* Ye Olde 2013 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[patsfaninpa]

Welcome to the board. I agree with your assessment that dt is the biggest need. We have 1.5 sacks from Kyle Love and that's it. Need more pressure. We need a 3-tech that can get upfield. Of course, we could sign a free agent. But, hard to project them. I'll get a look at Short on Saturday. PSU plays at Purdue 3:30 ESPNU. PSU has a kid Jordan Hill who dropped some weight to get to 295. They had him as a 5 tech last year and moved him this year. He's worth a look in round 4-5. [\QUOTE]

I think that a LDE and a DT are both needs. Lots of ways to fill them:

- Sheldon Richardson - could play 3-4 DE or 4-3 LDE or pass rushing DT
- Kawann Short - probably not a 4-3 LDE, but could play some 3-4 DE as well as 4-3 DT, and is a very accomplished inside pass rusher
- Jesse Williams - less of a pass rusher, but could play 3-4 DE or 4-3 DE in a Red Bryant mold as well as 3-4 DT or NT; very able to collapse the pocket
- Louis Nix - big man with surprising agility, could play 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT or NT or 3-4 NT. Won't be a true pass rusher, but has some agility and quickness
- Sharif Floyd - very quick DT who could also play outside in a 3-4, would be a nice inside pass rusher
- Margus Hunt - could play 3-4 DE or 4-3 LDE and could move inside to DT on 3rd downs. Has played some NT.

Ziggy Ansah has also played inside at DT and NT some, and might also eventually be able to play a similar kind of role.

And that obviously doesn't include Star Lotulelei and Johnathan Hankins, since they are assumed to be out of reach.

I think Hightower ends up in Ninko's role. In Bedard's column on Sunday he mentioned that he came in well over(weight) what he was when he ran at the combine. He's not going to get smaller or faster. He's strong enough and fast enough to play strongside de/olb and he's also a good pass rusher.

Also have Bequette, Cunningham and maybe Francis develops. Doesn't seem like a huge need to me if you think Hightower ends up there. I do. I'd like to have a lb who can play in space better than anyone we have. L. David from last year's draft would be the type of player I'm looking for. Him and Mayo in our nickel. Hightower lines up at de but can drop if you don't rush him. Especially if the guy just inside him can get after the qb some.

 

[mayoclinic]

Do we keep forgetting Jake Bequette? We talk about missing LDE/DT - But where do you guy's see him in the piqture. I see him as a LDE model, good against the run, huge moter, but not a pure pass rusher. Infact i think he would shine as 3-4 DE in a Justin Smite role, atleast they have same build.

Haven't forgotten about him at all. But as he's been a healthy scratch pretty much all year as far as I can recall, I'm not yet willing to count on him. Hope he'll be all that you think he can be, but I'm not ready to bank on it yet.

 

[manxman2601]

Rob Staton at Seahawks draft blog has an interesting mock in that he's trying to predict how the draft will look on the day rather than mocking people as they are currently ranked. So for example he has Sheldon Richardson at No2 overall, Damontre Moore at No3.

Has the Patriots getting Jonathan Hankins. I would be thrilled by that, he's my favourite of the 'unattainable' prospects and think he's a better prospect than Lotulelei for example.

Updated mock draft: 31st October « Seahawks Draft Blog

Josh Norris at Rotoworld also has an interesting mock not relying on current stocks but projecting to draft day. for the Patriots:

25. New England Patriots - 5-3 (.475 SOS) -- DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State
I don’t think the Patriots need help offensively, and with Chandler Jones playing well some will question another pass rushing projection. In recent weeks, Alfonzo Dennard has shown enough to be considered a reliable starter, and the same can't be said for Jermaine Cunningham. Rob Ninkovich has done some nice things as well, but Werner offers a nice upgrade at the left defensive end spot.

If we're starting to talk about Jonathan Hankins and Bjorn Werner, things will start to get much more exciting.

 

[ATippett56]

Reference for future 2013 NFL Mock Drafts:

Re-setting Pats' 2013 draft picks - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[mayoclinic]

Time for a post-Aqib Talib bump. I'm going to break this into 2 posts, because I'm going to present 2 alternative scenarios for the 2nd round in the first post. I'm going to go strictly by current NFL Draft Scout rankings regardless of where I project players to end up 6 months from now, with a little wiggle room (5 places or so) for movement. I'm going to assume that the Pats get 5th and 6th round comp picks.

PART I: Rounds 1 and 2:

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

Alternative A:

40. Johnathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina. 6'3" 310. Currently NFL DraftScout #35.



Beast!I have a hard time believing Cooper will last this long, but guards tend to slip a bit. David DeCastro was touted as a likely top 15 pick, and Amini Silatolu was considered a possible late 1st round pick. Cooper has ridiulous athleticism and movement skills for a guard and the ability to get the 2nd level, which makes him stand out as a fit for the Pats.

50. Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, DE, BYU. 6'6" 270#. Currently NFL DraftScout #77.



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

Mike Mayock predicts that Ansah could go in the 1st round, but for now I have him as a top 50 pick. He would be a beast opposite Chandler Jones. I also think that Ansah could bulk up to 280# or more and could move inside at times to provide an inside pass rush, with Jermaine Cunningham/Rob Ninkovich and possible Jake Bequette on the outside.

If Ansah is gone, the Pats could go with SMU DE Margus Hunt (#87) or Florida St. DE Cornelius "Tank" Carradine (#44). One of the 3 should be available around 50. William Gholston (54) is an outside option.

Alternative B:

40. Sheldon Richardson, DT/DE, Missouri. 6'3" 290#. Currently NFL Draft Scout #39.



Beast! A JUCO transfer in 2011, Richardson has broken out big time this year with 57 tackles to date, and has been wrecking havoc all over the SEC. His is a disruptive playmaker with great strength, quickness, and pursuit ability. He is possibly the most athletic big man in college football, and he could probably play both 3-4 DE and 4-3 LDE as well as inside. Unfortunately there is a decent chance that Richardson becomes this year's version of Nick Fairley/Fletcher Cox and jumps up to the top 20. Rob Rang has him at #19 on his current top 40 board. But he is current #39 on Draft Scout's rankings, and if he stays in that range he should definitely be an option.

50. Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky. 6'3" 343#. Currently NFL Draft Scout #62.



Jumbo Beast! Warford is more of a road grader than the typical Pats' guard, but he's just a beast, and he's been battled hardened by the SEC. Re-signing Sebastian Vollmer and pairing him with Warford would give the Pats' a tremendous right side of the offense line for their power running game. Warford is obviously completely different in style from Jonathan Cooper - not as nimble or athletic, though he has decent feet for a guy his size, but extremely powerful.

If Wisconsin junior OG/C Travis Frederick were to declare, he would be a serious alternative to Warford in this range, with versatility at both guard and center. He's probably a better prospect than Peter Konz from a year ago.

In either of these scenarios the Pats come away with a stud interior lineman and a defensive lineman who can play outside at LDE and also inside. It's a matter of judgment - or of who is available - as to whether Jonathan Cooper + Ziggy Ansah or Margus Hunt is a better option than Sheldon Richardson + Larry Warford or Travis Frederick. I'd personally be pretty happy with either alternative.

The rest of this mock is not affected by which alternative is taken, and is continued in the following due to length limitations.

 

[mayoclinic]

(continued from previous post)

PART II: Rounds 3-7:

82. Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech. 6'3" 206#. Currently NFL DraftScout #76.



Flawed Beast! My guy is Tavon Austin, but he's long gone according to NFL DraftScout's rankings. I question whether the Pats would use this high a pick on a guy with Rogers' character question marks. But there is certainly plenty of talent. If Rogers doesn't last this long, someone like Marshall WR Aaron Dobson (80) could be an option, or a trade back for someone like Steadman Bailey (125) or Markus Wheaton (163).

*** Trade: New England trades #94 (124 points) for a 4th and 5th round pick, somewhere in the neighborhood of #108 and #140 (114 points). I haven't specified a trading partner - any number of teams would do. In this scenario the Pats trade back to pick up the 4th that they gave up for Talib.

120. Jonathan Brown, OLB, Illinois. 6'1" 235#. Currently NFL DraftScout #116.



Stud Horse![/b] A Makenzie Pantoja favorite, Brown is a rangy LB with great instincts and coverage ability somewhat in the Lavonte David mold. I perosnally don't think he's in the David class or as good as Mackenzie thinks he is, but a true coverage LB would be a useful addition to the Pats' LB corps. Brown played extensively with Tavon Wilson at Illinois, so BB should be fairly familiar with him. An alternative might be someone like OLB Jelani Jenkins from Florida, but at #102 he's just out of reach for this draft spot.

140. Chris Gragg, TE/H-Back, Arkansas. 6'3" 236#. Currently NFL DraftScout #132.



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.

If the Pats preferred to go with another WR instead of an H-back here, someone like Steadman Bailey (125) might be good value if he were still available.

6 (comp). 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 raw but incredibly 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.

Long has petitioned for another year of NCAA eligibility and is waiting to hear, but as of right now, he will be in the 2013 draft. Gil Brandt predicts that he will be drafted, so in this mock I have the Pats taking him in the late 6th before other teams grab him in the 7th round:

J.J. Watt, Jared Allen, Jake Long among NFL's best linemen - NFL.com

7a (from Tampa Bay). Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU. 5'9" 178#. Currently NR by NFL DraftScout (previously #74).



Fallen Beast! The Honey Badger becomes the 2013 version of Aaron Hernandez/Alfonzo Dennard, a day 1 or 2 pick who slips to day 3 because of off field issues and gets snatched up by BB. Mathieu is undersized and doesn't have elite man coverage skills. But he is a heat seeking missile and ball hawk par extraordinaire who can be moved all around the secondary to create disruption. He's a big risk without a true position and multiple off field issues leading to his dismissal from LSU, but as a day 3 pick the upside is too great to ignore. He has fallen completely off of NFL DraftScout's list after his most recent arrest for MJ possession and his draft stock should no doubt plummet accordingly. Paradoxically, I'm more intrigued by Mathieu now than I was before: first, because his stock his lower; second, because his scrappy style of play and tough demeanor seem to mesh nicely with fellow "Bad Boys" Aqib Talib and Alonzo Dennard. I wouldn't mind some of that kind of toughness and attitude in the Pats' secondary compared to the soft coverage that we've seen in the past, even at the expense of guys with off field issues, as long as they can be managed. It's a risk, but at the price of an extra 7th round pick, one that would seem to be well worth taking. And it would be poetic justice to grab a stud DB with the late round throw in from the Bucs in the Talib trade. 2 delinguent stud DBs for the price of a 4th round pick. Sweetness.

7b. Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati. 6'6" 260#. Currently NFL DraftScout #349.



Sleeper Beast! The brother of Philadelphia Eagles' center Jason Kelce, Kelce is a former QB and 3-sport athlete (baseball, basketball) who converted to TE at Cincinnati. He was suspended for 2010 for a violation of rules but has stayed out of trouble since then, and is beginning to show signs of incredible athleticism and playmaking capability. He could be something in-between Rob Gronkowski and Jake Ballard, which would make him a steal this late in the draft.

The Bottom Line:

The Pats come out of this draft with immediate starting caliber players at OG and LDE/interior DL plus a significant contributor at WR. They add depth at TE/WR, an athletic developmental tackle with tremendous upside, a falled DB with character issues who would have been a day 1/2 pick a year ago, and a coverage LB.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Time for a post-Aqib Talib bump. I'm going to break this into 2 posts, because I'm going to present 2 alternative scenarios for the 2nd round in the first post. I'm going to go strictly by current NFL Draft Scout rankings regardless of where I project players to end up 6 months from now, with a little wiggle room (5 places or so) for movement. I'm going to assume that the Pats get 5th and 6th round comp picks.

I love it so much I only have one criticism. I'd rather add another big physical DB instead of a H-back. I feel like H-back is too much of a tweener position to spend valuable draft picks on. Welker and Gronk can both fill in for Hernandez in a pinch.

We're almost overloading with inside receiver talent. We have the best TE, the best H-back, the best slot receiver, Ballard - a top 15 TE, and Fells - a top 30 TE.

As for alternative A or B I'd probably go with A because it's more likely. Even if what you say about Warford is true 343 pounds is huge. Could he keep up with the no huddle? While I love Richardson on the field, off the field I've heard he's unintelligent, ****y, and likes to talk smack. Might not be a Bill type of player. Missouri DT Sheldon Richardson says Georgia plays 'old-man football' - CBSSports.com

 

[manxman2601]

@ Mayo

Can I take option one please

:rocker: :rocker: :rocker:

 

[mayoclinic]

I love it so much I only have one criticism. I'd rather add another big physical DB instead of a H-back. I feel like H-back is too much of a tweener position to spend valuable draft picks on. Welker and Gronk can both fill in for Hernandez in a pinch.

We're almost overloading with inside receiver talent. We have the best TE, the best H-back, the best slot receiver, Ballard - a top 15 TE, and Fells - a top 30 TE.

As for alternative A or B I'd probably go with A because it's more likely. Even if what you say about Warford is true 343 pounds is huge. Could he keep up with the no huddle? While I love Richardson on the field, off the field I've heard he's unintelligent, ****y, and likes to talk smack. Might not be a Bill type of player. Missouri DT Sheldon Richardson says Georgia plays 'old-man football' - CBSSports.com

Your suggestion is perfectly reasonable. For me, I value the Aaron Hernandez H-back/"move TE" role in our offense a lot, so I want (1) a backup for when Hernandez is injured, so we don't lose that capability, and (2) the potential to put 2 of them on the field at the same time to create even more chaos for opposing defenses. Gragg could be used very much as a WR as well.

As for a big DB, Jonathan Brown is a very rangy coverage LB who can play something of the hybrid LB/S role. With Tavon Wilson, and depending on whether Pat Chung stays, I didn't see the need for another big DB. But I wouldn't be averse to one.

I don't know enough about Richardson to judge his off field demeanor. He certainly talked trash before the Georgia game, though he's since apologized. I'm sure that if the Pats drafted him he would get a lesson in keepihg his mouth shut. I'm not aware of any major character red flags. Intelligence is always an issue - you certainly want a guy who can understand the defensive schemes. Of course, JPP had the rap of being "dumb" when he came out, and it doesn't seem to have hindered his development very much.

From my perspective, it all depends on who is available and on personnel evaluation. Ziggy Ansah may be the biggest athletic freak in the draft and I love the idea of getting him, but if after detailed evaluation the Pats' coaching staff considers him to be too raw or too stiff or too much of a liability against the run, or if his draft stock shoots up to where he's no longer a value, then there are other options. If the team wants more of an interior penetrating player then Richardson might be a better fit, whereas if they want more of an outside stud to complement Jones but who can move inside at times then someone like Ansah or Margus Hunt would be good fits. I thought it was at least worth putting Richardson out there as a serious alternative to be considered.

Warford doesn't fit the typical mold, but neither did Marcus Cannon, and Warford is just a beast. As I mentioned, if Travis Frederick were available he would be a good option in that range, and he would fit the mold. Jonathan Cooper is my clear preference at OG, but I don't see any way he lasts until 50.

 

[ATippett56]

WalterFootball.com: NFL Mock Draft Database

 

[ATippett56]

Warford doesn't fit the typical mold, but neither did Marcus Cannon, and Warford is just a beast. As I mentioned, if Travis Frederick were available he would be a good option in that range, and he would fit the mold. Jonathan Cooper is my clear preference at OG, but I don't see any way he lasts until 50.

WalterFootball.com: 2013 NFL Draft: Guard Rankings

Gabe Jackson*, G, Mississippi State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.33.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.

11/3/12: Jackson has blocked well for Mississippi State this year. He did very well against Alabama and defensive tackle Jesse Williams.

NFL Draft - 2013 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Gabe Jackson could provide tremendous value towards the end of the third round.

 

[ATippett56]

ATippett56 Mid-Season Mock Draft Special

Straight Up - No Trade Downs

Best Case Scenario

1st Round - Jesse Williams, DT - Alabama
2nd Round - Tony Jefferson, FS - Oklahoma
3rd Round - Gabe Jackson, OG - Mississippi State
7th Round - Nigel Malone, CB - Kansas State
7th Round - Rontez Miles, SS - California (PA)

Backup Plan

1st Round - Sharrif Floyd, DT - Florida
2nd Round - Kenny Vaccaro, FS - Texas
3rd Round - Gabe Jackson, OG - Mississippi State
7th Round - Darius Slay, CB - Mississippi State
7th Round - Rontez Miles, SS - California (PA)

 

[manxman2601]

ATippett56 Mid-Season Mock Draft Special

Straight Up - No Trade Downs

Best Case Scenario

1st Round - Jesse Williams, DT - Alabama
2nd Round - Tony Jefferson, FS - Oklahoma
3rd Round - Gabe Jackson, OG - Mississippi State
7th Round - Nigel Malone, CB - Kansas State
7th Round - Rontez Miles, SS - California (PA)

Backup Plan

1st Round - Sharrif Floyd, DT - Florida
2nd Round - Kenny Vaccaro, FS - Texas
3rd Round - Gabe Jackson, OG - Mississippi State
7th Round - Darius Slay, CB - Mississippi State
7th Round - Rontez Miles, SS - California (PA)

I prefer option 1 quite considerably. Gabe Jackson was a nice find. I still would rather take Jonathan Cooper in the first but Jackson is one of the better fall backs. I didn't particularly like Jefferson when I first watched him, the games I saw he was fairly weak against the run, but subsequently I've seen some good reports on him in the run game so he's gone up in my personal rankings. Nigel Malone is a good choice too. Jesse williams is a really nice player, my only problem is that he's a run-stopper only, albeit an excellent one. Trouble is, we have three run stoppers already as DT's. Still if he's BPA then I'd have no problem with the pick.

Option 1 is a very good effort (B for me but only because you don't have any of my preferred choices). I'll give option 2 a C to D because I'm not overly enamoured with Vaccaro and don't think Floyd is first round worthy.

Hope you don't mind me grading them, don't want to offend someone else's hard work

 

[manxman2601]

As I've just graded Mr Tippett's effort, It's only fair that I give him (or anyone else) the opportunity to reciprocate. There won't be many changes but I've not done one since the Talib trade and it's good to keep things current.


Pick One

Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC




He's pretty much locked in now as my favourite choice for the first round. We just don't get that much opportunity to draft someone who projects to be one of the best at his position in the NFL and Cooper looks to become one of the most athletically gifted guards in the NFL in the future. Anyone who doubts that should just watch that play I highlighted some time ago where he runs 50 yards downfield with Giovanni Bernard, blocking four people as he does so.


I'm going with a trade back here, in part because there's three players I want and also because we all know BB will do it.


Pick 2

Stedman Bailey, WR, W Virginia



Tavon Austin gets the credit for his splash plays rightfully, but Stedman Bailey is Geno Smith's No 1 target and best outside receiver. I like Terrance Williams as a legit potential No 1 receiver who fits the system nicely but Bailey is a nice second option. He gets good separation, is an open field playmaker and has very good hands, all he really lacks is Williams' size.


Pick 3

Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State



A really smart footballer and a team captain. He's good very good speed to enable him to run one one with receivers and is an excellent tackler showing very good form. What I like best about him is the speed with which he transitions from the backpedal to moving forward, either to tackle a runner or to close on a receiver in zone coverage. He lacks ideal size but his skillset should find him a position on the team. Hopefully, Talib is a good soldier and we sign him longterm, transitioning McCourty to safety. McFadden becomes the fourth part of a much improved CB platoon with Dennard, Talib and Downing.

Pick 4


Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State



BB always double dips and with the uncertainty at the WR position after this season, WR makes as much sense as any other. Hopefully we re-sign Welker although I'm not optimistic on that score and whilst Salas is interesting, it has to be borne in mind that the Rams traded him away for very little and when we initially waived him, no other team was interested in acquiring him. He can't be relied upon as a legitimate receiving option for the Pats. Wheaton has tremendous quickness and I can see Bailey taking Welker's slot position with Wheaton being the legitimate deep threat that Brandon Lloyd isn't.


Pick 5

Alex Hurst, OT, LSU




Here's the BB value pick. Hurst was being talked of as a mid-round pick pre-season. He's a big RT with plenty of NFL starter upside but with some issues that need developing too. He's left the LSU program, at least temporarily, because of personal issues. I don't know what they are but if he interviews alright, he's be well worth drafting and putting on the PS for a year (or IR) so that he can deal with his problems without the pressure of being on the team week in week out. This is the Dante project.


Pick 6

Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, Auburn



We don't really have an ideal replacement for Aaron Hernandez and this is why I've picked Lutzenkirchen here. He's clearly not as good as Hernandez but he's got very good hands and won't be a let down in the passing game, he just won't show Hernandez's athleticism post catch. I'd have no problem putting him in the offense however as a fall back. And for a seventh rounder, why not?


So there you have it, grade away. You'll have probably noted that it is almost entirely an offensive draft and I think that's the way we should go. We have an excellent front seven that doesn't need much attention* and if Talib re-signs a hopefully improved secondary. However, there is some offensive uncertainties to deal with in the long-term. We are transitioning to the run game, we may end the season with only one legitimate WR in Brandon Lloyd and I do think that the post Brady years are already being planned and rehearsed for.

* A LDE, penetrating DT and a pass defending LB are needs but one's I think we can afford to leave to the following year.

 

[manxman2601]

With regards to the above mock, I just want to add a couple of points:

1. I wanted to play around with the idea of an offensive draft. I still love Carradine and Ansah and if either were available @ 64, I'd jump at both. But I do think BB got a little bit scared two or three years ago by having such a young and inexperienced roster and some evidence can be seen for this in the last two drafts. Firstly, two years ago was a largely offensive draft, last year was a defensive draft. The advantage to this is that you can limit the inexperience to just one side of the ball. And when the time comes for a second offensive draft as this is, the players drafted two years ago have two rather than one years experience. Two consecutive drafts is not a pattern but it's certainly a possible insight into a new draft dynamic for BB. Secondly, BB has turned about face on the value he places on draft picks. Next year could be the third consecutive year we go into a draft short of the standard number of picks (of course that could change). Add in the trading up last year rather than the usual approach of stockpiling picks and I think there's some circumstantial evidence that BB doesn't want to get too young at too many levels of the team. And that is why I went for an offensive draft.

2. Double-dipping has been a clear draft strategy the last four years and so I wanted to reflect that and to me, WR is the obvious position to do it in (also, I can't diferrentiate between Wheaton and and Bailey ).

 

[mayoclinic]

With regards to the above mock, I just want to add a couple of points:

1. I wanted to play around with the idea of an offensive draft. I still love Carradine and Ansah and if either were available @ 64, I'd jump at both. But I do think BB got a little bit scared two or three years ago by having such a young and inexperienced roster and some evidence can be seen for this in the last two drafts. Firstly, two years ago was a largely offensive draft, last year was a defensive draft. The advantage to this is that you can limit the inexperience to just one side of the ball. And when the time comes for a second offensive draft as this is, the players drafted two years ago have two rather than one years experience. Two consecutive drafts is not a pattern but it's certainly a possible insight into a new draft dynamic for BB. Secondly, BB has turned about face on the value he places on draft picks. Next year could be the third consecutive year we go into a draft short of the standard number of picks (of course that could change). Add in the trading up last year rather than the usual approach of stockpiling picks and I think there's some circumstantial evidence that BB doesn't want to get too young at too many levels of the team. And that is why I went for an offensive draft.

2. Double-dipping has been a clear draft strategy the last four years and so I wanted to reflect that and to me, WR is the obvious position to do it in (also, I can't diferrentiate between Wheaton and and Bailey ).

Nice picks, but not enough defense for me. But I'm a defensive guy. And I wouldn't use my top defensive pick on a DB, at least not right now, until the secondary picture becomes clearure. JMHO.

 

[manxman2601]

Nice picks, but not enough defense for me. But I'm a defensive guy. And I wouldn't use my top defensive pick on a DB, at least not right now, until the secondary picture becomes clearure. JMHO.

I just have a feeling this might be an offensive draft this year. The only thing that I can't develop any feeling for is the DT position. I can see BB going with what we currently have but there's also a part of me that thinks that it could be the position he targets. We'll just have to wait for FA and see what happens.

By the by, have you watched Jason Jones much at Seattle? Any insight as to whether he might be worth a FA pickup?

 

[Risen]

What about Darnell Docket from KC as a Free Agent? I think he could help the depth at DT and being a Former High draft pick it seems like a BB Type of move.
Thoughts?

 

[mayoclinic]

What about Darnell Docket from KC as a Free Agent? I think he could help the depth at DT and being a Former High draft pick it seems like a BB Type of move.
Thoughts?

Darnell Dockett is with Arizona and signed long term. I presume you mean Glenn Dorsey, who would do do much better as a pass rushing DT in a 4-3 than in a 3-4.

 

[mayoclinic]

By the by, have you watched Jason Jones much at Seattle? Any insight as to whether he might be worth a FA pickup?

I like Jason Jones as a 4-3 LDE that can move inside in NASCAR packages, but I see his game as somewhat similar to Jake Bequette's, so it all depends on whether the coaching staff thinks that Bequette will develop. I also don't know what Jones' market value would be.