Our 2010 First Round Draft Pick Should Be...

i don't think uncapped is the biggest issue i thinks it's unfloored, you could have special teams guys getting paid less than 5k a game, and the one good thing is i really don't see the owners wanting a lockout thats a lot of coin

The owners never WANT a lockout. But lockouts have happened before.

As far as the cap, the floor, and free agency are concerned, the issue is that without a cap players will be required to have an extra year of service before they will be unrestricted free agents. So whether it is a buyer's market or a seller's market, there just won't be as many players moving.

Wait a minute. You guys mean to tell me that we'll win more games by drafting an O-lineman in the first round instead of a QB? We can address our O-line in free-agency. Lineman are a dime a dozen, franchise QB's aren't. How many more franchise QB's do we have to pass before someone realizes that we can't win a Superbowl without a Superbowl QB. Here's list of available O-lineman in free-agency.


Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints (26)
Jahri Evans is continuing to grade out as the team’s best run-blocking linemen week after week. The Saints have done a nice job of efficiently running the ball through the middle and on the right side of the line. His continual high level of play and positive, team-first attitude should translate to a high-end offensive guard contract at year’s end. Expect the Saints, who have nothing but positive things to say towards Evans, to richly reward him for his hard work and production.

Logan Mankins, New England Patriots (27)
Logan Mankins has been a very consistent player for the Patriots since he was drafted. That type of consistency is difficult to match, but with free agency inflating the value of offensive guards, the Patriots may end up letting him walk if the price isn’t right. They drafted a couple interior linemen last year and have to use some of their free money to re-sign other players. From what Mankins has said, he wants to stay on this winning franchise, but he could be one of the top players available next offseason.


Man how nice would a line look with the following? Bold denotes returning starter.

LT - Marcus McNeil
LG - Derrick Dockery
C - Kevin Mawae
RG - Jhari Evans
RT - 2nd Round Pick or Winston Justice

Levi Jones, Edwin Williams, young Center Prospect, and Heyer as backups.

Virtually impossible I know, but a man can dream can't he? Now if there was only a way to get a CBA in place that had no salary cap but still allowed young guys like McNeil to hit the open market :D

Plus we need multiple help on the o-line. Free agency, even if it happens, won't be enough to restock the cupboard.

I say OL first round, OL or QB second round, OL or QB 4th round (depending on the round 2 choice), RB 5th round.

Hopefully we intelligently will trade some folks and pick up extra draft picks.

I agree 100% with you Lotus. If we trade up we could draft a couple of quality offensive linemen. I think we could get a sleeper QB pick like Daryl Clark from Penn State on the second day.

Wait a minute. You guys mean to tell me that we'll win more games by drafting an O-lineman in the first round instead of a QB? We can address our O-line in free-agency. Lineman are a dime a dozen, franchise QB's aren't. How many more franchise QB's do we have to pass before someone realizes that we can't win a Superbowl without a Superbowl QB. Here's list of available O-lineman in free-agency.


Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints (26)
Jahri Evans is continuing to grade out as the team’s best run-blocking linemen week after week. The Saints have done a nice job of efficiently running the ball through the middle and on the right side of the line. His continual high level of play and positive, team-first attitude should translate to a high-end offensive guard contract at year’s end. Expect the Saints, who have nothing but positive things to say towards Evans, to richly reward him for his hard work and production.

Logan Mankins, New England Patriots (27)
Logan Mankins has been a very consistent player for the Patriots since he was drafted. That type of consistency is difficult to match, but with free agency inflating the value of offensive guards, the Patriots may end up letting him walk if the price isn’t right. They drafted a couple interior linemen last year and have to use some of their free money to re-sign other players. From what Mankins has said, he wants to stay on this winning franchise, but he could be one of the top players available next offseason.

Marcus McNeill, San Diego Chargers (25)
McNeill isn’t playing at an elite level this year, but is still an above average left tackle. He’s one of the “bigger” names at the left tackle position thanks to his spectacular, hyped rookie season. McNeill has also been undercompensated the last few years playing on his rookie contract as a 2nd round pick, which may incline him to ask for more money than he “deserves.” Any of the Chargers could feasibly be had this offseason and McNeill is no different, but with some of the offensive line woes of the Chargers, McNeill may be one of their top priorities. His long-term neck and back problems could be in the back of the team’s mind as well.

Daryn Colledge, Green Bay Packers (27)
Colledge is no longer viewed as the solution at left tackle in Green Bay. Mid-round TJ Lang has taken over the back-up position there. That alone is enough to make his value take a significant plunge. This will especially be overstated because of his poor performance in the team’s biggest game to date – Monday Night in Minnesota. Still, he’s an above average starting offensive guard and a great pass protector in the interior. Colledge’s value will most likely be highest to the Packers because he’s a great fit for what they do and they know his true value.

Jared Gaither, Baltimore Ravens (23) – Restricted FA
After being taken off the field on a stretcher in New England, Gaither luckily suffered no season or career threatening injury. His return to the field should come in the upcoming weeks. The Ravens have found their bookend tackles, with him and Oher on either side, and even if they can’t settle on a long-term deal with Gaither this offseason, they still have the ability to put a tender on him. At the very least, it would force teams to give up serious compensation for his services. Gaither’s length and athleticism make him an ideal fit at left tackle, but could possibly get him for less coin if they think Oher is capable of playing LT and pay Gaither on the right side.

Winston Justice, Philadelphia Eagles (24)
Justice is finally starting to live up to his expectations as a 2nd round selection. He’s played well in pass protection at right tackle replacing the oft-injured Shawn Andrews. The Eagles are in a tricky situation. Andrews has flashed so much potential and played well when on the field, but has struggled to give them enough snaps without getting injured. Should the team re-sign Justice, they could very well be putting Justice on the bench at the cost of a starter. They already have last year’s free agent acquisition, Stacy Andrews expensively riding the bench.

Kevin Mawae, Tennessee Titans (38)
Mawae has started all six games for the Titans this year, but with his contract expiring, the line may turn to Leroy Harris who will have been groomed for 3 years, sparingly seeing the field. If Mawae is up for another season, he could land on a number of teams, or just re-sign in Tennessee. He still has a little gas left in the tank and it the Titans pass on him, several teams will be lining up for him and accept the leadership he brings to the team.

Chad Clifton, Green Bay Packers (33)
Clifton has suffered a lingering ankle injury this season forcing the Packers to retreat to other options at left tackle. Even when on the field, Clifton hasn’t looked like half the player he was in his prime where he was one of the league’s best pass blockers. The years of injury and battle have worn on Clifton who has lost some of his discipline and been beaten on several occasions. If Clifton isn’t offered another contract in Green Bay, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the franchise’s great blind side protector call it quits.

Mike Gandy, Arizona Cardinals (30)
Gandy has struggled immensely and should definitely be upgraded this offseason. He doesn’t hold much value on the left side and may be asked to move to the right side for the rest of his career. If Arizona can’t find a better replacement, they could potentially try and get one more year out of him, but the Cardinals would be pushing their luck.

2010 NFL Free Agents: OL (http://www.footballsfuture.com/2010/fa/ol.html)

We need some youth on the offensive line. I never liked trying to build the team through FA because you either pay too much or you get medicore talent.

I agree 100% with you Lotus. If we trade up we could draft a couple of quality offensive linemen. I think we could get a sleeper QB pick like Daryl Clark from Penn State on the second day.

I think you meant trade down. Please please no Daryl Clark. I know he's look decent against Eastern Illinois, Temple, Syracuse, and the rest of the tough Big-10 teams.(sarcasm)

I think you meant trade down. Please please no Daryl Clark. I know he's look decent against Eastern Illinois, Temple, Syracuse, and the rest of the tough Big-10 teams.(sarcasm)

Thanks, I meant to say down. Remember Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Kyle Orton all came from the Big Ten and they're doing ok. I was just saying he could be worth taking a look at in rounds 6 or 7.

^^ it's a good thing that Alex Smith, Brady Quinn, Jamarcus Russell, Matt Leinart and all the bevy of first round quarterbacks worked out huh?

Trade the pick, get multiple 2nd + 3rd rounders for it and use it to stock up the O-Line. It's simple math, if you put Tom Brady behind that line, you would win maybe one more game. If you keep Jason Campbell behind a greatly improved offensive line, you win 3-4 more games. What's more 3-4 or 1?

^^ it's a good thing that Alex Smith, Brady Quinn, Jamarcus Russell, Matt Leinart and all the bevy of first round quarterbacks worked out huh?

Trade the pick, get multiple 2nd + 3rd rounders for it and use it to stock up the O-Line. It's simple math, if you put Tom Brady behind that line, you would win maybe one more game. If you keep Jason Campbell behind a greatly improved offensive line, you win 3-4 more games. What's more 3-4 or 1?

its hard to trade a top 5 pick. those are some good examples of some busts at the QB position, but with those you named i can name, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Donovan McNabb, Matt Ryan,

its hard to trade a top 5 pick. those are some good examples of some busts at the QB position, but with those you named i can name, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Donovan McNabb, Matt Ryan,

the unfortunate truth, and these days it is very hard to get rid of even top 10 picks considering the pay scale, they really need to control what the unproven rookies get

its hard to trade a top 5 pick. those are some good examples of some busts at the QB position, but with those you named i can name, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Donovan McNabb, Matt Ryan,

Don't forget Flacco