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**Lab** · 11-29-2007, 09:15 AM

Ray Rice drops to round 3 or later? I've got him in one of my FF leagues, so I've been watching him closely this season. I know I'm biased, but he seems to have done everything (and more) needed to improve his draft position. His play has improved from last season, he's shown he can be an effective receiver, and he's really carried the team when opposing defenses are keying on him and him alone. Averaging 146 yds/game. 17 TDs this season. 23 receptions for 224 yds. Only one game all season where he had less than 100 total yards. The team plays a weak schedule, but Rice has done well in the tougher games against Maryland (134 total yds), S.FL (181 total yds), WVA (142 yds), CT (147 yds). Three knocks against him are (1) he's short (5'9"), (2) he's a junior, and (3) Rutgers doesn't get TV coverage. But won't NFL scouts see past that? What's not to like? I know I'm biased, but what am I missing that knocks his draft stock down so much?

Seems like several teams might need a solid RB in round 2 (Chi, AZ, Cle, Sea, GB).

**EL Guapo** · 11-29-2007, 09:40 AM

I don't think the Giants are taking a running back in the first round, especially the fourth one taken. They will take defense unless they have a WR rated high enough. I think it's best defensive player available besides DE and MLB.

**Matt McGuire** · 11-29-2007, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by Lab View Post

Ray Rice drops to round 3 or later? I've got him in one of my FF leagues, so I've been watching him closely this season. I know I'm biased, but he seems to have done everything (and more) needed to improve his draft position. His play has improved from last season, he's shown he can be an effective receiver, and he's really carried the team when opposing defenses are keying on him and him alone. Averaging 146 yds/game. 17 TDs this season. 23 receptions for 224 yds. Only one game all season where he had less than 100 total yards. The team plays a weak schedule, but Rice has done well in the tougher games against Maryland (134 total yds), S.FL (181 total yds), WVA (142 yds), CT (147 yds). Three knocks against him are (1) he's short (5'9"), (2) he's a junior, and (3) Rutgers doesn't get TV coverage. But won't NFL scouts see past that? What's not to like? I know I'm biased, but what am I missing that knocks his draft stock down so much?

Seems like several teams might need a solid RB in round 2 (Chi, AZ, Cle, Sea, GB).

I don't think Rice will committ to this draft with Stewart and Jones (because Houston Nutt left and Casey Dick is still his QB) probably gone. Why come out when there is a very good chance that you won't be a first round pick?

**Walter** · 11-29-2007, 11:19 AM

Nice mock... You think Felix Jones comes out? That would be interesting.

No Vernon Gholston?

**starqb14** · 11-29-2007, 12:04 PM

I think felix comes out.
Nice call on the pack picking cherilus. I know he plays for former pack o-coord. jagodzinski, but how athletic is he(same question i asked walter about otah)? as aforementioned, I'm sure playing for jags at BC would whip him into shape.
I like the pack taking DE in rd. 2. thompson and mccarthy are nutsoid about d-linemen. chris ellis might be a better fit. USC, Miami, FSU, other big-time school players sometimes have trouble adjusting to Green Bay. I mean their schools are usually bigger than the entire city of GB. THis is just something I've noticed.

**Matt McGuire** · 11-29-2007, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by Walter View Post

Nice mock... You think Felix Jones comes out? That would be interesting.

No Vernon Gholston?

I do think Felix comes out because:

1) Nutt is gone
2) Casey Dick...nuff said
3) Their best WR is gone
4) Hillis, McFadden is gone and Jones stock won't be higher
5) guaranteed himself a spot in the first round and pretty much a lock to be the #2 or #3 RB chosen in this draft.

I think Gholston (and maybe Derrick Harvey as well) might stay behind to try to win a national championship (if they don't this year, or even very well back to back) like Jake Long did last year for Michigan. If Long came out last year he probably would have been battling Levi Brown to be the 2nd tackle chosen, and Arizona would have very much considered Long but I'm not sure he was as good of a prospect last year as Levi Brown was. Long made the smart decision and came back to school, now consensus #1 OT and could very well end up being the #1 overall pick. I think a lot of the time it is very smart for underclassmen to declare, but not when your draft status is in a bit of doubt as was Long's in 2007.

I think Gholston is one hell of a talent, and imo he is the #2 DE on the board for me (behind Chris Long, ahead of Calais Campbell who had a disappointing season).

There are a few teams in this draft that would be the most likely to take Gholston: NYJ, NE, OAK, ARZ, and WAS. There are other teams that might have a bit of a need at DE but they need to address other positions.

Even still, I don't think Gholston should gamble and come out this year and risk falling in the draft. Go back to school like Dorsey did and solidify your draft status as a top 10 lock for next season. I think he is a great physical specimen, but he is still a little raw and isn't a distingushed pass rusher.

**starqb14** · 11-29-2007, 12:41 PM

how do you think felix compares to allen patrick? watching the two I see a lot of similarities. build, speed, lean, vertical and n/s running. obviously felix was in a pass system but patrick was oklahoma. what else though?

**Matt McGuire** · 11-29-2007, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by starqb14 View Post

how do you think felix compares to allen patrick? watching the two I see a lot of similarities. build, speed, lean, vertical and n/s running. obviously felix was in a pass system but patrick was oklahoma. what else though?

Felix wasn't in a "pass system" at all. Neither one was in a gimmick offense.

Patrick, while he had a great game last week, hasn't been able to prove that he can carry the load for an NFL franchise and it will really hurt his draft stock. He has a somewhat small frame. I love his speed. I love his vision.

Patrick is a boom or bust player. He could be Julius Jones. He could be Willie Parker. I just have no clue with this guy and I wouldn't draft him until the 3rd round. Will be best fit as a change of pace back, good receiver so a good 3rd down back as well.

Felix Jones is a physically gifted player but even he has issues. One is, and this is being a little nitpicky but I question his ability to run b/w the tackles aka Reggie Bush Syndrome (great on catching, running outside but lacks confidence inside).

He is a pure runner though. He has instincts. He has great speed and good power. Worth a mid-late first round pick in my opinion. He isn't as bad as Bush between the tackles, but he isn't great. It's why I have Stewart as the #2 back. He is a safer pick and arguably an even more impressive athlete than Darren McFadden.

**starqb14** · 11-29-2007, 01:21 PM

by "pass system" what I meant was he actually had an opportunity to catch the ball, whereas OK backs never do...sorry for the confusion.

**starqb14** · 11-29-2007, 01:24 PM

I think Stewart is an animal.
Jones, like Patrick, looks a bit thin for his frame. because he is younger, might he bulk up with a couple years of pro training, thus giving him more confidence between the tackles?

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