Mike Lombardi (NFL Network) Pre-Combine Mock Draft (Top 6 picks)

[Lomax to Green 84]

I'm a big fan of Mike Lombardi and think he is one of the best football analyst's around. Lombardi has experience as an NFL personnel guy with the Raiders and seems to really understand the draft process.

Here are his top 6 picks (pre-combine)

#1 Carolina-DeQuan Bowers

#2 Denver-Robert Quinn

#3 Buffalo-Cam Newton

#4 Cincy-Patrick Peterson

#5 Arizona-Nick Fairley

#6 Cleveland-Von Miller

I really liked Lombardi's explanation for each of the picks. With Bowers, he mentioned that Rivera is a defensive guy with experience in both a 4-3 (with the Bears) and 3-4 with the Chargers. He thinks Bowers helps Carolina settle with the 4-3. He thinks Robert Quinn is possibly the best player in the entire draft and would have been a shoe in for the #1 overall selection if he had played this past season. He explained that Chan Gailey really likes athletic quarterbacks (Kordell Stewart, etc.) and that Buffalo is in desperate need of a "name" player. With Peterson, he mentioned that along with Quinn, he is probably the best overall player in the entire draft and is just too good to pass up at #4. With the Cards pick, he explained that Fairley didn't represent a need, but was simply too good to pass up. He explained that NFL teams may be a bit cautious with Fairley because he has only one year of bigtime college football and there are some red flags with the character issue. Otherwise, he would be in consideration for the #1 overall selection. With Von Miller, he said that Miller has the potential to be a huge difference maker in the NFL.

 

[Buckybird]

I just don't see the Cards taking Fairly regardless of how good his potential says he could be. The Cards as of today have a logjam on the Dline & OLB is desperately needed.

 

[Shzm13]

Fairley has potential to be the next Suh. I don't care if we've got a logjam on the DL, you don't pass up a player that good. Love the pick.

 

[Shane]

Fairley has potential to be the next Suh. I don't care if we've got a logjam on the DL, you don't pass up a player that good. Love the pick.

Fairley is no Suh and NEVER will be.

 

[Buckybird]

Fairley is no Suh and NEVER will be.

I'm Buckybird & I approve this message

 

[ARodg]

Fairley has potential to be the next Suh. I don't care if we've got a logjam on the DL, you don't pass up a player that good. Love the pick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87owPwmuMRM

 

[The Commish]

I'm Buckybird & I approve this message

+2

 

[Southpaw]

Lombardi also said last night that Gerald McCoy was debated to be as good as Suh, during last year's draft. Then he said, the 2 weren't even in the same universe, and that Suh is a once in a lifetime pick. Maybe no one, in this year's draft, should be even mentioned in the same sentence with Suh.

 

[ARodg]

Lombardi also said last night that Gerald McCoy was debated to be as good as Suh, during last year's draft. Then he said, the 2 weren't even in the same universe, and that Suh is a once in a lifetime pick. Maybe no one, in this year's draft, should be even mentioned in the same sentence with Suh.

Don't make me get out my Chaos n Suh's is the best defensive player in the NFL rant.

 

[BigRedRage]

Fairley is no Suh and NEVER will be.

x2

 

[WildBB]

Lombardi also said last night that Gerald McCoy was debated to be as good as Suh, during last year's draft. Then he said, the 2 weren't even in the same universe, and that Suh is a once in a lifetime pick. Maybe no one, in this year's draft, should be even mentioned in the same sentence with Suh.

Suh's the best lineman to come out in a decade.

That said players like G. McCoy and this year Fairley, Quinn and Bowers have the chance also to be special DLmen. I wouldn't pass on any of the three.

The STeelers run a deep TALENTED rotation along their D fronts. It's the key to their success.

Look at the Giants D line rotation as well as one of the more effective D's year in and year out.

 

[CardLogic]

Fairley is no Suh and NEVER will be.

I'm Buckybird & I approve this message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87owPwmuMRM

+2

Suh is a once in a lifetime pick. Maybe no one, in this year's draft, should be even mentioned in the same sentence with Suh.

x2

Suh's the best lineman to come out in a decade.

+8

I'm with them.

 

[AZCARDSFANATIC]

Ok lets consider this there are a ton of good D linemen in this draft, and there are several players who grade very close at the top. Two picks I want to discuss, #1 to Carolina, is defense really their issue? no. They have a pretty decent D line, but they need offense there is one player, AJ Green, who is far above all the others at his position. At #5 we need to take Von Miller, he is a stud and we need LB.

 

[Seandonic]

Fairley is no Suh and NEVER will be.

I agree. Plus there is no Suh type position on the Cards 3-4 team. He would just be another guy like Dockett who is playing out of position.

 

[Totally_Red]

Fairley is no Suh and NEVER will be.

Yup! Fairley is very good! Suh is elite!

 

[john h]

I'm a big fan of Mike Lombardi and think he is one of the best football analyst's around. Lombardi has experience as an NFL personnel guy with the Raiders and seems to really understand the draft process.

Here are his top 6 picks (pre-combine)

#1 Carolina-DeQuan Bowers

#2 Denver-Robert Quinn

#3 Buffalo-Cam Newton

#4 Cincy-Patrick Peterson

#5 Arizona-Nick Fairley

#6 Cleveland-Von Miller

I really liked Lombardi's explanation for each of the picks. With Bowers, he mentioned that Rivera is a defensive guy with experience in both a 4-3 (with the Bears) and 3-4 with the Chargers. He thinks Bowers helps Carolina settle with the 4-3. He thinks Robert Quinn is possibly the best player in the entire draft and would have been a shoe in for the #1 overall selection if he had played this past season. He explained that Chan Gailey really likes athletic quarterbacks (Kordell Stewart, etc.) and that Buffalo is in desperate need of a "name" player. With Peterson, he mentioned that along with Quinn, he is probably the best overall player in the entire draft and is just too good to pass up at #4. With the Cards pick, he explained that Fairley didn't represent a need, but was simply too good to pass up. He explained that NFL teams may be a bit cautious with Fairley because he has only one year of bigtime college football and there are some red flags with the character issue. Otherwise, he would be in consideration for the #1 overall selection. With Von Miller, he said that Miller has the potential to be a huge difference maker in the NFL.

I think Fairley will be gone by the time we pick. He could even go #1. He is that good.

 

[Dayman]

I think the Broncos would take Fairley over Quinn. They have Dumerville and Ayers at the ends in their new 4-3, both of whom are young, high draft picks. However, their best DT is Jamal Williams or Ronald Fields, which is pretty weak. Fairley could move right in and help that defense a ton.

 

[vinnymac]

Anthony Castonzo of Boston College will be able help the Arizona offensive line right away. The Cardinals could a great Left Tackle and send Brown back to the Right side or Guard.

 

[john h]

I think the Broncos would take Fairley over Quinn. They have Dumerville and Ayers at the ends in their new 4-3, both of whom are young, high draft picks. However, their best DT is Jamal Williams or Ronald Fields, which is pretty weak. Fairley could move right in and help that defense a ton.

I have wathed Fairley on a consistent basis. He is currently a man/boy who has a lot of upside. Even at that he is one of the best I have ever seen. He dominated that position in the SEC. If you need a man at his position I think he is the clear standout and is a future and regular All Star. I believe he is a junior?

 

[Cardiac]

Anthony Castonzo of Boston College will be able help the Arizona offensive line right away. The Cardinals could a great Left Tackle and send Brown back to the Right side or Guard.

Never say never but the Cards will not pick an OT with the #5 pick this year. Graves and Whiz have both said they thought Levi did well at LT last year considering he hasn't played there for a couple of years. I have not seen Castonzo listed as a top 15 pick by anyone let alone a top 5 pick.

 

[ARZCardinals]

Games are won and lost in the trenches...except when you have DA as your QB.

Fairley would be a good option, but the team needs an OLB and can see them taking Miller.