In fact, it probably isn’t fair to grade any team on a draft until some time has passed and we get to see some action in pads, contested catches, etc. But nonetheless each team no doubt left an impression on their fan base and the draft pudits, and I’ll just be talking a bit about the Raiders first day (second day impressions will follow later, but I think we can all say that the Raiders first day could use a forum for constructive healing).

#7 Overall, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland. Wow, um, wow. Crabtree was still in the green room, Oher was still there too. BJ Raji was out there for all you fans who wanted an adjusted run defense. Goodell comes out, and lays the boom. I felt a little bad for those Raider fans at the draft – standing up in somewhat disbelief, still keeping their Raider Pride smiles on, and waving the silver and black flag. After a day of digestion (and I’ll admit, it took some time), I’m ready to wave my flag as well (Zach Miller Jersey, Raiders Hat). To all the dejected fans out there, hang in there, it IS going to be ok. Yes, right now we look like fools. Speed-thirsty fools. But at least I’m confident in telling people that the Raiders got the players that they wanted. Clearly, at the position that they chose, they wanted DHB and Mitchell. Perhaps they were hoping for Andre Smith or Aaron Curry to fall, and once those players weren’t on the board, they just went with DHB. My larger displacement of anger goes to – the Jets/Browns trade. My guess is that if the Brown’s manned up and pikced somebody, the Raiders would have been the surprise trade partner with the Jets or ‘Skins, and the DHB pick would have happened later, and looked genius. Instead, there was no trade partner, and the Raiders leave Crabtree and Monroe in the booth. Also, for those who really, really, really wanted that O-Line pick, it is my understanding that Khalif Barnes’ contract specified that NO O-Line would be taken the first round (not sure how true that is, but I’ve heard it several places). As for the Crabtree vs DHB – I love how Crabtree fights for the ball – every play he wants it. But DHB does allow us to streatch the field, and apparantly his workout for Oakland alleviated concerns about his hands (not sure how uncontested catches could alleviate those concerns). Anyway for the record, James Jet II will have a 97 speed rating in Madden, so those who want the return of the Davis bomb – we finally have a receiver who can run under it. And who knows – maybe the DHB pick drove the Broncos to move up and get Alphonso Smith (CB out of Wake Forest) – so, DHB is already making an impact int he AFC West.

#47 Mike Mitchell, SS, Ohio U. Wow again a dissapointing reach – at least initially. I had been watching this kid’s name put out there on several blogs, comments, etc, by Raider fans. The other team that I had heard he was linked to though, were the Chicago Bears. Mysteriously enough, after the Raiders picked Mitchell, the Bears traded out of th 49th spot. Now, I’m not one to need validation from other teams to ensure that we got the right players for us, but it is NICE to know that maybe he wasn’t  7th rounder in everyone’s mind (thanks Mayock). The player himself looks great. HARD-hitter, hammer dropping, strong pursuing Saftey. I’m feeling good about him and Tyvon Branch patrolling the defensive backfield/box. Cable said the attitude was the big reason – and we need some more of that win or dye trying attitude. We gave up too many 4th quarter leads last year and the year before – so my guess is that this is all part of changing a losing culture.

Anyway Raider fans – so it didn’t all 100% go our way – whatever, we’ve never needed the approval of the rest of the league before, and we sure as hell don’t need to start now. We’ll know soon how these things work out – and for those of you who would like that pat on the back (you aren’t alone, after almost a decade of dismay, it feels great to hear that we are in the right direction) just know that as far as draft grades go – it looks like the only place to go is up!

Happy Friday Tekkies! Welcome to the first installment of a new feature called Schottey’s sleepers. Each update will provide names you should be looking out for in the middle to late rounds of the draft. As always I love feedback and if you feel I have left a great prospect off a list, you let me know and I will do the research on him.

The list is divided up by position and I list them as Names You Know–These are guys that are a given, if you don’t know these people you may be on the wrong site…TMZ is that way. Names You Should Get To Know–These are prospects that will go in the early to middle rounds but probably don’t have the exposure they should. Spotlight–I will spotlight a prospect every article. Normally, it will be a middle to late rounder. Occasionally, it will be a higher round guy who isn’t getting pub. On to the QBs…

Quarterbacks

Names You Know: Matt Stafford (UGA), Mark Sanchez (USC), Josh Freeman (KSU)

Names You Should Get To Know: Hunter Cantwell (Louisville), Brian Hoyer (Mich St), Curtis Painter (Purdue)

Spotlight: Stephen McGee (Texas A&M)

One of the fastest risers on draft boards is also one of the quietest. Nothing could be more fitting for an athlete like McGee whose excellence off of the field exceeds anything he could do on it. His character may be his best attribute but it isn’t his only good quality. McGee spent most of his college career in a spread attack which let him run at will. When Mike Sherman came to A&M, McGee excelled in a pro-style attack before tearing a labrum and sitting out the rest of the season. McGee has all the tools and after some time spent learning an NFL playbook should be a fine NFL starter one day

Projection: 5th-6th round

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Running Backs:

Names You Know: Chris “Beanie” Wells (OSU), Knowshon Moreno (UGA), LeSean McCoy (Pitt)

Names You Should Get To Know: Shonn Green (Iowa), Rashad Jennings (Liberty), James Davis (Clemson)

Spotlight: Marlon Lucky (Nebraska)

Recently, Nebraska has been a black hole for top recruits. Lucky, a Parade All-American put together a decent college career and has little to no hype to show for it. Lucky will find a spot on a football field right away because he is an above average athlete and a hard worker whom special teams coaches are going to covet. However, a team will find a jewel in the rough when they draft Lucky because he is-quite possibly-the most natural and talented receiver of any RB in this draft class.

Projection: 6th-7th round

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Wide Receiver

Names You Know: Michael Crabtree (TTU), Jeremy Maclin (Mizzou), Percy Harvin (UF)

Names You Should Get To Know: Mohammad Massaquoi (UGA), Brandon Gibson (Wazzu), Brandon State (UNC)

Spotlight: Ramses Barden (Cal-Poly)

This is a name you should already have tucked away somewhere especially if you’ve been following DraftTek. This small school prospect vaulted up draft boards with six receptions for 83 yards and a 25 yard TD against Wisconsin. At the combine his 6’6″ frame and extraordinarily large hands wowed scouts. Oakland is widely rumored to be a landing spot perhaps as early as the second round. It would be a reach for the raw WR but the upside is tremendous after running a 4.48 at the San Jose State pro day.

Prediction: 2nd-3rd round

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Tight Ends

Names You Know:Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State), Jared Cook (S Car.), Shawn Nelson (S. Miss)

Names You Should Get To Know: Cornelius Ingram (UF), James Casey (Rice), Travis Beckum (Wisconsin)

Spotlight: Davon Drew (E. Carolina)

Bluntly, Drew isn’t blocking anyone when he gets to the NFL. Thankfully for him, some teams don’t mind a one-dimentional TE prospect. Drew will be a fine receiver for a team looking for a 2nd TE and his size (6’4″/260) makes him valuble in the redzone. Surprisingly, some scouts think that Drew, a former highschool and college QB may have the most Wildcat potential of anyone in the draft (not named Pat White).

Prediction: 6th round

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Offensive Linemen

Names You Know: Jason Smith (Baylor), Eugene Monroe (UVA), Michael Oher (Ole Miss)

Names You Should Get To Know: Eben Britton (‘Zona), William Beatty (UConn), Phil Loadholt (Oklahoma)

Spotlight: Sebastian Vollmer (Houston)

At 6’8″, 312lbs someone is going to take a chance on this tower of a man. In fact, it might not be a huge move for Vollmer who could end up in a Texans’ uniform later this month. Vollmer, who has added over 20lbs since the end of the season is a riser this spring because his added bulk and physicality are impressing just about every scout. Some are even of the opinion that 30 extra lbs would not be out of the question for a lineman who is among the fastest and most athletic posting a 5.08 dash, a 36.5 inch vertical and 32 bench reps. (Compare that to Jason Smith–5.09/24 inches/33 reps)

Prediction: 3rd-4th round

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Defensive Tackles

Names You Know: BJ Raji (Boston College), Peria Jerry (Ole Miss), Evander “Ziggy” Hood (Mizzou)

Names You Should Get To Know: Jarron Gilbert (San Jose State), Vance Walker (Ga Tech), Sammie Lee Hill (Stillman College)

Spotlight: Alex Magee (Purdue)

One of the more versitile defensive linemen in the draft, Magee could play every line position save 3-4 NT. If Magee had stayed at DT all four years at Purdue we could be talking about a 1st round lock but Magee put team first this past season and moved to DE. With a great Senior Bowl and an even better pro day, whispers have started about a possible first day pick but talent at other positions will probably keep him on Sunday. Magee will be best suited for a 3-4 team at end or a 4-3 team as their under tackle.

Projection: 3rd Round

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(True) Defensive End

Names You Know: Robert Ayers (UT), Tyson Jackson (LSU)

Names You Should Get To Know: Paul Kruger (Utah), Mitch King (Iowa)

Spotlight: Lawrence Sidbury Jr. (Richmond)

The I-AA prospect has been one of the most popular features on the travel circuit and his itinerary is only getting hotter. Sidbury was once viewed as a maximum impact guy for the late rounds but the more scouts watched him the more he became a player teams might be willing to reach for around rounds 2-3. Although some feel he could end up as an OLB, it seems remote because if anything, he is only getting bigger. His best fit is as a 4-3 DE but will need to come off the field on running downs early in his career.

Projection: 3rd Round

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Hybrid DE/OLB

Names You Know: Brian Orakpo (Texas), Everette Brown (FSU), Aaron Maybin (PSU), Michael Johnson (GTech)

Names You Should Get To Know: Larry English (N. Illinois), Michael Bennett (Texas A&M)

Spotlight:Phillip Hunt (Houston)

Hunt spent his college career at DE/OLB/ILB/DT…other than that he can’t really do much (blatant sarcasm alert). The 2008 CUSA player of the year and two time 1st team all-CUSA dlineman will have a spot at the next level. Hunt has great value in the lower rounds projecting as a special teams ace with ability to back up multiple positions. Hunt could easily find a situational role early on as a rush DE on the right team.

Projection: 6th Round

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Linebackers

Names You Know: Aaron Curry (Wake), Rey Maualuga (USC), Brian Cushing (USC)

Names You Should Get To Know: Darry Beckwith (LSU), Gerald McRath (S. Miss), Connor Barwin (Cinci)

Spotlight: Jason Williams (Western Illinois)

Learn this name, learn it fast. Williams is 6’1″ 241lbs and runs under a 4.5 as well as being able to play all three LB positions. Since said pro day, Williams has made 13 individual team visits flying over 13K miles to strut his stuff for various team brass. Once thought to be a great UFA prospect, Jason Williams will probably find a new home and an end to his extensive travels in the middle rounds of the draft. Physically, he may the most intimidating LB in the draft.

Projection: 4th Round

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Cornerback

Names You Know: Malcolm Jenkins (OSU), Vontae Davis (Ill), Darius Butler (UConn)

Names You Should Get To Know: Coye Francis (San Jose St), Captain Munnerlyn (S. Car), Vic Harris (Va Tech)

Spotlight: Don Carey (Norfolk State)

Carey was a blip on the media radar following a great showing at the East-West Shrine game. Now? Other sexier picks are taking up their time. He’s a bit of a tweener and could end up as a safety on some teams and may be a perfect fit for a Cover-2 team. However, Carey has great cover skills and tenacity shouldn’t force him into “system player” status. The biggest knock on him is he’s “too aggressive”  he’ll find a team and that team will find a gem.

Projection: 6th-7th Round

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Safety

Names You Know: Louis Delmas (W. Michigan), William Moore (Mizzou)

Names You Should Know: Rashad Johnson (Alabama), Derek Pegues (Mississippi State)

Spotlight: Otis Wiley (Michigan State)

First a dislaimer, I’m a Wolverine fan so there is no bias in this write up. As a Wolverine fan I can tell you that I personally have loved Wiley’s play over the past couple of years, especially when Michigan RBs were juking him out of his socks. Spotty play and knee surgery could drop Wiley a few rounds and even out of the draft but physically he is very gifted and is an immediate upgrade to many teams on special teams as a coverage guy (and punt returner). Wiley is a perfect example of the guy teams want in the mid rounds, tons of God-given talent but needs a great coach.

Projection: 6th Round

Readers are welcome to visit the ODS themselves to prepare their own 7-round models.  THATS WHAT WE BUILT IT FOR!!

1 Detroit Aaron Curry OLB43 Wake Forest P5Grab +0 Value

2 St Louis Jason Smith OT Baylor P1Grab -1 Reach

 3 Kansas City Brian Orakpo DE43 Texas P1 -4 Reach

4 Seattle Michael Crabtree WRF Texas Tech P3 +2 Value

5 Cleveland Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State P2 -3 Reach

 6 Cincinnati Eugene Monroe OT Virginia P1 +2 Value

7 Oakland Everette Brown DE43 Florida State P3 -3 Reach

8 Jacksonville Mark Sanchez QB USC P9Grab -1 Reach

 9 Green Bay BJ Raji DT34 Boston College P2 +4 Value

10 San Francisco Andre Smith OT Alabama P3 -3 Reach

 11 Buffalo Tyson Jackson DE43 LSU P1R -8 Reach

 12 Denver Matthew Stafford QB Georgia P1 +6 Value

13 Washington Michael Oher OT Mississippi P1 -1 Reach

14 New Orleans Rey Maualuga ILB USC P2 -1 Reach

 15 Houston Brian Cushing OLB43 USC P3 -2 Reach

 16 San Diego Jeremy Maclin WRF Missouri P2 +5 Value

17 NY Jets Percy Harvin WRF Florida P2 -1 Reach

18 Denver Evander Hood DE34 Missouri P2R -13 Reach

 19 Tampa Bay Peria Jerry DT43 Mississippi P2 -4 Reach

20 Detroit Eben Britton OT Arizona P2Grab -13 Reach

21 Philadelphia Knowshon Moreno RBF Georgia P3O +9 Value

22 Minnesota Vontae Davis CB Illinois P3O +0 Value

 23 New England Clay Matthews OLB34 USC P3 +3 Value

24 Atlanta Aaron Maybin OLB43 Penn State P2 -1 Reach

 25 Miami Darrius Heyward-Bey WRF Maryland P3 +4 Value

26 Baltimore James Laurinaitis ILB Ohio State P9Grab +2 Value

 27 Indianapolis Hakeem Nicks WRF North Carolina P2 +0 Value

 28 Philadelphia Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma St P2 +2 Value

 29 NY Giants Kenny Britt WRF Rutgers P3 -7 Reach

 30 Tennessee Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest P2 +2 Value

 31 Arizona Chris Wells RBF Ohio State P3O +15 Value

 32 Pittsburgh Darius Butler CB Connecticut P2 +3 Value

We ran the CHI-DEN Jay Cutler Deal through the Online Draft Simulator, giving Chicago’s 1st and 3rd to the Broncos.  We upped Denvers QB need to P1 and dropped Chicago’s QB need to P9.  Below are the 1st round results.

Readers are welcome to visit the ODS themselves to prepare their own 7-round models.  THATS WHAT WE BUILT IT FOR!!

1 Detroit Aaron Curry OLB43 Wake Forest P5Grab +0 Value

2 St Louis Jason Smith OT Baylor P1Grab -1 Reach

 3 Kansas City Brian Orakpo DE43 Texas P1 -4 Reach

4 Seattle Michael Crabtree WRF Texas Tech P3 +2 Value

5 Cleveland Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State P2 -3 Reach

 6 Cincinnati Eugene Monroe OT Virginia P1 +2 Value

7 Oakland Everette Brown DE43 Florida State P3 -3 Reach

8 Jacksonville Mark Sanchez QB USC P9Grab -1 Reach

 9 Green Bay BJ Raji DT34 Boston College P2 +4 Value

10 San Francisco Andre Smith OT Alabama P3 -3 Reach

 11 Buffalo Tyson Jackson DE43 LSU P1R -8 Reach

 12 Denver Matthew Stafford QB Georgia P1 +6 Value

13 Washington Michael Oher OT Mississippi P1 -1 Reach

14 New Orleans Rey Maualuga ILB USC P2 -1 Reach

 15 Houston Brian Cushing OLB43 USC P3 -2 Reach

 16 San Diego Jeremy Maclin WRF Missouri P2 +5 Value

17 NY Jets Percy Harvin WRF Florida P2 -1 Reach

18 Denver Evander Hood DE34 Missouri P2R -13 Reach

 19 Tampa Bay Peria Jerry DT43 Mississippi P2 -4 Reach

20 Detroit Eben Britton OT Arizona P2Grab -13 Reach

21 Philadelphia Knowshon Moreno RBF Georgia P3O +9 Value

22 Minnesota Vontae Davis CB Illinois P3O +0 Value

 23 New England Clay Matthews OLB34 USC P3 +3 Value

24 Atlanta Aaron Maybin OLB43 Penn State P2 -1 Reach

 25 Miami Darrius Heyward-Bey WRF Maryland P3 +4 Value

26 Baltimore James Laurinaitis ILB Ohio State P9Grab +2 Value

 27 Indianapolis Hakeem Nicks WRF North Carolina P2 +0 Value

 28 Philadelphia Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma St P2 +2 Value

 29 NY Giants Kenny Britt WRF Rutgers P3 -7 Reach

 30 Tennessee Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest P2 +2 Value

 31 Arizona Chris Wells RBF Ohio State P3O +15 Value

 32 Pittsburgh Darius Butler CB Connecticut P2 +3 Value

I know it seems like the sexy idea – hey Al Davis loves speed (true to a fault), Crabtree will be off the board, Raiders need a #1 WR – so Maclin HAS to be the pick. I’m sorry Pat Kirwan, Charles Davis, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, and the vast vast majority of mock drafts I have seen lately. If anyone out there is doubting the usefulness or relevancy of drafttek’s system – here is a shining example – but I digress.

The Oakland roster has a receiver with blazing speed and big play capability, his name as previously stated is Johnnie Lee Higgins (JLH). JLH was picked up to not only catch the deep bomb from J.Russ but also for his return potential. After a dissapointing year in which he was benched in favor of Tim Dwight, he was finally given an opportunity to develop. Last year he finally hit his stride, returning punts and showing a knack for being dangerous in open space. The Raiders also added SS Tyvon Branch, who before becoming injured, showed great potential as the Raiders kickoff return. Though Branch is a rookie, Tom Cable recently talked up his return ability as a vital part of the kick return team. The Raiders also recently re-signed Justin Miller, a pro-bowl alternate kick returner – he was the special teams player of the month for December, and really helped the Raiders provide a legitimate threat in the return game after Branch went down.

I just cant see the Raiders spending the 7th overall pick in the draft on a player that they already have. Maclin offers little in terms of variety to the Raiders roster. And even if Al has dreams of two speedsters, streaking down the sidelines in identical form, I sincerely doubt he would waste the #7 pick on making that happen – unless Al sees something special in Maclin, and I really don’t (no offense kid). I’ve asked Warren to lockout Maclin for the Raiders, and until I see or hear otherwise, that’s the way it’s got to be. Think otherwise – just let me know!

Tim – YOUR Raiders Team Needs Correspondent

• Lions get: Julian Peterson
• Seahawks get: Cory Redding/5th Round Draft Pick

Pros for the Lions:

Peterson is an all-pro caliber LB (as recent as ’07). He is a defensive leader with ties to the area (Michigan State alum) and is a avid charitable contributor. At only 30 he should have 4-5 years of decent football left and is not an injury risk.

Negatives for the Lions:

Cory Redding was the best of a weak Lions’ DT group which needs instant impact this offseason. Peterson is a few years older and the Lions’ take a big cap hit.

Conclusion:

I like the trade. Redding was a non-factor and was grossly overpaid for being an average run-stopping undertackle. If Peterson does not contribute at a high level, the Lions would not take a hit cutting him in the next few years (as non of his money is guarenteed) This is a stark contrast from the Millen era when Redding was one of our most prized prospects.

This trade is officially a wash until the respective teams finish off their rosters. If the Lions can find a decent DT their defense could look a lot different from the roarless attrocity last year.

Offense: The Rams offense was ranked 27th in yards and 31st in points.   Needs on the Rams offense are great, but not rampant.  Really what they need is a #1 WR, starting OT and a future starter quality rookie QB.  Adding additional depth at OT and WR is also an important thing to keep in mind.

Quarterback: The Rams have a starter, Marc Bulger, who has been hammered game in and game out over the past 3 seasons.  There is a desperate need here for a young solid backup with potential to become the starter in 3 years.  Right now our sim has Josh Freeman there with the Rams 3rd pick, more likely a Graham Harrell or Hunter Cantwell later on.

Wide Receiver: Can anyone name the Rams #4 wide receiver?  Yes, it’s that bad.  Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton and Derek Stanley are the only Rams with any NFL experience.  The need here is huge.  I believe if Aaron Curry is off the board at #2 the need is great enough to take Michael Crabtree and hope the Tackle depth lasts into round 2.  Taking another WR late from a smaller school would also be a good idea.

Offensive Tackle: Gone is Orlando Pace, of course most Rams fans would tell you he’s been gone the past 3 years.  Alex Barron has proven nothing after being the Rams 1st round selection in 2005.  John Greco would be the starting RT if the season started today.  Neither would have a backup.  This is undoubtedly the biggest need for the Rams.  The entire offense has suffered the past 2 seasons because of protection and blocking issues.  Adding Jacob Bell and Jason Brown helps, but the Rams need a Tackle now and a project to develop later.  Jason Smith might be the answer at #2 but unless Curry or Crabtree prove to be less than advertised I say wait for round 2 and try to get Britton or Beatty, then grab another OT late that has the size and athleticism but hasn’t learned yet how to use it.

Defense: The Rams ranked 28th in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed.  The Rams defense has definite needs, but even more it has no depth.  The need is to upgrade starters and provide depth.  A leader is needed more than anything, a guy that everyone can count on to call the plays and make the plays.  Let’s look at it by position.

Defensive Tackle: The Rams will need to replace L’Roi Glover at starter, Clifton Ryan is probably not the long term solution.  The Rams have 3 needs greater than DT so likely the 3rd round is as soon as you will see one taken. 

Defensive End: Another strong need for a starter quality guy as Leonard Little is not going to stay around forever.  Either a stand up rush linebacker or a legit DE will need to be taken likely in the middle rounds to develop.  I love Jarron Gilbert in Round 3 if he’s available.

Inside Linebacker: This is the leader position on defense that the Rams need desperately.  There are 3 legitimate stud leaders in this draft, passing up Aaron Curry in round 1 or James Laurinaitis if available in round 2 would be a mistake in my opinion.  Get the leader in place and the cogs will move better as a whole. 

Cornerback/Safety: These are getting lumped together as the Rams have depth and value needs at both positions, but in their position a true difference maker will not be available as the needs at other positions is greater.  I’d be surprised if the Rams took a corner or safety before round 4.

Summary: I’ve been trying to tweak the needs to get the draft as close to what I believe the Rams need and the current staffs philosophy come together.  The latest sim (3/13 revision #25) is the first I’m happy with.  Let’s look it over quickly to help summarize:

#2 Michael Crabtree: Aaron Curry is gone so this is the next best player available and it ia a desperate need position as well.  I wouldn’t be upset if they went Jason Smith here.

#35 William Beatty: A big, strong starting caliber OT that makes the selection of Crabtree look like pure genious.  Obviously it would make a Curry selection look good too.  The OT depth is staggering this year.

#66 Josh Freeman: This is a fantasy pick.  No way Freeman lasts this long. I’ll be realistic and toss out Jarron Gilbert, Sen’Derrick Marks or Darry Beckwith with this pick.

#99 Jonathan Casillas: Hopefully can play DE, if Gilbert is taken at #66 look for a QB, DT or CB in this spot.

#130 David Veikune: I love this pick, but if Jason Phillips of TCU is still around and Aaron Curry isn’t the #2 pick he’s a steal here.

#163 Christopher Owens: Any serviceable CB or WR would be good here.  If a QB hasn’t been selected yet now might be the time.

#195 Jahi-Word Daniels: Ditto, CB/WR/QB is good here.  I like Graham Harrell with this pick if he falls this far, also a project OT might be nice.

Overall: A good draft with many needs filled.  Look for the Rams to be younger, hungrier and more aggressive both on offense and defense with Steve Spagnuolo and company on board.  Give me the Rams and at least 5 wins in 2009-10. 

Robert Occhipinti – Rams Drafttek Correspondent

Today:  Using baseline ODS data vs. using your own changes

Today (3/13) we collected new team needs from out Team Correspondents and put up a new Consensus Mock Draft (CMD) over on the regular site.  All the baseline information in the CMD (Team Needs, Grabs, Lockouts, Player list order) is immediately propagated over to the to the Online Draft Simulator.

But if you’ve been running the ODS and have made a bunch of changes to the input screens, to get the draft just the way you want it, won’t this importing of new baseline data mess you up??

The answer is no, not right away anyway.    Please go to the ODS “Simulator Home” page by clicking on a link off the main site.  You will see two big buttons to the right of the ODS logo.  Here’s what they do:

1) “New Simulation” – clicking this button will clear all changes that you’ve previously made, and load the current baseline data.    The result will be a simulation based upon the same input used in the current CMD.  You will find that the result will not be exact between the CMD ond baseline ODS, typically a deviation slips in in round 2 or 3.  This is not to say that the ODS is “wrong”, both are plausible.  Sometimes the model gets in a situation where two or three player all rate very closely for a certain team at a certain pick.  In these situations, the model resorts to  probabilistic decision making that may not give the same result twice.

2) “Re-Edit Custom Inputs” – If you click this button, you will retain all the changes that you’ve previously made.  Keep in mind that there is a 24 hour window.  All changes to input pages that you’ve made will disappear after 24-hours and the baseline data automatically loaded.  But if you leave the site or power down for the evening, when you come back the data will be remembered if you click this button.

#2 will be important on Draft Day.  We’ve deliberately installed 64 player “Grabs”.  After each selection is called, you the ODS user will go to the Grab page and enter the player just selected – then simulate forward.  If you stray away from the Drafttek website, or accidentally leave the webpage, no worries!!  When you come back to the Drafttek web site,  click “Re-edit Custom Inputs” and your data will still be there.  This will give ODS users a unique interactive draft day experience not to be found elsewhere, you can be running “What-If” simulations through the first two rounds(!!)

-Warren@Drafttek.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24561789968

Myspace: www.myspace.com/drafttek

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DraftTek

All three are relatively easy to use sites and will be integral to making DraftTek the most personable and use-friendly experience on the Web.

 - Long Ball, Special Heineken Correspondent

I’m sure many of you have been wondering “Where was Long Ball when all this T.O. stuff was goin’ down?”  Well, if you must know, after 2 or 3 BEvERages of my buddy Jimmy Johnson’s choice (come on, you all know the song – “Here’s to good friends, tonight is kind of special . . .”), I was snoozin’ in my La-Z-Boy, only to be awakened by the news on the TV (yep, the big screen was still on!) 

Immediately, my razor-sharp senses said “You haven’t even gone through the hang-over yet!”, but I knew I had to review my Drafttek strategy.  However, I don’t know if a whole lot changes from a draft perspective – let’s take a look at the Cowboys’ current roster:

Dallas Cowboys Roster Analysis

Wide Receivers

84	Crayton, Patrick  ()	WR	6-0	205	5	NW Okla State
	Astala-Bye-Bye T.O.
86	Stanback, Isaiah (4.6 Forty)	WR	6-2	208	2	Washington
87	Warren, Paris (4.7 Forty)	WR	6-0	213	4	Utah
11	Williams, Roy (4.48 Forty)	WR	6-3	220	5	Texas
10	Wilson, Travis  (4.47 Forty)	WR	6-1	213	3	Oklahoma
19	Austin, Miles  (4.47 Forty)	WR	6-3	216	3	Monmouth
17	Hurd, Sam (4.59 Forty)	WR	6-2	196	3	Northern Illinois
	40 Times – NFL Draft Scout.com

Does anything stick out to you?  The roster has a group of wide receivers that range in height from 6’ up to 6’3”, weigh from 196 to 220 pounds, and for the most part, are possession receivers.  Miles Austin has some speed and Roy Williams can motor, but that’s about it – and there are no small, quick receivers that excel at route running and explode out of their breaks.  The keepers on the current roster are Crayton, Williams, Austin and Hurd – they may hang on to Stanback and/or Wilson.

My original plan was to take one of the small, fast receivers to double as a KR in the later rounds.  However, at #51 in the 2^nd round, Dallas could select Brian Robiskie (6’3”, 209, 4.48 – look familiar?), Kenny Britt (6’3”, 218, 4.5), Juaquin Iglesias (6’1”, 210, 4.5) or at #69 in the 3^rd round take Mohamed Massaquoi (6’2”, 210, 4.62) or Louis Murphy (6’3”, 203, 4.32).

Anyway, you can see my dilemma – is the solution via the draft, trade or free agency.  Tell me what you think and pass the Tylenol, please!