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NFL Insiders Ross Mandel & Ralph Mancini weigh in on ten questions about draft weekend.
1) Best Value Pick In Round One?
Mancini: Rashard Mendenhall. The hard-charging bruiser has the power to break tackles, as well as the speed to outrun defenders. He was the most physical runner available without a doubt.
Mandel: Rashard Mendenhall: The Steelers got themselves a back that fits their team and city perfectly. Mendenhall is tough as nails and a perfect complement to Willie Parker. But don't think the Illinois product is all power--he's got some speed in his own right.
 Photo Credit: College Press Box (Boston College)
Mancini: Gosder Cherilus: There was no need to spend a pick this high on a developmental player who can't play left tackle. Detroit could've taken Jeff Otah who's a more effective run blocker and has more upside.
Mandel: Chris Johnson: Tennesee does it again, taking a RB when they have more important needs, like giving Vince Young a WR. This pick wouldn't be so bad had they not selected a clone of Travis Henry, but Johnson--with all of his speed--is a one down player right now. Sure, he'll help on special teams, but the need for a top WR was obvious and all of the top WRs were there to be had.
3) Day One Steal To Watch For?
Mancini: Dexter Jackson: Jackson is hands-down the most explosive receiver in the draft, who can develop into a Steve Smith clone if he puts on some weight. I would've liked to have seen Jackson go higher in the second round over Donie Avery and Desean Jackson. DJ may be a small-school player, but he was the best player on the field during the East-West Shrine game.
Mandel: Limas Sweed: Pittsburgh gets yet another weapon for Roethlisberger in Sweed, who I think may be the best all around receiver in the draft. He's big and has enough speed. The Steelers filled a need here, with a player that could have gone much earlier.
4) First Round Bust Candidate?
Mancini: Sam Baker: The Falcons project him as a left tackle. What's the problem with that? Short arms and an inability to sustain blocks. In addition, he's not a power tackle who'll run over defenders. I don't see any special qualities in Baker worthy of making him a first-rounder or a left tackle, for that matter.
Mandel: Joe Flacco: He may have a rocket arm, but didn't they say the same thing about Kyle Boller? The thing about this pick is, they're risking a few seasons on it. Flacco isn't ready to play right now, and Boller isn't any good...that's one year. Flacco's first couple of seasons will be a learning process, but how long can this team wait for a project to develop? Flacco has to be successful or this pick will cost the Ravens for years to come...just like the Boller pick did.
5) Day Two Diamond?
Mancini: Mario Manningham: A flat-out playmaker who can go deep and gain big yards after the catch. Without his character issues, Manningham would've been a sure-fire first-round pick.
Mandel: Erik Ainge: Yeah, I could have gone with "Smoky" Manningham, but that's not fair since I'm a Giants guy. Instead, I'll go with Ainge. This guy knows how to play the game and is the kind of QB who wins games in spite of his deficiencies. Plenty of successful QBs have come from round 5 or below, and the Jets may have found one in Ainge.
6) Best Team Draft?
Mancini: Miami: The Tuna has put the pieces in place for having very formidable offensive and defensive lines, as well as taking a quarterback with the arm and big-game experience to lead Miami out of the doldrums.
Mandel: Kansas City: They got the run stopper they needed in the studly Glenn Dorsey, the offensive lineman they wanted in Branden Albert and also added Brandon Flowers at corner and Jamaal Charles to pair up with LJ. That alone is worth a top grade, but when you consider that they also landed Brad Cottam--a useful TE, and William Franklin--an underrated WR if he can stay healthy, the Chiefs were big winners.
7) Worst Team Draft?
Mancini: Oakland: McFadden alone does not make a good draft. The Raiders haven't drafted anyone that makes their run defense significantly better, instead they sign a speedy corner with poor tackling and ball skills in the fourth round and adds another receiver with serious knee issues to the mix.
Mandel: Tennessee: I can't say it enough. They had to take a WR with one of their first couple of picks, but instead chose a luxury RB and a tweener DE/DT in Jason Jones. Third round pick TE Craig Stevens is nothing special and fourth round pick William Hayes could have been taken in a later round. Where is the help for Vince!?!? When they finally picked a WR late in round 4, it was Lavelle Hawkins, who is a nice receiver, but isn't the answer.
8) Biggest Draft Day Surprise?
Mancini: Chicago not drafting a QB.
Mandel: Again, Tennesee not taking a WR. Enough said.
9) Rules To Speed Up Draft Good Move Or Bad Move?
Mancini: Good: This gave us all enough time to reflect and get enough sleep for Day Two.
Mandel: Better than good--tremendous! The draft flew by, making it more dramatic.
10) Flacco. Brohm. Henne. Who Will Start First?
Mancini: Henne: Henne has a much better chance of starting over the unimpressive John Beck than Brohm does over a more polished and gifted Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, however, has yet to prove that he can healthy for a long stretch of time.
Mandel: Henne: Do the math: Flacco isn't going to play right away + Brohm needs to wait for Aaron Rodgers to get his shot = Parcells isn't that high on John Beck.
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