Mock Draft 5.0: USC’s Cushing falls to Falcons
Falcons coach Mike Smith took a break from draft preparations to host the media in a golf tournament at Pine Isle Golf Course in Lake Lanier Islands, Ga.
No Pam Grier, Beyonce or Batman for this week’s mock draft.
With a shade over a week to go, the dust is starting to settle around the National Football League. We must get down to some football business.
The last few visits are being taken and teams are finalizing their draft boards. They are reviewing several scenarios that could unfold on Saturday, April 25.
One of very popular scenarios has USC linebacker Brian Cushing, once considered a top 10 pick, dropping to the Falcons at No. 24. It’s likely because the glut of defensive end/outside linebacker types and because of his red flags. If he’s there at 24, he’ll be holding up a red and black jersey around 8 p.m. next Saturday night. Check out some Cushing highlights.
Coach Mike Smith congratulates 790 The Zone's Chris Dimino after he won the closest to the pin contest.
Loading ...Another key position to keep an eye on is wide receiver. A lot of teams are in the market for wide receivers and there could be a first round run at the position. After Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree and Missouri’s Jeremy Macklin teams may start to panic.
Look for a couple of teams to make trades before the draft for Arizona’s Anquan Bolidin and Cleveland’s Braylon “Mr. Dropsies” Edwards.
If you see Jackson, Maybin and Brown go ahead of the Falcons, then Cushing is falling. He may free fall right into their laps.
Cushing is a fit for the Falcons 4-3 defense at either of the outside linebacker spots. He played strongside linebacker as a freshmen, junior and senior for the Trojans. He played defensive end as a sophomore.
Cushing would not come without any baggage. Rumors of steroid use started back when he was in Bergen (N.J.) Catholic High and followed him over his four years at USC. He was also involved in an incident in April of 2006 where he was handcuffed and put in the back sit of a cop car. He was never arrested, but the images where shown nationwide.
Coach Mike Smith shows off nice form in the closest to the pin contest.
“Some scouts worry about Cushing being more of a body builder than a football player with his strict eating regimen and shredded physique, and durability long has been an issue,” wrote Nolan Wawrocki of Pro Football Weekly in their 2009 draft preview.
A couple other things to note, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, Cushing’s old roommate, has jumped into the top five. Also, Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers (12) and Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie (29) make their debut in the mock draft this week. Oklahoma’s Duke Robinson (28) was in earlier, but had dropped out. He’s back this week.
Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis, Southern California’s Clay Matthews Jr. and North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks have dropped out of the first round.
LEDBETTER’S 2009 MOCK DRAFT 5.0
- Welcome to the ATL Brian Cushing.
1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia. Stafford has impressed the Lions. Now they can show him the money!
2. St. Louis Rams: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. First stunner of the day. The Rams need receivers after letting Torry Holt go. (The link is to a nice article from our good buddy Allen Wilson of the Buffalo News.)
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. The Chiefs get around to addressing their suspect defense.
4. Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. Didn’t play much in college, but can backup Matt Hasselbeck until he’s ready.
5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas. Should fit nicely in Eric Mangini’s version of the 3-4.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor. Bengals look for some more protection for QB Carson Palmer.
7. Oakland Raiders: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia. He slides a little bit, but the Raiders will snap him up.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College. The Jags get an anchor for their defense
9. Green Bay Packers: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU. Packers have to improve their defensive line.
10. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Smith, T, Alabama. With Sanchez off the board, Singletary decides his motivational skills can help Smith.
11. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State. After picking up Terrell Owens, the Bills turn their attention to defense.
12: Denver Broncos (from Chicago): Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee. Welcome to the DOL’s big board.
13. Washington Redskins: Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss. The Redskins take a major step towards rebuilding the the offensive line.
14. New Orleans Saints: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB. Sean Payton is looking for someone to run the ball between the tackles.
15. Houston Texans: Jeremy Macklin, WR, Missouri. QB Matt Schaub get someone else to throw to other than super stud Andre Johnson.
16. San Diego Chargers: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona. Chargers elect to address their offensive line.
17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State. Jets get their Brett Favre replacement.
18. Denver Broncos: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State. The Broncos stick with defense as they try to resurrect the Orange Crush
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State. Is a good fit for Tampa’s Cover-2. He’s a solid corner, but doesn’t have elite speed to play a lot of man-to-man coverage.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Rey Maualuga, LB, Southern California. He slips, but doesn’t get past the Lions.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia: It would be a reach to take a tackle here, so they make a value pick and get Brian Westbrook’s heir apparent. They’ll try to replace Tra Thomas later.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida: Vikes add a play maker to go with Adrian Peterson.
23. New England Patriots: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. Pats decide that their locker room is strong enough to keep Davis focused.
24. Atlanta Falcons: Brian Cushing, LB, USC. Everything breaks right and the Falcons get their man. He’s could have shot at winning one of the outside linebacker spots.
25. Miami Dolphins: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland. Has a big upside.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi. A good fit up front for the Ravens.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois: Bill Polian finds another potential Pro Bowler late in the first round.
28. Philadelphia (from Carolina): Duke Robinson, OT, Oklahoma. Eagles elect to get their tackle here, even though he may be better suited to play guard.
29. New York Giants: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State. The precise route runner will be expected to eventually replace Plaxico Burress. Check out the son of the Falcons receivers coach show out against Texas last season.
30. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. His 40 times are scaring a lot of folks.
31. Arizona Cardinals: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut. Edgerrin James will get his wish to be released after this pick.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia. A perfect fit after playing for Al Groh at Virginia.
Western Michigan's Louis Delmas is a ball hawk.
FIRST ROUND FRINGE
James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Clay Matthews Jr., LB, USC
Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Alex Mack, C, California
Max Unger, C, Oregon
Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Would you like to see the Falcons select Cushing with the 24th pick? Should they pass on Cushing and take Sintim? Should the Falcons trade the pick and move back into the early part of the second round and select Western Michigan defensive back Louis Delmas?
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273 comments Add your comment
Shamus Thacker
April 17th, 2009
6:08 pm
It’s Friday; think I’ll get liquored-up and take a stab at my own mock draft.
This was a good one DOL! Best so far!
KC in Smyrna
April 17th, 2009
6:08 pm
There are several 3rd round or later DTs that will make an impact in the NFL. Ron Brace, Vance Walker, Darryl Richards, the guy from UGA, LSU has a DT, etc. I’d rather solidify 2 positions in this draft to effectively remove them from discussion in future years.
The DB draft is very weak this year so I would take those guys late. I would like to grab a TE and LB early. I’m up for a combination of Cushing or Pettigrew. If we get neither, then I prefer to trade down and pick up an early 2nd and 3rd selection. If we can trade #24 for (2) 2nd round picks, that is my preference. There is not a lot of difference in #24 and number #35 IMO. Our last 2 2nd round picks, Curtis Lofton and Blalock.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
JG, we have a 310 pound center on ther roster that was the nation’s best coming out of LSU in 2004…Ben Wilkerson. Romberg and Stepanovich are both 300 pounders as well so I think we are set with depth and a potential starter at center. Average NFL size for the position is 6′2″ and 305.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
6:12 pm
But I will grant you this, JG. Given our desire to be a power running team first, I will give you center to check out. Alabama’s Antoine Caldwell. Big man @ 6′3, 310 and he is quite effective in both run and pass protection in the middle. He would be available in the middle rounds I think.
gregglegg
April 17th, 2009
6:14 pm
D-Led –
Any truth to the rumor that McClure is boycotting offseason workouts because he wants a new contract and if he doesn’t get one he’ll either retire or holdout? Hook a brutha up if you will please.
–gregglegg
Shamus Thacker
April 17th, 2009
6:15 pm
Don Banks at SI has us taking Pettigrew, with Rey Maualuga going to the Ravens AFTER US at 26. Cushing has dropped out of the first round on his board.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
6:16 pm
Feeling you KC. Blalock and Lofton will be anchors for their positions for years to come. I think Dahl may walk next season, allowing us to move Clabo inside and perhaps Renardo Foster to the right tackle position. When he was healthy, Foster appeared to be a beast in the running game and flashed some potential as well at left tackle. Check out this line for 2010:
LT Baker: 315
LG: Blalock: 330
C: Wilkerson: 310
RG: Clabo 330
RT: Foster: 335
That is beef and a powerful line.
WR
April 17th, 2009
6:18 pm
Nookah, we are on the same page with Cushings, except I think of Brian Bosworth. Take Pettigrew at 24 or try to trade out for an additional second and third round pick. The panic over the defense is understandable, but it is unlikely there will be a pick at 24 that will offset the needs on defense. Besides I think the defense is going to be in better shape than we think, we need to add a quality DT in the later rounds (Fili Moala or Sammie Lee Hill), a linebacker or two, and a small school stud corner that teams have shied away from because of competition level for development, anyone no of any. The defenses of the schedule this year are beast, and offense is the strength of this team at this point, a good ball-controlling offense, keeps a young developing defense off the field, Pettigrew completes the offense.
Shamus Thacker
April 17th, 2009
6:19 pm
I’m sorry, Banks has Cushing going to the Texans at 15, and Clay Matthews going to the Bucks at 19.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 17th, 2009
6:30 pm
Been a busy day. Definitely don’t have my regular season speed. But got a lot done and a lot of draft info is flowing.
KENNY POWERS: 24 is too high for Mack.
NOOKAH: I see some of the stuff and I’m thinking Brian Bosworth. Don’t see the impact plays on that highlight reel either.
MARKO: There is going to be an OLB that slips big time. One scenario — the one I’m rolling with — has Cushing as that guy. The other has Everette Brown slipping, but not as far. We — the Sporting News correspondents — are in the middle of an e-mail mock draft and Cushing went 19th to Tampa Bay. Maualuga went to Detroit at 20 (just like I have it) and Knowshon went to the Eagle at (21) j just like I have it.) My man Sean “Jean” Jensen is on the clock and I’m up after New England. Thanks for the kind words. It’s just a week away and I have to be on my regular season A game.
SHAMUS THACKER: Thanks for the kind words!!
row3
April 17th, 2009
6:34 pm
I’m not buying in on Alex Mack at #24, just in case, can anybody post his combine numbers.
WR
April 17th, 2009
6:43 pm
D-Led, did you notice my post, we seem to be seeing the same thing in Cush, so why take him at 24, if Pettigrew, Jerry and even Matthews falls as you have it either would be a better pick, Cushing has bust written all over him and after watching tapes of USC, Cushing really doesn’t stand out as much as you want a game changing linebacker to do, which is why I think his stock is falling.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
6:46 pm
Row3, he was okay at the combine but did not dazzle. I’m with you. He would not be my choice at 24.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
6:48 pm
WR, I feel ya. My man may be dropping but he will be the consistent play maker we desire. 1) LB James Laurinaitis (SLB); 2) CB Mike Mickens 3) LB Marcus Freeman (WLB), and 4) DT Terrance Taylor.
Falcon Devil
April 17th, 2009
6:49 pm
SeminoleWarrior, you seem to be well researched but I have to say you are beyond crazy. James Laurnitus as our No 1 pick?!!! MLB is one of our few locked defensive positions with Curtis Lofton. There is zero chance our first round pick will be from Ohio State.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
6:51 pm
I’m breaking right for a while; got to take the First Lady out for Chinese. One must keep peace in the valley right, LOL. I’ll check in on the posse later.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
6:55 pm
Falcon Devil, he has the versatility to play the SLB position. Do not sleep on him or Freeman. Both will be consistent and solid for years to come. Remember, Smitty’s defenses are not about star power; they are about consistency and working together as a team. Their production exceeded that of their higher-acclaimed USC brethern. No need to feel that they would be any more of a bust set than the USC corps. But love the challenge in terms of our thoughts. Thanks bro…
row3
April 17th, 2009
7:03 pm
SeminoleWarrior.. Thanks for the link.
tony
April 17th, 2009
7:06 pm
Clint Sintim All The Way Baby!
D3
April 17th, 2009
7:30 pm
Wonderful Friday evening boys! The best part of the weekend. Brews, good food, and draft talk. Doesn’t get any better than this. Just a quick hit, and some good analysis later.
-Cushing will be gone
-Matthews gone to NE, at the least
-The Pettigrew Orange Kool-Aid has infiltrated the synopsis of my brain
Update: Buffalo traded T Jason Peters to Philly for their 28th pick.
So unless Buffalo packages a deal to move ahead of us, our boy Pettigrew should be there for the taking.
Just go to the podium, make it official, and put our young OFF into overdrive. Gem out D-Talent the rest of the way. TD has shown an innate ability to do that.
The Sierra Nevada Summerfest is pretty good, but didn’t quite meet expectations. Maybe because its not so D@– hoppy. Nookah, Red Stripe is still the shiz! And on that note………….
7 DAYS, 16 HOURS, 29 MINS, & COUNTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JJ
April 17th, 2009
7:41 pm
ST. PAULI GIRL!!!! She blue red stripe, eh mon!
Zup
April 17th, 2009
7:45 pm
No Cushing! He has to be a juicer. Jerry would make me very merry.
JJ
April 17th, 2009
7:48 pm
Apart from the draft, do you guys think we’ll get the same, lame-ass fox “sports commentaters” that we had last yr.? I beleive they were the “4th” team but man, they stunk! I’m hoping that fox upgrades us to the 2nd, or 3rd tv bitches. Thoughts? Anyone else turn off tv sound and went local radio?
JJ
April 17th, 2009
7:52 pm
Football + beer + women + food = my falcons blog ( and golf..lol)
Nookah
April 17th, 2009
7:52 pm
D Led, WR, I agree with what you guys say, just as I implied in my earlier post. There is something about Cushing that is not resting well with me. Call it a gut feeling. Thanks WR and D Led for the right comparison in Brian Bosworth. However, I was thinking more of the nutritional aspect and the so-called special preparation that Moranovich went through before he came to the NFL. I feel the same thing with this guy. Just not feeling him.
Tony, I have been doing some thinking and you beat me to the punch. I know I have been saying Conner Barwin all the time but ever since JG raised the issue of little experience I really did some more research and have come to the conclusion that Conner Barwin at #24 would be a slight reach. I can admit when I’m wrong. Clint Sintim is going to be the man and Conner (if he is still there can be taken in the 2nd round, although I think New England will take him if he is there).
I have to change my mind and agree with Tony and D Led’s last Mock 4.0……..Sintim is the man indeed!!! He can do a number of different things too. Just what the Dynamic Duo likes. Someone mentioned we may be trying to get TG for a lesser pick like a 3rd round or so. If we can swing that to a 3rd round I say pull the trigger.
1st round: Clint Sintim
2nd round: Conner Barwin/Michael Johnson – either one I’d be cool
3rd round: to KC for TG
4th round: Roy Miller
I’ll leave it at that.
Go Falcons!!
Nuff respect evertime!!!!
Nookah
April 17th, 2009
7:55 pm
D3, thanks for giving my beer some props. You know you the man!!!! Don’t like Cushing though, but we can agree to disagree!!!
Go Falcons!!! That’s what we all agree on!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!
Dominic Hughes
April 17th, 2009
8:21 pm
DOL: 24 may be too high for Alex Mack but I believe the Falcons could trade down to take him somewhere between there and the Steelers 32nd pick. Because if the Falcons don’t take him, the Steelers surely will.
If the story I’m reading on other websites about Todd McClure boycotting voluntary workouts in pursuit of a new contract are true – drafting a center becomes a priority. The Falcons will surely bring in a free agent to start but it sounds like we need to find a long-term replacement for McClure sooner rather than later.
dacha
April 17th, 2009
8:49 pm
Hey Guys,
D-LED: I really like your mock, keep it up! Here’s my own that I’ve been constructing. Its got a few surprises and I’m sure that some people will not like the choices, but I’m just trying to shake things up.
Round 1 — #24: LB James Laurenaitis – Value has decreased because he came back as a senior, last year he would have been a top 10 pick. He has the versatility to play all three LB positions on all three downs. That has T.D. and crew (silently) salivating.
Round 2 — #55: CB Alphonso Smith – May not be around for us to snag, but I’m still dreaming. Has ideal size and adequate speed. Was the anchor of a weak defense and will give Von Hutchins tight competition.
Round 3 — #90: LB Marcus Freeman – Have to agree with my man, SeminoleWarrior here. Freeman has the same versatility as Laurenaitis. Those two can interchange on the edges depending on the situation the opposing offense displays. Add them with Lofton and you have a LB core!
Round 4 — #125: TE Cameron Morrah – T.D. finds our TE of the future here. Tons of upside with this kid. Great work ethic, lots of heart, lanky body, good hands for Matt Ryan, could be perfect with a little NFL strength training
Round 5 — #138: QB Graham Harrell – Call me crazy but I see us drafting a QB late. We only signed Redman for two years and DJ might be in a packaged deal sometime soon. If the kid can translate to the NFL, he could be a steal here later on.
Round 5 — #143: DT Myron Pryor – Here’s the big interior lineman we’ve been looking for. Had flashes of greatness in the tough SEC.
Round 6 — #196: OG Andy Kemp – 6′5” 315 lb., needs motivation which our locker room can provide
Ken Strickland
April 17th, 2009
9:14 pm
How many more days are there before the draft? I’m getting so worked up waiting for it I’ve started addressing these Haters just to get my mind off the draft. At this point I don’t really care who or what we pick at #24, I’m just ready for us to pick. If TD and Smitty think addressing our pass rush is our #1 DEF priority, then a LB/DE type of player will be our 1st pick. If addressing our rushing DEF is the #1 priority, then DT will be our #1 priority. I don’t think TE, SS and CB are at the top of our priority list.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
9:20 pm
Dacha, thanks for feeling me on the LB corps. It will be one of the best in the NFL in a couple of years if they go this route. I like Alphonso Smith but I think our CB need to be a tad larger, thus my choice of Mike Mickens or Jairus Byrd. K Strick and Big Ray have been high on Morrah; I personally like Nelson of USM. The Harrell pick is a little of a surprise; I think we will keep Redman for several years to come. He seems to have accepted his role and he knows that he is stable here for as long as he desires to be.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
9:27 pm
K Strick, I’m with you. Laurinaitis and Freeman would bring the speed and tenacity at OLB to improve both facets (run and pass defense). Add in a quality cover corner and we should note improvement. A mid round selection like Terrance Taylor or your man Sammie Hill will handle the DT situation. I love Taylor’s size and his incredible strength. His ability to handle double teams with ease is important as it will free Babs or Lewis to penetrate underneath.
SeminoleWarrior
April 17th, 2009
9:28 pm
Nookah, the KC trade deal is a dead issue. We will go the way of the draft and take a TE.
irvin
April 17th, 2009
10:03 pm
The TG trade could still be on. It might just be a draft day trade.
JG- I’m with you on drafting a center. I like Max Unger in round two a little better. He’s more well rounded and would save a roster spot with his versatility.
Nookah
April 17th, 2009
10:51 pm
Seminole, how sure are you on that? No chance of a draft day trade? Well, if that’s the case I guess I’ll have to review my picks. I defer to you my brother.
As I said before all we want to say is………
Go Falcons!!!
Stirg d'Nahsif
April 17th, 2009
11:08 pm
I’m clutching a Stripe, Nookah. Where You at?
Big Ray
April 18th, 2009
12:46 am
STIRG,
Don’t quote me on that 3-technique thing. It’s what I’ve learned and what I’ve been told, so I could still be wrong. But I think that’s the mainstream definition.
Interesting stuff about an OLB falling to us, huh? I’m not really worried about Cushing/Matthews/whoever. I think if these guys are not the real deal, but juicing “workout warriors,” TD and his crew will know. They’ll find out. And remember, TD was over scouting for a while. He knows his stuff, and won’t take shortcuts. He’s the creator of the draft matrix! Well, his own matrix, anyway. But anyhow, somebody that goes to that much trouble ALWAYS does his homework. ALWAYS.
And there’s another thing that brings comfort: remember how he separated emotion from business with some of our dearly departed veterans? This guy isn’t going to get a case of the giddy idiocy on draft day like Al Davis. I’m not worried. Having said that, I do have my own concerns about Cushing being a juicer/work-out warrior/body-builder type, rather than an instinctive football player who happens to also be strong and a good athlete.
Speaking of which, that’s why guys like Laurinaitis are such good bets in the draft. He’s clearly a football player with good instincts. Teddy Bruschi and some others were called “too small,” but they were always right where they needed to be on the field. Laurinaitis strikes me as one of those guys. Mind you, that doesn’t mean I want him here, but I think he’s going to be just fine as a ball player. That, and I’m not sure I like Cushing better than Matthews…
D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER,
Nice mock, man. Things are going to get even more interesting in the coming days, I think. And I absolutely agree about the WR position. I’m CERTAIN there will be a run on that position in the draft, and I was saying this earlier to one of my fellow Falcon fans here. This can only help us. There are, and have been red flags on Cushing. I have faith that Dimitroff and crew will know what the deal is, and calculate the risk appropriately. No worries….
D3,
I think there will be a run on wide receiver first, which will then trigger a run on linebacker. I could have that backwards, LOL! But we’ll see. If the WR run happens first, then we have a good shot at a good OLB, because there are still some top level offensive lineman who will go in the early and mid parts of the first round. Here are my thoughts: 4 or 5 wide receivers, 2 quarterbacks (we know who they are), 1 running back, 4 offensive lineman, and the most obvious/top rated defenders will all go, causing others to fall.
I think the run on receivers happens for several reasons, but most notably three in particular: Teams that just signed “new” quarterbacks also need new targets for them to work with. Cutler will need good targets. So will Hasselbeck. Teams like Detroit and whoever else ends up drafting a quarterback for the sake of starting, will want to pair their new face of the franchise with a young receiving fella who they can build a “from NFL birth” relationship. Those are the best kind of quarterback/receiver relationships. And then there’s the teams who may trade their existing receivers. Teams Braylon Edwards’ team. They’ll need a replacement. Then of course, there teams who simply came into the draft needing a receiver anyway.
So, you’ll see a run. I’m sure of it. Well, as sure as a layman like me can be…So, I’m breaking down our chances of getting a really good fit for our offense in my next post.
oldbrave
April 18th, 2009
1:07 am
nobaby knows jack right now everybody just shooting off mouths, let the men who earn the money make the choices.Its theirs jobs on the line so am sure they will do their best and if last years was endication on their ablities then lets trust them and keep our mouhts closed
Big Ray
April 18th, 2009
1:28 am
Okay, plenty of teams will need receivers. There will be a run on this position, but whether or not it will be as strong a run as the linebacker position remains to be seen. So I’ll start at the WR position first:
Crabtree and Maclin will probably be the first to go, I think. As Ledbetter says, there could be a quick panic right after that. So, here come Nicks, Harvin, and Heyward-Bey. But you also cannot rule out Britt and Robiskie, though both guys might be 2nd round picks. Still that’s up to SEVEN receivers. You almost have to factor in Pettigrew here as well. Yes, I know, many of us want that guy, but consider why he may not fall to us: what do you go after when you already have a good pass-catching running back, but there are no receivers in sight that you want? You got it: the best-rated tight end in the draft. So, that’s really EIGHT guys that could push things. Well, we’ll scale it back to SIX, since two of those receivers aren’t necessarily really guys worth grabbing in the top 23 picks.
Next is the two quarterbacks, Sanchez and Stafford. Easy. You know they’re going early. The X-factor in this segment is undoubtedly Josh Freeman. Where does he go? Who cares! It will likely be 1st round, so it will be earlier than we pick. So, add THREE more guys gone before we pick. So now my theoretical total is up to NINE.
Offensive lineman. Jason Smith, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, and Eugene Monroe. All gone before #24, and here’s where a dark horse run could happen. Add just a pinch of panic, and you’ll watch Alex Mack, Max Unger, and Eben Britton go, too. Maybe even Phillip Loadholt. The reason? Teams who wish to protect their new investments at QB. However, I don’t really think this will happen, and if it does, then it will only be one or at most two guys who sneak into the top 23. So, my guess here is FOUR O-lineman go before our pick, bringing my total number of picks to THIRTEEN.
Running backs. Knowshon Moreno won’t last long. Beanie Wells might not either. I’m rolling with just the first guy, though. Total is now FOURTEEN.
Defenders. Again, this is dicey. There are guys who almost certainly stay up on the draft boards. Like Aaron Curry, Brian Orakpo, Malcolm Jenkins, B.J. Raji, Rey Maualuga, and Aaron Maybin. That’s SIX guys right off the bat. But then you have to add in other guys who are shooting up draft boards, both quickly and little-by-little. This is due in part to the changes of teams’ defensive schemes, and the specific needs that they have, as well as certain draftees that fit those needs. Add in a lack of depth in versatile positions in the defensive line segment, and suddenly certain guys come at a premium. Those guys include Tyson Jackson, Robert Ayers, Everette Brown, and perhaps Peria Jerry. Add that to the first SIX defenders I mentioned for a total of TEN. Now add THAT to the previous FOURTEEN, and where are we? At TWENTY-FOUR, and that would INCLUDE OUR PICK. So, one of the guys I decided to roll with as a sure pick would have to fall off that list. We’ll say it’s Peria Jerry, just for the heck of it.
So guess who’s left? Jerry, Matthews, Cushing, Vontae Davis, English, Laurinaitis….not a bad list, eh? And remember, I mentioned guys, but left them off the actual count. Consider that most of those guys weren’t linebackers from the list of 24.
Now, imagine a run at linebacker, AFTER the run at wide receiver, and the game is on. I really think the top O-line, receiver, and the can’t-miss/need-specific defenders that I mentioned will all go first. The only real “casualty” in that group for us is Pettigrew.
Guys, I don’t think we’ll be stuck with a bad pick at 24, assuming we keep the pick. I really don’t. I think it’s going to be better than we anticipate. The second round is where we might hurt a little. I want to see us take a safety, and I think there will be an early run on those. So if we’re going to trade, we might be best served trading up in the 2nd round, or trading out of it altogether for something that will really help. That something could very well be Tony Gonzalez. Or not. Just a thought…
Big Ray
April 18th, 2009
1:30 am
“nobaby knows jack right now everybody just shooting off mouths, let the men who earn the money make the choices.Its theirs jobs on the line so am sure they will do their best and if last years was endication on their ablities then lets trust them and keep our mouhts closed”
That’s what a blog is here for, you clown. To speculate. To shoot our mouths off. Which is exactly what YOU just did. Unless of course, you call THAT “pearls of wisdom.”
Big Ray
April 18th, 2009
1:37 am
Interesting. I see DraftCountdown has us picking Evander “Ziggy” Hood at #24. And guess who our pick is in the 2nd round? Tight end Shawn Nelson. They have us taking Marcus Freeman in the 3rd.
I think they’ve been talking to Stirg over a few Red Stripes.
No seriously, go to the website (DraftCountdown.com). The explanation for these two picks are interesting reading. I won’t relate the whole thing (they say we’re high on Hood and Louis Delmas), but I wonder if it’s anything like the info/buzz that D. Ledbetter’s getting?
FALCONSHATER2009
April 18th, 2009
5:25 am
WHAT THE FALCONS NEED TO DRAFT IS AN ENTIRE DEFENSE. YOU GUYS LOST LAYER MILLOY AND KEITH BROOKING TWO KEY PIECES TO YOUR DEFENSE. YOU ALSO NEED A VETERAN QB BECAUSE MATT RYAN IS NOT GOING TO SAVE YOUR BELOVED FRANCHISE. THINK IN THE FUTURE PEOPLE. LAST SEASON IS DONE AND BY YOUR SCHEDULE I DONT SEE YOU GUYS GOING 11-5 MAYBE MORE LIKE 5-11.
Edward
April 18th, 2009
5:32 am
If you guys want to see something interesting, SI.com has their draft grades up for all players. Its pretty interesting how they did theirs compared to most of the other draft sites out there. For example: in the OLB position they have Connor Barwin ahead of Clay Matthews, Jr. and only .07 of a point behind Cushing. In the S position they have Rashad Johnson rated #1. At TE. their top 5 is Pettigrew, Cook, Coffman, Nelson and Ingram with Morrah rated at #15. And one of the bigger surprises is at CB. They have Captain Munnerlyn ranked higher than Darius Butler.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2009/draft/breakdowns/by_position/QB.html
Edward
April 18th, 2009
5:42 am
The other interesting part of the SI.com grading is that according to their “grading system” they list no “Franchise Prospects” in this draft and only the top 14 of all players in the draft rated would be considered “Quality Prospects”.
SO Refugee
April 18th, 2009
6:37 am
Cushing will not fall past New Orleans. Jay Payton has said many times he likes USC players and their experience with pro-style offense and defense and their readiness to play.
WILLSTER
April 18th, 2009
7:07 am
OL,GOOD ARTICLE,WORKING TO FIND THE WINNER IN THE KD RIGHT NOW , THE FALCONS WILL GET MALALUGA SOME HOW IN A TRADE IF HE FALLS TO 15 OR MORE,if the falcons do not get someone on the corners that can cover this season wont matter.
marko
April 18th, 2009
8:03 am
Morning all looks like we’ve arrived at T minus seven. I don’t think I’ll speculate about what Thomas and Smitty are giving us for NFL Christmas this year. I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be surprised when I open the box. Last year I had wished for a brand new Dorsey. I was more than a little peeved when I opened the box and found this Ryan thing instead. Well that damned Ryan thing didn’t turn out so terrible after all. Not that the Dorsey wouldn’t have been a pretty cool toy. Just think of all the neat stuff you can do with a new Dorsey. You can blow up offensive lines, you can destroy pesky running backs and best of you can scare those sissy quarterbacks.
Speaking of sissy Quarterbacks can you imagine how disappointed I was to tear off the bows rip open the box and find this goofy Ryan thing smiling at me. What the hell can you do with a quarterback for the most part they hand the ball off and throw incompletions. Well Guess what? I was wrong a well functioning quarterback doesn’t just throw incompletions and hand off the ball till the punter takes over. In his first NFL regular season start this Ryan thing completes His first pass. It gets better; he completed It to a player wearing the same colored jersey he was wearing. Next thing I know this Jenkins kid that had caught the pass was dancing in the end zone. Some body told me that we’d had Jenkins for a couple of years. Funny why hadn’t we to thrown him before? Before the season was over Ryan finds Roddy White, Harry Douglas and lot of other guys that I didn’t know we had. I thought that a quarterback’s job was to hold onto the ball until the play broke down, and then run for his life. This new touchdown throwing version was a vast improvement over what I was used to. I’m even considering liking quarterbacks.
Well the dogwoods are blooming, Tiger’s swinging clubs and the ponies are about to run in Kentucky. That means it’s Christmas time again. This year I’m asking Santa Dimitroff for a brand new Matthews. Don’t forget the batteries please. In the event Thomas doesn’t see fit to give me my Matthews, I’m open to the idea that I might wind up liking what I get anyway.
Tman
April 18th, 2009
9:41 am
Whatever happens, DO NOT expect the Falcons to take TE Pettigrew at their spot, as a lot of mocks predict. He’s got character issues, and the team is thinking defense first. If they can’t get Cushing or Matthews, I’d like to see them trade down a few picks. They could then get Delmas at safety, then maybe a linebacker in the second or third round. There are a lot of good CBs available, and the birds could use an extra pick on one of the many available pass catching TEs in the later rounds.
SeminoleWarrior
April 18th, 2009
10:16 am
Top of the morning my brothers!! We have seven and a wake up as we used to say in my active duty days in the AF. What’s up Big Ray. I debated the Nelson choice for round two but opt for the bigger, more versatile CB at that position. But I can easily see where Nelson would be the pick in the second round. I just do not feel the TG trade thingy; we could stay with what we have and develop our own man for the future instead of a perennial all-Pro who could retire at anytime if he does not get what he wants. TG will want a large heading-out-to-pasture deal that I think would serve us better by developing a long term role like Nelson. We can work it out with Hartsock and Peele in the meantime. A big threat at TE has never been a major player with Coach Murlarkey anyways. See his resume at Pittsburgh where he had talent at the position. TE is a safety net at best and I think Peele is good enough to give us 3-6 TDs annually for the next two until Nelson is ready to assume the mantel. With that said, here is my revised mock:
1) LB James Laurinaitis (SLB); 2) CB Mike Mickens or TE Shawn Nelson 3) LB Marcus Freeman (WLB), and 4) DT Terrance Taylor. I’m still working the 5th and 6th rounds.
SeminoleWarrior
April 18th, 2009
10:27 am
Big Ray, TD and Smitty may be taken by Hood’s strength and speed. Coach Hamilton would love his work ethic, quick feet, and excellent hands. He can contain and penetrate with ease. So maybe, if the pick is Hood, it will relate back to something that Coach Hamilton noted in 2008 when he took the DL job in ATL:
“You can get the job done with smaller guys but you have to be a very disruptive defense in order to stop the run,” said Hamilton, who coached Pro Bowl defensive tackles John Henderson (325 pounds) and Marcus Stroud (306 pounds) in Jacksonville. “Offensive lineman are big, fat hogs that hold you if you let them. That’s why it’s tough for defensive linemen to come into the league and be successful if they don’t have a good coach to teach them how to use their hands and keep offensive linemen from holding them.”
A later round selection of a guy like Taylor or Roy Miller, coupled with healthy Trey Lewis (??) will give us a pair of this type tackles.
We will see how it plays out but I think the comments of the Coach may be what you are thinking BR…
irvin
April 18th, 2009
10:32 am
Morning all. As I stated on another blog, I don’t think that Pettigrew will be there due to the recent Jason Peters trade. I could be wrong, but I think that there is at least a really good chance that Philadelphia takes him at 21.
Big Ray- Not too sure about the prospect of so many WR’s going before we pick. I would agree that four or five may go in the first round all together. But I will say that there is also a chance that more RB’s go before we pick than many of us anticipate. Cincy, NO, SD and Philly are all possibilities with Moreno, Wells and Brown rated as first round prospects. I wouldn’t rule the Jets out with Jones hitting 30 and his hold-out pending. Your thoughts?