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National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
March 25, 2005
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Robert Wheeler
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 3:41 PM
To: LouPickney@hotmail.com
Subject: Roddy White
Lou,
Your mock, as well as many others, has the Chargers selecting Roddy White with the 28th pick. Can you sell me on him, because I'm not that high on this pick? I would much prefer Khalif Barnes (who is available on your mock) at that spot. I love the Merriman pick, and really hope Dallas doesn't take him right in front of us.
Lou: White isn't a big school player (being from Alabama-Birmingham), but don't let that down you on his ability. He runs a 4.45 40 (at his pro day he ran between 4.41-4.48), he's a shade under 6'1½" and he weighed in on his pro day at 204 pounds. His ability as a deep threat is very tempting to pro scouts. As far as shorter routes, he'll need practice and training to work on his route-running skills, but as a #3 receiver (at best) he'll have time to do that. Moreover, as a rookie having him in there on third and long situations as a deep threat will force defenses to pay attention to him, allowing Reche Caldwell and Keenan McCardell to avoid potential double-teams in those situations.
In 2004, White posted eight 100+ yard games (including the Hawaii Bowl) and scored 14 receiving TDs. White was a three-year starter at UAB, has managed to stay healthy, and is seen as someone who won't likely produce big numbers right away... but with the right coaching he could become an excellent player.
As for other options for San Diego, the Chargers might look to the safety position at #28 and instead look for a WR in the second round of the draft. Optionally, the Chargers might trade down a few spots from #28 and hope to still get White, though I could see New England at #32 potentially being a threat to steal him if San Diego tries moving down into Round 2.
From: Sam Toth
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 6:22 PM
To: loupickney@hotmail.com
Subject: Not Braylon "Butter Fingers" Edwards!
If on April 23 the Browns do opt for Braylon Edwards, I will lose my head. My hatred for such a pick stems mostly from the fact that he is a Michigan grad (go bucks!), but also because I just feel we have so many other pressing needs that could be addressed. Now, the way I look at it, the Browns only have one strong position, and that is TE. Other than that tho, we only have a few sufficient, or serviceable, positions, and of those include RB and WR. We have Antonio Bryant, Dennis Northcutt, and Andre Davis.. and although none of these guys will make the probowl, they will get the job done. Also, in your mailbag, you point out the Browns more crucial needs: OT, LB, QB, and CB. There certainly are QBs worthy of #3 (Smith or Rodgers), and Derrick Johnson or maybe even Shawne Merriman (ideal OLB for the new 3-4 defense) could fill the void at LB, and lastly at least one of the OTs or CBs slated as "late first rounders" will assuredly fall to our second rounder. And if they really think WR could use some depth, why not take a Fred Gibson in the 3rd, or take a chance on Matt Jones (6-6 240, ran a 4.37 and played WR in HS)?
Also, I wanted to run a trade rumor by you to get your thoughts on it (it seems very possible to me): in order to secure one of the "big 3" RBs, the Cardinals swap first rounders, and give the Browns something else (2nd rounder, future first rounder, LJ Shelton, i dont know?). The trade makes sense for both teams... the Cards are afraid that 3 RB hungry teams are in front of them (Miami, Chicago, and Tampa), and want to get assure themselves one of the big 3, and actually have a pick from the 2 left over from miami. From a Browns standpoint, we acquire more picks (what savage would desperately want), and at #8, we could get Derrick Johnson, Shawne Merriman, Alex Barron, Rolle, Jones, etc, and maybe even have a chance at Alex Smith still (assuming that the 49ers take Rodgers, the cali kid who ran a similar offense as the 9ers try to implement) because no other teams really need a QB between the first pick and the 8th pick..
Lou: As I've written on here a few times, I think Cleveland trading down is very much the most likely scenario for the Browns. I'm not sure that I'd classify Chicago as a RB-hungry team (they seem to be more in need of a WR, even with Muhsin Muhammad signed), and I could see either Arizona looking to trade up to land their RB of choice (I hear it'd be one of the Auburn duo) or Minnesota moving up to land either Braylon Edwards or Mike Williams.
At #7 or #8, Cleveland could easily take someone like a Shawne Merriman or perhaps a Derrick Johnson (though with the Browns being set with starters at OLB, I don't forsee DJ going there). Someone like Antrel Rolle or Pac Man Jones or maybe even Carlos Rogers (who is moving up many draft charts) might be a consideration at that spot. Ditto for Alex Barron. All of those guys make sense at #7 or #8, whereas at #3 they'd be seen as a reach and be more expensive for the Browns.
I could see Fred Gibson going early in round three to Cleveland as a value pick. The Browns will have to do some prioritizing as to what positions MUST be filled.. and what spots will have to be scrimped on going into the 2005 season. There are too many holes to be filled before the 2005 season begins.
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