The Draft's Top 10 Picks--Who's Worthy (1 Viewer)

[RJ in Lafayette]

Yes, much can happen between now and late April when the draft takes place. And my list presupposes that most of the highly touted juniors will come out for the draft. But here's my list:

QB--Matt Ryan

RB--Darren McFadden

OL--Jake Long

WR--Could sneak in: DeSean Jackson

TE--nobody

DL--Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, Vernon Gholston, Chris Long

LB--James Laurinitis

CB--Malcolm Jenkins (between definite and could sneak in)

S--Could sneak in: Kenny Phillips

I have nine definites (including Jenkins) and two guys who could slide in. Again, this assumes that the Ohio State trio of juniors on defense and Phillips will come out. And the combine always produces surprises, with the stock of some rising dramatically. If one of the big wide receivers suddenly runs a sensational 40 time, he could move in the top 10.

But this is how the top of the draft is shaping up. McFadden and Jake Long are top 10 locks. If Matt Ryan or another offensive player goes in the top 10, that means at least one of the top seven defensive players will be available--again, if the juniors come out. We could use any of the top defensive players except defensive end Chris Long because of Smith and Grant at DE.

PS Keith Rivers will not go in the first half of the first round, and Dan Connor will not go in the first 20 picks and could slide to the top of the second round

 

[CCL36]

More than one quarterback will go in the top 10.

BTW I think Brohm out of Louisville is a Top 10 worthy.

Teams that desparately need a quarterback with consistency

Teams in Top 10
Possibly the Jets
Definitely Atlanta
Definitely Baltimore
Possibly Kansas City

Teams Just Outside the Top 10
Definitely Carolina
Definitely Chicago

Six teams in the first 14 picks will be vying for 3 Quarterbacks (Ryan, Brohm, Woodson) which translates into some possible trades.

Kansas City and the Jets might stay with thier young quarterbacks but realize they will probably be looking at the 2nd Best QB in this Draft at the 4 or 5 Position.

 

[Kegger]

It would be really sweet if we got Jenkins/Phillips in the 1st then Dan Connor in the 2nd.... Connor could fall with a below average combine.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

With just an average combine, Connor will likely go in the second round.

And the Saints would love for two quarterbacks to go before we pick at 10.

Again, the key for our draft will be whether the top juniors--the three at Ohio State and Phillips--declare for the draft. For example, an injury in the championship game would cause one of the three Buckeyes to return for his senior year, as Dorsey did. One would think that a junior with a chance to be a top 10 pick and with a high probability to go in the first 20 picks would come out. We will see. But if, for instance, Gholston and Laurinitis don't declare (and I am using this simply as a hypothetical), then the Saints are looking at a different draft, and the chances of the team selecting a defensive player go down a tad.

 

[zorro37]

With just an average combine, Connor will likely go in the second round.

I was in the opinion he was the best ILB avaliable this draft.
Why would he fall so far?

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

Zorro, my comments are based on information from several sources as well as a feel from following the draft for several decades. But a quick reference source for all interested is the position summaries written during the season that can be found at www.profootballweekly.com. Look at the heading "draft" on the left side of the page.

 

[Nonreg]

Dan Connor could go in the first round if he has a beast performance at the workout, hes going to be a real good MLB for some team.

 

[Rich Jr]

Yes, much can happen between now and late April when the draft takes place. And my list presupposes that most of the highly touted juniors will come out for the draft. But here's my list:

QB--Matt Ryan

RB--Darren McFadden

OL--Jake Long

WR--Could sneak in: DeSean Jackson

TE--nobody

DL--Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, Vernon Gholston, Chris Long

LB--James Laurinitis

CB--Malcolm Jenkins (between definite and could sneak in)

S--Could sneak in: Kenny Phillips

I have nine definites (including Jenkins) and two guys who could slide in. Again, this assumes that the Ohio State trio of juniors on defense and Phillips will come out. And the combine always produces surprises, with the stock of some rising dramatically. If one of the big wide receivers suddenly runs a sensational 40 time, he could move in the top 10.

But this is how the top of the draft is shaping up. McFadden and Jake Long are top 10 locks. If Matt Ryan or another offensive player goes in the top 10, that means at least one of the top seven defensive players will be available--again, if the juniors come out. We could use any of the top defensive players except defensive end Chris Long because of Smith and Grant at DE.

PS Keith Rivers will not go in the first half of the first round, and Dan Connor will not go in the first 20 picks and could slide to the top of the second round

Add

RB Johnothan Stewart (If he declares)
CB Antoine Cason

Phillips is a top 10 pick and may very well be gone by #6

 

[kevison]

Let's hope that some trades are made to get into the top ten to nab QB's. That will surely help our cause.

 

[jazzjack]

Didn't i hear or read somewhere that Howie was overheard saying he didn't want his son playing for those clowns (Saints)? Hope he falls and we pick him up.

 

[canuckredux]

Antoine Cason is too slow to be a top-10 pick.
Keith Rivers is good enough to be a top-10 pick, but Patrick Willis was good enough to be a top-5 pick.

 

[LSSpam]

Not that we can afford to take him but i'm a fan of Desean Jackson.

 

[canuckredux]

Didn't i hear or read somewhere that Howie was overheard saying he didn't want his son playing for those clowns (Saints)? Hope he falls and we pick him up.

His son could always go play for that upstanding group that he played for.

 

[CargoJon]

McFadden looks very average today in the Cotton bowl.

 

[llama]

The fact that many teams are going to need QB's will make the draft an interesting one. Great point.