With the first week of college football just about out of the way I might as well get my first mock draft of the season going to. This is of course very early and I've only seen a limited number of players so far.
Trade 1st for early 2nd and 4th (I really just needed an extra mid round pick to fit my guys in).
* Number in bracket is NFL Draft Scout Ranking
2a. Ra'Shede Hagemann- Minnesota -6'6" 312lbs (43)
DT is obviously a huge need right now and should be a draft priority. Hagemann is an absolute freak of an athlete (ranked #2 on the freaks list by Bruce Feldman) and has the potential to be a top 5 pick if he develops. Right now he is a 2nd rounder and I'm hoping he doesn't develop too quickly this season.
Freaks List: The 20 craziest athletes in college football - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings
2b.DT- Deandre Coleman- Cal- 6'5" 315lb (88)
I liked my big, long, athletic DT earlier in round two so much I thought I would grab another. Like manx said, he is a good athlete, huge upside and has the skills to two-gap. What I like about this pair of DTs along with Armstead is size, length, athleticism and scheme versatility. Whether its 4-3 or 3-4, 1-gap, 2-gap or my favorite 4-3 under. These two would help stop the run, rush the passer, clog up passing lanes with their length and really offer a huge amount of defensive versatility, especially with #75 getting up there in age.
3. C- Travis Swanson- Arkansas- 6'4" 320lbs (66 could maybe swap positions with Coleman)
Interior O-line could be another need although I hope we do re-sign Wendell. Swanson is arguably the top C in the 2014 draft (although recent history has the top C entering the year dropping like a rock before the draft) and is another guy I like from the athletic freak list.
Freaks List: The 20 craziest athletes in college football - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings
While he has great movement skills, his best asset at the moment is probably his pass protection, which could make him one of the better C's in the NFL if he can continue to develop the other parts of his game.
4a. FB- Trey Millard- Oklahoma- 6'2" 250lbs (104)
I will say this right now, Trey Millard is one of the 10 best players in college football. He is versatile, athletic and a flat out beast. While it may be impossible to find a replacement for Aaron Hernandez, Millard would do a fantastic job and contribute in even more ways. He is a fantastic lead blocking FB, he can run the ball, catch it out of the backfield, line up at TE and is Oklahoma's best special teams player. He is actually Oklahoma's best player period. He is a combo FB/RB/HB/TE and special teamer that offers so much value I would draft him as high as round 2, he is that good.
4b. CB- Kyle Fuller- Virginia Tech- 6'0" 190lbs (142)
Fuller was supposed to be one of the best CB's in college football in 2012 but he never really developed last season. The talent is still there and I think he could break out in 2013 and force himself into the top 2 rounds. He has good size, athleticism and coverage ability that should make him at least a solid NFL CB with the potential for more.
5. OT- Cornelius Lucas- Kansas State- 6'8" 328lbs (146)
When I was watching tape I couldn't help but notice Lucas. Maybe its because the guy is freakin' huge, but I came away impressed. Lucas has great length, is a good athlete, is excellent in pass protection and does a good job moving his feet and getting to the second level. He still has a lot of technique work to do and he needs to improve his run blocking but I think he has huge upside. I would also like to see him get a bit 'meaner' and finish his block, especially drive blocking where he seems a bit passive. Unique size and skillset though, especially as a pass blocker and well worth a shot in the 4th/5th round.
6. QB- Keith Price- Washington- 6'1" 202lbs (277)
I see him as a poor mans Teddy Bridgewater and not just because of the similar appearance. The more I watch the more I really like Price as a developmental guy that has a chance to be really good. He has a good but not quite great arm (although I think he can continue to improve that), he is a great athlete and excellent runner, but don't be fooled, he is a pure pocket QB. I really like the way he moves around the pocket, keeps his eyes down field and uses his athleticism to keep plays alive. He throws the ball vertically down the field well, particularly down the seams and is especially good off play action.
He still has some areas to improve and some technique issues to work through but I really like his skill set. He is undersized which will scare some teams off but it doesn't really concern me. From a comparison standpoint to me he looks like a combination of Bridgewater in the pocket (although he doesn't quite have the same arm) and Russel Wilson running and throwing on the run. I think Price is poised for a huge year and could easy push himself up to being one of the top QB's in the draft.
7th- Lottery Ticket
Just take a high ceiling guy and hope to strike gold.