NFL Draft Watch 2.0: Draft Day

It's finally here boys and girls. After a long, uncertain layoff the NFL Draft is upon us. The NFL's lockout has been lifted via court injunction and although the season is still up in the air, football activities are going to resume. Today is a big day for the NFL's die-hards. For some it is adding another piece to the championship puzzle while others hope to hit on a great prospect to help the team out of Loserville, USA. A lot has changed in the past few weeks with the status of the incumbent rookies and I feel that I need to account for some of these recent changes. Stock has risen for some players while others have seen theirs drop, in some cases, pretty drastically. 


After about a month since my first mock and the draft only a few hours away, let's re-examine the first round:

1. Carolina Panthers 

Needs: QB, DE, OLB

Pick: Cam Newton, QB Auburn (3)

Newton might not be the most NFL-ready of the 2011 class, but the sky is the limit with this kid. He's got all the intangables: size, speed, elusiveness, and he's a threat outside the pocket. He needs some work, but you can't fault the Panthers here. Biggest risk-rewards with this QB class. 

2. Denver Broncos

Needs: DL, ILB, CB

Pick: Von Miller, DE/OLB Texas A&M (3)

Still uncertain whether Von will be a 4-3 end or OLB, he's got the speed, power and quickness to get at the quarterback. Denver could go with Dareus here to shore up a bad run defense, but they were arguably worse at getting to the QB. In a deep draft defensively, Miller is the shining star as far as pass rushers. 

3. Buffalo Bills

Needs: DE, DT, QB

Pick: Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama (8)

Probably going to be the nose in Buffalo's 3-4, but is fast enough to play the end as well. Dareus has a good initial burst and power to not only push the line but make plays behind the line as well.

4: Cincinnati Bengals

Needs: RB, DE, OT

Pick: AJ Green, WR Georgia

Still with Carson Palmer's looming retirement, the Bengals must not be so high on Blaine Gabbert. Liking Green's skills on the deep ball (best % of plays over 20 yards in 2009), he will fit nicely with the departure of T.O. and possibly Ochocinco. 

5. Arizona Cardinals

Needs: QB, OT, OLB

Pick: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB Missouri (16) 

Here's were I think our first trade might happen. Arizona is another team that could take Gabbert, but maybe not here. They have options in the fifth spot. I could see a team like Houston jumping up here for Patrick Peterson, but as it sits, Aldon would be the guy for an edge rusher for AZ's 3-4 scheme

6. Cleveland Browns

Needs: DE, DT, WR

Pick: Julio Jones, WR Alabama (10)

Similar to Dez Bryant last year, scouts say Jones is ready for the NFL in week 1. The Browns offense was one of the worst last season and 2nd year QB Colt McCoy could use a weapon like Julio Jones who is great after the catch and has the speed to turn it upfield. 

7. San Fransisco 49ers

Needs: QB, DT, CB

Pick: Blaine Gabbert, QB (1)

I think that SF could go with Peterson here, but taking Gabbert is the next best thing. The niners have a new west-coast style offense coming in and Blaine is a kid that can take advantage of that. With Gore in the backfield and Michael Crabtree coming into his own, Gabbert has a good start here. 

8. Tennessee Titans

Needs: DT, ILB, QB

Pick: Nick Fairley, DT Auburn (2)

Fairley was initially my 2nd pick in the draft, but recent buzz has him swapped with Dareus. I believe the Titans still go the route of the nose (pun intended) and draft a DT here at 8.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Needs: DE, OT, ILB

Pick: Tyson Smith, OT USC 

Dallas is another team with options to move back here. The word is they are looking at addressing the offensive tackle or defensive end positions in the first round. With many available they could look to move back to accumulate more picks. If they stand pat they get the best OT in the draft. 

10. Washington Redskins

Needs: QB, WR, OLB

Pick: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB North Carolina (14)

Quinn didn't play in 2010 due to NCAA punishments to North Carolina. Had he played we could be talking potential first overall here. Quinn is a great pass rusher and is almost impossible to block one-on-one. Definitely fits in a defense that took Brian Orakpo last season. 

11: Houston Texans

Needs: CB, DE, OLB

Pick: Patrick Peterson, CB LSU (7)

I already said earlier, that I think Peterson goes to Houston via them trading up but lets assume this dream come true comes to fruition for the Texans and they get their guy at 11. Peterson is #1 on the big boards for a reason and Houston's pass coverage needs an upgrade.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Needs: DE, S, QB

Pick: Jake Locker, QB Washington 

Let me just start buy saying this is a tough one. I feel like Locker stays in purple in gold in the NFL, but I don't think it will be from the 12th spot in the draft. I think the Vikings could look at Castonzo at the 12th spot, or a DE, but word in Minny is we like Locker here. 

13. Detroit Lions

Needs: CB, OT, CB

Pick: Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College  (28)

Back when I was making my first mock I had Detroit taking a OT (no lie!), but that's when the Prince's stock was high. Now Prince's stock is declining and the Lions don't hesitate to protect their prized investment of Matthew Stafford. With already a shoulder made of butter, it is in their best interest to get protection up front. 

14. St. Louis Rams

Needs: WR, DT, OLB

Pick: Corey Liuget, DT Illinois (19)

St. Louis might jump at the opportunity to grab one of the top receivers here, but end up filling a big hole on the defensive line with Liuget. Great combo of size and strength and is a great value pick at 14. If the Rams really want to try to fill their top need and draft a WR, it would'nt be shocking if they trade back for someone like Hankerson

15. Miami Dolphins

Needs: RB, OG, QB

Pick: Mike Pouncey, C/G Florida (25)

Another team that is hard to tell what they're thinking. I originally thought Ingram here, but perhaps the line could be more to blame than the aging running backs. Pouncey is a good anchor in the middle at either center or guard and fits nicely between the young tackles already on the line. 

16. Jacksonville Jaguars

Needs: WR, DE, S

Pick: JJ Watt, DE Wisconsin (11)

With no WR or S valuable enough to necessitate a 16th overall selection, the Jags fill their need on the defensive line with a great athlete in Watt. At 290 lbs., Watt opened eyes at the combine showing off his speed and athleticism. 

17. New England Patriots (from Oakland)

Needs: OLB, DE, WR

Pick: Cameron Jordan, DE UCLA

I'm staying with my gut here and keeping Jordan and New England together. Jordan is already familiar to the 3-4 scheme-a rarity in college football. Belichek can put Cameron Jordan on the line in week one and see results.

18. San Diego Chargers

Needs: DL, WR, OLB

Pick: Muhammed Wilkerson, DT/DE Temple

Sticking with my pick again here. Wilkerson has the size and power to gobble up blockers and San Diego needs beef up front defensively. Great fit for a good value.

19. New York Giants

Needs: OG, DT, LB

Pick; Gabe Carimi, OT (21)

The Giants get a chance to shape up an aging and injury-riddled offensive line. Carimi can play the gaurd position but more than likely could end up playing tackle and moving David Diehl inside. 

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Needs: OLB, DE, CB

Pick: Prince Amukamara (13)

Tampa has one of the worst pass rushes when only sending 4 but Prince is hard to overlook when CB is an area of need. Prince's stock has fallen as of late but he still possesses a ton of speed and quickness to help out a secondary in need. 

21. Kansas City Chiefs 
Needs: OT, DT, WR
Pick: Nate Solder, OT Colorado (22)
It's pretty much no secret that KC is going to take the best tackle available. Just so happens that Solder is the best one left on my board. They fill a position of need and it should help improve the already nasty run game they have going on in Kansas City. 


22. Indianapolis Colts
Needs: OT, OG, CB
Pick: Derrick Sherrod, OT Mississippi State (28)
Indy misses out on the big 4 offensive tackles but still get a solid tackle in a position of need. The Colts need an upgrade on the line while Peyton is still around and Sherrod will provide good blocking on the edge and can help the lackluster Indy run game.


23. Philadelphia Eagles
Needs: CB, OLB, T
Pick: Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
In my own opinion I like Smith more than Amukamara and Philly does too. They get exactly who they want with this pick and instantly Smith fills a position of need, possibly starting week one for Andy Reid. 


24. New Orleans Saints
Needs: DE, OLB, S
Pick: Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson (6)
First thought as a top-5 pick, questions of his health seriously damage his draft stock this year. However at 24, New Orleans can afford to take a chance on when healthy, a rare talent in Bowers. 


25. Seattle Seahawks
Needs: QB, DT, OLB
Pick: Andy Dalton, QB TCU (unranked)
There is a possibility of the Seahawks jumping back from 25 but there has been a lot of steam behind quarterback Andy Dalton. As a 4 year starter at TCU, a lot of scouts seem to think Dalton has the smarts, the skills and might just be the most game ready of the class. 


26. Baltimore Ravens
Needs: CB, WR, DE
Pick: Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB Purdue (20)
Kerrigan is a hard-nosed guy with a standout work ethic and would fit right in Ray Lewis' front 7. As a great pass rusher Kerrigan is no liability in the run game. He led the nation last season with 26 TFL and has good vision to pick up the ball carrier. 


27. Atlanta Falcons
Needs: OL, DE, OLB
Pick: Adrian Clayborne, DE Iowa
I'm again sticking with my pick here. Clayborne has a reputation for being relentless in pursuit and the Falcons need some help on their pass rushing rep. 


28. New England Patriots
Needs: OLB, DE, OT
Pick: Mark Ingram, RB Ohio State
Ingram is a punishing runner with great speed and with no bona-fide starter on the Pats it may not be much of a shock that Belichek brings in a top RB prospect to shake things up offensively, perhaps take some pressure off Mr. Brady.


29. Chicago Bears
Needs: OL, DT, OLB
Pick: Phil Taylor, DT Baylor
The Bears wanted one of the OTs here but will take Taylor who will fit in nicely as Tommi Harris' replacement. He's big and strong like Harris, with the advantage of adding youth to aging defense. 


30. New York Jets
Needs: DE, DT, WR
Pick: Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
Ayers stock dropped after a bad combine but is still looked at as a day one talent. Going to be benifited by playing in an already relentless Rex Ryan defense, Ayers is going to be given multiple chances to get to the quarterback. 


31. Pittsburgh Steelers
Needs: OL, CB, WR
Pick: Aaron Williams, CB Texas
Im keeping with CB but swapping to Williams who may be a little more fluid, he like Brandon Harris is a risk taker, some see Williams as a possible transition to safety.


31. Green Bay Packers
Needs: OLB, OT, DE
Pick: Brooks Reed, OLB Arizona
Pack use this pick to grab a playmaker opposite the Claymaker in round one. I could see them going offensive line to add depth to an improved but aging line there. Reed will slip right in to Capers' 3-4 scheme without too many growing pains. 








It's like its Christmas morning up in here...

The Sky Is Falling! The Sky Is Falling!

Much like the Twins' batting averages...ha see what I did there?


Somebody has got to hit the ball. The Minnesota Twins are in last place or near last place in the AL in almost every major statistical hitting category including hits, runs, homers, batting average, OBP, slugging percentage and OPS. It's been a rather pedestrian start to the season offensively to say the least. Denard Span leads the starters in batting average and on base percentage with his .286/.342 but our meat has not been able to move him around. The M & M boys have a combined 15 hits in 61 ABs (.246), 5 rbi and no home runs. 


Shit, I'm out of chap stick. How fitting. The Twins can't score runs and I have chapped lips.


Sadly, our pitchers aren't helping the cause either. Our starting five rank in the bottom half of most pitching categories as well. Besides Nick Blackburn, no other starter has an ERA under 5. Its a double-edged sword if your offense isn't scoring and your pitching isn't helping the cause either.


Hold on a moment. Cleveland is 8-2 and Kansas City is 6-3? Maybe the sky isn't falling after all. Although Cleveland's bullpen has been nothing short of spectacular, I have serious doubt's that the starting pitching is capable of carrying this team through the long haul. Carmona is supposedly the anchor of the staff, yet is posting an ERA of 9.00, while making 2 starts during the Tribe's current 8 game win streak. The offense couldn't be more on fire either. Aging Orlando Cabrera leads the team in hits and avg, and his fellow Cabrera, Asdrubal has already hit four home runs-one more than all of last season. I'm calling it right now. This is merely a mirage.


The Royals come to town this week for a short two game series at Target Field. The Twins need to take full advantage of this series to get back to doing what they usually do, in hit up Kansas City pitching. This is a good opportunity to let the bats heat up before they go to Tampa for four games, in which they'll face Cy Young candidate David Price this weekend. Now is the time to let Stella get her groove back. Confidence is the key. Gardenhire should get his guys ready to roll now, so momentum builds later. Like I said before, the leaders of this division don't look like they're ready to lead all season. 


There's 153 games left to go, but the Twins can't afford to waste time. The Chi Sox are mashing the ball, but their bullpen is failing. Only a matter of time before Ozzie gets his bullpen in order. The Tigers have the talent to get it together as well. The Twins might have sliced one into the woods out of the gate, but they should be looking at a chip and a put to get back to par. Start with the hitting, then lets get to the pitching. You can't win ball games if you can't score. 


The last thing they want to do now is go Rory McIlroy on the bit and let it spin way out of control.