****The REAL OFFICIAL 2008 NFL Draft Thread****
 

NFL DRAFT Coverage this Weekend:
Coverage available for the entire weekend on ESPN/ESPN2 Television, and also on ESPN Radio Network.

*** If you want to follow the draft on the 'net, the two best free and easy access sites are ESPN and the NFL official site....though for access to "insider" info at ESPN, you have to be a "member:"

ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft?...2=stateChanged

NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft

If you are interested in another free "scouting" report site:
NFLdraftcountdown: http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/


Saturday April 26: Rounds 1-2 ***Format Revised this year
(1st Round, Teams get 10 minutes; 2nd Round, Teams get 7 minutes)

-- ESPN beginning at 2pm until 6pm (Central Standard Time)
-- ESPN2 beginning at 6pm until 9pm

Sunday April 27: Rounds 3-7
(Rounds 3-7, Teams get 5 minutes)
-- ESPN beginning at 9am until 5pm (Central Standard Time)

"My" Rounds 1-3 picks....
05. Chris Long (DE), or Vernon Gholston (DE)...will be available, IMHO. If not, Sedrick Ellis (DT).
17. Brandon Albert (OG-OT), or Chris Williams (OT).
35. Aqib Talib (CB), Kentwan Balmer (DT) or Brandon Flowers (CB).
66. Jordy Nelson (WR), Patrick Lee (CB), or Lawrence Jackson (DE).
73. Carl Nicks (OT), Xavier Adibi (LB), or Andre Caldwell (WR).
82. Mike Pollak (C), Jeremy Zuttah (C, OG) or Red Bryant (DT).

Nice job in attempt to save your ass, Carl.... time will tell if you succeeded....heh.

:)

Gholston will be the #5 pick.....the more I look at that mock drafts now (unless Dorsey or Ellis are still on the board--which is unlikely, IMHO.)

The question then becomes, which OLineman will be the highest rated on the board when the Chiefs pick at 17? :hmmm:

Okay, guys...

if I were the GM (and these players were available--and I've tried to be realistic, given projected player "values" and teams picking ahead of us:)

Day One picks....

05. Vernon Gholston, or Chris Long...will be available, IMHO.

17. Brandon Albert, or Chris Williams.

35. Aqib Talib, or Brandon Flowers

66. Pat Sims, or Reggie Smith.

73. Carl Nicks.

82. Mike Pollak.

Round 1, Pick 5 (5)
Round 1, Pick 17 (17) (From Vikings)
Round 2, Pick 4 (35)
Round 3, Pick 3 (66)
Round 3, Pick 10 (73) (From Broncos through Vikings)
Round 3, Pick 19 (82) (From Vikings)
Round 4, Pick 6 (105)
Round 5, Pick 1 (136) (From Dolphins)
Round 5, Pick 5 (140)
Round 6, Pick 4 (170)
Round 6, Pick 16 (182) (From Vikings)
Round 7, Pick 3 (210)
Round 7, Pick 32 (239) (From Giants)

I left out the "i" in official so technically this is it.

my my, that is a pretty sight to see!

Might as well add this

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/9...uechartwl3.jpg

I'm having trouble remembering, but don't you typically have a pretty detailed, well-thought-out draft list before the draft? Or is it an eval you do afterwards? I don't quite remember.

Kotter, it's Gholston.

I have my own thread on what I ideally want:

Round 1

5. DT Sedrick Ellis (USC)
17. OT Chris Williams (Vanderbilt)

Round 2

4. DE Lawrence Jackson (USC)

Round 3

3. DE Chris Ellis (Virginia Tech)
10. OG/OT Eric Young (Tennessee)
19. WR Eddie Royal (Virginia Tech)

Round 4

6. CB Trae Williams (USF)

Round 5

1. WR Adarius Bowman (Oklahoma State)
5. TE Craig Davis (California)

Round 6

4. K Taylor Mehlhaff (Wisconsin)
21. CB Dwight Lowery (San Jose State)

Round 7

3. RB Dantrell Savage (Oklahoma State)
32. SS Caleb Campbell (Army)

I've done some evaluations in the past....don't know if I'll get time this year, but I may try. :shrug:

Sorry Hamas. I'll edit it.

Be sure to check our website throughout the day for live draft coverage from Arrowhead Stadium!


:D

no thanks, I'll just read whatever findthedr copies

:evil:

Do you have a live mic in Carl's ass?

You'll know when the Chiefs are about to pick someone good because he will rip a huge fart.

It's no biggie at all, he's just not a halloween costume...well, then again he could be.

It's like, you're a pimp, and everyone knows your bitches have penises.



.

I admit...after I noticed it, I can see how some would see it as a vailpass passive aggressive racist sort of thing....so I'm glad you noticed. Heh.

So Gholston's middle names are "Welfare" "Government Cheese" and "Ghetto"? And he's a piece of shit?

I suspect any Bronco fan might say that....but, yeah, especially him from what I've seen. :shake:

I didn't see the Hurricanes play much this year. Anyone think this guy could be a decent pick in the 2nd....I don't see him dropping into the third round. OTOH, his 40 time is nothing to write home about....

:hmmm:

Calais Campbell
DE | (6'7", 290, 5.04) | MIAMI (FLA.)
Scouts Grade: 88

Flags: (S: SPEED) Player lacks ideal speed at position
View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | hell0NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.


Strengths: Massive DE prospect; unusually tall with very good build, enormous arms (35.75 inches) and bigger-than-average hands (9.5 inches). Displays good initial quickness for his size, can beat blockers to the point of attack and can make plays in the backfield. Plays with decent leverage for a player his height, shows good lower body strength and is capable of holding his own when teams run at him. Has above-average upper body strength, extends arms once in position and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly. Takes sound angles to the ball, plays with a good motor when fresh and makes plays in pursuit. Wraps up upon contact, shows good body control in space and is an adequate open field tackler that flashes the ability to jar the ball loose. Plays with a mean streak, takes the shortest path to the quarterback and flashes the ability to push tackles back into the quarterbacks' laps. Changes directions well for such a taller DE, runs line stunts well and flashes effective swim and rip move when he shoots inside. Shows adequate awareness and generally does a nice job of sniffing out screens. Doesn't always get hands up when isn't going to get to the quarterback but jumps fairly well and has very long arms so can make it difficult for the quarterback to find a passing window.

If nothing else, the draft will be entertaining this season. Anyone happen to know what time it starts Saturday? I have to work, but I get off early in the day. I heard it was starting later this year.

Ichy trigger finger Kotter? ROFL

2 P.M. central

Thank you, sir.

Mr. Kotter, Calais Campbell is a big slob -- but if you were interested in him, he'd be an awful fit in KC.

As you noticed, he's not terribly fast. His measurables are amazing, but he's the larger, powerful DE that plays in a 3-4, not the speed-laden 4-3 that the Chiefs Cover 2 employs.

He'll be taken in the 2nd by a team that thinks they can rejuvenate him, but he was 20 pounds overweight in Draft season, which is a gigantic red flag if you're looking to use a high round pick.

Yup. :p

Thank you, sir. I've only begun scouring the draft sites recently....as life is busy. Maybe a guy who could move inside to DT at some point, maybe? If so though, with what you are saying....I'd pass I guess.

I'll continue snoopin' around; my gut says we will go OT in the first....looks like we'll need to go DE too. Well, Herm seems to think....later rounds for CB is fine---although I had hoped maybe we'd nab one at 17. Looks like DE will be a bigger need, with more BAAs likely.

I hear ya. Us folks over in the Draft forum have been tracking around 150 different players for months. We're happy to share our thoughts if you have any questions.

I don't think Herm is looking to completely rebuild an oversized DE into an undersized DT, though.

That said, I will not be in this thread on Draft day. I will be in KC at the Chiefs' Draft party once again.

I'm sure I'll do something really gay and start my own thread with my thoughts the next day. Since I'm sure no one else will be doing that.

How can you have an official draft thread when it's still a few days away. I feel and maybe I'm crazy but official threads should happen when something starts. It's bugged me since the official gameday threads that start on Friday or Thursday (unless the game is Thursday).

Who is with me???

Knock yourself out, noob.... :thumb:

Make a poll if you want....that's the way this joint is run, in case you haven't noticed....

72 hours before the most important draft in recent Chief's history, warrants it IMHO.

;)

What do you guys think of Carl Nicks? :hmmm:

I'm wondering if he could be a third round steal as an OLineman from Nebraska....the new Will Shields???

:hmmm:

Carl Nicks
OT | (6'4", 341, 5.219) | NEBRASKA
Scouts Grade: 75

Flags: (C: CHARACTER) Problems on and off the field
View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.


Strengths: A massive ROT prospect with a thick build, long arms (34.6 inches) and big hands (10 inches). Displays adequate initial quickness when firing out of his stance as a run blocker. Can engulf smaller defenders at the point of attack in the run game. Works to finish his blocks and displays a mean streak at times. Will sustain his blocks when his hand-placement is sound. Can anchor versus the bull rush when he plays with leverage. Displays a quick set in pass pro for an OT his size. Also has very good upper body strength to jar defenders with his initial punch. Lots of upside to work with as a developmental project.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal athletic ability. Is quick on a straight line but struggles to move laterally. Will have trouble getting back inside in pass pro. Does not redirect quickly enough at times. Struggles to hit the moving target in space. Needs to play with more consistent leverage. When he comes out of stance too high he is vulnerable versus powerful bull rush. No excuse for him getting walked back into his own QB like he did versus Wake Forest DE Jeremy Thompson. His footwork and hand placement need a lot of polishing.

Overall: Nicks signed with New Mexico State out of high school (2003), switching from defensive tackle to the offensive line. In 2004, he transferred to Hartnell (Salinas, Calif.) CC, where he played two seasons (2004-'05). Nicks also threw shot put and discus for Hartnell's track team. He transferred to Nebraska in 2006, appearing in 11 games (two starts) at right tackle in his first season with the Cornhuskers. As a senior in 2007, he moved to left tackle and made 11 starts, appearing in all 12 games. He missed the first quarter of last season's Kansas State game because of disciplinary reasons. Nicks is a couple notches below elite-tackle prospects such as Jake Long, Ryan Clady and Chris Williams. He played left tackle as a senior at Nebraska but he is a far better fit on the right side. Nicks moves well enough for his size but he does not possesses ideal agility for the position, so his technique must improve considerably before he's ready to compete for playing time at the next level. If coached properly, though, Nicks has the massive size, short-area quickness and mean streak to develop into a quality starter in the NFL Nicks should come off the board late in the second round or early in the third round.

T minus 46 hours and counting....

;)

My priority for the evening is setting the Saturday afternoon/evening menu....

I absolutely love Carl Nicks. I think he'd be a terrific right tackle.

Williams in the 1st, Nicks in the 2nd, Chilo Rachal in the 3rd...forget about the OL for a decade.

LMAO.

What do you think about Gosder Cherilus? out of curiosity...

I think he's better than that sack of shit Otah.

We'd almost have to take Cherilus in the 2nd round though....he won't be there in the third.

I doubt that Cherilus will last until the 35th pick though....


Imagine the transformation, potentially, of the OLine.....with the additions of Williams, Cherilus, and Nicks. :eek:

However, that might force Waters to Center....which is why I think Mike Pollak in the third is a more likely scenario.

:thumb:

I think I'd rather spend a pick on a guard later in the draft and take Nicks in the 2nd. In a perfect world Nicks is available early in the 3rd.

Using three of the first four picks on D-Linemen seems a little excessive, when we already have a couple of young defensive linemen taken in the first two rounds the last two years.

I have to think that even if it's Sedrick Ellis and Chris Williams in the first, it wouldn't be two DEs with the next two. Maybe Jackson and a CB/OL or someone like James Hardy if he's there and then take the other Ellis still in the third.

Which of the centers do you like....anyone worth a fourth or fifth round pick if Pollak is gone? :shrug:

Giants proved last year that you can beat anyone if you attack the passer.

Hell there are centers worth attention who are available later than that.

I don't know shit about the centers coming out this year. Tom Marino, Scout's draft expert, rated Kory Lichtensteiger behind Pollak though.

F**K YOU, CARL

Sorry, I just wanted to be the first person in this thread to say it.

Anything worth waiting for is worth having now.

LMAO

In perusing a variety of sites and scouting evals, this should be the order of priority....if the Chief's stay at number five:

1. Chris Long
2. Glenn Dorsey
3. Sedrick Ellis
4. Vern Gholston

I don't think we can really lose with anyone of those picks....I've moved Ellis in front of Gholston, mainly due to Ellis's "non-stop motor" versus Gholston's "inconsistency" that seems pretty much a consensus among scouts...

Am I wrong? :shrug:

Defensive Tackle | Senior |
USC Sedrick Ellis
Height: 6-01/2 | Weight: 309 | 40-Time: 5.23

Official Bio

Strengths:
Very quick with a great first step...Very strong and powerful...A terrific pass rusher with the burst to close...Athletic with good speed...Instinctive...Sheds blocks well and is able to beat the double team...Is technically sound when it comes to using his hands and understanding leverage...Has a non-stop motor...Tough and a very hard worker with top-notch intangibles...Has experience at both tackle positions.

Weaknesses:
Doesn't have the ideal height or bulk that you look for...Has some minor durability issues...Might have some trouble holding his ground at the point against massive blockers...Limited schematically and probably won't be a perfect fit for every team.

Notes:
Could be a prototypical three-technique at the pro level...Redshirted in 2003 after breaking his left ankle and missed some time in '06 with a knee injury..Productive, disruptive force in the middle..A better prospect than Mike Patterson was in 2005.



Sedrick Ellis
DT | (6'0", 309, 5.32) | USC
Scouts Grade: 97

Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy
View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.


Strengths: A disruptive, penetrating interior defensive lineman. At his best in a one-gap scheme but has some versatility due to experience as a nose tackle and three-technique. He is extremely disruptive versus the run. Displays outstanding initial burst and wins most of his battles with first-step quickness. Shows outstanding body control and stays on his feet. Uses long arms to keep separation and does an excellent job of disengaging from blocks and keeping on the move. Exceptional technique; uses his hands effectively and his feet never stop moving. Recognition skills are very good and he's athletic enough to change directions and pursue once he penetrates the backfield. He consistently generates pressure as a pass rusher. Shows upper-echelon closing burst for his position and also does a good job of batting down passes once he realizes he's not getting to the QB. Plays with a great motor and works very hard on and off the field. Never gives up on a play and his effort is infectious.

Weaknesses: Undersized; lacks ideal height. Not an ideal fit for two-gap schemes. Durability has been of an issue; redshirted in 2003 due to injury that required surgery and missed three games in 2006 (Nebraska, Arizona and Washington State) due to right knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery.

Overall: Ellis arrived at USC in 2003 but took a medical redshirt year after suffering a midseason left ankle fracture that required surgery. In his first three active seasons (2004-'06), he appeared in 34 games and made 86 tackles (16 for losses) and nine sacks. As a senior in 2007, he started all 13 games at nose guard and collected 58 tackles (12.5 for losses), 8.5 sacks and seven pass breakups on his way to first team All-America honors. Ellis missed three games in '06 after tearing cartilage in his right knee, which required arthroscopic surgery. He also had fluid drained from the knee in '07 and missed several practices but no games. Ellis did not time out well at the combine but he is a great football player, nonetheless. He has bulked up to 309 pounds and can play NT and/or DT at the next level. Thanks to an outstanding combination of quickness, power, technique and effort, Ellis proved in college to be nearly unblockable one-on-one  even versus top talent at the Senior Bowl. Ellis will be valued as a top-10 pick by teams in search of a playmaking one-gap interior lineman.

I wrote this yesterday about Ellis.

http://kan.scout.com/2/749188.html


Last week we looked at the potential pros and cons of Matt Ryan or Darren McFadden playing for the Chiefs this season. In the third part of our four-part Choose Your Destiny series, we look at USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. How would he fit in Kansas City?

Note – due to the early signing of offensive tackle Jake Long by the Miami Dolphins, his segment in our Choose Your Destiny series will not appear. Hence, it becomes a four-part exercise.

Part III: DT Sedrick Ellis, USC

2007 stats – 58 tackles, 8.5 sacks

Career stats – 144 tackles, 17.5 sacks

Ellis gets the nod over LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey in this edition simply because he’s more likely to be available when the Chiefs are on the clock at #5 this Saturday. The St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons both need interior defensive line help, and pick before Kansas City.

How could Ellis help the Chiefs? When you consider KC’s defense ranked 28th against the run and garnered only 5.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position last season, Ellis might be just what Kansas City is looking for.

The Cover 2 defensive scheme employed by the Chiefs works best when a three-technique defensive tackle is penetrating up the field and putting pressure on the quarterback. Ellis has all the skills – lateral quickness, agility, acceleration, strength - to be that player. Some compare him to Warren Sapp or LaRoi Glover.

With the trade of Jared Allen, drafting a player like Ellis would help maximize the production of KC’s defensive ends. It’s tough for any quarterback to step up in the pocket and avoid outside rushers when a tackle is screaming right in your face.

Some of you are thinking of Ryan Sims right now, the last defensive tackle taken in the first round by the Chiefs, and a colossal bust. Don’t compare Sims to Ellis, however.

At North Carolina, Sims was overrated as a prospect because he played next to Julius Peppers on the defensive line. Peppers was the dominant force on that defense, not Sims (regardless of his production).

At USC, there was no such case of mistaken identity with Ellis. Yes, end Lawrence Jackson led the Trojans in sacks last season and is coming out in the draft this year. But Jackson is rated as a second or third-round pick by most experts, and isn’t nearly as athletic or polished a player as Peppers was. There’s no question – Ellis was the engine driving USC’s defensive line.

Finally, consider Ellis’ total college production. Not just the sacks, but the complete package. He racked up a whopping 12.5 tackles for loss last season and even batted down seven passes. And then there’s his experience. Ellis played in 48 games at USC, with 36 starts. That’s a ton of playing time against top-notch competition in the PAC 10.

How could the Chiefs possibly pass on such a player? Well, it’s not such a stretch.

Just last year, Kansas City spent second and third-round picks on two interior linemen – Turk McBride and Tank Tyler. Neither had a huge impact as rookies, but given the praise heaped upon them by defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham this offseason, you’d have to think the Chiefs want to see what they have in two players they’ve invested high picks in.

Drafting Ellis with McBride, Tyler, Alfonso Boone and Ron Edwards already on the roster might lead to something of a logjam at the defensive tackle position (though if McBride and Tyler pan out with Ellis, you’d have a hell of a rotation).

There’s also the question of Ellis’ frame. At 6-foot-1 and 305 pounds, he has a compact build, with relatively short arms. There’s not much room for Ellis to get bigger as a player without losing speed and quickness.

Lastly, there are some minor injury concerns. As a freshman in 2003, Ellis suffered a left ankle fracture, and in 2006 there were issues with torn cartilage in his knee.

The final word:

Scout.com’s Tom Marino rates Ellis as the second-best defensive tackle in this year’s draft. Below is his evaluation.

"Ellis has outstanding quickness, body control, range and balance. Plays with good leverage, has extremely quick strong hands and overall explosiveness. Can stack, but was more effective playing in the gap. Far better at nose then at a three-technique. Has short arms and does not appear to have long speed. Very disruptive player in a limited area but is not second coming of Tommie Harris. A top 10 selection in this year's player draft. Solid starter potential."

Last week:

Boston College QB Matt Ryan

Arkansas RB Darren McFadden

Tomorrow: Virginia DE Chris Long

Very nice, article Clayton.

Really. :thumb:

As long as our first round offensive lineman is not the second-coming of....Trazelle

How about another LB to convert to fullback :banghead:

Or how about a conveting a projected safety to an NFL corner? Those experiments usually go well.... :banghead:

For the Ellis fans:

Does his size and short arms not concern you? I love what I see on tape from him, but that was against college guards and centers - not exactly the best competition.

How many great three-technique DTs are 6'1" or shorter and weigh less than 300 at their best playing weight?

I just am a bit concerned that he will get pushed around at the line of scrimmage and his arms are so short that he will never make first contact.

Thoughts?

Whenever I've seen him, he reminds me of a young Warren Sapp....

If he didn't have the motor he has, I'd be more concerned I guess.

For me too, the tendency of scouts to over-analyze physical characteristics (eg, his arms are short--what 1-2" is gonna really make THAT much difference? I don't think so....)....and underestimate on field play. A player's heart and desire and drive and tenacity come across on film, and are much more important than his "arms are 1 inch shorter than Dorsey" sort of assessments.

Bottom-line is that he played at USC and faced very tough competition throughout his career....and shined. That says much more to me, than some comment like "his arms are shorter than ideal".....

JMHO

Is it possible to put the television schedule in the OP please?

I'm really torn between Ellis and Gholston. If we take either I think I would be happy. For some reason I am not to high on Dorsey or C. Long, and Matt Ryan is out of the question. If we draft Matt Ryan some one is going to have to restrain me from body slamming every TV in my house.

Here is a cool piece from NFLN on Ellis that breaks down his strengths and weaknesses during Senior Bowl practices. It starts with a brief interview with Ellis, and he really comes across as a bright and articulate young man.


http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80712617

Done. :thumb:

Thanks for that; good stuff. I think Ellis is the most likely to be available at 5, so he just could be the pick. He's not perfect, but I sure like him a lot.

If it's anyone other than Long, Dorsey, Ellis, or Gholston though....at this point I'm likely to pull a frazod and blow a friggin' hole through the television. Heh.

based on position alone and not "who" the player will be i like it! :thumb: i might toss a QB in there somewhere though :shrug:

I understand the concern for QB, but I like Croyle....and am comfortable with Huard and Thigpen are adequate as backups, at least during the rebuild. I just see to many "other" needs....unless Brohms or another of the prospects really have Brady-like potential to develop....I'd be willing to wait on a FA or another year (although, apparently, next year's QB class isn't great.)

This weekend is gonna be AWESOME, Dude.

REACH!

Oh, I'm just getting some practice for Saturday, just in case.

You know what, Pollard was the only pick in the last couple of years that I, initially, thought that.....but afterward realized it wasn't. So let's give credit where credit is due....it's been "better" since Herm got here, IMHO.

:shrug:

We're not reaching a lot, that's true.

Only major reach under Herm we've had was McBride last year.

anyone know of an rss feed we could embed in the header that would update the 1st round picks as the happen?

I like your seventh round, and Ellis, but Chris Williams will be a bust.

the verdict on pollard is definitely still out...

tru dat

Weren't the concerns over McBride mostly "character" questions?

He still has a shot to make his selection worthwhile though....

You don't like OT's from good conferences that can actually pass block eh?

I'm with you, but the concerns over his lack of intensity and his reliance on finesse, rather than power....particularly in the running game needed to have been addressed by our scouting staff if they pick him.

I know not everyone is a fan of Scott Wright, but his final mock actually had Turk going to STL 2 slots ahead of us.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/archive/2007/mock.html

He's a LT you take the pass blocker there everytime.

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/47606bd521007408/481248b35baed16b/47606bd5181cf9ed/c28908c/widget.js"></script>

Thanks, TC....that is cool. :thumb:

sweet...

I have concerns about Williams, too....but who doesn't? He seems to have put some of those to rest since the combine and process since. Guess we'll see.

What in particular is concerning to you?