Thursday, March 22, 2007

TUFL Rookie Mock Draft

1. Matt: A. Peterson RB Oklahoma

The top 3 of this draft are fairly set in stone (A. Peterson, M. Lynch and Cal. Johnson). The only question is what order do those 3 guys go in. I was tempted to have Matt take Cal. Johnson, because he already has some youth at RB with C. Benson and F. Gore, however, his depth at this position is shaky. Even if he hangs onto E. James, he is expensive, and will almost definitely not be around after this year. Taking Peterson, might free him up to drop James and have more cap room for the Free Agency auction. Plus, despite the fact that Matt is weak and old at the starting WR spot, he does have some youth there with at least some prospects of getting better, in Ma. Clayton, M. Jenkins, H. Baskett, Si. Moss, C. Jackson. Admittedly outside of Clayton, the outlook for these prospects does not compare at all to Cal. Johnson, however, the sheer volume of young guys gives him a decent chance of having a couple of them work out.

2. Peter: M. Lynch RB California

This seems like a potential trade situation here. Peter's big needs QB and TE are horrible value at this point in the draft, and while Lynch and Cal. Johnson would be nice additions, they would just add to already stacked positions for Peter. W. Parker and T. Henry make a great 1, 2 punch at RB, with T. Jones a solid backup. Peter's WR depth is probably top 3 in the league, and outside of D. Mason, there is no one glaringly old in the bunch. If Peter wants to compete this year, look for him to trade down and try to pick up G. Olsen later in the draft. If he is looking to build to the future, having a guy like M. Lynch around as a cheaper option than T. Henry (after he breaks out this year), will help immensely in that endeavor. This is a can't lose situation for Peter.

3. Fauble: Cal. Johnson WR Georgia Tech

Like Peter I'm already stacked at the RB and WR positions, so any pick made here probably won't have an immediate impact. As such, I won't reach for anyone beyond these top 3 guys, and picking 3rd, look for me to get the leftover. In this scenario that is Cal. Johnson. Not a bad guy to get "stuck" with.

4. Bones: M. Bush RB Louisville

This pick is contingent on Bush being drafted somewhere in the 2nd round. If he falls to the 3rd, which is a distinct possibility with the news of a new surgery, I think Bones will go WR here. There is a possibility he may lean that way anyway, but with W. Dunn and F. Taylor as his current starters, he is desperate to pick up a young RB, and Bush will be the only option available.

5. Veen: T. Ginn Jr. WR Ohio State

With only 1 WR currently signed for the upcoming year, any position but WR would be a huge surprise here, especially since the value is there at this point in the draft.

6. Seth: D. Bowe WR LSU

At this point in the draft QBs and G. Olsen will start to be considered along with the best available WR. However, Seth is already 3 deep at TE, and even though he will probably have to replace Palmer due to his huge contract sometime soon, he already has P. Rivers and Campbell "developing" behind him, so no need to grab Quinn or Russell at this point.

7. Hanson: G. Olsen TE Miami

Hanson definitely doesn't need a young QB with V. Young and J. Cutler backing up D. Brees. However, I think TE is a distinct possibility. T. Gonzalez can definitely be relied upon next year, but he is also getting older and will need to be replaced. B. Troupe has had multiple chances to step up, and has failed to do so. Sooner or later Josh will need to find his TE of the future. I think G. Olsen fills that need. Plus, at WR while his stars are older, he already has a collection of 5 young guys with medium to good potential for being quality fantasy starters in the future, so less of a need there.

8. Veen: D. Jarrett WR USC

With 2 WRs in the first round, Paul can now start a complete fantasy squad including 3 WRs.

9. Hanson: R. Meacham WR Tennessee

The last WR I have going in the 1st round. Having already filled his need at TE, Hanson can take the best value player remaining. I think he goes WR over QB.

10. Chu: B. Quinn QB Notre Dame

With all the 1st round WRs gone, and no RBs left in the first 2 rounds, as well as the best TE prospect off the board, its time for the QBs to go. I think if Russell ends up in the horrible Oakland situation, that B. Quinn will be the first QB to go, as he will definitely be in a better situation for his development.

1 comment:

Hanson said...

I think Bush at #4 is too high even if he does get drafted in the 2nd round. 2nd round RBs don't get handed the starting job, so I don't think you can make that pick when there is plenty of talent available at WR.