2011 NFL Draft Thread

[rawaction]

He's easily in the first round.

 

Yeah, he's easily as good as his brother. I'm curious to see if the bad snaps will downgrade his perception some, even though I doubt anybody will draft him as a center.

 

That's not true. Mike is at least a step and a 1/2 behind his brother. For one, there's a reason why Maurkice came out and Mike didn't. Secondly, Maurkice has played at an all-pro level this year and has been the best C in the AFC. Mike is only a 1st rounder if a team like Philly, Pittsburgh, or Indianapolis feel like they have to reach to get him because he wont' come back to them in the 2nd.

 

Most websites have Mike Pouncey at a 2nd round grade right now. I think the snaps have downgraded his perception. He's now viewed as just a guard instead of a versatile OL. He also has always had questions about his athleticism and pass blocking ability.

 

So in your opinion, he's going to go somewhere from late first to middle second?

 

Late 1st to late 2nd. Typically, you only see 3-4 interior OL in the 1st 2 rounds. Pouncey could be the 1st or could be put after guys like Wisnewski (Penn St), Hudson (FSU), Cannon (TCU), or Pinkston (Pitt). The first 2 guys can also project as centers, the last 2 are college LTs that could play RT in the NFL. Mike Pouncey is probably only a RG at this point to most teams.

 

All this being said, I'd take him on the Bears in a heartbeat. I think he'll be a good guard in the NFL. I also wouldn't be afraid to NOT rule him out at C either. Don't know that I would take him in the 1st though.

[Guest]

Imo, Pouncey is worthy of a late first round grade as a guard but he's definitely not better than his big brother. I don't think he can play center in the NFL.

 

Texas CB Aaron Williams and Cal RB Shane Vareen are turning pro.

[dew1679666265]

That's not true. Mike is at least a step and a 1/2 behind his brother. For one, there's a reason why Maurkice came out and Mike didn't. Secondly, Maurkice has played at an all-pro level this year and has been the best C in the AFC. Mike is only a 1st rounder if a team like Philly, Pittsburgh, or Indianapolis feel like they have to reach to get him because he wont' come back to them in the 2nd.

 

Most websites have Mike Pouncey at a 2nd round grade right now. I think the snaps have downgraded his perception. He's now viewed as just a guard instead of a versatile OL. He also has always had questions about his athleticism and pass blocking ability.

 

Interesting. I hadn't heard those criticisms of Mike Pouncey to this point. I knew he developed a little more slowly than his brother in some areas (the reason he stayed in college while Maurkice left), but was under the impression he was pretty similar to his brother at this point.

[rawaction]

That's not true. Mike is at least a step and a 1/2 behind his brother. For one, there's a reason why Maurkice came out and Mike didn't. Secondly, Maurkice has played at an all-pro level this year and has been the best C in the AFC. Mike is only a 1st rounder if a team like Philly, Pittsburgh, or Indianapolis feel like they have to reach to get him because he wont' come back to them in the 2nd.

 

Most websites have Mike Pouncey at a 2nd round grade right now. I think the snaps have downgraded his perception. He's now viewed as just a guard instead of a versatile OL. He also has always had questions about his athleticism and pass blocking ability.

 

Interesting. I hadn't heard those criticisms of Mike Pouncey to this point. I knew he developed a little more slowly than his brother in some areas (the reason he stayed in college while Maurkice left), but was under the impression he was pretty similar to his brother at this point.

 

I mean they're twins, so the similarities are obviously there. But Maurkice is a little smaller. A little more mobile. Probably a little smarter and a little tougher at the point of attack. But the big difference is in space. If the DTs slant, causing the guards to block out, Maurkice can stand there in the middle and take on the fast, blitzing LB. Mike cannot be put on an island like that. Granted that won't happen much at OG, but he will have trouble with blitzing LBs and DE stunts in pass protection. I have 0 problems with Mike's run blocking though.

[dew1679666265]

I mean they're twins, so the similarities are obviously there. But Maurkice is a little smaller. A little more mobile. Probably a little smarter and a little tougher at the point of attack. But the big difference is in space. If the DTs slant, causing the guards to block out, Maurkice can stand there in the middle and take on the fast, blitzing LB. Mike cannot be put on an island like that. Granted that won't happen much at OG, but he will have trouble with blitzing LBs and DE stunts in pass protection. I have 0 problems with Mike's run blocking though.

 

Mike sounds like the road-grading (grating?) linemen the Cowboys like.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I mean they're twins, so the similarities are obviously there. But Maurkice is a little smaller. A little more mobile. Probably a little smarter and a little tougher at the point of attack. But the big difference is in space. If the DTs slant, causing the guards to block out, Maurkice can stand there in the middle and take on the fast, blitzing LB. Mike cannot be put on an island like that. Granted that won't happen much at OG, but he will have trouble with blitzing LBs and DE stunts in pass protection. I have 0 problems with Mike's run blocking though.

 

Mike sounds like the road-grading (grating?) linemen the Cowboys like.

 

Mike would be a great choice for the Cowboys, but unless he falls to the top of the second round, I can't see them drafting him. I guess there's a chance they will trade down and could take him in the first. If he's there when they pick in the second, he would be a great pick.

[Magnetic Curses]

Corey Liuget must leave college this year and get drafted in the 1st round by the Chicago Bears.

 

yes a million times. have you seen the size of that guy's ass? he's a load, a [expletive] load that can run around you or through you.

 

i don't like him leaving if he's not going to be drafted by the bears, though.

[Guest]

More underclassmen in:

 

WR Torey Smith, Maryland - I like him but this is a really deep draft for WR

RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (soph)

WR DeAndre Brown, Southern Miss

 

LaMichael James has said he's returning for his junior year but we'll see if he sticks to that after the NCG.

[bukie]

Hopes are beginning to increase that the Bears can focus on the line in the first round or two and still be able to grab an impact WR later.

[bleedingblue]

Draft order (* - depends on playoffs)

 

1. Carolina (2-14)

2. Denver (4-12)

3. Buffalo (4-12)

4. Cincinnati (4-12)

5. Arizona (5-11)

6. Cleveland (5-11)

7. San Francisco (6-10)

8. Tennessee (6-10)

9. Dallas (6-10)

10. Washington (6-10)

11. Houston (6-10)

12. Minnesota (6-10)

13. Detroit (6-10)

14. Miami (7-9)

15. St. Louis (7-9)

16. Jacksonville (8-8)

17. Oakland (8-8)

18. San Diego (9-7)

19. New York Giants (10-6)

20. Tampa Bay (10-6)

21. Seattle (7-9)*

22. Indianapolis (10-6)*

23. Green Bay (10-6)*

24. Kansas City (10-6)*

25. Philadelphia (10-6)*

26. New York Jets (11-5)*

27. New Orleans (11-5)*

28. Chicago (11-5)*

29. Baltimore (12-4)*

30. Pittsburgh (12-4)*

31. Atlanta (13-3)*

32. New England (14-2)*

[Guest]

New England has Oakland's pick at No. 17.

[jersey cubs fan]

New England has Oakland's pick at No. 17.

 

Combine that with McFadden being on my fantasy team and I was a big Raiders fan this year

[hawkeyecub]

Had the Vikings lost to the Eagles they would be drafting 6 or 7. Then again Frazier might not be the coach if they had lost 4 in a row.

 

I would guess 4 of the 11 teams in front of them won't consider drafting a QB in that spot. I imagine Luck and Newton will be gone but I'm hopeful for Mallett.

[javy knows my name]

Wow, bet the Lions wish they didn't bust their ass to beat the Vikes yesterday

[minnesotacubsfan]

Wow, bet the Lions wish they didn't bust their ass to beat the Vikes yesterday

 

why? This is the 1st time in how many years that they weren't in last place in the division, at least not alone in last place.THATS PROGRESS!

 

They'll still get a decent draft pick, and considering they aren't looking for a QB, WR, or DT, they'll probably get good value where they pick as well.

[davell]

If I'm looking at the teams that could draft a QB in the 1st round, I'm looking at these teams basically.......

 

Buffalo-Doubtful, I think they like Fitzpatrick.

 

Miami- With the team around, I think they'd go for a McNabb or Palmer personally, maybe trade for Kolb possibly.

 

Cincy-Definitely see them starting over at this stage, so they'll probably take one.

 

Tennessee- Depends on who wins out between Fisher and Young. My guess is Young wins out and they don't take one.

 

Jacksonville- Need someone who's better than Garrard for sure, but no idea whether they think this themselves.

 

Oakland- No 1st round pick, but could see them trading up to take one possibly, since Davis is as unpredictable as anyone has ever been.

 

Denver- Seriously doubtful. I see them hiring a coach who buys into Tebow.

 

Dallas- Seriously doubtful, but if Romo doesn't do something soon, it could be on their agenda this time next year.

 

Washington- If Shanahan rebuilds, I could see this happening this year for them.

 

Minnesota- Kind of falls into the same boat as Miami as far as I'm concerned. They've got a damn solid nucleus, so maybe they go with a proven guy for another year, unless they really love Mallet or Locker.

 

Carolina- They're notoriously cheap and have tons of holes to fill, plus they've got Clausen. They need Luck as far as I'm concerned, but could see them trading down, in order to accumulate more picks, but I do think they'll take a QB, just maybe not Luck.

 

Arizona- They need one as badly as anybody, but with Fitz being an UFA the following year, I could see them passing on drafting a guy and bringing in a vet to try and appease Fitz, who will surely leave if they don't make improvements this upcoming year.

 

San Francisco- Definitely see them taking a QB. Plus, if they hire Harbaugh, I could see them doing their damndest to trade up for Luck.

 

Seattle- Definitely see the need here as well and I've about earmarked Locker for them myself.

 

This is a very flashy draft, as QB's and WR's are two of the deepest positions in it. It's weak on top end O-Linemen and not GREAT on top end interior D-Linemen either(although Fairley and Dareus can be great, just a drop off from there). In the end, I see lots of jockeying around for teams to find their QB of the future. While I think Luck is a surefire top pick, if he doesn't come out, I could see Gabbert declaring and becoming the overall top pick himself. And with all the teams currently in need of a QB, I think we'll see teams trading up to land Newton, Mallet, and Locker. Maybe even to the point where we see a team make a trade back up to the 1st and take a Christian Ponder or Pat Devlin type guy, even though they aren't worth that high of a pick.

[davell]

Wow, bet the Lions wish they didn't bust their ass to beat the Vikes yesterday

 

why? This is the 1st time in how many years that they weren't in last place in the division, at least not alone in last place.THATS PROGRESS!

 

They'll still get a decent draft pick, and considering they aren't looking for a QB, WR, or DT, they'll probably get good value where they pick as well.

 

The funniest situation to me was Seattle, who went from picking 8th to 21st because of the win last night. I mean, it DID put them in the playoffs, but it also ruined their chances of landing a top flight QB without trading back up quite a bit to get one.

[mhuber92211]

Didn't know that making the playoffs, changes the draft order. Always that that was by record. Oh well. I was hoping some way Mallett would get to Seattle as that would be a better fit than Locker. Likely Seattle passes on a QB and takes a random OL.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I can assure you that Dallas will not take a QB in the first 3 rounds of this draft.

[Formerly Snayke]

I can't find a good list of the best wide receivers. I figure it starts with A.J. Green, followed by Jonathan Baldwin, then...

[Banedon]

I can't find a good list of the best wide receivers. I figure it starts with A.J. Green, followed by Jonathan Baldwin, then...

 

Julio Jones is probably after Green. It won't happen, but man I'd love to see that guy on the Bears somehow.

[rawaction]

I can't find a good list of the best wide receivers. I figure it starts with A.J. Green, followed by Jonathan Baldwin, then...

 

My ranking:

 

AJ Green

Justin Blackmon

Julio Jones

Michael Floyd

Torrey Smith

Jonathan Baldwin

Leonard Hankerson

Ryan Broyles

 

Those are all 1st 2 round WRs, IMO.

[Guest]

Anyone who would pick Gabbert over Luck probably shouldn't have any decision-making power.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Anyone who would pick Gabbert over Luck probably shouldn't have any decision-making power.

Who said that?

[sneakypower]

Wow, bet the Lions wish they didn't bust their ass to beat the Vikes yesterday

not too much, but like all season, i wish we hadn't had to play such a grueling schedule

 

on another note, Belichick & co. have absolutely no conscience. ended up with the 33rd, 95th picks for Armanti Edwards and a couple games of Randy Moss and effectively traded Maroney for Deion Branch

Edited January 3, 2011 by sneakypower