I don't have enough posts to make a new post for this, and since I did exactly what the title of this thead is, I figured I'd post it here (reposted from another board). Obviously if it were a real draft, I'd have probably gotten one or two less picks for this draft and added one or two for next years, but there's no point in doing that in an internet mock.
Just got done with a mock draft I did over on my Canes board, here's what we ended up with:
2 - Kendall Reyes, DT/DE
2 - Shea McClellin - OLB/DE
2 - Brandon Thompson - DT/DE
3 - Jemell Fleming - CB
3 - Bruce Irvin - OLB
3 - Greg Childs - WR
4 - Josh Norman - CB
4 - Jeff Allen - OG/OT
5 - Evan Rodriguez - TE/H-back
5 - DeJohn Harris - DT
It was a classic BB draft in the sense that I did just an absurd amount of trading. Might regret trading down from 27 as Brockers was available, but I feel I got two more complete (but lower upside) guys at that position in the next round in Reyes and Thompson. McClellin has the versatility and overall profile of a guy that seems taylormade for the Pats defense.
I'm wary of drafting OU CBs, but I think Fleming is one of the most complete CBs in the class and will end up as one of the most productive at the next level. Irvin is the anti-McClellin...not versatile, raw, and one dimensional....but he's a monster pass rusher, perhaps the best in the draft. He should help to replace some of Anderson's production, and will be a long-term project in terms of developing him into a complete LB. Had childs not torn his patella tendon in 2010, I think he would have ended up as a top 3 WR in this draft. He had a disappointing 2011 while recovering from the injury, but he seems close to 100% judging by his combine. A physical monster that has one of the highest upsides of the WRs IMO.
Norman is another guy who's a little raw, less fundamentally sound than Fleming, but is physically imposing and was a flat out playmaker (albiet against inferior competition). I really like his ball skills and see a guy who brings the type of big play ability we havent seen at the position since Asante. Allen's another versatile guy, will be able to play tackle in a pinch, but projects as a great guard in the NFL. He's a bit soft looking, but with a commitment to an NFL conditioning program, I think he'll be one of the diamonds in the rough of the 2012 OL class.
The Rodriguez pick wasn't necessarily a great "need" pick, but he reminds me a lot of a poor man's Hernandez. He'll be a great #3 immediately and in time has the ability to develop into a great replacement for when one of Gronknandez leave. I was going to go with a body to throw in at safety with the last pick, but Harris's upside is too much to pass up. He's got some major questions about his motor/motivation, but he was just dominant when the switch was turned on.
So, a classic BB draft, IMO. Tons of trading, and infuriatingly didn't address what a lot of fans consider to be the biggest concern (safety). I just hate this safety class. Barron is too similar to Chung's skillset, Smith is a guy who does everything well but nothing great (and who would be a 3rd-4th round pick in an average draft year). I like Martin a lot but missed out on him by a few picks. Also like Thomas from Syracuse as a late pick but missed out on him also. Ultimately I think there's a good chance McCourty's going to be moved to FS full time. So considering that, the depth that Gregory brings, and possibly bringing in a couple intriguing UDFA guys (Dye and the CB Marrow from Toledo are who I'd bring in), I think we'd be ok there for 2012.
Ultimately I brought in an infusion of talent for the front 7, a couple good CBs who will give some great depth if McCourty is moved, an interior lineman who may be very much needed depending on how Mankins recovers, a big, physically gifted WR with incredible upside and a 3rd TE that can do a lot of things on offense. It just occurred to me that I forgot about Cyrus Grey from TAMU with my last pick...probably would have chosen him over Harris had I remembered, but oh well. Thoughts? Brutal criticisms if I did a ****ty job?