If You Had To Bet...

[maryjanewatson]

Who would you bet will be the #1 overall pick come April?

[Pantera Canes]

Who would you bet will be the #1 overall pick come April?

A WR, the lions will not be able to resist it two years in a row.

[Clayton80future]

In my opinion, there is definitely no clear-cut for who's even in the running to be the number one selection next year. Someone could have one lone monstrous season, have a great combine, then become the number one selection. I believe next season it could very well be along the defensive line, with players like Fili Moala, from Southern California, or Tyson Jackson out of Louisiana State.


I am going with a different approach though, and would bet that James Laurinaitis, lineback from Ohio State, would be selected number one overall. I don't believe there has been a LB prospect to come out in a number of years quite as good as him. I believe he is better than A.J. Hawk, someone who I believe was the best LB to come out in quite some time.

He has the great athletic ability teams emphasize at the position, is a great team player and leader, and has proven himself against elite competition throughout his career. Not to mention, he has a knack for capturing the spotlight, as he's the most acclaimed player on one of the most talented teams in the nation.

[Monty'sCircus]

Oher is the obvious pick, lack of talented LTs in the league.

Stafford from UG if he pulls everything together and the Dawgs perform

[#1BucsDefense]

Its early, but ill go with the QB for the Buckeyes (Tim Beckman or whatever his name is) and I think he will get picked by the Rams.

I think there's a VERY good chance Tim Beckham will go #1 overall in the draft he enters. In fact, I'd bet on it. But I don't think he'd be a very good football player.

[dawgland]

you people think BOECKMAN is going to be the top pick in the draft?

he won't even be the first Ohio State player to go, he probably won't be in the top 5 Ohio State players to go in the draft

[Northern Rep]

I guess I'll go with the unoriginal Oher.

Tyson Jackson hasn't looked like the #1 overall pick to me when I've seen him. While he's certainly big and athletic for his size, I don't think his tools are up to par with say Mario Williams'. Also I never saw him truly dominate.

If I had to guess I'd have Maualuga going before Laurinaitis. While I don't think he's as sound technically, I think teams might like his upside and ferocious nature of play.

Then again it's obscenely early so who knows.

[dawgland]

michael oher is anything but unoriginal.

anyways, I'm going with Matt Stafford

[King Of Crunk]

Maurice Crum. I can dream, right?

[dawgland]

Maurice Crum. I can dream, right?

is that you? are you maurice crum?

[King Of Crunk]

is that you? are you maurice crum?
Nah, it'd just be nice to see someone I played with be called at #1.

[dawgland]

Nah, it'd just be nice to see someone I played with be called at #1.

gotcha, so you are dreaming about other men?

[King Of Crunk]

gotcha, so you are dreaming about other men?

Only on days that end in K.

[maryjanewatson]

Right now, this minute, I like Michael Johnson from Georgia Tech. He's been underused most of his career, but I like him to walk away with a ton of hardware during the season and establish himself as the best defensive player in the draft.

[DeadEagle]

Really depends on who is picking first, and what assets they (don't) have.

But James Laurinaitis and Michael Oher will be, or should be, picked #1 and #2.


I agree with dawgland about Todd Boekman. I count Laurinaitis, Jenkins, and Wells as first rounders, with Boone and Robiskie as second rounders. All before Boekman, who's probably the fourth or fifth best QB available.

[TornadoRex]

Tim Tebow without a doubt!!! What are you all thinking!?!

[Clayton80future]

Is it even a lock that Todd Boeckman will start over Terrelle Pryor?

[warrensappisgod]

you people think BOECKMAN is going to be the top pick in the draft?

he won't even be the first Ohio State player to go, he probably won't be in the top 5 Ohio State players to go in the draft

For reals. He's not in the class of a Malcolm Jenkins, James Laurenaitis, or Alex Boone.

And no way a LB goes #1 overall next year. Elite LBs normally go closer to where Pat Willis went than where A.J. Hawk did.

I'll go Andre Smith.

[TornadoRex]

Next year is sounding like a great time to get an OT...

any takers?

[Northern Rep]

michael oher is anything but unoriginal.

anyways, I'm going with Matt Stafford

To be more clear I meant that my choice of Oher is not original, not that Oher himself is unoriginal.

[tychotb]

chase daniels

[maryjanewatson]

And no way a LB goes #1 overall next year. Elite LBs normally go closer to where Pat Willis went than where A.J. Hawk did.


Yeah, you basically have to be convinced a linebacker is going to be a future Hall of Famer to take him in the top five. I mean, it's happened what, twice in the last decade, with Arrington and Hawk? Or am I blanking on someone? Even Brian Urlacher and Dan Morgan, two of the best linebacker prospects of the last twenty years, didn't crack the top eight.

I don't think Joey L. is the guy to do it. I think if his stock has absolutely peaked, and I think he would have gone #9, to the Bengals if he'd been in this last draft. I don't see him climbing father than that considering how strong the top of this upcoming draft could be, especially on defense.

[#1BucsDefense]

Yeah, you basically have to be convinced a linebacker is going to be a future Hall of Famer to take him in the top five. I mean, it's happened what, twice in the last decade, with Arrington and Hawk? Or am I blanking on someone? Even Brian Urlacher and Dan Morgan, two of the best linebacker prospects of the last twenty years, didn't crack the top eight.

I don't think Joey L. is the guy to do it. I think if his stock has absolutely peaked, and I think he would have gone #9, to the Bengals if he'd been in this last draft. I don't see him climbing father than that considering how strong the top of this upcoming draft could be, especially on defense.

Not only that, but its an issue of team need as well. Teams that are drafting in the top 5 usually have much more pressing needs than a LB, especially the team drafting #1 overall.

[maryjanewatson]

Not only that, but its an issue of team need as well. Teams that are drafting in the top 5 usually have much more pressing needs than a LB, especially the team drafting #1 overall.

True, and that's also due to the nature of the linebacker position. Unless you're talking about a Shawn Merriman type who's going to rush the passer likee a defensive end, linebacker is basically a complimentary position in most defenses.

If you have a great defensive line, you can have a good defense without a great back seven (look at the New York Giants). If you have shutdown corners and physical safeties, you can have a good defense without a great front seven. But if you have a lousy defensive line and a lousy secondary, you can have three awesome linebackers and you're still going to have a lousy defense. Best example of this is the late 1990s Bengals. They had two absolute studs at linebacker in Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons (in fact, they drafted both of them in the first round of the same draft). But they had one of the worst defenses in the NFL during that stretch.

[kurtztay]

Knowshon Moreno. Running behind a better o-line, and is finally the only starter. Will have huge season and go first overall

[warrensappisgod]

Yeah, you basically have to be convinced a linebacker is going to be a future Hall of Famer to take him in the top five. I mean, it's happened what, twice in the last decade, with Arrington and Hawk? Or am I blanking on someone? Even Brian Urlacher and Dan Morgan, two of the best linebacker prospects of the last twenty years, didn't crack the top eight.

I don't think Joey L. is the guy to do it. I think if his stock has absolutely peaked, and I think he would have gone #9, to the Bengals if he'd been in this last draft. I don't see him climbing father than that considering how strong the top of this upcoming draft could be, especially on defense.

If anyone, I'd think Rey would be the guy to crack the top 10, if he shows up to the Combine at 250 and runs in the 4.5/4.6 range.

[dawgland]

Yeah, you basically have to be convinced a linebacker is going to be a future Hall of Famer to take him in the top five. I mean, it's happened what, twice in the last decade, with Arrington and Hawk? Or am I blanking on someone? Even Brian Urlacher and Dan Morgan, two of the best linebacker prospects of the last twenty years, didn't crack the top eight.

I don't think Joey L. is the guy to do it. I think if his stock has absolutely peaked, and I think he would have gone #9, to the Bengals if he'd been in this last draft. I don't see him climbing father than that considering how strong the top of this upcoming draft could be, especially on defense.

whose joey L?

[Monty'sCircus]

whose joey L?
James Laurinaitis' dad...easy mistake

[maryjanewatson]

whose joey L?

Don't make me spell.

[dawgland]

by the way, Boeckman is going to be 25

[Clayton80future]

by the way, Boeckman is going to be 25

So is Boeckman in a starting QB battle with Pryor?

[DreadNaught79]

Michael Crabtree if he declares could go #1...

[NoAlibi]

Crabtree
Andre Smith
Fili Moala

[Corsair]

K. Moreno

[maryjanewatson]

Michael Crabtree might be the most overrated draft prospect, a full year (maybe two) before his draft class, that I've EVER seen.

I would bet he doesn't go top ten and that he's not the first receiver taken, and I would bet board suicide he doesn't go top five.

[DreadNaught79]

Michael Crabtree might be the most overrated draft prospect, a full year (maybe two) before his draft class, that I've EVER seen.

I would bet he doesn't go top ten and that he's not the first receiver taken, and I would bet board suicide he doesn't go top five.

How is he overrated? I know your a Big 12 guy and have seen him play also, but I saw like 4-5 Texas Tech games last season and he looked like a man among boys. He is in a very pass happy offense so I understand his #'s are inflated but 134 rec. 1,962 yards and 22 TD's has a freshman is unheard of in any offense in Div-1 (BCS) football. He is a freakish athlete who has every measurable you could want in a WR. Unless he has some type of character issue I have not heard of than he is a cant miss top 5 pick barring an injury this season.

You are one of the better and more insightful posters on this board so I will not hold you to your "board suicide" bet. I will just agree to disagree till next april. :)

[TornadoRex]

How is he overrated? I know your a Big 12 gal

You are one of the better and more insightful posters on this board so I will not hold you to your "board suicide" bet. I will just agree to disagree till next april. :)

Fixed it ;)

[DreadNaught79]

Fixed it ;)

Some people are not lucky enough to be in epicenter of college football.

:) The State of Florida :)

[maryjanewatson]

How is he overrated? I know your a Big 12 guy and have seen him play also, but I saw like 4-5 Texas Tech games last season and he looked like a man among boys. He is in a very pass happy offense so I understand his #'s are inflated but 134 rec. 1,962 yards and 22 TD's has a freshman is unheard of in any offense in Div-1 (BCS) football. He is a freakish athlete who has every measurable you could want in a WR. Unless he has some type of character issue I have not heard of than he is a cant miss top 5 pick barring an injury this season.

You are one of the better and more insightful posters on this board so I will not hold you to your "board suicide" bet. I will just agree to disagree till next april. :)

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong...as DE reminds me all the time, it happens to me as much as not. I DO think he's a great receiver prospect. I also think that if he played at A&M, or even with the Longhorns, his numbers wouldn't have everyone drooling. He's NOT a system product, but his numbers are inflated, and I think that's what most people are fixated on.

I like him...But I have him behind Bey and Harvin at the moment. I wish he played in a conventional offense so I could get a better read on him.

[DreadNaught79]

I like him...But I have him behind Bey and Harvin at the moment. I wish he played in a conventional offense so I could get a better read on him.

Crabtree and Bey are the clear top 2 imo... Both are very similar in size/speed comparisons. Crabtree has a edge in quickness and muscle mass which will translate into quicker success in the NFL. His video game type stats will not hurt either.

I love Harvin, but being 5'11 will keep him out of the top 15 imo... I'm a Gator so I've watched every college game he has played in and he is unbelievable. But I thought the same thing about Peter Warrick when he was at FSU.

[NoAlibi]

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong...as DE reminds me all the time, it happens to me as much as not. I DO think he's a great receiver prospect. I also think that if he played at A&M, or even with the Longhorns, his numbers wouldn't have everyone drooling. He's NOT a system product, but his numbers are inflated, and I think that's what most people are fixated on.

I like him...But I have him behind Bey and Harvin at the moment. I wish he played in a conventional offense so I could get a better read on him.

Do you realize you just said you have MC rated lower because of the offense he plays in, and then have PH as one of the 2 WRs ahead of him?

I mean you aren't calling UM's offense conventional are you? Not to mention the handful of inches and bucketful of pounds that MC has over PH.

[TornadoRex]

Do you realize you just said you have MC rated lower because of the offense he plays in, and then have PH as one of the 2 WRs ahead of him?

I mean you aren't calling UM's offense conventional are you? Not to mention the handful of inches and bucketful of pounds that MC has over PH.

UM? I thought Harvin was a Gator? :confused: :confused:

[NoAlibi]

UM? I thought Harvin was a Gator? :confused: :confused:

Urban Meyer?

[TornadoRex]

Urban Meyer?

Ah, getting tricky on me there. So many abbreviations.

[TerryTate]

Big Timmah Teeeebboooooow.:D

[DeadEagle]

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong...as DE reminds me all the time, it happens to me as much as not. I DO think he's a great receiver prospect. I also think that if he played at A&M, or even with the Longhorns, his numbers wouldn't have everyone drooling. He's NOT a system product, but his numbers are inflated, and I think that's what most people are fixated on.

I like him...But I have him behind Bey and Harvin at the moment. I wish he played in a conventional offense so I could get a better read on him.


For the record, I think you're right about Crabtree.

[Riverview_Buc]

you people think BOECKMAN is going to be the top pick in the draft?

he won't even be the first Ohio State player to go, he probably won't be in the top 5 Ohio State players to go in the draft

Wow, with all this talent will Ohio State lose in another BCS title game?

[Legacy]

If I had to bet, I'd say Kansas City has the first pick in the draft. They'll take Matthew Stafford, QB - Georgia.

[Nina27Bucs]

I bet the Dolphins get first pick again and select Tim Tebow. :rotf:

[Ruger7mmmag]

Tebow isn't coming out so knock him off the list.

Depending on who gets the first pick:

Stafford
Andre Smith
Selvie

All of these guys are going to have HUGE years and are "special" in what they do and there's not great depth at their positions this year making their chance of going early even better. Plus, all three of them are going to get tons of pub on those teams as UGA will be in the mix all year for big games. USF will be on tv a ton with all of those quirky games AND they'll probably be vying all season with WVU for the title with the showdown there being the last game of the season. Not too mention USF also has a few other guys who will be getting nice pub such as McKenzie, Murphy, Grothe, Ford etc.

Andre Smith doesn't need any pub, but playing for Saban will get him plenty as the media is DYING for Bama to show signs of turning it around. Plus, that Julio Jones is going to be a STUD people will tune in to see if he is for real. Word is out of their recent scrimmage, a number of pro scouts were there to see a few guys and they said this kid was NFL ready NOW and is the most finished product they've seen coming out of highschool since RANDY MOSS.

[warrensappisgod]

Maybe it's just me, but I'd definitely take Maclin (if he comes out) before DHB.

[#1_Bucs_Fan]

Tebow isn't coming out so knock him off the list.

Depending on who gets the first pick:

Stafford
Andre Smith
Selvie

All of these guys are going to have HUGE years and are "special" in what they do and there's not great depth at their positions this year making their chance of going early even better. Plus, all three of them are going to get tons of pub on those teams as UGA will be in the mix all year for big games. USF will be on tv a ton with all of those quirky games AND they'll probably be vying all season with WVU for the title with the showdown there being the last game of the season. Not too mention USF also has a few other guys who will be getting nice pub such as McKenzie, Murphy, Grothe, Ford etc.

Andre Smith doesn't need any pub, but playing for Saban will get him plenty as the media is DYING for Bama to show signs of turning it around. Plus, that Julio Jones is going to be a STUD people will tune in to see if he is for real. Word is out of their recent scrimmage, a number of pro scouts were there to see a few guys and they said this kid was NFL ready NOW and is the most finished product they've seen coming out of highschool since RANDY MOSS.
AJ Green > Julio Jones :cool:

[Ruger7mmmag]

AJ Green > Julio Jones :cool:

Don't know much about AJ, but as much as I'm not a bama fan, I've seen enough of Julio Jones (I live in the same town) to know this kid could've been at Senior Bowl practice and you wouldn't have known he hadn't graduated HS yet looking at him. Physically, it's incredible what this kid can do. Got a 44" vert to go along with speed and height and muscle.

Makes you think they need to do more **** tests in hs bc i've never seen a HS kid look like this kid.

[NoAlibi]

that's funny cuz randy moss was anything but a finished product....julio's not that fast either.

[warrensappisgod]

NoAlibi, or anyone else who wants to chime in, how do you rank Harvin, Maclin, Crabtree, and DHB if all are in the upcoming draft? I've been seeing a lot of jumbled rankings of the 4 lately, with Maclin, Crabtree, and Harvin each taking the top spot on more than a few lists.

I've got it Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin, DHB though Harvin may jump Maclin based on his recent muscle addition. The scouts are going to love that. I still like Maclin's potential as a WR and return abilities a little better.

[maryjanewatson]

NoAlibi, or anyone else who wants to chime in, how do you rank Harvin, Maclin, Crabtree, and DHB if all are in the upcoming draft? I've been seeing a lot of jumbled rankings of the 4 lately, with Maclin, Crabtree, and Harvin each taking the top spot on more than a few lists.

I've got it Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin, DHB though Harvin may jump Maclin based on his recent muscle addition. The scouts are going to love that. I still like Maclin's potential as a WR and return abilities a little better.

Maclin is amazing...he's the best player in the Big 12, or he will be soon, IMHO.

[NoAlibi]

Crabtree
Maclin
DHB
Harvin

[warrensappisgod]

Maclin is amazing...he's the best player in the Big 12, or he will be soon, IMHO.

I really, really like his potential, and I haven't been big on WRs recently. Like a less one-dimensional Santonio Holmes. Might not be the best player on Missouri with William Moore though. Both are very, very good.

Harvin seems a little over-hyped. Great player, but like Bush isn't near a refined WR or RB right now.

I need to watch a lot more on DHB though, I've barely seen him play.

[BucFanInKC]

Curtis Painter could sneak up near the top of the draft with a good year. He had a damn good season last year.

[Ruger7mmmag]

that's funny cuz randy moss was anything but a finished product....julio's not that fast either.

Not that fast? :rotf: Guess that's why he's on kick returns as a true freshman along with being a starting WR...

[Nubish]

Harvin is an incredible talent (he's one of those rare phenoms that comes from the Virginia Beach area every 5 years or so), probably the most physically gifted player to ever play at UF, but he has constant nagging heel injuries that have yet to let us see him at 100% during his time at Florida. If he could just stay healthy, he'd be amazing.