Outlandish draft prediction

[Ed B]

For the first time in NFL history, 15 defensive linemen will be taken in the first round.

It could happen. Especially since only 2 LBs (henderson and bailey) and one tackle (gross) are locks for the first, and no RBs at all might be selected.

 

[Cardiac]

I think 2 OT's will be taken in rd 1, but that doesn't mean a ton of D-lineman won't go in this rd. Finally a draft deep in a position of need for the Cards and they still won't get that super value because everyone is looking at the same menu.

So I say again just draft the BPA at whatever position so the team at least ends up with some players and not the Tommy Knights and TJ's of the world.

Off the top of my head D-lineman that may go in rd 1:

Robertson
Kennedy
Williams
Sullivan
Joseph
Long
Peterson
Suggs
McDougle
White
Redding
Haynes
Kelsay
Brayton

Who am I forgetting?

Other players we "know" will go in rd 1.

QB - Palmer / Leftwich / Boller
WR - Rogers / Johnson
OT - Gross / Harris
OG - Steinbach
LB - Bailey / Henderson
CB - Newman / Trufant / Woolfolk

Players who may go in rd 1

QB - Simms / *Grossman / *Ragone *(probably not though)
WR - Jacobs / B. Johnson / Washington
RB - Johnson / McGahee
TE - Witten
C - Faine (very rarely does a C go in rd 1)
CB - Wilson / Davis / Weathersby (teams often reach for CB's)
S - Polamalu / Doss

So other positions that we "know" will be taken in rd 1 = 13
Players at other positions who may go in rd 1 = 15
D-lineman per Ed's count who may be rd 1 picks = 15

This roughly equals 43 players so 11 of these players will fall to round 2. Pretty much the stats of just about any draft. I just hope that the run on D-line isn't as strong as Ed's prediction (he could be right) and whoever we take in rd 1 allows us to get great value in rd 2 on the D-line.

Just seems like more of a reason than ever to trade down if possible. Also screams that we shouldn't give up any picks to move up in the draft.

 

[Ed B]

Terrific breakdown, Cardiac.

Maybe 15 was an overstatement. But I think, if you look at that list of D-Linemen, it could easily hit double figures.

 

[ChiCard]

When was the last draft with such a paucity of RB's?