The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

FA Signings
Andre Carter
We need him back for the 40 fronts.


2012 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals have traded the 13th overall pick to the New England Patriots. The Patriots get the 13th, 112th, 151st, and the 221st overall pick. The Cardinals get the 31st and the 48th overall pick, as well as quarterback Brian Hoyer.

With the 13th overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

Shortly following the pick there is a loud smashing noise that comes from the Cowboy’s war room. We find out later Jerry Jones smashed a flat screen TV in a raging tantrum.

Barron is the perfect selection 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 will instantly be the third best player on the defense. Barron also never blows a coverage so hopefully our pro bowl cornerback will return to form. If you think this is a bad pick because Barron isn’t a rangy coverage safety, then you’re a horrible scout or have never watched the film, because you’re dead wrong. It’s really that simple. If you watch him on film there no way you can see him as anything other than a top ten talent. It’s blatantly obvious. Cosell, Mayock, Casserly, and all the “experts” are finally catching up to me and the rest of the Barron fans. We’ve known how good Barron is all along.

The Cardinals get two premium picks for one (including a second rounder that they didn’t have), and a quarterback every bit as good as Kolb.

The Patriots get the player that is going to improve them the most, and some late round value picks, while trading Hoyer to the NFC.

It’s a win-win, and so you don’t have to do the math,

#31 + #48 = 1020

#13 + #112 + #151 + #221= 1254

1254 – 1020 = 234 (Hoyer’s Value)


With the 27th overall pick New England Patriots select…

Shea McClellin, Outside Linebacker, Boise State

Bill finally gets his man. McClellin has everything he looks for in an OLB. He has the size and athleticism, while also being a great blitzer, pass rusher, and run stuffer. His late rise is so very warranted. I will be dumbfounder when we don’t pick him.

The Patriot’s phone rings and GB offers pick 163 for Jermaine Cunningham. Bill cuts his losses and accepts the trade.


With the 62nd overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

Too much possible value here to not take him. Jenkins could be the next Darrell Revis or the next Pacman Jones. I think Meyer has good things to say about Jenkins, and the Pats strong locker room keeps him from being the next Pacman. His talent is obvious, top 5 in the draft. He’s a better on the field player than Claiborne. Thank god he went back to school.


With the 93rd overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Mychal Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, California

We need a coverage LB to spell Spikes and replace Tracy freaking White. Replacing White will have on of the biggest impacts on the defense of anything we could do in the draft. Kendricks has crazy athleticism and while his coverage ability is obvious, he’s no slouch as a blitzer or run stopper.


With the 112th (via AZ) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Greg Childs, Wide Receiver, Arkansas

Huge value here, he’s a mid to late first round WR when healthy. He’s also my favorite receiver in the draft, from a Patriots offense perspective. 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. He’s a PUP candidate, and won’t offer much this year, but I think our wealth of receivers creates a nice bridge to next year for Childs to take over.


With the 126th overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Ryan Broyles, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

He’s another huge value, late first/early second type of player when healthy. Broyles is the jack of all trades, but with great hands and awareness. He’s professional at the bubble screen - a McDaniels favorite, and probably restricted to slot end duty with some looks out wide. With Welker not understanding slot receiver market value I think we’re going to have to replace him next year. Our wealth of receivers pays off again because Broyles is a sure PUP lister.


With the 151st (via AZ) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Matt McCants, Tackle, Birmingham

We need a high upside tackle for Dante to sculpt into and immovable wall. McCants is that tackle. I’d take him over Cordy Glenn and Jon Martin, and maybe even Mike Adams. Another huge value here, but this one of the small school variety.


With the 163rd (via GB) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Akiem Hicks, Defensive Tackle, Regina

Monster DE/DT 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 that can be coached. He has all the length in the world to 2-gap end, and the power and athleticism to 1-gap in the nickel.


With the 221st (via AZ) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Chris Owusu, Wide Reciever, Stanford

He has absolutely electric athleticism and it shows on the field, but only when he’s healthy. He has very serious concussion problems. I say get him a big cushy helmet and let him return kicks and punts as a rookie. He also comes from a pro style offense, something I consider an absolute must for a WR.

 

[Sciz]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

Shortly following the pick there is a loud smashing noise that comes from the Cowboy’s war room. We find out later Jerry Jones smashed a flat screen TV in a raging tantrum.

I'd be doing the same to mine.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

Undrafted Free Agents
(In no specific order)

Case Keenum, Quarterback, Houston

Low ceiling QB prospect that could be good in McDaniels system. Solid backup and eventual trade bait, like Hoyer.

Travis Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Miami

Crazy athleticism and separation skills. He needs refinement.

Chigbo Anunoby, Defensive Tackle, Morehouse

Get ready because it’s an interior D line feast! Anunoby is another big versatile interior D linemen. 0, 3, 5 tech, you name it, he can do it.

Armond Armstead, Defensive Tackle, USC

He didn’t play all of 2011, but if he reaches his potential, he’ll be a steal of the draft.

Christo Bilukidi, Defensive Tackle, Georgia State

Bilukdi is 6’4.5”, 312 lbs, and had a 5.03 40, 7.33 3-cone, and a 35.5” vertical at his pro day. I didn’t know Dontari Poe’s leaner and meaner brother was draft eligible, turns out he is.

Josh Oglesby, Guard, Wisconsin

Monster guard conversion project. Phone booth guard.

Desmond Marrow, Cornerback, Toledo

Big, athletic, but raw CB prospect. He’s the lesser known Trumaine Johnson. Big upside.

Tony Dye, Safety, UCLA

Solid fundamental safety that would be a day 2 pick if healthy. Chung replacement for next year if Chung wants too much.

Michael Hayes, Runningback, Houston

Quick, athletic, and valuable pass catching runningback. Has some Sproles/Woodhead to him.

I look forward to picking 32nd in the 2013 draft!

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

I'd be doing the same to mine.

I didn't know you were a Cowboys fan.

 

[patfanken]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

Great effort. I want you to know how much I appreciate people who do these....even though I have to criticize some of the assumptions.

Basic points:

1. You started out so wonderfully, and finished so badly. If we only get those first 3 players I'd be thrilled.....HOWEVER.

2. I don't have much trouble with any of the players you selected. Its just that for the most part we either don't need them or they don't fit what we are doing

3. This is the year where less is more. Adding 3 picks for developmental player is a waste. Childs, Broyles and Owasu are all decent prospects, but unless you plan of all of them ending up on the IR or the PS, NONE of them are better than the top 7 guys we already have on the roster....and 2 of them have got to go. So in my mind you just wasted 3 picks on decent prospects that will wind up on someone else's roster or PS

4. As you describe them both McCants and Hicks sound like intriguing prospects. Good PS material, and if we end up with some low end picks I'd be fine with them.

5. We have 3 solid ILB's right now and that's enough. As it is only one ILB is a 3 down player to begin with. When we have 5 DB's on the field, which is a majority of the time, its an ILB that's sitting. If we need a "coverage LB" send in a DB. I would have used that pick on a DB like Johnson, Iloki or Martin, all of whom are taller and more athletic than Kendricks, who is a nice player, btw. Just not for us.

6. So make that trade if you want. And if you need to give the Pats sweeteners, just take one pick late and use the rust on future picks. ie For the 31st and 48 the Pats get the #13 and 221, plus the Cards 3rd and 5th in 2013

7. BTW- I'm going to do one tomorrow, you you'll have a chance to get even

 

[DW Toys]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

FA Signings
Andre Carter
We need him back for the 40 fronts.


2012 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals have traded the 13th overall pick to the New England Patriots. The Patriots get the 13th, 112th, 151st, and the 221st overall pick. The Cardinals get the 31st and the 48th overall pick, as well as quarterback Brian Hoyer.

With the 13th overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

Shortly following the pick there is a loud smashing noise that comes from the Cowboy’s war room. We find out later Jerry Jones smashed a flat screen TV in a raging tantrum.

Barron is the perfect selection 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 will instantly be the third best player on the defense. Barron also never blows a coverage so hopefully our pro bowl cornerback will return to form. If you think this is a bad pick because Barron isn’t a rangy coverage safety, then you’re a horrible scout or have never watched the film, because you’re dead wrong. It’s really that simple. If you watch him on film there no way you can see him as anything other than a top ten talent. It’s blatantly obvious. Cosell, Mayock, Casserly, and all the “experts” are finally catching up to me and the rest of the Barron fans. We’ve known how good Barron is all along.

The Cardinals get two premium picks for one (including a second rounder that they didn’t have), and a quarterback every bit as good as Kolb.

The Patriots get the player that is going to improve them the most, and some late round value picks, while trading Hoyer to the NFC.

It’s a win-win, and so you don’t have to do the math,

#31 + #48 = 1020

#13 + #112 + #151 + #221= 1254

1254 – 1020 = 234 (Hoyer’s Value)


With the 27th overall pick New England Patriots select…

Shea McClellin, Outside Linebacker, Boise State

Bill finally gets his man. McClellin has everything he looks for in an OLB. He has the size and athleticism, while also being a great blitzer, pass rusher, and run stuffer. His late rise is so very warranted. I will be dumbfounder when we don’t pick him.

The Patriot’s phone rings and GB offers pick 163 for Jermaine Cunningham. Bill cuts his losses and accepts the trade.


With the 62nd overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

Too much possible value here to not take him. Jenkins could be the next Darrell Revis or the next Pacman Jones. I think Meyer has good things to say about Jenkins, and the Pats strong locker room keeps him from being the next Pacman. His talent is obvious, top 5 in the draft. He’s a better on the field player than Claiborne. Thank god he went back to school.


With the 93rd overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Mychal Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, California

We need a coverage LB to spell Spikes and replace Tracy freaking White. Replacing White will have on of the biggest impacts on the defense of anything we could do in the draft. Kendricks has crazy athleticism and while his coverage ability is obvious, he’s no slouch as a blitzer or run stopper.


With the 112th (via AZ) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Greg Childs, Wide Receiver, Arkansas

Huge value here, he’s a mid to late first round WR when healthy. He’s also my favorite receiver in the draft, from a Patriots offense perspective. 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. He’s a PUP candidate, and won’t offer much this year, but I think our wealth of receivers creates a nice bridge to next year for Childs to take over.


With the 126th overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Ryan Broyles, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

He’s another huge value, late first/early second type of player when healthy. Broyles is the jack of all trades, but with great hands and awareness. He’s professional at the bubble screen - a McDaniels favorite, and probably restricted to slot end duty with some looks out wide. With Welker not understanding slot receiver market value I think we’re going to have to replace him next year. Our wealth of receivers pays off again because Broyles is a sure PUP lister.


With the 151st (via AZ) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Matt McCants, Tackle, Birmingham

We need a high upside tackle for Dante to sculpt into and immovable wall. McCants is that tackle. I’d take him over Cordy Glenn and Jon Martin, and maybe even Mike Adams. Another huge value here, but this one of the small school variety.


With the 163rd (via GB) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Akiem Hicks, Defensive Tackle, Regina

Monster DE/DT 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 that can be coached. He has all the length in the world to 2-gap end, and the power and athleticism to 1-gap in the nickel.


With the 221st (via AZ) overall pick the New England Patriots select…

Chris Owusu, Wide Reciever, Stanford

He has absolutely electric athleticism and it shows on the field, but only when he’s healthy. He has very serious concussion problems. I say get him a big cushy helmet and let him return kicks and punts as a rookie. He also comes from a pro style offense, something I consider an absolute must for a WR.

Good stuff. Fun to see. A lot of thought.
Thank you,
DW Toys

 

[MrNathanDrake]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

Too much Offense in that mock

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

3. This is the year where less is more. Adding 3 picks for developmental player is a waste. Childs, Broyles and Owasu are all decent prospects, but unless you plan of all of them ending up on the IR or the PS, NONE of them are better than the top 7 guys we already have on the roster....and 2 of them have got to go. So in my mind you just wasted 3 picks on decent prospects that will wind up on someone else's roster or PS

Did you read the explanations or just look at the picks? I thought I described that Broyles is a going to the PUP and Childs is very likely going to the PUP as well. I think all of veteran signings only increase the chance we can draft some development players. Our system isn't kind to rookies, even ones with a proven track record from a pro style offense. For a receiver to replace Welker next season he needs to be drafted this year. For a receiver to replace the second WR role held be Ochocinco/Branch/Stallworth he needs to be drafted this year.

Owusu adds value on special teams.

So the picks aren't wasted.

5. We have 3 solid ILB's right now and that's enough. As it is only one ILB is a 3 down player to begin with. When we have 5 DB's on the field, which is a majority of the time, its an ILB that's sitting. If we need a "coverage LB" send in a DB. I would have used that pick on a DB like Johnson, Iloki or Martin, all of whom are taller and more athletic than Kendricks, who is a nice player, btw. Just not for us.

That's actually not true. Our nickel defense is a 4-2-5 or a 2-4-5. Neither formations call for three linebackers. It's not a LB that sits, it's a D linemen.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

Too much Offense in that mock

How do you figure?

 

[VrabelJr]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

I'm sorry but everyone clamoring for Barron top 15. The best safety in a ****ty class is still just a decent safety. Our picks can be used on more important positions (DE and DT).

I appreciate the thought and work that went into this though.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

Good stuff. Fun to see. A lot of thought.
Thank you,
DW Toys

You're welcome, and thank you for reading and commenting. :rocker:

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

I'm sorry but everyone clamoring for Barron top 15. The best safety in a ****ty class is still just a decent safety. Our picks can be used on more important positions (DE and DT).

I appreciate the thought and work that went into this though.

That line of thinking just doesn't make sense. Just because the player is the best of a bad class doesn't mean he wouldn't be the best of a good class.

Thats like saying because this years WR class is stronger than last years, that Blackmon is better than Green (AJ). He's not of course, but that's what your line of thinking would suggest

The class doesn't matter, it's all about the player you pick.

 

[Wilfork#75]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

I'm not a big fan of Barron (in the top 15 anyway) or McClellin, but I love the rest of your picks, especially the UDFA's. I would be pissed after day 1, but pretty happy after days 2 and 3. Good job.

 

[ay-yo]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

5. We have 3 solid ILB's right now and that's enough. As it is only one ILB is a 3 down player to begin with. When we have 5 DB's on the field, which is a majority of the time, its an ILB that's sitting. If we need a "coverage LB" send in a DB. I would have used that pick on a DB like Johnson, Iloki or Martin, all of whom are taller and more athletic than Kendricks, who is a nice player, btw. Just not for us.

The way I envision the coverage LB role is

Base: 3 DTs / 2 OLB / Mayo / Spikes / 4 DBS
Big Nickel: 3 DTs / 2 OLB / Mayo / Coverage Backer / 4 DBS
Big Dime: 2 DTs / 2 OLB / Mayo / Coverage Backer / 5 DBS

where the big dime is our primary nickle package. the big nickle could be employed as a base defense against teams who pass a high % of the time.

 

[SamBamsFan]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

I think that you are overestimating Hoyer's value. 234 would put him between pick 3.5, and 3.6. Do you really think that any team would give us more than a 5th for Hoyer? I like the picks of McClellin and Broyles.

 

[manxman2601]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

I'm sorry but everyone clamoring for Barron top 15. The best safety in a ****ty class is still just a decent safety. Our picks can be used on more important positions (DE and DT).

I appreciate the thought and work that went into this though.

That's very strange logic. It's like saying that if RGIII and Tannehill weren't in this draft that Andrew Luck shouldn't go No 1 because he's the best of a sh**ty class. And why is DE/DT more important? We passed on a bunch last year. Not sure BB agrees with you.

 

[manxman2601]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

Merrill

So you went with Kendricks in the end. Good choice. It's a great mock, can't say simpler than that. The first four picks are outstanding, possibly the best first four I've seen mocked so far. Only quibble is that Hoyer is not worth a late second rounder so you'll need to find some better value on that trade somewhere.

Hicks is a fantastic pick naturally and I love the three WR's, although getting them on the roster will be tough. Broyles I can see on PUP but Childs is fit now so I don't know how that's going to work. I suppose we could just release Stallworth.

That draft makes us a much better team overnight, and as fans, we can't ask for more than that. Well worth the wait.

 

[jsull87]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

those 1st 3 picks are very nice. Well done, why do i have a feeling we are taking brockers? urgh

 

[Leemo]

re: The Final "Elite" Offseason Mock: Barron McClellin Jenkins Kendricks Childs + 4 more

I'm sorry but everyone clamoring for Barron top 15. The best safety in a ****ty class is still just a decent safety. Our picks can be used on more important positions (DE and DT).

I appreciate the thought and work that went into this though.

Are you still saying Quinton Coples is great? I told you he wasn't all that during the season when he was projected to be a lock for the top 8.

You are equally wrong about Barron.