Steve Muench

  (2:10 PM)

I hope everyone is doing well and recovering from the information overload that is the NFL combine.

Nick Gifford (Latham,NY)

How will crabtrees injury effect his draft number and also team?

Chatmaster

Steve, could Michael Crabtree fall out of the top ten with his foot injury?

Chatmaster

Steve, could Michael Crabtree fall out of the top ten with his foot injury?

Steve Muench

  (2:12 PM)

Honestly, I don't think it will affect his stock much if at all. It's my understanding that there is a high success rate for the surgery he'll undergo and he's still the best receiver on film. So Is till think he goes in the top ten though he may slip a few picks.

Curt (Oxford, MS)

Why is Oher dropping on draft boards? Somebody will get a heck of a player if he falls late in the first round. Also, what do you think of Peria Jerry?

Steve Muench

  (2:14 PM)

He didn't look as agile or fluid as Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe at the combine. On the other hand, I still think he's a first round pick and would take him ahead of Andre Smith at this point.

justin, cali

monroe or crabtree for the raiders

Steve Muench

  (2:15 PM)

I think they take Crabtree if both are available there.

Josh (Philly)

Steve, given that he wasn't terribly productive as a receiver in college, even in a spread offense, and his measurables were pretty poor at the combine, what exactly is keeping Brandon Pettigrew in the first round right now? He can't really be THAT great of a blocking TE, can he? Did blocking TEs become much more important while I wasn't paying attention?

Steve Muench

  (2:18 PM)

Josh I'm glad you brought this up because I think this is one of the more interesting tight end classes we've seen in a while. Let's start with Pettigrew. Admittedly not a homerun threat but far too athletic and tall to be labeled a one-dimensional blocking tight end. He could develop into Ben Coates-type receiver.

Adam (Detroit MI)

I don't understand why a lot of draft experts think that the Lions best fit would be going with Stafford. If we go Curry #1 and an OL at #20, that would allow us to go for Bradford or McCoy next year. We have Culpepper for this year. Whats your take?

Steve Muench

  (2:21 PM)

I now think that Curry is the best overall player in this draft so I can't argue against taking him there but then I would hope that Sanchez slides to 20 or try to trade back and pick up Josh Freeman if I do. The problem I have with waiting on Bradford and McCoy is it's going to take a top-five pick to get Bradford. You can't just assume you'll be able to get him.

brandon (plainfield,IN) [via mobile]

and with the 27th pick, the Indianapolis Colts select.....?

Steve Muench

  (2:23 PM)

How about WR Percy Harvin? I'm still not convinced that his injury history won't cause him to go later than most expect and I'm guessing Indy would love to get him that late in the first round.

Nubbs (Big Rock Road, MN)

Steve, why isn't there more buzz around Utah CB Steve Smith? He's 6'3 and ran just as fast as smaller corners?

Steve Muench

  (2:27 PM)

Here's what I have heard. As odd as it sounds tall corners scare scouts and the reason is they have a hard time changing directions quickly. He isn't physical enough so he may not work out at safety if he doesn't work out at corner. Finally, he's inconsistent. But I'm with you Nubbs, He looked real fluid for such a tall corner at the Combine and I think he's going to be a play maker. In addition, Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins is going to play safety in my opinion, which means Davis moves up draft boards for teams looking for a corner.

Alex (Knoxville, TN)

If you are the Lions do you offer the Patriots the #20 pick and maybe a 2010 middle round pick for Matt Cassel?

Steve Muench

  (2:28 PM)

Yes and then I expect them to say thanks for the call but we'll pass. In my opinion, it's going to take a lot more than that to get Cassell.

Marsh (StL)

Who do the Rams take at #2 since Andre Smith's stock has dropped? Crabtree or Curry? With Hold possibly getting traded, we could use Crabtree.

Steve Muench

  (2:29 PM)

I think Jason Smith makes more sense. He had a strong combine and all the tools to quickly develop into an excellent starter.

mike (az)

steve, Id love your take on a few oregon players and where you see them roughly falling. Obviously I know there is still a long way to go with pro-days etc. Jeremiah Johnson and Nick Reed. Nick Reed to me seems like a hybrid 3-4 kind of player and i am a big fan of JJ, think he'd be a great pick up in the 2nd round or so.

Steve Muench

  (2:33 PM)

I'm not as optimistic about either player to be honest. I think Johnson projects as a fourth round pick and Reed is a late-round pick or a free agent. I will say that they both play hard but the truth is neither has a great deal of upside. Johnson lacks ideal top-end speed while Reed isn't big enough to line up at end and may not be fast enough to move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Ed( San Diego,CA)

What do you think of Mauluga to the Chargers? Do you like Donald Brown?

Steve Muench

  (2:35 PM)

I think he's a great fit at inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and he's a good value there so it makes sense. As far as Brown goes, he's a player that's really grown on sense ever since I broke the film down. He's got great vision and patience.

Mad Mike (Houston)

Steve: If I am Detroit, I cannot be sold on Stafford as the best player in the draft that in my book goes to Curry or Crabtree. So, I think they should choose, Curry and then if Sanchez slips into the 15 range they can make a deal to go get him, if that doesn't work they could go for Freeman in the second. What are your thoughts on that? Thanks.......MM

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

Again I am ok with taking Curry here but you can't assume that you can make that deal to get Sanchez IF he's still on the board at 15 and don't be surprised to see Freeman going late in the first so it's a risk if you take this approach.

Spidey (Marsh Hall)

Steve - would you have been able to block Lawrence Sidbury? After killing it at the Combine, do you think he moved up to the 3rd round range? Maybe as a 3-4 LB?

Steve Muench

  (2:41 PM)

Just so everyone else knows I went to the University of Richmond where DE Lawrence Sidbury played. For starters, Sibury would have gotten the better of me more times than not. No question. That said, I actually think he's an end more than a 3-4 linebacker. His upper body is so defined that I think it makes him a little stiffer in space. On the other hand, I think he's had such a strong off-season that he goes in the third round.

Abe (St,. Joesph, MO)

If the Chiefs are not able to land Curry with the number three, do you think it is likely that they trade down, and take another high quality linebacker?

Steve Muench

  (2:44 PM)

They may try to trade out of that pick but that will prove difficult so it's unlikely. SO if they don't like Curry then I think DT B.J. Raji, DE/OLB Everette Brown and DE/OLB Brian Orakpo enter the conversation.

Alex (Knoxville, TN)

Would you please project some South Carolina players for me, especially the ones who did fairly well at the combine? What rounds do you see Jared Cook, Jamon Meredith, Jasper Brinkely, and Kenny McKinley falling? Can J. Cook develop necessary blocking skills to become an every down TE? Is Meredith a tackle or a guard in the NFL? Thanks!

Steve Muench

  (2:48 PM)

Cook could develop into an ever-down tight end that does a lot of zone blocking up front. I think the goes in the second round. Meredith could play tackle in the NFL but he's probably a better fit at guard. He too could go in the second round. Jasper Brinkley has shed some weight and looks excellent. He looks like a middle round pick but I think the could still move up. McKinley also looks like a middle round pick though I graded Brinkley higher.

Matt (Vermillion)

So who do you think is the best pure cover corner in the draft?

Steve Muench

  (2:49 PM)

Vontae Davis when he plays his best, which unfortunately doesn't happen all the time.

Kris (Terre Haute, IN)

Percy Harvin has peeked my interest. I know there has been much debate about him as either a RB or a WR. Are many scouts looking at him in a return man role?

Steve Muench

  (2:51 PM)

He didn't do a great deal of returning kicks at Florida but I think that the team that drafts will certainly try to use him in that role.

G (DC)

Steve - When we're talking about Andre Smith dropping, do we mean down a few picks or down a few rounds? The Redskins are looking a RT for this year and a LT for the future. Smith might fit either of those... is 13 too high or too low for him?

Steve Muench

  (2:52 PM)

Picks not rounds. I think 13 is a little too early at this point but it wouldn't be too much of a release.

Jeff (Los Angeles, CA)

Steve, what additional picks would be required for the Lions to move up from #20 to Denver's #12 pick in the 1st round? I'm thinking Detroit can get Curry and Sanchez in that scenario. While Denver can move back and still get a Tyson Jackson, Brian Cushing or Clay Matthews in the 1st round, as well as picking up a valuable 2nd or 3rd round pick to use on other defense players. If they can get Detroits' 2nd as well, that might put Denver in position for a Brian Cushing, Ron Brace and Rashad Johnson in the first 3 rounds, which closes a bunch of defensive holes.

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

No way to tell what it would take for Denver to make the deal but it's an interesting scenario that makes a lot of sense.

Zeke (richmond, va)

Steve, what about vrabs being dealt to KC for picks?

Steve Muench

  (2:55 PM)

His production has dropped the past four seasons but I saw him as the leader of that defense so I am surprised.

Otto (CA)

Do you like McGee from A&M? I think he'd be a good pick for SF.

Steve Muench

  (2:57 PM)

It's funny because as soon as I read this post I start thinking McGee is a tough and mobile undersized quarterback who is very accurate when he gets into a rhythm. Sounds like Jeff Garcia doesn't it? I like McGee but I like him in the middle rounds. He didn't play much last year and he played in a run-heavy offense his first three years at Texas A&M.

Chris (Ann Arbor)

Are there good 3-4 nose tackles in this draft, guys with a 1st round grade?

Kyle (Boston, MA)

Are you kidding, I'm a die-hard NE fan but there isn't a big market for Cassell. The #20 and then maybe a 3rd rounder should do it. What else appears to be in the making if he's available? Vikings are out, TB doesn't look interested, KC won't give up the #3 overall...who else?

Steve Muench

  (3:03 PM)

The Rosenfels to Minnesota deal surprised me and I think changed the landscape for the Patriots in terms of that trade. That said, the landscape is going to continue to change with injuries and free agent signings and the Patriots are in no rush to pull the trigger on a deal. They can wait until a team feels it needs a 26-year old quarterback who far exceeded expectations in his first year as a starter.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)

Re: Kyle from Boston...Cassell is a FAR better option than either Stafford or Sanchez. Ill agree he may have benefited from the NE system, but he has FAR fewer questions than the 2 rookies. A top-10 picking team would pay Cassell about the same as those QBs, but would get a QB who has at least proven he can play at the NFL level.

Steve Muench

  (3:05 PM)

My point iexactly.

jacob (va beach)

lj to ne for cassel + a 2nd this year and a 3rd next year would get casell

Steve Muench

  (3:06 PM)

They just signed Fred Taylor so I doubt it.

GshawnJohnson

You buying the story that the track was slow this year? So many mediocre times this year it seemed...

Steve Muench

  (3:09 PM)

I don't think it was the track but the timers. I thought too many prospects rolled into their starts, which is to to say they start leaning forward or jerk their arm up before they explode off the line. The problem is the timing is based on movement so the clock starts as soon as the arm moves or the body leans forward.

Steve Muench

  (3:09 PM)

What that all means to us is we need to go back and make sure the time we got on the track match the speed we see on film.

Otto (CA)

Hello Steve. We all know about your East Coast bias, but why would someone draft Stafford over Sanchez? Generally, inaccurate QBs don't become accurate in the NFL. That's what I said about Tavares Jackson, but nobody listened.

Steve Muench

  (3:13 PM)

You had to say "east coast bias" right Otto? Remember the Sanchez press conference when SOUTHERN CAL head coach Pete Carroll said that junior quarterbacks have not fared well in the NFL historically? Well though Stafford is a junior, he's far more experience than Sanchez and scouts are more comfortable with their Stafford evaluations because they have a bigger body of work to break down. In addition, Stafford has a much stronger arm.

The Ghost of Joey Harrington (Detroit)

If the Lions draft Stafford he will be a bust!!!!!

Steve Muench

  (3:14 PM)

I'm not arrogant enough to overlook the possibility but he's still a better overall prospect than Sanchez at this point.

German (San Juan, PR)

Whatever his problems may be, Andre Smith has managed to become THE best OL in the country in high school and then later in college (his trophy case says so). His absence in the Sugar Bowl, only highlighted how immensely valuable he is to his team (the difference in Bama's games with him vs. w/o him is amazing). All of a sudden he can't make it in the NFL? You would take Oher over Smith? Really? Whatever happened to looking at what a guy does on the field?

Steve Muench

  (3:18 PM)

Wow. Alright German, take a look at the Kentucky game and the Florida game from this year. Then talk to me after you see Wildcats OLB Johnny Williams and Gator MLB Brandon Spikes blow past him. His inability to counter their quickness and athletic ability obviously makes teams wonder if he is a right tackle or left tackle.

Steve Muench

  (3:21 PM)

Now you somehow try to turn his suspension into a positive. Trust me when I say NFL front offices don't see it the same way especially when he shows up at the combine not knowing whether or not's he going to work out and then leaves without telling anyone. So yeah at this point I take Oher over him. Now that might change if he has a strong workout at his pro day but don't act like this guy is Joe Thomas. He's not.

Alex (Knoxville, TN)

RE: German (San Juan, PR)... Next time you make a $50 million plus investment in somebody and don't take into account every aspect of that person (on and off the field) then you can comment.

Steve Muench

  (3:21 PM)

On that note, I am out of here. Have a great weekend and I hope to hear from you same time next week.