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National Football League
Draft King Analysis
January 25, 2009
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here. Send your thoughts to Draft King at LouPickney@gmail.com.
This has been a relatively eventful week for the players who took part in the 2009 Senior Bowl. I'll have more on that in the next few days on here.
One item of note that can't wait is the move by ESPN's Mel Kiper to project Kansas State QB Josh Freeman as a first-round selection in his latest mock draft (ESPN Insider subscription required). I had thought of Freeman as one of the players who could be in the running for the third-highest QB spot, but certainly I hadn't given him much consideration as a first-round prospect. But if other scouts echo Kiper on that analysis, then who knows.
Interest in the NFL Draft continues to grow, and for fans of that process there are more options than ever before. Without giving away any confidences, there are some major media outlets that have noticed the increasing popularity of the draft and are looking to see what they can do to join into the process. I welcome this: the more attention that the NFL Draft can receive, the better.
For now, it's time for a look into the Draft King mailbag.
From: Kyle Krobot
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Subject: 2009 NFL Draft
Long time fan of your site. Just curious to see how you feel about a theory I developed today. I know everyone is saying that Offensive Tackle is a lock for the Rams at #2 but now that they have Steve Spagnuolo as their head coach I no longer agree. I believe he will take a shot at Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo or Florida State defensive end Everette Brown. What better way to bring in his system than to grab an immediate threat with the pass rush and then trade back into the first round or grab an offensive tackle at the top of the second. Again this is just my belief but just wanted to get some professional feedback.
Lou: It would surprise me for the Rams to take Orakpo or Brown at the #2 overall spot. Remember, just last year the Rams drafted Virginia DE Chris Long at #2 overall, and taking a second consecutive defensive end at the #2 overall draft spot would be most unusual. Moreover, with the Rams having great need at offensive tackle, passing up the chance to take a potential top-flight, long-term left tackle like Alabama's Andre Brown or Virginia's Eugene Monroe or any of the other top notch prospects would be unexpected.
|  | Aaron Curry may be the first defensive player drafted in 2009. (Icon SMI)
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It's true that Spagnuolo is going to bring a defensive-oriented mindset to the team, but ultimately the decision-making will be done by newly ordained team GM Billy Devaney. If the Rams were really going to make a defensive player move, I'd think it would be to target someone like Wake Forest OLB Aaron Curry, a player who is beloved by seemingly every scout out there -- and with good reason. I don't expect the Rams to make such a move, but if they happened to be inclined to go in that direction, I'd think Curry would trump Orakpo or Brown.
One scenario that hasn't received a great deal of attention is Detroit going with an offensive tackle at #1 overall and then the Rams trumping the Chiefs by taking Georgia QB Matthew Stafford at #2 overall. I'm not particularly expecting that to happen, but don't count it out as a possibility. Yes, the Rams have Marc Bulger signed to a long-term deal, but Bulger turns 32 in April and he is slated to make megabucks if he remains on the roster under his current deal. At the very least, it warrants consideration.
From: John Dirda
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Subject: 2009 NFL Draft
Hey Lou, this is John, Huge Fan. Anyways, I am wondering about the Steelers 2009 draft. I like the pick of Duke Robinson, but I see them leaning on Alex Mack in the first round simply because of his versatility. Mack can play C/G and Hartwig isnt getting any younger. I can see the Steelers letting Chris Kemoteau walk because of the play of Stapleton and with K. Simmons coming back next year, so Mack can provide vital depth at both the C/G postions. Also we need help on that D Line with all of our starters over 30 and the lack of development in previous drafts. Who do you see as a good 3-4 D linemen in the second round? I think Tomlin should address the O and D lines with the top 4 picks this year, what are your thoughts?
Lou: I strongly suspect that the Steelers will address their offensive line at some point on day one of the 2009 NFL Draft. Standout QB Ben Roethlisberger has a chance to win his second Super Bowl one week from today, but he has taken some vicious hits in his career, particularly this season. Roethlisberger is only 26, and he is under contract through 2015. If Pittsburgh wants him to make it to 2015 in one piece, I'd suggest that they improve their offensive line.
|  | Alex Mack is a versatile lineman. (Icon SMI)
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As for Alex Mack, if he's on the board when the Steelers draft at either #31 or #32, I'd imagine that he would receive strong consideration. I'm not sure about him shifting to guard, but that's what workouts and interviews and the like can help with from an evaluation standpoint. Duke Robinson was exposed rather badly in the BCS Title game, but he still remains a strong prospect, though perhaps the Steelers would be more inclined to go with a prospect like Mack who could play multiple offensive line positions.
Perhaps the best 3-4 DT prospect in the 2009 NFL Draft that would be there in round two is 6'3" 330 pound Boston College DT Ron Brace. Overshadowed by teammate B.J. Raji, Brace is a solid player in his own right, and if he can stay healthy he could be an interesting late second round pick by a team like the Steelers.
There is no sure-fire 3-4 DT prospect in this draft like we'll have next year with Alabama DT Terrence Cody (6'5" 370), but Brace could be the best of what's around if the Steelers are looking to add depth at that 3-4 DT position.
I'm not sure if we'll see the Steelers go with linemen in each of the first four rounds, particularly if a corner or linebacker can be acquired as a good value pick (thinking more toward the third and fourth rounds), but I concur that concentrating on the line would be a wise move for Pittsburgh.
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