Finole
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I love reading all the mock drafts. They're a lot of fun, but let's face it... You have a better chance of predicting the lottery numbers than predicting who the Fins might draft with their 6th round compensatory pick.
Anyway, what I like to do is put together a list of my favorite players in the upcoming draft, and the round in which the Fins could, should, or might draft them.
Here my list of players I'll be watching for on draft day:
OFFENSE:
QB
Round 1 - Ryan, Matt Boston College 6-5 228
Round 2 - Brohm, Brian Louisville 6-3 230
Round 3 - Flacco, Joe Delaware 6-7 236
Round 4 - Ainge, Erik Tennessee 6-5 225
Round 6 - O'Connell, Kevin San Diego St 6-5 225
Round 7 - Flynn, Matt LSU 6-2 231
UDFA - Smith, Paul Tulsa 6-1 208
Some of you are probably thinking, "There's no way Brohm makes it to the 2nd round. And Flacco will be off the board well before the 3rd round rolls around." And you're probably right. But that's sort of my point with how I'm listing these players. It's not the round I think they'll be drafted... it's the round I think the Fins should draft them. In other words: If Brohm is there in the 2nd round, then he would be a good pick. If Flacco is there in the 3rd, then pull the trigger.
My favorite: Erik Ainge. Got better every year he played at Tennessee. Had an outstanding senior year and Bowl game. Led the South to the game-winning score in the Senior Bowl. Tall, very good arm, makes good decisions, and gets the job done. We could do a lot worse for our 3rd string QB. I see Ainge as a project who could eventually be a very good starting QB in the NFL.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Ainge. As well as Ryan, Brohm, and Flacco.
RB
Round 2 - Jones, Felix* Arkansas 5-10 207 4.44
Round 3 - Forte', Matt Tulane 6-2 217 4.44
Round 4 - Choice, Tashard RB, Georgia Tech 5-11 215 4.50
Round 5 - Smith, Kevin* Central Florida 6-1 217 4.53
Round 6 - Hightower, Tim Richmond 6-0 226 4.58
Round 7 - Green-Ellis, BenJarvus Mississippi 5-11 219 4.60
UDFA - Rankin, Louis Washington 6-1 200 4.48
My favorite: Matt Forte. Did you see the way he ran over Dan Connor in the Senior Bowl? Classic.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Forte', Choice, and Hightower.
Player you might not know: Louis Rankin. I tuned in to check out Greyson Gunheim, but after the game Rankin was the guy who stood out to me. He had two 200-yard games last year. And he can also return kicks. His uncle is Webster Slaughter.
FB
Round 4 - Schmitt, Owen West Virginia 6-2 247 4.73
Round 5 - Hillis, Peyton Arkansas 6-1 240 4.64
Round 6 - Hester, Jacob LSU 5-11 226 4.61
My favorite: All three. Unfortunately, we probably won't target any of these guys. What's worse is that New England will probably draft Jacob Hester, and he'll step right in for the aging Kevin Faulk.
TE
Round 2 - Bennett, Martellus* Texas A&M 6-6 259 4.68
Round 3 - Cottam, Brad Tennessee 6-8 270 4.63
Round 4 - Carlson, John Notre Dame 6-5 251 4.88
Round 5 - Davis, Kellen Michigan St 6-7 262 4.59
UDFA - Tereshinski, John Wake Forest 6-3 240 5.04
My favorite: Martellus Bennett. He's the best blocker, and that's where a TE's true value really lies if you ask me. Now throw in the fact that Bennett is also a very good receiver... Hands down, he's the most complete TE coming out this year, with John Carlson a close second.
Player you might not know: John Tereshinski. Against FSU last year, Tereshinski knocked out starting safety Roger Williams. He may be slow as dirt, but Tereshinski always seemed to find a way to get open. In addition to being an excellent blocker, he was very productive as a receiver in college. I'm telling you if this guy gets invited to a training camp he will make the roster.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Cottam.
WR
Round 3 - Manningham, Mario* Michigan 6-0 181 4.59
Round 4 - Hawkins, Lavelle California 5-11 187 4.57
Round 5 - Burton, Keenan Kentucky 6-1 201 4.44
Round 5 - Moore, Kenneth Wake Forest 5-11 195 4.47
Round 6 - Arrington, Adrian* Michigan 6-3 203 4.55
Round 7 - Rivers, Jason Hawaii 6-1 200 4.59
UDFA - Brown, Travis New Mexico 6-2 202 4.49
Just to reiterate: No, I do not think Manningham will still be on the board in the 3rd round. But if he is, then the Fins need to forget all other strategies, and draft Manningham.
My favorite(s): In case you didn't notice, I have two. Keenan Burton and Kenneth Moore. I couldn't choose between them so I listed two 5th rounders here. Both have great hands, and both are playmakers. Hopefully, one of them will slide to the 6th round, or we'll trade down at some point and pick up a 5th rounder.
Player you might not know: Travis Brown. His teammate, Marcus Smith, is the WR from New Mexico that is getting all the attention right now. Well, I watched New Mexico's Bowl game, and Brown had more receptions and more yards. Both caught a TD. If Smith was New Mexico's Chad Johnson, then Brown was their T.J. Whoozyourmama. Very underrated. Good size and speed. Really hope we sign him as an UDFA.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Arrington.
OT
Round 1 - Clady, Ryan* Boise St 6-6 309 5.18
Round 2 - Brown, Duane Virginia Tech 6-4 315 5.07
UDFA - Bell, Demetrius Northwestern St (LA) 6-5 303 5.25
My favorite: Ryan Clady. Compares to Chris Samuels. A probable Pro-Bowler who would start on Day 1 and anchor the left side of our o-line for years.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Clady.
OG
Round 2 - Albert, Branden* Virginia 6-6 309 5.17
Round 3 - Greco, John Toledo 6-5 305 5.31
Round 4 - Zuttah, Jeremy OT, Rutgers 6-4 303 4.99
Round 5 - Radovich, Drew USC 6-5 301 5.33
Round 6 - Rinehart, Chad Northern Iowa 6-5 320 5.42
Round 7 - Murphy, Shawn Utah St 6-4 320 5.38
UDFA - Blair, James Western Michigan 6-3 323 5.28
My favorite: Albert, of course. But I don't see him making it out of the 1st round.
F.Y.I. Zuttah and Radovich are more likely RGs. After signing Justin Smiley we need a LG which might mean that Greco is the pick because he played LT in college, but is projected to kick inside at the next level.
The Fins have shown an interest in Albert, Greco, Zuttah, Rinehart, Murphy, and Blair. Basically, everybody except Radovich which should maybe tell me something.
C
Round 5 - Lichtensteiger, Kory Bowling Green 6-2 298 5.25 (can also play OG)
Round 7 - Velasco, Fernando Georgia 6-3 318 5.14 (can also play OG)
UDFA - Carvalho, Brennan Portland State 6-1 294 5.00 (can also play OG)
Bascially, with the Centers coming out this year what I'm looking for is a Guard who can also be our backup Center. Not a huge need if Mormino pans out, but still worth giving these guys a quick evaluation.
My favorite: Carvalho. He will probably get drafted in the 7th round. But if he goes undrafted then we should sign him. He would provide serious training camp competition. A little undersized, but very tough and durable. I like taking a flyer on the guys from the smaller schools because if they don't have a problem with the higher level of competition in the NFL then you've got yourself a diamond in the rough.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Lichtensteiger.
Anyway, what I like to do is put together a list of my favorite players in the upcoming draft, and the round in which the Fins could, should, or might draft them.
Here my list of players I'll be watching for on draft day:
OFFENSE:
QB
Round 1 - Ryan, Matt Boston College 6-5 228
Round 2 - Brohm, Brian Louisville 6-3 230
Round 3 - Flacco, Joe Delaware 6-7 236
Round 4 - Ainge, Erik Tennessee 6-5 225
Round 6 - O'Connell, Kevin San Diego St 6-5 225
Round 7 - Flynn, Matt LSU 6-2 231
UDFA - Smith, Paul Tulsa 6-1 208
Some of you are probably thinking, "There's no way Brohm makes it to the 2nd round. And Flacco will be off the board well before the 3rd round rolls around." And you're probably right. But that's sort of my point with how I'm listing these players. It's not the round I think they'll be drafted... it's the round I think the Fins should draft them. In other words: If Brohm is there in the 2nd round, then he would be a good pick. If Flacco is there in the 3rd, then pull the trigger.
My favorite: Erik Ainge. Got better every year he played at Tennessee. Had an outstanding senior year and Bowl game. Led the South to the game-winning score in the Senior Bowl. Tall, very good arm, makes good decisions, and gets the job done. We could do a lot worse for our 3rd string QB. I see Ainge as a project who could eventually be a very good starting QB in the NFL.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Ainge. As well as Ryan, Brohm, and Flacco.
RB
Round 2 - Jones, Felix* Arkansas 5-10 207 4.44
Round 3 - Forte', Matt Tulane 6-2 217 4.44
Round 4 - Choice, Tashard RB, Georgia Tech 5-11 215 4.50
Round 5 - Smith, Kevin* Central Florida 6-1 217 4.53
Round 6 - Hightower, Tim Richmond 6-0 226 4.58
Round 7 - Green-Ellis, BenJarvus Mississippi 5-11 219 4.60
UDFA - Rankin, Louis Washington 6-1 200 4.48
My favorite: Matt Forte. Did you see the way he ran over Dan Connor in the Senior Bowl? Classic.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Forte', Choice, and Hightower.
Player you might not know: Louis Rankin. I tuned in to check out Greyson Gunheim, but after the game Rankin was the guy who stood out to me. He had two 200-yard games last year. And he can also return kicks. His uncle is Webster Slaughter.
FB
Round 4 - Schmitt, Owen West Virginia 6-2 247 4.73
Round 5 - Hillis, Peyton Arkansas 6-1 240 4.64
Round 6 - Hester, Jacob LSU 5-11 226 4.61
My favorite: All three. Unfortunately, we probably won't target any of these guys. What's worse is that New England will probably draft Jacob Hester, and he'll step right in for the aging Kevin Faulk.
TE
Round 2 - Bennett, Martellus* Texas A&M 6-6 259 4.68
Round 3 - Cottam, Brad Tennessee 6-8 270 4.63
Round 4 - Carlson, John Notre Dame 6-5 251 4.88
Round 5 - Davis, Kellen Michigan St 6-7 262 4.59
UDFA - Tereshinski, John Wake Forest 6-3 240 5.04
My favorite: Martellus Bennett. He's the best blocker, and that's where a TE's true value really lies if you ask me. Now throw in the fact that Bennett is also a very good receiver... Hands down, he's the most complete TE coming out this year, with John Carlson a close second.
Player you might not know: John Tereshinski. Against FSU last year, Tereshinski knocked out starting safety Roger Williams. He may be slow as dirt, but Tereshinski always seemed to find a way to get open. In addition to being an excellent blocker, he was very productive as a receiver in college. I'm telling you if this guy gets invited to a training camp he will make the roster.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Cottam.
WR
Round 3 - Manningham, Mario* Michigan 6-0 181 4.59
Round 4 - Hawkins, Lavelle California 5-11 187 4.57
Round 5 - Burton, Keenan Kentucky 6-1 201 4.44
Round 5 - Moore, Kenneth Wake Forest 5-11 195 4.47
Round 6 - Arrington, Adrian* Michigan 6-3 203 4.55
Round 7 - Rivers, Jason Hawaii 6-1 200 4.59
UDFA - Brown, Travis New Mexico 6-2 202 4.49
Just to reiterate: No, I do not think Manningham will still be on the board in the 3rd round. But if he is, then the Fins need to forget all other strategies, and draft Manningham.
My favorite(s): In case you didn't notice, I have two. Keenan Burton and Kenneth Moore. I couldn't choose between them so I listed two 5th rounders here. Both have great hands, and both are playmakers. Hopefully, one of them will slide to the 6th round, or we'll trade down at some point and pick up a 5th rounder.
Player you might not know: Travis Brown. His teammate, Marcus Smith, is the WR from New Mexico that is getting all the attention right now. Well, I watched New Mexico's Bowl game, and Brown had more receptions and more yards. Both caught a TD. If Smith was New Mexico's Chad Johnson, then Brown was their T.J. Whoozyourmama. Very underrated. Good size and speed. Really hope we sign him as an UDFA.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Arrington.
OT
Round 1 - Clady, Ryan* Boise St 6-6 309 5.18
Round 2 - Brown, Duane Virginia Tech 6-4 315 5.07
UDFA - Bell, Demetrius Northwestern St (LA) 6-5 303 5.25
My favorite: Ryan Clady. Compares to Chris Samuels. A probable Pro-Bowler who would start on Day 1 and anchor the left side of our o-line for years.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Clady.
OG
Round 2 - Albert, Branden* Virginia 6-6 309 5.17
Round 3 - Greco, John Toledo 6-5 305 5.31
Round 4 - Zuttah, Jeremy OT, Rutgers 6-4 303 4.99
Round 5 - Radovich, Drew USC 6-5 301 5.33
Round 6 - Rinehart, Chad Northern Iowa 6-5 320 5.42
Round 7 - Murphy, Shawn Utah St 6-4 320 5.38
UDFA - Blair, James Western Michigan 6-3 323 5.28
My favorite: Albert, of course. But I don't see him making it out of the 1st round.
F.Y.I. Zuttah and Radovich are more likely RGs. After signing Justin Smiley we need a LG which might mean that Greco is the pick because he played LT in college, but is projected to kick inside at the next level.
The Fins have shown an interest in Albert, Greco, Zuttah, Rinehart, Murphy, and Blair. Basically, everybody except Radovich which should maybe tell me something.
C
Round 5 - Lichtensteiger, Kory Bowling Green 6-2 298 5.25 (can also play OG)
Round 7 - Velasco, Fernando Georgia 6-3 318 5.14 (can also play OG)
UDFA - Carvalho, Brennan Portland State 6-1 294 5.00 (can also play OG)
Bascially, with the Centers coming out this year what I'm looking for is a Guard who can also be our backup Center. Not a huge need if Mormino pans out, but still worth giving these guys a quick evaluation.
My favorite: Carvalho. He will probably get drafted in the 7th round. But if he goes undrafted then we should sign him. He would provide serious training camp competition. A little undersized, but very tough and durable. I like taking a flyer on the guys from the smaller schools because if they don't have a problem with the higher level of competition in the NFL then you've got yourself a diamond in the rough.
F.Y.I. The Fins have shown an interest in Lichtensteiger.
