Chiefs And with the #3 pick the KC Chiefs take... B.J. Raji - Page 2

T-post Tom · 03-20-2009, 04:35 AM

Raji would make a lot of sense considering true 3-4 NTs are difficult to find.

Riser: Boston College's Raji a big man in draft class

Posted: March 19, 2009
War Room scouts
Sporting News

More than 20 teams spent quality time with Boston College defensive lineman B.J. Raji at the NFL Scouting Combine, and apparently that wasn't enough to satisfy their craving for the best nose tackle in the 2009 draft.

No wonder Raji is seen as a riser in April's draft. Offseason auditions including the Senior Bowl, Combine and on-campus workouts have yet to expose any skeletons in Raji's closet -- except those he collected while ransacking B.C. opponents.

War Room scouts join in the praise for Raji, a 6-1, 330-pound monster who would fit in the middle of many NFL defenses. That's why in their latest mock draft, scouts project Raji as the third overall pick, going to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here's what they say about Raji: "The Chiefs debate between LB Aaron Curry and Raji. But to make the switch to a 3-4 defense, finding a nose tackle is much more important than a linebacker."

The Denver Broncos are scheduled to meet with Raji on Friday at Boston College. The Detroit Lions played host to Raji this week. And with the Broncos and quarterback Jay Cutler at odds, these meetings could add smoke to rumors of a Cutler-to-Lions deal.

War Room scouts still project Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford as the first player taken -- by the Lions, if they keep the pick, or the Broncos if they trade Cutler to get it.

Denver's first pick for now is No. 12, so Raji will be long gone by the time the Broncos make that selection.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz told Detroit reporters his team was doing its due diligence in meeting this week with Raji and Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew, the top tight end in this draft class.

Raji is viewed as a rock on the defensive line, able to hold his ground against running plays. He also has the quickness to be an effective pass rusher.

He was academically ineligible for the 2007 season but made up for that in 2008. He bolstered his stock with an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl.

It appears he put the year off to good use. Raji told Scout.com that he made some of his biggest strides in performance during his senior year because of the progress he made in understanding the mental aspects of playing his position.

"I understood the game a lot more than I did in previous years," Raji said. "I better understood how I was going to be attacked, at pre-snap I was able to get some good reads, whether it was going to be a double-team or how a player was going to block me. So that helped me choose what moves to use."

War Room Scouts' latest mock draft is available online, with two full rounds of picks and analysis. Visit SN's Pro Football War Room for information and analysis on more than 400 draft prospects. Also, pick up a copy of Sporting News' 2009 Draft Guide, available online or at retailers.

This week's Top 10 picks

1. Detroit Lions
Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis Rams
Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
3. Kansas City Chiefs
B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College
4. Seattle Seahawks
Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
5. Cleveland Browns
Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
6. Cincinnati Bengals
Jason Smith, T, Baylor
7. Oakland Raiders
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
9. Green Bay Packers
Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
10. San Francisco 49ers
Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal

El Jefe · 03-20-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazimo

Mecca,

I would love to make the trade with Buffalo but would not like to lose Shields. If we traded with buffalo we wouldn't need another pick to trade up for Oher, as he should be there at 11. I also think that's a fair trade for Dorsey, as he is not worth the # 5 a year later. Both teams should love this trade.

You mean Waters?

vailpass · 03-20-2009, 11:27 AM

This would be a very good pick for KC IMHO. Denver visisted Raji at his school earlier this week and I was hoping he would fall far enough for the Broncos to get him.
A 3-4 without a dominant middle man is teh suck.

Dark Horse · 03-20-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shammus

Shields??

coming out of retirement only to be traded!

BigChiefFan · 03-20-2009, 11:47 AM

I've been on the bandwagon for months. Raji improves our defense.

htismaqe · 03-20-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

This would be a very good pick for KC IMHO. Denver visisted Raji at his school earlier this week and I was hoping he would fall far enough for the Broncos to get him.
A 3-4 without a dominant middle man is teh suck.

The word out of his pro-day is that he might not be best-suited for the 3-4 NT but rather as a 1-gap guy in a 4-3.

Dark Horse · 03-20-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The word out of his pro-day is that he might not be best-suited for the 3-4 NT but rather as a 1-gap guy in a 4-3.

A 30 lb heavier less talented Glen Dorsey

kcsam07 · 03-20-2009, 11:59 AM

id rather have curry crabtree or stafford or even everett brown just my opinion

htismaqe · 03-20-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

A 30 lb heavier less talented Glen Dorsey

Essentially.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-20-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The word out of his pro-day is that he might not be best-suited for the 3-4 NT but rather as a 1-gap guy in a 4-3.

I thought that the article said that it's not that he'd be less suited for it, but that people felt it might be a waste of his talent given his explosiveness.

**DeezNutz** · 03-20-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I thought that the article said that it's not that he'd be less suited for it, but that people felt it might be a waste of his talent given his explosiveness.

This was my interpretation, too. It wasn't a critique of Dorsey, but rather a reaffirmation about how surprisingly talented this fat sumbitch is.

Dark Horse · 03-20-2009, 12:11 PM

I'm always skeptical about players who's stock takes a huge jump after the combine.

B_Ambuehl · 03-20-2009, 12:16 PM

Strongly doubt this happens at #3. Raji is a player I've liked for a long time but you gotta be careful with defensive tackles that shoot up the boards once the season is over. Think back to when the last time (if ever) a D-tackle who wasn't at the top of everyones list during the season but shot up after workouts and combine amounted to much of anything. Raji went from a potential 1st round pick during the season and now he's being talked up as a top 5 guy. Those types are dangerous as hell. I think a guy like Ron Brace in a later round is a much stronger possibility.

BryanBusby · 03-20-2009, 12:24 PM

I'll bet all of my casino cash that BJ Raji will not be going to the Chiefs as the #3 overall pick.

Chiefnj2 · 03-20-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_Ambuehl

Strongly doubt this happens at #3. Raji is a player I've liked for a long time but you gotta be careful with defensive tackles that shoot up the boards once the season is over. Think back to when the last time (if ever) a D-tackle who wasn't at the top of everyones list during the season but shot up after workouts and combine amounted to much of anything. Raji went from a potential 1st round pick during the season and now he's being talked up as a top 5 guy. Those types are dangerous as hell. I think a guy like Ron Brace in a later round is a much stronger possibility.

I would say there aren't any DT's in a similar factual situation as Raji. He was ineligible his entire junior year. I agree he is risky with a top 5 pick though.

kcbubb · 03-20-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

A 30 lb heavier less talented Glen Dorsey

I don't know if I can claim that Raji is less talented than Dorsey if Dorsey weighed 330 lbs, but they definitely have similar frames. Raji is 30 pounds heavier. I'm definitely thinking along the same lines as you here.

03-20-2009, 04:35 AM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4257293	And with the #3 pick the KC Chiefs take... B.J. Raji Raji would make a lot of sense considering true 3-4 NTs are difficult to find. Riser: Boston College's Raji a big man in draft class Posted: March 19, 2009 War Room scouts Sporting News More than 20 teams spent quality time with Boston College defensive lineman B.J. Raji at the NFL Scouting Combine, and apparently that wasn't enough to satisfy their craving for the best nose tackle in the 2009 draft. No wonder Raji is seen as a riser in April's draft. Offseason auditions including the Senior Bowl, Combine and on-campus workouts have yet to expose any skeletons in Raji's closet -- except those he collected while ransacking B.C. opponents. War Room scouts join in the praise for Raji, a 6-1, 330-pound monster who would fit in the middle of many NFL defenses. That's why in their latest mock draft, scouts project Raji as the third overall pick, going to the Kansas City Chiefs. Here's what they say about Raji: "The Chiefs debate between LB Aaron Curry and Raji. But to make the switch to a 3-4 defense, finding a nose tackle is much more important than a linebacker." The Denver Broncos are scheduled to meet with Raji on Friday at Boston College. The Detroit Lions played host to Raji this week. And with the Broncos and quarterback Jay Cutler at odds, these meetings could add smoke to rumors of a Cutler-to-Lions deal. War Room scouts still project Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford as the first player taken -- by the Lions, if they keep the pick, or the Broncos if they trade Cutler to get it. Denver's first pick for now is No. 12, so Raji will be long gone by the time the Broncos make that selection. Lions coach Jim Schwartz told Detroit reporters his team was doing its due diligence in meeting this week with Raji and Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew, the top tight end in this draft class. Raji is viewed as a rock on the defensive line, able to hold his ground against running plays. He also has the quickness to be an effective pass rusher. He was academically ineligible for the 2007 season but made up for that in 2008. He bolstered his stock with an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl. It appears he put the year off to good use. Raji told Scout.com that he made some of his biggest strides in performance during his senior year because of the progress he made in understanding the mental aspects of playing his position. "I understood the game a lot more than I did in previous years," Raji said. "I better understood how I was going to be attacked, at pre-snap I was able to get some good reads, whether it was going to be a double-team or how a player was going to block me. So that helped me choose what moves to use." War Room Scouts' latest mock draft is available online, with two full rounds of picks and analysis. Visit SN's Pro Football War Room for information and analysis on more than 400 draft prospects. Also, pick up a copy of Sporting News' 2009 Draft Guide, available online or at retailers. This week's Top 10 picks 1. Detroit Lions Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia 2. St. Louis Rams Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia 3. Kansas City Chiefs B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College 4. Seattle Seahawks Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest 5. Cleveland Browns Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas 6. Cincinnati Bengals Jason Smith, T, Baylor 7. Oakland Raiders Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech 8. Jacksonville Jaguars Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland 9. Green Bay Packers Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State 10. San Francisco 49ers Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal
Posts: 20,386

03-20-2009, 11:27 AM	#17
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	This would be a very good pick for KC IMHO. Denver visisted Raji at his school earlier this week and I was hoping he would fall far enough for the Broncos to get him. A 3-4 without a dominant middle man is teh suck.
Posts: 69,591

03-20-2009, 11:47 AM	#19
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	I've been on the bandwagon for months. Raji improves our defense. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

03-20-2009, 11:59 AM	#22
kcsam07 Starter Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	id rather have curry crabtree or stafford or even everett brown just my opinion
Posts: 53

03-20-2009, 12:11 PM	#26
Dark Horse Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $8325015	I'm always skeptical about players who's stock takes a huge jump after the combine.
Posts: 1,401

03-20-2009, 12:16 PM	#27
B_Ambuehl Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Casino cash: $9805405	Strongly doubt this happens at #3. Raji is a player I've liked for a long time but you gotta be careful with defensive tackles that shoot up the boards once the season is over. Think back to when the last time (if ever) a D-tackle who wasn't at the top of everyones list during the season but shot up after workouts and combine amounted to much of anything. Raji went from a potential 1st round pick during the season and now he's being talked up as a top 5 guy. Those types are dangerous as hell. I think a guy like Ron Brace in a later round is a much stronger possibility. __________________ Who's decision was it to fire Romeo" - Coleman C Hunt: "It was my decision but it was one that Scott agreed with" LOL
Posts: 2,605

03-20-2009, 12:24 PM	#28
BryanBusby In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2006 Casino cash: $3689900 VARSITY	I'll bet all of my casino cash that BJ Raji will not be going to the Chiefs as the #3 overall pick.
Posts: 22,241