The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Official Offseason Mock #1 (Draft Mock #3)

The numbers in brackets are the CBSsports prospect rankings. NFL Draft - 2012 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Notable FA Signings
Brandon Lloyd
Kendall Langford
Mark Anderson
Andre Carter
Dan Connolly


Pre-draft Trades
Brian Hoyer to Cleveland for #68 & #100.
Jermaine Cunningham to Kansas City for #171 (Stolen form Wilfork#75)


2012 NFL Draft
1a. #27 (NO) Mark Barron [29]

Barron is the perfect selection here based on value and needs. His well-rounded skill set is perfect for our scheme. He’s equally great against the run and the pass, and despite being injured right now, he can start from day one.

1b. #31 Trade to Jacksonville for #38 and their 2013 second

2a. #38 (JAX) Shea McClellin [41]

Versatile, well rounded OLB prospect. He might be the best overall 3-4 OLB when it’s all said and done.

2b. #50 (OAK) Trade to Miami for #74 and #78

2c. #63 Amini Silatulo [64]

Versatile, high ceiling guard conversion. As good as this guy is now he has only scratched his potential. He has a mean streak to him, perhaps too mean sometimes. He’s nimble, athletic and balanced, and I’d love to see what Dante could do with him. He might be the second best guard in the draft.

3a. #68 (CLE) Jamell Fleming [88]

He’s hard to separate form, a great cover corner. He’s long through the arms, deceptively physical, and quick mentally and physically. He lacks elite top end speed, but his football speed is the opposite, it’s elite. My only questions after the season were answered at the combine.

3b. #74 (MIA) Greg Childs [92]

My favorite receiver in the draft. He’s a high effort player with a good size to speed ratio, and long arms with big hands. He’s a Petrino/Arkansas product that should pick up the offense. I think he is well on his way becoming elite again. It’s weird, but my favorite part about his game is his blocking. It’s tenacious, violent, and abusive. I can’t wait to line him up opposite Revis!

3c. #78 (MIA) Trumaine Johnson [93]

A real physical specimen, hybrid CB/S. He probably needs a year to secure either starting job, but I think he future is at safety. He could play some big nickel as a rookie.

3d. #94 Trade to Cardinals for #209 and their 2013 third

4a. #100 (CLE) Trade to Tennessee for #115 and #147

4b. #115 (TEN) Emmanuel Acho [170]

A long and strong ILB prospect that is solid against the run and the pass. He could be a really good back-up and/or 3rd down LB to spell Spikes. Has the upside to be a starter.

4c. #126 Joe Adams [188]

Another Petrino/Arkansas product that should pick up the offense. I think he has bulked up too much since the season, because he doesn’t play as slow as he was at the combine and pro day. The list of receivers that can likely understand the offense is a short list, and he can contribute on ST immediately. Unrivaled balance and field vision. He has just enough height to make a living outside.

5. #147 (TEN) Ryan Broyles [198]

Stud on a discount. Seems like his stock is dropping due all the players with stocks rising. He’s the jack of all trades, but with great hands and awareness. Professional at the bubble screen. Probably restricted to slot end duty.

6. #171 (KC) Akiem Hicks [201]

Stud on a discount. Monster DE prospect from Regina University in Canada. He’s 6045, 325 lbs with an insane 84 inch wingspan. That’s 7 feet! Often loses the leverage game, but will excel at two gap end.

7. #209 (AZ) Case Keenum [277]
Low ceiling QB prospect that could look good in this system. Solid back-up and eventual trade bait, like Hoyer.


UDFA
[335] Josh Oglesby: Monster guard conversion project.
[365] Desmond Marrow: Big, athletic, but raw CB prospect. Big upside.
[409] Tony Dye: Solid fundamental safety that would be a day 2 pick if healthy.
[450] Patrick Edwards: Quick shifty slot receiver, high effort. Can help in the return game.
[Unlisted] Michael Hayes: Quick, athletic, and valuable pass catching running back out of Houston.

 

[manxman2601]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

So that's:

Mark Barron
Jamell Fleming
Akiem Hicks
Ryan Broyles

I want to be a woman just so I can get pregnant with your babies right now

Now I just need to persuade you on Marvin Jones. Some evidence from twitter last night:

firstly, whilst I've always loved Greg Childs' upside, who wouldn't as a potential No 1 on the cheap. I watched three Arkansas games this year and in each game there was a breakdown in communication between Tyler Wilson and Childs. Once I can understand, but the fact that it happened in the three games I watched did give me some pause although I surrendered to his upside. Lat night on twitter, one of the draftniks I follow (Chris Kouffman) tweeted:

I consider Greg Childs to be a "give up" player. That's what I saw on tape, it's what I saw at Shrine practice, and in Combine drills.

That certainly tallies with what I saw. Further research revealed this:

Petrino got a laugh when talking about how to handle players, saying WR Greg Childs needed "a spoonful of sugar" every now and then.

Yeah, i don't see BB dolling out "spoonfuls of sugar" to get a player motivated. Starting to wonder whether he might be a bit too diva for the Pats.

As for Jones. Firstly you need to have him in your mock just to make me happy - we'd be like draft twins. But if that isn't enough, also from twitter last night:

When asked who the best route runner in the draft was, Matt Waldman who blogs on the draft skill position players responded:

About to re-read hundreds of pages of notes, but Marvin Jones stands out immediately

And Josh Norris of Rotoworld replied:

Please say Kendall Wright... or Marvin Jones

With our troubles drafting a WR, we really need to go for one that is considered the best route runner in the draft which by default puts him ahead of Blackmon for example.

And one final reason for you to put Jones in there - sheer laziness. When I come to do mine, I can just cut and paste yours

More seriously, even if I haven't persuaded you, it should be fairly obvious that I fully endorse this draft and recommend it to the Patsfan nation and more importantly the Big Belichick himself. Well done!

Now how do I multi-like a post?

Edit: Just read you consider Childs your favourite receiver. Please disregard my knocking Childs. Not nice to do to anothers binky.

 

[Wilfork#75]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

I love it. I really like all the free agents, especially Langford who I think is one of the best 3-4 DE in the league. I also like the trades, although I don't think we will get both 68 and 100 from Cleveland. I do think Cleveland makes the most sense for Hoyer, but I think a straight up trade for 68 would be more likely. If we can get 100 as well I would personally fly to Foxborough and drive him to the airport.

On the picks, I love Barron, Fleming, Silatulo, Johnson, Childs, Acho and Broyles, as well as all of the UDFA's. I'm not as high on McClellin as most on here, so 38 is a bit high for my liking. I'm also not very high on Hicks. His stock really seems on the rise and I don't think he will be there in the 6th. I wouldn't be surprised to see him as high as the 3rd/4th round. I think he is quickly becoming overrated because he is still incredibly raw, although his upside is immense.

Overall I can't complain, great job.

 

[SirApropos]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

Moving back seven spots from 31 to 38 doesn't warrant a 2nd round pick as compensation. They might get a 2012 4th or 2013 3rd for a small move like that.

I can only see the Pats signing three of those FA's probably Connolly and two others.

Cunningham probably isn't going anywhere if they go back to the 3-4. Also KC has Hali, Houston and Studebaker at OLB already.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

Moving back seven spots from 31 to 38 doesn't warrant a 2nd round pick as compensation. They might get a 2012 4th or 2013 3rd for a small move like that.

I can only see the Pats signing three of those FA's probably Connolly and two others.

Cunningham probably isn't going anywhere if they go back to the 3-4. Also KC has Hali, Houston and Studebaker at OLB already.

Yeah last minute CBS flipped all their rankings around, and I had to call an audible, so not everything is going to be perfect. I'm not sure what is wrong with the FAs, though.

Everything on Lloyd is well documented. Langford is a really really good and young player at a position of obvious need. I don't think theres a 5 tech that will both contribute as a rookie and fall to us in the first. I'm not sure Anderson is in for the pay day people might think, maybe he is though. Carter will probably be back on the cheap and allows us to flip to the 4-3 easily, and get some sub plays in the 3-4. Connolly is a need.

 

[Snake Eyes]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

I dont understand all the love for Barron, he's banged up and even when healthy he's not that great in coverage, which is the thing we most need.

Give me Harrison Smith to beef up the secondary.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

I love it. I really like all the free agents, especially Langford who I think is one of the best 3-4 DE in the league. I also like the trades, although I don't think we will get both 68 and 100 from Cleveland. I do think Cleveland makes the most sense for Hoyer, but I think a straight up trade for 68 would be more likely. If we can get 100 as well I would personally fly to Foxborough and drive him to the airport.

Yeah this is how I estimated it would go.

Colts - Luck
Skins - RG3
Browns - ?
Jags - Henne
Dolphins - Flynn
Seahawks - Tannehill
Broncos - Manning

While we may not get a 3 and a 4, I think it's realistic. Hoyer is better and younger than Weeden, and will probably remain better than Tannehill for 3 or so years.

On the picks, I love Barron, Fleming, Silatulo, Johnson, Childs, Acho and Broyles, as well as all of the UDFA's. I'm not as high on McClellin as most on here, so 38 is a bit high for my liking. I'm also not very high on Hicks. His stock really seems on the rise and I don't think he will be there in the 6th. I wouldn't be surprised to see him as high as the 3rd/4th round. I think he is quickly becoming overrated because he is still incredibly raw, although his upside is immense.

Overall I can't complain, great job.

I'm actually not as high on McClelin as it may seem. He's probably my 6th or 7th favorite player in my mock, but I don't think there's anyone nearly as good as him that will be available to us. Maybe Cam Johnson, but he doesn't move very fast. Not a great OLB class, but it seems like it never is.

Hicks' upside is just absurd. He is a 'ceilingless' prospect. I'd phantom IR him and have him work on the position and his technique a rookie. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism just aren't available all the time. I think he'd probably compare favorably to Brockers had they both stayed at LSU.

 

[Avenger]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

I made a list of players I think would fit well on the pats, closer to the draft we'll be more sure about what teams will be targeting, and what other picks we will have from trades/RFA/compensatory picks.
Players to watch:
Offense:
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers (Round 2)
Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State (Round 2-3)
David Molk, C/G, Michigan (Round 5)
Emil Igwenagu, FB/TE, Massachusetts (Round 6)
Defense:
Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama (Round 1-2)
Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall (Round 1-2)
Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame (Round 2)
Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt (Round 3)
Keith Tandy, CB/FS, West Virginia (Round 4-5)
Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina (Round 5-6)

 

[manxman2601]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

Yeah this is how I estimated it would go.

Colts - Luck
Skins - RG3
Browns - ?
Jags - Henne
Dolphins - Flynn
Seahawks - Tannehill
Broncos - Manning

While we may not get a 3 and a 4, I think it's realistic. Hoyer is better and younger than Weeden, and will probably remain better than Tannehill for 3 or so years.



I'm actually not as high on McClelin as it may seem. He's probably my 6th or 7th favorite player in my mock, but I don't think there's anyone nearly as good as him that will be available to us. Maybe Cam Johnson, but he doesn't move very fast. Not a great OLB class, but it seems like it never is.

Hicks' upside is just absurd. He is a 'ceilingless' prospect. I'd phantom IR him and have him work on the position and his technique a rookie. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism just aren't available all the time. I think he'd probably compare favorably to Brockers had they both stayed at LSU.

On Hoyer, I was just thinking that maybe the Saints would be a good fit. They seem to be miles away from Brees on getting a contract sorted out and by all accounts he's unhappy with his franchise tag. As next season nears and Brees is in more danger of holding out, maybe the Saints start to get a bit panicky and get a QB in just in case Brees isn't there to go week one. Starting price 2013 2nd perhaps?

 

[SirApropos]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

On Hoyer, I was just thinking that maybe the Saints would be a good fit. They seem to be miles away from Brees on getting a contract sorted out and by all accounts he's unhappy with his franchise tag. As next season nears and Brees is in more danger of holding out, maybe the Saints start to get a bit panicky and get a QB in just in case Brees isn't there to go week one. Starting price 2013 2nd perhaps?

They resigned Chase Daniels to a 1 year deal before FA started.

He's their Backup.

At this point I wouldn't mind if we checked with St.Louis to see if they wanted to swap RFA's in Hoyer and Amendola since Bradford doesn't have a backup right now and missed 6 games last year.

 

[ProudestRyno]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

If you think the Pats would get those two picks for Hoyer, you're high.

 

[Avenger]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

I would be happy is our secondary was this next year:
Kyle Arrington CB
Ras-I Dowling CB
Devin McCourty CB
Sterling Moore CB
Brandon Boykin CB/KR
Keith Tandy CB/FS
Patrick Chung S
Steve Gregory S
LaRon Landry SS
Harrison Smith SS

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

So that's:

Mark Barron
Jamell Fleming
Akiem Hicks
Ryan Broyles

I want to be a woman just so I can get pregnant with your babies right now

Now I just need to persuade you on Marvin Jones. Some evidence from twitter last night:

firstly, whilst I've always loved Greg Childs' upside, who wouldn't as a potential No 1 on the cheap. I watched three Arkansas games this year and in each game there was a breakdown in communication between Tyler Wilson and Childs. Once I can understand, but the fact that it happened in the three games I watched did give me some pause although I surrendered to his upside. Lat night on twitter, one of the draftniks I follow (Chris Kouffman) tweeted:


That certainly tallies with what I saw. Further research revealed this:




Yeah, i don't see BB dolling out "spoonfuls of sugar" to get a player motivated. Starting to wonder whether he might be a bit too diva for the Pats.

As for Jones. Firstly you need to have him in your mock just to make me happy - we'd be like draft twins. But if that isn't enough, also from twitter last night:

When asked who the best route runner in the draft was, Matt Waldman who blogs on the draft skill position players responded:



And Josh Norris of Rotoworld replied:



With our troubles drafting a WR, we really need to go for one that is considered the best route runner in the draft which by default puts him ahead of Blackmon for example.

And one final reason for you to put Jones in there - sheer laziness. When I come to do mine, I can just cut and paste yours

More seriously, even if I haven't persuaded you, it should be fairly obvious that I fully endorse this draft and recommend it to the Patsfan nation and more importantly the Big Belichick himself. Well done!

Now how do I multi-like a post?

Edit: Just read you consider Childs your favourite receiver. Please disregard my knocking Childs. Not nice to do to anothers binky.

No, I actually like Jones. He's been on my radar since he was ranked 196th over at CBS. Way before he became popular at the senior bowl. He's just a little too vanilla for me, and I'm not drafting 4 receivers, even if they are all studs

Those guys couldn't be more wrong about Childs. The man is blue collar and a hard worker. His best attributes are are the least diva like part of the game, blocking and high pointing the ball in traffic. He's the perfect player, I'd draft him 27th if I had to, so I'll be more than happy to draft him in the 3rd.

I thought you were high on Adams too, what happened?

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

If you think the Pats would get those two picks for Hoyer, you're high.

Thanks for adding so much to the discussion.

Who would you rather have, Brian Hoyer of Brandon Weeden? I'll take Hoyer every time.

 

[SirApropos]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

Kendall Langford signed with the Rams for $24M over 4 years, $12M guaranteed.

That's probably slightly more than he deserves.

 

[Deus Irae]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

There's a whole lot of "never going to happen" going on with that mock.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

Kendall Langford signed with the Rams for $24M over 4 years, $12M guaranteed.

That's probably slightly more than he deserves.

In a 4-3 yes. I think would be about fair value in a 3-4. Good defensive linemen are just so valuable with the 2-gap defense.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

There's a whole lot of "never going to happen" going on with that mock.

Like what?

 

[manxman2601]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

No, I actually like Jones. He's been on my radar since he was ranked 196th over at CBS. Way before he became popular at the senior bowl. He's just a little too vanilla for me, and I'm not drafting 4 receivers, even if they are all studs

Those guys couldn't be more wrong about Childs. The man is blue collar and a hard worker. His best attributes are are the least diva like part of the game, blocking and high pointing the ball in traffic. He's the perfect player, I'd draft him 27th if I had to, so I'll be more than happy to draft him in the 3rd.

I thought you were high on Adams too, what happened?

With the signings over the weekend, I'm higher again on Joe Adams. It was never that I got down on him, just that I saw Marvin as a better prospect and thought Broyles would be a better later round option. However, now I think Edelman might be on the bubble, particularly if Gonzalez comes in to camp ready and raring to go and if we are going to add more receivers, return skills will be essential for at least one of them.

 

[Reckedtrek]

re: The "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron, Shea McClellin, Amini Silatulo, Jamell Fleming

While we may not get a 3 and a 4, I think it's realistic. Hoyer is better and younger than Weeden, and will probably remain better than Tannehill for 3 or so years.

On Hoyer... Starting price 2013 2nd perhaps?

This is a serious question- I am not trying to be a wise guy... do you (both) think we'll get these types of offers for Hoyer? While there are quite a few teams desperately trying to find even a C+/B- rating QB, and I would*LOVE* it if the Pats managed a third or a second next year for him, I don't think he's played enough in regular season games to have teams get a good enough look at him.

We got #33 overall for Cassel, but he played the entire 2008 season for teams to review and evaluate.

Hoyer has to his credit: 3 seasons, 286 total career yards, one TD, one Int and an 80.2 QBR. I'm not usually a big stats guy, but the thing that stands out to me about his are how little of them there are to base a decision on.

Again, I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just wondering what you're basing your expectations on.