I took your recommendations and have adjusted my draft. It makes sense to not count the trades before they happen and the need for the TE is apparent so:
1. Jake Long OT 6'7" 315lbs. Michigan
He's big, strong and has long arms. He's a road grader in the running game. He has the nasty demeanor you want in your OL i.e. he wants to pile drive his opponent in to the turf. He's a good pass blocker. Is he as good as Orlando Pace coming out of college? Probably not, but we'll have to see how he develops. Michigan has a history of stocking the NFL with good Offensive Linemen. Some may say, why pay a guy that kind of money on the OL? I say why not. Who ever we take with the 1st overall is going to get payed. Be it a QB, DL, LB or CB, they are all going to tie up alot of cap space. Why is it less advantages to have the money spent on the OL as opposed to the Secondary, QB, or Defensive Front Seven. There are alot more options with an OL( moving him to the opposite side or OG) than QB. If the QB doesn't work out, you're basically stuck with the contract because he's not going to play any other position. CBs usually can't move to S. Usually LBs don't move to the DL or Secondary(the only one I can think of is Keith Traylor). DE have been known to stand up and I like what I've seen from Long and Gholston, but can anyone say Mike Mamula. Am not saying that they are going to turn out like him, but you make your conclusions.
2a. Quentin Groves OLB 6'3" 259lbs. Auburn
Athletic and agile. Burst off the line of scrimmage. Good strength and power. Has a ton of experience. Better prospect than Reggie Torbor or Stanley McClover.
Second Option:Joe Flacco QB 6'6" 232 Delaware
2b. Martellus Bennett TE 6'6" 259lbs. Texas A&M
Underutilized at Texas A&M. Entered the NBA draft out of HS, but later withdrew his name. Played on the B-Ball team at A&M. He is probably the best blocking TE in the draft. He has huge mitts and is reliable in the passing game. Will probably be a better pro than a college player.
Second Option:Early Doucet WR 6'0" 209 LSU
3. Jonathan Goff ILB 6'2" 245 Vanderbilt
I know I said I liked Curtis Lofton, but the more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that a 3-4 is not the best situation for him. I think he would thrive in a for 4-3 and it may be more of a struggle in a 3-4.
Goff has ideal size and strength. He is the definition of the word "thumper". He has the strength to take on OL. Can battle through traffic. Is made for MLB in a 3-4.
Second Option:John Greco 6'5" 305 Toledo
4. Antwaun Molden CB 6'1" 198lbs. Eastern Kentucky
Excellent size w/long arms. Able to flip his hips and run w/almost anyone. Has that short term memory you look for w/extreme confidence.
Second Option:Josh Barrett S 6'2" 223 ASU
6a. Kevin O'Connell QB 6'5" 225lbs. SDSU
Both stand tall in the pocket. Both are athletic and run around a 4.6/40. Teams need to be patient with O'Connell because he needs some more development, but has everything you look for physically just needs more polish.
Second Option:Ryan O'Hara QB 6'6" 230 Central Okla.
O'Hara, too, has the physical attributes. He has a stronger arm than O'Connell. Transfered from Ariz. because he wasn't on the same page as HC Mike Stoops. His brother had kidney disease and needed a transplant so he decided to sit out a semester to be home w/him. He said that effectively ended his time at UA. Toledo, Michigan, Wyoming and Western Michigan showed an interest when he was transferring. All wanted him to transfer the following fall instead of the mid term because they were afraid he would lose a yr. of eligibility. Well, he wanted to play, so he went to COU. He says that the scouts will find you. Don't know if that was the greatest decision, but he seems to have his head screwed on straight.
6b. Brandon Keith OT 6'5" 343lbs. N. Iowa
Excellent size and bulk. Long arms. Amazing athleticism for a man of his size.
Mobile enough to get out in space and stout enough to hold up at the point of attack.
7a. Kroy Biermann OLB 6'3" 246lbs. Montana
Winner of the Buck Buchanon Award: Best Defensive Player in Div-II. Great instincts and motor. Has that burst to close while in pursuit. Tough and aggressive.
7b. David Hale OG 6'6" 314lbs. Weber St.
Played at OT, but projects to OG in the NFL. Solid Technician w/good foot work. Effective as both a run and pass blocker. Not flashy, but a solid contributor on the roster as a backup.
1. Jake Long OT 6'7" 315lbs. Michigan
He's big, strong and has long arms. He's a road grader in the running game. He has the nasty demeanor you want in your OL i.e. he wants to pile drive his opponent in to the turf. He's a good pass blocker. Is he as good as Orlando Pace coming out of college? Probably not, but we'll have to see how he develops. Michigan has a history of stocking the NFL with good Offensive Linemen. Some may say, why pay a guy that kind of money on the OL? I say why not. Who ever we take with the 1st overall is going to get payed. Be it a QB, DL, LB or CB, they are all going to tie up alot of cap space. Why is it less advantages to have the money spent on the OL as opposed to the Secondary, QB, or Defensive Front Seven. There are alot more options with an OL( moving him to the opposite side or OG) than QB. If the QB doesn't work out, you're basically stuck with the contract because he's not going to play any other position. CBs usually can't move to S. Usually LBs don't move to the DL or Secondary(the only one I can think of is Keith Traylor). DE have been known to stand up and I like what I've seen from Long and Gholston, but can anyone say Mike Mamula. Am not saying that they are going to turn out like him, but you make your conclusions.
2a. Quentin Groves OLB 6'3" 259lbs. Auburn
Athletic and agile. Burst off the line of scrimmage. Good strength and power. Has a ton of experience. Better prospect than Reggie Torbor or Stanley McClover.
Second Option:Joe Flacco QB 6'6" 232 Delaware
2b. Martellus Bennett TE 6'6" 259lbs. Texas A&M
Underutilized at Texas A&M. Entered the NBA draft out of HS, but later withdrew his name. Played on the B-Ball team at A&M. He is probably the best blocking TE in the draft. He has huge mitts and is reliable in the passing game. Will probably be a better pro than a college player.
Second Option:Early Doucet WR 6'0" 209 LSU
3. Jonathan Goff ILB 6'2" 245 Vanderbilt
I know I said I liked Curtis Lofton, but the more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that a 3-4 is not the best situation for him. I think he would thrive in a for 4-3 and it may be more of a struggle in a 3-4.
Goff has ideal size and strength. He is the definition of the word "thumper". He has the strength to take on OL. Can battle through traffic. Is made for MLB in a 3-4.
Second Option:John Greco 6'5" 305 Toledo
4. Antwaun Molden CB 6'1" 198lbs. Eastern Kentucky
Excellent size w/long arms. Able to flip his hips and run w/almost anyone. Has that short term memory you look for w/extreme confidence.
Second Option:Josh Barrett S 6'2" 223 ASU
6a. Kevin O'Connell QB 6'5" 225lbs. SDSU
Both stand tall in the pocket. Both are athletic and run around a 4.6/40. Teams need to be patient with O'Connell because he needs some more development, but has everything you look for physically just needs more polish.
Second Option:Ryan O'Hara QB 6'6" 230 Central Okla.
O'Hara, too, has the physical attributes. He has a stronger arm than O'Connell. Transfered from Ariz. because he wasn't on the same page as HC Mike Stoops. His brother had kidney disease and needed a transplant so he decided to sit out a semester to be home w/him. He said that effectively ended his time at UA. Toledo, Michigan, Wyoming and Western Michigan showed an interest when he was transferring. All wanted him to transfer the following fall instead of the mid term because they were afraid he would lose a yr. of eligibility. Well, he wanted to play, so he went to COU. He says that the scouts will find you. Don't know if that was the greatest decision, but he seems to have his head screwed on straight.
6b. Brandon Keith OT 6'5" 343lbs. N. Iowa
Excellent size and bulk. Long arms. Amazing athleticism for a man of his size.
Mobile enough to get out in space and stout enough to hold up at the point of attack.
7a. Kroy Biermann OLB 6'3" 246lbs. Montana
Winner of the Buck Buchanon Award: Best Defensive Player in Div-II. Great instincts and motor. Has that burst to close while in pursuit. Tough and aggressive.
7b. David Hale OG 6'6" 314lbs. Weber St.
Played at OT, but projects to OG in the NFL. Solid Technician w/good foot work. Effective as both a run and pass blocker. Not flashy, but a solid contributor on the roster as a backup.
