YCS Previews the NFL Draft-My crazy ramblings

Instead of doing a series of fancy, spiffy posts on different elements of the Draft, here are my thoughts wrapped up into one spot. Coming up later tonight, our Mock Draft that will put all others to shame.

Grand predictions on who will be the best player at each position:

QB-Brady Quinn

Jamarcus Russell has the more impressive raw tools, but I really feel that Quinn's feel and understanding of the game will make him the better quarterback. While Quinn gets happy feet in the pocket and occasionally struggles with his mechanics, so does a certain multi-time NFL MVP who just led his team to a Super Bowl victory. Like Peyton Manning, Quinn has been a very successful four year starter against strong competition. Throughout the evaluation process, Quinn's weaknesses have been very harshly scrutinized. Had he come out of school last year, I think Quinn would have been the first quarterback off the board. After returning for his senior season, he has seen some of his flaws exposed. An excellent student of the game, Quinn should be able to learn from them and prepare for the step up in competition. Russell has always relied on his physical skills to make plays that will not be available against NFL competition. For me, this compares to the 1998 debate where many evaluators rated Ryan Leaf's physical skills ahead of Manning's mental skills. The end result of said debate needs no explanation.

RB-Marshawn Lynch

As good as Adrian Peterson could be, I think his upright, physical style of running will lead to lots of time spent on the trainer's table. Lynch does a better job of eluding defenders and should be a versatile, every down back. Peterson has yet to prove he can catch the ball out of the backfield or handling the blocking responsibility on passing downs. Still, I would have a hard time taking Lynch over Peterson because of the potential that Peterson's football acumen catches up to his awesome physical skills. That said, I think Lynch should rank as one the better backs in the league for many years.

WR-Calvin Johnson

Imagine Terrell Owens with more speed and an unselfish attitude. Easily the most talented player in this draft and he should quickly be among the best receivers in the league.

TE-Scott Chandler

The easy answer is Greg Olsen. While I think Olsen's physical skills will lead to a nice NFL career, Chandler's work ethic and underrated athletic skills will trump Olsen. Chandler made a lot of highlight-reel type catches at Iowa, and has a chance to develop into a 50-70 catch guy at an increasingly utilized position. He will be a steal in the late 2nd-early 3rd round range.

OT-Joe Thomas

I think Thomas will be a perennial Pro Bowl left tackle, a foundation at the most important offensive spot not named quarterback. Blessed with excellent physcial skills and an excellent understanding of the game, any team not taking Calvin Johnson will be foolish to pass up on Thomas. I also love Joe Staley, who has the chance to develop into the same level player as Thomas. However, Thomas's ability to reach that level quicker make him the better propsect.

OG-Ben Grubbs

An excellent athlete for an interior lineman, Grubbs has the chance to be one of the best guards in the NFL. After playing tight end and on the defensive line, he found a home in the trenches. While Grubbs may not be as ready to start as Justin Blalock, his awesome potential makes him the highest rated guard in years. An ideal fit would be a team like the Bears, where Grubbs could sit for a year behind a Hall of Famer in Ruben Brown and learn, then step in his spot once Brown retires.

DE-Gaines Adams

While Adams's struggles against the run have been well publicized, his pass rushing skills far exceed any prospect in this draft. Dwight Freeney, who's going to tackle his way to Canton, has made a career on strictly being a frightening pass rusher. An occasional tackle in the backfield will be more than enough run support for Adams, who should be dominant force in predictable pass situations.

DT-Amobi Okoye

Once Okoye gets acclimated, he could be a dominant force at defensive tackle for many years. At just nineteen years old, his best days are definitely ahead. Still, after being a three year starter at Louisville, he should be a very nice player right away Once he fully develops, look out blockers.

MLB-Patrick Willis

Possessing a tremenous combination of skills and smarts, Willis should be a high level player for a long time. An ideal middle linebacker because of his football acumen, Willis will be able to ready plays and his tremendous speed will allow to run down many a runner and make big plays. Expected to go in the 10-12 pick range, he will be a steal there and teams should be looking to take him much earlier.

OLB-Lawrence Timmons

A tough prediction to make, since talented guys like Jarvis Moss and Anthony Spencer could be converted to rush outside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme. However, of guys who will surely play this spot, I think Timmons has the highest upside and should become a very good player. He possesses the motor you want from an outside linebacker, and has the athleticism to play in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. Playing behind Ernie Sims at Florida State, Timmons has only started for one season. Because of that, his ability to immediately contribute may be behind guys like Jon Beason and Paul Posluszny. However, once Timmons develops, he will be the best of that bunch.

CB-Chris Houston

Guys like Darrelle Revis and Leon Hall have gotten most of the attention. However, Houston quietly performed at a high level at Arkansas and has a great combination of speed and skills. While Hall struggled against elite college receivers, Houston had strong performances against guys like Dwayne Jarrett, Robert Meachem and Dwayne Bowe. In the bottom part of the first round, he will an excellent pick-up for an already successful team.

S-Laron Landry

Like Calvin Johnson, Landry is the best player at his position by a wide margin. Speed, skill and experience make Landry a surefire top ten pick who has a good chance to be a perennial Pro Bowler. He needs some work in pass coverage, but he should be an immediate starter and will develop into a defensive leader.

While I can care less about kickers and punters, this Mason Crosby kid from Colorado looks like he'll be a first day pick.

Sleepers/Busts:


QB:
Bust: Jamarcus Russell-LSU
Sleeper: John Beck-BYU
Major Sleeper: Jordan Palmer-UTEP

RB:
Bust: Antonio Pittman-Ohio State
Sleepers: Michael Bush-Louisville, Lorenzo Booker-Florida State

WR:
Bust: Ted Ginn Jr.-Ohio State
Sleepers: Rhema McKnight-Notre Dame, Chansi Stuckey-Clemson
Major Sleeper: Dallas Baker-Florida

TE:
Bust: Zach Miller-Arizona State
Sleeper: Scott Chandler-Iowa

OT:
Busts: Levi Brown-Penn State, Ryan Harris-Notre Dame
Sleeper: Doug Free-Northern Illinois

That other side of the ball is less clear to me, but I really think Quentin Moses of Georgia outperforms his draft spot.

Other random thoughts:

Denver will be the biggest draft day mover.

Someone in Kansas City finally gets a clue and stops shopping Larry Johnson.

Someone takes a gamble on Troy Smith on day one.

Buffalo will again make a headstratching first pick. After four years following him in Chicago, I still have no clue what Dick Jauron is thinking most of the time.

Lance Briggs will remain a Bear.