Rodgers.

Thoughts on the upcoming NFL Draft?
 

What are the 49ers really doing at #1? Every single publication I read seems to have them taking Aaron Rodgers, but they just had Alex Smith in for a second workout for them. Now, does that mean they're now leaning towards Smith? Does it mean they're pretty damn sure about Rodgers but wanted to be sure by seeing Smith again? Does it mean they want Rodgers' agent to think they want Smith and therefore some to a contract agreement quicker? Can they be serious about potentially taking Braylon Edwards?

My gut feeling is that the draft will be as wild as last year's, where there were probably the most surprises I've ever personally seen. It was some pretty compelling viewing last year, especially since even the #1 pick was in question up until the minute was made.

I have no clue what the 49ers are thinking. Personally I don't think any of these QBs are worth taking in the top 5. 49ers have alot of holes and they should go best available player.

Who do you think that is? Braylon Edwards?

Probably. A strong case could be made for Ronnie Brown tho, IMO.

The problem with this draft is there's no great QBs, no great OLs and no great DLs. I mean there have been years when there were no QBs, but at least there were linemen worth taking #1.

I think they will end up taking Rodgers, but if I were in their shoes I would be doing everything in my power to try and trade out of the pick. But I just don't see why a team could possibly want to move up to that position this year.

I'd say it too is Braylon. He does it all. He carries himself remarkably (Best Damn Sports Show anyone?) and his attitude cannot be in question.

He's deserving of the #1 in my opinion.

It's not exactly the ideal year to have the top pick, that's for sure. There's no clear cut #1, though there's 8-10 top players that seem like they could go in almost any order. Also without Leinhart, there's no elite quarterback but two very good qbs. Personally, I think with their situations the '9ers will end up going with Smith, though I like Braylon Edwards and Derrick Johnson more than anyone else in the draft.

It'll be whoever's agent asks for the least amount of cash. I don't see York becoming a spender.

Derrick Johnson at #10. I hope.

i echo those same sentiments

I feel exactly the same way.

If Braylon is gone at 7 (which I expect him to be), I'm hoping for Johnson at 7. He'd be another step toward completing the defensive upgrades the Vikings have made.

The Dolphins need to trade down and get more picks. But knowing the Dolphins there will be a cluster fuck that has me confused by their choice.

They must be following the Bears' rules.

I'll go on a mini-limb here.

Alex Smith to SF at #1
Aaron Rodgers to Miami at #2
Cleveland trades out so someone can take Ronnie Brown

Whoever gets Pacman Jones will become one of my new favorite teams.*


*Browns, Bengals, Ravens, Patriots, and Cowboys do not qualify for this offer.

Cross out the following from your draft lists,

Quote:

Pro Football Weekly

Now four guys could definitely get away with robbing a grave.

Agreed.

Despite the fact that he's considered pretty weak at the point of the attack, no other prospect at the 10 spot excites me more. I love linebackers and I love defensive speed. I'd be excited. I'd also be happy with Antrell Rolle if he dropped or maybe one of the DE's (Merriman?). The pick that excites me least is Alex Barron. I know the importance of a good O-line, but O-line picks are rarely exciting and I am not sold on Barron at all. He has bust written all over him.

Please let him drop to #11...

word.

My thought is that I'll be driving back and forth between Tallahassee and Valdosta that day to a kid's birthday party rather than watching the draft. I think that sucks.

I hear that...

I have missed the draft for the last THREE years. First year in Belgium, no internet. Second year in Belgium, friend's parents come into town, big night out. Third year in Belgium, good friend's house warming party. (Note the six hour time difference kills me here). This year, finally back in the good ole US of A, the draft looking like a sure thing... All of a sudden a good friend's wife sends an email and says she wants to surprise my friend on his b-day by taking him to DC and having his brother and my brother and sister-in-law come to DC to surprise them. So the entire weekend is shot. It will be a great time, but no time for draft watching as only me and my brother are football fans... :(

I'm almost hoping that Johnson is gone when the Lions select at #10. Alex Barron would be a perfect fit on the Lions O-Line. Barron is ready to go, and that's more than I can say for anyone trying to fill McDougle's spot. Justin Tuck would be a nice value pick in the second round, depending what position he ends up playing...

Please let Ernie Accorsi finally make a good pick.

No way a WR is worth the #1 overall pick.
There's a reason why QBs have gone #1 overall 7 times over the past 8 years : we are in the free-agency era and this is a Quarterback's league. Like it or not, it starts and ends with the quarterback position.

When you have two potential franchise caliber QB (that could be very good) like Rodgers and Smith, you gotta to take your chance on one of them at #1.
If not trade the pick away (if that's possible). But don't get a WR or a CB at #1, that's throwing money out of the windows.

Jon Gruden, who's said to be an offensive guru, thinks so high of both quarterbacks that he would like to trade up from the #5 pick so to grab either one that's left. He said Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith are outstanding players and definite franchise quarterbacks...

I'm in agreement with you, I would like to see them take Barron. O-line is the one spot where I think we have a relatively decent-sized hole to fill. Barring that, and assuming they don't trade down, I think Johnson or Merriman would be a good pickup as well.

I hope the Titans go after either Mike Williams WR or Rolle CB with the #6 pick. Though I think they will most likely try to ttrade down some to get a mid round 1st and a another 2nd rounder.

I have a sense that SF has their short list and now they are just keeping people in the dark in order to try to drive down a contract price. Playing Rodgers and Smith off each other while keeping Edwards in the mix is not a bad plan, if they manage to get the guy that they want and not piss him off by trying to lowball him too much.

Why is Ronnie Brown viewed as a better prospect than Cadillac Williams, even though he couldnt start over him at Auburn? I dont watch much college football at all, if any.....did they play together in a lot of sets?

He's a bigger, stronger back, which NFL teams like, without giving up much speed. He's also a better receiver and blocker. Williams has more home run potential, but Brown is seen as the better overall back for NFL purposes. The difference in their rankings is so miniscule, however, that it comes down to preference of the first team to take one of them. Either way, the pick can't be criticized.

Now that Arizona, Cincinatti, and Indy all have real football guys in charge, who is going to make completely stupid picks on draft day?

Matt Millen has potential, but he lacks the style of those old draft bunglers. Besides, Mooch probably will have the Lions drafting just fine now that he is on board.

Minnesota always does a good job of screwing up draft day..

Actually, Brown is bigger AND faster than Cadilac, and considered a better pass catcher. Because of his 40 times, Brown was the star of the combine.

The Lions have drafted well the last few years, though the jury is still out on Harrington.

The Browns have held the title of poor drafters since re-entering the league but I'd have to think Savage will improve that.

With two first round chances to miss picking in their alloted time, the Vikings certainly are a team to watch on day one.

True, Brown has better straight line speed. Cadillac seems to accelerate faster and is shiftier.

Choosing between the two of them is like accepting a lotter payout in increments of $100 or $50. You'll get there a different way, but you'll get there.

Are either of these QBs really worth the top overall pick? I think it'd be better to take one of the best players available that potentially reach on a franchise QB. I think the '9ers could be better off by taking Edwards and then targeting Campbell of Frye in the second. Trading down a few spots may not work so well as there may not be much of a market, and with this draft class the top pick seems a little less valuable. With the exception of Derrick Johnson at LB each of the top 10 players has a counterpart at the same position that most teams would be just as happy with.

I keep hoping the 49ers don't draft a QB early. I think they have other holes to fill. They can let Rattay or Dorsey sink or swim for another year while they bolster the rest of the team. If Leinart is available in a supplemental draft, take him. If Rattay/Dorsey fails, you have a shot at Leinart next year anyway

I don't care about value or think they have to draft a QB #1 because everyone else does. Rick Mirer, Ryan Leaf, Peyton Manning, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Donovan McNabb and Drew Bledsoe all looked like #1s coming out and none of them have won a Super Bowl. The 49ers should find the best player for their team regardless of position.

I would take the one who sounds like his name will be used in HOF
type talk. "Ronnie Brown" is a HOF name. "Cadilac" is a "where are they now" kind of name.

I've thought long and hard about the upcoming NFL draft, and I can safely say that I am 100% for it.

A girl in my high school raised her hand one day and asked how can the NFL draft be legal. We had no idea what she meant until she said "I just don't see how they can pick people and force them to play football." We had to explain that it wasn't so much like a military draft. True story.
Also I will probably watch the draft this year just to see where Pacman and Chris Henry end up.

Are you comparing Manning, Bledsoe and McNabb to those other clowns? Cause Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl and he's arguably the best ever. There's alot of great QBs who never won a super bowl, and a lot of average ones who did.

The amazing thing is she was very close to asking a very interesting question. If she had said, "I just don't see how they can pick people and force them to play for a certain team. Collective Bargaining is the only reason a draft is legal. Could you imagine if Accounting Firms had a draft of eligible accounting majors.

Todd

They are not forced to actually play for that team though are they.
You could question if its legal to stop someone playing for another team for 1 year though once they are drafted

Possible trade?

That would be a great move for Miami. Move down and still get one of the running backs or a wideout if that is what they want and get some more help in later rounds. All the experts are saying this is a deep draft.

Unless everything that we have been hearing is wrong, Tampa Bay would be foolish to accept a "chart value" trade. All the talk has said that this is a buyer's market for teams who want to move up. Of course, if there is a late run of multiple teams interested in Smith, San Francisco should move to take advantage of that and not let Miami steal that thunder.

If you could throw Philip Rivers back into this draft where would you put him at? I am asking as I could easily see the 49ers trading their #1. This would be a win-win situation considering all the cap money the 49ers would save.

Also, where do you see Mike Williams going.