By now you've probably read that the Saints and the 49ers have shown interest in Darrell Jackson. It seems unlikely that the Hawks would send D-Jack to a division rival, but I imagine there must be some credence to these rumors so let's try and figure out what this could mean.
The 49ers have the 11th pick. That pick gives them access to any wide receiver not named Calvin Johnson. A move for Jackson would seem to imply that they believe they have more pressing needs than wide receiver, like defensive line for instance. In Mike Nolan's ever unfinished conversion to a 3-4, a player like Alan Branch could effectively fill the Niners need at nose tackle. Therefore, it's doubtful, highly doubtful, that San Francisco would move their first round pick for Jackson, but might move a second and fourth or something along those lines. San Francisco was granted an additional 3rd and 4th round pick, so they could easily shoulder the loss. I think this would be the rare trade that benefits both teams.
Seattle would likely want the Saints' 27th pick of the first round for D-Jack, but Seattle might have to give up a third and fifth round pick in return. This would put us squarely in contention for Greg Olsen or Ben Grubbs. The Saints most pressing need is at cornerback, but Mickey Loomis is probably right in assuming that first round talent at cornerback will not reach him at 27, but a quality second rounder like Mike McCauley, might. The Saints need line depth and secondary depth much more than a superstar talent of any sorts, so you can see how this deal makes sense for them. I'm wary that Seattle would have to give too many picks to make this work, but a chance at that elite late first round talent would be pretty sweet.
I'm a bit higher on Carr than many--he'll need time to recover from the shell shock that came from playing for the Texans for five years, but his ability is still first round quality. Attaining a quarterback of Carr's potential without spending a first round pick is a truly rare opportunity, indeed, and while I wish Seneca Wallace nothing but good things, the team needs to do what is in the best interest of winning. I heartily endorse Seattle making a run at the former first overall pick.
Given a little thought, I decided that I was pretty satisfied with the Beta version of my mock draft, with one exception. I never really liked the Chris Henry pick and a recent injury, or rather surgery, has opened the door for a great value pick whose potential I love. So remove that stiff Henry and insert this name into the third round...
Michael Bush RB: Complications with his leg fracture has the NFL nabobs whispering PUP list in Bush's future, but my little NFL brain is baffled. A fracture of a player's tibia certainly will end his season, but fractures have virtually no lingering effects and in no way portend future injury. In every way, Bush's injury was a fluke event in a stellar player's healthy career. Bush is a beast with monster athleticism and NFL ready skills. He's a dangerous receiver who can be split out in the slot. He could be an asset in pass blocking and could easily be Shaun Alexander's fulltime replacement by 2008. No other player likely to slip to the third round has Bush's incredible potential. His most noteworthy flaw, running upright, is one of the most easily correctable flaws for a rusher. See: Johnson, Larry. The NFL has recently seen Frank Gore and Willis McGahee recover from considerably more serious injuries to emerge as stars, but still Bush slides. Frankly, I would be more worried about Adrian Peterson's injuries, which have been consistent and nagging, than Bush's fractured tibia. If the world goes mad and Bush slides into Seattle's lap in the third, I would be downright prickly if we didn't make the pick.
With Bush in the third, my mock draft is complete.
- Greg Olsen TE
- Marcus McCauley CB/FS
- Michael Bush RB
- Allen Barbre OG
- Brent Curvey DT
- Selvin Young RB/KR
- Dallas Sartz OLB/ST