Rob Rang 1st-Round Mock

[HPF Bob]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/11268534

"15. Houston Texans - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: Despite investing three first-round picks into the defensive line, the Texans still lack pass rushers to keep DE Mario Williams from being constantly double-teamed. Orakpo would provide a solid base end on the left side and be a public relations coup."

Other names frequently mentioned:

Raji at 9.
Cushing at 11.
Maualuga at 12.
Jerry at 13.

Those taken following:

Maybin
Maclin
Moreno
Laurinaitis
Wells

[Roy P]

I'm wondering here on the 30th of January if the Browns might not want to draft Orakpo to replace Willie McGinest. Then, that might just allow Aaron Curry to fall into our laps at #15. At least that's my hope. Otherwise, Jeremy Maclin is just too good in my opinion to let go to the Jets.

[TrickyTexan]

i dont see macklin coming here. we are set at wr moreso than any other position. As much as I would love having Macklin as a weapon, can't see us using a #1 on him in any scenario with so many other holes needed to be filled. Although after watching Arizona, can't say it wouldnt be fun to have Andre Johnson, Macklin and Walters lining up and Andre Davis/Jacoby Jones coming in while running 4 wr sets

[barrett]

You have to have a great slot guy to make 3 wide sets work. The patriots used Troy Brown/Branch/Welker in this role. The Colts used Stokely/clark. Arizona uses Boldin.

Walter almost never plays in the slot. His size serves him very well on the outside and helped make him a great deep threat this year, but he is not a slot guy. AJ played there some but I would not want to turn him full-time into a slot guy catching 8 yard passes like Wes Welker.

Can Maclin be a slot guy with his slight build? Did he ever play there at Mizzou? Anyone watch them a lot?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by barrett

The patriots used Welker in this role.

Can Maclin be a slot guy with his slight build? Did he ever play there at Mizzou? Anyone watch them a lot?

Wes Welker is 5'9" 185lbs. Maclin is 6'1" 200lbs, so I wouldn't worry too much about his slight build. I wouldn't also dismiss the possibility that he'd be better than our current #2.

He could play the slot when we had 3 WR sets, but I'd have him on the field as much as possible. Imagine how successful Reggie Bush would be if he were a WR instead of a RB/WR hybrid.

[sinnister]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Wes Welker is 5'9" 185lbs. Maclin is 6'1" 200lbs, so I wouldn't worry too much about his slight build. I wouldn't also dismiss the possibility that he'd be better than our current #2.

He could play the slot when we had 3 WR sets, but I'd have him on the field as much as possible. Imagine how successful Reggie Bush would be if he were a WR instead of a RB/WR hybrid.

One difference between Walter and Maclin is blocking. I doubt that Maclin will ever be as good of a blocker as Walter. With that being said, Maclin has a lot of potential as a weapon. Whether it develops is another thing.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Wes Welker is 5'9" 185lbs. Maclin is 6'1" 200lbs, so I wouldn't worry too much about his slight build. I wouldn't also dismiss the possibility that he'd be better than our current #2.

He could play the slot when we had 3 WR sets, but I'd have him on the field as much as possible. Imagine how successful Reggie Bush would be if he were a WR instead of a RB/WR hybrid.

I definitely think he'd be an upgrade as our #2 guy. But he would eliminate Walter's effectiveness by playing the only spot it appears Walter can play. That is my question. If we draft Maclin I assume he becomes our #2 WR. But can he play the slot in 3 WR sets so that Walter is still an asset?

As for Welker's and Maclin's build, Welker is far thicker. The guy has no neck, is as muscled as a WR comes, and plays extremely physical. Height and weight is extremely deceiving sometimes. For example Reggie Bush is 6' and 203 and is absolutely a slight build.

So I repeat what I asked. Did Maclin ever play the slot at Mizzou? Can he shift over there and be our slot guy in 3 WR sets? If he can he upgrades both our #2 and #3 WR spots by allowing Walter to keep a value on our team. He would obviously upgrade our return game as well. So if he can play the slot, I can see value that measures up with a first round pick even if the need isn't a perfect match.