WWLG? (Where Will Leinart Go)

[Samdari]

I am giddy to see actual football topics on the front page of this forum.

I will add my own. Lets assume that Heisman Matt ends the year as he began, the obvious #1 NFL pick. Who do you see ending up at the top of the draft, and do they need a QB? The niners are an excellent candidate to finish with the worst record in the draft, but obviously, they would not take him.

We cannot appear to go with the ever reliable "Bengals" as an answer, so I'll go with that other reliable answer.

The Cardinals. I think Kurt Warner will have a fine year, but is obviously not going to be around long enough for the Cardinals to ascend to the playoffs (their O-Line needs too much work). They just cannot seem to run either, so I cannot see him lasting the year with defenses able to just tee off on him.

I'll go so far as to predict a top 5:

1) Arizona, Leinart
2) Houston, D'Brickashaw Ferguson
3) San Francisco, Jimmy Williams, CB, VPI
4) Tennessee, RB DeAngelo Williams
5) Detroit, WR Santonio Holmes, Ohio St

In deference to TroyF, let me say I really wanted to put the Packers on the list. Just cannot see them not getting a few cheap wins from playing division games.

[henry296]

I think Cleveland is another possibility despite their win over Green Bay. The AFC North is very solid and they might only win 1 division game this year. They did draft Charlie Frye, but I don't think they would pass on Leinhart.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Samdari

5) Detroit, WR Santonio Holmes, Ohio St

Heh!! This is a joke, right? Not the Lions finishing up as the 5th worst team in the league (a strong possibility), but them drafting ANOTHER wide receiver in the first round.

[WSUCougar]

Cleveland

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by henry296

I think Cleveland is another possibility despite their win over Green Bay. The AFC North is very solid and they might only win 1 division game this year. They did draft Charlie Frye, but I don't think they would pass on Leinhart.

I forgot Cleveland (like most Browns fans are trying to do). They should be 3rd/4th on that list. They won't take a running back, that much we know.

[Mustang]

Well, not alot of teams will look to draft a QB high. Teams with potential needs that probably aren't going to be good this year - Cleveland, Baltimore, Tennessee, Arizona... then you have your teams like Miami, Dallas and Detroit...

I'm going to say Cleveland but, to tell you the truth, it would not surprise me if Baltimore had a top 3 pick...

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Mustang

it would not surprise me if Baltimore had a top 3 pick...

No way, not with that defense. I think Akili Smith could play QB for them and they'd still not be a Top 3 pick.

[Anthony]

Miami will trade up to get Leinhart - if they don't suck on their own to begin with to earn the #1 overall.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Heh!! This is a joke, right? Not the Lions finishing up as the 5th worst team in the league (a strong possibility), but them drafting ANOTHER wide receiver in the first round.

Do I think they might finish in the top 5? Yes, although I do think Cleveland is a much more likely possibility.

Is them taking another WR with a top pick a joke? Gosh, I certainly hope so.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

No way, not with that defense. I think Akili Smith could play QB for them and they'd still not be a Top 3 pick.

D gave up what, 49 points total last 2 games.. If the defense doesn't hold up their end of the deal, that offense isn't scoring squat. Especially since it doesn't seem Lewis is right...

[flere-imsaho]

It'll be funny if SF gets the #1 two years in a row.

I do like the Arizona angle, but I think it's probably safer to say that someone's going to trade into #1 to get Leinart. I think Baltimore & Miami are very good candidates there. Cleveland's a possibility, but I think Dilfer's going to do just fine and they'll decide the price for Leinart isn't worth it.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

If SF does get the #1 pick, and Smith shows nothing, would SF be tempted to go with the guy they would have taken if he was there and trade Smith, or would they trade down? I know the cap would kill them.

Hey, then they could use the top pick in '07 on a QB too!

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

It'll be funny if SF gets the #1 two years in a row.

I do like the Arizona angle, but I think it's probably safer to say that someone's going to trade into #1 to get Leinart. I think Baltimore & Miami are very good candidates there. Cleveland's a possibility, but I think Dilfer's going to do just fine and they'll decide the price for Leinart isn't worth it.

Why wouldn't Arizona just draft Leinart if they got #1. He is considered the best of the QB prospects since (I think) Peyton Manning, better than all the #1 QB's since. With no young QB of note there, I just could not see Green passing on Leinart.

I would find it highly amusing if SF got the #1. I thought Smith was the riskiest #1 QB pick ever. He had great intangibles, yes, but his physical skills were not overwhelming, and QBs who excel in "gimicky" college offenses tend to have trouble adjusting to the NFL. Meanwhile, even if Smith was the sure thing, had to be #1 last year, his NFL potential was rated below Leinart's by everyone. So they in essense would have to pass up Leinart for Smith.

[PackerFanatic]

Watch Leinart pull a Ryan Leaf.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Mustang

D gave up what, 49 points total last 2 games.. If the defense doesn't hold up their end of the deal, that offense isn't scoring squat. Especially since it doesn't seem Lewis is right...

Well, they gave up 24 to Indy but held what many consider to be the best offense in the league in relative check for most of the game. The Ravens gave up 25 to Tennessee, but nine of that is on the offense (INT + safety). I still think the defense is good enough to keep them from sinking as low as a Top 3 pick, but we can agree to disagree.

[Bearcat729]

I don't think Cleveland will draft him. I tend to lean towards them drafting defense or a OL.

I would love to see someone like AJ Hawk playing in Cleveland next season.

[pennywisesb]

Originally Posted by PackerFanatic

Watch Leinart pull a Ryan Leaf.

I hope you are joking. Leinhart is so much better than Ryan Leaf. I think Alex Smith is much more likely to do something like that than Leinhart

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I'd like to see Mike Williams catching passes from Lion-art!

[rkmsuf]

Line Art

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Line Art

Not when he's winning Super Bowl's in Detroit.

[TroyF]

I'm still hoping Washington collapses and gives Denver that top pick. We NEED Leinhart.

I doubt Tennessee would draft a RB. They have too many other needs, espcially on the defensive side of the ball. Also we have the wild card here. If Vince Young leaves Texas, he'll be picked high, possibly as high as #2, depending on the team. He just has too much natural ability for someone not to take a chance on him.

I agree with you though. . . of the "bad" teams, Leinhart fits Arizona the best.

[Mustang]

Although, the big question might be do you give up a top pick for Leinart OR do you give up a top pick for Rivers if SD decides to go with Brees...

[RedKingGold]

That's another interesting question.....Leinart's great,...but I LOVE Vincent Young (especially after the Rose Bowl and the OSU game).

If I have the number one overall, I think I'm going Vincent Young over Leinart.

And the Niner's will get Reggie Bush somehow

[RendeR]

Baltimore WILL trade up to get Leinert. Right it down in stone, its going to happen.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by RendeR

Baltimore WILL trade up to get Leinert. Right it down in stone, its going to happen.

They might not have to!

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

They might not have to!

*CACKLES* so true, so amazingly WONDERFULLY true =)

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

That's another interesting question.....Leinart's great,...but I LOVE Vincent Young (especially after the Rose Bowl and the OSU game).

If I have the number one overall, I think I'm going Vincent Young over Leinart.

And the Niner's will get Reggie Bush somehow

I don't think you guys realize how highly rated Leinart is. There is NO WAY Vince Young goes ahead of him (although I agree if he continues to play like he is, he's a top 5 pick). There is NO WAY anyone trades a pick that would be Leinart for Phillip Rivers. I am pretty sure Leinart is thought of more highly than any QB since Peyton, with the possible exception of Carson Palmer.

Troy, you are probably right about Tennessee and the RB. I had to pick someone though, and it seems that everyone is really high on ILB's, and the UCLA TE. Both positions tend not to go in the top 10. They drafted about 9 DL the past few years, and have young, high draft picks at the corners. I think they are more likely to go OL, but we shall see. I just did not see a good fit for them here, except at ILB, and don't think they'd go there in the top 5.

I wonder about Reggie Bush. He is dynamic and makes as many game breaking plays as anyone in college football. But, is he an NFL tailback? Has never been the primary running back for USC, and has never demonstrated the ability to run between the tackles, and grind out yards. I guess with his speed, someone will take him high and figure out how to use him when he gets there.

[Ryche]

Maroney from the Gophers will be the top RB in the draft. 4.3 speed, enough size and he has run on everyone he's faced.

My prediction is Denver. They'll see visions of obtaining the golden boy from the west coast just like they did a couple decades ago and deal whatever is necessary to get him.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Ryche

Maroney from the Gophers will be the top RB in the draft. 4.3 speed, enough size and he has run on everyone he's faced.

My prediction is Denver. They'll see visions of obtaining the golden boy from the west coast just like they did a couple decades ago and deal whatever is necessary to get him.

Everything I see has Bush and DeAngelo Williams ahead of Maroney.

[Ryche]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Everything I see has Bush and DeAngelo Williams ahead of Maroney.

Yep, all the projections I've seen have indicated the same thing. I should amend what I said with Bush, who will probably go ahead of Maroney. Didn't think of him for whatever reason, maybe because it's questionable what his role will be in the NFL.

But by the time draft day is here, I'm positive Maroney will go ahead of Williams. I think Williams is ranked ahead of Maroney because he's a senior and he put up huge numbers as the feature back last year while Maroney was splitting time.

This coming week will be good for comparison purposes. Maroney put up 203 yards on 21 carries at Tulsa. We'll see what Williams does there.

[WSUCougar]

Damn...I'm going to have to see much more consistent, quality passing from Vince Young before I'd take him any where near that high. Are draft experts putting him in the Top 5 already?

[Raiders Army]

I'd put Bush at WR.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Damn...I'm going to have to see much more consistent, quality passing from Vince Young before I'd take him any where near that high. Are draft experts putting him in the Top 5 already?

He's as polished as Vick was. Young just has so much natural athletic ability that someone will jump at the pick.

Leinhart goes #1, no questions asked. The only way that pick is traded is if the team who has the pick already has a young QB. The Niners would deal the pick, but that's about it.

Leinhart is simply rated too high.

As for Bush, someone will draft him and figure out how to use him.

Now, if the Niners get the pick and decide to deal, Denver is most certainly a likely destination. They have two first round picks. They actually have some cap room opening up next year. The only way Jake Plummer stays here is if the Broncos somehow win a couple of playoff games.

Plus, Denver has some depth at positions teams would have interest in. (a lot of young secondary players, a fairly deep defensive line and LB core)

I could easily see them trading for him.

I'd look for some teams to make a play for Ferguson as well. He's a solid player and there hasn't been a true franchise type tackle in the last couple of drafts.

Also, don't forget about the other Bush at running back. Michael Bush is a junior, but NFL scouts have to be drooling at the guy. 6'3", 240, fast as hell and can even catch the ball out of the backfield. One last guy to look at:

Brady Quinn. He's a junior and I'd guess he comes back, but he's got just about everything scouts look for in a QB. Strong arm, tall (6'4") and you know they'll love that he played under Weiss. He comes out, we could potentially have three QB's go in the top ten.

[PackerFanatic]

Yeah, although Young is great...Leinhart will go #1. I mean he was slated to go #1 this year before he commited back to USC...and unless he has a complete breakdown this year, he should be #1 no matter what. And I would probably put Young in the top 5 too. Looks just as good, if not better, than Vick was at that time.

[scooper]

Sure, Vince Young has his athleticism going for him, but after a semester of nothing but ballroom dancing class, Leinhart should be pretty agile.

[PackerFanatic]

Originally Posted by scooper

Sure, Vince Young has his athleticism going for him, but after a semester of nothing but ballroom dancing class, Leinhart should be pretty agile.

Haha...touche salesman.

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by PackerFanatic

Yeah, although Young is great...Leinhart will go #1. I mean he was slated to go #1 this year before he commited back to USC...and unless he has a complete breakdown this year, he should be #1 no matter what. And I would probably put Young in the top 5 too. Looks just as good, if not better, than Vick was at that time.

Vick probably still has better raw physical talent, I agree that Young has probably more actual QB skill than Vick did. Shoot, he may have more than Vick has now.

[st.cronin]

There are probably at least 10 college qbs who are better passers than Ron Mexico; which isn't to say he can't play QB, just that he's quite a bit overhyped, and HORRIBLY misused.

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

There are probably at least 10 college qbs who are better passers than Ron Mexico; which isn't to say he can't play QB, just that he's quite a bit overhyped, and HORRIBLY misused.

Overhyped? Probably. Misused? No. His winning percentage suggest otherwise. They call the offense he plays in "West Coast", but it actually completely tailored around Vick. He just may never be a pocket passer, which means his career is probably going to be a short one.

[Schmidty]

Detroit is not the 5th worst team in the league. All you Lion fans jumping off the bandwagon because of one admittedly horrendous game (but still one game) make me nauseuous. I've suffered with the Lions as long as anyone on this board and I am as jaded as anyone, but to say that they are one of the worst 5 teams in the league, or even one of the worst 10 teams is totally asinine. If they continue to look this bad the next 3-4 games, go ahead and stick a fork in them, but until then, back the fuck off.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

There are probably at least 10 college qbs who are better passers than Ron Mexico; which isn't to say he can't play QB, just that he's quite a bit overhyped, and HORRIBLY misused.

Remember in Vick's last year at VTech he missed qualifying for the passer rating rankings by a few passes, but if he did, he would have led 1-A in passer rating that year.

So players that look great passing in college may not be able to duplicate the same level of ability in the pros.

[bhlloy]

Bush put on 10-20 pounds in the offseason reportedly to make himself look more like a NFL RB, and his carries are way up on last year. He's taking carries away from LenDale White (another first round pick?) which is a very good sign. As long as he holds up and doesn't get injured this season I think he's going to be drafted right behind Williams as the second runningback.

As for the first pick would I be completely stupid to say I can see Green Bay in that mix? Favre looks poor, the defence and O-Line are horrid and now Walker gone for the year.
That brings up a potentially sticky situation - stick with Aaron Rogers who in my opinion looks like a bust already, or take Leinart?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

I'd put Bush at WR.

Yeah, that's what I always figured he'd be in the NFL.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

As for the first pick would I be completely stupid to say I can see Green Bay in that mix? Favre looks poor, the defence and O-Line are horrid and now Walker gone for the year.
That brings up a potentially sticky situation - stick with Aaron Rogers who in my opinion looks like a bust already, or take Leinart?

How in the WORLD can Aaron Rogers look like a bust already?! If you are basing it on the Tedford lineage, then they knew that before they picked him.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

How in the WORLD can Aaron Rogers look like a bust already?! If you are basing it on the Tedford lineage, then they knew that before they picked him.

Well, reports on Rogers from camp were poor/unimpressive. I think he's #3 on the depth chart.

[bhlloy]

Yeah I'm jumping the gun and he'll probably turn out to be the second coming of Montana or something now. But for me slipping that far in the draft past teams with clear needs at QB + Tedford's history + apparently a very poor training camp points in a certain direction.
Just my opinion. You certainly can't argue that Leinart isn't twice the prospect that Rogers is, even if he doesn't bust. Earlier in the thread people have been suggesting that they would take Leinart and trade Alex Smith to accomodate him.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Well, reports on Rogers from camp were poor/unimpressive. I think he's #3 on the depth chart.

Yeah, but he's a rookie. Most rookies don't shine their first year and Sherman's system is fairly complicated, IIRC.

[TazFTW]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Heh!! This is a joke, right? Not the Lions finishing up as the 5th worst team in the league (a strong possibility), but them drafting ANOTHER wide receiver in the first round.

[PilotMan]

I say that Leinart will bypass the NFL in search of his true dream of a career on the professional ballroom dancing circuit.

[Thomkal]

Kurt Warner has only a one year contract, so I have to think he's out the door if my beloved Cards don't have a good season. But the Cards have passed on the opportunity to draft a quality QB the last two, three seasons, so I have my doubts they would even take Leinart with the #1 pick.