Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
April 19, 2001

Coyle talks with Washington running back Stephen Davis during training camp this summer. (draftinsiders.com)

 

NFL Scout and Publisher of the Draft Insider's Digest, Frank Coyle took your questions about the upcoming NFL Draft on April 21-22.

Visit his website at Draftinsiders.com.

Frank Coyle: Good evening! Let's talk NFL Draft.

Question: Frank, what is this we hear that the Chargers might NOT draft Vick #1 now? If they don't, are they leaning toward Tomlinson? Then where do you think Vick will end up?

Frank Coyle: I think it is posturing for the contract talks that stalled. The Chargers are trying to get a reduced starting bonus. I don't believe it. Vick is the #1 guy and Tomlinson is nowhere near No. 1. I expect Vick to sign within the week, possibly before the draft. $50 million plus.

Question: Frank who do you think the redskins will take in the first round?

Frank Coyle: Their major needs are WR and G. Players that fit are Rod Gardner, Chad Johnson, Santana Moss. I expect two of those to be on the board and they will get a lot of consideration. A surprise pick is guard Steve Hutchinson of Michigan. He would fit in the big openings on that line.

Question: Do you see any players traded on draft day?

Frank Coyle: Sure! The guy I think will be on the block is Ricky Watters of Seattle. The Vikings are interested in him for a middle rounder. Third or fourth. Mike Anderson of the Broncos will command maybe a No. 2 due to his age. The teams in need of RBs are the Vikings, Patriots, or Chiefs. And if Priest Holmes signs with any of them in the next 48 hours that would change things with the teams on the market.

Question: I know this isn't draft related necessarily but I heard that the Lions may be interested in Jerry Rice? Rice to the Lions -- say it ain't so!

Frank Coyle: They are looking to improve any way they can! I am sure it would be a short deal and not a ton of money on the table. He is still a good receiver, believe it or not. A good possession receiver and he'd be a good No. 3. The Raiders are interested and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Broncos in the mix. The Vikings have made calls and now the Lions. Rice will not be unemployed for long.

Question: Do you think the Broncos are looking wide receiver, maybe Rod Gardner? If not, who/what?

Frank Coyle: the Broncos have more pressing needs on D than O. They are looking for a 3rd wideout and a TE. If Todd Heap the TE from Arizona State is available they will grab him. He will do well there and Shanahan will use him well. I wouldn't be surprised if they went CB like Smoot, Even though they make some additions, I wouldn't be surprised if they went with a defensive lineman, not first round but first day. Most likely a defensive end.

Question: Rumor has it that Smoot may be talented physically but there are some questions mentally - true?

Frank Coyle: He is a trash talking corner. Also frail at 170 lbs. So he is suspect at run support. He had an off field confrontation he was acquitted on. That is some concern. The Colts Saints and Broncos could be interested in him in the latter part of the first round.

Question: I believe the Bears could hold the key to a lot of "mock" draft sheets. What do you think the Bears will decide on?

Frank Coyle: I think they have earmarked Tomlinson as their guy. The Patriots may rain on their parade at No. 6. If he is gone they move towards the defensive guy. Like Jamal Reynolds from FSU, or Seymour from Georgia and then a RB in the 2nd round.

Question: Any chance of Kevan Barlow cracking the 1st round? And who do you think he will fit in with?

Frank Coyle: I have him rated the 5th back in the draft. He fits somewhere in the 2nd round. According to how it shakes out in the first round.. the Patriots, Bears, Chiefs, Vikings, Niners.. they all could use backs. Barlow fits into the mix as a mid-2nd round guy. If we have 3 first round RBs Barlow could move up to the early 2nd round.

Question: What does the packers need more a wide receiver or a d-lineman?

Frank Coyle: Tough call. They need both! I think at the 10th spot they will have a chance at the 3rd DL or 3rd WR. I expect the Packers to move up with the Cardinals and take the 2nd spot and David Terrell. They have 3 No. 3s in addition. Ron Wolf in his last draft can really maneuver here. We could see a number of players. Seymour figures in at the No. 10th spot. Possibly Reynolds and Carter. The WR at the spot would probably be Gardner or Chad Johnson.

Question: Frank, I've heard that the Broncs and Giants are interested in Will Allen.. think either one will draft him?

Frank Coyle: I certainly figure if he is available at the 30th pick the Giants will be all over him. I am not sure he gets past the Saints, Broncos or Vikings.. He's a good player with the best speed at the position this year. He could be the 3rd or 4th corner off the board on Saturday.

Question: Frank, what do you think of Drew Brees- what team could get him and where in the draft?

Frank Coyle: He is a well developed QB. Clearly the 2nd off the board. Middle-to-late 1st round but definitely 1st round. Could go as early as 12 to the Chiefs or the Steelers at 16 or even the Lions at 18. Very smart, accurate passer. He lacks the great arm but has well developed skills. He will make an ok team a playoff team but not make a bad team good. He will have the earliest success because of his level of development.

Question: Where does it look like Jamar Fletcher from Wisconsin will go?

Frank Coyle: Looks like late 1st, early 2nd. He didn't put up a big speed number and is on the short side. Great ball instinct and that helps make up for his just above average speed. Maybe to the Vikings late in the 1st or to the Chargers or Cowboys in the 2nd. He has slipped some, more because of other players passing him than him moving back.

Question: Ozzy Newsome says there's a Pro Bowler at nearly every position in the Top 20 - do you agree or disagree, why?

Frank Coyle: I guess he means 4 or 5 DTs, 4 WRs, 2-3 RBs.. This is a good draft. It lacks a lot of super blue chips (Woodson, Manning) but good at WR and DT. Good group of CBs. Solid offensive lineman across the board. Even though it doesn't nearly compare to last year in LBs, there are 8 or 9 OLBs and 2 or 3 ILBs who are quality. This WR group could be one of the special classes of the past 10 years.

Question: Frank who do you see the 49er selecting?

Frank Coyle: I think clearly at No. 9 they want to move back but they aren't getting the interest they got last year. Many want to move back. At No. 9, Dan Morgan will get consideration. They can't go for a risky player like McAllister. They can come back in the 2nd or 3rd for the RB. I know they like Morgan. They have some problems at DE and like Reynolds. I think they are trying to get more top 50 picks. If Kenyatta Walker is on the board at No. 9, Jacksonville will be interested in moving up.

Question: What do you think of wisconsin running back Michael Bennett?

Frank Coyle: I think he is overrated. Never more than a mid-2nd rounder on my board. He is under 210lbs. With only 1 year starting at Division I. A one cut back who doesn't block well or catch the ball well in the backfield. I have a lot of questions about him. He has also had off the field problems. He is one of the more overrated players in the draft.

Question: Frank what are the dolphins looking for?

Frank Coyle: Well, WR is high on the needs list. I wouldn't be surprised if they draft 2 WRs on the first day. They have to see how the WRs come off the board. Is Santana Moss gone? Is Freddie Mitchell still there? Morgan? They can always come back and address it in round 2 if a lot of kids have dropped off the board. I expect them to look a bit on the defensive side. Like an OLB early in the draft. Maybe a LT but the top 3 will be gone in the first and they can wait for the 3rd.

Question: Frank where do you think Justin Smith will go and when?

Frank Coyle: I think he is a definite 1st rounder. If the Cardinals retain their pick he could go No. 2. Clearly a top 5 or top 10 player. There aren't many two-way every down DEs. And he keeps improving too! He is one of the blue chippers in the draft. So maybe No. 2 and I don't think he gets past the Falcons at No. 5.

Question: What do you think the steelers will do if all of the quality d-line men are gone? do you think if morgan is gone also that they will consider taking moss or fletcher?

Frank Coyle: They drafted WRs the past 2 years so I think they will give that a rest this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they went with Smooth or Clements. They could use a quality CB and they would fit. But Brees and Stroud would be more pressing needs at that pick. But CBs would be a reasonable high pick. I don't think Fletcher would be that good but the others? Yes.

Question: Frank, who would make a better off. guard, Jeff Backus or Mo Williams?

Frank Coyle: I think Williams is raw as a lineman. A terrific prospect but he has played RT the past few years. I think Backus could adjust quicker. I like all three Michigan OLs. Hutchinson first, Backus not after No. 23, and Williams will surprise and go late 1st round. Maybe even the Giants. All three kids will play.

Question: Frank what do you think Colston Weatherington and Dominic Rhodes?

Frank Coyle: I love both! Weatherington is my highest rated small college player. 6'5 270 and has a chance to be a good player in the NFL. He has the upfield speed, long arms.. good player. Rhodes is a natural RB. Quick feet with a strong lower body. He played in Division II so he doesn't have much acclaim. He will go 2nd day.. 4th or 5th round but this kid will play well in the NFL.

Question: Which college do you think will have the most first round picks taken?

Frank Coyle: Probably Michigan or Miami. Miami will have Morgan, Moss, Damione Lewis and maybe Reggie Wayne. Michigan will have Terrell, Hutchinson, Backus, possibly Mo Williams and Anthony Thomas. Those are guaranteed for the top 50-75 players.

Question: I heard that there's some interest in Cleo Lemon, the QB out of Arkansas State. Is this true?

Frank Coyle: He is a developmental QB. Nice athleticism and strong arm. He hasn't been accurate so that will hurt him. But maybe go late 6th or 7th or rookie free agent. He will at least get invitations from many clubs as a 3rd stringer. Nice mechanics for a kid who deserves a long look next year.

Question: Where do you think the newest Hasslebeck brother will go?

Frank Coyle: I think Tim is a marginal prospect. Possible late pick but probably rookie free agent. I like Matt better though. Tim is a smart kid, good instincts and mobility but not as developed as Matt did when he came out. But he's another who has a chance to be a 3rd string in the right system. Maybe a west coast offense will suit him and he will improve over time.

Question: Who will be going to the black hole of Cincinnati with the 4th pick?

Frank Coyle: It looks like Leonard Davis, the big OT from Texas. They need a bookend tackle hoping for better protection for Akili Smith, who they drafted a few years ago.

Question: How can Arizona continue to pick so high and still do so poorly year after year? Any idea who they're looking at with that No. 2 pick?

Frank Coyle: I think if they stay put and don't trade, they are looking at DE Justin Smith or DT Gerard Warren. They need several players on the line and I expect them to draft 3 linemen with their top picks. Maybe even the top 3 picks. That is how pressing the need is in Az.

Question: Vick only completed 42% of his passes last year and had a measley 70 qb rating, why is he rated so high? Are we looking at another Kordell Stewart?

Frank Coyle: First of all, he completed about 55% of his passes last year. 87 for 161. He did miss two games with an ankle sprain. He is a rare athlete for the position. Strong arm, very quick feet.. tailback speed as a QB. He needs time to develop as passer. Being patient in the pocket (abandons the pass too quickly), reading the coverage, etc. He is a smart kid and he does need time. People will scream he is a bust because the first 2 years he will be sitting on the bench. But he has all the tools to be a great NFL player.

Question: Which Top Players in this years NFL Draft do you consider the favorites to be 'The Rookie Of The Year" next Season?

Frank Coyle: That is hard to determine until you see which team they are with! David Terrell can make a huge impact. Todd Heap, Tomlinson, Lamont Jordan can be a surprise. Rod Gardner could make an impact in GB. Santana Moss has made big plays everywhere else, why not the NFL?

Frank Coyle: It should be a wonderful draft. One of the better ones in the last 5 years. A lot of talent and a lot of unknowns. There could be a lot of surprises that come up. Some trades too. A wide variety of opinions out there. We could see a run on WRs. It should be a lot of fun. I have a 40 page online book that came out today.. you can get it at 1800-776-1949 or www.draftinsiders.com.. It will bring you up to date on all the rising and falling draft stars, complete mock drafts and everything you need to know! And I'll have a full review of the draft next week here on cbs.sportsline.com! Thanks again and goodnight!