What I don't like about mock drafts.

Who knows where he will be come opening day. The linebackers have to be grouped in two separate units because the OLB’s and the ILB’s have different functions. We need a ILBer, Guard, Center. wide receiver, cornerback and quarterback. In that order as best as I feel anyway…

Denver cutting Woodyard. Because rookies including 1st rounders may not be able to start at the beginning of the year. So there is a need to have Williams and Davis on the team and Larson is to valuable in to many areas to let go.

CB you would see Carter go because there is too much invested in the other 4.

G,C, WR, QB no controversies there.

I will use it in my next mock, so make sure I reference this.

I think something I failed to address in mock ver. 22 was the DE/OLB position. Darrell Reid might not make it out of camp, and could very well start the season on the PUP. The more logical thing would be a cheap FA alternative, but I think that should have been a position I addressed in the draft.

Looking at your list, positions that need veteran upgrades are at OL (all positions, yikes!), DE/OLB, WR. I would be fine having a rookie start at ILB, WR, OG. That means if we trade Marshall, we can’t go wrong with two first round picks, choosing from two of Bryant, McClain, and Iupati assuming all are there.

I cannot wait for the draft, though I’m a little sad it’s stretched out over three days, that will help our process. Give us more time to think. Re-adjust our boards. I’d love to see the change in quality of drafts over time with this new method.

Orton, Brandstater, FA or draftee

I’m on the fence here. It doesn’t look like we’re targeting a QB in FA, and drafting one seems more likely as it would give young Brandstater a chance to take the #2 spot. Coach sounds to at least be very open to the idea of TB backing up KO, er that’s what it sounded like to me.

That said, Chris Simms is still an issue. We all think Simms should be gone. But I’m not entirely convinced that McD isn’t willing to give him another chance. Like it or not, I really can’t think of a better option to guard against Orton’s ankles and TB’s youth. Aside from a QB in the top-ten of the draft, we couldn’t really expect a draft choice to be ready to play or take the #2 spot early on, so we might just be better served to keep Simms – depending on guaranteed money and roster bonus due date.

Moving on, I’d say Hillis is on the bubble. Center now becomes an absolute priority; No reason to believe Fry can start, leaving us with no sure starter. Did Hadnot ever sign with a team? If not, I def bet that we buy one of the top center/guards in the draft and just hope he’s ready to start right away.

Nine offensive linemen seems a little overkill, but I think your numbers are right on. We could drop a bubble -guy in TC once we’re confident in the new guys we brought in.

I might get shot for this, but I see Moss, Thomas and Baker completely expendable on DLine, Same with Reid at linebacker. Andra Davis was only signed through this year, so regardless of McClain v no McClain… We’ll need to make a decision there. The backups we have would be a substantial downgrade, even the fan favorite Spencer Larsen. I would hope we tackle that position now, rather go into crisis management next year like we’re at with OC this year.

Champ Bailey could be on the bubble. My guess is that he’s the kind of person who would renegotiate his contract and take the home-town discount, provided he feels we’re on the way to a a SB soon. I could see him leaving though, and I certainly could see us safeguarding against that by drafting another corner, or even two.

The point I’m making at CB isn’t about giving up on Phonz or ignoring Carter. But the team has such little faith in them that they went out to get Ty Law off the streets last year to play nickle. They again brought in a nickle this year. Without faith in Smith or Carter, we only have three servicable corners. We need to bring in another one, especially considering the possibility of Champ leaving.

It’s worth consideration, that’s for sure!

Roster implications are the most important part of a mock draft..

As EJ said in his roster evaluations post..

I encourage all of you, especially those particularly interested in the offseason, to go back to this step in the process and become reacquainted with the foundation of our team. It feels as though, with every mock draft and all the other rumored roster moves, we become further detached from that which should most inform and temper our speculation.

If it can effect the many mocks stuck on favorite players and positions not even needed. Most won’t even use the jump after being asked a thousand times though. Rec’d.