NFL Mocks Attends the TXN Sports NFL Draft Conference Call

You will see a similar report over at our brother (never understood why we call it sister, so trying something new) site With the First Pick, where both Larry and I were able to listen in on the TXN Sports NFL Draft Conference call. The call featured NFL experts and TV personalities Cris Collinsworth, Howie Long, and Boomer Esiason.

I was the second-to-last caller to get to voice my questions to the esteemed panel, and I asked them two questions. One regarded a comment by Collinsworth, who said that if you like seeing quarterbacks get drafted, it could be boring to watch. This obviously goes against the recent hype that up to six or seven quarterbacks (Newton, Gabbert, Locker, Ponder, Mallett, Dalton, Kaepernick) could ALL go in the first round. I asked them if they thought there was still that possibility.

I also asked the panel what they thought about Alabama running back and former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, whose stock is one of the hardest to place. I also gathered some quotes from other questions that I deemed important, so here is a transcript (courtesy of Larry at With the First Pick).

NFL Mocks Transcriptions:

• Cris Collinsworth: “If I had to take a QB in the top 10, I would take Gabbert. Wouldn’t take any if I didn’t have to.”

I have to say, I pretty much agree with this, though I would take Cam Newton if the price was right. I think Newton has tremendous upside, and I think he has the most “star power” of any player in this year’s draft. He’s further developed in my opinion than Vince Young was coming out, so I would take Newton with a top ten pick, but he has question marks for sure.

• Boomer Esiason: :Gabbert would be good fit for the Bengals, but will have to be a better player than advertised b/c of lack of support.”

This is a fine observation. The Bengals could be losing Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, and Cedric Benson this offseason. What once appeared to be a potent offensive attack led by Carson Palmer now appears to have the potential to be a major disaster.

• Howie Long: “The rookie cap will cut numbers like Sam Bradford’s pretty short.”

Grass is also green, sometimes brown, and a yellowish type. Just kidding, Howie. He had other things to say about the rookie wage scale, but he is right about this. This could have a huge impact on trades atop the draft.

• Howie Long: “There aren’t any Sam Bradford’s out there right now. There may be one in middle school right now.”

Totally agreed, though I don’t know about the middle school thing…

• Cris Collinsworth: “Wouldn’t surprise me if 75% of first round goes to defense.”

Wouldn’t surprise me at all either. This is a very talented draft defensively.

• Cris Collinsworth: “I personally think Von Miller is the most talented player in this draft…Marcell Dareus probably the highest pick.”

I think Patrick Peterson is more talented than Von Miller. I don’t really know how to elaborate on this.

• Cris Collinsworth: “If you like quarterbacks, the draft is going to be boring for you to watch.”

This was the comment I questioned when I got to voice my opinion.

• Howie Long: “There are no Ndamukong Suh’s in this draft, but if I had to pick one of these guys to trust, I’m calling M. Dareus.”

That is typical right now. Dareus seems like the cleaner prospect, but watch the Gruden camp with Nick Fairley and tell me you don’t like the guy.

• Cris Collinsworth: “You’re essentially going to get some half-price quarterbacks in the first round.”
• Boomer Esiason: “No disrespect to Mark Ingram, but the RB position has been De-emphasized.”

This was in response to my question about Ingram, and he is 100 percent right. I feel the same way, which is why some team is going to be getting a major steal in Mikel LeShoure in the second round. That could be a Clinton Portis type of coup for some team. He is going to be great.

• Cris Collinsworth: “AJ Green is phenomenal. Everything you could possibly want.”

I disagree. I don’t think Green has as many physical tools as a Calvin Johnson or Andre Johnson, and I think he has some injury questions.

WTFP Transcriptions:

• Cris Collinsworth: “I wouldn’t take any of the Quarterbacks in the top 10″
• Cris Collinsworth: “If you have a lot of “Rich Bums” in your locker room, you’ve got major issues as a team.”
• Boomer Esiason: “Carson Palmer has checked out of the Cincinnati hotel…I feel for him.”
• Cris Collinsworth: “Von Miller is the most talented guy in this draft.”
• Cris Colinsworth: “Nick Fairley is one of those edgy Warren Sapp kind of guys you’d love to have on your team.”
• Howie Long: “If I had to pick between Dareus and Faireley, I’m going Dareus.”
• Boomer Esiason: “I think there is a possibility that 6 QB’s can go in round 1…Teams are looking for that next Brady”
• Howie Long: “I think teams are going to reach for Quarterbacks and Tackles in the first round.”
• Howie Long: “I think New England will be a good fit for Mark Ingram.”
• Cris Collinsworth: “I haven’t talked to anyone who likes Julio Jones better than AJ Green. Green is phenomenal.”
• Cris Collinsworth: “Julio Jones and AJ Green are at a dead heat for me.”

Thanks again to TXN Sports for having us on, it was truly a pleasure!