Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 20
I tend to agree with the comments that this draft has good a little more according to plan/logic than will happen. Doesn't make any of the picks poor, just not huge surprises. Robert O. has a bit of sleeper here, choosing for the Bucs
Conventional wisdom, at least for "good" teams, is that a winning team is built in the trenches first. With that in mind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers actually performed well on both the offensive and defensive lines last year. While the Bucs could use an infusion of youth at Defensive End, Tim L. made an eloquent argument (and saved me a few words) that there is no DE of value available at this point in the draft.
The Buccaneers most glaring need, painfully on display in their pathetic playoff game against the Giants, is a big pay wide receiver to go along with and eventually replace Joey Galloway. The other major need, with the departure of Brian Kelly, is cornerback. I was fully prepared to argue that Tampa Bay should select Limas Sweed with the 20th selection in the draft. He not only is the safest wide receiver available in my opinion, but a great value at this slot as well as a need. His big play ability would be a perfect complement to Joey Galloway and to Warrick Dunn's prowess in the short and mid-range passing game. However, in the interests of due diligence, I put on my Monte Kiffin glasses and took a look at the available cornerback prospects.
While Jimmy and the Texans saved me from a decision on Mike Jenkins, his strength (man-to-man coverage skills) is just not that big of an asset in the Tampa Cover-2 scheme (cough..Jason David..cough). Brandon Flowers, while a good fit for the Tampa-2, is a step too slow and doesn't recover well enough to be considered at this position in the draft in my opinion.
Antoine Cason, on the other hand, looks to be a perfect match. His strengths of reading the field along with reacting to and making plays on the ball likely would have Monte drooling all over the Buccaneers war room floor. Not only could Cason be a replacement for Brian Kelly he just might represent a significant upgrade. So because of his ability to take the Buccaneers once-vaunted but improving defense to a new level, I believe that Antoine Cason should be Tampa Bay's pick in this years draft.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall
16. Arizona Cardinals (Scott C.) - Aquib Talib
17. Minnesota Vikings (Tim L.) - Jeff Otah
18. Houston Texans (Jimmy) - Mike Jenkins
19. Philadelphia Eagles (Andy G.) - Devin Thomas
20. Tampa Bay Bucs (Robert O.) - Antoine Cason
Comments
now this is a reach... good justification though
Posted by: scott c | April 18, 2008 11:44 AM
I think teams "reach" for players they think have a great deal of upside in their particular system. Kind of like the Chargers "reached" for Eric Weddle last year. He turned out to be a very solid contributor last year and will be the starter this year. I think this is the case for Cason and Tampa Bay.
I think this position was too High for Bian Brohm. I think there are too many question marks about him. The Bucs should have solid play at QB next year and should be able to take a step to the next level if they address their needs at WR and CB. I just think Cason has the potential for a bigger impact because he would allow Kiffin to bring back some of the big play Buccaneers D from a few years ago.
Posted by: Robert O. | April 18, 2008 01:32 PM