We found out that the "experts" are hardly prophetic. If you take a look at my NFL Draft Preview, which was based on ESPN's Mock Draft, you'll see that the mock draft accurately predicted only 2 of the top 10 picks. (You can go here for the actual draft results.)
In my mind, draft prediction is an exercise in futility. Because you're never going to get it right, no matter how much analysis you do, how many teams you talk to, or how much highlight tape you watch. Here's a musical comparison: I think draft predictions are kind of like having the American Idol judges predict who the final 5 contestants will be after the first round of auditions. That may even be easier than predicting draft picks, but the predictions would vary wildly between the three (or four) judges, and I'm fairly sure none of them would get it exactly right. Different singers (and players) perform differently under pressure, American Idol voters (and NFL teams) have different needs, wants, and preferences. It's just nearly impossible to get exactly right.
[On a side note, I would actually like to see this American Idol prediction implemented...what say you Fox? And what say you readers? It would be infinitely more entertaining than some of the other gimmicks they've tried.]
Anyway, in fairness to the mockers, they got 8 of the top 10 players correct...they were just wrong about who would select them. The two they got wrong were Tyson Jackson, who was projected at #12, but went 3rd overall, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was projected to be a late first-rounder, but went to the Raiders at #7.
Which brings me to my next point.
We found out that Al Davis is on speed. Is there any other explanation? From now on, the worst pick of the NFL Draft should be known as the "You Can Call Me Al" pick. I've never understood the lyrics to that song and I'll never understand the Raiders taking Darrius Heyward-Bey with the 7th overall pick. I'm no expert, but here's what I know about Heyward-Bey. He was on my college fantasy football team...and I didn't start him once. And the league I was in started 3 wide receivers per team. And had 10 teams. And I won the league. (Disclaimer - I started Graham Harrell at QB, who averaged about 60 fantasy points a game...but the point remains that Heyward-Bey never got any burn for me).
I know he's fast. He's just not nearly as good a receiver as Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin. At least not right now. And if his scouting report includes (which it does) "inconsistent hands" and "poor route running" I'd be a little worried. And I certainly wouldn't take him at #7. Maybe around #15 or #20, or maybe even at #7 if Crabtree and Maclin were gone, but not the way Al Davis did it. I don't know. Maybe he'll prove me wrong.
In any case, here's what I picture going through Al Davis's head as his staff is trying to convince him not to take Heyward-Bey--a constant stream of Mike and the Mechanics "All I Need Is A Miracle" with these lyrics:
"All I need is his 40 time, all I need is speed (x3)
Verse 2:
Just give me his 40 time
And then I will make the call
Yeah I'll go out of my way just to draft him
At number seven overall
I don't care if he can't catch
I don't care if he ain't that strong
Yeah 'cause all that really matters to me
Is that he knows how to go really long
If I ever get to draftin' him
I'm gonna love him for the rest of his life
All I need is his 40 time, all I need is speed (x3)
(Fade out)"
Well that was fun. Thanks Al.
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