Early Mock Draft Game

[VJCPatriot]

Patriots picks:
1.27 (from NO), 1.32, 2.16 (from OAK), 2.32, 3.32, 4.32

Draft Value Chart:
Draft Countdown - Trade Value Chart

CBS Rankings:
2012 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

You can pick up to 5 slots higher. You can make any reasonable trade as long as you give at least equal point value back. Let's see your draft! Here's an early effort.

Picks
1A Whitney Mercilus DE OLB Illinois. He can rush the QB and force turnovers. Will be an understudy for Carter and Anderson.
1B Trade down with Atlanta for their 2nd rounder and future 1st round pick.
2A Jared Crick DE Nebraska. Although he doesn't look as freakish as JJ Watt, Crick has the ability to play DE in the 3-4 and bring a little pressure while he's at it.
2B Chase Minnifield CB UVA. A ballhawking corner. Pats secondary has needs.
2C Markelle Martin FS. Oklahoma State. Again secondary has needs and some of our DBs are injury prone so let's infuse it with more talent.
3 Mike Brewster C Ohio State. We need to train up a replacement for Koppen/Connolly. The interior of the line appears injury prone.
4 Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma St. An older QB prospect but his maturity might work out for us. Particularly since he is projected only as a backup. Will Hoyer be retained?

 

[patsfaninpa]

1a Fletcher Cox - DE - Miss St -

I think we need a 2-gap de for our 3-4. I know he's got work to do. But, his rookie year will be more as a situational pass rusher.

1b Andre Branch - OLB/DE - Clemson

We're going to draft an olb one of these years.

2a George Iloka - S - Boise St

Big nickel?

2b Juron Criner - WR - Arizona

A nice sized target for TFB.

3 Casey Hayward - CB - Vanderbilt

Doubt he lasts this long. But, if he does. I'd snap him up.

4 Joe Adams - WR - Arkansas

Burner who can return kicks until he develops as a receiver. Can bring slowly as a receiver since Criner more advanced.

 

[SirApropos]

Trade 1.27 and 1.32 for 1.11 from Kansas City

1.11 - Michael Brockers - DE/DT - LSU (5-Tech)

Trade 2.16 to Atlanta for 2.23, 5.22, and 2013 5th

2.23 - Chandler Jones - OLB/DE - Syracuse (Pass Rusher)

2.32 - George Iloka - S - Boise State (FS/SS/CB/LB Hybrid)

3.32 - Audie Cole - ILB - NC State (Gary Guyton Replacement)

4.32 - Eric Page - WR - Toledo (Deion Branch 2.0)

5.22 - Casey Hayward - CB - Vanderbilt (Probably not going to be here but solid CB)

 

[T-cat]

Ok heres my mock draft without any trades cause im a lazy bum

1.a Janoris Jenkins CB, North Alabama

Ok dont kill me just yet hear me out! I know he has off the field problems with 2 arrests but i believe hes been humbled by being knocked down a peg. He is a smaller corner but he is a playmaker! Hes firey and plays with a chip on his shoulder. I say Mccourty and Moore switch between safety and RCB and have Jenkins opposite them with Arrington in the slot.

1.b Dont'a Hightower ILB,OLB,DE, Bama

Dude is flatout versatile and leaves everything out on the field. He's a high character guy and was captain of the Bama defense. Has great size and length and can run pretty decent as well. Definetly a BB kinda guy

2.a Alshon Jeffery WR, South Carolina

I see Jeffery as high ceiling or low floor kind of guy. Your either going to get something great like Calvin Johnson or someone like a Chad Jackson ( i use this reference because he and Jeffery had the same coach not because of skillset). But for a 2nd round pick id take the risk for a possible Megatron like player.

2.b Cam Johnson DE, Virginia

Your eventual replacement for Andre Carter. Honestly i love having Carter on this team but its sad we have him near the end of his career. But all good things come to an end and i believe Carter would love to be a team player and take a rookie like Johnson under his wing to show him the ropes. I believe with so many high character veterans on our DL, Johnson would quickly become a contributer with his skillset.

3.a Aaron Henry FS, Wisconsin

Very well spoken and smart kid. hes a pretty consistent player from what ive seen and is plays man coverage considerably well. Hes not the most overly aggressive hitters and kind of just flows to the ball with out any force or explosion. But his coverage skills will definetly be an asset to cover man on man with the slot or a tightend.

4.a Quinton Saulsberry OG/OC, Mississippi State

Yet another versatile lineman which BB loves. He started out as a Tackle then moved to guard until finally ending up as a center. Since i see him as a center first and foremost he is still a little raw at that position. I believe once dante gets on him he will become a solid center if not better he has decent technique and a good punch. Doesnt have the strength you typically want but he can definetly work on that.

well there's my mock and a little extra point- Donnie Fletcher CB/S, BC

He's kind of a binky of mine cause i like his style of play. Hes versatile but i believe is better suited for safety to utilize his long frame. Hometown guy that you just gotta root for.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I really like it T-cat. I'm doing mine now and I've got Jenkins, Jeffery and Fletcher all in it at the moment. I love Hightower, but unlike some others I'm not sold on his ability to play OLB, and Spikes is way too valuable to keep off the field. If he can prove that he has the lateral agility to play on the outside, I would absolutely take him. Cam Johnson has been really impressive at the Senior Bowl, and they are playing him at LBer to show off his versatility. I haven't seen enough out of Henry or Saulsberry to coment, but overall it looks good.

Edit. Here is my mock

I still think that someone is going to jump ahead of Cleveland and take RGIII, so I'm going to keep my Hoyer to Cleveland trade from my previous mock.

Pre-Draft Trades
QB Brian Hoyer and 3rd (95) to Cle for 3rd (68) and 4th (100)
We swap 3rds and gain a 4th, sort of a poor man’s Charlie Whitehurst trade

OLB/DE- Jermaine Cunningham to KC for 6th (171)
I don’t see a future here, maybe Pioli does.

Picks

*Number after the players school is the CBSSports Rankings

1 (27)- CB- Janoris Jenkins- North Alabama [27]
Possibly the 2nd best CB in the draft, if he is available here, he is a steal.

1 (32)- LB- Zach Brown- UNC [33]
I think Brown would offer a ton of versatility to the defence no matter what front they play. I think he can play WLB or SLB in a 4-3, nickel LB in 3-4, or even play as an in the box Safety at times. I think we will see a two TE fad in the NFL for the next few season due to the success of Gronknandez, so a LB who can cover like Brown would be huge. With the quality of the South D-line in the Senior Bowl, I expect him to be at least a contender for MVP.

2 (48)- WR- Alshon Jeffery- South Carolina [45]
Too much value to pass up. I still think he is a top 10 talent and the 2nd best WR in this draft. I see him as a less athletic Calvin Johnson. He doesn’t have the speed or agility of Megatron, but he has the size, body control, catch radius and amazing hands CJ does.

2 (64)- DE/OLB- Vinny Curry- Marshall [66]
I think it was Mike Mayock that said Curry wasn't great at anything, but he was very good at everything. He plays hard, has a great motor and offers the versatility to play 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB. That sounds like a Patriot to me.

Trade 3 (68) to Dallas for 3 (82) and 4 (113)
Move down add more picks

Trade 3 (82) to Phi for 4(99) and 4 (114)
See above

4 (99)- WR- Juron Criner- Arizona
No need to explain my man crush on Criner.

4 (100)- DL- Kheeston Randall- Texas [103]
I think he is a great fit as a 3-4 DE, and should be a really solid rotational guy in the NFL. I think he could step in and fill the Gerard Warren role well. He showed me during the Senior Bowl practices, that when he plays with proper leverage he can be a monster, throwing guys around. He is already great against the run, but some coaching could help improve his pass rush. One final note on Randall, one thing that impressed me at the Senior Bowl, was after each rep of a drill Randall would sprint back to the start to prepare for the next rep. It looked kind of silly, but it shows he is a hard worker and a competitor.

4 (113)- TE- Ladarius Green- La.-Lafayette[111]
I like him better than all of the other TE's in this draft because of upside. He needs to bulk up to play in the NFL, but he is already a dangerous receiver with the potential to turn into a good blocker.

Trade 4 (114) to Cin for 5 (148) and 5 (159)
See trades above

4 (127)- CB- Donnie Fletcher- BC [139]
I was really disappointed with his tape, but that’s because BC used him completely wrong. They played a really soft zone, similar to the one the Pats used in the Pittsburgh game, and it really didn't suit Fletcher. He is a bit tight so he can be late breaking on balls, but he is tall and long, and once he gets his hands on you in press coverage its goodnight. He was also by far the most impressive in run defence drills when trying to shed blocks, which shows he is a high effort guy.

5 (148)- SS- Brandon Taylor- LSU [174]
He's not a playmaker, but he is a settler in the secondary. He is intelligent and physical, and doesn't make too many mistakes. With Chung's injury history, I think Taylor would be a good guy to have around for depth. A future leader.

5 (159)- FS- Janzen Jackson- McNeese State [172]
Taylor is the solid and steady guy, Jackson is the ballhawking playmaker. Big character concerns, but if he didn't he would probably be a 1st rounder. I like to take chances of guys like this late because the potential rewards are huge.

6 (171)- RB/WR/KR- Chris Rainey- Florida [194]
This guy could set the combine 40 record. He has said recently he is down to 4.23 and is aiming to be in the 4.1's. As Ochmed said in the Senior Bowl thread, give this kid 8-10 snaps a game and see what he can do, because if he can get in behind the defence, there is nobody in the NFL that can catch him.

 

[manxman2601]

Nice mock T-Cat

OK here's mine. This is a trade-arama to find all my current binkies


#27 Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

This guy just plays. play him inside or on the edge, at 6-4 and 260 lbs, we will not regret drafting Hightower. Also adds Crimson tide excellence and professionalism to our ranks

#32 Trade #32 (590) for Browns' #37, 118 (588)

#37 Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (from Browns)

I'll be hitting on needs later so this is a total luxury (and value) pick. Fleener will prove to be a first round talent in time. Excellent cover for our current crop of TE's, no missing a beat should one get injured. And you just know BB will find a way to get him on the field alongside The Gronk and Hernandez. Matchup nightmares reign!

#48 Trade #48 (420) for Ravens #61, 93 (420)

#61 Trade #61 (292) for Eagles #77, 115, 177 (290)

#64 Ben Jones, OC, Georgia

Second best center in the draft. Another player from a well coached team.

#77 Cam Johnson, DE/OLB, Virginia (from Eagles)

One of my early binkies. Impressed at Senior Bowl practices and has worked his way back into my mock as a result replacing Andre Branch. Better value. Has the size and length to fit BB's requirement for an OLB

#84 George Iloka, S, Boise St. (from Titans - see below)

So Coby Fleener is off the market for other teams (rubs hands and sniggers) but athletic TE's in the NFL will be a trend in the coming years. Iloka's height and exceptionally long arms make him an ideal candidate to defend these athletic behemoths in the future.

#93 Terrell Manning, LB, NC State (from Ravens)

Okay, this is my outside binkie. He's a 6-3, 237 lb weakside backer who best suits a 4-3. But he's also get excellent instincts, makes plays, is excellent in pass coverage and even sacks the QB (5.5 sacks this year). I've only found two scouting reports on him so far and both describe him as "a beast". Will be excellent on special teams and passing downs and is another player BB can use to maximum impact situationally.

#96 Patriots trade #96, 115 (180) for Titans #84, 212 (176.6)

#118 Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma (from Browns)

Excellent press corner with shutdown potential. also has a knack for making plays. Won't go into too much detail for fear of boring everyone. You all know how I feel about Fleming.

#128 Saints trade #155, 187 for Patriots #128 (Saints 46 pts, NE 44 pts)

#155 Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas (from Saints)

Returner extraordinaire. Would be happy if he just supplies those skills for us. But Adams also has the speed to be a viable deep ball target for us.

#177 Akeem Hicks, Regina (from Eagles)

Probably the star of shrine game practices and at 6-5, 327 lbs, has the length for a 3-4 DE. Is very raw and a project but the upside is there.

#187 Marvin Jones, WR, Cal (from Saints)

The biggest surprise from the Senior Bowl so far? A smart receiver with excellent hands that runs very good routes. lesser known before now because he plays second fiddle to Keenan Allen for the Golden Bears. This is a tick every box kind of guy.

#212 Levy Ad****, Oklahoma St. (from Titans)

Athletic RT and OG prospect. Better in pass protection than the run game, but hey, we've got TFB at QB and some risk with an injury prone Vollmer. Get something for Dante to work with.

Wholly unrealistic I know, but I had fun doing it :rocker:

 

[manxman2601]

@Wilfork#75

I really like my 3-7 round picks but your four top two rounders are very good. Nice job!

 

[jsull87]

well i had a big mock with trades but apparently i was timed out.

Basically it was

1a Witney Mercilus
1b trade for 2013 1st and late 2nd
2a Alshon Jeffery
2b Jarred Crick
2c trade back to early 3rd
3a Markelle Martin
3b (slight trade up) and select Vontaze Burfict
4a Brett Roy

I think this throws some talent at Sub rusher/developmental 3-4 olb, 3-4 DE/Sub DT, Big talented WR, Safety and ILB.

 

[Wilfork#75]

@Wilfork#75

I really like my 3-7 round picks but your four top two rounders are very good. Nice job!

Thanks buddy. I would have put Fleming and Adams in my mock, but even though CBS has them ranked low, I don't think there is any chance they will be there so I didn't bother. I also only like to mock guys that I have actually watched play. I like scouting reports, but I prefer to make picks based off my own opinion of a player, because I don't always agree with the "experts". I also completely forgot about Hicks, who I will be putting in next time.

Also did you get the Terrell Manning scouting reports from Off The Grid's site
Fanatical Football Fiend- DF Terrell Manning (He doesn't like to pimp it but I don't mind )
I saw that yesterday and he sounds fantastic. I'll definitely need to try to get some NC State games to take a look.

well i had a big mock with trades but apparently i was timed out.

Basically it was

1a Witney Mercilus
1b trade for 2013 1st and late 2nd
2a Alshon Jeffery
2b Jarred Crick
2c trade back to early 3rd
3a Markelle Martin
3b (slight trade up) and select Vontaze Burfict
4a Brett Roy

I think this throws some talent at Sub rusher/developmental 3-4 olb, 3-4 DE/Sub DT, Big talented WR, Safety and ILB.

Burfict is a really interesting guy to me. His stock seems to be anywhere from mid 1st round to the 3rd round. He obviously has a ton of talent, as well as big concerns, but if you can get him on track he's a potential all pro ILB. If he's there in the 3rd I would absolutely take a shot at him. I'm also starting to like Markelle Martin, from what I saw at the senior bowl he looked pretty good. And to be honest, before your mock I had never heard of Brett Roy before. Taking a look at some of his scouting reports, he seems like a Pats type player. He is a DT/DE tweener, so he should fit well at the 5-tech. He's not overly athletic, but he has a high motor, good hands and good lateral agility for his size. Nice find

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I suppose I can post a mock. I've held off all season, but I have generated numerous iterations on my own. I will play this game straight up, without trades, and then post a version with trades. I had planned to hold off until after the Super Bowl to post any mocks, but then I realized that we're just a fan site, not a bunch of professionals. Who am I kidding?



27 Andre Branch
32 Alshon Jeffery
48 Chase Minnifield
64 Jarius Wright
3rd Derek Wolfe
4th Dominique Hamilton
UDFA: Shawn Asiata

Full version to come in a few hours. I have work.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Okay, this gets me excited for the draft, there are a lot of names out there that I really like. First shot for me,
1a.-Fletcher Cox- Good size, a little raw, but could really help with internal line pressure on the qb next to Wilfork.

1b.Janoris Jenkins-the run on high drafted cb's continues. Top talent with off the field issues but brings a rotation of McCourty, Dowling, Jenkins, and Arrington.

2a. Alshon Jeffrey-No way he is here but rules are rules. Has elite size and great hands, struggled a bit this year but qb play was not great, so not really his fault.

2b. Vinny Curry-Curry is a sneaky pass rusher that also has good size to set the edge, could be an elephant lb in the 3-4.

3. George Iloka- Big, rangy safety that has the potential to be scheme diverse and play some linebacker that BB has experimented with with some other bigger safeties in the past.

4. Audrey Cole or Mike Brewster- Brewster flashes the ability to be a really good center and has lots of experience, but he struggles in shotgun and can get out leveraged at times. Cole is binky of mine that I think could play inside or outside for the patriots, good size with plenty of room to put on some additional weight he plays in space well and is really quick for a guy his size.

 

[everlong]

1A - Dont'a Hightower Alabama ILB/OLB versite hybrid.
1B - Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina
2A - Chase Minnifield DB Virginia
2B - Ben Jones C Georgia
3rd - Kheeston Randall DT/DE Texas
4th - Jarius Wright WR Arkansas

 

[Leemo]

Okay, this gets me excited for the draft, there are a lot of names out there that I really like. First shot for me,
1a.-Fletcher Cox- Good size, a little raw, but could really help with internal line pressure on the qb next to Wilfork.

1b.Janoris Jenkins-the run on high drafted cb's continues. Top talent with off the field issues but brings a rotation of McCourty, Dowling, Jenkins, and Arrington.

2a. Alshon Jeffrey-No way he is here but rules are rules. Has elite size and great hands, struggled a bit this year but qb play was not great, so not really his fault.

2b. Vinny Curry-Curry is a sneaky pass rusher that also has good size to set the edge, could be an elephant lb in the 3-4.

3. George Iloka- Big, rangy safety that has the potential to be scheme diverse and play some linebacker that BB has experimented with with some other bigger safeties in the past.

4. Audrey Cole or Mike Brewster- Brewster flashes the ability to be a really good center and has lots of experience, but he struggles in shotgun and can get out leveraged at times. Cole is binky of mine that I think could play inside or outside for the patriots, good size with plenty of room to put on some additional weight he plays in space well and is really quick for a guy his size.

Perfect really. Defo pick Brewster as the 4th rounder and consider Mercilus with the first pick. As you said Jeffery is gone there so I'd probably consider Crick. So if the draft went that way and we got crick and mercilus I'd not take curry as Mercilus can play a similar role imo. With that said I'd reach a bit for Nick Toon with pick 2b.

 

[JerseyDevil26]

I have a hard time believing that BB will draft a WR so high, even a guy as talented as Jeffery because of Brandon Lloyd basically already wearing a Pats jersey.

 

[Husse]

I have a hard time believing that BB will draft a WR so high, even a guy as talented as Jeffery because of Brandon Lloyd basically already wearing a Pats jersey.

We need youth at WR. Most of our WRs are old, and if you have a chance to get a WR with #1 potential I think you should take it.

People talk about how hard this offensive for the WRs. And not only because it's hard to learn, it also very hard to get on the field. And even if they are on the field for a few plays, chances are the pass goes elsewhere anyway. The young WRs need to get on the field and get catches to develop into good players. If we are just going to draft 2nd and later guys who are projects that never get on the field, we may as well not draft any WRs at all and keep using older FAs. But that isn't really a viable tactic in the long run.

 

[Leemo]

We need youth at WR. Most of our WRs are old, and if you have a chance to get a WR with #1 potential I think you should take it.

People talk about how hard this offensive for the WRs. And not only because it's hard to learn, it also very hard to get on the field. And even if they are on the field for a few plays, chances are the pass goes elsewhere anyway. The young WRs need to get on the field and get catches to develop into good players. If we are just going to draft 2nd and later guys who are projects that never get on the field, we may as well not draft any WRs at all and keep using older FAs. But that isn't really a viable tactic in the long run.

Agreed. I mean come on if Floyd falls to 27 we're taking him 100%. We're not going to pass on any form of value, especially not one in which our ranks are aging.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Agreed. I mean come on if Floyd falls to 27 we're taking him 100%. We're not going to pass on any form of value, especially not one in which our ranks are aging.

You have to ask yourself if he is even going to be on BB's draft board.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

OK here goes...

BB calls his old Buddy Andy Reid, Trades picks 27 & 48 (1110) for 15 and 115 (1114).

#15 Michael Brockers DE LSU 6'5" 306, finally a replacement for Seymour
#32 Dont'a Hightower LB ALA 6'4" 260, Finally an OLB
#64 Ben Jones C UGA 6'3" 304, Good Center from a pro style offense
#95 Stephen Hill WR GTech 6'4" 206, This guy went to Ga tech to be the next Megatron, however, they switched to the triple option, has spend 3 years blocking and averaging @32 yards a catch. He will most likely be a first rounder after the combine, but if they have him here, then this is where I'll take him.
#115 Ladairus Green TE La. Lafayette 6'6" 237, this kid is impressing everyone at the Sr. Bowl, a bookend for Gronk, imagine a 3 TE attack.
#128 James-Michael Johnson LB Nevada 6'1" 249, tackling machine, if nothing else a special teams demon.

 

[everlong]

#32 Dont'a Hightower LB ALA 6'4" 260, Finally an OLB

Love Hightower. There's no way he's getting by the Ravens if we don't pick him at 27.

 

[Peachhead]

OK here goes...

BB calls his old Buddy Andy Reid, Trades picks 27 & 48 (1110) for 15 and 115 (1114).

#15 Michael Brockers DE LSU 6'5" 306, finally a replacement for Seymour
#32 Dont'a Hightower LB ALA 6'4" 260, Finally an OLB
#64 Ben Jones C UGA 6'3" 304, Good Center from a pro style offense
#95 Stephen Hill WR GTech 6'4" 206, This guy went to Ga tech to be the next Megatron, however, they switched to the triple option, has spend 3 years blocking and averaging @32 yards a catch. He will most likely be a first rounder after the combine, but if they have him here, then this is where I'll take him.
#115 Ladairus Green TE La. Lafayette 6'6" 237, this kid is impressing everyone at the Sr. Bowl, a bookend for Gronk, imagine a 3 TE attack.
#128 James-Michael Johnson LB Nevada 6'1" 249, tackling machine, if nothing else a special teams demon.

Love Hightower. There's no way he's getting by the Ravens if we don't pick him at 27.

I love FTWs mock. I really love it. But Everlong may have a point. However, I think Burfict fits the Ravens better, in style and personality. Ray Lewis is getting older and Burfict is like a younger twin of Lewis.