pakowitz

Todd McShay: Thanks for your patience... lots to talk about with the draft less than two weeks away... let's get after it...




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Paul (Detroit): It's 12:14pm....

Todd McShay: Thanks, Paul. Punctuality is your thing, huh? We probably wouldn't get along well...


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john,syosset,ny: how can mcfadden go so high when every time someone hits him he goes right down!!!!skinniest legs i have ever seen on a running back...the jets should trade down!!!!!!!

Todd McShay: Skinny legs, yes. But he doesn't go down as easily as everyone seems to think. He won't churn out yards like A.D., but he is big and powerful enough to break far more tackles than a Reggie Bush type. If the Jets have a chance to draft him they should cash in... McFadden and Thomas Jones would complement one another extremely well and McFadden could add some explosiveness to an offense that lacks any spark right now.


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Wes (Griggsville,il): We all know that da Bears will probably take an OT in Rd 1. Who is the best OT for their run game and what will they address in Rd 2

Todd McShay: I think Pitt's Jeff Otah is a good fit. He's a big mauling type ROT that plays around 325 pounds and can dominate the line of scrimmage. He only played one year of organized HS football and is still learning the game. His best ball should still be ahead of him.


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Josh (Baltimore): Does McNair's retirement make drafting Matt Ryan a must for the Ravens and do you see them moving up to draft him if need be?

Todd McShay: I don't think it changes much for the Ravens. They wanted Ryan even when they thought McNair was returning. I don't think it adds enough urgency for them to mortgage away their draft to move up for Ryan. They are high on Joe Flacco, so maybe they trade back into Round 1 to secure him. That's more likely than Baltimore trading up from No. 8 to get Ryan.


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Kevin (NYC): With all the talk of Jake Long, if he doesn't go to the Fish, is it possible Chris Long could fall to the Jets?

Todd McShay: No. St. Louis would consider him at No. 2, as would Atlanta at 3 and Oakland at 4. Absolute worst case for Jake Long is falling to No. 5 -- and that's best case scenario for all you Chiefs' fans.


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John T (Eagan): Is there anything dumber than a mock draft that tries to project trades?

Todd McShay: Ha ha... Right on.


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Matt (Lubbock, Texas): Is Devin Thomas just benefitting from a Wide Receiver class that has been swamped by injuries, is he the real deal, or are all the wide-outs in this class just mediocre?

Todd McShay: He's very talented, but the point is valid. I think Limas Sweed and Malcolm Kelly will be better pros, but they will be selected after Thomas because of injuries and Kelly's slow 40 time. I know it's not cool to like Mario Manningham right now but if he ever gets his act together he could be the best WR from this class when we look back on it 10 years from now... He's so similar to Chad Johnson; very talented but attitude/40 time will cause Manningham to slip at least a round.


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Lane (Kukuihaele, HI): Do you think Pat Sims is a better fit for Atlanta's defensive scheme over Glenn Dorsey?

Todd McShay: No. Not even close. Similar styles but that's like comparing a porsche to a mazda miata... Plus, Sims is slipping due to character concerns. He will probably slide to Day 2.


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Chris (New Orleans, LA): Todd, Great work as always. Was dissapointed there was no ESPN draft mag. this year. But to a question: The Saint's Front Office is tough to figure out in terms of their ability to evaluate talent. Any chance they pass on Rivers or one of the CB's and go Offensive Line? Thanks.

Todd McShay: Thanks, man. Me too. It was a business decision and apparently I have no pull in those circles... makes sense though; print is becoming a dinosaur.
Anyway, I think the Saints understand their needs and the value where they pick. CB is obviously a need but it's not the ideal value. I think the Saints will consider trading up for DT Dorsey first, and then DT Ellis. If they can't find a trade partner, they want LB Rivers. And if all else fails, they will take a CB at that point -- maybe South Florida's Mike Jenkins.

Todd McShay: The Saints also need help at TE, which I think they will address in the second or third round -- assuming they can't get a draft-day trade done for Jeremy Shockey.

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Zac (MN): Hey Todd, great podcast yesterday. It was surprising to see you and Mel get along for the most part. Are the Vikings just going to take the best player available or would they possibly look at trading down to pick up a DE who doesn't have the value at 17 (that's assuming Harvey is off the board). Is there any team that is looking to trade up to 17? That seems a little high for a team jumping back into the 1st for a QB.

Todd McShay: Thanks, Zac. Mel and I actually do get along very well. We're just very passionate about our opinions. The only time you all see us is on tv, when we're obviusly debating our opinions... anyway, I'm convinced the Vikings will take best available player. If it happens to be a DE, great. But the only value pick with a chance of falling to 17 is Derrick Harvey (FLA). Otherwise, Rick Spielman will simply take the best player on the board... the way things are laying out it could be a cornerback like Aqib Talib (Kansas) or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tenn. State).


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Dave(Charlotte, NC): Are the skins at #21 a good spot for a team to trade back into 1st for a qb, or is this too early?

Todd McShay: I think that's where the bidding could begin. And if WR Devin Thomas is off the board, I'm hearing Washington wants to deal back and get more picks to take advantage of this deep class. Strange but true for a Skins organization that historically has done its drafting via free agency.


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Bob (Phoenix, AZ): Todd - if the Bolts can trade down from 27 to acquire more picks like a 2nd and 3rd - what OT and NT are there in those rounds for them to draft? Thanks!

Todd McShay: I think that's a strong possibility, Bob. OT's like Sam Baker and Anthony Collins would be good values in Round 2, but there isn't much to be excited about at NT to be honest -- that's why the Browns made the moves they did for Williams and Rodgers. ILB is a possibility in the wake of Cooper's 4 game suspension. PSU's Dan Connor and Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton are possibilities early in Round 2.


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Greg, Waterloo, Canada: Hi Todd, if a marquee corner is not on the board can Buffalo trade down and still get a WR that can compliment Evans?

Todd McShay: They could try -- and I think that will be their best option -- but I'm not sure they can find a trading partner. I'm hearing they could reach for WR Devin Thomas, but that would be a REACH. Taking a CB is a better value. Also, don't be shocked if they go with a value pick in DE Derrick Harvey... think about it... it makes some sense if they're stuck at No. 11 considering how thin they are at the position.


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dukie: where you think packers will go todd

Todd McShay: Probably best available DB. Va. Tech's Brandon Flowers makes sense, as does Miami DS Kenny Phillips.


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Joe (Indianapolis, IN): Who do you think the Colts should draft? I am thinking a TE. Maybe John Carleson from ND might be there. RB is an option. If Chris Johnson from East Carolina is there we should take him. thoughts...

Todd McShay: By the time the Colts pick it will be midnight. I'm guessing best available DL with speed. If not, TE is a possibility, but Keller and Davis should be long gone and Carlson doesn't have the speed they want at the position. A&M's Martellus Bennett is not as polished but he's faster and more naturally athletic.


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Daniel, Rocky Mount, NC: Do you think the raiders will really take DMac? Who should they take?

Todd McShay: They should take McFadden if he's available, unless Chris Long is still on the board. If both are available, I think they should go with Long -- but who knows what Al Davis thinks?

Todd McShay: Wow. Lots of great questions squeezed into 45 minutes. Thanks, everyone. And sorry I was running a few minutes late, Paul from Detroit. Looking forward to our final pre-draft chat next week. Until then, be well.

I Live In Beastmode!