Stargazer
03-19-2008, 12:57 PM
Kaden, 4th Ave: Any chance the Lions won't draft a 1st round running back now that Kevin Jones is gone?
Mel Kiper: (1:05 PM ET ) I think it depends on if Mendenhall is there. There's a chance he could be gone. He could be gone to Cincinnati. Chicago. Teams like that. If that's the case, then the Lions would have to look at at RB or as a DE. If he is there, I would mark it down. They're changing their whole philosophy and run the football.
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gary bores wallingford, ct: Very interested in Jets pick. Do they take Gholston if available or skill position McFadden despite their apparent stable of backs?
Mel Kiper: (1:06 PM ET ) Gholston to me, makes a lot of sense to the Jets. To beat New England, you have to rush the passer. From that standpoint, Gholston along with Pace would give them the pressure they need. The Jets don't have a great RB, they have some complementary types. McFadden would be tempting for me.
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Rob (MS): When is the last time there was a draft with so many questions as to who go first and how many guys can go first?
Mel Kiper: (1:07 PM ET ) I don't know if it's a lot of questions. It's around two players. Chris Long or Matt Ryan. I don't think it's multiple players, it's two. Those are the two that would make the most sense to the Dolphins. For Atlanta, they're hoping Matt Ryan would be there for them.
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Andrew ( Bakersfield California): Is rodgers-cromartie worth all the hype of being picked 7th to the pats? If so why? And if he's not picked there, where do you think he will fall?
Mel Kiper: (1:09 PM ET ) He would go 8 to Baltimore, 10 to New Orleans. Is he worthy of the hype? I don't know about hype. The CB spot allowed him to move up. He's done everything well. When you put it all together, he's added some weight. He knows the question about him is his toughness and run support. He knows that's the criticism. I think he's aware, but he does have to add some weight. But as a cover guy, he has a chance go become a very good player. But at the Senior Bowl and combine, he looked like one of the best.
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Matt : Segog, MN: Which tight end is most NFL ready to make an immediate impact in the passing game?
Mel Kiper: (1:10 PM ET ) I'd say probably the guy that can make the most impact in the passing game is Dustin Keller from Purdue. He's a former WR. You can move him around and create some matchup advantages.
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Josh (Rockwall TX): Hey Mel, Do you think that the Bears are trying to trade down in the first round to get more picks. I hear they are high on the OL from Boston College. Isn't 14 too high to pick him?
Mel Kiper: (1:11 PM ET ) It would be, but they need a LT, they don't need a RT. Cherilous from BC is a RT. They want to draft a LT. They want to move John Tate to RT and get a LT. They could look at Ryan Clady, but I don't think he'll be there. I think the guy that would look the best would be Chris Williams from Vanderbilt. He's a natural LT.
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Robert (Richmond Virginia): Hi Mel. What do you think about what my raiders are doing????
Mel Kiper: (1:12 PM ET ) I think in terms of Hall, he's a heckuva football player, but their needs are elsewhere. DT, RB, WR. They have some needs, there's no questions. They added Wilson at free safety. I don't have a problem with Hall, because he's a good player, but I think there are a lot of other needs to be addressed before this team is ready to be a playoff contender.
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George (Bakersfield, CA): What is your opinion on the Dolphins activity in Free Agency and what players should they focus on in the draft? Thanks
Mel Kiper: (1:16 PM ET ) They've added a OG, but they still need a OT. They added Starks on the DL, but they still need some help there. They added Torber at OLB. They added a WR. They added Keith Davis on special teams. They still need help at CB, OT, RB. Wilford I had as the 12th best WR in free agency. He should help them. I think he's a marginal starter. Smiley, I thought was the 6th best guard, in a pretty good group. He's a pretty good player. San Francisco wasn't concerned with him leaving, but he's OK. He blocks well on the move. Starks, he has a lot of talent. He has really leveled off since his good rookie year. Torber will be a good addition and Davis is a good special teams player.
Mel Kiper: (1:17 PM ET ) Torber was the 19th best OLB in the free agency group. He was supposedly a pass rusher coming out of Auburn, but he's only had 2 sacks in the last three seasons. Those guys are kind of iffy to a certain extent. They have ability, but they're still kind of iffy.
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Paul (Trenton, NJ): If C. Long was amazingly on the board, along with D-Mac at #4, who would Oakland take? It may be far-fetched, but what do you think?
Mel Kiper: (1:19 PM ET ) Good question. At that time, you go with who is the best on the board and who you need the most. At that stage, McFadden would look good in a Raider uniform. If McFadden is there, I think with Russell being a young QB, you need to surround him with as much talent as you can.
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MIke (Greenville NC): Where do you think Chris Johnson will fall in the second round?
Mel Kiper: (1:20 PM ET ) I'd say right now, second or third round. Brian Westbrook was a third round pick. RBs do drop a little bit. He has great speed. It wouldn't surprise me if he went second, but it wouldn't surprise me if he went in the third either.
Mel Kiper: (1:20 PM ET ) I'd say third if you had to get an answer from me.
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Matt (St. Cloud, MN): MEL!!!!!!!! Which CBs best fit the Packers' man-press coverage scheme? Who could be available at #30, or will the value be better in round 2?
Mel Kiper: (1:20 PM ET ) I think for the Packers, Mike Jenkins from South Florida would be good for what they like to do. He would be an ideal fit for their system.
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Matt (Linden CA): what defensive ends are there in the draft that can play in a 3-4
Mel Kiper: (1:23 PM ET ) There are a lot of those guys. Gholston is the front line guy. Bruce Davis, UCLA; Cliff Avril, Purdue; Quintin Groves; Kroy Biermann, Montana; Jameel McClain, Syracuse; Curtis Johnson, Clark (Atl.); Marcus Howard, Georgia; Shaun Richardson, Tennessee St.; Joe Clermond, Pittsburgh; Angelo Craig, Cincinnati.
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Bobby (Toledo, OH): Why is McKelvin rated so high?!?! Shouldn't his size be a major concern?
Mel Kiper: (1:25 PM ET ) No. I don't think his size is anything to worry about. Remember, he's a tough, physical, aggressive corner. He's not a little guy, 5-10, 192. He doesn't have the astronomical vertical - 33.5. He's just a very good coverman. He has outstanding anticipation. He has great awareness. He doesn't have good ball skills. He doesn't have good hands. That's the big concern. He's also a good return man. I think he's a top 15 pick in the first round. Possibilities for him is New Orleans at 10.
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Nathan, Cincinnati Ohio: Do you see Joe Flacco making a big difference to the team that drafts him?
Mel Kiper: (1:26 PM ET ) I don't think any QB makes a big impact to the team that drafts him. Did Russell make a big impact? Did Quinn? Do QBs over history make a big impact? Marino did. Roethlisberger did. But you normally don't see that. The second or third year is when you expect QBs to come in and win. I still think that's premature, but when you're a QB in this league, you're expected to come in and win.
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Dan (Seattle): Where do you see Jonathon Stewart falling to since he had surgery
Mel Kiper: (1:28 PM ET ) That's a tough call. Because if a team really likes Stewart to be their feature guy, do they take him in the first round? I think he's a second round pick. He had the surgery, he's borderline for being ready for training camp. You expect a rookie RB to make an impact. If you're the Texans at 18, do you shy away from him? Thurman Thomas went in the second round because of injury questions. I think that injury will push him into the second round.
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Dan - San Jose: Did the 49ers recent WR acquisitions help you decide to move away from your early James Hardy projection to Gosder? Are you still there with your thinking?
Mel Kiper: (1:31 PM ET ) Yeah. They released Jackson. They signed Bruce and Johnson. If you look at that on the surface and ask where that leaves this team, Johnson was the 4th best WR. He had a decent year. He's going to be expected to be a starter. Bruce will be one of those third or fourth options. I felt the RT spot is so critical this year that Cherilous would be a good pick. He's an OK LT prospect, but he's outstanding RT prospect.
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George (Decatur, GA): Where/when do you see Brian Brohm going?
Mel Kiper: (1:32 PM ET ) I think he goes second round, either to Baltimore or Chicago. I think at that point, he's a heckuva pick. Two years ago, I would have said he's a definite first rounder and maybe a top 5 pick. He drops into the second because of what happened this year. The coach changed, he didn't get a lot of help from his teammates. He's a good drop back passer who understands the game. Tough kid, accurate passer. I like the way he moves the team up the field.
Mel Kiper: (1:33 PM ET ) Louisville hasn't had a great history. Chris Redman didn't pan out. Ragone didn't pan out in Houston. Browning Nagle didn't pan out with the Jets. This Louisville program hasn't produced a ton of QBs that have done well in the NFL. Johnny Unitas was one of them, but of late, they haven't produced QBs.
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Mike Nolan (San Francisco): Is Joe Staley worthy of the 7th overall pick in this draft?
Mel Kiper: (1:35 PM ET ) Yeah, I think he was. For this reason, how does he compare to Ryan Clady, Jake Long? He's shown real well. He could be a heckuva LT. He's as good as Clady, Long. I have no problem with that. The thing is the 49ers still have a first round pick.
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Jay Atlanta: Let's say Miami picks Ryan, who does St Louis and then Atlanta take?
Mel Kiper: (1:36 PM ET ) Well, if Ryan goes to Miami, St. Louis would then take Chris Long. Then Atlanta looks at a Glenn Dorsey or to trade down. They're not going to take McFadden because the have Turner and Norwood. They could look at Jake Long.
Mel Kiper: (1:05 PM ET ) I think it depends on if Mendenhall is there. There's a chance he could be gone. He could be gone to Cincinnati. Chicago. Teams like that. If that's the case, then the Lions would have to look at at RB or as a DE. If he is there, I would mark it down. They're changing their whole philosophy and run the football.
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gary bores wallingford, ct: Very interested in Jets pick. Do they take Gholston if available or skill position McFadden despite their apparent stable of backs?
Mel Kiper: (1:06 PM ET ) Gholston to me, makes a lot of sense to the Jets. To beat New England, you have to rush the passer. From that standpoint, Gholston along with Pace would give them the pressure they need. The Jets don't have a great RB, they have some complementary types. McFadden would be tempting for me.
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Rob (MS): When is the last time there was a draft with so many questions as to who go first and how many guys can go first?
Mel Kiper: (1:07 PM ET ) I don't know if it's a lot of questions. It's around two players. Chris Long or Matt Ryan. I don't think it's multiple players, it's two. Those are the two that would make the most sense to the Dolphins. For Atlanta, they're hoping Matt Ryan would be there for them.
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Andrew ( Bakersfield California): Is rodgers-cromartie worth all the hype of being picked 7th to the pats? If so why? And if he's not picked there, where do you think he will fall?
Mel Kiper: (1:09 PM ET ) He would go 8 to Baltimore, 10 to New Orleans. Is he worthy of the hype? I don't know about hype. The CB spot allowed him to move up. He's done everything well. When you put it all together, he's added some weight. He knows the question about him is his toughness and run support. He knows that's the criticism. I think he's aware, but he does have to add some weight. But as a cover guy, he has a chance go become a very good player. But at the Senior Bowl and combine, he looked like one of the best.
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Matt : Segog, MN: Which tight end is most NFL ready to make an immediate impact in the passing game?
Mel Kiper: (1:10 PM ET ) I'd say probably the guy that can make the most impact in the passing game is Dustin Keller from Purdue. He's a former WR. You can move him around and create some matchup advantages.
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Josh (Rockwall TX): Hey Mel, Do you think that the Bears are trying to trade down in the first round to get more picks. I hear they are high on the OL from Boston College. Isn't 14 too high to pick him?
Mel Kiper: (1:11 PM ET ) It would be, but they need a LT, they don't need a RT. Cherilous from BC is a RT. They want to draft a LT. They want to move John Tate to RT and get a LT. They could look at Ryan Clady, but I don't think he'll be there. I think the guy that would look the best would be Chris Williams from Vanderbilt. He's a natural LT.
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Robert (Richmond Virginia): Hi Mel. What do you think about what my raiders are doing????
Mel Kiper: (1:12 PM ET ) I think in terms of Hall, he's a heckuva football player, but their needs are elsewhere. DT, RB, WR. They have some needs, there's no questions. They added Wilson at free safety. I don't have a problem with Hall, because he's a good player, but I think there are a lot of other needs to be addressed before this team is ready to be a playoff contender.
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George (Bakersfield, CA): What is your opinion on the Dolphins activity in Free Agency and what players should they focus on in the draft? Thanks
Mel Kiper: (1:16 PM ET ) They've added a OG, but they still need a OT. They added Starks on the DL, but they still need some help there. They added Torber at OLB. They added a WR. They added Keith Davis on special teams. They still need help at CB, OT, RB. Wilford I had as the 12th best WR in free agency. He should help them. I think he's a marginal starter. Smiley, I thought was the 6th best guard, in a pretty good group. He's a pretty good player. San Francisco wasn't concerned with him leaving, but he's OK. He blocks well on the move. Starks, he has a lot of talent. He has really leveled off since his good rookie year. Torber will be a good addition and Davis is a good special teams player.
Mel Kiper: (1:17 PM ET ) Torber was the 19th best OLB in the free agency group. He was supposedly a pass rusher coming out of Auburn, but he's only had 2 sacks in the last three seasons. Those guys are kind of iffy to a certain extent. They have ability, but they're still kind of iffy.
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Paul (Trenton, NJ): If C. Long was amazingly on the board, along with D-Mac at #4, who would Oakland take? It may be far-fetched, but what do you think?
Mel Kiper: (1:19 PM ET ) Good question. At that time, you go with who is the best on the board and who you need the most. At that stage, McFadden would look good in a Raider uniform. If McFadden is there, I think with Russell being a young QB, you need to surround him with as much talent as you can.
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MIke (Greenville NC): Where do you think Chris Johnson will fall in the second round?
Mel Kiper: (1:20 PM ET ) I'd say right now, second or third round. Brian Westbrook was a third round pick. RBs do drop a little bit. He has great speed. It wouldn't surprise me if he went second, but it wouldn't surprise me if he went in the third either.
Mel Kiper: (1:20 PM ET ) I'd say third if you had to get an answer from me.
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Matt (St. Cloud, MN): MEL!!!!!!!! Which CBs best fit the Packers' man-press coverage scheme? Who could be available at #30, or will the value be better in round 2?
Mel Kiper: (1:20 PM ET ) I think for the Packers, Mike Jenkins from South Florida would be good for what they like to do. He would be an ideal fit for their system.
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Matt (Linden CA): what defensive ends are there in the draft that can play in a 3-4
Mel Kiper: (1:23 PM ET ) There are a lot of those guys. Gholston is the front line guy. Bruce Davis, UCLA; Cliff Avril, Purdue; Quintin Groves; Kroy Biermann, Montana; Jameel McClain, Syracuse; Curtis Johnson, Clark (Atl.); Marcus Howard, Georgia; Shaun Richardson, Tennessee St.; Joe Clermond, Pittsburgh; Angelo Craig, Cincinnati.
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Bobby (Toledo, OH): Why is McKelvin rated so high?!?! Shouldn't his size be a major concern?
Mel Kiper: (1:25 PM ET ) No. I don't think his size is anything to worry about. Remember, he's a tough, physical, aggressive corner. He's not a little guy, 5-10, 192. He doesn't have the astronomical vertical - 33.5. He's just a very good coverman. He has outstanding anticipation. He has great awareness. He doesn't have good ball skills. He doesn't have good hands. That's the big concern. He's also a good return man. I think he's a top 15 pick in the first round. Possibilities for him is New Orleans at 10.
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Nathan, Cincinnati Ohio: Do you see Joe Flacco making a big difference to the team that drafts him?
Mel Kiper: (1:26 PM ET ) I don't think any QB makes a big impact to the team that drafts him. Did Russell make a big impact? Did Quinn? Do QBs over history make a big impact? Marino did. Roethlisberger did. But you normally don't see that. The second or third year is when you expect QBs to come in and win. I still think that's premature, but when you're a QB in this league, you're expected to come in and win.
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Dan (Seattle): Where do you see Jonathon Stewart falling to since he had surgery
Mel Kiper: (1:28 PM ET ) That's a tough call. Because if a team really likes Stewart to be their feature guy, do they take him in the first round? I think he's a second round pick. He had the surgery, he's borderline for being ready for training camp. You expect a rookie RB to make an impact. If you're the Texans at 18, do you shy away from him? Thurman Thomas went in the second round because of injury questions. I think that injury will push him into the second round.
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Dan - San Jose: Did the 49ers recent WR acquisitions help you decide to move away from your early James Hardy projection to Gosder? Are you still there with your thinking?
Mel Kiper: (1:31 PM ET ) Yeah. They released Jackson. They signed Bruce and Johnson. If you look at that on the surface and ask where that leaves this team, Johnson was the 4th best WR. He had a decent year. He's going to be expected to be a starter. Bruce will be one of those third or fourth options. I felt the RT spot is so critical this year that Cherilous would be a good pick. He's an OK LT prospect, but he's outstanding RT prospect.
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George (Decatur, GA): Where/when do you see Brian Brohm going?
Mel Kiper: (1:32 PM ET ) I think he goes second round, either to Baltimore or Chicago. I think at that point, he's a heckuva pick. Two years ago, I would have said he's a definite first rounder and maybe a top 5 pick. He drops into the second because of what happened this year. The coach changed, he didn't get a lot of help from his teammates. He's a good drop back passer who understands the game. Tough kid, accurate passer. I like the way he moves the team up the field.
Mel Kiper: (1:33 PM ET ) Louisville hasn't had a great history. Chris Redman didn't pan out. Ragone didn't pan out in Houston. Browning Nagle didn't pan out with the Jets. This Louisville program hasn't produced a ton of QBs that have done well in the NFL. Johnny Unitas was one of them, but of late, they haven't produced QBs.
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Mike Nolan (San Francisco): Is Joe Staley worthy of the 7th overall pick in this draft?
Mel Kiper: (1:35 PM ET ) Yeah, I think he was. For this reason, how does he compare to Ryan Clady, Jake Long? He's shown real well. He could be a heckuva LT. He's as good as Clady, Long. I have no problem with that. The thing is the 49ers still have a first round pick.
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Jay Atlanta: Let's say Miami picks Ryan, who does St Louis and then Atlanta take?
Mel Kiper: (1:36 PM ET ) Well, if Ryan goes to Miami, St. Louis would then take Chris Long. Then Atlanta looks at a Glenn Dorsey or to trade down. They're not going to take McFadden because the have Turner and Norwood. They could look at Jake Long.