Lou Pickney's 2025 NFL Mock Draft

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Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.

From: Terrence Long
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Nov 22, 2006 7:53 PM
Subject: mock draft

How on EARTH can Paul Posluszny fall all the way down to pick #21? He won the Butkus award last year and was great again this year. That is just ridiculous.

Lou: Penn State moved Posluszny to MLB (from OLB) this year, which resulted in some diminished productivity compared with his stats from the past. Moreover, recovery from his broken leg slowed him (at least initially), enough to the point where it scared some on-lookers from thinking that he was as sure-fire of a pick as initially thought.

It wouldn't surprise me if Posluszny fell out of the first round entirely. I expect him to be an excellent NFL player, but many times solid players fall out of the first round. The latest of example: Auburn OT Marcus O'Neal, who has played brilliantly this season for the Chargers despite falling inexplicably out of the first round of the draft.

Moreover, at LB there is competition both at his natural OLB spot, as well as at MLB. Ole Miss MLB Patrick Willis projects very well to middle linebacker and could potentially go above Posluszny. Don't take this as a knock on Posluszny; it's just the nature of the beast. Couple that with the tendency for LBs to slide in the draft (i.e. Boss Bailey a few years ago) and I don't think the #21 spot is unrealistically low for Posluszny.

Based on my observations, Posluszny would be a value pick below 20, and an ultra value pick in round two. I'm not sure if Posluszny would make it past the Patriots and their two late first round picks, and the Colts could use some upgrading at LB. But if Posluszny does fall out of round one... don't say you weren't warned.

From: Brian D'Amato
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date Nov 24, 2006 11:50 AM
Subject Mock Draft

Mr. Pickney,

As comical as the Raiders have been this season, the Lions own the worst record in the NFL, and if the Cardinals, Raiders & Lions are tied for the worst record, strength of schedule dictates that the Lions would get the top pick. Why dont you adjust your mock draft for strength of schedule?

When the big wigs at the NFL were drawing up their draft rules, and in particular the "3 years after high school graduation" rule in order to be eligible for the draft, didnt they ever consider a kid like Louisville DE Amobi Okoye who wont even turn 20 until June? Isnt it better to have a cut-off age like the NBA does? Or was this a one in a million deal?

Two players who I liked in college were NIU RB Garrett Wolfe & Stanford QB Trent Edwards. Where in the draft's later rounds will they land?

Your Thoughts?

Lou: You're right that the Lions have the edge on the strength of schedule. I used to have a disclaimer on my Mock Draft that noted that the pick slots are mere estimates, and maybe I should bring that back.

The NFL's three years out of high school policy is, in my opinion, an unlawful restraint of trade. But it is not so much about keeping young players out of the league as it is about making sure that the NFL has a free farm league. When in doubt, follow the money. But the concept of an age limit disgusts me even more -- if you're deemed worthy of being taken in the NFL Draft, an exhaustive process that requires year-round examination and consideration -- why is it the right of someone to set an arbitrary age limit on your participation in it? An 18 age limit I could understand; you're an adult at that point. Anything further I believe is blatant age discrimination, which is allowed under the The Age Discrimination in Employement Act of 1967 (which prohibits employment discrimination against persons 40 years of age or older) but which infuriates me nevertheless.

Amobi Okoye has an interesting story (which has been chronicled during Louisville football broadcasts throughout the season) but clearly he is ready for NFL play, despite his age. Terrell Suggs was 20 when he entered the NFL, so it's not as if this is unprecedented.

Garrett Wolfe is undersized by NFL standards, as at 5'7" 175 he clearly does not have the frame to take the kind of beating that NFL defenses deliver. His 4.45 speed is good, but not great. I see him being a serviceable backup going on day two of the draft.

Trent Edwards is on the rise on several NFL draft radars. He was recruited heavily out of high school, and he lived up to the billing at Stanford. Listed at 6'4" 220, he has ideal height for a QB, and he is fearless in the pocket. He has had some injuries (such as a broken bone in his foot that ended his 2006 season prematurely), and Stanford has had a terrible season (1-10 going into this weekend's game with Cal) though clearly the team's struggles don't begin and end with Edwards. But with 6 TDs to 6 INTs for the season, that lack of production makes me think that he will go behind Drew Stanton, despite growing popular opinion that puts Edwards ahead of Stanton in the race for the 3rd best QB prospect (behind Brady Quinn and Brian Brohm.) I'd put Edwards in the 2nd-3rd round category, with late 2nd as the most likely possibility. If he has a strong combine, that position could improve.

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