Steve Muench

  (2:02 PM)

Sorry I missed last week and it feels good to be back in the saddle. AND Mindy's here so I got a good feeling about this chat.

Mindy (Wilsonville, OR.)

Steve, what's the earliest Oregon's Jeremiah Johnson will get drafted? Word out of the Senior Bowl is he looks pretty good.

Steve Muench

  (2:05 PM)

You're right about Johnson's senior bowl. He's a little quicker than I thought and he catches the ball well. At this point I think the cap for him is the second round and he could move up into that range but a lot will depend on how he runs at the combine and/or Oregon Pro Day. I also liked the way SS Patrick Chung practiced this week but OC Max Unger didn't even come close to living up to expectations.

Chris (CT)

Hi Steve, thanks for the chat. Will the Vikings have a good RT prospect by the time they draft in Rd 1?

Steve Muench

  (2:06 PM)

There's a real chance that Ole Miss' Michael Oher is there and I think he could start at right tackle as a rookie. He also has the potential to develop into a franchise tackle so he would be an excellent pick up in my opinion.

Kyle(Brockport, NY)

With BJ Raji tearing it up at the Senior Bowl, is there a chance that he is gone before Denver at #12? Is Green Bay a threat to take him before us?

Shane (Phx, AZ)

SM: Ive seen a lot of talk about the Viking's QB situation. Most items Ive seen point out that a QB takes about 3 years to get comfortable in a system. Given that there doesnt seem to be a free agent QB out there thats going to vault them into the SB, do you think they should name Jackson the starter and focus on other areas? If so, what areas should they target in the draft?

Andy GB

Do you think B.J. Raji will be available when Packers pick at #9? He would be the perfect anchor for their new 3-4 Defense.

Steve Muench

  (2:10 PM)

Shane I goofed so I am going to answer the Raji questions and then get to Jackson. One week away and the wheels are coming off.

Steve Muench

  (2:11 PM)

I think that Raji goes in the first five picks. He can make an immediate impact as a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme or a defensive tackle in a 3-4 scheme. He's clearly the best defensive tackle available this year.

Steve Muench

  (2:14 PM)

Alright back to Jackson. I get your point Shane and I think that teams need to be patient with quarterbacks but not in this case. There needs to be progress and I haven't seen enough it from Jackson. So if a quarterback they like slides to him then I'd take him. If not then I think you start to look at safeties and corners.

Pat (Philadelphia)

The Steelers will have either the 31st or 32nd pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. It has been said that the OL in this year's draft isn't. Will there be an offensive lineman available that isn't a reach? If not who do you think they could pick?

Steve Muench

  (2:16 PM)

Cal OC Alex Mack is an interesting option late in the first

Erik (NH)

Hey Steve. I've got a couple of WR questions for you... How fast is Crabtree and how are Maclin's hands and route-running skills?

Steve Muench

  (2:17 PM)

I'll be interested to see how fast Crabtree runs but I don't think he's a burner. Maclin catches the ball well enough and though he needs to improve his route running he has the burst to get a whole let better in that area.

Andrew (New Hamphire)

If the Patriots franchise Cassel, would a trade to the Lions for their second round pick be a possibility? It gives the Patriots a first round talent at a cheaper pricer giving them financial flexibility and it would give the Lions a QB who has proved himself already and allow them to focus their two first rounders in other safer areas

Steve Muench

  (2:19 PM)

It's a possibility but I doubt. The Patriots are going to want more than a second round pick even if it's No. 33.

Jeff (KC)

Could BJ Raji be a Chief in 09? His pass rushing is just what they need and maybe he could help Dorsey turn the corner.

Steve Muench

  (2:21 PM)

if you paid attention to Scott Polian's career this pick makes a whole let of sense. He did a great job of building one of the deepest and most underrated defensive lines in the league in New England. He's also favored value over need and Raji is a top-five pick in my opinion.

Kyle (OH)

Draft talk--the best time of year to be a Rams fan! If for some reason Stafford drops to the Rams, would they contemplate taking him as a young QB to develop behind [washed up/overpaid] Bulger? (Needless to say, I'm not a fan of Andre Smith at #2, but they found a way last season to squander the #2 pick...)

Steve Muench

  (2:23 PM)

Detroit could take USC QB Mark Sanchez over Stafford so there's a chance but I'm scared to death of taking either one of these guys that early and I know I am in the minority here.

Steve Muench

  (2:26 PM)

I don't think that Pete Carroll handled the Sanchez situation well but you have to understand how emotionally attached to players coaches are and Carroll thinks Sanchez is making a mistake. More importantly, he's right. Sanchez just doesn't have enough experience. Stafford on the other hand has the experience but he's wildly inconsistent. Neither one of them is as close to being NFL ready as Atlanta QB Matt Ryan.

Mark (Orlando)

I agree Detroit should not take a QB at #1 unless they are convinced he is a franchise guy. Take the best player available.

Steve Muench

  (2:27 PM)

Or trade out of the pick and get more players if they can.

Nubbs ( Big Rock Road)

Steve, I'm so glad to we can finall quit talking about the BCS and all that crap and finally focus on the draft. What has been your impression of Phil Loadholt in Mobile and what round will he go?

Steve Muench

  (2:30 PM)

Honestly, Loadholt's stock is plummeting right now. He just isn;t quick or agile enough to line up at left tackle in the NFL. In fact, there are concerns about his ability to hold up non the right side and the fact that he's so tall raises concerns about his ability to move to guard. That said, I think the goes in the fourth maybe third round because he could develop into a pillar at right tackle if he can improve his footwork.

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

Steve, thanks for the chat. As much as I'm worried about the Steelers' interior line, I'm much more concerned with the tackles. Can they pick up some solid guys at the ends of Rounds 1-3?

Steve Muench

  (2:31 PM)

Robert Houston OT Sebastian Vollmer is starting to make some noise and he'd be a good value in the second-third round range.

Kyle (OH)

Agree with your assessment on the QB prospects, so what is your opinion on Andre Smith? I've read some scouts are hesitant to view him as a top-5 pick due to weight issues, which means he might be forced to transition to OG (and drafting an OG at #2 is like selecting a 'high motor' DE with minimal explosive speed on the edge to disrupt the pocket...)

Steve Muench

  (2:34 PM)

I think Smith is a left tackle but II had this argument with Scouts Inc.'s Kevin Weidl the other day. Is Smith as good as Miami Dolphin OT Jake Long? Personally I think he's just behind where Long was so I have a hard time making him a top pick and possibly a top five pick. The good news is there's still a long way to go in this process so we'll see how he moves at the combine and pro days.

David Fairborn, OH

So, with Unger not looking too hot (which pains me as a UO grad), assuming the Bengals pick a center in the second round, who do they go for? Eric Wood?

Steve Muench

  (2:36 PM)

I still take Unger over Wood. I don't rate Wood nearly as high as some other people.

Nubbs (Big Rock Road)

How would you rank the safeties at this point, after Moore's disappointing week and the impressive play of Delmas and Johnson?

Steve Muench

  (2:37 PM)

Delmas, Patrick Chung, Johnson and Moore. Like Unger, Moore's stock clearly slid this week.

Sarah (Denver)

Steve, will any great pass rushing D-linemen be available for Houston at 15? I imagine Williams' already great production would increase even more with another pass rusher.

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

Florida State's Everette Brown is an interesting possibility.

Steve (MI)

I read reports that Unger performed well. Raji blew him up, but he did well in actual football situations and showed very good on-the-move blocking.

Steve Muench

  (2:39 PM)

Everyone's got the right to their opinions but I couldn't disagree more.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Steve, where can I go to find blogs or updates on how people are performing at the Senior Bowl? I sure miss the chat room discussions, ESPN needs to start doing that again.

Steve Muench

  (2:40 PM)

Got to espn.com, click on the NFL link and then click on the draft link.

David Fairborn, OH

Hawaii defensive end David Veikune. Heard he did well against Oher in drills. What do you know about this kid?

Steve Muench

  (2:42 PM)

I'm concerned about his ability to hold up the run but he exceeded my expectations of him this week. He doesn't seem to have any elite natural ability but he's quick and athletic enough to develop into an NFL contributor.

Nubbs (Big Rock Road)

As a whole, how good is this year's draft class?

Steve Muench

  (2:43 PM)

Only time will tell but I think it's a sub-par class.

Sam (IA City)

I was surprised to hear Mitch King practiced at DT. Isn't he going to have to switch to LDE?

Steve Muench

  (2:45 PM)

No because I don't see him emerging as an every-down player at either position. Instead I think he's a situational player who can line up at either position depending on the situation.

joe (cubicle hell)

Steve - you pick first - whom do you select? Stafford, Smith or Sanchez and why? Thx...

Steve Muench

  (2:48 PM)

Assuming I'm picking for Detroit I take Stafford because of his experience and Smith isn't as much of a lock as Long last year.

Samer (Austin, TX)

Is Baylor's Jason Smith really top 10 worthy? I watched a lot of Baylor games and he seemed to have a ton of penalties.

Steve Muench

  (2:51 PM)

Smith is on the top of my go back and watch these guys again list. I watched some film on him earlier this year and wasn't all that impressed but I've been told that I am crazy by McShay and several others. So I tell you what Samer. I am going to watch a different game this week and I will get back to you next week but right now I don't see him as a top 10 pick either.

joe (cubicle hell)

follow up question - do you see a real possibility of the Lions trading out? I hope so, they need so much help.

Steve Muench

  (2:52 PM)

I think the Lions will want to trade out but I'm not sure many teams are going to spend what it takes to get that pick.

David Fairborn, OH

I think it would be hard to trade out of #1 with such a weak draft...

Steve Muench

  (2:52 PM)

exactly

Jason (Bmore)

I forget the kid's name, but I know he was a transfer from Pitt that did well in Liberty. Is he a diamond in the rough, and how has he performed thus far?

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

Rashad Jennings, 234 pounds and not an ounce of fat on his body. He has a chance to make a similar impact to the one former Richmond RB Tim Hightower made with Arizona this year.

jd (richmond va)

eddie royal always had play-making ability at vt but was underutilized to say the least. he seemed to come out of nowhere (all-acc honors aside) for the broncos his rookie season as a 2nd round pick (91 rec 980 yds). any thoughts on which lesser-knowns could have an immediate impact in the nfl?

Steve Muench

  (2:55 PM)

I'm not sure if you've heard of Southern Miss TE Shawn Nelson but he lit up the Senior Bowl practices this week.

Doug Free (Dallas)

Do you see Larry English being productive as a rookie if drafted by a 3-4 team.

Steve Muench

  (2:56 PM)

I don't know if he's a day one starter but I think he makes substantial contributions.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Have the SC guys lived up to their expectations (Rey and Cushing)?

Steve Muench

  (2:57 PM)

Yup and so has Clay Matthews.

The Can Opener (5 mile Hill)

Steve, where do you see you fellow Richmond Alum, Lawrence Sidbury being drafted?

Steve Muench

  (2:58 PM)

I think he could go as early as the fourth round. I was really impressed with the way he played the past two weeks. He's represented the Spiders well.

Jonathan (Charleston WV)

What is your opinion of Pat White and what is his role in the NFL?

Steve Muench

  (2:59 PM)

I think he has to play receiver and/or return kicks to make it in the NFL.

Dave (Augusta, GA)

What type of pro do you see James Davis out of Clemson making? Also do you think anybody will take a shot on Cullen Harper maybe somewhere in the later rounds?

Kyle (OH)

Can you provide some names of small school draft prospects "we" amateur draft connoisseurs need to know about in order to sound intelligent at social gatherings?

Steve Muench

  (3:03 PM)

Cal Poly WR Ramses Barden, Liberty RB Rashad Jennings, Richmind DE Lawrence Sidbury, Jackson State CB Domonique Johnson, Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar, central Arkansas QB Nathan Brown, Troy DB Sherrod Martin.

Beefstick (4th Ave)

What is your impression of Ramses Barden. Could he be the next Colston?

Steve Muench

  (3:03 PM)

Could be. Both lack ideal burst but have excellent size, body control and hands.

Steve Muench

  (3:04 PM)

That's all for this week. Enjoy the Senior Bowl game Saturday night and I will talk to you again next week.