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National Football League
Draft King Analysis
November 25, 2009
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here. Send your thoughts to Draft King at LouPickney@gmail.com.
With Monday night's Texans/Titans game now in the books, each NFL team has played ten regular season games for the 2009 season. And, while the fates of some teams remain quite unclear, for other fan bases looking ahead to next year is becoming more and more of a reality. Worthy of "what would they do" consideration are the following teams:
(1-9) Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Of the three one-win teams in the NFL, it could be argued that the Rams have the strongest need for a first-round QB. The Bucs just drafted Josh Freeman this past April, so they almost for sure won't be looking at a quarterback in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Browns are in an odd spot with the Derek Anderson/Brady Quinn combo, though Quinn's performance in Detroit on Sunday was quite impressive. If he can play as well against better competition down the stretch, it could make Cleveland's options different for the draft. The Rams desperately need a QB and at this point look the most likely to end up with their choice of the quarterbacks in 2010.
(2-8) Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford's gutsy performance in Sunday's crazy win over Cleveland answered any questions that might have existed about his toughness. The Lions need to use the next couple of drafts to concentrate on defense, and they have enough needs where they could have several viable options when their spot comes up on the draft board.
(3-7) Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills
How the Redskins play down the stretch will impact how some key position players are handled for the long-term, but the odds are that there will be a housecleaning enacted by meddling owner Daniel Snyder. The team needs help on its offensive line but you never know what Snyder might do if he has the opportunity to draft an elite QB. Seattle has had plenty of injuries, but the time has come to draft the hier apparent to Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks passed on Mark Sanchez last year (and got a very good player in OLB Aaron Curry) but surely the Seahawks will be giving the quarterback spot plenty of consideration.
The Raiders have decisions to make as to the long-term viability of JaMarcus Russell, though it would be surprising to see the team draft another first-round quarterback in 2010. Remember though that Oakland's 2011 first-round pick belongs to the Patriots (via the Richard Seymour trade), so whomever the team takes in round one of the 2010 Draft needs to succeed in a major way. As for the Bills, they have already fired Dick Jauron and look to be ready to rebuild. It's possible that Buffalo may jump into the first round quarterback mix, though that also depends on the team's long-term analysis of Trent Edwards at QB.
Now it's time for a long-overdue visit to the mailbag.
From: "Concerned Fan"
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Subject: Corner Leslie Jackman Hofstra #9
Ive been searching the internet concerning NFL prospects for 2010. I have followed Hofstra football since they obtain a transfer from rutgers @ corner senior Leslie Jackman from sources @ hofstra this corner is being observed by several teams in the NFL such as jacksonville, denver, ny jets, arizonia, Tampa bay to name a few I was wonderin if you had heard anything pertaining to the draft 2010.
Lou: Sadly, at this point I haven't heard anything about Jackman and the NFL, but I don't doubt that there are scouts on one level or another keeping an eye on him and other Hofstra guys. Hell, if nothing else, the success of former Hofstra wide receiver Marques Colston in New Orleans has drawn attention to the team that it might not otherwise have received.
A defensive back from Hofstra who might be worth remembering is strong safety Luke Bonus. At 5'10" 220 he has good size for the position, and at the very least I'd think that Bonus might receive some free agent consideration.
From: Scott Anonymous
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Subject: Texans 2010 Draft
I know that your mock draft can't forecast free agency, but consider the following...
No way they're taking Dez Bryant, unless they lose Kevin Walter in free agency. Even then, it's doubtful; David Anderson is constantly improving and Jacoby Jones, if he fixes his ball-control problems, could stay on the team in a significant role. Bigger concerns for the first round will be for a true nose tackle (although Kubiak apparently likes interchangable 3-technique type DTs) and a stud safety. The Texans have never taken a safety higher than the 4th round, and it's showing...
On offense, if you want to really get frisky, consider this: they could move Duane Brown to LG when Chester Pitts moves on, and take a stud left tackle in the Ryan Clady mold if he falls to us. I really don't see them drafting anyone on offense at any other position, really.
Lou: Projecting Bryant to Houston was contingent on the thought that Kevin Walter will be leaving as a free agent after this season. But you make a valid point about the strong play of Jacoby Jones, who was a major X-factor coming out of Lane but who has shown that he has the athletic ability to make impressive plays despite having relatively little experience against world-class talent.
Imagine Taylor Mays playing safety for the Texans -- that would be huge, particularly if the team can get on the same page with Dunta Robinson on a long-term deal.
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