Profootball Weekly Jan 25 mock draft, 1 round

[Box_O_Rocks]

NFL Draft - NFL draft preview and analysis from Pro Football Weekly

23. New England Patriots
OLB Clint Sintim / Virginia

Jerod Mayo was a stallion inside in 2008, and the Patriots need to continue finding fresher legs for an aging group of linebackers. Sintim hails from one of the few programs that runs a 30-front similar to the Patriots’, and Bill Belichick could feel comfortable trusting that he knows every detail about Sintim from one of his former coaches, Al Groh.

Two other comments that jumped out at me:

10. San Francisco 49ers
ILB Rey Maualuga / USC

Maualuga may not fit Mike Singletary’s character profile, but the Niners struck gold with the selection of a linebacker at the No. 11 spot two years ago and could have the game’s top inside linebacking tandem in the league by adding this fearless striker next to Pro Bowler Patrick Willis. What better way to begin the Samurai era by the bay than to bolster the middle of the defense?
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31. Arizona Cardinals**
RB Knowshon Moreno* / Georgia

Edgerrin James’ time has run out in Arizona, and Tim Hightower has shown he can handle some of the hard carries between the tackles. What the Cardinals could sorely use is a dynamic complementary back, and Moreno perfectly fits the mold of a tough Ken Whisenhunt-type back. Moreno’s talent suggests he should be drafted sooner, but with few teams needing a premier runner, backs could slide this year.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Very interesting that they have Smith of Alabama sliding so far down.

I thought Sintim looked stiff and uninstinctive in senior bowl practices.

They have KC taking an OLB instead of a QB. Maybe they anticipate a deal for Cassel.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Very interesting that they have Smith of Alabama sliding so far down.

I thought Sintim looked stiff and uninstinctive in senior bowl practices.

They have KC taking an OLB instead of a QB. Maybe they anticipate a deal for Cassel.

I hope Pioli wants Cassel, I'd love to have their #34 overall pick for starters.

Sintim did look stiff and uninstinctive, but I think some of that is normal for a kid moving off the LOS for the first time. I've got to rewatch the practices and game, but I did see a really nice play from him just before the South scored their first TD - he was down on the LOS as a SLB and took on the LSU FB Quinn Johnson and Louisville OC/OG Eric Woods, stoning the two of them in the backfield allowing Mitch King to make the tackle for no gain. I still think he could work inside, but if he doesn't he could rotate with Vrabel and Woods while Thomas moves back to SILB.

 

[BelichickFan]

Oher making it to within one pick of us - and to the pick I hope we get for Cassel - is interesting. I realize he has some issues but he'd be a big upgrade over Kaczur.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I hope Pioli wants Cassel, I'd love to have their #34 overall pick for starters.

Sintim did look stiff and uninstinctive, but I think some of that is normal for a kid moving off the LOS for the first time. I've got to rewatch the practices and game, but I did see a really nice play from him just before the South scored their first TD - he was down on the LOS as a SLB and took on the LSU FB Quinn Johnson and Louisville OC/OG Eric Woods, stoning the two of them in the backfield allowing Mitch King to make the tackle for no gain. I still think he could work inside, but if he doesn't he could rotate with Vrabel and Woods while Thomas moves back to SILB.

Yes I agree. Just as kids have to adjust to going from the 4-3 to a 3-4, I think 3-4 kids also need time to adjust to the 4-3. Regardless I think BB will have an easier time projecting Sintim into our defense than most kids he scouts.

I do like the idea of finding a strong player for OLB and moving Thomas back inside to SILB. From the SILB I think Thomas would help the run defense and last year looked good in coverage.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think Nawrocki is one of the better draft analysts out there, but I find some of his early picks a bit unlikely:

- Everett Brown going #3. Maybe he'll explode at the combine, but as of right now it doesn't seem unlikely, unless he has some inside info.
- The Browns going RB over LB/CB at #5 seems unlikely to me. Also, Curry playing LB is different than Gholston converting to OLB from DE; it's much more of a sure thing. Also, if Mangini is worried about getting production from his pick, Wells' injury history might scare him off more.

I also thought Andre Smith falling to 13 at this point was unlikely but interesting. The OT position is just valued too highly. If Smith shows slow feet at the combine/pro day and teams don't think he it suited for LT, then that is a different matter.

I thought it was interesting that Nawrocki had the Broncos passing on BJ Raji and him falling to Houston at 15. It encourages my wet dream of us trading Cassel and getting #18-22 in the 1st round, and then trading up with New Orleans which needs additional picks badly. New Orleans' biggest needs are LB and DB, and with a slight trade back they could probably still get Laurinaitis or a top CB in the 1st.

I could see Mark Sanchez to the Jets at #17 ... hope he turns out to be a one year wonder. I could also see Arizona picking RB at #31-32. If Moreno is gone then LeSean McCoy could be an option. I could see San Diego taking Moreno at #16 given how LT2 is getting dinged up and is about to hit the 30 wall.

I just don't see Sintim as having 1st round athleticism, and feel this will come out further as the draft process progress, but we'll see.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Oher making it to within one pick of us - and to the pick I hope we get for Cassel - is interesting. I realize he has some issues but he'd be a big upgrade over Kaczur.

I ask this out of ignorance, not criticism--do you think Oher is the best fit for the Pats (among the first-round types)? What about, say, Max Unger, who (allegedly) can play anywhere on the line?

 

[MetalBleachers]

Sintim did look stiff and uninstinctive, but I think some of that is normal for a kid moving off the LOS for the first time.

Box, not sure what you mean here. Sintim has been a linebacker at Virginia all four years: Clint Sintim Biography - University of Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site - VirginiaSports.com

 

[condon84]

Most notable here for me is that he's got Clay Matthews going in the first round. Some pundits forecasted that he would go around the third round before the senior bowl week started. That's quite a jump.

He also ommitted Percy Harvin in the first round. I can't believe that a guy with as much speed and potential for immediate impact would make it to the second round. Specially after the year Chris Johnson had and the kind of impact he had on an offense.

I also don't know if Bill Polian would go for an unpolished albeit high upside reciever like Heyward-Bey. The Colts seem to like guys who are a little bit more polished and ready to go coming out of college. And with Caldwell wanted to get bigger with his defense, I think they'll go with DL/DE in the first round.

I also can't imagine Pioli picking Brown that high.

 

[tombonneau]

Most notable here for me is that he's got Clay Matthews going in the first round. Some pundits forecasted that he would go around the third round before the senior bowl week started. That's quite a jump.

He also ommitted Percy Harvin in the first round. I can't believe that a guy with as much speed and potential for immediate impact would make it to the second round. Specially after the year Chris Johnson had and the kind of impact he had on an offense.

I also don't know if Bill Polian would go for an unpolished albeit high upside reciever like Heyward-Bey. The Colts seem to like guys who are a little bit more polished and ready to go coming out of college. And with Caldwell wanted to get bigger with his defense, I think they'll go with DL/DE in the first round.

I also can't imagine Pioli picking Brown that high.

I'm with you, no way Harvin makes it out of the first. Too many ho-hum, non-dynamic offenses (Titans, Bears, Vikings, OTTOMH) need playmakers in the passing game.

I noted the jump of Matthews as well. Would not mind at all to see the Pats grab him in one.

Also think you're spot on about the Colts and their process. I actually think Gonzo's old teammate Brian Robiskie as Senior Bowl reports were that he looked very polished. Cosby is another one, but Indy already has as slot guy in Gonzo.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Box, not sure what you mean here. Sintim has been a linebacker at Virginia all four years: Clint Sintim Biography - University of Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site - VirginiaSports.com

Yep, now what kind of Linebacker was Sintim while at Virginny?

 

[condon84]

I'm with you, no way Harvin makes it out of the first. Too many ho-hum, non-dynamic offenses (Titans, Bears, Vikings, OTTOMH) need playmakers in the passing game.

I noted the jump of Matthews as well. Would not mind at all to see the Pats grab him in one.

Also think you're spot on about the Colts and their process. I actually think Gonzo's old teammate Brian Robiskie as Senior Bowl reports were that he looked very polished. Cosby is another one, but Indy already has as slot guy in Gonzo.

I don't think Harvey is getting past the Ravens. Their offense is pathetic and unless Maclin miraculously drops to them (they need a WR bad), Harvin could be the guy to provide instant offense.

As for the Pats, unless Cushing falls to us, I think we're gonna pick a OL. In the beginning of the year, when we had some injuries and played some backups in our OL, Cassel was running for his life. When Light and Neal came back, it was all good again, but I can't imagine Bill taking a chance at the same situation happening again especially if Brady is back there. Is there any guards out there worth a first round pick?

 

[tombonneau]

I don't think Harvey is getting past the Ravens. Their offense is pathetic and unless Maclin miraculously drops to them (they need a WR bad), Harvin could be the guy to provide instant offense.

As for the Pats, unless Cushing falls to us, I think we're gonna pick a OL. In the beginning of the year, when we had some injuries and played some backups in our OL, Cassel was running for his life. When Light and Neal came back, it was all good again, but I can't imagine Bill taking a chance at the same situation happening again especially if Brady is back there. Is there any guards out there worth a first round pick?

OL wouldn't shock me and I'd be fine with it. Not sure if there are any first round graded guards (they usually & rightfully aren't so high-valued) but I could see them taking a T with intention of working them into RT.

One guy that stood out to me as a "Pats OL" because of his versatility (played both tackels & center) is the kid from Oregon Unger; though early reports I was reading were he was getting his lunch handed to him at Senior Bowl practices, so not sure how he is going to grade out.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Yep, now what kind of Linebacker was Sintim while at Virginny?

errrr......one that didn't give his all every play?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

errrr......one that didn't give his all every play?

Give, give. I've certainly not read that anywhere yet.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Give, give. I've certainly not read that anywhere yet.

ask and you shall recieve:

Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia

Does tend to let others do the dirty work at times. Coasts for stretches. If he can be motivated by the right staff, he could give first-day production at the next level. May last until the middle rounds because he is not quite as productive on an every down basis and not quite as explosive as you might prefer...i.e. he is no Lawrence Taylor despite favorable physical comparisons.


maybe a poor-man's ahmad brooks? hence my assessment of risk when pondering drafting him in the first round versus drafting moore in the 2nd

 

[signbabybrady]

Sintum....I don't know much about him but I like the idea of getting a LB to add to Mayo as the future of the position. Another mock had us getting Cushing and I liked that. As I have begun my research it seems there are quite a few LB who could still be on the board at 23. And with the potential for an extra pick (Cassel) this could be a real big year for the youth on de everyone has been screaming for.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

ask and you shall recieve:

Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia

Does tend to let others do the dirty work at times. Coasts for stretches. If he can be motivated by the right staff, he could give first-day production at the next level. May last until the middle rounds because he is not quite as productive on an every down basis and not quite as explosive as you might prefer...i.e. he is no Lawrence Taylor despite favorable physical comparisons.


maybe a poor-man's ahmad brooks? hence my assessment of risk when pondering drafting him in the first round versus drafting moore in the 2nd

Thanks TAU. Not enough to take him off my board or lower him yet, but I'll be watching to see if others have similar observations.