(aka the Prospectus thread)

Figured, I'd start a thread. Nice to talk about something other than the lockout. Admittedly, I don't know much about the draft, except for some stuff I read up on. Is it considered a good draft? The Giants are looking at an OT and it seems like there are a good amount to pick from.

Aw, I feel honored. I am interning in DC aka the heart of Redskins country.

I really am not that invested in what the selections are early on (unless there is a massive reach) as in years past. Blame it on the strange fact FA after, not before the draft. If the NFL Draft is my Christmas, then FA is really the post-Thanksgiving Holliday shopping spree and anticipation. Its absence, although I have no real strong opinions on what the Giants should do (well except with Brandon Jacobs) I really feel like something is missing. Dan Snyder must be on the verge of a Scanners-like combustion.

If Castonzo or Carimi there, I think they are taking him. If not and say Mark Ingram and Nate Solder are both there, then the decision becomes very interesting.

I know there is a lot of talk about the other Pouncey twin, and yes it would be 'cute' if we had another half of NFL brothers on the team, but it looks like Pouncey may be gone which is interesting since I was never sold he was that much better than Maurkice.

I really like Liuget but his stock is rising which is interesting if perhaps Nick Fairley, who is dropping,is taken after him. I would trade up if that situation happened but that has not been Jerry Reese's MO, he usually has confidence there is a good player to be had no matter where the team is picking.

Anyway, at this rate I think the ideal pick is Anthony Castonzo of Boston College. The position, the school and that school's relationship with the Giants and Tom Coughlin- I think it makes way too much sense but Castonzo could be picked up right before the pick at #19.

Picks for the board:
OT Anthony Castonzo, BC
OT Nate Solder, Colorado
OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
DT Corey Liuget, Illinois
RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
OC/OG Mike Pouncey, Florida

X-Factor Picks (As in if something happens in the first 18 picks that reshuffles the board of players I listed, these players get more consideration):

CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado
DT Marvin Austin, UNC
OT Marcus Cannon, TCU

Here are some mock drafts from Mike Mayock and Rick Gosselin who have proven to be the most accurate prognosticators.

You cannot spell Mayock without M-O-C-K:


Gosselin has some interesting picks:

I honestly don't follow College Football at all until Big Blue drafts a guy. Then I follow the players. Looking forward.

Here are some blurbs being thrown around:

Browns and Pats allegedly in talks over swapping picks. Cleveland has the 6th overall pick. Much speculation the player could be LSU CB Patrick Peterson being the target of not just the Pats but other teams who want to trade up. Robert Quinn is also the guy heavily regarded by the Pats, allegedly (seriously this team has proven to have no MO except to have no MO).

Broncos really want Texas A&M LB Von Miller. It is slim pickings at the position after him.

Raiders really want to move back into the first round. Not that crazy. But here begins the crazy, Colin Kaepernick is the #1 QB on their board. I am beginning to think that Al Davis was locked out of the draft room b/c last year's draft was too sane for the Raiders. Kaepernick may very well be the reason why they trade up b/c his value appears to fall right into the Raiders laps in the 2nd rd.

Do not be surprised if FSU QB Christian Ponder is a 1st round pick.

Giants have done a lot of homework on Colorado OT Nate Solder. Not surprised, there always seems to be heavy scouting in the Pac 10/West Coast by this team in the Reese era.

Redskins once again enter the off-season with only a few picks but without a FA shopping spree. Mike Shannahan has also shot down any talks that the team with trade up for value picks.

Buffalo may finally go after a QB. If Gabbert/Newton are there at 3, Bills will give it a hard, long thought but it appears the QB selection will happen when they can get a team to swap picks where their new position makes the selection of say a Christian Ponder more reasonable.

Eagles also looking to trade their pick.

TCU QB Andy Dalton also being the apple in the eyes of many GMs and could be the most likely over-draft at his positon. Drew Brees comparisons being thrown around.

Colorado CB Jimmy Smith had some issues. How bad? 3 failed drug tests and an alleged addiction to codeine.

I'll be on a few sites/forums (while watching the Met game) but yeah Prospectus' thread is a MUST READ and I'll be following. You get more info from her than many other places.

Prospectus, who do you like for the Jets (knowing you're a Giants fan) that could be there at #30? Brooks Reed? Bailey? Wilkerson ?

I know it sounds weird to talk about specialists in a draft but I hope the Giants come out of the draft process (rounds 6-7 or rookie free agents) with a strong legged kicker. With the kickoffs now being changed to the 35-yard line and touchbacks staying at the 20, getting a guy that can boot it deep into the endzone or out of the endzone is big. Tynes does not have the strongest leg in the world and if you can pick someone up that you know will make the opposing team start at their own 20 most of the time, I think you have to do it. Coughlin might not like carrying two kickers but it just puts much less emphasis on your kick coverage teams. I know that Alex Henery (Nebraska) has a big leg. He made a 53-yarder in the Big 12 Championship that may have been good from 65+ and he made a 42-yarder in that same game that he kicked OVER the net.

I agree, she does a great job. Even though I don't post on here a lot, I always read the stuff she posts.

Not a Jets fan, but I have read Phil Taylor's name mentioned with them. 3-4 DT from Baylor.

Goodell, as expected, gets booed out of the building.

Could only quiet the crowd by pleading for a moment of silence for the tornado victims in the south...

I like Taylor too.

I really have not been following the Jets needs. I do love Ayers as a player and fits well into the scheme of either the Ravens or Jets defense.

Thanks for all of the feedback guys. I really do put a lot effort into this so I am glad people read it.

sluger, that is a good point about the victims especially when SEC and players from the South probably had family affected.

Ho-hum with the first two picks. Very expected. Now seeing what the Bills do will be interesting. Could be Dareus, could be a QB, could be a trade down.