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National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
March 24, 2006
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Wayne Betz
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Mar 24, 2006 1:41 AM
Subject: suggestion for 1st round pick
My name is Wayne and I am a Pittsburgh native and Steeler fan for life. I just looked across your newest mock draft and seen that you have the 32nd pick from the Steelers selecting a DT?!? Need I remind you that we have one of the best DT in teh entire league with Casey Hampton. Also a decent backup in Chris Hoke, who has some starting experience. So why would we waste a first-rounder on a position that doesn't have any problems. I say they should be more concerned about getting a WR to fill Randel El or another RB because we can't depend on Staley being healthy for the entire season. Also other positions that need depth are safety and corner but it's just something to think about. Waiting for your reply
Lou: You bring up some fair points. I would contend that Pittsburgh would not look to fill a starting WR spot via the draft, particularly with the weak WR crop on the board this year. I could see Pittsburgh taking a day one RB, and it is possible that they'll end up with a RB at #32, though I suspect that the Steelers will be willing to see how Willie Parker and Duce Staley do as a combo in 2006.
I'll take your comments about Pittsburgh's DT position under advisement. As it is, I imagine I'll be moving Broderick Bunkley up my draft board on my next mock, and I projected the Steelers taking him as the best player available, not as a need.
From: Brad DeFruiter
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Mar 24, 2006 10:43 AM
Subject: DEN DL?
Why would DEN draft a DL? Why do mock drafts for the last 4 years
have DEN drafting a DL even after they sign every DL FA they can get?
DEN has so many DL on their roster right now it is insane. Why would
they draft a DL?
Lou: Maybe you know something I don't, but the only defensive lineman signed by Denver so far this off-season is former Cleveland Brown DE Amon Gordon. Gordon has made a whopping seven tackles in his career, all in 2004.
Meanwhile, the Broncos lost DE Trevor Price to the Ravens in free agency, and they have two linemen (DE Marco Coleman and DT Monsanto Pope) as unsigned free agents. So, if Denver has the chance to draft Penn State DE Tambi Hali at #22, I think they will.
From: Omri Klugman
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Mar 24, 2006 1:53 PM
Subject: The Cardinals
Hey Lou, great site!
just one question though -
in your mailbag from the 3/17 you've listed the likelihood of the Cardinals to draft a QB as "possible, but unlikely", (which seems accurate since they've just signed warner to a 3 year deal and brought james who's one of the best pass protecting backs to help him) and yet you have them taking a QB in the 1st round. it seems as though you are in disagreement with yourself, and quite frankly, I'm puzzled.
Lou: I had a bit of a change of heart with the Cardinals. With Josh McCown gone to Detroit, and no QBs signed in free agency, the quarterback lineup consists of Kurt Warner, John Navarre and Rohan Davey. With Kurt Warner turning 35 this summer, Arizona has to think long-term at QB. I expected the Cardinals to retain McCown, and I wrote that mailbag on the very day that McCown signed with Detroit.
From: Kyle Ester
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Mar 24, 2006 2:37 PM
Subject: Denver Broncos first day
Denver moving up brings up a lot questions. I know Mike Shannah loves finding mid round running backs, and here is my first question to you Draft King: Can Denver afford to pass up a hometown player in LenDale White. He's a down hill, one cut runner that has a nose for the end zone. Sounds like a Bronco running back to me. You've said to many Dallas fans that there is plenty of depth at the Safety position. Denver has two very, aging, but good Safeties why not wait tell the scond round? Last question for you, I know you don't like to predict/guess about trades, but do you see Denver making another trade before the draft. Moving up again, trading for Eric Moulds, or trying to gather up some more mid round draft choices? In closing I hope you are right about Tambi Hali being available at the 22 second pick. I would consider that a steal for the broncos.
Lou: Kyle, I hope that you and Brad (from two letters up) can reach a consensus on the need for Denver to take a defensive end. Ha ha, only kidding. Hali seems like a steal to me, but he has slipped ever so slightly on some draft boards. I think he'll do well in the pros, and the Broncos knew that signing the 2004 Browns' defensive line wasn't going to be the long-term answer, anyway.
I don't see Denver going RB in the first round. It would be very un-Shanahan like, though not impossible. Tatum Bell is going to get his chance to carry the ball without having to give carries to Mike Anderson (gone to Baltimore), and Denver can always get a RB later in the draft. LenDale White is a very tempting prospect, but it would be very much opposite of how the Broncos typically do things.
Denver could go safety in the second round, allowing them to potentially go with the likes of Santonio Holmes at #15. The Broncos have many options available to them, and what team doesn't like that kind of flexibility heading into a draft?
From: whandpep@aol.com
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Mar 24, 2006 6:27 PM
Subject: Dallas Cowboys draft
Gabe Watson is the best fit for the Cowboys. The Cowboys are in desperate need of a run stuffing NT in order to run their 3-4 defense more effectively. Glover and Ferguson did an okay job but they wore down from all the double teaming they faced. Octavious Stanley from Louisville could add some depth at the NT position in the later rounds. Dallas can find their FS in the second round and their QB of the future in the third.(Reggie McNeil, Texas A&M) Dallas must finish off their defense if they are to make a serious run at the Super Bowl this year. Dallas was a kicker away from going 12-4.
I could see Dallas taking Watson. That makes sense; it fills a need, and Watson has the big body you want in a DT in a 3-4. Just two days ago, I wrote that unless Dallas can somehow get either Haloti Ngata or Gabe Watson, they're better off getting an older veteran to go with a late pick of someone like Steve Fifita (i.e. a draft-quality player who weighs in at 320+.) The key question: will Watson be there when the Cowboys go on the clock?
From: Mark Gaffney
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Mar 24, 2006 11:53 PM
Subject: feedback on your mock draft
Yoose missed the fact that Denver is now sitting at number 15 (they did
a trade with Atlanta). Also, they recently released their long time DE
Trevor Pryce and also their go to TE Jeb Putzier and so will be picking
up a top DE pass rusher (probably M. Kiwanuke) and a top TE (my guess
Mercedes Lewis) in the 15th and 22nd spots respectively.
These 2 spots should enable them to pick up what they need with a
minimum of anxiety.
WR is not an issue with Denver this year as they signed a former Number
one draft pick David Terrell (from Chicago) as a free agent who will be
their third receiver (God willing) and so they will make do at WR this
time around.
Denver will probably pick a RB and a safety later in the draft.
However, their big needs are at DE and TE. In fact the Denver
management broadcast their intentions by releasing Pryce (who is over
the hill) and Putzier because they correctly saw that this year's draft
class is rich with talent at both positions. They will improve both
their offense and defense.
Now how come you didn't know this???? Wake up.
Lou: Are you sure that you were looking at the right mock draft? I updated my mock within the hour the other night of that Denver/Atlanta trade taking place. I presently project Denver taking a DE at #22 (though, as you can see above, not everyone agrees with that.)
I do find it funny that suddenly without Jeb Putzier, the Broncos have a "huge need" at TE. When I had early mocks projecting Denver taking a TE, I was lambasted. It is entirely possible that they would take Marcedes Lewis or Leonard Pope at #15 or #22; you'd didn't need to wake me up to tell me that.
And, with that, I actually am going to sleep...
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