Friday, April 27, 2007

Guest Columnist - The Maverick finishes off the first round

Today The Maverick finishes out the first round with his call on picks 17-32.....

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - FS Reggie Nelson, Florida - Greg Sensabaugh is the Jaguars starting FS, ever heard of him?

18 Cincinnati Bengals - DE Jarvis Moss, Florida - The Bengals front seven is in disarray after the loss of David Pollack and problems with Odell Thurman. With only Justin Smith and Ahmad Brooks as viable starters (see Jacksonville) Cincinnati must address this issue if they plan on contending in a tough AFC North. Moss brings versatility and Kearselike quickness to a front seven in sore need of, well anything and everything.

19. Tennessee Titans - WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee - Needs: see Houston. They need a lot of help, why not start by helping Vince Young? Next to CJ, Meachem is my favorite WR of the draft. He is a purebred playmaker, plain and simple. He has some minor technical flaws and coverage recognition problems but nothing Norm Chow and his crew cant iron out in preseason.

20. New York Giants - CB Darelle Revis, Pittsburgh - If Revis drops to 20 the Giants should declare a national holiday. Its not that Revis is that good, its that the GMen secondary is that bad. The Pitt CB has an incredible quickness, is a solid tackler, but needs polished in his coverage technique. Bottom line, Darelle is a darn good corner.

21. Denver Broncos - DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska - Maybe the ex-Cleveland DL experiment is over. Carriker is an excellent allaround DE, but he could work on his technique to become a more feared pass rusher. He has the burst and the strength, but lacks the moves needed to penetrate and disrupt. His only apparent weakness is something that can be taught. Thats a good thing.

22. Dallas Cowboys - WR Dwayne Bowe, LSU- TO is a ticking time bomb and Glenn has a long history of injury, enough said.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn - The once great offensive line looked shaky last year, and then OG Will Sheilds retired. Ouch! Enter Ben Grubbs. Grubbs is explosive as a run blocker and has quick feet in pass protection, he just needs more experience to polish his technique. He could be a probowler. The Chiefs can address their WR need in the 2nd taking advantage on the plentiful crop pass catchers this year.

24. New England Patriots - SS Michael Griffin, Texas - Talent always seems to drop to the Patriots. Rodney Harrison has been solid for the Pats, but will be entering his 14th season and his durability has become a question. Michael Griffin is a coaches dream with heart, speed, acceleration, agility, awareness, blah, blah, blah, blah. The Patriots to do it again on draft day.

25. New York Jets - CB Aaron Ross, Texas - With Hank Poteat starting at RCB the Jets have a nobrainer in the firsttake the best CB on the board. Ross brings along amazing speed and quickness and is a dynamic return man. He has the ball skills and big play ability to break a game wide open.

26. Philadelphia Eagles - LB Lawrence Timmons, Florida State - The Eagles gave up 136ypg in 06. I think it is time for a front seven makeover. Timmons is a great scraping LB with a nose for the ball and a penchant for the backfield. Jeremiah Trotter will welcome the help after playing between Omar Gaither and Dhani Jones.

27. New Orleans Saints - LB David Harris, Michigan - The Saints, like the Eagles were less than stellar against the run on 06 ranking 23rd. Harris is a solid run stuffing LB with a knack for forcing fumbles. He is tough, instinctive, has good field speed, and will rattle some teeth. I just dont see that out of the Saints current LBs.

28. New England Patriots - CB Marcus McCauley, Fresno State - McCauley is stellar vs. the run and has all the coverage skills to be a shut down corner on Sundays. However, he is a bit of a risk because of a concussion early in 2006.

29. Baltimore Ravens - OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan - HOF Bound OT Jonathan Ogden is on the decline, McNair is no spring chicken, and the Ravens just acquired stud RB Willis McGahee. I would say selecting and offensive lineman is more than logical. Staley is a bit raw with his technique, but is a gifted athlete (ran a 4.78 at the combine, with good size (66" 306lbs), and oh yeah he also scored a solid 32/39 onthe wonderlic.

30. San Diego Chargers - WR Dwayne Jarrett, USC - Its scary the Chargers were as good as they were without a bonafide #1 WR. Jarrett is a big physical target who will fight for the ball and uses his body well to boxout defenders. San Diego is the perfect environment for Jarrett. With many playmakers around him it will be much easier for him to separate from defenders, much like his days at USC. Rivers will welcome another big target who knows how to fight for the ball.

31. Chicago Bears - ILB Jon Beason, Miami - With imminent departure of Lance Briggs the Bears need to find a replacement. Here are some of Beasons qualities: great shortarea quickness, good speed, fierce tackler, amazing shortarea power, neverending motor, good in coverage, a solid pass rusher, great instincts. With a comparable frame to Briggs Beason sound like perfect fit.

32. Indianapolis Colts - DT Justin Harrell, Tennessee - The Colts gave up 173 ypg and won the Superbowl, I wouldnt expect that to happen again. I would love to see the addition of Ted Ginn Jr. to this offense, but they have issues at DT and LB. Harrell is proven leader who will no doubt toughenup this soft defense.

The Most Over-rated Prospects
1. Ted Ginn Jr.
2. JaMarcus Russell
3. Brady Quinn
4. Lawrence Timmons
5. Gaines Adams
6. Chris Houston
7. Dwayne Jarrett

The Most Under-rated Prospects
1. Robert Meachem
2. Patrick Willis
3. David Harris
4. Paul Posluszny
5. Tony Hunt
6. Sabby Piscitelli
7. Craig Davis
8. Drew Stanton

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