POD Community Mock Draft: Pick No. 12
by Sean Yuille on Apr 7, 2009 6:00 PM EDT
in NFL Draft
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With the twelfth pick of the 2009 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Denver Broncos select Southern Cal linebacker Rey Maualuga.
Here is tricks318's reasoning for the pick:
It's a tough call, but I gotta go with Rey Maualuga here. The Bronco's biggest need, one that is painfully obvious to anyone who watched them last year, is the run defense. They have been trying different quick fixes for the past few years, and despite changing defensive coordinators just about every year, none of them worked. The new coach, McDaniels, has announced that the team will be transitioning to a 3-4 defense, meaning getting in new players will be even more important. First priority for me would be a big time NT, but with Raji off the board, there aren't any that won't be there later. With Tyson Jackson already gone, there really isn't anyone left to play DE either.
That leaves me with either a linebacker, or a secondary player. In my opinion, the best player in the secondary for this entire class is still here, Malcolm Jenkins, and he could fill in at either CB or one of the safety spots, but Denver brought in Dawkins to help with the secondary, and Bailey is still a good enough corner to hold off on a CB. So, I'm thinking its going to end up being a linebacker, and there are really only 2 that I know won't be there by my next pick, Everette Brown, and Rey Maualuga. Brown played DE in college but is undersized for that in the NFL and could end up as a Lamar Woodley type in a 3-4 defense, and I was leaning towards him at first, but Denver already has a "tweener" type DE/OLB they drafted a few years back in Jarvis Moss, and they don't have anyone who can play the Strongside Inside LB, which is where Maualuga comes in.
Maualuga is a big boy, he played his final season at USC at around 250, a good 15 or so pounds lighter than he was the previous year. Despite his size, he moves incredibly well, and is actually above average in pass coverage. The biggest thing about Maualuga, and the thing that sold me, is the physicality which he plays with. Youtube his name and you'll find video after video of him KO'ing Qb's and blowing Rb's off their feet. It's not the same as a dominant nosetackle, but Maualuga's physicality can draw attention off of the other LB I presume will be playing next to him, DJ Williams, who is incredibly fast but cannot shed blocks. Maualuga is a unique talent, a big, physical linebacker who can engage interior lineman but also drop back and cover tight ends. That doesn't come around very often, and you can't pass up possibly building your defense around him.
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Thats exactly why i voted no
:)
Whether it be this year, next year, or 50 years from now. The Detroit Lions will eventually win a Super Bowl............I f'n hope.
If trades were allowed
I would’ve drafted Sanchez at 9 and held him hostage for Denvers picks. Kinda like punishing them for trading Cutler to the NFC North
the punisher or the punished?
Tricks318, I think Maualuga is a great LB, but he will be on the field waaaaaaay too much if Orton stays QB. Good luck w/ that. Nary a word about Sanchez? Ouch.
Rollah on You Bears
My logic against a Qb
Is that they were lucky to go 8-8 last year with a Pro-Bowl Qb, how is a rookie going to help them? I don’t doubt that Sanchez could be succesful, especially put in a situation as good as Denver’s. They need to focus the big guns on defense first.
Plus, the general feeling at Mile High Report was very anti-QB, and I think that McDaniels and Xavier think they can find another Matt Cassel, a QB they can draft late that not many people are high on, coach him up, and plug him into a good situation.
Good logic
Hard to argue. They can plug a good Qb in next year. Plus, their coach can probably make ol’ neckbeard look better than they could in chicago.
Disagree...
Living out in Denver I have to disagree with this logic. If Sanchez is on the board at #12, Denver will probably run to the podium with the card. The need isn’t for this year as they just traded for Orton and have Simms to back up. The Broncos have not offered Orton an extension or talked new contract because they want to see what comes out of the draft. I think specifically Sanchez.
McDaniels isn’t about finding the late round pick and turning him into a diamond. he is about finding a QB who fits into the kind of offense that he likes to run. A USC QB fits that profile (like Cassel).
Denver is definitely interested in Maualuga but they would be content to wait until #18 to get him there. It’s a good pick just not in the right spot.
No Sanchez
I think the Lion fans past experience with the 1st round QB’s our team picked has the POD draft GM’s nervous about picking one. Ok POD GM’s who has the Kahuuna’s to go after Sanchez? Step up!
by Runnin' Rebel on Apr 7, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions
Good pick
Big guy who hits big and will help the run defence, I see no problems whatsoever.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
A good pick...
but surely at 12, with no trades, no long term QB solution and sanchez still available.. you can probably see where im going with this.
#81
Yes, I think the pick must be Sanchez.
I am repeating myself here. Maybe Sanchez is overrated? I think he is a great value here. I am not a big Orton fan, although I was surprised to see that he is only 26. Still a young guy.
What about Everette Brown at DE? The Broncos had less sacks than Detroit [26 vs 30]. But then Denver allowed 5 yds per rush [OUCH!]. They really need a Nose Tackle. Raji is the guy they would love to have.
I still think it is too early to take Maualuga [don’t worry I don’t want the Lions to take him unless he is at #33] here. But I see the need for defence.
really?
Maualuga is a steal here. He is not a reach and at one time is a TOp 5 pick. The Lions Im sure would be thrilled with him at #20 let alone #33. Altough he isn’t getting to #33, there’s a few teams that would scoop him up long before #33
And while Sanchez I don’t know if is overrated, I kinda don’t know how the hell he is rated right now. But I don’t think the Broncos are getting him. If McDaniels has proven anything, its that he wants to slap his balls on the table and show who’s boss. He wants the crappiest QB possible and use his system to let all know that he’s in charge . Cassel was good, but no where near the talent of Cutler.
I wouldn’t doubt at all if Orton is their QB. I think he has just as much talent as Cassel and McDaniels could very well just use him as his QB.
I know he won't last until #33.
I just don’t think he is worth a top twenty pick. I can’t say I have seen him play, but his lack of college production really bothers me. There are guys who play his position with over 120 tackles in a year. He had 272 tackles in three full years as a starter. About 90 tackles per year. I understand he has all the physical tools, but why isn’t he getting it done? He had nine sacks in four years [none in 2008] and two forced fumbles and five interceptions over those same four years. Maybe there is something in the way USC schemes their defence that cuts back on his totals. But I don’t buy it. How many guys are not productive in college yet are in the pros?
I think I would take Lauriniatis before him and I don’t think a lot of him either.
Ray-Ma
wasn’t productive in college? From what I saw, he was a MLB so sacks are irrelevant. He was an absolute beast in college.
He has bee compared to Junior Seau if he gets switched to OLB or even Ray Lewis if he remains at MLB. The dude is straight up nasty. He was expected to workout like Curry, but he didn’t so now he falls in the draft. I still say that for some guys the workouts are crocks, Ray-Ma is definitely one of them. Curry is still better, but I don’t think Ray is that much of a drop off.
FB he only had 80 tackles a year. Every year.
I was being generous because he had fifty tackles as a frosh when he was not a starter. Two forced fumbles? In three full years and one part year? That does not sound like a hard hitter to me. The sacks don’t concern me as much, because that could be due to the scheme that USC runs.
Ray Lewis had 81 tackles as a frosh, 152 as a soph, and 160 as a junior. Please don’t try and compare Maualuga to Ray Lewis. I could not find Seau’s stats in college but I would be shocked if they are not comparable to Lewis’s. They both were well known for stripping ball carriers too.
Forget the hype. Maualuga looks the part, but has not done the job week in and out.
Ray Lewis didn't
play with future first round picks gobbling up tackles on his outside, as well as 2 safeties that gobbled up tackles too one of whom is gonna be a Top 5 pick (he would have been this year too). The USC DT’s were also very good. Last year Senderkc Ellis was a beast, this year Fili Moala is terribly underrated, he was very good too.
Ray May did NOT just look the part. He was the leader of that defense and legit. COllege stats don’t always equate to NFL stats, especially when the rest of the team is that good.
Ray Lewis may be the greatest MLB to ever play the game. To compare anyone to him is just impossible, it will always end in Lewis’ favor. If Ray-Ma turns our to be 1/2 as good as Ray Lewis, he’ll be a great player.
I don't think Maualuga is a reach at this position
Although, Sanchez is probably the smarter pick since you could probably pick Big rey at #18.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 7, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry not this early and not with Sanchez on the board
They could get their QB with 12 and Mauluga w 18
Its gotta be Sanchez
It wont be anyone else if he is there period. They gave up their franchise QB because they knew they could get Sanchez with the 12th pick. There will be no other choice for the Broncos management to make, Orton wont cut it as their starter. The only reason he was decent in Chi town is because they had a good defense, which they don’t have in the Mile High city. There are plenty of good LBs available in this draft which they would be able to get even at the 18th pick, where Sanchez wont be.
The Bears used to have a good defence. Not any more.
They had less sacks than Detroit and gave up more yards passing. That’s bad. They did well against the run though and were 16th in points scored against.
The problem with Sanchez now Maualuga later
If you pass on Maualuga, there are 2 teams in the picks between 12 and 18 that could take him, the Chargers, who I think he would be a mortal lock for if he fell to 16, and the Jets, who could use him to complement David Harris and really solidify their defense. The Jets are the only threat to take Sanchez, but I think even they might pass on a QB because Ryan wants to make a defense that reflects what he had in Baltimore.
Yes, it is a bit of either or.
Sanchez will go to the Jets at 17. Maualuga may go to either the Redskins at 13 or Chargers at 16. But there may be a chance that they pass.
I'm picking for the Chargers
and Maualuga was high on my draft board, as was Tyson Jackson. All my options are slowly disappearing.
Wishful thinking James.
At #29 the picks I would expect for the Giants are all still available.
I am only worried about too many options.
Forget the sack numbers
This guy has the look as a very good middle linebacker in the league for a long time. He’s like Lofi Tatupu up in Seattle (not just because of the USC connection), except he has even MORE speed and is an overall better prospect. That seems to be working out pretty well for the Seahawks.
For a defense that was a atrocious against the run last year, this would be a perfect pick for the Broncos. I know people want to go quarterback because of the Cutler trade, but Maualuga is the kind of guy that can step in and make a difference from day one.
Cheers,
Matt
www.viewfrommyseats.com
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