Updated Big Board

[foozball]

1. OT Chris Williams
I think the depth at RB causes Williams to rise up our draft board. I know we can grab an OT later with Gibbs' system, but the RB class is so strong and Williams is a perfect fit. The CB depth is also quite good and we've resigned Demps and signed Reeves.

2. RB Rashard Mendenhall
He offers the most value, but Kevin Smith, Matt Forte, and Tashard Choice can gain 1200 yards in a ZBS as well and they're 3rd-4th rounders.

3. RB Jonathan Stewart
Same reasoning as Mendenhall. I like Mendenhall's quickness and burst a bit more than Stewart.

4. CB DRC
I originally had Mike Jenkins ahead of DRC, but that was because Jenkins could theoretically move over to safety. Now that I think about it, that would be a bad move since Jenkins is only 5'10 and lacks the ballskills and tackling skills to be a safety. DRC's upside is also higher. DRC has good coverskills, good length and height, and is a ballhawk with playmaking ability. All he needs is to add some bulk and learn to play a bit more physical.

5. DE Derrick Harvey
We still need a passrush, and Harvey has the size to be an everydown DE at 6'5 271lbs. Has decent speed in the low 4.8 range, but his technique and motor are what have him ranked as a top 3 DE. With the team signing Reeves and with Dunta ahead of schedule on his rehab, I put Harvey over Jenkins, who is a somewhat one dimensional cover guy who offers little else as far as ballskills, playmaking ability, and run defense goes. Passrushing DE's are more valuable than cover CB's IMO.

6. CB Mike Jenkins
He's a bit more polished but has less upside than DRC. Should be able to step in right away and be a cover corner. Lacks ballskills and big play ability though, which is why DRC is rated higher.

7. OT Branden Albert
He's an OG that can project to OT. He's mobile and athletic and seems like he could be a fit in the ZBS. Upside is tremendous and I hope he gets a look if we are set on taking an OT.

8. DB Reggie Smith
Offers versatility as a CB and FS. Defends the run well and has some natural cover skills. More of a late 1st-early 2nd, but could be a fit if we trade down.

9. LB Keith Rivers
There aren't too many teams that will be looking to draft a LB early since there is alot of LB's who will receive 2nd round grades. There is a slight possibility that Rivers falls to 18 if DRC, Mendenhall/Stewart, Albert, and Williams go before us. Even though he is the #1 rated LB, LB isn't a great position of need and there will be LB's available later.

10. CB Tracy Porter
I originally had Antoine Cason here, but I think Porter is a better fit. He's got insane speed and ballskills to match. Fluid hips to cover and big play ability. A smaller version of DRC. Not very physical and isn't a great run defender, but we have 2 safeties in Demps and CC who are very good at defending the run, so Porter's tackling is less of a liability. Again, he's a late 1st-early 2nd rounder who could fit in a trade down scenario.

[TheLBCoach]

I like your board, but I would sub Cason for Porter at #9. Cason is underrated as a Corner, but with the CB and RB talent in this class I wouldn't be surprised to see some nice players at both positions fall. I just think Cason is a better player than Porter.

Cason's a much better tackler than Porter, as you mentioned, which helps boost him over the top. I work with DBs, and I'll tell you that a CB's ability to stop the run on the edges and turn plays back inside are critical. I don't really like CBs who can't defend the run or make a solid tackle, even if they're solid cover guys.
Also, watch tape of them both. Porter tends to stand up juuuuuuuust a bit when turning his hips. Combine that with his poor tackling ability and the edge goes to Cason. I'd take a shot on Porter in the 2nd - early 3rd Round if he was there and I hadn't taken a CB up to that point.

[foozball]

I like your board, but I would sub Cason for Porter at #9. Cason is underrated as a Corner, but with the CB and RB talent in this class I wouldn't be surprised to see some nice players at both positions fall. I just think Cason is a better player than Porter.

Cason's a much better tackler than Porter, as you mentioned, which helps boost him over the top. I work with DBs, and I'll tell you that a CB's ability to stop the run on the edges and turn plays back inside are critical. I don't really like CBs who can't defend the run or make a solid tackle, even if they're solid cover guys.
Also, watch tape of them both. Porter tends to stand up juuuuuuuust a bit when turning his hips. Combine that with his poor tackling ability and the edge goes to Cason. I'd take a shot on Porter in the 2nd - early 3rd Round if he was there and I hadn't taken a CB up to that point.

it was a tossup between him and cason. cason is a very good technical corner, and his skill somewhat masks his lack of elite speed. however, porter can be taught the proper technique, which isnt bad at all, but speed cant be taught. if porter ran low 4.4's, id take cason, but porter runs low-mid 4.3's. we have 2 very good run defending safeties. the downside is that neither safety is all that great in coverage. even fred bennett is a little iffy on the longball at times. porter's recovery speed is too great to dismiss and itd be harder for our secondary to get beat on the deep ball with a guy with his speed and his ballskills. i just think he adds an element that we dont have yet in our secondary, which is speed. im looking at the secondary as a unit, not at the individual players, and what our secondary lacks is a guy who can really run with faster WR's. like i said before, we have 2 very good run defending safeties, but neither has great speed or coverage ability making them susceptible to getting beat, which is why i put Porter in there.

[TheLBCoach]

I see what you're saying, and you have good points. Just remember that we brought in a guy named Philip Buchanon who had tremendous speed, but wasn't worth two (cents). The only downside to what you mentioned with the two run-stuffing safeties is that...now you're forcing your safeties to come up and help vs. the run, which gives guys like Peyton Manning opportunities to go deep since our safeties are up biting on play action.

[foozball]

I see what you're saying, and you have good points. Just remember that we brought in a guy named Philip Buchanon who had tremendous speed, but wasn't worth two (cents). The only downside to what you mentioned with the two run-stuffing safeties is that...now you're forcing your safeties to come up and help vs. the run, which gives guys like Peyton Manning opportunities to go deep since our safeties are up biting on play action.

remember that fred bennett was criticized for his lack of physicality as well when he came out, which is one of the reasons why he dropped. he really improved his run defense. i was very surprised at how willing he was to come up and hit. im hoping porter can make a similar improvement. like i said, his speed and ballskills cannot be taught, but technique and tackling can be.

[Wolf6151]

I like your board but I'd put DRC at #2 and move Medenhall and Stewart each down one position. I think that the RB position is so deep this year, much deeper than OT, and slightly deeper than CB, I feel you can pick up a 2nd tier RB like Choice or Rice etc... later in the draft. Also our need at CB is much more that our need at RB.

[TheLBCoach]

I like your board but I'd put DRC at #2 and move Medenhall and Stewart each down one position. I think that the RB position is so deep this year, much deeper than OT, and slightly deeper than CB, I feel you can pick up a 2nd tier RB like Choice or Rice etc... later in the draft. Also our need at CB is much more that our need at RB.

Mel Kiper thinks Rice and Hart are 2nd Round RBs. I'd REALLY like to trade down and take Chris Johnson of ECU late in the 1st. What do you think of that fooz?

[Texian]

I would rate them #6, #4, #5, #2, #3.

Fortunately we will all know more about the priorty of LT beginning March 31st. That's the start of OTAs and Spencer has been cleared for full participation. Coaches should know before the draft whether Spencer will be able to resume his position at LT.

Because the CB class is so deep I can see where Kubiak would take Harvey with the 1st pick. Doubtful he will be there, Minnesota will take him at #17 due to Udeze's diagnosis of luekemia.

My Mock:

1. Dominick Rogers-Cromartie, CB
3. Matt Forte, RB
4. Chris Ellis, DE
5. Oneil Cousins, OT
6. Gary Guyton, OLB
7. Antuan Molden, CB

[steelbtexan]

I would rate them #6, #4, #5, #2, #3.

Fortunately we will all know more about the priorty of LT beginning March 31st. That's the start of OTAs and Spencer has been cleared for full participation. Coaches should know before the draft whether Spencer will be able to resume his position at LT.

Because the CB class is so deep I can see where Kubiak would take Harvey with the 1st pick. Doubtful he will be there, Minnesota will take him at #17 due to Udeze's diagnosis of luekemia.

My Mock:

1. Dominick Rogers-Cromartie, CB
3. Matt Forte, RB
4. Chris Ellis, DE
5. Oneil Cousins, OT
6. Gary Guyton, OLB
7. Antuan Molden, CB

Tex

If this mock happens we will be very happy Texan fans for years to come IMO.

The only thing I would change would be I like Harrington instead of Ellis.

[foozball]

Mel Kiper thinks Rice and Hart are 2nd Round RBs. I'd REALLY like to trade down and take Chris Johnson of ECU late in the 1st. What do you think of that fooz?

hate it. johnson is a lil tiny scatback. doesnt run in between the tackles. i want a guy around 215lbs who can take a beating. we've already got guys like taylor and walker who can come in as 3rd down guys. we need a franchise #1 back, badly.

[bsofa04]

Excellent big board Foozball. I give it a 10.