Mel Kiper's New Mock Draft

[celts32]

The key to these mock drafts is Chicago, because if they pass on a WR then we don't need to worry as much about what Minnesota does since both WR's will still be on the board. Chicago was expected to take Edwards until now, but I guess people are figuring Muhamed in free agency would change thier draft strategy. Anyway if Chicago passes on the WR's then the Skins should be all set...

[mooby]

i wish i could look at all that espn insider stuff or whatever they call it, but im not about to pay just to hear some guy's opinion. thanks for posting this stuff. i really hope we take mike williams

[skinsfanthru&thru]

what's to keep chicago from drafting another qb and miami is probably more likely to take benson than brown but I guess just because brown had one good workout he suddenly gets into the top 3 pick category. I know I am personally hoping and praying that Williams somehow is available when we pick.

[huntz]

Williams certainly would complement the two smaller guys in Patton and Moss and even Edwards for that matter. Got to like his size.

[FRPLG]

Realistically it seems these four guys are going before 9 without a doubt...
Alex Smith
Ronnie Brown
Aaron Rodgers
Cedric Benson

That leaves these teams in front of us
TB
Ten
Min
Ari

TB) going WR seems odd but wasn't there a rumor that Williams initially wasn't going to workout at the combine becasue TB guranteed him they'd take him at 5? Worth noting but really they have other needs to address and Williams did end up working out so that looks like we're clear.

Tenn) Definitely could go WR. They have the need and the players are there to take. They also have an equally big need at CB and it looks like they'd rather go CB where they can get a quality player for far less than the position average compared to what they'd need to pay a WR. Again a WR doesn't seem likely.

Minn) I can't see them going anything but WR. Losing Moss creates a huge hole that can't be ignored. WR seems likely.

Ari) What don't they need? Well about the only thing is a WR. Fitzgerald and Boldin means no chance lance on a WR.

So basically we're worrying about three teams. TB, Tenn, Minn of which only one seems likely to take a WR. TB going WR just doesn't compute but Tenn gives me an uneasy feeling. They seem like team that is too smart for their own good like the Colts who think that the notion of a shut down CB is antiquated. I can really see them ignoring Jones or Rolle and going with whichever of the two WRs is left.

We should have a shot at Williamson though but he scares me.

[FRPLG]

Of course free agenecy can and hopefully will change this. As well there will undoubtedly be movement at the top that could derail everything.

[e16bball]

One thing I am fairly sure will happen is Minnesota adding a veteran WR. Be it Gardner, or Boldin, or Travis Taylor, or Plaxico (all of those have been rumored) they seem determined to use FA or trade to add their WR. That leaves them free to take defense, probably DJ at 7. Tennessee has a big need at CB, much bigger than at WR, and I agree with Kiper that they take Pac-man. He is worthy of the pick IMO and fills that crucial hole at starting CB, as well as PR. Chicago will likely have an option of selecting either Ronnie Brown or Cedric Benson, and I just can't see them passing up one of those. TB may go after Cadillac, Gruden claimed to love him and their RBs are all over 30. In other words, its very likely that we have a good shot at a WR at 9.

[AndySkinUK]

Well if Minnesota sign Gardner or Burress they won't draft a WR in round 1 so that eliminates them.

Tennessee have more pressing needs than WR with Drew Bennett and Calico (if healthy) already there.

I can't see Chicago drafting a WR that high after picking up Muhammed in FA

I think we will get a WR in the No9 spot, though personally i would like to see us move down a bit and draft DE David Pollack and then pick up a WR in round 2 (if we get a pick there through a trade) or round 3.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by CRT3

Miami picking a OT, Simply put ~ NO WAY

I could see it happening if they pick up a RB before the draft, their line does need some major work.

[Daseal]

If Miami goes OT - which I could see. They're going to trade down. The best OT in the draft will still be there at 10.

I don't see the Bears drafting a RB. With Thomas Jones playing very well last year, and the A train on the bench (or did he go somewhere in free agency) they have talent at RB. They have Mushin Muhammad now, but who else will play the other side? I think they'll go receiver myself.

[FRPLG]

So the biggest question that none of us have considered is...?
Where do we put a rookie WR? We have 4 locks for the team at WR right now...
Moss/Patten/Thrash/Jacobs. These guys are on the team unless they die. That leaves the 5 and most liekly final spot for McCants/Brown/Draft Pick. I can conceviably see the Skins bagging WR at 9 and keeping Brown. I think it is a mistake but I could happen. If so what the heck do we do then? We have to trade down at that point. We just have to.

[FRPLG]

I suppose they could stash Brown on the practice squad again. I say we go that route and take the WR at 9.

[JoeRedskin]

Maybe I am reading too much into his late season performance, but I bet Brown comes through in a relatively big this year. He will may tagged as a returner at the start of the year and we keep six total WR's - I bet if we but him on the PSquad one of those teams he played AGAINST snags him.

I guess Moss and Patten are locks, McCants is likely gone, and we draft a rookie. Does anyone think that either Jacobs or Thrash are in danger of being cut? Could McCants pass either?

[BDBohnzie]

am i the only one who doesn't like us taking a receiver at 9? i think back to those Super Bowl years...our 3 main receivers were speed (Clark), possession (Monk), and speed (Sanders). Let's say we do trade Gardner for a draft pick, that leaves us with Moss, Patten, Jacobs, Thrash and McCants. Also consider on those Super Bowl teams the H-Back and TE slots...Warren, Didier, et al. We currently have a kid who could be a superstar (Cooley), a decent receiving TE (Royal). i just think we should be looking elsewhere besides WR for our first round pick...i'd be happy to get Edwards or Williams, but i'd rather have something to solidify our defense even more.

one of our biggest pressing needs is a pass rush DE...David Pollack, Erasmus James, Shawne Merriman, Dan Cody...all should be available at 9. we also may need a corner at 9...if Smoot signs elsewhere.

overall, i want the best available coming to the Skins...i just think we're fairly solid at receiver, and can certainly pick someone up later with the pressing needs we have.

[SmootSmack]

I'm with you BD, I'd like a pass-rushing DE. I know GW is the Moses of defensive coaches but there are only so many miracles he can work. We could use a big time pass rusher on the line. Plus if we lose Smoot and have to rely on Harris he's not at good at man coverage so we might not be able to count on safety blitzes as often.