Is it drafty in here, or is it just me? Get it? Drafty? This is a NFL draft blog. Drafty? No? Not funny huh? Well, I'll leave the jokes to the professionals. I have read most of the mock draft blogs and I must say that you all have put a tone of work into them. I commend you on your level of analysis. You may put Mel Kiper Jr. out of work. Anyway, I was just sittin' around and thought I would do my own draft blog. However, the biggest difference here is that I'm an idiot with unqualified opinions and the other bloggers are genius. I also decided that I am too lazy to put near the amount of work that Ey Capernicus, Super Squirrel, and IrishR#1 put into theirs. Plus I have to be different and go against the grain.
I decided that in this draft blog I will break down the teams that I think are most likely to make draft day trades and what they might do with them. Of course as we all know nothing ever works out in the draft the way we think it does.
Another thing in this blog that I will do is make it interactive. I will provide updates, as I am able, based on the opinion of the comments. It probably won't be this weekend though, but I will update it. Then we can all debate it further. So if you want your voice heard, then spread the word about the blog.
So without further ado (or further adon't) let's get down to business.
Dolphins
Why in the world would the Fins trade the first pick when they have a chance to take Dorsey? I can sum it up in two words - Bill Parcells. It's a well known fact that Parcells gets hard over stud linebackers. He even said that linebacker would his priority when he got hired on. Let's face it; Porter is the best linebacker they have (I am willing to give him a mulligan this year) with Zach Thomas' health being questionable. Parcells is not afraid to trade a pick. I don't see them going down a lot, just far enough to be able to justify taking a linebacker in the first round. I think that James Laurinaitis is who Bill has his eyes on. He is big - 6-3 240 and fast. He would be a very nice compliment to Porter and have an immediate impact. Plus by trading, the Fins will have a couple of extra picks to help fill other needs, which is pretty much everything. Now the monkey wrench in this is if Laurinaitis decides to stay another year. I don't see Parcells taking a QB because he will find a bus driver in free agency. The wildcard in all of this could be Vernon Gholston because he could fit in as a DE or OLB - exactly what Parcells likes.
Cowboys
The Cowboys are a bit trickier in that they have two 1st round picks and the question is which one will they trade? I know they don't always trade when they have multiple picks in the same round, but I think they will this year. It seems to me that they will get the best value by trading the #22 pick, which I think they will do this time. I see them using this one as an extra 2nd pick and going after most likely a running back. Don't get me wrong, I think Barber is a beast and the best back they have, but he is not a 25-30 carry back every game. He does best when is carries are 20 and less. For this reason I see them picking up a back to replace Jones. The writing was on the wall a long time ago about him being gone after this season. I think the back that would best fit in their scheme would be Felix Jones. I don't see him going early in the draft, maybe late 1st round but definitely not higher than say 15. I agree that his status was hurt by his team mate that you may have heard of - Darren McFadden. A wildcard pick would be a WR and if the Titans don't get him first (or the Lions for that matter), I could see them picking Limas Sweed.
Patriots
The Pats are the wildcard in the draft. Do they use this one to make up for the 31st pick (I'm a Cowboys fans BTW) they lost? Or do they trade it for another embarrassment of riches? I say they trade it. Even though I'm sure that Laurinaitis is on their radar screen I see them making another savvy draft day move that they work to perfection every year. If they trade it, they definitely lose out on a stud, but there are a couple other linebackers who would fit in their mold as well. Another possibility is corner is Samuel bolts for free agency. But seeing how their linebacker corps, while still one of the most dominating groups, is getting old I see them making this a priority. I don't think they will trade out of the 1st round and the only other LB I see as 1st round material is Keith Rivers or Dan Conner. I think Rivers will be gone so I will give them Conner. A wildcard possibility would be Aqib Talib.
Lions
I could see the Lions trading up to take Limas Sweed to keep their "receiver in the 1st round" streak alive. Ok, this was a joke, but Millen is still the GM.
Vikings
The Vikes desperately need a receiver to help make Jackson look good. I would not put it past them to try and trade up a few slots to go after one. The question is who is the best fit for Childress? Going off on a tangent here, but Childress just bothers me. Is it me or doesn't he look like a middle school History teacher? Ok, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I think a good receiver for them would be Early Doucet if they can get to him before he's gone. A wildcard here, based on Childress' aversion to 1st round receivers could be Chris Long to add a better pass rush from the outside than what Erasmus James is giving them. Imagine if they had a DE that could match their terrific tackles.
49ers
This is another team in desperate need of a receiver. I don't blame all of their offensive woes on Smith. Gore was nowhere near the stud he was supposed to be. Their receivers couldn't catch a cold. Another reason I think they want to trade up is to make up for getting beatch slapped by the Pats. If they can't get their hands on Sweed or Doucet I look for them to go after Mario Manningham. A wild card in this could be o-line and while he will be long gone they would wet themselves if they could get their hands on Jake Long.
Well, that's about it. There will probably be more jockeying for players once the draft starts but these are the team I think are most likely to make a trade. Now it's your turn.
What does FanNation have to say about draft day trades?
Update: 01/11/08:
IrishR#1 would love to see the Niners make a play for a wide out.
Ok, here's what we have so far - Oso thinks it's possible that the Eagles could make a play for a lineman, most likely defense. He also thinks Andy Reid is a russian submarine captain
J. Hova doesn't care as long as the Jets benefit. I think they will be just fine where they are and watch McFadden fall into their laps.
Here's a question to consider - Could the Jets and Fins be trade partners?




Jessica Gomes
Meghan White

Comments (15) Add A Comment
The Niners trade is awesome. The Colts get Tony Ugoh who is great when healthy, and the Niners move up at best nine slots.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8587)
I'll put my 2 cents in about the team I know the most about, the Eagles.
The way I look at it from Andy Reid's POV (Hard to actually be accurate since he's close to the vest and does crazy Ivans every draft) the Eagles are good, but might need to add to the DB corps and the Offensive line.
I think Reid will look at how the offensive line is shaky with aging OT's and an inexperienced Justice and want competition.
The O and D lines are Andy's obsession, and I think both need help as the DE's are either old, ineffective, or they need help (i.e. Kearse, Howard, Cole)
The LB corps. might be the only thing besides QB and RB that Andy stays pat on.
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (18064)
Is Reid turning port or starboard?
i B4 e:Operators r…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (6432)
How does this benefit the Jets? That's all I care about.
J. HOVA: DEVILS…
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (13835)
I think the Jets will sit tight and pick up McFadden. I don't see neither the Rams nor Fins taking a running back. I suppose they could be could be trade partners with the Fins. Parcells has a history, albeit not the best, with them. But not likely. They are in a good spot.
i B4 e:Operators r…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (6432)
I can't see new england taking a corner or losing the 31st pick of the draft. IF they make it to the Super Bowl, they will not lose it. IF, I say, IF. The Patriots will beef up the right side of their offensive line, take at least 2 defensive backs of ambiguous position and probably a college rush end to move to linebacker. They also could be in the market for a 3rd down back to replace Kevin Faulk, who will be 32 and probably will only last 1-2 more years in New England. The Vikings should not take a Wideout in the first round. The tried and true method of getting good receivers is through free agency. Drafting one in the first round is risky. For every Randy Moss there are 5 Peter Warrick's and Troy Williamson's. They should get defensive help at DE and Safety. Darren Sharper won't be around forever, so having depth there would be great. Also, the RT spot has been shaky, as has the TE spot in the passing game, and Visanthe Shianco doesn't seem to be the answer.
Capitan K
Total Comments (257)
Very insightful Captain
i B4 e:Operators r…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (6432)
Trust me- If BP takes an end down in Miami, it will be Chris Long, not Gholston. Otherwise, pretty damn good.
EagleHater: Goodbye,…
Total Comments (5604)
Capitan- I dunno about that. Samuels is a great corner. Hobbs... not so much. And their cornerback depth isn't so great.
If Belichick can get his hands on a great corner like Talib or Cason, the secondary won't need to be touched again for another 5 years AT LEAST. He can get a 'backer in the second round. There are plenty of 'em.
EagleHater: Goodbye,…
Total Comments (5604)
Captain know his football and so do you ie. Good blog. Do me a favor and reshare this in April around draft time. Thanks.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (14936)
Thanks EH and Cass. I will update the blog probably on Monday. I will be out of sight and out of mind all weekend. Have a good one folks. Feel free to add more insight over the weekend.
i B4 e:Operators r…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (6432)
apitan- I dunno about that. Samuels is a great corner. Hobbs... not so much. And their cornerback depth isn't so great.
Hobbs is thrown on more, thats why his numbers dont look as fancy as Samuels. He's actually very very good.
I read somewhere that the Pats have been scouting Laurenitis, but he doesnt impress me much the more I see of him. But what do I know?
Tracy00214-Is back!
Total Comments (32850)
Is Reid turning port or starboard?
i B4 e is WD40 | 01/11/08
I don't know. My Morse is so rusty I might just be sending Ms. July's dimensions.
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (18064)
As for the Cowboys, I think you may be spot on. Jerry thinks he's pretty set at SS/FS as well as CB. I'd pick someone to push Reeves, but that's just me.
Depth at LB would also be a priority in the latter rounds.
It might be time to start grooming some replacements for Flo and some of the less than young OL's they have.
WR is good for the moment. But how long will Glenn and TO hold up?
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (18064)
For what it's worth, I can chime in as a Browns fan.
1. I wouldn't necessarily count them out of the draft-day trade market. They showed last year that they have no problem mortgaging next year's first rounder to get back into this year's first round. Savage was quoted as saying they have 15 guys they'd love to get in the first, and if one of them falls into the mid-20s I wouldn't be surprised to see Phil get on the phone with somebody. I'm sure Dallas won't take his calls this year, since they thought they'd be picking top-5 this year, but I digress. The other factor is whether or not they sign-and-trade Derek Andeson (a la Schaub last year) or tender him and try to pry draft picks from somebody. It will be hard to say where they'll pick until all of that shakes out.
2. Browns obviously need defense, defense, defense. They need 3-4 DEs and linebackers (both an edge rusher to complement Wimbley and in inside 'backer to supplant Andra Davis), as it looks like Shaun Smith is going to get the full-season nod at NT this coming season. They're pretty much set in the secondary, as Jones and Pool are good at S for the next few years, and they have 3 decent CBs in Bodden, Wright, and McDonald. As to who they might go after in the draft, it will largely depend on where they end up picking (based on whether they move to get back into the first round or not).
3. The Browns' 2008 schedule gets infinitely harder than this years' (AFC South and NFC East as well as Denver and Buffalo), but really if they can stabalize the D-line they have a shot with that offense to play with anyone. All signs point to them riding Jamal Lewis for one more year at RB, but focusing almost exclusively on defense this year in FA and the draft. In the later rounds, however, they might go after a running back and/or a wide receiver to replace Jurevicius, as he's all but explicitly said 2008 will be his last season.
Again, for whatever it's worth here.
iamfunei
Dublin , OH
Total Comments (17)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.