New Mock, lots of trades and comments, hopefully something different

[midwestpatsfan]

Hi all,
I have decided to throw my hat into the ring and do a mock draft. I think it is a little different than most of them I have seen and I see a lot of trades happening, so here goes.

TRADE #1: ATL gets #2 round 1

DET gets #8 rd 1
#39 rd 2
2008 rd 1

Trade #2: BUF gets #5 rd 1 for

WAS gets #12
#43 rd 2

Trade #3: TB gets #24 rd 1 for

NE gets #35 rd 2
#64 rd 2

1. OAK-JaMarcus Russell, QB: Let’s be honest, the Raiders need a lot of help, but the cupboard is not completely bare. Russell is that big QB in the same mold as Qulpepper and Young. He has a huge arm and decent instincts. He may be a little raw but give him some time and he should be really good

2. ATL- Calvin Johnson, WR: Atlanta has been aggressive this offseason and with a new head coach, Atlanta needs to make Michael Vick look like the all world QB everyone has been waiting for. Johnson is an amazing talent that does everything great. He should help make the Falcons offense instantly better.

3. CLE-Brady Quinn, QB: Cleveland has a tough choice to make here. Quinn would bring legitimacy to the QB position. Quinn’s game is comparable to Tom Brady’s and I think Cleveland would be very happy with that. The Browns can pass on the talented Peterson because of the signing of Lewis

4. TB-Joe Thomas, OT: The Bucs miss out on Johnson and have to settle for the best O-lineman in the draft. After the Kenyatta Walker experiment didn’t work out, Thomas should be a good fit and start immediately. Hopefully this pick will help the QB’s in Tampa stay healthier than last year and open up more holes for Cadillac.

5. ARI-Gaines Adams, DE: The Cardinals need to get some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Adams is a beast at getting to the QB and makes plays all over the field. Adams can hopefully come in and get after the opposing QB and if he can do that, that should help the rest of the defense play better.

6. BUF-Adrian Peterson, RB: The redskins desperately need to aquire draft picks and the Bills desperately need a RB, it is a match made in heaven. Buffalo has had a tough offseason, but Peterson would bring an instant offensive threat to the team and get them back on the right track.

7. MIN-Laron Landry, S: Minnesota may have other needs that are bigger than safety, but Landry is too good to pass on. Minnesota was horrible in pass defense last year and Darren Sharper is getting old. Landry is a defensive stud and there are just too many question marks for the remaining WR’s for the Vikings to pull the trigger on.

8. DET-Jamaal Anderson, DE: No WR? The Lions are another team that needs a lot of help, so trading down and picking up picks while still getting a great pass rushing DE’s in the draft actually makes sense. Anderson is dominating when he is giving 100%, its those plays that he takes off that will need to be taken care of. If he plays hard every play, he will be a major impact player for the lions.

9. MIA-Alan Branch, DT: While Branch did not put up huge stats, he always seemed to be commanding double teams and was still getting pressure on the QB. Branch is versatile enough to play DE or DT, and that is rare. Traylor is getting really old and Branch would probably take over him right away.

10. HOU-Levi Brown, OT: Houston has been busy this offseason. With the signing off Schaub and Green, they seem to be set at the skills position on offense. The Texans finally go out and do what they never would for Carr and that is get a legit left tackle prospect to give the QB some protection.

11. SF- Adam Carriker, DT: Carriker has really moved up draft boards after a stellar combine performance. Carriker is a great fit for the 3-4 defense as he has the versatility to play both DT and DE. The 49’rs Dline was really bad last year, and Carriker is an instant upgrade.

12. WAS-Amobi Okoye,DT: Washington trades down to aquire additional draft picks and still get a guy they could have potentially taken at #5. While Okoye is young, his talent is unquestionable. Okoye is very intelligent and has lots of “upside.” Okoye can get to the QB and is also very good against the run, something the redskins need someone to do both of well.

13. STL-Leon Hall, CB: The Rams miss out on the top DE or DT that they could really use, but they could also use an upgrade at the CB position as well. Hall is widely regarded as the top corner in the draft and putting Hall across from last years pick Hill gives the Rams a great corner duo.

14. CAR-Patrick Willis, LB: Willis is hands down the best Linebacker in this draft. He is a great tackler and after his combine and pro-day showed that he has the speed to get sideline to sideline. The Panthers pride themselves on playing great D and with the aging of Dan Morgan, Willis gives that Defensive presence once again at the Linebacker position.

15. PIT-Lawrence Timmons: Joey Porter has left for the beaches of Miami and the steelers need to bring in someone to fill his spot. Timmons is a fast, hard hitting playmaker who will fit in well with the Steelers despite not knowing exactly which scheme they will play.

16. GB-Marshawn Lynch, RB: I would be shocked if this is not the player the Packers take at this pick. RB is obviously a huge hole that has not been addressed in the offseason, so any other pick would be mind blowing. Lynch has decent speed, but has great vision, good cutback ability and catches the ball out of the backfield very well.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

17. JAC- Reggie Nelson, S: The Jags lost Deon Grant in free agency and the top D-lineman are long gone, so picking up the hard hitting, ball hawk Nelson to take Grants place is a nice consolation prize. Nelson is always around the ball and loves to hit. Sometimes goes after the big hit rather than the sure tackle, but he is a great prospect at this point in the draft.

18. CIN-Greg Olsen, TE: Cincinnati does have needs on the defensive side of the ball, but when the clear cut #1 TE falls to your pick, you have to take him. Cinci has lacked a legit tight end threat for years and brining in Olsen would give Palmer another pass catching option, which in turn should open up things for the Bengals talented WR core.

19. TEN-Ted Ginn, WR: The Titans have been trying frantically to bring in some more talent at the WR position this off season and were not able to do so. Ginn is one of the fastest players in the draft and should be a nice deep threat for Vince Young. Ginn will also be a nice option on kickoff and punts if anything further develops with PACMAN Jones.

20. NYG-Derelle Revis, CB: The Giants have tried to bring in all these FA corners over the last few years and all they have gotten out of it is a bunch of overpaid players who are getting older. While Revis is not the fastest CB, he is great in coverage and always seems to find the ball.

21. DEN-Jarvis Moss, DE: Denver has had a very good off season and have upgraded a lot of positions, but the one that they were not able to upgrade was a pass rushing DE. They tried to get Kearney and missed out, so they use the draft to pick up a guy who has really become a good pass rusher.

22. DAL-Chris Houston, CB: Dallas’ biggest need is in the secondary and after all the reshuffling, they are in need of a good cover corner. Houston’s stock has skyrocketed after his combine and if you look at the tape you can see why. He has shut down some of the best WR in college and hopefully will be able to do that for the Cowboys

23. KC-Robert Meachem, WR: Kansas city’s WR core is a bad, and that is putting it nicely. With no real catching threat besides their TE, it is time to draft a quality player at the position. Meachem has great hands and good speed and should quickly become a favorite option for whoever is the QB there.

24. TB-Justin Harrell, DT: Tampa moves up to get a disruptive defensive tackle that the team has lacked since Warren Sapp left a few years back. With a lot of turnover at the position, the Bucs need to ensure they get the guy that best fits their sytem.

25. NYJ-Aaron Ross, CB: The Jets were one of the surprising teams last season, and while that is all nice and good, they still have holes. Ross is a talented corner who has played in the shadow of some other very talented players at Texas. The jets are thin at the position and Ross could come in and win a job day 1.

26. PHI-Michael Griffin, S: Michael Lewis has left via free agency and in reality he wasn’t all that good at the position anyway. That leaves the eagles very thin at the position. Griffin is a talented player that is an immediate upgrade of Considine. While he is not great against the run, he does enough to get the job done and his pass coverage skills are one of the best in the draft.

27. NO-Jon Beason, OLB: The Saints have quickly become a legitimate contender in the NFC and have done will is building a solid team. They do however need a playmaker at the LB position. While Beason is a bit undersized, he is a real playmaker that hits like a truck and is all over the field. Despite his stuture, he will come in immediately and start making big plays for the saints.

28. NE-Brandon Merriweather, S: Despite Merriweather’s off field issues, his talent is undeniable. Merriweather has a lot of the same qualities as another former Miami safety, ED REED. Merriweather is a playmaker both in the passing game as well as the running game. With the age and injury history of Rodney Harrison and the injury history and declined play of Eugene Wilson makes this a smart pick.

29. BAL-Joe Staley, OT: Staley has really helped himself with an impressive pro day. He has great quickness and athleticism for a guy of his size. The Ravens lost Pashos to free agency and Ogden getting up there in age they look to the future and solidify the o-line

30. SD- Dwayne Bowe, WR: The one chink in the Chargers armor is that they lack elite players at the WR position. Bowe is a big target that is a good route runner and great hands. Bowe will be a great target to pair with their all world TE and he should make that offense even more potent, which is scary.

31. CHI-Paul Posluszny, OLB: This pick is considering the trade of Briggs. Posluszny is a great fit for the Bears scheme. He is a great tackler and while not fast, he is smart and instinctive and always around the ball, paired next to Urlacher, I do not think the Bears will miss a beat.

32. IND-Quinn Pintock, DT: Even though the Colts won the Super Bowl there still has to be concerns about how they played against the run last year. Pintock is very good against the run and should help continue the colts playoff success and for colts fans hopefully become a little more consistent against the run.



Any constructive criticism or comments are appreciated. Hopefully a little different from the norm and gets some good discussions going.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

The rest of the Patriots day 1 pics

#35- Lamaar Woodley
#61- David Harris

#91-Josh Wilson

 

[sebman2112]

#28 - Brandon Meriweather
#35 - Lamaar Woodley
#61 - David Harris
#91 - Josh Wilson

I like those pics. I'm not sure Wilson last that long, which is why I said NE could trade up for him in my mock draft.

The Mock itself had to many trades at the top.

 

[Water Boy]

The rest of the Patriots day 1 pics

#35- Lamaar Woodley
#61- David Harris

#91-Josh Wilson

I'm all for trading back from the first round, but I would prefer taking Wilson and Harris/Woodley w/ pics #35 and 61 and the Safety Gattis at No. 91.

 

[DW Toys]

I'm all for trading back from the first round, but I would prefer taking Wilson and Harris/Woodley w/ pics #35 and 61 and the Safety Gattis at No. 91.

Cousin,
Just curious. Why is everyone so high on Wilson? He is a 5' 8"-5' 9" 185 lb CB that we already have one at that size (Hobbs), who is rated by the draft tabloids and sites that I have viewed, as a great little player who will make a great nickel back. Do we need another nickel back? Just can't see drafting another smurf CB. Who is going to guard a dude like a Colson or a Cotchery. TJ, Plexico, TO or a Calvin Johnson. Am I missing something on this Wilson kid? Does he have like a 48" verticle? Do we bring him in to cover just Steve Smith and Branch?
I think we need a starting CB, not a nickel back. Love the other choices and scenarios though. Good job. Just tell me what I am missing on the Wilson kid? We have a 5"8 CB and a 5' 10" CB. The game plan for most coaches is to attack our tiny DB's in the red zone. Now we have Sanders at 5' 10" at safety too. Don't we need to get bigger? Hobbs is a "player" too but sometimes he gets "bigged" to death.
McCauley had a bad senior year but is 6'1" and as much speed. Loaded with talent and good character. He might be there as well. He was also rated as perhaps the best CB going into 2006. His team last year was just plain bad.
DW Toys

 

[dryheat44]

Cousin,
Just curious. Why is everyone so high on Wilson? He is a 5' 8"-5' 9" 185 lb CB that we already have one at that size (Hobbs), who is rated by the draft tabloids and sites that I have viewed, as a great little player who will make a great nickel back. Do we need another nickel back? Just can't see drafting another smurf CB. Who is going to guard a dude like a Colson or a Cotchery. TJ, Plexico, TO or a Calvin Johnson. Am I missing something on this Wilson kid? Does he have like a 48" verticle? Do we bring him in to cover just Steve Smith and Branch?
I think we need a starting CB, not a nickel back. Love the other choices and scenarios though. Good job. Just tell me what I am missing on the Wilson kid? We have a 5"8 CB and a 5' 10" CB. The game plan for most coaches is to attack our tiny DB's in the red zone. Now we have Sanders at 5' 10" at safety too. Don't we need to get bigger? Hobbs is a "player" too but sometimes he gets "bigged" to death.
McCauley had a bad senior year but is 6'1" and as much speed. Loaded with talent and good character. He might be there as well. He was also rated as perhaps the best CB going into 2006. His team last year was just plain bad.
DW Toys

Well, I think that once you get past Revis and Hall, Wilson is the best man corner in the draft. No, he's not tall. He does have a 39" vertical, but more importantly, has the best technique in the draft. He handled ACC WRs one on one and didn't get beat that often. In the Pats defense, I think technique is much more important than physical measurables.

I also like McCauley for the same reasons.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

The reason I like Wilson is because he is fast! but he is also tough. He is really good in run support and breaks up a lot of passes. He is short, I will give you that, but he does have a good vert and there just isnt a lot of 6' + corners who are that fast and physical. If there was, he would be a top 10 pick.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

The Mock itself had to many trades at the top.

I think there could be alot of trades at the top. With a lack of top end talent, I think teams may be willing to target that one particular guy and go after him. Plus I needed to get something out there that was a little different than every other mock out there

 

[DW Toys]

The reason I like Wilson is because he is fast! but he is also tough. He is really good in run support and breaks up a lot of passes. He is short, I will give you that, but he does have a good vert and there just isnt a lot of 6' + corners who are that fast and physical. If there was, he would be a top 10 pick.

Would you take the just as fast 6' 1" McCauley over Wilson? Very good run support and much talent too.
DW Toys

 

[sebman2112]

Cousin,
Just curious. Why is everyone so high on Wilson? He is a 5' 8"-5' 9" 185 lb CB that we already have one at that size (Hobbs), who is rated by the draft tabloids and sites that I have viewed, as a great little player who will make a great nickel back. Do we need another nickel back? Just can't see drafting another smurf CB. Who is going to guard a dude like a Colson or a Cotchery. TJ, Plexico, TO or a Calvin Johnson. Am I missing something on this Wilson kid? Does he have like a 48" verticle? Do we bring him in to cover just Steve Smith and Branch?
I think we need a starting CB, not a nickel back. Love the other choices and scenarios though. Good job. Just tell me what I am missing on the Wilson kid? We have a 5"8 CB and a 5' 10" CB. The game plan for most coaches is to attack our tiny DB's in the red zone. Now we have Sanders at 5' 10" at safety too. Don't we need to get bigger? Hobbs is a "player" too but sometimes he gets "bigged" to death.
McCauley had a bad senior year but is 6'1" and as much speed. Loaded with talent and good character. He might be there as well. He was also rated as perhaps the best CB going into 2006. His team last year was just plain bad.
DW Toys

Why do you keep making him smaller than he actually is?
the guy is 5'9.2" and weighs 189lbs
He's blisteringly fast, tough, and just loves the game of football. His father was a FB in the NFL, and he has very good leaping ability, which makes up for his size. He plays physical, plays the run, has good instincts, and is intelligent....sounds like a NE CB to me.

Also, Hobbs is 5'9" not 5'8"

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Would you take the just as fast 6' 1" McCauley over Wilson? Very good run support and much talent too.
DW Toys

I think McCauley is not very good in off coverage and there is a reason why he got benched in the middle of the season last year. I see him moving to safety because he is just not that good in coverage.

 

[sebman2112]

Would you take the just as fast 6' 1" McCauley over Wilson? Very good run support and much talent too.
DW Toys

McCauley was my guy after '05, but he faded his senior year.
McCauley has some of the same things I like about Wilson, but Wilson doesn't have an question marks.
Also, I think Wilson is better at Zone. McCauley can play Safety, so he could be an option there. I wouldn't take him in the first, and I don't think he last until the third, so NE would have to trade into the second, and then take him, for it make any sense.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Would you take the just as fast 6' 1" McCauley over Wilson? Very good run support and much talent too.
DW Toys

Alas taht si hte problem. McCauley is one of those guys who has all the tlaen in the world, bu tcna't play. He shys from comntact, has little instinct amnd owuld make a fine trackman but not a football palyers.

You spell that B-U-S-T. Fortunately Pat Hill and BB are good freinds and former Coaches together. Pat wlil tell BB the truth and effectively already ahs..

He benched McCauley. That says it all...

 

[DW Toys]

McCauley was my guy after '05, but he faded his senior year.
McCauley has some of the same things I like about Wilson, but Wilson doesn't have an question marks.
Also, I think Wilson is better at Zone. McCauley can play Safety, so he could be an option there. I wouldn't take him in the first, and I don't think he last until the third, so NE would have to trade into the second, and then take him, for it make any sense.

Thanks for the comments Cousin,
I respect your opinion. Wilson is a nice kid but it scares me because if we have 3 small CB's opponents are just going to play the Pats by playing the old game "keep-way". "Lets just throw the ball up there and see what happens". Is R.C. Owens still alive? It reminds me of the old N.C. basketball coach Dean Smith before the shot clock and his "four corners". The opposition was running around from one side to the other jumping up and trying to get at the rock. One tiny CB you can hide, but having three of them (including "Wilt the Stilt" Samuel).........Well at least you know what the other teams game plan will be.
It appears from what I read that this Wilson kid can get overdrafted because he is of outstanding character caliber but....They say he is three or four inches from being an impact CB. They say nickel back at the most.

I have seen the Hobbs game and although he has his moments, 7 times out of 10 he will get beat by a taller WR. He's almost better covering a Moss or a Harrison. Is that a fair statement?

What about further down in the draft? How about the kid from Kent St, Usama Young. 5' 11" 196lbs 4.36 40. 15 reps and 43 INCH VERTICLE!? Said to be a late first day pick. Has worked out for the Pats. Or the CB from New Hampshire Corey Graham? 6' 195lbs, 4.50, a banger and an excellent ST kid. Said he could become an NFL starter. It seems that small school DB's have faired pretty well in the NFL.

Even at Safety you have 6' 2" 216 kid named Stone from Maine who is rated as a round four prospect who is fast, strong and has a mean streak. Said he is a potential steal.

Another idea. Yes draft Merriweather, but they say he plays a mean CB. His 5' 11" and 192 is more CB size. I like that idea better. He can give BB versatility if he needs to "Geno" it for a while at safety if someone is hurt. We just need some more size in the DB roster me thinks.

Still like McCauley who might now be considered a steal pending draft number.

I would like all of your comments out there on these kids?
DW Toys

 

[midwestpatsfan]

If Wilson was 2 or 3 inches taller, he is the first CB taken and probably a top 10 pick. For me, I will take proven talent and proven playmaking over combine numbers, size, and possible potential. Like I said earlier, there just is not very many 5-11+ corners out there who are even close to as polished and accomplished as Wilson. Those guys would be off the board early. Merriweather is good in space, but I don't think he has the speed to play close coverage llike a CB. What this doesn't need is more middle to late round guys that have holes in their games. I like Wilson because the only thing that is making him drop is his height, and while I will consceed that at times he probably will lose a jump ball, but he has proven he can hold his own and if his TALENT lasts until the end of the 3rd because of his height, I cannot pass on it.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Cousin,
Just curious. Why is everyone so high on Wilson? He is a 5' 8"-5' 9" 185 lb CB that we already have one at that size (Hobbs), who is rated by the draft tabloids and sites that I have viewed, as a great little player who will make a great nickel back. Do we need another nickel back?

I think Josh Wilson would make a good nickel corner but also fail to see why all the love for him. He sounds like a poor man's Ellis Hobbs. And I've seen what Hobbs can do. Wilson better outplay Hobbs in training camp to be worth the pick.

I like Usama Young because of the physical talents but I have no idea about how good his technique is. There's not a lot of film on him as far as I can find. He's probably a 2nd day pick because he comes from a small school, Kent State.

Here's a profile for Young. He's got pretty productive numbers in college, at least on par with Josh Wilson.
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/college.php?DSTeamId=97&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

Another Young profile listing strengths/weaknesses.
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=211&p=8&c=1&nid=2704618&yr=2007

Here is Josh Wilson
http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wilson_josh00.html

I will note that he has special teams return skills... but again so does Hobbs. I just get the feeling we are drafting Hobbs all over again. And somehow I just don't see that improving our team by drafting the same player. We should be looking for someone with the chance to be significantly BETTER.

 

[DW Toys]

I think Josh Wilson would make a good nickel corner but also fail to see why all the love for him. He sounds like a poor man's Ellis Hobbs. And I've seen what Hobbs can do. Wilson better outplay Hobbs in training camp to be worth the pick.

I like Usama Young because of the physical talents but I have no idea about how good his technique is. There's not a lot of film on him as far as I can find. He's probably a 2nd day pick because he comes from a small school, Kent State.

Here's a profile for Young. He's got pretty productive numbers in college, at least on par with Josh Wilson.
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/college.php?DSTeamId=97&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

Another Young profile listing strengths/weaknesses.
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=211&p=8&c=1&nid=2704618&yr=2007

Here is Josh Wilson
http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wilson_josh00.html

I will note that he has special teams return skills... but again so does Hobbs. I just get the feeling we are drafting Hobbs all over again. And somehow I just don't see that improving our team by drafting the same player. We should be looking for someone with the chance to be significantly BETTER.

Thank you, Can't agree with you more.
DW Toys