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Reaction: NFL Mock Draft II Users impersonate NFL general managersPosted: Friday February 23, 2001 7:56 PMUpdated: Wednesday February 28, 2001 6:08 PM For the second time, we asked you to play the role of your favorite team's general manager. For the second time, you did not disappoint. The 2001 NFL draft is not long off, and judging by the number of responses we received, you are ready for some football. Keep reading for a sample of what we received.
I'm a diehard Seahawk fan, and I applaud you for your mock draft. I have looked at many others and they just made no sense for the Hawks. With the loss of Sam Adams and Phillp Daniels last year, and the probable salary cap cutting of Cortez Kennedy and Micheal Sinclair this year, it is extremely important to use their two first-round picks on the defensive line. Unless free agency produces some bodies, I don't see any alternative for a defense that ranked 31st in the league.
With the worst run defense in the league, there is no way Arizona takes a wide receiver with the second overall pick in the draft. Ideally, they trade out of that spot for more picks and use one of them later in the first round for a defensive tackle.
First of all, if Drew Brees slips to the 18th pick, the Detroit Lions will snatch him up. We've suffered too long at that position. Next off, with this new West Coast offense they're employing, we're fine with Herman Moore in the slot and Crowell and Morten on the ends -- no need for Santana Moss. Steve Hutchinson would be a great fit. And, if at all possible, in the second round Travis Minor would be great.
Why is everyone so jacked up about Michael Vick? He played in an extremely weak league in college and had terrible completion percentages against below-average defenses. He is a terrific athlete, but so is everyone else in the NFL. Quarterbacks at the next level don't make their living running around improvising and then taking off downfield; it makes for a short career. Until he can demonstrate the ability to drop back, stay in the pocket, look through a progression of receivers and hit one of them more than 50 percent of the time, I'd give him average chances to make it. Seems that people are getting carried away with this athletic quarterback breed (McNair, McNabb, King, Culpepper, etc.), but what happened to each of their teams last year? They couldn't win big games, especially when they get behind because other than Culpepper, none is very good with the vertical passing game. Vick is just another one of these guys, only he is younger and a little more nimble.
San Diego should try and trade the first pick for more draft picks because they have lots of problems, and one first-round pick won't help.
Sorry guys, the Denver Broncos are not going to use their first-round pick for Todd Heap (TE, Arizona State). They like the tight ends they already have on the team. They also need too much help on the defensive side of the ball. Look for the Broncos to use their first pick on a defensive back or defensive end.
Every mock draft I see has the Redskins drafting a wide receiver with the 15th pick in the draft. With the Redskins "win now" attitude and potential salary cap problems in the not too distant future, I don't think the Redskins will take a wide receiver. With Randy Moss being the exception, no wide receiver has come out of college and made an impact in their first year in the league. And the Redskins are looking for impact. A different scenario has the Redskins cutting Dan Wilkinson for salary cap purposes, drafting a defensive tackle, which are deep in the draft this year and can be impact players in their first year, and acquiring a wide receiver through free agency.
I have a hard time seeing the Chiefs picking an offensive tackle when they have two very good young ones, BOTH former first round picks in Tait and Riley. Offensive tackle is the Chiefs very last area of need. Also, don't you think there is a bit of a pressing need at running back? Have you seen the guys they have tried to pass off as running backs the last two years? How about cornerback? Wide receiver? Defensive line? I could even see a guard, as Szott is close to retirement, and Shields may be too expensive for them. They need anything but an offensive tackle.
I think that the Kansas City Chiefs should select LaDainian Tomlinson out of TCU. He's shown the ability to catch the football, carry the ball without fumbling, and be durable. With him on the squad, they could dump three other running backs to clear up cap space in the future. Down with running back by committee!
I highly disagree with your Cleveland and Detroit picks. I personally believe that Arizona will not take David Terrell, thus sending him to Cleveland. Arizona needs more help on defense than offense. I also think that the Lions will not take Santana Moss. That is an insult to Johnny Morton, Herman Moore and Germane Crowell. I would like to see the Lions get Brees, but that may just be wishful thinking. If not Brees then maybe they can get some help on that not deep secondary.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will not spend a first-round pick on a quarterback. Bill Cowher is banking on the hopes that Kordell Stewart's improved performance over the last several weeks of 2000 carries over into 2001. Drew Brees will not go to Pittsburgh, especially with Kent Graham and Tee Martin waiting in reserve. The Steelers would be best served by choosing a hungry, run-stopping lineman like Richard Seymour or Damione Lewis (if either is still on the board), or an up-and-comer in the secondary like Nate Clements. The Steelers will "pass" on the passing game.
I think that the prediction of the Detroit Lions picking Santana Moss is pretty far off. Everyone in Detroit knows they need to pick up a solid run blocker such as Steve Hutchinson or Jeff Backus to open up holes for Barry when he comes back.
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