Sporting News Draft Guide

[Garthshort]

I always get this Guide and usually find it's pretty good. But this year it's terrible and I base this on how it differs from the usual experts, including posters on this Board. For instance:
1. Jake Long, they have him going in the 2nd round.
2. DRC, they have him as the 10th rated CB and going in the 3rd round.
3. McKelvin, second round.
4. Talib, third round.
5. Merling, second round, and Harvey, third round.
6. Early Doucet, is the #1 WR.

Well you get the idea. Does anyone know which Draft Guide is the best, this year?

 

[Mitch]

I always get this Guide and usually find it's pretty good. But this year it's terrible and I base this on how it differs from the usual experts, including posters on this Board. For instance:
1. Jake Long, they have him going in the 2nd round.
2. DRC, they have him as the 10th rated CB and going in the 3rd round.
3. McKelvin, second round.
4. Talib, third round.
5. Merling, second round, and Harvey, third round.
6. Early Doucet, is the #1 WR.

Well you get the idea. Does anyone know which Draft Guide is the best, this year?

Excellent post, Garth.

This just shows all of us what an inexact science the draft really is.

Having watched all of the top CBs on film, I can say this...the ONLY one I think is worthy of a first round pick is Leodis McKelvin...and I would rate him the #24 prospect in the draft. But...CB is such a highly coveted position right now, scouts and pundits seem too quick to appraise potential, rather than actual merits based on their college performances.

This draft, like any other, is a crap shoot.

The trap we need not fall into is believing the pundits as to where players are "PROJECTED" to go. That's folly as far as I am concerned. The best thing any team can do is draft the players that they feel fit their systems the best and coach them up like crazy.

Someone today on ASFN was posting all the Lions' (Matt Millen's) draft mistakes...and when you look at the list of the players they drafted, those players were seemingly worthy of their selections...basically all of them. BUT...so much depends on the systems the players integrate into and what kind of coaching they receive when they get there.

For example...the most highly coveted UFA this year was CB Assante Samuel. He was a 4th round draft pick. Bill Belichick is the best DB coach in the NFL, maybe ever. Belichick coached this kid up and Samuel responded. It's ALL about who responds and who delivers. The talent is ALWAYS there...but the coaching isn't.

 

[40yearfan]

Excellent post, Garth.

This just shows all of us what an inexact science the draft really is.

Having watched all of the top CBs on film, I can say this...the ONLY one I think is worthy of a first round pick is Leodis McKelvin...and I would rate him the #24 prospect in the draft. But...CB is such a highly coveted position right now, scouts and pundits seem too quick to appraise potential, rather than actual merits based on their college performances.

This draft, like any other, is a crap shoot.

The trap we need not fall into is believing the pundits as to where players are "PROJECTED" to go. That's folly as far as I am concerned. The best thing any team can do is draft the players that they feel fit their systems the best and coach them up like crazy.

Someone today on ASFN was posting all the Lions' (Matt Millen's) draft mistakes...and when you look at the list of the players they drafted, those players were seemingly worthy of their selections...basically all of them. BUT...so much depends on the systems the players integrate into and what kind of coaching they receive when they get there.

For example...the most highly coveted UFA this year was CB Assante Samuel. He was a 4th round draft pick. Bill Belichick is the best DB coach in the NFL, maybe ever. Belichick coached this kid up and Samuel responded. It's ALL about who responds and who delivers. The talent is ALWAYS there...but the coaching isn't.

Absolutely excellent post Mitch. My sentiments exactly. There isn't a huge difference in skill levels in NFL starters. Coaching makes the difference, especially on players who take longer to develope than others. Calvin Pace is a prime example.

 

[Skkorpion]

Excellent post, Garth.

This just shows all of us what an inexact science the draft really is.

Having watched all of the top CBs on film, I can say this...the ONLY one I think is worthy of a first round pick is Leodis McKelvin...and I would rate him the #24 prospect in the draft. But...CB is such a highly coveted position right now, scouts and pundits seem too quick to appraise potential, rather than actual merits based on their college performances.

This draft, like any other, is a crap shoot.

The trap we need not fall into is believing the pundits as to where players are "PROJECTED" to go. That's folly as far as I am concerned. The best thing any team can do is draft the players that they feel fit their systems the best and coach them up like crazy.

Someone today on ASFN was posting all the Lions' (Matt Millen's) draft mistakes...and when you look at the list of the players they drafted, those players were seemingly worthy of their selections...basically all of them. BUT...so much depends on the systems the players integrate into and what kind of coaching they receive when they get there.

For example...the most highly coveted UFA this year was CB Assante Samuel. He was a 4th round draft pick. Bill Belichick is the best DB coach in the NFL, maybe ever. Belichick coached this kid up and Samuel responded. It's ALL about who responds and who delivers. The talent is ALWAYS there...but the coaching isn't.

A front line winner. Pay the Pass Line, rake the don'ts. Ah, I love shooting Craps. Take max odds. Bid risk, big reward.

That's the draft. Classic post, Mitch.

 

[Matt L]

Excellent post, Garth.

This just shows all of us what an inexact science the draft really is.

Having watched all of the top CBs on film, I can say this...the ONLY one I think is worthy of a first round pick is Leodis McKelvin...and I would rate him the #24 prospect in the draft. But...CB is such a highly coveted position right now, scouts and pundits seem too quick to appraise potential, rather than actual merits based on their college performances.

This draft, like any other, is a crap shoot.

The trap we need not fall into is believing the pundits as to where players are "PROJECTED" to go. That's folly as far as I am concerned. The best thing any team can do is draft the players that they feel fit their systems the best and coach them up like crazy.

Someone today on ASFN was posting all the Lions' (Matt Millen's) draft mistakes...and when you look at the list of the players they drafted, those players were seemingly worthy of their selections...basically all of them. BUT...so much depends on the systems the players integrate into and what kind of coaching they receive when they get there.

For example...the most highly coveted UFA this year was CB Assante Samuel. He was a 4th round draft pick. Bill Belichick is the best DB coach in the NFL, maybe ever. Belichick coached this kid up and Samuel responded. It's ALL about who responds and who delivers. The talent is ALWAYS there...but the coaching isn't.

If you were the coach, based on talent alone, who would you have rated as your top ten players that you could work with?

 

[lobo]

I always get this Guide and usually find it's pretty good. But this year it's terrible and I base this on how it differs from the usual experts, including posters on this Board. For instance:
1. Jake Long, they have him going in the 2nd round.
2. DRC, they have him as the 10th rated CB and going in the 3rd round.
3. McKelvin, second round.
4. Talib, third round.
5. Merling, second round, and Harvey, third round.
6. Early Doucet, is the #1 WR.

Well you get the idea. Does anyone know which Draft Guide is the best, this year?

The Sporting News is written too early in the year. Take a look at the huddle report on the net and subcribe for 10 bucks for the year...plenty of good data...the rest of the stuff you read is opinion, which yours is as good as any...it's always fun to look at the combine results and draw some conclusion based on that....I think it is huddlereport.com

 

[Mitch]

If you were the coach, based on talent alone, who would you have rated as your top ten players that you could work with?

That's a great question, matt.

Let's apply it to the #16 pick and who might be available when the Cards pick.

OL

T Chris Williams, Vanderbilt. To me he's the best pass blocker in this draft, hands down. Some will say, yeah, but he's not a mauler in the running game...I say, put him with Russ Grimm. Grimm will get him run blocking. The great news is, he can protect the passer against the speed rushing RDEs in the NFL. And, with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald on my team, I would put a premium on that skill.

G Branden Albert Virginia. This kid has it all. Period. Take him, switch Wells to tackle where he belongs and have him duke it out with Gandy. We missed out on Fancea, why not take a future Pro Bowler right now.

CB

As I've said, the only CB in this draft worthy of a 1st round pick is Leodis McKelvin. Guess what. He'll be gone. Conclusion? Don't reach for anyone else here, even DRC, who has great atheltic skills, but he wasn't tiotally dominant even at Tennessee St.

RB

I see red flags with Jonathan Stewart...the injury is one thing...but I saw him on the skills challenge on ESPN and he basically shuffled through the drills...and when you watch him on film, that Oregon offense makes it virtually impossible to tell how he would project to the NFL...it's all misdirection and angle running. No thanks.

I like Mendenhall...but he won't make it past the Bears so that's moot.

WR

Here's a surprise for you. I absolutlely love DeShaun Jackson...but at #16? It's not a great need, so I have to pass.

LB

Dan Connor? I have NO doubts about this guy. He's the best tackler in the draft and he can cover. Would I take him even at #16? Without a doubt.

Keith Rivers. I think he's a great college player who is too weak physically to hold up in the NFL. That's my instinct. I amy be wrong. But he's definitley an outside player, not an inside player.

BTW, I love Quentin Groves...the pundits are mixed on him, but I think with a few more pounds and added weight training he's another Shawn Merrriman. If the Cards took hi at #16, I'd be fine with that.

DT

No one is worthy of a 1st rounder beyond Dorsey and Elllis and they will be long gone.

 

[DaisyCutter]

I was really disappointed in TSN's draft guide, as well. That's usually the only "dead tree" guide that I get. Usually, they have cool interviews with a lot of prospects and stuff--and I love the comparisons that they do between the prospects and other NFL players.

One thing that they say is that their ratings are where they think the prospects should go in the draft. They say that with each profile section. It's not a prediction of where they'll go. For example, Levi Brown was rated behind Joe Thomas and Tony Ugoh last year. After the first year, that rating seems accurate.

Here's the specific wording of the note that TSN has:

NOTE: Each player is assigned a round based on his final grade (potential talent level). Other factors can affect the actual round in which he is drafted.

The guide doesn't get written for the most part until after the Senior Bowl, but one thing I like is the skeptical eye that they tend to take to prospects who suddenly seem invincible in the postseason workouts.

 

[TruColor]

Something worth noting, is that the parent company for Street and Smith's bought The Sporting News, so this year's Guide is a combination of the two.

No more Street and Smith's Guide.

 

[CardLogic]

That's a great question, matt.

Let's apply it to the #16 pick and who might be available when the Cards pick...et,al.

Great answer, Mitch.

This years draft concerns me. There are some good players for certain, however I am afraid the Cardinals may draft based more towards need (CB, RB) than talent and they will reach to do so.

 

[Garthshort]

Thread Replies

Thanks everyone for some great replies. And maybe I'm overly optimistic but I don't think the Cards will draft for need with their number one pick. I think that they'll stick with their board. I'm hoping that we go OL or RB, if Mendenhall slips, doubtful as that may be. And if those two positions/prospects are gone by the time we pick and we take a Harvey, I wouldn't be disappointed even tho we've addressed that position in FA. It would tell me that we drafted the BPA.

 

[bg7brd]

Well put Mitch. What do you think of Jeff Otah? I think he's another tackle that could be great with the right coaching. I bet Grimm would love to get his hands on him. Lots of raw talent there just waiting to be moulded.

 

[40yearfan]

Great answer, Mitch.

This years draft concerns me. There are some good players for certain, however I am afraid the Cardinals may draft based more towards need (CB, RB) than talent and they will reach to do so.

CL that has happened in the past, but I have a hunch this year will be different. I think if a player of great magnitude happens to fall to us (Jake Long for instance), that the Cards will not pass him up. OT is not as pressing a need as CB or RB, but I don't see them passing in a situation like this.

 

[Mitch]

Well put Mitch. What do you think of Jeff Otah? I think he's another tackle that could be great with the right coaching. I bet Grimm would love to get his hands on him. Lots of raw talent there just waiting to be moulded.

I like Otah (he's raw but has the physical package), bg7brd, but I like Tony Hills and Gosder Cherilus just as much...and keep an eye on Chad Rhinehart (Northern Iowa). I thought he played very well at the Senior Bowl.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

I stick with Lindy's for both the Draft Guide and the regular season Pro Guide. To compare it with TSN they have Jake Long going #5 to KC. As far as the OT williams is concerned they do have him as a first round pick....at #22 to the Steelers.

 

[bg7brd]

I like Otah (he's raw but has the physical package), bg7brd, but I like Tony Hills and Gosder Cherilus just as much...and keep an eye on Chad Rhinehart (Northern Iowa). I thought he played very well at the Senior Bowl.

I like Rinehart too. A lot of mocks have him available in the 6th which I think would be a steal.

 

[joeshmo]

I havent bought one of these draft guides in years. They are far to often outdated by the time you get them. After the stories have to be written, edited, mailed out, printed and the like, by the time you get them they are 2 weeks to old already, sometimes older depending on the magazine. Or they try to do it at the last minute so they do have the most up to date info and get stuff wrong in the speedy process they put themselves in. The Mag in question came out before all of the pro days are even completed. The idea's and movement all the way up to the hour before the draft changes so much it is best to probably just subscribe to one of your favorite draft web sites instead, sits that change daily based on all new information.

 

[Goober Man]

Why not use the internet as your draft guide? They can be updated daily and you can save the money you used to buy a draft guide. The websites I would suggest you use would be www.nfldraftscout.com and www.nfldraftcountdown also the nfl.com site has a couple scouting reports on the players as well.

 

[40yearfan]

Why not use the internet as your draft guide? They can be updated daily and you can save the money you used to buy a draft guide. The websites I would suggest you use would be www.nfldraftscout.com and www.nfldraftcountdown also the nfl.com site has a couple scouting reports on the players as well.

Thanks GM.

 

[bg7brd]

www.drafttek.com has a pretty good 7 round mock. It's updated daily.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Why not use the internet as your draft guide? They can be updated daily and you can save the money you used to buy a draft guide. The websites I would suggest you use would be www.nfldraftscout.com and www.nfldraftcountdown also the nfl.com site has a couple scouting reports on the players as well.

Because what would you read in the bathroom?

 

[lobo]

Because what would you read in the bathroom?

that what a laptop and wireless is for.

 

[DaisyCutter]

that what a laptop and wireless is for.

Yuck.

 

[Duckjake]

I'll never forget this line from TSN's 1993 draft guide. The Cardinals should select Willie Roaf and they'll be set at Tackle for the next decade.

How much of a crapshoot is the draft? Lester "duckjake" Holmes was the 19th player selected that year.

 

[Garthshort]

TSN Guide

While their rankings suck, I still enjoy reading the Guides, and based on your replies, I'll try Lindy's. A funny excerpt from the TSN Guide. In their mock draft, they have Arizona selecting a CB in the first round, Jackson from LSU. ".....Jackson could compete with Antrel Rolle for a starting job". Nice to know they're familiar with the Cards.