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Buzzmaster

  (1:01 PM)

We're getting Mel right now!

Mel Kiper

  (1:03 PM)

I have a new first round projection going up tomorrow. We can get into some snipets from the projection. Some players moving up, some moving down. LT returning to San Diego factors into the projection.

Tara (Kansas)

Who do you see the Chiefs taking now that they have taken Cassel and do you think there will be a competition between him and Thiggy?

Mel Kiper

  (1:04 PM)

Tyler Thigpen, it's kind of a shame, he had been looking pretty good at times. He showed flashes of being a good QB. He has ability, no question. Cassel is brought in to be the guy. Maybe eventually, after Thigpen becomes a free agent, he'll have a chance to move on. Now, they can take Curry with that third pick overall.

Gregg (Jefferson City, MO)

I haven't heard much about Maclin since the combine. Who's looking at him? I have a feeling he might be sliding down the draft board a little.

Mel Kiper

  (1:05 PM)

No, he's not sliding at all. He's always been the second WR behind Crabtree. You thought maybe he could move ahead, but then Maclin didn't wow anyone over at the combine. I think they could go back to back. He's got great versatility, great explosiveness. He hasn't dropped at all.

RJ buffalo NY [via mobile]

With the Bills signing T.O. will they address the Defense in the first round?

Mel Kiper

  (1:07 PM)

I think they can stick with the offense. You could say they take a DE at that point, but that could be a reach. The one guy they could take is Aaron Maybin. Another consideration is Brandon Pettigrew. He had an outstanding career. He only ran 4.82, 4.86 in that area, so he didn't run great. He's an outstanding blocker. Very few TEs coming out that can be a complete player. You have TO, Lee Evans, James Hardy. If you bring in Pettigrew, now your offense has had a complete renovation. Trent Edwards at QB, Lynch at RB. All of a sudden, you have a chance to score some points. Pettigrew could be the finishing touch on this offense.

Ryan,Statesville,NC [via mobile]

Hey Mel, do the dolphins really think there secondary is good enough! i mean now they have to play moss and t.o. 2 a yr!

Mel Kiper

  (1:08 PM)

They have to take a corner. Will Allen is a solid veteran, but they need a corner. They could look at two guys, Vontae Davis out of Illinois or Darius Butler out of UConn. Those are the players you would consider in the draft.

Mel Kiper

  (1:08 PM)

Their other need is WR.

Mel Kiper

  (1:09 PM)

Brian Robiskie would be a good pick in the second round. Pat White the QB turned WR would be a good pick. Juaquin Iglesias in the third. Mohamed Massaquoi in the 3-4 range. There will be a chance for them to get a WR in the 2, 3, 4 rounds.

chris (sf,ca) [via mobile]

mel whats up, do u really think andre smith can fit in Green Bays zone blocking OL? and would he play LT or RT

Mel Kiper

  (1:10 PM)

There's still a lot to be determined on the Green Bay line. I would think Andre Smith and his versatility would be a big plus in Green Bay. Or San Francisco or Washington would be possibilities for Smith.

Kevin (Chicago)

Any chance the Bears look at Pace?

Mel Kiper

  (1:11 PM)

They could. They signed Omiyale. He did a good job for Carolina. They brought in him for the OT spot. I think Pace could be interesting to Baltimore who are looking to upgrade. There will be other options for Pace.

eric, rockford, il [via mobile]

Got one more mel: who do u think is the best hybridend/linebacker in the draft and where do you think that he will go? chiefs at #3?

Mel Kiper

  (1:13 PM)

Aaron Maybin is one of those guys. He could go to Green Bay. San Francisco. Buffalo. Washington. Maybin is going to go pretty high. Larry English is a perfect example of a combo guy. Lawrence Sidbury is more of a DE, but he could be a second round pick.

John in Chattanooga

Do you agree with Michael Oher's recent fall in many of the mock drafts? What are the main reasons?

Mel Kiper

  (1:14 PM)

He's fallen a little bit. Since the middle of the year, I've had him in the late first round. I have him taken by Philly. Pittsburgh could be a possibility too. He struggled in some games against DE that he should have manhandled. If he was a little more consistent, he would have been a top 15 pick. He competes hard. He has that aggressiveness you want. He just has to eliminate the inconsistencies.

The Wolf (Cleveland)

Who is the Browns best choice for a pass rusher at #5?

Mel Kiper

  (1:16 PM)

I think they have to go inside. They need a DT as well. I think they need the size. BJ Raji. Put him in there and all of a sudden you have two great DTs that complement each other. You can stop the run effectively. With Raji, he had a dominant senior year. He's going to be right in that top group. I'd say 5 or 6 for Raji.

dave, char nc [via mobile]

Why do you put maybin over Orakpo? Thanks mel!

Mel Kiper

  (1:17 PM)

I actually have Orakpo going at 10 to SF. I have Maybin going to Washington at 13. Orakpo can play on his feet at a 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. So can Maybin. Both are good pass rushers. Orakpo, there is some durability issues. Maybin is a one-year wonder. Those are the concerns with those two.

Bill (NJ)

You look at the top 10 Mel, which player do you think has the best chance to become a "bust?"

Mel Kiper

  (1:20 PM)

First of all, you hope none of the guys you have in the top 10 are busts. You shouldn't have them that high if they're going to be busts. The QBs are tough. Everyone thinks the OTs are guarantees. A Malcolm Jenkins, if he turns into a safety not a CB, then that would be a disappointment, because you're drafting him as a CB. Heyward-Bey, he dropped some catchable balls. Limited production in some games this year. Clay Matthews coming out of USC was kind of a one-year wonder. Vontae Davis had several games this year where he was inconsistent. Everette Brown, a DE from FSU, not real tall, not real fast. When you're only 6-1 and only run 4.68, 4.73, usually you have to run 4.55 if you're 6-1 and a DE. Andre Smith, he mismanaged the combine. He was suspended for the last game of his career. If you're not dependable and reliable, it's hard to be a great LT in this league.

Joe, Harrisburg

Mel, what do you think the Giants will do with their day one picks? WR, O-line, Secondary?

Mel Kiper

  (1:23 PM)

I'd say the LT position. If they draft LT, they could move Diehl to guard. If they come up with Eben Britton or Oher. Obviously WR, Kenny Brit, a local guy from Rutgers. He's a tall guy at 6-3, good vertical jump. He would be a presence at WR. Very long arms. He would be the physical presence. He would give Eli Manning a target. He's not a very accurate passer, especially with that wind.

chris(philly) [via mobile]

Mel , do you think ints possible the lions draft crabtree with the number 1 pick ? Since they already got culpepper would it be a big surprise if they did so? I mean image calvin and michael along with culpeppers arm power

Mel Kiper

  (1:25 PM)

They've gone WR so much in their past. They have to get a QB. Culpepper is a stopgap measure. He will be like Chad Pennington is in Miami to Chad Henne. Jon Kitna in Cincinnati for Carson Palmer. A veteran QB is a bridge for a rookie QB. They're not going to play Stafford the first year. Denver had Jake Plummer before Jay Cutler. There's depth at WR in this draft. Get Stafford with the first pick, then come back at No. 20. Robert Ayres, I think would look good there. Rey Maualuga maybe.

Mel Kiper

  (1:25 PM)

Then you can come back in the second round, I'd look at a guy like Brian Robiskie would be a good pick for the Lions.

Arnold (Chicago) [via mobile]

The bears secondary is in terrible shape. I like tillman but vasher should be cut, they have no safeties, do u think vontae davis works if available

Mel Kiper

  (1:27 PM)

I don't think they go CB. I think they could use a safety moreso then a CB. They have to decide who is the best offensive player. They haven't been getting sacks on the QB. Their DE haven't been getting pressure. I think that position is a concern from that standpoint. If Kyle Orton is going to be your guy, you need a WR. I think they would love to see Percy Harvin still there. Maybe Heyward-Bey. They look like they're sticking with Orton, it would be nice to get him a capable WR. Whoever is there.

Mel Kiper

  (1:28 PM)

Devin Hester is the No. 1 WR there. He is really more the No. 2 then No. 1.

Justin (Allentown)

McShay has Larry English and Michael Johnson available in the 2nd round, do you think these guys are a steal if they are still there in Rd 2?

Mel Kiper

  (1:31 PM)

I think Michael Johnson will be gone. He had a super, super high grade when the season began. He was up in the top 3 when the season began. The tape doesn't help him. You don't see a lot of production. He got pushed around against the run. But you're basing it on his athleticism. He's like Ed "Too Tall" Jones. He has a big bust factor. But he's had great workouts. I think Atlanta could look at him. Tennessee late in the first round. He's a POTENTIAL big time pass rusher. It wouldn't shock me if Detroit took him at 20. Larry English, I think will be a second round pick.

Brian (Michigan)

Has Percy Harvin dropped? He ran slower than expected at the Combine.

Mel Kiper

  (1:33 PM)

I have him going to the Jets. He had an ankle injury. At the combine, he ran 4.39-4.44. 5-11, 192. He has an ankle injury that kept him out of the SEC title game. He's not at 100%. If he ran 4.44 with an injury, he'll run 4.34 when he's healthy. I think 17 to the Jets would be a great spot for him. They needed defense. They went out and got defense. Now they need a WR. Harvin would be good to juice up that offense.

Cody Philly

Mel, would a first round pick be enough to land Cutler for the Bucs?

Mel Kiper

  (1:36 PM)

Yeah. I think that would have been enough. I think it would have been a No. 1 and another pick. Cassel would have been in Denver. The Bucs would have their QB and a new coach and a fresh start. It would have been a nice deal for everyone. But it didn't work out. Tampa has to figure out who their QB will be. Right now it's Luke McCown. You fire a coach that has you on the cusp of the playoffs and they might fall back a little bit. Denver has Jay Cutler and the whining and complaing continues. The pity party for Jay Cutler continues. And that's ridiculous. Sure McDaniels is going to try to get a QB he knows and he's comfortable with. He didn't draft Cutler. Young QBs need to know that when their coach that drafts them is no longer there, that's not good for them.

Juan So*Cal [via mobile]

What direction do you see the Raiders going on draft day with so many weaknesses on the team?

Mel Kiper

  (1:37 PM)

So many needs, so many weaknesses. They have some blend of youth and experience. JaMarcus Russell, McFadden. Young TE in Miller. They need a WR. Jeremy Maclin or Crabtree, one of them will be there. I have them taking Maclin.

Mel Kiper

  (1:37 PM)

They're going to have to improve the offensive line as well.

Zac (MN)

Hey Mel, According to the First Draft podcast (free plug) you have the Vikings taking Hakeem Nicks at 22, right? Would they take him over Oher? Who do you have the Vikings taking in Rd 2? Thanks Mel!

Mel Kiper

  (1:39 PM)

I would yeah. Nicks to me gives you hands. He gives you the pass receiving skills that you need. They don't have the QB skills that you need. You need a WR that has good hands. Nicks is a big WR. He checked in at 6-1, 212, 36-inch vertical. A bigger WR with good hands. Good concentration in the crowd. He has good quickness with his cuts. Very good pacing to his routes. They don't know what they're going to get out of Sidney Rice opposite of Bernard Berrian, their big play guy.

Mike (NJ)

Wouldn't Jared Cook be more highly-ranked if we called him a wide receiver? He played there for 2 years in college, runs faster than Nicks or Britt, has great hands and doesn't like to block. I think they Giants should take him in the 1st round.

Mel Kiper

  (1:42 PM)

We're calling him a TE who is going to be more of an H-back. He's going to be a Todd Heap. He's not a blocker. Cook is 6-4. 41-inch vertical jump. He's a special talent when it comes to catching the football. At South Carolina, who had major QB issues during his career, yet he averaged nearly 16 yards per catch. He can make the acrobatic catch better then any TE in the country. In the second round, I think he'll go. Todd Heap went with the last pick in the first round.

Mel Kiper

  (1:42 PM)

Teams that could use a TE in the second round is Atlanta. They could use a quality, pass catching TE.

Joel (Texas)

Do you think Rhett Bomar will be drafted. If so, which round?

Mel Kiper

  (1:44 PM)

I think late. I've always thought late. He was a good I-AA QB, not a great I-AA QB. You wonder if he can be a starting QB. I think he's a No. 3 that you bring in as a developmental guy. He's one of about 15 QBs that could go anywhere from the 6th round to undrafted free agent. I don't think there's a QB past the top three that will go higher then the fifth round. Pat White is a slash, not a QB. It will probably be McGee, Nate Davis.

Bret: (Los Angeles, CA)

Mel, What is the main position the texans need? Is there anyway they take Delmas at #15?

Mel Kiper

  (1:46 PM)

I think that's a little early for Delmas. He's a good player. He's borderline late first early second. I think they'd look at OLB like Brian Cushing. Delmas wouldn't shock me in the first round, but that's a little early. Houston added Antonio Smith, so they're good at DE. They'd like to get a bigger RB to complement Steve Slaton. Maybe a Shonn Greene. Jeremiah Johnson. OLB is a little bit pressing for them.

Shane (Lewiston, ID)

Mel, now that the seahawks have T.J., what direction do you see them going? OT?

Mel Kiper

  (1:47 PM)

They added Colin Cole the DT. They added TJ. Now you could look at them taking Eugene Monroe. Now that you have TJ that shouldn't make you overlook Crabtree. But I think they look at Monroe.

jeremy(ohio)

Where do you see NO going with their first 2 picks?

Mel Kiper

  (1:48 PM)

They could look CB. They could still look RB. Bush is coming off injury. They could look at Moreno. A DE. They could use help at LB. CB. RB.

Paul (Marion, OH) [via mobile]

After recent roster changes, what does the Dallas draft look like?

Mel Kiper

  (1:49 PM)

With the changes they've made, I still think they could use an OL. Adding Igor Olshansky will replace Canty. They added Keith Brooking. They still have areas. The OL underachieved. The secondary they could look at. They traded Anthony Henry. The secondary and WR position.

patman (fremont, ca)

do you think the niners should trade up to guarantee a shot at sanchez?

Mel Kiper

  (1:50 PM)

I think Mark Sanchez will go to Jacksonville at 8. I don't think he will be there at 10. The Jags added Tre Thomas. Now they can look at Sanchez. I think he would be a good pick for them.

Brett (Houston, TX)

Where do you see Shonn Greene going? And to who? Is age a factor?

Mel Kiper

  (1:51 PM)

No, it's not a factor. He had the one great year at Iowa this season. He's a pounder. Tough kid. He needs to work on becoming a better pass catcher. I think he goes in the second.

Dan (San Jose)

So, SF takes Orakpo at 10...I love it. Would their #2 be Britton or maybe Beatty if he's still there? Thoughts?

Mel Kiper

  (1:52 PM)

Beatty will be there. Britton is a possible late first rounder. I was thinking about him for Philadelphia or the Giants. You could look at them if you're the 49ers at that point.

Mel Kiper

  (1:53 PM)

There's another OT as well. There's some mixed opinion on, Phil Loadholt. He could still be available.

Mark (Panama City Beach, FL)

Does Raheem Moriss spending a year at K State factor in to your Freeman to Tampa Bay pick?

Mel Kiper

  (1:54 PM)

Yeah. It definitely does. The familiarity there. If you keep hearing organizationally that they would have liked to have drafted a young QB with Jon Gruden, now they have the chance to get one. Familiarity is the key with these guys. Look at what the Jets did. Bart Scott. Bill Parcells with Miami, he brought in Anthony Fasano from the Cowboys. Josh McDaniels wanted to bring in Cassel. Scott Pioli in Kansas City brought in Cassel and Vrable.

Mel Kiper

  (1:55 PM)

I projected Josh Freeman to Tampa back on Jan. 21 and that wasn't because of Morris. That just be an exclamation point on it.

mike (az)

Mel,who are some 3-4 OLB prospects who can rush the passer well who might be available to the cardinals later in the rounds.

Mel Kiper

  (1:58 PM)

A guy that will be interesting is Connor Barwin from Cincy. He will be a second round pick. He was a former TE at Cincy. He could be an OLB in a 3-4. Larry English I already talked about. Some guys in the later rounds, Sidbury, Nick Reed, Phillip Hunt, Stryker Soulak, Ian Campbell, Victor Butler, Slade Norris, Jovan Belcher, David Veikune, Cody Brown.

CC (Atlanta)

Is Asher Allen still a 3rd rounder? He could be s steal that late.

Mel Kiper

  (1:59 PM)

I don't know about a steal. When you look at him, he's only 5-9. Strong kid though. He only ran in the mid-4.5's at the combine. When you're only 5-9 and run in the 4.5's that's not the kind of speed that you want. I thought when he came out maybe a 2 or 3 if he ran good. Now, I'm thinking more of a 3-4. In the fourth round, he's a decent pick.

Mel Kiper

  (2:00 PM)

We covered a lot of bases today. The new first round projection will be up tomorrow and I'll be talking about it all day on ESPN. Every Tuesday, there is a podcast with me and Todd McShay called the First Draft.