Today sees the first NFL draft in a new style as we move to prime-time mid-week for the first round. And what do the Diner's mystic duo see happening in their crystal ball? The talent pool is considered to be one of the best for some time ahead of the unknown that comes in 2011. Expect the usual intrigue, shocking picks and draft day drops all weekend.
The draft has moved from a weekend to now spread across three days, with Round one on prime time Thursday night. Is this a good move?
DANG No, it means Friday has had to be booked off work to stay up and watch take it in and assess. I much preferred the 2 night schedule over the whole weekend and guess many other people do too. Unfortunately, it's all about the $ and the $ (or £ or Euro or whatever your currency) rules and the rest of us just have to lump it.
I also think it's about the NFL trying to instigate more trades, as teams will have more time to assess their situations over night and re-evaluate. Still, at least we get to go to bed at a human hour on the Sunday I guess, instead of rolling into work bleary eyed to see who Mr Irrelevant is and where all your late round steals that didn't get drafted ended up as UDFA's which for me is always one of the most interesting aspects of the draft, particularly with players I have watched closely who I think might be late round steals.
DOC No, I don't like it one bit. I know its about ratings such is the astronomical growth of interest in the draft in recent years; no doubt aided by the equal rising in the entertainment of the shows put on by the likes of ESPN and the NFL Network. But they're now breaking it up and whilst it will probably lead to a range of new facets to the draft teams having more breaks to re-evaluate their draft boards, to make trades perhaps. It's all a step into the unknown. But at the same time, you might sit there all evening only to have your team trade out; where's the satisfaction in this? And then at the end of the first day it'll all be over and we'll have to wait another day for rounds two and three. And then on the weekend when most people are free Saturday there'll be rounds 4 onwards. With the best will in the world, that is hardly likely to capture the minds of people and deliver the spike in viewing figures that it could have got anywhere. At the end of the day, it is what it is but I don't really see why they needed to change things up.
After being the source of much controversy and speculation for a number of reasons, where will Dez Bryant end up being selected, and to whom?
DANG DIVA ALERT! It's a good question, certainly seems to be the guy that's hardest to pin down somewhere (along with Clausen), personally, in my latest mock I have him falling all the way down to Arizona at pick #26 to replace Boldin.
I think the character issues, bad Pro Day, questionable hands and route running, Deion Sanders as a mentor and Eugene Parker as an agent will more than scare off a lot of teams who may be tempted following the whole Crabtree fiasco in San Francisco and Bryant is half the player Crabtree is despite similar Diva elements to their characters. I did think that the Patriots could be tempted until they picked up FA Torry Holt last night so that now pretty certainly won't happen. Could he even be the first WR off the board at this rate?
DOC I've really come full circle on this. He was never getting lower than the early teens in most of my early draft thinking but then came all the issues over him, the cloud of chatter that seemed to encircle his every move; the rumours that he wasn't up for it, the questions over his background, over his mental maturity and so on. But at the same time you've had quite the trade market for WRs of late, with Santonio Holmes going for a steal and then Brandon Marshall being nabbed by the Dolphins for a relatively low price given his proven ability. So who really does know? Evidence I read from ESPN this week showed that teams always over play the importance of receivers; taking them too early in the draft and then very few of them go onto reach the levels hoped for. But teams do go for the talent and simply put, you don't get talent like that at such an elite position very often. Someone will bite and will go with the gamble knowing how well it could pay off. We're talking about probably the best receiving talent to come out since Calvin Johnson. So despite many mocks seeing Bryant drop like a stone almost out of the first round, I've settled on a few spots where Bryant could wind up. Despite other needs on the other side of the ball, I think the Jaguars might be sorely tempted at #10; the Seahawks similarly might be at #14. Would the Giants be tempted given both the good and bad experiences from Plaxico? Probably not. Pittsburgh at #18 has a gap now which he could undoubtedly fill. And surely, if he's still there at #21, the Bengals would upgrade their receiving crew? That's where I think he's heading Cincinnati. Who might have gotten themselves a steal as the AFC North upgrades its WR's much like the AFC East has also done.
Equally, the Quarterback merry-go-round has seen the draft stock of Jimmy Clausen fluctuate wildly in recent weeks. What does the weekend hold for him?
DANG Another guy tough to place. Personally, I think the Bills would be sensible to draft him, if he passes them, I don't see the 49ers taking him, despite a few mocks and people like Jason LaConfora suggesting they will. Another gimmicky Quarterback with small hands is not the answer in the Bay right now, New 49ers GM Trent Baalke appears to be trying to orchestrate a possible trade out of #13 or #17 and load up with even more picks by playing the we're interested in Clausen card will somebody fall for the bait? If Clausen falls past Buffalo's pick then somebody will trade up in to the late teens/early-mid 20's and take him as nobody in that area really needs a QB, they can then get in before the likes of the Cardinals and Vikings possibly consider him. Cardinals could look for him to come in straight away and compete with the massively overrated Matt Leinart, whilst the Vikings have the perfect mentor for him to sit and learn from for a season, or two, or three, who knows what will happen with THAT story!
DOC For me, this is a lot harder to predict than what will happen to Bryant.
St Louis could possibly still trade out of the Sam Bradford spot, and take Clausen at the spot they move too that could be anywhere. It was noticeable that on his pro day in South Bend the only NFL Head Coach present was Steve Spagnuolo of the Rams. So even that has a small chance of happening ahead of Thursday night. However, I would still back my house on the Rams taking Bradford. The Skins at #4 have bolstered their team with veterans and the question has to be asked when they will next be in such a prime position to get their QB of the future. Could they be tempted? Oakland need a QB, Buffalo need a QB, are the Chiefs set on Cassel when he only has a year left on his deal, not to mention the obvious link to Charlie Weis. The problem for little Jimmy is that once he hits double figures, apart from the 49ers who might still not be sold on Alex Smith, there are no teams that require a QB. Then you get into the 20's and I can only really see the Cardinals who might have a space for him. Of course at this point, you open the door to the teams who found Jimmy too pricey atop the first, to swoop in and save themselves a pretty packet and potentially get their franchise QB. So that's what I'm predicting. Clausen winds up in Buffalo after a trade into the back of the 1st round (possibly with the Packers, or San Diego if he falls that far).
The pick in the first round that will raise the most eyebrows will be:
DANG Look for Jacksonville to possibly upset the applecart with pick #10. The Tebow drama has died down for a huge reach in R1 and now every Draftnik seems to have them taking a DE and that's that.
In my latest mock I had them taking Joe Haden who would be a great upgrade in the defensive backfield for them, but CJ Spiller anyone? If Seattle passes him at #6 then the Jags could torpedo a number of team's hopes by taking him at pick #10. It could happen, it probably won't but I'm not chucking all my eggs in the pass rush basket for the Jags, they could be the Wild Card at pick #10.
Then of course, who knows what Al Davis might do in Oakland?!
Other than that, I don't see any major shocks in this first round, with so many talented players this year it's going to be very hard to go wrong on Day 1.
DOC In terms of players, I think Rodger Safford might get taken above some tackles that have been ranked above him consistently for months. He has snuck under many radars after not getting invited along to the Senior Bowl but he stood out in the East-West Shrine game and has excelled in workouts and at the combine. He is definitely rising at the right time. After that, I also think, given that they aren't desperate for an offensive tackle well, in comparison to the gaping holes across the rest of the roster, that whomever the Browns take at #7 (assuming they don't trade down to stock picks) will raise some eyebrows. There is a multitude of ways they could go here and there doesn't seem to be a logical consensus pick for them. I think they will surprise. In terms of my latest mock draft, I've got Kareem Jackson going to the Chargers.
OVERTIME!
Your first round sleeper pick will be:
DANG I've heard that a few teams really like Charles Brown, so he could potentially be the 3rd OT off the board which might shock a few, personally, I think Trent Williams and Bulaga will go before, Bruce Campbell could well land up in Oakland if their drafting history is to be followed, but Brown could be before Bulaga and Campbell if somebody really does like him. Reunited with Pete Carroll anyone?
Maurkice Pouncey is another whose stock is on the rise, but can he be as good as Nick Mangold or Alex Mack to warrant a mid teen pick?
I'm a big fan of Boise State Cornerback Kyle Wilson, a lot of mocks don't have him in first round but I happen to think he could be a very good shout for a R1 pick, possibly to the Eagles, particularly now Sheldon Brown has gone from Philly. None of my fellow Diner writers have him as a Round 1 pick, so I'll look to prove them wrong by him being the 2nd CB off the board after the very highly rated and touted Joe Haden.
DOC Basking in my Larry English glow of last year, I step forward and ... duck the question by simply saying that I don't see one particular player jumping up the draft board that much beyond what we already think. We've already established that the depth in this year's draft is very strong and truth be told there are a multitude of players who could go in the first round and we wouldn't bat an eyelid.Of course, this is all predicated on the hope that the Raiders won't do something incredibly daft at #8 and reach for a player who doesn't belong anywhere near the top ten. I guess this just shows you the absolute unpredictability of draft day.
Aside from the uncertainty over both Clausen and Bryant, which player do you think will be falling down the draft board this weekend?
DANG I honestly don't think there is a real candidate out there to drop majorly. As I've said elsewhere, there's too much talent in this draft that it won't raise many eyebrows if players slide 10, 20 places lower than where many people predict them to be drafted.
Jermaine Gresham may be one that slides from 1 into 2, given that he didn't see the field due to injury in 2009 but it won't be a massive slide and I believe he'll still go in the top few picks of R2 if he does slide.
DOC Much like Clausen and Bryant, another trendy faller is Joe Haden, but I don't buy that. He's clearly the most talented corner in the draft and too many teams need support in that position to allow the hot air over him to deter them. He'll go no lower than 13th to the Niners if that. And even though I find it really hard to fathom, I can see Ryan Matthews dropping. Running backs tend to be one position where you can pick one up outside the first round and they will be productive. Even though I rate Matthews highly and indeed have been drafting him in the first round, I could see it happening where he slips outside the top round. He could possibly go as high as #12 given the age and injuries of both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown in Miami, but as I say I would not be amazed if he does given the likes of Ben Tate (Auburn) that are around later on to be had. If that happens to Matthews, someone somewhere will be getting an absolute steal in my view. To be honest, outside of these two I don't see any major tumblers. There's such a wealth of talent out there this year, there's no real major drops likely to be had that haven't already been identified and chattered about.
And finally
What do you hope for your team from the weekend?
DANG Every year the 49ers seem to need a legit RT come draft week, yet every year we seemingly pass up that opportunity, so this year, with 2 R1 picks, we must address that area, there's too much talent to not take one somewhere in the middle of R1.
Many mocks have us taking Anthony Davis from Rutgers in R1. Personally I'm not a big fan of that pick, but I do like Singletary to kick Davis' tail into shape, should he be a guy the 49ers take, much like the way he did with Vernon Davis. Reports say he turned up at the combine out of shape and also that he didn't interview well, but if anybody can pull a guy up by the scruff of the neck and turn him around then it'll be Singletary.
As for our other Round 1 pick, it's an interesting predicament. Previously I've wanted CJ Spiller, but with the trade for Ted Ginn Jr, I think Spiller's name got moved right down our draft board, so I think we could go for Defense with our other pick and take Texas Safety Earl Thomas and I'd be reasonably content with that. Unspectacular, but solid and 2 needs filled.
Another option would be to take a beast of an Offensive Guard and take Idaho Monster, Mike Iupati, which would instantly make our Offensive line one of the best in the league if they can both step up to that next level, Frank Gore's dreams would all come true if we took Davis/AN Other OT and Iupati.
If not Iupati then if we can then get a starting OG further down in Rounds 3-4, some more pass rush from DE/OLB and another RB who can contribute, more of a scat back and option out of the backfield, than a big bruiser like Gore and Coffee and another body in the defensive backfield then I'd be very happy.
If we draft Jahvid Best in R2 then the Diner drinks are on me!
I'm also a fan of taking a quarterback in every draft (not Clausen in this one though) so if Jevan Snead is still around in R6 then pull the trigger, I still believe now that this boy can make it at the next level with the right coaching.
DOC For the Cowboys we need an offensive tackle, a safety and some help at receiver. As well as some nice depth on the defensive line, in particular in the nose tackle position. It's a deep draft in most of these positions so it's simply a case of, at #27 taking a look and seeing what's there. For me, the drop-off in the offensive tackle pool is the biggest so it likely needs to be given top priority of the needs the 'Boys have. Someone like a Rodger Safford or a Charles Brown could be a good selection here. Anthony Davis, even though I suspect he won't fall this far could be an option providing they were happy they could motivate his lazy backside into putting the time in to fulfil him unlimited potential. So long as Bruce Campbell does not wind up becoming a Cowboy I will be relatively happy. At the safety position, again they need an upgrade, so someone like Nate Allen out of South Florida around the bottom of the second round might be somewhat of a steal. Other options they should consider here if Allen has gone are Major Wright from Florida or Morgan Burnett out of Georgia Tech. After that, Jordan Shipley in round three would be ideal. He's got good hands, runs good routes and would fill a multitude of needs for the Cowboys. He'd be a reliable option for Tony Romo in the slot (making the position younger as we move Patrick Crayton out), can return punts and kick-offs (thereby alleviating the duty on Felix Jones and taking over from Crayton) and perhaps most importantly, would be a great holder for the kicking game. After the chaos around Nick Folk's slump the Cowboys are rebuilding their kicking crew from scratch. Shipley is consistent and cool under pressure in this as he proved at Texas. Two or indeed all of those would be ideal.
Four Downs with Dang & Doc
The draft has moved from a weekend to now spread across three days, with Round one on prime time Thursday night. Is this a good move?
After being the source of much controversy and speculation for a number of reasons, where will Dez Bryant end up being selected, and to whom?
DANG DIVA ALERT! It's a good question, certainly seems to be the guy that's hardest to pin down somewhere (along with Clausen), personally, in my latest mock I have him falling all the way down to Arizona at pick #26 to replace Boldin. 
Equally, the Quarterback merry-go-round has seen the draft stock of Jimmy Clausen fluctuate wildly in recent weeks. What does the weekend hold for him?
The pick in the first round that will raise the most eyebrows will be: