Published: April 27, 2007 11:22 am      

Drafting success is an Enigma

Q-ology

In memory of Ryan Leaf I must take a moment of silence . . .

Okay, that’s enough.

The first pick in the NFL draft is deliberated more than whether or not a certain glove fit O.J.

There is only a handful of first picks that actually amount to a whole lot. I would like to enter Tim Couch exhibit A.

The closest thing to a dynasty that we have had in recent memory is the New England Patriots who happen to be led by a sixth round draft pick - a man by the name of Tom Brady.

Bengals fans know about late draft success as fan favorite T.J. Houshmandzadeh was a seventh rounder back in 2001.

So, will the first round produce stars similar to last year’s draft such as the success of Reggie Bush and Vince Young.

The biggest discussion, this year, has been who the Raiders will take with their "well earned" first pick.

Most mock drafts have quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn out of LSU and Notre Dame respectively as the only choices for the Raiders.

Most draft boards have the number one-ranked player in the draft as Calvin Johnson the talented wide receiver out of Georgia Tech.

It is well known that need dictates what a team does on draft day, but sometimes necessity can get in the way of picking the best player available.

There are a host of players in this year’s edition that make things interesting, and could provide us with some draft day fireworks with jockeying for position galore.

Tackle Joe Thomas is rated high in most scenarios, and will probably go to Detroit at number two if Matt Millen doesn’t get hung up on drafting another wide receiver without a god offensive line.

With 19 of the 32 picks in the first round projected to be defensive help - defense will dominate the first day of the draft, but do leave room for surprises.

Running backs are often high on many big boards in the war rooms on draft day, and, due to necessity, there will probably be more picked up in the first round than there should be.

Adrian Peterson will be the first running back taken. There is a long list of teams that need help in the backfield due to off-season maneuvering, and Marshawn Lynch will more than likely go a whole lot earlier than he should be.

Cincinnati, needing help on defense, will be taking a hard look at the big defensive tackle from Michigan Alan Branch, but defensive end’s Jamall Anderson and Gaines Adams could slip to the lap of the Bengals at pick 18.

As much in-depth analysis that is out there for the draft it is still an enigma, and there will still be those surprises that keep us talking until next year’s draft.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. Check out the draft tomorrow and Sunday, and see what the big surprises are this year.

Until next time - you stay classy Commonwealth.