2002 Rookie Mock Draft

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Mock Draft (with trades):

Overview of trades:

A. Predators continue their trading ways and send picks 1.5 and 1.11 for 1.2 and 3.2 from the Vagrants
B. Vagrants package 1.5 and 2.2 for 1.3 and 2.3 from the Ragers
C. Vagrants package 1.11 and 2.3 for 1.6 and 3.4

1.1 Toxic Waste- William Green $1,200- With money to spend grabs first RB selected in NFL draft.
1.2 Predators- D. Stallworth $780- First WR taken to replace one of 3 that will be FA’s at the end of 2002. Vagrants get picks 1.5 and 1.11.
1.3 Vagrants- Joey Harrington $850- Grab QB of the future by packaging 1.5 and 2.2 for 1.3 and 2.3.
1.4 Opihi- Ashlie Lelie $740- Can’t pass on the HI export who can replace the aging Tim Brown in 2003.
1.5 Ragers- Javon Walker $720- Fell back a few spots and grabbed Farve’s new toy to replace one of 8 FA’s at the end of 2002.
1.6 Vagrants- TJ Duckett $1050- Pick-up stud RB to replace one of two 2002 FA’s, by packaging picks 1.11 and 2.3 for 1.6 and 3.4.
1.7 Wonder Mutts- David Carr $750- NFL number 1 pick falls to Mutts who have great compliment to Brady.
1.8 Squirrel Chasers- Jeremy Shockey $280- Decide to pull the trigger on TE for 2002 and beyond
1.9 Devil Hounds- DeShaun Foster $960- Team him with Tiki and fill an immediate need.
1.10 Freedom- Jabar Gaffney $620
1.11 Freedom- Josh Reed- $600- Grab WR’s back to back to address most glaring need
1.12 Insects- Clinton Portis $870- Stud potential with chance to start in 2003 or 2004

2.1 Toxic Waste- Patrick Ramsey $600- With Collins a FA at seasons end, Ramsey should be ready for 2003
2.2 Ragers- Tim Carter $540- Still trying to insulate themselves with 5 FA WR’s at the end of 2002
2.3 Freedom- Daniel Graham $210- TE for 2003 if Lewis walks
2.4 Freedom- Jonathan Wells $750- RB to replace McCallister if he walks at the end of 2002
2.5 Opihi- Jeramy Stevens $190- Does Holgrem’s gamble help the Opihi?
2.6 Wyverns- Josh McNown $475- Should supplant the Snake in the desert and come in to back-up Peyton for the Wyverns.
2.7 Wonder Mutts- Andre Davis $440- Could replace one of 4 2002 FA’s
2.8 Squirrel Chasers- Brain Westbrook $630- Could replace Staley if he is cut on June 1.
2.9 Devil Hounds- Rohan Davey $400- Big QB could back-up Warner in 2002
2.10 Dodgers- Antonio Bryant $380- Snags WR for 2002 roster space
2.11 Wyverns- Ladell Betts $540- Could see quality playing time if Davis goes down
2.12 Insects- Antwan Randall-El $340- Slash 2 finds a home by the Bay

3.1 Toxic Waste- Marquise Walker $320- Should be ready by 2003
3.2 Predators- Randy McMicheal $150- Cheap TE could start in 2002
3.3 Ragers- Kurt Kittner $280- Vick’s back-up in FF and NFL
3.4 Vagrants- Deion Branch $260- Add a young WR to draft day haul
3.5 Opihi- Cliff Russell $240- Suppier’s new burner could get 2002 playing time
3.6 Predators- Maurice Morris $330- Speedy RB to add to stable of young runners
3.7 Wonder Mutts- Luke Staley $300- Could see the field if Stewart goes down
3.8 Squirrel Chasers- Ron Johnson $180- Could replace Stokey in Baltimore in 2003
3.9 Devil Hounds- J.T. O'Sullivan $150- Fiery leader could be number 2 in NO
3.10 Devil Hounds- Adrian Peterson $210- I-AA star could be steal for the Bears and provide A-Train insurance
3.11 Dodgers- Eric Crouch $150- Could score points in many ways from WR slot on the roster
3.12 Insects- Matt Schobel $150- TE part of the Bengals improving passing game.

The above are the opinions/thoughts of Linus and he would be interested in seeing what others think. Please feel free to post your comments in this thread.

[Preds]

Intresting take Linus, however you've got my Predators trading the wrong way. If anything we'll trade down, we're not enthralled by any of the rookie prospects.

None of the WR's are worth top 6 picks, more like 8-12, they are a crapshoot in our opinion.

We do like all 3 Qb's as well as Foster, Green and Duckett to go top 6 however.

And a TE at 1.11 may be in the offing. That pick wil be purely value based.

[Preds]

hey, does anybody else sense that Linus may be putting up a smokescreen for his hometown Freedom with this mock ;)!

[Philadelphia Freedom]

I guess a smoke screen is better than being accused of smoking something!

Interesting overview of the draft. I agree with the first overall selection but after that I am not sure that you are accurate. While I can see Harrington go in the top three I am not sold yet that Stallworth is worth the top three pick. And I agree with Predators that Linus my be throwing up some kind of smoke screen.

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

First of all, kudos to Linus for putting his "kahones" on the line and putting this mock draft together. His choice of selections were not quite in line with the way I think this draft will go down... but we'll have to see, won't we?!

The Opihi would love to take Lelie with the 1.4 pick... but not sure my man Ashley will be the "best player available" at that spot. Especially with my glaring lack of a stud RB.

Could the Opihi entertain a trade down? Possibly. Probably not too far... but if the price is right, anything's possible.

Could the Opihi stay in the 4-spot? Definitely.

Great article... along with the "team needs" component. Nice to see that Linus is on top of things!

;)

[Philadelphia Freedom]

First of all, kudos to Linus for putting his "kahones" on the line and putting this mock draft together.

Thanks, Jim. I had a feeling that this was kind of a no-win situation. I basically used the team needs piece as the impetus for putting together the draft. However, no matter how it shakes down it is difficult to do something like this if you are one of the participants as opposed to an impartial by-stander.

My goal was to get people discussing things on the board and so far that seems to be working. As for the actual picks, I think in retrospect I probably focused more on need and did not give enough credence to the fact that teams can draft the best available and let them develop on their Developmental Squad.

Oh, well it is a mock draft and I am guessing I can be at least as successful as all of the self-proclaimed pundits out there.

[Preds]

You did a very creative job Matt! Don't be discouraged, it was a very entertaining read! In fact it certainly took a lot to try and anticipate what my trade happy Predators will do. Funny thing is, you've got the Vagrants acting like my Predators with 3 draft day deals! Great stuff.

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

I found myself looking at the players who were still available AFTER my mock team picked... and thinking to myself, "Man, if that guy's still around when I make my earlier pick, HE'S MINE!"

It sure gave me some encouragment as to who might be available!

[Philadelphia Freedom]

With the upcoming rookie draft I have been scouring the FBG's site trying to see what to expect. The following was posted by Aragorn. I am not sure about the specifics of his league but here is the first round of their rookie draft:
=========
our rookie draft just went and here is the 1st round (some BIG surprises):
1.1 Green
1.2 Foster
1.3 Carr
1.4 Duckett
1.5 Harrington
1.6 Portis
1.7 Lelie
1.8 Ramsey
1.9 Stallworth
1.10 Betts
1.11 Wells
1.12 M Walker

[Preds]

I don't think Aragorn's draft is that far off, esp with the top 4 or 5.

[Philadelphia Freedom]

After reading comments here and the FBG's boards, I would tend to agree. It looks like most feel that RB's and QB's are safer picks early than WR's. I will keep looking to see if they post anymore stuff like this, since it is probably a bit more acurate than Linus's mock draft!

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

I'm guessing that RBs and QBs will be the first off the board in the top of the draft, while some WRs and more RBs will come off in the second half of the first round.

In the second, it's anybody's guess. Should be a TE gone late first, early second... backup RBs... and more WRs.

Who knows what the 3rd round will bring!

[Indiana]

If Shockey falls to the 8th pick, you guys are crazy. He has better hands than any WR in the draft and is more likely to start! If I thought anybody would want to trade up for #2, I'd move down to get him for sure. Don't know if I can justify a TE at #2, however.

-Jeremy

[Preds]

Originally posted by Hudson Valley Vagrants
If Shockey falls to the 8th pick, you guys are crazy. He has better hands than any WR in the draft and is more likely to start! If I thought anybody would want to trade up for #2, I'd move down to get him for sure. Don't know if I can justify a TE at #2, however.

Ah, its draft time, don't you just LOVE the misleading opinions!

[Philadelphia Freedom]

If Shockey falls to the 8th pick, you guys are crazy. He has better hands than any WR in the draft and is more likely to start! If I thought anybody would want to trade up for #2, I'd move down to get him for sure. Don't know if I can justify a TE at #2, however.

-Jeremy

This is not misleading, he just quoted Shockey talking about himself. Self-worth is an important virtue and I think we should commend Jeremy for his high opinion of himself.

[Philadelphia Freedom]

For those keeping track Linus is 2 for 2. Of course he had the Undead picking Joey at three but what the heck. If I can keep changing the way I grade myself this might not be too bad. Richard any chance you could take Javon Walker to keep my streak alive? . I have a feeling my average is going to be taking a beating pretty soon.

[Urza's Ragers]

Javon who?!?!!?! No chance in hell you getting that one right.