Big Tim said:
If..... Raiders fans can only hope.
They should be able to squeeze alot out of the Cowboys for that #3 pick.
I think Julius Jones and Marion Barber are enough.
the value/risk factor with McFadden is too overwhelming.
The cowboys proved this year that they are a sensational offensive team. Romo is obviously a top 5/10 QB and Pat Crayton/Witten/TO are one of the best receiving corps in the game.
With their running game, I very honestly believe Marion Barber is in the top 3 running backs in the league. They simply don't need McFadden.
It is a tremendous opportunity to fix an overpeforming (in 2007) o line and get some LBs and DBs.
For the Raiders, thejy are close to being a good team. The reality is that they are actually a good team, but are in a very hard division with the Broncos who will always be good, the Chargers who have the most natural talent in the league arguably and the Chiefs who are a very under rated team.
My top 5 for the draft is as follows (if i were the GM)
1. Dolphins - there are simply too many holes. the draft class of 2008 can be the backbone of their run to the title within 5-6 years. They simply have to trade this pick for a couple of picks this year and a couple of picks next year.
2. Rams - Jake long. it is simple, look at the difference Joe thomas has made for the Browns. Long is in the same league.
3. Falcons - QB. Some have the falcons taking McFadden which isn't a bad option, but their team cannot rely on Joey Harrington. THe alternative is getting a Derek Anderson or Rex Grossman who is at least servicable and getting McFadden to revamp the entire offence.
4. Oakland - Glen Dorsey. They just simply need to be able to stop the run. they are in the same division as the chiefs (LJ), Chargers (LT) and the Broncos who probably have 37 good running backs.
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Chris Long DE. I havent seen enough to see any major weaknesses. Huard is the real (ish) deal and obviously a healthy LJ is great.
I know it is stupid for me to not have a QB taken in the top 5. But I think NFL teams are starting to realise that unless the QB is a rediculous talent (eg Peyton manning, yes i;ll bloody admit it or carson palmer) the investment is too much. I believe Matt Ryan will be the first QB taken but I believe that he is overrated. The other 2 main ones are Brian Brohm and Andre Woodson.
Andre Woodson is the ultimate project QB. give him 2-3 years of tasting the big time and he will turn out f**king good. I can see him working out for a team like the Seahakws (especially) Bucaneers or Lions.
I think Brian Brohm is the best QB of the lot. I wouldn't fault the dolphins completely for picking him with the numebr 1 pick and teams like the Bears, Vikings, Ravens or Bears.
A lot of the OSU players lost a lto of value after their performance in the BCS game.
For the Patriots, we have the 7th and (hopefully) 32nd pick). Our needs are simple LBs and CBs. The only CB i'd consider good enough to be drafted in the first round (m jenkins) is staying another year. I have no hesitation in saying that the pats will be good next year but not even half of what they are this year.
Our salary cap position is admitedly aweful. Whilst I have 100% trust in what BB and Scott Pioli do, we are not in a position to draft the next marquee amazing talent like we did with Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Logan Mankins.
I can see the Patriots trasding both picks for either more picks in 2009 or even for the kind of player that will make a difference to the LB corp.