stelfans
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2012
- Messages
- 906
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I was going to make a mock but wont anymore, its here!Getting a look at the Senior Bowl and other pre-draft Bowl games has helped focus my thinking a little before the draft.
Re-sign Talib and Vollmer
Sign Armond Armstead (I'm sold).
Possibly re-sign Welker, Edelman, Arrington, Woodhead in that order depending on cap space available.
Draft
1. Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Just one look at his Senior Bowl practice showed just how explosive a prospect he is. His experience at UCLA playing both DE and DT as well as two gapping should mean that he'll, at least, be of interest to BB. I see him playing LDE in the base package and shifting inside in sub. We're well stocked at LDE but as we spend most of our tie in the sub package, Jones will be playing inside anyway. His explosivity should give us a legitimate penetrative threat inside.
2. Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
There's plenty of 2nd round WR's that I like but Wheaton combines skill-sets that both satisfy what the Patriots look for from their receivers, but also what they're lacking (deep speed). Not only is Wheaton a threat to go deep, he's got the short area quickness that the Patriots like and he's an accomplished route-runner and catcher. He isn't the biggest or the strongest, but in the Patriots offense, that's what the TE's are for. Wheaton could become the #2 guy alongside Welker earlier rather than later, relegating Lloyd's inability to gain YAC to the Deoin Branch 3rd receiver role.
3. Trade.
I'm trading back here. I'm not going to predict with whom. Suffice to say, I'm looking to pick up a 4th and a couple of 6th round picks by moving around sufficiently....cop out (cough)...
4. Leon McFadden, CB, SDSU
In my view he's the best cover corner in the draft. His lack of ideal height means he doesn't stand out or project that highly but in both zone and man coverage, he's very hard to get open against. Adding McFadden gives us a CB grouping of Talib, Dennard, Mcfadden and possibly Arrington id re-signed. That's some nice depth and means that Dowling could transition to safety if healthy.
6A. Terron Armstead, OT/OG, Arkansas Pine-Bluff
I'm so glad he stood out at Shrine game practices as it means that his incredibly athletic skillset potentially translates to the pros. Of the linemen I've watched so far, only Jon Cooper has quicker feet than Armstead in my eyes. Armstead's 32" arms may mean he moves inside to OG but that's okay. If I can't have Jon Cooper at OG, I'll settle for Dante coaching up this bundle of athletic upside.
6B. Nick Kasa, TE, Colorado
According to NFLDraftScout, the lower end of his predicted 40 time is slightly faster than Gronkowski. He's bigger than both Gronk and Michael Williams who many like as a blocking TE and his athleticism offers serious upside. Any Redzone issues in the playoffs would be easily overcome by having Gronk, Kasa, Ballard lining up in whatever combination. Who needs WR's?
7A Garrett Gilkey, OL, Chadron State
Another small school OL I liked early who's getting more attention now (Senior Bowl invite). "Angry Beast" describes him best. His highlight reel was just a collection of him putting DL's on their backside, this guy knows how to finish blocks.
7B Jake Knott, LB, Iowa State
Knott was one half of an outstanding ILB tandem at Iowa State with AJ Klein until an injury derailed his season. Knott is the pick because he's an excellent coverage LB which is still a hole that needs to be filled.
UFA's
From:
Kapron Lewis-Moore, DL, Notre Dame
Mark Harrison, WR, Rutgers
Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, Auburn
Quanterus Smith, DE, Western Kentucky
John Boyett, FS, Oregon
Mike Catapano, DE, Priceton
Caraun Reed, DT, Princeton
Emory Blake, WR, Auburn
MarQueis Gray, TE, Minnesota
Luke Marquardt, OT, Asuza Pacific
Nik Embernate, OG, San Diego State
DJ Hayden, CB, Houston
Malcolm Bronson, FS, McNeese State
I'd like to see a safety in there somewhere and im not completely sold on mcfadden(though i had him in my last mock) but other than that, its pretty much what i want.
Very good.
