If you guys do want my advice, I'll give you guys an ideal mock draft (guys you should hope for, not predictions).
1. T.J. McDonald, S, USC
I wrote about McDonald earlier this year (I still can't post links, so just add http : / /)
nflmocks.com/2012/08/13/t-j-mcdonald-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report/
He's an instinctive, mistake free safety with good strength and excellent tackling ability. He lacks the quickness to jump routes, so he's not much of a ball hawk, but he is very smart and is always in good position. Right now, his thin frame and tight hips mean that he doesn't profile too well in man coverage right now (too stiff for slot receivers, not bulky enough to cover tight ends), but, if he adds 20lbs, he could be a great strong safety that fits the Bernard Pollard mold. I'm not sure there are many safer picks in the draft.
2. Aaron Hester/Sheldon Price, CB's, UCLA
First off, I know that it is strange to put two players together, but Price and Hester are pretty much identical and are the most underrated corners in football. I wrote about them earlier this year:
nflmocks.com/2012/05/31/sheldon-price-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report/
nflmocks.com/2012/05/31/aaron-hester-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report/
I've always had a thing for UCLA corners (Alterraun Verner!), and these two are absolutely terrific. Watch last year's Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. See what these two do against A.J. Jenkins in man coverage. It was domination like I've never seen before. Jenkins made a 60 yard catch against zone coverage late in the game (admittedly, Hester may have thought it was supposed to be cover 2 instead of cover 3), but, in man coverage, between the two of them Hester and Price yielded 3 catches for 12 yards on 11 targets in the game. That's some kind of domination on a future first round pick. You know what's most surprising? Both Hester and Price are knocked for a lack of speed (4.56 40's). But, in that game (and every other game I've seen them play), no receiver could get any separation from them in man coverage. In football cleats, they are faster than guys like Jenkins. They could jam Jenkins release off the line of scrimmage and give themselves no cushion, but Jenkins still never had a chance. Price and Hester were too fast. Not too mention, they are big (both are 6'1). A couple years ago, I wrote an article saying that big corners who can really jam are the secret key to a well disguised blitz scheme. The numbers supported my hypothesis:
nflmocks.com/2011/06/28/the-secret-key-to-a-well-disguised-blitz-scheme/
My logic was this: one of the greatest ways to know a blitz is coming is checking out where the safeties are lining up. A safety's typical assignment is a cover 2 deep zone. However, let's say the defense calls a strongside linebacker blitz. Who covers the tight end? It's usually the strong safety. Well, if a safety is going into a deep zone, he usually lines up about 11 yards off the line of scrimmage. However, if he's covering for a blitzing linebacker, he needs to line up closer to the line of scrimmage, he needs to line up in the box so he can cover the tight end. As soon as the quarterback sees the safety in the box, he assumes a blitz is coming. So what does this have to do with big corners? If your corners can really jam the release of a wide receiver off the line of scrimmage, then it will take that receiver extra time to get into his route. Say jamming the release takes the receiver only 1 second longer to get into his route. If it's taking receivers longer to get into their routes, then teams have the option of letting their safety cheat up. You can put your safeties in the box while playing cover 2, because they can still get into a cover 2 deep zone if the release of the wide receiver is effectively jammed. And, if you can put one or both of your safeties in the box on every play, yet they still have time to get into a cover 2 deep zone, then you have an awesome weapon my friend. Hester and Price both fit the Al Harris mold with their size, physicality, and on field awareness.
3. Cameron Lawrence, OLB, Mississippi State
You guys run a 4-3, right? I've always had a thing for Mississippi State outside linebacker (I called K.J. Wright the most underrated prospect of the 2011 draft). Lawrence packs a punch for his size (really, really strong), he has good instincts, and he's a solid athlete. One of the best linebackers in the SEC. If you get him, you will not regret it.
4. David Bass, DE, Missouri Western State
You guys knew I would put Bass in here, right? I admittedly have only seen him once. It's not easy to get Missouri Western State game film. But god, did he impress me in that Central Missouri game. You've already seen the scouting report. Does everything against the pass and amazing movement skills for a guy his size. Definitely worth drafting.
5. Aaron Mellette, WR, Elon
Another guy I've only seen once, Aaron Mellette is a solid player. With his good hands, good size, great route running, and his surprising knack for YAC, he reminds me of a small school Chad Ochocinco (not Ochostinko). I wrote about him in more detail earlier this year:
nflmocks.com/2012/05/12/aaron-mellette-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report/
6. Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt
Maybe the most underrated prospect of the draft. A truly unnatural ratio of power to size, consistently puts up incredible stats in spite of impossibly difficult competition and a horrible supporting cast. Had a higher yards per carry than Trent Richardson last year. Think Mark Ingram
nflmocks.com/2012/05/12/zac-stacy-2012-nfl-draft-scouting-report/
7. Rontez Miles, S, California (PA)
I told you guys what I think of Miles. I don't care what the competition is. Perfect football is perfect football.
Other guys to keep an eye on: Jonathan Brown (if he enters the draft), Jonathan Cooper, Brad Sorensen, all of the safeties I have mentioned, Devin Taylor
