Monday, February 14, 2011

Draft Prophesy now on Twitter

Thank you to everyone who has taken time to read my mock drafts. However, mock drafts can only be done every so often, but analysis of the players in the draft is an on-going process. Follow me on Twitter to receive more up-to-date, in-depth analysis of the incoming draftees and my thoughts on them. Once again thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

www.twitter.com/draft_prophesy

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Mock Draft v1.02

After reading, please visit www.walterfootball.com for more insight on the 2011 NFL Draft as well as much more football info! Thanks.

1. Carolina (2-14)- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

2. Denver (4-12)- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

3. Buffalo (4-12)- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

4. Cincinnati (4-12)- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

5. Arizona (5-11)- Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

6. Cleveland (5-11)- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

7. San Francisco (6-10)- Prince Amukamura, CB, Nebraska

8. Tennessee (6-10)- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

9. Dallas (6-10)- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

10. Washington (6-10)- Marcell Dareus,DT, Alabama

11. Houston (6-10)- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

12. Minnesota (6-10)- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

13. Detroit (6-10)- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

14. St. Louis (7-9)- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

15. Miami (7-9)- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

16. Jacksonville (8-8)- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

17. New England (from Oakland 8-8)- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M

18. San Diego (9-7)- Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

19. New York Giants (10-6)- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA

20. Tampa Bay (10-6)- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

21. Kansas City (10-6)- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

22. Indianapolis (10-6)- Jonathon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

23. Philadelphia (10-6)- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

24. New Orleans (11-5)- Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

25. Seattle (7-9)- Jake Locker, QB, Washington

26. Baltimore (12-4)- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

27. Atlanta (13-3)- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

28. New England (14-2) - Mikel LeShore, RB, Illinois


29. Chicago (11-5)- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

30. New York Jets (11-5)- Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri

31. Green Bay (10-6)- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

32. Pittsburgh (12-4)- Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Mock Draft 1.0

1. Carolina (2-14)- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
What should happen with this pick is the Panthers should select Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green. They are in dire need of another wide receiver for Jimmy Clausen to throw to with an aging Steve Smith. However, Fairley is the hottest name in the draft right now and is versatile enough to play in the 3-4 or the 4-3. The only risk with this pick is the fact that Fairley tends to take too many plays off during the course of a game. However, when it comes down to it, he's the most dominant player in the draft this year. Expect him to come off the board with the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

2. Denver (4-12)- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
The Denver Broncos hired John Fox, a former defensive coordinator, and also a guy who has had success in the draft taking defensive players. No one really knows what will happen with Champ Bailey this offseason as well, but whatever the outcome, it's time to start planning for life after Champ. Peterson is an athletic freak and will step in from day one and start for the Broncos, with or without Champ on the other side.

3. Buffalo (4-12)- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
This pick is most assuredly one that Bills fans will come away disappointed, as well as happy, with. They will be disappointed because if Andrew Luck leaves Stanford, they would have likely come away with Nick Fairley. However, with Luck staying, their consolation prize is Bowers. The bright side to this is Bowers is a disruptive force in the backfield. The Bills ranked 32nd in the league in run defense, which leads me to believe they will stay away from the quarterbacks in this class. Bowers can play the 3-4, as well as the 4-3, and in the end will provide a much needed boost to the Bills defensive line.


4. Cincinnati (4-12)- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Prior to Carson Palmers trade demands, this pick would have likely been A.J. Green. However, now that Palmer wants out, it's rebuilding time for Cincinnati. Rebuilding starts with a quality signal caller, and while I may not believe Gabbert will turn into a good NFL quarterback, he is widely considered the best QB in this class. For Marvin Lewis' sake I hope I'm wrong here but I just don't see Gabbert panning out, which ultimately will lead to Lewis being fired by season's end next year.


5. Arizona (5-11)- Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
The run on Quarterbacks has begun. This is a team who currently has a guy playing quarterback with a name better suited to lead a college Anatomy class, not something to be proud of. To keep Larry Fitzgerald happy, the Cardinals are going to have to draft a quarterback. Mallet has the size and the arm to be a successful NFL quarterback. The only knock on him is his decision making. It's time to turn things around in Arizona and I believe Mallett is just the man to do it.


6. Cleveland (5-11)- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
So the Browns have found their signal caller in Colt McCoy. They found a diamond in the rough in their backfield with Peyton Hillis. What could they possibly be missing? Oh yeah, someone for McCoy to throw to. Green has the size. He has speed. And he has hands that even Hot Hands Hanon from the movie Little Giants would envy. Do the Browns have bigger needs? Probably. But every young quarterback needs at least one good wide receiver to be successful from the get-go. The Browns would be ecstatic to see Green still on the board at this point.


7. San Francisco (6-10)- Prince Amukamura, CB, Nebraska
Nate Clements is not the player he once was back when he signed his $10 billion dollar contract. The 49'ers desperately need a quarterback but I have a feeling they will be in the market this year for Donovan McNabb. If they can lock down McNabb, expect newly appointed head coach Jim Harbaugh to address his cornerback situation. In my opinion, Amukamura will turn into a shut down corner in the NFL. He has all the instincts needed to play the position and we will one day in the near future hear Prince Island thrown around.


8. Tennessee (6-10)- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
First things first, I believe Cam Newton will one day turn into an elite signal caller in the NFL. I simply have a feeling he will be a very good quarterback. Now, this pick will be a mistake. They tried and failed once already with Vince Young and, while Newton is better than Young, it simply doesn't make any sense to draft Newton. The problem is the Titans clearly need a quarterback, and at this point in the draft, Newton is the best player available at the position.



9. Dallas (6-10)- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Last year was an aberration. The Cowboys aren't as bad as their record shows from this past season. They will get Romo back and will be back atop the NFC's "elite" next year. The bright side of having a down year is they can add a player that many feel is one of the top 5 players in the draft. Once he gets on the field, Quinn will be able to provide a much needed pass rush and will help solidify their defense. No matter the pick however, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cowboys in Indianapolis next year in early February.


10. Washington (6-10)- Marcell Dareus,DT, Alabama
If you doubt Mike Shannhan wanting to use Rex Grossman as his quarterback, just take a look at how long he hung onto Jake Plummer. Shannahan trys to build his team up with great players surrounding a mediocre quarterback. While this isn't an offensive pick, Shannhan simply won't see the need to do that just yet. Albert Haynesworth is likely gone this offseason and the Redskins will need another stout defensive tackle to step into their 3-4 scheme. Hello Marcell Dareus. Let's just hope he can pass the conditioning test Haynesworth couldn't.


11. Houston (6-10)- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
It's becoming an annual rite of passage in Houston to draft a defensive player in the first round. They have been trying for years to use their picks to draft players that could possibly one day dethrone the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South. Heyward is a player that can help take the double teams off of Mario Williams. Also, if the Texans do indeed switch to a 3-4 defense, they could plug him in at Mario's spot and move Mario to one of the outside linebacker spots. Would that happen? Probably not, but you can bet it's something Houston is going to consider.


12. Minnesota (6-10)- Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi
Minnesota is another one of those teams that, on paper, needs a quarterback. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that we may see Joe Webb under center for the Vikings next year. If that happens, Minnesota will need to bolster their O-line to give Webb enough protection to be successful. Sherrod is quite possibly the best offensive tackle in this draft and at this time I fully expect the Vikings to use this pick on Sherrod.


13. Detroit (6-10)- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
Detroit is at the tipping point of having a winning season for the first time since the stone age. Unfortunately, they need to address their cornerback situation and the two best corners are already gone. However, Harris isn't too far behind Amukamura and Peterson in terms of talent. Harris isn't a guy who will get a ton of interceptions (1 in 2010), but he was among the nation's leaders in passes broken up, something the Lions could surely use. A nice consolation prize for Detroit and a decision they won't soon regret.


14. St. Louis (7-9)- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Sam Bradford was a pleasant surprise in his rookie season for the Rams. The only thing missing is a true number one wide receiver. By drafting Julio Jones here, it will not only open the field for Bradford, it'll help the running game and it will also allow the other receivers space on the field to get open. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Julio Jones will be the best wide receiver in this class.


15. Miami (7-9)- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Ronnie Brown is on his way out of Miami. Ricky Williams is 83 years old. The clear cut decision here is to draft the best running back in the draft. While Ingram doesn't necessarily fit the mold of a "wild-cat" running back, he's a guy with too much talent to pass up. The former Heisman Trophy winner can come in provide life and youth to an aging backfield. Many are predicting a quarterback with this pick, however I feel the jury is still out on Chad Henne, and the Dolphins aren't quite ready to give up on him yet.


16. Jacksonville (8-8)- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
It seems as if every team in the top 15 needs a quarterback in some way, shape or form. The same can be said for the Jaguars here at 16. Defense was a problem for a Jaguars down the stretch this past season. Kerrigan was one of the nation's best this past season at the DE spot and is a guy who can step into Jacksonville's defense from day 1 and start.


17. New England (from Oakland 8-8)- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
21 tackles for loss. 7 sacks. Those are the 2010 numbers for the Lott IMPACT trophy award winner. New England is clamoring for Mark Ingram to fall to this pick but it's something I do not expect to happen. The playoff game against the Jets is a perfect example of why if the Patriots want to make it to another Superbowl, they need to continue to bolster their defense.


18. San Diego (9-7)- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
Von Miller is one of the most underrated players thus far in this draft class. He played defensive end at A&M but will most assuredly be moved to LB once he hits the professional ranks. Larry English wasn't the player San Diego was hoping he would be, so the logical decision would be to make one more go at it. Miller is also one of the best pure athletes in the class and has all the upside in the world. I expect him to come in for San Diego and make an impact from day 1.


19. New York Giants (10-6)- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
The Giants have nearly everything they need on offense, but what they've been lacking the past few years is a linebacker who is suited to be a pass rusher, as well as a drop back defender. Ayers can play from sideline to sideline and is another in a long line of athletic linebackers in this years draft class. This may not be a "sexy" pick, but it's a smart pick.


20. Tampa Bay (10-6)- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Tampa Bay was one of the more pleasant surprises this past season. Gerald McCoy wasn't nearly as dominant as Ndamukong Suh was this past year, but he was a key component in Tampa Bay going 10-6. The Bucs addressed their interior in last years draft. This year it's time to address the edge because the only thing lacking is a true pass rush. Clayborn is a relentless defender who can get to the quarterback, but is also quite versed in dropping into coverage. He is a perfect pick here for the Buccaneers.

Analysis for picks 21-32 are currently under construction. Check back on 1/24 for the rest of the analysis in the first round.



21. Kansas City (10-6)- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

22. Indianapolis (10-6)- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

23. Philadelphia (10-6)- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

24. New Orleans (11-5)- Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

25. Seattle (7-9)- Jake Locker, QB, Washington

26. Baltimore (12-4)- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

27. Atlanta (13-3)- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

28. New England (14-2) - Mikel LeShore, RB, Illinois


29. Chicago (11-5)- Jonathon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

30. New York Jets (11-5)- Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri

31. Green Bay (10-6)- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

32. Pittsburgh (12-4)- Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Mock Draft Coming 1/23/11

The first ever Draft Prophesy mock draft will debut Sunday, January 23rd. I still have a couple loose ends to tie up but check back sometime tomorrow and let me know what you think!

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Real Season Begins

The playoffs are quickly coming to a close and that can only mean one thing, the draft is approaching. Over the next few months I will give you insights into what I think about the draft, who will be selected and why, as well as breaking news on the NFL combine. Thank you for stopping by and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on my predictions.

"Prophesy is a good line of business, but it is full of risks." - Mark Twain