Bleacher Report - Articles by Leo Gelinas

The Last Mock Draft You Will Never Read

Leo Gelinas — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:10:18 -0400

Did you know Michael Crabtree loves Subway Subs? Well I'll bet you've never read one of my articles either! This is your lucky day.

With only three days left before the NFL Draft there are few hidden gems to be uncovered. We know the players, we know the team needs, and we know that Crabtree takes a toasted footlong over a BigMac. So I'll spare you the details concerning player sizes and attributes and get right into the picks!

1. Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions

I really wanted to put Aaron Curry here. New head coach Jim Schwarts would get a head start on his defense while Detroit would still have a shot at Sam Bradford in next years class. But if keeping Calvin Johnson interested is of any concern they need to get the offense rolling now and Stafford has been saying all the right things.

2. Jason Smith, St. Louis Rams

You've likely seen this pick a thousand times by now. He has more upside than Monroe and will add more to the Rams than Curry could.

3. Aaron Curry, Kansas City Chiefs

Long considered the best player in the draft, I don't see the Chiefs passing him for an OT. Bringing in veteran players Vrabel and Thomas to help groom Curry will make this high character player a Chief for years.

4. Mark Sanchez, Seattle Seahawks

Word on the street is that this is a done deal. I'm not sold on his consistently rising stock but I am into going 32 for 32 in this mock.

5. Michael Crabtree, Cleveland Browns

They have a great young offensive line and two potential quarterbacks, but after trading away both Winslow and Edwards they are going to need someone to make that offense work. If the trade doesn't happen Brian Orakpo will go here.

6. Eugene Monroe, Cincinnati Bengals

In all reality I think they will go with Andre Smith based on his talent being better than the Virginia product and their apparent need to help troubled youth. Then again, maybe they've learned their lesson and go with the safe bet.

7. Andre Smith, Oakland Raiders

Al Davis has no fear! With Crabtree gone, Al again makes the wrong decision and continues to build his offense with big-name rookies.

8. BJ Raji, Jacksonville Jaguars

After drafting Derrick Harvey at DE last year, DelRio continues to fortify the line with this thick run stuffer.

9. Brian Orakpo, Green Bay Packers

If I've been wrong about any of the last four picks I would put Orakpo in their spot. He is maybe my favorite player in the draft and will provide pressure for the Pack opposite Kampman.

10. Jeremy Maclin, San Francisco 49ers

I really wanted to go defense with this pick but a gut-feeling is telling me that Bay area will have someone besides Vernon "ultra-bust" Davis to target. It could certainly open up their run...maybe "possibly" is a better word there.

11. Michael Oher, Buffalo Bills

There would be no reason to pay Terrel Owens on a one year deal if the Bills QB has less than three seconds to get the ball out. I'm not sure they realized this when they acquired "the player" and then delt away Peters.

Oher is a reach at this point and typically the Bills go defensive in their early draft but this year they are in a bind and there will be no first round talent at the 28 spot.

12. Tyson Jackson, Denver Broncos

Another no brainer with the Bronco's D as it is. Look up another mock draft if you want more info on him. He has been slotted here for the last three weeks by everyone (and I agree with them).

13. Aaron Maybin, Washington Redskins

After signing Haynesworth, Maybin will complete the rush for the Redskins.

14. Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints

Already too far down the board, the Saints will be jumping for joy if this becomes reality. More than likely Jenkins could go as high as 8th and the Saints would look to either Vontae Davis or a LB in Cushing. Reports have also has Chris Wells going here but I don't buy that with the Saint's defense holding them so far back.

15. Clay Matthews, Houston Texans

Personally I would take either of the other SC backers before Matthews but so many reports have stated Matthews will be the pick here and there is relevancy to it. His uncle is a member of the Texans organization and Clay himself has the intangiables to warrant the decision. Pedigree and attitude may trump skill at 15.

16. Brian Cushing, San Diego Chargers

A steal at 16. The day his contract is signed they will be the AFC South favorite. By midseason Superbowl talk will have started alond with defensive ROY consideration.

17. Chris Wells, New York Jets

While Rex Ryan has quietly(?) moved the Ravens D to the Big Apple, Thomas Jones has decided that even though he is the oldest man on the team he should hold out.

While Ryan will not want to pick offense with Rey and Everette still on the board, Wells will be a huge upgrade and take pressure off of Clemens.

If I'm a Jet fan, I'm praying this is the pick.

18. Rey Maualuga, Denver Broncos

With the addition of Dawkins earlier in the preseason, Denver's D moves up ten spots in the rankings. After next years draft, and with Jarvis Moss/the 09 first-rounders kicking in, the Cutler trade becomes a thing of beauty.

19. Peria Jerry, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Along with Gaines Adams, the D-Line will be fortified and the Bucs can focus much of their remaining draft on building an offense. However after losing Kiffin this will not be the Tampa 2 scheme we have been accustomed to (on a side note, I could see the Buc's finishing near the bottom of the league in '09).

20. Everette Brown, Detroit Lions

After forgoing Curry for a franchise QB the Lions begin their defensive transformation in the trenches. A good place to start as there should be many options to fix the secondary in next years class.

21. Vontae Davis, Philadelphia Eagles

Although Assante Samuels remains an elite corner, the loss of Dawkins and Sheppard has left a hole in the Eagles secondary and Vontae Davis could easily be the pick.

Robert Ayers could add rush, but that has never been an issue for Jim Johnson. Likewise they could opt for Moreno, but also have a shot at Donald Brown in the next round.

22. Eben Britton, Minnesota Vikings

Believe me, not the pick I wanted to make! Percy Harvin...ditto!

In a perfect world the Eagles will take Knowshon and Vontae will be in purple. Even more perfect, the Vike's trade down (to say 28) and take Harvin there. Then in round two go after Phil Loadholt or a Center such as Alex Mack or Brian Unger...but there I go dreaming again!

I do realize Harvin would provide many instant benefits, but personally he's just not a guy I want to cheer for.

As for Britton (as my draft currently shakes out...), I must say I love offensive linemen but I think he is like that last scrawny slice of pizza that a hungry person eats.

I would much rather see us go for the best available player of need. In our case (yes I'm a Viking fan) that could be a LB in Laurinaitis. I would be thrilled at that pick!

23. Robert Ayers, New England Patriots

Unless the Peppers trade goes through, the Pats will land their rusher through the draft. I could also see them going with Laurinaitis or Brandon Pettigrew.

With five picks in the first two rounds anything is possible for this team. New England will once again be a contender.

24. Brandon Pettigrew, Atlanta Falcons

Yes, a LB makes a ton of sense here, but so does giving Matty Ice a great blocking and recieving Tight End. Falcons fans completely embraced Alge Crumpler and still have a longing for the days of a beast running through oppossing defenses.

Again, Laurinaitis could be the choice.

25. Hakeem Nicks, Miami Dolphins

While Darius Butler could easily be chosen here, Parcells likely realizes that offensive firepower is lacking in a major way. While the second round may get Miami a comparable corner, that will not be the case if they pass of Nicks and attempt a round two wideout.

26. James Laurinaitis, Baltimore Ravens

I may just be sick of typing out his name, but JL also fits here. They lost Bart Scott and had to franchise TSuggs, so the addittion of a young (and fierce) linebacker would make plenty of sense.

Regardless I see the defensive unit taking a huge step back in Ryan's absence.

27. Evander Hood, Indianapolis Colts

If Nicks were to be available here the Colts would be handing in their card as Goodell finishes shaking hands with JL (almost did it again).

The Colts also need to give Freeney some help and Hood is the next best option.

28. Josh Freeman, Buffalo Bills

Many mocks have Freeman going earlier to either the Jets or Bucs, but I don't see them biting on potential alone.

Edwards is the starter for this season but having Freeman slide this far, and beginning to lack real options, the Bills could take a flyer with this free pick. Prototypical size can never hurt when you have two speed guys flying down the sidelines.

29. Connor Barwin, Cleveland Browns (trade yet to happen)

After sending Braylon Edwards to the NY Giants, this pick will likely go towards defense. Barwin would give Mangini the kind of versatile player he attempted to develop in Vernon Gholston (obviously with a lesser talent).

30. Derrius Heyward-Bey, Tennessee Titans

The Titans have virtually no wideouts and Percy Harvin is a little too reminiscent of Chris Johnson. An end zone threat is the glaring weakness on this team and DHB is among the better options with that in mind.

31. Knowshon Moreno, Arizona Cardinals

Again, there is a good chance he will have been drafted at 21 by Philli and in that case Donald Brown would be the runner-up choice. Either way the Cards look to draft a recieving RB.

32. Percy Harvin, Pittsburg Steelers

While Santonio Holmes isn't far off from Harvin's style of play, the other option in a Center has been left quite open. Both Unger and Mack remain in the draft and neither is a huge concern.

The potential in Harvin is worth the 32nd pick.

NOTE: Please check in to read my victory speech after nailing all 32 picks and eating a delicious Lobster Sub from SUBWAY(TM)!

Top 10 NFL Prospects from Outside of Football

Leo Gelinas — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:35:27 -0400

In making this list, I am hoping to cover the most amount of territory possible. Both in having athletes from any relevant sport as well as covering NFL positions. From here I ranked them according to the likelihood of them succeeding in the NFL, of course excusing the ridiculousness of it! I'll be calling them the Toronto Misfits. The former Buffalo Bills, now owned by Ted Rogers and coached by Greg Popovich!

Begin Slideshow

Terrell Owens Could Bring Another Monster to Boston

Leo Gelinas — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:23:21 -0500

Just take a look at that face!

I remember a time not so long ago when I once again heard the term "Three-Headed Monster." It works well in sports and most recently it has been the fans in Boston who have been able to smile as it is mentioned. This, of course, would be referring to the Celtics trio of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, which just last year brought the city its 17th NBA Championship. And now another monster may be born.

Terrell Owens was recently cut by the Dallas Cowboys after months of locker room controversy. Of course, this is not the first time Owens has brought internal battles to a team, and so, as Owens' potential suitors begin to be discussed, the presence of a "strong" locker room is constantly mentioned.

Among the most headstrong regimes in the NFL are the New England Patriots. Just two years ago they brought in the previously disgruntled challenge of Randy Moss and never did we hear of any problems. Come to think of it, there was a Super Bowl appearance and a record set for NFL touchdowns by both a QB and receiver.

So, do they dare attempt it with Owens?

You can't say the trio of Brady, Moss, and Owens wouldn't be intimidating. They may all be getting older, but with a stellar offensive line, another monster would surely be mentioned in Massachusetts.

Just look at that face!

If any team has the veteran leadership within, it would be either Pittsburgh or New England. And though it would go against everything he preaches, Belichick is probably foaming at the mouth with the opportunity to add to his legacy as an NFL coach. The fact that he acquired these two for a combined single draft pick (fourth round, John Bowie) is alone a thing of beauty.

It's a good time to be living in Bean Town.

Minnesota Vikings: The Right Choice for the No. 22 Pick.

Leo Gelinas — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:54:04 -0500

As draft day approaches and the mock drafts pile up, there appears to be a growing consensus that Minnesota should be focused on a corner or a wide receiver. To me, this seems to be fantasy or madness, but, either way, we need to wise up.

It is obvious that our teams biggest hole is in the secondary and most notably at cornerback. But, with the 22nd pick, are we really going to fix this? In all likelihood, both Malcolm Jenkins and Vontae Davis are going to be gone. If they are not, then great, it is a no-brainer. But, after this, we move into the second-tier players: Alphonso Smith and D.J. Moore, both of them would be a stretch/reach at this spot.

With regards to a wide receiver, I ask, "Why?" We have a speed guy in Bernard Berrian. We have the complement to him in Sidney Rice. We have a slot receiver in Bobby Wade and our tight end is really starting to blossom. Sure, Harvin would be great in the return game, but like Smith or Moore, it is not worth our top pick and the other receivers (Maclin, Heyward-Bey) are not sure things.

The only available wide receiver (including the draft) that I would like to see in purple and gold is T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and that is because he is a proven threat. He is extremely physical, in his prime, and Rosenfels should be able to get him a jump ball in the endzone. At this point, though, I feel like many other NFL fans who believe every free agent should wind up on their team, and I will likely be disappointed. So, back to the draft.

If Matt Birk does not resign, I could see Rick Spielman, Brad Childress, and Zygi Wilf opting to go for Max Unger, the center from Oregon. They could even drop back a few spots to do this and move up in the second round to take one of the other corners. But, at No. 22, Unger would not be my choice.

And now I become the lone wolf. Why not target a linebacker? I am most fond of James Laurinaitus, who can likely play all three spots, but, either way, he brings more talent to our linebacking corps. Sure, our linebacker crew was not the worst spot on our team, but depth is an issue, and we could definitely upgrade over Ben Leber and Napolean Harris.

Before the storm arrives, I will say that I did not mention quarterback or right tackle for the same reasons as my cornerback decision; they would be taking second-tier players. If Michael Oher or Andre Smith fall that far, I would certainly take them. But, for now, let's get talent!