* Ye Olde 2013 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[mayoclinic]

Originally Posted by ZoisKing

Another name guy to add to the likes of Rambo, Star, and Mingo

Imagine how excited Dante Scarnecchia would be if the Pats drafted OG Omoregie Uzzi and OC Mario Benavides. That would actually be a solid draft for the interior OL.

Here's some photos for the collection:

[mayoclinic]

Here's a nice read on Uzzi:

Uzzi's family celebrates Tech commencement *| ajc.com

Sounds like a Pats kind of kid. He's already got his degree (in 3 1/2 years, and is working on his masters), was interning with an executive search firm, and has a strong family nucleus. He submitted paperwork to the NFL Advisory Committee last year but chose to return for his senior year in order to refine his game. It's rumored that he is a likely candidate to be a named a Team Captain for 2012.

[Off The Grid]

Originally Posted by ZoisKing

I'm already somber about not having an additional first or 2nd next year..

My advice to you...is to start drinking heavily.

[ZoisKing]

Originally Posted by Off The Grid

My advice to you...is to start drinking heavily.

Actually, once exams are over this Thursday I planning on doing exactly that!

I like the previous poster's idea of trading back. This would once again be the draft to do so. And by trading back, I'm looking at reacquiring those future 1sts and 2nds. I think we can add just a few more guys in the coming draft and be set with a well-rounded roster.

[ZoisKing]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Here's a nice read on Uzzi:

Uzzi's family celebrates Tech commencement *| ajc.com

Sounds like a Pats kind of kid. He's already got his degree (in 3 1/2 years, and is working on his masters), was interning with an executive search firm, and has a strong family nucleus. He submitted paperwork to the NFL Advisory Committee last year but chose to return for his senior year in order to refine his game. It's rumored that he is a likely candidate to be a named a Team Captain for 2012.

So, if I'm reading correctly, his last name should be pronounced like the machine gun? Oo zee?

So we could get Rambo and Uzzi together!

[mayoclinic]

Time for a bump, just to kick the tires on this thread. It's obviously just throwing darts at this stage of the game.

Until proven otherwise, I assume the Pats will trade one of their QBs to a team that develops a need. For now, I'm guessing that Hoyer gets traded for a 2013 mid-2nd round pick. I know it's a blind assumption, but it allows me to throw in an 2013 pick for the purposes of this thread. I'm also assuming the Pats pick at 32 in each round.

*** Trade: Pats trade #32 for a pick in the 35-40 range and an extra 4th round pick.

2a. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama. 6'4" 330#.



Beast! Star Lotulelei and Johnathan Hankins will likely be out of reach in 2013, but there is still plenty of depth and talent at the DT position. Williams could be a steal. An Australian transplant and JUCO transfer by way of Arizona, Wiliams played 3-4 DE for the Tide in 2011 but is taking over at NT for Josh Chapman in 2012. A former rugby player, Williams has tremendous strength and terrific movement skills for his size. He is a weight room fanatic with incredible core strength. Best quote: "I stopped looking for the monster under the bed when I realized the monster was me."

2b. John Jenkins, DT, Georgia. 6'3" 340#.



Sleeper Super Beast! John Jenkins is still flying under the radar a bit, but he is very reminiscent of Vince Wilfork - a wide body who doesn't look athletic, but who is. He has terrific quickness and footwork for a guy his size, and is a load in the middle, with exceptional core strength. He will demand a double team. Williams and Jenkins together would be virtually unstoppable.

2c. Travis Swanson*, OC, Arkansas. 6'5" 305#.



Sleeper Beast! A junior, Swanson was one of only 5 sophomore linemen to make the Rimington watch list in 2011. He has started at center for Ryan Mallett and Travis Wilson in Arkansas' pro style offense, and played against the best DTs in the rough and tough SEC. He is a bright kid with good processing speed, but big and strong enough to handle to big 3-4 NTs.

*** Trade: Pats trade 96 and 127 to move up to the mid-3rd round. Pats move up to get a potential impact DE who slips in a very strong and deep draft class.

3. Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois. 6'6" 240#.



Sleeper Beast! Buchanan is a tall, athletic DE who played the "bandit" in Vic Koenning's defense in 2011 (a hybrid DE/OLB role), and who will play a similar "leo" role in 2012. He is fluid in space and explosive, with an excellent repertoire of pass rushing moves and good hand technique. He needs to add weight and get stronger, but Chandler Jones was 240 lbs. going into the 2011 season. Buchanan shuld be able to bulk up to the 265-275 range and give the Pats a core DE group of Jones, Buchanan, Bequette and Markell Carter/Jermaine Cunningham. With Travis Swanson signed for only the 2012 season and Andre Carter still not re-signed and getting towards the end of his career, another versatile DE would be a worthy 3rd round addition.

4. Jordan Reed*, TE, Florida. 6'3" 240#.



Sleeper! Reed is a protege of Aaron Hernandez, who has been working with him. A junior with 4.65 speed and mobility similar to Hernandez, Reed is what Florida HC Will Muschamp describes as a "matchup nightmare". He will provide insurance with Hernandez going into a contract year, and the potential to put 2 guys with that kind of skill set on the field at the same time could pose major headaches for the rest of the NFL. Reed would also allow Hernandez to line up at WR more, effectively giving the Pats depth and youth at that position.

5. Mark Jackson, OT/OG, Glenville St. 6'5" 328#.



Sleeper! Rated the #7 center in the country by Rivals coming out of high school and signed by Illinois, Jackson subsequently transferred to a small school and has been flying under the rader. A big kid with excellent footwork for his size, Jackson has positional versatility at tackle, guard and center.

[Off The Grid]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Time for a bump, just to kick the tires on this thread. It's obviously just throwing darts at this stage of the game.

Until proven otherwise, I assume the Pats will trade one of their QBs to a team that develops a need. For now, I'm guessing that Hoyer gets traded for a 2013 mid-2nd round pick. I know it's a blind assumption, but it allows me to throw in an 2013 pick for the purposes of this thread. I'm also assuming the Pats pick at 32 in each round.

*** Trade: Pats trade #32 for a pick in the 35-40 range and an extra 4th round pick.

2a. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama. 6'4" 330#.



Beast! Star Lotulelei and Johnathan Hankins will likely be out of reach in 2013, but there is still plenty of depth and talent at the DT position. Williams could be a steal. An Australian transplant and JUCO transfer by way of Arizona, Wiliams played 3-4 DE for the Tide in 2011 but is taking over at NT for Josh Chapman in 2012. A former rugby player, Williams has tremendous strength and terrific movement skills for his size. He is a weight room fanatic with incredible core strength. Best quote: "I stopped looking for the monster under the bed when I realized the monster was me."

2b. John Jenkins, DT, Georgia. 6'3" 340#.



Sleeper Super Beast! John Jenkins is still flying under the radar a bit, but he is very reminiscent of Vince Wilfork - a wide body who doesn't look athletic, but who is. He has terrific quickness and footwork for a guy his size, and is a load in the middle, with exceptional core strength. He will demand a double team. Williams and Jenkins together would be virtually unstoppable.

2c. Travis Swanson*, OC, Arkansas. 6'5" 305#.



Sleeper Beast! A junior, Swanson was one of only 5 sophomore linemen to make the Rimington watch list in 2011. He has started at center for Ryan Mallett and Travis Wilson in Arkansas' pro style offense, and played against the best DTs in the rough and tough SEC. He is a bright kid with good processing speed, but big and strong enough to handle to big 3-4 NTs.

*** Trade: Pats trade 96 and 127 to move up to the mid-3rd round. Pats move up to get a potential impact DE who slips in a very strong and deep draft class.

3. Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois. 6'6" 240#.



Sleeper Beast! Buchanan is a tall, athletic DE who played the "bandit" in Vic Koenning's defense in 2011 (a hybrid DE/OLB role), and who will play a similar "leo" role in 2012. He is fluid in space and explosive, with an excellent repertoire of pass rushing moves and good hand technique. He needs to add weight and get stronger, but Chandler Jones was 240 lbs. going into the 2011 season. Buchanan shuld be able to bulk up to the 265-275 range and give the Pats a core DE group of Jones, Buchanan, Bequette and Markell Carter/Jermaine Cunningham. With Travis Swanson signed for only the 2012 season and Andre Carter still not re-signed and getting towards the end of his career, another versatile DE would be a worthy 3rd round addition.

4. Jordan Reed*, TE, Florida. 6'3" 240#.



Sleeper! Reed is a protege of Aaron Hernandez, who has been working with him. A junior with 4.65 speed and mobility similar to Hernandez, Reed is what Florida HC Will Muschamp describes as a "matchup nightmare". He will provide insurance with Hernandez going into a contract year, and the potential to put 2 guys with that kind of skill set on the field at the same time could pose major headaches for the rest of the NFL. Reed would also allow Hernandez to line up at WR more, effectively giving the Pats depth and youth at that position.

5. Mark Jackson, OT/OG, Glenville St. 6'5" 328#.



Sleeper! Rated the #7 center in the country by Rivals coming out of high school and signed by Illinois, Jackson subsequently transferred to a small school and has been flying under the rader. A big kid with excellent footwork for his size, Jackson has positional versatility at tackle, guard and center.

BEAUTY, Brother Mayo!!

MAN...to scoop up two High Caliber Super Grizzlies with out first two Picks would be EPIC!!

[mayoclinic]

Originally Posted by Off The Grid

BEAUTY, Brother Mayo!!

MAN...to scoop up two High Caliber Super Grizzlies with out first two Picks would be EPIC!!

I thought you'd like that effort, Brother Grid. I'm kind of fond of it myself.

BTW, I forgot to mention that I know we currently have no 5th round pick, but I'm assuming BB will find a way to pick one up.

Rankings are generally useless, and even more so now. But FWIW, NFLdraftscout's latest rankings include Jesse Williams at 40, John Jenkins at 47, Mark Jackson at 111 and Jordan Reed at 150. They seem to have left Travis Swanson out, but they have Khaled Holmes at 48. They have Michael Buchanan at 30, which seems high to me - but they have Devin Taylor at 58, Bjoern Warner at 64 and Dion Jordan at 83. Someone will fall, and I'd take any of those guys in the 3rd round.

[ZoisKing]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

I thought you'd like that effort, Brother Grid. I'm kind of fond of it myself.

BTW, I forgot to mention that I know we currently have no 5th round pick, but I'm assuming BB will find a way to pick one up.

Rankings are generally useless, and even more so now. But FWIW, NFLdraftscout's latest rankings include Jesse Williams at 40, John Jenkins at 47, Mark Jackson at 111 and Jordan Reed at 150. They seem to have left Travis Swanson out, but they have Khaled Holmes at 48. They have Michael Buchanan at 30, which seems high to me - but they have Devin Taylor at 58, Bjoern Warner at 64 and Dion Jordan at 83. Someone will fall, and I'd take any of those guys in the 3rd round.

I'm already loving the potential talent available for this coming draft class. The 2012 class was ho hum for me on the level of players available, but 2013 looks to be real nice.

If Williams and Jenkins end up being 2nd round talent due to the quality depth available, then the Pats would be best served moving back from 32 as you've listed and taking advantage of it.

I'd be very happy if we were able to get a 2nd for Hoyer, but I don't see that happening. I could see Mallett fetching that, but maybe not even this year due to the level of talent available at QB. I think we're going to have to sit on those hopes for a while.

With so many young players coming into our system it'll be harder to continue to stock up with so many picks in the draft without losing a purposeful player from the roster. This team is really starting to get loaded with young talent and might be better suited minimizing its picks into a smaller group of players.

In that vein, I'd spend it on the Grizzlies. If we got Jenkins and Williams in the 2nd, then I'd be blown away.

[mayoclinic]

Originally Posted by ZoisKing

I'm already loving the potential talent available for this coming draft class. The 2012 class was ho hum for me on the level of players available, but 2013 looks to be real nice.

If Williams and Jenkins end up being 2nd round talent due to the quality depth available, then the Pats would be best served moving back from 32 as you've listed and taking advantage of it.

With so many young players coming into our system it'll be harder to continue to stock up with so many picks in the draft without losing a purposeful player from the roster. This team is really starting to get loaded with young talent and might be better suited minimizing its picks into a smaller group of players.

In that vein, I'd spend it on the Grizzlies. If we got Jenkins and Williams in the 2nd, then I'd be blown away.

Between now and the 2013 draft some prospects will rise and others will fall, but there will always only be at most 32 first round picks. And team needs will limit the number of picks at a given position. Interior OL and DL are generally not prized as highly as QBs and pass rushers, two positions that look to be very strong in 2013.

DTs Star Lotulelei, Johnathan Hankins, Kawann Short, Jesse Williams and John Jenkins. OLs Barrett Jones, Jonathan Cooper and Khaled Holmes. I'm betting that at least 2 of those 8 guys end up going in the 2nd round.