Stitches
I love Mindwarp
I realize this draft won't fill every need even with the number of picks we currently have, but we can get some excellent players to come in and have an instant impact, as well as get some quality depth and developmental prospects.
Anyways, on to the picks!!
Top Picks-
#1- Oakland- Jamarcus Russell
#2- Detroit- Calvin Johnson
#3- Cleveland- Brady Quinn
#4- Tampa Bay- Gaines Adams
#5- Arizona- Joe Thomas
#6- Washington- Amobi Okoye
#7- Minnesota- LaRon Landry
#8- Atlanta- Adrian Peterson
Leads to the Dolphins selection at #9
#9- Joe Staley – LT – Central Michigan
I know, I know, not the pick everyone wants to see here. But I refuse to believe that Quinn falls all the way down to 9, and I don’t predict trades. I really had to narrow it down to three players here: Brown, Staley, and Carriker. Landry would have been in the mix, but I see him going before 9. I really like everything I hear about Carriker, but considering the lack of signings on the OL, I have to think we are looking to the draft to get at least 2-3 OL, with at least one projecting as a starter(or at least given a shot at it). So that narrows it down to Brown and Staley. I am one to look at workout numbers and use those to weigh out my options, and you really can’t get more distance between numbers for an LT than with these 2 guys. With that said, I still think Levi Brown will be a very fine LT in the NFL and if somehow he slips past 15, someone is getting a steal. In fact, I would have no problem with him being selected at 9. The reasons I project Staley over Brown is due to the pure athleticism of Staley, his high ceiling, and the slight case of arthritis in one of Brown’s knees. I think both could start from day one, and both could likely anchor our line with Carey (should we keep him) for 10+ years.
#40- Kevin Kolb – QB – Houston
Wow, it’s so nice to see a QB being drafted before the 5th round, let alone on day one. I would like to see Jon Beck here, but I predict him getting scooped up before this spot, whether by the ravens or by one of the teams before us in round 2. While this may be a tad higher than some would expect for Kolb, we don’t want to miss out on our 3rd rated QB (my opinion) so we bite the bullet. There should still be some good WR and defensive players at pick 60, considering how deep WR is and how often the position slides further than expected. I feel like Kolb could take a year to learn and get accustomed to the offense, and then hopefully be ready to start at the beginning of next year.
#60- Craig Davis – WR – LSU
This is more of a dream pick than anything else. Davis is funny, because he could honestly go anywhere from 25-75 in my opinion depending on how things work out. Some people think he could turn out to be a better pro than Dwayne Bowe, and while I don’t know if I would say that, I think Davis is one hell of a player who could fill our need at flanker. He’s fast, has a good vertical, and has really good hands too. Honestly getting a player like Davis at 60 would be a steal in my opinion. I can only hope it works out that way.
#71- Josh Gattis – S - Wake Forest
With Jason Allen’s move to cornerback, it means we need some competition at the safety position. Not to mention of Allen works out at cornerback as well as one would hope, one safety is really all we need to make our secondary extremely formidable. Everything I read about Gattis tells me he is a guy who is going to give 110% every single play, and will do everything he can to help the team. He has great measurables and posted some great numbers this past 3 years in the ACC too. Even if he couldn’t start from day one, he would be a major player on our special teams unit.
#108- Andy Alleman – OG – Akron
Presents great value at the top of the 4th round, so much so that he likely won’t be here, but I am crossing my fingers. Offers tremendous versatility at all 3 inside spots should we need a C in a pinch. Former defensive linemen at Pitt, Alleman transferred to Akron and has turned into one of the best guards in the country. Had the draft occurred a week after the combine I never would even suggest Alleman would be here, but it seems the buzz has died down, and there might be an outside chance he falls.
From here on out the picks get a little trickier, but I’ll do my best at picking them.
#181- Adam Podlesh - P – Maryland
Will help us forget about Donnie Jones, Podlesh is the 2nd best punter in the draft, and getting him here is much better value than drafting Baylor’s punter in round 4.
#199- Xzavie Jackson – DE/OLB – Missouri
Likely will help fill the role David Bowens played last year, and could possibly understudy Taylor and fill that role should he need to.
#219- Prescott Burgess – LB – Michigan
Good measurable, but hasn’t always translated to the field. Probably gets drafted sooner, but this has been where I’ve seen him rated.
#225- Drew Mormino – C – Central Michigan
Overshadowed by Staley, but Drew is an excellent prospect in his own right. Would be an excellent back up for Hadnot.
#238- Selvin Young – RB - Texas
Even with Ricky Williams on the roster, it couldn’t hurt to add more depth to the running backs by adding another former Longhorn to the team
Anyways, on to the picks!!
Top Picks-
#1- Oakland- Jamarcus Russell
#2- Detroit- Calvin Johnson
#3- Cleveland- Brady Quinn
#4- Tampa Bay- Gaines Adams
#5- Arizona- Joe Thomas
#6- Washington- Amobi Okoye
#7- Minnesota- LaRon Landry
#8- Atlanta- Adrian Peterson
Leads to the Dolphins selection at #9
#9- Joe Staley – LT – Central Michigan
I know, I know, not the pick everyone wants to see here. But I refuse to believe that Quinn falls all the way down to 9, and I don’t predict trades. I really had to narrow it down to three players here: Brown, Staley, and Carriker. Landry would have been in the mix, but I see him going before 9. I really like everything I hear about Carriker, but considering the lack of signings on the OL, I have to think we are looking to the draft to get at least 2-3 OL, with at least one projecting as a starter(or at least given a shot at it). So that narrows it down to Brown and Staley. I am one to look at workout numbers and use those to weigh out my options, and you really can’t get more distance between numbers for an LT than with these 2 guys. With that said, I still think Levi Brown will be a very fine LT in the NFL and if somehow he slips past 15, someone is getting a steal. In fact, I would have no problem with him being selected at 9. The reasons I project Staley over Brown is due to the pure athleticism of Staley, his high ceiling, and the slight case of arthritis in one of Brown’s knees. I think both could start from day one, and both could likely anchor our line with Carey (should we keep him) for 10+ years.
#40- Kevin Kolb – QB – Houston
Wow, it’s so nice to see a QB being drafted before the 5th round, let alone on day one. I would like to see Jon Beck here, but I predict him getting scooped up before this spot, whether by the ravens or by one of the teams before us in round 2. While this may be a tad higher than some would expect for Kolb, we don’t want to miss out on our 3rd rated QB (my opinion) so we bite the bullet. There should still be some good WR and defensive players at pick 60, considering how deep WR is and how often the position slides further than expected. I feel like Kolb could take a year to learn and get accustomed to the offense, and then hopefully be ready to start at the beginning of next year.
#60- Craig Davis – WR – LSU
This is more of a dream pick than anything else. Davis is funny, because he could honestly go anywhere from 25-75 in my opinion depending on how things work out. Some people think he could turn out to be a better pro than Dwayne Bowe, and while I don’t know if I would say that, I think Davis is one hell of a player who could fill our need at flanker. He’s fast, has a good vertical, and has really good hands too. Honestly getting a player like Davis at 60 would be a steal in my opinion. I can only hope it works out that way.
#71- Josh Gattis – S - Wake Forest
With Jason Allen’s move to cornerback, it means we need some competition at the safety position. Not to mention of Allen works out at cornerback as well as one would hope, one safety is really all we need to make our secondary extremely formidable. Everything I read about Gattis tells me he is a guy who is going to give 110% every single play, and will do everything he can to help the team. He has great measurables and posted some great numbers this past 3 years in the ACC too. Even if he couldn’t start from day one, he would be a major player on our special teams unit.
#108- Andy Alleman – OG – Akron
Presents great value at the top of the 4th round, so much so that he likely won’t be here, but I am crossing my fingers. Offers tremendous versatility at all 3 inside spots should we need a C in a pinch. Former defensive linemen at Pitt, Alleman transferred to Akron and has turned into one of the best guards in the country. Had the draft occurred a week after the combine I never would even suggest Alleman would be here, but it seems the buzz has died down, and there might be an outside chance he falls.
From here on out the picks get a little trickier, but I’ll do my best at picking them.
#181- Adam Podlesh - P – Maryland
Will help us forget about Donnie Jones, Podlesh is the 2nd best punter in the draft, and getting him here is much better value than drafting Baylor’s punter in round 4.
#199- Xzavie Jackson – DE/OLB – Missouri
Likely will help fill the role David Bowens played last year, and could possibly understudy Taylor and fill that role should he need to.
#219- Prescott Burgess – LB – Michigan
Good measurable, but hasn’t always translated to the field. Probably gets drafted sooner, but this has been where I’ve seen him rated.
#225- Drew Mormino – C – Central Michigan
Overshadowed by Staley, but Drew is an excellent prospect in his own right. Would be an excellent back up for Hadnot.
#238- Selvin Young – RB - Texas
Even with Ricky Williams on the roster, it couldn’t hurt to add more depth to the running backs by adding another former Longhorn to the team
