2014 NFL draft thread (no longer too early)

I'm not sure how I feel about living in a world where the Bengals just quietly make competent draft picks. I'm looking over my shoulder for Bizarro Superman.

 

I just saw a line that Kiper and Mayock were both 3 for 32 in the first round, including the layup of Clowney at #1.

Draft hype just might be the worst thing about sports.

 

I've never paid much attention to Mel Kiper, but does he actually try to predict who teams are going to take or just provide his "expert" opinion on who they SHOULD take?

 

There were times when I thought Gruden was going to turn around and strangle him and I wouldn't have minded it one bit!

 

I think he used to do both in his books, but it's been a long time since I read them. Yes, I was enough of a football junkie that I got his book a few times in the '80s. Best thing about it was having at least a little information on just about every draftable player available, and quite a few who were just going to be free agents.

 

I don't think there's any way in hell they take Derek Carr. That would be a shitty situation for everyone involved. I think they take Marqise Lee or trade out of that spot.

As for the Kaepernick hate, I don't get it either. I don't think it's racially motivated or related to his tattoos, but there does seem to be a lot of doubters out there. He had a bit of a down year, but he is a very good player on a very successful team.

 

has ESPN or Kiper himself ever touted his success at predicting either draft order, or in hindsight, his evaluations?

I don't believe Kiper is any better at player evaluations than any other fan who never played or coached the game

 

In the most Browns thing ever, Josh Gordon might be suspended for the season. God........
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10908822/josh-gordon-cleveland-browns-faces-season-long-suspension

 

Unbelievable.

 

Hmm. Part of my post was lost in the mobile device. There was a part that said "identify who it was in your criticism," or something like that. But that didn't make it, so I guess you're entitled to open fire.

 

Kiper has, quite often. He actually started his scouting service as a way to get the attention of teams, trying to get hired as a scout, with aspirations toward become a GM. I did a Q&A with him for a newspaper once and he told me that if he was an NFL general manager, he would win the Super Bowl.


Edit: Kiper has touted his evaluations. I'm not sure he's ever claimed to be great at predicting what teams are going to do.

Edit again: I don't think he's any better at player evaluation than anyone else, either.