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BTSC Mock Draft - Pick #16 by Arizona Cardinals: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

bereadawg promptly submits his selection for the Arizona Cardinals at #16. Thanks for his punctuality and solid choice. Having selected Levi Brown last year, the Cardinals would be in good shape along the line if they were to select Jeff Otah this year. Now on the clock: the Minnesota Vikings and LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart.

Well I was hoping to see Keith Rivers fall to this spot but that didn't happen.  So I had to see what was the next biggest need.

RB- Edge is getting old but he's still productive 1222 yards and 7 TDs not ELITE numbers

OLB- Calvin Pace had a great 2007 season 98 tackles 6.5 sacks.  But he's with the J-E-T-S now.

CB- It seems like everyone needs a CB these days.

OL- Arizona is in need of a LT.

DT- The Cardinals defense needs a play maker upfront.

So who's available:
RBs- Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois; Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
OLB- none worth this high of a pick
CB- Mike Jenkins, South Florida; Antoine Cason, Arizona; Reggie Smith, Oklahoma
OL- Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
DT-Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina

My Pick:

Star-divide

Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh. He's a big LT Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 340 pounds.

 
2007 (Senior): Won the Ed Conway Award as the most improved offensive player in the spring. Selected as one of three team captains by the players. A first team All-Big East selection.

2006 (Junior): Started all twelve games in his first year in the Pitt program.

The Good: Otah is a powerful blocker who has great size, agility and functional strength to grade out high as both a run and pass blocker. He sets up nicely in pass protection with a strong, quick hand punch and kick step that gets him into fine position to cut off the outside move and counter any inside maneuvers. He is capable of mauling an opponent once he locks on to him.

The Bad: He can play too high, which negates his power, and he takes some false steps that leave him out of position to make a block. Otah has only adequate footspeed to get out and block on the move. He is still raw in some technique and needs time to learn some finer points of line play.

Outlook: Otah projects more as a right tackle in the NFL, at least early on. But he is still a first-round prospect.

An OL is a safe pick especially in the middle of the first round.

BTSC Mock Draft Team Selections

#1 - Miami Dolphins, Darren Mcfadden
#2 - St. Louis Rams, Chris Long
#3 - Atlanta Falcons, Sedrick Ellis
#4 - Oakland Raiders, Vernon Gholston
#5 - Kansas City Chiefs, Jake Long
#6 - New York Jets, Glen Dorsey
#7 - New England Patriots, Dominique Rodger-Cromartie
#8 - Baltimore Ravens, Jerod Mayo
#9 - Cincinnati Bengals, Keith Rivers
#10 - New Orleans Saints, Aqib Talib
#11 - Buffalo Bills, Malcom Kelly
#12 - Denver Broncos, Ryan Clady
#13 - Carolina Panthers, Chris Williams
#14 - Chicago Bears, Brandon Albert
#15 - Detroit Lions, Leodis McKelvin

0 recs | Comment 8 comments

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Left handed QB's
I'm confused by left handed QB's, so is Brown playing on the strong or weak side, and which would Otah be playing?  

by BadMaafala on Apr 10, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

brown
I think he's on the right, protecting Leinart's blind side when he's actually playing.

by Blitzburgh on Apr 10, 2008 11:38 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and i hate to keep bugging ya
But if you have a sec, please email me. I have a question for you that I need help with (interview forthcoming with a scout and I had something to run by you first).

by Blitzburgh on Apr 10, 2008 11:40 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

done
I wrote some questions I've been wondering about, but if there are some specific ones, feel free to email them to me.

by BadMaafala on Apr 10, 2008 12:17 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks man
Im sorry to bug you during OBH. I think I get why now that's not gonna fly in the future for you so my bad.

But, great questions and I look forward to seeing what he has to say.

by Blitzburgh on Apr 10, 2008 12:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do Steelers fans overvalue Offensive Lineman???
Or does the rest of the league get enamored by "skill" positions and forget what really wins games.

I know this is a deep and talented draft when it comes to the OL, but we picked 5 OL in the top 16 picks (that's 31%).

I'll be curious to see how many more go before the 1st round is over.

Tony S. -Steelers fan in Raleigh, NC.

by Tshaff on Apr 10, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

pretty normal
If you look at most other mocks they'll almost all have these five going by at worst 19th. There will probably be just one more OL selected in the first (Cherilus).

by cgolden on Apr 10, 2008 4:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There may not be any more
Unless Gosder goes.  Five thus far is not too many and not too little.  It all depends on the quality of a given position in a given year. This year five OL project to go before we pick #23.  I hope one falls but I am not holding my breath.

by maryrose on Apr 10, 2008 5:25 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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