* Ye Olde 2013 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[fightingirish595]

if shawn williams falls to the 3rd round ill have an anyeurism

 

[ZoisKing]

if shawn williams falls to the 3rd round ill have an anyeurism

I feel you on this one. He really stands out every game I get to see of him. He's a major cog to a really good D in Georgia. He, Barrett Jones, Jesse Williams, and Carradine-this board is entirely responsible for this one-are my binkies so far.

 

[ZoisKing]

Step one of 2013 draft strategy-trading our 1st and 2nd rounder to Cincinatti for their two 2nds.

We would be giving them 32 and 64 for roughly 40 and 50. Pretty even I'd say. Gives us a chance to not miss out on a guy we really like at the end of the 2nd, while still getting a good player earlier that round.

Would be nice to have about 4 seconds this year......

 

[Avenger]

1st Round: T. J. McDonald, S, USC
2nd Round: Cornellius Carradine, DE, Florida State
3rd Round: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
4th Round: Daimion Stafford, S, Nebraska
7th Round: Elvis Fisher, OT, Missouri

 

[fightingirish595]

I feel you on this one. He really stands out every game I get to see of him. He's a major cog to a really good D in Georgia. He, Barrett Jones, Jesse Williams, and Carradine-this board is entirely responsible for this one-are my binkies so far.

best safety in my opinion. i like larry warford better than jones

 

[Big-T]

First go for this year.

Free agency pickups: Safety and a couple of defensive tackles.

Trade first round pick and second round pick for the Bengals 2 2nd round picks + a 3rd round pick - based on 32 + 64 for 40 + 50 + 82 is 860 v 880 on the value chart, leaving: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 7:

2A. David Amerson - CB - NC State - 6'2" 194lbs
Coaches say he's the top player in practice week in week out, played safety in HS and corner in College, big physical CB although he struggles a bit in press coverage but an interception master with great instincts - perfect for covering the tall downfield threats in the NFL.

2B. Cornellius Carradine - DE - Florida State - 6'4" 265lbs
Long armed bookend to pair with Chandler Jones, obvious choice at this slot in the draft. Would give the Patriots exciting pass rushers at both end positions.

3A. Khaled Holmes - C - USC - 6'3" 305lbs
Smart and quick off the snap, not the best at pulling but would offer an improvement over Wendell, will give the Patriots a very good interior flanked by Mankins & Connolly.

3B. Ezekiel Ansah - DE - BYU - 6'5" 270lbs
CBS has him ranked 153 currently, but I'll take him in the 80s here, likely to shoot up draft boards and go in the 2nd round and possibly first, but for now I'll take him here. His measurables intrigue me as well as a lot of people, if he turns out to be a stud would offer tremendous pass rush with Carradine & Jones also in the lineup.

4. Rodney Smith - WR - Florida State - 6'5" 219lbs
Big WR, decent numbers, would add an outside threat and another big body for Brady in the red zone.

7. Caleb Sturgis - K - Florida - 5'10" 185lbs
Good leg, doesn't miss many and will offer good camp competition for Gostkowski who has been inconsistent at best so far this year.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

7. Caleb Sturgis - K - Florida - 5'10" 185lbs
Good leg, doesn't miss many and will offer good camp competition for Gostkowski who has been inconsistent at best so far this year.

If the Pats waste a draft pick on a specialist, I might kick a puppy.

 

[manxman2601]

First go for this year.

Free agency pickups: Safety and a couple of defensive tackles.

Trade first round pick and second round pick for the Bengals 2 2nd round picks + a 3rd round pick - based on 32 + 64 for 40 + 50 + 82 is 860 v 880 on the value chart, leaving: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 7:

2A. David Amerson - CB - NC State - 6'2" 194lbs
Coaches say he's the top player in practice week in week out, played safety in HS and corner in College, big physical CB although he struggles a bit in press coverage but an interception master with great instincts - perfect for covering the tall downfield threats in the NFL.

2B. Cornellius Carradine - DE - Florida State - 6'4" 265lbs
Long armed bookend to pair with Chandler Jones, obvious choice at this slot in the draft. Would give the Patriots exciting pass rushers at both end positions.

3A. Khaled Holmes - C - USC - 6'3" 305lbs
Smart and quick off the snap, not the best at pulling but would offer an improvement over Wendell, will give the Patriots a very good interior flanked by Mankins & Connolly.

3B. Ezekiel Ansah - DE - BYU - 6'5" 270lbs
CBS has him ranked 153 currently, but I'll take him in the 80s here, likely to shoot up draft boards and go in the 2nd round and possibly first, but for now I'll take him here. His measurables intrigue me as well as a lot of people, if he turns out to be a stud would offer tremendous pass rush with Carradine & Jones also in the lineup.

4. Rodney Smith - WR - Florida State - 6'5" 219lbs
Big WR, decent numbers, would add an outside threat and another big body for Brady in the red zone.

7. Caleb Sturgis - K - Florida - 5'10" 185lbs
Good leg, doesn't miss many and will offer good camp competition for Gostkowski who has been inconsistent at best so far this year.

That's a lovely mock. Somewhat ambitious but I'd probably sell my granny to get Amerson, Ansah and Carrradine. If we drafted those three, I really wouldn't give a monkeys who we spent a seventh rounder on.

 

[Big-T]

If the Pats waste a draft pick on a specialist, I might kick a puppy.

It just seemed like a Belichick thing to do

That's a lovely mock. Somewhat ambitious but I'd probably sell my granny to get Amerson, Ansah and Carrradine. If we drafted those three, I really wouldn't give a monkeys who we spent a seventh rounder on.

Thanks!

Although by version 2 Ansah probably isn't going to be ranked in the 150s by CBS so he will likely be changed (I used the rule from the mock draft game where you can pick a player up to 5 spots higher than the draft position).

 

[mayoclinic]

Trade first round pick and second round pick for the Bengals 2 2nd round picks + a 3rd round pick - based on 32 + 64 for 40 + 50 + 82 is 860 v 880 on the value chart, leaving: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 7.

I like your trade - I'm not sure why Cincinnati would do that, but maybe there's someone at 32 who they really want. And I like a lot of your picks: Khaled Holmes is a solid lineman with a lot of smarts and leadership ability, and I've made it clear how I feel about Tank Carradine and Ziggy Ansah. I see no need to take both, and Ansah definitely won't last to the 3rd round. I'll go with Ansah as the guy with more upside, and #50 is not unreasonable right now, though in the end I think we'll be lucky to get him with out 1st round pick. I kind of doubt David Amerson slips to #40 even though he's ranked #39 by NFL Draftscout right now, unless the bottom falls out entirely. He's had some huge problems this season with basic fundamentals. I can understand the intrigue, but for now I'm going to stay away.

I'm going to borrow some of the elements of your mock, and offer up a revision of my own:

*** Trade: New England trades #32 and 64 (860 points) to Cincinnati for # 40, 50 and 82 (880 points).

40. Jesse Williams, NT Alabama. 6'4" 330#. Currently NFL DraftScout #37.

Aussie Beast! Star Lotulelei and Johnathan Hankins will be out of reach, but Williams could be a steal, and may have as much upside as either of those guys. An Australian transplant and JUCO transfer by way of Arizona, Wiliams played 3-4 DE for the Tide in 2011 but is taking over at NT for Josh Chapman in 2012. A former rugby player, Williams has tremendous strength and terrific movement skills for his size. He is a weight room fanatic with incredible core strength, who recently benched 600 lbs (Dontari Poe, who led the 2012 Combine at the bench press, had a best of 500 lbs. at Memphis), and very little body fat. Best quote: "I stopped looking for the monster under the bed when I realized the monster was me." Williams has enough agility and athleticism to play outside in the 3-4 and probably play 4-3 LDE as well in the Red Bryant mold, and enough strength and size to play 3-4 NT, 4-3 NT and 4-3 DT. He would form a dominant DT rotation with Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love, would allow Wilfork to reduce his workload and hopefully prolong his career, and could play outside in formations where a "big" DE was desirable.

50. Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, DE, BYU. 6'6" 270#. Currently NFL DraftScout #153.

Sleeper Super Beast! A Brother Manx find, Ansah is still raw but has almost unlimited upside. Athletically he is roughly what you would get if Dr. Frankenstein created a fusion of JJ Watt, Jason Pierre-Paul and Dion Jordan. 39" vertical, 10.9 100M and 20.9 200M. Long arms. Great core strength, stunning verticity for a guy his size. Basketball, soccer and track and field background. High character, high motor, smart kid with good processing speed. Fast learner. Not yet terribly instinctive, but developing quickly.

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports writes:

Every year there are a few players that are totally off the map who are able to find playing time as seniors and grab the attention of NFL scouts. BYU hybrid linebacker Ezekiel Ansah fits that description as a virtual unknown a few months ago, but is now shooting up draft boards as we find out more about the disruptive defender. Originally a track athlete at BYU, he decided to try football so he went to the Cougars' coaching staff in 2010 and worked his way onto the team. Ansah, who was born and raised in Ghana, entered the 2012 season with just 10 career tackles on his resume, but earned a starting job as a senior and hasn't disappointed. Against Utah State last Friday, he set career-bests with 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, pushing his season totals to 27 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three pass break-ups. Listed at 6-6 and 270 pounds, Ansah is a freakish athlete with an outstanding blend of length, speed and natural power. He plays all over the front-seven for BYU, lining up with his hand in the dirt at defensive end or standing up at linebacker and dropping into coverage. Ansah has a flexible, fluid body type and is an effortless mover, exploding in any direction and chasing down the ballcarrier. He is obviously very raw having so little experience playing the sport, but already he has showed improved recognition skills and hand use. Ansah is just scratching the surface on what he can do and, like Jason Pierre Paul a few years back, NFL scouts are wondering just how high his ceiling can be. Don't be surprised if Ansah continues to produce, tests off the charts in pre-draft work outs and ends up as a top-50 draft pick.

NFL Draft Risers and Fallers - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Ansah is a 1st round talent, but for now I have him going in the Connor Barwin range due to his rawness.

82. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia. 5'9" 174". Current NFL Draftscout #53.

Stud Greyhound! This is the biggest "wish" pick - Austin is a likely 2nd round pick, but I'm hoping that he slips to the 3rd based on his lack of size. Austin would be a Percy Harvin/DeSean Jackson kind of weapon for the Pats: a dynamic speedster who can get separation and accelerate on a dime and take it to the house at any time. Guys like Austin and Jeff Demps could be dynamic weapons in the Pats' up-tempo offense, especially given the blocking TEs and the power running game to balance things out. If defenses go big to try and stop the TEs and the running game then the Pats can shred them with speed.

After the West Virginia-Texas game Bucky Brooks wrote:

Teams searching for a Percy Harvin clone will love Austin. The 5-foot-9, 174-pound jitterbug is lightning in a bottle in the open field. Whether he was catching bubble screens on the perimeter or running slant routes over the middle, Austin was nearly impossible to contain when he touched the ball. He possesses rare stop-start quickness, and his ability to reach top speed in a hurry allows him to routinely outrun defenders to the corner of the end zone. He's also one of the most electrifying return men I've seen in recent memory.

West Virginia's Geno Smith shows poise of NFL quarterback - NFL.com

OK, he probably won't last until 82. But imagine replacing Deion Branch with Austin, and adding him and Jeff Demps to the existing group of offensive weapons.

96. Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma. 6'7" 303#. Current NFL DraftScout rank #157.

Sleeper Stud Horse! Johnson sounds like someone perfectly made for Dante's Dancing Academy: he played quarterback in high school and junior college before being moved to TE at Oklahoma, then to DE, and then to RT in 2011 before moving him to LT this year. Chad Reuter calls him "a potential NFL starter with supreme athleticism and a frame that offers plenty of growth potential." He was dominant against Texas in both the run and pass game, overpowering Texas DE Jackson Jeffcoat.

With experience at RT and LT, Johnson would be a terrific swing tackle behind Solder and Vollmer assuming that the Pats retain Vollmer beyond this year, and he has the frame to bulk up and make a dominant RT if Vollmer leaves, or is hobbled by his hack injury. Johnson would also allow Marcus Cannon to move to RG, addressing the interior OL need as well. An interior OL group of Mankins, Connolly, Cannon, McDonald, Wendell and Thomas and wouldn't be too shabby.

Though currently ranked #157 by Draftscout, Tony Pauline has already projected Johnson as a top 100 pick for the 2013 draft.

Michigan's Taylor Lewan highlights NFL risers, sliders for Week 7 - Tony Pauline - SI.com

4th. Chris Gragg, TE/H-Back, Arkansas. 6'3" 236#. Currently NFL DraftScout #150.

Sleeper Stud Horse! Gragg is Arkansas' leading receiver so far this year despite missing 3 games due to a bone bruise, which should keep his draft stock down and make him a relative bargain. A "move TE", he would provide backup insurance to Aaron Hernandez and would also create even more mismatch headaches when the two are used together. Gregg is deceptively fast, has good hands, and knows how to find the open seams in a defense.

7th. Kyle Long, OT, Oregon. 6'7" 311#. Currently NR by NFL DraftScout.

Sleeper Super Beast! Another candidate for Dante's Dancing Academy, Kyle Long is not as developed as Lane Johnson but just as athletically gifted. The son of HOFer Howie Long, who describes Kyle as "the best athlete in the family", and brother of former 2008 #2 pick Chris Long. Started as a pitcher for Florida St., dropped out because of academic and alcohol issues, got his act together and switched to football. In his first year at Oregon but has no remaining NCAA eligibility. A huge kid who plays with a mean streak, with outstanding core strength and athleticism.

I also think that a comp pick or 2 is not out of the question.

 

[Avenger]

1st Round: T.J. McDonald, S, USC

After the Seahawks game need I say more?

2nd Round: Cornellius "Tank" Carradine, DE, Florida State

This team needs another legitimate pass rusher to put opposite Jones.

3rd Round: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn

Big, physical CB. As with the 1st round pick, this choice is meant to fix the secondary.

4th Round: Marc Anthony, CB, California

Another big CB, throw ***** at the wall until it sticks.

7th Round: Ray Ray Armstrong, SS, formerly of Miami

Another pick for the safety position, yes it is that bad.

 

[mayoclinic]

1st Round: T.J. McDonald, S, USC

After the Seahawks game need I say more?

2nd Round: Cornellius "Tank" Carradine, DE, Florida State

This team needs another legitimate pass rusher to put opposite Jones.

3rd Round: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn

Big, physical CB. As with the 1st round pick, this choice is meant to fix the secondary.

4th Round: Marc Anthony, CB, California

Another big CB, throw ***** at the wall until it sticks.

7th Round: Ray Ray Armstrong, SS, formerly of Miami

Another pick for the safety position, yes it is that bad.

Interesting ... I think I see the vague outline of a shadow of a sense of a theme here.

 

[Avenger]

Interesting ... I think I see the vague outline of a shadow of a sense of a theme here.

The secondary is the weakest link take that draft and the projected secondary would be Wilson, McDonald, Armstrong, Ebner at safety and McCourty, Dowling, Dennard, Wreh-Wilson, Anthony at corner.

McCourty isn't bad, keep Ebner for S/T and upside, keep Dowling because I think he is still regaining form from his injury. Keep Dennard he has shown promise. Get a new secondary coach, see if we can poach 'Bama's from Saban, hell, ofter the job to Saban. Make an other he can't refuse.

 

[manxman2601]

I like your trade - I'm not sure why Cincinnati would do that, but maybe there's someone at 32 who they really want. And I like a lot of your picks: Khaled Holmes is a solid lineman with a lot of smarts and leadership ability, and I've made it clear how I feel about Tank Carradine and Ziggy Ansah. I see no need to take both, and Ansah definitely won't last to the 3rd round. I'll go with Ansah as the guy with more upside, and #50 is not unreasonable right now, though in the end I think we'll be lucky to get him with out 1st round pick. I kind of doubt David Amerson slips to #40 even though he's ranked #39 by NFL Draftscout right now, unless the bottom falls out entirely. He's had some huge problems this season with basic fundamentals. I can understand the intrigue, but for now I'm going to stay away.

I'm going to borrow some of the elements of your mock, and offer up a revision of my own:

*** Trade: New England trades #32 and 64 (860 points) to Cincinnati for # 40, 50 and 82 (880 points).

40. Jesse Williams, NT Alabama. 6'4" 330#. Currently NFL DraftScout #37.

Aussie Beast! Star Lotulelei and Johnathan Hankins will be out of reach, but Williams could be a steal, and may have as much upside as either of those guys. An Australian transplant and JUCO transfer by way of Arizona, Wiliams played 3-4 DE for the Tide in 2011 but is taking over at NT for Josh Chapman in 2012. A former rugby player, Williams has tremendous strength and terrific movement skills for his size. He is a weight room fanatic with incredible core strength, who recently benched 600 lbs (Dontari Poe, who led the 2012 Combine at the bench press, had a best of 500 lbs. at Memphis), and very little body fat. Best quote: "I stopped looking for the monster under the bed when I realized the monster was me." Williams has enough agility and athleticism to play outside in the 3-4 and probably play 4-3 LDE as well in the Red Bryant mold, and enough strength and size to play 3-4 NT, 4-3 NT and 4-3 DT. He would form a dominant DT rotation with Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love, would allow Wilfork to reduce his workload and hopefully prolong his career, and could play outside in formations where a "big" DE was desirable.

50. Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, DE, BYU. 6'6" 270#. Currently NFL DraftScout #153.

Sleeper Super Beast! A Brother Manx find, Ansah is still raw but has almost unlimited upside. Athletically he is roughly what you would get if Dr. Frankenstein created a fusion of JJ Watt, Jason Pierre-Paul and Dion Jordan. 39" vertical, 10.9 100M and 20.9 200M. Long arms. Great core strength, stunning verticity for a guy his size. Basketball, soccer and track and field background. High character, high motor, smart kid with good processing speed. Fast learner. Not yet terribly instinctive, but developing quickly.

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports writes:



NFL Draft Risers and Fallers - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Ansah is a 1st round talent, but for now I have him going in the Connor Barwin range due to his rawness.

82. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia. 5'9" 174". Current NFL Draftscout #53.

Stud Greyhound! This is the biggest "wish" pick - Austin is a likely 2nd round pick, but I'm hoping that he slips to the 3rd based on his lack of size. Austin would be a Percy Harvin/DeSean Jackson kind of weapon for the Pats: a dynamic speedster who can get separation and accelerate on a dime and take it to the house at any time. Guys like Austin and Jeff Demps could be dynamic weapons in the Pats' up-tempo offense, especially given the blocking TEs and the power running game to balance things out. If defenses go big to try and stop the TEs and the running game then the Pats can shred them with speed.

After the West Virginia-Texas game Bucky Brooks wrote:



West Virginia's Geno Smith shows poise of NFL quarterback - NFL.com

OK, he probably won't last until 82. But imagine replacing Deion Branch with Austin, and adding him and Jeff Demps to the existing group of offensive weapons.

96. Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma. 6'7" 303#. Current NFL DraftScout rank #157.

Sleeper Stud Horse! Johnson sounds like someone perfectly made for Dante's Dancing Academy: he played quarterback in high school and junior college before being moved to TE at Oklahoma, then to DE, and then to RT in 2011 before moving him to LT this year. Chad Reuter calls him "a potential NFL starter with supreme athleticism and a frame that offers plenty of growth potential." He was dominant against Texas in both the run and pass game, overpowering Texas DE Jackson Jeffcoat.

With experience at RT and LT, Johnson would be a terrific swing tackle behind Solder and Vollmer assuming that the Pats retain Vollmer beyond this year, and he has the frame to bulk up and make a dominant RT if Vollmer leaves, or is hobbled by his hack injury. Johnson would also allow Marcus Cannon to move to RG, addressing the interior OL need as well. An interior OL group of Mankins, Connolly, Cannon, McDonald, Wendell and Thomas and wouldn't be too shabby.

Though currently ranked #157 by Draftscout, Tony Pauline has already projected Johnson as a top 100 pick for the 2013 draft.

Michigan's Taylor Lewan highlights NFL risers, sliders for Week 7 - Tony Pauline - SI.com

4th. Chris Gragg, TE/H-Back, Arkansas. 6'3" 236#. Currently NFL DraftScout #150.

Sleeper Stud Horse! Gragg is Arkansas' leading receiver so far this year despite missing 3 games due to a bone bruise, which should keep his draft stock down and make him a relative bargain. A "move TE", he would provide backup insurance to Aaron Hernandez and would also create even more mismatch headaches when the two are used together. Gregg is deceptively fast, has good hands, and knows how to find the open seams in a defense.

7th. Kyle Long, OT, Oregon. 6'7" 311#. Currently NR by NFL DraftScout.

Sleeper Super Beast! Another candidate for Dante's Dancing Academy, Kyle Long is not as developed as Lane Johnson but just as athletically gifted. The son of HOFer Howie Long, who describes Kyle as "the best athlete in the family", and brother of former 2008 #2 pick Chris Long. Started as a pitcher for Florida St., dropped out because of academic and alcohol issues, got his act together and switched to football. In his first year at Oregon but has no remaining NCAA eligibility. A huge kid who plays with a mean streak, with outstanding core strength and athleticism.

I also think that a comp pick or 2 is not out of the question.

Very nice effort.

1. Jesse Williams is growing on me as a potential pick and whilst his inability to rush the passer makes him a little redundant as we have two of those anyway, he's still a good fit which I wouldn't object too in the slightest.

2. Don't really need to comment on the Ansah pick. Glad I converted you. Do you really prefer him over Carradine? What happened to Dion Jordan?

3. Worried about Tavon Austin's fumbling. Would prefer a Branch replacement ideally and am hoping Demps will perform the Tavon Austin role in time. Hard to argue with Austin's abilities though. Not the way I'd go but wouldn't object if that's the way it happened on the day.

4. Lane Johnson's interesting. We've sort of had this discussion but for me OG is far far more important than OT. Solder and Vollmer look to be a strength going forard whereas I still feel we are weakish inside. A developmental OT is fine and I like the Long pick but feel the third round is too early for a swing tackle.

5. I have Jordan Reed as by far my facourite move TE prospect but he'll be gone by the 4th if he declares. Because of my Reed obsession, I haven't really looked beyond that. Gragg stands out when you watch Arkansas so not a bad pick in the slightest.

6. I have a swing OT in the seventh in my last mock so obviously I approve of this pick.


As always Brother Mayo, an excellently considered and educational mock.

 

[manxman2601]

The secondary is the weakest link take that draft and the projected secondary would be Wilson, McDonald, Armstrong, Ebner at safety and McCourty, Dowling, Dennard, Wreh-Wilson, Anthony at corner.

McCourty isn't bad, keep Ebner for S/T and upside, keep Dowling because I think he is still regaining form from his injury. Keep Dennard he has shown promise. Get a new secondary coach, see if we can poach 'Bama's from Saban, hell, ofter the job to Saban. Make an other he can't refuse.

Trouble is, that's just five more defensive backs to be coached badly. I like Wreh-Wilson but to be honest until the coaching/defensive backfield scheming is sorted, drafting secondary players is going to be wasteful.

 

[mayoclinic]

Very nice effort.

1. Jesse Williams is growing on me as a potential pick and whilst his inability to rush the passer makes him a little redundant as we have two of those anyway, he's still a good fit which I wouldn't object too in the slightest.

2. Don't really need to comment on the Ansah pick. Glad I converted you. Do you really prefer him over Carradine? What happened to Dion Jordan?

I'm still very high on Carradine and Jordan, and would be happy with either or both. Ansah seems to have the most size and upside. He has movement skills that may not be quite up to Jordan's but which are much better than Carradine's, and the size and bulk to 2-gap as well as rush the passer. Mackenzie thinks that Carradine may be closer to 6'3" than 6'5", which would influence me as well. I'd be happy with any of those guys, but a 4-3 LDE opposite Jones would be by priority, and I think that Ansah is more likely to be that guy than Jordan, who is more of a guy who could be moved around all over the defense. Again, not a knock on Jordan, who I'd be happy to get.

3. Worried about Tavon Austin's fumbling. Would prefer a Branch replacement ideally and am hoping Demps will perform the Tavon Austin role in time. Hard to argue with Austin's abilities though. Not the way I'd go but wouldn't object if that's the way it happened on the day.

5. I have Jordan Reed as by far my facourite move TE prospect but he'll be gone by the 4th if he declares. Because of my Reed obsession, I haven't really looked beyond that. Gragg stands out when you watch Arkansas so not a bad pick in the slightest.

I have no problem with Jordan Reed and originally had him in this mock. Then I decided he wouldn't last that long if he did come out and that Gragg was being overlooked, so I decided to highlight Gragg. He's missed some time with injury, which may keep his draft stock down, but he's been Arkansas' best receiver when on the field.

I think Tavon Austin could play a Deion Branch role and then some. He could play the slot, the intermediate routes, be a weapon in screens and reverses, or be a DeSean Jackson kind of deep threat. I think there are a lot of things he could do with our other offensive weapons. I've been a big fan of big WRs with blocking skills, but with the "Oregonization" of the offense and a more up tempo approach I could see wrecking havoc on teams with smaller, quicker players like Austin and Demps, especially when used in conjunction with guys like Gronk, Hernandez and Ridley.

4. Lane Johnson's interesting. We've sort of had this discussion but for me OG is far far more important than OT. Solder and Vollmer look to be a strength going forard whereas I still feel we are weakish inside. A developmental OT is fine and I like the Long pick but feel the third round is too early for a swing tackle.

6. I have a swing OT in the seventh in my last mock so obviously I approve of this pick.

It could easily happen the way you descirbe, though the OL has been performing quite well, and doesn't seem to be the hotspot that many projected it to be only a few weeks ago. If Vollmer doesn't stay that would drastically alter the priority of OT. That's a situation to monitor. I see moving Marcus Cannon to guard as one way of adding depth to the interior OL as well.

As always Brother Mayo, an excellently considered and educational mock.

Thanks.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Trouble is, that's just five more defensive backs to be coached badly. I like Wreh-Wilson but to be honest until the coaching/defensive backfield scheming is sorted, drafting secondary players is going to be wasteful.

What makes you think the secondary coaching staff is coaching badly?

BB is the ultimate micro manager, if these coaches were not dong their job properly, he would have been all over it by now.

At some point the players need to take responsibility for their lack of performance. These BB seconadary schemes are the same schemes he has been using for over two decades.

 

[manxman2601]

What makes you think the secondary coaching staff is coaching badly?

BB is the ultimate micro manager, if these coaches were not dong their job properly, he would have been all over it by now.

At some point the players need to take responsibility for their lack of performance. These BB seconadary schemes are the same schemes he has been using for over two decades.

So every DB we've drafted in the last six years has underperformed. That's either:

a) A remarkable coincidence

b)Evidence that BB is the worst evaluator in the NFL (at least when it comes to DB's)

c) The worst pass defense scheming in the NFL

d) Bad coaching which as you acknowledge would be the fault of BB

What's your poison.


I'm hopeful that Dennard, Wilson and Dowling can offer something going forward and that in combination with an OK but not great McCourty that we will have at least a functional secondary. What we have right now is a disaster and that can't be just blamed on the players. What is becoming increasingly obvious that the coaching, evaluation and scheming is flawed and responsibility for that goes right to the top.

What that means, is that unless our draft philosophy is to throw stuff at a wall to see what sticks or there is an exceptional prospect out there (Lamarcus Joyner), we should stay away from drafting anyone for the secondary because we will be wasting picks (Ras-I).


Edit: I'm not giving up on our secondary altogether. I want to see what Dennard and Dowling offer. BB should start them for the rest of the season to see what they offer because things can't get any worse than what we are seeing right now. In terms of giving up big plays, we're not just the worst in the NFL, we're by far the worst.

 

[Avenger]

So every DB we've drafted in the last six years has underperformed. That's either:

a) A remarkable coincidence

b)Evidence that BB is the worst evaluator in the NFL (at least when it comes to DB's)

c) The worst pass defense scheming in the NFL

d) Bad coaching which as you acknowledge would be the fault of BB

What's your poison.


I'm hopeful that Dennard, Wilson and Dowling can offer something going forward and that in combination with an OK but not great McCourty that we will have at least a functional secondary. What we have right now is a disaster and that can't be just blamed on the players. What is becoming increasingly obvious that the coaching, evaluation and scheming is flawed and responsibility for that goes right to the top.

What that means, is that unless our draft philosophy is to throw stuff at a wall to see what sticks or there is an exceptional prospect out there (Lamarcus Joyner), we should stay away from drafting anyone for the secondary because we will be wasting picks (Ras-I).


Edit: I'm not giving up on our secondary altogether. I want to see what Dennard and Dowling offer. BB should start them for the rest of the season to see what they offer because things can't get any worse than what we are seeing right now. In terms of giving up big plays, we're not just the worst in the NFL, we're by far the worst.

Dennard, Dowling, McCourty, and Wilson are all part of the solution, however they are not THE solution. We need another safety and another corner. A secondary is only as strong as the weakest link, and that is Chung/Arrington.

 

[mayoclinic]

Dennard, Dowling, McCourty, and Wilson are all part of the solution, however they are not THE solution. We need another safety and another corner. A secondary is only as strong as the weakest link, and that is Chung/Arrington.

So your approach is to replace them with not 1 but 4 rookies? Curious approach, and not a very likely one.

The fact is, the Pats had THE solution in for a visit just over a year ago and let him get away. Dashon Goldson. The Pats made him an offer according to Reiss, but he preferred to re-sign with San Francisco for a 1 year $2M deal:

Revisiting Goldson pursuit - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Hindsight is always 20-20, and I'm not blaming the Pats for not having a crystal ball and realizing that Goldson would become a Pro Bowler and one of the best FSs in the NFL and making him an offer he couldn't refuse. But in retrospect, he was EXACTLY what our secondary needed, just like Red Bryant was EXACTLY what our DL needed. 2 guys who both very nearly signed with the Pats as FAs, and both chose to remain with their former teams.

One problem with your approach is it assumes the Pats will hit on the "right" prospects. But we took Brandon Meriweather over Eric Weddle in 2007, we took Darius Butler in 2009 and passed on Lardarius Webb (#88 overall; he was a Box favorite that year IIRC), we took Terrance Wheatley over Terrell Thomas in 2008, and we passed on Richard Sherman in 2011 (I was a huge Sherman fan, and he was one of my day 3 binkies).