Smashmouth Football League Articles

1.1 - QB Philip Rivers
With potential suitors for a quarterback trade dropping like flies, GM Cohen finally gives in and selects Rivers due to Roethlisberger's scrambler tendency.

1.2 - QB Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben is the best quarterback in the draft and GM Cook has the APs to change his tendency before he even makes it to Training Camp. No way Cowboys go another year without getting a quality playcaller.

1.3 - OT Tyson Clabo
Jaguars' OT Brett Williams, last year's 5th overall pick, is the only OL in the league anywhere close to Clabo's physical attributes. I don't think Tyler normally takes OL this high, but he loves elite physical players and Clabo won't make it out of the top-10.

1.4 - CB Joey Thomas
Carlos Dansby seems to be the popular choice for GM Richardson's second pick, but I don't think he values the OLB position high enough to take Dansby here while he still has holes at critical positions. Cardinals aren't likely to have many more top-10 picks anytime soon, so Richardson will select a second franchise corner here. Could be Thomas or Gamble, depending on workout, but as it stands right now, Thomas gets the nod.

1.5 - QB Eli Manning
I believe GM Arnold has resolved himself to selecting whichever of the three quarterbacks are still available at this point. In this case it's Eli and Jason is probably just fine with that if it means no more games with Billy Volek as the starter!

1.6 - OLB Karlos Dansby
I don't think GM Barber is ready to go all-in with Leftwich, so if one of the three quarterbacks happen to make it to this pick, I think he jumps on it, deciding what to do with Byron later. Lions are in need of playmakers, and Dansby is a physical freak that would start for the Lions day one in place of Brian Williams. Corner or wide receiver are also possibilities, depending how sold Brad is on David Macklin and Dez White.

1.7 - WR Drew Carter
GM Wintermute won't be able to pass up the opportunity to line up Carter opposite Moss. The fact that the Vikings only have one viable receiver currently on the roster makes this pick a slam dunk. Neal likes his receivers very tall or very fast and Carter is both. This will give NFC North DCs nightmares.

1.8 - HB Steven Jackson
Bears have made it clear that they are moving on from Kevan Barlow, and I don't believe that is because they were convinced that Justin Fargas is the answer. HB Mike Turner has been moving up many draft boards, but I believe Jackson is still the pick.

1.9 - CB Chris Gamble
The Bears' second pick in a row is a little more uncertain. They have a need at OLB, but GM Lachapelle may feel Navies is servicable. Corners with size and 90+ speed are scarce in the SFL, too much so to pass on Gamble here.

1.10 - OL Robert Gallery
The Saints' OL has more holes than swiss cheese, which makes that the likely pick here as long as GM Nathan Jones doesn't feel compelled to draft Nathan Jones. If he is willing to take the time to let him develop, Adrian Jones could be the choice, but Gallery is more ready to play at this point.

1.11 - CB Nathan Jones
The Bengals currently only have one starting-caliber corner on their roster. Granted, they may have addressed the position in free agency. But even if they signed one they could use another. There are a few similar choices here, which makes Jones' speed and acceleration stick out even more.

1.12 - WR Roy Williams
Earlier tonight the Bills surprised everyone with the release of veteran WR Eric Moulds. That means journeyman James Thrash - out of football in 2002 - is the team's top receiver. Roy Williams has a lot of similarities to Moulds who flourished for the Bills, and I believe he is Moulds' replacement.

1.13 - FS Sean Taylor
There are no Kickers or Punters in the class worthy of a pick this high, even for Rock. I think this comes down to a decision between SS Sean Taylor or OLB Teddy Lehman. Safety seems to be the bigger need as there are at least OLBs with starting experience on the roster, even if they don't fit Rock's mold. Taylor doesn't have blazing speed, but it is adequate, and he has good size and skills (CTH/TAK) higher than I have ever seen for a rookie.

1.14 - CB DeAngelo Hall
After the trading of veteran CB Bobby Taylor to the Rams, the Eagles are left with nobody to start opposite Sheldon Brown (Lito Sheppard, where are you??). Hall will be the pick unless the Eagles signed some corner help in free agency, in which case they may go MLB here. That could be Vilma or Johnson, depending on workout.

1.15 - OLB Teddy Lehman
With their third pick in the first round, the Cardinals will now go linebacker. It's hard to say whether they will look to fill the middle or outside with this pick. Lehman is more the physical freak than any of the MLBs in this class, while the middle position holds more value. Unfortunately, each of the MLBs have warts. It could come down to a good workout from somebody. Otherwise it's a coin flip.

1.16 - WR Johnnie Morant
One would think if the prior pick was so close between the two linebacker positions, the other would go here. And somebody like MLB Landon Johnson is definitely an option. But I just have a feeling that GM Richardson will go elsewhere with this pick. Sean Taylor is a possibility if still on the board here, but since he is gone I think GM Richardson gives Palmer another big, fast target opposite Olinger. TE Benjamin Watson is another possibility here.