Mock Draft Updated (Again) August 29

[Walter]

http://walterfootball.com/draft2008.php

Used a new order based on my final projections.

All thoughts/comments appreciated.

[Matt McGuire]

Brian Brohm #1 overall won't happen. He simply isn't physically gifted enough to be taken at that spot.

There is no QB in college football right now as physically gifted as Andre' Woodson. You simply can come close to his arm, 6'5 230 frame, and athleticism.

I will continue to say Brohm isn't a top 10 pick.

[Walter]

You sure your anti-Louisville bias isn't clouding your judgment, LOL?

Brohm's currently ranked as the No. 1 QB everywhere. Now, whether he'll become a successful pro is another issue, but right now, he'll be the first quarterback taken.

[bills_red]

Justin King-Nice pick, love it
Keith Rivers-Good value pick, like it
Andre Fluellen-Great value pick, love it
Marcus Monk-Love it

New York Giants I don't think they will have that high of a pick
Raiders with 17 I think they will have a top 10 pick but you never know in the NFL

"LenDale White (if he keeps eating 16 cheeseburgers a day). "
hahaha
Also I really like Brandon Jones, buy yea WR is a need

[Matt McGuire]

Walter,

You should know that NFL Draft order in very early mock drafts is overrated.

We have no clue how the season will play out exactly. Mock Drafts this early are about evaluating prospects value in the mock and having teams select those players that fit their need and scheme.

People put way too much emphasis on order, and quite frankly it sometimes ticks me off. The order has nothing really to do with the mock. This is why we have power rankings, to assess where teams will finish or how good they are right now. Thats not the point of the mock draft, or any point of a mock draft.

[Matt McGuire]

You sure your anti-Louisville bias isn't clouding your judgment, LOL?

Brohm's currently ranked as the No. 1 QB everywhere. Now, whether he'll become a successful pro is another issue, but right now, he'll be the first quarterback taken.

You proabably said that last year about Brady Quinn right? Things change.

And no, I'm not anti-UL. I just think Brohm is an overrated prospect. He is a first rounder for sure, but that doesn't mean he is top 10. His physical skills are okay. He has a good (not great arm), he has average size for the position, and he is slow.

[Matt McGuire]

You sure your anti-Louisville bias isn't clouding your judgment, LOL?

Brohm's currently ranked as the No. 1 QB everywhere. Now, whether he'll become a successful pro is another issue, but right now, he'll be the first quarterback taken.

Um, The Sports Exchange (by far the best pay draft site on teh net) has Woodson #1. Their analysis is very accurate and they don't care what other people say.

It's okay, once Andre' is the #1 QB Walter, please don't say he is #1. Say he is #2 and keep saying he is #2 for the rest of the season. When Brian Brohm falls in the 2008 draft, then prepared to be shocked i guess...i won't.

[Walter]

Walter,

You should know that NFL Draft order in very early mock drafts is overrated.

We have no clue how the season will play out exactly. Mock Drafts this early are about evaluating prospects value in the mock and having teams select those players that fit their need and scheme.

People put way too much emphasis on order, and quite frankly it sometimes ticks me off. The order has nothing really to do with the mock. This is why we have power rankings, to assess where teams will finish or how good they are right now. Thats not the point of the mock draft, or any point of a mock draft.

Not sure what you're getting at?

[Walter]

Um, The Sports Exchange (by far the best pay draft site on teh net) has Woodson #1. Their analysis is very accurate and they don't care what other people say.

It's okay, once Andre' is the #1 QB Walter, please don't say he is #1. Say he is #2 and keep saying he is #2 for the rest of the season. When Brian Brohm falls in the 2008 draft, then prepared to be shocked i guess...i won't.

Well, Quinn was the consensus No. 1 last year. Leinart was the consensus No. 1 two years ago.

The mock draft I posted is what I think would happen if the draft occurred tomorrow. Right now, Brohm's No. 1. Can Woodson become the top QB? Sure. But not right now.

[MidwayMonster31]

The season has just started so anything can happen. Who was that JaMarcus Russell guy when last year started?
Overall I like the order and picks. Couple issues I have are:
If Grossman has his problems for the Bears, wouldn't they consider using a free agent or trading for a more experienced quarterback?
If the Dolphins are picking that high, I do have an issue with picking McFadden because with how cash-strapped they are, and the fact that they are paying a #2 pick in Ronnie Brown. I just don't think that they should have that much money tied to two running backs. I had them trading down for Jake Long or possibly out of the top-5 for Sam Baker.

[Mark]

Not only that, look what happened to Troy Smith. They used to debate on PTI if he will be a franchise QB in the NFL. A few months later, he's a late 5th round draft choice struggling to make the Ravens final roster.

[Walter]

The season has just started so anything can happen. Who was that JaMarcus Russell guy when last year started?
Overall I like the order and picks. Couple issues I have are:
If Grossman has his problems for the Bears, wouldn't they consider using a free agent or trading for a more experienced quarterback?
If the Dolphins are picking that high, I do have an issue with picking McFadden because with how cash-strapped they are, and the fact that they are paying a #2 pick in Ronnie Brown. I just don't think that they should have that much money tied to two running backs. I had them trading down for Jake Long or possibly out of the top-5 for Sam Baker.

Good point on Russell. It's hard to predict stuff a year in advance, but it's fun.

If the Bears struggle and keep having problems with Grossman, I think they'll sign a veteran QB and draft a young guy to take over in a few years.

[Matt McGuire]

Walter, I understand your reasoning in saying, "if the draft was tomorrow" because that is all we have to go by at the moment.

But it is never like that. Scouts and coaches have months to analyze game tape and test the players' physical attritubtes. I am certain after they put on the tape and view all the intangibles about Andre' Woodson, that he will be the #1 QB. A few of those intangibles:

1. Never had that great OL or defense (to get him the ball back) like Brian Brohm.

2. Ran the Wishbone offense in high school when scouts were saying he had the best arm in the country after his performance at the Elite 11 camp. His high school coaches were absolute jokes (I should know, I went to school there) and he really struggled trying to understand how to read defenses in college.

3. Had a horrible offensive coordinator his first two years at Kentucky. Ron Hudson ran the option and his blocking schemes were awful. Add in that Hudson and Woodson didn't like each other and you have a recipe for disaster. Woodson really got creamed his sophomore year and he had to learn to be more poised in the pocket (even though his OL never really gave him a chance, I think he learned patience).

4. Doesn't fold under pressure. He can stay in the pocket and take a hit. Brian Brohm rarely ever gets pressured or sacked. But when he does (see Miami 2 years ago and Rutgers last season) he fails miserably. Brohm doesn't like getting hit and he isn't as confident in the pocket when defenses can get to him. Woodson has to face a great SEC defense nearly every week. He is more prepared for the NFL in this respect.

5. Because Woodson is just learning to grasp defensive schemes and learn more about playing the QB position (really started last season) I think he has much more upside in this area than Brohm. Don't get me wrong, Brohm's football IQ is one of his best assets, but my point is that we are only beginning to see what Woodson is capable of.

[Matt McGuire]

By my previous post, I think we can see Woodson make an Alex Smith-type leap up the draft boards. We all want to say Jamarcus Russell (and there is a lot in common there) but I think once we see all the intangibles/upside Woodson has, it really compares moreso to Smith than Russell.

A few reasons why Smith went #1 overall was he is really smart, great work ethic, very young, and he also had a great arm and athleticism (like Woodson).

I wouldn't say Woodson is a total genius jock like Smith is, but my oint is they both have great intangibles that point to high upside.

[Walter]

You make really great points about Woodson, and note that I NEVER said that Woodson can't be the No. 1 guy once April 2008 rolls around. In fact, I think there's a good chance he will.

But right now, Brohm is the consensus No. 1 guy, and would be drafted before Woodson if the draft were tomorrow.

But it's not, and I get what you're saying. Woodson may pass Brohm, it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

[Matt McGuire]

I disagree though Walter. I don't think that Brohm is the #1 consensus QB among NFL scouts, where it really matters.

ESPN just says Brohm is #1 because:

1) UL plays on ESPN a lot
2) Brohm has been hyped since he came out of HS (SI cover)
3) UL wins a lot
4) UL has had one of the most exciting, productive offenses in NCAA the past 2 seasons.

[Mark]

I've been checking out some other early mock drafts and some of them don't even have Woodson going in the first round. A lot of mock drafts I saw had the QB from Hawaii and Boston College going before Woodson.

[Walter]

That's definitely true what you said Mark, but I think people in the know have Woodson as a top-15 prospect.

ESPN pimps Brohm, but remember, as much as you may not like ESPN, people tune in to them and blindly follow whatever they say. Sucks, but that's life.