Steve Muench

  (2:05 PM)

I hope everyone is doing well and ready to go cause we are just one short week away from go time. With that in mind let's get this chat going.

Houston

what do you think about vick plaing for the texans

Steve Muench

  (2:06 PM)

Way too early to talk about Vick.

Chris (Philly)

Do the Eagles really need to get a RB in the 1st round like all the mock draft project or could they wait for the 2nd round and get Rashad Jennings? I heard that Jennings could be just as good, or better, than Moreno, Wells, and McCoy will be.

Steve Muench

  (2:08 PM)

No I don't think they need to take a running back in the first. I think they need a receiver and are hoping that one of the top four tackles slides to them at 21. So a running back in the second makes sense. That said, Jennings is a notch below Moreno, Wells, Brown and McCoy.

Stu (Denver)

What are the chances of Denver hitting the trifecta of Raji, Jackson/Jerry, Brace?

Steve Muench

  (2:10 PM)

I think they can get Jackson and Brace, which would be great for them. But I also think that Raji will be gone by pick 12.

King (Howell, NJ)

Do you think the Bengals would pass on Crabtree if he's there at 6 and take a chance on Andre Smith (assuming Monroe & Jason Smith are gone)?

Steve Muench

  (2:12 PM)

The Bengals need help at tackle and Andre Smith has bounced back on a lot of boards so i'd be lying if I said no but I'd also be lying if I said it would be the right move. Crabtree is the better value there and getting him helps fill a need.

Matt: (Cleveland)

Assuming this Braylon trade to the NYG happens, would the Browns be crazy to pull the trigger before they've selected Crabtree?

Steve Muench

  (2:13 PM)

Braylon Edwards is an amazing talent but it hasn't worked out in Cleveland so I think they trade him regardless.

Chris (Broadview Heights, OH)

If the Browns deal Brady Quinn, do you think they might consider targeting Mark Sanchez at #5? I've heard the Browns internal brass is really impressed with his skill set, but do you think that could be smoke to create a trading partner?

Steve Muench

  (2:15 PM)

McShay now has Sanchez going No. 4 and the rumor is Seattle really likes him so this may be a moot point. That said, maybe Seattle is playing games with Cleveland who is playing games with the Jets. No one really knows at this point but I do think Sanchez' stock is going up at the right time.

Danny(Philly)

Eagles wont need a tackle to fall because they just traded for Jason Peters. Used number 28 to get him plus other picks.

Steve Muench

  (2:18 PM)

Nice work Danny and you are right. Late breaking news so sorry about that everyone. Now I think they look at receivers in the first and backs in the second.

Shiva (Boston, Ma)

The Patriots have 11 draft picks, but do not have that many open spots on their roster. Do you have SPECIFIC information on what the patriots might do in terms of trades in the draft? Will they try to consolidate to a few high picks this year or will they trade for picks next year? And do you see them trading up in the first round at all (bad decision I think)?

Steve Muench

  (2:21 PM)

it's a great point Shiva and I think the Pats could be involved in numerous trades because they have the firepower and they have been involved in plenty of draft weekend trades in the past. As far as possibilities, it's too early to tell because we don't if anyone is going to slide to them. I also doubt they try to acquire another first though it's not out of the question.

Jack (Toronto)

Baron Von Muenchausen, now that the Bears have their QB and no first round pick, what are they realistically looking at in the mid-second round?

Steve Muench

  (2:23 PM)

If Brian Robiskie is available at 49 then I think they have to take him. The Bears need help at receiver and he's as NFL ready as they come.

Jerry (Cleveland, Ohio)

Do you think Michael Crabtree would make an immediate impact in the NFL? Will he be able to dominate like he did in college?

Steve Muench

  (2:24 PM)

I think he makes an immediate impact but he isn't going to dominate like he did at the collegiate level.

Matt (Philly)

Any chance at all left the eagles use their other first round pick to trade for Anquan Boldin or maybe Edwards?

Steve Muench

  (2:27 PM)

Yes because they can still find good value at running back in the second round and they had four fifth round picks at the start of today so they have the firepower.

Jeff, Mpls

Can you explain something. A lot of people, including yourself, say that Robiskie is one of the most NFL ready receivers available, so why will he be a second round pick?

Steve Muench

  (2:28 PM)

He doesn't have as much upside as a Crabtree or a Maclin.

Sam (Pittsburgh PA)

I am in the minority that believes the steelers need help in the draft by targeting a WR. No knock on Sweed but he is not an ideal slot guy, any chance they look at Harvin or Heyward-Bey, assuming they trade up or they fall to them?

Steve Muench

  (2:29 PM)

Again there's always a chance but I would be surprised if they didn't address the offensive line in the first.

Bo (Honolulu, HI)

Assuming Crabtree is gone, who does Al Davis take: Maclin, Andre Smith, or BJ Raji(assuming all are available of course)? And who would YOU take?

Steve Muench

  (2:30 PM)

I think he takes Maclin because of his speed.

Steve Muench

  (2:33 PM)

I love when my comp freezes. Sorry about that.

RJ (Pittsburgh)

If Vontae Davis didn't have character concerns, where would he go? Where will he actually go?

Steve Muench

  (2:36 PM)

He would be a good value in the top five picks if he didn't have so many questions regarding his work ethic. That said, corner back isn't a pressing need for most of the top 10 teams. As it stand now, I think he comes off the board during the second half of the first round.

Sam (Pittsburgh PA)

If the Steelers do go Oline do you have any predictions? I have seen Wood penciled in there by Kiper despite the fact he has Unger and Mack rated higher. Why would the Steelers go after Wood instead?

Steve Muench

  (2:37 PM)

I don't know but I think mack makes the most sense and Unger is clearly my second option as well.

Anthony (NYC)

Steve I've notice that in a couple of current mock drafts that Vontae Davis has fallen to the 2nd rd, has it really been that bad lately for him? Are his character issuses that big of an albatross?

Steve Muench

  (2:39 PM)

Like I said a second ago, team needs may cause him to drop more than he would other years but yes there is a chance he falls out of the first round. In addition, teams can deal with a young man making a mistake off the field but it's tough to justify drafting a player that has a reputation for not making the most of his awesome natural ability is tough to justify.

Brandon (Bellevue, WA)

Curry might the safest pick but is ANY LB worthy of a top 5 pick? It seems to me that LBs are the easiest position on Defense to get good return on marginal investment. Shouldn't you try and upgrade a position that is harder to fill and will give you a much higher comparative return; like a DT, OT, QB, WR or DE? This idea is of course defunct if we are talking about an OLB in a 3-4 who rushes the passer but Curry isn't that player. I just can't see the value and if a team does pull the trigger on him in the top 5 shouldn't they be labeled a chicken?

Steve Muench

  (2:43 PM)

I'm not sure that linebacker is the easiest position. Interior offensive linemen? Additionally do you think that Jerod Mayo and Patrick Willis were poor picks? Both play inside in a 3-4 and they have been nothing short of spectacular. So if you want to call the team that takes Curry a chicken that's up to you but I'll call them smart.

Dustin (philly)

How does the Jason Peters trade change the Eagles draft strategy?

Steve Muench

  (2:44 PM)

It's almost as if they drafted an offensive tackle at 28 so that's no longer a need. Now they need to turn their attentions to receiver and running back.

Sean (TR NJ)

Ok you left me no choice I guess lol Do you really think the Dolphins take a wideout with their first pick? Don't they need defense? Who would you take?

Steve Muench

  (2:46 PM)

A lot will depend on value when they pick and they need a receiver but corner back is a more pressing need in my opinion.

John T (Eagan, MN)

But Mayo and Willis weren't top 5 picks. 10th and 11th. Isn't that the point?

Steve Muench

  (2:49 PM)

I'm not being clear enough so thanks for the follow up. While they came off the board at 10 or 11, they have certianly produced like top five picks and we rate Curry higher than we rated either one of them. meanwhile, Gholston who most teams saw as that rare athletic 3-4 OLB went No. 6 and has been a complete disappointment thus far.

Duncan (OKC)

Parcells (and thus Sparano) are notorious for not tolerating underachievers thus making Ronnie Brown return kickoffs in preseason and de-activating Earnest Wilford for most of the season. Would they take a shot on Davis if he were available at 25?

Steve Muench

  (2:51 PM)

He's going to be tough to pass over that late in the first round but they won't take if they don;t think he'll work so I'm sure their interviews with him have been extensive and intense.

Joseph (Ft Worth)

Unless a RB is really, really special (AP, Barry Sanders) do you think we have seen the last of the top 10 RBs? Looking at the success rates compared to success rates in finding guys on the second day, it just does not seem worth it to pass on other talent. For example, don't you think the Dolphins wish they had Braylon Edwards instead of Ronnie Brown (not a bad player, but easier to replace than a top WR).

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

The NFL is a trendy league and I think we are seeing teams move away from top 10 RBs but it's important not to get caught up in the trend. if you decided to pass on a Barry Sanders just because you think you can a "good back" in the second or later in the first it could come back to haunt you. In other words, put trends in the right perspective.

Sean (Philly)

Who do you like better for the Eagles, Moreno or Brown? The Eagles don't have time for WR's to develop, so I would rather draft one of those two and sign a guy like Holt or even trade for 85. Do the Eagles have an 85 on the team right now?

Steve Muench

  (2:57 PM)

You know players will often try to buy their number if they sign with a new team and a player already has the number. Can you imagine how much you could get for 85 from Ocho Cinco? Talk about leverage. That said, I really like Brown but I like Moreno a little bit more.

Danny(Philly)

Not sucking up to you Muench, but Espn needs to add you to the draft throwdown on tv. You are the man.

Steve Muench

  (2:58 PM)

I don't currently have East Coast or West Coast representation per say so we'll see... but thanks for the props.

The Wolf (Cleveland)

Since the Browns have not replaced Sean Jones with another quality starter. Which Safety do you think they will pick?

Steve Muench

  (2:59 PM)

I wrote something on middle round values in the second round and I talk about Clemson's Chris Clemons going to New Orleans but I also think he would fit well in Cleveland. Not the flashiest player but he's effective and he's got loads of upside.

Anthony (NYC)

Why is Rey Malauguna rated higher than James Laurinaitis? Rey has been predicted to be a 2 down ILB who lacks coverage skills, but James can play all 3 downs & is capable of playing in coverage.

Steve Muench

  (3:02 PM)

My biggest concerns with Laurinaitis is his ability to get off blocks. he's relentless and he fights to the whistle but he's more effective slipping blocks than he stacking and shedding in my opinion. The other issue is Laurinaitis' combine workout and how it affected team's perceptions of his role in their respective schemes.

Trent (aka Double Down)

East/West Coast representation - Swingers reference?

Steve Muench

  (3:02 PM)

I guess we're not in Kansas any more.

alex (racine wisconsin)

will the loins pass on mattew stafford

Steve Muench

  (3:03 PM)

A lot depends on those contract negotiations. I think if they can come to an agreement then the Lions take Stafford.

Jason (philly)

After the trade for peters, in your honest opinion do you see the birds drafting a wideout at 21 or trade for a veteran?

Steve Muench

  (3:05 PM)

The trade makes more sense to be they are still in position to get it done and McNabb is an aging quarterback. I also think that Boldin would be a good fit in that scheme. There are of course a few hurdles though and tops amongst them will likely be the Cardinals not wanting to deal him to an NFC team.

Steve Muench

  (3:07 PM)

That's it for this week. Thanks for all the great posts and I will talk to you soon. Take care.