WalterFootball.com: 2009 NFL Mock Draft, January 8

I'm trying to hold off on some more positional reviews for a time, because we're kind of flying through them really quickly. So since y'all like talking draft, let's discuss the latest Bills projection from my favorite Draft website, WalterFootball.com. Buffalo's three picks:

1-11: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
2-42: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas
3-75: Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina

I know that I, personally, would not be at all displeased with that development.

10 months ago Brian Galliford 54 comments 0 recs |

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The more mocks I see the more I am convinced that waiting till round 2 and picking up the best available center seems like the best idea. Luigs should be there and I don’t think he is THAT much worse then Mack, if at all.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Jan 8, 2009 10:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

As much as I have lobbied for Mack, I certainly think that taking him at 11 would be too high. I really don’t trust OBD to trade down so I guess I have to come to grips with the fact that we will be drafting Unger or Luigs and I think I would prefer Luigs. And you make a good point when you say how much worse can he be? At least we’d be getting a top-rated Center (albeit not the best one on the board)

Given that I now accept that we won’t move from 11, I am OK with taking the best chance at a difference maker. I still think that DE is a bigger need than TE but Jermaine Gresham does look like a game changer. So I guess I’d be OK with Gresham or Orakpo at #11

This Mock doesn’t have Gresham so it looks like it excludes the un-declared juniors.

BEAST MODE, During the week plan on it & on game day thrive on it!
GO BILLS!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Jan 8, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

i was looking for him. Watch Gresham tonight. The only issue I have with Gresham, is that OU runs a spread, so he gets a free release most times, so he can run his routes generally in space. In the NFL that won’t be the case. But there is no denying his athletic ability and pass-catching ability. However, Chase Coffman is starting to grow on me as well. But Gresham is by far the most gifted TE in this draft

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 8, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

honestly

is there a reason you prefer Luigs to Unger? What is everyone basing their judgment on that Luigs is not that much worse than Mack? It seems to me that just because the position is offensive line, and we don’t get to see them flying around the field making plays, we are more willing to assume there is not that much of a difference between a guy the “experts” are saying is the best at his position in 15 YEARS and a guy who they are saying is simply the type of great center prospect you find in the draft every year.

Personally, I would rather draft the guy who is the gold standard for rookie prospects at this position for the decade early then take the 2nd or 3rd best defensive end this year where they “should” go

Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.

by poz on Jan 8, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hear you, I've been on the Mack train for a while now..

But reaching for him at 11 is quite high, there is really no need to get him so high because the only real competition for a stud center seems to be Pittsburg. So if we could trade down and get more picks (which would be my prefered choice) or pick a guy like Grisham at 11 and then trade back up for Mack in the low twenties, which would be my second choice. These two options assume that we don’t get a guy like Saturday or Birk in FA.

If those two options do not materialize then picking a guy like Luigs is much better than what our “Inner Circle” did last year.. (ie not draft any center at all!)

BEAST MODE, During the week plan on it & on game day thrive on it!
GO BILLS!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Jan 8, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lets

just hope Modrak really does have a big time voice this year. If he does, I truly believe not just the first few picks will be better, but I believe the ability to get better mid round players will happen. They have tried to get a 3rd RB for 2 years. I hope to God they don’t try again cuz they suck at drafting late round RB’s.

The problem with trading from #11 is you don’t get a real nice playmaker like a DE or TE. I don’t think Buffalo likes trading out, because they target 2 guys every year in this regime and i doubt this year will be any different

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 8, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

More likely to trade back up

ala Poz and McCargo than trade down. They target a DE or TE at 11 and trade back into the first round to get their Center possibly.

by MattRichWarren on Jan 8, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hear you

and if I was pulling the trigger, it would be Mack. I would trade down if I could, but if not it would still be Mack. Being realistic about OBD however, I would say we have about a 5% chance of drafting Mack at #11.

"The Bills have no playoff aspirations"

by Joe P. on Jan 8, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

And from what I think I know of Modrak, I’d be surprised if he passes up Grisham (if he’s on the board at 11).

In a perfect world, OBD would crack open their checkbook and pickup Suggs in the off season. Then draft Grisham and find a way to trade back into the 1st round to get Mack.

BEAST MODE, During the week plan on it & on game day thrive on it!
GO BILLS!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Jan 8, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what would you guys be willing to give up to trade back up?

I’m assuming we’d probably lose our 2nd and maybe a 4th or 5th? I could be completely off of course

Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.

by poz on Jan 8, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you remember what we gave up for McCargo ? or Poz ?

BEAST MODE, During the week plan on it & on game day thrive on it!
GO BILLS!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Jan 8, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no i dont

thats why I was asking, I cant recall either

Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.

by poz on Jan 8, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Both times it was second and third round picks.

We gave up #40-something and #70-something to get to #26 to land McCargo.
We gave up #43 and #74 to get Poz at #34, then used our extra 3rd from Baltimore (McGahee deal) – #92 – to grab Edwards.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Jan 8, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i would be more than willing to accept a scenario

in which we:

1.) re-sign Crowell
2.) Draft Gresham
3.) trade a 2/3 for rd. 1 to draft Mack
4.) sign Bertrand Berry

1.) re-sign Crowell
2.) sign Matt Birk (who reportedly is receiving no interest from the Vikes)
3.) draft Orakpo rd 1
4.) draft Coffman rd 2

Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.

by poz on Jan 8, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your #2 is much better

We could also sign Berry there no problem. Again, I will reiterate my thoughts, but Berry is not a guy to sign and say we’re done with the DE problem. He’s a stop gap that would enable us to cut ties w/Kelsay. Nothing more. Birk could be here for 5 years or so, and would really give us better options for our draft if we were to pick him up….

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 8, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am worried about why the Vikes are not willing to resign Birk

He is has been a great center, good citizen, and a local boy. He seems like a player you would make an effort to resign.

"The Bills have no playoff aspirations"

by Joe P. on Jan 8, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

a guy the "experts" are saying is the best at his position in 15 YEARS

Which credible “expert” is actually saying that? A lot of people were talking like that about Mack last offseason that he could be the best center prospect in a decade and similiar things, but that stuff is always exagerrated when the draft is so far away and I havn’t seen any scout say anything like that recently. I am also willing to bet that as the draft approaches you will hear fewer and fewer comments about how truly special Mack is.

A lot of what makes Mack special is that he excels at pretty much everything and if you watch Cal play, they really use him in every way possible. Cal uses some zone blocking schemes where Mack is cutting guys which Buffalo doesn’t do with the OL. I only watched 2 Cal games this year, but from what I saw, on about 70% of non-short yardage run plays Cal gets Mack to the 2nd level which is another thing that Buffalo rarely does. Typically when Mack does take on guys one on one he is usually asked to turn a DT away from the run play, which he was pretty fantastic at from what I saw of him, but that stuff doesn’t work when you run up the middle. From what I can tell, Mack is rarely asked to take on DTs one on one and drive them straight backwards to open up lanes and while he is really good at it, he doesn’t stand out too much from Unger and Luigs who are at their best when taking on DTs one on one. That is where I end up with the thinking that Mack is better, maybe even considerably better the other top centers, but he isn’t this obvious superstar in waiting that is leaps and bounds better than Luigs and Unger.

by kaisertown on Jan 8, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good insight kaiser

and very useful stuff to consider. It would seem to be that you are implying that in regards to facing the NTs of a 3-4 one on one, Mack is not that far superior to Luigs and Unger. Is this a correct inference?

I am also willing to bet that as the draft approaches you will hear fewer and fewer comments about how truly special Mack is.

This is intriguing because I have started to wonder myself if Mack wouldn’t drop to the second round by draft day so that we would only have to trade up a few slots if we wanted to pursue him rather than trade up into a higher round. What do you think of this possibility?

Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.

by poz on Jan 8, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

facing the NTs of a 3-4 one on one, Mack is not that far superior to Luigs and Unger.

Yeah, that is my logic. It’s half the 3-4 thing and half the scheme that Buffalo uses which just lines up the big boys and tries to push the DL back. Mack is certainly better than those guys, but he isn’t that much better at power blocking.

I think its too soon to tell where Mack will be drafted. Pittsburg in the first is an obvious option, but they have needs at guard and tackle too so they could take a sliding tackle (there’s gotta be one with 5 or so first round guys in this years draft) or Duke Robinson if they like him more than Mack. Max Starks, Marvel Smith, Chris Kemoeatu and Trai Essex are all average players AND potential free agents so we will have to watch that situation closely. Aaron Smith, Travis Kirschke and Brett Keisel are all on the wrong side of 30 and maybe they fall in love with Tyson Jackson or something too. There is a good chance that center ends up pretty far down the steeler wish list.

Arizona could definitely use a center. They also have a number of potential free agents in Antonio Smith, Bertrand Berry, Karlos Dansby, Eric Green and 4 or 5 backups. Defensive end or linebacker could easily jump center as their biggest need if Berry or Dansby leave. I doubt they would CB two years in a row, but it would have to be an option if both Green and Ralph Brown find new teams. RB has to be considered too with Edge a lock to leave and Hightower being a pretty average player.

Minnesota, Baltimore and Indy become late first options if they lose their pro bowlers.

I don’t but that Philly would look to replace Jamaal Jackson, especially with a first round pick. I think Atlanta has too many needs to consider replacing McClure as well.

It’s too early to tell if Mack gets drafted in the first round, but it doesn’t look like he will last too long in the second round. With Detroit, KC, St. Loius, Cincinatti and Jacksonville (if Meester leaves) all picking before Buffalo it seems like a certainty that they would have to move up to grab him. But, Detroit has a startable center and a million other spots to upgrade and KC has been really successful running the ball this year and also has more than a few needs. If STL and/or Cinci upgrade the position during FA, then it isn’t crazy to think the Bills could stand pat and grab Mack. That would require a world of luck though.

by kaisertown on Jan 8, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They could stand pat and pick up one of their top three certainly

nice job kaiser

by MattRichWarren on Jan 8, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Indy drafted 3 centers last year

I’m sure they were anticipating this year. I doubt that they would draft another center again this year.

BEAST MODE, During the week plan on it & on game day thrive on it!
GO BILLS!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Jan 8, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good stuff

thanks for that!

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 8, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s just one mans opinion.

by kaisertown on Jan 8, 2009 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The gold standard for rookie prospects? That’s according to a few internet draftniks, right? Doesn’t mean the NFL personnel evaluators feel the same way, though it’s possible that they might…

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 8, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yea

every site I’ve been to from the big guys (ESPN, sporting new, etc etc) to all the random little sites are rambling about him being the greatest center since the early 90s. That has to mean something right? Unless they are all basing this information on one source and its spreading like some high school make out rumor

Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.

by poz on Jan 8, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is that why many have him a 2nd round pick, or even some behind Luigs/Unger????

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 8, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve seen him as a second rounder but behind Luigs and Unger?? Where have you seen that?

Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.

by poz on Jan 8, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

National Football Post, for starters. They have him as the third center behind Unger and Luigs, and the 75th overall prospect in the nation currently.

It’s just one opinion, but it’s a solid one. Lombardi and his crew know what they’re doing.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Jan 8, 2009 8:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's perfect!

So we have a chance in round 2 !!

BEAST MODE, During the week plan on it & on game day thrive on it!
GO BILLS!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Jan 8, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well

I hate to see my TE fall to the 3rd round, but I could live with Cook although I hate to take such a raw “project.” But he is a guy I really have my eye on because of his freakish athletic ability.

I keep seeing Orakpo in the top 5-8 in a ton of mocks, so I’m a little weary of him even being considered at #11, but I guess there is a possibility. Kurupt’s boy Everette Brown seems to be more likely.

Of course all of this depends on FA, which btw, March 1st can’t come soon enough. I loved a couple year ago when we got Dock and Walker right away. I still don’t think those were bad signings. We had to get OL help and they really have provided a huge upswing in overall OL play even if they didn’t play great last year

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 8, 2009 10:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think free agency actually starts February 27 this year… could be wrong though.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Jan 8, 2009 10:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would be happy with this draft

Luigs is not a bad consolation prize. Even if Mack had “value” at #11, I doubt the Bills would actually have Mack as the top man on their board. If they valued center that much we would not have had to play Foul and Fowler this season.

"The Bills have no playoff aspirations"

by Joe P. on Jan 8, 2009 10:21 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd

That was pretty funny.

by Ron From NM on Jan 8, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks,

I have to admit, I made myself laugh on that one :-)

"The Bills have no playoff aspirations"

by Joe P. on Jan 8, 2009 10:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i rec'd and laughed too

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 8, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re

yeah I’m just used to march 1. Feb 28 looks right cuz its at midnight on a saturday. So i Think its at the stroke of midnight Eastern time on FEB 28

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 8, 2009 10:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I remember it being at the stroke of midnight on a Friday last year, because I distinctly remember taking my laptop to classes and generally blowing my academics off to follow it. Maybe I’m just dreaming, though…

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Jan 8, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm

it was fri at 12:01. I assume it would be the same then this year. Fri Feb 27

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 8, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldnt mind this draft but I still dont think taking a DE at 11 is worth it in my opinion

none of the “top” DE’s impress me much

12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 8, 2009 10:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

where’s Bruce Smith’s son? ;)

Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider

by J2 on Jan 8, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Okrapo

is a freaking beast. The boy is horrifying.

John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Jan 8, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Changing my mind

I was ALL for taking Mack @ 11. Yes, I realize it’s a Center and 11 is a very high pick for a C, but looking at long term and the value he could provide for the Bills for many years to come, I thought I had a good argument to go that way. I’m just not so sure any longer. I guess by grabbing the BPA (DE possibly – as stated here) @ #11, then we can go for the next best C in the draft w/ our next pick. The only problem I have there is how do we address the TE position then w/o moving up? Yes, there is FA, but what will they target there?

That being said, and also realizing other clear GLARING needs on this roster, I can’t argue w/ the mock draft presented here. We NEED a pass rush desperatley. It will surely improve our entire ‘D’ overall.

I guess we’ll all have a a much better handle on this once FA begins and we see what/who the Bills target and who they might sign. It’s all premature to forecast anything right now being how early it is. It’s only the 2nd round of the PO’s this up-coming weekend. Unfortunaltey, it’s the Bills PO season as is eveidenced right here!

Season Ticket Holder Sec: 312, Row: 15
"There's NO place like home when it's the Big Tree Inn"

by Pocono Bob on Jan 8, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sold

on Orakpo at this point. I didn’t see much from him in the OU game and the only other game I really saw was against Oklahoma. He did well against Loadholt but Loadholt is a statue and doesn’t project as a left tackle in the bigs.
I did see Mack in the Miami game and what I saw was probably the most technically sound college center in a long time. #11 is high for a center so it’s either trade back and hope to land Mack or stay put and;
man I hate to admit it but I have to go with Brian and say Gresham if we stay at 11. impact TE would would help Trent out immediately.
I will say my perferred choice is Aaron Curry but he will be long gone by #11.

by gatornation on Jan 8, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They pretty much nailed...

…our three biggest draft needs this year.

That’s about all you can ask for from a mock this early.

God, I love draft season.

by nickfeely8 on Jan 8, 2009 1:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

As a Bills fan you BETTER like draft season

It’s the most consistently exciting part around here :)

by Frank L on Jan 8, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

why is everyone ignoring brown

everett brown for 1rst round pick, i think hes better than orakpo, and getting mack at 11 is too high, sorry.

i like luigs too, altho not as much as mack, i think the best thing is trade later round picks for gettin mack in first round after our initial 11 pick. easy to get a pretty good TE in third round, afterall im not completely sold that fine cant step up next year barring further injury, that and the fact there are some FA out there at TE pos.

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jan 8, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nobody is ignoring him

THere was a headline link on a couple of days ago when he declared.

by MattRichWarren on Jan 9, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This may sound crazy, but...

Maybe the Bills should look into getting a Top 5 QB with pick number 1. Trent showed weaknesses last year and if the Bills got an upgrade at QB, maybe a Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco type QB could be theirs. Trent would definately be an awesome back up to a guy like that and would satisfy the back-up need too. A first-round QB such as Sanchez, or Bradford, or Tebow might be able to find Lee Evans open and be able to get him the ball deep. Like I said before, it may sound crazy, but this team does need some radical changes, so its not completely out of the question.

by JTM1023 on Jan 8, 2009 5:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t understand what you mean by “Top 5 QB”. All of the QB prospects this year are pretty average, if you ask me, and it’s still THE BIGGEST gamble one can take in the NFL to entrust your franchise to a rookie QB.

We did that once with Edwards. We gave the reins to him when he was a rookie. Injury issues and playing issues aside, for once, the Bills actually need to figure out what they have in a quarterback, rather than flip-flopping them out of the lineup like flapjacks.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Jan 8, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Top 5

Meaning one of the first 5 qb’s drafted. Last year gave the NFL 2 stars out of these picks. Going back a couple years though has proven your point to me. Not too many viable QB’s out there with the exception of maybe Jay Cutler. This years draft could produce Bradford, Stafford, Sanchez, McCoy and Tebow as possible starters in the future.

by JTM1023 on Jan 9, 2009 7:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tebow would be lucky to get drafted in the top three rounds....

let alone be one of the top 3 QBs.

by MattRichWarren on Jan 9, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny thing is, if Tebow were willing to play a FB, TE, H-Back, trick play/wildcat, slot receiver, 3rd QB type of role for a team, I would seriously draft the guy in the second round and I would want him so bad that I would be worried that someone would grab him first. As a QB, I wouldn’t draft him on day 1 in a million years.

by kaisertown on Jan 9, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It would be a good scenario. I think OBD would go for Unger at #42 if he is still there (assuming the Big Mack is gone ;). And if we land Jared Cook at #75 that would be the icing on the cake. Orakpo needs to learn more moves. But he’ll be a god one.

everything goes better with a BIG MACK

by keuka121 on Jan 8, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs