Posts Tagged ‘NFL Draft’

How Recent Signings and Cuts Affect 1st Round of NFL Draft

Besides the NFL Combine, Free Agency is the other major event in the pre-draft schedule. It is a time for teams to turn over their roster in an attempt to find that perfect locker room chemistry needed to be successful. Winning franchises re-sign key players, and bolster their depth for another championship run. Poor teams will either try to coax good players with overpriced contracts and promises of future success or have to search the bottom barrel for stop gap players. All the while fans for are eagerly awaiting that one big-time signee who will save their beloved franchise from the depths of despair.

Welcome to Free Agency 2010.

As a draft nut, I can’t help but wonder how these signings in the first week of free agency will affect a team’s direction heading into the Draft.

For simplicity, I’ll discuss teams based on their draft order, starting with teams selecting in the top 10.

Let’s get to it.

Detroit Lions

Does Detroit Still Like Suh? (NFL.com)

Contrary to recent years, the Lions were very active from the start of free agency,  plugging holes with starting caliber athletes at DE, DT, WR, and CB.

Does the signing of pass-rushing 3-technique Corey Williams mean that Detroit wants to bypass the top two DT prospects (Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh), and go in a different direction? Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams will be paid around $15 million for next year. Does the team want to invest a #2 pick in another D-lineman who will command an even larger contract?

Although the franchise has made it know that they wish to trade out of the #2 pick, they may have no other choice than to select the best player available, which is definitely one of the two DT’s.

Washington Redskins

Mike Shanahan continued his purge of old blood with the cutting of several long-time veterans. Losing  LG Randy Thomas and LT Chris Samuels leaves a giant void on the left side of the offensive line.  If Sam Bradford is gone (which is almost definite), I don’t see Washington having any other choice than to get a player like Russell Okung.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Desperate for pass rushers, Jacksonville went out and got themselves one of the best on the market, Aaron Kampman. I doubt they will invest another first-round pick in a DE after this move. Furthermore, they can look to address some other position of need…a game-breaking running threat, or a ball-hawking safety to counter the pass-happy offenses in the AFC South, perhaps?

Denver Broncos

Letting Brandon Marshall walk makes the signing of a number 1 receiver a priority in this Draft.  But on the bright side, signing NT Jamal Williams and DE Jarvis Green fill huge holes along the D-line. Many believed those were two of the prime target positions for this Draft. That is no longer the case.

Miami Dolphins

Signing Karlos Dansby nixes any possibility of the Dolphins going after Alabama ILB Rolando McClain. However, the team cut Jason Taylor and Joey Porter. So, it seems that they want to get an OLB early, maybe as soon as round 1. Possibilities include Brandon Graham, Sergio Kindle, or maybe someone like Ricky Sapp a bit later on.

By the way, the experiment with S Gibril Wilson failed miserably. Targeting a safety is not out of the question.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans have 6 key players/leaders to replace: C Kevin Mawae, DE’s Kyle Vande Bosch and Jevon Kearse, CB’s Rod Hood and Nick Harper, and veteran OLB Keith Bulluck. The loss of those two DE’s reinforces the need for more pass rushers. They are still in good position to draft a very good DE in round 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Thoughts of the Steelers drafting a safety early on likely were ended with the re-signing of Ryan Clark and the addition of Will Allen for depth.

Atlanta Falcons/Houston Texans

Picking up Dunta Robinson was a big-time move for a team desperate for help in the secondary. However, the Texans need to find a new shutdown cornerback through the draft.  Kyle Wilson, Devin McCourty, or even Joe Haden could be enticing at pick #20.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals’ poor passing attack was exposed in the playoffs this season. So, they made it a priority to bolster that part of the offense with a player like Antonio Bryant. They still could use some more help from a guy like Jermaine Gresham. But the need is not nearly as great anymore.

Baltimore Ravens

Making a splash in free agency isn’t usually the way of Ozzie Newsome. Yet, the chance to upgrade a mediocre passing attack with a premiere receiver was too good to pass up. Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth could make the Ravens offense special. I expect them to turn their attention back to adding youth to the defense, where the team’s identity truly lies.

Arizona Cardinals

It seems like Arizona dumped half of their team in free agency. Neil Rackers, Karlos Dansby, Chike Okeafor, Antrell Rolle, plus a great deal of depth players were all dropped, presumably in a youth movement. They managed to stop the bleeding with the signing of Kerry Rhodes. But they have their work cut out for them in the draft and free agency. With so many holes, they could go in any number of directions, including TE, LB, S, OT, or CB.

San Diego Chargers

In order for a 3-4 defense to be effective, it needs a dominant NT, like the one they once had in Jamal Williams. Guys like Dan Williams or Terrence Cody will be prime targets.

New York Jets

Earl Thomas (NFL.com)

Kerry Rhodes was a good, but not elite player for the Jets.  I could definitely see them eying a guy like Earl Thomas from Texas, if he falls that far. Or, what if they made another quantum leap into the top 10 and selected Eric Berry? I know it’s unlikely, but it’s just a thought.

New Orleans Saints

We all know the Saints are strong on offense. They lost some starters on defense (Darren Sharper, Scott Fujita, Charles Grant). They should bolster that side of the ball if there is value.  Maybe a Daryll Washington from TCU would be a good option for them.

Long overdue, I updated my Draft scenarios Mock Draft.

Although there is no change at the top of the draft, there are some surprises including a top player getting pushed out of the top 10.

So feel free to check it out and let me know what me know what you think!

Click here to view David’s Draft Scenarios/Mock Draft

Also, make sure to watch the Combine coverage, which starts tomorrow at 9 AM eastern time.  Watch it live for free on NFL.com.

Joe Haden

• Height: 5-11
  
• Weight: 190
  
• CB
• Florida

NFL.com

Attribute	Rating
Speed/Acceleration
Ball Skills
Pass Coverage
Run Defense
Agility
Football I.Q
Tackling
Durability

Scouting Report

Joe Haden is the top cornerback prospect of the 2010 NFL Draft. What you get with Haden is an outstanding athlete, and a spunky tackling machine who is unafraid to tangle with much larger opponents. He may not tally 8 INT’s in a season, but his pure coverage skills will help shut down one side of the field.

Expected value: 1st round, Top 15

Speed/Acceleration: Speedy enough to blanket receivers deep.  Drives very hard on the ball and can close in a heartbeat. Shows the excellent recovery speed expected of a #1 corner.

Ball Skills: Haden shows exceptional leaping ability and has keen kinesthetic/body awareness.  Has been very productive using his hands to deflect passes, but hasn’t shown the ability to make the interception away from his body.

Pass Coverage: Because of his athleticism and physical style of play, Haden should be in a scheme that utilizes man coverage, as opposed to the zone.  He lacks the instincts and route recognition skills to jump routes and make plays within the zone.  He can be a bit slow to read and react. Consequently, he loses the step often necessary to intercept the ball. Also, he needs to improve against inside moves, especially in press coverage. Additionally, he must work on rerouting receivers. Can’t afford to come out of his backpedal so quickly.

Run Defense: Contrary to the norm for his position, Haden relishes the chance to throw his weight around in the run game.  He plays with a nasty attitude, although he sometimes gets in over his head and can be bullied by larger receivers.

Agility: Fluid hips, and can change directions with great precision, even among a defensive back’s standards.

Football I.Q:  Lacks elite ball-hawking instincts. Relatively inexperienced as a cornerback since he was a quarterback and receiver in high school. Still learning the finer points of the position. Has upside in this respect.

Tackling: A willing and able tackler, throws his body around in run support, and will try to lay a big hit on the ball carrier. Sometimes gets in over his head and tries to blow up tight ends and will get end up on the ground.

Durability:  Missed only one game due to injury during his career.  Very durable prospect.

Videos for you to watch:

Joe Haden career highlights (made by jadekaipitt1)

Rolando McClain

• Height: 6-4
  
• Weight: 258
  
• LB
• Alabama

NFL.com

Attribute	Rating
Speed/Acceleration
Pass Coverage
Run Defense
Strength
Agility
Football I.Q
Tackling
Durability

Scouting Report

As the reigning Butkus Award winner, Rolando McClain is this year’s primo linebacker prospect. He has prototypical size and length for a middle linebacker (and for 3-4 OLB), and his outstanding football intelligence will endear him to any NFL team looking for a leader for their defense. He is a battle-tested prospect, having played for a championship team in the SEC, and offers a low bust factor.

Expected value: mid 1st-round, somewhere between 10 and 20.

Speed/Acceleration: Decent top end speed, but doesn’t have the extra gear to be a true sideline-to-sideline player. Good initial burst off the edge.

Pass Coverage: As a read and react type, he naturally relies on his ability to read the QB’s eyes. Displays clean footwork, and doesn’t have many wasted steps. Athletic enough to cover most tight ends, but should be best in zone coverage, where his instincts are most valued. In terms of pass rushing, McClain has several things going for him.  He times his blitzes well, offers pretty good versatility (can line up inside and out), and he institutes a solid bull rush. His great length allows him to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage.  However, he has limited potential as a 3-4 OLB because he lacks pass rush moves, and doesn’t seem to have that hunter’s mentality desired in pass rushers.

Run Defense: Strong against the run, doesn’t get moved off the ball very easily.  Can stand up against big linemen when he attacks the line.  Elite diagnosis skills in run game, and reacts quickly to all but misdirection plays. Doesn’t take on and shed blockers consistently enough.  Lacks the nasty football demeanor of a true middle linebacker in the NFL, and seldom violently charges with the intention of blowing up a play. Since he shows a tendency to watch the backfield, he can get surprised by oncoming blockers. Needs  to do a better job protecting feet, and can be easily taken out with cut blocks.   Lackluster in pursuit and won’t give full effort when chasing from behind.

Strength: Plays with good leverage, and seems to be strong in both lower and upper body.

Agility:  Usually pretty smooth changing directions, but not an elite athlete in space.

Football I.Q:  Well-versed in a complex college defense run by Nick Saban. Diagnoses plays before the snap, and is more than capable of making pre-snap adjustments.  A cerebral player/ film-room junkie.  Sniffs out screens and reverses. McClain’s ability to read and react gives him a jump on most plays, which makes up for his average speed.  Naturally, should be a defensive captain at the next level.

Tackling:  Adept tackler in space and in closed-quarters. Flashes the ability to deliver a pop and will drive through his hits when he gets a full head of steam. Because of his long arms, once he wraps up, it is difficult to get away from him. Can be caught lunging with a lazy arm tackle.  Not a consistently explosive hitter.

Durability:  Excellent stamina, plays every down on defense.  Managed to stay healthy throughout his college career.

Videos for you to watch:

(Video thanks to CkParrotHead at Universaldraft.com)

Universal Draft Presents LB Rolando McClain of Alabama – Part 2 of 2