The NFL Draft has come and gone, and fans of each of the 32 NFL teams are by now proclaiming that their team has drafted, oh, say, seven players and has found, oh, say, seven starters. That or he’s lambasting the front office and coaching staff for not taking “that guy who made that big hit in the bowl game I saw. Mel Kiper says he’ll be a star. Fire Haslett. Fire him now.”
Whoops, that was just a reflex.
On this note, here are some random draft ponderings.
You’re our guy, sort of. Has there been a No. 1 draft pick in recent memory less welcomed than Alex Smith? The San Francisco 49ers did not have a contract worked out for Smith before the draft. They waited for a good offer to trade out of their No. 1 slot for weeks, hinting that they didn’t think Smith was worth the money he’d command. When no offer came, they took Smith. Of course, they then made it clear to the Cleveland Browns, among other teams, that he was still very tradable for the right offer. So congratulations, Mr. Smith. You’re a 49er. Well, for today at least.
On the home team front. With high profile defenders like linebacker Derrick Johnson and safety/linebacker Thomas Davis on the board, Saints picked offensive lineman Jammal Brown at No. 13. Brown was the highest rated offensive tackle out there, and they stopped NFC South rival Carolina from getting its hands on Brown to plug up a shaky line situation. If Brown is as good as advertised, he allows new signee Jermaine Mayberry to move to guard, where he was a Pro Bowl performer last season for the Eagles. Brown, LeCharles Bentley and Mayberry could provide a nasty right side of the line for Deuce McAllister, allowing the Saints to pound the ball and keep the defense on the sideline.
An intriguing choice. Many would have called it a reach when the Jaguars took quarterback-turned-wide-receiver Matt Jones at No. 21. But a player that possesses his natural gifts cannot possibly be a bad selection. Every year, people compare wide receivers in the draft to Randy Moss. But the few that came close to Moss’ height and speed could not match his hands, leaping ability or instincts to run after the catch. Jones, a blazing fast 6 foot 5 target, has it all as an athlete. Nothing is certain until he gets experience at wide receiver, but Jones has a chance to match Moss’ game-breaking ability.
The last piece? The Ravens should be convicted of theft. The team drafted Mark Clayton at pick 22, and he is the most polished wide receiver in the draft. He reminds me a lot of Marvin Harrison. With Derrick Mason already added to the team’s offense, they now have the firepower to win another Super Bowl.
