Sporting News sees a Round 1 Tech windfall in its mock draft
Jonathan Dwyer, Morgan Burnett and Derrick Morgan announce they're leaving Georgia Tech. Will two of them wind up being NFL first-rounders? (AJC photo by Vino Wong)
It’s just a mock draft, OK? It might not pan out. Still, if you’re a proud Georgia Tech fan, this is one to clip and save. (Or, seeing as how Sporting News Today is an online-only publication, to print, clip and save.)
Here’s the Sporting News Today pre-combine mock draft: The No. 2 overall pick (going to Detroit) is Derrick Morgan, the defensive end from Tech; the No. 12 overall pick (going to Miami) is Demaryius Thomas, the wide receiver from Tech. And now you’re asking: How long since we saw a local school produce two players in the draft’s top dozen?
Answer: Ten months. Matthew Stafford went No. 1 overall last April to Detroit, and Knowshon Moreno went 12th to Denver.
But wait! Sporting News also has Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer going to San Diego with the 28th pick in Round 1. (As you might have heard, the Chargers cut LaDainian Tomlinson.) So: How long since a local team had three first-rounders in one draft?
Since never.
Seeing Morgan slotted as No. 2 overall is a bit of a surprise, but only a bit: He has been projected at/near the top five since December. Seeing Thomas at No. 12 a week after he broke a bone in his foot during training in Arizona is a shock. But his whole rocket-up-the-draft-board trajectory has been remarkable. Nobody considered him a first-rounder in January.
Oh, and you’re asking: What of the Falcons? You won’t be shocked to hear that Sporting News has them taking a cornerback, though not Kareem Jackson of Alabama (the projected pick in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft on ESPN.com) and not Kyle Wilson of Boise State (the choice of ESPN’s Mel Kiper and SI.com’s Don Banks). SN goes with Patrick Robinson of Florida State.
Scouts Inc. rates Robinson the sixth-best corner and the 45th-best player in the draft. (Link requires registration.) Taking him with the 19th (or 20th) pick might seem a reach. But that’s why mocks are such fun. One outlet sees something another doesn’t. At issue is what Thomas Dimitroff and the Falcons might, or might not, see. Speaking of which …
And now, as promised/threatened: As he readies for the combine, Dimitroff takes about cornerbacks, pass rushers and yes, mock drafts.
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165 comments Add your comment
No! For the last time I don't want to super size my order
February 24th, 2010
1:23 pm
For the love of god..somebody tell 30 points that he is correct…30 > 24…give him his ugump degree and tell him to move along
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
1:23 pm
Thats OK, MR I understand, I won’t root for FL no matter who they play either sorta the same.
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
1:25 pm
We saw how far Georgia dipped — from 10-3 to 8-5 — after losing two first-rounders. Is it fair to expect a similar decline from Tech? (Just asking, mind you.)
3,2,2,1 and 0
February 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
Match the number of recent football national cmpionships to the college.
The much hated Gators – 3
The Tide who’s fans rediclued your chances for a future NC in the recent blog – 2
LSU Tigers who got the call somehow on your field to pull out a W – 2
Vols and u couldn’t stay close to Kiffy – 1
The goose egg belongs to UGA.
No wonder you still pull for Herchel.
He’s all you got NC-wise and u weren’t even born then.
Jackets2010
February 24th, 2010
1:29 pm
That is a fair question Mark.
I think Groh will make the defense better even without Morgan and Burnett.
Having Nesbit in place will enable the other positions to be reloaded.
Still have a lot of RB talent, last year’s strongest position.
Steven Hill may step up too.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
1:31 pm
Mark, I don’t think that they drop off that drastically. There were a few game the UGA should have, and could have won. Realistically the DAWGS could have been 10 & 3 with a few breaks and better ball protection. So, in answer to your question I see GT at about that 11 & 3 with a chance to repeat a ACC champs maybe 10-4 if they have some bad breaks.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:32 pm
{{{{{Thirty to Twenty-Four}}}}}
Pepe
February 24th, 2010
1:33 pm
Diamond, I believe your numbers may be a little off regarding 1st Rd picks for the past decade (1999-2009):
UGA – 12 (’09 – Stafford & Moreno, ‘05 – Pollack & Reggie Brown, ‘04 – Benjamin Watson, ‘03 – Jonathan Sullivan & George Foster, , ‘02 – Charles Grant, ‘01 – Seymour & Stroud, and ‘99 – Champ & Stinchcomb)
GT – 1 (’07 – Calvin Johnson)
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
February 24th, 2010
1:33 pm
I don’t think Tech will have much of a fall off because they lose a few first rounders , Johnson will get the most out of what he has and they will be fine at least 10 wins probably. they won’t have a brutal schedule is another reason they will have time to get the kinks worked out , I am a dawg fan that would like to beat a strong tech team at the end of the year also.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:33 pm
winning the ACC is like being the skinniest kid at fat camp
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
1:34 pm
Thiry Points, while I understand that you are just trying to get even with the Butt Holes from last year, remember that MOST tech Fans hated them too and tried to get them to do the SAME thing us UGA fans are trying to get you to do, STOP with the BS.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:37 pm
you TECH fans are so BLIND to Pauley Johnson.
I think Pauley will gather all his Techie deciples after another loss to UGA and present a vatt of purple kool-aid, and all you morons are going to drink it.
Ivan Vasilii Vladivostok, aka "Pasha dat a$$"
February 24th, 2010
1:37 pm
I do not see a dip in GT after losing those 3 players, more like a 5 ton truck barrelling off the end of a cliff.
And for the record, i think we should be trading up to get top flight talent on a specific position. I mean, we need to stop the constant search for 7th round talent and draft 4 STARTERS. Enough Chevis’s and Chris Houston’s. Get a straightupplayayo!!!!
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:38 pm
Willie Martinez Defense > Pauley Johnson Offense
hahahaha
{{{{{30-24}}}}}
UGA Class of '90
February 24th, 2010
1:42 pm
Ok 30, the marijuana and fat camp blasts were actually quite funny. My advice would be to stick with the fresh material. And I’m not sure what it is about the squiggly brackets that you think is so cute.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
1:47 pm
UGA Class of 90, GIVE up, 30 points is WAY out there and has no intention of talking football. I agree that the marijane and the fat camp comments were funny, but have been used before, so he has NO FRESH material.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:47 pm
My friend has a dog, who does a backflip every time UGA beats Georgia Tech in football in back to back years.
I asked him what the dog does when Georgia Tech beats UGA in football in back to back years and he replied…
“I don’t know. I’ve only had the dog 10 years”
FalconUGAFan
February 24th, 2010
1:47 pm
Mark, I do see a dip for GT. They lost the 3 guys mentioned and the QB is hurt (I understand it is minor surgery, but the guy takes a pounding). They had a great season last year which could have been better with a better defense. But I don’t see it happening again this year. However, I do see them as a force to reckon with as long as Johnson is the coach.
Ivan Vasilii Vladivostok, aka "Pasha dat a$$"
February 24th, 2010
1:48 pm
KEEP IT ROLLING 30 POINTS!!!!!!!
THEY SEE ME ROLLIN, THEY HATIN!!!!
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
I see Tech a bit worse than that, I’m afraid, Italian 29. But only a bit. I just don’t see talents comparable to Derrick Morgan and Demaryius Thomas on this roster.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
Every Thursday night home game for Georgia Tech from now on will be “Singles Night”…….
oh wait…..
EVERY home game for Georgia Tech is already “Singles Night”
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
1:50 pm
I think that’s fair, FalconUGAFan. I would never discount Paul Johnson’s capacity to coach up a team.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:51 pm
when Pauley Johnson isn’t cussing out his players in front of a National Audience…..
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
1:51 pm
I believe Thirty Points is just getting warmed up, folks. But I must admit that that old joke about the dog and the backflips did make me laugh.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:52 pm
Tech, why don’t you try a World of Warcraft night at the stadium?? That would probably sell more tickets.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
1:54 pm
I agree Mark, but CCG didn’t get that type of play out of them. Talent is GREAT but being able to get guys to STEP up is where its at. I think that CPJ can do that, get guys to play ABOVE their talent level. where do you have them? 9&4? without playing in the ACC championship game?
The Falcons have to draft a cornerback, right? Er, maybe not | Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
1:55 pm
[...] cornerback, cornerback. Most every mock draft has the Falcons spending their first pick on one. Thomas Dimitroff, who’ll do the picking, went to a function Tuesday night and the [...]
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
February 24th, 2010
1:56 pm
Alright my followers…..
I have a Shareholders meeting to attend. I will be back either later today or tomorrow to remind you how much Georgia Tech football sucks.
until then…..
{{{{{30-24}}}}}
8-1
60-39-5
hahahahaha!
WE RUN THIS STATE!!!!
UGA Class of '90
February 24th, 2010
1:59 pm
Italian 29, you are correct and I am giving up, before the poor guy feels the need to point out that 30 > 29. He’ll probably think it was original when he does. Selah – and good luck!
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:03 pm
Thanks you too! It is nice to have a REAL dialog with people, without all the score posting and bashing UGA and GT both have GREAT programs and a very good history
Dawg-Catcher
February 24th, 2010
2:03 pm
Question: What does “Thirty Points” say to his step sister??
Answer: Hi there first cousin Billie Jean!!
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:04 pm
Good one Dawg-Catcher, I love the quote of I have a “share holders meeting to go to. Yeah Right.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:06 pm
Mark, waiting on your take of GT season. 9-4?
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
2:08 pm
I don’t want to make a numerical prediction just yet, Italian 29. But 9-4 would be in the ballpark, I’m guessing.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:09 pm
Do you think that they can repeat as ACC champs?
Still In Texas
February 24th, 2010
2:10 pm
Yes, “Thirty Points” the Dawgs beat the Jackets at their own game. The score was UGA 30 – GT 24. I’m so glad you can still find so much pleasure in something that happened three months ago.
I haven’t checked lately, because I’m a GT fan, but does “Forty-One Points to your Seventeen Points” taunt the UGA fans about losing to Florida on all the UGA message boards?
Now “Thirty Points”, go back to bagging groceries before your boss finds out you’ve been using his computer and fires you.
I’m so ashamed that I actually responded to this nitwit.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:10 pm
The ACC looks stronger for this next year
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:14 pm
Still in TX there were some Douch Bags that thought that 45-43 was GREAT for about 364 days, so yeah, given this guys mentality, I would say he still find pleasure in posting the score and will until there is a new score.
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
2:15 pm
Actually, it was 45-42. As I recall.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:16 pm
Sorry, your right, typo and I am sure that it has never happened to you Mark. 80)
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
2:16 pm
Only every time I type a number.
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:20 pm
yep the numbers are too close, that three just got huge!
Just Asking
February 24th, 2010
2:51 pm
Hey thirty—-was that a Shareholders meeting or a sharecroppers meeting?
Italian_29
February 24th, 2010
2:56 pm
Just Asking, that loser vanished, just like Louie, Yellow Fuzz, Staint Simons and some others did just after the 28th of November and I hope, like them, never to be seen or heard from again.
Jacket Backer
February 24th, 2010
3:32 pm
huh?, you actually CAN make it to the NFL after playing for Tech!!
JacketsBuzzIT1968
February 24th, 2010
3:41 pm
30 points, i hate uga fans, but that man running with the football thing is funny…. GO TECH!!!!
Really?
February 24th, 2010
5:00 pm
I love how UGA fans/students really have nothing better to their name than a victory over Tech. Like, if I were one, I’d probably value one of my few possessions over that….such as my house, my car/wife (could be the same…..you never know), my cows/daughter (the cheerleaders ARE known for eating the grass, after all), my dog’s corpse and coffin (they just don’t know how to keep household pets alive, unfortunately…), and my college degree/GED (we’ll never know which is more valuable…..).
Stinger
February 24th, 2010
5:31 pm
We just reload. NCAA Championship, here we come.
H1N1
February 24th, 2010
6:28 pm
Falcons ought to be careful drafting anyone highly from the FSU defense that apparently could not stop anyone! Derrick Morgan at Tech is an exception to the rule since he was the one player on that D that really stood out.
techster
February 24th, 2010
6:53 pm
and you dogdoodoos on this blog, with your precious Knowshon (who might be heading to jail) and Stafford, your first rounders, GT with freshmn Roddy Jones beat your @ss 45 to 42 in Athens, hahahahahahahahahahahahhh U cannot make that up