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Click Here For My Main Pagewith links to my Pats Draft Blog and Player Ratings.Click here for an interesting Contrasting pre-Combine look at the 2008 Mock Draft. For more Info on Pats, check out my: Patriots Draft Blog and Player Ratings. Third Round |
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Team |
My Picks: (U)- Unofficial |
Key Needs: |
Team Moves: |
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32. |
Miami |
Chris Henne- 6-3, 228 QB Michigan
Jake Long- OT Michigan |
F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: Word out of Miami is they want Henne, and may trade up a few spots to get him. The Player: Henne has a very strong arm, and throws a nice looking ball. However, the further he throws it the more his accuracy suffers. He is a tough guy to scout. He was surrounded by a lot of talent, but he struggled in big games. He was 1 and 3 in Bowl Games despite almost always having superior talent. He appears to me to have regressed. You could argue his best season was his Freshman season and his worst was his Senior season. However, he is a good leader, and his teammates seem to like him. He is smart, hard working, and has a lot of the intangibles you want your QB to have. I am not a person who sees him as a First Round talent, and I question if he can do it in the NFL. The Reason: Simple, since Marino has retired this Franchise has been in 1-800-No-QB-Zone. Second Choice: Red Bryant DT | ||||
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33. |
Rams |
Anthony Collins- OT Kansas 6-5, 315
Chris Long- DE/OLB |
Key F.A. Signings:
Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: The Rams have to improve both lines if they are going to continue to recover from last season. The Player: Collins is a good athlete who plays with good power. Sometimes looks stiff and unnatural. All-American Tackle. Needs to bend his knees with more consistency. When he bends at the waist he can be stood up and tossed aside. There is a huge variance of opinion on this guy. Some see him as a First Rounder and some see him as a Forth Rounder. Has the talent, feet, size, and long arms to play left Tackle in the NFL, but some question his commitment, and he sometimes doesn't look like he is giving 100%. The Reason: Rams are actually set at OT, but both starters have issues. Pace is reaching the end, and Alex Barron cannot play LT, but he hasn't played too bad at RT. They need a young Swing-Tackle who can push Barron and step in for Pace in a moments notice. I think Collins is this player. He can start at Left Guard for this team, and back up Pace. Second Choice: Oniel Cousins OG/OT |
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34. |
Falcons |
Trevor Law- DT Notre Dame 6-1, 305, 35 Reps, 5.05
Matt Ryan- QB BC |
F.A. Signings Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: They still need help at D-Tackle, and Law has been as impressive as Ellis and Dorsey over the past year.. The Player: Underrated player who exploded on the scene at the Senior Bowl. The more I watch him the more I like him. More productive then Dorsey and Ellis, last season he got 112 Tackles, 8 TFL, and 4 Sacks. Looks more naturally suited for 3-Tachnique Under Tackle. Despite being a little undersized he is a great blend of quickness, strength, and smarts. Understands his responsibilities and knows how to read plays. Is excellent against the run, and can split the double-team and still tackle the Ball Carrier. Super hard worker who has gained over 25 pounds in the last year without losing his superior quickness. The Reason: Laws has been dominating for the past year. He had an excellent senior season despite ND stinking. Was excellent at Senior Bowl, Combine, and Proday. He could easily sneak into the First Round. He could really cause some havoc playing Under-Tackle for this team. Second Choice: Red Bryant NT |
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35. |
Chiefs |
Patrick Lee- CB Auburn 6' 200, 4.41
Vernon Gholston- OLB/DE Ohio ST
*Ryan Clady- OT Boise ST |
Key F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: Ty Law CB |
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The Team: The Chiefs are near as desperate for a Corner as any team in the Draft. The Player: A player I really like. He was a four-year player at Auburn. He graduated in 2006. He is a great blend of smarts, speed, and size. Has 55 Tackles, 4 INTs, and 10 PBU last season as a full-time starter for 13 games. He is a good KR, and an excellent Gunner. Has extensive experience in the Slot. Really shows his intelligence in a Zone, and is a terrific man Corner. He was Auburn's Nickel back for three seasons, and finally started his senior year, which you can look at as a negative (lack of starting experience), or a positive (extensive experience as a Nickel Back, which is where most rookie CBs will start). I thought he looked great at the Senior Bowl. He was clearly the third best Corner behind McKelvin and Cromartie. He has excellent size, he is not as tall as Cromartie, but is 5-11.5 and built like a safety. He has a very solid build, especially for a Corner. He looks like he could play Safety in a pinch. But, what I really liked about him was his inane ability stick to WR’s hips. He has a knack of making WRs look like his Siamese twin running down the field. Plus, he also has that inane ability to run the WR’s pattern. He plays so smart, because he can recognize what a WR trying to do, and then run his pattern for him. He has a terrific combination of smarts, instincts, and coverage ability. Patrick Lee is a Corner I like. He seems to falling a little because of lack of exposure. He reminds me of Sam Madison, who fell into the Second Round as well. The Reason: Chiefs are showing they are not completely confident in Croyle, and may have to go Henne here. However with the age of the loss of Law, and the concerns about Surtain CB is a must pick. Second Choice: Patrick Lee CB |
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36. |
Jets |
*Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech 5-10, 195, 4.54, 4.08 S.S., 6.72 3CD
Darren McFadden- RB/QB Arkansas |
Key F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: CB Andre Woolfolk |
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The Team: Hank Poteat is their starting Right Corner, 'nuff said. The Player: Small guy with freakish strength and punishing style. Some see him as a First Round Pick, but I see him more as a late Second or Third Round pick. His best position as a Pro might be at FS, like Eugene Wilson. He has below average speed and good coverage ability, but will get beat consistently deep as a Corner. However, he has good speed for a Safety, and great coverage ability. Plus, his greatest asset is his superior tackling, physicality, and his ability to sniff out the run faster then anyone on the field. If he reminds me of anyone, it could be that he has the potential to develop into a Bob Sanders-type FS. The Reason: They did a lot to address their defense in the off season. Getting a Corner to play opposite Revis could be the final piece to this defense. Flowers is small, but the most physical Corner in the Draft. If not for his lack of speed he would be a First Round pick. Second Choice: Mario Manningham WR |
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37. |
Falcons |
*Kenny Phillips- FS Miami 6-2, 207, 4.5
Matt Ryan- QB BC
Trevor Law- DT Notre Dame
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F.A. Signings Key F.A. Loses: DeAngelo Hall CB |
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The Team: Atlanta needs help in the Secondary, Fast. The Player: Top Safety in the draft. Has good speed and makes big plays. Super athlete, with super deep cover skills. Can come up and support the run as well. Has excellent size and very long arms. A great 40 time at the Combine could propel him into the top ten. The Reason: Their biggest need is still OLT. Getting a Left Tackle now is not going to be easy. It appears the best candidates are Sam Baker and Oniel Cousins. Cousins has potential, but he is not ready to step in, and Baker's short arms and lack off athleticism make him better suited to O-Guard. One or both should be available at 48. Lawyer Milloy is only getting older, and jimmy Williams erratic behavior continues, so getting a Safety would not hurt. Second Choice: Sam Baker OT |
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38. |
Ravens |
Joe Flacco- QB Delaware 6-6.5 228
Brandon Albert- OG/OT Virginia |
Key F.A. Signings:
Key F.A. Loses: Mike Anderson RB Musa Smith RB |
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The Team: Word out of Baltimore is that they have Flacco Fever, and if they can't trade up for Ryan, they will trade up for Flacco. The Player: Flacco is a small school wunderkind, who has the size and arm teams crave. Looks like a cross between Drew Bledsoe and Alex Smith. I don't see how you can watch film of him and not see Bledsoe. His shoulders, his size, his arms, his throwing motion all are the ghost of Bledsoe. Plus, I just cannot see Parcells passing on him with the first pick of the Second Round, almost like Bledsoe, who Parcells took with the first pick in the First Round. Has good feet inside the pocket. Is not a great runner or athlete, but knows how to move around the pocket and when he can step up he can really deliver the ball with zip and accuracy. Unlike Bledsoe, he actually does a good job of throwing with touch, and can take a lot off his fastball when dumping the ball off to flat, screen, or short pass. The Reason: If they don't get a new QB they must help the crap they have left at QB. Besides a Tackle, a speed WR would help the most. Also don't be surprised if they go Running Back here. Second Choice: Andre Caldwell WR |
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39. |
49ers |
Oniel Cousins- OG/OT UTEP 6-3 3/4, 302, 5.1, 34.5", 9'
Quentin Groves- DE Auburn |
F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: O-Line looks the biggest need. and they may have to draft two O-Linemen. The Player: Tough guy who enjoys knocking defenders on their butt. Can be savage and dominating when he stays low. Has played Right Guard and Right Tackle, and had 8 Starts at Left Tackle in 2006. Has only played O-Line for 2 seasons, so he needs a lot of coaching and technique work. Plays with defensive mentality. Has the body, feet, and athleticism to play Left tackle. Will probably have to start out at Guard as he works on his game and absorbs Pro coaching. The Reason: 49ers will have a very difficult time passing on a O-Lineman. Larry Allen is older then the dinosaurs and probably will retire, Justin Smiley is long gone, Bass and Snyder are all they have left. Cousins looks like he will be able to step in at Right Guard and develop into a very good Right Tackle with the ability to swing over to the Left side when needed. They are moving Joe Staley over to Left Tackle, and need a Right Tackle to take his place. Cousins may need to step in and start at Right Tackle, never mind RG. Second Choice: Red Bryant NT |
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40. |
Saints |
Tracy Porter- CB Indiana 5-11, 185, 4.4
Sedric Ellis- DT USC 6-2, 310, 5.2 |
F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: This pick projects to the Giants for Tight End Jeremy Shockey. Plus, I think both the Giants and the Saints would be happy with Porter. Their interior D-Line are big, slow, and bulky, and offer little or no passrush. But, their Corners stink; Gay can only stay healthy on Contract seasons, Jason David can't play in this system, Jason Craft was replaced by David. Mike McKenzie has a serious injury and may not be the player he was this season. The Player: Porter is still a basketball/track guy trying to convert to a football player. He didn't play football until senior season of high school. Very good PR. Reminds me of Assante Samuel. Exceptional athlete. Terrific feet. Smooth in and out of breaks. terrific hips, can twist out of his backpedal with the grace of an angel. He has 16 career INTs and 30 PBU at Indiana, including 6 INTs and 10 PBU as a Senior. Has to learn to play tougher and with more physicality. Has been dominated by big strong WRs. He demonstrated he understood he needed to be tougher as a Senior, and played with more passion and physicality. The more I watch him the more I like him. The Reason: If they trade up to get Ellis this pick will belong to whoever they trade to, and in this scenario it's the Pats. The Saints need help on defense. It looks to me like the need is so bad at Corner they may have to pass on Rivers to take a Corner with the 10th pick. If not they must grab one here. Porter is a finesse corner, but I think he will develop into an excellent Man Corner. He reminds me of Assante Samuel. Second Choice: Lawrence Jackson DE |
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41. |
Bills |
Curtis Lofton- ILB Oklahoma 6' 235, 4.6
Devin Thomas- WR/KR Michigan ST |
F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: They need a WR so bad, that Draftnics across the country are trying to find one to fit in a 11. Their is none worthy of a top 15 pick. However, the Second Round will be loaded with talented receivers. Is they go WR in the First look for a Defensive player here. The Player: Lofton is most often classified as a "Thumper". Best hitter in the draft. Down hill Inside Linebacker with great Production. Last season he has 157 Tackles, 10.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 5 PBU, and 3 INTs. Lack of height will hurt him, but he take on O-Guards better then expect. Terrific in pass coverage, maybe just the Player the Pats are looking for. A little tight, doesn't always look natural changing direction. The Reason: I believe bills need a LB. Posluszny's knees would be better served on the Outside. Lofton is a little undersized, but he can Play. Second Choice: Mario Manningham WR |
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42. |
Broncos |
*Earl Bennett- WR Vanderbilt 6-1, 205, 4.48, 4.22 20-YS
Jonathon Stuart- RB/KR Oregon |
F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: Their WR Corp is a disaster. I always believe in getting help for a your young high paid QB. Too many teams draft a young QB and expect him to do it by himself. The more comfortable you make him and the more help you give him the better he will be, period. Keary Colbert and Javon Walker are gone, and Brandon Marshall is Chris Henry West. The Players: Not a flashing guy, but a solid guy who just gets it done. Played on a bad team with a crappy QB. Is not great or outstanding in any aspect, but does everything well. Won't stand out at Combine, but just produce on the field. The more I watch him the more I like him. All-time leader in Receptions for the SEC. In 2005, his Freshman year with Jay Cutler as his QB, he started 7 games and had 79 Receptions for 876 Yards and 9 TDs. In 2006, with a crappy QB, he had 82 Receptions for 1,146 yards and 6 TDs. Last season, he had 75 Receptions for 830 Yards and 5 TDs. He has good hands, good speed, good acceleration, knows how to use head and shoulder fakes to create separation. Was the most productive Receiver over the past three seasons in the best Conference. The Reason: Simple, when your young star QB goes back to his alma Mata to throw passes to his buddy, you go and get the guy, especially when he led the SEC in career receptions. Ran a lot of short patterns to maximize his terrific run after catch ability. Their may be higher rated WRs on the board, but just like the Titans should take Limas Sweed in the First Round, whose familiarity with their young QB will help both player progression, the same applies here, for Cutler their is no higher rated WR on the board. Second Choice: Sam Baker OL |
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43. |
Panthers |
Dre Moore- DT Maryland 6-4, 298, 5.1
Brandon Albert- OG/OT Virginia |
Key F.A. Signings: G Keydrick Vincent Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: Part of what made Carolina so effective the past five seasons was their D-Line: Peppers, Jenkins, and whoever else. Jenkins is gone. Mike Rucker is 33. Kindal Moorehead is average at best. Damione Lewis is barely holding on. Getting a DT is imperative, and a D-End won't hurt either. The Player: A power DT. Can not only hold the point, but can split the double team with power and prejudice. The more I watch him the more I like him. Was inconsistent in college, so his exceptional post-season has to be judged against his college tape. However, when he is playing low and mean, he looks like a top 5 pick. Has developed from a disappointment to a legitimate starter in 2006, where he had 47 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 1 FF, and 7.5 TFL. AS a Senior he started every game and had 63 Tackles, 6 Sacks, 2 FF, 1INT, and 8.5 TFL. He looked to me like the fourth best DT at the Senior Bowl, behind Ellis, Balmer and Laws. The Reason: The Panthers need a young DT to replace Jenkins. Moore is a player who has shown great in the pre-draft workouts, but did not play as great in college. If he has finally put it all together, he looks like he will be a great DT. Second Choice: Red Bryant DT |
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44. |
Bears |
Brain Brohm- QB Louisville 6-2 3/4, 233, 4.68, 4.41 S.S.
*Chris Williams- OT Vanderbilt |
F.A. Signings: WR Marty Booker Key F.A. Loses: WR Muhsin Muhammad WR Bernard Berrian |
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The Team: Bears must take a QB, or trade up for Ryan. However, word out of Chicago is that they are not enamored with Brohm. However, in this scenario they are saved from themselves, and Brohm falls to them. He is a better QB than Henne now, in college, and in the future. The Pick: Brohm is a guy who if he doesn't go in the top 14, I think he will slide into the Second Round. which is apropos, because I have been comparing him to Drew Brees. He is a bigger taller Drew Brees, who slipped down to the first pick in the Second Round. He gets by with smarts and accuracy, because he doesn't have the strongest arm, like Brees. He will be a smart productive QB in this league for a long time, just like Brees. However, you can already see the negative assumptions plotting his plummet. In every Draft there are positive and negative assumptions that attack some players, some true some not. Right now Brohm is being bombarded with negative assumptions that I don't think are true. Foremost is that he struggled last season after coach "See-Yeah" left. He passed for more yardage, TDs, and yes Interceptions last season. But, he almost equaled his TD total of the previous two seasons under the great and irreplaceable coach "See-Yeah", his Junior and Sophomore year. He completed 65% of his passes last season for 4,024 Yards and 30 TDs. He had 19 TDs his Sophomore year and 16 as a Junior for a total of 35. Granted he only had 5 INTs in each of those two seasons and 12 last season, but to says that he struggled last season is just not true. Chicago will regret passing on him if they do. The Reason: If you don't know why the Bears need a QB you should stop watching the NFL. Word out of Chicago is that the like Henne and would have a hard time passing on him here. If you are interested in Matt Ryan in the First Round, then how can you pass on Brohm in the Second. At this point Brohm is a steal, and cheap. It won't cost them much, as far as QB go, to have him and Orton battle it out in Camp. They may have to trade up into the First Round to get him, and I mean HAVE TO! Second Choice: Mario Manningham WR |
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45. |
Lions |
Calais Campbell- DE/DT Miami 6-7 3/4, 290, 5.01
*Jeff Otah- OLT Pittsburgh |
F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: RB Kevin Jones |
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The Team: Looking at their D-Ends makes he worried. Jared DeVries doesn't get to the QB enough, and Dewayne White looks like it is over before it began. The Tampa Two really relies on the D-Ends getting pressure. When they fail to get pressure the system fails as well. The Player: Overrated player as a First Round Pick, who is not the athlete many project him to be. The more I watch him the more I like him though. I think he could be an exceptional DT in a one-gap scheme or a Left End in a two-gap scheme. Reminds me more of John Henderson then Jason Taylor. Still, he had a lot of production at Miami, and looks like he has room for improvement. When you look at his production over the past two seasons, it is far more impressive then what he did last season: 134 tackles, 33 TFL, and 16.5 Sacks. There is talent and production here, I just think he has misrepresented as a player by Draftnics. However, he freak size and descent, not otherworldly athleticism, make him an interesting prospect. I don't think he has the speed to play DE in the NFL, and I'm not sure he has the stoutness to DT, he did just 16 reps at the Combine. I do think he could be an interesting interior passrusher, and a disruptive Under-Tackle may be his best position. The Reason: They must improve their passrush if they want to continue their improvement from last season. Jackson is not a classic Tampa Two D-End, as he can actually play the run, but he did have 30.5 Sacks in his college career. Cambell kind of reminds my of Marcus Stroud. He doesn't have Stroud's freakish strength, obviously, but does have his freakish size and quickness that really put O-Linemen at a disadvantage. Second Choice: Red Bryant NT |
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46. |
Bengals |
Early Doucet- WR LSU 6', 203, 4.59, 34.5"
*Rashard Mendenhall- RB Illinois |
Key F.A. Signings: Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: I would think they would want to go Defense here, especially a LB.If a top Inside LB falls to them they may have trouble passing on him, but Odell Thurman is slated to return this year. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. He may help solve their problems at LB, or he may pull a Chris Henry, I don't know. So, they may pass on Curtis Lofton and regret it by the summer. Now it appears they have to deal with the WR disaster they are mired in the middle of. When Chris Henry was out the Offense really suffered, and him is out for good. Plus, with all the noise Chad Johnson is making they may need a another WR as well. It seems to me they would be able to get a First Round pick from Philly Washington rather easily for Johnson, and I think they will. That leaves another giant hole at WR. The Player: Played best in college when he was in the slot. Fast and quick. In a spread offense he could be a nightmare. Strong blocker. LSU ran plays where they put him in motion to Crack-back-block the Middle Linebacker. Has good size. Can leap and snatch the ball with his hands. Big play player who comes through when needed most. The Reason: Doucet always looked his best in the Slot. The Bengals need a slot receiver to replace Henry. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Second Choice: Curtis Lofton ILB |
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47. |
Vikings |
Martellus Bennett- TE Texas A&M 6-6, 248, 4.7 |
Key F.A. Signings: Key Loses: |
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The Team: The Vikings did a good job of filling their top needs, especially if Harvey falls to them. Madieu Williams and Bernard Berrian addressed their top needs. An O-Tackle would be a good pick here. However, their TEs are really lacking. The Player: He is a terrific receiver. Has long arms and catches the ball naturally. Uses basketball skills well on the field. But, he lacks on-field speed. He is also a terrific blocker. He can push defenders backwards with leverage and agility, and drive them into the ground. Has great size and strength. Had good production since he stepped on the field. Started 5 games as a Freshman, had 18 Receptions for 162 Yards and 3 TDs. Started every game as a Sophomore, had 38 Receptions for 497 Yards and 3 TDs. Started only 6 games last season but still had 46 Receptions for 538 Yards and 3 TDs. The Reason: Sam Baker would be a very interesting pick here, but I just think their biggest current need is at TE. First Choice: Sam Baker OG/OT |
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48. |
Falcons |
Sam Baker- OG/OT USC 6-4.5 309, 5.5, 29 Reps, 28.5", 9"4'
Matt Ryan- QB BC
Trevor Law- DT Notre Dame
*Kenny Phillips- FS Miami |
F.A. Signings Key F.A. Loses: |
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The Team: I really do not like either of their starting O-Tackles. I'm not a fan of Todd Weiner, Quinn Ojinnaka, or Harvey Dahl. Word out of Atlanta is that they really like Tyson Clabo as their RT. I'll concede to their opinion, but they will need a Left Tackle if they want any development from their young QBs. The Player: The more I watch him the Less I like him. Doesn't have elite feet or size for a Left Tackle. Has short arms, 32-inch arms makes playing LT in the NFL very difficult. However, he reminds me of Matt Light, who I still think would be better on the Right side. 3-Time All-American. He can pull and hit the Linebacker on the Second Level with consistency. Thumper, who like to hit. Can knock his man down when he is right in front of him. Is a Work out Warrior, who by all reports love to work and lives in the weight room. I believe he will succeed in the NFL, I'm just not sure it will be at Left Tackle. The Reason: Word out of Atlanta is that Dimitroff wants to "build from the inside-out". Okay, but that includes the O-Line as well. I really think they need a Left Tackle as much as they need a QB. | ||||
