Draftivus doesn't slow down for anybody, and in the spirit of the season, it is time to begin the signups for our Annual MHR Community Mock Draft.

Those of you who have been around for a while already know how this works, but we'll run through the process again here, since there are a lot of new members, and a few things are going to change this year.

First, we hold a signup period for everyone who wants to claim a team, who they will then pick for in a mock draft.  This is a pretty simple process.  Just put your claim in the thread below, and don't delay, because it is first come, first served. When you go to choose a team, do a quick scan of the comments to make sure they aren't already taken, and have a second or even third team in mind.  As the day goes on and for as long as it takes to fill out the list, we will occasionally update the list after the break, so that you can scan it quickly to find open teams.  A special circumstance exists for a couple of teams (Carolina and Dallas).  Even though they have no first-round picks, you can still select them.  You will be allowed to make Detroit and Philadelphia's second picks of the first round (the traded picks) and if the Mock continues on into the latter rounds, you will pick for the Panthers and Cowboys.

But What about the Broncos? Last year they were represented very well by EJRuiz on a first come, first served basis, but this year we will try something a little different.  If you are interested in representing the Broncos, just say so in a comment below, and go ahead and pick another team as your "backup option" (make sure that team hasn't been taken yet, too).  Once every team's slot is filled, we will hold a drawing to see who gets to represent the Orange and Blue, and that person's backup team will go back on the market.  If you only want to be considered for the Broncos, and don't want to participate if you can't be Orange, just say so in the comments, and you will be entered in the drawing.

The Draft begins no later than Tuesday, March 24th, but it will start as soon as all the teams are taken, so the sooner the list fills the more picks we will get done.  The picks will occur at a rate of one pick per day, minimum.  But as soon as one pick is posted, the next person is on the clock, and can submit their pick at any time, so multiple picks could go up over a short period of time if you guys are particularly active.  With a minimum of one pick a day, we will be guaranteed to make it through the first round, and everyone will get a turn.  Because we need at least one pick a day to execute this, every person who gets a team will be obligated to make their pick within 24 hours of the previous pick.  When each "GM" goes on the clock, they will be notified of their deadline.  Anyone who fails to meet the deadline will have their pick made by the commissioner (me!) so that the show can keep rolling.  My criteria for the pick will be BPA based off of the updated player rankings at MTD.

As I just mentioned, I (styg50) will be serving as commissioner for this Mock Draft.  Once the Lions are on the clock, they will have 24 hours to submit an email to me detailing:

• The player they are picking
• An overview of their reasons for making the pick.  This should be at least a paragraph.
• A one sentence summary of the pick, to be included in the draft synopsis that goes up in every post. 
• Details of the trade, if you engaged in one.
• Anything else that is fun/cool/weird that you would like to add, and personal flair is welcome!  Feel like you need to role-play Al Davis' selection, or deliver the Bucs' pick headline style?  Go for it!

Trades ARE ALLOWED with commissioner approval!  Just hash out a deal you can both agree on, and get it emailed to me anytime before it is your selection.  I may make suggestions and send it back, or approve it and send it through.  Since you aren't likely to arrange a trade until it is your turn to pick, you should also send the details of the pick when you send the trade.  If you want to execute a trade, be aware you will need to work quickly.  The more time you give yourself, the better positioned you will be to meet your deadline.  Just remember, the trade needs to be reasonable, so be prepared to make a case for it.

Submit the email to me at the email address listed in my profile, or linked in the masthead at the bottom of the main page (the little envelope next to my name).  I will post the pick to the front page as quickly as I can (I'll be checking regularly and the template for the post has already been created).  The post will provide your pick, the information you include on the pick, a current draftboard, linking all the previous picks, and an announcement to the next person on the clock and their official deadline for submitting the pick.  Submit your pick at any time before the deadline.  We will go through the picks right up to Draft Saturday.

Are you ready to get started Bronco Nation?  Then let's get this list filled out below!

After the break is the list of teams and who has them, as well as a sample pick from last year to give you an idea of how it is done.  Stay tuned to MHR Draftivus for more fun Draftivus-related stuff in the coming days and weeks, including some contests where you will have a chance to win some cool (if cheap) MHR gear.  2009 Draftivus will also feature some special-edition swag featuring a fan favorite, which you can only get if you win.

So have a Merry/Happy/Congratulations/Condolences-on-your- Draftivus!

 REMEMBER:  If you want to be considered for the Broncos, say so in the comments, even if you pick another team.  As soon as the other 31 spots are filled, all the Broncos hopefuls will be entered into a drawing, and one winner will be chosen randomly.  If that person already has a team, that team will go back on the market.  Names below with an asterik beside them are entered in the Broncos drawing.

1. Detroit Lions:  McDah
   
2. St.Louis Rams:  53guys*
   
3. Kansas City Chiefs:  Papisan*
4. Seattle Seahawks:  Denver_Native*
5. Cleveland Browns:  Zappa*
6. Cincinnati Bengals:  DukeTC
   
7. Oakland Raiders:  V. Money
8. Jacksonville Jaguars:  gunnermc
9. Green Bay Packers:  Broncosorbust
   
10. San Francisco 49ers:  Elway's Ghost*
11. Buffalo Bills:  Rep56*
12. Denver Broncos:  broncofan91
13. Washington Redskins:  Chawkins06
14. New Orleans Saints:   gnarlybroncodude 
15. Houston Texans:  PredominantlyOrange
16. San Diego Chargers:  Sadaraine*
17. New York Jets:  danelama*
18. Chicago Bears:  Combat Chuk
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  OrangeCrush4082* 
20. (Dallas Cowboys) Lions:  BDAWKisaBRONC*
21. Philadelphia Eagles:  ejruiz
22. Minnesota Vikings:  War Eagle Aubie
23. New England Patriots  bronco-Maine-iac*
24. Atlanta Falcons:  Stovie47*
25. Miami Dolphins:  adamriggs
26. Baltimore Ravens  mla2131
27. Indianapolis Colts:  chikndnnr
28. (Carolina Panthers) Eagles:   bcfunk*
29. New York Giants:  Russ
30. Tennessee Titans:   Broncoman
31. Arizona Cardinals:  Calibroncoboy
32. Pittsburgh Steelers:  PABroncofan*

• Broncos-only lottery:  phantom818*

Here is a sample from last years Community Mock:

WE HAVE A TRADE!!

That's right, the Broncos and EJRuiz777 have decided to trade down. Who stepped up to get into the Top 12? None other than the Minnesota Vikings and jontollerud. Here are the details of the trade --

Vikings Get - #12 Pick
Broncos Get - #17 Pick, #73 Pick(3rd Round)

Here are the GM's thoughts on the deal --

Broncos G.M. - EJRuiz777 -- Earlier today I was approched by Jon Tollerud (representative of the Minnesota Vikings in this MHR Community Draft) with a trade offer for the #12 overall pick. Though we were comfortable with our probable selection there, we opted to accept his proposal to trade down to #17 and acquire the #73 pick as compensation. The extra selection replaces the one we previously traded in order to attain DT Marcus Thomas in last year's draft and puts us in a position to snag one of several intriguing prospects that we would otherwise be unable to get at reasonable value. Moreover, we feel as though we'll be able to acquire a useful piece of the puzzle at #17, but we will explore the possibility of trading further down in the first round or even entirely out of it if the right offer were to present itself (I'm looking at you, Dolphins and Falcons!). This was not an easy decision, but I feel as though it is in the best interest of our franchise.

Vikings G.M - jontollerud -- After much deliberation the Vikings were willing to do the trade for a few reasons:
It benefits Minnesota by going up ahead of a few teams that are drafting for the same positions we are.
We already have a third round pick so we don't lose anything too horrible by trading one away. We can also couple a few of our later picks perhaps and go for another trade with someone else.
it appeals to Denver who originally had the 3rd rounder we are trading to them and ,they get back in the third round which as I said in another post is absolutely something they will want to do because currently there are 66 players that will go between Denver's 2nd and 4th round picks.
With the trade portion handled, let's get to the Vikings pick...

With the 12th pick in the MHR Community Mock NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select...


DERRICK HARVEY, DE -- FLORIDA

Vikings G.M. - jontollerud -- This was Hard. I almost didn't want to trade but after looking at other Mock Drafts, Team need for those drafting before us and our personal needs I opted to trade. I could have gone with River (LB, USC) as well but found that our pass rush was much more in need from the front three than the back four. Also Harvey is a machine at 6'4" 271lbs., and looked very solid at the combine as well as during the past two years. He was a huge part of Florida's Nation Championship Game Win, as he sacked the elusive Troy Smith Twice in the Game. With 49 total tackles, 17 Tackles for Loss, 8.5 Sacks, 3 hurries 1 forced fumble and 5 passes defended in 07 to follow up his stellar sophomore year performance ( http://www.cfbstats.com/2006/player/235/77199/index.html ), This seems to be a logical choice for a team who need to hurry up the QB and scare a few RB's into hiding. This should pan put to be a wonderful pick for us and I truly hope this is the first of many picks this year with Championship Caliber TEAM written all over it. No one player can make a Championship Team, but Harvey is one of the many pieces we feel fits in the Viking Puzzle.