Chiefs And with the #3 pick the KC Chiefs take... B.J. Raji - Page 4

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

htismaqe · 03-20-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

What? DT is the riskiest position? In what way?

You're burnt by your Chiefs fandom. Patriots have hit home runs with all 3 Defensive LIne draft picks in the 1st round -- Seymour, Wilfork, Warren.

Seymour was #6, Warren at 13 and Wilfork at 21 in the first round.

None of those guys was a top 5 pick.

Look at the history of high-profile DT's - both top 5 draft picks and top-dollar free agents - almost NONE of them ever amount to anything.

Yeah, I said riskiest, maybe I should have said "most likely to be a bust". I think for some reason the DT position is one of those where guys get by in college because of their unique combination of size and athleticism. They don't spend alot of time on technique (especially 2-gap guys) and because of that they don't have the drive to be "special" in the NFL.

htismaqe · 03-20-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

They drafted Seymour in the top 10. What has more value a WR, RT, Coverage LB, or a Nose Guard in the 3-4?

Seymour isn't a NT.

Titty Meat · 03-20-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Seymour isn't a NT.

He's a d-linemen. Answer the question though what positon has more value?

keg in kc · 03-20-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Seymour isn't a NT.

And they hadn't transitioned to the 3-4/hybrid yet when they drafted him.

T-post Tom · 03-20-2009, 01:26 PM

Pioli might even be able to trade down a bit and still get Raji. I'm not saying it's likely, but it would be a nice turn of events. And the icing on the cake would be a frustrated Donks team not getting the NT they wanted. (Assuming some of the draft-niks are right & the Donks do want him.)

htismaqe · 03-20-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

He's a d-linemen. Answer the question though what positon has more value?

It doesn't matter what position he plays, he's not a 3-4 NT so he's irrelevant.

If you're talking generalities and not specifically about players in this draft, then the answer to your question is WR. In some seasons, there will be WR's worth a top 5 pick.

Conversely, a RT or coverage LB will NEVER have Top 5 value.

And I've already made my feelings known about drafting DT's that high.

ChiefsCountry · 03-20-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

Pioli might even be able to trade down a bit and still get Raji. I'm not saying it's likely, but it would be a nice turn of events. And the icing on the cake would be a frustrated Donks team not getting the NT they wanted. (Assuming some of the draft-niks are right & the Donks do want him.)

It would be tough - Packers are a new 3-4, 49ers could use him so could the

.

Titty Meat · 03-20-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It doesn't matter what position he plays, he's not a 3-4 NT so he's irrelevant.

If you're talking generalities and not specifically about players in this draft, then the answer to your question is WR. In some seasons, there will be WR's worth a top 5 pick.

Conversely, a RT or coverage LB will NEVER have Top 5 value.

And I've already made my feelings known about drafting DT's that high.

Why do you say he can't play the 3-4?

**DeezNutz** · 03-20-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The thing is, DT might be the riskiest position in all of football. The best 3-4 NT's are all later picks.

Doesn't WR have the highest bust rate in the first round?

I believe so because this generated much discussion in the Bowe draft class, which was deep with WR talent.

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

The Pats drafted Seymour & Wilfork in the first round so the Chiefs will probably draft Raji. Who else could play the NG in the 3-4?

And Warren. Our entire DL starters are 1st rounders.

htismaqe · 03-20-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Why do you say he can't play the 3-4?

What?

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

They didn't draft either of them at #3 overall though.

We haven't drafted ANYBODY in the top 5. You can't glean data from nothing. You might as well be saying the Chiefs won't take anybody at 3 because the Pats have never taken anybody at 3....

htismaqe · 03-20-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

And Warren. Our entire DL starters are 1st rounders.

Right, but Wilfork is the TRUE NT in the bunch and he was a late 1st-round pick.

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

They drafted Seymour in the top 10. What has more value a WR, RT, Coverage LB, or a Nose Guard in the 3-4?

Out of that list alone? Definitely NG.

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

None of those guys was a top 5 pick.

Look at the history of high-profile DT's - both top 5 draft picks and top-dollar free agents - almost NONE of them ever amount to anything.

Yeah, I said riskiest, maybe I should have said "most likely to be a bust". I think for some reason the DT position is one of those where guys get by in college because of their unique combination of size and athleticism. They don't spend alot of time on technique (especially 2-gap guys) and because of that they don't have the drive to be "special" in the NFL.

So if Seymour was taken at 3 instead of 6........

Your statement makes little sense to me, I must admit.

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
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03-20-2009, 01:26 PM	#50
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4257293	Pioli might even be able to trade down a bit and still get Raji. I'm not saying it's likely, but it would be a nice turn of events. And the icing on the cake would be a frustrated Donks team not getting the NT they wanted. (Assuming some of the draft-niks are right & the Donks do want him.) __________________ You seem nice!
Posts: 20,387