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:
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