Take your Pick: Brandon Graham or Derrick Morgan?

By: Brandon Wangrin

Earlier today I had a discussion with my brother about who was better between Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech) and Brandon Graham (Michigan).

Both are very talented defensive ends and comparable. Morgan has a couple of inches on him, but they are comparable in size both weighing in the upper 260’s. They both ran 4.72 forty yard dashes at the Combine and Graham benched pressed 225 31 times, whereas, Morgan DNP.

When I told him who I would choose it didnt take me much time. I answered Brandon Graham. When I watched Graham at the Senior Bowl and the Senior Bowl practices I was extremely impressed. I felt he was hands down the best defensive player on either side of the ball.

Graham led all of college football in tackles for loss last season. He disrupts the backfield as good as any defensive lineman in the NFL Draft (yes even Jason Pierre-Paul). He also has the ability to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 system, which he proved at the NFL Combine in his workouts. He is a very dynamic player.

Honestly if Graham went in the top 10 in the Draft, I would not be surprised. I just love everything about this kid from his ability to his leadership.

Morgan, though, is also a very good player. He has may be a little better at stopping the run in comparison to Graham and the thing I like about him is his relentless motor. He is a big body should be a great player at the next level, I just dont believe he will be as good as Graham.

(DAY 4) With the 10, 11, 12 Picks…

By: Brandon Wangrin

I am going to tell you who I believe each team should draft with their picks for the first three rounds (over the next 34 days, three picks a day). Different than a Mock Draft because in a Mock Draft I tell you who I believe they will pick in the NFL Draft. In these articles I am telling you who I would pick if I were each team.

Day 4

10. Jacksonville Jaguars– Joe Haden- Cornerback- Florida

Imagine having Rashean Mathis and Joe Haden playing opposite of each other. They would be perfect together because Mathis is a playmaker that gets beat sometimes and Haden is a shut-down style corner that likes to bump-and-run his receivers. In the AFC South you need great cornerbacks if you are going to shut down Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub (something Jacksonville could not do last season). Combined Manning and Schaub threw for 1,116 yards 9 TD and 4 INT’s in four games last season.

Not to mention that Haden went to Florida making it a “fan friendly” pick for a team that needs more fan support.

11. Denver Broncos– Jason Pierre-Paul- Defensive End- South Florida

If Dez Bryant were available I would say to draft him here, but he is not, so I would go with Pierre-Paul (beast defensive end out of South Florida). The Broncos defense was resurrected last season and imagine what it could have been had they had some more help on the defensive line. Pierre-Paul has amazed scouts in both college and in the NFL Combine. He is 6’4 270 lbs and runs a 4.64 forty yard dash. That is just plain freaky. He will be a perfect guy to help get pressure on the quarterback on third and fourth downs.

12. Miami Dolphins- Brandon Graham- Michigan- Outside Linebacker

Really reminds me of a Terrell Suggs type player. Graham has the ability to play defensive end or outside linebacker. With the Dolphins just losing Joey Porter to the Cardinals they are going to need another playmaker at outside linebacker and Graham is the perfect guy. At the Senior Bowl Graham was the best defensive player on either team and he showed great leadership ability. He lead all of college football in takcles for loss and had himself a hell of a NFL Combine (6’1 268 lbs 4.72 40 and 31 reps at 225 lbs). He is one of my biggest sleepers in the Draft and he will be “NFL ready” by Week 1.

Who Performed at the Senior Bowl?

By: Brandon Wangrin

The Senior Bowl definitely shocked some people because many people thought the South team was going to roll (not me), but the North gave them an old fashioned beat down 31-13. In terms of the draft, we learned a lot. Im going to go through each position and tell you who performed.

Quarterbacks

Of the quarterbacks there is no question that Dan LeFevour played the best in the Senior Bowl. LeFevour threw 5-10, 97 yards, and 1 touchdown. LeFevour threw two deep balls down the edge that were on the money. One being a 32 yard strike to Mardy Gilyard. LeFevour really impressed me throwing with accuracy and good zip.