Input requested...

[crosswatt]

Welcome to SR.com's 2008 7-round "Experts" Mock Draft.*

Let me first off assure you I mean "Experts" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. We're not "experts", we're just pretending to be for the purpose of this "game"

If you aren't familiar with the 7-round "Experts" Mock Draft let me refer you to the 2007 edition which was a smashing success, so much so that it's back by popular demand.
http://saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24320

We had a lot of fun last year, and learned quite a bit about what goes into drafting players for the NFL. This year, I am the "GM" for the Broncos. I would like you, the fans, to help me draft intelligently. Team needs, players you like, or ways you want the team to go. All from the diehard fan perspective.
Any insight and all opinions are appreciated.

[Crushaholic]

We need a pass rush, as well as tackles to protect Cutler.

[Inkana7]

1st Day - Tackles on both sides.
2nd Day - Linebacker, Safety, Wide Receiver, Kicker, Punter.

There you go.

[Hotrod]

DT's and lot of them

[worm]

Kickkkkkkkkkerrrrrrrrrr

[Houshyamama]

I personally see us trading down or out of the first round and getting a few more first day picks to use on:
DT
OT
WR
S
LB
RB

[theAPAOps5]

I think we need a top flight QB number one move up for that Colt Brennan.

Its this considered spam?

[BroncoMan4ever]

first three rounds if we can trade for a 3rd

round 1 if we trade back Dan Conner if we stand at 12 Clady
round 2 if we got Conner, draft Otah, if Clady in the 1st Manning ham in the second
if we get a 3rd we draft FB Schmitt

[crosswatt]

This is good...this is good....
Do ya'll think Shanahan would take an O lineman early?

[theAPAOps5]

No way Shanny doesn't roll that way. Plus there is talk that current lineman will move to left guard. Plus Harris in the 3rd is like a 1st round pick for shanny. That would say Harris is a bust already.

I think its going to be DT, WR, and maybe RB if a certain one falls.

[ICON]

Trade back for more pick's.

[JCMElway]

Your first goal should be to trade down from the #12 spot. However, if Clady is available at #12 that's hard to pass up.

Need positions are, in order:

OT, DT, OT/G, WR, S, RB, P. If Elam does not sign we may also draft a Kicker, but I hope not. This crop of kickers sucks.

Oh, and if Durant Brooks is available in the 6th, snag him!

[Vegas_Bronco]

We will be taking a LB on our first pick...mark my words!

We won't go Oline till later in the draft.

[JCMElway]

We will be taking a LB on our first pick...mark my words!

We won't go Oline till later in the draft.

Care to make a sig wager for LB vs. non-LB with the first pick? No way we take a LB first. I'm not saying it will defiently be OT, but it won't be LB.

[Bronco Jamus]

We need a true fullback, defensive tackle and at least one offensive tackle. As a secondary concern we need a saftey, every down runningback, and a wide receiver. Offensive tackle and defensive tackle are our biggest need. Fullback is also a great need for about 5 seasons we have used converted runningbacks as fullbacks. They do not have the taste for the job, and you can see it on Sundays.

[crosswatt]

*Update*
We are ready to go. LSSpam, the poster heading it up has set the schedule. Feel free to check it out, and give me any input as to needs. I like what I've heard so far from ya'll....
Alright, here's the schedule

Rounds 1 - 2
Beginning 8 A.M. Monday March 24th
Ending 5 P.M. Friday March 28th

Timer goes off (but picks can continue at whatever pace)
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th

Rounds 3 - finished
Beginning Monday 8 A.M. March 31st (expecting the compensatory picks to be announced then)
Ending Friday 5 P.M. April 4th

Timer off
Saturday April 5th and Sunday April 6th

Whatever is left Monday 8 A.M. April 7th - until

[PLOWHORSE]

We need a true fullback, defensive tackle and at least one offensive tackle. As a secondary concern we need a saftey, every down runningback, and a wide receiver. Offensive tackle and defensive tackle are our biggest need. Fullback is also a great need for about 5 seasons we have used converted runningbacks as fullbacks. They do not have the taste for the job, and you can see it on Sundays.

Owen Scmitt numbers....

6'2 250 lbs
4.76 40-Unbeleivable time for a big guy!
4.18 shuttle(faster than some WRs!!!)
6.96 cone drill(faster than some WRs!!)

[Beantown Bronco]

Trade down from #12 to #25 if possible (Seattle). An even swap would net us their 2nd rounder (#55) and their 3rd rounder (#86). Obviously, it takes two to tango, but let's assume they go for it....especially considering the trade would work according to the draft value chart...we could throw them the 6th we just got for Myers if Seattle needed a little more coaxing.

With #25, grab Gosder Cherilus to play right tackle for the forseeable future. I've been on record in my support of this guy since January. Love him on the right side. Was instrumental in the success of multiple 1,000 yard rushers at that side. "NFL ready" and comes from an Oline factory.

#42 and #55 in the second round: grab any two of the following DTs:

Pat Sims
Trevor Laws
Dre Moore

#86 in 3rd round: grab Schmitt. Like several here, I've been wanting Howard Griffith 2.0 for a few seasons now and you guys talked me into Schmitt months ago. I've seen nothing to make me sour on him since.

Day 2: spend all 6 or 7 picks (depending on if Seattle wants one to make that deal happen) on special teams stars: preferably one safety early on, 2 WRs, a RB, kicker and punter.

[BroncoBuff]

1st Day - Tackles on both sides.
2nd Day - Linebacker, Safety, Wide Receiver, Kicker, Punter.

There you go.
DTs .... yes. DTs DTs DTs. If yuo can trade down, crosswatt, you should, because #12 is too low for Clady/Ellis/Dorsey, and to high fr ositins we need.

OT - depends on whether Kuper's moving to tackle. If he does move, then we need a G/C without Myers. WR yes, but preferably a speedster that returns kicks too, like Dexter Jackson or Andre Caldwell.

Josh Barrett is the safety we want imo, definitely.

No kickers in this draft really worth drafting imo, but punter Durant Brooks from Georgia Tech is worth a pick. Almost half his 144 punts went out inside the 20, but despite that, he averaged 45+ yards both seasons. And he's never had a punt locked. And Ray Guy is his tutor. And John Elway was his favorite player growing up.

Linebacker? I'm thinking no. We're kinda loaded there since free agency - and young. Boss, Niko and DJ are a pretty young starting trio, and Webster, Green and Winborn are young backups on the whole.

[BroncoBuff]

Trade down from #12 to #25 if possible (Seattle). An even swap would net us their 2nd rounder (#55) and their 3rd rounder (#86). Obviously, it takes two to tango, but let's assume they go for it....especially considering the trade would work according to the draft value chart...we could throw them the 6th we just got for Myers if Seattle needed a little more coaxing.

With #25, grab Gosder Cherilus to play right tackle for the forseeable future. I've been on record in my support of this guy since January. Love him on the right side. Was instrumental in the success of multiple 1,000 yard rushers at that side. "NFL ready" and comes from an Oline factory.

#42 and #55 in the second round: grab any two of the following DTs:

Pat Sims
Trevor Laws
Dre Moore

#86 in 3rd round: grab Schmitt. Like several here, I've been wanting Howard Griffith 2.0 for a few seasons now and you guys talked me into Schmitt months ago. I've seen nothing to make me sour on him since.

Day 2: spend all 6 or 7 picks (depending on if Seattle wants one to make that deal happen) on special teams stars: preferably one safety early on, 2 WRs, a RB, kicker and punter.
Wow, I just read this BTB, BEAUTIFUL!

I agree with every word. Except that if Kuper is slated to move to RT, we should select Branden Albert with the Seahawks #25 instead of Cherilus.

Jeepers - imagine an O-Line with Nalen, Kuper, Albert/Cherilus and Holland. Even with smaler Harris or Pears at LT, that would be our biggest O-Line ever.

[Needa Pass Rush]

We need a pass rush, as well as tackles to protect Cutler.


Still? :sunshine: That's needa, baby!:thumbsup:

[crosswatt]

Round 1 (NOW DRAFTING)
(001) 1 Miami - LT Jake Long
(002) 2 St. Louis - DE Vernon Gholston
(003) 3 Atlanta - DT Glenn Dorsey
(004) 4 Cincinnati (1from Oakland) - DE/OLB Chris Long
(005) 5 New York Jets (2from Kansas City) - RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
(006) 6 Kansas City (2from New York Jets) - DT Sedrick Ellis
(007) 7 New England (from sf) - CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
(008) 8 Baltimore - QB Matt Ryan
(009) 9 Oakland (1from cin) - LT Ryan Clady
(010) 10 New Orleans
(011) 11 Buffalo
(012) 12 Denver
Ok, we are up tomorrow morning. Clady just went off the board at 9. I can't find a trade partner to let me move back. Sooo... I have a few players to pick from now. The Saints (by vote of the board) are looking strong at McElvin.

Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois
Chris Williams - Vanderbilt
Jeff Otah - Pittsburgh
Kentwan Balmer - North Carolina
Mike Jenkins - USF
Aqib Talib - Kansas
DeSean Jackson - California
Any preferences? Other player suggestions?

http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62640

[elsid13]

Ok, we are up tomorrow morning. Clady just went off the board at 9. I can't find a trade partner to let me move back. Sooo... I have a few players to pick from now. The Saints (by vote of the board) are looking strong at McElvin.

Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois
Chris Williams - Vanderbilt
Jeff Otah - Pittsburgh
Kentwan Balmer - North Carolina
Mike Jenkins - USF
Aqib Talib - Kansas
DeSean Jackson - California
Any preferences? Other player suggestions?

http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62640


No RB - Shanahan use and abuse them, and Turner (RB Coach) likes to find guys that fit the system late.
Williams - a strong possibility
Otah - to high for him at 12
Balmer - to high for him at 12
Jekins/Talib - Don't play 1st round money to your nickle/dime
DeSean Jackson - This would be the Mike Shanahan WTF pick that we come to hate, Also someone like Sweed or Kelly wouldn't surprise me either.

[chaz]

Ok, we are up tomorrow morning. Clady just went off the board at 9. I can't find a trade partner to let me move back. Sooo... I have a few players to pick from now. The Saints (by vote of the board) are looking strong at McElvin.

Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois
Chris Williams - Vanderbilt
Jeff Otah - Pittsburgh
Kentwan Balmer - North Carolina
Mike Jenkins - USF
Aqib Talib - Kansas
DeSean Jackson - California
Any preferences? Other player suggestions?

http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62640

I'd look at Chris Williams, Desean Jackson, and Limas Sweed.

[crosswatt]

Quick last second "boy this looks like something Shanny would do" option-Phillip Merling. Shannahan values some positions high enough for an early 1st, and defensive end seems to be one of them. Yea? Nea? Stick to the original list?

[bowtown]

No way on the DE. It's not a big enough need for us and it's way too early for Merling IMO. Chris Williams is the pick.

[crosswatt]

OK. Dallas has offered me their two #1's, and Philly wants to move from 19. I'm leaning towards Dallas's offer, and taking best Oline and DT available at the respective slots....We would give up a 4th and 6th....

[rugbythug]

go with dallas its a no brainer

[Killericon]

OK. Dallas has offered me their two #1's, and Philly wants to move from 19. I'm leaning towards Dallas's offer, and taking best Oline and DT available at the respective slots....We would give up a 4th and 6th....

Take the Dallas offer! DO IT NOW!

Just for the record, I respectfully disagree with anyone who is saying that OT is a bigger need that DT. YOU PEOPLE ARE OUT OF YOUR FRIGGIN' MINDS!

[crosswatt]

We now have the #22 and #28 picks... We moved down to #61 from #42 in the second, and gave up the second of two 4th rounders (#118). OT and DT are my plan. Thoughts?

[vancejohnson82]

We now have the #22 and #28 picks... We moved down to #61 from #42 in the second, and gave up the second of two 4th rounders (#118). OT and DT are my plan. Thoughts?


wow, if this worked out in a few weeks I would definitely order a round of shots as the announcement was made

I would go with Balmer from North Carolina at #22

If Jackson is there at #28 I'd take him...but the rest of the board might disagree

[socalorado]

wow, if this worked out in a few weeks I would definitely order a round of shots as the announcement was made

I would go with Balmer from North Carolina at #22

If Jackson is there at #28 I'd take him...but the rest of the board might disagree

Yeah, Balmer at #22 and if J Stewart is there at #28, YOU GOTTA TAKE HIM!!!
Go O-line with the low 2nd rounder. There will be plenty of middle tier guys.
#61 go
Carl Nicks, Nebraska
Height: 6-4. Weight: 341.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Combine 40 Time: 5.12.
Arm: 35. Benchx225: 31.
Projected Round: 2.
or

DaJuan Morgan, FS, N.C. State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.52.
Benchx225: 21. Vertical: .
Projected Round: 2.

[rugbythug]

If williams, Otah or Jackson is their at 22 they are the pick.

at 28 balmer or Connor would look nice.

I would like at Moving back to the top of the second with one of your first too. Picking up a third.

[crosswatt]

BTW, you guys are much more active and helpfull than the Packers fans were last year...

:thumbsup:

[Beantown Bronco]

We now have the #22 and #28 picks... We moved down to #61 from #42 in the second, and gave up the second of two 4th rounders (#118). OT and DT are my plan. Thoughts?

It's amazing how equal that trade is according to the value chart (1738 pts to 1732 pts). I like it.

Balmer at 22 and Cherilus at 28 would be my dream draft. I might dangle a guy like Foxworth or a second day pick out there to move up a few slots from 28 to secure Cherilus though. I have a feeling he may go between 22 and 28, especially if there is the early "run" on OTs that most are predicting.

[elsid13]

Well it Jackson if he there, then I would suspect that he would be Shanahan choice. But I wouldn't believe that he would go either Balmer or OT at this point. OT will be pulled late and I would suspect a fast riser like Law or Red Bryant (Texas AM), classic Denver move. AND NO RB

[crosswatt]

With the 22nd pick, the Denver Broncos select:

Gosder Cherilus, Offensive Tackle Boston College

[Beantown Bronco]

With the 22nd pick, the Denver Broncos select:

Gosder Cherilus, Offensive Tackle Boston College

Gotta rep that.

[bowtown]

With the 22nd pick, the Denver Broncos select:

Gosder Cherilus, Offensive Tackle Boston College

Wooohoooooo

[socalorado]

With the 22nd pick, the Denver Broncos select:

Gosder Cherilus, Offensive Tackle Boston College

Solid.

[rugbythug]

solid pick-although I would have taken Desean Jackson in hopes that Gosder fell to 28. But I bet on 00 too

[crosswatt]

solid pick-although I would have taken Desean Jackson in hopes that Gosder fell to 28. But I bet on 00 too

I really considered that, especially with Marshall's arm injury, but ya'lls offense is so strongly predicated on a dominate running game that Oline was too strong a draw. If Jackson had lasted to 28, I would've jumped all over him. As it stands now, I'm planning on Kentwan Balmer or Trevor Laws here in a few minutes. I think Dexter Jackson in the 4th could be just as valuable as DeSean would've been, but at a much lower price tag.

[rugbythug]

I really considered that, especially with Marshall's arm injury, but ya'lls offense is so strongly predicated on a dominate running game that Oline was too strong a draw. If Jackson had lasted to 28, I would've jumped all over him. As it stands now, I'm planning on Kentwan Balmer or Trevor Laws here in a few minutes. I think Dexter Jackson in the 4th could be just as valuable as DeSean would've been, but at a much lower price tag.

Sounds good. Is the IU Reciever Gone yet? Laws, Balmer, Moore, Sims have pretty equal value in my mind.

[rugbythug]

is laws your guy then?

[crosswatt]

Balmer went off the board right before our pick, so I traded back into the second round, #41 overall. Picked up a 3rd with it. +30 on the draft value chart, and got us into a round we were out of previously...Laws is the target, but one of the other DT's may tickle my fancy before time to pick...

[rugbythug]

Balmer went off the board right before our pick, so I traded back into the second round, #41 overall. Picked up a 3rd with it. +30 on the draft value chart, and got us into a round we were out of previously...Laws is the target, but one of the other DT's may tickle my fancey before time to pick...

Excellent - If only Shanny is as savvy as you.

Turned a 12 and 42 into

22,41,60,73?

[chaz]

crosswatt for executive director of trades!

[crosswatt]

OK... the Saints are going to take Laws right before me, so I'm moving down 8 spots to #49, and picking up an additional 4th (#114). Still taking a DT here, so do ya'll have a preference between Moore, Harrison, Bryant, or Sims?

[rugbythug]

moore-unless you can move up past the saints.

I might just stay put and take moore actually.

[Beantown Bronco]

OK... the Saints are going to take Laws right before me, so I'm moving down 8 spots to #49, and picking up an additional 4th (#114). Still taking a DT here, so do ya'll have a preference between Moore, Harrison, Bryant, or Sims?

Man, is this guy socal's long lost brother or what!?

How many trade downs and extra picks can one person accumulate? :)

[Ziggy]

The trade down's for extra picks are just what the doctor ordered. Just make sure to pick up some need players in those rounds. Owen Schmitt, a kicker, punter and KR come to mind. Also, Denver almost always takes a flier on a RB in the late rounds. Good trading so far.

[crosswatt]

OK.. Went Dre Moore at 49, looking at DeJaun Morgan, Earl Bennett, Josh Barrett, or Lavelle Hawkins at 61.

[Beantown Bronco]

OK.. Went Dre Moore at 49, looking at DeJaun Morgan, Earl Bennett, Josh Barrett, or Lavelle Hawkins at 61.

Nice job so far. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Earl Bennet will be the consensus OMane pick at 61 if he's available.

[Ziggy]

I'd have to agree with the Bennet pick. He could be a solid #2 receiver, and we all know that Cutler is familiar with him already.

[crosswatt]

Took Earl Bennett at #61...

[crosswatt]

Update entering round 4...
1st- OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
2nd- DT Dre Moore, Maryland
2nd- WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
3rd- S Quintin Demps - UTEP
two picks in both the 4th and 5th rounds, along with a 6th and a 7th left.

http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65796

[Beantown Bronco]

Update entering round 4...
1st- OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
2nd- DT Dre Moore, Maryland
2nd- WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
3rd- S Quintin Demps - UTEP
two picks in both the 4th and 5th rounds, along with a 6th and a 7th left.

http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65796

I'll put in my vote for punter Durant Brooks with one of the 4th rounders.

[Killericon]

I'll put in my vote for punter Durant Brooks with one of the 4th rounders.

If Owen Schmitt is kicking around near the end of the 4th, I'd take him. Otherwise, take a middle linebacker, a return specialist(If there are any left), a Centre, and another DT.

[rugbythug]

tashard Choice RB from Georgia Tech would be a great fit if there.

[crosswatt]

If Owen Schmitt is kicking around near the end of the 4th, I'd take him. Otherwise, take a middle linebacker, a return specialist(If there are any left), a Centre, and another DT.

I was thinking Beau Bell here. And Demps is a very solid return guy. Demarrio Pressley is here at DT too.

[rugbythug]

Beau is a solid choice, But I like Choice better

[crosswatt]

4th round update:
1st- OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
2nd- DT Dre Moore, Maryland
2nd- WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
3rd- S Quintin Demps - UTEP
4th RB Tashard Choice-Georgia Tech
4th LB Beau Bell- UNLV

http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62640&page=92

[rugbythug]

excellent draft

[rugbythug]

If bowman is availible I would look for him in the 5th

[crosswatt]

I've finished my portion of the draft. Here's what we were able to acomplish:
1st- OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
2nd- DT Dre Moore, Maryland
2nd- WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
3rd- S Quintin Demps, UTEP
4th- RB Tashard Choice,Georgia Tech
4th- LB Beau Bell, UNLV
5th- LB Jordan Dizon, Colorado
5th- C Steve Justice , Wake Forest
6th- P Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
7th- S Corey Lynch, Appalachian State
I'll try to do a write up later. I hope ya'll feel I represented your team well; it was fun being the pretend GM of such an entertaining team, and I look forward to a great game on the 21st of September.
http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62640

[rugbythug]

That looks to be an absolutly great draft. I love the lower rounds value.

[crosswatt]

Ok, here is my write up from our mock...
The Broncos went into the draft with definitive needs on both offensive and defensive lines, as well as help in the secondary and at wide out. Through several trades, we were able to pick up additional picks, using those to build depth and bolster the special teams unit. Here is why we did what we did:

1st- OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College- The best pure right tackle in the draft. Will fit the zone scheme, and improve the consistency of the running game.
2nd- DT Dre Moore, Maryland- One of the most physically gifted tackle prospects, maybe the in the entire draft. Has to learn not to rely solely one his physical talent, and we expect him to do so. A potentially dominate player.
2nd- WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt- Jay Cutler’s favorite receiver from Vandy rejoins him in the pros. Similar in style and talent to Greg Jennings from Green Bay. Brandon Marshall’s issues and Rod Smith’s retirement left a void that we think Bennett can fill sooner rather than later. Also can return punts.
3rd- S Quintin Demps, UTEP – Demps just made plays no matter where they put him. He spent most of his career at FS, but moved to corner due to injuries this year and still made plays. He ran back 2 interceptions for 100 yd TDs, and 3 total in his career. Also took back a fumble and a kickoff for TDs. One of those guys who just makes things happen.
4th- RB Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech- Travis Henry is a little too troubled to depend on long term, and Selvyn Young seems a bit too fragile. Choice can be that every down back that fits the one cut zone scheme. Good vision, size, and speed.
4th- LB Beau Bell, UNLV- Good tackler. Excels against the run. Potential two down starter.
5th- LB Jordan Dizon, Colorado- Great tackler, and very productive. High motor guy.
5th- C Steve Justice, Wake Forest- A perfect fit for our scheme. Future starter.
6th- P Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech – Averaged over 45 yards per punt, and placed over half of them inside the 20 yard line. A real weapon.
7th- S Corey Lynch, Appalachian State- Lynch has blocked 6 kicks in the last 2 years, including the Michigan field goal attempt. He also has 24 interceptions in his career. Just a solid, productive player.

Best pick: Steve Justice
Worst pick: Gosder Cherilus
biggest reach: Gosder Cherilus
Best value: Beau Bell
Biggest sleeper: Corey Lynch
Best player: Dre Moore
Most likely to surprise: Tashard Choice

[Beantown Bronco]

Worst pick: Gosder Cherilus

If that statement is true, then you have just completed the best draft in the history of drafts.

[crosswatt]

Worst pick: Gosder Cherilus

If that statement is true, then you have just completed the best draft in the history of drafts.

heh. Just my opinion. I'm not sure he will go as high as I picked him, making him a bit of a reach. I was really pleased with the value from the other rounds/picks. Who would you say was the worst (relatively speaking), or the best, or the biggest reach? I am very interested in how well I represented ya'lls needs and overall team "fit"...