The 2014 Mock draft Thread.

everlong said:

I could get comfortable with Nix a half round later. I'm not a Mosley fan. I feel like Crichton is my Trent Murphy or CJ Fiedorowicz. People say he's not athletic enough but his combine numbers are actually decent and I love his motor and tape. I understand why people don't love him but I just have this feeling he could be a Vrabel type of player for this defense. Different body type but same football smarts and versatility.

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I just don't see anything impressive when I watch Crichton. I'm sure that's a problem with how I scout but I don't see someone worth considering until round three or four.

These ideas could work if you want to rebuild the OL and DL quickly. Remember the Pats were the worst defense in the AFC against the run and need DLine help. All of these players can be immediate or future starters.

1 - 29 Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
2 - 62 Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
3 - 93 CJ Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa State
4 - 130 DaQuan Jones, NT, Penn State
4 - 140 (compensatory) Bryan Stork, C, Oklahoma
6 - 198 (from Philadelphia) Josh Mauro, DE/DT, Stanford
6 - 206 Max Bullough, ILB, Michigan State
7 - 244 Vinnie Sunseri, S, Alabama

Uncle Heatster's First Round Mock -- 03/31

1 Houston - Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville -- For all the misdirection and what-have-you, I've got to believe Bill O'Brien wants a quarterback better than Case Keenum on his roster, and Bridgewater is the best available.

2 St. Louis **Trade with Cleveland** -– Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M. Again, see above. I like Brian Hoyer, but if the front office isn't trying to upgrade, they really aren't doing their job. Farmer has no investment in Hoyer, so while he would likely start the season, yield to Manziel when the season is lost, and be one hell of a mentor the young man needs.

3 Jacksonville – Jedeveon Clowney DE South Carolina -- Rumor has it Gus Bradley likes defense.

4 St Louis (via Cleveland) – Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M -- Starts at right tackle, and allows them to move on from Jake Long next year, if desired.

5 Oakland – Greg Robinson OT Auburn -- Sammy Watkins seems like a no-brainer, but Raleigh McKenzie knows the value of an elite tackle, and knows that Schaub needs some protection to be effective.

6 Atlanta – Eric Ebron TE North Carolina -- Most seem to think they'll go defense, but without a pass-catcher at TE, they're explosive offense won't work.

7 Tampa Bay – Khalil Mack DE Buffalo -- Not at ideal fit into the Lovie defense, but I think that when you have the opportunity to take a pass rusher of Mack's caliber, you need to do it.

8 Minnesota – Blake Bortles QB Central Florida -- This pick I'm really not sure of. I'm not convinced that Bortles will be better than Matt Cassel, but this organization needs hope.

9 Buffalo – Sammy Watkins WR Clemson -- The AFC East keeps getting tougher. If Watkins, Stevie Johnson, and Robert Woods can all take the field together, added to a healthy CJ Spiller and EJ Manuel, and there are a ton of weapons here.

10 Detroit – Taylor Lewan OT Michigan -- Long overdue changing of the guard here.

11 Tennessee – Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan St -- Obvious match of talent and need.

12 NY Giants – Aaron Donald DL Pittsburgh -- It seems that fearsome foursome up front was back in the Reagan administration. The reconstruction begins.

13 St. Louis – Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St. -- Rebuffed by Verner and needing to replace Finnegan, this seems another natural pick. Jenkins and Gilbert provide an enviable young CB tandem.

14 Chicago – **Trade with Jets** Mike Evans WR Texas A&M -- It must kill Rex to use a #1 on an offensive skill player, but the Jets need more at the receiving positions to compete.

15 Pittsburgh – Calvin Pryor S Louisville -- Someone told me this was a dumb pick for the Steelers, but years ago they used a mid-first round pick on Troy Polamalu and built the defense around him. Pryor's no Polamalu, but he's a perennial Pro-Bowl talent that a smart defensive coach can build around.

16 Dallas – Anthony Barr LB UCLA -- The defensive defections from Dallas are Legion, especially Ware and Stewart.

17 Baltimore – Louis Nix DT Notre Dame -- Some will call this a reach, but Ngata has clearly slowed the last couple of years, and is about another year from being a liability on D.

18 Chicago (via NY Jets) – Brandin Cooks WR Oregon St -- Chicago has the tall, downfield athletes down pat, but with Hester and Bennett moving on, there's a definite need for the smaller, faster, type.

19 Miami – Zack Martin OL Notre Dame -- Probably the most critical task of the Dolphins right now is to rebuild that o-line and the locker room. Martin should help on both counts.

20 Arizona – CJ Mosley LB Alabama -- The Cardinals are in good shape defensively, but a player like Mosley gets them younger and faster at a key position.

21 Green Bay – Ha Ha Clinton Dix S Alabama -- If Rog Goodell announces his name in the voice of Nelson Munz, it would make the draft worth watching.

22 Philadelphia – Kony Ealy DE Missouri -- A bit of a wildcard here, but I feel pretty strongly this pick needs to be on the defensive side of the ball.

23 Kansas City – Odell Beckham WR LSU -- If the board sets up like this, this is the no-brainer to end all no-brainers.

24 Cincinnati – Dee Ford DE Auburn -- Obviously not the physical specimen Michael Johnson is, but should be able to replace some of the pass rush.

25 San Diego – Jason Verrett CB Texas Christian -- Seems logical to draft a premium cover guy to improve the league's worst pass defense.

26 Cleveland – RaShede Hageman DT Minnesota -- Show me the team that couldn't use him....

27 New Orleans – Marqise Lee WR Southern Cal -- With Marques Colston aging and Lance Moore gone, this is the ideal draft to tab their replacements.

28 Carolina – Allen Robinson WR Penn St -- Well, they need a WR to potentially start, and I think Robinson more than most guys is ready to come in and start.

29 New England – Ryan Shazier DW Ohio St -- Considerations were many: Jernigan, Fuller, Amaro, Tuitt, Ward, ASJ. I tried to work it where someone (Jacksonville) could trade up for Carr, but I didn't want to trade down that far. I'm happy with Shazier to line up all over the defense causing havoc.

30 San Francisco – Kyle Van Noy LB BYU -- Seems like a minor reach here, but the NFC West is a defensive arms race, and adding KVN to the linebackers there puts SF ahead. Your move, Seattle.

31 Denver – Timmy Jernigan DT Florida St -- The Broncos have lost some front-seven pieces this year, and need some cheap starters to offset their free agency prizes.

32 Seattle – David Yankey OL Stanford -- Seattle's problem last year, as much as they had one, was a lack of depth on the offensive line. A good, ready-to-start Pac-10 guy like Yankey, whom was likely recruited by Carroll, enhances their run-and-defense winning formula.

Rest of Patriots draft:

52. Trade with Arizona – Pats give up #62 and 93 for 52 and 120. Pats take Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE Washington. I think if he falls down to this range, a trade is a good idea.

120. Dion Bailey – S Southern Cal. Another Hybrid defender to go along with Shazier.

130. Adrian Hubbard - ER Alabama. Continuing the youth trend at Edge Rusher, with a physical specimen out of Saban University.

140. Aaron Murray – QB Georgia. He's been a highly ranked quarterback since forever. Less than ideal height, but he's learned how to compensate.

198. Shamar Stephen – DT Connecticut. Young wide-body to get in the pipeline.

206. Max Bullough – LB Michigan St

244. Antonio Andrews - RB Western Kentucky. Strong, productive, north/south runner who would likely replace Ridley, Boldin, or both, on the roster in 2015.

Thanks to Luxusdk for the suggestion.

My current favourite approach would be to take Ryan Shazier with the first pick and Stephon Tuitt with the second. Unfortunately Tuitt will likely need a trade up in the 2nd and if it's a mid-second pick, then 62+93 probably isn't going to cut it (although maybe it will in this draft class). So:


#29 Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State


The best athlete available with the first pick and fills the coverage linebacker/big nickel safety role. Pair him with Jamie Collins and who knows where the pressure or coverage is coming from.


Trade #62, 93 to Minn for #40 (alternatively, trade #62 + Ryan Mallett)


#40 Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame


Has the versatility to play every down and be there if Armstead doesn't become anything. Tuitt might lack the explosiveness to be an every down 4-3 DE but he's a very effective pass rusher at times.



#130 Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern

A physical and athletic marvel. He's a tough projection to running back because he played in an alien system as a read-option QB. However, the athletic ability is there and with Ridley and Vereen on the roster for another year, there's no need to rush him. He has been working out at DB as well which helps his value and with his athleticism he should be excellent on special teams.


#140 Crockett Gilmore, TE, Colorado State


I'd rather have Fiedorowicz but the loss of #93 in the Tuitt trade up prevents that. Gilmore certainly has a great stature for the position and a good pair of hands and whilst his lack of athleticism suggests he won't be a starter, he should be a versatile enough backup.


#198 Tyler Starr, OLB, S Dakota


Drafting Shazier lessens the need for KPL and probably Jordan Tripp, both of whom I rank ahead of Starr. However, if you eliminate those two, Starr's record breaking 3-cone hits you in the face. Depth and special teams with this pick.


#206 Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State


Probably the best receiving back in the draft, Grice is a former WR. Greg Cosell compares him to Matt Forte and Matt Waldman to Shane Vereen. I'd take either comparison. Ideal backup and potential replacement for Vereen.


#244 Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford


Amazing pro day performance, less amazing tape. Still, if we can turn those measurables into performance then we'll have a very good pick.



UDFA


Terrence Fede - Chandler Jones v2.0. Has to be worth it.

Kevin Pamphile - Purdue lineman that has long arms and terrific athleticism. as an OT, his blocking leaves something to be desired but could be an interest interior line prospect in our system.

Blake Annen - a 4.4 running TE. Worth the shot.

Kenny Guiton/Jeff Matthews/Garrett Gilbert/Casey Pachall - Time to groom Mallett's replacement. I think that all of these are good enough to be #2's in the league with starter upside. Guiton however is my favourite.

Damian Copeland - The Louisville receiver had a terrific combine performance and was pretty productive for the Louisville Cardinals. On limited tape viewing, he's also shows some real talent for the position.

There are plenty more potential UDFA's that I like and have mentioned elsewhere but they'll do for now.

The takeaway from this mock should be:

1. Shazier
2. Tuitt


I struggle to think of a better combination for the first two picks unless ASJ can be factored in somehow.

Another option could be #62 + #130 and 2r in 2015. I know BB hates tradeing away future picks. But he might do it for this years draft vs NeXT years AND we still have all the other picks + probably 2-3 comp picks aswell.

That would also make sure we have #93 for Bitonio or Coleman.

everlong said:

Currently the 5 CBS mocks

2014 NFL Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Have us taking

Pryor (Rang)
Mosley (Brugler)
Nix (Prisco)
Crichton (Kirwin)
Hageman (Brinson)

No, No, No, 20 pick later and yes please.

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Of course, you do realize the fact that those picks are S, LB, DT, DE, and DT make it significantly more likely that the first pick will be OL, TE, or WR, don't you?

Luxusdk said:

Another option could be #62 + #130 and 2r in 2015. I know BB hates tradeing away future picks. But he might do it for this years draft vs NeXT years AND we still have all the other picks + probably 2-3 comp picks aswell.

That would also make sure we have #93 for Bitonio or Coleman.

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I don't like giving up a next year pick.

Shazier and Tuitt would be quite the haul.

stelfans said:

Shazier and Tuitt would be quite the haul.

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It would. One thought is whether BB sees Tuitt as just another Armstead. Having two of them would still work but might BB see it as a bit too redundant?

manxman2601 said:

It would. One thought is whether BB sees Tuitt as just another Armstead. Having two of them would still work but might BB see it as a bit too redundant?

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I like Tuitt as a 4-3 end. If he plays at 300, preferably under, i see no reason why he cant be a 3 down end there. Obviously he wont be that edge rusher that everyone wants but imagine Collins benefiting from Tuitt handling multiple blocks...sounds good to me.
And not hving seen much from Armstead looks to me like he is much more a DT than DE, but again, i navent seen enough.

All in all, i think its a great idea. Actually, the more plyers we have on the line that can ocupy multiple blocks the better, it would allow Shazier and Collins to do what they do best: plays all over the backfield.

Didn't Prisco mock the Pats taking Dennard & Collins in the first round in the last couple of years? If he continues that trend then Nix in the 3rd-4th?

Big-T said:

Didn't Prisco mock the Pats taking Dennard & Collins in the first round in the last couple of years? If he continues that trend then Nix in the 3rd-4th?

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He certainly mocked Collins last year.

manxman2601 said:

He certainly mocked Collins last year.

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Ryan Riddle and Prisco got me on Collins. My favorite Defensive guys last yr were Quanterus Smith, Sheldon Richardson and Collins. Also when I watched Smith, I found Jonathan Dowling.

All22PatsFan said:

Ryan Riddle and Prisco got me on Collins. My favorite Defensive guys last yr were Quanterus Smith, Sheldon Richardson and Collins. Also when I watched Smith, I found Jonathan Dowling.

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Well you and Mayoclinic share a liking for Dowling then.

manxman2601 said:

Well you and Mayoclinic share a liking for Dowling then.

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He is fun to watch. However It is pretty concerning he was kicked of Florida.

manxman2601 said:

Thanks to Luxusdk for the suggestion.

My current favourite approach would be to take Ryan Shazier with the first pick and Stephon Tuitt with the second. Unfortunately Tuitt will likely need a trade up in the 2nd and if it's a mid-second pick, then 62+93 probably isn't going to cut it (although maybe it will in this draft class). So:


#29 Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State


The best athlete available with the first pick and fills the coverage linebacker/big nickel safety role. Pair him with Jamie Collins and who knows where the pressure or coverage is coming from.


Trade #62, 93 to Minn for #40 (alternatively, trade #62 + Ryan Mallett)


#40 Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame


Has the versatility to play every down and be there if Armstead doesn't become anything. Tuitt might lack the explosiveness to be an every down 4-3 DE but he's a very effective pass rusher at times.



#130 Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern

A physical and athletic marvel. He's a tough projection to running back because he played in an alien system as a read-option QB. However, the athletic ability is there and with Ridley and Vereen on the roster for another year, there's no need to rush him. He has been working out at DB as well which helps his value and with his athleticism he should be excellent on special teams.


#140 Crockett Gilmore, TE, Colorado State


I'd rather have Fiedorowicz but the loss of #93 in the Tuitt trade up prevents that. Gilmore certainly has a great stature for the position and a good pair of hands and whilst his lack of athleticism suggests he won't be a starter, he should be a versatile enough backup.


#198 Tyler Starr, OLB, S Dakota


Drafting Shazier lessens the need for KPL and probably Jordan Tripp, both of whom I rank ahead of Starr. However, if you eliminate those two, Starr's record breaking 3-cone hits you in the face. Depth and special teams with this pick.


#206 Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State


Probably the best receiving back in the draft, Grice is a former WR. Greg Cosell compares him to Matt Forte and Matt Waldman to Shane Vereen. I'd take either comparison. Ideal backup and potential replacement for Vereen.


#244 Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford


Amazing pro day performance, less amazing tape. Still, if we can turn those measurables into performance then we'll have a very good pick.



UDFA


Terrence Fede - Chandler Jones v2.0. Has to be worth it.

Kevin Pamphile - Purdue lineman that has long arms and terrific athleticism. as an OT, his blocking leaves something to be desired but could be an interest interior line prospect in our system.

Blake Annen - a 4.4 running TE. Worth the shot.

Kenny Guiton/Jeff Matthews/Garrett Gilbert/Casey Pachall - Time to groom Mallett's replacement. I think that all of these are good enough to be #2's in the league with starter upside. Guiton however is my favourite.

Damian Copeland - The Louisville receiver had a terrific combine performance and was pretty productive for the Louisville Cardinals. On limited tape viewing, he's also shows some real talent for the position.

There are plenty more potential UDFA's that I like and have mentioned elsewhere but they'll do for now.

The takeaway from this mock should be:

1. Shazier
2. Tuitt


I struggle to think of a better combination for the first two picks unless ASJ can be factored in somehow.

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I like it. Any mock with Tuitt is OK with me.

I've been starting to think Shazier's tape it too inconsistent, so despite the upside I don't like him in the first as much as I used to. I would have signed Jared Allen to the deal he signed with Chicago, but since that's passed I've been looking harder at the 4-3 DE class. The first one that I think represents good value is Jackson Jeffcoat, but IMO he's more of a sub-rusher like Chris Clemons.

A first three rounds of Tuitt (trade down) ASJ (trade up) and Jeffcoat would make me happy.

I don't like DEs playing more than 50 snaps per game which means -- after I do the math -- that I need to find about 800 snaps by DEs other than Ninkovich and Jones. I think between Tuitt, Jeffcoat, Armstead (whom I've always liked), Buchanan, Hightower, and Collins it can be done.

I need to watch Grice.

manxman2601 said:

It would. One thought is whether BB sees Tuitt as just another Armstead. Having two of them would still work but might BB see it as a bit too redundant?

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If Tuitt and Armstead are as good as I think they are it's not redundant, it's overkill. In a good way.

I think we take an int ol or dt with our first pick. Either Yankey, Martin, Richburg or Aaron Donald.

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot said:

I like it. Any mock with Tuitt is OK with me.

I've been starting to think Shazier's tape it too inconsistent, so despite the upside I don't like him in the first as much as I used to. I would have signed Jared Allen to the deal he signed with Chicago, but since that's passed I've been looking harder at the 4-3 DE class. The first one that I think represents good value is Jackson Jeffcoat, but IMO he's more of a sub-rusher like Chris Clemons.

A first three rounds of Tuitt (trade down) ASJ (trade up) and Jeffcoat would make me happy.

I don't like DEs playing more than 50 snaps per game which means -- after I do the math -- that I need to find about 800 snaps by DEs other than Ninkovich and Jones. I think between Tuitt, Jeffcoat, Armstead (whom I've always liked), Buchanan, Hightower, and Collins it can be done.

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If the D is as good as we hope, the entire D won't be playing much more than 50 snaps per game.

I made this mock draft using the Fanspeak simulator and Walterfootball's board, but the AI made some strange decisions (some might even argue I did too):

1-29. DL Tuitt
2-62. TE Seferian-Jenkins
3-93. C Richburg
4-130. WR Coleman
4-140. S Dowling
6-198. RB Grice
6-206. T Patchan
7-243. DL/LB Webster

Thoughts? I tried to go BPA across quite a few positions with each pick. I think this gives the team what it needs - players with high potential at positions where they are needed (DT, TE, C, WR, S, DE) and solid reserves at RB and T. This wouldn't really fill the need for a DE or LB who could serve a reserve role immediately, unfortunately.

2014 New England Patriots Mock Draft - 4/1/14

Straight Up - No Screwing Around

Round 1 - Ryan Shazier, OLB - Ohio State (28)

Round 2 - Westin Richburg, OC - Colorado State (74)

Round 3 - Joel Bitonio, OG/OT - Nevada (96)

Round 4 - Caraun Reid, DT - Princeton (137) or Justin Ellis, DT - Louisiana Tech (156)

Round 4 Compensatory - Arthur Lynch, TE - Georgia (128) or Tyler Gaffney, RB - Stanford (143)

Round 6 - Marqueston Huff, FS - Wyoming (202)

Round 6 - Trey Millard, FB - Oklahoma (239) or Gator Hoskins, FB - Marshall (265)

Round 7 - Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB - Coastal Carolina (276)

Parenthesis - NFLDraftScout Overall Rankings dated 3/31/2014

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Note: Multiple selections depends on availability

Collegiate UDFAs (potential diamonds in the rough):

Roderick McDowell, RB - Clemson (433)
Jake Murphy, TE - Utah (293)
Blake Annen, TE - Cincinnati (316)
Ted Bolser, TE - Indiana (332)
Quincy Enunwa, WR - Nebraska (308)
Ben Gardner, DE - Stanford (266)
Terrence Fede, DE - Marist (561)
Zach Kerr, DT - Delaware (305)
Lawrence Virgil, DT - Valdosta State (436)
Caleb Lavey, ILB - Oklahoma State (362)
Brock Coyle, ILB - Montana (427)
Anthony Hitchens, OLB - Iowa (325)
Xavius Boyd, OLB - Western Kentucky (374)
Jonathan Dowling, FS - Western Kentucky (284)
Brock Vereen, SS - Minnesota (336)
Brandon Dixon, CB - Northwest Missouri State (318)
Keith Reaser, CB - Florida Atlantic (345)

Unrestricted Free Agent Acquisitions:

Michael Hoomanawanui
Julian Edelman
Brandon LaFell
Ryan Wendell
Will Svitek
Brandon Browner
Darrelle Revis

Salary Cap Casualties:

Isaac Sopoaga
Steve Gregory
Adrian Wilson (Seriously Bill, what are you waiting for?)

NFI List (to be "redshirted" for the 2014 NFL Season):

Trey Millard