(updated title): Make Your Day One Redskins Draft Selections (Rounds 1-2)

[redskinmania]

1. Phillip Merling DE Clemson
2. Limas Sweed- I think he's going to drop all the way into the 2nd. Did not impress in the combines.

[SkinsFanSince91]

Originally Posted by redskinmania

1. Phillip Merling DE Clemson
2. Limas Sweed- I think he's going to drop all the way into the 2nd. Did not impress in the combines.

There is no way in Hades, Sheol, or Gehenna that Sweed drops to us in the 2nd round!

He may fall to the 2nd, but not to us all the way at the bottom of the 2nd.

[Dirtbag59]

On the rise

1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU -- The draft process is grueling for all prospects, but Dorsey's path has proven to be especially arduous. The passing of his grandmother, combined with the Jan. 7 BCS title game pushing back the beginning of his training process, prevented Dorsey from taking part in the workout portion of the combine. Speculation then began to spread regarding a possibly lingering 2006 stress fracture injury that could have sent Dorsey's draft stock free-falling.
Since then, though, many teams have cleared Dorsey medically and his solid all-around showing at LSU's pro day helped ease any concerns regarding a 2007 knee injury. Dorsey has finally come full circle and is once again in the elite tier of talent for 2008.

Draft projection: Best case is the Rams at No. 2 overall, worst case is the Chiefs at No. 5. The Falcons, who own the third pick, seemingly have the greatest interest in Dorsey at this point while the Raiders would consider him with the fourth pick as well.
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Will Branden Albert be protecting his quarterback as a left tackle in the NFL?


2. Branden Albert, G/OT, Virginia -- The more film teams watch of Albert the more they seem to think he can play left tackle in the NFL. The early-entry prospect stood on his solid workout times from the combine but really made an impression on coaches and scouts with his nimble feet and natural balance during offensive line drills at Virginia's pro day.
Draft projection: I still think Albert projects better at guard in the NFL, which explains my mid-first round grade. However, a few teams reportedly view him as the second-best left tackle in this class behind Michigan's Jake Long and there is now speculation that Albert could sneak into the top 10 overall.

3. Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State -- The Sun Belt's all-time career tackles leader has shot up many draft boards by answering questions regarding his speed and athleticism during the postseason process. Johnson (5-foot-11⅞, 202 pounds) turned in one of the most impressive showings among the defensive backs at the combine and built on that momentum with a 39-inch vertical leap, 10-foot-8 broad jump and smooth position-specific workout during Arkansas State's on-campus workout. In a weak safety class Johnson has value on Day 1.
Draft projection: Johnson should be among the top two safeties selected -- competing with Kenny Phillips of Miami but ahead of Dejuan Morgan of N.C. State -- and most likely comes off the board in the second round.

4. Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State -- Nelson emerged as one of the most productive pass catchers in college football last season with 1,606 yards and 11 scores on 122 receptions. While his 40-yard dash time of 4.51 doesn't do much for his cause, Nelson has shown fluid hips for his size, smooth route-running skills and reliable hands throughout the postseason. The more teams study his improvement as a senior the more infatuated they become with his pro potential.
Draft projection: It is highly unlikely that Nelson will last until Day 2.

5. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia -- Slaton's outstanding showing last month at West Virginia's pro day was timely to say the least. The diminutive, oft-injured back is likely to max out a versatile scat back and return man in the NFL, but excellent showings in the 40 (4.42 and 4.45), vertical jump (35 inches), short-shuttle (4.26 seconds) and three-cone drill (6.75 seconds) ease concerns about injuries costing him a step.
Draft projection: Despite a deep crop of running backs, Slaton should come off the board early on Day 2 (third or fourth round) and land with a team in search of a complementary weapon in its running game.


On the slide

1. DE Phillip Merling, Clemson -- Once considered a potential top-10 pick, Merling has seen his stock drop considerably during the draft process. The biggest issue is a recently discovered sports hernia injury which required surgery and prevents him from working out for NFL teams prior to draft weekend. As an early-entry prospect, Merling becomes an even greater risk since NFL teams are already working with limited time and data.
Draft projection: Merling is still a first-rounder but could slip to the bottom portion of the round.

2. QB Brian Brohm, Louisville -- Scouts complained that Brohm avoided some of the tougher throws they wanted see during his uninspiring on-campus workout last month. Some teams love his consistency and think he can thrive with the proper supporting cast in the NFL, while others simply think Brohm is too limited physically.
Draft projection: Likely to come off the board early in Round 2. Brohm is competing with Chad Henne (Michigan) and Joe Flacco (Delaware) to be second quarterback selected behind Matt Ryan (Boston College).

3. WR Early Doucet, LSU -- Doucet's pedestrian 40 times (4.56 and 4.68) at LSU's pro day verified the lack of deep speed he shows on film.
Draft projection: Among the top eight receivers selected, likely in the early-to-mid second round.

4. OT Sam Baker, USC -- Baker battled injuries during a disappointing senior season and the pre-draft process hasn't gone any better. Baker's lack of explosiveness was exposed at the Senior Bowl and he was equally underwhelming at USC's pro day, where he looked sluggish in position-specifics drills and ran times of 5.41 and 5.54 in the 40.
Draft projection: Should be the sixth offensive lineman selected but no longer projects as a first-round pick.

5. RB Mike Hart, Michigan -- As expected, Hart has not fared well during the pre-draft process. Declining a Senior Bowl invitation surprised scouts as the week of practice and the game itself would have been a better opportunity to showcase his skills than any workout session. Most recently, Hart opted not to run a 40 at Michigan's pro day, which means he's sticking with combine results of 4.69 and 4.72. He also had a few uncharacteristic drops during receiving drills on campus.
Draft projection: Best-case scenario is late-third round, but a deep running back class does not help Hart's cause.

Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

2. QB Brian Brohm, Louisville -- Scouts complained that Brohm avoided some of the tougher throws they wanted see during his uninspiring on-campus workout last month. Some teams love his consistency and think he can thrive with the proper supporting cast in the NFL, while others simply think Brohm is too limited physically.
Draft projection: Likely to come off the board early in Round 2. Brohm is competing with Chad Henne (Michigan) and Joe Flacco (Delaware) to be second quarterback selected behind Matt Ryan (Boston College).

Are their really Scouts on an NFL team payroll so old and crusty to think that Brian Brohm is too limited physically? Chad 'freaking Pennington is about as physically limited as QBs come, and he's a career 88.9 rated Passer.

Brohm plays a position where physical limitations (save, perhaps height in order to see the field) are a complete myth.

My gut says McShay is BSing here, but if he's not, some team better start cleaning house on it's scouting staff, because they ain't drafting the right guys this season.

[Meks]

1st - corner from kansas Talib or w/ever
2nd - DE... whoever is left

[RMSkins]

1a. Kenny Phillips S Miami (Best Safety prospect since ST.)
1b. Phillip Merling DE Clemson (Big DE who can get to the QB)

2a. Phillip Wheeler LB Georgia Tech (Marcus Washington's successor, also had 18.5 sacks during his collegiate career.)
2b. DaJuan Morgan S NC State (Some might question Morgan going this high, but I really like this kid. IMO Morgan easily is an upgrade over Doughty.)

[jdlea]

Round 1: Limas Sweed
Round 2: Lawrenece Jackson

[Dirtbag59]

1st Round Limas Sweed
2nd Round Devin Thomas
3rd Round Jordy Nelson

Come on, one of them has to pan out. Matt Millen ain't got shit on me.

Ironically though out of the three, the only one that I don't want is Limas Sweed. As I said before the guys biggest game against a "big" opponent was against a struggling Nebraska team back in 06. The rest of his big games came against teams like Sam Houston State and Rice. Jordy Nelson on the other hand played in the same conference the following year and never had a game with less then 80 yards recieving. This includes going against the Corner from Kansas who's projected to be a top 15 pick.

Sweed has not proved himself against good competition and for that I believe that he is only a wrokout wonder. Of course part of that might be from playing with Vince Young and a young Colt McCoy but until I hear thats the reason then I'm sticking with my view that we should stay far away from Sweed.

[SkinsFanSince91]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

1st Round Limas Sweed
2nd Round Devin Thomas
3rd Round Jordy Nelson

Come on, one of them has to pan out. Matt Millen ain't got shit on me.

Ironically though out of the three, the only one that I don't want is Limas Sweed. As I said before the guys biggest game against a "big" opponent was against a struggling Nebraska team back in 06. The rest of his big games came against teams like Sam Houston State and Rice. Jordy Nelson on the other hand played in the same conference the following year and never had a game with less then 80 yards recieving. This includes going against the Corner from Kansas who's projected to be a top 15 pick.

Sweed has not proved himself against good competition and for that I believe that he is only a wrokout wonder. Of course part of that might be from playing with Vince Young and a young Colt McCoy but until I hear thats the reason then I'm sticking with my view that we should stay far away from Sweed.

I am the captain of the Jordy Nelson bandwagon! For me right now, its a toss up between Jordy and Devin Thomas. Nelson has more production, while THomas has more upside. If we dont get one, then we need to get the other.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SkinsFanSince91

I am the captain of the Jordy Nelson bandwagon! For me right now, its a toss up between Jordy and Devin Thomas. Nelson has more production, while THomas has more upside. If we dont get one, then we need to get the other.

I'm still trying to decide if it was you or Todd McShay that led me to Jordy Nelson. More funny then that is that I'm getting credit on this thread for bringing up the guy that you mentioned long before I did.

Ironically though every team seems to have a Jordy Nelson bandwagon in all the newsgroups around the league. Hell I bet that there are kids in Detroit going, "WE NEED TO DRAFT JORDY NELSON!"

Anyway I finally get my 1,000th post. Only took me a little over two years. Hail!!!

[That Guy]

brandon flowers is a 3rd round pick at cb at this point. i think only hokie fans are suggesting him in the first round. no thanks. (there are about 10-12 cbs i'd take before him)

[That Guy]

nelson only had one good year, and he's slow (4.57 average, 4.52 peak), but he was consistent across opponents.

probably not an nfl star, but a good chance at being reliable. he won't get away with a lot of those plays on his highlights in the nfl (due to the fact that almost EVERYONE is going to be faster than him), but he's got good hands and no fear and seems like a good value in the late 3rd.

[SkinsFanSince91]

Originally Posted by That Guy

nelson only had one good year, and he's slow (4.57 average, 4.52 peak), but he was consistent across opponents.

probably not an nfl star, but a good chance at being reliable. he won't get away with a lot of those plays on his highlights in the nfl (due to the fact that almost EVERYONE is going to be faster than him), but he's got good hands and no fear and seems like a good value in the late 3rd.

Anquan Boldin ran a pedestrian 4.71 at his combine. Not to say I could be in the league, but when I was in HS I ran a 4.67.

Nelson had more production at receiver in college, is faster that Boldin, and will likely enjoy the same level of success, if not more, than AB had in Arizona after a few years. Nelson needs to been in burgundy and gold come the start of the season.

[QBall]

ESPN is reporting that 8 Defensive Lineman coming out are potential 1st round picks. Skins chances are very good at # 21 to grab one:

The 2008 NFL draft should feature at least eight defensive linemen selected in the first round. The most likely candidates include DEs Chris Long, Vernon Gholston, Phillip Merling, Derrick Harvey and Calais Campbell, and DTs Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis and Kentwan Balmer.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by QBall

ESPN is reporting that 8 Defensive Lineman coming out are potential 1st round picks. Skins chances are very good at # 21 to grab one:

See, there always seems to be a rush on defensive linemen in the first round, and this year will be no different. I can see all 8 of those guys gone before we pick at #21.

Next to franchise quarterback, an All-Pro DE or DT is probably the next most coveted place to find a star.