Steve Muench

  (2:06 PM)

Alright alright. Now that the Super Bowl has come and gone it's times to put the fuill court press on the NFL draft.

James, Ca

Steve, with KC getting Haley now, do you think its a reality for KC to get Crabtree now?

Steve Muench

  (2:08 PM)

I think that Crabtree is a ligit possibility because it gives Haley another weapon and he's a great value at that pick so Piolo will probably be willing to pull the trigger.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)

SM: In a previous chat, you stated you didnt see the progress in Jackson that showed he could be the Viking's QB. That being said, do you think the Vikings should go ahead and grab Cassel for the 2 1st Round picks? Looking at the draft, I dont see a player that would suddenly make the Vikings better than they were last year and Cassel looks like he would be a considerable upgrade over Jackson.

Steve Muench

  (2:10 PM)

Another intriguing possibility. The Vike got a great defense and a tremendous talent in AP so they are one of the few teams I think can afford to part with two first round picks and I think it would be a good move for them.

Rob (NJ)

Do you think William Beatty or Eben Britton is the right pick for the Steelers at 32? and who do you rate highter?

Steve Muench

  (2:13 PM)

Neither one of these guys is a first-round pick in my opinion. Britton looks like a second and I wouldn't be surprised to see Beatty slip into the fourth ropund range. I rank Andre Smith, Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher ahead of those two. I also think that Phil Loadholt COULD go before Britton and definitly before Beatty. All of that said, I think one of the top four could slide to the Steelers.

Tom (River North)

Steve, here's a hypothetical for you: Let's say that Detroit takes Andre Smith 1st and KC gets Cassel. How far do the QBs drop? Most of the teams in the top 15 seem to be set.

Steve Muench

  (2:16 PM)

I see where you are coming from and Stafford and/or Sanchez could free fall if this is how it unfolds. On the other hand, I think that Seattle, Jacksonville andSan Francisco should at the very least consider taking one of the top two if they get a chance.

Ed (PA)

Does KC really want Cassel? Thigpen looked servicable, and trading multiple picks is so risky in the NFL, especially a high 1st, right?

Steve Muench

  (2:20 PM)

Good point and I should have brought this up in my response to Tom's comment. Ironically, I think the chances of KC getting Cassell dereased when it hired Pioli who I think is won't give the Pats as much as they want for Cassell.

Paul (Denver)

First of all, Cassel is not worth two #1 picks. Second, can't the Pats negotiate with teams to lower that demand?

Steve Muench

  (2:23 PM)

Paul I don't know if it was you but someone made the same point last week and I get it. Cassell is a one-yar starter who threw to Welker and Moss so don't get caught up in the numbers and/or hype. But it's important to point out that I think there a lot of general managers that disagree and the Schaub deal from a gives a baseline for where the Cassell negotiations should start.

Jason (CAN)

As a 49ers fan, I've been disappointed with our QB situation since Jeff Garcia left. Can you see Sanchez or Stafford realistically being around for us to draft? And is it the smart choice to take either of them? Sanchez left early, is he ready?

Steve Muench

  (2:25 PM)

I think there's a chance Sanchez slips to them. I am worried about his lack of experience but he's certianly got the talent. All of that said, how he handles the interview proccess will play a big role in where he goes in my opinion.

JK (Boston, MA)

Steve, what do you see the Patriots doing in the draft? With their first pick I've heard they may take Cushing or Matthews from USC. They need to focus on defense right?

Steve Muench

  (2:29 PM)

Obvioulsy the defensive backfield is their greatest need. They also think they could take a left tackle believe it or not but the chances of getting the right kind of valaue at either of these spots is real slim. That said, they also need help at linebacker, it's a deep linebacker class and Mayo has been even better than advertised so the USC kids make a great deal of sense there.

Dennis (Riverside CA)

Sorry Steve. On an earlier question, I meant to say if they Chargers would trade up to get Maclin, not Harvin.

Steve Muench

  (2:31 PM)

Don't sweat it Dennis but I think we need to see what happens with the LT/Sproles situation because they may take a running back. Even if they don't I don't see them trading up to get Maclin.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Is OT the strongest position in the draft? Linebackers #2?

Steve Muench

  (2:32 PM)

Right now, I think it's linebacker, receiver and then offensive tackle.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Steve: How about giving us your projection for possible biggest first round bust and biggest second day steal for the draft?

Steve Muench

  (2:35 PM)

Let me clear about my bust pick. He has a BOATLOAD of talent and I hope he proves me wrong but Florida WR Percy Harrvin's problems stayinig healthy scare me to death. For my steal in the second round I will go with Oregon's Patrick Chung.

Steve Muench

  (2:36 PM)

The comments/questions have been outstanding thus far.

David (Austin)

Steve, love the stuff! How high are you on Crabtree? Most pundits seem to have him as the best overall prospect in this class...what are your thoughts about him? Thanks!

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

David I just wrote him up and he really isn't all that fast but he is so quick and fluid for a 6-foot-3 receiver it's scary. In addition, his football I.Q. appears to be off the charts in my opinion. He excels at finding soft spots in zone coverage.

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

BTW, I am one of those people who think he's the top prospect in this draft.

Kevin (NV)

Why would KC go after Crabtree when Bowe is developing so well. Too many other needs to address. You can have amazing wide receiveres, but with no runnin game or o-line and lacking thigpen. Address the oline

Steve Muench

  (2:42 PM)

Sound argument Kevin but the answer to your question is value. Crabtree is the best value by far at that pick and Pioli's time with the Patriots tells us it's highly unlikley he reaches to fill a need. It's more likely he takes the best avialable player in the draft and then fills in the cracks with mid-level free agents.

dan (new york)

KC obviously need a RB. LJ is so angry and just wants out. who can they realistically expect to be available?

Steve Muench

  (2:43 PM)

in my opinion they can take any back they want at No. 3 but they won't because again it doesn't make sense from a value standpoint.

Rob (NJ)

Follow up on my early question, why are you so low on William Beatty?

Steve Muench

  (2:46 PM)

I don't know if I am "so low" on him. Most draft pundits including McShay have him going in the third not the first while I think he's going to go a little later than that. He moves fairly well for his size but I'.m concerned about his overall strength. I think he's going to have a hard time driving defenders off the ball and anchoring agaisnt bull rushers until/unless he gets stronger.

Ron (Canton, OH)

There is a ton of hype around Aaron Curry but no ones really seen him play. Is he really the real deal like everyones making him out to be, and do you think he'd make it to the Browns at No. 5?

Steve Muench

  (2:48 PM)

First off he could make it to 5. Second of all, he's the real deal. In fact, I think he's going to be a better pro than collegiate football player and he;s this year's Butkus Award winner.

Ed (PA)

It just seems like there aren't a ton of head-and-shoulders best at their position guys in this draft. Do you expect to see alot of reaches on draft day, or busts afterward?

Steve Muench

  (2:51 PM)

In my opinion there are going to be a great deal of reaches because I don't just don't think there are 32 prospects that should receive first-round grades. on the other hand, there is better depth than I originally thought. So I think that there are going to be a fair amount of first-round busts but some teams are going to strike gold on the second day of the draft.

Sean (Philly)

Steve, this may be putting to much thought into it, but would a team like Eagles be thinking about a player in next years draft (Taylor Mays comes to mind) and trade one of their 1st rounders for a potentially high 1st rounder next year?

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

It's a real risky move because of the parity in the NFL. I mean if you were a GM and Atlanta had said. "Gives us this year's first and we'll give you next year's first." last year you probably would have jumped on it and then actually slipped down three picks this year.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Sounds to me then if you are a team looking to rebuild, you might want to trade your 1st and 2nd round picks to get extra picks in the later rounds (i.e. a 1st for a 3rd and a 4th). Fair assumption or way off base?

Steve Muench

  (2:56 PM)

I'm guessing I don't need to say but so we are clear it obviously depends on the draft and your needs. Unless I need a linebacker, tackle or receiver I would think about trading back this year.

Steve Muench

  (2:56 PM)

Defensive end is another possibility

Aaron (Akron, Ohio)

Do you think Peria Jerry could play as a 3-4 DE? Also, who do you think the browns should select with the 5th pick? Thanks Man!

Steve Muench

  (2:58 PM)

Jerry could play end in a 3-4 scheme but he's a far better fit at defneisve tackle in a 4-3 one-gap scheme. He's at best using his quickness to disrupt plays in the backfield not stacking and shedding offensive tackles. I like Curry or Raji at No. 5.

Nick (Springfield)

Where do you see Jarron Gilbert going in the draft? I seen this kid and he looked like an absolute monster, do you think he'd be a good DE in a 3-4? To me he'd be a 3rd - 4th round steal

Steve Muench

  (3:00 PM)

Nick is doing his homework and you know what's great about this post? People get excited about prospects like Gilbert and start moving them into the first round when he's truly a thrid or fourth round prospect just like Nick says here. I also think Gilbert could play end in a 3-4 scheme.

Eric (NY)

I know larry Fitz ripped up the playoffs but i would take andre over him and possibly Calvin soon.

Steve Muench

  (3:02 PM)

I'd take any one of the three. They are all great.

Mike(San Diego)

Does what conference a player comes from make a big difference as to where they are ranked? For example, Curry is very good, but does the fact that he's not from one of the top 3-4 conferences hurt him?

Steve Muench

  (3:04 PM)

He played in the ACC. Which conferences do you rank ahead of the ACC? The SEC and Big 12 obvioulsy but the ACC is at the very least comparable to the Big 10 and Pac 10 in my opinion.

Ron (Canton, OH)

I heard McShay on a podcast say that theirs a possibility that Malcolm Jenkins can't play CB in the NFL. Is that refering to him becoming a safety?

Steve Muench

  (3:05 PM)

Yes and I am really hoping that he moves to safety as well. While he isn't as fluid as you would like for a corner he has all the tools to quickly develop into an excellent starting safety.

Kendrick (Gainesville, FL)

Percy Harvin to me was the best college football player when he was with UF. But as he enters the draft he is the number 3 WR I dont understand I think he should be the number one WR. Is that reasonable? Or is it just the gator commin out in me?

Steve Muench

  (3:08 PM)

Harvin is faster than Crabtree and more eluisve than Maclin but you can't ignore the elephant in the room. He simply hasn't been able to stay healthy. In addition, I think the running back/receiver role he played at Florida hindered his progress as a route runner. He's going to need some time to adjust to playing in a pro style offense as a result.

Lucas (NY)

How much does Josh Freeman remind you of Joe Flacco? Or is it just a popular comparison?

Steve Muench

  (3:10 PM)

Both are big and have strong arm. I think Freeman is slightly more mobile though Flacco made better decisons.

TJ (St. Louis)

Harvin more elusive than Macklin? Hahahahahahahah!!!!!!

Steve Muench

  (3:13 PM)

I just broke down two games each on them and I couldn't be more confident in that statement. Maclin does have crazy speed and he reaches it in a flash. He can also make defenders miss but he's just not as slippery as Harvin in the open field.

Steve Muench

  (3:14 PM)

Alright that's it for this week. Again, I felt like everyone was bringing it today and I had a lot of fun so thank you.