The 2014 Mock draft Thread.

[mayoclinic]

Last bump before the Combine.

Assume Pats have about $3-4M projected available in cap space to sign FAs prior to cuts, extensions and restructurings.

Pre-draft:

- Pats cut Vince Wilfork, Isaac Sapoaga and Adrian Wilson. Cap savings $11.5-12M.
- Pats restructure Devin McCourty, Stephen Gostkowski and Matt Slater. Cap savings $3-3.5M.
- Pats re-sign UFA CB Aqib Talib (estimated 2014 cap hit: $5M).
- Pats re-sign UFA RB LeGarrette Blount (estimated 2014 cap hit: $2M).
- Pats re-sign UFA LB Dane Fletcher (estimated 2104 cap hit: $800K).
- Pats sign UFA DT Linval Joseph (NY Giants) (estimated 2014 cap hit: $4M).
- Pats sign UFA DE Corey Wootton (Chicago) (estimated 2014 cap hit: $2.5-3M).
- Pats sign UFA TE Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville - projected cap casualty)(estimated 2014 cap hit: $3M).
- Pats sign UFA WR Sidney Rice (Seattle - projected cap casualty) (estimated 2014 cap hit: $2.5-3M).

Pats are probably $2-3M short in 2014 cap space to do all of those signings, and will need to cut or re-structure a couple of other guys. Dan Connolly, Steve Gregory and Tommy Kelly are all possibilities.

Draft:

29. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh. 6' 1" 290#.
62. Christian Jones, LB, Florida St. 6' 3 1/2" 236#. Alternate: Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville. 6' 3 1/2" 258#.
93. Weston Richburg, OC, Colorado St. 6' 3" 300#. Alternate: Marcus Martin, OC, USC (6' 3" 310#) or Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada (6' 4" 307#).
4. Antone Exum, DB, Virginia Tech. 6' 220#.
6a. Richard Rodgers, TE, Cal. 6' 4" 245#. Alternate: Xavier Grimble, TE, USC (6' 5" 250#).
6b. Tyler Starr, LB, South Dakota. 6' 4 1/2" 249#.
6 (comp). Dontae Johnson, DB, North Carolina St. 6' 2 1/2" 199#.
7. Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon. 6' 5" 250#. Alternate: Trey Bruton, WR/H-Back, Florida. 6' 1 1/2" 225#.

 

[Brady6]

#29-Calvin Pryor
#62-Austin Seferian-Jenkins
#93-Aaron Lynch
#126-Justin Ellis
TBD-Kadeem Edwards
TBD-Trey Burton
#182-Mike Pennel
#190-Chris Boyd
#229-Dexter McDougle

Thoughts?

 

[mayoclinic]

#29-Calvin Pryor
#62-Austin Seferian-Jenkins
#93-Aaron Lynch
#126-Justin Ellis
TBD-Kadeem Edwards
TBD-Trey Burton
#182-Mike Pennel
#190-Chris Boyd
#229-Dexter McDougle

Thoughts?

I don't think Calvin Pryor will last to 29, but I'd be happy with the pick if he did.
I don't think ASJ will last to 62, but I'd be happy with the pick if he did.
I don't think Aaron Lynch will last to 93, but I'd be happy with the pick if he did.
I don't think Justin Ellis will last to 128, but I'd be happy with the pick if he did.

 

[manxman2601]

#29-Calvin Pryor
#62-Austin Seferian-Jenkins
#93-Aaron Lynch
#126-Justin Ellis
TBD-Kadeem Edwards
TBD-Trey Burton
#182-Mike Pennel
#190-Chris Boyd
#229-Dexter McDougle

Thoughts?

Unless you want a lot of missed tackles, do not touch Calvin Pryor.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Unless you want a lot of missed tackles, do not touch Calvin Pryor.

He can't miss more than Gregory

 

[manxman2601]

He can't miss more than Gregory

This is a good reason to take him in the first round? And judging him by his Kentucky game, yes he probably could.

 

[Brady6]

Unless you want a lot of missed tackles, do not touch Calvin Pryor.

Who is the best safety on the board in your opinion?

Couple of questions –

1. Do you think Harmon is a starting caliber NFL safety? If so, could he be an above average safety or is he going to have a ceiling similar to Gregory?
2. Same question as #1 only replace Harmon with Tavon Wilson.
3. Who is the best safety on the board in your opinion?

 

[manxman2601]

Who is the best safety on the board in your opinion?

Couple of questions –

1. Do you think Harmon is a starting caliber NFL safety? If so, could he be an above average safety or is he going to have a ceiling similar to Gregory?
2. Same question as #1 only replace Harmon with Tavon Wilson.
3. Who is the best safety on the board in your opinion?

1. Maybe. I thought he was drafted to be McCourty's backup. A role for which he is ideally suited.

2. I think Wilson's upside is backup safety.

3. Jimmie Ward is the best safety in my book but he does lack athleticism and size. However he is comfortably the best in coverage and has the best instincts by far. He very rarely makes a mistake. However, because of size and potential athleticism, Clinton-Dix would be #1 on my board.

4. I know you didn't ask but I'll throw it in. I think Calvin Pryor is a bit of a cross between Meriweather and Chung. Maybe a little better than both. I don't think that's an upgrade on what we have now, others might. But then I've stated that I don't think safety is a position of need.

 

[Brady6]

1. Maybe. I thought he was drafted to be McCourty's backup. A role for which he is ideally suited.

2. I think Wilson's upside is backup safety.

3. Jimmie Ward is the best safety in my book but he does lack athleticism and size. However he is comfortably the best in coverage and has the best instincts by far. He very rarely makes a mistake. However, because of size and potential athleticism, Clinton-Dix would be #1 on my board.

4. I know you didn't ask but I'll throw it in. I think Calvin Pryor is a bit of a cross between Meriweather and Chung. Maybe a little better than both. I don't think that's an upgrade on what we have now, others might. But then I've stated that I don't think safety is a position of need.

What do you think of Dion Bailey?

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

This is a good reason to take him in the first round? And judging him by his Kentucky game, yes he probably could.

It's not a good reason to have anyone on your team. If you look at all the great defenses of this century they've all tackled well.

 

[Brady6]

• #29-RaShede Hageman
• #62-Aaron Lynch
• #93-Dion Bailey
• #126-Joe Don Duncan
• #182-Kadeem Edwards
• #190-Trey Burton
• Comp-Mike Pennel
• Comp-Chris Boyd
• #229-Dexter McDougle

 

[manxman2601]

What do you think of Dion Bailey?

I haven't seen him yet.

 

[JerseyShore99]

Just saw 2 new mocks online:
Mock 1:
1. Amaro
2. Allen Robinson
3. DaQuan Jones
4. Chris Watt
6. Aaron Murray
6. Deion Belue
7. Cody Latimer

Mock 2:
1. Hageman
2. Troy Niklas
3. Stanley-Jean Baptiste
4. Jordan Tripp
6. Kevin Norwood
6. Jordan Najvar
7. Corey Linsley

With a gun to my head I'd probably prefer one but I'd somewhat like a combo of the two like this:
1. Amaro
2. Allen Robinson
3. DaQuan Jones
4. (Not a fan of either prospect listed)
6. Aaron Murray
6. Deion Belue
7. Jordan Najvar

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Just saw 2 new mocks online:
Mock 1:
1. Amaro
2. Allen Robinson
3. DaQuan Jones
4. Chris Watt
6. Aaron Murray
6. Deion Belue
7. Cody Latimer

Mock 2:
1. Hageman
2. Troy Niklas
3. Stanley-Jean Baptiste
4. Jordan Tripp
6. Kevin Norwood
6. Jordan Najvar
7. Corey Linsley

With a gun to my head I'd probably prefer one but I'd somewhat like a combo of the two like this:
1. Amaro
2. Allen Robinson
3. DaQuan Jones
4. (Not a fan of either prospect listed)
6. Aaron Murray
6. Deion Belue
7. Jordan Najvar

Who thinks Robinson will last until our second? I'd be very much on board if he's there.

 

[ATippett56]

2014 New England Patriots Mock Draft - 2/19/14

Straight Up - No Screwing Around

Round 1 - Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE - Washington (45)

Round 2 - To Be Determined (contingent on unrestricted free agency)

Round 3 - Westin Richburg, OC - Colorado State (73) or Marcus Martin, OC - Southern California (97)

Round 4 - Caraun Reid, DT - Princeton (129) or Justin Ellis, DT - Louisiana Tech (139)

Round 6 - Richard Rogers, TE - California (213) or Jacob Pedersen, TE - Wisconsin (217)

Round 6 - Khairi Fortt, OLB - Calfornia (221)

Round 6 Compensatory - Trey Millard, FB - Oklahoma (239)

Round 7 - Spencer Long, OG - Nebraska (240)

Parenthesis - NFLDraftScout Overall Rankings

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

Caveat: NFLDraftScout Overall Rankings dated 2/16/2014

Note: Multiple selections depends on availability

Collegiate UDFAs (potential diamonds in the rough):

Bruce Gaston, DT - Purdue (286)
Beau Allen, DT - Wisconsin (414)
Jamil Merrell, DE - Rutgers (411)
Kenny Anunike, DE - Duke (429)
Chris Young, ILB - Arizona State (344)
Jonathan Dowling, FS - Western Kentucky (284)
Nickoe Whitley, FS - Mississippi State (303)
Brock Vereen, SS - Minnesota (307)
Dezmen Southward, SS - Wisconsin (341)
Dexter McDougle, CB - Maryland (279)
Brandon Dixon, CB - Northwest Missouri State (318)

Unrestricted Free Agent Acquisitions:

Michael Hoomanawanui
Will Svitek
Dane Fletcher
Aqib Talib

Salary Cap Casualties:

Adrian Wilson
Tommy Kelly
Isaac Sopoaga

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

Trey Millard
Spencer Long

 

[mayoclinic]

Last bump before the Combine.

Assume Pats have about $3-4M projected available in cap space to sign FAs prior to cuts, extensions and restructurings.

Pre-draft:

- Pats cut Vince Wilfork, Isaac Sapoaga and Adrian Wilson. Cap savings $11.5-12M.
- Pats restructure Devin McCourty, Stephen Gostkowski and Matt Slater. Cap savings $3-3.5M.
- Pats re-sign UFA CB Aqib Talib (estimated 2014 cap hit: $5M).
- Pats re-sign UFA RB LeGarrette Blount (estimated 2014 cap hit: $2M).
- Pats re-sign UFA LB Dane Fletcher (estimated 2104 cap hit: $800K).
- Pats sign UFA DT Linval Joseph (NY Giants) (estimated 2014 cap hit: $4M).
- Pats sign UFA DE Corey Wootton (Chicago) (estimated 2014 cap hit: $2.5-3M).
- Pats sign UFA TE Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville - projected cap casualty)(estimated 2014 cap hit: $3M).
- Pats sign UFA WR Sidney Rice (Seattle - projected cap casualty) (estimated 2014 cap hit: $2.5-3M).

Pats are probably $2-3M short in 2014 cap space to do all of those signings, and will need to cut or re-structure a couple of other guys. Dan Connolly, Steve Gregory and Tommy Kelly are all possibilities.

Draft:

29. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh. 6' 1" 290#.
62. Christian Jones, LB, Florida St. 6' 3 1/2" 236#. Alternate: Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville. 6' 3 1/2" 258#.
93. Weston Richburg, OC, Colorado St. 6' 3" 300#. Alternate: Marcus Martin, OC, USC (6' 3" 310#) or Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada (6' 4" 307#).
4. Antone Exum, DB, Virginia Tech. 6' 220#.
6a. Richard Rodgers, TE, Cal. 6' 4" 245#. Alternate: Xavier Grimble, TE, USC (6' 5" 250#).
6b. Tyler Starr, LB, South Dakota. 6' 4 1/2" 249#.
6 (comp). Dontae Johnson, DB, North Carolina St. 6' 2 1/2" 199#.
7. Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon. 6' 5" 250#. Alternate: Trey Bruton, WR/H-Back, Florida. 6' 1 1/2" 225#.

A variant of the above with a Mallett to Houston for 33 trade (very unlikely, so I didn't include it in the original mock):

- Trade 29 to SF for 56 and 61.
- Trade 33 to Jacksonville for 39 and 102.
39. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington.
56. BPA. Could be DB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech, DE Trent Murray, Stanford, DE/DT Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame, an OL, or even a WR.
61. DT Dominique Easley, Florida.
62. LB Christian Jones, Florida St. or Marcus Smith, Louisville.
93. OC Weston Richburg, Colorado St. or Marcus Martin, USC.
102. DE Aaron Lynch, USF or DT Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech.
4. DB Antone Exum, Virginia Tech.
6a. TE Richard Rodgers, Cal or Xavier Grimble, USC.
6b. LB Tyler Starr, South Dakota.
6 (comp). DB Dontae Johnson, North Carolina St. or Jonathan Dowling, Western Kentucky.
7. TE/H-Back: Colt Lyerla, Oregon or Trey Bruton, Florida.[/QUOTE]

 

[Kontradiction]

A variant of the above with a Mallett to Houston for 33 trade (very unlikely, so I didn't include it in the original mock):

- Trade 29 to SF for 56 and 61.
- Trade 33 to Jacksonville for 39 and 102.
39. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington.
56. BPA. Could be DB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech, DE Trent Murray, Stanford, DE/DT Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame, an OL, or even a WR.
61. DT Dominique Easley, Florida.
62. LB Christian Jones, Florida St. or Marcus Smith, Louisville.
93. OC Weston Richburg, Colorado St. or Marcus Martin, USC.
102. DE Aaron Lynch, USF or DT Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech.
4. DB Antone Exum, Virginia Tech.
6a. TE Richard Rodgers, Cal or Xavier Grimble, USC.
6b. LB Tyler Starr, South Dakota.
6 (comp). DB Dontae Johnson, North Carolina St. or Jonathan Dowling, Western Kentucky.
7. TE/H-Back: Colt Lyerla, Oregon or Trey Bruton, Florida.

Welcome aboard the Easley train. It was getting pretty lonely here for a little while.

Like everything about this draft except for Lyria. But, for a 7th round pick, it's hard to argue with even that.

 

[mayoclinic]

Welcome aboard the Easley train. It was getting pretty lonely here for a little while.

If I'm trying to evolve the D to a quicker, faster, more explosive defense that is still very physical (all goals of mine), then it's hard to imagine doing better than Aaron Donald/Dominique Easley at 3-tech, Marcus Smith as a sub-rushing DE/OLB, Christian Jones at LB, and a physical guy with coverage ability like Kyle Fuller or Antone Exum at safety opposite McCourty. Note how many of those guys are Manx's binkies.

 

[Kontradiction]

If I'm trying to evolve the D to a quicker, faster, more explosive defense that is still very physical (all goals of mine), then it's hard to imagine doing better than Aaron Donald/Dominique Easley at 3-tech, Marcus Smith as a sub-rushing DE/OLB, Christian Jones at LB, and a physical guy with coverage ability like Kyle Fuller or Antone Exum at safety opposite McCourty. Note how many of those guys are Manx's binkies.

Easley's injury looked bad when it happened. IMO, he might need a year before he contributes significantly to the team that drafts him. But, before the injury, he was absolutely DOMINATING in the SEC. He was blowing through double teams like they weren't even there. I've been saying it for weeks and I'm happy to see that Mayock is saying the same thing, but Easley has Patriot written all over him. Late round flyer for a guy that was playing like a high end first round talent prior to injury.

 

[mayoclinic]

I've been saying it for weeks and I'm happy to see that Mayock is saying the same thing, but Easley has Patriot written all over him. Late round flyer for a guy that was playing like a high end first round talent prior to injury.

Late round flyer? Do you really think Easley will get out of the 2nd round given that SF took Tank Carradine at #40 coming off an ACL last year?

OTG, BTW, is just as high on Easley as you are:

http://www.fanaticalyankee.com/6/category/dominique-easley/1.html