OT: NFL Draft Day 1 recap/Day 2 open thread
Slow morning, so what did you think of the first round of the draft? What do you think of your team's pick(s)? My 3 favorite NFL teams are the Lions, Bengals, and Pats:
Lions - took Ezekiel Ansah 5th overall. I had never heard of him, but it sounds like he's got insane physical tools a lot of potential. I don't know enough about the guy to feel one way or another about him, but DE was a need.
Bengals - took Tyler Eifert 21st overall. While a good pick, I was a bit confused. It's like not the Bengals really NEEDED to take a tight end in the first round. But I think he'll fit in well, and the Bengals passing attack is going to be sick next year.
Patriots - traded their pick to Minnesota, so they have the 20th and 27th picks in the 2nd round. I'd like to think they will take Denard in the second round, especially since Kiper projects that they will take a WR with the 27th pick (he says Aaron Dobson, who is clearly inferior to Denard).
What are your thoughts?
April 26th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 11:34 AM ^
It was clear to everybody that Te'o was not going in the first round, but ESPN just had to keep shoving his name down our throats last night. RIP George Jones.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^
but i did love my twitter feed destroying Berman's use of the same jokes over and over again. references to Hotel California discussing the Eagles, some team getting "the deputy" to go along with Sharif Floyd.
made me glad i did not watch
Unfortuantely NFL network has its own dipshits so it can be tough to watch.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
I think the Lions fans on the board last night (I am not a Lions fan) were too down on Ansah. I'm usuall leery of of workout warrior types, but this kid just hasn't played a lot of football. I think there's more reason to think that he'll improve than there is for the typical good combine/bad stats guy.
As for the Bengals, that offense needs weapons, so I think they were lucky to draft Eifert.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
I guess when you're looking for the 5th best player in the draft, you want a guy who has played a lot of football.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:47 AM ^
It wouldn't have been my pick, but I don't think it was crazy either. I remember being impressed by him when watching a BYU game this past season.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:50 AM ^
Damn my slow responding skills. I feel like this draft is long in middle first round types, very short on high end players. I guess the Lions went with the risk of getting a high end/possible bust player rather than reach. Even though I'm not sold on the decision, I think its defensible (which is way more than I used to be able to say about Lions drafts)
April 26th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
I think the general negative thoughts are about the lack of value in the pick...generally a team shouldn't settle for a project with the 5th overall pick. That being said, they were hemmed in by the 3 OTs taken in the first 4 picks, and I think Ansah was the best pick available to them. Everyone calling for a trade down doesn't seem to realize that there was no market to make that trade. Any offers that they were receiving must have been lowballs.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
I was one of the people looking for a trade down, but I understand that the interest probably wasn't there. I do not like the pick but I can't really think of another player I would have liked a whole lot more at 5. Heres to hoping for a strong day 2.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
to both your comment and your avatar
I agree with you. I don't hate the Ansah pick, but I don't love it either. Would have liked to see the lions trade down but also realized there probably wasn't much of an opportunity for that. I liked Milliner but his injury/surgery history made me nervous and they drafted 3 CBs last year. DE is a major need for the Lions, especialy with the scheme they run, and they did end up with the most physically gifted DE in the draft. Definition of a boom or bust pick. I think playing in the wide 9 will help Ansah, as it will allow him the opportunity to be farther outside the OT and use his athleticism to make playes.
As much as the Lions need OL help, I don't see a player worthy of a pick at the top of the 2nd round. The most talented players at that spot seem to be DBs and WRs, and I would be fine with either of those. Maybe even another DE like Tank Carradine or someone. I think the 3rd round is where the Lions can target a G or OT.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
I HATE when pro teams draft based on potential. Professional sports teams almost never develop guys with the exception of baseball and maybe hockey. Basketball is the worst at it and football is not far behind. There's just too many guys coming out every year and too much pressure to succeed. Guys only get about 2 seasons to max out that potential and then they're replaced by a guy that's NFL ready or a new signing. I don't know anything about Ansah so I'm reserving judgment but the number of times I've heard people say "he has potential" makes me not like the pick. The first round is for guys that can help now.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:44 AM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
Nope, he'd be a Chief.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 11:47 AM ^
In my mind a #5 overall pick should be a proven player. Ziggy may turn out well maybe not. He had a grand total of 4.5 sacks last year...whoop de doo. I was hoping for Milliner, who looks every bit a pro-bowl type player at a position that has killed Detroit for decades, it seems. They still have time to roll the dice on Honey Badger, yes I know he likes to smoke weed, again I say...whoop de doo. Milliner and Honey Badger could have been an elite combo for a long time.
If you draft a speed rushing DE, one with more than a handful of sacks would sure seem like a better idea. Project players are for the 5-6-7th round, not the #5 overall pick, in my humble maize and blue opinion.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
Lots of injury risk with Milliner who might not be good to go by camp. There's a reason he fell as far as he did. The only thing worse than a first round pick who isn't as good as you thought is one who can't see the field cough cough Jahvid Best cough.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:03 PM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^
As a Vikings fan I was pretty pleased with their first round. They filled 3 needs at DT, CB, and WR and got a very good value pick with Floyd. I really like that they took a risk on Patterson who I believe will benefit from playing defenses that stack the box against AP and learning from Greg Jennings. However, they gave up alot of picks and passed up on building some needed depth at WR and LB. Looking forward to seeing where Denard goes. Hoping it is to the Pats or Eagles where he should fit in well.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
I'd love to see Denard go to the Pats, both for his sake and to see the Michigan QB to Michigan QB connection. Maybe they'll even put Brady on his horse and pull out the old Lloyd Carr double pass (not holding my breath).
Brady is way too old for that ish.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^
I was happy with the pick. I think having another target for Dalton is key. Our passing attack will be versatile enough to produce against the defenses in our division. Teams won't be able to dial in as much on AJ Green.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
Yea it was a great pick. I felt like Dalton has no choice but to force it to green and don't really have another option. I just wish Joekel fell to the Lions. We got this years Vernon Gholston.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
I really hope so. The difference, however, is that the giants have a track record of developing defensive lineman and have the surrounding players to guide them. We on the other hand seem to have regressing talent on the D-line including Suh and Fairley. We did take an unheralded player in Avril and make him pretty solid so maybe we can be optimistic.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
I find the NFL Network coverage to be much more tolerable than ESPN. Berman, Kiper, et al are old hat.
April 26th, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
Post
April 26th, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
I'm hoping the lions go with Menelik Watson with their 2nd rounder, hell I might even double up at DE if Tank Carradine is still there.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^
I was hoping for an OT in the 1st, so they could grab one of Carradine/Bjoern Werner/DaMontre Moore in the 2nd. So I'd be happy if they flipped that OT/DE order and grabbed Watson here.
I wouldnt be surprised if they took Justin Hunter -WR Tennessee at #36 either. Looks like good value there and Burleson and Broyles have injury concerns.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:49 PM ^
http://www.cbssports.com/general/blog/rob-rang/22140392/nfl-draft-secon…
2013 NFL Draft: Second round mock draft
Notable projections of mgoblog interest
36. Detroit – Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
42. Oakland (MIA) – Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
43. Tampa Bay – Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
59. New England – Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
Rankings
| Rank | Player |
Pos.
|
Pos. Rank |
School
|
Class | Ht. | Wt. | Proj. Round |
| 22 | *Menelik Watson | OT | 5 | Florida State | Jr | 6-5 | 310 | 1 |
| 25 | Manti Te'o | ILB | 1 | Notre Dame | Sr | 6-1 | 241 | 1-2 |
| 50 | *Johnathan Hankins | DT | 6 | Ohio State | Jr | 6-3 | 320 | 2 |
| 59 | Kawann Short | DT | 7 | Purdue | rSr | 6-3 | 299 | 2 |
Other prospects in Lions' positions of need
| Rank | Player |
Pos.
|
Pos. Rank |
School
|
Class | Ht. | Wt. | Proj. Round |
| 8 22 | *Menelik Watson | OT | 5 | Florida State | Jr | 6-5 | 310 | 1 |
| 28 | Jamar Taylor | CB | 5 | Boise State | rSr | 5-11 | 192 | 1-2 |
| 30 | Cornellius Carradine | DE | 4 | Florida State | Sr | 6-4 | 276 | 1-2 |
| 34 | Margus Hunt | DE | 5 | Southern Methodist | rSr | 6-8 | 277 | 1-2 |
| 44 | Johnthan Banks | CB | 6 | Mississippi State | Sr | 6-2 | 185 | 2 |
| 48 | Terron Armstead | OT | 7 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Sr | 6-5 | 306 | 2 |
| 52 | *Damontre Moore | DE | 6 | Texas A&M | Jr | 6-5 | 250 | 2 |
| 54 | *Sam Montgomery | DE | 7 | LSU | rJr | 6-3 | 262 | 2 |
| 55 | Dwayne Gratz | CB | 7 | Connecticut | rSr | 5-11 | 201 | 2 |
| 57 | Alex Okafor | DE | 8 | Texas | Sr | 6-5 | 264 | 2 |
M Prospect Rankings
| Rank | Player |
Pos.
|
Pos. Rank |
School
|
Class | Ht. | Wt. | Proj. Round |
| 192 | Denard Robinson | WR | 23 | Michigan | Sr | 5-11 | 199 | 6 |
| 333 | Craig Roh | DE | 26 | Michigan | Sr | 6-4 | 271 | 7-FA |
| 414 | William Campbell | DT | 31 | Michigan | Sr | 6-5 | 311 | –– |
| 419 | Patrick Omameh | OG | 24 | Michigan | rSr | 6-4 | 303 | –– |
| 471 | Kenny Demens | ILB | 20 | Michigan | rSr | 6-1 | 245 | –– |
| 575 | Jordan Kovacs | SS | 22 | Michigan | rSr | 5-11 | 205 | –– |
| 681 | Roy Roundtree | WR | 88 | Michigan | rSr | 6-1 | 178 | –– |
| 792 | J.T. Floyd | CB | 78 | Michigan | rSr | 5-11 | 190 | –– |
| 854 | Elliott Mealer | C | 31 | Michigan | rSr | 6-4 | 321 | –– |
| 910 | Ricky Barnum | OG | 50 | Michigan | rSr | 6-2 | 297 | –– |
April 26th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
Did Geno Smith look a little immature staring down at his phone all night? Is that a thing? I know it's embarassing to have the camera on you, knowing they just want to watch you squirm. But have a friend there next to you and tell jokes all night.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
Didn't impress either. Lots of times there's people who are disappointed, but it's still a job interview and you don't want to drop even more because you seem like you have attitude issues. Particularly when he was only hyped as the top QB in a weak class, but not a sure-fire top pick. He may be going where he's expected to go.
And in general unless you're a lock top five pick, if dropping is going to bother you, don't go. Because ANYONE else can drop. If you're going there to have fun, for the event, and maybe get a chance to do the walk on stage thing, then cool, live it up.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:22 PM ^
w/out knowing much about him, and that's unfair. But it makes me think he had an agent and inner circle in his ear, assuring him all along he was going in the first.
I didn't really pay that much attention to the draft run-up this year, and even I heard over and over that there was a strong likelihood that no QB was going in the first round. Sure it's disappointing, but he should have been prepared for that possibility.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
The Vikings obviously won day 1.
The Lions took a chance that will either save jobs or get someone fired. And they don't seem like an organization that has good luck with chances, only sure things. Everyone says trade down, but they could have traded up too. Miami didn't give that much to get the #3, and the Lions were giving up a higher #1, so they might have gotten away with a 3rd instead of a second.
The Pats. -
I mean, that the NFL and ESPN had a big Boston tribute set up for their pick was stupid, because when do the Pats ever make a first round pick? Watch them turn the two second round picks into an extra first in 2016, or whatever year is the one right after Brady retires. He gives money back, but they don't seem to ever actually want to draft anyone that will help him win another Super Bowl.
Other than that, the picks were weird. I mean every year people get the order and who goes to which teams wrong, but where guys went in the draft was particularly all over the place this year. Top pick guys dropping into the 20's, top DTs, QBs, and guards all getting passed up by other guys, a CENTER in the first round....wacky day.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
The Lions are pathetic. The Ansah pick is unreasonable and indefensible. It is very very difficult to remain a fan of this awful franchise. I honestly hope the actual talent on this team (CJ, Suh and Stafford) leaves in order to have some sort of chance at success within their playing careers. Barry was right.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^
Ansah didn't know how to put on football pads 3 years ago.
Two years ago he had 7 tackles
His senior year he didn't START and was THIRD On his team in tackles and only had 4.5 sacks against such powerhouses as WSU, Weber State, Utah, BSU, Hawaii, Utah State, Oregon State, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Idaho, San Jose St and New Mexico St.
The kid didn't start until game 4 of his senior year.
Give me a fucking break.
It is unreasonable and indefensible to be a shit team year in and year out and then take a god damn project after you took an OT last year in the first round who never played his position this season because he was so fucking terrible at football. He was healthy and didnt fucking play.
It's a fucking chore to be a fan of this disgrace of a team.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
April 26th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
I e-gree. This draft was a make or break situation for the future of the Lions, and it looks pretty broken right now. Stafford is going to die. We have no OLine.
We drafted a 24 year old rookie project and another corner (we drafted 3 last year but, LOL, I guess they all suck so great job Mayhew).
Sims, Rieff, Warford, and Nagy are the future. The tackle spot is in question. Is Fox a starter> We will find out.
Ansah is considered raw, but he will start from day one. It was a risky pick. One that I would not have done. But hey, it's not my job that's on the line.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:10 PM ^
Coincidentally, your post became progressively more unreasonable as it went on.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
Trade down later in the 2nd round and pick up a second 3rd round pick.
&
two out of the three picks they end up with Tyrann Mathieu & Barret Jones.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^
Who do people want their respective teams to draft in the 2nd round?
I would actually be pretty happy if the Lions took Mathieu. I am not too worried about his "marijuana addiction" and think he could be a big time player. I see some people projecting the OT from FSU too, which fills a need but would be another big risk seeing as he has only played football for a couple of years and is again 23 years old..