2 months, 3 weeks, 5 days… down to the nitty gritty now. The 2010 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and to be quite frank- it cannot come soon enough. To say that a fan could literally lose their minds with all of these "predictions" and mock drafts, is an understatement. All this being said as I nervously flip back and forth to the Bills forums trying to see what the latest scoop is! A first round "bust" pick is costly to any team, think JaMarcus Russell, FAT chance the Raiders would make that mistake again.
As the newest NFL "freshies" sit back and wait to hear where they'll be spending the most trying year of their career proving themselves, the front office cadres across the league are frantically debating who they will choose with their bite of the picks. With all of the forecasters making their predictions about the draft, I've chosen to skip the redundant chatter and take a look into the high risk / high reward (?) first rounder's coming into the league. Most obviously starting with the "cream of the crop" (clearly not referring to the Rams), Sam Bradford. Bradford's surgically repaired throwing arm and questionable toughness are a cause for concern for teams interested.
He'll also be faced with a major transition from Oklahoma's offense to an NFL attack, especially getting thrown into a rebuilding team like St. Louis. If the Rams do decide to use their golden ticket on Sammy boy, he will have to be a star to make their pick justifiable. On a positive note, this kid has been called a probable "franchise QB" by almost every analyst so we may have a Joe Flacco or Mark Sanchez on our hands. Only time will tell. In the words of Jay Z "on to the next one"- Jimmy Clausen.
As a Bills fan I could write an entire blog about the pros and cons of this kid, but I won't bore you with my see-saw exposition. Whispers around the league focus on 2 things: Clausen's lack of leadership and his cockiness. It could be playing in Weis' system that made Clausen look "larger than life" but making him a questionable addition to the NFL. This could be the reason why no one is really sure when he will be chosen. The reward with Clausen – he is ready for the pressure of the NFL, has a great arm and I believe his "swagger" is what is making him ready for the big leagues.
One thing is for sure the Seahawks, Raiders, Bills and Jaguars with mid to late picks in the top 10, will be looking at Jimbo. Side note, Mel Kiper and his hair have predicted Clausen being chosen over Bradford… too much hairspray in that quaff my friend.
Veering away from the QB position and onto a kid I see being an all star Safety one day, Taylor Mays of USC. I know what you're thinking, the guy had 1 interception last year – True. But humor me and put the blame on his want for making big hits. He killed it at the combine with his speed but needs to focus on reading the QB and improving his coverage instincts. There hasn't been too much media hype surrounding Mays in the last little while which leads me to believe that he will be a late first rounder, possibly even early second. Regardless, he's a bloodthirsty hitter with the body to back it up and who will add instant physical prowess to any defense lucky enough to grab him.
You thought those hours you spent filling in your bracket in March was madness, guess again my friends, forecasting the outcome of an NFL draft could make anyone sprout a few grays… careful Mel.
D
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