This is the "stay put" mock draft. Assuming no trades. It's hard enough predicting who BB would take on draft day no less keep up with all the possible trades!
Used the Foxsports rankings as per the rules.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6421386
24 Chris Houston CB, Arkansas, 5-10, 185, 4.32
The best defensive player left on the board. An excellent press corner, fast, and tough as nails. I think Beason is undersized for our system but he would be a secondary possibility here if BB believed he could gain weight without affecting playing speed/agility too much.
28 Joe Staley LT, Central Michigan, 6-6, 306, 4.78
A tall and very athletic tackle that projects to be the long overdue replacement for Matt Light. At worst he will step right in at RT and take over LT later when he is more seasoned. Tedd Ginn Jr. is tempting here but I think he slipped for a reason. Ginn would be an excellent returner as well but I find it hard to believe that he can crack the crowded starting lineup at WR.
91 Stewart Bradley LB, Nebraska, 6-4, 254, 4.72
The best linebacker available. I've already addressed corner, I am leery of Buster Davis' lack of size, and quite frankly the players listed from 90-100 didn't impress me as better prospects.
123 Zak Deossie LB, Brown, 6-5, 250, 4.58
Ideal size, good speed, good bloodlines, and connections to BB. This screams out Patriots football player to me. Oh look I doubled up on linebackers. Who said I wasn't showing that position any love? Well when the value fits, I will.
160 John Wendling S, Wyoming, 6-1, 222, 4.48
My first sleeper pick. The best free safety left imo, with excellent size/speed ratio. He comes from a small school and does have some blemishes on his game. But I think that BB can coach him up into something special. I considered Sepulveda at this spot but seeing as he is ranked #143 I couldn't fit him into my draft.
165 Chris Henry RB, 5-11, Arizona, 230, 4.40
My second sleeper comes at runningback. This kid has got some serious speed and was the fastest runningback tested at the combine. A great change of pace guy that could succeed Kevin Faulk or might turn into something more. This pick is based purely on upside and I am unashamed to say it because what an upside it is.
187 David Ball WR, 6-1, New Hampshire, 196, 4.65
A Troy Brown type receiver that doesn't have great speed but has great hands and knows how to get open. I don't know if his game will be as versatile as Browns but this late in the draft we can afford to take a flyer on a possession receiver and see if he sticks.
192 Usama Young CB, 5-11, Kent State, 196, 4.40
I'd like to claim credit for this sleeper but a lot of scouts have already been put on alert by Young running 4.40 TWICE on his pro day as well as featuring a 43 inch vertical! One of the most athletic db's in the entire draft, I think this is the perfect pick to take a chance on finding a diamond in the rough.
193 Desmond Bishop LB, 6-2, California, 239. 4.78
A bit undersized but this late in the draft you're gonna get guys like this. An experienced run stopper that projects to play at SILB. Made some big plays for Cal and is worth a flyer at this point in the draft. I would have preferred to take him with pick #224 but he was ranked 222 overall by Fox. I considered taking a QB here instead of another linebacker but I figure the chances of a late round rookie QB sticking are so low the Pats are more likely to sign a vet backup instead. Unless BB gets a real good tipoff, ala Brady, expect them not to take a QB on draft day.
224 Brad Ekewekeru WR, Missouri, 6-4, 209, 4.48
For my final sleeper pick I thought I should get someone that would have you scrambling for your draft guides. A sleeper in every sense of the word, this guy impressed scouts at his pro day by running his 40 in 4.40 seconds flat, a 3.88 shuttle, and an amazing 6.62 3 cone time. This guy could just be a workout wonder but his size/speed combo makes him more than worthy of my 7th round sleeper pick. Come on Ekewekeru, make me look like a genius!
I hope you enjoyed my draft. The fun part of the draft actually started on the second day when I could dig for some real sleepers. Obviously I'd be content with this draft, but how would you guys feel about it?
[EDIT] Bah looks like our draft pick order changed. I went off the order set out on the first page. I might redo this with the new pick order later, but not right now.
