Mocks

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Updated Mock from Draft Daddy.......christ.....I can't wait until next weekend....

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01. Houston Texans - RB Reggie Bush, Southern Cal

The 'President' leads this field due to upside. If used properly, an instant impact player.
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02. N.O. Saints - OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia

Saints will try to trade down - they say Jammal Brown will play LT, we'll see.
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03. Tennessee Titans - QB Matt Leinart, Southern Cal

Leinart and Norm Chow reunite and give the Titans a plan for the future of the QB position.
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04. N.Y. Jets - QB Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt

Cutler has no problem as an underdog, plus tools to deal with the windy Meadowlands.
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05. G.B. Packers - DE Mario Williams, North Carolina State

Super Mario has the skillset of a #1 overall pick: 4.6 40 at 295, an impact pass rusher.
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06. S.F. 49ers - LB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State

Nolan needs a leader for the defense, Hawk brings that and is a pro-ready addition.
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07. Oakland Raiders - DT Haloti Ngata, Oregon

Oakland's defensive line has gotten old, Ngata is a freakish athlete and the Best Available Player.
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08.  Buffalo Bills - TE Vernon Davis, Maryland

Marv Levy likes to use multiple TE sets and Davis is the most explosive receiving threat in the draft.
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09.  Detroit Lions - CB Michael Huff, Texas

Dynamic athlete who had really fast times. Huff has proven he can be a CB and the Lions need more.
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10.  Arizona Cardinals - QB Vince Young, Texas

Young gives the QB-hungry Cards excitement, Denny Green welcomes him with open arms.
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11.  St. Louis Rams - DT Broderick Bunkley, Florida State, Texas

The Rams front four isn't nasty enough, Bunkley is the man for that job.
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12.  Cleveland Browns - DE Manny Lawson, North Carolina State

Quality pass rusher with sprinter's speed, a real playmaker who will contribute right away in Romeo's 3-4.
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13.  Baltimore Ravens - CB Tye Hill, Clemson

The Ravens Super-unit needs fresh blood to stay on top, Hill is a natural for the new bump and run rules.
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14.  Philadelphia Eagles - DT Gabe Watson, Michigan

Watson is a true run-stopper and the Eagles simply have to get better in that phase of the game.
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15.  Denver Broncos - WR Chad Jackson, Florida (via ATL)

After his display at Combine, Jackson is the choice to add options to the Broncos' passing attack.
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16.  Miami Dolphins - FS Jason Allen, Tennessee

Fully recovered from injuries, Allen is a top coverage player who can play lock down his deep half and ball hawk.
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17.  Minnesota Vikings - RB DeAngelo Williams, Memphis

Possibly one of the least risky picks of the first round, Williams is a sure-fire franchise back at the next level.
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18.  Dallas Cowboys - OT Marcus McNeil, Auburn

If this man mountain falls, Parcells and Jones will be thrilled. After 5.07 40 at Indy, he could go higher.
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19.  S.D. Chargers - OT Winston Justice, Southern Cal

Chargers usually don't draft OL high but Justice is a top QB protector and an elite athlete.
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20.  K.C. Chiefs - DE Kamerion Wimbley, Florida State

Speedy edge rusher gets upfield in a hurry, the KC pass rush has to get better.
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21.  New England - LB Chad Greenway, Iowa

If Greenway falls this far (and he could after his workout), the Pats are thrilled: instinctual player who plays faster than he times.
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22.  Denver Broncos - RB Lendale White, Southern Cal

Explosive play-maker White comes from a great USC pedigree and gives the Colts star power in the running game.
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23.  Tampa Bay Bucs - LB Ernie Sims, Florida State

Sims is undersized but can take over a game, becomes the heir apparent to Derrick Brooks.
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24.  Cincinnati Bengals - DT John McCargo, NC State

Blazing times on campus workouts is talented one-gap penetrator at 4-3 under tackle.
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25.  NY Giants - LB Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State

Underrated son of a pro player, Carpenter can bring the pain on blitz; some scouts are more impressed with Carpenter than Hawk.
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26.  Chicago Bears - CB Antonio Cromartie, Florida State

Cro was an elite talent before the injury; the Bears have a sour taste in their mouth from their DB's performance in the playoffs.
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27.  Carolina Panthers - TE Leonard Pope, Georgia

Pope is a serious red zone and over-the-middle threat in the passing game - a security blanket target for Delhomme.
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28.  Jacksonville Jaguars - LB Demeco Ryans, Alabama

Ryans doesn't have the most amazing measurables but he will be an impact leader for this defensive unit.
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29.  New York Jets - OC Nick Mangold, Ohio State (via ATL, via DEN)

The Jets luck out and replace Kevin Mawae with the best center prospect in the draft. Mangold has had a terrific off-season.
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30.  Indianapolis Colts, - RB Joseph Addai, Louisiana State (via WAS)

Great hands out of the backfield compliment this player's skillset and the Colts offense without Edge.
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31.  Seattle Seahawks - OT Eric Winston, Miami

A top 5 player before the ACL, Winston has looked strong - can start at RT and the Hawks can move Locklear back to guard.
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32.  Pittsburgh Steelers - WR Santonio Holmes, Ohio State

Provides the deep explosive home-run threat that the Steelers need to help replace the production of Burress and Randle-El.

Sent them a note about LenDale to the BronColts.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

You should also send them a note that not only were the Eagles better at stopping the run last year than they'd been in many years, but they also don't value "run-stuffers" in the first place.  So, there's no way in hell they'd draft Watson with the 14th overall pick.

Not that they'd care, but they should know their mock is a huge pile of scrotal tissue.

[Mad-Lad]

Listening to EPSN Radio (the Herd).  For the second year in a row, he's had callers on to talk about the NFL prospects.  Instead of giving praise and being a complete homer, he had people on to talk about negatives regarding the big names.

Here's a Cliff Notes version of what i can remember:

Haloti Ngata - Not a leader.  Often Hurt.
Chad Jackson - Disappears in big games.  Doesn't like to go across the middle.
Chad Greenway - Not as sure of a tackler as they say.
AJ Hawk - troubles taking on blocks.
Gabe Watson - Fat. (can't remember what else)

There were plenty others, but nothing really felt Eagles worthy.  Oh, and Brodie Croyle apparently has no shot at being an NFL QB.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

It does suck. Although I wouldn't be to pissed if they did go with Watson.....just not at 14.

One thing I was wondering about this was with McNeil, whatever happened to the guy? I remember around combine time that he had a lot of potential, and was huge, then he just kind of fell off the map. In this mock they have him going ahead of Justice, which is probably wrong as hell, but anyone have any scoop on McNeil?

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Some stuff from AR in USA Today's "Inside Slant":

Inside Slant
Andy Reid always has believed that NFL wars are won and lost in the trenches.

"That's where it starts," the Eagles coach has repeatedly said. "Up front. If the playoffs showed one thing, it's that you better be solid on both sides of the ball up front. (If) you do that, you'll usually be OK."

That philosophy probably will guide the Eagles on April 29 when they're on the clock in the first round of the NFL draft. The Eagles currently own the 14th overall pick, and all indications are that they will use that pick on either an offensive or defensive lineman.

The Eagles' past three first-round picks have been linemen — defensive end Jerome McDougle in 2003, guard Shawn Andrews in '04 and defensive tackle Mike Patterson in '05.

Their top free agent signing this off-season was defensive end Darren Howard, who should improve a pass rush that notched just 29 sacks last season. But they still feel they need to improve their four-man defensive tackle rotation.

Patterson showed promise as a rookie, but veteran right tackle Darwin Walker played poorly. Hollis Thomas is an OK run-stopper, but he gets no inside push on the quarterback and probably won't be back. Their other DT, Sam Rayburn, is a hard-working, blue-collar type who battled injuries most of last season.

The top defensive tackle on the Eagles' draft board, as well as that of just about every other NFL team, is Oregon's 6-4, 338-pound Haloti Ngata. The Eagles think the mammoth Ngata would be a terrific complement to Patterson, who is a quick, one-gap penetrator.

Trouble is, Ngata isn't expected to still be on the board at No. 14. The Eagles likely would have to trade up five or six spots to get him.

Two other DTs the Eagles have rated high are Florida State's Brodrick Bunkley and Michigan's Gabe Watson. The 6-3 1/2, 339-pound Watson is a similar type two-gap player to Ngata. Bunkley is too much like Patterson.

The Eagles had the draft's two top-rated offensive tackles, Virginia's D'Brickashaw Ferguson and USC's Winston Justice, in for visits this week. With left tackle Tra Thomas coming off of major back surgery and right tackle Jon Runyan in the twilight of his career, that is definitely a need.

If the Eagles want Ferguson, they're going to have to engineer a dramatic move up, since he figures to be a top-five pick. Justice, though, probably still will be on the board at 14.

NOTES, QUOTES

—Running back Correll Buckhalter, who has missed three of the last four seasons with major knee injuries — including the last two with a torn patellar tendon — is hopeful of making a comeback next season. The 6-0, 222-pounder is only 27. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry and had eight rushing touchdowns in 2003 when he rotated with Duce Staley and Brian Westbrook. "That's one of those we've-got-to-see categories," coach Andy Reid said. "People just haven't done that, haven't come back from something like that. But Correll's doing great. He's doing better now than he was before the last surgery."

—Tight end L.J. Smith tied for the team lead in receptions last season with 61 catches, but was often criticized for his poor blocking. But Reid insists he is not concerned about that aspect of Smith's game. "I didn't think he was bad last year in the blocking game," he said. "I didn't see that, as we went through the cuts, as one of (his) weaknesses, really."

—Coach Andy Reid admitted offensive coordinator Brad Childress handled most of the play-calling in the second half of last season. Childress left to become the head coach at Minnesota and was replaced by Marty Mornhinweg. Will Reid let Mornhinweg do a lot of the play-calling next season? "I just kind of go on the flow," Reid said. "If things aren't going the way I like them (to), I'll give somebody else a shot at the plays."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "They're different personalities. Brad is a little more high-strung. Marty's a little more laid-back." - Eagles coach Andy Reid on the differences between former offensive coordinator Brad Childress and his replacement, Marty Mornhinweg.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Just what this offense needs... a more laid-back coordinator.   

Interesting that they say the Eagles have Gabe Watson high on their board and that they're actually looking for a bigger guy to complement Patterson.  I wonder if Reid actually shared that or if it's speculation, because they intimate that it's the former (that he actually shared it).  I kind of doubt he'd really hint at that.

[Father Demon]

I know it's Peter King, but this nugget has truth written all over it.

From here.

2. I think you should believe nothing you read that comes out of a general manager's mouth in the next 12 days. And I mean nothing. Not that they're lying. And I mean that. It's just that it does a general manager no good to say with certainty and honesty what he plans to do and what exactly he thinks of a player entering the draft.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Well, except for Washington, who decided to trade for that #25 pick well in advance last year and basically told everyone that would listen that they were doing it because they were enamored with Jason Campbell.

But, really, this should be discussed on the P&L at the skins thread.

[The BIGSTUD]

Wroten is a stud, and I'd love him.

But I'm going to be biting my mails until our next pick hoping no one takes him early. I might actually prefer Wroten over Ngata or Bunkley, simply for the fact that we could get him at a value, and still take a stud at 14 that would help us, because Wroten might be the most talented and best DT in this draft. The character issues are obviously what weighs him down.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Well, you'd think the Eagles have both Wroten and Kyle Williams thoroughly scouted, seeing as their new DL coach's most recent position was at LSU.

[Feva]

Interesting that they say the Eagles have Gabe Watson high on their board and that they're actually looking for a bigger guy to complement Patterson.  I wonder if Reid actually shared that or if it's speculation, because they intimate that it's the former (that he actually shared it).  I kind of doubt he'd really hint at that.

I don't know if it's true or not, but I damn sure wouldn't mind it.  Like I said before, I'd love to see him clogging the middle and commanding double teams allowing Patterson to get loose in the middle and preventing QB's from stepping up to avoid Kearse and Howard on the edges.  Similar skill set to Ngata... difference is where we'd likely lose picks going after Ngata, we'd likely gain picks for Watson... assuming we don't take him at 14... which is too high IMO.

If Ngata is gone... Watson or Wroten for that matter, are helluva plan B's in my mind.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Wroten to me is the same deal as Bunkley. I would be okay with it if the Eagles got one or the other, but I would be much more happy if they went Ngata or Watson. Wroten is what? 6'2? 290-300? From what I have read, he is a great one-gap tackle, but is somewhat poor against the run and gets owned by bigger lineman (at the collegiate level). I think the Birds have a long, solid future with Patterson as the one-gap guy, they need someone to eat double teams and clog the run, and if you are going to get that in the first round, there are only two guys available: Ngata or Watson.

The closer it gets to draft day, the more I believe if they add to the DT spot at all, it'll be one of four possible guys (not including guys in the fifth, sixth, or seventh round): Ngata, Watson, Wright, or Oshinowa.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Anyone else tired of hearing:

he's a leader
He's not a leader
blue collar

I am sick of it. It's almost to the point of wanting to punch people sick of it.

[The BIGSTUD]

Yeah, I am too. They are meaningless in football.

[Feva]

Anyone else tired of hearing:

he's a leader
He's not a leader
blue collar

I am sick of it. It's almost to the point of wanting to punch people sick of it.

Guaran-DAMN-teed to become a CF fixture right up there with cash over cap and golden goose.