BTSC Mock Draft - Pick #14 by Chicago Bears: Brandon Albert, G, Virginia

by Blitzburgh on Apr 9, 2008 2:41 AM EDT in News

Chicago Steeler presents the Chicago Bears' pick at #14, doing so late last week before he hit the road on business. As you'll see, he had a few players in mind and ranked them according to what he felt the Bears' needs were, as well as their individual abilities. Many thanks to him, and I look forward to his return in the next couple of days for his usual daily commentary as well as his other selections. Next up: Detroit Lions and Rommain El 82.

After the Chicago Bears made the Super Bowl in '06 hopes were obviously high for the 07 season. But I at least had extremely tempered any real hopes that i had after it became apparent that Lovie Smith was sticking with Grossman, who I feel is easy for defenses to figure out (blitz him and he'll either chuck it long off his back foot without looking, or run backward 3 yards and take a sack). After a hard season where injuries really took a toll on the defense and the offense regressed significantly, the Bears have a lot of needs, but especially on offense. The defense looks pretty good with the resigning of Briggs, and can return to form fairly quickly if they can catch a few breaks in the health department. If so, we can still be a top ten defense.

Obviously QB remains a priority as Grossman has shown that he is not the future of the franchise even if we did bring him back for a year. The offensive line has gotten pretty old without any young talent ready to step in which has led to a step back in the running game. Cedrick Benson has proven to be a bust leaving us with a hole in the RB position. Finally the WR group has been decimated this year with the cutting of Muhsin and the loss of Berrian.

That said, if I were Jerry Angelo (the GM) I'm trying to stay safe. Grossman and Benson, the last two offensive #1 picks were busts. Recent developments in running backs goes to prove that late round draft picks can be just as productive, and unless there's a can't miss prospect you can wait on RB, so I'm going against the grain and leaving Rashard Mendanhall on the board (assuming he's still there). And I think QB will be addressed in the second round as I don't see any "can't miss" quarterbacks in the draft. I think the O Line in the draft is deep and talented and the most sure thing to pick from so my rankings (depending on who's left on the board) are:

OT Ryan Clady
G Branden Albert
OT Chris Williams
WR Devin Thomas

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

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Comments

solid

Even though the past three picks have dashed all hopes of an easy pick for the Steelers at 23.

by cgolden on Apr 9, 2008 7:44 AM EDT 0 recs

Picture this...

If Matt Ryan slips and slips and the Bears actually pass on him 14th, he will be this year's Brady Quinn. The Bears have Rex Grossman, who can only launch wounded missiles at best (remember the Colts DBs actually waiting for the ball to come down into their arms in the Super Bowl?).

Our Draft is eerily similar to the NFL Draft last year when the Vikings and Dolphins both passed on Quinn, though both badly needing a quarterback. Now the Bears pass on Ryan 14th?

So picture this: If the Bears don't take Ryan he might fall down to 23. When the Steelers pick, the Falcons get that Phil Savage itch to trade for Ryan and offer us picks 6 and 17 in the second round. We jump on the trade and have three picks in the second round.

by maryrose on Apr 9, 2008 8:52 AM EDT 0 recs

nice

Rose you just made my day. Scenerios like this leave me anxioulsy awaiting the 26th. The Steelers could do some real damage with three picks in the second.

Just imagine being able to get Balmer, Baker and Goff in the second. That would be my dream second anyways. Or maybe even Mayo slips into the second and they can snag him with the 6th pick of the second. Then go with best OL at 17 and then get Sims/Moore with their 23 pick. Damn rose, now you got me head spinning.

by cgolden on Apr 9, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up 0 recs

Good point rose

Just got back this morning... (driving 24 hours in 3 days is a pain in the arse) And while I'm not sure of the Bears staying away from QB in the 1st, especially if Ryan falls this far (which I kinda doubted when I wrote the email to blitz) but I'll stand by the Oline pick. The bears proved that they can beat up the NFC if their defense stays healthy and they've got a good running game. I think step one is to address that situation and bring in a 2nd rounder to compete and learn the system at qb.

But if Ryan does fall this far the organization will take a lot of heat if they don't snatch him. Just not from me.

by Chicago Steeler on Apr 9, 2008 10:27 AM EDT up 0 recs

Trade with Atlanta and Tarvaris Jackson

I say we trade for the Falcons first round pick next year (ala Dallas), which I think will be a top 5 pick again. Now we either solidify our OL with that pick in 2009 or get an immediate impact DL. And we still have another first round pick.

So many people think there is a QB Controversy in Minnesota and for the last two years every draft guru has them picking a QB. Mark my words "in 2008 Tarvaris Jackson will be in the top half of QB's in the league in terms of production". My wife's (and therefor mine) NFC team is the Vikings and we watched every game last year. The Vikings receiving core the last two years has been atrocious! Troy Williamson SUCKS!!!!!! I love that he's playing for Jacksonville now. "Garrard throws deep for Williamson, he's wide open, it's in his breadbasket... and he drops it" will become a common theme for the Jags. Tarvaris' only flaw in his game is that his footwork get poor when the pocket starts to break down (it's not a talent thing, it's just mechanics). He's very accurate on short and intermediate routes, and pretty good with deep routes as well. He makes With Bernard Berrian, SIdney Rice, Bobby Wade, and Andrae Allison at receiver for Minnesota, they WILL win the NFC North this year. I have no doubts about that.
By the way, Brad Childress is an excellent evaluator of talent. This is who he's picked up in the draft in the last two years and all of them have made immediate impacts: '06 - Chad Greenway (starting LB), Cedric Griffin (Starting CB), Ryan Cook (starting RT), Tarvaris Jackson (QB), Ray Edwards (pass rush DE), '07 - AP (nuff said), Sidney Rice (starting WR), Marcus McCauley (nickle CB), Brian Robison (Starting DE), Aundrae Allison (Starting KR, 4th WR),
Nothing short of impressive for such a young group of talent. Look for the Vikes to dominate for some time to come.

Tony S. -Steelers fan in Raleigh, NC.

by Tshaff on Apr 9, 2008 12:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Falcons trade up for Ryan

That I could definitely see happening. Ryan would be a good value at 23, and probably worth the trade up for the Falcons. If he did fall that far, it would get to the point where some team with an older QB (Colts, maybe?) would take him for insurance because they have fewer needs.

Well, just re-checked the draft order. If the Bears pass on Ryan, I don't see him getting past the Lions, Vikings, or Buccaneers. They all pick before our number 23 pick.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 9, 2008 10:51 AM EDT 0 recs

3 teams

Lions - they're a real threat considering Kitna's age and that they don't have a youngster in the wings at all

Vikings - maybe they're crazy enough to think that Jackson can become more than a liability

Bucs - they've already got more QBs than they know what to do with don't they, then again Gruden likes stockpiling QBs so why not

Yea maybe it's just wishful thinking for Ryan to fall all the way to 23, but we can dream right?

by cgolden on Apr 9, 2008 11:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

We can dream :)

But, yeah, if Ryan made it to the Lions, I would think they couldn't pick him fast enough. And, the Vikings really have no starter. I just remembered the Bucs have Jeff Garcia, so they probably would pass on Ryan. Gruden likes to stockpile QBs in training camp, but not first round picks.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 9, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up 0 recs