Rodrique Wright and more Philly CB talk
National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
December 18, 2004
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Vincenzo Pierotti
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 3:57 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: 12/17 mock draft
Most draft news include DT Rodrique Wright of Texas in the 2005 draft, expecially since he is considered by many as the best DT in college. Do you have reason to believe otherwise? I see you left him off your 12/17 mock draft.
Lou: I'm waiting to see if Wright declares for the draft before I list him. Right now I tend to think that he'll return to Texas for his senior season, but that's merely a semi-educated guess. If he comes out, then certainly I'll take him into consideration.
The problem that Wright faces is that he might end up in a Randy Starks like position. Starks was a young DT who came out early from Maryland last year. Many sites (mine included) touted him as a first rounder, but he slipped to the Titans in the third round. DT is very much a risk/reward position in the first round of the draft, and while the upside (to use >Bill Simmons' favorite term) on Wright is huge, he could benefit from another year at Texas.
With that said, this is a draft that is heavier on DE talent than DT talent (in my opinion), and perhaps now's the time for Wright to try and cash in on his skills. We shall see.
From: Derrick Warner
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 2:49 PM
To: Lou Pickneybr>
Subject: mock draft
Lou,
I was looking at your most recent mock draft and disagree with the player you have the Philadelphia Eagles drafting in the first round. The Eagles used a 1st round pick and 2nd round pick on Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown 3 years ago. They had the foresight to realize Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor would both be gone in 2004. Moreover, both players have more than lived up to the team's expectations. The Eagles obviously will not be looking for a starting corner. There is precedence of a team using it's first round pick on a nickel back (the Dolphins selected Jamar Fletcher in 2001). However, the Eagles took Matt Ware (CB UCLA) in the 3rd round last year to fill that role in the near future. In addition, the Eagles also like the play of 2nd year CB Roderick Hood (currently playing in nickel formations) and rookie Dexter Wynn. I honestly cannot imagine the Eagles selecting a 6th young CB when they are so pleased with the five they have.
Instead, I believe the Eagles will use the first round pick on either a DT (especially if Simon does not re-sign) or another Offensive lineman. They have traded up in the draft the past two years and have the ammunition to do it again this year because they have Miami's 2nd round pick and will probably end up with the Chiefs' 3rd round pick. They could also look at WR (Freddie Mitchell will be gone) or RB (someone to team with Westbrook).
Thanks for the chance to write and for all the mock draft information.
Derrick Warner
Lou: Derrick, you're not the first person to complain about my Eagles pick; see the December 14, 2004 mailbag for another letter that strongly shares your thoughts.
I'll say this: people who follow their favorite team tend to know them better than I do. And I admit, this is a rather enthusiastic case that makes sense. I do wonder if Philly thought that Marlin Jackson was the best player on the board when they were up if they'd take him or if they'd go in another direction for the reasons you mentioned. I will re-evaluate the situation and adjust as necessary in my next mock.
