I am going to discuss a few thoughts on this past weekend’s NFL Draft. Over the next several months, any fans who have questions about rookies, veterans, and teams looking ahead towards the 2008 NFL Season, please email me here. I will answer selected questions via the blog throughout the spring and summer.

Kansas City Chiefs: Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards stood out on draft weekend although they gave up Jared Allen last week. Adding Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert allow the Chiefs to build a new foundation along both trenches for the long-term as this franchise transitions to a new era. The Chiefs have always built their strength along both front lines for many years. Dorsey is the impact player they’ve been missing in the middle of their defense and the type of penetrator that Gunther Cunningham likes to build his defense around. Albert was a masterful pickup to building rebuilding an offensive line that loss Will Shields and William Roaf in recent years. The Chiefs can now focus on finding pieces to build around Albert upfront. Brandon Flowers has a future as a tough component as the Chiefs work to get younger at cornerback. Jamal Charles also strengthens their depth behind Larry Johnson at running back.

Jacksonville Jaguars: There is a buzz around the league about the Jaguars. They have been struggling to generate consistent pressure off the perimeter and haven’t been able to acquire a blue-chip pass rusher. Adding rookies Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves opened a lot of eyes on Saturday. Harvey isn’t an explosive pass rusher, but should develop into a well-rounded starter and Groves likely will be a situational pass rusher. The Jaguars are always trying to find nickel help, which could open a spot for Trae Williams early. Williams isn’t big enough to start, but has good cover skills. Expectations will be high for Jack Del Rio this season.

Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach will be defined by Joe Flacco’s development. This represents the biggest boom or bust pick of the draft mainly due to Flacco going in the mid-first and representing a big part of the future. Flacco has very intriguing tools to become another Tony Romo, but has a lot of work ahead just like any other rookie quarterback. He’s going to have to learn how to read defenses and get rid of the ball quicker at the pro level than he showed on film at Delaware. The quarterback position generally represents the biggest risk in the first round, but they feel comfortable with Cam Cameron working with Flacco. If Flacco fails, it will set the Ravens back for years.

Chad Henne, Brian Brohm, and John David Booty: The Dolphins, Packers, and Vikings respectively made good insurance picks at the quarterback position. John Beck wasn’t drafted by the new regime in Miami and raised a lot of red flags with his play as a rookie when he looked like a deer in headlights a few times. Henne is more of the strong-armed pocket passer that Parcells has always built around in the past. Brohm probably found his best fit going to Green Bay without the pressure of being a first round pick. Brohm comes from a family-like atmosphere in Louisville, which makes Green Bay an easier transition. And in Minnesota, the jury is out on Tarvaris Jackson. John David Booty at least offers some long-term insurance as a backup.

Green Bay Packers: In talking about the Packers, it will be interesting to see how things play out with Aaron Rodgers and Brian Brohm. Picking Brohm was a good move to provide insurance because Rodgers is hardly any sure bet despite his progression during the past year. But it will be interesting to how Rodgers responds. Although Rodgers and Brohm both have durability questions, they aren’t in bad shape at the quarterback position so soon after Brett Favre’s retirement – especially with a quarterback guru like Mike McCarthy as head coach. Unfortunately, neither has the veteran experience you’d like to see a contender have at this stage. Beyond the Brohm pick, the Packers have a pretty solid draft. Jordy Nelson wasn’t an exciting pick in the second round, but he’s a good fit in the passing game and can return punts. Jermichael Finley was a solid pickup in the third round to pair with Donald Lee in double tight end sets in the passing game. Ted Thompson is giving Mike McCarthy a lot of depth in the passing game to help his young quarterbacks develop. Jeremy Thompson should add depth at defensive end. He lacks ideal tools, but is workman-like.

Minnesota Vikings: Although he wasn’t a draft pick on Saturday, the Vikings’ trading their first round pick to Kansas City for Jared Allen could push the Vikings over the top in the NFC North. The quarterback position and pass rush were the two biggest problems for the Vikings last season. Allen certainly fits in well here to give the Vikings production off the perimeter. The only question now is how Tarvaris Jackson and their young talent at wide receive progresses heading into the 2008 season. Bernard Berrian should help the Vikings stretch the field.

Miami Dolphins: I believe the Dolphins have acquired a solid foundation to begin the Bill Parcells Era. Jake Long has a chance to become a stud at left tackle and suddenly the Dolphins have a few young lineman to build around upfront. Shawn Murphy has some upside at guard as a fourth round pick. Long and Vernon Carey are solid building blocks upfront along with Justin Smiley and Samson Satele inside. The Dolphins also added some numbers with Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford at defensive end. Both could be solid fits within the 3-4 defense. Chad Henne is a good value pick at quarterback. He’s a blue-collar leader with good physical tools. I believe he’ll overtake John Beck quickly.

Kyle Shanahan isn’t going to have complete power over the offense in Houston, but he’s being positioned to find himself on a fast track on the coaching ladder over the next few seasons. 

Gary Kubiak remains the primary point man for the Texans’ offense, but Shanahan will be in position to put together game plans and organize the efforts of all the assistants on the offensive side of the ball.  Kyle has a very good working relationship with Kubiak that began through Mike Shanahan.  Kyle is very intelligence beyond his years and is a grinder.  He also has an excellent rapport with players since he’s very young. 

Shanahan will also benefit tremendously from the presence of veteran assistant Alex Gibbs.  Gibbs is an invaluable addition to the Texans’ staff.  He’ll likely be a short-term addition on a full-time basis because he wears down with his intense work ethic.  Gibbs is one of the game’s best teachers along the offensive line and will play a substantial role with in-game adjustments. 

The promotion of Shanahan, the addition of Gibbs, and another year of Kubiak installing his system should continue the rise of the Texans’ offense.  They made a lot of strides last season – especially in the passing game.  They have two solid quarterbacks with Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels.  Andre Johnson is one of the league’s best playmakers and they found quality depth in the passing game. 

For the Texans to reach the next level, they must protect the football much better next season and address their run game.  Ahman Green can’t be relied on at this stage of his career with knee problems.  If they can find a running back to build around – it will make their offense very difficult to defend. 

I’ve received a handful of emails lately asking me about a few running backs headed for free agency.  Here are my thoughts on some of the questions I've been asked. 

The most asked about running back has been Oakland’s Justin Fargas.  Fargas picked a good time to emerge as a productive runner this season.  Fargas has always been an intriguing runner due to his burst to the hole and speed.  I like the way Fargas attacks the hole and he’s become a lot more decisive over the past year.  He’s found a good rhythm within the zone blocking attack.  Although he’s tough and runs hard at times, Fargas is not a power runner nor has been very durable.  Unfortunately, his knee sprain to end his season short this month re-opened a lot of significant concerns in the past about his durability.

 

Fargas may have played his way into a couple teams considering him as a stop-gap in a two-back system as a 10-15 carry a game guy.  It would be too risky to count on anything more over a 16-game season with Fargas. 

 

I’ve been asked whether Ron Dayne is a starting running back.  My thoughts are no.  He’s found a comfort zone in Houston and played effectively in an expanded role this season, but I wouldn’t invest much into Dayne if I am another franchise.  I give Dayne a lot of credit for battling back from a disappointing situation with the Giants earlier in his career.  He’s matured a little since that time and found a franchise that realizes he’s not Jerome Bettis.  Dayne is neither a true power back nor is he a playmaker.  Dayne does have the power to keep the chains moving – especially in the fourth quarter.  He also has a little short-area quickness, but has no speed or burst to break into the second level of a defense.  Dayne would be best re-signing with Houston as an insurance back. 

 

What is the future of T.J. Duckett and the running back situation in Detroit?  I believe the Lions must re-sign Duckett – especially after the latest injury to Kevin Jones.  Duckett isn’t the answer as a starter, but deserves to compete for more carries in 2008.  He could be effective with around 10 carries a game.  Duckett is a good power back – especially in the redzone.  He has decent speed for his size, but has very little quickness to the perimeter.  He won’t make plays in the passing game, but is an adequate outlet option.   

 

As for the long-term running back situation in Detroit, the Lions definitely have some decisions to make following the knee injury to Jones.   This means Jones will miss another year of the off-season program while rehabbing from another injury.  At the same time, he was battling a lot of soreness in his foot since making back to the field earlier this season from a serious Lisfranc injury.  Jones will work hard to overcome another tough break, but the Lions face an uncertain situation at running back for the long-term.  The one situation that favors Jones in the long-term is the Lions need to address several holes on the defensive side of the ball this spring.  That could mean the Lions decide to re-sign Duckett and pair him with another stop-gap option, then evaluate their situation at the running back position a year from now. 

 

I also have been asked about Jacksonville’s LaBrandon Toefield.  This is an interesting situation because he’s been buried behind Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew the last couple seasons.  Toefield is a very good runner between the tackles.  He can finish runs with his strong lower body.  But Toefield has a lot of limitations because he’s slow and lacks quick feet to make plays in the open field.  There are also a lot of past concerns about Toefield’s durability.  Toefield has a lot of limitations to be projected as a starter – even in a stop-gap situation.  At his best – Toefield could be effective if a starter goes down for a few games.  I believe he wouldn’t be a bad addition to add some numbers in the backfield – especially if you are looking for a short-yardage back. 

The Titans made a solid move picking up veteran defensive end Bryce Fisher from Seattle.  Fisher is expected to upgrade their depth off the perimeter behind Kyle Vanden Bosch and Antwan Odom. 

 

Fisher plays with a lot of effort and is a very savvy pass rusher.  He also can play both end position and move inside as a pass rusher on third down.  Fisher tends to wear down if he plays too many snaps over the course of a season, which was the situation in Seattle last season, but he’ll give the Titans production within a rotation. 

 

The Titans and Jeff Fisher value having depth upfront.  That’s something they haven’t had the past couple seasons. 

 

In Seattle, Fisher lost his starting job to emerging second-year player Darryl Tapp and rookie Baraka Atkins has quickly established himself as a solid backup.  They also recently added former Texan Jason Babin to their rotation. 

I have to give Jack Del Rio and the Jaguars’ Organization a lot of credit for making a bold move based on their belief that they are a better football team with David Garrard under center entering the regular season. 

Byron Leftwich regressed down the stretch in training camp after taking a solid approach towards bouncing back from another injury-plagued season.  Leftwich has shown he can hang tough in the pocket and make tough throws in tight spots, but it’s clear he wasn’t going to be the future in Jacksonville.  Leftwich frustrated members within the organization with his lack of mobility in the pocket and has slow delivery. 

With questions about the offensive line at this point, Del Rio felt more comfortable going with Garrard and his ability to get outside the pocket and make plays.  That’s what Garrard does best.  He brings a lot of spark to the offense. 

But here’s where this decision is very risky for Del Rio.  Garrard is erratic in the pocket and doesn’t see the field that well.  He tends to be erratic at times and is prone to turnovers. 

While Garrard will make some plays with his feet, he must learn to protect the football if this Jaguars team is to make the playoffs. 

Garrard faces a tough challenge working with a suspect group of receivers.