Don Bank's First Mock Draft

[broadwayjoe]

NFL Mock Draft 2009, Version 1.0, Picks 21-32 - Don Banks - SI.com


Alphonso Smith Wake Forest 5-9 190


I would like to know what Patriots fans would feel about getting another smurf cornerback? I just get the feeling if the Patriots draft one he will be 5-9 or shorter.

 

[slash83]

NFL Mock Draft 2009, Version 1.0, Picks 21-32 - Don Banks - SI.com


Alphonso Smith Wake Forest 5-9 190


I would like to know what Patriots fans would feel about getting another smurf cornerback? I just get the feeling if the Patriots draft one he will be 5-9 or shorter.

If he can ball he can ball dont care if hes a 6'3 shutdown corner or a 5'9 shutdown corner both work for me.

 

[PatsFan2]

I like the Dept at CB position this year and think there is very good Value in the Second and Third. I wouldn't pass up LB James Laurinaitis for a CB if he's still on the Board.

 

[DaBruinz]

I like the Dept at CB position this year and think there is very good Value in the Second and Third. I wouldn't pass up LB James Laurinaitis for a CB if he's still on the Board.

I would. Laurinaitis is over-rated. He gets a lot of hype for 2 reasons. He played at Ohio State. And his dad was a professional wrestler.

I think that Laurinaitis would be a better pick with the SD 2nd rounder than a 1st rounder.

 

[Seneschal2]

I would like to know what Patriots fans would feel about getting another smurf cornerback? I just get the feeling if the Patriots draft one he will be 5-9 or shorter.

Pats Top 3 CBs (Combine measurements)

Ellis Hobbs - 5092 186
Terrence Wheatley - 5095 187
Jonathan Wilhite - 5094 185


My Favorite CBs (early stage)

Projected Round 1
D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt 5097 184

Projected Round 1-2
Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest 5087 193

Projected Round 2-3
Mike Mickens, Cincinnati 5110 176

Projected Round 4-5
Joe Burnett, Central Florida 5096 185

Note: There are at least a dozen CBs ranked through round 4 listed at 5-11 or taller. Of course, most of them aren't that good.

 

[mayoclinic]

Pats Top 3 CBs (Combine measurements)

Ellis Hobbs - 5092 186
Terrence Wheatley - 5095 187
Jonathan Wilhite - 5094 185


My Favorite CBs (early stage)

Projected Round 1
D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt 5097 184

Projected Round 1-2
Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest 5087 193

Projected Round 2-3
Mike Mickens, Cincinnati 5110 176

Projected Round 4-5
Joe Burnett, Central Florida 5096 185

Note: There are at least a dozen CBs ranked through round 4 listed at 5-11 or taller. Of course, most of them aren't that good.

I pretty much concur with your list. Would probably add Darius Butler from Connecticut along with Mickens in the Round 2/3 range.

Who do you like among late round options? Coye Francies from San Jose St. was a possible late round sleeper before the Senior Bowl, but not right now.

 

[DaBruinz]

For a CB, I am hoping the Pats look at Sean Smith. If what I hear is correct (that he isn't a long strider and that he sinks his hips well and they are loose) then he could be the kind of CB we've been looking for to be opposite Hobbs. But we'll have to see.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

For a CB, I am hoping the Pats look at Sean Smith. If what I hear is correct (that he isn't a long strider and that he sinks his hips well and they are loose) then he could be the kind of CB we've been looking for to be opposite Hobbs. But we'll have to see.

I saw that Sean Smith was still on the board in Don's mock draft and this kid looks good. Remember Namdi A. was a safety who moved to corner when he moved to the pros.

I am liking the way Macho Harris from Virgina Tech 5107 186 is playing this week in the senior bowl.

 

[mayoclinic]

For a CB, I am hoping the Pats look at Sean Smith. If what I hear is correct (that he isn't a long strider and that he sinks his hips well and they are loose) then he could be the kind of CB we've been looking for to be opposite Hobbs. But we'll have to see.

I had Sean Smith at #23 in my first mock offseason and draft, and got "mocked" me for it, but I really like him, both at CB and at FS opposite Meriweather. I think he will definitely end up in the 1st round, probably between 20-32 unless he really blows them away at the combine. With no clear 1st round safety prospect at this time it looks like Malcolm Jenkins, Vontae Davis, DJ Moore, Alphonso Smith and Sean Smith are the most likely 1st round picks at DB.

 

[PatsFan2]

I would like to know how is Sean Smith's change of direction skills at 6'3? Does he look agile or is he stiff? Is he going to be able to play CB in the NFL at that size? What will be his final 40 time? So many questions inquiring minds want to know.

 

[dryheat44]

As tempting as Knowshawn is sitting there, the only way I wouldn't also take Smith in that scenario is if Belichick is planning on letting Seymour walk this year or next. Then Jerry or Marks might make sense.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

It's not a need, but Percy Harvin available would certainly make me think about it, even given his injury history, if Urban Meyer thinks highly enough of him to raise his value in BB's mind.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I think Sean Smith would be a really good FS to start off with. Move to CB if he proves he can do it in a year or two. I think the Patriots need to sign a good (not great) CB in FA. rookies are way to high a gamble to start.

Maybe not in the first round but would trade up to get him if his still there in the 2nd round.

 

[bakes781]

It's not a need, but Percy Harvin available would certainly make me think about it, even given his injury history, if Urban Meyer thinks highly enough of him to raise his value in BB's mind.

Well he already got burned for doing that with Chad Jackson.

 

[PatsFan2]

Well he already got burned for doing that with Chad Jackson.

Yeah i remember that vividly...like Drugs say No to Florida WR's.

 

[signbabybrady]

I am sure if we got a CB he would be in the mold of the other guys short and quick with good fluid hips.

But despite Secondary being our biggest problem I dont think it should be adressed through the draft. All our talent in the secondary besides Rodney if he returns is really young (Hobbs, Merriweather, Wheatly, Whilhite) so I think a rookie would redundant....What this group needs is a Vet CB and if Rodney does return than maybe a rookie safety but I still would prefer a vet there because IMO Merriweather is an everydown player now and a rotation of Rodney and another Vet sounds ideal to me. Maybe that other vet is Tank so really I think the secondary just needs a starting Vet CB and some suplementary guys like a Tank or someone on the market.

Here is what I am hoping for in the Secondary.

#1 CB I am hoping we get a FA vet who can be this guy. But I am OK if it is Hobbs.

#2 CB Hobbs if we get the above Vet or the Vet we get fills this spot.

#3 CB Wheatley/Whilhite whichever wins in it in camp (also potentially move out the weaker starter if they progress enough.

#4 CB The loser between the Wheatley/Whilhite battle

#5 CB anyone A vet or a rookie (if rookie I would expect day 2) obviously the best we can get.

SS Rodney
FS Merriweather
Backups
Tank and/or any other vet that can rotate with Rodney. The good thing about the back up is that IMO Merriweather is versatile enough that this back up can be either run or pass orientated.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Yeah i remember that vividly...like Drugs say No to Florida WR's.

I didn't really know that going to the same school years apart makes you the same player.

Gee, Randy Moss is good. We need to look to sign a WR from Marshall...

Harvin is injury prone, but man is he fast. It drastically changed the game plan for the opponents when he came on the field even super athletic opponents like LSU, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

But you are right that if Meyer talked up Jackson like he will talk up Harvin, then you'd take the recomendation with a grain of salt. Maybe he doesn't wrk hard, like Jackson apparently didn't work hard, or maybe he really loves the game. Nobody will know that just based upon where he went to school.

 

[yopats]

I am sure if we got a CB he would be in the mold of the other guys short and quick with good fluid hips.

But despite Secondary being our biggest problem I dont think it should be adressed through the draft. All our talent in the secondary besides Rodney if he returns is really young (Hobbs, Merriweather, Wheatly, Whilhite) so I think a rookie would redundant....What this group needs is a Vet CB and if Rodney does return than maybe a rookie safety but I still would prefer a vet there because IMO Merriweather is an everydown player now and a rotation of Rodney and another Vet sounds ideal to me. Maybe that other vet is Tank so really I think the secondary just needs a starting Vet CB and some suplementary guys like a Tank or someone on the market.

Here is what I am hoping for in the Secondary.

#1 CB I am hoping we get a FA vet who can be this guy. But I am OK if it is Hobbs.

#2 CB Hobbs if we get the above Vet or the Vet we get fills this spot.

#3 CB Wheatley/Whilhite whichever wins in it in camp (also potentially move out the weaker starter if they progress enough.

#4 CB The loser between the Wheatley/Whilhite battle

#5 CB anyone A vet or a rookie (if rookie I would expect day 2) obviously the best we can get.

SS Rodney
FS Merriweather
Backups
Tank and/or any other vet that can rotate with Rodney. The good thing about the back up is that IMO Merriweather is versatile enough that this back up can be either run or pass orientated.

Ok I think that we are undervaluing the fact that our secondary has a high injury rate so talent and depth are crucial..

You cannot count on Wheatley/Whilite to be it.. for #2 or #1 especially w/ hobbs up FA in 2010.. we are going to get another first round pick for Cassell.. in the 18-23 range.. as well as having (2) #'s and (2) #3's .. I think that BB is going to load up on Speed and Depth in LB and CB ..

I see him grabbing a guy like Mike Brown or Dewan Landry via FA.. to go w/ Merriweather and Rodney.. and picking up a guy like Nic Harris in round 3

 

[PatsFan2]

I didn't really know that going to the same school years apart makes you the same player.

Gee, Randy Moss is good. We need to look to sign a WR from Marshall...

Harvin is injury prone, but man is he fast. It drastically changed the game plan for the opponents when he came on the field even super athletic opponents like LSU, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

But you are right that if Meyer talked up Jackson like he will talk up Harvin, then you'd take the recomendation with a grain of salt. Maybe he doesn't wrk hard, like Jackson apparently didn't work hard, or maybe he really loves the game. Nobody will know that just based upon where he went to school.

PB Pats: WR is one of the Toughest Position to gauge in the draft, history have proven that. Most time if you don't get a guy off the Top forget about it in year one. And even then it's not a given they will make an Impact. WR is a High Risk/Reward position early on it's almost like QB good luck. I like BB's approach in taking chance on one in Round 2, incase they flop atleast you're not on the hook for Big bucks. We have had two flame outs already in Bethel Johnson and Chad Jackson...one of these days we might have better luck like we did with Deion Branch.

 

[DaBruinz]

I would like to know how is Sean Smith's change of direction skills at 6'3? Does he look agile or is he stiff? Is he going to be able to play CB in the NFL at that size? What will be his final 40 time? So many questions inquiring minds want to know.

His 40 time is in the 4.4 range. But whether he is a long strider is more important. And, as I said, from what I've read, he's got fluid hips so his change of direction should be good. But, that is why I said we'll have to wait and see.