Wow! A mock in which you have a DT and I don't! Even if it is the 7th round, I think that's a first!
Nice mock.
It's interesting how much the assumption that Branch and Ayers will be at least serviceable clarifies things, isn't it?
Some thoughts for comparison between our 2 mocks:
1. DE. We both have a DE in the 1st. I have Oakman, you have Ray. Both could easily be out of reach. My biggest question with Ray is whether he can be a 3 down player. You've covered all of the reasons why I doubt he will be the pick in your writeup - I agree he's a fine player. I still prefer Oakman's upside.
2. OL. We both have TJ Clemmings in the 2nd (all the credit on that one to you; I'm just jumping on the bandwagon). I also had Cam Erving in the 3rd as a "value" pick, based on his sliding draft status. This may change based on how the OL evolves this season, but I really want to double up on OL as of right now.
Note: I'm not assuming that Marcus Cannon is re-signed, BTW. I did say that one of Cannon and Devey stuck as a tackle/guard backup. If Devey continues to develop, Fleming develops, and Cannon doesn't improve, then I wouldn't re-sign Cannon.
3. RB. I have Williams in the 4th, you have Coleman in the 3rd. I would gladly go with Coleman in the 3rd, but he's been getting so much favorable press recently that I thought he wouldn't be available, which is why I didn't mock him. Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Broocks had this to say about Coleman this week:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-nfl-prospects
I agree with your pick, as much as I would fine with Coleman if he was available in the 3rd. If Coleman and Erving are both available, then I'd be torn, and I'd reserve a decision until later in the draft process.
4. DB. I have Jaquiski Tartt in the 3rd, you have Adrian Amos. Tartt is quickly approaching binky status with me, but I'm fine letting this one sort itself out between now and the draft. A S who can both hit and cover would be nice.
5. TE. I have Clive Walford in the 5th, you have Blake Bell. Another case where I'm happy to let things sort themselves out and see who is available.
6. LB. I Stephone Anthony have in the 6th, you have Reshard Cliett in the 4th. I love your idea of Cliett as a LB/S, and with James Morris coming off IR we might not need a MLB backup. I'd be thrilled to have Morris as the MLB backup and have Cliett as a LB/S hybrid, replacing Chung, and as a Collins backup. I'm just not sure I'd go LB this high IF Ayers works out.
7. WR. I have Kasen Williams slipping all the way to the 7th round. You have a different type of WR in Venric Mark in the 6th (comp pick). It's a question of what you want; whether the Pats view Josh Boyce as developing could also be a consideration. I tend to favor bigger "move the chains" WRs, but again, I like both players.
8. DT. I like Williams, and he could be a good gamble this late in the draft. But if Branch works out then we have Wilfork (or a replacement), Easley, Branch, Siliga, Jones and Walker at DT, so I passed on the position.
Our mocks are extremely similar in structure and positions targeted. I like all of your players. It's mostly a question of who is available, who the Pats end up liking best, and some minor tweaks in prioritization.
Of course, if Branch and Ayers flop, then my mock changes considerably.