Official 2008 NFL Draft Thread

[WildBB]

Reaching for need.

Need yes, Reach No.

 

[Lorenzo]

falcons

 

[Redsz]

Better hope he's as good as his combine numbers indicate, because he wasn't a top-15 pick based on what he did on the field.

Er, what? He dominated his division. Had a 30% completion rate against him.

 

[Dr. Jones]

# 21 - Atlanta Falcons
via Washington

Sam Baker


OT | (6'4

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", 309, 5.299) | USC
Scouts Grade: 85

Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy

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Strengths: Possesses adequate height and size-potential. Feet are his best asset. He displays very good initial quickness as a run blocker and in pass pro. Gets set quickly and stays under control. Can mirror-and-slide with elite pass rushers and rarely gets beat by speed off the edge. His hand placement is outstanding. He shows very good awareness and rarely misses an assignment. Takes good angles as a run blocker and is technically sound in that facet of the game. Also does a good job of mixing in cut blocks to keep defenders off-balance.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal bulk. Has short arms (32.6 inches) and small hands (9.2 inches). Too much of a finesse blocker. Plays with a narrow base and would benefit from added strength in his lower-body. He's not overpowering in the run game and he will struggle at times to generate a new line of scrimmage versus bigger, stronger DE's. He works hard to sustain blocks but he doesn't show enough of a mean-streak at times. Durability is suddenly a concern following arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage in his left knee prior to 2007 spring practice and lingering hamstring injury that cost him playing time as a senior.

Overall: Baker arrived at USC in 2003 and redshirted his first year. He moved from guard to offensive tackle before the 2004 season, and went on to make 39 consecutive starts at left tackle over the next three years (2004-'06). As a senior in 2007, he played 10 games (all starts). He was a first team All-America selection as a junior (2006) and a second-team selection as a senior (2007). He missed three games in his last season because of a left hamstring strain. Baker also suffered a bone chip in his left knee in 2005; played through a left knee sprain in 2006 (which required arthroscopic surgery at the end of the season); and suffered a cracked rib before the 2007 season. Son of AFL commissioner David Baker, Sam Baker enters the NFL draft as a four-year starter from one of the top programs in college football. He possesses good agility for the position and generally will get in position as a run blocker and in pass pro. However, Baker is a bit of a finesse player that lacks explosive power and does not play with consistent leverage. He also has short arms and small hands. Baker struggled to stay healthy as a senior and did not make the necessary improvements as a result. He is no longer expected to be drafted in the first round but he should be off the board by the end of Round 2.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Sam the Baker

 

[az1965]

Wow, 9 trades in the first round so far... lot of activity.

 

[Redsz]

Need yes, Reach No.

Yup, you could say that DRC was BPA.

 

[imaCafan]

Somebody called the trades (Stout maybe)......

 

[WildBB]

Er, what? He dominated his division. Had a 30% completion rate against him.

He was a solid pick. I wouldn't have made it. But I can see it. Hopefully we wait out a RB now. I don't think I want one at 50.

 

[Pariah]

We didn't reach last year, and we didn't this year either. Both times, we made the right call.

You're entitled to you opinion, but everyone in the nation would disagree with you. AP was by far a better player than Brown.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I can't believe RM is still around. I would give up next year's #1 for him but that's about it,maybe a 5th this year as well.

 

[WildBB]

Yup, you could say that DRC was BPA.

on their board, not ours. The consensus coming into today was that if Mendenhall was there, no brainer. But I'm not upset. I would have chosen him though. Edge better show up big next season.

 

[Pariah]

Need yes, Reach No.

No? Passing for AP wasn't reaching for need?

Look, I'll stop harping on that mistake when you guys stop ignoring it. It was a mistake, case in point: look how many people are calling for Mendenhall this year.

It's in the past, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

 

[WildBB]

No? Passing for AP wasn't reaching for need?

Look, I'll stop harping on that mistake when you guys stop ignoring it. It was a mistake, case in point: look how many people are calling for Mendenhall this year.

It's in the past, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

I thought you were talking about this years draft.

 

[Shane]

You're entitled to you opinion, but everyone in the nation would disagree with you. AP was by far a better player than Brown.

That may be true. Still doesnt mean that Brown is necessarily a reach.

 

[Pariah]

I could see boards having DRC as BPA (he wasn't in my mind, but it's splitting hairs).

 

[Redsz]

He was a solid pick. I wouldn't have made it. But I can see it. Hopefully we wait out a RB now. I don't think I want one at 50.

Agreed. I wanted Mendenhall or Stewart. But I'm not upset about this pick at all.

 

[TigToad]

if we had drafted Mendenhall this year, it would not have gotten us Peterson last year. Peterson is a special talent.. he hasn't yet shown he has the durability to last in the NFL though. Picking a RB early, IMO, is the riskiest of all positions. So many RBs are good for a couple years and then just break down. VERY few have the staying power of an Edge... but, from what I have seen, the RBs who make it a few years without getting hurt can play a decent amount of years.

I'm rooting for Peterson to be great... but I still think his career is 50% + to not make it more than 3-5 years of talent.

 

[Pariah]

That may be true. Still doesnt mean that Brown is necessarily a reach.

Actually, it sort of does.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

RM is too much like Barber.If they go RB i say it's Jones.

 

[Shane]

Actually, it sort of does.

No it really doesnt. In your opinion you may believe that. But in many others it was not a reach.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Mendenhall continues to fall......

 

[Dr. Jones]

# 22 - Dallas Cowboys

Felix Jones


RB | (5'10

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", 207, 4.469) | ARKANSAS
Scouts Grade: 89

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Strengths: Versatile back with world-class speed. Exceptional when he can get the ball in space. Displays rare initial burst through the line of scrimmage and around the corner as an outside runner. Is elusive in space and displays an elite second-gear to run away from most defenders. Does not have a lot of tread on his tires. An unselfish player that proved he will put the team before himself in college. Finds different ways to contribute and could be best suited for a multi-purpose role in the NFL. Displays very soft hands as a receiver out of the backfield. Will adjust to ht poorly thrown ball. Runs sharp routes and is instinctive in that regard. A homerun threat after the catch. Will get in good position and give a solid effort as a blocker. Should also provide excellent value as a return specialist in the NFL. He showcases his rare second-gear with his 82-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter of the 2007 Kentucky game. It was a classic example of one cut and gone.

Weaknesses: Has always split carries at collegiate level. Can he carry the full load in the NFL? Has the frame to get bigger but needs to prove capable of putting on weight (and keeping it on) without taking away from his exceptional burst, which is what makes him special. Lacks power as a runner. Is not big or strong enough to push the pile in short-yardage situations. Is not a sharp-cutter; more of a glider. Can get undercut rather easily at times in space. Takes too many chances bouncing runs outside because he can outrun everyone at college level but will need to be more decisive versus faster defenses in the NFL. Will get in position as a blocker but lacks sand in his saddle to hold ground versus bigger blitzing linebackers.

Overall: Prior to declaring early for the 2008 NFL draft, Jones played a versatile backup role to Darren McFadden throughout his three seasons with the Razorbacks. During that three-season span, Jones rushed for 2,956 yards and 20 scores on 386 carries, caught 39 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns. It's hard not to wonder what type of numbers Jones would have churned out as a premier back at another school. To his credit, though; Jones never showed frustration playing in McFadden's shadow. Instead, he has managed to build quite a resume as a versatile No. 2 back. Jones is not as big or strong as McFadden, but he does set the bar when it comes to breakaway speed -- and that's saying a lot considering McFadden's outstanding burst. Jones can be an instant impact player if used in as multi-purpose role. He should contribute right away as a change-of-pace back that can provide some homerun hitter both as a receiver and in the return game. Only time will tell if Jones is capable of emerging as a team's fulltime load-carrier. Until then, his versatility and big-play potential make Jones awfully intriguing for a team with the luxury of drafting a complementary back late in the first round.

Insane..... Mendenhall is the 4th RB taken???

 

[Pariah]

If you are conceding my earlier point (Shane H: "That may be true."), then you are defining a reach. That's why I responded to you the way I did.

 

[sunsbo]

cards will now how to face RM 2x a year, seattle will pick him up