2011 NFL Draft Mailbag

NFL Draft Mailbag Notes: These are not actually e-mails. They are comments left on the comment board in my 2011 NFL Mock Draft. I’ve included some of these comments and my responses to them.

2/22/11

2011 NFL Draft E-mails – Random AFC Questions and Comments



  • From Mike Arr:

    Bills draft prediction. They will move down 1 or 2 spots to get more picks, Cam Newton is more of a project than people think + he is a spoiled athlete AND an attitude problem waiting to happen. The Bills have a small but talented group, upon which they need to build. They can ill afford to take a player that is going to sit for 1-3 years. Plus, Fitzy CAN win in this league. Given the opportunity to go to camp as the started + 1 more year in the system can only make him better. Fitzy throws for 30+ TD’s next year. Fo Sho !


    –> I disagree with everything. First, no team can win consistently with Ryan Fitzpatrick. He’s a very good backup in the NFL, but he’s nothing more than that.

    Second, I don’t see why Cam Newton is an “attitude problem waiting to happen.” Newton’s a great leader. His biggest issue is transitioning to an NFL offense and making multiple reads.

    And third, no team’s going to trade up to the No. 3 overall pick unless there’s a rookie salary scale. No owner wants to pay that much guaranteed money to an unknown commodity.



  • From Invisibulman:

    Go ahead and pencil in Tyler Sash to the Colts in the second round. Bob Sanders was finally released this afternoon. Strong safety just became their #2 need behind left tackle and the Colts do love their Hawkeyes.


    –> I like this suggestion. The Colts do have a tendency to draft Iowa players, and strong safety is now a huge need.





  • From ChiefFan101:

    Walt. Last year your #1 pick for the Chiefs was an offensive tackle at #5 and I did agree. So how is it after 8 picks in 2010 for the Chiefs, how’s it take 5 picks into the 2011 draft #148 to take an OT?


    –> I’m not saying the Chiefs don’t need a left tackle. I think they definitely need help there. But Branden Albert is a marginal player, and replacing him with another marginal player (the tackle class is thin after all the first-round guys) doesn’t really make much sense to me. If Kansas City loves Anthony Castonzo, Gabe Carimi, etc. enough at No. 21, they should take one of the those players. But I don’t think they will.



  • From Gonzo:

    I’m tired of always seeing Mark Ingram in every Mock going to Miami… it’s a little boring and I want some diversity… I don’t think we’ll get him. We’re going to trade back, acquire a 2nd-round with a 1st-rounder and get Pouncey in the 1st and get Titus Young in the 2nd. Then Kendall Hunter in 3rd. Casey Matthews in the 4th. Then I don’t know anything about players after the 4th round.


    –> Sometimes the consensus pick is the one that happens. For instance, everyone mocked Malcolm Jenkins to the Saints two years ago. New Orleans took him at No. 14.

    If Mark Ingram is available, the Dolphins will probably select him. If he’s off the board, they’ll trade down or reach. However, I don’t predict trades in my mock drafts, which is why I’ve frequently mocked Ingram to Miami.





  • From Abcdefgh:

    I like that you have the Steelers taking a DB. ESPN insists that they’ll take an OT, but they have a good line, just a lot of injuries. They need help in the defensive backfield so Troy Polamalu doesn’t have to take as many guesses.


    –> I think there’s a good chance the Steelers take a tackle or guard. Willie Colon is a free agent and Max Starks is coming off injury. Derek Sherrod, Ben Ijalana and Mike Pouncey are all viable options at No. 31. But then again, so is a cornerback like Brandon Harris or Aaron Williams.



  • From Adam:

    Why do you give the Steelers an ILB in every mock draft? IN case you don’t know, the Steelers found James Farrior’s replacement in the 5th round last year. His name is Stevenson Sylvester. Why do you give the Steelers 2 OL with no DL? We need to find a NT of the future. How about Kendrick Ellis in the 4th round? With 2 years of development he will be a stud. I loved your first 2 rounds for the Steelers but it went down hill after that.


    –> Fair enough about Stevenson Sylvester, but I don’t see the Steelers taking Kenrick Ellis because of his character concerns.



    2011 NFL Draft Mailbag Archive:

    2011 NFL Draft Mailbag Home
    Post-Round 1 E-mail - April 29
    Hate Mail Volume 7 - April 10
    Crackhead Mail Volume 2 - April 10
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 5 - April 10
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 5 - April 10
    Hate Mail Volume 6 - April 3
    Crackhead Mail - April 3
    Trade and Prospect Speculation - April 3
    Hate Mail Volume 5 - March 28
    Cam Newton Mailbag - March 28
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 4 - March 28
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 4 - March 28
    Hate Mail Volume 4 - March 13
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 3 - March 13
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 3 - March 13
    Random Questions and Comments - March 7
    Hate Mail Volume 3 - March 7
    Combine Questions and Comments - March 7
    Combine Hate Mail - March 7
    Hate Mail Volume 2 - Feb. 22
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 2 - Feb. 22
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 2 - Feb. 22
    Quarterbacks - Feb. 15
    Hate Mail - Feb. 15
    Random AFC Questions and Comments - Feb. 15
    Random NFC Questions and Comments - Feb. 15








    NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


    2024 NFL Mock Draft - Feb. 21


    Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


    NFL Picks - Feb. 12