1 Month to go Mock Draft: Brockers, Upshaw, Jeffery, Johnson, Criner,Chapman,Brewster

[Wilfork#75]

Remaining Team Needs

So far through free agency, the Pats haven’t really done anything to change my view of their needs for the draft. They have done a good job adding depth and competition for positions, but they haven’t really done anything that surprised me or filled a hole I wasn’t expecting. The holes I think FA has filled so far that I now wouldn’t really consider draft needs are Offensive Line (unless Light or Waters retire) and sub rushing interior DL. However, that doesn’t mean I would pass on these positions if there was good value available.

For the remaining needs for FA and the draft I think we still need 2 base 3-4 DE’s to rotate with Brandon Deaderick. Ideally one would come through FA and one through the draft. I believe we also need a base 3-4 OLB and a sub rushing DE/OLB. Ideally Andre Carter would be the sub rushing 4-3 DE for those packages, and I hope we can get the base OLB in the draft (finally). Even with the Brandon Lloyd signing, I still think we need at least 1 outside WR, but if there is value available I would have no problem with 2. Finally I think we need depth in the secondary, whether it’s at CB or S and filled through FA or the draft.


Round 1

1. Ind- QB- Andrew Luck- Stanford
No brainer

2. Wash (Stl)- QB- Robert Griffin III- Baylor
No brainer

3. Min- OT- Matt Kalil- USC
Should be a no brainer but I wouldn’t put it past Minny to screw it up

4. Jax (Cle)- WR- Justin Blackmon- Oklahoma State
Jacksonville badly needs a WR target for whichever JAG QB will be taking the snaps. Blackmon won’t last to #7, so they make a move up.

5. TB- CB- Morris Claiborne- LSU
There is talk of Trent Richardson here, but CB is a far bigger need and Claiborne is an elite prospect.

6. Mia (Stl)- QB- Ryan Tannehill- Texas A&M
I think Miami wants Tannehill and they are familiar with him with their OC Mike Sherman coaching him at Texas A&M. They can’t risk Cleveland taking him so they jump up to get their guy.

7. Cle (Jax)- RB- Trent Richardson- Alabama
Cleveland moves down, adds picks and still gets their guy. They aren’t going to have a franchise QB in 2012, so they need weapons on offense to help out.

8. Stl- OT- Riley Reiff- Iowa
With Blackmon off the board before 6, the Rams decide to move back and grab the top OT on the board to protect Sam Bradford.

9. Car- DT- Fletcher Cox- Miss State
Carolina needs DL help and Cox is the top DT in this draft.

10. SD (Buf)- OT- Jonathan Martin- Stanford
SD needs a new LT after releasing Marcus McNeil, and Jonathan Martin is the last of the top 3 guys. SD isn’t afraid to make a move up, so they jump up to get him ahead of Arizona. Martin is a perfect bookend to pair with Jared Gaither.

11. KC- OG- David DeCastro- Stanford
KC needs a lot of help on their interior O-Line and DeCastro is the best OG to come along in a long time.

12. Sea- DE- Quinton Coples- UNC
Seattle stops Coples drop at 12, and gets good value here with their new DE.

13. Ari- LB- Luke Kuechly- BC
Arizona needs an OT and Mike Adams would be a big reach here (although I considered it). Instead they go with the best LB prospect since Patrick Willis to immediately upgrade their defense.

14. Dal- DE/OLB- Melvin Ingram
DeCastro would have been perfect for Dallas, but he is off the board. Anthony Spencer was franchised, but they need a long term replacement opposite DeMarcus Ware. Ingram suffers a bit of a drop due to needs, but should be fun to watch in Dallas.

15. Phi- DT- Dontari Poe- Memphis
Andy Reid loves big guys up front and Poe certainly fits the description. I think he is overrated, but someone is going to draft him high.

16. NYJ- S- Mark Barron- Alabama
Even with the Laron Landry signing, Safety is a huge need for the Jets. I still think Barron is the pick.

17. Cin- CB- Dre Kirkpatrick- Alabama
They really need help in the secondary, and Kirkpatrick is a very talented CB. I think the take him, slightly ahead of Janoris Jenkins

18. Buf (SD)- WR- Michael Floyd- Notre Dame
Buffalo moves down and still gets a playmaking WR to add to their explosive offense. Floyd falls because of lack of demand for WR’s in the teens.

19. Chi- OT- Mike Adams- Ohio State
With the WR need taken care of with Brandon Marshall, the Bears now need to turn their attention to protecting Jay Cutler. OT is a huge need and Adams is the arguably best available.

20. Ten- C- Peter Konz- Wisconsin
C seems to be one of the Titans biggest needs and Konz is by far the best available.

21. Cin- OL- Cordy Glenn- Georgia
The 3rd OL in a row and Cordy Glenn could be the best of them all. He would be a big upgrade and fill a huge need at OG.

22. NE (Cle)- DL- Michael Brockers

23. Det- CB- Janoris Jenkins- North Alabama
Detroit really needs to add talent and depth to their secondary and they don’t seem to mind players with issues. Jenkins seems like the perfect fit.

24. Pit- ILB- Dont’a Hightower- Alabama
This pick makes too much sense not to happen. The Steelers need help at ILB and OLB and Hightower can help at both. He should be a good replacement to James Farrior.

25. Denver- WR- Stephen Hill- Georgia Tech
This pick is almost a lock to be a weapon for Peyton Manning. Hill has good size and speed, along with a ton of upside. I’ll put him here slightly above Kendall Wright.

26. Hou- WR- Kendall Wright- Baylor
Houston takes whichever WR that Denver doesn’t, and they certainly wouldn’t be disappointed with Wright.

27. NE- OLB- Courtney Upshaw- Alabama

28. GB- OLB- Nick Perry- USC
GB needs a pass rusher opposite Clay Matthews, and it worked out pretty well last time they took a USC LBer, so they try it again.

29. Bal- DE- Whitney Mercilus- Illinois
They need OL help, but none are of value here. Instead they fill their hole at OLB left by Jarrett Johnson

30. SF- DE/OLB- Andre Branch- Clemson
SF have done a great job filling their hole at WR, now they can continue to add to their already stacked defense. Branch would look good opposite Aldon Smith

31. Cle- CB/S- Stephon Gilmore- South Carolina
Cleveland needs help at CB and S, so they grab Gilmore here who can do both, then grab their WR in round 2.

32. NYG- TE- Coby Fleener- Stanford
The Giants have seen the power of TE’s, now they try to get their own.

Trades
Cle trades 1 (4) to Jacksonville for 1 (7) + 3 (71) + 5 (134)

Stl trades 1(6) to Mia for 1(8) + 3(74)

Buf trades 1(10) to SD for 1(18) + 2 (49)

Cle trades 1(22) + 4 (100) to NE for 1(31) + QB Brian Hoyer + DE Jermaine Cunningham
Pats move up to get Brockers and get value for Hoyer, while Cleveland gets a QB to challenge Colt McCoy and a backup DE. I think this is fair for both teams as it gives Hoyer and Cunningham a high 3rd round value.

 

[Wilfork#75]

Pats picks

1 (22)- DL- Michael Brockers- LSU
Over the past 2 days I’ve gone back and looked at the top 4 DT’s in this draft. Cox is clearly the best at the moment and Poe is the most athletic. But the guy that is the best fit is Brockers. He isn’t going to fit every scheme because he is a run stuffer not a pass rusher, but he fits perfectly as a two-gap 3-4 DE. He had mediocre athletic numbers, but on tape he is great and worth a trade up for. He can start right away on early downs, and take time to develop as a pass rusher.

1 (27)- OLB- Courtney Upshaw- Alabama
Like Brockers, Upshaw’s athletic numbers weren’t elite, but he is a hell of a football player. I think he is by the best fit for OLB that we have seen over previous years because he actually plays the position. He’s a beast against the run and has a great first step and bull rush. Just a really good player.

2 (48)- WR- Alshon Jeffery- South Carolina
I know a lot of people don’t like this guy but I’m sticking with him. He’s going to be a beast in the NFL (even if he is fat)

2 (63) traded to Hou for 3 (77) + 4 (122)


3 (77)- CB/S- Trumaine Johnson- Montana
I like him as a CB, many like him as a FS. Either way he fills a need and adds a lot of talent.

3 (94)- WR- Juron Criner- Arizona (Binky Alert!)
This is just a value pick, and being a Binky I had to take him here. I don’t think Gonzalez or Stallworth make the roster, so I think there is room for 2 rookie WR’s. Criner might not play a lot year 1, but could be a very valuable player long term. If we don’t sign a veteran DL I would change this to Kheeston Randle from Texas.

4 (100) traded to Phi for 4 (114) + 5 (145)


4 (114) + 2013 7th traded to Denver for 5 (129) + 5 (152)


4 (122)- NT- Josh Chapman- Alabama
Another value pick, Chapman falls due to medical concerns. Very good value here for a talented, developmental NT.

4 (126)- C- Mike Brewster- Ohio State
He was a projected high pick for a reason early in the season, but his play really fell off. He has good measurables and a lot of experience, and I would really like to see what Dante could turn him into. I think he’s worth the risk at this stage of the draft.

5 (129)- WR- Ryan Broyles- Oklahoma
Yes another WR, but Broyles is far too good of value to pass up. Stash him on PUP/IR this season and let him learn the system. If he works out you might be able to let Welker walk or tag and trade him at the end of the year. I love taking shots at these high ceiling, injured players late in the draft.

5 (145)- LB- Emmanuel Acho- Texas
Guyton isn’t back, so depth at ILB and on special teams is needed. I know we have a bunch of JAGs at LB already on the roster, but I think Acho could add more than that. He is a very intelligent and hardworking kid with a good amount of athleticism and experience. I think he has a genuine shot of making the roster, and for a 5th round pick I don’t know how much more you could expect.

5 (152)- CB/ST- Justin Bethel- Presbyterian
Bethel is a special teams ace and developmental CB/S who really stood out to me at the combine. He has really fluid hips and showed good ball skills, and I think he is worth a shot at developing. In the meantime he can be a great contributor on special team while he works his way into the defensive rotation. In his career he has blocked an unbelievable 9 kicks.

UDFA- DL- Chigbo Anunoby- Morehouse
This is probably my biggest Binky of the draft. Monster potential for an UDFA.


Free Agents

RB- Justin Forsett
Veteran RB with little wear and solid production when given the chance in Seattle. A solid guy to have in the rotation with Ridley and Vereen

DE- Andre Carter
If he can produce anywhere near last year he will be a big boost. With the expected move back to the 3-4, his role will be diminished, but hopefully that would help keep him healthy. He will need to get healthy before he is signed, and could be a PUP candidate.

DL- Luis Castillo
An experienced 3-4 DE who could step into a 3 man rotation with Deaderick and Brockers to really solidify the DL. Bringing back Gerard Warren is another option (although not ideal).

S- Melvin Bullitt
This safety class is weak and I don’t think there will be anyone available of value that could really help this team, so I think FA is the way to go. Bullitt is an extremely talented player with a history of injury, but worth a shot on a non-guaranteed deal. If he can stay healthy for a year he would help solidify the secondary and allow us to grab a more talented S in next years draft.




Projected Roster
QB- Brady, Mallet
RB- Ridley, Woodhead, Vereen, Forsett
TE- Gronk, Hernandez, Fells
WR- Welker, Lloyd, Jeffery, Criner, *Branch/Ocho/Stallworth/Gonzales
OT- Light, Vollmer, Solder, Cannon
OG- Mankins, Waters, Gallery
C- Connolly, Wendell/Brewster
Offense- 23

NT- Wilfork, Love
Base DE- Brockers, Deaderick, Castillo
Sub rushing DT- Fanene, Pryor
DE/OLB- Upshaw, Ninkovich, Carter, Scott
ILB- Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher, Acho
CB- Dowling, Johnson, Arrington, Moore, Bethel
S- Chung, **McCourty, Gregory, Bullitt
Defense- 24

K- Gostkowski
P- Mesko
LS- Aiken
ST- Slater, Edelman, Tarpanian/White

PUP/IR- Broyles, Chapman

*I don’t know if Branch would accept this role, but my ideal scenario for the WR’s would be to have Branch come to camp and help the young WR’s learn the system. Then him not make the final 53, semi-retire and become a shadow roster guy. Because he knows the system so well and has great chemistry with Brady, he would be able to step in whenever needed to cover injury or lack of production. I would like this because I don’t have confidence in Deion’s body being able to hold up and be consistent for an entire season. If we can keep him fresh most of the year and bring him in later, I think he could be very productive towards the end of the season. Now, if he is obviously the best option out of camp you keep him on the roster. Or if you don’t need him throughout the season that is a good thing for the team. But in the end I think in training camp things have a way of working themselves out. Whether it be injury or lack of production, the best options at WR will rise.

**While we only have 3 genuine safeties, we have a bunch of versatile guys that could fill in at CB or S. I think with McCourty, Dowling and Johnson we could create matchups that best suit each situation. Depth and versatility can help make up for some of the possibly talent deficiencies at the back, at least for 1 year.

 

[manxman2601]

Would be very happy with this draft for the Patriots - wouldn't be delighted because I'd go a different way on most of the picks, but they're still all good picks. Nice job.

 

[SirApropos]

Cle trades 1 (4) to Jacksonville for 1 (7) + 3 (71) + 5 (134)

Stl trades 1(6) to Mia for 1(8) + 3(74)

If Cleveland can get a 5th rounder in their trade back I think St.Louis would be able to as well.

I don't think the pats draft any WR this year because they are not going to carry 7 WR on the 53 because most of the time they are running 2 TE sets.

None of the WR in this year's class matchup in their workouts numbers wise to compare to guys that have succeeded in the Pats system (Short Shuttle, 1,000 yds, Vertical, Height). The only guy that comes close is Eric Page out of Toledo but his vertical is slightly short. I could see him as an Edleman replacement since he is a KR as well.

CB Marquice Cole should be on the 53 somewhere because he's a 4th-5th CB and an awesome Gunner on the Punt team.

 

[Wilfork#75]

If Cleveland can get a 5th rounder in their trade back I think St.Louis would be able to as well.

I don't think the pats draft any WR this year because they are not going to carry 7 WR on the 53 because most of the time they are running 2 TE sets.

None of the WR in this year's class matchup in their workouts numbers wise to compare to guys that have succeeded in the Pats system (Short Shuttle, 1,000 yds, Vertical, Height). The only guy that comes close is Eric Page out of Toledo but his vertical is slightly short. I could see him as an Edleman replacement since he is a KR as well.

CB Marquice Cole should be on the 53 somewhere because he's a 4th-5th CB and an awesome Gunner on the Punt team.

Cleveland was moving down 3 spots instead of 2, and they were moving down from the 4th pick not the 6th. Thats where the extra 5th round value comes from.

I think they will carry 5 genuine WR's not including Edelman or Slater who I think should be considered special teamers. I have no faith in Ocho, Stallworth or Gonzalez to even come close to making the roster, so I think there could be room for 2 rookie WR's.

I'm not really concerned with the workout numbers of previous WR's because the one consistent thing the Pats have drafted at WR is busts. They need to re-evaluate what they are looking for in WR's because what they have been looking for clearly hasn't worked. The biggest thing that stands out to me with the WR's the Pats have drafted over the last 10 years is they don't value production very highly. The only guy to have a 1000 yard receiving season is college was Deion Branch, who happened to be by far the most successful WR drafted by the team since BB has been here. I'll take two guys that have had huge production in college and project well to the NFL over a guy who has 41 catches since 2007 and an guy who's had more IR trips than touchdowns over the last 3 years.

Cole could very well make the roster over Bethel. I think they are similar players and the better one would make the roster. I picked Bethel because I think he has more potential as a CB and very similar skills as a STer, but Cole could easily be the guy.

 

[b72s]

Again Yeoman work here, Nice Job..

Things I wish I knew ...

Cunningham & pryor Health status

I like what I have seen of pryor but cunningham looks like a bust!!!!!

I like the trade with Cleveland and I assume it is better for them to let Hoyer sign rfa offer then sign...

I like the D pics but I cannot see that many WRs as I believe BB & TB will not want to wait on development and trust period.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Outstanding as always Wilfork! Amazingly you didn't draft any of my binkies but I still LOVE this draft. Probably because the one in a month is going to be a lot worse, and you drafted several players I really like.

Brockers
Upshaw
Johnson
Chapman
Broyles
Acho
Bethel
And
Anunoby!

I could live without Jeffery because I don't think he'll even come close to learning the offense.

For me, Brewster is like that ex-girlfriend you fell madly in love with for two weeks until you saw all her flaws. He still represents good value in the fourth though so I can't knock you there.

The only other real problem I have is that while I love Trumaine Johnson, I think he's a safety only, albeit a good one. He just doesn't have the hips, at all. Bethel has upside at both positions but he's not ready to play on defense yet. So I think you kind of left corner back out to dry, which is a travesty in this draft. Flip Jeffery with Fleming and this draft is a 100/100.

BTW I'm intrigued by Anunoby too, but I haven't seem much of scouting reports on him, just Bunting's. Do you know of any more?

 

[SirApropos]

I think they will carry 5 genuine WR's not including Edelman or Slater who I think should be considered special teamers. I have no faith in Ocho, Stallworth or Gonzalez to even come close to making the roster, so I think there could be room for 2 rookie WR's.

History wouldn't be on your side. The only year there were seven WR's (including ST) on a Week One 53-man Roster was Matt Slater's rookie year in 2008 and he was technically a Safety that year converting to WR. Every other year in the BB Era there has been either 5/6 WR including ST's.

It's more likely that any new WR will have to be an UDFA that can be stashed on the PS/PUP.

Welker, Lloyd, Gronk, and Hernandez will be the top 4 receiving targets for the next 2 years. Any Rookie will probably be Inactive for most of the season as the 5th WR. There are more likely to use those picks to bolsted the DL and OL.

 

[dryheat44]

I just can't justify trading Hoyer, Cunningham, and, say, Barron or Gilmore or Reyes, for Brokers. Hate it.

Hoyer is worth much more to the Patriots than < a nine-spot move up. If Brady (God forbid) were to get hurt, I have no faith Mallett can come in and win a single game. Maybe my faith is misplaced, but I think Hoyer could get this team into playoff contention. And Cunningham was our best OLB in 2010, when we were in a 3-4 base. No need to throw him in either.

All that aside, I have no problem with the players you drafted. With Broyles along with Welker, Edelman, and Gonzalez, we have the slot receiver position covered.

 

[Wilfork#75]

Outstanding as always Wilfork! Amazingly you didn't draft any of my binkies but I still LOVE this draft. Probably because the one in a month is going to be a lot worse, and you drafted several players I really like.

For me, Brewster is like that ex-girlfriend you fell madly in love with for two weeks until you saw all her flaws. He still represents good value in the fourth though so I can't knock you there.

The only other real problem I have is that while I love Trumaine Johnson, I think he's a safety only, albeit a good one. He just doesn't have the hips, at all. Bethel has upside at both positions but he's not ready to play on defense yet. So I think you kind of left corner back out to dry, which is a travesty in this draft. Flip Jeffery with Fleming and this draft is a 100/100.

BTW I'm intrigued by Anunoby too, but I haven't seem much of scouting reports on him, just Bunting's. Do you know of any more?

Thanks buddy. I'll get your binky's in the next one, I promise.

The funny thing is I've never really been high on Brewster, but he obviously has talent because he was a top rated C for a long time. I don't know why his play fell off but I think if anyone can turn him around it's Dante. He just seems like the kind of guy the Pats would pick up late and turn into a really solid player.

I actually really like Johnson as a press man CB, not so much as a zone CB. I think that's where the versatility with McCourty could come in handy. If you want to play press man you can play Dowling and Johnson at CB and put McCourty back at FS. Or if you wanted to play zone you can have McCourty at CB and Johnson at safety. I think they would give the defense a lot of versatility.

I've only seen I think 1 other scouting report for Anunoby and a little bit of video on him. I've also seen a few workout videos and interviews with him and he seems like a really impressive kid. The same with Bethel. Listening to him talk about special teams I think he could be someone BB falls in love with.

 

[Wilfork#75]

History wouldn't be on your side. The only year there were seven WR's (including ST) on a Week One 53-man Roster was Matt Slater's rookie year in 2008 and he was technically a Safety that year converting to WR. Every other year in the BB Era there has been either 5/6 WR including ST's.

It's more likely that any new WR will have to be an UDFA that can be stashed on the PS/PUP.

Welker, Lloyd, Gronk, and Hernandez will be the top 4 receiving targets for the next 2 years. Any Rookie will probably be Inactive for most of the season as the 5th WR. There are more likely to use those picks to bolsted the DL and OL.

I guess it all depends on what you consider Edelman. Considering he had more than 4x as many tackles as receptions last year I'm more inclined to call him a DB than a WR.

I agree that a rookie WR won't be a primary option this year, but with this system you have to get guys in a year before it really becomes a need. Welker is 31 and on the franchise tag. Lloyd is a 31 year old problem child who has the skills to fit the system, but could easily have issues with Brady. Branch has the mental aptitude but his skill set is clearly declining and may only have 1 year left at best. Stallworth hasn't produced since he left and is coming to the end of his career and Gonzalez is likely 1 injury away from retirement. If we don't draft guys now, what are we going to do next year when most of these guys are gone. Now is the perfect time to bring guys in and let them sit and learn. We have learnt this offseason that it's not economically viable to fill holes at WR through FA. I also don't know how many picks you can use on defense. Having too many young players can be as big an issue as not having enough. I think you need a balance of rookies and veteran FA's. I also think if you draft many more OL or DL you will have the same issue as WRs. The won't see much of the field. I would much prefer to have these guys sit and develop at positions in which we have no young talent unlike OL and DL.

I just can't justify trading Hoyer, Cunningham, and, say, Barron or Gilmore or Reyes, for Brokers. Hate it.

Hoyer is worth much more to the Patriots than < a nine-spot move up. If Brady (God forbid) were to get hurt, I have no faith Mallett can come in and win a single game. Maybe my faith is misplaced, but I think Hoyer could get this team into playoff contention. And Cunningham was our best OLB in 2010, when we were in a 3-4 base. No need to throw him in either.

All that aside, I have no problem with the players you drafted. With Broyles along with Welker, Edelman, and Gonzalez, we have the slot receiver position covered.

We also get a high 4th round pick back, which essentially gives Hoyer and Cunningham a high 3rd round pick value. I think that's fair. I'm fine with Mallett because he was the most pro ready QB in last years draft so I think he can handle the backup QB duties. I don't think we have really seen that much more out of Hoyer to suggest that he would be that much of a better option than Mallett. The most concerning thing with Cunningham was the reports of him being an outsider in the lockeroom. If that's the case I think it's best for both sides to move on.

 

[captain stone]

Outstanding effort. Some thoughts, first on the mock:

- Everthing makes perfect sense up to 15. If Reid's smart, and if Kuechly's gone, he'll take either
Upshaw or Hightower.
- Buff's OL sux, so they should take one of the next 3 OLmen.
- Brockers is high-risk/good (not high) reward; I think I'd rather have more athleticism at the edge.
- Upshaw would be a great find at 27; I might even make the trade-up to 22 just to ensure
getting Upshaw, not Brockers.
- I wouldn't be surprised if SF takes Kevin Zeitler, Rueben Randle or David Wilson at 30.

Next, on the Pats' picks:
- It's hoped that Brockers could be the next Seymour, but will he ever be athletic enough,
and tough enough, to approach that level? I'm kinda tired of seeing blobs on our DL; I want me
some lean, mean, nasty SOBs on either side of Wilfork.

- Although Upshaw's height & arm length aren't ideal - at all, he still has more of what Bill seeks
at the position than Mercilus, Perry or Branch. Passing on Mercilus would be very tough for me,
though; he could be a real beast in this league.

- I'm not touching Jeffery with the 48th pick (or the 63rd, if we keep it). I'd rather see if Harrison Smith
or Shea McClellin are still available.

- If a FS hasn't been yet taken by 77, then Trumaine Johnson is a good place to start.

- 94 is the place for a WR if 77 is used for a FS, and Criner would be VG value here.

- If Phil Blake is still avail. at 122, then I'd very gladly take him instead of a wide-body
(though a well-regarded one) with a bad knee.

- 126 is about where Mike Brewster becomes a value pick, esp. if Phil Blake is already gone.

- I'm now starting to look for KORs at 129. If Broyles can't return KOs, then I don't want him.

- Bill should've drafted Manny Acho's older brother in the 3rd round last year. Manny, however,
is just too damn small to use any draft pick, never mind the 145th, on him. I'd rather see what FSs
& Pass-Rushers have slipped through the cracks.

- Justin Bethel's intriguing, though at 152 there might be better players at his position still avail.

Overall, although I have quibbles w/ some of your picks, your draft will very likely be better for us
than the one flushed out from Foxborough.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Pats picks

1 (22)- DL- Michael Brockers- LSU
Over the past 2 days I’ve gone back and looked at the top 4 DT’s in this draft. Cox is clearly the best at the moment and Poe is the most athletic. But the guy that is the best fit is Brockers. He isn’t going to fit every scheme because he is a run stuffer not a pass rusher, but he fits perfectly as a two-gap 3-4 DE. He had mediocre athletic numbers, but on tape he is great and worth a trade up for. He can start right away on early downs, and take time to develop as a pass rusher.

1 (27)- OLB- Courtney Upshaw- Alabama
Like Brockers, Upshaw’s athletic numbers weren’t elite, but he is a hell of a football player. I think he is by the best fit for OLB that we have seen over previous years because he actually plays the position. He’s a beast against the run and has a great first step and bull rush. Just a really good player.

2 (48)- WR- Alshon Jeffery- South Carolina
I know a lot of people don’t like this guy but I’m sticking with him. He’s going to be a beast in the NFL (even if he is fat)

2 (63) traded to Hou for 3 (77) + 4 (122)


3 (77)- CB/S- Trumaine Johnson- Montana
I like him as a CB, many like him as a FS. Either way he fills a need and adds a lot of talent.

3 (94)- WR- Juron Criner- Arizona (Binky Alert!)
This is just a value pick, and being a Binky I had to take him here. I don’t think Gonzalez or Stallworth make the roster, so I think there is room for 2 rookie WR’s. Criner might not play a lot year 1, but could be a very valuable player long term. If we don’t sign a veteran DL I would change this to Kheeston Randle from Texas.

4 (100) traded to Phi for 4 (114) + 5 (145)


4 (114) + 2013 7th traded to Denver for 5 (129) + 5 (152)


4 (122)- NT- Josh Chapman- Alabama
Another value pick, Chapman falls due to medical concerns. Very good value here for a talented, developmental NT.

4 (126)- C- Mike Brewster- Ohio State
He was a projected high pick for a reason early in the season, but his play really fell off. He has good measurables and a lot of experience, and I would really like to see what Dante could turn him into. I think he’s worth the risk at this stage of the draft.

5 (129)- WR- Ryan Broyles- Oklahoma
Yes another WR, but Broyles is far too good of value to pass up. Stash him on PUP/IR this season and let him learn the system. If he works out you might be able to let Welker walk or tag and trade him at the end of the year. I love taking shots at these high ceiling, injured players late in the draft.

5 (145)- LB- Emmanuel Acho- Texas
Guyton isn’t back, so depth at ILB and on special teams is needed. I know we have a bunch of JAGs at LB already on the roster, but I think Acho could add more than that. He is a very intelligent and hardworking kid with a good amount of athleticism and experience. I think he has a genuine shot of making the roster, and for a 5th round pick I don’t know how much more you could expect.

5 (152)- CB/ST- Justin Bethel- Presbyterian
Bethel is a special teams ace and developmental CB/S who really stood out to me at the combine. He has really fluid hips and showed good ball skills, and I think he is worth a shot at developing. In the meantime he can be a great contributor on special team while he works his way into the defensive rotation. In his career he has blocked an unbelievable 9 kicks.

UDFA- DL- Chigbo Anunoby- Morehouse
This is probably my biggest Binky of the draft. Monster potential for an UDFA.

Outstanding effort! Absolutely love the idea of going up and getting Brockers. That would make my draft. Again I do not think brockers can start from day one, but by year three, he is a beast on our D Line.

I would be thrilled if Upshaw fell to us at #27, as I like him more than Ingram.

I really like the trade you proposed at #63.

 

[ay-yo]

I actually really like Johnson as a press man CB, not so much as a zone CB. I think that's where the versatility with McCourty could come in handy. If you want to play press man you can play Dowling and Johnson at CB and put McCourty back at FS. Or if you wanted to play zone you can have McCourty at CB and Johnson at safety. I think they would give the defense a lot of versatility.

That would be too easy for QB's to read pre-snap.

 

[ay-yo]

Wilfork#75, with regards to your entire OP:

Dislikes:
the assement of WR position currently: I would have no problem letting Ocho, Branch, Gonzalez, Stallworth, Edelman and Underwood battle it out for 3 spots. As such I would not want to draft 2 WR's as early as you did. If Jeffery's pro-day numbers (has he had his yet?) and interviews check out / I had a first round grade on him; I would have no problem taking him at 48.

The secondary players added: I like Johnson but Bullitt and Bethel are where my problem lies. I want at least 1 of those guys to be upgraded.

Likes, nice effort all around but here's what stood out:
Your first round: I have no faith in Cunningham and am willing to roll w/ Mallet as the only back up QB. That makes the trade-up a HR for me as I had neither guy on my 53 man roster for next year. It also makes the Mallet pick last year make a lot more sense. Brockers and Upshaw are a fantastic pair to come away with and should improve the D next year and even more down the road. Not sure Upshaw gets to 27 though.

Chapman, Brewster and Broyles All are excellent gambles / values.

 

[Snake Eyes]

The funny thing is I've never really been high on Brewster, but he obviously has talent because he was a top rated C for a long time. I don't know why his play fell off but I think if anyone can turn him around it's Dante. He just seems like the kind of guy the Pats would pick up late and turn into a really solid player.

What did you think when watching him in drills during the combine? I thought he was very unathletic, seeing him and someone like DeCastro was like night and day.

When looking at the scouting reports of all the Center/Guard prospects and I cannot find anyone aside from DeCastro who has better raw materials to be a Center than Amini Silatolu. The problem with him is that he has no experience on the inside, but if he did and wasn't so raw we'd have no shot at him.

Even though he'd cost a lot more to aquire I think the price would be more than justified.

 

[rookBoston]

Nice job. I like the trade up for Brockers, and Upshaw is a great (and lucky) pick.

My knock on the draft class is that you drafted 11 rookies. Way too many. The roster cant bear them all. A guy like Acho would never beat White out for a roster spot. Broyles makes sense on a lay-a-way plan, but anyone you're trying to get onto the 53-man needs to be pretty compelling, or they're going to look good in TC and get snapped up when BB tries to shift them to the PS.

 

[Sciz]

When looking at the scouting reports of all the Center/Guard prospects and I cannot find anyone aside from DeCastro who has better raw materials to be a Center than Amini Silatolu. The problem with him is that he has no experience on the inside, but if he did and wasn't so raw we'd have no shot at him.

And there are rumors that he's going late 1st. Yikes!

 

[Snake Eyes]

And there are rumors that he's going late 1st. Yikes!

Damn! I wonder if other came to the same conclusions that I did, I'd be all over him in the 2nd.

 

[IllegalContact]

I don't see SD moving up for an OL......their defensive front 7 needs to be addressed more than anything. I also don't see that kind of run being made for OL's in the 1st round.

I also don't believe there is any way the browns make that deal for hoyer. he doesn't solve much for them. and I don't see the pats moving up for brockers

and then, drafting 3 WR's? where are you going to put them? seems like wasted effort to move down to get guys you can't place