Thursday, April 30, 2009

NFL Draft

I've finally got around to making my pick for top draft performances.
I like what Buffalo and New England did, but I'm going to split my vote between the Packers and the Broncos.
The Pack has received a lot of praise for their draft work. On the other hand, Denver has taken some heat.
Moving to a 3-4 the Packers had to restock the defense and No. 1s BJ Raji-NT and Brian Cushing should start quickly.
Green Bay didn't pick again until the 4th round, but made it count. Tackle T.J. Lang is a very good prospect and they need young OL. Quinn Johnson should start at fullback quickly. Jamon Meredith-T has to stay in shape, but is a great value in the 5th. I like Jarius Wynn from Georgia in the 6th. He can help with the pass rush. The last two picks Brad Jones and Brandon Underwood are mysteries.
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You can debate individual players the Packers selected but they did a very good job of taking players at the right time. The switch to a 3-4 forced their hands somewhat, but they responded well.
Denver is also moving to a 3-4 and pushed them to key personnel decisions, but I like it that they had the nerve to take Moreno with the 12th pick. They have a lot of sorting out to do in the backfield, but Knowshon gives them a TD maker.
They stepped up again by taking Robert Ayers to play in their 3-4. Most saw him as a 4-3 end but Denver is confident he can give them a Richard Seymour-like presence on the DL. Alphonso Smith, David Bruton and Darcel McBath could all help in the secondary. Seth Olsen-G, Blake Schleuter-C and Kenny McKinley are good late rounders. Brandstater (QB) I can do without.
A gutty draft and it could blow up, but if Denver is right about Moreno and Ayers, they could hit big. A LB or two would have been nice, but they aggressively addressed the secondary, which was overdue.
We'll see.
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By the way, the Falcons did OK but they needed to come out of the draft with a better cornerback than Christopher Owens. Peria Jerry fell to them as if by design but they could have had Vonta Davis, who went to Miami right after Jerry was taken.
William Moore is a steal that late in the second round. He'll start.
Owens and Lawrence Sidbury could help quickly and if either develops into a starter it will be great for Atlanta.
In the later rounds I like OT Garrett Reynolds and DT Vance Walker from Georgia Tech. Healthy, Walker looked like a fine prospect.

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