Kiper's Latest Mock Draft

[Zanshin]

Young will be 10x better than Leinert.

Eh...I very much doubt that.

[ice grillin you]

young>leinart no question...its just a matter of by how much...other than accuracy which will be cured by some mechanical adjustments there isnt anything right now that leinart is better than young in

[Zanshin]

Actually, there is a question.

[ice grillin you]

<------not in his mind

[rjs246]

There is no doubt that Young will be a bust in the NFL. He may become a starter some day, and he might be kind of exciting to watch, but he'll never be a fantastic pro QB. Leinart, shtein I don't know, but Young will suck ass.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Young will end up pulling a TO down the road, crying about his inexperienced agent letting him sign for under market value and how he just wants to be appreciated (a.k.a. PAID) like the superstar he is.

[MURP]

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Sam (Cleveland, OH): I've seen your board and projection of Greenway for the Browns at 12. Do you see other possibilites, say if they address the huge LB need in free agency?

Mel Kiper: They have DL needs and OL needs. They could Winston Justice from USC. They could go Haloti Ngata from Oregon on the DL.


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dave from new jersey: what are the chances the jets will draft a quarterback with the fourth pick, either vince young or jay cutler?

Mel Kiper: We have to see how the Chad Pennington scenario pans out. He's coming off the injury. His future is in doubt. They have a ton of needs. They're a team that could consider trading down. They need players. That's a little high for Cutler and Young won't be there.


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Martinsburg, PA: What position will Micheal Robinson play in the NFL? Also will he play at all?

Mel Kiper: He'll play and he'll get a chance. He'll be either a RB, WR or safety. WR didn't appear to me that he didn't have the ideal pass catching skills. He has the size to be a RB. I think in the second day is when you'll see him go.


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Noah (Rockville, MD): How good are the offensive lineman this year an what can the taterskins expect to find waiting for them in second round? With Al sounders here do you think building a young o-line is a priority for the Skins in the draft.

Mel Kiper: The OL is not what it was expected to be. Overall, it's a little underwhelming. Jason Spitts might be a possibility. Washington needs interior linemen. Keep in mind, the taterskins want a WR, CB and pass rushing defensive end.


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martell from wisconsin: what are the chances Green Bay will take A.J. Hawk with the number 5

Mel Kiper: I think the chances are pretty good. Mario Williams, a DE and Hawk are the two they'll look at. They'll choose the highest rated player that they have.


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Nick: Antioch, IL: Hey mel the question I have for you is why houston will not trade out of the 1st pick and go get themselves Ferguson? It makes perfect sense you have running back, you have a quarterback, but you don't have an offensive line. Thanks mel

Mel Kiper: That's true. That scenario is always out there. Houston's not going to take a QB. They have to start supporting Carr with some players. There might be a guy that they have to have. Who's going to demand to move up that much? If you find someone that's going to give you the picks you want, then do it. Keep in mind Bush is not just a running back. He's a punt returner, slot receiver, running back. He's not a fulltime back. So to say they don't need him because they have other backs, he's not just a back.


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Jon (ND): Will LenDale White be there at #17, and if so, will the Minnesota Vikings take him?

Mel Kiper: I think he draws consideration. They have Moore, but White is an upgrade. They need some DBs. Jimmy Williams would be a nice choice. Michael Huff will be long gone by the Vikings pick. I have him going 7th.


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Zac Florence, AL: Hey Mel, what's up. I was just wondering where Vernon Davis is going to get drafted and how good of pro can he be?

Mel Kiper: Davis is going to be a great pro. He's a great pass catching option. He has off the chart physical skills. He'll be an average at best blocker. As a receiving threat, he's going to be phenomenal.


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Brian: (Milwaukee, WI): Is Brian Calhoun an every down back? What round will be drafted?

Mel Kiper: He's a second rounder. He had a great three-quarters of a season and wore down a little bit. He's consistent and has a great work ethic. He's not that big. I list him at 5-10, 197 pounds. Can he handle the punishment at the pro level? The bulk of his yards came in the first part of the season. But that's also the same reason Clinton Portis went in the second round.


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Chris (Wayland, Ma): Richard Marshall, the cornerback from Fresno State, is a name that I have seen moving up into the late 1st round. With the Pat Hill and Bill Belichick connection, what do you think of the Patriots taking him 21st overall?

Mel Kiper: Well, first, that's awful high. They need a CB. Richard Marshall, I think, needed another year at Fresno. It was a surprise that he came out. He's a spunky kid. He's confident. He's dangerous after an INT. I think he's more of a 3-4 round pick


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JP Berkley Ma: who do you think the Pats will go for?

Mel Kiper: I think they'll go RB, like, Laurence Maroney from Minnesota or a CB Youbouty or Tye Hill.


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Brandon from Toronto: Who are the Bills going to draft in the 1st round? And do you see them taking a quarterback at any point in the draft?

Mel Kiper: No on the QB. Maybe late. They need an OT and DT and WR. I project them to get DT Haloti Ngata. A lot of teams think about late round QBs. Reggie McNeal, Bruce Gradkowsky, Paul Pinegar, Richie Williams are some late round QBs.


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rick chavez/ Rock Springs, Wyoming: Hey Mel, Thanks for all the great inside info. Have you heard of any talks of the Broncos moving up in the draft considering that they are the only team with multiple 1st round picks. If so who are they targeting? Mario Williams?

Mel Kiper: No, I haven't heard any talk of that, but it's way too early for that. We don't know about free agency yet either. There are too many scenarios that will determine what will happen on draft day. But they have the ammunition to move up with the multiple draft picks. I have them taking Sinorice Moss late in the first round.


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Michael (Warsaw, In): As there ever been a pro team contact to about their GM job or a consulting job on draft day?

Mel Kiper: You couldn't do consulting work. How do you remain objective with all the work that I do on ESPN all year long. Being in the front office of a team has always been intriguing, but I don't see any reason to pursue it. I've been doing this for so long. I love the situation that I'm in. I'm too happy with what I'm doing now.


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Randall (Statesboro): Is Leonard Pope the highest draft pick from UGA this year? What about Max-Jean Gilles?

Mel Kiper: Pope is the highest rated player from Georgia. Max-Jean is the next one and Minter has the chance to being a first rounder too. I have Pope going to the Bears in the first round.

[MURP]

Pat (Morgantown WV): With Antwaan Randle El likely departing via free agency, will the Steelers look for a downfield receiving threat at the 32nd pick? If so, who will be there that fits that mold?

Mel Kiper: I think the guys you look at would be Sinorice Moss from Miami. He's one of the fastest players in the draft. He has the return skills if Antwaan leaves.


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Tim (CA): What do you think the Rams will do with their eleventh pick? Might they take a shut down DB like huff or jimmy williams?

Mel Kiper: They have needs at the safety spot. I don't think Huff will be there. Williams will. They could look at Vernon Davis, OL, or DL.


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jerald st. pete florida: Thanks for answering our questions Mel. Will not going to the combine hurt Vince Young's draft status? Thanks

Mel Kiper: Absolutely not. There's no chance at that. My advice would be to the top guys is to wait for an individual workout. It's your surroundings, your receivers, your turf. It's under your guidelines. Especially with Young's unorthodox delivery and he's being compared to other guys with a picture perfect throw.


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Anthony (Arabi, LA): Mel, Do you think the Saints will go with Leinart instead of trading down for more picks?

Mel Kiper: I don't think they can afford to. They have to start a new era of Saints football. How in the heck do you pass up on Leinart or Young? You have two big time prospects staring you in the face. Why would you give up an opportunity at one of those guys. I think they'll take Leinart. They're guaranteed one of the two. There's no way I would think about trading out of there.


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Hector Aurora, Il: Hello Mel, is there a chance the Bears will take someone other than Pope, say a Thomas Howard to compete with Hunter Hillenmeyer? Also I heard on the NFL Network that Pope is still raw and a bit of a project, is that true?

Mel Kiper: No. I think Howard is a second rounder right now. If you're looking at TE at Pope or Dominique Byrd of USC. They could look at OG or LB. There are a couple of other guys Ernie Sims and D'Qwell Jackson are ahead of Howard.


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Alex (Salisbury, Ct): Mel, With Curtis Martin towards the end of his career do you see the Jets taking a RB in the first three rounds?...if so who?

Mel Kiper: I would think they would. That's their second highest rated need area. You can find RBs in this draft. Guys like Calhoun, Drew, Jerome Harrsion, Leon Washington. Those are the RBs that would be a nice addition.


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Russell (Queens,NY): Lots of people have the Cowboys picking WR in the first round. Don't you think OT, LB, or S is a bigger need for them?

Mel Kiper: Yeah, I have them taking Marcus McNeill as an OT. Ko Simpson a safety is another possibility. Santonio Holmes, a WR is another possibility. But I have them taking an OT.


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Brent (Morris, MN): Is there a chance the Cardinals won't take a RB in the first round. If so what would they take?

Mel Kiper: I have them taking RB DeAngelo Williams, who was arguably the best player at the Senior Bowl. I think he's a guy that they would consider. Their need areas are QB, RB, DT, OG and FS.


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Brett (Illinois): Why has UCLA's Marcades Lewis' stock droped so much as of late? And how do you see Maurice Drew doing in the NFL?

Mel Kiper: Lewis is a second rounder. The reason he's dropped is he didn't finish the year as strong as he started. Plus he didn't emerge as much as people hoped. Byrd pushed past him. In a normal year, when we didn't have so many TEs, Lewis might be the top guy. Right now I have Davis, Pope and Byrd in the first round. There are a lot of TEs that are going to go early.

Mel Kiper: Drew, I have as a solid second round pick. He's a pure runner. People forget how good Drew was this past year on returns. He returned three punts for TDs. People question his height, but so what? He's got great vision. He's tough, strong and a compact runner.


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Chad (Corvallis, OR): Where does my man Mike Haas go this year and who would you compare him to?

Mel Kiper: I've always compared Haas to Ricky Proehl. He has a long, solid career. I think he's that type. He's got great hands, just not a lot of speed.


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Danny (Detroit): Mel, with the Lions now having Mike Martz in town who do you see them getting at number 9?

Mel Kiper: I'm still thinking Jay Cutler, the QB. They have a need at RT and DE.


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Kevin (Harrisonburg, Va): STEELERS--Any chance we TRADE UP to get a shutdown corner or RB like Lendale White or take Sims, Carpenter, or Kai Parham at the 32nd pick? Thanks

Mel Kiper: They could. This is a team that traded up to get Polamalu. To trade up to get White? I have him going 17. I thought about CB for them, but they've invested picks in CBs the last couple of years. They don't have a shutdown guy, but I don't think there's a shutdown guy in this draft. I don't know if any team in the NFL has a shutdown guy. With all the rule changes, I don't know if anyone has a guy like that.


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Manny (El Paso, Texas): Who is the best MLB in the draft?

Mel Kiper: The best inside LB is Jackson of Maryland, but he can also play on the outside. This draft lacks a true MLB in the 4-3 sense. Abdul Hodge of Iowa might be the best true MLB. He has 316 tackles in the last three years.


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Tony ( New Jersey): Who is Carolina looking at, and what are thier needs?

Mel Kiper: Carolina is looking at a TE, because their offense likes to feature the TE. I give them Byrd or Pope. WR is a need. TE is their No. 1 need. OT and DT.


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Marshall (Lapeer, MI): Most, if not all, draft projections have the Bears taking a tight end in the first round. Now I think this is a need, but there are several others as well such as depth in the secondary and youth to the offensive line. If the Bears don't grab one of the many tight ends in the first round, waiting untill the 2nd, who do you think they will pursue?

Mel Kiper: Anthony Fasano from Notre Dame. Lewis from UCLA. Klopfenstein from Colorado. Daniels from Wisconsin. Day from Oregon are all second round TEs.

[MURP]

Sean (Pittsburgh): What do the Colts do in the 1st round? O-line help or trying to replace Edgerrin James?

Mel Kiper: I think they have to look at OG. Deuce Lutui is huge. He is a massive OG. He's 6-3, 338 pounds. If they want to take a RB, Maroney. The Colts have a history of looking at great players that are shorter.


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victor (austin): I read an Article regarding Marcus Vick and Competitive Edge Sports founder Chip Smith who claims Marcus Vick is going to break or be close to combine records. He also goes on to say how he is an amazing athlete and a different person from what he has heard and read in the media and has an amazing work ethic to boot. If this is all true do you see Marcus making a big move up the board?

Mel Kiper: Hard to say. We have to wait and see how the workouts go. He didn't finish the season strong at Va. Tech on the field. There's too many factors that are undetermined right now. He's one player I can't even put a round projection on him. He's no guaranteed first day pick.


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Chris ( Philly): What do you see the Eagles doing with the 14th pick?

Mel Kiper: I think they have some need areas. They need a WR. Also, they've been a team that's done a good job on draft day. They could look at Holmes. They could go OT. Justice of USC. They could go DL like Tamba Hali. WR, OT, DE and OLB are the areas that they need help at.


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Brett (Illinois): Besides all the Sinorice Moss talk, who are some big play potential players maybe flying a little under the radar?

Mel Kiper: If you're looking at WR, probably start out with Cory Rodgers from TCU. He was also a great KR. Brandon Williams a WR/Return man from Wisconsin. Another guy is Greg Jennings from W. Michigan is very underrated.


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Curtis (Indy): Any chance Kyle Killion get drafted?

Mel Kiper: Right now, based on where he's rated, I'd say more of a free agent that could help on special teams.


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Isaac Norfolk, Va: Why do we not here more about this kid from Florida Chad Jackson? He is overshadowed by allot of people.

Mel Kiper: Jackson's a good football player. The concern is that his average yards per catch dropped. But that was because of the offense. The Urban Meyer offense is a lot of short stuff. Jackson has good size and has great hands. He's not afraid to catch the ball in traffic. I think he's a late first round possbility.

Mel Kiper: The Florida receivers over the last several years have not paned out in the NFL. There's been a lot of Florida receivers that went pretty high in the draft and didn't materialize into big time players.


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Frank (LA): With all these Trojan projected how many can go 1st round 7 or 8?

Mel Kiper: Right now you're looking at 6. Bush, Leinart, Justice, White, Byrd and Lutui. Darnell Bing is another that people are projecting in the first, I've got him in the second.

Mel Kiper: The next highest school is Ohio State. I have four guys in the first round. Holmes, Hawk, Youbout and Carpenter.


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Bob (Michigan): After a failed Joey Harrington experiment, you really think the Lions would take Cutler? What is different about him that make you confident he'll be successful?

Mel Kiper: You don't evaluate players on previous mistakes. You can't be gunshy. Keep in mind there's a new head coach evaluating these players. You can't shy away. You keep trying. It's not going to be like their WR picks. They could go with the Cutler route, but they could go another way.


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Zach (Dallas, TX): Who do you see the Cowboys going after in the first round this year?

Mel Kiper: I think McNeal, Simpson, Jimmy Williams. The guy that would look best is Huff, but he'll be long gone.


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Jeremy (MN): What is the word on Jeremy Bloom?

Mel Kiper: He's busy now with the Olympics. I like Bloom, based on what I saw in Colorado. He's a natural catching the football. The skiing benefits him on the football field. He's 5-9 and skis at 170, but he'll play at 185. He's a 3-4 round possibility. Pittsburgh, Chicago are two teams that might be interested in him.


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Jason (Cleveland, OH): Hey Mel, Where do you see Omar Jacobs from Bowling Green going? He's the next in a long line of great MAC QB's!

Mel Kiper: I don't agree with that. If you look at MAC QBs with Pennington, Leftwich, Roethlisberger. I'd be a little reluctant to put Jacobs in that group. He's closer to being like a Josh Harris, who hasn't emerged. He was a product of the offense. If you look at Jacobs, the delivery is a problem for me.


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JODY (Bethlehem,Ga): If you were the falcons gm who would you choose and what kind of moves would you make and why?

Mel Kiper: I think the Falcons have a key need at CB or safety. You need a guy with the versatility. Michael Huff has that. If they have to move up to get him, that's not a bad move. Then Jimmy Williams is also in there. OT is another area. Justice might fill in there. DE. Tamba Hali. Their needs are CB/S, OT, DE, WR.

Mel Kiper: We covered a ton of ground today. A lot of teams, lot of players. Next wednesday we'll bet getting ready for the combine and I'll have a lot of notes to pass around. Right now, it's kind of a lull until we get to the combine.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

All that crap just to find out that Kiper thinks the Eagles will probably look at Santonio Holmes, Winston Justice, and Tamba Hali.  Big shocker there.  Thanks, Mel.

[Zanshin]

I'd be floored if the Eagles went with Holmes.  Not quite Jon Harris floored, but floored nonetheless.

[Feva]

I'd be floored if the Eagles went with Holmes. 

If the Eagles were to go with Holmes, then they better have a brand new DE, DT and OLB on the roster via FA.

[rjs246]

Holmes sucks.

[The BIGSTUD]

I think Holmes is good. He's got speed.

[rjs246]

Holmes sucks. This draft class eats ass for WRs and if they waste a first rounder on Holmes I'll projectile diarrhea spray every last one of you.