2011 NFL Draft Thread

[rawaction]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=kiper_jr_mel&id=5973765

 

Chicago Bears

Top needs: C, RG, DT, CB

 

Pick strategy: I'm not sold on the idea that it's a foregone conclusion the Bears will go after an offensive lineman in Round 1. That's because where they really need to look -- mainly on the interior given development they've gotten on the edges -- is a place you can find some value at a later point. You just don't see guards and centers drafted in the first round too often, unless you have a guy like Maurkice Pouncey or Mike Iupati last year that will immediately be starting and an upgrade. Keep an eye on corner, where Jenkins could be a good get. While the Bears have developed a competent core of wideouts seemingly on the cheap, if a big target that can overwhelm smaller DBs is here, such as Jon Baldwin of Pitt, it's something that could help diversify what Chicago can do in that passing game. And while Chicago has gotten the job done up front, if it wants continued effectiveness from an aging corps of linebackers, it will need to invest in a defensive tackle, perhaps right here.

 

Mel Kiper's been reading my [expletive]. I have said basically the same on this and other message boards on the web, other than mentioning Baldwin by name, because I don't like him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

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.

 

Hopefully somebody good falls to Oakland in the second round and the Raiders actually do the smart thing and take a WR.

Depends on who the fastest receiver at the combine is.

 

This guy's mock draft has Blackmon falling to the Jets at #28.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-ChadReuter

 

I know the Bears need offensive line, but if Blackmon was there for the Bears...

 

I can't agree with that draft too much. I don't think the Cowboys take Sherrod if Prince is still on the board. The Cowboys are happy with Free at LT, so they are going to look at RT or guards and the value on those is better in the second round.

[cubbyvirus00]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=kiper_jr_mel&id=5973765

 

Chicago Bears

Top needs: C, RG, DT, CB

 

Pick strategy: I'm not sold on the idea that it's a foregone conclusion the Bears will go after an offensive lineman in Round 1. That's because where they really need to look -- mainly on the interior given development they've gotten on the edges -- is a place you can find some value at a later point. You just don't see guards and centers drafted in the first round too often, unless you have a guy like Maurkice Pouncey or Mike Iupati last year that will immediately be starting and an upgrade. Keep an eye on corner, where Jenkins could be a good get. While the Bears have developed a competent core of wideouts seemingly on the cheap, if a big target that can overwhelm smaller DBs is here, such as Jon Baldwin of Pitt, it's something that could help diversify what Chicago can do in that passing game. And while Chicago has gotten the job done up front, if it wants continued effectiveness from an aging corps of linebackers, it will need to invest in a defensive tackle, perhaps right here.

 

Mel Kiper's been reading my [expletive]. I have said basically the same on this and other message boards on the web, other than mentioning Baldwin by name, because I don't like him.

 

I agree with this. I think absolutely the Bears go with DT in the first round to complement Peppers and then they go O-line. 2012 they will worry about a Kreutz replacement along with a CB.

[bukie]

I'm not sure J'Marcus Webb and Frank Omiyale counts as "development on the edges".

 

I think, in the Bears' case, it's more of "the middle rushers just get there faster because nobody is blocked".

[sneakypower]

prediction: heeding the Ndaminator's constant lobbying, we move up in the draft to take Amukamara

 

my dream draft last year 1-3 was Suh, Iupati, McCluster

 

the latter two didn't make it to our picks, so i'll try to be a little more realistic this time around

 

1) Janoris Jenkins, CB

2) Greg Jones, OLB

3) Orlando Franklin, G

[minnesotacubsfan]

where we pick, who would be an impact LT? I've read that this draft inst deep on that position ..?

[hawkeyecub]

This guy's mock draft has Blackmon falling to the Jets at #28.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-ChadReuter

 

I know the Bears need offensive line, but if Blackmon was there for the Bears...

 

He has Luck at 1, Newton at 3, Gabbert at 7 and Locker at 10. That would be very surprising and would suck. Though I have been hearing that Mallett has some off-field stuff that could cause him to drop to the 2nd. But it's always vague innuendo so it might be total bs.

 

He has us taking a DE which I don't see happening. If there are no QB's there at 12 it would be great to trade down to a spot where you could grab Pouncey. Raisin, the CBS dude has Rahim Moore at 16 but I haven't seen him in many 1st rounds, what do you think? Safety is as big of a need for the Vikings as QB.

[Guest]

I don't think Rahim Moore is a 1st rounder.

[dew1679666265]

prediction: heeding the Ndaminator's constant lobbying, we move up in the draft to take Amukamara

 

I feel for the broadcaster who, on back to back plays, has to say Ndamukong and Amukamara. Those are a couple of awesome names, though.

[dew1679666265]

Can any Missouri fans tell me a bit about Gabbert? Should Fisher stay (still pretty doubtful), Gabbert's a guy I could see us targeting if he is what I think he is.

[Guest]

Gabbert is built like someone building a QB in a lab. He's big, he has all the arm strength in the world, and he's pretty fast for his size(runs about a 4.6 40). He has great touch on intermediate throws and made dozens of beautiful throws this year putting the ball over one level of the defense and in front of the other. He has decent pocket presence and avoids the rush pretty well. He's smart and is a good student of the game. He's also a tough competitor, playing through a pretty severe ankle injury last year and a couple other pretty good licks this year. There's nothing the NFL will ask Gabbert to do that he isn't capable of doing as well as anyone.

 

The downside to Blaine is that his weaknesses are largely intangible. He is pretty good at avoiding the rush, but sometimes gets happy feet and rolls out instead of letting tackles create a pocket around him. He plays in an offense that's extremely different from what he'll be asked to do in the NFL, rarely going under center and throwing a lot of quick, short routes. He is prone to inexplicable decisions, as the bowl game INT attests to. Despite being a 5-star recruit, he didn't actually play a ton of QB in high school because of a couple injuries, so I think his instincts lag behind his peers and that hurts him. He also could stand to have better touch on his deep routes, and while he is fast, he isn't super-agile, so you only really see that 4.6 speed if he can get going in a straight line.

 

The bottom line is that physically Gabbert is probably the best QB in the draft, and he's bright, fundamentally sound, and talented as well. If he can process the NFL game well mentally, and stay out of his own way a little bit, then he'll be another Aaron Rodgers. But we don't really know(or know with any QB) how well he's going to adapt to the mental side of the NFL game.

[dew1679666265]

Sounds about like what I thought. He's a quarterback I could definitely see Fisher targeting in the draft if he stays and Vince goes. The iffy decision making at times is the only thing that makes me wonder if a Fisher-led Titans would go after him.

 

Thanks.

[hawkeyecub]

Yeah the only weakness I took from the bowl game was his reaction to the rare pressure he saw.

[bukie]

Just completely spitballing here, but say Denver offers the #2 pick and Tebow to Carolina for the #1 pick. Would they take it?

[dew1679666265]

Just completely spitballing here, but say Denver offers the #2 pick and Tebow to Carolina for the #1 pick. Would they take it?

 

If they love Luck, no. If they really love Tebow and just like Luck, probably.

[Andy]

I don't even want to think about that scenario.

 

However, ESPN.com is quoting sources within the Panthers organization that say they will take Luck if he enters the draft.

[javy knows my name]

I really want to see Jimmy Clausen throw a temper tantrum

[davell]

I don't even want to think about that scenario.

 

However, ESPN.com is quoting sources within the Panthers organization that say they will take Luck if he enters the draft.

 

 

If Luck stays in school, I guess we can deduce he doesn't want to play for Carolina.

[shnsajax]

Kyle Rudolph declared today.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I don't even want to think about that scenario.

 

However, ESPN.com is quoting sources within the Panthers organization that say they will take Luck if he enters the draft.

 

 

If Luck stays in school, I guess we can deduce he doesn't want to play for Carolina.

 

True, but if Carolina has the first pick again next year...would he keep going back?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

There's always med school

[Andy]

Kyle Rudolph declared today.

Not terribly surprised, and not as big a deal as it would appear. Tyler Eifert did a commendable job filling in for him this year and has a chance to provide most of what Rudolph did for ND next year.

 

Rudolph will be a nice pickup for someone.

[Guest]

Also in:

 

WR Tori Gurley, South Carolina (soph) - WR is deep in this draft, I'd love to see the Bears grab him in the third and address OL/DL in the first 2 rounds

CB Brandon Burton, Utah

RB Jordan Todman, Connecticut

[davell]

Brandon Harris is in, didn't see him mentioned yet. DaQuan Bowers just announced as well.

[sneakypower]

huh. Harris had just expressed about a week ago he was going back, great to have another good CB option for our pick