By selecting Mike Neal (Purdue, second round) and C.J. Wilson (East Carolina, seventh round), the team made it clear it felt more size and depth needed to be added up front. And by officially moving B.J. Raji (RAJI!) and Ryan [...]]]> The Green Bay Packers put a significant emphasis on the defensive line in this year’s draft.

By selecting Mike Neal (Purdue, second round) and C.J. Wilson (East Carolina, seventh round), the team made it clear it felt more size and depth needed to be added up front. And by officially moving B.J. Raji (RAJI!) and Ryan Pickett to nose tackle and defensive end, respectively, the Pack will look a lot different as they enter year two of the 3-4 scheme.

This current look will probably only last for the 2010 season, though.

That’s because two key members of the line, ends Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins, are both entering free agency after this season. Jolly signed his one-year RFA tender – worth $2.5 million – last week. Under the current CBA, he wouldn’t be scheduled for unrestricted free agency until after 2011, but you have to think the Players Association will get that rule changed by the time a new CBA is agreed upon.

Jenkins, meanwhile, will earn $3.2 million in the last year of the four-year, $16 million contract he signed in 2007.

Green Bay is clearly hoping one of the two rookies or 2009 sixth round pick Jarius Wynn – no, I’m not doing the “If he’s healthy, Justin Harrell could bring something to the table, too” dance, like some fans are – will play well enough this season to make either Jolly or Jenkins expendable.

Obviously, how those two players perform this season will play a major part in who stays and who goes. Since it’s only, you know, June, we can’t determine that yet. But we can look at some factors that may provide some clues as to which way the team is currently leaning.

First, let’s look at the type of player each is.

Jolly is a powerful – make that ridiculously powerful – lineman. His quickness is perhaps a bit underrated, yes, but Jolly makes his name on his ability to flat-out overpower the man in front of him. He’ll likely never be a big-time pass-rusher – he had just one sack last season and has just two for his career – but he’s still an asset in pass defense. His 11 pass knockdowns last season broke the club record of nine, ironically set by Jenkins in 2007. In many ways, he is a prototypical 3-4 end – not overly flashy, but strong enough to eat up blocks and free the linebackers behind him.

Jenkins is not a weak man by any stretch, but he doesn’t appear to have the raw strength of Jolly. Of course, he’s got very good quickness and has shown he knows how to get to the quarterback, be it 3-4 or 4-3 (his 4.5 sacks last season is a lot for a 3-4 end, believe it or not). He’s a good fit for the scheme, but perhaps not quite as much as Jolly is. Remember, pass rushing skills are a plus, not a requirement, for 3-4 ends.

Let’s now take a look at the ages of each player. Jenkins turned 29 in January, while Jolly turned 27 in February. Not much of a difference in most areas of life, but in the NFL, two extra years of youth can sometimes play a big part in making such decisions.

So far, it would seem the edge goes to Jolly, right? Yes, but this third area could shift things a bit: Negatives on each player.

There are two major knocks on Jenkins: His injury history and his tendency to wear down as the season progresses.

Big things were expected of him in 2007, but he wasn’t very good (outside of the pass knockdowns). Injuries nagged him for most of the season and he finished with just one sack (plus 1.5 sacks in the divisional round win over Seattle). He was lining up a Pro Bowl-type year in 2008 before a torn pectoral muscle put him on injured reserve just four games in.

The tendency to wear down was obvious last season. After putting up 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles through the first six games, Jenkins all but fell off the map for the final 10: One sack, no forced fumbles. Pass rushing is a luxury for linemen in this scheme, yes, but it wasn’t just there that Jenkins disappeared. You seemed to notice him less and less in every area as the season went on.

And Jenkins was also one of the players that voiced their displeasure with the way Dom Capers was scheming things near the midway point of the season. He quieted down as the defense took off, but you have to wonder if he’s still unsure of his role. After all, he’s a better fit for the 4-3.

Those two knocks are certainly significant, but they pale in comparison to the major knock on Jolly: His character.

The drug charges currently looming against Jolly are certainly troublesome, as is the fact that his trial is seemingly never going to actually happen. Truth be told, though, I’d be willing to look past that. Remember, this is the NFL, and Jolly would definitely not be the first young player to make a foolish off-field mistake involving drugs (allegedly).

The thing I can’t look past, however, is the fact that Jolly is still making foolish mistakes (see: the photos where he appears to be drinking even though he was told not to by the judge). Those photos, in part, earned him an extremely strict curfew from the judge in his case and those are the things that make me wonder if he can ever actually be counted on.

I’m not the only one who feels that way, either. The rumors have been out there for awhile now that people within the organization are worried about handing over a big contract to Jolly. The drug issues play a part in those feelings, but there’s also concern that Jolly has a poor work ethic and could be the type of player to mail it in upon receving that big signing bonus (now more relevant than ever with the current Albert Haynesworth saga in Washington).

And whether or not he’s found guilty in this case, Jolly is almost certain to receive a suspension of some sort from Roger Goodell (even if he’s found innocent, I’m guessing he’ll have to sit out two games). That means the margin for future error with him will be zero – not good if you’re talking eight-figure signing bonuses. 

When you add all of this up, it seems like Jolly is a better candidate to stay until you consider the off-field stuff. Jenkins might not be the better fit for the scheme, but he’s a safer choice. It’s true that the team could keep both players – franchise Jenkins and re-up Jolly – but that is not going to happen. Pickett and Raji already both make big money and the team has invested a lot in the young guys, particularly Neal.

Again, the 2010 season will likely provide the final verdict. But for now, Jenkins has the edge.

-Chris Lempesis

Since our last mock, three weeks ago, there have been a handful of trades/signings that have caused this third mock to change. But more than anything, the array of pro days and increased overall chatter amongst “insiders” (which we at OBOD are definitely not) [...]]]> Two mock drafts down, two more to go until draft day (15 days from now!!).

Since our last mock, three weeks ago, there have been a handful of trades/signings that have caused this third mock to change. But more than anything, the array of pro days and increased overall chatter amongst “insiders” (which we at OBOD are definitely not) has had the biggest effect on this new mock.

What does it look like now? Well, let’s find out, shall we?

(By the way, the “Ocean’s Thirteen” reference is strictly a joke. I can guarantee this mock will not be as bad as that film. God help me if I’m wrong.)

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Monday’s release of Marc Bulger, coupled with Bradford’s very good pro day showing last week, make the likelihood that he goes to the Rams exponentially greater. They clearly need a guy and, while my doubts about Bradford remain, he’s the best of the bunch and a pick St. Louis can sell to its fans.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. Truth be told, I think the Lions would love to trade out of this spot. But I’m just not sure anyone will want this pick badly enough to make a move. In the event Detroit hangs on to the pick, Suh has to be the guy. He’s equally good against the run and the pass and would give the Lions a genuine difference-maker in the front seven, something head coach Jim Schwartz desperately needs.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. I’ve had the Bucs going with Eric Berry in my first two mocks. This time around, I think McCoy will be pick. The Bucs, much like Detroit, need an impact player along the line as they only recorded 28 sacks last season (tied for 26th in the league). McCoy isn’t quite as good against the run as Suh is, but his pass rush skills will allow him to make an immediate difference.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. Sunday’s trade for Donovan McNabb eliminates any speculation that Washington will select Jimmy Clausen. That trade also leaves the ‘Skins with just one pick in the first three rounds and you have to think they’d love to trade down. Like the Lions, though, I doubt they find much interest. In that case, they’ll go with Okung, the best o-lineman in the draft and someone who can help cover McNabb right away.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. People seem to be cooling on Berry a little bit, and I’m not sure why. Forget about all the postseason workout stuff and just put on the tape. This kid’s a star in the making. Works out well for the Chiefs, then, as they need secondary help – particularly at safety – in a major way. In five years, we very well could be looking at Berry as the best player to come out of this draft.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa. While questions initially existed as to how high Bulaga’s ceiling really is, he seems to be gaining momentum in recent weeks. His size (6-feet, 6-inches, 312 pounds) and the recent track record of former Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year winners (Jake Long, Joe Thomas) likely have a lot do to with this. Plus, Peter King reported in his “Monday Morning Quarterback” column this week that Seattle GM John Schneider – remember him? – loves Bulaga. Makes too much sense not to happen.

7. Cleveland Browns – Earl Thomas, S, Texas. Another change from my first two mock drafts comes in this spot, where I originally had the Brownies going with Florida corner Joe Haden. But last week’s trade for former Eagle Sheldon Brown crosses corner off Cleveland’s list of needs. The Browns will still look to upgrade their secondary, one of the worst in football in 2009, but will do so with Thomas. A bit undersized (5-feet, 10-inches, just under 200 pounds), Thomas makes up for it with dynamic playmaking skills and excellent speed.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida. Crazy Al loves measurables. Pierre-Paul has measurables (6-feet, 6-inches, 265 pounds, amazing speed). Crazy Al loves Pierre-Paul. Done and done.

9. Buffalo Bills – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Where Clausen lands is quickly becoming one of the big stories surrounding this year’s draft. Some think he could go top five, while others have him a bit lower. Put me in the latter group as I still think Buffalo is his likely destination. As I’ve said before, the Bills need hope of some kind, any kind. As of now, they have nothing. While my doubts about Clausen are even bigger than those of Bradford, he’ll definitely provide some hope.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. I’ve said all along this is where Bryant goes and I’m sticking to it. The Jags need a big-time threat in the passing game. And Bryant, despite some character issues (mainly listening to Deion Sanders), is the closest thing to a big-time wideout in this draft. He’s not overly fast, but is big and tough with very good hands. Could be an immediate impact player for Jacksonville.

11. Denver Broncos (from Bears) - Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. No movement here, either. McClain is by far the best ILB in this draft and a perfect fit for the 3-4 scheme that Denver runs (it’s the scheme he played in at Alabama). With a (presumably) healthy Jamal Williams eating up space in front of him, McClain should be able to punish ballcarriers for quite some time in Denver.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. Same position, different play for this pick as I originally had Miami going with UCLA’s Brian Price. I’ve got the Dolphins going with Williams this time, though, as he’s more of a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle. He’s got the size (325 pounds) and strength to be a force at the position, good because Jason Ferguson is old (35) and will miss the first eight games of the year (performance-enhancing drugs).

13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The 49ers will be doing cartwheels on draft night if Haden is indeed here, and I think he will be. His slight fall isn’t caused by anything he’s done (or hasn’t done), but rather because the teams above San Fran don’t really need a corner that badly. Haden is the best corner in this draft and should contribute right away.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos) – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. Spiller seems to be rising in the eyes of some “insiders”, but really, I doubt he goes before this spot. That doesn’t mean he’s lacking potential to be very, very good, because he isn’t. I just don’t think anyone else will look running back before here. That’s a good thing indeed for the Seahawks as Spiller could be Bush 2.0 for Pete Carroll. With Bulaga and Spiller in the fold, Seattle’s offense should be much better next season.

15. New York Giants – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. As I’ve stated previously, I have it on good authority – and by “good authority”, I mean my good friend/Giants superfan Matt Anderson – that Big Blue would love to snag McClain with this pick. I’m not sure he’ll be there, though, and if New York can’t get him, it will go with Williams. He’s got solid upside and would provide an instant upgrade at right tackle – his likely spot in the pros.

16. Tennessee Titans – Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas. The Titans struggled getting to the quarterback last season, their first without Fat Albert. That area looks to be even weaker now with Kyle Vanden Bosch’s departure to Detroit. In order to boost it back up, Tennessee will look to Kindle. At 255 pounds, you can forget about Kindle playing defensive end in the NFL. But as an outside linebacker, he brings much to the table, mainly his relentless nature and instinctive knack for getting to the QB.

 17. San Francisco 49ers (from Panthers) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. My previous mock had Davis to the Niners with the 13th pick. I still think this is where he ends up, though he’ll have to wait a little bit longer now. Davis’ solid pro day showing put some of the doubts surrounding him to rest, but questions about his work ethic and weight still remain. He’s got potential to be very, very good – if he can get with a coach that stays on him at all times. Enter Mike Singletary.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho. I still can’t believe the Steelers won it all two seasons ago with such a weak offensive line. That group wasn’t a whole lot better last season, either, and Pittsburgh must improve up front if it hopes to get back into serious AFC contention. Iupati could definitely help that cause. A 6-feet, 5-inch, 330 pound beast, Iupati is a throwback type of lineman. No zone blocking schemes for this guy – he just wants to maul.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech. I had Morgan going to Atlanta in my original mock. After a quick detour for our second mock, he’s back in Atlanta this time. Morgan is perhaps the best all-around defensive end in this draft. He’s solid against the run and a terror as a pass-rusher (12 sacks, two forced fumbles last season). His addition will be a big boost to Atlanta’s defense and should put the Falcons solidly back in playoff contention next season.

20. Houston Texans – Brian Price, DT, UCLA. Same position, different player for Houston this time around, as I previously had the Texans going with Penn State’s Jared Odrick. With Price still on the board, though, he’s likely the guy. He’s a hair better against the run than is Odrick, with equal pass-rushing skills. Houston hit a home run by taking a Pac-10 defensive player last season (USC’s Brian Cushing), so why not do it again?

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida. Toughness is lacking for the Bengals’ offense. That changes significantly with the addition of Pouncey, a physical, nasty lineman. He’s also intelligent, athletic and incredibly versatile (having played both guard and center for a big-time program). The Bengals could also look for another playmaker on offense here, but Pouncey is too good to pass up. They can grab a wideout in round two.

22. New England Patriots – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan. Again, little change at this spot. New England still needs to improve its pass rush and Graham will give the Pats the best chance to do that. He’s an incredibly smart player who never stops coming at you and just knows how to get the job done (averaging nine sacks a year over his last three seasons at Michigan). The Hoodie has never been scared off by tweeners and I doubt that changes now. He’ll love this guy.

23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT, USC. As usual, I’ll go a little longer here as this is a Packers blog. First, as draft night nears, I’m becoming more and more certain that Ted Thompson will trade out of this spot. The Packers have a few holes to fill, and if Thompson can pick up a couple more selections in the first few rounds, he can pretty much fill them all. He can not do so if he hangs on to this pick. As for the idea of taking an outside linebacker here, I’d say it’s certainly possible. But Brad Jones has a lot of potential and I think the Packers will wait on that spot. Hence, if they keep the pick, they’ll have to go with a tackle and Brown is the best left on the board. Again, yes, he’s got weight left to put on, but his pass protection skills are already very good. He could be the guy for a long, long time. This team can not wait any longer to find its left tackle of the future and history shows you have the best chance of getting Pro Bowl talent at that position in round one.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. While trading Brown filled Cleveland’s void for a corner, it opened a void at that spot for the Eagles. Wilson has excellent ball skills, can play both man and zone and is an excellent return man. He’d look good opposite Asante Samuel. Philly is flush with picks after its two trades and can address its need for a pass rusher in the second round.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. Baltimore’s trade for Anquan Boldin originally had me thinking it would look defense with this pick. Then I remembered just how inconsistent/ineffective Todd Heap really was last season and changed my mind. Gresham has some concerns due to his knee injury from last season, but when you look at him on tape, it’s clear he can be a big-time playmaker. You can never give a young quarterback too many of those, right?

26. Arizona Cardinals – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. My first two mock drafts have had the Cards going defense, specifically outside linebacker. The recent addition of Joey Porter crosses that off the list, though, and I now believe Arizona will look to upgrade along the line. Campbell certainly has his share of question marks, but his upside is too much to pass on here. If anyone can get the most out of this guy, it’s Russ Grimm.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Taylor Mays, S, USC. Having recently cut Flozell Adams, it’s a good bet the Cowboys will be looking for his replacement at this spot. Unfortunately for them, the top six tackles are already gone. That being the case, Dallas will look to replace Ken Hamlin – also recently released – with Mays. Mays projects as a strong safety in the pros. In fact, he’s so big (230 pounds) and such a good tackler/hitter, some have suggested he could be moved to outside linebacker eventually. Either way, he’s got good value for Dallas here.

28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State. My first two mocks have had the Bolts going with Alabama’s Terrence Cody. This time around, though, I think Matthews is the pick. San Diego needs a presence in the run game, something Darren Sproles just doesn’t provide. Matthews is a good combination of power and speed and his lack of pass-catching skills wouldn’t be a problem with Sproles in the fold.

29. New York Jets – Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri. The Jets are moving in the right direction, offensively, provided Mark Sanchez continues to develop. The defense is pretty damn good, too, but could use one more player, particularly another outside linebacker. Weatherspoon should quickly become a favorite of Rex Ryan’s. He’s a hard-hitting, hard-working linebacker who knows how to play the run and blitz the quarterback.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama. I still think Minnesota wants to snag a corner with this pick, but I don’t think there’s anyone left on the board worth taking this high. The Vikes will then turn their focus to the d-line. The possibility of dual four-game suspensions for Pat and Kevin Williams, plus Pat’s age (38 in October), make upgrading that spot a priority. Cody has some issues (weight, focus, etc.), but if he’s reigned in, he could become a dominant run-stuffer in the pros. Minnesota looks for a back to compliment Adrian Peterson in round two.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State. The Colts will likely hope one of the top six tackles fall to this spot (previously, I had them going with Campbell, for example) as Charlie Johnson just isn’t the long-term guy at that spot. Since they are all gone, however, Indy will look to solidify itself at d-tackle instead. The Colts need to get an impact player between Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Odrick has decent size (306 pounds), recorded seven sacks last season and should help take some heat off those two.

32. New Orleans Saints – Carlos Dunlap, DE/DT, Florida. The recent release of Charles Grant leaves a void along the d-line for the defending champs (still feels weird writing that about the Saints). Dunlap lacks motivation at times – and has an unfortunate DUI arrest – but he’s also a monster talent. He recorded nine sacks in each of the past two seasons and, if New Orleans can keep a fire under him, it could end up with great value here.

One final note: This will be my last solo mock before the draft. Our final mock will be a three-man super mock, featuring Adam, Gene and myself. We’re going to run that the day before the draft, so stay tuned. It should be a lot of fun and will hopefully sound nothing like Asia (they were a super-group from the 80s…damn you kids).

-Chris Lempesis

With the NFL scouting combine in full swing and free agency set to begin Friday at 12:01 a.m. EST, we at OBOD figured it would be a good idea to pull together an early mock draft. Like we said in our first mock last year, this baby is likely to change a ton [...]]]> Well, it’s time.

With the NFL scouting combine in full swing and free agency set to begin Friday at 12:01 a.m. EST, we at OBOD figured it would be a good idea to pull together an early mock draft. Like we said in our first mock last year, this baby is likely to change a ton between now and the NFL Draft (April 22-24). I will be handling the duties for this first mock; Adam and Gene will be weighing in with their thoughts in the weeks ahead.

You might be asking: Why don’t you guys just wait a little bit longer to write one then?

Answer: These things are just too damn fun to do. We can’t wait any longer.

Besides, we’ll be rolling out a least a few more of these between now and draft day, again, because mock drafts are just the best. And if you’re wondering why we haven’t yet ripped into the NFL for having the draft Thursday-Saturday this year? Don’t worry – we’re going to – very soon.

With that brief introduction out of the way, let’s tee this thing up, shall we?

As always, enjoy.

1. St. Louis Rams -  Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. The Rams have a defensive-minded head coach who loves to get pressure on the quarterback, particularly from the defensive linemen. It must have killed Steve Spagnuolo, then, to see his team finish with just 25 sacks, third worst in the league. Suh will be NFL-ready from day one and should instantly help remedy St. Louis’ blues (hey, did I just make a hockey reference by accident?).

2. Detroit Lions – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. Sort of a similar story here. Jim Schwartz is a defensive guy and likely hated the fact that Detroit went offense with both its first round picks last season. He wants – and needs – to find his Haynesworth 2.0 (i.e., a game-changing d-lineman). McCoy isn’t nearly as big as Fat Albert – just 295 pounds – but is a very good two-way lineman with explosive pass rushing ability.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. Everyone’s talking about Suh and McCoy right now. In five years, though, Berry could very well end up the best defensive player to come out of this draft. Athletic, fast and rangy, he’s the type of do-it-all player who could make an impact on Tampa Bay’s defense right away. His playmaking numbers dipped a bit last season (just two picks as opposed to 12 combined in the two years previous), but don’t let that fool you. This kid’s for real.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. Originally, I had the ‘Skins going with Sam Bradford. Then I read that new head coach Mike Shanahan wants Jason Campbell back. Good decision as Campbell, for all the dogging he takes from ‘Skins fans and the media, could be a good quarterback if given some actual protection. Enter Okung, the most complete – and best – lineman in the draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. Consider this curveball No. 1 of the mock as McClain is looked at by many as a mid-first rounder. The Chiefs would likely love to land one of the top two tackles or Okung. But with those three off the board, they turn their attention to finding an impact inside ‘backer, something they desperately need. McClain is an absolute beast, particularly in stuffing the run. And, really, is it a reach if you grab an impact player who fills a need?

6. Seattle Seahawks – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. It’s been a great, potentially Hall of Fame-type run for Walter Jones. But he’s 35 now and breaking down, physically. A replacement must be found. Davis could be that guy, a 6-feet, 6-inch, 325 pound monster who is looked at by many as the best pass protecting lineman in the draft. Some wonder about his weight issues and love for the game, but his upside is too much for Pete Carroll and Co. to pass up here.

7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The Brownies need secondary help in a major way as they finished 29th in passing yards allowed per game (a whopping 244.7). Eric Wright is and up-and-comer on one side, but Cleveland has nothing on the other. Haden is, hands down, the best corner in the draft. He’s physical, aggressive and extremely fast and the Browns will jump at him here.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida. JP-P only played one year at South Florida and didn’t really record major numbers (42 tackles, six sacks and one interception). But what JP-P lacks in numbers, he makes up for in measureables (6-feet, 6-inches, 265 pounds and lightening fast). Well, we all know Crazy Al loves measurables. I’d say more, but really, to do so would be to try and crawl inside Davis’ head. Yeah, no thanks.

9. Buffalo Bills – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Brian Brohm, Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yep – that’s the quarterback group for the Bills as of now. None of those three bring any hope for the future, if you’re a Bills fan. And, really, that’s what Buffalo needs to give its fans here – some hope. I have my doubts about Bradford (coming off a shoulder injury and played in a spread-style offense), but he will provide optimism.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. Jacksonville hasn’t had a gamebreaking receiving threat since the days of Jimmy Smith. Well, those days were a looooooong time ago. Bryant is an athletic, tough wideout with very good hands who could loosen the strain on Maurice Jones-Drew. He’s got some character concers, but Jack Del Rio doesn’t strike me as a coach who would be swayed by that stuff.

11. Denver Broncos (from Bears) - Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Curveball No. 2 right here. While it’s true that Kyle Orton did a very solid job in his time as starter last season, he’s likely never going to be the type of quarterback who can get on a long playoff run. Who was Clausen’s coach in college? Charlie Weis, who previously was in New England with who? That’s right – Josh McDaniels. Clausen would know this offense and could spend a year or two being groomed behind Orton.

12. Miami Dolphins – Brian Price, DT, UCLA. The Dolphins need some help at nose tackle, where Jason Ferguson is now 35 years old. Price is similar in size – Ferguson’s 310 pounds and Price is 300 – and the Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year also has the explosion to get into the backfield on passing downs. A meat-and-potatoes, Bill Parcells-type of pick right here.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa. The Niners are definitely a team on the up, but they could still use some help at o-line. Some questions exist as to how high Bulaga’s ceiling really is. But the 6-feet, 6-inch, 312 pound Bulaga was also voted Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year last season. A couple of recent winners of that award, Jake Long and Joe Thomas, have done pretty well in the pros and Bulaga should follow suit.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos) – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. Filling the offensive line void was key, but it didn’t help the fact that the Seahawks have a major lack of gamebreakers at the skill positions, offensively. Spiller, on the other hand, would help that very much. A dual threat back, Spiller could be Pete’s new Reggie Bush.

15. New York Giants – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. Heading into last season, the defensive line was looked at as perhaps the biggest strength for the Giants. Turns out it wasn’t. At 325 pounds and strong as a freakin’ bull, Williams is the type of player who can command double teams and open things up for players like Justin Tuck.

16. Tennessee Titans – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho. The Titans have some needs, defensively, but also have some holes along the offensive line. And since their best player is running back Chris Johnson, they need to ensure he has the best five guys in front of him in order to fully succeed. The 6-feet, 5-inch, 330 pound Iupati has the strength to be able to play, and flourish, right away. He could end up being very, very good.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Panthers) – Earl Thomas, S, Texas. In addition to o-line, the Niners could use a big-time playmaking safety in the secondary. His size (5-feet, 10-inches, just under 200 pounds) isn’t exactly what you’d like at that position. But his numbers (63 tackles, eight interceptions last season) and speed definitely are. He’s also a very hard worker – something you know head coach Mike Singletary will love.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. I’m still shocked the Steelers won the Super Bowl two seasons ago with that offensive line. Their current left tackle, Max Starks, is decent but not great. Campbell is a freak, physically (6-feet, 7-inches, 310 pounds, with a sub-4.8 40 time). In fact, some think he’s got the most upside of any lineman in the draft. He might not be NFL ready just yet, but he could sit behind Starks for a year if need be.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech. At 275 pounds, Morgan is right on the fence as far as where he can play in the pros (depending on whether or not he adds weight). Either way, Atlanta needs help at both these spots (particularly at defensive end, where Jamaal Anderson has been a major bust). With 12 sacks and two forced fumbles for a team that plays in Atlanta’s backyard, Morgan could help bolster the Falcons’ defense in a major way.

20. Houston Texans – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State. As usual, the Texans are set, offensively. Again, as usual, their defense still needs more work if they are to finally get over the top and into the playoffs. Last year’s first rounder, linebacker Brian Cushing, was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but the team still needs one or two more pieces. Odrick (306 pounds with seven sacks last year) could very well be the nose tackle to open things up for Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.

22. New England Patriots – Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas. This pick changes if the Pats, as some expect, end up with Julius Peppers. If they don’t, though, Kindle could be the guy here. At 255 pounds, he’s an OLB in the pros. He’s got great athleticism, knows how to get to the quarterback and could be for the Pats what Brian Orakpo was for the ‘Skins last season.

23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT, USC. Since this is a Packers’ blog, I’ll go a little more in-depth here. While the team could go in a few different directions (corner, outside linebacker and even safety) in this spot, finding a left tackle of the future is paramount of importance, even if Chad Clifton comes back for one more year. At just 290 pounds, Brown must bulk up a bit before he’s game ready. But his athleticism and NFL-ready pass protection skills would cover him if forced to play right away. He’s got a ton of upside and could protect Aaron Rodgers’ blindside for the next decade. It’s a smart, safe choice, one that would pay off both now and in the long term.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan. The Eagles’ linebacking corps, as a whole, took a step back last season. Injuries played a part in that, of course, but still, Philly needs to reinforce the position. Over his last three seasons at Michigan, Graham averaged over nine sacks a season, with ever-improving tackle numbers. He’s got short arms, yes, but he’s also a hard-worker who comes at you on every play. Philly fans will love this guy.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Damian Williams, WR, USC. One thing struck me, more than anything, about the Ravens during last season’s Monday night game with the Pack: Their near total lack of playmakers on offense, outside of Ray Rice. That needs to change if they are ever going to make a serious run at a Super Bowl. Williams isn’t the biggest receiver at just 6-feet, 1-inch, but has very good speed and recorded over 1,000 yards receiving for the Trojans last year.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU. If Karlos Dansby is re-signed (and he should be), the Cards are fine at inside linebacker. They still need help on the outside, though, where Clark Haggans and Chike Okeafor are merely decent. Hughes played defensive end in college, but at 257 pounds, he’ll be moved to OLB in the pros. With 26 sacks over his final two years at TCU, he’s shown a knack for getting to the quarterback.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. In their playoff loss to Minnesota, the Cowboys showed their weaknesses along the o-line. Flozell Adams, for all the hype and money, just isn’t very consistent in pass protection. Plus, he’s getting older, so the team needs to upgrade there, at least for the future. Williams would have gone much higher if not for his subpar 2009 season, but he still has a lot of tools and could be a good pro, if he regains his 2008 form.

28. San Diego Chargers – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama. At first glance, this pick could be surprising. After all, the Chargers have Jamal Williams at nose tackle and he is one of the best in the league. However, Williams turns 33 in April and is coming off a torn triceps injury that caused him to miss most of last season. They need a future and “Mount Cody” could be just that, provided he stays motivated and keeps his weight down.

29. New York Jets – Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson. It’s time for New York to just suck it up and admit that Vernon Gholston is a bust. That being the case, the J-E-T-S need someone to go opposite Calvin Pace at OLB. Sapp was never 100 percent, health-wise, last year, yet he still finished with five sacks. Once back at 100 percent, he could become the pass rushing threat New York’s defense needs to become great.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. Antoine Winfield is still very good, but also getting up there in age. Cedric Griffin is steadily improving, but could miss the first six weeks due to his torn ACL suffered in the NFC Championship Game. Wilson is a bit small at 5-feet, 9-inches, but is an aggressive, playmaking corner. He wouldn’t be forced to matchup against great players right away, allowing him to learn the game. In time, he could be very, very good.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Carlos Dunlap, DT, Florida. I said before last year’s draft and I’ll say it again now: Yes, the Colts have two great ends in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Between them? Not much. Indy needs to upgrade at tackle and it must do so this season to lessen the strain on the two outstanding ends. There are some questions surrounding Dunlap (lack of motivation and a DUI arrest in particular). But he’s also had nine sacks in each of the past two seasons and can play tackle or end (in the event Freeney or Mathis gets hurt)

32. New Orleans Saints – Taylor Mays, S, USC. Before last season, it would have been unthinkable to have Mays this low. But a bad 2009 season (just one interception) and doubts about his ceiling land him here. With Darren Sharper getting older, the Saints need future insurance and Mays brings great value at this spot.

-Chris Lempesis

Here are some quick hits on the other high-profile [...]]]> Albert Haynesworth’s $100 million deal with the Redskins (who called that?  I can’t remember) and the Kansas City Chiefs’ acquisition of Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from the New England Patriots are far from the only big transactions 43 hours into the NFL’s free agency signing period.

Here are some quick hits on the other high-profile moves made:

• Cleveland Browns trade tight end Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for second round pick in 2009 draft and fifth round pick in 2010 draft.

This is a good move for both teams. Tampa Bay picks up a proven playmaker who will benefit from a fresh start after never quite clicking in Cleveland, for various reasons (injuries, displeasure with management). Plus, now we know where some of that estimated $60 million of cap space will go. For the Browns, they get a first-day selection and rid themselves of problem child Winslow.

• New York Jets sign inside linebacker Bart Scott to six-year, $48 million contract.

I can’t remember who called this one, either. Great move by the Jets, who struggled in switching to a 3-4 defense last season. New York will run that same alignment this season under new head coach Rex Ryan and who better to help bolster it than Scott, who starred in the 3-4 under Ryan in Baltimore. The Jets also traded a fifth round pick this year and a conditional pick next year to Philadelphia for cornerback Lito Sheppard, so look for them to be much improved on defense this season.

• Denver Broncos sign free safety Brian Dawkins to five-year, $17 million contract.

Dawkins, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is nowhere near the player he was in his prime as he is now 35 years old. Still, Denver was an utter trainwreck defensively last season, finishing 26th in passing yards, 27th in rushing yards and 30th in average points allowed. Dawkins, for at least a year, should be able to help settle things down somewhat. But why did Denver give him five years?

Now, onto a some deals with NFC North implications:

• Minnesota Vikings send fourth round pick in 2009 draft to Houston Texans for quarterback Sage Rosenfels.

And the mediocre wheel of Vikings’ quarterbacks keeps on spinning. With an estimated $25 million of cap space and, basically, a quarterback away from being scary good, Minnesota decided against pursuing an actual signal caller (Kurt Warner, for example). Instead, the purple dealt for a 31-year old already on his fourth team. Then, the Vikings gave him a two-year, $9 million contract extension.

Thank you God.

Had the Vikes picked up Warner – or even, say, Derek Anderson or Jeff Garcia – they would be the clear-cut favorite to rule the division again. But they didn’t and now the division is wide-open.

• Detroit Lions sign running back Maurice Morris to three-year, $7 million contract and trade quarterback Jon Kitna to Dallas Cowboys for cornerback Anthony Henry.

The Morris signing gives the team someone to spell Kevin Smith. Don’t have much of a problem with that move or the Kitna trade (which finally gives the Cowboys a competent backup). Henry is a solid cornerback who will help the Lions improve on last season’s 27th-ranked pass defense. For a team looking to simply win a game, neither move will hurt that cause.

-Chris Lempesis

How does this affect the Packers?  It doesn’t.  They [...]]]> The biggest prize (literally) in this year’s Free Agent class is off the market.  Albert Haynesworth reached a deal early Friday morning with the Washington Redskins for a whopping seven years at $100 million, that could max out at $115 million and contains $41 million in guarantees.

How does this affect the Packers?  It doesn’t.  They weren’t a player in the Fat Albert sweepstakes and especially not after seeing the contract he got.  Typical signing for the ‘Skins, now they just have to hope he keeps his head on straight and stay away from the buffet.  Warning to all D.C. Metro Old Country Buffets, Albert Haynesworth is coming!

The Redskins were not done, as they also re-upped cornerback DeAngelo Hall with a deal to the tone of six years at $54 million, with $22.5 in guarantees.  I guess they forgot what happened after Hall signed a big deal with Oakland last year.

That is about it for now, already a busier opening morning than last season.  Keep an eye on the Titans, as Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean says former Cowboy Chris Canty is visiting the team, a player who would also look nice in green and gold.

Check with with us throughout the day and weekend for the lastest news and rumors in Free Agency.

-Adam Somers

There is some elite talent available and while it is likely that none of these players will have even the most remote contact with the Packers, the fact that they are out there is still [...]]]> It is now officially Friday, February 27, and you know what that means: the NFL free agency period has finally begun.

There is some elite talent available and while it is likely that none of these players will have even the most remote contact with the Packers, the fact that they are out there is still worthy of some comment.

So, without further adieu, here are the top five free agents, along with some prognosticating on where they will likely land:

1. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans, 27 years old

Haynesworth does have some knocks on him. He hasn’t played a full 16 games since his rookie year and has only been dominant the last two years (plus my lingering suspicion that he’s buying a chain of Old Country Buffets with his signing bonus). Still, truly dominating defensive tackles who can command constant double teams don’t come along that often and Haynesworth is absolutely one of those.

Over half the league will probably want him, but only a few true contenders should emerge in the battle for his services: Washington (owner Daniel Snyder loves to make the big splash and this would be it…literally), Detroit (laugh if you want, but new head coach Jim Schwartz was previously Haynesworth’s coordinator and would know how to motivate him) and Tampa Bay (always focused on defense and has the most cap space in the league).

Expected destination: Washington. Despite a serious lack of cap room, Snyder usually knows how to get what he wants and he wants Haynesworth. Badly.

2. Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals, 37 years old

Warner capped off his career resurgence with an astounding run in the postseason, one that fell just short of him earning his second World Championship. Talks have not been good with the Cards regarding a new contract, as Warner wants to be paid like a top five quarterback. He’s completely justified in this request, but the Cards are being their typical selves (read: cheap).

If Warner doesn’t end up back in the desert, he’ll probably make good on his threat to retire. In the event he doesn’t, though, there are only two places he could possibly land: New York (Jets) and Minnesota. Both teams have a lot of the necessary pieces in place to be contenders and both are severely lacking at the quarterback position (Sage Rosenfels notwithstanding).

Expected destination: Arizona. The Cardinals might be cheap, but even they have to know they’ve got a great thing going on now, really for the first time in franchise history. That should be enough to get them to pay up.

3 and 4. Bart Scott and Ray Lewis, ILBs, Baltimore Ravens, 28 and 33 years old, respectively

This outstanding pair of inside linebackers are grouped together here because both played for Baltimore and have roughly the same overall value. Scott is quite a bit younger and definitely still in his prime. That’s not to say Lewis, the heart and soul of the franchise, is on the downside of his career. But at his age, he’s not far away, either.

Dallas has been rumored as a desired destination of Lewis’, but it seems impossible they would be able to afford him. Scott is rumored to be interested in the Jets, which makes sense as new head coach Rex Ryan was previously Scott’s coordinator. Baltimore would love to keep the trio of Scott, Lewis and Terrell Suggs together, but in today’s NFL, those sorts of things usually don’t happen.

Expected destination: Lewis in Baltimore and Scott in New York. The Ravens will make sure Lewis ends his career as a Raven. As a result, they’ll have to part with Scott, who will find familiarity with his old coach in New York.

5. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati Bengals, 31 years old

In a very thin crop of available wideouts, Houshmandzadeh stands as the one true playmaker of the bunch. Yes, he did most of his damage from the No. 2 receiver spot. But he’s been over or near the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of the past five seasons, averaging just over seven touchdowns a year in that same span. There are a lot of No. 2 receivers in the league; most of them don’t come close to those numbers.

There are numerous good/very good teams in the league who are but a playmaker or two away from being elite teams. From that group, four stand out: Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Tennessee. All have some very good things going for them, but only one team has a proven superstar at quarterback. That team will end up with “Housh”.

Expected destination: Philadelphia. Donovan McNabb, with very little help, got the Eagles within one drive of the Super Bowl. He’s been harping for some help. He’ll get it.

-Chris Lempesis