100 and he was gone at #52. MustardMan selected center Samson Satele #94 and he went #60. LeftyBaller20 picked up safety Eric Weddle at #62 and he jumped off the board at #37.
BEST DRAFTERS (average, ie -1 equals the player went one spot higher in actual draft): LetsGoBuffalo (-23.0, 2 picks) Nostradomus (-19.0, 3 picks) MustardMan (-16.3, 3 picks) LeftyBaller20 (-9.7, 3 picks) bweldon (-5.0, 2 picks) Gbrent (-0.5, 4 picks) Norcalfella (-0.2, 11 picks) broncogirl (+3.3, 4 picks) JoshQPublic (0.0, 3 picks) edmonspk (+4.5, 2 picks) and bengals9 (+6.5, 2 picks) Nostradomus and MustardMan were the only people with at least 3 selections who got value with all 3.
WORST DRAFTERS: 1steelerfan1 (+69, 2 picks) JRStocker (+59.7, 3 picks) FlyingPig (+58.3, 4 picks) DatStar (+36, 2 picks) bmoynahan (+31.3, 3 picks) xea76 (+29.7, 3 picks) NeoAC (+27.5, 4 picks) JCScheffres (+27.5, 2 picks) Miracle (+27.0, 3 picks) sportthink (+27.0, 4 picks) Pipsy (+25.7, 3 picks) NotreDame (+24.8, 4 picks) ShooterB/RationalFan23 (+24.7, 3 picks) 54fulltiltfulltime (+22.7, 3 picks) socalsportsfan (+17.8, 4 picks) FloridaFlavor (+12.3, 4 picks) rivjo (+11.7, 3 picks) cuziffer (+11, 3 picks)
*-only bloggers making at least 2 picks were considered for best/worst drafters.
It is well worth noting here that NotreDame was at -15.0 before taking tight end Ben Patrick (Delaware) with his last choice. xea76 was working on a -10.0 selecting for Baltimore until he made a final choice for Seattle.
I am awarding the top GM award to JoshQPublic (NY Giants), broncogirl (Denver) and FloridaFlavor (Tampa Bay) with an honorable mention to LetsGoBuffalo (Buffalo) who came in late.
JoshQPublic went CB, OT and WR for the Giants who in turn went CB, WR and DT and later spent a pick on OT. He also had a strong average of 0.0 meaning his choices represented an average of exactly where they went in the real draft.
broncogirl went DT, DE, OT and DE while the Broncos went DE, DE, OT and DT matching the exact positions addressed. She also had a solid avlue average of +3.3.
FloridaFlavor went OT, DE, CB/S and WR while the Bucs went DE, OT, S and LB. The only miss was wide receiver instead of defensive end, but he was the only person to select a player who actually went to the team, CB/S Tanard Jackson (Syracuse).
HIGHEST PLAYERS TAKEN IN NFL DRAFT NOT TAKEN IN OURS: Mosty the NFC did the reaching in our opinion, notably the Lions and Bucs. Apparently we also failed to value quarterbacks.
#36 QB Kevin Kolb (Houston) by Philadelphia
#40 QB John Beck (BYU) by Miami
#61 S Gerald Alexander (Boise State) by Detroit
#62 DE Dan Bazuin (Central Michigan) by Chicago
#63 RB Brandon Jackson (Nebraska) by Chicago
#64 S Sabby Piscitelli (Oregon State) by Tampa Bay
#66 CB Usama Young (Kent State) by New Orleans
#68 LB Quincy Black (New Mexico) by Tampa Bay
In all 80% of the players gone in the actual draft were also taken in our Top 100. Not too shabby. 100% of those selected in our mock had their name called.
Thanks again to everyone who participated. I will bold the player I prefer, reality or blogger's choice.
1) Oakland: Norcalfella WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech) Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell (LSU). This will be debated for years, especially if Josh McCown shows any of the flashes he did while with Arizona or Andrew Walter proves to be a viable quarterback. Most people viewed CJ as the draft's safest and best player, but Russell has the "wow" factor. I chose to wait until pick #99 for QB Trent Edwards (Stanford).
2) Detroit: FlyingPig QB JaMarcus Russell (LSU) Lions WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech). We'll never know if the team would have matched the pick or if our blogger would have gone in the same direction. Because Russell was gone the team elected to wait on a quarterback, later traded away receiver Mike Williams and used his roster space on possibly the most exciting player in the draft. Gutsy move and the right decision.
3) Cleveland: Miracle WR Ted Ginn (Ohio State) Browns OT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin). Our blogger was slammed for this one, but Ginn actually went #9 to Miami. No one really expected the Dawg Pound to take the big Badger and it was more shocking when they dealt back into the first round for Brady Quinn. However, they waited until pick #234 in the 7th round to select a wide receiver in the form of Sydrin "who?" Steptoe from Arizona.
4) Tampa Bay: FloridaFlavor OT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin) Bucs DE Gaines Adams. Again our blogger would have been forced to make a different decision with Thomas going a pick earlier. However, since the Bucs grabbed a tackle from Tennessee (Sears) with their next choice at #35 and because Adams went at #5 this rings as a very good selection by our blogger. FF got a valuable player and one the team probably would have taken if they had the chance. He also addressed DE with their next pick at #35 with Charles Johnson (Georgia).
5) Arizona: FlyingPig DE Gaines Adams (Clemson) Cardinals OT Levi Brown (Penn State). Once more the player is off the board at #4, but this time the team never did grab a defensive end. Many viewed Brown as a reach here though and I tend to agree. I'm not sure trading down as far as #8 would have hurt them and any compensation in return would have been a nice bonus. Good move by the blogger, questionable move by the team. A different blogger (NeoAC) did address offensive tackle at #69.
6) Washington: lisa4USC/ksp113 DT Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas) Redskins S LaRon Landry (LSU). Right off the bat the team loses points for taking a "Landry" and compounds it in the 5th round by selecting a guy named Dallas, although Lisa probably liked that pick (USC linebacker). Many analysts ripped Washington for not addressing their defensive line so it is hard to question this selection. Anderson went #8.
7) Minnesota: LeftyBaller20 QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame) Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma). In my personal mock draft I had AP here and I feel the team made the right choice because quite simply there were other options at quarterback while the running back pool was severely limited. This contributed to Quinn's free fall to #22. They waited until pick #217 to finally "replace" Brad Johnson on the depth chart with Tyler Thigpen (Coastal Carolina) meaning our blogger didn't exactly have his finger on the team's pulse. However, many others suggested they should have taken Quinn and the debate will rage on if Tarvaris Jackson sputters.
8) Atlanta: GBrent S LaRon Landry (LSU) Falcons DE Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas). Another pick that was off the board (#6) and yet another one that wasn't addressed until very late with Daren Stone (Maine) taken at #203. One has to wonder if they couldn't resist taking him after Jamal Anderson was the spark to their only Super Bowl run, but I digress. I think GBrent probably would have went with him had Landry been gone. Our blogger went with a DE at #39 with Purdue's Charles Spencer who actually went at #26.
9) Miami: NotreDame OT Levi Brown (Penn State) Dolphins WR Ted Ginn (Ohio State). This would have been a solid selection had he not gone at #5, but in reality the only attention paid to their offensive line was a pair of centers taken in the late second and sixth rounds. Many have questioned the team reaching for a frail return man, but it is typical over reaction to the impact Devin Hester had for Chicago last year.
10) Houston: bweldon RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma) Texans DT Amobi Okoye (Louisville). Because they never did select a running back I am guessing there was a sigh of relief AP went at #7. Instead they selected a player who could potentially spend 15 years in the league and was widely considered the top defensive tackle.
11) San Francisco: sportthink WR Robert Meachem (Tennessee) 49ers LB Patrick Willis (Mississippi). The team definitely attacked the wide receiver position by taking Jason Hill (Washington State) at #76 and trading their 4th round pick for Darrell Jackson. Their approach was probably more prudcent, but our blogger doesn't have trading rights. Meachem went at #27 and is probably a better fit with the Saints because I'm not sure he can carry a wide receiver corps. Our blogger did have the team grabbing a defensive end Brian Robison who projects to linebacker in the NFL at #76.
12) Buffalo: Patrick_Moran LB Patrick Willis (Mississippi) Bills RB Marshawn Lynch (California). Everyone said the 49ers stole Willis from them at #11 and they are probably right. It worked out when Posluszny dropped to round 2 and they traded up to select him. Either way I believe I take Lynch at this spot and the team later solidified their backfield even more with Fresno State's underrated Dwayne Wright. This is a case of the team missing on a player and winding up better off as a result. A different blogger (LetsGoBuffalo) had the Bills grabbing a runner at #74.
13) St. Louis: JRStocker DT Alan Branch (Michigan) Rams DE Adam Carriker (Nebraska). One of the surprises was Branch falling to #33 where the Cards dealt up to select him. Carriker's stock headed in the opposite direction, but either way this team needed help on the defensive line. They took defensive tackle Clifton Ryan (Michigan State) in the fifth round, probably because they always screw up taking DTs in round 1.
14) Carolina: edmonspk S Reggie Nelson (Florida) Panthers LB Jon Beason (Miami, FL). As successful as the team was with their draft it puzzled me when they never did take a safety. Instead they traded down to #25 for Beason who is one of 4 potential new starters they wound up with. Nelson was taken at #21 by Jacksonville who traded down four slots to get him. Our blogger had them going linebacker next at #45.
15) Pittsburgh: 1steelerfan1 RB Antonio Pittman (Ohio State) Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons (Florida State). This is our first major whoops. Pittman was viewed as a second round talent prior to the draft and slipped all the way into day 2 at #107 to New Orleans. The Steelers never did select anyone in the backfield and instead took a rare first round dip at linebacker where our blogger had them going at #46.
16) Green Bay : cuziffer WR Steve Smith (USC) Packers DT Justin Harrell (Tennessee). One could argue both of these were reaches. However, the team did grab two receivers in the 3rd and 5th. Plus our blogger went DT at #78 with Brandon Mebane (California). Smith wound up with the Giants at #51.
17) Jacksonville: Nostradomus DE Adam Carriker (Nebraska) Jaguars S Reggie Nelson (Florida). It is doubtful the team would have traded down to #21 if Carriker had not gone at #13. They took an end early in the 4th with Missouri's Brian Smith. Our blogger wound up with actual 1st round safety Brandon Meriweather (Miami, FL) at #48 so all in all this was sound decision making here.
18) Cincinnati: bengals9 LB Paul Posluszny (Penn State) Bengals CB Leon Hall (Michigan). I really question the blogger passing on a corner like Hall and obviously the team wasn't going to dip early for a linebacker after blowing it there so many times in recent drafts for various reasons. They never did take one and Poslusny slipped into the second round at #34.
19) Tennessee: Pipsy WR Dwayne Jarrett (USC) Titans S Michael Griffin (Texas). Without question the team had a need at receiver and wound up taking three in the 3rd, 4th and 6th rounds respectively. Many were surprised by the team's selection and considered it a reach. Speaking of which, Jarrett lasted until pick #45.
20) NY Giants: JoshQPublic CB Leon Hall (Michigan) Giants CB Aaron Ross (Texas). Hey at least we got the position right on this one! No question the team would have grabbed Hall in this spot had he not gone at #18, but the blogger is making a choice that Pittsburgh's Darrelle Revis (gone at #14 in reality, still on the board here) won't be a better pro. Time will tell.
21) Denver: broncogirl DT Amobi Okoye (Louisville) Broncos DE Jarvis Moss (Florida). No doubt in my mind they would have loved Okoye had he not gone #10. Instead they first addressed the line with two ends and then in the 4th went tackle with Marcus Thomas (Florida) who is a 1st round talent with day two character issues. Our blogger went defensive end next at #56 with Georgia's Quentin Moses. This might be a good time to bring up that he was taken by the Raiders in the real draft nine picks later. Given broncogirl's history in our mock I am feeling good about that one.
22) Dallas: Norcalfella WR Dwayne Bowe (LSU) Cowboys DE Anthony Spencer. After trading down the team attacked defense, then spent most of the draft addressing the offensive line and special teams. They never did select a wide receiver and neither of our next picks (taken by DatStar) went defensive end. Bowe wound up going #23.
23) Kansas City: absolutebest CB Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh) Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe. This could be seen as a steal after the Jets gave up a lot to shuffle into position for Revis at #14. However, the team exited the draft without selecting a cornerback, instead using three of seven picks on their lines, also taking a blocking tight end, kicker, backup running back and of course wide receiver here. JCScheffres took over as blogger GM and immediately went with Jason Hill (Washington State) a speedy receiver next.
24) New England: bmoynahan S Michael Griffin (Texas) Patriots S Brandon Meriweather (Miami, FL). We'll never know if the team wanted Griffin because he was snatched up at #19. Character issues were supposed to drop Meriweather's stock, but I'm sure model citizen Randy Moss will keep him out of trouble.
25) NY Jets: rivjo DE Jarvis Moss (Florida) Jets CB Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh). Our blogger didn't need to trade up for a bargain (Moss was gone at #17) but the team couldn't wait on Revis so they dealt into the #14 spot. Our mock addressed the corner position in the next round with Cal's Daymeion Hughes.
26) Philadelphia: ShooterB/RationalFan23 RB Marshawn Lynch (California) Eagles QB Kevin Kolb. Without a doubt the team would have jumped on Lynch had he not been gone hours prior at #12. They got their running back in the third round with Penn State's Tony Hunt. Instead they traded out of the first round to pick #36, acquiring a valuable first rounder from Cleveland in the process.
27) New Orleans: fulltiltfulltime TE Greg Olsen (MIami, FL) Patriots WR Robert Meachem (Tennessee). The team went with someone to catch passes, just at a different position and with a player who was long gone (#11) in our draft. Olsen went at #31 in reality, but the Saints never did select a tight end and we never got them a wide receiver.
28) New England: bmoynahan OG Justin Blalock (Texas) Patriots trade for 2008 first round pick. The team dealt this pick away to the 49ers who took OT Joe Staley (Central Michigan). They did wind up with two tackles in the fifth and sixth rounds respectively after making only one pick in the opening three rounds due to various trades. Blalock wound up slipping to the second round at #39 when Atlanta took him.
29) Baltimore: xea76 LB Lawrence Timmons (Florida State) Ravens OG Ben Grubbs (Auburn). This was a great value considering Timmons was taken at #15 and the team took a pair of linebackers on day two in the fourth an sixth rounds respectively. Had Timmons been there it would have been an easy choice. Our draft gave them only one other choice and it was spent on a cornerback.
30) San Diego: socalsportsfan WR Sidney Rice (South Carolina) Chargers WR Craig Davis (LSU). Right position, wrong player. Both were reaches in my opinion and in the case of Rice other GMs agreed because he went at #44. Davis was expected to be a middle/late second round pick by most, but kudos to our blogger for nailing the position which was accomplished on only 3 of 32 first round picks.
31) Chicago: MustardMan OT Joe Staley (Central Michigan) Bears TE Greg Olsen (Miami, FL). Hard to know if the team would have bitten on Staley, but he was obviously valuable after the 49ers traded way up for him at #28. They used only their final pick in the seventh round on an offensive tackle although they did select a guard in the fourth. Our blogger never did select a tight end.
32) Indianapolis: NeoAC CB Chris Houston (Arkansas) Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio State). This was a surprising real life pick to some although Gonzalez in retrospect fits perfectly into their slot even if he might have been a slight reach for the first round. Our blogger was on the right track, however, because they selected a corner in the third and fifth rounds. Houston was taken just a little lower at #41 and our Colts draft did not address wide receiver.
ROUND 2
33) Oakland: C Ryan Kalil (USC) Raiders TE Zach Miller (Arizona State). A few teams will regret not selecting him sooner after he dropped to Carolina at #59. Most saw the best center in the draft going in the 28-40 range. The team did use one of their picks on the offensive line, but it was a tackle in the third round. Our blogger (uh, me) never had them taking a tight end in this mock.
34) Detroit: FlyingPig LB Brandon Siler (Florida) Lions QB Drew Stanton (MIchigan State). This is by far our biggest whoops to this point. Siler plummeted nearly out of the draft completely after San Diego took him in the seventh at #240. He was projected to be a second round pick. The Lions did pick a linebacker in the fifth and our blogger had already taken a quarterback at #2 with JaMarcus Russell (LSU) so it wasn't a complete disaster.
35) Tampa Bay: FloridaFlavor DE Charles Johnson (Georgia) Bucs OT Arron Sears (Tennessee). Clearly FF had a beat on the team, spending the first two picks on the same positions although swapping the order. This time it was a little bit of a reach on the player because Johnson lasted until the third round at #83, but well done knowing where the team wanted to go.
36) Cleveland: Miracle RB Michael Bush (Louisville) Browns QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame). The team traded back into the first round to #22 for this pick and never did take a running back to complement free agent acquisition Jamal Lewis. Bush lasted until day 2, but was the first off the board at #100 to Oakland as teams shied away after his season ending injury.
37) Chicago: MustardMan LB Jon Beason (Miami, FL) Bears DE Dan Bazuin (Central Michigan). Ironically the team traded running back Thomas Jones prior to the draft therefore moving from #63 to #37 then promptly traded back to #62 for this pick on draft day. If Beason hadn't gone at #25 they probably would have taken him though and they did land a linebacker at #94 with Stanford's Michael Okwo meaning this was a logical choice.
38) Arizona: NeoAC CB Aaron Ross (Texas) Cardinals DT Alan Branch (Michigan). In the real draft Ross was long gone at #20 making this a smart pick from a value standpoint, but the team never selected a corner in five selections. Our draft never produced a defensive tackle for them either.
39) Atlanta: GBrent DE Charles Spencer (Purdue) Falcons OT Justin Blalock (Texas). The team had already addressed defensive end with their first pick. Spencer was gone at #26 anyway, making this a smart selection on two fronts. The blogger also selected an offensive tackle next at #44 meaning his first three selections of S, DE and OT nearly matched the team going with DE, OT and CB.
40) Miami: Notre Dame DT Justin Harrell (Tennessee) Dolphins QB John Beck (BYU). Big value for the blogger since Harrell went at #16, but some of that is the Packers reaching for a player thought to be a late first rounder. Quarterback was addressed in this draft with the next pick at #60 while the real team took a defensive tackle early on day two at #108. All in all this was one of the better choices.
41) Minnesota: LeftyBaller20 WR Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio State) Vikings WR Sidney Rice (South Carolina). Our bloggers are definitely catching fire. Gonzalez was gone at #32 so the team went in a slightly different direction after trading down to #44. They also later drafted two more wide receivers cementing their desire to fortify the position with picks in the fifth and seventh rounds.
42) San Francisco: sportthink RB Brian Leonard (Rutgers) 49ers OT Joe Staley (Central Michigan). The team traded up into the first round at #28 for this pick and didn't select a running back until the sixth round at #186. Our blogger never did take anyone for the offensive line in four choices.
43) Buffalo: Norcalfella CB Marcus McCauley (Fresno State) Bills LB Paul Posluszny (Penn State). The team went seven picks without using any to offset the loss of Nate Clements. Seen as possibly a first rounder, instead McCauley slipped to the early third at #72. In our draft the Bills had already taken a linebacker at #12 whereas in the real draft Patrick Willis (Missississipi) was "stolen" from them one pick earlier by San Francisco.
44) Atlanta: GBrent OT Tony Ugoh (Arkansas) Falcons CB Chris Houston (Arkansas). After a trade up to #41 the team went corner, and as pointed out above this is only a slight difference from the safety our blogger took at #8. Ugoh was taken in the real draft at #42 meaning our guy had his value pegged.
45) Carolina: edmonspk LB David Harris (Michigan) Panthers WR Dwayne Jarrett (USC). Again our blogger had the value pegged as Harris went just two picks later. In reality the team had already taken a linebacker with their previous pick. Our blogger was definitely on the right track though and took a wide receiver next at #83.
46) Pittsburgh: Miracle LB Buster Davis (Florida State) Steelers DE LaMarr Woodley (Michigan). Not a big difference here as both addressed their changing front 7. The team made a rare move in taking a linebacker in round 1 so they didn't need another one here. Davis was taken a little later at #69 while our blogger went without a defensive end.
47) Green Bay: cuziffer TE Zach Miller (Arizona State) Packers RB Brandon Jackson (Nebraska). The team didn't see tight end as a need and failed to take one until nearly the final bell at #243. However, Miller was off the board at #38 so they might have selected him. Instead they went running back after trading down to #62 and our blogger never made a pick for that position.
48) Jacksonville: Nostradomus S Brandon Meriweather (Miami, FL) Jaguars LB Justin Durant (Hampton). This would have been even savvier than what the real team did had they been able to pull it off. Their actual draft produced a trade down from #17 to #21 for their safety. It's a good thing too because Meriweather was gone at #24. Our blogger decided not to give them a linebacker, but this is a big win getting him two dozen slots after he really went.
49) Cincinnati: bengals9 DE LaMarr Woodley (Michigan) RB Kenny Irons (Auburn). Ironically Woodley went a few picks earlier at #46 to division rival Pittsburgh. The team raised a few eyebrows by taking another Tiger running back, no doubt worried about backup Chris Perry's health. Our blogger didn't attack the position, but had just two picks.
50) Tennessee: Pipsy DE Ray McDonald (Florida) Titans RB Chris Henry (Arizona). The team save a little money on uniform costs by replacing Travis Henry in the backfield. Our blogger wasn't as interested in upgrading the backfield and chose a defensive end which they waited until the sixth round to do at pick #204. McDonald wound up hanging around until nearly the end of day one at #97.
51) NY Giants: JoshQPublic OT Arron Sears (Tennessee) Giants WR Steve Smith (USC). After nailing the first pick our blogger wound up with an excellent value considering Sears went at #35 and also got a team need because they took a tackle at #189. To boot he selected a wide receiver next at #81 making him clearly the leader of the pack for accuracy.
52) St. Louis: JRStocker CB Tarrell Brown (Texas) Rams RB Brian Leonard (Rutgers). Our blogger wasn't as worried about the character issues that dropped him into the fifth round at #147. The team also wound up taking a corner next at #84 while we never did land them a backup running back.
53) Dallas: DatStar DT DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler (N.C. State) Cowboys OT James Marten (Boston College). After a trade down to #67 the team made this pick and their only attention to the front seven was an end in the opening round. Tyler suffered a bit of a dip and wound up lasting until the next round at #82. It's a shame this pick didn't happen because he could have joined Marcus (Spears) and another DeMarcus (Ware) on the Dallas defense.
54) Kansas City: JCScheffres WR Jason Hill (Washington State) Chiefs DT Turk McBride (Tennessee). The team went receiver a round earlier and never selected help for the defensive line. When they made this selection in the actual draft it led to the trade of Ryan Sims, something which surely would have impacted our blogger's choices.
55) Seattle: sleeplessinseattle OG Ben Grubbs (Auburn) Seahawks CB Josh Wilson (Maryland). Mark this down as another steal since he went in the first round at #29. Our draft also produced a corner as a different blogger (xea76) grabbed them one in the next round. Limited picks caused the team to wait on a guard until day two with Mansfield Wrotto (Georgia Tech) in the fourth round at #124.
56) Denver: broncogirl DE Quentin Moses (Georgia) Broncos DE Tim Crowder. Definitely the direction this team wanted to go as they spent three of their four selections on the defensive line including two ends. Also a reasonable value considering he went just a little bit later at #65 to the hated Raiders.
57) Philadelphia: ShooterB/RationalFan23 CB Eric Wright (UNLV) Eagles DE Victor Abiamiri (Notre Dame). The team was less concerned with cornerback, waiting until the sixth round at #201 to take one while our bloggers never took a defensive end. However this was a good value since Wright went a few picks sooner at #53.
58) New Orleans: 54fulltiltfulltime S Aaron Rouse (Virginia Tech) Saints CB Usama Young (Kent State). Right area, wrong position as the actual team never went safety instead opting for two corners even after acquiring one just prior to the draft. Rouse was taken a round later at #89.
59) NY Jets: rivjo CB Daymeion Hughes (California) Jets LB David Harris (Michigan). Overall a good choice. Hughes was considered a first round talent before running a slow 40 which dropped him to #95. The team traded up in round 1 to select their corner. They also dealt up here to #47. Perhaps the only knock is that in four picks our blogger never took a linebacker.
60) Miami: NotreDame QB Drew Stanton (Michigan State) Dolphins C Samson Satele (Hawaii). Our blogger had gone quarterback with the previou pick and got Stanton well after he was actually taken at #43. He also had addressed the line earlier at #9 with a tackle.
61) Baltimore: xea76 CB Josh Wilson (Maryland) Ravens WR Yamon Figurs (Kansas State). The team traded down to #74 for this selection and with limited choices due to the McGahee trade our blogger was unable to select a receiver. The team likewise ignored cornerback for the entire draft although Wilson was taken a little sooner at #55 so we tabbed his value.
62) San Diego: socalsportsfan DE Victor Abiamiri (Notre Dame) Chargers S Eric Weddle (Utah). Most would say the team could have stayed in this spot to take their safety instead of dealing up to the #37 spot as they did. Our value again was on the mark with Abiamiri actually going just a bit sooner at #57. However, they never did select a defensive end, instead using two picks on inside linebackers to bolster their front seven.
63) NY Jets: rivjo OT Ryan Harris (Notre Dame) Jets OT Jacob Bender (Nicholls State). This is a bit of a fib because the team did so much trading up their third pick indicated here actually wound up being in the sixth round at #177. Whatever, it was still an offensive tackle! To boot, a third consecutive selection was well within range of reality as Harris went at #70.
64) Tampa Bay: FloridaFlavor CB Tanard Jackson (Syracuse) S Sabby Piscitelli (Oregon State). Another solid selection from FF because Jackson projects to safety as a pro. Furthermore the team also took him at pick #106 meaning this is our first (and only) marriage of player and team. They also took yet another corner in the seventh round. Very well done.
ROUND 3
65) Oakland: Norcalfella DE Tim Crowder (Texas) Raiders DE Quentin Moses (Georgia). Okay cue the Twilight ZOne music because our Denver blogger took Moses while the team got Crowder. Now this with the blogger taking Crowder (who went #56) and getting Moses. Odds of that happening? Pretty high I would think.
66) Detroit: FlyingPig DT Quinn Pitcock (Ohio State) Lions DE Ikaika Alama-Francis (Hawaii). Both picks were on the defensive line, just in different spots and in both cases it was the only attention paid to the position. Pitcock's value dropped at the end of the draft process and he wound up going just at the end of day one at #98.
67) Cleveland: Norcalfella DT Turk McBride (Tennessee) Browns CB Eric Wright (UNLV). An active first day for the team ended with them again dealing up, in this case to #53 for a player of questionable character. Acting for the bloggers I took someone who was gone in the actual draft at #54 so it was a good value, but the team paid no attention to the defensive tackle position and only took a pair of ends in the sixth round.
68) Tampa Bay: FloridaFlavor WR Craig Davis (LSU) Bucs LB Quincy Black (New Mexico). For value this was a strike for the blogger because he went better than a round ahead at #30. However, the team never did select a wide receiver and their only skill player selected was a running back nearly at the close of the draft with pick #246.
69) Arizona: NeoAC OT Doug Free (Northern Illinois) Cardinals LB Buster Davis (Florida State). The team went right to work on the offensive line with the #5 pick. Our blogger waited and took a player who lasted until day two at pick #122. He also failed to select a linebacker.
70) Denver: broncogirl OT James Marten (Boston College) Broncos OT Ryan Harris. An eerily accurate selection yet again. In reality Marten was gone a few picks sooner at #67 making Harris the accurate alternative. Linemen comprised all four of Denver's selections on draft day and all three of our blogger's. Well done.
71) Miami: NotreDame TE Ben Patrick (Delaware) Dolphins RB Lorenzo Booker (Florida State). Before the draft everyone was whispering about Patrick as a sleeper, but he slept through almost the entire draft before coming off the board at #215 and being passed on by Miami 7 times. Even with four selections to play with our blogger never anticipated going with a running back.
72) Minnesota: LeftyBaller20 S Eric Weddle (Utah) Vikings CB Marcus McCauley (Fresno State). Both picks were in the secondary, but in real life the team never went with safety which I thought was a bad decision. Meanwhile our blogger never took a corner for them although for value this was a steal considering San Diego gave up a bounty to trade up to #37 for the right to select him.
73) Houston: bweldon DE Ikaika Alama-Francis (Hawaii) Texans WR Jacoby Jones (Lane). For value this was another hit for our bloggers since he went #66. Given just two selections it was difficult to predict what the actual team would do. They went DT and WR while he went RB and DE. All in all both picks our blogger made were gone prior to the team choosing and both were in the same general area (offensive skill position, defensive line).
74) Buffalo: LetsGoBuffalo RB Kenny Irons (Auburn) Bills TRADED OUT. If the team had held onto this pick Irons would not have been an options since he went at #49 making this a great value. They did use two meaningful picks on running backs though at #12 and #111. Ironically all three guys are 5'11" which should count for something.
75) Atlanta: GBrent RB Tony Hunt (Penn State) Falcons WR Laurent Robinson (Illinois State). The team wasn't as intent on bolstering their running game, waiting until nearly the end at pick #244 before taking one. Likewise our blogger had no interest in going with yet another receiver for a team that has killed plenty of them. Hunt was a reasonable selection as he went #90 in reality.
76) San Francisco: sportthink DE Brian Robison (Texas) 49ers WR Jason Hill (Washington State). Our blogger had already taken a wide receiver and the team would later take a defensive end at pick #104 making this one look pretty good. Robison was only a slight reach as he went #102. We are left to wonder if Robison had fallen two spots to them in that fourth round if they might have given us another marriage of player and team. I think so.
77) Pittsburgh: 1steelerfan1 CB Fred Bennett (South Carolina) Steelers TE Matt Spaeth (Minnesota). The team did a few unusual things on draft day this being one of them as they went blocking tight end, an area our blogger did not foresee. They waited until day two at pick #170 before selecting a corner which was an area many people expected them to go much sooner. As for Bennett he was a bit of a reach because even with second to third round projections from experts he dipped into the fourth at #123.
78) Green Bay: cuziffer DT Brandon Mebane (California) Packers WR James Jones (San Jose State). This was a very sensible selection considering the team went for a defensive tackle first at #16. Our blogger went receiver at that spot meaning he simply swapped with reality, whatever that means. Anyway Mebane was yet another near match to the actual draft as he went #85.
79) Jacksonville: Nostradomus RB Chris Henry (Arizona) Jaguars WR Mike Walker (Central Florida). Great value because Henry was gone at #50. However, the team never took anyone in the backfield and the blogger never took any receivers.
80) Tennessee: Pipsy CB Jonathan Wade (Tennessee) Titans WR Paul Williams (Fresno State). As expected the team did go corner, but waited until the sixth round at #206. Still, this was a solid selection with Wade going #84 at Radio City Music Hall. Ring the bell, another good choice for value.
81) NY Giants: JoshQPublic WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (UTEP) Giants DT Jay Alford (Penn State). Our blogger gets the nod for going receiver which is an area the team went a pick earlier. However, he went offensive tackle while the team went defensive tackle which represented his lone "miss" of the opening three picks. Higgins was a relatively good choice as he went just a little later at #99.
82) St. Louis: JRStocker WR Aundrae Allison (East Carolina) Rams CB Jonathan Wade (Tennessee). A trade before the draft altered this pick because they acquired Dante Hall and in the process slid down two spots to #84. It removed some of the necessity to take a receiver which they waited on until pick #249. Speaking of waiting, Allison went quite a bit later at #146 despite higher projections. On a high note our blogger did take a corner with the previous pick.
83) Carolina: Norcalfella WR Paul Williams (Fresno State) Panthers DE Charles Johnson (Georgia). This wound up being a good choice. Williams went at #80 in reality while the team took Keyshawn Johnson's replacement a round sooner at #45. However, our bloggers never took a defensive end.
84) Kansas City: JCScheffres OG Manuel Ramirez (Texas Tech) Chiefs DT DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler (Tennessee). A trade prior to the drat moved them up to #82 for this choice and their only attention to the offensive line was a tackle in the sixth round at #196. Our bloggers gave them no help on the defensive line. On the plus side Ramirez was relatively close, going a round later at #117.
85) Seattle: xea76 CB David Irons (Auburn) Seahawks DT Brandon Mebane (California). The team had addressed cornerback a pick sooner and with just two selections it was hard to match up with the team. A different blogger (Norcalfella) had gone guard with the opening pick. Irons turned into a big reach as he lasted until the sixth round at #194.
86) Denver: broncogirl DE Jay Moore (Nebraska) Broncos DT Marcus Thomas (Florida). The team actually dealt away this selection and made this choice at #121. However, huge props for our blogger taking a second defensive end on day one which the team did in the actual draft. To boot, Moore was taken relatively close to this spot at #104.
87) Dallas: DatStar OG Josh Beekman (Boston College) Cowboys QB Isaiah Stanback (Washington). The team traded out of this pick making their third selection here at #103 with a quarterback who likely will play another position on offense. However, they did draft an offensive lineman from BC, just a different one with their #67 choice being tackle James Marten. It was one of two tackles they took with the next being at #122, but they never did take a guard. Beekman was a bit of a reach because he went #130.
88) New Orleans: 54fulltiltfulltime DT Marcus Thomas (Florida) Saints OG Andy Alleman (Akron). Character dumped Thomas down to pick #121 and the team never selected anyone on the defensive line. Likewise our bloggers spent no picks upgrading their offensive line.
89) NY Jets: rivjo OG Andy Alleman (Akron) Jets OT Jacob Bender (Nicholls State). We almost sunk a battleship with this choice as Alleman went #88. In reality the Jets never made this pick and this represent their next selection at #177 and the only attention they paid to the offensive line.
90) Philadelphia: ShooterB/RationalFan23 S John Wendling (Wyoming) Eagles LB Stewart Bradley (Nebraska). The team traded up to #87 for this pick and addressed a position our bloggers avoided. They did later select a free safety in the fifth round at #159. In the process they passed on Wendling, who dropped all the way to #184, a fifth time.
91) New England: bmoynahan LB H.B. Blades (Pittsburgh) Patriots TRADED OUT. The team had only one first day selection after trading the others away, but did select an outside linebacker at #180 and an inside linebacker at #211 on day two. They passed twice on Blades that day before doing so, however, as he fell all the way to #179.
92) Buffalo: LetsGoBuffalo RB Lorenzo Booker (Florida State) Bills QB Trent Edwards (Stanford). Huge props on this pick because this marks our second blogger who said a team would take two players at the same position (broncogirl was the other for Denver at DE) and both did. This one is impressive in a different way because in this case they waited until day two (pick #111) before taking their second one, but typically it is less likely a team takes two runnings backs. To boot Booker was a nice choice as he went #71 to division rival Miami. Our blogger passed on quarterback though and with three different people drafting for the team no one went with Edwards who in our mock was still on the board.
93) San Diego: socalsportsfan DT Kareem Brown (Miami, FL) TRADED OUT. The team used this pick to trade up earlier in the day and never addressed the defensive line, instead taking two inside linebackers. Brown went a round later at #127.
94) Chicago: MustardMan C Samson Satele (Hawaii) Bears LB Michael Okwo (Stanford). Great value for the blogger with Satele going better than a round earlier at #60. The team paid attention to the offensive line later with a guard and tackle in the fourth and seventh rounds respectively. Our blogger had already taken a linebacker for them at #37.
95) Indianapolis: Norcalfella DT Antonio Johnson (Mississippi) Colts CB Daymeion Hughes (California). Not a bad pick considering the team used their #98 on a defensive tackle and a different blogger (NeoAC) had already taken a corner at #32. Johnson was a bit of a reach though as he lasted until #152.
96) San Diego: socalsportsfan OG Mansfield Wrotto (Georgia Tech) LB Anthony Waters (Clemson). The team reached in real life and also in our mock apparently as Wrotto went #124. They also selected no help for the offensive line while our blogger gave them no additions at linebacker with four choices.
97) San Francisco: sportthink TE Kevin Boss (Western Oregon) 49ers DT Ray McDonald (Florida). Before the draft Boss had a lot of buzz, but he slid until the fifth round at #153. The blogger did address the defensive line with an end at pick #76. McDonald played both spots for the Gators.
98) Indianapolis: NeoAC LB Tim Shaw (Penn State) Colts DT Quinn Pitcock (Ohio State). A different blogger had just taken a defensive tackle at #95. The team did wind up taking a linebacker one round later at #136. Shaw turned out to be a reach, lasting until #164.
99) Oakland: Norcalfella QB Trent Edwards (Stanford) Raiders WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (UTEP). The team of course selected a quarterback with the first overall pick, but the necessity for a receiver was created by the impending trade of Randy Moss. Our blogger (me) didn't take one for them. Edwards was yet another close value as he went #92.
100) Oakland: Norcalfella LB Justin Durant (Hampton) Raiders RB Michael Bush (Louisville). Great value pick with Durant going #52, but the team didn't spend any of their 11 picks on a linebacker. Likewise none of my 4 went to a running back.
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Prospect
Fantasy football is more or less crack for fans and I have had the habit too long to mention. Over at www.thefootballexpert.com we held our draft on July 1. Definitely early for my taste, but interesting results and below I will discuss my effort and where I might have gone in different directions. There are 12 teams starting 1QB 2RB 2WR 1TE 1Flex (RB/WR/TE) 1K and 1D. The draft went 17 rounds and not surprisingly finished faster than most 10 team 15 round public league drafts despite having 204 picks vs. 150. My team is the California Dreamers, but perhaps I should change the name to Fella Almighty because I draft like I am inspired by God. 
Others I considered: Bush was a guy I almost went after. His rookie year (1,307 total yards 8 TD) is just scratching the surface of where he will go. However, there are too many threats on this offense. If they hadn't drafted Pittman into the backfield I might have gone for it hoping McAllister went down for a few games. They appear intent on not overworking him. Westbrook crossed my mind as well. The issue with him is whether or not last year can be repeated in the rushing department (1,217 yards) while playing in Reid's pass happy system. His previous high in rushing yards was 812 and rookie Tony Hunt might get the touchdown looks inside the 5 yard line. 
My pick: WR-Wayne (IND)
Today Al Davis will introduce the new head coach of his Oakland Raiders. He turned to the family responsible for one of his most crushing losses to find Lane Kiffin. Southern Cal's offensive coordinator is the son of Monte Kiffin, architect of the Tampa Bay defense that turned quarterback Rich Gannon from regular season MVP to the record holder for interceptions (5) in Super Bowl XXXVII. The hope is that Kiffin will do for this offense what his father has done for Tampa Bay's defense. Here is a look at some of the challenges facing him as he tries to get the worst team in the NFL over the past four seasons back on track.
One of the FOX writers cooked up a story about the team packaging Jerry Porter and Randy Moss to acquire Michael Vick. Ben Maller has been reading too many Harry Potter books because this deal is pure fantasy. The trade would leave Atlanta with four first round wide receivers and a second rounder from the last nine drafts. Has Matt Millen taken over their personnel department? No? Okay, then forget it.
Three offensive linemen were taken in the 2006 draft and a third was selected with the #2 overall pick in 2004. They were coached by two men in the Hall of Fame, Art Shell and Jackie Slater, yet the young talent resembled a block of thinly sliced Swiss cheese, allowing Raider quarterbacks to suffer 72 sacks and commit 33 turnovers. Four sacks and two giveaways on average will put your team in a hole on a weekly basis.
Most mock drafts seems to have the team grabbing quarterback JaMarcus Russell from LSU with the #1 overall selection. It might be the right pick after the team passed on Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last year. Then again, Kiffin could decide that the guy who had his Pac-10 records broken by Leinart in 2005 under his leadership is good enough to play behind an improved line with more creative play calls. Andrew Walter certainly took his share of lumps during his first season under center, but was not without promise.
#1 Florida (13-1): Obviously there is no debate after their display in the BCS national title game. They dodged a few bullets along the way (Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida State) but turned it on when they needed to winning the SEC Championship and then the big one. (1, 1)
#5 Louisville (12-1): They get a lot of points from me for scheduling three teams from BCS conferences and beating all of them by at least 24 points. In all seven of their opponents went to bowl games from their regular season. Considering they lost their star rusher Bush for essentially the year and spent time without Brohm at quarterback this team could have been even better. (6, 7)
#9 Wisconsin (12-1): Their schedule was junk outside of the conference and they avoided Ohio State in the Big 10 rotation. If not for beating Arkansas at the Capital One Bowl this ranking might be around 20. In a way that one big game vindicated them because they sure didn't do much otherwise. (7, 5)
#14 Rutgers (11-2): It is hard to fault them for scheduling weak teams given their history. When the chips were down they beat a very good Louisville team and gave West Virginia all they could handle in their stadium with the Big East title on the line. Then they took care of business in the bowl by blowing out an inferior Kansas State squad. (12, 12)
#18 BYU (11-2): This might have been a team capable of scoring an upset in a playoff format. After a 1-2 start they reeled off a perfect season in the Mountain West and crushed Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl. Their 30-23 overtime loss at Boston College easily could have gone the other way and led to a much higher ranking. (16, 15)
#21 Virginia Tech (10-3): For most of the year I thought this was the best team in the ACC, but they gave it away with a 38-27 home loss to Georgia Tech and then looked terrible losing 22-3 at Boston College the very next week. Having scheduled terrible opponents and then getting beaten in their bowl game to Georgia I see no reason to rank them higher. (19, 18)
#24 Hawaii (11-3): Their record setting QB Colt Brennan carried them, but they almost ruined Boise State's perfect season before it got started and on their blue turf no less. One of Brennan's record 58 touchdown passes closed them within seven, but the Broncos salted away the final 3:06 to win. This team stood up well against three BCS conference teams to close the season. (NR, 24)